A Big Thanks!

I would like to use today's post to say THANK YOU to three lovely blogs that have featured my work this week :)

Jenny at A Bird in the Hand Art featured my shop on Tuesday! She did an entire write-up just for me :) Thanks Jenny!

Parrot Earrings by A Bird in the Hand Art

On Wednesday I was featured on TWO blogs! First up was Carli of Perfect Salt. She did a feature on hosting a fun baby shower and included my Custom Baby Name Album! Thanks Carli :)

Printable Birthday Party Invitation by Perfect Salt

Paige of Final Clothes Out featured my shop in her July Sponsors post. Paige was kind enough to offer her teammates a free month of sponsorship and I jumped at the chance! Thanks Paige :)

Pink Pear Rhinestone Earrings by Little White Chapel (also run by Paige)

Thank you so much ladies!

Friday Features - Accessorize

This week Jesse and I joined the 21 century and got smart phones! They're like new toys and all we can do is play with them! I wanted mine so I could check my email and Etsy while on vacation and process credit cards at craft shows. Jesse wanted his because I got one...LOL :)

I didn't like any of the cases they had at the phone store. All they did was protect the back of the phone...who needs that? And they were so bulky! We opted for screen covers that just stick to the front and protect from scratches. But I still wanted a cute case...and Etsy is just the place to find them!

Flocked Iphone Case

by SquirrelsNest

Deer Silhouette iPhone Cozy

by BeeLoveLee

iPhone Sleeve - Soft Pink Vinyl

by HotCocoa123

Hot Pink Felt Cell phone Cozy w/Damask Print

by hotmamaof5

I'm thinking of going with the Soft Pink Vinyl...and then I can engrave my name on it :) Which is your favorite? What type of case/cover do you have for your phone?

Cute as a Bug

This may just be one of the funnest albums I've made in quite some time! I love the colors, the critters and even the name :)

Anderson's mommy wanted an album to store pictures taken from an outdoor photo shoot to display at his 1 year birthday party. What a great idea!

I'm loving these larger albums more and more with every one I make! There is so much room for fun embellishments! And not having to trim the photos near as much sure makes it nice for the buyer or gift recipient :)

This album is just Cute as a Bug!

Wordless Wednesday - Let's Ride!

Grandma and Grandpa

I've made quite a few Grandma and Grandpa albums lately and a few variations as well :) These make great gifts, are great for remembering a lost loved one, or just as a keepsake to store your photos of Grandma and Grandpa :)

I love this color combo! This was a custom request for a memorial album, but you'll be seeing this color combo in my shop soon! I've already started on more like it :)

Do you have a nickname for your grandma or grandpa? I can make these in any variation for you :) (Nana, Granny, Poppy, etc.)

Nonno is the Italian word for Grandpa. Does your culture use different names for Grandma and Grandpa? I can do that too! (Opa, Abuela, etc.)

I can't wait to get these back in my shop! They're each so special and so fun to make!

Be sure to stop by A Bird in the Hand Art today! Jenny was nice enough to feature my work!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom :)

Wishing my mom a very happy birthday and wishing I were there to give her a hug!

Have a great day Mom :)

Friday Features - RAGBRAI

This Sunday will mark the beginning of Ragbrai 39! What is Ragbrai you ask...The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state. Heading into its 39th year, RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest and longest bicycle touring event in the world. Des Moines Register Media has been the title sponsor of RAGBRAI since 1973. In honor of the event, I went searching on Etsy for some great Ragbrai and bicycle finds. What a great selection there is! leather card wallet handprinted custom for you bicycle by inblue teal blue bike necklace on repurposed dime by resonates Bicycle Rider - Metal Wall Art

by SunsetMetalworks bicycle love by lolabot

A Life of Love

I recently completed an album for a 50th wedding anniversary. The couple's granddaughter is going to fill the album with photos over the last 50 years and have it for people to look at at the party. 50 years is truly something to celebrate! I love reading in the paper about anniversary parties, whether it be 10 years, 25 years or 50 years. Both sets of my grandparents have been married for 60 years! And my parents will be married 38 years this September. I am proud of all of them for sticking with it and taking their vows seriously and living a life of love :)

I'm so happy with how this album turned out and I hope it's a hit at the party! I just love the colors!

Wordless Wednesday - Froggy Friend

3-Day Weekend

I just got back from a nice 3-day weekend off work!!! I also took a little bloggy break and mostly computer break. (Had to check the shop, of course)

Wanna see what I've been up to :)

Make a picture slideshow

We spent almost the whole three days on the river! The river is one of the only places I've found where I can completely relax :) I'm not thinking about other things I should be doing. I'm not thinking about getting home. I'm not thinking about the computer. I'm just relaxing :) I can enjoy myself without 50 other things going through my head! I have a hard time doing that sometimes, but I can always relax on the river :)

What do you do to relax?

Friday Features - Family Crest

I've had a couple of interesting orders lately that I thought were pretty cool. I lasered 10 set of coasters for a coworker to give as Christmas gifts and he wanted his family crest put on them. And I also got an order for a pin engraved with a family coat of arms on it. The bride is going to give this to her fiance' at the wedding and he will give her a sash with his family crest on it. Very unique and very cool :)

This got me to wondering if there was a market for this type of work. I went searching on Etsy to see what other Family Crest and Coat of Arms items I could find. There are some really talented artists in this area!

