Know a really big Harry Potter fan? Look, here's a Gryffindor pouch. I wish I had enough talent to make something like this, but I think my jewelry making has really improved.

It'll be another year before I need a new journal, but I might get this when I do.

I really love working with hematite and mother of pearl- they go together so well. See here.

Victory in the girlcott, but there are still so many alternatives for t shirts that no one needs to buy A&F. Another alternative shirt maker I love is Uppity Negro. Some people say that liberal politics shouldn't be represented on shirts. But Dixie Outfitters is just fine. Standing up against oppression is a lot different than showing your support for flags that have flown over KKK rallies and state houses to show support for school segregation. If anyone has any questions, I have a lot of information on the murders and terrorism that the KKK did. Also, I have information on the Civil Rights movement, and the ongoing fight against school integration.


Hugo weighs in. I'm only 21, and know better. I sometimes wish I could have a t shirt line, but maybe when I get older, as it's a bit more expensive to sell t shirts.

Need an alternative to stupid shirt slogans? There are many t shirt companies that produce shirts that aren't sexist or racist or just plain stupid. There's One Angry Girl Designs, with her famous pro feminist shirt. Black Lava Designs has many great anti racist designs and many Asian heritage designs. Panic Doll and Candy Violet have gothic lolita inspired designs.

Cat and Girl has cheap great anti ironic t shirts. These are flashy anti n word t shirts. In fact, on ebay, you can find many independent designers who have shirts that are much cheaper and less stupid than Abercrombie. Try DIY Marketplace if you need help.

I'm selling a Chipotle gift card I got for being last in our school's DDR competition.

I like red coral and blue lampwork together.

I like how dramatic this necklace is.

These earrings are great because I love the chunky dimensions of the rose quartz and how it contrasts with the silver.

I have no idea why some people don't like snipers. I personally don't snipe- I just enter my highest bid near the end(which can be like 3, 5 or even 8 hours before the auction ends.). If you're selling, hey, bids are bids. You can't depend on a bidding war every time you sell something, so put the bid at the least you're willing to let it go for. I decide how to bid on what is the most I'd pay(I include shipping). For example, I saw some beads I wanted and bid a most of $7 because shipping was ten bucks. If someone bids $5 at the last second, I'm still going to win anyway, and if they bid $10, they deserve it, because while $17 is in my budget, $20 is too high. So what's the big deal?

The freecycle finder is a new way to keep consumption down. Do you need say, an old lamp? Maybe some well loved shoes? bubble wrap? Don't waste by buying new, share with others in your community. Also, for people who run small, especially home based, businesses, asking around at local stores for packaging material is a great way to make your business more sustainable.

Save your pennies. They add up. I think I'll just carry a 2 liter drink home, even if it's heavy, and save my pennies that I have been using for drinks to buy beads. In other petty consumerism news, I got a 12 ounce bag of pre cut broccoli slaw for 1.50. It's a good taco topping, if you don't add mayo, etc. I'm not a mother, but wonder if this is a good way to sneak vegtables on kid's plates.

Overstock.com seems to have bitten off more than it can chew. No word on how this will affect the auction side of things. Viable replacements for ebay still are in short supply. Some try livejournal for auctions, but since it's not set up for auctions, the interface is clunky. Yahoo and Overstock both have the same problem- not enough buyers.

If you have a brick and mortar store, put directions from public transport on your site. This will encourage people taking public transport instead of cars. Be a responsible business owner.

Free Ebay and Paypal fee calculator. In figuring out your profit and loss, it's always important to add in the fees you pay to sell something. Some marketplaces have a higher profit margin than others. I'm hoping to get the confidence to sell my jewelry to stores, but it's difficult for me.

This is one of my favorite livejournal communities. It gives tips on how to live poor. I love the cheap recipes, as my biggest expense is food.

I am amused at the responses to this ad.

Boycott Common Ground/Twelve Tribes, as it is linked to a white supremacist group that abuses kids, and uses child labor.

Hey, my site link is up on Unemployed Loser. I love advertising.

