I am so incredibly happy to announce that I have a winner for my contest! This was a really fun experience for me on so many levels. So many people were willing to share me on FB with their friends and family - or Tweet me on Twitter. And I had some really wonderful bloggy love as well. I want to tell you all "THANKS!!!" from the bottom of my little pea picking heart. It is SO hard to get your name out there - and the more people that see my shop, the better it is for me on so many levels.
Congrats to Kristi - she was kind enough to Tweet me several times. I only had 45 entries for my contest - so this improved her chances quite a bit. I will be sending her an email shortly and I will be posting what she chooses when she does.
Thanks again all for participating. I really do appreciate it. Although it will be a while before I do another giveaway, I will probably do this again in the future. =)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Unintentional Hero
Once in a while, I will happen upon a story that makes me think that the human race is not completely doomed for failure. In today's world, where reality TV, news shows and the internet showcases the worst of the human race in all it's many forms, it is a welcome and refreshing change to hear about something, well - different.
Yesterday, I happened to see a news story on Yahoo about a photographer in Pennsylvania - about 4 hours away from where I live - who had the guts and the courage and the temerity to stand up for what she believes in - the things that she holds as right and true. Here is link to her story:
Here is a self-employed woman - who only has herself to listen too. She decided that listening to her conscience was more important than money. And she took a HUGE risk by doing that. Wow. She refused paying customers because they were bullies - and being mean and hurtful to others on Facebook of all places - not exactly the most private forum in the world. I'd like to think that I would make the same decision if I were in her shoes, but the honest to goodness fact is that money is a powerful motivator in this day and age. Thank you Jen McKen for standing up for what you believe is right. I can only hope that one day, stories like yours will be the norm - and that what we have grown accustomed to in our current society (the hate, the deceit, the anger) will be the "unusual" story of the day. You have given quite a few people hope - and have become an unintentional hero for many, many people. May you have loads and loads of business - because it is truly deserved.
Yesterday, I happened to see a news story on Yahoo about a photographer in Pennsylvania - about 4 hours away from where I live - who had the guts and the courage and the temerity to stand up for what she believes in - the things that she holds as right and true. Here is link to her story:
Here is a self-employed woman - who only has herself to listen too. She decided that listening to her conscience was more important than money. And she took a HUGE risk by doing that. Wow. She refused paying customers because they were bullies - and being mean and hurtful to others on Facebook of all places - not exactly the most private forum in the world. I'd like to think that I would make the same decision if I were in her shoes, but the honest to goodness fact is that money is a powerful motivator in this day and age. Thank you Jen McKen for standing up for what you believe is right. I can only hope that one day, stories like yours will be the norm - and that what we have grown accustomed to in our current society (the hate, the deceit, the anger) will be the "unusual" story of the day. You have given quite a few people hope - and have become an unintentional hero for many, many people. May you have loads and loads of business - because it is truly deserved.
Friday, August 19, 2011
2 weeks left...
Until my giveaway is over! I am terribly excited to have new followers here on my blog. I am not always the best at updating, but I have been getting better. =) This contest is open to everyone - international as well as domestic and here are the quick and easy rules:
I need your help promoting my shop: blog about me, share my shop on FB or tweet my shop and get an entry for each promotion into my drawing to win a free item from my shop. This is up to a $60 value - which only excludes 1 item at this time. Let me know so I don't miss you. I have decided to run this through the end of August - with the drawing on Sept 1st! So still plenty of time to improve your chances to win.
You can find me on FB @ Gems By Jules
On Twitter: GemsByJules
On ArtFire: http://www.gemsbyjules.artfire.com
On Etsy: http://www.gemsbyjules.etsy.com
I've been busy creating and making new items. Hexagons seem to have taken over my life for now although there are definitely some more skulls coming into my inventory. I am happy with the results so far. I always have new earrings and possibly some rings in the works as well right now. So lots of new items - just not enough hours in the day to get things beaded.
Speaking of skulls - here is a sneak peek of the necklace I have made up and ready to go (the picture is not the best quality - but it will do for now. I apologize that this is really not up to par for me - Ansel erased the program that I normally use to crop images and make them better - so no idea what I am doing with the current program.) I have gotten a lot of great comments on this necklace - including quite a lot of interest from men on this one. Not that they would actually buy one for themselves - but there has been a lot of studying and interest. =) I happen to think it is adorable.
I am off of here for tonight - I have developed a pounding headache in the meantime - thinking that the issue with the missing picture editing program and trying to learn a new program may have something to do with that. ;-)
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Who wants a giveaway?
You do? Really? Well, that is exactly what I am going to do. =)
After giving this some serious thought today, I have decided that it is high time that I give something back to everyone that has supported me over the years. So - here are the details:
Help promote me and my shop. Blog about my shop, like me on Facebook and share my shop with your friends on your page, follow me on Twitter and re-Tweet my shop. I will give you an entry into the drawing for each promotion you do. Simple. Easy. (I am limiting the number of chances per day to 5 to help make it fair for everyone.) I will close entries on August 25th and draw a name on Sept 1st. (Please note - if you blog about me - please let me know either through FB or Twitter so that I can give you an entry. I will see the shares on my Twitter and FB feeds - but unless I am following you I will not be able to know about blogs.) Also - if you are following me already - that's great and I love you for it! Just promote my shop to get an entry. ;-)
So what do you get if you win? The winner will get to choose from ANY item in my shop - up to a $60 value - which at this current time only excludes one item! YAY!!!
