I'm Green, I'm Just Not Motivated Today!

Happy New Year! Here I am, the beginning of a new year, still attempting to get organized. I still have to input all of my receipts and data from last year for the tax man, but hey, I still have a good month to figure that out!

I just signed up for the Green With Indie Craft Show sponsored by St. Louis Craft Mafia. I recently did the Rock N Roll Craft Show sponsored by them and felt I did all right for my first juried show. Now I just need to take some pics of my "green" items! I have tons of wooden dominoes from estate sales that I have re purposed into pendants. I also have gobs of vintage jewelry that I can take apart and make into "new" goodies!

I also have jars of buttons just waiting to be made into bobbi pins, rings, and other goodies! Not to mention the cool old black and white photos that I bought at the antique mall that are just begging to be made into some cool piece of jewelry!

Now I just need a swift kick in the butt! How does one get motivated and find their muse again? I feel mine has taken a short vacation from me! I work very long shifts as a Critical Care RN. When I'm off work I am either playing house frou or wanting to just be a sofa spud. I need some creativity to hit me in the noggin', and soon!!

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to add more balance to my life. I want to learn how to balance my crafting, my friends, family, housework, exercise, and relaxation. Is there a way? I thought it would just take some extra preparation, but I did not consider that some days I'm tired and not very motivated.

So how do you do it? Do you schedule a few hours daily for creating, laundry, errands, exercise, posting in forums? There has to be a way to make this work for me!

I'll keep you posted on the progress!

Strung Out and Wired

Strung Out and Wired
Originally uploaded by Stick to Your Knittin' Kitten

Here's a pic of my set-up at the Crazy Autumn Art & Craft Show at Sqwires Annex in St Louis, MO.
It was the first show for ShowMe Etsy, and I did quite well! Actually got a few orders from people who were at the show, too!

Tres Cheap

I wrote last Friday about the new "Tres Cheap" section in my Etsy Shop. I added this section as an experiment to see if lower price items would sell. I usually make all of my items with sterling or fine silver, but I chose to use sterling or gold plated findings for these pieces.

It seems to be working! I sold my "Girls Gotta Have It Resin Ring in Pink" Saturday after it had only been listed 3 days! I relisted it immediately since I have a few of these made.

I guess I will stock up my "Tres Cheap" section with more goodies for the approaching holidays, and hope things sell!

I'll keep you posted!

Alcohol, Cigs & Accessories!

The answer is...Things people still buy when they don't have any money! We all know the economy is in the toilet right now. We can all argue over the reasons, but I'm pretty sure that by now, most of us are feeling it. I know I am. I never really worried about paying the bills and paying for my daughter's college, but I have had some sleepless nights lately.

So what's a crafty girl to do with the cost of supplies going up up up? I clip coupons for Michaels, Joann Fabrics, and Hobby Lobby and keep them in my wallet at all times. If you go to these sites, you can find the coupons and download them and print them.

http://www.hobbylobby.com/site3/weekly/coupon.cfm

https://www.theknackkids.com/images/20percent_off_coupon_sept_parents.gif

http://www.joann-mail.com/J0913D7Q/coupons_only.html?r=2709_29616&i=J0913D7Q025&bc1=520827824149756600405

I also buy in bulk from wholesale websites. It's a lot cheaper to buy 128 oz of resin at a time then buying 8 oz every three days! Check out web sites and auctions for some good deals on supplies.

Lastly, I am trying a new approach to making my jewelry and accessories. In the past, I would only use fine silver or sterling silver for my findings and ring bezels and blanks. With prices skyrocketing it's been expensive for me and I'm not selling the higher ticket items like I used to. I always felt sterling plated or gold plated findings were "beneath me"! Not anymore, sister! I just added a section to my Etsy shop called "Tres Cheap". I am making the same resin rings and resin necklaces, but I'm using gold and sterling plated findings. I listed a ring yesterday at $12.50 and it already has 35 views and 4 hearts! Now will see if it sells! I plan to list a new item every day or so for this experiment. I'll let you know how it pans out!

My thought is this: Adapt and overcome! People still like to feel pretty even when they don't have any money! It is our job to help them accomplish this..Cheaply and beautifully!! Look for new ways to make the same rockin' items, but at a better price for you and your customer! You'll be surprised at what you can do!

Rock & Roll Craft Show 5!!

I just got my acceptance to the Rock & Roll Craft Show! This is the first juried show I have ever applied to! I was very nervous! Now I have to get busy crafting!

Beat the holiday rush! Buy handmade and hear some live music! Join us November 28th through 30th at the Third Degree Glass Factory on Delmar Boulevard in St. Louis, MO!

http://www.rocknrollcraftshow.com/index.htm

Come by and buy!!

ShowMe Team Hosting Crazy Autumn Art & Craft Show!!!

Hey Guys!
ShowMe Etsy Street Team is having a show! Check it out!

The Crazy Autumn Art & Craft Show is being held October 16th from 5p-9p at SqWires Annex in historic Lafayette Square in St. Louis!

30 vendors! Cash bar! Raffles for baskets of hand made goodies! Etsy promo giveaways!

Check out our web site for more information!

http://showmeetsy.org


We are always looking for more St. Louis and Metro East Etsians to join our street team!

Etsy Street Team!

Having a blast and learning much about marketing my jewelry with our Etsy Street Team; ShowMe Etsy! We have been very busy! Thus far, we have sold and Tower Grove Farmer's Market, Lucas School House, and GSLAA Hot Jazz Cool Art Festival.
We currently have meetings monthly at different locations around St. Louis and Metro East area.
Our next venture is our own show, The Crazy Autumn Art and Craft Show, October 16th at SqWires Annex in Lafayette Square. We are very excited as Etsy has promised us promo items for the show!
I am learning it takes much effort and time to have a successful business in hamdmade jewelry, especially since the jewelry market is so saturated. I truly believe I can do this! It is difficult, though with working a full-time job as a Critical Care Nurse. I'm so exhausted some days after a 12 hour shift.
I am always promoting myself through different social websites, Etsy, and word of mouth. I also believe in Karma, so I actively promote all that I feel have integrity and make good products!!! It all comes back to you!
Be sure to check out ShowMe Etsy at http://www.showmeetsy.org
If you are an artist in the St. Louis or the Metro East Area, we would love to have you in our crafy, artsy, LOUD group!