Repurposing and Reusing What You Have

Repurposing and Reusing What You Already Have


Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Glad to have you here, and happy that you could stop by. Been sitting here, and thinking of different topics to work with on my blog. I have to make a list when I think of something, or I might forget about it, and never think of it again. Today I was thinking of items being repurposed. How many times do we repurpose a particular item. How many items in your home have been repurposed. Are all of your repurposing projects from home, or did you find some while thrifting too. 


I LOVE to repurpose, and reuse things myself. It is more cost effective when you use what you already have, or thrift for items to repurpose and reuse for your home, or for selling too. Another reason to repurpose is that some of your pieces already have character, patina, details, and so on with them. Newer pieces do not have this. Also, often your older pieces you have are better made than some of the newer items made today too. So, before you plan on buying new, have a look around. Carefully look for pieces that you could reinvent. Some pieces might just need a little updating which could be some new material, glued together, fresh paint touch up, new hardware, and just have fun reimagining them in new ways. 


For instance, that old tv armoire you think you should get rid of? Why not convert it to maybe a kitchen pantry, a microwave cart, and etc. Don't get rid of that small old dining room table now. You could cut the legs down on it to a height that agrees with you, and make it into a coffee table. Another thing we often rid of is dressers. Instead of being rid of those why not convert those into maybe a bathroom vanity. Another thing is don't be rid of them darn old bathroom fabric shower curtains quite yet. They are good enough to use for showers, water resistant, and etc. Soooo, why not use them for some of the outdoor cushion covers? 


Now, I am not saying or telling you to go out, and do exactly what I have said to do here. I am suggesting that before we throw, or are rid of things from the home, and before buying new....maybe consider items to be repurposed, and reused in other ways. Nearly everything has a second life. Seeing beyond what it is, to what it can be can be really fun too!:) And.....a money saver too!:)


Thanks again for visiting with LilacsNDreams everyone! Don't be afraid to share, or comment with each of my postings either. LOVE hearing from everyone, and having ya'll add something too. Also, keep an eye on my store at Artfire too. I am getting ready, and gearing up to start adding more inventory to it. Most of the inventory I am adding will be items that have been repurposed, painted, glued, and things like that. It is all a working progress, and dealing with many things from the home, or what I find thrifting too. Also, I do have a few more vintage, and collectible items that I will be adding into the inventory as well.  I have slowly been working on revising some of the listings there now, have a small start, and hope to do more with wording, categorizing, changing pictures if needed, and etc. Work, Work, Work:)


Take care everyone, and see you again soon!:)

Retro Vintage Look is it Popular Again

Retro Vintage Look is it Popular Again.

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Glad to have you here, and happy to see you visiting with me!:)

During my spare time lately....when I can find that....I have been noticing a trend of things, and of course things changing a bit, and what people are looking for too. I have been noticing that the retro look from like the 50s and 60s is becoming popular again. Whether it is the hair styles, the clothing, the kitchenwares, and the colors they are using of aquas, pinks, retro designs, and the 50s 60s style....it's there. I haven't really noticed any emphasize on any kind of specific trend, have you? Am I over looking something here? There really does not appear to be a "Now" look in America today. It feels like we are composed of many things now, times, recreations of things, different collections, and so on. Sometimes I honestly think that people are looking for more of the simpler times, and ways of things. 

I myself find me going back often to simpler times, simpler things, and simpler ways of doing things. If I have not gotten there with some things I sure do think about it, and wish for it too. It's great that we have become so advanced with so many things today. But, along with that advancement also comes issues that effects all of us too. My house has been slowly showing it too. I have been ridding myself of some of the pretties....too many things, and getting back to a point of when things were simpler for us. I have donated a big wooden shelf that fit 1/2 the wall in our living room, donated a coffee table, ridded myself of quite a few lamps, different figurines, and I am still not done. I have been going through boxes, taking things out here and there, donating them, and then later I will go through some of the rooms again, or some of the boxes again, and do it all over again with removal of things.  Sometimes I am finding things that I repurpose a little bit, and that seems to be working in our home too.

I have noticed more people appear to be shopping with Thrift Shops too. Not only are they shopping them to save a little bit of money, but because everyone is looking for that unique look. Something different, something of theirs, and you know what I mean.

Nothing too special with this post. Thought I would share a few thoughts with things I have viewed, and noticed. I like some of the retro look with some of the colors, and probably will implement some of it into our home more too. Gotta clean house first before I bring anything else home to fill it:)

Would love to hear from some of you on what you think of this. Do you see any kind of a specific trend, are you seeing something different from what I am, or is it different for different parts of the country? Chime in with some of your thoughts. Would love to hear from others, and of course always enjoy the conversations too. 

Thanks again for visiting with LilacsNDreams. Take care, and hope to see you again soon!

Facebook, Google Plus, Social Media Which One

Facebook, Google Plus, Social Media, Which One have you chosen? 


Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Glad to have you here, and happy to see you returning to my site too. Big Buzz happening on the internet lately. Mostly has been with Facebook, and with Google Plus. 


Google Plus is trying it again with the social media. Facebook is still being highly used yet, but how do you feel about the changes that have happened recently? Are you signed up with Google Plus? If so, how are things going there for you?


