Friday, January 31, 2014

Its Friday, Have a Great Super Bowl Weekend


Its Friday, Have a Great Super Bowl Weekend!

Stopping by to leave a note for everyone visiting today. WooHoo! It's Friday, and weekend here we come. This weekend will be a big weekend for many across the country because it's Super Bowl Weekend too! So, if you are a fan of football which team are you rooting for? I really wish the 49ers would have won instead of the seahawks because I think it would have been a really good game to watch. 

Instead we will have the Broncos, and the Sea Hawks playing for the Super Bowl championship on Sunday. Any big plans for this particular day? I myself intend to go over to sister's place, gather with a few people, have some snacks, and we will see what ends up in my hand for drinks. Thought about some wine I found at the store I liked. See if I make it there this weekend with this crazy weather we have been experiencing. 

Hey, glad you stopped by to share some time with LilacsNDreams! Have a wonderful, safe, fun filled weekend everyone. Enjoy the game Sunday, and see you all again on Monday. See You!

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Basics of Shipping Using the United States Postal Service USPS


Basics of Shipping Using the United States Postal Service

Today is being discussed the basics of shipping, and offering this service through the Unites States Postal Service (USPS). I will be discussing this service as this is the one that I use myself, and have dealt with over the years. Keep in mind this is not the only service available to use for shipping. This is something you will research a little more due to what you size, the size of items you sell, and also the weight of the items too. Some like to use Fed Ex, and there are some who like to use UPS as well. 

I am most experienced with using Priority Mail with the Postal Service. For those who sell lighter weight, and smaller items using First Class Mail is a good option for those. Remember, there are several ways for you to use in shipping, and it is nice to know a little bit about the services before hand too. 

Express Mail. Once in a while a customer might ask for this service because they want the item shipped to them over night, and want to use express mail. Generally when customers request this service they will also offer to pay for it. That is a good thing because this service is a bit more spendy, and would be costly for you to have to pay it. You can easily get a quote from the USPS.com site. Most customers will not realize how much more this faster service will cost them. So, it is best to give them a quote as you will see many will decide against using it then. Yes, it's nice that it ships over night, or next day service. Prices will be a bit cheaper online than at the post office, but it still starts generally over $10.00 for this service, and up. 

Priority Mail. This service is offered as a 2 day service, and generally will arrive in 2-3 days to the customer. There have been times that it has taken a bit longer than the 3 days, and you will find that the post office does not guarantee fully the arrival time. Your issues for any hold ups can be many things, but you will learn it happens during the distribution centers with the post office. 

With Priority Mail you will get free tracking, and they now offer the insurance included free for items up to $50 in value. Anything over that there is a small extra fee to be paid. You can also order online the priority boxes to use, they ship to you for free, and the boxes are free to get too. There is also the Flat Rate Priority Mail that many will use too. Please, before you use the Flat Rate check into it a little bit more. Many times you will find that is is cheaper to use the regular Priority Mail compared to the Flat Rate Service. Another Priority Service they have added is using Regional Flat Rate. The prices are suppose to be better with this, and when I asked at my post office I found out it was something that had to be done online to use this particular service. I have not used it yet, but will have to look into it further for me to use as I might be able to save more shipping cost for the customer with it. 

If you are going to ship packages that weigh more than 13 oz this might be the better service for you to use. 

First-Class. This service ships at the same speed, and service as a stamped letter will. Domestic shipping (within the Continental United States, except to Hawaii and Alaska) has a delivery of 3 days, or less. This would probably be your best option for the price to use if using envelopes, or packages to ship.   

Remember with First Class it will generally ship within 2 days, and can be 3 days at the most. 

Parcel Standard Post, and Media Mail is the cheapest ways to ship. They are also the slower shipping services to use too. The estimated shipping for this is generally 2-8 days. Standard post would be your cheaper way to ship with heavier, larger packages as they will allow up to 130 pounds. However, if you are shipping a reasonable weight in a box the faster shipping service is generally less than a dollar more to do so.    

