Prom Perfect - manicures to help you shine

In this #NailArt #Tutorial, I show how to do a gradient glitter ombre effect.

It's time to Train Your Brain!

Those who know me personally know that I really have enjoyed the trainings from Dana Wilde and The Mind Aware.  Well - I'm happy to announce that there is an opportunity for YOU to get in on her latest training - for FREE!!  

FREE VIDEO TRAINING!The 4-Step Blueprint for Getting Out of Your Own Way

DO YOU WISH YOUR BUSINESS   WOULD GROW FASTER?  
Dana Wilde reveals how she grew multiple businesses from zero to ONE MILLION DOLLARS in just 19 months... ...and HOW YOU CAN DO IT, TOO! 
Start your FREE TRAINING today!

Work Smarter NOT Harder in your direct sales or WAHM business - How do you do it all?

My mantra (all the time, every day!) is “Smarter not Harder”.  I pretty much just try to pay very close attention to what I avoid doing and why, and then I try to solve that barrier. I worked for a time management consulting company for many years as an administrative assistant, I learned a lot from all that stuff I typed!

That means that if it can be automated, streamlined or eliminated, I do it. If it is not a “business building activity” I try to avoid it. If it is something that has to be repeated (consistency and follow through are my arch nemesis) then I find a way to make technology my slave!

People ask me all the time "How do you do it?  You have so many kids, an immune deficiency that makes you tired and sore, your blog, successful businesses... how do you do it all?"

Work Smarter NOT Harder in your direct sales or WAHM business - Taming the To-Do List

My mantra (all the time, every day!) is “Smarter not Harder”.  I pretty much just try to pay very close attention to what I avoid doing and why, and then I try to solve that barrier. I worked for a time management consulting company for many years as an administrative assistant, I learned a lot from all that stuff I typed!

That means that if it can be automated, streamlined or eliminated, I do it. If it is not a “business building activity” I try to avoid it. If it is something that has to be repeated (consistency and follow through are my arch nemesis) then I find a way to make technology my slave!

I like lists.  A lot.  I make really pretty lists.  They are serious works of art.  If I only had staff to actually DO all the things on my lists...

I'm not exactly sure what it is about lists that I like most.  There is a component of getting it all out of my head and onto paper.  There is satisfaction in sorting my thoughts into neat lines and categories.  And color coding it.  And making stars next to the really important ones.  And marking them off (have you ever written something on your list that you've already done, just so you can mark it off?  I have!)

And yet, with all my pretty little lists, I was even less effective than before!  Why?

Work Smarter NOT Harder in your direct sales or WAHM business - Mailing Party Postcard Invitations & Reminders

THANK YOU for making this a #1 pin on Pinterest!

My mantra (all the time, every day!) is “Smarter not Harder”.  I pretty much just try to pay very close attention to what I avoid doing and why, and then I try to solve that barrier. I worked for a time management consulting company for many years as an administrative assistant, I learned a lot from all that stuff I typed!

That means that if it can be automated, streamlined or eliminated, I do it. If it is not a “business building activity” I try to avoid it. If it is something that has to be repeated (consistency and follow through are my arch nemesis) then I find a way to make technology my slave!

Most Direct Sales companies offer postcard invitations or reminders for in-home parties.  If you've gotten a hostess packet from your consultant, you probably had a stack of pretty postcard invitations and the instruction to fill them out and mail them to your friends.  If you actually did this - you deserve a gold star for sure!  I never did it.  Which is one reason I didn't have very good turn out at my home parties!

As a consultant, I know that my hostesses probably won't do it either.

We know that "real mail" makes a huge difference in party attendance - so how do we make that happen?

Work Smarter NOT Harder in your direct sales or WAHM business - Managing Time Online & Avoiding Information Overload

My mantra (all the time, every day!) is “Smarter not Harder”.  I pretty much just try to pay very close attention to what I avoid doing and why, and then I try to solve that barrier. I worked for a time management consulting company for many years as an administrative assistant, I learned a lot from all that stuff I typed!

That means that if it can be automated, streamlined or eliminated, I do it. If it is not a “business building activity” I try to avoid it. If it is something that has to be repeated (consistency and follow through are my arch nemesis) then I find a way to make technology my slave!   

When I log into the internet, it is really easy to get lost!  I don't mean that I don't know where I am, I mean I forget what I'm supposed to be doing!  You know how it goes - you are going to log in and look at email.  So you open up your browser and it comes up with the default home page.  This usually has news stories on it.  Even though I couldn't really care less about the Kardashians... I still click to see.  I didn't come here to watch the latest viral video sensation... but I still watch it.  I don't "need" to know the due date of the Royal Baby... but I'm tempted!

