Craft Business 101: Entry #1-Prioritizing

You start your day with the best of intentions. You wake up knowing that you want to accomplish a lot of things, but at the end of the day, you find yourself sitting there, feeling like you’ve accomplished nothing and wondering where the day went. Does this sound familiar? If so, it’s time to prioritize!

Start out by making a to-do list. Write down all of the things you want to accomplish. Now, realistically look at the list. Many people over-schedule themselves and that is why many of us feel like we’re never accomplishing anything with our time.

We are getting stuff done. But when we write down 15 things on our to-do lists but really only have time for 5, we just look at the 10 things that we didn’t get done and feel like failures.

Start prioritizing your tasks into “A”, “B,” and “C,” priorities and only schedule yourself for what’s important – and what you can get done.

The next step is to categorize these things. What are the things that absolutely must get done today?  These are the things that have to get done to avoid a bad consequence. For example, do you have to ship orders? If you don’t do it, the buyers will start complaining. Another example is if “grocery shopping” is on your to-do list, and there’s no food in the house, you need to do it to avoid starving. Mark these tasks an “A” priority.

Next, what are the things that you need to do, but aren’t as necessary? For example, you need to write some blog posts. Yes, you need to do it, but nothing terrible will happen if it gets done tomorrow and not today. These are “B” priorities.

The tasks that you’d like to do, but aren’t important, are “C” priorities. These are things like lunch with your friends.

Now, look at your list and focus on the A activities. Get those done and then, if you have time for the rest of the things, great. If not, do those things tomorrow.

Links:
Connie’s Graphs: http://conniesgraphs.storenvy.com
Email: ConniesCustomCrochet@live.com
Etsy Shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ConniesCrochetGifts/
Face Book Fan Page:
https://www.facebook.com/ConniesCrochetGifts
https://www.facebook.com/ConniesCustomCrochetGifs
Blog: https://conniespdfpatterns.wordpress.com/
Craftsy Shop:
http://www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/276692
Pinterest Page:
http://www.pinterest.com/ConnieCroGifts/

 

Blankets For The Homeless Charity

HUGE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND SALE!!

MY HUGE BOGO SALE Begins tomorrow!! At checkout use coupon code: “BOGOF”. https://www.etsy.com/shop/ConniesCrochetGifts Something for everyone on your Holiday Gift Giving List and all handmade by myself. EVERYTHING IS ON SALE!!!

**Sale Begins on Nov.27th and ends on Dec.1st at 11:30pm EST**

**CUSTOM MADE TO ORDER ITEMS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS SALE.

**CHECK OUT MY STORENVY SHOP FOR HUGE BOGO SALE ON MY GRAPHS! I HAVE 208 GRAPH & PATTERNS IN MY SHOP AS OF TODAY. MORE WILL BE ADDED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS!!** NO COUPON CODE NEEDED FOR MY STORENVY SHOP.

ALL OF MY GIFT ARE HAND CROCHETED BY MYSELF AND READY TO SHIP. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT ME HERE: ConniesCustomCrochet@live.com

 

MORE HANDMADE GIFTS AVAILABLE IN MY SHOPS!!

Thank You for shopping at Connie’s Crochet Gifts

and Connie’s Graphs

CONNIE’S GRAPHS BOGO SALE HAS BEGUN!!

FYI! STARTED MY BUY 1 GET 1 FREE SALE EARLY IN MY STOREVNY SHOP!!! NOW WHEN YOU USE THE COUPON CODE: “BOGO” YOU GET YOUR SECOND GRAPH (LOWEST PRICED) FREE!!! GET YOUR GRAPHS TODAY AT START MAKING THOSE GIFTS FOR THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY SEASON!!! HERE IS THE LINK TO GET YOUR GOODIES: http://conniesgraphs.storenvy.com/ You can use graphs for an assortment of fiber crafts, crochet (intarsia, tapestry, Tunisian, color-block, etc…), knitting, cross stitch, embroidery, etc….

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND SALE!!

