Featured Etsy Seller: Beaded Tail

"Making tails wag one bead at a time"

Sharla, of Beaded Tail, combines her love of jewelry making and animals into a great business. In 2007, Sharla found inspiration in news reports of animal hardships. Her mom went into business with her and they began to make animal themed jewelry for animal lovers, donating a portion of all sales to various animal awareness causes.

Beaded Tail offers a lot of animal themed jewelry like the earrings and bracelet below:

Ruby Red Cat Face Earrings



Royal Blue Cats Eye Bracelet With Awareness Ribbon (Sale)


Jazz up your pet's collar with these collar covers! This one has a patriotic theme.

Freedom Cat or Dog Collar Cover


The causes that they support include:
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Humane Society for the United States
Dogs for the Deaf
Alley Cat Allies
Chintimini Wildlife Rescue


They have raised about $1100 in 2008 and 2009!

Read about her crafts and pets on her blog.

High Peaks: Dial & Nippletop

I tagged along with the Albany Chapter of the ADK for this hike, Dial and Nipple top via Bear Den from the Ausable Club. There was a total of 7 of us in the group and a forecast for possible showers all day up until 2pm when the chance of rain and thunderstorms was greater. It was our leaders goal to have us up all three summits and down to at least Elks Pass by 2pm.

We began at the parking lot on Rt 73 and walked the 0.9 miles to The Gate where we were greeted by a deer and a ranger. From there it was 0.7 miles to the beginning of the H.G. Leach Trail. From the start of this trail head, it was a difficult hike up to the summit of Bear Den. Once we got through to Bear Den, the hiking was easier.


We made it to the summit of Dial around 11:30. There was a decent view considering the threatening black clouds rolling in. The summit was a tight squeeze for the seven of us to jump up onto, and we only stayed a couple minutes to try to beat the weather.

Dial Summit

From the summit of Dial we moved on to Nippletop which was 2.1 miles away. The decent into the col hardly noticeable, it felt like we just basically kept going up. We got to Nippletop before 1pm, leaving our pack and metal poles behind at the junction of the trail to Nippletop and Elk Pass for a safer visit to the top of Nippletop. It started to drizzle again as we approached the summit. Hardly any views were available at the summit as the rain clouds surrounded us. We took a couple pictures and went back down to our packs for a quick lunch. We took the Elks Pass trail down a steep and rocky path - the elevator as the leader referred to it.

Elk's Pass from Nippletop

My knee were basically done by the time we got to the pond, 2pm, right on schedule. The rain started to pick up, luckily it had held off until we were at the bottom of the steep and rocky part. We still had about 2 miles to Lake Road, followed by about another three to the parking lot. We joked about maybe going up Colvin and Blake real quick as we passed the trail to Colden and continued on to Lake Road. We passed a couple waterfalls and rested again on Lake Road. We got to the parking lot around 5pm. Not too bad considering we had started around 8am, walked over 15 miles, climbed three summits, and had hit some rain.



Today I am nursing a painful right knee and four very large blisters. But it was worth it!

See all the pictures here.

Jewelry Booth Promotions

I'm participating in my second craft fair next month at the 41st Schroon Lake Association Arts & Crafts Fair in Schroon Lake, NY. The fair is in the Town Park on July 17th from 10am until 4pm. If you are local to the area, or live close enough to make a low budget family vacation out of it, Schroon Lake is located maybe 40 minutes north of Lake George, and about an hour southeast of Lake Placid, in the Adirondack Mountains if you like hiking.


Anyway, I learned a little from my first experience, mostly that I have to speed up my checkout process. The feedback that I got on my prices was that they were just right. I also realized that there are many jewelry booths at craft fairs so you have to do something to stand out.

So, if you frequent craft fairs as a seller or even as a buyer, do you find that sales work? Perhaps a discount or free item if you spend $40.00? What about a sale on just one type of item. What would make you enter one jewelry tent but walk by another?

