Hands that Care

Tuesday's with Lin: I'll trade you 2 bags of sugar for that stunning apron!

2010-03-23T21:15:00.000-07:00

Barter trade. Wikipedia says that Bartering is a medium in which goods or services are directly exchaged for other goods and/or services without a medium of exchange, such as money.

At this time of our recession economy, most of us don't have the money to go shopping for the extra luxurious things that we would like to have. Is money really the problem? I recently came across this idea that has been happening around etsy and other websites all over the world and taken full advantage of it. I traded my goods for other peoples goods. Why? Simply because I am low on cash and they want what I've got and I wanted what they had. Have you ever wonder how people got by in the old days without money?

Barter trade. So how do we do trades in etsy. Simple.
1. Just contact the etsy store and see if they would like to trade.
2. Take a look at the positive feedback and see if they could be trustworthy.
3. Make arrangement which items you want to trade with.
4. Make formal order and ship.
5. Enjoy your happy items. :)

Doing these things had opened my eyes to so many possibilities of trading not just goods itself but creative talents. But it's these little infinite moments that can make us smile once in a while. Take a look at all my loots.

I got this gorgeous baby pair clothes in London. I had it delivered directly to my niece. :) Isn't that a wonderful trade of? I was able to give her a gift directly without me worrying about the shipping.

I love notebooks. And when I saw this item I fell in love with it right away. It's one of those recycled vintage notebooks. Handmade by http://heavensentcrafts.etsy.com
I couldn't decide what to get in her shop. Everything was just so lovely. I wanted to get all.

Another one for my beautiful goddaughter. I bet she'll love this, Cupcake apron for you from http://twistedboutique.etsy.com in California

I've got this stunning concord leaf pouch from http://ButterflyEffect.etsy.com
She has all these sorts of beautiful leaf pouch that will just make you feel like a forest lady. :) I've got so many amazing things from doing these trade off that I just want to share with you. I've gotten scarves from Latvia, shades from UK. A stunning hand wallet from Delaware. Soon to come is a handmade lipgloss, lotion, bath and body works etc oh how fun. I think I'm getting carried away with all these tradings.

I guess I understand now why one Etsy trader told me that her husband told her to stop the trading craze because she is running out of products!! Etsy is just a treasure trove of so many amazing things people create. I just can't get enough.

If you want to trade with me here are my shops. www.simplylin.etsy.com or www.aroundtheworld.etsy.com

But for now let me sort all these loots in my closet :) Frugality is one of our crafter's trait. And yes, a girl has got to be a girl some time! And who says that money makes the world go round. :)

Another secret tip for you from me. :) Enjoy!!

Do you know the time?

2010-03-19T04:34:00.000-07:00

If you are an international seller, which most of us are if we sell in etsy, we must know the time differences in every country we have orders in. I know most of us have encountered times where we would reply to the inquiries and wait for immediate response not knowing that our customers are or is probably sleeping. This website will help us to know the time difference around the world.

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

Knowing the time difference will help us with our online sales since we can identify the best possible time to post our products depending the countries we target. I hope this will help in your online sales. :)

Do you want to know your SEO grade?

2010-03-18T20:41:00.000-07:00

Before delving into learning SEO and the basic ways to improve our website through the use of taggings and linkings, I recently came across this website: http://websitegrader.com/

It generated information about my Sweetest Charms Website and gave me these information.

Upon entering the site, it would ask you to type in your own website. So the moment I typed in Sweetest Charms, I just waited a few seconds and it generated a lot of useful information on what I need to work on for my website. I'm not certain about the accuracy level of this site, but atleast it provides us a simple stepping stone on what we have to work on. Take a look at what it said on my www.sweetestcharms.com site.

The website www.sweetestcharms.com ranks 607,889 of the 2,201,801 websites that have been ranked so far.

A website grade of 72/100 for www.sweetestcharms.com means that of the millions of websites that have previously been evaluated, our algorithm has calculated that this site scores higher than 72% of them in terms of its marketing effectiveness. The algorithm uses a proprietary blend of over 50 different variables, including search engine data , website structure, approximate traffic, site performance, and others.

To fully maximize this website you have to subscribe with a fee. But they do offer a free trial. I'm not much of a geek but the way they help you optimize your website. Some free information contains, Create Content, Optimize from Meta Data, Heading Summary, Image summary, interior page analysis, traffic summary etc.

I like this quick website info generator as a help for us newbies. :)

I also got this summary:

Well, from this result, it looks like I have to start working overtime! :)

Drupal Tutorial Anyone?

2010-03-18T19:27:00.000-07:00

I was trying to change my website layout and I got into looking at Drupal and jquery. Don't ask me. I don't know what they are. At least I'm trying to learn what they are. I went to a link that brought me to this youtube on some Drupal Tutorial with Lightbox.

This barely teen Tom is who has cerebral palsy is teaching me how to work with Drupal!! I'm just inspired that he is not letting anything or anyone to stop him from teaching people online. You rock Tom. Keep on teaching. Keep on helping.

Do you do PIF? Pay it forward.

2010-03-18T09:43:00.000-07:00

I was browsing through esty for help in redesigning my website and I came across this seller. She was doing this PIF. Pay it forward concept in her online store. It's inspiring to see people who do this. I have taken one of her PIF banner and used it as a footer in my blog. But do take a look at her store. http://www.etsy.com/shop/graphicdesignbytara

She is one of my secret finds to PIF. Here is one of her free banners. I love it :)

Thank you so much Tara. Your PIF will go a long way. :)

Ever Wonder how Kawaii Hairstyle looks like?

2010-03-18T00:10:00.001-07:00

I love how Kawaii Hairstyle looks like on girls. Spring and Summer is in. Take a look at how we should style our hair, the kawaii way. :) Cute!!

New Uploads

2010-03-09T20:45:00.000-08:00

New uploads in www.aroundtheworld.etsy.com

Simply Lin's Fantasy Collection Available in Lititz Junction Pennsylvania

2010-03-09T20:39:00.000-08:00

A few of Simply Lin's Fantasy Collection is now available at

Lititz Junction Old town shops

Lititz Junction
55 N Water St
Lititz PA 17543

What is Kawaii Fashion?

2010-03-09T06:52:00.001-08:00

How to be Kawaii Part 2

Kawaii fashion.

What is Kawaii?

2010-03-08T00:29:00.000-08:00

Recently, we have come across this interesting video in youtube about Kawaii. How to be Kawaii. So we will be posting on how to Kawaii.

Watch this video on what "Kawaii" simply means.

Valentine's Give away :)

2010-02-11T09:10:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Give away :)

To celebrate valentines day
Sweetest Charms is giving away a $25.00 gift certificate to 1 lucky person who
can give us the most creative ways to say "I Love You" to your love ones.

You may choose from our beads or cupcake necklaces on your gift certificate.

How to enter.
Tweet @sweetestcharms with your most creative way to say I Love You in 140 characters or less. Each post MUST be tagged with #SweetestcharmsLove in order to be entered.

Contest starts from February 11, 2010 until February 15th.

Lots of Love...... - Lin

2010-01-28T06:55:00.000-08:00

Concept of Online Selling

2010-01-27T05:17:00.001-08:00

The whole concept of online selling is, "Believing that there's good in everyone" You purchase in hope that the other person selling the item is honest..-Lin

...Which only means, there are millions of people who still believe in the goodness of people. Online selling wouldn't even work in the first place if no one believed. They have faith, because faith is believing for something unseen right? It's just amazing how it all works. Not many people can understand this but that's basically the whole main single point how this online selling worked. What do you think?

Yours Truly,
Lin

Sweetest Charms is doing inventory production

2010-01-27T05:08:00.001-08:00

Sweetest Charms is doing inventory production. Take a look at our progress for the past 2 weeks. :)
So far so good. :) Next stop photos of new products, packing, and promoting. :)

Updates

2010-01-27T03:34:00.000-08:00

I'm renovating this blog again to provide more depth. Apparently my eyes are having a hard time reading with pink fonts. Especially if it's light and almost opaque. :D We will be back up and running in a short while :)

Yours Truly,

Lin

LAUNCHING: Fishing for Sales

2010-01-26T02:27:00.000-08:00

I've been getting a lot of inquiries and asking for tips on how I was able to build my shop and make it a little successful on Etsy. So I have decided to write an ebook. Today I've decided to formally launch my SUCCESS GUIDE to selling on etsy.

