Repurposing Treasures For Home and For Resale

 

 

Repurposing Treasures For Home and For Resale

Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy you stopped by! So many things that so many of us do when we craft. Some like to do completely handmade, some like to repurpose…upcycle…restyle…reuse…we like to paint, some items need glue, we design by sometimes uniting pieces, sometimes just a light cleaning gives new life to pieces too. These treasures are special because to us they are one-of-a-kind pieces that are special in many ways. I think it is fun, and enjoy seeing the creativity and excellence of so many talented people that is being shared too. I am often in awe of seeing so many things others are sharing from their vintage collectibles to their repurposing crafting styles. Some share through their blogs, their websites, and of course with all the different selling platforms being used too. 

So, what are some of your favorite things you like to share, or offer for sale? What are some of the things that you use to craft with? Are you specific to 1 area, a certain category, or maybe your interests are spread with different things. I love my vintage collectibles, and always will. I also take much joy in repurposing, and restyling different things I find. I love glassware, sometimes different plates bowls pans, I like different wooden pieces I can work with, and I truly enjoy many things with possibilities. Many pieces found are lonely pieces, come from unwanted broken sets, most are gently used, once in awhile new or like new condition, sometimes vintage pieces may be used for crafting, and so on. A lot of these treasures are found in Thrift Stores, Good Wills, Market Place, Junking, Yard Sales, sometimes curbside pieces are found, and pretty much anywhere that someone has something to offer. Sometimes my own treasures are used giving a new life to things, or a change with home decor. 

When I first started repurposing I did a lot of cake plate stands, candle holders, soap dish stands, jewelry holder stands, candy dishes, catch all pedestal stands, cloches, and many things to fit in with home decor. I enjoyed making these pieces because they were quite universal with many uses through out the home. Sometimes I showed how some of the pedestal stands could be flipped over used in another way too. That would determine the base that it had. I often showed different displays with my pictures to give everyone ideas, and maybe help them be creative with pieces too. 

Now with some of these things I did some light sanding, gluing, painting and spray painting, uniting pieces together, doilies, sheet music, ribbon, modpodge, and so many things you can use to create with. 

I enjoy doing this, find it relaxing, I’m at peace when working on things, and take pride in all the treasures I offer for resale, or for those that adorn my own home. I enjoy seeing the work of others who craft, and learning from many who have shared their treasures too. I am by far no expert with this, but do enjoy sharing with you. Even sharing my mistakes so that we all can learn from those too. 

So, what do you like to do? Is it pleasure, fun, business, or a hobby for you? What favorite things have you had the pleasures of making, creating, repurposing, restyling, finding, and etc.?

Below I am sharing just a few things from times past that I have made. 

Cloche Cheese Plate that I painted a pink slipper color. I laid a vintage doilie within it. Very fun piece to use, or mostly to decorate with.

Cheese Plate Cloche which I painted blue. I later found a doilie to lay in it. I also added some little trinkets with small pictures within it too.

Christmas Wall Decor I had made using plastic candy canes from Dollar Tree store, I braided some red and green ribbon to use as a hanger for it, mini green and red ribbons from Dollar Tree, and a Joy ornament I found at Walmart for the center of it. 

Black Cloche Cheese Plate Stand that was fun to make. I attached a wooden candle stick as the pedestal stand. I painted it black along with the cloche base too. I added white ribbon around the neck of the stand. Then, I cut some organ sheet music from a book to put in the center, and in middle of the stand. Used modpodge to seal this. This was really fun to show, display, and do different things with. 

Decorative Couch Chair Bed Pillow I made using 2 cloth placemats from Dollar Tree. I glued the pieces together around the edge, and used poly fill to fill it. These are so soft, and was actually my first one I made. 

White Cloche Cheese Plate was done here. I painted the base a pretty clean white color. In the center of the base I then added a cut from some sheet music I had. This was so adorable in person when it was dressed for displays. 

Blue White Cake Plate Pedestal Stand that I had fun putting together too. I found a pretty soft blue plate that has white snowflake designs through out it. I used a metal scroll candle holder, and painted that white which I later attached to the bottom of the plate. I enjoyed using this new lonely plate I had found, and uniting it with the metal scroll candle holder as its pedestal stand. Looks so much better in person, and it has so many possibilities too! Cake plate for serving, make it a candle holder stand with decoration around it, use it as a jewelry dish, in the bathroom or kitchen with some rolled cloths, set your dish soap and scrub pads on it, use it for organization, and many endless possibilities. 

