I Love My Pet

For many of us, our pets are our children and we want the best for them. Needless to say, we do love to spoil them. And like children, they carry a huge responsibility, depending on their family for their care.

Of course fashion sense is a top priority with pet owners. There's no way we are going to let Fifi out the door without her designer sweater and doggy necklace. Not to mention, dressing up your dog is so much fun.


I love seeing a dog dressed up, especially during Halloween. But like children, you need to take the same consideration when buying their clothes and other accessories; are they flame retardant, do they have toxic dyes or are they easily broken, with small pieces your pet could choke on? Always make sure you verify the safety of any pet item.

For Halloween or any holiday, check the SPCA website for tips on keeping your pet safe.
Then of course there are the toys, carriers, dishes and bowls. Try GregRobert Pet Supplies for a huge selection of fun stuff for your furry kids. Like children, toxic issues need to be addressed. I like to make my own pottery and ceramics so it is only natural that I make dishes for my cats. But whether you are buying or making your food bowls, always make sure they are food safe. If you are not certain, don't use it. Not all ceramic glazes used on dishes and other pottery pieces, are food safe and could be toxic to your little ones.

Your pet's health is a top priority and when it comes keeping my pets healty, my preference is all natural.

Seven of the popular flea and tick control products on the market,  have adverse health effects in tested animals ranging from convulsions and body tremors to brain lesions, lung and liver tumors and thyroid cancer. When you think about it, you are putting a pesticide on your pet each time you place those drops on their skin.

Laboratory tests show Fipronil, an ingredient in Frontline and Frontline Plus, is a neurotoxin and a possible human cancer agent. This toxin can cause liver and kidney damage, thyroid cancer and other problems in your pets. Read more about these findings at How Safe is Your Flea and Tick Killer?

There are many natural alternatives to the commercial toxins on the market today.
Natural Wonder Products is one of my favorite shops for alternative pet care.

Budget Wise Cooking

I love cooking especially for friends and family. I started cooking when I was 5 years old, standing next to my mother and grandmother, learning the treasured family secrets. I was raised as a city girl but both my parents came from farm families, so I learned a thing or two about cooking.


As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned how to adapt many of our family recipes into healthier yet still budget wise meals. I have learned to combine a meat eating and vegetarian cooking style along the way, and I would like to share some of my favorites.

Beans and lentils are the most versatile foods among meat eaters and vegetarians alike. There is such a wide variety of this protein packed supper food that you could eat them several times a week and never get bored.

I have a book called 366 Delicious Ways to Cook Rice, Beans, and Grains. This book has some of the best ideas I have found. I never realized there could be so many.

The way I cook beans depends on the type of bean it is. Pinto beans I always cook on the stove top while white beans I cook in a slow cooker. I like soft beans with a thick juice, and unless you cook them on the stove, pintos are too hard and soupy for my taste.

When it comes to slow cookers, there are many to choose from. I have three in my home and use all of them. May favorite slow cooker is the Hamilton Beach 33967 Set 'n Forget 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker. It’s programmable and has a locking lid. I am always taking food somewhere so the locking lid is a big plus.

I take a 1-pound bag of pinto beans; sort and wash, then let them soak in cold water all day or overnight. I drain, rinse and place in a pot, covering with 4 cups water and 2 cups chicken broth. Turn stove on high and let boil about 10 minutes then turn down to a low simmer. Cover with a lid and let slowly boil about two hours.

Tip: To avoid gas associated with pinto beans, cut a russet potato in half and add to beans when cooking.

Next I add a chopped onion and smoked ham hock. If you are a vegetarian, you can skip the hock and had a drop or two of liquid smoke. Bring back to a slow boil and let cook for another hour or until beans start to thicken and are tender.

If your beans are too soupy, take about a cup out and mash, then return to pot. Add your spices and salt let simmer for another 30 minutes. It is important that you do not add anything containing salt until the beans have cooked. Adding salt before cooked will make your beans tough. As for spices, you can add anything. I add chopped garlic, season salt, and cumin and ground oregano. I like to add chopped jalapeno for a spicier dish.

With this one pot of beans, you can make several meals. The first meal, serve beans with cornbread or fried potatoes. Take your leftovers and make into chili. Just add meat, or leave meatless, tomatoes, chili seasonings and fresh peppers. With your chili, you can eat it plain or make Frito pie or chili spaghetti.

Turn your leftover beans into refried beans for a south of the border dinner. You will want to use a heavy frying pan. I prefer a cast-iron skillet. Heat 1 tablespoon of lard, bacon fat or oil to pan. Strain your beans and add to skillet, mixing well then add ¼ cup water and stir. Using a potato masher, mash the beans while they are cooking in the skillet. Add more water as needed, keeping your beans from drying out. Mash until they have a puree consistency.

Another easy, economical dish that will appeal to vegetarians is Veggie Noodles. Just serve this quick, nutritious meal with garlic or Italian bread for a satisfying meal.

You will need:

2 small zucchini squash

2 small yellow squash

1 egg plant

2 cans of Italian or other spiced tomatoes

¼ cup olive oil

Cooked fettuccini

Grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

Cut vegetables in small chunks, leave skins on. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Cook on medium-low, stirring constantly until vegetables are tender but not mushy. Mix in cooked fettuccini and add tomatoes. Cook until heated through. Add cheese and mix well.

Buying American

In a recent article I asked, “Should we buy American?” The answer may be difficult as many believe we no longer have access to many American made products.

While there are thousands of foreign made products in our marketplace, we still have many choices for products made in America. You may have to look a little harder but, there are many, high quality, American made items.

To buy American, you just have to commit to read labels. We still have food produced in American factories as well as other items. Did you know that Kimberly Clark, think Scott Towels, is an American company? While they ship globally, and have factories all over the world, they keep Americans working with over 20 facilities here in the United States. Whirlpool, Bun-O-Matic and Nesco are all American companies, with factories across the country, employing Americans. You can find a comprehensive list of American manufacturers at Still Made in the USA.Com.