In here you will find the basic components on how you make your shop stable and running. I will also talk about how to make it running for a long time and also share ideas and tips on how to make it successful. Again, this is based on my own learning from trials and error. From observing other crafters become successful as well. What differentiates me from other sellers of SUCCESS GUIDES is that, I'm actually a seller of craft myself. This is a first hand basis experience.

As much as I'd love to give this book to you for free, I still believe that I need to eat. :)

So get yourself a copy of my ebook and delve on for more inner experience selling in Etsy. :)

Yours Truly,

Lin

Fabulous Jewellery for Fashionable Foodies!

2010-01-24T01:36:00.000-08:00

Fabulous Jewellery for Fashionable Foodies!

Check out a write up about Sweetest Charms :) Thank You Katherine for gracing us with your kindess words :)

Keep on inspiring crafters!

Lin

Studio Saturday: Are you ready for Easter Egg Ornaments? Eye Pop Art is ready for you.

2010-01-20T08:18:00.001-08:00

Are you ready for Easter Egg Ornaments? Eye Pop Art is ready for you.

You might say it's a little advance to have these Egg Ornaments for Sale, but I'll tell you, Eye Pop Art has got it all figured out.

Organization is the key to being able to produce the right product at the right time and market the right product at the right time. So I figured, how does Christine of Eye Pop Art organize her products.

Let's take a look inside her studio.

Do you see the storages below the tables and the fancy Psychedelic paintings?

Eye Pop Art is all about Psychedelic. It's just a room full of inspirations.

There is a rule that every crafter knows by heart. That if you are a crafter, you are messy and you save a lot of scraps to turn it into something Artsy. Well if you've conquered that, to us crafters, that's indeed praise worthy. And by taking a look at Christine's studio, she really must be doing something right. An artist to follow. Check out her website and read up on her blogs to get ideas, inspirations and motivations :)

http://www.eyepopart.com
http://eyepopart.etsy.com
http://eyepopart.blogspot.com

Eye Pop Art
Located in Portland, Oregon

2010-01-20T08:16:00.001-08:00

Let your heart shine even in the darkness....

Sweetest Charms Available in Singapore

2009-11-19T04:24:00.000-08:00

TOY OUTPOST
Address: Plaza Singapura #07-11B
Tel: (65) 62388322
Singapore

Good Morning Beautiful World :)

2009-11-11T13:53:00.001-08:00

CuteHandmade.com found Simply Lin

2009-11-11T05:04:00.000-08:00

CuteHandmade.com found Simply Lin, take a look :)

I love their website, so many cute things in there, there are so many talented artist across the globe.

http://www.cutehandmade.com/?p=416

2009-11-08T10:02:00.001-08:00

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round heads in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status-quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. But the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do. "~ Jack Kerouac

Thank you Emma for featuring our Cupcakes in your blog :)

2009-11-08T02:48:00.001-08:00

Click on the photo to see more. :)

Tara Included us in her treasury

2009-11-08T02:45:00.000-08:00

Click on the picture to see more.

Thank you Tara for featuring us in your treasury :) Your selection is superb!

Chocolate Mousse

2009-11-01T15:07:00.000-08:00

So this season of my life I am tackling something that will benefit my stomach and maybe my future... lol. Today's recipe goes to my most favorite dessert next to Tiramisu. Today we are having chocolate Mousse. I've read a lot of recipes lately but this is the perfect one for me. Actually I incorporated the recipes I read and made my own version.

1 1/2 Box of All purpose Cream.
1/2 kilo of chocolate bar.
1 teaspoon of instant coffee
1/2 box of Cream cheese
2 Large Eggs

So basically you have to mix the eggs and all purpose cream together. Melt the chocolate bar in the microwave for 30 seconds then add it to your mixing bowl along with the all purpose cream and eggs. Stir continuously. Add the cream cheese and dash some instant coffee to the mix. By this time you can already get the taste, if it's a bit creamy just add more chocolate plus all purpose cream. After mixing you may put them in small glass containers or mini cups then chill it for a few hours before serving.

This is a SECRET recipe that I will share to the world!!! It tastes just like the mousse they sell in KFC :P

I also try to put crushed Graham crackers in the bottom of the cups to make it look nicer and it does taste good as well too :)

Martha Stewart yet? LOL, getting there, but not the jail part :P
Enjoy :)

Our Morning Song For today :)

2009-10-29T16:59:00.001-07:00

I always listen to this everytime the weather is a bit gloomy :)

Traits of an Entrepeneur

2009-10-29T16:56:00.001-07:00

From Lists to Live by complied by alice gray and steve stpehens and john van diest

1. Drive - A high degree of motivation
2. Courage - Tenacity and persistence
3. Goals - A sense of direction
4. Knowledge - and a thirst for it
5. Good Health - taking care of one's body
6. Honesty - especially intellectual
7. Optimism - positive attitude
8. Judgement - knowing the wise from the foolish
9. Enthusiasm - excitement about life
10. Chance taking - Willingness to risk failure
11. Dynamism - energy
12. Enterprise - willingness to tackle tough jobs
13. Persuasion - Ability to sell
14. Outgoingness - Friendly
15. Patient yet Impatient - patient with others, yet impatient with the status quo
16. Adaptability - capable of change
17. Perfectionism - Desire to achieve excellence
18. Humor - Ability to laugh at self and others
19. Versatility - Broad interest and skills
20. Curiosity - Interested in people and things
21. Self - Identity - Self-esteem and self- sufficiency
22. Realism/idealism - occupied by reality but guided by ideals
23. Imagination - seeking new ideas, combinations, and relationships
24. Communication - Articulate
25. Receptive - Alert

WWW.OHMYSOCUTE.COM found Sweetest Charms

2009-10-28T23:47:00.000-07:00

Just click on the link on what they have to say about us :) Thank you for appreciating our designs :)

Yours Truly,

Lin-Lin
http://www.sweetestcharms.com
http://simplylin.etsy.com
http://aroundtheworld.etsy.com

Because It featured cupcakes :) Teeehee ^__^

2009-10-28T22:34:00.001-07:00

Enjoy this video :)

Are you in a twitter twouble?

2009-10-27T19:40:00.000-07:00

It's hilarious, I think I may be guilty of this. Oh no!! But I love twitter. It's really different now a days. How you can easily market your products through twitter or use it as a micro blogging and how someone random can instantly make random comments about what you just wrote. Nothing is really private these days even in Facebook and everyone is aware of that. But simply, NOBODY cares! Hehehe. But you just gotta love it.

And so, this is me twittering every miniscule details of my life. Wait! Let me twit that I just wrote this blog. Wait wait. tata :)

Updates

2009-10-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

We sold this ate Simply Lin's. Have you gotten yours?

How do you make polymer clay beads?

2009-10-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

First of all, I would like to discuss the tools needed to start the project.

There are different types of polymer clay available out there. But for me, my favorite is the Fimo. It's not too soft and not to hard. Just perfect :) But remember, it's up to you to decide which one is easier for you to condition.

