Excellent Advice From a Fellow Blogger and Etsy Storeowner

Several days ago, I read a great tutorial from one of my fellow bloggers and Etsy storeowner, Epheriell . It mentioned this great idea of using scrapbook paper for photos of your jewelry. What a great idea! Especially since there are so many amazing prints. I get overwhelmed when I even go down that isle. So, I cruised to Michaels today, not really a norm for me, but I had to try this. I took several pictures of items I already had and wow, what a difference. I noticed they were getting more hits not long after the photos where changed. I guess what they say is true, good pictures really help your store. Here is a link to the article: http://www.epherielldesigns.com/background-for-jewelry-photographs

There are several other great posts to read on there that are related as well.

Here are a few of my newer pictures. They still need some editing. I am still learning but they are better than what I had.

Trouble Getting Started This Weekend

Ok..so I had a long list of TO DO's for the weekend. I am slowly crossing them off the list. I was so amped up and just fizzled out when the time came. Today however, I finally got motivated. I just don't feel like I am getting it done fast enough though. I needed to put in some orders, make things, take pix and then of course my domestic goddess duties are on the list unfortunately.

I did get excited thinking about making some ear wires. I only had some sterling over copper wire and its hard wire. I had to attempt it though. So I made two sets and they turned out pretty good. I posted on Etsy forum to find out what others do to make the ends smooth and got some great responds. Here is a link if you are interested- http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6200488&page=1

The census was to use a cup bur for the dremel. Luckily, I bought my husband a dremel a couple years ago. Things with plugs can be gifts for me too!! They are basic ear wires but better than having to buy some. I enjoyed learning something new too.

I also played around with some more rings. They are not finished but coming along nicely. Don't mind my makeshift ring holder. I think we all have things like this. It saves money! Recycle and Reuse.

The Joys of a New Puppy

I just wanted to share a few pix of my new puppy, Zoey. She was 8 weeks when we got her and in the photos, she is 11 weeks. This little maniac is now 14 weeks.

I have wanted a boxer for a very long time...all my life. You know the saying, "be careful what you wish for"? Well, I did all the research on this breed and NOTHING can prepare you for not just a puppy, but a boxer..lol. She is a great addition and I look forward to coming home to her everyday. She's so much fun. Our other dogs, who are rescues, have really taken to her and her craziness. Even at 11 yr old, our German Shepard, Zack, lets her bite his ears and his tail as you can see. Lily, our Daschund, at first was a little skeptical of her new sister but now plays every morning until they are wore out.

I will add new pix soon of our new addition.

Random Thoughts While Feeling Overwhelmed

Ugh..another day of feeling as if I just don't have enough time. I feel like I waste so much time sitting at work. I could be off advertising and networking. I know what I need to do, but "life" gets in the way and slows me down. Don't get me wrong, I love my life, for the most part. I just feel overwhelmed. What I want to accomplish requires time, money, support and not having a day job. See..It will take a long time to get there. I just want my name out there; I want to be on the top of the Google searches. Is that too much to ask? I don't think so...lol. I am reading everything, posting on forums, blogs, twitter, facebook and anything else I can. I want lots of friends, family and acquaintances following me. I feel like the more I have following me the more attention I will get. Is that wrong? Do others feel this way? Wow, time has changed. Now we want to be on the top of the search engines and not the yellow pages...LOL!

Thankful for my Father!

A day like today makes us thankful, appreciative or saddened. I am sure there are other emotions as well, but just thinking of a few I have had with my father. Growing up I lived with him at a very early age, not that I remember. Around 3 I went to live with my mother and then with my grandparents from 8 on. Since I have had children of my own and move to NC in 1997, my father and I have gotten very close. I have always had so much respect for him. I now call on him for so many things. Just a suggestion or guidance at time. I have even had my husband say to "call your father". He is the type of man that figures things out and does for himself. He has lived and learned and passes on his knowledge to both my brother and I. I am sure at times, it is very frustrating when neither of us listens nor follows his guidance. I just want all fathers to know, including my own and my husband, that we love you. Sometimes, it may seem your children don't listen, but we do! We may not follow what you say right away but later in life, we really use what you have told us. Life’s lessons are so important and fathers really instill alot of those in us. Thanks Dad!! I appreciate everything you have done and continue to do in my life and in my children’s. You are the best Grandpa and Dad!!

I won??

I am sooooooooo Excited!! I won an award! The One Lovely Blog Award. How fun! This award was given to me by April of Eluna Jewelry Designs. Eluna Jewelry is a store on Etsy that has fabulous jewelry pieces. They include Eco friendly pieces not to mention she and I live in the same wonderful state of NC!

You can find her at her site here and her blog here.

