Wednesday, November 18, 2009

SHOP OF THE WEEK Journey of Love Designs.


Denise Kung, of JourneyofLoveDesigns.etsy.com, is a woman after my own heart. Most of her work is made with fascinating papers, many of them Japanese papers. I absolutely love paper! I want to buy everything in her shop!

She specializes in stationary, paper gifts, magnets, and even related products like invitations, escort cards, and table numbers.

Denise also has a second Etsy shop called SeashellBaby.etsy.com. She lists products made by her mother. Her mother had to retire early due to her poor health. Now she knits and crochets to pass the time. She loves to come up with new products to make. What a nice mother-daughter story!

Denise is currently working with Japanese chiyogami paper (chiyogami is a type of Japanese paper decorated with brightly colored, woodblock-printed patterns) for her products. “I recently returned from a trip to Japan. I bought a few sheets of chiyogami paper and will be using them for my new products. I would love to buy the whole store of paper! The colors and textures are so beautiful and delicate. I am inspired by the colors and patterns of the papers I work with and find. I am a visual person so my eyes get tickled when I see certain papers,” says Denise about her adoration of paper. Her work reflects an interest in Asian design like in this Chinese New Year Paper Orb Ornament.

“I have always loved creating things. My craft allows me to come up with ideas and carry them out to put together materials and create something new from them. Also, when I get an event related order, I enlist the help of my mother and we bond over our work.”

Follow her on Twitter: @journeyoflove
Read her blog: http://journeyoflovedesigns.blogspot.com
Fan her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Journey-of-Love-Designs

Special for This Week Only:

Free set of 6 gift tags with any order
from
Journey of Love Designs.


Free set of 2 scrubbies/coasters with any order
from
Seashell Baby.


Use code: "Etsytwitterteam"


Monday, November 09, 2009

Shop Of The Week: Jenco13


Visiting Jenco13 is a sure way to feel a serious need for something warm. Multi-colored shawls, scarves (with pockets!), cup cozies, cuddly baby blankets and more fill this Etsy store.

Jen freely admits that most of her items narrowly miss being kept. " I love each item I make and sometimes find them very hare to part with! I spend anywhere betweet 6-8 hours on a scarf to make sure my stitches are even and consistent. If its not up to my standards, I rip out the stitches until I'm satisfied. I only sell things that I would use myself. When I'm done making things, my husband, Joe, normally has to remind me I already have a million scarves and cup cozies of my own!"

Jen credits her mom, a graphic designer and artist herself, with inspiring her. "She is amazing with colors! We try to get together at least once every 6 months to do an art day for the girls."


Husband Joe is also supportive. "He is an amazing supporter of my art work and never says to me, "You're crocheting again?" He helps me pick out what my next projects are going to be."

Jen ships her work internationally and is happy to do custom items. "I love to take custom orders from people when they see something new that I have not thought about making before."

As head of the Etsy Twitter Team's PR Committee, Jen is an avid user of Twitter and has a few tricks of the trade to share.

"Each month I go on to friendorfollow.com to see who has been following me, who are my friends, and who is not following me. I first figure out who is no longer using their accounts and get rid of those friends, so that I have room to add those who are following me. I only spend about 30 minutes or so, because you can really get caught up doing things on Twitter!"

She also makes it a point to respond. "I ALWAYS respond to those who RT my information, recommend me for #followfridays or DM me. I feel its important to make those connections on twitter."

Jen credits persistance and determination for helping her get her store going. " I am the little engine that could! I never give up on things. When times are tough, I stick to my goal and keep on trucking."

Jenco13 is offering a two deals this week:

CUP COZIES ARE BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!
SCARVES ARE BUY ONE GET ONE 1/2 PRICED!
USE THE COUPON CODE -ETTROCKS!


Etsy Twitter Team Shop Of The Week: Jenco13


Visiting Jenco13 is a sure way to feel a serious need for something warm. Multi-colored shawls, scarves (with pockets!), cup cozies, cuddly baby blankets and more fill this Etsy store.

Jen freely admits that most of her items narrowly miss being kept. " I love each item I make and sometimes find them very hare to part with! I spend anywhere betweet 6-8 hours on a scarf to make sure my stitches are even and consistent. If its not up to my standards, I rip out the stitches until I'm satisfied. I only sell things that I would use myself. When I'm done making things, my husband, Joe, normally has to remind me I already have a million scarves and cup cozies of my own!"

Jen credits her mom, a graphic designer and artist herself, with inspiring her. "She is amazing with colors! We try to get together at least once every 6 months to do an art day for the girls."


Husband Joe is also supportive. "He is an amazing supporter of my art work and never says to me, "You're crocheting again?" He helps me pick out what my next projects are going to be."

Jen ships her work internationally and is happy to do custom items. "I love to take custom orders from people when they see something new that I have not thought about making before."

