Coming Soon

I'm preparing a post on Facebook. I have been for a while. But it's hard. Everybody is on Facebook, right? So what more is there to say?

(That, and I'm going to include a list of Facebook pages, but it takes time to get those compiled. Keep an eye out in the team threads, as I will be putting out a call for those soon.)

So, this month for social media talk, I'm posing a question. What social media do you use? Which sites have helped your business? Which sites were more trouble than they're worth?

Previous posts on social media:
Pinterest
Blogging
Twitter
Wanelo
Tumblr
Instagram

Bobby Pins from Bobbles by Carol

One of the main points of this blog is to showcase some of the artists who are a part of the California Crafters Club of Etsy. Rather than having me blather on some more, today I'm turning the blog over to Carol Nelson, the talented artist behind Bobbles by Carol. Take it away, Carol...

I love working with beads and making jewelry but recently I felt I needed to add another line in my shop to reach a different set of clients.

White & Gold Snow Quartz Casual Necklace

I drew a blank, so I went to my wonderful teammates for a bit of help. I got some wonderful suggestions and lots of encouragement.

I decided to create a line of Beaded Hair Pins. Both clusters and dangles.

Beaded Hair Pins--Dangle Light Blue Gold Sparkling

Aqua Pearl Beaded Bobby Pins

I will use the traditional beads like pearls and crystals but I love gemstones so there will be lots of them in my line. Now since creating my firsts and listing them I feel more relaxed and the ideas are flowing.

Crystal Beaded Bobby Pins

I hope you'll enjoy my new creations.

A Few Items...

It's that time again. The time where I peruse the team's shops and see what catches my eye. 

I just saw something about how to make macarons. Apparently, they're tasty, but they're such a bother. Why not have a few felt ones for inspiration?

Felt French Macarons by That Girl 99

And while you're in the kitchen (baking...yeah, right...) you need a decent apron. And one for the kiddo in your life...

Mommy and Me Retro Apron Set by Debz Doodlez

I don't know if I'd use this serving bowl for actual food. Maybe just to add to the decor. Isn't it pretty?

Orange 7" Porcelain Serving Bowl by Kiln House Pottery

Or maybe just a small dish...

Gold Leaf Dish by Oh Leander

As long as you're decorating, you might as well give Fido a makeover, too...

Leather Dog Collar by Kin Collars

And show off your house...in your house...

Portrait of Your House Custom Painting by J Beaudet Studios

Then the other wall will need some dressing up, too...

Large Original Abstract Acrylic Painting by Sol Create Studios

All captions link back to the items and the shops where they were found. Make sure to visit, and let them know I sent you.

Are you itching to do some baking? Or some decorating?

N Case You Were Wondering...

If you have a blog, you've heard of the A to Z Challenge. For the rest of you, the idea is to blog for 26 days in April (Sundays off) using each letter of the alphabet.

I don't have the wherewithal to do that here, but I thought we could make use of the theme. Today, the 16th is the N day. And here are some lovely N items from our team...

Noggins by The Crafty Nana

Necklace, Chrysoprase Pendant by Bella Beads Originals

Nautical Notebook by Joy Merryman Store

Nursery Rhyme Art Print by Coco & James

Notecards by GOrsini Art

Needle Organizer by The Needle Palace

Necklace Hand Painted Bead by Bobbles By Carol

Necklace, Butterfly by Bobbles By Carol

And a special thanks to Allie from Allie's Adornments for compiling several of these items for us. (There wouldn't have been much of a post without her.)

Share the Pretty Pictures

It's the of-the-moment social networking site for all the kids. Or, at least it was 5 minutes ago. Hard to keep up with the kids.

Instagram is a photo-sharing phone app. It's kind of like Twitter, but for pictures. You snap a shot from your phone, add on a filter, and put it out there for your followers. You can tag, hashtag, comment on, and like photos. Your followers can do the same with the photos you've shared.

It seems like at the beginning I heard people shared pictures of their food. Now, you can find people sharing all sorts of lovely pictures. 

For Etsy shops, it's a great way to show off our wares as well as our process. Etsy just did a blog post on this very topic...

Are you on Instagram? (Let us know so we can follow you.) Do you have any tips to share?

Previous posts on social media:
Pinterest
Blogging
Twitter
Wanelo
Tumblr

Give Me a B...

If you have a blog, you've heard of the A to Z Challenge. For the rest of you, the idea is to blog for 26 days in April (Sundays off) using each letter of the alphabet.

I don't have the wherewithal to do that here, but I thought we could make use of the theme. Today, the 2nd is the B day. And here are some lovely B items from our team...

From cserpent Designs:

Big, bold, baby blue balls for your ears! Lightweight earrings since the beads are hollow, blown glass. Wonderful for your spring and summer wardrobes!

Baby Blue Swirls

And some other B items...

Blue Baby Booties by ohmay designs

Blue Beach House Furniture by Pink Pianos

Blue Bird Buttons by Olde Tyme Notions

From Jeanine Designs:

Just listed this and I want to do at least one of these for Mother's Day. I hope you will like and share! Thank you!

BABY!

And one last image...

Indigo Butterfly, digital download by Crystal Mist Cottages

Make sure to check all these lovely Bs out...

Name That Theme

It's time for another of my random collections of items that caught my eye from the team. Let's see if I can find a theme out of these...

I love finding handmade soaps and such. It amazes me that people can make these things themselves, and I bet they smell so much better, too.

Chai + Green Tea Natural Vegan Handmade Organic Soap by Blooming Tree Designs 

I think I need a feather quill. I've never written with a feather quill.

EAGLE'S Wing Ink Dip Porcupine Quill by Saber Shores

Now that I got my hair cut, I keep running across all these great hair accessories.

WooDLanD Faery PRinCeSS Hair Clip by Wild Mountain Wreaths

There's something about this necklace. I don't know what it is. Perhaps it's part of the theme?

Hammered Arrow Necklace by Fait Main Designs

I like the simplicity of this.

Men's Marbled Eternity Ring and Black Leather Necklace by Love Your Bling

And I like the complexity of this.

Elephant Book Locket Pendant by Delicate Industry

Too much jewelry. It must have a place to live, right?

Dream Catcher Jewelry Box by Starr Joy 16

So, theme? I've got nothing. But it was kind of a fun trip.

What do you think? What sort of theme do you think goes with these items?