It’s the beginning of the week, and I wish you all a great week! Take care, Happy Crafting and Treasure Hunting Everyone! Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams! See you next time.

Repurpose Reuse Recycle Upcycle For Fun Profit Memories

 

Repurpose Reuse Recycle Upcycle For Fun Profit Memories with LilacsNDreams. Welcome to everyone who visits. 

Curious as to why so many of us like to diy crafting, repurposing, upcycling, and reusing. I would like to see what everyone’s reasons are for this wonderful fun technique.

I know there are many of us who do it because we enjoy it. Some of us like doing this to freshen up what we have to make it a little more modern fitting with some of the decor today. Some like to preserve items that are found, or maybe things from our past. Then, you have some of us who just hate throwing things out, and try to find other ways to maybe use these items. Of course when we thrift, and junk we also find many unwanted treasures that can be cleaned, maybe need a touch of paint, maybe reunited with other pieces making something unique, and many endless possibilities. 

There are many people around us who do this for their own pleasure, and there are many who do this to resell too. Some will do it as a hobby, and there are others who have mastered these techniques to have their own business doing this as well.

A time to toss, and a time to repurpose or upcycle is the use of old items for new purposes. Reuse discarded materials for creating something of value. I myself like to repurpose items giving them a new life, making them unique for my use, and to sell too. Giving new life to once loved treasures, I enjoy new life added to my home, and I enjoy offering this to other homes for their enjoyment too.

So many things are used with diy crafting that the list is endless. Headboards are made from shutters, pallets, barn wood, etc. Pieces of jewelry are used for making new pieces, adorning picture frames, adding to cards with endless possibilities. I have seen old suitcases used making end tables, decorated for storage of memories with cards and special items. Sweaters, or shirts of loved ones are made into items to remember them with. Pillows have been popular for this. Thrifted shirts, and sweaters can be used to make pumpkins, sometimes handbags are made from this, and so on. It’s amazing all the things that can be done. Look on Pinterest for ideas, google for ideas too. 

Pictures below of just a few things made using toilet paper rolls, shirts, tires painted, a plunger making a decorative fall tree, and so many fun possibilities for things. 

Repurpose Reuse Upcycle For Memories to Last. Hang onto some of those family memories, and preserve some of them by crafting. Have fun doing it yourself, or find someone to do this craft for you. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Hope to see you again soon. Take care, and Happy Thrifting everyone! Toodles . . . . . . 

DIY Vintage Collectibles Repurposing With All Things We Do

 DIY Vintage Collectibles Repurposing With All Things We Do at LilacsNDreams. Welcome to everyone visiting today!

Wow! Where has this time gone? A lot of time was spent with my husband being ill, his recovery, doctors, hospital, ER visits, and etc. He’s back to work, doing good, still has an issue now and then, but its expected according to the doctor. 

Now, we have a house we have been working on getting too. Thursday we had a slight delay due to someone not doing their job correctly, got some feathers a little flustered, but all is good, and moving forward. The appraisal was done on the home Friday. There have been a few steps with The VA/VU that have been covered with their processing. Learning experience too. So, now waiting to hear the numbers with the appraisal, and hopefully things are good that we will soon be closing…I think it was predicted for mid July on closing. Time will really be moving along then. So many things to donate, downsize, pack, arrange where things will go in new home, which rooms, and so on. Especially where to put all my crafty things, and hopefully in the near future I can start crafting again. 

I will be so comfortable to be crafting again, painting, cutting, and doing some thrifting for pieces to work with, and looking for some vintage collectibles too. The Pandemic put such a hold on things. It’s great things opening up again, and to be able to work towards some normality of things also. I’ve missed doing a lot of things, and am really anxious to get busy with things again. Course, anxious for the house, and adding some touches in there as well. Next spring hopefully we start with some minor adjustments we want on the house too. Extending a room making a 4th bedroom, and adding another bathroom to the house too. Some remodeling, and updating has been done already. Simple things we like, and anxious to add a little more. Putting a tin roof on is also on the list. Dog should be happy there with the fenced in back yard too.

Well everyone I don’t want to bore you with my repeating, and rambling with my excitement of events. Cross the fingers, and wish us luck the next time you hear from me that we are moving. Thanks for stopping by, and visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care, be safe, and see you again soon. Toodles . . . 

