Business Tip Tusday - Sales Writing

Today I am talking a little about the writing we do from descriptions, ads, blog posts, policies, and more, and some basic rules to make your writing effective.

Now I am not a writer and until I started working on my blog I did not write that much at all. But the more time I spend blogging and trying to write creative descriptions the more I enjoy the process.

There are some basic rules to writing good copy and hopefully this list will help guide you to writing with your customer in mind.

♦Know your audience - we hear this all the time but it really is important to writing good copy

♦Know your product or service

♦Write benefit-oriented copy- we forget this sometimes, but if you want people to read what you write it has to be focused on what you can do for them

♦Short sentences and short words can add up to big ideas- sometimes the best info comes with no frills and is to the point

♦Use formats that promote - strong headlines, benefit-oriented copy, bulleted selling points, and a close that asks for the sale

♦Tell your reader what to do - always direct them to do what you want them to do, purchase something, read something, etc.

♦Tout your name - keep your name out there to build recognition

The more you write the better you get at it, and the easier ideas come to you. Try a couple of these ideas the next time you have to write a description or an ad, and see how they can effect your business.

Please share any ideas that have worked for you. The more we know the better our business.

Creativity Boost

Do you need a creativity boost?

Write a letter to a friend.

In this day and age when everything is electronic, we have lost that personal touch of sending notes, cards, and letters, and instead send text messages, e-mails, and e-cards.

Using a pen and paper and the act of writing, describing your life, will stimulate your creative flow. Creating handcrafted greeting cards to send to your friends will let you show off your creativity. They will love the personal touch and you will enjoy the opportunity to express yourself creatively.

Plus, it's nice to receive a card or a letter in the mail, maybe you can start a new trend with your friends and start exchanging letters. You will be surprised how the simple act of writing a personal note will make you want to create.

When was the last time you wrote a letter to a friend?

The Sounds of Summer

I love the sound of the wind on a warm summer day. Add in the sound of a sweet chime and I am in heaven. These COOL Chimes are created by wonderful Etsy Artists.

Jumbo Brown Pine Chime bybotanicraft

Large Rainbow Wind chime by PurpleTriangle

Large Colorful Glass Mobile by LeahPellegrini

Still Another Blue-Eyed Wire Bird by MyWireArt

Moon Shadow, Copper Moon and Stained Glass Wind Chimes by gardenjeweles

Add a chime to your outside space and enjoy the sounds of summer.

1000 Markets

1000 Markets is a unique community of marketplaces, connecting artisan merchants with people who love their product.

A large selection of jewelry from bead work to metal crafting

The markets are large and small, some have themes, others are placed around a region. Each market fosters its own one-of-kind community, and is always unique and interesting.

A variety of art from Chicagoland artists

Stop by and check out all the wonderful 1000 Market shops, there is something for everyone.

Thursday's Thoughts

"Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born."

Dale E. Turner

Blog Update

I am starting to work on changes I am going to make with my blog and its focus. I am doing some reading and gathering information, so I can create a better blog experience for everyone who visits.

I have added a newsletter, you can sign up in the box on the side bar. I will be sending it about every 6 - 8 weeks, sharing whats going on in my shops, special offers, fashion tips, and happenings on my blog. Please take a moment and sign up. You can also subscribe to my RSS Feed as well.

You will also notice some advertising on the side bar, I have added some space for Project Wonderful ads to help support other artists online, and Amazon.com advertising for cool new products, magazines, and book that I have read and recommend. Take look.

I hope to start making small changes in the next two weeks, so stop back often, soon it will be a whole new blog experience.

Business Tip Tuesday - Buy Now

We all create items to sell, we take the time to take clear and wonderful photo's, we list the items in our shops, write descriptive descriptions, and then we wait for them to sell.

We know that people put off making decisions whenever possible, we do it ourselves. We have worked hard promoting to get them to look at our shops, so why not encourage them to make a purchase.

You have to give people a reason to BUY NOW.

When you write your description or your title let them know if it is a one of a kind, or a limited edition. Offer a limited number of pieces on a listing, design pieces that you will only offer during certain times of the year.

