Oh!Carousel Party

Wow, this has been such a busy couple of weeks! 

Apart from jewelry design, I've also been collaborating with a few fabulous local business owners that are as crafty as I am.  We've come together as Oh!Carousel and we offer fun and crafty classes, events, and shopping experiences to our local community. 

This Saturday, we're hosting a little soiree at Sweetspot.  We'll have $1 specials, bbq, sidewalk chalk, and 15 handmade designers selling their work.  Oh, we'll also have a little DIY table where you can make a little something to take home. 

See you Saturday!

The Price of Beauty

I meant to do this a very long time ago and totally forgot.

This past fall, I did a trade with Laura from SugarChills on Etsy.  She got some very sweet fabric bags for gifting and I received a pot of her Face Slime No 2 - healing oatmeal face mask. 

I'll admit.  I was excited, but not hugely expectant.  I have pretty sensitive skin and I've not found a really good mask in years.  So, I was crazy excited when this one was so utterly wonderful. 

 

I use it once a week per the directions and it seems like my skin is on a high for a good 12 hours afterwards.  It has this "I've been in the sun all day" sort of glow only without the actual tan.  How is that possible?  I have no idea.  All I know is that I strategically use it in the mornings before I want to look extra pretty for a day. 

I've been running low and meaning to order some more.  I've used it almost weekly and this pot has lasted since mid December.  As I was on Laura's Etsy shop today and I was trying to recall what size I usually order, I saw what reminded me to write this review in the first place.  She had asked awhile back if she could quote me and of course I said yes.  So, there I am at the bottom of the listing telling all of her shoppers how wonderful her product is.  And really, it is so wonderful...
 

How To Rock Your Hairpiece Part I

I got a wild hair this past weekend.  I decided to do a video tutorial on how to rock your hairpiece.  I'm not sure exactly where the idea stemmed from except that I've been living, breathing, and eating hairpieces lately.  It might have developed out of the last piece I made which was a 6 inch layered tulle hat-like thing with peacock blue feathers and a vintage button.  Yes, that was probably it.

So, if got a great hairpiece but just aren't sure how to make it work for you... this is perfect for you.  Part I focuses on the snappers specifically.  I'll do another one this week on hair combs.  Enjoy!

Not so much self-help

I've been reading a lot of blogs lately and I've, just this morning, discovered a bit of intrigue that I'm just itching to write about. 

There are a zillion and one blogs out there right now.  And, there are almost just as many blogs for social media tips, tricks, and cure-alls.  Personally, I can only read so many of these before I've heard it all.  I know that technology is ever-evolving and there's always something new and game-changing on the cusp of being released.  But, I'm officially over how to make the most of Twitter marketing and how to get more fans on your Facebook Fanpage.  Of course, as of today, "fans" are no longer fans but rather people that "like" you or your product.  Either way, you know what I mean.  I'm just tired of hearing the same thing in a new way.  

On a similar note, I've also seen increasingly more and more blogs dedicated to supporting Etsy sellers and handmade advocates.  I've seen how to optimize search engines and tutorials on how to take magazine quality photos with your light box. Again, I can only read so many versions of these articles before I've squeezed out every last bit of usable information.  Suddenly and in a moment, the topic is exhausted.

That is why I'm so pleased to uncover a few new blogs that I appreciate, not because of their "how to use twitter to market your business" articles, but rather because of the honest and transparent approach to building something valuable.  Whether it be an online, handmade business or a bit of character within the depths of who a person is, some blogs just stand out because you know that the person on the other side of the computer holds a high regard for the empowerment of others.

I'm not going to name any names here, because I want to plant a seed.  As you are reading your favorite blogs, do a touch of evaluation.  Are there any links on your blogroll that challenge you as a person?  That encourage you to get past your fears of not succeeding or maybe succeeding at your business?  That move you to shift the way you think about why you do what you do?  If not, go find one.  It'll change your life.     

Change the World Ticket from AFavorite on Etsy

Etsy in USA TODAY

Here's a link from USA TODAY's website speaking the virtues of handmade and Etsy's part in making it more readily available.

