Thank you!

Thank you all for playing with the Jeremy the Brown Owl giveaway!

Spazspun.etsy.com was the lucky winner to give Bob a new home!

Thank you all for participating!

Getting to know me! and Goals!

As a reminder - Tomorrow at Noon is the deadline to sign up for the Bob the Brown Owl Giveaway!
Remember to leave a comment on the giveaway post two below this one! Tell me what your favorite childhood toy was and your etsy username so I can contact the winner!!

Because it is ALMOST April... already. I will put my goals in writing. I like to do this every month to keep me on track.
My goal for next month is to list at least 15 more items.
Work on the new line of bags/clutches/Business card holders.
As well as continue to blog on a regular basis and promote. I can only have so much control over sales... hence promote as much as I can. Id love to make it to 15 sales. (I have 5 right now) Sooo wish me luck!

Onward and upward!

I figured I would throw a few snippets about myself out there that some people might or might not expect or know. I know most of you wouldnt know this stuff - but i dont have anything else pressing to blog about right now (Unless you want to hear about spring cleaning.... didnt think so)
We took a trip to LA last fall. It was my first time there. It was great fun looking at the stars on the walk of stars. The only one I stopped at to have my photo taken with was Dr. Seuss. Explains a lot, huh?
Kyle picked PeeWee Herman. That explains a lot too!


Another little tidbit about me is that I have a think for Historical Novels. Romance, yes some. But I also love Laura Ingalls Wilder and the type of writing from the Oregon Trail, etc. I love feeling taken back to a time were we can only imaging living. So when I saw this image of the old fashioned calling card I had to save it for myself. Its beautiful isnt it?


Maybe someday if I end up printing my own items ill make something like this to sell. Kinda neat!

And now... the reason I do what I do.

Ever since I was little I wanted to create characters and creatures like Jim Henson. He has always been my inspiration for what I do. Now as an adult the company I am with does a lot with Disney - so I thought this picture was always fitting.
Anyway thats my blog for today - if something else unique comes up ill share again!

Im Featuring my Featurers!

Firstly, Remember to leave a comment on the giveaway post just below this one! Tell me what your favorite childhood toy was and your etsy username so I can contact the winner!!
I realized I never mentioned my favorite toys. I LOVED and still love books. But as far as a toys - I played with Barbies well into 6th grade, making clothing for them things for their home decor, etc. I also cherished my Teddy Ruxpin and adored my cabbage patch kids.

On to the point of this blog!
I have recently gotten a lot of wonderful feedback from people in the etsy forums. (Such a wonderful community there) And it turns out the more I interact, the more people want to interact with me! -gasp!- The concept is unfathomable!
I wanted to take today to feature my featurers!

I recently was selected to put an etsymini on Timothy Adams Designs http://timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com/
He has some really unique industrial inspired pieces that are very moving. You can tell he pours himself into his artwork!

I also had an email this morning saying that Peter the Yellow Owl Gift Card Holder had charmed his way onto this blog:
http://customcreationsbysydnei.blogspot.com/
This is the cutest combination of scrapbooking /paper goods and Family on Sydnei's blog. Such a joy to read!


I discovered another blog with Spencer the Owl Finger Puppet on it as well!
http://theivyleaf.blogspot.com/ She has a really interesting shop of clasps, bandles, doodads and unique pieces she makes as supplies! Neat to look through!

I want to say thank you to all of you who have noticed my shop, or me in some way or another. Etsy is a great community to be a part of.

We all make a difference in our own way and for the future of generations after us, this is why we do what we do!

Jeremy the Brown Owl Finger Puppet Giveaway!

I took an unofficial poll the other day about what people would like to see given away from my shop. The people have spoken and the consensus was a Finger Puppet.



Meet Jeremy the Brown Owl.
He enjoys the Teapot song and tapioca pudding.
He is a little shy at first but im sure he will warm up to you.

