I highly recommend becoming verified on Artfire.com.

So I took the step and verified my ARTFIRE account and wow was a surprised to have 5 sales from it yesterday.

Now I know that Artfire is still in it's early stages of development, but I normally spend anywhere from 80.00 - 100.00 in fees (sometimes more) on etsy so that 12.00 locked in rate at Artfire.com really has me excited.

But it's not only the fee's that made me want to verify my Artfire studio, but also the customer service. The administration at Artfire really seems to want to give the shop owner all the tools they need to be able to have a successful business. They are attentive when we ask for something, and they are available if you need help. I know I personally had a short conversation with @ArtfireJohn on twitter, which is amazing in and of itself.

Here are some other great things about being a verified member on Artfire.com:

* No Listing/Final/Hidden Fees
* UNLIMITED Active Listings
* Full Custom Fusion Studio
* Personal Domain / URL
* Free Web Hosting of Your Studio
* Preferred Placement in Searches
* Enhanced Customization Options
* Up to 10 Pictures Per Product
* Up to 99 Studio Categories
* Multiple Quantity for Items
* Full Community Interaction
* Social Media Promotion Tools
* Rapid Cart (sell on your blog!)
* Market Hub (Link to ETSY)
* Add Custom Widgets in Studio
* Integrated Payment Processing
* Google Analytics & Site Statistics
* Global Shipping Profiles
* Social Media Resource Library
* Live Instant Flagging
* Categories Displayed Randomly
* Fast, One-Page Listing Process
* Sticky Cart (reserves buyers item)
* Fast, Accurate Filtered Site Search
* Quick One Button Relist
* Vacation Mode & Sales Mode
* Education/Training/Support
* Listings SEO Optimized
* Google Base (Auto Submitted)
* View Prices in Any Currency
* Kudos / Karma Feedback System
* Artisan Guilds
* Artisan Councils
* Artisan Profile with Photo
* Ability/Option to Accept Offers
* Credibility Program (Artifacts)
* Automated Markdown Manager
* No Third Party Ads on Listings
* Increased Trend Pages Exposure
* Increased Gift Guide Exposure

Anyhow if you decide (like me) you want to become verified, use this link - Register on ArtFire.com to help me get my free ride!

Allow Your Passion

Allow Your Passion

When you are doing what you know you are meant to do, there's no need to struggle. Instead of difficult or challenging or frustrating, there is simply doing.
When you are merely interested, or when you're following someone else's dream, anything can distract you. Yet when you're pursuing your very own passion, nothing has the power to stop you.

True passion is not a matter of gritting your teeth and forcing yourself to take action. True passion is allowing all your words, thoughts and actions to resonate with who you most authentically are.

There's no reason to fight against yourself. Instead, allow yourself in every moment to live out those interests, qualities, longings, ideals and purposes that you value most.

There is a reason why some things feel right and other things don't. Pay attention to those feelings, for they tell you who you truly are.

From your own beautiful, unique spirit can flow a wealth of goodness and meaningful achievement. Feel it, know it, allow it and it will come.

-- Ralph Marston

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY - *** Every single order this Fri-Mon weekend will get a FREE pair of earrings!!! (Unlisted and One of a Kind)

**I am ALSO offering 20% off anything the last page in my shop.** (enter code "Weekend Deals" in notes to seller at checkout)

Remember to drive safe!

Please be sure to vote!

For my friend WickedlyGood in the etsy voter! I really want her pendant to win!

Wow, my treasury made the FP last night!

What another great etsy surprise. I was in chat and AuntieDis commented on how pretty the FP was. I had to go look and I was so happy! It was my treasury!

I know 3 people were bought off. Congrats to everyone.

Blame it on the E-E-E-E-Economy

I saw this on the view today and I thought it was awesome! Check it out.

15% off anything on the last page in my shop this weekend!

Go ahead and purchase, I will refund your 15% through paypal.

Hope everyone has a great sunny weekend.

I am really annoyed with our welfare system...

Ok time for a little snark. I just have to get this off my chest so bear with me here.

I am so tired of this countries welfare system. It simply disgusts me to see people living on tax-payers money that could be out working a job. (and many of them are...under the table)It seems we reward the wrong. and I admit, I don't have all the answers, but anything is better than this.

A little background, I live in the poorest county in Ohio. I don't know the numbers, but I worked at a bank, and when you work at a bank you cash alot of checks. Welfare, SSI, SS, etc. There were many people that were cashing in there disability check every month, and holding down other jobs, or working odd jobs which is technically wrong.

