Books have been read, so what I am I waiting for!!!!!

So, I am enjoying working in my new attic workshop, especially when there is a bright sunny day as the light through the velux windows makes for good working light, especially for my less than perfect eyesight.

Part of the plan after giving up my shop was to develop my on-line presence so that I can earn a crust from doing what I enjoy. I have read a few good books that take you through the process of selling arts and crafts on-line,

• how to best name your shop, 
• all about search engine optimisation, 
• how to write descriptions that will help sell,
• lots about the importance of excellent photography.

Okay, books have been read, well some chapters skimmed over if I am being honest. I now have a folksy shop for my sea glass jewellery. SeaglassJewelleryShop I have only managed to get a few things listed on it as the whole process of following the books advice actually takes forever, especially the photographing part. seemingly good photography is key!!!! I completely understand that.

 So you need to set the scene to make your product appealing, take close ups, zoom in, use a light box, possibly a tripod, take back or side angles, make sure it is well lit and in focus. After all your products have been the focus of your camera, then comes the download to the photo editing suite..... crop, rotate, re size enhance....... you get the picture!!!! this all takes an enormous amount of time, sometimes more than the actual creating part.

Next stage is writing tempting an honest descriptions, ie, materials used in manufacture, dimensions not forgetting to use those key words that will help in the Search Engine optimisation!
Determining the price of said item is also a very important task as is all the post and packaging information.

I am sure by now you are getting the drift of the enormity of time required to list even a few products. I have also been preparing a shop front for my facebook page, which seemed a wee bit quicker to do, There are a few things listed on it, all I have to do is press the "publish" button........ so

What am I waiting for??? Is it a lack of confidence, do I some how feel like I am being disloyal, I am not sure but probably both of these. Having had the bricks and mortar shop, there is something wonderful about a customer coming in, being visually attracted to something you have created, picking it up, feeling it, examining it, checking the price and then choosing to buy it, the item has appealed to more than one sense.
You also get the personal contact, the chance to make the whole buying experience an enjoyable one, hopefully a memorable one too that will ensure repeat custom.

 I am not sure that any photograph on a website and a click of the button to buy gives the same sort of "retail therapy". I know that lots of people have websites and they enjoy running an online business and I do use the internet as a shopping source too. But, I somehow have this little niggling guilt thing in my head though, it is maybe what is stopping  me hit that "publish my shop" button, guilt that online shopping is contributing to the demise of the High Street. After all it is the unusual, quirky, different independent little shops that give character to pretty little villages like  Rothbury and indeed larger towns like Morpeth.

While I ponder and try and pluck up the courage to press that "Publish" button I am concentrating my efforts in coming up with a variety of new designs  for " ROTHBURY MAKERS MARKET"  . 

This new venture organised by my good friend Juline with a wee bit help from me will be running on the second Saturday of each month from April to December at the Parish Hall In Rothbury. We have a wonderful array of handmade art, craft and design from some of Northumberland's talented makers

Rothbury Makers Market

Hot off production line!

I have been a busy little bee up in my new attic workshop. With a head full of new ideas and designs, there is no stopping me!!!
 It is funny how sometimes the picture in your head of a design,  doesn't quite translate into the finished product........ so some new stuff work and some need a bit of tweeking yet!

I am still fiddling around with beads and wire, I am quite pleased with how this pendant turned out, may favourite colour of course!

I have found a new use for my fingers in the evening, it is definitely a good exercise to practise to minimise the wine glass to mouth motion, it is finger knitting. With yarn or ribbon wrapped around your fingers it is not easy to lift a glass! The result of this finger knitting palaver  is a range of skinny scarves or long wrap around necklaces, i see them as being a colourful spring/summer accessory.