Visit LilacsNDreams With New Blog Website

 

                                                 Come Visit LilacsNDreams With New Blog

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I am doing something I have been thinking about doing for a while. I researched, and read about places. Would push it off, and then start rethinking it again. I finally decided it was time for me to move on. I have been doing my best to keep a schedule, share topics with everyone of interest, show images, share links, etc. For some reason it just has not been working here with getting views with my posts. I use to get a lot more than I am getting now, would get comments, and now it’s hardly anything. I have some ideas, hopes, and goals, but it just doesn’t seem to be working. I will still have my place here. I have 1 of my domains pointing to it. But, my main .com domain I will be working to have it directed to the next place. 

Yes, it’s an adjustment for me. I was use to things here, sight was easy to roam and do things with my postings, and the next sight I will have to learn a few things. But, it will come to me as I keep working it. So, when you get a chance stop by to see me at LilacsNDreams Blog in a new home that I am working with. Not perfect, but I am doing a little at a time to get things updated, and changed. Wish I could have kept doing my thing here, but sometimes have to be done for the best, right?

*** UPDATE: Ok, been working with word press because LilacsNDreams is there. After playing around today I added another blog page which is not going to do what I wanted it to. Word Press is a learning thing for me for sure! I found I could add another site with my original site there. So, for the blog I now have it set up with New Blog Location  lilacsndreamsblog.wordpress.com

Thanks for visiting as always, and hope to see you as I transition into a new home. Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams! Take care, and hope to see you again.

Google Website Shopping on GoDaddy With LilacsNDreams

 

Google Website Shopping on GoDaddy With LilacsNDreams. 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams today everyone! Glad to have you stopping by! I am excited, and hope I can slow down enough to get it all out here for you. Saturday we closed on the house, got the keys, and by Monday they should be moved out for us to have full possession of the home. So excited, but do dread the packing, and moving part. After doing that Saturday morning we then went furniture shopping. Stopped at 1 store, but didn’t quite have anything for our tastes. Second store we went to was well worth the time spent there shopping for everything we wanted. Just need to visit again to see if we can get our new dining table set there. Unfortunately, time got away from us. We did all we could, and have a very good start. Couch ordered, and delivered in August. End of July the love seat, 2 rocker chairs, mattress with new headboard and frame for our son will be delivered. We also need to get our own bed from another place since we are wanting one of those raising/lift beds. Just so excited about all of this.

Tonight I got a little bit excited again. I was reading a newsletter I receive that discusses things with EBay, Etsy, selling online, changes with things, etc. I read 1 topic about Google working with some of the platforms with selling, and 1 of them was with GoDaddy. I have had my domains there for years. So, I looked at things a little closer with numbers of course. For the monthly fee at GoDaddy for what they had to offer it seemed very intriguing. Pay them a fee for the exposure I can receive with Google, and social media places. Not have all the rules you have with some of the other platforms, and to be selling again using 1 of my domains is pretty exciting. I am anxious to get moved, and very anxious to be working with this at GoDaddy to start showing my products and selling them. I can’t wait to get started. It’s been a long time since I was excited to sell. I’m so excited that this move cannot happen fast enough now. 

I’ll keep you all updated as I progress along. I have LilacsNDreams dot com domain directed at my blog/website which I can always change with ease at GoDaddy. For now to start with I will be using LilacsNDreams Shop domain for my GoDaddy store. I’m so excited that I’m more focused with this tonight then with moving. Been a while since I felt like this with everything happening with the pandemic, shut downs, being isolated, and losing freedom for a while there. I’m so excited I almost feel alive again!

Wish me luck everyone! I’ll keep you posted with things as I figure them out. I hate that I will be waiting till after we move, but I am going to play around with wording, setting things up on my GoDaddy shop, colors, pictures, and all of that fun stuff.

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Till the next time my friends  have fun in all you do, be safe, and we’ll see you again. Toodles . . . . . 

EBay Etsy Poshmark Shopify Mercari Bonanza Selling Platforms

Etsy EBay Poshmark Mercari Shopify Bonanza Selling Platforms with LilacsNDreams. Websites, domains, webstores, and there is so much out there to think about, and choose from!

I, along with many other sellers, sell their vintage collectibles, repurposed, handmade, crafts, home decor on Etsy along with other selling platforms as well. Recently Etsy put a notice out to us about Advertising, the cost, and pretty much in a nutshell we are being forced to pay for it. For those who make $10,000+ for the year will have to pay like 13%-15% of that along with the other fees we normally pay Etsy to use their platform for selling. Roughly about 25% and more will be paid if your item sells because of one of the ads. Now, for those who sell less they have what they call outside advertising which 13% will be charged along with our normal Etsy fees that are paid. For this you are suppose to be able to opt out of it, and this is the category I fall into. I have tried numerous ways to opt out of this deal following instructions I found. The system says the link is not working, or I get 1/2 way through the list, and I cannot get any further. I have tried different ways to contact support which I get told link does not work that I click on. I have read I have till March 28th to decide, and I also read I have till April 10th too. 

