Love 'em or Hate 'em?

craft shows that is! I love the anticipation and setting up and the wonderfully happy feelings that I have knowing that people will purchase something that I made with my own two hands. Then, nobody buys anything and I'm completely pissed off and I have to pack all this crap up and I'm swearing left and right.

Now, thankfully, I have never done a show where I didn't sell anything...until last weekend. And, let me tell you, it really is depressing....at least for the first night. By the next day I was in a much better mood and was not going to kill anybody for looking at me the wrong way!

To boot, my booth was looking good too!! So many compliments, "your photography is beautiful" "what beautiful cards" "you made this glass? it's beautiful"...yada yada yada and blah blah blah! (but, really, I'm not bitter anymore) HA!

Here are some pics of my booth on that most depressing day.... :)






So, there you have it. Has anybody else done a show and not sold anything...I mean not even a flippin little something? Please tell me that I am not the only one.

*****Street Team News*****

Jewelry on Etsy Team (JET)
Your chance to get all the fantastic jewelry you need for holiday gift giving, and treating yourself!

This wonderful team has started it's Holiday Sale, 11/1 - 12/16!!! To find great sales from over 300 shops just search JHS in the Etsy search - or click here!!

Then you can purchase your Christmas cards from.....

EtsyGreetings Street Team

Purchase your handmade Holiday cards from our current promotion...click here to see what the fabulous card makers at EtsyGreetings have created!!! To see what the 250+ members of this street team have available, just put EtsyGreetings in the Etsy Search!

For your viewing pleasure, these are my Christmas Cards (more will be added)

Let's make this Christmas Holiday something extra special and buy HANDMADE!

Cheers,
Sandy

You like me...You REALLY like me!!!

I was so excited to wake up this morning to 350 hearts!!! YAY!!

So, for today only...10/26...I'm offering a 35% discount on everything in my shop EXCEPT for the two hand knit wraps!

Just put HEARTS in notes to seller and I will send a revised invoice.

Thanks to EVERYBODY who has hearted me...it just made my day!!

The Eclectic Studio

Have a wonderful day!

Sandy

FREE SHIPPING today only!!

Hi everybody!

Free Shipping Wednesday...10/24!!!

Come on by and visit me....jewelry, hand knit items, photography and photo notecards!

http://www.theeclecticstudio.etsy.com/

What am I up to?

Well, things have been busy....I have a show coming up on the 27th! I realized this weekend that the 27th is next Saturday and I just looked at my husband and said "I'M LATE". I have to get my booth "stuff" together and not to mention....make some more wonderful creations! But, it will all come together...it always does, right?

This is my latest photo and listing on Etsy. I was quite pleased with this picture of a Great Horned Owl. Such a beautiful creature!

Also, this is something that I am so, so proud of...my first felted creation. I knit this scarflette the other day and today the magic happened.....I felted it!

Now, I know the pin doesn't look like it matches but, trust me, it does! Perfectly!! Blue, purple, gray and about 4 different shades of green make this yarn so incredibly pretty.

Okay, off to do some beading...and laundry...throw in cooking dinner and it will be multitasking at its best !

Autumn? What's that?

Just last week it was 92 degrees.....a couple of days ago the high was 68.....today it will be back up to about 80. This is how we all get sick!!!! But, I think - well, I'm hoping - that it will become Autumn like soon!!!

And when it does, my hand knit wraps will keep you very warm!

Also, today I am highlighting the EtsyGreetings latest promotion. Stop by and check out our current list of Fall/Thanksgiving cards all handmade by the EtsyGreetings Street Team

http://cljdesigns.typepad.com/etsygreetings/

This is my pumpkin card set which I am featuring

FAB COLLAB cards from the EtsyGreetings Street Team!

This wonderful group of card makers on Etsy has put together a collaboration of ...well....cards! Each pack consists of three handmade cards and are categorized by occassion...Winter, Thank You, Birthday, Just Because, Mini Cards and more!

Here are the fabulous sets in my Etsy shop:

For more FAB COLLAB sets, click here

http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_title&search_query=fab%20collab

Are you an Etsy cardmaker? Than you MUST visit our blog and join. We are always doing swaps and promotions! This team is AWESOME!http://www.etsygreetings.blogspot.com/

Where does the time go?

Things here have been super busy! Between the business, family and taking some time for myself...sometimes I don't know if I'm coming or going!

