New Goals for a New Year!

8 1/4" - 8 1/2" Heavy Gauge Sterling Bracelet

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64768559/heavy-gauge-sterling-silver-bracelet

To Do List:

1) Spend More Time Making Jewelry

2) Source Stones for Copper Flower Line

3) Create Several Elaborate Copper Flower Necklaces and Matching Earrings like this one; http://www.etsy.com/transaction/31044258

4) Create More Metal Clay Pieces

5) Source Some Interesting New Items To Sell in My Supply Shop

6) Steadily Increase Sales in Both Jewelry and Supply Shops
http://Giftbearer.etsy.com/

http://Giftbearersupply.etsy.com/

7) Save Up for a Kiln

8) Look for a Southwestern/Native American Gallery/Store Through Which to Sell my Rainstick Necklace Line.

Go Here To Enter BNR Treasury!

Candy Cane 'N Spearmint Promotional Frenzy BNR

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d06871babec8eef34ae1134/candy-cane-n-spearmint-promotional?index=0

An Etsy Brunch

I had the most delicious meal today made almost exclusively from food items I got from various Etsy sellers!

A Tangerine from http://www.etsy.com/shop/CalliopeAZCreations , Chocolate 'N Peanut Butter cookies and  Pretzel Bagel, included as free samples in an order of Original Pretzel Bread Nuggets  from http://www.etsy.com/shop/MissMunchie , and Chocolate Cookie Sandwiches with Espresso Cream Filling  from http://www.etsy.com/shop/MochaLatteDa (which came with a little sample of  Custom Blended Coffee beans).

The pretzel bread (nuggets and bagel) is the perfect texture; slightly crunchy on the outside when heated, and moist and tender insidewith a slight bit of bounce like a good sourdough! It has sea salt sprinkled on the surface giving it a nice salty flavor.

The Chocolate 'N Peanut Butter Cookies have just the right proportions of peanut butter to chocolate. I'm not usually a big fan of peanut butter in cookies, but the way Miss Munchie makes them I just love them! There are peanut butter chips in these like the chocolate chips in regular chocolate chip cookies. I would definitely buy those and if I had not received that sample I probably would never have known they were this good and might not have ever tried them.

The Tangerines came in a medium Priority Flat Rate box and there were 44 of them (I think). They arrived in great condition and still had some leaves and stems attached. They are the most vibrant bright orange color,

  and I found out they would fill 3 plastic grocery store produce bags!

Upon peeling one open I found the flavor to be so much better than the commercially grown ones I bought a few weeks ago at Kroger. Marianne, the shop owner says she doesn't do anything special; just uses regular citrus fertilizer, and gives them lots of water. The Arizona weather and soil conditions must have been just right because the result is no less than luscious!

And, yes folks! They are sweet and juicy (see the juice on the plate above). You will not want to miss these. Get yours before she runs out. You can purchase about 7.5 Lbs. of these beauties in CalliopeAZ's Etsy shop for $20.00 (which includes shipping).  http://www.etsy.com/listing/64086674/arizona-tangerines-hand-picked-straight

"The dogs get very excited when I pick the tangerines" she says. "I usually peel one and share it with them. I used to have one dog that would pick her own, make a hole in the skin and eat the insides."

I'll have to try that with Carmella and see if she likes them too! She probably will  beause she loves honeydew melon and canteloup.

Here are some pictures of the tree they came from. It looks very healthy and vigorous!

Just look at all the foliage and all those clusters of fruit!

The Chocolate Cookie Sandwiches are being gobbled up quickly! They are nice and soft but not chewy, with a somewhat cake-like texture, and the filling is delectible! If you are a die-hard coffee-lover you should order some of these! They'd be great to serve your holiday guests or bring to the office Christmas party, or buy some as a gift for somebody special.

