Social Media is Better Than Granny and Fun Too

Social Media is Better Than Granny, and sometimes a little bit more Fun Too.

Hi there! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! You know that now a days all you need is a computer, internet connection, and a browser for you to have the best of all worlds literally right at your finger tips. Knowing some of this we create Blogs, open up a Facebook page, set up Google+ to publish online, tweet with Twitter, pin on Pinterest, and so on. Then, you have the "global crowd" that will show up to read, maybe like your page, sometimes tell you well done, will comment back, converse with you, loved your photos, and appraise a good article or video. 

We take photos with smart phones, iPads, and post them to instagram. We pin images to Pinterest, we also do this with likes on Facebook, comments made on Blogs, and Twitter retweets. 

We are all human. We crave the attention, the encouragement, and the pat on the back sort of thing. Provide us with some positive feedback, give us a smile, and we will keep showing up having a go at it one more time. The Social Web provides a 2 way channel where we can publish, and receive the encouragement that drives us to maybe some potential greatness. We now have the tools for this, sometimes gaining more as days go by, and we now have the confirmation of the world wide web too.

All reasons for the online creativity, the expressions that are growing, and as we have noticed at a rapid pace too. This is why the Social Networks, or Social Medias have been touching with our souls, and minds.   

So, why would I mention that Social Networking would be better than Granny? Well, the global crowd that we have never seems to sleep. Think about how your friends on Facebook, your circles with Google+, the followers with Twitter, and your readers with your Blogs from the USA, Germany, South America, or wherever fill in the time gaps that Granny cannot match. Ummm, Grannies also need to nap (LOL), and the social crowd is always there 24/7. 

Blogging, Social Networking, Feedback, and encouragement will sometimes get me up early, and sometimes keep me up late reading, writing, researching, sharing, sometimes hearing a "wow" for what I shared, or even a "well done" gives me even more energy. I am often reminded why I like to Social Network with the few places that I do, and I have all of you to thank for that as well. With all of this I am growing, and keep learning. So, call me old fashioned if you like, but this is what I would consider to be the "Granny Effect".

Just some thoughts, and ideas that I thought I would share with all of you today. We often see people talking about Social Networking, and I thought maybe I would share kind of a light fun view into this idea. 

Hope you enjoyed, and happy to have you share your time with LilacsNDreams as always. Thanks again for visiting, and hope to see you again soon. Have a Happy Day everyone!

Ebay Alternatives, Other Online Selling Sites and Auctions

Ebay Alternatives, Other Online Selling Sites and Auctions

Hi! Glad to see you visiting with LilacsNDreams! Ok, I admit today I probably should have done a bit more with my growing list, but give me some credit. I did get some listings done at eBay. Special ends Saturday that I am part of, and I have more to list there, relist, revise listings, and etc. 

It's that time of year that eBay is having their spring changes, fee increases, policy changes, and the usual. We are soon going to experience having a 10% final value fee with our listings, and don't forget that crazy charge they do with shipping cost too. We are going to keep the 50 free listings a month, and I think I read after the 50 free listings it would be like a .30 fee to list. Then, there is the changes with the pictures that they are now doing, and will go into effect by July 1st. They would like us to use white backgrounds, and pictures should be 500+ for pixels. They do not want to see watermarks on the pictures, or at least have them across the items being shown. The picture rule came about since mobile users are becoming more, and more with their usage and purchases. Trying to help out with that area which I can understand. 

When I joined eBay in 2004 it was fun, enjoyable, a learning experience, but also a money maker too. As time has gone along the fees increased, the rules change, the policies change, and so on. The sellers dissatisfaction with eBay, and their strategy to drive small sellers from the site sends them out searching for other places to sell. The obvious answers we first get are Amazon, and Craigslist. Don't stop there as there are many others out there, and many other solutions that can be used too. 

• Bid Start
They have auctions here of collectibles, very strong in stamps - coins - sportcards - comics - and games. You have to visit their sites fee page for more details for some numbers. This is a successful site for stamps, and coins. They have expanded into collectibles, and seem to be growing.

