I Promise....

I will be good and do what I say I will do. Firstly, I am going to be setting a blogging schedule, I am determined to blog at least once a week - that's not so hard is it? I intend on trying to do much more often than that, but I figure I will be better able to meet my target of once a week and anything else more will be a bonus.

Second, I am going to unneglect all those things I have neglecated over the Christmas period. I am going to put some of my lovely presents to work - my new mini anvil/bench block, my new chasing hammer - to name a couple, and make some more things. I am also starting a new years resolution of trying to use sterling silver and gold fill for my final pieces. I have already replaced some earring wires on my Simply Elegant Blue earrings that I sold, because I didn't think that the horrible ones that they had did them justice, I did this free of charge and I hope that the recipient appreciates it.

I am also going to plead forgiveness from the EtsyBloggers and DUST teams for not paying them any attention over the last few weeks. I have blog carnivals to write, feature seller articles to do and some sucking up on the forums to to also! All this will keep me very busy and hopefully it will also help contribute to my new promise of blogging more regularly.

So, off I go to start those new goals.....

A few things have been happening...

I have been extremely neglectful of all things Etsy and online selling - I have just been so busy outside of the internet that I haven't really felt like doing anything about it.

But it seems that the world Esty keeps on turning regardless of whether I am making a contribution. Firstly, I made a sale, my first in ages and it's time's like this that I really wish that I knew where the sale came from. The buyer was a relatively new member (a few months) had no feedback, and I wasn't in their favourites. To add to this, I had't listed anything in weeks, so I don't think that they would have found me by simply browsing. I checked the treasuries and treasury west, nothing - so how did it come to be that this lovely buyer found me and made a purchase?

By the way, it was my Simply Elegant Blue Earrings that sold.


In further Etsy related news, I was also featured in a treasury (this was a couple of days after my sale) as a result of being a part of the great Etsybloggers team. Having used the tag "Etsybloggers" on my Hearts of Many Colours Bracelet, it was featured in a treasury made up of fellow Etsybloggers.

I have also noticed that I have still been getting blog hits, and I also wonder how these people find me, my feedjit gives me a little bit of an idea, but apart from that I am in the dark.

It amazes me that all this activity could be happening around my shop when I have been sitting on my lazy behind doing nothing to promote it - yet when it feels like I'm spending a fortune and I spend all my free time on the net promoting promoting promoting, nothing happens?!

Facebook

I have ventured into the realm of Facebook advertising.
I tried an ad, I seemed to get a few clicks, but not much shop action. I think it just ended up costing me money mostly, but I still thought it was good to experience.

I have however finally got around to starting a page for TracyLacy Trinkets - I have 4 fans already so that's a bonus.

I'm still not sure how I'm supposed to go about promoting it, I am still uncomfortable pushing these sorts of things onto my friends - I feel like they will feel obliged to take part!

Contrast....

I managed to snag another treasury, this one features a number of talented Etsy sellers.

Including: tutusbliss, passionflower, mystudio, monaco, stiksel, emandsprout, TwiggyBoodles, gonetopottexas, Nordlys, interrobang, dennisanderson, and LabyrinthLeather.


I love getting these treasuries so much - it's such a great way to show all other Etsians my favourite stuff!

I was also super excited that Tu Tu's Bliss put the link to this treasury on her blog - make sure you take a peek - there is heaps of beautiful stuff to check out there.

Nice....

I have been lucky enough to be featured in another treasury - All Color....No Color, curated by Seduorla

I am wondering how "Drops of Silver" was found - because I nearly let it expire due to the fact that I didn't think it was doing very well in my shop. But it seems that Sedruola was able to find it and liked it enough to put it in this treasury.


So I decided to renew it and see how it goes - I am starting to like it again so maybe someone else will decide that they do!

Treasury!!!!!

Yay, I snagged another treasury! I got it at the last minute when the nuber was sitting on 222 - there was only 9 minutes to go. So I used those 9 minutes to work out what I was going to put it it! Then no.222 expired and I thought I had missed it, I thought that I would have to save my poster sketch for next time - but nope, I think my computer was just being a bit slow!

