Wednesday, September 30, 2009

It's a Slide Show!

I've been planning on doing a slide show of my Crafty ADD Updates - so you guys could see the progress the way I can in my folders - but I didn't know when I wanted to do it. Then I realized on Monday that it was my 10th update, and I decided that would be perfect! Boy am I glad I did! The slide show is 47 pictures long, and if I had waited until Christmas like I was originally thinking it would have been WAY too much work and never happened!

As it was I almost gave up. I was trying to set up a slideshow through Flickr (because the pictures were already uploaded there), but the program I tried cut me off before I had all 47 pictures. So then I switched to my photobucket account. I first had to upload all the pics, and it still took a lot of playing around, but I finally got it done! Woohoo! Hopefully the next one will go much quicker because I've learned what I'm doing now :P

So here it is - 10 weeks of me being crafty!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Crafty ADD Update #10

Another week - and more work done on my projects! I didn't quite reach all my goals, but I finally got to work on some projects that have been rattling around my brain, so that makes me happy! Now to the details...

Crochet

I finally started weaving in the ends on my baby blanket! I'd been dreading it because the yarn was freying and unraveling badly, so I thought it was going to be a major headache. I finally sat down yesterday though, and it was no where near as bad as I thought it was going to be! I used a small dish of water, would wet my fingers, and then use my wet fingers to twist the yarn ends into submission. Other than my fingers turning rather pruney...it went smoothly!

I think I need to step up my crocheting though... I have about 4 weeks left until the shower, and at the pace that I've been going that will put me a row short of where I need to be :P So I just need to crochet a wee bit more each week than I have been and I should be fine! Good news is I might finally get to go to the new knitting and crochet group my Mom's been going to, and if I make it tonight, that will mean some dedicted time to crocheting. Hopefully my health will hold and I can go!


Cross-Stitch

I finally drafted the pattern for the book mark I've been wanting to start on for the last few weeks! Unfortuntely I now need to go to the store because, despite having two full boxes of thread, I don't have the right color grey for the brain I'm going to do on the right side of the words that you see above.

And for those of you who are going "Huh???" - It's a quote from the show Firefly :P

Jewelry

Yes, I'm STILL working on this bracelet! I told myself I'd have it done by the end of the weekend, and though I did work on it, it just didn't happen. Oh well. Should have it done by next week :P

I did get the pieces out for a necklace I've been wanting to do for weeks, so that makes me happy in the jewelry department! I finally have all the components I need. I won the charm in a blog contest and I've been wanting to make a necklace with it ever since! Actually stringing it is on my to-do list tody.

Treasury

I'm in a treasury! Aways a great way to wake up :) My earrings are in the middle, second row from the bottom.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

My New Tote :)

I won this lovely tote from Char Spirit Creations. Isn't it cute? It's a reversible pocket tote. What's the inside in this picture features the fabric that you see in the pocket as I have it laid out. Then it has a pocket of the plain black fabric. I like using it this way because it's still bright and fun, but not quite as "in your face" as having the main fabric being the rainbow peace signs would be. Who knows? That's my mood right now, I may change my mind on different occasions :P

Not only is this tote reversible, it folds up into the pocket, and so it stores really easily! Perfect for someone who doesn't have a lot of space. Which I don't. Also, what you can't see in this picture is that the strap ties, so you can adjust it to be as long or short as you want. It's actually long enough for me to sling cross-body, and I'm not a small woman!

Now when I first got this in the mail a couple of days ago I didn't know what I was going to do with it. After all, I already have a designated craft bag, and a library tote, so I didn't know what purpose I was going to put this new tote to. I tossed it in the closet and figured that I'd come up with something before long. It's too cute to pass up after all!

Then, last night, I ended up using the tote and it was PERFECT. You see, we lost all water pressure in our apartment, which meant no using the bathroom, and it was too late for the repair guy to come out and look at it. You DON'T tell me I can't use the bathroom! It just does not work well. So we decided at 10 o'clock last night that I was spending the night at my parents house.

