Trip The Glass Fantastic

May 31, 2010 :: Posted by - Jay :: Category - Artfire Studios, Haffina Creations, Headline

Patriotic Smiley Flower

By contributing columnist aka Haffina Creations

As a jewellery maker, one of the items I love to use the most is Artisan Lampwork beads. There is a very talented Handmade Lampwork Bead Artisan who happens to have a studio on ArtFire. Her name is Jamie Rose and she is the incredible talent behind her ArtFirea> studio is always worth a visit, with new items added regularly. I wanted to know some more about workings of < so I asked Jamie some questions, which she kindly answered.

What will people find when they drop into your studio/store? What types of items do you sell?
I sell mainly Artisan Lampwork beads. I also sell some jewelry and some stained glass pendants/necklaces.

How did you come up with your studio/ shop’s name?
I wanted something unique. Most Lampwork sellers use their names, but I wanted something different, unique and that would be remembered. Not sure it’s that easy to remember, but I think if someone knows my work and they see my name they’ll say, “yes, I remember her”. I wanted to use the word Glass and make that a one-of-a-kind name, so Glasstastic was created from Glass and fantastic. Also, since I was completely amazed by what I could do with a torch, I wanted to use the word Treasures, because to me every bead is a treasure.

How long have you been selling online?
Wow, three years now!

What lead you to join ArtFire?
I heard about Etsy on TV one day when I was home taking a vacation day. I looked it up on the internet and thought it was perfect for me. And it was, for a while. Then, simply by being online you hear of more venues to sell on, and ArtFire was brought to my attention. I waited for quite a while before I moved there and I’m so happy I did. ArtFire is my favorite selling venue.

What is your favourite feature on the ArtFire?
Everything! But if I have to choose just one thing it would be coupon codes. It is so easy to offer my customers a coupon code so they can receive their discount without waiting for a refund. I believe in making shopping easy for my customers.

What tips/advice would you give to others considering joining the site?
You can join for free and get a basic account, however, in my experience, once I moved to a Pro Seller I almost immediately because more visible on Google and other internet searches. If you can swing the monthly fee to start out you won’t be sorry.

How do you want people who visit your studio/shop to feel, what mood are you attempting to create?
I want to lift spirits and bring smiles to faces. My tagline is: Has your heart smiled today? Come see me, you’ll see what I mean.

Mr Potato Head with Mustache

What types of things do you do to try and create that feel/mood?
I make fun and whimsical beads. I make characters with smiley faces and love to use bright colors.

What is your favourite tool or material to use at the moment?
My favorite new glass is CIM, Creation Is Messy. The colors are bright and vivid, and very unique.

Are there any skills or techniques that you would like to learn, or materials that you would like to work with, aside from what you already do?
Right now I use soft glass which has to be kept warm so the beads don’t crack. However, I’d love to use Boro glass, a harder glass, which isn’t so temperamental outside the flame. You can get much more freedom to work with the glass without it shattering if it’s not in the flame.

Are you still selling the same kind of items as when you started selling, or has it changed with time?
Pretty much. Once I started making fun faces and whimsical character I just couldn’t stop!

Which part of being an online seller do you find the most challenging, and what do you do to deal with that?
Marketing is very challenging. It’s so time consuming, and can be costly. However, there are many website that make it easy to post listings and pictures of your newly listed items to one site, or multiple sites like Twitter, facebook, Plurk, Plaxo and other networking sites. Facebook has a great application called RSS Graffiti which will go into your websites that have an RSS feed and pick up newly posted items. Anything like that makes marketing so very easy! Ping.fm is nice because you can add a toolbar to your browser and with just a couple of clicks you can shoot out info about one of your items or your shop to multiple websites.

Choose To Survive Breast Cancer Awareness Key Chain

How do you balance your online and offline life?
Balance? LOL! Well, my kids are grown and it’s easier for me to spend my free time marketing. I love making Lampwork beads, so for me that’s easy because I run to the torch whenever I can. Marketing is something I do while I’m watching TV at night. I’ll list new items and shoot out links through all my networking sites, and chat with my friends on Plurk. My husband bought me a laptop for Christmas so I wouldn’t be stuck in the back room with my desktop all the time.

