Nashville TV Show and It's Amazing Music

In addition to selling on eBay and Teachers Pay Teachers, I am delving into affiliate programs in an attempt to work from home. I tend to sell what I love (most of the time).

My previous post was about plus size swimwear because well, that's what I need. But in this post, it is all about what I want. I LOVE this show Nashville and I LOVE this music. I want it all.

I hope you click on some of these clips and are inspired to either purchase the music or better yet become a fan of the show Nashville. I can't believe I refused to watch it as first because I thought that it wouldn't be authentic. When it was advertised on Hulu I was like yeah, yeah, yeah. Then one day, I watched an episode and was hooked ever since.

My favorite character is Avery played by Jonathan Jackson. He was the original Lucky on General Hospital (for all those soap opera fans). He even has a band of his own Jonathan Jackson and Enation. On the show he sings this angelic song called "How to Learn to Live Alone."

Even though Avery is my favorite character, Scarlett sings the most amazing song, "Black Roses."  It is stuck in my head and I just love it.  Her voice is ethereal yet powerful.  Simply Amazing.

Well I could go on and on about this show and it's music but it is best if you check it out for yourself.

Check out this Big Girl Swimwear

I made a new blog featuring the beach.  It focuses on items for bigger women.  I've been plus size for many years, even though I have tried (unsuccessfully) to be smaller.  I am not giving up but I want to look good and have fun in the meantime.  I decided to make the Big Girl Beach Shop blog.  I hope it makes plus size women (including me) realize the beach and summer fun is for us too.  Sadly I have avoided the beach the last few years because I have felt self conscious.  Now that I have a child, I have to change because I don't want my child to miss out on fun because mommy doesn't want people to see her fat.  I hope that by living my life and not hiding that I will get healthier.  What are your thoughts?

If you know any bigger women, have them check out Big Girl Beach Shop.

Groovy Educator: Teacher Appreciation Days - TpT Store SALE May 5 -6 (2015)

Groovy Educator: Teacher Appreciation Days - TpT Store SALE May 5 -6 (2015)

Updated Websites

Exciting times!  I've finally updated www.GroovyEducator.com and www.LowerysLoft.com.  

Both websites have links to this blog.  

Below is a screen shot of the Groovy Educator website.  It is very simple.  It's sole purpose is to offer links to this blog, my eBay store, and my Facebook page.

Here are screen shots of the Lowery's Loft LLC website.  This is the one I intend to grow if my eBay store continues to grow.  I've taken a bit of a break from blogging and selling on eBay since I've been working for the Florida Center for Reading Research as an Reading Interventionist.  It is winding down and I will be expanding my eBay store and blogging more on here.  I have several ideas swirling in my head that I just cannot wait to share.  Some of the topics are patterns (this one is not what you think), character education, and teaching with everyday objects.

Cyber Monday SALE

30% off when you purchase 3 items or more!

The coupon is on my Facebook Page .

Please share with everyone!  Thanks so much!

Holiday Shopping

Where has the time gone?  I cannot believe that I haven't blogged in two months!  What was I thinking?

Well I have been trying to find a job to supplement my small business since any new business takes some time to grow.

Lowery's Loft LLC is a wonderful place to find unique gifts for the holidays.  I do combine shipping and have many items that are priced to sell.

What types of products would you like to see in my store?

I tend to deal in smalls.  That is items that are fairly lightweight and easy to ship...

Jewelry is my favorite item to sell both handmade and vintage costume jewelry but I am open to selling a wonderful variety of items.

I will be listing like crazy so check my eBay store often in the coming weeks.

Super Savings Sale!

Now through September 15th, 

Save $5 for every $25 you spend.  

Lowery's Loft LLC on eBAY

If I get a huge response, I might continue the sale... Please share.

Shipping Frenzy after eBay Auction Frenzy

Well I had hundreds of auctions starting at two dollars and some change.  Most sold at that so it was a little disappointing but at least I can turn my inventory over.  Many of the items had been listed for awhile.

