Book now available from Amazon

I just had to share. I was doing some Google searches to make sure some of my products from ArtFire and 1000 Markets were showing up and low and behold when I searched for my book, there it was. Yes, it has  now been picked up by Amazon.com plus a few other book dealers. Thankfully Amazon is selling it for the same price that I am, but there are some used ones that are selling for less. If you have one of my books and would like to do a review on Amazon, I would love it. If you want to buy a book, you can buy one from me and I'll even autograph it.

Check it out.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1425177670/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

Resolutions

Yes, I know I'm a little late in making any resolutions this year, but now is better than last year when I didn't make any. I got inspired by Jill of Liv'n Good Jewelry who reviewed how she did with her 2009 resolutions and set some for 2010. Check out her blog if you want to see what hers were.

Since I didn't have any for 2009 except to get my book published, which I did by the way, I may have to add a couple extra for good measure. I think 10 is a good number.

1.   Promote, promote, promote via Twitter, Facebook, Blog and anything else I find at least once each day on one of them. I should be able to do this, I'm on them daily anyway.
2.   Land at least 2 more gem club shows for demonstrating and teaching gem trees.
3.   Land 2 additional workshop venues for gem trees or jewelry design.
4.   Have the 2nd book completed and to an editor for review. I guess I better start writing.
5.   Keep my craft room clean & organized (okay maybe clean craft room once a week).
6.   Update my danasjewelrydesign.com website.
7.   Add one new item to my Etsy, Artfire or 1000 Markets site weekly.
8.   Develop 12 tutorials that will either be for sale or free on my blog. That's only 1 per month.
9.   Learn to use Photoshop Elements 7. Yes, I have the program, but haven't figured out how to use it yet.
10. Learn one new jewelry technique.

So, that's my list. Have you made any resolutions yet?

November Giveaway - Hurry Time Sensitive

Last month my giveaway was for a pair of my handmade charm earrings and this month it will be a surprise to my Facebook Fans. One of the options for my giveaway last month was to become a Fan of mine on FB, so now it pays to be a Fan. If you are one of my Fans on Facebook or Fan me now then you are a winner. Send me your home address via Facebook e-mail and you will receive something in the mail. I will mail worldwide, so if you are outside of the US, please feel free to become a Fan and send me that address. I promise I will not start sending your random junk mail....I can't afford that.  For those that know me, I'm very crafty. I make jewelry, paint and create gem trees, so you never know what will arrive at your door. Not all gifts will be the same.

Once you receive your gift in the mail, I would appreciate either a comment here or on my Facebook page about what you received and because this is part marketing and part thanks for being a Fan, you will receive a couple of business cards to pass out to a friend and tell them how wonderful I am....ha ha.  You know it will be good if I've asked you to do that. I do have an end date for this giveaway and it will be Sunday, November 15th, 11:30 pm PST so you don't have much time.

HURRY, HURRY, HURRY

Thanks for being my Fan. Oh, my Facebook info is a little lower on the right hand side of this blog.

New Year - New Marketing

I do have to admit that this was my best year for holiday sales. The salon has taken root and I now have those customers calling for special orders. Now I just have to get the web site creating those same sales figures for this year.

Marketing and design will be my goal this year. I have already created custom tags for each jewelry piece that identifies me, the web site, the materials that went into the item and the price. I've already received compliments on the design and idea, so I have a start. Another idea that I'm tossing around is the presentation and packaging. For the past couple of years, I've used mesh drawstring bags to package a sold item (necklace or bracelet). I did find a jewelry supply company that sells satin drawstring pouches for the same price if ordered in quantity, so I'll be trying these out. I'm hoping for strong sales in return customers due to an easily identifiable product and a packaging idea that goes beyond any of the other custom jewelry designers out there. It's almost like an added bonus when you purchase an item to get this wonderful drawstring bag that is perfect for storing the piece when not worn or for gift giving.



I've attached a picture of the whole packaging concept. Let me know your feedback and ideas and come visit my site as I have added some new items already this year.