I made the front page!!

Woo hoo! So my year's been a bit eventful afterall ;-) Huge thanks to Mauna Kea Moonlight for creating such a beautiful treasury and including me with such talented artists! It made it to the front page and I missed it but a few people from the Starving Jewelry Artists forum got a screen shot for me:

I was also included in Popnicute's "Sunnyside Up in the Grass" treasury!

Happy New Year!

The holidays have been a busy time in this household and - as usual - I've ended up sick! I wanted to share with you a few of the gifts I made for friends and family members: two pendants for my nephews girlfriends with their birthstones and a Mother's Necklace for my mom.

It's almost that time.........time to contemplate what's come before and celebrate what lies ahead. It's been a rather uneventful but blessed year for me. I am incredibly lucky and I try to remind myself of that daily. I wish you all a safe, happy New Year's Eve and a prosperous New Year!

Snow Day............

We've got an anticipated 6 inches or so of snow coming, Hubby - since part of his job is snow removal - is working odd hours, Little Man has been awake since 3:00am (it's now almost noon!!) and I'm waiting for him to crash so my schedule is kinda off today.

I'm taking advantage of this self-imposed lull to do some research on marketing options. Yay for me, I'm working on my list of goals already!! I mentioned some time before that I've opened up shop on 1000Markets. 1000Markets has an added benefit of shop 'stats'. As you can see by my sidebar, I'm using Entrecard and Project Wonderful. I've set up a different a different PW ad for my 1000Markets shop - this ad is animated whereas my blog ad is not - and I'm going to attempt to track and compare my success between shops. At some point in time, I need to do more research in creating successful campaigns in both and I'll start with Timothy Adams. Anyone have any additional learning resources?

I've updated my flickr account and am considering an application to Trunkt. Thoughts? Suggestions? I'm not in the market to wholesale at this point but I'm looking for additional exposure.

I just stumbled across Craft Juice.......not quite sure of the workings but I'm beginning to submit items linked to my 1000Markets shop and see if I get an increase in shop views. I've been 'twittering' a lot lately but I'm a bit overwhelmed with that - I need to get it a bit more manageable. My followers have increased ten-fold but now I'm missing those tweets by those I'd most like to follow!

Lastly, my thoughts at 4:00am this morning turned to setting up a website for my jewelry and directing purchases to either my etsy or 1000markets shop, depending upon the buyers payment preference. I know I've seen other crafters with the same idea.........how's it working out for you??

I realize it's all a bit unorganized but I feel better that I'm doing something. I'll keep you posted on my progress and please, please, please feel free to add your tips to my comments!

Another treasury!

Thanks goes out to galadryl, a fellow SATeam Member for inclusion in another treasury!

New Treasury.....

Much thanks goes out to Aerisjewellrydesign for including me in this awesome treasury! The StarvingArtist Etsy Team Rocks ;-)

Inspiration.......

It's been a few days since I've blogged and I'll apologize for that! Illness and client deadlines has made Kirstie a busy girl!!

When I started this blog, I intended to post more about my jewelry - not just photos but inspiration. So here's a bit of that:

I married 'late' in life. No, I'm not ancient but all of my friends were well into married and family life before I met my husband. We also married quickly but that's a story for another post ;-) We did a quick and cheap honeymoon down to Charleston, SC. Before moving the the northwest corner of Connecticut I lived near the shore and it was wonderful to see the ocean again! (yes, I know I'm not that far from the ocean but let's just say hubby's idea of a road trip is a 30 minute drive!!) Anyway, I digress..............the little man came soon after our honeymoon so vacations haven't really been an option as of late so our honeymoon holds special significance in more ways than one!

Those photos were taken on a sunset cruise. We had our second dance as a married couple - huge deal because hubby doesn't dance. Hubby is also often vehicle-sick (car sick, air sick, sea sick....) so it was especially endearing that he agreed to this. We saw dolphins swimming along side our vessel and the food was excellent. Actually, I can't say that we had a bad meal the entire trip!

