Chat Thread

[#1]

Here you go. Private and all.

[HowCuteAreYou]

Sandy-- I use promoted listings and have had great success. My listings now come up on the front page so renewing is not as necessary. Though I still will renew items that aren't being viewed or when I need a boost. If you go to your promoted section you will find links that will show your promoted listing analytics, what words and listings are your most popular. They just changed the way the promoted listing area is managed so I am not versed in it at the moment.

[SandyCoastalDesigns]

Thanks Debra for the info. Analytics aren't available for me yet cause I just started yesterday. I'll check in a few days.
My sales are running 50 percent below last year so I need to try to get things moving.

I have an appointment with a lawyer tomorrow. I heard through the grapevine that he has a plan to take the suv and trade it in on a new van that will be titled in his mother and his name. Supposed to happen next month.
And he changed the locks on our rental so I can't get in. He threw away whatever I left behind last month. I guess he didn't even want to give me time to think things over.

[HowCuteAreYou]

Sandy ~ I am also running about 50% below last year, half on purpose because I couldn't keep up and half just because of competition and general down turn. I think the analytics should work after a few days.
It will give you good insight into what is and isn't working.

Sorry to hear that things are going so well on the divorce side. Sounds more like he's very angry and is lashing out in hurtful ways. Count your blessings that you're out and just carry on. Material things can be replaced but your health and well being are everything.

Good luck with the lawyer. I hope you get some good advice.

[Former_Member]

Sorry Sandy, I don't use the promoted listings at all since most of my customers find me outside of Etsy.

My sales are running slower than I would have expected for this time of year as well. But I only renew when things are about to expire otherwise I would have a huge bill at the end of the month.

Sounds like the Ex is trying to make you as miserable as possible. Don't take it from him!

Today (1st wed of the month) is Seniors discount day at the local market so I'm heading over to get my groceries.

Have a great day everyone!

[hooknsaw]

Sandy, we ran promoted listings when they first came out and had good luck with them. I had a low budget set and just promoted the wood items in our shop. Our shop is slower this year and has been since etsy went public last year. We are down about 30%, but it is also an election year and I have always noticed a loss of business during elections (with all the types of businesses I've operated).
I'm sorry to hear your ex is going to make things difficult.

Crochetgal, I'm happy you got to take out some stress at therapy! Lol, I did cleaning therapy yesterday and have all kinds of sore muscles today! You mentioned m &m's and I remembered I had a bag of snickers in the fridge:)!

Debra, yay for quiet weekends! We took Izzy to the lion king on Sunday and had a quiet Halloween. The Lion King was wonderful and Izzy was captivated by the performance.

I hope everyone is doing well. We keep having all or nothing sales in our shop. I'm either too busy or not sure what I should make next.

[HowCuteAreYou]

Hi ladies. Just a quick drive by. My dad fell last night and broke his hip. He's doing okay but will have surgery either today or tomorrow. I'll be back in touch as soon as we get results. I know I can trust you all to send good wishes. Thanks for being there.

[Former_Member]

Debra, I'll be keeping your dad in my prayers. Please give him a big 'get well' hug for me.

[BuytheHook]

Debra I will keep him and you in my prayers.

[hooknsaw]

Debra, we will keep your Dad in our prayers! Hugs to you and is your Mom doing okay?

[KnitAndCrochetPalace]

Debra, prayers for your Dad, you and the rest of your family and the surgeons during this stressful time.

[SandyCoastalDesigns]

So sorry for your Dad, Deb. Everything will be ok.

[HowCuteAreYou]

Thanks is so much for your good thoughts and prayers. The fracture is on the lower hip and will require a pin and plate. My dad will have to be in rehab for a few weeks so that will be difficult for him. He's been pretty active even at 94. Not sure what my mom will do but she can stay with either my sister or myself if she does not want to be at home alone. I'm sleeping at the hospital tonight. Don't want to leave dad alone.

I'll be taking my break from my shop now. I had planned to start my break tomorrow so it's odd that the timing of my dads fall happened as I was all caught up with orders.

I'll check in tomorrow to let you know how surgery went.

On the good side....we are all celebrating the cubs World Series win! My dad fell right after the game so he was able to cheer the team and enjoy the game.

[HowCuteAreYou]

Hi Ladies,

Surgery went very well and my dad is resting comfortably. They put a rod and pin in his hip which was about a 35 minute surgery. He should be up and able to attempt walking tomorrow and onto the rehab facility for about 2 weeks on Monday.

Thanks for all of your good wishes and thoughts.

Debbie

[Former_Member]

Fantastic news Debra! Thanks for the update. Let's hope the rehab goes just as smoothly.

[KnitAndCrochetPalace]

Glad to hear all went well.

[hooknsaw]

Debra, thank you for the update. Very good news!

[BuytheHook]

Debra Great News. They really get you up and walking right away. I know my aunt was up and out of the hospital in 3 days, then off to rehab.

I've been busy getting ready for our Christmas Bazaar at the church. I'm working on a few scarves and hats still. Then helping out next Saturday, baking cookies at the church.

They always seem to do well, we have a lot of talented people who do most of the sewing, knitting and crocheting. We have one lady in our group who is an amazing seamstress. One year made over 30 outfits for an American Girl doll that we raffled off, not to mention a guy who made a doll armoire to go with it.

