The Art of Giving. Part 1

sea unicorn

 Part 1: Artful Giving
Part 2: Artful Tagging
Part 3: Artful Embellishing.

There is something truly sweet when a package arrives in the mail and upon opening the mailer, you pull out a deliciously thoughtful array of eye candy. Whether you are an online or brick an mortar seller of goods, or you are giving a gift to a friend, little details can make all of the difference. These are nice and simple touches you can do easily to make a small impact.

daughter of luxury

talula

mia sophia

rafya

A packaged gift does not need to be all fanciful, full of frippery with a flippant regard to wasteful packaging, but just a touch of something special, a little hint of awesome is all it really takes to make an already splendid thing turn into an exciting valuable to behold.

farouche

sjane

percival road

garden gwyn

by bethany

jack and izzy

Now, I mostly am showcasing little boxes for gifts, but any of these techniques can be used for those of you who sell (or give) larger things. If you cannot gift wrap item, perhaps a tea stained tag with a paper rose or seashell tied to it? If you leave the gift tag blank, this can double as an additional gift that the recipient can use in the future.

anna laura

annie and olive

annie and olive

jack and izzy

Later, I will show you what you can do with simple embellishments for tags and more packaging goodness!! If you would like to find out more right now, than visit Etsy's online mag, the Storque, for packaging ideas HERE!!!!!!

nan's glam

Wrapped in Warmth

A Royal Affair Necklace by Jeweled Ambrosia

I was up until 3 am listing/photographing/designing new jewelry last night, so my post today will mostly be a compilation of other wonderful posts and thoughts, since my creative side is pretty tired right now!

Now, I read The Nester's blog and love it to pieces. Earlier in the week, she had a great post about weighing the pros and cons of your craft, and if it is worth it or not. She really does a great job at pinpointing a lot of important factors. I am going to elaborate on the financing part. (doesn't she have a lovely craft room?)



I also started my business without going into debt. As a matter of fact, we don't even have a credit card. I know! This is how I started my jewelry business. I put random furniture, baby clothes, toys, maternity clothes, electronics... on Ebay, Craigslist and second hand shops like Kid to Kid. If I lived in a house, I would of had a garage sale (or three). I cut some friends hair. I stopped making frivolous purchases (wasn't doing that much anyways.) I made about $400 and I used that to buy my supplies. Also, I traded with some supply sellers to get a little bit of items as well to experiment with.

I felt really guilty about using that money, not knowing what would happen, but then I had to remember that I was decluttering the house, and that is always a good thing! Now, I only purchase supplies after I have a sell, so my Paypal account is my ultimate decision maker for me.



Alicia Poulsen over at Posie Gets Cozy has nailed one of my favorite Indian food recipes. Chicken Tikka Masala and naan. Now, she shares lovely photos and the recipe, oh yay! So THIS POST serves to share the nummy yumminess with you, but also to bookmark it for me!


Lobster and Flower Fine Art Photograph by esoule

One last thing I needed to say. I think, we have a tendency to be quite hard on ourselves. If you are anything like me, you expect a certain level of tasks to always be completed and in good order. Some days, I will out do myself, all the laundry, all the dishes, all the dusting/vacuuming, packaging and shipping, blogging... but then I am too deflated to take care of what matters most... My sanity, my spirituality and my family. I absolutely love this video (talk by Elder Jeffery R. Holland, more short inspirational videos like this HERE. )The message really brings to light what is the most important in this life. Perfect reminder on demonstrating love for friends and family. Watch it with your family. Hold hands. Make brownies. Play together. Don't yell. Teach each other. Pick flowers. Fold laundry together. Be nice.



I think that if you start your day with a prayer for thanks, comfort, and a plea for help, search your scriptures, and meditate on your important tasks first, then the others will soon follow in line.

Also, it is important to pace yourself. Not all can be accomplished in one day. Set realistic goals. If you are a list maker like me, a list can accomplish two things.

1. Helps you to realize all that needs to be done.
2. Makes you feel like there is no way you can do all that needs to be done.

