30 Items in 30 Days Items 3, 4, & 5

So maybe May wasn't the month to try this.  With a vacation in the beginning of the month, a wicked cold to follow,  outside family stress, now sick kiddos, working full time.... aurgh!

But here are items 3, 4 & 5:

ITEM 3:  Shades of Green Badge Lanyard

Supplies used:  Pre-strung plastic beads, jump ring and lanyard clip

Goals accomplished:  1.  Used up left over beads from another project

2.  Created something I have never made before

I went down to clean up my counter tops of my office.  I had in my hand the green beads.  I looked at the lanyard clip.  Within two minuets, I had created this badge lanyard.  Woo-hoo!

ITEM 4:  Pink Ribbon Find a Cure Earrings

Supplies used:  Images, laminating machine, laminating sheet, head pins, pink Czech crystals, stamping pad, stamp, hypoallergenic ear wire.

Goals accomplished:   1.  new item listed   

I made three pairs of pink ribbon themed earrings for an Etsy-Facebook Friend's Breast Cancer Fundraising Auction.  Two sold and this pair did not sell.  So, onto Etsy they will go! 

ITEM 5:  Beaded Necklace with Crystal Copper "Wild Heart" Pendant

Supplies used:  "Wild Heart" Swarovski Pendant, seed beads, copper clasp, copper wire, jewelry wire

Goals accomplished:  1.  New item listed  2. A creation no longer sitting with my completed projects

I made this necklace for a craft show that I was in last December.  It got packed away with all the completed items to be sold.  Ahhhh... now it is added to my Etsy shop! 

I have added one more item, but I think three items in one blog post is more than enough.  I was also featured in Treasury Island Team (Etsy) spotlight on Wednesday.  The wonderful team-mates there made 12 treasuries featuring different items.  I hope the exposure will lead to a few sales.  In one of the treasuries is an item I would like to get hubby for either Father's Day or his birthday. 

I typically use my Etsy sales to buy supplies or gifts.

Maybe I can salvage this Challenge!  I just really want 100 items in my shop by the end of the month (currently at 91)!





30 Items in 30 Days Challenge - Item 2

This is what is going on.... I want to get 30 new items in my Etsy Shop in 30 Days. 
It is late.  I have been up since 5 AM and I have to work late shift tomorrow.  Being a mom of two toddlers = no sleeping in.  So here is Item #2....

Item #2:  Black Million Flower Dangle Earrings

$7 www.kabbeading.etsy.com

Supplies used:  ear wire, jump rings, head pins, silver toned beads, glass beads.

Goals accomplished: 

1.  New item listed

2.  Item no longer just sitting in my "completed" box

I made these earrings, probably last summer.  I never had time to get them in to my shop.  I forgot about them.  When I did an inventory after the holidays, I put them in my plastic pencil box that I have labeled "Need Photos."  I took and edited the photos around Easter and then, they just sat.  I rediscovered the earrings yesterday.  This design has always done well in my Etsy shop.  I offer them in three colors:  Clear with multicolored flowers, Red and Black.

****I started this post at 11:30 pm on 5/6/2012.  A storm came in an wiped out my DSL line, so I had to finish this morning.



30 Items in 30 Days Challenge - Item 1

I have a major issue.  My Etsy shop needs a boost.  I have a room full of supplies.  So, I have decided to challenge myself to get 30 new items listed in 30 days.  So far, I have found three pieces that are not in my shop and I have made one new item that I have never made before.

I received my challenge inspiration from Fusion Beads.com.  In March, they had a 30 day jewelry challenge. Some of it, just didn't appeal to me. So I took 30-something pieces of paper and wrote different things on them to create. Or ideas for a project. (for example: make a necklace, use up left over beads, make a badge lanyard, use a problem pendant, ect...) I did put in 4 of the same peices of paper for: Make a necklace, make earrings, make bracelet. The "basics" of jewelry.

Also, any sales for this month, all profits will go to my Relay For Life fundraising.

So here goes!!!!

30 ITEMS - 30 DAYS CHALLENGE

Item 1 --  Earth-tone Lampwork Donut Pendant with Messy Wrapped Bail on a Beaded Chain

$18  www.kabbeading.etsy.com

Supplies used:

  Lampwork donut focal bead made by local artist, copper wire, beading wire, copper crimp beads, copper jump rings, copper clasp.

Goals accomplished:

1.  New item listed

2.  Start of my CHALLENGE.

This necklace was made before the holidays.  I made two other similar necklaces and they both have sold: one at a craft show and another on my Etsy Shop.  I especially love the pendant made by local artist Sarah Fisher.  The iridescent earth tones are so beautiful!  The seed bead mix complements the pendant perfectly.  I had fun with the free-form nature of the messy wrapped bail.  Necklace is 18 inches long with a 2 inch pendant drop.

That is the start of the challenge.  Anything you would like to see?  Any other information I should add?

Have a great weekend!

The Trend That Doesn't Go Away.... It Just Gets Reinvented

Mother's day is approaching.  My Mother In-law got a Pandora Bracelet for Christmas.  So, I am going to get her two beads with in the shades of the boys' birthstones and a "Grandma" bead.  Since I can not find a genuine Pandora "Grandma" bead, I am going with another company.  I have wholesale access to the beads, but have to have a minimum order of $100.  So, I am debating on doing my own charm/memory bracelet.

