Chnaged the title to my blog!

My Blog was titled:  KAB-beading, Babies and Hubby.

The title did not fit.  I am more than KABbeading.  My babies are now active little boys.  I never once blogged about my hubby.  I need a title that encompasses all the messy that is me!  And a theme that I can blog about anything and everything important to me.  So..... Here it is the new and improved KABbeading Blog Title:

My 100 Things to Do.

The basis of the blog will be on my 100 goals for 2016.  These goals cover every aspect of my discombobulated life!  I have a goal planner from 2014 that I never completed.  I am going back to the planner and completing it.  The planner asks for 100 goals for the year.

Here is my list of 100 Things to Do 2016!  I will BOLD when I complete a goal.
1.  Blog at least 1X/month
2.  Create a cleaning schedule (Boring....)
3.  Complete at least 1 round of the 21 Day Fix
4.  Give 10% to charity/church/good deeds
5.  Spend $10/month on advertising for my two businesses.   (Considering I spend $0, it is a start.)
6.  Purge clothes that no longer fit
7.  Donate said clothes
8.  Make it to the gym 1X/week in January  Big Fail
9.  Make it to the gym 2X/week in February
10.  Make it to the gym 3X/week in March
11.  Make it to the gym 4X/week in April
12.  Tip 100% at least once
13.  Make bed everyday (Yeah, right!)
14.  Shower 1 hour within waking (Yep... it's noon, still in PJ's!!!)
15.  Send out 1 general greeting card a week
16.  Get my Etsy shop back to 100 items.
17.  Spend 20 minutes a day on Etsy
18.  Try the Ben Franklin schedule
19.  Look up Random Acts of Kindness
20.  Pay off Hubby's car
21.  Get office studio cleaned and organised
22.  Keep office clean
23.  Cook a meal at least once a week  (Hubby does all the cooking)
24.  Wash and change all sheets on Sunday
25.  Plant flowers in the Spring
26.  Get my FB engagements up to 50/week
27.  Take the boys bowling
28.  Take the boys roller skating
29.  Purge all the boys old clothes
30.  Purge toys
31.  Eat breakfast everyday
32.  Make a budget
33.  Keep budget
34.  $1200 yearly sales for Bella Vintaj
35.  Drink alcoholic beverages only on days off/ weekends
36.  Lose 10 pounds by April
37.  Lose 20 pounds by August
38.  Eat more veggies
39.  Eat more fruits (my diet is pretty much all processed carbs....)
40.  No fast food (Funeral Director stand-by food source)
41.  Less soda, more water
42.  Drink 16 oz water/ day.  (I can go days with out drinking plain water.)
43.  Bring lunch to work
44.  Pray everyday
45.  Dust bedroom weekly
46.  Clean bathroom weekly
47.  Be better.
48.  Try not to eat after 10 PM
49.  Get Christmas cards out in 2016
50.  Call Dad once a week
51.  Write a thank you card to my HS Biology teacher
52.  Write a thank you card to my HS art teacher
53.  Have a dinner party
54.  knit a scarf and give it away
55.  Write more thank you notes
56.  Send monthly cards to Mom & Tom
57.  Send monthly cards to Dad & Linda
58.  Be positive
59.  Read to the boys everyday
60.  Bring work a treat a month
61.  Work on my listening skills
62.  Try not criticize
63.  Reply to emails and messages
64.  Take flowers to GG's grave in the spring/summer
65.  Donate blood regularly
66.  5 minute showers
67.  Have afternoon tea/ coffee dates
68.  Get a physical
69.  Get a passport
70.  Take the boys to a museum we have never been to
71.  Spend 24 hours secluded in nature
72.  Sing karaoke
73.  Try 12 new restaurants
74.  Go to a concert with the boys
75.  Take the boys apple picking
76.  Celebrate my half birthday!
77.  Create a jewelry piece that is based upon a goal
78.  Go see a play or musical with hubby
79.  Snuggle more
80.  Go to church every Sunday
81.  (private goal)
82.  Write a poem for hubby
83.  Do 5 things for my business a day
84.  Write a memoir for the boys
85.  Twitter more for business
86.  Learn about Google+
87.  Walk the Naperville Riverwalk with the boys
88.  Go tent camping with the boys
89.  Make something from a Craftsy Tutorial
90.  Buy a piano or full sized keyboard
91.  Bring Etsy Shop back to 125 views a month
92.  Get 25 Etsy Sales this year
93.  Participate in 2 craft/vendor fairs
94.  Take more walks
95.  Get Bikes for the boys  (I swear they are the only boys I know that have no interest in bike riding.)
96.  Get bike helmets for the boys
97.  Have a better Etsy year than 2012
98.  Give away all my Kindness Coins
99.  Go on a family vacation
100.  Give $1 to charity for any tasks not completed in 2016

I am reusing my planner from 2014 because I never finished it and I am trying to be frugal this year.