A set of 12 is $10.00 and included with them is a 1 oz. sample of Pumpkin Spice Coffee Beans.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/59699137/chocolate-cookie-sandwiches-with-custom?ref=pr_shop

My laptop is finally back from the shop after having its screen replaced and so Promotional Frenzy will have it's weekly Monday BNR again from 4:00 PM EST - 1:00 AM this coming Monday, December 13th. Check this blog and the thread http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6699630&page=1 for the link as it gets closer to opening time.

You will have the opportunity to purchase the above items and more from great shops on Etsy! Join us for fun and profit and start or complete your holiday shopping while you get your shop featured in place of those you buy from!

Go Here To Enter BNR Treasury!

Candy Cane 'N Spearmint Promotional Frenzy BNR
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d06871babec8eef34ae1134/candy-cane-n-spearmint-promotional?index=0

Shop For a New Bracelet in Warm Rich Autumn Colors!

Spirit of Change 3-strand gemstone, sterling silver and lampwork bracelet

$95.00

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63698602/3-strand-gemstone-sterling-silver-and

My latest is just packed full of unique and interesting gemstones!

Lovely shades of juicy orange Carnelian, Apple green Afghani Jade rondelles, crisp primo faceted Peridot, sterling silver feathers, warn brown Blonde Onyx (also from Afghanistan), interspersed with metallic copper colored glass, with a swirly encased moss green lampwork focal provide you a cornucopia of interesting shapes and colors to wear on your wrist.

With the crisp transition from Fall to Winter on a global and spititual level many things are percolating in preparation for the New Year; a time for storing up energy, organizing ideas, and laying groundwork for the road ahead, for new and exciting ventures.

This is the inner work we do to prepare for the outer work; every bit as important. Even animals do this. Bears hibernate, squirrels gather nuts and store them away for leaner times when food is scarce, and trees slough off old leaves preparing for the new growth which is to come.

This bracelet is very centering to the spirit and prepares you for the next chapter in your life; both exciting and rich.

It measures 8 1/2" and has a sterling silver lobster claw clasp.

It is topped off with a nice little cluster of charms on the ring the clasp goes into; a carved Carnelian feather, two sterling feathers, and green and white freshwater pearls (the green pearls includes some matching Afgani Jade and faceted Peridot).

Shipping to US destinations will include insurance and ship Priority Mail through December 25th.
If this is to be a Christmas present please order by December 17th just to be on the safe side. I am willing to giftwrap anything I offer in my shop through the holidays at no extra charge. Just ask in the buying message (or in a convo beforehand).

As you do your holiday shopping keep an eye on my shop, as I will be adding even more unique jewelry in the weeks leading up to the holidays, and remember; the best form of flattery to an artist is a purchase (especially repeat purchases), so if you like it follow up those hearts and go ahead and treat yourself or someone you care about to the finer things in life always crafted with high quality materials, and the experience, and skill of nearly 27 years.

http://Giftbearer.etsy.com 

SOLO FRENZY for BijiBijoux

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BijiBijoux

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Bronze Gold Faceted Crystal Dangle Necklace

$22.40

Wednesday, Dec 1st at 9:00pm EST!!

Please be here tonight on the Promotional Frenzy forum thread!

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6699630&page=1

Necklaces + bracelets 20% off

Earrings 15% off

Supplies 5% off

(Prices reduced already for you on Etsyonsale)

http://www.etsyonsale.com/shop/BijiBijoux

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Shopping? You Never Know What You Might Find Until You Really Look

I focus on offering everyday value and specialized, unique, and quality items, but look around; you might just find some great deals!

http://Giftbearer.etsy.com - Give the gift of jewelry; but not just any jewelry, these pieces are not what you see all over etsy or in the big box stores. Although I do carry some stocking stuffers such as the earrings you see above, I put hours, days, sometimes weeks of labor into many of my pieces of jewelry and your loved-ones will really appreciate the workmanship and the fact that nobody else will be wearing the identical item.

If you make jewelry or are looking for a gift for someone who does you might want to browse my Etsy supply store. This Cactus Quartz is just one of the exciting items I offer as creative fuel for your unique designs ;

http://giftbearersupply.etsy.com/  - Give the gift of supplies this year; always useful. I go to great lengths not to be like all the other supply sellers and to offer something different although along with it I also offer findings and staple items so that you can make this a one-stop shop.

