This journal is for the ever evolving artsy side of me, Beadoodles! Most entries will be about wonderful artists I've found, purchased from or admire. There will be a few blurbs about me, my shop, or any great specials I'm running. This place is ever evolving, and I hope to introduce great changes in 2007!

I've developed a sort of rhythm when posting new items in my Beadoodles Shop.  It doesn't apply really to the Beadeux shop - I've noticed things sell pretty well there without having to stress about timing, exposure, etc. and admittedly I don't work as hard at promoting it as I do at Beadoodles. 

I list 3-5 items a day.  I list first thing in the morning (any time from 7:30 to 9 am) .  Somewhere around noon or early afternoon, about 5 or so when I get home, about 8 is I feel like it, and at 11 pm on the dot (which is 12 etsy time and it lists as the next day.  This also does the double duty of reminding me to go to bed). 

I will periodically check the Treasuries before I list, because that really is the only place you can get any idea of the Etsy traffic flow.  The upper right corner tells you how many people are currently viewing the lists...I find if I'm waffling whether to list something, if there are more than 250 in the treasury, I will do it.  I've seen it as low as 100, high as 450, average around 200. 

In the last week or so, my strategy has changed a little - I still use the treasuries, but I find myself trying to figure out how long it will be before new treasuries open up.  This isn't so I can snag a treasury, no - but instead so I can gauge when to list for optimum chances of being *in* a treasury.  When compiling treasuries, I know I spend about a half an hour before hand pulling together a list of items to go in it.  I pull items from my favorites, then I do a search.  And the way search works, newest listings are on top...I want to be in the top of the search when the 100+ new lists show up.  Getting into a treasury is added exposure in itself, and the gateway to the front page. 

It seems to have worked for today, as I made it into a treasury (Gorgeous Green).  We can only cross our fingers and hope we make it to the "big leagues" aka front page...but it's happened once before.  So here's hoping, and maybe insight on my strategy will help you out as well!



PS - I have a main showcase today as well...admittedly, not so impressed.

This is the second time I've been featured...the first was 4/28/2006 (thank goodness for dates on files!) and was of a piece that did *not* particularly show well cropped funny...it got picked because of the black background :)

Weird enough, I was just totally thinking how cool today is.  And it's just keeps getting better.

Yay!

EDIT: phew that was fast...it's gone already!

Day late, but hopefully not a dollar short for this seller...She hearted my shop, and when I went to check out hers, I just squealed. I'm a dork, I know, but seriously, are you ready for the cute of dreamalittle7?

Bead bug!


Choolate covered strawberry bug (I'm partial to the colors...)


And a necklace, now on sale!

(the little bug is movable, and can tuck inside the pouch too!)

Sometimes, I just wish I was a little girl all the time :)

Hello, all! New year, new resolve! We are back on track for the Monday Morning Spotlight...Today's spotlight being all the cool things I've bought! I kind of splurged a little on the 7th, but I have to say it was justified - the Little Christmas sale was a smashing success. Much more than I expected. So I treated myself with goodies...(and you can see the kinds of things I buy for myself!)

Smelly good stuff by Beebee

The picture of course doesn't do it justice, but I bought inscense (yum! Olde Apothecarys Mint and Sugared Fig) and a sampler of the perfumes, Southern Belle Gardenia, Absinthe, Sugared Fig, Ambre Entendre and Dirty Fruits. Yum!

Pretties for my neck by Swivel Glass

Admittedly, I'm a sucker for green and pinkish lately (See icon). And I adore fused glass. And asterisks are just fun!

Pretties for my wall from Crazy Grapes

While the artist seems to specialize is very swirly lovely (tiny!) pen and ink drawings, the intense color of the painting caught my eye. Plus, I really like original art. And now it's mine.

Anyone else make any other fantastic purchases in the post Holiday season?

I think this may be a first! I can't remember if I ever featured a card artist...but I have to say Sweet Bonny's (malien00) cards just hit my "I love these colors!" spot.

Baby girl announcement (shown) or Baby Boy


Thank you (I had trouble deciding with one I liked more - the one shown or this one)


And of course, Happy Birthday ( I love this card shown, but also this cupcake card)


So many decisions! Check out her shop! The more you buy, the better the deal, too!

