7/26/10

Lesson's Learned From First Home Jewelry Party

Well I had my first home jewelry party on Friday night.  All in all things went really well, but I definately learned alot from this experience. 
The Do's and Dont's:

1. make sure you price your items individually, unfortunately I didn't do that instead I had prices set for each category ie: earrings, bracelets necklaces etc.  I down priced many which was a no no.

2. Make sure you have plenty of business cards!!! This is important to hand out and stick in the package of all your items sold.

3. Think about how you want to display your jewelry prior to arriving at the home

4.  Have a suggestion box so visitors can write down tips, that's definately helpful for future shows.
4.  Offer incentives for future parties, also give the hostess either a percentage of the sales or have her choose an item of her choice.
5. Have the guests write down their name address and contact info. valuable for sending thank you notes and future promotions and sales.
6.  Keep a good log book for orders taken at the party, and collect either a percentage or the total fee for orders.
7.  Don't forget to bring change, not everyone has the exact dollar amount of their purchase.
8.  Lastly don't forget to have fun! 

I could go on and on but would love to hear your tips of how to have a successful home jewelry party! Please share :) 

Here's my table set up, you may not be able to see but my goal was a beach theme so I had lots of shells and starfish and decorative boxes.



5/11/10

A little about Texas Eagle aka Norma Brock

Texas Eagle's Shop   Interview with Norma Brock



How did you get started and how long have you been selling for?
I started sewing around age 8. Opened my first studio in 1979 teaching ceramics & stained glass. Been selling off and on for 30 years.



What have your challenges been selling on-line?
 Learning technical stuff





What is your favorite shop item and why?

Hickory Heart Pendants because they represent nature and were found on the land that I love – our East Texas Farm in the Piney Woods



Have you made friends from selling on-line?
 Yes! That’s the best part! I love working with friends to promote and learn new things.



Do you work from home or do you have an outside office?
 I’ve been an insurance agent since 1989 and now work part time from a home office, with a craft room there as well. It gets a little jumbled & crazy at times, but I wouldn’t change a thing!



How has your business effected your family life, positive or negative? My husband & I work together which is nice, and our 5 kids and 6 grandkids market & model for us, as well as critique our work…they are our toughest critics.



What’s your advice for someone just starting out?  Don’t get discouraged.


Tell me a little about yourself, family, work, your goals:
 to be totally retired from our “real” jobs and move to the farm, travel, write an Irish Travel Guidebook, and open a Gallery/B&B/party pavilion on our farm where we can share our work and our world with others.


What influences your creativity? What motivates you?
 I cant sit still. I have to have something in my hands to do, even if I’m watching TV – which is rare.

What’s your favorite place to get supplies?
 Many items are upcycled, and I have half a century of supplies, but if I need something I check online first


To learn more about Norma and her Texas Eagle shop on Zibbet visit: http://www.zibbet.com/texaseagle
 

5/1/10

May is Military Appreciation Month

May is Military Appreciation Month
10 Simple Ways to show your support

This is near and dear to me, my son Scott is a United States Marine.  He was injured in Afghanistan in October and lost his close friend.  I'm happy to say he is recovering nicely.  This is a picture from the return of his first deployment.  A happy time for us both



1. Hang your flag outside your home or business.
2. Bumper sticker or decal showing your support.

3. Organize an event to donate to a military cause.

4. Write letters to service men and women over seas.

5. Send a care package. So many servicing don’t receive packages and would
 appreciate such simple basics as baby wipes for cleaning!


6. Wear red on Friday’s! I have a red Marine’s shirt I wear.

7. If you see a serviceman stop and say “Thank You” and shake their hand. I’m sure it means a lot to be recognized.

8. Recognize our veterans! We wouldn’t be where we are without them.



9. If your able to donate some time at your local VA hospital or military that's terrific


10. Donate to a military organization, have your friends and family participate! For example, have a tag sale and give proceeds to organization of your choice

Most importantly remember those we have lost while serving our country.  We have so much to be thankful for.

Semper Fidelis and Thank You from the bottom of my heart.

Mary Beth
Just a few organizations to check out, there are so many

http://www.militaryappreciationdays.com/discounts
http://www.thethankyoufoundation.org/
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

All photos were taken from http://www.freemilitaryphotos.com/