Friday Roundup

I can't believe it's Friday again already! I've been busy making new items this week but struggling to get them photographed - the old story I'm afraid. It seems as if it's been drizzling every day so I'm out in the rain trying to get pics taken as quickly as possible!

I did a lovely custom order this week when came about after I started a thread on Etsy about sororities. Someone had suggested I think about sororities colours for my bracelets. Now being from Northern Ireland and knowing next to nothing about them, I went to the best for advice - the Etsy forums. As a result I made some items in black and gold, which I learned are the colours for Kappa Alpha Theta and I liked them so much, I've made up a couple to sell again.

I've made up these Black and Gold Memory Wire bracelet


and Black and Gold Bubbles bracelet


I've also made this Light and Dark Blue Bubbles bracelet which is the colours for the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority


If any of my American followers who know an awful lot more about sororities than me, have any comments or advice about these, I'd love to hear them!

Wish List!

I decided last week that I wanted to treat myself to a wrap top off Etsy. Although I've bought loads of different things from Etsy before, I've never bought clothes, so it was a bit of a learning experience for me.

First thing I learned was how frustrating search really is! If you search wrap top, you get everything from clothes to jewellery to gift tags. You need to search for 'wrap top' to actually only get clothes.

There was a good selection to chose from and here's some of my favourites.

First up is this Snuggle Up Top from SHIHAR


Next I love this Long sleeve sweatshirt from Lirola In fact I could buy everything in this sellers shop, it's so yummy!


And finally, this is the top I bought, only I got it in turquoise. Wrap dancer style top by Nakarastyle

Wish List!

This week I've been working on more spring items, although it's difficult not to keep at the winter colours with the dismal weather we are having here!

I made this Rose, Green and Ivory Bubbles bracelet Unfortunately I listed it yesterday when there was all the discussion about the relevancy search being used on Etsy, so the title is a bit long and the views a bit low!


Next I've made a new Teal, Cerulean Blue and Silver Memory Wire Bracelet


I'm delighted that I got my second photo accepted onto Craftgawker It was this Paprika Pearl Bracelet


And finally, some personal news. I've got a new job! I have been lucky enough to get a part time respiratory physiotherapy post - I've only been waiting 2 and a half years so I'm a bit excited as you can imagine! I hand in my notice at my current post today and start on the 22nd February. It will probably mean less crafting time - or maybe it will just mean more productive crafting time as I'll have less time to to it in! Watch this space.

Wish List!

Last week a vote was taken by the European Street Team on Etsy as to whether or not UK peeps could join and the answer was 'yes'! So I've been popping into the chat thread and getting to know some of the European sellers and finding some great shops.

So todays Wish List is full of European goodies!

First up is this elegant Beige bookcover for comfy reading from Estonian seller kuutydruk


Next on my Wish List is these yummy Rainbow Moonstone Sterling Earrings from Swiss seller steinschmuckdesign


And finally, I love this Beadwoven Wide Band Ring by gr8jewellery from Malta.


So please check out these shop for more gorgeous goodies!

Craftgawker

I've been reading the Etsy forums and found out about Craftgawker It is a site that displays photos of items that link back to your selling site. According to the forums, it can be a great source of views, so I decided to submit one of my items.

Again reading the threads, they are a bit picky over which pics get accepted and which don't so I submitted what I think is probably the best pic in my shop, this Gold Bubbles Bracelet


I'm so excited that it got accepted for the site and I'm looking forward to seeing it really does bring more traffic to my shop.

So if you are interested, check out the site as it may just lead to more views and sales.

Mondays Featured Seller

Todays featured seller is the adorable Jeanette from Miss Maisy Jeanette is a fellow regular on the UK chat thread and is always there with advice, fun and best of all, lovely goodies!

First I've chosen these simple Peach Rose Earrings I'm the proud owner of 2 pairs of MissMaisy earrings and they draw compliments every time I wear them.


Next I've chosen this bright and cheery Millefiori Charm Bracelet which would be perfect for spring.


And finally, I love this Peach Trellis Necklace


So check out her shop for some gorgeous finds!

Friday RoundUp

This week I've been working on spring items again, though I'm gradually getting some old favourites made up again.

I've added a new Aqua Bubbles Bracelet on rhodium headpins and silver plate floral clasp.


