Marketing Tip for your Artfire Store & Giveaway Alert

How many of us use Artfire as a marketplace to promote our artisan designs?  My question to you is are you using your Artfire subscription to it's fullest?  One of the reasons I chose Artfire as a vendor to market my jewelry is because of their "searchability" on the web (i.e. google, yahoo, etc.)  Not only are your listings fed directly to google (so be keyword smart when writing your titles and descriptions) but the BLOG feature is also indexed instantly in google.

"I already have a blog.  Why do I want another?"

Because people that find your Artfire store may not realize you publish a full time blog.  In this day & age where people have so many options of what to purchase and from whom, it's critical to really stand out and build a personal relationship with your viewers and customers.  People choose who to do business with based on if they trust you or not.

Your Artfire blog doesn't have to be a daily update.  But when I'm shopping in Artfire, and finding new artisans to follow and promote, I always check their blog.  The people that stand out to me are blogging occasionally.  Topics that are great to write about on that Artfire blog are:  your products!  How did you create, what was the inspiration for, what type of products you design, what are the preferred materials you work with and DO YOU DO CUSTOM WORK?  People don't know if you don't put it out there!

So that's my marketing tip of the day for you!  As a secondary bonus, right now I'm aware of several giveaways!  I want to pass the love along to you so you can enter to win some great things too!

1.  SLM Petersen - This giveaway is terrific for anybody that SEWS!  Stacy is having a vintage pattern giveaway AND she extended the deadline to enter until Saturday.  Just go to her blog and leave her a comment!  

2.  JulsBeads - I'm telling you about this because I love Juls... but I'm going to win, so no need for you to enter. K? ;)  Juls is giving away a stash of Bead Embroidery swag... yes, I'm in LOVE with this mix of jewels (or is it Juls).  So there, you've been told... :o)

3.  Kerry Bogert & Cindy Wimmer, two great jewelry artists have just been published in a new book Wire Style 2.  Kerry is giving away one copy on her blog!  Leave her a comment to win.  Or you can pick up a copy right this minute by clicking here!

Good luck, happy marketing and have a TERRIFIC day!
{Hugs!}
Dawn

Stepping Out of my Comfort Zone

Old shoes, favorite jeans, mac & cheese, fleece blankets ... all provide so much comfort and if you're like me, you could live in the Land of Comfort and not look back!  BUT, as an artisan, I know it's imperative to step out of the L.o.C. once in a while in order to grow.

This being said, I'm going to bare my soul to you all right now... I have a very, very hard time with rejection.  I love peace and happiness, and I like it when everything is going along beautifully.  The word that I have still not overcome in my life is hearing the word "No."

In some respects I know that's a good thing.  Don't tell me I can't do something because I will prove you wrong.  But when it comes to the pieces of jewelry I design, those pieces come from my heart.  So when I put them out there for the world to see, there's always that moment of "what if someone doesn't like it!"  gasp  While the logical, intelligent side of me knows that everybody has different tastes and you can't please everybody, the soft tender soul in me just wants everybody to feel all happy and inspired when they see, feel, wear a Designs by Dawn Marie original.

Why do I spill... well, I'm putting it out there that my goal for 2011 is to be more "active" in the bead community.  This involves putting my designs up for gasp votes and critique from the public!  Yikes!  I could crawl back in bed with a bowl of ice cream as I type this!  Yes, I have never entered my jewelry in any sort of contest or tried to be published in a magazine.  While it's a tremendous goal of mine to find my name in print somewhere (preferably not the speeding tickets in our local paper) in order to get there I have to take that HUGE step of submitting a Designs by Dawn Marie original piece.

Just the other day, I saw my friend Regina with Sundance Gems post on her blog about a contest through Happy Mango Beads.  Happy Mango is so generous, anybody can enter regardless of who supplies your beads and supplies.  The theme of this contest is Be(ad) My Valentine!  Since I love LOVE I have deemed this the perfect contest to enter to help me through my self-imposed "rejection therapy!"

So there you have it... one of my biggest fears laid out there for you.  I know we are always our own worst critics, but I know I can't possibly be the only one!  Who knows... maybe once I submit an entry to this contest, I'll find the courage to submit a piece to a printed publication... it remains to be seen!

Thanks for being in my corner (and for reading this whole darn post!)  You inspire me and I can't wait to share what I create for this contest!

Make it a terrific day! {Hugs!}
~ Dawn

Tip about a Giveaway!

Photo Courtesy of SoftFlex

Over the next few days, I'm going to be spending some WONDERFUL time with one of my cousin's that's coming to stay with me.  So I'll be away from the computer... BUT before I go, I wanted to share with you a great giveaway that's going on right now.

