Sick :[

Hey guys :[ i have been really sick for the past few days, im still exhausted and worn out. I hope i get over this soon. Im sick of being sick! I dont have the energy to be on etsy promoting when im not feeling well. Ugh. Sales are suffering because of it.

I added new tags yesterday, i forgot to put them up like a week ago, take a look. <---

I am really getting some good responses from that poll to the left you see <--- take it if you havent already! I am starting to work on some notebooks, and more tags will be coming, i promise! You have to buy them though! ;]

Alright well im already worn out from writing just little blurb. I will update when I am feeling much better. Hopefully that will be soon.

In the mean time, i found this cute little thing on etsy yesterday, I just love it. <3

Check out Urbanpaisley's shop here.

Until then,
Ally..

Feature #4- Natamon

Ok, are you ready for this? This isnt someone you would expect to see posted/featured on my blog, but i was really intrigued by this person, and the art they create. Definetly worth your time to look at their shop!!! Here we go...introducing.....

1) When did you first get introduced to your hobby?
When I was old enough to hold a crayon! Though it truly developed into my passionate life's work, and a fun hobby all mixed in together I suppose.

2) How long have you been on Etsy?

Since 2005-a long time for a Etsier. At first, I was moreso watching, surfing and getting a feel for the website. I didn't begin selling until much later, when I was able to devote proper time to my creations and sharing them as well.

3) What has Etsy done for you as a crafter?

For one thing, it's shown me that a wide variety of likes both for sellers are buyers, can exist in one place. It's also been a helpful, economical tool enabling me to get started sharing my works with the world. And, it's been a wonderful meeting place for some fellow creative types like me, whom I tend to gravitate toward with much glee.:)

4) Describe your work space.

Ha-ha, that's a funny one. It's basically my entire apartment. Usually between the living room and dinette area, I have all manner of compartments and supplies at the ready in those two main places. I work on tabletop and in my lap as needed, because I simply cannot work unless I am comfortable. My husband is a musician, so between he and I, our apartment is a bustling workplace to be sure!

5) How do you promote your shop and items (online and off)?

Online, I've joined several forum/network/social/photo sharing sites over the past 5 years where my work is shown. I have a few blogs I update, a website and two other shops. Offline, I share my business cards when I ship out my orders, and sometimes share flyers with the occassional coffeeshop.

6) What else do you want people to know about you? It can be ANYTHING.

That I am addicted to variety in my artwork, and that my Etsy store is my surreal side, which I titled,'Dishy Thicket'. My other side, 'Natamonworld', or also known as 'Creatornat', is my fantasy,illustraive & sacred iconography artwork on ebay and Artwanted.com. I vacilate between the two sides, because I crave the variety. Etsy became my surreal/whimsical side somewhat recently, due to the fact that I needed an outlet for that artistic side of me, and I knew it'd be the perfect, ecletic place. Much like some people crave wild, rich spices in their food, I am exactly like that in my art. I have to have several different artistic idea 'pots' simmering, all at once. It makes me very happy to do so. :)

You can also find Natamon at .....

www.stores.ebay.com/natamonworld

www.artwanted.com/creatornat

http://www.creatornat.com/

Until next time,

Ally <3

A lovely day at the mailbox ...

Goodmorning....i hope everyone Easter was great, and the easter bunny left them with lots of candy. :] I worked a double on Easter, so mine wasnt all that great. lol. Anyways, on Saturday I went to my mailbox to find a lovely package from CrazyGirlBoutique. If you remember, i did a feature on her not too long ago, look below.

Included in the package were my business card notebooks, which are SO cute! I just LOVE them! and an AWESOME flower pen! The packaging was great, and it was just so awesome to recieve such nice things in the mail. Everyone should have some of these little notebooks, as they are a great promotional, and helpful tool! She offers them at a great price too. You can click on the picture to visit her shop.

I added some cute new things to my shop recently, im starting a new "bird" line, which i think is going to turn out to be really cute. I have only listed two of them so far, but more are coming i promise!! I think my circle thank you's are the cutest though.

Anyways, I will update you tomorrow with new things, and a feature.

