AJKArtistry, the blog

Wedding Season is Upon Us...

2011-05-15T15:55:00.006-04:00

With the spring and summer months come the busy season for us card makers... weddings. What better way to send your congrats than with a beautifully handmade card. Back by popular demand this year are my best-selling doubles cards- choose from brides or grooms, and each is handcrafted on recycled papers with extremely detailed adornments. These cards are sure to be a hit with the lucky recipients! Couples have told me they've even recycled their cards and put them into frames to save for years to come- great idea! See my full wedding collection in my Etsy shop today!

Promo Time: Make Mark's Day

2011-03-23T23:54:00.008-04:00

Ever have one of those friends in your life who's got everything going wrong all at once, ALL THE TIME? Well I do, and I thought getting cards from strangers wishing him well would be a fun way to cheer him up. So keep your good karma in check and send my friend a card with your personal message!

Just pay a buck for the card and 44 cents for the stamp, and I do the rest. Full details and card options at the following link:

DESIGN YOUR CARD HERE!

The 10 Most Common Reasons to Send a Greeting Card

2011-02-05T19:21:00.010-05:00

Thank you changeofaddress.org, for sharing this article with me!

Whatever the occasion, for whatever reason, greeting cards are the customary way to send your love and congratulations, as well as keep in touch with loved ones. Nowadays, there is a greeting card for every holiday, age and celebration. Greeting cards have an important purpose for the sender and the receiver, and although they move at a snail’s pace, they are just as special, if not more, than a phone call, e-mail or eCard. Here are the 10 most common reasons to send a greeting card:

It’s Someone’s Birthday: Birthdays are the number one reason people send their love through snail mail. Birthday cards make up the majority of greeting cards and they are one of the easiest and most thoughtful gestures you can do for a good friend.

It’s a Holiday: Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Valentine’s or Easter, holidays are one of the most common reasons to send a greeting card to a friend or family member. People also like to use holiday cards to update everyone on their latest family news and send cash gifts.

You’re In Love: When you’re in love and you want to show it, an “I love you” or “I miss you” card may just do the trick. These modern-day love letters are sent between lovers who are separated by distance or aren’t on speaking terms. It’s a romantic gesture that really gets the point across.

Someone’s Getting Married: When someone you know is getting married, it’s a common gesture to send a card to congratulate the happy couple and maybe give them a monetary gift. And if you can’t make the wedding, these thoughtful cards really make up for your absence.

Sending Get Well Wishes: When someone you know is sick or underwent surgery, it’s common to send a get well card to send your support and lift their spirits. These cards are especially popular to give when you are separated by distance and can’t visit.

You’re Sorry: Apologies are hard to give, but they are easier written than said for most people. “I’m sorry” are a great alternative for people who aren’t on speaking terms and when you’ve really messed up.

Just Thinking of You: When you come across a funny card or you want that special someone to know that you’ve been thinking of them, it’s commonplace to send a “thinking of you” greeting card. It’s a considerate gesture that will brighten up anyone’s day, and who doesn’t want to do that?

Sending Your Congrats: Whether someone you know graduated, had a baby or received a job promotion, sending congratulatory cards is a common and thoughtful gesture. It’s like sending a high five through the mail and will, without a doubt, make them smile.

Sending Your Deepest Sympathies: When someone you know loses a loved one, it’s commonplace to send a card to extend your deepest sympathies. These thoughtful cards always come at the right time and have a way of lifting your spirits even if it’s just for a minute.

It’s Someone’s Anniversary: Anniversaries are a popular reason to send greeting cards and share in this celebration of marriage. These cards are especially popular for newlyweds and those celebrating the milestone years.

Check out the selection of cards in my Etsy shop for these and more special occasions!

Cutting Back and Moving Forward

2011-01-26T16:01:00.007-05:00

So AJKArtistry went haywire for a bit. The last few weeks (ok, well, the time from Thanksgiving thru New Year's) has been pretty stressful. The 'holidays', my usual mom duties and working full time (extra hours)- all at once, while trying to keep crafting, and I officially threw in the towel. It took its toll mentally and physically. I was adding less and less to my Etsy Shop, ignoring my blog and even finding myself drifting away from Facebook (yes, really, to those of you that know me!).

I realized this holiday season (after not getting my usual influx of orders), that my craft-slacking created a downward spiral for my mood, my extra income, my health and my overall well-being that is usually so positive when it comes to running my business. I love making things. I love selling things. It's all the stuff in the middle- the organizing, listing, the renewing and the photographing of items that takes the time that I sometimes don't have- especially that time of year. As a result, I made the decision to cancel my website from my list of things to update and worry about. I never use it. I rarely update it. I can't sell from it. It costs me money to have it... so bye bye. I'm hoping this change will encourage me to update my other avenues much more and reach more people by doing so. Time will only tell, I guess.

This month, I made a promise to myself to create some really great cards and get them listed. In a matter of these first few weeks, I'm floating back to the top of my game. My fellow Etsians have been kind enough to feature me in some really great treasuries, get me some sales and thankfully, I have some wonderful repeat customers. Hopefully, this streak continues so I can stay motivated! Below is a list of links to find me, friend me and follow me:

TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/ajkartistry
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/ajkartistry
ETSY: http://www.ajkartistry.etsy.com/

Thanks for reading and wish me luck!

Valentine's Day Cards are ready!

2011-01-10T00:16:00.004-05:00

Get ready for the romance holiday of the year! I've worked hard this weekend getting tons of cards ready to upload into my Etsy shop! For sale now- Valentine's Day cards and all new selections for baby, wedding and birthdays. I'm adding a few cards each day, so if you don't see what you're looking for- please ask- chances are I have it and it's just not listed yet =)

Figuring out this blogging thing...

2010-10-22T23:18:00.005-04:00

I know, I say it all the time... I'm a terrible blogger. BUT, I'm excited to have finally logged back into this and found that Blogger has given us all the option to 'add pages'? WOW, this is great! I'm hoping I stay as motivated as I feel right now to set them up... I'm thinking "about me", "My Etsy Shop", "Events"... dunno. Maybe more will come to me, maybe I'll leave it alone, but I'm kind of excited to play around with this. I've been considering dumping my website (costs $$) and making more out of this blog (free!)... the tabs help me organize things a bit, but I'm wondering if anyone actually looks at this at this point (since I've been SO BAD at keeping up with it)... Input? Anyone, anyone? :)

Big Show this Weekend!

2010-09-21T14:12:00.004-04:00

Ok, so I'm ridiculously excited for this one... After literally YEARS of waiting to get into a BUST Magazine Craftacular event, I got into one of the biggest, coolest venues EVER. The Maker Faire is happening this weekend and I'll be there on Sunday, 9/26 selling my handmade cards, painted ceramics, artwork and whatever else I can fit in my booth space. The cool part is, they only selected 100 vendors- and I'm so happy to have made the cut. Fingers crossed for a fantastic show and a great turnout. Off to spend the next few nights crafting up some inventory. Hope to see you there!

Yup.

2010-08-16T16:38:00.002-04:00

It's official. I'm the worst blogger in the world. Just when I think I've got things up to date and covered, it hits me that I never update my blog. There's got to be some kind of system I can put into place to avoid this, but for now, it is what it is I guess. Just a quick update: AJKArtistry's been super busy this summer creating new things, working on special fall promos and getting ready for the holiday (ugh) season. New cards and gifts are being added all the time, so watch my Facebook page for updates and links to new and exciting things!

Be in it to win it...

2010-06-27T11:23:00.006-04:00

I read this blogpost not too long ago, written by fellow Etsyian and Lollibomb Beauty founder (and friend!), Luca Cusolito. I find myself going back to this bookmark when I feel like I need a little kick in the butt (lately, it's a lot!). I thought I'd pass it along for anyone that may need a little motivation too...

Art Print by Raw Art Letterpress. $22 on Etsy.com

Be Present. Live in the now and don’t look back. The past is a nice place to reminisce, but not when it compromises your future. Enjoy the moment for what it is and live fearlessly in it. Look people in the eye when you talk. Sing along to songs you know. Keep dancing, even if it’s by yourself.

Be Happy. Because it’s better than being a joyless shit. And if you keep telling yourself it’s going to be okay, pretty soon you’ll start believing it. Ask me how I know.

Be Flexible. Life has a great way of delivering little minefields to navigate, but if you’re fast on your feet you can certainly find your way. Accept change as the bitch that it is and move fluidly around it. Arm yourself in the knowledge that you’ll land on your feet, even if you’re free falling.

Be In It To Win It. Ditch the negativity and believe wholeheartedly that you can make all of your wildest dreams come true; Afterall, shouldn’t you come out on top when you’re imagining where your life can lead you? Let other people talk smack. Be your own best friend and leave the self-deprecation at the door.

New items today!

2010-06-25T15:17:00.003-04:00

Hey everyone, it's been a while! I've been busy creating some great new things for my Etsy Shop and building up stock for my next big event. My shop is full of more than 100 handmade greeting cards, special $5 Invite packs and new handpainted ceramic and glass items. Click the links in this post to check out what's new with AJKArtistry!

EtsyNJ Team Tuesday: AJKArtistry loves me some LOLLIBOMB!

2010-05-18T13:41:00.008-04:00

Get clean with a little bit of mean! Lollibomb Beauty® presents handmade, cruelty-free vegan soaps that get the point across with a clean, uplifting scent. Each features a snarky saying sure to bring a laugh- they’re great gift-giving and the best part is, you can even customize your phrase for a fitting situation. Rock on, Lollibomb, rock on…

AJK Invites: Save 50%!

2010-05-12T14:05:00.003-04:00

Looking for a fun invite to send to friends and family? Tired of seeing the same old stuff in your local card shop or supermarket? Check out mine! All of my invites are laser printed on quality linen cardstock and come with coordinating, colorful envelopes. A must for your next get-together! Click the image below to see them all in detail. The best part: They're each just FIVE BUCKS!! That's 50% off their regular price! Available only while supplies last.

