Seller Of The Month - September -- Sep 03 2009

Congratulations TheRoyalTreasures!

How long have you been selling online?

I have been selling for about 7 years.

How and or why did you start selling online?

At first I started off as a buyer and found a beautiful leather jacket for next to nothing at another auction site. I thought WOW that was cool. Then I bought a camera from England and thought that was even better. Soon I found that if I wanted to keep buying the cool things, then I needed to have more money to spend.. I began by taking the things that I had around my house that wasn't being used and listing them for sale. The more I sold, the more I wanted to sell. Soon I was listing some great estate sale finds which lead into selling estate jewelry. Now I sell both new and vintage jewelry as well as all kinds of treasures.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve bought or sold online?

I am still looking for that interesting thingamajig. Nevertheless, years ago I found a clear stone ring on the ground. It looked impressive but I didn't think the clear stone was a real diamond. I am just not that lucky. As it turns out I was right, but the stone was an early CZ from when they were first produced. I took a picture of the ring with a copy of the evaluation and sold it. At the time all of my auctions started at $4.95 and I hoped I would get about $50.00 for it. It sold for more then $200.00. I was happy!!! Not bad for a ring that I found on the ground.

What hobbies do you have besides selling online?

I enjoy photography. I once did portraiture and I still do from time to time, but I really enjoy the art of photography. My challenge is to create a mood or emotion within a single frame through the use of subject, lighting, lenses, filters and color forming. The thing about emotive photography is that it isn't always pretty. In fact the picture can be quite shocking or even disgustingly ugly. I have managed to truly accomplish that one time. I created the mood with infra red red photography and the subject was a hand holding a burning cigarette above an overflowing ash tray. It was a shocking picture but when it sold to an art collector in Ireland, I knew I hit my mark.

Tell us something about yourself we didn’t ask … random something about YOU!

I have a tradition that I like to do on my own. I don't like to share it, not even with my family and close friends. It is something that I do every year. I like to sit on my porch swing with a cup of creamy sweet coffee, wrapped up in a cozy blanket, during the morning of the first cold front of the fall season. It isn't the same during the first cool front. It has to be the first cold front. The air needs to be about 50 degrees. I absolutely love the smell of the first cold front. The air smells sweet and it is the only time of year that it smells so sweet. It is a different sweet then a floral spring morning. The first cold front smells like fresh home made ice cream. It isn't a strong scent, but it is there. I also like to listen to the trees rustling in the wind and the fallen leaves being picked up from the ground and carried down the street. It's like listening to a song. The earth plays it's own music and it's beautiful.

Can you please share a tip on creating your OLA store?

I try to keep things fresh in my store and list new items every week. Currently I list things on Sunday to run for the week. My buyers know that on Sunday they get to see new listed items and grab the auctions that are closing at the same time.

Also, one thing that is very important is to keep a list of regular buyers. New buyers are an opportunity to grow my business, but the regulars are the ones that keep me in business. It is important to know their different styles and who they generally buy for. I have one customer that likes bold jewelry full of sparkles and bling. I know her ring size and her neck size. When I have something that I think she will like, I let her know what's new in stock and she usually is appreciative of that. Finally, plan your work and work your plan. Prioritize your work, schedule your tasks, and then do it. As a business owner you have to have self motivation, but don't get lost in your own motivation and forget to take time off. Don't forget to play because down time clears your mind and helps you focus during work time.