Team Picks of the Week

More team awesomeness for you!

Etsy Chainmaillers' Guild: Lovely Maidens Necklace by Unkamen Gifts

There's so much stuff you can do with a little mobius unit, but I don't think I've seen this done before. Besides, I adore that color.

Wire Artisans' Guild: Little Green Tree Frog Brooch by Sonseeahray

I don't even know what to say about this except it's full of awesome. Not that many cool brooches on Etsy, either. He needs to live on your lapel. Before you go buy him though, you should check out Sonny's equally adorable fishie brooch.

Fantasy Artists of Etsy: No Ring On This Finger Lillith Print by Carapace

There's so much here... the story behind it (see the listing), and an obvious dark goddess drinking coffee out of a mug that says #1 Mom... put this print in your living room, it's guaranteed to generate conversation. Got to love art based on mythology.

Etsy Bloggers Team: Camouflage Handmade Vessel by Rosebud 101

Put a tiny amount of essential oil in this (neroli is soooo good) and you don't need to put perfume on yourself!

Etsy Twitter Team: Calm Me Lavender Soap by Soap Rehab

I know, I know, I can't resist putting soap in here. This looks like fancy marbled paper to me and is one of the prettiest soaps I've seen. I always hated lavender scent in manufactured soaps, but lavender scent that actually comes from lavender is dreamy. Literally.

Artfire Chainmaillers' Guild: Chainmaille Purse by Chains n Maille

Someone runs up to you and tries to steal THIS purse, you THWAP 'em! Besides, it's completely cool.

Tennessee Artisans on Artfire: Ring of Fire by Firepit Art

This falls into the "Oooooh, I want I want I want" category. Who needs a dinky little chimnea when you can have open fire!

Blogfire: Pico Seeks You Print by Nature Manipulated

Not sure this little guy was prepared to have his picture taken, but he sure is cute!

Fairy Garden

I said I'd do a weekly installment for a few weeks on gardening.  This week, I'm going to suggest a few things that might be perfect for a garden to attract the wee folk. 

Moss Mousse Mix from Fluffnflowers

Gardening moss?  Never heard of such a thing.  But when I read the listing... cool!  You can use it to fill in unsightly cracks in your driveway, between stepping stones on a walkway to your door, or make a pretty little rock garden with fairy houses in a bed by your front door that will require very little maintenance.  I LOVE this idea.

Beautiful Celosia Flamingo Feather Seeds from Smokymist Gardens

The seller's daughter says these look like fairy wands.  I must agree.  Wonder if they'd grow in my moss garden?   Best thing:  they're annual.  (I really hate things I have to buy every year).

Fancy French Faerie Door by TaraLinnea

Tough call, here... there are lots of really cool fairy doors on Etsy (try a search some time... they're fascinating to me).  In choosing I wanted:  1)  Something that can go outside, 2)  Something that didn't look like a dollhouse door, something sort of organic and fae, and 3)  Love to feature one of my fellow FAE team members.  This pretty door by TaraLinnea fills the bill perfectly (although I had a hard time choosing from the several in her shop!)

Tree Man Stoneware Pot by Jillhoutz

I went on a hunt for a green man.  You can't have a fairy garden without a green man.  I was actually surprised at the lack of green man plaques (what I initially intended to feature here) on Etsy.  But this... this is PERFECT.   Want to grow some mint in your fairy garden without it taking over the garden?  Put it in here.  He'll take good care of it.  I absolutely adore the earthy, natural look of this pot. 

There are lots of other treasures on Etsy in this theme.  Take a look for yourself!

Wire Artisans Guild

Gothic Queen Two-Tone Silver Lace Cuff by xinxinemin
Available at Wire Artisans Guild's Etsy Shop

I can't even begin to say how excited I am to have been accepted into the Wire Artisans Guild on Etsy.  Jumping up and down excited.  The breathtaking cuff (crocheted wire... ever tried that?  It's hellishly difficult to work with) above is just one tiny example of the amazing talent encompassed in this team.  Seriously... go look at the Flickr group.  Almost everything is just jaw-dropping.