I've fixed the problem, but now to put the buttons all into froogle, and to optimize the site for search engines. That will take all night. In other news, I got an auction ending in less than 24 hours. Also, I got an auction gallery. I've decided that I should have at least 5 auctions every week. Man, I'll be made fun of at the post office for buying enough beads to meet that quota, but it'll be fun making all that stuff. I have to shop around for supplies too.

Geh, it seems that putting two paypal buttons on the same page unleashes an annoying bug in Sitebuilder. Sounds like I'll be spending all night Friday fixing this.

Recycling is chic. Everyone loves a sustainable business. I recycle packaging materials, personally. No need to let perfectly good bubble wrap go to waste.

I'm selling a goddess bracelet on ebay.

I bartered buttons to Earthenwood Studios for some great bee beads. They are really nice ceramic beads that came in a nice little pouch. Mine had a button that said "I (heart) buttons" on it. Also, there was a nice packaging of paper with Earthenwood Studio's logo on it. Since I just package very basically, I'm always amazed by people who are good at packaging.

Design drama.

Lots of new auctions this week!

What a lovely Alice in Wonderland costume.

I'm tired and my printer's on the fritz which is totally stressful, but I've got a new item up on ioffer.

Sooo nice. You can certainly tell the owner is a graphic designer. In other news, the much coveted pear bag is back on auction. If only I had $36 extra dollars.

Auctions End Today.

I love fruit leather! I've been buying it from Rainbow Natural Foods, but the website has flavors I've never seen before like apple.

Here's a cute angel pin made out of a spoon.

The creator of the label Candy Violet is modeling some of her designs. So cute. Also, the creator of the LimeCrime label in her own clothes.

I completed another bracelet. I'm going to have to get some more beads soon.

I'm starting to think of offering plus size jewelry, but I don't know what specifications to make it too. I don't have any plus size testers- my mother is technically plus size but she has the same small bone structure that I have.. Hmm...

I wish this brooch was a pendant, so that I could justify buying it. This necklace is like a necklace that my mother bought me in New Orleans when I was a child. I still have it, and it's the only thing I have from the old city. Oh yea, and I have auctions ending in 24 hours!

Yes, I have put up trial jewelry of the month club memberships starting at the low low price of 9.99. You have to get this limited time deal! It ends on Monday!

You, yes, you, can get a Mystery of Pentecost playset for the low low price of $115!

This site has such a cute concept. She makes soaps in the shape and smells of desserts. I'm saving up for a bar!

Black Money Matters is a new webzine on money matters. Their best content is the advice on common questions. I'm not so much a fan of Jamal, CEO, personally.

I bought an Aeris bookmark from this person's booth at AWA today. It's so cute! Also in other store goings on, I went to Tomato Japanese grocery and bought pocky and genmaicha. Most of the food packages are in Japanese, so there may be some guessing involved, but it's a good store. The sales assistants mostly are Japanese speaking, but will switch to English if you need help. This is good for me, because my language skills are poor.

I put a new pair of earrings up on ebay.

I've decided to barter things on my website. Make me an offer!

This bracelet is up for sale too.

I love Rainbow Natural Foods. Not only did I get a pound of tofu for 99 cents and a pound and a half of popcorn for 74 cents, they also have stuff you can't get at the regular grocery store like those fruitful bars, miso soup mix, almond butter(grind your own), tons of different types of honey(bring your own container!), and even local produce in season.

I had a really productive beading day today, and churned out four bracelets, and I put them all up either on eBay or on my website. I'm proud. I have a necklace that I made that I love, but I am not quite sure how to photograph it to its advantage.

Alligator sausage?

I want these!

I love these dolls! All colors, all genders, soft and without consumerist trappings. Also, they are made in Canada. If I had a kid, I'd buy one. (Although, I hate it when people put music on websites)

Got a new bracelet up!

Wooo hoooo! I've set up the customs section of my website. The smallest run is 10, no setup fee!