Here is a compilation I got from Garie Sim

INFORMATION ON POLYMER CLAY
Polymer clay is nontoxic, man-made modeling clay material that work and feel like ceramic clay, it would not dry out when exposed to the air. The clay can be bake in a regular or toaster oven at a temperature of 275º F or 130º C as compared to ceramic clay which are fired in a kiln at 1500º F. Once baked polymer clay can be sand, carve, drill, buff and rebake eg.(when required to replace or duplicate broken feature to your creations). The clay is PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic. Similar plastics are frequently used in today's plumbing and water piping. Tiny grains of PVC are mixed with plasticizers and pigments. When the clay is baked at the proper temperature (varying from 212 to 275 degrees Fahrenheit depending upon the make and color), chemical changes occur and the particles fuse into a solid mass without shrinking. If heated again, the clay will soften slightly but not melt (technically it is similar to "thermosetting" plastics, but still has some characteristics of "thermoplastics"). Like many other plastics, if heated too hot it will darken, give off noxious fumes and possibly catch fire.
The clay are available in more than hundred of colors, depending on the brand of the polymer clay. Many colors are available, and most others may be mixed. The colors may darken slightly when baked. Transparency has not yet been achieved with anything other than one version of "Liquid Sculpey." (Of the solid types of polymer clay, "Transparent" clay is really translucent, though In very thin sheets it is almost transparent.) The newest clays are Super Elasticlay (it forms flexible and stretchy items when baked) and Liquid Sculpey (in clear and whitish verions which we are finding a number of new ways to use). There are also polymer clays which glow in the dark. Sculpey brand has several different glow colors, and Fimo Nightglow is also a glow in the dark clay. There are many options for artists, crafters and kids in using polymer clay, you can combined them with other materials and accessories to enrich your creations. Modeling with polymer clay can be time-consuming, but it is your passport to a rich and imaginative world of shapes, textures and colors. It will certainly help you to become a less stressful person. Polymer clay can help children develop fine motor skills and improve hand eye coordination. It motivate, encourage interaction, and turn the conceptual into reality. Creative play with clay creates confident artistic kids. It is most versatile clay art medium for the professional artists and crafters.
Polymer clay work well with surfaces like paper, aluminum foils, glass, ceramic, marble, granite, do not work well with plastic and finished wood surfaces. You can paint your models or creations with acrylic water based paints. Varnishing your clay creations with water based glaze (matt or shine) will improve the clay model and also removed some of your finger prints. When gluing polymer clays, used super glue gel or if you are experience liquid super glue. Beside super glue you can also use plastic cement, silicon glue and hot melt glue gun. PRODUCT GUIDE CERNIT NUMBER ONE Cernit is a natural clay mixed with plastic and is known as an oven ceramic. The clay is soft and easy to work, right out of the package. There are 10 main color chart, Cernit Number One (28 colors), Cernit Nature's Colors New (6 colors), Cernit Glamour (12 colors), Cernit Glamour Neu (6 colors), Cernit Neon Light (6 colors)and Cernit Doll Collection (6 colors). The range are very wide, from the basic colors to natural's colors, pearlescent, metallic, luminescent day-glo colors and colors for doll making. The clay are of fine professional quality clay, no other materials will give you the translucence you get with Cernit Clay. When kneading the clay to its extreme softness, it does not stick to your hands or fingers. Over kneading the clay make the Cernit clay becomes too soft to control and shaping of your creations can be difficult. The colored clay does not stains your palm. If you are creating a very small miniature, you can also harden the clay by boiling it in water. The process of boiling to harden the clay cannot be done with other clay. You can harden Cernit clay at 100ºC.and can also use a hair dryer to repair your art work.Use cold water on Cernit to eliminate fingerprints or for separating Cernit from other materials and objects. Excellent for creating floating toys as it is not porous in compare to other polymer clay, it is strong and does not break easily. Cernit is a profession polymer clay material that requires experience to handle the clay, finishing after baking in the over is superb. FIMO
FIMO is an easy-to-use, extremely versatile plastic-based modeling clay, it is divided into Fimo Classic, Fimo soft and Fimo soft effect colours, combining both it consist of 72 colors.
Fimo Classic- the reliable Fimo quality, the clay is specially stable, it is slightly harder than Fimo Soft, it must be kneaded properly to achieve good result, The Classic clay is ideal for detailed and filigree modeling works. There are 24 brilliant colors it can be blended into 100 new shades and colors. As the clay block is segmented into 8 portions on the reverse, it makes easy to blend and produced the desired shades and colors with the consumer brochure, containing a blending table to help achieve more than 100 of colors
Fimo Soft is easily kneadable and thus instantly workable, it is available in 48 topical colors, consist of 24 basic and 24 effect colors. The softness of the clay is ideal for kids to inspire creative activities and work of arts, as it is easy to use.
Fimo MillefioriArt are handmade canes with colorful motifs throughout the whole piece. They come in round and square shape, cutting or slicing creates mosaic-like surfaces. Excellent for creating fun and decorative jewelry and are suitable for decorating pearls. The square Millefiori canes can create tiles, patchwork design and rugs for doll houses. They are available in 10 different design in square or round shape.
SCULPEY
SCULPEY Products consist of many exciting and different ranges, starting with Sculpey, Super Sculpey, Sculpey III, Granitex, Premo Sculpey, Sculpey SuperFlex and Super Elasticlay. They are all nontoxic, man-made modeling clay materials, it won't dry out when exposed to air and it feel like ceramic. The clay come in over 90 colors and become permanently hard after baking.
Sculpey original polymer clay, most economical it is easy to condition and ideal for basic sculpture and moderate detail. The clay come in white and terra cotta colors.
Super Sculpey is the ultimate sculpting compound, used by movie animation studios and professionals worldwide for prototypes, maquettes and all kinds of dolls. Its excellent tooling qualities make it the preferred choice for casting and all types of sculpture. The translucent effect of the Super Sculpey make it ideal for creating realistic figurines. When baked and cooled it can be sanded, drilled, carved and painted with water based acrylic colors.
Sculpey III is a very popular clay and is soft to use without too much kneading. Fun and easy modeling medium, bakes hard with a smooth matte finish in a ordinary home oven. Its softness can be rolled cut and extruded through the Sculpey Clay Gun.
Granitex is the clay that you can take for granite! Tiny fibers mixed into the clay creates unusual stone like effect, that you can imitate nature, excellent for diorama little waterfall, miniature landscaping and creates flooring for doll houses, adds great touch to jewelry, home decor that are easy to condition and tool. Available in 8 color effects.
Premo Sculpey is the premium polymer clay.The consistency of the clay texture makes it perfect for all applications. It is firm, smooth texture, durability after baking, great for creating millefiore. The clay when kneaded does crumble easily. It is densely saturated colors create perfect shade and colors. Premo Sculpey are available in 32 colors.
Sculpey SuperFlex is bendable and flexible! It come in 8 colors and this colorful version takes you to another level of clay creation. Your creation remain rubbery and bendable after baking, combining with the other Sculpey makes excellent puppets with bendable joints. Fun medium for kids, create springing or pop-up model design.
Super Elasticlay is ideal for making flexible one sided molds, extra soft and pliable to shape around even the most intricate detail. After baking it is permanently flexible, you can pour plaster of paris to create relief or used it as a push mold for polymer clay. Can used for repairing picture frames and create molds of your favorite creations.

Now you can see the different types of clay available. We go now to tools. Instead of listing them down. I decided to look for a good video to help you see how the tools and clays look like.

Where to buy?

Photo Transfer on Polymer Clay

2009-10-26T11:13:00.001-07:00

I've always wondered how this is done. And I didn't know that it was so simple. All you need is a piece of paper with picture on it and some polymer clay.

She makes it seem so simple :)

Our Disney Song for Today

2009-10-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

On the Spotlight

2009-10-25T01:02:00.000-07:00

Who's on the spotlight this week?! This section is a collection of inspiring crafters where they will share their secrets, inspirations, creations, talents and much much more. TGIF for spotlight day :) Who will be our next artist on the spotlight. Take a look.

*On Metal Jewelry
*Ink Productions on the spotlight
*A Crocheted Baby
*It's Dinner Time - Chimes!
*A wonderful soap discovery
*A mad hatter's Pottery
*Need A Pattern? Check out Sew Bettie's - Urban Whimsy
*Crafter on the rise - Holy Craft!

Business with a Heart

2009-10-24T22:56:00.000-07:00

I need to buy this to research more on Walt Disney.

I want to share to you something I read from John Maxwell's book,

"One thing I’ve noticed about romantics: They try to create a new and better world from the drabness of everyday life. That is Starbuck’s aim, too. We try to create, in our stores, an oasis, a little neighborhood spot where you can take a break, listen to some jazz, or ponder universal or personal or even whimsical questions over a cup of coffee.

Who dreams up such a place?

From my personal experience, I’d say that the more uninspiring your origins, the more likely you are to use your imagination and invent worlds where everything seems possible.

That’s certainly true of me."

Howard Schultz - Starbucks Founder
From: John Maxwell's Put Your Dream to The Test

What Walt Disney and Howard Schultz tried to capture was their customers hearts. I've been reading a lot on business books and I can recall those movies especially Sabrina with Linus Larrabee representing a heartless man, saying "a walking heart donor" I thought that method was interesting. Be heartless, it's not personal, it's business. But maybe... that's not me. That's not what Sweetest Charms, Simply Lin and Beads Around the world is.

