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Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Always talking about trading...

I know, I'm always talking about trading. I can't help it. I love trading. I mean I LOVE trading. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'd trade for everything if I could.

I did some trading last Sunday, as a matter of fact. I tried to keep my trading controlled in this 12 hour trading frenzy. My motivation was the flashback of my ridiculously large shipping bill from last time. So, I tried hard to find things that were specifically on my Christmas shopping list. I think I did a pretty fine job. Here are some of my new toys...

This gorgeous scarflette is from mireilles.



here's this sweet little passport cover from owlsay.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Warm & Cozy

I awoke extremely early this morning so that I could see my husband off to jury duty selection. And because we like to sleep with the windows open, I was freezing when I finally talked myself away from the covers. Then, while we were waiting for the coffee to steep in the french press, Daniel turned on the electric fire place. Granted, it's not quite the same as having crackling logs as a platform for dancing blue flames, but it's something none the less.

So, here I am. I dropped him off at the courthouse and I still have my coffee. The fireplace is still going at full blast. All of it reminds me of olden days in a cabin somewhere when all you could do was read to entertain yourself. Well, except that I have my laptop and the microwave to reheat the coffee.

Anyway, the point is that I am warm and cozy. As I've been sitting here checking email, I've been wondering where to direct my creative efforts today. Should I work on listing some of my sweet organza blossom hairpins that I debuted at my wedding? Or, maybe I should jump headfirst into what is soon to be the holiday season and develop this year's holiday gemstone ornaments. I've been toying with both for a few months now and I really should be getting busy.

Even still, there's a little bit of my creativity that has a wild hair this brisk, bright morning! I want to create something that captures the concept of "warm & cozy". I want to make a necklace that is chunky enough to be well suited for sweaters. I want to design a pair of earrings that reflect the textures and depth of thick fabrics like tweed, jacquard, & plaid.

I think I will go with the urge and do something not on my to-do list. Winter, here I come!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Sugar & Spice

So I made it to Etsy's front page again today with one of my newest pieces. It's a mixed shell shard necklace entitled "Sugar & Spice". Unlike much of my work, it is plated metal but it's a great price - $19. However, feel free to special order the gold filled version for $29.

Anyway, I just wanted to share. I was so excited when I found out about an hour ago. It's so funny how I'm not aware that I've ever been featured on the front page until the last month or so. It's a huge thrill!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

A New Bag of Tricks - ChickyBags

Today is my first ever feature of someone else's product. I've grown tired of talking all about me and my promotions and I've decided to join all of those who so selflessly blog about the virtue of other people's creativity. Actually, this isn't me being completely selfless... I sort of wanted to brag a little.

You all recall when I mentioned my trading spree that I went on about 2 and a half weeks ago? Well, this gorgeous tote-able treat is one of my favorite things that I received then. It's by the extraordinarily talented Dede at www.chickybags.etsy.com and I'm simply in love!

Of course, the reason that you don't see me in the photo beaming from ear to ear with this beauty is because I told my husband that he could give it to me for Christmas. Not only that, but I also handed it over to him (along with quite a few other traded treasures)so that I wouldn't be tempted to 'break it in' while I wait for the holidays to approach. You have no idea how much self control it took for me to turn it in. The first two days, I went and peeked in the box from time to time just to gaze at it.

Ok, enough of my bragging. I'll let you go now so you can go get your own ChickyBag. Go ahead, make everyone jealous!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Looking Elseware



So we all know that Etsy is a magical place. I could spend all of my time there and never tire of the terms OOAK (one of a kind) or DYI (do it yourself). Even still, I have yet another site suggestion that you may very well curse me later for sharing with you.

It's called elsewares.com. It's beyond words, really. No mere mortal can embody elseware's depth by trite words. Ok, anyway... the site's tag is "Independent Art and Design," but it's really so much more than that. It seems that many of the products are sustainable, multi-functional, and all around as innovative as it gets.

I also love that the site has a search breakdown by recipient, price, and gift ideas. When I searched 'For Her,' I found measuring cups that masquerade as mod Russian nesting dolls. I also found an uber sleek clutch comprised almost entirely of recycled pull tabs. Seriously, don't knock it until you see it.

Anyway, you now have yet another retail playground to frolic amidst when you're supposed to be working. Have fun with that.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Featured



Here is the front page treasury from etsy.com that I was included in last week. I just had to post it because of how gorgeous the blues and creams look together. And, I'm developing a necklace to go with these earrings. Just something to think about.

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Front Page of Etsy




The gorgeous Gossamer Earring Studs that I listed last week made it to the front page of Etsy today! I can't tell you how excited I am! I'm excited because I've been on Etsy almost five years now and I've never been on the front page.

Ironically, earlier this month Etsy was doing a Weekend Deals promotion and one of my items was handpicked to be featured in that showcase as well.

That's all I have to say today. I'm just thankful...

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Trading

I'm still reeling from the most exciting weekend I've ever had in cyberspace. If you know me well, you know that I love to trade. If you've got something I can use (whether it be a product or a service), I'm probably game for trading you something from my stash. In fact, I love trading so much that I joined an Etsy Team all about trading. Don't laugh, I'm not kidding.

Every few months, all of these crafty people get together and designate a weekend as an official trading weekend. During that weekend, the people in the group contact other people in the group and try to establish a trade. Trades are to be fair and are to be equal in price. You give something, you get something. That's precisely what I did all weekend long. I traded. I traded. And then I traded some more. I racked up a whopping 29 trades when Monday evening came rolling in. There were some shops that traded a modest amount of 3 trades and there were some shops that traded a grand total of 54 trades. There were prizes for those that traded the most.

I have to admit, I was a little nervous about what my husband would think about all of my trades. I am pleased to report, though, that he was a huge supporter. I seriously think I took care of every woman in the family for Christmas. I can't guarantee that the gentlemen will have the same fun that the ladies will, but I think they'll survive. I even traded a few things for my husband to give me for Christmas.

After it was all said and done, I am pleased to say that I've gathered together some encouragement and inspiration for the future of my shops and my jewelry. It's always funny how someone's handmade soap can plant a seed of creativity for a piece of jewelry. In the following days, I hope to begin posting new work that can be directly linked to this weekend.

In the meantime, if you have an Etsy shop and you'd like to join the trade team, let me know and I'll give you the details. The more the merrier!!!

Friday, October 02, 2009

Front Page - Oct 1



Here is my 2nd time on the front page and the first time with my gossamer earrings. You'll see my 3rd front page appearance over to the right with the romantic treasury in blues. I heart Etsy.

Material Girl

A few mornings ago, I awoke to a delicate idea swirling through my head. It was demure and transparent and blissful. I had seen a partial picture of an ethereal pair of earrings made of the white organza left over from the detailing of my wedding dress.

When I actually got out of bed that morning, I made myself some coffee and set to work playing and playing and playing with that organza. I rolled it this way. I rolled it that way. I thought it was too big and then I thought it was too small. Then, in a moment, I saw the physical reproduction of my vision from earlier that morning. They were perfect. They were small enough that they would not be overbearing and large enough that they still would demand respect from any fashion loving individual.

I'm very pleased with the outcome of the earrings. Not surprisingly, it has also inspired me to consider other pieces incorporating strategically gathered and placed textiles. For those that appreciate jewelry in general, you might wear them for a while and then move on to the next lovely thing. But for those that know the secret of appreciating a well made article of clothing (it's all in the fabric), you might be enamored.

We'll see what comes of these inspired musings for the future, but in the meantime... enjoy the airiness of these lovely stud earrings.