Thursday’s Featured Tools and Tips

You thought I was going to say artists didn’t you.  I would like to, but so many of them are busy creating and crafting and promoting that it is difficult to do one more thing!  So in light of an artist this week, I thought we would discuss Macro Photography and then Etsy’s coupon code entry.

For the longest time I put off internet sites and shops because I felt my pictures were not good enough to use as a selling point.  A friend, who is a wealth of knowledge, taught me about Macro Photography, or more appropriately taught me about the menu on my camera, which as luck would have it, has a MACRO setting.  Macro photography is for taking clear, close up shots of tiny objects.  Below are two examples of Macro Photography.  A bracelet of my own (Brecciated Jasper), that I photographed using the Macro option on my camera, and a professional photograph of a baby octopus.

Detail of the focal stone.  Shot at home on a gray velvet display board.

Professional Macro photograph.

 Macro settings allow you to capture the smallest detail.  I use a Canon Power Shot A480 – the Youtube video below was originally e-mailed to me by my friend.  I love this camera.  I will say that the manual is lacking in instruction on the menu and the settings the icons represent.  This young man will walk you through the basics.  If you are unsure if you camera has a Macro setting, search Youtube or other tutorial pages for your camera’s make and model.  Your shop items or whatever you’re photographing will look better for it.

A quick note about coupon codes.

As most of you have probably seen, I post the occasional coupon code for a percentage off your purchase price or free shipping.  Either you all forget to enter the code or not sure of where or when to do so.  Like so many I am guilty of rushing though a purchase at times, the information is automatically entered for you, what’s there to think about!  That darned coupon code!  That is important, it saves you money!

I urge you to REVIEW you orders or whatever you are doing on the net, before pressing that “Submit” button.  This first picture shows your order before you click the check out button.  Notice the Apply shop coupon code link in light blue between the payment options and the order summary.  Click that before clicking the check out button!

This second picture shows your order before you click the check out button and after you have clicked the Apply shop coupon code link.  Notice the Apply shop coupon code link has been replaced with a text box between the payment options and the order summary.  Enter the coupon code here if one is provided before you click the check out button.  Your discount or Free Shipping will be applied and subtracted from your total!  Your new total will appear and your order will reflect the discount in the order summary.

Now you can shop to your heart’s content and get all the good discounts offered by so many of the shop owners / vendors.

Thank you for stopping by and having a look.  Comments are always welcome!

New Shop Items, Sales, Links and Promotions

We’re back and switching things up a bit this week!  Have to keep you people on your toes!  I hope you all had a lovely weekend.  I was busy as a good Alchemist should be, spinning metal, cutting rings, weaving jewelry!  So let’s jump right into it and see what’s going on in the Laboratory!

Let’s start off with the final five days of a SALE and a FREE, yes I said FREE Give Away.  The details have changed, read closely!

FOR ONE WEEK ONLY!  Now through February 10th, when you spend $30.00 or more at The Alchemists Vessel Etsy shop or you click through from alchemistsvessel.net, either from the Mini Etsy page or buying direct, you will receive a special offer via e-mail before your order is processed or completed!  I think you’ll like it.  REMEMBER: Enter the coupon code LOVEYDOVEY (that’s one word) and receive an additional 10% off your total purchase price on any item in the Etsy Shop! 

Right now, in the Etsy Shop, select items have been reduced!  Like this beautiful Chain Maille Collar / Choker and Earring set, “Cindy-Rae”.  Silver in color with Amethyst color glass beads, this is a gorgeous ornament and a great addition to any jewelry box!  Can be made longer if desired.  A $40.00 value, now $30.00, plus FREE SHIPPING on this and selected items in the Etsy Shop.  REMEMBER: Enter the coupon code LOVEYDOVEY (that’s one word) and receive an additional 10% OFF your total purchase price on any item in the Etsy Shop, now through February 20th, 2012!

Although the color is not showing well here, the glass beads really are purple and quite pretty in the sunlight.

February’s Birthstone is Amethyst and now through February 29th, all Amethyst Jewelry (semiprecious gemstone and glass bead) has been reduced.  Like this fun, super cute and retro-hip Sterling Silver Peace Sign charm with genuine A grade Amethyst beads and Sterling Silver chain.  Comes with matching earrings, boxed ready for gift giving.  A $40.00 value, now $30.00!  See what other Purple items we have on sale!  REMEMBER: Enter the coupon code LOVEYDOVEY (that’s one word) and receive an additional 10% OFF your total purchase price on any item in the Etsy Shop, now through February 20th, 2012!