To win Jeremy all you need to do is leave a comment on my blog and tell me what was your favorite childhood toy (Please also leave your Etsy Username so I can contact the winner through etsy).
All of your names will go into a hat (Potentially something else that is handy... like.... tupperware, even) to draw a name. The contest will end Friday (March 28th) at Noon East Coast Time.
Good Luck!

Tidbits and Snippets

Good Friday Morning to you all out in La-La Land!
The "Etsy Restriction" week is almost over! Yay!
I must admit though that I had been doing a few things here and there. I sent out a couple of batches of business cards for promotions. I had to mail out a purchase. I had to keep checking the forums (addiction, much?), I had to fill out contracts and mail photos of consignment pieces, I have officially wiped out my owl finger puppet stock....
So for being a non-Etsy week.... I have done a lot with Etsy. :) Take that for trying to keep me away!

Speaking of the "Plague" - I am feeling better. Still have a very dry and harsh burning cough. Now my Partner has it. I am on the Up and Up and he sort of is too. Hes a couple of days behind me with it.
We have family in town every couple of weeks til the end of April.... so it really is a good thing im taking things slow.

I have signed up to participate in the Greater Orlando Arts and Craft Show on May 30th thru June 1st at the Osceola County Fairgrounds. I actually am only participating for Saturday 9 am to 6pm and Sunday 9am to 4pm. Hopefully thats enough time between now and then to create (without me wearing myself out, I know.) and to restock and get going on my projects from my Teasers post a while back. I look forward to creating new things.

I also am paying one of the guys in the Shop I work with to create me some new display pieces to utilize all of the space in a 10x10 booth instead of just using a 6 foot table. Super excited about getting this in the next few weeks. Of course I will paint it red to match the rest of my display. Here is a photo an Etsian friend found and her husband is making her one as well. It will have a hinge on top to be colapsable to take to and from Craft Shows.


I also completed the Design of my new business cards last night so I sent those off to get printed from a gentleman on etsy argraphics21 Who has a stellar deal - two sided full color business cards at $35.00 for 1000 of them! He is also in Florida so im trying to promote the Buy Locally. (Even though its not RIGHT in Orlando) Im sure ill post photos of how they come out!

So much new stuff going on I can barely contain myself!
Oh and Happy Easter Everyone!

Soap, Soap and MORE Soap!

This was a wonderful package I received from Martinsville Emporium that has AMAZING soaps. We purchased a big bar of Apple, Peach and Cinnamon - which is wonderful. We also got a four sampler pack of Chai Tea, Green Tea, Nag Champa and Amber Dawn. These are luscious and wonderful! I highly recommend their soaps!

www.martinsvilleEmporium.etsy.com

Ive been banned from my own work!

My Partner had to put his foot down last night.

I came home from work with a 102.1 fever...

Let me backtrack a bit...
I acquired strep throat about two weeks ago, took a 10 day antibiotic and then started getting sickly again on Sunday after the craft show.
Result -
Doing too much and not letting my body really recoup.
So I am back on antibiotics again.
I have been banned from working on anything Etsy related this week after I get home from work.
He tells me its enforceable resting time - I begrudgingly conceded.

Moral of the story is - I need to lay off a wee little bit and take things in stride. Take care of yourself and enjoy the healthy days!

I am a go-go-go-go kind of person. I just wear myself out.
I do plan to still ship out any orders that come through and send out some business cards to promote - but that can be done while flopping on the couch. :) He let me have that much.

MEGA Craft ZILLA Booth!

I wanted a logo that was not just a flat surface. I created the Red Marionette Logo out of "train" blocks and big red letter blocks, painted red then sanded for the "Old Toybox" look. Someone even wanted to buy the logo!





Here is the entire booth layout. The day was rather warm - we all kind of wilted by midday - but it wasn't rainy and we were in the shade!!
I still am looking for a more creative way to display the pennants.



Closeup of some of the product. A darling little boys face lit up when he saw the Red Octopus - he had to have it!