Custom orders welcome at reg. price. Contact me for details.

Espresso, anyone?

2010-05-05T12:00:00.004-04:00

Check out my latest handpainted ceramics:
Demitasse Cups!

This cute little set makes a great housewarming or shower gift! Set includes two espresso cups and two saucers. I handpainted restaurant-quality porcelain ceramics (from IKEA!) with hundreds of tiny little dots in turquoise and black. Finished in oven for a lasting paint job. Microwave, top-rack dishwasher safe and oven safe. Cups measure approx. 3" tall, saucers 5" wide. One of a kind! Signed and dated on the bottom.
CLICK HERE to see my entire selection of handpainted gifts!

A quick thanks...

2010-04-23T00:20:00.002-04:00

Thanks to everyone who participated in my Earth Day "Save Some Green" promo! The free shipping offer has officially ended and it was a great success! Thanks again, and check out my SHOP to see the new items I'm adding all the time!

Celebrating Earth Day with FREE SHIPPING!

2010-04-22T11:26:00.001-04:00

Click to shop now!

It's Team Tuesday at EtsyNJ

2010-04-13T11:50:00.003-04:00

I recently received one of these fun Paracord Survival Bracelets from TheAngryRobot and LOVE it! It's durable, very well made, and let's face it, if anything was to ever happen, I'm the girl you wanna be around! Each bracelet is made with 10-13 ft of cord, so I can take it apart and...

use it as a belt
find a hook and catch a fish
repel from a mountain
use as a makeshift dog leash
tie together sticks to make shelter
use as emergency shoelaces
strangle someone, hmmm...lol

Anyway, I love it and I own the one pictured, but they're available in a bunch of cool colors and trims, even a custom option is available if you want to give some props to your favorite school colors.

Checking out Postling...

2010-04-03T11:46:00.001-04:00

I'm always looking for new ways to organize myself and wow, have I found one... thanks to "the Facebook" as my grandma calls it, I stumbled upon Postling. This could possibly be the easiest to use, uncluttered and unhyped-up way to update a status, tweet and blog all in one spot! I've used others like Tweetburner and TweetDeck and found myself so confused, screwing up things non-stop. I'm still investigating all of the greatness here, but based on the fact that I am blogging at this very second without being logged into Blogger is a very, very good sign. Postling, you have a new fan, thank you!

Team Tuesday... AJKArtistry Thanks YOU!

2010-02-23T14:54:00.012-05:00

I got confused very quickly trying to figure out what our team "Blog Hop" was all about, but when I realized I had been featured twice today, I wanted to make sure I gave some props to the gals that thought of me! (I'll read through the email posts to figure out how to do this right!), but for now... Here are two great Etsy shops that you need to know about:

Abbie Road, the Etsy home of Original Abbie

I've always admired Abbie's work and these cool painted blocks are no exception! Her shop is bright and cheerful and so much fun!

My second feature is Made By Melissa

Melissa's shop is full of fun crocheted dolls, beautiful baby blankets, household/beauty accessories and even jewelry! It's also fun seeing her Facebook updates on her progress with the toys, so become a fan :)

LEARN MORE ABOUT TEAM NJ!

New items!

2010-02-22T13:30:00.002-05:00

My Spend $5 Get $5 promo was a big success! Got lots of new customers and hope to get even more sales as they start redeeming their $5 coupons this year. I've been hard at work listing new items to my shop, so take a look- you're sure to find something you like... SHOP NOW!

First PROMO of the year!

2010-02-01T16:02:00.005-05:00

Here it is folks, my FIRST PROMO of 2010 and it's a great one!

The deal is this: From February 1, 2010 to February 14, 2010 (yep, just two weeks to take advantage!), purchase $5 or more worth of AJKArtistry's cards for all occasions, invites, handpainted ceramics... anything in the shop- and you'll receive a $5 gift certificate with your order to use on your next purchase! All you need to do is enter SAVE5 in the notes to seller at checkout!

Fine print: $5 gift certificate does not expire, use it anytime, forever! There is no limit to how many times you can order- once, order 5 times... you'll get a $5 gift certificate every time, from now through 2/14/10! Easy redemption instructions will be printed on your free gift certificate.

Don't forget, you have just two weeks to place your order, so shop now!

New Year, New Stuff!

2010-01-21T09:42:00.004-05:00

We all know making cards is my niche, but with a background in art, I decided to pick up the paint brush again. I found these great paint markers at the craft shop and went to town hand-decorating a variety of cups, pitchers, trays and more!

Each item is one of a kind, and the best part is they're not only pretty, they're also fully functional! The designs are painted on, baked in the oven to set and once cooled, they're permanent, food safe and even dishwasher and microwave safe!

See my full selection on ETSY or 1000 MARKETS. Thanks for looking!

Happy Valentine's Day... NOT!

2010-01-05T21:26:00.002-05:00

Are you anticipating an annoying Valentine's Day? Having a fight with your mate, but still want to wish them a happy on what's supposed to be the most romantic day of the year? If so, I've got the cards for you!

While AJKArtistry does offer cute and pretty Valentine's Day cards for those of you truly in love, this extra little bunch of sassy cards is great to have on hand, just in case :) Choose from YOU SUCK, YOU should be with ME and LOVE STINKS. Each of these feisty cards is just $3.95 and my entire Valentine's Day collection ships for FREE to any U.S. address!

Dear Blog,

2010-01-01T23:07:00.003-05:00

I'm so sorry I've neglected you. I always start out with the best intentions and things never seem to work out the way I expect. The holidays have been filled with fantastic customers, fights with the post office and Christmas with family. I hope you can forgive me... I promise to post at least once a week in 2010.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM AJKARTISTRY!

Holiday Countdown: Week 4...THE SALE!

2009-11-27T15:10:00.014-05:00

Here it is... the EtsyNJ Team sale is upon us! Check out the list of more than 50 shops participating with everything from free gifts with purchase to discounts on their beautifully handcrafted wares. Make this a HANDMADE HOLIDAY!! I'd also like to extend a special THANKS to MadebyMelissa for getting this all together, and another to OriginalAbbie for our super-cool graphic!

Free Shipping
*AJK Artistry: http://ajkartistry.etsy.com/
*Anne Sailer Design: http://annesailer.etsy.com/
*Bella Mental: http://bellamental.etsy.com/
*Black Bird’s Closet: http://blackbirdscloset.etsy.com/
*Brief Moments Photography: http://www.briefmoments.etsy.com/
*Capital City Crafts: http://capitalcitycrafts.etsy.com/
*Creations By Robin: http://www.creationsbyrobin.etsy.com/
*DharmaKarmaArts: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DharmaKarmaArts
*Deirdre Ryan Photography: http://blackbird72.etsy.com/
*EmptyHeartCreations: http://emptyheartcreations.etsy.com/
*Happiknits: http://http://www.happiknits.etsy.com/
*Heather James Photography: http://www.heatherjamesphoto.etsy.com/
*herYammesty: http://www.heryammesty.etsy.com/
*Jewels of Saraswati: http://www.jewelsofsaraswati.etsy.com/
*Kame Knits: http://kameknits.etsy.com/
*katylua: http://www.katylua.etsy.com/
*LoreleyJewelry: http://www.christinec.etsy.com/
*Meribella: http://meribella.etsy.com/
*MS. Jewelry Design: http://www.msjewelrydesign.etsy.com/
*Original Abbie: http://abbieroad.etsy.com/
*Ponte Pretties: http://www.pontepretties.etsy.com/
*Seahorse Designs: http://www.seahorsedesigns.etsy.com/
*Stefanie Silverman: http://www.stefaniesilverman.etsy.com/
*Susan Itkin Batik: http://susanitkinbatik.etsy.com/
*Susan’s Treasures: http://www.susanstreasures.etsy.com/
*The Devils In Details: http://thedevilsindetails.etsy.com/
*The Tote Trove: http://http://www.thetotetrove.etsy.com/
*WoollyBoo: http://www.etsy.com/shop/woollyboo

Free Gift With Purchase
*Alathea Papergoods: http://alatheapapergoods.etsy.com/
*Alonia Creations: http://sue114.etsy.com/
*Be Noticed Jewelry: http://benoticed.etsy.com/
*Darlingdazzlesbowtiq: http://darlingdazzlesbowtiq.etsy.com/
*Dragon’s Den: http://dragon06.etsy.com/
*Frosted Treats: http://frostedtreats.etsy.com/
*Happy Hound Creative: http://happyhoundcreative.etsy.com/
*krisamels: http://krisamels.etsy.com/
*Little Bit Crafts: http://www.etsy.com/shop/littlebitcrafts
*Lori Citsay Jewelry: http://loricitsay.etsy.com/
*Made By Melissa: http://madebymelissa.etsy.com/
*Pipsqueak Soap Company: http://pipsqueaksoap.etsy.com/
*The Angry Robot: http://www.theangryrobot.etsy.com/
*The Soy Girl: http://thesoygirl.etsy.com/

10 - 20% off entire purchase (not including shipping)
*Alonia Creations: http://sue114.etsy.com/
*Baublettes: http://http://www.baublettes.etsy.com/
*Beach Chik Designs: http://beachchik.etsy.com/
*Beccijo: http://www.theenchantedcupboard.etsy.com/
*Bed Of Roses Boutique: http://bedofrosesboutique.etsy.com/
*CatsCrochetCorner: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CatsCrochetCorner
*Deepshade Creations: http://deepshade.etsy.com/
*Designs By Denise: http://demdesigns.etsy.com/
*Dribs n’ Drabs: http://dribsndrabs.etsy.com/
*JenSan Candles: http://www.etsy.com/shop/JenSanCandles
*New Hope Beading: http://www.newhopebeading.etsy.com/
*The Crochet Nanny: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6066426
*theMayflower Fashions: http://www.themayflower.etsy.com/

BOGO - Buy One Get One 50% Off
*Miss Emma’s Closet: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MissEmmasCloset
*Wreathmic Creations: http://wreathmiccreations.etsy.com/

HAVE A HAPPY, HANDMADE HOLIDAY!

