A Book Worth Sharing.

Today I finished reading this great book by Kari Chapin about how to sell handcrafted items online as well as locally. She provides great tips on how to make the most of networking sites such as Flickr, Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter. But that's not even the tip of the iceberg.

It started out as something to read on my breaks at work, but I quickly found myself reading a bit before bed. During my day job I would reflect on her advice and itch to get out of my cubicle and go home to write notes and try some new suggestions.

Simply put; I feel inspired. This book is something worth owning if you want to or currently have a handcrafted business. I learned a lot, and I feel so motivated. I hope you find this post and end up exploring this book yourself. You will be glad you did.

It is kind of like the Abc's of growing your business from a seed.

You can purchase the book on Amazon or borrow it from your local library.

Google Checkout and Free Shipping

Happy Sunday!

If you have not already noticed __1337 Art is now accepting Google Checkout in the Etsy and Artfire Shops. You can immediately pay via Google Checkout through Artfire, and if you want to shop through Etsy choose "other" as your payment method, and I will manually send you a Google Checkout invoice.

Google Checkout is another great and safe way to shop online using your credit card.

I have been running a free shipping for orders over $25 promotion, and I have decided to offer these savings until April 30, 2010. Whether you live in the United States or another country you still have time to save, and the timing couldn't be perfect - Mother's Day is quickly approaching! Just remember if your order is over $25 after any applicable discounts (and before shipping) I will refund your shipping charges after your payment is received and cleared.


I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist. ~Tammy Faye Bakker

Strawberry Daiquiris

I have to confess my favorite drink. The taste of strawberries and whipped cream in a signature daiquiri glass is something I look forward to on special occasions and after very long days at work.

So I came across these Swarovski crystals, and the color reminded me so much of daiquiris that I had to make a piece of jewelry. I am sure that I am not the only person out there that enjoys fashion, a nice fruity drink, and some time to relax.

I have made two pairs of these earrings, one each available in my Artfire Shop and in my Etsy Shop, and I am not sure when more will be available.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read.

Favorite Places (to Name a Few.)

It is important to find places in this world that appeal to you...that make you feel excited. I had a random thought about a few places that make me smile inside such as:

1. Half Price Books. They have books, movies, music, games, game consoles, and miscellaneous goodies (journals, magnets, bookmarks, etc.) all at great prices.

My favorites about this place: Finding their clearance section for books as low as $2.00! And the first time my friend took me there she pulled out a tiny notebook with titles written all over it, and I was excited that I would be able to make my own little notebook to take with me there as well. :)

2. Library. They have free Internet, books, music, newspapers, and some outcast books for low prices. The staff are always very helpful and friendly. You can go onto their website and request books, music, and movies online, and you get an email confirmation when they are ready to pick up!

My favorites about this place: The librarians know who my husband and me are so when we walk up to the counter they immediately grab our held items. Their selection always changes, and it's fun to stop in after work to see what is new and useful.

3. Thrift Shops and Budget Department Stores. This includes Ross, Big Lots, Goodwill, and small thrift shops. You will never ever know what to expect when you walk into places like this. Sometimes the workers are friendly, sometimes they try to hire you on the spot. You can find great items at amazing prices.

My favorites about these places: I have found some unique coffee mugs, awesome candle holders, odd and interesting jewelry displays for craft shows, and some good quality clothing at low prices. We have purchased at least two computer monitors at Goodwill for about $5, and they work perfectly. I love a good buy.

Thank you for reading about my favorite places. If you would like to share one of yours please feel free to leave a comment.

Caffeine Awareness Month

March is caffeine awareness month. So many of us are slaves to coffee in the morning. Although it is an amazing and stimulating beverage sometimes too much of a good thing is not good at all.

Some of the health benefits of coffee:

*A lower risk of type 2 diabetes
*A reduced risk of gallstones
*A lower risk of colon cancer
*Improved cognitive function
*A reduced risk of liver damage in people at high risk of liver disease
*A reduced risk of Parkinson's disease
*Improved endurance performance in long-duration physical activities

And some of the health risks of coffee:

*Reducing fertility in women while trying to conceive
*Insomnia, anxiety and irritability
*Heartburn and indigestion
*An increased risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

It's okay to enjoy a cup in the morning and/or afternoon...just not a few pots. Some days I like to drink coffee all day long; I make half a pot and literally sip on my mug all day until it's gone. Some days I drink one cup in the morning and drink lots of water and some juice throughout the day. Know your limit.

