That's not right. . .

Sometimes I see people in the forums compliment each other's shops and I wonder if they are just being fake as hell.  I'm sorry but not everyone's stuff is that nice, honestly some of it is amazing, some of it is mediocre, and some of it is just crap.  :-/ 

Everyone and their cousins' neighbors' dog "makes" jewelry these days.  However, if you've been to a craft store like Micheals' or JoAnn's lately you can easily spot the ridiculously cheap mass produced charms on cheap pre-made chain.  I am sorry but I do not count attaching a couple of store bought charms to a store bought chain as making jewelry.  

I actually make chain one ring at a time, opening and closing every ring, varying colors and patterns.  I actually cut leather and braid it and decorate it, punch holes, install snaps, set rivets and spots by hand.  I actually tie every knot on my barbed wire.

There are some amazing artists on Etsy that are real metalsmiths and truly make jewelry, there are chainmaille artists that spend hours and hours creating chain.  Then there are literally truckloads of people who buy stuff from China spend 5 minutes slightly modifying it and then sell it as "handmade".  :-(

Happy Birthday to me !!

Ok, so I photographed and listed the most recent "Forever" wire tree, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.  

I have been using my social media stuff, posting on Instagram and Facebook.  I have created "an offer" on Facebook for my newest coupon code, HAPPYBIRTHDAY will take 20% off any purchase over $10.00 this coupon is good for the next week.

So wish me HAPPYBIRTHDAY while saving yourself 20%  


 

There is still hope. . .

I actually had a sale this week.  I really do like the cha-ching sound that the app makes.  LOL  The day I got the sale I only had 12 views total for the day and 1 favorite that was not what was purchased.  :-/

Since then I think the bots are crawling because I had nearly 50 views in a 2 hour period last night and this morning I woke up to over 300 views the overwhelming majority of which came at 2am.  

I have no explanation for the out of whack stats but I find it ironic that nearly 400 views in less than 24 hours results in no sales when the slow day of only 12 views had a sale.  o.O

I finished another wire tree sculpture, this one is a double "family" tree style with red and gold and silver and purple.

 Once I shoot the photos I'll add it to the Etsy listings, it's just in time to replace the one that sold.  ;-)

Harry Potter themed Hogwarts house colors bracelets. . .

I love Harry Potter and I know I'm not alone in that love.  I have made bracelets in house colors before in multiple patterns, matching earrings and necklaces for the Helm's chain too.  

 And I must admit I love them all, they are great color combinations, they are some of the most searched and most loved listings in my shop.  So last week I started another set of them in a new pattern.

 I'm really liking how they are turning out and I'm thinking these will have matching earrings too, maybe necklaces I don't know it's kind of a dense pattern so necklaces would be a lot of rings.

 

RainbowMaille on Instagram. . .

I've been working on the Instagram, learning hashtags, trying to post regularly, attempting to be engaging and interesting to gain followers.

The cats, Harry Potter stuff, and wire trees seem to be the most attention getting.  The food stuff not so much.  So cute cats, house colors, and wire trees it is.  In the week I've been at it I have several photos with lots of love, the Hogwarts school crest trees has 19 likes and even a couple of comments.  I have 7 followers already which I think is pretty decent for only a week.

The real challenge will be if I can make it translate to some sales on Etsy.  I've read plenty of other sellers in the forums say that their Instagram does generate sales so hopefully it will work for me too.

 https://www.instagram.com/rainbowmaille/

A little work. . .

The tiny butt took a liking to the window seat and unlike his big brother he also took an interest in my craft supplies.  LOL  So I packed up all the wire and beads to keep the baby from chewing on them and scattering them about.

I am still crafting just in a more focused way now, with everything packed I have to know what I'm looking for to get it out.  Instead of looking at the scattered pile and randomly picking things I have to have a plan before hand.

Due to kitten attacks I didn't get to finish it in one sitting as I have always previously done but I did get it finished and I am pleased with how it turned out. 
    

So life goes on, new listings get added.  I've started an Instagram for RainbowMaille but I am including photos of my cats and food, as a way to show I am more than business. 

 

tiny disruptions . . .

Of the adorable 2 pound kitten variety his name is Jaspurrrr and he does purr a lot even when he's biting the hand that's trying to pet him.  LOL   He is our 3rd black cat, the tiny one in the middle.  ;-)

He's been with us just over a week and although, initially very shy and skittish he is adjusting well and has started playing with everything, literally everything.  I had to pack up all my wire and beads for the tree sculptures off the table because chewing on wire is not the best thing for tiny kittens.  :-/  

Now that he's getting used to the house and his brothers I am hopeful that I can get back to a bit of crafting soon.  o:-)