Over this long three day weekend over fifty items sold.  I was so thankful that the post office was closed on Monday for Labor Day because it gave me more time to pack and ship.  I did three two hour increments...so it took me about six hours to pack over fifty items.

I'm proud of myself.  Of course, I need to increase my speed and up my auctions.  I still don't know how to make a living doing this but I keep trying new strategies.  I hope that sales pick up with the increased auctions and that the approaching holidays help too.

Fellow eBayers - Do you find that your auctions bid up or do you items sell at the initial listing price?

I find that a few items bid up but not to where I would like them to...Most sell at the initial price.  I will keep studying key words and categories to try to find the "secret."

In the meantime, visit my eBay store because you are bound to find a great deal!

Auction Frenzy

In an attempt to increase traffic to my eBay store, I have hundreds of auctions going on right now.

The starting prices are low!  Most auctions start between two and three dollars.  This is an opportunity to score amazing deals!

Please visit my eBay store and share it with friends.  You can either click the link or go to www.lowerysloft.com and click the link there.

Thanks so much!

Instagram Marketing

I don't know where I've been but luckily my friend/cousin-in-law Amanda shared with me the power of Instagram.

In addition to eBay I have been creating my own handmade jewelry (mostly earrings).  I just opened a small Etsy store but have low traffic.

Amanda told me about Instagram and how easy it is to add photos.  You can add information about your store in the description...

So I downloaded the app and tried it out!  I love it!!!  I am able to photograph my jewelry and add it to my Etsy store using that app and then use one of the photos in my Instagram app and share about the piece I added.  What a useful tool!

It's just another way to get your business known.  Right now I am only using it for my handmade art rather than my eBay items.  I might look into setting up a separate account for my eBay store.

As you can tell I am trying to have multiple streams of income.

Please share how you have used Instagram with your business.

Click Here to Visit Lowery's Loft on Instagram

Questions-Reflecting on my Goal

After reflecting on the next steps even more I've decided to narrow down my plan even further.  I keep asking myself, "What do I want to accomplish?  How can I make what I made? How can I make even more?  How can I manage my time so that I have a balance between work and being mommy?"

Here is my attempt at answering these questions:

• What do I want to accomplish?  I want to earn a living from home so that I will be more accessible to my child and other wonderful family members if they need me.  I want to be able to manage my time so that I enjoy life fully and take nothing for granted.  I want to get ahead and not tread water all the time.  I want to have many happy returning customers and steady orders.  I want success!  More importantly I want freedom...
• How can I make what I made?  Now this is perplexing... I am not going to say what I made outright but with over a decade of experience in the classroom and a Master's Degree I made a decent amount.  I've always wanted more that what I made because I spent a lot on my classroom and had a lot of debt so I always felt like treading water.  Right now I feel like I am sinking so to make what I made it is the first goal.  To accomplish that I want to have at least 20 orders a day since I do not have a lot of "higher priced" items.  Either than or change my inventory to a higher price point and sell at least 10 items a day.  In order to increase the number of orders, I need to list my items consistently and have at least 30-40 listings end each day.  My concern about this plan is the listing/eBay fees. All this additional activity would equal additional expenses.  Would that cancel out the profits?
• How can I make even more?  I don't know.  I want to have multiple streams of income that is why it is a dream to learn how to properly monetize websites through blogging as well as continuing my eBay business.  I want to become a skilled artisan and make high end jewelry.  Right now I am starting out with costume/fashion jewelry.  As my skills grow, I hope my profit grows too.
• How can I balance my time between work and being mommy?  Again a tough one... I have to work when she's asleep.  What I am finding is that I'm tired too.  I think I just have to push through and make a priority list each day of what needs to be completed.  I don't rest until it's done.  Raising my daughter will always be number one on that list.  I can also include her in some of the activities.  It's so cute that she pretends to bubble wrap her toys and takes them to the post office.  She helps me already get the labels off the printer and puts the packages in the bag to take to the post office.  She even gets the receipt from the postal workers at the post office when we drop off the packages. Oh and she goes with me when I am hunting for treasures to sell.  I just need to be more productive with squeezing in listing time and accept that I cannot have a long expanse of time to just work.  It needs to be broken into smaller chunks.  (Please note this is very hard for me so it is a work in progress.)

