For anyone who thinks this isn't work...

Are you an artisan or a crafter? Have you ever had someone say something off about it? Well let me tell you this IS work.

Here's just what I did today.

I got up this morning and went on a search for a candle. My husband was creating a new candleholder out of clay and he needed one to make sure the holder hole was the right size. That was a big flop. I didn't have any, our neighbors didn't have one and the owner of the campground where we live and work didn't have one.

Oh well had to go to town anyway. Then we were off to the post office to ship out two orders. I found out that my shipping is priced too low and I have to work on that. I talked with the lady at the post office for a little while and gave her my etsy site address. http://sisterjinx.etsy.com but I didn't have any cards so I had to write it for her. She was so sweet though, she gave me a bunch of old left over bubble wrap. :) Bubble wrap is your friend.

Then over to the store and hurray they DID have a candle. Not exactly what I wanted but it would do. Talked to the cashier/owner about why I needed the candle and gave him the shop address too.

Back home and logged right on to the internet while hubby got to work on his latest stuff.

I began a thread about random acts of kindness and worked on that for most of the day. The blog on that is also below this one. It took a LOT of time and effort so please check out some of the great shops I included.

While I was doing that I was working on promoting my shop off etsy. I usually have at least 4 windows open and I work in all of them.

Throughout the day I also posted on 4 different blog sites I work on. I approved people to the new team list on yahoo. I wrote a post for that list. I posted on our team forum several times. I promoted ON etsy in the forums a bit. I answered some questions in other forums. And I relisted 5 items because I'm doing a test to see if this little expiriment that I read about in a forum will work for me.

And somewhere during all this I created 2 new pairs of earrings which I hope to post tomorrow. I also hope to post some of John's new stuff but due to drying and painting time they might be another day.

Of course that means tomorrow I have to work on pictures with my less than worthy camera. And then I'll have to post all the items and get them promoted.

I also worked on off site promotion with a new site I found, by reading in the forums. I am in high hopes that will pay off as well.

So if your day is anything like mine, don't ever let anyone tell you that what you do is not work.

brought to you by Jinxy's Fine Gifts

Random Acts Of Kindness

I started a thread in the Etsy Forums last week asking for shops with less than 5 sales to post. It became very popular very quickly.

Today I decided to compile a list of shops that participated and were still under 5 sales and post a new thread called "Random acts of kindness".

"Make someones day today. WE have compiled a list of shops who have less than 5 sales. If you are in the purchasing mood or feel like making someone smile today visit these shops, heart them, and maybe even buy something from someone and make them smile."

So I decided to also post the list of shops here on my blog. I also decided that I will "try" to do a new list each month.

This has become a very popular idea already. The thread has only been running for a couple of hours and already we have had someone come in and find enough interest in people's items that they have featured a few in their blogs. I am sure this is also going to bring in some sales for these wonderful shops.

Here is the list:

