Social Media Help Is On The Way (Dear) !!

Using social media can be scary (and time consuming!) for some people. I know a few shops who choose only one platform and refuse to try any others. Please don't make this mistake! Your target market may use Instagram but not Pinterest, they may use Twitter but not StumbleUpon, or they may use Facebook but not Tumblr. Using only one avenue means that you may not be reaching out to all in your target market.

In today's blog, I will share my experiences with all the social media that I use. Grab a plate of cookies...I mean, rice cakes...a plate of rice cakes and something to drink. This may take a while.

INSTAGRAM
My absolute favorite platform is Instagram. This app is not only used for photo sharing but videos as well. While photos and videos may only be loaded from a smart phone, you can still access it on a computer. The keys to optimizing use of this app is great photos and the use of popular hashtags (#). Make sure that your photo space is clear of clutter, well lit, and that your product is in focus. You can search popular hashtags in the app itself by tapping on the magnifying glass and typing the first few letters of the item you wish to promote. Another great tool is iconosquare.com. Iconosquare provides your Instagram stats - day and time to post, best tags, less popular tags, etc. I check my iconosquare once or twice a week to see if my tags are still popular or if I need to change them up.

But add a bit of personality into your profile! Although I'm sure all your items are super gorgeous and you want to promote your finished product, share the creative process with your followers. Let them know what you are going to be making next, what supplies you love, and then post your finished product. This gives your followers an inside view of you as a shop owner and not just a salesperson. Maybe you're taking a break from sewing. Post a picture of your coffee cup next to your sewing machine. Show them you are also a normal person.

If you're just starting out, tap on the magnifying glass again to find people to follow that have the same interests. You can also search for others who have used the tags you use. Be sure to like and comment on profiles with similar interests as they may have the same target market audience as you. This gives those followers a chance to see you.

TWITTER
Twitter can be a little more tricky. Most of the time, it may feel like you are on a crate box shouting to passersby. The trick here is to find twitter parties or certain hours where an account shares links. I have found that #craftshout and #shoppershour on Facebook are the most successful parties that I have seen. The days and times vary so be sure to join the teams to find out the correct times. Another one of my favorites is #handmadehourusa on Twitter which is every Wednesday, 7-8pm EST. My views nearly triple each time I do this twitter hour. Make sure to follow @handmadehour and @hmnation for the latest updates.

Aside from parties, I try to find random times to send out a few tweets. Coffee break? Send a tweet. Baby sleeping? Send a few more. In the potty? Send as many as you can. Just like Instagram, hashtags are very important here as well. Make sure that your tags relate to your items but aren't too general that they'll get lost in the Twitter-verse abyss. Sometimes I will check the most popular tags being used by typing a few letters into the "tweet box." Like Instagram, make sure you follow others, communicate with them via tweets, and stay active.

PINTEREST
Ah the art of pinning. When I first began Pinterest, I was completely lost at how all of it worked. I never fully grasped the concept until I started using it for shop promotion. The key here is to create boards that not only reflect your shop but YOU as a person. For example, my boards consist of my jewelry, other people's hand made items, hair styles, food, make up, fun stuff to do with my daughter, etc. My boards are unrelated but there are some folks who keep boards that are strictly related to art, or jewelry, or home decor. It is completely up to you how many boards you choose and the overall appearance of them. Think of Pinterest as a huge platform where you put all your sticky reminder notes.

Now to find followers. Type a keyword relating to your items (or anything you are looking for) and pin them to your boards. I suggest finding other boards to pin to so you can share your work and possibly gain followers as well. Most of them go by invitation so make sure you check their descriptions up top. Most of the time, they'll have an email address to send your request to. Sometimes all you have to do is follow their board and they can add you.

FACEBOOK
And lastly, Facebook. A well-known blogger has advised that closing or not having a Facebook account is bad for business. While I personally feel Facebook is not for me due to all the restrictions they are enforcing, it still has its perks. The best advice I can offer is to join groups. Facebook groups allow promotion and provide help within their discussions. The groups are great for gaining Facebook likes or followers on Instagram and/or Twitter.

I'm hoping that your plate of cookies...er....I mean rice cakes...have lasted long enough to read this blog. Finish up that beverage and start your social media accounts!

Follow me at:
Instagram @julemijewelry
Twitter @julemijewelry
Pinterest.com/julietarampi
Facebook.com/julemijewelry
www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/julemijewelry

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Men

The lovers holiday is slowly creeping and I feel as though I am standing in a vegan store looking for Steak'Ums. I'm so lost.

Even with prodding (gentle and down to the point), Ian hasn't helped me at all with gift ideas. Looking through my favorite online shop venue ETSY, I was able to find a few cool ideas for him.

The very first "manly" gift I have ever gotten for him was hand salve from The Becksters Lab. Ian works on cars every day and is constantly washing them so he really has sand paper hands. These salves not only helped tame his shredders, but began to heal them from dryness and redness. His favorite scent is peppermint lavender. Other scents include mojito, orange spics, lemon, and unscented.

Photo by TheBecksterLab on Etsy.com

Speaking of skin care, another favorite that I have yet to buy is this papaya scented soap set from NearlyNakedProducts.The set includes soap, body scrub, and a clay mask for your face. Added bonus: You can share! If he doesn't want to, get this or another great item from Nearly Naked Products for yourself!

My favorites that I've seen include pine tar soap, coconut oil soap, and papaya soap. I've used these products at one point or another in my life and they all work wonders. The first is the pine tar soap. It works great for itchy skin, and any pregnant woman knows what I am talking about! About seven months into my pregnancy, my belly felt itchier than it would if I rolled around poison ivy completely naked. Pine tar soap has helped with the itch and left a great scent on my skin afterwards.

