Day 6 of 30 Days to A Better Shop Series

It’s Day 6 of “30 Days to a Better Shop Series” by my buddie Christina Purdue and it’s going to be split up into two days.  First part of task is to UPDATE ITEM TITLES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF HALF OF MY LISTINGS.

Christina provided some quick tips:

1. Make your titles descriptive. For example: “Stairs to Nowhere – 8×10 Fine Art Print” or “Sterling Silver Lovebirds Necklace” or “Lovebirds Necklace – Sterling Silver”.
2. Include specific information about your product in the description – include measurements, colors (items look different on different monitors), and what’s included in the listing.

With that, keep in mind, that if you are editing a portion of your description that is the same for most all items, copy & paste to avoid typing the same words phrases, greetings, e-mail addresses and URLs.

So, let’s look at one of my listings.  I’ll start with my most recent: “Blue Cluster Earrings”
Here they are:  (Click on the image if you want to vist the page)

Here is the current item name: “Blue Cluster Earrings”

Here is the current description:
“A variety of clear and blue frosted, fired and iridescent glass rounds and silver cast metal beads are hand wrapped and cluster together on sterling silver french wires.

Length: About 1 1/8 inches or 2.8 cm

My thoughts…
     Well, I have been reading a lot on listing descriptions in the forums lately and I think this one is pretty basic.  I didn’t write anything personal and it’s all that a buyer would really need to know about the earrings.  I have included the length in inches and centimeters so it is useful for both U.S. buyers and international buyers.  Some of my listings have personal information in them, but yesterday I was in a hurry and didn’t really feel inclined to add anything special to these.  Perhaps I should.  Hmmmmm?  Ok – here’s how I’ve  changed it:

NEW ITEM DESCRIPTION (additions in blue)

“For the girl who likes more than a simple post earring or a single dangle – these blue clusters are fun, feminine, very cute, are sure to get compliments and bring you happiness!

A variety of clear and blue frosted, fired and iridescent glass rounds and silver cast metal beads are hand wrapped and cluster together on sterling silver french wires.

Length: About 1 1/8 inches or 2.8 cm

MY THOUGHTS ON REVISIONS:  I like it!  I think it did need something a little extra and the little blurb before the basics is perfect.  :O)  So now, I need to go through the rest…ugh!  Well, that will likely happen later and then more tomorrow, because I have a lot of other things to attend to right now.  At least I got that task started!  I’d be glad to hear what you think of the changes.  :O)  Feel free to post comments.

Items at Etsy from NLA and Other Artists too.

I can’t seem to figure out how to add my etsy mini to my blog and it’s a bit frustrating.  So, at this point, I’m just going to have to upload pics and post them individually – more time consuming, but oh well…Here are some new items in my shop and below are some of my favorite items from other sellers.  Be sure to browse through the rest of the shops once you’re at their page – everyone has a lot of wonderful items aside from the ones I’ve showcased. 

NEW ITEMS from NLA – http://nicoleleeartistry.etsy.com
(CLICK ON ANY OF THE PICTURES TO GO TO THE SITE PAGE WITH DETAILS)

My favorite ITEMS from OTHER ETSY SELLERS:
(CLICK ON ANY OF THE PICTURES TO GO TO THE SITE PAGE WITH DETAILS)

Oh yea! I was featured!!!

Wow – I’m so blessed and I feel badly I don’t have more time to mention this – I will talk about it tomorrow, but I was very blessed today!!!  Another generous Etsian decided to feature me in her blog as well!  She did a really beautiful job and I am sooooo excited to get more exposure – so grateful to her – check it out:  http://sewphisticate.blogspot.com/

The Chittum Files Blog

This sweetheart of a gal featured my earrings and I am forever grateful!

Check out her blog: http://www.thechittumfiles.blogspot.com/

what a day!

