Please Be Courteous and Don't Jump To Conclusions

Yes, the title is harsh but true in all types of business. I have seen many Etsy shop owners who cancel an online sale because they didn't receive the product in a few days. The buyer was in another country! Anyone who has been doing any amount of online business knows it takes a couple weeks (or more) to receive something from an international address. The seller jumps to conclusions and thinks the buyer is a loser and posts about it in forums!

Another example is what happened to me and this is why I'm a little upset. I was recently down and out with surgery hassles and really didn't want to broadcast it. I was dropped from an Etsy team for non-participation and because they didn't see me around the forums. So fine, I took all the team stuff down and feel like maybe someone should have e-mailed me first to ask if something was wrong. No, I am not going to explain to them or beg to be back on the team because I don't want to be on it anymore.

Why do they jump to conclusions and assume I don't WANT to participate? What if I had a tragic death in the family? Do they really expect you to be on the forums while you are at a wake, funeral, in mourning, etc?

This is the reason I am asking everyone to please be courteous in all of your business transactions because it's not nice to jump to conclusions.

New Business Card and Banner for Amor De Plata

In case you haven't noticed, I have a new banner for Amor De Plata. My bright new banner was created by Etsy shop Stypecreative.etsy.com. I was so pleased with my banner that I asked Stypecreative to make some business cards and round stickers (shown above) for me. The back of my business cards is the silver. I'm very pleased with all of the graphics stypecreative did for me.

Mexican Sun Drawing Inspired Pendant

Here is one of my latest creations. A pendant inspired by ancient mexican sun drawings. My sketch was used to hand carve a mold and make this metal clay beauty of a pendant. All handcrafted and made by me! The pendant is oxidized with a bronze background and shiny sun.

I'm Healthy and Back in Business!

It seems like I've been "out" of contact with others and my Etsy shop, blog, silkfair etc. forever. Without getting into the ugly details, I had health issues that have been resolved. I feel good now, I'm healthy, and I'm ready to get back to business.

Thanks to all who have commented, convo'd or e-mailed me with happy thoughts and prayers.

Do You Have A Scratchback TopSpot Widget?

What is a Scratchback TopSpot Widget? It's a FREE widget to post on your blog or website to accept online tips and post a small image ad in return. You name the price on your tips and earn money from every interaction.

I have put one up here on my blog. I humbly ask for your "tips" so you can promote your site for $5.00 a spot! Grab your top spot now.

Celebrate Earth Day with Amor De Plata Jewelry

Go green with Amor De Plata's jewelry. Yes, Amor De Plata's jewelry is green! Made with 100% recycled pure silver. Do your part and save the earth, buy your jewelry from Amor De Plata.

How To Build Your First Webpage - FREE Course

Struggling to build a website? I have been agonizing over building my website and not wanting to spend money. I discovered a FREE online course going on now at ivillage.com, in the ilearn section. Signing up is simple and FREE! That seems to be my favorite word lately.

So, I signed up, and they e-mail you when lessons are available. You can download the whole PDF file and scroll through at your leisure later if you want. Once a lesson is posted, it remains on the site 24/7 until the end date of the course.

I have no excuse now, I will let you all know how it goes with my page. Good luck with yours!

http://ivillage.com

Your Own Worldwide Retail Shop Online - Silkfair

Do you dream of owning your own retail shop online? Well you can have your own free worldwide storefront at htttp://silkfair.com

There is no fee for listing your items and no limit on the amount of items you sell. Silkfair is a selling site that allows you to sell your products to all countries and buy from all countries. The site keeps 3% of your final selling price.

I really love that Silkfair is promoting the site online and off. They have reviews from PCMagazine, ECommerce Guide, CNBC, Forbes, Wahm, MarthaStewart.com and WomansDay.com to name a few.

See you there!

http://silkfair.amordeplata.com

New Promotional Craft Website

I've discovered a new craft promotional website called icraft. Actually, the founder contacted me and asked me to join.

If you sign up before the end of March 2008 you get ONE YEAR FREE listings. This includes your webpage and no fees for purchases made from your page. You can list as many craft items you wish all free! You can also post a link to your blog on your page.

The site address is http://icraft.ca
My page is http://icraft.ca/amordeplata

Check it out! P.S. I get nothing for promoting this site, I just want to pass along the info. Great to sell/promote your items as many places as possible.

My Latest Project - Double Silver Hearts

This fine silver double heart pendant was a special request from a friend. It was quite a challenge. Sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to accomplish in this medium. I rolled out a snake of Art Clay Silver and shaped it into a heart. A little slip paste was added to attach the ends. I let dry and sanded, no problem. Attaching the first heart through the second one was the challenge. I ended up supporting the first heart in a clear box lid with a slit and a hole punched out. I created the second heart on top of the lid, added slip paste to attach ends and let dry. After sanding smooth, I torch fired while moving piece with a crochet hook. This is the first time I did two pieces at once and I was afraid they would fuse together, but they turned out well.

One day I may do a tutorial. Our Yahoo metal clay group in my favs does a great job doing all kinds of tutorials on working with metal clay.