Squidoo.... Have you tried it!

 Have you Tried Squidoo?


Want a fun and easy way to promote yourself?  How about your blog- you can actually add a feed to your lens!  Or your Etsy mini?  Sell on ebay?  You can pull your items from ebay and promote them here, too!  There are so many things you can do with squidoo!  If you don't have one, get one!  They are totally free.  Plus, you can actually earn money simply by allowing Amazon and other top name vendors to advertise on your lens!  It is really easy to set one up.  Use it to sell, promote, talk about your hot new items.

 Sign up here!  Piece of cake, I promise!
http://www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/referral/MommyTyme

Once you have signed up, come back here, comment and leave your new lens URL!  I will promote, lens roll, twitter, etc! Your new Squidoo Lens!  Lets all help each other!  It is a great source for getting your name and shop out there!  Really!

For the next few posts I am going to talk about the tools Squidoo offers and the best way to utilize them.  I am in the learning process, too!  So, lets work together!

So Remember, leave your Squidoo Lens URL here so we can all find it!  Readers... Take a minute and visit the Lens posted!  Comment, comment, comment! 

I look forward to checking out everyones!  Oh, here is mine:

http://www.squidoo.com/MommyTyme

Mommy Tyme gifts

Mommy Tyme gifts

I spent an enormous amount of time this morning revising the front page of my website. I thought that it could use a pick me up! I dont know about you guys, but I am tired of the cold, the rain, the yuck! Once Christmas is over, I am ready to move into Spring! Snow is beautiful when it is clean, white, or falling on a clear starry night... but that icky dark, drove over, half melted dirty slush just brings me down... The lack of sun is adding to my cabin fever, too! So, I took some time to perk the front page up and see if a cheerful introduction would help everyone feel a little more energetic and cheerful about the day ahead!

I am not a programmer, nor am I a marketing guru! So, if you have a minute, can you stop by and tell me what you think? The link is at the top!

Have a great day...

Latest Artisan Spotlight Contest

Come vote for the winner at http://www.mommytyme.org/events.html

Inspiration Avenue Blog Contest for Pure

This week I had the great fortune to be invited as a member of Inspiration Avenue, a fantastic group of Etsy sellers who have a united purpose to serve others, help one another, and share their inspirations and creativity!  I was so thrilled for this opportunity, I wanted to jump right in.

A routine contest is posted on Inspiration Avenue's blog, and this contest is open to everyone, not just Etsy sellers.  This week, the theme is pure, so here is my entry:



Creamy Caramel All Natural Lip Balms

No petroleum - no harsh chemicals - no worries what is going on your lips... All natural organic apricot kernel oil, organic white beeswax pellets, a smidge of vitamin E, and yummy creamy caramel flavoring is all there is to it! Each one is only 1.25, long lasting, smooth on and keep you moist for hours! No tugging across your lips, as they practically melt a barrier! Use over lipstick for that added shine without the gunk and junk!



You can find these lip balms on sale at my Etsy shop http://www.MommyTyme.etsy.com  or by clicking here:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39477291
You can find out more about these wonderful contests on Inspiration Avenue at the link below:
http://inspiration-avenue-team.blogspot.com/

reBlog from Mommy Tyme: Mishaps of Mommy

I found this fascinating quote today:

I am having my first ever facebook fan page contest!  I enter them all the time, but rarely host them!  But, as many of you know, facebook can be a fantastic source for promoting and showing off your latest works!Mommy Tyme, Mishaps of Mommy, Jan 2010

You should read the whole article.

Facebbok Fan Page First Ever Contest- Sweetest Sweet for Your Sweety!

If you have not had a chance to check it out, I am so excited about the new contest we are running on the Mommy Tyme Facebook Fan Page!  if you have not seen my ads for this, then really, you should stop by and add your item!  It's one entry per person, you MUST be a fan of the page, but really... That is the only catch!  Just post your picture of your item, a link to your shop, and your email or contact for me!  Thats it!  Oh, deadline for posting is 2/1!  I will put all the photos and shops together in a scrapbook style page, post it on facebook, the fan page, my blogs, and my website!  I will also give you all the code, if you want to post it!  We will all vote (and guests can vote,too!  so get your family and friends involved!) for the Sweetest Sweet for your Sweety!  The winner receives a cute little mini bath box I created with handmade mini bath bars, lip balms, and solid all natural fragrance!  Hope you enjoy, and just in time for Valentines Day... So check out the facebook posting at the top of this page, click on Fan, and come in to join the fun!

http://www.facebook.com/MommyTyme?ref=name#/pages/Mommy-Tyme-Bath-and-Unique-Gifts/87968482686?ref=mf
For those who do not create or sell handmade items... That is ok!  Jump on in and see the fantastic items people are listing!  Wow, there is some gorgeous jewelry, great scarves, and so much more... You can help us find the sweetest gift by voting!

