Christian Bracelets - Wire Wrapping - Unbreakable Pattern

What makes these bracelets different?

One of the suggestions that I've read from my Etsy handbook is to explain why a customer should buy my product.  So today, I'm going to give you a few reasons why I personally think you should buy Christian bracelets from: Let Our Light Shine, my Etsy store.  

Here are a list of reasons why I think items from my store, today talking about bracelets, are a great item to buy.  These reasons are in no particular order.

1. Each bracelet (and every other item) is handmade in my home individually and is uniquely different.  When I say handmade, it means that each turn of the wire was made by me.  I have seen where people purchase rosary wire wrapping on large spools.  Someone could claim that they made the item by cutting from the spool and attaching a clasp and a charm, this is not the case with my bracelets.  I purchase wire which has wonderful reviews and carefully make each portion of the bracelet; each little tiny section by hand. I also try to buy wire that is affordable.  At this time, the six different types of wire that I use in my store are:  Silver over Copper, Brass over Copper, Bronze over Copper, Nickel Silver, Raw Copper and Stainless Steel.  I also will be adding 100% Brass in the near future.
   

   
2. The second reason is because I carefully select the beads, making sure they are excellent quality.  Many of my bracelets are made using Swarovski crystals, both vintage and new.  If they are new, I have purchased them from a certified Swarovski dealer so that I know they are not copies. If they are vintage, I use a specific checklist (an example: each facet is cut with extreme precision and never has bubbles or flaws, as well as, listed qualities that only a vintage Swarovski crystal will possess.  If you would like to read about this further, I discuss it in an earlier blog post: Vintage and New Swarovski Crystal Beads . I also use Czech beads, old and new, which I purchase new from an authorized dealer.  I do also have a few vintage Czech beads which are easily recognizable and I have had them in my collection for over 20 years.  
   

   

   https://www.etsy.com/listing/554205844/handmade-swarovski-crystal-womens?ref=shop_home_feat_4

   This would be an example of using Czech Vintage beads (large purple) with new Swarovski beads. 
3. The next reason that I believe my store items are extra special is because I tell you in the description every detail about the item.  For example if I am using Nickel Silver, I explain that along with the gauge of wire.  If I am using Silver over Copper, I also give you those details.  It's very important to know exactly what you are buying.  There are no surprises. 
4. I spend lots of time giving you multiple photos of the bracelet or store item.  I take the photos from all angles.  If you have a question about anything you see in one of my photos, please send me a message.  I'll be happy to get back with you quickly with an answer.
5. I use split rings, rather than jump rings.  It is a personal preference.  I like the fact that the ring has several rows so that they do not pull apart without great strain on the ring. They are a similar design as key rings. If you look closely at all of the photos, you will see split rings on every item.
6. One of the most important reasons is that I do not over price.  Some companies raise the price of their items so that they can do a storewide sale.  This is similar to grocery stores who have a high price on something so they can offer a two for one sale.  I can honestly tell you that I add up all of the costs of my items and add a little for my labor, which changes by item due to how long it takes me to make it, from several hours to several days. For this reason, unless I am clearing out a section of older items in the future, I do not often have sales.  I feel the sale price is how they are currently priced.  It would probably cost me more to replace them than I charge in many instances, particularly the vintage items. 
7. Most important: Every item is made with love and prayer.  It is my prayer that you find something in the store that is beautiful, strong, symbol of faith, and shares your faith.  There are a few items that are not marked with Christian charms, etc. but the majority are made with  a symbol of our faith.  In these times, sharing our love of God is keeping our light shining and not hid under a bushel as the old song states. Each item, because of the quality and workmanship, are made to last a lifetime, a gift that someone will treasure now and also when they get old and eventually will want to pass along to someone special. 

I hope these things have given you a few reasons to take a look at my Christian Etsy store.  The section for the bracelets is: Let Out Light Shine: Bracelets

God Bless!  Jen

Five Decade Rosary - Light Blue

Happy Palm Sunday, everyone!

I'm photographing my Etsy store items in natural light.  It is a long labor of love.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/455287730/rosary-handmade-catholic-gifts?ref=shop_home_active_5

#102

Let Our Light Shine Rosaries - Photographed in natural light

Rosary - Handmade - Catholic Gifts - One Decade - Vintage Hematite - Vintage Swarovski Crystal Bead -  Holy Communion - Eucharist Chalice

https://www.etsy.com/listing/458778336/rosary-handmade-catholic-gifts-one

#113

Rosary - Handmade - Catholic Gifts - Chaplet of The Divine Mercy- Vintage Swarovski Crystal - Czech Red Beads - Fatima Center 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/472021775/rosary-handmade-catholic-gifts-chaplet

#112

Etsy vs. Pattern

Today, I made the choice to uninstall my Pattern site on Etsy.  I was still in the free for thirty days timeline and the whole reason I added the Pattern site was because I wanted to draw more viewers to my eStore.  Some may say that I didn't give it enough time but after a bit of research, in my opinion, Pattern is just a fancy template of the same page for $15 dollars extra a month.  

Having bought domain names and purchased and published websites, my goal was to be able to add meta tags into my site so that Google and other search engines would find me.  However, when adding Pattern to your eStore, you are still not in control.  So, for me, Pattern is a great format to look at, but it did not bring any new traffic to my store in the weeks I used it.  

My domain name, which is LetOurLightShine.us will be directed to this blog and from there, customers may choose to go into Etsy and purchase an item they have found.  

I'm learning as I go and right now, I don't pay for any advertising because I am spending all of my time building my inventory of items. I still feel like I have creative designs in my head to add before paying for advertising. In the meantime, I am sharing new items on my social media sites.

The problem for new store owners at Etsy, due to the HUGE number of sellers on the site, is to be FOUND! At this time, I want to spend all of my money on materials and enjoy the design process.  I don't want to sell anything mass produced.  Each item is unique in its own way and when someone buys something from me, they have confidence that it was handmade in my studio and not mass produced and thereby loosing it's uniqueness.  

Someday, I hope to be able to share how my eStore was found.  In the meantime, it's off to more creative wire wrapping.  

Have a wonderful day!
God Bless, 
Jen

Prayer in Troubled Times & A New Item in my Etsy Store

Tomorrow is the 15th anniversary of 9/11.  You can't help but think about how lives were changed in moments, never to be the same again.  My heart breaks as I listen to the stories from that day in 2001 and know the heartache that will never go away for so many families and loved ones.

Yesterday, I watched a red-tailed hawk swoop down into my back yard and pick up a beautiful dove that I had been feeding at my bird feeders for weeks.  It was enjoying the sun and picking up fallen seeds. It's life was gone in an instant.  I was not happy to have witnessed this part of nature, but felt like I witnessed it for a reason. When I think about tragedy or loss of life, all life, I am again sure of how important prayer is in our daily lives.  

Last night, I looked for an app to begin a prayer journal.  There were all kinds of apps for prayer journals... one that you could share your prayer requests all over the world.  Others, like the one I chose, was to create a list of prayers that you alone would monitor and remember to pray for each day.  I like the fact that you can list your prayer requests and at times be able to see how your prayers were answered.  I know that won't always be the case but sometimes it will be possible.  Most of the time, I pray for ongoing requests that include health and safety for all of those that I love. There have been occasions where I have prayed in life threatening situations and the person made it through to continue their life. He doesn't always answer as we choose but I believe He always hears us and knows the desires of our heart.  

On a lighter note, in a few days, I'm going to share a new item in my Etsy store.  I look forward to sharing these newly designed items with you.