Autopilot

I am embarrassed to say that I have nearly abandoned this blog during my stint at college! I do have a college blog, so I am happily continuing to communicate blog-style.

However lax I have been with my online selling, Bonanza is still working for me! Periodically I get a wonderful email from them letting me know that a sale just went through. The most recent was a very large sale on my Itza Gift Shop site.

Thank you, Bonanza. I really, really want to get back into a more active relationship with you. In the meantime, thank you for doing your part!

Something happened on my way to class...

I admit, I have been eyebrow deep in finals for the last couple of weeks, so when Bonanzle announced their name change to Bonanza I was startled. Did I miss a memo somewhere? What was wrong with the original le? So instead of working on my website design, I cruised FB and some blogs... sorry, was a bit scared to get on the forums!

Anyway, it is fine. Bonanzle, Bonanza... whatever. As long as buyers can find me, I am not worried - and from the sounds of it, the old links will still get you to the same destination.

A lot of folks are worried, and I can understand that, but I am of the mind that if their business model is good for me, I will stick around. However, I am also not selling in huge amounts with a lot of time and resources on the line. At this point in time, I am concentrating on classes and the few hundred dollars that comes in through Bonanz_ sales periodically is a nice way to pay for books.

Oh... being a design student there is ONE little thing bugging me. Sorry, but that top header / banner -- if I tried to turn that in, any teacher in the school would throw it back at me. Even my coding instructor would be challenging the lack of creativity! I know this... I just sat through our Web Authoring finals critique on Monday. And besides, there is an expectation of something a little more out of the ordinary from Bonanzle... Bonanza... I can only hope they have something up their sleeve!

But other than that... I love the slick home page with the handpicked lists, and have no complaints about the name change.

Cleaning out

To build upon the previous post, I have started a major overhaul of my sellling sites and looking at what is left of the quilt store products I had bought. Most of it has sold, but what hasn't sold over this past year is being donated to people who can use it.

Then I plan to start listing items that have not been up for sale prior to now.

So... once that decision was made, an $80.00 bundle of fabric (pictured above) that I had been storing for several years sold! Of course! And that really messes with a seller's head, let me tell ya!

Doesn't matter, I need to clean house.

I am also dismantling my scrapbooking collection. What I did not donate, will be sold. There is the whole balance of storage vs. selling that has to be mentally dealt with.

I also keep toying with the idea of selling on ebay again. Not sure if I can handle the stress, but I might give it a try. One thing about Bonanzle, I have never had any stress.

Summer Cleanup

Over the past year I have successfully completed 4 quarters at the Art Institute of Indianapolis. Somewhere along the way I felt like I had entered some unreal world where life is suspended and all that matters is "making the grade." It is like the life I had been leading prior to this was what was unreal!!!

As mentioned before, in spite of the fact that I have basically neglected my online stores, there have been slow but steady sales. Finally, week 2 into this quarter I had enough and began an inventory of my Cabin Fever quilt products. The oddest thing happened...I began to feel like I had returned to my REAL life!!! This is what matters! Not that I am going to jetison my homework, but geesh, what I am doing online and what stems from it is what matters!

So... here's to reclaiming my real life and to more sales as I begin to list products once more on Bonanzle!

[Spending so much time in the fabrics makes me want to go make quilts for Christmas gifts!!!!]

Jan Sales were my best!

I am not sure what was going on with Jan. but sales picked up for my sites! The biggest sale happened on my Itzagiftshop site when one of the gold charms sold. However, selling one of my Thimbleberries quilt bundles on Cabin Fever was also a highlight since I talked with the buyer and received great feedback from her.

Being in college, I have not been working my online businesses, but what is out there is selling, so that works for me!

Sales do happen

I have not been able to give much percentage of my time to my online sales because of college; however, some sales are happening! I find this encouraging and would love to be able to spend more time building an online business.

For those of you doing your business this holiday season, enjoy and I wish you all well!

If you want to know what I am up to instead of selling, check out my college blog. I have photos of the projects I am working on these days.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Changes...

It has been around 6 weeks since I have written anything concerning Cabin Fever, but never fear, we are still here and sales are actually picking up! Lets hope that is a good indication of a wonderful holiday season ahead!!!

Actually, what has happened in my life (besides a new niece and a new puppy) is college! 6 weeks ago I re-entered the world of college learning with a pack of high school kids and a few "older folks" such as myself who are re-inventing themselves or just adding onto what they already have. It is an art school mixed with practical application, which is why I chose it.

I am blogging about it on Wordpress, if anyone wants to follow along.

In the meantime, I have continued to list on my Itzagiftshop ID and have been selling on all 3 booths. I love Bonanzle!!!