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Archive for May, 2007

74c splurge

May 31st, 2007 at 02:34 pm

On the way from work to pick up kids at school, I needed a drink. Although the fountain drink cost is low, I do not support the 7-11. They are smarmy, all 7-11's are a magnet for crime.

And rarely do I use a drive through, it's against my environmental conscience. But there I went, to McDonald's where a big sign said -

42oz for 69c

Whereupon I got out the coins rattling around in my change purse. Didn't even break a 1 dollar bill.

It was enough for all three of us (mom and 2 kids) on the way home from school.

Now just to remember to bring a 6-pack of drinks to the office refridge and this wouldn't happen anymore!

Brewing up Business - aka Spend some to Make some?

May 30th, 2007 at 02:33 pm

To boost sales in my internet shop I have an idea for an aggressive promotion. It will probably run in the hot dog days of summer something like this:
--------------------------------------
Want to Win a Pitcher of Iced Coffee?
GET A CHANCE TO WIN A $20 STARBUCKS CARD
FOR EVERY PURCHASE YOU MAKE FROM NOW UNTIL _(date)___ YOU'RE ENTERED TO WIN

THE MORE PURCHASES YOU MAKE, THE MORE CHANCES YOU GET!


As little as $5 gets you in at

Text is Pretty Cheap Jewelry and Link is http://www.prettycheapjewelry.com
Pretty Cheap Jewelry where nothing is cheap except the price! Spruce up your summer wardrobe for $8 or less ~ send a one-of-a-kind note to friends over the summer with a handmade card ~ and many more items to choose from. GOOD LUCK and have fun!

Winner will be notified by __(date)___. Thanks for playing!
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A special group of past customers will get a note that the contest is beginning and if time/postage is reasonable, an intermediate note will be sent as well.

Any tweaks, suggestions welcome (you all are sort of my test group!).

While you're musing it over, have a look at my latest design.

Silk Trade Winds Necklace and Earring Set
Long and slim as a strand of silk, exotic as spice carried on the trade winds, this set features handmade links of copper pearls sandwiched between sparkling mint swarovski crystals and filigree balls. The long 28" necklace is composed of fine link goldplated chain. Matching earrings complete the set.

Clever Pun and Costs Saved

May 28th, 2007 at 12:55 am

Instead of taking my kids and a friend to the cheap movies ($3/person) over the long weekend, I had the brilliant idea to rent a movie and have popcorn night at home--

$12.00 NOT
$3.51 DONE

We saw 'Happy Feet' which we had not seen in the movies the first go around. The kids did not get the overfishing message Frown

As for the pun, here is a totally fun item I put in my internet shop

Text is Pretty Cheap Jewelry and Link is http://www.prettycheapjewelry.com
Pretty Cheap Jewelry

You Rock (ing) Horse Cross Stitch Notecards - Pack of 3 for $6


I am such a noodlehead!

May 24th, 2007 at 06:22 pm

There is a trivia contest in my shop at

Text is Pretty Cheap Jewelry and Link is http://www.prettycheapjewelry.com
Pretty Cheap Jewelry to attract visitors and have some fun. The correct answerer wins a free prize, no strings attached.

This was a successful method of getting traffic when I started the business about a year ago. But I was stumped on how to capitalize on helping the visitors to make a purchase.

AHA! The moment has come *!*

In fact, I had forgotten I have a record of the winner's snail mail addresses (where their prize was sent). Previously I had not kept this list because the contest was truly for goodwill and fun (ok I am not just a noodlehead, but an idiotic business manager).

The addresses are stored in my 'convos' at the shop website. Normally you are not allowed to use these 'convos' to solicit sales and I agree (the folks at Etsy would be overwhelmed with spam).

But I CAN use the snail mail addresses. There are almost 20 past winners. And they will get lots of fun mail from me this year with special offers to come back! Coupons, Freebies, who knows!!

Why didn't I think of this before? OK, I am a slow learner? Here is a new piece in my shop for you to ooh and aahh over and make me feel better--

It's a boy or it's a girl Enamel Baby Shoe Charm Necklace $12

Small Biz Owner? Another Free Ad Secret

May 23rd, 2007 at 05:38 am

Why do I give out all my secrets???