It a lot of fun and a busy day.

I hope everyone is doing well.

[HowCuteAreYou]

Hi Ladies!
Thanks again for your good thoughts and prayers. My dad is recovering nicely and should be at the rehab facility today. My sister and I have been taking shifts sleeping at the hospital. When I left this morning they were getting my dad ready to try and take a few steps.

I'm home now to take a shower and a nap and then head back over later today.

I'll check in within the next day or so.

Lucille~ I wish I could see all the wonderful handmade items at your church bizarre. There are so many talented people out there.

[Former_Member]

Wonderful news Debra!

Sounds like you are keeping busy Lucille. Church Bazaars always have a lot of great gift ideas.

Somehow I managed to break my glasses frames on Friday evening as I was taking them off. The break is right where the bridge meets the one lens so I've taped the clip on sunglasses at the bridge to try to give them enough strength so I can wear them. I've already got new glasses ordered but the lenses just haven't arrived yet.

Saturday my partner and I went to the transplant support group annual bbq and had a great time. The weather was warm, the food was great and it was wonderful to see some old friends again.

[BuytheHook]

Boy, things are really slow for me. I've sold 2 items in a month and neither was a holiday item.

I hope this isn't like this the rest of the month.

Hope you all are doing better than I am.

[HowCuteAreYou]

Hello Ladies ~

My dad was admitted to rehab yesterday so hopefully he will now begin his recovery.

I am feeling confident with the rehab situation and am going to NYC tomorrow for a few days to visit my son. I have my brother and sister here and these plans have been in place. Nervous to leave but anxious to see my son.

Thanks everyone for sending your prayers and good thoughts.

I am only selling my patterns so it's been nice to not have to deal with anything Etsy during this time. Unfortunately the first review in my shop is from someone who thought my packaging could be improved and gave me 4 stars. What kills me is I went above and beyond to get her order shipped next day. Glad to be away from the madness for a bit!!

[hooknsaw]

Good morning
Debra, I'm glad your Dad is doing well! Enjoy your visit with your son! We hosted a birthday lunch for both of my boys on Sunday and I spent Monday and Tuesday recuperating!
The review will be buried with more 5 star reviews in no time. I think your packaging looks great. I woke up to a review with the customer analyzing acrylic yarn .... whatever.

Lucille, the church bazaar sound like a lot of fun.

Crochetgal, fingers crossed your glasses come in quickly! I have 3 sets of glasses and am always looking for them! I try to be discreet while searching, but I will hear Don chuckling and know that he is laughing at me because I have misplaced all 3 sets at the same time!

I hope everyone is doing well! I am so relieved that the election is over and the negative ads have stopped. Most of NM local races were also attack ads and I am just happy it is over for now.
Our shop seems to be getting busier with more custom requests and sales are slightly better than last November at this time. Hopefully it continues.

[KnitAndCrochetPalace]

Lucille, I hope things pick up for you soon.

Crochetgal, I know all about glasses. I used to have EXTREMELY poor eye sight (actually legally blind) and if I ever broke my glasses, I was in major trouble. But I've had cataract surgery and I only have to wear glasses to read and I have a pair of drug store glasses to use at the computer.

Debra, enjoy your trip to visit your son. Hope the weather stays nice for you. I finally had to turn on the furnace last night. It was supposed to get down in the low 30's and our first frost was forecast.

I've had a few sales lately and have two custom orders that I received this week. The good thing about them, is neither customer is in a hurry so I don't have to rush.

I too am glad the election is over. I just hope our country comes together and works to make this a safe place for all of us.

[Former_Member]

Debra, that's great news that your dad has gone over to rehab. I would worry too, but he's in great hands so please enjoy your weekend. You deserve a break! I wouldn't worry about the 4star reviews. It will be buried extremely quickly.

Lisa, I have no idea why people are so 'down' on acrylics with the acrylics available these days. As far as I'm concerned, every yarn has a function.

I've had people laugh at me because I'm frantically searching for my glasses only to find that they are sitting perched on my head. With the ones that I had in the 80's and 90's they were so heavy that I could feel them there but these newer ones are so lightweight that I don't even feel them.

I too am so glad that the election is over. So much negativity. At least back home once the election is called it must be held within 60 days so there isn't that 2 years of 'vote for me' carp. The mudslinging here has gotten ridiculous.

My clear lenses came in yesterday so I went today to get them fitted and boy do they make a difference! The Rx suns should be in sometime next week but in the meantime I do have an old clip on that I can wear over the clears. I always have to have the darker glasses because of the eye drops that I use. They are the same ones that the docs use to dilate your pupils when you have an eye exam except that I use them to control the muscle spasms in my eyes. Been using them for about 40 years now.

Sue Ellen, somewhere around here I have a pair of readers but I don't use them much at all. Somewhere down the road a bit I'll have to have cataract surgery. Before the transplant it was estimated that it would be in 10 years or so but with all the meds I'm on and the diabetes the doc now figures that it will be about 2 years if not sooner.

[Former_Member]

I can't believe how gorgeous this weekend has been! The sun is shining and finally I can throw the windows open and enjoy the fresh air.