So, take your list and break it down. Put the important things first. Tackle each thing one by one, careful to rest and spend time with your family or self during the breaks. Mark them off as you go as well, and treat yourself for accomplishing those tasks.


vintage alarm clock from 26 Olive Street

If you are an internet junkie like me (my blog and business IS on here after all)... set a kitchen timer and when that thing rings, turn off the computer, and do your next task. Sometimes, that loud, obnoxious buzzing sound is the only thing that can pull you out of the abyss of the internet!

Treat your happy home and family like the lovely little cottage dwellers that you can be.


Dwellings by Petite House

Lastly, I want to share with you this absolutely amazing tutorial by Cathe Holden of Just Something I Made. It is an iron on transfer leather wallet, complete with step by step instructions and images, click HERE.


Peace and warm thoughts of banana bread to you all!

Originality, My Etsyversary

Meep by Schmooks

Yesterday was my One Year Etsyversey (for my jewelry shop, Jeweled Ambrosia) I recently had a two year Etsyversery in my Little Lovables shop. This has been such a whirlwind and adventure for me, I am so happy to have found Etsy, and am so thankful for my customers and all who have helped me out along the way! I am going to share some thoughts with you on success on Etsy throughout the course of my blog, but today, I am going to focus on originality.


Cracker Jacks Recycled Notebook by Ivy Lane Designs

As a kid, I thought Original meant "mundane, commonplace, boring." How did I come up with these assumptions? Because on cereal and snacks boxes, The Original always had the giant words "plain" right under it. It was the new versions of the same cereal that had all the fun stuff, the extra rainbow shaped marshmallows, new cinnamon flavor, more scoops of raisins, honey nut Cheerios... you can see why I was confused.

Embarrassingly, I held these same assumptions until I was an adult. Why would a company claim an item to be their original, but then call it "plain" and release the "New and Improved" right next to the (frownyface) "The Original" ?

I think a lot of crafters/hobbyists/artisans are like that. We take an original idea, add to it and make it ours. I think, one reason my shop has had the success that is does, is because I do create interesting, beautiful and original pieces of work.


Colorful Royal Polymer Clay Cross by Labor of Love

However, I also follow trends. A lot of designers think following trends is a bad thing, that your "originality" is what sets you apart. I find this true, but false.

According to my Google Analytics, people find my shop through my Twilight jewelry. Original? No. I did not come up with the Twilight idea. But, I did create a line to compliment the story in my own fantastic world of jewelry and romance. By producing a line of "Inspired pieces", I stretched my mind on new designs that have improved me as a designer.

Also, by providing a popular and trendy concept into my shop, I have been able to come in search engines a little better than before, and I have invited those interested in Twilight jewelry, to my other jewels that are non Twilight related.


Sweet Vintage Ivory Rose Earrings by Jeweled Ambrosia

I didn't come up with the vintage flower cab earrings, or the vintage flower cab rings either. There are so many on Etsy, but they are beautiful, inexpensive and fun to make and wear. By having trendy and popular items in your online shop, you are inviting fun, trendy customers into your shop and they will find something unique and become trendsetters! Remember, that what may be popular on Etsy (like the octopus and love note necklaces) are not neccesarily popular outside of Etsy, so all of our customers are trendsetters! By also having lower costing trendy items in your shop, you will find that they can become add on items to multi purchase sells and introduce new customers to you.


Recycled Poppy Bobbypin Set by Foundling

Please, I am not telling you to find a popular artist and copy their original idea (this has happened to the lovely Foundling and her poppy pins!) I mean say, owls or babushkas are popular, perhaps have a few of those incorporated in your designs. I am telling you it is okay to run with a trend for a while, so long as you don't count on that trend to sustain you, because it will pass. You need to always be evolving as a designer.

Another note. Treat your customers kindly! They deserve it. They have chosen you out of THOUSANDS of others to entrust their money and time on your product and delivery promise. If a problem arises, take care of your customer. Resize the bracelet, exchange a charm, repay for shipping if you need to have it shipped back, answer convos!



