Etsy Front Page

I have been on the Etsy front page a few times - not many. Since the end of July I have made it six times (gotta love craft cult which stores all this info!). It really does have a big impact on shop views. I was on the front page on Sunday 7.00pm EST and according to Google Analytics I got over 700 views.

The necklace that was featured later sold and since then I have had another sale - although whether the two are linked I am not sure. I am hoping that some of those other hearts I received might come back in the future and make a purchase!

Toys for the Boys!

The male of the species are very difficult to buy presents for! It is a nightmare! It's my brother's birthday in a couple of weeks so I have been browsing Etsy a lot for ideas for his birthday and then of course Christmas!

Here are a few of my favourite items. Don't worry, there is no chance of my brother actually seeing this blog. In fact I'm not actually sure he even knows I have a blog!

I love girlscantell's shop. The diagrams are all so good - I particularly like these scooter coasters but I also really like the bicycle, pinball machine, camera, kitchen mixer......

These laser cut cardboard space crafts by CardboardSafari are fab! They make me think of TinTin.

In actual fact, this is what I have bought him. Yes, it's a pencil case - not exactly inspiring, but it is a very cool pencil case! Find it, and some rather stylish laptop covers, in byrdandbelle's shop. My brother is (almost) an architect so he has lots of pencils and pens so hopefully he will find it useful.

And obviously I needed a birthday card. Having favourited one of crafterall's cards in the first week of discovering Etsy I finally got round to making a purchase. I love these cards so much that I now want a topo to put on my wall!

Beads!

I went to the Midlands Bead Fair at the National Motorcycle Museum on Sunday. As you can see from the picture I made a few purchases. I had a very strict budget (what with not having a job at the mo etc) and was very good as I stuck to it!

I bought some faceted banded agate and some plain black agate beads, some random spotty beads and some large funky plastic beads in autumnal colours to make a chunky neckalace with.

I also bought a beautiful pair of purple beads from Julie of Lush Lampwork. I have bought from Julie online in the past so it was nice to meet her in person and see more of her gorgeous beads up close!

All in all a good day!

Moths and Dinosaurs

Just thought I would share a picture of this beautiful - if slightly creepy - looking moth. The shapes look almost prehistoric - the bumps on it remind me of a Stegosaurus!

Talking of Stegosauruses (what is the plural??) this little box does what it says on the tin - you can make yourself a minature dinosaur. Available on Etsy from kfarrell. It really is tiny. Not suitable for those that are long-sighted!

A Challenge!

I am in an Etsy team of fellow crafters with the name Amy - quite random I know. A challenge was set for us to make something along the theme 'Oh I do like to be beside the seaside'. I made this ribbon brooch - which is inspired by the shimmering button which reminds me of mermaids. It's perhaps a bit tenuous but whenever I go swimming in the sea I do contemplate what might be beneath - scary crabs, big ugly fish, sea monsters, mermaids - who knows what else!

Please go vote for me on the Amys blog! Thank you!

A box of goodies

My dad was sorting out his store room last week and came across a box of jewellery that used to be my grandmother's. None of it is worth a whole lot but there is certaintly a few bits and bobs that I can reuse and incorporate in my jewellery.

This is a picture of the goodies. There are some rather nice black swarovskis and Czech glass faceted beads. Lots of chains - as you can see in gold and silver - always handy. There is a nice gold and pearl pendant (on the left) and some adorable brooches - one with two little deers and one that is a bird. Also there is a brooch in the shape of an E - it's a bit naff but I like it because it is the first letter of our surname - I'll be keeping that one!

I now need to give them all a good clean and find a bit of inspiration. I am going to the Midlands Bead Fair next Sunday so I may find some there.

Autumn has arrived

After coming back from a short holiday a couple of weeks ago it really struck me how autumnal it had become. Falling leaves and beautiful colours of red, yellow and brown. I went on a short bikeride today around the village and took a few photos.

It has inspired me to get on making some more autumnal/wintry jewellery in these colours.