12/12/09

Celebrating the year - the old and the new.

Hmmm, it's been a while since I logged in here so feeling a tad embarrassed that my blog fervour has dwindled so dramatically.  Hopefully this Blog will last longer than the New Years resolutions I plan not to make but in the renewed excitement the possibilities a new year brings will foolishly chalk up anyway.

It's ok.. I always get reflective and introspective in December.. The end of the year for me tends to lend itself for a overhaul of body, soul and spirit.  I love the fact that I am always learning and there are many things I have learned this year through good and bad experiences that will equip me in the years ahead.

My foray into online selling through Etsy, Arfire and Zibbet have plunged me in the sharpest learning curve I have had in a long time. The ride has been fun, exhilarating frustrating and scary all at the same time. I have learnt to forum, blog, twitter and facebook. Discovered that there's a science to pricing promoting and photographing product properly..(that's a fair chunk of alliteration).  I have met (online) lots of friendly, generous helpful people as well as a few grumps who value their own opinion way too much.   I have felt discouraged and elated in the space of a day all over a sale or a surprise treasury or feature spot.  The truth be told it has taken a lot more energy emotionally and physically than I was prepared for but it definately has been worth it.

Taking stock of my year and my life I have reached the conclusion that while the shop has done well (not the sell out continual turn over I envisioned)  but in comparitve and sober (sic) terms well.   None the less I personally need a time out to rest and reasses and get all my ducks in order so to speak.  There's nothing serious going on (not unless menopause has become a terminal illness) but in the busyness of life, life sometimes gets lost and I really want to give it (life)  my 'best' not the 'best under the circumstances'

I have put my onlines stores in 'vacation mode' for the time being.  I have lots of ideas and plans but want to really be more intentional in my business instead of my 'jump in at deep end paddle like hell' approach.  Like one of my mentors used to say proper prior planning prevents pitiful performance,  and I used to roll my eyes cause they used all P's but thanks to 20/20 hindsight it's gold.

Ok enough with the maudlin navel gazing.  I have had a fantastic and full year.  I celebrate my God first and foremost and the life I have in Him.  My darling husband a true gift to me, my precious children, my Church, my friends, the beautiful world we live in, coffee shops, bookshops, coffeeshops in bookshops, late night shopping, and my Mac Book Pro what would I do with out you.

2010 seems like a well balanced number and that's what I'm looking for in the New Year a better balance of the work, rest and play dynamic.  A coming of age moment awaits me I think (after suffering through menopause I think it's only fair that a new sense of maturity and wisdom should be mine).
I love the potential hidden in the future is it because am I losing my fear of making mistakes or getting too old to care??? Either way it's exciting.

I want to thank everyone who has helped make my entrance into the online arena a pleasurable one.  I have been humbled and encouraged by the support of strangers who now feel like friends.  If I make resolutions to be a better blogger next year will they hold because they are not New Year ones? I hope so.   So friends and followers near and far have a relaxing, safe and joyful Christmas and I wish you every success and happiness for the coming year.

*big virtual hug and kiss*

Vicki.

Celebrating one of the high moments in 2009




Etsy gift guide feature: The Blue Hobo Tote








This was a big Woo Hoo! day for me.. logging onto Craftcult and discovering I had a gift guide and a Storque mention at the same time.  This Tote sold soon after. YAY.

11/9/09

We have a winner

Congratulations to RecreationalArt who is the winner of the jewellery giveaway!!  Your lucky number was 6 which landed on your 3rd entry (persistance pays off).  I had a lot of fun puting this giveaway together as I had not been in my Jewellery stash for quite a while. 
A big thank you to everyone who entered and who are now following my blog.  Keep coming back I will definately be having more giveaways soon.


On another happy note I awoke to a lovely msg from Jeanette at shnookies to let me know I had won her blog competition.  I am now the proud owner of this cute Little Ladies Bag. (well not quite yet but its my pick :) )

Jeanette makes lovely clothes, shoes and accessories for the little people in your life and all from 100% natural fibres. If you have certain small ones in your life it's well worth a visit particularly for the discerning mini Divas who know a good fashion accessory when they see one.

11/6/09

OK make that three...

I can't believe it!! Another Treasury West feature this week.  How thrilling is it to wake up and see your creations featured in someone elses treasury,  no matter how many times it happens I still get a thrill.

Pop on over to demetgun3  on Etsy and take in the mad bead weaving skills!  They also love to recycle so there are some real eco friendly finds there.


11/4/09

When you least expect it.......

