Wanna Know Why I Am Excited?

I am super excited... for a lot of reason. The best is what I felt when I walked outside this morning to take the kids to school- COLD AIR! It is finally starting to show signs of fall here in South Georgia. Now if I know GA I know we are not done with the heart- it loves us and has a hard time leaving each year and usually starts to go several times before it actual Gets Gone! I am excited to get out a new wardrobe, to light a fire in the fire place (yes I am one of those people that light it the first change I get, even if by the end of the night I have the AC on), for the boys to get outside time playing without coming in after 10-15 minutes because it is miserably hot and humid, and EXCITED to list my AFGHANS and the rest of my fall/winter items. I do have a few up like some hats and a scarf (as of writing this) but I have not gone gun-ho ...well for a couple reasons, one being it was like 100 degrees here, and well mainly because of time...no matter where I look, I have searched etsy, Wal-Mart even Craig's List... I can not find where to buy more hours for the day- anyone with a lead, let me know! I have several, guesstimating about 7, big afghans...and I mean some are HUGE... one is 9o x 60 -That is OVER 7 FEET LONG! These blankets/afghans have many many hours and many more hours, a ton of yarn and a lot of LOVE in them! I plan on having everything that I have already made- fall/winter crochet wise by the end of next week because of the next reason I am excited....
Tomorrow I leave for IZEAFest at SeaWorld 2009 in Orlando... not only is it in Orlando AT SeaWorld but there is a ton of neat neat stuff planned... you can read all about it on my other blog Southern Handmade Gifts in the post It's A Lot of Work to Have Fun and also in the post Getting Ready for IZEAfest 2009. I am excited to meet all my twitter and Facebook friends and make new friends. There is going to be a ton of great information for all the great speaker and AWESOME night time activities.. you have to go read my blog post to find out...really really awesome places. I am getting jewelry ready today to take down there with me... I am holding a few contests not only from craftyGAgal Creations and also from Dylan Blue. Follow me on twitter to find out more, you do not have to be at IZEAFest .. I am setting aside a special giveaway for someone that is not able to attend.
Those are the two main reasons I am excited but also adding the icing to my cupcake are some sales on etsy...one for a man who is buying a stained glass pendant for his daughter...he was very diligent in picking out the PERFECT piece for her...everyone say "Awwww" and a custom order for one of my newly listed PUMPKIN PIE Hat (which is my travel project I am taking to IZEAFest). Also I am working on a order to go to an Country Type Antique Gift Mart up in north GA... it is for scarves, hats, and some of my stained glass mosaic picture frames that are very county/folk art and will fit right in (I have yet to even photography them yet). Oh and I am working on some beanie hats for some of the guys at my church that are down on their luck and some stay outside ... think I will take the yarn to make one of those to IZEAFest too. Having a list of planned projects make me excited!
SMILE

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Wordless Wednesday ~ Possibilites Are Endless

Possibilities Are Endless ~ Black Stained Glass Pendant .... find it HERE. Picture by Chelsea Wilde of Lifted Industries on etsy. Model is Andrea.
I participate in Wordless Wednesday.

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Pictures ARE Here!!

Hello! Sorry for the absence y'all...funny because that is the way about 7 notes have started this last few weeks to my twins school. They have been swapping a fever for over 2 weeks now. I am wore out and I know my parents out there can relate it is pitifully watching your children be sick. It has been a month of Dr. visits with one or the other one.... allergies, virus, then just TELL me why they are not getting better, still have fever and will you please give me an antibiotic now Please... so that is where are are now, still had one out today with a fever and tomorrow is iffy... but he is on meds. The other twin has had to tough it out, fever seems to be gone and I am still treating symptoms, running nose, cough, just miserable for my little troops.
With things semi back on track I am getting back to etsy with determination to finish listing what I have and really gear up for Christmas.

