Favorite Friday

I've decided to put an Etsy mini of my favorite sellers each Friday. Today I chose Backwoodsophisticate. She has been a favorite of mine for quite awhile now, and also a friend of mine on Etsy. She also recently bought 3 cards from me. Take a look at her unique shop! She enjoys working with recycled items.

Ooh's and Ahh's Please!

I got my order from 2 Peas today! (I actually got a card in my mailbox yesterday saying that I needed to get to the PO because I had a package that was too big for my mailbox. So I went. The mailman still had it with him on his route! I just knew what it was and I'm telling you, it was bugging me!) Take a look at what I got for $50! It all looks so fun, but there is seriously not an inch on my scrap table to put them on. Must clean table...

...maybe tomorrow. ;)

Also, I seriously need my readers help! I'm trying hard not to whine here. I'm getting a complex. And I really want to hear answers, so I can improve. Do my cards stink? Are they the wrong colors? Do people look at them and think...let's get on to the next shop, hurry! Is there something that turns you off when you look at them? Are my prices just wrong?

I take the time to list every day (and relist since I haven't sold anything in awhile, there are lots and lots of them expiring.) I do all the advertising I can. I read all I can about getting a sale.

The thing is, I've applied to the new site Handmade Fuzion, and was accepted. I'm getting lots and lots of hearts lately, although my views are really low. So it can hardly be that my items are just plain bad. It's just hard to see other card shops doing really well. Maybe there is just too many to pick from.

Selling on Etsy, and the friends that I have made really got me through last years winter (I mean, I didn't even get cabin fever! And that is amazing!) It has been a really positive experience for me so far. It's just that I'm obsessing I guess.

A Tiny Little Thought...

just keeps on creeping into my mind. Do a craft show.

In this small town area, there comes out a paper every week with ads in it. There was a small one telling people to call if you are interested in being in one. It's in October, so there would have to be a lot of work done before then.

I am getting into the habit of walking every day and that sure gives me lots of time to think...what I am going to have to make, and get done, what I'm going to have to take along, what I'm going to have to buy.

It scares me really. Not a lot of people in this area knows that I sell cards online, and this would open a lot of people's eyes! That, and I am not sure if my DH would love the idea!

We will see what comes of it. But the seed is planted...I can't get it out of my mind!

I want...

I went on a pretty major shopping spree yesterday! It all started with an email from 2 Peas in a Bucket saying that every $50 order would receive free shipping. So, I checked out what they had, which was my first mistake! Suddonly I really needed some new stamps, and those rub-ons! They were too fun to pass up! I did limit myself, as soon as I hit $51 and some odd sense, I paid for my order.

But. While I was on there I noticed some really fun journaling stamps. They were $15 per pack, and I thought that was a little much. So I went to the other E site (Yes, once in awhile I have to check out ebay) and looked to see if anyone was selling those exact ones. Sure enough...and I won those too! For much cheaper than $15!

Once I get rolling, it's hard to stop me. ;)

Now today I am heading for the mall. Hubby says he's very afraid!

Here is my latest card that I am going to post to my Etsy site this morning. A super sweet baby girl card.

Computer Frustrations

Ach! I have no idea what I am doing with computers! I have tried and tried to get a photo with a link on the sidebar to no avail (sorry Katelyn!) I really want to change the look of this blog, and get the header looking nice, but this is it folks! At the moment, I am maxed out on my computer skills! Go easy on me...I am getting old- don't laugh too hard!

I'm a little worried that I will have the "computer butt" look this winter again, but it might be the only way I will learn how in the world to change things!

Anyway, I learned tonight that my long neglected Squidoo Lens is being featured, so I made some changes to that. (The last time I did was in February...I told you it was negected!) So the photos are now up to date, and so is the information. Come check it out! I do have a place to leave your Etsy link there if you would like!

And here is my latest card:

I've Met My Goal

I have been wanting to get the item number in my shop to 75 for several months now, and just today, I finally got there! I do have several cards ready to expire, so it won't be there for long, but a goal made, is a goal made. I think that having more than this is almost impossible currently, (unless things go really South for me and nothing ever sells.) It's not easy to continue to make that amount of cards all the time!

I do have a string of boy cards that I just got done with, so maybe I can keep the number up there. What I am really hoping for is a couple of sales to make that number disappear!

I'm not sure if any one has noticed the linkreferal blinking on the side bar there, but if you are interested in joining, I would love to be able to "refer" you! What you do is take a little time to review a website, and others give you feedback on what they think of your site. I actually have it connected to my etsy shop, not this blog. I've been getting more hits at the shop according to that websites stats. So far it's been great, not too time consuming, and I've seen a few more 'new to me' Etsy shops this way too!

Below is my newest card that I just uploaded to Etsy. I love the paper, it makes me think "awe" every time I see it! Perfect for a new baby boy!

WooHoo!