Facebook has done some major changes lately, and I had read where there will still be a few more. One is with the Fan Pages. Prior to the changes FB was really starting to become spam for me. I LOVE conversing with everyone, sharing, commenting, reading, and all of that. I understand people wanting to show their items also being offered for sale. But, when I have half a page that is full of pictures for items for sale, and from the same person, sorry....but that is starting to feel like twitter and the spam that comes with it. I understand social media, it is to our advantage in many ways, but when it starts to feel like spam, when it is no longer enjoyable to visit, I don't have the desire to visit quite as much. Then, some of the things I have read with the changes, and what is being done on FB I can remember thinking "Why do I have my fan page then" or "Why did I work to make my fan page something" So, time will also tell with that. I sometimes get the feeling that I am not getting all of the posts on FB to read like I use to, and it just feels like I am missing out on some things with the changes. Having a harder time getting around facebook again too.


Now, there is Google Plus which I have joined a long time ago with invites from others. When I first joined with them I had my business name, and soon found that others were having issues with their accounts being removed, blocked, or warnings sent to them about this. The Google Plus started out being for the personal accounts, and they are still working with their business part of it for others to soon join. Till then they have asked that you use the real/personal names. So, this I have done.....scary as I do not even know me by my personal name!:) I am so use to my name of LilacsNDreams, or also answering to the name of Lilacs that is was an adjustment for me....LOL:) Anyway, roaming around Google Plus has been quite comfortable for me. It feels like simplicity....which I believe a lot of things need to go back to myself. Google has been a bit easier to roam around with things. I enjoy seeing actual conversations from people, and sharing with them. You accept the people you want within your circles, and you can have many circles to better organize your friends list with as well. Then, when posting things you have the option of having it public, or if you want only certain friends circles to see it too. When accepting someone to a circle, prior to that, it is a bit easier to read about them, see their profile, and on the side of their about page you can see the links they have for stores, blogging, social medias, and different things like that to better assist you as well. 


I might be using my personal name at Google, but my avatar is still with my LilacsNDreams so people can know me, and then follow over to the business part of it when I can get that done, and is available to all of us. I am kind of leaning towards Google+ myself, feels cleaner, not so cluttered, easier to navigate, enjoying the conversations, and so on. I have not had a problem sharing links there, and with some of the links....like with my blog, the picture shows with it as well. But, I am still using Facebook since many friends are still there yet too. Time will tell, and I will be watching myself to see how this all comes out with both places. 


Where are you, what is your preference, and have you tried them both? Google Plus is open to all now, and invites are not needed. Would love to hear what others are feeling about this situation as well too. Share if you wish to.....All are welcome to do so. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams today, and hope to see you again soon. Take care everyone....till the next time:)

Follow LilacsNDreams With Blog Lovin

I have joined Blog Lovin, and this is something I need to add to a post for procedures of claiming my blog there. Hey, stop by to give me a follow there as well along with other fellow bloggers too:)

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Where Were You on 9/11 10 Years Ago

Where were you on 9/11 when tragedy came to our country 10 years ago? 

That is a day in history that has not been forgotten. Many people were effected everywhere. Some had family, friends, co-workers, parents, children, spouses that were lost along with those from the service, fire fighters, policeman too. America as we knew it then has not been the same since. 

My husband was driving truck then. Often he will go out west, and many times was usually headed east for his deliveries, pick-ups too. He happen to be home on this day due to a load being delayed, or was it cancelled? I think it was delayed. Anyway, I woke up that morning....and he always gets up way before I do to watch the news, and drink his coffee. When I awoke, and came downstairs to the living room of course the tv was on. At that time he sat me down, and told me not to be scared, but I was going to see some bad things that happened that morning. When I was able to view what had happened I was devastated. My eyes got big, I looked my husband straight in the eye then, and I started to cry. I cried for all those that had lost someone, I cried for those who were trying to help and had been injured or had also lost their lives, and I questioned how on earth could something like this happen? I also cried in relief that my husband was home. He was suppose to be out east that morning, but due to the delay/cancellation on his load he was able to come by the house. I remember my Grandmother calling to check in, and see if I had heard from my husband as she too knew that he often had to travel that way with loads. Hubby later had to leave that day, and headed out east going down the road again. 

When he arrived that way he did call me to let me know he was ok, and how it was hectic....which was very much expected. He along with others were being searched with the dogs, and everything like that. He was not disappointed about that, but told them as this was happening Thank You, and I only wish precautions had been taken sooner.

When I think of this day I still get sad, and I still will shed a tear. So many people were lost, and for what real reason? I was happy to see we could come together as a nation to help with this tragedy, but was also sad about this because it shouldn't take a tragedy such as this to make us stand together as a proud country. I think of the kids who lost a parent, 10 years later, and how it is effecting them as they grow. I think of those who were there to help with rescues, what they had seen, and how some lost their lives helping others. 

It was a very sad day then, and is still sad and remembered as time goes along. I know there are many others who have worse memories than what I do as they were more closely effected by this, and some have the memories of turning on the tv, and seeing what had happened too. What were you doing 10 years ago on September 11, 2001 when the world seemed to stop then?

Thanks for visiting everyone, and feel free to share and comment after reading too. Take care.

 

Milk Glass Collectibles For Sale For Home

Milk Glass Collectibles, For Sale, For Home Decor, and for many more things. 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams, and glad to have you joining with me today. I am going to discuss, and show a few pictures of pieces of Milk Glass for your reading. 