Here are the links to help you out:
To find me:
http://www.gemsbyjules.artfire.com - ArtFire Store
http://www.gemsbyjules.etsy.com - Etsy Store
on FB: Gems By Jules
on Twitter @GemsByJules
Good luck!
After giving this some serious thought today, I have decided that it is high time that I give something back to everyone that has supported me over the years. So - here are the details:
Help promote me and my shop. Blog about my shop, like me on Facebook and share my shop with your friends on your page, follow me on Twitter and re-Tweet my shop. I will give you an entry into the drawing for each promotion you do. Simple. Easy. (I am limiting the number of chances per day to 5 to help make it fair for everyone.) I will close entries on August 25th and draw a name on Sept 1st. (Please note - if you blog about me - please let me know either through FB or Twitter so that I can give you an entry. I will see the shares on my Twitter and FB feeds - but unless I am following you I will not be able to know about blogs.) Also - if you are following me already - that's great and I love you for it! Just promote my shop to get an entry. ;-)
So what do you get if you win? The winner will get to choose from ANY item in my shop - up to a $60 value - which at this current time only excludes one item! YAY!!!
Here are the links to help you out:
To find me:
http://www.gemsbyjules.artfire.com - ArtFire Store
http://www.gemsbyjules.etsy.com - Etsy Store
on FB: Gems By Jules
on Twitter @GemsByJules
Good luck!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Things are a'changin'
It's been some time since I posted and I have actually got some news to report. I am finding myself with a lot of upcoming opportunities - known and unknown. (I have some irons in the fire - but they are really nowhere near formation at this point.) Let me tell you what I have in the works...
At the end of June, I was contacted by a promoter through my ArtFire store. She was looking for jewelry designers to work in conjunction with fashion designers for Boston Fashion week. At first, I was very skeptical as I was pretty certain that this was a phishing attempt. So I started searching - and Googling and looking for anything and everything I could about this show, the event, the venue and sites. It this appears to be a completely legitimate offer. Sadly, I would not be able to raise the necessary funds to go by September, but I am truly flattered - and excited by this prospect.
A few days after this, one of my dear friends, Jaime, contacted me about a music and arts' festival called Sounds of Distinction. Now Jaime is in a band called Shadow Prophets and they were playing this event and theyneededvendorsandwouldIbeinterestedeventhoughitwasreallyshortnotice? So I contacted the gal - Natalie - and she kindly informed me that I would be welcome and that there were no booth fees and that I got keep ALL of my sales. Whoa. That's amazing. I went (it was July 9th) - and although I didn't sell as much as I would have liked, I really, really, really had a great time at the event. I heard some amazing local music talent - including Jaime's band. (By the way - if you like heavy metal/hard rock - I highly recommend them. Jaime is an amazing guitarist and vocalist.) I also got to see some great art - and I got a chance to meet new people and see an old friend. Best part? I have been invited to do another show with Natalie on Sept 3rd. And I am intensely excited about this as well. I never dreamed that I would end up working with a promoter.
This has in many respects opened some new doors for me - and I think it will continue to do so for me. I am looking forward to the opportunities that this may bring for me.
In addition I am looking to vend in more local events and shows. I am wanting to do more at this time with my jewelry and I think it is high time I get my butt in gear and start working on getting my name out there more. I am determined to be able to make a living off of this. I want to be the one in charge of my life. Not a work schedule. Not a boss. Not a manager. Me. Little ole' me.
At the end of June, I was contacted by a promoter through my ArtFire store. She was looking for jewelry designers to work in conjunction with fashion designers for Boston Fashion week. At first, I was very skeptical as I was pretty certain that this was a phishing attempt. So I started searching - and Googling and looking for anything and everything I could about this show, the event, the venue and sites. It this appears to be a completely legitimate offer. Sadly, I would not be able to raise the necessary funds to go by September, but I am truly flattered - and excited by this prospect.
A few days after this, one of my dear friends, Jaime, contacted me about a music and arts' festival called Sounds of Distinction. Now Jaime is in a band called Shadow Prophets and they were playing this event and theyneededvendorsandwouldIbeinterestedeventhoughitwasreallyshortnotice? So I contacted the gal - Natalie - and she kindly informed me that I would be welcome and that there were no booth fees and that I got keep ALL of my sales. Whoa. That's amazing. I went (it was July 9th) - and although I didn't sell as much as I would have liked, I really, really, really had a great time at the event. I heard some amazing local music talent - including Jaime's band. (By the way - if you like heavy metal/hard rock - I highly recommend them. Jaime is an amazing guitarist and vocalist.) I also got to see some great art - and I got a chance to meet new people and see an old friend. Best part? I have been invited to do another show with Natalie on Sept 3rd. And I am intensely excited about this as well. I never dreamed that I would end up working with a promoter.
