Welcome To What's Up With Me!!


This year I want to get personal, to just talk, I have used my blog for business for so long I have grown tired of trying to keep it up dated. SOOOOOO I thought I would give you pieces of my mind ... LOL little pieces at a time.
Now I will from time to time show you what's new in my etsy.com shop but mostly I just want to relax, unwind or get uptight whatever the day brings. But now I'm going to put into words what I'm thinking, what I'm going through, what I'm happy about.

This may become therapy, way cheaper this way!!!


So Welcome
!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

half way through the year/my goals UPDATE

So we are at the end of June, 2011
If you follow this blog you may recall a few goals that I set, way back in December 2010, for myself and for my etsy shops.  Well half the year has gone by ... How am I doing?  Have I reached any milestones?  Have I given up on any goals that I had set?  Why did I set these goals in the 1st place?
I would like to start with the last question as to Why I set these goals in the 1st place.  Again those that follow my blog may remember I posted my reasons back in December of  2010.  If you are interested in reading that blog click here.  I will note the highlights today.  33 years ago I met a man I wanted to spend all my days with.  Time passes, our Family has now grown ... out on their own ...  We (He and Me) are making plans for our future.  His plan is to Retire and work in the Ministry more and more.  Since our Ministry is voluntary someone has to have some sort of income to help with bills (those silly bills).  That is where I come in.  My goals are set to help Cecil reach His goal.  To get Him closer to being able to retire from Maintenance work and helping Him turn His hope for the Ministry work as a full time Evangelizer into something tangible, reachable something He can actually see in His future.

So how am I doing in my goal to help Cecil reach His goal?  I read posted comments about shops being a monetary means for this family or a 2nd income for that family and I wonder what are they doing to get the kind of sales needed to support a family.  I am trying.  My HandCrafted Jewelry shop does make sales but I have to mark items down and you know what that does to the bottom line.  I make less in order for the Jewelry to sell.  So I wonder ... IS my Jewelry UGLY?  I don't think it is ugly.  Of course some items are more appealing than others and I do list Jewelry Grab bags and jewelry for the younger generation.  Are my shipping cost to high because I will tell you when I go to buy something the shipping cost will make or break the deal for me.  So I am very aware of the shipping cost I list and I do refund excess shipping fees charged over a reasonable amount.  I may keep a quarter or so to cover handling but if I over charge much more you get it back usually, to be honest I do forget sometimes or when Cecil ships for me He doesn't always tell me what the individual fees were.  So I am saying it is not my shipping fees that is holding back the sales.   I think my pictures have gotten better, less blurry so you can see the product I am selling.   So it must be my prices !!  So I mark them down and there starts a cycle of more sales but little profit.   Until I list new items at a price I feel is justified for the work and the result.  Now lets see if anyone else sees what I see. 
On the other hand my Jewelry Supply Shop here on etsy is doing well but I keep my prices down because I usually get good deals on the merchandise I list.  Low over head and low list price is quick sales that add up but still not enough to supplement our income. 
Maybe I should just add more items to both shops so you have more choices.  That is the direction I am going now.

  Have I reached any milestones?  yes I have reached several milestones.  Both shops have over 200 sales each and my feedback is 100% in both shops.  I try hard to maintain customer service and build a reputation of honesty and integrity.  
Have I given up on any goals that I had set if so why did I give up on those goals?  I have given up the Promotional Frenzy Thread that was specifically mentioned in my blog on set goals.  Since we no longer post in threads but we have teams keeping up with the promotional frenzy team was just to much for me so I left that team.
Also I do not have BNR's every month.  I did have at least 9 BNR's in March so I am still up on the count for the year.  Bnr's have changed and we have different types to choose from now.  The creativity I have found in the ideas of these BNR/BNS Treasury's are just amazing.  My hat's off to you curators and you idea hatchers.
Do I add to my Etsy Shop weekly, new items?  I think I do add new items to my shop on a regular basis.  Both shops have over 100 items in them.  I am hoping for over 150 items in each shop by the end of the year.
Am I experimenting with New Jewelry Designs?  Yes, I am trying out new designs.  I am working on a bracelet now that I am very pleased with but it ended up to long to be a bracelet and it just isn't right for an anklet so I have to undo one end and work with it so it still looks good and even and it is the length I want.  Below is a list of the goals I set back in December, 2010
and the link to the blog I posted about my selfish reason.
marcenz.blogspot: My Goals 
(posted on December 26, 2010)
1) Curate at least 1 BNR each month (at least 12 this year)
2) Add to my Etsy Shop weekly, new items
3) Experiment with New Jewelry Designs
4) Use the supplies I have on hand (I have a room full)
5) Stay with the Promotional Frenzy Thread because they help members better their etsy shops
 6) Promote, Promote, Promote learn more ways to Promote.  Right now I use Twitter, Kaboodle and the Etsy Threads that I frequent.
 7) Improve on my listings (photos, descriptions, tags)
 8) Find ways to get MY ETSY SHOP noticed
 9) to relax alittle, take time to chat and make friends


