Blogs, Blogs, and More Blogs!

BLOGS, BLOGS, AND MORE BLOGS!

Have any of you noticed how many blogs there are now for individuals, crafters, small business, corporations, etc.?

Everyday when I'm listening to the news I hear someone say, "Just go to so and so's blog at....." And, I love hearing that!

That tells me that blogs have become more and more commonplace as tools for individuals and families to stay in touch, as tools for small businesses and their customers, as tools for the news media, as selling tools, and as tools for mainstream businesses. Everyone and their brother has a blog and I think it's FABULOUS!

What I also love is how many crafting bloggers there are out there. And, most are around my age - which I also think is FABULOUS! WAY TO GO BABY BOOMERS!

If you key the word blog into Google you'll get 1,030,000,000 results. That's a LOT OF BLOGS.

There's a reason why blogs have been increasing in popularity exponentially over the past few years and it's because they are FREE, they are easy to use, they are extremely easy to update, and they are highly personal - which most customers LOVE. If you were to apply the reality TV versus regular TV analogy to blogs and websites you'd understand why reality TV and blogs are so popular. They are both highly personal and both involve people interacting with each other.

Plus, they can and do function for some bloggers as very professional websites. You can have your own domain name and you can use a shopping cart. In fact, I'd say that there isn't much you can't do with a blog. There is a way to do just about anything you want to. That makes blogs much more versatile than a website as they are much more flexible. And, they are a LOT easier to change and update.

The Internet is ever changing and to be in business on the Internet you need to be fluid and ever changing. That means utilizing what's popular with users and customers. BLOGS are extremely popular and easily adaptable to any kind of commerce, especially e-commerce and e-products.

I, personally, love shopping with someone who has a personal or small business blog. I love the feeling of getting to know the person I'm buying from. I don't know if you feel the same way, too, but I always feel more comfortable buying from someone who has taken the time to tell me something about their product(s) and their life or business. By doing so they make me feel feel more comfortable doing business with them. And, that's what writing blogs for small businesses does. Hopefully, if the blog reader is comfortable with the blog owner they will buy their product.

If they do that's FABULOUS! Bring on the blogs. The more the merrier!


Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals, Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns, and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer. http://lindawalshoriginals.com

April Featured Crafter-Lisa

Our featured crafter for April is Lisa of Primsy Doodle Designs.

Lisa has been a friend of mine and is a wonderful graphics designer who has taught me a few tricks. Please sit back and relax and enjoy our interview with Lisa.




What is the name of your online businesses?

Primsy Doodle Designs, Primsy Graphics Club, and Primitive Plug Mart

When did you first open your first online business?

I opened my first online business Kaitlynn’s Kottage Graphics Shoppe in 2002

During a typical week how many hours do you work on your sites?

I work 70-80 hours per week on my sites and I love every minute of it.

What motivated you to open a business in the crafting community?

I had two babies within 12 months and had to find a way to work and stay home with them. I was already dabbling in Paint Shop Pro and I come from a very artistic family so opening a graphics business was the obvious answer for me.

What movitated you to go into the crafting and primitive community?

I have always loved crafting and art since I was a small child and fell instantly in love with primitive arts and crafts!

What is one thing you did, that you would advise others NOT to do?

I gave up several times and in the online world of selling, time and persistence
really is the key to success.

Do you have advice for a new crafter just starting out in the Crafting Community?

Yes, be patient and be persistent!

What are your future plans for your business?

I plan to keep expanding my line of clipart and add art prints in the very near future.

Would you like to share a little about your personal life and hobbies?

Sure. I Have 5 children,2 cats and one golden retriever!I live in a college town in
mid-Missouri. I am engaged to be married in July of 2007.My children and I love to spend as much time as possible outdoors swimming,hiking and visiting parks and lakes! I also love to read romance novels and watch American Idol!

Improve Your Craft Sales Results

Improve Your Craft Sales Results
By: Liza Schmitt

Want to improve your craft sales results?
You have to change the process to change the results.

It's estimated (and I can well believe it) that of every ten sales people, only three will actually ask for the business. Of those three, only one will be successful in closing the deal. Are you the one who makes the sale, or are you part of the nine who don't?

If you're in business for yourself, it's because you have something to sell. Are your results what you expect or would like them to be? Do you think (or know) that you could do better?

