My Story

I'm a girl from a small town in Ohio living in a beautiful coastal town in Florida. I'm married to my very supportive high school sweetheart and we have a beautiful fur baby, Hula. I studied interior design in college and after several career reincarnations I am now here, living the unexpected life of jewelry designer and absolutely LOVING it!!! This blog chronicals my journey through this wild and exhilarating and sometimes exasperating world of jewelry making from idea to fruition!

My art is available at Old Florida Gallery and Outdoor Center in Englewood Florida

Friday, October 14, 2011

OMG It's Working...

                               www.SSMDesign.etsy.com

I've been reading the forums, watching countless videos, and working diligently on my SEO (search engine optimization) and holy cow, the changes I've made are working!!!  I keep a close eye on my shop stats and google analytics and my numbers, views, and favorites are going way up!!!  I still have a lot to do, but this makes it all worth while and definitely keeps the motivation alive!   WOO HOO!!!!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Goals, Goals, and MORE Goals...

                               www.SSMDesign.etsy.com

Since beginning the "Holiday BootCamp"  I find myself constantly setting goals and adding to my to do list, but isn't all bad!  Not only am I setting goals, I'm reaching and surpassing them too!!!  I set a goal to have 100 items listed in my Etsy shop before the holiday shopping begins.  I am proud to report that I have listed 96 so far, and have so many more items made and ready for listing that I will be well over the 100 mark by the weekend!!!  This boot camp has been such a great motivator for me, I'm learning so much in so many areas and seem to be working around the clock, but loving it all : D  Of course there is stress but it's a good kind of stress, the kind I put on myself to better my very own business.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say...





Remember the saying "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all", well I think more people should follow this rule.  Granted I did open myself up to the critique, however I was expecting at least a little constructive criticism, not the complete decimation of 2 years worth of hard work!  I know there are issues that need to be addressed, that's why I asked for help.  But I was expecting an objective and neutral view from a stranger to give me ideas on bettering my shop, however this was NOT helpful it was simply hurtful!!!  I'm not a wuss, I can handle a difference in opinion, but I've been working very hard to better my business and this just stresses me out, (telling me I need to change everything I've been working so hard to improve) plus it snuffs creativity.  I will overcome this, I always have and I always will.  But please remember in your daily round that words can cut deeper than a blade and the scars can last far longer!  Choose your words wisely and tread lightly on the souls of others and your own.  This is also a reminder that just because you think you've learned a lesson, don't think for a moment that the test is over!!! 
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