• Bonanza 
They have fixed price store format with a wide range of mostly used products including vintage, and collectibles. They have free listings with low fees. 

• eBid
Here they have auctions with a variety of products. It appears they have $49.49 lifetime fee, 0 listing fees, 0 final value fees, 5 free photos, 5 free eBid stores, uploads to Google Shopping, unlimited listings, and For Life. This is a functional site with growing buyer/seller base.

• eCrater
This is also a fixed price store format with a wide range of products. They have zero selling fees, no listing fees, offer use of Paypal and Google Wallet for payment options. The is a growing site with moderate sales. They allow sellers to link to their own websites here too.  

• Etsy
This is a fixed price place with handcrafted items, art, supplies, and vintage items offered. Their listing fee is .20 which is for a 4 month listing. Final Value Fees are 3.5%. They are also a growing site with a loyal following.  

There are many many more to mention, and if you google eBay Alternatives you will see different suggestions that are made, different opinions shared, will hear the good, the bad, and you know the routine. Ruby Lane which is for vintage, collectibles, antiques, and high end products of this sort. Shopinterest is newer, and comes off of Pinterest which is a growing social bookmarking/pinning site. There is Addoway, and others that could also be mentioned too.  

None of the sites gets near the traffic of eBay, or Amazon. Therefore it could be difficult to make a living on all, or any of them. Best use for these sites is to expand your business beyond eBay by adding additional channels to sell in. Since most have either lower, or no listing fees there is no incremental cost, or risk to add any of these sites. You know that saying "don't keep all your eggs in one basket" True it is. 

These are decisions that each individual seller needs to decide on themselves. Are you happy with one venue, do you feel you need more, and if you need more how much more do you need? I have seen some stretch themselves too thin with too many shops. I have seen others have just enough that works for them, and they can manage too. It is a decision that is up to us, and what our goals are for selling online. Yes, I do still at eBay, and use the 50 free listings every month. I also use the specials that they offer for listings too. Yet, I do not limit myself to eBay either. I have a shop with Ecrater that I need to work with, and have enjoyed using. In fact, with some customers from eBay I have had them go to my eCrater shop if they want a better deal for an item that I can make the numbers work with the fees of using paypal/google wallet, and etc. I also have a small shop with Etsy too. Between eCrater, and Etsy I have done some sales along with eBay too. For me it is enough to move inventory I have, for what I do, and where I feel comfortable. 

I got a little bit winded today I see, but hope this was of some help to those who question their sales with eBay. Hope it helps others who have thoughts of moving on, or having another venue that they are considering using too. I wish you all well with your sales, your decisions, and sending you all the best of luck with this. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you again soon. Take care, and Happy Sales to All. 

Market Places, Venues, Ebay, Ecrater, Etsy, Artfire, Ruby Lane, and More

Market Places, Venues, Ebay, Ecrater, Etsy, Artfire, Ruby Lane, and more.

Welcome to LilacsNDreams, and Happy Hump Day to all of you visiting! Having one of them days with thoughts going through my mind, and thought I would come by here to visit with all of you. 

I, like many others, spend time surfing the internet. We do it to read, learn, catch up on things, compare, and one of my favorite things is to shop. Besides shopping I also like to sell online too. There are many places out there to shop online with, to sell with, and there is no way I can know all of them either. You have your market places with auctions, some do not do auctions, you have big venues selling online, small venues, your big businesses, and quite honestly a lot of shopping is done online with many places. Some have ventured off having their own websites, and are doing well. Others have tried websites, and found it to be more than they wanted with cost, upkeep, coding, and so on.

There is so much out there to choose from, so much to see, and of course never enough time to see it all. So, when you go shopping online where do you go to? Or, if you are a seller where is your preference to sell at? Is it Ebay with auctions there, and of course buy it nows too. Do you visit with Ecrater where you can use Paypal, or Google Wallet to check out with. At least a little more payment selection is offered. Do you go to Etsy for handmade homemade items, or maybe you visit Artfire for that too, and can use Amazon Payments there. Then, there is Ruby Lane where you can purchase your vintage antique collectibles. So many places out there, so much to see, and how does a person keep it straight, right?