American flags; what better way to show your support for buying American made. Try buying American made furniture, anything from wine racks to a dining room table. American made furniture has always been some of the highest quality you can find.

There are some amazing American made supplies and toys or designer clothes, jewelry and collars for your special pet. Wouldn’t you love to see Fido in his custom-made, studded collar?

More American made products are available than most people think. It just takes some research but if your purchase of a Nesco Cooker helps to put someone to work, it is worth it.

Emergency Kitchen Food Storage

In my article, Food Storage Tips for Your Emergency Kitchen, I discussed the ways to store bulk item foods. Doing so does require knowledge of shelf life, what items store best, and containers for your food stuffs.

I love to freeze things but you must know what will and will not freeze. Will It Freeze? is a great book listing foods that will or will not freeze. This book was written by a British author so you may need to cross reference some things. However, it is a great resource for anyone wanting to preserve their food.

Food storage is a lot easier if you have the proper equipment and some, I consider, a necessity for a well stocked pantry.

I think a vacuum sealer is a must have for anyone preserving food. This is my third sealer and my favorite.



Some say these do not preserve your food any better than freezer bags. If sealed correctly, a good vacuum sealer will extend the life of your food; sometimes doubling it. It takes a little practice getting a proper seal but, once you learn; you'll wonder how you did without one.

This is going to be my next large purchase. Not only do I want the mill but I want the accessory kit and the motor. I would love to grind my own grain for and my goal is to have this in my home by May of this year. I know it is a huge investment but for the health of my family and the long term savings, the price will be well worth it.





I love books and have at least one for everything I am interested in. For cooking and preserving, I have so many, I can't tell you the exact number. I do have my favorites though, and this book is great.

What I love about this book is that it is not an apocalyptic, doomsday book but a well-written  book that is full of no-nonsense suggestions. This book is written on the basis that stuff happens and everyone needs to be prepared...I love this book.



This is another favorite. I have had this book for years and use it all the time. There is everything from cake mix to meatball mix. If you do once-a-month cooking, using a mix is ideal. It is so easy to pull out a jar of a pre-made mix to start my monthly freezer cooking.



These are on my list of must have stock. If you are serious about storing food for the long term. You need these bags. For long term food storage, these Mylar bags block sunlight and provide an additional oxygen and moisture barrier.  They are easy to seal, just iron the opening shut with a hot iron. When I want something to last a long time, I use these. With their water-tight seal, these bags work well for canoe trips or camping and backpacking.

Today I thought I would list e-books. I am a fanatic when it comes to books, both print and e-books. You should see my book cases. They are full of all kinds of jewelry and craft books (I have 4 very large book cases).


Here are some e-books for your jewelry and selling your jewelry that I thought might be helpful. Some of these I already have and others, I either know the author or the e-book has been recommended.

Rena Klingenberg is one of my favorites. You can’t go wrong with any of her books.

Ultimate Guide to a Profitable Jewelry Booth

Guide to Profitable Jewelry Booth

This isn’t an e-book but I had to put a plug in for my favorite program. I love this software. I use it for my jewelry and my sewing. The only program that I love just as much is my soap maker software. It is “well” worth the investment

Bead Manager Pro

I actually bought this one some time ago when I needed some tips on doing home parties. Lorri has some great tips and ideas.

Start Your Own Jewelry Party Business

I know some of you are just starting out and looking for reference in the beading side of making jewelry. This is an awesome book. It even guides you in the healing properties of different types of stones.

The Complete Bead Guide

This e-book was recommended on one of the other lists I am on by a reputable member. I know we have a lot of newbies and this sounds like the perfect e-book for beginning wire artists. I may order this myself, even though I’m not a beginner.

Wire Work Secrets

Save Money and Still Eat Well

In my article, Eating Well on a Tight Budget, I listed several ways to feed your family and still keep within your budget. Below I have given you several resources to help accomplish my suggestions.

For people like me, it comes as second nature since I was fortunate to be raised in a family where everything was done with our household budget in mind. Whether it was growing or raising our own food to cooking and preserving. But it seems that when my generation started raising our families, we got farther away from doing things ourselves and the mega million dollar business of fast food took over. Not only has it made a negative impact on  our health, it is now making a negative impact on our budgets.

If you haven't read my article, please click on the link above. If you have read it, then I have listed some products that will help you on your way to controlling your household food budget. All of the items I have listed are extremely helpful in moving you toward tighter control on the dollars spent each week for food.

Growing Your Own Food

Organic Food Gardening Beginners Manual

Food 4 Wealth - Great Investment

How to Grow Herbs and Vegetables in Small Spaces-Kitchen Gardens - No Space? Try this.

My Shed Plans - This is a great package. I love this one. I have done several projects with this. Not excatly gardening but it will help with storage issues.

Canning and Preserving

My favorite canning book is Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving. This book covers everything with many recipes and a time table chart for all types of food.

Good equipment is a must. Your most importan investment is going to be your pressure cooker. I use the Presto 1755 16-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker/Canner. This will hold 7 quarts or 10 pints and is made of sturdy, cast aluminum.

A must have is a complete set of canning utentsils like the Presto 7 Function Canning Kit. This has everything you need.

If you plan on canning fruits a Columbian Home 33-Quart Jar Canner and Rack is the perfect investment. This canner will hold 7 quart jars and is very durable.

I love this steam canner. I use it for all my high acid foods like jams, jellies, pickles ect Victorio Vkp1054 Aluminum Steam Canner, 7-Quart

I love dehydrating and own a small dehydrator Open Country 4 Tray Trialmaster 500 Watt Dehydrator Kitand a large square one Excalibur 3900 Deluxe Series 9 Tray Food Dehydrator - Black .

