Mission Soldier Support, a.k.a. MSS

So many people support our troops overseas with prayers and praise, however, most of us would like to do more and just don't know where to start. This is where MSS comes into the picture. MSS is a program started by Rachel with Captured Time Books, and supported by other ETSY card makers. Here is how it works. Card makers opt into the program by donating 5 of their beautiful Holiday card creations. They are then placed on a list where people can buy cards to donate to the program. All of the donations are then sent overseas to the troops, so they can send holiday cards back home to their loved ones. Stationary and cards are nonexistent over there so it is a special gift for our Men and Women in the military.
Want to participate but don't know where to start? Here are step-by-step instructions on how to donate.
1. Log onto http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_title&search_query=mss
2. Choose a card you would like to donate
3. Pay
4. Send a note to seller that this purchase is for MSS
5. You are done! The seller will do the rest.

If you have any questions regarding the program, please don't hesitate to ask!

Fantastic companies - worth your valuable browsing time.

After being a daily viewer of the SplitcoastStampers I decided I had to have the Vintage Die for the Cuttlebug. It is so versatile and, while my creativity with dies is meager, I have come up with some really cute ideas. Let me know what you think!
While on the topic of great new products I wanted to share some great new companies I have come across in the last few weeks.
Verve Stamps - Beautiful clear stamps that have so many possibilities. Their gallery is just full of inspiration, go check them out and take some time to browse the beautiful cards.
Unity Stamp Company - I am in love with their kit club. They offer a new kit each month and there are only a limited amount sent out. This is a huge plus for me with the pressure of offering one of a kind creations on Ebay.
I encourage you to take a few minutes (or hours!) and browse through the products, designs and card galleries. The talent is amazing.
Of course, you can always find my goodies at Beautiful Greetings Card Shoppe or on Ebay, look for the seller name Bellenoche.
Happy Crafting!

New On Etsy...plus a coupon!

School has started and fall is in the air. I just love this time of year! It is hard to believe that with fall, comes holiday cards. I have been working diligently on my new holiday collections both for Etsy, and my craft fairs. I am now taking orders for holiday cards in my store, come check them out! http://beautifulgreetings.etsy.com. Here are a few of my new creations.
I would love to see others holiday designs....have one? Come post it here.

Special for blog readers! Mention Greetings and Salutations in my Etsy Shop and I will give you
10% off your entire purchase. Everyone loves a sale!

Christmas Preview Penny Black 2008

I have been looking forward to the Penny Black Christmas Collection for awhile now. I know I have mentioned that they are my favorite stamp company! I was fortunate enough to be featured in their new Christmas 2008 catalog and the collection is adorable. The Margaret Sherry's never let me down and this collection is no different. I have been making some really cute preview cards and selling them one at a time as a teaser. My whole Christmas line should be out in the first few weeks of September. Take a look here for what is to come! Check out my ebay listings under sellername bellenoche to buy one of the previews!

Whirlwind Summer and Ebay success

It has been such a busy summer and yet again, my blog gets neglected. I have really enjoyed the warm days playing with my kids and making cards. I have started selling my wares on Ebay and it has been a blast. Nothing like obsessing over your auctions to see where they go. I swear the last day I must refresh my page 40 times! I am truly amazed with the talent out there. One thing that absolutely amazed me was a seller whose cards went from $50 to $150 each! Talk about being blown away. I never dreamed that people would pay that much. Don't get me wrong, they are amazing and the gal has serious talent....but over $100 for a greeting card. My jaw is still not completely closed. While I haven't seen that kind of success I am selling my "deluxe" cards for an average of $10 each. Pretty darn good I say. Don't worry, you can still get my classics for under $3 each in my store! Come visit http://beautifulgreetings.etsy.com/ and see some great cards. Christmas cards will be out at the end of this month! Scary isn't it! Anyone started their shopping yet?

Now Accepting RME!

If you haven't heard about Revolutionary Money Exchange, check it out! It is about time Paypal had a little competition, their fees are a little high for my liking. RME is completely free to use when sending or accepting payments. That is right! No Fees. I was completely sold on the idea after hearing that. To make the deal even sweeter, they are offering people $25 just to sign up. All you have to do is create an account and voila, they pay you $25.

So sign up, get $25, and spend it in my shop! :)

Another Feature this week!

I was so excited to get an email on Sunday from a fellow Etsian. She has featured my shop in her blog. How exciting! This is 4 blogs this month and I have to say it feels good to know that my name is out there now. I love what I do and I get such pleasure from knowing others love it too. If you get a chance, take a peek!

http://qbranchltd.blogspot.com/

Feel Fuzzy - Featured Shop!

