I've been accepted to my SECOND juried show!

Sherri S. wrote

on Oct 3, 2009 10:52 AM

I continue to run into snags trying to get my ProPay account set up, but I feel sure it will eventually go through.  Since their website could not verify my physical address, I have to fill out an exception form and send them additional documentation.  First, the first representative I talked to sent me the wrong form.  Second, when I got the correct form, they require me to send in a copy of my driver's license and a copy of a voided check to verify my address.  Since I live in a rural area and nothing can be physically delivered to my house (except thru UPS), I have my PO Box on everything.  My correct address on my driver's license is handwritten on the back of it. 

Now they say if they can't verify my physical address with my DL and check copy, I have to send a copy of my social security card!  ARE THEY NUTS?  That's setting myself up for identity theft!  But I want my account!

So last night I looked for my SS card and couldn't find it.  I tore the house up this morning (so to speak) looking for it, and after an hour I found it.  Then when I went to put everything away that I dragged out, I came across my box of business checks.  The "Time to Reorder" slip was on the top of the stack.  HELLO?!  I just reordered my business checks on-line this morning and added my physical address to it. 

Now I will have to wait another week or so to send in the exception form.  But the wait is worth it to me, because I am relieved I don't have to send them my SS card.

LisaKwaj wrote

on Oct 3, 2009 9:56 PM

Sherri S.:

I just reordered my business checks on-line this morning and added my physical address to it. 

Sherri, that was a very smart thing to do!  And I'm glad that now you'll feel more secure about your identity -- that's not something to mess around with!  And the wait's no big deal, you've got a couple months before the show...

LisaKwaj wrote

on Oct 3, 2009 10:41 PM

Sherri S.:

MeganH:

Hi Lisa - I'm glad you were able to set up your account.  I get 2 part receipts books from Office Depot or Staples.  Most larger office supply stores have them. 

 

That's what I was going to say.  But of course there is no such store on Kwaj, but I believe Office Depot has a website - Staples probably does, too.  There's also Office Max.  I don't see any reason why you can't get these from one of these stores.  I'm sure at least one of them has an on-line catalog.

You know, when I first started selling my work, I used a standard 2-part sales receipt.  I really liked that it was carbonless, but didn't like the way it was laid out.  So years ago, I created my own sales receipt in Word, with all the information I need and none of the boxes I don't.  I sandwich carbon paper between 2 printed copies of the sales receipt and put a staple in it to keep it all together.  Once I've filled out the sales receipt, I keep a staple puller handy (so that I don't tear up the carbon paper -- I reuse it as much as possible) and give the customer the original, keeping the carbon copy for my records.  I hate dealing with the messy carbon, but it's been worth it to have customized receipts.  I've tossed around the idea of having the receipts professionally printed on NCR paper, but (1) it's expensive and (2) I keep tweaking the form (most recently I added the shop's phone number after we finally got a phone installed last week).  Wouldn't it be great if they made NCR paper that you could print on your inkjet so you could create your own customized multiple-part forms?  Maybe someday...

And Sherri, you're right about the office supply websites.  Most won't ship here, but I've found that OfficeMax will.  Their online prices are really high, but for stuff I can't get on island, it's sometimes worth it.

JSmaz wrote

on Oct 4, 2009 3:53 AM

Good Lord, it took a long time to read this!  Lots of great info here, and I second everything from a personal banker/teller perspective. 

Sherri, congrats on getting accepted again, and I hope everything gets straightened out with Propay.  At least you have plenty of time.  I was going to say that I have a Paypal app for my iPhone and that there's also a merchant services app now as well, but if you don't have an iPhone or similar phone that won't really help.

You can buy counterfeit pens at any office supply store.  I think we ordered them for the bank through Staples or Office Max.  They usually have a section for cash handling supplies.

Lisa, I'm with you on liking to print my own forms when possible.  It would be cheaper to get business cards printed but my info changes before I can use up a huge box of cards.  I'd rather print a few at a time so I'm not wasting them.

