tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68023498580040481292024-02-08T01:11:24.944-05:00The Crafty Retailer... because you are too busy to think of everything
... because you have a life beyond your store
... because the craft world changes dailyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-14529409997165034722012-03-15T01:19:00.000-04:002012-03-15T01:19:41.317-04:00A Facebook Business Page will Increase your Customer Base but First it Might Drive you Crazy!<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE1tjVlk4nDZl2CTCRNKyrpODJQEpodUt_1FzTG8bMV7EJhN9KkiO-nE0_i-AIXv1x-K0KNpdAYGNptmbRkcbI5YSCSGIUaXTfdr_Pp49H4Qq7dtpbsa1uJtFwgySozk-jIzEUEdYUuxb/s1600/screaming-woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE1tjVlk4nDZl2CTCRNKyrpODJQEpodUt_1FzTG8bMV7EJhN9KkiO-nE0_i-AIXv1x-K0KNpdAYGNptmbRkcbI5YSCSGIUaXTfdr_Pp49H4Qq7dtpbsa1uJtFwgySozk-jIzEUEdYUuxb/s1600/screaming-woman.jpg" /></a></div>It is time to add something else to your To Do List. I know, I know...you are already on overload and one more thing will push you over the edge....but you still have to do it! Facebook has revolutionized low cost marketing for the small business owner. Although a Facebook Business page is one of the most important tools in the marketing arsenal, many Crafty Retailers are reluctant to jump on the bandwagon. Ignoring Facebook is not going to make it go away. Nope, ignoring it may just help your <i>business</i> go away! Don't be hatin' on the messenger...it is what it is...so you might as well deal with it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">845 million users are spending an average of 55 minutes PER DAY on Facebook. 57% of Facebook users are female. Most of YOUR customers are female. Ergo, most of your customers are probably on Facebook. Here are some other things to consider:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Facebook provides a FREE opportunity to engage your customers on a personal level. You are working with a very targeted audience that already likes you so give them a reason to remember that you are there. You can learn a great deal about your customers by paying attention to which posts grab their interest, what they are commenting on, etc.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Every time that somebody "likes" your business page, a notification appears as a post on that person's personal page. Each of her friends will read that she "likes" your business. They will automatically tend to Know, Like, and Trust you even if they have never done business with you before. They will be curious as to why their friend "likes" you and with humans being the funny creatures that humans are, they will want in on the action and check you out. ....and so on and so on. This is what is meant by "going viral" and it really works.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Search Engines like activity. They pay attention to the traffic that you are getting on your links and posts. Accordingly, your search engine rankings will improve as you become more adept at social media marketing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Even though you know you should get on the bandwagon, I can hear many of you groaning. Resistance is futile, earthling. Here are some common objections and the logic that destroys them:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> "I already have a personal Facebook page, so I don't need a business Facebook page."</b></i></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRuTxzp-8zpbt3pGfqjyiWca4LWiSuy7dAN9AWjfATfh1BFGZ0YVCkXoJE8Yu_2L-1kECxct2FHa-M3tgaj-sNWNewsv1IEHRjwFIVSMgDi13w-uBKwOIRDLVW7A8CZPwOkAxMPlUMTJp/s1600/neutrality.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRuTxzp-8zpbt3pGfqjyiWca4LWiSuy7dAN9AWjfATfh1BFGZ0YVCkXoJE8Yu_2L-1kECxct2FHa-M3tgaj-sNWNewsv1IEHRjwFIVSMgDi13w-uBKwOIRDLVW7A8CZPwOkAxMPlUMTJp/s1600/neutrality.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes, silence is the best option!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>WRONG! You definitely need to separate your personal life from your business life. My personal page is for people who really have an interest in what is going on in my life, and my business page is for people who have an interest in Swarovski Crystal, Fibers, and booking me for Fun and Exciting Felting Workshops. Of course, any Crafty Retailer worth her salt will engage her clientele so effectively that they will become "friends" in life <i>and</i> on Facebook. Since there is opportunity for crossover, I have become fairly careful not to post anything on my personal page that could <strike>come back to bite me in the ass </strike> unduly offend anyone. The times being what they are, and my politics being what they are, this has been a bit of a challenge for me. Frankly, it has taken great self control to keep my itchy fingers away from the keyboard when faced with some particularly offensive something or other, but it is important to exercise restraint. <i><b>Do not assume that people share your views</b></i>. I have fallen off the Publicly Politically Neutral Wagon before, and have lost a customer or two along the way. Sometimes the words must be spoken, but the speech comes with a consequence. <br />
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On another note, I try not to upload the same post on both pages as the news will be repetitive ---and therefore BORING--- to anyone who is a fan of my business page AND a friend on my personal page. I want people to be willing to engage in both pages so I try to be the perfect hostess on each.<br />
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</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>"My life is boring! No one needs to hear about what I ate for lunch!</b></i>"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxhZsMazUqtOgM_w58zxsiDKvsM3CgDDtRPw2sQEacPQzcGN-hETsRbvNuW4Ds8kVm8mXbMU32exn09CN-SZS7x3N5CtZgww_HCLoVKt_S1Sccqyp36MGNBpTO4PBIPnoiIwFDuMByahB/s1600/eating+worms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxhZsMazUqtOgM_w58zxsiDKvsM3CgDDtRPw2sQEacPQzcGN-hETsRbvNuW4Ds8kVm8mXbMU32exn09CN-SZS7x3N5CtZgww_HCLoVKt_S1Sccqyp36MGNBpTO4PBIPnoiIwFDuMByahB/s200/eating+worms.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<i><b>Every</b></i> life is interesting, it just depends upon where you look. The food you ate for lunch would not be the place to look for an inspiring business post, unless you happen to be dining with the Travel Channel's Andrew Zimmern of <i><b><a href="http://www.tv.com/shows/bizarre-foods-with-andrew-zimmern/" target="_blank">Bizarre Food</a>.</b></i> A photo of you eating a worm would make for a good post, while a photo of you eating a baloney sandwich....not so much. Of course, if you want to post a picture of a beautiful meal that you were just served at a new restaurant in your area, rave on. It is always nice to give another small business a boost.<br />
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The posts that get the most feedback for me are those that feature pictures of my work,free tutorials, or my pets. One of my most "commented on" posts was nothing more than a photo of my hand next to a HUGE lemon from my yard. It was so bizarre that it evoked interest.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvwOYzf8wBXS_v83KsHHFAQxBKcN70xweaT0a2ToXoNbEGRjvLRsxfxAT_3_iTQtHhcBcSbXOi1D4CTVIBaXuinNvKxcf0X-Nbs3PTGBQjBMHNmPnPpXnjvMbhp8RA3szgIlgr3ZVe-3n/s1600/SS.Beamer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvwOYzf8wBXS_v83KsHHFAQxBKcN70xweaT0a2ToXoNbEGRjvLRsxfxAT_3_iTQtHhcBcSbXOi1D4CTVIBaXuinNvKxcf0X-Nbs3PTGBQjBMHNmPnPpXnjvMbhp8RA3szgIlgr3ZVe-3n/s400/SS.Beamer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This silly picture of my dog, Beamer, was on my personal page, but garnered responses from just as many of my business acquaintance buddies who have "friended" me as from my "real life" friends. Pets are always a safe bet for a post, provided the photos are funny or heavy on the "Awwwww" factor.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIFdz5AMuJeSflfedWICuqwjIeIUeJV3DwybGO8ZihJ5a1Mfu4KxRYJSed2xrjcRD3X3Bco90KaXubX2AsLdvD-rpu8ng4lwhEtZ6dxoRJqcoOmi-JpUPUK_j_-Db34UmXFeQv11FX65E/s1600/ponderosa+lemon..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIFdz5AMuJeSflfedWICuqwjIeIUeJV3DwybGO8ZihJ5a1Mfu4KxRYJSed2xrjcRD3X3Bco90KaXubX2AsLdvD-rpu8ng4lwhEtZ6dxoRJqcoOmi-JpUPUK_j_-Db34UmXFeQv11FX65E/s400/ponderosa+lemon..JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo of a ginormous Ponderosa Lemon from a tree in my yard was a very popular post on my business Facebook page. It was just odd/unusual enough to garner attention. (The lemon weighed over 2 pounds! Yowza!)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Life is bizarre. Life is glorious. Life is poignant. Draw on those moments and your posts will be interesting!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>"I don't have the time!"</b></i> </div>You are preaching to the choir on this one, sister! Time is ALWAYS the challenge, but the payoff is big enough that you should absolutely, positively, no matter what...MAKE the time. It is like everything else, you must make it a priority for it to happen. Don't assume that you will "get to it." There is always a squeaky wheel that will steal your time. It is kind of like cleaning the baseboards. I swear that I am gonna do it....but I don't. Fortunately, I can still function at a high level with dirty baseboards. Your business WILL NOT function at a high level without social media. Set aside an hour twice a week that will be devoted to Facebook.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>"I cannot build my fan base so I am not seeing any results."</b></i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">This was a tough one for me until I finally cracked the code. Mind you, it was not a difficult code to crack once I tried to figure it out. Facebook is like anything else....there is a learning curve. What seems impossible at first will soon be second nature. Here are some relatively painless ways to increase your "Likes":</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmMwGNNe_IuH5iYlM8AsVzV_r5H7kdFGyAZP0AWD-9cHr7zdjTVNd6pmZB3V73QcFlum6ZZbl1PgWL2I6vgVdOljcATT_-4Q9k6t3UuiXdWjiBP9wE-A3jXkbLWAWwT_Sne8X50I2vXsh/s1600/ss.Invite+Friends.words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmMwGNNe_IuH5iYlM8AsVzV_r5H7kdFGyAZP0AWD-9cHr7zdjTVNd6pmZB3V73QcFlum6ZZbl1PgWL2I6vgVdOljcATT_-4Q9k6t3UuiXdWjiBP9wE-A3jXkbLWAWwT_Sne8X50I2vXsh/s400/ss.Invite+Friends.words.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Invite your friends. There is an Admin Section at the top of the page. Click it and you will see your administrative dashboard. There is a Tab at the top right of the page called "Build Audience." The drop down bar offers a number of ways to increase your fan base. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I periodically "invite friends" which results in sending a message to those friends who have not yet "Liked" my business page. There is an option to Share your Page and an option to Invite Email Contacts, which I have not yet explored. The<b> <a href="http://urbanstitchstudio.blogspot.com/2012/03/workshops-goat-envy-and-shrimp-curry.html" target="_blank">new baby goats</a></b> have been taking up a whole lot of my spare moments. I will need to schedule some learning curve time in between bottle feedings!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Create an Ad. Facebook Ads are WONDERFUL! My business page is part of a new branding program as I promote my workshops and pursue teaching opportunities. The page was created in July 2011 and by mid January 2012, had only 123 fans, most of whom were Pity Likes from those who love me....very frustrating! Accordingly, I was delighted to have a chance to pick the brain of <b><a href="http://thecraftyretailer.blogspot.com/search?q=Paula+rosenberg" target="_blank">Paula Rosenberg, a Crafty Retail Rock Star</a></b> and Marketing Genius while in Columbus, Georgia for a family visit. Paula told me that it was all about <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/advertising/?campaign_id=194417723019&placement=exact&creative=5811896912&keyword=facebook+ads&extra_1=5c1ba7df-31b9-b7c8-da13-0000110325a1" target="_blank">Facebook Ads</a></b> and she was absolutely correct. I spent a pittance and immediately saw results. In two short months I went from 123 to 749 fans....not as many as I hope to get, but better than a poke in the eye! In addition to the increased fan base, I am filling more workshops, which is gratifying. The cool thing about the ads is that you are able to drill down to define your ideal customer so that you have a highly targeted ad campaign. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Business Facebook pages are effective and easy, once you master the mechanics. Here are a few other things to consider:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1. The new Facebook Timeline will become mandatory at the end of the month. Thank you to <b><a href="http://thecraftyretailer.blogspot.com/2011/03/customer-service-is-contact-sport-how.html" target="_blank">Crafty Retail Rock Star</a></b> Carol Garfield for giving me the push I needed to get on the Timeline bandwagon. I was just understanding the whole Facebook thing and was none to pleased to see that I would have to learn the new system. Fortunately, I read a post <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dancing-Beads/143284195711267?ref=ts" target="_blank">Carol</a></b> had written about attending a Timeline Webinar so that she could learn the ins and outs. BINGO! I did a quick Google search and found lots of online tutorials to cut my learning curve in half. There is no need to reinvent the wheel...you can watch it yourself <b><a href="http://mghus.com/blog/2012/03/02/facebook-timeline-webinar/" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Beware of which pages YOU choose to "Like." One of the ways that Facebook Ads are effective is that when an ad appears on a page, it will list the names of YOUR friends who have "Liked" the page in an effort to get you on the Liking Bandwagon. This is all well and good if the page is relatively innocuous. However, you might want to think twice about Liking a Vendor's Facebook page unless you want that Vendor's name to be visible on the Facebook pages of your customers. Moreover, there are some Likes that just don't need to be all that public....after all, Preparation H has a Facebook page but that doesn't mean you have to Like it! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">3.Go through your Customer List and search for them on Facebook. If you don't know them well enough to outright "Friend" them, you can send them a message asking them to Like you site. Offer an incentive such as a free gift or a coupon for a percentage off the next sale. Ideally, you will establish enough of a connection to "Friend"them at some point, providing a wonderful opportunity to engage them on a more personal level. You can congratulate a customer on the birth of a new grandchild that you might never have heard about otherwise, simply because you saw pictures of the baby on her Facebook page. It is a quick and painless way to learn about your customer base.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. Use your Facebook page to announce last minute sales and special events. One post I saw recently touted a "Rainy Day Discount" in an effort to get customers to brave the bad weather. You want your posts to have value so that your audience will come back for more. If you find a great free tutorial on another site, post the link. If you cooked a delicious meal last night, share the recipe. Write the stuff that you would like to read.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">5. Join some of the Facebook Crafting Groups that have sprung up. These groups are a valuable resource for you! You will learn what the craft world is excited about and what your customers will likely want to find on the sales floor. A great wool group can be found <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/WeLoveWool" target="_blank">here</a></b>, a fiber group <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/12481178322/" target="_blank">here</a></b> and a nice group of beaders can be found over <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/237101492987313/" target="_blank">here</a></b>. Craft magazine pages are another goldmine of inspiration...one of my favorites is the <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/beaddesignstudiomag" target="_blank">Bead Design Studio</a></b> page.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">6. Facebook provides the ability for you to assign your friends to different lists, which makes Facebook Life much more manageable. I press the link for my Beady Friends and I catch up on all that sparkles. I press the link for my Tampa Friends and I get the local news. Easy Peasy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI741bdJtwXRbThK5p-BUNoIBOqp7b4Ohf-UaN0oBh6eNFup7M3YIhua2MFsreeLE2AKfIvqqBa8w5Tx9QzwMhUw2vfz3beujeOj5MaRDgZSaXhdOiy7wN8Cn-AJNpSsfVm4D5mIGDsOm1/s1600/Juice-Squeeze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI741bdJtwXRbThK5p-BUNoIBOqp7b4Ohf-UaN0oBh6eNFup7M3YIhua2MFsreeLE2AKfIvqqBa8w5Tx9QzwMhUw2vfz3beujeOj5MaRDgZSaXhdOiy7wN8Cn-AJNpSsfVm4D5mIGDsOm1/s320/Juice-Squeeze.jpg" width="320" /></a>7. Spread the love. Spend some time commenting on the posts of others. Visit relevant pages and engage in dialogue where possible. You will increase the Facebook presence --and SEO ranking---of that user's page. She will likely return the favor by posting on your page. Moreover, when you post something interesting on another page, you will attract attention from that user's group of friends. They will click onto your page, become captivated by your wit, and decide to be a Fan....BINGO! Yup, Facebook Business Pages are a boon to the small business owner. The juice is definitely worth the squeeze. Now go and Like <i><b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pat-Riesenburger-and-Urban-Stitch-Studio/226080244096691" target="_blank">my page</a></b></i>....and I will be sure to Like yours, too!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-33373830830562326102012-02-17T14:55:00.000-05:002012-02-17T14:55:46.799-05:00You Better "Get Social" if you want your Crafty Business to Thrive!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_kXABdlfQU-pUvaggOewqyMWa_jLQ4p9hjXtEw8W86_BfeqJy-Qu658H2VGpAItHnbKFNzEH-OfBVGiZkah7QFvF4ljmDNAZxGU-MkkPptAYax9IMjIB7u1JnsrE9uC-VrqhLNVfGpW9/s1600/telling+a+secret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_kXABdlfQU-pUvaggOewqyMWa_jLQ4p9hjXtEw8W86_BfeqJy-Qu658H2VGpAItHnbKFNzEH-OfBVGiZkah7QFvF4ljmDNAZxGU-MkkPptAYax9IMjIB7u1JnsrE9uC-VrqhLNVfGpW9/s200/telling+a+secret.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">True confessions</span>....<br />
I built my business by spamming. I know, I know! It wasn't nice and I ain't real proud, but it was what it was.... There was a time when I was <b><i>that </i></b>person. In fairness, my spamming occurred early in the internet explosion and people weren't quite as repulsed by it as they are today. There was no money in the budget for a salary, let alone a marketing plan, so I had to figure out a way to get the word out. I spent hours and hours surfing the web trying to find bead store websites, copied down store email addresses from the advertising section of the bead magazines, collected business cards from every store I visited, and carefully added all of the information to a primitive Excel database. I prepared a weekly email newsletter and held my breath before I hit "send," praying that no one would hate me or report me to the Internet Police.<br />
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It worked!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZI4jKuEDMtGvyDX7cSWyGvAiMOx9G42LzaXhXjeE3K2mtEXthoKXKBOTSKPU5FMeZ_UtouuQyOg2k_vwMxck_W2N0uSGfVxFZxNTD4-O2ybPtQtF3XQ-TuIF-IRn2PjdgCuJWJR5hZJdA/s1600/marketing+strategy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZI4jKuEDMtGvyDX7cSWyGvAiMOx9G42LzaXhXjeE3K2mtEXthoKXKBOTSKPU5FMeZ_UtouuQyOg2k_vwMxck_W2N0uSGfVxFZxNTD4-O2ybPtQtF3XQ-TuIF-IRn2PjdgCuJWJR5hZJdA/s320/marketing+strategy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Although my initial email was definitely Spam, it turned out that the folks I had targeted were generally amenable to receiving my emails. My unsubscribe rate was very low because I offered a product that bead store owners were having a hard time finding, I sold it at an "easy to swallow" price point in "easy to buy" quantities, and always included beautiful color photos. My marketing emails solved a problem for retailers because they took the thinking out of the ordering and busy bead shop owners appreciated it. I was amazed by how well the formula worked---it seemed like magic. Mind you, although I got the marketing part down, I was sorely remiss when it came to the process oriented side of the business. You know...the stuff like accounting and recording keeping.<br />
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I learned a valuable lesson in those early years....one does NOT need big money to get big marketing results! Nope, discipline and elbow grease will get the job done. It was true in 2002 and it is even more accurate in 2012. Social media is an amazing resource for today's Crafty Retailer. I recently changed my business model in an effort to beat my life into submission. It is an exciting, rewarding change that makes me much happier personally. However, the change came with a need to totally update my branding, my marketing, and my website. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lARcWlwmPqZnZvl3CGqgUAqQfTbxbZBGs3MWPBlWsY-U7NVwHmcD6ngbEAh66b1lJET54rxaNJSOCyQJMDnNSYvGoNfataaSF_DXAtrndk5N_tHm8Cvore3DWBJJPVLChCTS0ybetCoH/s1600/Oh+No%21+Retro+lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lARcWlwmPqZnZvl3CGqgUAqQfTbxbZBGs3MWPBlWsY-U7NVwHmcD6ngbEAh66b1lJET54rxaNJSOCyQJMDnNSYvGoNfataaSF_DXAtrndk5N_tHm8Cvore3DWBJJPVLChCTS0ybetCoH/s200/Oh+No%21+Retro+lady.jpg" width="160" /></a>Sigh.<br />
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I am not a computer geek. I am not a graphics person. I do not have a clue about how to work with layers in photo editing software. I am a middle aged woman with a small business to run. Like you, I have a family, pets, outside interests and the drama and minutia that go along with all of it. It is just me, by my lonesome. Yep, I am the one juggling it all...the website, the social media, the creating, the selling. I bet you recognize yourself! I do not have a marketing budget but I have passion and I have gumption. If I can do it, you can do it.<br />
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Your customer shares your passion for creating...leverage that interest through the use of emails, your website, your blog, <b><a href="https://twitter.com/signup" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php" target="_blank">Facebook Business Pages</a></b> and <b><a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></b>, just to name a few. Of course, it takes some time but it is worth it! A successful business owner can no longer rely on a website alone. <i>The new reality is that social media works best when it works together.</i> It is not enough to have a beautiful website if you fail to reach out via several of the other mediums as well. They all work together to get the word out about you and your business. <br />
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I resisted creating a <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pat-Riesenburger-and-Urban-Stitch-Studio/226080244096691" target="_blank">Business Facebook Page</a></b>, but when my business model changed late last year, I committed to a low cost marketing regimen that incorporated a website, a blog, Facebook, and --on a much more limited level---Twitter. Admittedly, I spend a whole lot of time on Social Media. A blog can take me anywhere from 2 to 6 hours to write and I maintain two of them. Additionally, I spend about an hour each day focused on the other aspects of Social Media. Although I try to blog weekly, I fell off the wagon over the holidays and only recently climbed back in the saddle. It will take me a month or two to build up my audience to the point where it was before my absence, but it will happen if I continue to blog regularly. I have Pinterest on my radar...my teenage daughter is a fan and my customers are all over it, so I am behind the curve on that one. 80% of the users are female...it is like an Internet Scrapbook and I see all sorts of marketing potential. So much to do, so little time...but I will get there....<br />
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Many Crafty Retailers are overwhelmed by the thought of an integrated social media campaign. Don't be! Over the next few weeks I am going to be sharing how I market my crafty endeavors. I will tell you about how I am managing...slowly and in between everything else I have going on in my life...to get the job done.<br />
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I recently taught a marketing seminar for <b><a href="http://create-your-style.com/Content.Node/index.php?" target="_blank">Swarovski</a> </b>and I checked out the web presence of all of the participants prior to the workshop. The ladies in attendance were incredible...a very talented group energized by the possibility of turning a passion for jewelry into a business. It was exciting to see! One of the attendees has a <i><b>killer</b></i> website. No faint praise here...her graphics are crisp, the verbiage is pithy, the photos are artful and professional. She takes care of the site herself , from the photos to the product updates. There is absolutely nothing about the website that I would change---it is <b><i>perfect</i></b>. Gulp. I was the one at the podium talking about marketing so I was a bit embarrassed to share my own homemade, kind of dorky, <b><a href="http://www.urbanstitchstudio.com/" target="_blank">Urban Stitch Studio</a></b> site. Interestingly, my Plain Jane site has a much higher <i><b><a href="http://www.alexa.com/toolbar?utm_source=top-nav&utm_medium=www&utm_campaign=toolbar" target="_blank">Alexa</a></b></i> ranking than the beautifully appointed one. It didn't make sense to me until I realized that the owner of that site did not yet participate in Social Media. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidF2rqeb9jU_iref0xdLr5mqHuKM2e_9EyzgP_LN1kVbJCSGmYPMXb62oRR4dZm87uPyIyrJXqSJU9RkefTG7v0aUNyVmzSaw7qRNgPSpxdKKwLtMhSZYDmo4v3yzu6wWO23keNM9C7QBv/s1600/retro+lady+snapping+1950s.right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMV4Htny1vejk3sRl_i5W-u89fT7NmfkEup-5TgQmTODKJ1mBfsoQL6xKYeUqjUEh0YkG4qkdFMStkGuPh74jSKLpYYRDIjzaFygouZV9sAv5cXsIgXvJAnDnFe98OmSOwBSAiwsyN8Bvu/s1600/retro+lady+snapping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMV4Htny1vejk3sRl_i5W-u89fT7NmfkEup-5TgQmTODKJ1mBfsoQL6xKYeUqjUEh0YkG4qkdFMStkGuPh74jSKLpYYRDIjzaFygouZV9sAv5cXsIgXvJAnDnFe98OmSOwBSAiwsyN8Bvu/s1600/retro+lady+snapping.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helpful Tip!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><i>Not familiar with Alexa? It is a wonderful site that computes traffic rankings on all of the websites floating throughout cyber space. The lower the Alexa Ranking, the more popular and visible the website. Once you install the toolbar, you will be able to see the ranking of every single site that you visit. Google is #1 and Facebook is #2. It is a fun and informative tool for your marketing toolbox. Take a minute to install the <b><a href="http://www.alexa.com/toolbar?utm_source=top-nav&utm_medium=www&utm_campaign=toolbar" target="_blank">Alexa Toolbar</a></b>. </i></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxyPmwPdPYsCK3E0vcFL8d5gUmbx0cF_ktveLHuB07lFGW5dlgkmo3V-3PCQjWoOaJnCk3BwaJFAijiEFPBqG8pz-BZkixnjWS9fqgxLBzZtKFXiJbT2iR8maKK04LbvM19wxbK1Ych8m/s1600/Screenshot.USS+Home+with+words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxyPmwPdPYsCK3E0vcFL8d5gUmbx0cF_ktveLHuB07lFGW5dlgkmo3V-3PCQjWoOaJnCk3BwaJFAijiEFPBqG8pz-BZkixnjWS9fqgxLBzZtKFXiJbT2iR8maKK04LbvM19wxbK1Ych8m/s400/Screenshot.USS+Home+with+words.jpg" width="400" /></a>Take a look at my Urban Stitch Studio home page. I told you it was simple! It is an average site with no bells and whistles, but it works for me. I can maintain it without killing myself. Some pages are still under construction, but I try to work on it for an hour or so several times a week. It has a shopping cart and runs me about $35 per month. Quite a contrast from my first website, which cost $26,000! I had to pay the developer hundreds of dollars every single time I wanted to add a five cent bead to the page! Never again will I give away that sort of control. Simple works for me.<br />
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My Alexa Rank is circled in red on the Alexa Tool Bar at the top of the page. I will notice a change in my ranking if I fail to make frequent changes to my website. Google and other search engines like to see that there is activity on your site, so it should not remain stagnant. I also notice a decrease in my Alexa ranking if I have slacked off on my social media marketing efforts. You can't fool Google. <br />
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Notice that my Urban Stitch Studio Blog is linked on the front page. I will soon be adding a link for this blog, as well. My goal is to enable people to find me everywhere I am in cyberspace, as easily as possible. The more people that click on my links, the more visible I become to Mama Google.<br />
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I also include a Link for Tutorials. In fact, I will soon be adding the word "Free" to the link because I find that the phrase "free tutorials" is a popular Google search term. I want to take advantage of likely search terms to help folks find me. The tutorials drive traffic to my site and sometimes the "traffic" morphs into a customer, which is all part of my evil plan. <br />
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Finally, I recently added a "Google +" button to the top of the page. The idea is that if crafters come to the site and like it, they will click Google + and the site will, through the magic of Google, be recommended to their friends. I have not done much research into this, but a tech savvy friend told me to do it, so I did. I have yet to see a direct benefit, but I am watching. If you happen to be perusing my site, do a gal a favor and press the link!<br />
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My next Post will focus on using Facebook Business Pages to connect with your customers...Business Pages ROCK!!!!! <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>In the Studio: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I finally finished a pillow that I had hoped to have completed by Christmas 2011. It didn't happen, but I was determined to get it done so that I could cross it off my To Do list at last! I used up all of the random poinsettias I had felted for various workshops last Fall, re-purposed an old sweater for the pot, and used Tahki Stacy Charles Cotton Classic for the trim. I enjoyed it for an hour before tucking it away until next December!</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nfbc03Zs1LYlA1ffu9rDT-MYBZN7F4Tcyxu4p0gn-CJdUq36reaW6pUrt2F6sfqVLwFyKMnTBqZrmRTbVhZ085J61zk7k6kUbklhcZfyhGuij9VB1M-46oSv9N1MFMvmABRWhViuSz0V/s1600/pillow.Pointsettia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nfbc03Zs1LYlA1ffu9rDT-MYBZN7F4Tcyxu4p0gn-CJdUq36reaW6pUrt2F6sfqVLwFyKMnTBqZrmRTbVhZ085J61zk7k6kUbklhcZfyhGuij9VB1M-46oSv9N1MFMvmABRWhViuSz0V/s320/pillow.Pointsettia.JPG" width="312" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b><br />
</b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-82030554821066059802012-01-24T20:48:00.003-05:002012-01-25T08:09:57.762-05:00Encourage Crafty Community to Build a Loyal Retail Following<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX5C8NcCMtBa8G4LgglDswvcAHgxsk5OUDzH4EEP7zh32NrZ5Sz3c5qXwrly0ZnslMvvYu47T2htU-gxhzu6NPjj8xpGZpFP7Ntn0OqDkhl24ti05IzP_ugeFCciEi2y88KYJtdUpHU4M/s1600/sewing_susan_blog_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRX5C8NcCMtBa8G4LgglDswvcAHgxsk5OUDzH4EEP7zh32NrZ5Sz3c5qXwrly0ZnslMvvYu47T2htU-gxhzu6NPjj8xpGZpFP7Ntn0OqDkhl24ti05IzP_ugeFCciEi2y88KYJtdUpHU4M/s200/sewing_susan_blog_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Every Tuesday I host an Open Studio from 10 - 2. The second Wednesday night of the month is reserved for a specific fiber project that never costs more than $15. Fiber minded women settle in to chat and craft together. The youngest is 28 and the oldest is well into her sixties. We eat and we crochet...or knit...or embroider...or even felt. I do not sell product. I do not talk about selling product. We laugh. We have show and tell. We exchange recipes. My four dogs are petted and fussed over, even when the puppy grabs a ball of yarn and heads out the door. One wonderful lady drives almost two hours to get here! No doubt about it....we have created a real community and Tuesdays have become one of my favorite days of the week.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-LNZGduu4NtK71vHkpvJCvjUm5PTNF9OAfxL20676S7-wIFjwLKYUlKcRtSNlfmev8JB9ezcdTDzJhYQr92m5jyyqO7mvyA80rebZTgyuxNbrhoYoiCmNk-KaCZtKgyGrkxiO1qVFjEe/s1600/tucson.beta+test.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-LNZGduu4NtK71vHkpvJCvjUm5PTNF9OAfxL20676S7-wIFjwLKYUlKcRtSNlfmev8JB9ezcdTDzJhYQr92m5jyyqO7mvyA80rebZTgyuxNbrhoYoiCmNk-KaCZtKgyGrkxiO1qVFjEe/s320/tucson.beta+test.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A side benefit of my little group is that I get to hear the women talk about their projects and their plans for future projects. I get to see what ignites their creativity and what they want to learn next. We inspire and encourage one another. They even put my upcoming Swarovski workshop project through an intensive beta test that resulted in some important changes. I get a whole lot of benefit from these soirees and so do the participants. . <br />
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So....what is the problem?<br />
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<b>The problem is that they are<i> not</i> hanging out at their local yarn stores!</b> Most of the women are members of several other fibery groups and each of those groups meet at restaurants or libraries. They are connecting with other crafters several times a week-- through <b><a href="http://meetup.com/">MeetUp.com</a></b> and through <b><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/" target="_blank">Ravelry</a></b>--while totally sidestepping the brick and mortar retailers in the community! These gals are clearly seeking a connection that they are not finding at their LYS. I have been to both local stores and they are lovely. They are well stocked and are staffed by capable, personable women. Where was the disconnect? Not being one to keep a thought bubble a thought bubble, I had to ask....<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>.....so........"Why aren't you meeting at the yarn shop?"</b></i></div><br />
The answer surprised me. It seems that the area shopkeepers have a rule....no sitting and sharing if the yarn in your hand was not purchased from this shop, period. The rule stands even if you are a regular customer and the yarn is not carried by the shop.<b><i> WTF? </i>Seriously?</b><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>NO SOUP FOR YOU!</b></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/WZ3AOmZ2fps?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> <br />
Uh Oh... I hear huffing and puffing from those of you out there in Retailer land....I think I might have touched a nerve. You can't pay the rent if customers are buying everything on-line. You are burnt out from customers who want something for nothing. Free doesn't get the bills paid. When customers get together all they do is trade online sources and talk about your competitor. I get it, really, I do!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>But......</b></span></div><br />
....the one advantage a Brick and Mortar store has over the lower priced internet store is the ability to offer kick ass, real, live, honest-to-goodness customer service, to be <b><i>more</i></b> than a place that simply warehouses skeins of yarns or buckets of beads. Rather, you have the opportunity to build a FANATICAL FAN BASE. Store owners are missing out on a tremendous opportunity to connect with potential customers and build a stronger database by not encouraging this sort of crafty community. Frankly, when consumers are able to bypass your store in the quest for creativity, your business is on the road to irrelevance.<br />
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Use the opportunity to glean information. Check your ego and ASK QUESTIONS! Your customers are a goldmine of information and will save hours of research if you take the time to inquire.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Where else do you shop?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What are your favorite online stores?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Why do you like them?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What blogs do you read?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What other crafts do you enjoy?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What do you want to learn next?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What sort of events would you like to see?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What would you like me to carry that I do not currently carry?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>and so on and so on!</i></div><br />
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Today's consumer is savvy. She absolutely, positively knows where to find the yarn/bead/rubber stamp at a better price. Ever check out the <b><a href="http://www.google.com/shopping?hl=en&tab=wf" target="_blank">Google Shopping Search</a></b>? It will give you sweaty palms, but give it a try. Go now. Seriously. Google "Berroco Pure Pima cotton yarn" and you will find page after page featuring internet stores selling first quality Berroco yarn for a few dollars less than the local yarn store.<br />
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Mind you, I owned a brick and mortar shop. I understand that the overhead of a brick and mortar store greatly exceeds that of a web store, where the yarn/beads/rubber stamps might be warehoused in a guest bedroom. My clear understanding of the burdens facing brick and mortar retail notwithstanding, the economy sucks and money is tight. The harsh reality is that there could be a serious price difference for the Money Challenged Crafter contemplating a 10 skein project. An online purchase could mean a $20 savings in yarn as well as another 7-10% in sales tax. Many web stores offer free shipping, as well. Why should a working gal spend her hard earned money in a brick and mortar retail store?<br />
