Sand Throwers

The warm sand between my toes, a breeze coming off the ocean, and.....sand being thrown???
REWIND!
When I was really little I would go to the beach and sit on my towel with my feet and arms up in the air. The purpose of that? TO NOT TOUCH ANY SAND. I hated being dirty! Sand would just about do me in! I would just sit there and watch. I didn't shove fist fulls of it into my mouth like my sister or make sandcastles like my cousins. I would just sit there.

Even today I am still not fond of the sand. I do not like to have any sand on me higher than my knees and I hate it on my towel. So when my little cousins came to the beach....lets just say I was hating a lot....
My cousin Emily (8) picks up her towels and shakes it up and down, up and down so that the wind picks it ALL up and dumps it on me. UGH! I told her walk away when you do that.....well she didn't remember that little bit of advice....it happened four more times. Then my other cousin John (10) comings running by for his towel and kick a pound of sand onto me (higher than my knees) and all over my towel. Double UGH!

I love going to the beach. The ocean, sea glass glass, shells, people watching, naps, tanning, finishing a book, boats, beach games...etc. I love it all....everything but the sand!

hahaha.

xoxo,
Busy Beader

Where's the money burning a hole in my pocket???

In the past week I have order beads from three different Etsy sellers spending about $50 in all. I have also gone to one local bead store and spend $50. So just this week along I have spent about $100 in beads. What's my point? Well, I have been selling on Etsy for a total of six months now and I have made a grand total of $150. If I was a real business women I wouldn't buy anymore beads until I have sold all 50 items on Etsy. Or I would sell the millions strands of beads I have not used (and may never use)! Why do I keep on buying more and more beads almost each week?!  Think I may have a problem....lol.

Have any of you seem the movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic"? Well, here is my confession...

Hi my name is Busy Beader and I am a beadaholic.

xoxo

Opening a New Shop! .....maybe.

My mom wants to get rid and sell some of her nice antiques. I told her that it might be a good idea to just try selling them on Etsy. I told her if she made the prices I would take the pictures and list them. Since I sell jewelry on Etsy I am not sure how the whole vintage/antiques thing does on Etsy. Do any of you sell vintage or antiques on Etsy? Do you get a lot of sales? My my has some great antiques! I know she would love to get some money for them and I am wondering if Etsy is a good place to do so?
xoxo
Love,
Busy Beader

Long time no talk!

Man! I am really dropping the ball when it comes to blogging! Life is just too busy sometimes!
I am back now and will try to do better! Hope everyone is doing well!  Hope ETSY business is going well! I have good news! One May 29th I got my fourth sale! I was shocked! I had just come home from a weekend at the lake and didn't set my shop as "on vacation" because I was only going to be gone for a two full days. When I got home I got on the computer right away and I saw the sale!
This weekend I am planning on taking new pictures for all of my peices (or most). I am motivated to get more sales! I would like to put about 100 items on Etsy. I heard that reallllly helps!
That's it for now!
~Busy Beader

I need your help...

Hi to all my followers!
I need YOUR help! I am trying to get featured on Heartsy.com a website a lot like Groupon.  To get featured I need 60 votes. It is VERY easy to vote (takes about a minute)! Please take a minute to click "YES DEFINITELY" http://heartsy.me/deals/2728/like?image=image2
Thank you all!
 Happy Mother's Day!!!
~Busy Beader

How to get noticed....

Etsy is full of jewelry sellers, me being one of them. I have had my Etsy shop since the very end of December and I have only had three sales. My last sale was in Febuary. I have done a lot of promoting and feel like I am out of ideas! I just can find "the key" to becoming super successful on Etsy?! Every once in awhile I come across a shop that has have over 10,000 sales and I just can believe it! Once I saw a shop that had a little over 40,000 sales! That just about blew my mind away! It left me wondering what did they have that I didn't? I mean, I have good pictures, tags, descriptions, titles etc. all the things Etsy says to do! But what am I missing?!There has to be something I just am not doing! I mean how do these peoples little businesses just explode over night into a huge profit?! Any ideas of what I could do better? What do you think about this subject matter? What is your best promoting tool?
Love,
Busy Beader

My first GIVEAWAY!

