September Chat thread

[#1]

Welcome metalsmiths ( or should I say "metalworkers"?)
If your name isn't on the list, head over to the Introduce Yourself thread and follow the instructions there please :-)

AbellaBlue = Jessica
AlegraJewelry = Vicki
AlexSharDesigns = Gaynor
AlisonMooreDesigns = Ally
anidem = Jesse
artdi = Diana
AZBluerockers = Mary Lou
bagsnstuff = Dianna
BeatrizFortes = Beatriz
BellaBijouJewellery = Jaime
BellaBijouToo = Jaime
bddesigns= Christen
bijoutery = Jen, Jennifer, or bijoutery
Brokentreasures= Amanda
Brontotheroocity= James L.
cabbingrough = LauraH
CGWhitfield = CG, or Cliff
CharOuellette = Char
Chrissilynn2=Chrissi
Chrissicabs=Chrissi
corybethy = Cory
DaisiemaiCreations = Janea
DaVineJewelry = Danielle
DiemDesignsJewelry = Sarah Jo (CarpeDiemGems)
DominicanLounge= Alpha
Doxallodesigns = Janice
Doxallostudio = Janice
Duffy Designs= Duffy
Eklektisch = Cole
Elementaldesigns= Denise
EmilyWiserJewelry = Emily
Epiphany of a Dragonfly = Wanda
evelynjewelry = Evelyn
evittscreekarts= Lois
ericafreestone = Erica
EyemaginationRSB = Robin
FiliGraceJewelry = Grace
fix8ion = Tammy
FoldAndSpindle = Mike
FoxyGirlBoutique = Melissa
GirlLovesGlitter = Lilian
HappyTortoiseSupply = Jason
Hartleystudio = Ann
HRBeaDesign = Heather
InbarBareket = Inbar
JackStones = Jack
JaneaPauline = Janea
JazznJewelry = Kathy
JelliesJewelry = Jack
JenniferCasady = Jen or Jennifer
Jewelrytutorials = Janice
JonesingforJewelry = Carin
KarlaWheelerDesign = Karla
karmahjean = Karen
kiliari = Raina
KimberlyBellDesigns = Kim
KimVGlass = Kim V
KitandCaboodleShop = Gayle
KriksSilver = Kristie
lamazonian = Vema
LauraRoberson= Laura
LeahBestDesigns=Leah
Lilnut = Caroline
litapsilverj = Lita
Lovebuttonsca = Laura
lsueszabo = Sue
Luxedesignworkshop = Peg
MarcusBerknerJewelry = Marcus
Markaplan = Mark
mattjohnsondesigns =Matt
Maythenwolfbane= Nicole
Metalluxe = Peg
MieleMelograno = Liz
MissToryDesigns = Lina
novadesigns = Tess
novaofsweden = Tess
NRjewellerydesign = Nikki
OrmanaDesign = Katya
OverThinkingIt = Bree
Ppennee = Pennee
PureDichotomy = Wendy
RadianTrace = Ronnie
Ranchiquita = Becki
rockaholic=Peggy
sbevisdesigns = sue
ScrapMetal = Addie
ShireJewelry = Lisa
SilverBlueberry = Esmeralda
SilverLinesJewelry = Jenny
SilverMade Studio = Teresa
silvermaven= Carol and Jackie
StoneBeautiful = Jenn
StoneTemple = Mark
SToNZ = Susan
SugarCity = Grace
thebutterflygirl = Veronika
TheSpeeceCollection = Pat
ThirteenGems=Melissa
tinkertown = Sue (tinkerSue)
Treasuregypsy = Darcy
TreeFrogJewelry = Sheryl
TwoSilverMoons = Birgit
UntwistedSister=Terri
valerietyler = Valerie
verysmallbird = Heather
VillainAccessories = Brandi
VisionQuest = kim or VQ
WednesdaysDesign= Kristina (Wednesday)
wpcardenas= Wanda
2trickpony = Rachel
3sweetpeasjewelry = Gina

[cgwhitfield]

I was just wondering if I should stop taking the pills for a day and see how it feels without them. Did some light water line ditch cleaning with a shovel today, feels OK so far but then I don't know how much is masked by the pills.

Whatever happens, I've been convinced of their value.

[cgwhitfield]

Oh, I'd better share the sales dust, sold my most expensive bracelet today. A testament to the value of renewing, a few hours after renewing and I'm betting there's a direct connection.