There are even more questions bouncing around in my head.  The worst ones are "Can you even do this?  Are you going to give up?  Are you failing your family by chasing your dream?  Are you being selfish for wanting this?"

To these questions I say "Choose Joy!" That's my mantra this year.  I am trying to push out these negative thoughts as fast as they pop in my head.  I keep praying to the Lord for guidance and praying that I will see the doors He opens for me.  I pray that if he wants me to change paths he makes it abundantly clear.  I am listening hard for the Still Soft Voice and I am putting my life in the Lord's Hands.  I hope I am not being selfish.  I pray that I learn from any lessons He places before me...

On that note, I better get to working this plan!  

Coming up with a Business Plan...Can I Do It?

There is no question that starting your own business is a challenge...

Learning how to drive traffic to your site is a process...

I keep going over and over what I should sell...

Should I stay on this path or change directions?

I'm doing well but I am not earning a living yet and I want to grow, grow, grow my business.

Always the overanalyzer, I have been reflecting on what I can do better.  I've determined that I am trying to do too much at once. 

• I want to add more listings to my eBay store.
• I want to make more jewelry and add it to my new Etsy store.
• I want to create products for my Teachers Pay Teachers store. (I need to update my store too!)
• I want to keep www.LoweryLoft.com updated.
• I want to expand http://llbookreviews.blogspot.com and link it to Amazon products.
• I want to continue to blog at http://lowerysloft.blogspot.com about growing a small business and about some of the interesting things I am learning about vintage products.
• I want to add more blog posts about Teaching with Everyday Objects on http://groovyeducator.blogspot.com and eventually turn it into a book with accompanying activities.
• I still want to write children's books.
• AND right now I am trying to find a part/full time job to supplement my income while this business grows.  
• AND I am trying to be a good mom and spend as much time with my wonderful little girl.  AND I am trying to keep up the house.  
• AND I am trying to be a wife who is not distracted by all of these things so my husband doesn't feel neglected.

I feel pulled in so many directions.  

I need to be proactive and make some tough decisions.  I've backed out of my booth at the antique mall and I have backed out of my booth at the flea market because it was just too much!   There are only so many hours in the day. 

I want to do some guerilla marketing with my business cards and make flyers but I don't know if I have enough products in my eBay store to keep people interested and the Etsy store needs to be build up more too.

With it being so close to the beginning of the school year, I should be making some items for TpT.  

I keep bouncing around from one want to the next.  

My current plan is as follows:

• Post office= Every Day! Mon-Fri.
• Monday-eBay all day!Please note when I say eBay all day I am referring to listing.  I need to grow my store and all day is not all day.  I still am mom in the morning until 9 and then mom again at 2 or 3.
• Tuesday-Family Day with e-Bay during "nap time" and after "bed time"
• Wednesday-Family Day with eBay during "nap time" and TpT brainstorming at bed time
• Thursday-TpT / Groovy Educator all Day!
• Friday-Treasure hunt and eBay, eBay, eBay
• Saturday-Family DayDuring nap-time=catch up time (Possibly a trade school, craft fair, or flea market)
• Sunday-Family Day - Squeeze it what I can when I can.

I will still periodically add to http://llbookreviews.blogspot.com and do quick updates to the blogs but I needed a plan.  Oops the jewelry making was left out.  I can always fit that in during Family Time since my daughter is very interested in the process.  We can each work on our own projects.

Notice there is a lot of family days because family is important!  I want to enjoy as much of my daughter's early years as possible.

In the mean time I have to keep searching for additional work.  I just don't know how this will all come together but I am putting it in God's Hands.  