Handmade Homemade Hand Altered Buying Online and Local

 

Handmade Homemade Hand Altered Buying Online and Local with LilacsNDreams. Welcome to everyone visiting!

Special reminder that buying products this way is better for everyone, creators and buyers. 

Handmade is considered made, or prepared by hand rather than by machine. It is made by hand, a hand process, and made by people using their hands. Individual pieces, or materials that compromise a finished item. Paint, wire, and pieces combined that create a final item. 

Hand Altered is glued, nailed, screwed, sewn, stapled, embroidered, inscribed, painted, drawn, photographed, etc. Any alteration, or embellishment to an item by hand, hand controlled machine, and traditional art or craft method. Hand Altered can also be referred to as hand embellished, or hand assembled too. 

Homemade can be referred to pieces that are repurposed, upcycled, restyled, reimagined, etc. Made or prepared in the home, made by oneself, crudely or simply made. Creative touches, quality supplies, ingredients, and so on. 

So, why pieces like this? Many reasons which I will mention a few.

1)  Find something unique. Home decor, clothing, wall decor, and many things will not be exactly what someone else has. You can keep up with the trends  by fixing, adding, changing, fixing it up. Makes it unique for you.

2)  Super Craftsmanship. Handmade items get individual care, special attention, focus on details, quality control, etc. There are no assembly lines with unskilled workers. 

3)  Putting money into good hands. When you pay an artist, or craftsman for their work they are actually getting the profit from it. You are not paying a CEO of a major company, their overhead, and so on. You can also improve the economy, and make a difference by shopping this way with Handmade, Homemade, and Hand Altered.

4)  Better Customer Service. I like to think that buying this way you get individual attention from the seller. When receiving products you might have a hand written note, a thank you, and once in a while you might get some little freebie included with your item. If you have a problem with some kind of mix up, lost or damaged in shipping, maybe item received was faulty, it is almost always taken care of effectively. These sort of issues though happen less frequently due to the care, and the concern Sellers strive for in having Happy Customers. 

5)  Go Green. Smaller scale operations will produce less waste, use recycled materials, found objects, industrial salvage pieces, etc. items that could have gone to the landfills, but with these technique of Sellers they are spared and used.

6)  Get custom items and alterations. Great to have things made just for you. It’s a pleasure to receive one of a kind items, and maybe to help complete a vision you might have of something not yet out there. Also, if you don’t have the skill or time to make it yourself, there is someone out there who does. 

7)  Make somebody’s dream come true. Many of us dream about quitting the day job, becoming your own boss, and doing what you love to do everyday. Whether it is for you, or helping someone else with this, it is very inspiring. 

                              “Do What You Love, and the World Will Follow”

As mentioned before there are many categories that fall into these topics mentioned. Jewelry, clothing, accessories, home decor, housewares, vintage, used, soaps, lotions, bath products, etc. they all have something in common. Start from scratch, connect things, or pieces making something for you. 

There are many wonderful sellers out there doing all kinds of work. They take much pride in what they do, and like many others work very hard at what they do to make their items to be offered to you. When shopping please don’t forget about them. I would suggest if you have not already bought something like this . . . Give it a try. You will be very surprised at what you get, and will want more. It’s addictive! 

The picture below was made by a friend who is no longer here. She took much pride in her work, and spent much time with it. This bunny was made from colored glass beads using safety pins to form the body. Under the body was a light, and when lit was so soft colored and cute!

Thank You for visiting with LilacsNDreams. See you again soon. Till then take care, and be safe!

Toodles . . . . . . 

Vintage Collectibles Repurpose Refresh Upcycle Handmade DIY Crafting

 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I’m a little excited, and motivated right now. So, that is the reason for another posting here this week. 

At the top of this page under my banner you will see other tabs that you can click, and it takes you to another page that is associated with this main page of my blog. One of those pages I have hung onto is something I am slowly working on. Trying to anyway. It is a page I wish to use for the items I will be offering for sale. I am in the process of changing from using LilacsNDreams Shoppe to LilacsNDreams Shop. Shortening it a little bit, and a little more memorable too. 

Things are so crazy with EBay, their payment system there, how they do things, the rules they have, and for me it just isn’t fun selling there anymore like it use to be in it’s earlier days. 

