January 5, 2009

Stretch!

Filling orders, tweeting, yawning........the end.

January 3, 2009

Why Hello ArtFire!!


Why Hello, ArtFire!!



I've tried new selling venues before and for some reason I just can't get fired up about it (bah-doom ch)! I get as far as signing up and that's about it. Maybe a listing or two max to try it out if I'm feeling extra motivated but then nothing for days, weeks and then poof it's been a year and I haven't been back. Ever.
This time it's going to be different. This time I'm not going to bitch and moan about learning all things new I'm just going to stick with it, explore, list and do. I have to say I think that it helps tons that listing items on ArtFire is actually free. I dig taking risks that don't cost me a penny.

Although, wait. I think I did pay a membership fee. Yup, I did. Okay so a whopping 700 pennies a month. Still not bad!

If you haven't checked ArtFire out yet please take a quick peek. It basically reminds me of early Etsy and feels a tad more promising then others I've doinked around with. Plus it would be cool to be able to see artists I know and love tons and tons.
Yay for new!

Oh and did I mention...ArtFire gives you seller stats?! Hells yeah!

January 2, 2009

Yay! I'm still loved!! I was all kinds of panicky.

Today Was Like A Big Fat Welcome Back Hug!



My first 24 hours back in Etsy land and I sold 6 things, made it into 4 treasuries (one of which ended up on the front page of Etsy, score)! I got contacted by a rockin' style blog to be featured in the up and coming future AND got an awesome sized wholesale order. What the, what?!! I DID miss all things Etsy, crafty and fun! I enjoyed making, and emailing (oh my god my email was so dead during my break it was nice but not nice, ya know??). I was so afraid my first day back I wouldn't get a single convo or email, comment on my blog, response to a twitter comment, a sale, etc. I thought all that time, 10 days....of not promoting, not making, not doing anything crafty would totally screw me over and I'd be lost at sea. Think I'll have to try this break thing a little more often now that I know it won't be the death of me. ;O)
Breaks are good people, good!!!


January 1, 2009

Happy New Year!!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Can I tell you how glad I am that it is now 2009??! Soooooooo glad! I'm finally over the flu, my body is no longer reacting to the new medicine my Dr. decided to give me, my house is super clean and shiny, my Etsy shop is now up and running after a huge unheard of 10 day Beck break, my crafty corner is all kinds of ready and now I actually think I am too! Phew!
Hope you all had a lovely holiday season and a rockin' new year and a big fat yay for all things new!!!!

December 21, 2008

Some rad type goodies I've bought...

Yay! Now that one of our family holiday parties is over I can share with you a few things I've bought this year. Score! I've been itching to do a show and tell.

Last year I did a handmade Christmas, all goodies I bought for the family were from Etsy. This year I tried to focus more on supporting LOCAL Portland artisans. Didn't always work but it felt so much better when I was able to support my local community, let me tell you.

1. Pot Holders by Appetite Home (not this exact set, but you get the idea)


2. 2009 Desk Callendar by Cecily Ink


3. Swallow Pendant by The Pendant Factory

4. Petite Black & White Wallet by Balasa Designs

5. Sock Monkey By Bada Babies

6. Maple Teething and Grasping Square By Little Sapling Toys

With the exception of the teething ring I so wanted to keep it all for myself. Can't wait until I can share more fun goodies that I've purchased this year!!

Yay, Etsy Front Page 12/21/08!!! ;O)

Etsy Front Page 12/21/08



I totally missed it but today while I was with the fam damily for some yule tide type fun I made the Etsy Front page!! I was an alternate for the screen shot you see up above and when one of the items had sold I got popped in. Score! Ruby Girl (you need to check out her jewelry, pure awesomeness) twittered me to share the good news. I did some hunting by using the handy dandy Majaba site (well Craft Cult now, but my brain has yet to switch it over) to see which item it was. 15 new hearts so wah lah the Daisy like goodie below was what made it up, up and away.
So cool!!

December 18, 2008

PSU SHOW NOW CANCELLED....Figures.

SOOOOOOOOOOOO Bummed!



Just got this message. Not a happy camper, stupid weather. :o/


Hello vendors,
It is with extreme difficulty that I have come to this decision.
The Farmer's Market for the 20th has been canceled and the latest forecast for Saturday is 28° an freezing rain. This means that there will be very little traffic for us and travel for all of us would be dangerous.
Despite the marketing that has been done, the success of this venue hinges on the visibility of the farmer's market and the traffic created by it.
Booth fees cannot be fully refunded because much of the money was spent on marketing, postcards and the donation promised to the Women's Resource Center.
I'll be working with Handmade NW to figure out how much money will be returned to each of you and checks will be going out next week.
It is a rare instance that there will be any refund due to a severe weather event, we cannot promise that this will be the case for future events.
Have a safe and pleasant weekend and feel free to email me with your concerns.
Sincerely, "Organizer lady"

Last Craft Show Of The Year!!! This Sat. 12/20

Yay!!!