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - Can You Sell?

It's a common scenario - for example: You make something that everybody loves, so you decide to start selling your products in the hopes that you'll build your little business into something big enough to sustain a full time income, but you're just not selling enough to be able to quit your job and work for yourself.

It may be that you've never been trained in sales - this is not unusual, you're an artist or crafter for a reason, if sales is what you were born to do, that's what you would be doing. It may be that you're not very comfortable with or confident at selling - also not unusual if you've never been taught sales skills and techniques, because it takes time to develop the confidence to sell when you first start out.

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - Develop Your Skills

Whatever the reason, the good news is that it's really easy to turn the situation around so that you start closing one deal after the next, resulting in a much improved cash flow!

Yes, it does take confidence, and you will build that confidence up sale by sale, because it also takes skill and technique - once you've learned how to sell, and you apply your new skills, you'll be so thrilled with the results that your confidence will grow in leaps and bounds, and so will your sales!

I'd like to share a personal anecdote on this topic, because what I'm writing about here is what I've experienced myself.

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - A True Story

At one of my previous jobs where I worked in a customer service role, my employer thought I showed promise to do more, and offered me a position in sales. I accepted, wanting to improve my earnings and climb up a notch. However, I didn't do very well at all. My employer hadn't offered me any sales training, and all the other sales consultants came from experienced sales backgrounds, so they didn't need to be trained (or so he thought).

I didn't want to lose this opportunity or fail at it, so I made some enquiries and I found a one day seminar that offered sales training for beginners. I asked my employer if he would pay for it and allow me to go - he wasn't very keen at first, but he could see how enthusiastic I was, and he was impressed that I'd been proactive instead of just giving up.

Well, that one day practically changed my life! I didn't realize it at first, of course, because the techniques seemed like such a "hard sell", and I didn't think I was confident enough to go through with it all. But little by little I started trying a few things out - a different rebuttal if a customer was giving me a reason s/he didn't want to buy; or a different introduction to the beginning of my sales pitch - and I could see that these things were having an effect on my customers, an effect that was positive for me.

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - Take Action!

A lot of people think you have to be a "born salesperson", but I can testify that isn't true. When you learn the right sales skills and techniques, and you apply them, you can become a successful salesperson. And if you want to run your own successful craft business, you have to become a successful salesperson - your business depends on it.

There are a number of ways you can go about learning the sales skills and techniques you need:

* Search the internet
* Find out what courses are offered in your area
* Browse your local library or book store, etc.

Generally speaking, not everything of value that you find is going to necessarily be free or inexpensive, but very often "you get what you pay for".

Article by:

For more free craft business info and resources, visit Craft Business Home.com - the free guide on how to turn your craft into a profitable home business!

Prim Talk Radio=April 20th Show is up!

Today’s Show:

• Angie Murray (A New Contributor) from Angie’s Country Candles will be discussing some great Spring Scents you could use in your craft making including great places to buy your supplies.


• Angie Wenke from Heartland Graphics will be sharing an article on how do you juggle your home life and online business. Ways you can become organized so have enough time for your family and housework also.
  
  Next week I will be back with another scrapbooking segment and more!


• Renae from the Prim Clipper is back great ways to bring the Spring Indoors into your home, also some yummy recipes she wanted to share with all of you!


• Learn about our great new Grand Opening Contest and Advertising Specials for our Grand Opening of Prim Talk Radio.


• Thomas=Lisa's husband from the Primsy Doodles will share his new upcoming segments here on Prim Talk Radio!


• Talena (A New Contributor) is sick this week but will be back next week!


• Our Featured Crafter this week is Mary Jo Elliott from Fine Country Living Primitives


• Our Featured Site is The Prim Angel Network

For more information on our Grand Opening Contest please click here

To go back to our MAIN WEBSITE please click here

[audio:http://nikibutterfly80.audioacrobat.com/download/ca5db9fe-9527-f3fe-5868-1d1e08c93115.mp3]

Click here to download…

The Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall=Showcase Shoppe

We are showcasing a wonderful online craft mall called the Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall.

The Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall is a wonderful place to advertise your Primitive or Country Business and gain a lot of exposure and attention today.