More Cactus Quartz being added in interesting shapes and formations; no two exactly alike! Stay tuned!

My customers have been pleased with what they've received from me and I'm sure you will too.

Make use of my combined shipping and load up your cart. Expedited (Priority) US shipping offered on many of my jewelry items and some supplies.

Shop now, skip the malls, and get everyone covered on your gift list;

http://giftbearer.etsy.com/

http://giftbearersupply.etsy.com/  

To Sale or Not To Sale...That is the Question

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving and all through the house, not a creature was stirring...Woops, wrong holiday, but seriously the day has been eerily quiet here except for a man calling my house asking if I could make his wife some earrings out of a pair of teeth from an Elk he bagged himself.

I must be on some business listing because this isn't the first call like this I've received although most of them are looking for ring-resizing and that kind of commercial thing. I don't normally have customers come to the house and I'm limited in transportation so don't generally meet them in other places just to "talk" about placing a custom order because each trip out costs me money, and as this particular fellow seemed very nervous about how the roots of these teeth would be cut off, so I was really afraid to attempt it. I suggested leaving the roots on and just doing some beadweaving around them, but he said his wife was a small woman and probably wouldn't wear something so big. He really wanted earrings made rather than a necklace, and the roots were long. I can imagine so, but never actually having seen an Elk's tooth I don't fully know what they look like.

I offered to have him upload pictures on Etsy but he said he was no good at that kind of thing, and that these teeth were "like hair; when it's cut there's no putting it back on". He ended up telling me he'd do some thinking and get back to me next week, left me his name, and wished me a Happy Thanksgiving.

Perhaps he is not my customer. If he is he will come back and put in the custom order through Etsy.

I've been giving some thought to a Black Friday and Cyber Monday special of some kind but am having trouble getting in the mood for a number of reasons; sales have not really worked for me in the past and on Etsy there's no easy way to put some specific things on sale. Also, I keep thinking about what Suze Orman says about not putting yourself on sale;

"Don't treat yourself like you're on sale. If you're reluctant to put a real value on what you do, then it diminishes who you are". As Suze explains, women tend to devalue what they do.

This creates a vicious cycle: "When you devalue what you do, it becomes inevitable that you -- and those around you -- devalue who you are." Women will settle for less. They may offer discounted prices on their services or accept a smaller raise, even when the company is doing well. They have to ask for what they know is "right."

Suze says, "Remember to muster up your courage and silence your fear ... keep your eye on the goal, on what you really want to accomplish, no matter what anyone says or does to deter you. Just keep moving forward."

(Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/108029/top-10-money-tips-for-women?mod=oneclick)


It is a weighty question to ask yourself just how much and which kinds of specials one can offer without diminishing the perceived value of the product you are offering, and I don't know if there is any hard and fast answer.

One thing I believe I have figured out is that having a discount doesn't create demand. It merely makes those products a little more accessible to those who already want them.

If someone goes to the grocery store and wants corn on the cob and broccoli is on sale, chances are they won't buy it for the price because if they leave the store with a bunch of broccoli the problem of their wanting corn on the cob still remains. This leaves the customer in the position that they must spend yet more money than if they'd just left the discounted broccoli alone and spent a little more for the one item they really wanted.

This is why it is so important when devising specials to do them sparingly and in a targeted way so that they will result in substantial enough purchases!

Cactus Quartz - One of the Earth's Most Interesting Curiosities

I first became acquainted with Cactus Quartz at a gem and bead show earlier this year while looking at the table of a lapidary guy from Florida. The unusual crystal I held in my hand didn't look like any Amethyst I'd ever seen before, but he told me that in fact it was Amethyst which had grown smaller crystals around the main central point and upon which a layer of Citrine had grown on top of that layer because of certain volcanic and mineral conditions. The first one I started with was sort of an experiment to see if it would sell and I still have it, but I began to get lots of inquiries about it and potential buyers started bookmarking it. Some people wrote and asked me if I had any smaller ones that could be used in rings, so then I bought two more (those two of the variety you see in the picture above; more purple and with little or no Citrine in it).