Facebook | Mommy Tyme Bath and Unique Gifts

Facebook | Mommy Tyme Bath and Unique Gifts

Come join the Facebook Fan page- You are welcome to post your photos, your links, your ideas, share other links- it is an open forum to promote yourself and your friends! The more the merrier!

Mommy's Reviews you can Use: reBlog from Mommy Tyme: Mishaps of Mommy

Mommy's Reviews you can Use: reBlog from Mommy Tyme: Mishaps of Mommy

Here is the link to the fan page...
http://www.facebook.com/business/dashboard/?ref=sb#/pages/Mommy-Tyme-Bath-and-Unique-Gifts/87968482686

reBlog from Mommy Tyme: Mishaps of Mommy

I found this fascinating quote today:

So, hit the link and check it out!  Sweetest Sweets for Your Sweety contest!  Post the sweetest gift idea you have created with your shop, link, url and avatar (if you have one!)  I will show your work off on facebook pages, blogs, twitter, my site, Mulitply, and everywhere I can find that will let me post!  You have to fan the page, and you have to enter by 2/1!  Oh, and obviously it has to be YOUR creation...Mommy Tyme, Mishaps of Mommy, Jan 2010

You should read the whole article.

Buy & Sell Handmade Crafts, Jewelry, Quilts, Soaps & Greeting Cards, Custom Homemade Products Online - Made It Myself

Buy & Sell Handmade Crafts, Jewelry, Quilts, Soaps & Greeting Cards, Custom Homemade Products Online - Made It Myself

Made it Myself is one of those great venues where you can sell your handmade items, yet, somehow I missed the boat on this one! I am kicking myself now. Initially, I had posted 5-6 items on there, and then just sat back. Other than joining the Made it Myself on Ning site, I did little to no marketing for this venue. Ugh! Now, I checked it out today just to see if there had been changes, improvements, etc. AND WOW! There really has! Here are just a few of the benefits I see of MIM-
1. Its free! Really free.
2. You can list unlimited items
3. there is a huge image of your banner at your individualized URL,
4. you can add the badge that links directly to YOUR shop, not the marketplace in general
5.  Recently listed items are posted on the FRONT page- so you can stay up there until the amount of new items listed by others  pushes you off - but, depending upon your listing time, this could be a few days and so you are getting FRONT page exposure for free!
6.  For a super low fee of .49 you can have your item listed on the front page for the duration of your listing - that seems like a fair investment if you consider Etsy charges 7.00 for their Showcase!
7.  Now here is something truly unique- you can set your listing as Negotiable, and buyers can make offers, you can wheel and deal, make trades, etc.  And all of this is tracked, goes through your payment service, so there is a record of your agreement.  You can even issue a coupon.  How is that for customer relations?
8.  You can "link" with Made it Myself by adding their banner to your blog, site, etc.  and in return they will post a small banner of yours.  Now this appears to be a first come first serve, and it is not a neverending time frame that your banner is posted.  I assume that you are posted for a short duration (week- month) which has its benefits.  The reason this is a positive is because when a shopper checks out the link page, they are not overwhelmed with thousands of banners.  Instead there are about 12, so that is appealing and functional for a shopper.  When you are lost in a crowd of 100, what are the real chances someone is going to pick you link?
9.  finally, the community and forums is great!  These are not pages and pages of entries that you muddle through like on some of the bigger marketplaces- You can go to the forum that posts the topic you need (sales, marketing, glitches, etc) and see your post immediately.  Because it is not thousands of entries, others respond back really quick.  I found the forum and community page the easiest to use of any of the marketplaces thus far!

