Stepping Outside My Comfort Bubble

Ok, so I went to a crafts fair last night at a local elementary school and had a lot of fun. I got to talk with people I hadn't seen in a long time and had an "adult" evening. Plus, I sold several pieces which always puts me in a good mood. This setting up your table at a crafts fair thing is a lot harder than it looks! This was my 5th time since last Spring and I feel like I finally have an arrangement I like. Decorating and arranging really doesn't come naturally for me! Anyway, I'm so glad I decided to step outside my comfort bubble and keep trying with this new business. I'm having a great time creating (which is the best part) but I'm also meeting really interesting new people and doing things I never would have done before.

I'm rambling. Here are some pictures of my latest work.

Maybe not so much of a mystery

OK, I just took some cool photos of my "mystery" bags and I want to post them. Between the two bags there are 4 pair of earrings (one's mine), a beautiful felted scarf, a mini-bag, note cards, a candle, an icecream cozy, and a tie tack that says "buy handmade". You gotta check them out!

Something New From EtsyRain!

The EtsyRain artists are at it again. Last night 10 of us got together on Julie's houseboat (awesome!) to put together sampler bags. Each of us brought 10 handmade items, each worth $10, and then we put together 20 sampler bags to sell in our shops and to promote EtsyRain. So, each bag has $50 worth of items and we're selling them for $25. Each member then keeps what thier listing earns.

The bags contain jewelry, note cards, candles, and beautiful textiles. Part of me is hoping one of them won't sell so that I can keep the contents for myself!

Come visit my etsy shop to find links to all of the artists who participated.

And Trina, last night was NOT a good time for a swim!

Talentdatabase.com

I just found out that I'm a featured artist this week on talentbase.com. This is an interesting website I've started to explore. Come visit my site and "bookmark" me!

Promotion outside of etsy...

I was just looking through the forums and found a post about coffee table book that's being published. The whole thing is about etsy artists! He's still looking for folks who'd like to be involved- http://etsypromobook.blogspot.com/

The book is meant to be left in coffee shops or your hairdresser's or anywhere people might look through it while waiting. Check it out.

Stir Show, part 2

I had a great time at the studio show last week! I loved the atmosphere at Stir and I enjoyed hanging out with old and new etsyrain friends. We had a great turn out and a number of folks I invited came to check it out. We kept the door open to lure in art walkers and it got very cold! If Kimberly is ever nice enough to host another etsyrain event I'll definitely bring my sweater.

Anyway, I made lots of sales that night and I got a much needed confidence boost. Tonight I'm headed to an open house at Salon Zeka where some of my pieces are being sold. I'm excited to check out their new display cabinet and see first hand how my jewelry is received.