Weekly Chat Cafe' 10/11/2015 - 10/18/2015

[DoorCountyVintage]

Welcome to new members, welcome back to returning teammates! If this is your first time here - this is a place to ask questions, share your most embarrassing secrets, or just chat about the slow and boring bits of your day…we want to hear from you!!

Be sure to check out the discussion board. There are games to be played and threads to explore. The more you promote your fellow team mates, the more you get promoted, so be sure to participate on a daily basis. Check out our blog and our Facebook page, as well as the other links provided below.

IMPORTANT LINKS:
* Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/301427606658253/
* Etsy Calculator: salecalc.com/etsy
* Etsyology: www.etsyology.net/
♥ Online Photo Programs: fotoflexer.com/ or www.picmonkey.com/
treasurypin.com./ and editor.pho.to/
arwmedia.net/tools/pixlr_express.php
* Etsy Craft Tools: www.mycrafttools.com/
* Etsy Gadget: www.estygadget.com
* Craftopolis -Edit multiple listings: www.craftopolis.com/#com=ee
* Etsy Banner Maker: bannerfans.com/banner_maker.php?bnew=1&pses=1a256d05
* Craftcount - craftcount.com/teritory.php
* Google+ tutorials blog.kissmetrics.com/personal-google-plus-account/ and moz.com/blog/tips-to-use-google-for-s
* Chrome Treasury Box: brittanysbest.com/treasurybox-chrome-extension/
* Google+ information plus.google.com/communities/112658132414010568954
* Etsy team page: www.etsy.com/pages/aaasupport
* Check your keyword relevancy in search: www.tools4etsy.com/Wall-e/Relevancy/Keyword
* 50 Reasons you're not getting Etsy Sales: www.handmadeology.com/50-reasons-youre-not-getting-etsy-sales/
* Betsi Lite: www.blugrin.com/ (make sure you click on Lite at the bottom of the screen, as that is the free edition!)
* New Category List: www.etsy.com/help/categories/seller#node-id-1250
* Promoted listing guide m.youtube.com/watch?v=zXhsyqXBWPM

Also, don't forget our promotion thread on the forums! Here is the link:
www.etsy.com/teams/21915/promos/discuss/15267796/page/157


Hey gang with the majority of responsibility firmly placed back on my shoulders I have decided to turn our daily chat into a weekly chat, Monday's will still be RAK days but other then that we will be free styling since I have no free time right now, Come here to get to know your fellow sellers that is how I built myself up to nearly 600 vintage sales! Ask Questions, post you NEW items and just in general let us know who you are and let us really get to know you!

Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.
Thomas Carlyle

[naturepoet]

Sorry to hear that the chat is only going to be weekly, Chris, but I do understand.

If anyone has questions, as a leader, I will be glad to help if I can.

[Former_Member]

Popping in to say hi! Had the chance to go with my church to the ranch for a day and a half - It was a great opportunity got to ride horses too :)

Go team go! if even weekly for a bit ♥

[SusanneMarieJewelry]

Sounds great! Hello to all!
Susanne

[Former_Member]

I think this is an excellent compromise. I hated to put this back on Chris, but I just could not go on.

[Soufulvisions]

Not a bad decision at all.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Think that is a very wise move - and will happily natter away, as ever. You just have to tell me when to stop!! Will be back again later, but am running a bit behind schedule for a Monday, and still have to get my main meal. So till later.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Back again, but with not much to say - except that I'm now the proud owner of a new pair of shoes (a birthday present from elder daughter), having spent the morning travelling by 'bus to Nottingham. The last time I wandered the streets of Nottingham regularly was nearly 15 years ago - pleased to say that I didn't get lost, since most of the emporiums I used to visit are still trading! Some, alas, are not. However important thing was that I didn't get lost and now know where I need to go promptly next time around. All in all a successful day. So, see you all tomorrow.

