Thinking and Planning, and a Question

My original plan for this blog post was to continue writing about my crafty goals. Three posts ago I finished up telling you about my list of goals for last quarter - and what had been accomplished. So the plan was to go on today by talking about my new set of crafty goals. 

Then I realized theirs a degree of futility to sharing with you guys what my goals are. Why? Well, between planning to write this post, and actually writing it, a lot has happened! The list has grown longer. Two projects have been completed. Two more projects have been worked on. Not to mention there's the complication of realizing that I have crafty projects all over the place! I have crafts in different crafty genre's, projects not started that are on my list, and even a box full of unfinished objects (or UFO's), that I really should get to at some point. 

So here's the short overview :)  My crafty projects list is always growing and morphing, so this is very incomplete!

1. I'm working on knitting a scarf. It's going slooow...but I do want to finish it.

2. Whenever I finish the scarf Mom and I are going to pick out an easy first crochet project for me to tackle.

3. I have a few ideas floating around for cross-stitch projects.

4. BEAD-WEAVING - I have a LOT lined up here! Totally new pieces no one's ever seen, new takes on old favorites, and just plain lots and lots of fun :) 

I will tell you that one of my plans includes wrapping up my popular Elements series. So far Firebird, Swiftly Changing Waters, and my spin-off from the series - Woodland Fairy, have all gone to good homes! The only one currently in my shop is Wind Dancer, and this is the most unique of the whole series because I wove 50 crystals into this necklace! 

I'm still looking for the right beads to complete the 4th in the series, "Earth Walker." I had some that were perfect and the bead store hasn't restocked them yet. *sigh* After the 4th is done the Elements series will be complete, but I love this style so much that I know I won't stop there! I'll do many, many more spin-offs :) I have a few ideas of color schemes I'd like to do, but I'd love to know what your guy's ideas are! 

If your not familiar with this series I've been doing just click on any of the names to go see more pictures :)

Featured!!!

Every month the California Crafters Club of Etsy (CCCOE) has a contest, and they put anyone who votes in a treasury! I always have so much fun looking at all the pretties, voting, and then finding myself in a gorgeous treasury! That's what I found today. Thanks guys! 

My featured items is my "Amelia" bracelet - 2nd row - on the right :)

Sale Item of the Week - Heroes!

I'm very excited to be offering this as my weekly special! This is one of my favorite creations, for so many reasons. If your a major Heroes fan (like myself), you'll recognize this symbol as one that mysteriously appeared over and over, espcially in the beginning. It's supposed to represent a fusion of the Japanese Kanji for "God" and "send." 

One of the reasons I love this piece so much is that it was the first difficult pattern that I greated. Now, some beadweavers might look at that and go "huh, not THAT hard." And maybe one day I will too, but this was my first pattern that wasn't simply geometric designs. It's also proven to be extremely popular! I made one over Christmas (no pictures unfortunately) in black and silver, and the picture below was another custom order. 

The black and white bracelet is 7 1/2 inches long. I can easily make this bracelet in any size and colors that you'd like though. This week it's only $26, that gives you 20% off and only $2 shipping to anywhere in the world! Just let me know what size you need and what colors your interested in. You can contact me directly at jedimarri@gmail.com to let me know what your specifications are.

A Productive 1st Quarter - Continued

I started talking yesterday about what I accomplished during the first quarter. Here's the rest of my crafty goals from last quarter!

Crafty Goals Accomplished:

~ Finish my first cross-stitch bookmark for kstreasures - Everything's done but the backing, and I'm waiting on creating a third bookmark before I cut up the canvas.

~ Finish my ladybug bookmark - Everything's done but the backing, and I'm waiting on creating a third bookmark before I cut up the canvas.

~ Create Mel's bracelet - This is a surprise for my best friend, who fortunately does not read my blog! Custom orders welcome. - $25.00


~ Start my "aholic" line of keychains for kstreasures: Available in any phrase you want! Etsyholic currently available in the shop I share with my Mom.