Then I got a custom order for 10, so I thought, "This could really become popular" and I embarked upon a journey into the world of importing gemstones. I had bought a few things here and there from India and Thailand, but this was the first real wholesale import I had done and it was a little scary but alot exciting! Since the particular supplier I was ordering from was located in South Africa where these stones are mined I was able to get them for a better price than anyplace I could order them in the US, and I checked several South African suppliers but none of the others had the top purple material you see here! One of the others I spoke with almost laughed when I mentioned the ones he showed on his website were too pale for my taste and when I asked him if he had any with more intense color. He told me that only about 2% of the material that comes out of the ground is purple and most is pale lavender. He only gets the top purple material once or twice a year and it's sold out within a week's time. He never gets advance notice as to when it will be available. While I was looking around doing an exhaustive search I saw many that were even white or colorless with not even a hint of purple; technically not Amethyst yet still considered Cactus Quartz. They can come in Smokey Quartz too.

The other supplier did not have a Paypal account, doing all of her transactions by direct bank draft, and had no credit card processing capability, and she had up until now only dealt with big dealers who usually ordered at least 20 Kilos at a time. The supplier and I talked by e-mail on a daily basis for about 2 weeks while she set up a Paypal account and I set up an account with a particular courior. Shipping could be either expensive, or if I chose South Africa's Air Freight it could take 12 weeks, and I knew I couldn't wait that long. Knowing I needed to strike while the iron was hot I went with the more expensive but faster courior and after several misquotes from them they gave me the correct shipping quote (while still expensive, not enough to make me bolt and conclude I'd lost my mind, LOL).

The 1 Kilo of stones arrive even a little earlier in the morning than predicted (and in 4 days), and as I excitedly opened the box tightly sealed on all sides with brown glossy packing tape, I was elated to find 107 beautifully glistening purple crystals intact and carefully wrapped. They were all 2 inches or shorter, as requested, and there was an assortment of crystal formations. Some were long and rather phallic, whereas others were more stubby and had more tiny secondary crystals growing around them, and some were closer to flat general clusters whose host crystal was less defined apart from the others. A few have twin central crystals!

Many of these could be used in rings, being about an inch long. That size is hard to come by and that size in the most sought-after purple is really hard to come by! I may need to order more sooner that I think!

If you do wire-wrapping or stone setting and you like to make creative bezel or prong settings to fit one-of-a-kind stones I highly recommend you buy some of these when I get them listed because those in the know really want this material! The market price here in the US is on the rise and some of my sources have told me it is becoming more and more difficult to find. When/if the mines run out it will only be obtainable from old stock which was previously purchased.

Some of you may be aware of other stones like Tourmaline, for instance that has skyrocketed in price because it is either rare, no longer found at all, or is dangerous to mine because of civil unrest in a region or armed bandits looking to make money themselves. All or any one of these conditions can affect market price, so it's good to get in ahead of the game.

History of Cactus Quartz:

The stone was first discovered in 1986, believed to have come from  "Magaliesberg" but there was some confusion about the more specific location. This may have been intentional to prevent anybody and everybody from going on the premises and pilfering the newly discovered find. Then after a few years the story given at trade shows changed to reflect "Marble Hall" as the locale; a small town about 120 km north-east of Pretoria.

Since then the story has changed a third time and it is said to be found near the  former Boutenhouthoek and Mathys Zyn Loop Farms, approximately 45  km South-west of "Marble Hall", and 80 km North-east of Pretoria.

The mining is done rather informally by local farmers. These special stones are found in quartz veins imbedded in granite of the Bushveld intrusion complex believed to be 2 billions years old, but it is not known how old the quartz is that the crystals grow in, nor how old the Cactus Quartz crystals themselves are. On some pieces there are still parts of this matrix attached.

