Black Friday thru Cyber Monday SALE!!

Come check it out!!  I even have some new listings!!!

Black Friday thru Cyber Monday SALE!!

BOGO 1/2 OFF Sale at Catch-A-Star Creations!

enter code MNSALE in message to seller at check out to receive your discount!

Featured in TWO BLOGS!! :D

Hey Everyone!

Check it out!


Audrey's Country Crafts:

On her wish list: 



FoundHandmade:

HandmadeMN Team Sale This Weekend!

HandmadeMN Holiday Sale - November 13-15

It's finally here! Over 40 of our team members are participating in this weekend's Holiday Sale, with in incredible array of great gifts just waiting for you.

The sale runs from today through Sunday. Here's a list of participating shops. Now get shopping!!

Or jump right to MY shop.  I am offering  FREE Shipping this weekend on all orders.  Use code MNSALE at check out in message to seller and the shipping cost will be reimbursed via paypal.

Have a great weekend and HAPPY SHOPPING!!

HandmadeMN Giveaway - Catch A Star Creations

Hello Everyone!

I just wanted to share another giveaway opportunity with you.  This week and next, my HandmadeMN team is giving away one of my Falling Leaves Suncatchers.

There are many ways to enter, all FREE!!  Check it out!

http://etsymn.blogspot.com/2009/08/handmademn-giveaway-catch-star.html

Good Luck!! :D

Harvest Moon by Hand Giveaway!!!

Giveaway - 16" x 20" Rolled Canvas Print

Harvest Moon by Hand’s sponsor, UPrinting.com, is rolling out a giveaway – 16x20 rolled canvas. Rolled canvas prints are perfect for home decor, photo prints, and signage. One lucky reader is eligible to win a free 16 x 20 custom rolled canvas.

The specifics:

Giveaway Prize: (1) 16x20 Rolled Canvas http://www.uprinting.com/Artist-Canvas.html for One Lucky Winner

Size: 16x20 rolled canvas

Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping in the U.S.

Eligibility: Limited to U.S. residents due to shipping costs. UPrinting.com is hoping to negotiate better shipping rates soon.

Day 5: Who has The Problem to Your Solution?

Objective: Further identify a market and potentially suitable buyers by discovering the problems common to the market.Then using that information to build a profile of those most likely to buy

It is day 5 in this little event and we are going to take yesterday’s solution exploring to find problems looking for our solution. In other words, who wants what you have?
You’ve done the solution/problem thing and come up with a list of problems only you can solve. So, take a closer look at the list, are there any common threads that could link a series of problems/solutions together? I’ll bet there are some common problems out there.

Well…for starters let’s look a few examples:

Lots of folks like to have art on their walls to make a room feel lived in so they would be looking for wall stuff but that’s a pretty wide open problem.

So step back and look at your work..

Can it be used for walls?

If so how?

How would you show that it works ?

So to get a little specific…

Let’s say, you’re a paper maker and you want to start making specific mixes of paper that emphasize color and texture and you want to frame them large.

The problem your stuff solves

is not only linked to folks looking for wall art, it is also a solution for people looking for large and unique wall art that isn’t a painting or photograph. You now have more information about who might buy your handmade paper wall art. You can stop here or go a little deeper…for now we’ll stop here.

Now, grab some paper and a pen and make a list of who might be looking for:

Wall art in general

Unique wall art

Big wall art

Wall art that is colorful

Wall art of hand made paper

OK….

you now have a list of who might be interested in your work next, look at the list and star those those who:

Might easily buy your stuff

Might be open to your “outside the box” style

Might share your vision

The Final Part

Take all of the information you have gathered so far about who might buy your stuff and build a profile of the ideal person you would like to have as a buyer. Think of it like this: “Who would I want to invite for dinner?”

Give that person a name

Give them an income

Give them a dress code ( how do they dress?)

Do they live in the city, the ‘burbs or the country?

What are their values? Are they close to yours?