In honor of my love for coffee I have created a couple of coffee related items:

Cafe Au Lait Stud Earrings

Sometimes drinking coffee just isn't enough. These stud earrings are creamy, frothy, and beautiful, and perfect for casual everyday wear. They make a great gift too! Surgical steel and 9mm.

Mmm...

Coffee Addition Mini Bookmark

Now you can read with style and an added elegance! This lovely bookmark is available in a cute 3.5 inch size! Perfect to take along with you almost everywhere!

This fun bookmark features the dilemma of a coffee addition (in good humor, of course!) Handcuffs, a key, and yet we always go back to our coffee. :)

I currently do not have a lot of coffee themed designs for sale, but I am definitely going to remedy that.

And in all seriousness, if you or someone you know might have a caffeine addiction please visit this website for some additional information and support: http://www.caffeineawareness.org/ Please also note that I am in no way affiliated with this website.

500th Sale on Etsy!

Yesterday I sold my 500th item in my Etsy Shop! I can't believe how far I have come from when I first started listing my items in December 2007. Back then I didn't know what to expect; all I knew was that I wanted a store front of some kind to direct local customers from craft shows to. Today I sell my items at two online venues, Etsy and Artfire, and I have plans to open/re-establish a shop on Zibbet.

A big THANK YOU!!! to all of my customers and those who have supported me these past few years. I am so grateful, and I cannot wait to see what the future will bring.

Under the Dome.

I recently finished reading Stephen King's new book Under the Dome. Both my librarian and I were shocked about how large this book is - over 1,000 pages! But don't let the size intimidate you. I've read a lot of Stephen King's books, and this is one of the best...right up there with Lisey's Story and The Cell. (per my opinion)

It's about a small town in Maine that is suddenly covered underneath an impenetrable dome (and the break down of the entire town.) It was amazing, and he did a very good job with the details. At the end of the book in the author's note he mentions how he wanted to start this book back in the 80's but never felt he could write it the way it needed to be written. I'm glad that he finally wrote it - I think after all of his writing experience he wound up sharpening his skill just enough to compliment the story of this book quite nicely.

If you're a Stephen King fan and have not yet read it, what are you waiting for? I've seen it on sale in a lot of local stores, and it's free at the library.

Fresh. Bring it on 2010.

Another decade is upon us, and since it is only January thoughts of resolutions and goals still cloud our heads. I have one main goal this year, and that is to successfully run __1337 Art so I do not have to work at a day job for someone else. Here are a few things I am working on:

Simple is Good - I have some left over necklaces (including new cameos, lockets, and masculine pendants) from a craft show. They are all very simple designs with a pendant on either suede, copper chain, silver ball chain, or gunmetal chain. Sometimes simple is good, and all you want to is wear something simple. I will have a few installments of this miniature series, and once these necklaces are gone they may not be available as part of my regular inventory.

Clean Studio - I never thought I had so many beads and supplies until I spent a day organizing them and still have a few containers to go! A clean, organized workspace is important, and now that I see that my tables have a clear surface I now feel a little less overwhelmed and a little more inspired. Starting off a new decade with a clean space is totally worth it. If I were you I would do it now. (!)

Masculine Pieces - I have three necklaces designed with men in mind waiting to be finished, photographed, edited, written about, and listed. You should see these available within a week or so. I would like to focus on more necklaces, bracelets, cuff links, and other accessories for men this year.

You can also expect more frequent postings to my blog and email newsletter. If you are not yet signed up for that you can subscribe in the box in the right hand column of this page.

Are you on Facebook? __1337 Art sure is:
http://www.facebook.com/1337art

Thank you for reading,

-
Christina

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.) How do I use a coupon code at your Etsy shop?

A.) Etsy.com is not set up to accept coupons automatically so there are a couple of ways to go around this. One thing you can do is contact me before placing your order with the items you would like to purchase and the coupon code you would like to redeem. Once I receive this request I would adjust the listings with the discount so you can then add them to your cart and proceed through checkout as normal. The other thing you can do is leave the coupon code in the note to seller box during checkout. Then you have the option to immediately pay with PayPal where I would refund the discount once I receive your order, or you can wait for me to send you a PayPal money request, which is an email from PayPal where you would have to log in to your PayPal account and authorize/conduct the payment.

If you are paying via check or money order and want to redeem a coupon just put the code in the note to seller box during checkout, and I will email you with your new total.

Q.) When are you going to get (insert item name here) back in stock?