I've finally put out a new edition of the newsletter. There's so much on my plate lately. Now I need to make stuff to donate for hurricane relief. I noted that I had a charity auction going on, but I forgot the picture...

I've put up a benefit auction for the Katrina victims. 50% goes to the Red Cross.

I see someone else loves having a x of the month club. (nsfw)

Oooh, paper jewels is having a sample sale. I really love the technique she used with the lacquered paper.

I'm so happy! Earlier this summer I ordered $50 worth of supplies from my supplier, but they had been sent to school, and I couldn't get them for a month. But today, I finally picked them up. They are great, and I can't wait to get beading.

I always love an oppurtunity to get something in bulk- and I'm tempted to buy some of this soap- I really love nice soap, especially if I can get it a lot at a time.

I finally finshed my jewelry of the month club section. And none too late either.

I really love this corset. I have never worn one, but I love the look of them, and I especially love when they combine different fashions into one.

I found a new site that allows you to make a wishlist from any site on the internet. You can even make a list for items on my site.

From the Black Business Owner's Network. I would encourage people to donate:

Greetings Family,
(Removal & Contact Info At The Bottom Of The Page)

OK...the end of the month is fastly approaching, and my current
negotiations with Absolute International (www.absoluteint.com) has
fallen apart, so I'm turning to you my subscribers and supporters for
financial help.

Every computer needs a screen saver. Why look at flying Windows or
moving mazes, when you can amaze your associates, clients, family and
friends with an Afrocentric screen saver from City Lights Software
(http://www.citylightssoftware.com).

City Lights Software offers some of the most unique afrocentric screen
savers, available online! Our Black screen savers are the ideal gifts
for coworkers, distant relatives and friends. We deliver ONLINE -
Direct to your Desktop.

As a fundraising (survival) strategy, we are having a weekend long RENT
PARTY. You remember them from the old days don't you? When a neighbor
or friend lost their job, or was on hard times, they would have a party
and ask people to pay $10 at the door to raise money for rent. Well we
are discounting five dollars off our normal price of fifteen dollars
this weekend to raise emergency money. You can now purchase any of City
Lights Software's fine line of quality screen savers for just $10.

We represent icons of the entertainment, photography and art worlds.

Entertainment: Ray Charles, Red Foxx, George Clinton, All Stars of Jazz

Educational: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans and
Native Americans

Photographers: LaMonte McLemore's Tan & Lovely, Howard Moorehead's
Bronze Beauty's

Fine Art: Charles Bibbs, Albert Fennell, Larry "Poncho" Brown, and
Calvin Massey

City Lights, fine line of screen savers are designed for Windows PC's
and require a minimum of 4 MB of memory. They come direct to your
desktop via the Net or as a hardcopy on CDROM. They are best viewed at
a minimum configuration of 640x480 with the monitor display set at no
less then 256 colors. Our products contain high quality graphics and
many entertaining effects and features (such as wallpapers or music).
City Lights provides a 100% money back guarantee and full technical
support via phone, fax, and on the Internet.

Normally, when doing an online promotion such as this, we only get a 1%
response rate, but I'm asking you to change that statistic. If you have
a Mac or don't use a screen saver, send $10 anyway. If you are cash
poor (like me), then forward this email to everyone you know...come on,
help us out

City Lights Software (http://www.citylightssoftware.com) is the number
one developer of afrocentric and multicultural software in the country.
We are a community based, family owned African-American corporation.
Our stated corporate goal is to assist African Americans and people of
color in the achievement of social and economic equality on the Net.

We publish the "City Lights Reporter" a bi-monthly online publication
that focuses on Afrocentric and Multicultural issues, technology and
business. Many of you have complimented us on the timely and relevant
content, we have posted to this group
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_City_Lights_Reporter).

Viacom's BET.com can show you the latest video, but
will they tell you how to get a brother out of jail???
(see "Is Blakely A Get Out Of Jail Free Card?")

