Double Feature!

This week has been pretty good so far. I've been featured in two different blogs and the week is only starting! I've been spending a decent amount of time in the Etsy Forums and trying to post items regularly (recently it's been renewing an already posted item - I need to get more photographs of a bunch of things) but it's great to feel like the hard work has been "paying off". It hasn't resulted in a bunch of sales, but it has resulted in blog features, being in two treasuries, and tons of item and shop hearts (which I hope will translate into sales closer to Christmas time).

Anyway, the two blogs that featured my jewelry are pretty cool - so go and check them out!

The first is "Good Times as a Young Adult". Two of my sterling silver rings are featured in the jewelry post.



The second feature is on "Fallen Peach". The feature has a bunch of the writer's favorite items and the colors in the chosen items happen to match the color scheme of the blog! Fun, right? Oh, and it's the first time that the "Etsy Tuesday" was done on the blog, so I feel extra honored. : )
Hugs,
Cait

Planning and Ideas

So, I was "good" this morning and decided to actually PLAN meals for the week. Sometimes my meals are planned, but it's usually a last minute - oh I need to run to the store to get _______ to make whatever it is for dinner. I guess I got a little inspired and decided to plan meals for most of the week. I only planned until Wednesday figuring there would be leftovers.

So...

Sunday night - Shrimp and corn chowder served with corn bread along with a spinach/arugula/radicchio salad with apple, goat cheese, and a balsamic fig vinaigrette.

Monday night - Meatloaf served with baked macaroni and cheese and sauteed green beans.

Tuesday night - Pear, sharp cheddar, and ham panini on fresh baked country bread along with a baby romaine and roasted beet salad with a balsamic honey vinaigrette.

Wednesday night - Old school chicken cacciatore served over creamy polenta.

So far, there isn't anything left over - the shrimp and corn chowder went over super well and the pot was scraped clean!


On another note I've been toying with the idea of starting an Etsy Team. There isn't one for Bucks County - which includes a bunch of arty kinds of towns along with other surrounding counties that aren't far away. I don't want to have to go into the city to enjoy time with local Etsy goers. I read in the forums that a few people were also looking for a group in the area ... So I'm working on ideas for it - Like a group name and all of that. For right now I think the group would be blog and Flickr based - with blog voting for how often we should actually meet up. Once a month or every two months would be fun. We could get together to go to things like First Friday in New Hope or local galleries shows. Support group members in their gallery shows and maybe even sign up as a group for some local art/craft fairs.

Hugs,
Cait

Been Featured - Studio Haus Blog

I got an e-mail on Etsy today from StudioHaus saying that I was featured in their blog! Exciting, right? A pair of my earrings was put into a collage for a favorite items contest. The theme is woodland and my Dashes and Eights Earrings are the featured item. It's Number 6 if you want to stop on over at Studio Haus to vote in the blog entry comments...

Thanks Studio Haus!

Hugs,
Cait

P.S. PLEASE GO VOTE FOR ME! <3

EDIT~ Just so you know, voting has ended. Thanks to everyone who went and voted for me.

Inspiring

The "Quit Your Day Job" articles on The Storque are always inspiring - but the new one featuring a husband and wife team - littlesaplingtoys - is extra inspirational (at least in my eyes). From what I've read in the articles it's usually one person living on their own - or a wife/husband that quits their day job but they have a spouse that is working. This couple both quit their day jobs to work at home AND they have two kids! It's great that they can work from home and spend time with their kids. I think they'll end up with a super close knit family.

Both my parents worked when I was growing up - so I spent a lot of time before school with a babysitter, and after school with a babysitter or afterschool program (when I was older I was alone). So, I'm a bit jealous. I'd have loved to go on bike rides in the morning with my parents.

Go check out the artile on The Storque!

Hugs,
Cait

To the Edge of the Universe - Treasury

So, I've been on a bit of a treasury making kick lately. I made a few before and enjoyed finding items to feature and all that, but I never made this many in a row! Once you get the knack of getting a treasury spot (using Craftopolis's Treasury Clock) it's easy, unless they are at funny hours - staying up insanely late or setting an alarm. This new treasury is the "sister" treasury of the Earthbound treasury I made a few days ago. The Earthbound one was focused on what's here on our planet, this new treasury is focused on what's out THERE... Out in space, in other galaxies, at the edge of the known universe.

