Tempting You with Handmade

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Hello my lovelies, here is one of the examples of one of the awesome wands I create for my Etsy shop. However, with the way things have been going I have been pondering with deep thought, is Etsy the home for me anymore. Because of all the new dictation that they are putting on sellers I have been thinking a lot is the place I want to be, is this the energy I want to deal with. As much as I have loved the old subculture and ethos of what Etsy use to stand for. It is not the same Etsy. It’s becoming un recognizable. I know that it comes as a shock but, they are nickel and diming their sellers. As well as after the president’s day debacle that I cannot even get into. Because seriously it’s just crazy and absurd, it makes you wonder why people are even still joining as new sellers. And with opening of Amazon Handmade, it’s crazy for Etsy to thinks they can play in the leagues of Amazon. Amazon has a slight advantage, they have sat and watched this entire whole time and studied Etsy’s playbook. Why wouldn’t they throw there hat in the arena. They know how to do things faster, cheaper and more efficient. And have a wider audience. Besides the fact they are easily becoming the world leader in e-commerce. So I have decided that I am going to be moving some of my things gradually to a new sellers platform and relaunching in the new year to another platform for my other items as well as starting new projects. So be on the lookout I’m going to be changing a lot of new things in the coming months.-Carmen

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One of the new chokers in the Etsy store. I got a couple more that will be heading into there over the next few days.

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New item in shop

Hello my lovely followers, finally launching the chainmaille chokers into the store. More listings will be slowly be making their way into the store. 🛒Happy Shopping 🛒 - Carmen 💃🏻🌺🦄

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Road to your business, or is it a path to burn out.

More and more I spend entirely to much time on social media and Pinterest. Pinning things I need to look at a later date and then really do because I am so busy. And one must ask themselves when you are starting out, how will I get this all done. How much time should I spend on this. A balancing act that seems impossible. It's seems the more I try to keep taking this business to the next level by connecting the dots and creating new strategies, the more I feel like my to do list just keeps growing out of control. It is no wonder why so many business fail in the first years. Either you quit because your exhausted or it just doesn't feel like fun anymore. In addition, to you being sleep deprived. There is also no real road map either to guide you on this path either. You are either cut out for the challenge and take it head on or close up shop and run for the hills. So it poses the questions what makes you choose this path???

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Speed bumps on the road to success

Well, the last three and a half months have definitely been a challenge. My ex whatever I don't know what to call him left me two weeks before rent was due. While exiting he took the Internet and wi-fi with him, so I have had to run my complete entire business off my phone. Get my computer fixed. Hence, why I have been busy trying to relist and handle orders in new ways. So, it has been a struggle, but while there is a will....there is a way. I am on the road to recovery and glad that he is out of my life for good. Because one thing I will say is the worst thing for your business is to have negative people who think your business is "a hobby" be around you. It creates doubt and undue stress you don't need to do something so big out of your comfort zone. Hello Mrs. Fields and countless entrepreneurs started out as hobbies. It is their drive hunger and ambition that drives them to success. And the positive outlook that helps you believe in yourself. Having a team or a support group or as I like to call mine my tribe is essential for success. Without your tribe you cannot bounce ideas off of or encourage each other to help your business expand and thrive. Each person has a unique take and strategy to try that may or may not work for you. However, it's better to try something new than nothing at all. Because the one thing I have learned about being a entrepreneur is that at the end of the day is that this is your baby, your company and there is no roadmap charted out for you with step by step instructions by someone else to skip to the end to successville. You have to do the work and learn the lessons on what makes your company tick. At the end of the day you are the captain of this ship and it depends on you and how you handle things to avoid crashing the ship into the rocks and weathering the unpredictable seas. But be smart enough to take advice from people that have been around the block a little while longer than you. Like I said.....Build your tribe to Thrive-Carmen Manley

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Insta Audit That wasn’t so Nice

So the other day I was watching periscope and was the lucky winner of a insta Audit from Sue B.Zimmerman, The Instagram Expert. You would think this would be a good thing, since she is consider the Instagram expert. Boy was I wrong. She practically tore my entire account apart without leaving not one good comment. I will admit I have been following her for approximately three months and been trying to incorporate her tips into my account to increase traffic. However, this was not the caveat that pissed me off. It was the way she did it, without tack. In addition, after telling me all the things that were wrong with my account I sent a message to her with the question that, if anyone in my shoes would have asked. “Do I scrap my Instagram account completely and start over or do I make the correction and move forward??”  This is what I got as a response. Nothing...and I mean nothing. She ignored my comments and question and ended the scope. So let’s play devil’s advocate here. 

      A a viewer, I myself would have asked the same question what should my next step be. With almost 450 followers that I had at the time of the insta audit, I don’t want to ruin the momentum I have. I gained over 200 followers in a month. Which in itself is a really good run to gain in one month. However, I think it is poor taste and somewhat unprofessional to tear someone’s account apart and then not answer them either in the same said scope. I will agree some of the things she highlighted that I needed to do to revise my account wasn’t completely, useless information and I agree on that. However, this does not give you the right to criticize and ignore your followers or viewers either. This in mind I realize, after taking the advice of my friends and family who follow me regularly, i will be revising my account and not deleting my account to overhaul it. It’s tough enough getting started in your own business without going crazy trying to make it successful as is. There is only so many hours in the day and trying to fit all of it in and still create and design beautiful pieces of wearable art is hard enough.

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Girlie Girl Chain,key chain, accessories, Gift idea, For Her

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Green,My Little Mermaid Bookmark in Green Revisited Bookmark,Metal bookmark, beaded bookmark,book accessories,cute bookmark,unique bookmark

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Red Heart Double winged Necklace,Necklace, Winged Necklace,Gothic jewelry,For Her, Gift idea

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Here is my Little Kitty Green Crystal,Antique Gold Dangle earrings, Kitty Earrings, Dangles earrings, Gift for Her

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Cobalt Blue colored Crystal Wing with Rose Earrings,Dangle Earrings,Wing Earrings, Earrings, For Her, Gift Idea

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Chainmaille Bestfriend Butterfly Bracelet Set in Purple,Butterfly Jewelry, Jewelry,Jewellery, Chainmaille jewelry, Chain mail jewelry,For He

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Silver Butterfly Dark Teal Colored Glass Dangle Earrings, Dangle earrings,Butterfly Earrings, Gift ideas, For Her

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Multi Color Glass Short Chainmail Earrings,Chain mail Earrings,Chainmaille Earrings,Dangle Earrings,Earrings,Gift idea,For Her

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Here is my Little Doxie Green/Silver Crystal Dangle Earrings,Doxie earrings,Dachshund Earrings,Dog Earrings, Dangle earrings, gift for Her

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Chainmaille Bestfriend Doxie Bracelet Set, Doxie Jewelry,Dog jewelry,Dachshund jewelry,Chainmaille, For Her

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Here is my Little Doxie Cobalt Blue Crystal Dangle Earrings,Doxie earrings,Dachshund Earrings,Dog Earrings, Dangle earrings, gift for Her