My First Blog Special

Hi again all:

Here is my first special deal for those who read my blog.  I've set up a coupon just for you!

Use coupon code Blog to get a 25% discount.  Please note this is not good with any other offers and it's just for you as a thanks for reading my blog.

Happy Shopping!

Happy Labor Day!

Here's hoping you all had a great holiday. I was able to get some new items posted - check them out. I love working with the soapstone and agate. I love how creative I can get with all the different colors and such. It's a wonderful stress reliever.

I'm going to hook this blog up to my booth at Bonanzle. Those who follow the blog will be able to take advantage of special deals non-readers won't be able to. The first will be a coupon - stay tuned.

I'll have some beads coming soon, as well as some new earrings. There won't be much else due to my upcoming move. I'm not sure when I'm moving yet or where, but due to my divorce I know I'll have to relocate. I've got some mixed feelings on that, but I've got to look ahead, not behind.

Plan on attending my Bonanza on Sept 18. Everything will be posted by then and you'll have lots to choose from.

I will still start short-term layaways; however I'm not sure how long I'll be able to do this. This is all due to the uncertainty about my move. I've applied for work all over Montana. I could up close by in Billings; back in the Helena area; or even up in the Flathead region in Kalispell. Stay tuned.

That's it for now. See you all later.

Liz

Upcoming Move

Due to my divorce I'm going to be moving in the near future. I've lowered prices on many items to try to get them sold quicker. I really don't want to haul this inventory all over Montana so if you're looking for a great bargain come on over!

Some super new collectibles are up for sale too - these are from my collection. They've been boxed for years and I simply don't have the room for them. Don't miss out on these - they are cool and you may not see them anywhere else.

Got a stupid new injury so going to call it quits for tonight as typing is not easy with one's hand all taped up. Have a great Labor Day all.

New Glass Beads

Some super new glass beads have arrived. I got a wonderful deal on these so now I pass the savings onto you. Sizes vary from 6 mm to 14 mm, and lots of great colors to choose from. Strands are 13 - 14 inches in length. Many of these are faceted too.

These strands are only $3 each. The same strands at Michaels or JoAnn would run you at least $5 each, and they wouldn't be as long either. Quantities are very limited and I doubt I can get more of these so check them out.

Weekly Drawings

Just a reminder that I do conduct weekly drawings for prizes. Some prizes will be items from my booth and others will be coupons and such. Some weeks a purchase will be required to enter and some weeks it won't. I'm going to mix it up to keep everyone on their toes.

Don't be afraid to enter if you're outside the USA either. I ship worldwide with the exceptions of Mexico, Cuba, and Iran. In fact, today I shipped a package to Guatemala.

FYI: I will do lay aways now too. Please read over the terms on the front page of my booth. This is a great way to do your holiday shopping and stick to a budget. I will do a layaway for anyone in a nation I ship to.

Here's hoping you all have a wonderful weekend. I can't believe that next weekend is really Labor Day. Where has the summer gone?

Here I am Again

Well, it's been awhile. I've had a crazy few months with my pending divorce, the state being involved in custody of one kid, and trying to find a job. Hopefully some of this is coming under control so I can try this again.

Sales have been sad to say the least. Let's face it, the economy is spooky and people are scared. I know I am. I'm trying to get a bit more creative with my specials and lots of people are looking.

I've got a new special for today, August 27. It's called BOGT, which stands for Buy One Get Two FREE. Regular shipping charges do apply, but I combine always and this is a really good deal. I'm hopeful.

I've got some great agate candleholders in stock now. These are really different: very pretty and very well drilled. They're perfect for either tealights or votives.

I've also got some cool Indian (India) jewelry in stock so if you like different sorts of jewelry check it out.

Lots of bracelets and other jewelry is in stock too.

I have a great line of collectible items that you just have to see. Each is unique and done by yours truly. I buy the components and then have a blast putting them all together.

I'm also doing weekly drawings. Some will require purchases; others will not. These will be mixed up just to keep everyone on their toes so you do need to check the site weekly.

If you're into photography please check out my other booth: The Wild Side. This booth features photos I've taken myself that are just too cool. You never know for sure just what I'm going to catch in the viewfinder.

Here are the URLS:

http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/snowbearsmom for The Cat's Meow

http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/mtwildchild for The Wild Side

Hope to see you all soon!

Liz

Sluggish Sales & Innovation

I've had a couple of nice sales this past week, but overall things are slow. I get the feeling that it's the same all over Bonanzle. I do advertise but what has helped the most is getting involved in the buying games. That's given more exposure than anything so far. Exposure is good.

I've also borrowed an idea from another seller. This seller sells Mystery Boxes. I've bought one, and it's wonderful! I can't tell you how much fun I had opening it. So now I'm doing Mystery Packages full of jewelry. This is very nice jewelry - new old stock. I need to move it, and this could be a great way to do this. I've included shipping in the cost of my boxes, and I am accepting returns if the buyer isn't 100% thrilled.

I'm also accepting offers and then giving another 25% off of that figure. So make your best offer, use the coupon, and get 24% off of that number. Spend $50 or more and get another 10% off.

I've heard that I charge too much for shipping. I use strictly Priority. I charge $5 for the first item, and 25 cents for each additional item. This covers my costs for packing materials, tape, etc. I don't feel I'm overcharging. Heck, I have to drive 30 miles to ship packages since I live in a remote area and the PO will not pick up at my home. I use $9 worth of gas each time I go into town. This time of year I have to use the 4 wheel drive to get in and out as the road is a three foot deep sea of mud. I think I'm more than fair.

Yet someone told me she would rather see me raise my item prices and charge less for shipping. To me this doesn't make sense. But everyone is entitled to their opinion. And I'm not going to change my policies for one person. I've looked at other shipping rates, and I feel mine are no higher, and in many cases lower than others.

I think one does best when one adopts a policy and sticks to it. If the policy works, then there is no reason to change it. If it doesn't work, then explore other ideas until you come up with something that does work. But it has to work for the booth owner.

Well, off to sleep. Dream of more sales.