The ideal buyer for the paper artist might be:

A mid to early career woman named Carlotta who works in design is single, owns a walkup in the city.

She commutes to work by bike or bus because she is environmentally conscious.

She also loves color and texture as reflected in the way she has decorated her flat.

She highly values handmade work to the extent she tries to buy mostly work made by people she can actually get to know….

You get the drift keep going until you feel like you’ve written about your best friend.

Ok everyone.  I am going to have to think on this a bit and things are crazy right now.... I am throwing it out there for you all to think about too and I will be back with some ideas!  :D

Day 4: What Problem Does Your Stuff Solve?

Objective: Identify the key problems your buyers in your market have and how you can provide the solutions that suites both you and them.

Yesterday we talked about benefits and hopefully you could see that all by themselves benefits are meaningless. See, the whole purpose for the existence of benefits is that they solve a problem or problems for someone somewhere sometime.
If those benefits are going to serve any purpose for  you, they have to really solve some problems that either have not been solved before, or they do so in some magical way that that only you can do.
You might be thinking…

Dude! I’m an artist, I don’t solve problems, I just make cool stuff.

Ding wrong !! Your art definitely does solve a problem so here are some problems art solves:

Problem:

Bare walls, room feels cold

Solution:

Painting, fiber hanging or photographs add life to a wall and warmth to room.

Problem:

Cheap dinner wear inherited from garage sale no fun makes eating dreary and discourages lingering and conversation.

Solution:

Custom made pottery that creates conversation and makes dinning fun.

Problem:

No where in yard to sit and contemplate my navel or nature or…

Solution:

Sculpture added to garden creates a quite contemplative space

Ok…got the idea?

Basically, what you are doing, especially since you are creating a solution without a problem, is finding the problem that fits your solution.
Why you say?
Because the rest of the world works by finding a problem and figuring out a solution, but because that doesn’t work for us creative types we have to do it our way.

Now…

make a list of at least 10 solutions your stuff offers


then list the problems needed to solve that solution or solutions.

Maria's Swag Bag

IMG_6029
Originally uploaded by Etsy Labs

That's my butterfly suncatcher!! :D In NEW YORK at ETSY!!! :D

Day 4: What Problem Does Your Stuff Solve?

Objective: Identify the key problems your buyers in your market have and how you can provide the solutions that suites both you and them.

Yesterday we talked about benefits and hopefully you could see that all by themselves benefits are meaningless. See, the whole purpose for the existence of benefits is that they solve a problem or problems for someone somewhere sometime.
If those benefits are going to serve any purpose for  you, they have to really solve some problems that either have not been solved before, or they do so in some magical way that that only you can do.
You might be thinking…

Dude! I’m an artist, I don’t solve problems, I just make cool stuff.

Ding wrong !! Your art definitely does solve a problem so here are some problems art solves:

Problem:

Bare walls, room feels cold

Solution:

Painting, fiber hanging or photographs add life to a wall and warmth to room.

Problem:

Cheap dinner wear inherited from garage sale no fun makes eating dreary and discourages lingering and conversation.

Solution:

Custom made pottery that creates conversation and makes dinning fun.

Problem:

No where in yard to sit and contemplate my navel or nature or…

Solution:

Sculpture added to garden creates a quite contemplative space

Ok…got the idea?

Basically, what you are doing, especially since you are creating a solution without a problem, is finding the problem that fits your solution.
Why you say?
Because the rest of the world works by finding a problem and figuring out a solution, but because that doesn’t work for us creative types we have to do it our way.

Now…

make a list of at least 10 solutions your stuff offers


then list the problems needed to solve that solution or solutions.

