My first Hub page...check it out! Good info regarding what you need for Artisan Shows http://ping.fm/A1MnK

Putnam Ct. Art Festival and other happenings....

The Putnam Ct. Fall and French Canadian Festival took place October 25, 2008. There were over 70 Artisans displaying their hand crafted items. This was the first time I took part in this celebration filled with wonderful music and food. French pork pie and pea soup were the highlight of the day~ the line was incredible! I had an opportunity to visit most of the booths and make contact with many new potential clients. Funny, most had never heard of Etsy~~ imagine that!! I had steady traffic most of the day...we only stayed until 2:30, that was all we could bear.... take a look:

Isn't that attractive, quite the hairdo eh??? Most of the day was spent fighting the more than 30 mph wind gusts... I did not put up a tent, and I was glad that I didn't. We spent part of the day chasing items that had been blown right off tables from neighboring vendors and then the tents started to fly! Enough for me...we packed it in early. I will go back again next year. If the weather was better it would have been a great show. Rotary Park is along the river and the evening was to be filled with "water fire" but the weather did not cooperate. All in all, I made more than enough sales to cover the table and had numerous inquiries for where I would be doing Christmas shows. It was a great networking experience. Just wish Mother Nature was more cooperative. During the lulls, I was able to put this together... the first of three commissioned Rosaries that will be traveling to my new friend, Lisa, in the UK.

Lisa wanted something special for her boyfriend who celebrates a December birthday. I used Swarovski crystals in the deep blue and added Turquoise with silver findings. She loved the pictures....hope she loves it even more once she receives it!

Since my last post I have one heck of a week...as an aside, I spent the day at the hospital with DH who was experiencing horrible pain in his abdomen....lucky it was a nasty virus and nothing more. Add to that our "entertaining" the fire department Friday at 2:00 am for a "small" chimney fire.... lucky....no damage! Just scared us to death!! And finally my son is home sick today...fighting the same stomach virus....My life is never boring!!!

Blessings~

D

All set for the show later today! Not a bad week, 3 commissioned rosaries for the UK! Nite all. D

Closed my first international sale to the UK! What a feeling http://ping.fm/wxZqM

What a colorful time in Rhode Island..New to Etsy...and Marketing tips~

This is what I have been waking up to each morning for the past week. We live right on Georgaville Pond, Smithfield in a modest five room bungalow. But as they say...location, location, location!! As I wake each morning and enjoy a coffee before starting my hectic day...I can find peace in this breathtaking view. I'm not sure which of the four seasons are my most favorite because each is beautiful in its own way. What a display of lovely colors! Sure to give me inspiration~

Here is what I have new on Etsy today....Mother and baby cameo pendant




Cat's eye cameo, salmon, 40x30mm. Cameo is ultrasonically carved in relief from a solid piece of fiberoptic glass, the raised carvings appear an ethereal white against a contrasting background. I have taken this cameo and wrapped it in gold and sterling silver wire. It can be worn on any chain or even a string of pearls...I made the pendant removable.
More pictures here!


I wanted to thank 3D fiber artist Donna Ziegler DZFANTASY ...she is displaying my Etsy minin on her blog -http://dzfantasy.blogspot.com/ Right column, under the heading ETSY MINIS FOR THE PERIOD OF .....she rotates the minis throughout the 4 weeks so that everyone gets a chance to be on top of the list, etc.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR FREE PROMO!! You are a dear Donna!!

Marketing tip:
Communicate through e-mail and direct-mail channels---ie. a Newsletter. Informing customers about promotions, new products or other news gives you an excuse to keep your business top-of-mind. And contrary to popular opinion, e-mail doesn't require deep pockets or a technical staff. There are companies that will handle both e-mail design and mailing for pennies per customer, and many more for free depending upon how large your list is.

http://ping.fm/ETIWO New addition to my Etsy site..mother and child pendant wirewrapped in gold and silver

Cool new gadget...you gotta try it! ping.fm.com

Getting ready for Fall Craft Fair...New to Etsy....destash...and Marketing tip~

Amber and Copper Necklace

This lovely necklace is made from amber beads in various shades paired with purple crackle quartz all wrapped up in warm copper. The focal amber piece is over 50mm wide by 30mm tall with copper and silver findings. The necklace is over 22" in length and is adjustable. The earrings are my gift to you and measure over 2 1/2" in length with 2 amber beads and a divine piece of purple crackle quartz. Earrings have a copper French hook.

I have taken AnnaLee's lead (my fellow eSMARts team leader) and considered adding a "Destash" category to my Etsy shop... began listing items tonight. Fellow jewelry artisans...feel free to check it out!!

MyGemStoneBox by Diane will be at the Fall Craft Fair and French Canadian Festival on October 25th (rain date 26th) in Rotary Park, Kennedy Drive Putnam. The festival begins at 10am and ends with River Fire at 5:30pm on the Quinebaug River. Here is the link to mapquest.

Come out and join us!

This just in.... I just sold my Peaceful Pendant tonight on Etsy!! Yah!!

Marketing tips:

Make customer service your top priority. This should be really obvious but sometimes it isn't. There's simply no substitute for the brand experience. If you can't win battles like delivering on time and soothing customers' ruffled feathers, you'll lose the war. Remember, the path to profitability is paved with repeat customers. There are many ways to build repeat business, but you need to lay the groundwork from the minute you start writing your business plan. The goal is to sketch out a scheme that'll create customers for life. If you can do that, you're at least halfway to ensuring your business will be around for the long haul.

Etsy a How-To Guide and "The Veil Nebula"

Fellow eSMArt'ers and Estian's, here is a tasty tidbit! The Etsy Seller Handbook: All Our How-Tos about Selling

Here you'll find a handy index of all the useful How-Tos about Selling on Etsy. They are calling it the Seller Handbook. They will be adding all new how-tos for sellers to this index.

Look for sections on Your Shop 101: How-Tos for Getting Started on Etsy, Photography How-Tos, Alchemy and Custom/Reserved Listing How-Tos, Shipping How-Tos, Advertising How-Tos, Business and Pricing How-Tos, Promoting & Marketing How-Tos, Craft Show & Events How-Tos Blogging, Podcasting & Video-making How-Tos, Legal Info for Artists, Tagging How-Tos, Team Tips, All about Etsy & Site Features.

Dig in and enjoy!!!

Veil Nebula Bracelet.... this is what is new at my Etsy shop this week:

This substantial wire wrapped bracelet in copper and sterling silver has all the colors in the nebula. Green faceted quartz briolettes matched with rondelle’s of aquamarine and rose, along side the smooth crackle quartz in purple and aqua are the base of this bracelet. Add a sprinkle of Swarovski crystals in topaz yellow, ruby red and tourmaline pink for sparkle. Finished off with faceted rondelle’s of yellow jade, faceted briolettes of chalcedony and garnet and a lovely faceted yellow citrine gemstone. Finishing touches of silver and copper findings accent this couture look.

Here is what the Veil Nebula looks like from the Hubble telescope:

Astronomy is near and dear to my heart along with meteorology and physiology.