LOC Design Studio

Thinking About Holiday Shopping...

2011-10-25T10:46:00.000-05:00

As October is quickly coming to an end my thoughts are turning to the upcoming holiday season--Thanksgiving and Christmas. As you begin to shop for gifts, please consider purchasing handmade gifts from independent artisans and crafters and small local business. Small business owners, including yours truly, would greatly appreciate your support as we strive to keep our businesses afloat in today's challenging economy. With holiday shopping in mind, I've spotted some interesting items on Zibbet that I want to share with you. Enjoy!

This very unique piece of art would make a great gift for your favorite fisherman. This Spoon Fisherman can be found at Forked Up Art on Zibbet. If fishing isn't your interest don't despair. Forked Up Art offers a variety of great sculptures and useful items created from forks and spoons!

This Rustic Wall Cross is a beautiful art piece that would make a thoughtful gift for someone special on your gift list this year. Made of twisted rusty wire with a turquoise cross as the focal point, this cross will add a touch of rustic charm to any room. Rustique Art on Zibbet offers wonderful handcrafted items so be sure to browse there for additional gift ideas.

Are you looking for something for your favorite guy? I think this Tall Desk Lamp made of stones and topped with a parchment shade from Clearwater Cabin on Zibbet may be exactly what you're looking for.

How about this great Roasted Turkey made of wood for that budding chef on your gift list? Now your child can serve up a culinary treat any day of the year with this fabulous handmade toy from SS Woodcraft on Zibbet.

Wrap bracelets seem to be all the rage. How about this Denim Wrap Bracelet from Denim and Pearls on Zibbet for the teen gal on your shopping list? Made of recycled denim and a one-of-a-kind wooden and wire buckle, your teen will be the only one around with a wrap bracelet like this one!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Red, White and Blue

2011-06-28T18:05:00.000-05:00

When I think of summer, the most significant event that comes to mind is the celebration of the Declaration of Independence in the US on July 4. Fireworks, watermelon and "Old Glory" have naturally become symbolic of this holiday. I just had to take a walk through Zibbet this afternoon, looking for some red, white and blue. Here are a few great items that I found...

Can't you just see your picnic table set with these patriotic crocheted envelopes from All About the Buttons?

This flag button from Portable Graffiti would make a great party favor for each guest at your July 4 picnic.

I think that a basket filled with this handpainted patriotic baseballs from Yummy Cuppy Crafts would make the perfect centerpiece for your July 4 picnic table!

This very patriotic wreath from Wreaths by Robin will welcome your guests to the picnic with a huge splash of red, white and blue.

So you aren't the hostess of a July 4 gathering this year? This vintage brooch from Petit Poulailler would make a fantastic gift for the hostess of the picnic you'll be attending!

I hope you've enjoyed these Americana items that I spotted on Zibbet. There are many more great items there for your shopping pleasure so please stop in and take a look around! And whatever your Independence Day plans include, I wish for you a safe and happy July 4, 2011!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

You're invited...

2011-06-10T15:22:00.000-05:00

...to join the fun and excitement of selling your handmade, fine art, vintage and/or craft supply items on Zibbet for just $69 per year! That's just $5.75 per month. There's more! Pay no listing fees or sales commissions. And, for as long as you keep your account active (with no lapses in your subscription) you'll never pay more than $69 per year. That's right. This is a locked in price offer that lasts a lifetime.

If you're currently selling on another venue (or two or three) there's nothing wrong with that. But if you're not selling on Zibbet, you're missing a grand opportunity to grow with a company that is up and coming. With only 491 annual Premium subscriptions remaining for $69 (as of this writing), now is the time to sign up and lock in this great price.

So, what will you get for $69 per year? Here are just a few of the great Premium features available on Zibbet:

Unlimited listings. Fill your shop with hundreds of great items!
Shop customization features including widgets, colors and several choices of banner size.
Sales mode and coupons.
Eight images of each item.
Zibbet homepage exposure.
Gift Guide participation.

To see all of the great Premium only features, visit Zibbet's Sell page for a side-by-side comparison with Basic shop features.

Once you've gotten settled in at Zibbet, I think you'll agree that "There's no place like Zibbet!" So come join us today and let the fun and excitement begin!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Think Like a Fish

2011-05-28T09:06:00.000-05:00

Are you a fisherman or fisherwoman? Is there a special fisherperson on your gift list? If so, check out my latest shop on Zibbet called Think Like a Fish. TLAF is a collaboration between me and my dad, Jim "Pop" Canaday. Pop has been making fishing lures for over fifty years and we are now offering them for sale on Zibbet. I'm a jewelry maker and I'm offering fish themed jewely items through TLAF. To read more about us, please check out our Zibbet Seller Profile. Also, we'd love to have you become a fan and "like" us on Facebook where you can keep up with the latest from Think Like a Fish.

Here are a few items that are currently listed for sale with more coming...

Scoot-A-Jig Pink

Pop's Finesse Spinner Bait Chartreuse

Silver Shad Spoon Bracelet

Blue and Black Bead Minnow Spoon Bracelet
and Blue and Black Bead Dangle Earrings

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Roses Aren't Always Red

2011-05-06T13:11:00.000-05:00

Roses are my favorite flower. I love the softness of their petals and their intoxicating fragrance. Not only do I enjoy fresh roses in all colors, I'm also partial to jewelry and art that feature this beautiful flower. Here are some wonderful rose-themed items that I found on Zibbet. Enjoy!

Rhodonite Carved Rose with Zebra Jasper Necklace and Earring Set by Graceful Earth Jewelry

Crochet Tutorial Flower 2in1 by Faima

Vintage Salt and Pepper Shakers Shaby Pink

by Rose Cottage Emporium

Moonlight and Roses by Artistica

3" Cold Porcelain Rose Cluster Pin by Rose Petals

Quilled Rose by Sandra White

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Handcrafted Mugs

2011-04-26T21:20:00.002-05:00

Blue Celedon Fluted Cup

A lot of people have unique coffee drinking preferences and rituals. One such ritual is drinking coffee from a special mug. I'm one of those people. My son, who loves coffee, is also attracted to interesting and unique mugs. A few months back, I spotted this handcrafted pottery mug by Blue Sky Pottery on Zibbet. The shape is what caught my eye but I knew that Jesse would prefer a different color and a larger size. So I inquired about having a mug made just for Jesse and within a week or so, a custom made mug arrived. Jesse loved his surprise gift and so did I.

Jesse's Custom Made Mug by Blue Sky Pottery

Here are a few more wonderful handcrafted mugs that I discovered on Zibbet...

Catlovers Artprint Ceramic 11oz Mug

Peacock Blue Etched Glass Coffee Mug

Large Mug in White and Pale Green

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Random Acts of Kindness

2011-04-22T08:31:00.001-05:00

I love the Liberty Mutual commercials on television which show a series of individuals spontaneously assisting others with some sort of problem while being silently observed by another. The observer is next shown lending a helping hand, creating a random act of kindness chain reaction. The world would be a much better place if everyday every person would be the source of a random act of kindness.

A group of Zibbet sellers has begun to offer Pay It Foward, or PIF, items. PIF on Zibbet is based on the the random acts of kindness idea in the independent artisan community. Purchase a PIF item for a greatly reduced price and be reminded to look for an opportunity to perform a random act of kindness for someone in need. If you are a Zibbet seller who purchases a PIF, participanting sellers request that you in turn offer a PIF through your shop.

PIF items often sell very quickly so the items shown below may not still be available for purchase. However, search Zibbet for PIF and you should find a group of great items to choose from. And remember to share a random act of kindness everyday!

Fine Art Prints Daily Special PIF

PIF Gift Tags Made From Recycled Greeting Card

PIF English Congratulations Graduate Blue Stripped Handmade Greeting Card

Homespun Yarn - Metropolis PIF

PIF (pay it forward) Khaki Webbing Mini Key Fob

PIF (Pay It Forward) - Lime Frosted Glass, Antique Bronze Earrings

PIF - Blue Stick Shift Cozy fits Gear Shifts too

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

I Scream for Ice Cream!

2011-04-20T08:18:00.001-05:00

Out for Ice Cream

While browsing Zibbet recently, I came across this ice cream sign photo taken by Stimples and Strummels. I don't know about you, but I definitely had the urge to scream for ice cream as soon as I spotted the photo! To stop myself from heading straight to the nearest source of ice cream, I spent some time looking for more great ice cream inspired item on Zibbet. Here are a few of my favorites...

Felt Ice Cream and Banana Split Pattern

Pickles & Ice Cream Soap Set

Ice Cream Cones - Organic Dog Treats

Pink Ice Cream Diamond Zipper Wristlet

Ice Cream Truck on the Beach

Ice Creme Cone Summer Hair Bow

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Birds

2011-04-13T15:46:00.001-05:00

Birds are fascinating creatures. I love to watch them and listen to them. Although I couldn't hear the birds on Zibbet, I was able to do quite a bit of bird watching. Here are some of my favorites...

Bird Spirit Handmade Wall Tile by Little Clay House

Blackbird Silhouette by Valentine Photography

Humming Bird Secret Garden Wire Wrap Necklace by Flight Fancy

A Male Red Cardinal by John Harmon Gallery

Red Bird With Floral Crown by Street Noodles

A Beautiful Quilled Swan by Quilling by Sandra White

'Giorgio' Vintage Phoenix Brooch from Artemis 53

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Trees

2011-04-06T16:09:00.001-05:00

Lately, I've become fascinated by the amazing variety of intricate shapes and forms of trees. Like human fingerprints, no two are exactly alike. I don't think I'll ever grow weary of looking at trees, both in nature and in art. With trees on my mind, I went browsing through Zibbet and here are a few of the many wonderful items that I found featuring trees...

Kangaroo & Gum Tree Photograph

MP-1 Real Shoe Trees Mouse Pad

My Father's Trees

The Skeleton Coast - Petrified

Tree Art Ring

Tree of Life

Tree Through the Viewfinder Pendant

Hand Painted 4 Seasons Wine Glasses

Please take a closer look at these wonderful tree-themed items available at Zibbet--you just may find one (or more) that you simply cannot live without!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Hearts for Your Sweetheart

2011-01-26T09:32:00.001-06:00

Valentine's Day is less than three weeks away. Now is the time to get busy selecting that perfect gift for your Sweetheart. While browsing Zibbet today I found many lovely and unique gift ideas that are full of heart. Here is a sampling of the great Valentine's Day gift ideas available at Zibbet...