Holiday Countdown Week 3: Bejeweled!

2009-11-18T17:00:00.014-05:00

Wow, the EtsyNJ team certainly offers up a lot of gorgeous jewelry items!! I even found (and hearted) some shops I never new existed! Well get ready folks, I've crammed a whopping 18, yes, EIGHTEEEN fabulous EtsyNJ sellers in this post, and separated their jewels into three categories: Ears, Wrists and Necks. Enjoy, and happy shopping!!

For the Ears...

A. Lampwork & Swarovsky Earrings by KatLambrix
B. Winter Blossom Earrings by JuliaCatherine
C. Hoops & Berries Earrings by CapitalCityCrafts
D. Abstract Earrings by ThirdFloor
E. Beaded Dangle Earrings by BeebDesigns
F. Swarovski & Bali Silver Earrings by NewHopeBeading

For the Wrists... A. Static Bracelet by DeepShade
B. Secret Life of Leaves Bracelet by DLuxeDesigns
C. Multi-Color Bracelet by TheMayFlower
D. New Moon Bracelet by EmptyHeartCreations
E. Locked Swarovski Bracelet by ChristineC
F. Wonder Woman Goddess Bracelet by CatROCKS

For the Neck...

A. Sea Glass Necklace by CreationsbyRobin
B. Bettie Page Scrabble Tile Necklace by SeahorseDesigns
C. Seeing Circles Pendant by MeriBella
D. Organic Treasure Necklace by TreasureBoxJewelry
E. Heartstone Necklace by Baobablove
F. Sterling Monogram Necklace by LoriCitsay

Thanks for reading everyone! Stay tuned for more great holiday pics from the EtsyNJ Team! And don't miss out on the EtsyNJ Thanksgiving SALE! Begins November 25th... click the image up top for details!

Holiday Countdown: Week 2: Party!

2009-11-11T11:18:00.004-05:00

More holiday picks from the fabulous EtsyNJ Street Team! I wanted to put together a selection of goodies that would be great for a holiday party, but quickly realized that not many of us make clothing, dresses (or if they do, they're not tagged EtsyNJ in their listings, 'cause I couldn't find ya!), so this ended up being some of my favorite holiday-inspired things.

A list of shops/links are included below the photo:

A. Vintage Noel Holiday Apron by MerrySunshine
So cute for holiday entertaining!
B. Chocolate Chip Mint Vegan Cupcakes by TheCupcakeMint
Yummy, how can you resist these?
C. Antlers Holiday Cards, Set of 6 by AJKArtistry
Nice! Great for sending out holiday greetings!
D. Plaid Bow Skinny Headband by PurpleLicious
Love this! A thicker headband is also available, too cute!
E. Angles Mini Hobo in Green by Loveamarie
Perfect to dress up that party outfit!
F. Lilium Lariat Necklace by AntiGenre
So pretty.... Add some sparkle for that special event!

HAPPY HOLIDAY SHOPPING!

Holiday Countdown, Week 1: Warm & Fuzzy

2009-11-05T00:55:00.011-05:00

With the holidays fast approaching, I thought it would be fun to offer up a Countdown to Christmas, chock-full of great items from the fabulous EtsyNJ Street Team! Here's how it works... each week, I'll featuring items I love from my fellow teammates. Items that are great for gift-giving, or keeping for yourself! Week 1: Warm & Fuzzy- 'cause baby, it's cold outside!
A list of shops/links is below the photo.

A. Sausage Links Scarf by Knitstorm
B. Autumn Days Lambswool Cowl by Katylua
C. Changing Leaf Capelet by Happiknits
D. Black Fingerless Gloves by SeahorseDesigns
E. Freeform Hat by WoolMountain
F. Midnight Mohair Scarf by MadebyMelissa

Happy shopping!
Next week: Holiday Party Accessories

New Cards Added Today!

2009-11-02T14:25:00.004-05:00

Just a quick post to let you all know I've added a TON of new cards to my Etsy shop today! Singles, sets and even a super special set of 20, yes TWENTY holiday cards at a great price. Stop by the shop and take a look! CLICK HERE TO GET THERE.

New Collection!

2009-10-28T23:19:00.005-04:00

As if I don't have enough going on, I've found myself yet another crafty hobby- handpainting ceramics! I work in a cookware shop, and pass by these cute little whitewares all day long. One day I got to thinking... how cute would they be painted, to use as functional serving pieces, or even just to display as pretty home decor?

I searched around, found my cute ceramics at a reasonable price and got to checking out paint options. I ended up finding these fantastic paint markers that once baked in the oven, they're permanent! Dishwasher and microwave safe even! Sweet...

So far I've got creamers, sugar bowls and egg cups up for sale, with more great designs coming soon. Check them out in my 1000 Markets shop and mention "BLOG" at checkout, and I'll refund your shipping on any size order! Thanks for reading, and let me know what you think of these!

My New Favorite Thing

2009-10-07T12:54:00.005-04:00

I'm not only an Etsy seller, I'm a buyer too! I love supporting the handmade community and particularly enjoy finding new and interesting things. I happened upon this shop in one of Etsy's email blasts recently, and decided to give ForStrangeWomen's Clove Lip Embellishment a try. As a 20-something in the 90's, I frequented lots of NYC rock clubs and enjoyed myself a clove cigarette or two- the scent of this lip embellishment brought me right back to 1993!

The description "embellishment" is completely accurate, as this is NOT a gloss, which I love. It arrived to me in a really cool little slider tin and the contents were not goopy at all. It leaves a nice, soft look to your lips, without being sticky or shiny. And the smell? WOW, is all I can say. It's not super-powerful or overwhelming, just the right amount of scent, and it's virtually tasteless. Made with all natural ingredients and organic clove bud oil, this is now my go-to lip stuff. I can't wait to try the other scents!

Oh, Hello there...

2009-09-19T09:49:00.013-04:00

I know, I know... it's been a while. I've been so busy with new ideas,
work and finding events to do lately, that I've neglected my blog!
But I'm back to crafting and have come up with some great cards!
New this week: HALLOWEEN!

Click image to view my full collection...

Also new in the shop this week: PET SYMPATHY CARDS!
Losing a pet is is sad time, so send your condolences with one of my
special cards. Available now: Cats, Dogs & Fish. More coming soon...

Click image to few my full collection... Thanks for reading/looking and check out my website to see where I'll be next! http://www.ajkartistry.com/

The Making of a Card

2009-08-02T16:48:00.014-04:00

Ever wonder what it takes to make one of my fun cards? I thought I'd share my process, as I'm continuing to get used to using my SLICE machine. I've spent a lot of $$ buying adornments in the past, and love that I can create my own now! This card is one of my latest creations, crafted entirely on the SLICE with just paper and glue. Like it? BUY IT NOW, since I've only made one so far :)

Step 1: Prep the SLICE board... I hate the way their glue smells, but it's necessary for keeping the paper perfectly flat for precision cutting.

Step 2: Lay the paper. This has to be completely, totally, unbelievably flat (no bubbles) to ensure the best edges while the machine does its thing. If it's not, you'll know right away via ripped paper and a clogged up cutter.

Step 3: Choose your design. In this case, I'm lettering so I chose a fun script font.

Step 4: Set up the machine and get cutting. What I love about the SLICE is the little memory cards- so easy to use and navigate their contents on the screen. Just select the letters and the size and you're good to go.

Step 5: Carefully peel up the letters. I use the fab selection of SLICE's tools.

Step 6: Get gluing! I'm making a card with all of these letters, so I like to lay them out on the card first, and glue as I go. Yes, each and every letter is glued by hand. My glue of choice is Martha Stewart's "Blue Glue". It goes on blue, so you can see it but dries clear. Nice.

And the end result... hahaha, too funny.
Hope you enjoyed my little SLICE tutorial. I really love this machine, and hope to get better at using it. Not only does it do alphabets and numbers, but it's got hundreds of fun shapes, designs and themed memory cards to choose from. Visit my ETSY SHOP to see what else I've been creating :)

EtsyGreetings Team Challenge, Day 10!

2009-07-29T13:50:00.007-04:00

Ok, I know what you're saying... she missed days 7, 8 and 9!! I know... I'm sorry. Life (and a power outage at one point) got in the way of me creating and posting as much as I hoped to this week. With that said, I'd like to commend the sellers that pushed through and took the time to make this challenge fun, and hopefully profitable for everyone involved! It's been great getting to know more about you all, and I hope to participate whole-heartedly the next time around! Here's a recap of my 9 favorite cards from this challenge, and my own featured card for today:

A. 1CardCreator, $3.25
B. Jemily, $3.00
C. NY Papercrafter, $3.25
D. L7 Designs, $4.05
E. Pinky Creations, $3.25
F. Crickleberry Cottage, $2.50
G. Lavender Greetings, $12
H. The Paper Flower Shop, $24.95
I. Harmonia30, $2.75

And here's my feature of the day... LOL! $4.25

EtsyGreetings Team Challenge, Day 7

2009-07-26T08:06:00.005-04:00

Team Challenge day 7. I've decided to relist a card today, being that I think it's really great for all kinds of occasions! My Chapel Card is perfect for a wedding, christening, baptism, communion and more, even a funeral. Made of layered papers, this card's got cure details like mini stained 'glass' windows! BUY IT NOW, at 10% off the regular price! Just $3.60.

My feature today is L7 Designs' Floral Happy Birthday Card. Looking through her shop, it was so hard to decide which card to choose! I love her use of pretty patterned papers! BUY IT NOW while every item in L7's shop is 10% off! This one's just $3.60!

