New Bridal Blog

I have started a blog showcasing wedding items that I find on etsy. http://handmadeetsywedding.blogspot.com/ Be sure and check it out.

Promoting my new bridal jewelry shop

In an attempt to drive as much traffic to my new bridal jewelry store I am submitting my site to different handmade sites. I have also contacted some different wedding blogs about a feature, but so far have gotten no response. The most recent site I have submitted to is "The Handmade Directory". I got it off a site that has a list of 50 free sites to promote your site. I also submitted to craftgawker, and am still waiting to hear back.

I also listed a new pair of earrings. They are Sterling bridal earrings with Swarovski clusters.

Handcrafted Artisian Bridal Jewelry Shop is Now OPEN

I opened my shop! So far only eight items are listed, but I have ten more to come. I know not what I was shooting for, but it is still good. Be sure to check out my items. You can look at them by clicking on the pictures.

Bridal Jewelry for You opening Tomorrow

Yes I'm officially opening my new bridal jewelry shop tomorrow! A few things may be listed tonight if I have time, so be sure to watch. But until I do open I have a lot of work to do. So much is done last minute. Since I only have seventeen items ready to list I have to make three more in order to meet my goal. Of course nobody is going to bite my head off if I don't (except me that is), but it feels nice when you set goals for yourself and meet them.

Time to get back to work....

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What did I do today?

Today in prep for my new bridal shop I wrote five more descriptions, and made and photographed my new hair spins. Hair spins are great for adding sparkle to your hair! I prefer them over bobby pins because when you put bobby pins in your hair for decoration you get the ends of the pins sticking out. With hair spins you don't have that problem, but hair spins are supposed to be used for decorative use only because they don't hold hair in place very well. They will be available in my shop when it opens in 85 different colors! The picture shows them in crystal clear. The perfect color for bridal!

Final prep for bridal shop

My new bridal shop is opening up this weekend! I'm in a flutter of activity! Writing descriptions, policies, profiles..... So much writing.... There is also finishing pieces and taking pictures. There is so much to do, but I think I will have it all done by the time Saturday gets here. I did list one thing in advance I was just to excited so I decide to show one design off to the world. Click on the picture to see the listing.
Please show up and take a peak at the shop this weekend. It would mean a lot to me to see the hearts and views. Be sure to tell any friends you may have that are getting married about it too. Well I better get back to work. I probable shouldn't have taken the time off to do this blog post!

New Handmade Bridal Jewelry Shop

I've decided to open a Bridal Jewelry Shop! The grand opening is November 1st so mark your calenders(that is if you are a bride in search of jewelry =) )! The name of the shop is, drum roll please, Bridal Jewelry for You! It is simple and gets the point across. http://BridalJewelry4U.etsy.com Be sure to bookmark it, and (or) heart it!

Most everything in the shop is made custom when you order. The main supplies are sterling silver, freshwater pearls, and Swarovski crystals, all spun together to make fabulous and modern designs.

I am hoping to have a total of twenty different designs made and listed on opening day. So far I have a total of eight designs made, and the rest are sketched out on paper waiting to be made.

Featured Etsy Seller Number One

I have decide to feature an etsy seller here on this blog twice a week. If you want to be featured just leave a comment with your etsy ural and I will convo you.

Are first featured seller is http://classicc11.etsy.com/ Here is my interveiw with her.

My name is Carlene and I run my preppy, nautically themed shop Grayson Saige. I am originally from Northern Virginia but I am attending college at James Madison University. I started my shop in my dorm last year with just a hand full of markers and a sketch pad. I had the energy and the drive to make it happen and I'm so glad I did.

I am a member of the Young Etsy team and a part time crafter, full time student.

I can be found on Etsy at http://www.classicc11.etsy.com/ and twitter at http://twitter.com/GraysonSaige

My shop has been open since April of this last year and I am enjoying spending much of my free time on Etsy. I promote my store by handing out business cards (pink and green ones of course!), twitter, participating in Etsy forums, and giving my items as gifts.