Most business these days, especially on the retail department, people just come and go and purchase the things they need or the things they desire. But after a couple of days they'd forget about the product that they bought as if it was just a momentary thing.

Though I know that I sell products, but what's different is that behind those products, I sell service. You see, Disney didn't just sell products, Starbucks didn't just sell hot white chocolate mocha grande. They sold experience. Service. Creating a customer relationship bringing the customer back. Most of our customers here are comebacks. Approximately 75%. We guarantee our products. And most of all we deliver service.

I am still studying the ways of how Disney works and every time I watch videos, listen to Disney music it just captures my heart in ways I can't explain. It feels like magic. And someday, if not now, we will bring that magic to you through our products. Help us grow, help us deliver this rightful service to you. You may email us suggestions through info[@]sweetestcharms.com So we can provide a better service.

I love this line of Mr. Schultz

"Invent worlds where everything seems possible."

Yours Truly,

Lin-Lin
http://www.sweetestcharms.com
http://simplylin.etsy.com
http://aroundtheworld.etsy.com

Updates

2009-10-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

To all Hands that Care members,

We are now an official group from Etsy :) It is already uploaded in their groups :) Yey!!

Lin

Latest

2009-10-16T03:06:00.001-07:00

2009-09-27T11:15:00.001-07:00

Hi, I'm forming and looking for those people interested in joining my new etsy team. It's called Hands that Care. This is a group for disaster relief aid around the world. A devastating hurricane reached the Philippines over the weekend and we are looking for ways to help. For those interested please message me and let's start a group. We can help with any means you know how. Praying, donating, etc. Please contact me and let me hear your thoughts. We will start out with the Philippines since it is immediate, but we will help others too. Anyone interested? Please email me at Craftsaroundtheworld@gmail.com

Lin

Seeing Clearly

2009-08-13T23:14:00.000-07:00

Today is about awareness.
I saw this video from Zappos.com. I'm actually trying to study them. You have to watch it first before you read my write up below or as well as Zappos.

"While the commercial is about bicycle safety, I think the message really applies to communications in the business world. On the marketing side, just because we buy an ad somewhere doesn't mean consumers will pay attention to it. Internally, just because all the factual information is emailed or said in a meeting doesn't mean that the message you care about has actually been communicated... The challenge for both is: How do you inspire people to pay attention to what matters to you? - Tony Hsieh - CEO zappos"

This is what I learned too.

Most of the time we focus so much in our tasks at hand or work that we forget to see the funny things in life. That's what I learned from watching this video. I love focus and focus is good. But we need to breathe and remember to smell the fresh air. Just make sure to breathe somewhere fresh or that would be disgusting. LOL!

So what did you learn from the video?

Daily Freebie: August 1, 2009

2009-07-31T10:40:00.000-07:00

Daily Freebies for the day: If you can suggest to 50 of your friends about this fan page. And they accept, I'll give you a goodie bag filled with cupcakes, cookies, candies and treats. Worth $25.00 You must get them to message me or drop a line in the fan page, with: Referred by: ______ . You can keep on suggesting to your friends, and we will count how many you have suggest.

Note, they have to actually be a fan and message us okay??? :) and you can suggest and have as many as you want, 50 people per $25.00 goodie bag. That's a crazy thing. :D

$25.00 worth of goodies, beads and charms. That's a lot. And it's only for today. I'm feeling a little crazy :D

To suggest friends on the fan page, its on the upper left side, below the cupcake picture :D really easy :D

50 people is not a lot. I know most of you have hundreds of friends in your facebook :)

Thank you for participating in this promotion.

Yours truly
Lin

facebook.com/simply.lin

Beads Around the World on Facebook

Boogie Woogie Ep. 1

2009-07-31T08:11:00.001-07:00

I've always wanted to be a cartoonist, but it takes so much of my time. I recently discovered Goanimation.com which allows you to create your own instant cartoons. It's amazing. I love it. I think I'm going to practice my different accent so I can create a great show. But first, watch my very first try to animation hehehehehe.

GoAnimate.com: Boogie Woogie by tingalinglin

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

JEWELS by Jules found Simply Lin

2009-07-28T23:52:00.000-07:00

A distinguished Jewelry designer around the globe who has been featured in various magazines in the US found Simply Lin. Take a look at what she has to say about our shop.

Yours Truly,

Lin-Lin
http://www.sweetestcharms.com
http://simplylin.etsy.com
http://aroundtheworld.etsy.com

On Metal Jewelries :)

2009-06-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

Website: http://bddesigns.etsy.com
Blog: none yet
Products: Hand Fabricated Jewelry (Metalsmith)
Country/Location: Monclova, Ohio USA

Can you tell us something about yourself? I'm a wife, mother and metalsmith. I "live" in my studio every spare moment while I'm not taking care of the kids - 12 hours a week my kids are in school, so that is my SOLID work time! I live in the middle of the woods - full of textural inspiration - and I love my life!

What are your goals for your crafting? To keep growing and changing and honing my craft, as well as help others who want to learn about metalsmithing

Where do you find the inspiration for your designs? Nature mostly. I love shapes, texture, WORDS (former English major in college - so I love words by default!!)

Describe your daily routine. Get the kids off to school with lunches in hand, check computer for messages orders and the like while drinking my first cup of hot tea (of English descent), get dressed into my *glamourous* jewelry crafting clothes (most people don't know that metalsmithing is one of the dirtiest jobs imaginable!!!!!), work for 4 hours until I have to pick up my son from preschool, be a mommy all afternoon - putting him to bed, getting ready for dinner, cleaning up the house, etc., dinner with my family, cleanup, homework, etc., put kids to bed around 8PM and then I'm back to work until 1AM. Get up, do it all over again! Ü

How long have you been crafting? my whole life - mom is an artist, dad is a hobby architect/builder, came from a LONG diy history, grandparents used to sit and craft with us for HOURS on end....it's in the blood, history, family....

Are you a full time or part time crafter? full time - this is my JOB that keeps my kids in school, my truck payment on time and some of our future (small, meager) retirement.....such as it will be when we're 90 and we can retire! Ü

What made you decide to focus on your crafting and make it a business? by default - my husband and I firmly believe in one parent staying home to raise the children. As he was the one to finish his college degree, he also got the job. I stayed home and "played"...until one thing led to another and I started selling my work. When my 2nd child came along and the economy tightened, I tightened my belt and began actively pursuing selling my work so I could stay home with him until he went to school....and here I am 4 years later and he will be in Kindergarten next year and I'll still be "home" working!!!

How do you market or promote your items and where can we see it? Etsy is my predominant selling site - I don't have time to run another site on top of Etsy. However, there are several shops and sites around the world that carry my work, but THEY do all the computer work (I really don't like the computer all that much!!). I also do several local ART shows every year and people know to come see my latest work there.

What can you say about your choice of work? I don't know how or when I'd ever do anything else. Metalsmithing is all-consuming, challenging (I get bored very easily!), FUN, messy (which fits my personality!), and there aren't limitations - the sky is the limit when it comes to fire and metal! It is the hardest most rewarding job besides being a Mom! It's a lot like being a Mom, actually! You are totally exhausted most times, but to see your little creation sitting there, gleaming in the sunlight, knowing that someone will take it home with them and cherish it.....you beam!!!

What can you tell your other fellow crafters? Keep at it. Find something you love, just for the LOVE of it, not because it may or may not make you money (althought that's helpful in today's economy)....be original and find your niche and then hone your craft to make it better and better. If you invest in your craft, it will likely come back as an investment!!! In more than just monetary ways!!

Ink Productions on the spotlight

2009-06-18T04:42:00.000-07:00

Website: http://www.InkyProductions.etsy.com/
Blog: http://inkyproductions.blogspot.com/
Products: Victorian Inspired Floral Art Pendants
Country/Location: USA

Can you tell us something about yourself?
I've recently graduated from university with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Art - concentration drawing and painting. I love the rain, read romances, adore Victorian/Regency inspired jewelry and crafts, drink tea (favorites being Prince of Wales, China Black, Irish Breakfast, and Chamomile) always with a spoonful of honey and in desperate times sugar, and watch movies snuggled under a cozy blanket.