I got a great package in the mail today... I sent some pieces to a photographer that I met on etsy for her to use in a photos for a book that she is doing to be released in 2010 with the theme of "Alice in Wonderland". When she asked I was flattered....when I checked out her website I was BLOWN AWAY and really excited. I was so not disappointed. Her pictures are just sensational, her talent blisteringly apparent and well I will just show you the ones that she did for the book. You can see that one model is wearing a purple rectangle piece but it is wider instead of longer... and the other is wearing a n amber piece with milky streaks... it might be hard to see them but I can and well am flattered that they were used as part of setting a photo so beautiful and that it is going into a book with credit given to me for jewelry!
Got check out Chelsea Wilde Site New Resolution Photo- go grab a cup of coffee or tea first because you are gonna wanna look for a bit, each shot, be it nature or fashion is so beautiful and intriguing. Enjoy!
Oh another that are from that shot for the book... which by the way was shot in the Salt Flats of Utah! Stayed tuned for some Fashion shot she did for me for my portfolio!

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Miss Me?

I am here today to update with kinda an idea of what I want to blog about but more a hey I am here.... I did not forget bout y'all....and I have missed y'all! I have had a few things going on, nothing major, just life but I am back on track, beginning to catch up and excited to throw myself back in to etsy... I have been debating on dipping my toe back in eBay but I will just have to keep you posted. Anyone who knows me knows if you want to find me- GO to Facebook, lol...shamed to admit I am addicted, lol...but there are worse things...HAHA or that is what I tell myself anyhoo!
OK a few quick updates on some really NEAT things... a cute crocheted baby blanket I made was showcased on a AWESOME blog called "Just Nibbles", which is written by a super sweet and talented fellow estian named Justine who has a etsy shop full of Goodies called Justine's Originals. Check out her shop and her blog...you know what I tell y'all....you will not be disappointed!
Also I have sent some stained glass pieces to an awesome artist who is in Utah and she is using them in photographs for her book coming out in 2010...which is a fashion type book based around Alice In Wonderland... I got to look at one of the shot...WOW ... I am so excited to be a part. I am going to ask her is I can post at least a sneak peak on my blog...but if you are really wanting to see it go to my FB page
I have some more good news to share, but need to get my links and all in order before sending y'all on a chase for something you can not access....
Again... Glad to have each and everyone of my followers and I am will be back SOON...no more MIA blogger- I know it was only a week, but I enjoy what I do and this is part of it!
SMILE

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Wordless Wednesday ~ Fall/Winter Items

These are Fall/Winter items to be listed in my craftyGAgal Creations
Later this week.
I participate in Wordless Wednesday

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Smiles and Pumpkin Hats

Smile.....I type it in e-mails, on Twitter, even keep it on my screen saver as a constant reminder to do it~ TO SMILE! I would like to share a few of my favorite sales & customers, in this and future posts, that make what I do what I LOVE. All my sales are special but every now and then there are a few that touch my heart and stick with me.....these stories that accompany these sales are the Reason I love to craft/create and then share it with all of you. It is the little notes, the glowing reviews, and the joy my handmade treasures make people that make me feel like what I do is kind of like in the business of making people happy~ how cool is that!

The one I choose to start off with has to be one of my all time favorite sales. This sale took place last year when I was then selling on eBay. Not only was Sarah Tisdale a delight to do business with but I think I got just as much out of this sale as she did ~such as ~ a great satisfaction and the knowledge that my handmade treasure played such a special role in something Special to Sarah. I made this hat- a pumpkin hat that was just too cute. I knew it would make a cute picture on some baby but never expected what I got back. Sarah bought the hat and shared with me that she was making a calendar of her Cute enough to eat son Chase Tisdale for the Grandparents as a Christmas present. She was having each month a different theme and my pumpkin hat was gonna be used for October. She said she would let me see the pictures when they were finished...and she kept her word. and I was shocked at how incredible cute these pictures turned out. She gave me permission to share them with you. Here is CUTIE PIE~ Pumpkin Pie ~ Chase!