Media Mail is generally for shipping like books, DVDs, and CDs. Most of these kind of items will weigh less than 13 oz. So, you might want to consider First Class mail then since it would be a better deal. Now, if you have a heavier book to ship Media Mail would be the option to consider. 

Your packages generally will arrive within a week with these 2 services, or up to about 8 days at the most. If your items are heavier, and bulkier than you could consider this service. I would also like to mention that if you are doing that kind of shipping you might want to check into Fed Ex, and UPS to compare prices. 

With shipping there is also some advanced options that you will need to know about using too. Tracking, Insurance, and Confirmation will be available for most of your packages. There is an additional expense for these too. Remember as mentioned that insurance is included for up to $50 free of charge with Priority Mail. It might not be necessary to use these extra services, but it is nice to have the documentation to offer to your customers too. 

I have been shipping packages since 2004, and I am fortunate that I have not had to replace any shipments, had any lost shipments, or any damaged shipments either. 

Tracking is done cheaper on line for cost compared to the purchase of it at the post office. Now, if you use Click-N-Ship online to buy, and print your postage with USPS it comes as a free option with Priority Mail, Standard, and First Class too. You would just check the box on the address forms, and then you and the customer will receive email tracking on the package. Supplying the tracking number to the customer also allows them to go in, and track the shipment as well too. 

There is Shipping Confirmation that I have not mentioned either. Using this service does cost, and the customer would have to be there upon it's arrival to sign for it. If they are not there at the time of delivery a card/notice will be left for them to pick the item up at the post office. In this notice it will also notify them of how long they have to pick the item up before it is sent back to the original shipper. 

International Shipping. Many sellers do not want to open up to this service for their products to ship. I have heard many sellers mention that when they started offering International Shipping that they seen an increase with their sales too. Within the United States if your items qualify to ship First Class, or with Priority Mail then you would be able to use International Shipping too. 

Generally Priority Mail can take about 6-10 business days. You can also ship up to 4 pounds for First Class Mail which would be the cheaper service to offer. Keep in mind it can also take longer with First Class to ship with about 10-14 business days. I have seen some sellers note that it can take up to 6 weeks for these shipments. There can be delays depending on what country it is going to. Also, customers who are using International Shipping need to be reminded that they are the ones responsible for the tariff fees, custom fees, and any taxes that their countries charge. There is no way for us to know these fees, and they are never included with the shipping cost. That is something they have to take care of in their own countries. 

Some International Customers will ask that packages be marked as a "gift" too. This is something you cannot do for them. They are trying to by-pass fees, it is illegal, and so you do not jeopardize your shipping privileges with International you cannot do this. It simply is not permissable. 

To get an idea of how much any kind of shipping would cost with USPS you can visit their site for their price sheet online.  

I forgot to mention that when you ship Internationally there are customs forms that need to be filled out as well. I believe with some of the postal changes that those forms can now be done online as well. In order to ship over seas all you will need for information is the sender and recipient's information, the package weight, and the package value too. 

As you get started with your shipping you will find that you will either under charge your customers which it becomes your cost, or you might over charge them which you need to know when you will reimburse the difference to them. Some sellers will reimburse if they charge $1.00 or more because of the fees if it is anything less than a dollar it is not worth reimbursing to them. Customers do not get over excited about that small of a fee under a $1.00. 

Make sure to get familiar with your shipping options, and explore all of the services that are offered. It helps to determine the best value that you can offer to your customers for the products that you will be offering with your online business.   

Don't forget to visit with Market Your Creativity to see her layout of what she is sharing with all these topics we have been covering so far.

Well that completes the basics of shipping with your online business for today. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams. See you again soon with another topic that will be shared with having your online business. See you ~ ~ ~ 

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Packaging Your Products You Sell to Feel Special



Packaging Your Products You Sell to Feel Special 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams with the topic today of Packaging Your Products You Sell. This is something that we all deal with at some point, we all started some where with this issue, some of us have found ways that work for us over time, and some of us are learning as we go with things, right?