So here it is, I have called it Simple....
I found it really difficult to find things that weren't jewellery - I think this shows how much of Etsy is taken up by the jewellery catagory - but so much of it is so nice that I could have made 10 treasuries and called them all "Simple....."

Hope you like it - if you happen to see this before the treasury expired, it would be nice if you could leave a click and a comment :)

Tracy's Latest Trinkets!

I have a few more tinkets which I have not yet added to my shop. I find it fun to use blogger to showcase my new creations before I put them on Etsy. This is so much easier as I don't have to worry about thinking up descriptions and measuring everything! Yes, a bit lazy I know, but at least maybe it might get people hanging out for me to put them in my shop - wishful thinking?

So anyway, here is a bracelet made with some lovely beads purchased on Etsy (I don't think I will ever shop anywhere else for supplies - I'm hooked!) I liked the beads so much that I wanted to do something simple with them to show them off.
This next bracelet was also made with some new beads - yummy glass pearls in in pink and gold.


I am hoping to get them listed fairly shortly, maybe even this evening if I'm feeling particularly motivated!

Mama's Magic

The Etsybloggers feature for the month of October is Mama's Magic.


Mama's Magic has 2 Etsy shops: bfbeads where she sells her awesome range of baby friendly beads. Such as this necklace

Which she says will keep baby happy whilst at the breast. It is made from one continuous length of cord and has no clasp. Unlike normal jewellery, it will not break as easily because it has no 'weak links' such as clasps and findings. Baby can happily pull and play with it whilst in your arms. It is also made with an adjustable bead, so that it can be lengthened and shortened as you feel like it.

In her bfbeads shop she also sells these cute reminder bracelets. Which help to remind mum which boob she last used to feed little bub. They come in a range of colours and are made with memory wire - which means they are nearly impossible to break and really easy to change arms, meaning that they meet the principles of their design exactly!

Aside from bfbeads, Mama's Magic also had a second Etsy shop, Mama's Magic Studio, where she focuses on a range of fraternal earrings as well as a couple of other trinkets.

I love these Dragonfly danglers, which I can imagine hanging in a window on a sunny day.

I also think that these fraternal earrings are so cute and different. Who wants matching earrrings anyway?! I really really love these "Hey Diddle Diddle" earrings.



Mama's Magic also had an awesome blog, which focuses a lot on her beautiful family. I particularly liked her recent post, where a picture says a thousand words! Mama's Magic, is most definately a proud SAHM like she says she is. Make sure you check out her blog where there's heapps of other items worth reading. Trust me, I spent quite a while there finding out all about her.

New Stuff!!!!!

Just a quick post to show off the new stuff I've just added to my Etsy shop.

First, some pretty earrings, made with filigree leaves and pale blue czech glass beads. I named them Raindrops Within the Leaves.I have also added my Brass Dragonfly earrings, which I particularly like. I really love the beads, which I bought from another Etsy seller, ZoeandBruno. I was really happy when I found them, because they are an Australian shop, and I love it when I find quality supplies close to home.

Hope you enjoy :) If you do, check out TracyLacy Trinkets where you can see my other creations that I have to offer.

Happy Homemaking

Yesterday I had the greatest day at home. We had our first really hot day that I didn't have to work so I spent it outside. I went great guns in the garden - the front of our house is looking very pretty with pink and purple azaleas. I have also planted some nice petunas which will flower soon, I have gotten rid of all the weeds so the front garden is looking very pretty.

Out the back I have planted a lemon tree, some strawberries (which I'm very excited about because I can tell they are going to give me an excellent harvest) and some parsley.

So I have been a busy girl - only problem is that I seem to be coming more distracted away from Etsy everyday.

On a good Etsy note, I got a treasury today, I was lucky enough to bring up the Treasury West page about 2 minutes before it opened - very lucky, so here is a screen shot of my chocolaty goodness:I think I am having a particularly chocolatey theme going on here - Chocolate Caramel Slice yesterday and a chocolate treasury today.