Ms. Moo's Spa Line

I love promoting Etsy sellers, and when I shop on Etsy, it's usually when I'm buying beads or supplies for my business or a gift for someone else. I caught a glimpse of SpottedCowSoaps' (or Ms. Moo as the EtsyBloggers Call her) Lady Bug Soaps and Lotion on her Facebook fan page, which I decided would make a nice Mother's Day gift for my lady bug loving mother-in-law. I had recalled seeing her spa line a while back, thinking maybe I would treat myself to something. So.... since something was being shipped to me anyway... Wow! Her whipped sea salt scrub in tranquil spa is awesome!



It leaves my skin feeling smooth without the oily film that other scrubs can leave behind on your skin. I got a free gift from her too!


Not only does she make great soaps, but she keeps me constantly challenged playing Bejeweled! I'll be sending some Bejeweled smacktalk over the Green Mountains to you, Ms. Moo!

At the Mercy of an Ash Cloud

I have been ignoring my blog and Etsy shop lately, not out of disinterest, but more from distraction. My husband and I have been planning a trip to Ireland so I've spent most of my evenings researching the Emerald Isle, reading about culture, and of course places to see. It wouldn't surprise most people that know me that I have a spreadsheet with daily itinerary including links from the itinerary to the attraction's most relevant website, as well as what time we leave, how long it will get there, how long I expect to stay, the phone number if available, and each day has a linked Google Map from one stop to the next (*crazy...*). At least I can joke about my obsessive compulsiveness.

We're renting a car and my husband will be doing the driving on the other side of the road and we'll be sleeping mostly in bed and breakfasts. I'm half packed, trying to go lightly, and yes I have my vouchers, passport, umbrella, phone cards, camera, camera, video camera (thanks Diane!), backup camera and backup batteries for the backup camera. I have my house and cat sitter all lined up. Actually, the only thing we need is for the ash cloud to stay far away from our transatlantic route until we have safely landed in Shannon. ("Here she goes about the volcano again," says anybody that knows me.) I'm not too concerned about the flight home... I won't whine if we get stuck over there a couple extra days!

Fortunately the ash related flight regulations in Ireland have eased up and the cloud is not over Ireland as of right now, but it really depends on which way the wind is blowing on the day we take off.

This month marked the 30 year anniversary of the eruption of Mt. Saint Helen on May 18, 1980 and I was reminded of a necklace I had made a while back called Mt. Saint Helen. The howlite
pendant, wrapped in sterling silver wire, and the howlite beads are white and gray like ash. I actually already have blogged about the piece, but here is one more picture link of it.


Perhaps after my trip I will rename it Eyjafjallajökull, or simply the Iceland Volcano of 2010 as some refer to it. And then I promise I will never talk about the volcano again...

HandmadeBySandi

Meet Sandi, from Handmade By Sandi on Etsy. Her items are soft and full of love, touching, much like her story as to how her hobby became a business.

Her mom taught her how to crochet when she was a little girl. Scarves, hats, and stuffed animals for children were her specialties. In 2006 she began chemo treatments for breast cancer, inspiring her to knit caps and hats to keep warm. After her recovery she started crocheting chemo caps for cancer patients, as well as scarves, hats, and chokers for everyone - warm items that make you feel hugged!

Her talents don't stop there, she also sews and makes jewelry. The entire store is 50% off until the end of May, and in addition, you will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate.

These are just some of the great finds in her shop:

Her Pink Ribbon Earrings raise awareness for breast cancer, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to breast cancer research.


This Shamrock Coffee Cozy would be perfect around a cup of Irish Coffee, no?


How about this Lacy Crocheted Shawl?

This is one of her famous hats - Crocheted Hat with Flower.

Sandi has a second shop, Sandi's Stash, where she sells fabric and supplies. Read about her crafts, favorite books, and other Etsy sellers on her blog.

Glass

I've gone through several phases in my Etsy shop. I've done beading, wire crochet, wire wrapping, ceiling fan pulls, fly fishing lanyards, decoupage, glass tile, bottle cap upcycling, I have even made my own polymer clay beads. As far as beading, I've used glass beads, natural stone, clay, and pearls. After all of this, I must say that my favorite material to work with are glass beads and large, bulky pendants.

The great thing about glass beads is that there is such a variety to chose from. I have made many items with Czech glass and particularly like the looks of fire polish, faceted, and table cut Czech glass.

