Am so computer illerate, not sure where to go or what to do, want desperately to fit in, do not know how to create a page or a store on line(our dream) I am handicapped so working from home is more than just an extension of our show work.I so look forward to learning from each of you, although we have been aound quite a while, it still is as if we are newbies.We can share a little about us and how we got started in this wonderful world of creation and selling.Mike and I had always attended gem and mineral shows in Houston,, Texas, we would purchase little things that just so impresssed us, we were only married eight (8) months. We had earlier purchased a liveaboard sailboat to retire on and as we were getting it ready for its first big sail I took a part-time job at Zales Jewlery just for the holiday season. about two weeks into my employment, the overhead gate that they used to close the store fell on me, to make a long story short, it ruptured and/or broke nearly everything in my spinel column, along with my knees, it is now over 36 surguries later , along with comas, and all kinds of therapies, including speech, physical, and mental, suffered through seizures, brutal migraines, spinel menengitis, etc.For eight years I could barely speak and had diffficulty walking, used a scooter for many years, now only a cane.Anyway, we eventually lost everything we had ever accumulated in our lives, we came within just a few dollars of living on the street, no food, nothing. Once, we went to a shelter for food, never again, felt so quilty, knew we were taking food from someone who needed it much more than we did, never went back, The shame stays with me always. Had always been the kind who gave, all she could to help others, always gave. Husband always says if we ever won a lottery he would have to bind and gag me, as I would give it all away,I would not give it all away- just keep enough to eliminate the fear I live with, just want enough to feel safe, the rest goes to children, children like me who suffered through child abuse, both physical and sexual. I am someone who lived to be generous and do my best to live a good life, with a wonderful husband eventually. ANYWAY___ After we were nearly destitute, an acquantaince offered to teach Mike how to wire-wrap for $300., as kind and generous as that was, we could never afford that, we hadn't had $300 in years,Mike did get one or two lessons, after that he just practiced and practiced, and now we were fortunate enough to live in a 28' rv for six years, M ike would drive from one show to another, desperately trying to make some money, we basically lived hand to mouth.Little by little we learned a great deal about this crazy business, and had to learn the hard way as all of us do, learned to make really beautiful jewelry, but one thing always remained the same, we would create a beautiful, quality piece of jewelry and sell it at a price that would be fair to all of us, mostly in the beginning we did not know how to price correctly, and desperation makes you accept prices that were not any-where where they ought to have been,, but we learned, we all do, as you will.Had one of my last operations (hopefully) a couple of months ago, and as long as I stay in bed m ost of the time, do fine, fortunately, I was blessed with a wonderful, thoughtful husband, who stayed and fought with me and for me all the way, and it was harder on him than me and I do realize that and will never forget all he went through or sacrificed.We still have so much to learn, we so want to put the business on line, it wll help our situation so much, if there are any of you out there who could make some suggestions, trust me they would be so appreciated, (if I can understand), truelly illerate when it comes to the computer.Always, we are searching for distributors of natural gems and minerals to be able to purchase at the very best prices available, and we do know that everyone is entitled to make a profit, so if anyone has a name for us that we might contact for those pieces, we would be appreciative and gratefulIf we can help anyone out there,we will do all we can although we are not newbies anymore, we all can still learn a lot more, so, if we can help you, just e-mail us.This is an exciting, wonderful way to make a living, meet wonderful new people, see exciting new places. We have had the pleasure of meeting the nicest people ever, and it was because we do what we do. Hopefully, you will experience the same. OH, those first gems and minerals we had bought just for the pleasure of them, provided us the new beginning, it was as if there had always been a purpose for them, we just hadn't realized it at first.Please let us hear from you. gabbig06@bellsouth.net Share your story, please!.
Gabbi, there are several venues for selling your work on-line. The most popular right now seems to be Etsy (www.etsy.com). Another is artfire.com. And yet another is 1000Markets.com. I am on all three and it is quite a job to keep them updated during show season. My best sales are from Etsy, but I love the look of 1000 Markets which is still in beta stage. 1000 Markets is juried so they are keeping out the supplies and vintage which you will find on Etsy. The fees on all are nominal so it really made sense to me to sign up rather than have my own website. I am no expert on a computer - far from it - but I had no trouble navigating these sites. Check them out - you might find one that fits your needs and good luck.
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