EtsyGreetings Team Challenge, Day 6

2009-07-25T08:18:00.007-04:00

Still not sure what this challenge is about? The EtsyGreetings Team is a group of talented paper artists that have joined together to promote each other's work, form friendships and have fun doing what we love to do- craft! It's been a lot of fun participating in this challenge. I never really took the time to check out the "competition" (haha), but seeing everyone's shops and having little conversations through the team's posts is so neat! I tend to forget that we've got card crafters from all over the world in our mix! The challenge is this: list a new card in your shop once a day for 10 days, 10 shops participating, and somewhere in there is a 10% off offer. Mine is 10% off the new cards I'm listing during the promotion. Happy shopping, click HERE to see my entire shop!

My card for today is a fun birthday card, reg. $4.00, now just $3.60 as part of the 10% off challenge. My featured card today is NYPapercrafter's green Birthday Wishes card (just $2.95!). BUY IT NOW and check out her shop for a collection of beautiful cards!

EtsyGreetings 10/10/10 Challenge, Day 5

2009-07-24T00:33:00.010-04:00

Woo hoo! We're half-way through our challenge and it's been so much fun! Our team has so many beautiful items, it's been hard to choose which to feature each day! Today, I'm offering up a pretty get well card, made of recycled white card stock and pink vellum flowers.

10% off as part of our challenge! BUY NOW for just $3.60

To go along with my "pink" theme for today, I've chosen Pinkycreations'
I love the pattern on this Set of 8 Pink & Brown Tags! BUY NOW-just $2.25!

EtsyGreetings 10/10/10 Challenge, Day 4

2009-07-23T13:26:00.006-04:00

Pluggin' along this challenge... what a great opportunity to see other folks' shops, and stock mine at the same time! My card of the day is a fun little robot birthday card- great for kids and made of recycled papers! Today's feature CrickleberryCottage. Her Fresh as a Daisy card is so pretty!

BUY NOW $3.55

BUY NOW $2.50

EtsyGreetings 10/10/10 Challenge, Day 3

2009-07-21T23:50:00.007-04:00

Our 10/10/10 challenge is underway! I started a thread in the Etsy forums to promote our participants, so click HERE to view all of our links.

New today @ 10% off: Seahorse Love Card

And as a feature, I chose this great card set from 1CardCreator. I love the design, and the fact that they're personalized! $6.00/Set of 3. BUY NOW

EtsyGreetings 10/10/10 Challenge, Day 2

2009-07-21T08:54:00.006-04:00

Loving this promo already! Got a sale from a fellow team member and 3 more yesterday! This thing's got me in a crafty mood, so be sure to check out my shop for new cards every day. Here's my feature today- a beautifully sparkly mandala design- great for any occasion!

Was $4.50 Now $4.05! BUY NOW

And here's one from my first promo customer, Jemily!
So bright and cheerful~love it! Just $3.00 BUY NOW

EtsyGreetings 10/10/10 Challenge-Day 1

2009-07-20T09:02:00.005-04:00

I'm participating in the EtsyGreetings Team's July 10/10/10 Challenge! What is that, you may ask? It's a fun promo where team members list 10 cards, one each day for 10 days and offer 10% off on the new listings, or other items in their shops. The twist: each member must blog/tweet about their new card each day AND feature another team member's creation. I found out today that a team member that featured me this morning, ended up buying the card she featured herself (thank you, jemily!) This is so much fun already, and I look forward to checking out everyone's shops! Now that you're filled in on the details, here's my first listing for the challenge:

I Kissed a Girl card... now 10% off at $3.55
BUY NOW

And here's my first feature, a really fun set of gift tags by ThePaperFlowerShop:
Butterfly Scalloped Round Tags, Set of 12 $4.75
BUY NOW

Thanks for checking out my listings, and watch my blog for the next 10 days to see my creations and my featured team members!

Magnet Giveaway!

2009-07-18T14:15:00.006-04:00

Ok folks, I've been on Twitter, Facebook and in the Etsy forums promoting the heck out of these little guys, and only one sale? Come on... they're so cute, and perfect for any occasion! Birthday, new home, new job... whatever! Each set is made of super-strength 1/2" magnets with fun little enameled buttons (or glass beads) permanently glued to the top and comes in a reusable metal tin with a clear top. A set of 6 is now just $5 and you get a FREE GIFT! With any magnet purchase (set or single style), you'll get a free mini card with envelope in your choice of Birthday, Wedding, Baby or All Occasion- great for throwing in a gift bag, or on top of one of these magnet sets ;)

Click HERE to see my full magnet collection
...and don't forget! The FREE GIFT PROMO offer ends 7/31/09!

A little goes a long way

2009-07-12T23:19:00.011-04:00

Members of the EtsyGreetings team have been taking part in what they're calling a crafty space makeover. I didn't really have the time to dedicate to reading through the posts and contributing, but I've been checking out other members' blogs to see what kind of progress they've been making. I've seen such great ideas, and some really beautiful crafty spaces, I decided to re-vamp mine a bit, just to give it a little update...

Here's the messy "Before" shot:

After the addition of new cubes and storage bins...

New drawers that hold my cards much better!

My lifesaver! Drawers for my adornments- everything now has a place:
I've been using this set up for a few weeks now, and I must say, it's so much easier getting things made when you're organized! I've got everything within reach and giving things their own space speeds up production time- no more wasting precious minutes searching for things. More improvements coming, but this definitely feels like a good start!

I was Featured!

2009-07-03T12:18:00.007-04:00

My little Owl Card was featured in Going Home To Roost's
Let's Go Camping post today:

Clockwise from top left: potomac kayak, camp tea towels, cedar’s portrait, hearts affire, herbal insect repellent, eye pillow, whooo loves you card, kayak.

To Artfire or Not to Artfire, that's the question.

2009-06-30T23:08:00.003-04:00

Artfire is confusing me a bit. As a matter of fact, so is Etsy. I’ve been selling on Etsy since 2007, have more than 500 sales and have been super happy with the way things were going for me there. Then came Artfire, what some call the new and improved Etsy. Easier listings, no fees, and lots of exposure. I’m not hip to all the drama over Etsy’s SEO issues, but I know that’s got something major to do with the fact that my items aren’t getting as many views. Now that I’m really trying to make my business successful, I’m in both places (and 1000 Markets, which isn’t doing much for me either), and having a hard time deciding which I should devote more energy to. Artfire is a much more user friendly platform and gives me TONS of hits, but I’ve only had one sale so far and that’s kind of discouraging. On the other hand, I hate paying Etsy (even if it is 20 cents) for each listing if it’s going to take forever to get noticed. Ho-hum… looks like late nights listing in both shops for me for a while. Anyone reading have any suggestions? I'd love to hear them... and take a look at both of my shops- which do you like best? Etsy or Artfire.

ArtFire: What I like about you

2009-06-19T00:11:00.007-04:00

Dare I say I'm quickly becoming a big fan of ArtFire? After all these years as a loyal Etsyian? YES, you're darn right! There's been a lot of discussion in the handmade community lately about all of the options available for artisans to sell their goods online. Up until yesterday, I was an Etsy girl 90% and 1000 Markets 10%. But after doing the math and calculating listing fees, transaction fees, Paypal and Amazon Payments fees... the site I'm selling the most on (Etsy) is also costing me the most to be there.

Then along came ArtFire. ArtFire's concept seems to be much the same as Etsy and 1000 Markets. Though the trend I see is that 1KM and ArtFire has taken all of the annoying things about Etsy and improved on them dramatically. The capability of listing an item, all on one screen is in itself a Godsend. What used to take a few minutes on Etsy is now a quick and easy process on the other two sites. ArtFire offers an account option for $12 a month, flat. No listing fees, no selling fees, nothing else. All you pay is a tiny fee to Paypal when something sells. I know for a fact that I'm spending much more than 12 bucks on Etsy each month. I've slowly stopped relisting on Etsy and adding new items to my ArtFire studio first. I'm really happy with the amount of views I'm getting and hope they turn into sales as I add more things and become more established.

So with all of that said, I'm still selling on Etsy, 1000 Markets and am now happy to introduce my ARTFIRE studio! Funny, I Twittered about it yesterday, begging for my first sale to see how Artfire handled the checkout/email correspondence and I got my first sale in a matter of minutes! I'm so happy to be a part of all three sites, now it's just a matter of seeing which one will work best for me :)

Bleecker Street Success

2009-06-15T11:16:00.007-04:00

What a FANTASTIC show!! I did this event last year and it ended up being rained out, so I really had no way of knowing how successful it would be on a beautiful day. Yesterday, the rain subsided, the sun came out and so did the shoppers! You'll see in the photo my card rack was fully loaded, and I'm pleased to say that I went home with MUCH LESS than I started! Folks were not just buying one card, but 2, 3 sometimes 4-5 cards in one shot!

I also took the advice of marketing guru Tim Adam (of Handmadeology fame) and set up a "clearance" bin of 1/2 price cards I wanted to unload. Hi theory was to show your stuff at their regular prices, and offer some things higher or lower to entice the buyer one way or another. It worked! I got rid of so many old-style cards, that I can now justify making new ones :) I'm so pleased with the way this event went. It was well organized, fun and I networked my butt off (even got some leads about wholesaling to some really great shops in the village!).

I did the show alone, which surprisingly wasn't an issue, since I have mastered the art of setting up my EZ-Up and was fortunate to have friends and family visiting from time to time. It just prevented me from spending a lot of time checking out the other vendors. Thanks to Danielle from Collective Elements, and Susan from SusanItkinBatik for stopping by to visit me! Hope the show was successful for everyone, and can't wait for next year! Time to stop writing and start crafting!

I'm featured!

2009-06-08T10:03:00.004-04:00

Kelli Davidson, a fabulous graphic designer for The Hootie Coo Card Company and Wren Papier has chosen my fun Octopus Thank You Tag to feature on her blog!

Click here to see what she had to say!