The hubby is telling me to break away from Etsy and the computer, and it’s been a busy, busy day!  I can’t seem to find enough hours to get all that I want to do done, but I DID do a lot…alas – I don’t have time to blog.  :O(  

I didn’t even get time to attend to Day 5 task for my 30 days to a better shop…well, I’ll do it tomorrow…Friday – EVERYBODY DO THE HAPPY DANCE!  Anthony and I are going to Longhorn Steakhouse with some friends tomorrow!  Mmmm!!!  Mmmm!  Good!

Two great simple things to mention before I close – I’ve got more hearts on Etsy and I got another sale tody!  My pretty, pretty “Tranche De Vie” Earrings that were featured in the Chittum Files blog – SOLD!  YIPPEEE!!!!  Here they are…on their way to a new happy home!

 

The Hooters are a Hit!

My little Hooters were sold when I logged on this morning, so YIPPEE!!!  I’m so happy!  It was an eventful evening too, as Anthony and I got locked out of the house – I’ll talk more on that tomorrow – but it was really getting hilarious when the locksmith told us he thought he locked HIS keys inside HIS van!  Oh yeah…fun!

I went to my class tonight – very exciting!  My small jumprings are all soldered together!  One step closer to a complete piece!  I’m going to go get a bastard file at Home Depot so I can work on my S-Hook at home before our next class, which is two weeks from now.  It will also be our last class.  :O(  But, the good thing is that I’ve LEARNED how to solder my own metal and I am soooo excited about that!

I’d write more, but I’m tired.  I’ll close with pictures of my two latest necklaces.

Nighty Night!

Little Hooters

I just love these little guys!  I just finished them and I’m in the process of listing them in my store.  I think they are sooooo cute and not only fashionable, but simply adorable!  And I just love saying “little hooters” too…Ha hah!  Maybe it’s just me but it makes me chuckle every time I say it.  “little hooters.”  :O)

 I’m up to 62 hearts!  That’s more than yesterday and I think I’m well on my way to reaching my goal of 200 by the end of March.

It’s Day 4 of my 30 Days to a Better Shop project and my task today was to update my profile.  After some consideration of what changes I should make, here is the transformation:

MY OLD PROFILE:
Hi! I’m Nicole Catroppo. I am the sole artist of Nicole Lee Artistry.

I was born and raised in rural Pennsylvania. I’ve always been an intelligent(yet at times lacking common sense) bubbly girl with lots of personality and high energy. I went to college, got married and had begun what I thought was going to be the rest of “my life.” Then, “life” changed dramatically – with a series of challenging events that proved to be the most emotionally difficult span of time I’ve ever had to deal with. I endured a lot, but I have since learned to see it as a blessing in disguise because you cannot know the good without knowing the bad. During those times, I was taught a lot about life, love and true happiness, and it blessed me so much more than I ever anticipated. Overcoming the tough times reinforced what a strong and resilient person I am, allowed me a new perspective and new lease on life and ultimately started me down the path that has led me to REAL love, balance, personal happiness and Etsy!

In my Etsy store, I like to specialize in fine jewelry made of gold, silver, precious and semi-precious stones, but also occasionally dabble with other materials that strike my fancy.

I was totally self-taught until now. I am presently taking a class to learn metalsmithing. It’s very exciting, but now I am going to work even harder at getting sales because I need to earn the money to purchase tools and supplies to be able to continue what I’m learning after the class ends.

In my shop, custom orders are available. If you have a request or an idea just email me. I LOVE custom orders because they are personal and the process becomes emotionally rewarding for me when I know the person and/or the occasion the jewelry is for.

Handling: Each of my pieces was created with a piece of my soul, so I package them with tender loving care. Each of my items comes complete in adorable gift boxes, cushioned in tissue paper. If you have a special request for packaging, after you place an order, I am happy to do what I can to oblige – just email me.

Shipping: I ship all orders out within 24 hours of receiving payment and package all pieces carefully, so you can rest assured that your jewelry will travel both promptly and safely.

MY NEW PROFILE:
Hi! I’m Nicole Catroppo. I am the sole artist of Nicole Lee Artistry.

I was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, in a small town near Pittsburgh, called “Ford City.” More specifically, I grew up in the village of Brick Church, which is a charming, rural community full of warm-hearted, friendly, generous people.