That isn't even the sickest part! Let's just say you were down on your luck, and you decided to go and try and get some help...let's just say foodstamps. IF you are working a job, you are going to have a hard time getting any help with food. Have children to feed? They don't care. If you make over that certain dollar amount, you are out of there! No help for you.

It has always seemed weird to me that the majority that are getting help, make just under the limit to get help with other things. So you get your monthly check, and you qualify for foodstamps to pay for your food, then you qualify for section 8 housing, and then you get free healthcare. Not to mention help with the heating bill, and reduced charges for phone and electric.

This literally eats me alive. Prob because when me and my husband got married he was in debt big time, and we were only bringing home 450.00 a week. Guess what, we didn't get help from the government (though I am sure we wouldn't have qualified anyhow) and we lived in a tiny 3 room shack while paying everything off. This place had no indoor plumbing, and no hot water when we moved in, and while we did eventually get a hot water heater, we lived without a bathroom for over a year. When I had to use it or shower, I walked my hind in a quarter mile uphill to my MIL and FIL's house. Now, I am by no means a rich person today, but we do a heck of alot better. Now we have a decent home, and 2 count, count them TWO bathrooms.

The moral of all this is, if you keep handing the money over, the country will continue to suffer, and able bodied people will keep on lining up with their hands out because after all it is easier. The people that really need the help can't get help because they "make to much" but yet when the social workers do the figuring, they don't account for your health insurance cost, nor do they account for your rent or mortgage payment or any of the other perks of not working. You know all of the benefits those already receiving help get...

Now for my reasoning...my son was born with a mild birth defect. I wasn't able to work after I had him because I didn't have any childcare available at the time, and if I would have paid for daycare, my take home pay would have been approx. 150.00 every 2 weeks. That's right, barely enough to buy diapers and formula. I was always the one who covered health insurance, but now that I wasn't working my DH would have to take over through his work, and that amounted to 120.00 a week! Yep that is right, 480.00 a month.

Now I know that doesn't seem like alot to some of you, but at the time, it was about 1/3 of our monthly income (thank the Lord he is making more now). I called to see if we could possible receive medicaid so my son could have his surgery and they told use we made too much. Did you see that, a family of 3 making about 1500.00 a month made too much. I pointed out to her that his health insurance was nearly 500.00 a month but she said it didn't matter. She basically told me that if he were to "lose" his job, we could get all the benefits we needed. Ain't that a smack in the face? Be a bum and we will support you, but try and work and support your family, you won't get squat.

I know a couple that just got married, he bought her a 1 karat diamond ring, they just bought all new furniture and a new SUV, and their family of 5 lives solely on the government, with no plans on getting jobs.

It is just sick.

There are people that really need help. I know that...this isn't about you.

WE need reformation!

It's Monday! New Earrings of the week!

I had a request to do blue earrings of the week this week. I started looking around and I remembered I had these beautiful glass ovals that would look great paired with antiqued copper.

They are only 6.00 and they will ship FREE with any other item in my shop. Be sure to get 'em while you can.

Free shipping this weekend @ BlueNostalgia.etsy.com

Check it out! Free shipping -even internationally- at BlueNostalgia all weekend long.

Ends Monday at 12am - no code required!

How would you like to win 50.00 worth of merchandise?

Well you can! The Etsy Chatters Team has gotten an anonymous donation from a wonderful person (I am sure of this, I mean WOW), and they want it to go to someone who follows the Etsy Chatters Blog. This is something you don't want to miss because yours truly is participating in the giveaway, as well as alot of other talented artisans.

You really need to check out all the shops you can win this 50.00 credit to. Anything from bath and body to jewelry, from crochet to photography and art! Oh and not to mention SWEETS! No strings attached other than following the Etsy Chatters Blog and picking which store you would like to spend your 50.00 in! I promise you don't want to miss out on this one guys - really some amazing shops.

Now, I just KNOW you will want to spend your credit in my shop right? Seriously though, even if you don't choose my store, no sweat!

Make sure you stop by http://etsychatters.blogspot.com/ and follow for your chance to win. :)

Where I get my cards...

I love giving handmade cards to family and friends as well as sending them out in all my packages.
I just had to share with everyone where I get the most amazing cards. The shop is CardsBetweenFriends. This girl is absolutely one of thee most talented card makers I have ever come across, and she has me as a customer for life.
Here are a couple examples of her work.