I also use my counter top convection oven Hamilton Beach 31199XR Countertop Convection Oven.This works very well then the rest of the year I have a second oven to bake in.

Cooking

Make Your Favorite Restaurant Dishes at Home

Kid Approved Meals - Every mom needs this to plan their week

Feed a Family of 5 for Only $50 - This is great for people like me that has a hard time planning meals

Miscellaneous

Complete Survival Course - This has it all. Gardening, canning and preserving and what to do in a disaster. I highly recommend this to those that want to be prepared

A New Venture

I am going to go way off my usual jewelry-crafting venue here and talk about something I recently stumbled on to that I wanted to share with you. And right up front, I am going to tell you that, yes, if you follow the link I give, you will be helping to build my team. So no surprises there.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but with the way things have gone with the economy, we have struggled to make ends meet. Our gas and groceries are now more per month than most of our bills put together. This puts a crimp on making things to sell because I no longer have the extra money to put into the materials. Other than getting a second job, I really didn’t know what to do.

During my vacation around the Thanksgiving holiday, I was up late one night, restless and unable to sleep. Nothing was on TV so I decided to check my emails and see if I could get a little writing done. I had decided to start writing again but I was getting discouraged at the paying opportunities out there. Most places want you to write pro gratis or for very little, many times only about five dollars for an article. I was considering going into copy writing since the money for article writing is very small. However, this would mean a slight learning curve since I only dabbled in copy writing through my work.

As I was searching for ways to make copy writing pay, I ran across an affiliate marketing site known as SFI. Normally I would just close out of a website like this because many of them are scams and I didn’t want to waste money trying them out. Right before I clicked on the home button, something caught my eye; no cost to become an affiliate. Okay, maybe I will take a look. I am sure there is a catch I mean really, no one lets you into these types of programs free. So there I sat until 2:00 in the morning researching this company. Much to my surprise, I liked what I read. I have always wanted to work online but never could find anything that sounded even remotely legitimate. But, there it was, right in front of me, SFI.

After researching and reading reviews for the next couple of weeks, I finally decided to join. I wasn’t going to know if this would work unless I tried. Plus, it was free to join; no $69.95 to learn about the company, then another $99 to use a coaching system just to understand the offer. So, I entered my information and I was off to investigate a little more deeply.

While there are a lot of rip-offs and scams out there, what I found during my investigation is that SFI “is” a legitimate company with lots to offer. Their training program is great and there is a lot of help for all of their affiliates. Even if you have no internet marketing experience, with all the success tools SFI offers, you can do this.

This is not a get rich quick plan. If you want to make a lot of money in the first few months, this is not the way to do it. In fact, I don’t know of any plan that will do that unless rich Uncle Fred left you money in his will or you do something not so legitimate. What SFI does offer is tons of support for their affiliates and a base of thousands of products through their online stores and their penny auctions.

Some people join and sit back and wait for something to happen without putting in any effort. Some take a few weak stabs at selling some products or signing up distributors then give up because they didn’t make $500 in the first week.

The bottom line is, growth of any business, whether it’s selling Tupperware or timeshares in Mexico, will depend on the time and effort put into it. And yes, as in any business, you can’t expect to not invest some money and be successful. To make money, you really do have to spend money.

SFI makes it very affordable to get started and become successful. I have never seen an affiliate marketing program that offers so many cost efficient means to build your business. Even if you choose not to invest any money, you can still earn by leading people to one of their professionally designed websites. After that, SFI takes over. Should they make a purchase, they are automatically assigned as your customer. SFI will process the payment, deliver the product or if necessary issue refunds. The affiliate receives a commission for the sale. No getting out in the ice or snow to deliver the Tupperware product someone ordered.

For all of us jewelry designers and other crafty people, SFI offers an added bonus. You can list your jewelry, supplies or anything else. The cost is minimal and they have a better listing fee structure than Ebay.

Now, here’s my pitch; at least sign up and research it. And yes I want you to sign up through me!

http://www.sfi4.com/11561932/Real2

It won’t cost you a thing to just sign up. I do ask that you do start out by going through the To-Do list on your main affiliate page. This is excellent training, plus you gain valuable points that help to boost your business.

The SFI affiliate program is a great place for a beginning internet marketer to get started. Plus, it has added perks for those of us already trying to get our own items out there.

Bead Manager Pro Review

I was recently given the opportunity to work with and write a review for an exciting jewelry inventory and pricing software called Bead Manager Pro.

This software is great for anyone that makes jewelry for profit or for hobby and it is flexible enough that it can be used to track various other types of handcrafted items you might make for sale or for fun. I have started using it for my sewing and quilting items as well as my jewelry and I think it is going to be the perfect solution to tracking my cost versus profit.

Out of 5 stars I give this software a 4.5 and the only reason I don’t give it a full 5 stars is because I wish there were a way to separate the different categories of products that I offer. Or at least, I haven’t found a way to do that yet.

If there is a way to do this, then I have no doubt that I will find it because this company offers a large selection of help information for using the software to its fullest potential. You also get access to a comprehensive user’s manual by clicking the help button in the software.

Bead Manager Pro provides:

1. Instant stock level tracking and inventory management

2. Automatic pricing of your completed jewelry pieces

3. Customer records and alerts for special dates

4. Data export into Excel format

5. Professionally printed labels, invoices and catalogs

6. Notes and storage archive for designs details

7. Backup and storage of data

8. Invoice management and tracking

9. Vendor tracking

10. Tax calculations for completed items and invoicing

11. Compatible for all countries and currencies

12. Works with Windows based or Mac platforms

Now, as for the reasons I love this software after such a short time, other than the above list of items, is the ease of use and the comprehensiveness of the software. There is a customer database where you can even set up alerts for special dates and you can print labels, and a whole lot more. Plus, the price is very reasonable for this type of program.

I highly recommend purchasing this software and plan on writing another review once I have a chance to play with it some more. I never thought about using it for hobby things as well but it is a great way to track exactly how much I spend.

