Auction Whore

Lately, I haven't been very adventurous with my eBay auctions. I have offered my perennial anti bush buttons, some Japanese woodprint buttons, and the like, but not anything I haven't sold before. (BTW: They are all ending today) Although, just now I listed a new Gustav Klimt button, and my old button maker that I started out with.
It was a good button maker, but it's just time to move on, you know?

It's hard for me to think of ways to sell most of my buttons, which are slogan buttons, that are not really connected with current pop culture trends on eBay. EBay is all about the keywords, and I can't think of any good ones. Some would say to just switch to pop culture trends, but that market is saturated, and plus, you have to always keep up with what's hot.

However, a good slogan can stay around for decades after whatever the hot new band one is ripping off's fame fades. All I have to do is think of good marketing.

Another Site Update


This one was a minature update. I just made more pages accessible(inculding this one) from the main page menu. I read a book called The Tipping Point, and am trying to find that perfect point of usabilty in which everything is optimal, so expect a lot more fooling around. If you want to help, please email me from this page.

Early Site Update

I have updated my site a little with some new button designs. One in the black pride section says "Fewer Excuses, More Justice", which expresses how I feel about race relations in this country. If as much time had been spent on solutions than on excuses for why people want to treat others badly, we'd be in utopia right now. In the bleeding hearts section, a button proclaims "No one lives in a vacuum". This button helps remind people that we are all connected, that no one is alone. The background is a beautiful photograph from NASA.

Also, in the art button section, there is George Klimt's Mada Primavesi. I have loved Klimt ever since I first laid my eyes on "The Kiss", which seems to be his most famous work.

Hopefully I can get more buttons out tomorrow.

Business and Politics

My mom doesn't get it. She's like 'why don't you offer some pro Bush or pro life buttons?" I wanted to say "You don't see Dixie Outfitters with t shirts that say "The Confederate Flag sucks" or Christian merchants with shirts saying "Hail Satan". But then again, maybe broad based marketing was popular back in the day. Now, it's all about niches. If you can serve a small market well, that is better than if you serve a large market sloppily.

Plug

You can get ten custom buttons on the cheap here.

New Button Maker!

I got a new button maker, one of the ones from Tecre. It was really heavy, and since I felt a bit woozy today, I didn't understand the instructions at first. My first button came out with the paper on the outside, and the plastic on the inside. Then I got the hang of it, and everything is very nice. Pulling the handle down has a very final feel to it, and I felt a bit more established, having such a nice machine.

I didn't have one defective button except for the first one. This is much improvement over the Badge a Minit. I'm a bit worried about transport because it's just so heavy and stuff. I feel more prepared now, because I'm planning to go to the Memphis Flea Market in July, if I can think of more cheery, family friendly designs.

Another Mini Update

The grab bag section now has grab bags from all sections of the site. I like the grab bags idea- you get 5 random buttons from that section for cheap. I think it's a good way to sample if you're indecisive.

I've also restarted my google ad words campaign. I'm hoping to optimize it so that I get the sales without the expense. A really hard part about having a site is letting people know it is out there, especially if you're only a micro business.

Site Update

It's time for another site update this week. There are two new buttons in the feminist section this week, both saying "I'm not into Madonna whore complexes", one featuring Bettie Page, and another an anonymous Hawaiian girl from the 1920s or 30s. The sentiment comes from reading guys complain about dating girls that might have gasp had sex before. The idea that women are supposed to be putting their lives on hold is tired. Men wouldn't stand for it, and women shouldn't stand for it either.

Also, in Bleeding Hearts, if life gives you lemons, quit. This is a nice phrase, I think.

Feminist Buttons On Sale!

My whole feminist button section is on sale! 75 cents for 1 inch, and 1.50 for two inch! Button themes range from pro choice to advocating male responsibilty for rape to general feminist themes. Check them out!

Cassowary Buttons on Consignment

Cassowary Buttons and Divatribes have joined forces! I have consigned two unique button designs in the Divatribe store, which will be going live on June 21st, but come in and look around anyway.

Paypal Changes

You don't have to sign up for a paypal account to check out in Cassowary Buttons' secure check out! It's just click and go, and streamlines the experience for new users considerably.

Site Update

Today's update was a small one. I put up a button that says "The World Does Not Revolve Around White People" to my black pride section, which I am thinking of changing to black pride/anti racism because some of the buttons are anti racist, but I don't know yet, and a link to Urban Destiny, which has bags, and well, they actually look like pretty nice bags.

Cassowary Buttons Is Involved In a Contest!

With the help of other indie merchants from The Switchboards, I am part of a contest! With purchase of Cassowary Buttons goods, you can enter to win a basket worth nearly ninety dollars and packed with goodies from bracelets to earrings to purses to cards. Here are pictures of what is included. You not only get goodies, you help support indie merchants, which is very important, because the money from these goods can help keep a mom home with her child, give a college student extra time to study, and also employ people. America needs people who own their own businesses and keep the dollars in their community. The big box store may also sell purses, but they are made overseas with the hands of children, not employing people here at home. So, help the economy recover, buy from an indie merchant today.

Chugging Along in the Button Biz

My blog ad in Herectial Ideas is now up. Also, the site recieved a bit of tweaking- a new grab bag here, a few new links to other worthy merchants there.

Finally a site update!

Now that I can update my site again as fortunecity was having issues, I have created a feminist section, and am now carefully going into custom orders. I have done the latter with great trepidation, as working with different personalities is always a challenge, although an exciting one...