A.) I am a one-person business so I do not have multiples of every item I make. If you have been waiting for something to become available in my Etsy or Artfire shops you can send me an email (support@1337art.net) to check availability. Most of the time I would be able to remake the item for you.

Q.) How can I contact you?

A.) You can email me at support@1337art.net or send a letter to:

1337 Art
P.O. Box 291
Vaughn, WA 98394-0291

Q.) I would like to be featured on your blog. What do I need to do?

A.) I appreciate your interest in being featured on my blog. You can send me an email letting me know how you are interested in being featured, (Etsy/Artfire Artisan Feature, Jewelry Box Feature, etc.) what items you offer, and your contact information. I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible. Please be aware that I have the right to reject requests not suitable for my website.

Q.) What is "1337 Art?"

A.) It is an online acronym for "elite" where numbers can be used instead of letters (also known as 1337speak), such as:

1 = L
3 = E
7 = T

Other examples of 1337speak are:

lol = laugh out loud
thx = thanks
ttyl = talk to you later
rofl = rolling on floor laughing
hi2u = hello to you
31337 = elite
1337 = elite (slang)

For more information on 1337speak visit the Wiki article below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1337speak

Q.) What inspires you?

A.) It starts with a cup of coffee, and it can lead to a photograph, an emotion, colors, or textures. Sometimes I sit down with my beads and pendants and components and my pieces make them selves. Other times I find a new bead or pendant or material, and it starts telling me its story.

Q.) Do you offer coupons and discounts?

A.) Yes. You can occasionally find them advertised on my website and in my email newsletters. You can sign up for the __1337 Art newsletter by imputing your email address in the box in the right hand column.

Q.) Do you have a store front and/or sell locally in shops?

A.) At this time I only sell online in the following places:

http://www.1337art.etsy.com
http://www.1337art.artfire.com
http://www.zibbet.com/1337art

Q.) How often do you add new items?

A.) I have a full time day job so sometimes it's hard to find the time to create, make, design, photograph, list, write a description for, edit, price, package, etc. new items. My goal is to add at least one item a week, and I have high hopes that in early 2010 (if not sooner) I can reach my goal every week.

Q.) Do you accept custom orders?

A.) Yes, and you can check on the status of custom order requests on my website and shop announcements. There are times when custom orders are closed, such as around the holidays.

Q.) What payment methods do you accept?

A.) I currently accept PayPal, credit cards (via PayPal), checks, and money orders. I am working on adding Google Checkout in the near future.

Q.) How long does it take to receive an order?

A.) I do my best to package and ship orders as quickly as possible. For Domestic US orders the turnaround time is approximately 1 - 3 business days for an order to ship. For Canada and International orders the turnaround time is approximately up to 4 business days for an order to ship.

All packages are sent via the Postal Service standard shipping. Domestic orders take approximately 2 - 5 mailing days to be delivered. This is not a guaranteed time, and delivery can be delayed due to natural disasters and holidays. Canada and International orders take approximately 5 - 10 mailing days to be delivered. This is not a guaranteed time, and delivery can be delayed due to natural disasters, holidays, and Customs.

Q.) How do I place an order?

A1.) On Etsy: You need to register for an account. Please see this link for helpful information. Then you visit my shop: http://1337art.etsy.com and add the items you would like to purchase into the cart. Once you are done shopping you click on the cart link at the top left hand of the page. Once there you go through each step (shipping address, payment method, final review of items in your cart) then you click "commit to buy." Then you will need to click on the PayPal button, and you will be forwarded to PayPal where you will log in and submit payment. Once you submit payment, your order is placed and on its way to you!

A2.) On Artfire: You do not need to register for an account. Simply visit my shop: http://1337art.artfire.com and add the items you would like to purchase to your cart. Once you are finished shopping click on your shopping cart in the top right corner of the site. Once in your cart enter your shipping address and any applicable coupons. Then you click on "submit order" where you will be prompted to make your payment. You will be forwarded to PayPal where you would sign in and submit payment. Once the payment is submitted, your order is placed and on its way to you!

Have a question not covered in this FAQ? Please feel free to send an email to support@1337art.net

2 Days Left for Custom Orders!

The holidays are quickly approaching, and if you are still looking for something special you have 2 more days to place a custom order with __1337 Art. You can take a look at some of my previous custom made jewelry and accessories here:

http://1337-art.deviantart.com/gallery/#Customs

If you have a budget or a general idea of what you would like please feel free to contact me via email at support@1337art.net I would love to work with you to create something special for the person you love.

Thank you for your support, and I look forward to working with you soon.

-
Christina
__1337 Art