2011 Goals

Well, 2010 is rapidly coming to a close and its time for a quick look back, and to plan for the future. Today marks my one year "etsyversary". I set a small goal for myself after a VERY slow start to selling online. My goal was to sell one item a week, or 52 items total. I met and surpassed that goal and made 57 online sales. I also made another couple dozen sales to friends, family, and at craft shows. I did 2 craft shows this past year, with one being classified as an absolute learning experience!! It was an awful show other wise, but I gained a lot of information, and my next show was much more successful.

So my goals for 2011 are a little loftier.
1.  I would like to double my Etsy sales to 104 for the year. Thats essentially 2 a week, or 8 a month. In those terms it seems much less daunting.

2.  Participate in at least 4 craft shows. This will really help get my name out in my local community, not just the online community. There is one I wanted to do this year, but couldn't find how to apply. Well, I know what I need to do now to participate so that's one show down. And it will be back in North Carolina, at the beach I usually go to with my girlfriends. So It will be an awesome opportunity to get back together with my girlfriends who I will be moving away from shortly.

3.  My goals for creating products is a tough one. I will say that I need to dedicate 5 hours a week to product creation only. This can always be changed as my life changes. Right now, I may not be working after wednesday for the next few weeks, to months!!! Scary thought, but our life is in major flux and all I can do is roll with the punches. So I can use it as an opportunity to create like crazy.

More goals and ideas will surely come as the year rolls on and I enter a new phase of my life.

Good Luck to all in 2011!!!!

Bootcamp Continues

So I haven't been great at keeping up with my homework or this blog. Its on my to-do list for the weekend. My notes are partly written down in my notebook, and some are in my head.  Just need to get them all out.

My day job has kept me working hard, then on Thursday I injured myself while attempting to prevent a patient fall. Well, he still fell, but not as hard, and he didn't get hurt. So that's my job right? Don't let the patient get more hurt. However, I sprained my low back and wrist. That makes typing quite an adventure right now. Haven't even attempted to make any new jewelry. That will probably have to take a few weeks break :( 

But for some good news, I found a bunch of already edited photos of my jewelry. Oh happy day, since most jewelry designers, and etsy sellers in general, dislike the photo taking and editing process the most. But those finished photos mean I will be listing new items in the coming days, so keep checking back often. Here's my newest necklace.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/59518062/teal-glass-drop-bead-necklace

Keep an eye out for my new items and blog posts as I get ready for this holiday season.

Holiday Bootcamp

Wow. It's been a month since I have checked in.  I have been working hard on retaking and editing my photos to better show off the beauty of the jewelry.

The next major step I'm taking is to join the Holiday Boot camp on Etsy.com  The holidays are fast approaching us, and this is the first holiday season that I will be selling my jewelry, I want to have the best chance to succeed. So.....here's my pledge:

I, Elizabeth of turtlexiii.etsy.com , pledge to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere!

With that pledge, its off to finish my week one homework and start my week two homework. Kinda fun to be doing homework again, especially when the results will be immediately evident!!

Etsy Buy and Replace Treasury

Alrighty friends. Its time for another round of our treasury!! In this treasury, the goal is to get as many sales as possible. So if you see a shop you like, buy something from them. Then you get to replace them in the treasury, and hopefully someone will buy you off. Come spend the day with us and join the fun. We will open at 8am on Sunday and Monday and close about midnight each day.

Looking For Inspirations

I find myself looking for inspiration more in the beads and finding I come across, or from the people I know, rather than in nature. I see a beautiful bead and know what I want to do with it. How I want to create an image and feeling with the beads.


Take this bracelet for example:

I saw the beads and knew I had to have them. Immediately! At any cost. I took one look at them and felt myself suddenly relax. I felt at ease and could picture the blue green waves of the ocean crashing onshore and swirling with the sand. They evoked a sense of calm and happiness. I then paired them with the beautiful blue turquoise beads that reminded me of the sky. That combination led me to the “sand, sea, and sky bracelet”



Another one of my favorite means of inspiration is my friends and family. I picture someone and try to create something that they would love. When I saw these purple heart beads, I immediately thought of my sister. Like me, she loves hearts. And her favorite color is purple. So when I created these earrings, I named them “Carrie” in her honor.

I also tend to collect lots of beads and findings and books and wait for the inspiration to hit. Much to my husbands dismay, I have pounds of beads waiting to become a beautiful piece of jewelry that someone will take home and love to wear. Dont be afraid to contact me with any requests for yourself or others :)

Happy 30th Birthday to ME!!!

Help me celebrate my birthday!!!!


20% off and free shipping on your purchase until Midnight eastern on August 4th.

turtlexiii.etsy.com 
Lots of handmade sterling silver jewelry with lots of sparkling swarovski crystals!!

Welcome

Hello Everyone,
I'm Elizabeth of TurtleXIII.etsy.com  My blog will be about my jewelry designs, sales, struggles, and success as I move forward in my attempts to make jewelry design and sales a truly profitable venture for myself.

I also love to ramble , so don't be surprised to find some of my personal ramblings and struggles.