Very pretty work...check it out!

This weeks featured artisan is Cathy - owner of Caty Ann's Creations. Cathy lives in NW Ohio. She has been creating jewelry for about 6 years for herself and family members. Each of her pieces are unique. Stop by and see them all! You can find Caty Ann's Creations here:

Artfire Shop - http://catyann.artfire.com
Ecrater Shop - http://.catyanns.ecrater.com
Zibbet Shop - http://.zibbet.com/catyann

Caty Ann's Blog - http://catyannscreations.blogspot.com

This weeks featured artisan is Tracy - owner of Braggin' Rights Bath. This is her new venue... wonderful yummy bath products..Tracy also has a shop called
Braggin' Rights filled with wonderful handmade gifts. You can find Tracy at:

MadeitMyself
Artfire
Etsy

She also has 2 blogs... Uses for Stuff Braggin Rights Finds

Stop by and see all her wonderful creations!!
She has a right to brag. Her items are wonderful.

Phew!

I cannot believe it is the 15th day of 2010. It is flying by and by the way, is it twenty-ten or two thousand ten? Do I care?
Not really. Just hoping and trying to make this year better than last.
I had a special order for an ill customer in California. She has not responded to e-mails or to the posted items in over a week. Here's a glitch in this cyber world...how do I contact her other than e-mail or through her shops? I do not care about the order but am concerned about her health. I have tried to find a phone number but haven't had success. I think I will send a note to her husband (don't even know his first name!) and try to find out if she's okay. I'm sad to think she's spending the first 15 days of 2010 ill. They're not flying for her, that's for sure.
Feel better, Jenn and my (((hugs))) go out to you. ♥

"Share the Love - Blogger's Unite Featured Artisan"

Anne, of Made For Me by Oaklie is not only a talented designer with several online shops but also the driving force behind several online promotion sites, particularly
OnFireForHandmade. She is incredibly helpful and generous and also helped me solve a sticky issue with MadeItMyself for which I am indebted! Starting this week, shops from the OnFire site will be highlighted. Take a wander into their shops...you'll be pleased you did!

MADE FOR ME BY OAKLIE - Handmade Fashion Scarves and Accessories
http://madeformebyoaklie.com
Shops:
MadeitMyself
Artfire
Etsy
Zibbet

Warm Fuzzies

Many think about extending themselves at this time of year when in actuality it should be 365 days a year. I try to do my thing personally and professionally and it came back to me last week. I was browsing Zibbet and noticed some interesting crochet patterns and you know I've been trying my hand at crochet so I purchased one. It turns out this seller,Stitchin' Designs, was at that minute setting up her shop so I was thrilled to welcome her with a sale. I tried the pattern and realized I was a tad off....okay, alot off, and so I e-mailed a question. Not only did she answer promptly but sent me two more patterns to try for FREE!!!! How cool is that? Check out Stitchin' Designs for some cool patterns, helpful advice and great service.
Meanwhile, I made these, not Stitchin's pattern though. They are very warm and snuggly. The brown are for women with the buttons, for men without. The multicolored ones are extra long for warmth up the arm.

The Sales Curse

A few months after I started on Etsy, I decided to post a shadow box I had made which had been hanging in my bedroom. I actually put a fairly high price on it, not being well versed in the art yet. Literally 15 minutes later it sold. Hmmmmmmmm.... I went out, bought the materials for 2-3 more, made them, posted them and there they sat.
Last year I saw something in a catalog I thought I could reproduce better. I did. It enabled me to use the vast majority of mini chairs that I had collected. The finished product elicited raves from family and friends so I posted them. Have you guessed yet? They sat.
I have made dozens of magnetic bookmarks which sell in real life 10 to 1 as opposed to online. Why?
Today I posted a pair of handwarmers made from an upcycled sweater with crochet trim...an experiment for me. One hour later they sold. So the questions begs...do I make more? Or do I not press my luck?!