Wild Hearted Shibori Bamboo Tee - $65 - Dye Diana Dye

Valentines Meerkat Fairy - $40 - Nifty Knits

Norma’s Heart Pin - $10 - All About The Buttons

Vintage 40s Valentines Cute Kids Apron - $21.50 - Auntie M's Boutique

Heritage Dr Pepper Soda Can Heart Necklace - $5.50 - o0ocuppycakeo0o

Buy Handmade - Buy Handmade - Buy Handmade

Black Friday ~ Cyber Monday Sales

2010-11-25T11:13:00.000-06:00

As soon as the Thanksgiving table is cleared, I'm sure that many households across the US will turn their attention to plans for facing the Black Friday shopping crowds. As you plan your shopping strategy for this weekend, I'd like to suggest that you include a stop at Zibbet on your itinerary. Shopping online allows you to browse from the comfort of your own home--no looking for a parking place, no crowds, no standing in line! Plus, you know that you are purchasing quality handmade, fine art, vintage and craft supply items from independent artisans and crafters. Many Zibbet sellers are having great sales this weekend and are eager to assist you with your purchases.

There are several ways to search for great gifts at wonderful prices on Zibbet:

Zibbet's Community Hub Discussion

LOC Design Studio and Denim and Pearls have 25% off sales going on storewide, excluding Gift Certificates until 10PM on Monday, November 29, 2010. LOC Design Studio offers a variety of handcrafted beaded jewelry and gift items that are perfect for gift giving. Denim and Pearls specializes in handcrafted pearl jewelry and unique jewelry items made of recycled denim embellished with pearls. If the Auburn University Tigers defeat the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2010 Iron Bowl, in celebration of the the AU victory I'll change that discount to 50% off until 10PM Central Time on Friday!

A Stitch and a Prayer has everything on sale (except Gift Certificates) for 10% off unitl 10PM on Monday, November 29, 2010.

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Zibbet! What's not to love?

2010-11-01T15:47:00.000-05:00

Just minutes ago, Zibbet launched its new Sell page and along with it came some great news for Zibbet sellers! Zibbet is now offering Premium account holders the option of purchasing an annual subscription at an unbelievable price of just $69 for the first 1000 subscriptions! Each annual subscriber will receive a coupon for $50 worth of free advertising through Adroll.

So, for $69 per year, which is equivalent to $5.75 per month you can sell your handmade, fine art, vintage and craft supply items on Zibbet through a full-featured Premium shop AND receive $50 in advertising! What's not to love about that?

Zibbet also offers an easy to use import tool for both Etsy and ArtFire listings. With a few clicks you can bring all of your listings from one or both of these venues into your new or existing Zibbet shop. It couldn't be easier to join the team of happy Zibbet sellers today!

Check out Zibbet's new Sell page for all of the details! But hurry, only the first 1000 subscribers will be able to purchase an annual subscription at the introductory price of $69!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Are you ready for some football?

2010-10-17T18:50:00.052-05:00

Fall is my favorite season for several reasons. In addition to cooler temperatures and the vibrant colors of fall foliage, I also enjoy keeping up with my favorite football teams. As a matter of fact, everyone in the family enjoys a good game of football except the cats. When the cheering starts, the cats run for cover!

We had a great football weekend--all of our favorite teams won! On Friday night, our hometown high school team, the Freeport Bulldogs, defeated their opponent by a score of 27-13. I was preparing for a craft show on Saturday so I didn't attend the game. However, my husband and our older son went and had a great time!

Saturday is college football day! I arrived home from my craft show in time to see most of the second half of the game between the Auburn Tigers (my college alma mater) and the Arkansas Razorbacks. And what a second half it was! My tigers took advantage of multiple turnovers and successfully converted them into touchdowns, defeating Arkansas 65 to 43! War Eagle!

Our football weekend concluded with the Miami Dolphins facing off against the Green Bay Packers. The score was tied at the end of regulation play 20-20. The Dolphins came away with the win in overtime by kicking a 44-yard field goal for a final score of 23-20!

Are you ready for some football?

Football Clock
Bulldog Ornament
Auburn Tiger Bookmark
Dolphin Mailbox

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Zibbet Welcomes 1000Markets Sellers!

2010-09-25T21:01:00.000-05:00

Zibbet has quickly responded to the news that 1000Markets has been acquired by Bonanza and has an import program ready to assist 1000Markets sellers move their listings to Zibbet. You can find all of the details about transitioning from 1000Markets to Zibbet at http://www.zibbet.com/1000markets. Don't waste a minute! Hurry over to Zibbet today to get started selling on the best venue on the Web!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Dreaming of Autumn

2010-09-19T12:42:00.003-05:00

Autumn is my favorite season. After the long, hot days of summer, I'm always thankful for the refreshing change in temperature and the anticipation that I always feel as the seasons change. So as I continue to pat my forehead with a pretty cloth hankie (as Southern Belles are supposed to do!) to blot the visible sign of the "glow" brought on by the heat of late summer, I'm dreaming of autumn.

As I browse the great items listed on Zibbet, the wonderful handmade artisan marketplace, some wonderful autumn-inspired items have captivated my attention...

I can't think about autumn without envisioning falling leaves and spectacular color. Golden Autumn quilt by Patchwork Mountain is absolutely gorgeous. What a fabulous way to experience autumn any day of the year!

Denim is by far my favorite fabric to wear. When I spotted this Denium Autumn Pot Holder by Crafts by Carrie, I just had to include it on my list of autumn favorites from Zibbet.

Pumpkins are a classic symbol of autumn. What better way to experience pumpkins than to enjoy a delicious slice of homemade pumpkin pie? The great thing about this Signature Pumpkin Pye Necklace by Pumpkin Pye Boutique is that you wear it on a chain around your neck instead of on your hips!

Looking great while staying warm is a great combination and you can do just that with this cozey Bubble Scarf by All About the Buttons. The color and texture of this scarf are sensational!

And finish off that great autumn look with this scrumptuous pair of Autumn Harvest-Orange Glass Antique Brass Earrings by Estel on Zibbet!

As summer transitions to autumn, I wish for you days filled with blue skies and sunshine. May you experience joy and peace as you count your blessings and enjoy the splendor of autumn!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Meet Linda Harrell

2010-09-07T13:31:00.000-05:00

Tell us about yourself…

I am a marketing communications consultant for small businesses by day and an independent jewelry designer every other minute. I love vintage jewelry and beads as well and have been selling online for several years. GalleriaLinda is my handmade jewelry brand sold on www.iCraft.ca/gallerialinda for three years now. I recently started offering vintage jewelry in my GalleriaLindaLoft shop located on http://www.zibbet.com/gallerialindaloft. This journey of jewelry took me to starting a bead shop because beads are just so wonderful. I love to source them and gaze at them! You can find my beads on Zibbet at http://www.zibbet.com/gallerialinda. Since I work full time, this is what I do to have fun.

Describe your “style” and how it sets you apart from your competition. My style in general is color and modern! On Zibbet, I have two shops, GalleriaLindaLoft for vintage jewelry and GalleriaLinda for beads. I spend a lot of time sourcing the vintage jewelry, then researching. I am amazed at the sleek designs from the past and love it when I come across interesting finds! For example, I found several pieces of aluminum jewelry from the 40s and 50s. After researching, I found out that during the WWII effort, other metals were not available so aluminum was used, as we ladies must have our jewelry!

The other side of me shows my bead affection in the GalleriaLinda Zibbet bead shop. Last year I discovered wonderful vintage beads made from acrylic and Lucite. After purchasing for use in my handmade jewelry designs, I decided to start a shop. A portion of the shop contains “destash” goodies and other items are sourced for my designer customers. I also like to list vintage parts from some of the vintage jewelry I obtain. These goodies have been popular. I love to find different things that creative people can use for inspiration.

All of this started with my handmade jewelry where the majority of my designs are "contemporary" or "modern" in feel. Sleek, modernist, minimalist is really where I want to end up but I am not quite there yet. You can see my designs on my GalleriaLinda blog or on iCraft. Shorty, you may even see some of them on Zibbet!

What is the “story” behind your shop name? I lived in Brazil as a young girl where Portuguese is spoken. "Galleria" means "Gallery" and, "Linda" means "Beautiful". Therefore, GalleriaLinda really means "Beautiful Gallery" with a play on my name.

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment? At GalleriaLindaLoft, I have quite a few vintage Monet pieces from the 60s to the 80s. I love the longer necklaces, such as Vintage Monet 14k GP Long Pendant Necklace. They look so modern and Monet is one if my favorite jewelry makers.

What is your favorite Zibbet shop? I admire metal smiths, who create organic themed jewelry and am drawn to contemporary metalwork. As I was watching the new listings float by, Coral Reef Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet from Zahour Jewelry really spoke to me.

How long have you been a Zibbeter? Since March 25 2010 and the time has gone fast!

As a seller, what do you like best about Zibbet? The first thing that hit me about Zibbet before I set up a shop was the good, clean look of the site. Even the free shops do not have ads popping all around. That is classy. The seller features online now are fabulous. Copy a listing, custom shops, widgets from other shops, sale and coupon feature, are all things important to the flow of sales. The Admin of this site are so attentive and easy to work with the GREATEST customer service I have ever experienced on a selling venue. I feel that they genuinely care for and want their sellers to be successful.

As a buyer, what do you like best about Zibbet? The artists and artisans are what draw me to Zibbet. Every day I see new and innovative products listed. I love to just sit and refresh, refresh to watch the showroom. The site is drawing very talented people.

What else would you like the world to know about you and your Zibbet shops? I am looking forward to the many new features that pop up ongoing. It is like Christmas every week on Zibbet! I notice too that Google is really starting to pick up my listings and that is exciting. I just feel at home! Have fun listing and listing – it costs nothing extra to list and to renew. This is a successful combination.

You can connect with Linda at a variety of online locations:
http://gallerialindashowcase.blogspot.com/

http://indieceo.blogspot.com/

http://marketyourworld.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/gallerialinda

http://www.twitter.com/gallerialinda

http://www.twitter.com/gallerialoft

http://www.twitter.com/indieCEO

Vintage Pink Square Scalloped Porcelain Earrings

50s Copper Tulip Screw Back Earrings - Renoir

Handmade Silver Acrylic Bead w Gold Pearl Earrings

Vintage Berry and Leaf Enameled Pin Brooch

80s Vintage Jewel Encrusted Gold Toned Belt Buckle

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Zibbet's Re-Launch is Live!