Okay, I know that is a totally self indulgent statement, but I just get the warm fuzzies going back through my entries, and seeing all of the awesome photos. I love it when I get the hang of technology and can use it for my own nefarious purposes (yes, we are simply talking about inserting photos here :) I think it's cool.)

I'm not sure what's going on, but something in my crafty brain has awakened and I'm hatching more and more plans. I'm kind of excited about some of these ideas...and yes, apparently I'm leaving everyone in suspense :) So here, go look at some pretty pictures, a random sample of things I just think are awesome over at etsy.

I have to admit, I'm not normally into cutesy figurines, but this one by Trollflings is just cute!


I'm absolutely drooling over this coconut honey by Sugar Rush. Damned this diet! Otherwise I'd pick up the honey and a dozen buttermilk biscuits. And eat them all. Just read the description and see if your wouldn't join me.


And last but not least, car decals have been tickling my fancy. Especially the ones by Tonyabug. Not sure if my husband would be so keen in driving around with a card fall of daisies, but I'd love it! Wish I had a bug! The "cute!" effect is not nearly the same on a LeSaber, no no no.

I have to start this week's spotlight off with a disclaimer. I've never read any Lovecraft. I only know Cthulhu by association. And I have to admit he fasinates me. Well, to clarify, it's the fasination with him that fasinates me. So, here's a sampling of Cthulhu on Etsy, because I know at least one of my readers loves this literary charecter.

Cast necklace by DoubleDuchess


Argyle Cthulhu, which cracks me up, by 9hauntedgirls


And though this one is sold, it's very beautiful, by SoMK


So, therer ends my odd update of the week. So maybe I can shake this fasination...or read a book...

It's going to be a busy week, but at least I'm starting off right! Etsy spotlight of the week - Sheri Burhoe. I realized that it has been quite awhile since I've featured an artist, and well, I'm probably a little biased, but I love her work! (A little biased because she loves my work too, and we got to work out a little trade :) )

I like that her prints are within reasonable price, and she offers a fun series of note cards and gift cards as well. There are originals in her shop too, if you've got the cash to spare :)

Lilies Print


Note card set


Imagine Me Diptych Print


Definitely check out her other work!

Well, in theory, if this week the Tuesday is the new Monday, well, that means I'm only 1 day late with my Etsy seller of the week! Yeah, that's it ^.^

But this week, I'd like to point everyone in the direction of CheeEkin's Shop. I've had her "Hearted" for a while, because I love the fun and brightness of her pieces, and and seeing hte new pieces as they are listed. I think it was this ring that caught my attention:


I've been trying to get a "free floating" and "fun conglomeration" feel to my work for awhile now...I think I just think too hard. This ring is great. Size seven and a half, and only $12.

And these just made me laugh!

I love resin. I have numerous experiments in the works. And these earrings are fabulous! So clever.

And another lovelry necklace


So, everyone have a happy and productive short week, and be sure to favorite CheeEkin's Shop in Etsy!

But I have to say "hmmmm glass!"

This week I've singled out Pam McLean for this week's spotlight! She's relatively new to etsy, having only joined on April 17th, but I think she's an undiscovered wonder. She's a versatile glass worker with fine art pieces that would kill my pocket book, to lovely little bits that I could happily own.


A liiiiiiittle out of my price range, but fun to look at :)

These are actually in my price range, though, and I drool over them.

The whole set of three are only $30. They are so pretty...and I'm the girl who usually turns up her nose at dichroic glass. If you aren't into the Asian symbols, she also does some very pretty Zodiac Pendants and Runes

Thee are other lovelies, as well...many more pendants which I'm surprised haven't been snatched up, as well as some neat free form votives (I can't imagine shipping those!!!) Go check it out!

Man, it seems like I've been throwing a lot of sales lately...but this one is for a good reason! I got a wholesale account! And we are meeting Wednesday so she can pick out the items she wants. I'm super excited...but I'm bringing some of the items listed on Etsy with me. I want to give her as many irresitable choices as possible!

So, in an effort to give my lovely Etsy supporters first chance at some of the items I'm taking with me, I've reduced prices on certain pieces! They are marked "Wholesale sale" and most prices have been dropped by $5, with $3 as the minimum, and this beauty

has been dropped $15! It's a steal.

