A dear friend of mine from the "Ignored" family on Etsy included me in her choices for the Sunshine Award, which is given to people whose blogs add a little sunshine to the lives of others. I want to thank SilverRose for granting me this award, I'm so honored! The rules of receiving this award state that the receiver is to pass it along to 12 other blogs whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blog world. Though I'm new to the blog scene and could not choose 12, I hope that you will visit these blogs and see what they have to offer!
Hey everyone! I went on a bit of a hiatus from blogging due to some business in life. My sister has decided to move in, so that was taking up a lot of my time. Here's what's new this week! I changed my avatar to one of my more unique pieces, my teal butterfly dream catcher necklace! Today's new item is this one of a kind set of purple flower dream catcher earrings! I had a lot of trouble with this shape at first, but I managed to pull through and they look terrific! Since I only had two of these flowers and they're difficult to get a hold of, these are probably the only pair I'll make for a while, making them very unique! I also introduced another pair of light feather earrings at the beginning of the week. They feature hand-twisted flower fasteners and bright green flowers, making them a fun, summery pair of earrings! This week I introduced two very summery themed full size journals. They're perfect for recording your summer events, making a vacation log or diary, or just for writing down the thoughts that cross your mind this summer. This beautiful, contemporary pale pink journal features silhouetted black flowers that give the impression they were stamped on. The second journal is peach with white and orange splashes and swirl designs that remind me of fireworks in summer. As with all my full size journals, these two come with a pocket inside the front cover, two self-sticking blank name tags for personalizing the journal and three hand-twisted silver wire paper clips: a swirl, square, and heart.
I also added three new miniature key chain journals this week. These are great for recording notes while you're out so you don't forget by the time you get home! They also make fantastic gifts. This orange mini journal features a beautiful Victorian filigree design and matches the full size journal I listed previously in my shop. Another listing this week was an earthy green mini journal, featuring a few leaves similar to those on the full size country birds journal. And the latest mini journal is great for the sporty folks, featuring various sports equipment on both covers and the pocket.
Check out this section in my shop for more wonderful journals!
Look forward to several unique designs for jewelry next week, and some more journals and mini journals!
If you’re looking for fun, friends, and sales, you should definitely check out this BNR treasury!This BNR treasury features lovely items from the shops who frequent the “Ignored” thread on the promotional forums.Check out the treasury and be sure to read the rules to find out how you can be included!
So what is a BNR?
BNR stands for Buy ‘N Replace.It refers to a list or treasury that promotes shops.
How do you join a BNR?
To become featured, you just buy any item from one of those shops, and then you replace their spot!Some BNR lists and treasuries have opportunities to join for free, either when they’re starting a new list or some other offer.
Why join a BNR?
It’s a great way to find undiscovered treasures and get sales.It’s also fantastic for when you’re shopping for gifts, because you will often get a sale after you buy into a BNR, so you at least get some money back after you’ve spent.In some cases, you might get more money!
Today's interview feature is with a lovely shop, Silviasheart! In this shop you can find gorgeous high quality jewelry made with fine gemstones. It was fantastic to get to know more about one of my favorite shops, so please enjoy!
How did you come up with your shop name?
My shop name?I started crafting by painting many years ago. After breast cancer I found I had issues with lyphodema on my right arm. I started making very simple jewelry designs years ago, using plastic & glass beads. A year ago May, we lost our beautiful German Shepherd Silvia. She was named after Gabe's Grandfather that we lost only months prior Silvia's birthday. (My birthday as well!) His name was Silvio, guarder & patriarch of the family. A force to be reckoned with! After loosing our best girl, I fell into a terrible depression. Gabe thought it would be a good idea to pick it back up again, so since I love gemstones I started to learn about them from identification, my loupe & microscope, carat scale and then learning the setting process. My heart will always belong to my Silvia. Sometimes I take her ashes to my craft nook to keep me company, thus the name Silvia's Heart!
Why did you start your Etsy shop?
I got started on Etsy after giving gifts to family. My Mother & Sister-in law both have great shops, so since I lost my job, I thought I would give it a try-very addicting!
(Anna Valente & Plain as Jane)
How long have you been a crafter?
Been an on & off crafter for many years dabbling in different things until I found my passion!
Does your shop reflect your personal style?
My shop most definitely reflects my personal style from color to gems. It's all about how the mood hits me!
Where do you draw inspiration from for your products?
I draw my inspiration from almost everything, flowers, greenery, pictures, color, you name it!
Is there a piece in your shop that was hard for you to part with?
All pieces are hard to part with because you remember what inspired you to make it. There are 3 pieces that I would have a hard time parting with. The Kunzite set was originally bought for myself. Also the Prasiolite bracelet. I was told that they would be great additions to my shop because of their beauty & increased new interest. I still look at them daily! I also love my Chrome Diopside set. I don't think I will ever be able to replace them affordably, since other countries have discovered this rare and exotic gem mined only 3 months out of the year!
