Upgrades
Posted by Administrator on Apr 29, 2008
Just upgraded to the new version of wordpress, and it turns out the theme I was using wasn’t widget-friendly so I had to get a new one…bear with me as I work out the kinks…
Crafting and Spirituality
Posted by Administrator on Apr 28, 2008
Just yesterday I was blogging about the link between spirituality and creativity….and then today I ran across a podcast on crafting and spirituality.
It was released on I-tunes on April 4th, and is epsiode #72 of Craftypod. You can listen to this episode and others at craftypod.com.
Crocheted Flowers - update
Posted by Administrator on Apr 28, 2008
Recently I wrote a post about a book I saw online for making crocheted flowers. Imagine my surprise when I got a comment from the author - how cool! She gave a little more info about it, and of course said that it’s a good book. 
Browsing Amazon, I discovered that there are quite a few books on making flowers with crocheting, knitting, felting, beading….you name it. Flowers make great jewelry and accessories, so I think I will check out a few more books on crafting flowers and I’ll report back about which ones I liked the best. Maybe I’ll even make some flower jewelry to test out project ideas from the books.
Spirituality and Creativity
Posted by Administrator on Apr 27, 2008
It’s Sunday, and I can hear the voice of a TV preacher come on in the other room, where my husband is flipping through the channels. It gets me thinking about religion, spirituality, and the fact that I’ve been in a creative slump lately. In general I don’t feel comfortable sharing my thoughts on religion or spirituality, because I think it’s a very personal thing and I don’t think I have any kind of authority to tell other people what they should believe.
One thing I know, though, is that creativity can be a very spiritual experience. I may not be sure about what I believe in, but there are certain things I do that feed my creativity as well as my spirituality. Writing in a journal, doing breathing exercises or meditation at the end of a yoga workout, being really “in the zone” while working on a new jewelry design, or taking a walk and just letting my mind wander. These things give me a feeling of being grounded, while at the same time let my imagination go. I come up with my best creative ideas at times when I’m feeling something that I would almost describe as religious - some might call it zen. It’s a feeling of being very alert yet very calm at the same time. Things work when I feel that way that don’t work the rest of the time, and everything seems to make sense.
I know I’m not the only person who feels most spiritual when I’m at my most creative. Lots of artists, musicians, and writers talk about their creative process as a kind of religious experience. For example, Julia Cameron talks about God often in her well known book “The Artist’s Way”, which is a manual for developing creatively.
I realized that since the birth of my baby almost two months ago, I’ve been worried about money. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the business part of being a jewelry designer, but not so much about the creative, artistic part, which is what I love about designing. I need to remember to do things to nurture my creative, spiritual side, and not always be worrying about practical concerns like paying the bills. Of course it’s important to pay the bills, but it’s also important to remember why I got into this business in the first place - being creative fills a basic need that I have, keeps me grounded, and reminds me to think about the bigger questions in life, like what I really believe in.
I don’t normally write anything this personal on my business blog, but I think the connection between spirituality and creativity is worth thinking about, and I hope to make more of an effort to make time for these things in my life.
New Jewelry Book: Designing Jewelry with Glass Beads
Posted by Administrator on Apr 24, 2008
This book is by Stephanie Sersich, one of my favorite beaded jewelry designers. Stephanie makes fabulous, fun, colorful jewelry using lots of glass beads stitched together in clusters. She manages to use lots of bright, vibrant colors together without clashing - her color work is really incredible.
Take 10 Tuesday
Posted by Administrator on Apr 22, 2008
It’s Take 10 Tuesday!
The FAM Etsy Street Team is having another fabulous promotion and this time it’s take 10% (or whatever!) off in any of our participating shops!
Beginning at 5:oo pm EST (through midnight Pacific time) on April 22, 2008 the FAM Street Team of Etsy will hold it’s first team-wide sale. Each store will have it’s own twist on the sale, so please be sure you understand the store’s policy when shopping.
