Sunday - 99p beads .. housework and junky magazines!

Ah Sunday. I love Sundays. A bit of a tidy up of the 'bead warehouse', some very overdue housework, a quick trip to the supermarket and then time to read whatever trashy magazines I fancy. Today, same as every week, they're stuffed full of Paris Hilton / Jennifer Aniston and other bland celebrities, with a lot of discussion about who's fatter / thinner / taking drugs/ going out with Hollywood's latest 'Mr Perfect' etc etc. I love predictable reading matter, it stops my brain from working!

Having finished with the magazine and coffee routine I packed some more parcels and started preparing more 99p listings for tonight. I should have around 50 strings of semi precious gemstone beads and pearls at 99p no reserve, so that should clear some room for me!

Next task is my newsletter. I'm running a competition in July and also need to work out some 'bulk offers' on multiple Czech bead string purchases. There are plenty of offers around for 'bulk, one colour' but I'm guessing that hobby jewellery makers aren't going to need 1000 beads in all the same colour... I send a newsletter around once a month, or every 6 weeks and they're really well received, there is often a featured design idea, a 'newsletter only' discount and sometimes a giveaway too!

I don't send Spam, addition to my list is on request only, I don't just add on existing customers when I feel like it - you need to ask! I've also made it really easy to unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive the newsletter. Having been at the 'customer end' of unsolicited email, this is something I was desperate to avoid. If you want to take a look, just drop me an email and I can add you to the list.

Anyway, that's quite enough from me - I have a newsletter to write and pearls to measure!

Hope you had a restful weekend.

it's Friday - that must mean counting..

Well along with the rather uninspiring counting... a silver lining!

I found a huge box of 'odds and ends' - single strands of beads mostly, freshwater pearls, gemstone chips and rounds. So, as I'm in a 'tidy up' mood I'm listing them all at 99p no reserve on eBay. I have a direct link to my eBay shop:

www.georgiegirlsgems.com

The 99p listings will be live over the weekend. There's LOTS!

I need the space because my Christmas stock is on the horizon. Yes, this probably sounds bizarre, but July and August are quieter for sales on the internet, so i use the time to make sure I've chosen stock of seasonal items - Halloween and Christmas - and I write up the listings for them. I do some last minute stock buying later in the year, but the core range will be in place (or at least on order!) within the next month.

That way, when it's October and everything goes mad, I know I have listings ready to go. This means I can concentrate on despatch, which is vital during the holiday period. I have a few Christmas Elves that need training though(!)

Aside from that, today I mainly wrapped parcels and did a little work on the website. I'm really pleased with how it looks and hope to have it thorougly sorted in around 2 weeks. If you'd like a sneaky peek go to:

www.madcowbeads.com

I hope you like it too!