While browsing Etsy (this is becoming a habit for me!) I found a shop that not only crafts new items, but reuses vintage items. I love the idea of recycling the old to add new life. I had an opportunity to speak with the owner of this wonderful shop, Debi. She graciously answered a few of my questions so that we may all understand her craft. Here is my interview with her.

Q. Can you describe to the readers what you make?

A. I breath new life into vintage children's things, I currently make wallets from felt, Utilising vintage fuzzy felts and journals from vintage children's books, giving these charming books a new lease on life. Each book is unique and has been used by kids through the ages. I like the idea of bringing these forgotten items back into peoples lives, my motto is "its never too late to have a happy childhood"

Q. What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

A. At the moment I mostly use vintage books and felt. I also make magnets and key rings from illustrations from children's books. (these aren't up in my shop yet, but will be soon)

Q. How long have you been creating craft?

A. I'm a newbie and have only been doing this since Jan 2008.

Q. How did you get started?

A. I'm a graphic designer and got fed up with the corporate world, I've always loved handmade things and finally got around to doing something with my ideas.

Q. Where does the name of your shop come from?

A. Feel Fuzzy comes from my first items I made, fuzzy felt wallets and also the feeling I get from making my crafty items.

Q. What would you most want people to know about your work?

A. That my work is made with great care and attention to detail, and that there's lots of love and hugs in each item.

Q. What words of advice do you have for other artists?

A. Not to sure what I would say to other artists as I've only just started on this road myself, but if you have a good idea and a lot of passion, go for it!

Thank you Debi for sharing your adorable shop with us!

Everyone! Take a look at Debi's shop for unique gift ideas made with great craftsmanship and love!

http://feelfuzzy.etsy.com

Supply Speak

I broke down and bought a Scotch ATG gun and I LOVE IT! I'm sure all scrap addicts and paper crafters know what I am talking about...but if you don't, it is the mother of all adhesive dispensers. The gun itself is a little pricey at around $40, depending on where you buy but you will save a ton of $ with the refills. The refills are around $3 for 36 yards. That is compared to the $4 for 8 yards you spend with any other adhesive refill.

I highly recommend you check out http://www.framingsupplies.com/ if you are interested in buying one. They have the best prices I have found and the shipping is really fast!

Have any products you can't stop raving about? Please share them with us here!

I have been featured!

Who doesn't like to see their name in print? I love to feature new artists on my blog especially when I am feeling inspired. However, I just found MY name on someone's blog! What a kick!
Check it out if you get a chance.

http://artsyclay.blogspot.com/

Featured Etsy Artist - Buster and boo

I am a lover of all jewelry and often find myself browsing the Etsy shops, dreaming of owning each and every piece! My other weakness is paper. I buy a lot for my business (at least that is my excuse) and I am always excited to see new paper lines and textures . When I came across the shop Buster and boo, I was amazed to see jewelry and paper fused to make beautiful pieces! What an amazing artistic mind. I would have never dreamed that a piece of paper and a scrabble tile could create a gorgeous pendant. I was so intrigued with this store that I asked the owner to answer a few of my questions about her work.

Here is my interview with Sara

Q. Please describe what you make.

A. Pendants made from reclaimed Scrabble tiles and Japanese Chiyogami papers - but in my other shop I knit stuffed animals, primarily.

Q. What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

A. Paper, wood, but also natural fibers (I'm also a knitter in my other shop, WOolies)

Q. How long have you been creating your craft?

A. Been creating forever, but with a fervour for the past 10 years!

Q. How did you get started?

A. My mom taught me to knit, sew, embroider...

Q. Where does the name of your shop come from?

A. Buster and boo are two of my dogs. Buster is big, Boo is little, they love each other a lot! Woolies came from nowhere, just my imagination "little woolies".

Q. What would you most want people to know about your work?

A. I love what I do and pride myself on excellent quality.

Q. What words of advice do you have for other artists?

A. As incredible or wonderful as your work may be, it won't sell if nobody knows about it. Learn how to promote and/or advertise.

Please come and check out Buster and boo at http://www.busterandboo.etsy.com/

You will love the selection and the craftsmanship that goes into each and every product!

Love stuffed animals? Check out Saras other shop http://www.woolies.etsy.com/

Featured Shop - A Blond and a Torch

This afternoon I stumbled across this beautiful shop on Etsy. I was completely in awe of the baubles that filled this store. The excellent craftsmanship was apparent and I wanted to know more about how this jewelry was made. I asked the owner, Jen Nixon, to answer a few of my questions. Here is the interview in it's entirety.

Q. Please describe what you make.

A. I make organic jewelry, mostly using sterling silver, some gold-filled material and a littl brass. Mostly I make rings, but I also have earrings and a few necklaces and braclets. I am always striving to design more!