2010-09-02T15:45:00.000-05:00

Earlier today, Zibbet CEO Jonathan Peacock announced the re-launch of Zibbet. Zibbet's re-launch brings a fantastic new look to the already fabulous venue which is dedicated to hosting online shops selling handmade, art, vintage and craft supply items.

In addition to a new look, Zibbet is also sporting a new blazing fast search engine. A really neat search option is the ability to search for shops with items in "sales mode" using the Items on Sale option. Search results can be sorted by listing order, price or discount level. Searches within one of Zibbet's four main categories, Handmade, Fine Art, Vintage or Supplies, produces a list of matching items sorted based on relevance to the search term. Search results can also be sorted by listing order or price.

Buyers can now use Zibbet's search engine to search within a particular shop. This is especially helpful in finding that "perfect item" in large shops with hundreds of items in inventory.

Other new features include a weekly Zibbet blog article titled "Fantastic Five" which spotlights five items that fit a particular theme from five different Zibbet shops. Zibbet's homepage shows a random display of nine items from Premium shops. This display is changed with each screen refresh and is a great way to browse. A Gift Guide search and a Zibbet's Hot Picks newlsetter are "in the works" and coming soon! You can sign up to receive the Hot Picks newsletter now so that you don't miss a single issue!

In celebration of the re-launch, Zibbet is offering the next 100 new Premium shops their first 60 days FREE! If you've been considering opening a shop on Zibbet or you're just getting started with your pursuit of online sales, now is the time to give Zibbet a try. After your first 60 days, the monthly fee goes to $9.95, which is a great value for the money. To see all of the great features available to Premium sellers visit Zibbet today! Enter coupon code 60FREE at sign up to receive your 60 days of free Premium benefits!

Be sure to try out the new search engine and browse the wonderful shops already selling on Zibbet!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Meet Beth Spencer

2010-08-29T19:40:00.000-05:00

Please meet Beth Spencer, owner of Chickamoo on Zibbet. Beth currently lives in Tazewell, Tennessee but she is in the process of planning a move to Florida.

Tell us about yourself... I'm a disabled vet, I do beadwork to keep my depression at bay. Been beading for 20 + years learning to design patterns.

Describe your “style” and how it sets you apart from your competition. My style is eclectic--sometimes its a color that inspires or sometimes a pattern.

What is the “story” behind your shop name? From hubby and a native American friend making up names for our family tribe. It stuck.

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment? Sparkling Hoops. I love the colors and the sparkle of these earrings.

What is your favorite Zibbet shop? Lilly's Naturals. I love handmade soaps. This All Natural Organic Sandalwood Spice Bar Soap is very appealing.

How long have you been a Zibbeter? Since April 10, 2010.

As a seller, what do you like best about Zibbet? The community.

As a buyer, what do you like best about Zibbet? All the different stuff.

What else would you like the world to know about you and your Zibbet shop? I also do custom work and glass beads

Connect with Bet on Facebook and Twitter.

Howlin Bag Handmade Beaded Necklace

Shield n Feathers Earrings

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Meet Alice Peterson

2010-08-22T00:35:00.000-05:00

Please meet Alice Petterson, owner of Mimi and Colette on Zibbet. Alice is from Palatine, Illinois.

Tell us about yourself… I am married and Mom to a teenage boy. Family means a great deal to me. I spent my early work years in Management then left to raise my son. When the time came for me to return to the workplace the decision on whether to return to Management and it's crazy long hours ( I don't think so) was easy. I chose to try working part-time in the retail world. I am employed at a craft store, going on 7 years and I love it! It's a perfect fit. As a child I learned to sew, cook, bake, crochet and embroider. As an adult, I taught myself to knit, make soap, card crafting, cross-stitch, needlepoint, scrapbook and candlemaking. I still want to master the art of tatting and try my hand at stained glass work.

Describe your “style” and how it sets you apart from your competition. My style can change with my mood but I think most of the time I consider myself practical and classic with a twist of Alice.

What is the “story” behind your shop name? I absolutely adore animals. The first pets I remember having as a child were 2 poodles named Mimi and Colette. Hence the shop name. Originally my shop was to cater to pets only but my family encouraged me to add all the items we use in our home on a daily basis. So now Mimi and Colette still works because my mother helps out with some of the projects. It's funny, I can't tell you which of us is Mimi or Colette. We never did talk about that.

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment? For me, this is an impossible question to answer. I honestly can't choose one. I have carefully created each item to be used every day and I love how they all turned out.

What is your favorite Zibbet shop? Not a fair question lol! There are so many talented artisans here on Zibbet. I love poking into shops to see what's new.

How long have you been a Zibbeter? I am proud to say I have been a Zibbeter since July 31, 2009.

As a seller, what do you like best about Zibbet? The sense of family is the first thing I notice. The communication, being included, helpful people, the lack of drama is a big bonus. The ease of setting up your shop! For me, Zibbet just feels right.

As a buyer, what do you like best about Zibbet? Smooth and easy transactions.

What else would you like the world to know about you and your Zibbet shop? Communication, trust, honesty, dependability. These words describe how I live my life and please know that this is how I run my shop. Custom requests are always welcome at no additional fee. I hope you stop by for a visit! Thank you to everyone for all your support and friendship!

Connect with Alice on Facebook and Twitter.

Watermelon Print Bag

Patriotic Swiffer Sweeper/Wet Jet Cover

Tangerine and Pink Crochet Washcloths

Christmas Stripe Crochet Bottle Bag

Ironing Board Cover

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Meet Sarah Scott

2010-08-15T07:50:00.000-05:00

Please meet Sarah Scott, owner of Made on Fifth Street. Sarah lives in Vanderhoof BC Canada with her husband and children.

Tell us about yourself…My name is Sarah and I love Jesus. My time on earth is mostly spent teaching and playing with two of the cutest munchkins you ever did see. My husband and I are in the midst of transforming a former marijuana grow op into a quaint farm house. Coffee is my most beloved indulgence.

Describe your “style” and how it sets you apart from your competition. I create soft sensory toys. I like to choose fabric I think is beautiful or unique in some way. Each of my children has a toy who is their friend. I think this creates security and cherished childhood mementos. I hope to give others this experience through Made on Fifth Street.

What is the “story” behind your shop name? Made on Fifth Street is the name of my shop because well... I live on Fifth Street and craft in my home.

What is your favorite item in our shop at the moment? The Abigail doll is my favorite item. I love the fabric she is made of as well I just love that all of my dolls are soft with sensory features. They jingle, crinkle and have a ribbon tag to touch (or chew as babies do).

What is your favorite Zibbet shop? CLP Studio. Her purses are amazing! All hand painted. I would love to get my hands on one. I love her Full Blossom purse especially.

How long have you been a Zibbeter? Since March 29, 2010.

As a seller, what do you like best about Zibbet? I really like the fee system. I love that you can choose to have a free account and pay after you sell or pay a flat fee. I really like that Zibbet rewards referals too.

As a buyer, what do you like best about Zibbet? I love the showcase. It is a fantastic way to browse items.

What else would you like the world to know about you and your Zibbet shop? I really want people to know that my items were made to bring others joy. Whether it's an upcycled sign or a taggie mini quilt I hope you adore it.

Connect with Sarah on her blog, Facebook and Twitter.

Birdie Blanky - Delilah

Frayed Flower Hair Clip- Deep Green and Blue

Mini Patchwork Quilt Baby Lovey- I Spy

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Meet Arty Lou of Ariamy on Zibbet

2010-08-08T12:57:00.000-05:00

Please meet Arty Lou, owner of Ariamy on Zibbet.

Tell us about yourself…I’m an Australian born who has been living on a beautiful and serene island in Greece for the past decade or so. I have two young adorable boys, a husband, three playful cats and two dwarf hamsters who take up a good portion of my time and energy. I taught English as a foreign language for a while but gave it up to devote myself to my children. My urge to create jewelry came at that time. Being a stay at home mum was difficult and overwhelming for me and I needed an outlet for all that pent up frustration. Getting involved with jewelry making was the ideal solution for me. It has since been educational, fun and rewarding in many aspects.

Describe your “style” and how it sets you apart from your competition. I can’t say I have a style as yet as I’m still discovering, learning and experimenting with new techniques and materials. I enjoy creating a variety of jewelry, therefore, one could find happy, fun, playful, feminine, ethnic and wire wrapped pieces. I also create banners.

What is the “story” behind your shop name? When I first began with my Zibbet shop, I chose the name Oh - La - La by Ariamy because I believe it reflected well with the content of my shop. Ariamy was part of my nick name also and I liked the sound of it. Later I began including banners and Oh - La - La no longer seemed to fit. Therefore, I named it 'Handmade Jewelry and Beautiful Banners' because I do believe they are beautiful!

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment? My So Oriental Ooak Necklace is my all time favorites. It was the second necklace I created. It was tricky creating it as I was a newbie at the time and I wasted a good deal of time, crimp tubes and tiger tail wire till I assembled it right and was happy with it.

What is your favorite Zibbet shop? It’s very difficult mentioning only one favorite Zibbet shop when there are so many out there that are favorites. However, one favorite Zibbet shop is luvs2create2. I’ve had the pleasure of purchasing from luvs2create2 very recently. She’s a very warm and wonderful woman who made the transaction a very pleasant one. I found exactly what I needed and I simply love her paper goods. I’m considering these as my next purchase for my jewelry. I currently really like these Mini Thank You Note Cards.

How long have you been a Zibbeter? I’ve been a Zibbeter since Jan 26th, 2010. I discovered it via Facebook and my only regret is I never discovered it earlier.

As a seller, what do you like best about Zibbet? What isn’t there to like? It’s incomparable to other craft selling venues. Zibbet has so many features and capabilities available that benefit all sellers if put into good use.

As a buyer, what do you like best about Zibbet? Transactions are made easily and securely in a few simple steps.

What else would you like the world to know about you and your Zibbet shop? It’s very important I know whether my customers are happy or not and I’m able to go out of my way to satisfy or help them out with something. If a problem should arise, I will do the best I can to resolve it.

Connect with Arty Lou on her blog, Facebook and Twitter.

Green variscite jasper - Silver sterling bracelet

Ivy - Copper Plated Ivy leaf Heart Pendant

Appealing leopard print and pearls

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Meet Karen Mertens of Le Petit Poulailler

2010-08-01T07:36:00.002-05:00

Please meet Karen Mertens, owner of Le Petit Poulailler, Three French Hens and The Little Chicken Coop on Zibbet. Karen resides in New Jersey.

