Preparing for the Holiday Selling Season

I hate to bring this up, but we are two weeks away from October and six weeks away from the start of the holiday selling season November 1. Are you ready?

I have to say that I was not even thinking about until I read TheTinyFig's blog post. Then I got into gear and have done much to be prepared.

Read TheTinyFig's blog for exceptional and useful tips for the following:

• Build your inventory and shop appearance
• Order craft supplies for the rest of the year - prioritize them
• Establish a shipping deadline and communicate that
• Ship internationally
• Bump up your marketing
• Bump up your advertising and brand opportunities
• Use tagging the best way
• Photography of items - retake those that are questionable
• Offer a sale or discount

Just wanted to share this as the information is fabulous.

Be sure to read IndieCEO's latest post on advertising your blog for free with Entrecard. See the pros and cons of Entrecard and consider using it for your holiday advertising.

Happy creating!

Weathering the Economic Storm with Earrings

Isn't that just like a woman? When the economy goes down, ladies buy earrings! At least I'm hopin'. Well, really, they are.

Last fall when the economy in the US was at a standstill, I made a decision to stock GalleriaLinda's iCraft shop with $12.99 USD earrings. That is not a huge investment, but still, earrings can be a great wardrobe brightener.

And, it worked. I have had new customers purchase earrings the last few months and I have been in an earring designing frenzy for a while, making up a storm!

A small business has to be nimble without devaluing the product. Adding a less expensive option to my shop made a lot of sense!

Participating in iCraft's Sellers' Bootcamp!

I am embarking on a high-energy Sellers' Boot camp in iCraft.ca!! Already, the sales strategies are electrifying!

This is a new admin-supported program started by Christine of PillowThrowDecor for sellers on iCraft.ca! Christine not only produces the most elegant pillows for your home, but she is also a sales expert that creates energy that motivates!

She is the one that started the awesome "Odd Sock" category to move merchandise. Check out PillowThrowDecor's "Odd Sock" deals - unbelievable!

The Sellers' Bootcamp program goes for 28 days with assignments for each day that will help you fill your promotional "bag of tricks" by the end of the month. The idea is to get into the habit of spending 30-45 minutes a day doing things that will help sales. You can check out the iCraft.ca Sellers' Boot camp forum.

Retired from another career, Christine states that a part of her professional background is in sales training. She states, "As independent business people it is all about accountability. I do much better when I know there is a team of people marching along with me every day and are as committed as I am to doing assigned activities!

If you are considering trying iCraft.ca as your handmade selling venue, now is the time! Remember, if you use a referral number when you pay your one-time registration fee, you receive six months of shop fees free for an unlimited number of items! Shop fees are very reasonable. In case you need one, GalleriaLinda's referral number is: 1c28439c38!

Must go...off to boot camp!!

Black Friday and Holiday Shopping!!!

ETSY Sellers' Holiday Sale
November 27 - Dec. 2, 2008
200 Online Shops!!!

Shop Handmade!

Boy, are we in for some treats!!! Black Friday, the biggest retail day of the year, is almost here. Not only do big box sellers do big discounts but our own indie artists offer GREAT savings in their online shops! ETSYFEST is a group of Etsy sellers that pool their talent and resources to provide this huge sale of handmade goods.

GalleriaLinda's big weekend includes sales in ALL the onlines shops! Find GalleriaLinda here:

www.iCraft.ca/gallerialinda
handcrafted contemporary beaded & silver wire jewelry

gallerialinda.ecrater.com

vintage jewery & treasures, handmade sterling & gem jewelry

gallerialindaloft.etsy.com

vintage jewery & beads

gallerialinda.etsy.com

(inventory moved to other shops for this weekend sale)

GalleriaLinda has also been accepted into the juried handmade venue

HandmadeFuzion.com!

Look for a new shop there in the very near future!

Go to GalleriaLinda.com now
to find out about discounts in all the stores of
20% to a whopping 50% of a large inventory!

Then, come visit some of the finest artisans on the web!

ETSYFEST Blog Announcement & Information plus a list of shops by category!

Stranger Sales

I had my first "stranger sale" about two weeks ago and had been waiting for this for six months! How uplifting is that! Now a *stranger* - who does no know me or buy because they love me - purchased a great memory bracelet from GalleriaLinda.

Etsy seller (and buyer!) Snicketypop bought this great memory wire bracelet - one of my favorits and one that had gotten a ton of views.

Just today, I got my second "stranger sale," much to my surprise, from an Etsy buyer. It was purchased the day it was listed - a beautiful pair of inexpensive Cats Eye earrings.

Now that I have my second "stranger sale" under my belt, I am re-energized and ready to make and post new and exciting things.

I am working on more earrings, which I have not done much with, and also some polymer clay pendants. Keep watch for awesome, affordable things from GalleriaLinda!

The Bracelet that Launched a Business

What is your business story?
Somehow, we all have one. I had not intended to start an online business, but...

History
I used to make jewelry for myself in college and during the early days of my interior design career. Then, time took over and I gradually phased out of it. I remember in college I wanted so badly to take a jewelry casting class but I did not have the extra time for the credits. Instead, I worked a little in my free time with a friend who took that class but it was not an optimum arrangement, as I would need access to the lab with the kiln. So I dropped that too.

Time warp past marriage, birthing, career changes, 8 moves, etc... to 2006. I made a commitment to do something I wanted to do, something I would enjoy - and jewelry was it!

The Moment
The bracelet pictured above is one of the first designs I made in 2006. I loved to make jewelry to give as as gifts for birthdays and graduations. This one was for my neighbor's daughter, who apparently loved it since the parents came over (both mom AND dad) to say that the bracelet was so great. They kept asking if I sold them. No - I said... and there launched the seed for a business. They ordered bracelets for the other two daughters and offered to take some to their offices. They were so "pushy" in encouraging me! And that is the kind of pushy I like!

Happily Ever After
Today, I sell my jewelry on Etsy.com on my store page and I sell also in person. You can access all my online activities on my web site at www.gallerialinda.com/! I have a very, very special group of friends and family who have been such encouragement and buy for themselves and for gifts!