Policies are a MUST have for shop owners, but there are times when you can bend your shop policies to help a customer out. There is a selller, that I absolutely love to go and read the feedback she leaves for her buyers when I need a chuckle. It is so rude and abrupt and scary, that I am amazed she gets the sales she does. If she would help a few of her buyers out, who are new to Etsy and maybe don't understand the checkout process, then she would have wonderful return customers.

Just a thought, return customers are the best! I love them, every single one. They are all so unique with custom design requests and loyalty to me, as well as the other sellers they are loyal too. I know, that I as a buyer become loyal to a seller when I find one I love.


Cardboard Blue and Gold Charlie Brooch by Poaplum Bags Jewelry

Cross Promoting, Screenshots, Happy Day

Look what my husband made me. A warm, buttery, ginormous blueberry muffin with a strawberry and milk in my (new) favorite vintage Popple's cup. I got it from SplishySplashCrafts, she has cute handcarved stamps and lots of vintage goodies. I still have my white Popple by the way... do/did you have one? If you are needing some memories of 80's toys and such, check here. I will find Rainbow Bright, Strawberry Shortcake, My Little Ponies, Smurfs, Muppets...

Also, I was featured in two treasuries today! Thanks to the wonderful Etsy sellers, CreaShines and JanEleven.


My Victorian Blush Flower Necklace

Do you know how to take a screenshot? Me neither. But I DO know how to copy and paste a link, and that is all you need to do to get a screenshot. It won't work on password protected sites (like bank accounts, convos...) but it is great for other things. Just click on the size you want after "thumbalizing is complete", right click the image and save it in your photos. Easy. Go and play with it at Thumbalizr. (In the past, I was able to crop these so the weird white background wasn't all huge, but the format has changed, so it will take me some figuring out, but at least I have them.)

**UPDATE** I learned how to do a screenshot. Here is how:
Screenshot info...
Position your page you wish to copy, then find the keyboard button for Print Scr (top row, right hand side) hit that key, then open up your programs and find Paint, open it...
Open Edit, click on Paste, next open your File tab and click on Save as (save as a jpg.) then put it in any file you want on your computer.


My Compass Ring

Now, a final word on Etsy selling. Have you ever considered cross promoting? I saw on the lovely Talula's site that she had cross promoted a matching item with another seller and vice versa. I thought that was a wonderful idea, so I contacted Miss Indie and suggested we do the same. Her mom, Beautiful Bridget joined in, and now we are cross promoting!



My Tribal Goes to the Ball Earrings with Miss Indie's Old Manor Cowl

Here are some ideas for you:

How can you make this work for you? If you sell jewelery, then a bag, clothing or fiber accessories person would work well with you. If you sell soap, then a candle person would do well (like, if you love my vanilla soap, you will love these vanilla candles by...) If you make baked goods, then perhaps a lipgloss in a matching flavor (if you love my mint cookies, then you will love her mint lipgloss), if you make soap that looks like food, then maybe a seller of that food OR a polymer clay artist who make that food charms (if you love my bundt cake soap, then you wil love to eat this bundt cake OR you will love this bundt cake charm...) Anyways, those are some ideas for you. Sewn baby items can cross promote with baby nursery artists, mixed media and fine art can cross promote similar styles of others (like a painting/photo of an ocean lighthouse, can cross promote with someone who makes sea glass art.

I hope this gets everyone's head turning to think of people you may or may not know to cross promote with each other. Feel free to use one of my listings as an example to show to you who contact.



My Garden Love Necklace with Beautiful Bridget's Miss Marple hat.

3 Years Ago, I had a Baby...

...and now he is this little man. He helped daddy mix the cake batter today, and sang the Bill Cosby, Himself song "Daddy is great, making me chocolate cake...!"



We did a Robot party. The robot I made with the colander hat was a hit, I think we will move it to Isaac's room for a while.



We then did the "robot" to Beastie Boys Intergalactic (chorus part), and paused the music and everyone had to freeze. We let the kids watch a you tube robot dancing video so they could pick up some moves and they started groovin. Then, our downstairs neighbors started banging on the ceiling. Now, come on, we weren't THAT loud?!?!