To the Edge of the Universe is filled with wonderful pieces, including photographs of actual astrological goodness! The fourth column is lighter than the others because it's the "alternates" column and is usually hidden.

Please go and check the treasury out before it's gone - they don't hang around forever (this one has till Sunday morning)! Leave comments and all that...

Here are the items featured in the screen shot of the treasury from left to right!

1. Great Orion Nebula - by celestialwonders
2. Double Constellation- Digital Collage Print - by JenMcCleary
3. orbit. fw pearls, hand forged rings and oxidized sterling silver pendant necklace - by organikx
4.1 inch Martingale dog collar--ORBITS-PURPLE - by TrendyHound
5.Reading the Stars - by MiniatureRhino
6.Celeste Earrings - by AntiGenre
7.Fire in the Sky - 8x10 Original Fine Art Photo - by bomobob
8.Orion Necklace - Handmade Lampwork Bead with Long Oxidized Sterling Silver Chain - by PoleStar
9. Andromeda Galaxy Necklace - by metalology
10. Dandelion Print- 8x10 - by JoannasPhotography
11. Satellite Drop Earring - by daniellejewelry
12. Galaxies- Carborundum Vessel Pendant - by thesocialcellar
13. Caught in Stardust and Wonderlust - by ImagineStudio
14. Aurora...AAA Moonstone and Blue fire labradorite necklace - by loriyab
15. Wedding Constellation Study I - by beckytomato
16. Perelandra - 8x12 Pearlescent Metallic Fine Art Photographic Print - by if1hadwords

I hope you enjoy the items as much as I do. I really love them and think they are great and inspiring!

Hugs,
Cait

Earthbound - Treasury

I stayed up all night to make this treasury... I got inspired and used the Poster Sketch tool to work on two treasuries based off each other... This one is the first of the pair - Earthbound. It's filled with all kinds of goodies themed around our little planet! There's a piece that I think represents microscopic organisms, to dinosaurs, to things we see today like roses - butterflies- and a zebra. It's all about EVOLVING.

Here's a list of the items from left to right... Again, the fourth column is the "hidden" alternatives in case one of the main items sells. That doesn't mean they aren't important to the grand scheme of things though!

1. Magical - 5x7 Fine Art Print - by Lori411
2. Opalized Conchina, 14k Gold, and Oxidized Sterling Silver Necklace - by BloomStudios
3. Miniature glass-Outdoor live moss terrarium-Shade Gardens - by teresab123
4. Burnt Wood Photograph 16x20 - by ZafelDesigns
5. Green Sea Pebble Necklace - by LaughingBird
6. Terrarium Trio - print - by bestiaryink
7. Waffle the Zebra - by skunkboycreatures
8. Specimen 652 - 8x8 Print - by dsbrennan
9. Eggs -Natural History Series - by brandywine
10. Evolve Burnout V neck - by circularaccessories
11. Rice Paper Real Butterfly Framed Natural History Display - by BugUnderGlass
12. Skeleton Diagram Retro Design Screen Print Alternative Apparel Cap Sleeve Girls T-Shirt - by happyfamily
13. Pterodactyl (wants a cracker) - Print - by amberalexander
14. 35 - Original Monster Art by Harry - by 365monsters
15. Dinosaur Eggs Pendant - Smaller Version - Sterling Silver, Freshwater Pearls - by StemsAndPieces
16. Owl Under Glass - by kgrandey

Like always, please check the treasury out and the items in it!

Hugs,
Cait

For The Love Of - Treasury

So, I stayed up to get a treasury spot this morning and as luck would have it - I got one! "For The Love Of ... falling leaves, apple pie, and tea..." is packed with all kinds of things that I love - like flavored tea, cute cups/mugs, a notebook, awesome stuffed animals, soaps that smell like fall treats, and jewelry. If you don't know how treasuries work - the 4th column is "muted" because they are alternates in case an item in the other columns sells.

Here's a list - left to right - up and down - of the items and who made them since the treasury will only be viewable on the website for 3 days.

Here we go!

