Quick One

Just a quick post of a couple more new pieces that I've added today. I've got some more that I'll list tomorrow but I have a custom necklace to finish first!

Sales...Sales...and More Sales

These are just a few of the items submitted by my fellow team members for EAST's 2nd Annual Winter Wonderland Event Special.

Wow!

I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I've posted in my blog. I knew it had been awhile...but not that long! Man how time flies....when you're having fun. It's been a busy month on Etsy, and outside of it. My boys made it to the state baseball quarter finals, but got beat out. Next is summer ball, and in a few weeks they're off to an MLB scouting camp....should be interesting. I'm not sure how they feel, but I'm sure in the heck nervous for them. I'll be lucky if I have any nails left after it!

I start part time next month, long story short, car accident, back injury and haven't been able to return to work full time since (I've been temporarily part time). I'm truly thankful for my employers though...they've stuck with me through these last 4 years and have created a position so I can stay there. With the economy the way it is...still having a job has lifted a huge burden off of my shoulders.








I've created some new pieces which I've scattered around in this post, feel free to click on the picture for further information on the jewelry. You'll notice that one of the bracelets is almost exactly like the "Grow" bracelet in my previous post, I decided to make a couple more. Soon I'll be selling a copy of the spiral link bracelet with the labradorite briolette (also in the previous post). I've revamped the photos of the Beauty Within Chakra pendant, so that listing is also included here. I was a Fashion Spotlight feature at Talentdatabase.com....wow, I couldn't believe the requests and feedback from just that one feature...woohoo!



Anyways, I'll try to keep posting often, but life tends to go at it's own flow and sometimes it doesn't allow me to be on the computer as much as I'd like...darnit anyways!

Fabulous Finds in the World of Etsy

I've been pretty fortunate with my experiences on Etsy, and the contacts and friends that I have made. Recently I had been searching for silver pieces to use as focals in some bracelets. I found some, saved them in my favorites, but just couldn't commit to buying them, not because they weren't beautiful, but they just weren't exactly what I had envisioned in my mind. Then one night while reading the forums I came across a fairly new seller Beadin By The Sea, so I took a quick look at Debora's shop. She makes wonderful jewelry, but also made the links that I had been looking for in fine silver no less! She pays particular attention to detail in her work and everything is done by hand...amazing! Her customer service is the best around, hands down. You should check her out if you get a chance.

The pictures you see here are the bracelets that I made using her fabulous links. The one I kept for myself is the one with swirls and a wire wrapped Labradorite briolette. The other is an organic leaf design that I've added a wire wrapped carved leaf Watermelon Tourmaline to. On the back of the link it says "Grow". I had just listed it this evening, and it's sold already!!

I normally don't shop on Etsy for my jewelry findings, because I have a tax id and can purchase items wholesale. That's all fine and dandy for commercial supplies, but when your wanting something that has that little extra touch...or something that was created from the heart...shopping at Etsy is where you'll find it. Like I said earlier, I've been very fortunate with the contacts and friends that I've made on Etsy. It's filled with so many talented artist's of all mediums, and Debora of beadinbythesea is definitely one of them.

Mini's

I had a custom request last week for some tiny hoops similar to the one's I already carry just alot smaller. I wasn't really sure if she would like them because they were so small, but she was extremely happy and she thought how great they would be for her second hole piercings. She ran to the bathroom and put them on...ohh how I wish I had my camera...she already had my larger hoops in her first holes then put the Mini's in the second...ooo so cute! Really they turned out to be the perfect size for that second hole. So I decided to go ahead and make some for my store. I've also added small gemstones to them. I've made myself a few of them, and she was right they are perfect for those upper piercings...I don't have to worry about a clasp or anything...and they're so comfortable. My customer also pointed out how great they would be for a younger child.

I've sold a couple of the wire wrapped stones on my other blog, and I've received some custom requests for the same style just different stones. So I've been pleased with the results from having that page.

Other than that I haven't been up to much. I need to post the astrological signs that I posted about earlier, but I haven't had the time yet. I'll be sure to get that done as soon as I can though.

Things will be changing soon with my job so I'm not sure what my schedule is going to be like. Right now I feel like I'm a yo-yo, I'm being switched back and forth from day shift to late shift and it's oh so messing with my sleep. Though I'm a night owl at heart, when I work the late shift I tend to go to bed at 3am and I'm up by 10am. Then the next day I'll work a day shift so I need to be to bed by 12:30 and I have to be up by 7am...though it's close to the same amount of sleep....going to sleep at 12:30 is nearly impossible *sigh* With my new job duties I'm wondering if I'll be able to pick my own schedule....I can only hope!

Well, I've listed a couple more pendants to the link above. It's been a slow going process, and I just haven't been really motivated to make more jewelry...what is wrong with me?! I have all of these ideas/designs in my head but today I just couldn't sit down and work with anything. So, I've written my ideas down and hopefully tomorrow my head will be in a better place to start creating some new designs.

Here's a couple pics of my "new" Spiral Collection...I tossed around a few titles...Around the World In A Day...Orbit...and many others, but none of them really clicked. I just wanted the name to be a description of the design. I normally have the easiest time with names...but for some reason this was not one of those times. I've had these pendants made since Saturday...and I finally settled on Spiral last night. It really is a sweet and simple design...I love how quickly they can be interchanged to match anything you wear.

Up and Running!

I've finally finished or at least partially finished my other blog site. I feel like I've been working at it for weeks :D I'm sure that as I learn more the site will be changing a bit, but for now I'm satisfied with what I've created.