AOL's BlackVoices.com can get you a hot date, but will
they tell you how to get your grandmothers money
back??? (see B of A Owes Millions To Social Security
Recipients)

Comcast's BlackPlanet.com can get you a job, but will
they tell you how to start a business???
(see eMobile at Yahoogroups)

The City Lights Reporter is a free service of City
Lights Software, Inc.. We publish this unique online
journal as a public service to the Black online
Diaspora.

We're asking for you to put your money where your mouth is! Do You
Support Black Business? Do You Want To See More Black Culture On The
Net? Do You Want To Help Bridge The Digital Divide??

Only when we begin to create, distribute and BUY content About US, From
US, and For Us, will we ever begin to bridge that mythical Digital
Divide. Why do you watch TV? .... Because of what's on it!!!

Tell your network of friends, family and coworkers that this is the
year to give a taste of Black Culture! Purchase a Black culture screen
saver today by going to our website http://www.citylightssoftware.com
or contacting us direct at sales@citylightssoftware.com.

Share The Knowledge ... Share The Dollars!

Gaijin Geisha has opened up a new label- Candy Violet! Awesomeness.

It's time for a back to school clearance sale. Up to 75% off!

Now this is something I haven't seen before- want ad for promise rings. I won't go into my personal feelings about having ceremonies for teen girls centering on their sex lives. Just enjoy the quirky ad.

I can't imagine having a picture of Alan Greenspan up on my wall.

Eye makeup as conceptual art? There's always something unusual on eBay.

Lovely artwork. A tip- always look on DIY Marketplace for the hottest new designers. I know I don't post as often as I should.

An adorable tea cup chandelier. Perfect for any cute fanatic's bedroom.

Looking to shop black? Look here. Help build wealth in the black community- support black business.

I'm hoping for cooler weather ahead, so I'm making fall themed jewelry nowadays. I am starting to do more pieces with botanical influences, and lately, pink has been my favorite color.





These earrings don't match the bracelet exactly. I should make a matching pair- maybe tomorrow.

This is just one of the pieces I made today. I'm on a roll.

Finally! I have redone my whole website so that every button can be ordered as a magnet.

I have a nice bracelet up. I've been so busy redoing my website to allow people to buy magnets(I'm up to the Ns) that I haven't been able to get this bracelet up, so I'm selling it on ebay. To promote the arrival of magnets, I'm having a contest. People who subscribe to my mailing list get one free chance at the prize of 25 custom magnets. Also, subscribers will be able to buy tickets for more chances at the prize.

Earring auction- one day left.

I'm clearing out some of my excess beads- the auctions are ending in less than 24 hours, so get to bidding.

One of the best pieces of advice I can give you about drop shippers for ebay is don't use them. As a buyer, I want my seller to have the item in hand, ready to go when I pay them. I don't want slow shipping or items to get lost in transit. For ebay suppliers, I'd advise people to look in their own home towns. There have to be estate sales, garage sales, thrift stores, people selling abandoned storage sheds near you. If not, use google, use other auction sites, just don't go and ask others for their suppliers. I'm just an around the house seller and I know that.

How cute. This woman is selling bears made from your own old clothes- like a quilt, but cuter. My mom keeps and preserves the old family quilts, and one quilt is mine- my mom personalized it by using some cloth I was going to use to learn to sew to patch the holes. (yes, I've been trying to learn to sew for years, and never have gotten the knack for it. Maybe this summer will be the summer). I'm glad I had the chance to remember that.

Click the pic, and you can own this lovely piece today.

Ms Cobblepots is supposedly closing. Where will I get my bows now? I hope I won't have to make them myself.

Also, I have two bead auctions ending in less than twenty four hours. There's more where that is coming from as I am cleaning out my bead collection.

Do you have a gothic lolita related business? Contribute to the Lolita Snap link pool.

While I'm blogging, I'd like to mention my mailing list Members get sales, special deals, contests and lots of other fun stuff. It's free to join, is only a weekly mailing, and your email address will never be sold or given to anyone else.