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The answer lies with the retailer. I am generally willing to pay more --with smile-- if I feel invested in the success of the store. I get that feeling when I am part of the store's community. So welcome me, make me feel at home. Better yet, teach me something new and invite me to your "Sit and Stitch." I may want to use a skein from my stash this week, but I promise you that I will be back to purchase another skein from you next week! I will probably even bring a friend....<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>In other news:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcSyWSkwUWNr61Ujez8Pe9dZYi5TM7ERfwrv6hQSoWmNR-_LNYEtbB2uE46yU1yFoBYN1vfzTdQOXM-ZGonSLipwUMi5Nc1tOMAbQXiKohcHe7kwPPW9r2sYQRSCDWWB57BPpqOs2vmy3/s1600/necklace.crochet+with+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcSyWSkwUWNr61Ujez8Pe9dZYi5TM7ERfwrv6hQSoWmNR-_LNYEtbB2uE46yU1yFoBYN1vfzTdQOXM-ZGonSLipwUMi5Nc1tOMAbQXiKohcHe7kwPPW9r2sYQRSCDWWB57BPpqOs2vmy3/s320/necklace.crochet+with+flower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The product has shipped and I am packing my bags....I am heading to Tucson! I skipped last year due to family/dog related stuff and I am tickled to be a part of <b><a href="http://www.create-your-style.com/Content.Node/additional/Tucson-Show-Guide-2012.en.php" target="_blank">Swarovski's Create-Your-Style</a></b> event this year!<br />
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My Design It/Sell It workshop with Nick Regine has sold out, but I still have a few more spaces in the Felted Flower/Crochet Necklace workshop on February 1st. I will be in the Swarovski Ambassador room when I am not teaching, so please stop by and say hello if you are going to be in town for the show!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>In the Studio:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxX4RTDQOnt4jpPkQIxxs6k0rtLV_MPlIwx5CjZcfRklpKPeUR9zZpxsfCXkDD3s_4N4nbBF6b701dlIAbk88QxrbSnO4XVv8LafeBHsGol5d5S1ukQwsVsTqKR_KkeKT6RuDP2cuwrOB/s1600/Sw.Art+Quilt+Contest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxX4RTDQOnt4jpPkQIxxs6k0rtLV_MPlIwx5CjZcfRklpKPeUR9zZpxsfCXkDD3s_4N4nbBF6b701dlIAbk88QxrbSnO4XVv8LafeBHsGol5d5S1ukQwsVsTqKR_KkeKT6RuDP2cuwrOB/s200/Sw.Art+Quilt+Contest.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>This last month has been all about show preparations...fine tuning tutorials, dyeing fibers, putting together kits and the like. However, I have been noodling around an idea for a project that has me VERY excited. In fact, this might be the perfect vehicle for stores to build that crafty community we have been talking about. Swarovski is sponsoring an Art Quilt Contest. You can find the details at <a href="http://create-your-style.com/">Create-Your-Style.com</a>.<a href="http://here./"></a> The deadline isn't until June, so there is time....like I said, I am only "noodling" the concept in my head at this point. The idea won't actually become a gleam in my eye until at least late February. But I digress.....<br />
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There theme is broad...the contestants simply need to use Swaovski elements to to design an original quilt using <b>music</b> as an inspiration. Perfect! See, for several years I have had this weird obsession with Bette Midler's rendition of Rosemary Clooney's "This Ole House." I tend to play it during the holidays. If you are middle aged and feeling old, with children who have flown the coop, this is THE PERFECT song to make you weep copiously as you prepare the holiday meal in preparation of the arrival of the young 'uns. Or so I have been told.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/kK39gnVAfyI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>I am also playing around with the idea of a quilt based upon "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYGCpGzFWh0&feature=related" target="_blank">Big Rock Candy Mountain</a>." The imagery is just too perfect and I can see a Rock Candy Mountain felted with Swarovski stones embedded in the fibers. Happy sigh. I think I know which way to go....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-34248223585804091382011-12-01T15:44:00.001-05:002013-03-31T11:20:51.025-04:00Bratty Beaders, Crazy Catknappers, and the Problem with Spewing our Thought Bubbles...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmI3LaZNKxAJHKQTxdhA0pJYv6LzvKLUpt2HjOAcV-Qu-Zay-Nt3FH7VrlLDAanoBKYZ9JE5dsff9iViX2ApR-8wXxh6WVOGnfBHBziBZkqOOBfQY_cXFwGwrs9zN59ALFSxEet5DiSPh2/s1600/nuckin+futz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoDl1hrTcLQRQ2xdXy9LqBapz4T9P2MQ6NM6G4-NDqG_1dugj4jmmwj7vJ66YTb5W4w_AxXWJ4Py9olbdrH8kO8MFm2pBlQ28AlO00OYO5yMpptzvo8muhkPnf2JkG-bMBcqu0cmRZZ7-/s1600/down_the_rabbit_hole4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoDl1hrTcLQRQ2xdXy9LqBapz4T9P2MQ6NM6G4-NDqG_1dugj4jmmwj7vJ66YTb5W4w_AxXWJ4Py9olbdrH8kO8MFm2pBlQ28AlO00OYO5yMpptzvo8muhkPnf2JkG-bMBcqu0cmRZZ7-/s320/down_the_rabbit_hole4.jpg" width="320" /></a>It has been an interesting few weeks and I have lots of exciting news to impart and projects to enthuse over, but that is all going to have to wait until another day....there is WAY more important stuff to discuss.....like how surreal life is becoming..... <br />
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<i><b>Is it just me or have you noticed that the world is going Nuckin' Futz? </b></i></div>
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Seriously. I feel as though I have fallen down the rabbit hole and landed in a really twisted place.<br />
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WTF is wrong with people????? <br />
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First, lets talk about Rude Ass Designer Syndrome a/k/a RADS. It is wildly contagious and seems to be spreading from designers to those who love them. Beader Extraordinaire <a href="http://www.facebook.com/beki.haley?sk=info">Beki Haley</a> recently shared the following account of some silliness at a local bead store:<br />
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Shopper #1 has been beading for years. She does not have internet access and lives a very remote lifestyle, making periodic pilgrimages to her local bead shop to gather supplies. Shopper #2 has a talented daughter-in-law whose sells bead patterns on Etsy. She noticed Shopper #1 wearing a bracelet that appeared similar to one of her daughter in law's Etsy designs. She complimented Shopper #1 on her interpretation of the piece and mentioned that it had been designed by her daughter-in-law. Shopper #1 told Shopper #2 that the bracelet was of her own design from six or seven years ago and then things started to get uncomfortable.<br />
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Let the games begin!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdeD_Zq80jAYWu61qqMsAP20AtDXnKnhpWmx_7AhQHEFnIPlaK4cODtQhLSoTH1j57jRsxEhjxYmXf_XtJwBjEorP0oU8N6VCfQCSXKQwlIxm-6567RwMw0wTMn_g6BrnPdbc8z5gsD-F/s1600/not+really+a+bitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdeD_Zq80jAYWu61qqMsAP20AtDXnKnhpWmx_7AhQHEFnIPlaK4cODtQhLSoTH1j57jRsxEhjxYmXf_XtJwBjEorP0oU8N6VCfQCSXKQwlIxm-6567RwMw0wTMn_g6BrnPdbc8z5gsD-F/s200/not+really+a+bitch.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Shopper #2 became loud and irate, publicly chastising Shopper #1 for lying. Shopper #1 was clearly uncomfortable but determined to stand her ground. She reported that she had designed the piece years before and has never even heard of Etsy. Shopper #2 was not placated and went on to accuse Shopper #1 of thievery. Shopper #1 grew increasingly uncomfortable and ultimately left the shop without purchasing her supplies. Unbelievable. Reminiscent of an encounter with a spoiled five year old, wouldn't you say? <br />
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<i><b>Where is Mr. Woody when you need him? </b></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMgRxP7pwJCeryh7BxkfvUOpPpLw9ruBtK4yGNuopT2Pm_39y6EFLCwZpxD_24t6j5JovqNC89Uv_qbDmJDWjeOqrR2XYoty1iyCkea8sY-tJ3rSoSwi4MZ1fLoEkLCvR0weSQgz2k7yF/s1600/Mr.+Woody.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMgRxP7pwJCeryh7BxkfvUOpPpLw9ruBtK4yGNuopT2Pm_39y6EFLCwZpxD_24t6j5JovqNC89Uv_qbDmJDWjeOqrR2XYoty1iyCkea8sY-tJ3rSoSwi4MZ1fLoEkLCvR0weSQgz2k7yF/s320/Mr.+Woody.JPG" width="83" /></a>(SIDE NOTE: Mr. Woody was an unhappy wooden spoon that lived on top of my refrigerator and whose primary function was to serve as a deterrent, but who was commissioned to spank a tushie now and then. Each incident involved a boy with a penchant for stacking books and pots/pans on chairs to get to the knives hidden beyond his reach. You see, my son Jeremy had a fascination for all things weapon-like and was willing to risk life, limb, and Mr. Woody to get to the cutlery. He is now in law school. Go figure).<br />
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Was Shopper #1 so insecure and narcissistic that accosting an old lady in a bead store seemed to be an appropriate resolution to a dispute? Really? Frankly, while I am occasionally tempted to channel my inner three year old when confronted with life's little challenges, the angry words are generally edited before they slither out of my mouth. It is all about self control.<br />
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Moreover, what is with all of the Haters? Why are so many artists so quick to assume that a similarity in design is necessarily indicative of malfeasance? Why do so many people think that they own something that belongs to everyone (or no one)? I recently <a href="http://thecraftyretailer.blogspot.com/2011/10/fine-line-between-artistic-inspiration.html">posted</a> on this sort of thing, and the issue continues to be a source of considerable discussion. It has been my experience that big egos and big insecurities get in the way of a happy life. <br />
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YOU CAN'T FIGHT CRAZY WITH CRAZY<br />
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So...on to the Crazy Catknapping....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrd0I59qjo8yZ1TrbYrYWq2KeHxJcBF331QWqjraJrGZUWwwt_OLBSKlqStiPad7EMcx45IMKFoLdX2NhmVFD_CWdm_VQXy9ZRlNfcEJvVDWzQrieH3v8h_ts401PcUG8ujdBJFszwr-4/s1600/jake+headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrd0I59qjo8yZ1TrbYrYWq2KeHxJcBF331QWqjraJrGZUWwwt_OLBSKlqStiPad7EMcx45IMKFoLdX2NhmVFD_CWdm_VQXy9ZRlNfcEJvVDWzQrieH3v8h_ts401PcUG8ujdBJFszwr-4/s200/jake+headshot.jpg" width="143" /></a></div>
My son lives in California, doing the waiter/actor thing. Er.....if any of you are related to Quentin Tarrantino, pass along the headshot, won't you? ...but I digress....<br />
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Jake's lovely girlfriend recently moved out to LA, bringing her two cats, Kitty and Vinnie. Jake and Janice spent Thanksgiving with us while the cats were being cared for by Roommate. Vinnie went missing so Roommate and Hero Neighbor combed the neighborhood, to no avail. Hero Neighbor noticed Crazy Neighbor peering out while they were calling for the cat and suddenly got "a weird feeling." Hero Neighbor knocked on the door to ask Crazy Neighbor if she had seen the lost cat and noticed Vinnie sitting inside. Crazy Neighbor told the pair that the cat was actually her cat, Star, who had disappeared 1 1/2 years ago. Crazy Neighbor picked up Vinnie and went on to say that while she appreciated Jacob and Janice taking care of Star, she was going to be keeping the cat from this point forward. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVaw-2q1kwyrBAxrRyTVz8enrHzxD8TORtEaTjWvtr26A4CZryQ6-p5BY5stalkqK04sBvPdqvvGuLiAAQNVpIDI20g8wVEywhXKIrMnpOVLoAEW50_ISeGRi67aPyBPBk7tDIXmDUd44/s1600/wow-left-purple.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVaw-2q1kwyrBAxrRyTVz8enrHzxD8TORtEaTjWvtr26A4CZryQ6-p5BY5stalkqK04sBvPdqvvGuLiAAQNVpIDI20g8wVEywhXKIrMnpOVLoAEW50_ISeGRi67aPyBPBk7tDIXmDUd44/s200/wow-left-purple.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Alrighty then.....<br />
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Roommate and Hero Neighbor explained that Vinnie could not possibly be her cat because he was only six months old, was a male not a female, and had arrived in Los Angeles only three months before.<br />
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Nonetheless, Crazy Neighbor was adamant...she knew her cat and this cat was hers.<br />
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Roommate was flummoxed. Hero neighbor was perplexed. Clearly, they were at a stand off. Fortunately, Hero Neighbor suddenly grabbed the cat from Crazy Neighbor's arms and ran out the door before Vinnie could even deliver a parting scratch. The cat was home safe and sound when Jacob and Janice returned. I asked Jacob how he was going to handle the situation as I would be afraid to let Vinnie outside unsupervised. He said, "Mom, you can't fight crazy with crazy. I wanted to call her out, but instead I am going over with copies of vet bills and pictures of Vinnie as a kitten. I have to live next to her, so I might as well help her get to a better place." Damn. Good looking and brilliant, too. He is learning to use his edit button! Is the neighbor really crazy? Did she intentionally steal a cat? Who the hell knows....but I want to believe that she simply misses her cat and harbors a secret hope that Star will find her way home. I am glad that Jacob and Janice are kind humans who have turned this weirdness into a funny story and simply moved on. No histrionics, no accusations, no drama. Happy Sigh.<br />
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FORGET POLITICS....LETS JUST CONCENTRATE ON BEING GOOD! <br />
Several months ago I happened upon a blog post written by a woman I do not know personally. I know of her based upon her internet presence. Moreover,she is a friend of many of my friends and I would welcome the opportunity to get to know her. She seems talented and cool and totally my cup of tea. Yup, I would most definitely like to spend the afternoon beading with her and trading crafty stories. She seems responsible and smart, compassionate and caring, and all around Good---yup, just the type of human I would welcome into my home and heart. ....Yet a particular blog post contained mega doses of political vitriol and other angry nonsense that shook me. <br />
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Understand that this was not simply a case of promoting a particular view point, rather, it was kind of mean spirited and snarky, playing on lots of silly stereotypes. It totally bummed me out because I figured that if she knew of <i><b>my</b></i> personal politics, she would probably <i><b>not</b></i> want to spend an afternoon beading with me and trading crafty stories. Damn. I imagine that she would gasp in horror and write me off as one of those crazy right wingers protecting my non-existent wealth by withholding emergency medical care from desperate children while simultaneously starving old people just for giggles. Really? So silly, so stupid, such a waste of time and maybe a friendship or two. I honest-to-God do not know <i><b>anyone</b></i> who thinks like that, Republican or Democrat. Why are folks so quick to assume that those with an opposing viewpoint, or even a different idea on how to reach an objective, are evil and stupid? I don't get it, I really don't.<br />
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No doubt about it....we are living in a wacky time right now. A grown man watches another grown man rape a small child in a college locker room and <a href="http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/7237700/in-penn-state-child-sexual-abuse-scandal-there-no-easy-answers-assistant-mike-mcqueary">walks away</a>, fear for himself trumping any concern for that boy. I know as surely as I am breathing that I would have saved that child, period. My response would have been visceral and it would have been sure. Similarly, I bet the blogger who hates Republicans would have turned into a raging warrior princess and pulled that son of a bitch off of that little boy if she had stumbled upon the crime. Good is Good and Bad is Bad...period. It is time for those of us who are good to stand together, regardless of politics. It is time that we start thinking more critically about our visions for the future and standing up for Right even when it is uncomfortable or requires that we steal back a kidnapped cat. We must demand a bit more from ourselves and those we love. It goes without saying that we must demand more from our politicians (and I ain't talking entitlement programs!). <br />
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I think that the blogger is a good human. She would have protected that boy and even though we are rooting for different sides of the political ticket, I still want to be her friend. I imagine that if she met me, she would like me and we could have a crafty blast. Two good people, taking care of their families, working their asses off, and trying to make a positive difference in the world. I just wonder if she would give me a chance?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-26783816219354294522011-10-27T14:09:00.002-04:002012-02-16T18:22:23.079-05:00Rekindle your Creative Muse to Ignite your Customer Base!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEToF9cG4y2RCak1sG4cR-ajaasVSdnLuSi1GOuk2rHfAJl3kzubKdjaKgMCMl940hFU3Mu-SoB3ZILkp-YrSuYzLustnTFTLcwSctWr_l-a6m_JMahch-8ZT4jSK_cS4M_YLlFxnl0oD/s1600/creativekid-300x199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEToF9cG4y2RCak1sG4cR-ajaasVSdnLuSi1GOuk2rHfAJl3kzubKdjaKgMCMl940hFU3Mu-SoB3ZILkp-YrSuYzLustnTFTLcwSctWr_l-a6m_JMahch-8ZT4jSK_cS4M_YLlFxnl0oD/s1600/creativekid-300x199.jpg" /></a></div>Do you remember the rush you felt when you first learned to knit, bead, or [insert your craft of choice here]? The exhilaration was INTENSE---less sweaty than sex, with zero calories----It was GREAT! You couldn't stop thinking about it...working out the design in your head again and again, stealing minutes away from work, friends, and even family so that you could work on the project. It was INTOXICATING!<br />
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....and then you opened your store and your Creative Muse got squashed like a bug!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgJGISzhpfjIuhX_vHCIHdJ8HyZ9gxRmWYDTqr7hpCXPXl7jcu5KtPUuMSsiKgeYb_r5X0_96QdhtKMh3ht7kEpo15_EqNCurrzKjzwy7kTW3LFvErYXqekzdPHErXoBFeNWQvNR0oqdY/s1600/splat.jpg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgJGISzhpfjIuhX_vHCIHdJ8HyZ9gxRmWYDTqr7hpCXPXl7jcu5KtPUuMSsiKgeYb_r5X0_96QdhtKMh3ht7kEpo15_EqNCurrzKjzwy7kTW3LFvErYXqekzdPHErXoBFeNWQvNR0oqdY/s320/splat.jpg.png" width="320" /></a></div>Your daily To Do list is overflowing with more obligations than could be satisfied in a week. There is inventory to order, inventory to unload, a class calendar to put together, some promotional events to schedule, bills to be paid, phone calls to be made....and a family that needs you, too. Time spent crafting or learning new techniques has become a guilty pleasure that is limited to coming up with classes for the shop. Sigh.<br />
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</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>What is a Crafty Retailer to do?</b></div><br />
Recharge your creative batteries! Rejuvenate that flaccid muse! You will feel happier and more fulfilled, while your store will be healthier and more successful. I recently taught four workshops at the Southeastern Animal Fiber Festival <i><b><a href="http://www.saffsite.org/">("SAFF")</a></b></i> in Asheville, North Carolina. Always curious about the state of crafty retail, I took the opportunity to survey some of the folks I met about their brick and mortar retail experiences. It was no surprise to learn that 100% of those asked told me that they frequently shopped online, both for reasons of price <i><b>and</b></i> product availability. When asked to identify what was special about their favorite brick and mortar stores, most were uniform in their response there as well: INSPIRATION and EDUCATION.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErh-fpK3bHAW_X2nud-LFfzR1bhKmLHDnD_AnMO-DoPldLof4hHJUNmV8l4STgUqv-q_MQApgvGtcKcHrIZS_S1EumFK6JxrwVBnhcf_TBKr1CyAAEa4_kHYu2k-6NtJ0g6V7S0wczuwu/s1600/wensleydale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErh-fpK3bHAW_X2nud-LFfzR1bhKmLHDnD_AnMO-DoPldLof4hHJUNmV8l4STgUqv-q_MQApgvGtcKcHrIZS_S1EumFK6JxrwVBnhcf_TBKr1CyAAEa4_kHYu2k-6NtJ0g6V7S0wczuwu/s200/wensleydale.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>The US craft market is huge and crafters are still spending, economy be damned. Seriously, I was astounded by the amount of enthusiastic shopping being done at the event. I went to teach, with no real intention of buying. Nonetheless, I still managed to drop $200 on some spectacular Kid Mohair and Wensleydale curls. Clearly, I was not alone as the vendors with whom I spoke were all quite pleased with their overall sales. People didn't show up just to shop, though. Most of the hundreds of workshops that SAFF offered were sold out. Yup...it is all about <i>Inspiration and Education</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_5OvOrhl2vl2b3G6ifATjUjM9rcX99G2yNnZ2Wngy7HzKAsYDK0XiqoQ7lnDsXZOcioOvsN4FYyB8CvoEXRkMTI3phvguWICHuK4CY3Mb2Uny0fix-_vBtEkR7kRwyOSeuB-woZTICbM/s1600/clock+crushing+lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_5OvOrhl2vl2b3G6ifATjUjM9rcX99G2yNnZ2Wngy7HzKAsYDK0XiqoQ7lnDsXZOcioOvsN4FYyB8CvoEXRkMTI3phvguWICHuK4CY3Mb2Uny0fix-_vBtEkR7kRwyOSeuB-woZTICbM/s1600/clock+crushing+lady.jpg" /></a>Savvy Crafty Retailers will take that role very seriously. Set aside some high priority/absolutely no interruptions time every week to release your own creative spirit. I am happiest when I am creating and I grow very resentful when I ignore that need. I bet the same is true of you.! After years of living in an artistic wasteland because "I didn't have time," I decided to make Crafting a priority. I have become regimented about giving myself the time I require in the studio. Additionally, I spend several hours a week online, surfing the web, lurking on blogs, conducting Google Image Searches, etc. in an effort to see what is inspiring the rest of the craft world. There is always something that lights a fire in my own heart and I am soon OFF on a new journey. My recent interests include stamped metal jewelry, torch fired enamel, and three dimensional fiber work. The more I learn about other techniques, the more exciting and original my own work becomes as I incorporate my new passions into my current creations.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUooKhwrQHEsDJhHogLxsDQwZpl_XYFRSyHOBCh5-RhOQpr6JUdvw8tWwbCtjcON5yIuBWxnjLHfquLzdT_iRjmoUFkKRCEquY8ksW01Gok1Gw5ic13HJ60vL5wPWbCxPqwb7jHuLoSxaO/s1600/Cuff.SAFF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUooKhwrQHEsDJhHogLxsDQwZpl_XYFRSyHOBCh5-RhOQpr6JUdvw8tWwbCtjcON5yIuBWxnjLHfquLzdT_iRjmoUFkKRCEquY8ksW01Gok1Gw5ic13HJ60vL5wPWbCxPqwb7jHuLoSxaO/s320/Cuff.SAFF.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The same will be true in your shop. Your enthusiasm will be contagious and your customers will respond accordingly. After all...they are looking to YOU to provide Inspiration and Education! It is a basic rule of Crafty Retail: Inspire and the cash will follow. One side benefit is that you will be able to direct inventory purchases rather than playing a guessing game with new stock. Stock that we love sells better than stock to which we are indifferent because we push it. Our genuine enthusiasm shows and the shopper responds with her wallet. Similarly, it is important to really know what you are selling. Some retailers jump into a new trend without adequate product knowledge. They hear about a hot product and figure they should have it on the shelves. Sadly, such product will often languish until it eventually moves to the dead inventory "Sale Table" and the shopkeeper considers it an epic fail. It was a failure all right, but not necessarily because the customers were not interested. More likely, some customers would have loved it if the retailer had provided some crafty education!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJDMXQmTk_KrEVjXAn-Pb-UmGdeeVBT9plNhwfPI9VndmqI5u1gAU73NCuoKVSH6NWwItktJZDHPx9YPLL3BD3ZsZ6erTL6_fu86ZxS34T4vJdHsQq4nnuMmVQoFvxRb9P5tcRXGDN6ys/s1600/Tracy+Stanley.Rivet_ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJDMXQmTk_KrEVjXAn-Pb-UmGdeeVBT9plNhwfPI9VndmqI5u1gAU73NCuoKVSH6NWwItktJZDHPx9YPLL3BD3ZsZ6erTL6_fu86ZxS34T4vJdHsQq4nnuMmVQoFvxRb9P5tcRXGDN6ys/s200/Tracy+Stanley.Rivet_ring.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Time is limited and there is no need to reinvent the wheel---shorten your learning curve! It has never been easier to learn a new technique that can be twisted and tweaked for your shop. Check out the amazing tutorials available at <i><b><a href="http://www.beaducation.com/">Beaducation</a></b></i>...home of some of the stars in the jewelry world...for an opportunity to learn metalwork, bead weaving, PMC, Chainmail, Wire work and more. For example, download the tutorial for Tracy Stanley's killer <i><b><a href="http://www.beaducation.com/vids/detail/131">riveted metal ring</a></b></i> for only $24.95!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglS2U9Y4EfLhaR9AnGEB_xZP5rlGOvy7e6UQSFECq2rxpW6QGJKW36MtEKlzTj4MpcexVVhHuo-dvxSIdgtoxBWNbx4W3MM2ORVts9ZzvDyp-vTwDtRNgDUAAUQ19mg-Eu7AyLnu5LiX9D/s1600/Yoola+video.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglS2U9Y4EfLhaR9AnGEB_xZP5rlGOvy7e6UQSFECq2rxpW6QGJKW36MtEKlzTj4MpcexVVhHuo-dvxSIdgtoxBWNbx4W3MM2ORVts9ZzvDyp-vTwDtRNgDUAAUQ19mg-Eu7AyLnu5LiX9D/s200/Yoola+video.jpg" width="200" /></a><i><b> </b></i><br />
<i><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a></b></i> is a Mecca for tutorials and I have learned a ton from the talented artists who maintain Etsy shops. In fact, just this morning I popped a wire crochet video tutorial into my Etsy shopping cart. I have seen a number of online tutorials on this subject, but Israeli Artist, <i><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Yoola?ref=seller_info">Yoola</a></b></i>, does the best work I have seen. I have crochet experience and could probably teach myself, but I know that I will save myself lots of time (and wire) by plunking down the cash and learning from an expert!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjup6PjbXWKTGolAFXgFs3zUmFENTIRlQpzKujoAI3QhDxpPpDwF_ls_QYAU2VHBWUgOHGkTvT_Sxfj7uivz2mhDDq3yzjzKH_r7Tgw81oCdF_NQL6zoF_t6LAKA7hjNodUvgeXY_8KtXHm/s1600/Pendant.Twig.Truth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjup6PjbXWKTGolAFXgFs3zUmFENTIRlQpzKujoAI3QhDxpPpDwF_ls_QYAU2VHBWUgOHGkTvT_Sxfj7uivz2mhDDq3yzjzKH_r7Tgw81oCdF_NQL6zoF_t6LAKA7hjNodUvgeXY_8KtXHm/s320/Pendant.Twig.Truth.JPG" width="293" /></a>Although on line tutorials are awesome, there is no substitute for "hands on" learning, so make it a point to take some classes a few times each year. I am embarrassed to admit that, until recently, I have been remiss in this regard. One of my resolutions for 2011 was to focus more on being a student. I have taken four classes in the last six months and it has been a blast. I recently took a stamped metal jewelry workshop from Holly Hancock, owner of <a href="http://ebeads.com/">Beads</a> in Tampa, Florida. Cold connection metal had been on my To Learn List for several years, but I was too busy and too intimidated to tackle it on my own. An email newsletter from Holly was all it took --- I got the last spot in her class a few weeks ago. The class lasted most of the day and I made the sweet little heart pendant Holly had on display, as well as a more personal piece. My workshop creations were very primitive and clearly the work of a Newbie, but I am SMITTEN! I bought all of the tools Holly had at the shop and then went on line and bought even more. I happily used my clothing budget for craft products <i>yet again</i>. Yup, inspire first and sales will follow...<br />
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Are you getting the job done?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-81593640543302605252011-10-13T22:24:00.002-04:002011-10-13T22:56:07.952-04:00The Fine Line Between Artistic Inspiration and Crafty Exploitation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdZs35E88vMh6j2yzsE0TW8z6PP0prpA0TPiQuqOmL4MjvjltRzce2VwJkcUxMiZSi4o2-4jgd0c1Xgf_iu_3CAxOFCl9nGSO8-BVXYDYuCH-eUn8EDcmgKISWYKnqskV-2OnZV_t2Yq8/s1600/happy-meal-722952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdZs35E88vMh6j2yzsE0TW8z6PP0prpA0TPiQuqOmL4MjvjltRzce2VwJkcUxMiZSi4o2-4jgd0c1Xgf_iu_3CAxOFCl9nGSO8-BVXYDYuCH-eUn8EDcmgKISWYKnqskV-2OnZV_t2Yq8/s200/happy-meal-722952.jpg" width="161" /></a></div>Color. Texture. Design. I am a big fan of visual stimulation. I spend hours each week surfing the web --- popping in on artsy blogs and conducting countless google image searches to discover the best of what is happening in the crafty world. The time spent in this creative revery is always a treat...throw in a cupcake or a glass of wine and I have myself a Happy Meal.<br />
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While this sort of research is important for business purposes, there is a secondary benefit as well. Oftentimes, I come across a piece that ignites my own creative spark and I will obsess for days until I find an opportunity to give birth to my own creation. Sometimes my finished piece reflects the inspiration that I received, other times the connection would not be obvious to anyone but me.<br />
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So---when does INSPIRATION cross the line to EXPLOITATION? While the line is a fine one, it is often quite murky and not particularly absolute. It makes for a lot of hard feelings and wasted energy for artists involved in a dispute over a design.<br />
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<i><b>When does the work cross the line? </b></i><br />
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I had a customer contact me a few months ago. She was frustrated and irate, having just been accused by another artist of copying that artist's work. The two are not true friends, although she thought they had a friendly relationship. They would see each other at the occasional trade show and kept in touch throughout the year. Accordingly, she was shocked when she received the following email in response to a text that she had sent with some helpful information relative to a sales rep:<br />
<div style="color: #20124d;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="color: #20124d;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">I got your text today and so I wanted to write you back an email instead of a text since I actually have quite a bit to say. I am rather confused by your actions. On the one hand, you text me about reps, asking how the show went, leave Facebook messages on my page about my designs etc...as though we were friends, and then on the other hand, you have taken an idea of a necklace from me and are exploiting my design through what you consider your own....</span></i></div><div style="color: #20124d;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
....Before you texted me this morning I had actually posted a link on my Facebook to an article that I hope you will read regarding exploiting someone else's work. If you get the idea for a piece by using someone else's work, then that is stealing. Regardless of what you think, I am hurt by your actions and do not desire to be friends with someone who would do that. I go to great lengths to offer unique products, and have copyrights on all of my designs because I believe in what I am doing and I design my work without the use of others to take ideas from. <br />
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What confuses and hurts me the most is the fact that you seem to think that what you did was ok because you still remain in contact with me. I tried a while back to very subtly let you know how I felt about your taking my idea, but either you didn't pick up on what I was saying or you didn't care. The very fact that you starting creating pieces just like mine is why I chose not to share a booth with you at the [tradeshow].</span></i></div><div style="color: #20124d;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="color: #20124d;"> I guess in the end, you will do what you want to further your business and your choice of ethics is ultimately up to you, but due to the fact that I feel ripped off by you, I do not wish to remain friends. I am sure you would feel the same if the tables were turned.</span></i><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Ouch</span><span style="color: black;">. Pretty harsh stuff. Clearly, The Accuser felt wronged and The Accused felt wrongly accused. Both women are very talented. Both do a great job marketing their work. </span><span style="color: black;">My take is that they are both good, kind women and</span><span style="color: black;"> I would proudly sport a necklace made by either. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><i><b>So where is the disconnect? </b></i> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">First, lets take a look at the work at issue:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFV8x7IaMC9tseFn-bCiX5X56gzLgdk29bIVzj5o3-d6qLYoRI_GxiO_0RMsGy3a75h0_-J_1SQfFOTH1Yths-3D-Kti6pkXGpaU1uHGN08lKjkxDfcwOwJpaIXa12P47jLsO1kWJX3TS/s1600/Ashley.pendant.rev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFV8x7IaMC9tseFn-bCiX5X56gzLgdk29bIVzj5o3-d6qLYoRI_GxiO_0RMsGy3a75h0_-J_1SQfFOTH1Yths-3D-Kti6pkXGpaU1uHGN08lKjkxDfcwOwJpaIXa12P47jLsO1kWJX3TS/s200/Ashley.pendant.rev.jpg" width="167" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLE6o7JELU6j3Tvq9TvN1Iir0-u051c6ru9a1aRBwwtM2Q2XogHqyXhRa8NVyrTD4HN5TtlrHWkESPxxTjH2s0x66wzNvuhODz8bvpYr18lMpn9l5QfZHzkAVCVk190ErBFzct_oS6zT5H/s1600/Ashley.nemesis.rev2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLE6o7JELU6j3Tvq9TvN1Iir0-u051c6ru9a1aRBwwtM2Q2XogHqyXhRa8NVyrTD4HN5TtlrHWkESPxxTjH2s0x66wzNvuhODz8bvpYr18lMpn9l5QfZHzkAVCVk190ErBFzct_oS6zT5H/s200/Ashley.nemesis.rev2.jpg" width="193" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="color: black;"> Each necklace has the same 27mm Swarovski Crystal 1201 stone (in different colors) hung on a simple chain. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I pondered long and hard about the karma of this dispute and came to the conclusion that my customer should be able to sleep at night. We are talking about one Swarovski crystal stone....albeit a spectacular stone....on a chain. Period. The stone is widely available. No special techniques were employed, no complicated construction was required. If you like sparkle, you would probably hang either --or both--around your neck. Both designers have expansive product lines. This is the only item in dispute. They ARE different. One has a romantic, vintage quality. The other has a clean, modern look. Yet, one human feels victimized and another feels under attack. It sucks.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdd0bR8Q01vJ2OceRDJ6skcyhR39CLhSXvDsIU6AdMel5ukUYFMnoOV21MHU4u5MI_e_R03w-hQm1A7OPhxhbGeKJWodmFOvcOeBcKnzkmDf9ngiPzNZG-xSq9cmBuCYcIYLWPSTA_HDK/s1600/rabbit+on+stove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdd0bR8Q01vJ2OceRDJ6skcyhR39CLhSXvDsIU6AdMel5ukUYFMnoOV21MHU4u5MI_e_R03w-hQm1A7OPhxhbGeKJWodmFOvcOeBcKnzkmDf9ngiPzNZG-xSq9cmBuCYcIYLWPSTA_HDK/s200/rabbit+on+stove.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: black;"> I have been on both sides of this issue...early in my art career, long, long ago...back when I was a naive young thing... I was accused of copying the work of another artist. It totally freaked me out. No doubt, I was definitely influenced by her work, but I honestly did not think my product bore a close resemblance. I still don't. Regardless, the original artist saw my piece and went NUCLEAR. I thought she was crazy, but I backed off the design. The juice wasn't worth the squeeze and I didn't want to find my pet rabbit boiling on the stove top A La Glenn Close in <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatal_Attraction">Fatal Attraction</a></b>. On the other hand, I have also had my work copied on a very large scale. The product involved a basic design and was easy to duplicate...so it was.</span><span style="color: black;"> Yup...It sucked...but it wasn't personal---it was business. C'est La Vie. No doubt about it....Simple designs have a shorter shelf life.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I am a fiber artist. I have long avoided using the classic "felt ball" in my work because I found the humble fuzzy ball to be kind of silly...silly, that is, until I happened upon the work of <b><a href="http://www.gailcrosmanmoore.com/">Gail Crosman Moore</a></b>. Gail is talented in many genres...she is innovative and has a killer grasp of color and form. During one of my web surfing Happy Meals, I happened upon this photo:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUFgRgCuVZ5g68KNjwsvQtgSpW9xXa7jIs7bCZWk-yo60NisFWOf1MjpiyaWAt-5PKxgR271qNX4VM6t9dFE8K8I4CyiuFL5gaGvaTE-qpUMFK_We0YUjQaheSiyzAvK7T0zW96cmULbf/s1600/gail+crosman+moore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUFgRgCuVZ5g68KNjwsvQtgSpW9xXa7jIs7bCZWk-yo60NisFWOf1MjpiyaWAt-5PKxgR271qNX4VM6t9dFE8K8I4CyiuFL5gaGvaTE-qpUMFK_We0YUjQaheSiyzAvK7T0zW96cmULbf/s320/gail+crosman+moore.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><b><span style="color: black;">OMG! Be still my heart! </span></b><span style="color: black;">Felt balls that were not just interesting....they were SPECTACULAR! </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I couldn't wait to get to the felting table! Here is my version:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWe6p_Y57UEbeEZvyFmbF6j-8hau0GFpmoTCaEQPhsosYjbkWRNKBNhWNjPB0ECUWM4umkcQ-Zo83WgOdMCFcfDHm9SYr9yDvQEBwA233F2HbO2M3XkU5qAXLKItra3jKsCI2Gh2AOVjUJ/s1600/Felted+Cuff.Fuzzy+Balls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWe6p_Y57UEbeEZvyFmbF6j-8hau0GFpmoTCaEQPhsosYjbkWRNKBNhWNjPB0ECUWM4umkcQ-Zo83WgOdMCFcfDHm9SYr9yDvQEBwA233F2HbO2M3XkU5qAXLKItra3jKsCI2Gh2AOVjUJ/s320/Felted+Cuff.Fuzzy+Balls.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">They are both multi layered cuff bracelets featuring felted balls</span><span style="color: black;"> embellished with bead work</span><span style="color: black;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Uh Oh.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: black;">OH. MY. GOD. </span><span style="color: black;"> </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">They are both multi layered cuff bracelets featuring felted balls</span><span style="color: black;"> embellished with bead work</span></i><span style="color: black;"><i>!</i></span></b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Should I be able to sleep well at night? </span></div><br />
