1000 Sales!

I was hoping to hit 1000 sales before the end of the year and I have made it. I want to thank all of my great customers who helped me make it there. It was an extremely busy holiday season with Etsy and the Holiday Market.

Front Page Parade

I have been very lucky to be on the front page a few times in the past two months! Here are some screen shots!

This first one was currated by Alessiachic and made the front page on September 30th

This lovely treasury by InnovationDesign made the front page on November 12th

This treasury by jessjamesjake made the front page on October 17th

And finally this treasury by Thepeachtree made the front page on November 10th!

Busy Busy Busy

It's been such a long time since I've posted. I am currently getting ready for the Holiday Market that the Junior League of Columbia, SC puts on in December. My head has been spinning going through all the details that must be attended to before the show. The dates are December 3rd - December 6th, 4 days and this is a huge show held at the fairgrounds (Cantey Building). It's the largest I've done hands down. I've been making jewelry for the show since this summer and the date is fast approaching. It's only a month away!

I'll have a lot of special pieces just for the Junior League Show and what is left over from the special merchandise will be put on my Etsy website in early December.


To purchase tickets for the show please follow this link
http://www.jlcolumbia.org/?nd=ticket_list&fundraiser_id=4

Front Page on Monday Morning 9-28-09

Thank you to JustCHARMING - her pretty Fall Treasury made the front page on Monday, September 28, 2009! She was so kind as to feature my amber glass and red leaf bracelet

ANNIVERSARY SALE

It's my 1st year on Etsy tomorrow and I am having an Anniversary Sale all weekend 15% off and free shipping, just enter "ANNIVERSARY" in notes to seller box.

Offer is good (Friday September 25 - Sunday September 27) 2009

Front Page x2 Thursday 24, 2009

WOW! I was on the front page twice this morning - it is such an honor to have an item featured in a treasury by a fellow Etsy artist, and I feel like I've won the lottery to be in two beautiful treasuries that made the front page on the same day!

This first one was currated by Amy at The Peach Tree please be sure to see her shop. She has got beautiful jewelry and the way she photographs her pieces are outstanding!

This second treasury was currated by JessJamesJake she has beautiful vintage clothing, housewares and other goodies, please take a look at her shop.

Fall Jewelry

These are some new pieces that have been added to my shop with thoughts of the fast approaching fall season in mind!

Amber glass nuggets and Red Leaf Bracelet

Little Vintage Locket with Field Mice

Miniature Owl Locket and Enamel Leaf Necklace

Front Page Parade

It's a Front Page Parade!
First a big thank you to The Peach Tree for including me in her latest treasury that made the front page! I was so excited and don't you think it's beautifully currated.

Thank you to Etsy for putting these treasuries that I have currated over the past 2 weeks to the front page. It's a big honor to be there.

This one was entitled "Sashimi and Wasabi"

This one was entitled "The Black Olive"

And finally this one which I think is my favorite and took me forever to put together is entitled "Inspired by Halloween". It took me a while to find the perfect violets and peaches!

New Line called "Delicates"

I have added a new line of jewelry to my collection entitled "delicates". These pieces are small and simple and will include necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings. Look for more of these pieces to be listed within the week. Here are a few that have already been listed and are available in my shop

New Items Added August 24, 2009

It's been a while since I posted some new items on my blog, so here are some of my latest additions to the website. New vintage hearts, silver Moroccan leaf earrings, Dahlia Pearl Necklaces and a variety of new rose necklaces in fall colors.

Back from a Mini Vacation

Feeling refreshed after a few days at the Beach! My husband and I along with some friends went to Kiawah Beach, SC for a little vacation. We had lots of fun, went to the beach and did a little outlet shopping, ate until we were stuffed and had a great time hanging out. Kiawah is really a beautiful beach and I would recommend you visit it one day if you are able. It is also the location of one of the only 5-star hotels in South Carolina, The Sanctuary. You've got to check this fancy place out, this is the link We did not stay at The Sanctuary, but stayed at my friend's beach house, it was a fun 3 days! The picture is from this site - I totally forgot to bring my camera!