1.Owl Cup - by catherinereece
2.Flames - 8x10 Fine Art Nature Photograph - Abstract Dahlia Closeup - by flandersfield
3.Squirrel and Acorn Tile - by lesperancetile
4.Nude Female Figure Painting - by GalleryJunana
5.Pair of Stuffed Plush Bunkins (bunny and pumpkin) - by stringfellowart
6.Leather Poppy Wristlet - Brown - by tmStudioDesigns
7.The TANGIERS Halo Earrings - by emilygrayjewels
8.Porcelain Cup with Translucent Bottom - by stepanka
9.Scary and Sweet - Set of 7 Halloween Tags - by poshpaisley
10.Gold Leaf Necklace - by Peaches4me
11.25 Gourmet Apple/Cinnamon Teabags - by teaman
12.Original Painting - The Spinster - by thelittlefox
13.Bark Beetle - Coptic Bound Notebook - by paperiaarre
14.Betty the Giraffe - by skunkboycreatures
15.Pumpkin Pie Spiced Goat Milk Soap - by paradisesunrise
16.Natural Sweet Orange and Spice - Goat's Milk Soap - by daisycakessoap

I hope you enjoy the things I picked out as much as I do - I want them all! Leave comments in the treasury and click all the items to check them out and see more photos and get information about the products.

And if you'd like - check out my own shop!

Hugs,
Cait

GalleryJuana - Treasury

I got a convo. on Etsy today from GalleryJuana saying I was featured in a treasury they had just made! There's all kinds of really cool items in the treasury - my favorites being the super colorful journal and the clock. It was a really nice surprise.

Go check out GalleryJuana's Etsy shop - especially if you love cats (there are some really awesome cat paintings) and the treasury!

Hugs,
Cait

Christiecottage - Treasury

Jacki who happens to have a shop on Etsy - christiecottage - made a treasury on Treasury West and included a pair of my pen nib earrings. The treasury has some super cute items in it - including adorable polka-dot baby booties (I want them for myself!).

Go check out christiecottage and the treasury!

Hugs,
Cait

Etsy Front Page - Yours Sincerely

I was just looking at Etsy.com and when I saw the front page I was pretty sure one of my items would be in the treasury. I never saw a writing themed treasury list before, and I happen to have two pairs of etched pen nib earrings in my store right now. I was a tad disappointed that I wasn't picked because my earrings couldn't have been more perfect for that specific treasury. Sometimes I feel like I'm secretly "black listed" or something because I'll have an item 100% completely perfect for a treasury on Etsy and I'm never picked.





Have you made a treasury before?
How did you pick the items you picked?

I'm not busting on the person that made the treasury or anything like that... I'm just saying I would have loved to be included and wondering how people go about picking the items they pick.

Hugs,
Cait

Busy Bee

I've been a bit bee like lately. Maybe like those busy little bees - I'm preparing for the upcoming cold weather. I guess in a way I am - holiday season means shopping... Shopping hopefully means my jewelry, fine art cards, and fine art prints find loving homes! Oh, how they do not like living in boxes and baggies and cellophane sleeves.

I've been working rather hard recently trying to make Etsy really work for me. After reading a ton of the "Quit Your Day Job" interviews with artists who are already making Etsy work for them I got a little inspired - maybe even a bit jealous. I want to be able to do what I love from the comfort of my own home too! I want to be able to drink coffee in my pajamas while I answer e-mails and post in the forums before starting my day creating.

One thing everyone has in common in the interviews is that they list new items a few times a day - everyday. I've been listing on a semi-regular basis and I really have seen an increase in items views. I've also been spending times in the forums, started posting photographs in my Flickr photostream, updated links in my deviantART... According to Google Analytics my Etsy store has a 1,460% increase in views so far this month... None of this hard work has lead to any sales so far, but I have gotten item and shop hearts. I'm hoping for some sales soon!

Hugs -
Cait

Silver Lining - Etsy Treasury

I'm moving this post from a blog I used to have... I was excited to write it and it was fun and colorful - plus it's storming right now. It was storming when I posted it in the first place...

Originally written September 30, 2008

Saturday evening I played a fun waiting game... Wait, wait, wait, plan... All in order to get an Etsy Treasury spot. The game paid off and I got a spot. Goodie! I'm very proud of this treasury... It's been raining a lot lately so I decided to do a whole "silver lining" theme. Finding the silver lining in crappy weather means - silver jewelry! So to make the treasury more interesting than just silver jewelry pieces I chose pieces based on the background colors. I set it up to be a spectrum of sorts... I dig it, so should you. It's up until Tuesday - late afternoon. Please check it out and click away. The artist's deserve their work looked at in full views. Plus, the pieces are inspiring to anyone who creates!




Wow, the storm just picked up and right now I'm sitting here hoping the power doesn't go out! Doing laundry won't be much fun without electricity.


Hugs-
Caitlin