<span style="color: black;">Honestly, I have had no problem catching ZZZZZs but was curious....what would Gail Crosman Moore think? I looked at the two photos carefully and I still felt good about it....but then, I don't see a big issue with the two pendants described above. </span><span style="color: black;">Hmmmm..........I decided to shoot Gail an email and ask her opinion:</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><i>Hey there, Gail! I messaged you via FB, but wanted to make sure that I touched base with you with a more complete explanation of my quest. I am a fiber artist/crafty business owner. I have been making fiber jewelry for years and use beads/crystal embellishment in every piece.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><i>I am writing a blog post on the difference between being inspired by a piece and copying a piece. It is always such a hot button and “in the eye of the beholder” so I wanted to illustrate my point regarding inspiration with a photo of a piece you did that inspired me to make my own. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><i>You made a killer cuff bracelet (photo of your piece is attached) with embellished felt balls that knocked my socks off. I have always been a bit of a felt ball snob because most of the work that I have seen is pedestrian and kind of clownish. Your bracelet has a sophistication that wowed me and got me looking at felt balls in a whole new light. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><i>I have attached a piece of my finished product, which I perceive to be an original piece inspired by your incredible piece. I am curious as to whether or not you agree. You are the artist of the piece that inspired me…copy or inspiration? Inquiring minds want to know!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><i>Please feel free to be as honest as possible. It would be helpful to blog readers and shed light on the whole process from both perspectives, even if you want to bitch slap me. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><i>Pat Riesenburger</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">I sent the email......and then I started sweating. I looked at the photos again and compared them closely. She made a cuff bracelet. I made a cuff bracelet. She embellished with beads. I embellished with beads. <b>NOOOOOOOOOOO!</b> How have I been sleeping at night?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Much to my relief, within a few hours the following message appeared in my In Box:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><i style="color: #073763;"><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="color: #20124d; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Hello Pat,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> Thank you for your thoughtful and complimentary project.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> Absolutely no worries re: copying, I love that this bracelet of mine inspired you. Your piece is very different from mine and it makes me happy that I was a springboard towards an excited energy to carry out your piece. Well done!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> I am also happy that my piece framed a material in a new light to make it useful to you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> Enjoy, with many thanks for your openness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> Best,</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Gail</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></i></div><div style="color: #20124d; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc23r42j_x4VuALdocU71Lb9DOG7ILr5ZlLnIIyNn2Tb7dzh5AQAgcuGDIuMyXPBxsSlhsTTbpCmfbBDezfdEJqSKNoLgCwO9gR1OrEvIxYFPdFET1T9htA-MPcTGVQNpbp9g2Kv2GulAW/s1600/tightrope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc23r42j_x4VuALdocU71Lb9DOG7ILr5ZlLnIIyNn2Tb7dzh5AQAgcuGDIuMyXPBxsSlhsTTbpCmfbBDezfdEJqSKNoLgCwO9gR1OrEvIxYFPdFET1T9htA-MPcTGVQNpbp9g2Kv2GulAW/s320/tightrope.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">WHEW! I knew how I felt about it and it was nice to know that Gail agreed....I could breathe again. Thank you, Gail! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">I tend to think along the same lines...I am flattered on those occasions when my work serves to inspire another. I consider it an Art Hug.</span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #20124d; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div style="color: #20124d; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">The thing is.....Art is derivative. We are naturally influenced by the world around us. Artists who post pictures of their work online, or publish patterns in magazines, are putting their work out there for others to see. It is lovely affirmation for the artist and the exposure is good for those seeking to promote their crafty careers. However, what about the work that you see in the course of living your life? What if you decide to sell the work? When are you INSPIRED and when are you EXPLOITING? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #20124d; text-align: left;"></div><div style="color: #20124d; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">I think that it boils down to INTENT. Did my customer intend to copy the design of the Accuser? I don't think so. I think that she was excited by it, and that she was inspired by it, and that she loves Swarovski Crystal. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">She saw a stone that she admired and she wanted to use it. The construction of the necklace in question involved one stone, one bezel, one chain and a clasp. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">She has a large product line and this is the only item at issue</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">. I just cannot get my panties in a twist over this one. </span></span></div><div style="color: #20124d; text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The Accuser acknowledged that the Accused treated her as a friend, offering encouragement and support; yet, she was willing to believe that this woman would deliberately screw her over. HUH? She then handled the matter by dropping a "subtle hint" about her feelings, and when no response was forthcoming she became hurt and then angry. I have watched a number of artists respond the same way over the years. Sometimes people really do steal designs and the anger is legitimate. On other occasions, two people have similar taste. Again....I would point to the matter of INTENT. Look to the character of the person involved. If someone does something that is inconsistent with the behavior that I typically see, I do not automatically assume the worst and then write them off. I inquire. I ask about it. I COMMUNICATE. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Life is short. I don't want to spend my days mulching a Bitterness Garden, tending each grievance so carefully that it thrives, growing bigger and more toxic over the days. No....my time is better spent mulching a different sort of Garden...one filled with wonder, and creativity, and peace. Give folks the benefit of the doubt until they prove unworthy----it will make your life more pleasant.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Whaddayathink? </span></span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-57669564377664432782011-10-04T16:23:00.000-04:002011-10-04T16:23:32.718-04:00Carol Cypher, Marketing Magic, and a Middle Aged Slumber Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUo09ZIJXwuNNtkrXoVWlf5yeK3YFurLIg2FmUK3Zo-6oWOpC62O6pMmAw23M9mtpdLtbmbRYTbZr0ZeKRapum5LIY6C7uNAZEqsoYinczCYKPZwngLkL9zsIpXO-u9nHGiw0Jb5SyP1kU/s1600/hostess+with+the+mostest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUo09ZIJXwuNNtkrXoVWlf5yeK3YFurLIg2FmUK3Zo-6oWOpC62O6pMmAw23M9mtpdLtbmbRYTbZr0ZeKRapum5LIY6C7uNAZEqsoYinczCYKPZwngLkL9zsIpXO-u9nHGiw0Jb5SyP1kU/s200/hostess+with+the+mostest.jpg" width="170" /></a></div>Promotional events are the lifeblood of a spectacular retail experience. It is all about SHOPPERTAINMENT! You <b>know </b>you should do more Store Events and I <b>know</b> that I should do more Studio Events. Life often gets in the way of our intentions. After all, there are only so many hours in a day and the "Hostess with the Mostest" Ball is often the first one to get dropped in our struggle to get the bills paid. However, in the interest of practicing what I preach, I am going to share with you the evolution of a Cooperative Marketing Event that I am orchestrating in my little corner of the world. It is a first for me and I am sure that there will be some lumps and bumps along the road, but I figure that it will be a great learning and networking opportunity.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>First the idea....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXd0oSp9k_twA6Ij3DH6FmcJXsEccQCRb3RSVBpqiMQ8J7VUoTuZxtD90YPBRPMaJs3n0C8yC9a4TDrAxsZRK113hnR6LbNQyJTH3thFPXoL3RQ0fjrnmd9QRwv6VSePD97uJkeBrykkIQ/s1600/lightbulb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXd0oSp9k_twA6Ij3DH6FmcJXsEccQCRb3RSVBpqiMQ8J7VUoTuZxtD90YPBRPMaJs3n0C8yC9a4TDrAxsZRK113hnR6LbNQyJTH3thFPXoL3RQ0fjrnmd9QRwv6VSePD97uJkeBrykkIQ/s1600/lightbulb.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGC8sZimDo-_ij3fFnnqklosgHTFDFkIwTg86NqZR-PZ3p5QmxQ6QcJk-MoGhNiMKl164FmrAfQ8tpDT_LgdTP-MjLfRFPw31Ewrq7LQRLRUhkvZfOIonlEL31Kf2viZdXj4ywSwMsFTNL/s1600/hand+felted+jewelry+and+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGC8sZimDo-_ij3fFnnqklosgHTFDFkIwTg86NqZR-PZ3p5QmxQ6QcJk-MoGhNiMKl164FmrAfQ8tpDT_LgdTP-MjLfRFPw31Ewrq7LQRLRUhkvZfOIonlEL31Kf2viZdXj4ywSwMsFTNL/s1600/hand+felted+jewelry+and+beads.jpg" /></a></div>I was thumbing through my copy of <i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Felted-Jewelry-Beads-Carol-Cypher/dp/1596680059/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315321176&sr=1-1">Hand Felted Jewelry and Beads</a></b></i> this past July and found myself wishing that I could take a workshop with <b><a href="http://carolcypher.blogspot.com/">Carol Cypher</a></b>. I have been a fan for years as her work was the first that I had seen that combined felting with beads. I checked around but she wasn't teaching anywhere close by...Sigh. Maybe another time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHe9IRuoOEJOf1KZ_PIJCiMLWFo3tMta8VY1ncGNbAvx7HXS5RLdfPCZYdgDM-dmZGeIRQeT3-HyjHSKgIhU30lGX3qjh2xNOtchJs_6-3n7bKDt40QZ4uR4HnWx3CtC3_WG6823Fmf-D/s1600/brainstorm.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHe9IRuoOEJOf1KZ_PIJCiMLWFo3tMta8VY1ncGNbAvx7HXS5RLdfPCZYdgDM-dmZGeIRQeT3-HyjHSKgIhU30lGX3qjh2xNOtchJs_6-3n7bKDt40QZ4uR4HnWx3CtC3_WG6823Fmf-D/s200/brainstorm.gif" width="200" /></a>WAIT! I have a studio with plenty of space. I really, really want to take a workshop with Carol Cypher. Tampa has a large crafting community and a number of fiber and bead hobbiests. Maybe Carol could teach from MY studio. Hmmmm.....<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"> Most National Instructors charge between $375 and $575 per diem, plus all expenses relative to travel and accommodations. A quick call to Carol confirmed that her fee structure fell well within these parameters. She had one open week-end before the end of the year and I snagged it! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"> [Yup---that's me. Leap first, consider the consequences later.] </span></div><div style="color: blue; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAImNDkBsF5s0kSFZVaYJ_yVSPh9j95yGWTM3a4eCC2-lpw95FDV-lysExYUlhVAIx_S6rvzANdJfxakAG-Li28_4n-pNn5tHdKxupMmJg8jMvCGLIb58NxwfboMcNzWfQF5isFzT1dA-/s1600/twilight+in+Savannah+Bracelet+workshop+proposal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAImNDkBsF5s0kSFZVaYJ_yVSPh9j95yGWTM3a4eCC2-lpw95FDV-lysExYUlhVAIx_S6rvzANdJfxakAG-Li28_4n-pNn5tHdKxupMmJg8jMvCGLIb58NxwfboMcNzWfQF5isFzT1dA-/s200/twilight+in+Savannah+Bracelet+workshop+proposal.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>YAY! CAROL CYPHER IS COMING TO URBAN STITCH STUDIO NOVEMBER 11-13!</b></div><div style="color: blue;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVrQtnw9TO0P2BxOtYT73lxiAsYqALVQDTGfGBxM1Nfrp1lKdzKPCQJrPdoTpWMg-rkUT6infoJQTJ7L1p5lrtsFdm2RSsc4TrSic8CdoWRwJdtqRZoyvE4SXMoliP7a3kwZPfnUTHBAO/s1600/Felt+bangle+to+Bead+proposal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVrQtnw9TO0P2BxOtYT73lxiAsYqALVQDTGfGBxM1Nfrp1lKdzKPCQJrPdoTpWMg-rkUT6infoJQTJ7L1p5lrtsFdm2RSsc4TrSic8CdoWRwJdtqRZoyvE4SXMoliP7a3kwZPfnUTHBAO/s200/Felt+bangle+to+Bead+proposal.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">[Gulp. Carol Cypher is coming to Urban Stitch Studio November 11-13!] </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORsS76V7WlMV7qHACQLTd8mtAdpnW-rBQW8x9vbktxi2ChPNi2pebNumzVgX0dlAjkyiBiof6gOTj1Ds4YTMKalsyR0ogHNWuZ0uQAs8E9ONlGOclqdXTenNeYdql8N-5rQcHHGjodpf6/s1600/Fireflies+at+midnight+proposal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORsS76V7WlMV7qHACQLTd8mtAdpnW-rBQW8x9vbktxi2ChPNi2pebNumzVgX0dlAjkyiBiof6gOTj1Ds4YTMKalsyR0ogHNWuZ0uQAs8E9ONlGOclqdXTenNeYdql8N-5rQcHHGjodpf6/s200/Fireflies+at+midnight+proposal.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwf5vOLO5B-lhUj6Gyu2lz_YDsnGADyXeFhjHoxXpiws2L8FsSAQ1THqtggWDQyMRgn-J8ah9Dkc1d7y4QNV3fg4FwLZ5VKjuaxP8CW23PauZTFAYqZnzVGKBn5bIva6wlbRSsPTNWIz3V/s1600/empty-classroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwf5vOLO5B-lhUj6Gyu2lz_YDsnGADyXeFhjHoxXpiws2L8FsSAQ1THqtggWDQyMRgn-J8ah9Dkc1d7y4QNV3fg4FwLZ5VKjuaxP8CW23PauZTFAYqZnzVGKBn5bIva6wlbRSsPTNWIz3V/s200/empty-classroom.jpg" width="200" /></a>The biggest challenge: My customer email list is composed of Brick and Mortar Shopkeepers throughout the country, not crafters in the Tampa Bay area. Clearly, my existing email list is NOT going to fill Carol's classes. What to do? What to do?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">[What if no one signs up? What if I am the only one in the class? What if there is a hurricane?</span><span style="color: blue;"> First inklings of self doubt start to plague me. </span><span style="color: blue;">]</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXd0oSp9k_twA6Ij3DH6FmcJXsEccQCRb3RSVBpqiMQ8J7VUoTuZxtD90YPBRPMaJs3n0C8yC9a4TDrAxsZRK113hnR6LbNQyJTH3thFPXoL3RQ0fjrnmd9QRwv6VSePD97uJkeBrykkIQ/s1600/lightbulb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXd0oSp9k_twA6Ij3DH6FmcJXsEccQCRb3RSVBpqiMQ8J7VUoTuZxtD90YPBRPMaJs3n0C8yC9a4TDrAxsZRK113hnR6LbNQyJTH3thFPXoL3RQ0fjrnmd9QRwv6VSePD97uJkeBrykkIQ/s1600/lightbulb.jpg" /></a></div><b>BRIGHT IDEA!</b> I decided to call a couple of the local craft store owners to see if they wanted to split the cost/share the profits of the workshops. The gals I talked to love the idea of a National Instructor, but no one was keen on the idea of sharing expenses. <i><b>EPIC FAIL</b></i>. <span style="color: blue;">[Gulp].</span><br />
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NO! Failure is not an option. Carol is amazing. There is a dearth of amazing instructors in Tampa Bay. I just need to figure out how to make this work. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ruminate. Ruminate. Ruminate some more.</b></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXd0oSp9k_twA6Ij3DH6FmcJXsEccQCRb3RSVBpqiMQ8J7VUoTuZxtD90YPBRPMaJs3n0C8yC9a4TDrAxsZRK113hnR6LbNQyJTH3thFPXoL3RQ0fjrnmd9QRwv6VSePD97uJkeBrykkIQ/s1600/lightbulb.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXd0oSp9k_twA6Ij3DH6FmcJXsEccQCRb3RSVBpqiMQ8J7VUoTuZxtD90YPBRPMaJs3n0C8yC9a4TDrAxsZRK113hnR6LbNQyJTH3thFPXoL3RQ0fjrnmd9QRwv6VSePD97uJkeBrykkIQ/s1600/lightbulb.jpg" /></a><b>BRIGHT IDEA!</b> Clearly, I need to keep costs to a minimum. After some mental hemming and hawing, I got up the nerve to call Carol and asked if she would be willing to stay in my home rather than a hotel. We are almost pals, after all. I offered a comfortable bed, wonderful home cooked meals and even promised that my dogs were well behaved. <span style="color: blue;">[well...they are. Kinda sorta.] </span> She graciously agreed. <span style="color: blue;">[Whew. OK, this might just work out]</span><br />
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Although I was able to save on hotel/car rental expenses, I still need to cover Carol's teaching fees as well as airfare, so it is critical to get the word out to area crafters. What is the best way to let them know that a Beading Rock Star will be in their midst? <span style="color: blue;">[Hmmmmm....While the store owners didn't want to take on financial risk, I wondered if they might be willing to jump on board in a different capacity......]</span><br />
<b> </b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ruminate. Ruminate. Ruminate some more.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b>BRIGHT IDEA. </b>I sent an email to several local craft stores, choosing those who had some miles between them in an effort to avoid sending emails to direct "competitors" to the extent possible. My email was entitled "Cross Promotion Opportunity" and detailed my decision to host Carol Cypher at Urban Stitch Studio for a series of felting and beading workshops that might be of interest to their customer base. <br />
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I included a coupon code offering their customers 5% off any Carol Cypher workshop fee, as well as a 5% referral fee for each shopkeeper. Participating stores would agree to post a <i><b><a href="http://www.urbanstitchstudio.com/category_s/97.htm">coupon</a> </b></i>on my site offering 10% off supplies purchased for the workshops. Finally, I offered each retail store owner who participated one free workshop with Carol.<br />
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I wanted to make participation easy, so I included a <i><b><a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B8YgukOQT8_qZjhhM2ViNTgtZjllNi00YmQ1LWEyZmUtYTVjZjczOGIyM2Nm&hl=en_US">PDF flyer</a></b></i> touting the event for electronic dissemination by the store owner. I figure that it is a win-win. I am not selling supplies that compete with any of the businesses that I approached, but we all have a similar customer base. The stores get to avoid the financial risk, have something fun to talk about with their customers, and get the AWESOME OPPORTUNITY to take a free workshop with Carol. I get to build my customer email list while fulfilling my need to work with Carol Cypher. Happy Sigh.<br />
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<i><b>HOW COOL IS THAT?</b></i><br />
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Reaction has been very positive and the classes are starting to fill up. We still have some availability, so I figure that I will send out a press release as well as email all of the local bead and fiber guilds in the next week or so. I am totally stoked about this event, but am taking it one step further. I invited Felty Diva Marlene Gruetter of<a href="http://stores.feltingmadness.com/StoreFront.bok"> <b>Marlene's Felting Madness</b></a> to join us for the week-end, and to my delight, she will make the trek from Ohio. Carol and Marlene know and like one another, so I figure that it might as well be a slumber party! My husband agreed to head out of town to visit his mom for the week-end, which means we have the house to ourselves. In fact, I still have two extra bedrooms so if any Crafty Retailer needs a creative week-end getaway, let me know! The energy is sure to be INCREDIBLE and I am counting the days to the big event. I know it will be fun...but with a little luck and elbow grease, maybe it will be profitable as well!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-9000344352347207032011-09-28T17:33:00.001-04:002011-09-28T17:37:21.052-04:00...Become an "Inspiration Destination" to get your Share of the Craft Dollar!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3WgQLZr1ZcmsnUzRSBEXgdtajhTSV-gj3YO033bmBEDb3aK0DDGcwVEKD9RO9vhNi4ydM0_fSLvt8URpfwEFALQ8U9oxPboXnN3WG86Pmj5NvfltxBpJIN3Uj30zauntv7vIvy0i_Z47/s1600/steven+be.blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3WgQLZr1ZcmsnUzRSBEXgdtajhTSV-gj3YO033bmBEDb3aK0DDGcwVEKD9RO9vhNi4ydM0_fSLvt8URpfwEFALQ8U9oxPboXnN3WG86Pmj5NvfltxBpJIN3Uj30zauntv7vIvy0i_Z47/s200/steven+be.blog.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>There are certain people who emanate creative light---you know the sort I mean---each idea is more inventive than the last, their humor is infectious, filling the world with laughter, and the day is just a tad sunnier for having encountered them. <i><b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/yarngarage">Steven Berg</a></b></i> is that guy for me. I met him at a TNNA trade show a few years back and have spoken to him only a few times since. He probably doesn't have a clue that I am a groupie because our contact has been infrequent. <br />
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Nonetheless, I have followed his career with interest. I yam what I yam----a Steven Be groupie.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf91qsIn5GjK7rhwotB6FEIy28_qZtAU3EPOy8ovsnRvSec0FQ8rquOd4llp9QIGKWQT2N2N1z9ATCapmakWfQjrz6P9_ITuHr7na9Zt1Zv24g-Dy7dPIB1C0-KJb3My-Y_-gR1_eEYwdJ/s1600/vintage+barbie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf91qsIn5GjK7rhwotB6FEIy28_qZtAU3EPOy8ovsnRvSec0FQ8rquOd4llp9QIGKWQT2N2N1z9ATCapmakWfQjrz6P9_ITuHr7na9Zt1Zv24g-Dy7dPIB1C0-KJb3My-Y_-gR1_eEYwdJ/s320/vintage+barbie.JPG" width="313" /></a></div>Steven grew up around yarn. His mother, Christina, owned a yarn shop and taught Steven to knit at an early age. The shop was in a charming turn of the century building, that was evocative of Ike's General Store from The Waltons television show, replete with dome glass counters. Steven learned the importance of ambiance at an early age. He had an eye for fashion and was designing elaborate Barbie clothes by age eight. His love of design brought him to the fashion industry where he had an international career throughout Hong Kong, Milan, Paris and Miami. However, corporate settings have a way of putting distance between the artist and the artistic process, leaving Steven clamoring for a more creative experience.<br />
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After 30 years in the fashion industry, Steven moved to Rosemount, Minnesota and went into business with his sister, Monika. The pair founded <i><b><a href="http://www.yarngarage.com/index.html">The Yarn Garage</a></b></i> in 2003. The endeavor proved to be an immediate success and he branched out with his latest venture, <i><b><a href="http://stevenbe.com/index.html">Steven Be</a>, </b></i>located in Minneapolis. The store is housed in an old firehouse that Steven lovingly restored. It is off the beaten path in a not quite "up and coming" neighborhood, but Steven figured that someone had to start the gentrification process and decided he was going to be the one. <br />
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He has created something special and he has the cash register receipts to prove it. In a location with little visibility, in a city that has its share of economic challenges, Steven Be is growing. The store is profitable and revenues are increasing every year. Impressive, indeed, at a time when craft stores are shutting the doors with depressing regularity.<br />
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<i><b>So what is Steven Berg doing right?</b></i><br />
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Lots! He is warm, talented, engaging, confident and delightfully eccentric, with hints of vulnerability peeking through when you least expect it. Frankly, his complete and utter humanity is enchanting. He clearly has a great deal going for him, but the key to his success lies with his ability to truly inspire others. <i>He makes magic.</i> Where the average knitter might see a ball of yarn as nothing more than a pretty possibility, Steven sees<i><b> the </b><b>MAGIC</b></i> <i><b>of its potential</b></i>. Hang with him long enough and you see the magic, too. He is infectious and inspiring. In Steven's world "There are no mistakes, only variations." I like that philosophy....it is easier to try something new if you can't fail and Steven makes you think that failure is damn near impossible. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9YT8llXexbR61dkDPCCuA4A4FIBn_m-XfMlBVHJrhtSJAQNfVbw1eIHN00ULnPc4ebOOSFUq_rYDZ4qfzXPrNhiuRhcjaAKeASlDCX9_nzb8zN5TBLxyW4IYTlRsya96S8DucoUet7YZ/s1600/StevenBeAd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9YT8llXexbR61dkDPCCuA4A4FIBn_m-XfMlBVHJrhtSJAQNfVbw1eIHN00ULnPc4ebOOSFUq_rYDZ4qfzXPrNhiuRhcjaAKeASlDCX9_nzb8zN5TBLxyW4IYTlRsya96S8DucoUet7YZ/s400/StevenBeAd.jpg" width="322" /></a></div>His store is overflowing with delightful fiber confections. His has an eye for the best and most unusual in fibers, earning him the nickname the "Glitter Knitter." There are fanciful and luxurious samples <i>everywhere</i>! Do you want diaper bag trimmed in Possum Fur for your daughter in law? No problem...he will whip one up! Rocker Son desires a shirt made from VHS tape for his American Idol debut? Easy enough! His advice to new knitters....Don't make something that you can buy in a department store. His customers quickly develop pride in, and an appreciation for, the art of fiber craft. Lucky them!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrsrgbPR_IdSxnQoFVDhitupJ3TsAAwSZNk-0kfngtvMaxyYJzDY48TVrX6sYX7cKwXhHbMg0f0Ue83iQ2xb12jb-VfdmQ40YE79ZIleIg2Oe_2lzW24HzMXhTDa0imAkESYpFwwwPuPe/s1600/StevenBerg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrsrgbPR_IdSxnQoFVDhitupJ3TsAAwSZNk-0kfngtvMaxyYJzDY48TVrX6sYX7cKwXhHbMg0f0Ue83iQ2xb12jb-VfdmQ40YE79ZIleIg2Oe_2lzW24HzMXhTDa0imAkESYpFwwwPuPe/s320/StevenBerg.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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Steven is an artist with a keen eye for business. He has an incredible staff to handle Social Media as well as some of the more annoying "process oriented" tasks that seem to plague us artistic types. His space is a mecca for other yarn artists---beautifully appointed, with comfortable chairs throughout to encourage communal knitting. The show stopper is an amazingly opulent chandelier that is delightfully decadent. He even has a stage that is used on Sundays and for special events, where he features musicians, artists, and other creative types to entertain his customers. He is all about giving back to the local community---offering up-and-coming artists a place to showcase their work, seeking out and paying young fiber artists the price that they need (and deserve) for the beautiful yarn that they dye and spin for him. As is often the case with those who give without expectation of a return, Steven's generous heart has cultivated a cult like following. You know, the whole karma thing.<br />
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He believes that it his job to educate himself and to bring his customers along with him on the journey. He spends a lot of time on research, although he admitted that he orders inventory with his heart, rather than his head. Steven noted that although he is not impervious to the effects of the recession, he believes that <i><b>if you inspire your clientele, the spending will follow.</b></i> True that! The stores that have devolved into little more than a place to warehouse product are going to be hard pressed to survive. Every crafty retailer knows that virtually any product can be purchased more cheaply online than at the local craft store. It is what does or dos not happen at the store that will drive customer in---or away. Steven worked seven days a week for two years to bring Steven Be from a gleam in his eye to the destination shop that is has become.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgGDvtctvbfZqeNO7991F9n6w5BtAyy2QmvZfh0v8pXeKuWz0Egk9wVlUsqX86CK-bHWlo1VHkUEIwZG-QNlCIKT13wvoQ28WrPoYu_PyVKNamj7q5pPG2LHlLaltQz4eE8e_ZXOVOQ7l/s1600/BaroqueJacketMain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgGDvtctvbfZqeNO7991F9n6w5BtAyy2QmvZfh0v8pXeKuWz0Egk9wVlUsqX86CK-bHWlo1VHkUEIwZG-QNlCIKT13wvoQ28WrPoYu_PyVKNamj7q5pPG2LHlLaltQz4eE8e_ZXOVOQ7l/s320/BaroqueJacketMain.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>Special events rule the day at Steven Be. Steven's customers go to him for community, inspiration, and excitement and he makes certain that there is something going on ALL of the time....catered lunches, concerts, knit-a-longs, specialty classes, fashion shows, live demonstrations, even Skype interviews with industry stars. Steven is a believer in technology and has made it a friend rather than a foe. Customers are encouraged to use the store computer to find patterns and crafty inspiration. He identifies a niche and fills it. For example, Steven is aware that many yarn store owners look down on crochet and has therefore vowed to become a crochet Mecca, using fibers not traditionally associated with crochet to craft fuzzy masterpieces.<br />
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He is quick to give kudos to industry giant Jennifer Hanson of <i><b><a href="http://www.stitchdiva.com/default.aspx">Stitch Diva Studios</a></b></i> for her role in the current crochet revival. Jennifer's sexy and contemporary designs have brought crochet a long way since your mom's granny square toaster cover. Her designs feature sophisticated stitches such as broomstick, tunisian, and hairpin lace crochet. Really yummy stuff....I used her <b><a href="http://www.stitchdiva.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=SDS-005">Baroque pattern </a></b>a few years ago and trimmed it with Swarovski crystal yarn. It is a special piece, for sure!<br />
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One of Steven's epic wins is his marketing of Store Memberships, which are available in a broad range, from the $19 "Glitteroti Day Pass" to the "Glitter Diva Lifetime Membership." The high end membership costs $459 and entitles the recipient to 10% off all merchandise, reduced class and event fees, and 40 hours of month of Steven Be-Inn time. I wasn't surprised to learn that he has more than 50 Glitter Diva members. The man is a marketing genius with a genuine interest in making his customers happy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshJxxgnaQGSLZEAJ6n8cXx6vqMxgL0RydQgFzPSn0nq9FEzMZz6UwHyK7JD9vZtI89K1_wQiKbjGLVYgH25t0g2Mm5gMroW0uMz7EmkodNusGjYqb_M7CKjWSoCuJcAx6yK-A7I0Uj2e2/s1600/stevenbemembership.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshJxxgnaQGSLZEAJ6n8cXx6vqMxgL0RydQgFzPSn0nq9FEzMZz6UwHyK7JD9vZtI89K1_wQiKbjGLVYgH25t0g2Mm5gMroW0uMz7EmkodNusGjYqb_M7CKjWSoCuJcAx6yK-A7I0Uj2e2/s400/stevenbemembership.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><br />
Steven told me that he surrounds himself with youth and I urge you not to underestimate the importance of maintaining a youthful vibe. No matter how hip we are at 50, lets face it, we are talking being "hip" at "50." My kids would say that the two are mutually exclusive. The meanest of them would also add that he had just thrown up in his mouth. Whatever. There is definitely a cool version of 50, 60, 70, 80 and beyond, so long as the folks who are judging are equally age endowed. Am I right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYv-5ApYJASTCvue8LJnVJOxkZABCF1RnivOnT77lpos1voWTIBH9YLHfNAXhgdFzmw6bVQf1F6lMIk9G-OcOYbCsW77sjistYoudRLDM2QyWS6Wd2UDoBp6ZjTbsGTDHLiZSxwJmGiDy/s1600/tattooed+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYv-5ApYJASTCvue8LJnVJOxkZABCF1RnivOnT77lpos1voWTIBH9YLHfNAXhgdFzmw6bVQf1F6lMIk9G-OcOYbCsW77sjistYoudRLDM2QyWS6Wd2UDoBp6ZjTbsGTDHLiZSxwJmGiDy/s200/tattooed+girl.jpg" width="200" /></a>That being said, retailers need to stay relevant. There is a HUGE group of crafters in the under 30 category. Despite what you think, many of them are big spenders because they have real jobs and no kids. Do not overlook this market! The best way to know what is "cool" is to surround yourself with cool! Pick the brains of the young crafters and artists in your market. I recently took a tatting class at a relatively staid "typical" yarn store. The gal who taught the class was a generously pierced and colorfully tattooed young woman who shared with the class that she had only recently taught herself to tat by watching hours and hours of You Tube Videos. True Confession: I was expecting to be taught by a 107 year old European woman who had learned at the feet of her whiskered grandmother. Go figure...serves me right for assuming. The tatting instructor was a store employee with true passion for fiber crafts. No one in the area has offered a tatting class before and I have been wanting to learn, but lacked the desire to spend hours and hours watching You Tube videos. The young teacher has an obvious desire to learn new skills and Store Owner was smart to have hired her even though she did not fit the store customer demographic. She adds a different perspective to the "classic" yarn store. <br />
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But I digress....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KxnfXjaGSkU8XGibD0CTvTWzP8gqUdP1TLZ_P1oRi-n9s5kw0xj_Tdle88FXXsPWfcLnx7TSFO24dhyphenhyphen9_zZXYYu7qWvwoBYy5aHTKVySXryoT6Mdn4DxqaUycQEBcyrXGdp6t8zsoNBs/s1600/fiber+mixologist.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KxnfXjaGSkU8XGibD0CTvTWzP8gqUdP1TLZ_P1oRi-n9s5kw0xj_Tdle88FXXsPWfcLnx7TSFO24dhyphenhyphen9_zZXYYu7qWvwoBYy5aHTKVySXryoT6Mdn4DxqaUycQEBcyrXGdp6t8zsoNBs/s400/fiber+mixologist.JPG" width="248" /></a>Steven likes a youthful vibe in the shop, but he is intractable in his quest to hire staff members who are very strong technically, well versed in the craft and art of fiber. He cares less about past retail experience than love of fiber, noting that he considers himself a "Fiber Mixologist." <br />
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The passion shows. He is selling an experience and stressed the importance of maintaining a stage face, because, in his words<br />
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....It is a wonderful day everyday at Steven Be!<br />
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I am a believer.<br />
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Steven Be<br />
A Yarn Garage Workshop<br />
3448 Chicago Avenue<br />
Minneapolis, MN 55407<br />
612-259-7525 <br />
Email Steven <i><b><a href="mailto:Steven@YarnGarage.com">here.</a></b></i><br />
Sign up for his newsletter <i><b><a href="http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001te_v6vSd9juljkak0mpGgob0YREdfjOqCPpZV-gZtqV1AJEZbvHFdpQj3e4Rqb5CAStq6CM9fus%3D">here</a>.</b></i><br />
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SPECIAL HOLIDAY INVENTORY POSSIBILITY:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP2isc7p2auxnzPsG2dUY_Ik5WQ9ysqk7kJhhZpS9UP5Uh_a1RRaZQNM-gGD8SNgZlL71bhHVd_7nMaTZ-cIt1K7vAoqVd2Ggmak_pXiL713eFo0DsJKTSulbvCWOqGEfXGR27m7Gvmgu/s1600/yarn+glasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP2isc7p2auxnzPsG2dUY_Ik5WQ9ysqk7kJhhZpS9UP5Uh_a1RRaZQNM-gGD8SNgZlL71bhHVd_7nMaTZ-cIt1K7vAoqVd2Ggmak_pXiL713eFo0DsJKTSulbvCWOqGEfXGR27m7Gvmgu/s200/yarn+glasses.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I happened upon this adorable knitting glassware during my daily web travels. <i><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/BreadandBadger?ref=ls_profile">BreadandBadger</a></b></i> is owned by Amanda and Sean Siska, a husband and wife team on Etsy. They create a variety of gift items for the knitting enthusiast, including a soap dispenser, various containers, and assorted bar ware. Best part...they offer <b><a href="http://www.breadandbadger.com/policies/wholesale-signup/">wholesale pricing</a></b>. Check them out if you are interested in adding some gift items to the sales floor this holiday season!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>IN OTHER NEWS</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZJppybMnOtUQX4SZWtkmaLKx2wMRxzz3BNNDiZ_h11G0DXTUtxVfdThh_BOROzZDkQ0JF88Ojre-xFCUIQmpt218vmkZa_yAjIveH__4AwcPQhFE-eRC4zQ_ApX3jDV45IerGJJ2a6un/s1600/urban+stitch.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZJppybMnOtUQX4SZWtkmaLKx2wMRxzz3BNNDiZ_h11G0DXTUtxVfdThh_BOROzZDkQ0JF88Ojre-xFCUIQmpt218vmkZa_yAjIveH__4AwcPQhFE-eRC4zQ_ApX3jDV45IerGJJ2a6un/s1600/urban+stitch.2.jpg" /></a>Check out my <i><b><a href="http://urbanstitchstudio.blogspot.com/2011/09/losing-my-mojo-rosies-garden-and-search.html">stitching blog</a></b></i>! We are having an awesome give away featuring the hand dyed embroidery floss in Sunset, pictured in the martini glass above. Your name will be entered in the drawing when you leave a comment on this weeks post,<span style="font-size: small;"> <i><b><a href="http://urbanstitchstudio.blogspot.com/2011/09/losing-my-mojo-rosies-garden-and-search.html">Losing my Mojo, Rosie's Garden, and the Search for Tranquility.</a></b></i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-82581796515986915022011-07-27T15:30:00.001-04:002011-07-27T16:03:40.760-04:00Can't we all just get along? Bashing your Competition is bad karma, bad for business, and just plain yucky.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh681H5IcG2hHNpXzJr88E8coFlg08R42XRYjresdxWHKWj3Fblcbc0f0mBk1C6o2C1vLy7oVOutcaXWQiRS6FghemXGjSPt_y__gvjRBz0k9gozqiBrwZylQ6ee7tJn9v40MfpeNvvg9K2/s1600/gossiping_old_ladies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh681H5IcG2hHNpXzJr88E8coFlg08R42XRYjresdxWHKWj3Fblcbc0f0mBk1C6o2C1vLy7oVOutcaXWQiRS6FghemXGjSPt_y__gvjRBz0k9gozqiBrwZylQ6ee7tJn9v40MfpeNvvg9K2/s320/gossiping_old_ladies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Crafty Retail can be awesome, but some days it is kind of like high school. Yup, high school with wrinkles. Snarky competitors love to make snide comments when your customers are in their stores, and snarky customers love to come back to you to spread the news....all in your best interest, of course. They just "think you should know." Sigh. <br />
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A wise friend once told me that every fight she ever had with her husband boiled down to one of two basic scenarios: one of them felt that his/her <i>sense of security</i> was threatened, or that his/her <i>sense of significance</i> was threatened. SECURITY and SIGNIFICANCE...wow....she is right. Think about your last fight with a significant other....I bet that you can see security or significance at play. I see it in myself, and I see it in my family. Heck, I even see it in my dogs.<br />
