How Chloe + Isabel Took Direct Sales to the Next Level

You may have noticed I can't stop talking about Chloe + Isabel. I know, I was formally obsessed with Etsy, subscription boxes and shopping for clothes and that may be why you are here. But when something comes along that changes your life, you can't help but shout it from the rooftops.

Stick with me to the end here because we have a limited time offer

for joining and you aren't going to want to miss it!

I mean, if you're content to shop Chloe + Isabel, that's okay. It's not that life altering. It is beautiful, and everyone will compliment you. The price tag for the quality with make you do a double take. And I did blog about it when I was in that phase, too, because the jewelry is really unique in that it somehow manages to be trendy but timeless at the same time.

That's the thing though. Do you know how rare that is?

I feel like I found this hidden treasure, a brand I can introduce to shoppers that they'll fall in love with and it's providing unexpected, significant income for my big family.

So we have an incredible product. What else?

Class

I don't mean training, I mean standards. I think for a lot of people the biggest barrier to jumping in to this opportunity is fear of the unknown. This is one reason I write up these reviews, I figure you want all the answers to those lingering questions and you want it in writing. It's easy for me to write this with confidence because I know it to be true. I've been with C+I for almost 2 years and we have nothing to hide.

We don't charge our brand representatives to have their own websites. We don't set unrealistic quotas. You don't have to buy boatloads of product to sell it. If you find yourself stuck on what ifs, read this.

Resources

If you have the drive to make money from home and make time to set yourself up for success, all of the training you will ever need is at your fingertips. We have a huge online academy with tips & tricks for selling online, selling one on one, throwing parties, finding hosts, and partnering with other businesses.

You also have the human resource. Not pushy uplines. Rather, mentors who will encourage you and help you grow.

We have a Facebook community where you can learn and gather ideas from other sellers who are rocking their businesses. My lazy side loves this angle, because sometimes I don't feel like digging for answers. I can post a question there and have a dozen responses in minutes.

You might think you don't have the knowledge or know how to do this thing. We've got you covered, everything you need is provided to you.

The Kit

A picture is worth a thousand words in this case. $700 worth of jewelry + supplies for $175....usually....

It's time. I can't contain it any longer.

Join February 1-14th and Pay Just $14 for the Kit!

The company is SO confident you'll sell $500 worth of jewelry this month that they're practically giving it away. We have a new line coming out for spring on the 6th and it's going to practically sell itself. But, if it doesn't work out they'll charge you the rest of the cost of the kit (which you'd normally pay anyway) and you'll be "stuck" with a rad jewelry collection. I assure you, if you get a personal invitation from me to join, I will see this thing through with you!

Let's Meet!

I thought I'd share a picture of myself here doing this thing. 99% of the time, I'm working my business from home, but I love this picture because it represents me doing what I set out to do! I'm having fun, using my hard earned education and skills and working to support my family! I love that I can do that, and not have to give up time with them. It really is incredible.

Heard enough? Let's connect! The best place to reach me is through my Facebook Business Page here:

https://www.facebook.com/ChloeandIsabelMelanieRhoades/

See you there!

Robots Galore!

Sometimes I get so busy with reviews and giveaways that I forget to let everyone know what's new in my world! I've been hard at work on a whole line of Robot Party Supplies. I'd love to get your feedback on my designs, prices, photos, etc.

First things first, for a great party you've gotta have a great invitation! I decided to use my favorite of the 4 robot designs. My party supplies are all print-your-own, so I decided to go with fill-in invites. 

Buy it here

I've also created these great little party favor bag toppers. You can fill little 3"x4" treat bags with a billion different things and top them off with adorable little tags. I tried both jolly ranchers and animal crackers, and they both worked just perfectly!

Buy it here

Have you ever gone out looking for fun, inexpensive party favors and come up empty handed? That's what brought me to come up with my own little unique mini notebooks. I also use scrapbooking papers and upcycled books to make these. These are available pre-made, or you can make them yourself if you order the complete Robot Party Package.

Buy it here

The last couple of products are all from the same basic circle pattern. They come in 1 1/2" and 4" circles for a banner, stickers, cupcake toppers, and really just about anything else you can think of! They can be used to adorn party hats, glasses, utensils, coasters, confetti, and table decorations or seal invitations. 

Buy it here

Individually, each pattern sells for $5. But for just $20 you can get the complete set.

The print-your-own Robot Party Package comes with: 

Fill-in invitations

Thank you postcards

A banner

Cupcake toppers

Stickers

Favor tags

Mini notebooks (this is exclusively part of this set)

All of these are customizeable for a small additional fee. If it were up to me, I'd design custom items exclusively, it's much more fun! 

Can't wait to see what you guys think. Have a great day :)

Meet the Artist: Star from Vreeland Design

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Star from Vreeland Design. Star has graciously agreed to offer one lucky winner of the Family Tree Giveaway a set of her beautiful Gingko thank you cards!

Buy it here

Star's stationery is not your run-of-the-mill stationery; quality papers are impressed with rich, gorgeous screen printed images she designed herself. 

Star sent me a sample pack of these designs:

Buy it here

I love the contrast of the white stem flower against the blue. The navy cardstock has a luxurious texture, and really compliments the lighter shade of blue.

Buy it here

I appreciate the simplicity of the green tea Save the Date. It has an earthy, natural feel to it.

Buy it here

I'm especially fond of the delicate fonts used on Vreeland Design. And I just cannot get over the shimmer of the metallic gold ink! I took a close up so you can see the effect when the ink meets the grain of the paper.

Both the timber green and eggplant papers go well with the metallic gold artwork. 

Buy it here

Star sent a thank you card with her lavender artwork on speckled paper. The purple ink of the flowers really brings out the specks in the paper. 