I don't know if I am putting too much of an emphasis on eBay but it is where most of the income is coming in.  I would love to sell new products too.  I have a product line in mind but I have to keep it on the down low until I get the capital to invest.  I have some ideas for teaching apps and products but I will only pursue those if I am am successful and get ahead.  I watch Shark Tank and just wonder how do people do this?  How do they come up with all the money?  I don't feel comfortable asking people to invest in an idea.  At least not now because it is just a pipe dream right now.

Times like these I miss my Dad.  We would always bounce ideas off each other.  He was a wonderful listener and then always came up with some super insightful comments.  He was always encouraging and inspiring.  

If you have any thoughts or suggestions I would greatly appreciate them.  I am so used to the structure of my teaching career and right now I have limitless directions I can move and I am not quite sure what to do with all this freedom.  With teaching there always has to be a plan as with a business there needs to be a plan.  Am I trying to do too much?  Not enough?  

As with life, just keep going...don't quit.  Never quit!

Lowery's Loft LLC on Etsy!

I have finally done it!  I've opened a store on Etsy.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/LowerysLoftLLC

There are only a few items in the store right now.  After listing so much jewelry on eBay, I've been inspired to start creating jewelry.

In the shop there will also be items under the theme "Choose Joy."  This is my mantra this year and I look forward to making magnets and pictures to hang with this theme.

With all the back to school hype, I might take a detour and make items on Teachers Pay Teachers as well.  There are just not enough hours in the day!

Please share, share, share Lowery's Loft LLC with your friends whether it is the eBay, Etsy, or TpT.  Please pin items on Pinterest and share on Facebook.

 I am trying to stay at home with my daughter and grow my business.  Thank you so much for helping to support Lowery's Loft!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LowerysLoftLLC

Also please remember www.LowerysLoft.com has links to just about everything.  

(I haven't added TpT to it yet.)

Shipping Lots on eBay (How Much Do I Charge?)

Tonight I am going to list lots of lots on eBay.

When I list in lots I weight the lighter lots.  If they are less than 13 oz I mail them and charge between $3.00 and $3.75 for shipping.  I try to keep shipping costs low for the buyer but I have to factor in the cost of supplies (e.g. mailer, bubble wrap, printer ink, label) and the fees (PayPal & eBay).

If it is a small lot that weighs more than 13 oz I try to ship it in a flat rate envelope which I charge $5.00 since I do not have to pay for the envelope itself.  I prefer this method because it is more economical than the flat rate box and it hold more.

The flat rate box is ideal for breakable or fragile items.  I charge $5.75 usually to mail it via this method because it costs a wee bit more.

When the lot is larger I aim to have it fit in a medium flat rate box.  I charge $10.00 and eat some of the fees.  Chances are if you are using a medium flat rate box that the value is higher.

Regular boxes shipped priority that weigh two pounds or less I charge between $6.50 and $8.00 depending on the weight.

Large flat rate boxes are great for very heavy expensive items.  I really do not like to use them often through because the shipping is $17.00 which can eat into profits.  So rather than shipping a ginormous large flat rate lot, I may break it into two smaller medium flat rate boxes to make shipping more affordable for the buyer.

Well, that's my take on shipping!

You can check out my listings to see how I do it.

Please note sometimes I charge less than what it costs me to ship and build it into the price.  For example If I think a pair of earrings is worth $6.00 I may list them for $3.99 and only charge $2.00 shipping.  It will cost me more to ship it but I like to change it up some to see what motivates buyers.  I have found lower shipping costs can be a deciding factor.

Happy Shipping!

Understanding eBay (Trying to Build Traffic)

It can be overwhelming to try to understand eBay.  I know how to list products, manage my store, find items, but I do not know how to build traffic.

Merely stating eBay is huge...is an extreme understatement.  There are millions of sellers and gazillions of listings.  (I may be exaggerating...or not, your call.)  The question of the day is:  How do I get others to notice my items in my store?

I've been looking into SEO optimization and it sounds interesting.  I do know that when I am super descriptive in my "description" my items get found (especially if they are on the rarer side).   