All of these ideas will encourage your customers to consider adding that extra piece, to purchase sooner, and they will like that only a few people will have the item they purchase. If nothing else maybe it will add a few more sales to your shop.

What do you do to encourage your customers to make a purchase?

Creativity Boost

Do you need a creativity boost?

Take time to loosen up and laugh more.

Do you laugh everyday? Did you know that a little laugh could help you loosen up and experience creativity in a new way.

Try these ideas to get a few laughs in your day.

• Read comics


• Sing in the shower


• Wear a crazy shirt


• See a funny movie


• Act like a child for an hour


• build a fort


• get out the crayons and color

This is a small list to get you started. I am sure you can come up with a list of ideas of your own. Sometimes life can be challenging and a little humor often gives us permission for more "out of the box" thinking. Boost your creativity, laugh today!

This new site went up yesterday, and will make it easy to find handmade shopping sites, blogs, Facebook pages and groups, Twitter, and more.

It's a one stop site directory for handmade links. If your and artist it's an easy process to add your information.

Stop by check it out and make a connection.

Thursday's Thoughts

"A problem is a diamond with many different facets. Roll it over in your mind. What others have missed, you can explore."

Clint Weyland

Once I Start it's Hard to Stop

I have been sewing for the last week and it has been great. I forgot how much I enjoy sitting at my machine and creating cool garments. Fun stuff I will be able to wear all summer.

I got my daughter to start a project of her own, so we can work together. I bought a new sewing machine a couple of years ago and now she uses my old one and we can sew at the same time.

So far I have made a skirt, a pair of pants, a top, and a jacket. I hope to get some new projects cut out by this weekend, so I can start some new items next week. I have to watch myself tho, because I know I can get sucked in and spend the summer sewing and not working or making jewelry.

I guess I am going to have to make a schedule so I don't neglect anything. I am going to be doing some changes to my blog in the near future and starting a new project that I will share with you before the month is over.

I am going to try to keep myself focused, so my sewing project don't take over, I still have to try to make some money this summer.

Business Tip Tuesday - Goals Revisited

Half the year is almost over, how it's going with the goals you set for this year?

Are you the kind of person who checks them often to make sure you are on track, If so that is great and you know whats working and whats not. Well this is the time of year to make any changes if you need any to have a successful year.

If you are like me and wrote them down at the beginning of the year, but have not looked at them for a while, then this is a good time of the year to pull out that list and see if you are on track to achieving your goals. I have checked mine over and even tho I have not done a few items on my list, I have accomplished more than I thought. Knowing that makes me feel like all the work I am doing is worth the effort.

Now that I have my list out I know that I am going to have to revise a few things and since we are half way through the year, this is a great time to do that. I now have a better idea of what I can accomplish and what may have to wait.

Pull out your list if you have not done so for awhile and see if you can revise anything or if you are on track. What a great time, before the holiday rush, to get yourself motivated to meet your goals. Not to mention that positive feeling you get knowing that your on track.

How are you doing with your goal for this year?

Fashion Accessories - Gifts for Men

Blogs I Love

I love to check out different kinds of blogs. When I read blogs I like to learn something, be inspired, or be entertained. If it's a blog I especially enjoy I make comments and become part of the community.

Today I am sharing with you some of my favorite places to check out when I am online. You can also check out the list on did on Tuesday of business blogs I read on a regular basis. The blogs on this list offer something different for everyone, so I hope you find a few sites you can enjoy as much as I do.

Try Handmade - a great site with featured artist, there is a chat section, a gallery section, and an expo to find artists. This is one of my favorites and I check it out almost everyday, definitely worth a peek.

Alamode Stuff - Besides the fact that she makes beautiful handbags and accessories, her blog is fun to read and full of inspiration.

Creature Comforts - This blog is full of beautiful photos, and featured items.

The Craft Begins - This blog has some wonderfully different photo's and is full of inspiration. She creates inspirations boards with photo's and her color choices and posts them every week.

Laurel Plum Online - This blog is all about organizing, decluttering, simplifying, and having fun. There is always something useful to help make your house a home.

Diary of a Young Designer - A younger perspective on today's fashion.

