Weekly Chat Cafe November 9 to November 16, 2015

[naturepoet]

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

Good morning. Time is flying by and it will be December before we know it. Seems like Christmas just passed us by and a New Year began.

What were your goals for 2015? Have you come close to achieving them or have you surpassed them?

Each year, one of my goals is to sell more than I did the previous year and I have attained that goal by a small margin. Next year will be more difficult, but I'm hoping once again to achieve that.

Let's talk about goals and how to make them that you can achieve. Making goals that are impossible to reach is not what we're after. We need to set reasonable goals so as not to be discouraged.

You may talk about anything you like as well. It's always good to get to know one another better.

Have a wonderful week.

[Former_Member]

Good morning, Mary and everyone. Last year I set my goal for having 50 total sales by the end of 2015. So far I have 45, but that includes 24 from last year. So I might be able to make it by the end of this year. Next year I want to set a goal regarding promoting, e.g , have a goal of promoting 10 items a day, every day. I'm also planning to increase the number of items in inventory, to at least 250. I have 234 or so now, so I should probably set it to 275.

A lot of this is going to depend on my mood getting better, but I'm doing something about that. I've called my psychiatrist, and have thought about going into the hospital. We'll see how therapy works out.

Have done one RAK; will be back to do more.

Have a great day, everybody!

[Former_Member]

Good Morning Everyone, a beautiful sunny morning here in Illinois. We have had our second day of frost and leaves are almost off the trees. My husband has the yard pretty much taken care now for the winter.

We are now looking forward to the holidays with family visiting from Iowa, Kentucky and Missouri, always a houseful.

It will be a little sad this year as our daughters will not be home for Thanksgiving but when there are in-laws involved you definitely have to take turns as we all know. But this year is our year for Christmas with the grandson who will be 17 months old then - won't it be fun?

Well, hope everything is having a great day! Here are a few new items just posted Saturday for all to enjoy!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/255128249/coral-womens-wool-hikingskiing-knitted?ref=listing-shop-heade...
https://www.etsy.com/listing/255227654/new-bright-and-cheerful-kitchen-decor?ref=shop_home_active_12

Of course, there are lots more, so do stop by and check them out!

Have a blessed week and many, many sales to all!

Karen

[naturepoet]

Alanna, I'm so sorry you are suffering through a bout of depression. Prayers for you, my friend.

Karen, grandsons are so much fun. I have 2 who are fully grown but still love spending time with them. They made Christmas a fun time when they were little. It doesn't seem like Christmas unless you have little ones. Sorry your daughter can't make it for Thanksgiving.

[naturepoet]

New today

https://www.etsy.com/listing/255400373/woodland-rabbitbunny-morning-glories-ivy?ref=shop_home_active...

[Former_Member]

Well, I went scouting through my two favorite embroidery stores -- Urban Legends and Embroidery Library -- and scarfed up about 20 more Christmas designs. I need to go through and look at my Judaism designs, and decide which of those I want to do. This ought to keep me busy for a while.

And I spoke with my psychiatrist today. I will see her tomorrow, and then on Thursday morning I will attend an orientation meeting and hopefully see about starting therapy. So things are moving on that front.

I also see an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow, and hopefully will get some information on what my options for my knee will be, and about when I can expect to have surgery, and what type.

I'll keep you all aprised.

[Former_Member]

My goal
Huho!
I have a direction and clear boundaries but not really a goal.

It's so difficult to explain... Mainly, it's like driving on a road trip, stick to that road, stay in the country and "on the road " but enjoy what comes up, know where the road lead but be happy you're going toward there... If you never got there because time ran out, you still had a good trip and made a tone of discoveries... Getting there is just the cherry on top of the Sunday, not *the sunday*.
I just want to be remembered in association with art...
And as having been a motor for collaboration and community rather than one of those full of themselves artists that think they are someone/ something and constantly look down on other.
I got to go...
Hopefully you know I am thinking of you, not just as potential customers and that I'm really thankful for the team!

