24/7 Chat About Anything

[nature lover]

Jay dub and gypsy Jan. - I’ve been trying to get away during the day and then come back in at night. And now that Uncle Sam has allowed me to have my Social Security again this month I ate at Cracker Barrel this evening, gave a big tip and talked to all the managers so I hope that helps. The other CRVL unit was gone till I got back. There is a rest stop on I75 about 15 miles up the interstate from here and they tolerate people staying in their rig for three nights. And I have been looking at all other possibilities that I can think of. It’ll soon be getting warm enough up north it I’ll be moving on anyhow. But I do hope to get to the Everglades before I leave. I was telling some folks here about how I want to go get the picture of a painted bunting. And they were telling me that there was one in Sugarcreek Ohio in the last week. Occasionally a southern bird will sneak up north even in the winter and they have a beautiful one in Sugar Creek. But there’s plenty more in crooked oak swamp and it’s much more comfortable to sleep in a van down here than it is up there.

 

[highdesertranger]

Jan are you using "New Reply" or "Quick Reply". When adding pictures from your computer you need to use the "New Reply" button.

Highdesertranger

 

[Gypsy108]

I used new reply.... that was on my laptop...now I’m on my phone and it seems to work....
But the files are too big ...haha...I’ll figure it out.....

 

[maki2]

As far as building sales up on Etsy I dont have much in the way of advice. That is because I brought my pre existing customet base with me. Of course it has grown some from the Etsy site but a lot of my business is still from the customer base group I started with. But I had too many people asking to buy what I designed to comfortably deal with it all on my own. Etsy is essentially my cashier who deals with all the sales transaction stuff and my webmaster too. Used to be most of my sales were coming from outside of Etsy but this year with Covid 19 they did bring in an increaded amount of traffic that resulted in sales.

My main advice is actively do your own marketing, get busy with social media stuff. Get those images out there on the internet. They will get passed around to an even larger audience.

 

[maki2]

Another hour of work or two of work to do in the first part of the morning to empty out my storage tent. From 10 am until 10 pm there is a high wind gusts advisory. Fortunately no rain predicted for tomorrow.

A whole day to sit and read and watch some movies. Rough day ?

 

[travelaround]

I was reading books most of today. Didn't go outside even once. Tomorrow will be different. Nothing much has changed here.

 

[Gypsy108]

I had to switch to Chrome...didn't work on Safari   :huh:  This is just a few things I made ...I am just a beginner....I have a whole bunch more but I'm getting tired of posting now....haha...later.....


Opals & Crystals


 Rose Quartz & Crystals



 Amber & Crystals

 

[Gypsy108]

     Frankincense & Myrrh with Amber & Tibetan Green Eye Dzi & Turquoise


Some artwork i'm working on:

 

[bullfrog]

Beautiful!

 

[Gypsy108]

Thank you Bullfrog  :heart:

 

[Gypsy108]

As far as building sales up on Etsy I dont have much in the way of advice. That is because I brought my pre existing customet base with me. Of course it has grown some from the Etsy site but a lot of my business is still from the customer base group I started with. But I had too many people asking to buy what I designed to comfortably deal with it all on my own. Etsy is essentially my cashier who deals with all the sales transaction stuff and my webmaster too. Used to be most of my sales were coming from outside of Etsy but this year with Covid 19 they did bring in an increaded amount of traffic that resulted in sales.


My main advice is actively do your own marketing, get busy with social media stuff. Get those images out there on the internet. They will get passed around to an even larger audience.

I've been posting on my FB page (only family & friends so far), I'm already getting orders and i haven't even opened my Etsy shop....I am scared because i've never sold anything before...always gave it away....it scares me to go public...haha...and yeah...i will start very small...i will only make what i can handle....but i am so in love with doing this...i absolutely go nuts picking out gemstones and designing....i love doing it so much....it's relaxing and fun...and i wanna keep it that way.....it makes me happy....i am in my element.....but yeah..i have a LOT to learn....i just don't want to get overwhelmed with the other stuff that i lose my spirit.....i do spend a lot of money on supplies...i love quality gemstones...and i have high standards....

This is my Etsy Shop :

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

 

[Cammalu]

Beautiful jewelry and nicely staged.

 

[Gypsy108]

Thank you so much  :heart: :heart: :heart:

 

[Cammalu]

Where do you get your beads? There are so many wholesalers in Quartzsite but they are all just about gone for the season now. You might want to come next year though.

I’m a fan of those African opals!

 

[Gypsy108]

I've been buying most of them from Etsy shops !!   Yeah...i am a rock hound too and i KNOW i will go NUTS when i get to Quartzite !   Yeah i love the Ethiopian Opals.....they are less expensive than Australian too....but quality is still very good...i try to get AAA and untreated/natural gemstones...

The Opals i got from a Etsy store in India. The Baltic Amber i bought from an Etsy shop in Lithuania ! Some shops are based here in US. I also bought from various non-Etsy vendors....

 

[Cammalu]

Rockhounding? You are in big trouble here. I love going to the desert and playing with pretty rocks. Hubby and I both have that problem. This is green banded rhyolite we found this season out here :

I have a puttputt. Come on out and we will go!

There is a great rock club too that has all the tools you need for playing with rocks. They will even teach you to facet gems. I didn’t join this year because of Covid but next year!

 

[Gypsy108]

WOW. that is my kind of FUN !  I do want to eventually learn the art of real jewelry making (melting gold & silver in molds), etc.  Right now I'm just doing simple things....i have so much to learn....i took some geology classes & went on archeological digs in the past.....i wanted to be an archeologist at one point in my life....i have tooooooooo many interests.....it's overwhelming....i am so looking forward to making it out there and rock hounding with you !!!

 

[Cammalu]

They have silversmithing classes too. Classes are $4. When do you get to come out.

 

[Gypsy108]

Cool !    I have no idea when it will be...haha...i just got a new vehicle i have to pay for now...then after that's paid i will hopefully get a Wee-Roll to tow....that's my plan....after that i will be ready to rock & roll 

 

[Gypsy108]

I just found a Exiss horse trailer in excellent condition for $1,200. I'm going to look at it....but i'll have to wait for my stimulus check .....

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/tro/d/saint-paul-trailer-is-in-excellent/7285207693.html