The Candy Dish was rather popular. Gift Card Holders I find need to be explained a little more than I thought. They can also be used as a little creative way to give a child money, keep their "precious items" in like stones or coins, etc.

Also - not many people realized the finger puppets are large enough to use as wine bottle toppers. When you give a bottle of wine at a party instead of a gift bag - pop one of my creatures on to the top and see the expressions on their faces.

Overall the day was great! I learned a lot - I took way more than I needed in various doodads and "in case" stuff. I was excited about getting to use my knucklebuster and propay account but no one purchased anything with a credit card - which was okay too!

I had two great neighbors Moll Doll and Avenue Handmade - It was brilliant being able to talk with them as we shared the day. They both have lovely stuff! Please check them out on etsy!

Thank you all for coming out!

Teasers....

Tease tease tease! Who doesnt love a tease? Erm.... Moving On!

Decisions have been made for the upcoming stock production.
It sounds all professional when I say it that way. :)
Here are the teasers!

Pending how well they sell this weekend, I shall be producing more paperback book covers with the creatures on the front.

Pillow covers are in the works - (Including patterns and/or creatures) I have a good stock of vintage inspired fabrics as well as fun colors.

Brooches (also pending on how well they sell this weekend) - I have made little owls and little octopus...

Tote bags... All together now... Oooooo. More utilitarian style than decorative - yet still fun. I use totes on a daily basis. Im moving away from small purses as I find myself outgrowing them hehe.

And Owl Finger Puppet Sets. This has been requested by consignment shops and I think I am ready to take that plunge on a small scale. MaxandZane.com is a site I am in discussion to list with. The sets I am currently working on are three owls in various colors and expressions. I hadn't dabbled much in the facial expression with the eyes, but the few I have made were well received.

Exploratory fabrics with the stuffies. LARGER stuffies. I fully intend to utilize salvation army for their large selection of used clothing. I would love to begin making a more eco friendly line of stuffies out of gently worn clothing.

There I said it.
Any comments would be appreciated!
It gives me goals to move towards and everyone knows you are more motivated when you have goals!

Photo of Booth Mockup

The much anticipated craft show at MEGA-CRAFT-ZILLA is this coming Sunday!
Here is my mockup booth!
I dont have any of the prices in the little plastic holders yet but I am happy with how it turned out.
The white shelves I got at a Garage sale for $15.00 as a set.
The Multicolored Basket was $1.00 and the fabric and cloth I raided Joanns Sales and found the red fabric for $2.00 per yard.
I use little unfinished coat hook hangers from Michaels for $1.00 a piece. Eventually im sure ill paint them bright colors. I found a mini bright yellow wire bookstand that will house the book covers in the lower right hand corner at a garage sale for $1.00.
Id love any input all you crafters have!
Ill take better photos at the actual craft show - but for now - this is my baby! :)

Im good enough, Im smart enough, and Gosh Darnit, people like me!

Good morning everyone!
I have a mindset to make this day a productive and good day!
Since I frequent the etsy.com site and alway see posts about peoples goals for the month I think it is a brilliant idea to keep you on track and motivated. I occasionally post about what my intentions and goals are on etsy as well as outside of it.

I have already met my two small goals I made for myself this month - so perhaps I should be thinking a bit grander. Slightly more aggressive.
Perhaps....
I think people feel if they tell a friend or commit to writing goals down, making lists then they stay on track. They are obligated.
I feel this way also. If I put all of my goals for the remainder of the month in writing then it might be easier to stay motivated and make it happen....
So here they are!

- Complete two more sales on Etsy.com by the 31st of March
- Sell at least 100 dollars at the craft show on Sunday March 16th.
- Complete two full sets of owl finger puppets to send to consignment
- Organize the Craft Room for Spring Cleaning

This might not seem like an overwhelming amount of stuff to do for some people. However life happens, I have family in town the next two weekends as well as a fuller than full time job. BUT - Im a redhead and we are known for being stubborn. It WILL happen! :)