What are your goals for your crafting?
To give others joy. I want my floral art pendants to resonate with its owner and be meaningful to her, in and throughout her life.

Where do you find the inspiration for your designs?
The Language of Flowers (many guides online and off) provide me with a lot of inspiration. I troll for floral meanings that are evocative and sentimental. When I find flowers that appeal to me I do more research to learn how to draw the flowers and make an accurate or graphic representation of the flower.

Describe your daily routine.
When it comes to my work I research flowers for id

How long have you been crafting?
My mother will tell you I've been an artist since I could hold a crayon and scribble on the walls. I think I truly aspired to be one when I was in high school. I think now that I've graduated from college I am well on my way to defining my style and personal voice.

Are you a full time or part time crafter?
More than part time and less than full time! :)

What made you decide to focus on your crafting and make it a business?
I chose to start Inky Productions as a way to make my fine art affordable to all so that many could enjoy what I do and not just a few.

How do you market or promote your items and where can we see it?
I use Indeigo (I'm spotlight this week) which is an online Indie advertising venue that's free to use as long as you place the script for the ads on your website/blog and I'm a part of We Love Etsy social bookmarking site.

What can you say about your choice of work?
What girl doesn't love the idea of a romantic rendezvous with a secret lover? The act of exchanging flowers has long been established and in the past it used to be done as a way to exchange messages between lovers. While many flowers tell a tale of love and passion many others are sad and sorrowful and still more extol emotions and attributes. You can celebrate birth, love, passion, friendship, grief, hope - life with flowers. My pendants are not transitory like real flowers and will offer a lifetime of pleasure.

What can you tell your other fellow crafters?
The only thing one can give an artist is leisure in which to work. To give an artist leisure is actually to take part in his creation. -Ezra Pound, poet (1885-1972)

How to Price Your Items

2009-06-17T10:38:00.001-07:00

Most Jewelery Designers create great items but when it comes to pricing we fail. Even at this time, I seem to be struggling with pricing my products. Today I encountered this,

It's a free program that let's you price your items correctly with your supposed hourly rate and overhead cost. It wasn't built for mac users though, so if you are using one like me, just get a windows emulator installed. This is really a good tool for us to use. It even manages to give us the retail and wholesale price depending on the percentage you want to earn. Try it!

http://www.beading-software.com

Singapore - Finding Doinky Doodles

2009-06-17T02:34:00.000-07:00

Look at all these creations. She lets other artists from all over Singapore showcase their products in her store. A counter part of this here in the Philippines is actually F*Art (Fashion art) in Quezon City. I'll tell you about Happy Andrada's store later on.

Weng makes colorful objects using 100% recycled clothing and excess fabrics from selected factories. She gets her inspiration from imperfection. Improvising and creating using limited fabrics to produce the styles she creates.

Another inspiring thing Weng offers is that, if you order in bulk orders from her, she actually collaborated with an organization called Mother & Child Project. It is an organization that provides sewing jobs for women from disadvantaged families. I hope Truly inspiring.

On finding Doinky Doodles
33 Bali Lane (2nd Floor) Singapore 189 869
Open: Tuesdays to Satrudays, & Most public holidays, 1pm - 8pm
Close: Mondays & Sundays, Christmas & New Year
Phone: 62922248
Mail: xin@doinkydoodles.com
Online: www.doinkydoodles.com

This shop contains:
90% Handmade works of Awesome Art
5% Lovely Vintage / Quaint Objects
4.5 Absurdities / Logiclessness
0.5% Noise from Thumping Needle Machine
Products: Women's clothing
Country/Location: Australia

2 thumbs up for this :)

Updates

2009-06-17T02:23:00.001-07:00

After a long pause, I will be continuing this blogsite. Since recession started hitting everyone, we must strive harder to get to our goal. We artists and designers need to support each other with our handmade products. I will search more on places we can sell and how to market our products. :)

Thank you for your support.

Our Disney Song for Today

2009-03-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

Christmas Sales

2009-01-01T01:04:00.001-08:00

Amazon made a killing on online sales this Christmas. How did you guys do?

On Amazon’s peak day, Dec. 15, customers ordered a record 6.3 million items, or almost 73 items each second, the company said. Last year, the peak day was Dec. 10, when customers ordered 5.4 million items. Click here to read more.

How to make chocolate candy

2008-10-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

I got this recipe from Cooks.com

4 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1/2 c. maple syrup (Grade B or Amber preferred)
1/3 c. of raisins
1/4 c. currants (optional)
1/2 c. hazelnuts or almonds, chopped finely
1 tsp dark rum (Myers is good) or vanilla

In microwave or double boiler, melt chocolate. Add raisins and/or currants, rum or vanilla, and nuts.
Combine well. Drop onto wax paper in rounded spoonfuls, using two spoons or a small ice cream or cookie scoop.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then store in a ziploc bag in a cool place.
Tastes like those square chocolate "Chunky" candies in the foil wrappers.

How to make a Lip Balm

2008-10-26T11:15:00.001-07:00

I've been seeing a lot of homemade lipbalms lately. Check out this recipe for making your own lipbalm from meltandpour.com

1 Tablespoon Bee's Wax
1 Tablespoon Shea Butter
1-1/2 Tablespoons Avocado Oil
1/4 Teaspoon Glacier Mint Flavoring
This lip balm is delightfully cold on the lips, very refreshing!
Melt Bee's Wax on the stove. Take off the heat, mix in shea butter and avocado oil. Mix well, then mix in the Soap Crafters Glacier Mint flavoring . Pour into 7 Soap Crafters Lip Balm tubes .
For easier pouring, use a rubber band to hold all the tubes together. Then they stand upright easily. Use a Soap Crafters dropper cap to fill them. Keep filling until they are a little overfilled. This gives each lip balm a rounded top and not a sunken in one. After a couple of hours they will be cool, put on caps and clean up to label. They are ready to use!

What is Polymer Clay Anyway?

2008-10-26T11:15:00.000-07:00

What is it anyway? check out this information from Jaedworks.com

What is polymer clay?

Polymer clay is, as the name implies, a pliable, blendable polymer compound for artists and crafters. It's not a true clay - clay is fine particles of silicate suspended in water, whereas polymer clay is fine particles of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) suspended in plasticizer - but it can be used much like clay.

What makes polymer clay special is its versatility. It comes in dozens of colors, and you can blend clays together like paints to make your own colors. Since the color is inherent in the particles, you can also work two or more colors together without blending them, if you prefer, for special effects such as caneworking and marbling. The clay's pliability and ductility let you use techniques from glasswork, textile arts, and sculpture. And polymer clay doesn't dry out, so you can sculpt and form it without worrying about a time limit.

Firing - the process that fuses the particles into a solid - requires only low temperatures, low enough to use a home oven as your kiln. The colors and size are not changed during firing. When fired, the clay gets hard enough to make durable objects, and can be finished in various ways to obtain textures from glassy to stonelike.

From: http://www.jaedworks.com/clayspot/polyclay-faq/basics.html

Basic Colors for Mixing Clays

2008-10-26T11:14:00.001-07:00

Basically, polymer clays act just like paint. If you are already familiar with the color wheel and mixing paint then go ahead and start mixing your polymer clay. It's just the same as with mixing paint. All you need to do is knead the clay. But for those who are not familiar with mixing colors. Here is a short summary to help you:

Primary Colors (colors without mixing anything other color)

Red
Blue
Yellow

Secondary Colors (colors you get when you mixed 2 primary colors)

Orange (Red + Yellow)
Green (Yellow + Blue)
Violet (Red +Blue)

With this at hand, by just adding white or black to the clays, you then get different shades of your polymer clay. Hope this helps :) Remember, you need to knead your polymer clay more to really mix the colors unless you want to have a marbled look. :)

Color Recipes

2008-10-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

Here are some color recipes for polymer clay. I found this on the internet and I find it useful in mixing polymers. Take note, you can mix fimo, sculpey and kato together.

Click here to go the the color recipes of polymer clay.