[bellabijoujewellery]

Congrats Cg. I still renew, and this morning I sold a pair of earrings not half an hour after doing so. They also bought something else along with it. So the power of renewing is still strong :-)

[VisionQuest]

congrats, cg..
i think the RECENT-CY (is that a word??) DOES matter in searches. especially in jewelry. with 2million pieces, it has to be considered.

on the days when i don't renew, my views are noticably fewer.

but i'm also noticing that altho my views are"less" in general, my sales are up right now.. alwyas seems to happen when i'm busiest with the rest of my life (day job, kids' school, DHs bday, etc) will be busy LABORing this weekend.

[lsueszabo]

something strange is happening, every time i hit refresh, my previous post goes back into edit mode. huh? well, i'm off to the studio. i played hookey last night, best get at it.

[LauraStasa]

Thanks for reminding me to renew something. And pay my bill. I'm not sure it's helping me though. My views are dismal despite my tweaking tags, titles, etc.

Congrats on the sales!!

So, can I eat dinner, read the newspaper, commit the consumer protection laws of Mass. to memory, listen to DH, and catch up on the thread all at the same time? Let's hope so.

[lsueszabo]

you can stop them for a day and see cg- you'll know pretty quick if it's still there.
ok, now i am off, congrats on sales. i have never renewed something and sold it. not once. but i believe others do all the time. not sure why it never happens for me, if any one has theories, i'd like to hear them. ok, back around 11.

[cgwhitfield]

The consumer protection laws of Mass? Is there a test?

[LauraStasa]

Let's just say I had my first test today.

[LauraStasa]

I'll add that we're not in arrears in any way. Just that I need to know what's legally required.

[cgwhitfield]

That would have been the last thing that might have occurred to anyone.

[2TrickPony]

lsueszabo says

i don't pennee. snowflakes? not this kid. santa claus pins? ya got me. i wish i knew but i know i'm not doing that.

****************
I see a challenge in this, lol.

[LauraStasa]

Well, thank you CG.

I'm working on refining store policies and want to make sure I'm within the law. These economic times are making it hard to be free and loose with policies now.

I'm glad that your back is somewhat better. There's nothing more sobering than having to deal with what you thought was an invincible body. I've been there a lot lately.

[LauraStasa]

Rachel, lol!

I was thinking that if anyone expressed interest in me making a holiday line I might oblige. I sooo need help on knowing what people like and will buy. It's a wonder that I can run a store sometimes.

[cgwhitfield]

I long ago lost the idea of invincibility.

[hartleystudio]

Glad you're back is better, CG.

It's hot as hell here and they are sending #1 home at 1:30 tomorrow and thing #2 doesn't even have school since she is afternoon, half day. Dammit.

I agree with the renewing thing. When I renew, I have lots of views. When I don't, it's really low. Recency HAS to play a part in a category with so many items.

Congrats on the BIG sale, CG!!!

[VisionQuest]

Recency <<< THAT's how you spell it.. thx!

sorry the dam fam is impeding your creativity, ann.. mom's never get a break-
i was washing dishes last night instead of making orders. poo

[hartleystudio]

Yeah, that's ok. I am just trying to get in a routine and get on with my life but I keep getting sideswiped. It's no biggie. I'll get there. :) So will you.

[LauraStasa]

I don't have kids and I'm always getting sideswiped. I have no idea how you moms manage!

[BodeesJewelry]

Even with the relevant search, the most recent at the top of the search page helps. Renewing always helps in my shop.

[bellabijoujewellery]

Sue my theory is people have probably found your items after renewing, hearted or bookmarked them, then drooled over them until they MUST have them, then purchased. Since your items are a higher price range, they aren't as impulse saleble. People need a little more time to think it over.

[cgwhitfield]

I'll buy that theory. After having thought about it....

Whatever happened to the proposed new 'rentable' or ?? page spaces from a few weeks ago? Remember the secret you had to sign up for to hear about?

[bellabijoujewellery]

I haven't heard anything about it. Knowing etsy they will wait till right before the holidays start popping up.

[bellabijoujewellery]

Hmmm I just got to work about an hour ago and everyone seems really grumpy. Someone called in sick this morning so they have been short all day till I got here.
Yet I didn't get a phone call to come in early...

[LauraStasa]

Me neither. I signed up for the etsy secret ?? but have heard not a peep.

DH and I were just outside watching a bat! It's amazing since most of our bats have succumbed to white nose disease. We sat and cheered it on and hoped that it would live one more season at least.

I'm vanquished. I and another business owner finally got to walk over the bridge today to survey the damage. About a dozen businesses on the Buckland side had been flooded or were damaged. I'm so glad that my shop was up the rise and across the river from them but I can't imagine the work and heartbreak. None of us are rich; we do this out of love. It's a lot to bear.

Anyhow,I'm off for the night. Have a good evening everybody! See you bright and early, I hope!