Etsy Showcase, September 8, 2011

I finally found openings to showcase a few of my designs on Etsy. Wow, one showcase each for bracelets and necklaces. What excitement. I started a few weeks out planning and placing the different accessories in the right place based upon how many admirers I had on each individual piece. What anticipation, and when the day arrived I thought that this might be my day. Sales, sales and more sales! WRONG! No sales, not one; funny....I have been featured in three Treasury Lists in as many days of which I am grateful, and various "favorites" by fellow artists in the Etsy community. I was recently invited for membership in a group of talented gem artists as well. Ashar Gems has been in existence on Etsy for one year. After assessing and reassessing, re-tagging, price changes, reasonable shipping changes, attractive banners, Photoshop assistance, profile changes and Google Analytics up the gazoo, I have eight sales to show for it. I guess it takes some mystical unseen force to understand the patterns of buyers and sellers, marketing and sales. The only thing to do now is decide whether or not the price I have paid for materials, work time, patience, disappointment etc., is worth it in the world of custom-made jewelry. Thank God I have no husband or children or we would be begging bread by the roadside. So the decision has been made. If things do not turn around I will close the shop on Etsy by January 1, 2012. No magic here, just facing the facts!

Thank You

Thank you everyone for going ga ga over the burgundy pearl bib necklace on Etsy. So far, I have 16 admirers and have been added to 3 treasuries. Many thanks to PersonalDesignz on Etsy for her inclusion of my necklace in her current treasury "Burgundy Rasberry." I appreciate your support very much. This is such a great feeling. Now I have a better idea of what people like. I have a Ceylon Sapphire necklace in this style as well. Enjoy!

The Firey Furnace-One Year on Etsy

September 1, 2011 marks the anniversary of my site on Etsy.com. Ashar Gems has come a long way. I have heard that it takes some time for a seed to take root, send up a shoot, grow and produce fruit. That is certainly my story. I think it takes a lot of guts to birth a business in this economy and wait for it to move. Therefore, I will pat myself on the back, because it has not been easy. It is by Grace that we all succeed anyway. For those of you who are thinking of throwing in the towel. For every story of waiting and wondering and going without, there is someone out there in worse circumstances and that is when we have to ponder about our humility. Keep moving forward. Take heart. I will stand with you; things will get better and we will all dance and sing! Blessings!

Welcome Jewelry Divas!: Make Olympia Downtown Street Market

Welcome Jewelry Divas!: Make Olympia Downtown Street Market

Make Olympia Downtown Street Market

I would like to invite you and yours to the first ever 2011 Summer Market in downtown Olympia. On August 20, 2011 Theresa (my sister) and I will be in a big white booth, between 4th and State in downtown Olympia from 10:00 AM until 3 PM.

The summer Artwalk is being held in an effort to support and encourage local businesses. So, show your support and come and say hello. Bring your big fat wallet as well.

It's the Weekend

I am happy to say that today is friday. Go shopping for jewelry on my "Etsy" site for Ashar Gems. Better yet, Google Ashar Gems. I need to buy food for my six kids, my Aunt Mona and crazy Uncle in Yonkers! Can you dig it? I knew that you could!

What the @*$*(%, it's Almost August!

Hey kids! The month of July is going far too fast! 

I wanted to check in and talk to myself again about the economy, business, sales, lack of sales, google analytics and what what.  It is great to go to my Etsy site and hear other business owners coo and tell me how beautiful my handmade jewelry pieces are, and on the other hand, not have a sale day after day. I spruced up my profile, purchased a gorgeous banner, added more wedding jewelry and guess what? Nothing! Someone out there somewhere is purchasing. Do I have to drape myself over a BMW (better yet a silver-gray Targa) or pose in a Firewomen of LA calendar? Where are the people who buy shoes, handbags and jewelry and tell the landlord that the dog ate their paycheck?

I would give all of this up and join a convent, but I hear that you cannot wear fragrance or get your nails done. Too much austerity for me.  So, I guess I will push on, dust off the pink ball gown I wear to weed the garden and find more nonsense to write to MYSELF. If anyone is interested, please respond.