I got this card for my momma for Mother's Day -


I got this card for my husband for our anniversary. Incase you didn't notice, he loves to golf -


And I got this card for my FIL from my husband for Father's Day -


Her prices are super reasonable for the quality of work she does. You should totally check out her shop, and if you order, make sure you tell her I sent you. You will not be disappointed. www.CardsBetweenFriends.etsy.com

So I finally got my destash shop up and running,

Check it out, and definitely buy something. Spent 30.00 or more and I will ship for free! BlueNostalgiaDestash

How about a trip?

Back to 1987. Oh how I miss tapered leg jeans and leather jackets.

They like her, they really like her!

Another beautiful front page by my friend waysideviolet. She really has an amazing eye for making treasuries.

WOOT!

Thank you to my dear friend waysideviolet for rockin' another front page! Woohoo!

A bit of advice.

I was just reading in the etsy forums about an etsy seller that is being taken advantage of, and I have to admit, I have had the same thing happen to me in my shop.

A couple of months ago I had some contact me about one of my bracelets. She said she was looking for a gift for one of her family members, and really liked one that was in my sold items. She asked me to take apart the bracelet and make her a necklace which I did without problem. It was in my early days when sales were more sparse and I was happy for the potential sale.

So I took apart the bracelet and made it into the necklace. I took pics of it for her, and sent her a message. Needless to say, it wasn't what she wanted. So I took it apart again, and made it less asymmetrical as she requested. Took pics again, and posted them in a message to her. Once again she wasn't happy. She wanted the one I had sold a few weeks prior, but I just couldn't make that particular necklace for her because I didn't have enough supplies.

After nearly 10 convos back and forth she ended up getting rude with me about it, and telling me she didn't want the necklace after all. I was so upset, first that what I made wasn't good enough they way it was, and second because after trying so hard to get that sale, and literally spending about 3 hours trying to make it right, she had declined what I had made for her. Basically I had worked approximately 4 hours including convos, photos, editing, and messaging for nothing.

The moral of this story? Be sure to get you get at LEAST 50% (non-refundable) payment up front for your item before doing any custom order or custom work. Even if they don't end up buying the piece, your time is still valuable.

Above is the infamous bracelet. It really needs a good home!

YEA for weekend sales!

My weekend sale this week you ask?

In honor of earth day, I will refund 10% on any GREEN or BLUE (most items :)) item in my shop! Sale starts Friday morning at 10:00am est, and will end at 12:00am Sunday morning. Enter code "GOGREEN" at checkout.

Take advantage of this sale and buy something for the mother, or grad in your life! :)

It's Monday! New Earrings of the week!

Welcome my newest addition to the short lived yet affordable earrings of the week. I happen to love them so I of course HAD to make a pair for myself.

Make sure you get your pair soon - they are very limited, and if you buy them with any other piece in my shop I will refund the 2.00 shipping fee.

Yea for the Front Page!

Earlier today, I was messing around craftcult, and I decided to add their currently on the FP widget to my blog. As soon as I pasted it and went to view it, I got the shock of the month! I was on the front page. Boy is it fun, I think I *might* be able to handle it everyday. :P

Wow what a wonderful Saturday!

I had a really great day today.

Usually on the weekends my husband lets me sleep in which is so wonderful of him. Today I was able to sleep in until 10 with just a couple on interruptions from little "G". I am a total night owl, I am usually up thinking up new creations, or chatting with the chatters, so I am usually not in bed before 2am. I consider it my "me" time.

Anyhow when I woke up, Josh was putting up our new umbrella we had gotten the night before, so me and "G" sat on the front porch and admired the lake and blew some bubbles. He of course wanted to play in the dirt, so we did a little digging too.

At 5pm we went over to my BIL's for a cook out. Josh played cornhole and really kicked butt-that my man- while I played with "G" and his cousin "C".

Right before we left BIL's house I checked my IPhone and YES, I had 2 sales which is awesome for me because normally I don't have any sales on the weekend. I got a little suspicious and wondered why I got 2 sales when normally I either just have 1 all weekend or none at all, and I found out I am in a gift guide! YES, YES, YES, I am finally feeling some etsy love!

Say hello to my new best friend, Pretty Bird. :)

Be sure to enter!

I am being featured and giving away a 20.00 credit to my shop! Check it out here!

BUY A POSTAL SCALE!

Yes, I am shouting, and I will keep shouting. :P

I love my postal scale. I can't even begin to tell you how much money I have saved by not having to drive into town to mail my packages, not to mention all the money saved on Delivery Confirmation (which I feel is a MUST at 18 cents). If you buy delivery confirmation at the post office, it is going to cost you 75 cents! Maybe not much on 1 package, but do that on 50 packages, and you would be paying an extra 28.50. OUCH!

