Luna Award

It's black Friday eve, and I've had the most crazy day. I went to bed last night at 10pm (which is very early for me), then tossed and turned and didn't get much sleep, then woke up at 3:45AM! ((SOOO NOT normal for me)) and got ready to go mad shopping at walmart. Walmart, of all places....GAH! But...they had 2 specific items on sale that I needed to get for Christmas. I can't say what they are, cause my son and daughter-in-law might read this, and I can't give it away. Anyhoo....hubby and I had never done the whole black Friday shopping like crazy at friggin 5AM in the morning thing! So, since walmart had some good sales, and we had a lil bit of money in our pockets, we thought, "what the hey." So..we went for it and experienced a first together. Besides, there was no way I was going to walmart at 5AM with mad crazy shoppers without him!!

So now, it's around 11:30ish Friday eve, and I've finally jumped on my computer to hopefully be surprized with a sale or two from my shop, but...no sales today. Instead, I received a happy surprise from my very good friend, Brandi of catiesblue. Not only did she give me a "Luna Award" but, she brightened my spirits and reminded me of the wonderful, sweet, and inspiring friend that she is to me! "Thank You Brandi!"

NEW GiveAway

The Artisan Beaders Street Team is having another sweet giveaway this week! This week, Brandi of "catiesblue" is giving away a beautiful stunning necklace!! You do NOT want to miss this giveaway!! Head over to the Artisan Beaders Blog and enter for your chance to win Brandi's lovely necklace!

Fabulous GiveAway from Modish!!

Jena at Modish is holding the 2nd GiveAway of some wonderfully, awesome, unique, beautiful, handcrafted, items! $805.00 worth to be exact!! One very lucky winner will win everything in the photo below! Just go to the Modish Blog and follow the instructions on how to enter. It's that easy!! Besides, you can't win if you don't play! :)) You have until December 3rd at 11:59pm to enter. The lucky winner will be announced on December 4th. So..Go! And enter NOW! "Good luck!" :-))

All giveaway items are from the following extremely talented participants!

*peace sign* TIN WINGS

*"slowly" print* EYEFUL by TRICIA McKELLAR

*Czech glass drop earrings* K KENNEDY DESIGNS

*"Maya in Fall"* print MATILOU

"I have many thoughts" print TANIS ALEXIS

*Snowman necklace and earrings set* HUMBLEBEADS

*corduroy bear pouch* RED MARIONETTE

*"Plant a tree" print* KACHING DESIGN

*beaded earrings* MOONDOONIE

*fern clutch with vintage button* MONSTER FASHION

*silver drip necklace* BEADS IN THE BELFRY

*beer quartz "kisses" earrings* JEWEL ALCHEMY

*2009 calendar* HAPPIFY

*hand-painted silk earrings* GILBEA

*alphabet-o-graphic wooden earrings* MOYOU

*tea tree citrus scrub* DANDY BODYCARE *"nectarine under cage" print* FOOD CHIC

*set of Brighton Buildings cards* ROBIN101

*blue and brown crystal drop earrings* CRYSTAL ALLURE

*chocolate and vanilla necklace* TWINKLE

*sushi mousepad* HEAD BITCH IN CHARGE

*green tree pendant* PIECES OF ME PENDANTS

*set of 12 correspondence cards* 1ST COMES LOVE

*love gun necklace* PULP SUSHI

*beaded rainbow brooch* FLECTO

*Needlepoint Trade Secrets, autographed book* JANET PERRY

*beaded bookmark* DEE-ZIGNS

*jungle print headband* STYLISH MODE

*winter finger puppet* BABYSWEAR

*batik zip pouch* URBANKNIT

*3 little birdies necklace* FLAMBEAUX DESIGN

** protozoan necklace STARVING ARTIST BAZAAR

*"geneen earrings"* MUSETTE

*crystal quartz and moonstone earrings* CATIE'S BLUE

*mushroom zip bag* OBLINAKNIT

*jumper purse* PHAT SHEEP

*yuzen pendant* A PLANET 4 CREATION

*copper bead dangle earrings* A PRETTY ROCK

*black and white flower headband* GEMDROPS

Autumn...