Updated List *FINAL LIST*

http://sisterjinx.etsy.com/ Jewelry, Art, Sculpture,
http://salvageme.etsy.com/ Jewelry
http://wedges.etsy.com/ buttons, magnets, plush, apparel
http://brightonearly.etsy.com/ Children's Apparel
http://aurorasthings.etsy.com/ Jewelry, Crochet, Kids items
http://abreakastudios.etsy.com/ Jewelry, bags, keyrings and more
http://oohvintage.etsy.com/ Lace and Buttons
http://bijouxbead.etsy.com/ Jewelry
http://madewithlovinghands.etsy.com/ Apparel
http://pamelaj76.etsy.com/ Jewelry
http://sillyflower.etsy.com/ Scrapbooking supplys
http://debsdetails.etsy.com/ Unique gift Items (must see)
http://evesartrocks.etsy.com/ Hats, Felty Dolls, more
http://weedfairy.etsy.com/ paper goods, Plushies, Art, Supplies
http://pinksniece.etsy.com/ Mosaics
http://madrinphotography.etsy.com/ photography
http://fullhousecrafts.etsy.com/ art, quilts, other neat items
http://marge54.etsy.com/ art, Cards
http://elijahaller.etsy.com/ flameworked glass products
http://22simon90.etsy.com/ Unique & Fun Children's Decorative Mobiles
http://threadspider.etsy.com/ brooches, bags, emboidery
http://girliethings.etsy.com/ jewelry and supplies
http://odettedesigns.etsy.com/ Jewelry and supplies
http://theardentsparrow.etsy.com/ jewelry
http://mybluebirdgifts.etsy.com/ baby items
http://gmgadesigns.etsy.com/ Jewelry
http://heartinhawaii.etsy.com/ jewelry, bridal, beaded flowers, Maui Dragonfly's
http://chelynnscreations.etsy.com/ Jewelry
http://dogandsparrow.etsy.com/ Doggie and pet items
http://southernblood.etsy.com/ jewelry
http://toolisjewelry.etsy.com/ jewelry
http://heyrube.etsy.com/ bags, jewelry, dolls, onsies, and more
http://carrierscozycottage.etsy.com/ vintage
http://devinedesignsjewelry.etsy.com/ jewelry
http://artforhair.etsy.com/ Hand-Crafted Hair Jewelry
http://cutebabytwo.etsy.com/ crocheted Baby and Toddler gifts
http://irondog.etsy.com/ Chainmaile Jewelry, clothing and more
http://beadedtail.etsy.com/ beaded jewelry for animal lovers
http://krissylyons.etsy.com/ personalized books and more
http://whimsicalmom.etsy.com/ Playscapes,wool food, lots of fairy whimsies and more!http://stitchwitchy.etsy.com/ needle arts
http://bigyellowdog.etsy.com/ Handmade Cards and Gifts
http://cottonbuddesign.etsy.com/ handmade bags and accessories shop
http://bellybabies.etsy.com/ baby and toddler apparel
http://sexygeekwithattitude.etsy.com/ clothing, art, housewares, jewelry, and more
http://bagladee.etsy.com/ bags, pouches and clutches
http://pixxistix.etsy.com/ domino pendants, naked baby micros
http://theduchesscollection.etsy.com/ quilts and more (too much to list)
http://jashme.etsy.com/ Fine Art, Prints, and Vintage Illustrations
http://pumpernickelforest.etsy.com/ art
http://made4youbyme6.etsy.com/ buttons, bags, wristlets and more
http://awphotography.etsy.com/ photography
http://tragiccigarette.etsy.com/ pendants
http://experience.etsy.com/ jewelry and keychains
http://bigbluebed.etsy.com/ coin purses, bags, keyrings, and MUCH more
http://pimpmypaperdesigns.etsy.com/ cards
http://cyesaaberte.etsy.com/ Jewelry, Dolls, vintage clothing
http://alisonkelleydesigns.etsy.com/ Jewelry, watches
http://cloudberryskies.etsy.com/ tote bags.
http://lazyfish.etsy.com/
http://kotibeth.etsy.com/

So if you are in the mood to practice random acts of kindness today please visit these etsy sellers. Give them a heart if you like them. Maybe even purchase from their shops. This is a great list to do some Christmas shopping from or any gift for that matter.

Thanks for your attention to this. I hope to be doing a new list next month.

Writers And Illustrators Street Team

We have a new team forming on ETSY. It is for writers (of any medium) and illustrators. We had a meeting today to vote on a name in Etsy chat.

And we got some great things accomplished. Here is what happened.

We had several people from here come to the meeting as well as a few new faces. We discussed several name options and finally it came down to 4 choices.
Hot Off the Press Etsy = HOPE
Writers Block Etsy = WEB
Sketch and Scribe Street Team = SASS
Authors and Book Collaborators = ABCs

After much more talking we finally voted for ABCs Team. In case Etsy Admin kicks that back our second choice is HOPE.

Because there were so many good choices and it took us so long to decide on one we did not get to discuss much else.

The Application to etsy admin is going in tomorrow. ElsiesAttic is handling that and will keep us all updated. I will be starting a yahoogroup for the ABCs of Etsy Team. I will also be starting daily threads in the team section for the ABCs Team to discuss whatever we want or need. Please look for the daily thread and pop your head in as you can. Just check in and see where we are at, let us know you are around and let's start getting to know our team members a bit, even if we are still unofficial.