Packaging your product is an important part of selling online. This is the first time that you will be making an impression with your customers. Packaging can actually help you turn one sale into many more with customers too. 

When we all ship we worry about getting our products to the customers in a timely fashion, that the package is intact, and that it was properly packaged to get to them. For those who do shop online consider your past experiences you have had with this. So, when your packages showed up to you were you Wowed, or impressed by it? Was this experience what you had imagined it to be? Or, did the arrival of your package, and seeing it disappoint you? Keeping this in mind you would like to impress your customers as they receive their packages, and have them be wowed by it too. 

Over time you will always look for ways to improve your packaging. Of course making it cost efficient, but making the customer happy as well too. This can mean a lot to your business. Keep an eye out for new, and improved ways that you can package. Search around to get some ideas of packaging, and what others do that seems to be successful. Another good source to search around with would be at Pinterest too. 

Try to keep the outer appearance of the package neat, clean, and presentable. Something to consider when doing this would be your shipping to, and return labels. Maybe on your return address labels you could consider having some made with your logos, use the fonts you generally use with the branding of your business, and etc. Some might do the ship to label by hand. For a faster, and more convenient way you can also print with your computers too. This is the way I use as you can print your labels with Paypal, from ebay, etsy lets you print labels, and you can also go to the USPS site to do this too. 

Now, depending on what you sell will also determine the supplies that you use to ship with as well. For smaller items using padded envelopes is good. For bigger, and bulkier items using boxes is generally used for a more safer, and secure delivery. Some will use ribbon, tissue paper, bubble wrap, peanuts, insert invoices with thank yous written on them, include a thank you card, include your business cards, and etc. 

Over time you will continually strive to improve, and to personalize the shipping experience for your customers. The next time you receive something in the mail, and it makes you feel good, excites you, and you are pleasantly pleased. Then, ask yourself how can I apply these same elements to my own packaging for my customers. 

Remember to visit with Market Your Creativity to read more detailed about some of these steps that are being shared. Follow with her, and see some of her visuals that she shares as well. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and see you next time. I wish you all the best. Have a Happy Day . . . . Happy Hump Day Everyone!!

Monday, January 27, 2014

Pricing Our Products We Sell Things to Consider


Pricing Our Products We Sell, Things to Consider

Welcome, and hope you all had a great weekend! It's Monday, and I am back to sharing things with building, and having your own business. Last time it was discussed about managing costs, and expenses with your business and supplies. Today we will cover pricing your products you wish to sell. This is always a hard formula to come right out, and tell everyone on what to do. There are things to consider when pricing your items you will be selling. Hopefully after today you might have some ideas to come to terms that are more comfortable for you in pricing your products being offered. 

Some things you will be reminded of, and repeated about is costs and that there are a lot of hidden costs with a creative business too. It's always work to keep your costs low, keep your retail prices down, and reminding yourself which of your supplies can be bought in bulk to save cost. 

With the "formula" of pricing, your cost will be your total amount of expenses that were done through the process of your creativity. Also, with your shopping of items to resale too. Remind yourself that costs are made up of much more than just the material used to create with. It is good to familiarize yourself with an average of costs that is beyond the material costs. 

Things to consider with cost is:
• Materials
• Any listing fees for platforms used
• Sales fees which could be anywhere from maybe 2% - 5% Again depends on the platform used
• Packaging of products
• Business Cards
• Shipping Supplies and Materials (boxes, envelopes, bubble wrap, peanuts, tissue paper, ribbon, etc)
• Marketing and Advertising Fees
• Paypal or Credit Card Fees (generally around 2-3.5%)
• Small percent of office equipment, and supplies
• Small percent of website and hosting fees

When you first start up things will cost more, expenses will be higher, and you have accumulated prices at that time. Once your business gets up, and running eventually it should be replacing some of these first investments. Once you have paid off that beginning charge your charges that you have per listings should slowly build into your expense account, or savings account for your business. 