Eejee

[KrochetKingdom]

Eejee - always good to see you. Love your explanation. It makes sense.

Alanna- you are ready for the Holiday season with the designs you found. Now it is just to get them on your bags. Can't wait to see them. Wish you success with your appointments tomorrow. You are in my prayers.

[naturepoet]

Eejee, so nice to see you. Thanks for participating. Good wishes your way.

Time seems to always run out for me. I have reached one of my goals. Now need to work toward the 1,000 items I'd like in my shop before the end of the year. I'm at 962 and don't have far to go, but am not being as productive in the listing category right now.

[BedlamSoapery]

Morning all - Off to see Mr Spine Dr today so won't be back until later... wish me luck!
Hope everyone has a great day of happiness and sales!

[naturepoet]

Good luck, Kitty. Hope all goes well.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Good afternoon all from the UK - sorry to have missed everything yesterday, but frankly after a morning spent with my grandson - admittedly in company with the other two grandparents, and all of us as rusty as each other in baby handling skills - I was bushed!!

Then had three phials of blood withdrawn by The Vampires (aka phlebotomists) at my local surgery. Nothing to get worried about I don't think - mainly the doctor, treating me for the first time since I became his patient, being cautious. Get the results a week on Thursday.

Also, having rashly decided to join another team over the week-end after an invitation so to do, I opened my Shop to a record number of convos telling me that Cuddlies had been treasured!!! Hence my also being a bit late today, because the welcomes appear to have moved over to today as well.

The Hedgehog campaign is a bit stalled at the moment: waiting for others to do their bit, which always is a bit frustrating, as things are not entirely under one's own control. Still, I've undone the original Daddy Hedgehog, definitely found he was over-stuffed, and have reduced him in size (and weight) considerably, Now it's a question of sewing him up and remodelling him. As I've definitely decided I shall not be making any more in the brown shade (because I can use that faux fur elsewhere), the plan to add four more listings has been aborted. Once I do list the new models, I'll be remaining at 89 in total in the shop. It would be nice to get to a 100 - a sort of goal for 2015 - but I'll not be too disappointed if I don't make it. Not much point in that anyway, because we're all pretty much languishing on the sales front at the moment - with one or two notable exceptions, of course.

I'll start making the new sets of Hedgehogs tomorrow - always easier to place and cut out patterns in daylight, rather than under electric light I find - and it's particularly true of the new faux fur fabric, which has a lot of dark colours in it.

Good luck Alanna with the medical appointments.

Hearted the new items posted ahead. Love them all. Looking forward to the new designs, Alanna. You amaze me with the number of items you've got in your Shop.

See you all tomorrow, hopefully.

[Former_Member]

Well, it was an interesting day at the VA, that's for sure. First I went to the pain management center. I did a long questionnaire about pain psychology. What meds I took, what for, how often, did I ever take more than prescribed, did I ever "borrow" meds from Pam, etc. I think I reassured them that I don't overdose, borrow, etc. -- that I am very responsible in my use of pain medication.

Next up was my psychiatrist, and I think I eased her mind about my own mental status, that I need therapy mainly to deal with my caretaking responsibilitity.

The biggie was seeing the orthopedic surgeon. I am indeed going to need a total knee replacement. The surgery will take about 3 hours, and I will stay in the hospital for 3 days after. Moreover, I will be staying one to three weeks after that at a VA Rehabilitation facility. Which is good, so I won't need Pam to take care of me. A friend of ours is going to come spend the time with Pam. After that, we'll have to see about a home health aid for both of us.

I need to get an all clear from the dental clinic, an ECG, a chest X-ray, and blood work done before the surgery can be sceduled. I can get the dental work done on Thursday, when I'm going to be up at the VA for my psychtherapy orientation. I see my new primary care physician next Wednesday, and can get the ECG and blood work done then. The chest X-ray can be done once I see my new doctor. This means I could have the surgery as early as the beginning of December. It's going to take an awful lot of planning. I think this week Pam and I am going to have to make a logistics checklist. Or at least get one started.