It's Blog Carnival Time Again.....

And I've decided to share a yummy recipie with you all. Mmmmmm, it's making my mouth water as I think about telling you what's in it!

Chocolate, Caramel & Peanut Slice

Melted butter, to grease
190g (1 1/4 cups) self-raising flour
70g (1/3, firmly packed) brown sugar
120g butter, melted

Caramel Filling

1 x 395g can sweetened condensed milk
70g (1/3 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
60g butter

Chocolate & peanut topping

150g (1 cup) unsalted raosting peanuts
300g good-quality dark cooking chocolate, coarsely chopped
80ml (1/3 cup) thickened cream

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Brush a 13 x 30cm loaf pan with melted butterto lightly grease. Line the base and 2 opposite sides with non-stick baking paper, allowing the sides to overhang.
2. To make the biscuit base, combine the flour and sugar in a medium bowl. Add the melted butter and stir till just combined. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan and press firmly over the base. Bake for 20min or until just golden.
3. Meanwhile, to make the caramel filling, combine the condensed milk, sugar and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spooon, for 8 minutes or until the caramel thickens (do not let the mixture boil).
4. Pour the hot caramel over the biscuit base. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until the caramel begins to bubble. Set aside for 1 hour to cool slightly.
5. To make the chocolate and peanut topping, sprinkle the caramel evenly with peanuts. Place the chocolate and thickened cream in a medium saucepan over a low heat and stir with a metal spoon until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Pour the chocolate mixture evenly over the peanuts and use a round blade knife to smooth the surface.
6. Place in the fridge for 1-2 hours to set. Cut into 16 pieces to serve.

You can omit the peanuts if you don't like them or are allergic - I have made this without them and it was just as yummy.

I also usually double the mix and make a bigger batch because we are greedy and love this so much - 16 small pieces is just not enough! (Plus the fact that I don't have the right sized tin to make the smaller batch)

This is the best ever caramel slice I have ever tasted and I have made it atleast a dozen times - it works out great every time - In fact, I think I have just decided what I am going to do tomorrow morning - mmmmmmmm

October Already

I can't believe that it's October already. I'm loving it because it means summer is coming, the days are getting longer and daylight savings started on Sunday.

Some exciting newsis that I have been featured on the DUST team blog - http://dustteam.com/blog/ - it's great being part of such a groovy team, I only wish I had a bit more time to get more involved.

I have also been lucky getting some treasuries over the last week or so. My latest is in Treasury West, which seems much easier to get into - I suppose it has a lot to do with the fact that it is not as well known.

I have also made a few more things, which are patiently waiting for me to get around to listing them. Here is a sneak preview,





I am hoping to get these listed fairly soon, I have others to go up as well. Whilst I seem to have had no time to make anything, I have been getting heaps of ideas and have got plenty of tings that I want to make. I am currently waiting on a package in the mail which has got some wire and other stuff in it that I am really looking forward to getting into.

In home news, things with the dogs are coming along nicely, they are pretty much best friends now and have been spending the day together and sleeping outside at night time together too.

On a final note, the job scene might be looking up for me. I had an interview the other week and I'm waiting to hear back about it. It is an excellent job and exactly what I would like to do, so, fingers crossed!

Till next time....

Go Wild for Joey & Aleethea!

How much do we love Joey & Aleethea? Thiiiiiiiiiiisssss Muuuuuchhhhhh!!!!! The lovely person behind this Etsy persona created the EtsyBloggers Street Team. Of course that is not all, she is a mummy to 2 gorgeous children - which you can read lots about on her blog - http://joeyandaleethea.typepad.com/blog/


She is also the owner of a fab Etsy shop, joeyandaleethea - http://joeyandatheelea.etsy.com - where you can find heaps of great stuff for your kiddies!

Such as this cool Monsterlicious hoodie which is custom made in whatever colour you feel like having it - personally I love the pink!

All the monsters have names and personalities - making all the clothes that feature them all the more lovable.