Describe your style and how it sets you apart from your competition. I am interested in ... everything! Honest! I adore my quilting, embroidery, and sewing ~ those were my first loves and I never tire of them. If there is a craft shop within 50 miles, I’m there! I can find a tag sale blindfolded. I’m a prolific reader, a fair writer, an awful housekeeper and a better cook in my head than in reality. I grew up with my father’s books and encyclopedias, my mother’s antiques and my grandmother’s quilting. Here’s the thing: I know a little bit about a lot of things ... and my one advantage is ~ I can remember it all. (Just ask my friend Lori about her capybaras!)

What is the story behind your shop name? I have a thing for chickens. I wish the story were more intriguing that this, but there it is. Chickens are just about the best thing out there. They entertained me growing up in my nursery books and continue to be just plain goofy and fun now that I’m grown. Naw ... I have to be honest. After I sold my general store, I was planning on opening a holiday-themed boutique and took out all my licensing under the name, Three French Hens. When I opted instead to open online as a quilt shop, I kept the name. So when the time came and I needed another shop for vintage and antiques? ... this little chicken was called into service.

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment? It changes just about daily but right now, today? It has to be the 1882 Wildflower Engraved Monograms ~ they’re so completely yummy! Botanical. Engraving. Monogram...perfect! And the paper from these volumes is wondrously heavy ~ almost a linen feel to it. And it’s like the ink lays atop the paper...you can actually *feel* it. Each letter is different ~ there are dozens and dozens of letters, but each one is a different flower, each one a different font. They’re gorgeous!

What is your favorite Zibbet shop? Hmmm...favorites. I don’t like choosing favorites but if you insist!! It has to be Amber’s shop, Bijoutiful. And for those of you taking notes, Ill happily accept anything from her shop as a belated birthday gift (May 13th!) If I can choose just one thing from her work, it would be the beautiful, simple Sterling Forget Me Not Earrings. Yum!

How long have you been a Zibbeter? I joined the fun on March 23, 2010.

As a seller, what do you like best about Zibbet? Zibbet is a lovely looking site, isn’t it? And that is wonderful, but the best part is, the loveliness doesn’t stop at the surface ~ the site has good bones. I mean that, from a user’s point of view, the mechanics are good, too ~ it’s a breeze to list my items and the presentation is superb. And the site is starting off right, too, I believe. Community will play a big part in our success ~ I truly believe Jonathan and the Z Crew want to get it right the first time. And they’re willing to wait until it IS right before they put it out there for us. Yeah. Z shows great, great promise.

As a buyer, what do you like best about Zibbet? Back to that Presentation Factor. Everything looks absolutely scrumptious! The photographs are a wonderful, showy size ... I’ll admit that as far as I’m concerned I’d like to have a dozen more photo slots for each listing, but I’m pleased with having 4. The organization, the categories ... all that is right on the mark.

What else would you like the world to know about you and your Zibbet shop? Easy! Don’t be a stranger! Come by and see what I have new! I love conversation, questions, suggestions, hunting treasure ... are you looking for something special? Ask me to find that 1830 Regency fashion engraving you’ve been wanting framed for your dressing room, request a set of Kay Nielsen bookplates for your nieces expanding library. We’ll have some fun!

Connect with Karen on her blog, Facebook and Twitter.

Vintage 75 Piece White Button Packet
1935 Antique Engraved State Maps- Wyoming, Alaska
1909 Edwardian Bride, Harrison Fisher Lithograph
1954 Vintage Redoute Rose Botanical Lithographs 31

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Meet Christina of UmeOrigami

2010-07-25T14:14:00.002-05:00

Please meet Christina, owner of UmeOrigami on Zibbet. Christina resides in Irvine, California.

Tell us about yourself… I am a 24 year old graduate student who folds paper in order to get a little extra spending money on the side! I am working on my PhD in Art History and I have a deep appreciation for Japanese art and design. I am also an animal lover and I have a wonderful cat, salamander, gecko, and boyfriend to keep me company while I fold.

Describe your "style" and how it sets you apart from your competition. Colorful, Precise, Quality! I have seen other origami dolls being sold online, but I take a lot of pride in the quality of my dolls. As I always say, there is a gigantic difference between good quality washi paper and dollar store origami paper. With each and every doll, I fret and obsess over getting the best quality papers with the most beautiful patterns and designs. I think this really sets my work apart. I never worry about people zooming in to see the detail of my work, because the beauty really is in the details.

What is the "story" behind your shop name? When I lived in Japan, one of my favorite pastimes was taking floral photography with my very good friend. I had just discovered the macro function on my camera and I had fun with it wherever I went. One of my favorite “subjects” was plum blossom flowers (“ume” in Japanese, pronounced “oo-meh”). When I tossed around the idea of opening up my shop, the name immediately came to mind. We had such good times together so it is really a tribute to the fond memories of that year. Origami because... well... I make origami.

What is your favorite Zibbet shop? Mizu’s Garden: Japanese Kanzashi and Ribbon Ornaments. My favorite item at the moment is Hot & Spicy Pink Chrysanthemum Fabric Flower. I’ve been eyeing it since it was listed!

How long have you been a Zibbeter? Since February 8th, 2010.

As a seller, what do you like best about Zibbet? It would have to be the community. I always feel that the administration is listening to my thoughts with attentive ears and an open heart. Furthermore, all of the sellers I have met have been nothing short of amazing. Everybody wants to help everybody -- how often do you see that in a marketplace setting? People are open to ideas and I am elated to see the community grow.

As a buyer, what do you like best about Zibbet? The fact that sellers can include widgets in their shop so I can learn more about them. When I am shopping, I really like to get inside the head of the artist by checking out their social networks, their blogs, their photography, etc. Zibbet shops seem more like a whole personal shop as opposed to a shop hosted by a website. As a buyer, I enjoy looking at the way each seller chooses to configure their space. It gives me some insight into their style! My buying experience has been nothing short of amazing.

What else would you like the world to know about you and your Zibbet shop? I am happy to complete custom orders with custom hair colors! If origami dolls are your thing, my favorite projects are creating personalized kimono dolls. Simply send me a message on Zibbet or contact me via my website to set something up. They make wonderful presents, and I will happily add a magnet to the back of each doll free of charge. I am working on making Zibbet my primary venue so any and all sales will be found there in the future! Also, I am always looking for feedback on my work, so please stop by if you have a moment and let me know what you think or what I can improve.

Connect with Christina on her blog, Facebook and Twitter.

Japanese Origami Paper Doll – Marielle
Origami Earrings - Out to Pasture
Origami Pendant - Harmony on Ice
Bookmark with Origami Paper Doll – Dillon

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Meet Heather of NiftyKnits

2010-07-18T20:17:00.001-05:00

Heather is the owner of NiftyKnits on Zibbet, where she offers the most adorable handknit meerkats you ever will meet! Heather lives in Tenterden, a small historic market town in the heart of Kent, in the southeast corner of the UK.

Tell us about yourself… Always a tricky question! I live in the countryside with my first husband (I call him that to keep him on his toes!). Our three kids have all grown and flown the nest so we can pretty much please ourselves now, no rushing around playing taxi! We enjoy walking, especially by the sea and that is probably the only time I don’t knit. I used to be a primary teacher but couldn’t cope with the stress levels. I was very amused to see myself described on Facebook by a customer as a “professional meerkat knitter” but I guess that is what I now am! There are only so many hours in the day so I’m never going to be rich, but I’m much more content with my life of 24/7 knitting.

Describe your “style” and how it sets you apart from your competition. I used to knit all sorts of novelty items with some degree of success. My plan (if I had one!) was to specialize in knitted pots of flowers. Then one day I decided to knit a meerkat whilst watching Meerkat Manor. They immediately found a market, and a while later one of my Etsy team-mates suggested dressing them up in clothes. I laughed and refused, I thought it would be silly. A few weeks later I went to a Twitter meet-up and was challenged to wear my Star Trek sweater. Instead, I knitted my first Trekkie Meerkat – and the rest is history! They went viral thanks to BoingBoing and I’d found my niche.

My meerkats are different to others on the market because of their costumes (although I do still sell “naked” meerkats). I design all my own patterns and will very happily create a meerkat to someone else’s idea. My very favourite was a recreation of somebody’s Second Life Avatar, as a meerkat of course!

What is the “story” behind your shop name? I’ve been niftyknits for years, starting on ebay in 2003. I wanted a name which reflected my business. Of course when I joined Etsy I discovered there were a million other sellers with “nifty” in their name, but it was too late to change by then! The main problem is whenever anyone on a forum thread uses the adjective nifty to describe anything my first thought is that they’re talking about me!

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment? My favourite in my own shop is Ian Anderson - I was a 70s teenager and went to a Jethro Tull concert way back then, still remember him leaping about the stage like a man possessed!

What is your favorite Zibbet shop? Jane from A Tranquil Nook is a dear friend from Etsy who has recently joined us on Zibbet. She is very busy on the farm right now so hasn’t moved much stock over yet, but I’m very fond of her felted cuffs. I love the way she uses vintage buttons and gives them a new life.

How long have you been a Zibbeter? I joined at the end of March, this year – still a baby! I still have more stock to add, and more designs waiting in the “to knit” queue!

As a seller, what do you like best about Zibbet? Without question, the referral program! So far I’ve referred 32 new sellers from 971 click-throughs. I’ve always considered it my own responsibility to promote my shops on whichever site I’ve sold through, but it’s fantastic that Zibbet are rewarding our efforts in this way. Thank you!!!

As a buyer, what do you like best about Zibbet? I love the randomness of the Showroom, no matter how great a search engine is, there are always plenty of things you just wouldn’t know to search for (handknitted trekkie meerkats being a case in point!) so it’s great to be able to browse a selection you might not otherwise find.

What else would you like the world to know about you and your Zibbet shop? Please feel free to ask me to design the meerkat of your dreams! Many of my meerkats started off life as a commission for someone, I always say “you name it, I’ll knit it” and I have never been defeated yet!

You can connect with Heather on her blog, Facebook and Twitter.

Meerkat Star Trek Voyager
Knitting Meerkat
Batman Meerkat
Meerkat Surfer dude with skateboard

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Meet Wanitta Ranson of It's My Thing! Designs

2010-07-11T13:53:00.004-05:00

Please meet Wanitta Ranson, owner of It's My Thing! Designs on Zibbet. Wanitta lives in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada.