PSU Solstice Art & Craft Market

Saturday December 20th from 8am-3pm

1825 SW BroadwayPortland, OR 97201 - Smith Memorial Building

It's finally here, my last craft show of the year. I'm super excited! After having a show every weekend since the 25th of October I'm ready for a breather to say the least. I'll be celebrating this Saturday with special deals and discounts to hopefully clear out my end of year stock.

Come say hey, get last minute holiday goodies & save on all kinds of Daisy Chains goodness.
All Necklaces buy 2 get one free
All Hair goodies buy 2 get one free
All Earrings buy 2 get one free
All Mirrors buy 2 get one free
All Bracelets buy 2 get one free
Want to mix and match? Go for it! Freebie will be the lowest priced item of the three.
Only blog readers will know the down low so take advantage.
See you there!!!
*Special prices for craft show only, thanks.

December 14, 2008

Holy Crafty Wonderland!!

WOW!


Today I braved Portland's snow storm and headed out to volunteer at Crafty Wonderland's huge Holiday show! Although my normal 30 minute commute took an hour and forty five minutes it was so totally worth it. I wasn't a vendor this year, although I was hoping beyond all hopes I'd be able to fill one of those empty spots, I did get to volunteer. From 11am to 2pm I got to be a hero. Why you ask?? I my friends, was the magic potty pointer outer. Among my potty saving duties I got to point people in the direction of the ATM, hand out vendor maps, smile and grin, meet and greet and count the shoppers with one of those handy dandy metal clicker thingies. Click, click.....I dug the clicking. Oooh and the most awesome thing!?? One of the shoppers who asked me a question, totally wearing one of my clippies, awesome!!! By the time I was done volunteering 1734 customers had entered to shop all things crafty.
Oh...and did I mention Littleput Books brought me Hot Chocolate? Awesome!! Thanks Ryan!
I'd brought 300 buck-a-roo's with me to do my own holiday shopping this year and I seriously could not wait to get started. The idea that I could now actually be on the other side of the booth for once and come and go as I pleased was kind of relaxing. I nearly got all the way through the entire show booth by booth but unfortunately with the silly ole snow storm and it getting dark I had to jet with about 30 more booths I didn't get to peek at! I tried though, swear!


The ride home was way, way more scary by the way......

December 12, 2008

Butler Creek Elementary Bazaar This Saturday!

Tomorrow come say hey at the Butler Creek Elementary School Holiday Bazaar!

December 13th 9am-3pm


Butler Creek Elementary School 2008 Holiday Bazaar


2789 SW Butler Road Gresham, OR 97080

December 3, 2008

EtsyKids Trunk Show - My First Trunk Show Evers!

EtsyKids Trunk Show Thursday 12/4!!


Little Stumpie Pin Brooch by littleoddforest

16 handpicked EtsyKids team members have been chosen to show off their best handmade goodies for kiddos big and small this Thursday Decmber 4th at 5PM PST/8PM EST in the Etsy Labs!

http://daisychains.etsy.com/ <------ That's Me!

Come join the fun, win door prizes, enjoy random giveaways, take part in special sales and more!

Each artist will get 5-7 minutes to show you their stuff as well as an item from an EtsyKids team member not in the show to help share the love. I will be going fourth and I'm sooooooo excited and all kinds of nervous.
See you in the Treehouse (Etsy's Virtual Lab)
(you'll need an Etsy account to join, it's free and easy to register)!
Fingers crossed!

December 2, 2008

Holiday Show Recap!

Little Daisy Chains Live

December 7th 11am-6pm
Handmade NW Formal Holiday Artisans Fair
The Chelsea Ballroom 1510 SE 9th Portland, OR 97214


December 7th 1pm-4pm
The Junior League of Portland Holiday Tea
Heathman Hotel
1001 SW Broadway & Salmon Portland, OR 97201
10% of sales go toward the league
(Amanda Bowe will represent me at this show)


December 13th 9am-3pm
Butler Creek Elementary School 2008 Holiday Bazaar
2789 SW Butler Road Gresham, OR 97080


December 14th 11am - 7pm - Volunteering (On Waiting List)
Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale
At The Oregon Convention Center - Exhibit Hall E
777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd. Portland, OR 97232


December 20th 8am - 3pm
2nd Annual Winter Solstice Sale
Smith Memorial Student Union at Portland State University - PSU
1825 SW Broadway Portland, OR 97201


Hope to see you at one of these great shows!!


December 1, 2008

Little Daisy Chains Cyber Monday Sale!!!

Yay For Cyber Monday!


Free Shipping OR a Free pair of Itty Bitties! Your choice, you can even choose the color, score.





More Colors Here ------> Itty Bitties

November 28, 2008

12 Days of Christmas with the EtsyKids Team!




On the first day of Christmas, the ETSYKIDS team members gave to me….a Christmas event you really must see!

November 28th – December 10th, join EtsyKids for 12 days of fabulous, festive fun and dreamy holiday prizes.