I am so happy to get this award and meet other great people on Etsy. I am passing this award on to some great blogs listed below:

1. Beneath the Rowan Tree


2. Christie Cottage


3. Epheriell Designs


4. Felted Treasures


5. LillyShayStyle


6. Sew Gracious


7. Polymer Clay Chameleon


8. Emi Kaz's Arts and Beauty


9. Designing It


10. Whimsical Jewelry and Accessories


11. Kayluna Design


12. love,pixel


13. Rainbow Swirlz


14. Art Whims


15. Twigs & Honey

Got my Order In!!

I got my order in that I discussed in an earlier blog. It is one of two that I have been waiting on. I was so excited about it that I was up pretty late last night. By pretty late I mean 11:30..lol. I know to some, that is nothing for a Friday. Well, my husband worked overnight at the hospital, so the kids and I just chilled. Of course, they can hang out alot long than I can these days. They are loving the summertime. I had to get up nice and early with my new pup. It's just like having a baby again...curses! Sooo, I was up late making some, what I think, really cute stuff. I bought these Lentil beads. I am in love with them. I added some crystals, made them into charms, and added them to a sterling snake chain. I think these are great gifts. Especially for that person you just aren't sure what to get. I think a new sister in law, co-worker, and daughter in law, etc.

I also made some elegant earrings out of purple Quartz faceted rondelles. I added crystals and some sterling findings. I love them too. I may be keeping a pair of those;)

Today I plan to make several more items, but my head it going crazy with all my ideas. Enough to give me a headache..time for some Ibuprofen. I also have to run to Virginia to pick up my oldest son. Back to having all 4 of them for a day. Tomorrow the youngest leaves for a week. Never ZERO! I wouldn't know what to do w/out someone asking for something.

The need to Create!

I have been getting so excited over my new creations. Maybe petty to some but I have this desire to create something people love. Maybe something, that is new and for once, others want to copy. More than likely, I am not the first to create these little beauties, but I am proud to say, I have not seen them anywhere else. In other words, I didn't copy anyone..lol. It's not that I don't have that creative side, just usually don't have the finances to have all kinds of materials on hand to explore. With recent events, I have had more time to stop and think about what is more important to me. Creativity or Money. Not that money isn't important...It certainly is with 4 boys and a husband in school, but I NEED to be creative!! I need to have that outlet and the one little "feminine" side of me coming out. It's kind of hard with all these men around me. Anyway, I am darn proud!! Yah me!

I want to wish Anelle the best! I will miss you at work..but I am so happy for you to be able to go home to be with that little guy. It will seem tough..but it will be the best thing!

Love the Finished Product

I finished a few pieces and love the way they turned out. In particular, the earrings and a few of the rings. I have added them to Etsy and put them up for sale. I hope someone enjoys them.

The E6000 is amazing as far as holding up. It is a little stringing and is more like an epoxy, which is great, but there is some clean up if not applied in small amounts. It seems that you need to have a smaller application tip and from what I understand, you can buy one. So, that is always an option. I found them on ArtBeads.com but they were out of stock..Of course!

Oh well, here are a few pix of the one on the website that I like.

Oh The Fun of Glueing

I am so excited! I got one order in today. Not the one in my previous blog but one for me to play with. I got my blank rings and hairpins. I have some shell/mother of pearl flowers that I am going to glue on them. I also got blank earrings..so how does a matching set sound? I am going to post some on my website so you can see. Of course, they will be for sale, but so will some of the items I will be using. Girls gotta make some money for the kids to go to camp...ugh!

I am using E6000 glue for these. Seems to be the best glue, so the majority says. Seems that everything I have read says the same thing. I got the Quick Hold Craft glue too but I have not tried it yet. It is by the same company and came in the same pack. They are little samplers. I will let everyone know how these turn out and what I think of the E6000.

Waiting on an order

I am always so excited when I get a new order. I am waiting on one now that I am hoping will turn out to be some great items to share. I always want to touch and hold the new items before buying. I feel like I am taking a chance on orders online. This one coming tho has been a selling I have bought from before. It's the same place I got the Rainbow Agate Rondelles and I LOVE LOVE them!! So..I really have high expectations of this order. Stay tuned and be sure to check out the site to see when the new stuff gets added. I do add some stuff almost daily...but I get more excited over the new things I don't have just yet.

How do you feel about ordering online? I just hate paying those bead store and bead show prices. Just knowing that they are charging for their gas to travel the shows, hotels and their food...forget that!! No overhead here..lol

Getting started

Sometimes you dread just getting started. Not just on blogging but in any task that may take some time or take alot of energy. The best thing is to just do it. Sometimes it's hard to do it alone and you need that push..sometimes it takes someone else to stop doing for you to make you realize your potential and to push you beyond what you thought you were capable of. Oh well, what I am saying is just to not put things off. Be independant and do what you enjoy in life.