I don't have a favorite item in my shop because I love both of these items and could never decide between them. The goldshell with pearl is a great gift for a friend!

My favorite other seller is Annechovie. Her shop is AMAZING! I love her style. You must go see it: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5030331

What I would really love to learn to do next is needle point. Hmm...perhaps on holiday break.

Bad me. I forgot about my blog!
Note to self: Remember to blog!!!

I had a booth at a craft show September 5th and 6th. The Toronto Festival of the Arts. It went great and I think I will do it again next year.
Also coming up I'm doing another craft show on October 3rd. It is held at Fransican University of Stubenville and is called The St. Fransic Fest. It is a part of parents weekend. I have done it in years past and it is always a great festival.
I've been listing daily for the last couple of days and hope to keep up the habit. I have seen a big increase in veiws and hearts since I start listing. The forum post "Let me tell you 95% of your problem" is what got me started. If you want to read the post here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6280230 .

I figured out great photos! I wrote a forum post on it but I will recopy it here:

How to take Great Photos with out any equipment expect for a camara (I used one that now sells for $20. I got it last year when its price was $100.) & a piece of white paper.

All I do is go outside with a blank white sheet of paper with one end folded up a right angle. I shade the direct sun light of with my shadow and take pictures with micro close up turned on. Then I upload to the computer and up the brightness and contrast. They turn out great and the colors don't change when I get the right balance of brightness and contrast. Some examples: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30852783
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=30818392
Not all of my photos are retaken yet but some are. I'm going to do the rest when I have extra time.

Well that is all for now. Watch for next weeks post.

YART SALE!!!!

I'm having a yart sale!!! Check it out. Free Shipping and random free gift included with each order! http://kitkit96.etsy.com

I started work on my garden! Mostly flowers for now, but will get veggies in later. I found lots of plants at lowes for $.10 ! Sooo... that means I bought way to many and can't find places to plant them. I still have seven snapdragons left and don't have any place with full sun without going into the vegetable space I'm saving. Such a demelma. I'll have to make a new flower bed...

Schools out!!! No more being tied down by classes when I would rather be making jewelry. Now with the empty time slots in my life I can begin working on my garden. It is a complete disaster area. I never tore out plants from last year so there are dead plants sticking up out of the ground making it look more like a gardens grave yard than a garden that's asleep. Well better go and work on that now will the sun is still relatively low in the sky.
Oh before I go I want to mentionn that my cousins wedding was on Saturday and it was beautiful.

Finally done

I finally finished all the custom orders I had and now I am free to brainstorm and create new designs. I sold a bracelet that was my top hearter. It was one of the first things I listed. That brings my sales up to 5. Woot Woot! That my not seem like alot to some people who sell one thing a day and not one a month, but it is enough for me and I am content. My inventory will now begin to grow as I get ready for craft show seasion, a few pieces might find there way into my etsy shop so be sure to check that out too. http://kitkit96.etsy.com

Here is a buyer I found with a 50% off sale going on right now! The work is amazing and I thought you would like to check it out and find yourself a bargain! Make sure to click on the spring sale half price section of the shop. http://www.tallib.etsy.com

Gosh, I have been neglecting adding items to my etsy shop. I've been making new stuff, but I don't take pictures and post new items. I've been meaning to but it just hasn't happened yet.

I thought I'd have a sale this week. March 1st through 8th get a free pair of earrings with your order.(Earrings have to be of equal or lesser value)If no note to seller is left with your preference of earrings I will include a random pair. Thank you and have fun!

Bridesmaids

Well I'm out of people to feature! If you want to get featured just leave a comment and I will send you the questionnaire to fill out.

My Cousin is getting married in May and she asked me to do her bridal parties jewelry! I am really excited because this is my first bridal order! I made her's (the brides) already, but am still working on the bridesmaids, maid of honers, junior bridesmaids, and the flower girls jewelry.

Another seller for me to feature. Lets hope this seller gets a sale!

