Weekly Chat November 30th to December 7th

[#1]

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

Hi everyone. I got the chat started on time this week. Amazing, I know.

Remember that every Monday is RAK (Random Act of Kindness) day. Do something for a team mate. It could be a shop fave or a page fave, make a treasury, or just send a note of cheer to someone who's having health issues. We support our team mates and promote their shops.

Be sure to take part in the games, as this helps to promote your own shop as well as others. Remember to Read the Rules if you're not sure what to do.

This thread is private, so you can talk about whatever you'd like. A personal or shop issue, sales or ask questions. We all help one another any way we can.

I have my Christmas shopping about wrapped up. How about you? That would be a nice subject for a discussion.

Have a wonderful week and happy sales.

[naturepoet]

Congrats, Karen, on 100 sales. That is just your first milestone. Great job.

[BedlamSoapery]

Morning all.
Hope everyone has a great day.

Karen - congrats on 100 sales and may there be many more.

Kristi - next time you go to the store pick up a daylight bulb as back up, they are sold along side normal bulbs now as some people like me prefer to use those rather than soft white lights. I feel more energetic with a natural light :)

[CustomCraftJewelry]

Mary- Thank you for the nice details :)

And guess what I did today everyone.......I went to the hobby store and bought 2 thick pieces of white boards (thicker than card stock) and 1 black board. I set up my table and chair in my son's room because I can actually turn on his bedroom light! So I'm going to do some playing around this weekend and get out some pretty decorations and start playing with the camera! I'm really excited!

So thank you everyone for the great tips!

[CustomCraftJewelry]

Does anyone have links to the online sites so I can fix pictures if I need to?

[JasminesTreasuresLLC]

Kristi there's a tool called "PicMonkey" that is online and free (to a point) that you can use to make some edits to photos. My husband put fotor on my laptop that was free and works great for me.

[CustomCraftJewelry]

Renee- Thank you :)

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Hi everyone - sorry for not being here as much as usual - probably a relief for one and all, but what with Clare having a dodgy knee, and calling on help with walking the dog, and other things to do with the Hedgehogs At Home on Monday, I've just not had the time.

In addition, we had our Christmas Dinner at one of the local restuarants yesterday, and that took up valuable time. too. St Tiggywinkles have said they'll send some literature for the press do, which is good of them and certainly makes up for them not being able to come. Honestly didn't think they would - they're quite a long way from Nottinghamshire, and do have other things to do with their time - even though hopefully they're going to benefit from hedgehogs finding new hoes!. Haven't heard from anyone else that they are NOT coming, so have to work on the premise that most WILL be attending!

Hope everyone has a good weekend. Got my overseas Christmas cards off today (tomorrow being the last day Royal Mail will guarantee them being delivered!). The two orders for USA will be sent tomorrow too. Now hope get the other cards sorted over the week-end, to take my mind off Monday afternoon. That's at the stage that it's going ahead, and there's nothing more I can do to make SURE it will GO WELL!!

[JasminesTreasuresLLC]

So, I have a question. I just listed a set of 10 Get Well Cards. Now I am wondering if I should have made that a mixed set of cards, like with some birthday, some get well, some sympathy, some missing you etc. Or if the get well cards will sell as a set. I have sold sets of cards better than individual ones, and I a single get well doesn't make sense to me to buy online because by the time you get it the person may already be well, but as a set you have them on hand for whenever you need them.

So my question is what do some of you think? Would a mixed set of cards be better or the set of just get well? Thanks for input.

[BedlamSoapery]

Personally I would add a variation to the listing so you could purchase either one or a set of X amount. That way it gives the customer a choice :)

[CustomCraftJewelry]

Renee- I think a mixture would be nice :)

Kitty- Thank you for all the tips :)

The NCAA Volleyball Championships start tonight so that's what I will be watching all weekend! I played in high school and also had a scholarship at Briar Cliff in Sioux City, IA where I played :)

[JasminesTreasuresLLC]

Oh fun! Kristi! I played volleyball in high school too! That was back in the dark ages though! :) We went and watched the USA Womens Olympic team, so fun to watch. I think we watched the NCAA Volleyball Championships a couple of years ago, at least a couple of games. Again, really fun.

Kitty, thanks for the suggestion. I am considering that. I did it on another listing.

[Former_Member]

Renee, I would also like to see a mixture, with some "Have a Nice Day!" mixed in just for grins and griggles. It's fun to get one of those every once in a while, especially if you know someone who has been down too much recently.

With the store on vacation, I haven't been doing very much except sleeping a lot. The knee is giving me such pain that I don't feel up to doing much. I have got to get the trash out tomorrow; it's reached truly terrifying dimensions. That will probably wipe me out for tomorrow. Then, this coming week, I have to get books to the library, and place the books and knick knacks that I'm keeping on the dining room table.

