Why Not? Wednesday

Here's what we got last week...let's add to it!

For those of you who missed it, here's what we are up to:

I've been feeling overwhelmed the past few weeks.

In an effort to combat some of the negativity that comes with being stressed and overwhelmed, I've started a new Wednesday tradition that allows us all to post ideas for doing things differently. Why not?

So here's the deal: Let's all work together to create a list that we can come back to when we need it. When we are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, exhausted, angry, sad, or just not 100%. We can grab an idea that will help us breathe and remember the good stuff. Why not?

Here's our list so far...

1. Why not take a hug break. Better than coffee any day! The hug getter benefits as well. [best done at home and not at the office!]
   
   
2. Why not do a little something just for you everyday. It's okay. Really. Even just a few minutes...but it has to be ONLY for you.
   
   
3. Why not stop and smell the lavender. It really helps calm the savage beast.
   
   
4. Why not write BREATHE (in capital letters!) on your To Do list? I do that every day and it really helps me slow down and literally take a breather. [VintageMommy]
   

5. Why not burn great smelling candles or incense while I'm working - can't help but stop and smell once in a while. [SweetwaterGifts]

6. Why not laugh really hard at something really stupid? There's nothing that puts me in a better mood than a good laugh at something really silly. [Momma Owl]

7. Why not try to remember all the lyrics to your favorite song... and hum through the parts you can't? [Suzanne@threepeats]
   
   
8. Why not spray a pillow with your favorite perfume and lie down on it for ten minutes? [Suzanne@threepeats]
   
   
9. Why not take 5 minutes to go through the funny cat photos over at LOLCats? [Liv'nGood Jewelry]
   
   
10. Why not go give your family a hug and curl up to read a book with them for a few minutes. [Avlor]

Now, what do you do when the going gets tough? Add a comment and I'll keep the list going! And remember to come back when you need a little help yourself.

EtsyTwitter Team Shop of the Week :: GlitzyEvents

Kimberley Williams, of Glitzy Events has one mission: to provide high quality products and personalized service to her clients. Whether working with brides-to-be, or those planning graduation, anniversary or other celebrations, Glitzy Events is a one-stop source for everything from gorgeous, fully customized invitations to products such as unity & memorial candles, place cards, menus, programs, etc.

Born out of Kimberley's frustrations while planning her own wedding, Glitzy Events is happy to design something unique for a customer. "We can take any design in our shop and customize it completely for our clients. If a client loves our work but wants something a little different we will work with them until we can come up with a design that they love. We don’t charge any additional design fees as we feel that this is part of the custom process." Located in New York, the shop currently ships to the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK and is always happy to provide shipping quotes for other International customers.

With a full service website as well as an Etsy location, Kim's always looking for ways to save time and has found Twitter to be very useful in reaching new clients.

"Twitterfeed.com has been an extremely helpful tool. As I list new items they are posted to my twitter account automatically within 30 minutes which then results in immediate views for my products. Using this tool saves me a lot of time and allows my products to be seen by hundreds of people almost instantly. This has helped me to connect with other professionals within and outside of my industry. These connections lead to referrals which lead to sales."

CHECK OUT THESE SPECIAL OFFERS!!

Glitzy Events is offering two specials this week: Become a Fan of their Facebook Page (http://facebook.com/GlitzyEvents), leave a comment on their Wall, and receive 5% off your full

invitation order

AND

Order 2 or more INVITATION samples and get free shipping...refund to be issued via Paypal.


{check out the original post at http://etsytwitter.blogspot.com/2009/07/shop-of-week-glitzy-events.html}

What's Your Favorite Hindsight Etsy Tip?

I just experienced a 'doh!' moment. I was lucky enough to be included in a Gift Guide on Etsy. Problem? No. Not until the item sells and I am no longer part of the Gift Guide!

Hindsight Etsy Tip: If you are lucky enough to be included in a Gift Guide, quickly change your quantity available to more than one. Then, if it sells, it stays in the Gift Guide.

Now I haven't tested this theory, but it makes sense that it would work. And it might just work if your item shows up on the Front Page. Might eek out a few more minutes of fame. And how nice would it be to keep those item views and hearts??