It's the THIRD day of my first giveaway!
The giveaway is for this bracelet: http://www.etsy.com/listing/66637057/colorful-and-detailed-bracelet

how to enter:

- to enter you must be a fan of my business facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Midlothian/Madelines-Jewelry-Box/176950565672023)

 

- to enter POST the word ENTER to Madeline's Jewelry Box wall .... so easy...why not enter for a chance to win that awesome bracelet?!?

 

How will I pick a winner?
I will use random.org

The giveaway last till MAY 3RD and 11:59 p.m.
E-mail, twitter, facebook, blog etc. about the giveaway! Spread the word!!!
good luck!

Spring Break!

FINALLY Spring Break is here!  This week has been the longest week of my life knowing that the sand between my toes is just a few long days away! I am heading to Charleston South Carolina and Savannah Georgia to see grandparents and soak up the sun! I hope everyone is enjoying Spring so far!
This weekend I am selling my jewelry in Cumberland VA at a festival. I am really looking forward to it. I have been making a lot of new jewelry for it all week! After the festival I am going to try to list a lot of jewelry onto Etsy before I leave for South Carolina.  Anyone from Charleston SC or Savannah Georgia  know of any GREAT beads stores there?

I hope everyone is doing well!

My BEST treasury yet???

This is my newest treasury on Etsy! I am quiet proud! I worked very hard on it and my goal is front page!
What do you think of it? It is front page worthy?
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d991f6b9bd06d91fac082bd/lost-at-sea#4d9921608ba88eefaad62b29

What a bust!

Well last night I had my second craft show that year....I made $11.00. Pitiful right? The last time I did this same festival was just two months ago and I made $150.00.  Not many of the vendors did well.  For me March was not a very good month for sales. I do not know what exactly caused March to be such a terrible month for me?! I have talked to a lot of people on Etsy that have said March was the best month yet for sales! I am just not seeing the same results! How was march for you? Did you sell??? Did you buy??? For all of you who sell on Etsy... what is/are your goal(s) for April? Mine are to at least get one sale, to reach 100 hearts, and reach 200 circles. Hopefully I will get there in not time!
Fingers crossed!
~Busy Beader

EXCITED!!!

So excited for tomorrow night! I will be in another craft show tomorrow night in downtown Richmond! I have done this one before and it is a blast! I am really looking forward to it!
Do you participate in craft festivals and/or farmers markets???

Many things to look forward to!

I just got awesome news! I was accepted into a farmers market to sell my jewelry every Thursday starting April and lasting all Summer! I also was excepted to sell at a craft festival in downtown Richmond most first Fridays of the month! I am still waiting to find out if I was excepted into another festival in Cumberland VA.
I totally believe craft festivals and farmer markets are the way to go when I comes to getting the word out there about your business.  At festivals and markets you get to work directly with your costumers!
Tips for festivals:
-Really pay attention to who is stopping by your booth and who keeps on walk. Look at what they are wearing and their age.
-They don't buy anything??? GIVE THEM A BUSINESS CARD!
-Take notes on what sells!
-Have a few items for SALE or a buy 1 get one 50% off.  I always sell out of items that are on sale.

Thats it for now!
~Busy Beader

I though JUST sales were slow

What a weekend! I have loved the warm weather but not loving Etsy so much!  Sales are nonexistant and view are very low! Yesterday I only got 31 page views.  I used to get around 100 a day.  Sor far today I only have 19. I have heard that March was a slow month, but this is terrible!  I have added a lot of new items and I have been promoting a lot.  I am having to find  new ways to promote.  I used to use the forums and chat rooms to promote but now that I am not allowed in the community I am having to get real creative on how I promote! I have been using facebook a lot ( http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Madelines-Jewelry-Box/176950565672023 ).  Any tips on other creative ways to promote without using the Etsy community?!
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
~Busy Beader

TGIF!