What did I use the tote for? Packing of course! I put my pjs, books, crochet project, and some meds in there! Plus some bathroom stuff fit perfectly in the pocket :) In the picture at the top it's still stuffed full from my short trip to my parents, and as you can see, it all fit perfectly! Thanks Char!

Oh yes, we have water pressure again.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Need to Get Ready :)

Mom and I get to do a bazaar in a just two weeks! I'm really excited! I haven't done one in a loooong time. I'm hoping it goes well. I have lot to do to get ready for it. It's a relatively new bazaar, so who knows what the sales will be like, but we figured we'd give it a try since they invited us. If we do well sales-wise, then we'll sign up for some more in the next few months.

Things I need to do:
~ Try to excercise a little each day to make sure I'm strong enough for the bazaar.
~ Double check my prices, make some adjustments to my charms prices...
~ Catch up on my photography so I can tag everything to be sold.
~ Reorganize my necklaces so they are easier to pull out to display.
~ Set up my display and figure out what I need to make adjustments on.
~ Buy anything I need for the displays.

I'm so excited and nervous at the same time!

In the mean time...here's some of my latest items promoted from my shop and my Mom's shop! :) Which is your favorite? Tell me and get an extra entry in my top commentators contest!



Friday, September 25, 2009

Featuring Designs by Vanessa

Designs by Vanessa is this months featured Etsy Blogger! I had the privilage of interviewing her, and I get to share that with you! Have fun getting to know her :) Click on any of the pictures to be taken to the listings for them.

1. What type of art work do you do?

At the moment I enjoy designing jewelry and paper goods.

2. How did you get started doing art work?

My dad is a talented artist and he got me started with painting and drawing probably before I could walk. I am a family therapist by day and art has quickly become my own form of therapy at the end of a long day.

3. Do you do any other crafts?

I love all types of crafts and I especially love learning new crafts. Lately I have enjoyed working with felt.

4. Is there a story behind your shop name?

My name is Vanessa and the designs are by me! A bit narcissistic and not that original but I still like it lol!

5. What's your favorite piece in your shop right now?

I’m loving my felt birdie cards at the moment.

6. Where do you sell your work?


7. Do you blog?


8. Are you on any social networks you'd like to share?




9. Do you watch or listen to anything while you work? If so, what?

Lately I have been addicted to watching 80’s movies while I craft. I love Pretty In Pink, The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles. I know these movies by heart so I don’t have to pay too close attention to them.

10. Tell us one random fact about your self *wink*

Pickles are my favorite food! You said random, right?

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Designing Queen!

I'm going to be a designing Queen!!!!! Ok, maybe not quite, but I can start working towards being one :P I bought a program called Bead Tool 3 yesterday, and it's for designing bead weaving projects. I'm so excited! I played around with it a little yesterday. I have a LOT to learn, but the potential is enormous! Now I need to work on the design for this months bead weavers competition...and more importantly...now I can work on it :)

Now, just so you can laugh at me, guess what the first design I actually worked up was? An image for my current cross-stitch bookmark. Yup, not good at using things for their intended uses...

I've gotten quite a few things listed this week, for once my "showing" off is mostly new items instead of relistings! Which piece is your favorite?


Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Tuesday's Tips #14

If your anything like most crafters you probably have at least one work in progress (WIP) lying around. If your like me, and many others, we might be talking more like half a dozen to a dozen! They are just sitting there, taunting you, so now what?

WIP's aren't a bad thing in and of themselves. They happen for very legitimate reasons. Maybe you needed one more component to finish the piece, and your waiting for it to come in the mail, or a chance to go to the store. Or you got a custom order, so you had to put the piece aside to complete that. Don't get me wrong, custom orders help keep the money rolling in, but they get in the way of doing what you want some times don't they? Of course there are also the pieces that end up in the WIP pile because you are fed up with the piece, or simply not in the mood to do the last little "fiddly work" as one of my team mates put it.

Ok, so we all have those WIP's, what's next?