Ok, everyone with me so far?  Got your own minds churning?  Let's see if I can come up with TEN!!
1. Unique gift
2. brighten a window
3. brighten a mirror/bathroom
4. bring some fun/color into any room
5. custom pieces to fit your style/theme
6. creates interest
7. jazz up a cubicle or office
8. dont want the usual cliche bridesmaid gift
9. completely customizable for truly personal gifts
10. a fellow sneak attacker came up with this one for me:  "It solves the dilemma of what to get the sister who has everything."  Thanks Stockannette !! 
11. Bonus from LaBeq:  "decor that can easily be changed to match the season? Like if someone wanted an autumn leaf suncatcher for the fall, a wintery one for Christmas, a flower or butterfly in the spring or summer...so by just hanging up a different one, they can coordinate with the changing seasons"

Now for the problems:

1. need a gift for that hard to buy for person
2. boring view from your window
3. want some decoration on an over-sized mirror, bathroom with a theme
4. child's room, any room that is too plain, not personalized
5. unique theme with elements that are hard to match/find
6. that corner in your home that "just needs that SOMETHING"
7. office space boring and dull
8. need unique but similar bridesmaid gifts with a specific theme
9. need a gift that feels truly personal
10.  a fellow sneak attacker came up with this one for me:  "It solves the dilemma of what to get the sister who has everything."  Thanks Stockannette !!
11. Bonus from LaBeq:  "decor that can easily be changed to match the season? Like if someone wanted an autumn leaf suncatcher for the fall, a wintery one for Christmas, a flower or butterfly in the spring or summer...so by just hanging up a different one, they can coordinate with the changing seasons"
    

Any suggestions???

Day 3: Back to your stuff

Objective:  Learn the difference between features and benefits and how to use benefits to focus on value only you can provide.

Today we are going to start drilling down into those issues we uncovered on Day 1. Remember so head back here to jolt you're memory.

The baby step today will be more about that stuff you sell...so let's get started.

Ok, your stuff is...

Hand made, you put lots of sweat and tears and maybe some blood into making it,

and it is special, not doubt about it.

That specialness is what is going to be THE thing that none of your competition has, it produces benefits for those lucky enough to own it.

Because we are artists, we are going to take a different path here, we're not going to even think about features because features are like leather seats in a car.  We don't have no stinkin' features because all our stuff has benefits!! Pretty radical idea.

• Features come from saying "wouldn't it be nice if ..." without consideration as to whether the super cool feature added anything to the prospective owner's experience of using it.
• A benefit is something that happens to or for the person who owns your stuff, it is something  you or your stuff does that no one else does for their owners.

Example

The Bad

• My photographs are cool to own so you'll be cool if you have one.
• Your funky knitted wrap is all creative and cool....

Why Bad ?

• Sure my photos taken with that Holga camera are cool but maybe I'm not going for cool as a benefit.
• Or that wrap has more to offer than coolness.

The Good

• My Holga photographs make people think and see something new each time they look at them.
• Those photos can become a set, a wall collection.
• That hand knit wrap not only makes buyers feel warm it also lets them feel wild abandonment, joy, and because it specially made a connection with the materials.

Why Good ?

• The benefit of collectibility give the buyer of the photo permission to own more, and helps them in the design of their house by making rooms interesting.
• The wrap connects the buyer to the artists intentions as well as evoking other emotions. The fact that it is hand made as well as one of a kind encourages the buyer to feel special and have a creative connection with the artist.

Now...

• go out and figure out at least five, that's five benefits of your stuff; 
• do the same with yourself because who you are in your business can have as great or greater effect on who will buy your stuff.

Figure Out...

• Why would somebody want to buy from you?
• What do you have that can be of benefit to buyers that no one else can offer?

Ok, HERE GOES NUTHIN!

Benefits of my stuff:

1. brightens your day by adding splashes of color
2. plays with natural sunlight to enhance the benefit that it offers
3. each piece is unique.  no one can ever have the exact same one
4. lends a sense of fantasy, romance, elegance, playfulness, and whimsy
5. can be custom made for any interests/preferences
   

Benefits of me:

1. caring, invested seller.  
2. always interested in custom orders
3. continually upgrading, changing, evloving my work
4. attention to detail
5. passion for light and color and bringing that joy to others

So, what do we think of THIS?!  :D

I just discovered the amazing multitude of GIVEAWAYS!!

