Monday, Monday...

I've got that song going through my head today. It started when I had a whole chain of weird events happen. I think I just need to chaulk it up to being a Monday! Things like my garage door broke and at the restaurant I ordered eggs benedict and when I got it there were no eggs! -- Weird stuff like that. The chef had to laugh and said, "That's been my Monday!", I nodded and said, "Yup. Me too." LOL!

So, I decided to just get my errands done and went off to get some groceries with a friend of mine. It was a good idea. I feel so much better now.

So, I'm working on pendants this afternoon and packaging orders to ship. It was a busy weekend. I've been adding a lot of new designs to the shop and I still have lots to add in the coming week. I'll try to get to some this evening if I have time.

This is one of the new ones: FALLING LEAVES

Wordless Wednesday

Dinah's Friends

Kaeden Krafts


Purified Art


House of Six Cats

SEO Consulting for Handmade

What is SEO?

It stands for Search Engine Optimizing.

It is the process of coding your personal websites well in order for search engines to find you more quickly.

Do you have a website for your handmade business? Something other than online venues such as Etsy, 1000 Markets, Artfire, etc? if so, does it get the traffic you would like it to receive? The odds are that it doesn't. Working to optimize a website for the search engines, to not only find it, but to bring it up on the first few pages of the search is an artform in itself.

I have been working with business web clients for the past 5 years doing SEO consulting. If you would like to have your business website search engine optimized, contact me for details and to schedule a consultation.

coachinghandmade@gmail.com

I'm a part-time juggler...

That is the conclusion I've come to recently. With all the various projects I have going I realize that I really have another part time job - one as a juggler! LOL



I made a list of everything that I juggle on a daily basis:

• coaching clients & appts
  
• responding to emails
• returning phone calls
  
• twitter & facebook
• Coaching Handmade
• checking etsy, artfire, etc.
  
• filling, packing & shipping orders
• creating pendants
• going to the post office
• bookkeeping
• time with my boyfriend
  
• housework, cooking, etc
• and I'm sure there's more...
  

I guess it's just as well that I do not have children, then I'd have to grow another set of arms! I'd look like Shakti -

Today, I added another trip downtown and then to the post office, stopped for an iced mocha and finally headed back home. 5 minutes at the computer to check in turns into 2 hours because I'm blogging, which I have been neglecting too much lately, and responding to more wholesale requests.

Are you a juggler too?

What do you juggle everyday?

I want to hear your list. Take a moment, blog about your list, and then challenge your readers to blog their lists as well. it will be cool to see how similar or dissimilar we all are..

cool!

Some questions answered..

Well, I have to say it was an interesting few days launching Coaching Handmade! LOL... technical difficulties with the autoresponder and a huge learning curve with the software, but it is up & running smoothly now! WOOHOO!

I have been hearing from several handmade sellers over the past two weeks, many expressing great interest in being involved with Coaching Handmade, yet hesitant to make a commitment due to concerns that the site will not be dynamic or have content.

As I have said to everyone who has expressed these concerns, I am quite committed to doing things in a very active and dynamic way with ALL the focus being given to people who are paying for this special access to information & services.

I have been coaching people for over 20 years and in all those years I know many things about working with individuals and THE MOST IMPORTANT things that we all want is to feel we are being:

• Wanted
• Respected
• Needed
• Productive
• Valuable
• and most importantly -- SUCCESSFUL

It is vital to me to feel that I am receiving the most for my dollars, especially in this economy. That said, I intend to deliver a dynamic resource, a central hub so to speak, of information and networking to assist handmade sellers in expanding their visibility, their customer base & therefore their sales.

There are so many ways to deliver our products into the eyes of potential buyers and we need to focus on these steps.

I have already collected several teachers who will be offering live classes on a wide variety of subjects on the site. I am also asking anyone who has articles that would like to be added to the resource library to contact me. There is a forum within the site for you to network together with other sellers as well. Mentoring Groups will be forming soon.

There is a wonderful group of handmade sellers already enjoying the benefits of membership and classes will begin in the next week or two. If you have any questions, or would like more detailed information, please contact me. You can email me at coachinghandmade@gmail.com or can convo me at http://jessejanes.etsy.com

I look forward to your participation & excitement. I have worked hard to put together a site that will cover many subjects, be interactive and lively.

Come check it out: www.CoachingHandmade.com

Coming Soon!!!!

Did you Know?

Only 30% of the workforce are fortunate enough to make up the creative sector of the US economy, and yet is estimated that over 47% of all wealth generated in the US is the direct result of human creativity.

This is an import figure to know. According to Richard Florida, best selling author of The Rise of the Creative Class, the 'creative class' as he has coined the term, comes down to a "passionate quest for experience."

As artisans and crafters, and even more so as Handmade Sellers, we thrive on the experience of utilizing our creativity to make money. Creativity is something essential that we all have, and that must be nourished, renewed and maintained - or else it slips away from us.

