Priscilla's Handmade Jewelry

2010-06-16T07:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a video I made with some of my latest designs.

Update What?

2010-06-16T06:31:00.000-07:00

Ok so I admit it, I am terrible at keeping my blog updated! It's quite obvious, my last post was over half a year ago. It can be a little overwhelming constantly updating every website I have joined. I currently am joined to over 15 different websites. Honestly, I can't even name them all. Well I don't want to mumble anymore so see ya in another 6 months! =D

Recently featured in a blog

2009-11-29T15:55:00.000-08:00

I was recenlty featured in a blog! Read my interview.

Q. What is the main site address for your business?
http://www.pila12903.etsy.com/
Q. Tell us about the products you make and the materials you use.
I handcraft beautiful unique jewelry that has color and style! I use glass beads, Swarovski crystals, metal charms, you name it! I try to incorporate a lot of different material to make each piece all the more special and stunning!
Q. How long have you been developing your craft?
I’ve always had an interest in making jewelry as a child. I’d love stringing pony beads on some stretchy cord with my 3rd grade teacher after school. I’d always drag my mother into the crafting sections of every store and beg her to buy me some beads. But it wasn’t till about four years ago that I really got into it. I’d create pieces for myself to wear or make gifts for family members.
Q. How did your craft evolve into a global store front?
My husband encouraged me to try a local farmers market. I was so excited to get out and sell and just hear what all the customers had to say about all my pieces. I had many women come to my table and look around, they complimented the great selection but weren’t willing to pay anything over five dollars for a necklace. One customer however, grabbed a couple bracelets and said, “You know, you really have some talent. You should give Etsy a try.” I asked her what Etsy was. She explained what a wonderful online venue it was and how great her shop did on Etsy selling jewelry as well. That same day I signed up and 500 sales later I couldn’t be happier that I did.
Q. What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your Etsy business? What's your best marketing tip?
The most effective way I promoted my shop, I’d say would be the many web sites I joined to market my shop. Twitter is a great web site to get lots of traffic and I’ve even had a few sales from Twitter. I also use Myspace, Facebook, Plumdrop, and many other sites. My best marketing tip would be to hand out your business cards where ever you go and wear your product if possible; word of mouth is very effective. I always get compliments when I wear my jewelry and when someone asks where I buy my jewelry I hand them my card and hope they can be a future customer. Post flyers where ever you can, like at colleges or boutiques. The more promoting you do the better!
Q. What mistakes have you made while building your Etsy shop that you wish someone had advised you NOT to do?
Sit there on your butt and wait for sales!!! Selling online requires a lot of time. You can’t expect for millions to stumble across your shop and buy like there’s no tomorrow. You need to promote, promote, promote! You also need to have great items, prices, and photos! The list just goes on but the harder you work the greater the reward is when you finally get those sales.
Q. Is your Etsy business a full time job or is it something you do in your spare time?
When I first started out this was something I did in my spare time but I’ve realized how much I enjoy making jewelry that it has become a part of my everyday routine and all the compliments I get has really given me encouragement. My online business is my full time job now. I’m creating something new everyday. I can be sitting at my crafting table being productive and before I know it, 3 hours has gone by. It truly is a great feeling when I’ve put love into the pieces I make especially when my customers tell me how happy they are with the jewelry. It makes all the time I’ve spent well worth it.
Q. What goals do you wish to accomplish within the next year for your Etsy shop?
My goal is to reach 1,000 sales next year! I want to keep this business flowing and make it a success so that many others can be encouraged and do the same. It really is an awesome feeling when I wake up in the morning and see that I’ve had a few more sales.
Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a town girl born and raised in Mendota, California. I’ve lived in this small town my whole life. I have a wonderful family that I adore. My family is the ones who encourage me to keep going when I feel like giving up. My husband is so supportive of me and of my dreams. I’m grateful to have such a loving husband.
I’ve always been known as the “artistic one”. I draw, paint, and make jewelry just to name a few. High school is where my creativity really grew. Entering my drawings in contests and actually winning them was such a reward. My art teacher would hang just about every piece I created in his class. I also have my passion for music. I play piano, guitar, and currently learning how to play the violin. I’m just a creative person all around, I’d rather be using my hands to create something stunning rather than be stuck behind a desk answering phone calls. I just have to be making something new everyday or it feels like all the ideas are going to explode out of my head if I don’t create it soon!
Q. Outside of Etsy, in what venues do/have you sold?
I’ve only tried local farmers markets with very little luck. I really just sell locally and on Etsy. It’s so much work keeping up with my shop and meeting with local customers/businesses, I can’t imagine keeping up with anymore venues. Although in the near future, I’d like to try opening a new shop on Etsy selling some of my drawings and paintings.
Q. What sets you apart from other sellers in your niche?
I believe its great effort put into making the best pieces possible and keeping my customers happy. I really strive at keeping my prices affordable and the quality impeccable! There just aren’t enough hours in the day for me to get as much creativity done as I’d like to. I pore creativity and love in every single piece I create. Carefully picking each bead, crystal, or charm and putting it all together in hopes when someone puts it on they’ll know and feel all the love that went it.
Q. List one or more Etsy sellers which you admire? And why?
There are just so many wonderful sellers out there it really is hard to name one I admire. I really admire the sellers who built their business from the ground up. The sellers whose shop is a full time job and made it a successful business. I can only hope that my business will grow and my jewelry will be worn by millions.