Online Craft Malls are a wonderful way to enjoy shopping for your primitive and country decor without having to leave the comfort of your own home. Simply stop by one Craft Mall like Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall and you can shop from all the many varieties of stores inside. Some of the Shopping Catagories to shop from include:

Business Resources
Candles N Fixens
Home Decor
Sewing
Primitives
Raggedies
Woodworking
Bath N Body
Florals
Crafts
Lighting
Jewlery
Patterns

Here is a brief description of their site.

Are you looking for a way to advertise your website and increase your sales? If so you have come to the right place.

We welcome you to join our family of crafters.

Advertising Package includes:

Your website name and picture listed in 3 categories of your choice.
A description of your site (50 words or less).
A link to your website.

Each month we will also chose a new featured crafter. If you are chosen you will receive a full page dedicated just to you and your store.

April Special:

Check out all the great products our crafters have to offer! We are running a special for April and May. One year of advertising for $15.00. Join now and save ten dollars off our regular price.










Stop on by Primitive Olde Crow Online Crafters Mall

*Free* Stick Horse Pattern

To make this prim stick horse, download the pattern below by clicking on the link. This size stick horse is for using with dolls or can be used as large ornies.

click here to save Pattern

Materials needed:
muslin fabric
*Coffee Stain
jute string
2 rusty bells
black embroidery floss
thin tree branch - approx. 8" long ( can substitute dowel rod )
paint brush
sewing needle
*Coffee Stain Mixture
1 cup hot water
4 T. instant coffee
2 T. vanilla
1/4 cup ground cinnamon

Stir well and let this set while you cut and sew your pattern. You want the cinnamon to settle at the bottom of your bowl.

Directions:
Trace pattern onto muslin. The outline is the sewing line so be sure to leave at least an inch around the horse when cutting out to sew. Sew only to the small x's on the bottom of the pattern, leaving the bottom open for stuffing. You will not be sewing this closed. Trim to within a 1/4 inch of the seam and clip where needed.

Stuff horse with polyester fiberfill til firm. Stuff only to broken line indicated on pattern.

Stitch the eye with 6 strands of black floss.

Wrap jute string around muzzle and neck several times to thickness desired for the harness.

Attach two rusty bells as shown in pattern.

Place horse head over your stick/branch and with the jute string, wrap firmly beginning at the dotted line. Wrap about 10 times and tie off.

With your paint brush, brush the coffee mixture over the horses head and jute strings.

Place in warm oven ( not higher than 200) until the head is dry. Turn over every few minutes.

Thread your needle with 6 strands of black floss. Beginning in front of horse's ear, attach the 'hair' for the mane. Clip to desired length. Continue down the back of the horse's neck to the wound jute.

With your paint brush, again paint the horse with the coffee mixture, this time wiping the bottom of the bowl with the brush to pick up some cinnamon. This will give you the 'dirty' or grungy look to your horse, brush over the mane too. When completely dried, the mane will be stiff.

Place horse stick back in oven and dry. Turn over every few minutes.

Terms Of Use
You may not offer this pattern for download, instead, you may link to it. Do not sell this pattern. The copyright belongs to me and I'm offering it for free, it should stay that way.
You may sell your completed project in craft shows only. If you sell, please give credit to me as the designer. (©KKL Primitives) Thank you.

technorati tags: blogging , webblogs , online shopping , primitives , prim decor , country crafts , crafts , hobbies , Shopping , decor , Creativity , Internet , Advertising , Christmas, Holiday, gifts, presents,

Posted by: Neenee
KKL Primitives
The Krazy Kraft Lady Blog
KKL Graphics Blog
KKL Kreations Blog
Menopausal Monster Blog
contributing editor for:
Primitive Times Magazine a free downloadable magazine for crafters
Primitive Times Magazine Blog

Prim Talk Radio-Grand Re-Opening Show Is Up!

Week of Friday, April 7,
2007 (Show #52)

We publish a new show every Friday morning. You can
listen whenever it fits your schedule! If you have a pop up stopper, you may need to give permission for a new window to open.

Welcome everyone to our first show on Prim Talk Radio as the new owners! We have a LARGE show for you today so we invite you to sit back and relax and enjoy our Crafting Radio Show.

Today's Show:

Angie Murray (A New Contributor) from Angie's Country Candles will be discussing a little bit about her upcoming segments on candlemaking and candle tips.

Angie Wenke from Heartland Graphics will be offering a great new craft project a Potpourri Pie.