Cactus Quartz is referred to by local tribal medicine men as "Spirit Quartz", having been used in healing rituals. Metaphysical practitioners here in the US believe Cactus Quartz has strong energy compounded by the many tiny crystals surrounding the central one, and that the stone helps in focus, group cooperation and unification, and is used to provide insight into family or community problems.

Composition and properties;

It is a silicon dioxide mineral and has a Moh's hardness of 7. The crystal ranges from transparent to translucent, and has a hexagonal, trigonal crystal structure.

http://www.quartzpage.de/amethyst.html

http://www.thecrystalcache.com/product-cards/cactus-quartz-spirit-quartz-description 

http://rasben.net/links/website/links/articles/spiritquartz.html

(Other sources not disclosed).

Watch my Etsy store for these beautiful stones as I start listing them individually. You can buy them here; http://giftbearersupply.etsy.com/

Promotional Frenzy is on a Roll!

I  just had to give an update on how the Promotional Frenzy thread is doing! Things are really picking up momentum, and it's paying off for more and more people!

The above treasury appeared on Etsy and apparently was picked up by some big name blog because tonight the creator of it, http://bijibijoux.etsy.com/  reported that it was getting a tremendous number of hits and was at the top of the treasury chart which includes literally hundreds; it was definitely getting more attention than what normal Etsy traffic would have brought it. I couldn't go in and look directly because I am on my old desktop computer which almost completely conked out during the BNR treasury on Monday night, so http://jqjewelrydesigns.etsy.com/ got me a screen shot of it. My laptop is going to the shop in the morning and I hope to have it fixed by next Monday's BNR treasury. Despite having to get http://galla15.etsy.com/ to pinch hit halfway through, the BNR generated alot of interest in the thread itself, and a fair amount of overall sales although not as many as the week before. Etsy was running funkily as well.

(By the way, my necklace is the big sterling leaf in the middle).

Things are moving again for me too. Tonight really paid off!

There were 35 participants at the Tuesday Frenzy event at 9:00 PM and the larger number seemed to really increase everyone's overall item views. We probably won't know all the results from this event for another 2 days. Sometimes people make sales from it over a period of a few days; not always on the day of the event. I predict we will be hearing from participants about more sales between now and the end of the week.

It's as if a huge wave or a freight train is heading down a steep incline propelled by its own weight.

To get on the train follow the track here;

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6685029&page=1

Delectible, and Always So Yummy; It's Time for Promotional Frenzy's Record-Breaking Monday BNR!

These Cinnamon Carmels brought to you by The Caramel Jar

Don't you just love the taste of cinnamon on a cold winter day, sprinkled on your buttered toast, in your tea or coffee, in those delicious comfort foods you remember growing up?

Cinnamon brings us feelings of warmth and comfort, and reminds us of happy times, the aromas of the Holidays, and the satisfaction of knowing the homefire's burning while we are nestled in our beds, or in front of the computer or TV, comfy and cozy, safe from the elements outdoors as the temperature plunges.

The subtle clink of the spoon as we stir and drink our warm beverages, the twinkling lights on a decorated tree, and the anticipation of what surprises are to come, and visits from those near and dear fills our hearts with love and sentiment and brings a reflective smile to our faces.

Come join us and recapture that feeling again!

Click, comment, and shop for some wonderful gifts while you browse these shops and get your shop featured.

Monday, November 15th 

4:00 PM - 1:00 AM EST

Cinnamon Promotional Frenzy BNR

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cdfda0f3c4f8eefc115d766/cinnamon-promotional-frenzy-bnr

(Link will become visible at opening)

Featured are;

http://www.etsy.com/shop/soapopotamus

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lhconfections

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Giftbearer

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cathydailey

http://www.etsy.com/shop/galla15

http://www.etsy.com/shop/KMKnitDesigns

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MeadowSky

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Funkyarns

http://www.etsy.com/shop/soonerdesigner

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BellesGems

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCaramelJar

http://www.etsy.com/shop/soapysoaps

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TurtleXIII

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunnyCrystals

http://www.etsy.com/shop/bijouxpaperie

http://www.etsy.com/shop/burnabe3

We totalled 79 sales last week!