To read more about this great software, click here.

Enjoy!

JCopia Review

If you are like me, you love the free tutorials you can find on YouTube and the various websites that offer wonderful instructions via audio and video. There is a wealth of information on the internet and I find myself searching the various video sharing websites in search of those little golden nuggets that help me when I want to try out new techniques for my jewelry, sewing or just about anything else you can imagine. But, sometimes, trying to organize these tutorials for later reference can be a real pain.

I work full time, plus operate a small craft business so I don’t always have the time to watch the tutorial right at the moment I find it. Plus, I am a visual person so I like to refer back to the tutorials as I am trying out the instructions for the various items I like to make. My interests are broad, so you can imagine the amount of tutorials I can amass in just one setting.

I recently had the opportunity to review a wonderful software program called JCopia, offered by the Jiteco Corporation and I must say I like it. There are several things I would love to see added to make organization easier (I will list those later) but overall, it does a good job and the price is right, just $17.99 as of this writing.

Normally, my filling system for my audio and video files has always been a link in my favorites or sending myself the link by email, then putting it in a special folder. Then there is the problem of having a slow internet connection at times that makes it impossible to watch or you go to click on the link and the video is gone (I hate this!). JCopia has solved this problem for me.

JCopia captures the videos you want then stores them on your computer as files. Now you have a great collection of tutorials to watch whenever you want. No need to use an internet connection or worry that just as you decide to follow that tutorial that shows you how to teach Rover to roll over, the video has been removed. You have a record of it for as long as you want.

For me, this means I can download the tutorial to my laptop then carry it wherever I need to whether it’s my workroom, my sewing room, or just to the couch so I can follow the tutorial but still be with my family.

Plus, the video copy is fast and you can set it to run in the background. That way, whenever you pull up a video to watch, JCopia starts recording. I would say, in about a minute or two, the entire video has been captured and you won’t need to sit there and watch the entire thing, you can move on to the next video.

You don’t want all the videos it captured? Just right click on the video you don’t want then delete. You can even rename your captured files.

The only things that I did not like is that when you watch the video, the display is small. Unlike watching on YouTube, you cannot adjust it to fit the screen. For me, that is an issue because for one, the screen on my laptop is not that large so to see what they are doing in some of these videos, I have to adjust it to fit the screen. One thing to remember though, to make it slightly larger than what it normally defaults to, you must set your YouTube to “Fit Screen”, that way, the display in JCopia will be just a little bit larger.

Secondly, it needs a better way to organize your files. So far, I have not found a way to make new folders and then move the files into the folders. This, I think, is also another big issue.

All in all, I would give it 3 stars out of 5. It is a good program and the price is great. It is definitely one I would recommend and will continue to use myself.

Also, JCopia has a giveaway for any of my readers if they also create a review in any blog/forum/twitter/facebook, etc, and contact Jennifer Johnson with link to the review,

You can read more about JCopia by following this link: JCopia Video/Audio Capture

Chainmail Classes

I will be teaching a class for this chainmail bracelet that I call Parallels. The class will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2011 10:30-1:00 at Beadles bead shop in Broken Arrow, OK.

This is a beginners class with no prerequisites. We use 2 pairs of chain nose or bent chain nose pliers. If you do not have these pliers, I do have class pliers that you can borrow.

For more information, please email me.

I will be teaching a class for this chainmail bracelet on Saturday, August 27, 2011 10:30-1:00 PM a Beadles bead shop in Broken Arrow, OK.

This is also a beginners class and is a must know weave for various other chainmail projects.

For more information, please email me.

How to Accessorize and the Jewelry Artist

One of the things I don't see written about very often is accessories and how they can make or break an outfit. Jewelry is a prime example of what can happen if you choose the wrong piece to go with your outfit. I'm sure some of you, by now, are saying "Hmmmm...so what does that have to do with making jewelry?". I say "Everything".

When I make jewelry for myself, I find that most of the time, I am making jewelry to match a particular outfit. The same goes with your customers. Many customers are looking to update their wardrobe with interesting pieces of jewelry while some even want a conversation piece.  If you are well versed on what will make or break the look of an outfit, then you are better able to expertly guide your customers to making a satisfying purchase.

Find out what affect your customer is looking for. Do they want a bold or a subtle statement? Then use your knowledge to help steer them in the right direction. Just be sure to offer the right jewelry for the right outfit because if the jewelry is wrong, then your customer is sure to draw the wrong type of attention. Ask the customer to show you the outfit they want to match, that way they can see for themselves, how a certain piece will look.

It's not always possible to have the outfit there so you have to use your skills of design when making accessory recommendations. While this can be difficult to do without actually seeing the outfit, you should be able to get enough information from your customer to offer suggestions. Show them several options then let them choose what will best fulfill their needs.

• Get a feeling for your customer's personal style. What length of necklace do they prefer? What colors and materials do they like?
• Generally you would want to add a thick, colorful necklace to an outfit that has a simple neckline with a solid color. By doing this, you keep the look from being too busy. This is always good for a more professional and polished look. However, if your customer wants to add some flare to that beautiful paisley print top, then by all means, recommend a bright chunky necklace to highlight that fun print. Choose one of the more subtle colors of the print as an accent. Maybe the shirt has pale purples, blues and yellows. Will that gorgeous chunky turquoise necklace you just made match that blue in the paisley print?
• Some things to consider when matching colors: Ruby earrings and a red top always looks classy just as a sapphire necklace goes great with a blue dress. These are safe choices that never go out of style however, they can be boring. So why not make a statement? Monochromatic dressing makes a statement, and if executed well can be a powerful choice. One of my favorite combinations is a deep sapphire blue with a bright yellow.
• Try matching with non jewelry accessories like a pair of sandals with an animal or jungle print necklace. Or, if they can't decide whether to match with casual or elegance, why not suggest something that will work for both? A chunky crystal necklace worn with dark denim and a dressy T-shirt could be just what they are looking for. That same necklace can also be worn with a simple black dress and paired with a beaded purse. Just right for that cozy dinner for two.
• The most important rule to going with a bold and chunky style is, less is better. Too many accessories take away from the stylish look. Try to limit the jewelry to the chunky necklace. A not so dramatic ring that goes with the general feel of the outfit would also work with the outfit but try to keep away from chunky earrings and bracelets when matching with a chunky necklace.