I've been chewing nails all month because I ogle that Flickr stream on a regular basis, and I want to be like them when I grow up.  They were only taking 10 of 40 applicants (although it ended up being 13).  I dunno how I managed to squeak in when I look at the others' work (list is on the team Etsy shop, also worth a look) but I am humbled, honored, and SO excited.  Thanks guys!

Oh!  Also on a wire note, I'm thinking I'm going to sign up for Creative Wire Jewelry's Year of Jewelry whenever their next quarterly signup date is.  They have a theme every week to inspire your creations and I just love browsing the blog.  Check it out.  There will be more here when I get around to my first theme creation, for both the Guild and YOJ.

Time to build up the finger calluses some more.

Last Day for One World One Heart!

Red Zone Stretchy Chainmaille Bracelet - You could design yours like this!

Unless you spend the whole day I doubt you'll get through all of the 911 bloggers giving away goodies, but you can make a nice dent!  At least go to THIS POST on my blog and enter mine, if you haven't, to win colorful stretchy chainmaille bracelets like the one above, your choice of colors!  I'm already over 200 entrants so I will probably give away 2 bracelets!  :)

Then go to the One World, One Heart website and check out some of the other fabulous giveaways.  You have 911 chances to win and the most entrants I've seen on one item was 360 or so, so you have an excellent chance to win something!

~oOo~

My Etsy Valentine: Hearts, Chocolates and Flowers #9
A daily feature till Valentine's Day



Medieval Studded Heart Ring by 3 Rexes Jewelry

We're getting down to crunch time here.  If you haven't ordered something for your valentine, it'd better be good.  So now we're getting to the good stuff.  The crap honey I forgot but look how awesome this is stuff.

There's not much in 3 Rexes' shop that my hubby could buy for me that I wouldn't absolutely adore.  Tons of it is Valentine-perfect, too, go look.  I think I'll probably be asking for tools for the next gazillion holidays, though, and making my own stuff.  So I might have to buy my own 3 Rexes ;)

Typealyzer

Did you ever take that Kiersey temperament sorter?  I found this nifty Typealyzer via a new blog I think is really cool, In the Meantime.

The Typealyzer takes your blog's URL and gives it a personality according to Kiersey's test.  If you haven't done the test, or haven't in a while, go take it.  Then see if your blog's personality matches yours.

As for me, I am a Healer (Idealist), or INFP.  According to Kiersey, "Healers
present a calm and serene face to the world, and can seem shy, even
distant around others. But inside they're anything but serene, having a
capacity for personal caring rarely found in the other types. Healers
care deeply about the inner life of a few special persons, or about a
favorite cause in the world at large. And their great passion is to
heal the conflicts that trouble individuals, or that divide groups, and
thus to bring wholeness, or health, to themselves, their loved ones,
and their community."


My blog, on the other hand, according to Typealyzer, is ESFP, a Performer (Artisan), which means it's much more outgoing than I am personally.  "The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to
pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft
fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present
moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of
exhausting themselves.



The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a
concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely
initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in
management positions."

I suppose that makes sense.  I try to make it visually appealing, and if blogging every day is "risk of exhausting itself," well, I'm almost there lately :)  And my blog and I share the latter half of the four sorting factors.

What's yours?

~oOo~

My Etsy Valentine: Hearts, Chocolates and Flowers #7
A daily feature till Valentine's Day



Zombie Valentine's Day Card by Buster McGee

We've done chocolates, jewelry, I guess we're missing flowers.  But we definitely needed a Valentine's Day card.  And this is the BEST Valentine's Day card I've EVER EVER seen.  It's certainly not the only cool card in this shop, though!  Go check it out.  Pick up a "Zombie Children Need Love Too" Valentine for all the loves in your life.  Hates too... one says "I hate your guts but your brains ain't bad." 

Hey Valentine's Day doesn't have to be mushy, and you can tell Hallmark's sappy poetry to kiss your butt!

Audiobooks for You

Free Audiobooks Online at oculture.com

I Stumble.  Have you discovered this yet?  It's a plugin for your browser.  You tell it what you like and it finds you related websites that other stumblers have recommended.  You can then thumbs-up it (or down), which allows StumbleUpon to further refine your stumbling tastes.  So, I thought I'd share my interesting, useful, cool stumbles from time to time.   One caveat:  you'll lose hours and hours clicking that stumble button.  So you get two links today in case you dont' have this one:  StumbleUpon   (If you DO have StumbleUpon, and you like my blog, I'd appreciate a thumbs up... you should do the same for all your favorite blogs).

