Whew!

I am alive lol.

Things have been soooo busy with the new shop (TheFoodSnob.etsy.com). I'm so happy with how well it's taken off but I definitely wasn't prepared for the late nights packing orders and working on etsy (not that I would dare complain about that).

I hope everyonen else is having a great holiday season - I promise to get back to regular updates soon!

More projects and failures!

~*~*~*~ WARNING: CRAFTS CONTAIN FOUL LANGUAGE! ~*~*~*~

So I've been in UBER craft mode lately and have tried to broaden my horizons and do some new crafts. My first attempt was to do glass etching. I think I did okay for my first try but I definitely need to practice!

I decided on this particular phrase for my shot glasses because it's always what I say before I take a shot lol...


I've started an herb garden again, on the balcony of my house. So far I just have Rosemary and Basil and the two small pots are snap dragons (which are quickly fading away!).


Here is the infamous beer chute on the side of the house. Yes I live in a 120 year old Victorian home and have a beer chute on it. I'm classy. Basically we just had beer bottles piling up every weekend and my lovely boy decided to remedy the problem by securing some PVC pipe to the side of the house so we can drop a bottle from the balcone directly into a garbage bin :)


These next two photos are terrible but I've had SO much fun making these coasters! One set is for my house for Halloween and the other is for my friend and the pages come from the same "So you've got your period book" I discussed in my last post.




More projects for this weekend that are equally vulgar and awesome! Hope you all have a fantastical Thursday...it's so close to the weekend I can taste the hangovers!

Yea for borrowed cameras and crafts!!

My awesome roomie let me borrow his digital camera so I can finally do a quick update on the projects I've been working on...

Went to goodwill this past weekend and scored big!
Got some used boardgames (to tear down into parts for jewelry and crafts) for $1 each and some textbooks on learning French


Also found these great sweaters for $4 each and an awesome alcoholic purse


Redecorated my bathroom based on this awesome, pre-existing, light switch


Added some vaginal wall art that I made from pictures taken from a 'So you've gotten your period' book I picked up at a used book sale




Moved my lovely needle point art from the entry hall onto the bathroom sink


And finally put some of my favorite books in for leisure toilet reading


I've also been busy decorating the house for halloween....first, my Spooky Town village


My headless bride and one of the many cheap signs I've picked up from Walmart


Some pillows I just hand sewn last week


I also made homemade granola - it came out wayyy to sweet (Used Alton Brown's recipe from the Food Network) but when I perfect the recipe I'll post it!


Finally - picked some lovely smelling roses and other unknown flower from the front yard <3

A few of my favorites...

Halloween is by far my FAVORITE holiday and I've been so bad about spending hours a day looking at all of the great halloween themed items on etsy! Here are just a few of my favorites...


Over Bust Skullduggery Corset $150
Luxuriawear.etsy.com


Skeleton ribcage pop-up paper sculpture $6
Cheesebrie.etsy.com


Handmade Masquerade Mask $64
effigymasks.etsy.com


The Morticia Scarflette $35
glenandconstance.etsy.com


Candy Corn Soap $6.50
smokeymountainscents.etsy.com

GRRR

I've been working on so many amazing crafts and baking projects around the house and really want to post pictures and share my adventures about them but my dang dad lost his dang camera in dang Korea last week!

I really need to come up with some funds to get a new one! This is killing me!!

Anyone else frustrated over something this week? Make me feel better lol.

EXCITING news!

With the start of a new month I've decided to focus on a particular cause during October. For the entire month I will purchase one tree for every purchase made at the store (http://LoveandLust.etsy.com). I'll be using plantabillion.org which supports the Atlantic Forest.



The Atlantic Forest is one of the greatest repositories of biodiversity on Earth, rivaling that of the Amazon. Today, only 7% of the Atlantic Forest remains.

So for the month of October I will purchase a tree for EVERY purchase made in my shop, no matter how big or small the order. I'll also then email the customer after their order is complete with the donation information from plantabillion.org.

So - 'tis the season to give and I'm so excited I will be able to help out such a great cause! Spread the word and think about what you can do to be a positive force in the world today <3

My new place and a promotional idea!

So I think it's about time I show off my new house :)



It's a 116 year old Victorian and my absolute dream come true! Only a rental, but I don't care...I always wanted to retire and live in a beautiful Victorian home and I thank my lucky starts EVERY time I pull in the driveway that this has happened to me :)

Now on a business note...I'm looking to do a promotional swap. I'd like to hook up with a fellow etsy seller who has approximately the same number of sales that I do (around 100) and sells something aside from jewelry (soap, crochet/knit items, art, paper crafts) to work with. I'm thinking that we can either exchange big ticket items (around $20) and have a giveaway that anyone who purchases anything from our shops could win. For instance:

"The next 20 people to purchase from my shop will be entered in a drawing to win this incredible soap set from ______"

Just a way to promote each other and hopefully increase sales! Let me know if your interested!!

