Foundhandmade

Foundhandmade is a unique way to shop. A buyer is brought to a page with blocks of photos showing them either handmade items, vintage items or supplies. Clicking on a block brings you to the website page where that particular item is for sale. There are also opportunities for buyers to win items.



Sellers get exposure by having their blocks link directly to their website, whether it is a personal website or an online selling venue. You can either buy blocks: One block – One month - $5, Five Blocks (non-touching, randomly placed) – One month - $20, Four-merged blocks (one larger image) – One month - $30, or enter one of their events for a chance to win a free block.


They also have a "Where to Sell" feature. Here you can find traffic rankings of various websites where crafters, artists and designers can sell.

Etsy Envy

The Etsy Bloggers Team is blogging about something from Etsy that you wish you had thought of first. As soon as I read that I new exactly what I was going to blog about. I came across 2ReVert.
This husband and wife team make jewelry from old skateboards. I think my idea envy stems from the fact that my son has been skating for over 9 years so we have gone through our share of skateboard decks. Here are a few of their unique pieces.

Micro Dots Necklace

Reversible Teardrop Necklace

Earrings

Until I came across their jewelry I had no idea that the layers in the deck of a skateboard were so colored and varied.

February Featured Etsy Blogger

The Etsy Blogger for February is Donna Pool. I had never been to Donna's shop before and I was very impressed with what I found. Donna not only sews and takes fabulous photographs, but she also makes awesome buttons. Here is just a sample of what Donna has to offer. Please visit her shop to see more of her great creations.

Electric Guitar Buttons

Puzzle Ball Ornament

Cat Note Cards

I Was Featured

A few week's ago I was featured on Angie's blog. It was very exciting for me and she wrote a very nice review of my shop. You can find it here if you would like to read it.

Of course I then had to go and check out Angie's shop, Handmade by Angie. I was totally blown away by what a talented lady she is. Not only does Angie have crocheting and cards, she also has ceramics. Here are my favorite picks from each of the 3 categories.

Three Pointed Bowl

Congratulations Card

Copper Patina Wool Scarf

Go check out Angie's shop; she truly has something for everyone.

A Valentine's Day Memory

Many years ago when my husband and I were in high school and just dating he gave me a heart shaped box of chocolates.


A friend and I were sitting on my platform bed (it was the late 70's) eating some chocolate and talking. We decided to go out for a while. I returned to find the box of chocolates open and eaten and wrappers all over the place! Who would do such a thing? Well, the chocolate footprints all over the white comforter were a clue.


Peanut, my adorable dachshund, sure had himself a chocolate fest while I was out. They say that too much chocolate can kill a dog, but fortunately, he was just fine.

Something New

This year, with prompting from an Etsy Bloggers carnival theme, I decided not only to make personal New Year's resolutions, but also resolutions for my stores and blog.

For my blog I will make a new post at least once a week. If I keep up with the blog groups that I belong to on Etsy and on Artfire that shouldn't be a problem.

For my shop I am going to try to add some new things. So far I am off to a good start. Here is my latest. I love making my bead crochet bangle bracelets, but I also love to crochet with yarn. I crocheted a couple of cuff bracelets, but I wasn't altogether happy with the way they turned out. Then I was browsing around online and noticed the felted items.I saw brooches and cell phone pouches and beads. I thought, "Why not bracelets?" So I gave them a try. After a few tries I was thrilled with the results. These bracelets are soft and very lightweight. They also work up very quickly and are something I can work on while I'm sitting in my car waiting for my kids at one of their activities. (The crochet part anyway; the felting part takes water).

I have made 2 sets They are available in my Etsy shop and also in my Artfire shop.

Winter Hater, Snowman Lover

I can state with absolute certainty that I hate winter! I don’t like the cold, brisk air, I don’t like the long hours of darkness and I don’t like the snow. I don’t like it that my hands, feet and nose are always freezing. I don’t like all the extra laundry there is from all the layers that I wear. I don’t like driving in snow and I definitely don’t like shoveling snow.

Now that I am done with that rant I would like to say that I adore snowmen. Even after I take down my Christmas decorations I leave my snowmen up until Spring. There is something about them that just makes me smile.

These are a few of the many that I have around my house.

I love this fabric and wood wall hanging that was a gift from my in-laws.



This is my absolute favorite. It is a foam napkin holder made by my son when he was in kindergarten. I use it to hold Christmas cards.




Now that I have shown you some of my personal snowmen, here are some that I found on Artfire.

Snowman Teacup from GliztnGlass.

Fused Glass Snowman Pin from papernclay.




Snowman on The Beach Print from Joann Bristol Fine Art Photography

Featured Etsy Blogger January 2009

This month's featured Etsyblogger is Ruthie from Rose Works Jewelry. Ruthie has been making jewelry since she was a freshman in high school. Her shop has a variety of jewelry. Her beautiful work includes beaded jewelry, beadweaving and also hemp jewelry.



Having done some beadweaving myself, I know how much time and patience must have gone into this piece. Her Purple Snake bracelet is absolutely stunning. Give her shop a peek. She has something for everyone.

Sunset

As I walked through my living room on Sunday I noticed that everything had an orange hue. This is what the sky looked like out my back door.

New Year’s Resolution 2009

Well, it’s that time of year again. It is time to reflect on the year that has passed and think about what I would like to change. I know that, without a doubt, the personal problem that I would love to tackle, and win, is procrastination. I am a world class procrastinator. My main form of procrastination is the computer. Hanging out in different forums is a main source of time consumption for me. The tool that I am going to use to help me combat this problem is the microwave timer. I will allow myself a certain amount of time online each day and when the timer goes off I will be done. This will include listing items in my Etsy and Artfire shops, blogging, Flickr and reading email. Wish me luck!

What are your resolutions? Leave me a comment; I would love to hear them.

PROCRASTINATE
v.i. delay action