How to Paint on Polymer Clay

2008-10-26T11:12:00.000-07:00

Polymer Clay Painting Tips
Q.
What do you need to consider before starting to paint?
A. Follow the directions in the main FAQ for molding and baking polymer clay pieces. Any color of clay can be used in the molds. However, if you plan on painting your pieces, clay color is an important factor to consider. When using light washes of paint, choose pastel clay colors because they accentuate the translucency of the paint. For example, pick a lighter color such as Champagne when molding an apple. The baked clay apple can be coated with a wash of red paint, and a bit of paint can be removed with a damp cloth for a highlight. This gives a much richer, livelier finish than molding an apple in red clay and painting a white highlight on it.

Q.
What type of paints work well on baked polymer clay?

Click here to continue

Don't have money to buy polymer clay? MAKE YOUR OWN POLYMER CLAY

2008-10-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting read. I have not tried this yet. But I will soon try this.

Polymer clay can be expensive, but it's so easy to make, and you can color it with food coloring. The best food coloring is the paste colors that cake decorators use. They last forever.

The recipe is:

ONE PART CORNSTARCH TO ONE PART WHITE GLUE (LIKE ELMERS GLUE).

That's it. If you want it thinner, just add water. How Cheap Is That.

By Ardis Barnes

Read more here

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf681300.tip.html

Editor's Note: There were many questions about this recipe. Fortunately, Ardis submitted another tip that may help people understand the process. Here it is:

MAKE YOUR OWN POLYMER CLAY CHEAP

Can color affect our Sales?

2008-09-24T22:52:00.000-07:00

According to the color analysis of National Craft Association, the right use of colors in your product and or advertisements can affect your sales. The information below is gathered from the website of National Craft Association. To view the complete list, please click the link below.

http://www.craftassoc.com/colstory.html

* RED: is know Internationally as the ultimate buying color. The color of lust, passion, anger... the attention getter. Used in small amounts it is the best color to stimulate sales. However, if overused it can be a turn off to more subtle customers. The best use for red is using it as an attention getter. Use it to draw a customer's attention to a specific message or display area you want them to focus on.
* ORANGE: is know as the most irritating color to the eye and is proven to be the least favorite color in the world. Direct mail marketeers love to use it on direct mail pieces because it will be noticed when it arrives within any stack of mail. Orange is also known as the color of creativity, sexuality and is associated with affordability. This is another good color to use to attract attention, but use it sparingly or as an accent color.
* PURPLES and VIOLETS: These colors like orange, are very subjective. People either love them or hate them. Purple is associated with royalty, or with spirituality and healing.
* BLUE: Blue is the all time best seller and is the most favorite color in the world regardless of culture. Blue is considered the color of communication, with light blue leading to fantasy and dark blue the color of authority and power. Blue is the water color that congers up visions of peacefulness and flights of fantasy.
* GREEN: is relaxing. A color of tranquility and healing. It is the earth color bringing us thoughts of the outdoors, the forest, grass and dreamy meadows. It is a passive not a stimulating color.
* YELLOW: is the first color seen by the retina. Yellow works as a good focus or attention getting color. A good accent color when used in moderation. Yellow is a "stop and ponder" color.
* BROWN: is the color of earth, wood and nature. It denotes natural or traditional values. Light wood shades are associated with affordability, dark shades with richness and opulence. Brown offers a relaxed, casual feeling.
* NEUTRALS: Black or White are always a safe and effective accent. They enhance the primary colors when used as a backdrop to create contrast. Alone, the can give off a sterile or institutional feeling.
* PASTELS: here I will mention pastels as a group only because they are an important decorating or fashion accent. What makes them so popular is that they blend so well with the going trend colors of the season. Pastels afford you the opportunity to use them in designs and products that will blend or mix and match with what ever color theme you are working with. The softer shades allow you to blend in with other primary colors, and often makes the buying decision easier for the consumer.

A Crocheted Baby

2008-09-08T00:19:00.000-07:00

Website: http://TheCrochetedBaby.etsy.com
Blog: http://www.daley-travels.com/crochet-blog/
Products: crocheted baby slipper-socks and 100% cotton crochet bath accessories, items such as facial and shower scrubbies, soap savers, etc.
Country/Location: USA

Can you tell us something about yourself? I’m a newly retired grandma and indulging in a life-long love of crocheting. My grandma taught me to crochet when I was a little girl and while my time to devote to it has ebbed and flowed through the years of raising kids, etc.; since we retired in Jan 2007 I’ve been able to crochet as much as I like (mostly!) I was also diagnosed with cancer last summer so had several months of chemo and not having the energy to get up off the couch to do anything very physical – crochet was a lifesaver for me then. I can’t stand (or sit!) and just do nothing and don’t even own a television!

For now we have moved to Alabama to be near our oldest daughter while her husband is serving his second term in Iraq. She gave us our second grandson about 8 weeks ago and it has been SUCH a blessing to be able to be here to help her – I was even in the delivery room when he was born! We also have one daughter still at home (out of 3 total) who is 12 and whom we home school. She was one of our foster babies who was unable to go back to her birth family so we kept her – that was 11 years ago. She has some difficulties due to being exposed to lots of drugs and alcohol before she was born, but she’s doing all right – I’m even teaching her to crochet! J

What are your goals for your crafting? My short term goal right now is to build up enough so that I can take a 3-4 week trip this summer to visit our middle daughter in Colorado. After that, my main goal is to contribute to our fund to purchase a new RV and truck. We love to travel around the country and are looking forward to being able to do it full-time within the next year. The crocheting I do is definitely portable and I can continue to work my business from the road.

Where do you find the inspiration for your designs? Hmmm, not sure on that one – ideas just hit me. For my baby socks I guess I usually find inspiration by looking at different yarns and visualizing how they would look made up as socks. I recently made several paid of red, white and blue socks and wanted them to have the blue star field on the cuff with the red and white stripes on the body of the foot. It took some time to find yarn that would work but I finally had some hand painted and they turned out wonderfully! I’m brainstorming other ideas for ‘summer themed’ socks now that I know I can just get the yarn hand painted exactly to my specs! J

Describe your daily routine. I try to spend my mornings working on networking and promotion – Flickr, Project Wonderful ads and campaigns, free ads around the web, whatever I can find. Afternoons are when ‘life’ intrudes – errands, school with our daughter, whatever else needs done. Evenings are creating time. I’m a night owl usually up until 1 AM and that is when I get my best work done. The house is quiet and I can concentrate!

How long have you been crafting? Most of my life – I’ve done crochet, loom beading (another favorite), polymer clay, plastic canvas, sketching (just learning this one), knitting machine, scrapbooking, you name it – I’ve probably tried it!

Are you a full time or part time crafter? Fairly full-time!

What made you decide to focus on your crafting and make it a business? While we are retired and don’t “need” the money, I do sometimes miss the corporate paycheck I gave up. Since I love to crochet anyway – and build up quite and inventory while I was going through chemo – I decided to give it a go.

How do you market or promote your items and where can we see it? I promote my items on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/thecrochetedbaby/ ; Project Wonderful ads all over the place!; I also place ads on as many free sites as I have time for (Jaabu.com; Kijiji.com; BuySellCommunity.com). From time to time I purchase ads on various sites as well. And of course – my etsy shop: http://TheCrochetedBaby.etsy.com . I also have a (lately neglected) crochet blog section on my regular family website - http://www.daley-travels.com/crochet-blog/ . I am also hoping to put up a dedicated website for The Crocheted Baby, but realistically speaking that’s a little lower on the priority list. J

What can you say about your choice of work? I started out focusing on baby socks for my store, but have added 100% cotton bath accessories such as facial scrubbies and makeup remover pads – and they are doing very well. Right now my shop is about 50% baby stuff, 50% cotton bath items.

What can you tell your other fellow crafters? If you believe you have something others would like, give it a try. Etsy is very easy to get started on – but it’s also very easy to get LOST on. Especially if you are selling jewelry. And I’d just like to encourage you to be sure you do *quality* work – whatever it is. I’ve ordered some things and was really disappointed in the quality of them – jewelry with extra string or wire on it with no beads; stuff that just looked like costume jewelry but wasn’t marketed that way, just stuff like that. Make sure YOU would really want to spend your money to buy what you’re selling

RESEARCH who else is selling what you’re planning to sell (believe me - *someone* will be selling it!) and see how they are doing, see what the market rate is at Etsy. You really need to sit down and do the numbers to see if you will be making a profit on your items. If all you care about is getting back your money – that’s your decision, but at least make sure you ARE getting your money back. It costs money to pack and ship your items too. And gas is certainly becoming a bigger line item!

