Postage Rate Increase!

They're at it again!  The USPS  (and the Canadian Post) has announced rate hikes once again!  Aye-yai-yai!

Several years ago, rate hikes affected my personal life.  I had to stop sending Christmas gifts to my grandchildren, because the rates to ship were more expensive than the item being shipped--I lived on a limited budget!  It wasn't worth it to ship;  everyone said that I should send gift cards!  I really didn't want to, as these were not personal enough for me.  Besides, I enjoyed the shopping for each individual.   Then I moved closer to my grands and problem solved.

Now, the post office is raising rates again with the largest increases being at the lower end, for First class packages.  That is right where I do most of my business! I ship small items, lighter weight items, and my customers get a break over stuffing the items in a flat rate box. It feels like the Postal Service is fazing out first class packages. Again, Aye-yai-yai!  Small business owners, like me are affected tremendously by this!

So my Pruitt Creations customers will not be affected, at least until January 26th, here what I will do:

1.)  I will not raise my rates until the 25th. Obviously anything ordered on the Sunday 25th  cannot be shipped until Monday the 26th, but I will honor the old shipping rate!

2) Anything in my Marked-Down section will be Free (domestic USA) shipping, if you use the coupon code FREESHIPPING at checkout.  And if you are in the UK, Canada or elsewhere, the rates will not be raised until the 25th.  Shop NOW!

3) and if you buy items that are not on clearance, with marked-down items, you can still use the free shipping coupon code!  Remember USA domestic shipping ONLY.

I appreciate my customers and want them to get the best prices!  Remember . . . . Time is running out fast!

View my shop here!

Small Business Saturday Friends

Several of my small business proprietor friends also have incentives for Small Business Saturday!  I would appreciate my readers taking a look!

Memories for Life
Use Code 20Off2013 for 20% off your entire purchase
Good Saturday, November 30th in honor of Small Business Saturday


 Stalking the Wild Snark
Use code 20Saturday2013 for 20% off on 11/30 for Small Business Saturday


 MisterPenQuin - Handmade books, journals and clipboards
Black Friday to Cyber Monday 10% Off All Items
No coupon code necessary - discount applied during checkout


JNOriginals - Crocheted and felted wearable accessories 
Black Friday to Cyber Monday 10% Off Everything
No coupon code necessary - discount applied during checkout
PLUS
CLEARANCE (scarves, felted bowls & more) – prices reflects 50% discount


 Storybeader - Handmade journals and paper goods for the art lover
Black Friday (11/29) through the middle of December (12/15)
20% off all items
Contact Deb and I'll make your purchase a special order.


abigailJayneART - Free shipping on any purchase on Small Business Saturday. Use coupon code ShippingZero.And of course my shop: 

PruittCreations - Free Coffee Cozy ($6 value) with any purchase over $5 on Small Business Saturday Nov. 30th. List color preference in the notes to the seller. I will try to accommodate.

October hobgoblins, ghosts and fun!

It's that time again! Time for Shameless Promotion Day, which I don't often do in this blog, but since it is time for hobgoblins, ghosts, and fun . . . . I changed my Etsy banner on my Creations shop to reflect the fun!

 And in celebration, I'm having a sale on all my Halloween items.  Use the coupon code in the shop announcement to get a 15% discount on your purchases!

Fun paper bag art by pruittcreations

throw pillow for the season

Quilted Table Runner with Happy Pumpkins!

I've also linked to a unique blog hop at Aquariann's blog.  If you are looking for items for Halloween, you might want to hop over there and see what is available!  

Post Vacation SUMMER Sale

I know, I've had just some pre-scheduled Wordless Wednesday posts for the last few weeks, but now I am back from my little vacation.  Will have some pictures of my hometown and some other features from my travels in the next few days, but first I want to announce a SUMMER CLEARANCE sale in my creations shop. (Also, a way of celebrating my eminent birthday!)

Most sellers are in Fall and Christmas mode right now with their creating.  If not creating, then they are all thinking about it.  I am!  So . . .Sew . . . I need to clear out items that have been hanging around a while.  I have listed a few in my shop and will be listing a few more in the next few days, so stop by!  You might find something you like at a great price!

Fun Zipper Pouch

Deco clutch bag

Farm Doll anyone?

