New shop item: flower earrings

This adorable pair of earrings is "Ali." The piece features vintage periwinkle glass flowers, baby pink aventurine, and white jade, hanging about 1/2" from sterling silver ear wires. The real Ali is even cuter in real life!

Ali is up at the shop now so please check out her pictures.

Today's shop heart count to date: 21!

Tomorrow I am planning on braving one of the biggest gem and jewelry shows in the country, hoping to find some cool new treasures. It so happened that last weekend I visited a new bead shop that I've never gone to before and the owner gave me a coupon for free admission to the gem show, so really, how could I not go? So, duly armed with my free coupon, my wholesaler's license, a water bottle, and some snacks (I'm not usually this well-prepared), I will now get a good night's sleep so I'll be fresh and awake for tomorrow...

I love you, too!

For Valentine's day, Mr Hazel got me a dozen of my favorite flowers. They're so pretty and cheerful that I feel almost taunted - look at us, we look like it's spring outside, but really it's only February and freezing cold and you have to wear coats and scarves and hats, and the warm weather and cherry blossoms are actually weeeeeeeeks awaaaaaay! But, I love my flowers. In spite of their taunts.

Then I got this gift that I found in Mr Hazel's sock drawer a few years ago. He had been meaning to give it to me for Valentine's one year but had forgotten about it, and after I found it in his sock drawer he didn't want to give it to me until I forgot about it. Except I would remember every year without fail, and I would ask him, "Where is my ceramic Valentine thingamajig?" I finally got it this year. It's so dorky and I lurve it.

There is also a third gift but it's very mysterious - it won't arrive for a while. I have no clue what it is.

And my fourth gift is the sweetest of all - Mr Hazel gave me a printout of an email he had written to the Etsy administrators, telling them that he wanted to do something Etsy related for me for Valentine's day since I had gone "absolutely nuts for Etsy" since opening my shop (hee hee). So he asked if there was something he could do to make me a featured seller on their front page, or, barring that, if he could buy a week's worth of Showcase space for my shop without me knowing ahead of time. Unfortunately there wasn't a way to surprise me with it - but the gift is a week's worth of Showcase space that I am going to arrange.

I got him something Derek Jeter-related. Derek Jeter is his #1.

For warm fuzzies, check out this lovely article about a stray dog in Iraq who was brought to the U.S. by the SPCA with the efforts of the soldiers, and just in time for Valentine's day. Now that is a love story I can get behind.

Finally, Nomad and Moxie wish you and yours a love-filled day!


XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

New shop item: turquoise earrings

These are the "Marnie" earrings, a matching piece to the "Meridith" necklace. Their namesakes are also my college pals.

Marnie is a pair of puffy oval turquoise earrings wrapped on sterling silver earwires, and is now available at the shop.

The fierce ice storm we had here last night has finally gone. In the midst of it, I spent about 10 minutes along with several other people scraping the thick layer of ice off our cars on the roof of the parking garage. And then driving home at 2 mph. And then trying not to break my neck walking across the ice to my front door.

I hate winter.

Doing my civic duty

Today was an exciting day! Voting is so much fun. Although there wasn't the same party atmosphere as during a general election (no one for me to heckle while in line, for instance), it was still great fun casting my ballot. I have to admit - I felt a little emotional as I stared at my candidate's name on the screen. I've been waiting to see that name for years now and to finally see it was a great day indeed.

Mr Hazel and I voted differently, in spite of my threats and attempts at coercion and blackmail for him to vote my way. Apparently I'm not very good at threats, coercion, or blackmail. Luckily for him, I am a forgiving woman and will still cook him his dinner tonight.

Today was another awesome day for sales! I sold three things today. My sister, who is fast becoming my super customer, snapped up pretty Elizabeth. Don't forget to get the matching necklace too when she's available, okay, sis? Heheh. Also, my friend Michele bought Celia and the Ahila earrings. Thank you Michele!

I'm happy to say that since I've sold a total of ten items to date, we are now up to $30 for donation to the American Institute for Cancer Research. Yay! Thank you to all who have contributed so far. This promotion will last until Valentine's Day.

Lastly, my heart count to date: 18 hearts! The prevailing advice when selling on Etsy is to try to list a new item on a regular basis, preferably daily, and I've been trying to do this and largely succeeding. I've listed many items in a row for a couple of weeks now. I noticed that my heart count would spike the day after I list a new item, so this is added incentive to get my butt moving even faster!

New shop item: pink glass earrings

This pretty, pretty pair of earrings is "Elizabeth," made of these really gorgeous, glowy pink opaque glass briolettes, carefully hand-wrapped in sterling silver wire. She dangles approximately 1/2" from sterling silver ear wires.

Elizabeth is an absolute cutie in real life too, and she, along with her brother, are the apples of my eye.

The matching necklace will be following soon.

Today was a great day for sales! A huuuge thank you to one of my biggest supporters, my awesome sis, for purchasing two more pieces - Mandy and Mariel! Whoohoo!

I've also placed a new Celia on reserve at the shop for my friend Michele, who requested another of this piece. Thank you Michele for your support!

It seems like I spoke too soon - winter is back with a vengeance. I didn't believe the groundhog when the proclamation came last February 2nd, but now I guess he was right. Stupid groundhog. And here I was almost getting ready to break out my flip flops.

New shop item: flower earrings

This whimsical pair of "Lisa" earrings is made of blue glass trumpet flowers and white jade. The flowers hang about 1" down and the white jade beads hang 1/2" from sterling silver lever backs. Lisa is now available at the shop!

Also, I took new pictures of Ella. I think these turned out much better!

On March 17, my shop will be the featured shop on the Etsy CREST team blog. More details forthcoming!

Is it really Sunday already? I can't believe how fast the weekend flew by (especially as I had a 3-day one). I'm hoping the weather stays as mild as it has been. I have developed excruciating spring fever.

We also watched "Disturbia" on DVD last night. This one was highly recommended! Shia LaBoeuf isn't your typical hot studly leading man, but he's a cutie nonetheless and has a certain charisma about him, so I'm glad he gets all the hot chicks at the end (as in this movie, and also with Megan Fox in "Transformers"). I can't wait to see him in the new Indiana Jones!

New shop item: aventurine earrings

This delicate pair of earrings, "Ahila", is made of light green aventurine briolettes and silver filigree charms, all carefully hand wrapped in sterling silver wire. They dangle about 1" down from silver ear wires. Ahila is up at the shop now so please check her out!

And lookee here - the New York Times wrote an article about using blogs as a tool to grow and market a small business. They say:

"To its true believers at small businesses, it is a low-cost, high-return tool that can handle marketing and public relations, raise the company profile and build the brand."

It seems that I may be on the right track after all. I did notice that many of the Etsy vendors maintain blogs, where they not only feature their products but also talk about their lives as a way for their customers to get to know them better. Such personal relationships, even online, can be really good for business!

And on that note, happy weekend everyone!