I am a wife...
A mother...
A grandmother...
A homeowner...
A business owner...
So, I have several ways to look at what the New Year 2010 will bring. Not to be shallow and only look at what 2010 will bring to me in my own back yard, I must mention that of course I wish 1st and foremost for PEACE on EARTH and SAFETY for all those who fight for our beloved country in times of terrorism and war.
But - I have always taken personal responsibility for that over which I can control.
We live in a multi-cultural community...
Our family is multi-racial...
Our children take responsibility for their actions...
They are teaching their children to do the same...
We work hard to take care of each other in tough times...
We will take care of you too if you are in need...
As a simple person with simple needs, this is my gift to the world, this is my contribution to the growth of America.
Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Definitely Needing To Take Things Slowly....
I'm so unsure these days. And, I'm a Libra you know. In certain times in my life I have been fickle to the bone - but not for a very long time. Since I am the queen of balance, and the master of debate and the peacemaker of my immediate and extended family it's hard for me to be so unsure.
I have not been able to find a "real" job... What I mean by "real" is one in addition to my jewelry business that does not produce enough income to live on. I wish I was more successful doing what I love to do but between the glut of jewelry designers in the market and the ever changing SEO requirements I am plumb running out of time in making a success of janaes jewels in time to keep the roof over my head.
So, back to my indecision....
I've been out of work for 1 year and almost 22 months now. I'm overqualified for almost all of the jobs I've applied for. I've only had ONE interview. I really want to work close to home as a huge tradeoff for a larger salary commanded closer to my states capitol city....but maybe I need to travel again....
What to do?
I go in circles.
What really makes sense?
This is the type of quandry that I help others settle. Why can't I help myself? Perhaps I can "will" the answers to myself? Are one of you readers astute enough hear what I'm saying and see what I'm not?
See, I'm always so full of hope - despite my dire situation. (silly-huh?)
Because I'm a good person that always does good things for others. (I can hear you negative people laughing now)
But that's what makes me tick.
I'm double nickels you know.
My sister-in-law says that good things happen when you hit double nickels...
Help!
I have not been able to find a "real" job... What I mean by "real" is one in addition to my jewelry business that does not produce enough income to live on. I wish I was more successful doing what I love to do but between the glut of jewelry designers in the market and the ever changing SEO requirements I am plumb running out of time in making a success of janaes jewels in time to keep the roof over my head.
So, back to my indecision....
I've been out of work for 1 year and almost 22 months now. I'm overqualified for almost all of the jobs I've applied for. I've only had ONE interview. I really want to work close to home as a huge tradeoff for a larger salary commanded closer to my states capitol city....but maybe I need to travel again....
What to do?
I go in circles.
What really makes sense?
This is the type of quandry that I help others settle. Why can't I help myself? Perhaps I can "will" the answers to myself? Are one of you readers astute enough hear what I'm saying and see what I'm not?
See, I'm always so full of hope - despite my dire situation. (silly-huh?)
Because I'm a good person that always does good things for others. (I can hear you negative people laughing now)
But that's what makes me tick.
I'm double nickels you know.
My sister-in-law says that good things happen when you hit double nickels...
Help!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Caught Up in... Real Life
Ahhh - the Holiday Season...
I don't know about you but I've been sooooo busy. Part of my busy always tends to be spinning my wheels and feeling overwhelmed about all that I have to do.
Like -
Finish decorating the tree...I'm about to put it off until tomorrow (sound familiar?)
Wrap presents...there's always tomorrow (sound familiar?)
Clean - I mean really clean the house for the family gathering on Christmas Eve and Day (sound familiar?)
I just get so overwhelmed - and then of course there's the regular stuff too - like laundry, and cleaning the bathrooms!
What's really been bugging me though is slacking on my blog. I'm not sure that anyone (besides me) even reads it, but just in case you (or you) do, I hate to let you down. So, I'm here to check in and see if you guys are doing OK.
I'm OK too.
Salute!
I don't know about you but I've been sooooo busy. Part of my busy always tends to be spinning my wheels and feeling overwhelmed about all that I have to do.
Like -
Finish decorating the tree...I'm about to put it off until tomorrow (sound familiar?)
Wrap presents...there's always tomorrow (sound familiar?)
Clean - I mean really clean the house for the family gathering on Christmas Eve and Day (sound familiar?)
I just get so overwhelmed - and then of course there's the regular stuff too - like laundry, and cleaning the bathrooms!
What's really been bugging me though is slacking on my blog. I'm not sure that anyone (besides me) even reads it, but just in case you (or you) do, I hate to let you down. So, I'm here to check in and see if you guys are doing OK.