Also--- 
it's so close to the Fourth of July, that I am offering all my patriotic stock for a 15% Off Discount!

See my Holiday/Seasonal section.  Use coupon code 4THHOLIDAYSALE.  This Sale only lasts thru July 15th. then all my patriotic items will disappear until next year.

Thanks for taking a look! 

Shop Closing

Over the last few years, I have made jewelry.  It's been a fun experience, but I now see the need to

 "narrow my repertoire".  Fabric has taken over my passion, so I will be closing my Design shop for good! Everything left in my shop is drastically reduced!  Use Coupon Code in the shop announcement for current discount. 

Here's a reminiscent look a a few of my favorite pieces. 

Please take a look, there is more than just jewelry in my shop -- it all has to go by Jan 31st!  

Thanks for looking!

Thanksgiving Day Sale

Well, It's that time of year!  Thanksgiving is this Thursday and I hope that your holiday will be just awesome!
We will  be having just family--although that now includes the family of the boyfriend of one of my granddaughters!  The total number is now 53 people!   We're renting a hall!   That's what happens when you have as big a family as mine!  (If you don't know me, you wouldn't know that we have ten kids and 26 grands and two great-grands!)

Anyway, I am celebrating with a SALE in one of my shops!  Free Shipping NOW through Cyber Monday!
No need for coupon codes, all listings are already changed with free shipping!!

Have a great week!

Saturday Show

Grrrrrrhhhhh . . . .  I'm having such trouble with my camera!!  Most of my photos are coming out blurry lately!  Same camera, but I can't figure out what's going on!  Okay, enough of the temper tantrum for today! 

Anyway, I did a community charity show on Saturday and it was HOT!  The good thing was it was out on a grassy field -- that helped. The show didn't have as many people attend as they were hopin' for, so sales were not good as I had planned. 

My granddaughter, Kayleigh, helped with the show.  She also sold friendship bracelets; she's raising money to be an exchange student in her Junior year.  She hopes to go to Taiwan or Japan.  And I got to use the new banner that I made with the help of Edi of Memories for Life Scrapbooking. I sent her fabric pieces backed with a fusible interfacing and she cut out the letters with her laser machine.  When I got them back, I mounted them on the muslin triangles and finished it up with some bias binding in red. Didn't it turn out great?! (Sorry about the fuzzy picture!)

I hung several of my quilts (also for sale) and they created some shade and some color!  Plus, quilts always seem to draw customers in to take a look!

I also previewed a new item!  Yoyo decorated Flip Flops!  They were a hit! (again a fuzzy picture! grrrrrrh)

The sun zapped all my strength and I slept for nearly the rest of the weekend.  How was your weekend?

Celebrating . . .

Celebrating Aprons! 

I recently did some preliminary work for a local, yet international, factory/retail business toward the opening of a new small gift shop in their factory tour facility. (Their larger retail facility is shown here.)

I did a prototype apron for them.  The buyer wanted a vintage style apron that they could attach their logo to.  After being submitted, it had an "on again, off again" relationship with the company officials.  But finally, an initial order for three aprons "to try" has come thru!  I am so celebrating! (And sewing, of course!) Once they are in the shop, I will show you a photo! But for now . . . .

 . . . . to celebrate, I am offering the aprons that I have in my Etsy shop at HALF OFF!  You can share the celebration with me!  I would like to offer some new styles in my Etsy shop, especialy if this wholesale order takes off, so I am clearing out my existing aprons.  This is a great time for a SALE, since it is wedding season!  Also coming up are backyard BBQ's for the holidays.  Treat yourself to a new apron (you'll look so cute in it!) or purchase one to give as a gift!  Be sure to use coupon code APRON12 to get the huge discount!

Black Friday PINK!

Black Friday weekend! 

Pink and Black!

It's the first shopping weekend of the Christmas Season!  Everything in my Design shop has Free shipping!  That saves you dollars on the bottom line totals! 



Anything bags!


Everything in my Pruitt Creations shop is 25% OFF thru Monday!  Coupon Code is on the first page in the info section just below the shop banner.    Here's another pink item:



Coffee Sleeves!  Enough for the office gang!

Coffee Sleeves in every color, not just PINK!  Check it out in this section. Remember to figure the 25% Discount when you are thinking about a purchase.  At check out, remember to put in the coupon code  and it  will  figure the correct price for you!  Happy Shopping!!!