The link this time around is oculture.com, where you can get all kinds of free educational stuff including university courses, foreign language lessons.  I like to listen to something while I'm working on jewelry, though, and while I haven't tried audiobooks I thought it might be a cool way to go.  You can find all sorts of good stuff (mostly classics) in both MP3 and iTunes format on the free audiobooks site here.  Requires a download.  I think I may listen to some Edgar Allen Poe I haven't read in a while.

~oOo~

My Etsy Valentine:  Hearts, Chocolates and Flowers  #3
A daily feature till Valentine's Day



Jamaican Rosewood Handmade Artisan Soap from A Good Witch Too

Witchy was tempting me on Twitter all day yesterday with this dreamy-sounding soap and a few others, so I went to her shop and darn near all of them sounded irresistible.  Resistance was futile and I ended up buying a Choose Your Own 3-pack, but I will be back for the Jamaican Rosewood!  (If you've been reading a while you know I'm a handmade soap addict).  I think you and your Valentine should share a bar.

Great Expectations

It's the craziest thing... I buy cabochons, or gemstones, or beads... and sometimes I get a really good deal on ones that I like pretty well, but they're nothing special.  Other times, I find ones I LOVE that I MUST have because they're gorgeous.

And the gorgeous ones sit in my box of rocks.  You should see my pretty rock collection.  I sit on my lunch hour and look at them.  I can picture them finished, but there's an intimidation factor in trying to do them justice.

Then, when I go to create something with those perfect cabochons, I HATE it.  (the one above falls into this category... the wire was too thick too stiff, and one of the bail wires snapped... it's not symmetrical... I plan on redoing it)  Especially if I knew just what I wanted to do with it.  It never looks like I meant it to.  I might as well throw away my sketchbook.  But  I take one of my "ugly" rocks and some cheap copper or colored wire, and just play with it...

Those are the ones that come out spectacular. 

And my favorite creations end up being the ones that don't photograph well, and the stuff I was lukewarm about at the bench blows me away when I look at the photos.

Yesterday I decided I have GOT to get some finished products out of that box of rocks, so I grabbed the one my husband said was "ugly" (it's a gray stone with red, chohua jasper) and some copper, and... well, I'll be doing some pictures today so when I get them done I'll put a pic here and you can judge for yourself.  I'm really happy with the wrap, though.


Is nothing ever the way I expect it to be?  Does anyone else have this problem?

Blog Circle Giveaway

I have an idea kicking around in my head... I thought if we crafty bloggers could pool resources for a contest/giveaway, it might increase traffic for all of us by people who maybe don't normally frequent blogs.  Here's how it works:

I'll make a list of participating blogs.  Each of us will do a post on the same day advertising the giveaway.  Each blog will have an item they're giving away, which will be posted on the main page.  We'll let it run for a week or two, and for each blog they leave a comment on, the participants will have their name thrown into the hat once (so, the more blogs they visit, the more chances to win).  Also for each purchase from one of the bloggers they can have their name in the hat another time. 

If you're interested in participating leave a comment here with your blog URL and your email.  If there's enough interest I'll start setting it up. 

Make a Difference

"I will open the doors of government and ask you to be involved in your own democracy again." -- Barack Obama

I mostly avoid social commentary on this blog, although I make no secret that I am a happy Liberal who adores the new President (so far). I have compared him to FDR and he is making great use of the Internet in his own style of fireside chats. At change.org any citizen could go and propose or vote on issues that matter to them. I saw somewhere that voting ended yesterday (sorry, I guess I'm slow on the draw), but the idea is that the administration will now work with nonprofit sponsors for each idea to make some changes.

It is a mark of the power of the blogging community that the request to amend the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act was SIXTH on this list of issues and will be landing in a report on the new President's desk. If you're reading a blog I'm guessing you know about this already but in case not, it is a proposed law mandating that those who make products for children pay for third-party testing for their products to ensure safety. It's a good idea, but the way it is written now, it would make it impossible for crafters and small businesses to make anything at all for kids and turn a profit.

