Not Listed - YET!

Take a peek at my Flickr Account for a preview of some items I've recently made and not listed yet. Some include the amazing beads I had custom made!

I'm worrying about the holiday shopping season. On one hand, I'm hoping to become successful (or something), but I don't have the inventory level for it. On the other hand, I'm afraid I'll be completely ignored by holiday shoppers.

There's an empty little store on 3rd street in my town that called out my name as I walked by it. I would love to fill it up with wire wrapped beach stones and pretty macramé creations! Too bad I can barely afford groceries.

*yawn*

I sure am tired today.

I have created some super cute things with the beads made for me by dcdesigns.etsy.com, but I'm scared of me being the only one who actually likes them. I wonder if a lot of shop owners have this fear.

My friend Kaci and I are probably starting up a store for selling supplies we pick up from various beaches: stones, driftwood, glass, pottery, shells, and the like. I have a basic store front up, but we need to work on what to put into it and how. I think it could work out... people do like to buy the beach stones I sell.

I'm just rambling now. I need to find some dinner and go to bed early.

It's hot outside

I decided to take pictures of new earthcharms stuff on the balcony because the sun was there and I didn't feel like walking downstairs. Seven items or so later I look up and there are four guys on either side of me just staring.

I realize that it's because I looked like a complete freak taking closeup shots of colorful bits of things in 95F weather, but I'd also like to think that I am still kinda cute.

I also just received my custom made polymer clay Halloween beads and they are too cute for words. I'm so excited that I can't think of anything to do with them!

I think it's time to go wade in the creek.

First new idea:

Playing with a new idea:





This one is mine, of course. I'm going to make the braided loop smaller and possibly make the teardrop loops smaller as well. Maybe less beads, I'm not sure. This whole thing might look better with a centerpiece, and not as a "loop in the front as a clasp thingy". I'll mess around with that idea as well.

I've figured out a few new knotting techniques just by playing with the cords. This is my first presentable piece. ;)

Ideas are good.

There wasn't enough for me to do at work, so I got sent home after 5.5 hours. Thankfully I have a lot of new designs in mind. Since I don't (and never have) own a book on knots, I'm kind of making things up. I saw some amazing macrame work on Etsy recently, and feel I have a bit more to live up to now! Perhaps some new designs will attract new buyers. I would definitely appreciate that.

Current Store Stats

Date Created: March 2, 2007
Items for Sale: 96
Number of Sales: 53 items sold
Feedback: 67, 100% positive
Number of People Who Heart My Store: 155
Item With Most Views: Pirate's Compass choker with 442

Boo!

Here's a sneak peek at all the Halloween goodies I've made so far:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/80954354@N00/

Keep checking my flickr page for more. :)

Halloween goodies coming soon to earthcharms.etsy.com!

Feedback

What are people saying about earthcharms.etsy.com?

"Fantastic stuff; very professional, very timely in shipping and this vendor is "over the top" when it comes to customer service."

"This assortment is stunning! Everything was packaged extremely well and arrived quickly."

"she was a very nice seller and whenever i had a question, she would reply back soon. the choker i got from her is so precious and i love it! she told me when she sent it and it came quick. definitely buy from this seller."

"Super customer service- warm and friendly with great attention to detail! :) You're the best!"

"Great communication and fast shipping. Very professional in all ways."

"I cannot believe how quickly this arrived! 6 days from the US to NZ. And it's beautiful!"

"Lovely service. great communication Very fast delivery to Australia. I just love my item and will be back for more. thank you for all your help!! You're wonderful."

...many more rave reviews: http://www.etsy.com/feedback_public.php?user_id=5084896

Rut, Rut, Rut!

I am bored.