I am not happy at all with this! Many other sellers are in an uproar about this because of being forced to pay for advertising that is not wanted, the cost, not being given the choice to decide, etc. So, I like many others have decisions to make. Stay at Etsy, and deal with it, and most won’t be making any money for their time. Another idea that many are sharing is to move onto another place, and keep just a few things with their shops at Etsy. It’s ironic that at the same time EBay is making some changes that sellers are not happy with there either. Shopify got wind of some of the issues because many sellers at Etsy received emails with offers that they have too. 

It’s very upsetting being forced to pay for something you don’t want to use. We lost a little more control of our shoppes after working to get them where they are at now. Like I had mentioned in a group I get offers for Google Ads too. I don’t accept the offer. But, it is my choice, my decision that I am making myself for my Shoppe. 

Moving to another platform. Where to go, looking at pros and cons to different sights, cost, exposure that you would get there, getting your own webstore, getting your own domain, and many different things to consider. 

Last Sunday I spent the day with a very good friend of mine. A little thrifting, lunch, and discussing about stepping a little outside our boxes. She sells on EBay, I sell on Etsy, and maybe it’s time for us to change things a little bit. Not only the places we sell, but adding some items into what we normally sell. She showed me a few items she sold, prices, and offered some ideas to me from what she has learned. I am going back a little bit to when I first started selling on eBay years ago. Along with some of the things that I sell now I use to do fairly descent with purses too. So, I am going to start adding that in along with different pieces of clothing. 

Right now I am going to put some things at Poshmark which will be a collection of purses I have accumulated. Along with that I am going to start selling clothes items too. Their selling fee is the average of what is usually dealt with. They pay the shipping, and for these items the shipping will not be as heavy. I won’t have to use bubble wrap, and packing peanuts that I normally use. 

I’ve also looked a little into Bonanza. They have been around for awhile. I use to sell a little bit there a long time ago. I looked a little more into them yesterday. They have 3.5% fees paid with sales, they give you the option of advertising with different plans to choose. They showed a chart, and the smallest fee they showed was with the selling fee plus advertising, and it was like a total of 9%. Most places charge at least a 10% fee for sales made, and that’s only sales. No advertising, or anything else. Also, you can have a webstore with them for a fee of $25 a month. They offer more payment options than just Paypal. They had some things to consider, and think about here.

As for the advertising? I’ve gotten this far without it. I have spent a little time here, and there with promoting myself through different social media channels. I try to include back links where I can, and use hashtags where it’s permissible too. Trying to save cost, but also trying to be effective with things that will help me with exposure as well.

So, I have some ideas. I’m looking into things, researching, reading up on what others have to say and offer, testing a few things out, etc. If you have anything to share I’d be happy to hear from you as well.

LilacsNDreams will still be around, and doing what I have always done with selling online. If I feel it will be an issue adding in clothes, and purses I always have my domain for LilacsNDreams Shoppe that I can use for that if I have to. Everywhere I go, every platform I use, and anything I do I will keep you updated. Just look for LilacsNDreams because I’ll be around some where. 

Thanks for visiting with me today, and hope to see you again soon. Again, any ideas you wish to share are welcomed here. Thanks again everyone! 

Etsy Poshmark Ebay FB Marketplace Websites Used For Online Sales

Etsy Poshmark EBay Own Website For Online Sales

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you stopping by! How many of you sell online? If you are selling online are you using Etsy, Poshmark, EBay, your own Website, FB Marketplace, or maybe another place not mentioned. So far I am using my Shoppe at Etsy, and once in a while I’ll put something at Poshmark. Years ago when I first started selling online I started with EBay. I usually sold vintage collectibles, sometimes home decor, and then over time I started adding in some repurposed, restyled, DIY, handmade treasures. 

Season is changing, holidays are approaching, advertisements are being done on TV for some of the venues, and I’m reminded I need to get to work. I have made some items that need to be posted with my Shoppe at Etsy I love the seasons, the holidays, and I enjoy occupying my time making things for the home to display too. 

If you are selling online what preference do you have for a venue? Which one have you had more success with? Would love to hear the ins, and outs of your experiences shared with us. 

eBay is eBay, and is the well known one to use. I enjoyed it when I first started, and later on decided it was time to move on. I tried a few places out with one of them being Etsy. That is one Shoppe I have hung onto over time. They are known for handmade products along with vintage collectibles too. I’m anxious to list items I have made, and really get back into the swing of things. I need to hurry up, and finish projects for the home I am working on. I also need to better focus on doing my listings instead of being side tracked by all the products that others are offering. I love what others share which helps me with ideas of my own, and maybe keeps me a little busier roaming around than I should allow it to...LOL! 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! I enjoy the visits, comments, messages left to me, and look forward to you stopping by again. Take care till the next time everyone! Toodles . . . . . .