Autumn is my favorite season! Sure, I love Spring and Summer too, and I muddle through Winter...but Autumn just seems to bring out my creative side more. Maybe it's the changing of the leaves and all the beautiful colors that come with it or maybe it's the Autumn moons and stunning sunsets. Whatever it is, I'm just glad it's here! And I'm enjoying it as much as possible, before Winter arrives. Winter is okay....I like the snow....but, I never liked driving in it (don't drive anymore), and it's too cold for my aching bones.

*Autumn Days*

View my "Autumn Series" HERE.

It's Time For............

a new giveaway!! This week's giveaway item is from Ainsley of Kaskaad Handmade Jewellery. This delightful cell phone charm could be yours for FREE! Go HERE for all the details! Good luck! :)

Perfect Autumn Day

Okay...considering my husband was recently laid off, the economy being bad, and my chronic pain.....today is a rare day for me. I actually feel good today! Maybe because it's a beautiful Autumn day or maybe the planets are aligned just right....or maybe it's both. Regardless, I feel good!

This is one of my new pieces, and I just love it! I usually don't comment on my own work, but I can't help myself. I love the way the crystals fall above the gorgeous glass leaf! You can see more photos at *The Jewelry Box.* I have to mention the leaf was made by a very talented friend of mine, Deronda. I really admire her awesome talent! You can check out more of Deronda's pretties at *Deronda Designs.* I'm off to enjoy this perfect day! :))

A Unique Seller

Please join me as I introduce Kristine of *Celtic Knot.*

Kristine has a variety of items in her shop, from earrings

to lucky stars. Read on to learn more about her!

What do you make, and what drives your passion for your craft?

I make earrings, bracelets, necklaces, keychains, bookmarks, wine glass charms, origami lucky stars, and glass pendants & magnets. I absolutely love creating new and unique items, and it's a great way to relax and unwind.

What made you want to take your craft to the next level and sell on Etsy?

I first started making earrings to pass the time when my husband was on a deployment in the United States Navy. I soon received lots of wonderful compliments from friends, family, and strangers alike, and they all encouraged me to try my hand at selling my items. I looked at several different online venues, but as soon as I saw Etsy, I was hooked! This is such a wonderful community with amazingly talented artists, and I'm proud to be a member of that community. I am very grateful for Etsy, for not only have I met countless talented and sweet Etsians, but I am also able to make some money for doing the crafts that I love.

What is your best seller item right now?

My current best selling item is my origami lucky stars. They are so fun to make, and I love finding new and interesting paper to fold.

Please share your best marketing venue.

Word of mouth has been my best marketing tool as of yet, and passing out business cards to friends, family, and customers has definitely helped.

Besides Etsy, where else can you be found?

At the moment, I am only on Etsy at CelticKnot.etsy.com.

Share a few of your favorite Etsy shops.

Here are a few Etsy shops that are dear friends, as well as shops that I greatly admire:FullHouseCrafts.etsy.com, CreativeHook.etsy.com, LostRiverRags.etsy.com, justinvining.etsy.com All of the sweet sellers at the HUG thread: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5897350&page=1

Tell one random thing about you that doesn’t involve your craft/business.

I have an elf ear.

What are your goals regarding your business for the next few years?

In the next few years, I hope to have vastly improved my photography, and I hope to have some items in local shops.

Thank you Kristine!

Visit **Celtic Knot** today!

A Wonderful Seller

Join me, as I introduce Kristi of *zuzu girl.*

Kristi's shop if full of sweet, kid-approved, accessories

for the little princess in your life! Read Kristi's story

and become inspired. I know I did!

What do you make, and what drives your passion for your craft?

