Refections

Can you believe that we have yet again reached the end of a decade!!! 2010 is just about over and we are all eager to usher in 2011. As a business woman, lol, I love the way that sounds, I too am eager to usher in a new year. But FIRST I must reflect on some of the highlights of 2010...
April- I sold my first piece of jewelry
May- I launched A Queen's Dowry on Etsy.com
October- I revved up my marketing and promotions to increase traffic
November- I started my A Queen's Dowry Facebook page
December- I made it through the holiday season and had my first 2 online sales!!!
All in all it was a GREAT year for A Queen's Dowry


It is very important that I also look back at all of the business elements that have made me successful and those that have not this year, and make changes for the future.
1. Choosing my name- I feel was a success. It draws people in and starts conversation. Dowry is not a word that is used frequently today and that is one of the reasons that I chose it. So, when I hand out my card or simply tell people the name of the business they are intrigued, and of course want to know more.
2.Self promotion- One of the first pieces that I made I wore all of the time and people asked about it- So, naturally I told them what I did... Make jewelry. Coworkers began to commission me for pieces as well as advice. I made my mother a lanyard for her reading glasses and where ever she wore them people asked about the lanyard and she promoted for me. To this day I don't leave the house without wearing  a piece that I made and out of 100 at least 20 ask me about my jewelry!
3. Marketing- SUCCESS!!! Hands down no doubt about it. My first online sale was due to marketing on Facebook and the second was due to promoting my site face to face.
      * Business Cards- I love Vista Print. They always have a super deal and so many cards and finishes to choose from. I sprinkle these babies around EVERYWHERE!!! At school, at church, at work, I carry them in my purse- remember the 20 out of a 100 people per day that ask about my jewelry... They ALL get a card. People who hear via word of mouth get a card so that my site and number are right at their finger tips.
      * Fliers- Color fliers with pictures of some of my most popular pieces and of course my contact info. These go where ever cards go. On bulletin boards, cork strips, anywhere I can get a push pin or tape.
      * Email blasts- So maybe not the most effective, but I can say that I did see increased traffic to my site on the days that the emails were sent out. However, purchases did not directly result from these emails. It does get fingers clicking which is a start.
      * Facebook Advertisement- Not 100% effective at increasing sales, however traffic did increase and that leads to sales. It is targeted as well which is a plus.
      * Blogging-  From what I can tell not much is happening with the blog, but this is still pretty new to me. I do have one faithful follower, and I do promote it on Facebook, so the possibilities are endless. I am going to keep writing about what I know and let you, the reader(s) decide.
4. Pricing and Discounts- Pricing was probably the most difficult thing for me to get a handle on. I had to decide early whether this was a hobby or a business. As a hobby I could charge cost and not feel bad because I was doing it purely for fun; As a business, I have to cover costs and make a profit. So, things such as time and labor do come into play.
Thus far I have only offered one "discount" outside of my normal "buy as a set" discount. It has not lead buyers to me in droves. Pricing and discounting are always highly debated especially when it comes to handmade. I tend to only stick with the buy as a set and get a discount only because my customers usually like to have all the pieces and its the least I can do...
5. Staying true to me- I started making jewelry that I enjoyed wearing and that is still what I do. If I veer too far from that it will not be a good thing. Plain and simple.

I hope that my reflections help you reflect on your business moves from the past year and help you look towards future moves. I look forward to seeing you in 2011.
If there is something that you feel I missed PLEASE feel free to comment on it and I will get back to you.

Thanks Again for reading

Gearing up for the New Year

So, it is the day before Christmas and if you are like me you have been working just about everyday this week, and its your turn to go out and shop for EVERYONE on your list... Yeah, no. Hopefully, you have done all of Christmas gift shopping already and are putting the finishing touches on the wrapping... If not, there's always next year.

Now is the time that you are shopping for those gifts that will leave a lasting memory in the mind of the host of the up and coming New Years Party, that you've been dieting for since LAST  New Years (lol, you know it happens!!!).

So what do you give the host?