As head of the Etsy Twitter Team's PR Committee, Jen is an avid user of Twitter and has a few tricks of the trade to share.

"Each month I go on to friendorfollow.com to see who has been following me, who are my friends, and who is not following me. I first figure out who is no longer using their accounts and get rid of those friends, so that I have room to add those who are following me. I only spend about 30 minutes or so, because you can really get caught up doing things on Twitter!"

She also makes it a point to respond. "I ALWAYS respond to those who RT my information, recommend me for #followfridays or DM me. I feel its important to make those connections on twitter."

Jen credits persistance and determination for helping her get her store going. " I am the little engine that could! I never give up on things. When times are tough, I stick to my goal and keep on trucking."

Jenco13 is offering a two deals this week:

CUP COZIES ARE BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!
SCARVES ARE BUY ONE GET ONE 1/2 PRICED!
USE THE COUPON CODE -ETTROCKS!


Saturday, October 31, 2009

Ornaments that Fill your Heart and Make you smile

Check out my Christmas Ornaments for sale on Etsy. The photos are transferred onto a clay background and baked for durability. Special requests can be taken for mix and match. I hope you like the equestrian ornaments as much as I do. I spent some time in Aiken South Carolina, real horse country and it inspired that set. Check out http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33593331 to purchase.




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Thursday, October 29, 2009

Shop Of The Week: Cape Cod Jewels and Things



Cape Cod Jewels and Things overflows with shiny, glittery, happy creations.

Vintage and new jewels wink back at you from rings, funky puzzle piece earrings, spooky Halloweeen-ready amber chandelier pendants and more. Owner Linda Stranger embraces both her inner magpie, and her sense of fun in her one-of-a kind designs.

"My best inspiration comes when I sit at my work desk and play with my beads and wire and findings... I love it when a piece of jewelry just seems to make itself while I'm playing!"

A perfectionist, Linda takes great care over each piece she creates,
and admits that some pieces never make it to the shop. "It takes me a long time to pick out components and assemble my jewelry. I want everything to be just perfect, and sometimes I have to just let something be, 'cause I'm never going to be happy with it. You should see all the stuff I DON'T list. ;)."
In addition to her jewelry, Linda recently debuted a line of adorable handcrafted paper products in her shop and loves giving customers a little something extra with each order. Jewelry purchases come in a box ready for gifting, and she strives to be as "green" as possible by reusing packaging.

As a member of the Etsy Twitter Team as well as Unique Women in Business, Linda shares new creations on Twitter, as well as satisfying her window shopping urge following the links of others.

"I just tweet my stuff, re-tweet or reply to interesting tweets... I have fun with it. :) I've gotten to know more about my fellow etsytwitter'ers, and I think they're getting to know more about me... and I LOVE to follow their links and check out their newest creations and finds. I'm a professional window shopper and twitter has been a great outlet for that!"


Visit Cape Cod Jewels and Things at http://capecodjewel.etsy.com/ or follow Linda on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/capecodjewel
All Halloween Items at Cape Cod Jewel
Are Marked Down to $6.66 This Week!
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Etsy Twitter Shop of The Week: Threepeats

Shop of The Week: Threepeats

The best thing about the fun and eclectic jewelry at Threepeats is that you can wear it AND feel good about doing something for the planet at the same time! Everything from recycled vintage beads, ribbons and lace to recycled tshirt yarn and felted wool beads find their way into truly unique designs that are easy to wear, comfortable, and one of a kind.
Suzanne, the creative brain behind the Etsy store, finds her muse in "the vintage materials I work with, the places I have been and by my students who have an uncanny, instinctive sense of style." Her necklaces and earrings all have a mod, bohemian vibe and a simplicity that makes them intriguing as well as versatile, great for gifts for yourself or a friend.
While she still considers herself a Twitter novice, Suzanne has found it a great way to connect with the handmade community. "I have learned that the equivalent of being a good listener (which on twitter means being a good reader) is appreciated. I try to respond as if someone had just said to me what they tweeted and not censor my response." She also starts tweeting each day with a quote, "something clever or funny or motivational," as a way of sharing a little of herself with her followers.
Suzanne ships internationally and can do custom necklaces for those who want to put their own stamp on Threepeats design.
Says Suzanne of her creations, ""My favorite thing about my craft is the pleasure it gives me; first designing the piece, then putting it together and the realization that I have taken broken, unused things and turned them into something people want to wear and admire."

visit Threepeats at http://threepeats.etsy.com/, follow along at www.twitter.com/threepeats or get to know the artist behind the designs at http://threepeats.blogspot.com/.

SHOP OF THE WEEK SPECIAL:

20% off all orders (not including S/H) Enter ETT in the “notes to seller” section. Refunds will be sent to buyers’ Paypal accounts.


Saturday, October 17, 2009

Original White Desert Sands OIl and Acrylic by beadsofglass


This is the first time I have listed one of my paintings on Etsy so here it is.

