Is Feedback Important?

I'm really a statistics junkie. Though I thought my "stats" class in college was sort of a drag, I'm very dedicated to checking my on-line statistics every day on Google Analytics, checking my Ebay comments, checking any Etsy comments, checking my e-mails, reading blog comments (I don't miss any comments--they all get read) and seeing if there are any more followers, etc. Each follower is very important to my on my blog--I'm extremely thankful, not to mention honored, for each and every one of you who care at all about what I have to say. Every heart is appreciated on Etsy. Every comment on Ebay sales is read. When I sell something on Ebay or Etsy or Lollishops, getting a response...a communication of any sort by the purchaser...is very important. I can learn a lot from feedback. Does anyone else crave feedback? I feel that if someone DOESN'T respond, that they didn't like what I sent or there's a problem, and they don't want to tell me. I'm really trying to make sure that I communicate with buyers and sellers of items on line, particularly those "little shops" out there where people take the effort and time to create what they sell. Perhaps feedback fills in the gap that is missing in on-line sales--of not physically going into a shop, seeing the shop owner, and communicating with him/her through body language or verbally about the shop and the items in it. To all who have commented on the things I have sold them--THANK YOU! I appreciate the time you take to do so. I'd also like to encourage those who don't give feedback to little shop owners like myself, to do so. The little bit of time you take to give feedback is more important that you think--and appreciated.

Did you hear? Do you metal detect?

Do you have a metal detector? Have you used it? Did you find anything exciting and/or valuable? Yes, I have one (it was given to me). Yes, I have used mine several times. Valuable? Exciting? Well, if you call a quarter valuable and exciting, then, yes, I have found something valuable and exciting. I have found many pennies, more nails, and a few nickles and dimes, and even fewer quarters. The thrill of the hunt is what gets me out there again--preferably at a place where there happens to be a fishing spot close by so that my ever-so-patient husband can do something while I metal detect. I know...all of my dear, sweet friends in Britain already know about all of this and are probably tired of hearing about it, but I just found out about the Stafforshire treasure uncovered on a farm there last July by a man with a simple metal detector. What a find! If you'd like to read all about it the website to go to is The Staffordshire Hoard. I always thought it would be exciting to metal detect in Europe--all of that wonderful history over there; and this story is amazing. If you'd like a good read...or perhaps a little inspiration to get your own metal detector or actually USE the one you already have, this site would be a fun read. It has been to me!

Crowns, the book by Pamela Claussen

Due to the amazing generosity of someone dear and kind, Pamela Claussen's breathtaking book, Crowns, arrived in the mail this past week. I had really, really wanted the book actually--had pointed it out to my husband even...then someone (not my husband) sent it to me. I'm so thankful...tickled pink...jumping for joy...very grateful. Talk about inspirational! If you need inspiration on embellishing, this book will fill that need...and then some. You know I love embellishment of all kinds and have the philosophy of "If three beads can be placed in a particular spot...why not put seven?" Sometimes, however, I find it hard to find the line between embellishment and over-embellishment, between looking classy and being tacky. I don't ever want my things to look tacky. Pamela amazingly goes right up to that line yet never, ever crosses it. Her work is truly beautiful. If I were royalty in anyway--which I'm not other than being a child of God, the King of Kings--and needed a crown or piece of sparkle made...I'd hire Pamela for sure. Check out the book sometime. It's on Pam's lovely website, Glam by Pam. Thank you again, dear friend, for the book. I will enjoy and treasure it for years to come.

Vintage Rose Treasury

I had fun putting together another treasury--this one featuring vintage rose things. Check out the treasury if you'd like at this link>>>Vintage Rose Treasury.

Designers' Marks on Vintage Jewelry

There is something exciting about going to a yard sale, picking up a lovely piece of vintage jewelry, bringing it home, then upon closer inspection discovering a designer mark on the back. Some are well known like Monet and Coro and others are not so well known like A&Z. I was trying to figure out a designer's mark on a brooch to sell on Ebay and came across a super website with great pictures of designers' marks that are then identified. While it is not comprehensive, it is a wonderful reference if you're trying to figure out the mark on the back of that brooch or earring set. The site is by Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry which also features and sells beautiful things. However, I really like it when a site gives a little information too--smart idea since I will probably visit the site more often if it is a valuable resource. Here is the link>>>Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry.