I like Etsy, but they have been doing some changes themselves, and I do not like these more recent changes. For one thing the fees are terrible!! Not only do you pay the percent with them, but they charge you a percent if the sale you got resolved from an advertisement. When you put the numbers together you end up paying around like 12% - 15% roughly. For some items sold there you hardly make any kind of profit. I was fortunate since my sales were not much there I was able to opt out of the offsite ads, but some were not able to. They have no choice if they want to sell there, they pay the fees like that. Even more upsetting is in the spring Google went from paid selling, to a free selling. If you do things correctly you have chances of being placed within Google Searches yourself. Something Etsy talks about, and is included with fees. So, why charge sellers for Google when they have made the changes. Etsy fees stayed the same with No changes. Sad. 

So, this is where my LilacsNDreams Shop page is being worked on to use more for me selling things I have to offer. I intend to do some selling with Facebook Marketplace as well since I will be offering shipping with things there too. Doing things this way, using these places for selling I should be able to offer just a little bit better price on items since I won’t have all the fees to consider when doing those wonderful numbers. 

I will still use USPS for shipping, but getting the little bit cheaper shipping price using Pirate Ship. Invoices/Payments will be done using PayPal. I have used them for years with no issues. Trying to do everything as cost efficient as possible. If I would ever do enough sales to justify I am an online seller than I could move onto having my own website, use shopping carts there, and have it feel more like an online shop. Till then I am doing the best that I can.

So, that’s the news I wanted to share with everyone. Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend too. Take care, and be safe everyone! Toodles . . . . .

Vintage Wood Letter Blocks Repurposed Crafted Quilt Word

Vintage Wood Letter Blocks Repurposed Crafted Quilt Word

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I have had a productive busy kind of week. I was able to list a couple of other items with my shop at Etsy. Hubby was in last minute so I did some quick errands with that. I had a sale come through on Friday for me at Etsy in which I got that prepared, and shipped right away. I also was able to get a little crafting time in too! That was enjoyable, and I'm anxious to do more too!

A while back I had found a really small plastic container with a just few old wooden letter blocks in it. I'm not lucky enough to see this often when I am thrifting so naturally I snactched them up right away. Unfortunately, they had been pushed to the side with other craft projects when our son was home on leave for a couple of weeks. Well, during this past week I brought them out, played around with them a bit, course I started to get an idea and went thrifting through some of my own stash of this, that, and what not items. Got the glue out, and I got things put together with my little creative crafting. That is one thing I like about crafting. I always have a general idea of how I want to do things, but somewhere along the way I alter a little bit here, and a little bit there. Or, while I am sitting and waiting on glue to set, and dry my eyes will look around, and create things along the way that I can use with the project at hand. I enjoyed making this project with the letter wood blocks, and ordered more wood letter blocks because I have another idea for something I would like to create. 

With the left top picture it shows the items I set out to work with. With the top right picture it shows the wood letter blocks that I put together before gluing them. The picture below this shows one of those moments I had while I was waiting on glue to dry with the blocks. A little silver bead sat looking at me with one hole in it. The straight pins I wanted to use somewhere with the blocks was set into that hole. Reminded me of a little mini pin cushion. So, I dropped some glue drops on that right away before it got away from me.

The 2 pictures you are seeing below is the completed project that I did. I put wood blocks together spelling QUILT, and then I added different little embellishments to the top of the attached blocks to dress it within the quilting theme. 

I had fun doing this. Things sort of fell into place for me when I got started. I enjoyed it, and got excited with it that I was sharing pictures right away with a friend of mine showing what I was doing. She asked if I was going to do more, if I was keeping this, or will I put it in my Etsy Shop. I did spend time today searching for more wooden blocks at a reasonable price that I can craft with. I found some that will work for the next project. Unfortunately, I checked in on my order and found that the seller is on vacation. I will have to wait a full week before shipment will be done for my purchase. 

Oh, well, I know what to do when those do get here. Guess I'll just have to find another craft to work with, huh? LOL! I have some things sitting here that can be worked on, and shouldn't take me long either. Also, I have some Anchor Hocking Blue Glass Bubble Plates I need to find. They are some where in this room. I seen them when I was organizing things. Now...I can't remember where I put them. Be nice to find those, and get them listed in my shop too.

This has been a pleasure sharing these thoughts, and ideas of crafting with you. I hope you have enjoyed this, and maybe it has helped you with some of your own ideas too. 

Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams! Come back any time!