Describe your “style” and how it sets you apart from your competition. The best word to describe my style would be eclectic. My love of art, ancient textiles, and period fashion has always had a great influence on my creativity but quite often it's the whimsical side of my personality that shows through when designing.

What is the “story” behind your shop name? Another passion of mine is music. One day, I was straining my brain trying to think of a fun, catchy name for my business. Then the song "It's Your Thing (Do what you wanna do now)" popped into my head. It was perfect! Designing and creating was my thing and was exactly what I wanted to do. That was the moment It's My Thing! Designs was born.

My logo has a story behind it as well. I love to draw using mostly black ink. Several years ago I drew what is now my logo and she is called Honeysuckle Fairy. She was drawn with black ink but for fun I scanned her into my computer and played around with different colors. I used the olive and maroon version for my shop banner. The purple and olive version is on everything else. Never under estimate the power of branding. If you have a simple yet unique logo, or avatar, and you plaster it everywhere eventually people will think "I know I've seen that somewhere before" thus sparking more interest from potential customers.

What is your favorite item in our shop at the moment? One of my favorite items that I have listed in my shop right now is a pair of earrings I made a few weeks ago. They are called "Factory Girl Edie in Red" and are one-of-a-kind like their namesake. The design was inspired by black and white photos I had been looking at of glamour girl socialite Edie Sedgwick. So tragic but she sure had style!

What is your favorite Zibbet shop? There are several shops that I love but if I can only choose one as my favorite it would have to be Black Heart Jewellery. Her shop appearance is very chique and elegant and makes you feel like you’re entering an exclusive boutique. One of my favorite items from Black Heart Jewellery's shop is called Mara Bracelet.

How long have you been a Zibbeter? Since February 10, 2010

As a seller, what do you like best about Zibbet? I think everyone should have a Premium Account. When I first joined I had a basic account but it only took about 20 minutes to decide that the upgrade to Premium was in order. There are a lot of features that make selling on Zibbet unique. One is the ease of listing and I especially love the Copy Listing feature. Editing is also a breeze. I recently had a sale and was thrilled with how quick and easy it was to set up. There are many other wonderful things about selling on Zibbet but this final one is what really sets them apart from many other on-line selling sites. Customer service! Whenever I have had a question I have always received a helpful answer in an unexpectedly timely manner. This alone should make others feel confident that Zibbet is where they want to sell their treasures. If I sound like I am a huge fan of Zibbet then you would be right!

As a buyer, what do you like best about Zibbet? As a potential customer entering the world of Zibbet I would have to say my favorite feature is the showroom. I love spending time refreshing my way through pages of items to see what catches my eye.

What else would you like the world to know about you and your Zibbet shop? Designing is my passion! Whether it is a new pair of earrings or a cross stitch chart I love the satisfaction I get from creating something new. Much of what I create is influenced by my interests in ancient textiles, fashion and art. I have been designing cross stitch charts for over 20 years and they reflect hints of such cultures as the Celts, Incas and Egyptians. My jewelry designs range in style from Victorian Gothic, Art Deco and Art Nouveau to Modern Elegance, Rock Chic and the just plain fun. I have been designing jewelry since the fall of 2006 and have sold pieces all over the world. Over the last few years I have added many other creations such as wine glass charms, zipper pulls and fingerless gloves. Designing and creating ~ it's my thing and I love it!

You can connect with Wanitta through her blog, Facebook and Twitter.

Elegant Egyptian Golden Lotus Flower Earrings

Ruby Red Drop & Silver Goth Deco Earrings

Egyptian Collar Counterpoise Cross Stitch Pattern

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Meet Leta Marie Porter

2010-07-04T14:19:00.000-05:00

Please meet Leta Marie Porter, owner of Leta Marie Designs on Zibbet. Leta Marie resides in Albany, Oregon.

Tell us about yourself… I am a Wife, Mother of 2 Grown Daughters, and a School Bus Driver of 12 years. My daughter's encouragement has given me a new passion in my life that I did not realize was missing. I can not adequately express the immense joy I get from creating something that someone else might like. I am pretty anal about how my creations look which has made me slow to begin more on necklaces and bracelets. I want to know all the ins and outs of what I need, how to do it, etc. before I start. I am just Happy to have found a way to make an income (such as it is for now) with doing something that is so fulfilling for me. And it has opened a whole new world of meeting such Wonderful, Creative People too.

Describe your “style” and how it sets you apart from your competition. I don't really have a "style". I like a wide variety of materials. My items have been described as "simple". But as I mature in this I hope to create more complicated items. I do though only make earrings that are not "heavy" pulling down on earlobe. And I only use Ear Wires that can be worn comfortably by people with metal sensitivities like my daughter who can only wear Sterling Silver, gold filled, Surgical Steel, etc.

What is the “story” behind your shop name? I just decided to use my first and middle name, added the word designs, because that is what I am doing. The e in my first name is long and the a is short. My names sound nice together I think.

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment? Black Pearl Earring with Swarovski Crystals. I think it is a simple, elegant looking earring.

What is your favorite Zibbet shop? That is a hard question because there are so many Great Shops to pick from. But I do like the clutches and pendants offered by Blu Skys Boutique. I particularly like this Pink Floral Moda Fabric Purse/Key Fob.

How long have you been a Zibbeter? Since Dec.19, 2009

As a seller, what do you like best about Zibbet? The tools to set up my shop were easy to use. But I really like the fact that if you have a problem or question, the people at zibbet get back to you fairly quickly. And everyone (seller) here has been very Friendly and Helpful even if you sell in the same catagory. I have made wonderful friends here!

As a buyer, what do you like best about Zibbet? I have already bought one item and the Seller shipped my item so promptly I got it much sooner than I expected and it was packaged so nicely. Communication was great too! And so many wonderful shops to Browse through!

What else would you like the world to know about you and your Zibbet shop? I will be adding more items in my shop so please stop by. I offer 10% off future purchases that are paid with PayPal after the first purchase made through PayPal.

Connect with Leta Marie on Facebook, Twitter and her blog.

Dragonfly Charm Earrings in Blues

Heart Charm Earrings with Ruby Swarovski Crystals

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Meet Rose L'Abbate

2010-06-27T06:44:00.000-05:00

Please meet Rose L'Abbate, owner of Rose Petals Jewelry on Zibbet. Rose currently resides in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Tell us about yourself… I'm 65, retired and enjoying the good life. We are building a new house and I can't wait. My husband and I travel extensively. We also golf, go for walks, spend a lot of time together. We are best friends. He doesn't bead but has helped me out at craft fairs.

Describe your “style” and how it sets you apart from your competition. I don't have a particular style. I go from stringing or weaving beads to wire wrapping everything sight. One day I'll be on a pendant kick, the next it's earrings. What ever catches my eye at that moment.

What is the “story” behind your shop name? My name is Rose and the petals are the pieces of art that I make.

What is your favorite item in our shop at the moment? Mint Green crystal handwoven bracelet. I love the color and the femininity of the piece.

What is your favorite Zibbet shop? I like Metal Flair. I think Cherry Blossom Branch Cuff is unique.

How long have you been a Zibbeter? Since April, 2010

As a seller, what do you like best about Zibbet? I like the fact that it's small and as a community we are getting to know each other. There doesn't seem to be all the nit picking that I've seen on other sites. People are helpful and encouraging.

As a buyer, what do you like best about Zibbet? I haven't bought anything on zibbet yet.

What else would you like the world to know about you and your Zibbet shop? Each of my pieces is made with love and care and are truly a part of me. From the gathering of the elements to the finished product and always guaranteed.

You can connect with Rose in her Zibbet shop and on her blog.

Wire wrapped Triangle glass with charms
Turquoise and silver necklace ala southwest

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Meet Jill Wilson of Jilly's Stuff

2010-06-20T07:54:00.000-05:00

I'm excited to introduce you to Jill Wilson, owner of Jilly's Stuff on Zibbet. Jill's shop contains a variety of items including note cards embellished with lovely crocheted pieces, crocheted dog sweaters and craft supplies. Jill resides in Ontario, Canada.

Tell us about yourself… I am a married "older" mom with a 12 year old boy at home. He is our grandson that my hubby and I adopted from his daughter when he was 3. I have recently retired from Michael's Arts and Crafts as a custom framer. I love lace, linen, crafts, stitching, vintage, flea markets and thrift stores. I love my silly beagle, Buck, and he has introduced me to more of my neighbors in 3 months than I ever knew in the 11 years we have lived here.

Describe your “style” and how it sets you apart from your competition. I can only describe it as eclectic.A mix of old and new, upcycled, updated, etc. I learned a lot from my mom who lived through the bombings of London during WWII, and have carried on with her "do and make do" attitude. I am also a child of the 60's and love the freedom to randomly pick and choose from various craft and art supplies to put together my cards.

What is the “story” behind your shop name? I am Jill and this is all of my stuff. I loved George Carlin and his routine on "stuff". I seem to fit into that quite well. Also, my hubby once called my partially finished craft projects as "junk". He learned quickly to call it stuff instead since he couldn't take any of his junk, upcycle or revamp it and use or sell it.

What is your favorite item in our shop at the moment? I think it would be the Cross bookmark note card. I just loved the elegance of the cross and the simplicity of the card.

What is your favorite Zibbet shop and why? Only one? That's hard to do. Nearly everyone has something I just have to have. I could fill a page with shops and links.

How long have you been a Zibbeter? I opened up my shop in January, 2010.

As a seller, what do you like best about Zibbet? I love the blogs, forum, members, all of the shops, the ease of browsing around, but mostly, the very positive attitude that Zibbet reflects.

As a buyer, what do you like best about Zibbet? Unfortunately, I have not purchased anything yet. I have to try and narrow down my wish list. My day is coming and I will succumb to the urge to shop. My willpower is weakening.

What else would you like the world to know about you and your Zibbet shop? I am always here to answer any questions or concerns the buyer may have. I am very big on customer service and everyone deserves the same courtesy and attention regardless of whether they make a purchase or not. As I see it, internet shoppers want honesty, availability and communication from the shopkeepers. You still have to "be there" for them even if it is not in person.

You can connect with Jill at her Zibbet shop, Jilly's Stuff, and on her Zibbet's Community blog page.