I'm OK too.
Salute!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
So Much to Think About...
I wrote a letter to my President today. Yes, to President Obama - the President of the United States. I know that I am not alone being hit hard by the economy today, but I am in such a desperate place that I have nothing to lose, and everything to gain....so I put it all out there and will wait to see what (if anything) happens.
Now, don't get me wrong - I have worked all of my adolescent and adult life and have never felt that anyone owed me anything...not even my own family. But it's different today. Today you have to advocate for yourself - for your basic human rights in every way - and only the strong survive - so I must be feeling strong today cause I'm determined to survive.
Root for me - OK?
(thanks)
Now, don't get me wrong - I have worked all of my adolescent and adult life and have never felt that anyone owed me anything...not even my own family. But it's different today. Today you have to advocate for yourself - for your basic human rights in every way - and only the strong survive - so I must be feeling strong today cause I'm determined to survive.
Root for me - OK?
(thanks)
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Good News! It has been a Buy & Sell Weekend...
What that means is I was able to purchase a couple of gifts that were a bit pricey for my grandkids because I had a pretty good selling weekend!
You know how they say "easy come...easy go"? Not me, not to be corny but it's definitely "hard come...easy go"!
Anyway - Christmas is all about the kids. The big ones and the little ones. My husband has the youngest spirit of anyone that I know personally. I've actually seen the 10 yr old in him as he exuberantly slid down a railing (at 65 no less). He is a bit older than I - and is quite proud of the fact that as the sign in our kitchen goes: "An Old Rooster and a Young Chick Live Here"
So, when it is said that you're only as old as you feel - no doubt it is more true than false. Not sure how I got on this subject - but hopefully it will have made you smile.
I'm smiling!
You know how they say "easy come...easy go"? Not me, not to be corny but it's definitely "hard come...easy go"!
Anyway - Christmas is all about the kids. The big ones and the little ones. My husband has the youngest spirit of anyone that I know personally. I've actually seen the 10 yr old in him as he exuberantly slid down a railing (at 65 no less). He is a bit older than I - and is quite proud of the fact that as the sign in our kitchen goes: "An Old Rooster and a Young Chick Live Here"
So, when it is said that you're only as old as you feel - no doubt it is more true than false. Not sure how I got on this subject - but hopefully it will have made you smile.
I'm smiling!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Been Sick AGAIN...but Gotta Dance!
Just a bad cold - nothing serious.
BUT, I have Hubby's Christmas Party tonight, so I have been (under orders) to rest since Monday so that I can be ready to dance my --- off tonight. We have a reputation (of sorts) to keep up...kinda funny..our kids would think it hilarious that we manage to be the life of the party!
Anyway - yesterday I spent some time trying to figure what to wear. That's always an issue for me, and if I don't figure it out so that I'm ready (on time) it can put a damper on things. Nothing new...but I have a lot of clothes to choose from. I have 2 or 3 dresses that I'm considering with a definite front runner in black.
Now, I'm a jewelry designer - right? I feel that I need either a "statement" necklace in silver tones or none at all....and then earrings to match, of course. Problem is that I've always been a Gold girl, or a multi-colored Gold girl, but I def need silver or white gold tones for the likely dress that I will wear. Well, no problem I'll just make something ....
But it's Chistmas time...and I still have tons of shopping to do and I have to finish my jewelry gifts...and I'll be late...and in trouble....
Oh boy, I'm gonna have to skip the statement necklace.
See ya!
BUT, I have Hubby's Christmas Party tonight, so I have been (under orders) to rest since Monday so that I can be ready to dance my --- off tonight. We have a reputation (of sorts) to keep up...kinda funny..our kids would think it hilarious that we manage to be the life of the party!
Anyway - yesterday I spent some time trying to figure what to wear. That's always an issue for me, and if I don't figure it out so that I'm ready (on time) it can put a damper on things. Nothing new...but I have a lot of clothes to choose from. I have 2 or 3 dresses that I'm considering with a definite front runner in black.
Now, I'm a jewelry designer - right? I feel that I need either a "statement" necklace in silver tones or none at all....and then earrings to match, of course. Problem is that I've always been a Gold girl, or a multi-colored Gold girl, but I def need silver or white gold tones for the likely dress that I will wear. Well, no problem I'll just make something ....
But it's Chistmas time...and I still have tons of shopping to do and I have to finish my jewelry gifts...and I'll be late...and in trouble....
Oh boy, I'm gonna have to skip the statement necklace.
See ya!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
It's All About The Future!