So, I just volunteered to help promote giveaways for my HandmadeMN team.  Apparently there is this amazing universe of multitudes of giveaways out there.  Oh, I suppose I knew it on SOME level, but WOW!!!  Just amazing!  So, I thought I would share some of these with all of you!!!  Join in the FUN!

http://www.vivawoman.net/2009/10/25/viva-woman-october-vivabella-giveaway/

http://sugarcreekhollow.blogspot.com/2009/10/autumn-candle-giveaway-ends-nov-15th.html

http://stuffundertwenty.blogspot.com/2009/06/giveaway-heavenly-hogg-lavendar-gift.html

I will list more soon! :D

Day 2: Getting All Sneaky and Stuff

Brought to us thanks to Bill at Artists Center

Day 2:  Getting All Sneaky and Stuff

Objective: Check out your competition

Today you should at least know what you're trying to get the world to buy and where your stuff fits in the bazillion things calling out to us.

But guess what? Even though you know all that stuff right now you're just another grain of sand in the desert. All those other things that fill stores or are made by people like you, are screaming for attention...that is your competition.

This next step...

we're going to go under cover and spy on those who dare to tempt the folks who might want your stuff.

So let's get our Ninja suites on and head out for a little recon.

But wait... just who or what are we going to check out?

Other artists?....that'd be a maybe because "other artists" takes us back to the universe we talked about yesterday. There's a lot of them out there it might be better to aim for those evil ones who are doing really well so well they recycled their card board box in exchange for a cozy place in a nice neighborhood. Oh...and they also no longer have to work out of their mom's garage, 'cause they have a spacious cool studio.

What are we looking for?

Well, we know that you don't have much direct competition because of that narrow little specialty you do, but there are lots of others like the guy I just profiled above who has been doing something right...the point of this mission is to scope him out so you can find out just what his tricks are. Then...you are going to steal them.

Well...not really.  You are going to adapt them to your business!

If he makes pots really nice pots and they are flying off his shelves with hardly a blink from buyers, take a look at what he's doing, nab on of the buyers and ask them why they were so quick to buy.

It might be that:

Every buyer got a coupon for another pot to add a set

• So you create a collector's club that offers a percentage off or a free pot once a buyer owns X amount of your pots.

He talked to his buyers and they all felt like taking him out for a beer;

• You have music in your booth or offer wine at your gallery showing along with great snacks.

It might be because he arranged his stuff in a way that let people see options like building a set.

• You arrange your pots in sets and price them to sell for less as a set than sold separately.
  
• To really spice it up have a few photos sitting around that show how others used your pots.

Now....

1. Take out your favorite writing tools and make a list of your competitors.
   
2. Describe what you think they are doing that you can adapt to your business.
3. Read what you have written and try to consolidate it into descriptions and action statements that describe what, how and when you will use the information you have just gathered.

Do the same for any large evil chain store that competes with you, remember that lady who whined that she could" do better at Walmart".

 

 

So, everyone, this is what I have come up with.  Please feel free to share anything you have as well!!  :D

Competitors:  ok, I have some ideas.  I won't name any names. ;)

What I think they are doing:  

• getting their name out there and recognized
• creating a following through networking, distribution lists (emailing upcoming shows, sales etc), offering sales, participating in giveaways as well maybe.
• in terms of Etsy:  professional looking photos a must, seem to have developed trust, return business, members of teams, having a blog
• craft shows and selling locally:  pleasant but not too pushy, professional looking display, range of price points, mailing list sign up or drawing to get names/emails.