This has in many respects opened some new doors for me - and I think it will continue to do so for me. I am looking forward to the opportunities that this may bring for me.
In addition I am looking to vend in more local events and shows. I am wanting to do more at this time with my jewelry and I think it is high time I get my butt in gear and start working on getting my name out there more. I am determined to be able to make a living off of this. I want to be the one in charge of my life. Not a work schedule. Not a boss. Not a manager. Me. Little ole' me.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Duuuude.....
"Whoa. Duuuude. Dude."
It appears that I have won a blogging award! One of my blogger buddies, Sweet Seahorse nominated me for a blogger award. Apparently, she actually reads my blog - and even more importantly - likes it. ;-) I now have to share the bloggy love and pass this award along to 5 others whose blogs I enjoy reading.
Liebster Award
So in no particular order:
Julie and Yes Dear's Ravings
Contemporary Beadwork by Kerrie Slade
India Grace Designs
The Adventures of Baldy Locks
Wilde Jewels
I am quite pleased that someone actually enjoys reading my blog. I try to keep it entertaining when I do post - but I am not always sure that I achieve that. It's nice to know that there is at least person out there who enjoys reading my blog. =)
Now - just to figure out how to get some more followers....
It appears that I have won a blogging award! One of my blogger buddies, Sweet Seahorse nominated me for a blogger award. Apparently, she actually reads my blog - and even more importantly - likes it. ;-) I now have to share the bloggy love and pass this award along to 5 others whose blogs I enjoy reading.
Liebster Award
So in no particular order:
Julie and Yes Dear's Ravings
Contemporary Beadwork by Kerrie Slade
India Grace Designs
The Adventures of Baldy Locks
Wilde Jewels
I am quite pleased that someone actually enjoys reading my blog. I try to keep it entertaining when I do post - but I am not always sure that I achieve that. It's nice to know that there is at least person out there who enjoys reading my blog. =)
Now - just to figure out how to get some more followers....
Monday, June 13, 2011
Chuffed
I am feeling a bit chuffed this evening. Chuffed you say? (And all my American friends are wondering what the hell chuffed is. Chuffed is a British way of saying that you pleased or proud. And it just so happens that I really like this word. =)) Yes - chuffed - and really not for myself, but for someone else that I hold dear to my heart.
Let me tell you a bit about my day. I traveled today to Cincinnati - a 2 hour drive - to visit with my dear friends Julie and Rosa. Julie lives in Cincy - but Rosa is here visiting from North Carolina. Now, one of the things that has made Rosa and Julie both special is the fact that I originally met them both online and have had the pleasure of meeting them in real life. I am often times amazed at how the internet has made the world a much smaller place. I have met people I would have never met otherwise because of the internet. In that respect, the internet has been a real blessing for me. I am lucky that Julie and Rosa consider me a friend and I am so happy that they are a part of my life. We spent the day talking, stitching, eating, laughing. For me - this is a great day and not something that I get to do often. It was a happy day.
And while we were at Julie's, another wonderful friend of ours popped onto messenger to let us know that 6 of her needlework designs are being carried by Nordic Needle here in the US. And this is why I am chuffed:
My friend Vicki is an absolute gem. She lives in the UK - and I would have never had the chance to know her if it was not for the internet. She is an uber-talented needlework designer and has struggled to get her name out there as a designer. (This is an incredibly hard thing - trust me, I know.) Nordic Needle is THE site to go too for specialty needlework. I am SO utterly pleased that she is finally getting some of the recognition she so richly deserves. Please check out India Grace Designs on Nordic Needle or to see her complete collection go here. Well done Vicki I am so proud of you (and chuffed too)! ;-)
Let me tell you a bit about my day. I traveled today to Cincinnati - a 2 hour drive - to visit with my dear friends Julie and Rosa. Julie lives in Cincy - but Rosa is here visiting from North Carolina. Now, one of the things that has made Rosa and Julie both special is the fact that I originally met them both online and have had the pleasure of meeting them in real life. I am often times amazed at how the internet has made the world a much smaller place. I have met people I would have never met otherwise because of the internet. In that respect, the internet has been a real blessing for me. I am lucky that Julie and Rosa consider me a friend and I am so happy that they are a part of my life. We spent the day talking, stitching, eating, laughing. For me - this is a great day and not something that I get to do often. It was a happy day.
And while we were at Julie's, another wonderful friend of ours popped onto messenger to let us know that 6 of her needlework designs are being carried by Nordic Needle here in the US. And this is why I am chuffed:
My friend Vicki is an absolute gem. She lives in the UK - and I would have never had the chance to know her if it was not for the internet. She is an uber-talented needlework designer and has struggled to get her name out there as a designer. (This is an incredibly hard thing - trust me, I know.) Nordic Needle is THE site to go too for specialty needlework. I am SO utterly pleased that she is finally getting some of the recognition she so richly deserves. Please check out India Grace Designs on Nordic Needle or to see her complete collection go here. Well done Vicki I am so proud of you (and chuffed too)! ;-)
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