Etsy Update - Shop Names

Ok, so by now I'm sure you've heard about all the changes Etsy has made on the whole changing your shop name. I had given an account on how I went about changing my shop name, here, before these newest updates were made. And since I see a lot of people still refering to that post, I thought I'd give a few links from Etsy's Storque on their updates. This should make the whole process SO much easier!!

Names and Shops on Etsy

Etsy Success: What's in a Name?

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I hope this helps, good luck!

Change is Good

I know I've been absent and quiet for a while. I have a good excuse, I promise! I moved across the country from Santa Fe, NM to Columbus, OH. It took me longer to get everything situated in Santa Fe and then getting settled and looking for a job has been taken longer than I'd like also. But, I have been having way too much fun discovering this new city! New people, new experiences, new places to find and new things to do. I've even gotten to cross off a few things from my 100 List!!


9. Learn to water ski.
I tried water skiing this past weekend and although I didn't quite get the hang of it yet, I'm very close and very sore! It even hurts to type!

78. Go to a drive-in theater.
This past weekend (after the water skiing attempt!) I was treated to a relaxing evening at the drive-in movie theater. :)

I've gotten a new-to-me car also. My uncle was kind enough to pass down my Grandmother's car after she passed away. The Silvery Minnow, as she is now named, is an '89 Mercury Grand Marquis. I drive a boat!!

I am trying to get situated with a job and back on a 'normal' schedule of life, creating and blogging. Please stay in touch and come back to see what's new!!

Tuesday's Treasuries

This week I will feature three new treasuries featuring my pieces! Thank you to RenewableCrafts , OneShadeGreener and LovelyClusters for these beautiful treasuries!!

Tuesday's Treasuries

What colorful treasuries these are!!! Thank you to DebrasDesignStore and ArtSnack for these beauties!!

Tuesday's Treasuries

These are such fun summertime picks! I want one of each! Thank you to fishlegs and PierogiPicnic for including my pieces!

Tuesday's Treasuries

I may have skipped a few treasuries, so I apologize if your's doesn't get posted. But, here are some more treasuries that feature my items! Thank you to urbancreatures and RenewableCrafts for these great treasuries!!

Shop Promo Swap Results

Well the promotional creations I ended up making for the Trashion Team swap are seed packets. I had small envelopes that I had already made or had ready to go in my stash (of way too many things!). From last years vegetable garden, I had a huge jar of marigold seeds waiting to be used. I added a note with a coupon code and my business cards and tied them up! A bunch of flowers just for you!!

Tuesday's Treasuries

Such great treasuries to share with you all today! I want to thank the curators ~ mlmxoxo and BlueEyedShell !! I hope you all enjoy!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 3

Day 3 - Clouds - These can be a rarity in New Mexico as there is usually little to no humidity in the air. And wouldn't you know it.... i'ts supposed to storm today! Humidity, water, rain.....ahhhh.

30 Day Challenge - Day 2

Day 2 - What I wore today - Summer in Santa Fe is full of Bohemian skirts, sandals, silver and turquiose jewelry and margaritas!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 1

Day 1 - Self portrait - New Mexico's skies are the bluest I've ever seen on a regular basis. I will miss the rich color that hangs over our heads daily.

Change is in the Air

Ok, so here's the news - I will be moving on from Santa Fe in the next month. It has been a good 8 years, but it's time to move on. I have been tossing this idea around for awhile and feel this is the time to jump. It's time for a new chapter, new surroundsings, new assessment of life and the future. I will be heading back to my midwest roots, but in a new state - Ohio! Columbus will be my new home for awhile until I can get up on my own two feet again. Don't worry, I will still be creating and sharing with all of you! So, with that said, I am going to try to make the last month I have in Santa Fe as good as I can!!

Starting today, I will be doing a 30 day photography project. I found the image below and am going to have fun with it and try to put a Santa Fe spin on it. I'm excited to get started on it and can't wait to see what I get!!

I am also having a little sale at Marang Studios!! Yup!! SALE!! Enter in the coupon code MOVINGSALE11 when checking out and you'll get 20% off! Come see what's new!!

Tuesday's Treasuries

My oh my! I can hardley keep up!! Thank you to the curators ~ LindaEve and TheFamiLeeJewels for these great treasuries!! Enjoy!

Patience - A Tribute to my Dear Grandmother

(Me, my brother, my Grandmother and my Mom, July 2009)

Ok, I'm trying to get back on track here. I have been absent for a few weeks with good cause. And I will say now, this post is not an easy one to write. I was called on Saturday, May 7th by my mom, saying "Come now, get here. Grandma is not doing well." I found the first flight I could out of NM and left that day for OH. If you remember an earlier post, my grandmother has been in and out of the hospital for the past few months. Just getting older, her body wearing out. And on May 8th, Mother's Day, with all her children and some grandchildren by her side, she passed on.