But when I list an average run of the mill costume / fashion unsigned jewelry bit or bauble, it is like a needle in a haystack.  I guess I could simply limit my listings to items that have a name per se and clearly identifiable attributes.  I am getting better at doing this but there are many pieces that are beautiful and they go unnoticed because the words to describe them are overused.  What do you do then?

I guess the solution would be to draw more people into my eBay store where they happen upon these items while perusing the listings.  BUT...Do people actually do this?  What type of shoppers are on eBay?  Are they the ones who are looking for hard to find items and hone it and buy just that item or are they leisurely lookers who glide from one eBay store to the next?

What can I possibly do to set my store apart?  In all essence I am just another resale shop.  I try to have excellent customer service.  I know that is important.  What can I do to get satisfied customers to share my store?

How long does it take to grow an online store?  

I'm sorry to ramble but this is how my mind has been revolving since beginning eBay.  I research and I research and I research.  I apply some techniques and I research and I research and I apply but my wheels are spinning.  

If you have any surefire advice on growing a business that does not cost money, I would love to hear it. 

Also, I am at around the 1,000 listing mark.  I want to grow my store further but then the fees grow too.  Would it be better to just remain at this level or take it to the next step?  

AND when it comes to pricing I want to keep things at the impulsive price point because it is such a good deal but I feel that I might do better selling less for more. 

Is it better to sell less for more or more for less?  Sales is quite complex and there are gazillions of books and blogs about it all trying to sell you something.  I just need to continue to plod along and discover as I go.  It's just hard to be patient and grow slowly because what if it doesn't grow?  I'm thankful that it is manageable but I am ready to hit the ground running.  I guess I could just try to up my daily listings and make sure that I do not become complacent. 

That's my new plan of action.  List more daily.  Gradually find items that are at a slightly higher price point or sell the smaller items in lots and never give up.

On a very personal note:  My Dad passed in March and he was my eBay mentor.  Last week while digging through a bin at the top of my closet I found an autograph book from 5th Grade. Dad had written a message for me 25 years ago that struck home.  "Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Win.  Andrea Never Give Up."  Needless to say, I am not giving up!  Learning is an evolving process and that is why I love it.  Learning eBay is just that.  Will I ever understand all the ins and outs of eBay or for building traffic for that matter? No but the quest continues...   

If you haven't visited yet...Check out www.LowerysLoft.com    

                                               

 The portal to my eBay store....oooooo.....ahhhhhhh

I added this nice little image (that you see everywhere) in case you wanted to pin it on Pinterest or share it on Facebook...Hint...Hint

$0.99 Auctions! Ninety-Nine Cents!

Everyone has heard of Spring Cleaning...

Well, this is a beginning of Summer Blowout!

This week many, many, many of my auctions will start at $0.99.

There will be other starting prices too.

Most items will be jewelry but not all...

Come check it out:  LOWERY'S LOFT LLC on eBAY

It's JUNE! - SALE!

Now through the end of June you get 15% off if you spend $50.00 or more on Fixed Price Items.  

There are fun items for Father's Day or just unique items for any day.

I mostly sell vintage jewelry but you never know what you will find at www.LowerysLoft.com.

Learning to Sell on eBay by Studying Other Sellers on eBay

I am still a Top Rated Powerseller ... Phew!

I've been researching other sellers that have 100% positive feedback because 99.8% bothers me.  Can you say perfectionist? 

What I have found is some sellers clearly state in the description to please contact them first if there is any problem.  

Well, that makes sense!  I need to go back to the mindset of a teacher and never assume.  I need to plainly state in my description to contact me first.  

I will say that I spend a lot of time on eBay in buyer mode (not always buying) but looking to see what other sellers do well.  

If you are thinking of selling on eBay the best thing to do is to start out by making a few small purchases to learn how others pack their items, what pamphlets, cards, or notes, are included and how they communicate with you.   

Take what you have learned and then create your own style. 

There are also a lot of discussion forums and online communities you can join.  I have done just one Q&A forum.  This is an area that I need to improve in.