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It is the exact same in Crafty Retail! When the economy is great, and there are as many customers lined up at <i>your</i> door as are at the door of your competitor, you can afford to be magnanimous. You know----C'est La Vie, Live and Let Live and all that chirpy stuff. However, when you are worried about making the rent payment, you might not always be up to singing Kum Ba Yah with the lady stealing "your" customers/money/ideas, etc.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4sl4nJJOGFISGL2ciC_kH6W5EmIf_6ezDu2fag5YhoYw4b3W3CVGxmCsndvgXdn3-YXyoCzBomychxMFekivOCAl2QPSuW6G1u0PVJyy9CKJumwTKrtTt9T6Zf2SowsUKqe5FVka0fHp/s1600/low+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4sl4nJJOGFISGL2ciC_kH6W5EmIf_6ezDu2fag5YhoYw4b3W3CVGxmCsndvgXdn3-YXyoCzBomychxMFekivOCAl2QPSuW6G1u0PVJyy9CKJumwTKrtTt9T6Zf2SowsUKqe5FVka0fHp/s200/low+road.jpg" width="200" /></a>The economy is a bitch so the security and sense of significance for crafty retailers is under attack. Although it is not surprising that there seems to be a tad more bitchy going around these days, it is kind of gross. I am always a little bit amazed that smart, savvy business owners fall into the trap.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQqDpAzvR4Wyt-b8saT9ElWxUbfwtK8iIFdF7OpS7WLwh8WNJdiXQgDXw3A4Bqd8inO-5zgEfyMSwpHgJ5qZDwolph8Cd7qG8WsZsYyP2XOS4COkUTFTOHvg_vcDBEpeHU5nZzEtyNTnj/s1600/good+bitch+bad+bitch.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQqDpAzvR4Wyt-b8saT9ElWxUbfwtK8iIFdF7OpS7WLwh8WNJdiXQgDXw3A4Bqd8inO-5zgEfyMSwpHgJ5qZDwolph8Cd7qG8WsZsYyP2XOS4COkUTFTOHvg_vcDBEpeHU5nZzEtyNTnj/s1600/good+bitch+bad+bitch.gif" /></a></div>The most common form of Crafty Retail Snarkiness that I hear about is the casually dropped "I've heard that her store is not doing so well." This is typically said in a hushed sympathetic tone that implies that the Rancorous Retailer would actually be upset if the competitor closed. PUH-LEESE! You aren't fooling anybody and your bitchiness is showing.<br />
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You might do it the same way that my sweet voiced Texas 'friend' does...she ALWAYS punctuates her Acid Sweet Snarkiness with the phrase---- "poor little thing!" as if it will serve to neutralize her bitchiness:<br />
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<br />
<div style="color: blue; text-align: center;"><i>"Have you seen Suzie? My God, that dress she has on makes her look ridiculous!<b><br />
</b></i> </div><div style="color: blue; text-align: center;"><i><b>...poor little thing!"</b></i></div><br />
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<b>YUCK!</b> I admit, it is funny as hell, but it is still yucky.<br />
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Don't fall into the Rancorous Retailer trap! I get that we are in a business that is riddled with estrogen. I get that we are stressed out, that our parents need extra help as they transition from old age to infirm, that the babysitter quit, and that you are worried about making your rent payment, but still....don't do it!<br />
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I know one shop owner that truly has the patience of Job. She has held her head high and kept her own mouth shut while dealing with a competitor who is mean spirited, at best. This Rancorous Retailer has spread ridiculous rumors about her, which include, but is certainly not limited to, the one where she tells folks that the Crafty Retailer has a disabled child that she leaves at home --all alone--because she is uncomfortable being around the wheelchair bound child. Bear in mind that the "victim" retailer has no kids! WTF?<br />
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Weird, huh? I mean, seriously! Where does the lady come up with this stuff? Both women have been in business for years and each has a loyal following. The Crafty Retailer is growing frustrated, her feelings are hurt, and she worries that her business is impacted by the slander.<br />
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<i><b>What is the Crafty Retailer to do?</b></i><br />
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This is a tough one. I think that I would consider either of the following:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKZQ5aQzwLeYkLKOVlBdSZ5FxrRxb-hBsha3X7XhxFpa_Q-pJi6FJdgHUdtds7snSdSgkh7nGzsecsyK7Kp3YijIvdfqFcKjG2hT8Om4Vh_1OZ6ETs2E2coLK4sJWsFSZ1RpTVCEqk2F6/s1600/honey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKZQ5aQzwLeYkLKOVlBdSZ5FxrRxb-hBsha3X7XhxFpa_Q-pJi6FJdgHUdtds7snSdSgkh7nGzsecsyK7Kp3YijIvdfqFcKjG2hT8Om4Vh_1OZ6ETs2E2coLK4sJWsFSZ1RpTVCEqk2F6/s200/honey.jpg" width="182" /></a>1. Contact the Rancorous Retailer and ask to schedule time to get together to work on a joint marketing venture. Send her an email so that you don't catch her off guard. Completely ignore the past animosity and work on something together. Yes, really! Consider a Shop Hop or a project that requires a visit to each store. This woman is a bitch because she is insecure...remember, it is all about security and significance. This will appeal to both and make her feel weirder about trashing you in the future. You really DO catch more flies with honey than vinegar!<br />
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2. Ignore it. Who has time for the drama? Note: ignoring it means REALLY ignoring it. If you are whining about it, you are not ignoring it. Give yourself a 24 hour whine limit per occurrence, otherwise you are playing along. <br />
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What about you? How would you handle the Rancorous Retailer? Inquiring minds want to know!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>In other news:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking for an inexpensive way to expand your market base? Consider starting a Meet Up group. It is not the same as a ladies night out, or a stitch and bitch session because you have the chance to attract people way outside of your normal reach.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hOBWs9Zj1XbbzOhYwXUIrAzqT9ELPQQ22jjHIhNL3T_tJVJ3W9The7zn0S_d9zVmXYMEhSaNUJyYbWGV2T6R36LrTuZOyHWx4WTWqa3FjQe8v5ii2Cky2kw6-vSps58-AvvlXwkcCrQ0/s1600/Beads+meet+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hOBWs9Zj1XbbzOhYwXUIrAzqT9ELPQQ22jjHIhNL3T_tJVJ3W9The7zn0S_d9zVmXYMEhSaNUJyYbWGV2T6R36LrTuZOyHWx4WTWqa3FjQe8v5ii2Cky2kw6-vSps58-AvvlXwkcCrQ0/s320/Beads+meet+up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had an opportunity to attend a<b> <a href="http://www.meetup.com/beads-tampa/">Beads Meet Up</a></b> group hosted by Holly Hancock of <b><a href="http://ebeads.com/index.aspx?gclid=CPHWx7eboqoCFUlx5QodbiOEVQ">Beads</a></b> last week. Fourteen women attended and a local restaurant delivered dinner for anyone who was interested. Holly had a sweet little spiral bracelet project on the agenda and sent everyone a supply list before the event. Some ladies came with all of their supplies, while others (like me!) bought everything they needed (and then some!) that night.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRCMPupkteUAa7OsHOiqu8yqC2odzt3Ba42k7qIZ6RsB0ZHmmY0Frnq6fzZ07ML-fuzkkSkjw5yFxlVEKKVGefBV7AOsXZwZR0_iZmUtxxPhe9BmlloLy9GT-YDFOH4nnLRMzU4k3i7Ao/s1600/beads.spiral.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRCMPupkteUAa7OsHOiqu8yqC2odzt3Ba42k7qIZ6RsB0ZHmmY0Frnq6fzZ07ML-fuzkkSkjw5yFxlVEKKVGefBV7AOsXZwZR0_iZmUtxxPhe9BmlloLy9GT-YDFOH4nnLRMzU4k3i7Ao/s200/beads.spiral.JPG" width="162" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Holly told me that although the group started out slowly, it built up over time and is now an important part of her store "community." It has attained the status of "special event" and sales make it well worth the effort. It was certainly apparent that the MeetUp members agree. Barley, the shop mascot, ran to the door with each new arrival, even barking at some favorites as he saw their cars pull into the parking lot. Store Regular Bonnie Anderson entertained me when she got Barley to do a "high five" to earn his treat.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwJ5d2lIuc3aVyyTp9fOl-POab7u54AvMMLcEvn35wzVvjDrkRvlsi8qzUbdeJwxUIylh__yRem3g6_v1oZGdn_bnhgGygsb9tEeEUWHAMxXT81ZZS_IBVBij47f-pjSvXLY8U9_wKlle/s1600/beads+high+five.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwJ5d2lIuc3aVyyTp9fOl-POab7u54AvMMLcEvn35wzVvjDrkRvlsi8qzUbdeJwxUIylh__yRem3g6_v1oZGdn_bnhgGygsb9tEeEUWHAMxXT81ZZS_IBVBij47f-pjSvXLY8U9_wKlle/s400/beads+high+five.JPG" width="338" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Holly has organized two separate groups...one for beading and another for dichroic glass. The cost to the organizer is minimal. In fact, two weeks ago I formed my own little Fiber Meet Up group in my area, to be sponsored by new "Retail Lite" venture, <a href="http://www.urbanstitchstudio.com/">Urban Stitch Studio</a>. We already have 10 members and I will be hosting our first meet up event this Saturday. Wish me luck! </span></span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvhjACi3avXU2fKzlSvwIRohLF_ApgzjeB3xElNToeATxi2A_OAFjckFWZ6zUqUwh-kAAKbT3b7ulR6y1DGu1xOUJyLAkqDGrtnemd4GbBQGQ3Yo_lOzNxxiPnC4nA7JZY9UnRudeNiIy/s1600/beads.spiral.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-59122849261816582302011-07-13T14:04:00.000-04:002011-07-13T14:04:27.892-04:00Refine Your Crafty Business to Get the Life You Want!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibi_7k8poyCDKptjYmKYrr9KicWj2kxOO_oX4Q28Z6-wimujQIQqjIxb2cUjFQ3-wCUsRZBRsdhRfL3QQDD6cBf2PxEAP-_39LO0JVvm_HafMZVHtIDTHbjsl36mzTuEhBmK9WrSMGwtQL/s1600/local+craft+store.lost+motivation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibi_7k8poyCDKptjYmKYrr9KicWj2kxOO_oX4Q28Z6-wimujQIQqjIxb2cUjFQ3-wCUsRZBRsdhRfL3QQDD6cBf2PxEAP-_39LO0JVvm_HafMZVHtIDTHbjsl36mzTuEhBmK9WrSMGwtQL/s200/local+craft+store.lost+motivation.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We have been blogging a bit about the state of the brick and mortar craft store and it is fair to say that times are changing. There was a time when a creative individual with a passion for knitting/beading/scrapbooking/etc. could open up a store with relative ease. I opened my store that way...I loved to bead, wanted to spread the love, had a tolerant husband and some friends who were willing to go into business with me. Voila! I was a retailer. The rent was reasonable, customers were plentiful, competition was non-existent. Life was GREAT!<br />
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...until it wasn't. I lost my motivation.<br />
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Several competitors popped up and many were much better financed. Customers became more demanding as the craft world became larger and the choices more plentiful. My partners and I started squabbling. Internet stores began to appear and I recognized that the competition would be an additional burden. The business took too much time away from my family. My husband became less tolerant. I felt frazzled and frustrated. I was busier than ever, but seemed to be accomplishing less. I was burnt out. My partners were burnt out. Sound familiar? It wasn't working any more and the bead shop was sold. It was a happy day for all of us ---a great burden had been lifted from our shoulders, but only one friendship survived.<br />
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Running a successful retail business is not easy. It takes a wicked amount of time, energy, focus, and money. It is hard. It is getting harder. It is no longer enough to have a well stocked shop and a knowledgeable staff. Today's Crafty Retailer must master Social Media (if you are not on Facebook, GET on Facebook!), design inspiring classes, have an interactive e-commerce website, plan promotional events, send out weekly newsletters, and more. It is exhausting just thinking about it.<br />
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Many retailers are deciding that the personal sacrifice is no longer worth it. I had an opportunity to speak with Kim Schweitzer, who recently made the decision to close her bead shop, <b><a href="http://www.emmibeads.com/">EmMi Beads</a></b>, in upstate New York. Kim was a savvy retailer...she has a business background as well as a creative streak. She opened her store 5 1/2 years ago and watched her business expand and grow over the years. She was lucky to have a wonderful support team. Her husband did her books, her artistic and bead loving daughter worked at the shop, and her mom was her right hand relative to operations.. She recently took on a larger space and business was good. Unfortunately, life happens and Kim found that the demands on her time were growing exponentially. Her daughter's interest understandably waned as she entered college, her father grew ill and her mother's focus was required elsewhere. Kim believed that she was no longer able to be the mother/daughter/retailer that she wanted to be....her plate was beyond full and she "felt as though [she] was not doing a single thing well." I absolutely know where she is coming from and I bet that you do, too.<br />
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The loss of her father was an awakening...we all experience that "Aha" moment where we come to grips with just how finite life is and Kim knew that something had to give. She missed having lazy moments with her young son, longed for the joy of creative discovery, and missed her life....so she decided to make different choices. Kim conducted a priority triage and determined that the store was no longer a good fit for the life that she wanted to live. She has no regrets. She learned from her experience and has moved on, acknowledging that she simply "can't do everything and that walking away is a viable choice."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2N07AF49EPovfcNWqH9Mlqifa8XEbnCZ3dBkhAX2LtkaQORljIza18asjXtx3jHWD-c6g8az8kod_dFXQt9NlVLEzFeHj4oshZUUjMaE0fBGe0X5xiZLp5fxwTaZeVCSclJzebHpztHY/s1600/painted-toe-nails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2N07AF49EPovfcNWqH9Mlqifa8XEbnCZ3dBkhAX2LtkaQORljIza18asjXtx3jHWD-c6g8az8kod_dFXQt9NlVLEzFeHj4oshZUUjMaE0fBGe0X5xiZLp5fxwTaZeVCSclJzebHpztHY/s1600/painted-toe-nails.jpg" /></a></div>She is dead on! One of the lessons that I learned after lots of bumps and bruises is that just because you CAN do something, it doesn't necessarily follow that you SHOULD. Sometimes the smartest life decision is to close the business and feel good about it! I was tickled when Kim reported that yesterday was eventful for her: she had the time to paint her toenails and had learned to knit! She was exhilarated by her crafty accomplishment and said that it was a joy to feel the happiness that her customers felt. Congratulations, Kim!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQN_COSbJFWzggxjYX1xQWsH1X4YPNbb_q2jOK1YEbYfuu5p2EoUF5jIzpO76IUkJ1dUy10Z24ktqCFtcFEhgHwo6s0FPQmc0yEY0ZoewYBIstwPpH0pzJuAImTuX8NHLkOSBDJczRp7a/s1600/Sheryl+Stephens.Ladybugs+Realm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQN_COSbJFWzggxjYX1xQWsH1X4YPNbb_q2jOK1YEbYfuu5p2EoUF5jIzpO76IUkJ1dUy10Z24ktqCFtcFEhgHwo6s0FPQmc0yEY0ZoewYBIstwPpH0pzJuAImTuX8NHLkOSBDJczRp7a/s320/Sheryl+Stephens.Ladybugs+Realm.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>While some retailers are closing the doors, others are opting for<i> <b>Retail Lite</b></i>. Consider renting booth space in a store. Jewelry Designer Sheryl Stephens of <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cool-Moon-Creations-Beads/119070891456596?sk=info">Cool Moon Beads</a></b> has chosen that option. Sheryl made the stunning necklace pictured at left and has experienced success in selling her designs, as well as bead inventory, by maintaining a booth at a local antique mall. While she does not earn enough to support herself, she is able to contribute to the household income, and is fulfilling her creative desires, without sacrificing her life. Way to go, Sheryl!<br />
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Others are sticking with Brick and Mortar, but are defining the terms. I know one crafty retailer who closes the store on the spur of the moment to deal with a sick pet or to attend a child's school play. It certainly annoys customers who have driven across town to make a purchase, but she is training them to call before they make the trip.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmSNZgtSUwbapbP2wb3dWHIWLtELJsb_OezllvHprYi0sI-JKoewZ85MJXM1svwncPSsUbXpGUPuXfkFr6NuZ0HAtmPm7yW6P56GuGKysDOOv-8aTqyMBt35FB4AmIzP_DX04aP0n6GFH/s1600/urban+stitch.new.small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmSNZgtSUwbapbP2wb3dWHIWLtELJsb_OezllvHprYi0sI-JKoewZ85MJXM1svwncPSsUbXpGUPuXfkFr6NuZ0HAtmPm7yW6P56GuGKysDOOv-8aTqyMBt35FB4AmIzP_DX04aP0n6GFH/s200/urban+stitch.new.small.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Life changes and the crafty retailer will transition to accommodate it. My business has been in a state of flux for years! Young children...my business needed to change. Seriously sick dog...my business needed to change. Husband involved in a new business...my business needed to change. Fortunately, the ability to choose something different is one of the coolest things about being a grown up! I find that I am continuing to evolve. While sales for my wholesale business have flattened with the economy, I am getting more teaching opportunities, as well as more requests for retail kits. Moreover, Swarovski recently asked me to join their Create Your Style <b><a href="http://www.create-your-style.com/Content.Node/ambassadors/Pat-Riesenburger.php">Ambassador</a></b> team, which is totally cool and provides wonderful exposure. It is all good.....the timing is excellent....my youngest child is heading off to college, my husband's business is growing, and I have more control over my time. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04wMHGvxrjdXVMgN5tQ0zG7k6MXDCNHgVJJJB8jx1U0UEsvgOYbd6bI2iZn9NDrkPCRLO6R_IOv5YIWrUeo4bO4cDMuXWTXvw3qm00641VxR13nKQewko6_JwRxJ4NQnypPUNje7X2rtc/s1600/nuno+scarf+kit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04wMHGvxrjdXVMgN5tQ0zG7k6MXDCNHgVJJJB8jx1U0UEsvgOYbd6bI2iZn9NDrkPCRLO6R_IOv5YIWrUeo4bO4cDMuXWTXvw3qm00641VxR13nKQewko6_JwRxJ4NQnypPUNje7X2rtc/s320/nuno+scarf+kit.jpg" width="199" /></a><br />
Although I am no longer interested in brick and mortar retail, I am drawn to something more "Retail-Ish" and am working on a retail website, <b><a href="http://www.urbanstitchstudio.com/">Urban Stitch Studio</a></b>. It will serve as both a personal branding site for my workshops and will feature my own line of hand dyed fibers. It is a work in progress and I would love your feedback. Additionally, I have started a more <b><a href="http://urbanstitchstudio.blogspot.com/2011/07/estate-sale-goodness.html?showComment=1310570745898#c3549878096100382465">personal blog</a></b> to catalog some of my crafty adventures...please check it out. Finally, I have a companion store on <b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/UrbanStitchStudio?ref=si_shop">Etsy</a></b> and will have my Facebook page up soon. I started a <b><a href="http://www.meetup.com/North-Tampa-Fiber-Arts-Guild/events/25107151/">Fiber Arts Guild</a></b> a few days ago and will have our first get together at the end of the month. WHEW! I am doing all of the things that I have been urging others to do for years. It is slow going, but I have realistic expectations and am willing to move at my own pace in order to craft a retail business that will best suit my life. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW3Hi6-PvytsthBRsO0k7uIXgzW7qh170W8s9QJWDXETsv5xk4Ul-8Ncc4udSYmQ9CJoXc48uzEbn7vtaGeZp5KLRZsCjkROrCrq2XOcA0MspGPksdp3jYZBETt93VrZBPi70WoQaNou_/s1600/Crafty+retailers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKW3Hi6-PvytsthBRsO0k7uIXgzW7qh170W8s9QJWDXETsv5xk4Ul-8Ncc4udSYmQ9CJoXc48uzEbn7vtaGeZp5KLRZsCjkROrCrq2XOcA0MspGPksdp3jYZBETt93VrZBPi70WoQaNou_/s200/Crafty+retailers.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Want to join me? We have an incredible group of women over on Facebook...exchanging information and feedback with Crafty Retailers from the U.S. and abroad. It is nice to feed off of the knowledge and experience of others, and even better when you do not have to re-invent the wheel. If you are in retail and would like to participate in the dialogue, send me a friend request on <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000018147335&sk=info">Facebook</a></b> with a request to join the group. Please identify your store and website. The group is closed, so the posts are only visible to group members. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-17717336884602516722011-06-22T01:57:00.000-04:002011-06-22T01:57:43.694-04:00The 3 R's of Retail Success can help you Navigate a Tough Economy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOUhobqiZ9NSyKA5q-rJCKHPImPUPHvwH51t4wtvzX0G-kIF9gDAmfBsYjqysKn5UV0bpNeMHcfMZXuzV6SppI1lz7EvY5UGGjA6NUAUy-IKVhPPDu1YWNvOXIU-LnTB_-HaWyKZR2yE0/s1600/the-letter-r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOUhobqiZ9NSyKA5q-rJCKHPImPUPHvwH51t4wtvzX0G-kIF9gDAmfBsYjqysKn5UV0bpNeMHcfMZXuzV6SppI1lz7EvY5UGGjA6NUAUy-IKVhPPDu1YWNvOXIU-LnTB_-HaWyKZR2yE0/s200/the-letter-r.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>While many Crafty Retailers are closing the doors to look for greener pastures, others are digging in their heels in anticipation of a brighter future. This week's Crafty Retail Rock Star knows the importance of the 3 R's of Retail Success: <i><b>Relevance, Relationships, Reevaluation. </b></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b> </b></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtq0pa_tBNcYJlyOiQiiBDhCCWVhPZf31w6Ve7PFtypFwTo4CkGaShcQZflzgvaUNoHO505B3_MAHIZY0ye68ZXfiqLRFVllVpkg0BxO3v9ge5OllRyKw5PXNqt-b_kQLHXIidri9l8cy/s1600/kelli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtq0pa_tBNcYJlyOiQiiBDhCCWVhPZf31w6Ve7PFtypFwTo4CkGaShcQZflzgvaUNoHO505B3_MAHIZY0ye68ZXfiqLRFVllVpkg0BxO3v9ge5OllRyKw5PXNqt-b_kQLHXIidri9l8cy/s320/kelli.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>Kelli<i><b> </b></i>Burns<i><b>, </b></i>one of the forces behind <a href="http://theholebeadshop.com/">The Hole Bead Shop</a> in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, is a retail survivor. She is also one of the kindest and most generous people in the industry. I first met her about five years ago when she became a customer. She quickly became a favorite of mine and now I am lucky to call her a friend. I had a chance to speak with Kelli today about the state of the industry and she offered the following advice:<br />
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<b>Stay Relevant!</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA4STAkPpdfrQVfcJyH0ko-8BpbwcaoKLjfelEL3ZVvO5RSf79yCEB7vBdiuZaJKAE_IwMs1Gq7bArJ8ytEV8qXP1wEQhcq5PErAR1iqQvpPjyLJH6HkxvHNjZeMAavqjKXbJaxHG-yWu/s1600/Lucite_main_x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA4STAkPpdfrQVfcJyH0ko-8BpbwcaoKLjfelEL3ZVvO5RSf79yCEB7vBdiuZaJKAE_IwMs1Gq7bArJ8ytEV8qXP1wEQhcq5PErAR1iqQvpPjyLJH6HkxvHNjZeMAavqjKXbJaxHG-yWu/s1600/Lucite_main_x150.jpg" /></a></div>Check out your competition. Find a void and FILL IT. No one in the area is offering resin or metal work? Great! Make it your mission to be the best in that area. Learn everything you can about the subject and pound it hard. Make IT your niche. Design classes around IT, submit designs to magazines featuring IT, become the national expert in IT. Kelli, together with Husband Michael and sister Tarlee, have made Lucite Flowers their "IT." While the store is well stocked with industry basics such as seed beads, glass beads, and lamp work, it is the lucite bead collection that is the star of the show. The team sells the loveliest lucite in the bead industry, custom dyeing many colors not offered by any other vendor. Kelli believes that the bead stores that carry only "standard" inventory are doomed, and I tend to agree. Today's consumer is much more savvy than she was when I owned my bead shop. She can get on the computer, do a quick <b><a href="http://www.google.com/prdhp?hl=en&tab=wf">Google Shopping Search</a></b>, and find out exactly where to find what she needs if she cannot find it from you. Stay RELEVANT and keep that dollar in <i>your</i> store!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx29vpIxuno9jGWr8MffTEEQgw6Ebr1DUorEMAupl3xjBNwy9yGn6afBE0g_MLjTkDyxguNt9VjISJZNlBC9K1xY7ymBo83tAhx32Nu2mLp9fnSMw99r_QcPEMupZupbx0dAbbRtCZeH-3/s1600/re-evaluate+situation.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx29vpIxuno9jGWr8MffTEEQgw6Ebr1DUorEMAupl3xjBNwy9yGn6afBE0g_MLjTkDyxguNt9VjISJZNlBC9K1xY7ymBo83tAhx32Nu2mLp9fnSMw99r_QcPEMupZupbx0dAbbRtCZeH-3/s200/re-evaluate+situation.gif" width="200" /></a></div><b>Reinvent Yourself!</b> Kelli's bead store had an interesting start. She traded some tired Avon inventory for some tired bead inventory and suddenly she was a Crafty Retailer. She has been in business for about six years and has Refined and Reinvented herself the entire time. The Hole Bead started out as a traditional bead store, with classes and bead parties. However, Lucite sales took off and the store morphed into more of a shipping station for all of the website orders, and classes and bead parties slowly disappeared. In fact, the website currently accounts for about 75% of store sales, with the Brick and Mortar shop accounting for the remaining 25%. Are there any retailers out there who still think that they can get by without an e-commerce companion site? <br />
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Of course, Kelli has been dealing with the same stagnant economy as the rest of us and reports that she and her husband now travel to six bead shows per year to supplement their income. The store provides a salary and is the main source of income for the couple, who are considering adding classes and bead parties back to the shop menu. Nothing is static....there is a constant need to reevaluate and refine, and Kelli does it with great success.<br />
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<b>Cultivate Relationships!</b> People do business with people they like, period. We all know the importance of focusing on customer relationships, but many of us drop the ball when it comes to industry relationships. Not Kelli! She makes it her mission to send out generous product samples to key players in the industry every year. Magazine editors and large vendors are always on the look out for interesting components to use for customer projects and "how to" articles, so Kelli wisely makes it easy for them to consider using Lucite! Smart gal, that Kelli. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O3OECIM9bEWxPRwOiJopbAVoUTsjbe63SHlvmV4hFSTM-NScH43Gqh-eK3AnbysG8CZf6NnfPpmWWdCOA73L0KTAhOt6Ddfqk460u_UhRoRrV6TWIIMTXYFLpFL44Wqwa-tlAn-1SAWW/s1600/Magazine+Beadwork+April+May+2008+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O3OECIM9bEWxPRwOiJopbAVoUTsjbe63SHlvmV4hFSTM-NScH43Gqh-eK3AnbysG8CZf6NnfPpmWWdCOA73L0KTAhOt6Ddfqk460u_UhRoRrV6TWIIMTXYFLpFL44Wqwa-tlAn-1SAWW/s320/Magazine+Beadwork+April+May+2008+01.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>Kelli does not have the budget to advertise, so she has employed other methods of getting her brand noticed. For example, she works diligently to design amazing work and works just as diligently to get it published. She regularly submits her designs to national and international publications and often hits the coveted cover spot. Once the magazine hits the stands, The Hole Bead Shop offers kits for sale so that consumers can easily make the project as designed. Moreover, Kelli has become a Facebook master...her posts are always funny or informative....very "real" and never contrived. Frankly, Kelli keeps her name "out there" in a way that is quite charming. <br />
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Although her work has been published more than 30 times, she possesses none of the artistic ego so prevalent with many other accomplished artists. She is a constant source of amazement to me with her willingness to share techniques, resources, etc. She has encouraged me to submit my own work, sending contact names and advice regarding the process. When I was tearfully navigating oncology treatments with my four legged pal, Rosie, I returned home on many occasions to find a well timed note of encouragement from Kelli, who had recently "been there, done that" and knew just what to say. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sk1VkIbRiIGes3aFoGGeKyEkiI7vquJ6TsYFgWKnvb9nx2GLmI6EwplKhmX9R12OR0AD9Gl-RgPhZSB2Tpzb3de8P1LLNXKOUNP4JqkiRfYiw8UxVjDWarNCEpFP7EQzCn7FR4k8SVoO/s1600/coupon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sk1VkIbRiIGes3aFoGGeKyEkiI7vquJ6TsYFgWKnvb9nx2GLmI6EwplKhmX9R12OR0AD9Gl-RgPhZSB2Tpzb3de8P1LLNXKOUNP4JqkiRfYiw8UxVjDWarNCEpFP7EQzCn7FR4k8SVoO/s1600/coupon.jpg" /></a></div> Ever the promoter, Kelli has generously offered blog readers a 10% off coupon good for 24 hours only at <i><b><a href="http://theholebeadshop.com/">The Hole Bead</a> </b></i>online store! The coupon code is<b> CRAFTY</b> and can be used for either wholesale or retail orders, but wholesale account holders must have a brick and mortar storefront. If you do not have a wholesale account yet, please <i><b><a href="mailto:theholebeadshop@aol.com">contact Kelli </a></b></i>to get approved<b> prior </b>to placing your order. <br />
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There is a saying in marketing that "Giver's Gain" and it is certainly true of Kelli! Her happy heart, generous spirit, and work ethic guarantee that she will continue to delight her customers for many years!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>IN OTHER NEWS:</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqifRZbg6SM6iyp-2fFNe_y19_Ac2Ccum5-1IjxRBHo6vKtSIjhOlWl4lr7jy6uOMFBD9DSU4jl0ZheNtO_LebB6eyiHwAVF8BNndwaQU1EWtrDEmx89WWP8irutZ0QC4VZ5QEdFEKWhb-/s1600/beta.silk+yardage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqifRZbg6SM6iyp-2fFNe_y19_Ac2Ccum5-1IjxRBHo6vKtSIjhOlWl4lr7jy6uOMFBD9DSU4jl0ZheNtO_LebB6eyiHwAVF8BNndwaQU1EWtrDEmx89WWP8irutZ0QC4VZ5QEdFEKWhb-/s200/beta.silk+yardage.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPYoVZvlpyjcF9X-upyFLkLK09XxL8v7H5t4xPW_bX-PxwTanxc5lTHxPto6RIupBhL6E2h-M58JfK1hqyDaUIZ7qsmUqqSsrkNzgMbsHmv2kyktFixewhg0EbeY6SE5Fac5i4T8pVfD3/s1600/beta.merino.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPYoVZvlpyjcF9X-upyFLkLK09XxL8v7H5t4xPW_bX-PxwTanxc5lTHxPto6RIupBhL6E2h-M58JfK1hqyDaUIZ7qsmUqqSsrkNzgMbsHmv2kyktFixewhg0EbeY6SE5Fac5i4T8pVfD3/s200/beta.merino.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW_wggfvQ3NI9sSCTadwTB5x69mxCHSH_XNwLkysfa5yiVw4aw4sAvhNPgLwbY7dC1k6Q1GVJI7J26G8pjTJjIudOqe0ib8NWlayoMFhdDY5tpTV8SF1oxAWyXgFKZL7JarWXBpXR0Qbi/s1600/beta.silk+ribbon+13mm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW_wggfvQ3NI9sSCTadwTB5x69mxCHSH_XNwLkysfa5yiVw4aw4sAvhNPgLwbY7dC1k6Q1GVJI7J26G8pjTJjIudOqe0ib8NWlayoMFhdDY5tpTV8SF1oxAWyXgFKZL7JarWXBpXR0Qbi/s200/beta.silk+ribbon+13mm.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am no stranger to Reinvention and have a little going on myself. I am delighted to report that I am the newest member of <a href="http://www.create-your-style.com/Content.Node/ambassadors/Pat-Riesenburger.php"><b>Swarovski's Create-Your-Style Ambassador program</b></a>. It is a thrill to be working with so many talented individuals and was just the affirmation I needed as I make the transition from Mom to Empty Nester. I am doing a great deal more teaching these days and will soon be launching a new Retail site which will feature my own line of hand dyed ribbon, merino wool top and silk yardage, as well as a selection of Swarovski sew on embellishments and crystal yarn. There is so much more to report, but things are still under wraps as we work out the final details. Look for an update soon. Such fun!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b> </b></span><br />
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<b>...OOPS! I ALMOST FORGOT!</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRj-Uw_4XZTVbX3_a82ynUrx4AXIgzGhuNG1LPWeQb0faVjTO05SVO8w86VW5_yrqLONar6Ix7n2qoeVxDf4j7ciRh117HlWeXLOiZkkrDLXFHtlrlQYtgyDDj7ZgkIujsEesNV2abFHT8/s1600/Crafty+retailers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRj-Uw_4XZTVbX3_a82ynUrx4AXIgzGhuNG1LPWeQb0faVjTO05SVO8w86VW5_yrqLONar6Ix7n2qoeVxDf4j7ciRh117HlWeXLOiZkkrDLXFHtlrlQYtgyDDj7ZgkIujsEesNV2abFHT8/s200/Crafty+retailers.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>A while back we tried to get an online retail networking group off the ground. The Ning network proved clunky and difficult and the project was abandoned. Happily, the new Facebook "groups" function has served to breathe new life into the endeavor. I have established a <i><b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_217977828225799&ap=1">Facebook group</a></b></i> for Crafty Retailers to share their joys, triumphs and tribulations, project ideas and promotional events in a spirit of comraderie and friendship. After all, if the industry succeeds, we will all succeed! Although the members names are visible, all posts are private. If you are a crafty retailer --on line or brick and mortar--and want to participate, send me a Facebook message and a friend request, as only Facebook "friends" can be added to Facebook groups!<br />
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage uiStreamPassive" data-ft="{"type":1}"></h6>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-91524689460898458532011-06-01T21:02:00.000-04:002011-06-01T21:02:07.394-04:00Is the Brick and Mortar Craft Store still a viable Business Model?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpstqca1gOnGqsdCAgWHX1ukw8AV91AVbvfn47A9F8JVxrb8FCrDNRZsp52Jefd6LEU5imbTz8ztoN0vEiGX2dcQLlwhQZLqP64QOaTHgp85MhwgsEIQ7M0jcRfPjtKQcB1fLSDaG1TU/s1600/store-closings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpstqca1gOnGqsdCAgWHX1ukw8AV91AVbvfn47A9F8JVxrb8FCrDNRZsp52Jefd6LEU5imbTz8ztoN0vEiGX2dcQLlwhQZLqP64QOaTHgp85MhwgsEIQ7M0jcRfPjtKQcB1fLSDaG1TU/s1600/store-closings.jpg" /></a></div>Kinda sorta.<br />
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I guess it depends on what you mean by "viable." <br />
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Clearly, the market for crafty consumers is strong. 56% of US households crafted at least once during 2010. The jewelry/bead craft industry boasts 2.3 billion in annual sales, while the needlework craft industry is even larger---generating 2.9 billion dollars in 2010. <br />
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Despite what appears to be a solid customer base, many Crafty Business Owners have decided they are making too little money while expending too much effort, shutting the doors in impressive numbers. <b><a href="http://retail.ocregister.com/2011/05/15/crafts-maker-sold-at-walmart-jo-ann-files-for-bankruptcy/49161/">Blue Moon Beads</a> </b>recently filed for Bankruptcy. Homer Hillis, of <b><a href="http://www.hhhenterprises.com/">HHH Enterprises</a></b>, is closing the last brick and mortar store of what was once an 8 store bead empire, preferring to concentrate on his online retail business. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPUKNSjh73xuYA3M182HaKw_PDjMy3JhfiJRkINLNmeTxGxWD5uAEb0NfYc61ZwersNBvmgIMqiCrsIRJVmm9Y4bN2EG8HqZVQkQxONy3Z0WUqkmbSEcsQhmCzrT9Dvz7RpYYl9v5ZxY/s1600/juice+aint+worth+the+squeeze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPUKNSjh73xuYA3M182HaKw_PDjMy3JhfiJRkINLNmeTxGxWD5uAEb0NfYc61ZwersNBvmgIMqiCrsIRJVmm9Y4bN2EG8HqZVQkQxONy3Z0WUqkmbSEcsQhmCzrT9Dvz7RpYYl9v5ZxY/s320/juice+aint+worth+the+squeeze.jpg" width="320" /></a>Homer, who once described his shop as "a hardware store for women" is one of the most personable, driven, craft loving guys I know. I first met him in Tucson at the To Bead True Blue show and have come to respect his business longevity and his marketing acumen. Despite his passion and his experience, Homer believes that the Crafty Business Model has changed so dramatically in the past few years, "the juice just ain't worth the squeeze." No doubt about it, the large chain stores and major Internet supplies have had a deleterious effect on the local craft store.<br />
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It is easy to make the discount internet craft retailer the "bad guy," but the challenges facing the Crafty Retailer are more complicated than that. Consider the experience of Jackie Goff, a former <b><a href="http://thecraftyretailer.blogspot.com/2010/04/crafty-retail-superstores-know-that.html">Crafty Retail Rock Star</a>.</b> Jackie recently closed the doors of her Toledo, Ohio yarn store, <b><a href="http://www.uptownfibers.com/">Uptown Fibers</a></b>. Jackie did not go into retail as a starry eyed crafter looking to turn her hobby into a business. She is a savvy business woman who did an inordinate amount of research before signing her lease. She had a supportive husband and a plan for success. She crunched the numbers, developed a budget, knew how much yarn she needed to sell at exactly what margin in order to meet her expenses, and decided to GO FOR IT. She developed innovative and exciting classes which often had waiting lists. She advertised locally to increase her customer base. She held in store events to generate interest and excitement. She encouraged crafty community and sent out regular emails. She lost thirty thousand dollars her first year. Undaunted, Jackie upped her game. She increased her marketing, and wrote a<a href="http://uptownfibers.com/upload/newsletters/june09%20e-news.pdf"> <b>killer email</b></a><b> </b>to her customers explaining the economies of running a Yarn Store.<br />
