And The Winner Is...

I had everything ready for the drawing. I had my random number generator, my spreadsheet with the entries and their numbers and of course, The Beads.

And then at 7:50.... My neighbor called. I was supposed to pick something up for her earlier and I got focused on beads and forgot. But I managed to take care of it quickly.

The Random Number Generator spit out the number 16.

and Valorie Clifton is the lucky winner.

I'll clean up this post later. I was just so excited I had to announce it right away. Click here to read more!

Bead Giveaway

I’m giving away all the beads pictured to celebrate my Facebook Business Page reaching 600 fans. It’s so easy to enter this contest.


The winner will receive all the beads in these pictures:




All you have to do to enter is “Like” my page and leave a comment on the original post.
 
Remember to leave a link to your Facebook page on my wall so I can “Like” you back.
 
Want to win more beads in this contest?
 
If you see something in my shop that you would like added to the giveaway beads just include the title from the listing in your comment. If you include suggestions for additional giveaway beads from my shop and you are the winner, you will get additional bonus beads.
 
The winner will be announced on my Facebook page Wednesday June 22 at 8:00 pm PST. 

Hurry over and enter now! Click here to read more!

Un-Cluttering My House Sale

I am going to have a sale this weekend in my FaceBook Store Front. Before I talk about the sale I want to tell you what initiated the need for a sale.

In the book Zen and the Art of a Clean House the author talks about the relationship between the condition of your home and the condition of your life. "You put a house in order and you put your life in order. All the trash weighs you down. You might as well drag it around on your back, the dirt, the mess." In other words when your home is organized and clean then your life is organized and you things are basically good. But if your house is cluttered and really needs some work then your life is in pretty much the same condition.

I have found that to be very true. I have also found that when I am constantly feeling frustrated about everything, a good house-cleaning does wonders.  I have been very frustrated lately to put it politely.

Some of the clutter that weighs me down is all the crafting supplies I have. They fill all the closets and any free space in my small apartment. My husband has been gently suggesting that I downsize my storage needs.   I finally agree with him.  The box in the picture is the first of about 7 boxes of crafting supplies.



This is a very short list of items:
Foam Shapes
Wood Shapes
Wood Plaques
Wood Boxes
Beads
Basket Making Reed
Small Gifts for Gift Baskets
Baskets
Candle Holders and Votives

I am going to be listing the supplies (and anything else) in my Facebook store. To get to my store, you go to my Facebook Fan Page and click on the Shop Now tab. The pictures you will see when my store opens are the featured items. Click on the drop-down menu on the left-hand side that reads "Browse by Category", choose a category and you will see all the items in that category.

I will be uploading pictures to the photo albums on my Fan Page if you want a sneak peak. I have a lot to get done before Friday so I may not have time to answer questions especially because the info will probably be in the listing.

Did I mention that Facebook Fans get an additional 10% off the sale prices?


Click here to read more!

I love Trading

I belong to the Etsy Street Team The Trade-A-Holics.  I love being a part of that team.  If you don't know me, I am of German descent.  My Mother was born in Germany in 1932.  She grew up there during World War 2.  As a rule the Germans are generally frugal people.  I definitely fit that description.

I found a team that basically uses the barter system. We buy from each other's shops in equal amounts so when the transaction is complete, I have what I want, the other person has what they want, Etsy has collected the fees so Etsy has what it wants.  And all I paid for the purchases I made is the postage to mail the other sellers items to them.

To me, it's a Win-Win situation.  I have the opportunity to try items from other sellers that I would not normally purchase.

When the team has a Trade N' Stay event it is usually a 4 day event.  It starts with 10 or 15 randomly chosen shops on the list. when you make a trade with someone on the list, your shops get listed.  But, get this, no one gets taken off the list.  That's why it is called a Trade N' Stay.  Once you are on the list, everyone who wants on the list will be trying to work out a trade with you.  and you do NOT hove to be a member of the team to participate. 

It is an energetic, exhausting, confusing at times, greatest weekend you ever had.  And just when you start coming down from the "high" of all the good deals you made, the packages start arriving.

I refer to the items I ordered as my "Treasure".  Look at the Treasure that I hauled in this time:

I got this from http://auntmartymadeit.etsy.com  She calls it a wireless heating pad.  I call it a Boo-Boo Bag.  It is custom made and it works like a dream.  I will be getting another on on the next TNS

 
Another good trade that I made was with Uneek4U.  I needed earring and bracelet cards for my finished products as well as thank-You cards for my customers.  i just didn't want to buy any.  So Ididn't buy them I traded for them.