Featured Seller: The Tote Trove

2009-05-29T14:03:00.009-04:00

Each week, I'll be featuring an Etsy seller that I feel deserves some props for their fabulous products! This week's focus is on The Tote Trove, a quirky and colorful collection of handpainted bags and costume jewelry:

1. Shop name and your name: The Tote Trove, Tracy Esposito
2. Where are you located?: Brigantine, NJ
3. What kinds of products do you make? Hand-painted totes and handbags, decorative purse accessories, jewelry.
4. Do you have a favorite item? the Junk Food Tote, because it's just so quirky and colorful and silly.
5. Do you do your craft full-time? I craft part time, on nights and weekends, sometimes into the wee hours of the night.
6. If you also have a "real" job, what do you do? I'm a technical writer.
7. What is your favorite thing about owning your own business? Creating accessories is my passion, and I can't think of another venue (other than Etsy) that would make that possible. I'm always challenged and always having fun.
8. What is your least favorite thing about owning your own business? I'm constantly wishing that I could give it the time and attention it deserves.
9. Where can people find you? Etsy, Facebook and Twitter
10. Any advice for a crafter just starting out? Do not give up. Or worry that no one will like what you're doing. If you're passionate about your craft, then your audience will find you.

Here are some of my favorites from The Treasure Trove's Shop:

Cherry Crush Tote, $25

Blue Rocker Bangle, $5

Purple Cupcake Mini Tote, $12

Featured Seller: Lemoncholy's Studio

2009-05-23T09:15:00.011-04:00

Each week, I'll be featuring an Etsy seller that I feel deserves some props for their fabulous products! This week's focus is on Lemoncholy's Studio, a fun, romantic and interesting collection of jewelry, mixed media art and more:

First, I asked Lemoncholy's Studio a few questions:

1. Shop name/your name: Lemoncholy's Studio, proprietor: Kecia Deveney
2. Where are you located? the Jersey Shore, Wall Township, exit 98!

3. What do you make? jewelry, mixed media collages, fabric arts, dolls and so much more!
4. Favorite item? I love creating my one of a kind, bohemian storytelling necklaces.
5. Do you do your craft full-time? I consider my art a full time job.
6. If you've also got a "real" job, what do you do? I do massage on a very part time basis.
7. What's your favorite thing about owning your own business? Being in charge!
8. What's your least favorite thing about owning your own business? The business side of it! I'd rather create and hire a fairy assistant to deal with the rest. I'd like to wave my magic wand and have the behind the scenes stuff taken care of.

9. Where can people find you? Etsy, Lemoncholys.com, my Blog, Facebook.
10. Any advice for a crafter just starting out? I would definitely suggest starting a blog. People often want to know if you blog before anything else. your blog is your way to self promote and get your readers to see what new things you've made. I've sold things directly off my blog as soon as I posted them. Read all the newbie forums (on Etsy) that people so kindly created that answers so many FAQ. You can also take time when you have it and participate in the forums. this gets people to go see your shoppe. Joining a street team is also a great way to network. I've met so many local girls in my state and we collaborate, answer each others questions, point us in the right direction for resources, etc. there is always someone to lend a helping hand. And finally be patient! I've just opened a website and have been receiving invitations to teach. so things are starting to pick up for me and i couldn't be happier.

Here are some of my favorites from Kecia's Shop/Website:

Deconstructed Doll Necklace, $130 (sold, but I love it!)

Doll Assemblage, $75

My Dreams Transition, $130

Til We Meet Again, $79 (sold)

Gifts for the Grad

2009-05-19T21:08:00.008-04:00

Check out my card in Etsy's Graduation Gift Guide! Graduations are a time to celebrate new beginnings. Show your grad how proud you are and give a handmade gift that will someday be a cherished memento of their hopeful moment in time. Just a few left, so shop now!

Seller of the Week: Treasure Box Jewelry

2009-05-15T22:12:00.014-04:00

Each week, I'll be featuring an Etsy seller that I feel deserves some props for their fabulous products! This week's focus is on Treasure Box Jewelry:

First, I asked TreasureBox a few questions:

1. Shop name/your name: Treasure Box Jewelry/Aisha Husain Ahmad.
2. Where are you located? I live in Tinton Falls, NJ

3. What kinds of products do you make? jewelry- earrings, necklaces, a few bracelets and I have just recently made my first ring.
4. Do you have a favorite item? My favorite items vary from day to day. But they are usually among my charm necklaces.
5. Do you do your craft full-time, or have job too? I am a SAHM, so I make my jewelry throughout the day whenever I have some time.
6. If you also have a "real" job, what do you do? My real job is being a homemaker and a mom, lol! But the jewelry is coming in at a close second. The creative outlet and the fact that I am also doing something for myself is such a an uplifting rush.
7. What is your favorite thing about owning your own business? The freedom and flexibility and the infinite possibilities about how far it can go. I love creating and I love having a business that allows me to create.
8. What is your least favorite thing about owning your own business? Sometimes it can become an obsession and I can feel it start to take over. I sometimes get frustrated at all the time I spend promoting and the sales are slow coming in. But I remind myself of the real reasons that I started this: to be able to stay home and do what I love, not just make money.

9. Where can people find you? Etsy: treasureboxjewelry. I have a group on Facebook with over 60 members: Treasure Box Jewelry. On twitter I am aishaTBJ. I have a 1000 markets account but nothing on it yet! I also have a byhand.me profile and that is another nice place to find talent and wonderful handmade items.
10. Any advice for a crafter just starting out? Do your research and just have fun with it! Also, be patient with yourself and your shop. I think that if you are ONLY doing it for the money, people will see that and some will turn away. Chat with people, talk in the forums, make friends. Then people will see the real you, your passion for your work. Etsy is great platform for a new crafter/businessperson and it allows you to chat and network with other artists as well.

Here are some of my favorites from Aisha's Shop:

NEW!! Sweet Dahlia Ring $5.50

Emerald Forest Dangle Earrings, $15.00

Infinity Necklace, $25.00

Autumn Sunset Necklace, $32.00

I'm in the Father's Day Gift Guide!

2009-05-12T09:34:00.005-04:00

Woo hoo! I made it into another Etsy gift guide! See that motorcycle card? That's mine! Check out the complete gift guide by clicking here. Lots of great items for Dad, all $30 and under!

HaHaHa

2009-05-05T19:25:00.005-04:00

So I get this great little cutting machine, and this is what I produce? Well sorry, I just couldn't resist. I'm still kinda new to the whole texting 'thing' and was amazed after a recent search at just how many abbreviations there are! So to the left: the beginning of my LOL Card Series. I've got three so far, but the more I go through the list, the more opportunity I see! Want a custom one? Contact Me and I'll make one for you :)

ok, it's pretty darn cool.

2009-04-30T22:45:00.006-04:00

I've been reading up on the newest crafty gadget on the market- the SLICE cutter. I was a little weary at first- thinking it was just another 'thing' I had to have. Well, most that know me well enough, know that I can't wait, so tonight... I got it :)

I had been teetering between the CRICUT and SLICE for quite a while now, and just couldn't justify paying more than $200 on something that basically cut paper. The SLICE was definitely more affordable and the extra design cartridges were literally less than half the price of CRICUT's.

So tonight, I sat down, read the directions and WOW- I'm totally impressed. I had been buying alot and cutting a lot of my adornments and paper accents by hand up until now. I can't even begin to imagine how much more I'm going to do with this little thing! It's easy to use, small enough to put away and most importantly does what it says. Precision cuts for designs, shapes, tags and letters- all done quickly and accurately. I'm so excited to get going with it! Two thumbs up.

In other news:

Cards for Mom & Dad are still available, and more are coming soon!
I'm getting very close to 500 sales on Etsy! Help me get there and shop today!

Ah, so that's why...

2009-04-28T21:32:00.004-04:00

I was wondering why I was suddenly oversold on Mother's Day cards... I'm in the Etsy Greetings & Flowers gift guide for Mother's Day! I had seen one of my cards in it a few weeks ago, but figured once that sold out, that was it. Apparently not. I learned in the forums today that once you're in a gift guide, you're in! So even if your item sells, Etsy appears to pick another with the same tag. Interesting, and wow... makes a big difference in traffic to my shop. That's my "Mom Rocks" card, currently with 90 views! Listing more cards tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Art Attack Show Success!

2009-04-27T16:45:00.006-04:00

Had a great time at Art Attack! Not knowing what to expect, since this was the Jersey City Craft Mafia's first show, I was pleasantly surprised! These guys and gals knew just what they were doing! The space was great, well organized and each and every vendor I met was excited for a great day. I met so many great people- check out these shops I took a particular liking to: Trashed Clothing, Lollibomb Beauty, ShobhaOhalDesigns and AmyGrutzDesigns.

I was really pleased with how well my new card rack worked out. In the past, I had simply stacked my cards in crates and let people kind of flip through- that process took too long for people to see them all. This set up was great- it showed the fronts of so many cards, it really drew a lot of attention to my table. In fact, a few times, I looked around and there was a sort-of 'traffic jam' caused by people checking out my cards! Truly a great day, can't wait for the next one! Now it's time to update my Etsy Shops with new cards and artwork...

The Hottest Card on the Block

2009-04-23T23:35:00.005-04:00

Who would've thought the simplest of cards would be my most popular this Mother's Day? I must've made about 11 of these pretty, colorful cards this week- I just can't keep them in stock! Each is laser printed in vibrant inks, with the addition of three colorful, layered paper flowers on the front. So bright and cheerful, sure to bring a smile to Mom's face on her special day. Click to view more of my cards for Mom and Dad, and be sure to search EGMOM on Etsy to view all of the beautiful cards in the Etsygreetings team's Mother's Day promo!

I'm featured today!

2009-04-17T11:20:00.006-04:00

In the midst of feeling awful, recovering from a stomach virus, I was pleasantly surprised to get an email from Robin of Cinnamon & Honey, telling me my feature is up! Check out our interview and get a little preview of some of my favorite cards.

