MellyGirl's Handmade

geek love <3

2009-04-30T23:03:59Z

Featuring the wonderful JamieRaeDesigns

2009-03-18T00:58:49Z

Time to feature a very talented (and new!) Etsy artist.
Show some love, check out her beautiful shop, and tell your friends!

JamieRaeDesigns

Etsy
Buy Handmade
JamieRaeDesigns

http://www.JamieRaeDesigns.etsy.com

The talented Jamie of JamieRaeDesigns has always been a crafter. She enjoys making jewelry that she would wear herself and through etsy, she is happy to share her pieces with the world. Beautiful beaded and wire jewelry along with a few vintage items adorn her etsy shop.

Jamie is currently attending Appalachian State University to pursue a degree in business management.

Joined Etsy on Jan 18, 2009

FREE SHIPPING to the US!

Newest

2009-03-13T02:19:24Z

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22179065

I'm quite proud of this scarf. I've actually considered keeping it, but it's a color that (I think) doesn't suit me well.
It's sooo soft and silky, too - I wish I had a blanket made out of it! hehe!

I've been really, really lacking in the journaling/tweeting/listing aspect of etsy lately. I just haven't felt like doing much of anything! Hopefully I start feeling more creative soon!

*smallish update*
I plan to start featuring an etsy seller once in a while. I know I don't have a whole lot of followers here, but hey, it will be nice to promote someone newer than I am!
(maybe I'll even drag my blogspot into it, hehe!)

Info about new CPSIA law

2009-01-14T00:57:32Z

Etsy Storque article:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/etsy-news/tech-update-new-cpsia-forum-buy-handmade-badge-3229/

BuyHandmade Blog article:
http://blog.buyhandmade.org/

Information about the new law at the CPSIA web page:
http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.HTML

How you can help:
Sign the petition!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/handmadetoys/
The text at the top is a perfect way to start a letter addressing your congresspeople, local TV/radio/newspapers, governor, whomever. Get the word out that this is NOT OK, we WILL NOT go down without a fight.

My thoughts (signature #15995) :
It is shameful to hurt the small businesses when they ARE the ones creating the safe alternative. So many wonderful business owners will have to close up shop because of this law that was poorly thought out.
In addition to helping out the small businesses, I would like to see some compensation. These small business owners have had to live in uncertain times with this law looming ahead. So many of them have already closed their businesses, sold off their supplies, held super-clearance sales to get rid of inventory, and have stopped putting merchandise on their shelves.
Think of all the harm caused in just the past few months. Think of all the fear. It is a disgrace.

New stuff!

2008-11-20T03:32:36Z

My most recent Etsy endeavor? Plush animals!

It all started about a week ago when I wanted a cute plush penguin but wasn't able to find something that I liked or could afford. After getting pretty annoyed and angry, I decided to go ahead and make my own - how hard could it be??

Here's how my penguin turned out:

LOVE him <3

After seeing my penguin plushie, my younger sister, Mother, and Tom all told me I should start making these things and listing them on Etsy...so I tried making a cat:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17475731

What do you think?

URL magnet how-to

2008-10-27T17:25:48Z

Approaching my first craft show, I realize I need some sort of "freebie" to give to customers instead of the regular ol' business card. I've been wanting magnets with some business information on them for a while now but have been too short on cash to get some nice ones made. Here's a simple solution: my URL magnets!

What you'll need:
A self adhesive magnet roll, scissors, your URL printed and cut into 1 inch wide strips. Colored pencils/markers are optional.

If you'd like your URLs to be colored, this is when you should color them so you can avoid coloring over the tiny creases that might occur.

First what you'll need to do is cut away a strip of the protective paper on the magnetic strip measuring about the length of your URL strip.

Now, stick your piece of paper onto the sticky side of the magnetic strip. It should look like this:

Next we cut off your magnetic URL from the roll:

After you've done that, cut your magnetic strip in half giving you 2 magnetic URLs!

The finished magnets!

Now your customers can stick this magnet with your URL onto their fridge to remind them of your business!

Teaman

2008-10-24T23:57:30Z

I had a wonderful little package waiting for me when I went home today - tea!

I ordered a 25 package sample of vanilla tea from the Teaman on etsy and it is simply amazing! I'm really not much of a tea drinker - but I'm already on my second cup of tea today, hehe.
I'm now a total vanilla tea addict :)

Anyway, if any of you are searching for a faaaabulous cup of tea, look no further! Teaman on esty has it! Here's his shoplink:
http://www.teaman.etsy.com

Treat yourself to a wonderful hand-blended cup of gourmet tea <3

busy as a bee

2008-10-23T18:21:31Z

That Halloween festival where I will be vendoring is getting nearer and nearer!