(From upper right, clockwise - Grandma, Grandpa, Matthew and Erin hiding, Tammy, Joe, Greg, Teresa (my mom) and me.)

My Grandmother, even though I always lived far away, passed on to me (also by way of my mom) a great strength - patience. A strength you wouldn't quite count in today's world, and one that is greatly lacking in my opinion. Patience with family and friends, with your job and those you work with, when waiting in line - anywhere! I am proud to have this trait passed on to me and I know it comes by way of my Grandmother.

(My brother Joe, My mom, me and Grandma on the Mississippi River)

She was an amazing quilter, beginning when she was just a little girl and lasting till her final 85th year. Another trait passed on was quilting (again also passed down through my mom). I am proud to have a three generational quilt with all the quilting done by my grandmother, all the sewing and piecing done by my mom, and all the fabrics picked by me. The only three generational quilt in the family. Obviously one of my favorites.

I will greatly miss my grandmother. She was a quiet strength of the family that I am already missing. The house isn't the same without her. But I know she is there, watching, quietly. Patiently. She waited until her entire family had been there to see her from near and far. Until we all had lunch (in two shifts!!) and were settled again, when she finally said she had had a full life. Full of family, friends and the OH community she loved.

I love you Grandma Bertke and thank you for everything you have passed on. I cherish those things, everyday. Ok, I need more tissues!

Handmade Promotional Ideas

I have been brainstorming different ideas for promotional items for a promo swap with one of my Etsy Teams. I have been really struggling with this since it's my first time doing something like this, and have been at a loss for something to create. I want it to be something handmade and that reflects what I create in my shop. After a Google search came up with very little, I sat down and began making a list of some ideas. So, I thought I would share with you all in case you may be going through the same struggle. You are not alone!!

If you have some more ideas, please feel free to leave them in the comments. Would love to hear your ideas!!

• Greeting cards with images of your work.


• Embelished bobby pins or hair clip.


• Brooch/pin back buttons.


• Business card with discount code.


• Drink coaster.


• Bookmark.


• Key chain or fob.


• Pair of earrings.


• Simple necklace or bracelet.


• Handmade envelopes and cards.


• Stickers.


• Free pattern.


• Sample lip balm, cream, or lotion.


• ACT - Artist Trading Card.


• Packet of seeds.


• Sample soaps.


• Hard candies/suckers.


• Mini ephemera packages.

I'll show you what I come up with for my promo items for the swap. Don't forget to leave more ideas!!

Tuesday's Treasuries

More treasuries!! Thank you to the curators ~ DoucesLaines and LovelyClusters!! Enjoy!

Tuesday's Treasuries

Another great installment of treasuries featuring one of my creations! Thank you to the curators ~ inkyspider and DoucesLaines!!

Tuesday's Treasuries

I have to catch up on all the wonderful trteasuries being made that include my pieces!! So I will display two at a time until I can get up to date!! A huge thank you to the curators ~ karenmeyers and DoucesLaines!! Enjoy!

Newest Creations

I know it's been awhile since I've updated you with some of my new creations. I worked like a maniac last weekend to finish pieces that I had started weeks ago, photograph and list them in my shop. So here's a peak at what I've been working on that is now available at Marang Studios.

Tuesday's Treasury

What a great treasury full of spring's lilac color! Thank you CloudNumberNine for including my Karie Karnation.

Featured!!

I was completely honored and beside myself when I opened my email yesterday to fine one of my items featured in the Etsy Finds email for Earth Day! You can see the entire email here. A snippet of the email is below and right there in the 'Congrats to Finalists' images is my rosette necklace that I had entered into the Art of ReUSE contest. Oh happy day!

Tuesday's Treasury

Just loving this great treasury by polkadotpancake!! Thank you for including my Daisy Brooch!

Tuesday's Treasury

Another great treasury! Many thanks to fishlegs for including my Chrysanthemum Pin!

Quote Week

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. - Elanor Roosevelt

I need your help!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend so far! I wanted to pass on to you that I entered the The Art of ReUse Contest and I need your help. Please see my entry here and vote. You do have to register to place a vote, but they are making it worth your while - they will enter you for a chance to win a $500 Etsy shopping spree. Totally worth it! So please while you surfing the web this weekend, stop over, register and cast your vote!! Thank you!!