Something else to consider is your labor. The time it took you to make things, or with your shopping of resale items too. 
• Time involved with product
• Time to picture the item
• Listing it
• Marketing

Generally you add all the time it took per listing, and multiply that by your hourly rate of pay. Your pay rate may be lower in the beginning. As your reputation builds, and you grow things will change. Make sure to pay yourself comfortably from the start. One of the fastest ways to burn out would be to not pay yourself. Repeating designs, and relisting them can keep your cost of labor lower. 

People are willing to pay for quality, and for creativity of items. So, don't degrade yourself by listing low prices, or using poor photos in your listings. Take the time to do it with quality, and with care for others to see. Keep in mind to also not try to underestimate your customers, and charge sky high prices right away. Things will change as you get further along, and build your name with reputation for online sales. 

Every business is different, and unique. I am not comfortable giving pricing formulas to others, and I don't like suggesting some of those I have seen either. Just remember to have the cost of your materials, add your labor, and then either times it by 2 or find a formula that you are comfortable with in your business. Make sure to have the cost of things along with your labor considered is a sure thing. Your total price will either be something of a wholesale price, or a retail price that you choose. 

I hope this bit of information with pricing your products was helpful to you. Remember that what I share is not the rule of how to do things, but is giving you ideas of things to consider with your business. Make sure to visit Market Your Creativity as she has shared things extensively with how she sells, what she has done, are things I have been sharing with you, and etc. Nice personable source to use.  

Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams everyone. Happy to have you, and hope to see you again soon! Have a Happy Day!

Friday, January 24, 2014

Postal Increases Go Into Effect January 26



                                       POSTAL INCREASES

Postal Increases Happening on January 26, 2014

Hello everyone, and thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams!

This is just a friendly reminder to all of you to make note that Postal Increases will be going into effect on Sunday, January 26, 2014. For those who need to know more of the increases, and what raises are being made to some of the postal services, I would suggest visiting the USPS.com website to get some of your answers for this. I do know that first class mail is taking the increase, but it might be different what was approved from what I was first told at the Post Office myself. I am not sure of other increases, and what is all being effected for sure. 

I apologize I did not research this a little bit better for everyone. Been a little bit under the weather myself. I wish you all a splendid weekend! Be safe, and if you're in the cold areas....stay warm! Take care, and see you all again soon.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Managing Costs Expenses With Business Supplies


Managing Costs Expenses With Business Supplies

Welcome to LilacsNDreams for more business tips to be shared. Today I will cover a little bit with trying to avoid some costly mistakes, and cutting some of your business expenses. 

One of the things that gets done when first starting up, and is a natural reaction to do is buying some of your shipping supplies, or some of your other business needs locally. We should look at an online wholesale supplier. We always look for ways to cut cost, and to add more to our profits. 

Most of us are taking inventory of our supplies. Upon doing this we maybe we have identified which supplies are being used regularly. These are the ones that we could consider buying in bulk, or with wholesale too. Envelopes, boxes, labels, business cards, and etc.

You can do a quick google search for some wholesale suppliers that you may better see their prices, and availabilities they have as well. If you consider buying in bulk you will see that you can get some of the same supplies for maybe 1/2 the price per piece compared to local. At first it seems like it is just some odd cents that is being saved, but in reality those pennies can quickly add up too.  After so much time, and price comparising if you continued some of your supplies with local shopping you would see how it can be costly. Sometimes very costly. 

Sometimes you will be buying, or spending quite a bit of money up front. Scarey, and a very horrid feeling I know. However, after doing so many sales you will be asking yourself if this business is something worthwhile to invest in. Try to keep your supply cost at a minimum of like maybe $1.00, or close to it. This will consist of ordering quite a bit up front, but in the long run will be worth it as well. 

Sometimes you can make the mistake of buying an abundance of different supplies that won't be needed too. Keep in mind that once you have sold a certain amount of a product, maybe like 10, within a certain amount of time you can better evaluate. You can better see if you should then consider wholesale for some of your supplies that you use in your business. 