Think about that -- sixth! -- out of the volumes of social issues facing our troubled society. For those of you who supported this, kudos. For everyone else, you have an invitation. Go to change.org and get involved. Click on the sticker above and put it on your blog to support this movement. Support other causes that matter to you. The last eight years have created an environment of "whats the point" in the minds of the citizenry, but that is about to change. You don't have to be an activist. You have every opportunity to stay connected via the Internet, and your President has invited you to do so. Even more so, if you're a blogger -- even if you're not a social issues blogger -- you can make a difference.

A note: this site should not be confused with change.gov, which is the President-elect's official site, and where you can find his weekly address (and which I also encourage you to check out and subscribe to), although they haven't made them easy to find in one place. You can also search "obama weekly address" on YouTube for the latest address.

Welcome to a new era.

Google Analytics

Jilly's Sunny Daze Bracelet.   I give you link... get it?

I was planning on posting a little how-to on using Google Analytics, specifically with Etsy.  Now available in the Shop Setup section under Web Analytics on your Your Etsy page.  The directions for setting it up are fairly easy.

But, since Jill of Liv'n Good Jewelry has done a hell of a job with said article already, I give you link.  http://livngoodjewelry.blogspot.com/   The info includes how to use the info to determine the best time to list new items, and the excellent advice not to obsess (are you spying on me, Jill?  I'm a Heartomatic junkie....).  It's kind of like starting Weight Watchers and weighing yourself five times the first day (I've NEVER done that......)

Enjoy.  This is an excellent tool a long time coming.

Did I mention she has some beautiful items in her shop, as well?  :)

Magic Hands, Magic Soap

Winter Grapefruit Soap Bar by Magic Hands Soap

If you've been reading my blog for a while (has anyone?  *echo, echo*) you know that I discovered the wonders of handmade soap a while ago.  And I'm hooked.  The lather, the scent, the luxurious feel of it.  Since I discovered it, I've been so excited to try handmade soap that I keep jumping from one soap seller on Etsy (and at a few craft fairs) to another.  I haven't returned to any.

Of course, some are better than others.  My very favorite of the many I've tried has been Magic Hands' Mulled Cider Shea Butter soap.  The lather was sinful the way a chocolate cake is blissfully sinful, and that homey, spicy scent filled not only my bathroom but my adjoining bedroom, as well.  I bought one of her salt bars and a couple of bars for my mother-in-law, as well (haven't used them yet).  I think - and I hope I'm wrong? - that the mulled cider might've been a holiday promotional scent.  I sure would like more of it, but I'm also happy to try some of her others.  My husband would love the one pictured.

At any rate, I will be buying from Magic Hands again.  I have a little bag (a Bath & Body Works bag... I find that somewhat ironic and amusing, since I will probably not buy anything but their foaming hand soap from them again) almost full of Etsy soap, so once I use some of it up I'll be back to her shop.  My advice to you is... try it!

Retail

I'm happy to say You've Got Maille went "retail" today, as my hairdresser at Reflections Salon locally offered to let me put a few things in her store.  I took a carousel full of earrings and a treasure chest full of stretchies like the one above.  It's good for the soul to hear people oohing and ahhing over stuff you've made... a great fuss was made over everything and I think it'll actually do really well there.  In fact, I made a sale before I even left the store. :)

Peppermint Twist

Our featured EtsyBlogger inspired an entire feature on the wonders of peppermint and candy canes. Feast your senses.

Christmas Elf Stocking PDF Pattern by LifeBarn

There have GOT to be sugarplums dancing in that head. Hey, it's cold out there, and if you've got a little bald-headed thing you carry around on occasion, it needs one of these! Knit yourself some elfy goodness. Bet you'll never forget baby's first Christmas.

Candy Cane Lampwork Icicle Ornament by RuskinDesigns

I have a kitten. This is sad, because I adore glass ornaments, and in particular handmade glass ornaments. I have several similar to the one above that are clear. I got brave and put them (and the one made out of an egg with a snowy scene inside it) on my tree this year despite the insane 6-lb. furball I live with. Cross your fingers for me, so far he's been more nice than naughty... well, since I removed the tree skirt so he couldn't play hide and pounce with his kitty toys.
But I LOVE this ornament... candy canes and iciciles... it seems like a natural combination now that I think about it, but I've never seen anything like this that I can recall. So cool!