So, I am jumping on ship, and getting my Made it Myself Store up and running!  Thats another thing, your URL is easy to remember- for example-
http://www.madeitmyself.com/user/mommytyme.aspx




One drawback that I was concerned about is traffic?  How much is there?  But, as with any site, blog, etc.  YOU have to promote it.  You cant just sit back and hope people find you.  One tip I will share is, whenever tagging an item- always add the NAME of your shop as a tag, this will move you up in the ranks.  Second, post your MIM shop link everywhere so that linkbacks raise your rank (for example, when commenting on a blog, instead of using your google name or yahoo name, do the open ID choice / or other choice and sign in with your shop name and URL)  this offers tons of linkbacks.  In fact, you should comment on blogs  often to increase the linkbacks.  Oh, one more tip- if you have shops on variety of marketplaces like Etsy, winkelf, Artfire, etc  GIVE  THEM ALL THE SAME NAME-this increases you ranks, too!

So, how many of  your readers sell on MIM?  What do you think?   Any more tips on driving traffic to your MIM shop?

Mishaps of Mommy: Promote your shop for free with Mommy Tyme! No catch!

Mishaps of Mommy: Promote your shop for free with Mommy Tyme! No catch!

reBlog from Mommy Tyme: Mishaps of Mommy

I found this fascinating quote today:

Ok, here we are reviewing another affiliate/traffic rotation program.  This one I will give a thumbs up, though!  It actually works.  Super easy, you view sites, you earn credits or money (your choice), then you can cash that money in for your site being posted.  Does it work?  yes.  Can you really cash the money in for CASH?  Yes.  There is a minimum withdrawl amount you have to reach before you can actually have the money transferred, though.  It is about a penny a click, so it will take a while.  But, you can do like I do, view a few sites, take those credits and convert them into your own advertisements.Mommy Tyme, Mishaps of Mommy, Jan 2010

You should read the whole article.

American Survivalist: Container Gardening Tips

American Survivalist: Container Gardening Tips

Its going to be spring soon... Check out this great blog and see all the tips on container gardening, pollination and more! It is really interesting with tons of ideas. I am ready to get the gloves on...

MommyTyme Artisan Studio ArtFire Buy & Sell Handmade

MommyTyme Artisan Studio ArtFire Buy & Sell Handmade

Huge End of Season and Sweets for Your Sweety Sale underway at my feature shop this month! click on the link above to see what's new, what's on sale, and what's free! Yes, that is right! With every order now until Valentines Day receive a FREE Mini heart bath butter bar! Try a sample for free! Come check it all out, then feel free to comment on whats at the shop!

reBlog from Mommy Tyme: Mishaps of Mommy- Looking for Organization? Ideas to concise- but cheaply?

 Visit my blog- Mishaps of Mommy as we do a series called Organizing for Creativity- On the Cheap!  I am working my way through my craft room/office/study area/etc. etc. and trying to create a functional space that can accomadate all of my needs- Come share this experience (or torture- you choose!)

Visit http://mishapsofmommy.blogspot.com for more....

Then I moved to my jewelry making supplies... This was a little tougher.  There are so many embellishments, findings, beads, crystals, tools, etc.  Before I simply kept everything on the table and worked- but it was crowded, time consuming to find what I needed, and things easily got lost (remember, I have a 4 year old boy!).  So, I thought about what type of components would best serve as storage for all of this.Mommy Tyme, Mishaps of Mommy, Jan 2010

You should read the whole article.

Mommy's Mini Marketplace- Join in For Free! Promote yourself!

You might notice that I have rearranged the format of Mommy's Reviews?  Or maybe not... But, I have.  I have so many different things I want to present each week, that if I post it all as individual entries, it becomes a jumbled mess and you may miss something!  So, I have broke the blog down into some sections for convenience and easier reading!  There are categories that are presented vertically, so the newest blog entries will be first, followed by the mini market, The Share the Love Series, etc. etc.  I have posted each section in CAPS AND BOLD!  Remember to check it all out!  Each section has some really cool stuff to offer!

As we have talked about previously, the Share the Love Series will be ongoing and updated weekly.  As will the pursuit of handmade series which is my weekly blog entry!  The Mommy's Mini Market contains all of my shops- but, my new FEATURE is Mommy's Mini Marketplace- which I hope to have up and running in the next week or so... Here is the deal for this:  If you are a handmade artisan and you want to promote your items/shops- you can do so here!  I would like to feature 3-4 mini shops (or widgets) each week (or month)!  All you have to do is- sign up!  Just leave me a comment with your shop URL, name, and email.  I will choose 3-4 shops for this first feature, then contact the shop owners.  The shop owners will send me the code for their mini shops  I will post the mini marketplace.  One catch, however, is that the online shops must have a mini/window, etc.  I know that etsy, winkelf, artfire, and fuzz b offer this free service- but, as for other marketplaces, I am not sure!  You will just have to ensure that your venue does offer this service.