Oddly, most of the sales are located on the back page. Bracelets and necklaces mostly.

Yay on wholesale! *happydance*

So, does your shiny, great, new digital camera need a case? A little sleeping bag, so they lovely, large screen doesn't get scratched? Mine certainly does! If anyone knows my husband...well, he generally has a million little gizmos in his seperate pockets, so they all can go with him, but stay pristine (This weekend, at last count, he was carrying his cell phone, a camera, a nintendo DS and his brand new baby, the gameboy micro...in three pockets! 2 had to share!)

My features artist this week is KraftyKris - Her cell phone cases and camera bags are more than "Sleeping bags" for your phone - They're like fabulous Halloween Costumes!


This is the case that first caught my eye - and the price is super reasonable! Only $6 to get your little electronic gizmo dressed up in style! I almost bought this one...Then what do I see in her "sold" section?


Um...I contacted her, and well, I think we all know what my boy is getting for an anniversary giftie! Shhh - don't tell him though ;) She's quick to get ahold of, she loves custom orders, and get this, she wants to trade goods for 10" quilt blocks. How cool is that?

So, yeah, Thumbs up, and check KraftyKris out!

I have to give a big thumbs up to the lovely people at etsy who recently changed the initial screen in the "Sampler" section from top sellers to random sellers. I'd never really checked out this tab as much, preferring random items, but Random Sellers is how I "discovered" my etsy seller of the week this week, RKmokume!

Metal workers in jewelry are a rare and wonderful thing on etsy. Most of them are in the top 100. Yet, this artist has not yet even had a sale, and I'm not sure why. I mean, this is gorgeous:

Granted, this fabulous silver and copper mokume piece may be out of some of our price ranges at $90, this is the most expensive item in his shop. Everything else currently listed is $18 - $28; quite reasonable for beauties like this:


Eye See You necklace


3 Heart Round Pendant, which is so interesting, I have to include the description:
1 inch round fine silver pendant with 24k gold foil hearts. This is the Keum Boo technique of fusing pure gold foil to other metals. The silver is then chemically treated (patina) to show the rich color of the gold. The patina can produce a rainbow of colors including gold, red, purple, blue and black.
Each piece made is different. No 2 are alike!

So, Check out RKmokume's Shop!

On a side note, I have to say I'm tickled pink - I got the sweetest feedback from my first featured artist ktaylorartist who is doing quite well on etsy!

Oh, also, last day of my back page sale! pick up anything listed before 10/30/2005, get another item from my entire shop of equal or lesser value, for free! Free shipping too! Check out my shop!

The detail on this candle (yes, I said candle!) is amazing! I love it. I want to get them for all my veggie loving friends...oh wait, I don't have any! Except me! Ha! Anyway, this candle was made by Pixiecandles at Etsy!

While I think that burgers that smell like cake is a little odd, she also does match some scents, like the PB&J Sandwich, the 9" Birthday cake, and of course, the lovely Blueberry Cheesecake!


Yeah! Support the food arts - burn a candle!

Look! I can't decide whether to make the "True Iron Cook" joke, or the "Full Metal Chef!" joke, but I think they both apply. So instead I will leave you with the artist's own description:
"Yorn desh born, der ritt de gitt der gue,
Orn desh, dee born desh, de umn, bork, bork, bork."

And after cooking, of course, you need a little serentity:

To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.


These fabulous cutlery sculptures (and more!) can be found in this little Etsy shop, called Papa Fork. How fun is that?!? I totally need Budha in my kitchen. *hint hint* ;)

I'm not sure at what point in my life I became "girly" but I do love my accessories. (Well, except jewelry...but that's another long odd story). And I like them unique.

A couple of years ago, I found myself at a sort of "lost" point - I was just out of college and I was completely frustrated by the fact I couldn't easily (and didn't need to) carry around a bookbag. Now where was I supposed to put my stuff? A purse? I was never a purse girl. Or at least I didn't think I was...but really, what else is a bookbag? It is just a utilitarian purse. So I found myself a purse. And got lots of compliments on it. My love of interesting purses was born.