Take Care,

Ally

What I bought on Etsy today..

Hello! I just thought I would do a quick post about what I bought today on etsy. :]

I bought from a LOVELY shop called Meeting Street Designs She sells the absolute cutest hair accessories EVER. Clips, headbands, pony tails, ect. She also sells keychains, and magnets! You can't go wrong here. I bought these orignally....... Arent they gorgeous?!

And then since she is so WONDERFUL, she offered me a free gift because I was so close to being her 1300 sale. 1300 SALES PEOPLE, THATS ALOT. She is awesome at what she does, and i adore her shop. AND she such a nice person to talk to as well! I usually have at least one of her items in my BnR treasuries when i get one, because her shop is great. This is what i picked out for free....

I honestly CAN NOT WAIT to see these in the mail! :] Please everyone go check out her shop!

Also, please take my poll that you see to the left.

Thanks so much, and HAPPY EASTER!!!!

Until Next time, Ally

"Steady feet dont fail me now..."

New etsy mini!

Hey guys, i finished up alot of stuff today so take a looK! Free gift if you mention this blog!!!

I tried to get my etsy mini on this post, but it didnt quite work out well. So sorry! You just gotta go look at my shop.

I will try and update tomorrow.

I think i am going to do a contest :] So check back!

Toodles.

Ally

Feature # 3- CrazyGirlBoutique

Tonight we are featuring a lovely etsyian...whose shop name is...

When did you first get introduced to your hobby?
Two years ago I started a business with my friend and neighbor. Although I loved being a part of the business I realized ultimately it was not what I wanted to do. I stepped back from that business last year but realized I needed something in my life besides being a wife and SAHM to 4 kids. I have always loved creating, whether it was decorating my house or making things for myself or gifts for others. So I started making hair accessories and bottle cap necklaces for my daughter and sold many of these to friends and neighbors. It was then that I decided that I could sell these. I have sold many of these at craft fairs, but the time and dedication involved with craft fairs was not something that I have. That is when I discovered Etsy! What I make and sell has evolved over time and I love everything I currently make and hope to add more!

How long have you been on Etsy?
I have been selling on Etsy since December of 2007. I am really excited that there is a venue for crafters and artists to display and sell their hard work. I also love that Etsy has the forums to ask questions, get answers and to chat with others who are also doing what they love. I have gotten some great feedback that has encouraged me to continue what I love. I have also asked for and received critiques that have helped me to make improvements to have a better product! Where else can you get all of this?

What has Etsy done for you as a crafter?
Etsy has given me a place to showcase what I make. Before I found Etsy I thought the only way to have a place to sell was to do craft fairs or create a website. I found that the time and cost involved with creating and maintaining a website would not have been cost effective and it would have made it very difficult to dedicate the time to my crafting.

Describe your work space.
I am lucky to have a room dedicated to crafting in my home. It is an absolute disaster at all times but I have gotten used to my organized mess!

How do you promote your shop and items (online and off)?
I am in the Etsy forums a lot and have gotten many sales this way. I think the forums are a great place to showcase your shop and also get advice, critiques and tons of helpful information. I have also done craft fairs in the past which have been very successful. I have done a few at home shows with other local crafters and artist. I also do 2 local craft fairs a year, one is at our hometown Fall Fest the other is at Christmas at one of our local elementary schools. I have sent out emails with my shop info to friends and family and have started putting fliers in stores that offer a board for advertising.

What else do you want people to know about you? It can be ANYTHING
I have 4 beautiful kids, 3 boys (ages 12, 8 and 3) and 1 daughter (age 3) and a wonderful husband!. Having a daughter has been more fun then I ever imagined it would be. She is so girly yet can keep up with her 3 brothers. I also have 3 crazy dogs, 1 fish and 2 frogs. I have been very blessed to have an amazing family and great friends who have encouraged me every step of the way!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I just think her shop is so great, she has a variety of wonderful items...literally something for everyone. You can really tell she loves to be on etsy and create! It was more than a pleasure to feature her on my blog :] I hope that you all go check out her shop and her AWESOME business card notebooks! How cool are they!? Perfect for bringing to a craft show with you!!! To visit her shop, click on any of the photos above!! Thank you again CrazyGirlBoutique- great shop!

