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!:)

 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams Blog and Blog Pages

Good Morning, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams!

Almost 4 a.m. my time, and I still need to get some sleep! Had a hectic week with babysitting grand baby, she loves my attention, and it makes it a little harder to get on this wonderful computer to visit facebook, social medias, and of course to come in here and blog with everyone!:)

I just finished another page I have added to my blog. Now, remember, since google threw a curve about the pages they allow...10 of them, but they are static pages too. I have had to find another way like many others of how to get my pages to my blog. Soooo, if you will look to the right, see where it says My Blog Pages to Visit, you can click on those, and go to the pages I have made so far for my LilacsNDreams Blog. Hopefully this will help everyone a bit instead of cramming everything into one spot. Trying to spread it out a bit so more can be done, can share a little bit more, and making it so that others can share and comment with us on each posting to. 

Well, now, better be off to bed. Hope everyone has a great day, and yes, I will be back to this in a few hours again. I have another blog topic I want to get done for everyone to read too. Take care my blogging friends.

Fenton Art Glass Company Will Cease Production

Fenton Art Glass Company Will Cease Production, and how sad this is! Hello again everyone! I am back with some news I received from one of the sites I belong to - Iantique.com  A blog post had been done there by a member named Tom Norskov, and I have copied his blog post from there, and brought here for all to read about this breaking news of Fenton Art Glass Company. 

Fenton Art Glass Company to cease production!

Posted by Tom Norskov Wed at 1:44 PM - Filed in Industry News - #  #fenton glass  - 25 views

Here is the complete press release that went out to media, Fenton clubs, etc. earlier today:

FENTON ART GLASS TO CEASE TRADITIONAL GLASS PRODUCTION
AND SHIFT PRODUCT FOCUS

(Williamstown, W. Va., July 6, 2011). The Fenton Art Glass Company announced today that it would wind down production of its collectible and giftware glass products. The company has faced financial challenges since its restructuring in 2007, and recent developments combined to force the shutdown of its traditional glassmaking business.
"The market for our pressed and blown glassware has diminished," company President George Fenton said. "We cannot sustain the overhead costs. Our employees have worked hard and efficiently, so this is a very sad day for us. Shortly, we will begin the process of shutting down our main furnace. Remaining employees will be finishing existing glassware from the company's inventory that will be available through the Fenton Gift Shop as well as the company's web site and Fenton dealers across the country."
As a part of winding down the traditional business, Fenton Art Glass is exploring the sales of one or more product lines.
"We know that our many customers and friends will have questions," Fenton said. "Our web site www.fentonartglass.com will be updated regularly beginning the week of July 11."
Inquiries regarding sales of equipment and other assets should be directed to Fenton Art Glass at assetinfo@fentonartglass.comManagement at the Fenton Gift Shop is evaluating the impact of the termination of traditional glassmaking at Fenton Art Glass. "The Fenton Gift Shop is in discussions with Fenton Art Glass, the glass manufacturing company, to provide customers with a wide range of samples and special decorations as well as final quantities of limited edition pieces," said Randall Fenton, President of the Fenton Gift Shop. "The annual Tent Sale in Williamstown starts July 8, and the Fenton Gift Shop and the outlet store in Flatwoods, West Virginia, remain open."
Founded as a decorating company in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in May 1905 by brothers Frank L. Fenton and John W. Fenton, the Fenton Art Glass Co. constructed its factory in Williamstown during the fall of 1906. The first glass pieces were made there on January 2, 1907. During its 106-year history, Fenton introduced the first iridescent ware (now known as "Carnival glass") as well as classic patterns such as Hobnail and a wide variety of handmade colored art glass as limited editions.

This is a really sad time as I so love Fenton Glass, their pieces created, the craftmanship, and just everything about them. Just so sad:(

*  *  Sat. July 9, 2011 UPDATE  *  *

Here is some additional information that was shared by Tom Norskov from The Vintage Village Social Network I copied to here:

* * Some additional information: Fenton Art Glass Co announced on July 6th that they will no longer be producing their giftware line. Some glass has been produced and their Halloween/Christmas line will ship to dealers by August 15. There are going to be some items not produced, but it is not known what items yet. The Fenton QVC shows scheduled for July 14 and July 16 will go on as scheduled. 

* * Just some additional update information:  This week Fenton announced some massive changes for the company in Williamstown, WV. After many years of adapting to the marketplace and exerting countless hours of dedicated hard work, they unfortunately have not been able to find a profitable way to continue manufacturing thier traditional glass lines. So what does all this mean for the Fenton Company? Is the company going out of business?  The company is still in business, continuing to make beads and pursuing some industrial glassmaking projects.

  

Full Time Part Time Sellers or Considering Selling

Full Time, Part Time Sellers, or Considering Selling. Which are you?

First of all, I do hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend, and enjoyed all that you were able to do. During my Holiday weekend I was on, and off the computer. I seen some wonderful blogs out there in blogland of sharing their ideas, their techniques, and ways of doing some of their wonderful work with repurposing, upcycling, refurbishing, and so on. I enjoyed many, made notes of some, and have yet to add them to my Sharing Blog Love page. There is a tab at top, or a clickable link in my right side bar of My Blog List to Visit. 

So, my question to some of you is how many of you are sellers, resellers of products you find. Do some of you deal with Drop Shipping, Sell for yourselves or for others, Do some of you have your own brick & mortar store, and have added online sales with it? How many of you do this full time, or part time for yourselves? 