Zuzu girl handmade is a small collection of accessories for little princesses. Constructed mostly with yards & yards of beautiful ribbon, silk flowers, tulle, and a glue gun. We sell fairy princess halos, headbands, wands & movement rings. This collection was ignited by the awesome collision of boredom & inspiration. As a new stay at home mom, a former retail merchant, and a work-a-holic, I was longing for a creative outlet. When my daughter Zuzu started coming into her own as a little princess the concept of zuzu girl began to evolve. And it’s still evolving!

What made you want to take your craft to the next level and sell on Etsy?

We were at a ballet class when the teacher handed out plastic shower curtain rings with crumpled gift ribbon tied on to them. This room of two year olds could not have been happier. I looked down at this cheap plastic thing in Zuzu’s hand and said, "I can do this…I can make them beautiful…and little girls everywhere will adore them!" And so, the zuzu girl magical movement ring was born. Once I started creating, I just couldn’t stop. I was making coordinating wands and headbands the very next day. I was already a big fan of Etsy as a buyer and figured…what have I got to lose?

What is your best seller item right now?

Funny, I still have yet to sell a set of movement rings, although I did just get a custom inquiry! The wands are our biggest hit right now.

Please share your best marketing venue.

We’re still a small operation. I market only on Etsy & my personal blog at this point.

Tell one random thing about you that doesn’t involve your craft/business.

I have a sweet tooth like nobody’s business. I LOVE dark chocolate (and I don’t like to share) so I hide it behind the butter in the refrigerator where the kids can’t find it.

Share a few of your favorite Etsy shops.

It’s so hard to narrow down, I find new favorites every day! I adore gigglinggoldfish for kid’s accessories. Lulucoco & Acornbeach for jewelry. And Sweetbeets & Boldandsassy for stationary.

What are your goals regarding your business for the next few years?

Honestly, I’m really just making it up as I go along. I’d like to actually start making a profit but I just can’t seem to stay away from the craft stores. That would help. Over the next six months I’d love to build the Etsy business so that I have a steady flow of on-line customers and build the wholesale business to about six good accounts. I’ve got two kids at home with me so I think that’s about all I can handle on my own right now... but if the business happens to surprise me, well that won’t be such a bad thing.

"Thank you Kristi!"

Visit **zuzu girl** today.

Keep tuning in for more hot profiles all month long! :)

Soap GiveAway

Can you belive this adorable penguin is actually a bar of soap, handmade and scented with Lavender Essential Oil. And....even better, you could win it!! A very talented artisan I know, Patty, is having a *GiveAway* on her blog. All you have to do is pick your favorite soap from *Happy Goats Soap*, then leave your comment with your favorite choice on *Broken Teepee's Blog.* It's that simple! Besides, you can't win if you don't play! And...you get to pick which soap you would like! :)

Please join me as I introduce Johanna of *Jo's Goodies.* Just like her shop name, Johanna makes and sells delectable bath and body goodies. Everything in her shop is made with natural ingredients. Believe me, once you try her products, you will become a customer for life, and your body will thank you for it!

What do you make, and what drives your passion for your craft?

I make homemade luxurious bath and body goodies. My passion is driven by each time a customer praises my goodies. It always makes the hard work worth it.

What made you want to take your craft to the next level and sell on Etsy?

Honestly, I haven't been on Etsy long, and actually it was my first step in getting my product "out there" so to speak. I tested on my friends and family, and they all loved it, so I did some research online and came across Etsy, and here I am :)

What is your best seller item right now?

My Organic Oatmeal Goat's Milk Bathing Bar. The greatest compliment to your shower!

Please share your best marketing venue.

Word of mouth.

Besides Etsy, where else can you be found?

I'm mostly on Etsy, and in local craft fairs, the next one will be Dec 20/21 @ the Brooklyn Lyceum.

Tell one random thing about you that doesn’t involve your craft/business.

I'm a baker- in between my career in finance, and my new bath and body business, I can make a heck of a cheesecake :)

What are your goals regarding your business for the next few years?

