Theraputic crocheting

This past weekend, my family and I went camping and had a great time! My best friend and I (we've been the best of friends for 35 years) decided to stay an extra day by ourselves, we had the best time together! We sat in our trailer with the beautiful views, peaceful surroundings, lots of coffee, wonderful conversation and crocheted for many hours. This truly was one of the most theraputic relaxing days I have ever spent. It is so wonderful to be at a point in life where the simple pleasures mean the most! Quality time together is definetely at the top of our bucket list!!!!!

Busy Creating

I have been really busy getting my kids back in school, end of summer trips and appointments. I finally had time today to ship 3 orders and list 7 new items. It feels like such an accomplishment when I list something new! I received a big order this week for 30 flower pens. I will be shopping for pretty flowers tomorrow, oh so fun!!! Now that my kids are back in school, I am looking forward to creating for the holidays. I had a wonderful craft show up in L.A. last year, I sold over 100 personalized ornaments. I am hoping that these go well on Etsy especially with free personalization. I just listed my first Thanksgiving item and a snowman pot holder. My business page on facebook now has 37 fans and it is now linked to twitter. I joined the handmadehighway this past week and also did some research on tagging my items.

helpful sites

I have a few very helpful sites I'd like to share with Etsy sellers:

Great for tagging tips
http://www.craftweasel.com

http://www.socialmention.com

http://www.craftgawker.com

http://www.handmadehighway.com

I've been working on my Facebook business page

I seem to be hooked on facebook lately. I love being able to keep in touch with everyone. I am so excited to now have my own Debbie's Dreamworks business page, . I started it awhile ago but really haven't done much with it, I have a total of 4 fans :) My goal this week is to try and work on my page and earn some new fans. I am still trying to figure out just how to do this, I just sent fan suggestions to all my friends on facebook. I am looking forward to being able to integrate my etsy shop into facebook without bombarding my friends.

custom orders

I just got an order for forty 4" clay pots to be painted with lady bugs. They will be thank you gifts at a friends baby shower, such a great idea. I also have two more orders for my hen pot holders, a bird house, a family sign, a picture frame, a desk to refinish and another bird house. Oh so busy and loving it!

Thankful

I am so very thankful for the opportunity that Etsy has given me and millions of others to show our creations to the world. I have had a passion for creating ever since I was a little girl. I learned to crochet at about 11 years old and I also learned to rug hook, Tye dye, tat, embroider and macramae at a young age too. My love for painting began in kindergarten and has been a big part of my life ever since. When I sign into my Etsy shop each morning, I am filled with delight to see all my creations and to know that I am finally pursuing a lifelong dream. Words can not express the excitement and joy I feel with each new milestone. I have had a tremendous amount of support from all my friends and family and for this I am so grateful.
I now have over 10,000 views into my site, 36 online sales, at least 30 off-line sales, 127 shop hearts, 3 pay checks from the garden shop up in Wynola and about 9 orders in process. I also have been in a few treasuries and have had two items featured in the Etsy Gift Guide. Wow, I am so thankful!!!
I truly am running my own business now , I may not be making millions but the rewards are priceless!

Things are really going well, not a lot of sales but lots of support thru friends and family. Since I opened up my etsy shop on Feb. 24th, I have had 20 sales on Etsy and about 20 custom orders thru friends. I now realize it takes literally hours of promoting just to bring in a little traffic. Face book has helped tremendously and I have recently been spending time in the etsy forums. I have joined a great Bns (wasn't really sure what a Bns was but again, i'm learning :)) I have been in several treasuries and I have had two items in the Etsy garden gift guide. I am so excited to have found a wonderful Country Garden Shop to sell my garden items too. I just shipped out my first alchemy bid order, 8 bridesmaides flower pots. I decided to enter the Martha Stewart wedding contest and submitted my picture today. All in all I am doing what I love to do and need to focus on the joy I get from my painting. I feel blessed to be able to pursue my dream. I had no idea how much work this would be, especially the computer stuff but it has forced me to learn and I have come a long way.