What a long week it has been!  Lots of homework, projects, cheering practice, and that ANNOYING thing about Etsy thinking I am to young! I don't understand why and how they can put a age limit on Etsy.  I am still able to have my shop, convo., be apart  and SOME teams, but not being able to go into the Etsy community really does frustrate me!
I feel like I have passion, talent, drive, and a lot of will power to do whatever it takes to succeed. The way Etsy says that I am to young is offensive!  So I want to tell any young art out there: DO NOT let anyone tell you that you are not good enough, old enough, or talented enough.  I you have a strong passion go for it.  Take what those people tell you and let it make you stronger and give you more drive to PROVE THEM WRONG.
Thank you soooooo much to all of you for all of the support you have given me!
~Busy Beader

Upsetting news

I posted last night this:

When I first joined Etsy I had all intentions of putting my age in on my profile, but when I went into the chat rooms and everyone is talking about their kids, work, and husbands I felt like no one would take me seriously. I felt like I was an outcast and that everyone would not respect my work. I now know and I have relized that is does not matter how old I am, I know that I am talented and I love making jewelry. It does not matter what others think, weither it be my age or my about work.
I am 15 1/2 years old. I am a freshman in high school, I just got my learners permit, I am a cheerleader for my school, and my FAVORITE thing to do is make jewelry. I really is my passion. I put a lot of effort and time into each peice. I don't want anyone to think that my age has an effect on the craftsmanship of my jewelry.
I might be 15 but I am determind to make something of myself. While all of my friends are searching for summer jobs I am searching for craft festivals and trying to find new ways to better promote myself. I know I can succeed, but all I need now is for other to believe that I can do it!

 

 

 

Well today someone reported me to Etsy saying that I am to young to be allowed in the community.  I am very upset. When I am on Etsy my mom is always with me... ALWAYS. I can't beileve a fellow artisan did this to me.  I know even at my age I am very capable of running a business. My shop is fine...I'm just not allowed in the community. I have always loved Etsy because everyone is so supportive of eachother.  But now I cannot be apart of it. :(

~Busy Beader

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

In celebration of St. Patrick's Day I have made a new discount code: GREEN15 for 15% off of your total purchase at my jewelry and bead shop: www.etsy.com/shop/mmjewelrybox . 

Do you make jewelry???
Over the next couple days I will start listing BEADS! I just have way to many and as much as I don't want to get rid of them I need the money. I hope you will be able to use them and enjoy them! I love making jewelry and I love finding beads for on sale and for a great deal, therefore I my beads will be priced as low as I can!
Enjoy!

Allergies!

Spring is here in Virginia!!! The trees are popping with white and pink flowers! Very pretty but my nose has not stop tickling!!!! I am home sick today because I think I have a sinus infection. 
So since I have some free time I figured I would shop (One of my favorite things to do)! Here are some great great great deals I found!

Deals from my favorite store: Urban Outfitters.  If you don't have a store around you you can shop online! http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/
Pretty jewelry holder- $14.99 instead of $28!  http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=80&startValue=161&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=19120146&parentid=SALE_APT&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,+product.marketingPriority&navCount=108&navAction=jump&color=&pushId=SALE_APT&popId=SALE&prepushId=&selectedProductSize=

Okay, well this ins't on sale, but I LOVE it!  $179.00 http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=19692912&navAction=jump&isProduct=true&parentid=MORE%20IDEAS&isProduct=true&cross-sell=true&guide-bn=true

Cutest wallet! $9.99 instead of $18!!!
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=80&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=17915224a&parentid=SALE_W_ACC&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,+product.marketingPriority&navCount=81&navAction=poppushpush&color=&pushId=SALE_W_ACC&popId=SALE_W&prepushId=&selectedProductSize=

OMG! this necklace is only $0.99 and it was $16.00! (Save it for nexy winter!)
 http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=80&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=19948389&parentid=SALE_W_ACC&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,price&navCount=288&navAction=poppushpush&color=&pushId=SALE_W_ACC&popId=SALE_W&prepushId=&selectedProductSize=

Like to travel?  $4.99 instead of $24-GREAT DEAL!
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=80&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=19492842&parentid=SALE_W_ACC&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,price&navCount=288&navAction=poppushpush&color=&pushId=SALE_W_ACC&popId=SALE_W&prepushId=&selectedProductSize=


Those are some great deals! If you like this store sign up for e-mails from them they give coupon codes!