My friend Sara with SoftFlex is hosting a giveaway that ends TOMORROW (Thursday).  In exchange for your comments and opinions of which jewelry and beading blogs you follow, Softflex is giving away a pair of their AMAZING professional pliers!

To enter, head over to SoftFlex's Blog and share your comments!  http://softflexgirl.blogspot.com/2011/01/first-friday-giveaway-professional-soft.html

SoftFlex beading wire is so strong, it is the ONLY beading wire approved by QVC HSN for use in any of their beaded jewelry designs! I have a package of their Valentine's Trio which I'm so looking forward to creating with.  The pink in their is right in line with Pantone's Honeysuckle color for this spring!  We'll see what the mind creates!

I wish you all luck and hope the rest of your week is fabulous!

What Every Woman Wants Giveaway

Guess what my dear friends... I've partnered with my good friend Sky Purington, an incredible author to do one last giveaway of the year!  Our theme is What Every Woman Wants and I've created two... not one but TWO custom pieces of jewelry for this special giveaway.

Anybody can enter and to do so, just head on over to Sky's Blog and take a look at our little visit.  We chat about our Christmas Traditions and Memories and look forward to hearing some of yours!  To get to Sky's blog, here's the address:  http://skypuringtonwrites.blogspot.com/2010/12/what-every-woman-wants-under-her_20.html

Sky is a wonderful author.  She writes of Scottish Highland hunks, and mystical travels... adds a bit of history and blends it all together to make an indredible fantasy adventure.  While you are visiting her blog, please take the time to look at her works.  Personally, I LOVE to soak in my antique bath tub, steam rolling out, and Sky's books creating the scene!  But that's just me!

Good luck!  Hope your holiday's are wonderful!
{Hugs!}

Purple-licious LOVE and a Book Giveaway

I just LOVE purple... really, any shade of purple... light, dark, rich or flirty... I love 'em all!  So imagine my pure delight when my good friend Kathy asked me to design a custom set for an upcoming convention she's attending.  It's an all woman convention so I unleashed my ferocious purple power and viola! (Side Note:  I also love autumn, thus the theme of my jewelry models lately... please pardon the stem) ;)

I also wanted to share with you an Awesome Giveaway!  One of my good blogger friends Lori Anderson was just published in a new book, Making Elegant Jewelry.  To celebrate the release of the book, Lori's giving away a copy on her blog over at The Hive!  http://creatingthehive.com/blog-post/25922/beading-book-giveaway-making-elegant-jewelry

I would LOVE to win her book, but I'd be happy for you if you did too... honestly I would, right after I cried in my cup of coffee... but I'd get over it, someday. ;)  To enter Lori's giveaway, click here to go to her blog post.  Take a look at the gorgeous necklace she made for the book and leave her a comment!  Good luck to you (and me too, but more to you)!

Have a terrific week! {Hugs!}
~Dawn

Loads of Thanks & an Extra Kiss!

I really want to thank everybody that participated in Blogmania... all of you that read and commented, all of the other blogs that helped to promote and most importantly my wonderful team members.  I couldn't have put together such a wonderful giveaway package without you.  I've thoroughly enjoyed following your blogs and stores all summer and sharing your artistic creations with the world... literally!  I love the internet.

If you were supremely busy blog hopping over the last two day with Blogmania and didn't get a chance to visit my team members, please take some time to do so.  They are all so talented and truly wonderful women that have become more than team members but also dear, personal friends!

• Azure Islands Designs - http://azureislandsdesigns.blogspot.com
• Butterfly Fondant Cakes & Desserts - http://www.partybutterfly.com
• Juls Beads - http://julslbeads.blogspot.com
• Purple Vine Design - http://www.facebook.com/purplevinedesign
• Second Surf - http://secondsurf.com
• SLM Petersen - http://slmpetersen.blogspot.com

While I am tallying up the amazing results from our Blogmania entries, I wanted to let you know, I'll be announcing the winner... right here on my blog... on SUNDAY, Sept 19th.  I wish I had 1,358 prize packages to give away because you ALL deserve to win.  Your comments, thoughts and favorite things have been so enjoyable to read.  I just loved how diverse everyone's "favorites" are!

I hope you had a lot of fun with Blogmania - and that you will win some wonderful prizes!  Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for all the kindness and love you showed my wonderful team.

{Hugs!}
Dawn

$500+ Blogmania Giveaway

Click picture to enlarge

You're in the right place at the right time!  Welcome to our fall Blogmania Bloghop and Giveaway.  If this is the first time you are participating I hope you are having fun.  If my Blog is your first stop, I want to explain how this works.

