Etsy Beadweavers May Challenge

Each Month the Etsy Bead Weavers have a different challenge theme. They announced this one right as I was joining, and I didn't have any brilliant ideas, so I didn't even try this time! I have some ideas for the next one though :) We'll see if I can get to it and get it done in time. :P

Anyway - May's theme was Hollywood Red Carpet - check out the awesome entries and go to the blog to vote! 

Now for a small bit of a sad news. My radio show is no more. As of today it's canceled. Don't worry, nothing bad has happened between me and the radio station, I've just been too sick. So the powers that be decided it would be best to cancel the show for now. Ah well, it's been a fun experience. :)

April was Busy!

Hey everyone! It's time for my wrap up from last month and my look forward at this month. It's been a crazy month! That's for sure. And yes, I know this post is late, but I didn't want to mess up my daily posts and messing up my shoulder made writing more difficult.

So what's new? Well first of all I have to post up my favorite item out of my three shops for this month :) This is one of my Mom's - and we've gotten a great response off of it! You can find it here in our shop Kindred Spirit Treasures :)

Did I mention three shops? Yeah, I'm up to three shops! It can be a lot to manage, but I'm loving it :) I now have Kindred Spirit Treasures, Rose Works Jewelry on Etsy, and Rose Works Jewelry on Artfire.

It's been a slow month for sales. No sales yet on Artfire, but I'm enjoying getting to know some new people and I'm hoping that the sales will come soon!

One thing I've added into this blog is I've started doing "spotlights" every time I have 9 new items combined between my three shops. That allows my friends from all over to see what's new :) I'm trying to add those in as an "extra" post for those days and not have them be the main post for the day. If you haven't seen one yet you can see my most recent one here.

I've also started up a fan page on Facebook! I'm still working on setting it up, but I'm having a lot of fun with it and I'm excited about the possibilties :) So come check it out and be my fan! (that sounds soooo egotistical).

In bloggy news I'm participating in a Craft It Forward - go check it out! I only have three participants so far...so leave your comment and be number 4 or 5!

I've also started a new feature on my blog called Tuesday's Tips. I've been getting a great response from it so far and I'm loving it!

In BlockHead Radio news...the hosts are all competing to see which of us can get the most new commercials for the station! We don't win anything - just bragging rights :P And, as I wrote about, if you request me to do your voice-over you'll get a free pair of $5 Earrings! So go buy your self some CHEAP by EFFECTIVE advertising!

So what's coming up this month in my plans and such?

Well, first of all, here's my line up for Thursday Spotlight On! Come join me at 9pm EST on Thursday's to meet these fantastic artists!

5/7 Mary of Herban Life Style

5/14 Ray of Don't Eat Any Bugs

5/21 Michelle of Creative Critters

5/28 Stormy of Stormy Designs

Other than that, I plan to keep on listing regularly, I have lots of design ideas, but we'll see what gets made :P I also plan to continue working on updating and optimizing my facebook page, and I hope to reorganize my Flickr account soon as well.

What about you? What have you accomplished this last month? What do you plan on doing this next month?

Tuesday's Tips #2

Bloggy Bib

Can you guess what my tips are about today? That's right...blogging! Now there is a LOT that can be said on this subject, I could go on all day, but I'll be a good girl and keep a narrow focus. Just know that this means you'll probably see lots of other bloggy tips in future week's editions of Tuesday's Tips! 

Now the step one to using your blog to it's full advantage is....drum roll please....really, this is a doozy...you have to have a blog! If you've stumbled upon this post, you own an on-line shop, and you DON'T blog yet, let me recommend blogger as one of the best blogging services I've found. If you have any questions about getting it set up just let me know, and I'll be glad to help all I can!

Ok, so now you have a blog, what's the next step? The next step is to start building regular content! In simple terms, write stuff! Blogging experts say it's best to blog at least 3-5 days a week. You can blog every day like I usually do, but it's ok if you don't have that much to say (I talk a lot in real life too), but the key is being consistent. Don't blog 4 days in a row, skip a week, write one, skip 4 days, write 3... you get the idea. Find a routine that works for you and then stick to it as best as you can. This helps build your readers because they know what to expect. Most people won't continue to read your blog if you let it lie dead for long periods of time.

So what should you write about? Here's just a few ideas to get you started:

~ Write a little about your personal life.

~ Write about what's new in your shop.

~ Write about your creative process.

~ Write about your plans.

~ Write about another artist who's work you admire.

~ Post your favorite recipe.

~ READ other blogs - you'll get lots of ideas that way!

~ Do you have an area of expertise? Share it! 

~ Find things that make you passionate - and write about those.