To find the daily thread just search forums for ABC Team and make sure to choose that days date. The threads will be started mid to late moring, as I am not an early riser. And days I work it might be later than that though I will try to pop on and get things rolling.

I'll post a new blog about the team as soon as we are Official.

If you are interested in being on the team please go to the forums and find us to let us know. Or you can contact me through a convo at my shop. Jinxy's Fine Gifts

Are you Yarting?

The Etsian world is running a Yard/Yart sale on Etsy. If you want to see some of the great items that are on sale from now until June 20th just go to Etsy and search Yart. It's amazing. There are over 200 shops participating in this amazing sale. Sales range from free shipping up to over 50% off sales.

To visit Jinxy's Yart sale you can just click here.

If you are an etsian and would like to leave a comment about your yart sale with a link please feel free to do so on this entry.

So are you Yarting? Be it buying or selling or both. Yart is a fun summer online Yard sale on Etsy and we are having a blast. Come and join us.

A quick note

I just found out that we were featured on a Full Time RVer site. I wanted to share this with all of you.
You can see it here.

BrightonEarly

Each week I want to start promoting a NEW Etsy seller. This week I have met a wonderful girl on Etsy who has only recently opened her shop. She has such lovely things that I felt I just needed her to be our first Etsy Seller.

Here is her interview.

BrightonEarly

*Tell me a bit about yourself
My name is Tasha Early, I am 20 years old, and live in Springfield, MO. I have been married for 10 months to a wonderful man named Christopher. I attend Missouri State University where I am majoring in Interior Design.

*What is the name of your shop?
My shop is "brighton Early". I thought it would be funny to name one of our future boys Brighton, so it would sound like "bright n' early," but Chris didn't go for the idea, so I named my shop brighton Early instead.

*Please describe your creative process.
In the past, my creative process has included weeks of brainstorming, procrastination, and last minute decisions and actions. That doesn't work for Etsy, though. Hehe. So NOW, my creative process starts with inspiration. I look to blogs (100's of them), nature, and children. Once I have an idea, I experiment with different materials until I find what will work the best. I usually stick with an idea for a few weeks, and create daily until I get bored. Then it starts all over again.

*What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from?
My biggest inspiration is children. Since I don't have any of my own, I often draw inspiration and ideas from my baby sister, Kendall (2.5 years). There is SO much personality in her! She (so far) has been the basis for all my sewing creations.

*How did you get into your craft?
AH! You might be surprised to learn that I only started to sew 6 months ago. I had taken the basic 2 week home-ec course, and had been around family who sewed, but never really got into until I found interior design and art, and realized that I could create in ANY medium.

*Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I like to travel, cook, blog, and read. My husband and I both enjoy music, movies, and video games. We are both exremely interesting in house flipping, and hope to get involved in such a project soon.

*How do you promote your work?
I'm in the Etsy Forums ALL THE TIME. I also have business cards that I hand out, or have family hand out. My sister wears the dresses that I have made for her. I blog. My husband does a lot of promoting for me, too. In fact, the first two sales I ever made were to one of his co-workers. What a sweetie!

*Favorite item in your shop?
My favorite item in my SHOP, would have to be this: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12408190
I love working with vintage, or otherwise useless fabrics. This next week I'll be listing 4 or 5 new upcycled/recycled dresses.
My favorite item EVER isn't in my shop. Chris thought it was too cute to sell, and that we should save it for our own little girl. Aww.

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Please take a moment to visit BrightonEarly as her shop is simply wonderful. She is creating beautiful items. Support the handmade movement and maybe make a purchase from her adorable items.

Welcome

We are a new etsy shop filled with Hand Crafted Jewelry and wonderful artwork.
I, Tracy Seekins, create all of the jewelry items and my husband, John Seekins, creates all of the art and sculpture.

We are excited to be announcing our shop here at myspace. If you would like to visit us please come to http://sisterjinx.etsy.com and give us a look around.

I will be talking about other etsy shops here in this blog occasionally because there are so many wonderful crafters and artisans on http://www.etsy.com and I believe that they deserve a peek as well.

I plan to use this blog to promote other Etsy Sellers who I find interesting, fun, or who just deserved some attention.

Welcome to my new little home.