Craftopia: Rhode Island & Why you should buy handmade for the Holidays - Really!

Hey everyone! Get ready for HOLIDAY SHOPPING!

I know, people really get ruffled & fluffled

 when they start to think that "Holidays = Gifts".  

 The fact is that the Holidays present a TON of opportunities to gather with friends and family, go to parties and spend more time together than at other times of the year. That's a good thing, right?

When you visit others, it's always nice to have a hostess gift, or bring something for the children. It's tradition for many to give for 8 days Hanukkah or for Christmas. It happens every year, and I hear people freak out about it every year. *The Holidays and gift giving shouldn't feel like hell.

Handmade gift-giving is what makes shopping and giving FEEL REALLY GOOD*. When I buy something handmade, I often get to meet the person who actually used their hands to create a beautiful product. They put a lot of thought into making it. I put a lot of thought into buying it.

 I think about the person I am giving this to. See all the thoughtfulness? 

It's not made up, and that's the important part. 

If you shop at a local boutique or gallery, a craft show or on etsy online- it will directly affect the buyer (you), handmaker (me) and the gift-getter (that's now a word) in a positive way. 

Win /Win /Win! No tears! No tearing your hair out!

(See how happy I am at Twist - Northampton MA Nov 2012)

My advice- go to a local craft show. Go to my craft shows (of course!). Go to Craftopia (and the million other ones on my show list). Bring a list of people you want to make feel really special and buy a handmade gift for them. Now it's done and you haven't gone to the mall.

If you want to go a step further- I recommend you make gifts yourself! I'm not kidding. Seriously! If you don't want to buy something from me or all my crafty show friends, we won't mind. In fact, if you invite us over to make stuff too, all we require is wine (yes, that's how we do it). Go to Martha Stewart online and get some crafty gift ideas. Holidays are happy times!

Hello TWIST, Hello Holidays! Northampton Show this weekend:

It's that time of year again! The first of many Holiday shows always begins with TWIST! 

This time, it's also the very LAST Twist ever, 

so come say hello to me, and farewell to the most fabulous fair in Northampton.

Find me there with NEW things, yes for real! I have more rings, brooches, earrings and new necklaces as well. I've been working very hard (and still am in the studio all day and night) getting ready for you guys. So come over! 

I have 3 free guest passes, so get in touch with me if you want to be on my list.  

Comment here, or head to my facebook page to holler louder.

My sister AnnMarie (annmariepopko.com) will be there again with her photography and graphic goodies too. She has notecards, wall art, photographs and more lovelies. 

She also does custom photo art for you -editing & mounting your personal photos 

onto wood panels and making them beautiful- 

 which is good for gift-giving, so if you plan now you can have them for Christmas!

Hot Summer "Seconds" SALE at the PopkoShop!

Here's a hot sale to keep you looking cool!

Visit my etsy shop to see all the "seconds" jewelry already discounted 20-60%OFF!

I will keep adding items throughout the day on Saturday,
so keep checking back!
What is a "seconds sale" item?
It's got some kind of flaw- but you might not even see it- I'm just picky!
Perhaps it's old stock, maybe it has a small scratch or an irregular shape.
I list each item, tell you the flaw, and you choose if you love it anyways!
Everything wants to be loved!




Sale starts TODAY: Saturday July 23 + Sunday July 24

If you joined my mailing list/newsletter, check your email!
You have an additional secret coupon JUST for subscribers!
So make sure you join (above on my blog home page) to get the best deal!


follow me on facebook
go to my online store

Happy Etsy-versary to ME! 5 years selling on Etsy.com

WOW!! I never expected Etsy.com to consume my everyday life, when I signed up one cold, unassuming winter 5 years ago. Here I am, everyday, countless hours online, working, selling, packaging, connecting- all because of one "little" website. At least it was when I signed up!

Use the code BIRTHDAY5 during checkout
to receive an instant discount in my shop
Jan 18-22!