I have found two more newish but decent free advertising venues on the internet. Yours for the taking advantage of:

Text is yourhub.com and Link is http://www.yourhub.com
yourhub.com

Text is TuningIn.com and Link is http://www.tuningin.com
TuningIn.com

the first is linked with my (and probably your) local newspaper ; the second is a startup something like craig's list. wait and see if the latter gets snarky or if the moderator stays on top of things.

Ciao! And be sure to check in at
Text is Pretty Cheap Jewelry and Link is http://www.prettycheapjewelry.com
Pretty Cheap Jewelry for a Father's Day gift that will knock his socks off for $5! (Male Sex Symbol Fossilized Shark Tooth Pin) don't worry, it's g-rated...

Monday Trivia Free Fun

May 21st, 2007 at 04:49 pm

What is special about the state of Maine?
CATEGORY: Semantics

(Note from Pretty Cheap Jewelry: There are probably a number of special things about the state of Maine, but the answer I am looking for has to do with the category)

Weebly.com for free website and hosting

May 17th, 2007 at 05:04 pm

The ABC news had a short story on a new website/host offer at

Text is weebly and Link is http://www.weebly.com
weebly.

The beauty is it's highly user-friendly to put together a website, ie 'drop and drag' design set up.

Worth a trial run for a few weeks instead of paying even $10/month. Includes photos, blog and more. I haven't looked if there are charges for increased memory size, etc.

BTW I posted this in the Freebie/Computer forum but becomes too invisible due to the many subcategories in freebies.

Trying New Photography Props

May 16th, 2007 at 04:49 pm

This item is in my internet shop (click on Pretty Cheap Jewelry on the left)

and 'thumbnails' of any item are really important. A person needs to be attracted enough to that photo to click on the item to learn more.

I hope the liquid is not too shiny/glarey. But the shape of the bottle is very seductive IMO.

Feedback?
Japanese Bloom Oval Milliefiore Glass Earrings $5
Tiny floral pattern within the beads remind me of a japanese garden or bonsai, so much beauty in so little space. These earrings also feature brandy and gold colored accents on two links which dangle nicely. Goldplated french wires.

Toot Tootin my horn! I'm so Excited! (thank you pointer sisters)

May 14th, 2007 at 05:08 pm

Pretty Cheap Jewelry is coming to Texas!

Many of my beautiful, fun and affordable items will be sold starting in May at Texas Art Spot (http://www.texasartspot.com). So next time you are on Route 45 south of Dallas, stop in Corsicana (about 50 miles south of Dallas between Dallas and Houston) and have a little fun in the shop.

Thank you Lone Star State!

Trivia on Women Inventors! In Honor of Mother's Day :->

May 11th, 2007 at 03:06 pm

End of the week fun-

Name one item invented by a woman on the subject of:

(1) automotive parts

(2) household appliances

Post here and I'll put up answers later today!

Clever RE-use of Guitar Picks

May 9th, 2007 at 02:25 pm

My artist sister's husband is a musician and has a plethora of guitar picks, guitar strings, etc.

She designed these beauties, delightful!

They are available in my shop (click on Pretty Cheap Jewelry at the left column).

Thanks for viewing!

Start your week with uselessTrivia ;-0

May 7th, 2007 at 05:16 pm

What happens if a female ferret cannot mate when in heat?

Impromptu Sale Saturday!

May 6th, 2007 at 02:06 am

Great Day at the neighborhood yard sale!

My garage is happy!

Out went the above ground 12' diameter pool, the vintage tabletop hockey game, the 9 year old 4x4 stroller, and the aeronautically correct kite!!

My kids made about $10 each, I made about $50 additional! Woo Hoo!

Here's the funny part:

A drive by asking for old vinyl records (what's up with that?). I didn't haul mine out, though I have many in the bookcase (the ol' turntable still works)

A middle age type asking for old stamp sets and trains Out came the binder full of stamps the kids never really got involved with. Out came the old iron train (not a collector's item by any stretch of the imagination, just a 10 lb dust catcher)

A quick pic of the scene below Smile