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now if you have a minute leave a comment here on my blog and tell me what you think of my shop, my blog and any ideas you have that may help me to reach my goal.
Don't forget to visit both shops
marcenebt99
marcenzjewelsupplies

you can follow me on twitter also: www.twitter.com/marcenebt99
www.twitter.com/marcenzsupplies

I will pick several shops at random, from those that comment, to feature an etsy mini of their shop here on my blog.  Like the one on the right side.  A 2 X 3 thumbnail etsy mini.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Hand Crafted Earrings For Sale

Earrings can finish a look or add to your style.  Earrings come in all forms and colors and fashion sense.   You could find Earrings for sale everywhere except Marcenebt99.etsy.com 
Why???  I have had handcrafted earrings for sale at the flea market and at garage sales.    Of course you would get a pair of Earrings included with most of the Jewelry Sets I have listed on Etsy.   But where are the listings for just Earrings on the World Wide Web.  How could I possibly be soooo neglectful as to keep all of the Earrings I have handcrafted in a box ... just sitting, waiting to be loved, to be shown off.  Waiting to add to your fashion statement.
  I have had but a few individual pairs of earrings listed for sale on etsy.   Well that is about to change!
Earrings for sale and it's about time!!     
Just Earrings ...  
That's what I was missing in my Etsy Shop ... 
Now I have Earrings.

All the earrings listed under the "Individual Jewelry Pieces" section in my Jewelry Shop, Marcenebt99.etsy.com are $6.00 or LESS  
     
... like these ...
gold dangle earrings for $6.00
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2 pairs of Earrings for $5.00
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2 pairs of Earrings for $4.00

and I am still listing more Earrings.  All Earrings are priced $6.00 or LESS.  You will receive either 1 pair of earrings or 2 pairs of Earrings per card ... (to save on shipping costs the earring holder is not included and will not be shipped). 
The listing may be for 1 pair of Earrings or 2 pairs of Earrings ... you will not pay more then $6.00 for the listed Earrings.  Gold Earrings, Silver Earrings,  Dressy Earrings, Casual Earrings.  Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Purple and every color in between.  Come on and check out the Earrings in my shop.  As always comments are welcome and appreciated.

 visit both of my etsy shops where you get a free gift with every purchase:
Marcenebt99.etsy.com - Handcrafted Jewelry and also European Style Charms to fit your Bracelets, Necklaces and Rings
MarcenzJewelSupplies.etsy.com - Jewelry Making Supplies and Such Things

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Specials for June

June is clear inventory month so my prices are lower.   I will have special deals posted here in my blog or in the team threads.
I have new projects planned.  New styles of Bracelets that I have not made before.  Some new Jewelry Sets.  So I want to sell off some of the Jewelry Sets and Individual jewelry Pieces that I have had for several months.  This means you benefit because I am lowering prices and making deals on the Jewelry pieces that are already listed in my Jewelry Shop.   I still have several pieces that I had not listed on etsy so I am listing them and they are starting out with a lower price so I can sell them quickly and make room for the new projects ahead.
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Deal #1: So here is a deal !!!
 This Necklace, Bracelet and Earrings Set for $11.00 (shipping is only $2.00)  All 3 matching pieces!
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Deal #2: Here is another deal !!
this Necklace is now only $9.00 ($2.00 shipping)
 
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Deal #3:  And another Deal !!
Add this bracelet to your purchase for only $2.00
or this one
purchased alone the pearl bracelets are still a good deal at $4.99 each but add a bracelet to your purchase and get a refund of $2.99 or more via paypal or amazon webpay.
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Watch for more deals.  And remember you can still use coupon code "REPEAT10" for an additional 10% discount.  If you are reading this blog you can get a code for 15% or more by convo-ing me with your purchase before you check out.
If you want to discuss my pricing or shipping fees please contact me before you check out with your purchases.
Want a deal NOT listed here.  Contact me with the items you want to purchase ... I will consider all fair and reasonable offers.
Thank you for sharing your time with me.
I am Marcene Bowman


visit my shops:
marcenebt99.etsy.com   
Handcrafted Jewelry and European Style Charms

marcenzjewelsupplies.etsy.com   
Jewelry making supplies and such things