Peppermint Candy Cane Tutu by Hannah's Tutus

Wow I have a baby thing today. I think it's cause my 15-year-old isn't really that into it this year.... sadness. Wish I had a handful of Christmases to look forward to with a little one. But there will be nieces, nephews and grandkids, one of these days!
So if you've got a little girl, here's what you're going to do. You're going to buy one of these A.D.O.R.A.B.LE. tutus, you're going to make an appointment at your local professional photographer, and you're going to make this your Christmas card this year. Everyone you send them to will treasure them forever. And you'll also have something to drag out on prom night to embarrass the heck out of her.

Candy Cane Silver-Cored Lampwork Bead by Elysium Beads

Yeah, I know, more glass. Can't help it... I love glass, and you have to admit it lends itself to candy cane imitation.
These are some of the BEST lampwork beads on Etsy. I spent about half an hour looking at them yesterday, because I intend to try some Viking Knit in anodized niobium and sterling silver with a focal lampwork bead on the necklace at some point in the very near future. So, rest assured, I will be buying from these amazingly talented people. If you're a glass addict like me you owe it to yourself to look at these little works of art.

Peppermint Bark Brownies by Edith and Ethel

I had to put some sort of food in this feature, since, well, peppermint is food, and I said "feast your senses." So I searched Etsy's food section for peppermint and as soon as I saw these... oh man.... I stared. I drooled. Chocolate and peppermint are a match made in heaven. If, on the off chance that you want to buy me a Christmas present.... there ya go. Instant holiday bliss.

Peppermint Stretchy Chainmaille Bracelet by You've Got Maille

It occurs to me that I never do any shameless plugs in these feature bits, so here it is. My holiday item for the year since I somehow haven't had time to do all the other sugarplum ideas dancing in my head. I'll even put a big jingle bell on it for you if you want. :)

Did you notice? It's election time!

With, I think, the most serious issues facing the US in my lifetime, this election is going to be the one that makes a really big difference in the future. Please, don't let yourself be without a say in the direction the future takes. Please vote on November 4. I make no secret about my Democratic leanings, but even if you're going to vote for McCain, vote!

In celebration of our choices in America, I give you a few nifty election-related, mostly humorous Etsy items.

Election 2008 Shadow Puppet Set by Orange Moon Toys

Is this not so cool! With this handy set you can reenact the debates they way they should've been!
"Your mama so fat, when they foreclosed on her house they couldn't fit her out the door!"
"Oooh, you so did not say that!"
"Did so!"
"Well MY plan is going to make it so your fat mama can STAY in her house!"

Yeah, I'm a responsible voter.

"If I'm Not a Real American" Button by Button Empire

This is in reference to Sarah Palin's little faux pas the other day: "We believe that the best of America is in these small towns... pockets of what I call real America, pro-America areas of this great nation." Sorry, fake American big city peeps. On a related note, Paper Machinations has a button that says, "Big City. Real American. Registered voter." Gov. Palin has since done her best to remove her foot from her mouth.

Obama Beadwoven Peyote Cuff by Time2Cre8

K not so much on the humor here. Have you ever noticed an election to have an instantly recognizable logo before? I thought this was a rather nifty candidate marketing technique and great design for embodying his whole "Hope" campaign theme. Maybe the logo's been done before and I didn't notice. Anyway I saw this cuff and went "OMG That's so cool!" because it is. You should buy it, because I'm a poor Democrat and can't afford to. But I would if I could!

Cthulhu for President Cross Stitch by Nrapture

I don't think I can say it better than the designer of this extremely cool cross stitch pattern. (which you can buy from her shop either as a pattern to make yourself, or a finished piece). If you vote for him, you'll have the privilege of being eaten last. Y'know if this was a button I'd probably buy it. Don't know who Cthulhu is? He'd be H.P. Lovecraft's ultimate embodiment of evil. Or you could just vote Republican.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. I'm kidding! George Bush and his entourage aren't running this year.


One more time. PLEASE VOTE!!!!!