I am an intelligent (yet at times, definitely lacking common sense!) bubbly girl with lots of personality and high energy. Years ago, after college graduation, a profession under my belt and marriage, I had begun what I thought was going to be the rest of my life. Then, “life” changed dramatically – with a series of challenging events that proved to be the most emotionally difficult span of time I’ve ever had to deal with.

I endured a lot, but I have since learned to see it as a blessing in disguise. I appreciate the good so much more now that I know what is like to experience the bad, also knowing that it can always be worse. During my struggles, I was taught a lot about life, love and true happiness, and the trials blessed me so much more than they could ever hurt. Overcoming the tough times reinforced what a strong and resilient person I am, allowed me a new perspective and new lease on life and ultimately started me down the path that has led me to REAL love, balance, personal happiness and Etsy!

In my Etsy store, I like to specialize in fine wire-wrapped jewelry made of gold, silver, precious and semi-precious stones, but also occasionally dabble with other materials that strike my fancy.

With regard to wire-wrapping, I am totally self-taught. I have, however, reached a point where I want to create more, so I enrolled in a soldering class two weeks ago. The new knowledge and skills I am gaining are very exciting! Once I finish my classes and purchase the tools and supplies I need to work from home, I will be able to offer completely original gold and silver pieces that I personally create from the raw materials. Until then, I hope to earn the money I need to do that through Etsy.

I am inspired by everything I see and experience. I’m sensitive to all that surrounds me, so I the variety of inspirations are endless – color, light, movement, emotions, people, relationships, nature, patterns, or even energy… and so much more!
_________________________________________

So, that’s it…for now it works.  I will probably refine it again and again, but I’m happy with it.  I also added shipping destinations to my profile, which I’ve been meaning to do.  Tomorrow I have to add the small mention of “see my profile for shop policies” to each item’s listing.  Ugh!  But, I want to be thorough, so I’ll do it.  :O) 

I’m going to close with my little hooters one more time.  Nighty Night OWLS!!!

MY ACHING FOOT!

Once upon a time, I was jogging on the treadmill and feeling extra-energized.  Given the added burst of energy and feeling a little Super Woman-esque, I upped the speed.  While running at a brisk 8 mph (AKA “Speed of Light”), one of my strides came down like a ton of bricks.  My left knee bobbled with pain and reminded me that I was not the Bionic Woman after all.  

It’s been about a month now and I am still having pain in my knee.  In fact, sometimes I have to walk with my left foot pointing outward to alleviate the pain and I KNOW that’s not right.  Last Friday, I had an MRI done to investigate further.  I still haven’t heard the results from the MRI, but last night my foot swelled up on the outside, got red hot, turned black and blue and was full of pain.  So, I wrapped the foot, iced it and elevated it.  This morning it still hurts.  I would really like to get back to jogging, but it doesn’t look like that is going to happen anytime soon. 

At least my work isn’t affected by this…I can still sit and wrap jewelry, paint, scrapbook, talk on the phone and be on the computer, which is my saving grace!  I’m off to check on my etsy store now…hoping for some sales, hoping for more hearts (yesterday I had 56) and I’ve got to refine my store policies.  I leave you with pictures of my foot and apologize if feet gross you out.

Metalsmithing

I’ve been taking a soldering class and I’m SOOO excited!  I’m learning how to make my own findings and designs out of raw materials.  Right now, I’m working on a bracelet project.  This Wednesday I’ll solder the tiny jump rings, complete my bracelet clasp and start working on a pendant.  Here’s a pic of my bracelet so far – one side is textured and one side is completely smooth.

 

It’s lots of work, but so much fun and so rewarding!  I can’t wait until I have my own studio set up with everything I need to do this kind of work from home! 

My Bread Begins!

Well, I made a half recipe and my bread is in the bowl ready to rise.   I’ll continue to post pics as the bread progresses…  (ok…that didn’t happen…HAHAH – sorry for not posting more pics – the bread was so good!  The aroma took over me, we ate some for dinner and I completely forgot to take pics!  I will next time.  I make this bread a lot!)