Let's see if we can make 100!

Pumpkin Pie is A Turn-on BNR 58 bought out - 79 sales Total!

 Last night's Promotional Frenzy Buy and Replace Treasury set new records, with sales numbers totalling 79!

The marathon lasted 17 hours in all and by 10 PM or so sales were coming in at full throttle! Some sellers' items were bought out almost faster than we could get them in, and some made multiple sales in one evening, buying back in and being bought out again! It was a little like day trading, although the pages had to be refreshed manually in order to see the transaction links as they were posted.

I truly wondered for a time there whether we were going to "break the treasury" with all of our volume!

At some point we had to move to a new location because after about 32 pages things got kind of buggy and we couldn't post anymore comments.

Here is the link to where we moved to; http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cd880914f496d918e0dc9fd/closed-pumpkin-pie-is-a-turn-on-bnr-58

Some of our newly invited guests have since come to the thread. We have a shorter event planned for 9:00 PM EST tonight.  Our Tuesday Promotional Frenzy is taking place and you may add one item of yours to the list to be Tweeted, stumbled, etc., just make sure that you also promote the other items on the list at 9:00.

Here is a full description of the thread and everything we're doing; http://galla15.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-promotional-frenzy-thread-huge.html

and here is a link so that you can get quickly and easily to the thread for tonight's promotion; http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?page=514&thread_id=6663721

See you there :-)



Yummy Treats; No Tricks! And A Creative Way To Find Great Gifts!

On Halloween seemed the perfect time to blog about this delicious fudge I recently received from a wonderful candy seller; http://NewEnglandCandyCo.etsy.com

It came wrapped in this pretty black and orange ribbon, and when I opened the box there lay three dark, dense, and rich bars of heaven just waiting to be unwrapped and eaten!

I took one out and sliced several pieces off.

The texture is creamy and smooth, and believe me, you won't be disappointed!

She's added some new items since I ordered from her, so be sure to take a look at the other yummies in her store. I'm looking forward to trying her giant peanut butter cups!

Want to know how I found her?

It was through last week's Buy and Replace Treasury; Strawberry Wine 'N Chocolate through the Promotional Fenzy thread on the Etsy forum!

Things are off to a fantastic start with the thread, people are starting to see an increase in sales, and we are preparing a new BNR treasury for tomorrow;

Carmel 'N Chocolate BNR

Opens Monday, November 1st

10:00 AM EST

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ccdf8d4b84f8eef791c89d8/carmel-n-chocolate-bnr

(Link will be visible at opening!)

Come out, click. comment, and buy in! It's a fun way to start your holiday shopping, and get some promotion for your shop!

Featured:

http://sweetsnthings.etsy.com/

http://dasweetzpot.etsy.com/

http://radiantmind.etsy.com/  

http://brownbagbakery.etsy.com/

http://dyedianadye.etsy.com/

http://keepwarm.etsy.com/

http://giftbearer.etsy.com/

http://unkamensupplies.etsy.com/

http://laurali.etsy.com/

http://araleling.etsy.com/

http://biscottiqueen.etsy.com/

http://galla15whatnots.etsy.com/

http://bijibijoux.etsy.com/

http://bananamoo.etsy.com/

http://newcreationz.etsy.com/

http://jqjewelrydesigns.etsy.com/

There are some things you simply can't resist in these shops! Bookmark the link and join us!



The Strategic Choice of Color and Theme in Artists' Work;

Use Your Inspiration To Inspire Your Customer To Buy

Little did I know when I photographed this unique sunset tonight that it contained key colors from the Pantone Fashion Color Report for Fall 2010!