~ Custom bracelet for Hippy Chick - This was a custom order - let me know if your interested in one of your very own! $25.00


~ Use Snake Trail Design in a new bracelet for shop - This one is 99% done, I just have to figure out what I want to use for the clasp.

~ American Dreamer Necklace - Done, but not yet listed.

~ Rain-themed creation - Done, but not yet listed.

~ Create the pattern for my first Firefly bookmark - Done, I just need to put the back on it!

I actually have made a LOT more than what made it onto my crafty goals list - but I'm way behind on taking photos and listing. I think that may turn out for the good though. Why? You'll find out soon :) More on goals and stuf tomorrow!

A Productive 1st Quarter

I started out this year by setting myself a list of goals. I decided to only extend those goals through March, and then my plan was to reevaluate them. Why did I do things this way? Well, I firmly believe that one of the important things about goals is to be flexible. You never really know what's going to happen in life, and in 3 months things can change a lot! You can also learn a lot in that span of time. I'm currently in the process of revamping and rethinking my goals, and over the next week or so I'll be talking a lot about what I have or have not accomplished in the last quarter, and what my new goals are for the next quarter.

I've been keeping track of my goals (sometimes more faithfully, sometimes less so) using the site GoalForIt. One of my sets of goals has been "Crafty Goals." So today's post is about what I've accomplished in that area!

Crafty Goals: Accomplished

~ Elements Series - Wind Dancer - Number 2 in my Elements Series. Available in my Shop! $50.00


~ Create Purple and White woven earrings and bracelet for consignment - Currently Available in my consignment shop, custom requests are welcome though:) Earrings are $10, Bracelet is $25.


~ Create another woven bracelet for consignment - Currently Available in my consignment shop, custom requests are welcome though:) $25.00


~ Create orange and White woven earrings and bracelet for consignment. Currently Available in my consignment shop, custom requests are welcome though:) Earrings are $10, Bracelet is $25.


~ Elements series - Swiftly changing Waters - Number 3 in my Elements Series. Update: Sold! 4/5/09 Custom requests gladly taken - $40.00


~ Learn a new macrame knotting pattern. I must admit I'm not entirely sure how well I learned this one... This looks great, but I've been having troubles making a second one! Available in the shop I share with my Mom. $5.00


~ Heroes bracelet for Theresa - This was a custom order. I'm more than willing to make another one in any color scheme you might prefer! $25.00


~ New Geekery bracelet - Bracelet says "Etsyholic." Currently Available in my shop. Requests for custom sayings gladly taken. $25


It's been such a productive quarter I decided that I'll have to continue this post tomorrow! Until then my friends :)

Beautiful Jewelry by Lily Wrey

When I first joined the on-line community, selling my jewelry, I felt a little overwhelmed by all of the different things to learn and to do! One thing that quickly helped me to feel more grounded was making relationships with other on-line sellers. Lily Wrey of Tulips Treasure Box was one person who took me under her wing. In fact, we eventually adopted me! I call here my cyber-aunt, and one day we hope to meet in person.

I love Lily's jewelry design, and I'm not just saying that because we are close friends! I'm saying that as a jewelry designer myself. I've also watched her jewelry design grow quite a bit in the time I've known her. She has a great imagination, and she loves to learn. Recently she's been taking classes on jewelry design, and while I've always enjoyed her work, her new pieces are even more incredible!

Lily got her start by selling on ebay, but quickly grew dissatisfied with that venue for her jewelry. She joined Etsy as Tulips Treasure Box in December of 2007, and that's where I originally met her! Lily hasn't confined herself to that site alone though. She's stressed her wings and tried out many different selling venues, more recently, Artfire, also as Tulips Treasure Box.

We spent quite a bit of time talking last night about both Lily's shop on Artfire and Artfire in general. She's very excited about what she sees developing over there, and plans on becoming even more involved than she already is!

One of the best things about Lily is that she loves others. Remember how I said she took me under her wing? I'm watched hertime and time and again reach out to others around her, offering her support and knowledge. Be sure to check out her shop!

March's Top Droppers!

I just want to send a huge thank you out to all my entrecard droppers for this last month! These are the top 10 :) Just click on the image to be redirected to the blog it represents :)