To advertise and how??

  So I am debating the idea of advertising my shop in various places. The question is, how where, when and at what cost? There are several yahoo groups I am part of which offer the advantage of being free to post ads to, it is a specialized audience so there is more of a chance of results, one would expect. Then there is Ravelry, it costs to advertise here, but again, there is a specialized audience who are more likely to respond to ads. It will require a little more research to choose ad placement and duration. Etsy is a similar situation to Ravelry, specialized audience and again ad placement will make a difference. The downside to etsy is that I did a showcase there one time and had 0 response from it, I don't want to repeat a pointless experience. Finally Facebook offers a much wider base of exposure, but is not specialized at all. It's more of a get the kite aloft, cut the string and see if anyone responds to the attached note situation. I'm not sure it would work out at all, but it might be worth a try.
  Cost in advertising is an issue, this venture has been more of a way of expressing my creativity, not a money-making operation, so that means I need to take some savings and invest in the advertising that will make the most sense.
  Naturally, I prefer to go to shows and vend directly where people can handle and try the spindles, these are scarce on the ground due to the registration fees of some of the shows and my lack of networking and awareness of the shows. I know there are people who do the shows full time and have a full-time business, but I already have a full-time job that I cannot survive without, so "getting serious" business-wise about my spindle-making just isn't an option at this point.
  Anybody out there have some insights or advice?

Pouring my heart out

*blarp* Well, there it is folks, I've poured my heart out. Never really sure how much to say and since no one reads it, why bother, you know? The shop has had few sales recently and the economy doesn't help. I don't really feel like I should keep creating inventory when I can't move it so I'll wait a bit. I can still spin, knit and crochet as a creative outlet. Besides, I have more items to list that haven't made it on yet. I haven't photographed or listed the hand-painted scarves and blouses from Talita Cumi. This is something I really need to get down as it is a source of income for them.

Until next time...

It has been so long

I know, I know, as a blogger I'm supposed to be doing this regularly, but time and other things get in the way and I'm pretty sure no one reads this anyway... So, all that said, I am trying (again) to get the Etsy site updated. I have several spindles I haven't even listed yet from 2010. There are pictures and inventory cards for them, which is a good start, they've just never gotten listed.

The crocheted and knitted items finally have tags on them and really need to be photographed and listed as well. And then there's the recycled yarn I've been messing with. That will require a new category in my shop. After the Etsy site is updated I need to get the SaM (SpindlesandMore) inventory finished so Hubby-Guy can upload it onto the dot com site. Mind you, I've been working on doing that since we lived Braddock St, two moves and four years ago. I struggle with the idea that no one will appreciate the work I've put into my creations so it is safer not to risk anything and drag my feet getting them listed, even though I've never had a complaint from purchasers.

Ok, so far this session has been all about me... On the family front, my sister, the massage therapist is getting married in two weeks!!! She's been living with us this past year and recently has been working on preparing the house she will live in with her husband. She will be an absolutely gorgeous bride and she and Ben will be thrilled with each other.

Cold and snow

Now is the time to purchase a spindle or yarn from my shop. It is cold and snowy out there and you need something interesting to do during this chilly time of year.

Find me at www.SpindlesandMore.com

Coffee Swap 6 and chocolate

I am doing the Coffee Swap 6 in Ravelry. My partner is in California and I'll be sending her some really fun stuff, but can't give details here yet because she might read it and then the surprise would be gone.

So... I have debated about the next statement I'm about to make for several days and have now made it to several of my friends without the sky falling in on me.
I have found a chocolate that is better than Dove Dark Chocolate... yes, I actually said it (and have now put it in writing).
It is a Fair Trade- Equal Exchange Organic Dark Chocolate with Caramel and Sea Salt bars. They are unbelievable!!! Gives a whole meaning to drool worthy! Now, I know I am adult, but I once I had tasted this chocolate, I didn't want to share it. I had a very powerful urge to growl and crouch over it protectively... Not a good thing when you live with your husband and sister in the same house.

So tomorrow I am going to get more of it (Hubby is not sure this is a good idea) as well as some stuff for my swap box (see 1st paragraph).

Ok, so the spindles aren't on the etsy yet and I'm working on it...

Life recently

I have been busy recently. I took over the lead Special Ed. position in my school, took on a new teacher mentee, prepped for and began a new school year, discovered Ravelry (WOOT!! I am SpEdTchr on there), did some serious work on my etsy site with updating and re-listing, updated the Spindles and More inventory lists in both formats (my trusty index card system, and the database on the computer), attended a fiber festival and am blogging about it all. Ok, well, the blogging is going to be a bit skimpy for a while because of all the other things going on.
I did purchase some silk singles in a lovely denim blue for a scarf and some milk fiber that I need to play with. I also discovered another breed of sheep I am willing to spin (besides Merino and Rambouillet)... Polworth. Ok, so it is 3/4 Merino and 1/4 Lincoln, which still kind of makes it a Merino, but hey, I tried something new thanks to River's Edge Fiber Art from Grand Ledge, Michigan. Thank you ladies, it is LOVELY!!!
I really want to get more things listed on etsy, I have another dozen or so of the large spindles to photograph and list, but my job and life are conspiring to keep them in their unlisted state.

New Spindles are on the way

I have been inspired with new design ideas for additional large spindles!!! I love the new colors and work involved. I'd love to just stay home from work and make more of them, but that is not to be. As I was making these spindles, I thought about have Doug take in-process photos, but I found myself so caught up in their creation that by the time I remembered about having him take the photos, it was around 1 in the morning and he was asleep. I will try to get photos soon. I want to have them ready for Sedalia, which is in 2 1/2 weeks...