I'm in a gift guide...who knew?

2009-04-12T08:47:00.007-04:00

For any Etsy seller, this is the COOLEST site ever! On Craftopolis, you simply enter your Etsy username to instantly find out if you're in an Etsy treasury or gift guide! Turns out, I'm currently in two treasuries and the Mother's Day Gift Guide (pic)! This is great for someone who (like me) spends a lot of time scanning treasury pages to see if I'm being featured.

Just added today: a bunch of new cards for Mother's Day and Father's Day! Stop by my SHOP and see the new selections!

Meet me at Art Attack!

2009-04-10T11:01:00.007-04:00

And the winner is...

2009-04-06T11:34:00.002-04:00

Trentongal! Congrats!!! Though my savings (and I say it proudly) almost doubled what she guessed (a whopping $86.61), her comment of $48 was enough to win her a FREE CARD from my paper shop!

Thanks to those that participated, and Trentongal, I'll be in touch!

Coupon Contest- part deux

2009-04-03T21:25:00.006-04:00

It's baaackk! I held my first coupon contest a couple of weeks ago, and yep, it's that time again- I need to go food shopping! Anyone that knows me well enough, will tell you that I'm an absolute FREAK when it comes to cutting, saving and using coupons at the grocery store. The thought of free money in the newspaper every week, intrigues me!

Based on the responses from last time, I thought it would be fun to do another little giveaway, right here on my blog!

Here's what you do:

Comment on this post with the dollar amount that you think I'll be saving at the food store on Sunday. Keep in mind, I've saved upwards of $70 in one shot!

What I'll do:

Go grocery shopping on Sunday, 4/5/09 and save all I can using my coupons and bonus card.
I will scan my receipt so you all can see what I've saved.
The person that guesses the closest to my savings, without going over- WINS!

The prize:

One FREE single greeting card (your choice) from my Paper Shop, shipped to you for FREE!
The winner will be posted on Monday, 4/5/05. Good luck!

Double Feature Sunday

2009-03-29T13:22:00.016-04:00

Usually when I have a treasury idea in mind, it's not open. Well today, I just happened to be logged into Etsy at the right time, and was completely caught off guard! It's a gloomy, icky day here in NJ today, so I thought I'd make a treasury for my NJTeam: grey-silver and some red to cheer things up. I searched "EtsyNJ Team + Red" and "EtsyNJ Team + grey" and here's what stood out. Click the image to view each item in detail.

In other news, I got word that I was featured in a byhand.me gallery (that's my Mother's Day card second row, left)- a very pretty collection of blues from more Team NJ members! Click image to view in detail.

Vote for Me!

2009-03-27T09:30:00.004-04:00

Hey everyone! Vote for my Easter Basket card as part of the EtsyGreetings March Challenge! Comment on the contest and a randomly chosen "commenter" will receive the card that gets the most votes (FREE!). I've got plenty more Easter cards too... Visit my Card Shop to view the selection.

Yet another shop...

2009-03-24T14:44:00.006-04:00

I've been spending so much time tending to my Etsy shops, I've completely ignored 1000 Markets. Although they're official launch is rumored for sometime in April, this new concept in handmade retail is (hopefully) the next big spot for us crafters to showcase and sell our work online. The format is beautiful, upscale and most importantly, user-friendly. While I'll always be a hardcore Etsyan, it seems 1000 Markets has taken the handmade movement to a whole new level- improving on everything that Etsy is lacking. Lots of the members of the EtsyNJ team have joined and we've even got a great Market set up: The Garden State Artisans . What it means for AJKArtistry? While I'm offering the same great products on Etsy and 1000 Markets, at the same prices, I'm hoping to reach more customers, make more sales and ultimately just have my stuff available anywhere anyone wants to buy it. Click the image (or HERE) to view my shop at 1000 Markets!

And the winner is...

2009-03-21T09:53:00.007-04:00

Andrea, from loveamarie! Not only does Andrea make great bags and accessories, but her guess of $44 in savings was right on the nose! Thank you to everyone that commented, and I hope you were able to take a minute to browse my shops. I'll be doing this again soon, so watch my Twitter and Facebook fan pages for notifications of the next giveaway!

Just for fun...

2009-03-20T12:34:00.005-04:00

Anyone that knows me well enough, will tell you that I'm an absolute FREAK when it comes to cutting, saving and using coupons at the grocery store. I'm not sure why, but the thought of free money in the newspaper every week, intrigues me! So many people I know simply chuck those coupon leaflets in the garbage, but not me! I look forward to the Sunday paper and religiously, scan through and clip the coupons I know I'll use by their expiration dates. Top that off with double or triple coupon offers? And I'm in heaven...

So being that I just got around to going through this week's circulars, I thought it would be fun to do a quick little giveaway, right here on my blog!

Here's what you do:

Simply comment on this post with the dollar amount that you think I'll be saving tonight at the food store. Keep in mind, I've saved upwards of $70 in one shot!
That's it!! :)

What I'll do:

Go food shopping tonight and save all I can using my coupons and bonus card.
I will scan my receipt so you all can see what I've saved.
The person that guesses the closest to my savings, without going over- WINS!

Oh yeah, the prize:

One FREE greeting card (your choice) from my Paper Shop.
I'll ship it to you for FREE, too!
The winner will be posted tomorrow. Good luck!

Custom orders galore!

2009-03-16T15:32:00.013-04:00

Almost finished... I was lucky to contract three great custom order jobs recently: a complete wedding package, baby shower invites and personalized cards via my Etsy card shop. Finally finishing up those three, so if anyone's in need of something special... pass your requests on to me!

Job #1: the bride chose (ok, pretty) pre-made invitations from Wilton, so I simply had to do the printing for her. Fine with me, though I would've loved to do something more custom, but oh well. In addition to that I offered to do calla lily thank you cards (shown in the pic) and next come the rsvp's. Thankfully, that's almost over- that project has been taking up precious real estate in my studio for a while now.
Job #2: baby shower invites. They came out sooo cute! The theme was pink bunnies, so I came up with some great text and a design and the client loved them at the first proof! Had a chance today to print them out. I'll be spending my evening threading ribbons through tiny holes :)
Job #3: a total surprise! I had been "in convo" with a regular Etsy customer of mine and ended up with a nice-sized order of six cards, all printed with her personalized messages.

Want something designed? Contact me..I'm happy to do it!

A card with a purpose.

2009-03-14T16:11:00.010-04:00

Do you know a couple that's in serious need of a night out? Give them a little push by offering to watch the kids! This card's perfect for those that hate asking family and friends for babysitting favors. Inside, there's a removable "free babysitting coupon" for the lucky twosome to redeem when their ready. Click HERE to see the card details.

Spring Fever Sale Ends TOMORROW!

2009-03-13T12:28:00.006-04:00

Only one day left to take advantage of EtsyNJ's fantastic Spring Fever Sale! Click to check out the list of more than 35 stores and be sure to Enter “Spring Fever Sale” in the “Notes to Seller” section at checkout in order to receive the discount. This Sale Code is Valid March 1-14, 2009!

My Mellow Yellow Treasury

2009-03-12T09:47:00.003-04:00

It's been a while since I've had the time to make an Etsy Treasury, but just the other day I was there at just the right time! Check out my Mellow Yellow Treasury and click away! Who knows, maybe it'll make it to the front page!

I still haven't mastered the art of the screen shot, so in case this image comes through fuzzy- here's a list of the shops/items I've included:

Bath Salts by GenesisEthnicBody
Sunny and a Poppy Print by Dictioncanary
Sunflower Glass Ring by Blackbird72
Caution Earrings by AntiGenre
Lemon Zest Vegan Cupcakes by TheCupcakeMint
Straight Up with a Twist Earrings by ThirdFloor
Makeup Removal Cloths by EcoKate
Yellow Key Necklace by Fisheye
Plumeria Ponytail Holder/Brooch by Yinsouciant
Daisy Bookmark by AJKArtistry (me!)
Sunrise Earrings by MySparkleTree
Yellow Daisy Infant Beanie by Plumdaisy

Say Hello!

2009-03-08T16:21:00.005-04:00

Looking for fun cards, just for saying hello? My pair of gnomes fits the bill! Crisp and clear laser printing on heavyweight recycled white cardstock, each oversized card is blank inside, allowing plenty of room for your message. Sold as a set of 6, just $6.95 in a gift box! Choose from two cheerful styles in the Card Set Section of my Paper Shop.

Feature Friday: AbbieRoad

2009-03-06T09:27:00.004-05:00

Today's featured seller is AbbieRoad! From graphic design to original art, I absolutely love her whimsical style. Her screenprinted Buy Handmade tees have become a staple of the modern crafty gal's wardrobe and any of the prints below would be great for decorating a kid's bedroom. As if all that's not enough, Abbie's the coordinator of an Indie Art show, The Handmade Faire and one of the proud members & fearless leaders of the EtsyNJ team! Check out her shop and give her some love!

EtsyGreetings Team Challenge- last day!

2009-03-04T10:50:00.006-05:00

Vote now in the EtsyGreetings Team Challenge! The theme for this challenge was "Luck of the Irish". Vote for your favorite card and leave a comment in the post. A winner will be selected randomly! PRIZE: The winner will receive the card selected by everyone as their favorite.
Your card will be shipped directly to you FREE OF CHARGE from the winning shop. Good luck! Voting ends on March 4th.

Turquoise Tuesday

2009-03-03T11:44:00.005-05:00

In an effort to pay more attention to my blog (thanks, Tim Adam of Handmadeology), I'm trying to post more often and start sharing the love by featuring more of my fellow EtsyNJ team members. Hopefully, it'll bring me more views and general interest in my work as well as my friends'! Today's theme is Turquoise Tuesday. Not only because that's the only color I could rhyme with "Tuesday", but also because I'm still in a Spring-ish kinda mood and thought it would bring me some cheer as I shovel out of 12" of snow. Doing a search on Etsy (etsynj team + turquoise), I found these super-cute clippies for kids in Plumdaisy's Etsy shop. Instant cheer!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail...