Let me first start off by saying that I love the Outer Banks! That's where we went on our vacation in August. Lovely, beautiful, relaxing...I can go on and on! Looking forward to going back next Summer.

And now back to business. Big news from The Eclectic Studio.....I am SO happy to introduce everybody to my friend Jennifer. She is somebody that I have grown very close to since moving to North Carolina. One day, while telling her my deep, dark fear of rejection, she offered to help out with approaching stores, promoting on Etsy and finding other places to advertise. So, while she handles all advertising and promotions, I can CREATE! YAY! I really feel that this will be a great move for The Eclectic Studio and I see us working very well together and taking the business to the next level.

In the meantime, I have posted my Autumn notecards. I seriously need to start working on my Christmas/Winter cards!

I hope everybody has a wonderful weekend! Enjoy!

Going on Vacation!!!

So, tomorrow I am leaving on a well deserved vacation! Meeting my brother and his family at the Outer Banks, NC and then flying up to visit family & friends in NY! I can't wait!!!!

So, I will have internet access but I will not be shipping out orders until Monday, 8/27.

http://www.theEclecticstudio.etsy.com

Now, off to pack.....UGH!!!!

I finished the scarf!!!

or is it a scarflette? well, none-the-less....it's done! I had fun playing with this one. Now onto the next scarf (getting ready for next season).

BTW, please excuse the quick photo (not my best work!)

He Actually Stayed Still......

I was sitting on my front porch when I saw this grasshopper sitting on the Tiger Lilly leaf!! I ran into the house and grabbed the camera...and he sat there the entire time I was photographing him! Now if I can just get the hummingbirds that keep fighting each other by my front door...boy, they are fast!

I made notecards out of the photo....available in my Etsy shop!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6585138

Veggies!!!

Good Morning everybody! Just a quick post today to tell ya about our vegetable garden......it's popping out peppers, tomatoes & cucumbers all over the place!! So far I've made a spaghetti sauce, salsa and bruschetta!! So yummy....but, of course, I had to take a photo first!!

Here are my latest photo notecards listed in my Etsy shop!

SALE, SALE, SALE....and other wonderful info!

BOGO ( buy one, get one) 50% off all Notecard Sets! Perfect as host/hostess gift, wedding thank you cards, baby/bridal shower thank you cards or as a housewarming gift!! Perfect for yourself or for a friend who may not live near their friends or family - this is a great way to stay in touch (with a personal touch as opposed to e-mail!)

Perhaps you know somebody who loves Italy or Flowers - this is the perfect little something to add to a gift!! Come by and take a peek!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5006972&section_id=5039678

Also, let me take this opportunity to promote my Street Teams.......and they are, in no particular order:

EtsyMom: if you are a mom and have a shop on Etsy than you qualify. Come by and check out this supportive team at http://etsymom.blogspot.com

EtsyGreetings: great bunch of card makers who each have a shop on Etsy. So, if you are a card maker on Etsy then you MUST join at http://www.Etsygreetings.blogspot.com

JET: Jewelry on Etsy Team....a talented bunch of jewelry makers on Etsy. If you make jewelry and have a shop on Etsy and want to join click here http://www.jewelryonetsyteam.blogspot.com

Have a wonderful day everybody!

Today's featured artist is MarmeeCraft!

I'm in a good mood today! I'm knitting, I cleaned my jewelry bench, I've broken my 5 wk dry spell on Etsy......and now I'm looking at this most fun, cute, whimsical shop called Marmee Craft! Bright, colorful and delightful all come to mind when I see items like these:

"All of my little lovelies are handmade with much love and attention"

How would you describe your shop? A whimsical storehouse for 21st century Victorians. There you shall encounter circus girls, dapper bunnies, felted fauna, and much wonderment for the eyes and soul!

How long have you been crafting? I have been doing crafty-good things for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is having drawing sessions with my Dad. He would draw me, then I would draw him…..he always drew me so much better!!

Where does your inspiration come from? I am inspired by so many things: Nature, Victorian fashion and culture, My Husband and two sweet cats, Russian Animation (specifically Yuriy Norshteyn), Great Films, anything whimsical and existentially thoughtful (and both together are even better!)

What is your favorite piece? This is very hard, as I love all my little lovelies! If I had to choose one work that I am currently most in love with it would be my little Newsprint Bunny. I love the way he emerged from the newsprint covered canvas, even when I had specific designs for making that particular canvas into something entirely different…this little guy was in there and he made himself known!!

