Friday, May 28, 2010

New BLOG in town...

I’ve been reading in the Etsy forums where people ark if crafting bloggers ever blog about themselves and their lives. Originally I wasn’t sure about sharing my life with complete strangers, but now I’ve started a huge new phase in my life and I am excited to share it! So if you’re looking to get to know me better, feel free to check it out!

http://letterstojackie.blogspot.com

You’ll be able to follow me through my journey to new health! And you’ll always be able to catch the regular features at Clever’s Corner.

Lily Loves...

This week's Friday Feature brings you earrings, but just like every Friday, all of the items showcase cats! I've found some of the cutest car earrings on Etsy! Be sure to click on the links below each image to see the artist's full shop!




Thursday, May 27, 2010

Focus Feature and Giveaway

Happy Thursday and welcome to another focus feature and giveaway! First, let me announce the winner of the LaughingFridge Magnet giveaway. Using a random number generator from Random.org, the winner is… (drumroll please…) #8, Kat from Kei Glass!!! Congrats and I’ll put you in touch with LaughingFridge to collect your prize!

And onto the next… This week’s feature is on RoseRidgeCreations. This shop is FULL of the most gorgeous accessories! You’ll be amazed at the talent this gal has with a sewing machine, with a product line including walker bags, wheelchair bags, fleece socks, purses, aprons, and the most adorable dresses for little girls!

RoseRidgeCreations will be giving away a pair of her FAMOUS fleece socks! You can click on the photo below to see more details about these great socks. Take my word for it; you’re going to want these socks. I have a pair and will likely even wear them through the summer when the air conditioning is too cool for my toes! Check out the shop, http://www.roseridgecreations.etsy.com/, to see a full line of products!


Here’s what this busy seamstress had to say:

What’s your favorite item from your shop and what makes it your favorite?

The funnest things to make are the fleece socks, but the most rewarding items I sell in my shop, by far are the walker bags. The reason is because of the amazing feedback I've gotten from the recipients about how much easier they have made their lives.

How did you get into your line of crafting?

I don't remember ever not crafting, but I started selling what I make when the economy took a downturn and it became apparent that my job was about to be eliminated. It's the best thing that ever happened to me. I love going to work everyday in my sewing room now!

Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?

Yes, CABT a bag and purse group and CSST a cottage group.


If you had one super power what would it be?

I'd like the super power to make time stand still or even go backwards. There are never enough hours in the day for me.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Can I have two? lol. I love a glass of wine and a couple of miniature dark chocolate Reese's cups when I'm done sewing in the evening.

If you could be any animal what would it be and why?

Well, don't tell Miss Bianca, but I'd really like to be a cat. They are just the most beautiful creatures to watch prance gracefully around. They even lick their paws with grace.


Do you have a personal favorite Etsy shop that you would like to share with readers?

If I won the lottery, the first thing I would do would be to buy everything that allstrungout1 has in her shop. I've bought lots of her things, but I'd really like to own her entire shop.


If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you take with you?

David, Bianca and chocolate. We could make our own wine:)


From my own personal crafting I’ve been through frustrating moments with new projects. What have you learned from your own crafting frustrations?

Gosh, I think I learn something new everyday sewing. Almost everything in my shop is my own design and those designs morph everyday into better designs each time I make them. After 40 years of sewing I rarely have to use a seam ripper any more, but there was a time I used it more then the sewing machine.


What advice would you give to new Etsy sellers?

Promote and diversify. Do everything you can to make sure everyone you touch knows about your shop and try to find a niche that no one else is filling.

Blog, twitter, facebook links?


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Anyone can post and accumulate up to 15 entries for the giveaway! Please be sure to include your email address so that you can be contacted if you win, and don’t forget to post each entry as a separate comment!

Visit RoseRidgeCreations’ Etsy shop and post your favorite item here. (1 entry)

Follow Clever’s Corner Blog and post to let me know you follow. (1 entry)

Tell me your guilty pleasure. (1 entry)

Follow RoseRidgeCreations’ Blog. (1 entry)

Tweet about this giveaway and post the link here. (1 entry)

BONUS ENTRIES!!!

Make a purchase from RoseRidgeCreations’ Etsy shop and post the transaction here. (5 entries)

Make a purchase from The Clever Crafter’s Etsy shop and post the transaction here. (5 entries)

The giveaway will end on Wednesday, June 2 at midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Winner will be contacted Thursday morning when the next giveaway is posted and prize details will be arranged with RoseRidgeCreations. Thanks for your interest and entries!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Hump Day Humor

No words needed, the photos speak for themselves... ENJOY! And may you make it through the rest of the week sane!












Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Tuesday's Top 10

When I was growing up my family used to take a vacation every summer in Arcadia, Michigan. We rented a cottage and stayed for a week, traveling to Sleeping Bear Dunes, Frankfurt, and any other small town along Lake Michigan that caught my parents attention. But what I remember most? Laying on the bed in the cottage and listening to the sound of the waves crashing along the shore. And collecting petoskey stones and beach glass!


This week's Top 10 brings you some beautiful jewelry from Etsy artists that have incorporated beach glass into their artwork! Be sure to click on the links below each photo to see the other jewelry these artists have made!




Monday, May 24, 2010

Monday, Monday...

Happy Monday! Or happy for me at least! Had another great quilt show weekend, made decent sales, and have a lot of interest in custom jewelry, so here's hoping the interest turns into orders! I was also approached and asked to join a quilt show next year as a vendor on my own! Scary to think about, but a year to get prepared!

I've also been spending a lot of time brainstorming on my shop promotion as my sales have slowed dramatically. I've come up with a daily business checklist that I'm hoping will help me to be sure to get my promotion done as well as some extra promotion for teammates and threadmates.

Couple of quick reminders before we get to the BESTeam feature for the week: First, don't forget to enter the LaughingFridge art Magnet giveaway!

http://cleverscorner.blogspot.com/2010/05/focus-feature-and-giveaway_20.html

These fun and funky magnets will brighten up even the dullest of days when you pass by your fridge!

And second, don't forget to take advantage of the free shipping in my shop right now! I have my whole first page dedicated to red, white, and blue for Memorial Day and 4th of July. Order today and I'll ship tomorrow to get your goodies in time for Memorial Day!

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And now let's get to the feature! Welcome to Anne of October54Gallery! Anne's shop is full of amazing photography to accent any room in your home!


This photo is my absolute favorite from October54Gallery. Even amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City, Anne captures this scene and shows a peaceful and calm park to relax in!


Another favorite, I certainly wish I was on a bench by the water instead of being stuck in an office today!



I'm also a huge fan of the flower photography, especially with the special effects that were used to create a more artful photo.
Be sure to check out October54Gallery for yourself and cruise through the great prints for sale! You can also find Anne on her blog at http://www.october54gallery.blogspot.com.