Friday Feature!

Today's featured seller?
queenginya

Please tell me about yourself.
My name is Virginia but I go by Ginya, and I use to be a buyer/ product development person in China so my name became Ginya, Queen of China...aka Queenginya, and no I am not Chinese but worked there for 5 years...

What’s your day job?
My day job (as she snickers into her coffee) I design products for giftware companies...or at least I did until the recession hit...

What was your inspiration to start creating?
I have always created, even when I was a kid...I was always looking at things and wondering what other things could be made from them. My inspriation comes from the object itself...I know it sounds cheesy but I look at an item and wait for it to 'tell' me what it wants to be. I got some awsome stuff that haven't 'told' me what to do yet.

What’s your process? How do you create your items?
the process I use, if you want to call it that, is to start with the found object and study it...then working from that I try other things with it, building it into a finished piece. Quite often I put together something and then pull it apart because it isn't exactly right.

What is your favorite handmade possession?
my favorite handmade possession...that is so hard, because for every piece that is in my ETSY shop, I keep at least 2. Right now, my favorite is a bracelet made from a brass escutcheon plate, some vintage buttons and onyx stones...last week I would have said some vintage button earrings...I can't wait till next week!!!

What would you like readers to know about you and your store?
I think I would like people to know that each piece in my shop has been thought out and carefully planned. I often go to craft stores to find people matching pendants and beads with chains and think...ok, that will be nice that you can experience creating...but is it creative? I want each piece of mine to be individual...no two peices will ever be the same. I have been requested to make items for wedding parties and had to refuse, because that is not what I am or what I do...having said that, I would LOVE the chance to make a special piece for a bride with her grandmothers old broken, well loved jewelry. How cool would that be?!!!

Wednesday Feature!

Hello there! Here is my Wednesday Feature!

Today's seller?

jndesigns

About Myself
Hi! My name is Jamie, I live and grew up in the Berkshires in Massachusetts. I am a new mommy and just love being home with my little girl Rory. Oh, my darling husband lives here too! Lately we spend a lot of time at home since Rory is only 9 weeks old and it's really cold up here in the northeast.

My Day Job
I have the best job in the world! And that is taking care of my daughter. I quit my office job when I had her. So when Rory is napping I work on my crafts and my blog as well as cleaning the house, getting something to eat, sterilizing bottles, oh and trying to get an occasional shower in. Now that I am a stay-at-home mom I can really focus on my crafting and my etsy shop. I also put a lot of time into my blog because I enjoy writing and hope to inspire others.

My Inspiration
I take inspiration from everything I see, nature, fashion, books, magazines and now my daughter too. I have always been crafty, it runs in my family. I guess the idea to open an etsy shop came when I was preparing for my wedding. I decided that I would make each of my bridesmaids a necklace to match their gowns. They came out so good that I made a few more and some earrings and created a shop. Nothing sold though! Later I made myself a tote and had fun doing it so I started making more, so many that I couldn't possibly use them all myself so to keep my hobby alive I posted them in my shop and sold locally too. I've been posting my creations ever since.

Creative Process
My creative process varies because I don't make just one type of craft. I daydream a lot (which I always got in trouble for in school) and that is where I come up with many of my ideas. I keep a sketch book handy for fun and work so I can jot things down as they pop into my head. I am not able to follow patterns (weird, I know) unless I create them myself, which means I usually have to put a lot of thought into something and sketch it out before I can make it. I also take a lot of inspiration from other crafty, artsy people. I try never to copy anyone out of respect for their original ideas and hard work but I often take their creations and put a little twist of my own on them.

My Favorite Handmade Possession
My all time favorite handmade possession isn't one that I made. My grandmother made me a little bunny in a pretty dress with an apron when I was little. I kept it and have now passed it down to my daughter. I love it because she made it for me but also because it is not part of my family and hopefully it can be passed down for years to come.

For My Readers
I would like my readers to know that I make everything with love. Crafting has always been a part of my life and the fact that I can make things that other people enjoy completes a circle that started many years ago. I truly enjoy what I do and wish I had more time to do it. Always check back because you never know what I will come up with next!

If you would like to get more info about Jamie, read her blog here. http://www.mylazyapples.blogspot.com/

New Listings, Yay! :)

What Are Friends For?
My friend Randi, who modles for a ton of my pendant pictures (up this weekend), has just made a blog. I will be featuring her on Friday to help get her on her feet. Follow her! She's awesome! ;)

Here's the link:
http://dhaphazardly.blogspot.com/

Three New Pendants Today! Woohoo!
I posted three new pendants on Etsy today. I feel so accomplished.

Here are my newest pictures. Tell me what you think? :3

On Another Note:
I'm looking for fellow bloggers to feature on Fridays. If you would like to be considered, leave a comment here! :D

Fun Feature Fridays!

....But today is Saturday?

Let me explain. Starting next Friday, I will feature one Seller, a few items I like, and a blog, FB page, or other webbie. I will also feature one seller on Wednesdays. :o

Also, on the side, where my listings and followers are, will be two new sections:

Totally Awesome Sellers (those I love but didn't feature)

Featured Sellers

What do you think? Well I'm super busy and I am hoping to get at least five new pendants up this weekend so TTFN! ;)

Busy Dosen't Even Begin Cover It

*sigh*

Once again I am at that point where I beg for forgiveness. I haven't put out any postings in so long! I have been doing homework, going to work, trying to get new pendants done, reading three novels for class, replying to a billion emails, dealing with 4 family birthdays in one weekend, and *takes a breath*, I've added another huge project to my pitifully small plate.

Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest.

You may be thinking, 'what on earth is that?' I was too. I have mentioned before that I am a Chemical Engineering major, but I have a love for all things crafty and artsy. ;) A friend of mine knows that I also excel at fashion design and turned me on to this great opportunity. Have you figured it out yet?

The contest? Make you and your date's outfits for prom out of duct tape.

Oh yes, you didn't read that wrong. My latest undertaking is to make a dress for me and a suit for my boyfriend completely out of duct tape. :3 I must be crazy. I've already started this long and tedious process and, surprisingly enough, it's been fun and in two days I'm half done with my dress. It is going to be a ball gown inspired by the fashion of Marie Antoinette. Yep, that confirms it, I must be losing it. (by the way, obviously I'm not in high school, but my boyfriend of two years is. Just to clarify. :D ) My Dad laughed when he heard I was doing this, after his initial reaction of becoming pale and asking me about my grades. *laughs*

Well, wish me luck!

What, you thought I wouldn't give you a picture of my progress? I'm not that cruel! ;) It's kinda bad quality since I took the picture with my phone. Tell me what you think!

Yes, it's all silver right now. I'm painting it later. :)

Here's the link to the Stuck at Prom Website:
http://www.duckbrand.com/Promotions/stuck-at-prom.aspx


From the last entry:

Want to see more Owls that posted just a little too late on the forum?

Here's the link to tuns of super cute and cool Owls!
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6435105&page=3

Hoot Hoot!

Today's theme? You have one guess.

Owls! Yay! Owls are my favorite animal and I decided to post a forrum on Etsy calling on anyone making Owl themed things. I have gotten some great Owl listings in and here they are! :D

From Jenscloset:
Wise Guy Vintage Ceramic Owl Bank

From: theatticshop
The Owl Hollow Vintage Jelly Belly and Copper Assemblage Necklace

Vintage Owl Salt and Pepper Shakers

From: TocadoraLeather
Archimedes Is Feelin Groovy Leather and Fabric Cuff with Stoneware Button

From: Cabbin
Cute Original Collage - owl talk

Cute Little Wise Owl Woodburned Wall Art Panel - vibrant orange

Cute Medium Wise Owl Woodburned Wall Plaque - Chocolate Brown

From: GiftsAndTalents
Recipe Card Box MADE TO ORDER Decoupaged SEE LISTING

From: aloucreations
Who Gives A Hoot- On Orange - Birthday Card

From: snowy652
mini owl cards - set of 6 - with envelopes - adorable

From: tomroche
OWL Cutting Board

From: wigglysee
Oliver Owl - amigurumi crochet

Thanks to everyone who went on my forum. This was super fun! :)

If more come in, I will post them.

On a final note: I live in south Louisiana and it snowed today! I've never seen it snow on a Mardi Gras parade before. :)

Busy, Busy, Busy

Agh!

I am so sorry I haven't posted anything in so long. I have been super busy with school and preparing for our huge superbowl party. I live in Baton Rouge and my Dad lived in New Orleans when he was a kid, so we are huge Saints fans. Me, my boyfriend, and my brother all had matching homemade Saints shirts. :)

Finally got some close ups done! :) Here they are:

Tell me what you think? :)

Feel the LOVE

I usually don't like all caps.
Usually not my thing but I think I can make an exception. :D

An Etsy member featured my Blue and Green Pendant in their blog! How cool is that? I am so excited. I think getting on the forums, and writing here has really helped my exposure. :)

Here is the link to the blog:
http://tamsytrends.blogspot.com/

I'm really super busy with homework so this is a super short entry.

On another note...
I would love to feature Artists/Sellers here in my blog. If you would like to be featured, leave a comment here or convo me!

Thanks for reading!^_^

A New Week, Another Chance to Not Fail at Life :)

As stated above, I have a problem with 'failing at life', as my friends and I call it. My friends and I went to public schools that cared more about the football team than academics (even though my team hadn't won in three years! T-T). So, I breezed through high school without a care in the world, and didn't study a single day.

Until now, that is. Now I have to study every day and keep a very close eye on all of my projects and homework. This is because I did very poorly last semester and now I have to pull up my GPA before I can get my scholarship back. *sigh* Wish me luck! ;)

Now on to some Etsy business. :D

I am very happy to say that one of my pendants have finaly sold. :D My first jewelry sale! Well I am still trying to get better images up on Etsy but I won't be finished with all of the pictures till about next weekend. *sigh* When one lives in two places, one always forgets something.

Also, Valentines themed pendants will be going on Etsy tomarrrow! Yay!

Today's Etsy finds:

I don't know about you, but I LOVE animails. So this morning's is all cat themed. Enjoy these delightful cats!

Buy Two Get One Free Cheshire Cat Alice in Wonderland Bottle Cap Pendant

Retro Style Black Kitty Cat Clock Pendant with moving tail

ONLY ONE 3 Piece Sanrio Hello Kitty Valentine Sweetheart Bunny Rabbit Costume Light Pink Dark Pink Red Bow Kawaii Resin cab cabochon miniature decoration deco decoden

Stitched Zombie Kitty Mary Jane Shoes - Size 10

SALE - Large Kawaii Hello Kitty Fabric Button Ring

Your Opinion Please?

On a final note, please let my know what you think about my silhouette plate, because I am thinking of selling sets of them. Leave a comment or convo me. Thanks! :)