Rocky Coastline Note Card
Crocheted Business Card Holders
Custom Medium Dog Sweater

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Meet Barbra LaBosco

2010-06-13T18:17:00.002-05:00

I am pleased to introduce you to Barbra LaBosco, owner of All About the Buttons on Zibbet. In addition to posting regularly on Zibbet's Community website, Barbra is also an editor and columnist for Indie Smiles. Barbra's Zibbet shop is filled to the brim with a wonderful mix of items that you don't want to miss. Please take a few minutes now to meet Barbra.

Tell us about yourself… Retiring from an education career has given me the opportunity to pursue my interests virtually full time. Moving from New York to South Carolina has afforded me the space to spread out. I was an art major in college and truly was creating at about age 5 and never stopped. I sold things starting in college and on and off during my career and parenting. Grandma's and Mom's famous cookie tin of buttons were always a source of joy and using them as embellishments rather than just as they were intended is fun to envision. When I'm not playing with the buttons, I work part time for my son's business or I watch his 2 boys so he and my daughter-in-law can have some free time. My husband and I are greatly enjoying having time to call our own and being in charge of how it's spent. I was blessed with a great career and a healthy family and am now blessed with a new chapter.

Describe your “style” and how it sets you apart from your competition. My style may be a disadvantage but it is me. There are certain materials I absolutely love. Obviously buttons are #1. But I love paper, ribbon and yarn as well so I have attempted to mesh them all. The cohesive factor may be the buttons but I have so many interests and products it may be a bit scattered for some. The portability of yarn work makes it attractive and I love trying to go out of the box a bit with the clocks especially, and pins. My various bookmarks came about as I am an avid reader and the mini purses were also developed out of a need to organize my pocket book.

What is the “story” behind your shop name? In the early 90s I started seriously making pins and barrettes with buttons for sale. They are both closures so my first name was "Closings" but this was before the instant stores on the internet. I then added clocks and bookmarks so "Closings" was not appropriate. Since everything had buttons, it evolved to "All About The Buttons". I almost feel guilty if there's an item without buttons which does happen.

What is your favorite item in our shop at the moment? My favorite is usually the latest. I love the new magnetic bookmarks and of course my clocks but the longest lasting favorite, Button Heart Shadow Box, is still for sale and hanging in my house. It is the 3rd in a series and real love went into it. It includes buttons, paper and ribbon but I forgot the yarn!

What is your favorite Zibbet shop and why? Wow, that's like asking to name your favorite child! I love Mrs Supply. Jen is a very special lady with several Zibbet shops. Her supplies are top notch and sent with care and beauty. I bought this Flower Charm Ribbon and just love it. In fact I need more.

How long have you been a Zibbeter? I started in July 2009 so it's almost a year.

As a seller, what do you like best about Zibbet? Instantly, there was such a great vibe. When the owner of the company fixes your banner for you, I knew I was someplace special. I particularly love the larger photos for the customers and the amazing one page ease of listing items. Now with the Zibbet forums, the wonderful attitude is extended to include many more great people.

As a buyer, what do you like best about Zibbet? It is such a smooth process. I confess...I am a shopper. I love to support others and get a kick from being someone's first sale. I have made many purchases already and not one snag yet.

What else would you like the world to know about you and your Zibbet shop? Aside from indoor creating, I'm an avid, untrained gardener. Those first spring flowers or the bud of a tiny tomato are a kick. I love to create, indoors and out. I cannot sit still. My yarn work is always with me in the car (not when I drive, of course!) for that unexpected wait and goes with me to doctor appointments and car service. I cannot watch TV or a movie without needles clacking. It's in my blood. My father was a professional designer and my mom was a master seamstress so maybe it is genetic. I still get a thrill knowing someone in Greece or Canada or Idaho is wearing or using something I created. I will never stop and of course, the extra cash flow is welcome in these economic times. Everything is made with love and what better way to spend my time?

You can connect with Barbra at her Zibbet shop, All About the Buttons, as well as Facebook, Twitter and her blog, All About the Buttons.

Wavy Heart Ceramic Clock

Big Jigsaw Puzzle Button Barrette

Time & Love ACEO

Pale Blue Button Scarf

Mr. Green Jigsaw Puzzle Piece Pin

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Today ONLY!

2010-06-12T10:16:00.000-05:00

Receive an additional 5% off your total purchase when you enter coupon code EXTRA at check out from all three of my Zibbet shops!

That's 28% off regular prices PLUS another 5% off with the coupon! Coupon expires Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 8:00AM Central Time! Hurry--you have less than 24 hours to receive this extra discount!

Anniversary Sale ends at 6:00AM on Monday, June 14, 2010.

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Anniversary Sale!

2010-06-09T11:42:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, June 12, 1982, I married my sweetheart in a wedding ceremony that almost didn't happen. Twenty-eight years ago today, I called my matron-of-honor and asked her to take me to the emergency room as I woke up extremely ill that morning. I was admitted to the hospital and spent the next two days and nights in ICU. Thankfully, I was released from the hospital on Friday well enough to proceed with the wedding the next day! And as they say, the rest is history...

In celebration of 28 years of marriage to my sweetie and best friend, I'm having a SALE! Prices on everything in all three of my shops have been reduced by 28% from today through Sunday, June 13! If you make purchases from more than one of my shops, I will combine shipping and refund the difference!

LOC Design Studio

Denim and Pearls

A Stitch and a Prayer

Thanks for shopping at Zibbet!

Buy Handmade! ~ Buy Handmade! ~ Buy Handmade!

The Girly Place - Found Only on Zibbet!

2010-06-04T07:16:00.001-05:00

Joanie of The Girly Place told me that the title of her autobiography would read “My Life as a Child.” She explained that she tries to teach everyone she meets that “being childish doesn’t mean being immature.” Instead, it means seeing the wonder in all things and always being willing to learn. When you visit Joanie’s shop, you will no doubt understand her childlike viewpoint of the world! Joanie’s creations are playful and fun.

Joanie says that she “loves, loves, loves” her Fluff N Stuff tutus, especially the listing for “Choose your color” because the customer can choose up to two colors to create a custom look for that special little ballerina! When I went browsing in Joanie’s shop, I couldn’t resist this little Ladybug Resting FELT Clippie. I also discovered that tutus are not just for little girls. Joanie also offers adult length tutus for the little girl in all of us!

Of course, pink is on Joanie’s list of favorite colors. She also loves yellow because it is a “happy, sunny color.” Light blue makes the list too because “it looks so good on my son.” I asked Joanie to tell me how I would identify her shop in a brick and mortar craft mall, without being able to see to shop name. She responded, “Gee, I haven’t seen any Ba and M tutu shops, so I’d guess all the miles of fluff would give it away!” I think she’s right—I’ve never seen a B and M tutu shop either!

If Joanie could be any fictional character, she would choose to be Spiderman. Can’t you just picture Joanie swinging through the streets, saving the city from bad guys? I can imagine that there is never a dull moment at Joanie’s house. When I asked Joanie to tell me about her most “interesting” encounter with an animal, without expounding she told me that she is allergic to reindeer and that her dad once slapped a bear! See what I mean?

The Girly Place along with All Felt Up can only be found on Zibbet. Connect with Joanie on Facebook, Twitter and The Girly Place blog.

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Country Rose Artwork ~ Found Only on Zibbet!

2010-05-28T13:36:00.003-05:00

Vicky Greene of Country Rose Artwork, dreams of one day having her own “one woman art show” at New York’s Chelsea art gallery. Vicky’s art is varied, reflecting phases of growing and learning throughout her life. Vicky enjoys using various media to express dimension and personality. As a child, Vicky dreamed of becoming an airline stewardess. After discovering that she was too short for that career, Vicky chose another path. Inspired by her uncle, Lloyd Menard, a well known artist, Vicky decided that she wanted to follow in his footsteps.

Vicky says that her best friend would describe her as being a bubbly, thoughtful, family-orientated and adventurous person. Vicky describes herself as “dependable” and a “project‐queen” and of course, an artist. When you look at Vicky’s art, I think that you will see all of these characteristics!

Vicky says that her favorite item in her shop at the moment is her Wildflowers painting because it is an expression of the ordinary being transformed into the extraordinary. Vicky’s favorite color is fuchsia because it is vibrant and full of life.

For many years Vicky was known as “the city gal.” Vicky now resides in the country with her partner, where she finds life much more serene and enjoys being closer to nature. Working from her “own little studio” in the country, Vicky paints, photographs, draws and makes jewelry influenced by her surroundings. Barns, animals, flowers, trees and people are frequent subjects of her artistic endeavors. Vicky is finding that her work is becoming “impressionistic” as she looks at the world abstractly and expresses what she sees as “her reality.” She says, “I like to feel I capture the momentary and transient effects of sunlight by painting in plain air. I enjoy painting realistic scenes of modern life which portray overall visual effects instead of details."

I was totally captivated by Vicky’s Anatomical Landscape 2, a painting that she describes as “an abstract landscape drawing of the body.” I also was attracted to the painting titled Captured showing a majestic eagle soaring in front of an ocean backdrop.

Vicky would love to visit Europe one day. She wants to visit the Louvre to experience the old world art that we’ve all dreamed of seeing “in person.” China is another place that Vicky would enjoy visiting. Wherever she travels, she definitely wants to share the experience with her partner as well as her daughter and son. Vicky describes her daughter as “fun and full of life” while her son is a “survivor” and an “adventurer.” The combination of personalities sounds like the makings of an awesome trip!

Vicky’s Country Rose Artwork can only be found online at Zibbet. Please spend some time looking at Vicky’s interesting paintings. You can connect with Vicky on Facebook, Twitter and The Crazy World of Victoria Rose.

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Zibbet - Running an Online Art Related Business

2010-05-22T13:03:00.000-05:00

Zibbet - Running an Online Art Related Business

Ferosh Kitty Designs ~ Found Only on Zibbet!

2010-05-21T07:53:00.000-05:00

What can I say? Beautiful handmade beaded jewelry and kitties—the purrfect combination! Annie of Ferosh Kitty Designs has made making jewelry and taking care of her rescued kitties the focus of her life. Annie is an inspiration to me. A survivor of domestic violence, Annie says that “My life is not what I thought it would be, or what I wanted it to be, but it is my life and every day I try to make it better, keep a hopeful attitude, and get through to see the next day.” All of the proceeds from Annie’s Zibbet shop are used to care for her beloved kitties. Ferosh Kitty Designs on Zibbet “means the world” to Annie and she is very hopeful for its success.

Annie selected the name “Ferosh Kitty Designs” because the use of “ferosh,” short for “ferocious” is playful and hip, but not too hip. Of course the “kitty” part relates to her love for her rescued kitties.