Wine glass/ bottle charms- These are sure to please. They add fashion and flare to drab wine glasses and bottles as well as help guest, who've had a few drinks remember what glass is theirs. These charms are sure to start a conversation.Check out some of the charms I have listed at my Etsy shop.They range from $15- 44.50 and can be customized for your host.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/anhartetsy?section_id=7511743

Personalized Wine glasses- Every host likes to receive gifts that are practical, and what is more practical for a social butterfly than personalized wine glasses that can be used when taking a break from the crowd and enjoying some vino by the fire as well as when entertaining. Glasses can be etched with names, initials, dates, and even themes. Here are a couple links to Etsy shops that specialize in glass etching and design:   Rogue Glass, Distinct glass, and Heartfelt giver

Chocolate dipped delights- How wonderful is it to receive chocolate anytime of the year?!?!? It is super and so is this purveyor of delights, Fatima Williams. She hails from Ocean, NJ and is super talented not only in the art of dipped confections but in the art of creating a festival of flavor on your tongue. Not only can you find dipped berries in her shop, you will also find Oreos and stick pretzels. Your host will surely thank you for a delectable gift that makes the mouth water (just like the pictures below). For more details and pricing contact Fatima at ms.musiq219@gmail.com

Wine- Of course wine is always a welcomed gift especially if you know what type your host prefers. I personally enjoy sweeter wines, not necessarily SWEET wines, but those like Moscato, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer. Just know your host and if you are not sure but you are comfortable with bringing wine ask the associates in your local wine shoppe... Most of the time they are quite knowledgeable. Total Wine is a great place to shop for wine http://www.totalwine.com/ as well as your local grocery store (depending on what states you live in) higher end chains and specialty grocery stores will usually carry a wider selection.

Jewelry- Oh yes, how could I forget this? Jewelry is a wonderful gift. A little arm candy here or a lot of ear candy there always goes a long way. Plus, every time that its worn the recipient thinks of how wonderful you are, now can you say the gift that keeps on giving!!!

Thanks for tuning in. Have a super wonderful Holiday Season and Enjoy the start of a Fabulous year!!!

After the first sale... Refections and What nows?!?!?!?!

Woooo Hooo!!! I made my first sale on my www.anhartetsy.etsy.com site!!! I just want to send a SUPER huge shout out to my first customer N. Benson!!! Thank you so much for your purchase!!! 

So, the first online sale is a TOTAL confidence booster. It means sooo much to have someone that you don't know like what they see so much that without being there physically they trust your skills enough to trade their money for your product. I have been so excited and anxiously awaiting the delivery confirmation and feedback. I check the site everyday to see if there is any feedback or to see if anyone else has decided to make a purchase. This is where many of us "sellers" go wrong. It is great to check back often, but we must realize that the first sale is not going to automatically draw others to your page and put the products in the carts. We still have to aggressively market,no resting on our laurels.  

Marketing is still a priority. I will continue to send out Face book messages, pokes, and posts to get people clicking in the right direction. I have hundreds of friends (I will admit that I have not personally met each and everyone) on Face book and ALL of them are potential customers, making purchases for themselves as well as those that they care about. It is my job to continuously let them all know what's going on in my shop as well as where I will be locally. The same is true for the members of my church, my coworkers, and the members of my community at large. 

So, what am I doing? I am gearing up for my first "drop and shop" jewelry party in January!!! I am actively seeking out a super social hostess with lots of gal pals, to spend a few hours sipping wine and trying on and buying jewelry in a super relaxed home environment. I am super excited...  

Side note-- If you live in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area and would like the opportunity to earn up to 50% off  of some of my never before seen pieces... Consider being a hostess. Email me at aqdjewelry@yahoo.com for details...
I will also be listed in my church's business directory. 

Although, I am "small potatoes" right now and I may not have the capital to do some of the things that I would really like to do, like join my local chamber of commerce, I am still doing all that I can to get my feet off the ground and going into a nice steady jog. I am going to continue to market and perfect my craft and see where it takes me!!! Who knows, the sky is the LIMIT. Plus, there is always 2011. 