  

Blog Blogging Website Web Presence Venues For Free

Blog Blogging Website Web Presence Venues For Free 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Quite a while back I had read about someone making the comment about their brick & mortar store. They had moved from 1 state to another. I'm not seeing the business name in my notes, but she was from California, and had moved to Ohio I believe. Anyway, she had made a comment about wanting to show that using free spaces on the internet...for instance your blog, website, facebook, etc...how it could be done, and that you would profit from it too. Her ideas she shared was that you could do this free with no/low cost, and that it could be done with results. 

So, I decided to implement some of the ideas of what she had suggested. I can say as of right now the one cost that I do have, and have kept is having my domains that I have for my Blog, another Blog, and Blog page that I have chosen. It makes the web addresses easier to remember, and of course shortens them for use too. I started with my .com which I have LilacsNDreams.com that lands you directly on this page to my Blog. I have LilacsNDreamsShoppe.com which lands you on a page with my Blog that I use mostly for showing things that I offer for sale. I note that you can contact Me for purchases and invoicing through Paypal, I share links for items if you wish to purchase through my Etsy Shop, and I will also share items of others who sell with links back to their items for purchase. Another place I haven't worked with for quite some time is another Blog I had started, and I do have my LilacsNDreams.net domain directed to that as well. 

Then, I decided to work more with Social Media too. That's something that is always mentioned to help all of us being seen, found, advertising our business, etc. Now I found if you can follow charts/analysis with these different places you are able to see what you benefit with, what is helping you, where your traffic is coming from, etc. I have played around with Google a little bit. I have a Google website that has been ignored for a long time. Recently I have doodled a little bit with business.google.com which gives you a minor free website. You can share a little bit about your business there, it helps with locating you in google maps and searches, and you can also share some posts there as well. Here is where I shared 2 items I have listed for sale, I can be contacted through email, or to visit my Etsy Shop to see more pictures and more descriptions of items, and to purchase there as well. Just the other day I looked closer at charts that Etsy shares for the sellers to view their traffic, where it comes from, their views, and etc. It was quite interesting, and helpful too. 

From some of the charts I seen with a few places where my traffic comes from. It's nice to see that my Blog helps with some of my traffic. I can also see that traffic comes from Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.  Once in a while I will see some things coming from LinkedIn as well. What's great is that all of these places mentioned are free for everyone to use. No, I do not sit with all of them all the time. I don't do it morning, day, and night. Facebook I will visit, make a comment with others, and I share things there I have been working on with some links. Pinterest has been known for being good in helping with your traffic too. Not just pinning items of yours, but also of others who have the same interests as they come around and pin on your boards too. Twitter I have set up where my postings on Facebook, and my Blog will go there. When you can do something like this it's a big help in completing tasks that you have for the day. 

With some of these free sites we use to help us we can also get notices sent to our phones, emailed to us, etc. I didn't like the idea, sometimes it still bothers me, but I have found it to be helpful when you do sales online. It's business,right?

I am no professional, and I enjoy sharing with you things I have learned along the way, things I have read by others, what maybe works for me can possibly work for you, etc. I hope this was understandable, and you were able to follow some of the ideas I have shared here today. If you have any questions contact Me. If you have anything to share Please feel free to do so with the comments/talk that you can do below my posts. 

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! I enjoy the visits, the contacts made, and comments that are made too. Take care till the next time everyone. 

Blog Blogger Blogging For Business Pleasure or Both

Blog Blogger Blogging For Business Pleasure or Both

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Blog Blogger Blogging is an interesting subject I would like to look at, and discuss with everyone. Is this something we do for Business, Pleasure, or maybe both? So, question is Why Blog? Should we blog, does blogging work for our purpose we chose, does it work for business? 

There are many reasons for why we have chosen to Blog. This is a great way to express our experiences with different subjects. Some of the subjects I have chosen over time have been about vintage collectibles, repurposed or upcycled items, junking, restoring, crafting, handmade, business, just to share ideas and thoughts, and so on. Some may use blogs as a diary, a journal, and there are some who do it for money as well. The list could go on for Blogging. 

When you do an engine search say with google you will see web pages, not just websites that could show for what you are looking for. Every time you post a new Blog post it is a new page that gets noted, and could show in searches. Doing these particular pages could help you do well within ranking for searches. There are some websites that do have their Blog with it too. I have chosen to make my Blog my website, and have my domain as LilacsNDreams.com Google likes content, and Blogs give a new page all the time with your postings done. Think of it as a Blog post = web page and web page = a search opportunity. 

