Happy Christopher Columbus Day!

Sadly, I still have to work even though it is a holiday. Schools, banks, and the post office didn't have to drag their sorry butts out of bed today. I can hardly keep my eyes open!

I do like this holiday though. I remember celebrating it when I was in elementary school ... apparently back then they still taught history and a feeling of pride in one's country.

Was he a great man? By today's standards ... no probably not. Maybe not even by the standards of his day. But he did lead an age of discovery...

At the end of 1492 most men in Western Europe felt exceedingly gloomy about the future. Christian civilization appeared to be shrinking in area and dividing into hostil units as its sphere contracted. For over a century there had been no important advance in natural science and registration in the universities dwindled as the instruction they offered became increasingly jejune and lifeless. Institutions were decaying, well-meaning people were growing cynical or desperate, and many intelligent men, for want of something better to do, were endeavoring to escape the present through studying the pagan past. . . .

Yet, even as the chroniclers of Nuremberg were correcting their proofs from Koberger's press, a Spanish caravel named Nina scudded before a winter gale into Lisbon with news of a discovery that was to give old Europe another chance. In a few years we find the mental picture completely changed. Strong monarchs are stamping out privy conspiracy and rebellion; the Church, purged and chastened by the Protestant Reformation, puts her house in order; new ideas flare up throughout Italy, France, Germany and the northern nations; faith in God revives and the human spirit is renewed. The change is complete and startling: "A new envisagement of the world has begun, and men are no longer sighing after the imaginary golden age that lay in the distant past, but speculating as to the golden age that might possibly lie in the oncoming future."

Christopher Columbus belonged to an age that was past, yet he became the sign and symbol of this new age of hope, glory and accomplishment. His medieval faith impelled him to a modern solution: Expansion. -borrowed from an Instapundit Post-

I don't think it is necessary to white wash Columbus' accomplishments by ignoring his transgressions. But I do think it important to honor his quest of exploration.

So Happy Exploring to everyone!

Let's Exceed Expectations

I've written here a few times about my absolute obsession with good customer service. I'm very picky as a customer and I really do expect a lot. After all, I'm parting with hard earned money in order to obtain something ... food, clothes, candles, whatever. We all have so many choices out there when it comes to where we shop. So I feel that people should earn my respect, trust, and business.

Designing jewelry is something I absolutely love. I get a special thrill when I am really happy with how a piece turns out. And, fortunately or unfortunately, in order to continue to design I must also sell my work. Which means I end up on the other side of that business/customer relationship ... and it means that I need to be sure to treat my customers the way I expect to be treated.

This year's holiday selling season may be tougher than most ... okay more than "may be" but I'm trying to be optimistic.

As a small little fish in a gigantic ocean, why should someone spend their hard earned dollars with me instead of someone else? Why should I part with my money to buy something from you?

I think the most important thing we can convey to customers is that we care about their business and we care about them. My customers aren't just another "sale" ... I WANT them to love my jewelry as much as I love to create it. I want them to be happy.

It's funny...I've had a few returns over the last few years and looking back on them it's not the returning of money that upsets me. It's that someone wasn't happy or thrilled with my work. That bothers me a heck of a lot more than having to return money. But I'm glad that they were willing to return it rather than keep it and not be happy.

So this season, just remember that those of us who sell, sell more than just a product or service. We're selling an entire experience. From start to finish we need to convince and convey that our "widget" and the experience of buying that widget is going to be the best that a person can find. Does that make sense???

Here's a great article titled "What Are You Really Selling?" that has some great ideas on making the customer experience better.

"In these challenging economic times it is more important than ever to know who we really are as a company, how we are unique in the marketplace and how we can better serve our customers with consistently reinforced service messages that will bring them back to our business again and again and again."

Hang in there. Yes, this is a roller coaster ride of an economy right now but I have faith that our system will survive and recover even stronger than before. =)

Thankfully Thursday - a New Survey

I'm glad it's Thursday because that means tomorrow is Friday. Woohoo!!! I got to sleep in a little bit since I work at home on Thursdays. And it's Agility night. Which is good and bad. Since we're in the more advanced class it doesn't start until 7:30 p.m. and I end up missing Survivor. It's hard to avoid hearing who got kicked off when I go in to work on Friday. So no one tell me, mkay?

And now a new survey...



Have a lovely day.

Wordless Wednesday - Pretties for a Wedding

Opportunity for Exposure

Are you a crafty sort, or a business sort, who wants to get some additional exposure for the holidays?

Posh Mama is creating their first ever Holiday Look Book.



What's a Look Book, you may ask.

A Look Book is sort of like a portfolio ... except that instead of one person's work it combines a whole lotta folks and their work. It can be artistic or not but generally showcases things available for sale.

The neat thing about this particular look book is that it is going to be "viral." In other words, it's an online Look Book meant to be passed friend to friend, family member to family member, posted on blogs, and passed around the world. It can also be printed off but that's just for folks without computer access. =)

Another great thing about this Look Book, being online and all, is that you get a direct link to your shop! You don't get that from a physical Look Book.

Things being what they are in this economy, every bit of advertising helps. The price is right at only $50 with a potential audience of thousands. There are over 2,000 members of Posh Mama alone!

So contact Margaret today at margaret [at] poshmama [dot] com to reserve your space. Only TWO days left! All photos and payment must be received no later than this Thursday, October 9.

And if you mention my name I will earn an extra free placement. But you don't have to mention my name. =) They'll still let you sign up. *grin*

Help Suggest a Name

Mi Spa is looking for help in naming her new face care system. I love Mi Spa's products and need to order more of her perfume roll on as I'm almost out (I hardly ever use something like that enough to run out but I did!).

