1.29.2009

Thursday's Thoughts


"To dream anything that you want to dream.
That is the beauty of the human mind.
To do anything that you want to do.
That is the strength of the human will.
To trust yourself to test your limits.
That is the courage to succeed."

Benard Edmonds

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1.28.2009

In Business?...Blog!

Blogging has become a necessity if you do business online. It is a way for your customers to get to know you and your business, and feel comfortable about making a purchase with you.

Well according to a survey of more than 2000 online consumer's, blog readers are strongly influenced by blog content when it came to there purchase decisions. They also found that readers use links on blogs to discover new content more than they use search engines. Same goes for ads, readers trust the ad on their favorite blog more than on social sites.
Another good reason to advertise.

This info is from the BuzzLogic and JupiterResearch survey released in October 2008.
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1.27.2009

Business Tip Tuesday

Last week we talked about adding an image to your business card, well I received my Moo mini business cards and here is a photo of some of them. You can have up to 100 different images so each card can be different. There a nice size and easy to remember.


This weeks tip
Try Advertising


There are great resources for inexpensive online advertising, Project Wonderful is one that is well known in the art & craft community. Here is a link that shows you how to set up a PW campaign from Timothy Adam Designs and an interesting Etsy forum thread which turned into a debate about using PW. Both of these are worth checking out.


Don't forget to check into advertising off line as well. I just recently participated in a co-op ad with Indiepublic that will be running in two magazines coming out in February. This is my first time running an ad like this and I hope it will help bring new customers to my shop. I will keep you posted on how it goes.


Do you have any ideas or suggestions for advertising, please share them in the comments section.

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1.25.2009

Accessory Style

Accessory Tip #2
Express yourself with charms that make a statement.
Chcek out these cool charm bracelets from some great Etsy sellers.











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1.24.2009

Check This Out

Earlier this week I was contacted by the blog Capitola Girl Jewelry, a blog I have been reading for a year or so now and thrilled when she asked for an interview for her Saturday Sparkle series.

Well I answered all the questions and the post is now available for everyone to read.
Check it out - http://www.capitolagirl.com/2009/01/saturday-sparkle-additions.html

Leave a comment and let me know what you think.
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1.22.2009

Thursday's Thought's


"Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what your desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will."

George Bernard Shaw

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1.20.2009

Business Tip Tuesday

Each Tuesday I will share with you 3 tips to grow your business in 2009. Try one or try them all. You may have heard some of them before and not tried them, then this is the year to give it a try. I will give them a try as well and share with you the results they have on my business.

1. Add a image of your work to your business card
Consider mini cards from Moo.com or Myminicards.com. They both offer cards with photos on the front and your business info on the back.

2. Leave your business cards or postcards in public places
I read about a person who left business cards in popular library books when she returned them.

3. Add your marketing message to your e-mail signature - make it easy for people to connect to you.
Here is what mine looks like:

Valerie William
Additions - Simply Wearable Hardware
shop at
http://additionsstyle.etsy.com/
http://additionsstyle.1000markets.com/
follow my blog at
http://additionsstyle.blogspot.com/
contact me at
additionsstyle@sbcglobal.net

Please feel free to share any ideas you have or how using these tips affect your business.
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1.18.2009

Accessory Style

Accessory Tip#1

Girly accessories can instantly dress up any simple top and jeans.
Check out these girly accessories from some of my favorite Etsy Shops.















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1.16.2009

Coming Soon

Here are a few items that will be added to my 2 shops over the next week. I will be posting new items everyday to my Etsy shop and for two days in my 1000 Market shop.
Follow me on my twitter to find out when.


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1.15.2009

Thursday's Thoughts


"Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So What. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more self-confident and more and more successful." - Mark Victor Hansen

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Check This Out


This bracelet was chosen to be in a treasury.


Check it out

Brilliant Rubbish - Artisans make beauty from ordinary



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1.13.2009

Reading Right Now



I am really into books. In the past 10 years or so I have read several books on how to start, run, and succeed in an art and craft business. I read them, use some of the ideas in them, and try to create plans as they suggest, but it sometimes can be difficult.


