I am so very excited about being featured in Great Finds madeformebyoaklie.com/greatfinds.html. You will find a button to the right of this post that you can click on that will take you to a voting area. If I win I will receive a free ad by Helping Hands Graphic Design or a custom banner set for my shop.I can also win a free featured spot on The Gift Shop Handmade Directory and the On Fire Gift Guide scrolling marquees.
I feel so honored to be included with so many amazing and talented artists.
Please check it out tomorrow - October 29th. I would love to have your vote if you feel my piece is the best. Thank you so much.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Shop right from the blog
You can now shop for anything that is in our Artfire store right here from the blog with Rapid Cart.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Backyard Fun
What a wonderful night it was! The Nest's Backyard Soiree - Wonderful, amazing, talented vendors, a beautiful backyard, yummy nibbles, and to die for blackberry margaritas!!! I don't think it gets any better than this.
We had amazing jewelry
Wonderful vintage items from pillows to furniture
It was so much fun and we got to spend time with amazing friends - and even made a few sales!! Diane and Monica of The Nest are awesome!!!
Wonderful vintage items from pillows to furniture
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
New Tools
I don't know about the rest of you, but I am like a kid on Christmas morning when I get new tools in the mail!!!
I had the BEST day today because I got to put out all of the new tools I have gotten in the last couple of weeks. I haven't been spending much time at the studio lately because during the summer months I have my 13 year old grandson with me during the week, and he just isn't too much into watching Grandma work on jewelry!
Anyway, I finally had a day to myself so I high tailed it over here to the studio this morning and started unpacking boxes. Oh, what a fun time I had!!
I set up my jump ring maker and disc cutter:
Then I set up my new drill press
I also have a new flex shaft, but I couldn't put it up today because - silly me - I didn't order the stand for it!! Got that ordered today, so hopefully will have it up and running soon!
My darling hubby got the vent hood installed last week, so now I can vent out some of those yucky smells that occur when you are torching things.
I am holding my first class in the studio next Saturday, July 9th - Metal etching!! I am so excited that it is finally coming together and becoming what I had dreamed of.
I can't wait for tomorrow because then I will actually have time to play with all of my new tools!!!!
I had the BEST day today because I got to put out all of the new tools I have gotten in the last couple of weeks. I haven't been spending much time at the studio lately because during the summer months I have my 13 year old grandson with me during the week, and he just isn't too much into watching Grandma work on jewelry!
Anyway, I finally had a day to myself so I high tailed it over here to the studio this morning and started unpacking boxes. Oh, what a fun time I had!!
I set up my jump ring maker and disc cutter:
Then I set up my new drill press
I also have a new flex shaft, but I couldn't put it up today because - silly me - I didn't order the stand for it!! Got that ordered today, so hopefully will have it up and running soon!
My darling hubby got the vent hood installed last week, so now I can vent out some of those yucky smells that occur when you are torching things.
I am holding my first class in the studio next Saturday, July 9th - Metal etching!! I am so excited that it is finally coming together and becoming what I had dreamed of.
I can't wait for tomorrow because then I will actually have time to play with all of my new tools!!!!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Open Letter To Etsy
I am posting this open letter to Etsy that was written by a team member of the Aspiring Metalsmiths Team. It is absolutely unbelievable what Etsy has done to this lady. She has (had) an amazing shop with over 2000 sales and never a negative feedback or complaint. THEY CLOSED HER SHOP!!! All on the word of 1 customer who had already posted positive feedback for the product she received.
Please read the letter and you will see the entire chain of events. If you are as shocked - and mad- as I am about the way this amazing Etsy shop owner is being treated, copy and post this letter on your blog. It seems that the only way Etsy is going to listen is if this thing goes viral and they end up with a lot of really pissed off shop owners.
Please read the letter and you will see the entire chain of events. If you are as shocked - and mad- as I am about the way this amazing Etsy shop owner is being treated, copy and post this letter on your blog. It seems that the only way Etsy is going to listen is if this thing goes viral and they end up with a lot of really pissed off shop owners.