Well if you read my post yesterday - I've had some hard decisions to make regarding how I am spending my money in this tight economy with jewelry design being such a glutted market. So, today I cancelled my ProStore account. I was intending to do it anyway, BUT was turned on to Alexa which gives ranking info and great stats on your site traffic and found that my domain did not register AT ALL!
No wonder I have no sales...
Now, I'm no brainiac when it comes to the www, and I certainly have much to learn... but I work really hard, and I expect that the web developers that sponsor such sites and promise to market them will do so. When I called to cancel, they wanted to give me credits and work with me but I know now that it is a wasted effort.
BTW, this Blog of mine is way down in the ranking...way down...but I can see that it's gaining a little every day!
In the meantime...I have GREAT jewelry and Fabulous prices in my current shops....
http://www.janaesjewels.com/ and http://stores.ebay.com/janaesjewelsandjems
Check me out!
C'mon...just a peek (sm)
No wonder I have no sales...
Now, I'm no brainiac when it comes to the www, and I certainly have much to learn... but I work really hard, and I expect that the web developers that sponsor such sites and promise to market them will do so. When I called to cancel, they wanted to give me credits and work with me but I know now that it is a wasted effort.
BTW, this Blog of mine is way down in the ranking...way down...but I can see that it's gaining a little every day!
In the meantime...I have GREAT jewelry and Fabulous prices in my current shops....
http://www.janaesjewels.com/ and http://stores.ebay.com/janaesjewelsandjems
Check me out!
C'mon...just a peek (sm)
Monday, December 7, 2009
New website for janaes jewels with SoopSee
Well, I'm the eternal optimist plugging along trying to make some money on my Bee-yoo-ti-full jewelry and yesterday spent some time catching up on reading the blogs I follow when I read about an opportunity to launch a new website that will carry my domain but use my pics and listings from Etsy. I saw this posted on http://www.divine3designs.blogspot.com/ blog, and she said that it is simple to use...and it sure is. It is still in Beta form, so the Intro rate is really inexpensive...or you can also get a scaled down version for free.
Well I jumped on it because...for those of you who read any of what I write, listing on the various websites that I have shops on is WORK. The beauty of the SoopSee site is that I can register my own domain but still import the pictures, descriptons and pricing that I have already established in Etsy. I can then use my Etsy shop shopping cart through Paypal for payment. In addition, I can import my blog and twitter account to my new site, get google analytics and also track my Etsy "heart" activity. So - the 2 are somewhat tied together but with the distinction of http://www.janaesjewels.com/ vs. http://www.janaesjewels.etsy.com/.
I will probably now cancel my eBay ProStore (http://www.janaesjewelsandjems.com/) that is just not user friendly and has had little or no traffic since I reopened it a few months ago. I do much better on my regular eBay site with my premium store than I do in the ProStore...
So we'll see how it works out. You might want to see for yourself if it is worth it. Take a peek at http://www.soopsee.com/ to see if there is any benefit for you.
And me...well I'm just as hopeful as can be...
Til tomorrow
Well I jumped on it because...for those of you who read any of what I write, listing on the various websites that I have shops on is WORK. The beauty of the SoopSee site is that I can register my own domain but still import the pictures, descriptons and pricing that I have already established in Etsy. I can then use my Etsy shop shopping cart through Paypal for payment. In addition, I can import my blog and twitter account to my new site, get google analytics and also track my Etsy "heart" activity. So - the 2 are somewhat tied together but with the distinction of http://www.janaesjewels.com/ vs. http://www.janaesjewels.etsy.com/.
I will probably now cancel my eBay ProStore (http://www.janaesjewelsandjems.com/) that is just not user friendly and has had little or no traffic since I reopened it a few months ago. I do much better on my regular eBay site with my premium store than I do in the ProStore...
So we'll see how it works out. You might want to see for yourself if it is worth it. Take a peek at http://www.soopsee.com/ to see if there is any benefit for you.
And me...well I'm just as hopeful as can be...
Til tomorrow
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Feelin' the Holiday Spirit Today
Yesterday we got lazy, but today daughter Annie, Hubby and I got busy and decorated the house - at least part of it.
No tree yet - but the lights are on - the furniture is moved around to accomodate the extra trimmings and we are looking quite festive!
So, decide to close out the day with you, my dear bloggers, if any of you are listening (or reading). My spirit is lifted today
Ruth, you are in my thoughts...here's hoping you'll get the next vacation. (sm)
Later.
No tree yet - but the lights are on - the furniture is moved around to accomodate the extra trimmings and we are looking quite festive!
