Spring cleaning!

No matter how cool the weather may get from here on out, I'm going to stick to the idea that it's Spring and time to do some cleaning! However, it's Spring cleaning in my Etsy Shop so you're the ultimate winner!

Here is a quick preview of some items currently for sale until April 15th in my shop! If you've been watching, now is the time to pounce, because once these items are gone. . . .

Gemstrings

Gemstrings is a new shop on Etsy that I'd like to introduce to you because I have a feeling you'll be glad I did. Melanie makes beautiful pieces for men and women with lovely stones.

Get to know her a little here then visit her shop! I'm sure she'd welcome you with open arms.

Tell us a little bit about yourself
My name is Melanie Marvin and I am a true Floridian. My family has owned the property I currently live on since 1938. In 2005, I began buying gemstones and gemstone jewelry as a hobby and realized I loved to be around my stones. I hadn't worn jewelry for many years and suddenly I wanted to wear several different gemstone pendants, earring, and could not leave my house without my rings.

I walked into a new age store for the first time and a class about crystal healings was offered, I signed up and began my journey. By Christmas 2006, I had created "The Gemstring" and the concept of the wearer choosing the stones in advance of the necklace being created. Many of my friends and family received a "Gemstring" as a gift. Through the actual experiences of my friends, family and myself it became apparent that different stones whether tumbled or of faceted gem quality do have an effect on one's physical, mental, and emotional being. This effect as explained in my shop announcement, is a retuning of one's natural rhythm, through the principal of Resonance.


What inspires you to your craft/artistry?
My inspiration is that of wanting to bring the healing vibration of stones to everyone through beautiful and easy to wear jewelry. I believe that some of today's dis-eases may be healed through wearing the appropriate stones.

How do you promote your items?
As far as promoting my work, I'm new at selling. I decided to go from gifts to sales this fall and ETSY is my first try. However last weekend I attended my first Art Festival and decided "I can do that" and maybe I'm not charging enough for my things based on what I saw. I want to tell everyone price does not equate to quality. I am now assembling enough inventory to do a show.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to new artists?
My advice for people newer at this than myself, take yourself as a serious artist from the beginning, you manifest what you believe. I have to remember when I buy a new tool it is a tool not a toy. Don't despair if you haven't sold anything continue to create. I feel creating is life's best therapy.

How do you see yourself evolving in the next 5-10 years?
My dream is to have a brick and mortar store. In addition to selling beautiful healing jewelry, I want to make available to my clients massage, aromatherapy, and herbal medicine.

What are some of your favorite things?
Living in paradise my hobby is assisting nature in butterfly production. We have nectar plants for the butterflies, host plants for the caterpillars to eat, and a cage in which we keep the caterpillars and their host plants to protect them from predators

What is your favorite quote?
My favorite is the Serenity Prayer.

Broad Street's Winner & Prize

Congratulations to Celeste!
She won a 20% discount coupon from Broad Street!

Thank you to Broad Street and their participation and generosity. Our next profile will be coming soon, with another opportunity to win!

Yarn Obsession + Soap Rehab = Yummy!

About a month or so ago I wanted to switch lotions for my son. He started developing dry patches on the backs of his arms and the lotion I was using wasn't helping. What I decided I needed was a lotion that had naturally emolient ingredients that wouldn't sit on the skin but absorb and help heal. I found Soap Rehab on Twitter. She replied to a quick post I had about needing new lotion. We decided the scent and went for it. I love the lotion! My son's patches do well when I'm consistent with the lotion so I'm working on making sure he's always well slathered.

When the package arrived there were two soaps with the lotion. A full sized soap in the scent I'd let Sara know I'd like to try and a small sample soap. They were both instant hits with me! I love yummy smelling stuff, especially if I know it's made with natural ingredients. The soaps are wonderfully scented and they last really well.

When 2009 came in, I took a look at my stash and found quite a bit of useful cotton yarn so I decided to make some wash cloths to sell in my Etsy shop. While on vacation, using the sample soap I'd gotten from Soap Rehab, a lightbulb went on and I thought how great it would be to partner with her. I sent her a message as soon as a few cloths were ready and waited. In less than 24-hours I got a favorable reply and, well here we are.

For a limited time, every time you purchase a set of my washcloths, you will receive a sample soap from Soap Rehab! I promise you'll be happy with the cloths and the soaps because they're both perfect for their uses. It's like getting an extra scoop of ice cream! Check out the new cloths in the "Bath Shop" section of my Etsy shop and select your favorite color cloths!

Holiday Sale!

Holiday shopping time is here!!! I don't know about you, but now is when I start to think about what I need to get for the holidays in order not to miss anyone or any sales. . . speaking of sales, I'm having one!!!

From now until November 15, 2008 I'm offering the following discounts in my shop:

Get 15% off any item prices up to $39 - use code hs101515*
Get 20% off any item priced $40 or more - use code hs101520*
Get 25% off any custom items priced $55 or more - use code hs101525*

Simply process your order as usual, put the appropriate code in the message section, process your payment and I'll refund you the difference after payment (or you can request a revised invoice prior to payment)

This is your chance to get a beautiful unique item for a discount. Custom orders will be processed on a first come, first serve basis. There is a limited capacity, so if you have a project you'd like to have prices, please contact me ASAP!

Yarn Obsession is where the sale is! Come by and order for that long list of giftees you have!
*These offers cannot be combined with any other offers or coupons

CraftyYarn

Friday's are friendly at Yarn Obsession that's why I've chosen to profile or showcase various artists and/or Etsy shop owners on Fridays!

CraftyYarn is our first spotlight! It was the first shop I marked as a favorite on Etsy and is one I plan on making a staple once I go through my stash and again begin purchasing yarn.

Here is my interview with Molly, the owner of CraftyYarn:

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Molly Bachelor and I live in Encinitas, California, although I'm originally from Michigan and miss the wool-friendly weather there sometimes.

What inspires you to do what you do?
I'm pretty much obsessed with reuse. I usually prefer things with a history - old houses, old clothes - to brand new things, although I definitely appreciate new technology. I'm always thinking about how to incorporate the used and discarded into the new, preferably in a systemic rather than one-off way. So I love creating yarn from scrap, whether it be odd bits of fiber that the commercial mills can't spin, or one of millions of discarded sweaters (used clothing is one of the United States' top exports!).

How do you see yourself evolving in the next 5-10 years?
I hope to expand the variety of reclaimed fibers that I work with - there are so many possibilities out there and it's just a matter of getting around to exploring them all. I'm also eventually planning to become a more diverse fiber supplier, offering materials for spinners and felters as well as for knitters and crocheters. While it's always nice to grow, I don't plan to try to make Etsy a full-time vocation, since part of what I love is the balance that it gives to the rest of my life.

What are some of your favorite things?
I love bright colors, strong flavors and anything soft and fuzzy. I'm also currently very into interwar English novels. Oh, and of course my cats (I have two).

What is your favorite quote?
Here's one I like: "The truth is rarely pure and never simple." - Oscar Wilde

Please visit Molly when you get a chance. If you knit, crochet or use fiber in any way, I'm sure you'll find something useful in her shop.