Buy it here

Let's see what Star had to say about herself and her Vreeland Design:

Q: How did you get started on Etsy?
A: The second I discovered Etsy I knew we were going to be a perfect match! At the time, I was a new mom looking for a way to be a stay at home mom to my little baby boy. I first started selling notecards and then it developed into block print wedding invitations. My little business grew to where I was screen-printing invitations, save the dates, and thank you cards. I've now been selling on Etsy for four years and I love it! I've been lucky to work with some really great Etsy brides.

Q: What is your favorite item in your shop, and why?
A: My favorite pieces are the custom designed invitations I've created for my Etsy Brides. They have graciously allowed me to resell the designs in my shop and have become some of my top sellers!

Q: Do you have any hidden talents (not showcased in your shop)?
A: I actually do! I can sew!! I've been sewing handbags for a couple of years (I love handbags!) and I've been working on screen-printing my own fabric and making those cute metal frame clutches, soon I will be selling them on my shop.

Q: What inspires you (objects, people, other crafters, shops on Etsy, etc.)?
A: Finding inspiration throughout the day can be somewhat of a challenge when chasing around the little guys. What inspires me the most in my work is nature, color, the great illustrations I find in children's storybooks, bold and simple designs, fashion, fonts (yes, I'm a total font geek) and my husband and three children inspire me everyday.

Q: Do you have any advice for new sellers?
A: Have great customer service and good communication with your buyers, I treat my customers the way I would like to be treated when buying something on Etsy.

Q: What are your future plans for your craft, shop, etc?
A: I'm expanding my shop to include more ready made items such as the metal frame clutches, bridal accessories, and fill-in party invitations. And, I have about three more invitation designs I'm working on to add for the next season.

Q: Just for fun, what's the last thing you bought on Etsy?
A: I purchased a pdf pattern (from Uberdomestic) for making my own cloth diapers.

I asked Star to share a picture, isn't it sweet?

Star and I got to know each other through the Etsymom team. If you haven't joined yet, I highly recommend it. You can also find Vreeland designs on Facebook.

Star is offering an exclusive coupon code for her Vreeland Design during the Family Tree Giveaway. Enter the code MODERN10 at checkout for 10% off your entire purchase!

Thanks for taking the time to write and send some spectacular work Star, it's been a blast to work with you! Hopefully we can do it again soon :)

-Melanie

Tutorial: Party Favor Seed Packets

They say necessity is the mother of invention. Last weekend I hosted a baby shower for a friend and I was in charge of the invitations, dessert, a corsage, a game and party favors. Since the new momma had already decorated the baby's room with butterflies and trees I decided to go with a sort of "nature" theme.

Here's what I came up with:

1. Dessert
I "ordered" cupcakes from a friend with little owls, butterflies and flowers.

2. Invitation
I created this flier to hang at church:

3. A Game
I don't know about you, but I've had enough of candy bar diaper games! Thank goodness, my sister had a great idea. She'd been to a wedding shower recently that had a game called "The Brides Purse." Each woman was given a list of items that might be in a brides purse. Points are designated for each item the participant has in their own purse. So I created the same idea, but called it "Momma's Purse." It was really hilarious to watch all the ladies digging through their purses for things like coupons, band aids, and crayons.

4. A "Corsage"
I had looked around at a few stores for the makings of a corsage or button for the new momma to wear, but everything seemed cheesy. I'm not gonna lie, my co-host actually bought one because she didn't think I'd be able to pull it off. It was this huge monstrosity with a stork on it and feathers shooting out from behind. Anyway, this is what I came up with:

5. A Little Extra Project-"Acts of Kindness"
I had another idea while working on these projects. During my internship to become a dietitian I worked for the Women, Infant, Children program (WIC) in Long Beach with a wonderful group of people right after the birth of my second child. I happened to be working there when they celebrated Mother's Day, and boy did they make a huge deal out of it. One thing that really stuck with me was a list they gave me of things you can do for a pregnant woman. It had wonderful ideas, and I've actually hung onto that paper for a long time now hoping it would be put to good use. I decided to create little "tickets" with these random acts of kindness and have each shower guest select one to bestow upon the guest of honor. I didn't snap a picture, but I think you can imagine long skinny strips of paper in a small bucket. The guest just went crazy over this idea.

6. Party Favor - Seed Packets
I've saved the best for last. My favorite project I worked on was making seed packet favors. I've made a template to share with all of you!

Envelope


The top pattern makes an envelope close to the size of an actual seed packet (2.5" x 3.5"), whereas the second is a slightly smaller version (~2"x3"). I used the smaller one for my project.

I printed the pattern on cardstock and cut it out. I then traced it onto double-sided scrapbooking paper and carefully cut each one out. Using a bone folder and ruler I made creasing lines where the envelope would be folded (2 vertical creases and 2 horizontal creases forming a rectangle in the inner corners).

The most challenging part of the project was finding strong enough adhesive since I was using very thick paper. Since my husband works for a sign company I ended up borrowing banner tape. I have bought some tacky glue to try as it is much easier to work with. I also want to experiment with other papers, such as old book pages. You'll likely see these in my etsy shop once perfected. Anyhow, here's how they turned out:

I used a simple tag punch with the scraps using the reverse side of each paper, punched a little hole in the corner and designed a little rectangle to place in the center of each. Tape runner worked fine for this portion of the project. On the back side I used trimmed return address labels to thank the guests for attending.

I used California native wildflowers as they are very easy to grow in Southern California. This tiny little packet only needs about 1/4 tsp of seeds.

The shower turned out to be a HUGE success. It is such a blessing to host for a dear friend. I know I gave her some great items to treasure.

I hope you'll enjoy doing this project yourself! Let me know if you have any questions, or ideas of your own!

-Melanie