Blogs Websites Postings Informational Learning

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Earlier in the week I had a couple of appointments. Since then...sadly I have been home sick. Something that was unforeseen. It’s been a long time since this has happened. I guess Mother Nature waved her wand over me this time. 

Due to this incident I was not able to get any projects done to share with you, or decide on a topic to discuss with you. I apologize for this mishap. I am sorry, but felt the need to stop by, and drop you all a note to keep you updated. Once the ear is unplugged and stops ringing, I’m not coughing so bad, sneezing, etc etc I shall be back here to share with you. Until then, I wish you all to be healthy, and I hope no one experiences this misery that I have been dealing with.

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Stop on by anytime. Next time hopefully it’s much better conditions. Take care everyone! 

Domain and Domain Name is it Needed is it For Me

Domain and Domain Name is it Needed is it For Me

LilacsNDreams Welcomes you! Topic today is something that is often discussed, and questioned if it is really needed. The Domain, Do I need a Domain Name, is it really needed, and is it really for Me?

Many of us are sellers online, are considering selling, have chosen to work with things we enjoy, maybe you have been blogging, or maybe you are considering a website for yourself. All of us are always looking at ways to improve our sales, trying to get our name or presence out there, and just doing everything we can to make our online presence better for us to be seen and found. 

We look at different venues to sell at that we know about, or have found in our researching. Then we question just how many places should we be showing our products with. Through our readings we see things discussed about blogging, having a website, hosting, domains, having a domain name, and etc. I'll admit that it all takes time, a lot of work, and is quite confusing as well too. After time we do start seeing some results with our choices we've made.

One of the issues we will eventually come across is "Should We Buy A Domain"  I am like you, and often thought about that same question. Should I do it, or should I just forget about it? Why do it? Is it worth it? What benefits do I have with getting my own domain? Then, of course we see more cost, and expenses with doing this too. 

Is this something I really needed? Was it time to upgrade to this part of having an online presence? So, after some consideration with reading what others shared about this issue I took the plunge. As of today I have 3 domains that I have kept for a few years. I use to have more when I got caught up in things thinking I needed all of that. I considered different factors with having these domains, but mostly I considered what worked for Me. I can say that I am happy that I have done this, and kept up with the times of having the domains as well. 

I myself chose to go with GoDaddy for all of my domains. There are different choices out there, many share their opinions with this issue, everyone has their own views, and what I recommend is do what you feel comfortable with. Do what you feel works for you, and will be a good fit for what you are planning to do. Cost is something to look at, how many domains do you really want, and also how easy is it to direct your domain? If you point it one way will it be easy to redirect it to another way if you change your mind? Different little things like that.

Few things to think about when having your own domain:

1)  Use Your Blog -  I direct 1 of my domains to my Blog. It is much easier to remember the domain address compared to the longer blog address you start with. Also, it looks really good on business cards that you may have printed eventually for your use. I like to treat my Blog like a website for Me with my links shared that I sell at, social medias to find me, and etc 

2)   Landing Page - Show information about yourself, list your links, list your web pages, note your venues that you maybe are using, list your social networking information, etc. Having a domain would be a great choice if you have multiple blogs, websites, venues, etc. Use the domain for a landing page you can then share your other links with that you choose.

3)   Professional Page - Your Online Business, Your Domain

Having, and using a YourName.com makes it easier to find you, and to remember you  too. Keep the traffic coming to you, and it works to helping finding you with internet searches, inquiries, etc. 

There are many ideas for choosing the domain name that you want. Some have chosen to use their own personal name...Like maybe a writer would do. Some choose a name according to what they are selling at the time, some choose according to their interest, likes, and etc. It's hard to choose a name that is memorable, something that you like, and something that hopefully others will remember too. It does get frustrating because you can have a name figured out, and find that someone else has it. 

How did I choose my name? It started years ago when I started selling online with Ebay. It was a unique name I finally came up with after many many attempts with other names already being used. When I got into blogging is when I decided to get a domain as it kind of locks it in for me having that name. Over time the name with my domain has become mine with Google Searches, and other searches as well. I don't have many expenses with all that I do. I try to keep my cost low as I have never really become anything big for what I do. The one expense I have had every year is having my domains, and of course the little things like business cards, and etc. Having these domains has been a small price compared to what it could be, and maybe could be some day. It helps with the branding of my name as well. As of right now....till I decide differently, I only have my domain with GoDaddy. I have not done hosting, or anything else. Times are changing, and maybe I will too. Till then I have chosen to stay with what I have been doing.

How many of you have a domain that you have bought? Are you happy with it, and with the service provider you chose? Maybe you are still considering this subject too. I hope that maybe this little bit I've shared with you will maybe better help you with your domain decisions that you make, and the researches that you do about it. Hopefully it gave you a few things to consider, and maybe more questions to ask about as well.

Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams!  Stop by anytime to visit!