Until next time,

Ally

A FELLOW ESTYIAN WOULD LIKE OUR HELP AND KINDNESS:

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5523721&page=1

If you can help out, just put a comment on the thread to tell her your sending something!

P.S- arent these SUPER cute?!?!

OH MY!

Hello all, its been a few days now.. I hope everyone that is reading this is doing well. The other day i recieved my tile in the mail from the lady that i am doing the custom order for. I love it heres a picutre of it. <---- I just love it. AND in return i am making her custom "thank you's" and this is what i came up with...as you can see the brown and robins egg blue is kinda like her theme for all the tiles. So i wanted to duplicate that. I may or may not add a rhinestone..not sure yet.

Anyways...very busy lately, as you probably could of gathered. Between doing some custom orders and trying to make new things, and study for school its just becoming so hetic! OH MY!

I put some new things in my shop over the last few days. Take a look at them, they are in my shop, and some are throughout this post.

Tomorrow I will be featuring another artist, but dont expect it to be posted until later on, because i have a meeting tomorrow, unfortanetly.

OH WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO TELL YOU .. was that i got a TREASURY, and i made it a BnR! Its called a "buy and replace" for all you who arent fimilar. You buy from the list, and then I would replace the person with you and soemthing from your shop!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=34354

Theres the link, go ahead and buy something, its super cute and cheap!!!

I have been looking in alot of card books lately, looking for new techniques and such, and saw eyelets. So of course i went out and bought them, and then bought the tool you need to use them with. So.. You will be seeing alot of eyelets coming in my next couple pieces because they are just so cute! You can see that i used them in my tags...already.

Well I will be back sometime tomorrow, take care and visit my treasury!!!

Until Then,

Ally

Just thought you should see this....

I found this lovely persons shop the other day while chatting with them in the fourms. I immediately fell in love with this particular item. Their shop is all about recycling and repurposing items. To check out Green Artistry's shop click here. :]

Today I have tons to do, I have to finish up one custom order, and then totally start a new one. AH. Hopefully I will have time to create some new things in the midst of all this! 

Well I will try to post later, or tomorrow :]

Until Then, 

Ally

Ok, LOTS of new stuff to look at !

Hello :] So the feature I did the other night, showed up below my last post..which wasnt what I wanted but...thats okay. So check it out please drop a comment too! Anyways i have been quite the busy "bee" ..get it...two bees in a pod..busy bee..haha! I have added lots of new stuff to my shop within the past few days, some of it sold right away. I will post the pictures of what i still have left and what i added yesterday. You can find them throughout the post here. Convo me with any questions.

Next topic...remember how i was telling you the lights flickered a few times the other night, when i was having that really bad storm?...well turns out 5 minutes before i leave for work, the power goes out with no sign of it coming back on. I was like WONDERFUL, story of my life. I had to stay at my grandparents that night because there was no heat. My power didnt come back on until Sunday around 1. To say the least i was really missing the computer and my etsy! haha! I forgot how hard it is to live without electric! Stupid wind!


Last night went out to dinner with the boyfriend :] it was soo good. But I come home today to find my leftovers eaten. I was a little steamed, because i was really looking forward to munching on them!!!! :[ ggrrrr.

Also, i am really trying hard to boost my site views, of both here and on my shop. So please if you have any friends direct them to my website!! I am also trying to sell my products in a couple of shops around town and other states as well. We'll see how that goes. If anyone could offer me information let me know!

The status on my DAD's creation, is that he didnt start yet, i dont think... im guessing this weekend he'll make whatever he is making. The other day he told my mom that i need to think " out of the box." He is always a debbie downer with me. Oh well im not dweling on it.

I found this lovely lyric today and i thought i should share:

"Take my hand, take my whole life, too for i cant help falling in love with you. "- Here and now

AND if you could all maybe leave a comment or something, telling me something you would like to see me put in my shop, it could be anything paper related, please dont say like a purse or something. :] THAT WOULD BE GREAT!

i will post some more tomorrow.

Until Then,

ally.

