Gifting Goodies........

The CTEtsy Team has put together a Gift Guide for all your holiday shopping needs. Check it out!

HOLIDAY ETSY FEST!!!

Beginning Thanksgiving Day and running through Cyber Monday, several talented Etsians (myself included) will be offering some fabulous deals to jumpstart your holiday shopping. So click the button above to get a sneak peek at the participating shops. Each shop will have their own unique deals - ya never know what you'll find!

So here's what happened.........

Not much. I'm speaking, of course, about my first show. There's a really good reason you should research your venue before committing. I thought I had. I spoke to the coordinator about the other vendors......an equal mix of commercial and handcrafts. I didn't think that would be too bad. Turns out, NO ONE did very well. It being a school function, the only tables that got any action were the library bake sale table (yummy stuff, btw!) and the PTO raffle. Oh yes, and be sure to verify your table size. An 8ft table is a whole lot different that a 6ft table when you don't have tons of inventory.

On a positive note: I met a woman who is the co-coordinator of a rather large juried summer art show and she invited me to participate. I received some good feedback on my jewelry and a few people took my cards. We'll see. This weekend I also introduced myself to a local shop owner with the thought of doing some consignment. Again, we'll see.

I'll leave you with a few pics of new stuff, not yet in my shop, showing off newly acquired soldering 'skills'. The photos are horrid but I was in a hurry to take them before I sold all my inventory. haha. ;-) Let me know what you think!

Thursday Thirteen #4 - Thanksgiving Favorites

Here are some of the foods my family will be consuming next Thursday. I've tried to link to the recipes - or a close approximation thereof - whenever possible (or necessary) in case anything sounds good to you! Enjoy!

1. Oven Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter
2. Turkey Pan Gravy
   
3. Sweet Potato Casserole
4. Green Bean Casserole
5. Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing
6. Cranberry Stuffing (for our vegetarian)
   
7. Mashed Potatos
8. Cauliflower (a favorite of my FIL)
9. Canned Cranberry Sauce (another favorite of my FIL)
   
10. Crescent Rolls
    
11. Cranberry Orange Bread
12. Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
13. Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie

Check out other Thursday Thirteen posts!

MIA..........

I've missed a few days of blogging and I'm sorry for that but I've got a really good reason.......I'm getting ready for my first show!!!

Okay, not really a show........and it's pretty small compared to some venues but I'm excited. And nervous. If anyone's in the area, here's the info:

An Evening of Shopping
James Morris School
10 East Street
Morris, CT
Friday, November 21st 6-9pm

I've been struggling with my display and whether or not I have enough inventory to cover a 6ft table - I don't. I'll have to be creative.

I'm thankful to the moms in my playgroup for the encouragement. I'd been avoiding any kind of direct sales with one excuse after another. This is a good way to get my feet wet and whatever happens, happens. Hubby and I made a deal - if I don't do well at this show or as a result of this show, I'll put the jewelry on hold for a bit. Supplies are expensive and Christmas is coming. You'd think it would put even more pressure on me regarding the show's outcome but I've made peace with that aspect. My husband supports me and I know he wants me to do well. If I don't, it will only be a hiatus.

On a positive note: I've been working on my soldering skills and a few pieces will debut at the show. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE soldering!!! It opens so many more creative doors! I have to remember to take pics of the new pieces before Friday just in case they all sell out ;-)

I will be back to blogging and blog hopping and twittering soon. If it's not before Friday, please wish me luck!!!

Artist Confessions: Nancy of NanjoDogz

Hello, All! This week we meet Nancy, a polymer clay artist with an affinity to man's best friend.

1. Your Name: Nancy


2. Shop Name: NanjoDogz
   


3. Anyplace else your products can be seen? My blog
   


4. Tell us one thing - as it relates to your craft - that would be surprising. The surprising thing about my craft is that there are many different techniques and styles you can come up with polymer clay -- the same material, but oh so many possibilities.
   


5. What's your favorite item? My favorite item from my shop are my tiles. What's your least favorite item? Why? My etched pendants are probably my least favorite item because there's not a lot of detail in them.
   