If you have a postal scale you can weigh your item and enter the weight and type of shipment in paypal, print your label and leave your item in your mailbox or at your doorstep for USPS pickup. This also, in my opinion, looks much more professional than just writing names on the package.

Did you know you can pick up an awesome postal scale on royalmailers.com for about 20.00 shipped? I got mine there 2 years ago and it is still working like brand new.

It is definitely worth the small investment, so GO GET ONE! :)

Sneak peek of my weekend sale!

I thought I would let you all in on my little secret! My weekend sale for this coming Friday and Saturday. Take 10% off anything in my shop, and also take advantage of the free international shipping promotion before it ends 4/30/09.

Actually I am really sad to have to start charging for shipping, but I realized after fees, supplies, and shipping, I wasn't making much of anything. But, the good news is the cap on shipping will be 2.50, so it is still an excellent deal.

I love all my customers. I count it a blessing to send my jewelry to far away places like Spain, England, Germany, and Canada.

JUPITA...you have got to check out this shop!

I just have to inform you all of a super shop I found on etsy a few months ago. The shop owner is someone I am blessed to call a friend. Jenn is the shop owner of www.jupita.etsy.com, and www.dropsofjupita.etsy.com and she is seriously, seriously, talented. Not only that, but she has to be one of the sweetest people I have ever met. We met in the etsy chat rooms, and I am so lucky to call her a friend.

So more about her Jenn....she describes herself as a mommy, lover, wandered, doodler, drafter, activist, breast feeder, friend, journaler, jewelry maker, recycler, happy fun maker, and so much more.

She is 30 years old, a Florida native, and a stay at home mommy to four boys, Sebastian, Maynard, and Atreyu, and her angel Othello. She is a wife, and an Ex-Architect / Ex-mortuary assistant.

Organ donation is very close to her heart because her son Othello had to have a 5 organ transplant at 9 months old. You can read more about his story here - www.othellosmithfoundation.tk

Here are some of her pieces.

Hot Pocket!!!!!

You have to take 4.5 minutes out of you day and see this! It is so hilarious.

Week 2 of my Earrings of the Week!

I wanted to show you all my new earrings of the week! I think they are beautiful and they are an amazing value at only $6 bucks. Buy them while you can because there will only be 4 pairs made this week.

The Pendulum
-------------

I want to share an amazing etsy shop...

Ok so am wanting to start sharing some of the most awesome shops I have found on etsy. So I am going to start with www.WickedlyGood.etsy.com . The shop owner (Madeline) is a chat-friend of mine, and she is amazingly talented.

I know she has been on etsy for more than a year as a buyer, but her work just HAD to be shared with the world.She creates ceramic pendants that are both bisque and fire glazed. Best of all they are lead free! Here is some of her work.

This necklace features a Queen Anne's Lace Pendant.

Mediterranean Tile Pendant

One to keep, one for your lover

Rustic Rocker no.4

I know I am planning on making a purchase soon, and I hope you will check her out too!

Can we say, "Earrings of the Week?"

Starting every Monday I will be offering "Earrings of the Week". They will be very limited, and they will be highly discounted. Shipping on the "Earrings of the week will be 2.00, but the kicker is, if you add them to any other purchase in my shop, I will refund the 2.00 and they will ship for free, even internationally!

Now, don't get the wrong idea here, just because these earrings are highly discounted, doesn't mean they aren't at least double what I am charging. But I really want you to have a pair of BlueNostalgia earrings, and if I have to offer them super cheap to gain you as a customer, I am NOT above that! I am willing to bet that once you have one pair, you will be back for more, it is inevitable.

Here are the earrings I am offering this week for only 6.00!

Ok so this is the deal!

I am offering 3 BIG promotions this weekend. (Fri-Sunday and 12am est)

*15% off any earrings in my shop including sale earrings! Enter promo code "April Showers" at check out and I will refund you through paypal.

**Buy any 2 coordinating pieces and receive a 5.00 refund. Go ahead and pay, and I will send the refund via paypal.

***And finally, free international shipping.

Happy Shopping! :)

Watch for a BIG sale this weekend!

Hey everyone! I am just so excited about spring aren't you?

In honor of the warmer weather, I am giving you all the heads up on my sale this weekend. Now, I am not going to give you all the JUICY details, but I will say that this weekend is the time to buy if you have ever thought about it because this is not something I do every weekend or even every month! It IS the best weekend sale I have ever held to date, and I am SOOOOO excited about it.

All the details will be posted in my shop announcements Friday so make sure you come by to check it out. :)

So I made the FP twice in March. Woohoo!

