Mardi Gras!

Monique's got an article published in The Storque! Its the online paper for Etsy.com. They have been keeping in touch with my sister, who lives and makes handmade jewelry from her home in New Orleans. This photo was taken by Monique, of our sister AnnMarie in her superduper pinkalicious costume. I tried to contact them for comment..but they are out on the streets celebrating all things fabulous!

HAPPY MARDI GRAS!

Newsletter Winner...better late than never!

Congratulations Mona! You've won a cobalt glass pendant!

This drawing was held for the last newsletter, out before Christmas. see? Like a turtle!

Ive been slow moving with my newsletters, which is a good thing, because I've been busy with my glass. However, I think about my readers all the time (mostly with that guilt feeling), and those who signed up and are in the drawings. I've been making up for this by choosing TWO winners (every other month) instead. I'm hoping to find the best program ever to send the newsletters out with pretty graphics and such, streamline them. But thats also been slow going. I AM doing my research though!

Im hoping to have my next newsletter out later on today or tomorrow, with the BEST subscriber only special that I've had YET! I promise. Thank you for being patient.

Sooo.....sign up at the bottom of the page, and cross your fingers that I get this rolling again!

Etsy-versary SALE!

*****FREE SHIPPING TODAY*****

*****FREE GIFT WITH EVERY PURCHASE*****

To celebrate my two years on Etsy, everything in my shop today will be shipped to you FREE of charge. Its on me! For each order made, a free glass goody will be included as a special thanks for celebrating with me!

Once you purchase an item, wait for me to send you a revised invoice sans shipping costs.

Happy Shopping! Happy Shipping!

Happy Etsy-Versary to MEEEE!

Today I celebrate my two year etsy-versary!

My second year of selling online at Etsy. I really wonder what I would be doing without it. Before I was here, I had been struggling with finding a niche; doing craft shows, summer craft tables, a little ebay. My first craft show I sold little round mirrors with nails sticking out of the sides, and feather sticking out of others. This is because I has those supplies on hand. I thought they were just darling! That was a good start though, it made me realize that I love color, I love process. I just didnt know where to direct my energy.

I went to school for sculpture, and I am so happy that I made that decision. It taught me a lot of the formalities of the art world. It taught me how to move through my ideas and make them "work". I know how to critique myself realistically. (I know how to pour metal now!) It tried to teach me how to be a working artist outside of the university walls, but always focused on how difficult it will be, how it will be a constant struggle. I dont think its that hard...now. I think its a natural thing that seeps into everyday life. It just is a matter of finding your niche. Thats the hard part. Once you have something to hold onto, you can evolve from there. Then you will naturally progress into the right direction if you keep on it. Keep on it. Make connections with other artists, tell everyone you know, everyone in town that you have a special tool, talent, and you know how to use it!

I had no idea how someone could actually make a living by just making things. I thought you had to have a fancy website, I thought you had to make the most fantastic product in the whole wide world that no on could live without. WAIT! I do both on Etsy. But you see, its not that scary after all. Which is what this whole thing is about....My first two years on Etsy.

This is the first thing I sold on Etsy.

Its given me a place to host my work. Any kind of work. Its given me a way to pick artists and business peoples brains. Everyday. Pick pick pick pick!! It has a contstant source of encouragement, and sense of competition, everyday. It keeps me going! It keeps me GROWING, as an artist, as a business. Im so thankful that my sister told me about it (thankth mith anna, like my new blog post now?).

Now I must go work, I have orders to make, orders to ship, and new ideas to work on. Lookeee here, we have a real live artsy business ! OOOHHHHEEEEE!

Thank you Etsy!

Saturday Night SALE!

An impromptu SPECIAL going on in my shop tonight! OOOH!

FREE SHIPPING

on all items in my etsy shop until midnight EST.

Just enter the code "SNS" in the notes to seller during checkout and I will send you a revised invoice on Sunday.

Everyone who purchases something from my shop tonight will be entered to win a glass pendant. Double OOOH! ooH! oooH!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

The Perfect GIFT!

I want to promote the fabulously talented Monique Leon of gurlygirl fame. Shes an artist in New Orleans, making beautiful things in her home studio for more than 17 years.

Shes got some amazing GIFTS in her shop right now, for both men and women.

Lets get right to it and show off her goodies!

the PERFECT BOOK MARK $25

Crowned Fleur d lis pendant $38

Happiness Bracelet $36

Monique can customize these bangles with words to give them an extra special meaning. These are great for mothers, grandmothers and hipsters.

Visit her shop, send her a message...Have FUN shopping!

I MADE IT!

Im going to be in my first super BIG craft show!

stART on the street

Sunday December 9th, 2007

11am - 6pm

DCU Center

Worcester, MA

~click here for directions~

I was accepted today and now I've got 18 days to plan. Oh DEAR! What to do? I started planning out the space design already. Its a 10x 10 square to do with it as I wish. Ive shared my space before, but never had to fill it up myself! I think I can do it. I've got lots of inventory. And I have a a lot of new designs in the works too. Heres a few new things:

But this sure isnt going to hold me over for 7 hours...or the 7,000 passersby!

The Boston Pops Holiday Concert is performing that afternoon, expecting 7,000 people! Theres going to be 7,000 people in the building near MY artwork! I don't know if they are all coming to my booth, but they are all invited.

It looks like a pretty big space, to say the least.

Thanks to 3CatNite for the images.

I'll keep you updated on the booth design plans, signs and banners. For now I think Im going to scroll through the Flickr pool of craft show displays to get some ideas. I think Flickr is such a great resource for inspiration.

*Arts & crafts fairs & shows flickr pool

*Craft Fair Goodies & Ideas flickr pool

Cheers!

Gorgeous AND Handmade

There's a brand new shop that I need to hoot and holler about!

~lilybird designs~

Cozy Handwoven Scarflette $18.00


Its got a fresh clean feeling with girlie accents. Everything is handmade and you can tell it was made with love. The whole shop looks delicious!

Mint Drop Earrings $8.50

Stop over and see what else lilybird makes... shes got beautiful cards, gift tags and other fabulous cozies. HOOT HOOT HOLLER HOLLER!

Oh, and we happen to be cousins, so I think crafty runs in our blood. Way to go!

~Support Independent Artists~

Have a Handmade Holiday!

If you enjoy my glass work, or ANY glass artform, you can visit the Etsy Glass Artists GIFT GUIDE, for one stop shopping. This guide breaks it down for you, whether you are shopping for HIM, for TEENS, for HOME products, or anyone; this will help you get there quickly!

I'm Featured on the Etsy.com Homepage!

It's always FANTASTIC to be recognized by a major player in the arts industry!

Thank you TeriPersing for curating the homepage list. See her work at her shop on Etsy.