New Website!

Woo hoo! A new year (almost) and a new business plan (I think). Today I set up a new website, and I was really surprised that it was a similar setup like this website (Blogger). So that was pretty cool, and not too difficult either for a newbie to most of this. It is free for a year -- you can get your own domain name too. I have previously turned down the free for 30-60-90 days ones (ha ha, cheapo me) I have seen, but this was a great bargain!

 So here it is.....ta dah!....www.cutterstone.net.

Now I don't know if you are interested, or if you can even redeem this because I got it in my email, but here is the link for the free website from Intuit -- www.gybo.com/quickbooks.    

  

I just have to share with you my lovely granddaughter's senior pictures. Isn't she beautiful? Wish I could see she got her looks from me, but we're only related by marriage. :D

So now back to business. We have over 80 sterling silver box clasps in our shop. Now is the time to replenish your supplies to make new jewelry for your shop. Come check it out, and get free shipping with coupon code SHIPFREE.

Wishing all of our readers a very happy and prosperous 2013! God bless each and every one of you and your families.

Artist's Loft Team Product Catalog & Gift Guide 2012

Being an Etsy seller, I belong to a team or two. What is the advantage of joining a team? Well, let me just say you NEED to join some teams. They provide support when you're feeling burnt out, chuckles when you've had a bad day, and great tips for improving your products and shops. Promotion is a great benefit also!

One of the teams I belong to is the Artist's Loft team. One of the leaders, Sophie, published this great Holiday Gift Guide. It's really gorgeous -- come take a peek!

Supporting Small Business and Handmade this Season

These last few years, we have sure seen the importance of shopping local, shopping American, and shopping handmade. When I got married in 2010, I moved from upscale Orange County, CA to a city/county with almost the highest unemployment rate in the country, San Bernardino, CA. I know there are many cities that seem somewhat "normal" despite the economy, but many others are still suffering from depression with bankruptcy looming and no end in sight. Supporting your local businesses and handmade on Etsy and other sites this holiday season is a great way to help many talented craftspeople, some of whom still have a full-time job, survive these tough times. Plus handmade is a much better gift than the cookie-cutter item off the shelf of Walmart! I try to buy all my gifts handmade nowadays!

One of these talented people is featured on Etsy as Divine Lulu Creations. I asked Lulu a few questions about what it's like opening your own internet shop.

Lulu, some people open their little shop and then get discouraged quickly because sales are not what they thought they would be. What would be your #1 advice for a new Etsy shop?

Don't take it personal! I know that is SO hard to do, especially when you're pouring hours into your work sometimes, and you feel like your work shows you as a person or it means something to you. It gives you that "I have boulders in my stomach" feeling when you don't get any views on your work that you love so much and try so hard with, or even worse you get a lot of views and no purchases. It makes you think "Why don't people like my things? Why isn't it good enough?" The truth is there's A LOT of products in the world. Not only are you competing with other Etsy shops but you're competing with easy fixes for things like Target or Walmart. Try not to get discouraged. I keep a "field of dreams" mentality. If you make it, somewhere there's going to be someone who needs it or wants it. Make what you love to make, and hopefully one day you'll make money doing it! 

$13 Any Color!

$13 Fingerless Gloves

$13 Purple Skulls

Lulu's work is top-notch and masterful. She loves custom orders, so if you don't see what you're looking for, just send her a note!

Jill of Different Trades - Miss Lulu Divine

Glasses case $6 

Continuing with the promotion of a great handmade shop, Divine Lulu Creations, I asked her: 

Lulu, what is the craft/skill you want to tackle next?

This is a toughy, because I actually have several different project "supplies" already. haha! I'm a mess, literally! I love diving into new things and trying on new hats. My husband says that I'm a Jill of different trades at heart. I just love to create and I see things out in the world and I think "huh, I could make that!" and then I have to try. Often some of my attempts are just awful, or I don't really enjoy them and feel inspired. So far the two that seem to have "stuck" is Sewing and Crocheting.... next year I plan on trying Bottle Cap Necklaces, Needle Felting, and a little bit of painting (rocks, that is!). I hope that one day my shop is as diverse as my tastes and hobbies, and that it truly is a place to show my creative side. It's on the way!

Girls, isn't this just normal with us? We want to try something new, think we can do it, buy all the supplies, and with our very busy schedules just never get a "round tuit"? Lulu has branched out nicely -- she offers aprons, fingerless gloves, glasses cases, and Star Wars necklaces in her shop!