I guess I am just in a slump right now with the change of the seasons. I haven't done too much lately to really make any sales with any of my shops. I do ebay periodically, I have inventory growing at Ecrater, and I have things also with Etsy too. Artfire has not done too much for me for quite some time, but I still show things there which keeps my name out there for others to find. I have family staying with us right now which off sets my schedule of things a bit too.

Sometimes a person can do too much with different market places, and then again not enough too. I was one that had things sitting everywhere. Over time I have been pulling things away, and trying to simplify by just having 2-3 places that I sell with, and shop at too. I found that I enjoy having more time to work with the shops, am able to work on more projects, can spend more time promoting items amongst 2-3 places, and I am actually getting more views with keeping it simple too.

So, for whatever reasons where do you sell at, where do you like to shop with, what are the advantages and disadvantages, and etc? Would love to hear some input with this a little bit. Always nice to have views through the eyes of others. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams today. I enjoyed you stopping by, and hope to see you again soon. Take care, and have a wonderful Wednesday Hump Day!

Tax Deadlines For Federal and State Tax Filings

Tax Deadlines For Federal and State Tax Filings

Whew! It is that time of year again with tax returns being filed. Many have done theirs by now, some are still working on it, and some have not yet begun. Many will file their taxes online themselves, some have financial advisors they use, others will use pubic accountants, and so on. Whatever you do, however you do it, this is a friendly reminder that the last day to have taxes filed is a week from today on Monday, April 15, 2013. That is the deadline for the Federal Taxes. There are some states that have no state tax, some states the state tax is due by April 15th also, and other states go beyond April 15th for the state taxes being due. If you are in Iowa, they are due by April 30th.

I know it can be a dreadful time of year with the tax changes being made, and everyone trying to turn in everything they can that counts, and will help. Hope everyone is getting along okay with your taxes, have them done, or have them in the works of being done. Friendly reminder that they are due by Monday, April 15, 2013. Good luck to everyone with their filings. 

Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams today. Hope to see you again soon. Take care, and good luck with your taxes.

Repurposed Upcycled Revised Indoor Outdoor Chandeliers

                                              Pink Repurposed Chandelier Cake Stand

                                             Repurposed Chandelier Candle Holder

                                           Vintage Tea Cup Chandelier Repurposed

                                                    Revised Upcycled Chandelier

Repurposed Upcycled Revised Indoor Outdoor Chandeliers

Hello, and Welcome back to LilacsNDreams! Spring is here, and I am so excited for the change of season, and the possibilities. I am feeling the need to be out thrifting, going to yard sales, searching through second hand stores, and just to be out digging and treasure hunting. 

I am having so much fun with research on the internet, seeing the creativity of so many talented people, and making my lists for items I need to search for too. I adore lighting that is repurposed, and upcycled. I enjoy the idea of taking something old, vintage, is no longer loved, and making it into something new. Hey, sometimes a little bit of this, and a little bit of that does wonders for touching up items in our homes too. 

Above you will see pictures I have found with different places that have shared their talents with the rest of us to adore. I am excited about this project because after this past weekend I was able to salvage a chandelier myself too. Today I looked at some paint with Rustoleum, and some primer for my project too. Not sure what color, but by looking I will soon know what I want. For my chandelier I was thinking of making a feeder to put in our yard with another ornament that is already there. Just adding items together makes for some fun too. 

There are many possibilities by painting these pieces. Better yet add some things to them with some prisms, pearls, cups, saucers, plates, candles, etc. These pieces can be redone for either indoors, or outdoors too. I love how these can be versatile with either home decor, or to use in serving purposes as well. There is so much more out there to see for possibilities on the internet, and I encourage you to have a look to help your creative juices. You will find many who sell their projects, and of course some do it for their own pleasures too. 

Such a fun idea don't you think? I have enjoyed your visit today, and thank you for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams. Don't be a stranger, and I hope to see you again soon. Take care till the next time everyone. 

