A Girls Best Friend

Baby it's cold outside. Ladies and gentlemen, I've got a few little items to take the chill off any cold day!
To start us off is this Trifari Choker. Chokers were all the rage back in the 50's and 60's and still are today.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19823114
Here we have a very sophisticated Monet black enamel and goldtone bar pin. This pin dates to the 60's and is in fabulous condition.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19821300
Do you love vintage Avon? Me too. I always get so excited when I find a great piece of vintage Avon jewelry that I can find to share with you. This wonderful navy and goldtone piece with the most beautiful chain I have ever seen will look beautiful with a white shirt and a tan.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19751701
You are going to love this one. If you don't look at anything else today. You've got to check this one out. This is a purple pump (shoe) pin with rhinestones on the toe and heel. How hot is this?
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19750521
I've seen plenty of Damascene as I've traveled through the internet. I found this Spanish Galleon with Maltese Crosses at a little Antique Store in Pennsylvania. It has a bit of wear, but it's one of the best I've ever seen.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19749670
This clamper bracelet is just plain flashy! If you are the kind of lady who likes to get noticed, this will get it done. This one is from my personal collection and I have owned this for many, many years and it is in pristine condition.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19157442

Thank you for visiting my blog and for checking out these great vintage items. I am not an expert in any area, but I will represent these items as honestly as I can. If you have any questions please visit my Etsy store at http://goodneighborvintage.etsy.com and send me a "convo" (short for conversation) which you will find at the top of my home page.

Until we meet again, stay warm!

Dealing With Complaints

Ouch! It happened and now you have to deal with it. Successful companies have found that customers who have complained and had their complaints dealt with to their satisfaction are more loyal than customers who never complained. This give you an understanding of how important it is to handle complaints quickly and efficiently.

You should have a timeline and a fair procedure in place for handling complaints. You should never let a complaint drag on or hope it goes away. If you are wrong, admit it, apologize, and make compensation. Then go the extra step and ask your customer what else you can do to win back their trust.

When a complaint is handled badly, not only does the customer feel like they have not been taken seriously, they take their business elsewhere and tell everyone why. Resolve the complaint quickly and your loyal customers will feel well cared for and give you referrals for your hard work.

Remember that an existing customer is more valuable than a potential customer.

Be Who You Are

Be who you are. You cannot be true to yourself or your business if you are busy trying to be someone else.

Relocation

It will happen to all of us sooner or later, we will need to relocate. But what happens if it becomes necessary to set up shop in a new community as well as a new home. Just as you scout the area for schools and churches before you move your family you should be doing the same kind of thing before you move your business.

As a business owner you want to know that you are wanted. You will want to evaluate a location for business friendliness issues that include financial incentives, tax breaks for moving into the area or tax penalties. Be sure that the government systems and services are user friendly. Check out any permits that you might need. After you move is not the time to find out that you cannot get a permit.

Look for updated areas that take into consideration and accommodate your style of operation. If you run a business that is partially or completely virtual will you have access to high speed Internet?

Check out the local Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Agency. Do the local entrepreneurs hold leadership positions there? This will give you an idea of how up and coming new businesses are accepted into the fold, so to speak.

These are just a few things to think about when you are potentially going to move to your business to a new location. Your business is what takes care of your family. Do your homework ahead of time when deciding on a place to live and work and your family will be happy and so will your business.

Give me a Reason

Give me a reason to feature you in my blog. No begging allowed. What do you offer that makes you stand out in a crowd, either personally or in your business? This was the subject of a post in my blog. Tell me what you do to go above and beyond and you may get a feature here on North Shore Clay and Craft. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you!

Etsy Feature Artist

Here we go folks! I found a fabulous new shop and couldn't wait to share it with you! It's a wonderful little shop called Maudes Place and you can visit her at http://maudesplace.etsy.com/ but let me tell you a little bit about how Amber got her start in the jewelry business!

It all began when she was about 10 years and was making bracelets from colorful string and attempted to sell them in the neighborhood. She was a business person even then. A few years later her Dad bought her a jewelry kit and she started making her own earrings and a dream was born...

After her first daughter was born she was inspired to finish college and the desire to create was once more lit inside. Amber has a passion for music and listens while she creates her beautiful pieces that you can find at http://maudesplace.etsy.com/ and the item names are often inspired by the music she listens to.

Amber is a stay at home with 2 beautiful girls and creates at night after her children are in bed. She is the queen of multitasking and while she was writing this article for me she was typing, playing soccer with the kids and singing songs to her children. Wow!

Her creative process has been a healing one for her and writing or creating her fantastic jewelry designs http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13441650

is a positive way for her to release all the wonderful, beautiful energy that she has inside.

Oh, before I forget, all you Pittsburgh Steeler fans, http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17210901 get in here to Maudes Place. I'm pretty sure she will have something you like...Go Steelers!

It's been my pleasure to get to know Amber and her shop a little better. I bought a gorgeous necklace from her and it arrived in a beautiful little sparkly bag with a Thank You note. She took the time to make me feel very special and I know that she puts her heart and soul into all that she does. Take a minute and look her up. You'll be glad that you did.

What Sets You Apart?

It's no secret that our economy is in tough shape. And with so many jobs being lost you need to do something that sets you apart. You absolutely need to be indispensible and have a high level of emotional intelligence. Meaning, you need to "click" with your customers and really be in tune with their needs. It's not possible to read their minds, but you need to try.

Think about what makes you unique. What do you bring to your customers that no one else can. Every day you should be asking yourself and thinking about why you should be the "go to" person and go above and beyond everyday.

If you want your business to grow you need to be producing at a level that is above and beyond all the time.

Take advantage of different ways to improve your skill set. Get involved in different projects, take some classes, get yourself noticed.

In todays economy doing a good job is not good enough, you've got to be great.