Listening to Your Etsy Stats

I think that I am finally getting this whole online promotion thing down!

I watch the results of everything I do and have found that posting to certain sites seems to bring in more traffic than others.

Who would have thought that Twitter would bring more views than Facebook?  I’m just learning Twitter and didn’t realize how popular it was!  What a find for me!  Everytime I post to Twitter, I get bunches of views!  Don’t get me wrong…I still utilize Facebook and others on a rotating basis.  Everything helps!

One thing that I have noticed in the last few weeks is that I have had 6 hits on an item that I listed and sold last year.  I suppose that I wasn’t aware that it would be so popular this year!  I’m thinking that 6 searchs for a particular item is enough to produce more so, tomorrow, I will get started!

In addition, what a great way to see what people are interested in so I can produce more of what’s in demand!

Thankfully, I am fascinated with the internet and ecommerce so I hope to use it to continue to share my creations with the world!

See you at my Etsy shop!

Holiday Panic!

I love, love, love and dislike the Holidays all at the same time!!!! I dislike the pressure of HAVING to create but I love the glittery things that I get to use!

It’s really easier than it would seem because I have so many things that I make every year but I always want to come up with new things. I have to learn to keep it simple because when it comes to my Holiday items, it’s the simplest things that sell! The Holidays don’t need to be too fancy! The way I see it, just a colorful pair of Holiday earrings can be enough to make a whole outfit festive! I’m not sure why I worry so much really!!!!

And, every year I figure this out! I become a machine in December creating zillions of mini ornament creations for friends and coworkers. What a feeling of accomplishment and most importantly, the way it lights up everyone’s faces when they see a grab bag full of different Holiday earrings and pins! What am I really complaining about????

I hope everyone can make this a fun and creative Holiday season no matter what your outlet is!

Click on image to get to my Etsy page!

Many thanks…

It’s almost Thanksgiving…I have to say that I have many things to be thankful for…

I’m thankful for my family and friends, especially the good health of my children.

I’m thankful for the patience, love and understanding that I have found with the wonderful man in my life.

I’m thankful for the love and support my Mother has always given me.

I’m thankful that both of my children are focused and becoming independent young men.

I’m thankful that my youngest son’s father and I have found peace and are truly enjoying watching our son grow together.

I’m thankful that I have discovered my talent and passion for making jewelry.

I could probably go on forever…life doesn’t always give us what we want but I have learned that it’s not always in our control.  I’ve learned that I have to fight through frustration, saddness and anger and constantly realize my many blessings.

I hope everyone has a peaceful and beautiful Thanksgiving!

On a lighter note…enjoy!…

Trying New Things

Okay…I talked about trying new things a couple of posts ago and I have just listed my first attempts at Chainmaille in my Etsy shop!  It really is a simple attempt but I love the outcome and hope to continue on with some more complicated patterns.  I choose to start slow because I don’t want to jump in and just get frustrated…I’ve learned that the hard way!

I hope everyone likes what I have done so far…

Click on the pic for DeevineDeesigns on Etsy!

High School Football and Sports Accessories

Yes…I accessorize for my son’s football games!  I noticed that it’s gotten worse in the 4 years he’s played but whether it’s that his team is in the playoffs this year or whether it’s that every game now may be his last, I may have gone overboard!

So far, he hasn’t complained.  I know that deep down beneath that tough offensive lineman exterior, he’s really a big goofball!  And, yes, that goofball comes out on the sidelines sometimes…hopefully he actually likes my brand of school spirit!!!!!

Freshman year, I ordered the fan jersey with his number on the back.  Sophomore year, I added the hoop earrings with black and gold beads.  Junior year, I added the black and gold scrunchies that are worn on my wrist or in my hair, depending on the weather.  This year, I have the black hat to which I added gold ribbon.  And…the black feather and gold garland boa that I created for Homecoming and has made the last 4 games too!  Not to mention the gold and black nail polish.  I’m having way too much fun!

I’m sure that this being his last year has had some affect on my possible over accessorizing this year and honestly, I’m really going to miss it.  I was very much aware at the beginning of the season that this is it and my love of football and my pride at having my boy play has fueled so much spirit and happiness for 4 years!

I’m thinking that my outlet next year should be custom accessories for other proud, spirit happy Mom’s that have as much fun watching their kids play any sport as I have.  Yes, I think that from this year forward, as I watch my son become a man and move on to other successes in his life, that’s what I’ll do. 

In honor of all the other proud, spirited Moms out there that show up to every game, scream and yell like banshees and put 100% behind their kids!

Trying New Techniques

I have spent a lot of time admiring techniques that I’ve never used before.  I love wirework and chainmaille both of which I have never really tried.  I have a wigjig and plenty of jumprings that I can play with…one is finally conquered!

Yesterday I decided to try a basic Chainmaille pattern and am very happy with the results!  I made two simple bracelets and added some bling to them.  I will be making a few more creations, including some earrings which I need desperately in my shop!  I’m very excited about how they’ve turned out and hope to post them in my shop next week.  I’m looking forward to sharing my first attempts with everyone!

Holiday Color

ALL of the colors of the Holiday Season!  Just a small sample.  Blue, gold and silver…red and green…red, green and black…

The Holidays Are Almost Upon Us!

2011 Holiday Season

Hanukkah  December 20 – 28

Christmas  December 25

Kwanzaa   December 26 – January 1

And…I’ve already been on the move!  I love ‘decorating’ myself for the holidays and what better way than ornament earrings?

Hello world!

Yes…hello world!

This begins the official launch of the blog to accompany my fledgling jewelry shop on Etsy.com!

Though this is not a brand new venture, I have decided to concentrate much more energy into creating and producing my little works of art due to my longstanding unemployment status.  What else is there to do?

Making the transition from making jewelry because I was just plain picky to creating too much and deciding to sell the overload to, now, trying to start the process of making a real income has been difficult.  There is always the fear that taking something that you do as a hobby and to relax will turn into something that feels like a chore. 

I’m hoping that sharing here and finding ways to create a variety of different projects will help me avoid that feeling. 

My creativity has never been fueled by stress, primarily by peace.  But, as I believe with most things we have to or want to do in life, it is up to us to fight the stress and negativity and make our own minds decide the best route for ourselves.  I am excited to do this and hopeful that many will feel happiness when they see my creations.

A Recent Addition – Silver Chain with Drop Beads Necklace

One of my more recent creations.  So simple but I just love this look!  My inspiration?  Well, maybe I cheated just a little…we have to keep up with fashion!  I’ve seen this style on a few jewelry sites and really liked it!  I’ve dangled beads like this from plenty of bracelets and earrings but never from the middle of a chain. I’m used to seeing them dangle from the complete length of chain.  I think it serves it’s purpose without being too much of a good thing.  I’m going to be making one for myself too!