December Update!

November came and went with a lot going on.  I entered myself into 3 gift guides & an a-list (Chakra Gift Guide by Phylameana Desy; The Streeter A-List for Accessories & Apparel and Bath & Beauty, and Life with Lovebugs Holiday Gift Guide under Knit/Crochet).  I also kept up on blogging and scheduling and took several custom orders.  And now here it is December already?!  I can't believe the Solstice is just around the corner!

Some other things that went on was the launch of my newsletter - if you're not on it, you can subscribe right here on the page!  I send extra special & early updates there.  I also only give out some special sales via my newsletter that you won't see anywhere else.  So if you love my work, like I know you do if you're reading, stop stalling and sign up already!

While I've been very busy I can say I have a lot to show for it - I had several custom orders placed and filled  before the end of November including two sets of striped armwarmers I named Donatello's Revenge, four sets of house slippers:  A Hint of Blush, If You Were Coming in the Fall, Gray Misty Morn, The Ants Go Marching, and Jack o Lantern's Light.

With December I look forward to more orders as the holidays loom ever closer and the promise of fun new projects I've gotten my little mitts into - like tatting.  I also hope to be able to take a small break from the store, because I'll have caught up on work and do a little work for my photography & design as well as my healing center.

And let me give you a tiny hint at something to look forward for those ordering this month...(be on the lookout for a blog post about it too!)  I'm putting the finishing touches on my branded packaging so you'll get to see my hard work all too soon.  If you want a quicker, personal look head on over to the store and place your order now!

And here's a special treat to those who took the time to read all the way through to the bottom!  I'll be running a Yuletide sale for one week 12/10 to 12/17 resulting in 30% the entire store!  Just use code "YUL3" at checkout in my store!  **An important note:  due to delays surrounding the holidays I cannot guarantee anything ordered during this sale will make it to you before or by 12/25!  I do apologize for the inconvenience!*

To you I hope you bundle up, light the fire, and enjoy the indoors with those you love and develop even more wonderful memories!  Stay safe, keep warm, and feel free to drop by to say hello!

This Just In: Gift Certificates!

We all love gift certificates.  It just makes gift giving a lot easier, especially when you're not 100% sure what someone might like.  So really you can't go wrong with one!  You put the power to be satisfied with the gift in the receiver's hands!

In honor of my first holiday season I've launching three levels of gift certificates:  $15, $25, and $50.  As a special bonus each level is slightly discounted!  However, that is only for a limited time only, gift certificate costs will go up slightly on 1/1/13 to reflect actual amount offered.

Gift certificates are not available for use on custom orders, all sales are final and they must be redeemed in full (any leftovers will be surrendered.)  Each comes with a special code that allows one time use only.

So give the gift of awesome this year and get your special someone, or yourself, a gift certificate to Aradia's Hand!

Happy Crafting,
Aradia
of
Aradia's Hand

November Book Review - The New Macrame by Katie DuMont

Image Source Credit

I won't spoil it for you by revealing the projects but leave it to be that there are some downright nifty projects in this book!

While having fabulous pictures never hurt anyone, I have to say the display of finished projects as well as samples for other reference really make this book for me.  Like most how to do books there is a brief introduction wherein the author talks about the subject, a brief overview of the history of macrame, and of course the all important tool & supply list with descriptions and some pictures.  Katie also goes into other things you may want to know when considering the creation of your jewelry and other macrame projects.  She has a "Knots 101" section which I found to be particularly helpful as it showed finished photographs, a lined drawing, and a small written paragraph about each knot.  And I can't forget to mention she also shows variations of many of the knots or combinations when right and left handed ones are concerned.

And if you thought there wasn't anything other than projects and other basic how to advice in this text I can assure you you'll be wowed by the macrame gallery section full of inspiring and literal works of art in the world of knotwork.  At the end is a brief description of designers featured, glossary, and a small index.

I'd give this book a 5 out of 5 at least.  It's clear, has wonderful pictures, and perhaps the only drawback is that these designs are for personal use only, but don't let that stop you from being inspired!

Cyber Monday Free Shipping Extravaganza!!!

So you're super bummed, you signed up for my newsletter or you just missed the Black Friday sale I just held.  That's okay, I've got you covered!  Monday and Monday alone I'll be doing free shipping on everything available in my store.  This will exclude certain things, but they won't be available for purchase so no need to worry about having to cancel an order if you didn't read the fine print.

This sale starts midnight on Monday and ends midnight on Tuesday EST.  I'll be deactivating the store right before and right after (11:45 pm - 11:59 pm Sunday and 12:01 am - 12:15 am Tuesday).

This is a limited time offer and one I may not be doing again so jump on it while you can!

Happy Crafting,
Aradia
of
Aradia's Hand

Simplicity Leads to Success

You can accuse me of "drinkin' the kool-aid" and you might be right, but in this case I have to say you can't deny the psychology behind it all.

I have a personal pet peeve about business.  When you're doing something "right" it works for you, right?  It flows and its effortless.  You put out content, it gets received and taken in.  You ask for comments, you get them.  People buy your products, invest in your services and everything in hunky-dory.

All that is great and well & good, but how does it happen?

Part of it is by offering great quality content, by reaching the right people (people who actually want to be involved in your business), and showing up.  All of that is a given, but part of a good business model is professionality.  This is where I feel a lot of people drop the ball.

What am I talking about?  Get this, think of the last time you went to a website.  What did it look like?  Were there ads out the wah-zoo?  Or was the entire process of getting through the website streamlined?  Chances are if it was some place like Marie Forleo, Laura George, or Jenny Shih's website it was nice, neat, and trim.  You knew what you were there to do and if you didn't you found something they wanted you to do quickly and easily.  No bustling confusion needed!  If it was a personal blog, or website, or even a social media site it was likely littered with distractions.  So many so that it either became a quick time suck or you just left because you couldn't get done what you meant to.

I'm sure those who have websites that fall in the latter category aren't going to like this post.  But what I'm getting at is a simple point of fact I learned from Laura Roeder at Social Media Marketer.  Your website has one specific purpose.  It's to incite an action.  (Share this with your followers.)  It might be to get someone to buy a product, read a blog post, or purchase an informational product.  The more clutter you have on your website the harder you make it for people to do that.

Sure, your website is a creation of your, an extension not only of your business but your brand, your personality.  I've heard people say they "liked" clutter.  (In fact I've said it myself, because I'm an easily distractable person, so I don't much mind it.)  But do you really?  It's a bit like walking into your house.  Would you want to walk in and things be thrown this way and that, have to carve out a path to walk anywhere?  Would that really give you piece of mind?  Or would it be nicer to have things more streamline, simple, and easier to navigate?  You don't have to be a neatfreak, gods know when I get creative I'm not, but you don't have to be a slob either...

Food for thought.

So tell me, where does your website stand in this situation?  How do you feel when you visit the website of another person/business?  What does theirs look like?  Can you see the effect clutter in your web presence has on customer action and satisfaction?

Happy Crafting,
Aradia
of
Aradia's Hand