I love this cute Monsterlicious Baby Cuff - bringing the coolness to the babies! You can also get in in bigger sizes, just in case your older kids are feeling a bit outshone by their little brother or sister!

These are just a couple of things on offer in joeyandaleethea's Etsy shop - make sure you check it out, you will be there for ages marvelling at the creativity and cuteness of it all.


After you have had a looksie at joeyandaleethea's shop, you must check out her blog. She is clearly a passionate blogger. You can also find some great personal goings on in her life, which helps to understand how much a great person lies behind the name of joeyandaleethea. I just popped over there for a peep before and just had to share this with you:

Random Happiness

As soon as the Dada walks in the door from work, our 2 year old son Joey says to him:

"Dada, you see her? That's the Mama. And see that Dada? That's the little little little baby. She's so little, she's so cute. Kiss the baby, Dada. (mwah) Ohhh! Good job Dada!!"

How beautiful is that?! This is the kind of stuff you can find everyday on her blog - I love it, I particularly liked reading about the arrival of little Lily.

So, make sure you check out all that this wonderful woman has to offer - both on her blog and in her Etsy shop.

One final thought - THANKS JOEAYANDALEETHEA!!! - for creating the great team that is Etsybloggers!

Tulips Treasure Box - EtsyBloggers Feature

Tulipstreasurebox is the EtsyBloggers feature for the month of August. She is participating in the EtsyBoggers Street Team sale and has some beautiful items to offer.



These items are available for sale in Tulipstreasurebox's Etsy shop located at
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5508373&section_id=5417430

If you hurry there you will get a real bargain, Tulipstreasurebox has really embraced the EtsyBlogger's team sale and has reduce the prices on a huge range of items.

Tulipstreasurebox also has a blog located at: http://TuLipsTalking.blogspot.com

Here you will find some info on her beautiful items - plenty more eyecandy for you to drool over!

Keep On Keeping On

So, I have had my membership approved for EtsyBloggers, very exciting! I am getting ready to dive into writing my feature for this month. I am in the process of checking out previous ones to get an idea of how it all works. I love that the process for EtsyBloggers is so involved - I do hope that I am able to keep up with the requirements.

I have managed to make some more jewelry, so I met one of my goals that I made for myself. These are my latest creations:

I bought some new beads/findings the other day and they came in the mail full of inspiration. So I was pretty happy with that.

In other news, we have a new addition to our family. Well, he's not actually here yet, but he will be soon. We picked out a new puppy on Sunday. Will be posting with updates after he settles into his new home which should be about 2 weeks away.

I will be back to post later on today or tomorrow because I feel I must get this feature article written - I am looking forward to it anyway, it will be an excellent start to the idea that I had to do that myself anyway.

A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That....

Over the last few days I have made some progress. I have signed up on Etsy for two teams. DUST (Down Under Street Team) and EtsyBloggers. I am currently waiting for approval from EtsyBloggers.

I have also been trying to promote my blog more, I shamelessly mention it whenever I have he chance! Although I have been seeking out other people's blogs and adding their links to mine. I think this is a really good way of networking. I feel it's likely that they will mention my blog to others if I tell them that I have added their link. Well I would hope so anyway, and if it doesn't then it is a good way for me to bulk up my potential feature article pool.

I have been extremely lazy with my creating of jewelry, I am hoping to get into this today, I have heaps of ideas rollig around in my head and really want to get them out. It has been really cold and this has put me off I think, cold fingers don't like fiddling with wire! Also I like to spread out when I'm building and I don't like to spread out when I'm cold!


Another exciting thing that has happened is that a 'stranger' commented on this bracelet of mine that I have pictured on Facebook.





I have pointed her in the direction of http://flickr.com/photos/tracylacytrinkets due to the fact that it has more and much better photos of my things on there.

This has prompted me to update my Facebook photos now though, as I get alot of exposure to my existing friends through Facebook. I feel like I can get around the issue of feeling like I'm soliciting to my friends.

