It's been a while since I have written anything.  Alot of things have happened and there will be many more to come.  I did my first craft show May 4th and it was a success.  I really enjoyed participating in it.  It was for a fundraiser in the city I live.  I have plans to do many more over the summer.

With the warm weather finally here,  It was with great pleasure to get rid of wearing socks and shoes and broke out all my sandals or walking around barefoot.  This time of year also brings the pedicures to make the feet pretty.  I have been busy designing toe rings and barefoot sandals.  Time to bling out the feet as well as the rest of you!  I will be doing custom orders for the entire summer and beyond as these barefoot sandals would make a great accessory for beach time in the tropics during the winter months here too! 

I was up early today (well early for me anyways) to go set up a display of my jewellry for an art festival that was going on.  I wasn't very prepared as this was a last minute decision.  No sales today but people did look and take my business card.  That was the first time I had my jewellry on display for the public to see and buy.   Since I started , it's strictly been sales out of my house from my Facebook page or custom orders that have come to me.  I'm not giving up though.  I am doing a craft show fundraiser in May and will be more prepared for that one.  I have even looked at renting a booth at one of our local flea markets so there is another avenue I am going to be exploring.  I have some jewellry for sale as well in a consignment store and if all goes well, I will continue to take jewellry down there to sell. 

I am not one to give up and will keep pushing to make my business a success.  I like to think I am already successful looking back from when I started to where I am now.  I can only go further and make a bigger success out of it.

Does anyone else promote their businesses doing craft shows, networking, fundraisers or do you strictly keep it as at home sales through word or mouth  and social media?

After a few months of teaching myself how to design jewelry (I've never taken a course on it, I'm self taught) I've decided that I'm going to specialize in jewelry made with wire. I love working with it making rings, bracelets, necklaces, etc. I started off with beading but have come to really like wire working. There is just so much more I can create and design. I've posted some pictures of a few of the pieces I designed using wire wrapping techniques. Hope you like them as much as I do

What do you find for you has been more successful? Your online shops or word mouth through family, friends and social media sites? I opened an online shop with Etsy early in December but have found not alot of sales. I've had a lot of people looking but not buying. I have found since I created my Facebook page I have had more orders and more sales come from that and word of mouth from family and friends showing off pieces they have bought and telling other people about me.

This week alone I have 5 orders to fill ranging from my ring promotion to orders that consist of multiple pieces to be made through word of mouth. I will continue to promote myself through my Facebook page and my website and work harder at getting those online sales.

Feel free to post comments on what works for you and suggestions/feedback. It's always greatly appreciated

Never thought I'd be a busy as I have been this week. I've had a lot of orders come in for custom made pieces. I have finally caught up on them all!

I love having my own business. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment I didn't think I had in me!! I love being able to work from home and design my own pieces knowing that someone out there is going to be wearing it!

This is my very first blog and this is who I am. I am the owner of Gilian's Jewellry Box. I create and design jewellry and do custom pieces.

This is a whole new experience for me and I'm excited to share my own experiences with you.