Currently, Annie’s favorite item is her Pink Burlesque Bracelet. Annie says she selected this particular item because of its sparkle and femininity. When trying on the bracelet, Annie feels dressed up, as if she were going out to a fancy dinner or dance. All of Annie’s designs have a vintage look, which she loves. In particular, Annie enjoys the aurora borealis finish, which reminds her of a necklace that her grandmother had. If pressed to select a favorite color, though, Annie would chose purple because of the soothing effect the color has on her mood.

I was attracted to several of Annie’s lovely jewelry designs. I especially like her Jet AB Glass & Hematite Glam Necklace because I am a huge fan of hematite. I also really like her Mocha Swirl Bracelet.

Because she has come through some difficult times in her life, Annie has a heart that desires to help others. When asked if she could trade places with another person for one day, Annie said that she would choose Paris Hilton. Instead of going on a $23,000 shopping spree though, Annie would instead use the opportunity to “help the poor and the needy, and assist the elderly with their prescription drug costs.” Annie would also help animals in kill shelters.

Annie loves animals, and if she could choose to be one, she would of course choose to be a “much-loved cat in a happy home.” She says she can’t think of a happier existence! Annie shared with me a story about an interesting animal encounter. As a child, she visited a zoo and was petting the red pony, oblivious to a sign that read “I bite.” Fortunately, the pony did not bite her! Annie also reported that she hugged a Florida panther once!

Annie’s favorite food is her mother’s vegetable soup because it is both delicious and nutritious. If Annie was an herb, she says she would be basil, because she loves the smell and because it was once called “the herb of kings.”

Ferosh Kitty Designs are offered exclusively on Zibbet. Please take some time to browse through Annie’s shop. I’m sure that you will find something that is just as irresistible as Annie’s sharing personality! Connect with Ferosh Kitty Designs on Facebook, Twitter and This Kitty’s Got Claws.

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Caribbean Dreams ~ Found Only on Zibbet!

2010-05-14T18:00:00.005-05:00

Close your eyes and for a moment imagine a sandy beach and crystal blue waters, palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze and a quiet calm washing over your spirit! When I first met Maria of Caribbean Dreams, I couldn’t help but picture such a scene. But the scene is not complete without a touch of spice! Maria’s vibrant personality and her longing to return to her home in Cuba one day add the final touches to this beautiful picture.

Maria owns Caribbean Dreams on Zibbet, where she offers her original jewelry pieces. Maria works with metal clay, wire and gemstones, designing beautiful one-of-a-kind works of art! Maria is new to Zibbet, joining the community in April of this year. Currently Maria’s favorite item is Fine Silver & Bronze Tree in Moonlight. Maria selected this piece because it “conjures immediate feelings of peace and oneness with the beauty of nature.” Maria is very particular about the gemstones she selects for her jewelry designs and never knowingly uses stones that have been dyed. Because few things in nature have straight lines, Maria’s designs are characterized by curving lines and coils. While window shopping in Maria’s Zibbet shop, I was immediately attracted to her Fine Silver Tree of Life pendant. I also love this Freeform Rhyolite 3 pendant.

Although Maria currently resides in New Jersey with her husband, she dreams of returning to her homeland one day. She wants her husband to have the opportunity to experience true Cuban culture “so that he realizes that making enough food for an army regardless of how many people will be at dinner is a cultural thing.”

Speaking of food, Maria told me that if she were an herb she would be the leaf form of cilantro because it brings a mild spice to foods. She also relates to coriander, which is the lemony flavored seed form of cilantro. Maria says that the changeability of this herb “speaks volumes” to her.

Maria promised herself years ago that she would never grow up. She loves art and has found her niche creating jewelry that reflects the beauty of nature. In response to the question, “If you were an animal, what would you be and why?” Maria said that she would be an eagle soaring on the air currents, looking down on the world with few worries!

Maria is quite happy with her life and can’t think of anyone she would like to trade places with, not even for a day. When asked who she would choose to play the leading role in a movie about her life, Maria’s answer was Lauren Bacall. Maria identified Bacall as a “quintessential strong, independent woman”. When her career in banking suddenly ended due to being laid off, Maria discovered that she is stronger than she thought and is enjoying being able to pursue her jewelry making passion full time.

Maria’s jewelry is available online exclusively through Caribbean Dreams on Zibbet. Please take a few minutes to browse Maria’s shop. Connect with Maria on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Button by Portable Graffiti

2010-05-12T17:20:00.003-05:00

I just could not resist sharing this button by my friend Judy of Portable Graffiti. If you sell anywhere, especially if you sell online you need one of these!

While you are clicking around, be sure to check out some of the other fabulous shops on Zibbet! The Zibbet showroom is a great way to browse-click "refresh" in your browser to see a new random group of twenty-five items from the talented artisans and crafters on Zibbet.

Zibbet is destined to become the premier venue for buying and selling handmade items, art, craft supplies and vintage goodies. Would you like to open a shop on Zibbet? Learn how you can get started selling on Zibbet today!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

LOC Design Studio on The Girly Place Blog

2010-05-06T17:47:00.005-05:00

I'm excited to let you know that LOC Design Studio is being featured on The Girly Place Blog! Please click on over to learn a bit more about us and to enter to win a $25 gift certificate from LOC Design Studio! Also, be sure to visit The Girly Place on Zibbet where you will find adorable handmade tutus as well as a variety of other "girly" items!

Are you interested in opening a shop on Zibbet? Find out how you can have a FREE shop to sell your handmade items, fine art, craft supplies and vintage items!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

I Zibbet. Do you?

2010-04-22T23:01:00.004-05:00

Zibbet is my handmade selling venue of choice. I have two Premium shops and I am looking forward to a long and successful stay there! Why do I love Zibbet? Let me count the ways...

Customer service is a number one priority for Zibbet--I know that first hand. Responses to questions and technical concerns have always been delivered quickly and professionally. The staff listens and then takes action without ever making excuses!
Listing new items is fast and easy, with only two screens to be filled in with the information about each item.
Photos for each item can be uploaded in a single batch rather than individually.
I can customize the appearance of my shop to make it uniquely mine.
Outside links are permitted, including widgets that add yet another personal touch to my shop's appearance and functionality.
The flat rate monthly charge for my shop, which means no separate listing and transaction fees, encourages me to list more items. A limited number of shops are currently available for $9 per month.
Zibbet's referral program offers both Basic and Premium shopowners the potential to reduce the monthly rate to $0--yes, free for life! What's not to love about that?
There are three different ways for items to appear on Zibbet's front page: the Showroom, the Premium Listing Sample and the Just Listed section. All items have multiple chances to appear on the front page!
The Showroom is one of my favorite Zibbet features. A random selection of twenty-five items appears with every screen refresh. Those items are currently selected from both Basic and Premium shops.
The Premium Listing Sample features a random selection of five items from Premium shops. These are also updated with every screen refresh.
Of course the Just Listed section is exactly that--a continuously changing stream of newly listed items!
The weekly Featured Zibbeter article is always inspiring and serves to introduce to the world the owner of yet another creative and exciting Zibbet shop.

Do you need another reason to consider Zibbet as a venue to sell your handmade, fine art, craft supplies or vintage items? How does a totally free shop sound? Give Zibbet a try for an unlimited time by opening a Basic shop. Basic shops don't have access to all of the features that I listed above but you can upgrade to a Premium shop at anytime. And don't forget about the referral program!

If you are a seller of handmade, fine art, craft supplies and/or vintage items, I hope that you will give Zibbet a chance to become your selling venue of choice too!

For more information about selling on Zibbet, visit Zibbet's Community forum!

Mother's Day Trivia

2010-04-09T23:01:00.003-05:00

Did you know that people around the world honor mothers on a special day each year, but not necessarily on the second Sunday in May? Although the second Sunday in May is the single most popular Mother's Day date, it is not the only one. According to Mother's Day Central, the only months that do not include Mother's Day celebrations are January, July and September.

There are more telephone calls made on Mother's Day than any other day of the year according to Wikipedia and http://wilstar.com/holidays/mothers.htm.

Ann Jarvis, founder of Mother's Day in the US, selected the carnation to represent the day because the carnation was her mother's favorite flower. Jarvis eventually worked in opposition to the holiday that she helped establish because she considered the commercialization an abuse of the celebration.

For more information about Mother's Day, check out these websites:

http://wilstar.com/holidays/mothers.htm

http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day

Mother's Day is May 9, 2010 in the US. Here are a few items that I found on Zibbet that would make wonderful gifts:

Pink and Speckled Green Deco Compact Mirror from ByMiMi

The Feeder Frock Couture-Weave Baby Nurse Cover by LaDyLaDuke

Cheerful Flip Flops by RealMcCoy

Mini Spring Trees 2- 8x8 Original Paintings by AcrylicImpressions

Mother Hen - pinback button by PortableGraffiti

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Zibbet Updates

2010-03-31T17:30:00.004-05:00

Last week, due to a sudden and overwhelming influx of traffic and new seller accounts, Zibbet had to shut down while a new server was installed! It was an experience that was frustrating and exciting at the same time! I'm happy to report that Zibbet has recovered beautifully from the failure of its server and from my perspective, is running faster and better than ever.

I believe that Zibbet will ultimately become "the place" to shop for handmade, fine art, craft supplies and vintage items. The venue is currently growing by leaps and bounds, with new shops being opened everyday. If you've not visited Zibbet yet, take a look today.

I love to browse Zibbet using the Showroom function. The Showroom is currently set to randomly display items from Premium shops. The Zibbet front page displays five items in the Showroom. However, if you click the Showroom link in the green menu bar you will be taken to a page that displays 25 items. You can "mouse over" an item to see a larger image as well as the shop info for that item. Simply click an item's image and be taken directly to that item's listing. To see a new page of items, refresh your browser and a new group of 25 items will be displayed!

Here are some links to some of my favorite Zibbet shops:

Portable Graffiti offers vintage and handmade buttons of all description.
Poocheze offers healthy homebaked treats for you four-legged friends.
Mrs. Supply offers ribbon by the yard and lampwork beads.
Crafted by Suzanne Medrano offers catnip kitty toys, gift tags and hand stitched decorations.
Styren Designs offers handmade wooden items.

I'll be listing more of my favorite shops each week so check back often!

I have extended the March coupon sale at LOC Design Studio through April 7. Enter the coupon code LOC0317 and receive 17% off on purchases totalling $25 or more (shipping excluded)!