Beginning February 21st and running though March 16th, The Alchemists Vessel on Facebook will be holding a contest.  Rules, requirements and other details will be posted here.  We will be offering a Sterling Silver and genuine Citrine Pendant to the winner (A $50.00 value).  Watch this blog for updates and Contest Announcements!  (Prize may be subject to change, but will remain in the $50.00 value category)

Last but not least let’s get some new Links going!

You can now find us on Linked in!  If you’re a jewelry designer, have an Etsy shop or just run your own business come join the network.  There is a group just for Etsy Shop Owners!  They have Job listings too!

We also have a stack on Delicious, to quote a friend, “That place is like link central.”  Indeed it is!  I invite you to add your own content to my stack The Alchemists Vessel Jewelry, or perhaps sign up and start promoting your business, yourself, or your other interests.

As part of my insistence on getting the Business and Jewelry out to the masses, I do a lot of research and reading (and you should too!)  I started the linked in and the delicious account after reading this article.  50 Social Sites Every Business Needs a Presence On.  Now most of the 50 do not apply to me, and may not apply to you or your chosen field of expertise or even be of interest to you in the promotion of your business, whatever that may be.  However, it is definitely worth a skimming.  I suggest a quick perusal if nothing else.

And that is it for Monday’s blog!  I hope you find something useful, of interest or perhaps learned something new.  Don’t forget those sales going on!  February has come and is almost gone!

Links and Promotion Friday!

Good Morning,

Today we will be Shameless Self Promotion Friday and we will begin with a promotion or two and then the links will be up.  These promotions are for a LIMITED time, now through February 20, 2012!  Don’t delay, grab your favorite piece before it is gone.

PROMO 1: 

Take 10% OFF any item in the Etsy shop, The Alchemists Vessel when you enter the coupon code LOVEYDOVEY.  That’s any item in the shop!  Valentine’s Day themed and other items, too.  Now through February 20, 2012.

**Returning Customer?  Send us a message BEFORE you click that BUY button for your selected items, and we will set up a special listing just for you with an additional discount – FREE SHIPPING!

PROMO 2:

Purchase the Pink Parure Chain Maille Choker and get FREE SHIPPING plus if you enter the coupon code LOVEYDOVEY you will receive an additional 10% the total purchase price.  This includes every item in the shop!  Now through February 20, 2012!

PROMO 3:

Visit the Website The Alchemists Vessel , e-mail the last three words from the Mission Statement on the About Page to us (use the CONTACT US button on the site), include your name and e-mail address and receive a special offer, and it’s a good one!  But only for those that follow the instructions.

PROMO 4:

Facebook Contest – Watch The Alchemists Vessel page on Facebook for a fun and exciting contest.  Beginning February 20th, I will hold a contest for FREE JEWELRY, I haven’t decided on the prize piece but it will be in the $30.00 to $50.00 value range I create.  If the winner is unhappy with the piece I select for a prize, another may be offered.  This is about promotion and getting my name and my store out to the masses and you get something pretty!

Something like this maybe.

LINKS from above and a fresh one or two.

The Alchemists Vessel on Etsy

The Alchemists Vessel Website

The Alchemists Vessel Facebook

If you have a Google + Account, look us up!  We have a page there too!  Click any of the links on the right side Menu bar to be taken to any of the pages above!

Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful weekend!

Links and Promtions

Just a couple of offerings for you today.  Have the market to attend, you may find that under promotions.  Links up first.

Everything Etsy  – This is a blog like site that features buttons, banners,a dn well everything etsy, and if you hover on the banners, click “How-To Personalize Your Banner” it  will take you to pixlr.com a super powerful and totally free on line photo editor.  No download or sign up required!

Photo Editor  – Pixlr.com, I made my Etsy shop banner using this program.  Fairly simple, once  you get the hang of it.

Kassoy LLC – A link the Facebook page, they are a Jewelry supplier out of New York and have some nice stuff for displays and the like, check out the page and click like if you like.

M.A.I.L. “Maille Artisans International League”, curious as to how I do that?  Now you can find out.  Interesting site.

Promotions:

I’m rather stuck for promotions today.  Here are a couple.

I will be attending the Treasure Valley Expo Idaho Market this Saturday and Sunday.  Stop by Booth #28, and pick up a Free refrigerator magnet!

 

The Alchemists Vessel – For blog readers only.  Now through February 20th, when you enter the coupon code “loveydovey” on my Etsy shop you’ll receive 10% off your total purchase. Just in time for  Valentine’s Day!