When doing this you are able to keep your product, and shipping costs at a competitive price. By doing this you will continue to profit. Every little bit helps, right? Remember to visit with Market Your Creativity where she shares a little more in depth of some of these things being shared with you.

I wanted to make a quick note for those who visit. I try to keep a regular schedule of postings to my site for all of you to visit. Once in a while you might see a post that is late, maybe was not done, I skipped a day, and etc. This is not done intentionally as I enjoy doing what I do. Once in a while something might come up that involves an appointment, or is generally with family. I grew up that family usually took place over everything else, and was first. To this day I still have those traits, and sometimes with my absence from here that is generally what has happened. Tending to one family member, or another. I want to Thank You for understanding this everyone. 

Thanks so much for visiting, and sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! I hope to see you again soon. Enjoy your online businesses, and of course the shopping too!

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Have a Wonderful Productive Sunday Everyone


Have a Wonderful Productive Sunday Everyone!

Good Day everyone! Glad to see you stopping by. A little bit out of the ordinary for me doing this I know on a Sunday. But, was thinking of my spot here, noting some ideas, and thought I would stop by with a quick Hi. Taking break from grand daughter just a bit, and from the tv.  Grabbing a relaxing drink quick too!

Hope ya'll are having a wonderful Sunday, and for those in this area that you are enjoying the wonderful sunny day....and a little bit more of the warmth in the air too! Thanks for dropping by with LilacsNDreams! See you all again soon!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

What to Name Your Business or Existing Business


What to Name Your New Business, or Existing Business

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Our topic is still about business, and kind of a building stepping stone version of some things to do, and consider. When we build our businesses we should do so with the intention of selling it. When doing this it will help you think of longer terms of your business. You might be considering what to call your business, or maybe planning on in the future of changing your name of your business you have now. 

As time has gone along you learn a little bit more of what to maybe consider when you choose a name for your business. Like is it keyword rich? Another thing to consider is if the domain is available for it as well. Many ask also if it a good move to give your business your own name. 

Using keywords, and a domain is important in helping your business to be found online. While considering names for your business you can also check the availability of a domain for it as well. There are many providers out there for services of having your domain with. I myself have used GoDaddy for years now. Remember, there are others to choose from, and it is something you will want to look into further to see which one will better serve you. 

Now, if the business is you then it is acceptable and understandable giving it your name. Now, if the business is to be of something you love, then it might be better to give it a name that reflects that. Doing this will be more workable for you to brand it as well. 

Using your name maybe could work for like a high end designer. An example would be like Michael Kor who has done well, and has a known name for his products. Maybe you will have a service for hire like a wedding planner, a local personality, or as a photographer too. You can also consider using your name for your photography, and of course many who are writers also will use their names too. 

If you would fall under some of the examples noted then you should use your name for your business. Me? I like the idea of choosing a name that you can brand for you, and your business. As you choose your name consider many things with it, and how you would like your business to be known too. 

When naming your business it becomes an exercise in doing so. Consider using words to describe your business, maybe how your products make people feel, and maybe reasons as to why you enjoy making what you make. Write some ideas down on a sheet of paper. Then, consider if you were to draw a picture of what your business is to represent what picture would you draw. Maybe what symbol do you consider with it, colors for products sold, and different things like that. 

As you come up with some sample names to use for your business consider if it will match your product, and your theme. Is it a universal name that you could use to blog with, and to also market with too. If you would choose to expand your business will this name work for it?

These are a few things to consider when naming your business, choosing a name, and hopefully will give you some ideas of what to consider as you do this. Remember to visit MarketYourCreativity as Lisa does well explaining things, giving you ideas, and is doing pretty good for her business she is building. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and sharing some time with Me today. Wishing you all much luck with your business ventures. Have a Happy Day, and hope to see you again soon!

