*****TaDa I have a Winner !!! *****

Thank you to all of you who followed my Twitter and my Blog. I appreciate your support.

The winner of the free item giveaway is ......Faboulously Fierce, Congratualtions I will send you a direct message in twitter to arrange delivery of your item. She chose a Domino Pendant from My Etsy shop.


To all of you who entered I am offering a consolation prize...if you would like to purchase the item you entered in the giveaway I am offereing you a 50%off discount. To purchase your item select it to purchase but do not check out, and comment that this item is your Twitter giveaway item. I will go in and discount the item before we complete the sale.

There are two of you who picked the same item, Tanya-Little Village Naturals and Bao. You both picked the pink, orange and lime green set of barrettes. It will be first come first served, however, I will let the other one of you pick another set of barrettes from any of my shops if you would like.

If I have confused any of you let me know.

Thank you again for supporting me in trying to get my name out there.

Stephenie

Last day to Enter

Today is the last day to enter my free item giveaway. Check out the details in the post a few boxes down...


Thank you to all my new followers...good luck the winner will be announced tomorrow.

steph

Hurray

Hurray, some new followers and new entries into the free item giveaway. Only one week left before the winner is chosen. Good luck ! and Welcome to you all

Steph

So Excited

I am so happy to welcome all my new blog followers...thank you for stoping by. Please be sure to enter my free item giveaway, details below. I'm getting some new items ready to add to my shops, so check back often.

RT for me on twitter, and tell your friends where to find my free item giveaway.

thanks a million
steph

Free Item Giveaway!!

Welcome all of my new followers and well as my already dedicated followers :D

Just a little nudge, if you go over to my account in twitter lemonadefrommyl, become a follower and RT you will be entered for my free item giveaway. See the blog listing 2 entries below and read the details. Make sure you comment to be entered.

Thank you again for being here

It is much appreciated

Steph :D

See free item giveaway details below

Dont forget when you add yourself as a follower to my blog and twitter as well as help me by RT my giveaway message you are entered to win an item from anyone of my three shops, see the rest of the details in the blog post below :)

It's time for a Free Item Giveaway!!!

In an effort to increase traffic to my shops on Etsy, Craft Is Art and Zibbet, as well as followers on Twitter and my Blog, I am offering a free item giveaway, and you choose the item.

Here's how it works:

**RT this giveaway posting on Twitter and become a follower
(if you already follow me just indicate it below with your item choice)
and
**Become a follower of my Blog (again if you already are just indicate)
and
**Go to my shops at http://www.etsy.com/shop/LemonadeFromMyLemons
http://www.zibbet.com/LemonadeFromMyLemons
http://www.craftisart.com/LemonadeFromMyLemons
pick your favorite item and list it here if you are the winner, that item is your FREE

Only one entry per person please (but see the extra entry option below)

The giveaway will run through 6/30/10, the winner will be notified on 7/1/10

I will be adding new items to my shop so check back, it is ok to change your favorite item if you find something you like better :D


****extra entry option, if you purchase an item in my shop between today and 6/30/10 you will get 10 extra entries, but you must have completed the three steps above to qualify*****

Happy looking, happy shopping
Stephenie

The Crafting Blues

Well the thumb is getting better quicker than I had expected, so I went into the Memorial Day weekend with a strong desire to Craft until my eyes crossed. Well, that didn't happen...I could not get motivated. I wanted to, but it seemed like too much work. I am really disappointed with myself. I have been on the Craft sites for just under 4 months, I expected that I would go through a lull sometime, but not so soon. I think the time I had with my thumb in the cast was the biggest culprit. I felt like I was on a roll up to that point, and then the brakes had to be put on to heal. I also think that the slow start to my sales hasn't helped. I secretly hoped to be one of those people who "took off" with sales. When that doesn't happen you start to doubt yourself. "Am I doing the right thing", "do people not like my items", "what if nobody wants to buy my items", what if, what if, what if???? I have been reading all the forums I can get my hands on to comment and help get my name out there. I have items on three sites, Etsy, Zibbet and Craft is Art. I have a twitter page and facebook, as well as this blog. It is hard as a newbie to get past the slow hurdles. We are a society of "I want it now" and patience is difficult. You hear of great success stories, but truly copying what someone else did is no guarantee that you will get the same result.

So to all of you newbies who are treading water waiting...welcome to the pool, it's sink or swim. For those of you that are seasoned, successful sellers, your tips are still very useful and I welcome any comments you have.

For me...I refuse to sink! I am gonna set a goal of listing one item a night, twitter daily, blog at least 4 days out of the week and to create one new item each night. I'll keep you posted as to whether I am meeting my goals. Grab your pom poms I need all the support I can get.

Love and peace

Stephenie

Repair

So phyiscal therapy for the thumb seems to be working...I am starting to feel some relief from the constant ache. I have big aspirations for this weekend...to craft until I can't see straight. I just need the thumb to keep up. I need to start beading so I can add more jewelry to my shops. Plus, all my wonderful co-workers have been my best customers so far and they are looking for "new stuff". They have been patiently awaiting the repair of the thumb just as I have. So stop in to the shops this weekend and see whats new...
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LemonadeFromMyLemons
http://www.zibbet.com/LemonadeFromMyLemons
http://www.craftisart.com/LemonadeFromMyLemons

I hope you will find just what your looking for...and thank goodness I have therapy on Monday in case I really overdue it :)

Happy Crafting
Stephenie

The thumb is free!!!!

