Thursday, August 30, 2012

Multiple Streams of Income


For a small business just starting out, having multiple streams of income can often affect the success or failure of a venture.  You should have clarity and focus about your core products or services but be willing to ‘think outside the box’ with respect to where & how you sell them.

There are so many options that it’s important, at least initially, to look at them all.  See what works and what doesn’t, then try to determine why you are getting (or not getting) the results you want.  Don’t be afraid to brainstorm with other entrepreneurs so that you can learn ways to improve what you are doing.

Aside from the traditional retail outlets, where else can you market your goods? 

·         Trade shows
·         Craft fairs
·         Music festivals
·         Local bazaars
·         Flea markets

I’m sure you can add to the list too.  What about online opportunities?

·         eBay
·         Facebook
·         Etsy
·         Kijiji
·         Craig’s List
·         Artfire
·         Your own website

One important thing to remember is to be persistent.  The old saying was never truer than when you are working to get your business established....’If at first you don’t succeed, try try again’.  And once you find the strategies that work best for you, drop the ones that have not produced the results you want or need.  Good luck to everyone.  I can’t wait to hear your success stories.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Bead Soup - The Reveal

First, let me apologize for being a day late at posting this.  We were away most of August doing events from Eganville to Fergus and when we returned, my computer would not boot up!  My son spent a week trying to build me a working computer from bits & pieces he had available, without success.

I went out yesterday to a local computer shop and purchased a refurbished one.  I spent most of the day trying to get all the programs installed so I could use it.  All of my old files (photos and documents) are still sitting on a hard drive that is on my son’s workbench.  At some point, they will have to be transferred to the new computer but that won’t be today.

Now, to my bead soup reveal.  I have long admired the delicate and intricate chain mail & wirework of other designers, so my challenge to myself this time was to try my hand at both.  I have a newfound respect for anyone who can create using these methods.  I had moderate success with the chain mail portion but need lots more practice with the wirework.

Here is the bead soup sent to me by my partner, Fay.


Since I spent so much time fussing with the design, I only got one piece finished.  Please note, I did wind the copper rings myself and my partner cut them for me.  I found the copper very easy to work with but I think I hold the pliers too tight because many of the rings have marks on them.  I need a lot more practice before I get it right, I’m sure.  I did learn a few things that don’t work though and I will try not to do those again.  *smile*

So, without further adieu, here is my creation.....


It did not turn out quite the way I'd envisioned it in my head but I'm relatively happy with my first venture into the chain mail and wirework genre.

Close up of the hand-made clasp by Fay

Thank you, Fay, for the fantastic bead soup you sent to me.  I will be using the rest of it in another creation.  Take a look at what she created from the bead soup that I sent to her...click here.


Be sure to check out the work of the other designers in the 3rd Reveal...

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things 
Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads  
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming
Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones
Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'
Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage
Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads
Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations
Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog
Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash
Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution
Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents
Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory
Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen
Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging
Hannah Annear, Squintessential

Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs
Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels

Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen
Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home
Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas

Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show
Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities
Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN
Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops

Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio
Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts

Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi
Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry 
Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog

Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo
Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila
Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads

Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs