Music Mondays and Craft Show Woes

My post is a day late but better late than never! :)

Let me start this blog post off with something I think that could be fun to do. I'm a very open minded person and I have an addictive personality. I don't often get to share my personal life with my fans and followers and I'd like to change that a little bit.

I'm always striving to be more open. So to kick start this Monday morning I'm going to share with you one of my favorite musicians. I like a lot of music ranging from opera all the way to metal bands and Irish pub songs. I like to give everything a try at least once. This artist was introduced to me on a forum a few years ago and I was so blown away by this man's work that it inspired me in some of my story writing endeavors.

His name is Ed Alleyne-Johnson. He has a very unique instrument and it was one I had never heard of until I saw a video that was linked in the forum I belong to. I think his work is so haunting and beautiful. If you have an ear for classical pieces you may just like this musician and composer. Here is a video I found just searching for his name on Youtube. I happen to love the song he is covering!



Here he is playing live doing a song from his own CD called Ultraviolet.
I would love to see him playing live someday. I'm certain it's a life changing experience! What sort of music do you like to listen to? What music really inspires you?

Craft Shows from May

I've had two craft shows this month. Unfortunately unlike my first show back in March neither of these two worked out very well. I think the first show I attended on the 4th was just not advertised enough sign wise. There weren't any signs out on the main road leading to the venue. I also feel the crowd was just not right for what I was selling. I had more people wanting to buy my mannequin (Beverely) and her wig than I had interested in my jewelry or Vintage wares. They plan to have another show this September. I'm not certain if I'll attend again. There was very little structure to the show and it seemed a bit too much like a free-for-all. While I met some wonderful people I think a lot more planning needs to happen if future shows are to be successful. It just didn't feel like a vendor-friendly show.


My second show, on the 11th, didn't turn out well either. Unfortunately although this was the 8th year for this particular show the weather was forecast to have downpours and thunder storms for the entire day. Even though it didn't rain until the last half hour of the show I believe the potential for bad weather kept many from coming out. I am hopeful that next year will be better and I do look forward to giving this venue another chance. My only wish would be that they have a rain date for this show as it is unfair to their outdoor vendors that don't have the luxury of being located inside the main building. There was also a pet adoption held along with the craft show.

I had a lot of fun meeting all the dogs and cats looking for their forever homes. I was a little disappointed however that many of the handlers didn't seem to care where their dogs were dragging them around to or what the dogs were doing whenever they stopped to meet someone. One of the dogs happened to pee on one of the table skirts of the vendor selling across from me. Most of the handlers also would stop right in front of the vendor tents to talk with people walking by which I believe was a large deterrent to anyone who might have otherwise stopped by the vendor booths. It is difficult for people trying to shop while there are dogs jumping up their legs.

I am hoping that next year the weather is nicer and that perhaps the venue re-think where they place the pet adoption tables. While I support adopting shelter animals I think a lot more thought needs to go into keeping the dogs away from vendor booths. I certainly don't mind them walking by (I don't expect them all to be forced to sit still all day) but it certainly didn't help with sales for mine or any of the other vendors who were set up next to or between the pet adoption booths.

I did get the opportunity to snap some photos for both shows. I suppose that is the plus side to not having many shoppers coming by! lol

Here are just a handful:

These two are from my Lionshead Lake show on the 4th.

Pictured right is the jewelry half of my booth. We had it facing out toward the entrance to the parking lot where people would walk in.

 Pictured left is a front view of my booth. We had two racks of vintage clothing to each side as well as crates filled with vintage fabric. The table to the inside left of the booth had all of our other vintage items such as shoes, sewing patterns, and miscellaneous accessories like gloves and scarves.



And lastly here are two photos from my Skyline Lakes Fire Department Craft show on the 11th.

Pictured right is a front view of my table set up on Saturday May 11th. I had invested in some plastic table clothes and skirts (because of the predicted rain fall). I also acquired some green shower curtains to hang around the back and sides of the canopy. These did an excellent job of keeping the wind from knocking my displays over. I will be investing in some actual canopy curtains so that my set up looks more professional. I also plan to obtain some real table clothes and skirts as well.

Here you can see my best friend Michelle who spent the day with me. She was a huge help with setting up. You can also see that I've ditched all of my hang tags for my items. There was no tangled mess to sort through when it was time to pack up and leave. I also plan to update my little price signs that were placed with some of my items.