Financial Tools and Resources

About 3 years ago I had a friend that emailed me with a link to an ING Direct budget worksheet. I was very grateful that he did that and thought it would be something worthwhile to share with all my blog buddies. I don't know if you are familar with ING Direct, but it's a great way to save and they have a lot of resources available on their website for free. Here is the link to their worksheets and calculators:
ING Direct Resources

Another great place for advice is Suze Orman's website. I am a big fan of hers! I always watch her show on Saturday nights on CNBC. Here is a link to her site:
Suze Orman Resources

Also, Suze Orman is very active on twitter and I would recommend you follow her, she has great advice and asks questions that really get you thinking. I had a financial question for her and tweeted to her about, she answered right away!
Suze Orman Twitter Page

I also enjoy reading Kiplinger and get their magazine every month. I have read some other financial magazines and this one is definitely my favorite. Some financial magazines are over my head, but Kiplinger is easy to understand and they always have a section on Personal Finance.
Kiplinger Magazine

Please feel free to add any of your favorite resources to this list

My Recent Etsy Purchases...

It's been a while since I purchased anything for myself from Etsy. I have done quite a bit of shopping for others, but wanted to keep something for myself this time. I started by searching for some coconut soap and stumbled upon the Spa Therapy shop. I ordered some of her coconut shaving soap, toner and this tea tree and papaya facial scrub. Everything was wonderful, but my favorite was the scrub. The grains are super fine - I've never felt anything quite like it. The texture of my skin is softer and smoother after using it just a few times and I would really recommend it. The picture is from Spa Therapy Works Etsy page (see link above)



My next purchase was from Elukka and is my first jewelry purchase on Etsy. Since I make jewelry I don't ususally search for jewelry to buy, but this little necklace caught my eye. My dogs name is Daisy and this little precious pup is sitting on a Daisy! Cute huh? This little fella arrived super fast from Finland and was packaged with great care. The detailing is really wonderful and if you have someone in your life that loves dogs I would recommend you take a look in this shop. The image is from Elukka's Etsy shop (please see link above).

Blanc and Noir Treasury made the Front Page

This treasury entitled Blanc and Noir was featured on the front page of Etsy on Friday August 7, 2009! I was very excited to find out it made it there :)

SkinCare Regimes....What can you not live without?

I am always tweeking my skincare regime, but there are two things that I cannot do without! The first is a heavy moisturizing cream called CeraVe - my local CVS has it. It is rather hard to find though - grocery stores and big box stores do not carry it. The CeraVe is great for dry skin and my skin gets really dry especially after being in hot water. This stuff was recommended by my dermatologist and for me has worked better than some prescription medicines for dry skin. (Picture from Cerave )



The second skin care product I cannot live without is Kiehls water based sunscreen lotion (25 spf). I have been using this stuff for over 12 years now. I am very fair skinned and with a history of skin cancer in my family and having already had skin cancer at the age of 29 I have to wear sunscreen everyday. I love Kiehls products, especially this water based lotion and would recommend it! This picture is from Kiehls

So what are some of your favorite skin care products?

Shop Name?

I have a lot of people ask me at craft shows about my shop name, so I thought I would give some explanation. For as long as I can remember I have always loved dogs, it's one of the first things my mother wrote in my baby book.

We grew up with weenie dogs so I have a special place in my heart for them, but after seeing photographs of the weimaraner by William Wegman I was hooked and had to have a weimaraner. Their simple lines and grace and beauty drew me in. Once I graduated from college and purchased a home with a good sized yard my next purchase was Daisy (the weimarner pictured guarding her stuffed cow).


This is who my shop is named for! Of course not to show any favoritism in this post - The little spotted German Shorthair Pointer is my husbands dog. My gift to him for Christmas in 2001.

Holly (the spotted one) and Daisy (the weimarner) get along beautifully except for Holly occasionally pulling the stuffing out of Daisy's toys.

Also - I would not recommend a weimaraner to anyone unless you have time to run them, not walk them, but run them. They have boundless energy and can be destructive without exercise.

Front Page X2

I am always honored to be on the front page, but last Thursday I actually made the front page twice in one day. I couldn't believe my eyes when I checked my store on Thursday afternoon. The first list was currated by Etsy and the second by CreativeDetails - be sure to take a look :)

Blog Giveaway on BonBon Rose

Be sure to stop by BonBon Rose Blog! She is giving away a pair of my earrings, she has a really fun blog with lots of followers :)
http://bonbonrose9.blogspot.com/

I made the Front Page of Etsy Today

It's been a long time since I was on the front page so I was so excited to be there today. This is the list that was created by Lauren at FlashForward and she featured my Peach and Pearl Garden Necklace