I was making mosaics in 2005-06, and looking for better ways/places to sell my stuff. I wasn't currently working, as I waitressed in the summers (long and hard hours) so that I could carry myself through the winters making/selling mosaics. I made mirrors, frames, candle holders- whatever base I could find that suited my taste. I did some craft shows, which I loved because I could interact with people, see what they thought firsthand. I tried ebay, and it was fine, but wasn't personal like the little craft shows were. I knew there had to be a better way.above: mosaic tile candle plates 2006

My sisters were in town, banished from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. They were waiting out the storm in a wintry Massachusetts while they figured out new life plans.
We were all kind of in a holding place.
I was able to brainstorm with them a lot that winter, while they were in town.
One sister heard of Etsy.com, some kind of website where you could only sell handmade things.

Eureka!

So I joined that week. I KNEW I was onto something when there were only four other mosiacs on the WHOLE site. You heard me right, the whole site. Four. Four objects with mosaic on them.
So I jumped. I figured out how to list when the pages would only change every few hours. If there was a lot of blue on the page, I would list a red item so it would stand out.

I figured out all the little things I could do to be seen. I also decided that I didn't want to deal with bubble wrap and packaging.
So I immediately went small.

I created glass tile pendants just for my Etsy shop. The first item sold for $5 three weeks after opening my shop. HOORAY! I was thrilled. It was enough to fuel the fire!

above: Lousy product photo of first sale I made on Etsy, Feb 2006.


So, here I am 5 years later. Totally happy.
I don't make anything with tiles anymore. I went with the ebb and flow of the years, and let myself and my work change as I wanted. I also pay attention to what works and what sells, and what I enjoy making. I have a full-on business now making jewelry!
Who thought I would be making jewelry with my time? Not me!



I am still thrilled every single time I make a sale. It makes me feel like my time and work is valuable to others. I have learned almost everything about business from selling my work online. I still do craft shows too, I now apply to the ones that I used to think were the "all stars" when I was a kid. It feels pretty good to have my own business. And I thank Etsy for giving me the tools to start it all from scratch, with my own two hands. Hurrah!



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Free Shipping Sale - Monday Only!

Sale begins Monday, Nov 29th, morning 'till midnight E.S.T.

If you join my mailing list (top left of my blog) you also get a
FREE GIFT with every single purchase on Nov 29th 2010!

edit: mailing list subscribers get the best deals during my sales,
so join now to be ready for the next event.


LINKS:
SHOP
FACEBOOK

Seconds SALE - Magnetic Glass Lockets

edit: Thank you everyone for shopping the sale! all sale items have SOLD OUT.

An impromptu cleaning-out-the-studio LOCKET SALE!! I only have a limited number of these guys (6 small & 3 large to be exact) so be quick if you love a deal!

Sale price: $16, no chain - Regularly $28 w/chain

"SECONDS" SALE ITEMS
What does this mean? These lockets have the smallest flaws ever. But- I don't send them out as 'first' quality because of this.
Possible teeny tiny flaws (that you probably wouldn't notice if I didn't tell you) include: hinge may be more wiggly than the rest, but does not affect usage/ Locket may open wider than normal, or less than normal(you can see that in photos)/ tiny mark on outside.
Really, this is a super deal, because I am being picky.

I want to have a super studio blowout sale, but haven't made the time for it. That sort of thing requires lots of photos and writing. So I plan to have little sales like this throughout the summer, as I get the cleaning bug again.

Thanks for reading my blog!

LOCKET SALE HERE

February Fling SALE!

Happy February my Fabulous PopkoShoppers!

The Etsy Glass Artist Annual February Fling is in Full Swing!

ALL jewelry in my shop has
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING.

This is great for 3 reasons (well many more I'm sure)

1. shipping is free.

2. you can shop for 3 different days and its still free!

3. enter the secret code* to get a subscriber only free gift (worth $5!).

*(#3 is only available to mailing list subscribers that received their code in the email newsletters, if YOU want to be one of those lucky birds, just join my mailing list at the TOP, LEFT of this page! easy peasy!)