6. Tell us about the mistakes you've made that have turned out well. I have a lot of projects that are mistakes that I ended up tearing apart and reworking so there's not only one unfortunately there's many.
   

1. Who's work - in your genre - do you envy? I absolutely love Marcia Palmer's jewelry, her shop marciapalmer is full of incredible pieces, she does amazing things with polymer clay and makes some wonderful pieces of jewelry.

Thank you, Nancy! Make sure to visit her blog and mention you saw her here!

Thursday Thirteen #3 - Favorite Songs

Okay, I'd been thinking and thinking, trying to decide what this week's 13 would be. "Favorite Songs" popped into my head so I'm gonna go with it. It may be a challenge for me to actually remember the titles to thirteen songs but here goes. In no particular order:

1. Get Over It - Eagles
2. There's a Better Place - Faith Hill
3. Paint it Black - Rolling Stones
4. T-R-O-U-B-L-E - Travis Tritt
5. Sign O the Times - Prince
6. Y Hubo Algien - Marc Anthony
7. Mary Did You Know - Kathy Mattea
8. You Are My Hiding Place - Selah
9. El Shaddai - Amy Grant
10. Feelin' Way Too Damn Good - Nickelback
11. Come Away With Me - Nora Jones
12. Fallin' - Alicia Keys
13. At Last - Etta James

And there you have it! Kinda eclectic, huh? Wasn't as hard as I thought it would be! I could've gone on and on........ ;-) Now go check out everyone else!

Date Night..........

This post isn't going to be a fascinating as it sounds, trust me! I know there's a lot of mom bloggers out there so I'm thinking you may appreciate this.

Hubby and I have been working on ways to reconnect now that our son is getting a bit older. I'm sure you all know it ain't easy! Our conversations revolve around the little one, what needs to be done around the house and who's gonna do it - usually me ;-) We decided to take back our lives and find the romance, hence date night. And here's how our first date night went:

8:00pm - put munchkin man to bed
8:15pm - run like hell with hastily scribbled directions for my father-in-law
8:30pm - dinner? sure. where? KFC..........cuz that's how we roll.
8:50pm - now what? might as well get the kid's Christmas shopping done since we have this opportune moment. where? Kmart.
9:00pm - opps! Kmart's supposed to be open until 10:00pm but we hillbillies make up our own rulz so we're now closed.
9:01pm - ummmm...............so.
9:20pm - Welcome to Walmart. Hubby says "Hey, this is cool. Just like when we used to date!"
9:50pm - Thank you for shopping Walmart - $70.00 later with not a Christmas present in sight.
10:00pm - I'm sorry, this town is now closed. Night, night!

Sneak Peek....

I Remember..........THANK YOU

What's goin on............

I've always wanted to try those yummy-looking handmade soaps I see on etsy and at the fairs but I've never been a 'soap kinda girl' (body wash, in case you were wondering). I didn't want to buy it and waste it if I found out it wasn't what I was looking for.

Well Chroma over at Soap Hound solves my problem. She's trying and reviewing a different handmade soaps each week and posting her thoughts. You can also find other handy info about handmade soaps and even some sweet deals!

Sunday Support: Share Our Strength

Chocolate and charity.........how can you go wrong?? As far as I'm concerned, you can't! Ferrero (my FAVORITE!!) is donating $150,000 from sales to Share Our Strength - End Childhood Hunger.

This is the first I've heard of this organization so here's a blurb:

Share Our Strength is a national organization working to end childhood hunger in the U.S. The organization weaves together a net of community groups, activists and food programs to catch children at risk of hunger and ensure they have nutritious food where they live, learn and play. Share Our Strength works with the culinary industry to create engaging, pioneering programs like Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation® presented by American Express, Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale presented by Domino® Sugar and C&H® Sugar, Share Our Strength’s A Tasteful Pursuit® presented by Lexus, Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out™ presented by American Express and Share Our Strength’s Operation Frontline nationally sponsored by the ConAgra Foods® Foundation.