See you again soon!

Opening Shop... Marketing pt.1

I am learning that opening an online store has been vastly different from just selling my jewelry face to face.
So, face to face I can let shoppers touch and feel the jewelry that they are interested in, they can try on most of the pieces and make an educated decision about what they are getting ready to purchase. Online, I have to be as brief but descriptive as possible so that the customer feels as informed as they can possibly be before they consider making the purchase.
The most important lesson that I have learned has been that just because I have a site doesn't mean that people are going to shop it. I set up my shop in May and it just kind of sat there... I was doing great on the face to face end, but my visits were really low online. It was just recently that I decided to aggressively market my site. I have created a facebook page (like it!!!), I have business cards (from www.vistaprint.com) and fliers floating everywhere (school, church, salons, hospitals...), I ran a brief ad on facebook, and I have this blog. I immediately saw results!!! The views increased exponentially and my face to face shoppers take me more seriously. I am still in the early stages of this marketing and I am very excited.
I will now have to aggressively attack (not literally) making the sale.

Q&A with the Shop Keeper

Hello World,

I am a Shop Keeper. I have an Etsy.com shop entitles A Queen's Dowry, which can be accessed through the link www.anhartetsy.etsy.com. I set this shop up in May 2010. I decided that it was time to open up and answer a few questions that you all might have about me and my craft that are not exactly answered on my website. So lets get started:

Question 1: Who Are You?

Answer: Oh, yes! I almost forgot... Hello, I am Adrienne Hart. I handcraft jewelry. I craft jewelry that is fun to wear and affordable for all.

Question 2: When did you start to make jewelry?

Answer: Well I am glad you asked! I started making jewelry when I was 12 or 13. I would make little earrings for my mom and her friends as well as my aunt. Most recently, I started again in February after I started working at a small craft chain store. I saw a really gorgeous cameo charm and I decided that I had to make a necklace to go around it. So,about 3 weeks later I ended with one of my favorite pieces to date. After I finished the necklace earrings came naturally! I wore the two piece set and immediately received lots of positive feedback. My coworkers began to request custom pieces and that's when it really took off.

Question 3: What type of jewelry do you make?

Answer: Well, I am a dress and heels girl to the core, on the one hand. On the other I love to be in my favorite pair of jeans and a super cute t shirt and heels (I am short 5' 3''). So , with all of that said I love jewelry that can float between my two worlds. I make necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. I have not perfected my ring making skills so I have not introduced those to my customers, but they are coming. I also make ID lanyards, bookmarks, and key chains.

Question 4: What type of materials do you use?

Answer: In my higher end pieces I use 14 kt gold filled, sterling silver, Swarovski crystals/pearls, and precious and semi-precious gemstones. In my mid range pieces I use sterling silver, glass beads, pewter, metal beads, ceramic beads, wood beads, nuts, shells, and celestial crystals and occasionally lead free- silver/ gold plated findings. In my lower priced pieces I use lead free- silver/ gold plated findings, glass beads, silver/gold plated beads, resin beads, acrylic beads, and seed beads. Generally, a variety of beads based on the project.

Question 5: What is your price range?

I have items that start at $5.00 and that go up to $150.

Question 6: Where can your jewelry be purchased?

Answer: As of today I have an online shop at www.anhartetsy.etsy.com (which you will hear more about in upcoming posts) which ships internationally and if you are in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area of North Carolina, my products are distributed at the University Of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Women's Hospital on the 3rd floor- Ask for Carrol Hart. In late January I will have the first of many jewelry parties (details to be announced).

Question 7: Where can you be contacted?

Answer: You can contact me by email at aqdjewelry@yahoo.com or start a conversation with me through my Etsy.com shop the link is www.anhartetsy.etsy.com.I check in everyday and the emails are sent directly to my phone and I ALWAYS have it with me. I also have a business page on facebook, A Queen's Dowry.

Question 8: What special deals do you have going on right now?

Answer: Well right now if you order online at www.anhartetsy.etsy.com you get free shipping as well as 15% off of your total purchase!!!