My readers get a fantastic opportunity to browse a variety of shops with multiple modes of talent!   Readers can shop directly from the blog or they can link to your shop and see all of your great products!  This will give readers a chance to see all the fantastic items out there in the handmade marketplaces- not just the few items I may choose to feature!  And this provides you (the shop owner) with one more link back, one more promotional tool, one more place where your name and products is being shouted out!  You have to do absolutely nothing!  I will tweet your shop's presence here, post it on my website, let my facebook followers know, etc! 



I honestly believe in promoting and preserving the great talents out there!  One of my biggest fears is that by the time my child is an adult, there were only be cheap, mass marketed products for him to enjoy.  I want the future of handmade and artisan work to grow- I pray that individuals continue to express themselves and their creativity and that there continue to be a market that openly appreciates and receives these creations.  So, I feel an ultimate obligation to do my part and shout to the world - Hey check these artists out!  So, Mommys Mini Marketplace is just one more way I can do that!  Problem is .... I need participants (you, the shop owner!)

So, if you are interested, comment with the needed information- and I hope to have this feature section up and running sometime next week!

The next new section/feature- is the contest corner!  I think this will be a fun spot where Readers can check out all the latest contests and links to drawings, etc.  I am always entering everything.  I love to win!  I love to try new things, you never know when you are going to get something that just changes your whole outlook!  Recently on a blog, The Crafty Tortoise, I won some great gifts- a gorgeous gold bear bracelet and matching earrings, a wonderful lavender sachet, coupons and discounts to a variety of etsy shops, and more... It was so exciting to get this in the mail!  I couldn't wait to tear the package open and I was so excited about the contents!  It was really fun!  So, I wanted to offer that here, also!  Every contest I find and enter, I will post here so you can enter, too!  Then if any of us win, lets talk about the prize/host/contest!  Its all about helping one another out!  So as I find them, I will post them!  Check daily... it will change frequently!  This saves you the trouble of scouring all the blogs, sites, links to find a contest- You can just pop in here and see what's new!

If you have a contest, and would like to post the link and some info about it here- just comment with the information and contact email, I will be So Happy to Do This For You!

Also, if interested in showcasing your items in my "Sweets for your Sweety" Pursuit of Handmade, comment here with a link to your URL.  By doing so, you give me permission to present your pictures and link here on Mommy's Reviews! 

Wow!  I cant believe it.  Today I opened my etsy mail and was thrilled to find out that I had been chosen as one of the top handmade creations of the week on this fantastic blog- Check out the link below!  The title is straight lines and loopy lines, and my Plumeria and Floral Bath salts are posted!  These salts are really great with rosehips, lavender buds, and  essential oils, they create a fantastic relaxation experience!  I am so thrilled to be part of this blog!  Check it out, see the other FANTASTIC artisans listed, and leave a comment yourself... You may be the next to be promoted!

Here are some of my picks for Valentines day from my shop.... All items are on sale at either http://www.MommyTyme.etsy.com or http://www.MommyTyme.artfire.com 
or at http://www.zibbet.com/MommyTyme

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Continuing our Pursuit...

Well the holidays are over!  Time to clean up, get everything back in order and move towards next year.  Its never too early to prepare for the next Christmas, is it?  Well, regardless, I am still eager to pursue the great artisans out there!  Over the holidays I was really exposed to some fantastic works by some great individuals.  I hope that we can continue to share these finds here at Mommys Reviews....

You may have noticed that there is a new addition to the blog!  share the love through On Fire for Handmade!  This will be a weekly feature with collage and store listings for the artisan!  These are all fantastically talented artisans that participate in the Ning network, On Fire for Handmade.  I really hope you take a few minutes and check them out!  I think you will be pleasantly surprised!  Who knew there was so much talent hidden at home, in the carpool, at your kids PTA meeting?  Well, there is!  So, lets find them and bring them out of the woodwork.

I am currently scouting some treasures to present for Valentines Day- Sweets for your Sweety!  Anything that would make a great gift for someone special.  Personally, I do not care if people feel Valentines Day is a money making gimmick for Hallmark!  I love it and want to be spoiled on February 14!  I think most overworked moms do!  So, lets find some great items that we would love to receive!  then you can conspicuously email the link to your hubby!