WWW.POPKO.ETSY.COM

Visit the team blog to see the full list of the other great etsy glass artist shops participating in the annual sale : etsyglass.blogspot.com

jewelrybynatsuko - BOGO 1/2off or 15% off on one item
glasscat - 20% off all fused and dichroic jewelry
MyCabinCreations- 20% off everything
StudioMarcy - BOGO 1/2 Off
popko - FREE shipping on all jewelry
prizmatic - BOGO 1/2 Off
giapet - BOGO 1/2 Off
kimvglass - Free Shipping
LeahPellegrini - 20% off

*BOGO - Buy One Get One 1/2 off

HAPPY CYBER MONDAY and a FREE pocket mirror!

Cyber Monday is like Black Friday..ONLINE! I've got a special in my shop to celebrate the craze! I love a good deal, so why not GIVE one?

TODAY ONLY:
For EVERY item purchased from my shop you will receive a FREE pocket mirror.
This is endless, so stock up on your goodies and get some stocking stuffers and hostess gifts while you're at it!

Offer ends at midnight tonight, so RUN to THE SHOP!!
(okay, click, not run, you don't even need to get out of your jammies.)

POPKO.ETSY.COM

Seconds Sale!

The secrets OUT! I wanted to tell everyone right away, but I am loyal to my mailing list subscribers. Im having a HUGE SECONDS SALE!! I sent them this message out this morning via email, to give them a head start and choose what they wanted FIRST.

So far, its been a HUGE success, and its only been 1 hour and 45 minutes into the sale. WOW!

Thank you to all my LOYAL buyers, also..who RAN to the shop and scooped up a bunch to start. This is the message they got early today...with plenty of time to get their typing/checkout mouse ready!

Visit the PopkoShop @ 2pm EST to be the first to get the discounted goodies. The "seconds sale" begins today, lasts one week only, and I'm not having another one until 2010! WOO! Items start at $6, and are limited. Have fun shopping!

________________________________________________________

If youre feeling like "wahhh, I want to be the first to know next time", it's easy, just sign up for my mailing list on the left side..yeah, over there. Easy peasy.

Now head over to the PopkoShop to see all the insane deals. I am exhausted, I hadn't realized how hard it was to get 40 listings ready all at once..PHEW!

Shipping Sale

Feb. 1 - 7 2009

Hello Friends! Love is in the air here at the PopkoShop and everyone loves free shipping!

ALL jewelry is marked with free shipping all week long.

Treat yourself, buy a gift AND save money!

SUBSCRIBER ONLY SPECIALS:

-ALL newsletter subscribers are also invited to the shop to choose a FREE GIFT with EVERY purchase. For example, if you buy three things, you get three gifts!

You can CHOOSE a lavender sachet, glass tile pendant or handmade valentine card. WOW!

(thank you to all the new subscribers!)

WHATS NEW?

-Did you see me featured in the Etsy Finds Article? My silver glitter pop ring is now famous! These make great party favors and everyday eye candy.

-New ball chains are in the shop for only $3.50 in silver, black & brass.

-The Etsy Glass Artists have a new blog, and I am designing it with another glass artist. It's really fun to make, so take a peek- and leave a comment in the One World One Heart giveaway to win free glass jewelry. The EGA is also having mega sales in their shops this week, which are all listed HERE.

ARE YOU THE WINNER?

Each month I draw a name from my mailing list. Is it YOU?

-Congratulations to K.L. from Arizona. You have won the monthly drawing! Photos will be posted to my blog.

-READ MY BLOG FOR UPDATES ALL MONTH LONG.

Cheers! Miss Popko

February Fling

Free Shipping SALE at the PopkoShop!

Feb 1-7

All jewelry in my shop has already been marked with free shipping, so all you have to do is BUY! Theres no codes, no revised invoices. Its easy peasy.

BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!

Join my mailing list to receive subscriber only specials.

This sale is in conjuction with the other Etsy Glass Artists. Please take time to visit their shops to see what kind of sale they are each hosting. Who's in?