Here’s how to play:
Each day the EtsyKids blog will contain a post showing an image that’s hidden in an item listing on a few different EtsyKids team members’ shops, along with a clue on how to find it. When a contestant finds just one of the hidden images, they send an Etsy conversation to the day’s entry collector with a link to the listing where they found it. Once their conversation is received, they’ll be entered into a drawing for an amazing EtsyKids prize. Those who find images for all 12 days are entered into the grand prize drawing! Participants may use one of two methods to find the images:

1. Begin by looking at each of the 7,000+ EtsyKids listings, or 2. Decipher the clue to the keyword to narrow down the listings to under 100.

The clues are word association to the keyword. After you think you have the keyword, enter that word and "etsykids team" into Etsy's search, and start looking!
Example: Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus...........nativity Thus, you would enter "nativity etsykids team" to narrow down the listings to hunt through. The clues start out easy, and they get harder!

Please do not post the answers anywhere - all answers will be revealed at the end of the game. If you don't jump into the game until after it's started, no problem! You can still enter that day's drawing, as well as the remaining days, then go back and find the previous days to enter the grand prize drawing.The Etsykids blog will also let contestants know who to contact to enter, as well as the prize(s) that will be awarded that day. The number of prizes will increase each day and the winners will be selected at random.***Contestants can enter once each day.Within 24 hours of winning, the lucky winners will be contacted via Etsy Conversation, and MUST contact (via Etsy Conversation) the prize donor with their mailing address within 2 days of being contacted. If they fail to contact the prize donor within the given time, a new winner will be selected.

Have fun!!!!

November 27, 2008

This Sunday Shop For A Cause!

Secret Society Sale - Sunday Nov. 30th

Black Friday shopping at 4am, 6am??! Why not skip the crazy this year and hit the snooze button. Save your shopping for a cause this Sunday at the Secret Society Ballroom from 10am-6pm.

10% of every gift you purchase for a loved one will go directly to the Oregon Food Bank to feed those in need this Holiday Season. Canned food and non-perishable food donations the day of the event are also highly encouraged and welcomed. Hope to see you there!

To view local artisans you'll also be helping to support this Sunday please click here.
The Secret Society Ballroom is located at 116 NE Russell in Portland, Oregon (next to the Wonder Ballroom). Admission is free and the bar will open from 4pm-6pm.

November 24, 2008

Feeling Swamped

....And A Tad Bit Frightened

Corin - Alterted Doll Shadowbox by crackedmoon


Somebody is always watching by ReddishGallery

Morning Mist by BailkPhotography

With a HUGE show coming up this weekend at the Secret Society Ballroom and the Holiday orders starting to kick in gear I'm feeling very overwhelmed. I thought I'd take a break to find some items that expressed how I was feeling before moving on with my crafty life.

November 20, 2008

Little Daisy Chains Now At Twill!

Twill

5935 SE Division Street, Portland, OR 97206

Mon–Sat, 10am–6pm

Sunday, 11am–5pm

Little Daisy Chains can now be found at Twill in Portland, Oregon! The comfort and practicality of sophisticated vintage inspired goodness surrounded me like a nice warm comfy hug. I'm so happy to be a part of such a unique local boutique and hope that my new hair wear created especially with Twill in mind will do well there.
A big fat thank you to Audra and Heather!!

November 19, 2008

Irvington Artist Market Saturday Nov. 22nd

Irvington Artisan Market!!


Irvington Artisan Market November 22, 2008
10am - 4pm
The Irvington Tennis Club In the Historic Ballroom
NE 21st & Thompson Portland, Oregon
Shop, visit or browse over 25 local artists this Saturday! To preview goodies before the show click here. Hope to see you there.

November 16, 2008

And The Winner Is...........

Jennifer Ladd!!!

Congrats Jennifer!! Jennifer found out about my wee little corner of Etsy last year when her sister bought her a pair of hair clips for Christmas. I'm so happy she was here with me this year to help celebrate my 2 year Etsy anniversary.

Besides being a blog reader Jennifer also happens to have her very own Etsy shop called JenniferLadd.etsy.com. She sells adorable purses, booties and more. Check it out!!

JenniferLadd's Pink Bird Baby Gift Set

Thanks to all of those who played on Etsy, Twitter, my blog, MySpace and of course Facebook!

Llwellyn Was A Hit!!

A Light Bulb Moment




Ever have a light bulb moment and think why didn't I think about that before?! Well yesterday after day two of the Llwellyn Elementary Holiday Bazaar it hit me. I was driving home to Hillsboro in total disbelief that I had done better then last weekend (each day) and felt really good and not necessarily because I now had money for holiday shopping.

I was wondering why I hadn't done this well at my other shows? Or felt this happy? My display was the same as it ever is with at most a different table cloth. It was at a school, I've done several at schools. And then poof it hit me!!

Lewis and Llwellyn were the first and only shows I'd done where a percentage of my sales went directly to a cause. Duh!!! Who doesn't love a good cause especially when it benefits a child, especially their own child. That explained the crowd, the excitement, the sales, the good feeling...everything! We were all there making sales and HELPING others. Um hello, can we say duh!?
So yay for the shows where it isn't just about the crafter!