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

Goosebook + Christmas in July

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday! Things have been super busy over here so I apologize for not updating sooner as I had promised.

I'll get right down to it and start with the big news first.

There is a new social networking site and it is small business friendly! I am personally tired of Facebook making changes that negatively affect small business owners like myself. Lately all Facebook has done is make changes that many of it's users hate. Their motivations are to please shareholders now that they have gone public. So Goosie Girl took matters into her own hands and created her own social networking site. About 70 people signed up in just the first 24 hours alone, and I was one of them. Businesses seeking membership are asked to pay a small $5 per year fee and regular profiles for non-business members are completely free! No "promoted posts" like on Facebook. Your posts will reach everyone who watches your profile and won't get hidden, unlike on Facebook. I'm excited to be a member and I am certain the site will only continue to grow.

Goosie has named the site domain mombition as many people who wanted to sign up in the original wave are mostly stay at home, self employed mom's, but EVERYONE is welcome to join! I am currently awaiting approval for my account so i should be up and running on there within a day or so. Come and join me, and many other small businesses, and check it out here: Goosebook

Christmas in July!

And with July comes Christmas! It's that time again so I've been working very hard to get some more Christmas themed items ready to post into the shop. I just listed two handmade jewelry items for Christmas in July the other day. Check out my Christmas Shop Section and stay tuned for more!

Also coming to the shop to celebrate Chistmas in July I have two brand new jewelry styles I'm introducing to the shop: Lariat necklaces and Adjustable Macrame Hemp Jewlery bracelets/anklets. Below you can find a sneek peek preview! I will be adding these and much more to the shop over the coming days.

And lastly to celebrate Christmas in July I will be offering 10% off ALL items in my shop using coupon code XMASINJULY10 until July 31st at midnight, eastern standard time. This discount is not available with any other percent off offer (like the 5% discount offered through the My Etsy Shop app on my Facebook page) but IS good in conjunction with the two for $11 glass pearl earring sale as well as the 3 for $7 Vintage sewing pattern sale. So now is the perfect time to get some early holiday shopping in whether you want to buy my handmade jewelry or some of my mother's vintage items. More will be added as the month goes on.

I will be activating the code within the next few hours on both Etsy and Artfire. Keep an eye out on my Facebook and twitter accounts as I will announce it once the codes are activated!

That's all for now. Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

~ Remmie

Discounts Coming + Happy Wednesday!

It was a great weekend! I know it's Wednesday but I've been quite busy. I made five sales this past weekend in four days, it was really exhilarating! I hope someday that things can be this way on a more daily basis. Until then I am striving hard to promote my shop.

I'v also been featured a few times! I was featured on #Hemp Today. Checkout the #Handmade section especially! And a pair of my earrings were also showcased in a beautiful treasury on Etsy. Check out Shades of Turquoise and Metal now and share it with everyone you know. :)

I thought I would take the time to let you guys know that I have some discounts coming, and some that are already here but you may not know about.

Earlier in the day I set up a rewards feature with the Threaded Chains facebook fan page. Once it is cleared you guys will be able to get 10% off all of my handmade jewelry through my Etsy shop. The discount can't be combined with other offers though but it will apply to your entire order of jewelry! I'll make an announcement once the promo is up and running. In the meantime you can visit the My Etsy Shop app on the Threaded Chains facebook fan page and get 5% off right now! I won't keep the discount going for too long though so take advantage of it while you can! :)

I am also working on getting my Artfire store front up to date and current. Bare with me in the meantime!

And for any of you interested in making a purchase from me but you don't want to have to buy through Artfire or Etsy I am now accepting orders manually if you see anything in my Facebook photo gallery that has been updated with a price. Just send me an e-mail at Threaded_Chains@hotmail.com or note the fan page with which items you'd like. I'll be happy to work out a payment method with you that works to suit your needs.

On a last note be prepared for a HUGE overhaul of my shop policies. They are outdated and a little convoluted with all the text there is to read. I will be fixing that so it is much easier to find the info you need quickly and easily and not have to scroll forever to find it. :)

Before I go, here's a look at the weekend's hottest items that sold in my shop. :)

You can see these items in My Etsy Shop!

I have tons more I'd like to say but I have to rush off and get ready for my "day" job. I have a huge announcement though, so stay tuned! I'll be updating tomorrow. :)

~ Remmie