For a long time, I stepped away from my creativity and I felt a nagging emptiness. In the past year, I not only stepped back into my creativity, but I have opened shops on both Etsy and Artfire. With all the experience I have gained over a lifetime of creating and selling, I immediately put my knowledge to work to increase my sales.

I have 2 shops on Etsy.com, 'Jesse Janes' and 'Fuzzy Bunny Knits' and a shop on Artfire.com. In my first year on etsy, Jesse Janes has had over 2800 sales and is on the Top Sellers list.

In my 'day job' I am a Life Coach. I have been working with clients around the world for over 20 years, assisting them to create balance in their overly hectic lives and to regain their creativity and passion.

In the past year, my passion for coaching and my passion for creating have coincided. As a result, I am making more money and I have found myself helping other Handmade Sellers to do the same. It's fun, exciting & extremely profitable for the sellers!

I have the freedom to work when I want and to combine my passions - what more could anyone want? Etsy has changed the way I do business. YOU can have that passion too! I can help you by bringing you a wealth of knowledge and experience, along with a network of other Handmade Sellers, all working together to increase our customer base & sales!

I've created Coaching Handmade to be THE Resource for increased knowledge and sales for anyone who sells handmade or wants to! Coaching Handmade is a Membership site and will be launching within the next few days. Membership will be available to everyone for a low fee. The benefits will be awesome!

Join with other Handmade Sellers around the globe to increase sales, enhance the handmade buying experience for customers and learn how to use the latest technologies to work for you!

Remember, you need to work SMARTER, Not Harder!!

Do you suffer from PFS?

Promotion Fatigue Syndrome

We all do... promotion is time consuming, but working smarter instead of harder is the real answer! Joining together, we can all work smarter.... NOT harder and receive even better results!

BENEFITS of Membership:

	Classes
	Mentoring Network with other Handmade Sellers
	Handmade Marketing Resources
	Learn to Use Technology to Gain Sales
	Learn Ins & Outs of Wholesale
	Joint Marketing Opportunities
	and MORE... Visit Coaching Handmade to keep posted.. I will let you know as soon as Membership is open. In the meantime, become a fan at Jesse Jane's on Facebook. The latest news is always posted there first!

Father's Day Finds

"Desmond's Rear Emblem" 50's Desoto Fine Art photograph
by Kelly Warren's photoart

Forest Through the Trees: Framed original monotype print by Edamamepress

Rebar Chair, handcrafted by Timothy Adam Designs

Don't forget Dad's Day!

Art & Soul Sunday

MISTY MORNING

handmade fused copper hoops dotted dangle earrings

by cindypack.etsy.com

SHHH! Etsy Secret Hot Picks!

The Etsy Secrets members are a talented group of handmade artisans and have an incredible amount of talent to showcase. Here's my HOT PICKS for Saturday:

Colorful Floral Bracelet from Ask Designs

Fused Glass Necklace from Eccentricity

Zebra Fever from Pink Girlee
Peace Sign Mini Pen from Mandi Beads

Starfish Art Yarn by While Tangerine Dreams

Visit these great sellers!

10 Things about me...

I'm stealing this idea from fellow craftsperson and blogger Laurie LeBlanc-Rickaby at Made by Swirly Girl to share with you a few things about myself that you might not learn from my posts and status updates or my shop.

1. I'm a coffee addict and a workaholic.
2. I LOVE working for myself.
3. I'm an Intuitive Life Coach by day and closet crafter by night.
4. I go by 3 different names... and I love it! My name is Jodie, in my coaching work I go by Jaelin and everyone from etsy & artfire call me Jesse.... LOL! It's fun!
5. I am in a long distance (7 years!) , 2 coast relationship, which we plan to be on the same coast, in the same house, in the same town --- soon! I miss him!
   
6. I love Sci-fi - a total Doctor Who fan... Torchwood, Primeval & I love a lot of BBC programming.
7. I always have tons of creative ideas running through my mind and never enough hours in a day to accomplish everything.
8. I'm the oldest, with 3 brothers.
9. I don't do well working for other people. I run 3 different businesses and am happiest being my own boss....
   
10. I have a 1-1/2 yr old nephew who I adore and know that we have been together for many life experiences in the past. We are so happy to be together again-- he's such a cutie! Wherever I move with my honey, I know I can't be far from this little guy. This isn't a recent photo, but you can see just how cute he is!
    

Fabu Features... how cool!

Check out these 2 fabulous blogs that have featured Jesse Janes pendants:

1. Wash When Dirty blog is hosting a Jesse Janes giveaway! Visit Kristina's blog, read my interview, then visit my etsy shop and choose your favorite scrabble tile pendant, then go back to Wash When Dirty and post it in your comment. You could win your choice of 2 scrabble tile pendants from Jesse Janes shop!

** Here's an tip - You can receive additional entries into the giveaway if you follow Wash When Dirty's blog and become a fan of their Facebook Fan Page.