   

Blog Blogging Website Web Presence Venues For Free

Blog Blogging Website Web Presence Venues For Free 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Quite a while back I had read about someone making the comment about their brick & mortar store. They had moved from 1 state to another. I'm not seeing the business name in my notes, but she was from California, and had moved to Ohio I believe. Anyway, she had made a comment about wanting to show that using free spaces on the internet...for instance your blog, website, facebook, etc...how it could be done, and that you would profit from it too. Her ideas she shared was that you could do this free with no/low cost, and that it could be done with results. 

So, I decided to implement some of the ideas of what she had suggested. I can say as of right now the one cost that I do have, and have kept is having my domains that I have for my Blog, another Blog, and Blog page that I have chosen. It makes the web addresses easier to remember, and of course shortens them for use too. I started with my .com which I have LilacsNDreams.com that lands you directly on this page to my Blog. I have LilacsNDreamsShoppe.com which lands you on a page with my Blog that I use mostly for showing things that I offer for sale. I note that you can contact Me for purchases and invoicing through Paypal, I share links for items if you wish to purchase through my Etsy Shop, and I will also share items of others who sell with links back to their items for purchase. Another place I haven't worked with for quite some time is another Blog I had started, and I do have my LilacsNDreams.net domain directed to that as well. 

Then, I decided to work more with Social Media too. That's something that is always mentioned to help all of us being seen, found, advertising our business, etc. Now I found if you can follow charts/analysis with these different places you are able to see what you benefit with, what is helping you, where your traffic is coming from, etc. I have played around with Google a little bit. I have a Google website that has been ignored for a long time. Recently I have doodled a little bit with business.google.com which gives you a minor free website. You can share a little bit about your business there, it helps with locating you in google maps and searches, and you can also share some posts there as well. Here is where I shared 2 items I have listed for sale, I can be contacted through email, or to visit my Etsy Shop to see more pictures and more descriptions of items, and to purchase there as well. Just the other day I looked closer at charts that Etsy shares for the sellers to view their traffic, where it comes from, their views, and etc. It was quite interesting, and helpful too. 

From some of the charts I seen with a few places where my traffic comes from. It's nice to see that my Blog helps with some of my traffic. I can also see that traffic comes from Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.  Once in a while I will see some things coming from LinkedIn as well. What's great is that all of these places mentioned are free for everyone to use. No, I do not sit with all of them all the time. I don't do it morning, day, and night. Facebook I will visit, make a comment with others, and I share things there I have been working on with some links. Pinterest has been known for being good in helping with your traffic too. Not just pinning items of yours, but also of others who have the same interests as they come around and pin on your boards too. Twitter I have set up where my postings on Facebook, and my Blog will go there. When you can do something like this it's a big help in completing tasks that you have for the day. 

With some of these free sites we use to help us we can also get notices sent to our phones, emailed to us, etc. I didn't like the idea, sometimes it still bothers me, but I have found it to be helpful when you do sales online. It's business,right?

I am no professional, and I enjoy sharing with you things I have learned along the way, things I have read by others, what maybe works for me can possibly work for you, etc. I hope this was understandable, and you were able to follow some of the ideas I have shared here today. If you have any questions contact Me. If you have anything to share Please feel free to do so with the comments/talk that you can do below my posts. 

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! I enjoy the visits, the contacts made, and comments that are made too. Take care till the next time everyone. 

Christmas Homemade DIY Repurposed Candy Holder Dish

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Christmas Homemade DIY Repurposed Candy Holder Dish. If I haven't mentioned it to you before I really enjoy spending time with crafting, homemade, DIY, repurposing, and all of that fun stuff! I like creating projects that I can sell, but right now I have been enjoying making things for the holidays with our home. Along with the fixer upper on our home I am enjoying time with making things for the holidays for Christmas! Come follow along with me while I share what I have done for y'all to view this week.

Again I was at the Dollar Tree store, and I had something in mind I was hoping to put together with a project. I don't have a quick access to craft stores like Hobby Lobby, and Michaels...unless I want to drive for it. So, for some things instead of ordering online, or traveling I have chosen to create them. It has been an issue to find a snowman hat, and the size that I need it for too. I figured it was time to create one myself. I was walking around the store, looking at things, and thinking, thinking a little more, and thinking about the snowman hat again. What could I possibly do to make this item, and to fit the bowl I needed it to be on. 

Taking my time, walking around the store, a few things coming to mind that maybe could work, and then there it was! Someone had dismissed a pen/pencil holder by placing it on the shelf where it didn't belong. I seen the holder, and started thinking could I possibly make this work? I grabbed the holder, and went over to their supply section looking for some sort of crafting paper that I could use. There it was a black piece of poster board, and under a dollar too! So with these 2 items, and along with a few other things I needed for other projects I went through check out, and headed home. Once I got home I placed the holder on the bowl I was going to use to make a snowman head. I pictured the black poster board around it, the rim I would make, and etc. Stared at it for a little bit, and it wasn't feeling right. Oh darn! Now what? So, I left it sitting there, and walked away from it for a few days. I would look at it in passing, and was hoping to be inspired with another idea of what to do. 