Off now to do some RAK'S.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Just posted this week's blog post - a couple of days late, but here goes!

https://coldhamcuddliescalling.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/the-cuddlies-hedghog-...

OOps, this is looking a tad like the Chat Thread that I'm in charge of for my other team. It can seem like a one man band sometimes. Come along folks - you can't all be that busy that you can't come around a chat for a while. Its good to share - whether it's good or bad!

[Former_Member]

I've been at the local hospital ER with Pam all day. She was taken in by ambulance at 3 in the morning, and was just discharged at 1:30 this afternoon. She was not only having severe leg spasms but also spasms of the torso. She was in a lot of pain. They didn't do much the entire time she was there, except call her latest neurologist, who didn't want to change any of her medications.

I say her latest neurologist because she has been bounced back and forth between them like a hot potato. She now has the name and phone number of still another neurologist to see, and will call him this afternoon to see about getting an appointment real soon.

Meanwhile, she had one day last week when she had some serious cognitive problems, and her psychiatrist told her to call her primary care doctor and get a CT scan of the brain asap. But when she called her primary, she was told the order should come from her neurologist. Honestly, no one seems to want to touch her with a ten foot cattle prod.

Anyway, that's why I didn't post this morning. This afternoon, she has an appointment with her orthopedist, because she needs more surgery on the lower arm that she shattered last May, to remove the plate and screws that were holding it together, but are now causing mucho pain. So hopefully that will be scheduled soon. She still has to have two more surgeries - one on the same arm to remove a bone spur, and another on her opposite wrist for carpal tunnel repair. Meanwhile, somewhere in amongst her arm surgeries, I'm probably going to need surgery on my left knee.

We're a pair, honestly.

[naturepoet]

Alanna, when it rains, it pours, it seems. My hubby and I went through that a few years ago. He had bypass and then a couple more heart problems, then carpal tunnel surgery and stents put in. The year before he had his stents, I had quadruple bypass surgery. That seemed to be the end of it until recently when he had a leg problem. Now he has to have an MRI and an ultrasound of his leg . Next month he has all his teeth removed surgically. Nothing serious like Pam. I hope they find out what's going on with her soon. Prayers for both of you.

[Former_Member]

Good luck with both the MRI and tooth removal. I had all my teeth removed 21 years ago. I walked into my dentist's office, and he told me I needed four root canals. I'd already had three done, and I was fed up to my eyeballs with tooth problems, which dated back to when I was 15 and had to have four back molars removed. So I told him, "Just pull them all and give me dentures." I think I'm on my fourth pair, and they are about two years old. This last time they put posts in my lower jaw.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Well compared to you, Alanna, Pam and Mary, my cold is but nothing to worry about - but don't know about you, if one isn't used to being ill (which, thank God I am not usually) when I get a cold, I feel really rotten.

Alas, my once a year bout would appear to have caught me in between arrangements for my annual 'flu jab. Originally was supposed to have it last Saturday in the GP (General Practitioner - equivalent to your Primary fellow, Alanna, I guess) Surgery. However, we had a rep from a local Clinic visited our complex out of the blue the Tuesday before, suggesting that she'd come to our homes and give us the jabs, which - given the amount of germs hanging around GP surgeries - seemed a much better option. That's supposed to take place on 20th - but if my cold isn't much better, and they usually tend to go on to my chest and become bronchitis, and then a course of antibiotics, don't support the clinician will give me the flu jab. Which will mean I'll have to go back to the GP and set up another appointment - and risk the germs! It's hard work keeping fit you know, but I do my best to do so.

Did part of my weekly shopping early this morning and then hunkered down for the rest of the day in my flat. While out, I took several pairs of my Slippers to the Shop where a lot of Toy Cuddlies are currently gracing the shelves! Wonder what effect they will have on the general populace of Kirkby in Ashfield - who tend to be of a conservative bent, seemingly!