I am really looking forward to getting involved with EtsyBloggers. Although I already had plans to do feature articles. I was intending on doing this primarily with jewelry makers and suppliers. Now I will hopefully have the chance to look at other creations and creators.

I have decided to up my prices on my items in order to see whether it makes any difference. After reading some article on Etsy I feel like I was previously seriously 'undervaluing my craft' as it is called. I don't seem to have seen a difference as yet, but I haven't added any new items for a while so I haven't expected that I would have any extra exposure recently.

I am currently in the process of searching for a feature artists. Hopefully I will have that finished later today - if I can fit in around everything that I have planned for today.

So, here are my plans:

- search for a feature artist
-dix my Facebook photos
-promote my blog in http://www.beadingforum.com.au/forums/index.php
-MAKE SOME JEWELRY!
-I also plan to look for inspiration outside my normal sources.

Progress So Far.....

Over the last couple of days I have been tinkering away. I have been stamping out a presence on the Etsy forums and in the chat rooms and have found a number of sellers to heart - a few of which have reciprocated. I am beginning to see why the forums are such an important place to network. I have found my self getting more satisfaction out of looking at items for sale by people in the forums than by simply searching.

This leads me to my next endeavour and it is to get more online exposure -in a nutshell I feel like by asking my friends to visit my website they will feel compelled to buy something and I don't like the idea that I might be pushing my craft onto them. This is why I feel gthat I need to make more 'online' friends. I feel that these people will be more interested in what I have to offer in the area of jewelry making because it is likely that they will be visiting my sites because they have a genuine interest rather than having a look because they think thay should just because they are my friends.

I have decided that I want to begin featuring some other jewelry creators website/blogs/shops. This is mostly because I feel that it is likely that I am going to run out of material otherwise - as much as there is that I want to get done - I don't know whether I will be able to keep up with my goal of posting on this blog every couple of days with what I will have achieved.

So hopefully by my next post I will have discovered my first subject.

Over the last couple of days I have been furiously working on designing some new creations - I am beginning to get low on finished pieces. I am finding it easier of late to draw inspiration from others rather than to simply copy like I did when I first started jewelry making. So I will get back to it....

Introducing TracyLacy Trinkets!

Well, first a bit about me. I have recently (about 6 months ago) taken up jewelry making. It has become such an obsession that I now have a huge collection. I decided recently to put some of my items on Etsy to try my luck selling. Etsy has now become my new obsession! To the point that it is eating into my jewelry making time!

I have decided to write this blog in order to track the progress of my Etsy shop and my journey into online selling. I am looking in the future to maybe begin a website so I think that will also become part of my journey.

So, an update about how I'm going so far. I have managed to sell 2 items - granted they were a matching set of earring and bracelet which I sold to the same person, so I think the fact that I have had two sales could be called lucky! Here are the two items I have managed to part with:

Since then however, I have had no more. This is not getting me down because I have been reading the forums and there seems to be a lot of other sellers in my position - some who have been a seller for longer than me - who have not yet sold anything. There has been plenty for me to occupy myself with on Etsy whilst I anxiously await my next sale.

I have been scouring the forums for advice, tips and tricks. I have found a wealth of knowledge here and it has become invaluable. There seems to be no question that goes unanswered. I have also recently begun dipping my toes in the chat rooms - I think this may be a very good place to get some exposure.

Aside from this I have taken on the advice that setting up a flickr account is a good idea, and have uplaoded a couple of pictures of each of my items that I have for sale, as well as some other items that I haven't offered for sale yet. I'm hoping that this might generate some interest and allow some people who are not currently Etsy members to be exposed to my items. You never know my luck! Feel free to take a look - http://www.flickr.com/photos/tracylacytrinkets - I am happy for any new contacts!

So to round up, I have a few things in the pipeline - my plans are to do some extensive research into building a website to get exposure away from Etsy. I also need to spend some time making somemore items - my inventory is becoming a little lean! I am going to try and reach a target of listing a new item every 1-2 days. I also want to try and set up some sort of mailing list or news letter for my shop.