Failed Purchases Got You Discouraged From Shopping Online?

 Once again you took a chance on buying an item you saw online from an unknown store and you found you were greatly disappointed with what you received! Many people have had this unwanted experience. 

With online shopping now being available world wide it is likely that people will run into more challenges finding reputable shops and sites that offer quality apparel and products. 

There are certainly fake store fronts and shops offering low budget items. They showcase great looking products online but send you lesser quality items that are poorly made. This can definitely be discouraging and a waste of time and money.

This happened to me once when I ordered from a store I was less familiar with. I purchased a gift for a friend that I had high hopes for and it turned out to be made of very cheap plastic, needless to say I wasn't very impressed and sent it back, though I had to pay return shipping.  I was disappointed and it was a big inconvenience.

On that note I want to let you know that Zazzle is a legit E-retailer offering an online platform where people can create or customize products for gifts or to sell.  This company started in 1999 and launched their website in 2005.  I opened my shop Designs by Shell on Zazzle at the end of 2009.   

Zazzle uses cutting edge technology for easy use of designing clothing, paper products, gift items and much more. They have millions of designers, over 150 product makers and millions of customers from around the world. 

Zazzle works with many name brands from Disney to Marvel and several more. If Zazzle wasn't a legitimate company they would not be able to sell so many well known brands as they need permission to do so.  

Shopping at Zazzle one can expect competitive pricing on products and services that they offer.  Zazzle offers quality products and top notch printing.  This is a company that you should feel confident purchasing from. Should an issue arise the company attempts to resolve it in a timely manner. 

I've purchased calendars, cards, mugs and various other items over the years and have been very pleased with the quality of printing and the items themselves. 

I'm working to add new designs at Designs by Shell on a regular basis and would be pleased to have you drop by. You never know what you might find perhaps a gift for someone or something for yourself.  Hope you enjoy the shop! 

Custom back packs, various styles to choose from.

Aprons, bright colors and fun patterns.

Sometimes You Need a Little Change

 Lately I've been working on new designs for my shop.  I've been learning how to create unique designs using fractals, patterns and layering. It really is amazing the dimensional and creative images that can be made.  I thought it was time to change up my style of work to round out what I can offer in my store.  I will still do whimsical design but also incorporate a lot more pattern, geometrical design and color into my work.  I've been having a lot of fun playing with new concepts. I hope you like the one's I'm sharing here! 

Red and White 

Pattern Throw Pillows

Pattern Aprons

Visit my shop for to see many more items and pattern designs. Enjoy! 

Gift Wrap or Gift Bags

Here we are nearing the end of November.  How's your Christmas list of things to do coming along? Are you getting things done?  It seems this year so many people around us have started decorating extra early this year.  I'm not quite there yet!  I have prepped a couple of decor pieces and chosen my color theme for the banister and the Christmas tree but that's as far as I've taken it.  I hope to get into it all this weekend and have the tree up and decorated on Dec. 1st as that is my traditional day to get everything done.  

So my question for you is if you are the one that does the shopping and the gift wrapping for your family and friends what is your preferred method of wrapping up your presents?  Do you like to keep it clean and simple by using Christmas gift bags or do you like the thought and creation of using traditional wrapping papers? I'm sure you have a preference!  

For my family I've been spending more time wrapping the packages with gift wrap the last couple of years. I will still use a few gift bags just to mix it up a little but somehow everyone likes the fun of ripping off the paper and perhaps it seems slightly more festive and takes a little longer than just pulling something out of a bag. The wrapped presents can be decorated with gift toppers or fun tags to embellish them too! 

December is always a busy month with a variety of activities and festive events to take in.  I hope you make time for some of those experiences and share them with your family as well! Time goes so fast... enjoy the moments as you make memories! Blessings to all! A big thank you to you all who have been reading and following my blog for a number of years.  You know who you are.... 

                                         Designs by Shell

Learn How To Promote With YouTube

Whether you are just starting out on Youtube or have been using it for awhile, I'm sure you had to learn how to promote your videos and market yourself.  I am currently on a journey to learn how to do this successfully and efficiently.  I've been reading lots of informative blogs and listening to many Youtubes to find the best ways to do this. 

So here's a list of things that I have found necessary to help grow your Youtube channel. 

1) Customize your channel. Make it your own. Include some information about yourself or your business and add a profile picture. People like to connect with real people, it's much less personal if you use a generic image. 

2) Choose good keywords for your videos.  Do your research.

3) Add your business url to your videos.  Draw people in. 

4) Use many different calls to action. You want people to interact with you so in this day and age you must ask them and sometimes in several varied ways.  

Please rate this video.  Thumbs up if you like it! Leave me a comment. Subscribe to my video. Please share it with your friends.
Follow me on social media. Check out my channel.

5) Soft Sell. Market gently.

6) Visit similar themed videos to yours and leave a comment. 

7) Create a playlist.  This is something I"ve yet to try but sounds interesting.  
How it works:
Add your video to a new playlist
Add good videos on the same topic from other people
Choose a great searchable name for the playlist 

8) You made your videos, now you have to promote them. Use your social media sites to share. Embed a clip on your blog, like I've done. Email your videos to friends or a contact list. Ask them to share.  

I hope these tips will help you as you either begin or continue your Youtube journey!  

Thanks for visiting my channel, subscribing and liking. Let me know if I can do the same for you!