I'VE BEEN TAGGED!

I have been tagged by Crazy Times Candles to write 7 RANDOM things about myself!

I was also featured in their blog yesterday!!! So check it out! They are SO nice and have a wonderful shop set up on etsy selling bath products, soaps, candles, lip balm, ect.!!!

In the picture you can see something that looks edible but its actually a BATH cupcake! You put it in the bathtub with you and it fizzes up! Check out their shop for more info.

Here it goes:
1.) I am highly claustrophobic.
2.) My dog's name is boogie. NO not boogey like in your nose! Like the golf term.
3.) Give me mozzerella sticks and I will be happy for a LONG time.
4.) I am addicted to bagels with butter and jelly.
5.) I used to get homesick, but grew out of that phase quite fast.
6.) I love going to Ocean City, MD with my boyfriend in the summer.
7.) I just love being home wearings sweats with my hair a mess, and making cards. Its my favorite.

and im tagging three new people:
http://theprimpantry.blogspot.com/
http://bdorsa.blogspot.com/
http://outofthebluedesigns.blogspot.com/

Okay check back later, for my feature for the night!!!!

FEATURE #2- CURLYQ CUTIES

Tonights feature is all about:

When did you first get introduced to your hobby?
I have been sewing for almost 10 years. I started out making traditional quilts and then evolved into making art quilts. I started making fabric toys about 5 years ago and then moved onto making plush monsters which I LOVE doing!

How long have you been on Etsy?
I'm relatively new to Etsy. I signed up on January 1, 2008 and listed my first item on January 8, 2008.

What has Etsy done for you as a crafter?
Etsy has made it easier for me to get myself out there to the public. I've had sales as far away as Taiwan and Germany. It's very exciting!

Describe your work space.
I have a spare room in my house that is a dedicated sewing studio. I can create, sew and experiment to my heart's content and not worry about the mess or clean up. I can close the door and no one is the wiser to the madness that took place in there. My room has 5 work tables. Two work tables are used as my shipping area which holds all my shipping supplies, one table that is used for cutting, and two tables that are in a L-shape configuration that holds my sewing machine and provides workspace for my patterns and miscellaneous needs. My ironing board is open and set up in the room as well. My work space is my own little haven. I can disappear in there for hours.

How do you promote your shop and items (online and off)?
I promote online by posting profiles on indiepublic, we love etsy, squidoo, talent database, flickr, to name a few. Offline, it's been word of mouth.

What else do you want people to know about you? It can be ANYTHING
I love what I do and I hope that comes through to people looking at my work. It gives me great pleasure when I get positive feedback that my monsters are loved.

NEEDLESS TO SAY I THINK SHE HAS A WONDERFUL SHOP, AND I LOVE HER MONSTERS :] AS DO SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE! TO VISIT HER SHOP CLICK HERE.

Until Next time,

Ally.

Short and Sweet

This is a short and sweet post, telling you all to go look at my wonderful BnR treasury I got about five minutes ago! Tomorrow I will update with some funny stories..that you will definetly laugh at. :]

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=3741

Also, more new things added in my shop tonight so take a look!

Until Then,

Ally

Tons of New and Wonderful Here

Hello all! I just wanted to do a quick update before I head off to work for the night. I just added BUNCHES of wonderful things to my shop!! You can see them listed here throughout this post :]

Anyways, I think i will feature someone tomorrow night after i get home from work, i have soooooooooooo many people on my "list" so to say so I better get a moving!

The weather today here was NUTS!!! It would rain So hard for about 5 minutes, then stop and get sunny, this went on for about 2 hours. It was so weird! The power even went out a few times.

Oh this is a funny story. My dad now wants to see if he can make something and see if it will sell...so he dragged me and my mom today to Micheals craft store so he could get supplies to make his "creation." Lord only knows what this will look like..lol. He needs to compete with me in everything! He knows that I am doing well on Etsy, and he is just jealous. I will definetly post his creation up here for everyone to see when he finishes it. :] I just can't wait.

Anyways, I will post again tomorrow! Check out my shop for the rest of my new!

Until Next Time,

Ally

3 years, and im in LoVe.

Hola!

