Fancy New Camera *la-ti-da* and a healthy dose of honesty

(a tad bit menacing, yes?)

Ready for a good dose of honesty? I LOVE making jewelry and for a long time it was a hobby. No, not hobby, a passion. A creative expression that helped me escape the mundane. And I was more than thrilled when I took the leap from "unfulfilled corporate job girl with a passionate hobby" to "totally fulfilled passionate hobby business owner". As time has gone on my thrill of doing what I love has become a bit of a responsibility. It is true of anything you make your living from. There is a responsibility to have a certain amount of sales and that responsibility is also pressure. That pressure can put a zap on my creativity.

I have mentioned recently how much I enjoy the articles on Modish biztips. In this article, Jena said something that really made sense to me.
"You need to make sure you have a creative outlet that stays purely that: a creative outlet. You need to find a way for you to release, to have fun, to feel free, to escape time without any pressure whatsoever of having to figure out how to make money off of it."

It seems so obvious yet I have ignored that part of myself for a while now. And with all that said.....ta-da! my fancy new camera. I've been saving for over a year to invest in a good camera. It all came together at the right time. In the two days I've had this camera so much inspiration has flowed my way. I am making a serious effort to go for at least a 1/2 hour walk everyday and take pictures. Here are my first experiments.


In case you're wondering I got the Nikon D80. I'm very happy with it, even though it's one step below Ashton's D90:)

Then, of course, here is my biggest inspiration:) I can't take credit for the outfit. He dresses himself now.

undiscovered uncovered 2

undiscovered uncovered 2, originally uploaded by Chocolate And Steel (Christine).

Last week I started a post called "Undiscovered Uncovered". The purpose is to highlight artists/crafters that are just starting out their business online. I discovered a few of these artists last week and in the time between then and now they have had some sales! So hooray for them.

top row: Bluebelle by Ticker Tape Parade ($48), Steampunk style by Arctic Jewelry ($70), Spring Love by AAlicia Accessories Shop ($40)

middle row: Tulip Cup by Maya lee ($20), Pink Fern Drop by The Plum Tree ($20), Vintage Handmade file dividers from Glean Creative Resuse ($9.25)

bottom row: Young Fern from Savage Images ($17), Flowers Three by Pinecone and Lola ($5), Colors of Today by Carmenesque ($26)

And the winner is...

KENDALL MICAYLA!!! Congrats Kendall and thanks to everyone that played along. I apologize that this was announced one day late. Yesterday was nuts! By the way, check out Kendall's blog today. She has an excellent Saturday Shopping List up:)

Here is her lovely prize

I'm moving my giveaway to a new day. From now on they will start on a Tuesday and end 3 weeks later on a Thursday. I've double booked my posts so I thought I'd give it it's own day:) So check back on Tuesday to see the new giveaway.

Congrats again Kendall!

A must read!

If you are an independent artist and are not already reading Modish's biztips, you must go quickly and start reading it. This is such a great series and I have been so inspired lately with the interviews too.

Undiscovered Uncovered 1

I know first hand how hard it is to get a business up and running. The journey from hobby to business has been a long difficult road. And with that said, I'm also well aware of how lucky I've been and actually quite easy it has been. I guess when you love what you do it makes it so enjoyable.

So, I want to start a new feature on my blog called "Undiscovered Uncovered". These will be artists and crafters that are currently "undiscovered" in a certain sense. This week everyone I am featuring is from Etsy, but I'm not limiting myself to just Etsy. There are many online marketplaces that have enormous talent that has yet to be discovered. Please feel free to submit your work to me also.

Check out these currently "undiscovered artists"


Row one: Little one Bao (made from baby socks!), Lap totes
Row two: Dover Street Market, BL Palum
Row three: Stephanie Geisler, Short and Sweet Design, Xrundelek (guitar miniature with all working parts)
Row four: Art Nest Shop (pincushion ring)

Put your mouse where your mouth is

Hey guys! My brand spankin' new Paper n Stitch exhibit just opened up. I'm really excited about it and check out all of the wonderful artists I'm in company with.

Aster and Sage


Penny Glass Girl

But please! heart me, heart me:) They are having a contest for the seller with the most hearts. I would LOVE to win. (I hope you get the post title, by the way. It's a riff on "put your money where your mouth is". Just click and help me win.)
Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday Shopping List

Hello all! Sorry I have been away all week from my blog. I've had some spotty internet service this week. Hopefully it's back up and running by next week. I did manage, however, to find some delightful little diddies on Etsy:) I can't figure out what the overall theme is here, but there definitely is one. I guess it's just the mood I'm in. A little calm and a little excited.

Top Row: Irene Suchocki - "Looking for Love", $30 (I know, I've featured this before but I'm really smitten), Shirae - "Healing", $20
Middle Row: Bliss By Heather - "The Bella Wallet", $37, Eleanors - "Strong company", $18
Bottom Row: Mynta - "Bloom Necklace", $45, also by Mynta - "Ruban Ring", 55

Visit my shopping pals to see what's on their list this week:

• 3birdies
• blossom
• cathy cullis
• color
• dreambird designs
• edward and lilly
• fancy picnic
  
• felt at home
• fleurfatale
• florcita
• gretchenmist
• half an acre
• helicopter studios
• her library adventures
• highland fairy
• kayla coo
• la pomme
• liebling designs
• littleloveblue
• miss kitty boo boo
• miss-frugality
• prairie wild rose designs
• r a w f i s h
• rivulette
• shabby vintage mom
• shelbyhealey
• shoozles
• sidhe forest
• vadjutka
• verylittlebird
• vicki leigh studios
• winsome hollow

