Started our sale today

I gave notice last Friday that we'd be moving from Cornerstone at the end of December. Deb took it well.

Today I made up a sign announcing "50% off on everything - furniture 20% off". I put the sign up and a lady was there at that moment. She bought about $20.00 worth of stuff at much more than 50%. I just don't want to bring a bunch of stuff home and was glad she bought what she did.

No, it's not sad yet. Just work to be gotten through. I hope we sell enough the rest of this month and December to pay the rent.

Beautiful Discovery Bay in Washington

I just listed for sale a linen postcard "Sunset on Discovery Bay, Washington".

Great sweeping vista of color in the sunset and the reflections on the lake!

Makes you want to jump in and take a swim.

Access this postcard by clicking the Title above or
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15057593

Patti's Sunsets for Sale

I know it is the height of ego to call them "my sunsets". But, I did capture them with my camera, edit them carefully, get them professionally printed, catalog and list them.

So, click on the title above and go to my store and buy one! I've finally, tentatively, started listing them on Etsy. I'm so afraid none will sell. Well, if they don't, I'll have to start buying lots and lots of frames and enjoying them on my own walls.

Leo and I are charmed to live in a beautiful setting. During the winter especially, when the leaves are down, we see spectacular sunsets. Now, I'm a sunset aficianado. I've studied them for years in the midwest, southwest, northeast, the South. I think the ones we get here in Valdese, N. C. out our living room windows are as breathtaking as any I've seen anywhere.

2-for-1 Sale on Schar's ArtMagnets

Scharart's ArtMagnets are on sale this weekend until Tuesday midnight.

Click the title above to visit her shop.

These are wonderful little jewels of color - I know, because I have bought three myself.

Mention that you heard about them on Leo & Patti's website.

Thanks!

How do you know it did any good?

Both Leo and I started doing the Entrecard thing this month and increasing our blogging. The goal, of course, is to drive traffic to our online stores.

My question is this: how do I know it is working? Are the hours spent blogging and dropping and leaving comments worth anything? Is the bottom line increased sales?

Well, I don't know how you can tell! I think it's impossible unless you had a huge, sudden surge in sales that you could tie in to increased blog readership.

If anyone knows of a way to really tell, please let me know. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Etsy August - Slow but Going!

We sell vintage items on a handmade site. Apparently thousands of other people sell vintage, too! I don't know the numbers, but there are 200,000 plus selling on Etsy now.

The first month was a partial month, but I had sales enough to cover my expenses. The second month was much better. I was really excited about the prospects.

This month, August, I have still had enough sales to cover expenses, for which I am greatful. But, it has been about 1/3 of July's business.

I cannot tell why exactly. I've got twice as much listed as I had in July, and branched out in variety. So, is it because of vacations? The fuel crisis? Bad karma?

I don't know, buy I'll just ride it out. I've dramatically increased blogging, hoping that would help. We'll see - September looms ahead!