How do you spend time when you're not crafting? When I am not working on my little whimsy factory I spend my time sewing reproduction 18th and 19th century ladies attire, watching movies, baking, sewing (oops, I already said that!), and, of course, spending time with my darling husband and our two sweet cats.

What is the best advice you have received? I think the best advice I have received is to live life to the fullest and not wait until tomorrow to do anything that you feel is important today...life is too short and precious to spend it waiting around for something you want! And as for who gave me this advice, I would have to go through an astoundingly long list of philosophers, artists, writers, filmmakers and other wise souls to give proper credit!

Final comments? Thank You ever so much for featuring my little shop!! I love to be able to share my picture of the world with you! You can read more about my work and whimsy world at my blog: http://www.MarmeeCraft.typepad.com

Thank you for participating. You have a wonderful shop and I urge everybody to stop by and take a peek at Marmee Craft...you won't be disappointed!! http://www.marmeecraft.etsy.com

Pea Soup?

I started working on a wrap yesterday. Well, I should say that I started working on what I intended to be a wrap.....it's going to be a scarf though! How off could I have been? A bit.

I didn't make it wide enough but it actually worked out because the sides are rolling under and it's now the perfect shape for a scarf. It's pea soup green (I'm sure I could call it something more appetizing but it's the first thing I thought of when I saw it) some mustard, orange and a really nice yarn I got in Italy that has a bunch of warm toned colors in it.

Also, if you remember, I set up a booth at the local grill/craft shop up the road from me middle of June - and I sold stuff!! YAY! I sold a bunch of notecard sets and singles and a pair of earrings. Basically, I've made my July booth $ back!!! I was doing the happy dance.....Go Sandy, Go Sandy, Go Sandy. Okay, I'll stop now!! :)

Huge Sale, BOGO 50% off

Today I have launched a huge sale......BOGO 50% off all Notecards!!!

Each set has 6 cards so that's 12 cards for $13.50 (plus shipping). Don't miss out - go check out my Notecards Section NOW!!!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5006972&section_id=5039678

Perfect as Baby Shower, Bridal Shower and Wedding Thank You's, Birthday Cards, or a card to send to somebody special to just say "HI".

Sale valid until midnight (EST) on 7/15!!!

Today's featured artist is Inkyspider!

It has been a while since I have featured an Etsy artist so who better to start off the new series of features than Morgen of Inkyspider Designs. Talk about starting off with a bang! Her shop is fun, bright, eclectic and unique. She has a wide range of items, i.e. clothing, housewares, scarves and more.

"I use dye, shibori, screen printing, painting, sewing and piecing to transform the cloth into garments, wall pieces and cushions."

How would you describe your shop? The first thing you’ll notice about my shop, Inkyspider Designs, are the colours. I love bright and earthy colours as well as contrast and pattern. I am a textile artist working in a mixed media of surface design techniques. Many of my designs are on t-shirts for all ages, including the sweetest little baby tees. I also have clothing, scarves, and cushion covers. All images are original, designed by me and applied to fabric with techniques such as dyeing, screen printing, painting, shibori, discharge dye, appliqué and sewing.

How long have you been crafting? I began as a mixed media painter and printmaker, receiving my arts education in Southern Africa where I was born and raised. I have been working with textiles for 18 years doing mostly t-shirts for markets and fairs. In 2005 I decided to really make the switch from painting to fibre art and I am loving it!

Where does your inspiration come from? My early inspiration comes from first memories: the red dirt, bold patterns and vibrancy of Africa. I now live in the mountainous Kootenay region of British Columbia. Nature always astounds and inspires me. I find the little teeny-weeny hidden treasures in the natural world a never-ending source of patterns and ideas.

What is your favorite piece? One of my favorite designs is my ‘Flying Lizard’ because he’s been with me the longest. He started out years ago as a dragonfly that I used to draw in the natural history section of the museum across from the art school I went to. He’s morphed so many times through different media that he really knows me quite well. Also, he’s buzzy and I find him amusing.

How do you spend time when you're not crafting? Other things that I have going on in my life are yoga, music, gardening, being involved in my community, teaching art, being outdoors and I am presently doing a course in pattern drafting and clothing design.

What is the best advice you have received? Best advice I ever got: “If you want to know something, ask”, from my Dad.

Thank you so much Morgen for participating on my blog!

Please make sure you visit Inkyspider Designs at http://www.inkyspider.etsy.com/ to see unique & fun handmade creations!

YAY - I'm in my first ever Craft Shop!

