I've been accepted to my SECOND juried show!

 Sherri, I've had ostrich and it's very good.  It doesn't taste or look like poultry at all, it tastes more like a high-end beef.  Very, very good, mmmmmm!!!

Cathi

 Jen:  Will do.  I decided on iSwipe.  I did a larger post about it on the Paypal credit card posting.   I will definately let you all know how it works.  Luckily the app was only 99 cents and no contract to sign so if I hate it, I can drop it right away.  It sounds good though so will let you know.

 Sherri: 

We definitely need a picture of us meeting.  I have no problem with posting it on BD.  Thanks for the tip about the contact button.  I also did re-do my post and took my email address out.  Doesn't really matter though, I get so much spam anyway.  LOL

Ostrich?  I tried it several years back at a little restaurant in downtown Greenville, SC, and I'm afraid it wasn't to my taste.  I do enjoy "different" foods, so please don't think I was prejudiced against the poor bird, simply didn't care for it, the taste was not exactly gamey, just, oh, I don't know, not good!  Of course, as with any food, it could have been the particular dish or the way it was prepared.  But I'm not eager to try it again.

Give me a good gator tail any day!

Sherri, I've lost track of who owes what.  I suspect it's pretty close to even either way, so okay, we'll call it that!  OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

After reading about Jeni's experience at her bazaar, I've decided I need to make some jewelry in some lower price ranges.  My rummage basket of earrings is a good start, but I'd better make some other jewelry in that price bracket as well. 

I think it would be more fun to see more people buying lower priced items than only a few people buying higher priced items (as was the case last year) - although its fun to make those bigger sales, too.  But I was envious last year, envious of the woman in the booth next to me who was ringing up sales all day long (she was the one selling things marked "made in the Philippines" - so much for the rule of the show that all things had to be handmade!).

Maybe I'll bring supplies to make a few things during slow times.  I saw someone else doing that last year and thought it was a good idea.

And I'm just so excited that I can now take credit cards.  I have a big feeling that fact will make a big difference in my sales this time!

Please be sure to let us know how the CreditCard thing works out, and what you plan to change for the third show, if anything!

I think for any show you have to have at least some of your nice things, but you need bread'n'butter items too.  Having a mix of both is a good plan.  I already have a ton of ideas for more things to make-time to execute them is my current issue!

Sherri, I hear you on the "made in Pakistan" lady.  My biggest competitor at the bazaars is an Italian guy who sells mass-produced jewelry.  He says it's all handmade in Italy which perhaps it is, but I've watched him restock by opening up pre-sealed plastic bags full of it, and it's priced too cheap to be artisan jewelry unless they pay their workers like Chinese people.

I've never heard of handmade jewelry being packaged in pre-sealed bags, have you?  My guess is he's calling it handmade when it really isn't.  It's sad!

I wish someone besides Vintaj made brass toggles.  I'd make a bunch of brass and Czech glass bracelets and necklaces if I could find clasps besides hook-and-eye or lobster claw.

*LIGHT BULB OVER HEAD*!  On the other hand, I could make a handful of bracelets and necklaces using a bunch of that copper I bought a couple of years ago.  Heaven knows I have a ton of it, and it wasn't that expensive! 

Sherri Trinity brass has toggles but it appears you purchase the bar and loop separately.  http://www.wickedgoodbeadz.com/servlet/the-Trinity-Brass-cln-Antique-Silver-and-Gold-cln-Clasps/Categories

Copper is good too though!

Sherri, that's what I've been doing.  I bought all that copper from you and from FMG and I like it just as well as brass.  Just depends on what looks best with the beads really.

Cat, I checked out the site you mentioned above that carries Trinity Brass - thanks for the link.  They appear to have the same clasps as Vintaj.  To me, these are expensive, just about as expensive as Sterling.  The copper toggles I bought were maybe 75 cents a set, so I can make some $15-$20 bracelets and still make a profit.

The sterling, pearls, swarovskis and high quality gemstones will be my "elite" line, and the brass and copper will be my "economy" lines. 

Last night, I counted all of the brass earrings I've been making over the last 3 weekends, and I counted 65 pairs!  Some are for the rummage basket, and others took more time and effort and will be priced higher.   

Now it's time to move on to some copper jewelry, and a bit more of the "elite" line.

JSmaz:

Sherri, that's what I've been doing.  I bought all that copper from you and from FMG and I like it just as well as brass.  Just depends on what looks best with the beads really.

I agree, Jeni.  I always seem to gravitate toward onyx with copper, but I know some other colors have to mix with it okay.  I guess I'll have to just go thru my bead stash and see what will go okay.  OH!  I have a lot of Chinese turquoise I could mix with it - turquoise goes REALLY well with copper, and I didn't pay much for it!  I'll bet that's a color combination that many people will go for!

 I realized what the prices were after I replied to this. I thought they were a bit cheaper but buying the pieces separately doesn't make that so. Sorry!

No worries, Cat!  It's the thought that counts!