Blog Love!

So for starters, I'm adding a few pictures of my latest projects (while I've got your attention)

Especially great for the silent bragging mom (like myself)


                                  

A little jeweled up...

Simple.

And here is some blogging love for my fellow bloggers (to keep your attention).

http://sewmonkeymb.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueForestJewellery?ref=top_trail

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MountainGoth?ref=top_trail


That's all for now, thank you!

Business lessons

I have become a kid in the virtual candy store.  Now I want to buy a metal stamp for every person I know!  The paw print for the dog lover.  The bee for the bee keeper.  The footprints for the new mom.  The heart for the newlywed.  The list goes on and on.

I also, however, run a mental game with myself.  "If I sell a necklace today, I can buy a stamp."  I guess I learned from my husband who still owns a business but it is no longer his primary occupation.  He tells me to "put my money back into my company."  So now I'm learning business lessons.  I guess so long as I'm learning, that's a good thing right?

For starters...

This is the final piece.  The final piece that will make me an authentic Etsy seller.  So the posts in the chat rooms say.  :)

I really hadn't given much thought to blogging because after all, what do I have to say that is so interesting?  Then I read a fellow Kentucky Etsy artisan who said, "I feel like I'm talking to myself."  I laughed because I knew that's how I would feel right now...and I do.  ha ha  But I was really interested to read her view point in all of it's honesty and genuine nature.   So I thought I would give blogging a try.  So now it's time to explore the joys and tribulations of blogging along with any other "newbie" bloggers.  (Am I officially a blogger now?)

I guess after all of this rambling a good place to start would be to tell a bit about myself?  I am a physical therapist at an outpatient clinic and my focus is the pediatric world.  All the time, really.  Because I'm also the mother to two beautiful, energetic twin boys.  Fortunately I have an amazing husband and a naughty, big white dog to round out our family portrait.

I have heard many people charge me with being "crafty" and I'm guilty for choosing to start art projects in lieu of housework.  I like to make things for my boys' room and to decorate our home and that is where Etsy began.  After I slapped an owl project started for a window valance for the boys on to a Christmas stocking, I sold it on Etsy.  And then the obsession began.  Since then I've sold hand painted towels, name art, stockings, and jewelry that I hand stamp.  I'm having a good time with it and after completing over 50 orders and close to 100 projects (with custom orders), I feel like I'm getting a good feel for how things run.  I really like the fact that I use quality material so I can feel good about what I sell.  The jewelry is my focus.  I want a mother to buy a necklace for her daughter and for it to last a really long time.  And have a really good story behind why she chose it...

Thanks for reading.