Viva Le Revolution!!

It's a beautiful Saturday in the Lou! The sun is shining and the temperature is a balmy 40 degrees! It's a perfect day to plaster flyers for the upcoming Indie Craft Revolution all over St. Louis!!

The Show is March 13th and March 14th at the St. Louis Artisists' Guild. What a great way to beat cabin fever!

Indie Craft Revolution is an amazing shopping experience that focuses on the handmade, including free goodie bags for the first 50 shoppers. Over 65 vendors will show off their fabulous wares within the historic and beautifully preserved St. Louis Artists' Guild and Galleries. This show aims to provide St. Louis with well-made, handmade and interesting items. You will find everything from jewelry, soap, clothing (wearable and non) to fine art objects.

The following companies help to make this event possible: Scorch, The Riverfront TImes, Paste, Yelp, Funky Finds and Well Body Acupuncture and Chiropractic.

Visit revolutioncraftshow.com for more information.

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!!

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!