Now that's a smart marketing move. I usually try to avoid using names of recognized movies or companies in my auctions, because who knows which company is going to be a Vero member and get your auction pulled, but if you can get away with it, it's always good for extra exposure. One note for buyers- if a seller has multiples of a too good to be true item, it's probably not real. I don't mind sellers like this one, but what really gets my goat are people who sell fake Coach bags or fake Tiffany earrings because that means that people who sell the real deal aren't going to want to put theirs on ebay- how will they compete with $20 vinyl purses and $60 gold plated rings?

In celebration of my eBay luck, I have posted 4 pairs of earrings at the irresistible price of $9.99


Click, and get them before they are gone. Also, an explanation for the uninitiated, Gothic Lolita is a Japanese style inspired by Victorian fashion. No Nabokov here.

I'm so excited. My magnets are in. I should put up the new option to get any button as a magnet soon and also put up new designs.

I have been having a great streak of ebay luck- every single item I put on ebay sells. This is very strange since summer tends to be a slow time for sellers. I guess it all depends.

A small businesswoman talks about the travails of home parties. I've never tried home parties before, as I am still sharpening my skills, and also because I don't have a car. Maybe later.

Another venue that my items are on is the Velvet Garden. I have four pairs of earrings up.

If you want a profitable ebay business, try making lampwork beads. They are always too high to buy. I really am itching to make some jewelry, but my supplies got sent to Atlanta, so I'm taking a long time.

I posted a pair of earrings on craftview. It's only $1.50 for a 30 day listing. I'm experimenting with different venues to get my crafts seen. That reminds me that I have to find some more consignment places online to sell my stuff. More exposure can't hurt.

In good eBay news, we finally have a designer artisan category. This category is just for people who handcraft jewelry. So instead of getting the same earrings that everyone else is wearing, you get a real piece of art, and support honest crafters.

Submitting products to froogle is really slow going. I'm trying to use froogie, but it won't even let me copy and paste descriptions from my site, so I have to retype them out. It's so dull and boring, I tend to procrastinate. I'm creating new items all the time too, so it's a real hassle. Of course anything that makes it even a bit easier costs an arm and a leg. *sigh*

The latest ebay dust up is over how people will no longer be allowed to sell using just a personal paypal account. This doesn't affect me because I already sell using a premier account. I'm still of two minds about this. On one hand, it's annoying that small low margin sellers have one more reason to raise prices, on the other hand, unless you are selling items for .99 cents each, 30 cents more shouldn't dent things too much. One adaptation ebay sellers need to make is to start the starting bid at the lowest price that they would pay unless they know that the item will have a bidding war. Most ebay items get one or maybe two bids. If you sell at .99 cents, there's not much of a point in selling with all those fees, you'd be better off with a yard sale.

Another is to do research using the completed items search feature. This is easy to use- just go to advanced search, type in your item or category, and click the box saying completed items only. This will give you an idea of what keywords sell and when items sell at the highest price.

I have to admit that I was annoyed when yahoo sitebuilder kept prompting me to upgrade, but now I'm glad because among the new features is an option to quickly put in a paypal button. This makes putting new items on the site much faster. So thanks, yahoo. Also, today, my first ebay auction in a long time is ending. I have had those spiral findings for about 6 months or so, trying to find the best way to use them, and I am satisfied in how the earrings came out.

The comments on this post include a really good discussion of 'bootstrapping' versus venture capital. This of course depends on the business- I don't think any one would give me $500 let alone $50,000 to set up a jewelry company. Boot strapping is hard because you have to start on a shoe string. I do not even have a credit card so spending $1000 on ads or hiring someone for PR is out of the question. However, I also do not really owe anyone anything. If my buttons are too snarky, there is no one to tell me to tone them down, if my business fails, that's on me. I think I like that.

As a business owner, I know the importance of the media in a good business plan(although the media is woefully underutilized in mine) and one important tip is to never masturbate in front of the media. It tends to alienate.

And to celebrate, I've put this lovely pair of earrings on auction.

I'm back and business is running as usual.

I have put my tip jar back up. Any donations will invest back into the business. If you want to know why, read this essay.