Renae from the Prim Clipper is back with some great Easter Craft projects and yummy recipes to try.

Learn about our great new Grand Opening Contest and Advertising Specials for our Grand Opening of Prim Talk Radio.

Debbie from Two Old Crows is back to share with us how to paint on metal objects.

Angie Wenke from Heartland Graphics will share a new weekly segment on Scrapbooking, her topic today is Digital Scrapbooking.

Talena (A New Contributor) from Marketplace Square Craft Fair will be sharing great tips for being in a Craft Show.

For more information on our Grand Opening Contest please click here

For more information on our "DOUBLE IT" Advertising special please click here

Songs on our April 6, 2007 Podcast are from
Podsafe Music

Adrienne Pierce-Song Title "Beautiful"

Caitlyn Smith-Song Title "Breathe Deep"

CLICK to LISTEN NOW to Prim Talk Radio



We hope you enjoy the show!

The April 2007 Issue of Primitive Times Magazine Is A "Must Read!"

The April 2007 FREE Primitive Times Magazine E-Issue was just released and it is a "MUST READ!" It is filled to the brim with FREE craft articles for SPRING and EASTER. You definitely don't want to miss it.

You can now read your copy of the FREE April 2007 issue of Primitive Times Magazine two ways. It is available as either a FREE .pdf e-zine issue for you to download and read or is available as an online magazine.

Which ever way you decide to read it Primitive Times Magazine April 2007 issue is filled to the brim with 42 pages of terrific information for crafters, small business, and website owners.

Just look at what's included:

FREE Stitchery Patterns

Bunny Pattern donated by Olde-Time-Stitchin

FREE Home Decor and Crafting Tips

Hints and Money Savers by Joan Brochu

Frugal and Creative: Last Minute Easy Ideas For Christmas by Joan Brochu

Kitchen Tips with Joan Brochu

100 Ways To Create A Primitive Home by The Prim Country Market

Primitive Kitchen Decorating Ideas by Angie Wenke

Decorate Your Front Porch by Angie Wenke

Easter Table Decorating on the Cheap by Paula

FREE Crafting Ideas and Projects

Card Instructions by Nancie

EZ Homespun Spring Wreath by NeeNee

Spring Fling Gift Card by Nancie

Harvesting Flowers For Drying by Wanda

Grubby Sweet Annie Cheesecloth Eggs by The Prim Country Market

7 Easy Ways To Decorate With Primitive Salt Dough Ornaments by Niki Jackson

Printing on Fabric by Dianne

An Empty Thread and Bath Time Fun by Lisa Lowell

Painted Egg Place Card Holder by Paula

Painted Egg Mini Vase by Paula

Antiqued Golden Eggs by Renae

How To Make The Perfect No Mold Apple Crumble Pie by Carmen Ellis

FREE Tutorial

How To Make Your Own Notepads by Renae

FREE Articles

Website Statistics and Hit Counter: A Waste Of Time Or A Formula For Success by Lisa

Miss America - What's Your Talent? by Linda Walsh

Alphabet of Happiness by Dianne

How To Design A Print Pattern and E-Pattern Part 3 by Linda Walsh

The Love Of Crafting by Linda Walsh

Collecting Vintage Handkerchiefs by Debbie

FREE Graphics and Printables

Sheep graphic by Olde-Time-Stitchin

FREE Recipes

Hamburg Stroganoff by Joan Brochu

Irish Soda Bread by Joan Brochu

Raspberry Pretzel Desert by Renae

Barbecue Pork and Vegetables by Joan Brochu

Home Tours

Home Tour #1 sent in by Karen Martinsen

Home Tour #2 sent in by Mary Jo Elliott

Home Tour #3 sent in by Hazel

Featured Editor

NeeNee

Featured Crafter

Lisa of Primsy Doodle Designs

Front Page Picture Donor

Sent In By Karen Martinez of KM Primitives

Primitive Times Magazine Articles

Primitive Times Magazine Information

Create and Decorate Ad

Do You Have A Prim Home? We Want You!

Product Reviews

So grab your FREE April 2007 issue of Primitive Times Magazine. CLICK to Download the FREE .pdf e-zine issue or CLICK to read the online magazine.




Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals, Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns, and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer. http://lindawalshoriginals.com/