Monday, January 13, 2014

Gaining Business Perspective With Personal Attempt



Gaining Business Perspective With Personal Attempt

Welcome back to LilacsNDreams! Today is about some business perspective with personal attempts. 

Some of us might paint, glue, decorate, and create something for a friend or relative which is then our hobby. Yet, when you list that hobby of yours online to try and sell it is when it becomes business. This is something we need to realize when we are doing this. It will help us eventually with making our hobby into a business. 

You will often hear the term saturated market when discussing your passion, and don't let it scare you. This means there is a higher demand for what you enjoy doing. Sometimes this can create a problem because we might think about it, and scare ourselves with the issue of there is so many upcyclers and repurposers out there, so many painters, so many crafters, many hobbiests, many offering their services, and so on. Please, don't let this damper things for you, and get in your way of making your hobby a successful business. When you start your business around your personal creations, or your services it is natural to do this. It is only natural that your personal feelings, and thoughts will be involved with this as well. 

When you are in business you need to be open to feedback, or as Etsy calls it now reviews. If you take the outside views personally then you will be closing yourself off to critism, and taking them as insults. So, as hard as it can be, you need to be open to feedback. Remember these people are in their own way helping you to make them a customer, and maybe repeat customers too. 

When scoping out the market sometimes it is good to find some role model businesses. This type of business will be someone, or a business that does things similar to what you would like to do and achieve. The answers you sometimes seek will be within this gathering of the role model you have sought out.

Your role model can be an example of how you would like to turn your product, or your service into a business. Incorporating some of their ways into how you do business can help spark some ideas for you with the growth of your own business. 

Go to google, and do a keyword search for product, or services of your liking. Upon doing this you will see those that show within the first few pages of search. Within there you can find a role model that you like, or maybe you know of a business already that you would like to consider for your role model. 

Then, try to figure out what is working for them by asking yourself a few questions. 

• How do they present, or show their products online
• What are they calling the product that you make
• How do they describe it
• Review how their customer policies look
• What might they be doing better than you
• What are you maybe doing better than them
• Make sure to see how their about page reads too

Bigger businesses will often leave their marketing, copyrighting, and some advertising research out there for you. What you need to do is dig a little deeper, enjoy, and learn to use it to your advantage.

Yes, some of them spend a lot of money on their advertising. If you are like me you won't have many funds to begin with on this venture. So, you learn to do it in other ways like using Facebook. Learn how to use the curve in another way by applying it into something else that will work for you. 

To see more ideas, and what has been shared with you so far in this venture visit Market Your Creativity. Lisa sells on etsy also, and has done well for herself. She started out small like many of us, and has built her sales with what she enjoys doing. From this she has decided to share things to help others which I think is really sweet of her to do too!

Thanks for visiting, and sharing time with LilacsNDreams. Hope to see you all again soon. Take care, and have a Happy Day everyone!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Checking and Testing Your Chosen Product Marketability


Checking and Testing Your Chosen Product Marketability

Is what I want to sell good enough? Is what I want to sell marketable? Is what I want to sell even a wanted product? Many questions will flood you as you consider taking your next step with your passion. Don't worry if you do not have any kind of a storefront set up yet. That will come, but make sure to take some notes along the way. Get a few ideas of some things before you get started. 

There are ways you will learn that you can kind of test the marketability of your product that you have chosen. Also, there are ways to help with your visibility, and with the search of some of your existing products that you might have now too. 

One of the first common things to do when checking out the competition is to use google searches. Type in your craft, your product, or your service to see what comes up. Keep in mind this is something that your customers will also be doing when they search. When you see some of the competition come up as you search take note of some of those first hits you see. See through the customers eyes what is being advertised to them. Sometimes when you search like this you are going to see some direct competition, or maybe some of them might be business role models for you too. 

Besides using Google you will want to further your searches with maybe some of the other market places to see what similar ideas are being offered. Check with like Etsy, Ecrater, Big Cartel, Ebay, Store Envy, and etc. With some of your research among the search engines you used, you will also see different market places from them too. Make sure to make some notes to yourself. 