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She lost thirty thousand dollars her second year. She had an email list of 2000 and a customer snail mail list of 500, yet as the economy worsened, her core customer group stood at only 400. Jackie's shop was located in an area near Detroit. The local economy was dependent upon the automotive industry, an industry that has been decimated in recent years. One third of her customer base had suffered a job layoff or had a spouse who had been laid off or worried about being laid off. Fear kills the impulse purchase and folks simply didn't have the disposable income to sustain her shop. Sales fell far short of the $600 required each day in order to meet her expenses. Inventory started to grow stale and Jackie was reluctant to invest more money in what was starting to appear to be a black hole.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxzIh9M6oUYECoQxA6e1HA2xzqJkDKfqoeQveekmPx4CGWqvENYobwby5LTQRUyl0Fk1kjiJ1IaSYM0httsTiR6lypsU3wXI68fAZQ3FJNAt27Mwh4v0u_nBfhkuyIwPM0jA-7MCeSKc/s1600/YouTubeLogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxzIh9M6oUYECoQxA6e1HA2xzqJkDKfqoeQveekmPx4CGWqvENYobwby5LTQRUyl0Fk1kjiJ1IaSYM0httsTiR6lypsU3wXI68fAZQ3FJNAt27Mwh4v0u_nBfhkuyIwPM0jA-7MCeSKc/s200/YouTubeLogo.png" width="200" /></a>While she was dealing with a depressed local market, Jackie also experienced the double edged sword of the internet. Her store was stocked with thousands of dollars worth of books and patterns, but her cost conscious consumer knew that she could go to Ravelry and download something similar for free. Classes that were once a major customer draw started to stagnate as You Tube exploded onto the Craft Scene. Suddenly it was possible for a wannabee fiber aficionado to learn to knit or crochet FOR FREE at midnight while sitting in her jammies on the couch. Paying for the privilege quickly became less attractive to her cash strapped customer. Thrifty shoppers came to the store for inspiration and companionship, but many would order their yarn from the online discounters.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ16k9w04OLxBx5I6UKpQInwEK_VF1VczEWOiOgCqIZLzF4j0MyVVnwAZZtcW8dTQ4lbMfx9ohY0-vRbp355ydYbRzORdesdkST7onjfxdSxF4gDi50yS9VFa_sIF2Qcz9Lhb6_U84KY0/s1600/dollar-death-spiral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ16k9w04OLxBx5I6UKpQInwEK_VF1VczEWOiOgCqIZLzF4j0MyVVnwAZZtcW8dTQ4lbMfx9ohY0-vRbp355ydYbRzORdesdkST7onjfxdSxF4gDi50yS9VFa_sIF2Qcz9Lhb6_U84KY0/s1600/dollar-death-spiral.jpg" /></a></div>Jackie did everything that she could to minimize her expenses. She was forced to let go of virtually all of her help, was not on the payroll, and was operating on a shoestring. She realized that she would soon be in a position where she could no longer pay her bills while servicing her debt. Finally, after losing another thirty thousand dollars during her third year, Jackie made the decision to close. I asked Jackie to identify the final straw and was surprised when she told me that the decision was easy. In fact, the decision had actually been made before she opened the store! In typically thoughtful Jackie fashion, she and her husband had decided how much money they were willing to invest before they signed on the bottom line. Smart people, those Goffs! They took the emotion out of the decision and were proactive rather than reactive. They defined what they would invest as start up capital, and determined how much they would be willing to invest/lose along the way. They promised one another that once those funds had been expended, the jig would be up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_YGQLfnurKYPhgtdg2sOP6iXqWlokHrcsTkDBbETfdi-Bbdj-oZx0xfurAJdTQdNAY398sEsE3ATQbxPZO8CtEYxxQsA4y7Eh5G7vE4ZHlzZdX5tXjld-iuHuPhTaIubXtTOgTvosX0/s1600/GAME+OVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_YGQLfnurKYPhgtdg2sOP6iXqWlokHrcsTkDBbETfdi-Bbdj-oZx0xfurAJdTQdNAY398sEsE3ATQbxPZO8CtEYxxQsA4y7Eh5G7vE4ZHlzZdX5tXjld-iuHuPhTaIubXtTOgTvosX0/s320/GAME+OVER.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Three and one half years into her journey, it is over. The fixtures have been sold, the remaining stock will be sold or donated, and Jackie is ready to call it a day, despite the fact that she will be responsible for a $2500 lease payment through October. She doesn't think that she could have done anything to have brought about a different outcome and I tend to agree. Timing, and a wicked economy, were against her. In the end, the adventure will have cost her between $150,000 and $175,000. Uptown Fibers was more than a small business statistic....Toledo has lost a gem.<br />
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So...is the Brick and Mortar Craft Store still a viable Business Model?<br />
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Yes---for those retailers who are in an area with a more forgiving economy and who have crafted a niche market---retail is not just doable, it can be profitable. Join us next week when we meet a Crafty Retailer who shares her secrets for defying the odds as she slugs it out in a crowded market!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">In the Studio</span></b><br />
My blog posts have been infrequent of late....all the work has been studio focused! My youngest is graduating from High School next week and the Empty Nest is looming large. I am endeavoring to look at this next stage of life as a wonderful opportunity ... creatively. For the first time since I had children I will be in a position to travel easily and I am looking forward to new teaching opportunities. The past few weeks have been a bit of a fiber frenzy as I prepared a number of workshop proposals. Here is a "bits and pieces" preview of my submissions to Swarovski....wish me luck!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jZ_gPX4fNiYnaNqyBJgLa9F5gUfLjMcjuWj9uE2vfnFvZ7m0507XwBKopaKdwkB7BIl0vgKl75RROK8Gsi_FzzC9JVS6MiPj32QAhziGn05aXiaVEkOwYe7ko5ILUi6qkAL1YwMpRv0/s1600/workshop+mosaics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jZ_gPX4fNiYnaNqyBJgLa9F5gUfLjMcjuWj9uE2vfnFvZ7m0507XwBKopaKdwkB7BIl0vgKl75RROK8Gsi_FzzC9JVS6MiPj32QAhziGn05aXiaVEkOwYe7ko5ILUi6qkAL1YwMpRv0/s400/workshop+mosaics.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of workshops, I was delighted to learn that I will be teaching at the <b><a href="http://www.saffsite.org/index.cfm/do/saff.main">Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair</a></b> in Fletcher, North Carolina this Fall. The event is always spectacular for fiber lovers and I cannot wait to do some shopping while I am there! The festival is October 21-23 and I will be teaching four workshops. Two of the classes involve "hands on" fibery fun, while the others are geared toward crafty marketing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Maybe this empty nest thing won't be so bad after all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-17285681586367714372011-05-11T10:57:00.002-04:002011-05-13T16:20:44.808-04:00Blow Out your Dead Inventory and Improve Your Bottom Line!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OteMtDc9VIfLhJikvrP05m2vor9C7-50QawYIskqGLFf5rud1C0yOmroWckXcCBlD0_YVz19xWjJrdAE-86z6IBokNQOJz7A-227l_tBJSy7ExGM3LXeZTCgGUJSjFrhA5nmXMofGcA/s1600/dead_money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OteMtDc9VIfLhJikvrP05m2vor9C7-50QawYIskqGLFf5rud1C0yOmroWckXcCBlD0_YVz19xWjJrdAE-86z6IBokNQOJz7A-227l_tBJSy7ExGM3LXeZTCgGUJSjFrhA5nmXMofGcA/s200/dead_money.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Dead Inventory = Dead Money.</b></i></span> <br />
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We all make mistakes when buying inventory. Years ago I couldn't keep Crystal Square Frames in stock...they flew out the door as fast as I could get them in and sourcing them was a real challenge. After much thought and deliberation I opted to meet the manufacturer's minimum order quantity ("MOQ") so that I could have the stones specially produced for me. Mind you, the MOQ required a $5000 commitment per color---it was scary, but I ordered 4 colors. It was awesome! Those stones sold like hotcakes and I found myself placing another large order.<br />
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Oops.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErA-shH8MX3ZK9IaI2kVKSpt2VgOqhpxQ46Q-aCCMbcVRNVn6kg9vBFs7qtjHuZoT-I30pCHR_DJmkd0QBYNJdOIGgLKLewAKkX1p5fpRSj3XiTZgp3-FyKdpMtLxHespLgWPbaKnMfk/s1600/4439.30.TUCSON.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErA-shH8MX3ZK9IaI2kVKSpt2VgOqhpxQ46Q-aCCMbcVRNVn6kg9vBFs7qtjHuZoT-I30pCHR_DJmkd0QBYNJdOIGgLKLewAKkX1p5fpRSj3XiTZgp3-FyKdpMtLxHespLgWPbaKnMfk/s200/4439.30.TUCSON.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>Sales inexplicably flattened, and there I was....sitting with boxes and boxes of very expensive "cold" product. I was overly attached to my inventory in those days and refused to discount the stones to move them----they had been hard to get and might be hard to find again. The stones are truly magnificent--they remain my personal favorite to this day---and I didn't want to let them go for a pittance!<br />
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Unfortunately, while I was busy sticking to my guns, the internet retailers had taken over and were offering the stone for a retail price that was only 30% over my COST as a wholesale distributor of Swarovski Crystal Distributor. Yikes. I put them on a shelf and tried to forget about them for a while. I eventually decided that <i>some</i> return on my investment was better than <i>no return</i> on my investment.<br />
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I got busy and got creative with merchandising: I put the stones into grab bags, turned them into necklaces and sold them to local boutiques, used them for door prizes, recast them in challenge kits, etc. Finally, I sold the the bulk of the stock for about 1/2 of my cost. It hurt, but the cash influx enabled me to purchase fresh inventory at a time when money was short and new inventory was needed. It was an expensive lesson, but it was a lesson that stuck. Life is funny that way...the painful lessons seem to be the most effective, don't they? I sure as hell don't want to go down <i>that</i> road again so I am much more careful about my purchases these days. I will often pay a bit more to purchase a smallish quantity from a distributor, rather than dealing directly with a manufacturer in order to avoid the onerous minimum purchase requirements. After all, dead inventory presents a bigger risk than a slightly reduced profit margin! <br />
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I am also much more aggressive about rotating my stock. I start marking down merchandise earlier in its life cycle---preferring the fast nickel over the slow dime. NOTHING is allowed to sit for long. Sitting inventory has a deleterious impact on your business: it slows down cash flow and tells your customers that you are broke or disinterested, which will impede cash flow even more! If you have some duds on your floor, make it your mission to get rid of 'em to make room for winners!<br />
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Re-arrange your store regularly. How many times have you heard a customer squeal with delight over something "new" that was simply old stock that had been relocated to a more visible spot? It happened every time I moved products around in my store.<br />
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Make something that you love, using at least some of the duds. Feature it as a class, free tutorial, or sell it as a kit.<br />
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Host a craft challenge using the duds. The copper components that I am featuring in this week's challenge are the last of a slow seller. The product line was beautiful, and I use the materials in my own work all of the time, but it didn't sell well. <br />
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Most important .....Think outside of the box!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyPYBx9hc5u_64bBJHU44lQx5-Ti-QRfAa400k0kJRJqfTBCyOCFPgwrUb625RAjlFJ92a6IXNX7NaNae0Y613o6KnFWFoulV3VBozdnE4-A6Y4OxZAZ9YohZE7ojLkq88Qw11Z0ZFYM/s1600/free+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyPYBx9hc5u_64bBJHU44lQx5-Ti-QRfAa400k0kJRJqfTBCyOCFPgwrUb625RAjlFJ92a6IXNX7NaNae0Y613o6KnFWFoulV3VBozdnE4-A6Y4OxZAZ9YohZE7ojLkq88Qw11Z0ZFYM/s200/free+sign.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>Saturday, May 14, 2011 is "Give Your Stuff Away for Free" day. Seriously. The idea is that we are major consumers and have accumulated lots of stuff that we do not use and do not need...so GIFT IT AWAY. The project founder, Mike Morone, is hoping to create the <b><a href="http://www.giveyourstuffaway.com/">world's largest recycling event</a></b>, urging folks to drag "for free" items to the curb for others to enjoy. <br />
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Why not participate in the event, but give it a crafty twist like Cynthia Deis of <a href="http://www.ornamentea.com/"><i><b>Ornamentea</b></i> </a>has chosen to do. She is brilliant! Cynthia sent out a quick email blast introducing the concept and urging her customers to bring in unwanted craft supplies. I bet the email resonates with her clientele...it certainly struck a chord with me. I have a huge box filled with fiber that I will never use. I feel too guilty to throw it away, so it takes up precious closet space. The materials would be a real find for the right taker and I would love for the box to find an appreciative home so that I can reclaim my closet. I am sure that I am not alone! Those that give, can also take. You can see Cynthia's upbeat, cheery newsletter <i><b>here.</b></i><br />
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The Bonus: this is a perfect opportunity to unload some of that dead inventory you have been dragging around...it will make someone smile. Better yet, the excitement --and extra sales generated due to the event--- will ease the sting of having to give away "perfectly good stuff." It ain't good if it ain't selling.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>IN OTHER NEWS </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It has been a busy time in my home. My youngest is graduating from High School and my middle son just graduated from the University of Florida. I will be turning 50 the day after I drop my daughter off at college. WAHHH! Sigh. I have been pouring through generations of family photographs, laughing and crying...you know the drill. It is a time of celebration and reflection, for sure! </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1x_WBVejZ-xwrsMQw2lHA2hyphenhyphencfm3HAXjrtCfjC7K9UJzcLf1FNePR80dBlPppRS7UcmKVpXbZuZ-AN2UlmyF9_YVTZZLJ8gg0Wd-goA0KIjDz7nXa3f82FaQa03Eo-lj3BxiiGQ9z7s/s1600/dream+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1x_WBVejZ-xwrsMQw2lHA2hyphenhyphencfm3HAXjrtCfjC7K9UJzcLf1FNePR80dBlPppRS7UcmKVpXbZuZ-AN2UlmyF9_YVTZZLJ8gg0Wd-goA0KIjDz7nXa3f82FaQa03Eo-lj3BxiiGQ9z7s/s1600/dream+box.jpg" /></a></div>Perhaps that is why I was so delighted to come across the Dream Boxes manufactured by<a href="http://www.hhhenterprises.com/product_info.php?products_id=1006583"> <i><b>HHH Enterprise</b><b>s</b></i></a>---they are perfect for creating wearable memories! Designed to hold collages, dimensional items and photos, the Dream Boxes have a hinged glass door so all you need to do is open and place your favorite image, momento, or design. <br />
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They retail two for $12.99. The company's owner, Homer Hillis, offers retailers excellent wholesale pricing. He and his wife, Ronda, have established a solid niche offering interesting components for mixed media and altered art. I spent quite a bit of time perusing the site and was impressed---the product line would nicely supplement the inventory offered in the "typical" craft shop and the price point should be particularly attractive to those bead stores looking for crafty alternatives to pricey gold and silver. Readers can get FREE SHIPPING by simply using Coupon Code <b style="color: blue;">crafty11</b> on any order over $25.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj___LMbHs_fyckUi4w9MzRlQSEILsRdS6tKmVdj1EhMqO7tx2dVg6ju63K8J2sE3zws9pY90_sunvwxapTtCqXp2DZPbxz5KFenQymxXKCKCnFZgOKvEey_y_wjwsRyVfqWqDCBHMzFGc/s1600/crafty+throwdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj___LMbHs_fyckUi4w9MzRlQSEILsRdS6tKmVdj1EhMqO7tx2dVg6ju63K8J2sE3zws9pY90_sunvwxapTtCqXp2DZPbxz5KFenQymxXKCKCnFZgOKvEey_y_wjwsRyVfqWqDCBHMzFGc/s200/crafty+throwdown.jpg" width="200" /></a> Now for the really good part: Homer has graciously agreed to provide 10 dream boxes for the current Crafty Throw Down! 10 lucky particpants will receive a Dream Box and the kit pictured below:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7ZVL9cCLZKEH7HoDSYNHjEwEU5ekyxkzQUi6gmg1RkBnzzpMTrEN5BEQwoByQmH5Sl5KWrqTLi6xVc3a2FZT5fHRvhYsUygAbSqM5708i0CTcjg6XMaKQphz41Vp9CGPUUZVCsapYMo/s1600/Craft+Throwdown.Memory+Box.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7ZVL9cCLZKEH7HoDSYNHjEwEU5ekyxkzQUi6gmg1RkBnzzpMTrEN5BEQwoByQmH5Sl5KWrqTLi6xVc3a2FZT5fHRvhYsUygAbSqM5708i0CTcjg6XMaKQphz41Vp9CGPUUZVCsapYMo/s320/Craft+Throwdown.Memory+Box.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The kit includes a generous selection of copper components, only a few of which are pictured, as well as hand dyed silk ribbon, and Swarovski crystal beads in Rosaline, Light Colorado Topaz, and Sand Opal. There are also some Swarovski pearls and squaredelle spacers....YUM!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The rules are simple!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We will draw names for the participants on Monday 5/17/2011. The dream boxes and the kits will be mailed out by Friday 5/21. Participants will have until June 30 to create something using the components as a jumping off point. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Create anything. Use any medium. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Theme: Change/Metamorphasis </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Send us pictures of the completed project on or before June 30 with a brief description of the techniques employed. We post the pictures and everyone OOHS and AAHS. The pieces remains yours to keep, sell or give away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Wanna Play?</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="mailto:thecraftyretailer@gmail.com">Send me an email</a> if you want to be entered in the drawing. Please include your address and contact information. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Coming next week: The Fiber Cuff Challenge BIG REVEAL! </b></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-78300010215439963612011-04-21T17:11:00.001-04:002011-04-21T17:17:18.059-04:00Charity Craft Challenges and the Case for Sound Reasoning....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnojlBiwjyiGUGx6ti8WB-qOt9YoR7Vigxm_v5t5xzXH7FehG97HcNjzKunbrraGYVVeqMY3P7KeCOQftQ4ctqsNFm7JsPhgbFOId-uRJE87OECJozvYM_jv680ks9iVO5QHHr7baUx4/s1600/dollar+on+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnojlBiwjyiGUGx6ti8WB-qOt9YoR7Vigxm_v5t5xzXH7FehG97HcNjzKunbrraGYVVeqMY3P7KeCOQftQ4ctqsNFm7JsPhgbFOId-uRJE87OECJozvYM_jv680ks9iVO5QHHr7baUx4/s200/dollar+on+fire.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>This is a tough time to own a small business. Two of my favorite crafty retailers just told me that they were closing the doors. One was a customer and one was a Crafty Retail Rock Star. The former had an opportunity to sublease her costly retail space and jumped at the opportunity to get the hell out. The latter is closing the doors because the numbers just aren't working and she has done everything she can think of to make them work. She is sad and frustrated but will not let emotions get in the way of sound business decisions, and sometimes the soundest decision is to cut your losses.<br />
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Man, Oh Man.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMCtcW9PV-jnv7NcrXnKqHOyc1LBSPtA3H-A3UVQax0up6ZvJKvlVP-x6pv5qkO1HuVo2vUX5B8D5ZNo33jvhOOg4Uh4mCDY8KPcHgMd7Ewv97wQ1ZgLeNqvrI9NzoMsHcBiVkFc31RM/s1600/no-money-300x300%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMCtcW9PV-jnv7NcrXnKqHOyc1LBSPtA3H-A3UVQax0up6ZvJKvlVP-x6pv5qkO1HuVo2vUX5B8D5ZNo33jvhOOg4Uh4mCDY8KPcHgMd7Ewv97wQ1ZgLeNqvrI9NzoMsHcBiVkFc31RM/s200/no-money-300x300%255B1%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I know how they feel and I bet you do too. We have either been there before, are sitting there now, or harbor fears that it could happen soon. Let's face it....with the bleak national economic news pressing in on us from all sides it would be difficult not to have some concerns.<br />
<br />
....and yet.....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjyCPYLnNgwHOgL8HjToJTGZeiA6QrUT7nK3elz3bBExh4ycQolGOMMxynBZlSMz10iL8LwzbEduzIcKIwd8rzBtpvD_3HVyo2x8fMcriscTG4YtcnlfVlmGAV8xQDSQamBmUhN3_HwU/s1600/ribbon+wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjyCPYLnNgwHOgL8HjToJTGZeiA6QrUT7nK3elz3bBExh4ycQolGOMMxynBZlSMz10iL8LwzbEduzIcKIwd8rzBtpvD_3HVyo2x8fMcriscTG4YtcnlfVlmGAV8xQDSQamBmUhN3_HwU/s320/ribbon+wall.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I am ordering new inventory and adding fresh product lines. I am developing a new line of kits and scheduling workshops. I am planning for tomorrow. While I am hopeful for the future, momma didn't raise no fool. A bad inventory decision is a bigger deal today than it used to be, so my decisions have to be more calculated than emotional. I do a lot of research and ask too many questions. I try not to make big decisions when I am rushed because mistakes are usually more costly than the time required to fully analyze the situation. No doubt about it.... I am making inventory decisions very thoughtfully, and with much less exuberance than I did a few years ago. <i><b>T</b><b>here is big difference between "sound reasoning" and "reasons that just sound good"!</b></i> Today's financial climate requires that I remind myself of that difference on a daily basis. So as I look to the future I try to work hard, employ sound reasoning, stack the odds in my favor, create, and, most of all... to pray. After all, what else are ya gonna do?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">IN OTHER NEWS</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAafchKvnx78y1_3OvIMbkBTvCzK5nZGqzthQOr0UAtz0fZAJvgtCRS6kTrDrIGLAYihMef644LDMNsadPzmjcm-CE18KGvJVNOPSzSQLKzbXuOnMYoVThjh_xhpKs0qZPeHBXqTJsdpw/s1600/Craft+Warrior.cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAafchKvnx78y1_3OvIMbkBTvCzK5nZGqzthQOr0UAtz0fZAJvgtCRS6kTrDrIGLAYihMef644LDMNsadPzmjcm-CE18KGvJVNOPSzSQLKzbXuOnMYoVThjh_xhpKs0qZPeHBXqTJsdpw/s400/Craft+Warrior.cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I am tickled pink and totally excited....the <i><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftWarrior?ref=si_shop">Etsy Craft Warrior Charity Site</a></b></i> is officially up and running.<br />
<br />
The CONCEPT <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyXT-PSZfghAHQKTbx9wBek78Iz63V8Qjd1ZV-sxtEm00xDwMGXF3l35SanubrsBCACd8BBMrfQ2RvzE8QFumDqFIXl-g5wYnzoQdcr0XN9haqO8UMz8XkoMP91TSK23XHtH-LiJB5Q0/s1600/Aunt+Celia+1945.cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyXT-PSZfghAHQKTbx9wBek78Iz63V8Qjd1ZV-sxtEm00xDwMGXF3l35SanubrsBCACd8BBMrfQ2RvzE8QFumDqFIXl-g5wYnzoQdcr0XN9haqO8UMz8XkoMP91TSK23XHtH-LiJB5Q0/s320/Aunt+Celia+1945.cropped.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>It is so easy to get caught up in the drama and tumult occurring in our little spot on the map that we can forget to think about those who could use a helping hand. I figured that an ongoing Charity Craft Challenge would be a great way to combine work life with my desire to be of service to the larger community --- and the Craft Warrior was born. The lady on the logo is my husband's Great Great Aunt Celia. I never met her but I sure do treasure the picture...dour face, swollen ankles, bosom hanging low...I mean, what's not to love? We tease my beautiful daughter that Aunt Celia looked EXACTLY like her when she was a young woman. We think it is hilarious. My daughter does not. <br />
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...but I digress....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKt7zlluGFjEhf8kfDZyz8FkjP2t49hbNxESTWwwaufAvYckp7bULo43m7gXRQ2j_jVAHmxmgBqXlIkDAblaklutLaYja0-S62GcyrEp1ywKJif2gKkWBbfl2e7OR0bw5HZtJUUU8p4w/s1600/March+Craft+Challenge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKt7zlluGFjEhf8kfDZyz8FkjP2t49hbNxESTWwwaufAvYckp7bULo43m7gXRQ2j_jVAHmxmgBqXlIkDAblaklutLaYja0-S62GcyrEp1ywKJif2gKkWBbfl2e7OR0bw5HZtJUUU8p4w/s320/March+Craft+Challenge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We announced our first challenge a few months ago and the deadline for submission was April 15. Every artist who participated received a box of goodies from <i><b><a href="http://www.aussiethreadsandfibers.com/">Aussie Threads and Fibers</a> </b></i>to use as a jumping off point. The finished projects were donated and posted on the Etsy site, with all proceeds benefiting the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Wow! I was humbled by the quality of work submitted. We had a generous and very talented group of artists participating...including several national instructors and Swarovski Create Your Style Ambassadors. The work is amazing and it is all available for purchase on Etsy. Er......Did I mention that all of the proceeds are going to the <i><b><a href="http://www.specialops.org/">Special Operations Warrior Foundation?</a></b></i><br />
<i><b> </b></i><br />
<i><b>Yup...every cent. </b></i><br />
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<i><b> </b></i>Aussie Threads and Fibers will bear the Etsy expenses and fees. Please take a moment to see the terrific work and read about the talented creators of the "Pearls with an Attitude" submissions <i><b><a href="http://www.aussiethreadsandfibers.com/category_s/283.htm">HERE</a> </b></i>. After that, head on over to Etsy to do some <i><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftWarrior?ref=si_shop">SHOPPING! </a></b></i> We priced every single article at the same low price to make it painless for you and profitable for the soldiers. Let's raise some money for the families of folks who have sacrificed for our great nation. Make Aunt Celia proud!<br />
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Wanna participate in our next CRAFT WARRIOR CHALLENGE? The kit is "TABAC TEMPTATIONS" and includes vintage and specialty coated Swarovski crystal, as well as some incredible beads and baubles.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzHKzPhySgt6ODg3ft_ejNer9bwjJWrfpCagtP4UO4XnKswTvKxaiQ-B-hj0nPH0qOrFq0q8iqO6TBxaQwaH9gZ1PSSycPqTwuWR1p8cvOa6w2lJJdl-qlJ4Y8fvUp0gsvKxCBu0kXnQ/s1600/tabac+temptations.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzHKzPhySgt6ODg3ft_ejNer9bwjJWrfpCagtP4UO4XnKswTvKxaiQ-B-hj0nPH0qOrFq0q8iqO6TBxaQwaH9gZ1PSSycPqTwuWR1p8cvOa6w2lJJdl-qlJ4Y8fvUp0gsvKxCBu0kXnQ/s400/tabac+temptations.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><i><b><a href="mailto:thecraftyretailer@gmail.com">Shoot me an email </a></b></i>if you want to be entered into the drawing! The finished project will be due on or before June 15.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-22045298990366913092011-04-15T14:15:00.001-04:002011-04-16T10:15:04.117-04:00Jumpstart your Email Marketing Campaign to Improve your Bottom Line!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNx_ayeM5Qo3p-IpUSL0PYJbiNRQBliMws-6X_5mf5-1XlFGVzHlJ9Mtu10d-85jyuTlD9hF_A5vH-zjsEvbdoVoAzpFFLlLsB9HNTmDsLKLKwFYFMTW0Gw09CruxGmH7FC9AlvhtqbM0/s1600/i+love+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNx_ayeM5Qo3p-IpUSL0PYJbiNRQBliMws-6X_5mf5-1XlFGVzHlJ9Mtu10d-85jyuTlD9hF_A5vH-zjsEvbdoVoAzpFFLlLsB9HNTmDsLKLKwFYFMTW0Gw09CruxGmH7FC9AlvhtqbM0/s1600/i+love+email.jpg" /></a></div>I love getting emails. Seriously. I know that folks bitch and moan about getting "spammed" but the reality is that true spam is easy to deal with---a quick press of a button sends that bad boy to my junk folder forevermore. It is a small price to pay for all of the good stuff that finds its way to my In Box: coupons, free tutorials, recipes, a window into my competitors' world, etc. Email Marketing is AWESOME! It is cheap, easy, fast, and effective...provided that you do it right. Fortunately, there is a formula for email success. <br />
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<b><i>1. Build an Email Contact List.</i> </b> Forget about the benign little guest register book on the counter---it is too passive and quickly becomes invisible. Train your staff to effectively gather this information from your customers on a consistent basis. Many shopkeepers are surprisingly reticent to ask for this information. Don't be! Most folks will be happy to give up the address provided you offer value for the sign up by way of great newsletter content, sales information, free tutorials, etc. One surefire way to update your email list is to offer to email a coupon for a free gift later that day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvgQPiSvbv99YQmpSHDD3Q-tj3CnQsbzBSdxN8tdFxNi5ABSom3RJ42UDJGRDhIoVuCD6hj_fwOnPvKA2BrEIwPXnD3bVVaXN10VlmydYZysLH39xRWix-cVWwincD5TqOaJJm5-rPT8/s1600/gift-card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvgQPiSvbv99YQmpSHDD3Q-tj3CnQsbzBSdxN8tdFxNi5ABSom3RJ42UDJGRDhIoVuCD6hj_fwOnPvKA2BrEIwPXnD3bVVaXN10VlmydYZysLH39xRWix-cVWwincD5TqOaJJm5-rPT8/s200/gift-card.jpg" width="200" /></a>This works on a number of levels: the retailer has an opportunity to verify the validity of the email before giving up any goodies and the customer makes a return trip to the store to redeem the gift---an additional sales opportunity!<br />
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Remember to use your website to capture email addresses. An attractive sign up box for visitors to register for newsletters, product updates, etc. is a painless way to grow your contact list. The coupon give away works just as well online.<br />
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<i><b>2. Divide and Conquer. </b></i> It is a good idea to divide your list into groups, so that the emails can be narrowly targeted. For example, I have a Master Contact List, which includes my entire customer list. However, I have subdivided the list into several smaller groups: Bead Store Owners, Yarn Store Owners, Needlepoint Store, Spinners, Felters, Jewelry Designers. A carefully targeted email will increase the odds that the recipient will be happy to receive it because it is relevant to her.<br />
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</b></i><br />
<i><b>3. Make it a Habit.</b></i> Your customers will get used to seeing your missives and-- if you have quality contact--- they will build you into their daily ritual. Despite what many retailers think, once a week is <i>not too often. </i>A recent study reported that the unsubscribe rate actually increases with the infrequency of the email! If folks aren't used to seeing you, they will delete you! The Crafty Retailer should send out a weekly email filled with pictures and links. The more pictures, the more interesting. Crafting is all about the visual. I am always kind of blown away when I see a craft retailer who advertises classes without posting any project pictures: SERIOUSLY? How can you excite and inspire without the eye candy? Pictures are a no brainer. Additionally, the more links within your email, the higher the click through rates and the lower the unsubscribe rate. Remember...your customers like to craft and you sell product they love. Your email is like comfort food!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjRB9WT63FpfkhIIxeoXWRSFMMA_1jFRsZfjMG72Gk60ibXYyzQzFLQQX5CeXXw4_k_aq5xyRugcdR45jVR65GlyJ5bnkHnAi24yNV8SShznqgYUFo6-GLqGd_C0SyE-sOuWEo129Olw/s1600/do+I+know+her.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjRB9WT63FpfkhIIxeoXWRSFMMA_1jFRsZfjMG72Gk60ibXYyzQzFLQQX5CeXXw4_k_aq5xyRugcdR45jVR65GlyJ5bnkHnAi24yNV8SShznqgYUFo6-GLqGd_C0SyE-sOuWEo129Olw/s1600/do+I+know+her.jpg" /></a></div><i><b>4. Be Careful about the "From" line. </b></i>Will your customers recognize your name as the sender or is the store name more likely to garner greater recognition? I typically delete email from unknown sources, so an email from a known local store "The Fiber Factory" will get opened, while an email from "Mary Smith" --who the heck is she?--will not.<br />
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<b><i>5. Use the Subject Line to Hook your customer! </i></b>You know the drill...it is all about Salesmanship. <span style="color: #20124d;"> "Newsletter Update from the Bead Barn"</span> might get put on the back burner, while there is a greater sense of urgency to read <span style="color: #20124d;">"Just In! New shipment of Gemstones at 2005 prices! Get 'em while you can!"</span><br />
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<i><b>6. Offer High Value Content to Improve your "Click Through" rate.</b></i> Art/Artist related newsletters typically garner a 17.53% open rate, and a 3.54% quick through rate. How do your newsletters compare? I keep a newsletter cheat sheet near the computer so that I can jot down notes when I come across an item of interest while surfing the net. That way, when I am ready to sit down and actually start typing I already have an outline. You can download a newsletter cheat sheet <i><b><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/53089418/Newsletter-Planning-Sheet-041511">here</a></b></i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJMm_L2VJEDgBNoFqLnJaY7L_1uzGae2USTwDWNI7KoIotCvVQxd-sltjI_7QcCdtz_TJdUcr7a0hZ8kNEuLdmg12qkN0KQ1HCd2jC6Z4mDUvgko77-GGADlykdX3INjh9ipM34TaK7s/s1600/crochetpants2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJMm_L2VJEDgBNoFqLnJaY7L_1uzGae2USTwDWNI7KoIotCvVQxd-sltjI_7QcCdtz_TJdUcr7a0hZ8kNEuLdmg12qkN0KQ1HCd2jC6Z4mDUvgko77-GGADlykdX3INjh9ipM34TaK7s/s320/crochetpants2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The definition of "high value" will vary. I tend to open newsletters that give me something: information, eye candy, a coupon, warm fuzzies, a giggle. For example, a fiber store could include one of the hilarious photos from<a href="http://whatnottocrochet.wordpress.com/"> <b>"What Not to Crochet,"</b></a> while a bead store owner could give directions on how to clean Swarovski crystal. Consider including a favorite seasonal recipe, or note that your best customer's son just made it to the Little League All Star team. It is all about building community!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>In the Studio:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The recent fiber earring challenge left me very inspired! In fact, we are working on a line of Felted and Embellished Earring kits that are wonderfully easy and delightfully inexpensive. Here is a sneak peak at one of the designs...whuddayathink?</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHk9y6-qOam7W-X9B7xbhXAkSXdK3QKdjPU8mbDoYCWsHnbZAoGbHiz9ms3aAGZYem0gCd_szvRi0aUVQzgZVmWvEKrcp8Q0KKGFEEU554KIk1z28-892jgVRhboOd81SeLHLtD9fTdQ/s1600/fiber+earring.pinkgreen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHk9y6-qOam7W-X9B7xbhXAkSXdK3QKdjPU8mbDoYCWsHnbZAoGbHiz9ms3aAGZYem0gCd_szvRi0aUVQzgZVmWvEKrcp8Q0KKGFEEU554KIk1z28-892jgVRhboOd81SeLHLtD9fTdQ/s320/fiber+earring.pinkgreen.JPG" width="230" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Update: Cooper the Demon Dog</b></span><br />
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I lost my glasses.....and then I found them....sort of.<br />
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Cooper - 1, Glasses - 0.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPoJCfx19S-up4KRlETlnFEgCbyeNzLAjtscciKNu5Ta1ZeGrM-WWPGzgO6ArFXuuTPTuyiTIqePtg3vW1lBgk-TMzTmzuMCPXg4VUEya-Y3rVPQOOMr8ogF88Dlib043wSv-jdcHWWM/s1600/glasses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPoJCfx19S-up4KRlETlnFEgCbyeNzLAjtscciKNu5Ta1ZeGrM-WWPGzgO6ArFXuuTPTuyiTIqePtg3vW1lBgk-TMzTmzuMCPXg4VUEya-Y3rVPQOOMr8ogF88Dlib043wSv-jdcHWWM/s320/glasses.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Nonetheless, Cooper and I seem to be making our way. Only two accidents this week and no dead chickens...it is all good! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzL3bZMB6yLBdr1nLK0OL7dosF8AVkY8djJIKqiW1dj27HhoTi-FPjGfcSmrQHWF7nxoJM9fXo0XTk9xappOZE6wxwgShd-45g8WqEazgEJO1nU736_8d3sdS8-f1eGFh8xEuIX4LVk_A/s1600/Tasty+Treat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzL3bZMB6yLBdr1nLK0OL7dosF8AVkY8djJIKqiW1dj27HhoTi-FPjGfcSmrQHWF7nxoJM9fXo0XTk9xappOZE6wxwgShd-45g8WqEazgEJO1nU736_8d3sdS8-f1eGFh8xEuIX4LVk_A/s320/Tasty+Treat.JPG" width="272" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course, we had to restock our chicken family after the most recent massacre and the new girls are happily nesting in the studio for now. I am hoping that familiarity will encourage Cooper to feel more protective than predatory!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVq39mcFg81rzLBJKfhitrhbXw9BBqlnzGhm61m9DoHD8QUmLqg5WbPC7fqUoqy9Ghk4GfHqWX0j-TmqtBtT349WS98Lt7BIQz8XdUUUaO-ZSW2EZY92dwTE8CC3tQq5oOFZfjwR7isM/s1600/baby+chicks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVq39mcFg81rzLBJKfhitrhbXw9BBqlnzGhm61m9DoHD8QUmLqg5WbPC7fqUoqy9Ghk4GfHqWX0j-TmqtBtT349WS98Lt7BIQz8XdUUUaO-ZSW2EZY92dwTE8CC3tQq5oOFZfjwR7isM/s400/baby+chicks.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmr3OjgSgfNKlCyF-JOx1g9nONN0SjJ4IZOnP8dM2GcwMjred2CYZdXj9P0mUMSJy7C_Y-_1ciJFVABH7UIpZwqdXCzk0CfDS_ri1PrsUxKeOGjsPFjsjcRlmELEA78GQpveNGG6bSrE/s1600/cooper+sleeping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmr3OjgSgfNKlCyF-JOx1g9nONN0SjJ4IZOnP8dM2GcwMjred2CYZdXj9P0mUMSJy7C_Y-_1ciJFVABH7UIpZwqdXCzk0CfDS_ri1PrsUxKeOGjsPFjsjcRlmELEA78GQpveNGG6bSrE/s320/cooper+sleeping.JPG" width="310" /></a></div>So far, he is fairly disinterested. I'll count that as a win!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-30782804385950848352011-04-08T16:44:00.002-04:002011-04-08T19:55:32.476-04:00Define the life you want and refine your business to accomodate it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQau42M8JmbbB5FwMmqoDDe5sOA_obsvYsa092-8xiI9sgDZe1-eAC_LRzpyXsxioAkD_B7TAAmJDogOE50U-ow7tw0d4Nu0cYXBiLmyBw8qjWgtSP80z9rnNQTzHR2EmWkckNaWbhTUo/s1600/applause_sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQau42M8JmbbB5FwMmqoDDe5sOA_obsvYsa092-8xiI9sgDZe1-eAC_LRzpyXsxioAkD_B7TAAmJDogOE50U-ow7tw0d4Nu0cYXBiLmyBw8qjWgtSP80z9rnNQTzHR2EmWkckNaWbhTUo/s320/applause_sign.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It is time to hit the "applause" button. We deserve it, dontcha think? Those of us who have survived the last few years and lived to tell about it are due a pat on the back and some raucous applause.<br />
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WHOO HOO! You go, girl!<br />
