Any helpful advice?

So, I am *thinking* of scaling back my Etsy shop in the new year, and either starting an independent page/shop somewhere or trying another craft selling site. I do have some listings at Artfire, but haven't had any sales there (decent views, tho). This may be because I'm using the free version--only 12 listings allowed, can't edit your shop as much, etc. I have looked at Dawanda, but it didn't seem right for me. I tried and didn't like Folksy. Used E-bay ages ago, not thrilled with the percentage they take. So--does anyone have any words of wisdom for me, or know of some places that I should check out? Does anyone use the paid version of Artfire? Thoughts on it?

Thanks, and Happy Holidays! :) Look--we actually have snow over here this year!

There's still time to order!

Find these items, plus lots of other Seasonal and non-seasonal items, at my etsy shop! There are necklaces for all price ranges, from under $10 on up!

New Style Russian Doll Necklace!

Yay! A totally new Russian Doll design is in the shop! This time I have strung a large (1 3/4") wooden matryoshka doll on a 24" necklace (the drop feature, which includes the doll as well as a blue Czech glass flower, is an extra 2 1/2"). The sweet doll is blonde, dressed in blue and white (the back of her dress has a flower on it, as on the front). I have chosen a mixture of yellow beads--flowers, chips, a heart, and more--plus a pretty blue seed bead mix to make up the body of this fun necklace.

The Perfect Christmas Ornament for Blythe Doll Lovers!

A silly, fun, kitschy Christmas tree ornament for all Blythe Doll lovers! I make these as double eyes or single; I have a few color choices at my shop, but am also happy to make a custom one for you or your friend's girl. Want a special eyechip color? I'm happy to make it for you! These felt ornaments are handstitched with love!

Jewelry for your Sweet Blythe

Now making Blythe jewelry! More will be listed this week. :)

Oh so keen for pink & green (and black)

Another fun design now at etsy!

And a new design for etsy, too!

New Necklace at Artfire!

Go! Go! Green and Gold!

I may live in Scotland now, but I'm from Green Bay and I'll always be a Packers girl! This new design now available at my etsy shop. And--as always--I'm happy to make a custom design to celebrate your team, too (or anything else you might want a new necklace to celebrate). Just contact me and let me know what you'd like!

Russian Dolls and Halloween

These sweet little Russian Dolls want to go trick or treating!

Go Packers!

Yay! Football season is back! Being from Green Bay, I'm a Packers girl. How about you? And you know...it doesn't have to be expensive to buy something to celebrate your team. This colorful necklace is only $6 at my etsy shop! And...well...if you follow another team and would like something similiar but in your colors, I'm sure I could do that too...

One for me!

Here's one I made for myself...but I may make some more to sell. Opinions, anyone? :)

Protect Yourself with a Cool Necklace

Well, due to a nasty migraine exacerbated by sinus troubles, I did not make or list nearly as many new necklaces as I had planned in the last couple weeks. But I did add a new item to etsy on Tuesday... Protect yourself from the Evil Eye with this simple yet eye-catching Evil Eye Blue and White Necklace!

Giving Thanks

Often we associate Autumn fashion with darker, more sedate colors, but when you think about it, Fall brings us a cornucopia of color--just think of a Harvest Festival display, or a Thanksgiving table. This necklace, which I call Teardrops of Thanksgiving Indian Corn Mix Necklace (yes, I always name my necklaces...) is a perfect way to brighten up your wardrobe and celebrate this most bounteous of seasons!

Time to Think of Your Fall Wardrobe!

If you live in the Northern hemisphere, hopefully it's still fairly Summery with you, but it's definitely time to think about your Fall wardrobe. Why not spice it up with some new jewelry? It's an inexpensive way to jazz things up!

This necklace is now available at my etsy shop--more new pieces coming to both my jewelry shops all this week!

Crafting Away

New Autumn colors and designs are coming this week! Woo-hoo! Gotta love Fall colors!

I Looooooove Russian Dolls

If you sell your jewelry (or clothing or knitted items) designs, do you also keep (or specifically design) pieces for yourself? I definitely do; for one thing, I made my own jewelry for a long time before I began selling it, and for another thing, it seems to make good sense. I mean, if you're wearing something, you're increasing the chance that someone will see it and like it and then you can mention your shop to them...
Every once in awhile, too, I have to admit, I get some beads in that I just love so much I just keep them. These Russian doll beads I actually ordered for myself, along with some neon orange and sky blue ones. If I get good feedback on the neons, I will order more and design some necklaces for my shops...

I just *love* putting different colors together. Bright colors, dark colors, unexpected colors, any colors...I love a good clash of colors. Of course, a monochromatic necklace is nice now and then too, but there is just something...fun! about lots of color!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade Bebopgirl1969Jewelry.etsy.com

So, I'm seeing lots of Russian doll designs in the Fall Fashion previews--woo-hoo! But here's what I'm finding quite crazy: the prices! Just yesterday I saw that a big design studio is selling the same wooden beads I use in my designs--not in a design of their own, but just hanging on a kilt pin (the same way I bought many of mine) for £15 (about $25--you can get an entire necklace at my shop for less than that with some designs!)! Now, that is an insane price to pay--I paid about £3 (about $5) for most of mine, and believe me, I didn't buy them in the kind of bulk that a big studio would. Crazy!
At the same time, I see one or two beads being used in necklaces for huge money, as well.

All I'm saying is--I know that when something becomes the "must have" fashion thing; when it becomes a huge trend--then the big fashion houses and the high street stores get big money for things. But please, please look a little harder and you can find really unique items for much better prices. And hey, in the case of my Russian doll necklaces, I may not be the head of a fashion house in Paris or Milan, but my pieces are one of a kind and they are hand designed!

On June 16th, UPS delivered a box, from Elle magazine (USA edition), with 2 of my Russian doll necklaces! Why, you may wonder?Well, they asked me a few months back to send them for a feature on Russian dolls in fashion. Now, I still don't know if they made it into the magazine (I know they haven't as of the July issue, but there also hasn't been a Russian doll feature yet!). So, I'll be excited to find out!It's funny, too...about 3 weeks before that I received another UPS package from Elle, filled with Russian doll rings and earrings by another artists (denimdays --very nice pieces!). Not only were they not mine, but she lives in Australia! But I sent hers on and she's gotten them back today, too. And she was kind enough to let me keep a ring! Yay!So here's hoping we both got into Elle magazine!

Here's what I'm hoping as of today...hoping hoping hoping that denimdays and I make it into the Fall Fashion issue--wouldn't that be something... :)

These necklaces are available now at my etsy shop, btw!

Just added a fun new dino necklace to my Artfire shop!

And if you want more selection than I have there, don't forget my etsy shop!

Another new Russian Doll Design--in fun cheery colors!

I really need to do more with my Blythe shop. I don't know what it is, but I am just so scattered lately...I have all these ideas in my head, but I just can't sit still long enough to finish (or sometimes even start) things.

I really like my Beautiful Blythe Eye ornaments, for instance, and I should make more, and in more sizes. And I need to make some more clothes--for my own girls as well as the shop!

So...here's hoping I can get myself less scattered, soon!

Yay! I decided to list at ArtFire! http://www.artfire.com/users/bebopgirl1969jewelry

I tried Folksy--but I really didn't care for it--the square photos and having to schmooze at the forum in order to get karma or whatever at your store. I also signed up for DaWanda but wasn't too excited about them. Anyone know of any other great sites that I'm missing?

Yay! New necklaces are available at my shop!

I just love these colorful Russian dolls--so much, in fact, that they have their own section at the shop. :)

Hi! Please bear with me as I get this new blog going...