This week, I'm featuring Etsy purse artist, Bellaroo. I love the small purses. Small, sweet, compact. I still am pretty straight forward in my purse needs - just the essentials, I hate carrying around extra stuff - but I love the variety of types and looks that small purses can come in!


I love the plaid, and the shape, and the ultra cute little detail of the leaves!


Though I have to say this green one is a little more my style - not as cutesy. A nice solid color, with a fun little wild accent to create interest.

Because purses are just so fun, I'm going to leave you with a little tiny bit of eyecandy from a variety of Etsy artists; the link below to go to the item page, so click on them if you are interested!

I went the the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago. Quite a feat, because since moving here, I've fallen quite firmly into the trap of Suburban inertia. I'm here, I don't leave. Sadly. But Renegade was too strong of a pull, and I even got my husband to come! He works from home so he's even more home-locked than I am! ;)

Renegade was fun, and definitely worth seeing (as was Penny's Noodle Shop down the street, yum), but I think the highlight of the day was Debb Galcik of the Forgotten Toybox. I'm still kicking myself for not picking up one of her books.

You may be asking yourself - what does this have to do with Etsy? And were are the damn pictures? :)

Well, I've found her. She also sells her wares on Etsy!



Perhaps my fascination is because I also bind books occasionally, and I much prefer the coptic stitch to most anything, but come on...I think anyone would admit her books are gorgeous. I love the little bit of a dark touch to them. And what really sets this artist apart is her work with copper:



Pictures don't really show how dimensional these images can be - the copper is etched, and are all visually interesting. The nice thing is that I've seen these things first hand - the stitching is sound, quality high. The only draw back is that she doesn't update her shop too regularly...but you can also find her work on her website The Forgotten Toybox and she also has a livejournal account metamorphmuse. Maybe if you support her through Etsy, we'd get more Etsy update love! :)

PS - My Shop has finally gone over 1000 views! Whoo hoo!

Sadly, I've been a little uninspired by etsy lately. Maybe I'm checking it too much, or maybe I can't follow through very well (I'd love to make this spotlight on my LJ a weekly thing! I love promoting other people! :) ) Or maybe my "spotlight" criteria is too high. With so many people on Etsy, I'm trying to stay away from the top 100 sellers to promote (though they do make lovely things!) They are all pretty well known by Etsy trollers, including myself!

This week, I realized I was looking too hard. I have lots of lovely things on my "favorites" list! And this week, I'm in love with enamel. It really is one of those skills I'd love to pick up. I've been playing around with "enamel-like" paper glazes and the such, but this week's seller, stummesding, has the real thing. I've been eyeing this little pin:



It's little! It's cute! It's only $5! But it's a question of money in paypal first, then money out :) If you wish to support my Etsy spending habits, let me know. I'll point you to my shop ;)

But I also wanted to show everyone one this charm - "Bunny Love". It's pink, it's unfuzzy, but it's a cute little bunny!



Everyone visit the shop! It's more than just jewelry bits; they claim many obsessions, including "sewing, metal work, knitting, screen printing, book binding and much more"!

Who loves penguins? C'mon, you know you do. Especially when they come in fun crystal colors!



Find these in a variety of different colors at Belletrist's Etsy Shop

Lately, I have been coveting art. My walls are bare, and I have a need to collect! I'm pretty choosy about my art, though, and pretty broke most of the time! So, my current art inventory is a orange poppy painting done in the 70s that I got at an estate sale (from the artist, though) and a balance card painting (Which I should hype - they are awesome!). I have a couple more pieces on the way, which I'll post about when I get 'em.

In my daily perusing of etsy, I found Ktaylorartist's shop, which belongs to Katherine Lauren Taylor. She's an aspiring artist, and says so in her bio - and I think she's great. All the pieces she sells are originals, all more than reasonably priced (dare I say under priced?) and the colors and imagery is vibrant. Love and personal recognition (or lack there of) seem to be her focus in the few that are listed...


Title: Who's in Control

I'm a silly girl who almost wanted to keep this find all to herself, but I figure if I'm not ready to pony up and pay for something I like, I shouldn't keep others from enjoying it. She's been definately added to my favorites; I'm keeping an eye on things she does in the future.

ktaylorartist's shop
Katherine Lauren Taylor's Webpage and shop