So, how do I keep that from happening? How can you manage your time online more efficiently? Here are a few of the things that I do - I'd love to hear your tips as well!

Work Smarter NOT Harder in your direct sales or WAHM business - Saving Electronic Files

My mantra (all the time, every day!) is “Smarter not Harder”.  I pretty much just try to pay very close attention to what I avoid doing and why, and then I try to solve that barrier. I worked for a time management consulting company for many years as an administrative assistant, I learned a lot from all that stuff I typed!

That means that if it can be automated, streamlined or eliminated, I do it. If it is not a “business building activity” I try to avoid it. If it is something that has to be repeated (consistency and follow through are my arch nemesis) then I find a way to make technology my slave!   

Every business needs to have a way to store and retrieve information.  In Direct Sales, we have customer files, hostess files, team member files, prospective customer files, prospective hostess files, prospective team member files... and then we have training materials, product photos, recognition letters, the list is long and can be overwhelming.

Tutorial: Make a Logo or Initial Rug with Duct Tape

I wanted to have a really cool rug for my Jamberry Nails booth at the Holiday Bazaars this year.  I looked at some pretty awesome ones at IKEA, but I didn't want to spend that much money right now.  While shopping at Wal-Mart, I came across a small area rug in solid black for just $19.97.  I popped it in my cart and my head started whirling with the possibilities for making it awesome.

I thought about bleach dying.  I thought about making a stencil and using fabric paint.  I thought about hand painting it.  I thought about splatter painting it.  In the end, I thought too long and ran out of time!  So, I got a roll of neon pink duct tape and my x-acto knife and went to work.

Tutorial: Get a "Shop" tab on your Facebook page

Create a shopping tab inside your Facebook account so your fans can shop without leaving Facebook!  This is great for Direct Sales consultants.

It will look like this when you are done:

https://www.facebook.com/dfwjamberry/app_208195102528120 

First, you have to have a business page - this won't work on personal pages.

Setting up a Facebook Event for Your Direct Sales Party

By now you all are aware of the great shopping options available through Direct Sales.  Many companies also now offer the ability to have an online or virtual party.

This is a great way to increase the participation for your in-home party and include out-of-town (or state or country!) friends and family in the fun!  The problem is getting the word out to everyone and keeping it at the top of their mind.

That's where Facebook can be a big help!  If you're like me, you check Facebook regularly (or all day long!)  Chances are, your friends do too!  Adding a Facebook Event to your other invitation efforts can be a great way to engage your guests, increase anticipation for the actual event, and expand the reach of your home party.

The first thing to do is to set up a new Facebook event.  Most of you will be doing this from your timeline (personal account).

1. Go to the Events tab on the left side of your home page
2. Click Create Event in the upper-right corner of the page.  From here, you can customize the event, edit its privacy settings and invite guests. 

Read the Facebook help articles about events here.

The next thing you want to do is add the date.  If your party is online only, you can choose to add an end date:

This will keep the event at the top of each guests' event listings!  I don't recommend you do this too far out, perhaps 2 weeks at the most.  You want them reminded not angry!

5/29/12 UPDATE!  Facebook has disabled functionality that allows events to span multiple days :(

Always add a picture!  To do this you have to upload a picture from your computer.  You can find a suitable picture (right click and save it to your computer) or create one of your own using a photo editing software.  Remember that this photo is tiny - don't use lots of text.  Also, don't use the flyer from your event:

YES:

NO:

Don't assume that your invitees know about the company.  Include a little info for them.  You can copy this from the website or ask your consultant!

Do make it personal.  Don't just copy and paste!  Tell them why you are having the party, what you like about a product, etc.

My most recent hostess did a great job of this:

Jamberry Nails is a new way to replace your nail polish and salon quality nails with nail shields in over 100 different varieties available. You can do your nails at home with just a few simple tools: file, nail scissors, and a hair dryer. The last on your fingers for 2 weeks and your toes for 6 weeks. The special is buy 3 get 1 free (make sure you put all 4 in your shopping cart to get the free credit). Plus free shipping on any orders over $45.

I am really excited to have this mom's night out event with my friends and hope you can come! If you live far or unable to come you can always order online at www.noelgiger.jamberrynails.net and select (hostess party name) from the list of parties at checkout! These are so fun and creative and make great gifts for girls/women of all ages. I LOVE them!! And for the men I've invited- you KNOW your wife wants some! ;)

Here is the catalog: http://www.noelgiger.jamberrynails.net/home/catalog.aspx
Ps. I don't normally 'do' parties like this but HAD to on these because they are SO pretty and neat!!

call me if you have any questions-(phone number)

Doesn't that make you want to check it out?  Her friends have been very active on the event's wall asking questions and getting excited!