And THANKS! for visiting my Etsy shops! 

This is for  Pink Saturday.   Click the side bar button to look at other participants entries for Today! 

Last Day of the Sale!

Today is the last day of my Birthday and EtsyAnniversary Sale in my Design Shop, but first, I wanted to tell you what I have been working on lately. 

My oldest granddaughter, Colleen, who recently graduated with her bachelors degree, asked me to make her a quilt.  She brought me a huge bag of her old t-shirts.  During her school years she participated in softball,volleyball,  & missions trips; she attended several schools and went to concerts, so she has lots of t-shirts for all of these activities.  I had never made a t-shirt quilt before, so I had to find a way to put my GD's life together in a pleasing design on her quilt. A friend of mine suggested a way to handle it, and I decided to try her way. I am not finished, but it is coming together nicely, I think.  I am house sitting right now, and don't have my camera, but I will try to show a picture in a couple of days on this blog.  I'm excited about it!




Colleen and her mother,Jackie, the birthday girl!

 
Now . . .for the final day of

CELEBRATING . . . . .    50% OFF SALE

Today is my oldest daughters birthday!   She thinks she's getting old, but what does that make me?????!!!Anyway, for the final day of the sale, I am offering anything, yes ANYTHING in my design shop for 50% OFF!  Use coupon code BDA11. 

Remember . . . . this is for today ONLY - November 8th!  Happy Shopping!

Day 6 Daily Special

It's Sunday and I am going to take the short route, just telling you about the Day 6 special in my design shop. 

Sunday, November 6th, Daily Special is a truly original set of earrings: One-of-a-Kind!  Jasper rounds, cat's eye rounds and Swarvoski bicones are offset with brass findings and steel earwires!!  Unique!!

Remember . . . these are 1/2 OFF Today ONLY.  Celebrating my Etsy Anniversary and my daughters' birthdays!  Also two of my DILs have birthdays in November too!  Last evening we went out to celebrate with the family girls--eight of us--celebrating with three of them:



D, D, DIL

I am blessed with a wonderful family!  Do you have an awesome family????  

Day 5 and Pink Saturday!

It's turned off cold already in the middle of Autumn and . . .  I remember Spring . . . especially since it is PINK Saturday!!!!  **Smile**  Thought you might like to "see" Spring!  hee!  hee!

These were growing in my daughter-in-law's yard.  And I love the pink watering can, don't you!  I just love gardening!!!!

Also . . . . DAY 5 . . . . . Remember, I am

CELEBRATING! ¤¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)(¸.•´ (¸.•`¤~♥ . . . my November birthdays and my Etsy anniversary!

by running a daily special in my Design Shop each day for the first eight days of November. The sale item will be 1/2 OFF and will be offered on a first come first serve basis! When it's gone, it's gone!

November 5th DAILY SPECIAL:


Nov 5th Special - Elaine Necklace


If you want to follow me on twitter,
http://twitter.com/thepinkgrammy

I will tweet the daily item in the very early morning (between midnight and 6 AM) to let you know what is new! I'll also tweet it during the day a couple of times. Should be fun! --(Also, the daily item will appear in the featured section at the top of the page for ONE DAY ONLY!)

Don't forget to visit Pink Saturday on Beverly's blog and view some of the other submissions! Thanks!

Day 4 and Craft Show Prep



My daughter helping me at a past show


Today is my youngest daughter's birthday! She often helps me with craft shows.  Bless her! and Happy B-Day Suzanne!

It's Friday and I am busy! Big craft show, a new one for me, on Saturday.  I've been making sure that everything that I have is priced, so there will be no questions on my own part when several people are in my face and asking prices.  I don't mean that customers "in my face" is a negative thing, but when you are by yourself, helping customers, holding conversations and watching for anything amiss, it is hard to keep everything in your head.  I have made  mistakes quoting prices under pressure, in the past and have cut myself short!  Not this time! 

I store merchandise in water proof containers with tight fitting lids.  I don't always sort my items, AFTER a show, and so I spent time today sorting my merchandise, taking out those items that I do not want to display.  I am leaving several types of items at home.  It's kinda like "less is more."  I have also been guilty of 'taking everything I own'.  Not this time!