Look at a ll these cards I got:

I don't know how many cards I got from http://Uneek4U.etsy.com but it was a bunch. Iam so happy that I finally have thank-You cards and cards for my earrings and bracelets.


Those first two trades were for things that I needed.  This last trade was for Swarovski Crystals.  i traded with Atomic Crystals and look at these crystals.  I think I just found me a new best friend.   this is how they came packaged.  Isn't that cute!




















These are the crystals that I  got:

I can't wait for the next TNS Event.  It is scheduled for March 26th thru the 29th.

Mark your calendar. Click here to read more!

Big Plans and Dreams for this Year

I have not been attending to my blog the way I would like to but that is due to the changes I am in the process of implementing.  I decided that I would share my plans with you.  

I started selling some of my destash supplies in my shop but I don't really like the way they look in the shop with my creations.  So I opened a new shop.  I call it MyExtraBeads.  the address is http://MyExtraBeads.etsy.com.  I will be selling quite a few extra beads and other arts and crafts supplies.

I opened a new FB account for my Epilepsy Awareness efforts.  If you are interested you can find that page at MyEpilepsy Page on FB. My personal page has way too much going on.  I have my friends and family, Larrys friends and family, people that I have met and fanned through Etsy, and all my Epilepsy contacts on my personal page.  Some days I have to go through 4 or 5 pages to see an hours worth of posts.  I decided to break off the epilepsy because that is something that needs undivided attention.  I even opened a group page along with it so that others could contribute more to the page.

I have been doing well with the Awareness Treasuries. I have kept them going almost continuously for almost a month now.  


I am also working on a comprehensive list of Awareness Ribbon Colors that shows all the causes for each color.  I am trying to figure out how to add a page to my blog so that the list can be posted here.

I started the Facebook Tutorial on my Tuesdays Tutorials segment of the blog.  I still need to come up with a couple more segments that I can publish weekly.

I am going to announce a blog giveaway as soon as I hammer out the details.  I will be giving away a custom made bracelet from my shop.  I think I know which one, but I'm not sure.

Hmmm, I need a couple new segments.  I need something to promote my blog giveaway.  Maybe I will combine the two.  

Boy, just seeing this list is making me tired.  


Till next time.


I Click here to read more!

Christmas

I am working on Christmas items for my store. It is kinda difficult because this is my first Christmas with a store. I don't know what to make because I don't know what will sell. So I decided to make a little of everything.

I have made a few pair of earrings. I like the Christmas trees the best. I have also made snowflakes (they are the most fun), snowmen and some pretty red and green ones.

Please leave a comment with your favorite. You never know what can happen if you leave a comment. Good things may be in your future.

Click here to read more!

Jewelry for People with Metal Sensitivity - No Metal Included

I love to make jewelry!!  And I love to make it for my friends and family.  I even make pieces to sell in my store.  But I have several friends who cannot wear jewelry with any type or grade of metal.  They just can't.  So I try to have a few pieces listed in my store (cherylspurplecow.etsy.com) that have no metal whatsoever.  There are other designers that do the same thing.  Especially designers that work with hemp and knots.  Alot of their pieces are naturally free of metal.


Now, here is the problem.  Use whatever search engine that you like and search for metal free jewelry, non-metal jewelry, etc.  You get everything from sterling silver to base metal to metal jewelry with free shipping. 


I need a word, a catch-phrase.  A word that says "NO Metal".  A word that people would use when searching for metal free jewelry.  I have been looking for that word for a couple of months.  It is nowhere to be found.  I think that this perfect word that I am searching for is hiding from me.  Maybe you can help me find it.



I have thought of hypo-allergenic.  But metal can be hypo-allergenic.  But some people still react to it.


Here is a link to a bracelet that I have listed in my shop that is made with seed beads and thread and that's all.  This way maybe you will get a flash of inspiration and help me find my word.
           
 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25196579


I posted in the Etsy Forums and someone suggested that I start a TEAM to help promote the concept. I would love to do that. I have never even been on a team or been associated with one, but What The Hay!!! I will either find someone who knows about TEAMS and wants to be in charge or I guess I will learn as I go along.

Please feel free to offer any suggestions, comments, assistance that you care to.  I can admit when I am in way over my head. (At 4'11" it happens alot).  You can email me at cherylspurplecow@gmail.com or post on my fanpage http:http://facebook.com/cheryls.purple.cow

I will be looking for your input.

Thanks,

Cheryl
Click here to read more!

Snowflakes are Addicting! Beware!