Dear Etsy,
As much as I hate to bring our personal business into the public realm, you really have given me no choice. Phone calls, emails, and a fax have gone unanswered.
Here are the facts as backed up by transaction #, feedback left, and times and dates of convo's:
Jan 25th, 2011 - Transaction ID 42491682 - Sterling Silver Hammered Cuff Bracelet was ordered by buyer. It was shipped on 1/28./11 via USPS 1st Class Mail International.
Many convo's back and forth regarding shipping delay due to horrible weather on the east coast, and Canadian customs. I felt so bad about the shipping delay, and while she seemed to understand and was a congenial customer, I offered to send her a free sterling cuff as I felt bad about the delay. Sent new bracelet on 2/13/11.
Feb 17, 2011 - Positive feedback left for transaction:
"BUYER"says:
Item was delayed in shipping but that was beyond sellers control. She compensated for the delay and was an open communicator. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from her store again.
At the time, I felt I was being played, as she suddenly received the 1st bracelet after I shipped the 2nd free bracelet. I thought "Oh Well, live and learn".
March 9, 2011 - received convo from buyer that free bracelet had not arrived. Told her to please let me know when it arrived.
May 4, 2011 - Received a very rude convo from buyer saying she still had not received her free bracelet. (2 months later??)
May 4, 2011 - Buyer files a dispute with Etsy. Dispute uses transaction ID# for the original piece she purchased, received, loved, and left positive feedback for.
May 4th - May 31, 2011 - Many replies on dispute page between buyer and seller. She was rude, defametory, and liable. She will not close the case until I send her another bracelet.
June 1, 2011 - Etsy closed my shop due to the dispute.
June 1 , 2011 to present - Many emails to etsy support, phone messages left on Etsy's voicemail, and a fax sent to their fax number - no response whatsoever.
I have tried really hard not to become angry over this. Everytime I log on to Etsy, I get a notice telling me my shop has been suspended, and to please check my email for more details. I have checked my email, my spam folder, etc - and have not received a single email from Etsy regarding this issue (other than the updates to the Claim posted by the buyer). When I go to read the forum for my metalsmithing team, there is a message that tells me "You don't have permission to participate in this discussion." - talk about demeaning. One would think that Etsy would at least evaluate a complaint for merit before closing down a successful shop with over 2000 sales, and over 1200 positive feedback. The buyer has 6 feedback, and should be banned for falsifying a claim, if not for her vitriolic, abusive convo's.
Etsy, I want to believe that no one there knows what is going on - that this is all some kind of automated computer program thing. I will really be angry if I find out that there is someone there that knows the details of this mess, and is choosing to allow it to continue. Part of being in a handmade community is actually being human. Maybe I should just go over to artfire and market myself there, as well as let all my 2000 buyers know why I left Etsy. I don't want to be that kind of person, but I feel my hand is being forced by your unresponsiveness. After 3 years, I deserve a response.
Regards,
Steph
As much as I hate to bring our personal business into the public realm, you really have given me no choice. Phone calls, emails, and a fax have gone unanswered.
Here are the facts as backed up by transaction #, feedback left, and times and dates of convo's:
Jan 25th, 2011 - Transaction ID 42491682 - Sterling Silver Hammered Cuff Bracelet was ordered by buyer. It was shipped on 1/28./11 via USPS 1st Class Mail International.
Many convo's back and forth regarding shipping delay due to horrible weather on the east coast, and Canadian customs. I felt so bad about the shipping delay, and while she seemed to understand and was a congenial customer, I offered to send her a free sterling cuff as I felt bad about the delay. Sent new bracelet on 2/13/11.
Feb 17, 2011 - Positive feedback left for transaction:
"BUYER"says:
Item was delayed in shipping but that was beyond sellers control. She compensated for the delay and was an open communicator. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from her store again.
At the time, I felt I was being played, as she suddenly received the 1st bracelet after I shipped the 2nd free bracelet. I thought "Oh Well, live and learn".
March 9, 2011 - received convo from buyer that free bracelet had not arrived. Told her to please let me know when it arrived.