In addition to the sale, some of our shop owners have hidden a little T10T secret in some of our listings! Come join us on the Etsy “Etc.” forum for clues on where to find our hidden secrets! The item that has T10T hidden in either the text or image will be Super Reduced! Please check with the store owner on their Secret special specifics.
Everything in my shop, Michon, is 10% off during the event, and if you purchase more than one item, get free shipping anywhere in the world too! I will also have a secret or two hidden in my shop, which is a chance to get a piece of original Michon jewelry at a HUGE discount.
As of the time of publication, the following FAM Team stores are participating:
http://chamberrycherry.etsy.com
10% off anything in my shop, includes custom orders
*
http://Valeriesgallery.etsy.com
10% all items between 5 pm and 11 pm. Note FAM T10T in note to seller and adjusted invoice will be sent.
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http://BlueRidgeTreasures.etsy.com
FAM T10T
10% off any purchase of $10 or more. Please put FAM T10T in notes to seller and wait for an adjusted invoice.
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http://elegancewithflair.etsy.com
Earrings ship FREE to the United States in my Jewelry Shop! Get ‘em while they’re hot!
Because… you’ll want ‘em when they’re not!
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http://anniehowes.etsy.com
Take 10% off everything in my shop!
Please put T10T in Comments to Seller to be eligible for discount. I will send a revised invoice. And come look for my T10T secret hidden in one of my items! Thank you!
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http://pandys.etsy.com and http://griffingear.etsy.com
I will offer 10% off the purchase of one item, 20% off the purchase of 2 items and free shipping on purchases of $50 or more. This offer is good for both pandys and GriffinGear and items from both shops can be combined for the free shipping.
Put T10T in notes to seller and I’ll send a revised invoice.
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http://carissablack.etsy.com
I am in! 10% off everything in my shop. Please put T10T in notes to seller and wait for a revised
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http://motherspreciousgems.etsy.com
Write FAM T10T in your notes to seller and wait for revised invoice before completing transaction with payment.
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http://macaroniandglue.etsy.com
FAM T10T
10% off any purchase. Please put FAM T10T in notes to seller and wait for an adjusted invoice.
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http://cuteandsweet.etsy.com
10% off everything in my shop!
Please put “T10T” in Comments to Seller to be eligible for discount. I will then send a revised invoice. Thank you!
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http://merkabajewelry.etsy.com
From 5PM to 11PM Eastern, take 10% off entire purchase and enjoy free US shipping. Just put FAM T10T in notes to seller at checkout and I’ll send a revised invoice through PayPal. Thanks
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http://sweetpicklespottery.etsy.com
Take 10% off everything in my shop. Put FAM T10T in notes to seller and I will send a revised invoice through Paypal.
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http://wysiwigs.etsy.com
10% off any item purchase of $5.00 or more
-OR-
BOGO - Purchase a pencil sketch print and choose one (1) complimentary Critter Notecard
**Please be sure to put FAMT10T in your notes to the seller - Thank you!
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http://bamdesigns.etsy.com
Get 10% off your purchase- even custom orders- when you add FAM T10T in notes to seller. Please wait for revised before paying!
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http://doubledippedsweets.etsy.com
Buy one get one 1/2 off! Please put “FAMT10T” in notes to seller and wait for a revised invoice! Have fun shopping!
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http://reneesfashions.etsy.com
10% Off $20 or more purchase and a FREE gift with purchase. Be sure to put FAM T10T in buyer notes.
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http://prettybowtique.com
Take 10% off everything in my shop!
Please put T10T in Comments to Seller to be eligible for discount. I will send a revised invoice. Thank you!
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http://littlesomethingextra.etsy.com
Take 10% off everything. The first person to buy over $30.00 of merchandise gets a free custome order of washcloths.
Enjoy your shopping:)
* be sure to mention T10T in your comments to seller and wait for the adusted invoice to be elegible for the discount.
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http://antoinettes.etsy.com
Take 10% off everything in my shop!