We moved on to something quieter, b/c we are good neighbors. I made a robot poster, and the kiddos played "pin the nose on the robot" it was a red "clown" nose, which is appropriate since my sis is a professional clown, Pookie the Clown.



The cake was fun, a robot, naturally. My cake skills seem to be diminishing, but that's okay by me. I did what I could with what I had. Wish I could apply those sentiments to other aspects of my life, (note to self, add to "to do list."





Caleb, the climber extraordinaire, got a huge chunk of cake (I think it was the robot's right arm) and devoured it. He wasn't feeling well, so he mostly sucked it to pacify him. He made little nursing coos and sighs with occasional giggles until that chocolate puppy was gone. Oh those blue eyes!! Notice the first, clean pic when Caleb snuck the cake, to the last pic, where the gooey, globbery mess won the battle.



The night ended with sticky slap hands, and bean bags. We (even the adults) partook of games of excellent beanbag tossing into various targets and sticky hand games with balloons, and seeing who could hit the other in the face first. It was quite hilarious and fun for all. ps, my sis, Bumblebee Baby made the robot bean bags, they are so soft and cute!



We had a good day. I was able to list tons of new jewelry in my shop, JeweledAmbrosia, (although the photos look yucky as I did a quick job on them this morning, so I will have to redo them) but at least the listings are up. I am excited to have my first Victorian inspired Steampunk necklace up!

I also attended an Etsy Fort Worth members meet up with my sis, BumblebeeBaby and mom, Pretty Nifty and exchanged thoughts on craft fairs and such. It was interesting and nice. We met at La Madelaine's and dined on their best ever tomato basil soup, perfect for the cool weather.

Those in attendance were: Tile Smile, Snuggle Junkie, The Paper Elephant, Flutter Bugg Creations, Blue Sky Sunburn and Good Scents.



Also, Funky Finds is hosting a spectacular Spring Fling Bazaar at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth Texas on Saturday, April 25 from 10 am - 6 pm. Funky Finds is a new little venue that has big dreams to support handmade artists, so check them out.



And one more thing... I found through Sea Dream Studio's blog (who made my JeweledAmbrosia shop banner) a cute blog called Gypsy Mermaid's blog which introduced me to the Easter Egg swap! And since I love swaps, but I don't do them very often, I signed up, so you should too! Details HERE on Viv's Whimsy.

Enjoy!

Graduation, Edward Cullen Plush Doll, Cookies and CPSIA !!

THIS POST IS REALLY LOOOOOONG... but bear with me, it gets AWESOME, I just couldn't stop myself today!!!



The day has arrived, my wonderful hubby of 5 years and father of my 2 little chitlens has finally graduamated!

He was so deboniar, my little Cum Laude extrodianare, who almost choked on his tassel as he walked across the stage! We have been college students our entire dating and marriage career, so now that he is done, we just don't know what to do with ourselves. I think I will go back, I only have about a year and a half left. (ps, don't I look CUTE in my Bella/Edward double breasted grey jacket?!)



Hopefully, he will get a job soon (prayers and warm energy/happy thoughts may help here), because I REALLY don't want to be stuck in our teeny 3RD FLOOR apartment for another 6 months! I NEED a craft room for my biz! I NEED seperate rooms for our boys! I NEED a backyard! I NEED carpet that doesn't smell like dog/little boy pee and walls that don't have yucky grime from past smokers seeping through the paint! I NEED a countertop that doesn't stab me in the collar bone EVERY time I walk into the kitchen! I NEED windows with NEW blinds that aren't shredded and folded shards of metal! I NEED storage! I NEED a bathtub that isn't hugging the toilet so I can GIVE baths! rant. ends. here. Of course, I am very thankful to be living in a safe and warm environment.



By the way, have you met Edward Cullen? I have! I made him for a custom order. I would have done him a little differently if it wasn't for a custom request (like the eyes and hair) but he is still cute, no? His outfit even matches Robert Pattinson's movie promo photo shoot. If you love him, I can make you one (I love you and all, but not for free silly!), and if you love Twilight, then come and browse my Jeweled Ambrosia Bella bracelets and Twilight jewelry!!