These pics hang by our closet door, directly across from our bed so I see them often. I won't say that I intended to create any jewelry in the image of these photos but this is what happened:

I had something else entirely in mind - though I can't now recall what it was - but this is what emmerged. The ring came first and the pendant I added. Don't know why but I like to have pieces that 'go together' but aren't too 'matchy' if you get my drift.

So there you have it. Insight into some of my work. Hopefully it was interesting enough to keep you coming back ;-)

Another two-post day!

Leah over at Michon Jewelry has just featured me in an etsy treasury! How awesome is she?? (she really is......make sure you check out her blog and her shop!)

Be sure to click on the treasury and show some love, people!

Big News!!!

Before I get to my announcement, you might notice (or you might not!) a few changes to my blog. I've been sick for a few days and thought that this would be the best time to attempt to customize my blog layout. Silly me. So........some things are missing, some things have been added........

And speaking of additions, you might notice that big "1000 Markets" button in my sidebar. Yup!! Bonhomie Jewelry is now also available at my 1000 Markets shop! Why, you may ask? Well, why not? ;-) Just kidding........it offers an alternative to those who don't want to create an etsy account just to make a purchase. My 1000 Markets shop accepts payment via Amazon so tell your friends and shop away!!

I'm really excited about this.......I'm still working on adding all my items to the new shop so if there's something you'd like but don't see it, just send me a message and I'll put it up for you. Some of the artists at 1000 Markets may be familiar to you but you might also see something new so make sure you hop over and browse around!

Featured in gift guide..........

Two posts in one day! It's a blogging miracle! ;-)

Just wanted to let you know that one of my necklaces is featured in the FAM Jewelry Gift Guide! I couldn't be in better company!

Treasuries!!!

I wish I could say that I've been so busy making jewelry that I haven't had time to post but I can't! Work has had me hopping and I've been so out of touch that I missed two treasuries!!! I'm so excited and I'm thankful that the Starving Artist Team blog captured the screen shots:

Too bad they expired but at least I have proof! ;-)

Thursday Thirteen #5 - Goals

I realize it's early but I've been giving a lot of thought lately to my New Year's Resolutions. Honestly, I don't usually make any because I don't keep them ;-). However, I'm hoping to make a fresh start and here's how: instead of "resolutions", we'll call them "goals". They don't all have to begin on January 1st - some I'll work on now, others when I get the chance. No pressure, just productivity!! Here goes:

1. spend more QUALITY time with my son;
2. spend more QUALITY time with my husband;
3. get back to church;
4. write a business plan for my jewelry business AND my virtual assistant business;
5. focus my advertising for both businesses;
6. improve and maintain my own schedule;
7. take on only as much as I can handle comfortably;
8. find more time to spend with my friends;
9. try to find more 'couple' friends;
10. complete various home improvement projects;
11. set up & stick to a budget;
12. execute our wills; and
13. purchase life insurance

And there it is in black & white! Make sure to check out other Thursday Thirteens here!

This & That.........

Congratulations to all who survived the first round of holidays and in-laws. One down, two to go! I enjoy the holiday season but it can be stressful, even more so now that I'm a wife and mom. It seems the expectations rise about 100% with those titles!

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, it used to be Hubby's tradition to put the tree up. I say "used to" because that's not happening this week! I'm still trying to catch up and resume my normal schedule. However, I did start working on the outside. He put up the lights and I managed to get one flower box done:

What do you think? I still have 2 large boxes to do in front of the picture window but it's a start. I also put big, red bows on the doors but need a few more to hang from the exterior light fixtures and 'porch' rails. This is causing me a dilema:

I had originally thought to fill it with pine cones but I'm not sure that will work. I also thought about ornaments...........suggestions, please!!!

On the first day of Christmas............

The shopping's not over yet!!!! I've got one more fabulous shopping experience for you: The Fabulous Artistic Moms (FAM) Holiday Gift Guide. Featuring 12 days of awesome deals and each day is something different.

Be sure to check the FAM Blog each day! Happy Shopping!