So, decide to close out the day with you, my dear bloggers, if any of you are listening (or reading). My spirit is lifted today
Ruth, you are in my thoughts...here's hoping you'll get the next vacation. (sm)
Later.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Chillin' with Hubby and Maggy
It's been a cold, damp and dismal Saturday here in Southcoast, MA. After running my regular Saturday errands with Hubby we headed home with plans to take the Christmas decorations down from the attic. Got home, started watching movies, got lazy and put off the Christmas decorations for another day!
Oh, by the way...Maggy is my 4 year old (bossy) pomeranian!
The good news is that I rarely chill with Hubby...he's a western movie nut, and watches Encore's Western channel every spare moment he has. During that time I'm usually making jewelry, listing jewelry, writing on my blog, dropping EC's etc, etc, (you know the drill).
But today I'm just chillin...
I have more than enough jewelry inventory so taking a break there...more than enough listed...so taking a break there too.. Besides listing is WORK!
All snuggled up in a fleece, on the couch with hubby and John Wayne's McClintock playing on the TV. Peace...and Harmony. It's a great night!
Oh, by the way...Maggy is my 4 year old (bossy) pomeranian!
The good news is that I rarely chill with Hubby...he's a western movie nut, and watches Encore's Western channel every spare moment he has. During that time I'm usually making jewelry, listing jewelry, writing on my blog, dropping EC's etc, etc, (you know the drill).
But today I'm just chillin...
I have more than enough jewelry inventory so taking a break there...more than enough listed...so taking a break there too.. Besides listing is WORK!
All snuggled up in a fleece, on the couch with hubby and John Wayne's McClintock playing on the TV. Peace...and Harmony. It's a great night!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Am I Spinning My Wheels???
I'm probably the only one that can answer that...
I'm starting to feel that I AM spinning my wheels tho -
I tend to be very spiritual and this afternoon while cutting down brush, vines and some mysteriously sown elderberry bushes, I found myself looking for answers...
I design jewelry and sales are flat.
I tell others that only the strong survive in a competitive marketplace - Yes that is true, but with my limited resources and burgeoning debt, I am feeling very grey.
I am one of the strong...
But will I survive?
I'm looking for a sign...
I'd like to win the lottery tonite...
Or something...
Any ideas?
Ciao!
I'm starting to feel that I AM spinning my wheels tho -
I tend to be very spiritual and this afternoon while cutting down brush, vines and some mysteriously sown elderberry bushes, I found myself looking for answers...
I design jewelry and sales are flat.
I tell others that only the strong survive in a competitive marketplace - Yes that is true, but with my limited resources and burgeoning debt, I am feeling very grey.
I am one of the strong...
But will I survive?
I'm looking for a sign...
I'd like to win the lottery tonite...
Or something...
Any ideas?
Ciao!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Blogging For Sales Brings Friends Instead
In trying to increase sales to my online shops on Etsy and eBay I've been following the sage advice of the many with more "blogging" experience than I. I've been dropping ec's (entrecards) for credits and find myself lost in a blog while trying to increase my speed and intensity of dropping. For those of you that may be lost with this conversation - check out the entrecard immediately to the right of this post. You may join me and many more like me that are trying to build...something...it's not a one size fits all agenda.
But back to my point...
I'm making friends!
I'm finding some like me with similar interests...
and I'm finding others that are totally diverse with nothing obvious in common except that for one reason or another their "hook" gets me.
So, I'm making friends...and hoping to sell some jewelry as well!
Like I say in my sales scripts - Take a Chance...What Do You Have To Lose?"
I'm practicing what I preach!
Tah-tah for now
But back to my point...
I'm making friends!
I'm finding some like me with similar interests...
and I'm finding others that are totally diverse with nothing obvious in common except that for one reason or another their "hook" gets me.
So, I'm making friends...and hoping to sell some jewelry as well!
Like I say in my sales scripts - Take a Chance...What Do You Have To Lose?"
I'm practicing what I preach!
Tah-tah for now
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
20% Discount & Free Shipping at janaesjewelsandjems eBay Shop!
Totally forgot to mention that I am having a 20% discount sale on all of my fine jewelry in my eBay store...PLUS Free USA Shipping!
Check it out:
http://stores.ebay.com/janaesjewelsandjems
My Etsy shoppers...if you convo me and know what the deal is (etsy20) then I will give you the 20% as well. You get free USA shipping already.
http://www.janaesjewels.etsy.com/
I have the Best Prices in Town!
Check it out:
http://stores.ebay.com/janaesjewelsandjems
My Etsy shoppers...if you convo me and know what the deal is (etsy20) then I will give you the 20% as well. You get free USA shipping already.
http://www.janaesjewels.etsy.com/
I have the Best Prices in Town!
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