Growing up, my mom always rubbed coconut oil on her skin and hair. Still being a little fledgling, I couldn't understand why she couldn't just use lotion. "This is better" was always her response, and now I know why. Coconut oil is a natural hair and skin moisturizer, and it smells AMAZING. And lastly, papaya soap was also a part of my childhood. My mom (who apparently knows so much about natural skincare!) used it to wash her face. She always said it makes her skin pretty...and it sure does! Papaya helps with age spots, lighten your skin, and provide a softer appearance.

They have other handcrafted soaps, lip balms, and oils for nearly everything! Each item is hand crafted and designed to aid with certain skin conditions.

Photo by NearlyNakedProducts on Etsy.com

If your hubby-lubs is into home decoration (yes, there are some out there), I found this super romantic sign that he can use on his book shelf, next to his bed, or hung at work. Romantic Sign  It is from the shop JohnWGolden.

Photo by JohnWGolden on Etsy.com

John's shop has many fun and romantic signs, but this is one of my favorites. He has some hilarious signs under the category "Order of Management." These signs are great for bathrooms, kitchens, children's rooms, and living spaces. Remind the kiddos to wash their hands, play outside, and brush your teeth. This also goes for the adults! Haha!

Take a peek and find something for your home this Valentine's Day or any day.


If your guy is constantly losing his keys or just doesn't have a place to put them, take a look at this key holder from BoWinston. BoWinston has quite the collection of nostalgic key holders including Pulp Fiction and beautiful women. Bo also has an amazing Kurt Vonnegut key holder.

Bo doesn't stop there. She also has vintage items, unique prints, and funny mugs.

Photo by BoWinston on Etsy.com

Ian is an avid tea drinker - must be in in the blood...he is British after all :) I found this adorable spoon for him from JessicaNDesigns. He's not into tea? Good. I'm a coffee drinker myself :D Check out these coffee related items. Jessica also creates personalized hand stamped jewelry and key chains in her shop. She also has a Valentine's Day category to help with your search!

Photo by JessicaNDesigns on Etsy.com

Not into any morning beverage? We know beer is always an option. Check out this personalized beer mug by Melshera

If wallets/bags are...well, his bag, take a look at these wallets  from TiposCreations. Having originally crafted gorgeous jewelry designs, Tim has branched out into personalizing gifts for men and women as well. Using genuine leather for his products, Tim creates engraved and embossed items in his shop. I have a few of his wallets and jewelry items in my own Favorite list on Etsy.

Photo taken by TiposCreations on Etsy.com

There are some men who like accessorizing as much as women do. Check out some of these bracelets from my shop at Julemi Jewelry. All bracelets are made with premium beads, gemstones, and rare Hawaiian shells.

Photo by Julemi Jewelry on Etsy.com

If I've completely missed the mark of what your guy may be into, there is always a nice home cooked meal and some "adult" time for the night :D

Well, it can also be a Whopper from Burger King

This is Why it's HOT!

First of all, I would like to thank all of you, old and new, in supporting my blooming small business. If you haven't seen my numerous posts (sorry about that! Haha!) about what I sell, I create handmade pieces of jewelry, from expandable bracelets to hammered earrings and more.

In 2014, my best selling item was the "Aunt" expandable bangle. It was also very popular in 2013. I would like to come to the conclusion that this is because there aren't many "aunt" related gifts unless you are becoming one. Most "aunt" gifts are related to popping the news of a pregnancy and/or relating to a baby. I have not seen many that can be a day-to-day gift; something for a birthday, Christmas, or a simple "thank you for being an awesome aunt" gift.

Here is the aunt bracelet that has been flying off the shelves (or in my case, my "creation station" aka "computer table") Aunt Expandable Bracelet  

Although this bangle was the most popular selling item for the past year and a half, I also have other expandable stacking charm bangles. Aside from having other family members/people such as mother, daughter, sister, grand daughter, grandmother, friend, baby boy, baby girl, and cousin, I have bracelets that are out of the norm such as robots, dinosaurs, and cupcakes. If you are looking for a gift for certain occupations, I have one for hair dresses, knitters, seamstresses, and even dental hygienists.

All expandable bracelets in my shop are now made with non tarnish and hypoallergenic stainless steel which is perfect for those with metal allergies. Even the charms' jump rings are now stainless steel. Have small wrists? Contract the bangle. Larger wrists? Expand the bangle at the coils to enlarge. The maximum expansion is a 3" diameter which is approximately equivalent to an 8 to 8-1/2" length bracelet.

And it doesn't stop there.

If you're not into the whole stacking bracelet thing, my shop also stocks beaded wire bracelets that can be seen here: Beaded Wire Bracelets

I use semi-precious gemstones such as garnet, agate, jade, ladradorite, and quartz to name a few. Into something a bit more sparkly? I also have shiny fire-polished Czech glass beaded bracelets in the shop.

I've still got much to offer.

If earrings are your thing, I have hand forged and hammered earrings in my shop! Earrings

Again, I use semi-precious gemstones, hand picked shells from Hawaii and Florida, and premium beads from all around the world (India, Mexico, and even Peru.)

And lastly, the best news....all items are super affordable! Prices begin at only $6 for earrings and my top selling expandable bracelets are only $18. All items come with the option of being beautifully gift wrapped (if they are being sent to a special someone).

Come take a peek at my shop at julemijewelry.etsy.com today and support small businesses!

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Twitter @julemijewelry
Instagram @julemijewelry
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