Etsy Treasuries From Amazing Artisans

Check out these wonderful treasuries created by some very talented Etsy artisans.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d690f8e9abc6d91c2624938/white-washed

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d6844bd31b76d9100fe7a44/buzz-around

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d6817dc4d128eef145578ab/botanical-gardens

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d67fd5692b36d9129033d67/cede-mile-failte-romhat

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d67dc91c4038eefdabf519d/waiting-for-a-peachy-spring-day

We work very hard on these, so if you would click on the items and leave comments for the curators, I'd really appreciate it!  Thanks, Lynne

Doing Craft Shows

I'm trying to get ready for a 9 day craft show starting March 4th.  It's a lot of work, but I like doing shows.  You meet so many nice people and it's fun to show of your work in person.  I love my Etsy shop, but have to say, I do miss the face-to-face contact.  I love visiting with people, showing them a particular piece and explaining where the stone or beads came from.  I enjoy hearing their stories and finding out where they live.  Because we live in AZ, we meet a lot of people who are wintering here from other parts of the country.

I've spent the past week organizing my jewelry, creating last minute items and making changes to a few pieces I wasn't happy with.  Organizing my bead boxes is kind of like finding Christmas presents that you forgot about.  I even came across one piece that I forgot I still had.  Guess I should take pics and list it, huh?   One thing that always worries me about shows is "What if I sell something at a show and it also sells in my Etsy store?"  Of course, the fact that it has never happened doesn't enter my mind; just the "what if?'  I could put my shop on vacation, but that creates its own set of problems.  So I've decided to print out my Etsy listed items, cross them off when they sell at the show and then deactivate them on my smartphone.  Should work.

Setting up for a show always makes me nervous.  Did I forget anything?  Did I set up my displays to show my pieces in the best way possible?  Will anyone stop by?  Will they like my things?   I wish my Daughter was here to help me.  She just has a way with displays that I don't have.  She's so creative and talented when it comes to decorating.

Okay, I'm rambling now and procrastinating.  Time to get back to work!

Valentines Day Listings

I've been listing some items for Valentines Day.  What do you think?
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65138892/wire-wrapped-gold-valentine-angel

Bead Shopping

I took my Mom up to Las Vegas yesterday to shop for craft supplies.  We had a great time.  Found a bead supply store that was huge. 

I've been going through withdrawals ever since we moved here from Olympia.  We lived right near Shipwreck Beads.  If you've never heard of Shipwreck beads, they are the largest bead store in the world.  They have a huge showroom (something like 8,000sq ft)!  If you've never been there, or heard of them, check out their website at http://www.shipwreckbeads.com/. 

The first store we visited yesterday was the Gem and Bead Mall on Sunset, right across from the airport runway.  The store is large, roughly half the size of Shipwreck Beads.  They have lots of findings and some beautiful pearl and stone products.  Their prices are good and they have a membership program.  For $45, you get a one year membership (or 2 yrs if you live out of town).  You get $30 off of your first purchase and a huge discount on products after that.  If you do a lot of beading, this is a great deal.  The only negative I found was that it was freezing in there.  The young woman said that it is always cold in the winter and hot in the summer because they have trouble with the heating/cooling system.  Since it is part of a huge warehouse complex, I can see why.  Here is their website - http://www.gemandbeadmall.com/

The other place we went to was Hobby Lobby in Henderson.  WOW!  I'd never been to one before.  We didn't have them in Washington.  That place was amazing!  They sold everything from home decor to scrapbooking to kids crafts.  We spent a long time in there, just looking at everything.  We found all of the items on our list (that we hadn't already bought at GBM) and never even went to Joann Crafts, even though we went to Henderson just to go to Joanns. 

One of the negatives to moving where we are now is that there are no good craft stores nearby.  I miss Shipwreck Beads and being able to run over to Joanns whenever I need that one finding or that special bead...sigh...

Peace on Earth

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New year.  Enjoy your family and friends tomorrow.  Lynne

Change is good...isn't it?

Today is one of those days when I struggle to remind myself why we moved away from our family and friends.  I think it's probably because my family is all gathering for Christmas parties and cookie exchanges and we're not there to join the fun.   I miss watching the Grandkids open their gifts and miss the smells of dinner preparations.  I miss hearing the guys yelling at the missed plays on TV football games and seeing friends that we don't often see during the rest of the year.

BUT, and this is where I give myself a reality check.  They're all stressed to the max trying to get everything done; they're madly cleaning house and putting out holiday silver and dishes; they're making sure they have enough chairs and tables for everyone.   They're balancing their checkbooks, making sure they aren't overspending and worrying they'll forget someone.  They're groaning at having to attend another work party with people they wouldn't necessarily associate with outside the workplace.

So, although I miss them terribly and could cry easily today, the rational part of me knows that I don't really want to be in the middle of the chaos.  Working full time while trying to get everything done in time for Christmas wasn't fun, especially the last few years.   I was tired all the time and couldn't wait for the time when I was living in sunny AZ and not having to do all that work.   My shopping was done early and packages were shipped.  I'm working on my new favorite piece of jewelry instead of worrying if I have enough plates for Christmas dinner.  So the adjustment continues...

New Etsy Treasury

Check out this Etsy Treasury created by Meredith Dada at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/meredithdada?ref=pr_shop.  She makes beautiful french beaded flowers and gifts. She has graciously included my Hammered Sterling Earrings in the treasury below.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d0ba110239a6d91b0405b16/beads-and-wire?index=25

Reconnecting

I reconnected with a friend last week.  Carey is one of my Weight Watchers buddies.  A couple of years ago we spent hours on the WW boards, comiserating on gains and cheering each other's losses.  I haven't visited the boards for a long time and I'm so glad she found me again.  She popped into my Etsy shop and went crazy, buying some of my favorite pieces (I know, I always say that.  But they ARE!) and contacting me with a request.

Carey inherited a boatload of stones and cabochons that her Grandfather had spent years cutting and polishing into beautiful pieces.  Carey asked me to wrap a few of them so she could give them to the Great Grandkids of her Grandfather.  What a great idea!  I felt very honored (and a little intimidated) to do it.  Here are the results.   Thanks for the great opportunity Carey and I'm glad we reconnected.

16th Annual Olde Fashioned Christmas

Had a great time today at the show over in Needles.  Met some awesome people and made some new friends.  Sold some of my favorite pieces.  I'm glad they're going to people who will enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them!

Contest Coming Soon!!!

Stay tuned.  I'll be having a contest soon.  You could win this necklace & earring set or one of my other pieces!