Do Not get discouraged when researching, and you find a lot of results for the same product. This is good because it shows you there is a market for such a product, and that it appears to be in demand too. Just remember that your individuality is what makes the difference. 

The key to overcoming such a saturated market place is that you must learn to advertise outside of all of that, and get people to see the individual brand that you are offering. See it as all those people not knowing about you yet.  

Another good thing is that with a trending product this will give you an opportunity to recruit some new customers for you. If you see something that explains what your product is, how it can be made, if there is some history with it, and etc. Use it to your advantage again. Try to find a way to incorporate that into working for you. Find a way to make it a commercial, or maybe an advertisement for you without violating any copy right laws or infringements. 

A few ways that you will see others mention that get used are as follows. 

• Cost Per Click Advertising you will often hear about. Many of us use Facebook, and we click to "like" someone, some thing, a page, or maybe some kind of trend too. So as you see followings grown maybe it is a time to consider the pay for click advertising to get some of that attention for you, and to grow customers for you too. 

• BLOG on your trend! This is one I myself truly believe in, and will talk about. Social networking is becoming bigger, and bigger. Predictions are for 2014 that it will be an advantage to use Social Networking with the things that Google does, some changes they will do as they normally do in the spring, and etc. You blog to get traffic, and it lets the customers get to know you a little better too. Therefore when someone does a search with Google, or maybe yahoo for certain keywords they can very well find something you blogged about. With blogging work on using some good keywords, and tagging too. This helps people to find you. Don't forget you can share links to your items as well too. If you use pictures from others on the internet make sure to give them credit, mention them, or at least link back to the place you got things from. 

• Tweet to people about things. This is where using that hash tag (#) on twitter works. The hash tags, like keywords, will help you draw the right crowd of like-minded people too. 

• Tagging your listings by remembering to do this. Make sure to use words like "inspired by" or maybe "styled like" and things like that. You don't want any kind of trouble, or to mislead people about how the product was made. These people are the customers you are hoping to be doing business with. Just be honest. Having pieces that are alike, have a similarity, and etc are common in the handmade world of things. You have your own style that you are trying to get people to see. 

Whew! Slow down a little bit, right? LOL:) Sorry, but sometimes I get a little bit passionate about some things when I share them, and I can carry on too. I am trying to share this in more of a break down, and carry it out over the next days, weeks, or however long it will take me. 

I appreciate you taking the time to visit with LilacsNDreams. Thanks for dropping in, and hope to see you again soon. Take care till the next time everyone. Toodles . . . . 

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Building and Designing Your Own Creative Business


Building and Designing Your Own Creative Business

First week of a new month, and a new year is now past us. Many of us have done catch up with many things whether at home, in person, and with our Online Businesses that we have too. As we do these things along the way we have maybe made some lists, or made some notes to ourselves about things we want to do in this new year. We want to do things just a little bit differently, and maybe we want to improve on things too. One of those items on the list might be about taking your hobby, your creativities, something that you enjoy doing, and you want to take it to the next level. You have acknowledged that you enjoy what you do, and that you probably are doing it for free too. You also cannot imagine yourself ever tiring of this passion that you have. That is a desire that you will want to bring into your successful business. Something that you love even if it feels like you are the only one who is experiencing this, or seems to have this passion. 

Many times that creative spirit within you is over flowed with a lot of great ideas, and you get caught up in things as you plan to make it into a future business. Sometimes the uncertainties, and the unknowns become over powering that you decide to walk away from your hopes, and your dreams that you have been planning. 

Start out simple. First of all determine what it is that you like to do, or rather that you truly love to do. When you do this do not worry about marketing, profits, and all of those kind of details. Simply find your passion, and make this your starting point of the possibilities that can come from it. Hang onto that thought, think about it a bit, and let's start a new day with building our passions into something more fruitful. 

Hope everyone is off to a good start with this new year. I appreciate you visiting with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you again soon. Take care till the next time as we progress with these creative business thoughts we will share together. 