What's your favorite Hindsight Etsy Tip? That little morsel that you learned from experience that we can all benefit from and be better, more efficient etsians. Post your comment and I'll compile a list.

Punky Jane featured on Handmade News!

Check out this great article on Handmade News today about why people unfollow you on Twitter. Great tips for us all.

{oh yea, they featured my Follow Me personalized necklace, too.}

Follow Me necklace
Follow Me personalized necklace

Why Not? Wednesday

{exhale}

I've been feeling overwhelmed the past few weeks. I bet most of you reading this feel the same way, or at least have at some point recently.

In an effort to combat some of the negative juju that comes with being stressed and overwhelmed, I'd like to start a new Wednesday tradition that allows us all to post ideas for doing things differently. Why not?

So here's the deal: Let's all work together to create a list that we can come back to when we need it. When we are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, exhausted, angry, sad, or just not 100%. We can grab an idea that will help us breathe and remember the good stuff. Why not?

I'll start with a few of my own, and I invite you to post ideas that you use to gain perspective and get through those crazy times. Who knows, maybe if we do a few everyday the crazy times will stay away!

So here goes...

1. Why not take a hug break. Better than coffee any day! The hug getter benefits as well. [best done at home and not at the office!]
   
2. Why not do a little something just for you everyday. It's okay. Really. Even just a few minutes...but it has to be ONLY for you.
   
3. Why not stop and smell the lavender. It really helps calm the savage beast.
   
   

Now it's your turn. Post comments with your ideas on how you take a break, gain perspective, or just get through a rough day. We'll end up with a great resource. Why not?

{sniff lavender now}

It's Game Time!Etsy Twitter Team Goes Green!

It’s time for our eco-party!! The Etsy Twitter Team has rounded up our best and brightest eco-friendly handmade items and supplies all for your enjoyment. Step right up and see how you can support handmade and the environment at the same time. Win-win for all involved!!

Why is buying handmade and environmentally friendly an important thing to do? The two go hand in hand. Buying handmade items supports small local businesses that do not have a huge impact on the environment like major corporations do. The accumulative effects of mass production contribute to global warming and pollution. You have not used up gas to go to the store to buy a gift and that gift is handmade and one-of-a-kind. Buying handmade helps us to reconnect with actual people in ways we don’t when we buy at “big-box” stores. That connection fosters community and community fosters care and concern for the world around us. So help us support our artists and our Earth!

Many of these shops have created items just for this event. Most are offering great sales like 10% off or free shipping. Take a look through the list and check them out!

Scavenger Hunt! Win fabulous prizes!!
Along with this event we are hosting a scavenger hunt. Hidden in shops on this list is the graphic you see above. It’s hidden in one of their shop listings. Find them and email the URL to etsytwitterteam@gmail.com. If you blog about this event or tweet it on Twitter leave a comment on this post for extra entries into the contest - one per blog post and one per tweet. I will choose 5 winners at random for eco-friendly prizes at the end of the week. Contest ends at midnight July 27th. Watch the blog tomorrow for photos of the prizes! They’re really neat!

Now go on and shop till your green self drops!!

Check out the full list of EtsyTwitter Team shops participating in this event.

Come by tomorrow for a look at the 5 fabulous prizes we are awarding at random to the scavenger hunt winners!! Plus all week we will be talking about going green! See you back here tomorrow!

Follow us @EtsyTwitrTeam on Twitter for all the Earth-loving updates! See the whole team's tweets here.

Follow @PunkyJane on Twitter.

Be sure to check out all of my new designs made with Precious Metal Clay (it's recycled!) in my Etsy Goes Green section.

FREE SHIPPING IN MY SHOP NOW THRU JULY 27TH!! Shop away!

EtsyTwitter Team Shop of the Week :: Geek Details

All flowers sing:
Little bread-and-butterflies kiss the tulips,
and the sun is like a toy balloon.
There are get up in the morning glories,
in the golden afternoon.