I'd challenge you to dip into that pile of WIP's once in awhile. Especially if your craft is also a business. If it's just for fun, it's not big deal, but if you sell your work every WIP represents a piece that could potentially make you money, and it can't reach that potential until you finish it!

I personally find it hard to get around to working on the WIP's. I have so many NEW ideas that it's hard to go back and finish up things that got put aside, not matter how legitimate the reason for putting it aside was. My first step in combating that is that I try not to put things in the WIP box in the first place. Unless I'm being faced with a deadline, I try really hard not to start a new piece until I've finished the old one. Sometimes I can't resist, so I make myself alternate between the two, but I try really hard not to abandon anything until its done!

So, next time you wrap up a project, before you start a new one, look in your WIP pile. Try to pull one thing out and finish it before you go onto your next project. You don't have to finish the whole pile, but get one thing done before you go on to your new idea! If you try and do this each time you finish a project, eventually you won't have a WIP pile :)

Well...at least until you get interrupted again :P I think it's just human nature for us to accumulate those WIP's from time to time. Or at least the artsy/crafty nature!

Monday, September 21, 2009

Crafty ADD Update #9

It's update time again! I love doing these weekly updates :) Helps keep me motivated!

Crochet

I'm on to the third row! I think I'm starting to pick up speed gain and finally getting used to these fiddely pieces of yarn. Having said that...I'm dreading weaving in the ends because all the ends are freying and it looks like it's going to be a heck of a job! I might start on the first row tonight while watching the Heroes premier though. Lots of breaks and distractions that way :P

Cross-Stitch

I finished putting all my embroidery thread on little bobbins! I knew it was a good sized bag, but I was amazed to see that it filled a whole box! I also finished a WIP I had sitting around. I have two ideas sketched out, I just need to do the actual charting. Don't think I'll get to that today, but I should be able to do it tomorrow, which means I'll have a new pretty project to report on next week!
Jewelry

If this looks familiar...it should be! I put it aside a few weeks ago to work on my Mom's birthday project. And then it got set aside again while I worked on a custom order. Then I finished another bracelet I had in progress. :P I think I've only added about a threads worth of beads since you last saw it, but it's my main project at the moment! I have a lot of jewelry ideas floating around my head (or in my notebook) but I've made myself a promise not to work on any other pieces until I've added a thread's worth of beads that day. Each thread is approximately 5-6 feet long, so I should finish this by the end of the week that way :)


Sunday, September 20, 2009

So Many Ideas!

I'm in one of those places again where I have WAY to many ideas to keep up with! Good thing Sharla just got me a new notebook huh? Right now I have plans for two strung necklaces, one hemp necklce, I'm working on a bead woven bracelet, I have plans for another woven necklace, I have a cabochon that I started playing with and want to finish, and I'm going to be buying a new beading program so that I can do some new design work and work out a piece that's been rattling around my brain for a few weeks now! *whew* Oh and I have a few ideas for woven earrings too!

And THAT is just the jewelry :P As you'll see when I do my Crafty ADD post - my blanket for my cousins baby is coming along nicely. I have ideas rattling around my head for future baby things I'd like to mke too... And I have ideas for several bookmarks!

Mom and I were watching this show called "She's Crafty" the other day. I think it's a local show...but it's this young woman who does all sorts of wacky craft projects. She specializes in repurposing items and "going green." Some of what she did on the episode I watched was kinda interesting, there was one project that Mom and I both agreed we could to better, and it left us both wondering how much I'd get done if I actually was healthy and energy again :P There are a lot of projects I'd never attempt right now because it simply involves too much moving around! I'd never be Martha Stewart (can't stand her style for one thing) but I'd definitely have a bunch of fun :P

Oh well, I do have fun with what I can create here and now, and it's no good to just sit and wonder "what if?" right?

Speaking of what I can create - here's the latest items promoted from my shops! Leave a comment on what's your favorite and get an extra entry into the Top Commentators contest!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

I've been Featured!

I found myself in this lovely treasury today put together by SFBeads - Thanks!