Saturday Shopping List

I don't much, but if I did..... (wear earrings)

1. Mike and Mary poppy earrings $30
2. Lisas Lovelies cold forged hoops $35 (psst... she's having a sale today, free hoops with a purchase of 2 items)
3. Sara Westermark silver leaf earrings $68
4. Notions by Nicole moody blue earrings $18.95
5. Mike and Mary into the looking glass earrings $68

visit my friends to see what they are shopping for:

• 3birdies
• blossom
• cathy cullis
• color
• dreambird designs
• edward and lilly
• fancy picnic
  
• felt at home
• fleurfatale
• florcita
• half an acre
• helicopter studios
• her library adventures
• kayla coo
• la pomme
• liebling designs
• littleloveblue
• miss kitty boo boo
• miss-frugality
• prairie wild rose designs
• r a w f i s h
• rivulette
• shabby vintage mom
• shoozles
• sidhe forest
• vadjutka
• verylittlebird
• vicki leigh studios
• winsome hollow

And the winner is.....

Thanks to everyone for entering my very first giveaway. With over 300 entries, someone's got luck on their side.

Congratulations to Gillian aka Silly Gilly. You should visit her blog and shop too. Really adorable kid's clothes and accessories. She is also raising money for the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal. So she is lucky, talented, and compassionate. You rock!

art smock by Silly Gilly AUD $20.00

Monday begins a new giveaway. I had planned on offering a necklace for the next one but it seems that the overwhelming consensus with my new pieces listed this week was for "On the Rocks" ring. So, what the heck. Another ring. Thanks again to everyone for playing along and spreading the word. It is such a great feeling to be a part of a supportive community.

Up and Running... ok, maybe just trotting

I finally got "something" done tonight, if not everything. I realized that it wasn't just the time change or the seriously exuberant 3 year old, but my lack of energy was due to an oncoming cold. ARGH! is all I can say. I'm back to popping pills and swigging the juice. I'm not opposed to a little whiskey for a sore throat either. Whatever works...

So I listed 4 new items in my shop and the remaining 4 will be up by Friday (maybe earlier if I'm lucky). And here they are:

tomorrow is going to be so busy. I've got my in-laws in town visiting and they want to go to the Farmer's Market in the morning. Then I've got to get James home and fed and ready for school by 12:30. Then off to do taxes, aye! But I'll be happy to have them done. Then, pick up the boy and drive 1 1/2 hours to a birthday party. It'll be fun, but definitely a long day.

Here's some inspirational pictures from our visit to the Getty Villa this weekend. So much amazing art and the location is breathtaking. Of course, I somehow became obsessed with the floors. My pictures aren't great but hopefully you can see what I saw.

Delayed

Daylight savings has kicked my butt, or maybe it's a 3 year old that has more energy than a very popular bunny. Anyways, my new pieces will be added to my shop by Wednesday 2pm pst.

Saturday Shopping List

This is just a random collection of things I came across this week that I dig. It feels like a list of rain with optimism for sun.
Hope your weekend is nice. Don't forget to enter my giveaway below. Ends Friday.

Minu: Lilu No.7 $25

Beehive Kitchenware: Flower measuring spoons - $48

Yellowfield 7: Pink Cloche hat with vintage button - $170

Monkey Powered: Rainy Day - $20

Bailey Doesn't Bark: The four seasons 23kt gold - $107

Spawn Studio: Birthday Suit Birdie Card -$3.50

Visit my friends to see what they are shopping for this weekend:

• 3birdies
• blossom
• cathy cullis
• color
• dreambird designs
• edward and lilly
• fancy picnic
  
• felt at home
• fleurfatale
• florcita
• half an acre
• helicopter studios
• her library adventures
• kayla coo
• la pomme
• liebling designs
• littleloveblue
• miss kitty boo boo
• miss-frugality
• prairie wild rose designs
• r a w f i s h
• rivulette
• shabby vintage mom
• shoozles
• sidhe forest
• vadjutka
• verylittlebird
• vicki leigh studios
• winsome hollow

A sneak peek

I'm updating my shop on Monday (2pm PST) with some new pieces. Here's a little sneak peek of what I've been working on. This is two weeks worth of new work. I had such a hard time photographing it because we have had some gloomy days and I'm just not used to that. But I think with a little tweaking from Picnik I got some decent shots here.

*:*:* GIVEAWAY *:*:*

Welcome to my very first giveaway. I'm planning on offering a giveaway the first and third Monday of every month. Winner will be announced on Friday March 13th (spooky - Friday the 13th).
Here's the PRIZE.... made to your specifications

Here are the "rules" to enter:
Post a link to my giveaway on your blog

Bonus entries:
Follow my blog.
Follow me on Twitter and tweet the giveaway.
Heart my Etsy shop
Buy something from my shop (2 extra entries)

so it is possible to be entered 6 times. That's pretty good odds. Please be sure to leave a comment and let me know what your entries are. I'll follow up and enter you into the giveaway.

50% off Weekend Sale - Extended through Monday

Hey guys. I've decided to extend the weekend sale through Monday since I'm still trying to catch up on responding to emails. Remember to enter "Etsy500" at checkout and all purchases of 2 or more pieces will be discounted 50% on entire order. Supplies not included in the sale (individual chains).

Thanks so much for the enormous response to this sale. You all certainly know how to celebrate:) And I am very thankful!

Speaking of thankful... thanks to all the amazing bloggers that posted about my sale! Here are the few that I know about:
Creature comforts
Modish
Poppytalk
Purple Pink and Orange
Etsy (weekend deals email - you should sign up for this email!)