What is the name of your business? Hi! My name is Elizabeth Moore-White, the woman behind Caddo Cottage Creations. I'm not sure I would really classify my cottage industry as a business...it's more of a paying hobby. I enjoy doing all kinds of crafts, but beading is my passion. I am a confessed beadaholic. I can't get enough!
Up until a few months ago, I mostly sold to family and friends. And that was in an off & on pattern. I've had a fan page on facebook for about 2 years, but up until 2 months ago, I never really tried to grow it as a basis for increasing sales. But I began to notice more and more small businesses, many of them home-based, like me, were using social networking as a way to promote their business, increase their exposure (and sales!) so I decided to become more active with my fan page. In the past six weeks, I've begun networking and promoting my page on an almost daily basis, and have seen my fan numbers increase from around 70 to over 250...not many compared to a lot of other pages, but I'm thrilled. I've also seen a considerable increase in sales, enough that I can actually say I'm making a small profit. Of course, most of it is re-invested in supplies, after I pay my tithes to the church I attend. I'll probably never get rich with Cottage Cottage Creations, but I'm content to be able to support my addiction to beads and beading. LOL
Where is your business based? Caddo Cottage Creations is located in a very rural community called Caddo, located on the eastern edge of the region known as West Texas & the northern edge of what is known as the Hill Country. Caddo is small community, having a population of about 40 people and a tiny rural Post Office. The nearest town is 15 miles away, but my husband and I, along with our menagerie of 7 dogs, 14 goats, 4 geese, 5 ducks and 50 or so chickens, enjoy the peaceful, quiet, relaxed atmosphere of our little community.
What does your business do, what products do you sell? At the moment my focus is on creating beautiful beaded jewelry, but I also offer Rustic Wire Wall Crosses & Christmas Ornaments. With my jewelry I create new items for my ready-to-sell inventory, plus I take custom orders. Both the Crosses & the Christmas Ornaments are done on a strictly made to order basis. I don't keep those as ready-to-sell items. If someone places an order for a cross or a set of ornaments, then I make them once payment is received. I ship cross town, cross state, out of town, out of state, out of country. I do not, however, offer free shipping at this time.
Where can your business be found?For those interested in seeing more of my work, Caddo Cottage Creations can be found on facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/caddocottagecreations
I do hope folks will "pop in" for a visit and browse my albums.
Thank You, Junction Crafts! What a privilege to have my article/interview published on your blog!!
ReplyDeleteSincerely, Elizabeth Moore-White