If you would like to see more photos from these and other craft shows I attend, please check out my facebook photo albums or my flickr gallery.

Facebook
Flickr


I have a ton of work to catch up on this week. Also I will be looking for more craft shows to attend. Hopefully I can get more lined up very soon!

Have a great week everyone. :)

Glass Pearl Earring Giveaway!

Because a lot of people had trouble entering the last giveaway on last Friday, my winner and I decided to wipe the slates clean and try again!


Please read the entire blog post carefully. Read ALL the rules and instructions on how to enter.


Unlike last time I will not be so lenient and help people along if you don't do EXACTLY as the instructions and rules say.

Prize

You will win a custom made pair of glass pearl earrings done in your choice of glass pearl colors (there are 17 total to choose from) on either gold or silver plated ear wires and findings.

To see pictures and examples of all the colors I offer please click this link!

And here are some group shots of all the colors on the gold and silver plated ear wires:

Who Can Enter

ANYONE can enter! The Giveaway is open worldwide.

How to Enter

Answer the trivia question below by leaving a comment on this blog. Please ALSO include a valid e-mail address with your answer. You can look up your answer via search engine, ask a friend, ANYTHING you need to find the answer! Don't forget to enter the captCHA code when you go to submit your answer or else your comment will not post!

The FIRST PERSON to answer the question correctly and leave their valid e-mail address will be the winner.

Trivia Question: In the Stargate television shows, what is the name of the character that Richard Dean Anderson plays?

Good luck!

Whimsical Photography

As an artist I appreciate many aspects of art. I have always been more into drawing and within recent years creating handmade items like jewelry and accessories. But one thing I have a huge respect for is photography. It has always been an art form that has somewhat eluded me in the past. As time has gone on I continue to improve especially now that I must take crisp, clear photos of my jewelry and vintage items when I list them in my online studios and social networking sites.


I admit, I envy photographers that sell prints because it is something I have always wanted to do but never had the true talent to achieve. But this doesn't stop me from looking through shops and "ooh"ing and "ahh"ing over photos that grab my attention.

I really adore whimsical, and fantasy based or inspired artwork. But sometimes I can be pleasantly surprised and taken by imagery of very real life things or people.

At the end of the day though it always comes back to nature and animals.

These images are just the very tip of the huge cache of gorgeous prints that Photographer and Artist Danny have to offer in their Etsy shop named Maximonstertje.

But she doesn't just offer prints. She also has a beautiful selection of jewelry, postcards, and even iPhone cases.

I am continually inspired by the artwork she lists and I am always eagerly awaiting her Facebook updates so I can catch sneak previews of her newest print.

Be sure to check out Maximonstertje Photography on:

Facebook

Blogger

Etsy

Flickr

I hope you all find her work as inspiring as I do. I am hoping to get a print or two from her to hang on the walls of my studio here at Threaded Chains.

And for the month of July she is offering FREE WORLDWIDE shipping! That's such an awesome deal. :) Just enter the code FREESHIP at checkout to get free shipping on your order.

May the rest of your day and week be filled with wonderful art, inspiration, and love.

~ Remmie

Behind the Scenes

I am taking a short break from updating my Artfire studio and I thought that since it's Christmas in July I'd like to share some behind the scenes pictures of just how I strive to go the extra mile for my customers.

All of my fans be them on Facebook, Twitter, here on my blog, or anywhere else you are watching me and my customers are the ones that make it possible for me to do what I love. I know for me when I go shopping at other handmade, vintage, and supply shops on Etsy, Artfire, or anywhere else I love it when my order is given that personalized touch. I have bought items that came to be wrapped so beautifully and included little notes, thanks yous, business cards, and even coupons. I love knowing that the artisan and shop owner I am supporting has taken the time to stop and appreciate my business to them.

Orders are gift wrapped in colored tissue paper and sealed with festive stickers that I change around depending on the season and holiday at the time of purchase. A hand written note is also included to voice my thanks and to let you know just how much I appreciate your business. :) I also have been including my new business card with my orders for you to share with others.

Recently I had an order for two pairs of my grape cluster earrings. My customer was purchasing these for a friend of hers for her birthday. We talked on Etsy for a bit and I was given the go ahead to customize her order a little further. Polka dotted tissue paper was used to wrap the earrings and each package was sealed with some adorable birthday stickers.

I also included a special Hallmark card, with matching envelope, with a personalized greeting (as requested from my customer), to go with the order. And as always, I included a note for my buyer. Two business cards were sent so she could share one with her friend.