Below you'll see a list of all participating blogs.  Each of the blogs is hosting a giveaway for today and tomorrow (but just for 48 hours!)  You can hop between the blogs meeting new bloggers and all of their talented sponsors and team members.  Feel free to follow the blogs you find interesting and fun or where you see prizes you'd like to win.  All you have to do is follow their directions to enter their giveaway and you just might win!  And let me say, there are some HUGE prizes! Pretty easy, right?  This package alone is worth over $500!

Click photo to enlarge

Our giveaway is centered around our theme "Our Favorite Things!"  As such each our team members has contributed one of their favorite things.  We're going to select one winner to win everything you see here!  It will be like Christmas in September!  So what will you win?

Click photo to Enlarge

1. A Beautiful Sterling Silver Charm Bracelet - Heather, Azure Islands Designs
http://www.etsy.com/shop/azureislands 

Charms are a few of Heather's favorite things!  XOs, whales tail, sail boat, sun glasses, four leaf clover, Florida charm, starfish, (of course) butterfly, shell, sun, VIP, ribbon, and a peace sign.  The bracelet also features turquoise and coral as well!

2.  STUNNING Modern Steampunk Style Necklace - Juli, Juls Beads
http://www.etsy.com/shop/julsbeads

Black, white and grey is always classy!  This necklace features vintage Czech Lucite beads and amazing bead embroidery.  Juls also combined a vintage style chain with a beaded chain to blend something old with something new and create a one of a kind necklace that you are sure to get compliments on.

3.  An AWESOME gift collection for your kitchen - Stacy, SLM Petersen
http://www.artfire.com/users/SLMPetersen

Stacy blends practical with tasty to her lifestyle.  Stacy is a crafter and avid foodie (just like me!) :)  She's included her self-authored cookbook, Budget Friendly Cooking and mini-cookbook Mix it Up.  She's also included an adorable recipe book for you to store all your family favorites. When you take your delicious dish to pass to a pot luck, Stacy has created a recipe card holder to go!  Print up copies of your recipe and take them with you to share!

4.  A tranquil Peace necklace - Barbara, Second Surf
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/floridity

Barbara designs her very own pendants and beads with Polymer Clay.  Her styles are very soft and deliver positive messages of peace, love and happiness.  This necklace features a sky blue peace pendant with beaded links and a custom button clasp.

5.  ADORABLE High-heel cake server - Vanessa, Butterfly Fondant Cakes & Desserts
http://www.partybutterfly.com

This is the cutest cake server I've ever seen!  Vanessa designs gorgeous cakes, cupcakes and desserts.  Her eye for the arts helps her design one of a kind styles for any occasion.

6. Cute set of custom designed greeting cards - Kelly Jo, Purple Vine Design
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/purplevinedesign

Kelly Jo is a talented scrap booker.  She has created a custom set of greeting cards just for Blogmania.  There are 3 unique designs.  These are the perfect way to send an impromptu note to let someone know how much you care.

7.  An ELEAGANT Pearl and shell necklace - Designs by Dawn Marie
 http://www.artfire.com/users/dawnmd

This 18" necklace features gorgeous champagne colored pearls, seashells and glass marble beads.  This is the perfect necklace to dress up or wear to a business dinner!

8.  Want to have something custom designed for a special occasion or gift?  This prize package also includes a $50 gift certificate from Designs by Dawn Marie to have a special design created just for you.  You can have any style created from Swarovski Crystal and pearls to wire crocheted bracelets or earrings.  You pick the color and style, and I will create a custom design just for you!

How to Enter:

1.  (Mandatory) Leave us a comment with what is one of Your Favorite Things! Favorite color, favorite breed of dog, favorite food, favorite vacation destination... get the picture?  Also leave your e-mail address so I can get in touch with you if you are the lucky winner! :)

*You can choose to follow my blog if you would like.  I don't make it mandatory because I prefer that you follow me because you like my custom designed jewelry and my blogging style, not because you have to.  So if you choose, I'll welcome you with open arms!

Optional Bonus Entries:
1. Purchase anything from my teammates stores!  You'll get 10 bonus entries for every listing that you purchase.  Just leave a separate comment back here with a link to what you purchased! :)

2.  Opt-in to receive my newsletter on the right.  As a bonus, you'll receive a free copy of my e-book "Twitter Marketing Made Simple!" Check your inbox for a confirmation e-mail.

Each of my team members are incredibly talented in creating custom orders.  So if you see a style you like and want something designed for you specially, please visit their blog and get in touch with them.  (Just click their name by their prize description above.) I'm very blessed to call each of these ladies dear friends in addition to being teammates.  Thanks in advance for showing them your love!  We greatly appreciate it!