Blogs can describe things in depth. It also is a tool that lets you get new content out continuously, or as often as you choose to post content. Blogging can be used as a hobby, or for some of us Blogging has become a part of our business venture. Blogging has grown over time. Many have realized that it  is not just for a professional writer, or maybe for the marketers with a product/service they have to sell. It is also suitable for anyone who has some stories, or ideas to share too. 

If you made it with me this far....Thank You! I will be covering a few things, and please note that this post could become a little lengthy too. 

3 Things you will need for the Business Blogging:

*  Use The Right Platform
There are many platforms to choose from. Everyone will have their own preference to what they will use. Many use Blogger because it has been known to be easier to work with, and of course is good with Google Searches too. Quite a few will also use Wordpress as well. Using Wordpress you get more plug-ins to work with on your pages. I use wordpress myself as a Blog page, and I also have another of my domains directed to it. IF you visit there I want to warn you that it also is way behind, and a working progress for me. Now, if you have not decided on a Blog platform do a little bit of a search, see what others have to say, look at some reviews, and most of all find what will work for you. Something that you will feel comfortable with, and willing to work with. 

*  Own Your Own Domain
You would like to be able to Blog from your own property. IF you would decide to move to another platform this would allow you to retain all of your inbound links that you have gathered. I have seen it suggested to use your .com for Blogging. I have chosen to use my .com for her as I consider this like a website for me. I use my .net for Wordpress which I treat as my blog. I also use Go Daddy for my domains. I have had no issues with a redirect for my domains, and it has been easy to direct my domains where I want them too. 

*  Be Committed With Your Blogging
Keep in mind it takes time to get seen, heard, and to have followers. It will take a little time to get comfortable with topics you would like to discus, and share with everyone. You need to find what works for you. Put some of your own character into it so that people can get a feel of who you are. This is how they will get to know you, maybe share your links with others, some will become your friends, and some may even become customers if you have something you are selling. 

I have seen noted that on an average you should try to blog about 2-3 times a week. I know...where do you find the time to do this, and everything else right? We all will go through this, and we will all find our way that fits for us too. I still do Facebook, I'm working on my Pinterest, instagram is another working process for me, my Twitter is still active from my facebook postings I do, and I'll dabble a little with different groups or social medias. I try to spread my time out. I don't Blog as much as suggested. I do mine once a week right now. 

I like Blogging, I enjoy it, and I like researching a little for the next topic I will share with you. Whether it is for business, something I learned, a little about me, or something I enjoy doing I always feel that a little bit of something shared with you is better than not doing anything. Once in a while you might see me drop you a note, or announcement in between postings too. 

It has been suggested that you should start your post with your post title. Have keywords in the title, and know that the search engines give a little bit more weight with the first 3 - 4 words. Use keyword phrases through the body of the post. 

Use links to appropriate pages in your Blog. Link name to the page on a site where you can buy the item from, link to sharing on pinterest, share your links on facebook twitter and instagram too. You can link your keywords too. For instance use the word vintage with a sentence, but note that you also like to repurpose treasures, and adore upcycling too. I have directed these words that are clickable to either my Etsy Shop, or to my LilacsNDreams Shoppe page that I have with my Blog/Website. 

Do not over do it with the linking. I cannot find a set limit to watch for, but I do know that if you overload with all of it Google will also see it as bad. If they happen to see it as bad you will not make it out to searches, or will be really really far out in searches. You should also work on inbound links. Those are links that come from other web pages to your blog post. Preferably it is from other web pages that deal with some of the same things as you do. This will have more weight with your searches too. I like to use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn by leaving my domain links in those places that will direct people to here. 

There are many things out there that you can choose if you wish to Blog. Do it for fun, to help you, and maybe for business purposes too. You'll see many suggestions, and offers of how to make money Blogging too. Please, check into everything carefully. Let it be fun, enjoyable, and maybe profitable for you as well. 

All of this has been shared to you by skimming research, and some of it comes from things I have also learned too. So, in conclusion to help with your Blogging rankings and searches you should *perform a keyword analysis to know the keywords that drive traffic to you. *Put keywords in your titles, content, and through out your Blog post. Remember do not overload on keywords either. *Create content that will encourage people to link to you, your Blog, and they want to share your Blog with others.

Whew! I better sign off for now. Sorry for the mini book, but I hope it helps those who are going back and forth about Blogging. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care, and see you the next time.