You need not look any further than your back yard to find out where these pundits get their inspiration. The Top Ten colors expected to be in this season are;

* Endive - Pantene 13-0632

* Golden Glow - Pantone 5-1050

* Living Coral - Pantone 16-1546

* Lipstick Red - Pantone 19-1764

* Purple Orchid - Pantone 18-3027

* Chocolate Truffle - Pantone 19-1526

* Lagoon - Pantone 16-5418

* Woodbine - Pantone 18-0538

* Oyster Gray - Pantone 14-1107

* Rose Dust - Pantone 14-1307

Images and colors reminiscent of autumn leaves like these beads create a mood of contentment.

In addion to nature, color trends are also influenced by what's going on sociologically; In a time when the future is unsure and the economy is strained, buyers are likely to be looking for security, sustainability, making old methods new or reinterpreting retro styles. At the same time they will be looking for items in colors that evoke feelings of comfort and make them feel nurtured.

Give your items personal and sentimental value!

Rich antique golds, coppers, bronzes, metallic oranges, ambers, silvers, and iris colors that remind us of celebration, warmth, love, and abundance represent more than the object made with them and give the potential buyer a virtual "hug" in a form they can carry around with them through whatever hardships may come into their lives. They are little pieces of sunshine your customer invests in to squirrel away for a rainy day.

"Warm fuzzies" like these should be right at home with Fall and Winter shoppers if these predictions are correct;





The Lenzing Textile & Color Trends Autumn/Winter 2010/11; a system of 5 color schemes created for fabrics:

* Puritan; Elegant but weightless and meant for everyday wear

* Reflection; Light-changing fabrics, optical illusion, and other special effects

* Rugged; Merging the duality of urban and nature

* Exotic; Color, artistic with meticulous drawings and textures

* Identikit; Newest, high-tech material derived from building and military industries

These materials coming out on the market are not only important for the textile artist and clothing designer to be aware of but for jewelry designers/makers as well so that such accessories can be worn with clothing that buyers will be wearing this Fall and Winter.

The same eco trend paralleled in fabrics is present in jewelry, as well as Boho and Hippie Chic styles.  Flirty dangley chain earrings, crystal with posh-looking metalized finishes, and floral shapes are in. Mixing less expensive materials such as wood, shell, and glass with more expensive ones such as semi-precious gemstones and beads is predicted to be hot.  Also, lovely hand-forged metalwork is likely to be valued in lieu of bling.

Texture is predicted to be valued over big, bold color. Bracelets with one large charm, and oversized hearts are expected to come back into style. Interesting chains, cords, and ribbons will also gain popularity.

How Are These Trends Decided and Who's The Judge?

According to an article written by  By Hedda Schupak, Senior Editor, and Nancy Pier Sindt, Contributing Editor of The Jeweler's Circular Keystone Newsletter,  all these forecasts are decided 2 years in advance, and much like juried art shows what's hot and what's not is decided by small groups who meet and compare samples that they like. The fashion and accessories industries then follow that lead for fear or making a mistake and promoting the wrong color/styles. In otherwords, it appears that the market is less customer-driven than customers are product-driven to develop a taste for certain particular attributes.

Even so, one has to wonder where these small committees get their likes and dislikes. It is one of those chicken-or-the-egg type questions that is not so easily answered, and in the age of the internet where artists' work is so easily viewed by the masses there is no way of knowing when these elements of design first seeped into the collective unconscious (subconscious). This is exciting in some respects, because it means that any one of us at one time or another might have (or have had) an impact on what people like and want.

Read the Pantone Fall 2010 Fashion Report here;

http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20710&ca=4

Lenzing Textile and Color Trends Autumn/Winter 2010/11

http://www.fashiontrendsetter.com/content/color_trends/2009/Lenzing-Textile-Color-Trends-AW-2010-11.html

Cousin Innovative JewelryComponents, Programs, and Accessories

http://www.cousin.com/index.php/component/content/article/34

Jeweler's Circular Keystone

http://www.jckonline.com/article/293244-Fashion_Facets.php

Update on the Strawberry Wine 'N Chocolate BNR Round 2!

Why Not Have Your Cake and Eat It Too!