You may have read that I broke my thumb in March. It was a stupid situation where my thumb got bent back too far and it basically caused a piece of the bone to pull away. I was in a cast for 5 weeks and after that was removed I was put in a split. I started physical therapy and it was suggested that maybe keep the thumb "stuck" in that splint was counter productive. So this past weekend I took that darn thing off and just started doing "stuff". Some tasks are more painful than others, like washing dishes (sorry honey, but it looks like it may still be a few weeks). I tried to do some crafts, but I really don't have any strength in my thumb at all. I cant squeeze a bottle of glue, or a tube of toothpaste for that matter, so everything is being done with my right hand. For crafts that require two thumbs such a barrettes, that is just gonna have to wait a while longer. I am desperate to get back in to creation mode. I feel like my shops are suffering because I can't make any new jewelry right now. Hopefully, with a few more therapy sessions that will change quickly. The next thing I need is a big rush of customers to shop and buy... oh, was I just dreaming there...oops. Reality check...I need a sale or two to boost my confidence.

Stop in and take a peak at my shops, you will find direct links in the buttons to the right of these blog notes. Tell me what you think and leave some feedback. And most of all get out and enjoy the spring air, the sights and the sounds, and count each and every one of your blessings.

Thanks for reading
Stephenie

Hokey Pokey

Patience

Well the weekend sale was a bust....not one sale on any of the three sites. I had delusions of major success..the door finally opening, the sales flooding in...sigh. So patience..patience is a vurtue.

So because that was no fun to talk about, how about a mention of the kitten. Oh my goodness, he is the sweetest, most loveable little guy. And he doesn't play favorites, he has spent time curled up with each one of us. My daughter is happier than ever when she is getting love from him. My younger daughter who is 8 think she is the world's best kitten sitter when her sister is at lacrosse. My husband is happy there is some "male" blood in the house. And for me, just seeing my girls happy...makes me happy.

Weekend Sale

It's time for a sale. This Friday (5/7), Saturday (5/8) and Sunday (5/9) shop at any one of my store

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LemonadeFromMyLemons
http://www.zibbet.com/LemonadeFromMyLemons
http://www.craftisart.com/LemonadeFromMyLemons

and shop with FREE standard SHIPPING for any U.S.A. addresses. International guests can shop for a $2.00 flat rate standard shipping

Stop by and see what fun items are waiting for you
I will be posting new items all weekend so keep checking, you never know what you might find :D

Thanks for looking

Steph

Physical Therapy (oops goofed on the other one)

I started physical therapy today for my thumb. Man it looks awful. It is still swollen, and still hurts like crazy. And as my crafting supplies sit staring at me at home, I wonder when I will be "fixed" enough to work with all my wonderful supplies again. The only saving grace was I had quite a few items made to be able to post. So I am gonna work my butt off and follow every tip and exercise the the therapist gives me so that I can continue to create for Lemonade From My Lemons. Views are still slow at the sites, and no sale now in almost a month. But, I am optimistic that things will change eventually. I'll feel better when I can create again.

Thanks for reading, I love your comments

Steph

Physical Therapy

Kitten part 2/Crafting update.

Well...this kitten is a blessing. Little Mr. Hokey Pokey is a doll. He is the sweetest, most cuddly kitten I have ever seen, and he has been like a miracle cure for my daughter. I have never seen her this happy. True to her word, she has been taking great care of him and the litter box (what a relief). I am very proud of her. And I must say, he has brought so much joy to the rest of the family too.

On the Craft front...I got my cast off of my broken thumb, though I am in a brace for as much as 4 - 6 more weeks (sigh) so I am trying to work on the "behind the scenes" things that I can to promote my shops. Frustrated still with low views and no sales. I am still trying to be patient and wait it out.

I send you blessings and peace:)

Stephenie

Kitten

Well today's entry doesn't really have to do with crafting. We have a new Kitten :) My 14 year old daughter who has optic nerve atrophy has been suffering from depression, mostly due to the struggle with her vision, although it doesn't help to be a teenager in today's world either. She came to her father and I and gave us a whole "presentation" about how people who suffer from depression feel joy from their pets. My husband and I have been against having a pet because my daughters don't like to help with much around the house. After a lengthy discussion we agreed to let her have a kitten. A friend of hers had a recent litter of new kittens that were now ready for homes. And of course, she agreed to take complete care of this cat. We will see how that goes. If the joy on her face last night when the kitten came home is any indication of how much joy she will have with Hokey Pokey (yes, that is his name) then she should be a very happy girl :)

Quit My Day Job????