So, let me preface this story by saying that there use to be this grill up the road from us....all the locals went there for some good "grill" food! Well, they had to close because they couldn't get enough hired help.

Last night, we're eating dinner and my SIL calls to tell me that the new grill opened up and they also have crafts. What? Food and Crafts? Can it be? So, I got myself all professional looking and grabbed a cross-section of my "stuff" and off I went to check this place out.

The place is great...you can go sit and eat, take out - stop by just for an ice cream cone.....AND SHOP! I think it is such a great concept. Plus, it's on the main road to the state park near us which attracts lots of tourists! Plus (again) all the locals are already use to going there for food so they'll definitely be coming in!

If I can take a moment to brag...just one little brag.....they loved my stuff! Loved the knits, cards, jewelry and glass...everything!

Tomorrow I set up my booth (3x6). I should be getting all my stuff together...but I'm not. I'm just so excited that I can't even focus on one thing at a time. My mind is all over the place.

Wish me luck my friends!

Today's great find!

So, call me crazy...but I have officially started Christmas shopping....CRAZY! I know!


I just bought this necklace for my 12 yr old niece..I think she will love it (her name is Kerri though)! It is all sterling silver AND, the best part is that it was on Sale. Please stop by Polly's shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=97151 AKA Polly's Handmade Treasure's!

Life and Death

My father-in-law has lost his battle and passed away on June 3rd...exactly 3 months to the date since he entered the hospital. He was admitted on 3/3 for a heartattack. A triple bypass surgery was done on the 9th. He never left the ICU. He battled and fought and hung on as long as he possibly could. It was simply terrible.

This has been a whirlwind of a week and needless-to-say I have not done anything with Etsy - today has been my first day back. I look forward to featuring a new Etsy artist tomorrow!

Today's featured artist is EastBenchBears

I'm feeling a bit down today. My most bestest (if that is even a word) friend was suppose to come visit this weekend but for completely understandable reasons she is unable to....so sad!!! Thankfully, I have something to cheer me up and make me smile. Please look at these bears...so incredibly too cute:


How much do I want to just squeeze one of these bears right now!!! The owner of this shop is Anita and she makes her bears out of mohair (yummy). Each bear can take between 8-12 hours to complete....and as she has said "it is a labor of love!"

How would you describe your shop? My shop is a bear adoption agency! My bears are lovable, huggable, cuddly works of art, and I have been making them for two years now. I am loving every single minute of it!


Where does your inspiration come from? I am inspired by most everything, but especially my dreams, and my two poodles. In fact, some of my more recent bears are beginning to resemble my dogs a bit too much!

What is your favorite piece? and why? Hmmm...my favorite piece so far is Pease. I am thrilled with how he turned out. It was a real challenge to try and create a bear that really looked like a baby, but I am quite pleased with the result!

What is the best advice you have received? The best advice I ever recieved is from another bear artist: you cannot please everyone, just try your best to please yourself! This directly relates to my bear art- I make what I enjoy making, and hope that my bears can bring a smile to other people's faces as well!


Thank you so much Anita for participating on my blog! Your shop is fabulous and I urge everybody to visit it at http://www.EastBenchBears.etsy.com

Busy, Busy, Busy

So, after my disastrous show I decided that I had to throw myself into promoting my Etsy shop! I've been promoting in the forums, I joined a new Street Team called JET (Jewelry on Etsy Team) and I'm investigating B&M shops in my surrounding area to display my pieces. Plus, I am in the process of photographing about a million pieces to list on Etsy. These are my latest creations:

I've discovered a site call StyleHive....many of you may already know about it! It is a place for people to discover products, stores that sell them and the people that offer them. It can be a bit confusing and it took me a while to get the swing of things..but I think I got it now! If you find something, let's say on Etsy (my favorite place), you can bookmark it on StyleHive . Once you bookmark it - this allows others to view it and if they also like it then they can "hive' it. As an artist, you can bookmark your own piece. I thought this was great for promoting...and it's free - you can't beat that! So far, a few of my pieces have been "hived" a couple or more times. Oh, and you can "follow" people...so if you like what I've "hived" then you can follow me. http://www.stylehive.com/theeclecticstudio/grid - I worn you..it is addicting!

Let me give a shout out to my new Street Team JET! Such a talented community of jewelry makers!! You can visit our blog at http://www.jewelryonetsyteam.blogspot.com/.