Monday, January 6, 2014

Candles Candle Holders Stands DIY Family Photo Luminary

http://diycozyhome.com/diy-family-photo-luminary/

Candles Candle Holders Stands DIY Family Photo Luminary

Candles, Candle Holders, Glass Candle Holders, Painted Candle Holders, Upcycled Candle Holders, Repurposed Candle Holders, DIY Candle Holders, and . . . I like candle holders of all kinds, sizes, and colors. I enjoy buying them new, but mostly I enjoy thrifting for them and making them myself too. When I make changes with my home decor the candle holders will sometimes get a make over too. Although I have some wooden candle holders that were made from others, painted, came from old table legs, pillars, and etc that I will not get rid of. They just find different areas in the home to adorn. 

So, since I like diy candle holders I thought I would share something I had found. This is also on my list to play with, and see what I can create myself as well. What you are viewing is with some family pictures, but you know you could use other pictures as well. Maybe you got a pretty picture of some backyard scenery, mountains, sunsets, and you know. . . things like that. Well, those could also be used too.  Just use whatever images you would truly like to use with this project. You will enjoy this as it is much easier than you think too!

Sometimes you might have a special place in the home where you use only that special china, and where special memories are shared. Along with this sharing of things sometimes candles are lit for these areas. They are also used for special meals as well. How neat to add in these glowing photo luminaries, don't you think?  No matter how traditions have changed over time I still find it really neat to have those flickering lights on the tables during gatherings, when home by myself, and for the just because times too. 

So, find some of your favorite pictures you would like to use for this project. Then you will also need some vellum paper. I have some of that on hand myself, and some of it is colored vellum too. I lack stacking when I find sales with scrapbook stores. Never know when those things can be used, and now is a good time. You might have to experiment with your printers to make sure it will print onto vellum paper. Most inkjet printers should work for this. Now, print out a variety of photos you would like to use. Funny times, serious times, and some of those memories you so enjoy. Horizontal pictures will work best since you need the width to wrap with. 

Next make sure you have some glass jars, or vases that you would like to use for your candle holders. Try to avoid irregular shapes as that can get complicated to work with. Trim the photos to the proper height of the glass you are placing them with. Then, just apply a piece of double sided tape (easy peasy!) Just attach the photo to the tape. For larger containers you will use more than one photo. Apply some washi tape for decoration if you wish too. 

These little luminaries look great in the daylight, sitting on window sills, with table arrangements, and when the light pours through them it will make them naturally glow! How neat, right? 

So, start thinking about your own family memories that you could light up with. Then, follow over to ourbestbites.com for pictures, and full instructions of how to do this fun project. 

Hope you all brought in the New Year well, had fun, enjoyed, and were safe too. Time is flying already, isn't it? Our first weekend of the New Year is now past us, and here is our first Monday! Thanks so much for sharing time at LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you again soon. Toodles . . . . 

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2014 Happy New Year From LilacsNDreams



                                             2014 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Welcome to Wednesday, January 1, 2014 everyone! This is the beginning of a new year for us all, WooHoo! I hope everyone had a great evening, and is waking to a beautiful day. 

Time for new beginnings. Some will celebrate Father Time, and others will not. Maybe you celebrated by wearing party hats, used blow noise makers, or maybe you sipped some bubbly with a special someone. However you celebrated the beginning of the new year I hope you were safe, and enjoyed yourselves. Now, get the new year started off right, and relax by enjoying the day today. 

Some people make wish lists, some will make New Years Resolutions, and some choose not to do anything. It's the beginning of a new year with many possibilities ahead of us. Enjoy the beginning of this new day into this new year.

From LilacsNDreams I wish you all a wonderful day, and a wonderful new year. May it be filled with good health, many blessings, and may it be prosperous for us all.  May this new year be all you want it to be! Time for new beginnings!

Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams, and see you all again soon. Take care, and . . . . . . . .

                                    HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!