I made it to the front page! I have this screenshot of the treasury, but I missed actually seeing it on the front page by about 30 minutes. The reason I even wondered if I had made it was because of the rash of new hearts and views! I checked Flickr and there is a screenshot of this one right there on the Front Page! Ok, so yes I'm excited...this is my first time! So thank you TheresaRose!

I am so behind on the work that a mother does, so that is what my week will consist of! After my company left I was a little too relaxed and didn't get some important things done...always tomorrow, right?!

I did post a new card this morning though, so I will share that with you. The paper is really sweet looking, then when I added the ink to the edges, it took on a totally different look. Made me think: Grunge. Whatever it is...I love it!

I was on a roll!

Yesterday I got my creativity back! I made several cards, and had a lot of fun doing it. That's what I have been missing...the fun! (And I have to remember: the cards piling up in my expired listings section, I can use! Now that is one good thing about selling cards! ;)

The cards I made yesterday were all girly cards. So, heads up if you are going to be needing them soon...that's what I will be listing.

If the mood strikes, I will continue to make more today! So tell me, what kind of cards would you like to see in my shop?

And, aren't the Olympics exciting?! I am having so much fun watching the swimming- go Michael Phelps! He is certainly amazing!

This, just after I posted about endless summers...

I am almost ready to start school again. I feel like my life is spinning a little bit much at the moment, and I am ready to get more organized, and spend more time on my Etsy shop.

I am also considering spending some money on advertising. I feel like I have done the Craig's list thing, Kijiji, I've got ads in Youcraft, I blog, Flickr, I have an I Love Etsy page, Trunkt, and all of this is not getting me anywhere. Has anyone ever done a Facebook ad? I am thinking I might try that first. I am also thinking about the local newspaper. It's just a scary step for me! But as I see my expired listings start to pile up, I have to get more into it, or get out of it.

And the next thing on my "Buy" list is photoshop.

All this, and I have to get school shopping done too! ;)

Have a great day all!

Sweaters

To all of those who love the Doll sweaters that my Mom makes for my shop...there are going to be some listed soon! She is here and took one to list, and the other she is finishing making. I will post them later...time to get moving this morning!

Relax!

I've had, no, I've taken a little extra down time this week! Last week was just busy, busy, busy, and usually I am not into that. So I needed a breather. And I spent some of the time (this is quite something for me) scrapbooking! I am so far behind on all my albums because I really have not been into it lately. Lately=for the last 3 years.

It isn't an easy transition from cards to pages with photos that is for sure. When I used to scrap all the time I would go to the store and get 2 of almost every paper I bought because I generally do 2 page layouts. With cards, I just buy one of the paper that I like. Thus I had some problems! I was wishing I had more of certain papers, but it just forced me to be more creative. I did get about 7 layouts done, minus a few journaling spots!

Now it's time for me to put it all away. My parents are coming to visit me for the week. Time to get down and dirty and whip this house back into shape again. How does it happen so fast?!

And it's my hubby's birthday tomorrow, so we are heading out for a minor league ball game. It's his birthday tradition, and I enjoy the time alone with him.

Have a good week all! I'm not sure when I will be able to slip back into here and write again. I'll leave you with a couple of photos that I took this week.

Treasury!

I just wanted to show you all my newest Treasury that I got today! (2 in one day...that's a record! I must be hooked again!)

This one is mustard yellow and blue. I love this color combo!

Summer...School

I'm sitting here between loads of laundry, waiting to get a treasury! I am hoping to get one for the Etsy Greetings Team...I'll let you know if I get one. (I had to quit typing to get the list...here it is!)

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=21023

School starting is right around the corner already! I'm still trying not to think about that fact! Although, I did have to get school supplies the other day, and am hoping to get some shopping in this week for new shoes and jeans. Doing all that doesn't help with the "not thinking about school!" It's possible in the next week or so that I might be ready for the structure again though!

The only card that I have left that was photographed is the one below! I need to get to work again. I actually have 2 cards ready to have their day in the sun, but I like to have a bunch to photograph at one time.

Speaking of cards, as I was looking for some for my treasury, I noticed that most of them were priced a lot higher than mine are. I also see a post in the forums about underpricing products, and now I have some doubts! My sales are in a slump lately, so it would seem odd to raise the prices of my cards! Something to ponder...again!

Ah summer...

We are having a wonderful time with family this week! The other day we went to the zoo, which we were quite worried about...the weather has been so hot and muggy here so we thought there wouldn't be a single animal there that will be out and about! What happened was a rainstorm that brought the temperature down quite a few degrees, to the point that my tank top wearing children were wishing for a sweatshirt! There were in fact, quite a few animals walking around enjoying the cool weather. When the sun came out, it was a beautiful day.

I also spent a lot of time on a water slide with my kids...over and over again we went up all those steps and down the slide, giggling all the way! The whole family spent a night in a hotel with a water park inside. What a hit that was!

Enjoy your day!