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.