Repurposing Reusing Upcycling Restyling What You Already Have

Repurposing Reusing Upcycling Restyling What You Already Have

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Today I was thinking about repurposing, reusing, upcycling, restyling, and wondering about how many items have had this done in our homes, and how many times it's been done too. Many of us will have projects in our home that we did ourselves, or we might have gotten things while we were doing our thrifting, searches, treasure hunting. 

I LOVE to repurpose, and rescue things myself. I have a habit of hanging onto things because I might need it later, something will come to mind to redo it, and etc. It's always more fun to rescue precious treasures, and give them a new life. Sometimes it might be a little paint, some varnish, maybe marrying one piece to another making something unique, and just being creative. 

I have found it to be more cost effective when you use what you already have, maybe thrifting for items to reuse for your home, repurposing for resale, etc. What I like about repurposing pieces that I already have is that they have their own character, patina, details, and so on. Newer pieces will not have some of these characteristics that we enjoy, or cherish. Keep in mind that some of the older pieces were sometimes better made than the new things that are being produced today. 

So, before you plan on buying something new, have a look around. Carefully look for pieces that you could reinvent. Some items might need just a little updating of maybe some new materials, gluing together, fresh paint touch up, new hardware, and so on. Remember to just have fun reimagining your treasures in a new way. 

Few ideas would be maybe that old tv armoire you were thinking of getting rid of. Why not convert it into a microwave cart, maybe some sort of a kitchen pantry for you, and some kind of a kitchenette play thing for your children...for a daycare would be really neat too! Don't get rid of your dining room table. Instead cut the legs down on it to make a coffee table. You could also update the table by putting a new top on it by adding some boards, and then painting or varnishing everything. Dressers is another thing that many of us decide to give away, or discard. Instead you could think of converting this too. Maybe use it to make a bathroom vanity, cut some of the drawers out making it a bench with storage under it. Another simple task would be to reuse a shower curtain. It's water resistant for use in the shower. So, why not cut it down to use for some of your outdoor furniture as covers, using on top of tables and benches, etc. 

Please keep in mind that I am not telling you that you need to go out, and do exactly what I am suggesting here. I was only thinking that instead of throwing things out, and before buying something new...that maybe you could consider some of these suggestions to repurpose, and reuse your treasures. Nearly everything has some sort of a second life by using our creative thinking to form some constructive ideas. Seeing beyond what it is, to what it can be can be so much fun! Also, it can save a few pennies for us too!

Hopefully this helped you along a little bit with some ideas, and getting into the creative mood with repurposing reusing what we already have. At my Etsy shop I have been listing some fun vintage items with some jewelry too. Soon I hope to have some creative pieces done that I can offer for sale. I will keep you posted. Small delay with that as our son who is in the service will be home for a couple of weeks. So, all of our time will be spent with him while he's here. 

Thanks so much for spending some time with LilacsNDreams! Hope to see you again soon. Take care everyone. 

Christmas Homemade DIY Repurposed Candy Holder Dish

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Christmas Homemade DIY Repurposed Candy Holder Dish. If I haven't mentioned it to you before I really enjoy spending time with crafting, homemade, DIY, repurposing, and all of that fun stuff! I like creating projects that I can sell, but right now I have been enjoying making things for the holidays with our home. Along with the fixer upper on our home I am enjoying time with making things for the holidays for Christmas! Come follow along with me while I share what I have done for y'all to view this week.

Again I was at the Dollar Tree store, and I had something in mind I was hoping to put together with a project. I don't have a quick access to craft stores like Hobby Lobby, and Michaels...unless I want to drive for it. So, for some things instead of ordering online, or traveling I have chosen to create them. It has been an issue to find a snowman hat, and the size that I need it for too. I figured it was time to create one myself. I was walking around the store, looking at things, and thinking, thinking a little more, and thinking about the snowman hat again. What could I possibly do to make this item, and to fit the bowl I needed it to be on. 

Taking my time, walking around the store, a few things coming to mind that maybe could work, and then there it was! Someone had dismissed a pen/pencil holder by placing it on the shelf where it didn't belong. I seen the holder, and started thinking could I possibly make this work? I grabbed the holder, and went over to their supply section looking for some sort of crafting paper that I could use. There it was a black piece of poster board, and under a dollar too! So with these 2 items, and along with a few other things I needed for other projects I went through check out, and headed home. Once I got home I placed the holder on the bowl I was going to use to make a snowman head. I pictured the black poster board around it, the rim I would make, and etc. Stared at it for a little bit, and it wasn't feeling right. Oh darn! Now what? So, I left it sitting there, and walked away from it for a few days. I would look at it in passing, and was hoping to be inspired with another idea of what to do. 