Whew! And that was my day today!

[naturepoet]

Isobel, I hope your blood test results are all good.

Alanna, sounds like a hectic day and a hectic schedule ahead of you. I wish you good luck and will be praying for both you and Pam. Hoping all the tests come back good and that you can get the knee replacement done. They have wanted me to have one for a few years now, but I'm hesitant. We wait at least 6 months here for almost any surgery but dental. Mom has an appointment in July to have cataract surgery done. Not unusual in this day and age.

[Former_Member]

I suddenly realized, at 4 am this morning, that I'm going to have to put my shop on vacation when I have the surgery, for as long as six months. So my plan is to get those Christmas designs done within a week, and then have a 50% sale after that, to really get things out of my store before I go out for surgery.

We're also going to have to change things around in the apartment -- like moving furniture around so I can use a walker to get around the apartment. We were planning to do this for Pam, but haven't had to because she can currently use a cane. I think I'm going to need a walker at first when I get back from rehab. Then there are all the adjustments to the bathrooms we'll have to make.

Oy. Time to brainstorm about everything we'll need to do.

[Former_Member]

Hey! I almost forgot! Happy Veterans Day!

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Dear me Alanna - when the VA folk get going, they certainly get moving, don't they! I'm just delighted for you - and Pam actually - that your health issues are finally being addressed. Shows what could have happened, though, had you gone when you were thinking, and then chatting here, about thinking of going, a month or so back. You might not have damaged that knee as much either!! Still, you're going forwards now, and that's great to hear. Keep us posted as to how things are going. Also when you're in rehab, what's to stop you dropping by to chat, even if you're not being responsible for putting up the page and marshalling us!!

Blood tests aren't likely to show much, Mary, but thanks for being concerned. I really do feel well, and am regarding it as a matter of the quack being cautious because it's the first time he's really had to treat me for something potentially long-term since I moved northwards last year. As a carer, I always had an annual Health Check when Peter was alive, and I've done so ever since: last year, that was combined with the usual "Welcome to the Practice" Check done by the Practice Nurse, and since nothing more was heard from the surgery, I assume all was well!! The painful leg condition is probably a flare up of something I've had for sometime, but obviously the doctor wants to be quite sure before treating it any more (or less, as the case may be). The medication he gave me as an interim measure seems to be having a noticeable positive outcome, anyway.

Meanwhile, these guys were renewed on Monday - this is the first time I've had to come here to ask for a boost for them - if and when folks have the time.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/79124185/stuffed-toy-animal-restoration-clinic?ref=shop_home_active_5
https://www.etsy.com/listing/175220863/baby-bunny-rabbit-toy-ginger-white-plush?ref=shop_home_active...
https://www.etsy.com/listing/183218760/bruce-rabbit-blue-and-white-fleece-toy?ref=shop_home_active_3

Bit of a waiting game on the Hedgehog front over things I've already started: but an MP in the House of Commons yesterday got up and suggested that Hedgehogs should become the UK Official Animal - apparently we don't have one. Know last year, the Robin was designated the Official UK Bird! So, am putting ferrets down holes to find the name of said MP and see what he and I might be able to do about it, using the Cuddlies Hogs - and benefiting the two Hospitals at the same time, hopefully! Making the 3 new toys, I timed myself and can make all three in a couple of evenings' concentrated sewing of all three of them, separately.

Also checked out the Tiggywinkles site, and find it's just a 20 minute rail trip from where Philippa lives in High Wycombe. As I'm due down there over the Christmas period, guess what I'll be trying to do while I'm in the vicinity? All working out nicely, so far - any way. If nothing comes of it, at least I've exercised the fingers, and brain cells and had a great time renewing my memories of similar activities in Canada in the 1980's and 1990's.

Off now to do some cutting out. Oh. the current Brown Baby Hedghogs are now extinct in the Coldham Shop. Both ones I had in stock have found new homes! So, there are two 10 per cents available for distributing!