I think that, if I haven't heard from the VA on Monday, I'm going to see about steroid injections in both knees, to keep the pain down. I now have a walker I'm in love with. It doesn't have wings that open and close from the sides. Instead, it collapses in on itself. It's wonderful. I know I could get a regular one from the VA, but I much prefer this one.

That's it for me. Have a good what's left of the day!

[CustomCraftJewelry]

Renee- The NCAA volleyball championships are here in Omaha, NE so me and my mom are going! GBR!!!!

Alanna- I have a script to get a new walker because mine is probably about 12 years old. It's just one of the regular ones. So my Dr. wrote a script for another walker. I went to a medical supply store and Medicare will not pay for the walker I want and need. They will only cover another plain aluminum crap like the one I have! I want the chair and a bag in front but nooooooo......damn Medicare!

[JasminesTreasuresLLC]

Thanks Alanna and Kristi, I think I will add some more sets.

[JasminesTreasuresLLC]

Ok, so I adjusted the current listing to include a set of 5 or a set of 10. I will see about adding some other sets with a variety. Its something I have been meaning to do for a while but haven't gotten around to.

Kristi that would be so fun to see those games live!!

We were in Omaha for a basket ball tournament a number of years ago when my son and daughter played basket ball in high school. It was for their regional championships, I believe it was my son's sophomore year and my daughter's senior year. They played on a homeschool team. The boys team did well and placed in the top 4, the girls not so great, but they had a great time. We have also been to Omaha to teach karate clinics for a school there. :)

[BedlamSoapery]

Urg woke up this morning to a customer getting the wrong order, I am hoping it is just two people I messed up with. I knew I shouldn't have sorted shipping for so many orders while taking the painkillers. Luckily both customers have been very nice and I told them each could keep the packaged they received by mistake and I will send out their correct orders, I felt like that was the easiest way even if one of the orders was over $150 in products. I am praying it is just those two customers, one has yet to get back to me with what she received, she gave me a vague answer but doesn't help me know if its two orders or more, trying to be patient but inside freaking out a little.
It was such a busy weekend over thanksgiving I suppose it was bound to happen at some point.
Fingers crossed it will be just those two and not more as im shipping around 20+ orders a day at the moment.

[Former_Member]

Kristi, Medicare wouldn't pay for mine, either. I got it at Amazon.com. Believe it or not, the price depended on color! The black one was $115, the blue one was $80, the rose one was $59 (I think). I got the blue one. Search for Able Life on Amazon.com. Now that it's mine I'm tempted to glue a few rhinestones on it, lol. It is so light weight, and yet so sturdy. You collapse it by pulling up the center, and push down when you want to open it up. It will bear up to 400 pounds.

Did a few errands this morning, after taking out the trash. Now I can put groceries away and then relax the rest of the day. Tomorrow is football, and a day off.

Kitty, sorry to hear of the deliveries gone bad, but at least you have understanding customers. You offer to let them keep the wrongly delivered products was excellent customer service, although it may have cost a pretty penny. That makes you the kind of seller I would buy from again.

Isobel, I understand dodgy knees all too well. Please give Clare my sympathies. Does she have osteoarthritis or was it injured in some way?

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Thanks for asking about Clare, Alanna - she doesn't have arthritis - yet, but as a Herbalism student is self-diagnosing (she's had it with the medics, who only see a fat person when she presents for help) and has a strong suspicion that she might be following in Peter's footsteps and starting fibromyalgia. Those of us who 'have had any association with the condition (as a carer I had 23 years of watching Peter suffer), I do tend to agree with her, but as she's still studying she can't say for sure. In any case, the medical profession can be extremely sceptical about the condition, often saying that it doesn't exist. Am sure you are familiar with the "game".

The dodgy knee though was caused by slipping on wet leaves, covering a damp mossy spot on a tarmac driveway. Fortunately she had put Elliot in the car before it happened, but as she had to go to weigh in (she's a Weight Watchers' attendee) she drove herself to and from (in pain) and then rang me for help. Nana (the other grandmother and I took charge of little one - who decided to seriously contemplate walking the day after the incident!) while Grandad took Mummy to the hospital. The knee was the one she broke three years ago, so it had to be checked out. Fortunately, it is "only" soft tissue damage - but that can often be more painful that a "good, clearn" break!! However, iwith painkillers and swelling reducers (aka paracetamol and ibuprofen) plus ice packs every hour and arnica tablets (she badly bruised her hip in the process of the fall) she is definitely on the mend. She managed to finish sewing cushion covers for her sister's Christmas presents today, though, so we're hopeful she will be able to drive by the beginning of next week.