I am not as new-agey as Leonie Dawson, but I love her style.  She has a business planner and a life planner for 2016.  Check her out!

I was not compensated for this recommendation.  I just think she's fun, funky and someone to learn from!

January Story Starter

I read a blog (sorry, I can't find it again...) about tips to help write Facebook posts that encourage interaction.  The post suggested a monthly story starter.  You start a story and have your "Likee's" add sentences to keep the story going!  I am going to do it every month in 2014 to try to keep people seeing my FB posts!  I also decided to give a 30% off coupon to one of my contributors!  Here is my follow up with the winner of the coupon and the whole story!

 A special "Thank You" to everyone who participated in my January Story Starter! Here is the story in a continual format! And Random.org picked Sandy  B. as the winner of the 30% off coupon!

As soon as I opened my eyes, I knew it would be difficult to keep my New Year's Resolution.... Cookies, candy and cakes leftover from Christmas littered my counter tops. So I made myself a cup of coffee, and said, "Maybe just one will be okay." But none of those would do the trick. So I headed over to the fridge. After seeing one too many leftovers, I decided I needed to do something different. I picked up my car keys and out the door I headed. I actually drove to the gym, but wasn't sure if I actually wanted to go in. After weighing the pros and cons, I decided that it was time to do it. So I drove down the street to see if I could get 1/2 price chocolate Santa’s at Walgreens. All of the left over candy had already been marked down to 90%. The choices were slim. I took this as a chance to rethink what I was doing. Time to take a deep breath and move on. Just as I was moving on, I caught a mysterious looking fellow peering at me from the end of the aisle. Why is he looking at me like that? Is he a customer? Is he a security Officer? Do I know this person? Ha, ha! I noticed he was my chocoteer, Steve, my "fix" for dove chocolate. Well, if I am going to be bad, I might as well make a better choice and purchase just a bit from Steve. As I am paying for my purchase, a woman hands me a note as she leaves the store. The note says "your chocolate drop is on camera.” I exclaim, "It's just chocolate! That's not illegal!" It was my personal trainer, laughing at me. "Just try. BE BETTER." - the end

My "Likee's" of Facebook wrote this story a few sentences at a time!  I came up with my 2014 Mantra:  Be better!

Being better just encompasses everything!  I even designed a necklace to illustrate my mantra and use some of my new supplies and techniques!

available on Etsy!!!!

I have selected the first sentence of my February Story Starter!  I can't wait to see how that story goes!
Bee (pun intended) sure to like my KABbeading Facebook Page to bee able to participate and get entered to win a 30% off coupon!

(The above necklace, I utilized Vintaj

P290 - 22mm Altered Blank - Small Rectangle, DP120 - 17x13mm Busy Bee Charm, JR40R - 7.25mm Jump Rings and JR20R - 4.75mm Jump Rings,  a stamping set from Hobby Lobby, and Martha Stewart Jewelry Glaze in Sea Green.)  I did not receive any money or product for free.  

Happy Exhausting New Year.

Ok, so I had 5 goals last year.  
Goal 1 was to keep a list of 5 running goals.  Ok, I kept the list.
Goal 2 was to get my office/ studio in order.  I would do ok at cleaning it up, then a cabinet would throw up or beading gnomes would have a party with the sock gnomes in the middle of the night and ruin all my hard work.  (Yes, I am blaming my mess of a studio on imaginary creatures.)
Goal 3 was to get my belly/ body back in shape.  I am down 5 pounds, but not toned at all.  I did join a gym THIS YEAR.  At a joining fee of $99/ $10 a month.  I have gone once so far.  But I love trying to do my Couch-2-5K on the treadmill there.
Goal 4 was to keep the household better.  I have made huge strides in that area, but that has been in the past 6 weeks and not really "last year".  But it was more than just cleaning.  It was laundry, bill paying and just plain keeping up.  
Goal 5 was to work on my 2 homebased businesses.  I let go Votre Vu.  I did not have the time or money to keep it going.  My beading business had a great year.  I was not able to participate in any shows, but through Etsy and Facebook friends, I did sell!