All of you Alice in Wonderland fans out there are singing along, right? You can't help but be inspired to sing, quote, yell 'Off with their heads!" or at least paint some roses red when you see this week's EtsyTwitter Team Shop of the Week, Geek Details.

Two of my favorite items from her shop ::





Be sure to check out the rest of her wonderful shop and take advantage of her special this week:

Special Deal for the Week: One FREE button for every $10 in merchandise purchased (shipping not included). Include the names of the buttons you’d like in the notes to seller. She will also have a listing up for a value pack of buttons that will be up for one week.

Want to read more? http://etsytwitter.blogspot.com/2009/07/shop-of-week-geek-details.html

Family Friday

It's the end of the week. I'm hot, tired, and trying to figure out something fun to do. My little family of four is buzzing for the weekend, and I'm fighting desperately to not just load a dvd and walk away.

As easy as that would be [I could actually zone out completely for about an hour...] I really want to do something, you know, as a family. That's what the end of the week is supposed to be about, right? A little celebration, together.

So, what to do.

Game night.

I'm heading in to pull out a few of our favorites, keeping in mind that there will be battles. Finding a game that two parents, a 7-year-old and a 4-year-old all like to play, let alone play by the rules, is no easy task.

• Chutes and Ladders. Great for the kids, but a little mind-numbing for the over 5 crowd. And if I have to explain that you climb UP the ladder and slide DOWN a chute one more time I'll officially be crazy.
• Bananagrams. Great for the grownups, but a too much for the kids. Plus they have too much fun moving our tiles around.
• Sorry. The 4-year-old cries if she has to go back to home.
• Candy Land. Can't find all the cards, so that's out.
• Hungry Hungry Hippos. Too much noise for a quite night at home.
• Break the Ice. Too much set-up for a blip of activity.
• [note: a dvd is starting to sound pretty good...]
• Elefun. Please see Break the Ice.

• Hullabaloo. Hmmmm...active, fun, everyone gets a chance to win and be silly. Hullabaloo. That's it!
  

If you haven't played Hullabaloo, I highly recommend it. Spread the pads out in an open area, turn on the console and do what the magic voice says. How fun is that? If only my little sweeties listened to me the same way! But then if I was telling them to "fly to a blue," they just might listen.

You get all sorts of fun and silly things to do, including different ways to move to other pads, but when you hear 'freeze!' stop where you are and the magic voice will announce which pad is the winning pad and what the winner has to do. ["Winner...do a funky dance!"]

And I can't forget my favorite..."try this Hullabaloo move!" Get into a Twister style pose and giggle.

I feel a new Friday night tradition coming on!

Thoughtless Thursday ::One of those days

It's been one of those days where I feel like I'm coming down with something, but have so much to do I can't really rest. I have found myself staring at my computer screen more than once with that "what now?" feeling with a side dish of "why did I sit down here?"

So, I'm sharing my view with you...my computer background image, shot in my backyard a couple of weeks ago. At least I have something to look at while I stare. Enjoy!

New Products to kick off Go Green with the Etsy Twitter Team!

The Etsy Twitter Team is Going Green and I've introduced some new designs in honor of our event!

I've starting working with precious metal clay (PMC) which is made from the reclaimed silver captured during photo processing.

From the team blog: The Etsy Twitter Team is throwing an eco-party, and everyone is invited! From July 21st to July 27th, the authority on Twitter for all things handmade will be offering a summer feast of cool eco-friendly tips, suggestions, awesome handcrafted genius and a scavenger hunt with lots of “green” prizes for the winners.

Love Is... fine silver heart

Chunky Peace Sign

Be sure to check out the 'Etsy Goes Green' section in my shop to see all the new products. I'll be offering FREE SHIPPING on everything in that section during our event!

Check back here and click these links for more details. See you there!