*I've got tons of business cards printed out and ready to be cut.
*I plan to print out a email newsletter signup form.
*Need to think of display options for jewelry & pads.
Somebody suggested putting earrings on a small wire garbage bin (upside down!)
Still not too sure about necklaces and bracelets...
Must find a good way to display pads - don't want every single one being manhandled!
*MUST find a table!
Card table?
Look at secondhand stores!
Sawhorses and plywood last resort (I guess)
*MUST find a pretty tablecloth (I want purple!)
*Must sew like a madwoman - I have a week!!!!!!

I'm kind of in the process of making a baby blanket for my best friends baby girl-to-be. The front fabric is this lovely vintage-type fabric I found at a second hand store in my area which will match her Care Bear theme wonderfully! Not a Care Bear fabric, but I think it would go so well with it!
I plan to use pastel pink fleece on the back.

Another thing, I would like to embroider the baby's name in a corner on the back once they figure out a name! I'm just unsure which color I should use...
...perhaps pictures and a poll soon?

BOO!

2008-10-20T02:33:08Z

Weekend after next is Halloween!

I do not usually dress up for the occasion, but for this year I will be at a festival where I might feel out of place if I don't!
Since I am broke, broke, broke this year, I plan to go as a black cat. I've got it pretty well planned out - since it'll be cold: black thermal top + black sweater, black pants or skirt, my cuuuute black shoes and socks, totally going to make myself a tail and ears :)
...and I will totally have to take a picture!

So, readers, who are you going to be this Halloween? If you're not dressing up but your little ones are, what are they going as?

Writer's Block: Unnecessary Objects

2008-10-17T20:52:14Z

Oscar Wilde, a dandy’s dandy, once said that “we live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities.” What unnecessary possession can you not live without?

View 500 Answers

If I were to answer this honestly, basically the ONLY necessities I have are food, some sort of shelter (or I'd die with how cold it gets here!) and air. Beyond that, really, everything is considered unnecessary.

However, things I use every day that are "necessities" to me that are technically "unnecessary" would include (but are not limited to!) the following: Music, alllllll my books, computer with internet and computer games, my sewing machine and supplies, jewelry, the telephone, clocks, "nice" clothes...

Just a note, I am listening to "Wonderful" by Andy Hunter on Pandora.com and I am hooked. This happens to be on my "Since I Left You" by The Avalanches station, I usually love all the music :)

Something funny to leave you with:

PS: I hear some sort of banging in this building and it is driving me NUTS!

SALE! SALE! SALE!

2008-10-11T05:56:20Z

With the expiration dates of many jewelry items in my shop quickly approaching, I've decided to mark the majority down in price! Plus, with this economy dragging everyone down in the dumps, I think maybe an inexpensive piece of jewelry might boost your spirits!
My goal is to sell all of my jewelry BEFORE it expires!

How about a lovely pair of pearl earrings?
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14416216

Or a sparkly bracelet?
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13486412

Or a stylish necklace?
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14689073

The holiday season is just around the corner - perhaps you know of a lovely lady in your life that could use a little more pizzaz? Take a look around :)

PS: I started my new job today! I plan to FINALLY do a giveaway to celebrate my first paycheck once I get it! Be on the lookout in about a week!

Puppy Love

2008-10-09T23:22:17Z

Check out this fellow etsian's website! Cute dog collars and leashes :)
http://www.shopmimigreen.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5362928

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Photos and stuff

2008-10-03T19:54:06Z

With the Holiday season fast approaching, I think I need to fix up my shop a bit! This really includes better item descriptions and most importantly: better photos!
Today is a nice, sunny day and I have learned the beauty of using natural lighting so I figured today would be ideal for a photo-op :) Upon setting up my background and a few items - my battery died :(
- No huge issue, as I always carry an extra "charged" set just in case.
...shame those weren't fully charged. I must've been away the last time my batteries died and forgotten to charge them up again.
Ah well, maybe tomorrow will be just as nice? Maybe warmer too!

I went into my etsy shop today and added a bit more "how-to" instructions along with the descriptions I already had for my pads.
I actually had a person ask me what, exactly my pads were for - oy.
That's when I knew I had to work on my descriptions as my pads are not intended for protection from bumps and bruises during sports!!

Another thing I plan to work on is my shop's banner. Right now it is a blue rose with a simple "MellyGirl2007" written in the right corner - not very indicative of what I sell! Also, I think my avatar needs a little help.
Good thing I've got MY computer with my beloved Photoshop <3

On another note, I am very happy to announce that I have been given a wonderful opportunity to sell my items at a (very) small festival over the Halloween weekend!
During the next few weeks I will be busy creating and preparing products to sell - I will probably post a bit later on with updates :)

Donate reusable cloth menstrual pads

2008-09-29T23:00:47Z

This is something I've been thinking about for a while now and have just wondered how I might go about doing it - and I just figured it out!