In case you haven't noticed I love learning and adjusting and learning and adjusting.  It keeps things interesting and my mind stimulated.  Selling on eBay is rewarding.  You just have to find what works for you.

What Can You Do?

As you may or may not know, I am trying to make my new business work.  I am taking a leap and trying to sell on eBay full time and it is nerve wracking.

In life I have come to accept that you can't please everyone (this took years and I'm still working on it). Right now, I am a little frustrated trying to do the right thing.  

If I see an imperfection on an item, I note it unless I don't know that there is one to begin with.  I am not an expert on all vintage items so I take pictures and if something doesn't seem right I say it.  When it comes to sizing I can only state what it says and offer to measure it.

I offer a 14 day return policy but only hope/ask that the buyer contact me first so I can resolve any problems. With eBay's new return policy, if a buyer initiates an item not as described returned, it is considered a defect on my part and affects my rating.  

I do not deliberately mislead anyone and I answer and welcome questions.  I wish that returns were not considered defects because we have all bought something and decided it wasn't quite what we wanted or expected.  I buy and sell many things that are vintage.  I can only state what I see and not comment on the unknown.  

This is not the buyers fault because he/she deserves to get his/her money back if it is not what they wanted or what he/she thought it was going to be.  I just wish a return wasn't considered a defect because I welcome returns if someone is dissatisfied.  I would rather he/she feel comfortable to buy from me again.

What I do take issue with is when I refund the money and let the person keep the item and I get a neutral rating because ... What else can I do to make it a pleasant experience.  

People that are newer to eBay do not realize how important these ratings are to the sellers.  I am trying to keep everyone happy.  Normally I do not react like this but I am frustrated because even when I am a conscientious customer oriented seller, I cannot make everyone happy.  I wish I could.  

I want to remain a Top Rated Power Seller but I guess some things are just out of my hands and I have to accept the outcome.  

I'm trying to stay focused on this dream of working from home BUT with what's in the news AND with the uncertainty of income AND with feedback I really cannot control (even if I try my very best) ... It's Hard.

I keep repeating "Without Risk There's No Reward - Do Not Give Up" as my mantra.  Right now I am not so sure...Tomorrow will be another day.   

Finding Items to Sell on eBay (Part 2)

There are many places to find items to sell on eBay.  It depends on your purpose and niche.  I am still reluctant to have a niche even though that is probably the best way to go.  I like a wide array of items but if I had to be categorized into a niche it would be vintage (with a focus on costume jewelry).

With that said there are several sources where you can find items to sell on eBay:

• Your House-Start out by selling items around the house that are in good condition.  It might be an odd item and that is okay as long as you can describe it where others can find it.  The key is to find things that are in good to fantastic condition.  Be honest when describing and photographing the item.  Make sure that you highlight any defects or imperfections.  It might sound counterproductive when you are trying to make a sale but honestly I would rather not make the sale than have an unhappy customer.  If you have a bunch of small items you can sell those as a junk drawer lot.  Simply fill up a medium (or large) flat rate box.  When it's full list it as a Mixed Junk Drawer Lot
• Yard Sales-These are amazing for finding unique items at a fair price.  This is the treasure hunting part of eBay.
• Flea Market- Here you have to go EARLY to find the treasures because there are others searching for a deal to resell too.  Either that or you have to be an expert in your niche and see things that others do not see.
• Thrift Stores-The treasure hunt continues but it is much harder to find items at a price where you can make a huge profit.  I was very discouraged when I found out a local thrift store has a jeweler on staff who has first dibbs and who helps price what's left.  Still be relentless, check back often, look for clearance items too.  Eventually you will find something that slips through.  Recently I found a Budweiser Beer Stein for less than ten dollars.  When I looked it up on eBay, several have sold for sixty dollars or more!
• eBay-You can find items to sell on eBay too. Sometimes sellers make mistakes and misspell important words in the description or list an inopportune times (I'm guilty of this).  You can find items for a great deal on auction and then sell it under buy it now for the price you want.

There are more sources but I can't give ALL my secrets away...Can I?