Did you know that Milk Glass was first made, or originated in Venice in the 16th century. The Venetians made the glass opaque, or translucent in several different colors of blue, pink, yellow, green, and including white too. The white color is achieved through the addition of a tin oxide, or a bone ash. The name "milk glass" is a relatively recent name for the glass which is blown, or pressed into a wide variety of shapes. Milk Glass is still considered a luxury item, and a great collectible. It is very easy to fit into any type of style you may have. 

Sometimes people cannot find the exact shape of a Milk Glass item that they would like. To solve this issue some people will find glass pieces that are clear, or maybe another color, and will paint them white to fit in with their needs. 

This glass can be nicely decorative, gorgeous with flowers, or some of the pieces will also have a shape that needs nothing else to show it. The item will take on it's own style alone as is. Below you will find some pictures showing you different pieces, and styles of Milk Glass. Some of the makers are unknown, some are vintage, some come from names such as Fenton, Westmoreland, and so on. If you do not see the item with the link I am showing you that is because the item either sold, or is no longer available. Also, for other reasons it might not be available too. 

Different Shapes Sizes Styles of Milk Glass
MilkGlass.org
@Website

Moss and Milk Glass Center Pieces
RuffledBlog
@Blog

Here you can search their site to find different things, different ideas, and enjoy:)

Fenton Blue Milk Glass Compote

Barking Sands Vintage 
@Etsy

Shell Pink Milk Glass Pedestal Cake Stand

Fab Funky Finds 
@Etsy

White Milk Glass Shaker Set
Passion of Milk Glass Collecting
@Blogspot

Vintage Green Milk Glass Hobnail Slipper Shoe

Eclectic Artifacts
@Etsy





Isn't it wonderful the different colors, styles, shapes, and different pieces offered for Milk Glass. With this kind of variety many pieces can fit into many home decors. Don't forget the Holidays we will soon be celebrating. Milk Glass is great to have adorning the rooms in your home during that time!:)

Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams, and I hope you enjoyed the topic of Milk Glass. Now that you have some new ideas, know a little more about it, and can see what it does with different arrangements....time for you to go shopping, thrifting, and hunting to find some pieces for your home!:)

Take care everyone, and come visit with me anytime!:)

Welcome to LilacsNDreams Blog Website

Hello everyone, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams Blog! Sorry, I guess this was my week to slack off just a bit. I do have a topic I am going to share, but will probably do it this next week. Got some pictures, and some blogs/sites I would like to add with the topic too. Also, don't forget the tabs at the top for other pages with this blog too. I try to share things a little different with each one:)

For our area, most of the schools have started. Kids seem to be doing good, and enjoying themselves. For me it was quite different this year not rushing around getting school supplies, looking for any school lists, registering kids for school, having a meet the teacher night, and so on. Both our kids our grown up now...last one graduated last year, and our daughter is a bit older, and is married with a 6 year old too. Oh, yeah, Grandma I am too....she decided she had to start young I guess:)

Hope everyone had a great week, was enjoyable, able to get some last minute plans in, final vacations, but hang on as we have Labor Day coming to us soon too!:) Thanks for visiting, and stopping by to check on things here. Ya'll take care, and see you again soon. Have a sweet Weekend!:)

 

Online Sales Summertime Slow or None

Online Sales Summertime Sales Slow or None
Welcome to LilacsNDreams, and glad to have you visiting!:) For those who do sales whether online, or in a brick and mortar store have noticed sales being slow, or for some they have not really had any sales to speak of. When this happens, many of us will question ourselves about what are we doing wrong, do I need to change something, is there more I could do, and so on.

In all reality sales during the summer generally are slower for many. Depends on what you are selling, supply and demand, etc. Many people, and families during the summer spend time vacationing, traveling, spending more time with family and friends, and their focus is not with buying too much of anything. Sure, they will buy when they are traveling, visiting out of town, and vacationing for different little things. The majority of their time is not spending all their time online buying, but maybe emailing, researching with travel plans, some take the summer to prepare for winter months themselves, and things like that. 


Me? Selling vintage has usually been slow for me during the summer time which I have adjusted to. I have adapted with the sales being very slow, or if any at all. This summer plans worked out for me being slower during this time. I have taken the opportunity to work more with my blog, spend some time with my website, researching some things I wanted to do with a few changes I wanted to make, and taking the time to repurpose different items. I have also been able to go through some of my inventory, review what has been selling and not selling, and making decisions of trying to keep selling what has not sold, or to let it go. 

With some of the pieces I have tried to sell with more than one venue, and they have not sold. I do not desire to donate them, or give them away. So, some of them are being repurposed also. Not all of them, but some pieces. I have also been able to experiment a little bit with like the glue I choose to use, and if it will work for me. I have been working on painting just a few things, not all I had planned on, but some of them. Do I spray paint, or do I brush it? I have also been able to take a little time to go thrifting for different pieces knowing more of what will sell for me, and also as I walk around seeing if I reimagine any of the pieces in other ways. It has been an enjoyable summer doing a little bit here, and a little bit there.  Learning, reading, and making them notes too!:)


Upon checking with some of my other pages in the tabs above you will see a little bit of what I have been doing. What I have found thrifting, what I have repurposed, before and after pictures, and just some chit chat too:) If you will view the Thrift Store Junkies page, and Second Time Treasures page you will be able to see a little bit of what I have been doing. Also, if you see my Artfire Store you will see more of the vintage there, a few pieces of repurposed, and the other inventory I have been working with I will soon be adding to that store. 