Original White Desert Sands OIl and Acrylic by beadsofglass


Surreal Painting of the White Desert 28w x22h unframed. Needs frame as is not gallery wrapped. I hope this painting will give you the feel of lonliness and vastness that I felt creating it.Yet I knew God was there. Signed and certificate of authenticity.

Desert Places
by: Robert Frost

Snow falling and night falling fast, oh, fast
In a field I looked into going past,
And the ground almost covered smooth in snow,
But a few weeds and stubble showing last.

The woods around it have it--it is theirs.
All animals are smothered in their lairs.
I am too absent-spirited to count;
The loneliness includes me unawares.

And lonely as it is that loneliness
Will be more lonely ere it will be less--
A blanker whiteness of benighted snow
With no expression, nothing to express.

They cannot scare me with their empty spaces
Between stars--on stars where no human race is.
I have it in me so much nearer home
To scare myself with my own desert places
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Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Shop of the Week: Pretty Whimsical

This Shop of the Week is a really cool one! Stacey Gaar, of PrettyWhimsical.etsy.com, is an exceedingly talented artist. She makes the most delightful Scrabble tile pendants!! You can find something for everyone on your list this holiday season in Stacey’s shop. She has Halloween covered, too! Her selection encompasses many styles and includes everything from birds, quotes, holidays, vintage to steampunk and modern. These affordable, handmade charms are perfect for teachers, co-workers, friends and family. She can also turn any pendant she has listed in her shop into a ring or magnet, upon request.
She is having a month long sale, too! All Halloween pendants are only $5 this month. This week's special: Buy two pendants and get one free. (Note: Do not add free pendant to your cart. Simply add the name of the pendant you would like free in the “Message to Seller” section of your checkout form.) Don’t forget to add your chain onto your order if you need one!Follow her on Twitter @prettywhimsical Read her blog: prettywhimsical.blogspot.com

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Etsy Twitter Team Shop of the Week Ambient Lights



Becki Krska, of AmbientLights.etsy.com, creates several types of items for home fragrancing as well as bath and body items. She’s on a mission to make you and your home smell like heaven!
I Love this item. Just the name makes me happy.

Pink Kisses (Aquolina Pink Sugar type), Goats Milk Soap on a Pouf



For home fragrancing she makes 100% Soy wax candles, 100% Palm wax Warmer Melts, Aromatic Sink Freshener & Gentle Cleansers (these are neat, be sure to check them out!). For bath and body items she makes goat’s milk hand and body oval soap bars (dye free) and goat’s milk Soap on a Pouf, which is similar to soap on a rope but it's on a shower pouf! Her shop also carries Natural Lip Balms (both flavored and unflavored), and Hair and Body Mist
Etsy Shop: http://AmbientLights.etsy.com/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/AmbientLights
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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The miracle of God and twinkle in each of us.

I just finished reading The
Shack By William P. Young
. He speaks of people in heaven as being blinking lights twinkling different colors. You can tell each one apart by the aura they give off. What a beautiful image he presented and then I saw this photo and it's as if he was telling me it's true.

Can you count all the stars here? NASA says there are 100,000, all squeezed (relatively speaking) into a small portion of the Omega Centauri star cluster. The yellow-white dots are adult stars powered by hydrogen fusion, the orange ones are late-life stars, and the red giants, which are shedding their gaseous envelopes, are older still.

The brilliant blue dots are stars that have ejected most of their mass and spent much of their hydrogen, and "are desperately trying to extend their lives by fusing helium in their cores," NASA says. "At this stage, they emit much of their light at ultraviolet wavelengths." The faint blue dots are white dwarfs--stars that have run out of helium and are now just burnt-out and ever cooler cores.

Omega Centauri is among the approximately 200 globular clusters that orbit the Milky Way, and it's one of the most massive, host to nearly 10 million stars. It lies 16,000 light-years away from us.





Monday, September 14, 2009

Etsy Twitter Team Shop of the Week HandmadebySandi

Sandi is one of the angels from my Etsytwitter Team. You should buy from angels like her. Look at this hat. Is it too cute. Sandi's stores are full of the most adorable handmade items. $8 for this hat. What a buy! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26788325.
SALE!!! All items in my End of Summer Sale section - !!!FREE SHIPPING!!!
Looking for fabric or blank tees for children? Check out my other shop http://sandists.etsy.com
You will find gift ideas for everyone at my website - Sandi's T's: http://www.sandists.com
I am currently a member of: The Etsy Twitter Team & The EtsyBloggers Street Team
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SandisTs


Thursday, September 10, 2009

Amazing Chinese Swan Lake Ballet

I needed to share this with You. This woman dances with God as her Inspiration. Pure joy to behold. The "Power of Now" in real time.