If you have a great item for The day for Lovers, post a comment here!  I would love to share it with everyone.

The Many uses of Epsom Salt? Essential oils for hair growth?

Check out the new articles on Mommy's Tyme website! The many uses of epsom salt! How to promote healthy hair with essential oils? Check these out and more! New look for the page....What do you think?

News to Know

News to Know

Check out the updated page with Share the Love Featured, the Artisan Spotlight winners and all the great places handmade artists can connect! Have a place you would like to add to the page? Let me know, comment here! I will be happy to promote and share it!

Gearing up for the Valentines Holiday?  Show your sweety how much you really care and give a gift they will love!  Dont forget your kids on the Hallmark Holiday, either!  They love to get a special treat from mom, dad, or the grandparents!

I have created a few gift sets and ideas from Mommy Tyme Gifts that I think will make a perfect token of love for someone special!  Check them out below....

Do you have a special tradition or any romantic/family plans for Valentines Day?  If so, share them with us.... I am always looking for ways to spice it up! 

Also, if you have a handmade shop and would like to have your items showcased here, just comment with your URL/shop address and state that I have permission to post your pictures!  In my grand pursuit of handmade I am looking for the perfect Valentines Day Gifts to showcase here at Mommy's Reviews! 

Bath and Body

Bath and Body

See the new featured item on sale! Check out the latest articles on essential oils, epsom salts, and more....

See the latest featured shop! Artfire! Grab a bargain this month!

Come check out Mommy's Tyme for all the fun

http://www.mommytyme.org

reBlog from Mommy Tyme: Mishaps of Mommy

I found this fascinating quote today:

Make sure to check back this week.... I am going to list the best of the best, easiest to use- FREE- traffic building, rotating, and banner/site exposure services I can find... I am diligently scouring and surfing to determine what are the best services for people like you and me to use! Those of us with small businesses, home businesses, WAHMS, bloggers, and more... We cant afford those big rotators, nor can we spend hours on the web surfing for credits! So keep up with the programs I have tried for you- then share your experiences with them.Mommy Tyme, Mishaps of Mommy, Jan 2010

You should read the whole article.

reBlog from Mommy Tyme: Mishaps of Mommy

I found this fascinating quote today:

So, I decided this year I was going to make my crafting/study/home office area ACCESSIBLE and FUNCTIONAL! Now, this was a task. I have a small room that is about 12 x 9 to do all of the household budgeting and record keeping, my class work and studying, plus my crafting. Oh, did I forget to mention this room also houses my clothes closet and storage for my shoes? So, you can imagine how I was dreading this task... But, it was my New Years Resolution, and I only had 3 days to do it.Mommy Tyme, Mishaps of Mommy, Jan 2010

You should read the whole article.

Cinnamon and Honey: Crafty Links

Cinnamon and Honey: Crafty Links

Mommy's Reviews you can Use: Share The Love...

reBlog from Mommy Tyme: Mishaps of Mommy

I found this fascinating quote today:

Make sure to check back this week.... I am going to list the best of the best, easiest to use- FREE- traffic building, rotating, and banner/site exposure services I can find... I am diligently scouring and surfing to determine what are the best services for people like you and me to use! Those of us with small businesses, home businesses, WAHMS, bloggers, and more... We cant afford those big rotators, nor can we spend hours on the web surfing for credits! So keep up with the programs I have tried for you- then share your experiences with them.Mommy Tyme, Mishaps of Mommy, Jan 2010

You should read the whole article.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30872425

Recently Mommy Tyme came in 3rd place on Great Finds with the Assymetrical caplet listed at the above link! I was so thrilled! There was some really tough competition, so in recognition of that honor... I have discounted the item by 7.00 and offering free shipping! Hope you enjoy! It is a fun little piece that will really look cool on the not so brisk days of winter, spring, and fall! Made from a chunky blend acrylic/wool, with fun giant button detailing- easy to adjust and wear several ways! Have fun with it!

Artisan Spotlight- Needs a winner!

The New Artisan Spotlight contest is up and running... But, only one day left to vote! Stop by, scroll to the bottom of the page, and cast a vote for who you think has the best Holiday Item-

Here's a sneak.... You need to click on http://www.mommytyme.org/events.html to actually vote!