Here I am eyeball deep in end of year madness thinking "I should put my Etsy shop on Vacation mode since I'm hardly there."  Today I log in and find I am featured in 2 treasuries and at the same time managed to get my treasury in as well (right place, right time).

I have to thank Stacey at sunweeds  who selected the sunniest yellows for her 'My Pretties'  cheery  treasury.  Check out her shop and her gorgeous button bouquets.  And also Angela from StellaPearl  who has some stunning hair flowers with a quirky edge







My Be Kind REWIND Treasury is full of clever DUST team members.  It's also a bit of a Christmas wishlist from a old skool, retro, vintage loving girl.  Now to get that memo to Santa....

10/26/09

Jewellery Giveaway - Be a part of the 1st one


I am very happy to launch my first giveaway. 3 pairs of earrings to the value of $25 a lovely mixture of semi precious stones and crystal and glass beads in silver and antique brass settings.

To be a part of this giveaway all you have to do is to 1, 2 or 3 of the following each worth one entry. The winner will be decided by a random number generator.

#1 Become a follower of this blog.
#2 Visit my shop redeemdesigns and come back here and post your favourite item
#3 Twitter or Blog this Giveaway and come and back and post your tweet/blog link here
Please remember to leave an email address if you do not follow so I can contact you.

Giveaway ends Mon 9th Nov






Good luck everyone.




10/19/09

It's flower power with a touch of Grandma!!

I have started to diversify my Etsy shop and have added  a new line of hair clips.
I took up crochet this winter and after 4 or 5 lap blankets I got itching to try more and so thanks to the wonderful instructional blogsites on the www found a little tutorial on how to crochet the Peony flower.  I have since been hooked (no pun intended) and spend most of my TV watching time happily crocheting away just like a regular granny minus the grandkids!!!

In keeping with my ethic of reusing and recycling materials I found the thread for this pair of clips (pictured) at the Salvos (God bless 'em) the little pearl buttons have been siting in my button jar since forever and it was very satisfying to unite them together.

I have also started making brooches with them using recycled jewelry parts for the centres.  My 20yr old daughter requested one and has been wearing it around.  I have also given them as thank you gifts to my buyers who also have been thrilled with them.  I don't know when I will stop, I am having a ball churning them out and sitting and matching flowers to centres from my collection of beads, buttons and jewelry bits.

I am also working on my 1st GIVEAWAY I just need to take the really good photos not the blurry kind I keep coming up with so stay tuned.

Peony Flower How To:
Click here for the Peony flower tutorial.   Thanks to sewritzytitzy blog for posting this fantastic tutorial.

10/17/09

Giveaways, swaps and flow of life...

I have been sadly neglecting the Blog.  Life is happening at full tilt and I haven't even had time to list anything new in the shop let alone write something inspiring here.  Today my baby son has his semi formal and I have to take up his new MENSWEAR pants and go shopping for a good shirt since the last good shirt I bought no longer fits.  It wasn't so long ago when he was a chubby bundle of joy with a head full of Shirley Temple curls (no I could not bear to cut them).

We are very proud of the young man he has become but they grow so very quickly our daughter has turned 20 this month and the hubby and I celebrated 26 years of married bliss.. How come those numbers got so big so fast??? It certainly has no bearing on my age haha I'm still as young as ever in my head I just wish the body would fall into line  (could it be I need to seriously work at it now?? yikes that sounds like discipline).

This month I have also won my first ever contest....YAY!! Luisa from Dance in my Garden hosted a giveaway by Susan from Berrylicious Buttons and I won!!!!  I received my lovely tags this week.  I wish I had taken a photo but was not thinking at the time..... too busy ripping open my prize.

I did however, get a pic of the craft swap I did with fellow DUSTer Verity from Joie de Tea
I received 3 yummy packs of her herbal blend teas and 2 lovely hand embroidered napkins, wrapped and   packaged beautifully, I only hope she is as happy with her handmade Christmas ornaments.



The 3 blends I have are Ruby Red Mint, Spice Road and Peppermint Soother can't wait to try them out.

Well my son is waiting to go shirt shopping... like most men he hates shopping and is eager to get it over and done with.

Finally I got a Treasury West last week after much frustrated waiting during Etsy maintenance.  I did feature myself... hehe adding my new Blue Hobo Tote.. I am so in love with the colour (although I am in love with most colours I have a special affinity with brights)  it also features quite a few of our very talented DUST Team, you may recognise a few.   Helen from Stitcharooney let me know she got her 1st sale on the swallow broach that I featured. Congrats Helen that really made my treasury. I know how excited I was with my first sale so I was happy to be a very small part of hers.  Now off to the shops.:)