Reunited and it feels so goooood....

Man have I missed the world of etsy.

Shop is officially back up - and I will be adding new creations all week! Snag some of my bestsellers on super sale this week while I get back into the swing of things.

Will also be working on some halloween crafts for decorating the new house soon and will post photos of those as I complete them...I'm just a craftin fool lately!

Wah wah we wah!!!

Is verrrry nice to be back!

The move is officially over - and I'm finally getting back into a normal routine.

Look for a super sale and grand reopening of the shop within the next week or two!

Now leave me some comment love and let me know I have not been forgotten!

Happy Sunday!

I have really neglected the shop the last few weeks and am starting to feel energetic about it again (finally!). I've started by putting many of my older styles/designs on sale, you can check it out in the sale section

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7029600§ion_id=6218194

And in the 'Gaia' section

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7029600§ion_id=6056323

I'll probably do another giveaway soon so look out for that!

Will be listing some new pieces tonight...including adorable bobby pins!

Thank you to everyone who's supported me the last few weeks. It's been a really rough time but I'm feeling very positive again :D

'Psychology of Selling' Manual on Sale for $5!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ FIRST EVER SALE!! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

http://PsychologyofSelling.etsy.com

For tonight only I will be selling my "Psychology of Selling Online and on etsy" Manuals for $5!

Purchase before midnight eastern time and put 'SNS' in message to seller and I will refund 4.95 to your paypal account within hours!

Over 40 pages of information taken from international journals on marketing and psychology that will help you make it through this recession - a truly valuable resource for only $5!

Saturday Night Sale! BOGO Half off!!

¤´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
¸.•´¸.•*(¸.•´ (SNS: BOGO Half OFF!!!!)¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)


Entire shop BOGO Half off!!
* Second item must be equal to or lesser in value!
* NO LIMIT as to how many items you can purchase! Buy two items, get two more items at half price!

Just put "SNS" in message to seller upon checkout and I will refund the half off via paypal within a few hours!

¤´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
¸.•´¸.•*(¸.•´ (SNS: BOGO Half OFF!!!!)¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

An actual update!

It's been quite some time since I've really updated my blog so here goes...

I've been going through a LOT of personal issues over the last few months. One of my biggest concerns right now is finding employement. I just finished my Masters degree and have had NO luck in getting a job here and have about a month until my funds run out and I'm not sure what will happen then. I can't go back to my family because my cat has Feline AIDS and they won't let me bring him there (they also have a cat) and I'm not leaving him anywhere so if I have to live out of my car - so be it!

I'm still adding new pieces weekly - I also have lost access to a good camera so I won't be able to add anything new for another 2 weeks probably. I may be creating things - but just not able to photograph them which stinks!

I truly hope things pick up for the shop again soon - it was so nice to have something fun to work on and it allowed me the ability to shop (even if it was only for supplies) and lord knows I've missed shopping lol.

Hope everyone else is faring better than I am!

~*~ Saturday Night Sale ~*~

*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*~SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL ~*´¨)¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~BOGO 1/2 off!!!~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Buy any item and get a second item for HALF price!
*second item must be equal to or lesser in value

** NO LIMIT as to how many items you can purchase...Example: Buy 2 items, get 2 items at half price!!

***Just purchase the items and put 'SNS' in message to seller and wait for me to email you a revised invoice from paypal before paying! ***

Don't forget: flat rate shipping in the whole store so only pay the shipping on the first item and everything else ships FREE

Shop is fully up again!

I'm SOOO happy the chain arrived today and it's exactly what I used before! So - all of the deactivated items are now back up again and look for new designs soon! I just finished my thesis last night and submitted it for final review so I'm off to enjoy my mini-vacation before I get back to the job search thing :)
http://LoveandLust.etsy.com

I promise I'm still alive!

A LOT has been going on in my life lately and unfortunately my etsy shop and this blog has suffered! One major blow was that the chain I use in ALL my designs was discontinued at the store I get it from so I was on a mad hunt for it before realizing I could just order it off of their website LOL. It should be here today and therefore most of the items I have deactivated should be back up...yea!!

I also would like to do reviews of two fantastical products I received from fellow etsians in the last two weeks - so look for that very soon!!

New Gaia Colors Debuting - Just in time for the SALE!

One is already up and the other two colors will be listed tonight - in time for you to snag the necklace and get the matching earrings FREE! (See below post or shop for details!) http://LoveandLust.etsy.com

Gaia Sunset


Gaia Purity


Gaia Fire

Saturday Night Sale!!