So, if you are getting the summer time blues with your sales, are worried about having slow sales, or no sales, don't be too worried. Summer time is generally slower for many as they look back through things, and discover that is generally a slower time that has been dealt with. Now.....the season will soon change with vacations over with, traveling becoming minimal, and with school starting. School for the little ones, those in middle schools, high schools, and college too. Things calm a little after that, and people will be spending more time with the computers, and doing some of their favorite online shopping again too.

Hang in there everyone, things will soon get better!:) Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and hope you enjoyed your visit as always. Take care, and see you again!:)

LilacsNDreams Artfire Market Places and Completed Sales

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I hope everyone is having a super weekend, and that is continues for you!:)

WooHoo! I am happy to say that I have made 2 sales now! One was through Addoway, and due to a glitch with Payapl we had some issues to over come. I ended up invoicing the customer through paypal myself, and she has been very happy with my co-operation, and staying on top of things. This made me feel really good. That sale happened on Thursday the 4th for an Amethyst Scalloped Ruffled Fluted Glass Bowl. Then, this morning I received notice from my Google Checkout  with Ecrater about my A&W Bear that has been purchased. Unfortunately, it is the weekend, postal service, and I will not be able to ship this treasure till Monday. I may be extremely tired past few days, but it has been very comforting having a couple of sales too. 

ARTFIRE has an official group with LinkedIn now....WooHoo! I myself had started a really small group there for Artfire as I could not find anything that was being maintained, or a place for memebers to go too. I am so very happy to see this Official Group by Artfire now using the Official Artfire Logo too:)

Just stopping by to share some of my excitement with all of you. Visit my stores, and don't forget about my other blog pages tabbed at the top too. Happy to see you everywhere with me. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams today. Wishing everyone a sweet weekend, have fun, and be safe!:)

Preparing For Shipping and Finalizing the Sale

Preparing For Shipping and Finalizing the Sale.


Well, you have done everything up to this point, and have done a listing for your products you wish to sell. Do not be discouraged after this if it takes a while to get a sale, maybe you will have a sale right away, and sometimes you will make more than one sale too. It varies for everyone, and consistency is not something that comes with selling online. 


Ok, you made a sale, and with most market places an invoice has been sent to the customer. Everyone does everything differently, and again you will have to find the way that works for you, and feels comfortable for you too. Once a sale is made I send a personal note to the customer thanking them for their purchase, and asking them if there is any change to the mailing address to please notify me of it as well so that I may note it. 


Once payment is made you will then have to prepare the item for shipping, or sometimes you can have most of the process done while waiting for payment too. Make sure you have supplies on hand for the method of shipping you have chosen. Boxes, mailing tape, bubble wrap for delicate items, peanuts, or whatever supplies you choose to use for your shipping. You want to do the best you can wrapping the item to ship as once it leaves your presence you will have no control of how it is handled from then until the customer receives the item they have purchased. 


Another step to follow through with after receiving your payment is to prepare the shipping label, and also I recommend enclosing an invoice with each order you process. I myself enclose an invoice with the item for verification for the customer, and I make a copy of the invoice for my records as well. You will also want to consider enclosing a business card, maybe a thank you note, and some sellers include some small gift along with every purchase of maybe a pen, a magnet, or whatever is used to represent you, and your name. No rules for any of this, and it is your decision of what you will, and will not do. 


Ok, you have securely wrapped the item, properly boxed it for shipment, and it has been delivered to the post office, or a pick up was done of the item for delivery. After this processing is completed it is always curteous for you to then notify the customer by thanking them again for their purchase, and that their shipment has been made. This will better help them to watch for the item, and kind of when to expect delivery according to the shipping service used.


Keep in mind, you do not have to do all of these extra steps, and there are plenty of sellers that have their own ways, do just a few things, or really do nothing at all except to package and ship. It all relies on the customer service that you wish to extend to the customers, and how you will be remembered for your services too. 


I know there is much more that could have been covered, and it could have become very lengthy too. Yeah, more winded than I have been:) Most of what has all been covered with these topics for selling is the basics of doing things for Online Selling. I hope this has helped you with things you do, for those new to online selling, and maybe a bit of a reminder for some as well too. I wish you all well, and best of luck to you with all you do. Take care, have fun, and enjoy your new venture!:)

Listing Formats Basics for Market Places

Listing Formats Basics for Different Market Places


Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone!:) Tonight I will be covering the listing formats, the basics of them for the different market places. Every market place provides you with a form for you to complete, and is the page you will see when shopping. Keep in the mind that the sequence of how the pages are done will be different with each place, but they all have different sections to complete. Don't be frustrated with them as they do the same thing, just different orders of things done, and the categories can vary too. 


You will want to choose the category you will be listing with. Make sure you check for any site rules about listing in certain categories, and if you are allowed to list with more than one category too. You will want to research a bit to see the categories used by others selling similar items with the site you are listing with. Most of the sites do have a specific category, and then sub-categories with them. 