 

 

FYI!!! HUGE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND SALE IN BOTH OF MY SHOPS!!! STARTS ON THANKSGIVING DAY AND ENDS ON CYBER MONDAY AT 11:30PM EST!!! ALL OF MY OOAK, PATTERNS & GRAPHS IN MY ETSY SHOP & STORENVY SHOP WILL BE BUY 1 GET 1 FREE!!! IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR GREAT HANDMADE GIFTS OR LOOKING TO PURCHASE PATTERNS AND GRAPHS TO MAKE YOUR OWN GIFTS NOW IS THE TIME TO GRAB THESE DEALS!!!

Etsy Shop:

  https://www.etsy.com/shop/ConniesCrochetGifts

Storenvy Shop:

http://conniesgraphs.storenvy.com/

Here is a sneak peek of wants on sale:

And much more……….

 

SEE YOU THERE!!!

 

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

***ALL OF MY PATTERNS GRAPHS AND OOAK )ONE OF A KIND) ARE INCLUDED IN THIS SALE. MY CUSTOM ORDER MERCHANDISE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS SALE. THE FREE SELECTION NEEDS TO BE EQUAL TO OR LESS THAN THE REGULAR PRICED SELECTION TO QUALIFY FOR THIS BUY ONE GET ONE FREE OFFER. ALL SALES ARE FINAL!!***

**If you have any question please contact me.**

NEW SHOP!! Connie’s Graphs, Is Now Open For Business!!

I just opened my new graph shop on Storenvy. You are not going to believe the choices!! WOW!! The photos of the graphs have been blurred for watermark purposes. The graphs themselves in the download are Full Size/Full Color, and the prices are a steal!!! Great for Crochet (Intarsia, Graphgan, Photo Crochet, Tunsian Crochet, Filet Crochet), Cross Stitch, Knitting, Fiber Art etc….. Make blankets, Pillows, Table Runners, Wall Hangings, etc…. I even offer my CPC Technique eBook (Connie’s Photo Crochet) that will teach you everything you need to know to create beautiful gifts from any of my graphs. The best part is it’s SOOOOOOO DAMN EASY!!! If you know basic crochet you can do it.

I have to warn you that once you start, you won’t want to do anything else, it’s that addictive!!

Here are a sampling of some of my graphs. I’ll be adding more to my shop everyday so bookmark my shop so you don’t miss anything. 🙂

Crochet From The Beginning Course Starts on Oct1st Register today!!

I’m FINALLY going to start my Free, Crochet Lesions From The Beginning Course, and your invited to join. I will begin this course on Oct.1st, so if you’re interested please add your name to the comment box under this post and I will let you know when I’m going to start. ONLY ADD YOUR NAME IF YOUR ARE SERIOUS ABOUT LEARNING AND ARE WILLING TO GIVE IT THE TIME, AND EFFORT IT WILL TAKE TO LEARN, OTHERWISE DO NOT ADD YOUR NAME. I’M PUTTING IN MY TIME AND I EXPECT YOU TO PUT IN YOURS. You will also need supplies, just a crochet hook size H (5.00mm) and some Red Heart Super Saver Yarn (medium shade color, nothing dark. 4-ply worsted weight. If you live in the UK, I believe you will need 10-ply yarn) for now. I’ve been trying to find the time for some time now to do this and finally I have some time. I will be posting more details as we get closer to Oct.1st, so check back. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Thanks! Please share with all your friends. The more the merrier!!

You can register on my face book link: https://www.facebook.com/ConniesCustomCrochetGifs 

or right here in the comment box. You can contact me with any questions here: ConniesCustomCrochet@live.com

THIS IS GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN!!

What Is Your Packaging/Shipping Saying About You And Your Business?

What is your packaging saying about you and your business?
Taking the time to make sure your handmade’s are packaged and shipped with care could make the difference in your customers returning to shop with you again and referring their friends and family to your shop. 

Your job is not over after you’ve created your customers order. The next step is presenting your item to your customer…..

• Think about how you will present your package, how you will protected the contents.
• A nicely presented package that arrives on time or sooner will likely make your customer feel confident that you are a professional and that cares about your products and your customers.
• A messy, unwrapped package that arrives late, shows customer that you don’t care about your products or your business. Your products might speak for themselves, the way you package it may stop your customer from coming back to your shop again. 

• Use your packaging to communicate with your customer. Little details count and can make your shop and your products stand out.
• Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes.  Take a look at your shop and your products and ask yourself “what type of package would I expect/hope to receive in the mail after ordering from this online business?”
  