THIS TIME, I will be using a new item in my sales process.  I have ordered a Square card reader, which my son recommended.  He uses it when he does trade shows for his magazine.  The same day I saw a blog post on it.  When I did the research, I was sold.  I'll let you know how it performs.  I am hoping that it will give me the ability to make larger dollar sales, not just nickle and dime sales from customers on a strict cash budget.  We'll see!

Enough of that!  Today is also Day 4 of my 'Birthdays and Anniversary Sale' in my Design shop. Here's Friday's Daily Special:


Fancy velvet look evening pouch with long strap 

Hurry, this half price item will only be on sale on Friday--Friday ONLY!  When it's gone, it's gone!

Any tips for craft sales?

Day 2 - Daily Specials

Before I get to the Daily Special in my Design shop for today- November 2nd, I would like to discuss another subject for just a bit.

********************************************
S.E.O.
Since Etsy just changed their searches to a relevancy basis, I have been trying to learn more about searches.  For my customers to be better able to find me, I have been adjusting my tags. Thus,  I have seen a jump in my views. A second thing that I am working on is learning about SEO.  And a friend gave me some information that I am now devouring regarding Search Engine Optimization.
 F. Y. I.
One thing I have learned is that inbound links are more important  than outbound links to the search engines like Google, Yahoo, or Bing.  It is more valuable to have other websites be giving out your link, than the links that you are placing in your content.  Why?  Search engines rate web sites.  And if you are getting "references" from high rated web sites, you jump up in the ratings.  It's kinda like the old high school social system; it's who you know and who you are seen rubbing elbows with, not who you say that you know!!  Make sense?  I'm still chewing on that one!    Thought you might want to too!


Anyway--Day two November Birthday and Anniversary Sale--
(Sale info here.)
The daily special item of the day is:



Was $15 . . . . . . today only . . . . $7.50

 Sale  price is good only for Wednesday November 2nd!  When it's gone, it's gone!!!  Check it out!

OK, so do you have any tips for Search Engine Optimization?  

Celebration!

It was three years ago in November, that I started my experience on Etsy!  I started with the jewelry that I had been making while hubby studied evenings for his bachelors degree.  I wanted to not bother him, and I wanted to keep busy with something creative, so I started making jewelry.  When I got enough of it for myself -- and everyone in the family too if they wanted it!--I decided to sell it.  My daughter-in-laws told me about Etsy and so that was it!  Three shops later, the rest is history! 

November is also two of my lovely daughter's birthday's --one on the 4th and one on the 8th! 

So, I have decided to . . . . .
CELEBRATE!  ¤¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)(¸.•´ (¸.•`¤~♥ . . .
 
by running a daily special in my Design Shop each day for the first eight days of November.  The sale item will be 1/2 OFF and will be offered on a first come first serve basis!  When it's gone, it's gone for the day!
If you want to follow me on twitter,
http://twitter.com/thepinkgrammy
I will tweet the daily item in the very early morning (between midnight and 6 AM) to let you know what is new!  Should be fun! --(Also, the daily item will appear in the featured section at the top of the page for ONE DAY ONLY!) 

So join the fun--if only to see what is happenin'. 

Here's the item for the first day of November--Novermber 1st ONLY:

Necklace and Earrings set for Autumn

You have any birthdays in November that you are celebrating?   

Nine days till Halloween!

Only nine days left till Halloween day!

Several items left in my shop to make sure your halloween celebration / party is the BEST! 

 

Holiday items on sale thru the 26th



Smily faced Pumpkin Table runner

Decorate for the holiday! I have a table runner on my foyer table with a couple of small pumpkins setting there.  It's very festive and welcoming to my guests!

Fabric Coaster for the Season

Only nine days left till Halloween day!

What are you planning for your celebration?

Sale and GIVEAWAY!

It's that time again!  Halloween! Time to decorate for the holidays!

So I decided to celebrate!  I'm having a GIVEaway!  And a SALE! 



Wizard of Oz pillow



Everything in my 'holiday section' of my handcrafts shop is on sale!  This includes my halloween items and my Christmas items!  Check it out!

