Just a Quick Update...

These fingers have been busy stitching, so I haven't had much time for typing, so here's a quick update before I get back to work! I'm happy to say that I've had a lot of new orders coming in from people around town, thanks to a Facebook group created by a local woman hoping to sell some valuables she didn't need any longer. She now has over 4,000 members from my hometown and the surrounding areas! I live in rural Oklahoma, so that is a big number for these parts! Loving the local support! <3<3<3

 I've been jotting down some of my patterns, instead of relying on my keen memory (LOL!), so I  MIGHT be 

selling some patterns in the near future :)

I've also got just about ALL of my ready to ship stock in auctions all over Facebook. I'm working with an amazing jewelry maker based right here in Oklahoma from Capturing Essence. Her 800 Fan Auction is full of goodies for fall, and they are priced to sell. The auction at Creations by Candice will be ending on September 30th, so you still have time to enter for a chance to win 50% off any custom hat from ME! For a second chance to win be sure you check out Divinely Crafted, and visit the 1000 Fan Auction happening this week! Last, but not least, be sure you visit Imy & Me this week to get a deal on some unique goodies. 

Back to the Daily Grind...

The holiday weekend was a nice break, but now it's back to the daily grind. I'm writing this post very quickly because our one-car family has lots of the agenda, but I wanted to let you all know what's happening with ABChic Designs this week. I am working on some really fun projects!! I've got a baby bearded beanie in the works (too cute!!), another family of owls, a precious little poncho, and an owl ear flap hat for little miss Maddi, my sweet blue-eyed baby cousin :)
Since my hands will be busy hookin' this week, I'm grateful to the wonderful ladies at Little Bat Designs and Creations by Candice for hosting and letting me participate in their auctions! BONUS points for adding a few giveaways as well! Be sure to stop by for an awesome discount price on pre-made products, AND the chance to win 50% off any custom hat AND 25% off any one item (cannot be combined).  Two auctions means two chances to win!

Facebook Fans - Friend or Foe?

I make a lot of connections on my Facebook fan page. It has been a wonderful resource that allows me to connect to people locally and worldwide. I am able to display my products to a huge audience at no monetary cost to me, but there is a cost to networking on Facebook.
I have spent countless hours uploading and editing pictures, writing descriptions, and promoting auctions on other fan pages, and the end result is 2 - 3 small sales IF I'm lucky. Every "liking party" or networking event takes time that I could be spending producing new items for my page and Etsy Shop.
I believe that my time is worth something, but I'm not naive enough to think I will be turning enough profit from my home-based business to pay myself an hourly wage in the first year. It starts to feel like I'm spending a lot more time on Facebook than actually doing what I intended to do when I started this, which is to create beautiful quality handmade items people will cherish.
The second blow to my creative mojo is that when I stop participating in networking events for a few days to focus on my craft, my fan numbers not only stop going up, but I LOSE fans. It is very disheartening when you spend hours visiting, liking pages, and leaving thoughtful comments only to discover someone else is spending there time going through and disliking pages! I wonder why they take the time to do such an unnecessary, and hurtful thing? I know, it's not like my best bud de-friended me, but it does take it's toll when you watch your fan  numbers go down. I'm left wondering if I've done something to maybe, annoy my fans. Too many posts? Not enough new products? Am I missing the mark all together?
To this end, I am not sure if I need to care about my Facebook fans, but instead turn my attentions to the people I am talking to and engaging with on a regular basis. My ego doesn't need another beating from people I don't even know!  I am always open to new connections whether it be through Facebook or not, but instead of celebrating my fan numbers, I think I'll be celebrating my success gauged by the satisfaction of my customers :)