2009-03-02T10:50:00.002-05:00

Hippity hoppity, Easter's on it's way! It's snowing here in NJ, almost a foot where I am, so I'm thinking spring. Just added to my shop- Easter Cards! While most of my cards contain upcycled scrapbook adornments, modified and re-worked, the Chick Easter Card is all hand-cut and designed by me, for a truly one-of-a-kind card. Check out these and more than 20 new cards added today in my Etsy shop!

I got it from my mama...

2009-02-27T09:25:00.013-05:00

Everyone is always telling me how creative I am and how I've just got an eye for some things... well, I'll tell you, its not something any fancy art school could've ever taught me. My mother has always encouraged me to be creative, and being in business for more than 20 years, she seems to know what she's doing. I remember growing up with craft supplies all over the house, watching her spend most nights crocheting, starching, hot gluing and packing up orders. Her hobby, like mine, quickly turned from doing custom orders for friends and family to craft shows, placement in gift shops, a website, her own retail store in Christiana, TN, and now an online shop on Etsy. Check out her stuff and give her some love!

Honey-Bunny Handcrafts Homepage

Honey-Bunny Handcrafts on Etsy

Lovin' my latest Etsy purchase

2009-02-20T23:54:00.006-05:00

How cute is that little chickadee?? I purchased this ring from Etsy seller Ottobone and have not taken it off since it arrived! Her listing stated: "A symbol of hope and endurance, the chickadee is one of the few signs of life to be witnessed throughout a cold bleak winter". Yeah, um... SOLD! Who couldn't use a little cheering up these days? It's all hand done, in sterling silver then oxidized to bring out all the little bumps and details. Absolutely adorable, and she's got more so get yours! Truly, a great artisan and fast shipping, too!

Bunnies and Snails...

2009-02-17T12:32:00.004-05:00

New this week: teeny tiny magnets! These little guys are so cute and super-strong... Made of enameled button tops with a 1/2" magnet base. Sure to brighten up any boring fridge!
See all of my available magnets in my Etsy Shop.

Jewelry Returns to My Shop

2009-02-02T19:44:00.005-05:00

I know, I know... there's so much jewelry for sale out there, but I've got a ton of supplies on hand, so I thought it's time I use them. Just added to my shop today: 4 new jewelry pieces! 2 necklaces and 2 bracelets, made of high quality natural gemstones. Each comes with a free gift box, and to celebrate the new creations, shipping is free too! View them all in my Studio Shop.

Special Delivery...

2009-01-28T14:05:00.006-05:00

I am so excited about this Etsy promotion! It not only benefits a really heart-warming cause, but there are a few perks in it for the Etsy seller as well! This Valentine's Day, Etsy has teamed up with City Meals on Wheels to deliver not only hot meals to NYC's homebound elderly, but also a Valentine with each one! Etsy called out to card makers, crafters, anyone willing to send in a few cards to benefit a great cause. I sent in 10 of my own and hope the recipients like them! Their goal is to reach 18,000- one for everyone on the City Meals plan. Etsy also plans to feature all of the shops that participated in some way, I assume after the event, so hopefully that too, will bring more customers into my shop! Click here to view my collection of Valentine's Day Cards... FREE SHIPPING continues through the big day (2/14)!

Hallmark's Got Nothing on This Gal!

2009-01-25T09:52:00.005-05:00

I'm so excited to have been featured on a great blog! Figgy's Studio, primarily a crafter of beautiful baby clothes, also has an eye for featuring Etsy sellers with unique items... check out my write-up!

The Luck of the Storque

2009-01-24T15:30:00.004-05:00

During the past few months, my shop, like many others has experienced a bit of a dry spell. To try and boost my sales, I've tried posting regularly on Twitter, Facebook, Indiepublic and more social networking sites, with little response. Annoyed and a little discouraged, I decided to give the Etsy showcase another try. The showcase is a place where sellers can purchase a spot to advertise their favorite items within Etsy's site. A smart idea, since if I were a shopper, I'd certainly want to check out shops that feature themselves and try to be front and center on the site.

I tried the main showcase, a little pricey to start out, and it didn't get me any sales. Then, as time went on, I decided to try the Paper Goods showcase... bzzt... no luck there either. My newfound love: The Storque Showcase. The Storque is Etsy's blog- with lots of great ideas, tips for sellers, event notifications and all-around Etsy news. They even send out an email, which I ignored until recently, since I was looking for any way to increase my business. The Storque Showcase proved profitable! $7 to book a spot turned into close to $60 worth of sales in one day. Amazing, that after all this time, a measly $7 can give me such a boost. Visit the Storque and check out the showcase on 1/25 and 1/31- my items will be there!

EtsyGreetings Thank You Card Promo!

2009-01-08T09:28:00.009-05:00

Shop the EtsyGreetings Team's Thank You card selections and get FREE SHIPPING now though January 15th!! Send a card... it's a great way to say thank you after the holidays!

CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE TO BE DIRECTED TO OUR PARTICIPATING SHOPS.

Finally, some new things...

2009-01-05T10:10:00.008-05:00

Now that the holidays are over, I'm keeping my resolution to kick my artwork and crafting into high gear.

Just added to my Etsy Card Shop and 1000 Markets shop: new cards- and a whole bunch of them! My fave... the Banana Valentine.

Check them out and get them quick! Only a few available.

Back in the Swing

2008-12-29T08:55:00.007-05:00

New Year's Resolution #1: SELL, SELL, SELL! Anywhere and everywhere... I've decided 2009 is going to be the year of making my business all it can be. The holidays were a big eye-opener as to how much time I devote (and want to devote) to my crafting. Family visits, Christmas shopping and parties all cut into my production time and as a result, AJKArtistry wasn't that busy this holiday season. I had some good sales, but time simply got away from me. The thought of what it could've been like kind of bothers me, but my ongoing mantra of 'you get what you put in' really proved true this time around. So now I know. Depression over :).

With all that being said, I'm now motivated and gearing up for a busy year! I received lots of gift cards to all my favorite crafty places and I've already started stocking up on supplies. New papers, pretty embellishments... I was like a kid in a candy store, finally able to buy some things I really wanted, rather than trying to do it 'on the cheap'. My sister-in-law even got me a "Creativity" candle (thanks, Sam!) to get me in the mood. The ideas are starting to flow and I can't wait to get started. Now that the holidays are over, be sure to check my shops often for new items and special promos! A complete listing of my shops are below:

AJKArtistry @ Etsy: Handmade cards, invites and magnet sets
AJKStudio @ Etsy: Original art, art notecards and gemstone jewelry
AJKArtistry @ 1000 Markets: Exclusive designs, only available there!

Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2008-12-24T09:55:00.001-05:00

Featured Seller: Heart of Nature

2008-12-19T19:41:00.013-05:00

Every once in a while I like to feature an Etsy seller I like. Kitty and I are friends via EtsyNJ, 1000Markets, Facebook and Twitter, and though we've never met in person, her work has always caught my eye. Check out her interview below, some of her items I picked and be sure to browse her shop!

What's your name? Kitty Wilkin

Where are you from? I grew up in Westfield, NJ and now I live in Plainfield, NJ

What's your Etsy Shop Name/Link? Heart of Nature http://heartofnature.etsy.com

What do you like most about your business? I love being able to share my love of nature with others. I consciously take time to really look at everything, if possible from a unique perspective, and much of my photography reflects that. I also love it when people convo or email me saying "I collect heart rocks, too!" or "I saw a heart-shaped (fill in the blank) today and thought of you!"). Love really is everywhere, and it's fun to find it and share it with others. I also really like providing handmade, heart-filled cards for people to actually write on and send to loved ones. Email and technology are wonderful, but that only makes snail mail that much more special. Especially with my recyclable greeting cards, which can be sent over and over again. This way, the card doesn't get read and tossed... it gets read, shares a smile, and then can be sent again.... and then again.... and then again...

Where do you find inspiration for your products? I get my inspiration from nature!! When you are surrounded by nature, anywhere you look can reveal hidden beauties that you may never have seen if you hadn't taken the time to look. I am inspired by the unending beauty that's everywhere around me... even in gravel drives or next to landfills! The inspiration for my shop name came from my mommy-in-law, Sheri. She collects heart rocks, which got me on the lookout for hearts in nature. Once I started looking, I saw them everywhere!

Photography is a big market, what makes your work different than all the others? My photographs reveal a side of nature that is not often seen. Whether it's an actual heart that naturally appears in nature, or just the heart of what's there on a very small scale, my photos display a unique perspective. I love laying on my belly in the forest floor to take pictures, and in doing so, I often capture a view that not many people have seen before. Also, I've been told that I have "an eye" for composition :) I call it the inspiration of the world around me.

What's your favorite item in your shop right now? I am still amazed by the Heart of the Palm photo. For those who don't know, the hearts were formed when the palm leaf first started to grow and emerge. The palm leaves are all rolled up when they first grow, before they open, and in this case, an insect must have chewed through the rolled up leaf, leaving multiple almost exactly spaced and sized holes. So when the leaf unfurled fully, the result was a row of heart-shaped holes--the true heart of the palm!! I literally did a quadruple-take when I first saw it along a jungle path in Mexico. I recently ordered a museum-mount stretched-canvas 11x14" of my Heart of the Palm photo from my photo processing lab, and I'm super excited about it. It's not up in my shop yet, but stay tuned!!

Can we find you on any other websites (1000 markets, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc...list links)? Yes!! Here are links to my other locations on the inter-web:1000 Markets: http://heartofnature.1000markets.com, My blog: http://kittysheartofnature.com Facebook: look for Kitty Wilkin and Twitter: http://twitter.com/heartofnature.