Didn't win the Giveaway? Don't fear - a great sale is here!

*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*~SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL ~*´¨)¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
.

Buy a Gaia necklace and get the BESTSELLING matching earrings FREE!!! A $14 Value!!!

Different colors to choose from - see the entire Gaia collection here
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7029600§ion_id=6056323

***Just purchase the necklace and put 'SNS' in message to seller at checkout and I will be sure to include your FREE earrings*** SALE GOOD UNTIL MIDNIGHT CENTRAL TIME!

And the winner is....

LillyShayStyle! Go check out her amazing (and very popular blog!) http://lillyshaystyle.blogspot.com/

Thank you all for participating - I will probably do another one at the end of May!

Giveaway Winner Picked!

I have contacted the winner (choosen using randomizer.org) and they have 24 hours to respond. I'll announce who it is as soon as I hear back from her.

Thank you all SO SO SO much for participating!

UPDATE: Giveaway winner 1 has not responded so I've contacted giveaway winner #2 - will post as soon as I hear back from her!

My secret project is completed!

For the last two months I've been working on the ultimate 'how-to' guide for etsy - and it's FINALLY done!

I've spent so much time researching top psychology and marketing journals to find the keys in successful online selling.

Check out the new shop
http://PsychologyofSelling.etsy.com

Now - I'm going to cook dinner, I've been working on this and my thesis non-stop for weeks and I'm exhausted!!

Winner of the Giveaway will be chosen TONIGHT!

I'll pick one winner at random tonight at midnight and announce the winner as soon as I have contacted them and heard back!

If I do not receive a response within 24 hours a new winner will be picked.


Sorry things have been so slow around here the last two weeks. It's the last week for me at school, which also means it's the last week of my two classes I've been teaching and my last week with a job!

Also - in the midst of a job search, I've been working on a super awesome project that's related to etsy and somewhat to my store, but it's not jewelry :) It should be available by tomorrow night!

I'm obsessed!

Click HERE to go straight to my giveaway! Ends 4/30!!

I know I just posted about SojournCuriosities.etsy.com recently but during her great sale Saturday night I checked out her shop again and she has the most amazing necklace!



Isn't it gorgeous!!! I don't even want to give you all a direct link because I want it all for myself lol. I love how it's a mix of funky/bright colors and an antique skeleton key - perfect!

I suppose I shouldn't be stingy...here's the link :)

Aside from drooling over things on etsy I haven't been very productive this past weekend. I'm waiting on some supplies to come in but hopefully I'll have at least one or two new pieces up today.

Off topic - I'm getting pretty tired of hearing about this swine flu stuff! I just wish 'they' (the government, health officials, whoever!) would quit telling us it's not a big deal at all - because I don't get why it's all over EVERY channel and EVERY news site online if it's not!

If I need to freak the heck out I want forwarning!

Anyone else worried at all?

Super Amazing Sales and Giveaways!

Click here to go straight to my giveaway! Ends 4/30!!

I am SOOO obsessed with handmade soap it's not even funny!

So I was thrilled when my #1 soap seller put up a GREAT saturday night sale tonight!
25% off everything in the shop and FREE SHIPPING for orders over $25 (after discount!) at http://HeathensHearth.etsy.com!

I just snagged



The CharlieCarter - a mix of Pink Sugar scent and Vanilla soap!



Pink Sugar - Sugar Scrub!

Plus 2 pink sugar soaps, a cafe mocha soap, oatmeal/milk/honey soap, pink sugar perfume oil and an additional charliecarter and I got it SHIPPED for $39! That's unheard of!

But wait - it gets better!
Another fav seller of mine http://Sojourncuriosities.etsy.com is having a super sale as well! I own one of her pieces and it is by far the most beautiful and detailed pieces of jewelry I own!



Isn't it stunning!? Her sale starts at 20% off and increases as you spend more - check her shop out for details :)

I know you can't think it could get any better BUT IT DOES!

Both shops, HeathensHearth and SojournCuriosities are in the middle of a combined giveaway right now! It's called 'Treasures from the Deep' and the winner will receive a beautiful set of earrings from Sojourn, and sea inspired perfume, soap and scrub from HeathensHearth.

GO ENTER NOW!

This is seriously the best giveaway I've ever seen (Hey - I know I'm doing one right now also but mine doesn't include soap lol).

~*~ Saturday Night Sale ~*~

*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*~SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL ~*´¨)¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

Purchase ANYTHING in the shop and receive a FREE pair of surprise earrings! They are nothing like what I have listed - I have never sold them and will NEVER sell them! They are JUST for you saturday night shoppers!