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We have downsized, belt tightened, sold off dead inventory, kept folks employed and tap danced to keep customers happy. We have paid bills on time and scheduled marketing events and sent out emails. We have worked harder than ever to keep the doors open.....and they are still open. It feels good. In fact, my little business is in a bit of an expansion mode at present.... and THAT feels <i>really</i> good.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpX1YDQjNn1GBsyl_itTcrY5VgS7sQm6nCfNEw54CEsHTHhMpf5bqqCBsWP_up_Jli_yQNNUBBPdiJVeYZBMc9RsNgTb3whNFWZUg2SLdSFG5Sy0rJw9xeDMAPrd-KJ4N-g9xXKewzb8/s1600/success-failure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpX1YDQjNn1GBsyl_itTcrY5VgS7sQm6nCfNEw54CEsHTHhMpf5bqqCBsWP_up_Jli_yQNNUBBPdiJVeYZBMc9RsNgTb3whNFWZUg2SLdSFG5Sy0rJw9xeDMAPrd-KJ4N-g9xXKewzb8/s200/success-failure.jpg" width="200" /></a>You see, not too many years ago the story was much different. I had huge sales numbers and thought that I was kicking ass. Ironically, my business was in a crisis mode but I was totally clueless until it was almost too late. Oops. I didn't realize that the economy was cyclical and that I had simply been riding a wave. [ Errr...you mean the good times don't last forever? Who da thunk?] I was more artist/marketing strong than process/accounting strong. I didn't like the yucky stuff like bookkeeping and there was always a squeakier wheel to grab my attention. I had a family with three busy teenagers. My internet business was home based, and in my head that meant that I was a stay at home mom...meeting every need and expectation except for some important ones required by the business. It only took a few unexpectedly slow months for the world to crash in on me. Cash flow seemed to disappear overnight. Gulp. I had way too much inventory....WAY too much. The debt appeared to be unsustainable. Hubby was pissed. I was freaked. I couldn't meet my financial obligations for the first time in my life. I talked to a bankruptcy attorney, but knew that I would not be able to live with that option. It was a dark time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tMf20gkZW4dEs4TqD_aNBXD3G7jm2WlMZuwcX_WsFWx5hNW4aKyii7fHvfHUhdFrKRRKOPZihyphenhyphenFwMluD4wS9tSN71NofvI9EufOwkRQ34oSeK7ru1vb3F_h1A5Ev3EHPDRgOW2MUO9s/s1600/can%2527t+sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tMf20gkZW4dEs4TqD_aNBXD3G7jm2WlMZuwcX_WsFWx5hNW4aKyii7fHvfHUhdFrKRRKOPZihyphenhyphenFwMluD4wS9tSN71NofvI9EufOwkRQ34oSeK7ru1vb3F_h1A5Ev3EHPDRgOW2MUO9s/s320/can%2527t+sleep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Fortunately, I am as tenacious as a bulldog and failure was not an option. I refused to bankrupt the company --it was a moral issue for me. I also determined that my my family would not risk financial security to pay the price for my foolishness. Some how, some way I needed to pull a miracle out of my ass. I found a business mentor, learned some humility, and got it together. I spent the next two years working 12-15 hour days in a state of barely suppressed panic. Bad choices necessarily forced other choices and I paid a heavy price for my irresponsibility. I had to forgo a paycheck, no money for perks, not enough time for my family and certainly no time for crafting....every penny was thrown at the debt and every hour was thrown at the business. It was awful, but it was effective. Although I am not yet completely debt free, I am getting close. The remaining debt amount is insignificant enough to make a banker yawn. Yup, I have morphed into a halfway respectable business person...my Quickbooks balance actually matches my bank account balance. It is a beautiful thing! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div>My two years of Panicky Debt Hell ended when I realized that I was actually Going To Make It. I had dodged a bullet---the business was going to survive, the debt was going to get paid. Now what? I did what I had to do when I had to do it, but I was no longer willing to work 12-15 hour days. I wanted more time with my family, with my dogs, in the garden and in the studio. Once I had defined the life I wanted, it was easy to refine my business to accommodate that life.. I downsized, dropped some product lines, said good bye to some high maintenance/low margin customers, tightened my belt, watched my inventory like a hawk, and cut back on my work schedule. If I don't have cash, I don't buy. It works. Another benefit? I learned to work smarter, not harder.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhaObkes2h-5FabZ4CavYgn2Ihy75btUKfJu1qSuM2YQhSKLn_H8ujHHzzU3jo5xR-kd4z68RuXhdiW8PJ_ROAmeXsXW6mZA0upKBgzzPA_SzAdBV4V5qZAIigsOVoLeiFktc6JI8MeI/s1600/Thanksgiving.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhaObkes2h-5FabZ4CavYgn2Ihy75btUKfJu1qSuM2YQhSKLn_H8ujHHzzU3jo5xR-kd4z68RuXhdiW8PJ_ROAmeXsXW6mZA0upKBgzzPA_SzAdBV4V5qZAIigsOVoLeiFktc6JI8MeI/s320/Thanksgiving.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Of course, I continue to refine the business as my life morphs from one stage to the next. I will soon be presiding over an empty nest. Sigh. One minute I am a teary, weepy mess as I bid adieu to my daughter's little girl self, and the next I am excited by the new opportunities that await me. <i>[Menopause, manic depressive, or normal? You be the judge].</i><br />
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I am putting the finishing touches on a number of workshop proposals as I seek to increase national teaching opportunities for 2012. Additionally, I am getting ready to launch a new line of felting kits, which has me totally jazzed. I have more ideas than time and cannot wait to wake up in the morning. The funny thing is...I am working 12 hour days again, but it doesn't feel like work. I am happy and invigorated. I am thankful for the lessons that I learned during those difficult years. The economic challenges of today seem small by comparison! I will never, EVER, <i><b>EVER</b></i> get into debt again. My heart is filled with gratitude and I look forward to each day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5I7ISvAycg9lmLEenA4EjdEjvqN7GJc1UapR-U9-elwtqOj0_eW7z4dqyUDNR4fY-SWux3nFnTAE51orvt1kWNL-oDlYKdMtRWFo1XUS9KC_wOzMLJgxxiYXy9ljgvQa4JRbsCl5zv8/s1600/Carol+Garfield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5I7ISvAycg9lmLEenA4EjdEjvqN7GJc1UapR-U9-elwtqOj0_eW7z4dqyUDNR4fY-SWux3nFnTAE51orvt1kWNL-oDlYKdMtRWFo1XUS9KC_wOzMLJgxxiYXy9ljgvQa4JRbsCl5zv8/s1600/Carol+Garfield.jpg" /></a></div>Fortunately, not every retailer has to learn the hard way. There are many who have good instincts and get it right the first time. Carol Garfield, of <a href="http://www.dancingbeads.com/index.html">Dancing Beads</a> in Medford, Oregon is just such a Retail Rock Star. You first met her <a href="http://thecraftyretailer.blogspot.com/2011/03/customer-service-is-contact-sport-how.html">a few posts back.</a><br />
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Carol owned a retail bead shop from 1995 to 2006. The shop was her day job and it needed to support itself <i>and </i>her, so for 13 years she made certain that she was the "go to" place for beady inspiration. However, as her 50th birthday approached, she decided that she was ready for a change.<i> [Menopause, manic depressive, or normal? You be the judge].</i><br />
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Carol was able to close the doors debt free because she had always "paid as she played." [insert sound of wild applause here]. She packed up her gorgeous inventory and went home, where she started a home based web design business. Fast forward to June 2010. Carol was not enjoying the isolation of her home office and decided to rent some space. While looking for an office, she found the perfect retail space:<br />
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<div style="color: blue; text-align: center;"><i>As I stood in the middle of the room I was astounded by the light coming into the space. There were two rooms, and the smaller one was <span class="il">a</span> sunroom! Hardwood floors, <span class="il">a</span> fireplace, and walls painted <span class="il">a</span> great color further charmed me. As I stood in the middle of the room soaking it all in <span class="il">a</span> gentle voice declared with much authority, "You just found your bead store." I didn't even know I was looking.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Carol's return to crafty retail after a two year hiatus came with some surprises....the out of control price of<i> </i>silver, for example. However, most surprising was the dramatic way that marketing had changed. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="color: blue;">I think I closed the old shop at just the right time, and I know I've re-opened it at just the right time.<br />
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I've been amazed at how much the world changed in the two years I was gone. Of course, the price of metals is beyond ridiculous, but as <span class="il">a</span> red head, I prefer copper anyway, and have gotten my customers excited about it. Shipping?! Sheesh, twice as much, and twice as slow. The online competition is daunting, and before long I will have an online catalog. I do have <span class="il">a</span> website, <span class="il">a</span> blog, and <span class="il">a</span> Facebook page for the shop, all of which I maintain myself, so the catalog is slow going.<br />
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What I've been the most amazed by has been the change in marketing. I've always been <span class="il">a</span> good story teller, and I've blogged since 2005. Social networking wears me out, but I do it. I tend to be more social face-to-face, than online.</i> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: blue; text-align: center;"><i>I'm celebrating National Craft Month (along with everyone else in our industry) and have sent out an email newsletter to the nearly 600 bead lovers on my email list. I've started <span class="il">a</span> monthly 'Make and Take' and <span class="il">a</span><span class="il">a</span> result... I've made bag stuffers outlining all the fun that will be happening this month. I'll be making bag stuffers every month as I have all my promotions, events, and sales scheduled for the year. There is dead inventory in the closet that will soon go away as grab bags, challenges, or <span class="il">a</span> donation to <span class="il">a</span> homeless teen center. I talk about The 3/50 Project to anyone who will listen. I'm blogging, and posting my status on Facebook as often as possible. Yesterday, the shop reached 100 'likes' on FB and lucky number 100 has <span class="il">a</span> $10.00 gift certificate waiting to be collected. I'm filming things around the shop I think might interest my customers. I email <span class="il">a</span> newsletter every other week, and I make certain I tell everyone thank you. They're the reason I'm working so hard.</i> weekly Beading Circle. Seven people volunteered to help me teach classes this session, and we've scheduled 24 different projects, and techniques as </div><div style="color: blue; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: blue; text-align: center;"><i>Community. I had no idea what <span class="il">a</span> hole I'd left by closing in 2008 until re-opening in 2010. My old customers have been coming back in droves. They missed the shop, the vibe, and excitement. They love the new space. The economy may still be rough, but people will always want to be surrounded by beauty, and are willing to spend <span class="il">a</span> little to fulfill their need to create. We're in the best business there is, we get to fulfill those needs, and our own at the same time!!</i></div><div style="color: blue; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Wow....I couldn't have said it better myself. Carol's brand new business is supporting her and she has recently expanded. Her tips for success:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUkBp_KohlHXTEMIB6l50Xs8MJVXoJbzz0RcCs1ziBG179GYO5ld4BrqjWudGpYEGDygRWL_0qAvo1g5gogTrKae2G42c25-79xyp50s_nYXdvsMw4z_RdenTXPJOsC44BR4jzKnDWXk/s1600/20071126-todo-list.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUkBp_KohlHXTEMIB6l50Xs8MJVXoJbzz0RcCs1ziBG179GYO5ld4BrqjWudGpYEGDygRWL_0qAvo1g5gogTrKae2G42c25-79xyp50s_nYXdvsMw4z_RdenTXPJOsC44BR4jzKnDWXk/s200/20071126-todo-list.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Make a Daily TO DO List and DO IT. <span style="font-size: small;">Carol always starts her day with a clear vision of what it will hold for her, whether it is a three hour marketing session or benign store housekeeping issues. She does what she has to do before she even thinks about doing what she wants to do. No quick peeks at Facebook, no playing with the inventory, no NUTHIN'....until the list is finished. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOgSjzAjJe1HpoFSy6S7UQP2PzK2K-oTAc2pCDXfCcj7c8MD68BCkm1-6ZRKue2A71T9BGVZDkzCMcmWe9w6KbJtc8YF6E0odVUNAeuL2sYH1CqryrGGx1tg9A2mIgQfoV3nBHI6eEfA/s1600/hopesanddreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOgSjzAjJe1HpoFSy6S7UQP2PzK2K-oTAc2pCDXfCcj7c8MD68BCkm1-6ZRKue2A71T9BGVZDkzCMcmWe9w6KbJtc8YF6E0odVUNAeuL2sYH1CqryrGGx1tg9A2mIgQfoV3nBHI6eEfA/s200/hopesanddreams.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Put your hopes and dreams out to the universe. <span style="font-size: small;"> "I would like to make X dollars today." Carol says that more often than not, she finds that she gets what she needs. Don't laugh. The universe currently knows that I am looking for a used leather couch for my studio. It will come. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stay Fresh: Constantly explore new techniques.</span> Carol loves to teach and says that as she learns and changes, so do her customers.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Be "Other Oriented." Ask yourself what you can due to improve the shopping experience of every individual who walks in your door. <span style="font-size: small;">This one seems so obvious, but ask yourself....When was the last time someone treated you like that? It is so rare that when it happens, loyal fans are born. Carol spoke the truth when she told me that her customers are hungry for what they cannot find from on-line retailers...Human Connection. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Say it, Girfriend! Unh hunh, Unh hunh.</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: black;">IN OTHER NEWS: </span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Those of you who have been with me a while know that I went through hell and back when I lost my dog to cancer late last year. I did what I swore I wouldn't and adopted little Cooper, in part because he had a certain Rosie-ish shape to his face and in part because he needed a family. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nRIE5c5CJPD4ASeExFaC3MyCgaBDb9aWOn5Wi8bkVDaam4tCNO2Bm3nPTrUpXdYXxsPghvBGc1bebFN9VxsDunTRbKUGH3eMEFClaSOWZ-_Lq23VGsYf_sFUOmqi8U90pXxmoKZ6hG8/s1600/cooper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nRIE5c5CJPD4ASeExFaC3MyCgaBDb9aWOn5Wi8bkVDaam4tCNO2Bm3nPTrUpXdYXxsPghvBGc1bebFN9VxsDunTRbKUGH3eMEFClaSOWZ-_Lq23VGsYf_sFUOmqi8U90pXxmoKZ6hG8/s320/cooper.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Oh. My. God.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is a terror. An honest to goodness Demon Dog. He pees with gleeful abandon the second he comes inside....after peeing quite happily and productively outside. He hangs by the cat litter box looking for tasty treats. He has slaughtered several of my chickens and even managed to kill the meanest rooster that I have ever owned. This rooster was huge and had two inch spurs---I cannot even imagine how it happened. The Roo was an ornery cuss and would regularly attack me when I stepped too close.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I guess Cooper actually performed a bit of a favor there, but I have to protect my hens! </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">I Googled "how to stop a dog from killing chickens" and learned ---from resource after resource---that it was fairly easy to do. It merely involves tying the dead chicken's lifeless body to the dog's collar and letting it rot there for a week. It is widely suggested that the dog be separated from the family during this process as the flies can be overwhelming. Wow. That kind of training is sure not going to happen in my lifetime. Sigh. Y</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">esterday I found him in my bed, happily gnawing on the leathery foot of a long dead turtle carcass. Today he cremated a baby finch hopping about the driveway. Louder Sigh. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">My dog-loving daughter confessed that she wouldn't be upset if Cooper found another home. My dog-loving husband thinks Cooper is a nightmare. Of course, I am into "high maintenance and difficult," so I already adore him. He looks quite the imp with that little patch over his eye and a dead turtle hanging out of his mouth. What to do?</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">I guess it is time for me to pull another miracle out of my ass. After all, he <i>does </i>remind me of Rosie. She used to exult in Rooster Chasing, too. So....Game On. I am going out whisper the Dog Whisperer. I am going to win this battle. I hope. Oops...gotta go...Cooper is heading toward the cat litter box again!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pray for me....</span></span><b><i><span style="color: black;"> </span></i></b></span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-87518731017170715852011-03-30T19:35:00.001-04:002011-03-30T19:36:33.575-04:00Target the Cross Over Crafter to Increase your Sales!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjao2PK-RK9ATkFNDHp0E2AEeP5PwOeYDQYBzVGDarJraxGUjc9TjOw25datcNknUADAr-Ob1_zgk4moPiyAPC88lSUKllRM_TpBK39zPuZMS3eN2YVafeUdkfirDno9ITr97OIslCLhz0/s1600/Crochet.My+Babette.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjao2PK-RK9ATkFNDHp0E2AEeP5PwOeYDQYBzVGDarJraxGUjc9TjOw25datcNknUADAr-Ob1_zgk4moPiyAPC88lSUKllRM_TpBK39zPuZMS3eN2YVafeUdkfirDno9ITr97OIslCLhz0/s200/Crochet.My+Babette.JPG" width="200" /></a>Crafters fall in and out of love pretty easily. We are a somewhat fickle bunch...one day it is beading, the next day knitting is what rocks the world. I crocheted feverishly all winter but will not pick up my hook again until Fall, content to have the colorful "not quite an afghan yet" granny squares decorating the wall in my studio for now. Florida is already getting too hot to have a lap filled with wool---what with Menopausal hot flashes and all. Besides...I want to focus on jewelry for the moment. Fiber is my passion and fiber jewelry in particular is what tends to make my heart go pitter pat...there is something intoxicating about the marriage of fiber and sparkle that makes me giddy. I will admit that there was a time when my affinity for fiber jewelry made me a bit of a pariah. I was a fashion DON'T with respect to my fetish. <i><b> </b></i><br />
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<i><b>Not so any longer!</b></i><br />
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One cannot peruse a fashion magazine or scan the web without spying some sort of fibery adornment these days. It is everywhere! All of Anthroplogie's recent collections feature fiber of some sort. The <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=19309368&navAction=jump&navCount=">"Layers of Grace"</a> bib necklace pictured below retails for $158.00 PUHLEASE! A snippet of lace and some brass chain. A Crafty Retailer could teach her customers to whip up something similar for a fraction of the cost!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MSkZtKhz1H-_1qrVzIz83mwfgEDw1mOhIulVMO2hpj0_BAzQ75SnsFBIFnuO9s5cBrVR4jvPVFCFu9rXFO46FWdy4DbMtCn8yxwDumZBorMWQPaIWuW7qapNN-CbdgWHu6g4UO0w-kk/s1600/anthro-layers-of-grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MSkZtKhz1H-_1qrVzIz83mwfgEDw1mOhIulVMO2hpj0_BAzQ75SnsFBIFnuO9s5cBrVR4jvPVFCFu9rXFO46FWdy4DbMtCn8yxwDumZBorMWQPaIWuW7qapNN-CbdgWHu6g4UO0w-kk/s320/anthro-layers-of-grace.jpg" width="214" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUu31orRqQbFSgyMa1kFWSaZyxqYa3lUeFQb66FEHSNoPRri1fmV6W5B8xPgQ0jPiAVVHRPra8DHp4LDifPlA1kr1JDsMju_eQDVENVNYDRZNRHmrauu988LCdte2CZPQp_Qsa8uC4cE/s1600/felt+ball+necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUu31orRqQbFSgyMa1kFWSaZyxqYa3lUeFQb66FEHSNoPRri1fmV6W5B8xPgQ0jPiAVVHRPra8DHp4LDifPlA1kr1JDsMju_eQDVENVNYDRZNRHmrauu988LCdte2CZPQp_Qsa8uC4cE/s1600/felt+ball+necklace.jpg" /></a>Chances are, most Crafty Retailers won't think to do it. Fiber jewelry is a bit "out there" for many standard bead stores. Yarn shops tend to ignore it as well, concentrating more on garment construction. The clumsy felt ball necklaces of yesteryear might have scared everyone away---I wouldn't be seen in such a necklace, either! A quick Google search for <i><b><a href="http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&biw=1115&bih=585&q=felted+jewelry&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi=g2g-m2&aql=f&oq=">"felted jewelry" </a></b></i>turned up over 10 million breathtaking images---the art has clearly evolved beyond the ball and your customers are all over it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTzF28ps2eqvKhMaADoYT-LFW7NsGYCtL6PYNIhW8qAVsAmccKjUAlT34-NKi0Cy6-GbYp3M1BXXLFLvsNBE3ERnNuoai4YJGTZgKoEWwWjFQHFjXR8_5l2_nJRMkPmPMiNoF10kUaYs/s1600/SolBijou+Tutorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTzF28ps2eqvKhMaADoYT-LFW7NsGYCtL6PYNIhW8qAVsAmccKjUAlT34-NKi0Cy6-GbYp3M1BXXLFLvsNBE3ERnNuoai4YJGTZgKoEWwWjFQHFjXR8_5l2_nJRMkPmPMiNoF10kUaYs/s320/SolBijou+Tutorial.jpg" width="320" /></a>Fiber jewelry is cost effective...many of the most beautiful creations center upon reclaimed/recycled components. An old sweater can become the base for a felted cuff. A broken piece of granny's jewelry can become the centerpiece for a spectacular new necklace. A sliver of satin becomes a fabric bead. Use your crafty Know How to fashion classes that your customers can afford! Need some help? Maricel, owner of the Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62637141/tutorial-learn-how-to-create-the"><b>SolBijou</b> </a>offers a tutorial for making a vintage inspired Re-Creation--featuring delicate ribbon flowers-- like the one pictured above---for a mere $10. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Check out some of the other fanciful creations I found in the cybersphere:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThXzTkaxMBe88bEHqL7sUBQ7QTFc1SfWxbLbH37Fje7ibRrTLTSLDKI8kmFHUmXtBV1l35SlfmJ8MtBepx2cbna4c2C_fS9TNjGzo0hRjsmpysfDkV6dLokmyO0ZfE_yJtjKHMmAQleM/s1600/WoolyFabulous-Brooches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThXzTkaxMBe88bEHqL7sUBQ7QTFc1SfWxbLbH37Fje7ibRrTLTSLDKI8kmFHUmXtBV1l35SlfmJ8MtBepx2cbna4c2C_fS9TNjGzo0hRjsmpysfDkV6dLokmyO0ZfE_yJtjKHMmAQleM/s400/WoolyFabulous-Brooches.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The spectacular brooches pictured above feature zippers and recycled sweaters. The artist, Odile Gova, maintains an enchanting Etsy shop, <a href="http://woolyfabulous./">Woolyfabulous.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Wa_iaXpRvkRBm_6N0O0GmXQpd7vjyd1esL3m585faUJI_74cPVVJ8cI_qqKcMUq-9E7VHe_m1T5AMOAzFJEE0yLzSnJpYTereeqNYFBsqJix2t2ZbWLad0E9HVfH644IpM8KGwNkIW0/s1600/felted+flower+brooch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Wa_iaXpRvkRBm_6N0O0GmXQpd7vjyd1esL3m585faUJI_74cPVVJ8cI_qqKcMUq-9E7VHe_m1T5AMOAzFJEE0yLzSnJpYTereeqNYFBsqJix2t2ZbWLad0E9HVfH644IpM8KGwNkIW0/s200/felted+flower+brooch.jpg" width="200" /></a> I rarely suffer from jewelry envy but did not pause too long before raiding my "new video camera savings stash" to buy the flower brooch pictured at left. Sometimes survival is a matter of perspective. What I think of as "necessary" and what my husband perceives it to be are a little different. Economy be damned. People are still spending---<i><b>if you are offering something they want to spend their money on!</b></i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ivy Long, the artist behind <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/EderaJewelry?ref=pr_profile">Edera Jewelry</a>, creates some of the most romantic and ethereal crochet jewelry that I have ever seen. The drop earrings pictured below are certainly drool worthy, wouldn't you agree?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVh-HG1_5DNMTWorVN2G8ANOu_sMmPCnn5kyZTF7d2VjoRwdzTBvBZMeVQWGEIL52GTfxLnH46f-jQwyw-LRuzXEVYh8ceG-v9ujWxg_KnSpsANaS5aEoJXUKnmqCi4cCM31AI1KMKbPU/s1600/edera+drops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVh-HG1_5DNMTWorVN2G8ANOu_sMmPCnn5kyZTF7d2VjoRwdzTBvBZMeVQWGEIL52GTfxLnH46f-jQwyw-LRuzXEVYh8ceG-v9ujWxg_KnSpsANaS5aEoJXUKnmqCi4cCM31AI1KMKbPU/s320/edera+drops.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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The work of <a href="http://www.gailcrosmanmoore.com/">Gail Crosman Moore</a> caused me to take back my snide "felted ball" comments---her work ROCKS. I am inspired! Hmmmm.......I might have to re-think the whole balls thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8A3WCyxX06yMfNZ9j4I2-Ngnmm-Ow5T0AD-G-QhoFnXUKNYMYD1eSd8qc95SfWWQ5liAI73P4RSZIvpEpzihV7v0Vk13yu-714BIM9fXqDuXHS52YBJTZAxgh1KmRyAjRtC8gSk8_vUI/s1600/gail+crosman+moore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8A3WCyxX06yMfNZ9j4I2-Ngnmm-Ow5T0AD-G-QhoFnXUKNYMYD1eSd8qc95SfWWQ5liAI73P4RSZIvpEpzihV7v0Vk13yu-714BIM9fXqDuXHS52YBJTZAxgh1KmRyAjRtC8gSk8_vUI/s320/gail+crosman+moore.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> <span style="font-size: small;">Feeling inspired? Wholesale customers can use coupon code TCR5 to save 5% off any purchase that includes fiber through April 5 from my <a href="http://www.aussiethreadsandfibers.com/">online store</a>. </span></b></i></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>IN OTHER NEWS</b></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> </b></i></span> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-5ZGowTwnTVp3YxNmqMaClRKJyWD7ftn9j0A6wbrQPUfIEk1Dka6M2IP683piWaujnYh2n7vmlY9wpgrol4qR50FlwXzoxPCQZxTpShiX0l-jeWNU5wPCdEIVMV3QXDYDx4332DCh5I/s1600/winner+winner+chicken+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-5ZGowTwnTVp3YxNmqMaClRKJyWD7ftn9j0A6wbrQPUfIEk1Dka6M2IP683piWaujnYh2n7vmlY9wpgrol4qR50FlwXzoxPCQZxTpShiX0l-jeWNU5wPCdEIVMV3QXDYDx4332DCh5I/s200/winner+winner+chicken+dinner.jpg" width="200" /></a>The judges have spoken and we have a winner for our <a href="http://www.aussiethreadsandfibers.com/category_s/239.htm">FIBER EARRING THROWDOWN! </a> We got a surprising number of entries and our judges were hard pressed to find one winner amongst the fabulous earring submissions...they really were all quite different and each was very lovely. However, life is cruel and decisions had to be made. First prize went to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/mizusugi">Angie Shan</a> for her exquisite folded ribbon creations. Angie will receive a prize package valued at $150. There were nine winners in all .....Check out all of the winning entries <i><b><a href="http://www.aussiethreadsandfibers.com/category_s/239.htm">HERE.</a></b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIVmwzqYPSkKA08DC1PSJsR7lwcwdvSaSaLDJ0I_9ZjONdK2_mxbCq8CJ-FTkD-uq37zQCj-YMJTRcyUxMY5akq65Az-A-SnjQA_5feHPmPqOn8gP7QF-O4y5PAZBUz8gSKAPx6BS3_c/s1600/Angie+RibbonOrnamentEarrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIVmwzqYPSkKA08DC1PSJsR7lwcwdvSaSaLDJ0I_9ZjONdK2_mxbCq8CJ-FTkD-uq37zQCj-YMJTRcyUxMY5akq65Az-A-SnjQA_5feHPmPqOn8gP7QF-O4y5PAZBUz8gSKAPx6BS3_c/s320/Angie+RibbonOrnamentEarrings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We will be announcing two new challenges in April: </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aussiethreadsandfibers.com/Craft_Warrior_Challenge_s/236.htm">Craft Warrior Challenge</a> will be announced April 20</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.aussiethreadsandfibers.com/category_s/238.htm">Crafty Throwdown</a> will be announced on April 27. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Come play with us!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98e-dMGiLiIQUrWwEoqAHmoW9Zm-Co69eQ1vOZWdIxoUY_-yYgMdWsNBVZPhSNgy2SDI_hY_79w_tbhmN8Ok2NXf2eEevW0OcVwSwZmk1nxnvFSMGWb0vgAjbeqkzDRMds0Dsz2BS2xE/s1600/time+is+running+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98e-dMGiLiIQUrWwEoqAHmoW9Zm-Co69eQ1vOZWdIxoUY_-yYgMdWsNBVZPhSNgy2SDI_hY_79w_tbhmN8Ok2NXf2eEevW0OcVwSwZmk1nxnvFSMGWb0vgAjbeqkzDRMds0Dsz2BS2xE/s1600/time+is+running+out.jpg" /></a>Eek! We have run out of time! Check with us next week when we feature survival tips from Crafty Retail Rock Star Carol Garfield, the owner of Dancing Beads.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-60313142657464549882011-03-23T20:01:00.001-04:002011-03-24T06:51:22.661-04:00Customer Service is a Contact Sport. How well are you playing the game?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfITQC66MNVreUuCXbcz4S0k4ksIJ7QHMUdu6MlsKpQK7j306RwRlX-jShlHQiRm-2CQWLoEwnQ55GnJfej8IPYGtCC-toIC-pfNHqcMI9l96EVGtSJvYCEzXrtZ-pxRCLbYR7InkmPDk/s1600/customer+service+our+priority.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5zgsCrb2UKJHrTXhOU-sTyoVJWZALcumwTSNzZgbhFh3FioJ5DZC_oU9FohqdOL5i00amkOMitN4EPGjoE7aNW5TS4JiWfeNCRbJj_iHHhKcr6QjPM-2UK0tOJFTsVbJzy6B7WuYMRM/s1600/bitchy+lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5zgsCrb2UKJHrTXhOU-sTyoVJWZALcumwTSNzZgbhFh3FioJ5DZC_oU9FohqdOL5i00amkOMitN4EPGjoE7aNW5TS4JiWfeNCRbJj_iHHhKcr6QjPM-2UK0tOJFTsVbJzy6B7WuYMRM/s320/bitchy+lady.jpg" width="320" /></a> The Ultimate Customer Experience. You think you are giving it....would your customers agree?<br />
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</div><div style="color: black;">We all want to provide stellar service to each and every customer, every single day. After all, <i>Extreme Customer Service</i> is the one area where brick and mortar retailers have a big advantage over their Big Box and E-Retail counterparts. Of course, we have all heard stories about the rude or detached shop owner. Where is the disconnect? Diane Gilleland, who is a respected author on matters related to social media, crafting and more, once did a blog post asking her readers for <b><a href="http://www.craftypod.com/2009/10/05/got-any-craft-store-horror-stories/">"Craft Store Horror Stories" </a></b>and she was inundated with responses. Some were laugh out loud funny, while others were simply pathetic. A few typical comments:</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Jen laments the treatment from her neighborhood yarn shop: </span></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><i>It never fails, when I want to feel like an inept crafter, all I have to do is visit our LYS. Whenever I go in to browse yarn, I get the evil eye from the "usuals," slouched in randomly placed easy chairs, (some directly in front of shelves and alcoves, making it impossible to examine an entire row of yarn), knitting at rapid pace with snarls that read: What is SHE doing here? <br />
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Also, the folks at our LYS would rather cough up yarn balls than help anyone locate a particular fiber or assist someone with understanding a pattern or project. I invited a coworker to visit the LYS during our lunch break. My coworker brought a pattern she had printed from the internet. We spent 15 minutes admiring yarn before my coworker asked the YS employee, standing idle at the register, if she could recommend yarn for her pattern. The employee examined the printed pattern and replied in a monotone: "This pattern is from Hobby Lobby. It requires synthetic yarn. WE don't sell synthetic yarn." She then turned her back and went off to admire the work of some snarling person slouching in an armchair. </i></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><span style="color: black;">Say it, Sistah! Jen's experience mirrors the one I have every time I walk into one of the two yarn shops in my area. I frequented the shop a number of times and and spent money on every visit but the last, when I finally determined that I would be damned if I was going to give any more of my hard earned money to such a sourpuss.</span></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; text-align: center;">Kelly jumped on the bandwagon with the following observations:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><i>Well, I hate to take another blast at LYS's but some of the worst customer service I have ever experienced is in three different ones I have been to: </i><i> </i></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #351c75;"><i>1. The owner of a local store [since closed] used to spend *all* of her time either talking/complaining loudly on the phone or yakking loudly with someone in the back of the store. I flipping hate that. You can park your personal conversation for the 15 minutes I am in your shop. If I'm there for much longer, you can talk quietly. </i></div><div style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenfLqZH2U3ceJVkTDA_CY-4aiHAP7Ot9jqTPRm2macLlhXB2dkuTeTvtEsE0LetaPXJA46KVdwgj6TX2oyB6UAZcsuas_Hkgo3O6pl1xGbfh7rgnG3FVLaM2g-qEURMzjiCHBmUlV99c/s1600/no+hovering.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenfLqZH2U3ceJVkTDA_CY-4aiHAP7Ot9jqTPRm2macLlhXB2dkuTeTvtEsE0LetaPXJA46KVdwgj6TX2oyB6UAZcsuas_Hkgo3O6pl1xGbfh7rgnG3FVLaM2g-qEURMzjiCHBmUlV99c/s1600/no+hovering.gif" /></a><i><br />
2. I once went to an LYS where the proprietor literally stood behind me the entire time I shopped and then would have the driving need to "re-stock" directly in front of me, wherever I was standing. I was totally confused by this behavior until my friend explained after we left: She thought I was going to steal something. (I was *shocked* by this revelation, by the way. Not to sound all old lady about it, but: "Well, I never!") <br />
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3. I rarely go to this other LYS but sometimes I find myself in the neighborhood and I check it out. And regret it. The workers are pretty friendly, but the place is a MESS. There is yarn everywhere. Half-empty bags out on the floor and filling every surface. The books (for sale!) are stacked into falling-over piles. It's such a bummer. They sell beautiful yarn, but clearly do not care about the customer experience. I don't want to buy expensive yarn that someone else was stomping all over earlier today. </i></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">Yikes. Personal phone calls, Aggressive Theft Prevention, Messy Stock. Who would want to spend time or money in such a place?</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">The funny thing is...I am willing to bet that the retailers described above would not recognize themselves. They figure that they are doing a bang up job and blame lagging sales on the economy/the competition/the staff. Silly girls! Honest introspection is a wonderful thing...........if you dare! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5I7ISvAycg9lmLEenA4EjdEjvqN7GJc1UapR-U9-elwtqOj0_eW7z4dqyUDNR4fY-SWux3nFnTAE51orvt1kWNL-oDlYKdMtRWFo1XUS9KC_wOzMLJgxxiYXy9ljgvQa4JRbsCl5zv8/s1600/Carol+Garfield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5I7ISvAycg9lmLEenA4EjdEjvqN7GJc1UapR-U9-elwtqOj0_eW7z4dqyUDNR4fY-SWux3nFnTAE51orvt1kWNL-oDlYKdMtRWFo1XUS9KC_wOzMLJgxxiYXy9ljgvQa4JRbsCl5zv8/s1600/Carol+Garfield.jpg" /></a><span style="color: black;">Meet Carol Garfield, a Crafty Retail Rock Star who has turned Customer Service into an art form! Carol owns </span><b style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.dancingbeads.com/index.html">Dancing Beads</a></b><span style="color: black;"> in Medford, Oregon. Her story is one that will resonate with you and she will share more about her journey next week. Carol loves what she does and she does it well. The store ---about 600 square feet--- is her only source of income and Carol mentioned that she says "thank you" to her little shop every morning when she walks in the front door. I believe it. Her enthusiastic and infectious personality is permeated by a genuine attitude of gratitude. </span><br />
<div style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituOx93tVkw5aaU0BK-trlUfUKOzco2qdpcWzF9IkLXOU8H3aRThh59tOW1eB5r0hX1hkv22YgpUOhmSxt51WCW1uUpiBooXTZu6buKq45J_7ej9EIvpypT3aKmtNFNfH3zLT95H1GLKg/s1600/gratitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituOx93tVkw5aaU0BK-trlUfUKOzco2qdpcWzF9IkLXOU8H3aRThh59tOW1eB5r0hX1hkv22YgpUOhmSxt51WCW1uUpiBooXTZu6buKq45J_7ej9EIvpypT3aKmtNFNfH3zLT95H1GLKg/s200/gratitude.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="color: black;">When asked about the key to her success, Carol noted that she is constantly looking for ways to improve the customer experience. She opened her first store in 1995, with no retail experience. Although she didn't know much about owning a retail store, she knew how she liked to be treated while shopping in a retail store. Carol observed that every Nordstrom's store has a banner sales staff and she emulated the <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nordstrom-Way-Customer-Service-Excellence/dp/0471702862/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1300924175&sr=1-1">Nordstom customer service model.</a></b></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Her secrets include:</b></span></div><div style="color: black;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAzM9i6KOaZfGLVZ9W338Vaxf9Ij0DsgHm1Q7zxsiyPX81n4Yawa5HAQPjRxFwmOeVtE8DZPwhlUIo2JInOPYmBVLKzMYdXsCYr0H1sO2prQ7329uUCbwHzffag8xyp-kDksyg3DACCY/s1600/warm-fuzzies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAzM9i6KOaZfGLVZ9W338Vaxf9Ij0DsgHm1Q7zxsiyPX81n4Yawa5HAQPjRxFwmOeVtE8DZPwhlUIo2JInOPYmBVLKzMYdXsCYr0H1sO2prQ7329uUCbwHzffag8xyp-kDksyg3DACCY/s1600/warm-fuzzies.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: black;"><i><b>Know your customers and greet them by name as they walk through the door.</b></i> It is important to remember a little something about each one...trips they have taken, important events in their lives, the details of their most recent project. For example, if an item comes in that might be of particular interest to a customer, Carol will make note of it so that she can immediately draw the customer's attention to it when she next visits. The message: "You matter enough for me to remember you." Good business with a side of warm fuzzies!</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"> <i><b>Give something away every day.</b></i> Carol believes in the power of free and she strives to give something away every single day. The customer who remembers that she needs two feet of chain just after the sale has been rung up might find the chain in her bag---no charge. </div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4tOS5t_wm78JDh83jQqqDWVxsQHXccEP3FcwdlZ3Z6TzMzcQ-YTNTeR88eiymLtnZsvje_Ry5CQHsvdP_ktCPBYObIebpt1J0wqXGdNlR6t57Rkusg31LwhGXAC8K2tc69S9rePKc5w/s1600/awkward+moment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4tOS5t_wm78JDh83jQqqDWVxsQHXccEP3FcwdlZ3Z6TzMzcQ-YTNTeR88eiymLtnZsvje_Ry5CQHsvdP_ktCPBYObIebpt1J0wqXGdNlR6t57Rkusg31LwhGXAC8K2tc69S9rePKc5w/s200/awkward+moment.jpg" width="200" /></a><i><b>Think fast and go for the win-win.</b></i> Lots of retailers "get attitudinal" when customers ask for discounts/special pricing. Not Carol...she just figures out a way to make it work for her, too. For example, she was approached by a very good customer seeking to purchase gemstones from Carol's vendor. Eek! </div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; text-align: center;"><b><i>[insert AWKWARD MOMENT here] </i></b></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;">Although hesitant, Carol was determined to craft a win-win. After all, the customer was savvy and in this internet age it is fairly easy to find wholesale sources. Carol wanted to preserve the relationship more than she wanted to make the one sale. So........she talked to her vendor and established some ground rules. The vendor spent five hours with the customer and wound up selling her strand after strand of beautiful gemstones. The customer got a great deal, and the gemstone dealer sent Carol a check for half of his profit. Bottom line: The customer saved a little while Carol and the Gemstone Dealer made a little. Everybody wins. Carol said that she was happy to go for the slow dime rather than the fast nickel and the customer is still a customer. Well done, Carol, well done!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-56654067579727580692011-03-10T16:18:00.000-05:002011-03-10T16:18:56.901-05:00If I can market office furniture, marketing your craft store should be a breeze!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4qZwL5fV_geaff3H0cindsAGhgfDOIJurlEmbEORsvTY5B2RUhaL8ia9Q1wwWDZCG7uQfLpVBXYC4sglu8iKjkC3xoLu43ZBV6z5aGMokse_qw1Jc-r1D6zkWrrDLaXNCACa-Ky1qbU/s1600/freeadvice.800w_600h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4qZwL5fV_geaff3H0cindsAGhgfDOIJurlEmbEORsvTY5B2RUhaL8ia9Q1wwWDZCG7uQfLpVBXYC4sglu8iKjkC3xoLu43ZBV6z5aGMokse_qw1Jc-r1D6zkWrrDLaXNCACa-Ky1qbU/s200/freeadvice.800w_600h.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Ever notice that it is really easy to give advice, but a tad more difficult to follow it? Helping my husband market his Office Furniture business has provided me with a great opportunity to practice what I preach and it ain't always pretty. I am stretching beyond my comfort level to do things that do not come easily, but I am doing it. Is my halo glowing?<br />