So today offically marks the three year anniversary for me and my boyfriend :] He is the best thing in the whole world, and makes me so happy...most of the time. ;] Wouldnt change him for the WORLD....well.. maybe the world.....just kidding! But of course we wont be going out or anything tonight, because he got surgery 2 days ago and is still in some pain. So hopefully next weekend we can celebrate. I bought him a cute card though that I think meant alot to him! Funny how I wouldnt make him a card..but i feel like i shower him with my cards lol.

Anyways to celebrate...Free gift with purchase of any card today in my shop!

Moving on, sales have been so slow on etsy this week! I feel like as soon as the calender hit March 1st, I have hit a brick wall. ah! Hoping for maybe a sale or two in the next couple days...especially since the weekend is coming! Offering my love forever to whoever buys from me..hehe!

Once upon an awesome etsyian....

I found this awesome shop on etsy a few days ago, and she has such cute things! Like check out these two awesome clipboards! Perfect if your a teacher !! The one on the right is mini! I just think its so cute! Definetly on my WISH LIST. You can visit kuteklipboardsbyamy's shop here!

Speaking of wish lists, i think im going to do one of those soon, and show you guys all the pictures of what i would like :] I think that sounds like some fun! I have tons of items marked down as favorites, its insane.

Plan on making lots of new things tonight, after i go visit my grandmother. So check back tomorrow ill post them up here!

Until Next Time,

Ally

ETSY ARTIST FEATURE 1

Hello all! This will be my first time ever featuring an etsy artist on here! I am so excited to be doing this. It gives me the opportunity to look at some great items and chat with a bunch of great people!

FEATURE: PHRIENDLYK8

I just happened to stumble upon this etsyian's shop and fell in love with her items! She does amazing work and deserves to be featured! You can tell she works hard and loves what she does! Check out PHRIENDLYK8'S entire shop here.

Mini- Interview:

When did you first get introduced to your hobby?
I first got introduced to sewing when I was in middle school. I was very small and could never find "cool" clothes that fit me, so I asked my mother to teach me how to sew!

How long have you been on Etsy?
I joined Etsy September 29, 2007 and started listing in early October 2007.

What has Etsy done for you as a crafter?

Etsy has given me exposure around the world! It is so hard to get your work seen, and Etsy is a great place where anyone can find your work. I have sold items to the Netherlands, Ireland, Canada, and many places in the US!

Describe your work space.

My husband and I live in the smallest one room apartment you could ever imagine. Basically my fabric, sewing machines and everything that I need to sew is taking up the entire apartment!

What inspires you?
I am very inspired by nature and music. I always have my eyes and ears open!

Any other misc. information that you want people to know about you?

I love to do custom orders. I love to bring other people's ideas to life for them!

Please visit her shop and look around, its truly one of a kind!

Check back tomorrow for another post, and some new items added to my shop!

Until Then,
Ally

"When going through hell keep going"

Hello all! Since my last post I have not really done too much. I worked all this weekend, which I was bummed about because I really wanted to have the time to create some new and awesome cards...looks like i'll be doing that tonight after dinner.

Anyways, lately I have been hearting and looking for some amazing etsy artists to feature on here. Just to let you know that sometimes it will be in the form of an interview and some pictures, or sometimes I will just put a picture that I like and their shop name and link. It depends. But you can look for this EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT. I may do this more often, but you can definetly expect to see someone new every Tuesday.

Recently, one of my cousin's best friends got into a serious car accident and is currently still in the hospital drifting in and out of a coma. She is pretty banged up and is "going through hell." She wont be graduating with her high school class this year as she wont be able to make up the work. Horrible thing to happen to a high school senior in February dont ya think? I would just ask everyone who reads this to keep my cousin and her friend in your thoughts and prayers.

On a brigher note...
I found this lovely piece that you can see above the other day on etsy...of course. I just love the sayings that this person uses on their items! You can visit their shop here. Very inspirational.

AND....to tell you about my shop, all scarves are FREE SHIPPING, so check that out. AND alot more cards will be uploaded tomorrow so check back!

Until next time,

Ally

"When going through hell keep going" HC<3