There is an organization called Goods 4 Girls that accepts donations of reusable cloth menstrual pads to be given to girls in Africa. These girls are not fortunate enough to buy their own pads to use - therefore having to miss school during their periods.
Donating cloth menstrual pads (or money to buy pads) will enable these girls to go to school and get their education ALL of the time.
Other organizations do donate disposable sanitary pads, but due to the lack of a proper disposal they get burned - emitting dangerous chemicals into the air.

Since I have my Etsy shop where I sell my handmade reusable cloth menstrual pads, I just created a brand new listing where others might purchase a pad to be sent to this organization.

Quick facts / ideas:
*I would sell those cloth pads for less than my other pads ($2 pad + $1.50 S&H = $3.50 total).
*I would include a note along with the donated pad "This pad was donated by [insert buyer name here]."
*To entice people to donate pads, I would offer free shipping when they purchase anything else from my shop at the time of donation. AKA: Person donates pad AND buys earrings - shipping for earrings is free!

Organization site:
http://www.goods4girls.org/

My etsy.com listing:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15719673

Any thoughts or ideas?

New Item!

2008-09-23T23:30:55Z

Hello everyone!

Today marks a new day for my shop - my mother will now be adding to my Etsy shop!
She makes some lovely hand-knit slippers and I just added the very first pair to my shop for you all to look at (and buy!).
Here they are:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15525341

They are lovely, high-quality, durable, soft, comfortable and WARM slippers! Keep your tootsies nice and toasty :)

If you like these but might like them in a different size or color, let me know so I can pass the word on to my mom, she will be happy to knit you a pair!

In other news, pads have been selling like hotcakes lately!

* I just got my little sister hooked on pads, too! She was verrrrry skeptical about trying them for her "whole" period, but she told me a couple days ago that she absolutely LOVES them! - That's coming from a person who used ONLY tampons.

If you're interested, I suggest checking my shop!
http://www.MellyGirl2007.etsy.com

**Still offering a FREE pantyliner of YOUR CHOICE from my pantyliner grab bag with your purchase of $10 or more!**
**Be sure to mention THIS LJ post to receive your FREE liner!**

etsy love and LJ love

2008-09-21T16:27:17Z

I've listed almost all of my pads in my etsy shop - and I even gave ebay a whirl. (I LOVE etsy 1000000000 times more!!!)
So yes, about the ebay thing. My older sister was telling me I should try it out because she sells a whole lot of her jewelry there (and couldn't on etsy). So I tried it just to see. It's kind of not worth it to me.

Listing fees:
Etsy: $.20
Ebay: $.45

Selling fees:
Etsy: 3%
Ebay: 8.5%

Listing time:
Etsy: 3 months
Ebay: 1 week

Etsy is really just better in every way. The ONLY thing I noticed while my pads were on ebay was that I had a few more views in my etsy shop - which may not have had anything to do with ebay anyway. I had been posting a ton on the forums for a few days so I'm thinking that's what may have happened.

What's hot in my shop right now:
pantyliner grab bag
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15424129
halloween pattern pads
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15276651
hot pink and green stripes
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15010323

What's not:
this beautiful necklace (can't figure out why!)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14696083

**************************** FREE OFFER ****************************
**If you mention THIS LJ post AND spend $10 or more, you'll get a FREE pantyliner!**

Just be sure to mention the post AND tell me which pattern you'd like in the "message to seller" - you can see all of the patterns in the pantyliner grab bag that I have listed above.

PADS!

2008-09-06T21:42:59Z

After WAY too long away from my sewing machine (6 months, IIRC) I am back in business!

I've been sewing all morning and afternoon and I've finished AND listed several pads on Etsy! My hands are sore from sewing so much, hehe.
Two brand new patterns and a few oldies but goodies :)

I've also listed a grab bag of liners! 3 for the low price of $10! Get 'em while they are hot!

Make sure to check my shop often, as I will be adding LOTS of pads!

What are you waiting for?!

http://www.MellyGirl2007.etsy.com

mellygirl2007 @ 2008-08-27T22:12:00

2008-08-28T03:31:55Z

I just went through my Etsy shop and retook a whole lot of pictures that didn't turn out the first time - MUCH better now I think!!
Also did a pricing overhaul so prices are now more consistent (and a bit lower!!!).

Earrings are now $6 and the freshwater pearl earrings are now $7!

Today I also added two of my handmade hemp keychains for the whopping price of $2.50!

After spending a week with the boyfriend and having hours upon hours to bead, I've made like 20 necklaces! No joke!
My beautiful younger sister was willing to model all of the necklaces for me and my camera, so now buyers can see what they will look like ON.

No other big news for now, but be on the lookout for (even more) new stuff!

And my shameless etsy store link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5497210

Business Cards

2008-08-13T15:50:47Z

After starting to sell quite a lot of my books on half.com, I've finally designed business cards to stick in the pages!