• HandMade News http://www.handmadenews.org/article/index.php?id=2906
• The Etsy Twitter Team's Blog http://etsytwitter.blogspot.com/
• Follow the Etsy Twitter Team http://twitter.com/etsytwitrteam

EtsyTwitter Team Shop of the Week :: Beadwork by Amanda

My personal favorite from Beadwork by Amanda:
Twilight Zone Resin Pendant

REPOSTED WITH PERMISSION FROM http://etsytwitter.blogspot.com/
[originally Posted by In My Head Studios]

I’ve personally had the pleasure of getting to know Amanda Preske, the woman behind BeadworkbyAmanda.etsy.com, over the last year doing the local craft fair circuit in Rochester, NY. She is a chemistry student at Rochester Institute of Technology. Her love for science shows in her artistic endeavors as her beadwork reminds me of complex molecules. She creates pendants using recycled circuit boards with resin as well as beadwoven necklaces and bracelets. She can turn her circuit board pendants into key chains if you so desire.

“I've been making jewelry for half my life! When I was about ten years old, one of my aunts gave be a box of seed beads in an assortment of beautiful, sparkly colors. I've spent many years since then teaching myself how to weave beads on and off a loom as well as other beading techniques. I've recently discovered the versatility in creating with resin. I love interacting with people from all over the world and believe that customer service is of utmost importance when selling my jewelry.

“I absolutely love color, so creating usually starts with a tube of really fun beads. I love the tropics so don't be surprised to find bright colors and a touch of the Caribbean! I also find inspiration from fabric scraps, scrapbook paper, and interesting focal beads.”

On Twitter she loves “to follow what people are doing and help if I can. Since I am a senior studying chemistry, I once helped someone with their chemistry homework through Twitter. I think that actively being a part of Twitter is more enjoyable than robotically posting.”

Amanda is also a member of several Etsy teams: Etsy in Color Team, Etsy Teens and Young Adults Team, Etsy Beadweavers, and Rochester New York Etsy Street Team.

Follow her on Twitter @amandapreske
Read her blog at beadworkbyamanda.blogspot.com
Find her on flickr

Special for this week: All items are already marked down 15%. Mention "Etsy Twitter Team" at checkout and she will include a free gift!

2010 Diary Design :: Please let me know what you think

I'm getting my page art ready to submit to the 2010 Diary Project and need your help! Please let me know what you think of the artwork by leaving a comment.

Thanks!

Go Green with the Etsy Twitter Team!

To share all the awesome eco-benefits and beauty of recycled, repurposed, reinvented, one of a kind, handmade items, how-tos, tips, ideas and more on making going green a habit even your mother will approve of!

The Etsy Twitter Team is throwing an eco-party, and YOU are invited!

From July 21st to July 27th, the authority on Twitter for all things handmade, will be offering a summer feast of cool tips, suggestions, awesome handcrafted genius and a scavenger hunt with lots of eco-friendly prizes for the winner on the team’s blog http://etsytwitter.blogspot.com.

“People don’t always realize how easy it can be to ‘go green’. Our goal is to show them not only the beauty of handmade items that reuse, recycle and repurpose things which would otherwise have been discarded, but also to share tips and suggestions for eco-friendly habits in everyday life,” says Etsy Twitter Team Co-Leader Kristen Evans, owner of FirebirdHouse Designs.

The team, which uses Twitter to expand its reach to a global audience, thinks that “Going Green” is far more than just a sales pitch. “We really want to dispel the myth that items that are ‘green’ have to be expensive or time-consuming to find, and encourage people to think of ways they can conserve the most valuable resource we have, which is the Earth itself. This is one way to really turn people on to the idea of buying responsibly and learning how to find items which support rather than harm, our natural resources,” says Vickie Porter, the team’s leader and the artist/owner behind the recycled domino jewelry of InMyHeadStudios.

She feels that supporting green initiatives are part of meeting the Etsy Twitter Team's mission to become the authority on Twitter for all things handmade. “The handmade lifestyle is an important piece of the eco-puzzle and we want to be sure and share that with the rest of the world, on Twitter and off.”

Many team members will be showcasing brand new products during this week-long party. Be sure to check out http://etsytwitter.blogspot.com for more details, and watch for more exciting news about exclusive specials and giveaways!

Let's play nice

I came across this site this evening and just need to share.

Operation NICE is a blog created by Melissa Morris Ivone that "encourages individuals to be proactively NICE."