Writing a Title as was mentioned before will now be used. Check with the site you are using for how many characters are allowed in the titles. It is generally from about 55 up to 70 characters. Avoid the adjectives such as Beautiful, Adorable, Pretty, New with your titles as they will not count, or help. They do not make you stand out more in searches, and only take away from characters you are allowed to use. Make sure to use keywords that will be used for searching for your items with the search engines. 


Next will come the pictures you will be posting which we covered last week with the bit on photography. Each site is different on the amount of pictures they will allow. Some will allow up to 10 for free, or is included with your site fees. Other places maybe only allow 1-4, and any more you will have to pay a small fee for anything above that. Also, will you be able to use the pictures from your computer, or does the site have you upload them from an online hosting site. By now, you will know some of these things as you are doing your listings to better assist you.


Now you will work on your descriptions with your listings. Make sure to give as much information as possible here. It is ok to use your title here again in the first sentence which is better for search engines, and placements. Give information of the product, color, size, condition, vintage, collectible, handmade, supplies, and etc. Mention some of the purposes of having this item, why they should purchase it, and make this appealing to the customer. Remember, you are trying to sell your product to them who cannot see it in person, feel it, touch it, smell it, and etc. 


Mention your payment types accepted, your shipping procedures and what they can expect, and your return policies also. If you charge any kind of handling fees it would be best to mention this too. Let them know that if they have any questions to please contact you with them. You are willing to help them the best that you can to make this an enjoyable, smooth, and pleasant transaction. 


As you can see it is all kind of coming together now from this little bit of a series that has been offered to you each week. There is just another 1-2 topics to cover, and you are on your way to listing your products, and enjoying your sales that will soon come to you also. Remember, it can be frustrating at first. Especially if this is all new to you. Some people will make a sale right away, and then have to wait again for another one. I have seen another business who has been doing ok for themselves mention that it took them up to 9 months before they made their first sale. It varies, and no 2 incidents will ever be alike. All we can do is learn from others, apply some of what others have done, but most of all find the way that works best for ourselves to accomplish our goals. 


Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and I hope this information has been helpful to you. Either you can follow what has been suggested, or at least apply some of it to fit in with your own way of doing things. I wish you all well, and Good Luck to you all!:) Happy Selling, and enjoy everyone!:)

Product Pricing For Auctions, Fixed Price, Payments, Shipping

Product Pricing For Auctions, Fixed Price, Payments, Shipping.

You are almost ready to start listing with your new market places, or auction sites you have chosen. A few things you should have thought of, and worked out before you start listing. This will better help you, and assist you as you do your listings. 

PRICE OF PRODUCTS
• Auction: Your starting price, setting a reserve price has been noted to be discouraging when 
  bidding. You want to list with the lowest price you would be happy to sell with. 


• Fixed Price:  When doing this please research your items. Check with Ebay to see what it sold for   
  on an average. With the search engines check on the average asking price. Then, you can better 
  determine what would be a respectable asking price you can be happy with. 


• Shipping Charges:  There are different shipping choices from different carriers with different 
  services. Decide if you wish to offer free shipping, or not. Consider if you want to use the 
  estimated shipping costs which would mean maybe using some charts, and a scale would be very
  handy to use too. Or, maybe you would like to use calculated shipping costs. There is NO law on
  this answer. NO right, or wrong answer. This one you will decide what works for you, and what are
  you comfortable with using. You might have to try different ways before you settle on which method
  you will use. 


• Payment Types:  Some of the sites will allow you to set payment options on each listing. Others will
  have you deal with this when you first set up your account. Those choices would then be added to
  every listing. Paypal, Google Checkout, Amazon Payments, Money Orders, Checks, and so on. Each
  site is different in what they will allow. 

 Make sure you include information for shipping times according to the payment received. Show this 
 with your shipping policies. Something like you ship 3 times a week, 5 days a week, within 24 hours
 of a clear payment received, and so on. If you are accepting Money Orders, or Checks they usually
 allow more accepting time. The payment decision can, and will effect how you ship, and the delivery 
 times. 

• Return Policy:  Decide if you will, or will not offer a return policy. Some do, and some don't. 
  Depends on what you sell, previous conditions, and etc. Also, if you accept returns is it with money
  back, or credit. Another issue to note is if the Buyer will be responsible for the shipping for returned
  items also. Keep in mind that some use the return policy with a buyers remorse too. This is some-
  thing you will have to determine what will work for you. 


Some Sellers will post with every listing their policies at the end, or bottom of the description. Some put it on another page for policies. You will have to decide if you want them to look further, or if you will have everything noted up front for them without searching further for information. Yes, this can be time consuming, but you will also find it is necessary to have this all in order prior to doing your listings. Will make the listing process a little more simpler for you, and a bit smoother as you find your way of how you want to do your listings. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and hope I was able to help you just a little bit more. Whether it is giving you ideas, or giving you some things to consider you might have forgotten about too. Always welcome to share, comment, and offer more too. Thanks again everyone, and have a super weekend!:)

Photo Tips Photography Taking Pictures For Products

Photo Tips, Photography, Taking Pictures For Products that you are selling. 


Welcome back to LilacsNDreams, and so good to see you again! Ok, so far we have covered, or skimmed over topics in regards to selling online. Are you a Full Time, or Part Time Seller, or considering selling. Planning, deciding on products you will sell, determining if you want to sell with auctions, market places, or maybe both, and your listing formats. Along with your listings will come pictures. Don't be afraid, and don't get nervous. We all learn from what we do, learn from others, and researching some techniques online can also help. 