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I send out e-mails. I schedule special events. I try [ ...er...."try" being the operative word] to keep his website current. Heck, I have even started networking. Today I plan to ditch my shlumpy "working in front of the computer" clothes, don something that says "jewelry artist" and brave rush hour traffic to have a glass of wine with folks I met at a recent charity event. <br />
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Guess what?<br />
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<i>Its working!</i> Mind you, I am always behind and there is always more to do, but I can see the impact my efforts are having on the business. A single email on filing cabinets has resulted in two customers who have gone on to spend tens of thousands of dollars with us. Better yet, my husband has just added himself to the payroll---for now anyway---despite having been in the industry for less than a year. I find that marketing office furniture is much more challenging than marketing <b><a href="http://www.aussiethreadsandfibers.com/">Swarovski Crystal and Felting Supplies</a></b>, but the same principles apply. It is all about establishing the KNOW, LIKE, AND TRUST QUOTIENT! <br />
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<i><b>E-MAILS MATTER!</b></i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRurOW0pk1q8-YLUYMIKsFwWb-SBuEOTiaW6Nsbbl7u95d0t5G9a2djTRkFtEjaxtUiD2O_zJg49sLvPdoDVUy-sP2vaWDRXE8runPfI165Z5i9DYo7Ul5Vs4rSLXVyQRhp3l1eVdqgs/s1600/craft+daydream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRurOW0pk1q8-YLUYMIKsFwWb-SBuEOTiaW6Nsbbl7u95d0t5G9a2djTRkFtEjaxtUiD2O_zJg49sLvPdoDVUy-sP2vaWDRXE8runPfI165Z5i9DYo7Ul5Vs4rSLXVyQRhp3l1eVdqgs/s1600/craft+daydream.jpg" /></a>I want our brand to be top of mind with the consumer and need to do it in a manner that is not irritating. I am learning the email "sweet spot" for prospective office furniture customers---- you know what I mean...that magic number that serves as a gentle reminder that we are here, not harassment. It appears that one email every three weeks is about right for us at this point. You can email your crafty customer with greater frequency. After all, she is already interested in what you are selling. Crafting is what she thinks about when she is daydreaming at work. It is what she wants to do when the kids are tucked in bed. <br />
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My customer is a bit harder to engage. My challenge is to give him a reason to stop and peruse the email before hitting the delete key! Not easy when you are selling work stations. Accordingly, my emails often have little to do with office furniture. My last few blasts touted our latest <a href="http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs084/1101346163447/archive/1104619874460.html"><b>"Business Boot Camp" Event. </b></a><br />
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<i><b>SCHEDULE SPECIAL EVENTS!</b></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4loZrZSGgJV6uvMUGXV-V58Kwnu-kTp2QVG961hjjlZcMgdHtVZ12nxcWJdtVRQFNMBbaD2us9o1iO9hpW3Peuhumzfszs5yXERasycc1pHBb_v5pRKf3F1a6NLN-_AjVxtv-1Byc7Y/s1600/bootcamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4loZrZSGgJV6uvMUGXV-V58Kwnu-kTp2QVG961hjjlZcMgdHtVZ12nxcWJdtVRQFNMBbaD2us9o1iO9hpW3Peuhumzfszs5yXERasycc1pHBb_v5pRKf3F1a6NLN-_AjVxtv-1Byc7Y/s200/bootcamp.jpg" width="200" /></a>Since our customer is a small business owner struggling along just like the rest of us---wearing too many hats, facing too few hours in the day---we figured that it might be worthwhile to have a monthly gathering where folks could network and listen to a speaker on subjects of interest to every small business owner. So far it is proving to be a solid networking effort. Of course, any time you try something new, there is a learning curve and bump or two along the road. Mama didn't raise no fool and I made sure to stack the deck in my favor for the first event. While several attendees came to listen to the speaker and some others came to network, more than a few only stopped in because I promised them a home cooked meal in exchange for the warm body. It worked! Those interested in networking were impressed by the turnout, making the second event an easier sell.<br />
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In fact, I didn't have to call in a single favor and attendance actually went up! A number of attendees brought guests and I am hoping the series continues to grow. The main attraction is the ability of guests to network and market their own businesses, but I am confident that if one of them is ever in need of an ergonomic office chair, they are going to think of us!<br />
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<i><b>NETWORK LIKE IT MATTERS!</b></i><br />
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...because it does. One of the things that I have learned from working with my husband is that networking really works. He has opened my eyes to the power of the referral and what it can mean to the bottom line. John is in several networking groups where each member's mission is to procure leads for others. The guy in the market for a telephone system might also be in the market for office furniture. A few questions can result in a great lead for me, or for someone in my circle. I would never have considered such an aggressive networking effort as a bead store owner. Too Pushy, felt kinda smarmy, not my style. I was wrong. If you are sincere and motivated by a desire to give at least as much as you get, lead generation is awesome! Every time I meet someone these days I pause to consider how we can help each other. My life --and my business -- is richer for it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTKpUsY6jY_lTJvmX2TPeM4Q23N9nNbnwnmk9s8fp2Senwq2p9d6k-KfFvnLvyWs1e92cHtYNbpeH08QxaoezC_Oci0lb70gPMHoWomNx3UqvrZOH75rtAcAkmNRY5GzOa4kcrSshAeY/s1600/2010-HannahRosner-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTKpUsY6jY_lTJvmX2TPeM4Q23N9nNbnwnmk9s8fp2Senwq2p9d6k-KfFvnLvyWs1e92cHtYNbpeH08QxaoezC_Oci0lb70gPMHoWomNx3UqvrZOH75rtAcAkmNRY5GzOa4kcrSshAeY/s200/2010-HannahRosner-sm.jpg" width="175" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiqKQ2aE96DfiBcjSTeJg9Mg4CJ6Xk5KwqM5lM8YZ-e_XXqF0NtDgiAph2w6LJfe1NFHVE7eVl7tryF7cFj4yQajqpxr-UnoFjTS7bDPvgFSFHCsnBG_orqDnMflqQzO_eU5kSjybLp4/s1600/Hannah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiqKQ2aE96DfiBcjSTeJg9Mg4CJ6Xk5KwqM5lM8YZ-e_XXqF0NtDgiAph2w6LJfe1NFHVE7eVl7tryF7cFj4yQajqpxr-UnoFjTS7bDPvgFSFHCsnBG_orqDnMflqQzO_eU5kSjybLp4/s200/Hannah.JPG" width="159" /></a> Toward that end, let me tell you about Hannah Rosner. Hannah is an amazing bead artist whose work leaves me breathless. You can see some it <b><a href="http://www.goodrivergalleries.com/blog.htm">here</a></b> and <b><a href="http://www.goodrivergalleries.com/">here.</a></b> Hannah is really, really good at Social Marketing. She and her fiance have a separate business focused on helping businesses navigate the wild and wooly world of Social Media at a fraction of the cost of other industry experts. However, the coolest thing is that because she is a self supporting artist, she is particularly good a CRAFTY MARKETING. She has a kind heart and a generous spirit. If the whole Facebook/Twitter/Blogging thing has you pulling out your hair in frustration, you should <a href="http://www.socialmarketnow.com/"><b>contact her.</b> </a> Seriously. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>In other news</b></i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7dOFMCEMQuhWsi2Qt4Hbasgt1AE1iEksZ9lRmpEmVV-p5tcIkv6VFhqyUjpsEdhqJDkFaffRobvgOvD7qkzVAwrrPshBBziRvgsrnbUnqw4i5taAnEfQh6nspBlfhKTKexu65fNA_Ko/s1600/level.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ7dOFMCEMQuhWsi2Qt4Hbasgt1AE1iEksZ9lRmpEmVV-p5tcIkv6VFhqyUjpsEdhqJDkFaffRobvgOvD7qkzVAwrrPshBBziRvgsrnbUnqw4i5taAnEfQh6nspBlfhKTKexu65fNA_Ko/s200/level.JPG" width="200" /></a>Happiness is getting it level the first time. Well, level enough, anyway. The dogs decimated my fall vegetable garden so I spent the week-end building a fence to protect the spring plantings. I am sure that it was quite a site....I was digging in fence posts, cutting boards, and glistening profusely. It was great fun and I still can't believe that I did it. I hope to have it completed this week-end so that I can get back to the more important stuff...like my fuzzy pink necklace.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sEkDab3wRU9nkyongfI_EePQGPpRUUAOokX9iaAwXjgr9B9zKo3TlOB1EcFzqrILnYMtJtIlUT3G6aofqQRyaahHY9gvUAQ01jzJK9_BhAcMpFztU7LkGu0bk3SV0Gf0g_Vn34qgg-0/s1600/necklace.fucshia+and+green.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sEkDab3wRU9nkyongfI_EePQGPpRUUAOokX9iaAwXjgr9B9zKo3TlOB1EcFzqrILnYMtJtIlUT3G6aofqQRyaahHY9gvUAQ01jzJK9_BhAcMpFztU7LkGu0bk3SV0Gf0g_Vn34qgg-0/s320/necklace.fucshia+and+green.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-24053673711506210012011-03-02T18:53:00.000-05:002011-03-02T18:53:43.916-05:00Politics and Other Scary Stuff....plus a new Crafty Throwdown Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mVb904i62x6fDP7RBZZqlTPJvgfp9XLEa4vHyECstjF7cJvtiAv3obfG3qhjePIMuZdhytGTfiG4R_kVmi4JTfCglEfBJu6NhsxngYyz1_dKScUbxhyphenhyphenGsCSxvWWohHQBXU6GNB_g1zM/s1600/world+on+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mVb904i62x6fDP7RBZZqlTPJvgfp9XLEa4vHyECstjF7cJvtiAv3obfG3qhjePIMuZdhytGTfiG4R_kVmi4JTfCglEfBJu6NhsxngYyz1_dKScUbxhyphenhyphenGsCSxvWWohHQBXU6GNB_g1zM/s1600/world+on+fire.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">O.K. I simply CANNOT help myself. I gotta talk. I have been trying to will myself to silence. I have tidied the house, organized the studio, walked around the garden and played with my dogs...the standard "Go To" activities when I need to <i>Find My Center</i>. It didn't work...I still have the anxiety sitting in my gut like a bowling ball. The kind of anxiety that comes from watching the world burn around me while everyone else seems focused on inanity like the Oscars or Lindsay Lohan. The kind of anxiety that generally acts as a precursor to an intense political spew. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacSgk-3El5-w0hVU7zcq_Rf4VD7Knj6qn-9Y_PbMtQsGFK62Fqy0ncIKtz6RLLFStKt6UtmA0QtxKEYGH7zfzF0lfqsjBNqXG52AsdzL7Hr2eWBK9ceiRHg-TJ3XKX0fTFOXSPedckik/s1600/danger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacSgk-3El5-w0hVU7zcq_Rf4VD7Knj6qn-9Y_PbMtQsGFK62Fqy0ncIKtz6RLLFStKt6UtmA0QtxKEYGH7zfzF0lfqsjBNqXG52AsdzL7Hr2eWBK9ceiRHg-TJ3XKX0fTFOXSPedckik/s200/danger.jpg" width="175" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> It is going to burst out any second now, so if you are going to be offended, please scroll quickly to the bottom of the post where I will be announcing the details of our next Craft Challenge.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Alrighty then---you have been properly warned. I am not your average Crazy Right Wing Zealot. I couldn't care less who you love or what you smoke. I am Jewish. I have a pierced nose and chickens running around my yard. I am an artsy gal who is happiest listening to my IPod while working in the studio. I make a concerted effort NOT to talk about current events in this blog because I don't want to offend anyone. <i><b>Ever. </b></i> I lost a reader the <a href="http://thecraftyretailer.blogspot.com/search/label/Politics%20and%20other%20scary%20stuff"><b>last time</b> </a>I talked politics and it made me feel awful. Truth is, though, I feel worse when I coast along as if I am not seeing what I am seeing. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDE2Ytb8rJMSC6QaJD6Mu4BA24uFlpU0T63-9ocLY7nSujb08QJtoVC-aH18Ei0XFqItl7Nx_7-IkMbCUPrCcZp3qf-8Qnkg8aIw2yPNipggNpGqjPCmH2ApWECo4huon4Xx6P3Iw8xM/s1600/charlie7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDE2Ytb8rJMSC6QaJD6Mu4BA24uFlpU0T63-9ocLY7nSujb08QJtoVC-aH18Ei0XFqItl7Nx_7-IkMbCUPrCcZp3qf-8Qnkg8aIw2yPNipggNpGqjPCmH2ApWECo4huon4Xx6P3Iw8xM/s200/charlie7.jpg" width="163" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Consider the sad and pathetic decline of the talented Charlie Sheen. I used to be an occasional watcher of <a href="http://www.cbs.com/primetime/two_and_a_half_men/"><b>Two and 1/2 Men</b>.</a> I thought it was entertaining, if somewhat on the edge. Sheen plays Charlie Harper, a morally bankrupt playboy. The show became less amusing to me as Sheen's descent into addiction and mental illness started to come to light. It felt kind of gross to giggle at a fractured human playing a fractured human, so I just kind of lost my taste for the show. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7dqGiLj3d4UNpUh4NolR4NJE0uS3dXCM6xaQ95uhfV2H5FGlOhpw66lMVq1sgktH9ehnm4N3MAjOLfFMsKZUV7FqvjRtWQdbUGUD6ESUgoVqMXR4AAWX6MwzX2DUELowTqr8pl9Lx1U/s1600/Charlie-Sheen-mug+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7dqGiLj3d4UNpUh4NolR4NJE0uS3dXCM6xaQ95uhfV2H5FGlOhpw66lMVq1sgktH9ehnm4N3MAjOLfFMsKZUV7FqvjRtWQdbUGUD6ESUgoVqMXR4AAWX6MwzX2DUELowTqr8pl9Lx1U/s200/Charlie-Sheen-mug+shot.jpg" width="200" /></a>Charlie is clearly bent on self destruction and the media is all over it. We all know that this is going to end badly (remember Anna Nicole Smith?) yet the cameras are hell bent on capturing every pathetic morsel for our viewing pleasure. I cannot turn on the television without seeing yet another tragic videotape of a wild eyed Sheen telling the world that he has "Adonis DNA" and that his two porn star live in girlfriends are "Goddesses." Police finally removed his toddler sons from his care---about damn time. Of course, the toddlers' Baby Mama, Brooke Mueller, is on her own Drug Rehab Merri-Go-Round. What a world! Yup, we are getting minute by minute updates on the esteemed Mr. Sheen, but how much have you heard about a hero named Shahbaz Bhatti? </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You probably won't hear much about the recently murdered Shahbaz Bhatti and that is truly a shame. Mr Bhatti was well known in Pakistan, home to 180 million people, all but 5% of whom are Muslim. Bhatti was a Roman Catholic--and the only Christian member of Pakistan's Federal Cabinet. He was a high profile opponent of the nation's "blasphemy laws," which impose the death penalty on those found to have insulted Islam. Not surprisingly, Bhatti's views were unpopular with Muslim extremists and he was recently shot down in a spray of bullets. Al-Queda and the Taliban have claimed responsibility for his murder.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bhatti knew that his life was in jeopardy and recorded a videotaped message to be released in the event of his death. A somber but determined Bhatti noted that he was willing to die for his principles, while seeking justice for his community, rather than to compromise his values.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oBTBqUJomRE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The video is powerful stuff. Bhatti's strength of purpose humbles me. He was a hero--a freedom fighter---and his story is one that should be heard. Is your media source of choice covering it? No? I am not surprised. This nation is being fed pablum by a media intent on keeping us distracted. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Charlie Sheen, anyone? </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Do the Media Gods think that we are not interested in the truth? Do they think we cannot handle the truth? The truth is not partisan and it has no agenda---we just have to be awake enough to start looking for it. I have never understood those who hide from reality. I may not like it, but if I know what it is I can develop a plan to deal with it. I used to work for a serial philanderer. He didn't even bother to make up good excuses for not going home. I remember asking him about it...I was young and incredulous...and I will never forget his words.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He laughed--honest to God, he laughed--and he looked me in the eyes and told me that his wife did not want to know. He said it was easy ... "Who are you gonna believe, Honey? Your lying eyes or your loving husband?"</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She believed her loving, cheating SOB of a husband every single time until he finally left her for his flavor of the moment. Weird, huh? Yet, here we are...yucking it up over Charlie Sheen in all of his ridiculousness.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Chaos in the Middle East. A National Debt that will lead us to ruin. A country that seems to be rewarding the Takers and punishing the Doers. Yup, the world really does seem to be burning around me. What does it look like from where you are sitting?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzXHupAeFdszzyvbBFbLhr6bjgxv-vzysA5wwelEDunBMhuqLwiKzok0Ff5uRK4ZmgSPadxdOUbtv22lp_qz77AeHs_s7FxoEVHPcrdUKu-bpnX8kR8Yx6Oku4F8quTKJnvbSR12uF-w/s1600/editbutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzXHupAeFdszzyvbBFbLhr6bjgxv-vzysA5wwelEDunBMhuqLwiKzok0Ff5uRK4ZmgSPadxdOUbtv22lp_qz77AeHs_s7FxoEVHPcrdUKu-bpnX8kR8Yx6Oku4F8quTKJnvbSR12uF-w/s200/editbutton.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Whew. Sorry 'bout that. I probably shouldn't say this stuff out loud but I can't always get to the Edit Button before I spew. We seem to have lost our way as a nation and that just sucks. I am tired of the Charlie Sheens and am looking for more Shahbaz Bhattis. We have to take a stand for what is right---regardless of the politics. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hey! My stomach doesn't hurt anymore...thanks for listening.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>IN OTHER NEWS...........</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRT1y2Hm6vvych0Y31WsXDe0eaKOA0CaOv2LQnHKNYsKvqX2m2J64lL9aKClMCTsxAH-ntEjEzQ-8DHy1ckxHNQ9ZJoTzv6VNpzx0Z1M1_2J7f973LM7NJaYkn6mARHB0z7zoKoUVT1gA/s1600/crafty+throwdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRT1y2Hm6vvych0Y31WsXDe0eaKOA0CaOv2LQnHKNYsKvqX2m2J64lL9aKClMCTsxAH-ntEjEzQ-8DHy1ckxHNQ9ZJoTzv6VNpzx0Z1M1_2J7f973LM7NJaYkn6mARHB0z7zoKoUVT1gA/s320/crafty+throwdown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The <b>FIBER EARRING CHALLENGE</b> is now closed. We got some FANTASTIC entries and the photographs will be sent out for judging this week. Winners will be announced the week of March 14. Good luck, everyone!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THE NEXT CHALLENGE:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKt7zlluGFjEhf8kfDZyz8FkjP2t49hbNxESTWwwaufAvYckp7bULo43m7gXRQ2j_jVAHmxmgBqXlIkDAblaklutLaYja0-S62GcyrEp1ywKJif2gKkWBbfl2e7OR0bw5HZtJUUU8p4w/s1600/March+Craft+Challenge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKt7zlluGFjEhf8kfDZyz8FkjP2t49hbNxESTWwwaufAvYckp7bULo43m7gXRQ2j_jVAHmxmgBqXlIkDAblaklutLaYja0-S62GcyrEp1ywKJif2gKkWBbfl2e7OR0bw5HZtJUUU8p4w/s320/March+Craft+Challenge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span>In an effort to get my own little world feeling warm and fuzzy, I would like to announce our next craft challenge,<i> but this one has a twist!</i> I will still send out the supplies for free, and you will still get to make whatever you want with the goodies pictured above. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><b>The Twist?</b></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have set up a new Etsy Shop under the name CRAFT WARRIOR. It will be officially "live" in the next week or so. Each participant must be willing to donate their piece to be sold on the Craft Warrior site with ALL PROCEEDS going to the <a href="http://www.specialops.org/"><b>Special </b><b>Operations Warrior Foundation</b></a><b>.</b> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The Special Operations Warrior Foundation provides full scholarship grants and educational and family counseling to the surviving children of special operations personnel who die in operational or training missions and immediate financial assistance to severely wounded special operations personnel and their families.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Additionally, each participant must blog/tweet/or otherwise promote the challenge. <i>Bottom line: the more folks buzzing about it, the more money we will raise!</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This challenge is limited to 8 volunteers. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">We will draw names on Monday, March 6 and the piece must be sent to me on or before April 15, 2011. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b> <a href="mailto:thecraftyretailer@gmail.com">Shoot me an email</a></b> if you want play! </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>IN THE STUDIO:</b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kSPrX4DOABOfoV1S_WvTK-bA1N4f_hzNLLD3whpOwnAkHVcHpW4jCB6CZvztFQF3nW0nhTC3cFpPzPXiLdlujRxFLvAemH3BXaM3J6_K62rkgOwC4Eb6925yBZ2gIDbySs55i43JKi8/s1600/cuff.green+ripple.1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kSPrX4DOABOfoV1S_WvTK-bA1N4f_hzNLLD3whpOwnAkHVcHpW4jCB6CZvztFQF3nW0nhTC3cFpPzPXiLdlujRxFLvAemH3BXaM3J6_K62rkgOwC4Eb6925yBZ2gIDbySs55i43JKi8/s320/cuff.green+ripple.1.JPG" width="278" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am back to felting these days. I just finished another fiber cuff which features a 30mm Swarovski button as the focal. The cuffs have inspired me to create some embellishment kits which will include hand dyed velvet, scrim, ribbons and more. Look for them soon!</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzIZYwH_-cCU6rXCPJWGxnvhqn-2yYExn3QiKo2Q9ide0Gqf_DGtEk5KQzSLO02vVK0uzMSqXkEAjcJv8PtiMgV0o7rCagHeVPAYFQbhaqScwcxDYEI3AV3fr9pAJGpd4McSEoEYrTwo/s1600/Dirty+Cooper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzIZYwH_-cCU6rXCPJWGxnvhqn-2yYExn3QiKo2Q9ide0Gqf_DGtEk5KQzSLO02vVK0uzMSqXkEAjcJv8PtiMgV0o7rCagHeVPAYFQbhaqScwcxDYEI3AV3fr9pAJGpd4McSEoEYrTwo/s320/Dirty+Cooper.JPG" width="268" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Meet Cooper!</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for all of the name suggestions for the new pup. We went with Cooper. He is a doll, albeit a constantly filthy dirt ball of a doll!</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-63689184040631197382011-02-23T17:53:00.001-05:002011-02-23T17:54:20.957-05:00Improve your Leadership Skills to Improve your Bottom Line!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHY2e_kwoUwzTmveLV0nLdJ7QnT8aCaGomXe4iUiTw7Ha4MHmeykVdDVuWrWTSLjt0Q8F4keHG-gKUlDZZrP1EFnqpC1Ukuggpz4_Tx8PDo9jnJwASGwCCiWnsOzxvKowyXBz3pf6q-A/s1600/Boss-Lady-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHY2e_kwoUwzTmveLV0nLdJ7QnT8aCaGomXe4iUiTw7Ha4MHmeykVdDVuWrWTSLjt0Q8F4keHG-gKUlDZZrP1EFnqpC1Ukuggpz4_Tx8PDo9jnJwASGwCCiWnsOzxvKowyXBz3pf6q-A/s320/Boss-Lady-1.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>I have never had a problem being the boss of me. It is being the boss of <i>others</i> that has caused me turmoil over the years. I don't like telling people what to do. I have trouble delegating. It is not my nature to follow a process. Oh...and I hate conflict. I avoid it at all costs. Um...and I want everyone to like me. Yikes....not good qualities for a leader.<br />
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Fortunately, it is possible to learn how to be a better leader. It hasn't been easy and it hasn't been fast, but I am slowly maturing into a half decent Boss Lady. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N_T-c4vwIuUy-O_GvyVjSZ3AM8RCWtG5JJ0tFR5IUbDoDm_k-QKEPOxs398rwTLCw_Lt17GvJHtR1ylA2HOO2g8am9Z29jIQ9oZrBUFrkgbYGUdVwwx_Y9tc8PvkbaMXJUqR0LJF5VQ/s1600/pumps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N_T-c4vwIuUy-O_GvyVjSZ3AM8RCWtG5JJ0tFR5IUbDoDm_k-QKEPOxs398rwTLCw_Lt17GvJHtR1ylA2HOO2g8am9Z29jIQ9oZrBUFrkgbYGUdVwwx_Y9tc8PvkbaMXJUqR0LJF5VQ/s200/pumps.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Crafty Retail Rock Star Cynthia Deis, the creative force behind <a href="http://ornamentea.com/">Ornamentea</a>,wears her Boss Lady Pumps a bit more comfortably than me. She laughed when asked if she had a hard time making her expectations clear, noting that as the oldest of three children <i>and</i> a former middle school teacher, she has the ability to get you to do things you don't want to do.<br />
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<b>COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION</b>!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8or-MfwPmthGMtt_dKoABFok-_lRT1jQInM_uc5N90qAGWkMxgvx0zHS9K6IeoTk9wqL9JdPwdh9DiLSa3GxFHU6dJg5WmQzWMfjEwnSbEkdxT65ouICPYeXLrumXeyCTW55L1j1SD0/s1600/You-Go-Girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8or-MfwPmthGMtt_dKoABFok-_lRT1jQInM_uc5N90qAGWkMxgvx0zHS9K6IeoTk9wqL9JdPwdh9DiLSa3GxFHU6dJg5WmQzWMfjEwnSbEkdxT65ouICPYeXLrumXeyCTW55L1j1SD0/s200/You-Go-Girl.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>Cynthia has a clear vision of what she wants for the business and she communicates that vision effectively. For example, she might poke a bit of fun at herself by noting "I am not trying to be a Diva, but I am gonna be a Diva. This is how I want it done." Humor works--it takes the edge off. She has almost thirty employees and knows that it is critical for everyone to be on the same page. Accordingly, there are monthly staff meetings which she describes as "raucous." There is lots of laughter and silliness in the mix, providing a wonderful opportunity for bonding as well as education.<br />
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<b>SPEED OF THE LEADER, SPEED OF THE PACK.</b><br />
Cynthia has created a culture of "keeping busy" so there is not a whole lot of wasted time at Ornamentea. She leads by example. There is always something to do to reinforce the brand and her staff knows to do it! Tidy the beads, clean the fingerprints off the glass bowl that is home to the Hershey Kisses, call a customer to touch base, etc. <br />
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<b>DELEGATE!</b><br />
DIY is only fun when it applies to crafting. Successful leaders know that delegation is critical to growth and Cynthia is no exception. There was a period in Ornamentea's infancy when she would take on a task more properly borne by an employee because she could complete the task in less time than it took to create a <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3hzCO6hbuhyphenhyphenSLVHwwGDZDnhHfISBvf3ehfX48fEhuNndLo3NEVK59o8HHWc5DChdGyYofR4eNnuxyl_Ep7NizMvXyG9kg79V64H-WuPbGxtR6RP0pfsbgSX4KtHxzEn9quhXKZuIggY/s1600/work-smarter-not-harder-200X200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3hzCO6hbuhyphenhyphenSLVHwwGDZDnhHfISBvf3ehfX48fEhuNndLo3NEVK59o8HHWc5DChdGyYofR4eNnuxyl_Ep7NizMvXyG9kg79V64H-WuPbGxtR6RP0pfsbgSX4KtHxzEn9quhXKZuIggY/s1600/work-smarter-not-harder-200X200.jpg" /></a>process or fully explain the project to her staff. I can certainly relate to that--- been there, done that, still have the tendency. A refusal to delegate might be expedient for the moment, but it is almost always inefficient for the long term. Ornamentea grew and Cynthia ran out of hours in the day. She now entrusts people to do the things she has neither the time nor the inclination to do. It takes focus --and more time than most small business owners have available-- to create a process for staff members to follow. However, once you have a system in place it can be replicated again and again, saving you time in the long run. Efficiency is a beautiful thing. <br />
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<b>EMPOWER YOUR EMPLOYEES! </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kd4z-wSF66Vj6ROZQ_ABv_rneUn93ql4QzyGr2GedDple8EoTzj7BtV6_Q5n9UUqxXjCgOGV1pvOajiF547jL9UWRnm-Qg8jr47ds7Pqbzuh63RukB8oXVJi9LCWfbqLGcLuGQnqW-I/s1600/employee+discount.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0kd4z-wSF66Vj6ROZQ_ABv_rneUn93ql4QzyGr2GedDple8EoTzj7BtV6_Q5n9UUqxXjCgOGV1pvOajiF547jL9UWRnm-Qg8jr47ds7Pqbzuh63RukB8oXVJi9LCWfbqLGcLuGQnqW-I/s1600/employee+discount.jpg" /></a></div>Employees are your ambassadors...make sure that they have the tools necessary to shine! Classes are a big part of the Ornamentea brand, with 40 different class offerings each month. Although her staff members are talented crafters, Cynthia recognizes that being a gifted artist does not necessarily guarantee an equal knack for teaching. After all, a good teacher teaches, but a great teacher will INSPIRE. Since Ornamentea is all about inspiration, Cynthia holds a "Teach the Teachers" retreat every year to ensure that her vision is shared by her team.<br />
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Moreover, Cynthia's employees are encouraged to take any class offered at the shop <i><b>for free</b></i>, insuring that everyone has broad expertise. What a great way to keep the staff up to date on current trends and techniques! She further promotes creativity by offering her staff a VERY generous discount. Employees come into the shop wearing their killer creations and customers buy the product to make the same necklace. It is a win-win.<br />
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The Take Away: Channel your inner middle school teacher and do what you gotta do to become an effective leader. Your business is counting on it!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>IN OTHER NEWS</b></i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuh3LTqIfSBdv9oMYYcNQznJrY9SSxSyKzmomeGxV2BwYwzW4jNrm9pjkFrg4Klbt3ju5AR2JaiP29qgB6rCHiG5ZPsS5hX5oG_X6VbrYN17bMBbySKKiJKwvvTZZMayI0l8ewRmPfFc/s1600/crafty+throwdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuh3LTqIfSBdv9oMYYcNQznJrY9SSxSyKzmomeGxV2BwYwzW4jNrm9pjkFrg4Klbt3ju5AR2JaiP29qgB6rCHiG5ZPsS5hX5oG_X6VbrYN17bMBbySKKiJKwvvTZZMayI0l8ewRmPfFc/s320/crafty+throwdown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Ready for a challenge? Try our Fiber Earring Throw Down! You can sew them, you can knit them, you can felt them, you can weave them, you can string them....technique is irrelevant. They can be pierced or clip-on, dangling or post, flashy or demure.<br />
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<b>THE ONLY RULE IS THAT THE EARRINGS MUST CONTAIN A FIBER ELEMENT!</b><br />
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<b>Send me a picture of your fiberlicious creation on or before Monday, February 28</b><b>, 2011!</b><br />
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You supply the ingredients and I will supply the prize---a fantastical, mouth watering, envy inducing box of Sparkling-N-Fibery Goodness with a retail value of $150. There will be prizes for the second and third place winners as well as a special gift for every participant who blogs about the challenge--just send me a link to your blog post to be included in the fun. Help spread the crafty word!<br />
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<b>IN THE STUDIO </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uIkRfYpNzGAVORda-kQFfE9yeUnzbawluEBN7oboWhIw7_hFY8TOzMv8PjcJ8duDIUuPehBPB9C9CxQD3xy2pQXtMnxWMlQTMruuRAs3nVp0y8jtB1cauZJvcFaC3KE6A814P1GCD-s/s1600/cuff.blackgreenvelvet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uIkRfYpNzGAVORda-kQFfE9yeUnzbawluEBN7oboWhIw7_hFY8TOzMv8PjcJ8duDIUuPehBPB9C9CxQD3xy2pQXtMnxWMlQTMruuRAs3nVp0y8jtB1cauZJvcFaC3KE6A814P1GCD-s/s320/cuff.blackgreenvelvet.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I have been concentrating so heavily on crochet that I forgot how much I loved to felt! I just finished the green cuff pictured at right, and have just pulled the components to complete the second in what is apparently my GREEN series. I guess the lovely weather we are experiencing in Florida has me thinking of Spring.<b> </b><br />
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<i><b>IN THE DOG HOUSE</b></i><b>?</b><br />
My daughter and I foster rescue dogs. The result of this volunteer work is that we have a tendency to adopt foster dogs. DUH! <b> </b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoECx-nwAW3ZTmrAQ7G968AF5RuwWG9JFMwfO0EHJxlYtac0PaFJuq7GctSPpVwyVWbhyphenhyphendC6Oqx-otlgyOvZyr6tZsaux8Nwwzlrq5bPzdAyEXDjkkYu3zwftzk9zuf1bOOaB2M7wmMA/s1600/rocket-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoECx-nwAW3ZTmrAQ7G968AF5RuwWG9JFMwfO0EHJxlYtac0PaFJuq7GctSPpVwyVWbhyphenhyphendC6Oqx-otlgyOvZyr6tZsaux8Nwwzlrq5bPzdAyEXDjkkYu3zwftzk9zuf1bOOaB2M7wmMA/s400/rocket-1.JPG" width="288" /></a><br />
Meet the newest member of our wacky family! He is five months old and, until last week, his world was limited to a tiny crate. He was a sweet, timid, cowering thing who has morphed into a rowdy, confident, perpetually dirty ball of furry fun.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycbGQohrCvtynF1_2FYuLQRh-rp0O5Q9CgODavhbI0OtNgRj5wpE5923r63AzWreJNNsxrZpihZGq9Hmq1-1f9tzOhIFQmVGbImom1TeUKiUD-lPD81tfdPeIyB9Zb-JJWdiVJQytbs4/s1600/Rosie+the+Apple+Thief.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycbGQohrCvtynF1_2FYuLQRh-rp0O5Q9CgODavhbI0OtNgRj5wpE5923r63AzWreJNNsxrZpihZGq9Hmq1-1f9tzOhIFQmVGbImom1TeUKiUD-lPD81tfdPeIyB9Zb-JJWdiVJQytbs4/s200/Rosie+the+Apple+Thief.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>We will never replace Rosie, but have found room in our hearts for this little guy.<br />
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Any suggestions for a name?<br />
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</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-63560375158594863612011-02-09T17:00:00.001-05:002011-02-09T17:04:43.674-05:00Embrace Technology to Grab your Share of the Retail Craft Dollar!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kysvm9C0CIx9PqN07r2VX3xLuPpdWu0ZU7gFR2ndleStqNg9b9olMmb5sesZjZeRU-euKURhHmXVuUWxbsoqgRJQHMbd1JubdsRPVuFCl7d3ObHdT4brcfZDepDTs_1tF18FjDUe_h0/s1600/Rock+Star.iStock_000010728467Medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kysvm9C0CIx9PqN07r2VX3xLuPpdWu0ZU7gFR2ndleStqNg9b9olMmb5sesZjZeRU-euKURhHmXVuUWxbsoqgRJQHMbd1JubdsRPVuFCl7d3ObHdT4brcfZDepDTs_1tF18FjDUe_h0/s200/Rock+Star.iStock_000010728467Medium.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>Every "industry" has its Rock Star. Regardless of your passion -- Fibers, Beads, Politics...<i>whatever</i>...there is someone in your tribe who is the leader of the pack---you know, the one who sets the pace. The one we want to be when we grow up. The cool kid.<br />
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You know who has my vote as the Crafty Retail Rock Star of the year? <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.ornamentea.com/About.htm">Cynthia Deis</a></b> of <b><a href="http://ornamentea.com/">Ornamentea</a>.</b> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQ8iM8fC9zjRZ456EMJB3W-WR3oTnFTmuxCoApySFqJE9__iQdyhK7IKWu0JFsazUxGD2KviuYWFqjve_LC5UtvWT1PS25TyScVGBocWgwBsczeEbFw0c-KI9L7DvbdZNr8aPOQEvtvM/s1600/Polaroid1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQ8iM8fC9zjRZ456EMJB3W-WR3oTnFTmuxCoApySFqJE9__iQdyhK7IKWu0JFsazUxGD2KviuYWFqjve_LC5UtvWT1PS25TyScVGBocWgwBsczeEbFw0c-KI9L7DvbdZNr8aPOQEvtvM/s1600/Polaroid1.jpg" /></a></div>She and her husband Galen run the business--which consists of a brick and mortar store as well as an internet store---together. Cynthia is the creative genius, while Galen is the operations guru. Although I have never met Cynthia "in person," I have been a secret admirer for many years. Not the weird, creepy, stalker kind of fan; rather, the appreciative "Damn! She's good!" kind of fan. At a time when more than a few retailers are bemoaning the state of the economy, Cythia and Galen employ 28 folks and are looking to hire. Mind you, most of employees are part-time, but c'mon! I'm impressed! Ornamentea's success is no accident.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>ORNAMENTEA EMBRACES </b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>TECHNOLOGY</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span>I first came across the Ornamentea website while researching sites for my own fledgling business almost a decade ago. Most retailers were still in the dark ages...we were only just starting to recognize that a web presence was a business necessity. Ornamentea was way ahead of the curve--the site was total eye candy in a sea of standard "stock" templates and lousy visual imagery. Today it sets the standard for the industry.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqCR23nM_1yk2OKC1KGFPUcMcMNy8jc_DokPKjxR63jeNpiUVGoW39_u33syIgTEPu9mNZDppzYwZxEJjt2vp-FUtK7jCI1NLNQs2dqKGxBM86rA2k7ms6sB7bi2w_0rmcaEHmJWc4x4/s1600/tech-geek_design.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqCR23nM_1yk2OKC1KGFPUcMcMNy8jc_DokPKjxR63jeNpiUVGoW39_u33syIgTEPu9mNZDppzYwZxEJjt2vp-FUtK7jCI1NLNQs2dqKGxBM86rA2k7ms6sB7bi2w_0rmcaEHmJWc4x4/s200/tech-geek_design.png" width="200" /></a></div>I asked Cynthia what set her apart at a time when others in the craft industry are experiencing sluggish sales. She observed that her<i><b> team is all "pretty techie" </b></i>and that<i><b> Ornamentea embraces technology</b></i>. Galen is a former IBM executive who took a leave of absence to help Cynthia during her busy season. His leave of absence soon became permanent as Ornamentea grew. Moreover, Ornamentea employs two full time web designers to keep the site in tip top shape. Web sales make up a significant potion of her retail sales, so the investment clearly pays off for Ornamentea. While very few specialty craft stores can afford a Tech Team, it certainly underscores the need for every retailer to make her website a priority. Take some time and peruse the <b><a href="http://www.ornamentea.com/">site</a></b>. Make sure to click every link. It is stimulating both creatively <i><b>and</b></i> professionally. You are bound to leave the computer bursting with enthusiasm and ideas for your own shop.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sLEMnieEJ4ahduewUMIhmpvRsgQ8OLWl7-GFmIiQUuTodZNnRmBorlg_aYhuJ3H-fgyfwiQC4tzmbalDSaKN1bQLwV-pdyU9HfUYPPjvL3hey2gR4OKDrn9s2oUB8j8fiEeawcVaLYo/s1600/ornamentea+tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sLEMnieEJ4ahduewUMIhmpvRsgQ8OLWl7-GFmIiQUuTodZNnRmBorlg_aYhuJ3H-fgyfwiQC4tzmbalDSaKN1bQLwV-pdyU9HfUYPPjvL3hey2gR4OKDrn9s2oUB8j8fiEeawcVaLYo/s1600/ornamentea+tag.jpg" /></a></div>In addition to the website, Ornamentea leverages technology to capture the very best of what is wonderful about the brick and mortar experience --- that yummy sense of being part of a larger crafty community --- and then carries it over to create a warm and fuzzy <i><b>online </b><b>community</b></i>. It is all part of the Ornamentea brand experience. Cynthia encourages her staff to walk the floor with their cell phones/cameras so that they can grab customer photographs as appropriate. It is fun for her team, it is fun for her customers. The pics are then quickly uploaded to Facebook or the store website. Customers know to check in with <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ornamentea?ref=ts"><b>Facebook</b></a> often, because something exciting is always going on. <br />