Johnson Family Crest

by ohsocreations

Custom Drawn Coat of Arms / Family Crest / Heraldry

by JamieHansen

Commission Your Family Coat of Arms - painted on slate tile

by Ainigmati

Do you have a family crest or coat of arms? Have you ever seen it or done anything with it? I'd love to know :)

Go Big This Summer

Go Big This Summer...With a Big Word Album!

I've started making my Premade Word Albums in the larger 6.5"x12" size and they are turning out great! I'm so glad I started offering these in a bigger size as they are so much easier to add photo to and really pack a visual punch!

Pick out your favorites from this summer and keep them all together in this fun pink and aqua Summer Album!

Going on a trip? Store your photos and memorabilia in this Travel Album!

And coming soon...a teal and aqua Vacation Album as well!

(If you're interested in this album before it hits my shop, just let me know!)

Wordless Wednesday - Lunch Time

Variety is the Spice of Life

I don't know about you, but I love choices. I love options. I love variety! And I love that my Custom Albums offer this and more!

I recently made three Custom Albums in the same theme...but in very different colors. These three albums are all for softball girls. Each girl's personality shines through in their color choices and pattern requests :)

I never tire of making these albums because each one is unique and different. Each one is made special for someone. Made with their favorite colors. Made with their selected theme. And made just for them :)

Sponsorship

Have you ever considered adding sponsorship links on your blog? Does your blog have a good number of followers, visitors and commentors? Paid sponsorship is a great way to help other artists as well as bring in a little revenue for yourself :) Paige at Final Clothes Out and Little White Chapel has started adding sponsorship spots to her blog and I think it's a great idea! Her readership has really taken off in the last several months and she has decided her blog is ready for paid advertising! Her rates are extremely affordable at $5-7/month depending on the size you would like. You can get all the details HERE. And the best thing is, she has been so nice to offer one month free to all Etsy Blog Team members!!! I jumped at the chance for free advertising! I can't wait to see how the first month goes and I'm sure I'll be signing up for additional months as well! My blog has gotten quite a few new followers lately and my daily visitors have risen as well. I'm not quite ready for paid sponsor links yet, but I'll love this idea for when my blog is ready! How about you?

Featured EtsyBlogger - Tamdoll

I'm a little behind in getting this posted, but my congratulations go out to Tammy of Tamdoll nonetheless :) Congrats Tammy!!! Tammy is our Featured EtsyBlogger for the month of June!

What I love most about Tammy's shop is the beautiful variety she offers. Just take a look at these great finds:

Sherbert Necklace - Soft Fabric Beads with Shell Pearls - Gift Boxed - SALE

Lilac Oak Leaf Tiny Pin - Brooch of Wool Felt

Pink Confection Cuff Bracelet - Fabric Jewelry - OOAK

Here work is truly one-of-a-kinds and so fun! And she uses pink a lot too...which makes me love her shop even more :)

And of couse she's a blogger...check her out HERE!

What's your favorite item from Tammy's shop?

The Power of Social Networking

I interrupt this usual Friday Features post to bring you some exciting news...

Etsy Tweeted about one of my albums yesterday and it went on their Facebook page as well!!!

I had 2,252 new visits to my Etsy Shop on Wednesday!!! I sold 5 items and got over 100 new shop and listing hearts! I also had four others contact me about custom albums on Wednesday that we're still working out all the details on!

This just goes to show the power of social networking. And the power of Etsy! Etsy has 1,394,342 Twitter Followers and 448,676 Facebook Fans...that's a lot of eyes that can potentially see your shop! And the link was retweeted 16 more times!

I am so grateful for this opportunity! Thank you ETSY!!!

Mid-Year Goals Review

Each year I make goals for my shop and my blog. I don't believe in resolutions. I like goals because they are measurable and carry specific plans with them. I like to do a mid-year review each year to see how I'm doing and see if I'm on track. Let's take a look at how I'm doing so far...

Blog Goals:

*Goal: Post between 3-5 times per week

**Actual: 131 posts for 26 weeks...average of 5 times per week ON TRACK

*Goal: Total Followers of 150

**Actual Followers: 196 ON TRACK

I attribute the extra followers to a large giveaway I did in April as well as joining another team on Etsy.

Shop Goals:

*Goal: 150 sales for 2011

*Actual: 80 as of June 30th ON TRACK

My plan of attack for sales this year was more price points and new product lines, both of which I have done and I think they have both helped my sales. If you look at my sold items, I've sold a variety of items and every price point in my shop.

*Goal: 450 Hearts

**Actual: 502 Hearts as of July 6th. I forgot to look on June 30th, but either way...I'm over my goal!!! ON TRACK

Other Shop Goals:

*Add more shows: I did 4 shows this Spring. Two of which I had never done before. They are both shows I'd like to do again this fall! I have already signed up for 3 shows this fall and hope to add more!

*Add new products: I have more items in my shop this year than I ever have. And I have a bigger variety which I think helps keep people interested without overwhelming them.

*Add another consignment shop: I started selling another local winery and have been having good luck there. I'd still like to add at least one more.

How are your goals going this year? I'd love to hear about it in my comments :)