Of course, each person's taste is different. You must listen to your customer to discover what they like. Then give them several examples to choose from. In the end, you want the customer to make the decision. You as the artist, are there to give them the means to choose that perfect accessory.

Getting Noticed Online

One of the questions I hear asked the most is; how do I get my business noticed online? Whether your business is jewelry or other handcrafted items, the answers will be the same.

When it comes to marketing your products, there are several quick and easy things you can do. I am listing them here in the order that I consider to be the easiest to start with.

• Signature Line – This is probably, in my estimation, one of the most important things you can do. If you are like me and you are a member of numerous online, clubs and organizations, your email is sent out many times each day. I not only belong to jewelry groups, but also cat care groups, sewing groups, antique groups and the list goes on. So, you can see, when I do email one of these groups, my signature line is made available to people with varied interests.

• Web Presence – Whether you opt to go with the expense and the time it takes to set up your own website or you choose to use one of the artist communities like Etsy or Artfire, having a web presence is a must. With either venue, you can list your items individually by paying a small listing fee and selling fee, very similar to EBay but, without the bidding. This is good if you only have just a few items you plan on offering. If you have a large number of items to offer, I highly suggest you opt for their monthly plans and open a store. You have a lot more options when it comes to listing and it will save you money and time over listing them with just a basic membership.

• Blogs – I will admit, I am very slow about updating my blog and keeping fresh material posted however, I do know that blogging is an important aspect to having an online presence. A blog, when utilized correctly, will work hand in hand with your website, Etsy or Artfire store fronts. Adding your Artfire or Etsy shop widget or a slide presentation of your products that directs people to your site is so beneficial in staking your claim on the web.
  
  With a blog, you can literally, tell the story of your item directly to the shoppers. Talk about what inspired you when making your piece. Is there some type of history that the design was based on or was it a new technique you were trying? Maybe you just returned from a trip and you were so inspired by the scenery that you made this particular design. If it is a new technique, be sure to describe the technique you used to make your pieces as this is usually very interesting to your prospective buyers. Show pictures of things that inspire you. I am always inspired by the beautiful colors of ocean scenery. I have a lot of pictures from my various trips that I use whenever I make a new piece that is inspired by a particular trip. I post it on my blog along with the link to my piece.

• Tags or Key Words – A very important item to always remember to add when setting up shop. Tags and keywords are what help to direct a customer to your store. These keywords are what buyers key into a search engine to find what they are looking for. Be as specific as you possibly can. If a phrase best describes your item, use a phrase. You are not limited to using only one word in your tags. Crystal wedding necklace would be good for a bride looking for jewelry. Just don’t go overboard on your key words because you will run the risk of being penalized by the search engines for using too many unnecessary words in your site.

• Social Media and Networking – There are lots of sites where you can network by posting opinions, ideas etc. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Linkedin, Yahoogroups, and the list goes on, all having a wide range of topics to choose from. Sit down and make a list of all your interests then do a search on the various media sites. Become a member of everything that interests you. You must be fairly active though, for people to follow you. A good introduction and your signature line are very important.
  
  Please be sure to look at any group rules as some groups have strict rules about how long your signature lines can be.

• Business Cards – While some people just starting out may think these are not necessary, I have to disagree. Any time someone needs your phone number, regardless of whether it is business related or not, what better way to get your name out there than to give them a business card. Be sure to put your web address on your cards. Your cards don’t have to be expensive in fact, you can get free business cards from Vista Print. They will have the Vista Print logo on the back of the card but it is a very inexpensive way to get started. If you don’t want their logo on the back, their pricing for regular business cards are the best I have seen and they do great work.

• Small Print Press Releases – If you have a small free paper in your area that gives news alerts for programs or events going on in your area, submit a press release. Maybe there is small local paper that announces things like bridal shows, home and garden shows, etc. What better way to be able to show how your handcrafted items will fit in with whatever event is taking place? Maybe you make bridal jewelry. Write up a press release and submit it to the paper, letting them know you will make customized jewelry for their wedding. A lot of small papers will take press releases at little or no charge. Not only do you gain experience in writing descriptions for your items but you also gain new customers.

You don’t need to do all of these suggestions at once. Start out slow, doing just one at a time until you get comfortable then move on to the next. The point is, get use to putting your name out there. The more venues you use that I have listed, the more venues you will think of as you go along that are not listed here. The possibilities are endless.

I think you will be surprised at difference just one of these tasks will make in getting your items noticed.

Another Project for 2010

Not that I really have the time but, I have started "another" crafty persuit. My latest endeavor.....quilting.

I have really wanted to do this for a long time, I just never got around to it. Then after someone gave me 10 large boxes full of fabric, I knew I had no excuse.

My first 2 endeavors are going to be a memory quilt and wall hangings from my Great Grandmother Kirkpatrick's quilt blocks.

When I was a teenager, my maternal Grandmother gave me a shoebox full of quilt blocks, hand sewn by my Great Grandmother when she was a teenager. These quilt blocks are over 100 years old and made somewhere in the late, 1800's to 1900. See how vivid the colors still are?

They are in excellent shape and I want to preserve this bit of family history. Can you imagine, she sewed these by hand, probably by kerosene lamp light? It is kind of neat touching something my Great Grandmother touched. She died long before I was born so I never met her.

I have quite a few of these so I am planing on connecting them with sashing and making them into wall hangings behind protective, UV glass. Currently, I am contacting the Quilters Guild to find out the best way to proceed. I am even afraid to iron them right now because I don't want to damage them.