Sorting Buttons

So, what do I do when there are many things to do and I don't want to do them? I sit down and sort my buttons, of course! This satisfying form of deviation from all necessary work is highly recommended. I'm not totally sure what came over me. Perhaps it was the fact that I had some buttons that needed to be put away. Perhaps it was because I found some very pretty ones and wanted to look at and handle them a little longer. Whatever the case, I made a huge mess on our rug putting the buttons in colorful piles and admiring the ones I found to be especially pretty--ones with rhinestones, that are made of shell, that have little flowers on them, that are in the shapes of hearts and flowers...you know. I put all of my special pretties (see the plate above) in their own bag for future use as inspiration strikes. I'd love to tell you that I put all of the sorted buttons in sparkling crystal canisters for display on an upper shelf in my studio...but I don't have such pretty canisters and no studio. So, into the Ziploc bags and up on our closet shelf they went. I can confidently say now, though, for all who by chance would come through my doors for a visit and ask me (no doubt the first thing you would ask anyone you visit) that, yes, I have neatly sorted buttons.

Fancy Shoes Treasury

I had fun last night (up way too late doing it...but I got one in--yippee!) putting together this Etsy treasury featuring fancy shoes. Here is the link if you'd like to look at the shoes up close and in detail--Fancy Shoes.

"Tea Time Tidbits" Special Posting #10

I love little cottages--in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Perhaps it's an extension from the '80's when they seemed to be very popular. Whatever the case, I am gathering a little collection of them on my mantle. Unfortunately a mantle is only so wide and so long...because I'm running out of room! I have a clock and a plate and a thimble...(sounds like a good topic for another post)...and, of course, some cottage teapots and this cottage tea mug which are absolute necessities for this tea lover! The tea mug is from the Allyn Nelson Collection. The two teapots are James Sadler designs. I LOVE James Sadler's teapots. The timbered one is "Anne Hathaway's Cottage" (No, not the actress--Shakespeare's Anne ...though I bet she wishes it were her house), and the other one is "Rose Cottage".
There is a "Wisteria Cottage" out there that is lovely and I'd like to get someday. The detail on these teapots is truly amazing--little animals, profusions of flowers, lifelike additions. These little tea related cottages are pleasant and pretty, and I really enjoy them (one reason why they're up on the mantle!). If you're going to have tea, it might as well be in something pretty, pleasant, or personal. Then the entire experience will be the best it possibly can be.

Having a Sale!

Yes, I am having a fall sale and have cut the prices on almost all of the items in both shops--in Lollishops and in Etsy. Feel free to click on www.lollishops.com/glassbeadtreasures or www.glassbeadtreasures.etsy.com.com to visit the shops and have a look at what the new prices are. You know, times are a little tight for us all, and having a sale is a way to help, I feel, with the expenses of the upcoming gift-giving times.

Mini-MOO to Big-MOO? Oh, Boo Hoo!

There are times when I prove to myself how very technologically challenged I really am, and the day I set about to order some Mini-MOO cards was one such time. I couldn't for the life of me make a Mini-MOO card! The little cards are adorable. I like all that I've seen. I had seen the three-picture Mini-MOO card that Tina of Tiny Bear fame created and absolutely loved it. Well, forget three pictures...despite manipulating, re-sizing, re-doing, re-everything... NONE--not one, let alone three--of my images would fit into the Mini-MOO frame (if anyone has any suggestions for next time, I'd gladly and eagerly accept any and all advice). Frustrated yet determined as I was, I DID create these regular-sized business MOO cards out of my favorite pictures. The quality is exquisite, and I was pleased despite them not being small. Boo, hoo! Hope you like them!

If You Like Craft Store Coupons....

...like to Hobby Lobby, Michael's, JoAnn's, etc. and sometimes miss the coupons in the paper like I do (well, okay, I almost always miss the coupons), then a visit to this helpful blog is for you. I love to use coupons--why pay $6.99 for a gold leaf pen needed for my Lollishop or Etsy project when I can pay $4.19? If I can save a buck, I will, and I know there are plenty of other people out there who would as well. Visit the blog www.mycraftcoupons.com before you head off to the craft store to see if that store has a coupon for the week, weekend, and/or day. It works--I have printed off the coupons and used them (the stores really do accept them!)--and have fun saving money!

Thank you, Kelly from Blondheart!

I won this little trinket from Kelly of Blondheart. Isn't it darling? Check out Kelly's blog and her adorable creations and other pretties on her website--www.blondheart.com. Thank you, Kelly!