Needless to say it took a little bit, but I did come to an agreement of what to do with the pieces I wanted to make a snowman hat. I did get it all put together making the hat I was wanting. I did it simply, left the top of the hat open, added just a few embellishments on it, and the snowman hat is now a candy cane holder! I'm excited for our grand daughter to come visit, and see this on the table with different candy canes in it. Now she won't have to pull the tree apart getting the canes off of it. 

This picture is showing the pen/pencil holder along with the piece of black poster board I had gotten. You should be able to see that I did cut a corner of it to start the process of making this hat I want.

Here you can see that I did get this completed, and have added a box of candy canes...I know I will have to get more for this too. I wrapped around the holder, and I made a big circle to attach to the bottom of this hat. Once all of the board was cut, and glued I added a red ribbon around the bottom hat. I added a plane white ribbon making a bow. I added a couple of red ball berries, and a few florescent white balls on either side of the white bow. I also added just a few white snowflakes along the rim, and the hat. 

Another picture pretty much showing some of the same things that I explained above.This was a fun little DIY project with repurposing the holder that I used. 

Isn't Christmas crafting fun?! Something that will have a little more of a meaning to it because it was made by me. 

Thanks so much for spending time with me at LilacsNDreams! Enjoyed having you. Stop on by anytime, drop me a line, leave a comment, etc. Have a super week everyone! See y'all later. 

Christmas Holiday Handmade DIY Repurposed Home Decor

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Christmas Holiday Handmade DIY Repurposed Home Decor. Christmas is a fun time with home decor, and all the fun things we can do. You can buy locally, online, or better yet some of your items you can revise to fit with what you want. That is something I enjoy doing too!

Last week I showed you some picture frames I got from the Dollar Tree Store. I took some simple black frames, and removed the backing, and the glass. I then painted the frames white. Nothing fancy with the painting just a simple white. I then added some decoration to each piece. Some ribbon bows, letter snowflake paper clip, and some ornaments. The second frame I did not have completed fully with my last posting. I have completed it, and changed a bit what I was going to use with it. 

Below you will see 3 pictures of the arrangement that I made using those frames that I hand crafted with. The window that you see in the middle of the frames was made by someone else who signed it, and had donated this one along with a few others to the thrift store. I picked it up because it was cute, and handmade. Wasn't sure what, and where I was going to put it. Tonight it came together for me as you will see. 

This picture shows the arrangement that I had grouped together on one of our walls in the dining room of our home. All 3 pieces have been handmade, or revised to make this arrangement. 

One of the picture frames that I had painted white, added a blue ribbon bow made by me along with a couple of tags for ornaments. I also clipped a letter snowflake on the bottom of the bow.

This is the second frame that I completed which was also painted white. I added the red and white ribbon bow I made to the bottom of the frame. I then added some ornaments to this piece too. 


I love my vintage collectibles, and I enjoy crafting with different things too. Some things I craft with might be with new pieces, and sometimes they might be with pieces that I have found thrifting or that I have had on hand for a while too. It's a good feeling to complete pieces, and be able to show them in our home. Sometimes pieces will be offered for sale as well too. 

I hope you enjoyed your visit, and happy to see you stopping by here. Feel free to contact me, leave a comment, and etc. 

Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams! Have a beautiful week, and see you again soon.

Christmas Handmade DIY Repurpose Home Decor

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Christmas Handmade DIY Repurpose Home Decor. Thanksgiving has passed, and I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving too. The belly has been filled, and the anticipation for the next holiday has expanded just a little bit more. I like many others are excited for the Christmas season.

Christmas is my favorite holiday to celebrate, share, and enjoy. It has much meaning for many people. It's a time of year that the weather changes, many festivities are scheduled to celebrate this holiday, and the mood changes a bit for many too. 

If I was doing my online sales...like I use to...I would be busy right now with that too. People buying for gift giving, and some are treating themselves to special gifts. Many are filling their homes with  decor for the season or just because, and many are also getting things together to craft with as well. 

I enjoy my vintage collectibles that I collect, or sometimes will sell too. I also enjoy decorating, and crafting some of the decorations that I find. Last week I showed you a glass vase I had decorated with different things. Since I shared that I have also added some white fairy lights to the arrangement. The soft glow of the light brings out some of the blue, and glitter a bit more too. 

This week I am going to share with you my latest project I have been working with. I'm almost done. I have enough to share one completed item, and to share some of the things being used for the second item too. I love the Dollar Tree Store. I can purchase many things there to add in with decorations, and to craft with too. For this project I bought some 8X10 picture frames. I already had the spray paint at home. I had some Christmas ribbon, I purchased some ornaments, and I found some Christmas gift tags from another store to use too. Step in a little closer to have a look at the pictures below showing my progress so far. 

