the Colors of Awareness Treasury

I curated another Awareness Treasury.  “The Colors of Awareness”

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=102974

Veteran’s Quilt

 In early December I was looking through the Alchemy listings and came across one titled “Service Memebers Ideas”.  I was intrigued for many reasons. First, I am married to a Veteran,  Second, my father is a veteran and last but not least, my two step-sons are currently serving in the military.

I soon found out that the owner of a a shop on Etsy, Ginksburg’s Handmade Dresses, Quilts & Fashion Jewelry, intended to donate a Veteran’s Quilt from her shop to a veteran.  I decided to see if I could win the Veteran’s Quilt for my father.  I filled out the entry form and waited.

About a week later I was notified that I won.  I was so excited.  I didn’t tell my Father about it, I decided to let it be a surprise.  

Here is a link to the shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ginksburg

He called me when he received the quilt.  He loved it!  The quilt had several insignia embroidered on it.  My step-mom remarked on how well-made it was.  

Unfortunately, I live about 20 miles away from them and I did not get a chance to see the quilt myself until Christmas.   And then I was surprised.  Look at the pictures of this quilt.  It is a wonderful momento, reminding us of all the men and women who have served this great country.

I did a little window shopping and I want to share some of the other treasures in this shop.

Gee, this one is one of my favorites:

and this one just makes me feel good:

this is so cute.  I wish I had a granddaughter:

this is the cutest apron:

Thank-you very much for this great quilt.   

Epilepsy Awareness et al

I curated an Epilepsy Awareness Treasury.  Please visit using this link:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=80728

Remember to click on each picture and leave a comment.  I would love to get Epilepsy Awareness to the front page of Etsy.

Wishes

Wishing You and Your Family

A Merry Christmas and

A Happy Hanukkah.

Tis The Season Treasury by DCHStudio

I found out that  my Merry Christmas Cross Stitch was featured in a Treasury curated by DCHStudio.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=100755

Gabeadz

I was pleasantly surprised to see a post from a friend stating that she had a few rings to give away.  All that was necessary to claim one was to leave a comment on her blog.     http://gabeadz.blogspot.com/

 

I had recently purchased a beautiful ring from her for my step-daughter so I knew that I wanted a ring from her.  this is a picture of the ring I bought from her.

And this is the ring that I received:

If you would like to visit her shop and get your own beautiful ring, here is the link:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/gabeadz

It IS Worth It!

It is difficult at times to keep your spirits up when you sell your creations.  There are so many little things that can bring you down.  

I don’t know about everyone else but the actual creative process can get very frustrating.  There are many times where I just can’t get the materials to do what I envision in my mind.  Or maybe I daydream while I am making something and have to go back and correct boo-boos.  Then there are the times when I get “writers block”.   All the ideas just seem to leave my brain and I can’t put 3 beads on the same string.

Once a piece is finished it can’t be listed in the shop until I get good photographs.  Now there is a chore.  Jewelry is very difficult to photograph.  I have taken as many as 50 pictures of an item before I get a half-way presentable picture.

Now the item is listed and the wait is on.  Every day without a sale feels like a week.  You begin to question your creations, your photographs, your descriptions.  Sometimes it gets to the point that you question your ability.  I have even come close to closing my shop on two separate occasions..  

Both times, within a week of making the decision, I ended up having a great sales day.  The first time I sold a bracelet, realized I needed a bubble envelope and while I was at the store, I sold a pair of earrings.  Yeah!!! Happy Days!!

The second time I decided to close my shop was last Friday.  Today I sold a bracelet early in the day.  It is one of my favorite designs.  Then late this afternoon I sold 2 pair of earrings and a bracelet to one customer.  

You can’t buy this feeling. But I sure wish I could bottle it and save it for those frustrating times. 

New Treasury

I curated a Treasury today.  I happen to love penguins.  I think they are so cute.  But I couldn’t find enough penguins to make the Treasury from one team.  so I combined the Tradeaholics and the Etsy Texas Crafters and the result -“Trade On Texas”.

"It’s Beginning to Look Like" Treasury by Corkycrafts

Corkycrafts made this beautiful Treasury and included my Green and Gold Memory Bracelet.  Thank-you Corky!

Etsy Texas Crafters First Monday Sale

My how time flies!!  A little over a month ago (seems like a week) I was invited to attend my first “First Monday Sale”.  The Etsy Texas Crafters welcome their new members on the first Monday of each month.   

This month there are over 100 shops participating, including me.

This link will take you to the thread that lists all the shops and what each shop is offering for the sale.  I didn’t get my entry in on time, so I am on page 5.  I am offering 15% off on all Christmas earrings and 20% off all hemp jewelry.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6370411&page=1