Needless to say it took a little bit, but I did come to an agreement of what to do with the pieces I wanted to make a snowman hat. I did get it all put together making the hat I was wanting. I did it simply, left the top of the hat open, added just a few embellishments on it, and the snowman hat is now a candy cane holder! I'm excited for our grand daughter to come visit, and see this on the table with different candy canes in it. Now she won't have to pull the tree apart getting the canes off of it. 

This picture is showing the pen/pencil holder along with the piece of black poster board I had gotten. You should be able to see that I did cut a corner of it to start the process of making this hat I want.

Here you can see that I did get this completed, and have added a box of candy canes...I know I will have to get more for this too. I wrapped around the holder, and I made a big circle to attach to the bottom of this hat. Once all of the board was cut, and glued I added a red ribbon around the bottom hat. I added a plane white ribbon making a bow. I added a couple of red ball berries, and a few florescent white balls on either side of the white bow. I also added just a few white snowflakes along the rim, and the hat. 

Another picture pretty much showing some of the same things that I explained above.This was a fun little DIY project with repurposing the holder that I used. 

Isn't Christmas crafting fun?! Something that will have a little more of a meaning to it because it was made by me. 

Thanks so much for spending time with me at LilacsNDreams! Enjoyed having you. Stop on by anytime, drop me a line, leave a comment, etc. Have a super week everyone! See y'all later. 

Identify Customers With Target Marketing

Identify Customers With Some Target Marketing

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Today is a little bit about identifying your customers with target marketing. As sellers you provide customers with a special feeling that items made from passion can produce, and treasures found that they have been looking for. Targeted Marketing simply means finding those customers who desire your work, and what you have to offer. 

It is time for you to share with everyone what it is you have to offer. It's time that you introduce yourself to people so that you may find some of those paying customers for your business. Replace some of that old fashioned marketing with that warm, and inviting smile with today's socially acceptable advertising. Permission marketing (customers sign up, request more, voluntarily follow you) is some of what is happening in today's marketing. Keeping customers up to date, and informing them about your work can help make them into paying customers. 

When you add value to the world, the world will value what you offer. The question is how to find those that value what you have to offer. Many look for fans, followers, likes, and favorites. The bottom line is that your audience will compose of those who become your paying customers. Your audience will be composed of people who "get you" and they truly want what you have to offer. 

You will have to find these people by identifying them. Are they male, or female. What is their age. Are they single, or maybe married. From which genre do they do most of their shopping. Are they a crafter, artist, collector, etc. Are they maybe a blog reader, or not. How will your products of handmade, or collectibles make them feel. Many many questions to keep in mind as you approach your marketing for your business. 

You can generate a list of where these people hang out at by identifying them. This in turn will help you to identify your niche market. These people will pretty much be doing the same in that niche market. Give it a little time, and let the answers be put onto paper. You might be amazed at the ideas that you will come up with. 

Remember to visit Lisa at Market Your Creativity as she shares these things into a little more depth of what I am sharing from there to here.

Thanks so much for sharing some time at LilacsNDreams. Until the next time I wish you all well, and have a wonderful day. See you again soon! Toodles . . . . . 

Cute DIY Snowmen Made From Mittens

Cute DIY Snowmen Made From Mittens

Cute craft idea to make snowmen with! I know that socks are used, have been used, but using a mitten is such an adorable way to make these snowmen.  I love how there even appears to be an arm with this snowman to hold whatever you desire to put there.

How many times have you lost a mitten, your child has lost a mitten, and there you have only one mitten. Generally when this happens many of us will throw them away as they do us no good. Now, if you happen to find a single mitten, or lose one make sure to hang onto them now. Such a cute creative handmade item to make with them.  

This idea was first found with Croissant and Lavender. Stop by there to see what little goodies they are showing with using a mitten, and adding some other characteristics with it too. Just adorable. Careful, you might finding yourself oohing and awing over these little snowmen.

It's Wednesday, and we have a week left for Christmas. It never hurts to add a few more crafty little things to make with everything else you have done. I know I am still doing some small things, or at least working on some things yet. I should get them completed though so that I can again, one more time, clear out my dining room from working in there. LOL:)

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and I hope these little snowmen have helped you with some of your creative juices. Hope to see ya'll again soon. Take care, and Happy Crafting everyone!