Darth Vader Hemp Necklace $8

Jabba the Hut Hemp Necklace $8

Emerald Cove Skinny Super long infinity crochet scarf $15

Custom Creations from Lulu

Hooray, the Holidays are coming! What a great time to support the USA and the many talented artists out there in Etsyland and elsewhere. I belong to a handful of supportive teams, and Artist's Loft  is a group that is very helpful on promoting and brainstorming and just about whatever you need! If you'd like to see what we are all about, here is our Facebook link: Artist's Loft FB Page  and here is our Etsy Team link: Artist's Loft Team on Etsy.

The shop I have chosen to devote 7 days of blogging to is the fabulous Divine Lulu Creations. Lulu (that's what we call her but her real name is Elizabeth) will custom sew or crochet many different items for you. She loves special orders, just convo her! Kiddies want special colors for their crocheted gloves? No problem! My favorite item is her "full coverage" aprons...they are wider on the top and have straps to put your arms through instead of ties, so no more hair tangling! I know when I'm in the kitchen I use my apron for my hands...but....if anything wants to spatter, of course it's on my chest! An apron is also a very thoughtful hostess gift.

Full coverage apron $15

Unique and comfy strap system

I wanted to know some more about Elizabeth and how her shop came to be.

 Lulu, what is the inspiration for your shop name?

My real name is actually Elizabeth, but when I was a little girl my Dad used to call me Lizzie Lu. My dad is SO not big on pet names or cutesy "show your feelings" stuff, so it was a big deal to me. It stuck! In school people started calling me Lizzie Lu and then, Lulu. When I met my high school sweetheart (now my husband) he suffered through many girly movies with me, one of which is still my favorite "Pride and Prejudice". There's a part where Mr Darcy asks what he should call Lizzy and she replies "Goddess Divine". So, Lulu Divine was born and then I love to create.... so you get the idea! 

          

Pima Cotton, Brown & Lilac $22

Here are a few more gift ideas from Divine Lulu Creations.

Kelly Green Crochet Fingerless Gloves $18

Mint Green Earwarmer/Glove Set $14

Come back tomorrow for another interview question and more great products from this talented seller!

Workin' It Wednesday 8/21/12

This week I have two very talented artists doing two very different crafts. 

First up is Cindy (Durnell) Friend and her shop Handmade by Cosmo. She and I had a little conversation when she first joined Etsy, because I thought we might be related. Her maiden name is the same as my grandmother's and she lives in the same state my grandmother was born in. I didn't recognize any names she gave me, but I'm holding out for a score! Genealogy through Etsy, who woulda thunk!!

Anywho, she makes adorable stuffed critters in three different sizes, all hand stitched, and is very reasonably priced! Who wouldn't love to get one of these cuddlies as a special surprise? She also loves custom orders, so convo her up!

When Pigs Fly $10

Party Elephant $10

Dolphin $10

Next up is Cristina Jaco, a very talented painter from Brazil. Her shop is found HERE. Here is what she says about her work -- 

"Contemporary Brazilian Art - Original oil paintings and watercolors of people, animals, landscapes and still lifes. My number one goal is to evoke an emotional response in the viewers of my work. I paint with vivid, intense colors and love to capture expression and detail."

Her work is bright and beautiful, and there are many pieces that would look fabulous in MY house, on MY wall.

Red Tulips II Still Life $50

Rainbow Bridge Landscape $75

Red Macaws $75

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My husband has done quite a bit of cuttlebone cast jewelry in his shop. I really love the texture of this material, it's so versatile and very unique. It's like a fingerprint -- the cuttlebone gets burnt up in the casting process, so no two pieces will ever be the same.

What is a cuttlebone? Cuttlebone is a hard, brittle internal structure found in all members of the cuttlefish.  Cuttlefish are marine animals of the same class which also includes squid, octopuses, and nautiluses. Today, cuttlebones are commonly used as calcium-rich dietary supplements for caged birds, chinchillas, hermit crabs, and reptiles. Because cuttlebone is able to withstand high temperatures and is easily carved, it serves as mold-making material for small metal casting for the creation of jewelry and small sculptural objects.

Here are a couple of my husband's lovely creations cast in cuttlebone.

Cuttlebone Cast Ring $60

Brazilian Agate & Zircon $154

Diamond Engagement Ring $215

Numbers 6:24-26 "The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." 

It's HOT HOT HOT!

Oh my gosh, I remember the days when we used to hitchhike down to Hermosa beach and stay and fry all day long! Although it wasn't good for my skin we did it anyway, with baby oil and iodine to boot! The picture you are looking at used to be a dead end street, the pier and ocean are beyond, and we used to park here. When we got a parking ticket, which used to be just $5, we would tear them up because they didn't go to warrant back then!