MelindaB@14 wrote

on Oct 5, 2009 3:50 PM

Hi Lisa ~ I found these sources for NCR paper if you are still looking:

NCR Paper Google Search Results:

http://www.google.com/search?q=ncr+paper&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

OfficeWorld.com ~ NCR Paper

http://www.officeworld.com/search_results/static/S104411/?gclid=CJGa5o7xpp0CFRESawod8Qvp_Q

Relyco ~ LaserPrinter NCR Paper - Sample packs available

http://www.relyco.com/lasercarbonlesspaper.htm?gclid=CKrSzKXxpp0CFR4Uagod40xqAA

Hope this helps

LisaKwaj wrote

on Oct 6, 2009 12:32 AM

Wow, Melinda, THANK YOU!  It never occurred to me that this type of paper exists for real -- I thought it was just a dream on my part.  You're awesome!!!

MelindaB@14 wrote

on Oct 6, 2009 9:17 AM

Hi Lisa ~ I'm so glad that this may work for you

Sherri S. wrote

on Oct 6, 2009 1:22 PM

Melinda is always awesome!  She's always searching on the internet for solutions for problems BD members are dealing with! 

MelindaB@14 wrote

on Oct 6, 2009 2:35 PM

Thank You Sherri ~ Its nice to know that I can help my BD friends

LisaKwaj wrote

on Oct 6, 2009 6:01 PM

Sherri S.:

Melinda is always awesome!  She's always searching on the internet for solutions for problems BD members are dealing with! 

And Melinda, for people like me who only have access to antediluvian dial-up internet connections, your fast fingers are a godsend!  THANK YOU for the assist!!!

labup wrote

on Oct 14, 2009 2:57 PM

 Sherri:

I live near Denver.  Good luck with the show.  I hope you have good weather.  It is really a toss up in Steamboat but it will be a beautiful time either way.  When does this show start taking applications?  I would like to try to get in next year?

Sherri S. wrote

on Oct 19, 2009 1:02 PM

labup:

I live near Denver.  Good luck with the show.  I hope you have good weather.  It is really a toss up in Steamboat but it will be a beautiful time either way.  When does this show start taking applications?  I would like to try to get in next year?

labup, what is your first name?  Will you share it here?  Meeting a beader on the BD that lives so close, it makes me crazy to only know them by a screen name!  There is NO ONE in Kremmling that shares my passion for beading, so I am basically all alone in my love for beads!

Anyway, you'd need to call the Steamboat Springs Arts Council.  They have a website, you can look them up there.  They send out the event invitations to apply in mid-September.  Rachel Radetsky is the  events coordinator.  The event is called the Holidays in the Rockies Artisan Market.  If you have enough jewelry to sell, you might even call them now and see if they still have space available.   If they do, they can send you an application for the event.  You have to fill it out and send it in with a photo of your work and a check for $150 for the booth fee.  Then they say yay or nay and either keep your payment or send it back if they say "nay".  If you get in, you get an 8x8 foot booth and you have to supply your own table(s).

This year, I got a room at the Rabbit Ears Motel so that I don't have to drive over Rabbit Ears Pass in the dark.  Living in a cow-hick town like Kremmling, something like this will be really fun because after making money at the show, me and my helper will go out to a nice restaurant and eat gourmet food and drink fine wine to celebrate.  Something like that is a rare treat for me these days.  Should be a fun weekend!

labup wrote

on Oct 19, 2009 6:49 PM

 Sherri:

My name is Laurel.  I live in Castle Rock.  Thanks for all the info about the show.  I will contact them and see if they still have space.

If you want to see some of my work you can see some on here in the Showcase posts.  I also have a website

www.jewleryjungle.vpweb.com

With holidays and winter coming it might be hard to get together for a bit but maybe in the spring we can get together.  That would be fun.

Thanks again for the information.  I will let you know if they have space and if I get in.

labup wrote

on Oct 19, 2009 6:56 PM

 Ooops, for some reason the previous link does not bring up my website.  try this one:

http://www.jewelryjungle.vpweb.com/

I am glad you won't have to drive over Rabbit Ears Pass in the dark.  That can be treacherous.  If I get in, I will need to stay overnight somewhere too.

JSmaz wrote

on Oct 20, 2009 8:52 AM

How fun Laurel, you live just south of my parents.  They live in Littleton just outside Highlands Ranch.  I still can't believe HR is actually a town now-when I lived there it was a brand new subdivision.