Repurposed Upcycled Recreated Lamp Shades and Lighting

                                                 Linen and Ruffle Lamp Shade

                                               Vintage Doilies Lampshade

                                                Coffee Filters Lamp Shade Upcycled

                                          Upcycled Repurposed Birdcage Floor Lamp

                                                  Hobnail Upcycled Table Lamp

Repurposed Upcycled Recreated Lamp Shades and Lighting.

Hi, and Welcome back to LilacsNDreams! I am back sharing another creative idea with you that I also adore myself too. I love to spend time looking at lamp shades that have been repurposed, upcycled, and decorated. Fascinating some of the techniques used, the materials used, and always the question of "Who would have thought?" Above you will see pictures of some ideas that have been shared by others on the internet, with their blogs, and with some of the market places too. 

Many will find lamps they like, or that they have recreated in their own way with some paint, or pieces. Once the lamp base is done there is the issue of the lamp shade. Some will buy those from a store that will fit with the character of the lamp they need it with. Many times you will see people make their own lamp shades, or upcycle ones found second hand at thrift stores, garage sales, second hand stores, and etc. There are so many things shared to either use, or give you ideas of yet something else that could be used too. 

You will find shades that have been decorated with lace, ribbon, buttons, cloth, scrap clothing, burlap, materials found, and so on. Then, you will see others that use maps, scrap paper, globes cut in half, mason jars, pyrex bowls, etc. Sometimes you will just see a naked, or skeleton shade also used. I could carry on for quite a while giving you lists of things used, and you would be amazed at some of the gorgeous ideas too. Please see the pictures above that have been created, make sure to check on bing.com, or with google.com when you are roaming the internet too. 

I have some extra lamp shades at home myself. Hopefully I can get some things brought together, and redo some of them too. Would be a nice touch, and change to some within some of the rooms in the home.

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and hope you enjoyed the visit. Hope to see you all again soon. Take care, and enjoy this Wednesday. 

  

Vintage, Thrifted, and Handmade Picture Frames

                                                         White and Green Picture Frames
 

                                                  Black Picture Frames With Glass Vases

                                                    White Picture Frames Lower Wall

                                                    luveysblog Jeweled Picture Frames

                                               Repurposed Vintage White Picture Frames

Vintage, Thrifted, and Handmade Picture Frames add character to any home. 

Hi, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I don't know about you, but I just Love seeing different picture frames. I adore how many are so created in what they do to show them, use them, and to offer them to many of us for use with our own home decor. 

You know I use to have a bunch of picture frames, and with the cleaning, downsizing, reorganizing, etc of things in our home I got rid of many of them too. Darn! I really wish now I had not done that. Although . . . it is a good excuse for me to go shopping for them again too! You can find many unwanted picture frames when you go thrifting, at garage sales, goodwill stores, second hand shops, sometimes at estate sales, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and etc. As you can see above there are so many possibilities of how to use picture frames, how you can repurpose them, paint them, and make them into creations that fits with the decor of your own homes. 

You can paint these frames with any color you would like, keep the glass in them for further use, remove the glass, put frames inside of frames, add some lace and wire to then use some little clips to hang things, add some vintage collectible jewelry that is either broken or missing a piece to the set, and like the second picture with the black frames you can also add other items of interest with them too. What is really neat about reusing, repurposing, upcycling, crafting, and DIY projects is that there are no rules. You can create away, and do as you please for what is fitting to you. Adding your own character, and that special touch to anything makes for a more precious item to be seen by others, and don't forget gift giving too. 

Now, if I did everything correctly with links above on these pictures you should be able to click, and visit the sites that these all came from. Use either the pictures, or the captions below them to visit with other creative souls who do some gorgeous work. I adore those who share their work for others to complete their own work, and to give many of us ideas to do our own too.

By the way, this is another item that has been added to my list for the season with thrifting, garage sales, second hand shops, and so on. Cannot wait to go shopping, and bring home some items to occupy my time with. 

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams today everyone. Hope ya'll had a great weekend, wonderful Easter, and can't wait to see you all again. Take care, and Happy Thrifting and Creating!