Good Vibrations...

Could it be the "new" outlook on my life with beads has worked it's way into the cosmo's?
Yesterday someone in Florida bought a necklace on my etsy site. Woo Woo!!!

What I will, what I won't and what I want!

I can't believe I'm typing this but I decided to NOT take a class at Bead and Button this year. It's not 12:noon yet tho, so that could change!
Most techniques I know or have no interest in. This is not to say that there no amazing artist teaching because there are (see my post from Dec.16th) But taking a class learning someone else's spin on a stitch is not what I want. What I want is to make my own jewelry with my spin on any particular stitch. Also with the classes being expensive why not put that cash towards BEADS! And to be honest I really don't need any more beads either. So maybe I spend all my money on these wonderful pieces of art!

To see more of these artist just type in the name under the picture in the search box on etsy.

Eat this, not this

Today for foodie friday I'm going to do a take on that book thats out called "Eat this, Not this", it shows you the healthier meal to eat. I try to eat healthy most of the time, but with the foodnetwork and foodgawker and such I tend to get a bit distracted. It's the beginning of a new year so I trying even harder to be better. So tonight for supper
I'm making this:


NOT this




not that I'd make cookie's for supper, but I do want to bake these, TONIGHT!



On the etsy front I may have made a sale, we're in the middle of negotiations for matching earrings, YIPPY!
And I made a friend, Hi Amy, a fellow beader and blogger, click on her name to go to her blog it's a very nice one.

What's in a name...

It took me a long while to call myself an artist, and to be honest I still use the work tentatively. Yes I make beautiful things with my hands. But in my mind until I create ONLY my own designs/patterns, I don't really consider myself an artist. My favorite pieces on etsy are the ones I did create and they are the most fun to make. They are also the most time consuming. You may start with a drawing of your idea but once you actually start sewing the beads together that's when you find out what really works as far as size and color. So there could be alot of tearing out and/or starting over. In the end when you get it just right, eeeeeeeeeeee, it's the best feeling. Some projects take along time to make, as you can imagine seeing the hundreds of tiny beads in one piece. I may start out loving it but by the time I finish it, I'm tired of looking at it. The thrill is gone so to speak. Usually all I need to do is show my sister "K" have her put it on (once she stops oohing and aahing) and I see the beauty of the piece again. I wish I could just bead all day, really that's the fun part. If I could afford to. I wouldn't mind working all day. The not so fun part is selling it. The art fairs are great if you get good weather. It's nice to get out and get feedback from customers. It's a lot of work though, setting up and breaking down. I only do a few a year I can't image doing a whole year full like some artist. That would really become a job. Selling on the internet is trying. Don't get me wrong etsy is very helpful with their forums and chat rooms, but it's also information over load! I wish there was a book. With steps A, B, C to start up your etsy shop and for getting your name/work out there in search engines so people can find you. I'm a lucky one because I sit in front of a computer all day, when we're slow I'm on the net reading about what some others have tryied. I have spent HOURS reading up on what to do to get a sale. Nothing has worked yet. I'm not discouraged, I just wish I knew what to do to get people to my shop. So if you happen upon this blog from a search would you mind leaving a comment saying so. And if you have the time a note about what I could do different to help with sales would be most appreciated.
I'll leave you with this video, now this is a true artist. Forget about paying football players millions, this guy should get that!
This is really incredibly, raw talent! WOW!

It's not what you know, it's who you know, and vice-versa!

I'm working really hard to get some sales at my etsy shop. To get sales you have to get your name out there. To do that you need to have the right tags, descriptions and search options. Etsy forums have much to offer in the way of help, and I have been known to get lost for hours reading about how to do something. It's almost too much information. This site has been most helpful. I highly recommend it to anyone setting up a shop. She not only give's you information, a lot of times she'll walk you through exactly how to do it! FREE! I think I'll buy some stain glass from her site just to show her I appreciate her knowledgeable, helpful sharing!
After losing myself in the forums for over 2 hours this morning I needed some thoughtless relief, so I went to StumbleUpon. Have you gone there yet? It's so fun! You sign up (no Fee) and then select the topics your interested in. Click on discover and away you go. After that just click the "stumble!" button to go to the next site. When you click on the "I like this button" it saves it into your favorites folder for you to further investigate later. As if my life isn't going by fast enough, I can/have lost days on this site. It would be perfect for your phone ( if you can afford to have the net connection)
if your waiting in your Dr.s waiting room, STUMBLE, when waiting for your always late sister at the coffeeshop, STUMBLE. If anything this site will give you a glimpse at all the web has to offer. Like this for example,



who knew!? And where can I get a pair?