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!

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.

Fragrance I Want

Hello Ed Hardy for Women Eau de Parfum Spray. I would like you very much for my birthday. You cost $75 at Ulta when you're in a 3.4 ounce bottle and come with a free Ed Hardy tote bag and a free blue damask print weekender bag. Would you like to be my present? I'd very much like for you to be my present. Pretty please with cherries on top?

Dorm and School Supplies Shopping

I've been so excited since I found out who my roommate is, and so overwhelmed by the conclusion of my summer class and planning my work schedule around babysitting and a bajillion other situations and events, that I had to figure out when to go shopping for dorm and school supplies. I found time today and went with my father to WalMart, Dollar Tree, JoAnn's, and Target, and I decided to share my purchases with you guys who may have yet to go buy supplies for classes and dorms. Please keep in mind that I have yet to see what my dorm will look like so I kept my purchases to a minimum, getting only what I felt were the essentials. So, let's get started!

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! =)

Back to School Supplies: Wish List!

So despite the fact that I've begun summer class, I've hardly made a dent in my list of things to buy before the fall semester actually begins. I'm currently taking Creative Writing: Narrative Short Fiction and I absolutely LOVE the class and the professor. Becoming a novelist is one of my dreams, so taking a short story class is going to help improve my writing.

But that's beside the point. I previously did a Dorm Wish List post, and now I'm going to do a post about school supplies I really like that I want or need.

First Time Dormer: Wish List!

So this upcoming fall semester will be my first time dorming. I will be a sophomore, but due to the intensiveness of my chosen classes, my professors advised me to stay on campus to make working on projects and meeting with classmates an easier task. I

live about 30 minutes away from campus but I don't have my driver's license yet. I also work on campus, so on the days I don't have classes, coming to work will also be less difficult.

So as a first time dormer, I made a list of items I would like to take with me to the dorm, though realistically I'll only be buying storage items. It doesn't hurt to wish, though, does it? =)

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.

My Current Etsy Clothing Obsession

Once again, the amazing talented creators on Etsy have blown my mind. I stumbled across Hopee's handmade goods while searching for some more indie inspiration. Yet again I have to refrain from posting dozens of photos and post only my favorites and hope you'll visit the link to her shop. Her prices are so reasonable, I'm in shock. Her items could definitely go for much more, in my opinion, they're so wonderful.

I am in love! Insert all of these into my Closet of Wanting!

Etsy Finds of the Patchwork Persuasion

So what is this post about, you ask? Well, you shouldn’t really have to ask if you read the title, but that’s okay. We all have our goldfish moments. Trust me. I had to look at the title to remind myself what I was writing about. Har har. =)

I adore clothes put together like this. Patchwork pieces are so refreshing and can look retro but really are quite futuristic in my head. They can be so flattering and so fun, and are definitely conversation starters. The best part about them is how playful they can be. I have a mild obsession with children’s games and I’m openly envious that they have Arts & Crafts every day, which this style of clothing reminds me of.

The Perfect Mugs

I want these for my first house. I’m tempted to buy them now while I can…

My Current Etsy Jewelry Obsession

As much as I’d love to just weigh down this post with a dozen or so photos of the amazing earrings and brooches StarBrightGirl creates, I realize providing a link and promising your enjoyment is a much better option. So I’ll show you a few pictures just to give you the idea of what incredible stuff she makes.

There are a whole bunch of pop culture jewelry and some cult classics stuff. This woman is my hero.

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.

The Expected Introduction

Hello all! If you’re reading this, I’d like to give you a massive cyber hug because your support makes my day. Possibly my week. We’ll see. Anyway, on to a brief description of this blog so you know whether or not you’re wasting your time. I’ve provided what I will cover in list format because paragraphs can be so tedious. Sigh. The list:

• movies, including my own productions and reviews of those out in theaters
• fashion, including DIY tips, my own outfits, and trends/items I like
• crafts, from tutorials to things I’d love to learn how to do
• cooking and baking recipes, because I love to share
• the occasional weight loss update, including health tidbits, fun exercises, and my goals
• organizational tips, catered to deal with the messy person in each of us
• alerts for sales at my online store

Fin! I’ve decided it would be more fun to take requests from people, so if you have a question or suggestion for a tutorial, post, recipe, etc., etc. do feel free to leave a comment or ask me. I’ll see what I can scrounge up. In the meantime, I’ll put it out there that if you follow me, I will return the favor. =) Now, this post has served its purpose and thus will conclude in 3…2…