Sunday, September 06, 2009

Unusual Blog about Altered Art


Kelly Reins has a romantic, victorian, steampunk blog that just makes you happy to be there. She has a gice away contest for a great altered art charm bracelet. "I am giving away this altered art Halloween charm bracelet to the author of the best blog entry. The contest is open until September 30, 2009. I will announce the winner on my blog. In order to be considered you need to:

go to http://beach-city-beader.blogspot.com/ and follow intructions."

Great Art Fire Shop Love the

Altered Art Domino Necklace Lovers Entwined http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=260968

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Saturday, September 05, 2009

The cream rises to the top

You take my breath away. This support has totally changed my outlook on> life, God and who people really are. Thank you Mikiye. Thank you Sandi> SIMPSON Punky JaNE AND SUZANNE at Threepeats. Vickie
_____________________________________________
Thanks Vickie In My Head Studios: handcrafted fine art and jewelry
Shop: www.inmyheadstudios.etsy.com/
Read the Blog: www.inmyheadstudios.blogspot.com/
Etsy Twitter Team Leader: http://etsytwitter.blogspot.com/ I have so many people to thank one by one and so much to be grateful for. I posted a bunch of thanks on my> blog http://wildorchidpotteryandart.blogspot.com/ I've been thinking about you and saw the call for berets today.
Thanks to AMY
I'm starting a beret in happy rainbowish hues - made me think of Florida. I haven't tried this pattern before. Assuming I can read the pattern and get it right, when I get it done I'll ship it to you. If I can't get it figured out, I try something else that's fun. Just something I can do to help and let you know the team is here for you. I don't want payment. I still have your address from sending you a card - so I'm good to go there. Hope you have a great day!
hugs,
Amy Stationery Artist and Bento Fan
► Avlor's Imprints Shop - http://avlor.etsy.com
► Ojami (Japanese Inspired Designs) http://ojami.etsy.com
► Avlor's Imprints blog - http://avlorsimprints.blogspot.com/

Thanks Kristen Etsy
Twitter Team Co-Leader Shop:http://firebirdhouse.etsy.com Twitter:http://twitter.com/firebirdhouse Blog: http://ornamentia.blogspot.com

Thank Sandi
Blog: http://www.sandists.com/Wordpress/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SandisTs
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/HandmadeBySandi/123459347500
http://HandmadeBySandi.etsy.com
http://sandists.etsy.com
http://www.sandists.com

Thanks Katy Mims
South Paw Studios
Toledo, Ohio <http://southpawonline.com> South Paw Online Facebook <http://facebook.com/southpawstudios> & Twitter http://twitter.com/southpawstudios> & Blog http://southpawstudios.blogspot.com
Thanks Jennifer Kuebrich
Shop: www.jenco13.etsy.com A gift for everyone!
Twitter:http://twitter.com/jenco13
Blog:http://jenco13.blogspot.com
FB: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenco13/116522301149?ref=mf Head of the Etsy Twitter Team's PR Committee and Wallflower Treasury's.
Member of the event planing committee, tagging committee.
http://etsytwitter.blogspot.com/

True happiness demands passion and practicality.
Thanks Tamara http://www.tamaragarvey.etsy.com
http://facebook.com/BijouxRomantique.com. Woot! Thanks everyone. :)

Thanks Jessica Smutek (aka "Smu")
SmuTopia Jewelry
http://smutopia.etsy.com
http://smutopia.blogspot.com

Thanks Lois Stifel
Foxy G. Knits
Etsy: http://foxygknits.etsy.com
Blog: http://foxygknits.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/foxygknits
Twitter: http://twitter.com/foxygknits

Thanks Mikiye Your generosity is so appreciated

Thanks Sandy Simpson
http://www.PunkyJane.etsy.com
http:// www.PunkyJane.com/
http://punkyjane.blogspot.com/

I'll get to you soon if I missed you. I love you all. Joyce








Eventually you'll all hear from me. I want you all to know how much my husband is overcome by what you> all have done. Harvey is one of the kindest people I have ever known. He looks at me now that I've lost my hair and says it's only an adornment. I see you. He looks at you and sees the answer to the broken world. He thanks you deeply. Love you Joyce