Quilting is a "whole" new world for me and it is taking me a bit to gather the supplies and information I need to begin. The memory quilt is a must finish over the next couple of months and I am having a hard time deciding whether I want to hand quilt or machine quilt (yes, I know, I need to get the top made first). However, I think it will be a good first project to tackle.

Photographing Your Jewelry

One of the key ingredients to operating a successful on-line jewelry business is great pictures; and it’s one of the hardest things to achieve.

Jewelry can be one of the most difficult subjects to photograph. Not only do you have to contend with the highly reflective nature of the metals, many times, reflecting up to 99%, but there are the stones, which will inevitably, show the colors on that shiny piece of jewelry.

There are several elements for great photographs but I have personally found 4 key elements to photographing jewelry.

• Lighting—natural sunlight is the best, either outside or near a large window that gets direct sunlight. If that is not an option, then use a photo cube or light tent. You don’t need professional lights in fact, those large silver shop lights you get at Home Depot or Lowes will work (and they’re a lot cheaper). You can order a photo cube from  Harbor Freight for around $20. This cube is just the right size for jewelry and even has hook and loop fasteners to hang your jewelry from.

• Experience—this comes with practice. Be prepared to photograph and delete hundreds of pictures before you get the results you are looking for. Every day that I use my camera, I learn something new and gain more experience. I also have 3 books I highly recommend and depend on to help with the learning curve.

• Lens—if you have a DSLR camera, then you have a wide selection of lens to choose from. I suggest getting a set of filters to use with your close up lens. My set has 4 filters, all in varying sizes, including a macro. I use them with my wide angle lens so I can get the entire piece of jewelry in the picture. If you don’t have a DSLR, you do want to make sure you get a camera that has Macro capabilities built in.

• Cameras—an expensive camera is not necessary to take good photographs however, it does need to have a macro setting and the ability to turn the automatic flash off. I have a Sony DSLR A300 and really love it. It has manual capabilities so I can set the settings to my preference. It is pricey, around $600 but again, it is not necessary to spend that much. Before the Sony, I used a FinePix camera that I bought at Wal-Mart for $89. It had a macro setting and several manual settings I could use like, turning off the automatic flash. That little camera still takes great pictures. I just no longer use it to photograph jewelry.

While many people swear by taking pictures with their scanners, I have to disagree that you get a high quality, professional look. Don’t get me wrong, I have seen some “great” pictures done with scanners and I have used a scanner for various items, I just don’t feel it delivers a professional quality picture for jewelry nor does it give you the creative freedom a camera does. I would come closer to using a scanner for stones before I would jewelry.

If you are serious about your jewelry business and want to promote it in the best way possible, I highly recommend investing in a good camera and a couple of filters and close up lens. But if you don’t want to spend the money for a DSLR, then at least buy a small digital camera with the options I mentioned above. Fuji FinePix has some great cameras for under $100.

Next thing to invest in are some good books. I have 3 favorites that I consider my photography bibles and use continuously as I try to learn how to use my camera to its full advantage.

Photographing Arts, Crafts & Collectibles by Steve Meltzer.

This book is great. It’s not a very technical book but a “great” place for beginners to start. He talks about what kind of camera you need for many items including jewelry. Plus he gives you a test to perform in the store before you buy the camera, if you are going to use it for jewelry.

He also discusses lighting and lighting equipment, choosing the right backgrounds, how to compose a photograph, computer enhancement and much more. I think this book is great no matter what type of camera you have.


David Busch’s Sony DSLR-A350/A300/A200 Guide to Digital SLR Photography

Another great book that picks up a lot of the technical things that Photographing Arts, Crafts & Collectibles leaves out. While this is specific to my camera, there are several different camera books by David as well as a lot of great books for various cameras and digital photography at Amazon. I mention this book because it will give you an idea of what type of book to look for.

Finally, my user’s manual. This third book works hand in hand with the other 2 books. The other 2 books may not explain exactly how to change your settings, the user’s manual will. Take for example Fstop. Both books talk about it and the importance of it, but neither one tells you exactly how to change the setting. All you have to do is look up Fstop in the index and your user’s manual will tell you how to do it.

By using the users manual in conjunction with other photography books, you not only get a good understanding of why it is important and what situations you need to use certain settings in but you learn exactly how to change those settings.

Another great learning resource for jewelry photography is MK Digital Direct. This website has a wealth of suggestions and tips for the jewelry photographer and the information contained there is very extensive.

One of the motivational things on my list this year is updating my blog more often so this completes 2010 installment #2. Of course, there are about 24 other things on my to do list which means I need to complete 2 things each month. I think the next thing I will do is post my “to do” list and give everyone progress reports.

Getting Motivated

Wow, have I neglected my writing. I can’t believe it has been so long since my last post. I would say that my New Year’s resolution is to be more dedicated to updating but honestly, I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions all that much. If I need to change something, I am going to do it as I am motivated to do it otherwise, I will never stick to it.

My health and fitness lifestyle change is just one example of waking up one morning and saying to myself, "Something has to give; I am tired of feeling sick and tired all the time". Now, I can happily say, 4 months and 40 pounds lighter, I feel better than I have in a very long time; years to be exact. I still have a ways to go, but I know I will do it and I am happy doing it.

My doctor started me on the First Line Therapy program September 10, 2009. Since that time, I have lost weight, gained more muscle mass and lowered my blood pressure back to normal levels, all by changing what I eat.

The First Line Therapy program is doctor supervised and is based on the Mediterranean style diet. If you are familiar with the Sanoma Diet, it is a lot like it, basically the same principles. There is also a fantastic cookbook called The Sanoma Diet Cookbook by Connie Gutterson. I just love the recipes in this book. So if you are looking for healthy recipes, check it out.