Q. What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

A. I enjoy sterling silver the most. I guess because I have worked with it so much that it is the most comfortable.

Q. How long have you been creating craft?

A. I started making beaded jewelry about 2 years ago when my doctor recommended a hobby to try to reduce stress. I went to Hobby Lobby and bought a book on beading and it went from there. I eventually wanted to try metalsmithing so once again I bought some books and started practicing. I opened up this shop almost 3 months ago to sell my metal works.

Q. How did you get started?

A. I was doing some random Google search on some beading techniques and I came across a blog. I wish I could remember whose blog it was, but she talked at length about Etsy and how to get started selling there. I took her advice and it went from there.

Q. Where does the name of your shop come from?

A. Ha! It actually comes from a friend of mine. She was throwing out some ideas for a shop name and I thought A Blond And A Torch was pretty cute. Well, I am a blond and I do use a torch, so it works!

Q. What would you most want people to know about your work?

A. How much I love to create it. I treat each piece with love. I know each item I create is a representation of me so I put all my efforts into making each one as perfect as I can. If I wouldn't wear it myself, I start over.

Q. What words of advice do you have for other artists?

A. Make what you love! If you do that then it won't matter if you are not selling 100 items a week. Just keep doing what you enjoy and it will show.

If you would like to see Jens work up close, come and visit her amazing shop A Blond and a Torch!

http://ablondandatorch.etsy.com/

Mini Me

Long time no post eh! Sorry for the hiatus and to be honest, I have no better excuse except for blog neglect :) I resolve to be a better blogger from now on.

I have started a new line of cards in my store called mini's. These little greetings measure 3" x 3" and come with small handmade envelopes usually using patterned paper. They are blank inside but full of character. I have sold so many sets since I started making them a few weeks ago. I think people like the versatility of a small notecard. They are easy to have on hand and can be used for anything such as a note to a teacher or a love note in someones lunchbox or hey, even a love note to a teacher! Naw, just kidding but you get my "all occasion" drift.

Drop me a note and tell me what you think! Tuesday I will be featuring an awesome etsy seller that uses the earths beauty to make jewelry. Stay tuned and check back often!

Tricks of the Trade

If anyone has wondered why their embossing powder seems to stick randomly to paper and not just on the ink, it is static. I notice this happening more in winter than any other time, but that could just be me. I love visiting craft forums, scrap camps and paper craft classes. I learn so much from chit chat with other crafters and one tip in particular really helped me with my embossing technique.

You can buy little pads called "embossing buddies" from stores. These pads are supposed to remove any static or pieces of debris that your embossing powder may stick to. They work great, don't get me wrong, but if you don't want to spend the money use a used dryer sheet. Yup...that is all it takes. A dried up, used piece of dryer sheet from your laundry basket. Just rub that baby on your paper and voila...you are static free!

Have any other tips and tricks you would like to share?

Great Weekend for my craft!

I am so excited that I just had to share my news. After a week of being open, I have sold 18 cards and received a special order!

I went to one of my favorite stores this weekend, Joann, and went crazy with all of the beautiful spring papers out. I don't know about you but I am a little tired of the dark winter colors. Don't get me wrong, I love those too, but after months of dark skys I am ready for something a little brighter! Look for my new cheery cards soon!

Keep on the lookout for my first blog giveaway! I will be posting details tomorrow!

Sold! and oh yeah...take my survey!

Yesterday was a good day for my store. I sold 6 cards in 3 transactions and am really excited about it. It feels really good to know that people (other than my mom) like my work!
My Chicks Rule card was one of the cards to go leaving me to think there are others out there who believe that Chicks do rule!
I just received a few new stamps and will be featuring new designs on Monday. Watch for em...they should be pretty cute if I do say so myself.
Thanks to all of you who support me in this new adventure. I am having a blast!

Again, if there is anything that you would all like to see, let me know!

I posted a survey at the bottom of the page that will give me an idea what to stock. More surveys to come so check back each week!

Welcome

This is my newest creation! Pretty cute huh!

Welcome to my blog.
Welcome to my store.
Welcome to my brand new adventure!

5 days ago I decided that I loved making cards and the consequence of this was too much accumulation!
I have tried my hand at craft fairs and bazaars and even Ebay. This offered minimal success.
I stumbled accross a fantastic site called Etsy. Etsy not only allowed me to open my own card store, but it helped me find some fantastic artists. The community at Etsy is very helpful and very talented. I am so excited to start this new opportunity.
Come browse my store and feel free to offer feedback both good and (gasp) bad!
I would love to hear about what you would like to see and what you like already.

I would also love to share with you some of my wonderful finds! These are all handcrafted items from fellow Etsy Sellers.