Friday, September 04, 2009

Angels on A Mission payback with love


So many angels . I need to give back in whatever way I can. Coco is a personal angel who sits like a little birdie on my shoulder encouraging , lite and so well meaning. Get to know her http://bycoco.blogspot.com/2009/09/etsy-artists-help-fellow-etsy-artists.html
I want to thank personnally my dear friends on the etsytwitter team for your cards and gifts and a new group called HOST. Amazing women doing amazing things in the midst of such hard financial times for us all. My body may be weak but my spirits soar. Read Tolle "The Power of Now" a gift for anyone who believes in a spiritul journey.
I think you would really like to know about Eckart Tolle The Power of
Now.
You tube has lots of videos of him and he is wonderful. He is changing
me
and this particular video I think is a good place to start. It's brought
a
new awareness That's beautiful. I can only explain his point by saying
what
it felt like the first time I took a shower after the hospital and
someone
poured hot water over my head and each droplet made me feel like god
was
touching me. There was no other place or space worth being. This was me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwr4zCuEmw0
Given
to you with love and great affection.
Special thanks to Lois Stifel, Suzanne at Three Peats, Jennifer Kuebrich, Vicki
Shop: www.jenco13.etsy.com
http://HandmadeBySandi.etsy.com
http://www.PunkyJane.com
Jennifer Kubrick http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5938259
Kristan Evans http://firebirdhouse.etsy.com
Sandi http://HandmadeBySandi.etsy.com
http://www.mikiyecreations.com
posted by Suzanne@threepeats at threepeats Jewelry - 3 days ago

Linda Rodgers
capecodjewel

Monday, August 31, 2009

EtsyTwitter Shop of week

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Etsy Twitter Team Shop of the Week: In My Head Studios

InMyHeadStudios is happy to do custom pendants. "If you dream it, I can do it!" and ships jewelry all over the world. " I guarantee you will love wearing your pendant as much as I enjoyed creating it!"
SHOP OF THE WEEK SPECIAL:
15% off all orders (not including shipping).

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Thank you my dear friends for "Helping Joyce"




Virtual Strangers Offer Surprise Support to Team Member with Cancer
August 23, 2009 By Coco Watkin





When we hear about someone else’s devastating news, our heart aches for them. Yet, often we quickly come to the frustrating conclusion that, because we don’t know them personally or because they live too far away, there is nothing we can do. Not so, for members of the Etsy Twitter Team (ETT). When they discovered that fellow team member, Joyce Richards, had been diagnosed with a terminal illness, they did something about it.

Joyce Richards, of Wild Orchid’s Beads of Glass and a Florida resident, began selling her artwork on Etsy two years ago. Early in 2009 she joined the ETT. During a recent phone interview, Joyce said, “I was immediately drawn in by this group of artists. They were so welcoming and willing to help each other.” She felt compelled to promote her fellow teammates by blogging, emailing, and posting on Twitter, but she did not serve in a leadership role for the group.
In May, Joyce developed a cough, which was originally diagnosed and treated as pneumonia, but it continued to get worse. By July she was hospitalized for two weeks, and the doctors began running tests. On July 25th, her doctor told her that she had advanced stage IIIB lung cancer and probably only 1-2 months to live.
Not willing to accept that, Harvey, her husband of 6 years, convinced her to seek a second opinion, which included more testing and a MRI. On August 11th, Joyce received the news that she also had brain tumors, and two days later she began a 15 day regimen of whole brain radiation. Two weeks after her radiation treatments terminates, Chemo treatment for the cancer in her lungs begins.
Just before being admitted, Joyce let her fellow teammates know that she wouldn’t be participating in the group's activities while she was in the hospital. A few weeks later, Vickie, of In My Head Studios, and Kristen of FirebirdHouse Designs, co- leaders of ETT emailed the membership to see if anyone had heard from Joyce. Joyce replied thanking them for their concern and telling them that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Shortly after that, Vickie found out that the cancer had spread to Joyce’s brain.

When the members of ETT were given the devastating news about their fellow artist, many hearts sank. Many wondered if there was anything they could do, but they didn’t wonder for long. Jen, of Jenco13, had recently read an article about Etsy artists that plan buying sprees in unsuspecting shops as a way to pay it forward. She contacted Vickie and Kristin, who instantly agreed it was a great idea and left the planning and execution in Jen’s hands.
Normally the ETT communicates with each other through discussion threads in their Google Group Forum, but Jen thought secrecy was key. She sent out an email to each ETT member (except Joyce) explaining the idea and asking for their help in buying out Joyce’s store on Aug 16th as a way to help with her medical bills. The response was overwhelming with 31 sales attributed to this effort so far.