The Coveted - Original fashion designs are featured and lots of fashion talk, fun to check out.

Independent Fashion Bloggers - This is a great site if you are looking for fashion blogs. It's a member site and there are 100's to choose from. Each week they do a list of the best blog posts for the week and they also talk a little bit about the business of blogging.

Funky Finds - Artist Features, weekly giveaways, and lots of cool stuff to find online.

Tip Junkie - This blog is full of tips for your home, parties, events as well as craft projects, giveaways and more. It is easy to get caught up checking out everything.

This is a small list of my favorites. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Tell me, what's your favorite blog?

Thursday's Thoughts

"Everyone has inside him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't yet realize how great you can be! How much you can accomplish! And what your potential is!

Anne Frank

A New Project

I am taking my own advice today and I am going to step out of my box start a new project.

I am going to do some sewing this week. I need a few items to get me through the summer months so I have decided to make them. Its always fun to do different things, and I am looking forward to having some new clothes.




Here is some of the cool fabric I have purchased over the last few weeks and now its time to get started. I will be adding a lot of color to my drab black and navy wardrobe with these bright colored linen fabrics.

This is also a fun project to do with my teenage daughter and something she actually likes to do with me. So off to have some fun.

Do you have plans to try something different this summer?

Business Tip Tuesday - My Favorite Business Blogs

This week I thought I would share with you some of my favorite business blogs. They all offer tips, ideas, and advice, so I hope you can find a couple that work for you.

5000+ Resources to do just about Anything Online - It has so much information I have not even gotten through everything.

Make It - This blog is from the view of an actual artist selling on Etsy. Along with the business tips she includes stories about her life running her business.

The Handmade Business Blog - Again this is a blog from an artist perspective, and its all about running your online business.

Blogging Tips - I have been working on making my blog better and this site if full of tips, guides, news, and resources about blogging.

Etsy Marketing - This is a great site full of ideas on how to market your online business.

Handmadeology - Another sites full of business ideas, tips, and information to start and grow your business.

Startup Nation - Lots of information, I have checked out the marketing info on this site, and it has lots of ideas worth checking out.

Modish Biz Tips - This site has a monthly goal meetup that is great to help you stay on track with your goals. Along with other great ideas for a successful business.

Small Business Administration - Online business classes to help you keep your business on track.

Craft Boom - Great info for your business, and on Thursdays they have Spark an Idea Thursday with ideas to make you think and expand on.

This is a small list to get you started, I know there are 1000's of different business blogs and you could go to google.com and put in craft business and get millions.

I think we find the best sites from each other and I would love to hear what sites you find to be most helpful.

Creativity Boost

Do you need a creativity boost?

Create something with your hands. Anything!

We all create, but it is easy to get stuck in a rut, this is more about stopping out of your box and trying something new.

There are plenty of opportunities to express our creative side, even doing every day tasks.

• Set the table differently- need place mats try making them
• Try a new recipe - use an ingredient you have never tried
• Redesign your bed - ribbons or trim are a great addition to your linens
• Paint a canvas - I am not a painter, but I always break out the paints when I need a boost
• Try a medium totally different from your own - you may like it

When I want to change things up a bit I sew. I love to sew and when I was younger I did it all the time. When I do sew I am excited about what I made and of course I need to make some jewelry to go with my new outfit.

You may be surprised what you come up with when you step out of your box and work with your hands, and finding a new art medium to enjoy.

Summer ♦ Time

It's finally starting to get warm here in the Midwest and summer is quickly approaching.

One more day until my daughters last final and she will be done with the 10th grade. Only two more weeks until she gets her licence and she thinks she is going to drive around all summer, and then a summer with a house full of teenagers.

I am looking forward to not having to run around for school projects and functions. I am looking forward to hanging out with my daughter, well as much as a 16 year old will hang out with her mother.

I plan to work on my inventory and spend some time on the computer, but the main plan is to find new inspiration, create new designs, and start new projects. Summer is a great time to renew your business and plan for the holidays. I have big ideas rolling around in my head, that I will start working on soon. Stop back for regualr updates.