These goals were in my head all year.  Even though I did not do much with them, they were there taunting me into be being better.  I will admit, because I did not get much accomplished last year, I am kicking butt THIS YEAR with those 5 goals.

Here is to 2013 and my 5 goals for this year!

Goal 1:  Get my office and studio cleaned up & and out!  Get my laptop down there.  Now that I have an Ipad, I do not think I need my laptop on the kitchen counter (along with all my bill-paying stuff) to create clutter that annoys my hubby.

Goal 2:  Spend 30 minutes with my boys a day.  Try not to have it include a TV or computer or them playing at the park while I sit there.

Goal 3:  For the month of February, go to the gym at least once a week.  March go at least twice a week.  April go three times a week.

Goal 4:  Eat more fruits and veggies.

Goal 5:  In an effort to hit many areas of my beading life at once, I am going to do the Fusion Beads Weekly Challenge that they started last year.  I will create or do whatever the challenge may be and then blog about it here.  I will try to use only what I have on hand.  Some of the challenges have the artist using a specific bead or product.  If that is the case, I will skip over that challenge and come back to it when I have over $25 worth of product to buy.  $25 is their free shipping limit.  I have loved Fusion Beads from the beginning of my beading journey.  They sucked me in with their "any size order has free shipping."  They just recently started having a minimum order free shipping policy.  They also have wonderful how-to's and an awesome inspiration gallery.  After I have completed the challenge, I will take photos of the piece of jewelry or task, blog about it here, and then post the jewelry piece on Etsy.

Let's see where this year takes me!  So far, it is just taking me to my day job.  The days have been long and exhausting.

Filigree and Swarovski Button Earrings

This morning I sat down at my design table and just sat there.  Nothing in mind.  I started thinking about filigree and the few components I had on hand.  Then, I knew I had these small Swarovski Sew on Stones that I though would make easy earrings.  The bad thing about the stones was, the back of them was coated gray.  That is not good for a free dangling earring.  Sparkle side -- blah gray side....  But if I attached them to filigree, then you wouldn't notice the gray side as much.  I took out the single pieces of filigree and realized that the stones were too small of scale to go with them.  Then I saw a filigree ring that I had flattened.  I don't know why or when I had flattened it.... it was just there.  I liked the shape of the ends of the "ring". 

I took a picture of earrings I already made and an unflattened ring.

I then took the ring and with a simple pair of scissors, I cut the filigree in the shape was appealing to me.  

 I took apart the original pair of earrings and reused all the components and added one 

                                jump ring to attach

 the Swarovski stone to the filigree. 

I am really happy that the filigree helps cover and hide the icky gray side of the stone.  I am also ecstatic that I was finally able to figure out a different use for the filigree rings.  

I have really wanted to work with and experiment with filigree, but always allowed myself get stumped.  I was afraid.  I don't know why I would be afraid!  In jewelry making (and most things crafty) usually you can always re-use and re-purpose projects that don't come out "just right".  

Yippee Dread

For those of us who craft and then sell our lovely creations, there is always that moment of dread.  The dread is there especially if you sell online. 

Yes, you have made your wonderful creation with supplies and creativity.  You lovingly take photos, crop said photos, cuss out the darn camera and editing software (maybe that is just me and the other jewelry sellers…) You put the listing on Etsy, E-bay or the other gazillion online shopping venues.  You wait for the right person to discover your lovely-extension-of-the-artist handmade piece. 

Then… it… happens… YOU GOT A SALE!!!  You are elated!  You get out your packaging.   You look at the item.  Everything is together, nothing is tarnished or broken.  Anything that is supposed to move, moves.  Yay!  Item either gets wrapped or placed in a jewelry box.  The packaged item gets a ribbon tied around it.  Business card gets tucked in under the ribbon.  Thank you card is written and sealed.  The “freebies” are selected.  (Right now, mine are handmade Breast Cancer Pins along with a more traditional enameled Pink Ribbon.)  Everything is placed in a padded envelope.  Envelope gets addressed.  Whew!  A lot of work, but no dread yet.

