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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thankfulness

Instead of my standard "let's talk about jewelry approach", I thought it would only be right to take full advantage of the love flying around us all right now. So in honor of Thanksgiving, here is my list of what I'm thankful for tonight:

a husband that loves me
family
a turkey
peanut butter on toast
creativity
hope
people to laugh with
surprises
winter scarves
a plant i haven't killed
books
rainboots
my health
little kids
god
dreaming
a car
a fluffy pillow
the lessons I've learned
those that make up the military
music
classic Hollywood films
marriage
grace
chocolate cupcakes
compassion
old friends
etsy
my laptop
understanding
a warm bed
joy


So, what are you thankful for?

Monday, November 23, 2009

Shopping Parties

I know this doesn't apply to lots of, and I'm sorry about that. But, if you're in my area (Northern California), I am currently booking appointments for Holiday Home Shows and Shopping Parties.

How do I book mine, you ask? All you have to do is click the below link and check the schedule for time and date. It's that easy. What are the perks? Well, the hostess of the event receives $10 credit for every $50 purchased at their event. As an added bonus, they also get a special little hostess gift just for them.

Wondering if you are "local" enough to book a party? If you are within 60 miles of Redding, you are "local" enough for my tastes. Other locations are possibilities, but let's talk about it first.




Sunday, November 22, 2009

Thanksgiving Weekend Sale

From now until Cyber Monday, you'll find all sorts of sweet little discounts, promotions, and deals tucked in and throughout the Etsy Shop. We'll list just a few of them here to get your attention. Also, follow us on Twitter to see them first!



Winter Wine Charms



OOAK Hidden Rooms Necklace



Mermaid Earrings



Valentine Wine Charms



OOAK Chardonnay Citrine Necklace

Thursday, November 19, 2009

$10 Sale

My favorite Etsy team is hosting a "$10 & Under" Sale all this weekend! There will be tons of special deals that you will not want to miss!

Click here the comprehensive list of participating shops.

By the way, get a set of the gossamer studs in plated metal for $10 this weekend only. Their the ones that made the front page of Etsy last month - twice.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Team Time: Trade-a-holics

This time, I'm talking about someone else talking about trading. Be sure to check out the feature that the trade team I am on landed just in time for the holidays. If you have an Etsy shop, you should come play with us! Trading is all the rage!

Read now: Team Time: Trade-a-holics

November Giveaway!

There are a few giveaways on the horizon for the the holiday months. Yes, I realize that November is already into full swing. But, as an artiste, I am excused from being fashionably late for my own announcements. Excuses aside, here's the skinny on how to get gorgeous free stuff this month.

November Giveaway - Featherette Ornament Trio!



That's right, the newest & sweetest set of ornaments you've ever seen are up for grabs just in time for the holidays! The Featherette Trio is comprised of well placed metallic ribbon, snow white feather whisps, and natural baroque pearl clusters. Yes, as in real pearls. They're beyond words.

Now that I've convinced you how fantastic they are, I'm sure you want to know how to enter the drawing. You can enter by doing any 2 of the following tasks and posting which ones you chose on the Facebook Fan Page Discussion Board HERE. You will not be entered for the drawing unless you do your follow up post on the discussion board. One last thing, whichever tasks you choose must be completed during month of November to count as an entry.

~Tweet the link to this giveaway, my shop, or any of my products and be sure to add in @chrystalpaasch
~Blog about this giveaway and post the link in the below comments or on the Facebook Fan Page wall
~Become a fan of Chrystalyn on Facebook or Twitter
~Make a purchase at the Etsy Shop
~Sign up for the newsletter on the main website

Logistics - One name will be drawn by using random.org on December 1, 2009. Winner will be announced that day by whatever means available and with the contact information provided upon entering. Be on the lookout!

Special note to Redding locals: You can also enter the drawing by filling out an entry at this Saturday's Arthop Artist Marketplace! Attend, look around, and fill out the form. It's just a bonus to all fun you'll have this weekend welcoming in the holiday spirit.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Twitter Business

I am a fan of Twitter. I didn't get it at first, but I've recently become keenly aware of how awesome of a platform it is for small businesses. I try to read tidbits from a variety of social media sites and resources to see how to use it most effectively for my business.

You're probably thinking I'm a total geek right now. But seriously, I found a directory from selectsources.com entitled "100 Terrific Twitter Feeds for Young Entrepreneurs". If you're a small business, it might be worth it to check out some of the Twitterers listed.

Let me know which ones are YOUR favorites!

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Jazz... How Do I Heart Thee

I used to have a CD entitled "A Jazzy Christmas". Not sure where it is now, but I'm pretty sure that it consisted of all the greatest jazzy holiday instrumentals known to man. I need to find that thing. After all, I'm already hearing holiday tunes when I'm out and about shopping for supplies for all of my new holiday themed projects. I better get with the retail program.

Jazz might be, in fact, my favorite style of music to jump start a creative crash session. Why is that, do you think? I've read all about how classical music is a great mind-exerciser and how it's ideal for creativity. And I do enjoy some classical. But jazz... how do I heart thee? Let me count the ways!

1. Jazz has layered texture that my brain translates into visual composition - When I hear jazz, I 'see' jazz in beads and stones and as a wearable design. Each instrument plays a design that I feel compelled to layer out and build on.

2. Jazz evokes moods - I remember the first time I saw Phantom of the Opera (the new one). I had my stones out ready and willing to make something lovely. I played off of the romance and grandeur of the music and came up with something utterly stunning that evening. I realize the soundtrack wasn't packed full of jazzy tunes, but my creativity reacts to jazz the same way it did to that movie. A mood rises to the surface of my consciousness and it must be translated by my fingers when I hear jazz.

3. Jazz makes me feel like the most elegant version of myself - Thus the "Epitome of Elegance Me" takes wild chances with color and texture and design techniques that she wouldn't were she not feeling so whimsical. That's the reason I was adamant about having most of the music at my wedding (only 3 months ago) be predominantly jazz... because it draws out the most glamorous me there is.

4. Jazz causes me to dream about what the past looks like redefined - Most of the jazz that I love most is from years gone by. And because I was not around when those songs were written, I'm aware that the world was another place then. But I, in this day and age along with my modern influences, have the pleasure of reinventing a bit of history in a visual context. I've thought, at times, about naming pieces based on the song that inspired them. The problem with that is there are so many different songs that may merge together to help me discover a design. Or maybe the song inspires 10 different designs over a period of a month. Should I really name each piece "When I Fall In Love 1", "When I Fall In Love 2", "When I Fall In Love 3", ect. Yeah, I didn't think so either.

So I'll ask the question again... Jazz, how do I heart thee? I guess I heart thee x four tonight. I could probably go on and on and on. But, unless you love jazz with the same intensity that I do, you may already be wishing I'd go back to musing about jewelry and gemstones and holiday shows. Oh, the creative process! It amazes me so.

Sunday, November 01, 2009

How to do wholesale

Got you. No, I'm not going to tell you how to build a wholesaling empire today. On this blog, you'll find mostly creative muses and quirky inspiration and friendly banter. But though I'm probably not so great at tutorials, I am pretty good at finding good resources. And I found a good one this morning on Twitter for anyone looking to offer wholesale.

Handmadenews.org - Are You Ready to Wholesale - Part 1

There are 3 parts and each builds off of the next. Now go get your wholesale packet together!