Random Blog Updates

I am thrilled with how well the contest has taken off. There is still time if you haven't gotten entered yet. I'll be choosing the winner this Sunday. I wanted to give you a close up of the headband and wristcuff. I really like how the headband came out. I'll be using this pattern with some more I'll be listing for the Spring. The wristcuff is very similar to several that are in the shop now, one in silver and the one in gold colored wire shown here. I love the paper beads that I got from Jessprkle. They are so organic and natural looking.

I have 22 signed up for the newsletter and 6 pending confirmation. I plan on sending out a newsletter 4 times a year. I will give some specials, probably free shipping and who knows what else. I will also use it to let locals know where I'll be available in person including any craft shows or what not. I plan on trying to get people to sign up at my shows this Fall for the newsletter. There are always people at the show that stand around and talk to you for awhile, whether they buy something or not. I always give them my card but I think enticing them to sign up for the newsletter will be a great way to bring them into the fold so to speak. It's not just our scarves or jewelry or artwork that we are selling but it can and should be a way of life and/or personality.

I'm also intrigued with all the tools that Bravenet has to offer. They have free ad sponsored web hosting and domain names which I guess means that your blog would be home to their sponsors. This is not something I'm looking to pursue right now but it is something to think about. If anyone has any strong opinions on why I should have my own domain I'd love to hear them. Right now I don't think I see the need. If you are so inclined you can get signed up for a 5 year plan for $4.99 a month and get up to 10 domains and 600 GB Bandwidth with no sponsors. I haven't done any comparing but that sounds like a good deal to me. They have some other free tools I'll probably be adding as I go along like Visitor Guestbook, Site search, a public online calender for upcoming events, e-cards, and live chat rooms.

You may also have noticed the Paypal Gift Certificate tool in the top corner. I thought I would go ahead and add that option. I have seen others adding direct check out to their blogs which is something I will be considering also. It might make it easier for those who don't want to have to sign up with Etsy to check out. I have made a few sales to people who found me on my blog by just sending them a Paypal invoice but if the option was there to just check out it would eliminate some steps. Has anyone gotten any direct sales from a checkout box on their blog yet?

I really don't want to get my blog too cluttered, but there are so many options available. I have to weigh the benefits of each new addition with the clutter factor. Eventually I may be looking for a 3 column blog template that would allow me to spread out more. I have been using this standard template from blogger since I started and I like it's clean look still but I may have outgrown it's functionality I'm afraid.