Thursday, September 24, 2009

My Inventory: How I pick beads

My idea on picking the right items in my shop is simple:
  • Offering quality products and finding the best reliable suppliers are very important.
  • I primarily sell firepolished Czech beads.  I like to set up my shop as a collection.  It's a good idea to have a specialized collection on the inventory instead of selling too many things.
  • I only have four major types of beads: Lentils, Donuts, 4mm firepolished beads, and Teardrops.  Also, I sell handmade beaded chains.
  • Having fewer types of beads help me organize my inventory and helps a lot when shipping many orders.  Less containers and bins when organizing.
  • I have at least 20 colors per types of beads.  Lentil beads are my bestseller, so I have more than 50 colors in stock.
  • I recently moved my ring and earring collection from my jewelry shop to my supply shop, because managing more than one shop became difficult.  I also manage my clothing line at topsycurvydesigns.etsy.com.
  • It is really important for me not to have too many different types of beads.  I like to specialize on only four types of beads then load up on the number of colors.  This way, my shop is more organize and buyers wont get overwhelmed browsing.
  • Bestsellers category helps my customer get a quick look on items that's very popular in my shop.

  • Wholesale lot gives my customer greater discounts when buying in bulk.
  • I wanted to offer unique items that is not offered at etsy, so I came up with selling Handmade Beaded Chains.  Perfect for designers, jewelry makers and crafters. These ready-to-use linked beads are perfect for their beautiful pendants, necklaces and bracelets. The sections can easily be taken apart. 
  •  It's very important to stock up on classic and basic plain colors like black, clear crystal, bronze (brown), amethyst, green, and blue.
  • I find it very successful to have multi-colored strand beads instead of having too many plain colors.  Example is my picasso mix donut beads.
  •  Keeping my shop fresh is important. To do this, I introduce many new colors every month.  If an item did not sell quickly, I usually restocks them after three months; however,  I immediately restock on hot items.  

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

New Arrivals: September 15th, 2009

Had yet another wonderful and successful bead shopping trip today with my toddler. I bought mostly beads to restock and some new ones. I came equipped with my ipod and mini speakers to watch her favorite show "Curious George." I was so happy to be able to shop in peace, although my daughter still got destructed with the beautiful beads, so she had to grab one of them that I ended up buying too (she has great taste like mommy...hehehehe). On our way out, Perry (my favorite guy) gave my daughter cute bear beads which she could not stop playing with now.

Monday, September 21, 2009

My Typical Day at Work and Home

As you read along, like many stay at home moms out there can definitely relate with my chaotic life:
7 AM - Wake up time. Try to post 4-5 items at etsy by renewing them
7-8      - Breakfast then get my daughter ready for the day, chores
9-10      Walking exercise to Central Park w/ my daughter
11-1 PM - Lunch (including all preparations)
1-2        Get my daughter ready for her afternoon nap
2-4        Work on etsy. Renewing about 10-15 items.
             At the same time cook dinner
4-6        Play with my daughter
7           Dinner then give my daughter a bath
8-9        Daughter's bedtime ( really varies from how we start the day)
9-12      Work on Etsy, more chores, bath, and just a little free time with my husband

Does this sound familiar?  There's really not enough room left for myself.  I'm in desperate need of a "ME TIME" someday.  I haven't had my hair done for more than a year.  I just actually started my daughter in day care twice a week for 2 1/2 hours a day.   Hopefully, I could leave my daughter  alone in day care next week, so I could get a little break.