You drive said creation to the post office.  Yes, I prefer to go to the actual building and mail it personally.  The moment I hand the envelope to the Postal Attendant or put it in the drop-box-rolling-thing…that…is…when…the…dread…STARTS!!!

OMG!  Is anything going to happen during shipping?  Are they going to like it?  Are they going to hate it?  What if it breaks?  What if they say it doesn’t look like the picture (that, by the way was such a pain to get right)?  Am I talented?  Who would want to wear anything I made?  Are they going to think I charged too much?

  WHAT IF THEY GIVE ME BAD FEEDBACK?!?

Then, a few days later you may get an e-mail, convo or notice the feedback on your site of choice.  Relief sets in.  The simple positive transaction rating keeps me asking questions.  I do like it when people mention my packaging.  I always wonder about the customers I never hear from.  The best is when you get re-orders!  Total validation!  

This week, I did get one of the BEST E-MAILS EVER!!!!   

Kelly,

I just received my order...and can I just tell you that I LOVE LOVE LOVE the necklace.  I've worn it just today and have already gotten compliments on it! The other two items are for my daughters as Birthday gifts...they are very cute and I'm sure they will love them.  Now.....can you do earrings that would match/coordinate with the necklace...I don't have anything that would quite go with it.....what do you think? :D

Stephanie M.

I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and dog-gone it, people like me.

Al Franken, Stuart Smalley in Saturday Night Live, catchphrase

***yes, I was a teenager all through out the 1990's....***

Happy Father's Day Etsy-Style

I know I should have done this last week or two weeks ago.
I have searched Etsy and come up with 5 wonderful gift ideas for Dads!  Now, some of them may seem hoity-toity, but my hubby is slightly hoity-toity.... so, viola!  But, these ideas would also be great for a hubby's, dad or grandpa's birthday, too!  (Etsy is a global handmade market place.  Most of the shops work hard at making items that you may not be able to find at the local super store!  Support Etsians -- Support Hardworking People Trying to Keep it Real Handmade.)

So here we go!

Dad T-Shirt  $28.75 - $30.75 (Personalized)

Comes in different colors!  This has been a favorite of mine for awhile!  Also, available in "Grandpa."

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BRANDED

Mach3 or Venus Razor Shaving Set with Stand and Handturned with Cocobolo Wood $70.95

This is a tried and true!  (I have not purchased from this particular store, but I have purchased one similar from another Etsy Shop.)  I have purchased two of these sets for my hubby in the past!  And if you ever have priced these out, the $70.95 is a wonderful deal!  Individual razors starting at $22.95.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rowecraft

Bee Cufflinks - Natural History Jewelry  $35.00

My husband wears french cuff shirts everyday.  So, this is another tried and true for me.

On Etsy, you can find cufflinks with just about ANYTHING on them including Star Wars, Ninetendo themes, animals, Celtic themes, maps, personalised....  If you search for it, you will probably find it!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tstellanova

Whiskey Shower soap - Scotch Scented Bourbon Bar Soap  $7.00

This is just a fun addition!  Many other alcohol scents available!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/aromaholic

Personalized Father's Day Gift Collar Stays Hand Stamped Initials Monogram Saying Custom Men's Gift Set of 2  $15.00

Way too cute!  I don't have a daughter, but this is totally true!  They also have collar stays that can be personalised with your child's names.  Collar Stays are another tried and true that every man needs if he wears a dress shirt on a regular basis.  This shop also features guitar picks, tie clips and golf markers that can be personalised.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/3LittlePixiesShoppe

So, there you go!  Men's gifts Etsy-Style!  Please visit Etsy whenever you are thinking of gifts or looking for specific ideas!  What is your favorite gift idea that I found?  What has been an awesome gift you gave your Hubby, Dad or Grandpa?  (Please comment... hint... hint.... wink... nod~!)

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!



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. 

"When you put pants on a dog, they crap in them."

This is totally THE TODDLER REMARK OF THE WEEK!

Who knew a four year old would be so wise. And also totally state the obvious.  Proud Mom here, even if he does say the word "crap."


