Devine Designs Jewelry

I worked hard this weekend! My husband had to work, so I did most of the work, tent and display set up myself, (with a little help from my mother). Overall, it was a good show; well attended, everyone seemed to be having sales. On Saturday we had 3300 people through the doors. I don't know what the attendance was on Sunday. I may even have a few custom orders coming from the show. Here's a look at the show. Friday, setting up Outside the Coliseum early morning My new booth table display my new wood shelf display and my new wood check out table (I just love it!)

Today's the day to set up my booth inside the Coliseum for this weekend's Cool Art show. Of course I'm excited, and a bit tense, as is my usual right before shows. I haven't been getting great sleep this past week; up some mornings at 4:00 am. And I pulled something, or pinched a nerve in my back last week also. It has pained me all week long. So today will be a challenge because I have to put up my tent frame inside and carry tables, etc. I'm hoping there will be some (strong) guys there today, in case I need help. And there usually are helpful, friendly folks at shows. Here's just a teaser of new items that I'll have available for purchase this weekend.

Etsy introduced an "about you" page recently, where you can personalize your shop with photos, your story, and add links to your other sites, such as a personal website, blog or Facebook page. I finally got around to doing mine. (That's what I get done when I wake up too early, at 3:30 am!) Have a look: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DevineDesignsJewelry/about/

Great art and lots of new jewelry designs from me. New cuffs New earrings And more to be revealed later. If you will be in St. Petersburg, Florida this weekend, please stop by. I'll be in booth #68.

This week, I found myself included in an Etsy treasury entitled, "Christmas in July-5". It looks like a few of the items have already been spoken for! This treasury was created by Kiymet, of "The Magic of Colors" shop on Etsy. Kiymet is from Istanbul,Turkey and offers jewelry and fashion accessories. My picks: Swarovski stones, metal rings and rods prepared a very special necklace purple Ottoman Tulip printed Beach Dress - Pareo Enjoy browsing, and remember to share the love!

Here are a few really great giveaways from some of my Etsy friends! Just click the links to find out more and enter. Lori Anderson over on her blog "Pretty Things", is having a 5 part giveaway! Click here: http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2012/07/finally-five-bead-and-button-bead.html You can win this hand painted owl jewelry box; painted and made by Jenny of ABirdInTheHandArt Go over to "Blogging business artisans" at this link: http://bloggingbusinessartisans.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-giveaway-bird-in-hand-art.html Paula Parrish is giving away a wonderful lavendar gift set. Click here: http://paulaparrish.blogspot.com/p/current-giveaway.html BTW: she makes great soaps! Enjoy!

The $100 Start Up by Chris Guillebeau When I first picked this book up, I thought it would be about how to start a small business on little or no money. That was not the case, and in fact, I wasn't sure I would even finish the entire book. But it turned out to be much more. The $100 Start Up is really an inspiring guide to stepping out on your own, doing what you love, without fear, (your own, or)of what others might say. (You know who I'm talking about, the nay-sayers). Throughout the book, the author interviews various entrepreneurs in different sectors of businesses. He asks many questions; and business owners are more than happy to share their personal stories. What kind of threw me back, was the fact that the author talks about creating a business where one can "give back", to which I thought, "how does this apply in my business, as a jewelry designer?" But with further reading and exploration, I understood more. The author stresses excell...