I bought 2 of these 8X10 pictures frames that you see. 

I removed the plastic wrap, the glass, and the backing. Once that was done I spray painted both sides of this a white color. 

In this picture you can see 1 of the picture frames completed. After the paint had dried on the frame. I glued in the corner a blue glitter ribbon bow that I made. I made this one simple, and just added 2 different gift tags, and a snowflake letter clip to the bow. 

In this picture I am showing the complete picture frame again along with some extra items at the bottom of the frame. While the other frame is drying fully for me to work with I prepared a red ribbon to put on that one. The second picture frame is white also. Now, after I attach the bow I have some decisions to make about what else to decorate with. The ornament is a green, and silver bulb with a pine cone design on it. Next to that is another older ornament that has mini pine cones, a mini white lace doily behind that, and some red ribbon that has some old gold bells at the bottom of them. I'm also considering using some gift tags again. Not quite sure how it will turn out yet. Don't want to make it too heavy that it won't hang right either. 

I enjoy the Christmas season. I so enjoy adding touches to things I already have, or maybe restyling some things I find within the Dollar Tree, and Thrift Stores too. Sometimes it's a gift for someone else, and many times it's for my pleasure too.

Now to see what else I can get into for crafting with this wonderful holiday. I know some people are bahumbug with the season, but sometimes I feel like I come alive with some of my creative juices.

Thanks again for visiting with LilacsNDreams! I enjoy your visits, and look forward to you dropping by again. Take care till the next time everyone. 

  

Repurposed Upcycle Restore November Blog Website

 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurposed Upcycle Restore November Blog Website. I wanted to stop by, and give an update with some things happening right now. I finally got pictures put into my last posting I did about spray painting styrofoam pumpkins. If you haven’t already seen it, have a look to better see what I was explaining with this experience.

I apologize again deeply for how things are looking with this posting today.

Coloring for what I am sharing is not my usual. My computer is with the Computer Doctor having its tummy ache fixed. I got a call this afternoon it was done, so tomorrow I will be getting that home, and hooked up as fast as I can. Hopefully I can then get back to some kind of a normal schedule with things again. I had a list of things to do, and again I have been set back...darn computer!😊  The IPad is not quite letting me do all I want to. Unfortunately, we become accustomed to the technology of things, what we use, and etc. When it’s not there it’s hard to get along without. All the devices here, and I am accustomed to my way of doing things...LOL! It happens, right?

The next time I post here again it should be with the good old desktop computer.  Looking forward to it, and thanks for bearing with me everyone. Hope y’all had a wonderful Halloween holiday, and were able to enjoy it. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! See y’all again soon!

Pinterest the Addictive Virtual Pinboard

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Pinterest the Addictive Virtual Pinboard that has become quite popular over time.  

Pinterest, is just another place of social media to visit, and interact with. Is it worth being involved? I'll  give you a few ideas about this popular site, and then you can decide for yourselves. 

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard that is done online, and allows you to organize and share things that you find on the web with everyone. You just add a Pin It button in your address bar, and when you see something you like or want to share, click the Pin It button, and take it from there. Many people will use the pin boards to find recipes...there are many good ones out there. They have pin boards for cars, trucks, boats, homes, remodeling, activities for kids, things about school, and just so many areas. You can find things you like with home decor, vintage collectibles, DIY, repurposed items, and just whatever your interests and hobbies are. Best of all, you can browse pinboards of other people to see what they are sharing, and to discover some new and intriguing ideas by many many people.   

So, what can you all do with Pinterest? You can redecorate your home with different pins that you collect, you can draw your own ideas from pins, and etc. Some people like to use Pinterest to help plan their weddings, or special occasions for family members and friends too. People like to use Pinterest so that they can share their style with others who might have some of the same likes, and interests as they do. That includes fashions with clothing, hair, nails, etc. It's a place to pass time, roam around, and get lost. There are so many things, and of course I could never list it all myself. This is a great way to save inspirations that you might find along the way. As mentioned earlier, excellent way to get some really yummy recipes too! Have I mentioned yet that it can be very addictive too? Beware...LOL!

Pinterest is a way for everyone in the world to connect with things that they find of interest. Many pins every week are added, shared, etc. 

When Pinterest first started you had to request an invite. I truly am not sure if that is still the rule to get started today since I've had my account for so long, seems like forever. Once you have access to setting things up you can start making boards for yourself. Name your boards whatever you want, be creative with your choices, and have fun with it too. The pins that you add to the boards are credited back to the people/place that you got the pictures from...which is good for many people. One important thing....Pinterest asks that you not use the sight as a self promoting tool. It's ok to pin things that you are proud of, that you might have, things you wish about, ideas for use later on, but not to overload in self promoting is requested of them.

Stop by to see my Pinterest Boards sometime. I will let you know that I need to work on this site, update things, change things, rename boards, etc. One of my goals after we are moved, and settled in. 