Hermosa Beach Pier Ave. Plaza

But now that I am a functioning member of society (LOL!!!), I don't live too close to the beach, which is fine for me. I would prefer a lake or river. But my husband LOVES it, so I have given our Etsy shop a beachy theme this summer. The one thing I do miss about the beach however is the cooler temps down there most of the time. I don't know what is up, but the heat has really got me going this summer. We have had hotter temps this year than last, and our swamp cooler doesn't work as efficiently because of the remodel we're doing -- more open walls and no doors to close off areas. So my favorite new friend has been a frozen bottle of water!

Red Magatama Shaggy Loops Bracelet $34

So in going with the theme of this blog, here is a HOT HOT HOT bracelet that would go really well with those hot summer night parties....












...and a couple of sea-inspired sterling silver creations from my talented husband to cool you off on those same HOT summer nights!

Hei-Matau or Maori fish hook $166

Sterling Shell $74

Stop on by our Etsy shop, and see what other lovely pieces we have for you. September is sapphire month and we have several natural sapphire rings (click HERE) that would be lovely for a birthstone gift! And remember, we do all kinds of jewelry repairs -- sizing, soldering, ring re-tipping, replacing stones -- pretty much whatever you need. Please convo us through our shop.

www.cutterstone.etsy.com

Quality Handmade Quilts & More

Today on Wednesday Promotion (Ha,ha, it's Thursday, am I a little late?) I am featuring Jayne's shop, TwiggyandOpal. Jayne makes wonderfully different quilts, lap quilts, baby blanket/quilts, and other fabric accessories. Her style is not traditional - her wording is "My design ideas are unique. I love color, texture and BOLD! Whether it’s modern or traditional, I always try to include an unexpected twist!"

  I have purchased two of her baby blankets/quilts - one for a friend's baby girl, and another for my own grandson. These blankets/quilts are heirloom quality and can be passed on to the next generation. She also takes custom orders, so check out her shop for a different kind of baby or bridal shower gift!

 

"Bugs" baby blanket/quilt $42

Business Card Holder $7


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September is Sapphire Month! Although most people think of blue when thinking of sapphires, they actually come in many fancy colors. They are the hardest gemstone next to diamonds.We have several natural sapphires in our shop. If you don't see the color you like, ask us! Chances are we can make a similar ring for you in the color and  shape you prefer. Click HERE to see the ring selection in our shop, Cutterstone. 

The Olympics are Over! What Did You Like Best?

This year I watched more of the Olympics than I ever had before. My husband has always watched them, and because I would rather watch them than "Swamp People" or "Storage Wars" for the bajillionth time, we watched quite a lot of the games. I found that I really enjoyed them. It's is really amazing to see such skilled and strong athletes and their commitment to their sport. I marveled at some of the swimming and running events, when someone would pull out front to win in the last few seconds. And the United States did so well this year. Congratulations to all the United States Olympic athletes, whether you medalled or not, you were at the top of your sport to even be there!

That being said, I read quite a sad interview about a Chinese athlete, Wu Minxia, who won her third gold medal in diving. Wu's parents decided to withhold news of both the death of her grandparents and of her mother's long battle with breast cancer until after she won the 3-meter springboard in London so as to not interfere with her diving career. This is a quote from her father, which is what I found too sad for words. "We accepted a long time ago that she doesn't belong entirely to us," Wu Yuming told the Shanghai Morning Post. "I don't even dare to think about things like enjoying family happiness." 

 What a sad thing to say! I can't even imagine giving up my child for the "good of the country". And I doubt that the children get too much out of it but their 15 minutes of fame. Let's just hope and pray the U.S. never gets to this point. The government gets larger and larger, and more people are living on government assistance, and have government jobs. We have already given them too much control over our parental rights. I get so emotional over some of these issues. Most of us think, "That should be illegal" or "there should be a law against that". But...by making so many regulations and laws we are giving the government more control over us. Something to think about....

Wednesday Promotion Time

Happy Wednesday everyone - I hope you are all having a great week. This was a nice week for us. After having almost a month of no sales, we managed to get 4 so far this month. Hopefully that is good news for the months to come!
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Up for promotion today is Kristan (Krissy) Bendixen from the lovely Pacific Northwest where I would love to live. She has two amazing and different shops -- visit TrueTreatsPetBakery for "Dog Treats, Cat Treats, Horse Treats, Bunny Treats and Rat & Guinea Pig Treats too! All-Natural Pet Biscuits made with Pure, Whole, Fresh Ingredients. I offer something for every pet: Whole Grain, No-Grain, No-Gluten, No-Wheat, and/or Vegan options. Vegetarian menu." What else could your beloved pet ask for?

These look good enough for me to eat! Yummy!

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Krissy's second shop is BendixenArt. These tiny little pieces of art would fit perfectly into that tiny little space you wanted to fill on your wall. These would be great for a nursery or child's room, or anywhere in your house to add a splash of color!

Gorgeous golds! Would brighten up any room!

