A Website? Really? It's about time!

So, ArtFire, where my online shop is hosted, is going through a transition period. They are upgrading for "mobile optimization". That's cool and all, but it's playing a little havoc with my shop. I'm ready to weather the storm and I'm sure it will all be great in the end, but for now, I needed to do a little something to keep my name out there and make it easier for my customers to find me and navigate a little better.

First, I reopened my Etsy shop. Yes, I know what I said, but I need to be more available. The shop only has 11 items right now, but more will be listed in the not-too-distant future.

The Return of the Etsy.

Second, I made a little informational website. You can find me at Juli's Jewels new website and it will link you to my ArtFire shop, or you can access the Etsy right on the website.

The New Juli's Jewels Website!

Third, ArtFire added a new "visual catalog" that I am using instead of my usual item packed home page. It shows an example of the product in each catagory and you just click on it an you can then just scroll through the items from there.

The Visual Catalog on my ArtFire landing page

If you stop by my website or one of my shops, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks a bunch!

Juli's Jewels ArtFire shop is finally all up to date!

It has been a lot of work, but it's finally done! My ArtFire shop now has pretty much all of my ready made items listed! (There are a couple of things that I haven't decided if I want to post them or dismantle them for parts...) So, at current count, there are 441 total items in the shop; 111 items are listed in the $10 Specials section (lots of gift ideas in there! Ho Ho Ho), 29 items in the 20% off Clearance section (pretty things and great deals), 37 items in Braclets and Anklets, 42 pairs of Earrings, 133 necklaces in the Necklace section (some with complementary coordinating earrings!), 21 bottlecap and domino Pins, 11 Rings of various styles, 25 assorted Christmas items (One for each day!), and last but not least, 31 Halloween and Harvest items (again, one for each day!)

Whew! Now I can go back to the fun of creating! I made this one yesterday...now I just have to list it.

Do you read me?

I haven't really had time to write a good blog post this week, but we'll see who's reading any way. I have been working more hours at home on my ArtFire shop than I have been during the day at my day job...and I still have so many things to post! Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win something and save me from having to list that one more thing in my shop. Thanks for reading!

Starting your crafty business. Part 1 - So, you want to start a crafty business?

So, you've amassed a pile of whatever your crafty madness is...jewelry, collage, afghans...whatever your awesome creativity has spawned and you have that moment, the one where you think "whatever am I going o do with all these?" Everyone you know has one; you even gave one to that person don the street, you know, the one everyone sees but no one knows. Yeah, that one. Now what? Then you get the bright idea (or, in my case, some one says) "you should sell these!" Okay! Hmmm... Okay? How do I do that? 

Decisions, decisions. Online shop? Craft fair? Consignment? Wholesale to that little shop? All of the above? How do you choose?  Well, there is a lot to think about before you decide which way to go with your new crafty busines. Yes, business. The first time you take money for your creation you are leaving the world of crafty hobby and move over to crafty business. You're gonna need to decide if its just a little hobby business that is just a means to buy more crafting supplies, or will it become your sole income. Either way, you're gonna need some stuff. First and forwmost, if you are planning on selling anywhere outside of the occasional one-off with the gal in the cubicle down the hall, you are going o need a sellers permit. Here in California, they're free.  You've got to have one if you are going o sell at craft fairs or to that little boutique. You don't need one if you are going to consign (the consignment shop will have one though).  The cool bonus of your sellers permit is that you can now purchase your supplies wholesale!  Also, depending on your local laws and regulations, you may need a business license, check with your city or county. That will cost you money annually, but for a tiny home-based crafty business it will be nominal.

Does it seem like too much? Yes? Turn back now! No? Alright then, lets go! 

You need to decide how you want to get your stuff out there. I'll leave you with this until next time; how do you want to sell your craft? You'll need to decide that, so you can figure out your prices. No matter what, you don't want to lose money on this endeavor, so you really need to decide that question first. 

So, come back next Wednesday for Part 2 - Okay, I've decided how I want to sell it, how do I price it?