This plan is not a get skinny quick scheme, but an actual life style “change”. To be successful, you really have to “want” to make that change. If the dedication is not there, then the plan will fail.

A short synopsis, I eat lots of fruits and vegetables, only small amounts and very lean cuts of meat, nuts, beans and whole grains. No sugar, white flour, processed foods and only the good oils, like olive or coconut.

Now I would be fibbing if I said I stick to this eating style 100% of the time; I don’t, more like 95%. But I honestly don’t believe that is a bad thing. I don’t stray from the path often, just enough to satisfy the slight craving I might get for my favorite “bad” food; Chinese Cuisine or other things that really are destroying America’s health.

Once I get my fix for a hamburger, pizza, whatever, I am good to go for a long time before I get another craving. I honestly feel, being too rigid in anything is a recipe for failure. So having a Chinese dinner occasionally is not going to set me back but it actually helps to keep me on track. I also do it without guilt and the funny thing is, that comfort food just doesn’t taste as good as it use to and boy, do I get full fast. I will say though, that sugar is the only thing I have not had in the past 4 months and I don’t even miss it.

Next motivation is my jewelry. I have been is such a funk for so long when it comes to designing and actually making that I feel a little rusty. No more…I am determined to get back into the swing of things and devote more time to my jewelry. My first project is PMC. I have drawn up the design, have all the supplies I need except for one item, and I am anxious to go. I love experimenting and this is going to be a “huge” experiment for me. So, look for updates and pictures here soon.
 
Oh, and my other motivation....update my blog more often.

The Sonoma Diet Cookbook

Life Style Changes Update #1

Well, I just started my 3rd week of my new life style change and the First Line Therapy program. I have to tell you, I feel fantastic. Not only have I lost 15 pounds in the first two weeks but I feel like a new person.

I am amazed at how easy this change has been. I have not been hungry at all and I have had absolutely, no cravings. I do not even miss the chocolate.

When you hear that eating healthy can cure you, it is true. I have not had to take a single aspirin in 2 weeks. My blood pressure has dropped 10 points, my moods have changed (for the better) and I just “feel good”. It has been so long since I really felt good that I forgot how nice it can be.

I am exercising with my Wii Fitness program and having a blast. I am now a hula hoop champion.

I met my goal of drinking 100 oz of water per day. My next goal is new jeans, one size smaller, by next month. I don’t think I am going to have any problems doing that and will update you when I make it.

Anyone considering a healthy life style change, I highly recommend this program, it’s easy and very satisfying. The hardest part of the whole thing has been planning my meals. I was not use to planning ahead. Now, I have to wonder why I never did it before.

Healthy living everyone!

Cat Fern

Those of you that know me, know that I am an avid cat lover. So, I just had to share this picture with you.

I had finished painting this pot and just picked it up from my ceramic supplies dealer. My kiln was not big enough to fire it so I had to let Ann do it for me. The pot is huge!

I set it down by the desk, planning on potting one of my ferns in it. When I came back in, arms loaded down with a gigantic fern, this is what I found.

Needless to say, the fern is still not repotted and the pot is sitting under the glass shelf. All of my furry babies love it. So of course, Mamma has to spoil them and let them have their toy. I guess I will just have to make another one. Good thing I hadn’t sold this one. And then again, maybe that would be a good selling point for my pots :-)

Cool New ArtFire Feature

Has anyone seen this yet? ArtFire has a cool, new feature. You can link your ArtFire Shop to Facebook now. It is called a Facebook Kiosk. It integrates your ArtFire page with your Facebook profile page or fan page. It's for verified, pro-level members, enabling you to offer your items for sale right on Facebook.

I set mine up, super easy to do. Now I just need to get my stuff listed on ArtFire so it will come through on my Facebook page. Too many things to do and not enough hours in the day.

Here is the link to get started:

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=interact&op=facebook

Life Style Changes

This time my post is a personal update on me; so very far off base from the jewelry related topics I usually talk about. But, I have to throw the personal touch in every once in a while.

As of today, I am starting a whole new life style change. I guess when you hit a certain age you look at yourself and say “I have got to change”. For me, it is a health change. I have wanted to do this for some time but I finally looked in the mirror and said “enough is enough”.

I lost a long time friend last week and it really made me take a hard look at myself. He was only a couple of years older than me, way too young to pass on. I have to believe, if he had made some changes and took care of his health like his doctor wanted he would still be here today. It was sad to see the sick shell of the man I used to know. While I had already taken the first step to change by making my doctors appointment, his death made me even more determined to change my life style.

So, today I am starting the FirstLine Therapy Program.

First of all, I have a few things I want to fix like lowering my blood pressure, helping my arthritis and getting my body in better shape. I take way too many meds and if I can get rid of just one of those I will be one happy camper. To do this, I need to lose a “lot” of weight. The FirstLine Therapy will hopefully help me accomplish this. It is not a diet, per se, but a complete life style change. Something you have to be committed to do or it will never work. Well, I am finally to the commitment part. It is not going to be easy, but I am determined to make it work.

I have been very interested in natural medicine for the past few years so the FirstLine Therapy Program fits in nicely to that interest. I make my own soap and harvest wild plants for medicinal purposes and salve making. So as you can see, I am some what of a “Hedge Witch”, and moving towards more of a natural way of living.

The FirstLine Therapy Program is based on a Mediterranean eating plan that is built around the Glycemic Index. I have heard of this type of diet plan before but it always seemed very complicated so I never pursued it. The FirstLine Therapy plan my doctor has me on makes it easy to understand and follow. It will be difficult at first but once I get past the first week, it will start becoming second nature.

We discussed supplements to help me and light exercise that I can do without strain to my back (another reason I need to lose weight). I came home with 3 new supplements that are meant to enhance the body’s cellular function.