Please put T10T in Comments to Seller to be eligible for discount. I will send a revised invoice. Thank you!
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http://nikkisnacs.etsy.com
Take 10% off everything in my shop including custom orders!
Please put T10T in Comments to Seller to be eligible for discount. I will send a revised invoice. Thank you!
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http://ljdesignphoto.etsy.com
Take 10% off everything in my shop and any custom orders!
Spend $30 or more and receive a free 5×7 of your choice.
Please put T10T in Comments to Seller to be eligible for discount. I will send a revised invoice. Thank you!
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http://studiodusoleil.etsy.com
10% off purchases under $50 and 15% off purchases over $50.
Please reference T10T in your comments to receive a revised invoice.
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http://michon.etsy.com
10% off everything, & free shipping if you buy more than one item. Write FAM T10T in notes to seller and receive a revised invoice (or partial refund if you already paid).
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http://cindyjoy.etsy.com - Take 10% off everything in my shop, includes custom orders and sale items!
Please put FAM T10T in Comments to Seller to be eligible for discount, and wait for me to send a revised invoice through PayPal. Thank you!
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http://judyk.etsy.com
Take 10% off everything in my shop!
Please put T10T in Comments to Seller to be eligible for discount. I will send a revised invoice. Thank you!
There will be a secret in my Shop!
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http://newenglandquilter.etsy.com
Take 10% off all purchases in my shop. Mention “FAM T10T” in notes to seller and I will send you a revised invoice! There’s a secret in my shop!
Etsyfame artist spotlight April 21
Posted by Administrator on Apr 21, 2008
The featured artist on etsyfame.com this week is Andrea Baker. Andrea sews really cute things like business card holders, aprons, and sleep masks. Here’s a little of what her etsyfame.com feature says:
“Andrea Baker has been creating her beautiful products in her home in North East Columbus, Ohio for the past 6 years. Her creative focus is on making quality handmade handbags, tote bags, sleep masks, and business card cozies. She also makes beautiful and functional aprons that are anything but ordinary.”
Read more at etsyfame.com
And check out Andrea’s etsyfame page
Crochet Flowers
Posted by Administrator on Apr 17, 2008
I just saw this book on Amazon that looks like it would be a lot of fun: Crochet Bouquet: Easy Designs for Dozens of Flowers
Crocheted flowers are a great way to use up a little bit of leftover yarn if you are a fiber artist, and they can easily be made into accessories like pins, or sewn onto hats, scarves, sweaters, etc as a cute embellishment. The jewelry maker in me wants to crochet up a whole bunch of flowers and stitch them together into a fun necklace, or dangle a couple from earwires. I even have some very thin yarn and tiny crochet hooks so that I could make appropriate sized flowers….so I think I would have fun with the patterns in this book.
If you’ve seen this book please leave a comment and let me know if it’s any good.
Staying Energized
Posted by Administrator on Apr 16, 2008
One problem with being a mom and an artist and working is that it can be hard to keep my energy levels up enough to keep up with everything and not go too crazy. I know it’s important to take care of myself, but sometimes that comes after everything else. I’m sure other people can relate to that! So I’ve decided to make it a priority to focus on my health - get back to my pre-pregnancy weight, eat more veggies, and just have more energy. So, I opened a social networking site for anyone who also wants to focus on being healthier, where we can encourage each other, give advice, and just try to stay on track. If that sounds like something you might like to do, please join us! The website is http://ahealthierlife.ning.com/. It’s free and easy to join - I’m in a few networks on ning, and it’s a convenient way to network with people who have similar interests.
Like Swarovski pearls?
Posted by Administrator on Apr 10, 2008
I have a bunch for sale in my etsy shop!
Swarovski pearls are actually Swarovski crystal with a beautiful pearl coating. They are some of the nicest faux pearls I’ve seen, but I don’t bought way more than I’ll be able to use up so I’m selling off all the extras.
They would be great strung into a necklace for Mother’s Day….
