New Beginnings of Life in the City

After such a long time away, I had to finally explain myself. Colorado was beautiful and a wonderful experience. I learned a lot of new life skills and that even though I love making jewelry, it wasn't exactly a successful career. Let's just say, I haven't given up yet, but this is a brief relapse of time. 

View from Reunion Tower

I am now living in Preston Hollow, Texas in the heart of Dallas. I'm so blessed the way life worked out. Things were very rough at the end following my last blog post in 2011. Now I am more than proud to say I have a great job that pays well so I don't have to work multiple jobs, as I once was. I'm dating someone new who gladly gives me the opportunity to live the lifestyle I have been dreaming about for years. 

I have never lived in a city as large as Dallas before now. It was extremely overwhelming and intimidating at first. Especially around University and Highland Park. I'm across the highway, but in Preston Hollow it is no less ritzy. I have had the opportunity to gift many pieces of my jewelry to get the exposure it deserves. My boyfriend's mother came up with the idea to have a jewelry party at her house with snacks, wine and my jewelry displayed around the house. It was a brilliant success, and I had a blast discovering the real value of my work. 

Jewelry Party

I'm still in college, but I'll be done in two semesters. It's been a long journey. I won't be graduating with the degree I was originally working towards, but I will get a degree nonetheless. That's all I care about. I will be the first in my immediate family to have a degree, so it makes me feel accomplished. Every semester has been a struggle - I have wanted to give up many times. But now I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Two more semesters! This summer I plan to take more time for the things I love and exploring the beautiful city of Dallas. Stay posted on my progress. 

MIA Update

Find here: Spike necklace

For all of those who have wondered where in the world AnotherUse went, please forgive me. Life threw some curve balls at me and keeping up became impossible. It is now my summer break from college - just two more semesters left! I will be making my best effort to start posting weekly, if not daily. My creativity is aching to be released.

Etsy Seller Confessions: Day 13

Hi dearies!


I've been an avid Etsy seller since December 2010. When I first opened my store, AnotherUse, in December 2009, I had no idea how to sell my items online. I thought all I had to do was take a couple of decent photos of my items and post them, and people would buy. How wrong was I? I never sold my first item until December 11, 2010. What a shock that was! I actually forgot that I even had items for sale on Etsy. 

Photo of my first item sold. My photos have improved!

All of a sudden one day I'm reading an email stating that I have money waiting for me at Paypal. In the times of desperation when you're wondering how you are going to make enough money to pay your bills, money falls into your lap just like that. What a feeling! From that point on, I vowed that I would work harder on making more out of what I loved. It hasn't paid for all of my bills yet, but a couple are better than none. 

Makin' sure my babies get to eat plenty!

In the past 6 months, I have learned more than I could imagine about how to sell through Etsy and online. It involves so many elements, the whole time I've had to tell myself the work will pay off. Plus I love learning new things! Once I started subscribing to the Etsy Success newsletters, and blog, the knowledge became endless. I spend 10-12 hours a day, sometimes, just updating, taking photographs and notes, reading and typing, watching videos, all to understand just how you get people to notice my idea on the internet, as well as in person. 

Braving the rapids in life.

I believe that after all I have learned, the most important component of owning a jewelry business involves networking. If you don't have a well-structured social network, you will have a hard time selling items. I've been given some excellent advice from other Etsians just because I asked for it. That is a big step; just being able to ask for help when you need it. I'm always willing to share what I have learned so far. Anyone feel free to leave a comment if you ever have questions about Etsy and upcycling.


Thanks everyone!


Stephanie

Join Teams on Etsy: Day 12

Hi dearies!


When I first started learning what Etsy was about, one tip I was given was to join teams in order to get more exposure and further help. This sounded like a fantastic idea, so I went ahead and searched through some of the teams on Etsy. You can find teams for specific regions to specific topics. 


Today I wanted to focus on the team Upcyclers. 

"Upcyclers are artisans who repurpose existing materials or post consumer waste to create fashion, art or products with a new value, purpose or aesthetic appeal, thereby reducing the consumption of raw materials, energy and resources that must be conserved for the environmental health of the planet."