Christmas Paper Bag Art



Right after the sale--- to help you get started with your gift shopping--- I am giving away

this Happy Pockets half Apron  (wouldn't it be a great Christmas gift for someone in your family????? ) . . . . AND . . .  one set of fabric coasters of your choice (check out the entire coaster set inventory in my shop)!

How do you enter?  Visit my shop, check out the holiday sale section, then visit my Facebook page and leave a comment about which is your favorite sale item.  Or you could leave a comment about your favorite set of coasters.  (If you choose to "like" my page in the process, I would appreciate it!!!!) Winner will not be based on the 'like' process, but will come from the comments that are left on my page.

Here's my facebook page:

http://facebook.com/PruittCreations 

On the 27th, I will randomly choose a winner and notify the winner thru facebook!  Or you could check back here on my blog on that day, to see who won! 

Good luck!  

Summer CLEARANCE Sale and a GIVEAWAY!

SUMMER CLEARANCE SALE!
Keep reading, you'll get to the giveaway part! :-)

I spent the evening, yesterday, cleaning up all the listings in my shop.  Time passes and things in your shop don't change unless you change them!  There were tags left over from Black Friday . . .sheeech!  Prices that were inconsistent on similar items. . . . I lowered some prices. I changed some of the shop sections to be more consistent with my products.  I also added some INACTIVE items to my CLEARANCE section.  You owe it to yourself to check out some of the items.  Here's a few CLEARANCE items GREAT for gift giving:


d

Set of four coasters, discontinued style $3.00



Set of four handmade THANK YOU cards



Set of simple tissue stamped Gift Tags $1.50

 Everything else in my Handcrafts shop will be 15% OFF through July 4th.  Everything!  Use the coupon code provided in the shop announcement.  (Coupon code is not good on Clearance items, since they are already marked down.  Thanks!)

4" Embroidered Hoop - 15% OFF!

GIVEAWAY:

Now for the Giveaway!  It has be quite some time, since I have hosted a giveaway.  I will be giving away a $15 gift certificate to be used in any one of my three shops. I will also be giving a 'grab bag' prize--my choice--worth approx. $10, as a second prize.  Winners will be chosen by a random generator. 

How to enter?
1-- I appreciate my customers!  Any single item purchased from my Pruitthandcrafts Etsy Shop between now and July 4th will get three (3) entries each. 
2--  A comment left here, on my blog,  listing one of your favorite items in my shop or what you would spend the gift certificate for, will get you one (2) entries.
3-- Tweet or FaceBook about the giveaway and get one (1) entry each.  Make sure you come back here and let me know about your tweet or FB entry.
4--  Follow me on this blog, FB or Twitter and get another (1) entry each.  Again, come back here and comment letting me know.
5-- List the giveaway in your teams thread and get another (1) entry. Make sure you list it here in the comments.

Winner will be drawn and announced on Tuesday July 5th.  Announcement will be here on my blog. Please make sure you can be reached from the link of your comments and/or leave your email address so I can contact you.  Thanks in advance for spreading the word about the sale and giveaway!

BEST OF LUCK!     --Linda

Let's make a deal!

Jewelry . . . . so much of it on Etsy . . . . really nice pieces . . . . everywhere you look!

These facts have forced me to make a decision. I will be closing my jewelry shop on Etsy as of January 15th. It's been fun making jewelry, but I have many other interests too! If anyone wants to make an offer on anything in my shop, maybe for Christmas shopping or just for a special gift for yourself, I will be happy to make a deal! Send me a convo/email and we will see what we can do to close out my shop.  Also, I have supplies, i.e. beads, findings, bead wire, etc.  If you are interested in any of them, I will be listing them, at great discounts from original  prices, in my supply shop, PruittSupply. 

Cyber Monday Sale!

Sale still going on! Great bargains to be had! NO crowds, just you and the computer! Shop at your own pace! Etsy's shops are packed to the brim with unique items ready to ship right to your door. Many shops provide gift wrap, if you ask. Come take a look!

Knitting needle carriers that accommodate circular needles by pruitthandcrafts

Bath Bombs in Champagne by spottedcowsoaps

Sweet Birdie Necklace by pruittdesign

Pink and purple earrings by lindab142

Lots and lots more on SALE! Enter "Cyber Monday Etsy" ( and any other search parameters you prefer) in the search box on Etsy and find lots, and lots of bargains.

Hurry today is the last day!