This month has been busy.  Busy at my day job, busy at home, busy with family stuff.  I still need to get that studio of mine cleaned out.  I am almost to the point of just taking all the clutter and putting it into plastic tubs and then just tackling the tubs one-by-one.  By doing this, I would have a clean slate, so I could start making and designing again.  BUT, I would have just moved the mess and not organised it.....  I'll see what I can get accomplished in the next few days.
I have had my best month on Etsy, so far (a few days left) and also sold a pair of $20 Swarovski Wire Wrapped Heart Earrings.

So, to give back,  I am going to give to two Charities.  30% of sales proceeds are going to Cholangiocarcinoma.org  and another 30% is going to my American Cancer Society -- Relay for Life Fundraising efforts.  So, that is $32 for each!  Yay!


Please check out the Cholangiocarcinoma website, because it is Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month.  Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare cancer that is increasing in diagnosis in the US.  All donations made in the month of February will go 100% to research.

I will be back on Wednesday/Thursday with my End-Of-Month Goal Summary.

My Etsy News!

I am having a BUSY, but fun week. I have received 2 Etsy orders. One was just a simple necklace to New York. The other order was my first wholesale earring order. My little "It's a Boy!!!" "It's a Girl!!!" earrings will be debuting at "A Star Is Born- 3D Ultrasound Studio" in Riviera Beach, Florida! My goal for my Etsy Site is to get $100 in orders this month. So far, I am at $76. For me and the over saturated Etsy jewelry market, this is a great month and to reach $100 is going to be hard. I still need to get my studio in working order. I would be able to be more focused and get plans and designs going better.
http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.242411569.jpg

I have made another Etsy Milestone for me. I made a Treasury (I believe that this is what spawned Pinterest, a collection of items from Etsy with a theme) and it has received the most "Clicks" and "Admirers" for any Treasury I have ever done. And it is not one of the most viewed Treasuries I have made. Check it out!!! http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODU0NDIxOHwyMDc5Mzc3MDY4/the-one-that-got-away?ref=pr_treasury

If you haven't yet, look to the right -----} And go to my Facebook page for either KABbeading or Votre Vu (heck, just go to both) and click "Like!!!!" Every 50 increment "like" milestone, I will do a giveaway here on my blog. (Too many rules for a Facebook Giveaway.) I am at 124 for KABbeading....

I am feeling good. I have even started doing sit-ups. (GASP!!!!) The mom-group I am a part of started the fitness challenge. I think they got it off of Pinterest, but as a novice workout gal, it seems easy enough. You start out the month doing:
X - Push-ups
X - Sit-ups
X - seconds Planking
And everyday work your way up.
I almost died, when I couldn't complete 5 Sit-ups the first day..... I am currently at 12 reps of each. I knew I was out of shape, but this is ridiculous! Push-ups are an awesome all around exercise. I feel it all the way up and down my body. Hubby is joking that I will be rocking a bikini in Florida. I wouldn't go that far....

I am still working on my other goals and plans. Feels good to look and see things happening because of planning and working on "me."

Have you started your 5-Goal Plan yet?

Yay! I am getting "out there!"

I have just now been featured on a blog! Check out SidewaysGravity.blogspot.com ! It is a cute interview, with a couple of shout outs to a few fellow Etsians.... AND the author gave me a wonderful new product idea!
I also had dinner at a wonderful new restaurant here in Plainfield, IL --- Salentino's (on Route 59 at Fort Beggs) and they are going to save corks for me! More to create with!
Now, I am excited and I am going to go check my Etsy shop ( KABbeading.etsy.com ) and probably going to go try and make a recycled cork bracelet!

Can't sleep....

The Three things that are bugging me and I can't stop thinking about.

1. My car may have just been diagnosed as "terminal." It has been my faithful companion in many trips these past 9 years. It has been with me through my first marriage, dating my current hubby, marring my current hubby and brought both of my babies home from the hospital.
So now I am trying to see if the manufacturer. extended warranty on this problem will be covered, but I think it will not. Where are we going to cough up the money for a new car? And is the Volkswagen "sign & drive" promotion still going on? And I am sooooo mad about putting a new timing belt in it last month!!!!
2. And my Etsy store is not doing as well as I had hoped. You get "buried" right away by all the other jewelry designers. I just had to pick the one thing that is just just loaded there. I don't have the time or money just to sit at the computer all day and relist.
3. My house needs a new roof. No extra money for a car payment, let alone a roof. Old houses are so much fun!