Here's the list of other participating Blogmania Blogs.  Once you leave your comment here feel free to pop over to another blog and check out their giveaway!  Don't forget to check back here over the next few days to find out who wins! :)



Good luck and can't wait to share more with you in the future!

Blogmania Pictures - PRIZE Package Update

Click to Enlarge and Get a Blogmania Sneak Peek

Oh I am so excited to be sharing this with you.  Previously I had shared a sneak peak of a few of our prizes included in our Blogmania Giveaway.  Our theme for the team is "Our Favorite Things!"  So as you can imagine, this prize package is a dream for every woman, wife, daughter or mother!

Well imagine my delight this week as we've gotten in even more BEAUTIFUL blogmania prizes!  The best part is that our prize collection is going to make the lucky winner feel like it's Christmas in September!  I wanted to share with you a little bit about what I've been oogling over this week!

SecondSurf.com Custom Designed Necklace with Peace Pendant

Barbara with SecondSurf.com has included this gorgeous necklace.  The necklace features one of very own, custom-designed pendants.  The message is Peace and the look is a soft, simple elegance.

Azure Island Designs Turquoise & Coral Charm Bracelet

Heather with Azure Islands Designs has an AMAZING Charm Bracelet.  Designed in Sterling Silver, Turquoise and Coral.  Each charm represents one of her favorite things!  All of the charms are also sterling silver and include:  xxxooo, whales tail, sail boat, sun glasses, four leaf clover, Florida charm, starfish, (of course) butterfly, shell, sun, VIP, ribbon, and a peace sign.  Plus it's totally adjustable to fit any wrist size.

Juls Beads Steampunk Design Necklace & Earrings

Juls with Juls Beads has used a combination of chain and seed beads to create her interpretation of Steampunk Designs.  It's created in black, white and silver so it's the perfect compliment to any outfit!  Dress it up or dress it casual, one thing is for sure... the lady wearing this necklace and earrings will get TONS of compliments!

If you're not drooling now, then you should check your pulse!  As a team, we're so excited to share "Our Favorite Things" with you for Blogmania.  If you want to win, seriously mark your calendars.  This Wednesday and Thursday (the 15th and 16th) come back here and leave a comment on the Blogmania Giveaway post that will be up.  Anybody can win, US, Canada, Italy... it doesn't matter, we're not setting restrictions!

The only thing I ask, is please, please, please stop by and visit my team members blogs as well.  They are all wonderfully talented women who have become dear friends through blogging.  They are all so special and one of a kind, you're sure to see quickly why I just love each one of them!

Azure Islands Designs

Butterfly Fondant Cakes & Desserts

Juls Beads

Purple Vine Design

SecondSurf.com

SLM Petersen

Have a wonderful week!
{Hugs!}
~Dawn

Winner - Pearl Earring Giveaway

Thanks so much to everybody that entered.  I appreciate your friendship, and all the tweets & posts you made to spread the word about my giveaway.  What I love is that we're all making new friends from all over the globe and friends are the family we chose for ourselves.

So for my very, very scientific process of choosing the winner... I wrote everybody's names on paper for each entry and bonus entry you made.  Then I dropped them all into a beautiful glass bowl.  And randomly chose one name out by hand.  But I was blindfolded... by myself, and I prayed I didn't knock the glass bowl off the piano onto our hardwood floor.

And all ended well, especially for ......... GWEN!  Gwen please e-mail me your mailing address to designsbydawnmd@gmail.com and I'll put the earrings in the mail to you.  Also let me know if you'd rather have them on a leverback style hook and I'm happy to swap it out for you.

Please feel free to stop over to Gwen's Blog - Get Paid and Get Fit to see Gwen's tips for healthy eating and staying fit.  http://www.getpaidandgetfit.net/

Thanks again to all who commented.  I hope to see you back here on Sept. 15-16th so you can enter our Blogmania Giveaway where Team Favorite Things is giving away over $500 in artistan created wears!  I can promise you, it's going to be an amazing prize package! :)

{Hugs!}
Dawn

Fantastic Friday - Time for a Giveaway!

Guess what?  It's Friday - woo hoo!  And I woke up to 240 fans on my Facebook Page - Designs by Dawn Marie.  I'm so excited.  And because I've never been square, rather than having a giveaway at a round 200 or 300 people.... I think 240 is PERFECT!  Well, 241 is even more "Dawnish" so we're close enough for me. :o) Hope it's okay with you that I want to give you this pair of custom designed earrings.  They are Golden Swarovski Pearls with glass bead accents.  (*Note, if you'd rather have them on leverback earrings, I'd be happy to do a swap out for the winner.)