Basically just a "Thanks for buying my book now look at my Etsy shop, please!".
...just another small way to get the word out now :)

I'm thinking I might also design some to carry with me everywhere, sometimes I feel like I miss out on a business opportunity by not having any!!!

...now if only I could figure out how to upload it into my journal - hrmm...

I know I meant for this journal to be "craft only" but I did mention my ebay/half.com site as well, so here is a link for any who may be interested:
http://shops.half.ebay.com/crashgurl007_W0QQ

And my etsy shop, because I would not feel complete without posting the link:
http://www.MellyGirl2007.etsy.com

New stuff!

2008-07-27T19:20:53Z

I got a little bead crazy yesterday and made 13 pairs of earrings!
Today/this morning I took pictures of all but 1 pair (had to keep them for myself!).

So yes, new earrings hot off the press for your viewing/buying/wearing pleasure!

I used several of the new glass beads I ordered online as well as the nice glass pearls I bought at the Hobby Lobby about a week ago.

I'm almost positive this is the first time ever that my Etsy.com shop has had TWO pages!!

Check me out, plenty of new stuff for everyone!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5497210

Pendants, photos, and magnets oh my!

2008-07-26T18:10:27Z

After visiting other Etsy shops that sell those nifty Scrabble tile pendants (and seeing that they seem to FLY off the shelves) I've decided to give it a try.

A few weeks ago I found a couple old Scrabble games with all 100 tiles and figured now was the time.
I see many people do their own drawings or use that pretty Chinese origami paper - but to make my tiles my own, I will use my own photographs!

Anyway, the other night I ordered the glaze that covers the image on the pendant - so as soon as that stuff arrives in the mail, I'll be set!
I also ordered the silver bales to attach to the backs when I ordered all of my beading supplies and whatnot - oh, and I can't forget about the necklace cord for the tiles, got that too!
...now I just need to go out and take loooots of pretty pictures and figure out a way to print them so they look nice.

I really like the way Target photos turn out! Pictures from a digital camera print out like film photos - NOT pixel-y or grainy. Shame the nearest Target is 2 hours away :(
Supposedly Dad has a great printer for photos...but alas, his printer is broken and I'm not sure I would trust it to print nicely enough.

I also ordered a set of 50 "rare earth magnets" from a seller on Etsy. I've been wondering what all the fuss is about but haven't found them at a decent price - but I found that price last night! Yippee!

Time to close it up I think. The power just went of and came back on like 5 times in 20 seconds.
I'm so happy Livejournal does the autosave! I was nearly at the end of the entry!!!

Pliers

2008-07-25T20:25:46Z

I received my crimping pliers in the mail this morning and I am pleased!
Hopefully this will be another instrument that helps to improve my beading :)

I've only just recently learned about these fabulous pliers and if you've not discovered them already, here's a couple pics that my googlefu picked up.

Diagram of the pliers:
http://www.bartky.net/CRIMPER/pliers.gif
How it works:
http://www.beadingdaily.com/media/acmimages/crimping.jpg

That's all for now - off to play with my new toy!

mellygirl2007 @ 2008-07-22T22:14:00

2008-07-23T03:22:51Z

I received all of my beading/jewelry supplies that I ordered online! Now I've just got to stop being lazy and do lots of crafting and then take pictures and post them on Etsy!
I can make 100 pairs of earrings now, haha!

I ordered a pair of these the other day:
http://cgi.ebay.com/BEAD-PLIERS-CRIMPING-PLIER-JEWELERS-TOOLS-BEADING_W0QQitemZ200240094898QQihZ010QQcategoryZ83892QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I saw that the pliers were sent out yesterday, so hopefully I'll get them soon!

I was able to make a trip to the Hobby Lobby and found some pretty beads there - mainly pearls and a set of very pretty glass beads. I also picked up a bag of jewelry bags - so that will make shipping a little nicer I think.

Still no sewing machine or supplies - but I really hope that gets resolved very quickly!

That's really all I've got for right now, but be sure to check my shop often as I will be adding more and more stuff! - Especially now that I've got so many more supplies! I actually ran out of my earring hooks!!!!

Here is my shop link for those of you who might not have seen it yet!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5497210

First Post

2008-07-20T19:48:25Z

After quite a while not being (too) active on Etsy.com, I have come back!

I am still without my sewing machine (so no pads or nursing pads for now) but I really really hope to get everything in that area back in order!
Shouldn't be too much longer and I can just sew 'till my mind goes numb! Oh yes, I am absolutely looking forward to it :D I've been feeling sort of lost lately not sewing.

Anywho, I used to make jewelry (mainly necklaces) back when I was in high school and thought I would give it another go.
Since then, I've worked on my techniques and improved quite a lot!
Mainly everything on my Etsy.com site right now is jewelry, but I hope to do mostly my pads.

Check me out, folks:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5497210