I could go on and on, but the bottom line is to figure out WHY you’re doing what you’re doing and what YOUR goals are – then reach for them!

How to take good photographs of your products.

2008-09-05T05:36:00.001-07:00

I've got a lot of comments on my photographs about my handmade products. (Okay... so this pictures isn't handmade, but I had to purchase it because it's just stunning.) But I do love how I can surprise them when I tell them that I used a simple old digital camera.

The techniques are pretty easy. All you need is a white background and Photoshop. But recently I found this website that explains how to take photos of jewelries and beads better and like a pro. Take a look. The instructions are pretty easy.

http://www.tabletopstudio.com/documents/HowTo_page.htm

It's Not Handmade

2008-09-05T04:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, this one is not handmade, but just take a look at it! I really really really want to buy one. I so love the colors they use. What a great idea.

Snap-a-party.

SNAP-A-PARTY
the do-it-yourself place settinghttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

Did you love to assemble model planes as a kid? Or maybe
your brother got to have all the fun? Either way, we think you’ll
love Snap-A-Party, the snap-apart plastic party pack. Includes
everything you need at a party - knife, fork, spoon, plate,
chopsticks, toothpick, even a napkin ring - all ready to snap-
apart and put to use. A fun, interactive conversation-starter for
your next swingin’ soiree! Packed 4 per pack, available in 4
groOoOvy colors.

It's Dinner Time - Chimes!

2008-09-03T06:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
Website: http://dinnertimechimes.etsy.com
Blog: http://nctriangle.blogspot.com
Products: Windchimes made from silverware, other creations from silverware, Bird houses from boots and cooking pots
Country/Location: Clinton, North Carolina, USA

Can you tell us something about yourself?
I'm Erin and with the help of my husband (Gavin), we create these usual recycled crafts.

What are your goals for your crafting?
I craft to stay busy. I love to make things and crafting allows me to make something and then share it with someone who loves my creations.

Where do you find the inspiration for your designs?
Flea markets are the best source for the materials that I use in my crafts. I love spotting something on a table and thinking about what I could make out of it!

Describe your daily routine.
In the mornings I check my email and package up any sold items. Then I go to work, which only means shifting over to my work laptop since I'm lucky enough to work from home. I cook lunch for myself, and finsh working for the day by 4 o'clock. My husband comes home from his job shortly thereafter. We then either work in the yard and garden or head over to the house we recently purchased to continue on our remodeling projects before cooking supper. If there's anytime left over in the day, I'll work a little on a craft (I usually spend the weekends crafting)

How long have you been crafting?
For as long as I can remember! I've been making these windchimes for over 10 years now (I started back in high school), but before that I was busy learning sewing and baking from my grandmother. I also used to love to work on miniature houses--that hobby had to come to an end since I can't bring myself to sell them and there's only so many places that you can display 3-story doll houses!

Are you a full time or part time crafter?
I'm just a part-time crafter, but dream of the days when it might be possible to retire and craft all the time!

What made you decide to focus on your crafting and make it a business?
When I started making the windchimes again after getting married in 2006, the interest was growing and I knew that the profits were quickly going to be over what the state considered a "hobby," so I went ahead and completed the paper work to become an actual business. It's a neat feeling to know that you're the president of your own business!

How do you market or promote your items and where can we see it?
I rely heavily on free online advertising, and it's worked great thus far. Word of mouth is by far the best method for my shop. When you see a picture of one of our windchimes, it's hard to imagine that the forks and spoons hanging below it actually make a lovely sound (which is why I recorded a couple chimes and added that sound to my personal website)

Etsy shop: http://dinnertimechimes.etsy.com
Personal web-site (hear the windchimes): http://hometown.aol.com/dinnertimechimes/main.html
Windchimes available locally: Just Plain Country Store in Walnut Cove, NC http://www.justplaincountrystore.com/ and Buffalo Creek Farm in Germanton, NC http://hometown.aol.com/buffalocreekfarm/main.html

What can you say about your choice of work?
It's an unusual craft and I know that it's not for everyone, but I really enjoy seeing the smiles of people of all ages when they look at all of our creations!

What can you tell your other fellow crafters?
Crafting is only worth it if you enjoy it. When it gets to be too much like a job, you've got to make some changes. Grandma always said "a watched pot, never boils" and the same is true if you're waiting impatiently for an item to sell!

Wonderful discovery

2008-08-22T05:18:00.001-07:00

I love cupcakes. There's just something about them that's totally cute. Recently I've come to discovery an artist who also crafts cupcakes. Take a look below.

OH my!! It's SOAP!!!! Can you imagine something like that in your bathroom??? I'd love to put that around my bath tub!! :)

Check it out in http://www.treatsoap.etsy.com

This is the reason why I have been so busy.

2008-08-22T05:12:00.000-07:00

This is the reason why I have been so busy lately. I love experimenting on things.

I've Been So Busy

2008-08-22T05:06:00.000-07:00

Gosh, I have been so busy that I nearly forgot to update this blog. Anyway, Christmas is just around the corner for crafters who are joining the bazaar. Hope everyone is doing well. :)

A mad hatter's Pottery

2008-06-12T08:28:00.001-07:00

Truly, her works are exquisite.

Mad Hatter’s Pottery

Website: http://madhatterspottery.etsy.com
Blog: What’s a Blog? JK….
Products: Artisan soy candles in handmade pottery
Country/Location: Divide our time between Jupiter, FL and Blowing Rock, NC, USA

Can you tell us something about yourself?

I have spent most of my life with my head up in the clouds. A self-evowed right-brainer, I would rather be creating than doing something “responsibly productive” (read: making money). Was a corporate girl for too long. It was eating away at my soul. Now, I am in a place that allows me to create and be true to myself.

What are your goals for your crafting?

Hmmmm…to sell something!

Where do you find the inspiration for your designs?

Throwing pottery is therapy. To feel the cool clay beneath my fingers and be able to create something useful from it still amazes me. I love to go to “work.” And I am inspired by certain scents. I still remember the smell of Ivory soap in my grandmother’s house. Certain scents that I use in my candles spark such memories. The Sun and Sand one reminds me of long days at the beach when I was a teenager. Ah, those were the days!

Describe your daily routine.

Get up, coffee, coffee (did I say coffee?), check email, my Etsy site, forums, work out (sometimes), then get to “work.” Every day is something new. Either I am throwing, glazing, firing, pouring candles, photographing. I am never bored doing the same thing over and over.

How long have you been crafting?

Since I was little. I was born an artist, as some people are born singers, musicians, etc. I think it is very genetic. I come from a family of artists.

Are you a full time or part time crafter?

Depends on the day!

What made you decide to focus on your crafting and make it a business?

I had to do something with all the pottery around the house! I started making teapots and I am not even a tea drinker! Then someone gave me the most luscious soy candle as a gift and, voila! Lightbulb moment! I could make my pottery into candles and enjoy two things at once. And it occurred to me that no one else seemed to be doing it.

How do you market or promote your items and where can we see it?

I am not good with promotion. I have a booth at the Shoppes at Farmers Hardware in Boone, NC. And my shop on Etsy. I try to show my face on the forums, have a Flickr account, have my own website. Next season, I will be at the local greenmarket. In this economic environment, I am not dismayed by sales being down. Let’s face it, most people are just trying to put gas in the tank and keep food on the table. I am looking forward to the holidays, though! I have a product that is great for gift giving!

What can you say about your choice of work?

Pottery, today, painting tomorrow. I wrote a book last summer. If I am creating, it is all good.

What can you tell your other fellow crafters?

Have fun! It’s not the destination but the journey. Okay, overused saying, but still so true. If you are not having fun, then it is just another “job.”

What's keeping me busy?

2008-06-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

Aside from cleaning my room, I get to do some new neck pieces. Watch out for my picture of my new cleaned room. haha. Here's a sample of my neck piece.

Need A Pattern? Check out Sew Bettie's - Urban Whimsy

2008-06-04T13:52:00.000-07:00

Website:
Etsy: http://www.sewbettie.etsy.com
Blog: http://craftyourselfrich.blogspot.com/
Products: Sewing Patterns and Crafty Kits
Country/Location: Chicago, IL

Can you tell us something about yourself?
Mark (my boyfriend) and I are the designers, writers, crafters,
shippers, and business managers behind Sew Bettie. Mark is a graduate
of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is a practicing oil painter and
multi-faceted designer. I studied history at Swarthmore College and a
medical student now. I am a lifelong crafter who learned from the best
- my mom.