Well I have found the book that makes the process a whole lot easier.
The Creative Entrepreneur: A DIY Visual Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real.


This book shows you how to set up your business by creating a visual journal. There are tools for self discovery, leadership, and the business stuff, but in a way creative minds can connect too. Even if you already have a business it can give you ideas to help you to expand your business. This is not just another business book, it’s a book that you will enjoy reading, it will inspire you to create a business plan like on other, and the photo's are great too.

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1.12.2009

Hardware Adventures

Two hours is the time I spent in the hardware store on my last visit, and in those 2 hours I discovered some great new finds.

I found washers in different colors

Inspiration for the texture I added to these black washers

Who knew rubber could be so cool


Every time I go to the hardware store I find something new and this year I plan to create jewelry and accessories with more unexpected items, find new ways to add texture, and watch out this spring color is coming!
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1.09.2009

Metal Market


Everyone need a little metal in there life!

Check out some great metal artists and find the perfect piece you need in your life.

http://www.1000markets.com/groups/metalcraft
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1.08.2009

Be More Productive

I Just finished reading an e-zine Highlights on Marketing & Success and I thought I would share with you the main article. It has some good tips, and I hope you can find some value in them as well.

"Run Your Business From Home? Here's 10 Ways to Be More Productive"
by Ali Brown


Ah, working at home sweet home... Visions of leisurely days, conference calls in comfy sweatpants, increased productivity with fewer interruptions. But the distinctions between work life and home life soon blur. You really should throw some laundry in the wash before you write that proposal. You have an hour before a meeting: Should you balance your books or clean the kitchen? And remember to call that client back right after you empty the cat box.

Welcome to the real world of the home office: unforeseen distractions, a lack of structured time, and sometimes a perceived loss of identity. But don't give up the dream just yet! By putting into place a few simple ideas, you can reap more of the rewards of staying home-bound. Based on my experiences and those of my clients, here are 10 simple ways to help you stay on track.

1. Separate Your Space.

Keep a separate, distinct work area in your home. Very important. (This is especially difficult if you're living and working in a shoebox apartment, like I was when I started my business in New York City!) If you don't have a separate room, at least define an area, and know that when you're in it, you're in "work mode."

2. Structure Your Time.

As your business and personal time mesh, it's more important than ever to structure your day. For example, if you regularly take a walk or go to the gym, try to do it every day at the same time. Value that personal appointment with yourself -- even when you're very busy. It will actually help you keep your business on track! I like to get up early and work until 1 pm, then I take a few hours off to enjoy lunch and go to the gym or jog on the beach. Then I'm back at my desk at 5:00 until who knows when!

3. Outsource All You Can.

When I began my business, I made the mistake of doing all my own administrative work. Whenever you start thinking, "Well I can just do that myself," STOP. Streamline your business, making everything as automatic as possible. Use outside services to stay focused on your *real work*. Get accounts with an overnight delivery service, virtual assistant, messenger service, errand service, bookkeeper, etc. Save your time and energy for your brilliant ideas!

4. Use Technology to Your Advantage.

In-person meetings are very valuable when appropriate, but schedule them sparingly. Try to do most of your business via phone, fax, and e-mail using the best equipment you can afford. For most of us, when we're out of the office, we're not bringing in the bacon! So it's important that you can communicate flawlessly from where you are. PLEASE do us all a favor and get separate lines/services for your phone, fax, and Internet! No one likes getting a busy signal or having to call first before faxing.

Get separate lines for home and business, or ask your phone company about getting "distinctive ring". Also, voicemail is better than an answering machine, because if you're on an important call and don't want to be disturbed, other callers can still leave you a message.

5. Group Your Errands.

Try to group your meetings and errands together to minimize your out-of-office time. Make a list in the morning of all the outside tasks you need done for the day, and attempt to complete them in one fell swoop. Even better, do what I used to do and designate just one day a week as your "blitz" day for errands and meetings. Plus, then you only need to get dressed up one day a week! : ) (Nowadays I use an errand service to run around for me.)

6. Stay Focused.

Make your workspace off-limits to other roommates or family members when you're working. For you animal lovers, this may go for pets as well. (My dear old cat Francine would get extremely jealous when I wasn't giving her complete attention!) Keep all personal paperwork such as bills, magazines, and to-do lists out of sight, so they won't distract you from your work projects.