One of Joyce’s teammates, Sandi, of Handmade By Sandi, who bought a pair of earrings said, “I already knew that Joyce was having a life changing ordeal, and having been through one myself, I wanted to help in any way that I could. So I was excited when Jen came up with this idea.” Sandi only wishes that there had been more time to get the word out to people beyond the ETT.
When asked what was the best part of participating in this “sneak attack” on Joyce’s shop, Sandy, of Punky Jane, exclaimed, “Being able to make a difference even though I'm 3000+ miles away!” She also proudly added, “I think this is a perfect example of what the Etsy community can do when we get together, and by the way, there are still beautiful items in Joyce's shop--**wink**”.
Sheridan, of Joslin Jewels, didn’t think twice. “I’m in!” was her first reaction to hearing about the plan to secretly buy out Joyce’s shop. Even though Sheridan didn’t know Joyce personally, she wanted to at least boost her spirits a little, citing that she believes, “A positive attitude is incredibly important to recovery from illness.” She went on to inform me, “In addition to the sneak attack, a catastrophic illness account was set up on PayPal for Joyce and our team is using the power of social media to spread the word just like we do for each other's shops and team sales events. ”
Several Etsy artisans are now running promotions in their own shops where some or all of the proceeds from their sales will be donated to help Joyce with her medical bills. In her article entitled, “Please Help A Fellow Etsian!”, Sandy, of Punky Jane, gives credit to Katy, of South Paw Studios, for initiating this idea. Katy’s family has been touched by cancer numerous times and can relate to Joyce’s plight. She said, “Medical bills really should be the least of their concerns right now, so that is where the thought of the donation from my Etsy shop came in.” (For a list of shops go to Sandy’s blog article.)
If you’d like to join the ETT in supporting Joyce and her husband during their fight against her cancer, there are several ways you can help. The quickest and most direct way is by making a PayPal donation directly to Joyce. To do that, simply log on to PayPal and send your payment to this email address: joycercatastrophicillnessaccount[at]comcast.net (Remember to replace the [at] with @).
You can also help by purchasing something from Joyce’s Shop or from one of the artists that are donating a percentage of their sales to her medical fund. Sentiments and encouraging words can be sent to Joyce by contacting her through her Etsy Shop. Lastly, anything you can do to help spread the word by blogging, tweeting, and using social media sites will be greatly appreciated.
Joyce told me that what the ETT team did for her goes way beyond the monetary help. When she first received the diagnosis, she cried and fell apart. The worst part for her was the initial shock and hopelessness of the first few days. “I felt like I was falling into a pit and ready to die, but what these wonderful strangers did filled me with such love, gratitude, and an immediate belief that God was right here with me. And, it made me want to fight to live.”
Joyce is appreciative of every kindness shown her, and is especially grateful for the unwavering support of her husband, a veteran plagued with medical issues of his own. Harvey’s inner strength and positive outlook continue to play an essential role in lifting her spirits. Joyce recommends the book, “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle, to anyone who reads this article as resource for learning to stay focused on the here and now, free from past negativity and fear of the future. Joyce began painting when she was 20, and now at 64 says her favorite medium is glass and making glass beads because it is a joint effort she shares with Harvey.
Lungevity.org is an online support group that Joyce has joined, and should you want to follow her ongoing saga, you can go to her profile page and click on “find all posts by joyrich”.
Overwhelmed by the generosity of her fellow teammates and other strangers, Joyce now feels both unlucky and lucky at the same time. “I’m just happy I lived long enough to realize that people are much better than I ever dreamed possible. The world felt like strangers, and then ETT came forward and restored my faith in mankind. Now, sometimes when I cry, I cry for joy all because virtual strangers showered me with their support.”

Photo courtesy:Top left: Sandy of Punky JaneMiddle Right: Joyce Richards of Wild Orchid’s Beads of GlassMiddle Left: Joyce Richards of Wild Orchid’s Beads of Glass Bottom: Right: Joyce Richards of Wild Orchid’s Beads of Glass
Coco Watkin is a self-taught artisan offering heirloom quality stained glass and hand painted folk art collectibles as unique gifts and home decor on Etsy and Artfire. Besides being a columnist for HMN.

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Creativity by Ken Robinson for my Indie Etsy Artfire Friends

I discovered TED today. I want you to know about this wonderful collection of video moments.

Four all-time favorite TED talks

If you're new to TED, these are the talks you should start with.

Hilarious story-telling contains an irresistibly inspiring message.
I think all of us who are creative need this video to spread to the lost parents and educators of the world who kill the creativity in our children. They have often made us artistic types feel like failures but they will not win. They didn't in my life or yours.
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The Etsy Calculator Figure Your Listing Price for Profit.

Need help figuring out your Etsy listing prices?

This tip was found on Tara's blog. She is the creator of The AD Directory. The ad directory helps you place and sell ads directly on your blog. I will be working on that today and will blog about my progress. If you join The Ad Directory make sure to friend me.
Do you ever wish you'd listed your item at just a slightly higher price after you've seen your profit after fees are deducted
If so, this is going to make your life a lot easier! Brooke of Shopmollyd found this amazing tool by Ryan Olbe.

The Etsy Calculator helps you determine what your listing price should be in order to get your desired profit after fees. All you need to do is enter your profit price and the calculator does the rest for you. Thank goodness for people like Ryan who are good at math!!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Benefits Of Etsy and Snagging a Treasury

I think the comraderie on Etsy is one of the best reasons to sell there. I have made so many new friends and business networking connections. The friendships are the immediate pay offs and I do believe that that if you work hard, link up with good hardworking people and make a good product that eventually you will get noticed. I have joined a number of groups on Etsy and each has brought good people into my world.. Although many of us are in competition, I find the willingness to help teammates is surprising but wonderful. I recently became a member of a group called the Etsy Twitter Team. They snag Treasuries and put each other's products in. They list the Treasury on their blog and then ask everyone to tweet it. Everyone gets a chance to be Shop of the Week and again it is promoted by all, knowing you will get your chance. I love this group.