I'm hoping to expand my Etsy business and hopefully generate enough buzz around NYC to open up my own store front... another goal - to get on Oprah's "favorite things" show :) we can all dream can’t we?

Visit *Jo's Goodies* Today!

Thank you Johanna!

**Stay tuned for more hot profiles all month long**

GIVEAWAY THIS WEEK!

Members of the Artisan Beaders Street Team are sponsoring weekly giveaways of their fabulous handmade items. This week, Vicki of Orion Designs is giving away these gorgeous earrings, *Cocoa Waves Earrings!* They feature glass beads & natural brass, and they measure 5/8ths of an inch from the bottom of the earwire. Go here, for details on how you could win these beauties, and see samples of all the member's gorgeous items for your holiday shopping this year!

One Hot Profile!

Please join me as I introduce Misschell of *chinamommy!* Her shop is full of fun and whimisical yummies!

What do you make, and what drives your passion for your craft? I make a variety of things. I still feel like I'm trying to find my nitch. I make "Cutie~Cupcakes", "chandelier frames," and "button pendants"... as of today! The cupcakes combine my love of sculpture, collage, "stuff", and whimsy.

What made you want to take your craft to the next level and sell on Etsy? I started on Etsy, because for the first time in my life, I don't have to work outside my home. I have a BA in Fine Art & haven't ever really used it. I love the idea of making something so cute, great, whimsical... whatever, that someone is willing to spend their hard earned $ on it, because they HAVE TO HAVE IT!

What is your best seller item right now? My button pendants are my best seller, partly because they are the first items I ever listed, and they're a quick, cute gift that's under $10!

Please share your best marketing venue. I've had a lot of luck by being on facebook! I also put a business card in EVERYTHING I send out (that's right, even the gals/guys at the electric company get one!). I blog: http://chinamommy04.blogspot.com/ & use that as my signature line on everything... I'm on myspace too: http://www.myspace.com/xiushui

Besides Etsy, where else can you be found? facebook (Misschell Myers-Shellenbarger), myspace, and my blog!

What are your goals regarding your business for the next few years? Get more items listed, treat it more like a (fun) job, grow my sales- I'd love to sell several items EVERY day. I'd also like to really find my nitch & continue to improve my artistic skills.

Tell one random thing about you that doesn’t involve your craft/business. I've known since I was about 8 that I wanted to adopt a little girl from China. Childbirth freaks me out, adoption was the only option for me! My daughter was 11 months when we met & she is just the BEST thing that ever happened to me. I wish more people would add to their families through adoption, it's an amazing thing!!

Share a few of your favorite Etsy shops. wow... a few of my favorites: well, like so many, I love theblackapple and elsiecake. I also LOVE: papermoongallery, flutter, lake, iHotto... I could go on for days!

Thank you Misschell! Visit *chinamommy* today! Keep tuning in for more hot profiles all month long! :)

Another Hot Profile!

Please join me, as I introduce an amazing and inspiring Etsy Seller, Rebecca of *Rebecca's Soap Delicatessen!*

What do you make, and what drives your passion for your craft?

I make handmade soaps and lotions. I really love experimenting with new scents. My soaps are often referred to as different flavors rather than scents so, I think it's getting to experiment with new scents that really drives my craft.

What made you want to take your craft to the next level and sell on Etsy?

I've been around on Etsy since it was in beta, however, this is the first year I've actually focused on selling on Etsy. I was able to get a little further ahead in my inventory this year so, I wanted to expand my revenue by really giving things a go on Etsy. The economy also had a play in this, as local sales are down right now from last year.

What is your best seller item right now?

My Falling for You Soap for Extra Dry Skin followed by the Raspberry Vanilla Soap and Lotion.

Please share your best marketing venue.

Word of mouth.

Besides Etsy, where else can you be found?

I also sell on the Roanoke City Market. Visit my blog for market dates.

What are your goals regarding your business for the next few years?