I love reading about people who have quit their day job as the result of a thriving online craft venture. Oh my goodness, how is that even possible?? I think it is so amazing that some people are able to reach out to the masses and conquer their craft. Secretly I wish that I could be one of them, honestly, how will I ever get there. As I post blogs, tweet on twitter and browse every forum I can, I sit here with one sale, well it looks like 4 on my Etsy because one person bought 4 items. I was excited beyond belief when I saw that first sale. And now, for two weeks I sit here with nothing. It is so frustrating, I understand why somepeople give up, but, I am pushing along, vowing not to give up. I am also struggling with a broken left thumb...not a good time to be in a cast when you are to trying to make items to post in your shops, and I have another week at least before the cast "might" come off. So I am reaching out to the masses for advice. So many of you are good at giving your feedback and you make it seem so easy...I hope it gets easier than this. So "patience is a vertue"...I am here

Steph

Conquering the Web

As a "new" online seller, I am looking for every possible avenue to get may name and my items out there. I read all of the post on the three sites where I sell, and I read so much great information. But what is right for me? So here is the blog...ok one step started. Twitter, well I am working on it, there is so much to see, so many followers and following??? But, I am trying. I wish there was one tell all that would work the same for everyone. Do steps A,B,and C and be promised, views and sales and riches beyond your wildest imagination. Right...wishful thinking. So stop in and see me on twitter...twitter.com/LemonadeFromMyL follow me, I will check you out and follow you too.. And stop in to my Etsy shop to see my latest listing http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=45489274

And tomorrow..it starts all over again.

Spring Day

Well, it is a beautiful spring day in Maine. The sun is shinning, it is warm, the birds are singing. I am inspired by the sights, sounds and colors around me. But the inspiration stalls from making it to creativity becuase I have a broken thumb. Not a good way to start out when you first go online to sell a product. I cant get any beading done right now, but I have been able to make some new headbands. It is a slow process and a bit frustrating. The thumb will remain in a cast for at least two more weeks, and it was a moment of stupidity that lead to the break (not worth mentioning how, just trust me, it was dumb).

I am also struggling to get views on my sites, but to listen to other crafters they are dealing with the same thing. It is hard when you just start out. Getting yourself noticed in a vast sea of very talented people requires work. Hitting the social networking sites and trying to get people to follow you is also hard. It's like starting in a new school and trying to make new friends. I see I have a follower here, one, thank you so much for being the first and checking me out. But, it brings back all those childhood fears, will they like me?, what if they dont?, how do you keep them around if they do?. So, here I sit, putting myself out there. Of course, each person that checks you out gives you a rush of excitement. And that first sale, man, nothing feels better. As I patienlty wait for number two, I try not to over analyze it too much. If you have any suggestions from your own success I am all ears.

I am working on adding to all my sites, so stop in take a look around and stay awhile. I appreciate any comments or feedback that you would like to give.
Use the site links to stop in - I am shop LemonadeFromMyLemons in all sites.

thanks for reading
Stephenie

My First Blog

Welcome to my blog. My name is Stephenie and I am a full-time working mother of two beautiful daughters. I have recently started to sell handmade items online at several different online venues including Etsy, Zibbet and Craft is Art. You will find jewelry, headbands, barrettes, pendant, and a few polymer clay items.

One thing my daughters have always enjoyed is being crafty. My older daughter, who is 14, draws beautfiul pictures and has since she was very young, adding detail beyond what you would think a child would do. She has been diagnosed with a degenerative eye problem called Optic Nerve Atrophy. This is the "wasting away" of the optic nerve. It is not correctable with glasses or surgery and the amount of vision loss is different per person. She is currently seeing between 20/50 and 20/70 and it is likely she will have further progression of her visual loss to what extent we will not know, but we hope and pray that she will be fortunate enough to always have some form of vision. This year in school she signed up to do art and I was so proud of her work. It was wonderful to see her get back to something she does so well. It fills my heart everytime she does something that you at first wonder how her vision will impact it and then see her success.

My younger daughter who is 8 was born with bilateral congenital cataracts. Interestingly enough, the two eye issues my daughters have have nothing to do with each other. She has had 5 eye surgeries and has been in one form or another of corrective lenses since she was a month old. Nothing stops her. And day by day, she is becoming more creative too.

The girls actions to overcome their "issues" inspires me to be creative too. I'm one of those people who thought I never had much "talent". I have been scrapbooking now for about 8 years, and my girls love their books. As I look back through the books and see my progress, I become more confident in my work. I also do some stamping, I was even a demonstrater for a stamping company for a couple of years. Then started dabbling with beading. Of course my girls loved my work, but were they biased? So as I wore my jewelry to work people started commenting, and then the suggestion of selling came up. I have to admit it is a scarey thought. What if nobody liked it, what if it didn't sell. Well, I figured I had nothing to loose... that's how Lemonade From My Lemons was born. My mom always talked about when life gives you lemons make lemonade...it is a phrase that has come up many times in my life. And for my girls, the lemons are the visual challenges they face every day. So...we are making Lemonade, lots of sweet, juicy, beaded (oops, maybe not beaded) lemonade. I ask you to join me in my shops and take a peak. I hope you find just what your looking for.

www.esty.com/shop/LemonadeFromMyLemons

www.zibbet.com/LemonadeFromMyLemons

www.craftisart.com/LemonadeFromMyLemons

I hope to see you there

Stephenie / Lemonade From My Lemons