Deal of the day - is bugging moi

I need a little color in the winter! Heres a fun photo of my colleagues. Im not in it since Im taking the photo. I LOVE these people. Each and every one of them.

We made this parade float in 2006 and won a trophy. Now, back to my scheduled message....
I started to post my "deal of the day" in my blog, but really it's just getting in the way of my fabulous, earth shaking, news breaking, intellectual posts about feathers and glass and such. I like to advertise, but I don't want my little blurbs to start taking over. I think what I will try is having a little box in the left column that links to my deal o'the day. Once the day is over, I can change it up, and no one cares what last thursdays deal was anyways.

So thats THAT!

p.s- Ive ammended this weeks post about superduper and her feather concoctions, added some more photos and included ways to wear them. Check it out!

DEAL of the day - Handmade Fused Glass Ring

Poppy and Turquoise - Handmade Fused Glass Ring

Regularly $15, today its $10. For real!This is a colorful cocktail ring, that I handmade in my glass studio. It was made with a really vibrant poppy, almost red glass, and opaque turquoise glass next to it. The base is white, which you can always see peeking through to the sides.It was made in my kiln and fused together with extreme heat.

This glass cabochon measures 18mm x 26mm (about 1"), and comes on an ADJUSTABLE band.

DEAL of the day - Icy Blue Quartz

Hello Wednesday!

Regularly $10, today its $8! (Save those two dollars for shipping another day)

This simple chunk of quartz was handmade into a pendant and hangs on a black ribbon with a clasp. This colorful rock is dyed an almost electric blue, icy and bright.

It has a flat face, with faceted sides that catch the light. Its super simple, and striking.

Measurements:

24mm from top of bail to bottom (approx. 1").Black ribbon is 18".

Icy Blue Quartz Pendant

Little Update on Holiday Things (vague enough?)

Today is the last day of the fused glass sale!

HURRY! HURRY!

Okay so you dont have to run, but there are still some lovelies in the shop I must say.

And if you dont need any glass...maybe you just needed a butterfly wing necklace MORE!*

*This is the most popular style this year, (glass style), next to the oval monarch design.

I have been insanely busy with butterflies this season! For the Holidays people are going bonkers for these little peices of nature. I LOVE IT!!!! I am up at night hunched over in my studio mixing and making and finishing and polishing these little delights. They have been made to order, basically because I cant get ahead of orders. I cant seem to make more than I need. But thats fine with me. I have been SOOO happy this season with my etsy shop and 6 craft shows. I feel like Ive worked harder than I ever have, and thats rewarding beyond description. This year, unlike the last two on etsy, I have decided to stop shipping on Dec 21. This is my physical reward, my Christmas present to myself (besides the stationary tape dispenser!!).

a butterfly production line photo

Also, more on 'the shop', among being busy enough to be losing sleep, I have added my newest little lovelies- the Glitter Pop Pendant. TADA!!

I like these because they aremade just 'for the fun of it'. I like the sparkle and I like to see what color combinations I come up with. They are like little candies to me, so I want to keep making more.

Back to orders now, a few more days for "the push" to continue. I cant wait to finally decorate for Christmas this weekend! (yeah i know)

BIG SALE! Dec 10-17

Take advantage of a HUGE SALE this week only!

DECEMBER 10-17

ALL of my FUSED GLASS jewelry is marked down to $13. That means that you are saving $3- $5 on EACH item! I'm very excited about this week!

When you purchase TWO Glitter Pop rings,

I will choose a FREE one to send in your package.

Also, there is a subscriber-only special in the newsletter I've sent out, so please join my mailing list at the top of this page to get your free goodies next time!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

November Special on Lavender!

Hello all!

My lavender supplier made a big oopsie, and now I can have a lavender sale! Ive got about 50 pounds of lavender to share with you at a discounted price. This is a different kind of lavender that I normally sell, so I am eager to share it with the world, and then buy more!

Click on the photo above to direct you to the lavender part of my shop.

Happy sachet making!

What do you like to make with lavender?