My doctor loved the idea that I purchased a Wii System. I have to tell you, if you don’t have one, you should get one. It is a video game but so much more. I am addicted to tennis and bowling. It really does give you a work out. I also have Yoga and a fitness program. I am going to start one of those as I start my lifestyle change. I have to be so careful since my back surgery and the doctor thinks this would be a good place to start an exercise program.

I am going to the grocery store Friday to start my shopping but today, I start with drinking lots of water, very important whether you diet or not. My goal is to work up to over 100 oz of water per day. I know that sounds like a lot but water is one of the best things you can give your body. And then, I think I will play a little Wii tennis tonight when I get home and explore the fitness game.

So, wish me luck on my lifestyle change. I will probably post my feelings on my progress occasionally. I invite anyone that is trying to make a lifestyle change as well, to contact me for moral support. I wouldn’t mind having a diet buddy to help me along.

As Benjamin Franklin once said, “One should eat to live, not live to eat.” A very good philosophy don’t you think?

Joining a Bulk Buying Group

In today’s world, we all need to cut expenses and save money where we can. If you have your own home based craft business, this factor becomes even more important. The key is to cut costs without sacrificing quality. One of the best ways I have found to do this is to join bulk buying groups.

Many hand crafters work out of their homes, providing quality products to the public. A large percentage of these people are employed full time outside the home so this is done in their spare time. Because of this, many are not what most would term as a “legitimate” business; they don’t have a brick and mortar store and they are not fortunate enough to have the business permits and licenses their state may offer. This in no way means they are not a legitimate business, it just means they do not have access to the advantages these permits would give them.

One of the biggest advantages of having such permits is the wholesale buying power it gives the home based crafter. Most wholesale suppliers require two things, a business license or a tax permit and a large minimum order. So, not only do most home crafters not have the necessary permits to get the best deals they don’t have the need for the huge amount of product they must buy to get that terrific, wholesale discount. Even if they do have the permits needed, they just don’t need or have the resources necessary to make large wholesale purchases.

This is where the bulk buying groups come in.

First, let’s get the definition of a bulk buying group. Simply put, this is a group of people that pull their resources to buy in bulk which guarantees all participating members the huge discounts earned by purchasing wholesale. If you were purchasing food or agricultural items, it would probably be called a co-op. No matter which term you use both can be defined as a group of people working together for the benefit of the entire group.

There are numerous bulk buying groups out there and you can find them for just about any type of craft you may do; everything from jewelry, to soap and toiletries, to fabric. And while they may operate differently, they all have one goal in common; saving money. The best place to find bulk buying groups is on the internet and my preference for these groups is Yahoo Groups.

I personally operate a large bulk buying group that boasts over 1,600 members. Nancy’s Bulk Buys caters to the jewelry maker. But there are other bulk buy groups for soap, gemstones and other things on Yahoo Groups.

The bulk buy is really a simple process. There is a dedicated buy hostess for various product buys. Each hostess has a proven track record for successful buys and all bulk buy groups usually have a set of dedicated hostesses that have been doing buys for a long time. I have now been conducting bulk buys for over 5 years. We will never get rich doing this since hostesses only make enough money to cover their expenses. However, they are able to purchase their supplies at wholesale which makes all the hard work worth it.

The group owner has all the personal contact information for the hostess, so that she/he can remain in contact with hostess at all times during the buy. All orders and monies are collected by the buy hostess. She then tallies the orders and places one large order with the vendor. A buy hostess must be registered with their state as a business so that they are able to qualify for wholesale pricing. Finally the order is shipped to the hostess where she sorts and mails the product to each individual buyer.

Most bulk buy rules and procedures are usually the same for each buy held, but there could be some variation depending on the product and the vendor they are using. These rules are always posted in the group’s files section along with updates for the orders. This procedure keeps the buy participants informed of how close the group is to making the minimum purchase for the maximum discount. They are also able to verify that their order is logged and it is correct.

When participating in a bulk buy, it does take considerably longer to receive the goods due to the time allowance given for placing an order, which is usually 1-2 weeks. Then another week for the hostess to compile the orders and verify all money has been paid. It takes approximately a week for shipping from the company to the buy hostess then another week for the packages to be processed and shipped to the individual buyers. In most cases a buy will take at least a month for you to receive the product unless it is a very quick 2-3 day buy.

I strongly urge you to research a buying group and the hostess before purchasing through a bulk buy. As with anything else, there can be issues with a buy being run correctly. Usually that does not happen, but there is always the possibility. And lets face it, life does happen so things could always get a little crazy.

A good bulk buying group should follow most, if not all of the above procedures.

Some suggestions for joining the right bulk buy group:

• Research the buy groups. Look for length of time the group has been around, number of members, and activity level.

• Join the group then sit back and watch for a while before you participate. It will not take long to get a feel for the group and the hostess.

• If you know people in the group, by all means, get recommendations on the best hostesses.

• Look through the group’s message archives. This is a great way to find past problems that may have occurred as well as giving you a general feel for the tone of the group; are they always fighting or is there a lot of useful information coming from the group?

• Always familiarize yourself with the rules of the group as well as the rules for each individual buy. There are necessary steps you must take as a buy participant and if they are not followed correctly, it could cause you to lose out on a great deal.

I think if you follow these suggestions you will find a bulk buying group that works for you. You will have fun and save money in the process.

Like with many of the bulk buy groups, on Nancy’s Bulk Buys we discuss a lot of things other than buying products. We get into the fundamentals of jewelry making as well as the ups and downs that go with our chosen craft.

I not only own a bulk buy group, I also own a large, wire wrapping group that has 4 sister groups and a silver smith group. All of these groups have wonderful members and archives full of wonderful information. If you are just starting in the craft of jewelry, any of my groups would be a great place for you to learn and grow. If you are an experienced jewelry crafter, then these groups will further expand your knowledge as well as being a place to discuss the problems that face jewelry artists.

If you would like to learn more about my groups, just follow any of the links below:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NancysBulkBuys
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wire_Wrap_Jewelry
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WWJSilversmithing