Just to try to make a little more every year.

Tell one random thing about you that doesn’t involve your craft/business.

I am bipolar and have agoraphobia.

Share a few of your favorite Etsy shops.

http://haunt.etsy.com/ - For her skin gloss. http://cherryblossoms.etsy.com/ - For her merino wool socks. http://teaforallreasons.etsy.com/ - For her awesome teas.

Thanks to Rebecca for sharing! Visit *Rebecca's Soap Delicatessen* today. Keep tuning in for more hot profiles all month long! :)

Only 1 more day left...

to win a beautiful pair of aventurine and jasper pair of earrings from me! Go to the Artisan Beaders blog *Giveaway* post, and leave a comment on your favorite jewelry item from my Etsy Shop. That's all you have to do! The winner will be announced at 5pm tomorrow (Friday)! Can't win if you don't play! Keep checking the Artisan Beaders blog every week for new item giveaways from the talented members of the Artisan Beaders Street Team!

Hot Profile!

Join me as I introduce Teri of *S & T Creations!* What a fantastic and unique shop!! What do you make, and what drives your passion for your craft? Our jewelry designs are mainly semi-precious gemstones and crystals. We began making jewelry designs so we could actually design our own pieces to match outfits, etc. From there, people began to notice what we made and the next "logical step" was to expand our work and begin to design for others. What made you want to take your craft to the next level and sell on Etsy? We decided that, in order to develop a business, we needed some regular sales venue. Before now, we've had our own open house shows once or twice a year, and our booth at craft fairs and shows. But, it was often difficult (I think more so for me than Saundra) to keep my enthusiasm for creating up when we might go some time between a show. So, this was a very large commitment that we made to develop an online store, a website, and a blog. I thought if I gave it 1 year, I'd have it going. Well, WRONG! This is a long term commitment, just as a brick and mortar store would be, so I've adjusted my plans! What is your best seller item right now? As always, our necklaces and necklace and earring sets are our design specialties. People will always pick up earrings and bracelets, but it's our chunky, large "WOW" designs that our customers love!

Please share your best marketing venue. Our home open houses have always done well, plus sporadic special events booth or tables. A recent fashion show this past year was a wonderful success.

Besides Etsy, where else can you be found? Our website: http://www.sandtcreations.com Our eSMarts Etsy Team Store: http://esmarts.etsy.com Our blog: http://www.sandtcreations.com/wordpress

What are your goals regarding your business for the next few years? I really want to continue building the website, our etsy store, and our online social marketing connections, which is a core component of the goals of our Esmarts team. Beyond that, I would like to find 3 or maybe 4 large events (craft shows, art shows, etc) that we could attend annually. I find those truly inspire new ideas and force us to continue to grow our abilities and skills. For myself, I have 2 areas of skill development that I am very interested in. That is using recycled metal clay to create my own components and designs, and to add silversmithing skills to my work. I am looking for a way to actually begin to create and design my own settings, pendants, beads, rings, etc. I think this will improve my artistic development and allow me to make more personally aesthetic pieces for my customers. Plus, there are so many ways to create messages in that type of creativity, such as a love for nature, divine grace, love, etc.

Tell one random thing about you that doesn't involve your craft/business. Well, that has to be our collection of movies. My business partner, Saundra started WAY before me, and has a collection of over 8000 movies now. But, she got me started on old movies, and taught me about film noir. So, my collection is growing, at about 3000. I love "Katharine Hepburn" and "Sidney Poitier" the most, but I work on several mini- collections within my collection, such as documentaries, biographies, and true stories.