My Treasury Made The Front Page July 17, 2009

So excited about this treasury making the front page! The theme was Nautical Neutrals, see list below for the sellers that were featured.

beautifulbridget

almapottery

dreamwhimsy

andwabisabi

bayanhippo

sprocketsart

pillowhappy

daydreamers

amberalexander

flashforward

tortillagirl

jwstyle

Thursday June 16, 2009

Take a look at Wilde Designs Blog - I am flattered that Beth (owner and desinger at Wilde Designs) purchased a necklace from me and posted a thread about it on her blog. See it here: Wilde Designs Blog

Putting my Fiestaware Collection To Use

I have quite a collection of vintage Fiestaware and decided to put it to use last night as props in my jewelry pictures. I think they turned out pretty good. Still need to work on my composition, but I like the little extra pop of color that the pottery adds. What do ya'll think?

Treasuries Monday July 13, 2009

I am honored to be included in these lovely treasuries!

This treasury entitled "Connecting with the Outdoors" was created by personaloasis - I just love this ecclectic mix! The peaches and green are so pretty together!

This pretty mix of blues and browns is called "Coffee in the Sky" and is currated by talis

And last but not least this pretty pastel mix is called "Butter Mints" Dont' you just think that is the perfect name for the curration? This lovely mix was put together by ummashin

What are you favorite TV Shows?

My two favorite shows are coming on tonight, which got me thinking...what are your top 5 favorite TV shows?

Mine are:
The Deadliest Catch
The First 48
Nova
Colbert Report
South Park

New Treasuries for July 7, 2009

It's been too long since I've been able to snag a treasury. So here are my latest, both of them inspired by the summer! You can see them here:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=60128

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=69084

Brass and Verdigris Parade

It's a parade of new brass and verdigirs earrings. I've been concentrating on necklaces so much lately and have neglected to make new earrings, so here are some!

http://www.thesilverdog.etsy.com

Little glass owls on sterling silver

Moroccan Brass Drops (back in stock)

Small Verdigris Leaves

Brass Gypsy Hoops

Brass Filigree Hoops

Verdigris Hoops with Pink Faceted Glass Rounds

Vicki Diane Artists Exposed Post

I am lucky enough to be included in Vicki Diane's latest "Artist Exposed" treasury! Please take a look and click, there are some other great artists included in this treasury.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=58590

Window Shopping for Home Decor

Some Window Shopping for Home Decor on Etsy

There are so many wonderful shops on Etsy, here are a few that I enjoy stopping by!

This fiesta inspired hand built porcelain tray is only $17.00. I love the texture, color, and graphics on this handy little dish! You can find this tray made by clayswan on Etsy. Just click here for her shop:

ClaySwan

One of my favorite shops on Etsy, poordogfarm has so many charming illustrations to pick from it's hard to pick a favorite. This skunk and possum tea party just makes me smile! This 5" x 7" print is only $15.00. Be sure to click here to see the other goodies in this shop.

Poordogfarm

I was delighted to find this seller's shop on Etsy - it is brand new. You can be the first to purchase from seapinks. This embroidered Nasturtiums pendant is beautiful for wearing or for displaying. The craftmanship is really wonderful. See seapinks for other unique embroidered items.

Seapinks

I saw this little fella on the front page last week and thought he was just adorable. Billie Mixed Breed Fabric Folk Art Hound has so much personality. I love the fabric that backwoodscreations has choosen it adds lots of character. See this great shop for more folky fine art!

Backwoodscreations

Color Palette for Fall 2009

I always love this time of year when the new fall collections come out. Fall is my favorite season, the weather here in South Carolina is so lovely and it's also college football season!

My favorite place to buy clothes is from Boden and they just released their fall preview collection yesterday. Looks like yellows, purples, pinks, greens and turquoise will be hot colors for the upcoming season. I'll be utilizing some of these colors in my new designs for the fall.

What do ya'll think of this fun and bright color palette? Photos are from Boden

More Items Added To Website

Lots of new items added to the website:

Silver Sequin Hoops - very versatile!

Lime Green & Pink Garden Rose - last one in stock

Needles Tourmalinate Quartz Necklace

Brass and Pearl Garden Neckalce

Signature - Citrine Quartz Necklace

Signature - Chalcedony Necklace

Loads of new stuff added to my shop

Lots of new stuff listed on my website be sure to take a look!

http://www.thesilverdog.etsy.com/

Little Vintage Animal Lockets are back in stock

New chunky bauble bracelet

New rose necklaces