Colors to Make You Smile

This post is part of a Linky Party over at Little Andalucia's...come join us!

As most of my readers know, Pink is my favorite color :) And my favorite color combo is pink, teal and purple. I like to work with new color combos, but it makes me smile when people request albums in my favorite colors :) My two most recent Custom Albums were in pink/black and purple/teal...right up my alley. What is your favorite color or color combo? How do you stretch yourself to use other colors in your work?

Creative Time-Saving Tips

Last week I told you how crazy my schedule is and how backwards it is from "normal" life. Today I thought I'd share a few tips on making the most of your time and getting more done :)

*Make to-do lists! I do these on daily and weekly schedules. I make a list each day before I leave work of everything I need to get done that day. I also make a weekly list of things that I want to get done if I have time after all the things that need to get done.

*This ties in with writing things down. I have to write everything down or I'll forget it! Carry a notebook everywhere you go so when an idea strikes...you'll never forget :)

*Stay Organized! I know this is easier said than done. But it will save you time in the end making it easier to find things later and making it easier to work on new projects :)

*Schedule your time! The computer can be a real time-sucker! I get caught browsing the internet when I should be creating! Set a timer for 15 or 30 minutes (whatever works for you). When the timer goes off...get off the computer. Then allow yourself time later to finish what you didn't get done.

*Break your tasks into 15 minute sections. If you wait for a large span of time to get things done...you'll never get to it!

Here are some ideas:

**Set out supplies for your next project

**Write descriptions or edit photos (this doesn't have to be done all at once...break it up)

**Clean your work area

*Multi-task! I don't ever do one thing at a time (it's a personal problem...LOL!) But I can get more done when I multi-task. I'll have a new post next week showing you ways you can successfully multi-task :)

What time-saving tips do you have? I'd love to hear them :)

Pendants and Magnets

Pendants and Magnets are now available!!!

This week I'll be adding my current stock of pendants and magnets to my Etsy Shop as well as making more to add :) I want to have a variety of colors and sizes. For now I have natural and pink in the 1" size.

Slideshow design

Soon to come are red/maroon, black and purple in 1" and 1.5" sizes!

Question: Do you like the natural or the painted better?

This post is part of a Link Party at Little Andalucia's blog...check it out here!

Show Review

Well, the show yesterday definitely could have gone better! But with the snow we got and a big show last weekend, it was to be expected. There was a slow steady flow of shoppers in the morning, but the show pretty much died in the afternoon. And people just seemed to be browsing...not many purchases being made anywhere that I could see. And low ticket items were definitely a bigger hit than larger items.

I did like how my setup looked, but of course I forgot to get a picture! I promise one next weekend :) The good thing is, I have a show next weekend and we've been hearing good things about this show! It will be our first time doing this show, so no big expectations, but fingers crossed!

I do have some custom orders to get done :) And I'm actually glad I'm not scrambling like crazy to get inventory restocked for next weeks show. Everything happens for a reason...so maybe online sales will be great this week :)

Thank you to everyone for the well wishes :)

Wish Me Luck

Well, today is the big day! It's my first Spring show of 2011! And...it's my first show with any of my lasered items!!! I'm so anxious to see how they are perceived and see what sells best. The main items I'll be bringing (along with my scrapbooks) are tiles, picture frames, etched glass, wood plaques, and magnets. I also have another show next weekend. So this this will be a good test run to see what I need to make more of for next week. And then I can start getting more listed in my Etsy Shop as well! I hope we have a good turn out even though the weather isn't going to be so great. Wish me luck! And good luck to others having shows this weekend as well :)

Friday Features-Spring Tulips

Though it may not look like Spring around here after the snow we got last night, it can still look like Spring on my blog :) One of the first signs of Spring for me are the bulbs starting to bloom...tulips in particular :) I love them in every color!!!

Lucky for me, Etsy has lots of beautiful tulips to help me forget about the snow outside my window!

Pretty Pink Tulips Wedding Invitation Set with Printed Envelopes

by Grimesdesigns

Purple Tulip Dramatic Hair Adornment

by GiftsandStars

Miniature Original Painting - Tulips

by sibstudio

Tulips painted rock

by BillieRocks

Featured EtsyBlogger-MysticWynd

Congratulations to Karen of MysticWynd for being our Featured EtsyBlogger for March! Karen's shop is full of beautiful jewelry in every color you can imagine. I purchased a gorgeous Pink Ring from MysticWynd a while back and wear it all the time. I get so many complements each time I have it on! Here are a few other items I have on my wish list: ON SALE Blue Earrings - Czech Glass w Antiqued Brass - Grace Purple Rose Necklace w Pearl, and Glass Beads - Reverie in Indigo Pink Faux Pearls, Roses on Brass Necklace - Rosalyn

Wordless Wednesday-My Sweetie and Me

A Day in My Life

I realized the other day that all of my posts lately have been business/etsy/crafty related and I haven't posted anything personal for a while. I like to include a mix of topics for my posts to keep it fun and interesting. And I like my readers to know the face behind the posts and the artist behind the work :)

I haven't had anything interesting to say about my personal life lately...because I haven't had one! Jesse and I have worked tons of overtime lately and haven't done anything worth blogging about. And trust me, you don't want me blogging about my job...LOL :)

So I thought I'd give you a Day in My Life post. I work night shift, so my days are a little backwards!

7:35pm...Alarm goes off

Shower, get coolers packed, load dishwasher/sweep/laundry if I have time

8:30...Leave for work

9pm-7:20am...Work (I'll spare you the boring details)

I'll just tell you that I'm a machine operator in a factory that makes semi transmissions.

7:20am...We usually have a few errands to run after work.