March has been VERY exciting. I am still loving what I do, and I am still thrilled with each and every sale. I feel very blessed with a total of 32 sales this month.

I was also featured of the front page 2 times (could have been 4 but that is another story). Here is a screen shot of one of the front pages. I couldn't find the other that was featured on the 16th.



So far my biggest pieces of advice would be to make connections with other etsians, and have great photos. Both have gotten me so much farther than I ever was my previous store. I am so blessed to have great etsy friends.

37 things about me.

Totally stole this from my girl BizzieLizzie!
1. Do you like bleu cheese? Eww, no.
2. Have you ever smoked? Yes, I used to be a smoker. Glad I quit.
3. Do you own a gun? No
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? Cherry
6. What do you think of hot dogs? eww.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Home Alone all the way.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee, or Mt Dew
9. Can you do push ups? Not well
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Anything I make, haha.
11. Favorite hobby? Decorating my house, thrift store shopping, yard saling, making jewelry, walking.
12. Do you have A. D. D.? A little.
13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? No
14. Middle name? Alannah Nicole
15.. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: I wish I would make a sale, I am nervous about my trip this weekend, my stomach hurts.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink. Pop, Coffee, Tea
18. Current hate right now? Better not.
19. Favorite place to be? Home.
20. How did you bring in the new year? At my husbands, step grandmothers house.
21. Where would you like to go? The tropics.
22. Name three people who will complete this: Noone
23. Do you own slippers? Yes and can't stand them.
24. What color shirt are you wearing? Gray
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? never slept on satin sheets.
26. Can you whistle? Yes.
27. Where are you now? At home.
28. Would you be a pirate? Nah, I don't steal.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? none
30. Favorite Girl's Name? You asked me too quick
31. Favorite boy's name? Gavin, Torrin, Kieran
32. What is in your pocket right now? nothing.
33. Last thing that made you laugh? My son
34. What vehicle do you drive? Grand Am
35. Worst injury you've ever had? Stitches in my head from falling down the stairs.
36. Do you love where you live? Not really.
37.. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2

My new favs.

These are great for spring.



Love this color combo. This necklace coordinates with the earrings below.



Just love the way these earrings shine. Acorns are so in this season.

And we have a winner!

I randomly chose the winner of my blog giveaway! And.....the winner is....CLAYCHIC!

Thanks to all for participating!

I made the front page!

I am just so excited about this! I made the front page on etsy.com!

Here it is. Mine is the Sailors Delight Necklace.

All these etsians worried about pricing...

You know, I have only been on etsy for about 4 months, but I have been absorbing everything like a sponge. I sit in chat listening to what people want. I watch the forums constantly. I am obsessed.

Recently in the forums I have been seeing people post about lowering their prices. They have become unsure of their worth because they aren't getting alot of views or sales. I have to admit, I have gotten down a couple of times since opening my new store. I mean it is HARD! We all have to remind ourselves that this isn't ebay! You reap what you sow on etsy. Hard work pays off.

So please everyone, I beg you not to lower your prices. This isn't retail. You are one of a kind with a one of a kind mind, and one of a kind designs. (We hope!) If you are going to do anything, take time and retake your pictures, and renew your items. You should be making a profit, not just breaking even. Your time is worth more than that!

Have you every tried handmade soap?

I hadn't until November 2008, and honestly I didn't know what I was missing. It is absolutely amazing, and it doesn't have all the harsh ingredients that regular body washes and soaps you would normally buy at Target or Walgreen's.

Recently I bought some soap from a fellow etsian OakenstoneHandmade. It was her all natural oatmeal soap. Here is a pic.



I had been desperately searching for a new facial cleanser that would help clear my minor acne problems, and I have to say, this stuff is absolutely amazing. On one side it has scrubby oatmeal, and on the other side it is smooth and soft. I have yet to find another soap that lathers as well.

Another great thing is this soap, although small in comparison to other soaps I have bought, it lasts an incredibly long time. Longer than some 5 oz soaps. You gotta love that!

I have heard nothing but good about this seller and her products. I think I am going to try her Chai Tea Handmade Soap next for use in the shower. I will let you know how I like it. She also has a coffee soap that gets rave reviews.

For 4.00 plus shipping, you can have this soap delivered to your door. Yeah, a little expensive for those that haven't tried it, but well worth every penny.

Start with a bang

I figured I would start with a bang. So from now 'til February 14th all the people that follow my blog will be entered into a drawing for a free pair of vintage style earrings. Winner will be announced on February 15th.

I am also looking for etsy store owners to feature in my blog. If you are interested please contact me through convo on etsy.