This past week I have promised myself every morning when I got up that I would catch up on my blog subscriptions and blog myself.  Then I get started on those ding-dang beaded snowflakes and the next thing I know it is 2 AM.   And I haven't read any of my favorite blogs and I have not blogged.  There is something addicting about those snowflakes.  They are just too cool to make.  I am even thinking about a way to use them to make a bracelet and a necklace.  I try all sorts of color combinations and patterns.  And then I start with one pattern and change it half-way through.  I just get lost in doing them.  I need to start selling them so that I can afford to make more.   


All the snowflakes start out the same.  Usually six beads in a circle and run the thread through the circle again and tie it off.  Then you just add beads at each of the six intervals as you go around the ring.  I am even getting lost describing how to make them.  I want to make more!!

I don't have time for anything except the snowflakes.  I try to play a computer game, but I stop between rounds to make a snowflake. 

Sorry, but I gotta go make me some more snowflakes!!!

I have some ideas about how to have extra time whenever you need it.  I'll share them with you next time.  I have to try out my idea to see if it works. Click here to read more!

Snowflakes and Christmas Things

I am reposting this to add a link to my discussion page and a photo with additional snowflakes. There are 6 different snowflakes. What do you think about the different colors? Which is your favorite? Do you have any suggestions for other colors? Or for other items?


Follow this link to the discussion page. And thanks for your opinion!

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=9026&uid=84445958484

I am working on some Christmas items and I need your opinion. These snowflakes are a little larger than a quarter and I am thinking of using them for earrings or a pendant. I made three different colors. One is silver with light blue, one is silver with dark blue and the last is light blue with dark blue. Which do you like the best? Would you like to see a different color used?

I have mentioned earlier that one thing I like about crafting is that you have to be ahead of the calendar. So summer is the time to start thinking about what to make for Christmas. And believe me when you live in Nevada that can be difficult. We have cleared 100 for the past 2 days (103 today) and the weekend promises to be at least 106. Merry Christmas? Somehow the mood just isn't working yet!

I am getting kind of excited because this will be the first holiday season that my store has been open. Right before I broke my glasses I was on a roll making jewelry in red and green. And I had about 4 ideas that I was going to make. Then 1 week without eyes and I forgot what I intended to do. Oh well, I will make something better than the whatever. And I know that I will like it more.

Are any of my crafty friends working on the holidays yet?

Click here to read more!

Thoughts

May 27, 2009 - Wednesday


Me again! I haven't gotten back to the cell phone case. It just seems like too much work.

I just have so many ideas of things to make. Such a change from "B.E.". Before my Epilepsy reared it's head, I could not make anything. It took all my effort just to think of something to make. Then I changed my mind 30 times. Then it was too late to make whatever.

My personal belief is that epilepsy somehow changed things in my brain. Or maybe it is the lifestyle changes that I had to make. All I know is that now I am perfectly happy staying home, in my craftroom, and making all the things in my mind.

I even stay home when Larry goes to Wal-Mart. Can you believe that? Wal-mart is just a waste of time, unless of course I need some beads. What is wrong with me? I have even cut back on the computer games.

I am going to open a blog at blogspot. I just need time to set everything up. Hope you follow me there. Click here to read more!

Outsmarting Myself

May 26, 2009 - Tuesday

Outsmarting Myself

Hi Everyone! I am new to blogging but I thought since I found the courage to open my own business that I would try to blog. I opened Cheryls Purple Cow to sell the jewelry and other crafts that I have been making. You all know that I enjoy being different. The symbolism behind the purple cow is that a purple cow is unusual, out-of-the-ordinary. Kinda like me.


I also have a bad habit of outsmarting myself. Have you ever outsmarted yourself? You see, I want a beaded cell phone case. Not a cell phone case that has beads on it. A cell phone case made from beads. Not a problem. I found a pattern for an amulet case. If you don't know, an amulet case is a small (very small) beaded pouch on a beaded strap. In order for a cell phone to fit in it, I have to at least double the size. No Problem. Right? I even started thinking that I could make a few to sell in my store.


Wrong. Yes Problem. Remember I like to outsmart myself. So I worked on it for several hours yesterday. And today I worked on it for about 6 hours. Why am I on the computer and not in my craft room finishing the cell case?


I have been working on this for about 9 hours. Looks like it may take a few more hours before I'm done.

I have already used about 300 beads. I don't know if there are enough beads in Vegas to finish it. Outsmarted again!I guess if I intend to finish it this year, I better get back to work Click here to read more!