Here are a few of my favorites from her shop (click images to purchase).

Poppies Photograph, $18
My all-time favorite flower, photographed so beautifully!

Summer Brights Card Set, $15
Bright and cheerful for any occasion!

Reusable Be Mine Greeting Card, $4
What a great idea! Send and the recipient can reuse it!!

Good luck, Kitty!

Dig This...

2008-12-19T11:11:00.007-05:00

My sister in law started up a zine a while back, and once my craftiness was noticed, I suddenly (and happily) became part of it. My ongoing article, Kind of a Big Thing, focuses on mostly craft tips and ideas... but being a mom and a full time employee outside the house, most of my writings include the constant struggle of balancing motherhood, marriage and a day job, all while doing what you love on the side. Here's part of my article (sorry, you'll have to buy the magazine to read the full version!), this time with the inclusion of rock star Kristin Hersh:

Kind of a Big Thing:
Creative Moms, The Multi-Tasker & The Rock Star
By Alison Kooney

Lots of moms have jobs outside the home, but some of us take multi-tasking to the next level- creatively. We love our children, but we crave some quiet time, some time to do what we want to do. And to be able to incorporate your creative time with your kids and family, well that’s just a big fat plus. In addition to being a mom, I work as a graphic designer full time and started my own business, AJKArtistry, crafting handmade cards and personalizing invites for customers all over the world. After 2 years, I can’t imagine a day without it. I involve my daughter as much as possible, which eases the guilt a bit. She plays with my left over adornments and makes up her own special cards, and the two of us sit on the floor and paint together often- me with my project and she with hers. My hobby-turned-2nd full time job is exciting, fun and yes, tiring at times, but it gives me a much-needed separation of work I have to do- versus work I want to do, and truly enjoy doing. Not to mention, provides me with some invaluable bonding time with my daughter.

Kristin Hersh takes this concept on the road, and manages to incorporate even more family time into the equation. A singer-songwriter, guitarist and recording artist, for more than 20 years Kristin has performed all over the world, solo and with her bands, 50 Foot Wave and Throwing Muses. Amidst all of the rehearsals, road trips and plane rides, she has always had a little ‘extra baggage’, so to speak: her four sons... Read the full story in issue #14 of Dig This Real!

1,000 Markets

2008-11-24T21:58:00.001-05:00

Wow. Just when I think I couldn't have my stuff anywhere else, along came 1000 Markets. Still in 'test' mode, 1000 Markets has taken all of the best features of Etsy and rolled them into one fun, interactive (and PRETTY!) site. I've opened up shop with some of my duplicate items that I sell in my Etsy shop so far, but the site seems to be getting a lot of attention already. Members are starting to get sales and the blog function in everyone's shops makes it easy to 'shout out' some encouraging words to a fellow seller. I've even been accepted into the Garden State Artisans Market, a collection of strictly NJ artists (most of which I know from the EtsyNJ Team). NJians, support your state and BUY HANDMADE this holiday season!

My First-Ever Blog Feature!

2008-11-18T15:59:00.004-05:00

Hoping to increase the number of posts I do, I had the idea of featuring a great Etsy shop once in a while. Just as I was thinking how to choose, and approach someone looking to be featured, there she was- on Twitter, literally asking for a feature on someone's... anyone's blog! I had her answer some quick questions and here we are: my first feature is Sara from LillyQueen.

What's your name? Sara Lombard
Where are you from? Trumbull, Connecticut
What's your Etsy Shop Name? LillyQueen
What do you like most about your business? The ability to share my handcrafted items with people all over the WORLD. Seeing how far my items go is so much fun. To think, someone half way across the world is wearing something that I made.
Where do you find inspiration for your products? Lots of ideas come from looking at other pieces, nature, and creating things that I know I would love myself.
Jewelry is a big market, what makes yours different than all the others? I try to be unique in what I create, I also try and find beads and supplies that not too many people have. I stop off at flea markets and tag sales to grab jewelry to rip apart.
What's your favorite item in your shop right now? Everything I create has a dear place in my heart. I love them all.
Can we find you on any other websites? TWITTER ID: LillyQueen

Here are some really pretty finds from LillyQueen's Shop:

Raisin Vintage Matte Lucite Bracelet: $32.00
Raisin Vintage Matte Lucite Rounds handwrapped with sterling silver wire.

Semi-Precious Garden Mix Choker: $45.00
Various shades of pinks, purples, blues, greens and more.
Each bead is hand wrapped in fine sterling silver.

Good luck, Sara! And thanks for being my first blog feature!

Treasured in Red

2008-11-09T12:50:00.004-05:00

Two of my items (my Ladybug Card and Poppy Painting) were featured in this beautiful treasury by CreationsByRobin:

The Great Twitter Experiment

2008-11-09T12:31:00.002-05:00

A fellow blogger posted about this experiment not too long ago (sorry, I can't remember who!). They were going to do a bit of a test... sign up for Twitter, do some quick little posts and see what happens. I was kind of reluctant to try it, since I've got so many things on the web- Facebook, a Paper Shop, an Art Shop, my own website and of course, this blog. I thought Twitter was just going to be annoying and one more password to remember- BUT- I was happily surprised! I signed up, found it extremely easy to post and comment on other's posts, and the best part is I'm only seeing info for people I'm "following". In addition to posting everyday rants, I post a lot about my shops and it seems to have paid off. A few minutes a day posting and following others, I've gotten multiple sales from the Twitter community (I indicated in my shop to mention you're from Twitter for free shipping). Check out my Twitter page and follow me!

Treak-Or-Treaters Beware!

2008-10-28T19:22:00.008-04:00

So I've implemented yet another form of shameless advertising... Every kid that comes looking for candy this Halloween will get one of my special little goody bags. Sure, there's candy and stickers in there, but there's also a special surprise for the parents, too- one of my Halloween business cards! Printed by Moo.com, these little cards are great for this kind of task. They've got a cute Halloween theme, "BOO" or "Trick or Treat" on the front and my business info on the back. I originally made them up to hand out at my last craft show and had some extras, so I figured why not give it a try? I bet a lot of people in my neighborhood don't even know what I do! Let's see if it generates any sales- I'll keep you posted!

Not quite a washout.

2008-10-26T15:09:00.005-04:00

So the Handmade Faire in Medford, NJ went off as scheduled yesterday, despite the rain and 40-mile an hour winds! Fortunately, I was inside the big-top tent (right in front of the door- thanx Abbie!). Unfortunately though, I had a birds-eye view of the happenings outside- tents flying, rainy downpours, and just a terrible amount of gusting winds all day long. Kudos to the outside vendors who stayed as long as they did!

Inside, the crowd seemed happy they weren't being rained on and the customers echoed that thought. Lots came in, just to get out of the rain, and browsed longer than they may have had it not been so terrible outside. I had mixed feelings about being right in the front though... I felt like a lot of people, as they came in, stopped right in front of my table, deciding where to go first, but not really looking. Others came right up to me but didn't want to buy from the first vendor they saw, and even more (happily) spent time looking at my goods, since I was the last one they saw on the way out. All in all it was a worthwhile day for me. My take covered my gas, table fee and some extra as profit.
Next year's Faire is sure to be a hit, as long as we can get the weather to cooperate!

An Etsy Favorite: Holly's Vinyl Wall Art

2008-09-28T13:21:00.009-04:00

So I decide I want to spruce up our place a bit and I'm looking for something different, fun, inexpensive and easy... I found all of those qualities in my latest purchase from Holly's shop.

My hip Grunge Chandelier took only a few minutes to apply and looks great with our new paint job and decor. It's available in a large assortment of colors and three sizes, so check her out! Shipping was fast- a flawless transaction.

New in my Shop today:

2008-09-23T21:37:00.005-04:00

New and improved! My magnets are back and better than ever... A new design for this fall was necessary after some trouble I had with my original design- my magnets kept separating! No matter what glue I used- fluctuating temperatures, everyday use and who knows what else contributed to the disaster that once was my best selling show item.

So, after some careful thinking (and lots of glue testing) I decided to swap the uneven, slick glass tops for these cute fabric covered buttons and the thin magnet backs for a 1/2" super-strength magnet disc. The result? A stronger, prettier magnet that (thankfully) won't fall apart. Click the image to view my new collection of magnets!

A Funny Etsy Find

2008-09-14T11:11:00.008-04:00

I usually don't get "that into" politics, but it's almost unavoidable with all of the drama of this year's election.
I particularly love the humorous takes on the candidates, and this item is no exception. A quote from Brokeback Mountain seems somewhat fitting for this fun pocket mirror from psychedelictara.

Featured for Fall

2008-09-08T10:59:00.012-04:00

Fall is back in full swing, and the pretty Etsy Treasuries are certainly following its lead. This past week, not one, but two of my Studio items were featured in a NJ collection. Click the image to view all of NJ's featured fall items!

In addition to preparing for the fall holiday season, I'm still creating up a storm for the upcoming Handmade Faire. This is the last show of the year for me, so I intend to make it a good one! Visit the Handmade Faire's site to view the list of vendors that will join me in kicking off the holiday shopping season!

A Productive Week

2008-08-30T11:31:00.006-04:00

So I'm on vacation from my day job this week... my original plan was to try and actually relax and do pretty much nothing, but I just can't sit still and enjoy quiet time. I did, however, keep my promise to myself and stayed out of my work email- which, sadly, is a BIG effort for me. I took a trip 'down the shore' for a few days, did some things around the house, but since my home business production normally takes place after dark, it was somewhat refreshing making things in real light, rather than the glow of the television at 1 in the morning.

With the Handmade Faire fast approaching, I've spent a lot of time making my fliers, updating my sites, creating my designs for the holiday season and whipping up a TON of new cards. I am seriously fighting myself not to list them all in my EtsyShop right away. The ones I'm excited about will be listed over the next few days, but watch for my collection of holiday cards, coming very soon!