What kind of supplies do you always seem to buy, even if you do not really need them?
Glass, glass, glass and more glass!! There are many different manufacturers and so many colors to try out.

I really do recommend dropping by Glasstastic Treasures on ArtFire, it is well worth a visit.

Shopper’s Cartoon Contest!

November 10, 2009 :: Posted by - Sue :: Category - Contests

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ADD A C A P T I O N……


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iCraft.ca bootcamp discount savings!

June 09, 2009 :: Posted by - Sue :: Category - Headline

spring125Now at iCraft.ca, enjoy the handmade experience while iCraft members participate in bootcamp – the rigorous 28 day program to teach habits of effective and consistent marketing. iCraft.ca is a Canadian based website but enjoys worldwide attention.

Please take a look at what each indie shop has to offer and take note of their special coupon offer with coupon code. For information on how to redeem the IndieSmiles coupon, please see this post.

o u r f e a t u r e d s t o r e s

20% Off with Coupon

January 15, 2009 :: Posted by - Sue :: Category - Headline

20 percent off from January 16 - 31 at select stores!

Most of the stores are offering 20% off with coupon code 20SMILES so test them out (please read the exact discount of each store. This information is place directly underneath their listing)! All art or handmade work direct from the maker.

Smiles Coupon Categories
accessories: textiles | jewelry | knitting | photography | supplies

Kreated by Kelly: Where buttons, fabric and paper come to play!!

Celebrating life, love and happiness is top priority for my shop and, therefore, you will find all sorts of whimsical accessories and pretties.
Save 20% from January 16-31 with code “20SMILES”!

Lost in the Forest: Enchanting jewelery & gifts

Unique hand made jewellery & gifts made from recycled & vintage finds. Inspired by love stories, fairy tales & faded glamour.

Save 20% from January 16-31 with code “20SMILES”!

Drag’n Rags by Jennifer Lynn Productions: Arty accessories that favor nature

I sell simple beaded jewelry and hand-sewn purses/handbags. (Bags coming soon!)
Save 20% from January 16-31 with code “20SMILES”!

Sea Star Dreams Designs: Beach Relics from faraway seas for your jewelry collection!

Each shell (or other beach relic) has been handpicked off a beach that I have traveled to or visited!
Save 20% from January 16-31 with code “20SMILES”!

Earrings by JuliaA: Handmade Earrings by JuliaA–lovely, feminine, classic.

My earrings combine classic elegance with modern flourishes to create style that goes with anything. The quality materials make them both beautiful and affordable. Available in your choice of colors and metals.

Save 20% from January 16-31 with code “20SMILES”!

Andrea Designs: Handmade Knit Designs
Do you want to be pamper, to look great and to be the center of attention? Wear a scarf or shawl from Andrea Designs!

Save 10%, get Free Shipping and a Free Pearl Bracelet from January 16-31 with code “20SMILES”!

McGuinness Photography: Photography for your naked- and not so naked – walls

Your one-stop for photography. Browse our vast collection of nature and everyday images.

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Tantalizing Stitches: DIY Supplies for Bags

Get your supply fix at Tantalizing Stitches! You can find large lobster clips, magnetic snaps, poly bags, knitting needles, and more.

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Our Next Smiles Coupon Campaign!

January 07, 2009 :: Posted by - Sue :: Category - Headline

directory-discount1Our next Smiles Coupon Campaign will be a multi-useful coupon. We will be featuring a 20% off discount with redemption of our coupon code. However, we will allow interested indiepreneurs to offer 10% off, free shipping, buy one get one free, or any other discount they desire. Simply sign up for our Smiles Coupon Campaign and we’ll ask you what you prefer.

Better yet, if you sign up before January 13, 2008, we’ll throw in a free Indie Finds Directory listing for 2009!

Just purchase below!

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