Your name?My name is Marie-Elaine Mineau Location?

I'm in Montreal (Quebec, Canada)

Where can you be found on the net?I have a shop on Etsy: http://www.minaude.etsy.com. I also have a shop on Art Fire: http://www.minaude.artfire.com. Finally, I have a blog: http://www.minaude.blogspot.com.

How long have you been crafting?I've always liked to make jewelry. I made many shell necklaces when I was a kid. But it was about five years ago that I started doing this more seriously.

How long have you been selling?I've been selling to my friends and family for a little more than four years now, but I've only been on Etsy for six months. I really like that site: you find a lot of very helpful people in the forums and you can reach customers from around the world. You can also very easily spend everything you make on all the beautiful crafts you find there!!!

What is your favorite item in your shop? (This item will be included in the feature)I love my crazy blue lace agate braided style pendant necklace so much I could eat it!!! ( http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19089823 ) That stone is my favorite. Around Christmas, everything I made with crazy blue lace agate pendants used to sell within the next two hours!

What's the most exciting thing about your craft?Buying the stones (which is a real hunting game), mixing them and making the pieces is so much fun! It is fantastic for stress relief...

What do you like least about your craft?Many of us sellers agree on the fact that it's very hard to find the necessary time and energy to promote...

Is crafting a full or part-time job for you? If part-time what's your day job?I'm doing this part time. I'm a French Literature teacher by day. Creating jewelry is my way to vent after a hard day...

What would you like to learn next?I'd like to polish the stones myself. I'd also like to learn to work metals and fuse glass.. There are so many fascinating things to learn about jewelry making!

A special promotion!-If they make a purchase, they'll just have to enter the code 15POFF in the "message to seller" to get a 15% refund by paypal (or they can ask for a revised invoice before they pay).

This weeks featured etsy seller!

Name: Irina Dalah

Location: Mazkeret Batiya, Israel

On the net: www.redcatartbeads.etsy.com

Time Crafting: I'd say about 30 years, seeing that I'll turn 40 this year, but I've been beading for only 20
Time selling: about 8 months
Favorite Item: I've got a few, all of them original designs, but I'll have to choose this one: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18095516
Most exciting thing about beading: the versatility you get for so little investment in tools and materials
Lest liked thing about beading: can't think there is one ;-)
Full or Part-time crafter: unfortunatelly, it's part-time. I'm a computer programmer by day, hoping against hope I can become a full jeweler soon
Learn next: I'm torn between metalsmithing - just enough for making the type of beads and findings that are very expensive as suplies; and lampwork beads. I've learned stained glass crafting a few years back, and I'm very into glass
My addition: I'm hoping the hand-made trend will grow and eventually become the main source of production. I do believe in craftmanship, even in my programming work ;-)

Blog give away

Ok here is what you have to do to enter into this contest. Just buy an item from my shop and be entered to win a beautiful pendant. There is know minimum purchase! Drawing will be held on February 22nd. The prize will be your choice of pendant from my shop. Hurry and enter today! Link to shop: kitkit96.etsy.com

I got Tagged!
Rules of tagging:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post these Rules in your Blog.
3. Write 7 Random things about yourself.
4. Tag random people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each Person know they've been tagged.
Some random things about me:
1. I come from a big family.(I got seven siblings)
2. I like to dance like nobodies watching.
3. To me reading is fun.
4. I like to try new crafts every now and then.
5. I have three email accounts.
6. Pink is one of my favorite colors.
7. I sleep on a bunk bed.

Will tell who I tagged when I get around to tagging them.

Jewelry Sale

Just wanted to tell everyone that a few items are on sale at my shop.

Wow!

Wow! It has been a while since I last posted. I had a craft show a week or two before Christmas and that went great. I also had a few custom orders for Christmas presents. Another thing I did was open a store online kitkit96.etsy.com . I am also doing a jewelry demonstration at a girl scouts meeting so the girls can earn their jewery badges.