No Sweat is having an amazing clearance sale.

I added another item to my etsy store. I'll have a small line of items on my etsy, and a better line on my regular one.

I feel a bit torn about these findings. On one hand,it'd be good for Americans to save more, but on the other, I'd like to encourage them to spend money with me. Maybe the answer is to get more people from other countries to buy my products :D

Here's a good advertising venue- thousands of people every day read this site, and they have money to burn. If I had the cash, I'd advertise here.

Apple fruit leather is amazing. Also two pieces of fruit leather is only 90 cal. This airplane lamp is pretty unique. The creator could benefit from using his title space for keywords, though.

Tip for small business people doing kid's designs: Today over forty percent of public school students in the US are minorities. The number of minority children is expected to increase, and in 2050, America is expected to be fifty-fifty between whites and minorities. You are missing a large part of your customer base if you decide to only have white faces on your t shirts, your blankets, your toys or your dolls. A more diverse approach can also get you cash from parents who may not be of an ethnic minority but are interested in their child getting to know about the world as it is and accepting differences. It's the small things that help you profit. Also, if you're working in a local area, try for underserved niches. If you're making handmade rag dolls, and you notice that there are many black people streaming by looking at your display longingly- try a black doll design. Small business works because we can respond to the needs of our communities. Let's use our strengths.

Have you been ripped off by a large company? Report to this blog.

I was torn about whether to put this new design on my website, on ebay or on etsy. Ebay won, but it was probably not a totally logical decision. Part of me loves the excitement of checking to see if I've got a bid...

Rings and Things is having a jewelry making contest. I can imagine how much prestige and attention you'd get for your jewelry business if you won this contest. And yea, $750 of supplies too.

On ebay, there's much discussion about the anticipated ebay express. I don't have a store, or often use fixed price items, so even though I would probably meet the criteria, it probably wouldn't effect me. Although I'd probably try more fixed price items- they never seem to get as much interest as my auctions it seems, though.

I've decided to change my ebay approach. This week I am getting rid of stuff that I've had a long time, like a Curious Girl Lunchbox, and a green frog koosh animal.

I've moved my clearece section to etsy, and will now preview new designs there as well, I think. Hopefully this will keep my bills down.

Pet Peeve: Don't use other people's patterns to make stuff to sell. Some places selling patterns are just one person working out of their home. I of course make jewelry and buttons. My button slogans are mostly original, although there are one or two quote buttons. My jewelry designs of course are not the most original in the world, but I don't sit there slavishly copying off someone else's. If I like how someone has used chain in their jewelry, I'll put my own spin on it, and make it new- not just copy someone else's for god's sake.

I've never heard of hot dog on a stick, but if this is what their uniform looks like, well, count me out!

It seems that ebay is lowering .01-.99 cent listing fees to 20 cents. I generally don't start my auctions at 99 cents unless it's something that I'm sure will get bid up.

Having half.com problems? Here's some ways you can actually maybe get to a live person: Seller payment problems: sellerpayment@half.com Other questions: service@half.com Also a phone number if you're one of those people who prefer to actually talk to people on the phone: 1-800-545-9857 (M-F, 7-5 PST)

It seems that Urban Outfitters not only thrives on the racism of young white teens, but also rips off young designers. There are many other places you can get t shirts that aren't total rips. In related news, the American Made Alliance has videos of entrepreneurs talking about their ripoff experiences.

Dolls Like Me has a lot of cute dolls of many ethnicities. Perfect for parents. To the left is one of my favorites. Try the discount code IZANIA for free shipping.

Half.com is tricky. I had been listed as on vacation. Well, I hope that people will buy my old textbooks.

I think I've gotten over my jewelry block. I think doing creative things with wires will be my thing now.

I wish!

I love Asiajam, and I especially love this shirt. Of course, it'd be nice if I had a blowing my cash budget that was more than $30.

Heh, I checked "ok to send into outer space" on my craigslist ad. I wonder if extraterrestrials will actually get the transmission...

Here's a fun clutter sale. I'd buy some of the hello kitty stuff if I wasn't broke.

I have some auctions ending tomorrow. My favorite one is the one with the fruit enamel earrings. I have the orange, cherry, grape, and banana ones for myself. Banana isn't in this set because I sold it separately. Banana is my favorite, so I wear them the most.

This seller has a nice variety of checkbook covers. If I used a checkbook, I'd buy one.

Could this chalk mat keep little ones quiet during road trips? I don't know- I'm childless. But it's cute though.

The postage increase takes effect today.

For my 400th post on this blog, here's a new design. I'm having a jewelry block lately. I actually have been working on this one for a week... Most of the problem was finding beads that would work. It's hard to get beads with uniform holes sometimes.

MTCoffinz has a new DIY trim section in her ebay shop. It's interesting that she has an ebay store and a webstore. I wonder how it works out for her?

I have four auctions ending today- mostly jewelry overstock, but also a cute necklace.

One of Pink Loves Brown's cute thank you cards. I love it!

One of my new button designs.

I'm a broke businesswoman, so I use the GIMP as my graphics program. It's free and awesome.

What a great dress. I'd buy it, but my blowing my cash budget for this month is only $25. At least my business budget is 75, and I'm spending 20 to be in the Happily Handmade Giveaway. '

Lovely. One day I'll be able to buy something like this.

Boshii-Basiik is offering lucky packs! Get 3 surprise items for $45. As a not so ex geek I have to admit I love the mog hat! I also like the bunny hat.

I made a new necklace today. I have to admit that I was inspired by a necklace design in Tramps like Us, although this necklace has three dangles instead of one... Oh, yea, and it's available!

It seems that iZania, the black business networking site has created a marketplace. Lots of ebay contenders have come and gone, but the secret I think to being successful is to draw buyers in- if you can do that, then you'll have tons of sellers.

Yesterday's Kwanzaa value was Faith. Faith doesn't have to be religious, it can be faith in your fellow person or your community. Speaking of community, I've found a very large interstate black owned bank with branches in California, Florida, and Massachusetts. I remember seeing Tri State bank, and hearing mom tell me of its proud history as a black owned bank. It's hearing stories like that that have given me the courage to open my own business.

EEEE! Kitty Ear Headdresses.