Tomorrow evening, I'm due for my first baby-sitting challenge in a long time!! Elliot has so far slept through the night after being put down - what's the betting tomorrow that won't work? Ah well, will have to try and recall what to do to make a little person comfortable, without light, so that he doesn't wake up ready to play!! It's nearly 40 years since I had to do it myself - when needed in Canada, there used to be young baby sitters only too happy to do it for me - for a price, and both daughters got their certificates and did the job(s) themselves, earning good pocket money along the way!

Mary - hope all the planned medical ops for your husband go through smoothly. You take care of yourself now, so that you don't go down with something serious in the meantime. How are the family, by the way - how did the planned house moving go? Hope they're settled in now that winter is not that far off.

The first Bewick (pronounced "Buick" for some reason!) Swan landed at the Wildfowl Centre in Gloucestershire on Sunday 12 days earlier than the first one did last year, and 25 days earlier than normal!! Everyone is hoping that it's not a sign that we're in for a long hard winter this year. It doesn't take much for the UK to come to a complete stand still at the first sight of snow!! Not like we all had to do in Alberta, and you do in Ontario, Mary!! We all just got with it, didn't we?.

[ZingRetroFinds]

Hey Chris,

You have been a very good leader and administrator for all of us present and past. Thanks so much.

I will check back later. For now, I wish good sales and health to my team mates.

[Former_Member]

Spent the day doing laundry (5 loads), and watching a great movie called The Missiles of October, about the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. I highly recommend it. The writers really did their history homework, and William Devane, Martin Sheen, and Howard daSilva were incredible as John and Robert Kennedy and Kruschev, respectively.

We had planned to watch Age of Ultron, but The Missiles of October showed up and we decided to watch that instead. Besides, we have the Age of Ultron on DVD, but our DVD currently isn't talking to our TV.

Missiles was on a new channel called Decades, that shows old movies and TV shows, as well as historical documentaries. I like it, except there are WAY too many commercials.

Not much planned for this evening, might color in my coloring book for a while, or just read. Isobel, I hope your cold gets better quickly.

[Former_Member]

Hello to all!
Rainy week, so I can't work outside instead I have decided to shape my shop here. My house looks like a photo shooting studio. I was up for two nights, as I see "I am in the mood to..really do it." Still searching for the right place and time and light and ...
You went through that already, I think I will be ok when I find my way.
Now I have to dive into articles and tips to create a good looking and inviting shop... And another day will go bye...

[Former_Member]

Welcome to chat, YourNewBrand!

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Welcome to the Chat YourNewBrand - good luck with finding the right spot for your pics. Whilst very important, I've found that the only way is start and then be prepared to change as you go along. All the tips do is show you how to find the right background etc and then go into yards of technicalities about focus, etc. et al (my mind tends to blur at that point - and I give up!).

My first efforts 5 years ago were certainly not as good as they are now, and I'm pretty sure the current versions could be heaps better, but no one has put in too much of a complaint when asked to critique my Shop etc. so I will blunder on as I currently do. I've always been of the hold up the camera and click the button school!! Think one can spend too much precious time on getting just the right shot! I expect to be shot down soundly - but all I'm saying is don't get too bound up with getting it "just so". You'll never have the time to actually sell anything that way. You really do learn as you go.

That film sounds a good one Alanna. I remember living through that crisis, and getting mighty concerned. We were living in Canada at the time, and any break down in communications could have seen missiles being hurled over Alaska and over us in western Canada, just as fast at the traditional way - not sure exactly how accurate the Russians were then, but I do remember a great deal of concern at the time - and the relief, when the ships turned back before reaching Cuba. My, that dates me, doesn't it?

Cold is carrying on carrying on. So far it hasn't gone on my chest - but it's not far off it. Thanks for the good wishes speeding it on its way. Think it will end with me having to get some antibiotics, because that's the way it always happens! But will try to do without for as long as possible.

