Good News!

Hey everyone!

I know it has been a while, but I'm actively trying to make an attempt to get back into blogging. I've been spending some time working on a pen pal documentary blog called The Not Quite Dying Art (follow me here). I wanted to get back into the snail mail community so I've been working hard to get involved with sites that incorporate swapping letters and packages with crafting and other hobbies. =)

But that's not the only good news! I was asked to table at a gaming convention! I will be selling my goods at the upcoming September convention, Queen City Conquest!

If you've been watching my Etsy mini along the left sidebar, you'll notice my inventory has changed to include some geekery! Dice pendants, bottle cap necklaces, and soon I'll be adding complimentary pin-back buttons to match the bottle cap necklaces.

However, to add even more excitement, I now have a facebook page, found here!

I am also working on new Valentine's Day gifts. I know, I know, it's only August. What the heck am I doing planning this far in advance for a holiday not due until next year?

I learned how to craft some things and they make for a much less expensive gift made from the same cute materials! So instead of charging something like $12 to $15 for a booklet that just looks pretty, I can lower the price by almost $10 for something small but functional (and still adorable)!

Updated Etsy Shop! Plus, 5% Off!

Zipper Necklace

Real Swarovski Crystal Heart

Real Swarovski Teardrop Crystal

Looks like a rainbow in the right light.

Cameo flower pendant. The only gold/bronze item I sell.

Can you believe this was a glass bead?

This was a brooch!

Made from a vintage chandelier that's over 100 years old!

Made for a pin, I took this and turned it into a ring.

Aren't these just gorgeous? Look at all the different colors!

And now, for the best part-- the discount! To get 5% off your next order, use the coupon code WINTER11

The site can be found by clicking here.

Love you all! Have a happy holiday and wonderful new year!

Etsy Shop Coupon for 10% Off!

Hi everyone! To celebrate the new items I've posted in my shop and the fact that it's summer, I'm giving you all a coupon code for my shop to use to get 10% off any purchase. Type in the following code when you check out of my store: SUMMER10

Happy shopping! =)

Shameless Self-Promotion Part Two

So I've been busy lately coming up with new things to sell in my Etsy shop. I've been considering going back into the craft show circuit because I had so much fun the last few times I went. Click on the pictures to take you to the listing on Etsy. Here are the latest things I've created.

This is a journal I just finished making about two hours ago. It's love themed and included tons of unique and fun pages inside. I plan to make more of these to sell.

For the Win

Great news! I heard back from both craft show managers and I've been accepted into both shows! The first and more expensive of the two has an easier payment system. They gave me paperwork to fill out and asked for a check order, which I can definitely pay.

The second, however, expects me to use PayPal, which I have to use for Etsy but apparently never activated the account for. Plus, I don't have a credit card and my bank account is too depleted to pay the fee and also have enough to keep the account open, so I'll have to stop at the bank and deposit some money, or pay my dad cash and just put his credit card on file instead.

Am I the only person on the planet who likes having cash more than having a card? I find myself spending so much more with a card. With cash, I know I have exactly what I have, and that's it, so I spend it more wisely.

But anyways, I'll be able to pay for the first show, no problem. I'll send in their money order sometime this week or the beginning of next week. I believe their show is also October 9th, which is the closer of the two shows. The second show is October 23rd, and assuming I can figure this PayPal stuff out, I'll have two shows to attend! =)

I'm SO excited!!! And now I have to ask you guys again, same questions from the previous post. Does anyone have any display arrangement ideas? Like should I put place cards with the name of the item I'm selling in groups?

I was thinking I'd have a deal of some sort, like if a person spends more than 25 or 30 dollars, they'll get to pick a pair of earrings or a bracelet for free. And I was hoping I'd be able to stick a business card, a "Buy Handmade" pin, a hand-written Thank You card, and a piece of candy or cookie into little recycled PVC boxes to give out with each purchase. Does that sound like a good idea?

Wish me luck! More details to come! =)

Wish Me Luck!

So as you all are aware, I make jewelry, scarves, clothes, and other handmade goods to sell online at my Etsy shop. However, I have yet to sell anything despite how appealing I try to make my items seem, with their prices as low as they are and their pictures as professional as I attempt to make them.

I found the courage in myself to make business cards and pins, among other essentials for running a business, and today I finally found that courage again and went onto craigslist to search for churches hosting craft shows. I found two that were within 15 minutes of my house and sent e-mails to their managers. I have yet to hear back, but I'm hoping that slots will be available and that I'll be able to buy one. They are being held on two separate Saturdays in October.

This will be my first craft show and I'm looking forward to setting up a display and a table! =)

I may have to make a sign or have one made, and get a nice tablecloth for the table. I want to find some sort of jewelry display and maybe a rack for clothes. I might enlist my father to help me build an all-encompassing display for jewelry, then have some extension piece to hold scarves, belts, cowls, and shirts. Does anyone have any display arrangement ideas? Like should I put place cards with the name of the item I'm selling in groups?

I was thinking I'd have a deal of some sort, like if a person spends more than 25 or 30 dollars, they'll get to pick a pair of earrings or a bracelet for free. And I was hoping I'd be able to stick a business card, a "Buy Handmade" pin, a hand-written Thank You card, and a piece of candy or cookie into little recycled PVC boxes to give out with each purchase. Does that sound like a good idea?

Please wish me luck, you guys! =)

From Junk to Jewelry

Hi everyone! Today I was hit with some serious inspiration and I decided I'd share with you some of the new jewelry I've created and posted in my shop. Links are attached to the photos so you can check out the descriptions or even purchase something, if you'd like. First, the necklaces.

Shameless Self-Promotion

It’s summer time! Time for a summer sale at my online shop, Jar Of Dreams.

Looking for something unique with an upcycled twist? Look no further! This is the place where variety, style, and heart come together in the form of one-of-a-kind creations.

Browse through jewelry, bags, scarves, cowls, and crafting supplies.