I am officially out of eye pins and jump rings. I am nearly out of all my waxed linen cord except black and white. I'm also running low on non-tarnish craft wire, stone donuts, french hooks, and patience. :P

What I have managed to come up with lately:

I have made a few good sales recently. Instead of investing that money into supplies for my store, I have instead spent most of it at other stores:

Reserved for Eartcharms (custom handbag)

COFFIN SAMPLER - Mineral Eyeshadow by Coffin Color - makeup for your rock and roll lifestyle

RAVEN Mineral Eyeshadow by Coffin Color - makeup for your rock and roll lifestyle

Orchid Flower Chainmail Bracelet

Dark Plum Burgundy Thai Unisex Fisherman Pants Cotton - Freesize - FREE SHIPPING

and I actually did buy some supplies:

Spooky Beads custom order for EarthCharms

Shout out to all the amazing talent on etsy!

I foolishly bought a showcase space for tomorrow. I swear, all I was thinking was, "Wednesdays are good for me!" and spent $7 without considering the fact that it's a holiday! Even if everyone not in the USA isn't celebrating, Esty is almost silent. Not even the Promos & Critiques forum is moving at its usual dizzying speed. I listed a new item two hours ago and one person has looked at it.

*sigh*

In the Good News area, an Etsy seller has made something really pretty out of some beach stones she bought from me.

So, yeah, look for me tomorrow... or BBQ and watch fireworks. ;)

Semi Precious Gemstone Survey Results

I have to put a big disclaimer on the front of this one!

A lot of people who answered only know the basics, just look at the top ten to see what I mean. I also got a LOT of "other" answers that stated "ruby sapphire emerald diamond" which meant they weren't really looking at the survey title! Take these results with a huge grain of salt, please. :)


I asked 100 people on Etsy:
What are your favorite semi-precious stones?

The answers:

Amethyst = 53%
Turquoise = 53%
Citrine = 49%
Peridot = 48%
Tourmaline = 47%
Garnet = 46%
Moonstone = 45%
Aquamarine = 45%
Jade = 42%
Amber = 40%
Labradorite = 38%
Carnelian = 37%
Amazonite = 37%
Jasper = 34%
Rose Quartz = 34%
Lapis = 33%
Onyx = 32%
Blue Chalcedony = 32%
Smoky Quartz = 31%
Apatite = 30%
Iolite = 30%
Quartz = 30%
Obsidian = 30%
Fluorite = 28%
Tiger Eye = 28%
Hematite = 27%
Tanzanite = 27%
Topaz = 26%
Sodalite = 26%
Kyanite = 25%
Aventurine = 23%
Malachite = 23%
Blue Lace Agate = 22%
Prehnite = 22%
Bloodstone = 21%
Ruby Zoisite = 21%
Chrysocolla = 20%
Chysophrase = 20%
Rhodochrosite = 19%
Rhodonite = 16%
Sugilite = 15%
Tourmalated Quartz = 13%
Jet = 17%
Serpentine = 17%
Moss Agate = 16%
Botswana Agate = 15%
Unakite = 13%
Crazy Lace Agate = 12%
Marble = 12%
Lepidolite = 12%
Azurite = 11%
Pyrite = 11%
Fossil Agate = 10%
Tree Agate = 10%
Dumortierite = 9%
Seraphinite = 9%
Howlite = 8%
Rhyolite = 8%
Mookaite = 7%
Natural Agate = 7%
Tiger Iron = 5%
Dalmatiner = 2%
Other = Larimar, Picasso Marble, Opal (3%), Pietersite, Calcite, Charoite, Andalusite, Celestite, Hemimorphite




PLEASE NOTE:
Don't give up on what YOU like just because it isn't in the top favorites. Also, some of the numbers are bound to be off due to human error.

My webspace is working again

www.earthcharms.etsy.com

Ugh!

Last night I ran over a skunk. Along with quite a guilt trip, I now have a very stinky car.
Today I noticed that my "indestructible" pumpkin destructed on my kitchen floor. It blew up even more when I tried to scoop it up, covering me in rotten pumpkin guts.
My best friend and I are not getting along well.
My sinuses are yuck.
I have a new temp job to go to tomorrow, so I'm all nervous.
salyx.net isn't working, so I can't show off all the new things I made for earthcharms.

Good things to remember:
My banana applesauce bread came out wonderful.
I have 20 new items photographed and ready to list.
I got some laundry done.