My piece is the Set Me Free Butterfly Bracelet in the bottom left.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Lots of Goodies to Show Off!

I told my friends on plurk last night that I'd gotten goodies in the mail, and I promised to show them off! Don't worry, I would have shown them off anyway :P

First up are these goodies I got in a trade with Creative Supplies. I have several ideas for these, but I'm WAY behind on my product photography so it might be awhile before you see it even if I make it today :P


I got two packages in the mail yesterday. The one with the beady goodies was expected, the other one was a surprise! Since I'm staying with my parents while the paint airs out at my apartment, my hubby brought it over in his backpack. First he dolled out the regular mail, one piece at a time. Then he asked me what was in the packages. Since I didn't know what was in the second package he had to taunt me! First he gave me the supplies... then he threatened to open my surprise...and finally I got to unwrap my lovely present!


I had signed up for a "Craft It Forward" awhile ago, and this was my beautiful present! It's from my friend Sharla. She said it's for keeping track of all my jewelry ideas. So I took her at her word and titled the notebook appropriately.


Then I made a sketch of the idea that was running through my head the night before! I'm hoping to make a broach. Don't worry - when I actually outline it I'll be much more precise and pretty looking than my quick free hand sketch :P I'm not much at drawing...


Last of all...I wanted to show off my custom order I've been working on! I really enjoyed working on it - and she said she really likes it! It went out in the mail today :) It's two matching bracelets, a matching necklce, and two arm ties that she is going to use to tie her shawl to her upper arms.


Wednesday, September 16, 2009

I'm a Winner!

Look at this awesome tote I won from Char Spirit Creations!
I can hardly wait to get it!



Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Crafty ADD Update #8 and Health Update

Hey guys! Sorry I've been quiet the last few days. My migraines got REALLY bad, and we figured out that I've been reacting to them painting my apartment complex. I figured this out on Friday, but was determined to just stick it out. Then Saturday was horrible, and when I woke up on Sunday just as bad... Well that's when Mo and I made the decision to have me move back in with my parents temporarily. Hopefully it's just for a week or two until the paint fumes settle. The whole process has been exhausting, but I do seem to be doing some better now that it's been a few days so it looks like it's working!

Have no fear - I packed up my crafty stuff and brought it with me! So I'll still be hard at work creating fun crafty things :D And now that I'm starting to feel a little bit better that means I'll get more done again :P Unlike this last week... Here's where I'm at though!

Crochet

Didn't get as much done on this, this week. I'm going to have to step it up so it gets done in time for next months baby shower!

Fun piece of news - I just found out yesterday that my "brother" and his wife are having another baby! I won't need to start on that baby blanket until after Christmas though. Plenty of time to figure out what I want to do. I might do another crochet project...or I might do a quilting project :D

Cross-Stitch

I still have a lot of ideas floating around my head for the next cross-stitch project, but I havan't had the brains to do the actual planning. So I've worked more on putting thread on bobbins! Going for a bit of raibow type pattern since these threads don't have numbers like the DMC thread that I have in my other storage box.

Jewelry

I love doing custom orders! This piece is the first piece in 5 piece set I'm making for a gal in Germany. The piece shown above is an arm band that's designed to be able to be tied with one hand to secure a shawl to the upper arm. I'll be making a matching one like this, two bracelets in the same color but w/ beads, and a choker, also with beads

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Sorry...

Today's post is short and sweet. My migraine is really bad today. So I'm just doing an update on my lastest listings :) Tell me your favorite and get an extra entry into my top commentators contest!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Treasury Loving!

I found myelf in two more treasury's done by team mates - Isn't that cool? Thank you so much to AngelqueCreations and Gr8tJewellery!

You can see one of my hemp bracelets in this one!
Second row, first column.
Go here to comment on the treasury!


You can my "I Love Etsy" bracelet in this one!
Last row, second column.
Go here to comment on the treasury!


