I continue to learn all the new things I need to keep cooking along the creative path. I’ve been balls to the wall since I started just six months ago and I haven’t slowed down yet. There are six ways to sell jewelry and I’m trying them all to see which sticks. So far I’ve sold on consignment, worked festivals, hosted home shows, sold online thru facebook, etsy & very shortly my very own Ruby Mae Jewelry website.I know there’s two more ways but right now these 4 are keeping me hopping.

This next month I’ve signed up to do 4 different festivals in 3 differnt cities. It’ll be interesting to see how each one varies. I needed a Gilbert business license but don’t need one in Phoenix or Scottsdale. My state one is suffecient for these venues.

Processing credit cards is vital to sales and sometimes handled by the hosting venue. I need my own credit card swiper for the Gilbert Festivals. Fingers crossed it arrives in time. Setting up the different business accounts is time consuming but well worth it. Apple swiper vs. Wells Fargo swiper. Im going with Wells Fargo.Payments are deposited faster and they store more transaction information. It was much more expensive but I think in the long run it will be worth it. There are so many fees with processing credit cards that it can make your head spin.I’ve decided to use Paypal to process orders on my website. Transaction fees are a bit higher but there isn’t the $30 a month fee a bank would require.Plus, I like Paypal. Anyone can use it even if they don’t have an account.

For packaging I’ve set up suppliers for my jewelry tags, shipping boxes, labels, bags, stickers, business cards & cloth jewelry pouches. The comparison shopping is over. It’s all been decided. Whew.

Yesterday it took me over an hour to set up my booth at the Jammin Fall Festival. 12×12 tent included. No easy feat in 97 degree weather.My dreamy husband arrived late in the show and had me tore down and packed in the Excursion in 27 minutes. Love him. Love that. It was apparent I brought to many non selling items. I’m learning.

I’ve decided to use a PO Box for the website so I’ve set that up too. I am ready for the holiday shoppers! Come see me this Friday, October 28th at the Gilbert Art Walk at the Water Tower Park. It’s in downtown Gilbert at 15 N. Rock Street. You can’t miss the water tower & my booth is just below it. Hope to see you there.

One more thing. People struggle to spell jewelry correctly. I have a credit card and a business license where it’s spelled wrongly. They don’t seem to care. I’ve stopped fighting them on it. It’s something to think about, having a business name thats hard to spell.