This is also an activity in preparation for Blogmania.  Because for Blogmania you'll have over 175 blogs all having giveaways on the same 2 days - September 15-16th.  So this is to prepare your mouse & keyboard fingers for all the giveaways you'll be able to enter.  It's much fun and seriously... there's some AMAZING prize packages!  We're giving away over $500 in prizes right here... so mark you calendars!

How to Enter:
The Giveaway runs, from right now through Monday Morning at 11:00 am Central time.  To enter, leave a comment here and become a fan of my Facebook Page and you'll be entered to win.

Bonus Entries:
If you're a super star (and I know you are) and you want more chances to win, you can do any or all of the following.  Leave separate comments for each of these actions you do so the gremlins in my computer can count correctly. :)  K?

1.  Twitter - follow me and re-tweet this post! @Designsbydawnmd
2.  Become a follower on my new website: http://www.DesignsbyDawnMarie.com
3.  Tell me your favorite item listed in my Artfire Store: http://www.artfire.com/users/dawnmd
4.  Visit any of my Blogmania Sponsors and become a new follower for them. (*Fine Print: Whether you follow one or all 6, it's just one entry. Just comment which sponsor you are now a follower of!)

Azure Islands Designs

Purple Vine Design

Second Surf

SLM Petersen

Butterfly Fondant Cakes & Desserts

JulsBeads

Like I said, these are all bonus entries.  You don't have to do any of them... but if you want to increase your chances of winning, that's how you can!

On Monday I'll pick a winner and e-mail you for your address.  If you don't have a blogger blog, please leave your e-mail address in your comment so I can get in touch with you.

Can't wait to see who wins!  I'm off to a wedding this weekend and can't wait.  I really love LOVE - so sharing it with family is even more fun!

~Hugs & Lots of Luck to you!

P.S. Don't forget our Pre-Blogmania Twitter Party this Sunday evening!  For more info, click here!

A Giveaway & A New Website - Oh My!

I'm so excited to announce the unveiling of my new website.  http://www.designsbydawnmarie.com  A dear friend and wonderful customer, Sky Purington, asked if she could feature Designs by Dawn Marie on her blog.  I was absolutely tickled and we planned it for the last week in June.  When she sent me a reminder e-mail about a week ago, my head spun circles because June seemed to be speeding past me!  LOL

Here's the surprise for you... Sky selected a piece of my jewelry that she's hosting a giveaway for ... and I wanted to double the chances of you winning , so I threw in ANOTHER piece of jewelry for the give away.

So there will be TWO WINNERS chosen on Sky's Blog to each receive a Designs by Dawn Marie original design.

To enter, just head over to Sky Purington's Blog by clicking here, and you'll see how you can enter.  As a bonus, to anybody that reads Sky's blog, I've offered an additional promo if you purchase something from my new website... you'll have to read it to find out! :)

Hope you are having a spectacular weekend!
{Hugs!}
~Dawn

P.S.  Here's the first book in Sky's Scottish Trilogy.  The third book in the series was just released this month.  So now you can read 1 - 3 without having to exhibit any patience... other than the time it takes to ship after your purchase. ;)  If you're looking for a great read at the beach or under a shade tree... this is a dynamite read!

Book Giveaway!

I wanted to share with you about a new giveaway from a dear friend of mine!  Lisa Crone the author of A Bead A Day is giving away a copy of her incredible book, A Bead in Time! 

I purchased Lisa's book about a year ago.  What I loved about it is that she offers great illustrations with her written instructions.  So regardless of your skill level, anybody can follow her tutorials and create beautiful jewelry!

Here's how you can win - head over to Lisa's blog (click here) and leave a comment on her post.  I personally, would love for YOU to win.  I've gained TONS... seriously, tons of inspiration from this book.  Lisa shares with you her inspiration behind each project and it gets your creative juices flowing beyond what you might have imagined before.

If you're impatient Irish like me, you'll want your copy whether you win or not.  So you can purchase it directly from Amazon below.  Good luck and may your inspiration flow! :)

Great Gift Idea!

A while back, I was introduced to a wonderful potter... via his wife whom makes incredible beads!  And this wonderful potter had a giveaway to spread the word about how amazing his wood-fired pottery is.  As it happened, I chose the wrong lottery numbers that day, but my luck was in the his drawing!  Because I won this beautiful wood-fired coffee mug.

The amazing potter is Bill Perrine of Splitfire Pottery.  He and his wife Mary Ann operates MACarroll Beads (which has been an object of my drooling for the better part of a year now.)  :)  Bill and Mary Ann are both wonderful people.  I've enjoyed following their blogs and really enjoy seeing the "reveal" pictures every time they open their kiln. 