What are your plans for this summer? What types of projects do you do to prepare your business for the holidays?

5 Reasons you need Fashion Accessories

Its easy to throw on a great outfit and look good, but accessories will add that finishing touch to make your outfit great.

Here are 5 reasons why you should not skip the accessories

They complete an outfit

Choosing styles you love show off your sense of style

Your accessories can be conversations starter - especially if you shop for original handmade items

Sparkly accessories make you sparkle

For a big change try something out of the norm - if you wear small accessories try something larger or small accessories if you always wear larger items. You can even change up colors and styles.

Adding accessories is easy, a quick way to update your look, and fun. Check out Etsy.com or 1000 Markets.com today for some fun, original, handmade accessories.

New items COMING SOON to my Etsy shop!

Thursday's Thoughts

Afternoon Mist by MADART

"Life is a great big canvas and you should throw all the paint on it you can."
Danny Kaye

Father's Day under $20

Check out these great handcrafted Father's Day finds all under $20 from the talented artists at Etsy.com.

Dirty Green Nail Buckle $18 - by bykali

Father and Son Matching Tool Apron Set $20 - by CountingBunnies

Copper Tub and Nut Necklace $15 - by additionsstyle

The Custom Stuffer (Tape Wallet) $20 - by tapebubba

Brown Leather Journal Reporter Style $19 - by julieboyles

Enjoy shopping for an orginal gift this year shop handmade!

Business Tip Tuesday - What's Your Story?

As artists we all have a story as to why we create our art. Well it's time to use your story as a powerful marketing tool.

We have all heard it before people who purchase your art want to know how you came up with the idea, what was your inspiration, how you got started in your business, it's their way of making a connection with the artist behind the art they are purchasing. This is even more important when selling art online. They don't have the opportunity to meet you in person, but they still want that connection.

Each of our stories is interesting, even if we don't think so. So here are a few question to ask yourself to help you get started.

• What initially sparked your interest in creating your craft?
• How did you learn your particular medium?
• How long have you been creating?
• Do you only work in one medium or have your tried others?
• What made you decide to start your business?

Your customers will ask you versions of these question over and over. Over time, you will be able to answer them easily, and this will become your story.

Now that you know your story you have to tell it at every opportunity. Share it at craft shows, sometimes a great open to a customer is telling an interesting story about how you learned to create a particular item. You will be surprised how you can suck them in with a great story. Remember you are your own best sales person.

Tell your story online as well, do an about me page on your blog, or any where else you have the opportunity. This will help your online customers connect with you. Also, photo's of you working are great to share.

If you do brochures, fliers, or any other type of promotional material include your story where it will work best. Again the more places you can tell your story the easier it is for your customers to get to know you. Share, share, share.

I would love to get to know you better share a little of your story, your website, and blog, so we can all get to know each other a little more.

Creativity Boost

Do you need a creativity boost?

Create and Idea Box

Block out some time to take a break from your usual routine and from your work space. Go to the park, a museum or even the mall, and start writing down ideas as they come to you. Don't limit yourself to just ideas for your art or even your medium, jot down everything that comes to you, you never know where those ideas can take you. You may want to use note cards or some other small paper so you can put one idea on each sheet.

As well as your idea sheets, you can also put pictures from magazines, objects you collect, or samples of things you have worked on and want to rethink.

Next, take all your ideas and put them in a box. Any kind of box will do, you just want to be able to access it easily from your work area. You can decorate your box any way you would like, and a decorated box will just make it extra special.

Taking a break is a great way to get started your idea box, and so is trying to incorporate some regular break time into your schedule. But don't forget that ideas come to you all the time, which is why you should always carry a small notebook, so you can jot down those ideas and throw them into your idea box.

Now when you are stuck for an idea, or not feeling inspired pull out your idea box and pull out a couple of your ideas. Take a few minutes to expand on the idea, how can you make it different, what else can it be used for, how can it be better. This process will help you create more uses for your product and can inspire you in a new direction. It will also help you to move forward on a project you are already working on.

We come up with ideas all the time even if we don't remember them, this is a great way to not let that great idea slip away.

How do you store your ideas?