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Our next shop up is Debby Chatterton's Closet35. Her shop is filled with lovely "Handmade upcycled earrings.Some new beads, some recycled. Am now branching out and making necklaces, and bracelets." Upcycling sure is the way to go!

"Blue cubes and more", beautiful chain dangles in cornflower blue.

Please check out these shops, follow them on Facebook and Twitter, and help get the Handmade word out! Wishing everyone a week full of blessings an good times.

Loving the Family!

A few years ago, I set out to research my Dad's side of the family as a gift for my sister. He was an only child and never really talked about either side of the family. My Mom's side is much larger, but after she died when we were very young, my Dad never really kept in touch with them, and us....well, we were kids. So as I got into this research, I learned to really like and appreciate the search....of finding cousins and maybe the pictures that came with them. Luckily, on my Mom's side, one of my grandmother's brothers had done this genealogy research before the internet (can you imagine?) and actually published a book; Cornelius Roots & Shoots, so I had/have a great base to build on. Recently one of my previously unknown cousins started a Facebook Page - mainly for his line, but also for all the rest of the Cornelius'. I got a couple of great pics from him that I want to share, just because I love old photos.

This is my great grandfather on my mother's side, William S. Cornelius. He looked like quite a character, and lived to be 101. I remember going to that birthday party when I was 3 or 4...many many cousins there and he was on a gurney.

This is his wife and my great grandmother, Cassie Evans Cornelius.

This is the house they moved into in 1918 in Madrid, Nebraska, still standing when this pic was taken in 2002.

These are all pictures I got from my cousin. Really cool! I'm so glad I have met many of the people along the way and grateful for the information I got from them.

The Power of Promotion

When I first proposed to my husband that we start an online Etsy shop, he readily agreed and was excited to start designing and creating his own pieces. Over the years, he had torn out many, many pages of magazines that showed designs he loved. We started off with about 10 items in our shop, but not knowing much about marketing and such, business was practically non-existent. When I finally sat down and looked around at the resources out there on Etsy, I found that there were many teams with common goals, such as promotion and making your shop the best it could be. I joined a team called Handmade Circle, and found many fellow Etsians that I could share my concerns, questions, and elation at sales with. I can't say our shop is where we would like it to be, but we were happy with our sales last year, and I became online friends with many sellers who needed support just like we do! So, in keeping with the Handmade Circle tradition of promoting each other, and as a thank you to all the fellow team members that have supported and promoted us, I plan to promote others on my team at least once a week. Without Handmade Circle and The Foxes Den Team, I don't think we would have had the sales we have had.


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The first shop I want to promote is called TipsyGLOWs. She sells many wine-related goodies; wine bottle lights, hurricane lamps, wine cork jewelry, and wine glass charms, and she does custom work! From Rhonda's shop --

"TipsyGLOWs unique wine bottle lights add a touch of elegance and warmth to your home decor. Perfect as a wedding gift, bridesmaids gift, or party hostess gift. They are also perfect as as house warming gift. They're beautiful when displayed on your kitchen counter, china cabinet, or dining room buffet."

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The next shop is BagsByHags. I have personally bought several items from Marsha, and I love her products! She sells a variety of products, but a bible cover is the next thing I will purchase from her shop. How nice to have a beautiful, hand-made cover for our Lord's Word! From Marsha's shop --

"In our shop you will find unique One Of A Kind Purses and Tote Bags, Aprons, Bible Covers, and Home Accessories. I love recycling denim into everything! All of the items in our shop with the exception of the few items in the vintage and supply/de-stash section are handmade by me in my home. 

Faith is the main inspiration for my business, my Faith is very important to me, without it I would be wandering aimlessly through this world. Faith carries me through all of my days! "

So now I will promote our shop, Cutterstone. Here is one of my husband's current favorite rings that we are offering. We would welcome any questions you might have. We also can do just about any kind of repair work. Do you have a favorite piece that is just sitting in a box because it is broken? We can fix it! We can combine pieces together to make a new piece also. Convo our Etsy shop for more information. God bless you all and I pray that the rest of your week is productive and prosperous!

First Post

Well, here we go! I never thought I would have a blog, but it's timely and everyone has one! Plus, if it drives some traffic to our shop, that is a big bonus. Let's see how it goes. First of all, I'm not sure what I will post about, but what I would LIKE to post about is family, our work, and the Lord's work in us and others. Hopefully I can put a few pics of what my hubby does out in the shop, or maybe a couple of chain maille tutorials. Gardening, flowers, travel....these are all things that come to mind for articles.

So to start this off, my daughter just had her second child, Noah Michael Lee Conley on July 21, 2012. This kid came out so fast it was pretty amazing! Mother, son, and big sister are doing just fine.

So, until next time, God bless you all!