This bracelet, Margarita, has some beautiful table cut Czech glass beads in it, as well as fresh water pearls, probably a close second in the line up of my favorite types of beads.

Margarita

Box of Crayons is another favorite of mine. How cool are those table cut beads?!

Box of Crayons

It's a little late for jelly beans, but these Green and Gold Jelly Bean earrings have small faceted green and gold colored faceted Czech glass beads. The different cuts of the bead reflect light nicely.

Green and Gold Jelly Bean Earrings

These Lily Pad Earrings are made with lampwork beads. These came from a craft store, however, there are many sellers on Etsy that make really cool lampwork beads. Lampwork glass has a really interesting look to it as well, and you only need a couple beads in your piece to give it enough flare.

Lily Pad Earrings

I love a big whopping pendant in the center of a necklace. Murano style glass pendants are probably my favorite, but the right design on a resin pendant can make a piece look great as well.

Glamorous is made with a wire wrapped Murano style glass pendant. The pendant on Metallic Twist is pretty wild, and it's currently on sale in my shop, though the Foil Coil is my favorite, by far.


Glamorous


Metallic Twist


Foil Coil Choker Necklace

What do you like working with the most?

Magdalene Jewels and Magdalene Knits

I was very excited to see that my partner in crime on the EtsyBlogger's team blog, co-poster of the team's monthly MiniMondays, is the featured teammate of the month! What a well deserving member. I enjoy looking at her jewelry, knitted items, and reading her blog, particularly looking at her cat pictures that are sometimes her Wordless Wednesdays! A quote from her blog profile:

"Life is too short to wake up with regrets. Love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Nobody said life would be easy. They just promised it would be worth it."

Her positive outlook reflects in her beautiful work. She has a jewelry shop (MagdaleneJewels) and a knot shop (MagdaleneKnits) on Etsy, both with creative items.

She does a lot of work with Swarovski crystals, like in her Ruby Earrings.

Ruby Earrings

She has a wedding line, featuring the Imagine necklace.

Imagine

Her knit (and crochet) shop has cute baby clothes, baby shoes, and adult items, such as scarves.

Crocheted Baby Pink Mary Janes

Scarf and Neck Warmer - Brown Tones

Don't forget to check out her blog!

Green and Blossoming

Trees are blossoming and the plants and flowers are starting to wake up from their winter nap. The sunlight lingers longer in the evening and you can even step out without a sweater some afternoons. Spring is full swing.

Here are some newer items in my shop, can you tell I had cabin fever?

Here is a memory wire choker with green glass twist beads, gold fresh water pearls and cream colored glass pearls. The foiled convex pendant has a golden yellow and amber colored flower on it. The choker has a pair of matching earrings. You can buy each separately, but a discount is applied if you purchase both!

Golden Fields Choker

Matching Golden Fields Earrings

A spring green leaved tree is on this tear shaped pendant. It's a very earthy piece, hence its name "Earth," and presents with green aventurine beads, brown jasper beads, dyed quartz, and white fresh water pearls. The toggle clasp points out that Peace Begins with a Smile.

Earth

I turned this fern-decorated white glass bead, a birthday gift from Diane, into a pendant. The necklace is strung with dyed quartz beads, green fresh water pearls and silver colored metal beads. Its name is Fern.

Fern

Dizzy Dragonflies!

It is my pleasure to feature one of the longest running members of the EtsyBloggers team, Vicki of DizzyDragonflies and KnittingDragonflies. While she has always loved creating handmade items, her favorite material to work with is yarn.

Her business was accidental. It began as a hobby and found people offering to pay her to make them items that she was wearing or had given as gifts. Her love for yarn evolved into hand spinning and hand dyeing her own yarn to work with.

"Turn it Down a Notch" Hand Spun Yarn

She offers several beautiful colors of hand spun yarn, as well as her own knit creations.


Black and White Hand Knit Scarf - Unisex



Heather Green Hand Knit Scarf

It's no wonder she's dizzy - she's operating two Etsy Shops!

You can also find her online:
Blog
Flickr
Plurk
Ravelry