A great bag by Wash When Dirty:




2. I've also been features in Fab Finds Friday at Meagan's Designs blog! woohoo!

Meagan has included my latest, "Life's a Puzzle" necklace along with fab finds of earrings by Glitzer, Shabby Patchwork Purse by AntiqueBasketLady , pendant by Studio618 , and a wicked cool butterfly by LA Glass

Check out this great bag by Meagan's Designs:


*** By the way, I should also mention that Jesse Janes is hosting a Buy 3 scrabble tile pendants, Get 1 Free Special!!! Great time to stock up on gifts.

Got curly-que's ?

I have to say, I love this shop! Look at the intricate curls in the wire work... and everything is one of a kind... you need to visit: Roiaobrien

Check out these earrings:


Garden Party Necklace - it's gorgeous!

All of Roia's jewelry is handcrafted from sterling silver or gold filled wire and embellished with semi-precious gemstones, glass beads, or swarovski crystals.

Check out her new blog also: http://roiaobrien.blogspot.com/

Life's a Puzzle....

Check out my new line of necklaces..... Life's a Puzzle series - they're reversible!! Click on each photo to see the 2 sides. It's having 2 necklaces in 1!!

Can you help with a survey?

I'm doing some research for an article and I'd love some input from everyone here. If you have a few moments, would you answer a few short questions?

I will post the results when I've put together all the info I've collected.

Thank you in advance! Please post your thoughts as a comment, or feel free to email them to me at jessejanesshop@gmail.com

Jesse

The Questions:

1. What role does your creativity play in your daily life? what percentage would you say?
2. Do you feel that you are tapping your full creative potential? what percentage do you utilitize?
3. How does your creativity add to your income? Does your shop(s) play a large role in your monthly income?
4. Do you feel that you receive validation & support for your creativity from your family & friends? Would you like more? Is this something that is missing for you?
   
5. Do you feel you have enough outlets for your creativity? What other outlets would you like to have?
6. Does your creativity play a role in your 'day job' if you have one?
7. Do you find that you mostly connect to others through your creativity?
8. What role has the recent economic challenges played in your creativity?

Traditional Metalsmithing

Studio 618, a fellow etsy artisan offers unique handmade jewelry and accessories using traditional metalsmithing techniques. The jewelry is delicate and beautifully crafted. I am always drawn to rings...

I love these:

Clematis Ring

Scroll Ring

Fabulous Features!

check out these blogs by fellow handmade artists:

Una Tia Especial : spotlighting creative work of Mad Maggie Designs

Canadian Rockies Art: Etsy Finds- 5 hot Picks post featuring creative work by:

• Timothy Adam Designs
  
• Lala's Pequenos
  
• Dean Dyment Studios
  
• Little Shop of Horus
  
• Timeless Inspirations
  

Bijoux Boutique : featured Etsy artist TK Designs

What time is it?

It's time to check out another fabulous handmade artist!!

This time it's : Timeless Inspirations

Look at this beautiful Blue Shell & Pearl necklace-- I love the colors... such depth.


Oh -- there's earrings to match! How cool is that?

You just never know what you might find when you spend a few moments on Etsy!

We've Got Paper.... well - not me.

I'm talking about "We've Got Paper" etsy shop. They have fabulous paper!! I love this shop!


Look at this great Ivy design writing sheets that come with envelopes. Writing hand written notes or letters is such a lost art. With email, IM chats and forums, etc we write digital notes instead. Having beautiful writing paper like this will make you want to write letters.

Julie, the maven behind all this fabulous printed paper is a 29 year old stationary design. She writes, "I got my first penpal when I was 7 years old, so I've been writing letters for about 22 years now."


Go visit her shop-- it's worth the trip!

Get $10 bonus--- that's even MORE Scrabble Tile Pendants...

Be my 1st sale at ARTFIRE & I'll add $10 worth of bonus items!

Visit JesseJanes's ArtFire Shop

Just tell me you found me on twitter!

Do you twitter? Come follow me... jessejanes

Has Etsy seen the light?

Beta testing starts today on a new function-- paying your Etsy bill with Paypal! How long have sellers been asking for this option? ...a long time...

According to the Storque article today, the beta testing will begin with a small sampling of sellers and will be available to all sellers soon. It only makes sense that we want to pay our bill from the account that are sales dollars go to! DUH!

I ran into an interesting event when attempting to pay my etsy bill yesterday... I wanted to split the payment onto 2 different cards, but etsy wouldn't take the 2nd payment. Did you know this? You have to wait 24 hours before a 2nd payment can be made... ??? One would think they would make it easier to give them money... they certainly make enough from all the sellers..

I've been working to enhance inventory in my Artfire shop... I feel the site will take some time to build to really compete with Etsy, and I do like their set up.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has been selling on Artfire. If you have a shop, please comment and let me know your experience.

Well, I'm off to bed early tonight. I was up early to make sure my boyfriend was up in time to get to the airport. He's off to the UK for a week... lucky him! I'm still here... hopefully I'll get to California in May. That will be nice. I haven't been to the west coast for 5 years. I really do need a vacation! LOL