Shop Make Over

2009-11-29T15:48:00.000-08:00

Well haven't posted anything in awhile and I thought I should make an entry! I have been super busy retaking all my photos and editing descriptions and tags. I also just created a new shop banner and avatar. I think the make over is working really well. I have been getting more sales and compliment about my shop and jewelry. This holiday season is going to be a crazy one for me! I have about 49 packages to ship out on Monday! I still have lots more items to make and list. Some days I don't get to bed til about 2 a.m.

It seems like yesterday I had a little over 200 sales and now I have 659 sales! I can't believe how far I have come. All the hard work promoting is really starting to pay off!

Finally on the front page of Etsy!

2009-08-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

Today I made it to the front page and I am so happy! I was beginning to think my shop wasn't worth keeping as my sales began to plunge! But this gave me hope and some encouragement!

The New $1.50 Section

2009-06-07T10:29:00.000-07:00

I have a new section in my etsy shop. The $1.50 section is filled with beautiful earrings and a few here and there bracelets. This is a deal you can't miss! Everyone has been giving great reviews and saying the earrings are so well made they can't believe they are only $1.50! So for you lucky shoppers who stop by my shop for those earrings.....buy 2 pairs or a few and I'll throw in an extra pair free! Yes, FREE absolutely free.

So why am I selling these earrings at rock bottom prices? Well the answer is simple! I enjoy giving my customers great prices! I don't feel the need to overcharge you. So head over to my shop and pick out some you love and I'll give you a great gift to say thank you!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6445043

Hidden Talent

2009-05-30T08:19:00.000-07:00

I have another talent not many people know about. Everyone just calls me the "Jewelry Lady" which is cool I guess if it was my middle name. For about 8 years now I have been drawing portraits or cartoons which ever I'm in the mood for. I have won several awards for this. I won two first place awards for two different portraits. The one I am very proud of is my "Crow" drawing. I spent about half a day drawing this. I have it hanging up in my living room and every one who comes over to visit asks me where I bought it. I laugh and tell them that I drew it. I guess it's shocking for them to find out the "Jewelry Lady" has more talent than they suspected. I've had a couple offers on that portrait but I just can not part with it.

Twilight Inspired Jewelry

2009-05-20T07:58:00.000-07:00

Here's a charm bracelet I made that have been inspired by the Twilight movie and book series. This one took me awhile to create. Finding the right colors, charms, and style can be a little hard but once I get that idea I can just create for hours and hours well til the hubby gets home and distracts me. This bracelet came out just the way I wanted and I have been getting some very good feedback about it. All in all I am very satisfied with it and whether or not it sells I'll keep it for me to wear! It's a win win!

Beads Galore

2009-03-14T12:17:00.000-07:00

Beads from the left and to the right! Beads over here and over there! BEADS EVERY WHERE! I can't believe how much my bead collection has grown! I started out with one little container full and now....

I have 20 containers filled that have those little compartments and now I have 3 little stackable containers that have three drawers each. My kitchen table doesn't look like a table anymore but it's all worth it! Buying beads has become such a joy and making jewelry an even greater joy. So to all those who are just starting out or thinking about it...GO AND DO IT! It's so much fun and its addicting.

A Beader's Worst Nightmare

2009-02-12T06:49:00.001-08:00

This little creepy crawler invaded my work area! He scared the crap out of me when he landed on my face then fell onto the table! Well at least I got a good picture out of it!

Charm Bracelets

2009-02-11T13:20:00.001-08:00

Some have said my charm bracelets JINGLE JANGLE =D. I thought that was really funny. Any who...I was very excited to find this particular charm bracelet has sold 3 times 2 of which were outside buyers not in the Featured Seller chat room! I'm real excited to know others are finding me and liking what they find. I do offer great prices and great service so feel free to check out my shop!.

http://www.pila12903.etsy.com

Ambershannon of Etsy

2009-02-06T10:54:00.000-08:00

A devoted Etsian!

Ambershannon is a great seller and buyer! If you're familiar with the 5 Min Featured Seller Game I'm sure you've seen her there supporting fellow Estians. So I feel I should promote her so that all of you potential buyers will see the great work she does and great prices she offers! Buy and support ambershannon the way she has supported so many Etsian's including myself!

ambershannon.etsy.com

you won't regret your purchase! I bought and am very pleased with my pendant!

Beaded Bangles

2009-02-05T08:09:00.000-08:00

These beaded bangles are my own creation! I

just love the way they look. They are very reasonably priced in my online etsy store considering the materials and time spent to make it. I have sold many locally and hoping to sell a lot more on Etsy.

2009-01-29T06:30:00.000-08:00

You can find low priced jewelry like this just visit my online store at ... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6445043