It's a Mixed Bag Today...

I'm still a fairly new blogger...been about 4 months now.

I really like it...

My original goal was to promote my jewelry line, but I found the opportunity to network outside of my comfort zone on so many different levels intoxicating.

I mean, to discuss my own personal goals, my families struggles, some new designs, debate politics, current events, meet FABULOUS new friends...this is great!

Not that there aren't frustrations - how to balance the time required to produce a thoughtful post without feeling depressed for it....the impatience to build a following...working at getting the "it" that compels strangers to care and come back.

It's working at acceptance that I've always taken for granted...you know where you only have a very few seconds to catch a readers eye while they drop and run...wait a minute...what did she say????

And then watching your followers straggle in, EC numbers go up...and down, daring to take another step into the realm....

Like I said - I am loving it - and loving all of you. 

The good and the bad of it all. 

Keep it coming at me...

Peace out...

Cyber Monday? Was it Good For You?

Well, almost 9pm ET on Cyber Monday.  I did lots of online shopping for 2 of my daughters...so made some sellers very happy. What was in it for me?  I got Microsoft Cashback credits for one, and double eBay/Paypal cash back credits as well! So, definitely was worth my time.

I sold a few things in my eBay and Etsy stores over the weekend and I'm still listing every day to keep my shops full and also to get some of my lesser seen items some exposure.  I'm trying to retrain my brain to make and sell niche items that other people want...not so much make and sell what I like.  My own personal style is pretty diverse - but not necessarily for younger adults - or tweens even.  From what I see on the Etsy Alchemy - there is a gold mine to be made for sellers of jewelry that appeals to those particular age groups. Will it be as much fun tho? That I'm not sure of...

One more thing...I listed 7 Pay It Forward (PIF) items that sold out in about 24 hrs. Tonight I received a request from one of the buyers to PIF a handmade glass pendant to me in my choice of colors.  I tried to refuse as the intention meant more to me than a pendant for myself, but was coaxed into it (sm) in green (the color of my eyes).  In fact, I love hand cut glass - and this will be quite special. So, here is a shout out to surlymermaid on Etsy!

Write to me dear readers...I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Affordable 14K and Sterling Silver Jewelry for Sale...Check It Out!

I just know it's going to happen...
I'll get a serious shopper who decides to shop for several gifts and VOILA...it makes my day.

My strategy is to keep my items fresh and keep listing new items daily. I usually design and make jewelry in stretches and then list in stretches. Well between now and the New Year I will design and list more simultaneously to keep the new items flowing....

Hopefully in and OUT the door just as quickly...(sm)

Just in case you don't know where to find my items...
http://www.janaesjewels.etsy.com/
http://stores.ebay.com/janaesjewelsandjems

Ciao for now!
(shop, shop, shop)

What jewelry are YOU buying for the Holidays?

Are you buying Gold...Silver...Earrings...Bracelets...What????
Just curious, of course.
I'm on my never-ending quest to find out what people want these days. Not to say that I'm clueless - I know what my current customers are buying.  I also know that as long as there are females (mostly females) on this earth that there will be a desire for jewelry.  And, since I want to be YOUR jewelry designer it matters to me what you are looking for.

It suprises me that folks are willing to purchase gold and silver plated items knowing that they will tarnish beyond repair and despite my general unwillingness to do so, I may actually break down and purchase some gold filled/plated findings.

For those of you not familiar - Findings are the bare bones of jewelry making...clasps, crimps, beads, headpins, jumprings, wire,  etc...all the the fastenings that hold the goods together.

Back to gold filled findings...I guess I can understand this for jewelry items not used every day as the price of solid gold is over 1K per ounce.  I always think of heirloom quality to pass down to your children - and grandchildren.  BUT, if that is what the buyer wants...I guess I will do my best pricing to keep the customer in solid gold - but if not successful - a sale in my shop is a sale I want to keep in my shop.  Make sense?

So far as silver plate is concerned - I will stick with Sterling Silver. The price of sterling is at a high these days, but not so high that I will substitute inferior product....and I promise you won't regret that.

Tah - Tah for now....