That brings me to another point - include your consultant on the invitation.  She can answer questions and post a fun pic or question every now and then to keep it at the top of your guests minds.  (If YOU are the consultant - be very mindful of the honor you've been shown!  Don't SELL on the event wall.  Be kind, polite, helpful and gracious!)

Every time someone updates an event or posts on the wall for an event, the guests get notified.  This varies slightly depending on each person's individual settings, but you can imagine that multiple reminders leading up to the event can increase attendance!  As a hostess - you can take advantage of this by posting a picture of yourself using the product, posting a link to something that's on your wish-list, asking friends to help you decide between two colors or patterns... can you think of some other ways to engage your guests?

Don't be lazy, pick up the phone!

Finally - don't just rely on Facebook to get people to your party (whether it's at home or online!)  There is no substitute for a good personal invitation and a reminder phone call.  OK, for the reminder you could get away with a text message, but if they don't respond, pick up the phone ;)

If you are a page or business looking for info on marketing events, here is a good tutorial from Mari Smith.

How to Create a Sample Request Form

As you may already know, I offer a free sample of Jamberry Nails to those who are interested in trying before they buy.  (UPDATED: The sample offer is now closed.  Thank you for your interest!)

This has worked very well for me - I was sending 15-30 samples out per week.  I follow up by e-mail within a few days to send the instructions, then a week later with a reminder, then again to see if there were any questions.

This is what the Jamberry Nail Shield samples look like.
They have 4 different sizes, some people may only receive 1 or 2 from a sample card.
When you purchase a full sheet, you get 10 different sizes!
Each sheet will do 2-3 manicures or pedicures.

Last weekend, my link and offer was picked up by several blogs and Facebook pages and the request form went viral.  I went from 35 outstanding requests to 5,790 (at present writing) in a matter of 48 hours.

Milliners are underpaid (or "How to make a pill-box hat")

My in-laws celebrated 40 years of wedded bliss last weekend.  My mother-in-law, Donna, wanted a simple pill-box hat to match her dress.  Armed with the knowledge that everything that IS was made by someone, we set out to create our own.

Pin It

Invitations - on the cheap!

I've been using this money-saving idea for a while now, and I thought I'd share!

I create digital invitations for my kids' birthday parties, Gold Canyon parties, charity events, etc., then print them out as a photo!  I get full color glossy invitations for about 10-20 cents each!  You could even take it up a notch by affixing them to cardstock, but we just hand them out as-is.

Here's the latest one I did.  I started out with an image I found online (be fair to copyrights!  Don't use an artists' work, photographers image, etc. - look for things in the general domain!):

found at San Diego Bargain Momma's blog, via Google image search

Then, I used the photo editing site Picnik.com to crop the image to 4"x6" diminsions.  You could do this with your favorite software or even PowerPoint.

Next, I added the text:

Then I saved it and uploaded to Walgreens.com for printing (always search for an online coupon!)  I picked them up an hour later!

Here are some other invitations that I've made this way:

created with a hybrid of PowerPoint and Picnik

created using Picnik's Premier Collages

created in PowerPoint

So ANGRY!

He he, not really!  But we DID make Angry Bird Plushies from the tutorial over at Obsessively Stitching!

Of course we had to put a recycled spin on it - we used outgrown clothes
(scavenged from the to-be-garage-saled box)

We used a mechanical pencil to turn the feathers

While tearing t-shirts into strips to use as stuffing, Calvin felt like Bear Grylls in the dessert.

The one on the left is Jordan's, the one on the right is Calvin's.  They did most of the work themselves!

Noel's picks

This Christmas has been anything but typical!  We celebrated and exchanged gifts on December 22nd.  My husband went into the hospital for a planned surgery on the 23rd (at 5:30 AM!).  We were supposed to be home by now, but here I sit!

I've been blessed to have both of our families in town loving on the kids, so I've been able to stay here at the hospital to help take care of him and talk with the doctors and nurses.  He's been getting quite a bit of rest, so I've had plenty of "down time".  I'm so glad I brought my laptop, but after all the crafty browsing I've done, I wish I'd brought my sewing machine too!