Pinterest is fun, it's addictive, and I get to see different things, meet different people, and get some wonderful ideas of things too! 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams everyone! I enjoy all the visits, and hope to see everyone again soon. Take care till the next time. Toodles......

NOTE:  To keep you all updated with how things are progressing with our move. This weekend July 29th I pick the truck up, and we are loading to move. So, this coming weekend we should be all moved. Hook ups for everything are scheduled. I hope to be online again pretty much right away. I apologize for no posting this past week. We were out of town all weekend working on house, and doing what needed to be done. Thanks again everyone!!   

Repurpose Restyle Reuse DIY Upcycled Vintage Collectibles

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurpose, Restyle, Reuse, DIY, Upcycled, Vintage Collectibles. At some point we all find ourselves intrigued with these things for the decor we use in our homes, remodeling our homes using some of these techniques, some of us like all of this because it is our way of surviving and making money with it, or maybe it is just because we like it. Some of us do it for pleasure, some do it as a past-time, and some do it as their business. How did you get started with this? When was it you acquired the taste, and desire for these things? Have you been doing this a long time, or is it still kind of new to you?

I have had these thoughts over time...when I have time to think to myself, and what is suppose to be my alone time during the day. For me I think mine honestly started during my childhood years. I always enjoyed working with my hands. When I was on the farm with my Grandmother I would play with the sewing machine, I would use her tube paints to make designs with towels and materials, I would go out to the old hen houses and organize things out there with windows, paints, and design some things out there. Over time my Grandmother would give me little things here, and there that involved some sort of craft. I would use it now, or put it with my things for a later time as she would tell me. 

So, I got older, things changed a little bit, and I focused more of my time with vintage collectibles. I had collection books to help me identify pieces, some things I collected myself, I was learning a little over time of how to research a few things, and then came Ebay where I eventually started to sell things. The Ebay thing was from a little help of a close friend, a little nudge from her, and she was already selling on Ebay herself, and felt it was something I would like to do. In fact, that is how LilacsNDreams evolved, and has been with me ever since during my sales, creations, and over time. 

Like many others over time I had the urge that there was more than just selling on Ebay. So, I ventured off a bit into other places like Bonanza, Artfire, Ecrater, and Etsy. During this time of searching for what I felt like I was missing I noticed how I was becoming more interested with the crafty side of things. I was in awe of seeing work done by others of what they were offering. Some of the things that were being done, and how neat some of it was too. Little bit of glue, little bit of paint, this piece could attach to that piece, and how some of the vintage collectible pieces could be brought back to life! Oh, and how neat some things were that had been created, were made from a little bit of this and that, and the possibilities were endless! So, selling on Etsy was one place that I landed that open some more doors for me since they do things just a little bit different than Ebay. 

I still love my vintage collectibles. A lot of glassware really. The creative side of me, working with my hands, seeing things differently and what they can become really sprouted during this time. It has become a passion of mine. I love seeing what others offer when I roam around the internet, visiting stores where others show their creations, seeing things in a way that others offer them from their visions, and so on.

It's something I have been slowly working my way back into doing again. I was headed that way a few years ago, and due to some circumstances a long break was taken. Once we get moved into our new home - it's a working progress, I get organized one more time, I will have more time to myself, and I truly cannot wait to get back into doing all of this again. I'm excited!

So, how did you get started yourself with repurposing, upcycling, restyling, DIY, and etc? Was it something you have always done? Was it something that you acquired over time? Also, is this something you do yourself, or maybe you find these treasures completed to bring home so that you can adore them with all of your collections. Sorry for all the questions everyone. Curiosity gets the better part of me sometimes. 

Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams. Hope you enjoyed the visit, and feel free to share as you wish too. Take care till the next time everyone. Toodles . . . 

       

Blogs Blogspot Blogging Are Social Media Tools

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Blogs, Blogspot, and Blogging are Social Media Tools also. When we work with our blogs, websites, selling platforms, etc. we know to use some Social Media Tools to promote ourselves, and to have us better seen with this worldwide internet we all use. Blogs, Blogger, Blogspot, Blogging, and such are also considered Social Media Tools that we can use for these purposes as well. 

There are many places out there that you can use for blogs, and to blog with. Please remember this as you read through this today. 

Blogs and Blogging  

Wordpress      Wordpress is a popular platform for anyone. A Blogger who writes, or maybe a photographer who wants to put their porfolio out there. With wordpress at anytime you can upgrade, and get your own domain name. Here other wordpress users can either like, see, and reblog your posts which will leave you with the potential of more followers, and readers. 

Blogger or Blogspot      This is one of the most well known platforms. It is backed by Google which makes it trustworthy, and a reliable platform. It is also simple to start. The Blog publishing service allows private blogs along with multi user blogs as well. 

