Re-vamped Photos!

Guys, my lightbox is finished, so I hope to take all-new pictures for my albums on facebook, flickr, shop listings, etc.  This will help tremendously with lighting and color, so I think it will be well worth the time and effort.  Here's a sample:

Regarding Etsy

Hey, guys!  In light of recent events on Etsy, I'd like to shift my focus more toward my shop HERE.  For now, I will continue to sell on Etsy for those who continue to shop there.  If the issues I am about to address are not taken into account and dealt with, I may close my shop on Etsy and find other marketplaces to do business in.

The feedback system n Etsy shows buyer's information publicly, which became a concern for some people when they attached their real names were to their accounts.  The feedback system has been like this since their launch, but users have since been given the option to use their real names on the site, which raised the issue of privacy.  This was an optional feature and the situation could be avoided by choosing not to use your real name on Etsy, but it has blown up rather publicly over the past couple of weeks and some users have chosen to take their business elsewhere.  Etsy has now made feedback entirely anonymous, which raises entirely different concerns with many sellers in regards to buyer accountability.

Etsy has refused to remove Orglamix, a top-selling mineral makeup shop.  It has come to light that this seller is repackaging private label cosmetics on a handmade website, and as icing on the cake the ingredients listings are incorrect. Several customers have been finding second and third labels with conflicting ingredients (some of which with carmine on products that are listed as vegan, some with liquapar oil when all of the products are branded as paraben-free, and some even linked directly to other companies.)  This store has also been selling brushes, which Etsy's Terms Of Use clearly state are not considered supplies or vintage, and therefore not appropriate for sale on Etsy.  Etsy has been contacted by many people regarding this issue, including myself, and chosen to allow her to continue selling repackaged products.  As a marketplace for handmade goods, I feel that Etsy is doing a huge disservice to their consumers allowing Orglamix to stay open.  Read more about this fiasco at...
http://the-eyes-have-it-all.blogspot.com/2011/03/long-tale-of-orglamix-organic-ending.html
http://toxid-lotus.net/?p=2149
http://legothique.com/2009/11/16/orglamix-a-review/
http://phyrra.net/2011/03/update-on-orglamix.html
http://nikhedonia.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/orglamix-y-u-no-tell-truth/

Facebook Promotion

Quick!  Go become a facebook fan and tell all of your friends to become fans, too!
http://www.facebook.com/adornmentsbyjessicaurban

At midnight CST, I am creating a discount code for use in-store and online; it will be available exclusively to facebook fans.  The amount of the discount will be ten percent of the number of fans the page has, so 294 fans = 29% off.  More fans means a better discount, so tell your friends.

Big Changes Ahead

The physical storefront is clearly not working out.  I'm not afraid to talk about my finances; I have nothing to hide.  I lost over a thousand dollars on Adornments last year.  As it sits now, I am continuing to hemorrhage money into this company as long as I keep a physical storefront open.  Every job I've worked since I opened Adornments has promised me hours and not been able to follow through for one reason or another, and as a result, I can't pay my bills in addition to rent and other overhead costs.  It has become abundantly clear that it is not cost-effective to operate out of a location other than my home at the moment.  So I've decided that as soon as possible, I will be focusing more on the Etsy store, craft shows, and home parties.  I still have an agreement with Tanya, the owner of Simply for Giggles, to sublease my space within her store, so I may still operate there through June.  I will have to talk with her when I get the chance to see how we will proceed, as she is currently out of town.  I will be sure to keep you posted on when I will be at craft shows, and where they will be held.  You'll also have the opportunity to host home parties for the Spring '11 line and those to come in the future, and you can shop 24/7 at the Etsy store online.  This has been a difficult decision, but it needs to be done.  I literally cannot afford my own bills with the hours I've been working, let alone support a startup business.  I am considering bringing Adornments back eventually in the form of a mall kiosk, but not until I've built up a more solid fanbase and the monetary savings to do so.  Adornments is not dying; it's not going anywhere.  Stay tuned...

Jewelrymaking Classes

Come in for some time to yourself, or bring all your gal pals and your daughters for a beading party.  Choose from a variety of colors in Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, Czech glass, genuine gemstones, and more.  Make an appointment today, or pick up a gift certificate to surprise a crafty friend!

Juice

I am featured in this week's issue of Juice magazine. Pick up your copy today to learn a little bit about how I got started, as well as some other tidbits about me.  If you're not in the Des Moines area, I linked to the online article above.  Thank you, Juice for considering me!

Happy Monday, Everybody!

Sorry for any inconvenience caused by my not coming in on Saturday; my sister decided that she is getting married on the 27th, so I took a personal day to look at dresses with her.  I WILL be there regular hours throughout the rest of the week, so no worries if you are planning on stopping in to pick up something.

I have an interview appearing in Juice magazine on the 23rd, so be sure to pick up a copy to find out how I got started making jewelry, as well as some other little tidbits about me.  You know you want to...