We have moved! You can find us here; http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cc622feb4198eefe539b210/strawberry-wine-n-chocolate-bnr-round-2?page=3#comments

Alot has changed in our BNR since 10:00 AM this morning! Come click, comment, tweet, stumble and promote and tell all your friends!

Do you like brownies? baby sweaters? Personalized Thank You Stickers for your customers?
Well these are only a few of the things you can find. Come on out while we're still open and nab that something special for yourself or start your holiday shopping now!

Buy in for just a minimum of $3.00 purchase and get YOUR shop featured!

Today has been a series of starts and stops, but we're getting there! Traffic has started to pick up again n there are people in there looking at things, so if you want something you should act now before somebody gets it first.

Last week was a record 22 sales in one day!

Let's break that record!

Upcoming Buy and Replace Treasury

 Round 2 : Monday, Oct. 25th - 10AM EST

Strawberry Wine 'N Chocolate

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cc4dacef5d96d911facad31/strawberry-wine-n-chocolate-bnr-round-2

(Link will be visible upon opening!)

All those who were in the last one when it ended will be carried over to this round!

Featured by Promotional Frenzy will be;

http://bagsofblessing.etsy.com/

http://biancadenise.etsy.com/

http://burnabe3.etsy.com/

http://camillescloset.etsy.com/

http://chartechic.etsy.com/

http://claypatties.etsy.com/

http://crochetedbycharlene.etsy.com/

http://doughroses.etsy.com/

http://dragonflyexpression.etsy.com/

http://galla15.etsy.com/

http://giftbearer.etsy.com/

http://janeymay79.etsy.com/

http://jewelryofnote.etsy.com/

http://jodaycraf.etsy.com/

http://missykay625.etsy.com/

http://linsthings.setsy.com/

Here's just a little taste of the treats we've got in store for you!

Mmmmmm......Chocolate........

Meanwhile come join our thread. Feel free to tweet, Stumble, promote one another there anytime you can!

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?page=1&thread_id=6663721

How To Add A List of Participating Etsy Shops in Your Sidebar - Why It's Important

Adding shop/weblinks in your sidebar to participating members of a group will help create a network around the internet through which all members of the group can be located more easily and more often by people searching for items you have to offer potential buyers.

If you have not done this yet you should  do this as soon as possible and update it periodically as the numbers of members change + or - and you will find that if everybody has this in their blog it will result in more traffic to everyone in the group.

It works much like a webring sending traffic around to look at the various shops. This way everyone gets more exposure, and there will be many places where potential customers can hear about you, go take a look, and hopefully buy!

Each of us has followers. Some of them might be the same ones, but some of them are different, which means that is another person who sees your link and may decide to go looking to see what you might have for them.

There are also people looking at your blog who do not comment and might not follow, but rest assured they are reading! One of those just might go to your Etsy shop and buy something from you! They may or may not tell you that's how they found you.

Don't underestimate the power of links in your blog and in all the blogs that mention you and your work.

Leaving out this step creates a weakness in the chain which hurts your chances of being seen by the right buyers and hurts the chances for other group members as well.

Just because you have outgoing links in your blog don't assume this is going to send traffic elsewhere and it will not come back the other way. If everyone in  the group does this people will come to look at yours from other blogs as well, so it balances out!

OK, now that we understand Why building this infrastructure is vital here is how you do it if you are not familiar with blogspot's process;

To add shop links in your sidebar;

*First go to your dashboard and click on "Design"

*Then select a blank page element (one of the rectangles on the side that says add gadget") and open it

*When it opens select "Link List"

*Then Label the Title something like "Promotional Frenzy"

*Below that type in or copy and paste the URL from each shop one at a time

*If you don't want the whole URL shown you can paste into the line below also and take out the http:// and .etsy.com in that line that says "New Site Name".

*Then save, and these should show up when you view your blog.

And Voila! It's done!

Remember to blog and leave comments in other members' blogs regularly and make references to the group often. This will help remind the search engines crawling your site to bring these back up!