I tried like a mad woman to add a picture to this blog that could be hyperlinked to my other blog, but after many hours of frustration...reading the helps, adding, deleting, I've settled on just adding a bit of verbiage and a link at the top of this blog. I think that I may even have some hair left on my head after that!

I've only added a couple of pendants for now, but I'm hoping to add more before the weekend is over. The jewelry that I will be selling there will be exclusive to that site only. I'm excited about this new venture and I'll keep you updated on how it's working out.

I've been asked on several occasions if I'm planning on leaving Etsy....absolutely not! I love Etsy and the community there...it is a fabulous place to sell your wares and I will not be leaving that venue any time soon. I'm just spreading my wings a bit, hoping and trying to create a business that will sustain my family and myself. Though I think that's a goal for many of us that are in the business of selling our handcrafted/handmade items.

It's the weekend....finally!!

Wow I thought this week would never end....sheesh. Have you ever had weeks like that?? I seem to have them often :D I can't wait until the weekends because that's when I can really just relax and create as I wish, instead of the normal weekday rush after the day job.

It looks like I may be vending this year at FaerieWorlds in Eugene, so I need to really figure out what I want to sell. I know that last year there was a definite lack of Goddess jewelry. Everywhere I went there was a ton of Fairy gems (of course...and which I bought), but I don't remember seeing anything with a Goddess. So that may be what I'll focus on, and I'll take some of my meditation beads as well.

I've listed two new pairs of earrings today. The pair pictured above is Sterling Silver oval hoops that have been hammered for strength and a brushed finish. They're accented by Karen Hill Tribe Silver spiral charms. The pair on the right has black Tourmaline gemstones dropping from hand forged sterling silver loops and earwires.

December's Featured Etsy Artist

As some of you may remember, I have decided to do a monthly feature on a fellow Etsian. This month I have picked Recycledideas. I met the owner of this lovely and interesting shop while in the Etsy forums. I loved her store so much I wanted to feature her and she kindly agreed.



Gorilla, in the photo to your right, is my favorite item among many in her store. She's a bona fide ape made from a new pair of white tube socks. Her nose, ears and the tips of her limbs are made from some scrap madras print fabric. She's stuffed with fiberfill fuzz. Such sweetness for an affordable price of $28.00.

1) What type of products do you offer?

I offer two broad type - handmade paper and primates. I make handmade paper out of junk mail, newspaper advertising inserts, and whatever else I have hanging around that might make an interesting texture. Lately I've been adding lavender. It makes the paper smell like it too; I get a lot of mileage out of that. Even though we humans are largely visual creatures, scent remains a vital sense.

2) You obviously have a great love for primates, when or how did your interest in primates start?

That is a great question that I am often asked, and depending on how revealing I'm feeling and who is asking, I give different answers. He he. To students and professional researchers I tell them about a great book I was given before I went to graduate school: Grooming, Gossip and the Evolution of Language by Robin Dunbar. He's a psychologist and primatologist. The book inspired my dissertation research. But really, between you and me, it was this stuffed gorilla my husband-to-be had sitting on his shelf when we first met during college. The gorilla is still with us, and although he blogs, he prefers to remain unknown outside of his primate troop.

3) Your handmade paper products are wonderful what motivated you to start making them?

When I couldn't find a job after I graduated from college I spent time reading (about primates) and learning French so that I could study them one day in the wild in francophone Africa. While studying, I often kept the TV on for stimulation (I can't function if it's too quiet!) and saw a QVC advert for a paper making kit. I had no money, but the idea of making paper grabbed me, so with the help of my soon-to-be-husband I made my own kit. I still use it today.

4) How did you get started in this business and what brought you to Etsy?

My husband! He received a press release from the Etsy company where he works.

5) What inspires you?

I am continually inspired by other artists and scientists. Nothing I do was my original idea. Not even my "original" dissertation research was conceived in isolation. That's why I call myself Recycled Ideas. I get inspiration from others, incubate my ideas, and then hatch my own take on them.

6) What do you enjoy most about crafting?

I love that my small hands can create something beautiful and desirable out of what is essentially garbage. Even my new line of felt monkey ornaments (called OrnaMonkeys) were once plastic bottles.

7) Finally what advice do you have for someone just starting their own Etsy shop?

Be passionate about what you make. Strive for quality craftsmanship. Photograph your items to show them in the best way possible. Write informative product descriptions. Set a price that is fair for you and your customer. Don't list all of your items at once. Participate in the forums. Market outside of etsy. And, stay positive and professional.

Another one of my favorites offered by Recycledideas. This is the Fall Foliage Sampler (2 Hearts and more), Embossed Organic Leaf Cards (set of 4) for $8.00

Okay...now don't fall out of your chair but....

I finally made something other than earrings :D It's a bracelet...I almost didn't post it on Etsy because I kinda wanted it for myself, but I went ahead and posted it anyways. I've named it Freeform. I know...funky name...but that's exactly what it is, a bunch of Sterling Silver that I've freeformed to create the bracelet. The stones are Spiderweb Turquoise, the varying patterns in these stones are beautiful. I think the reason why I like them so much is because their not the normal color that you find with Turquoise...you know...the bright blue (which I've never been a huge fan of), it's just a deeper green/blue with black, perfect for winter.

Petite Earring Line

This is my new line of earrings for those of us who love to adorn our ears with beautiful jewelry but don't necessarily want alot of length or weight. Here are a few samples above, the longest pair in this line measure only 1" and the shortest is 3/4" from the top of the earwires. I've listed a couple in my Etsy store.