Anywho, I thought I would celebrate by sharing a yummy recipe I happened upon. So enjoy!

Redonkulous Cookies Recipe



ps, Andies Mints, those drops of minty heaven works best in these!
pss, if you crave Girl Scout Thin Mints year round, then THESE Keebler Elves Grasshoppers will hold you over, my friends!! Oh, those naughty elves!



NOTE! Horrid lacy curtain is not mine, I ganked this image off the internet ;)


Matsutake Squirrel wooden pull toy

I thought it VERY important to post info about the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) testing that will be effecting us ALL in February 2009. It is a ridiculous safety test for toy/clothing makers of children (under the age of 12) that will drive prices to sky rocket as well as shut down MANY small business and stay at home moms. It would be MORE efficient to have raw materials already tested and not to import dangerous goods into the USA, but this is just another way for the gov to make some money. Read here for info and write your state reps to have this law amended!! HERE is a great post and HERE is another great post that breaks down testing product cost for the small time mom who makes bibs, hair bows and such, (warning, upsetting!) That means, you can't buy cute things such as THESE either EVER again, or not for a remotely affordable price! Also, this law will prohibit ANY donation or resale of used toys and clothing. That means no more donating to homeless shelters, Goodwill, no more selling your kids outgrown clothing to Kid ti Kid or on ebay, craigslist, gargage sales...

"Keep in mind as well, that is law will forbid fair trade in the US. There are literally thousands of families in developing countries, making beautiful and safe children' items, and selling them through fair trade initiatives such as Ten Thousand Villages. This law will eliminate the ability of women across the globe to support their families. This law will also make it illegal to recycle clothing of any kind, toys and all other children's items. The way that this legislation is written will force retailers to dump all untested inventory as of February 10. That could amount to millions of tons of pure waste in our country's landfills. To anyone who truly believes that this is unimportant, all I can say is that you are incredibly naive. This nation was built on the backs of entreprenuers... this law effectively kills the American dream for thousands of people." -lillipopsdesigns

Of course we want our toys and children to be safe and non toxic, but this law is designed to CRUSH the little guy and moake LOTS of money for large corporate monsters.



Fancy Bib Onesie by La Petite BeBe Boutique

I also wanted to show a piece from jewelry designer June Shin. She is a delight to work with, so take a peek at what she has to offer! If you love my jewelry designs, then you will love hers too!



One last cookie recipe from The Crocheted Baby (go check out her shop!!) I like how she gives the idea to wrap the top with colorful cellophane and tie with a bow, lollipop style. They would be cute like that in a little basket for party favors/yummy decor!



EASY SANDWICH COOKIE LOLLIPOPS

1 pkg (10-12 ozs) vanilla or white chips
2 Tbps shortening, divided
1 pkg (16 ozs) chocolate and crème sandwich cookies (such as double-stuffed Oreos) – you’ll have some left over
24 wooden popsicle or craft sticks
1 cup (6 ozs) semisweet chocolate chips


In a microwave or double boiler, melt vanilla chips and 1 Tbsp shortening; stir until smooth. Twist apart 24 sandwich cookies. Dip the end of each popsicle stick into melted chips; place on a cookie half and top with another half. Place cookies on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet; freeze for 15 minutes.

Reheat vanilla chip mixture again if necessary; dip frozen cookies into mixture until completely covered. (You should run out of melted vanilla chips before all 24 cookies are dipped – just put them back in the freezer with the others for now.) Return the dipped cookies to the baking sheet; freeze 30 minutes longer.

Melt the chocolate chips and remaining shortening; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies. You should have enough leftover melted chocolate to dip those 4 or 5 ‘naked’ cookies. Store them in an airtight container - in the refrigerator if your house is warm."





Adorable Gingerbread Man ornament by Elsie Marley. Check out her shop for more wonderful things! Get the pattern HERE!

One LAST GOODIE... FREE printable tags from the WONDERFul Black Apple! Go HERE to get your free download :)