So it's simple.......go out and buy these awesome chocolates. In addition to the Ferrero Rocher, there's also the Ferrero Rondnoir (dark chocolate) and the Collection which includes the Rocher, Rondnoir AND Garden Coco with coconut cream! Yum!

Even easier - send a Sweet Message to a friend, loved one, co-worker.....whoever, and Ferrero will donate $1.00 to Share Our Strength for each message sent. How cool is that?

Just for fun, take the Chocolate Quiz and be entered to win a 3-pack! I'm a Ferrero Rocher - sweet, charming, lovable and celebrator of life ;-) Who are you? Post your results in the comments!

(P.S. to those wondering........no, I am not being paid to advertise Ferrero. It's a good cause so I thought I'd spread the word. Plus, chocolate! Hello?!?!?)

Artist Confessions: Madeline of Maddie Anne

This week's confession comes to us from a fellow jewelry artisan who finds inspiration in nature!


1. Your Name: Madeline

2. Shop Name: Maddy Anne www.maddyanne.etsy.com in Round Rock, TX

3. Anyplace else your products can be seen: Online at:
www.beadage.net
http://beadage.net/gallery-vintage-treasures-necklace.html

4. Tell us one thing - as it relates to your craft - that would be surprising. I started making jewelry when I was 11 years old. My uncle's girlfriend introduced me to it, but passed away due to cancer soon after. I've decided that if I ever have my own store, I'll name it after her.

5. What's your favorite item? What's your least favorite item? Why? My favorite item is definitely my "Jolie Bracelet." It's fun and bold, but at the same time, it's not over the top. I'm not sure I have a least favorite. I enjoy making all of my pieces and couldn't bare to pick out the worst. :)




6. Tell us about the mistakes you've made that have turned out well.
My "Rebecca Necklace" is actually made from a mistake. I ordered it in hopes of the hole being drilled in a different spot. It was more challenging, but I think it came out rather interesting.

7. Who's work - in your genre - do you envy? I'm not sure I envy other jewelry makers. I love browsing and learning new techniques from others and seeing new ideas. I always get excited to see successful jewelry makers because it gives me hope that others will be able to enjoy my creations as well.

Thank you, Madeline, for sharing with us! Be sure to show her some love and visit her blog, people!

Thursday Thirteen #2

I apologize for being out of the loop a bit lately. It's been kinda busy over here. Hopefully I'm back on track and will be out on a visit to your blog soon!

So here's my second installment of Thursday Thirteen.........13 things I'd like to do or accomplish in my lifetime:

1. vacation in New Orleans;
2. vacation in Ireland;
3. vacation in Fuji (do you sense a trend??);
4. take up ballroom dancing again;
5. have a spa weekend with my best friends;
6. build my business to the point that it contributes at least half of our household income;
7. see our son graduate from college;
8. watch our son marry the woman of his dreams - and mine ;-)
9. sing lead with a jazz trio;
10. own a vacation spot in Charleston, SC;
11. see my husband go back to his own successful business;
12. complete some major renovations to our house ourselves; and
13. retire without worry!

Check out the original Thursday Thirteen to see what others list! Or add links to your Thursday Thirteen in my comments!

It's November 4th...........

What's goin' on.............

The Etsy Bloggers Street Team's featured blogger of the month is Storybeader! Congratulations, Deb! Be sure to hop over and wish her well!

There's a giveaway going on over at An Island Life for FABULOUS shoes and boots by Crocs. They have a new line out - You by Crocs - and are they ever!!

I've been wondering - how do you spread the news about your blog? Email signature? Done. Various blog listing sites? Done. Blogrings? I've joined a few. Twitter? Yup. As you can see I'm with Entrecard, Project Wonderful and the Mom's Ad Exchange. And my membership has just been approved for the EtsyBloggers Street Team and Fabulous Artistic Moms. What's working for you? Where's your traffic coming from. My goal this week is to examine my stats and see exactly what's working for me and what isn't and figure out what I can do differently to increase my viewers. Otherwise I'm just talking to myself, right? (Don't tell anyone but I already do that!) I'll fill you in on what I come up with!