Dear Blog,

This week, I decided to do a little experiment and I bought a spot on the Fall Fashion Showcase.

Overall the experience was great, so here is the recap:

- My shop got over 1000 views when my average is around 300 in a good day.
- People were giving me hearts right and left
- I made 4 sales
- I got contacted about my items and some of those contacts will be sales before the end of week.
- Very good money maker

I consider $15.00 put to a very good use, it allows to get out there.

Now, I was very reluctant to do it, I though that it will not work because I had been in the forum reading about how bad showcases were and people moaning and wailing about this. So last night, I started to try to analyze why it was such a good thing for me and so bad for others. So here is my word of wisdom:

- The pictures of your items in the showcase have to be good otherwise people will not be clicking there. I had been around and some people have pictures that you do not even know what the item is.

- The items that you are showcasing should be between $20 and $30. I do not think if you put a very expensive or very cheap item, people will feel invited.

- Once they get to your shop , you need to have a neat shop meaning: profile, nice announcement, shop policies, variety of products and price points. Basically all the things that you know about pimping the store.

- Choose the right showcase to buy. Here you will need to do some legwork about where your items may be look at.

- Choose the day of the week wisely, I based my decision according to the traffic on my shop and my own shopping habits. So Tuesdays seem a good day for me.

This is so far what a kind of know now. I'm getting another spot next Tuesday.

Stay tuned!!!

Patricia

Let's kick 2009 with something meaningful....


As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

Dear Blog,

I will be honest with you. I need a break from you since I'm really busy and I cannot dedicate you any quality time. I'm not breaking up with you but let's take a vacation from each other. In any case, I may change my mind tomorrow but just in case you know where I stand.

I still love you.

Patricia

Dear Blog,

I did not realize that it has been over a month since I post anything.

:-(

Patricia

Dear Blog,

Last week during a Virtual Lab, Lisa from Castleart, asked for honest feedback. So I convoed her, we made arrangements and she mailed me the prints. Well, the package just arrived so here is my part of the deal: give her my honest feedback.

Here we go........................


1. The package:






I absolutely loved the drawings!!!! They gave the outside of the package some character.

2. Package is opened



What it caught my attention was the business card. I loved it as well!



3. The goodies ......... that is what we are waiting for :)

Dear Blog,

Alicia from La Alicia is featuring me in her blog today. That is s cool!

Go and visit her at http://la-alicia.blogspot.com and of course visit her Etsy Shop


Byee

I'm a happy camper today.

Patricia

Dear Blog:

Last night, I made my first pendant from a scrabble tile. How cool is that?

It is already posted on the shop. I will make more this week.

Cya later,

Patricia

Dear Blog,


Wow, I cannot believe how bad I am. It has been almost a month since last time I wrote you. Well, during this time lots of things happened. Maus and Kiwi took a road trip around the US and they were so confused that came back to Texas instead of going to California. I set them straight , when they finally arrived apparently they were talking with a New York accent. That is what I was told.

In the meanwhile, Baxter was more obedient and he went to Michigan , when he got there he emailed me because he needed some baby crocs, so those are in their way to him.

I need to write about the birthdays so I'm out of here.

Patricia

Dear Blog,

Today Etsy Dallas celebrates two birthdays: Larry/KesslerCraftman and Emily/Backbone.

Here are my favorites from their shops:







Let's sing Happy Birthday to them and give them some clicks!

Whoohoo


Patricia

Dear Blog,

Yesterday, I received the earrings from Stephanie from Tefi Designs. They are so pretty! I love them! Here is a picture of myself wearing them with the matching pendant.







Thank you Tefi!

Bye,

Patricia