Love, Busy Beader

I posted this in a Etsy forum. Thank you everyone for all the support, and for those who don't believe I am old enough, I plan to prove you wrong.

When I first joined Etsy I had all intentions of putting my age in on my profile, but when I went into the chat rooms and everyone is talking about their kids, work, and husbands I felt like no one would take me seriously. I felt like I was an outcast and that everyone would not respect my work. I now know and I have relized that is does not matter how old I am, I know that I am talented and I love making jewelry. It does not matter what others think, weither it be my age or my about work.
I am 15 1/2 years old. I am a freshman in high school, I just got my learners permit, I am a cheerleader for my school, and my FAVORITE thing to do is make jewelry. I really is my passion. I put a lot of effort and time into each peice. I don't want anyone to think that my age has an effect on the craftsmanship of my jewelry.
I might be 15 but I am determind to make something of myself. While all of my friends are searching for summer jobs I am searching for craft festivals and trying to find new ways to better promote myself. I know I can succeed, but all I need now is for other to believe that I can do it!

Woot woot!!!

I got accepted into a craft festival for April! Can't wait!

Times Flying!

It has been awhile! I feel like January flew by!  I have been working hard on my jewelry website(www.etsy.com/mmjewelrybox) lately.  Its been tough though...sales are slow!!! There are so many people that sell on Etsy that it is hard to "get noticed".  I have been adding more items today and I created a twitter account (http://twitter.com/#!/jewelryboxmm)! I have signed up for three festivals and have gotten accepted to 2 of the three so far.  I am lookign forward to Spring and all the craft shows (not to mention the warm weather) ! What festivals are your favorite? My favorite is The Intergalatic Bead Show (http://beadshows.com/index.jsp)!  It is like heaven for any jewelry maker!
Fingers crossed for warm waether!
Busy Beader

Busy busy busy!

Wow! What a crazy month! There has been a lot going on! This week I have had 3 basketball games to cheer for and 2 other cheering practices and a boat load of homework! .....and of course all I want to do is bead, which makes it hard! I am very very excited to tell everyone that I tomorrow I will be sending an application to sell my jewelry in downtown Richmond (VA) at a art festival held on the first friday of each month from 7p.m-10p.m. I can't wait! Fingers crossed that they accept me! It just really it me hard yesterday that in less then two months I will be taking mmy learners driving test! This means in December I will be able to drive!  I am working extra hard trying to make lots and lots jewelry to hopefully sell that this festival because I will be buying a car in December. Even though I think it would be a great Christmas present...my parents think differnently! Figures, right?

A Step into a New World

I may be young but I am very determind and goal orinented.... I have been making very neat peices of jewelry for about 3 1/3 years now. I am always looking for ways to get my business known and "out there". Well at 15 years old, I think I FINALLY found it!!! I have started a website! I am using the website Etsy.com (a website for artist).  My site (through etsy) is: www.etsy.com/shop/mmjewelrybox . It has been a lot of work but I have figured it all up and put a lot of my favorite peices of jewelry on the site! I am very excited about it! I got my first sale online just two days ago!  I had always sold my jewelry at festivals and to friends and family, but festivals only come around every fall and well I don't know how much more jewelry my grandmas can handle! Hopefully this website will help me reach more customers.... fingers crossed!
After a long day of watching the clock above the classroom doors when I get home all I want to do is bead!  Weird huh? While others kids get there video games out, or eat everything in the pantry, I rather turn on the TV (usually Ellen DeGeneres) and sit down on the floor with my eight big bead boxes all around me.  I first see what beads jump out at me then create a few necklaces or bracelets and earrings. Then my mom yells for me to get going on homework, which of course is not a favorite!
So today as I sat down to do my homework after making a semi-precious stone necklace I thought to myself "Why don't we have a beading class in school?" Have a lost my mind? Well at my school we have guitar class, band, art, photography, cooking, sewing, and many more! Why not beading class? mhmm...... So as I sign off for tonight I will leave you with something to think about... beading class in high school? middle school? elementary? any school? Although how would you test....how fast can you put the bead on the wire? haha!
With something to think about,
Busy beader
<3