When a customer comes to your store they were drawn not only by the product they are looking for, but by your titles, and keywords you used. Once they enter the store they generally will look at pictures right away. The old saying "Pictures are worth a 1000 words" really does help with selling online. Having pictures does help things sell better if the the customer can get a clearer image of what they are buying. Yes, detailed descriptions are very helpful, but remember the customer is not there to feel the item, touch it, smell it, and so on.  We have to do this for them with the ways we use to present to them.


You don't need high dollar cameras to take pictures for your listings, and you don't have to be a photographer to do so either. Just some simple little things to consider, and help you with "showing" your products. 


When you are setting up your area to use for picture taking make sure that you have enough contrast between the setting, and the product so that you can distinguish between them. It is recommended by many to use a black, or a white backdrop. Also, to use shadow boxes. Use what works for you. Don't make it loud, and keep it simple. It can be something with character, a vintage table top, maybe an old lover letter, slabs of stone or maybe some wood. Make sure the focus is kept with your product, and that your backdrops used are not too distracting, but yet appealing with the product to make it show more.

Using natural lighting is generally the best to use. The best lighting can be outside on a cloudy day, or by the window too. If you use some sort of white transparent film on the window it can help filter strong light. You can use a Halogen light, or some kind of lighting determined by you if using your shadow boxes too. 

Most sites display a square format for the picture. So, after taking your pictures you generally have some minor adjustments to be made with them. Resizing them to work with the formatting of the site you choose, crop them, rotate them, changing the contrast, maybe sharpening the picture a bit, and so on. Many many free programs out there to do this with. You will see many suggest using picasa, gimp, photoshop, the program that came with your computer, and there is also picnik.


Take many pictures, and use as many as permitted by the site of choice you are using. Show a full size picture of item, zoom in for characteristics you want to emphasize with, if there are any flaws make sure to picture that, if you have a makers mark with the item also picture that for the customer to see. Remember, the customer cannot feel the product so they are relying on your detailed description, and your pictures to better help them. 


Once you take the pictures you will want to download them to your computer, or some places require that you use a place for hosting your images. Good way to store the pictures you use for your listings so that it keeps the space on your computer free too. There is photobucket to host with, or you can also use flickr too. 


You will see some mention that you should consider water marking your pictures. This process is done because there are people out there who like to go through, and use pictures of others without doing their own work. Yes, it has been known to happen. A watermark is just a light marking done to the picture that you can show it belongs to you. You put it in a place on the picture that it does not distract from the picture, you can make it very light, but yet slightly visible so it can be seen it is marked. For instance, with some pictures I have watermarked I would use LilacsNDreams, and it is generally done in a light shade of white too. Close to the product, but yet not distracting from it. 


You seen the term "light box" used by me. This generally is used for smaller items. A good example would be for those who deal with jewelry. Also, to get more of an understanding of picture taking you can research it with the internet for the products of your choice that you will be selling too. 


I hope that this version of photo tips for your listings has helped you in some ways. Remember, anything that I suggest, or have been telling you is not the rules, the law, or anything like that. Just some simple techniques to better assist you with your online selling. Always welcome to comments from others, and having others share some thing with us here too. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and I wish you all well. 

What a Weekend at LilacsNDreams

Welcome to LilacsNDreams everyone! 

I do hope all had a good weekend, and you were able to stay cool where you were, or dry where you were too. It's definitely summer time everywhere, isn't it? I think the heat got to me at the end of the week, and through the weekend too. Trying to do too many things, rushing to get done, over doing it, and that sort of thing. I was off on my weekly posts I do, and I apologize for that. 

Just wanted to stop by, and say Hello to everyone, and thank you for visiting with LilacsNDreams. Got the note pad out on desk, pen...extra one in case run out of ink. Will look through notes in morning, and get back on schedule with my posts I have been doing. Not done with the small little series I started. Have had some great responses from everyone, and I thank you for that. I enjoy hearing them, and am welcome to suggestions too. Also, don't forget to roam through the other pages I have been adding to my blog. Those tabs are found at the top. You see something you like, and would like to comment or share with, please do so:)

Thanks again for visiting. Take care, and have a super week. Best of luck to all. G'Night:)

Visibility With Market Places and Search Engines

Visibility With Market Places and Search Engines.


Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams. Sorry, bit off this week aren't I? I apologize for that, and was just taking some time for me...trying to anyway:)


Last time we has a topic was about choosing the auction site, or market place you would like to sell with. Once you have chosen that there are many other things to get in order, and prepare for. Doing a few of the simple steps in preparation can help you with your listing format that you do. 


When we list we often wonder about how we rank on the site of the market place, and with the search engines as well. How our listings will rank among other listings in the market place depends on different things. Considering how many listings could be similar makes just a little bit more work for all of us. The more unique your item the less competition with any search results. Your title can help with this greatly. View the site with the different titles, and choose your words carefully.


All of the sites have internal search engines for searching by title, keywords, or categories. So, each site will have its own rules. Some might be complicated, and others will have fees for different levels of exposure. If you are following some of the best practices for Google Search you should find yourself with a good position with search. 


Some of the same things with the internal search will also apply with the Search Engines too. There are many layers for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). The effective use of keywords is one of the most important. That is how people find you. Your titles with your descriptions need to have keywords that buyers would use in search of items offered. 