READ THE ARTICLE

Handmade Heaven

I heart handmade. I used to heart it because I made it. Now, I heart it because I respect it. I respect it so much, in fact, that I made a club devoted to it. It's called ReddingHandmade. It's technically an local Etsy team made up of Redding residents that make handmade items.

I've been working on this group for a few weeks but I've been dreaming about it for years. Even before I moved to Redding, I daydreamed about a creative collective in all forms and mediums. I fantasized of creativity parties where we teach each other the craft that we ourselves have fine tuned. I rehearsed workshops where I could share what I've learned the hard way and others could spring from a higher platform than the one I started on. I envisioned an overall attitude of generosity in the way that creative people steward their knowledge.

And so, a week and a half ago, I began by emailing local Etsians and asked if they'd be interested in a Redding team. I have to admit that I was taken aback by the sincere and enthusiastic responses that I received from every one of the local artists I contacted. That enthusiasm has compelled me to action, and swift action at that.

I have already established all of the solid social media outlets that define our online culture. And now, we have our first meeting set for the end of this month. That means I'll get to meet all of the interested parties that want to see the art of handmade more accessible to the Redding community. I'm also in the works of planning an Open House for our debut. It will be next month.

If you live in or near Redding, have or desire to have an Etsy shop, and recognize the virtue of handmade, we'd love for you to join us! Even if you're none of these things, your support is imperative to our success. Check out the following links and let us know what you think. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook and read our blogs once in awhile. And more than anything, support your local businesses!

Twitter: www.twitter.com/reddinghandmade
Facebook Fanpage: www.facebook.com/reddinghandmade
Blogger: www.reddinghandmade.blogspot.com
Ning Site (for Members): www.reddinghandmade.ning.com

Hearts for Haiti Etsy Shop

Kathy Duncan from Sacred River Designs on Etsy posted this on our ReddingHandmade team page today and I wanted to make sure everyone knew about it.

"I learned about this on Twitter Tracker:

HeartsforHaiti is an Etsy collective of donated items from hundreds of Etsy shops to raise money to rebuild Haiti. 100% of the proceeds from this shop (minus Etsy fees and Paypal fees) go directly to DoctorsWithoutBorders (http://doctorswithoutborders.org ) in bi-monthly increments. This shop has permission to use the DoctorsWithoutBorders name and a separate bank account and Paypal account have been opened to maintain the integrity of this shop.

Items have been donated from many individual shops; each shop has included their particulars ( country, shipping time) in each listing. All items include seller-donated free shipping (most worldwide, see individual listing) because the need is SO great, we want you to buy and help support Etsians helping Haiti. The theme for the next few weeks is on heart items but we have more than just that. Please browse our sections to the right and know that your purchase in this shop not only gets you a great Etsy item but it also helps alleviate the needs in Haiti through donations to DoctorsWithoutBorders (MedicinesSansFrontiers ).

TO DONATE:

Please send the following information in an email to etsyforhaiti(at)gmail(dot)com
and put "Hearts For Haiti Donation" as the title:

Your shop name (ex: SacredRiverDesigns.etsy.com)
Your location and country
Item Name/Title
Item Price (please do include this! we don’t want to undervalue your work :)
Item Description
10 tags
Materials used
Up to 5 clear photos of the item

*Please be sure to attach (or upload) all of the photos to the email. Make sure you are sending the sized-for-Etsy versions of your photos. If there is a problem with the photos being transmitted, we will let you know.

*Quantity: if you have a quantity greater than one of this item to donate, please note it here and remind us to RE-LIST it when it sells

IMPORTANT NOTES:

♥ Shipping: All sellers must ship items at their own cost. We would like to encourage everyone who can to offer worldwide shipping but understand that some items need to stay domestic due to customs restrictions. If you would like to restrict your shipping parameters please be sure to note that explicitly in your listing!"

My Minimalist Side Emerges...

I have a friend that is new to Etsy. He's a graphic artist and he does fabulous work. He also is a minimalist. The proof is right here in his newest project, a 2010 desk calendar. Go to CHANCELLOR DESIGNS Etsy shop now to see more...

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

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!

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!

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.