7. Beware of Yappers.

Many of your friends and family will be immediately delighted when they learn that you're now home-officing. They picture you lounging on the couch, eating potato chips, and waiting for their calls. When they call you simply to chat, politely remind them that you're working, and ask them if you can call them back after your day is over. It may take them a while, but they'll eventually get the idea.

8. Work With Your Moods.

Keep track of your moods and productivity compared with the time of day. For example, if you find you're more alert in the morning, use this time to make important calls and do your creative work. Take advantage of your natural cycles. If you feel better after an afternoon nap, go for it! (I'm a BIG proponent of the catnap. In fact, I may start a support group.)

9. Suit Yourself.

To bring out your best work, make your environment perfect for YOU. How do you work best? With plenty of breaks, or with no interruptions? In silence, or with some light music in the background? On a cushy couch and coffee table, or at a business desk in an ergonomic chair? (My friends thought I was nuts when I spent $750 on my Herman Miller Aeron chair, but they quickly understood why I did once they sat in it! It will last forever and my spine thanks me every day.)

Also, find some places you can do work when you need a change of scenery. How about the library, the park, or your neighborhood coffee shop? When I need to do serious reading, thinking, or editing, I take my work outside to the beach. The sea air, sunshine, and soothing waves help me think much more clearly.

10. Break for People.

Feeling sluggish, lonely, or moody? Arrange for at least one social break during the week. Schedule breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even just coffee with a client, vendor, or friend. Join a business networking group, or sign-up for social activities such as dance class or recreational sports league. Don't go into hermit mode -- it can be self-destructive!

© 1999-2009 Alexandria Brown International Inc.

Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown publishes the award-winning 'Highlights on Marketing & Success' weekly ezine with 36,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.AlexandriaBrown.com

WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE? See Alexandria's Small Business Marketing Blog.
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Thursday's Thoughts


Good plans shape good decisions.
That's why good planning helps to make elusive dreames come true.
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1.06.2009

Planning, Time, Business...

This time of year is all about planning, and I'm finding it hard to get started this year. Everyday I try to find new ways to attract new customers, and market my business online, and I realized there is a lot of info out there.

Have you noticed that running a business online is more than a full time job? You have to keep your shop updated, well stocked, attractive for your customers to keep them coming back, and to bring in new ones. There is lots and lots of writing, descriptions, blog posts, twitter posts, posts on other blogs, and e-mails, just to name a few. As you know the most important thing is marketing. Finding places on the web for ads, to create a buzz about your product, meet new potential customers, and let people get to know you so they want to purchase your items without ever have meet you in person.

I find that I can spend hours online even though my reason for having an online business was to create my jewelry. Well the hardest part for me is scheduling my time. So to help me get on track I am going to make a schedule for balance of my creative time with what I need to do for my business. Late this week I will give you an update on my new schedule.

I figure if I put it in writing and out there to all of you, maybe things will actually get done.

Are you ready for success this year?
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1.02.2009

New Year, New Workspace, New Plan



If you read my previous post about my workspace you know I like it when my workspace is a little messy as you can see from the top photo. Well I have spent the last week cleaning, reorganizing, and buying new shelves and office supplies so I can start the New Year off right. Here is a photo of my new cleaned work surface and soon I will have my entire office moved and everything will be all in one place. Hopefully all this work will pay off to help me achieve my goals for 2009.

My basic plan for the new year:

Better Organized
Stay on top of paperwork
Keep all my online shops updated and well stocked
Blog regularly
Market everyday
Basically create a business that will let me work full time creating while becoming financially stable.

Check out the Laurel Plum blog for some great tips on setting goal for 2009.

I wish everyone success in 2009!

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1.01.2009

Thursday Thought's


"Another fresh new year is here...

Another year to live

To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh and give!



This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest...

To daily grow and try to be

my highest and by best!



I have the oppotunity

Once more to right some wrongs,

To pray for peace, to plant a tree,

and sing more joyful songs!"



By: William Aruthur Ward

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