$15 value FREE with ANY purchase!!
http://LoveandLust.etsy.com

*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*~ THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT ~*´¨)¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

New Designs

Click here to go straight to my giveaway!!

I added quite a few new designs yesterday! Check 'em out if you'd like :)
http://LoveandLust.etsy.com



Birdcage Necklace - $20



What a Hoot Necklace - $14



'The Victoria' Lace earrings - $14

A few others added as well! Now, off to work!

It's been one month...

Click here to go straight to my Giveaway!!

I miss you Prince - I think about you daily and hope that you know how much I love you and wish I could have helped you more.

First Blog Giveaway!!

~*~*~ Win a FREE Gaia Necklace and Earring Set~ ~*~*~

I'm so excited to launch my first ever giveaway today!

The prize? A beautiful set of Gaia Necklace and Earrings in your color choice! (Purple, Pink or Blue - as seen in my shop).

This giveaway will end April 30th at Midnight (centrail time). The winner will be announced May 1st!

How to enter:

1) Become a follower of this blog and leave a comment saying you are/have been following. Please leave an email address that I can reach you at with this comment. (Mandatory - counts as 1 entry)

2) While looking at my shop, http://loveanandlust.etsy.com/ please complete this short survey href="Click'>http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=CU_2bjcIzQSDHr5flh_2fSwUOQ_3d_3d">Click Here to take surveyand comment here once you have completed it. (Mandatory - counts as 1 entry)

3) Blog about this giveaway and comment here with the link (Optional - counts as 2 entries).

That's it! Super easy and I greatly appreciate you helping me to better my shop via the survey.

Looking forward to the results and announcing the winner!

ALL Comments for the giveaway must be left in THIS post!

~*~Saturday Night Sale~*~

BOGO 1/2 OFF!!!
http://LoveandLust.etsy.com

Good only until tonight at midnight (Central time).

MUST PUT SNS in message to seller at checkout!

*1/2 off will be applied to lesser priced item
*No limit as to how much you can buy! Buy 3 items, get 3 haf off!
*Sale does not apply to necklaces in the 'sale' section.

Check it out!
Http://LoveandLust.etsy.com

Sale!!

Select cameo necklaces are now 40$ off! Prices went from 24/26 to 14/15!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7029600&section_id=6074675

Need to make room in my workshop for new inventory and well, afford to buy new inventory LOL.

Handmade Business Cards!

After Ashley of the lovely 31 Experiment Blog (http://31experiment.blogspot.com/) posted pictures of handmade business cards - I got inspired! Here are a few more handmade designs I found picking through Flickr.

These are from tortiselovesthehare, and it looks like (from one of the comments left) that the 'ribbon' is actually the tape from a cassett tape! How adorable!

These were designed by Storykraft Kreative for Madame Pompadour and I LOVE how elegant and dark they are! Definitely more for the graphically inclined (not myself!) but I'm on the look out for some nice scrapbook filigree cutouts like those!

Above are from subdued7 - and exactly what I was thinking of when I wanted to use decorative scissors! I love the different styles of paper and how unique the cards appear - totally simple and possible to do for the paper-craft challenged folks like me!

Etruzey was nice enough to list the 'ingredients' for these striking cards: An old italian newspaper, Adobe Illustrator, a printer, fingers, tape and a black pen. A great way to recycle newspapers!

Jingman made these AMAZING 3d business cards!! A lofty goal for those who don't mind spending a lot of time on each card :) These would be great to use for 'special' recipients like shops and newspapers/magazines.

Another pop-up type card designed by mpFAH for one of my favorite etsy sellers - BigMamaNebraska! I love how they look when folded over (far right card).

Soooo - after seeing many beautiful ideas I finally started playing around with my own! Now they are no where near as nice as the above but I think I'm off to a good start - plus, I'm happy to finally have anything I can include with packages or give out! I actually had a student ask me about my earrings yesterday and didn't have a card to give to had to ask her for a pen and paper to write it down lol. Not very professional looking!

First - my workspace!

Now - some of my designs. YES I know I'm not great at stamping, YES I know many are off-centered, smudged, and generally not perfect. I like that! The beauty of handmade :) My favorite is the corset prototype - I definitely need to get a small hole punch and these would only go to 'the super important' places like magazines/newspapers.

First, the front:

A few other designs I made up:

For most of these the back has the 4 corners stamped with the small filigree and my etsy shop address written in silver metallic pen in the middle.

I LOVE doing these and it's fun to be able to make each one different (if I want to!). The simple black stamped ones take about 3 minutes each (including cutting time!) while the corset took about 10 minutes. I spent $17 on paper, ink, stamps and the pen - and I'm assuming I can make 100's of these beauties with only having to purchase more paper along the way.

Loves it!