How to Turn Sizzle into Fizzle

Yep, I'm talking about my sizzling summer sale of the past week.  It was a phenomenal fizzle.  I'm not complaining, but just musing a little about what's happened to my little 'business' that really has been more of a 'hobby that paid for itself'.  I know I suspended my blog and didn't pay any attention to my etsy store for a couple of years while we were off trying to figure out some family issues, and I know the economy has shrunk the potential customer base, and I also know that there are almost 22000 lampwork bracelets and almost 25000 lampwork necklaces on etsy and jewelry has just saturated the market which certainly figures into the equation...but I also know there are some innovative and fabulous designers out there who are selling alot of beautiful jewelry even with all that. (Whew, how is that for a world record run-on sentence, lol)  I have to conclude my designs are a little stale, a little underwhelming, not innovative enough.  I think to distinguish yourself ,you have to be exceptionally innovative, original and find a niche where the market isn't so saturated.  Right now, I'm just I'm falling short. I get plenty of views and even lots of favorites in my etsy store, but I suspect it's mostly other jewelry designers looking for inspiration rather than buyers finding just what they're looking for at my place.  Hint to you other designers out there:  you probably aren't getting much sellable inspiration in my etsy store, because nobody is buying what I'm selling!  For sure, lampwork jewelry is a hard sell right now,and that was my original niche in the jewelry market. Another thing I've noticed is sterling silver and vermeil are used very sparingly right now.  Presumably to save costs, but I'm seeing designs with base metals and czech glass that are more stylish and selling for as much as my artisan lampwork, gemstone and sterling silver designs...so it's not the materials, it's the designer and maybe a little bit--the marketing. 

Now here's the bottom line.  I have boxes full of findings, gemstones, artisan lampwork and all other kinds of quality jewelry designs materials...I can either try to sell it all off at cost or below or use it for therapy--to please myself.  So, of course for the most part, as you might guess, I'll keep playing with my little treasures, use the materials I have to design things that are esthetically pleasing to myself.  Keep some, gift some, keep an etsy store and pretend I might sell some...and generally do what I started out to begin with--have a wonderful hobby that gives me a creative outlet where I can go and forget some of the everyday stuff that clutters my mind with confusion.  Fortunately I have wonderful family and friends who at least pretend they are delighted to get my little treasures--and for the most part I think they are--if only because it is a little handmade part of me that I made with love and my time.  And that is quite enough for me, shouldn't it be quite enough for anyone?  And who knows...maybe I'll get my mojo back and think up something fabulously innovative and gorgeous that will bring the world knocking at my door...and if I don't it's still cheap therapy!  (well, maybe only cheap while I'm working thru my bodacious stash, built up when I could sell everything I could make)  >^..^<

Thanks for listening to me think out loud....

Sizzling Summer Sale

What's summertime without a sale?!?  Check out my etsy storefront for a coupon code to save 25% on everything in the store.  It's time to make your favorite designs part of your wardrobe before they're gone.  Sale ends Thursday, July 12th so don't delay!!!

Black Friday

Are you out and about chasing the sales or home recovering from all the fun and family yesterday? Here's a little something I just added to my etsy store...a pendant from Manuela Wutschke with a beautiful Peruvian Opal nugget as the finishing touch. Today is the final day of my websale in my etsy store if you're looking to snag a bargain! http://www.rickitic.etsy.com/

I'm definitely NOT out chasing the sales...this is not my favorite shopping day...I like to search out my bargains throughout the year and I'm not good at getting up a o'dark thirty for a chance at a deal. Hat's off to those dedicated souls out there who do, I'm just not motivated enough!!!

I love this pendant and the gold rolo chain it is hung from...I might have to keep it if someone doesn't snag it soon!

Oh, for you bargain hunters out there, check out the destash lampwork beads in my vintage/ destash store--- http://www.allweneedislove.etsy.com/ I'm downsizing a few of my treasures--someone else needs to enjoy them and make them sing!

Happy Black Friday, have a wonderful weekend, will you have any cash left for Cyber Monday? Now, go have some leftovers while they're still tasty and fresh! Everyone to the kitchen for a slice of pumpkin pie, smothered in whipped cream of course!

Let's Start Out the Month with a Splash! A Grand Opening Drawing!!! And Sale!!!

Would you like to win this bracelet??? Read today's post to find out how you can enter the lottery for this free bracelet:

It's been a little lonely here, since closing my aol journal in October. I'm not sure if I lost alot of my subscribers to that journal because they lost my link or if I just don't hear from as many of you lately. I know that from October to January I'm really busy and there wasn't much going on here, but now I'm full speed ahead and so I'm going to consider this week my Grand Re-opening of a new blog to feature all my jewelry designs. I'll also be including some design tips and news along the way. There will be a new post everyday this week (that will keep me busy!) So from February 1st thru the 8th--let's celebrate!!!! Stop by and help me chase away the winter blues!

LET'S CELEBRATE WITH A SALE AND A GIVE-AWAY!!! First for the SALE--purchase one item at full price and the second item of equal or lesser value will be half-off all this week--that's right, your second item will be 50% off--so enjoy shopping. Click the Available Now Gallery to your right and see a description of what's available and the pricing. This is only for purchases from the webblog, not my etsy store--you have to come here to look and buy. Email me at rspv@aol.com with the name of the pieces you want to purchase and I'll send you a paypal invoice for the correct amount. Do remember that everything is one-of-a-kind and subject to prior sale. Free first class shipping in the U.S., Canada, and Europe too!!! Paypal and U.S. money orders are the only payments accepted.

Now for the GIVE-AWAY---as I've said it's been too, too quiet over here...so I'm having a drawing for this lovely rose quart bracelet I've designed to give to one lucky winner! Here's what you have to do to qualify for a chance to win. Everytime you post on my blog this week in the comments section (just shout out and let me know you're here--only nice stuff please! haha) you'll be entered to win. If you also subscribe to my blog (that means you'll get updates everytime I post) you'll get an additional chance to win. Next Monday---February 8 I'll have my daughter draw a name out of the bowl full of entries and I'll post the winner here on the blog. If you're the lucky one, contact me with your shipping info and off your new bracelet goes straightaway to you!

It's the middle of winter and we just need something to warm us up...so come on over and join in the fun!