What are your goals for your crafting?
Crafting is a way for me (Cara) to lose myself and focus on creating
something whimsical. My goal is to inspire creativity in other people
by providing them with patterns to learn new crafty skills.

Where do you find the inspiration for your designs?
I am most inspired by rows and rows of bolts of fabric in textile
shops, old-fashioned street markets in other countries that sell
notions, and the endless possibilities of buttons.

Describe your daily routine.
Check email. Walk the dog. Go to school. Obsess over how great etsy
is. Check out my website/respond to emails. Craft. Study. Craft.
Study. Repeat.

How long have you been crafting?
Forever!

Are you a full time or part time crafter?
Part time since I am also in school. Mark works full time as a graphic
designer for a publishing company in Chicago. Some day we'd like to be
able to devote even more time to Sew Bettie.

What made you decide to focus on your crafting and make it a business?
I'd have to say that etsy really inspired us because it made it so
simple to open a shop.

How do you market or promote your items and where can we see it?
We haven't done any paid advertising yet, but that is definitely on
our to do list this summer now that we've built a website. We have a
monthly freebie alert email where we keep in touch with Sew Bettie
fans. We share new products, contests, and big discounts. You can sign
up at http://sewbettie.bigcartel.com/freebie-alerts.

What can you say about your choice of work?
I take so much delight in being part of the DIY craft movement. I
think in this post-industrial world it is such a treat to touch and
interact with a product that is hand made with love. I love sharing
that opportunity.

What can you tell your other fellow crafters?
I think that people that are thinking about selling their goods should
just go for it! Etsy makes it really inexpensive to set up shop and is
a great place to start. Local craft fairs are also an awesome
opportunity.

Crafter on the Rise

2008-05-31T09:11:00.000-07:00

Website: http://www.holycraft.etsy.com
Blog: http://www.holycraft.blogspot.com
Products: a large variety of great gifts! Maybe I should pick a few and stick to them, but I have too much fun with new projects!
Country/Location: USA - Michigan

Can you tell us something about yourself?
I'm a stay at home mom to two crazy kiddos--Ashlyn, age 3, and Maguire, 17 months. I've been crafting for as long as I can remember. My first "business" was called Wedgewood's Woodworks. My best friend and I made things out of popsicle sticks and set up shop at the ends of our driveways! Our street was NOT busy and--unbeknownst to us--our moms would often call the neighbors to come buy things from us :) Since then I like to think that my style and craftiness has improved!

What are your goals for your crafting?
I'm in the process of building a e-commerce website where I can have an actual online store. I'd love for my crafting to actually make a noticeable contribution to our family's bottom line. If nothing else, I want for my sales to support my crafting addiction!

Where do you find the inspiration for your designs?
Anywhere, really--TV, fashion, my kids, fabric/craft/hobby stores, websites...

Describe your daily routine.
I get up as soon as my son decides that it's time for me to get up. I get him breakfast and play a bit until my daughter wakes up and/or I put Maguire down for his morning nap. Ashlyn gets brunch (she often sleeps until 10:30 or later!) and then sometimes I get a shower :) If it's nice outside as the kids love being outside. Throughout the day I'm online checking email, etsy, and updating my blogs. If I'm lucky Ashlyn and Maguire both take a nap around 1:30. At that time I'll work on any orders I have or new projects. Around 4:00 I start thinking about dinner. Once my husband comes home we eat and then he takes over for me with the kids. Then I can clean up around the house. At 7:00 it's bath time and bedtime for Maguire with Ashlyn shortly after. At night I usually watch some TV while catching up on whatever didn't get done earlier. I then proceed to stay up WAY too late either crafting, blogging and/or reading!

How long have you been crafting?
Let's see...I'm 29, so...probably 27 years or so!

Are you a full time or part time crafter?
I think I have to say part-time because my full-time job is being mom to my two kids, but about 75% of my "leftover" time is spent crafting!

What made you decide to focus on your crafting and make it a business?
My daughter is starting preschool in the fall and my son will be starting school a few years later. My husband and I were recently discussing what I'd like to do for a job once the kids are in school. He asked what gives me joy, what fills me, what energizes me. The answer is clearly crafting! I, then, decided to start my blog to see if people would be interested in what I have to sell. So far, so good! That was about 2 months ago (April, 2008)

How do you market or promote your items and where can we see it?
Right now I'm selling my items through my blog (http://www.holycraft.blogspot.com), etsy (http://www.holycraft.etsy.com) and a few other smaller venues. I'm trying to get listed, linked, featured on other blogs and basically trying to get exposure however I can without shelling out a bunch of money. I'm working on getting an actual website--I'm designing it myself, so it's a bit slow-going :)

What can you say about your choice of work?
This is my "dream job!"! If I can accomplish my goals I'll be thrilled! Crafting and creativity is one of my greatest God-given gifts and I'm thoroughly enjoying using it!

What can you tell your other fellow crafters?
I love to support other crafters and I'm willing to help promote them on my blog as well--let me know if you'd like to be linked on my blog!

Want to be showcased?

2008-05-30T06:58:00.001-07:00

Have you created something wonderful and worth being showcased?

Accessories, artworks, crafts, bags, things that you think will sell.

Please answer these questions and please submit to
craftsaroundtheworld@gmail.com

Website:
Blog:
Products:
Country/Location:

Can you tell us something about yourself?

What are your goals for your crafting?

Where do you find the inspiration for your designs?

Describe your daily routine.

How long have you been crafting?

Are you a full time or part time crafter?

What made you decide to focus on your crafting and make it a business?

How do you market or promote your items and where can we see it?

What can you say about your choice of work?

What can you tell your other fellow crafters?

Contact Us

2008-01-05T04:52:00.000-08:00

If you want to advertise or to feature you, please contact us at craftsaroundtheworld@gmail.com

Secret Finds and Places and Things

2007-10-25T01:06:00.000-07:00

There are so many things hidden in this world that needs searching. Like a hidden treasure our goal is to seek out those wonderful ideas, imaginable designs and inspiring places and things that needs discovering. :) So read on to those exciting things we see in this world.

Tips and Tricks on how to sell better online

2007-10-25T01:05:00.000-07:00

Here we look for things that will help us sell better online. Whether looking for new ways to showcase your items, to photography and other ideas that will allow us to make more sales.

1. How to Price your items
2. Do you know the time?
3. How to take good photographs of your products?

All About Business

2007-10-25T01:04:00.002-07:00

Not all of us are business minded as this is indeed a crafting blog. But we have products, we have something to sell, so let's take this journey on to learning new things. Let's learn about business. How it works, the right step the right method to run our home based business :)

How do you make that?

2007-10-25T01:04:00.001-07:00

Okay, so as a crafter I'm sure most of us would just rather make things than buy it. So this section is dedicated to those who love DIY projects and doing things themselves. This will be another exciting section to learn new things.

*Photo Transfer on Polymer Clay
*What is Polymer Clay Anyway?
*How do you make polymer clay beads?
*Basic Colors for Mixing Clays
*Color Recipes
*How to Paint on Polymer Clay

Where to sell your crafts online

2007-10-25T01:04:00.000-07:00

Great Designs, Inventions and Ideas

2007-10-25T01:03:00.000-07:00

It's not handmade - Snap a party plates! Amazing
This is truly great for those who don't have time to wash dishes.

About C.A.W.

2007-03-18T01:29:00.000-07:00

There are so many amazing crafters out there that deserves a break. This blog is a start up on how you can get out there, how you can sell. It is a collection of inspiring crafters and also tips on how you can earn more through selling your arts and crafts online.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

This blog is hosted by SweetestCharms.Com dedicated to aspiring crafters, work at home moms, entrepeneur, infopreneur, internetpreneurs. The writer of this blog, Lin Javalera has been selling her crafts online since 2006. It is her hope to help out people to find their niche in having their own business. Although she may not be an expert in her field just yet, it is her goal to strive and learn together as an artist, designer, crafter on the ways to sell online and having one's own business.