Use Google's Home Page, and experiment a little bit. Get some ideas from your own searches, see what works for others, and get a feel of how some of the searches might be done. Remember to view it from a customer's view of shopping. This will better help you with choosing your words that you should use, or consider. 


Along with researching keywords, tags, and such you should also research what others are offering for products. See the prices they are using, their shipping the charge, their policies, and etc. Try to be competitive, but also stay within reason too if possible.

Ok, that is some of the things to consider when getting ready for your listings. There is more to do, and more to work with. I am trying to do this in baby steps for you. If I over look something, or you have a question, please ask, ok? I am not an expert, but will gladly help you the best way that I can.

Hope ya'll are having a great week so far. Happy Hump Day Everyone!:) Take care till the next time. Enjoy. . . . 

Scentsy is Having an Online Party with Scents Aroma Candles

Scentsy is Having an Online Party! Scents, Aroma, Candles, and Hmmm! Love it! If you have not had the pleasure of using these products yet, now is the time to give them a try. Many scents to choose from, wall plug ins, adorable warmers that are decorative, holiday, eventful, kids, and all! Got a little bit of something for everyone. 
                        
Here is the link you need to visit for further details, and to see the products. Visit with Ashley for Scentsy at her site, enjoy, have fun, and place some orders too. Don't be afraid to contact her with any questions. She might be busy, but will always answer as soon as she is able to do so.  

Yes, I do have these products all around my home too. I have one plugged into the kitchen, have one in the bathroom plugged in....great night light too! I have one in the hallway upstairs plugged in, and then I also chose some that fit with the decor of our home too. So, when they are not turned on they look nicely sitting on the tables, or plugged into the walls with all the choices you have.

Also.....they have some NEW scents which are for the month of July Only! So, get on over there, and see the products offered, and check out the new scents they are offering. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and hope you enjoyed your visit here. I also hope you enjoyed the visit to http://www.asilberstein.scentsy.us/ to see those wonderful Scentsy products I was bragging about too!:) Have a wonderful week everyone, and make sure to visit again. 

Selling Online MarketPlaces Auctions Site

Selling Online, MarketPlaces, Auctions Sites. Welcome to LilacsNDreams Blog. Glad to see you here.

Ok, so far we have covered a little bit about your choice of selling online, part time, full time, occasional selling. Discussed a little about you getting started by choosing a name, your picture or avatar, setting up accounts, emails, security, taxes, and venues. 

Now, I would like to cover just a little more in depth about choosing if you want to sell with a MarketPlace, or an Auction Site. You might also decide you would like to use both. The old saying "don't keep all your eggs in one basket" always comes to mind when choosing sites, and how many to sell with. 

Most of us when first starting choose one site. We do this so that we can get the feel of things, test things out, and learn with it. When choosing what venue will be best for you, there are some things you should consider. Also, know that before choosing a place I would recommend researching some of them a little bit so that you may learn about them, and understand a little more about them prior to choosing one. 

Some of the things you should consider are:

• What is the focus of the site you are researching

• What are the listing costs for the site

• Consider what their category selection is, and do they have categories for 

   what you will be offering

• How are their listing formats. Will it be fairly easy to list there, is it self 

  explanatory, is there support available to help

• What payment services are allowed with the site. Is there more than one  

  choice.

• How is the ease of use of the site. Is it easy to navigate. If you enjoy it, will 

   the customer also enjoy it as well?

• How is the security with the site

• What are their listing policies

• How is the traffic to the site

• Do they feed to the search engines

• Check for visibility with the MarketPlace. This is called Site Search 

   Optimization. Will determine how your listings will rank among other listings 
   on the site.

If you choose to sell by having auctions, there are different sites that you can consider. 

• Ebay is the biggest one that we all know. The fee structure is a little bit 
   complicated, and would need to be studied. The fees are divided into 3 
   categories which are Listing Fee, Final Value Fee, and Subscription Fee. If
   list items that do not sell you may still owe fees for those listings. The Final
   Value Fee is only for items that sell.

• eBid is the leading alternative to Ebay. Their focus is on keeping a variety. 
   Registration is free. If listing for auction you will need to upgrade account to
   Seller, or Seller+ status. See the subscription prices in the My Subscriptions 
   section of My eBid.

• Atomic Mall was originally set up for the fixed price format, and low fees.
   They have since added the auction format of a sealed bid process.

• Webstore is an online auction site as well. 

• Online Auction is another place mentioned for auctions. 

Check with Online Auction Sites Review for the top reviews of auction sites mentioned, and more. 

If you choose to sell with fixed prices, or offers you might want to consider Marketplace Sites for this.

• Artfire offers handmade, vintage, craft supplies, media, design, and fine art. 

   Listing is free, no final value fees, and for a limited time there is a free basic 

   account to have.

• Ecrater has no fees. No listing fees, and no final value fees.

• Addoway is a newer site that is growing. You can list for free, and they soon
   will be implementing a final value fee.

• Etsy is another site for handmade, vintage, craft supplies, media, design,
   and for fine art. They have a .20 cent listing fee in which that listing is good
   for up to four months. They also have the Final Value Fee upon the 
   items selling.

• Bonanza which use to be Bonanzle, is a free listing site. They do have a final
   value fee with the sale of an item.