These adorable pictures were taken by Jessica Lake Photography at www.inchbyinchphotography.com I have looked at her site and her talent is beyond words....believe she is located in California...so if you are in that area and looking for some GREAT pictures, just click on her name for link.

This is the sweet message that Chase's Sweet mother Sarah sent me~

"It makes me smile knowing that Chase's pumpkin hat was made by such a special woman. ......And your sweet little hat made October my favorite month." ~ NOW that is what I love...read responses like that t my work. To this day Chase Tisdale and his Sweet Mom Sarah remain one if not my favorite client! Thanks Sarah & Chase!!! If you would like to order a pumpkin hat for your pumpkin or someone you know...it truly is a great gift and as you can see, with very little, just a few real pumpkins it can make the most adorable pictures. You can contact me on here through comment, send me a convo through etsy at my etsy shop craftyGAgal Creations or Facebook....haha let me count the ways, right?
I am planning on listing them in my shops real soon but to secure your hat, I thought I would give my loyal blog readers first shot at orders!

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Someone You Should Meet

It is time again for someone I want to share with you. I have two requirements when looking for someone to showcase, I like their items/product/design and I like them as a person...and Heather is all of that and more. She is super friendly, EXTREMELY Talented and her jewelry is the kind you just want to wear Everyday. After meeting and reading Heather's blog I can tell that she puts a extraordinary amount of time into her designs...she see designs, she makes them, you can tell She Loves Them and I know YOU WILL TOO (I DO!)!!!!



Name~ Heather Braun of Dalkullan Jewelry
shop website~http://www.DalkullanJewelry.etsy.com
blog website~http://www.DalkullanJewelry.blogspot.com
Facebook business page~http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dalkullan-Jewelry/71569496575

1. What kind of handmade items do you sell in your etsy shop?

I design and craft jewelry -- necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.

2. Explain your craft/art for people who may not be familiar with it?

I started out taking beads and findings and assembling them into jewelry. Findings are things like clasps, earwires, and jump rings. I'd get an idea of how I wanted something to look which I couldn't do with manufactured findings, and began doing some wire wrapping. That only whetted my appetite to begin fabricating components from sheet metal. I began acquiring more and more tools; a torch, tumbler, files, jeweler's saw, and then the quantum leap occurred when I took a metalworking class from Joe Silvera. Now I'm completely fabricating my latest pieces from sheet metal and wire, and it's a lot of fun. I do have some plans to make more beaded jewelry, too. I've got a gorgeous stash of beads that want to be made into jewelry.

3. What is your favorite part of the creative process?

Making the jump between designing a piece on paper, and actually creating it out of metal. It's amazing to me to look at my drawings and the finished piece together, it's a real "Wow, I actually make this" moment.

4. If you have to pick one item in your shop as your Favorite which one would it be?
(pictured above)

The last thing I've made always has a special place in my heart, but they're all dear to me. Since I must pick one, it'd be the Noir Necklace.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24954154

5. Where do you hope to see your etsy shop in 1 yr?

I'd like to be making a few sales a week, and hopefully begin making a profit in a year. I'd love to use gemstones in my designs, learning how to set stones is definitely on the agenda, and also incorporating some gold into my designs.
There are new techniques I'd like to learn, granulation and metal forming on stakes. I've got ideas for new designs I'd like to implement. I'd also like to increase my tool stash, more types of hammers, a rolling mill, stakes, another torch, and a lovely jeweler's bench.

6. Is etsy the only place people can find you online?

I've dabbled on a couple other online venues, but Etsy is my only active shop. I really like Etsy, it's not perfect, but it's a wonderful site, and I'm planning on being on Etsy for a long time. The staff at Etsy are just tops, and I've learned so much from their emails and of course the Forums and Storque are awesome!

I think that Heather will be doing a WHOLE LOT MORE that a few sales a month come this time next yr. Mark my word... want proof, go check out her Signature "LIFESAVER EARRINGS"
Her Shop is FULL of eye candy, HAHA, get it , lifesavers, candy ,haha.... but seriously it is.

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