Zine distribution.

I’m taking a hiatus from ordering any new zines at the moment. I really need to clear out some stock before I can continue on. I will be discounting stock up to 50% within the next week!

Movin’ on up!

Well, I purchased Tecre machines for my 1 1/4 and 2 1/4 hand press button makers a month or two ago. I’ve been hesitant to sell my hand presses. Not sure why, as I have no need for them now. I’m especially partial to my 1 1/4 button maker, which got me started in my new business. If you’re interested, I’ve listed them on eBay.

2 1/4 Badge a Minit button maker

1 1/4 Badge a Minit button maker

We had good times. Now, hopefully you’ll have some too!

Interview with Nathalie at Skeptis

Eco-friendly, charming and clean. Nathalie makes funky, cool, retro jewelry. I was lucky enough to get an interview with her. Get to know a little bit more about Nathalie before you dive in to her lovely shop.

Short Bio:
Hi! My name is Nathalie, I’m 26 from Montreal, Quebec. I’m a quiet, low-maintenance, hands-on kind of gal with my main passions being the Natural Sciences and Arts & Crafts.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
It’s been almost a year but a little longer in the preparation.

When did you discover your love for jewelry making?
I love making things period so jewelry really came about from trying to make what I couldn’t find out there. It is such an easy and inexpensive hobby to start that I found it worth continuing and expanding into a small business.

Have you made any friends on Etsy, or do you find you keep to yourself?
I am very introverted but the Forums are a great place to meet people and learn everything there is to know about selling on Etsy. My blog has been the best as far as making friends though as there is no other better social lubricant than sharing and receiving positive feedback from those who share a common passion!

Do you find it more difficult to ship to places besides Canada?
Not at all. Most of what I sell goes to the US and it’s actually more expensive to ship within Canada.

Have you made any pieces that you absolutely can’t part with?
Of course:) Usually it’s the really old antique stampings or castings that I only have one of. Since I use vintage and antique pieces many items are one-of-a-kind so it’s always a little difficult parting with them!

Do your friends & family know about your shop?
Absolutely! I gave my sisters a bunch of free jewelry in return for passing along my business cards. Family and friends are the best publicity!

Why do you feel it’s important to be eco-friendly?
It’s about respect and acknowledging that there are things more important than the here and now and me. It’s actually a lot of fun and easier than it looks to craft green. I have a blog about eco-friendly jewelry that showcases just how fun and interesting Green jewelry can be! http://skeptis-thisisgreen.blogspot.com/

Field Day Buttons.

When I was little, I LOVED field day! I couldn’t even believe it was real. THIS much fun allowed by school? What’s the catch?

EVERYONE was excited for Field Day. Except, of course, the teachers. Most of them didn’t look forward to standing out in the heat while we had all the fun. The best part, to me, were the water games. It was always SO hot! So, I admit. We started out playing the game we were supposed to, but usually just ended up pouring buckets of water over everyone and using our water guns. (The mid-to-late 90’s, the days when water guns weren’t considered real weapons that could get you expelled, like they can now.)

In any case, I had a teacher who actually WAS excited about Field Day. Turns out, it was her first one. Who knows what chaos ensued! Nonetheless, I made:

1″ Button Magnets
1.25″ Stickers
and 2 1/4 Pinback Buttons.

HOW RAD, RIGHT? And I have pictures to prove it.

These are only a few of what I made, there were 21 kids in the class. The teachers wore the big buttons.

Go Field Day!

Button-filled weekend!

I had two custom rush orders that I was really excited to do this weekend. One, with such a tight deadline, I didn’t have time to take pictures. But I did 100 buttons for a Cancer awareness charity that I’m really proud of. My Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer in October of 2009, so this was very close to me.

I also did some really fun buttons last night for an order that are just super cute. Enjoy the visuals!

Weekend Crafting Success : T-Shirt Drama no more!

I love working on new projects. I like a challenge. I’ve made my own shirts and shirts for friends and bands for years. What I’ve never done is white on black. I’ve all but outright refused!

However, over the weekend I had a project for a customer who wanted just that. So, I set my mind to it. I would get this done, no matter how many different methods I had to use. Surprisingly, the third time really WAS a charm!

I couldn’t find my memory card for my new camera, so an iPhone picture must suffice. And it was just of the lettering, because I was super proud of it.

FOUND IT! The perfect felted boot slippers.

I’m always searching for something to keep my feet warm. Many of you probably don’t know, but I have a metal rod in my right leg. Any bit of coldness causes some not so fun pain. I always wear socks, slippers, or anything I can to keep my feet warm. Everything I’ve found has been decent, but not perfect.

Then I found a LOVELY shop on Etsy, zoeysbags. They looked adorable! That’s what first caught my eye. I sent the shop owner a message asking for a custom listing, which she created right away.

I received my felties SUPER fast. I put them on.. and I couldn’t believe it. My feet were INSTANTLY warm. And my feet looked beyond cute in these slippers! The quality superb. It’s another reason why I support handmade and will continue to do so.

This wasn’t just another cute thing to buy, for me. Well, they are insanely cute. But more than that – they’ve helped me. I don’t like taking them off! Now I’m off to sip on some hot cocoa in my warm & cozy felties!

Have a Snarky, Bitchy, Bacon-filled Misanthropic Valentine’s Day!

It’s Valentine’s Day. For some of us, it brings out our inner snark. For others, snark is just natural. And hilarious. I found these wonderful greeting cards from a few witty sellers on Etsy. Who said Valentine’s Day has to be all mushy, anyway?

How romantic. These three cards are sure to make your partner, or lack thereof, go “aww!” See more snark-filled cards at VixensEmpire

It snowed in Atlanta this weekend. This card from GoatCards seems fitting for “the one.”

DippyLulu knows when a couple is simply made for each other!

NeatThings knows whats important in life. Money, money, money.

Happy Valentine’s Day, you cynical rays of sunshine!

Wrapped Wire Flower Rings!

The best part of Etsy? CUSTOM! Well, the handmade part is rad too. Seriously, how many times have you wanted something and it’s NOT the right fit? I saw these Flower Rings by dovetailoriginals and KNEW I wanted one as a thumb ring!

I tend to like thumb rings the best simply because I type a lot. My ring, middle and index fingers kind of get annoying to have rings on when I’m typing.

I was SUPER happy with finished result. They really look professionally made. It was the perfect fit! And of course, I’m going back to get more. The assortment of colours has the variety to give every girl what they want.

Go visit dovetailoriginals’s Etsy shop now! click HERE to buy the rings directly.

PLUSHIE GIVEAWAY SAY WHAT?

Tiamagic is doing a giveaway over at the Will Craft For Food blog.

You can win these THREE plushies. They’re devastatingly cute!

There are a total of NINE chances to enter. NINE? YES NINE!

GO! NOW! ENTER!