I really do think this is a jewelry trend that will never go away.  It just gets reinvented in a different way.  And with all the "charm companies" hitting the direct sales market,

CHARM BRACELETS ARE BACK!!!!

So, the question is.... Pandora Style?  or Charm Bracelet Style?  I personally like the Charm Bracelet Style better.  But I think Pandora Style will be better for work.....  aurgh!  Decisions, decisions! 

But I guess I better make it fast!
If you are looking for any sterling silver charms or big hole beads for those Pandora-style bracelets and want to be included in my order, let me know!  There will be a mark-up, but all proceeds will go to my Relay For Life fundraising efforts!
I also need to get my Mom's "Grandma" Bracelet that I made for her re-made.  Another grandchild was born almost a year ago and I need to add her to the bracelet.  Below is the one I made for Mom.  The girls are the bi-cone shape Swarovski Crystals and the boys are round!  If anyone is interested in one of these, also please contact me ASAP of Mother's Day delivery!

I am probably going to put in my order for the charm bracelet beads on Monday, April 23.

If you are interested, contact me by e-mail: scooter-fd@hotmail.com

March in Review....

I did not get everything accomplished.  I did not get ANYTHING accomplished.  We had staff at my day job on vacation and a ton of things going on at said day job.  When things get rocking at the funeral home, life at home stops.  I just don't have the time, energy or emotional power to "do it all."

As Far as my 5 Goals go.....

1.  Keep a running list of 5 goals.... yep, got it.  But, I am not finding the time to even work on the Goals.

2.  Get my office/ studio organised.  Ok, when I had the time, I did work on this one.  I was able to sit down at my workspace and go through some things.  I can even move my chair around!

3.  Work on my belly.  Not much in March, but April I should have a good update on this goal.

4.  Keep the household better.  HUGE FAIL on this one.  Including a bill getting paid late and a late fee.  Oh, which reminds me.... credit cards are due.....  And we are not going to have a visit from the Easter Bunny, it will be the Dust Bunny.

5.  Work on my two at-home businesses.  I have been doing more social networking on Facebook and Etsy.  I had one sale for KABbeading in March and 2 in April already.  February was still awesome!  But I am also participating in an auction for an Etsy friend of mine.  Lauren is raising money for Susan G. Komen with an auction on her Facebook site.  I have three pairs of my laminated earrings up for auction.  Currently at $3.50 and free shipping!

available through Tutu's & Tea Parties Auction for the Cure:  https://www.facebook.com/KABbeading#!/photo.php?fbid=336241616428106&set=a.336241543094780.93119.142834599102143&type=3&theater

Now, it is April.  Let us see what this month of re-birth will bring!



What is this all about?

I read everywhere that if you are trying to run a home-based business:  START A BLOG!
And if you are a mom:  START A BLOG!
So, I decided to START A BLOG!!!

I have not had much direction.  I was not sure where I wanted it to go.  I have done some research and homework.  It seems, most people have the "Cute, Funny Kids Blog,"   or the "I-Have to-Keep-You-Updated-Because-Something-Terrible-Is-Happening Blog,"  or the "Totally Business Blog."  I really don't fit into those Blog-Types as just one.
Yes, I am a mom with cute and funny kids.  I see and feel sad things everyday.  And I have two home-based businesses that I am trying to get off the ground.  So, I am going to be that MissMashSquash Everything Together Blog!
Also, I have been using this blog to keep me grounded and and accountable to my goals! 
I am going to try to update once a week.  Some weeks it may be something about KABbeading,  other weeks it may be a product review of a favorite go-to product (mmmm.... maybe a Votre Vu product....) or maybe it would be inspired by the Brothers Boyd.
But, one feature I have liked writing is the Month Review of My Five Goals!  I have not been able to actually say that I have completed a goal, but I have made steps here and there.  And I have been trying to better myself and my situation.

So, keep me in mind!  Better yet, subscribe to my blog!  You never know what I may be babbling about next!

The month of February is over.  My 5-Goal Plan is still in place, even though I may not have accomplished much. 
Goal 1 - keep 5 goals in place and work on them --- DOING....  WORKING ON......
Goal 2 - Get my studio/office organised and in "working order."  HUGE FAIL!!!!!  So, for March I am just going to get it in working order so I can start designing again and using up some of the supplies I have found.
Goal 3 - Get belly in shape.  I STARTED.... then stopped.  Yep, right when I actually started to see results.   Oh well.  New month, new try.  I think I may want to try a 5-k.... I am still thinking about that one.
Goal 4 - Keep household better.  I THINK I AM DOING BETTER.  I just hate bill paying and with vacation planning and the new-roof project..... I am a tad bit overwhelmed with it all.  But I am current in Quicken....
Goal 5 - Work on KABbeading and Votre Vu more.  I am very pleased with my KABbeading work this month.  A wholesale order to Florida.  A necklace to New York.  Bracelet to California.  Earrings to Plainfield!  I was able to donate (from my KABbeading earnings) $32 to Cholangiocarcinoma.org and another $32 to may own Relay for Life.  Votre Vu..... not so much.  But at least I get a great discount....

Now, on to March.  I would like to get at least 1 new item onto Etsy a week.  That would cover Goals 2 & 5.  I would like to start walking again -- Goal 3. 

I have already made a $9 sale on KABbeading.  I would love to make or beat last month.....  We shall see.