Thursday, September 10, 2009

Etsy Bloggers Carnival - Talking about OHM

The current Etsy Bloggers Carnival topics are:
1)Sept. 11 is the anniversary of a very tragic event. To make the world better what do you do? Charity donations or support, volunteering, living green or ?
2) Brag on yourself. What are you most proud of in your life?

I'm going to kind of combine the two. There are many things I'm proud of in my life, but my almost two years working at Open House Ministries (OHM) are high on that list! I was day care teacher, but that title doesn't really cover what I did.

(yes, that's me, younger and skinnier)
OHM is a long term homeless shelter. They provide a place to stay while people are getting back on their feet, not to mention lots of services to help them get back on their feet! Residents might stay for three months, or a lot longer, depending on what help they need.

As a day care teacher I not only took care of the kids while the parents were working to get back on their feet, I also ended up doing a lot of impromptu counseling, some chauffeuring, data entry, working in the donations center, and even cooking a spaghetti dinner for 50+ people! Pretty much, I just pitched in where ever I was needed!

That's what I did, what am I doing now? I'm not strong enough to even go volunteer down there any more, so I've decided to start donating a percentage of my sales! Starting this month I'll be donating 10% of all my proceeds to OHM. Each month I'll post up how much the previous month's donation came too! Right now...that comes to $0.20! ok, so that's not much, but I do have a custom order lined up so that will bring the total up :) And I haven't checked in with my consignment store yet for the month.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

It's Voting Time!

That's right - it's time to vote in this month's Etsy Bead Weaver Challenge! I don't have an entry this time - but that's doesn't mean you can't go vote! There are some incredible entries and I had a lot of fun deciding! Go to the blog to vote.

And don't worry - I've already got ideas for next months challenge *wink*

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

New Beads!

I made a comment on Plurk that I had gone bead shopping - and everyone wanted to see! So here's my stash - I have plans in mind for... well...most of it? LOL I went shopping because I have a custom order and then just some pendants that I wanted better supplies to use with. So most of it actually does have a very specific purpose. some of it was just for fun though :) Because hey, I can't resist the beads!

Tuesday's Tips #11

The last month or so I've been talking a lot about Inspiration and Challenging Yourself. This week I want to take a little bit of an opposite approach. That's right, I'm telling you to take a day off!

A day off???

Yup.

Not necessarily today, but when you need one, taking a day off can be very important!

Coming from me that may surprise you. I know that some of you think I'm Miss Super Productive (and maybe I am, but that's an argument for a different day) and I'll admit that taking a day off is HARD for me! But, I have learned that it's necessary sometimes.

When should you take a day off? Well, are you feeling burned out? Have you run out of ideas? Do you feel like you need a break? Well then give yourself a break!

We all need breaks sometimes. We all need to unwind and decompress. We all need to get some distance from our work.

So take some time to just relax. Put down your paint brush/knitting needles/whatever, step away from the computer, and do something else! Go for a jog, read a book, cook a fancy dinner, kiss your significant other. Recharge your creative energies :) Then...go back to work! :P

Monday, September 7, 2009

Crafty ADD Update #7

I'm having so much fun doing these weekly updates! Especially because I can look at my folders and see the progress I've made over time :) I think after a couple of months of this I'll make a slide show to share w/ you all so you can see the fun progression like I can!

Cross Stitch

I finished my butterfly book mark! I have a few ideas for the next one, but I need to do some sketching before I can start it. Some things I use patterns from others, some times I make up my own, the next one will be one of my own :D

Until I get around to sketching the next book mark I'm working on taking thread and putting it on bobbins. I have this whole bag (that you see to the right of the picture) of random colors that my Mom gave me. Up until now I've just been pulling out the colors I needed and putting them on bobbins, but I want to have it more organized and easier to access. I already have a box like this of DMC colors that I've collected over time, and now I'll have a box of random colors with no DMC numbers :P

Crochet

My new baby blanket (for my cousin) is going SLOW. As you might be able to tell, the yarn has silver threads through it, which is gorgeous, but HARD to deal with! So I'm crocheting much slower than I was on the previous blanket I was working on. Hoping I'll speed up as I get used to it.

