In a Gifty Mood

Just a quick reminder: Some of our CCCOE teammates are having sales for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Make sure to check them out.

This month, this isn't so much a gift guide as it is a collection of things that you might consider gifting to a friend or family member. (Well, that's as good a "theme" as any, right?)

For some reason, I'm drawn to textiles, and here are a couple scarves that would go perfectly under the tree.

Large Multi Color Handwoven Scarf by michaelawhitney

Ruffled Cotton Flannel Scarf by Preston Court

If you're looking for some seasonal jewelry for you or for a gift, here are a few earrings that exemplify the season.

Dangle Chain Bell Earrings by Theresa's Jewelry Studio

Upcycled Large Bike Tube and Polymer Clay black Flower Jewelry Earrings by pearlreef

This bracelet has the colors of the season with a sentiment that can be worn year-round.

Follow-Your-Bliss Bracelet by DistinQue Jewelry

Or here are some earrings that can be worn year-round and would make great gifts.

Aqua Hoop Earrings by Copper Tree Art

Beadwoven Earrings by Terah Classy Creations

So, how's your Christmas shopping going? Done? Started? Abstaining?

This post contributed by Liz from Zizi Rho Designs who is about halfway done with her Christmas shopping. 

Sales for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Christmas is coming...

...And several members of the team are having specials for the kickoff of the season: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. (In case you weren't aware, Black Friday is November 29th and Cyber Monday is December 2nd).

Over at teenytinyenvelopes

Miniature Square Christmas Vellum Envelope Note Card Set

shipping will be free to any US address on purchases from Black Friday through Cyber Monday (custom listings not included).

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Over at Nans Glam

Purple Amethyst Dangle Earrings

everything will be 15% off for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

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Both annie k designs 

Poinsettia French Coffee Press Cozy

and Fall into Christmas

Dog Christmas Tree Skirt

will also be offering free shipping for Black Friday and Cyber Monday orders.

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Bella Beads Originals 

Red And Black Turquoise Strand Necklace Set

is running free US shipping throughout the holiday season.

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Make sure to check out all these shops for these special holiday deals. Happy shopping (and Merry Christmas).

Hashtag This

Social media is a good way to promote yourself and your shop. There are tons of different sites out there. Which one should you spend the time and effort cultivating?

(Previous posts: Pinterest. Blogging.)

Twitter seems to get all the press lately. Hashtag this. Live tweet that. But what is Twitter?

Twitter is a place where you have 140 characters to express a thought, idea, or link to an audience. Tweets (that thing you express in those 140 characters) are all public, so anyone with a Twitter account (and even those without) can see any tweet you write.

Tweets are easy. You just input them into the site or your smartphone, hit "Tweet" and you're good to go.

But tweets are also short and quick, so they're easily lost in the general noise of the internet. You can look at the best times to tweet, but even then your tweet won't get a lot of views for more than a few minutes.

Twitter is best used for things other than promoting your shop, anyway. While it's good to link to it, I find that people who only tweet self-promoting links soon get dropped from my following list. I prefer people who tweet thoughts and things that are going on with them.

Twitter is also for interactions. It's great to respond to someone who posts a random tweet and then get a conversation going.

If I had planned this post a bit more, I would have asked you all to send me your Twitter handles to include here. But I can include the team Twitter: @CCCOE. And I ask you all to include your Twitter handle in the comments, so I can follow you.

Are you on Twitter? What's your Twitter name? Do you find that Twitter helps promote your shop?

This post contributed by Liz A. from Zizi Rho Designs who does "have a Twitter" @ZiziRho, but uses it more for random student quotes than for promoting the shop.