May 4, 2011 - Received a very rude convo from buyer saying she still had not received her free bracelet. (2 months later??)
May 4, 2011 - Buyer files a dispute with Etsy. Dispute uses transaction ID# for the original piece she purchased, received, loved, and left positive feedback for.
May 4th - May 31, 2011 - Many replies on dispute page between buyer and seller. She was rude, defametory, and liable. She will not close the case until I send her another bracelet.
June 1, 2011 - Etsy closed my shop due to the dispute.
June 1 , 2011 to present - Many emails to etsy support, phone messages left on Etsy's voicemail, and a fax sent to their fax number - no response whatsoever.
I have tried really hard not to become angry over this. Everytime I log on to Etsy, I get a notice telling me my shop has been suspended, and to please check my email for more details. I have checked my email, my spam folder, etc - and have not received a single email from Etsy regarding this issue (other than the updates to the Claim posted by the buyer). When I go to read the forum for my metalsmithing team, there is a message that tells me "You don't have permission to participate in this discussion." - talk about demeaning. One would think that Etsy would at least evaluate a complaint for merit before closing down a successful shop with over 2000 sales, and over 1200 positive feedback. The buyer has 6 feedback, and should be banned for falsifying a claim, if not for her vitriolic, abusive convo's.
Etsy, I want to believe that no one there knows what is going on - that this is all some kind of automated computer program thing. I will really be angry if I find out that there is someone there that knows the details of this mess, and is choosing to allow it to continue. Part of being in a handmade community is actually being human. Maybe I should just go over to artfire and market myself there, as well as let all my 2000 buyers know why I left Etsy. I don't want to be that kind of person, but I feel my hand is being forced by your unresponsiveness. After 3 years, I deserve a response.
Regards,
Steph
Monday, May 16, 2011
Artfire Shop
Sales have completely tanked lately on etsy, so we are trying another site called Artfire. I have attached a link to the right that will take you to our Artfire Shop. We are also keeping our etsy shop for now. I will be adding new products to both shops.
I have really become disillusioned with etsy. They just keep changing everything and most of the changes have not been for the betterment of the sellers, which I don't understand at all as etsy was started for that very purpose. It would seem that a lot of these changes would be shooting themselves in the foot because if we don't sell, they don't make as much money either. I don't understand why, when something is working, the powers to be can't just leave it alone. Why do they feel that they have to keep changing everything?
Anyway, we are starting to look for other avenues to sell our jewelry and will be looking at starting our own website in the hopefully near future. So for now, please check out both our etsy shop and our Artfire shop for wonderful new jewelry pieces.
We want to thank our truly wonderful and loyal customers who continue to support our effort. It gets very discouraging at times when the sales just don't happen, but then we do a local show and our wonderful customers arrive and give us such amazing feedback and buy new pieces of jewelry and we feel encouraged again. Thank you.
I have really become disillusioned with etsy. They just keep changing everything and most of the changes have not been for the betterment of the sellers, which I don't understand at all as etsy was started for that very purpose. It would seem that a lot of these changes would be shooting themselves in the foot because if we don't sell, they don't make as much money either. I don't understand why, when something is working, the powers to be can't just leave it alone. Why do they feel that they have to keep changing everything?
Anyway, we are starting to look for other avenues to sell our jewelry and will be looking at starting our own website in the hopefully near future. So for now, please check out both our etsy shop and our Artfire shop for wonderful new jewelry pieces.
We want to thank our truly wonderful and loyal customers who continue to support our effort. It gets very discouraging at times when the sales just don't happen, but then we do a local show and our wonderful customers arrive and give us such amazing feedback and buy new pieces of jewelry and we feel encouraged again. Thank you.
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About Me
- Viki
- I am a mom of 5, a grandma of 2 wonderful grandsons, a wife of 31 years, a jewelry artist, and a glass artist. I retired from the City of Redding Police Dept 7 years ago and have been enjoying the freedom that retirement offers; however, I don't know how I ever had time to work!!