Jewelry


I spent most of last week working on my Mom's Birthday Present, but I got going on a new project yesterday! I had a custom order for some earrings, and when I got done with that I made two more pairs in the same style but with different colors! Hopefully I'll get them in my shop soon :) And I'm sure I'll make more too!

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Mom's Birthday Present

If you've talked to me at all this week - then you know I'v been working furiously on my Mom's birthday present for the latter half of the week! Which is what happens when I work on it at the last minute... Not to mention it's a bead embroidery piece and I still find those challenging!

I took a couple of quick snap shots before I gave it to her. Not perfect, but my borther is going to bring it back over this week for a good photo shoot :)

The Top


The Back

I'm thinking next time I do something like this I should take more "along the way" pictures so I can give you a better idea of what's involved... There are a lot of steps! First you have to secure the cabochon to the material with glue. Which is really only a temporary hold. Then you bead around the cabochon and up the sides to truly secure it. Then you do the embroidery all around it to fill out whatever pattern/shape you desire. Then you glue all of that to a piece of ultra suede backing material and let that dry. Then you go around the edges with more beads. THEN, in this case at least, you glue it to the hair barrette!

I didn't get any pictures of me actually giving it to Mom, but I got my brother to snap a shot of it in her hair for me :)

Mom


What do you think? Should I make one or two for my shops? I might just at some point...but honestly...I have a LONG list of things I want to make...so it'll depend on when and what inspiration hits!



Featuring Facebook Fans on Etsy!!!

Ok, I know I've been silent for the last two days, sorry! Friday was busy and then I just haven't been feeling good. I missed my normal Friday Featured Artist - but I don't want to skip right over it, so I'm just doing it today!

This week is a little different. Instead of focusing on a specific artist, I interviewed the team leader of one of my teams, FFEST, to tell you a little bit more about our new team! Sorry for the lack of pictures in today's post - just not up to it.

1. Can you tell us how the team started?

In mid-July I began a thread on the Etsy Promotions forum asking for Facebook fans for my shop's fan page. My original intent was to get to the magic 100 to have a shortened URL. It became a very popular thread and I decided to begin a group on Facebook to share information. One day while checking the thread I got this crazy thought, "There should be an Etsy Street Team for Facebook Fans on Etsy." Silly me, I decided to post that on the thread and it sort of took on a life of its own. The wonderful thing that happened was other Etsy sellers jumped on the bandwagon and most importantly volunteered to assist with this crazy idea. Once we got started it started to fall into place rather quickly. By mid-August we were "official". As of September 1st there are 22 members signed on to FFEST! My hope is that we grow at a slow and steady pace.

2. What are the goals of the team?

Networking and promotion with a heaping side of FUN thrown in. Here is the description that I originally used on the FB group:
A diverse group of artisans and crafters who have shops on Etsy.com and Facebook pages in order to promote the sale of handcrafted items. Also, to share ways to improve sales and promotions through Facebook.

First and foremost, promoting the team and each other to increase traffic in all our shops. Each month the members have a point goal of 20 to achieve to remain listed as an active member on the team blog. Many of the tasks suggested involve promoting another members shop or the team as a whole. We use more than Etsy and Facebook to do so. We tweet on twitter, have contest and in the future some giveaways, and we blog. I have already found that the more visible you are as a team, the better chance of increased sales. I recently had sales that I can contribute to the promotion of our team!

Another wonderful aspect of the team is the concept of "Pay It Forward" What I have found is this group is made up of many caring individuals. If some one is in need of fans or assistance, everyone steps right up to help. When I think about the FFEST team, I am moved and grateful that they have come into my life. As we learn about being a team and grow in numbers, it will be exciting to see what directions we will go in. This is a group effort and as a team we are open to suggestions and ideas.

3. My readers want to know, "I want to be a member! How do I join and what do I need to do once I've joined?"

There are two basic requirements to request membership.
♥ You must have an Etsy shop with 10 or more items for sale. We want active sellers!
♥ You must have a Facebook Fan page with 100 or more fans. This will only increase the visibility of the team as a whole.