How I will implement:

• I will look into getting someone to take pictures of my items for my for a more professional look.  Also look into making a light box to get my own better photos.
• I have already started working on the social networking thing: well, this blog for instance ;), facebook page, twittering.  I plan to continue researching new ways that others use these avenues to increase their fan base etc.
• I have started with participating in etsy street teams, chatting in the forums, and participating in giveaways.  
• I am considering upgrading my display for my craft shows.  Looking into what other crafters use.
• I have already started trying to create different levels of work so that I can have a larger range of price points and sizes.  I realized early on that not everyone thinks bigger is better.
• I am working on the right balance of friendly but not pushy, letting people look at their leisure but not looking unapproachable or disinterested.
• I plan to implement drawings at my shows to entice potential buyers to sign up for the mailing list.

Ok, that's all I got for now.  :)  Any suggestions are welcomed!!!

Tune in tomorrow (or maybe later today) for:

Day 3: Back to your stuff

I'm in TWO more treasuries!!!!!!!!!! *giddy*

I just got home after a whirlwind day of 8 hrs in the car and several more of wedding dress shopping, bridesmaid dress trying and some good old fashioned family bonding!  (Had a blast today Mom & Sisters!)  Upon checking my email I had two messages that I had been included in two separate treasuries!!!  How exciting!!  :D

Here they are, please check them out, leave a comment and spread the word.  How terrific if one of these made it to the FRONT PAGE!!!  (hey, a girl can dream) :P

Whimsical Woodland Creatures....

and

The Colors of Fall

These are the items featured, but please check out the whole collection!  They are splendid!

FYI--  I plan to catch up with my "Baby Steps" tomorrow.  Sorry for the departure.  I ended up not being home each night since the very first post... so I have a few days to catch up on, but I promise I will.  Even if it is not exactly timely... :) 

Tomorrow:  Baby Step #2 (and maybe #3) 

Getting All Sneaky and Stuff

7 Days of Marketing Baby Steps

Thank you to Artists Center Newsletter for sharing:

7 Days of Marketing Baby Steps

 I have pledged to partake in this (by signing up for the email) and I figured I would share this journey with you as well.  Feel free to follow along with me!  Share your answers if you would like some input! :)

Day 1: Get a handle on your business

Objective: Learn about and ba able to identify what you are selling and where you are positioned in your market.

Knowing what business you are in is critically important to saving you from the card board box under the nearest over pass. A common problem for single person start-ups is to think all they have to do is to gin up a bunch of artsy business cards and maybe do one of those free web site things and they are good to go.

I hate to break your bubble but if you want to support yourself off the stuff you create you need to know a few things.

1. Write down the questions below then write an answer.

What do I want to sell?

Is it paintings, wearable art, photographs, pots…?

Describe what you sell in as much detail as you can.

For me, I think: 1.  I want to sell suncatchers, mobiles, window decor that will inspire and incite the imagination.  I want to create things that use sunlight to enhance peoples lives and help to bring joy to each day.  Utilizing colors and light in reflective and prismatic ways.  (I think that's detailed enough...right?)

Next… ask this:

2. Where in the universe of stuff being sold  do I want it to fit?

My stuff is aimed at the buyer who is looking for an accent piece for a window, decor for a bedroom, or garden art.  They should be looking for well crafted items with attention to detail with prices ranging from $10-50.

Tomorrow we’ll take a look at who’s trying to steal your buyers and how they are sucking them away from you.

Sign up to receive this newsletter here!

or just follow the blog.

I am looking forward to what I will figure out for myself and my work! :)

TWO Treasuries!! :D

I am in two treasuries right now!!

The first, completely out of the blue!

Simply Butterflies

A LOVELY butterfly treasury by  Kitty's Jewelry Tree 

featuring my Monarch Butterfly Pillar Candle:

 the other is one that was created by Jane of GloriousHats to represent our swag bag donated to Maria, Etsy CEO, for her visit here to Minneapolis!