Bill is an art teacher by day... but by night, he wears many hats.  His love for art has "fired" is passion for creating one of a kind pottery pieces.  In Bill's Etsy Store, Splitfire Pottery, you'll find coffee mugs, decorative jars, bowls, vases and more all in unique finishes and colors!  Right now, he even has a tea pot that is just beautiful!

The day Bill's package arrived happened to be a really hectic morning.  So imagine my surprise when I open my mailbox and find a package in there!  It put a smile on my face and as I'm sure all of the ceramic treasures Bill creates do for anybody that receives them!

Thank you so much, Bill, for sharing your creativity and talents.  I feel so fortunate to have won your giveaway, and continue to love my mug daily.  It is absolutely my favorite coffee mug. 

Please, take some time to check out Bill's Blog and his Etsy Store, Splitfire Pottery.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/splitfirepottery He's a wonderful potter and a really talented artist!  You'll just love his work!  And what a perfect gift to give someone!

{Hugs!}
Dawn

September Blogmania Update!

I had so much fun participating in Blogmania on April 30th that I JUMPED on the chance to participate again!  Only this time, it's going to be even BIGGER and Better! 

Our next blogmania event is going to take place over 2 days and have 175 blogs.  The prizes will all be bigger and you'll see a tremendous variety of giveaways.

This time, my giveaway will encompass "My Favorite Things!"  For those that know me, or have followed me for sometime you'll have fun with this giveaway.  I love life and feel so bless to have so many wonderful people and things in my life every day! 

So what can you expect from My Favorite Things giveaway???  Here's a few hints: bling (custom designed by me of course) coffee, artisan crafted soap, snuggly, comfy, fuzzy stuff, bath salts, candles, soul music... and so much more!  I'm putting together a HUGE prize collection (over $100 in prizes) and promise, you'll love what I put together. 

If you're a blogger and want to participate you can do that in two ways.  First you can enter your blog and put together an amazing valuable prize that people will love.  To enter, check out Lynda's website Between the Lines where she'll have you send her an e-mail for more information.

If you aren't a regular blogger, but want to co-op a giveaway, find a blogger you love and get in touch about what prizes you would like to contribute to the giveaway.  They'll be able to post photos & link back to your site so people will know exactly who you are and can check out your other wonderful wares!  Then once the winner is selected, the participating blogmania blog will get you the winners address so you can send them your part of the prize.

If you would like to partner with me in my Favorite Things giveaway, send me an e-mail to: designsbydawnmd AT gmail DOT com.  I'd love to send you some traffic and be able to cross-promote your blog and Blogmania all summer long! :)

I can't wait for September 15th - 16th!  Blogmania's fall event is going to be "The" event of the season!  Great time to start thinking of the holidays.  Oodles of bloggers will be offering prizes that will make GREAT Christmas gifts!  I'm excited to share!

Have a super duper day! {Hugs!}

Blogmania Drawing - Winner Chosen

Blogmania 2010 Winner of Blog 118 of 123 Announced!

Good Morning Friends!  I selected the winner of my Blogmania giveaway yesterday afternoon at 5:33 p.m.

I printed the entire list of comments and made sure each of your actions counted.  So if someone accidentially listed that they are a GFC, Twitter Fan & FB Fan all in one comment... it was 3 actions and indeed I made sure all three counted.  I double checked everybody to make sure everybody had a fair chance. 

In total, there were 272 entries.  HOLY COW!  That's awesome! I want to thank you all for stopping by and all the actions you took to promote not just my blog, but Blogmania as a whole.  The success we had as a group is thanks to Lynda Coker at Between the Lines and More, and her two partners in crime fun Amy - The Black Sheep Dances and June - Writing is a Blessing.  Without all your coordinated e-mails and organization, Blogmania would still be just a great idea.  You've made it into a real event... a real BIG event!

I know in the rush of trying to visit all 123 blogs, you may not have gotten a chance to look around.  I invite you to browse my previous posts, check out my unique jewelry designs and ask any questions you have.  I also send out a once monthly newsletter about jewelry trends, new styles of jewelry (like wire crochet) and the hottest seasonal colors so you can be on point all year round.  As a bonus for registering for my newsletter, I will include a copy of my e-book Twitter Marketing Made Easy.  This will help you get started with Twitter and automate many processes to make tweeting with your followers super easy!  Just fill in your name, email and website or blog if you have one, click the button then check your inbox for an e-mail from me. 



And now, back to the Blogmania winner...