Tumblr      This place has a social networking website with a blogging platform that allows their users to post to a short term blog. Its mostly visuals, images, videos and music. 

Weebly      This place has a lot of unique, and modern themes to start your blog off with for looking fresh. They also offer ecommerce, and iPhone application for posting while you're on the go. It is easy linking to Social Media. This site is suppose to be dummy free, and is suppose to be made as easy as possible for you to dive right into blogging.  

We have some choices for platforms to use for our Blogs which is great. Everyone has their own preferences of how to blog, and where you blog as well. This is perfect, and great because what one person might like or finds to work for them might not work for others. Some have found with their own websites that they can also add their blog with it too. Over time with market places, websites, and social networks blogs have been added to them as it is considered a form of using Social Media Tools. 

I know there are more platforms out there that I have not mentioned for you to consider. Some will be free, and some you will pay for. Consider the favorite phrase that you often hear "Google It"  Doing this you can find more that way too. Better yet, if you know of one you would like to share with us please feel free to do so. If you have a blog there please include your link here that we all may visit with you as well.

Hope you enjoyed your visit today. Thanks so much for stopping by, and visiting with LilacsNDreams! See you again soon. 

 

ABout Me Page, Me Page, Personal Me Page

About Me Page, Me Page, a Personal Me Page

When we set up shop some where, set up our blogs, even setting up our own websites we often question...along with many other things.....but we wonder if we should do a personal page that is about us. Is it really necessary, does it get read, and does it really help us by doing this. I use to ask the same questions myself. Most of the time I would complete this page because I felt the impression would be I do not complete everything in full, and I didn't want anything over looked. 

I do believe that this Personal Page should be done by everyone. Does haven't to be anything real long, real lengthy, nothing fancy, don't have to give a life story completely either. Filling out this page is your time to share your story, and your style. This page will reflect more on who you are in a personal way.  

If you walk into a store don't you kind of look around to get a feel of the place? If you are interested you walk in further to see more, right? Upon your purchase if you meet the owner it is nice to converse with them, get a feel for the kind of person they are, and if you leave on a good note feeling comfortable about the whole situation you will probably return.

Many of us sell online. It has it's advantages compared to having a brick and mortar store which we see over time. Selling online can be hard not only because customers cannot see the product in person that they are interested in, they cannot feel it, and they do not see us the sellers. When we describe our products we try to include everything we can think of for the customers because they can not be there to see it, or feel it. We should be doing the same with our personal pages too. This is a time for us to share our stories of who we are, how we got started, to show our interest in what we do, why we like what we do, and to also give a sense of our style as well. We want our customers to have a comfortable shopping experience with our stores, and this is another process that should be included. 

Is this a rule for us to do? No, it is not. When we do things for our shops we try to do it with having a customers eye view of it. This is something I have seen mentioned before, asked about, and thought I would share my view on this with you. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and hope you enjoyed your visit as well. If you have something you would like to share you are always welcome to do so with the comments. Love to hear everyone's ideas, and perspective with things too. Take care, and have a Happy Day!

Online Summertime Sales Slow to None

Online Summertime Sales Slow to None

For many who deal with sales online, or in the brick and mortar stores will sometimes notice sales being slower. Some have not had many sales to speak of. When this happens, many of us will question ourselves about what are we doing wrong, do I need to change something, is there more I could do, and etc.

In all reality sales during the summer generally do become slower for many. Depends on what you are selling, supply and demand, and you know. Consider that many people, and families during the summer spend time vacationing, traveling, spending more time with family and friends, and their focus is not with buying too much of anything. Sure, they will buy when they are traveling, visiting out of town, and vacationing for different little souveniers. The majority of their time is not spending all their time online buying, but maybe emailing, researching with travel plans, some take the summer to prepare for winter months themselves with their diy projects, their online inventory, and things like that.   

Selling has usually been slow for me during the summer time which I have adjusted to. I have adapted with the sales being very slow, or if any at all. I like to try to take the opportunity to work more with my blogs, spend some time with my website, reorganizing things, do a little research about some diy projects, and hoping to take the time to repurpose pieces too. I also have been noting some of my inventory, reviewing past sales of what has or has not sold for me, and try to prepare a little bit for the next year or seasonal changes.  

Like many others I also like to take some time to go thrifting, yard saling, junking, visit some estate sales, maybe attend a few auctions, and enjoy the wonderful weather! It has been a different summer this year with the late start of it, but enjoying what I am able to now.  

So, if you are getting the summer time blues with your online sales or storefront sales, are concerned about slow sales, or no sales, don't be too worried. Just remember that summer time is generally slower for many. Now.....the season will soon be changing from vacations completed, traveling becoming minimal, and with school soon starting again for the little ones, those in middle schools, high schools, and college too. Once the season changes, and people are back home more they will be spending more time with their computers, and doing some of their favorite online shopping again.  

Hang in there everyone, things will soon get better!:) Thanks for sharing time with LilacsNDreams. See you all again soon!