When Maria Came to Minneapolis 

featuring my Blue Morpho Sundrop :

 Please visit them and show them some love!! :D

Handmade Movement Giveaway! MY TURN! :D

Oct 8 – Oct 15: Heart-Shaped Suncatcher from CatchAStarCreations.etsy.com

Here’s the information about this week’s giveaway:
“October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  This lovely heart shaped suncatcher will definitely get you to Think Pink!  Inspired by my Mom, who is a breast cancer survivor, as well as all those other Moms, Sisters, Wives, Grandmothers, Aunts, etc out there who have fought breast cancer.  This little gem will bring sparkle and fun to any window, mirror, wall or room!  Makes a perfect gift for someone you know or simply something to brighten YOUR day!  Measures approx. 10″ from top to bottom and will come with a suction cup for easy window hanging.”

To enter, send an email entitled “I want to win this!” to handmadegiveaway [!at] gmail .com (make sure to change the [!at] to an @ sign and remove the spaces). If you have an Etsy shop, include it in the email so you’ll get some free exposure for it if you win!
Would you like to donate something for a future giveaway? Send an email with the subject “I’d like to donate” to handmadegiveaway [!at] gmail .com (make sure to change the [!at] to an @ sign and remove the spaces).

To learn more about Handmade Movement and Sneak Attacks, visit:  http://www.handmademovement.com/   or come visit with us in the Etsy Forum Thread.

Check out this GiveAWAY!!!

Check out this SWEET shop:  Sweet Galaxy who is holding a giveaway:

Win 250 Custom Business Cards!!!

This is the second giveaway I am having and I hope you will love it. :) My Sponsor Uprinting is giving away 250 Business cards for one lucky winner and 250 for myself.

If you havent heard about Uprinting, have a look at the following pages: Business Card Printing and Online Printing Company

This shop has SO much cute stuff and it's ALL CALORIE FREE!!! :D  Very fun AND they were the "victim" of a previous Sneak Attack.  check that out at :  http://www.handmademovement.com/

Happy Friday EVERYONE!!! :D

And the WINNER IS..........

Congratulations to Lisa Rose of KorkinKute!  Lisa won my beautiful Blue Morpho!!

Thank you to ALL those that stopped by for the Girls Night Out!!  It was a great weekend!!!!

Welcome one and all!!

BOOTH #8

Hello and welcome to Catch A Star Creations! Where wonders never cease and possibilities are endless!

My name is Sara Kay. I started playing with wire and beads while I worked on my Masters in Physics/Astrophysics a few years ago. I found that sunshine made me happy and I wanted to see how I could share that joy with others.

I am inspired by color, light, and things I see around me (really, almost anything!). Using natural light to brighten, enlighten and inspire is my aim. I love working with my hands and using creativity and critical thinking to come up with new ideas and creations. I work mostly with wire and beads. I solder some, bend a lot, and mix and match. I focus my attentions on suncatchers and mobiles, usually making use of mirrors and prisms for the best and most dramatic effects. I also dabble in earrings and other minor jewelry as well as nature photography. My work is forever changing: going in different directions and maturing along the way.

You can see some of my other work on my flickr page!

Thank you for stopping by! Support HANDMADE!!!

Cheers!
Sara

Girls Night Out Promo Giveaway!!

I am running a special giveaway for this GIRLS NIGHT OUT weekend only!

Enter for a chance to Win THIS Elegant Blue Morpho Butterfly Sundrop:

How to Enter:
Visit my shop on Etsy, pick your favorite item and leave a comment on this post about it. (Scroll to bottom of post and click on Comments) NOTE: if you have issues commenting, just convo me on etsy, leave a message on my wall on facebook, or send me an email: catchastarcreations [at] gmail [dot] com. All methods will be counted toward your entry. :) Good luck!

Both US and International residents are eligible!

Please make sure we have a way to contact you!

For Bonus Entries:
Please leave each in a separate comment, as each comment is an entry (To qualify for extra entries you must do step one above).

1. Become a Facebook fan. Comment back here with your Facebook name. Existing fans just leave your Facebook name here.

2. Blog about this giveaway with a visible link back to this posting and comment here with a link to your post.

3. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment(s) with a link to your tweet(s).