Got some good news from the electricity supplier today in the post: they've decided they're not going to take as much from me on my direct debit with effect from November - which is nice of them. Had a nasty feeling that I had been paying more than I should, but when one has moved from one side of the country, and to another supplier, you've not got much of a platform to argue from during the first year. The supplier did say that they would review it at the end of the first year, so as I'd been making noises about changing my supplier recently, I suppose this is their answer. Their offer is such that I shall bow to my lazy nature and stay put for a few months, just to see how the lay of the land goes over the coming winter. What with El Nino etc. i think this is going to be a bad one, and I don't want to find myself with no supply because I'm trying to be clever and get too good a rate.

Did some more Hedgehog campaign planning too - still a lot more to go though.

[Former_Member]

Alana, I'm sorry to hear about all your problems things are always darkest before the dawn. This too shall pass. I hope someone figures out how best to treat Pam and that you are all much better by Christmas. hugs, deb

[BedlamSoapery]

Hi All

Hope things settle out for you Alanna, you and Pam deserve a break from all this.
Looks like I will be away next week with work, I hate stepping away from the shop especially when sales seem to be picking up (13 this week).
Hope everyone is doing well and is having a steady stream of sales

[ZingRetroFinds]

Hi Friends,

I am posting a new listing. https://www.etsy.com/listing/252153484/upcycled-vintage-brooch-necklace-blue?ref=shop_home_feat_1
Off to play the games.
Have a great day.

[Former_Member]

Spent another mostly lazy day today. Finally watched Avengers: Age of Ultron with Pam today. Kind of cool. Certainly lots of action, but more depth to the plot and characters as well than the first movie. Marvel has plans for a new movie each year through 2019. That'll keep me happy.

Tomorrow I hope to take photos of the four totes I have done. I should have done it last weekend, but felt a bit too depressed to do it. So I should be able to list by this weekend. My machine is still in the shop, so I'm unable to fulfill any sales. Sigh.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Just a brief call in - managed to get an emergency appointment with the GP at 1700 BST, and it's almost time for me to get the 'bus to attend it. If I survive, will be back later: if not tomorrow.

[Former_Member]

Spent most of today running errands, including getting rechargeable batteries for the camera. Those are charging now, so I may end up taking pictures tonight instead of tomorrow.

I talked with my psyciatrist today about getting into therapy either at the VA clinic at Fort Meade, or at the Baltimore hospital. I will see what her research turns up next week. Ft. Meade would be closer, but they only have one person there, and my doctor doesn't know how booked he or she is. So we shall see. I think I need something more than just jounaling.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

GP was most helpful, and after listening to my chest didn't hestitate to provide antibiotics. Only thing is, after only the first two - taken as instructed as soon as I got back home, I am now almost cough and sneeze free! How incredible (dangerous?) is that? Only have to take the course for 5 days (instead of the normal 7-10): which is good, because I'm to be deprived of anything dairy - and as I enjoy my cereal at breakfast, cheese (with almost everything) and am not known as the ice cream monster in the family for nothing - that's going to be quite hard to do!! Still it's only for 5 days, and to feel so much more like myself at a stroke is worth it!! Fortunately, I shall not be deprived of my caffeine fix - as I've not taken milk in either tea or coffee for years.

Alanna, do hope the psychiatrist you want is available - you'll feel so much better when talking to someone who knows what to say to, and do with, you. Look forward to seeing the new photographs. I've just taken some pics of the 6 new Tree Bears (aka Baby Koalas) that I managed to finish at last. This lot look a lot more like Tree Bears, although with the grey and white flecked fur, they can pass as Koalas! Thanks to the bug, it's taken me much longer than usual to make them this time around. My right hand is also beginning to play up - arthritis beginning to attack now that the weather is turning cold. Hmm .. not sure what I can do next about that. Keep carrying on carrying on I suppose. Two operational hands are rather needed for toy-making.

Have a good week-end folks. Hope to catch up on some more retitling - not happy with those I did a couple of weeks ago, and I've also got a lot of Treasuries to make - duty ones for other Teams, as well as those saying thanks for faves and inclusion in Treasuries.