8 or 8:30...Jog (most days)

9am-11:30am...Do any cleaning/household tasks that need done that day

CRAFTY TIME :)

11:30am...Cook lunch

Eat lunch while I catch up on final computer stuff for the day

12:30 or 1pm...Bed Time.

Pretty exciting, huh! Now you understand why I haven't had many personal posts lately...LOL! I'd love for you to do a Day in My Life post as well and link to it in the comments :)

Welcome Spring

The bulbs are blooming and the weather is starting to warm up! Spring is officially here!!! And I'm welcoming it with full force! The winters seem to get longer and the warmer months seem to get shorter anymore! I can't wait to get outside and take Harley for walks and go for a jog!

The signs of Spring are popping up both inside and outside. This rose bush is in full bloom with tons of flowers and new buds all over!

And my tulips and crocus (I think) are popping up as well :)

What signs of Spring are you seeing?

Friday Features-Feelin' Lucky

With St. Patty's Day being yesterday, of course my mind went to green clovers for my Etsy finds! But I wanted to throw in a little luck too :) So all of my finds have the word Lucky and a clover!

Lucky Green Clover Charm Necklace with Sterling Silver Chain

by recycledrings

Lucky Clover Glass Tile Pendant

by HappyBugDesigns

Lucky clover dish

by SBEarthenworks

Lucky Clover Hand Stamped Antique Bronze and Copper Necklace

by themirthfulmarble

Have a Lucky Day :)

Diamonds-EtsyBloggers Carnival

This week's Blog Carnival is brought to us by Cindy of Devine Designs Jewelry and our topics are:

1. April birthstone: diamond- write about it's history, gem info, whether or not you like them, or if this is your birthstone! 2. April Fool's Day: Do you participate? Tell us about a joke you played on someone, or if one has been played on you. What do you think about this "day"? 3. What is your favorite gemstone and why?

Since my birthday is just around the corner in April, I decided to write about Diamonds :) I do love colored gemstones as I'm drawn to color! But my favorite piece of jewelry is the diamond ring Jesse got me over 10 years ago :)

On our first Christmas together, Jesse gave me the ring pictured above :) It was such a special gift and meant so much to me and our relationship! I put the ring on that night and I've worn it everyday since :) The ring means just as much to me today as it did on that Christmas night.

What is your most prized piece of jewelry?

Wordless Wednesday-I ♥ Patterned Paper

(A sneak peek of notebooks I need to get listed!)

And...this post is part of a Linky Party at Little Andalucia's blog!

Etched Glass Art

Last week I added my first laser engraved items to my shop! The picture frames seem to be getting some views and I've even had an inquiry about a custom frame!

This week I'm adding another new section!!! I'll be adding new items all week to my Etched Glass Section. Here are the first two I've added:

And here are some you'll see later this week to spread out my listings.

If you're interested in any that you see here, feel free to contact me before they are listed and I'll reserve it for you :)

This link was submitted as part of a link party at Little Andalucia...check it out!

Treasury and a New Tool

I came across a really cool new tool from Craftcult that allows you to add click-able treasuries to your blog posts! I've tried others in the past and haven't had any luck with them on my blog. So I was excited to give this one a try! We'll test it together. Here it goes...

WooHoo!!! It worked!!! Give it a try today!

Friday Features-Mardi Gras

I've always wanted to be in New Orleans during Mardi Gras! All the colors, the people, the food, the drinks...it all sounds like so much fun! And it was sure fun searching Etsy for great Mardi Gras finds for today!

Hand painted Mardi Gras mask and beads set/4 hiballs

by cccglass

Mardi Gras Mask Painting Art Blue Green New Orleans

by MelanieDouthit

Hand Painted Wine Glass Mardi Gras Theme

by PurplePelican

Mardi Gras Theme (Digital File)

by AidensMom37

Lovin' Big Albums

I'm really loving these bigger Custom Name Albums! They are just so much fun to decorate! Here is my latest album:

I love that there is more space to add fun embellishments and dress up the pages!

I plan on making a sample album in this size to take with me to shows as well. The smaller ones are always a hit...so these should go over great!

Wordless Wednesday-I think it's time to CLEAN!!!

Lasered Update

Well, I can't really call this a "weekend" update, so I'll just call it an update :) The weekend was busy with work and family visits, so I wasn't able to get photos of all the new items I've created! Each week I seem to create a few less items and I'm starting to figure out what I want to focus more on and add to my shop and take to shows with me. Here's the latest... Large Porcelain Tiles

(One bare, one painted)

Photo Tile Full Size Photo on Wood Serenity Prayer Plaque

Wood Wedding Invitations (I'm really excited about these!) I'll slowly be adding sections to my shop and adding new listings!!! Which is your favorite this week?

First Lasered Items on Etsy

Picture Frames are Here!!!

I finally got my first lasered items listed in my shop. I went ahead and listed 3 frames and will be listing a few more over the next couple of days to spread out the listings. I have both premade options and custom options to suit every one's needs :)

Custom Laser Engraved Picture Frame

Double Border

Starburst Border

Let me know what you think :)

Friday Features-Get Well Soon

My grandma has been in the hospital for over a week now! But I'm happy to report that she is doing very well! They thought she had a stroke, but now they think her potassium, calcium and sodium levels are to blame for her problems! Either way...I just hope she gets better soon!

And I think these finds would help her feel better fast :)

Get well soon - Wool Felted Bird

by woolville

Get Well Soon - Medical Themed Cookie Bouquet

by Baileysdozen

Little Bluebird Get Well Heart shaped ring dish

by wiseimpressions

Get Well Soon Handmade Card

by justdandee