We are Facebook Fans on Etsy, so it makes sense that those two elements are non-negotiable. So if someone has those covered the next step is visiting our forum home and checking out the other requirements. At that time, if someone believes this team will be a good fit, they can follow the directions at the left-hand side of the forum home page and we will set the approval process in motion. This involves emailing me the requested information. Once I receive it and check for the basic requirements, I will send an invitation from the forum for that person to join us.
Once a member is approved, they can post to their heart's content on the forum, use the tag "ffest team" for items posted in their Etsy shop, and participate in team promotion through our monthly points roll call. That info can be found on our team blog and forum.

4. Where can we find the team? (blogs, FB, ning...)

We seem to be EVERYWHERE. Our main page is:
www.ffonetsy.ning.com - the forum that serves as our team "home"
www.facebookfansonetsy.com - the place where we blog it! You can find our team treasuries posted here along with contests, featured FFESTy friends, and more. This is a work in progress!
There is also a link to our shop, blogs and twitter accounts.
www.twitter.com/EtsyFBTeam - follow us and we will follow you!!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113391211629&ref=ts - the FB group that got the ball rolling and a great place to find fans! We ask that you join the group before requesting membership to FFEST.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6223696 - the now famous thread on the Etsy Promotions forum that is still active! It was started on 7/20/09 and now has 88 pages of 879 posts! And to think I was just looking for 100 fans on Facebook!

5. Anything else we should know about the team?

There are some incredibly talented and dedicated individuals that step up to this challenge and have become part of the FFEST Admin Team (thank goodness because I couldn't do this alone!)

Missy of MissMooseDesign.etsy.com - she set up the ning forum and spent a Saturday afternoon on the phone with me working out the logistics of creating a street team...it was so nice to talk in real time with such a kind and talented person!

Heather of aktie9.etsy.com - she is our liaison between the team and the Etsy staff. She was the point person for all the info that needed to be sent with the initial team request.

Cheryl of cherylspurplecow.etsy.com - keeps the official team roster and is a lover of all things purple! She recently snagged a team treasury that was (you guessed it!) purple!!

Talina of ripperarts.etsy.com - did an amazing job with our team blog and our graphics! The one thing that I thought was extremely important was branding our team and our team avatar is bright and easily recognizable! It goes for Etsy orange to FB blue!

Anglea of Amievoltaire.etsy.com - contributed tons of time and ideas to the team start up and now has the role of Promotions Goddess! She is always looking for giveaway and contest ideas. I know I am looking foward to some of the things she has planned.

Vickie of inmyheadstudios.etsy.com - is the Leader of the Etsy Twitter Team and has signed on as a blogger, tweeter and all-around wealth of information! She is blogs about any team treasuries we might snag.

Without these ladies, this team would not have come to be. I am eternally grateful for their time and talents. We are still learning what works and what needs to be changed. It will take time to settle into a good pattern. With these ladies on board it will happen sooner rather than later!

6. Take a minute to promote your self! Give us you shop addy and tell us a little about what you sell :)

I have a shop on Etsy called Lucky Ladybug Designs at glorybe1024.etsy.com I set it up in April of 2007. At that time LLD wasn't in the picture. I put some bracelets on there and nothing and I pretty much forgot about it. I took my bracelets in to work one day and sold quite a few and had a great response to my designs. One woman suggested that I sell them online...etsy popped into my head. I needed to come up with some sort of name. The date was 7-7-07...needed to have something to do with luck. Then it hit me! Ladybugs are considered lucky and after a couple of different tries, I came up with Lucky Ladybug Designs.

I have the cutest little ladybug as my avatar...branding!