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Whether she is sending out her latest weekly <b><a href="http://www.ornamentea.com/News/email020111.html">craft tutorial</a></b>, or simply sharing the details of her recent battle with the flu, it is a delight to be part of Cynthia's circle. Hop on over here <b><a href="http://www.ornamentea.com/TheShop/DispatchSignUp.html">here</a></b> to sign up for the Dot Com Dispatch, her weekly free e-tutorial. Cynthia has the pulse of the industry and you are sure to learn something. She also emails a weekly newsletter to her brick and mortar customers. Although store owners know that "they should" have store events, many fail to host even one a month. Not Cynthia! This week Ornamentea has six separate events going on! <b><a href="http://www.ornamentea.com/News.html">Read her newsletter</a></b> and be inspired! <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>CYNTHIA GIVES HER CUSTOMERS A REASON TO SHOP AT ORNAMENTEA.</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7BUNeL9qxkPSNWELKH7Elf1rIM8qRP83tePgk5OiDZjQp7ZTOlBFviNFoAGt_9BLeJSiJjB9_ayCTD3GfhgBjGFp7PiGDmFoAc879iyfg8ofPn3g9QktPSvMVLUiIIPQQFcp-S-TZg4/s1600/key+to+sparkle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7BUNeL9qxkPSNWELKH7Elf1rIM8qRP83tePgk5OiDZjQp7ZTOlBFviNFoAGt_9BLeJSiJjB9_ayCTD3GfhgBjGFp7PiGDmFoAc879iyfg8ofPn3g9QktPSvMVLUiIIPQQFcp-S-TZg4/s320/key+to+sparkle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">There</span> </span>is always a whole lot of free going on at Ornamentea. Cynthia sells a great deal of inventory by exposing her customers to new products, techniques and ideas..FOR FREE. She has <b><a href="http://www.ornamentea.com/Tutorials.htm">free templates</a></b> available for download and some of the<a href="http://www.ornamentea.com/TheShop/TutorialPages/KeyToSparkleNecklace.html"> <b>best jewelry tutorials</b></a> on the net.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowdZnYtmRFrXFsLhNnFO3WnDFCjRbNTLYJ5dETNQCMEvgk3tIlksx9dnd649u9KumKbCqE01MH6nBhmAE6fWWYNyGt2t7i_S-8hSucS-eDmmPGL5e1xrCVkUqejbB-m1MARJ0YIfy_RE/s1600/AlteredBooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowdZnYtmRFrXFsLhNnFO3WnDFCjRbNTLYJ5dETNQCMEvgk3tIlksx9dnd649u9KumKbCqE01MH6nBhmAE6fWWYNyGt2t7i_S-8hSucS-eDmmPGL5e1xrCVkUqejbB-m1MARJ0YIfy_RE/s200/AlteredBooks.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78ncVR0b9xhLlTqVudfqV9OX3iUQrOQ_GU7ToVMN8PrlgKsSrY3JM84mQjCtLTd06OUeZNcFtO46yCoj9J81PKa1GPxWME2sLVRWBE7yQUucM4m0tzL_TMWvz6umYyCFHAjIqj2ZTPYk/s1600/AlteredBookClubBanner.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78ncVR0b9xhLlTqVudfqV9OX3iUQrOQ_GU7ToVMN8PrlgKsSrY3JM84mQjCtLTd06OUeZNcFtO46yCoj9J81PKa1GPxWME2sLVRWBE7yQUucM4m0tzL_TMWvz6umYyCFHAjIqj2ZTPYk/s200/AlteredBookClubBanner.gif" width="200" /></a>In addition to providing the goodies listed above, Cynthia and her team cultivate several different "micro communities" within her customer base. For example, she has a "<b><a href="http://www.ornamentea.com/Clubs/MetalsClub.html">Metals Club</a></b>" which meets --for free-- at the shop. There is a monthly metal project for anyone who chooses to make it. Ornamentea is currently sponsoring a juried metals competition for group members. The club even has its own separate newsletter! Other free clubs include the <b><a href="http://www.ornamentea.com/Clubs/AlteredBookClub.html">Altered Book Club</a></b> and the <b><a href="http://www.ornamentea.com/Clubs/BeadweavingClub.html">Beadweaving Club</a></b>.<br />
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Are your school kids bored on half day Wednesday? Ornamentea welcomes them for <a href="http://www.ornamentea.com/OrnaEvents.html#kww"><b>Kids Work Wednesday</b></a>, when your child can make a project for only $2.00! The shop hosts an open air market five times a year for customers to sell their handmade wares. Did I mention that Cynthia and Galen have two small children? WHEW!<br />
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Honestly, it is easy to see where Ornamentea would have to employ at least 28 people! Every business owner knows that staffing is one of the biggest challenges in retail. Tune in next week as Cynthia shares some tips on being a good boss!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>IN OTHER NEWS:</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhez2NcnzeDk8JTIKei2Hf_Uny63ym4-mYHiPr1oMxrZwUJNpV6NaSXT25PO87VYcGsMuiJKruVVkiWl_eruvl_ICeGsOrON9cwnKJOezBGvrG3dap0oTMigKviV3rcIcVcK64kKab00bo/s1600/craft+challenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhez2NcnzeDk8JTIKei2Hf_Uny63ym4-mYHiPr1oMxrZwUJNpV6NaSXT25PO87VYcGsMuiJKruVVkiWl_eruvl_ICeGsOrON9cwnKJOezBGvrG3dap0oTMigKviV3rcIcVcK64kKab00bo/s320/craft+challenge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2omrvmlQ2NoXiZSd9D0KEByn-IWe41CFBW20QbhJmeoKM8DffkodDDOOsWXr5Q9TOA7wg1UJ7fvTBRVuG6ZyHM08OKZL0InJPxlDERBH00DXwZxkEYQxkbcvtqXfIhUw5AHUXPr_BI6M/s1600/felted+hoops.blue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2omrvmlQ2NoXiZSd9D0KEByn-IWe41CFBW20QbhJmeoKM8DffkodDDOOsWXr5Q9TOA7wg1UJ7fvTBRVuG6ZyHM08OKZL0InJPxlDERBH00DXwZxkEYQxkbcvtqXfIhUw5AHUXPr_BI6M/s200/felted+hoops.blue.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> My current earring addiction? Felted hoop earrings! Get the tutorial <b><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/28107077/Felted-Hoop-Earrings">here</a></b>. It is the ultimate "upcycling" project since it features tarnished "throwaway" hoops for the base and just a few grams of Ashland Bay wool top for the felting. I am just finishing up a blue and silver set which will be perfect with denim. I used mismatched hoops, which adds to the playfulness of the medium, and embellished with seed beads and Swarovski sew on stones.<br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> FIBER EARRING CHALLENGE!</b></i></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivs8ENmOXstUySRr8pa-aGfXkdF2vTyr5pI4d3JxV_uxa_6njQN_6L5P58-mrTD21ofsJjSJyuQcqWpddhjb5-Nsud1rgi9oGEZFpKxhrnzHcaPKUQM_1EbCMst_xdBhubM7mjwdmNie4/s1600/crafty+throwdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivs8ENmOXstUySRr8pa-aGfXkdF2vTyr5pI4d3JxV_uxa_6njQN_6L5P58-mrTD21ofsJjSJyuQcqWpddhjb5-Nsud1rgi9oGEZFpKxhrnzHcaPKUQM_1EbCMst_xdBhubM7mjwdmNie4/s320/crafty+throwdown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div>You can sew them, you can knit them, you can felt them, you can weave them, you can string them....technique is irrelevant. They can be pierced or clip-on, dangling or post, flashy or demure.<br />
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<b>THE ONLY RULE IS THAT THE EARRINGS MUST CONTAIN A FIBER ELEMENT!</b><br />
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<b>Send me a picture of your fiberlicious creation on or before February 23, 2011!</b><br />
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You supply the ingredients and I will supply the prize---a fantastical, mouth watering, envy inducing box of Sparkling-N-Fibery Goodness with a retail value of $150. The winner will drool on it when she opens it...guaranteed! There will be prizes for the second and third place winners as well as a special gift for every participant who blogs about the challenge. Throw Down judges <i>will be independent, with no business connection to</i> either The Crafty Retailer or <b><a href="http://www.aussiethreadsandfibers.com/">Aussie Threads and Fibers</a>. </b><br />
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Time's a wastin'! Need some inspiration? A quick <b><a href="http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&biw=1115&bih=585&gbv=2&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=fiber+earrings&aq=f&aqi=g-m1&aql=&oq=">google image search</a></b> for "fiber earring" generates 1.9 million images! Sort through your craft stash, get your creative muse flowing, and help me spread the crafty word!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-11694621344291993512011-01-26T17:18:00.001-05:002011-01-26T21:25:28.215-05:00Crafty Retail Superstars know that NICHE BRANDING will enhance profitablilty!<div class="headword"><div class="border-top"><div class="border-left"><div class="border-right"><div class="border-bottom"><div class="corner-top-left"><div class="corner-top-right"><div class="corner-bottom-left"><div class="corner-bottom-right"><div id="mwEntryData"><div class="headword"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaFP0P1N5zBqZj-YWAiiV2QuCKL_4uR_Rm7oNepeo6QbgcOvEhWVdkGp_oPfBDY41tTj1kKcpWyddQM4mGxH5sv_Stjdp7wyXFccfZzRavaAwdsAb8VEa6Y1Cx9YGWuPwOv3wQngj7Wc/s1600/conventional_wisdom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJaFP0P1N5zBqZj-YWAiiV2QuCKL_4uR_Rm7oNepeo6QbgcOvEhWVdkGp_oPfBDY41tTj1kKcpWyddQM4mGxH5sv_Stjdp7wyXFccfZzRavaAwdsAb8VEa6Y1Cx9YGWuPwOv3wQngj7Wc/s320/conventional_wisdom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><h2 style="color: #20124d;"><i>conventional wisdom<i> noun</i></i></h2></div><div class="d"><div class="sense-block-one"><div class="scnt" style="color: #20124d;"><i><span class="ssens"> <b></b>the generally accepted belief, opinion, judgment, or prediction about a particular matter </span></i></div><div class="scnt"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>CONVENTIONAL WISDOM.....hmmm. Conventional wisdom suggests that successful retailers must embrace the notion of Shoppertainment. Event Marketing <i>is </i>part of creating an exceptional retail experience and I have blogged about it <a href="http://thecraftyretailer.blogspot.com/2010/04/hard-times-are-comingare-you-ant-or.html">here</a>, <a href="http://thecraftyretailer.blogspot.com/2010/04/crafty-retail-superstores-know-that.html">here</a> and <a href="http://thecraftyretailer.blogspot.com/2010/04/economy-be-damnedmany-crafty-retailers.html">here</a>.<br />
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However, I know that there are lots of ways to achieve success and this week's Crafty Retail Rock Star tells me that she not really big on marketing or shoppertainment. Holly Hancock and her husband Bruce have owned <b><a href="http://ebeads.com/">Beads!</a></b> in Tampa, Florida for four years. There is no shortage of competition for Holly. Tampa is home to a large number of Crafty Retail Stores. You will find 5 or 6 bead stores at any given time, 2 great yarn stores, several boutique fabric shops, a smattering of scrapbook stores, and the big boys: Michael's and JoAnne's.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGIo8mKYn_RpaxKSPcOaQbgm6O_h2PTPiZ3DQ_ydvKZmBHds4rnRJilNWZFumbeShZNsHkQSFo8-9qstyJJDrXC5twzdZzQDLyH3nfgz0BKUExGpLMNxyIqRtb2By11K9-zhZuPsoE9A/s1600/chasing+the+dollar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGIo8mKYn_RpaxKSPcOaQbgm6O_h2PTPiZ3DQ_ydvKZmBHds4rnRJilNWZFumbeShZNsHkQSFo8-9qstyJJDrXC5twzdZzQDLyH3nfgz0BKUExGpLMNxyIqRtb2By11K9-zhZuPsoE9A/s1600/chasing+the+dollar.jpg" /></a></div>There are plenty of retailers clamoring for the Tampa craft dollar, yet Holly certainly seems to be winning her fair share of the business. In fact, in a year where several craft stores have closed, Beads! is profitable; in fact, it is the sole means of support for Holly and Bruce. When I asked her about store events and promotions she told me that the notion of Shoppertainment doesn't really cross her mind. Rather, she is focused on meeting the needs of her customers. Her success comes without Newsletters....without Facebook....without expensive Store Promotions....without lots of Sales....without Twitter...<br />
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Wow. No bells or whistles? No marketing? What is her secret?<br />
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<i><b>SHE HAS A WELL DEFINED NICHE.</b></i><br />
Holly told me that she has established a reputation as the "Go To" store for bead weaving supplies. She buys narrow and she buys deep when it comes to that area of inventory. She carries 850 different delicas, a full range of seed beads and other stock to delight the most discriminating weaver. Gemstones are also a "specialty" and she has more gemstones than 3 or 4 other stores combined. Customers know that if they go to her place, those areas will be well stocked, every single visit. <br />
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<i><b>SHE GIVES HER CUSTOMERS A REASON TO COME TO HER STORE.</b></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHunE0QN5u2TVI_qdouc6XAzVAkAbJG_TAv8JtKleHR2JVVzQ0mXqycbYqoLLQXk1t4hDZ-SzPPTJU45oEiw4JyTBFCJJ9xqL3AGuQcxsYdi7PuPcdnDNMOw8TbYZ-B2AtE5UrjFGh-c/s1600/discount+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHunE0QN5u2TVI_qdouc6XAzVAkAbJG_TAv8JtKleHR2JVVzQ0mXqycbYqoLLQXk1t4hDZ-SzPPTJU45oEiw4JyTBFCJJ9xqL3AGuQcxsYdi7PuPcdnDNMOw8TbYZ-B2AtE5UrjFGh-c/s1600/discount+card.jpg" /></a></div>Holly has a Discount Club that has proven very successful for her. She offers three tiers of membership. A $10 investment gives you the Copper Discount Card which entitles you to 5% off every single purchase for a year. The Silver Discount Card runs $30 annually but affords you 10% off all purchases. Finally, the $60 Gold card will knock 15% off each sales ticket. Simple but brilliant. Customers choosing between several stores will certainly be inclined to go to Beads! for the extra discount, which even applies to sale items. Holly reports that the $60 card is the most popular.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHhifh_0p2TPpQSyjqHzBvD7FRyWWpRe0SWHHpp8fT5YhdpFKCqeHQUp2gAtIOWb9n9RmH60Dm1kP394-UvEaRXSgC-SBeeJHDsVErftbi8Vuppb2XXs8JE-uhZ_wHssFfjSfUnDRJXg/s1600/MEET+UP.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHhifh_0p2TPpQSyjqHzBvD7FRyWWpRe0SWHHpp8fT5YhdpFKCqeHQUp2gAtIOWb9n9RmH60Dm1kP394-UvEaRXSgC-SBeeJHDsVErftbi8Vuppb2XXs8JE-uhZ_wHssFfjSfUnDRJXg/s200/MEET+UP.jpeg" width="195" /></a></div><i><b>SHE IS INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY</b></i><br />
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Holly told me about the <b><a href="http://www.meetup.com/beads-tampa/?a=mu_g4ejr8qxct">Tampa Bay Beadwork Meetup Group</a></b> that she had started. The group has 226 members and small groups meet regularly at her store. She provides the location, and will often provide a project as well, free of charge.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI659_GmkghhfTRcaQYEAjN5AGE2vqBLDKbYBWX8gwccEjMS7MCYnGoXMdJhQg8GMOs6f-R7TsTeKGUBRLrbP4QVRwxHEBIEpGnSJiI7AZqoK0dFDgJYYTQkrpHGcS_oxXZbpUuFUWNj0/s1600/Ovacome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI659_GmkghhfTRcaQYEAjN5AGE2vqBLDKbYBWX8gwccEjMS7MCYnGoXMdJhQg8GMOs6f-R7TsTeKGUBRLrbP4QVRwxHEBIEpGnSJiI7AZqoK0dFDgJYYTQkrpHGcS_oxXZbpUuFUWNj0/s200/Ovacome.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> Holly recently made up some beautiful necklaces in honor of a friend who had lost her battle with Ovarian Cancer. She hosted a little silent auction, offering her customers the chance to bid on the jewelry, with the proceeds going to Ovacome, a charity focused on Ovarian Cancer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPBcVEZ6nxuE2Sx1_5bGsVlpMnAqfwVxSpvnXKod_juV4tT-gu550gV6BlPHRuZzM6dxkLjL5ekU5eg0iwfsyM92TJNaGwt7ZzSXiSi5u-otuyTYe7jih4jvkRBeRUUa80R7bgPVSeJs/s1600/holly+hancock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPBcVEZ6nxuE2Sx1_5bGsVlpMnAqfwVxSpvnXKod_juV4tT-gu550gV6BlPHRuZzM6dxkLjL5ekU5eg0iwfsyM92TJNaGwt7ZzSXiSi5u-otuyTYe7jih4jvkRBeRUUa80R7bgPVSeJs/s320/holly+hancock.jpg" width="217" /></a>While I was on the phone with Holly I heard her dog Barley bark excitedly as he recognized a customer's car as she pulled into the parking lot. Barley actually pushed open the door and ran outside to greet the woman! I heard her laughing as she walked in the store. Holly made sure to let me know that not EVERY customer got that sort of treatment. Barley is a respectful pup who knows when someone will be happy to see him and when he is better off resting under a table. <br />
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Holly had to cut our conversation short...there was a customer in the store and she knows where her priorities belong...it is all about CUSTOMER SERVICE, after all.<br />
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Well Stocked Store. Discount Cards. Meet Up Group. Charity Auction. Trained Doggie Ambassador. Intense Customer Focus.<br />
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Holly might not be calling it "Shoppertainment" but she is clearly getting the job done! Way to go, Holly and Bruce!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>In other News: </b></i></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62Gw56p50QxNDl-BeQjyPrb-RN-KUt0iRT6UUO2iQ2ozaV47V2HYzcgrnEcPXQHG8veJYzE7k_joPiKA5y4Wk1L0LP8uooghO1SH_v3LwVZ6JYm1hGJH2gf4XwlNVPkgEPY2wrzFZAVU/s1600/.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62Gw56p50QxNDl-BeQjyPrb-RN-KUt0iRT6UUO2iQ2ozaV47V2HYzcgrnEcPXQHG8veJYzE7k_joPiKA5y4Wk1L0LP8uooghO1SH_v3LwVZ6JYm1hGJH2gf4XwlNVPkgEPY2wrzFZAVU/s200/.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We have our sixteen participants for the Felted Cuff Challenge and all of the kits have been mailed out. We were delighted to see a number of fiber gals opt in for this jewelry challenge. Many of the beading participants have never worked with felt before so this should be fun all the way around! The deadline is March 31...can't wait to see all of the fabulous creations!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>IN THE STUDIO</b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYehLFkaJP4MO79AeTg-VdOXBGHUg8gd9j34MQ198TfpGx454evgxDJ32uK5mv3rWgykTD0VdjCNgQNU_bTbt1gDMmgkveHq4PHqOv7FAqOcviWf2wZ_SJ_IoE9Dg1jBlixTccsY0AQYA/s1600/IMG_1661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYehLFkaJP4MO79AeTg-VdOXBGHUg8gd9j34MQ198TfpGx454evgxDJ32uK5mv3rWgykTD0VdjCNgQNU_bTbt1gDMmgkveHq4PHqOv7FAqOcviWf2wZ_SJ_IoE9Dg1jBlixTccsY0AQYA/s320/IMG_1661.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I am still in the midst of a manic crochet-a-thon. I am currently working on my version of the <b><a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Crochet/Patterns/Babette-Blanket.html">Babette Afghan</a></b>. I have yet to get proficient enough at knitting for it to become a soothing, mindless activity. It simply requires too much concentration for me when my life is busy. Accordingly, I am totally digging this crochet project. Total Craft Buzz. It allows me to drift to that wonderful Zen place, stitching effortlessly while watching American Idol and crushing on Steven Tyler. Yum.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDknMSWWS4MTcLH_SPjFitnr4AqF6N-HZiqG9cJ5ZzgH6A3xXmLWvA5nJbN21k2QyS7V4HbR4R01P1QvZIYrBfcoUvPefuwpsjFdYQPnVzTXUaupBgZ8Qd2p8psJnpePODYSpkdh9L1kI/s1600/katwise+coat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDknMSWWS4MTcLH_SPjFitnr4AqF6N-HZiqG9cJ5ZzgH6A3xXmLWvA5nJbN21k2QyS7V4HbR4R01P1QvZIYrBfcoUvPefuwpsjFdYQPnVzTXUaupBgZ8Qd2p8psJnpePODYSpkdh9L1kI/s320/katwise+coat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNblfJdgzyh0CLzwfBhHDY1QUSRDGSd5v7HMzpCaK6TdYQm1vs40MOgoYmSBtiEVX56IKLmKuJI7eNV6OJ79OofP_KVdnf9ivGBu7WRUkex0OZdmzkAT-ewEacVXqTfAn3H2OHv8yYM6w/s1600/Vogue+Jacket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNblfJdgzyh0CLzwfBhHDY1QUSRDGSd5v7HMzpCaK6TdYQm1vs40MOgoYmSBtiEVX56IKLmKuJI7eNV6OJ79OofP_KVdnf9ivGBu7WRUkex0OZdmzkAT-ewEacVXqTfAn3H2OHv8yYM6w/s200/Vogue+Jacket.JPG" width="135" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjZJPlcfZRkIZRkIGOofAJfc7R09UJTaDz-R53u0j4UYsuDs7rLBqiK8Jy4bh4FHeMd1SXAcYjcm56gGcF-Iri2xYGaWfYKvw-bZiWQYJUOKAUhxipn3BXSICNfr_JmtmdsRoMlNCT_M/s1600/Serged+sweater.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjZJPlcfZRkIZRkIGOofAJfc7R09UJTaDz-R53u0j4UYsuDs7rLBqiK8Jy4bh4FHeMd1SXAcYjcm56gGcF-Iri2xYGaWfYKvw-bZiWQYJUOKAUhxipn3BXSICNfr_JmtmdsRoMlNCT_M/s320/Serged+sweater.JPG" width="320" /></a>The other thing that has my attention is the " brand new to me" used serger that I got on Craig's list. The serger made it to my "gotta have list" after I became inspired by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=850819289181&set=a.849597767121.2682973.2038502&pid=53099918&id=2038502#%21/pages/Katwise/320233446531">Katwise</a>, the artist who makes the most amazing coats from recycled clothing. Her work is truly eye candy. I am not sure that I could pull off the Elf Coat pictured at left, but I am determined to do up a version more suitable for middle aged me. Toward that end, I picked up a Vogue jacket pattern, figured out how to thread the machine, and started to play. It works! I can't wait until the week-end when the project will get some focused attention. Stay tuned!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-18826986079926200792011-01-18T18:53:00.001-05:002011-01-18T18:58:53.985-05:00Avoid the Retail Death Spiral! Take steps to ensure that your Brick and Mortar Store remains viable in an Internet World!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDU7HrbXPb6iRzmGJgAilUluVDr1pN8Duy9zvLpapgTT8-fwSq6wleYfw7KpafOSrW73BdH1K2QqhZppnGj2kgBOEwwP6VrN5RoB02IYbSGDYOHF25g_ccljLJ-kYJs-Nc43NFKRqlHI/s1600/Down_Spiral2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDU7HrbXPb6iRzmGJgAilUluVDr1pN8Duy9zvLpapgTT8-fwSq6wleYfw7KpafOSrW73BdH1K2QqhZppnGj2kgBOEwwP6VrN5RoB02IYbSGDYOHF25g_ccljLJ-kYJs-Nc43NFKRqlHI/s200/Down_Spiral2.gif" width="163" /></a>Many Specialty Craft Retailers are running scared. They hear the evening newscasters report that the Recession is over and that <b>The Recovery Has Begun</b>, but they aren't feeling it. Some of their customers don't appear to be feeling it, either. I speak to a variety of store owners with a range of specialties: Bead, Yarn, Fabric, Scrapbooking. Reports of fourth quarter sales that fell below same quarter 2009 are not uncommon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Despite cheerful forecasts to the contrary, the challenges are very real. While some experts are touting the economy as "A Jobless Recovery," such a recovery works best for those who are gainfully employed. For those with no paycheck....not so much. These customers will not stop crafting. After all, like any addiction, the desire to craft <i>will</i> be sated and I have the yarn/bead/fiber stash to prove it. Instead, customers will choose to be much more discriminating with their dollar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQhm8JAOHRHRr_TY65mtOAnP34pQhH7cksY9fXHOuUxEC5BvwkIMbQ5vF4V8axzV1-_tzqgsdQGmO4cDgm__XxDSufpJZsXx5wTSLMANs9WjmlTO0zql5LqghOOi54ms3pey2EUl4wuQ/s1600/shopping-online.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQhm8JAOHRHRr_TY65mtOAnP34pQhH7cksY9fXHOuUxEC5BvwkIMbQ5vF4V8axzV1-_tzqgsdQGmO4cDgm__XxDSufpJZsXx5wTSLMANs9WjmlTO0zql5LqghOOi54ms3pey2EUl4wuQ/s200/shopping-online.jpg" width="185" /></a>You know the scenario: Your beloved customer will hop on her computer and she will Google <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=best+price+pure+pima+cotton+yarn&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a">"best price pure pima cotton yarn"</a> and she will find it. Lots of it. 18,300 results in .24 seconds, in fact. Much of it will be priced significantly below what it would cost her in your store---with free shipping and no sales tax. Sigh. Your best Vendors---the ones who previously sold only to Brick and Mortar stores, are now offering their lines to Internet Retailers. They are running scared, too and, like you, they are in the business of making money. They see the writing on the wall! It is predicted that 11 million American Households will make their first online purchases this year! Internet retailers are selling lots of yarn...and beads...and fiber. The Economics and Statistics Administration of the Department of Commerce <a href="http://www.esa.doc.gov/Blog/retail-sales-december-fourth-quarter-and-2010-4">reported</a> that On-line Retail sales were up 16.4% in 2010. Hmmmm.....maybe that was where all the money went. The reality is that your competitor is not just the shop across town....it is <i>every</i> shop at the click of your customers' fingertip! </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Accept the reality of the future and adapt to it. There are shops that are doing well despite the challenges facing them. There are stores in depressed geographic areas that continue to shine, month after month. There are owners who are dealing with divorce/aging parents/ illness that manage to get it done. It definitely ain't easy, but it is do-able. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11wlvvFut1HB4nlk8-z3EXlQcmNsEXL-bVmaCL-Vy-WJ9C2nqE9APgbuISGIJE2aMfpWKB4yxTOSEW796zOhVnaEKUokjNtmB8UtBuomwB1lFQDZNY3U6pQYf2X3ZQVZiVub3mXUcFWM/s1600/retro.happy+lady+with+money.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11wlvvFut1HB4nlk8-z3EXlQcmNsEXL-bVmaCL-Vy-WJ9C2nqE9APgbuISGIJE2aMfpWKB4yxTOSEW796zOhVnaEKUokjNtmB8UtBuomwB1lFQDZNY3U6pQYf2X3ZQVZiVub3mXUcFWM/s200/retro.happy+lady+with+money.jpg" width="186" /></a><b>Master the media needed to survive!</b> Your website MUST be more than a brochure site---it should be an active revenue stream. Fortunately, it has never been easier to have an e-commerce site---it takes time but it doesn't take much money. You don't need to do everything at once. Rather, start uploading the more unusual inventory. For example, lots of E-Tailers sell crystal bicones, so your site would not easily be found by a customer looking for bicones unless you were willing to spend a ton of cash on Pay Per Click Advertising. Instead, feature harder to find, trendier items that will stand out within the Search Engines. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTAOR-T41RfDHREcgvNw50dx40TgcmwhqOmnHauppj-zqS0Tns_ECmJy16bT3xbDiicQ6ilYgWwIiN1gBTUifgjY02LpawXE7kc-6WuTQLgQvEQlEB0bT7_kxncie2uCT01Vx8G178PU/s1600/shopatron.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTAOR-T41RfDHREcgvNw50dx40TgcmwhqOmnHauppj-zqS0Tns_ECmJy16bT3xbDiicQ6ilYgWwIiN1gBTUifgjY02LpawXE7kc-6WuTQLgQvEQlEB0bT7_kxncie2uCT01Vx8G178PU/s1600/shopatron.gif" /></a><b> Sign up to become a Fulfillment Partner with <a href="http://ecommerce.shopatron.com/corporate">Shop-a-Tron</a></b><b>.</b> It is a great concept. Many manufacturers "sell" their products on their website. The manufacturer does not actually ship the order; rather, the order is sent to a retailer who carries the line. It is a great way for retailers to take advantage of the internet market for very little effort. I have talked to several yarn store owners who report that some days their only sales were the Shop-a-Tron Sales! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Start Blogging!</b> Again, there is a short learning curve but the payback is so worth it, provided you use the blog for more than a platform to hawk your product. Blogging is about engaging the reader, not selling to the reader, so focus on information that will be helpful or interesting to your audience. Someone who does a google search for a free peyote stitch pattern might find just what she is looking for on your latest post. She can then find your website and a new customer is born! Blogging is a tremendous vehicle to enhance goodwill and create a crafty community for your customers. Don't be shy! While your customers like hearing about the latest shop happenings, they also love to know what is going on in your life, within reason, of course. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Write informally---I tend to write the same way that I speak---so that your voice do not come across stilted. Include a recipe or write about your current craft project or life beyond the store. Include lots of pictures to break up the verbiage. People tend to focus on short paragraphs rather than a lengthy missive. You must be consistent to build an audience----blog weekly if you can. A great way to prepare for the blogisphere is to find some blogs that are inspiring and follow them. I just did a <i><b><a href="http://blogsearch.google.com/">blogsearch</a></b></i> for "blogs by retail bead store owners" and got over five thousand results. You will see what works--and what doesn't---very quickly! Reading blogs is a great way to keep on top of the industry, too! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>COMING NEXT WEEK: </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are going to meet two different CRAFTY RETAIL SUPERSTARS who will share some of their tips for succeeding when so many others are feeling the pain!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>IN OTHER NEWS:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xPqXP_HZv2dMcpsAyLqc-9fwS8-btyyATOfUFHOHo1sC4Kdlz3d4WDoCVEKkHAPekHA4ekj2oLnpMP98tl8-qOnCNgYi-3tmza2Dn_hSeNq3CK6m3GB_YUMTcBQzDnWGfvhsr4xwt4s/s1600/.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xPqXP_HZv2dMcpsAyLqc-9fwS8-btyyATOfUFHOHo1sC4Kdlz3d4WDoCVEKkHAPekHA4ekj2oLnpMP98tl8-qOnCNgYi-3tmza2Dn_hSeNq3CK6m3GB_YUMTcBQzDnWGfvhsr4xwt4s/s200/.jpg" width="200" /></a>We have space for three more participants in the current craft challenge: Felted Cuff. The kit, pictured below, will be mailed out by the end of the week. Pictures of the finished piece must be sent to me on or before March 15. The kit is lovely...I had trouble capturing it in the photo...and includes a yummy mix of crystal stones, hot fix and sew on crystals, Swarovski yarn, hand dyed spiral fiber and more!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b><a href="mailto:thecraftyretailer@gmail.com">Shoot me an email</a></b></i> if you want to participate!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKxQCP7uTgkaVUXLYsBNuc-rZE2cA9EUD-Vsy_-ea-p8qI1RPnY3tmapKWsFs4Pvu7qdrXMs2U97AshW3c91HpZjGB4oRvq_pu9DzzqySGETR0-Jm_UxbOliDJaHo22HUQAWDRyqgA-k/s1600/Craft+Challenge.011111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKxQCP7uTgkaVUXLYsBNuc-rZE2cA9EUD-Vsy_-ea-p8qI1RPnY3tmapKWsFs4Pvu7qdrXMs2U97AshW3c91HpZjGB4oRvq_pu9DzzqySGETR0-Jm_UxbOliDJaHo22HUQAWDRyqgA-k/s320/Craft+Challenge.011111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDU7HrbXPb6iRzmGJgAilUluVDr1pN8Duy9zvLpapgTT8-fwSq6wleYfw7KpafOSrW73BdH1K2QqhZppnGj2kgBOEwwP6VrN5RoB02IYbSGDYOHF25g_ccljLJ-kYJs-Nc43NFKRqlHI/s1600/Down_Spiral2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6802349858004048129.post-51464100687771131072011-01-11T17:33:00.000-05:002011-01-11T17:33:18.191-05:00Crafty Retailers Create! Participate in our Felted Jewelry Craft Challenge!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HyfYcDfOXShD-e5fdVoJOftnNkVtUzL8qIk_qtu9F5vFEtW2dLHJz_roiUdFwge0m0n1zIhyphenhyphena3fuE7rJ2jT96hwjWOlR3OIF2jg7AaDcm-AR8GmFCI1K2id9ny6NRUDZdKALkmpfu9o/s1600/.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HyfYcDfOXShD-e5fdVoJOftnNkVtUzL8qIk_qtu9F5vFEtW2dLHJz_roiUdFwge0m0n1zIhyphenhyphena3fuE7rJ2jT96hwjWOlR3OIF2jg7AaDcm-AR8GmFCI1K2id9ny6NRUDZdKALkmpfu9o/s200/.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>It has been far too long since we have crafted together! I am game for a new craft challenge and I hope that you want to play along. There are16 kits similar to the one pictured below. The colors will vary, but each kit will be beautiful and will contain:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKxQCP7uTgkaVUXLYsBNuc-rZE2cA9EUD-Vsy_-ea-p8qI1RPnY3tmapKWsFs4Pvu7qdrXMs2U97AshW3c91HpZjGB4oRvq_pu9DzzqySGETR0-Jm_UxbOliDJaHo22HUQAWDRyqgA-k/s1600/Craft+Challenge.011111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKxQCP7uTgkaVUXLYsBNuc-rZE2cA9EUD-Vsy_-ea-p8qI1RPnY3tmapKWsFs4Pvu7qdrXMs2U97AshW3c91HpZjGB4oRvq_pu9DzzqySGETR0-Jm_UxbOliDJaHo22HUQAWDRyqgA-k/s320/Craft+Challenge.011111.JPG" width="320" /></a>Hand dyed superfine merino wool, <br />
Swarovski Crystal Suede Yarn, 27 mm Rivoli Stone, 20mm Square Frame Stones, Assorted Hot Fix Crystals, Assorted Sew On Crystals, Bits and pieces of chain, High Quality Craft Sequins and Brass Bracelet Blank<br />
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You must use at least one of every item in the kit and you must make a cuff bracelet. The rest is up to you. No felting experience? Don't be a 'fraidy cat! It is fun and easy and you can see my felted cuff tutorials <i><b><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/29206549/Embedded-Crystal-Cuff-Tutorial-Part-I">here</a></b></i> and <i><b><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/31170399/TCR-embedded-Crystal-Cuff-Tutorial-Part-II">here</a></b></i>. I will upload a tutorial on embedding crystal into felt within the next few days for those who prefer that sort of demonstration. <b><a href="mailto:thecraftyretailer@gmail.com">Shoot me an email if </a></b>you want to participate.<br />
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Next week's post will have pictures from the last Crafty Retailer Challenge. There are some special stories and incredible pieces---don't miss the opportunity to vote on your favorite! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>IN OTHER NEWS:</i></b></span></div><br />
<b>FACEBOOK UPDATE</b><br />
Thank you to all of you who "liked" the <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aussie-Threads-and-Fibers/116024761741033#%21/pages/Aussie-Threads-and-Fibers/116024761741033">Aussie Fibers Facebook</a></b> page last week. The winner of our random "We Appreciate Your Support" drawing was <span class="profileName ginormousProfileName fwb">Linda Disosway-Jones of Texas. It is not too late to get some goodies! Head on over to our <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aussie-Threads-and-Fibers/116024761741033#%21/pages/Aussie-Threads-and-Fibers/116024761741033">page</a></b> and <i><b>LIKE IT</b></i> to qualify for this week's drawing. Check in often as we will be using the page to announce spur of the moment sales and discounts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Rest in Peace, Rosie (December 2006- December 2010)</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Bd7wRzPw-dEISwClrqzXxsn8lf-ZiCg0Niz7vVkt5iY7pwJt4IhWehkT7n9CL3WBjo6iE4wOD5NL4vWtd_LmmykP9nGlLYWG6D_9KavI0iBDCFNfsYghNDvc7-5CYkmsCR7SQlI6vpY/s1600/Rosie.April+1+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Bd7wRzPw-dEISwClrqzXxsn8lf-ZiCg0Niz7vVkt5iY7pwJt4IhWehkT7n9CL3WBjo6iE4wOD5NL4vWtd_LmmykP9nGlLYWG6D_9KavI0iBDCFNfsYghNDvc7-5CYkmsCR7SQlI6vpY/s320/Rosie.April+1+015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The last week of 2010 damn near did me in---my little Rosie dog finally lost her wag. She died on December 24 and it has been a real bitch. I know that it will get better. It always has in the past, but I am not sure it will be as easy this time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwn_IVv3cx_HfkgOd0afzbdp1CPxWXg_JCJzUZ8gi7IcI-Q0KYAFc-HR6kePHRjAx9JD7tvfIMX3a1IuLz2ZoSBYp2MaHte9jMizvpP_a0-VpyIF4N98i0Mom8uXsxS0LgC4eS2PEGBUY/s1600/IMG_0117_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwn_IVv3cx_HfkgOd0afzbdp1CPxWXg_JCJzUZ8gi7IcI-Q0KYAFc-HR6kePHRjAx9JD7tvfIMX3a1IuLz2ZoSBYp2MaHte9jMizvpP_a0-VpyIF4N98i0Mom8uXsxS0LgC4eS2PEGBUY/s320/IMG_0117_edited-1.JPG" width="259" /></a>Rosie was my best pal...making me laugh every day with her silly, goofball antics. She was a funny looking thing---beautiful face, too stout body, and long skinny legs. Her parts never really seemed to go together but that was part of her charm. She had an expressive face and paws that she used just like hands. I loved her like crazy ---even immortalizing her on canvas. My family teased me about my Rosie obsession so I painted the "Rosa Lisa" to play along. There will never be another one like her and I do not say it lightly. I have had animals my entire adult life and have loved every single one of them----even the wretched cat who insisted upon peeing on my stove top---not the flat top stove where one would simply swear at the cat and wipe it up. No, I am talking about the old fashioned stove with the coils. The kind where you would be blissfully unaware of the danger that lurked beneath. That is, until you endeavored to scramble eggs for hungry children and were assaulted by the smell of burning cat pee. You haven't lived until you have smelled sizzling cat pee. Yet, I even managed to love <i>that</i> cat. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByl9aLOZdEVP1aWZXJpfaqEwH9DtXO1kcSvnArac1xs8cazR93GvtvZiqbIXlDKt4u8JMcEAKUo3aLf_-6l81vUT2HtSOT4smmtNY6xyyldwA2BaiUmitqd7dD6r3ntZDJVIutAJ7czg/s1600/cooking+on+stove+retro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByl9aLOZdEVP1aWZXJpfaqEwH9DtXO1kcSvnArac1xs8cazR93GvtvZiqbIXlDKt4u8JMcEAKUo3aLf_-6l81vUT2HtSOT4smmtNY6xyyldwA2BaiUmitqd7dD6r3ntZDJVIutAJ7czg/s200/cooking+on+stove+retro.jpg" width="154" /></a>But back to Rosie...... I know that it will get easier. I know that the sun will shine again. I just don't know if I will ever find a dog who will own my heart in the same way and that sucks. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrJqtxIz_sx2_0mXFRaEzRdlCnXFYgyWffmu6Lci3y0joKvN3mlSOlo1Wcx05IlTLs-MKvAixcLQ1cdie8gH0T4d_ujyaQ0zbzMgGeeRXVkM4xD2ip1x22aEHCYLjU0kuK-jaUxkY1jI/s1600/040310.Sharing+a+moment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrJqtxIz_sx2_0mXFRaEzRdlCnXFYgyWffmu6Lci3y0joKvN3mlSOlo1Wcx05IlTLs-MKvAixcLQ1cdie8gH0T4d_ujyaQ0zbzMgGeeRXVkM4xD2ip1x22aEHCYLjU0kuK-jaUxkY1jI/s320/040310.Sharing+a+moment.JPG" width="320" /></a>I am the sort of person who needs laughter in my life, so even in the midst of my sadness, I am determined to get my giggles. I just need to do it in a way that doesn't force a "Rosie was way better" comparison. There is no new puppy on the horizon. Rather, I just put a deposit on two Nubian dairy goats. I don't have a barn or suitable shed on the property yet, but the goats won't be born for a few more months, so it is all good. Who knows, maybe there will be another pet portrait in my future! <br />
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I am going to pick myself up, dust myself off, and throw my energies into this next adventure. I am sure that it will be tons of fun and provide the requisite laughter for me. I think that Rosie would approve.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333059163731746098noreply@blogger.com13