4. Follow my blog (you want to do this anyway to learn about upcoming giveaways!). Leave a comment here letting me know you are a follower. If you are already a follower, leave a comment anyway, as each comment is an entry.

5. Follow CATCHASTARCREATIONS on Twitter. Comment back here with your Twitter link. Existing followers just leave your Twitter link here.

6. Visit one of the other Girls Night Out shops (located along the right hand side)and post a comment here on your favorite item. Please remember to include their BOOTH # to be counted as a valid entry.

Contest ends Tuesday, September 29th at 7 pm Central (leaving the promo open past the weekend so everyone has a chance to enter). One winner will be chosen by Random.org.
Good luck!

Ladies Night Out!!

First Annual Fall Business Women Online Expo

Have you heard about the First Annual Fall Business Women Online Expo? It will be held on Saturday, September 26th. I am SO excited to particpate!

The expo will introduce you to many great female businesses and get you in the mood for holiday shopping. Not only will you learn about what great female businesses are available to shop from this holiday, but there will be prizes, specials and giveaway's going on all weekend across the blogosphere! This expo isn't about the big retailers, it's about the female entrepreneur's of the world.

You'll be able to create a gift list early and favorite some shops and blogs you'll want to make purchases from this holiday. You'll also be able to see plenty of awesome artisans and learn about their business and craft. This is an awesome opportunity to network, building your online following and make new friends and learn first hand what Girls Night Out is all about!

Come to Girls Night Out starting at midnight, September 26th. leave a comment on Girls Night out, and let us know you were there, then visit the list of vendor booths on the right hand side all weekend, leaving comments and entering contests as you go and most of all have great fun! They have built their own little following there at GNO, but they want to spread the love around the blogosphere this weekend...so join us in the First Business Women Online Expo this weekend!!

Girls Night Out!! Hosted by Runako Designs

Girls Night Out!! Hosted by Runako Designs

If you are a female business owner or have a craft that you sell online, you'll be able to feature your business in an Expo list that will be posted on Girls Night Out. On the said weekend (September 26th), You will post a feature of your business on your blog, (details, links, photos, etc) that will introduce visitors to you and what you do. You can also host giveaways and drawings if you wish, but it's not a requirement. Visitors and hostesses participating in the event will visit all the shops over the weekend (beyond if necessary) and learn about what you do and what you have to offer!

Check it out Here

I'm A Winner! HandmadeMN August Challenge: Purple Rain

Thank you to ALL of you out there that voted for me in the HandmadeMN August Monthly Challenge: Purple Rain

It was an excellent competition and there were some terrific entries!
http://etsymn.blogspot.com/2009/08/august-challenge-purple-rain.html

The best part was that the competition closed on sept 17, so the results were determined on my birthday (sept 18th)! Wonderful birthday present!!! I really hope that the 1 month free advertising helps drive some traffic to my site, and maybe even some sales! :) Also, note that I am running a birthday promotion this weekend, see previous post.

Thanks again to all for your support and votes! Couldn't have done it without you!

VOTE FOR ME PLEASE! HandmadeMN Monthly Challenge

The August Monthly Challenge for my HandmadeMN Team was PURPLE RAIN.

My submission was this: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29727618

It has been a neck and neck competition so far, so please give me your vote! You can vote here:

http://etsymn.blogspot.com/2009/08/august-challenge-purple-rain.html

Voting ends Sept 17 at midnight! Right before my BIRTHDAY!! The winner gets a month of free advertising on the blog, so that would be a pretty awesome birthday present for sure! :)

Birthday Promotion

Hello Everyone!

Friday Sept 18th is my BIRTHDAY!!!! :D WOOHOO!

And to celebrate, I am running my very first promotion! Check out my blog here and tweet about it! Be the 500th RETWEET and you will win a pair of earrings of your choice from my shop! :D

Good luck and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Also, from 12am Friday through the weekend, use code HAPPY 29th BIRTHDAY in message to seller to get a 29% discount (refunded to your paypal) on your purchase! :D

Whew! Its been a while!