[naturepoet]

Isobel, I'm hoping that the blood tests are just routine. They can show a lot though it may not be related to your pain issues. I hope he checked blood sugar, triglicerides, thyroid, B12 level and many other things that should come at a regular blood test. Because of my diabetes, I'm to have blood test once every 3 months. However, I think that's a bit much since I have a blood monitor that gives me a 3 month reading, so I go twice a year.

Alanna, good luck with all the re-organizing of your apt.

[Former_Member]

I'm up at the VA in Baltimore this morning, arranging to get into psychotherapy - hopefully at least once before I have my surgery. I'm also going to see the dentist to get my Dental clean bill of health, which I need for the surgery.

This afternoon I want to embroider 3 more totes for my Christmas shop. I did two yesterdar. I want to have them done by Sunday, so I can start my 50% off sale on Monday, the 16th. Once I have my surgery date I can post the notice that I'll be closing on thus and such date.

In terms of the date, I'm hoping I'll have the surgery on December 7, and I'll close down the shop on December 1st.

Have a great day, everyone!

[naturepoet]

Alanna, take care and get it all taken care of.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Not much to add today - got caught up well with all my Etsy team stuff, did some much delayed ironing and now getting ready to do some cutting out of the new Hogs.

The graphics guy is calling round sometime this evening to pick up the new ones so they can have their photo shoot sometime tomorrow. We actually had some sunshine today, and the wind had died down a bit too, so after I'd had a Grandson Session (while Clare went off for her visit to the Vampire - her veins normally disappear as soon as a phlebotomist is on the scene, but for once she didn't have as much of a problem. Thank goodness I got her to change doctors when I moved up: she's had more help in the year since, than she had in the 12 years previously from the so-called doctors in her previous surgery).

So, when Mum returned and was having a delayed breakfast, I went into her garden and took some better photographs of the new Hogs - in case the graphics guy's rendition comes back to me in a format that I cannot use. Don't think that's likely, but just in case. I plan on listing the new guys, deactivating the original Baby Hedgehog, as I don't now have any more in stock, and possibly reducing Mommy and Daddy in time for Black Frday to see if they might get adopted that way. So, for about a week, at least, I shall have over 90 listed, but it will go back to the current 89 as and any sales materialise.

The weather forecasters in the UK have decided to start calling the big storms we're expecting names for the first time - taking after you folks in the US and elsewhere in the world. Storm Abigail is cruising across the Atlantic as I type, and is "fortunately" due to hit the north-west coast and Scotland more than our part of the UK. But we'll get some of it, inevitably, because we're not that big a land mass!! So, we're all battening down the hatches and hoping for the best. Lashings of rain are forecast, even if we don't get the full force of the winds.

Off now to do the rest of the chores.

[Former_Member]

Popping in to say hi to everyone :) love to each of you and especially through the struggles. God's GRACE is exceedingly abundant,even if "appears" not so...it is 2 corinthians 12:9

Am changing name do not know what to, any suggestions are appreciated - I don't need "kippy", and must get rid of the "mature"

[naturepoet]

Isobel, sorry to hear about the storms.

Kippy, I agree about God's Grace. We are all blessed.

I'm not sure about names. i had a lot of trouble choosing my own and am just keeping it because it's well known.

[Former_Member]

Good Afternoon to all of you, I would like to share here my new items in my shop. I have a feeling of frustration, as I did not sell nothing from more than a year, still here and won't be leave. I am just doing what I like.
I do learn a lot from the Team and I am grateful for that.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/255854117/cable-knit-head-band-winter-accessories?ref=related-4
https://www.etsy.com/listing/255368339/embroided-peruvian-headband-hair?ref=pr_shop

[naturepoet]

You probably won't see me for a few hours. Hubby and I bought ourselves and new, on sale, Dell computer. We got a great deal and the price was really reasonable. We shall see how it goes.