To choose the winner, I used random.org to generate a random entry number.  Out of 272 entries total, random.org selected #43 as the winner.  Here's the result (you can click the picture to enlarge):

Entry #43 belongs to:  Angie Tubbs

I've e-mailed Angie for her mailing address and will ship her jewelry out first thing this week. This was the first giveaway I participated in and really, I had so much fun!  I'm looking forward to Blogmania - the fall edition this September.  It will be even bigger and better than this round was!  More winners, bigger prizes.... you get the picture?  Mark your calendars for Wednewsday, September 15th.  Take off work... find a sitter for the kids... get your pups & kitties extra treats to keep them busy because you are going to want to focus!  ;)  Kidding aside, if you enjoyed all these giveaways, you'll definitely want to come back!

Thanks again for stopping by my blog during your treasure hunt.  The wonderful comments you left me are sincerely appreciated.  I love hearing from you and look forward to taking your ideas and creating works of jewelry art with them as inspiration! :)  For those that subscribe to my monthly newsletter, you will receive special subscriber-only sales & discounts for being a loyal follower!

I appreciate your friendship so very much!  Thank you for making my experience with Blogmania and my first giveaway over the moon successful!  Congrats to Angie Tubbs, I hope you love your jewelry!

The Blogmania Winner...

... will be chosen this afternoon.  I'll send the lucky winner and e-mail and post it here on my blog tomorrow morning so that everybody can know who won.  The winner will have 72 hours to e-mail me their mailing address so I can ship out their jewelry.  If I don't hear back, another winner will be drawn.  :)

I sincerely appreciate all of my blog followers new and existing, new Twitter followers and new fans of my Facebook page, Designs by Dawn Marie.  The response to Blogmania was tremendous, not just to me, but the entire group of bloggers that participated.  Your wonderful comments and interaction really meant the world to me and I look forward to sharing more of my creative jewelry designs with you in the future.

We're already making plans for the next round of Blogmania which will take place on September 15th, 2010.  So mark your calendars now!  I expect the prizes will be even bigger, and the number of people participating will increase because people are still raving about how much fun this was.  I did hit all 122 other blogs yesterday to check out their blogs, get to know them and see how they were doing Blogmania.  Wow, are there some really, really talented bloggers out there.  I was in awe at how amazing some of the blogs looked and the content they delivered on a regular basis to their followers.

Again, thanks for stopping by yesterday!  I hope you enjoyed your stay (even if it was brief) and will stop back again soon.  I'll always have my virtual door open and a fresh pot of virtual coffee on so we can have a wonderful social time together.

See you real soon!
~Dawn

Blogmania Giveaway for Today ONLY! (Contest now Closed)

Contest Closed.  But you can still pick up my Free E-book!  Fill in your name & e-mail address on the right and check your inbox!  Thanks for stopping by! :)  Winner will be drawn Saturday 5/1 and notified via e-mail, then posted right back here on Sunday 5/2.

WELCOME To BLOGMANIA!

My Blog is 118 of 123

You’ve arrived at exactly the right time to explore lots of new blogs, all of which, ARE GIVING AWAY A VERY SPECIAL BLOGMANIA GIVEAWAY  (For One Day Only – April 30^th) .

We’ve done all the work for you. No hunting or surfing. Each blog will have a number and each new blog link will have a number. These numbers will allow you to keep track of which blogs you’ve visited and how many are left to visit. Why not take a moment to make a list of blog numbers  1-123 and check off the blogs as you go.

I know you’ll want to visit as many blogs today as you can. So, if you see something that interests you on any of our participating blogs, why not bookmark that site. Later, when you have more time, you can discover all its fabulous treasures.  This way you can win as much as possible and meet lots of great new bloggers!

My Giveaway for today is a complete set of custom designed jewelry as shown in the photos above.  This 3-piece set consists of Necklace, Earrings and Bracelet.  The necklace and earrings use beautiful lampwork glass beads, and blue agate stones.  The bracelet is made using wire crochet, and beautiful seed beads that match the necklace and earrings perfectly!  Wear them separate or together as a set... either way you'll be absolutely beautiful!

Here's how you can enter to win.  Follow my blog on the right and leave a comment on this post. 

For additional entries:  You can do any (or all) of the following.  Please leave a separate comment for each action you take so it can be entered in the drawing.

• Follow my Fan Page on Facebook
• Post a link to my blog on your Facebook Wall
  
• Follow me on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/designsbydawnmd  FYI - If you want to receive my free Twitter e-book, fill in your info in the box at the top of the right column
• Send a tweet to your followers about our Blogmania Giveaway
• For 10 Extra chances, make a purchase from my Etsy Store - Designs by Dawn Marie

I will be using a random number generator to select the winner and announcing here, on my blog on Sunday, May 2nd.  If you don't have a blog, please make sure you leave your e-mail address so I can get in touch with you for your shipping address if you are the winner.

