Well, it's been a couple of weeks since I last entered anything....sorry about that! I've managed to update my "yard sale" store, for anyone interested.....
I've made some new jewelry, and changed my style a little, or should I say - added to it. I've found that the online marketplace is so hard to get into....if I could get some regular custoomers, and get my website out there it would be great, but time mst be spent on that endeavor, and it seems I don't have alot of that lately. But in brighter news, I sold a couple of items, and now I can buy more "stuff"
Going to get back to work now - talk to you soon!
~Claire
Good Morning! It seems that recipricol links and blogging has definately increased my traffic. After 3 or 4 days of this, and keeping up with things, I have over 200 hits to my website. Now, that isn't to say that anyone has actually purchased anything, but really, I don't have alot to offer right now, and I am working on getting the website right, so I couldn't be happier.
SO, anyone interested in joining my google group, please sign up, because tomorrow (or later today if time allows) I will be adding all the lnks and tips that seem to be working for me! So log in there, and take a look, and feel free to add your own discussion.
~Claire
Wow - I found so much information out there for us jewelry makers! Several places to get started -
about.com has a wonderful selection of articles for jewelry makers, as well as a jewelry makers forum.
the jewelry link exchange for getting some links added to your site, plus plenty of links to purcase your supplies and look around at what others are doing.
Then there's the International Jewelry Designers Guild, they have a group in yahoo, and loads of information and links.
I've also created my own group in Google called Jewelry Artists Designers Here's the link:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/Jewelry-Artists-Designers
Take a good look, if you're looking for information. It's certainly out there!
~Claire
Last night we went to see Star Wars - opening day. I thought my geek days were over, but no! We drove 1 1/2 hours to go see it with the family, which seemed ike a great idea, and we were all very excited. BUT (the plot thickens) when the movie was over there was this HUGE drive home (at midnight) and we got home very, very, late and way past my bedtime, and now I feel like I've been tromped on by a bus. The kidlets all loved it, and us grown ups are huge fans, so it was fun. I forgot that I was an old lady until I woke up this morning to go to work after 4 hours of sleep. Remember when that was no big deal? not anymore.
On the jewelry side - I spent part of my day listing my blog on blog lists, putting in classified ads, all with the hpes of adding traffic to my blog, and my website. Hopefully it will pay off someday. Looks Like I'm going to a craft show in August, and I'll plaster my web page all over the place. Have to really work up my inventory. I would love to be independantly (sp?) wealthy and work on stuff full time - not going to happen soon. Good thing I love to do it! cya gang
~claire 
So...this is my blog. Wow....Can I be more dull? Starting out in the jewelry making business is odd. I love to do it, but I have a full-time job, kids, husband, dog and cat.....
This is an interesting avenue to follow to get some feedback. I like my stuff, but do others? Is there a market for little old me? We shall see. I decided to devote two web pages to this endeavor, both sort of a work in progress. One of them, is a consignment store, where others like me can sell their items. I have spent a little time putting out classified ads, recipricol (sp?) links, and some blog activity to drive traffic without spending money I don't have. www.clik.to/claires
The other is a store of my creations, of which there are few, but as time wears on, and I coax people to purchase, the inventory will grow. I have all these fantastic ideas on paper, and putting them together is fun. www.foryoufromclaire.com
let me know what you think out there
~Claire
Excited!