Also, my EtsyGreetings Street Team is promoting Graduation/Father's Day cards at http://cicadastudio.net/GradDad/graddad.htm. Again, such a talented group of people I am with in this Street Team.

off to list some more product!!

Today's featured artist is ButterflyMoon!

I need to sit and relax....breathe deeply.....breathe deeply......


Okay, it's not working. So, I guess I just need to learn how to macrame hemp because according to Jen, of Hemp Butterfly, it is very relaxing! And as I look through her shop I can understand why.....what a cool way to create such beautiful pieces. She has necklaces, chokers, earrings, bracelets, key chains, and even photography!

How would you describe your shop? Definately a work in progress. It still doesn't look like what I want it to look and it is missing a lot of items. But I am so very proud. I want it to have a feel that people will stop by and relax and find exactly what they are looking for. I want them to feel at home and calm and yes.. Irie.

How long have you been crafting? I have been crafting for over 12 years. Strictly beadwork and hempwork. My best friend Leann from Oregon taught me how to macrame and I took off from there. It is a form of meditation, unusualness and creativity all in one for me. I stopped for a few years, babies came and I found I had no time to be creative. Decided to jump back on that horse and get rid of all these images and creations in my mind. I want to be able to give a piece of myself to each and every person who stops by. Maybe I will inspire someone!

Where does your inspiration come from? Many, many places. I do a lot of bead window shopping, if I see one I like an image and idea will pop into my head. I spend a lot of money on beads! I get a lot of inspiration from nature, the ocean, animals and my kids. There is no easy way to answer this question I get ideas even in dreams...

What is your favorite piece? and why? I don't think I have a favorite piece. I love all the work I have done, they are like my children. But if I had to pick one today it would have to be my Chinese Butterfly and my Biddy Buddah Necklaces. I have been in love with butterflies ever since I was a little girl and this necklace well to me it is just striking. The Biddy Buddah, I love his serene, peaceful, calm face. I see this necklace and I feel so at peace. I hope they go to good homes.

How do you spend your time when you're not crafting? Oh boy! When I am not crafting I am thinking of crafting. I also work at a Title Company in Fort Lauderdale (Archer Land Title) as a closer, admin. assistant, notary and receptionist... I am a very, very busy girl. I love both my jobs, it lets me wear different hats and I learn so much and meet so many beautiful people everyday.

What is the best advice you have received? and from whom? This is another tough one. I have received such beautiful advice from everyone. But I think I have to give kudos to my wonderful partner in crime, boyfriend, husband, friend, my everything.. Mario.. He was the one who said are you happy with what you are doing? if not find something you like and go for it. I told him I wanted to start making jewelry and macrame again and he got in the car and took me to a bead store! He gives me unconditional support everyday, he takes my pictures, he is doing my website.. you could call him my number one fan as I am his also.

Final comments? Etsy has been a blessing in my life. I haven't sold much but I have made so many beautiful souls in here! Thanks to whoever came up with this great website that allows me to put my works and show them to the world.

Thank you so much Jen for participating on my blog! It was so much fun reading your interview (Mario definately sounds like a good egg! Oh, and I go bead window shopping all the time too!)!

Everybody must stop by her Etsy shop to take a peek at the wonderful macarame jewelry (and gorgeous photos) she has created! http://www.butterflymoon.etsy.com

The Show From Hell

So, as you know, I've been spending many days preparing for my Mother's Day weekend show. Well, it was last weekend....and.....to put it frankly.....it sucked. I mean..it really, really sucked!


I should have known it was going to be bad...all the signs were there! I realized the Thursday night before the first day of the show that we were suppose to set up and I realized this about 15 mins before going to the airport to pick up my mom..who, by the way, was flying in to help me with this HUGE show. Then, her plane was about 45 mins late. We get to the craft show site and the flippin canopy sides don't fit....my husband tried for over an hour to get all four sides zippered. It ended up he only got 3 out of the 4 done.


Friday was the first day and I sold $55 for the entire day. Sat, the 2nd day, around 4 pm we had a huge rain storm and when I tried to pull the table under the canopy - it collapsed WITH ALL MY KNITTING ON IT! So, since I had only sold one $2 card for the ENTIRE DAY I decided this was just not going to fly. We packed up and left. So disappointing. I was fit to be tied! I had such a pretty booth too.....here are some pics....




















Nice, right? I was so happy with how it turned out.

So, that was my fabulous weekend. The only good to come out of it was that I got to spend time with my mom for the entire weekend!