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!

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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?!?!