Your blog can have as narrow of a focus or as broad of a focus as you want. Some people find the most success by keeping their blog very focused in on their art work and business. Other's would go insane trying to create that much content on that narrow a topic. Find what works for you, and don't worry about the naysayers!

Special of the Week - Yellow Millifiori Bracelet!

I just recently discovered Millefiori beads - and I think you'll see more showing up in my shop soon! Millefiori means 1,000 flowers in italian. I bought these Millefiori chips and beads from beadboxsupplies here on etsy! Memory wire has the fun property of being super-strong, and springing right back into shape! As a result, this bracelet will fit most wrists comfortably. It also creates the fun "multi-strand look" that is so popular these days!

Today it's only $7.60, that includes your 20% discount and a $2 shipping charge to anywhere in the world! So what are you waiting for?

And don't forget! If your looking for some awesome advertising head over to buy some from BlockHead Radio - and ask for me to be the voice talent on your ad!

Sweetening the pot!

That's right - I'm sweetening the pot! Yesterday I wrote about a great advertising opportunity over at Block Head Radio. Well, today I'm adding a prize on for asking for me to be the host that records your ad! Anyone who requests me will get a free pair of $5 earrings from my etsy shop or artfire shop! How sweet is that? So go buy your ad now - and don't forget to request Ruthie in your message to the seller! 

I also wanted to show off this weeks great treasury by Peacox Creations - this one features one of my Mom's butterfly hair clips! Thanks my dear! That made my Mom's day :)

Looking for some great advertising?

If your like me than your always looking for a great way to advertise your work. Well I've found you one! You've heard me talk about Blockhead Radio right? Well the station is growing by leaps and bounds! Advertising is way cheap. I'll let the boss man tell you all about :)

What kind of reach does BHR have and why would I benefit from advertising. BHR is an Internet radio station, so that means people all around the world can listen and do. Our top 5 countries are:

1. United States
2. Canada
3. U.K.
4. Israel
5. Australia

Our demographics are a split of 60% Artisans and 40% General Listeners. 70% Women and 30% Men. Ages vary from 12 years old to 71. Yep we got a grandma jammin' with us.

Why use Internet Radio for advertising? Simple, interactivity. With an audio commercial you have put a voice/personality to your site. When your ad is playing a banner is displayed in the player and the listener has the option to go to you site right then and there. Then the most 5 recent audio plays are kept in a list on the player and those link up to your site too. It opens in it's own window so you have the listeners complete attention.

We sell in stream audio/banner spots on CPM. That way you know that 1000 people will hear your ad. CPM is frequently used in advertising to represent cost per thousand (where M is the roman numeral of 1000). When used in advertising it relates to the cost per thousand page impressions. Using the CPM model the advertiser is guaranteed that a minimum number of listeners will hear their ad.

The cost is $15.00 CPM. Advertiser is responsible for supplying a 240 pixel square banner and link to information. Please provide us with a couple sentences describing your site and we will do a script and voice over. You can renew your ad for $7.50 for another 1000 impressions.

If you have any questions or would like to setup and ad please email us at advertsing@blockheadradio.com

Would You Like A Jingle For Your Ad?

How would you like a catchy jingle for your ad? This special $30 offer for a low cost jingle will boost your image and grab the listeners attention! Singer/Songwriter Mike Burnes is available for this.

One quick more answer. When checking your Goggle Analytics/Incoming URL's the incoming link from the player is: media.streamads.com

And if you love me (and I know you do!) you can ask for me to be the voice of your ad when you purchase it! Just go to their artfire (no account needed) to order now!

Honey Child Designs

Last night I had the privilege of interviewing Nicole of Honey Child Designs. Nicole specializes in making jewelry that is designed to enhance your life through the stones and crystals she chooses to use. I love what it says in the introduction to her shop, so I'll let you read her own words.

"Inspired by the healing energy of crystals, Nicole hand selects and delicately handcrafts every piece. She begins the process of creating her signature Agate pendants by looking deeply into each slice of Earth, examining its wonder and with awareness, Nicole closely studies its uniquely intricate and extraordinary properties. Then, she marries it - stone by stone and gem by gem - with other healing crystals, carefully assembling each piece with a nurturing spirit, to ultimately awaken the magical and meaningful properties of her One-of-a-Kind works of art. "

Nicole went to film school, and has had the privilege of working in several different areas in that industry. Right now she works a day job, and does her jewelry at nights and on the weekend, but some day she dreams of opening her own crystal shop. She told me last night that she can picture herself as that eccentric lady who try's to convince every customer about how much crystals can enhance their lives. 

One thing that really impressed me about Nicole is that she really knows her stuff. She's done a lot of research into crystals and the chakra's, and it shows in her passion when she talks about it!