*~Seasonal Colors Poll~*

I'm working on a new piece and I'm looking for some input! I just got these awesome charms from Bellas Bead Habit on Etsy:

I have, what I hope is, a cool idea. But I need your input!
What colors do you associate with each of the four seasons?
Looking forward to hearing your responses! =)

How to Get a License to Sell Disney Characters

How to Get a License to Sell Disney Characters

I was shared this site, check it out, very informative!

My Babies as lolcatz! =)

The first 2 are Georgie and the last one is Georgie sitting on Munchkin!

Thoughts? =)

Spotlight on Spirit of the Stone

I have always found repurposing fascinating but this is something I find BEYOND impressive! Carving into rock is a skill that takes an incredibly steady hand and a sharp eye. I met Katie in a BNR and got to talking with her. She has two wonderful shops but today I am spotlighting Spirit of the Stone.

I asked Katie to share a little bit about herself, her work and any advice she would like to give fellow creators. Her response was inspiring!

I am a wife and a mother first, but second to my family is my love for art. I love to create. Whenever I see something unique or beautiful, the first thing that crosses my mind is ~What could I do with this and how can I turn it into an amazing piece of art?~ I also love crafting, taking things that stand out to me, putting them together and making something new. I chose to dedicate this shop to rune stones because I am fascinated with natural healing and the energies that are imbedded in everything around us.


I have been making artwork and crafts for many years but the reason I started a business on etsy, was due to a stranger who showed up at a garage sale I had last year. He was an artist too and we got to talking about art. I showed him a painting I had made of a tiger and he encouraged me to get prints made and put them on etsy. I never did get those prints made but I took one look at etsy and knew it was for me. This shop is the second one I have opened. I also have Katies Creative Corner ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/katiescreativecorner) where my other arts and crafts can be found.

I find inspiration in everything around me, from a piece of fabric at the store to an interesting comment in a conversation. It can come from anything and I find that it comes from everything if you are open to the possibilities.

My favorite items from this etsy shop are my party favors. They are so cute and though the pictures are good, they just don't capture their true essence. Much cuter in person! My favorite piece I have ever made is not a piece that I have put on etsy but it is one of two tiger paintings I have done.

My advice to other etsy hopefuls is, make sure to do it because you love it. Don't give up if you are having a slow start. The sales will come. Make sure that you get as involved as you can in teams and if you want to enhance your chance of getting your first sale participate in a BNR or BNS. Oh, and ask questions, most people are more than willing to help. We were all new to etsy at one time.

This is my personal favorite from Spirit of the Stone!

I hope you enjoyed reading this inspiring interview as much as I did and please stop by Katies shop and see her beautiful pieces for yourself!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpiritoftheStone 

Courtney~*

♥ A Little of This and That ♥: Congrats! Blog winner this month is Wicked Karma ...

I won the giveaway!!!! I HAD to share! I've never won anything before!! I'm so excited!! =)
Thanks sooooo  much Julie! You're AWESOME!!

♥ A Little of This and That ♥:
Congrats!  Blog winnerthis month is Wicked Karma ...: Congrats!  Blog winner this month is Wicked Karma Jewelry !

Huge List of Places to Advertise or Market Your Shop

I saw this list on a blog I subscribe to (A Little of This and That) and thought I would share it. Sea Star Dreams posted a huge list of places to advertise and market our shops!
Check it out! =)
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6243899

Thanks Julie from A Little of This and That!!

Spotlight on IPhone 4

I suppose it’s the artist in me but anytime I get something simple and “uniform” I immediately try to figure out how I can turn it into something that reflects my personality. I’m sure some of you are the same way. Well today we’ll be taking a look at a woman who helps people turn their phones into works of art!

I found Rebecca through a networking team on Etsy and was so impressed with her shop I had to ask her to be on my blog! So without any more ado, I give you IPhone 4 Designs:

Short Bio:

I am actually a wedding cake designer by day and an Etsy enthusiast by night. I'm a mother of two, and a wife of 17 years to my high school sweetheart. Everyone has a position in the Etsy shop, I am creative director, my husband covers the technical department (computer and printer issues), and my two little ones are president and vice president of the shipping department. Kind of...More like, post office officials.

                        If her cakes are as beautiful as her

                        phone covers I don’t think I could

                        ever bring myself to cut them! =)

This one is sooo crazy cool!!!

What inspired you to start your business?
My inspiration was more of a 'who' than a 'what'. My mother has been with Etsy for over a year, Ridge Top Cottage (http://www.etsy.com/shop/RidgeTopEmbroidery) and she loves it. Some how, and I'm not sure how, a little over a month ago I stumbled right into a passion of my own! I started one iphone case at a time and now I can barely pull myself away from the computer!

What inspires your creative process?
Crazy as I may sound, I feel like the creative inspiration dam has busted wide open! I've always had an artsy side, and have had a great outlet with my wedding cake business, but since working in my new medium, I feel like the ideas just keep coming. I actually have a little pad and pen next to my pillow...sometimes it comes in a dream :).

                                This one is my favorite and definitely

                                   Looks like a dream come to life!

What is your favorite thing you’ve made and why?
I think my most favorite item is a custom order I had received my first week on Etsy. I love the colors in the design and it inspires me to add more fantasy based items.

(Insert the pics with the listings)

www.etsy.com/listing/101925955/iphone-4-case-iphone-case-iphone-4s-case

www.etsy.com/listing/101577916/unique-building-iphone-4-cell-phone-case

www.etsy.com/listing/103603755/unique-robot-iphone-4-case-iphone-case

What advice do you have for other people who want to start or grow their Etsy shop?
Although I do not even remotely consider myself a person to give advice, I will say this. Don't be afraid to ask, ask, ask. The vendors of Etsy can be so supportive. I quickly sought mentors and they were very receptive to share tips and tricks with me. Through their advice, I have joined teams, favored shops and promoted items.Of course the basics, great pictures, detailed listings, and a fully stocked shop. Also, so important, don't be discouraged. Rome wasn't built in a day, and Etsy sales don't show up in paypal overnight...although sometimes you wake up in the morning and there IS a sale...that can make your whole day!

I agree! Seeing a sale always makes me feel like I’m walking on cloud 9, lol!

I hope you all enjoyed reading about Rebecca and will venture over to her Etsy store and see all of her unique and inventive covers!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/IPhone4Design