• Ruby Lane has a monthly fee subscription.

• Ruby Plaza is a sister site to Ruby Lane, and they do have some special with 

   those stores till the end of 2012 I believe it was mentioned.

• iOffer is a site that offers selling, buying, and trading too.

• Yardsellr is a new social marketplace that is used through facebook.

There are many more places to choose for the marketplaces as well. Check with 101 Auction Sites to see about some of these mentioned, and others too. 

You have seen me mentioning fees. Every site is different in how they charge, what they charge, and if they charge. The break down of the fees to watch for will be listing fees that will be charged to your site account when you list an item. The final value fee is charged when a sale is made. The fee usually consists of a percent of the sale that will vary from site to site also. Extra fees might include for having a gallery picture, using bold print within the title, extra pictures from the amount the site already offers, and so on. As mentioned some sites will also have a monthly subscription charge. The fees will vary from site to site that have them. Along with the monthly subscription they might offer a free store front, and extra tools and services can have a monthly subscription too. 

When searching for a market place check how their availability is with the search engines. Google is the biggest search engine, but there is also Bing that is used by some too. Most sites will offer to automatically submit your listings to Google, both, and maybe a few others too. Some sites will also offer the tools for you to use to submit your listings to facebook, twitter, and other social medias too. 

I hope that some of this was able to help you a little further with your decisions when selling online. It's a big place out there, and there is much to see, and learn. None of us can fully know all the answers, but we can offer what we know and have learned along the way. Hopefully it can with some of your decisions as you move forward. Maybe you have already been selling online, but are still learning as I do too. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and hope these ideas will help you again with your decisions of selling online. I wish you all well, and the best of luck to you. Most of all, have fun with it too. Take care Everyone!:)

LilacsNDreams Artfire Store
LilacsNDreams Ecrater Store
LilacsNDreams Addoway Store

Welcome to LilacsNDreams Blog and Blog Pages

Hello again everyone. I do hope I am not bothering, and making this an inconvenience for anyone. My Blog has been a working progress for me to add things, update some things, and making some changes. I was happy to find a way with getting more pages for everyone to visit, but still did not like the links on the side bar. Don't know what I was thinking, but I NOW have all the pages listed at the top with the tabs.....Like I was trying to do before. Long story, I am not computer techie, learn as I go, but have come to a place I am happy with it now. Sorry, I try not to make too much clutter on the right side bar, and this was something I could remove from there, and put to the top for more visibility to everyone.

Thanks again for understanding, and I do apologize for any inconvenience this has been to anyone. Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Glad you stopped, and don't forget to visit with my stores too. I appreciate all of you. Take care

Selling Online Full Time, Part Time, Plan, Products

Selling Online Full Time, Part Time, Plan, Products. So, are you ready to sell online, or are you selling already? Are you selling part time, or full time online? First of all, have you determined what you will be selling? Will it be vintage, collectibles, new, used, repurposed, upcycled, handmade, etc. Once you choose what you want to sell, then there is more things to consider before actually getting started. Keep in mind that you might choose something now, but things can always change too. You know, once you get started, get the feel of things, and maybe you will see something else that would better fit you, or something else you feel more comfortable with. 

Once you have a product in mind you should then choose a name for yourself, your business. The internet is a big place, and others might also think like you with choosing a name. So, when you think you have a name, check to see if it is taken, how many others are using it, and so on. You can do this by checking on google.com, maybe look at godaddy to see if someone has a domain for the name you chose, and things like that. When choosing your name, or user name for a site, try to choose a name that is descriptive to what you are doing, your business, etc. I myself chose a name a long time ago. It has followed me since 2004 as others were not using it, and have not come close to it. But, as things grow, and expand others are choosing names similar to me. Also, my name follows me with all accounts that I use for sites, blogs, website, emails, and so on. This will help with your exposure on the internet. 

Once you have chosen a name you will want to decide on an avatar, a profile picture you want to use. This will help in your identity as well. Some use their personal pictures of themselves, and some choose a picture that identifies with their business name they have chosen.  This is a decision you will have to make. Many say use your personal pictures so that people can see who they are dealing with, and for a more personal effect. Some do not use a picture for security, and personal reasons too. Remember, you will start with things now, and you can always change as everything is still new to you, and you will be working on establishing yourself.

You will have accounts you will want to establish. Emails, and if you have chosen one or more venues you will want to get those set up. Upon setting all of this up, remember security with everything. Choose passwords that you will remember, add numbers with them, and so on. Once you put your name, and business to the internet things become public. You will also want to consider checking with your accountant, or tax preparer about books you should keep for inventory, expenses, taxes for selling online, etc. There are tax changes that have gone into effect that have to be reported for 2011 taxes for online sellers. Make sure to find out about those, and what you will need to do for that as well. 

Remember, you might get discouraged, be nervous, and question things because it is all new to you. Everyone has been through this. The internet is a big place, and it can take a while to establish yourself, and to others. If you were thinking of selling online occasionally it is still good to do these things, and practice some of them too.

These are a few things to consider to getting started with selling online. As you go through them you might think of more to add to your list as well. Good to keep a notepad nearby to make notes, write down some thoughts, or make notes of maybe things others will always suggest as well. 

There is more to come, but hope these first few steps will help you with getting started. I wish you luck, and thank you for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care everyone!:)