Does snagging a treasury have an immediate payoff ? Yes. It feels good when everyone thanks you for including them. Of course it doesn't seem to often lead to sales. If anyone has a study on that I would love to see it.

I hope in that in the end, after all the articles, blogs, the hours promoting on twitter etc. That someone out there will see your product or recognize your talent and you wake up one morning and all that work had paid off financially. In a perfect world, tomorrow after my article is printed by http://handmademarketing.org and appears on blogs across the blogoshpere, I will have hundreds of new followers and they will be bidding the price up on my artisan jewelry. Hope your day will be as great as I plan on mine being.



Joyce Richards (author and artist)

If you like this article, please follow my blog.... http://wildorchidpotteryandart.blogspot.com

Check out my lampwork, fine silver jewelry and artisan findings http://beadsofglass.etsy.com

Follow me on Twitter for instant sales and notices http://twitter.com/wildorchidbeads

My newest shop Visit http://beadsofglass.artfire.com


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Ivory Bridal Pearls Lampwork Necklace Set by beadsofglass on Etsy


Just Listed
I do custom bridal jewelry. Choose your style. Choose your color. For the bride or the entire bridal party.

Announcing EtsyTwitter Team Shop of the Week

Evelyn Palazzin, of SumikoShop.etsy.com, creates gorgeous jewelry and accessories for women. Her shop is filled with lovely items and the photographs are beautiful, enticing all who stop by to take a look and make a purchase. Evelyn lives in a tourist town by the sea in Italy. Her creations have an old-world charm about them.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Etsy Twitter Team Goes Green and So Do I

Our July event is called "Go Green with the Etsy Twitter Team"! It will take place July 21-27. It will focus on organic, herbal, upcycled, recycled, and eco-friendly products from our team. More on this to come as our event nears.

I create artisan jewelry using imported Italian glass and PMC or Art Clay Silver. I also create one of a kind silver jewelry supplies and findings for the jewelry designers of the world.  I was curious as to  the process of making fine silver clay. I started to research and found much to my surprise that I was really a green artist and didn't know it.

Did you know that PMC or Art Clay Silver is a totally recycled product? Photographic film has silver in it. This silver is collected and repurposed into silver clay. The silver particles are combined with a binder which makes the silver pliable like clay. I can then shape it anyway I want, and combine it with other materials, from glass to semi-precious and precious stones. I can paint it, I can enamel it. It is a a wonder product for a jewelry designer. I the end you have fine jewelry. The silver that is left after firing the clay in a kiln is 99.9 silver unlike sterling silver which is 92.5 silver. The result is a sparkling silver product that is much more resistant to tarnish than sterling.

Attn Jewelry designers:  If you want to go green just add my art clay silver findings to your jewelry creations. Handmade artisan fine silver Leaf Toggle

Attn Jewelry lovers: If you want to go green just add my art clay silver jewelry to your jewelry wardrobe.PMC handmade fine silver artisan earrings with black onyx beads and swarovski crystals

Please visit my websites

http://beadsofglass.etsy.com
http://beadsofglass.artfire.com
http://wildorchidpotteryandart.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/wildorchidbeads

 

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Michael Jackson Forever Ours Billie Jean

Michael, Thank you for all the hours of happiness and joy you brought to my life. I will never forget you and neither will the whole world. Rest in Peace.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Just Listed Patches Lampwork Silver Blue Onyx Bracelet and Earrings Set


This stunning lampwork bracelet is adorned with imported Bali sterling silver beads, spacers and elegant silver cones. Onyx beads and Bali silver clasp. Blue black and silver lampwork, onyx and Bali silver and swarovski crystals.
The lampwork beads are handmade by the artist(me). The bracelet measures 7 1/4". This is for the bracelet and earrings.These lovely earrings have imported Bali sterling silver beads, blue black and silver lampwork, onyx and and jet black swarovski crystals.
The earrings measures 3" from top of sterling earwires. These lampwork beads are very special. They are infused with an imported Italian glass that has real silver in it and gives off a shimmering effect. Your friends will ask where you found such a one-of-a-kind treasure.

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Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Etsy Twitter Team Shop of the Week: Jewelry Supplies



I belong to a great Team on Etsy "The EtsyTwitter Team We are a group of artists and crafters who love both mediums. These girls are very loyal and support each other in a way I've never seen. They blog and tweet and promote each others stores to success. Each week they choose another store to be the Shop of the Week....and TA DA to this week's great shop

Shop of the Week: Rocki

Shared via AddThis

She has a special offer this week I thought my followers would love.. you can mention you found her here. Let me tell you this girl can make sterling findings. Check it out.

