$1 Off Admission for the Huron Valley Taste & Expo

This weekend, I will be participating in my first show this year.  The show takes place at Milford High School on March 29th from 11am - 4pm.  Below is a $1 off admission coupon you can print off and bring with you.  I hope to see you there!

Networking, Networking and More Networking!

Today, I signed up for the 16th Annual Huron Valley Taste & Expo which takes place the weekend of March 29th.  I hemmed and hawed about it a bit because I did not do so well at the few indoor craft shows I participated in during the Holiday season.  This one however, will give me some exposure to the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce and a little bit of opportunity to network.  I have heard other artists mention the HVCC, but have not been to any of their events before.  I am looking forward to it!

My New Year's resolution for 2009 is to expand on my networking capabilities.  Networking with strangers is not a natural thing for me, so I am proud to say that I think I have done rather well with this resolution. Most people might be thinking, resolution?  I gave that up months ago! Normally, I would have, too.  However, being in the current situation of unemployed it is more of a necessity.  Right now, I am walking dual paths - find a new position in my chosen field and indulging my entrepreneurial spirit.  I have to say, this journey of transition has given me lots of opportunity to pursue both, but still no clear answers.  I like the structure of a 9-5 job but the creativity of making jewelry.  In other words, I like doing both!

My chosen career of Telecommunications is definitely a passion and something that I am good at doing.  I chose this field over 10 years ago because of the advent of the Internet.  Back then, the Internet was all about pipes and bandwidth, now, we are in the era of web 2.0.  Web 2.0 is less about bandwidth and more about content.  Since being laid off, I have had the time to learn so much about social media, which seems to be the main content driving the concept of web 2.0.  

It seems social networking is the way towards the future whether being an entrepreneur or part of an existing business.  The idea is using it properly to target customers and find the right people.  This seems to be the tricky part.  Especially if part of your target market is adverse to social media (more on that another time).  I believe Twitter is still in an early adopter phase where Facebook is more mainstream.  I have read that the growing segment of Facebook is the 30+ crowd.  This must be true since me (30+) and my mom and dad (50+) just joined in the last year.  I know this is anecdotal, but seriously it is true.  I am getting more and more requests from friends in the 30+ crowd for help in using FB.  Of course, I will be happy to oblige.  I may post more about that later.

At this point, I am still in the learning phase of social networking.  Like I mentioned before, I only joined Facebook in the last 8 months.  I started to Twitter only 2 or 3 months ago.  I joined LinkedIn when I lost my job.  I have not fully realized all their powers.  In fact, I am using resources from a local networking group called Motor City Connect to learn more.  I guess from a networking perspective, you could say I am covering all my bases.  I hope this is a strategy that pays off in the long run!  Next up...Search Engine Optimization!!!!

Another MIA Week

I am sorry to say but last week was no better than the week before in terms of blogging.  My week started out great because I was asked for a second interview.  I was so excited that I wanted to worked hard to prepare for the interview and I do my best.  My hard work paid off because the interview went really well!  Now I just wait...

Since I hate waiting around to hear about job prospects, I try to preoccupy myself with creativity.  I have a couple new necklaces to share, but still need to photograph and post them to Etsy.  Luckily, the weather has been amazing the last few days!  Hopefully it continues tomorrow so I can get some good shots to share.

Stay tuned for more tomorrow!

MIA This Week

I know I have been MIA most of this week from both blogging and Twittering.  While being an awesome jewelry artisan, I am also looking for a J-O-B!  I have spent the better part of 7 mos looking for employment. Although, I have had a lot of great time to focus on my jewelry, I do miss the structure of working.

This week, I spent most of my days networking and submitting resumes.  I finally had a phone interview this afternoon.  It went really well and I look forward to scheduling a face to face.  Looking for a job has so many emotional highs and lows, I just want to keep it cool.

Anyway, do not fret, after I go back to work, I will still work on designing the best jewelry ever!  That will not change.  I have sent applications in for several summer art fairs and hope to participate in them all!  I am learning I work better in a more structured environment.  Working online and on my own, I am less focused and less successful.  As someone once said, "If you want something done, give it to a busy person".  Without working full time, I am not busy enough to be disciplined and focused on selling jewelry.  Plus, I am also learning, I would rather make it than have to market it and sell it.  It is so much easier when it sells itself! LOL!