Their blog is Love 2 Upcycle and facebook fan page. There are over 930 members. Check them out and join!

Vintage Inspired Flower Earrings

Also head on over to my etsy store, AnotherUse, and check out the 50% off sale going on.


Thanks everyone!


Stephanie

Advertise on my blog: Day 11

Hi dearies!


Love this blog and believe in its potential? Advertise on my blog and share the love. I'm offering advertisement for just $5 a month! That's so affordable, how could you say no?

New for sale! 50% off!

At this time, I have 41 followers, a facebook fan page, twitter, an etsy shop, flickr, deviantart, and pinterest page. I'm also a member of 15 teams on Etsy where I promote my blog. You can also find me on Etsypreneur. 

Romantic flower earrings

Ad sizes should be 150x150 px. Can be in jpg, png, or gif format. If interested, leave a message on my blog or email me at stephanieccasey@yahoo.com. Payments made via paypal to stephanieccasey@yahoo.com, or if necessary, we can set something else up. 

Dangly flirty flower earrings

Thanks everyone!


Stephanie

San Juan River Music: Day 10

Hi dearies!


It was a success on Saturday when I volunteered at the San Juan River Music Festival. There was a decent crowd for the first year running, and I was glad to be apart of it. I was in charge of the kid's tent, which consisted of painting and whatever else I could think of. I love coordinating events because I get to choose crafts I enjoy just as much as the children do. 

One of the craft projects. 

A majority of the day was spent painting huge canvasses that we had no trouble filling up. The turn out was perfect. Not too many kids, but not too little. The day ended at just the right time, and I even sold a necklace and a pair of earrings at the end. It truly makes my day when I sell something.

Sold on Saturday!

On top of that, I went with my boyfriend and his brother camping on Sunday afternoon. We came back home today around 3pm. In the 2 or so days that we spent camping, all four weather seasons were experienced. You always have to remember to bring layers when camping in the mountains. I'd post pictures, but I completely forgot my memory disk for my camera before we left. =(

Sold today with coupon code!

When I got back home today, I was very happy when I checked my phone and I had received a text message stating my mermaid ring had sold! I was so glad that someone utilized the sale I had. This week I am having a 50% off sale at my store AnotherUse. Half of my pieces I have had for over a year. I am hoping to get rid of a good chunk in order to make room for more. Now that I am back to civilization, I will be updating more jewelry in the next couple of days.


Thanks everyone!


Stephanie

Etsy Business Help: Day 9

Hi dearies!


I was having some technical difficulties this past 24 hours, but I just figured it out. Oy! Anyways, I've been making a lot of updates on my Etsy site, AnotherUse. I was waiting on some supplies that finally arrived, so I've been able to put together about 10 more pieces. Head on over to check it out! I have a 40% off sale going on now with coupon code AUSAVE40. Use it at checkout.

Eco Friendly Sparkly Ring

In this blog post, I wanted to share a number of useful websites that have been of great use and help to me. I am a huge fan of Everythingetsy and Handmadeology. They have awesome advice and links to many other awesome blogs. A very important tip that I firmly believe in is leaving comments on other blogs. This has definitely helped to bring viewers to my blogs, and I am learning so much by looking around at other blogs.  

Vintage inspired mermaid ring

If you join Everythingetsy, I highly recommend checking out Etsypreneur. At Etsypreneur, you can add your shop or website to the Everythingetsy Directory. I've only recently started learning how to utilize these sites, but they are a great way to get your name out there. 

Vintage Inspired Flamingo Ring

Etsysaver and Heartsy are wonderful places to advertise if you are having a sale or want to host a sale. Heartsy offers items up to 60% off in featured shops. You can vote on stores you would like to save money at, as well. There are many stores working on being featured, so it may take some time before getting a sale offer. Etsysaver also offers coupons and shop owners to post their coupons. Click on the About section to learn more about this cool site.


Thanks everyone!




Stephanie