Everything here is included for free with her purchase. I have stickers for just about every occasion and I am always looking for more. I definitely have a lot of fun wrapping my orders. It feels like Christmas to me, wrapping things up to send off to people. :) My hand written notes are also different for each order. I have many different note pads to use for this purpose. Someday I would love to have some stationary with my shop name on them.

Currently my vintage items are shipped in ways that maximize their safety with in the mailers. However, I can offer gift wrapping if asked. :)

What do you guys do for your customers? Do you offer gift wrap options or do you gift wrap everything, like I do? I'd love to hear what you guys do for your clientele.

Back to work for me now. Have a fabulous evening!

~Remmie

Stickers, Stickers, and more Stickers! + Item of the Day

My first apologies for not updating in a few days. There are many things going on in real life that have kept me from being able to update.

My family and I are in the process of moving to my grandmother's house. My parents have been actively trying to fix up the place for her for over two years now. Finally they hired a contractor to come in and redo the driveway and the sidewalk leading from the driveway to the front steps...but they botched it! The contractor never excavated the sidewalk and they botched the stonework that is to line both sides of the driveway. On top of that they butchered the sidewalk. They set the cement and black work right on top of dirt, not gravel as was requested vehemently by my parents, and to top it off when they set the cement they didn't put in good enough supports so the outside edge of the entire walkway is now wavy/scalloped. The surface is also highly pocketed and uneven and there are cracks and gaps in places where water can seep in. It's been a fiasco. I've even had to go and house sit as we have caught word from one of the bosses (who let it slip while talking to my dad) that some of the people have been coming to the house while we aren't there. We haven't moved in yet so my parents don't get to go over there until late afternoon when they both leave work.

However, I have been working on Threaded Chains as well. I have simply been working more days last week and also this week. Tonight and tomorrow are my last two days for the week and then I should hopefully have much more time to work on new pieces, update my shop fronts, and continue my renovations with the store. Thank you SO much to everyone who is hanging in there with me and being patient and supportive as I work hard on improving my customer service initiative and overall SEO and other aspects of my little business.

I am also starting my first Item of the Day promotions! Each day I will choose one item from my shop and offer it up for a sepcial discount. It could be anything from a percentage off, free shipping, or you could even get it FREE with the purchase of another item or maybe even get a few dollars off the original price.

~*~Item of the Day~*~

A one of a kind black and white stone and glass bead charm bracelet. It was originally $6.75 but is is now 15% off for the 21st of September ONLY! Don't miss out on this great deal. The item expires off my Etsy shop on the 26th of this month so Etsy shoppers snag it while you can! You can also get this deal on my Artfire shop.
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/29336476/sale-bracelet-ooak-wire-black-beads
Artfire: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=384766

~*~Item of the Day~*~

As promised though I have shiny new pictures for you! All orders are now wrapped and fancified, it's like receiving a little gift in the mail. I have taken great lengths to find stickers to use as seals on my tissue paper I use to wrap my items when they sell. I don't have any images of all the colors I have for tissue paper but I do have pics of my stickers!

This is just an overview of what I have. I left out some on mistake that I ordered from someone on Etsy. ):

Here are some little overviews of some of my holiday/seasonal stickers!

And lastly here are some shots of my wrapping. Blue and red just happened to be the two colors of tissue paper I chose for the order I was shipping out the day I took these photos.

Every package is different and I never put two of the same stickers on packages within any order. For the time being all tissue paper that I use is being recycled from what I had used to stuff my mother's present bags for her birthday back in August. I used a TON of tissue paper (I not only stuffed the bags but I wrapped all her gifts inside the bags with it too) so I am now taking the opportunity to recycle it instead of allowing her to throw it away. She got neat gifts and I got to keep the 'garbage' so we're both happy, lol.

If anyone is interested in seeing all the photos I took (I got some close ups for my stickers and some of the packaging) please check out my flickr page. I would love more contacts on there as well!

Check out my flickr page here: Threaded Chains on Flickr!

Also I am nearing my goal of 150 fans on facebook. I have joined the group #LINKLOVE so come on by and check out my discussions tab, you can leave your links too. I have a special offer for all my fans if I can hit 150 before Friday the 24th. Think you guys can help? I only need 7 more! Just click the button on my sidebar to go right to my facebook page. :)

And as a little extra teaser here are two more photos of some of my new jewelry that I will be posting soon.