Lots going on these days and it has been too long since I have posted anything. It has been a busy summer, couple shows (good and bad) hopefully a couple more coming up.

My birthday is FRIDAY (sept 18th) so I am considering doing some sort of giveaway competition.... if you have any suggestions, I would love some comments. I am new to this, so I am not sure how to go about doing it.

Check for updates! I will be posting something soon! :D

Teacher Appreciation

After 40-some years of teaching 1st graders, she decided to retire...

Wow, it is hard for me to imagine doing something, ONE thing, for 40+ years. You'd really need a passion for it! And apparently she does! My Mother, also a teacher at my home K-12 school (she teaches high school english/literature/etc) asked me to create a school themed mobile to befit Mrs. Y as a retirement gift. My Mother and a couple other teachers were going to chip in for it.

Well, I wasn't sure how it would turn out... or what I would even use. Mom and I got a few things at the Hobby Lobby (LOVE that store, but make sure you get the sale prices at the register) but it was still a puzzle to be solved. This was going to be unlike anything I have ever done, I just knew it. I'm pretty sure Mom didnt have a whole lot of faith in the final product (she kept assuring me that it was ok if it didn't work out and they would think of something else to give) but I knew it would be terrific, one way or another.

It was a process and a joy, and in the end it was loved by all. So I thought I'd share some pics. :)

My First REAL Etsy SALE!!!!!!! *jumping up and down*

Wow, what a feeling! My first real (non-commission, not through a friend or relative, totally random stranger person) SALE! :D SO excited! It was kinda sad that my hubby saw the email first, but whatever, it still counts! :)

Here she is, in all her glory!

Sky Blue Romance Mirrored Mobile:

Happy Easter!

Well, now I am stuffed and exhausted. I made my DELICIOUS Strawberry Amaretto cake for the get together with my cousin and his, um, girlfriend? It was a hit! (I plan to post some pics I took probably tomorrow).

And now it is time for bed, at least soonish. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!
:)

Creative Fun

So, my good friend VivaciousPauliGirl came over last night to get some inspiration and some craft on! We set up her Etsy account, how exciting, and played with beads. I worked on a commission piece that I have promised to GloriousHats (www.glorioushats.etsy.com) and am farther along than I was before! I am hoping to get the suncatchers to her so she can welcome spring in fashion!

I am also going to have to get going on another commission work, a mobile for a teacher who will be retiring after 40 years of teaching! How terrific! Now THAT'S dedication! My mother and I made a trip to hobbylobby a couple of weekends ago to find some matierials to work with on that one. We found some great stuff for sure!

Tomorrow is back to work, but with a new desk in a new office! That will be exciting! However, it is never fun to go back on Mondays. :(

Well, I am going to share another piece of past work, just for fun.

I made it to the HandmadeMN Favorites!

A first for me, how exciting! I made an appearance in HandmadeMN's Favorites section, this theme: Yellow. Check it out!

http://etsymn.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/favorite_listings_public.php?user_id=5268127&ref=em

Saturday!

Its finally Saturday, a day full of promise and possibility. I have a good amount of cleaning to do today, I have a fellow crafter coming over tonight for some crafting, camaraderie, and hopefully some inspiration. I have a couple projects to work on (GloriousHats, I WILL get those suncatchers done soon!!) and she is looking for some ideas in a new medium.

So, its me and the cats today and we're gonna get stuff done. I've got Pandora Radio (www.pandora.com) as my sound track, its my Scissor Sisters station!! That always helps the motivation. Nothing like a good beat to get you moving!

Just for fun, here is a shot from some of my favorites. I will hopefully soon be adding my photography to my etsy shop. :) Enjoy!

Longest Monday EVER!

So, I just thought I would add some pics of some recent projects I have given as gifts.