Share a few of your favorite Etsy shops. The first has to be our *eSMarts team store.* We opened our team store just recently in order to donate items that, when sold, the proceeds would go to support a team cause or special fundraising project the team agreed upon. It's a wonderful idea and a great way to support others. http://esmarts.etsy.com The second is *Blue Bonnet Jewelry*, in particular "The Blue Skies and Dragonfly Bead Cuff Bracelet!" It's simply to die for! http://bluebonnetjewelry.etsy.comhttp://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13533984 Another is *Amor de Plata*, because they work in the recycled silver metal clay, and the pieces are simply beautiful, and inspiring to me, as I try to learn that medium. Check it out at : http://AmorDePlata.etsy.com Thank you Teri! Visit *S & T Creations * today! Keep tuning in for more hot profiles all month long!

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Please...if you havn't voted yet, go and DO IT NOW!!! This is such an important election and history in the making! I voted over a week ago with my mail-in ballot. Easier for me to vote that way since I don't drive that much anymore. Either way you vote, just make sure you vote! Today is the last day! This moment in time will be recorded in history books. It will be in our grandchildren's history books and our grandchildren's children's history books! It's up to US, the American people!! So...........do the right thing and GO VOTE NOW!!!

New GiveAway!

The Artisan Beaders are pleased to present a little holiday present from us to you! Over the next few weeks, participating members will be sponsoring a giveaway of their fabulous handmade items. And this week, you can win a fabulous pair of Aventurine & Fancy Jasper earrings from me! Check out the Artisan Beaders blog for all the details!

Hot Profiles!

Join me as I introduce Kristy Smith of *Shiny Adornments.* She is an amazing artisan, and her jewelry is beautiful, just like her!

What do you make, and what drives your passion for your craft? ShinyAdornments is artisan handmade beaded and wire wrapped jewelry, handcrafted in my Wichita, KS studio. I use sterling silver, gemstones, SRA lampwork, glass, and polymer clay beads. My jewelry shop includes bracelets, bangles, earrings, necklaces and cocktail rings for both work and play. I find inspiration in the wildflowers I drove past this morning on the way to work or the suit I just bought that needs the perfect accessory or the strange dream I had last night. I make jewelry I would wear myself. The materials depend on my mood and inspiration. My goal is to create wearable items for work and play that offer an interesting statement about the women who wear them.

What made you want to take your craft to the next level and sell on Etsy? I started making jewelry because I couldn’t find pieces to coordinate with my work attire. I discovered that I really enjoy the creative outlet. I’ve come to crave coiling wire, which I’ve discovered creates an almost meditative state. I also love being able to hammer components into submission. lol Creating little wearable expressions of color has become a stress reducing therapy for me. I was wearing the things I created to work and received lots of positive feedback, and sales! from my coworkers. It seemed a sensible step to create someplace to showcase them online, as many of the individuals I know aren’t in the same state.

What is your best seller right now? Locally, my charm and coin bracelets sell the best.

Please share your best marketing venue. I like blogging. Especially blogging about my team members. I'm a geek at heart, so all the online, technical stuff is the most promo fun for me.

Besides Etsy, where else can you be found? My website , My blog , and lots and lots of flickr pictures!

What are your goals regarding your business for the next few years? I would like to tweak my process enough that I am spending less time promoting and more time actually creating. I’m spending far less time on non-value adding activities now than I did at the beginning, so that’s a start. I’d also like to branch out into some local boutiques. I’d like to spend a lot more time with the torch. I’m fascinated by the whole fusing and soldering craft. I mean, there are just so many possibilities.

Tell one random thing about you that doesn’t involve your craft/business. I think Craig Ferguson, hands down, is the best late night talk show host on television.

Share a few of your favorite Etsy shops. I love the clock works of art from yeetufield.etsy.com. Normally, seed beads aren’t my favorite, but this artist belongs to the Starving Artists forum, and her series of bracelets just knocks my socks off. Here are some examples of her work. Yes, they are made from seed beads. Amazing!http://beadsbeadingbeaded.com/FSalvadorDaliErinMontage.jpg http://beadsbeadingbeaded.com/PhotoRibbonBracelets.jpg http://beadsbeadingbeaded.com/Beatlesfringed.jpg

Thank you Kristy!

Keep tuning in for more hot profiles all month long!