Maybe some started with selling some of your own things, collectibles, household goods, home decor, items repurposed, some upcycled items, handmade, crafts, scrapbooking, and so on. I myself started out with selling of items from thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, and so on. A lot of it has been a learn as I go with what to look for, where to sell it, how to research items, knowing what prices to put on items, the shipping, and more of customer service too. Much of it has been by trial, and error to things. It is always a learning process every day. Something is always changing, being updated, new techniques of things, and as I said always learning. Yes, prior to this I had done retail sales with small stores, and with a bigger chain in my area too. I have always worked with customer service. Like many others I was wanting more too. 

So, my start with online sales was back in 2004. Since then I have been on, and off with it. Towards the end of 2010 into 2011 I started thinking I wanted more. I wanted to learn more, and take it up a step or two. Like many I started out with basics of selling online, and nothing wrong with it. Depends on your goals, and what you want from it to know where you are headed with your business. 

So, my next few topics will be covering just some basics for doing sales online. They are not rules, not written anywhere of this is what you need to do, or has to be done type thing. Just sharing some basics of things to help those who maybe have considered selling online, and maybe a thought for those who have been selling online as well.

Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams today. Don't forget to see some of my vintage items with my Artfire store, some of my repurposed items are also in my Artfire store, and some of my collectibles and glassware are with my Ecrater store. Always happy to see the visits, and the sharing of everyone. Take care my Blogging friends till the next time. 

 

Happy 4th of July Holiday Celebration to Everyone

A very HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO ALL! I wish you all well, have fun, enjoy, and please be safe!:)

A friendly reminder for visitors to LilacsNDreams that I have been slowly working on my blog pages, and due to circumstances with Blogger, I cannot get the full effect for some of them. So, I have been doing things a bit differenly, but am getting some of the pages I want, and what I was intending for them to be too. To see those pages you can click the tabs at the top to click the links that take you to the pages. Or, you can look in my side bar towards the top for the heading of My Blog Pages to Visit, and there you will see pages along with their links to visit right away. Thanks for the patience, and understanding with this everyone. 

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO ALL!!

 

Reuse, Repurpose, Upcycle, Recycle of Discarded Treasures

Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle of Discarded Treasures. I, like many others, spend time roaming the internet, reading, and learning things. Along the way I like to see creations that people make, what they do, how they do it, and love everything I see with it. Over time I too have been wanting to do some of this, be creative, and it feels like a yearning inside of me trying to get out. To me it is relaxing, very fun putting my thoughts and ideas into something, and it's the little things that bring a smile to my face, and hopefully yours as well. 

Definitions I found of the words when I googled them. 
• Reuse: whatever the purpose, you basically reuse the item for the same 
  purpose more than one time

• Repurpose: you take one thing, and use it for something else (repurpose it)
  before it goes through any breakdown, and reformation. For instance a shirt 
  being used to make a handbag, or shopping bag. Maybe a metal pipe into
  a sculpture. Use something in a new way.

• Upcycle: is familiar to recycling in that you are taking something, and 
  reworking it into a new form for continued use. Main difference being you are
  not altering its form back into its components for reuse.

• Recyle: return (material) to a previous stage of cyclic process; convert
  waste to a reusable material. For example a recycled box is broken down, and
  made into new cardboard. Or, plastic is broke down, and melted into new
  plastic.


I know, it can get confusing sometimes, but it also determines how we use the words, and explain them to mean also. 


Repurpose Vintage Items ~ Giving new life to stuff already owned. There are many things a person has around their home that they can do this with. If you are like me, you don't throw anything away because you might be able to use it some day. So, sitting at home, or looking in magazines, and looking through thrift stores, yard sales, and junk there is always posibilities. 


Vintage items can be repurposed in your homes. Maybe you have an old wooden high chair, a ladder, or an ironing board. Popular use, or remake is to use them to hold books, and sometimes flower pots too. Have a double kitchen sink? Use it for your gardens as a raised flower beds. Collectible tumblers, and vases can be a variety of things. Use them for tooth brushes, hair brush, paint brushes, combs, pens, pencils, etc. Use some of those vintage long, and low ceramic planters with the kitchen, or bathroom for sponges, soaps, teas, washcloths, loose change, your keys, reading glasses, etc. 


Another one I like, and there is a person who has a blog that I giggle with, laugh at, and am in aww over is how they repurpose coffee tea pots. They use them for outside, in their gardens, and make people with them. It is just adorable! But, you can also use these items as planters, paint them to fit with your decor, use them as hanging planters, or maybe for the table tops as center pieces too. 


Hang on, just a few more ideas to help get them creative juices going for everyone. How about some of the kitchen decor you have? For instance the colanders. Put some onions in them because of the circulation, and ventilation with them. Use some enamel pans for maybe your potatoes. 


I adore those who use bits and pieces from the past, and create something new to enjoy. I sometimes hope by doing this that it will help remind people of simpler times. 


LOL:) See how much fun junk can be?! I love vintage, and collectibles, and have worked with it for years now. But, it feels like something is missing. When I am out thrifting I sometimes visualize other ways of using pieces, maybe if I paint it this way I can sit it for show in this way, or maybe I can add this piece to a more modern piece I have at home to make something new of it. The possibilities are endless!


I hope everyone enjoyed this topic, and was able to maybe get a smile about something, see something in a different way, and of course to help you with your creative juices of ideas, and what can be done. After all, we are collectors of a little bit of everything. If not reusing pieces for as they are, why not repurpose them in ways that puts a smile to your face too?:)


Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams. When in internet roam stop by to see my Artfire store, check out the category for the repurposed, and upcycled treasures I have. There is not a whole lot there yet. A working progress as I clean house more, rid some of the inventory, and of course use some pieces of the inventory to repurpose too. Have fun, enjoy, and be safe all. I look forward to your next visit:)