I've been posting links and pics to my (personal) Facebook page all day, and I thought I'd share a few of them here as well!  I hope that you enjoyed your Christmas and are looking forward to the new year.  I'll be "off radar" for a while, as Aaron Thomas Giger (our fifth child!) will be joining us on or before December 30th!

So, here are the picks of my day of surfing!

Insect Finger Puppet



Hip Hip Hooray for the Holidays



Lotus Flower Tutorial

 

Bath Apron Tutorial



Free Diaper Bag Tutorial

 Recipe for Coconut Breaded Chicken
(my 12 year-old's favorite food!)



Patchfolio from CraftApple - love the fabric!



Fantastic ECO DIY Portable Spice Solution

The Handy Hausfrau: Portable Spice Kit for Camping or Travel

Check out this great project from The Handy Hausfrau!
I'm thinking this will be a must do project before summer and fall vacations!

My hubby loves to cook, so whether we're staying with friends or in our timeshare condo, he's always whipping up something. The problem is that he can't always find the right spices in their cabinets or at local stores. This is the perfect solution!

A great way to [ReDeem] those extra medicine containers!
check out the FB fan page for [ReDeemed] unique art!

The finished closet!

Honey put in the giant "plate rack" to hold all my previously loved artwork that is waiting to be ReDeemed!

-- Sent from my Palm Prē

Eco-Chic Valentine's Gifts: Flower Hairclip From Scraps (Tutorial)

Here's a project to treat the littlest Valentine this year!

This hairbow took only about 30 minutes and was effectively free, since it was made from scraps an on-hand materials.

Remember this?  Well, I had material left over and decided to make a hair clip to match!

I started out by putting the two materials wrong sides together.  Then I sewed tear-drop shapes free-hand on my machine, each approximately 2 inches long.  This could also be done by hand, but it'll take you a long time!  After making 10-12 of these, I cut them out, leaving aproximately 1/4 of an inch around the stitches.  I also made one circle about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

I played around with the layout until I decided on 4 petals for the bottom (because they were larger) and 7 for the top layer.  I stitched each layer together with the sewing machine and a heavy zig-zag stitch.

I chose to turn the layers in opposite directions for contrast, but you could also layer them the same direction.

Next, I used a 4-strand of thread on a hand-sewing needle and assembled the flower bottom-up:

Bottom Layer

Button (to provide spacing)

Top Layer

Circle

Decorative Button

I passed the needle through twice then tied the threads off securely.

Last - I hand stitched the flower to a hairclip (this one happened to already have a pink ribbon glued to it!)

Clip it onto the ribbon and it doubles as a package topper!

Thanks for checking out my tutorial!  If you enjoyed this, please leave a comment and consider following!  Thanks!

Eco-Chic (&free!) Valentines Placecards - A Tutorial & FREE download

This is a quick project that cost ZERO dollars, made completely from materials I had on-hand, basic office supplies, a corner punch and recycled magazines!

I took index cards and used a corner punch to decorate the edges.  TIP: when using a corner punch, use it upside down so you can see exactly what you are doing!

Next, I used a red felt-tipped pen to outline the edges.  I didn't try to do it perfectly, my vision was that they would look more home-spun and charming.  I followed the lines of the punched corner, then drew a straight line down each side.

Next, I leafed through my stack of magazines that I use for my business.  I love the "ransomed" look and have even used it to make a few of my Fender Washer Necklaces:

but I digress!

After I had selected all the letters and my lovely assistant, Jordan had cut them out - I grabbed some scrapbooking papers left over from a previous project (I don't throw anything out, much to my husband's dismay!)

I trimmed the scrapbook paper into roughly 1 1/2 inch squares (again, NOT perfect!) then applied the ransom-cut letters.  Next, I grabbed my corner punch and gave them a trim too.

Then Starburst (our cat) came to investigate.  She's always ready to be a part of a project!

Last, we attached the scrapbook square to the punched index cards with a glue stick. I finished them off with a heart sticker in the lower right corner for visual balance.

Violia!  Valentine's themed placecards!

(The silver heart with wings?  The heart was a pendant and the "wings" are a pair of vintage shoe clips.  I'm planning to make a [ReDeemed] necklace out of these soon, but I couldn't wait to share them!)

I'm using these for my BUNKO group - it's my turn to host so I asked each lady to bring a dish that started with one letter from VALENTINES.  These will be placed in front of each dish with the title/description.

Here is a free gift for you! Please use it as you wish!

Please click on "Follow" or "Subscribe" to the right so you don't miss out on a Valentine banner to match, or tomorrow's hairbow tutorial!

(And I love comments - so bring 'em on!)

~*~*~*~
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