Now, click away and here's some links to more great blogs all participating in Blogmania!

Blog- 1) – HOST OF BLOGMANIA) Between The Pages- http://betweenthelinesandmore.blogspot.com/

(Blog -2) – CO-HOST-The Black Sheep Dances- http://www.theblacksheepdances.blogspot.com

(Blog-43) - CO-HOST - Books, Books Everywhere- http://bookywooks.blogspot.com/

(Blog-86) The Hidden Haven - http://thisandthat-cait045.blogspot.com/

(Blog-104) Reviews from the NutHouse - http://reviewsfromthenuthouse.blogspot.com

(Blog-67) Arms of a Sister - www.armsofasister.com

(Blog-33) There's A Book - http://www.theresabook.com

(Blog-5) Elaine Hopper - http://www.elaineannhopper.blogspot.com

(Blog-112) SueFitz Stitching - http://suefitz-fitzsstithing.blogspot.com/

(Blog-35) Just Jewelry by Jessica - www.justjewelrybyjessica.com

(Blog-123) Moomette’s Magnificents - http://moomettesmagnificents.com/blog/

Less than 24 Hours until Blogmania!

I love the saying my mother taught me when I was a child.  "It is better to GIVE than receive."

That's why I'm so excited for tomorrow, Friday the 30th!  Tomorrow marks 24 hours of Blog Giveaway Goodness with Blogmania.  We have 123 blogs participating.  Each of those blogs are going to be offering YOU all sorts of wonderful prizes for visiting their blogs.  Making it easy for you to surf, all of our participants will be linking to other blogs so you can literally just click, click, click your way to Giveaway Goodness!

On my blog I'm giving away a complete set of my custom designed jewelry.  Other blogs are giving away hand crafted baby items, gift cards, pet items, health & beauty products, collector items, books... surely in that list you've found something you could be excited to win!  My post will go live at midnight tonight so everybody has an equal opportunity to participate!

I've also made an event in Facebook for both visitors and participating blogs to join.  You are welcome to join and tell a friend!  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=100941866617032  Click here to RSVP & Join Us!  The more the merrier! :)  I promise, you won't be disappointed!  There are some AMAZING bloggers and equally great prizes!  Meet new people and have fun!

Sneak Peek - Blogmania Giveaway

I can't tell you how excited I am to be participating in this Friday's Blogmania giveaway.  If you follow me on Twitter, or are a fan on Facebook, then you know just how pumped I am to be sharing all the blog love with visitors from around the world.

Because I know you're all curious, I wanted to give you a sneak peak of the custom designed jewelry I'll be giving away.  So dear jewelry lovers... here's a glimpse into my giveaway.  You'll be able to start here, and follow the links I have to other blogs all participating! :)

All the action starts at midnight this Friday, April 30th.  I personally won't be awake at midnight to start surfing, but I want to make sure my giveaway is up for all to have an opportunity to win.  So for other Blogmania Blogs, I want to share with you how to make a post and schedule it for a specific time if you use Blogger.

How to schedule a future blog post:
1.  Create your post as usual, but don't hit "publish post."
2.  Right below the box you are typing in, you'll see a link to "Post Options."
3.  Click that link and you'll see an option for Post date and Time on the right.
4.  Switch the radio button to "Scheduled at."
5.  Set the post for whatever day & time you want it to publish at.
6.  Hit "Publish Post" and your post will be all set to launch on the day & time you scheduled it for.

So now, you too can sleep on Thursday night and not worry about your visitors not having the Ultimate Blog Experience!

6th Photo Game

A dear blogging friend of mine posted a blog game over the weekend.  Lisa Crone over at A Bead A Day invited me to partake in the 6th photo game!  What you do is go back to the beginning of your blog, and re-post the 6th photo you ever posted.  For me my 6th photo was of a pair of red & black beaded dangle earrings.

In looking at that photo, I can see why we have so much fun with this game.  It's amazing to see the evolution over time... both of our photography skills and the styles of jewelry we create.  Lighting was ummm.... yes well, I'll just bite my tounge.  If I were to work with this exact picture to post today it would look a little more like this:

Thanks so Lisa for inviting me to play.  How fun looking back.  If you haven't visited A Bead A Day, please take a few minutes and stop over there!  She has incredible inspiration and shares her creative inspirations through her book, A Bead in Time! 


P.S.  Don't forget to mark your calendars for Blogmania this Friday, 4/30!  Over 120+ blogs all having giveaways networked together like a gigantic online shopping mall!  Check out my previous post all about Blogmania so you can find out how your can participate!