Care to share an idea or item you hope to have in your shop in the future?
If I could feel safe with Tanzanite affordably, I would love it. I don't feel skilled enough to set such an expensive stone that can be cracked so easily. I don't even own one in my own collection for fear of damaging!
What’s the most important piece of advice you can give to other shop owners?
My best advice for other shops is don't give up. It takes a lot of time & effort to get your name out there, which I am still working on daily. Get in the forums and make new friends. Enjoy what you love even if you make little or no money. Let your creations reflect YOU and what you love. Feel a sense of accomplishment & respect for your skills! Be proud of demonstrating your unique creations & don't get too disappointed for the first few months. Remember Patience is a virtue! Love yourself enough to SHOW yourself through what you create! That alone is worth more than money can buy! Be the best of whatever mood you are in!
It would be terrible of me to not include my wonderful husband Gabriele, who despite limited funds has researched hours giving me surprise gifts to further my learning. From reference books, DVD's, gemstones, settings, tools like you can't believe! Without him, none of this would be possible. I would still be in a funk! Love you My Lovey!
Thank you Silviasheart for answering these questions and good luck with your shop!
If you would like to be featured on my blog, please contact me at my Etsy shop.
This giveaway is closed! Congrats to the winner, soonerdesigner!!
Hello everyone, I'm having my first giveaway! One winner will receive a $20 gift certificate to be used in my Etsy shop, KarilanDesigns, home to elegant dream jewelry and journals! It can be used on anything, including custom items! The giveaway will end on July 31st, so you have plenty of time and plenty of ways to earn entries.
MANDATORY ENTRY
Comment here and tell me your favorite item or intended buy in my Etsy shop, KarilanDesigns. Include your e-mail or Etsy profile so I can contact you if you win. If you're uncomfortable posting your e-mail here, contact me on Etsy or twitter with your e-mail.
ADDITIONAL ENTRIES
1) Heart my Etsy shop (1 entry)
2) Follow me on twitter (1 entry)
3) Follow me on Facebook (1 entry)
4) Follow my blog (1 entry)
5) Tweet about my giveaway (1 entry)
6) Blog about my giveaway (2 entries)
7) Buy an item from my Etsy shop (5 entries)
You don't have to post a seperate comment for each entry, just give me your name on Etsy/twitter/facebook so I can confirm each entry. I'll keep track of your confirmed entries and draw a name using random.org
Today’s feature shop is BrixtonStudios! BrixtonStudios offers really cool, patterned clothespins, gorgeous NYC based photography, adorable cards, and for all you shops out there - professional grade banners and avatars!
These may be very simple, but these cute set of Mini Cream Thank You Cards stole my heart! The size is cute and the design is beautiful, making this card a sweet gesture. The colors, including brown ribbon, complement each other perfectly! And if you’re not happy with the colors, Brixton invites you to message her to see if she can accommodate your wishes.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t use clothespins for clothes! BrixtonStudios’ clothespins can be used for other purposes too. I actually really like this set of Print Inspired Decorative Clothespins because I am a major book geek and I think these would make a cool gift for my old colleagues at a book store. I’m sure any book lover would be pleased with this little gift!
For all you shop keepers out there, BrixtonStudios produces beautiful shop banners and avatars. What I like so much about Brixton’s banner/avatar set is that she offers you extra graphics! You’ll get a regular banner and avatar for your shop, but also a vacation banner and avatar, and a sale avatar to show off on the forums. This is a great deal, as most banner/avatar shops I’ve seen only offer you the standard banner/avatar package. Here is an example of her work, but she also takes requests so I encourage you to send her a conversation if you’re in the market for a beautiful banner and avatar package.
Today’s feature favorite is KimsSweetCreations!Kim joined up around the same time that I did, but we met about 2 weeks later on the critique forum.I felt like everything in her shop was made specifically for me, and we instantly made a connection.Upon visiting my shop, she admitted she loved dream catchers and even became my very first buyer on Etsy!
Easily my favorite item is this I Love You Letter Necklace!Even though I’m more partial to silver than gold, this necklace is just too cute to resist.She also has similar earrings, I Love You Postcard Earrings in silver!
Kim also has a classic Alice in Wonderland gold bracelet, featuring several darling images from the enchanting tale and many cute charms related to Wonderland.This bracelet would make the perfect gift for any Alice fan!
What I love so much about Kim’s jewelry is the balance of complex charms with beautiful beads, and of course her excellent prices.As a jewelry crafter with access to a lovely bead shop, I often think about making an item for myself instead of buying, but Kim’s prices are hard to argue with when you see an item you like in her shop.She has a wide variety, so I encourage you to check out her shop!
A dear friend of mine from the "Ignored" family on Etsy included me in her choices for the Sunshine Award, which is given to people whose blogs add a little sunshine to the lives of others. I want to thank SilverRose for granting me this award, I'm so honored!