I began by selling jewelry and branched out to crocheted items and now I am moving in the direction of sewing. I love my mini key fobs...they would make a perfect stocking stuffer!! After many attempts I came up with the fat-bottom clutch which is a wonderful make-up bag since is stands up and has easy access. I love to crochet simple things like the cotton cloths and scarves. I am constantly getting inspired by things I might see in a store or the work of others. I usually see something then say to myself "but I would change this or that" and go home and try it.
About me in general, I am 47. I live in Indianapolis. I have two children, a grown son - 20 and a teenaged daughter - 17 who receives a lot of my "attempts". I am married to a wonderful man who tolerates my crafting. I am also active in the local community theaters in Indy. I am an administrative assistant by day - the job that supports my crazy crafting habit. And I happen to love ladybugs ~ go figure!!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

More About my Project

Yesterday I blogged about my jewelry board project. One of my friends asked why I was hanging all my jewelry up? Well the answer is fairly simple - I have too much jewelry!

Ok, maybe not too much, but the only way to put it in a jewelry box would be to buy an expensive jewelry armoire. While that would be pretty, that is, like I said, expensive! In my apartment up north I simply put a bunch of thumb tacks into the wall. It was a college apartment and rather pathetic, so I didn't care :P

Since we've moved home from Ellensburg most of my jewelry has been boxed up, or lying in a plastic tub. So either I've had no access to it for a year, or it's been tangling easily in my box so I haven't been pulling it out too often!

Using the bulletin board to hang up my necklaces and bracelets, and then the embroidery hoops for my earrings, will keep my jewelry untangled and easy to access! That means I'll probably wear it more often. Who knows? Maybe that will lead to more sales!

I also have some new items to show you! Leave me a comment about your favorite to get an extra entry in my top commentators contest!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Having Some Fun :)

I was having a bad day - so my brother and I decided it was time to cheer me up! We did a pretty darn good job too :) If you want to see some of the fun photos I posted, go visit my other blog.

I'm also excited because it looks like I'm going to be hiring my brother in the future to do product photography for me! This really excites me for two reasons. One, he has a better camera. Two, my hands shake a lot from medication so it's HARD for me to get good pictures. We're still working out the details but he took a bunch of shots for free today so I can now work on a bunch of new listings!

We also picked up my old bulletin board from my parents house. I stripped it of it's misc items (that was a trip down memory lane) and I started hanging up my necklaces and bracelets. I'm not done, but here's what I have so far! Only problem is I'm rediscovering necklaces of my own that I want to re-make :P

My earrings are going to be on a embroidery hoop. Well, two hoops probably looking at this pile! All I did on that today was to pull them out from their various places they were stashed and dump them on the hoop :P


I've given up the project for the day. Too much moving around and I'm not breathing too clear. I'm assuming it's from the stress earlier this day that had me all in the dumps :P Not feeling as stressed right now, but these things can affect my body long after...

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

In Another Treasury!

It's another FFEST treasury! I'm loving this team - so supportive! Thanks Cheryl!

My piece is the earrings you see in the first picture, second row :)

You can view the treasury while it's active here.

Announcing Augusts Winners!

August was a crazy month for me, so I'm excited to wrap it up by announcing my Top Commentator Winners! Remember how you can earn extra entries when you comment on my posts that show new items and tell me your favorites? The numbers in paranthesis show their total entries after those are added in :)

Beaded Tail 30 (39)
Memories for Life 30 (35)
Story Beader 11 (12)

Here's an item from each of their shops!

Beaded Tail


Story Beader

Congratulations to the Winners!

Now for the fun of looking at the numbers *wink*. Remember that last month's winners are not eligable for this month's contest, so my top commentator was actually not one of this month's winners!

Top Commentator: This Month - 40. Last Month - 27
Total Commentators: This Month - 55 Last Month - 59
Total Comments: This Month - 218 Last Month - 249

Just a reminder - this is what our winners won - and what you could win next month!

Top 3 Commentators - Write up on this blog :)

1st Place - $20 Gift Certificate to my Shops
2nd Place - $10 Gift Certificate to my Shops
3rd Place - $5 Gift Certificate to my Shops

Also, don't forget, this month's winners can't win next month - so here's your chance!

I know I'm on some new teams now - so I'm hoping to see some fresh "competitors" in the contest!