Special Offer for this week only: For any purchase made during the week of this blog feature, she will include a small free sample, one per customer. All you have to do is mention you found her via the "Twitter Blog Feature" in "Message to Seller" at time of purchase.

Follow her on Twitter: @RockisMetalwork
Read more on her blog: RockisRocknBeads.blogspot.com




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Saturday, June 20, 2009

Hot Tip Get Into Every Etsy Treasury You Want

This was a great find for me so I'm passing it on to my followers. You can check the treasury clock at www.craftopolis.com You can also find out which treasuries your featured in or if your an alternate. I found this a big timesaver. You can also check if you made it into a gift guide. Hope this helps.
For followers only......Please email me any tips you have. I will be happy to include them occasionally with a link back to you. So come on and follow.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

My new Membership In Etsy Twitter Team

I am very happy to have been accepted into EtstTwitter Team. The Etsy Twitter Team's mission is to bring Etsy sellers together who use Twitter to become the authority on Twitter for all things handmade. Since I love both I thought it was a good fit. http://etsytwitter.blogspot.com/
I will try to support my team and bring you glimpses and interviews of the talented creative people on this team.
This weeks
Shop of The Week is Rose Bush Designs

She makes handmade cards, journals, note holders, tile coasters

She has a sweet soft and clever style. You can see one of my favs here.
You can follow her blog here. http://RoseBushDesigns.blogspot.com
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Marketing Your Handmade Art Jewelry Crafts Through Social Link Ups

Social Bookmarking

Use social bookmarking to give your readers the ability to tag, describe, and organize links to your content in their own online bookmarking accounts.

The ability to add social bookmarking to your site is really easy thanks to the widgets available at AddThis. By installing AddThis, your users can add your content to their bookmark list with a single click.

Social Networking

Create Social Networks Fast I Recommended these programs as they helped me start fast.

Use Twitter Automatic Cash at will as seen on Entrepreneur.com Click

Blog Commenting And Finder For Related Themed Link Click

Mafia War Secrets Teaches The Tips, Tricks, And Cheats Of Getting Ahead In The Popular Social Networking Game. Converts Very Well On Myspace And Facebook Click
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Monday, June 08, 2009

Marketing Your Handmade Jewelry Through Press Releases

We may be on Etsy, Artfire, have our own website and spend lots of time trying to get people to link to us. Getting customers seems to be a full time job so do something extra to get an edge. We often forget that we(meaning small handmade jewelry artists and designers) are just as entitled to writing Press Releases as any large company. I found a website I thought was very helpful in learning how to write a Press Release.Click Check out Send your press release to a syndication site such as PR.com. Here's a list of free PR Release websites.
An added benefit to sending out press releases is that it gets you link backs all over the web and that's a good thing.
If you would like to make this entire process really easy I recommend this program. It really made the whole process a breeze and it was cheap.
Click Here!

Friday, June 05, 2009

Making Lampwork Trees For Beginners

glass lampwork aged tree bead pendant
glass lampwork tree bead pendant

I have been working on getting the gnarled look of the tree bark The first problem I had was pulling stringers. They would be fat in one place and then thick in the next inch. I guess it's just going to take practice. What I have learned is to pull at a steady pace. I put a glob of glass at the end of my mandrel. I flatten it into a pancake about the size of a quarter. I then add a fat stripe on all four sides using different colors. I like using shades of brown, black,ivory,yellows and reds. The colors can be as wild as your imagination. I melt the glass until it's starting to sag, then take a tweezers and pull and twist at the same time fairly quickly but at an even pace. It definately gets better as you practice.

glass lampwork dream tree bead pendant

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Using Silver Clay and Glass

Yesterday I promised to show you the results of trying to fire silver clay and glass. Trying to insert 104 coe glass on a prefired silver bead did not work well. Parts of the silver turned a yellowish color which was impossible to remove. Also the silver appears to have fumed the glass which means the glass now has tiny pieces of silver. This was tried at a temp of 1230 F. I had better luck when I added the silver to a prefired lampwork bead as I did on the red heart within a heart Etsy Please feel free to ask questions in comments. I will try to answer. You can contact me through a convo on http://beadsofglass.etsy.com If you found this helpful please sign up to receive this feed by email or feedburner (links on right)
http://wildorchidpotteryandart.blogspot.com/
http://lampworkbeadcreations.com
http://beadsofglass.etsy.com
@wildorchidbeads on twitter

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Art Clay 650 vs Art Clay Slow Dry

The most difficult part of working with silver clay is learning exactly how soft or pliable it has to be. It keeps drying out too fast. It falls apart and you get really frustrated. Try the slow dry. It gives you alot more time to work. Also keep your silver clay wrapped in plastic in a food server container. I put a damp paper towel inside. It keeps your silver clay nice and hydrated, but you have to work pretty fast after you open it. Tomorrow I plan on showing you how I slumped 104 Coe inside a silver clay piece.
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