If you can think of something to suggest head on over to her blog and leave a comment. =)

It's Raining, It's Pouring

But I'm not snoring. *groan* Sad eh?

I love stormy weather but I have plans to go shopping today. K-Mart is doubling coupons up to $2 and I want some free shampoo. =) I already went on Thursday and got over $150 worth of product for a little over $40. All stuff we'll use or donate.

But the question is whether to force the doggies to stay in their kennel outside in the howling wind and rain ... or risk leaving them in the house and come home to a disaster. *sigh* Timber isn't exactly trusted yet. But I may just leave them inside and try to put anything that can be destroyed away in other rooms. The other three dogs aren't exactly trusted all the time either but I'm hoping if all they have access to is their bones and toys they'll leave wires and paper alone! LOL

Oh ... and the TV season keeps on keeping on. I watched Bones and Sarah Connor last night on DVR. I absolutely LOVE the Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles. It just rocks. But it did confuse the heck out of me this last episode. Is Cameron good? Is she bad? I don't know. I is confused.

I still have Fringe, Law & Order SVU, House, and several of my other favorite shows to watch this weekend. I don't know how I survived without the DVR. =) If I had to cut expenses back drastically I'd be hard pressed to cut the DVR service. I think I'd give up my cell phone first! hahahahaha

So here's a survey about TV. Enjoy!

TGIF - Time to Create

I am so ready to get home ... this darn job is so in my way. Thankfully I have a LOT of work to do so the day should go by fairly quickly (yes, I know ... blogging takes away from that work doesn't it). =)

I have so many ideas in my head for new jewelry and I really want to go home and play! I also amazingly have a few orders to fill. Woohoo! About time. *grin* I have a few advertising things coming up in the next few months, plus the holidays are a'comin so I expect to get busier soon. Oh and I have some wedding jewelry to finish up. I can't wait to share the photos from that set!

I've started going through some of my "old" jewelry and if I still like a design I'm taking new photos and reposting them. Some of my old photos are just hideous. And this necklace is so stunning that it really requires better photos.

A pretty rare and hard to find mineral, Charoite is found only in Russia and I wrote about it last September. My grandfather has some rare Charoite that I was delighted to discover in his basement.

I'm hoping to play with the Charoite beads I have in my stash tonight when I get home. The dogs should be tired and hubby will probably go to bed early so the evening will be all mine!

Have a Happy Weekend!!!

You Like Me...You Really Like Me...

I'm all squishy inside...I got nominated for an award. *grin*

And I'd like to thank all the little people who made this award possible.

*cough* *snort* Where's the cane to pull me off stage?!?!?!

Seriously...I'm very thankful that Cynthia of Jewelry Tales nominated me (she makes amazing jewelry!). Especially since I abandoned the jewelry forum where we first met. =)

I would not be where I am today (where am I again?) without the support of several folks. It's amazing how supportive people can be without ever have to meet one another.

Jennifer of Jewelry by Jennifer Casady is a bright light in a sometimes dark world. Even when I'm down she pulls me up with her upbeat attitude and non-stop exhausting go-go-go life. She continues to challenge herself and grow in her jewelry designs.

Daisy at Daisy the Curly Cat and her mommy are a surprising source of inspiration for me. Who would have thought that reading about a kitty would be inspiring? Well, this dilute calico Devon Rex cat brings a smile to my face with her antics and sassy attitude. God Bless you Daisy!

Rachel Lucas cracks me the hell up ... and if you can't handle that language do not visit her blog because she has a sailor's mouth. =) She tells it like it is, whether you want to agree with her or not. And no matter what the topic, from dressing up her dogs to shellacking politicians, her writing rocks my socks. I know she won't care about being nominated so I might not even tell her. *grin* She's a pretty popular gal but I still love to visit and "play" in the comments sections with the other commenters...so I guess I should nominate all of them too!

And I can't forget my gals at Posh Mama, even though I'm no longer a contributor there and hardly ever visit anymore. I still LOVE all my posh mamas! It's a great place and I highly encourage people to visit and sign up (if you're a female that is ... sorry boys ... girls only). The Posh Mama herself is such an amazing gal who works non stop and has done an amazing thing with the Posh Mama brand. I'm proud to have been in with her at the ground floor and wish her nothing but success!

Miss Angelika has gotten a lot of awards this week but she's just going to have to suck it up and take another one! =) She cracks me up and I really enjoy reading about her, Evan (her son) and MD (her mama). What is it about other people's lives that make reading about everyday things (like going to Walmart or "da dolla sto") so interesting? Maybe it's just the way she writes.

Gather Little by Little is a wonderful blog dedicated to personal finance and growing your wealth little by little. I started reading this blog a couple months ago and it really is invaluable. I have started reading other financial blogs but I like the spiritual focus of GLbL. His writing is down to earth and makes sense. I've even started thinking about our actual financial goals and have this blog to partially thank. :)

Last, but certainly not least, I want to recognize Hounds Good - one of the several animal blogs I ran across via EntreCard - but the one that inspired me to do more. She also introduced me to Saving Shelter Pets and their mission and work has captured my heart. I'm donating a special pendant necklace to their upcoming auction and will let you know when it's available. They do great work.


Here are the rules if you’re nominated (and want to play along):
1. The winner can put the logo on their blog.
2. Link to the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you’ve nominated.
6. Write an acceptance speech in the style of the Academy Awards, thanking everybody’s mother, father, sister, brother, aunties and uncles and the kitchen staff at your favorite restaurant!

THANK YOU CYNTHIA!!!!!!!!!!!

Another Survey

Just a quick post...I actually have, you know, work to do. Blech!



I don't particularly like the way they lumped "union" in with "business" ... I don't think unions are particularly good at fostering business growth. But whatever. It's just a simple survey.