We all know how it feels when someone says or does something nice. And it's usually the little things...asking how you are and really listening to the answer, letting you go ahead in line at the grocery store because you only need a pack of gum, stopping so you can cross with your kids at the crosswalk...simple, easy.

And if you are like me, those little things help you have a little more bounce in your step and a smile on your face.

One of my favorite parts of this campaign is the well-designed notes and tips you can download and use. Why not print one out, jot a note and leave it for someone? You might just make their day.

So, I wanted to share. Not only because it's nice, but because we could all use a little extra NICE.

And by the way...

About Operation NICE
Don't you love it when people go out of their way to be nice? Like when someone waits to hold the door for you. Or when a stranger waves you into a line a traffic. Or even when a coworker shoots you a friendly smile along with a "have a nice day." If everyone was a little bit nicer to the folks they encountered each day, perhaps the world would be a more pleasant place. Operation NICE was initiated to remind you that a little NICE goes a long way.

EtsyTwitter Team Shop of the Week :: LMCreation

A few of my favs from this wonderful EtsyTwitter Team Shop of the Week ::

I love these colors...

I bet I could find my iPhone in my purse
if it was in this adorable little case...

This would make even my
bargain sunglasses feel happy...

REPOSTED WITH PERMISSION FROM http://etsytwitter.blogspot.com/

Lisa Murdin is the creative genius behind the rainbow array of wristlets, pouches, purses and more at LMCreation. Whether from fabric, vinyl, or occasionally leather, the store's creations add a splash of whimsy and color to anything you wear.

Lisa's aim is to make "the best quality piece that I can in my own style and with fabrics that really appeal to me. I also aim to provide the best customer service that I can, the same kind of service that I would like to receive as a customer." Inspired by the beautiful variety of fabrics available, Lisa, like many textile artists, often feels that the fabric "tells me what to do, so when I see the right fabric I just know that it will make a special bag or wristlet or whatever."

Special Deal Offered : 10% discount offered to Twitter customers until July 12. Use code "EtsyTwitter" in the Message to Seller and 10% of purchase price will be refunded.

Garden Gift Guide

Every morning I click on over to http://www.craftopolis.com/ to see if Punky Jane is included in a Treasury or Gift Guide. What a wonderful surprise this morning to find my brand new Copper Garden Markers included in the Garden and Horticulture Gift Guide!

Check out this wonderful collection of items for the garden lover.

Punky Jane featured on Etsy Item of the Day!

Be sure to click on over to see what Jackie said about my custom Kitty Tag and check out all of her favs!

A little bit about Jackie and Etsy Item Of The Day ::

After hearing about Etsy from a friend, Jackie has moved from an interest in Etsy to a passion for the site. Each day, Jackie looks for her next favorite Etsy item and posts it here – on Etsy Item of the Day!

Jackie is not affiliated with Etsy or any sellers on the site.

This blog is the candid opinion from a simple girl who loves to… “Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade!”

Thanks, Jackie!!



http://etsyitemoftheday.com/
https://twitter.com/etsytoday

Run PMC

Thanks to a fellow Etsy Twitter Team member, Joyce Richards @wildorchidbeads, I found out last week that Precious Metal Clay (PMC) is actually a recycled product.

During photo processing, silver is recovered. That silver is mixed in with a binder making a clay-like material that can be worked, rolled, formed, stamped, etc. and then fired to create beautiful, fine silver pieces.

I had tried a bit of PMC work before, but this little tidbit from @wildorchidbeads made me want to try even more. I listed my first pieces in my etsy shop this week, and plan to do more, especially now that the Etsy Twitter Team will be holding a special event July 21-27, 2009 called "Go Green with the Etsy Twitter Team."

So, in honor of Go Green, here are a few samples of my run with PMC.


Thank you, Joyce, for sharing this great info!

Be sure to check Joyce's blog :: http://wildorchidpotteryandart.blogspot.com
and her etsy shop :: http://beadsofglass.etsy.com
and follow her on twitter :: http://twitter.com/wildorchidbeads