Renee - I'd make different packets for each subject, and then also offer a listing with a mixed offer. The more items you list, the more your Shop is going to get noticed. The "ideal" is often mentioned is getting to 100 items, which apparently "guarantees" sales!!! Taken with a good pinch of salt, that's not a bad target to aim for. By the way, I've still got to reach that number - so can't really comment. However, the nearer I've got to that figure, the more sales have come through! So.... think on as the saying goes. The trouble with similar listings is trying to say the same thing, differently for tags, and titles!! Good luck - we all go through that pain - every day, I suspect. Except perhaps Kitty - who seems to have the magic touch in all these matters!!!

Been sewing madly today, and will also be doing so tomorrow. Suddenly realised that I need two more Baby Hedghogs for Monday's Press At Home, because two Babies are supposed to be heading Stateside on Monday morning!!! Both new ones have been cut out, and one is almost complete. Second one may not be quite complete, but it never does any harm at these live occasion (like Craft Fairs etc). if one is looking busy, while also looking hopeful!!!!

Must rush. Have a good week-end everyone.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

This completes the Hedge Hog Dynasty portraiture!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/259346605/hedgehog-family-daddy-hedgehog-mommy?ref=shop_home_feat_2

Provided by my Grahphic Designer contact, specifically for use by TV - white is NOT the best background for that medium apparently.

[JasminesTreasuresLLC]

The Hedgy family is adorable!!!

I agree getting up to 100 listings did help a lot in our shop. We now have 148. I try to keep it at 150 or so but we had a rush at the end of November and dropped back a bit. I do have sets of thank you cards and a set of floral blank note cards that don't say anything. I also have a set of Seasons Greeting cards and now the set of get wells. I will keep adding more sets as I get a chance.

As to the fibromyalgia I know several people who have it. 3 are ladies and 1 is a man. Our Chiropractor said that most times when ladies end up with it, it there is a certain pattern in their life. Typically they weren't able to exercise in their teen to young adult years, they had very stressful lives, and their body never learned to deal with the stress by having the exercise to relieve it. All 3 of the ladies that I know who have it, had that same pattern in their life. Very sad as they are often in a lot of pain. Its sad some medical practitioners are denying it exists.

Kitty, hope those deliveries get straightened out easily. I have heard of others having that happen. Good to have nice customers.

[CustomCraftJewelry]

Kitty- I hope all the rest of your deliveries go well. I couldn't imagine doing over 20 orders per day. I'm lucky to have 2 so far this month lol.

Alanna- Thank you for the info on the walkers! And yes, I can't wait to go watch the Final Four! I love volleyball so much. I'm also a college basketball junkie! Duke is my team and has been since the early 90's!

Isobel- I love your hedgehogs :)

I took new pictures today for some new listings and I think they turned out great. I wish there was a tab where I could post a picture in here but I will wait till I list things and show you all :)

My mom is here tonight. She stays over every Saturday night. It's nice because I don't get much adult conversation around here. Just have the dog and cat to talk too lol. And the Huskers are headed into the sweet 16 for volleyball!!!! GBR!!!!!

[CustomCraftJewelry]

Renee- I forgot to say hi! I was misdiagnosed 14 years ago with Fibro and RA. And then I went to a Geneticist because almost every body system is involved and found the EDS diagnosis. I was an RN before I became sick. There is still no known cause for Fibro as of yet. And why it appears after some kind of traumatic event or surgeries etc is unknown too. They are coming to terms with evidence of something happens to the nervous system and the nerves go haywire and bounce off the wrong nerve transmitter and so on. It is a devastating condition to a lot of people. They still don't know why it progresses as time goes on. I have a feeling that at least 1/3rd of Fibro patients actually have EDS!

[JasminesTreasuresLLC]

Kristi, that could be true. I know my mother was misdiagnosed with Lupus many years ago. They put her on meds to treat it and then later decided that she had Cirrhosis of the liver, but not from drinking, as she rarely drank, but from some trauma that had happened to her body. They also said she had a ruptured spleen and had had one for many years, but the doctor forgot to tell her. Her health was not really good the last year of her life. It is sad when doctors misdiagnose and have someone on medication that is not what they need. But alas they are only human. I just wish they would remember that as some of them act like they think they are God. ;(

Either way, none of those conditions sound like they are any fun at all. At least if you know what you have you can treat it correctly and hopefully get some relief.

[Former_Member]

Kristi, what is EDS? I've never heard of it.

Isobel, love the hedgehog family!

Renee, that doctor who forgot to tell your mom she had a ruptured spleen should have his license revoked. Honestly!

And to any who celebrate it, happy Hannukah! May your life always be full of Light.

[COLDHAMCUDDLIES]

Managed to post this week's Blog post. In haste, got a lot of sewing ahead of me for the rest of the day!

http://coldhamcuddliescalling.blogspot.co.uk/

This week's update on all Coldham Cuddlies' fronts

So glad you like the Hogs. Fingers crossed that it goes well tomorrow.