Quick Break from Social Networking.

I am so excited.  I have been going to antique shops with my daughter about once a week.  We peruse through the isle looking at all these things that used to be someone’s treasures.  We have gotten wonderful things, from old post cards, and books, to long white gloves, and a cotton baby’s gown.

A few weeks back, we found a dish of these amazing glass orbs.  They were cracked and sparkled like we couldn’t believe. 

Of course, being the lover of all things sparkly it didn’t take much convincing for me to add them to our days finds.  Since then, I was able to find the man that consigned the vintage glass.  He had a whole collection!!!  Last week, he was kind enough to bring them by the shop.  I fell in love instantly.  Not only with how beautiful they all were, but the history, and the care he took with them all.  They have been so well loved.  After chatting a while, he offered me part of his collection……I was so excited, and flattered.  I told him what I had done with the last pieces, and he was impressed.  I only had 2 more!  I think he found comfort in the fact that something he had spent so much time on, and treasured, had become so many other people’s treasures.

The good news is….. I have big plans for some of the vintage glass I bought from him.  They will be featured in my shop, and I think you will like some of the ways I have used them.  The bad news is…..I am now addicted to these amazing pieces myself.  A lot have been set aside for myself >.<   Especially the one of a kind pieces.  Maybe someday I will make something out of them, but for now, they are amazing light catchers in my dreaming studio.

PS….. Part of the collection will set off sensitive Geiger counters, but I have been assured that they are considered completely harmless and safe >.>   My daughter started a facebook post about it and had over 100 replies in a few hours.  LOL They are excited to see her necklace when I am done =)  Of course I will share it with you too!!

Find out where you are at.

You have to start somewhere, so here is where I recommend anyone that wants to increase their business starts.

This probably seems a little silly.  You know your sales numbers.  You look at your page all the time, but there are other markers that you can check to see what is going on with your shop!  Some of this you may already know, if so, you can skip ahead.

Sales Stats

On your Etsy account page under Orders on the left side, is a place you can click and see what your stats are.  It will show you how many orders you have had per day, and how much in dollar sales.  The nice thing about this is, now you can look back and see if something you try to promote your shop works or not!!!  This is huge.  Nothing is worse than spending a bunch of time on something that isn’t helping.

Google Analytics

This is also available through etsy.  Google Analytics will tell you how many people have visited your shop every day, how many pages they look at, and what are your most popular pages.  They also have pretty graphs and stuff.   You can find this under the Options tab on your account page, then Web Analytics.  They walk you through the set up pretty well.

Etsy APPs

Lastly, at the bottom of the list on you accounts page is a section called etsy apps.  Some of them are REALLY cool.  Browse through and see if there is anything there that you think you would like, or could help you with your shop. 

If you have any questions about any of these steps, leave me a comment and I will help you!!

Hope you enjoy the rest of your week and I will be chatting with you all again soon.

 

Things we need to know - even if we kinda don't want to.

Nightly News and such…….

Social Networking and why we NEED it.

A year ago if you had asked me what Twitter was, I would have answered, “The sound a bird makes?  Of course.”  Obviously, I have learned a lot since then.  

Almost every day one of my followers will ask me questions about twitter, how to get more followers, how it all works.  For a while, I thought I should write a how to guide about things you can do to create the best social network for you!  But let’s be honest.  No one likes to read how to books, and I am a much better helper then I am author.  

So I decided my blog would be a good place to give out information that can help people grow their network and their business at their own pace.  Not to mention, I could get questions and ideas about what it is that people really need help with.  Well, that is my plan.  With that, I bid you a wonderful night, and promise you tons of useful stuff in the near future!!!!   (they tell you never to do that in blogs – Shhhhh)

 

UFO's

For some reason, I could not sleep this morning.  After tossing and turning for an hour, I gave in to my insomnia and stumbled out of bed.  I don’t understand how I can feel so tired, but not be able to fall back asleep.  It is not fair. I need to find someone to blame…. (My problems are always someone else’s fault) 

After brewing a strong pot of coffee, then watering it down with a store bought sugary creamer, I find myself staring at UFO’s.  For those of you who aren’t crafters, I am sure this is where you decide I have lost my mind completely.  While that might be the case, these are UFO’s I created myself.  My UFO’s are Un-Finished Projects.

I am a little embarrassed to be sitting here and looking at all the money I have spent on crafting supplies, only to organize and keep it all as my own hidden treasures.  Lately, with my jewelry crafting, crystals have been my weakness.  Maybe because they are so sparkly and colorful, tiny little gems that even in this economy I can afford to buy.    But who am I kidding, when I add up the amount of stuff I have accumulated, I am truly shocked.  I need a plan.

If anyone has any ideas of how to organize and begin completing my room full of treasures, please share.  At this point, the only thing I can think of making another list.  Unfortunately, the only place I have to put it is filed with the hundreds of others on my desk.   I am overwhelmed already. >.<