 

The following photos is what my shipping looks like when my packages go out. In these photos I am shipping one of my crocheted blanket:

I always start out with a white shipping box. I think they look much better than a plain brown box.

I put my order/blanket in plastic bags to protect my product from the elements.

Then I use tissue paper to wrap my blanket. Sometimes I use pink tissue paper as well, depending on who the order is for (male or female).

Then I wrap up my blanket, adding one of my logo tags to hold the tissue paper.

 

Then I place it in the bottom of the box. with the label side up.

Then I add more tissue paper to the top and sides of the blanket. I use about 5 sheets of tissue total. The I add my Thank You packet to the top.

This is what’s included in my Thank You packet: 2 Business Cards, 1 hand written thank you note, 1 purchase invoice and an envelope with a logo sticker on the flap with Thank You on the front. I print each invoice individually from my computer. For an extra special touch, my paper has a floral rose pattern like my business cards, note cards and logo stickers.

Another photo of my thank you packet.

 

I make sure my shipping box is taped at all opening to prevent the elements from getting in.

I print my shipping label from USPS tape it to the top making sure that I do not cover the bar code with tape and my order is ready to ship!

I hope this blog post helps everyone with their shipping. I’m sure you have your own ideas of how you would like to present your orders to your customers. Enjoy!

 

Connie M. Rios

      https://www.etsy.com/shop/ConniesCrochetGifts

CHANGE IS GOOD……..

I just changed the name of my Etsy Shop to Connie’s Crochet Gifts!! I think it has a better ring them Connie’s PDF Patterns. I also added a new Section: OOAK (One of a kind) and man do I have a ton of stuff at amazing prices in this section!!

OOAK Gifts: I’d like to add a bit about my OOAK (One Of A Kind) Gifts. I design and hand crochet all of my OOAK selections. Every piece is brand new. The reason why I sell these pieces at lower prices is because I use them to create my photo spreads for Etsy and my facebook fan pages and timeline. They are not custom orders but can be custom ordered in your choice of colors/sizes. Custom ordered merchandise is higher in price then you will pay when buying my OOAK Gifts, only because it’s an item that’s specially made just for you. If you are interested in buying any of my OOAK Gifts, I suggest you buy them right away, due to the one of a kind nature of these items, they usually are purchased by others and will probably not be available when you return to make your purchase. When you purchase these gifts you get the same quality service and attention to detail as you would a custom order. If you have any question please contact me at any time.

If you’re looking for gifts for the upcoming holiday season, start your shopping early and grab some of these amazing gifts!! Here are a handful of what I have, you can find more in my Etsy Shop:

 

The Art of Cpc: Connie’s Photo Crochet Patterns Slideshow Slideshow

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via The Art of Cpc: Connie’s Photo Crochet Patterns Slideshow Slideshow.

HUGE THANKSGIVING WEEK PATTERN SALE HAS BEGUN!!!

                                            My HUGE Thanksgiving Week Pattern Sale Has Begun!!

 

Beginning on Nov.25th and Ending on Dec.2nd (at 11:45pm eastern standard time), Connie’s PDF Patterns Etsy Shop, will be having a HUGE Pattern Sale! Every order is 25% OFF, then Etsy will email a coupon to you for another 25% OFF your next purchase on anything in my shop, including custom orders!! You can beat that discount!!!

All of my patterns, eBooks, Tutorials and Lessons are included in the sale. Just think you can now purchase my CPC Patterns at deep discounts!!!

This is how it works:

Here are a sampling of some of my patterns:

Bold & Beautiful Kaleidoscope Rug Pattern.

Beautiful Burgundy Floral Blanket.

And many more to choose from……. 37 items and more coming every day.

Follow this link for more details: 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/170383935/huge-thanksgiving-week-pattern-sale?ref=shop_home_active

Face Book Fan Page:  https://www.facebook.com/ConniesPDFPatterns

……….or use this coupon code at check out and get 25% OFF your entire order (doesn’t include sales tax if you are ordering for New York).        “THANKYOUGIFT”

This Pattern Sale covers Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Sunday is a day for easy shopping & Cyber Monday!! Patterns make great gifts and you don’t need wrapping paper, ribbons & bows….

Thank You, for shopping at Connie’s PDF Patterns, Etsy Shop!

HAPPY CROCHETING/CRAFTING!!!