Goals

Shaggy Loops Earrings - listed today at Athena's Armoury

Once upon a time I actually worked for a home party company. I was working a full time job that I was unable to get overtime at with really screwy hours. Needless to say, I needed to make some extra cash, but I also needed to be able to make my own hours. It wound up not being for me, but one of the things I learned in that experience is that setting goals really does help you achieve said goals. =) I've admittedly been slacking a lot lately so far as my Etsy businesses go (both Athena's Armoury as well as Beach Bum Creations). Well, not necessarily slacking because the summer was insane with buying a house, packing, moving, repairing, unpacking. Hell, we're still unpacking, repairing, etc., but I've been starting to feel like I have a little bit less pressure and can devote some more time to Etsy.

My goals are simple to start. As organized a person as I am, taking time to take pictures, editing them, and listing items has not been one of my favorite things to do. If I have the time, I'd rather be playing with pliers and creating something. I think that's the case with most people who create. My goal is to take the time to take pictures and hopefully get better at it, so that there will be less time spent editing. With less editing time, I can then create listings while I'm sitting at my desk and bored at work. This will then free up my evenings/weekends to play with pliers. Hopefully, by writing these goals down and posting them here for all to view, I will follow through with them! Wish me luck!

Earth Tone Earrings - listed at Beach Bum Creations

Dice Bags!!

I'm excited to be adding Dice Bags to Athena's Armoury! They are so fun to make. Don't get me wrong, I love the shiny metal jewelry, but I also really enjoy working on a decent sized project, too. I love the way the metal feels in my hands as I weave it with my pliers. With a project like this the metal turns into a mesh fabric, a feeling you would never expect from metal.

These wondrously versatile little pouches aren't just for dice, either! Going out for a night on the town? Throw your essentials into the pouch, tie it to your belt loop, and watch everyone stare at the shiny metal sparkling from your hip.

Guys: don't feel like loading up your pockets or carrying a man purse? Check this baby out: room for your wallet, cell phone, keys.

But, I can't forget you gamer geeks out there since my man is one, too. Of course this bag is for you and your dice for your next D&D session!!

Women's Contributions Blog Column

I am proud to announce that I just posted my first column about Women's Contributions at the Women's Empowerment (WE) Etsy Street Team Blog! When the WE Street Team was just organizing, the idea of including this column came up and I was immediately drawn to it. I absolutely love learning about these amazing women (both historical and contemporary) who have made a difference in the lives of women, men, children, humanity at large. My favorite genre book to read is historical fiction with strong female characters. Needless to say, I signed on.

Choosing the first woman to feature was a daunting task, so I hope I did good! You'll have to check it out in order to find out who she is. The hardest part of the whole thing was really limiting the amount of information to give. I kept finding out more and more and wanting to tell her whole story, but had to remind myself that it's a blog post, not a biography. I only hope that there's enough of a snippet of information that it peaks the interest of others to learn more about her and all of the other women I plan to feature.

The Most Amazing Wand Ever

I got home from work very, very late last night and was super tired, but found myself thrilled beyond words when I opened my package from my fellow FAE Street Team member Kathryn at Interior Glass Designs. Kathryn custom made this amazing wand just for me!! She included lots of chain, metal, and silver because she knows of my slight* metal obsession and made sure it had a girl's touch by adding the lovely flower. I love this wand SO much! There was obviously so much thought, care, and attention to detail that went into the making of it. It is truly special and I'll have to find a very special place of honor to display it. Kathryn really does amazing work, do yourself a favor and check out her Etsy shop.

I'm a Dog Person, But. . .

I'd like to introduce you to Kit (aka Kitty). Well, that's what I've been calling her anyway. The very first time Scott and I came to see what would become our new home, she befriended us. Ever since then, she intermittently comes and hangs out in front of our garage door or napping under my Jeep. One day while my mom was in town visiting, we were loading up my Jeep and getting ready to head to the beach. From out of nowhere I hear a "meow." She was calling out to us as she crossed the street almost to say, "Hey wait a minute! Don't forget about me." She's been a fun friend to have and not at all like any other cat I've met. I might just be a dog person and a cat person. Who knew?

Tagged Twice in the Same Week!

I have been tagged by two fabulous Etsy artists: curlymonkey & TrueMirage. curlymonkey has got the fabulous Tiki Turtle design in her shop which I just adore plus she works with sustainable fabrics and low impact dyes. TrueMirage makes amazing jewelry inspired by dreams, symbols, stories, life and has some fantastic paintings showing at her blog.

The rules are slightly different between the two tags: one tag was for six weird things about me and the other was for 8 random facts about me. So I'm going to combine them and follow these rules:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules. (You can find both Etsy shop and blogs for each of my taggers above).
2. I'll take an average and share 7 facts with you: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

OK, here we go!
1. I like to eat my Snickers (on the rare occasion when I do have one) the top part with the caramel and nuts first and then the bottom part with the nougat and work my way down the candy bar like that.
2. I love the smell of garlic and onions sauteing in olive oil.
3. I don't like to wear socks to bed.
4. I would love a tattoo, but can't for the life of me figure out where or of what.
5. I call my Jeep Rosie because I have a Rosie the Riveter bobble head on my dashboard and a Rosie the Riveter license plate on the front.
6. I'm an odd dichotomy of total beach bum and city girl: I absolutely love being at the beach (any beach) and adore my old stomping ground NYC.
7. I love tools, they're like toys for me.

That was fun! I hope you enjoyed learning a little something about me and I certainly look forward to what everyone else has to say. I'm tagging Mrs Dragon, Scribble Nation, artca, Glorious Hats, Royal Jewelz, Alteredevents, and joeyandaleethea. If you have a chance stop by and visit these talented artists.