I've also added this Old Gold, Bronze and Ivory Memory Wire Bracelet


And also one of my best sellers,the Chocolate Bubbles Bracelet is back!


And finally, to celebrate 2 years on Etsy, I'm offering 20% off throughout my shop this weekend, so check it out if you want a January bargain!

Wish List!

I'm not a red lover - I avoid it like the plague to be honest - something about red hair clashing with it, but after reading one of the Storque articles on garnet, I could change my mind.

So for my first Wish List for January, I've picked some garnet items that I covet.

The first is this Crinkle Silver and Garnet Ring by Marajoyce


Next up is this lovely Cable Knit Lotus Purse by efran


And finally, how about this stunning Sanguine Drop Necklace from Polestar


So check out these gorgeous items and the other garnet items on Etsy and Folksy

Blog Award!

I was pleased to have received this Sunshine blog award from Charlotte at Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics

The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity & creativity inspires others in the blog world.
The rules for accepting this award are:-

Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.
Link the nominees within your post.
Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.



This was a difficult decision as there are so many great blogs I love reading. Here are the 12 blogs I have chosen to pass this award onto:
Cabin and Cub
Paperwhite
ForeverFoxed
SixSkeins
StoreyShop
NiftyKnits
The Cycling Artist
Happyment
Landcuckoo
RachelLucie
ThePineappleTart
MissMaisysChatter

Mondays Featured Seller

Today I decided to feature Donna from Cute Designs

Alex, my daughter, is Donnas biggest fan and got 3 of her monkeys from Santa, then purchased another one with her Christmas money! She made them their own bedroom, each with a bedcover with their name on it and even took them away with her this weekend.
,Donna makes cute, kawaii things especially plushies and amigurumi.

This little cutie is one of the monkeys that Alex so adores - Minty


Another sweetie is this Amigurumi Red Leaf Rustler


And finally, my personal favourite, Teddy Loveless


So check out her shop to find lots of gorgeous cuties!

Friday Roundup

Since Christmas and the New Year I've been working with spring in mind. I'm not so sure that buyers are ready for the spring colours yet though, as I still seem to be selling the blacks, silver and browns of winter.

One of my new spring bracelets is this Hot Pink and Purple Memory Wire Bracelet


I've used the same pink pearls in this Hot Pink Bubbles Bracelet


And finally,something a little less vibrant! This Tropical Bubbles Pearl Bracelet

Friday Roundup

Since Christmas and the New Year I've been working with spring in mind. I'm not so sure that buyers are ready for the spring colours yet though, as I still seem to be selling the blacks, silver and browns of winter.

One of my favourite bracelets I've made with spring in mind is this Hot Pink and Purple Memory Wire Bracelet


I've used the same pink pearls in this ">Hot Pink Bubbles Bracelet


And finally,something a little less vibrant! This Tropical Bubbles Pearl Bracelet

Adjusting to January

I hate, detest and loathe January with a passion. I actually start to dread it from about the middle of September! It's the short days, the bad weather, the empty shops after all the glitz of Christmas and especially, the taking down of the Christmas trees and lights.

Every year I tell myself it's only a few short weeks and to get over it. But unfortunately, every year I succomb and feel lousy.

I've been trying not to let it get to me but as usual I've been feeling ugh, hence the lack of blogging or anything very much constructive happening so far this week. However, tomorrow me, Andy and the kids are going to this gorgeous place for the weekend.

Two nights at the The Bushmills Inn, bought and paid for with my Etsy earnings. I surprised Andy on Christmas Day with it and he was really shocked, as it's a place we have wanted to stay for ages. So I'll let you know next week how we got on :)

Front Page!

I was delighted the other morning to log on and see my treasury on Etsys front page. My whole mindset has moved onto spring, even with the wind and snow outside, and this one was shades of duck egg blue.

Happy New Year!

Ok, so my blogging has been non existant for a couple of weeks, but I really want to wish you all a very happy, peaceful and prosperous 2010!

My new years resolution, which I'll probably break within a week are as follows -
1. Eat more greens (ugh!)
2. Drink less wine (double ugh)
3. Be more organised with my paperwork.
4. Blog regularly

I'd love to hear your resolutions and if you think you'll keep them :)