Also, please visit my A Stitch and a Prayer shop. There you will find original counted thread needlework patterns. I hope to have my full inventory of patterns listed there soon!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

The Zibbet way!

2010-03-27T20:18:00.003-05:00

Hi guys,

I just wanted to quickly jump in here to add my two cents worth to what has been a pretty hectic week here at Zibbet, and apparently an 'interesting' one at Etsy.

I just wanted you guys to be able to get a bit of a philosophical feel for how Jonathan and I and our team like to run our organisation.

I figure if people are going to have the opportunity to trust us, then it will require communication and getting to know one another a bit more.

So in that vein I'd like to list a few of our beliefs and values concerning how we would like to see Zibbet move forward as it grows bigger.

1. I want to say very emphatically that here at Z we are not in the business of bagging other venues. Whether they are better or worse than Z, we are not here to cast a shadow on what they do. Especially in light of events this week, let me say we are not interested in tearing down Etsy. We have a lot of respect for Etsy and what they have achieved and there is lots that we can learn from them.

2. Our leadership of Zibbet will not always be perfect, because as humans, we are imperfect. However, we will always endeavour to give our very best effort for the marketplace we have created and those who choose to belong to it. We will make mistakes, but we will never stop trying not to.

3. We will always seek to maintain the highest level of communication with our members as possible. This is motivated by the genuine desire to make Zibbet the best selling venue it possibly can be for your sake. We will always try to be available to our sellers by answering questions, listening to concerns or ideas and generally just being available to personally contribute to peoples' needs. Even as we grow very big, Jonathan and I plan to stay heavily involved in communicating directly with as many sellers as we possibly can. We know this will stretch us, but we are committed to it.

4. Common courtesy is a passion of ours so this will continue to dictate our behaviors and the way in which we interact with you. We believe if someone asks a question they deserve an answer. If we make a mistake, we will own it and apologise. We aim to treat every person with respect. We know we will probably not be able to please everyone, but we will not engage in the practice of 'simply writing people off' because they are upset about something.

All of this may sound lofty or overly romantic and nostalgic, but it is the truthful reality of our desire going forward.

Please feel free to quote or copy and paste these comments in any of your communication with others.

If we work together, we can build one of the greatest online selling venues of all time.

A few thoughts from me, for what it's worth.

Andrew

Posted by Andrew on March 25, 2010 at 8:51pm in Announcements from Zibbet

Featured Zibbeter - LocDesignStudio

2010-03-22T06:52:00.001-05:00

Featured Zibbeter - LocDesignStudio

Posted using ShareThis

Freeport Arts & Crafts Festival

2010-03-18T08:25:00.002-05:00

If you are in the neighborhood on Saturday, March 20, please plan to spend some time at the Freeport Arts & Crafts Festival at the Freeport Community Center in Freeport, Florida. The festival will be open from 9:00AM until 3:00PM. This first ever arts and crafts festival in Freeport is being sponsored by the Freeport Town Planter Society for the purpose of raising money for Relay for Life.

LOC Design Studio will be set up in booth #28 and we invite you stop by to see our beautiful handcrafted beaded jewelry and gift items "in person"! We plan to donate a portion of our sales to Relay for Life. So come on out for a wonderful day in lovely Freeport, Florida and support this very worthwhile cause.

Here is a photo of the necklace and earring set that I created especially to donate to the Relay for Life silent auction:

Poocheze: This Week's Featured Zibbeter!

2010-03-15T19:31:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited to report that my friend, Deon of Poocheze on Zibbet, is this week's featured Zibbeter! Poocheze offers treats for your little furry friend that are healthful and delicious! Deon bakes the goodies herself and takes pride in using ingredients that not only taste great to Fido, but are also good for him. In addition to treats for your canine buddy, Deon also makes yummies for your kitty.

Poocheze

Please visit Zibbet today and get to know Deon! And while you're there take a look around. Zibbet is a great new place to shop for handcrafted items. I have a shop there too and in the next couple of days I will be adjusting my prices to reflect the savings I receive as a seller there compared to other venues!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

March 2010 Coupon

2010-02-28T14:19:00.000-06:00

I would like to give you a coupon for use in my Zibbet shop! During the month of March 2010, receive a 17% discount on purchases totally $25 or more (excluding shipping). Enter the coupon code LOC0317 at check out to receive the discount. The coupon expires at midnight on March 31. Feel free to share this coupon offer with your friends!

I will be adding new items throughout the month so check back often for that perfect little something or gift that you are in search of! Here are the latest additions to my Zibbet shop:

Aquamarine Glass Bead Pendant Necklace and Earrings

Faith-Hope-Love Charm Bracelet

Gold Glass Pearl Jewelry Set

Green Agate and Freshwater Pearl Necklace

Unakite Flower Earrings

Unakite Flower Charm

At my Etsy shop, receive FREE SHIPPING on all green items as well as items that contain green. Offer ends March 21!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

March Green

2010-02-15T21:36:00.005-06:00

When I think about the month of March, the color green is automatically in the mix. Even though it is still February, I can't help thinking about the green... Check out these great green items that I found on Zibbet, a relatively new community, where you will find a fantastic group of artisans and crafters.

Lemon Ginger Bath Soap from Morgan Street Patisserie on Zibbet

Breezy Greens from debsparkles on Zibbet

Little Buddy Catnip Fish from SuzanneMedrano on Zibbet

Gone Green Hand-dyed and Hand-tied Kitchen Broom from Laffing Horse Crafts on Zibbet

Royal Renderings Earrings from Piece by Peace Designs on Zibbet

A Pot of ... Silver - Fused Glass Pendant from GlassFancy on Zibbet

Lush Garden - The Earrings from Mia Bella Collection on Zibbet

Green Sardonyx Bead Jewelry Set from LOC Design Studio on Zibbet

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Some of My "Duh!" Moments

2010-02-09T22:20:00.001-06:00

One morning recently, I entertained myself as I drove to work remembering some of the outstanding "Duh!" moments in my life. What started this train of thought was yet another such experience. As I approached the intersection of the country road that leads from my home to the major highway that leads to my job, I wondered why there was so much traffic. That's when it happened, "Duh!" At that time of the morning, most of the traffic was taking people to work, just like me!

I had a similar travel moment many years ago when my husband and I and our children lived far from the rest of our family for a short period of time. Twice a year we made the eighteen hour trek from NW Indiana to NW Florida to spend a little time with our parents and siblings and their families.We would often head out in the wee hours and drive all the way without stopping to sleep. As we made our way on to the Interstate highway on one such occasion, I wondered out loud about where all of these other travelers were going at such an hour. "Duh!" If I'm going somewhere at such an hour, I guess it's OK for others to do the same!

Then there was the time I frantically searched the house for my glasses only to discover that I was wearing them, and I don't mean on top of my head! "Duh!" I don't know how many times I've washed my hair with body wash! "Duh!" At least once I've sprayed hairspray on my armpit! "Duh!" More than once I have caught myself about to put the dish cloth in the refrigerator! "Duh!"

I'm happy to report that "Duh!" moments are not necessarily a function of age. I'm currently taking a college class to renew my teaching certificate. We have a group project assignment. My group, made up of young college-age women, was busy exchanging names and phone numbers the first day of class. Several of us counted the names that we had written down and were perplexed because there were six of us in the group but we only had five names listed. Then it happened! "Duh!" We had not listed ourselves.

"Duh!" moments make me smile and remind me to not take myself or my circumstances too seriously! I hope that my few examples have made you smile, and even chuckle a bit, as you recall some of your special "Duh!" moments...

Crazy for You Valentine's Day Sale on Etsy

2010-01-30T20:53:00.002-06:00

A group of Etsy shops have joined forces and created a wonderful sale to help our customers find great Valentine's Day gifts at sale prices. There are several ways for shoppers to find particpating shops:

Visit the Crazy for You Valentine's Day Sale facebook page. There you will find postings from participating shops. Also, look at the list of fans--most, if not all, are participating Etsy shops.
Visit the Crazy for You Valentine's Day Sale thread at Etsy.
On Etsy, search for "crazyforyou" to find items tagged for the sale.

That's all there is to finding great handcrafted Valentine's Day gifts from wonderful shops at reduced prices!

I have already reduced prices in my LOC Design Studio Etsy shop. I've reduced all pink, red and heart items by 25%. All other items have been reduced by 10%. Shipping has been reduced to zero. This pricing structure is good through February 8! Start shopping now in my shop for a variety of wonderful beaded jewelry and gift items! Here are a few items that you will find in my shop...

Silver Heart Earrings ~ $18 ~ On Sale for $13.50

Pink and Yellow Bead Jewelry Set ~ $55 ~ On Sale for $41.25

Silver Hearts Beaded Bookmark ~ $20 ~ On Sale for $15

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Some Not So Ordinary Valentine Gift Ideas

2010-01-23T17:33:00.000-06:00

It's hard to believe that January 2010 is in the second half and that Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I can still remember those cute little cards that we exchanged in school and the excitement associated with creating the perfect decorated box to receive Valentine greetings from my classmates. Ah, those were the days! These days you can find some really amazing gifts for those you love. Check out these "not so ordinary" Valentine gift ideas I found on Etsy...

I think that this jumbo set of six RECOLORED CRAYONS from TALKTAGZ is one of the neatest things I found. What little girl would not absolutely LOVE to receive this set of heart-shaped crayons? I know I would!

Of course, the HEARTS IN SNOW MINI BAG from SOULINCHAINS is a winner also! What's not to love about this little cutie?

One of the most unique items that I found is this RECYCLED GLASS BOTTLE VALENTINE TRAY from GLASSGALOREGAL...

I just had to include this HEART SHAPED CHEESE CUTTING BOARD from TOMROCHE. I have one of Tom's kitty shaped cutting boards and it is wonderful!

For the journal writing sweetheart on your Valentine's Day shopping list, check out this turquoise LEATHER JOURNAL with a heart-shaped embellishment from NICOPAPERGOODS' shop.

For that someone special who "has everything", how about this VINTAGE BLACK VELVET HAT that has been reporposed with hot pink magenta feathers and heart by HIPCOUTUREDIVA?

And don't forget to surprise your favorite canine with something special on Valentine's Day! I think that these PEANUT BUTTER DOG TREATS from POOCHEZE will make your four-legged friend very happy!

While you are out shopping, please stop in at LOC DESIGN STUDIO for some great beaded jewelry gift ideas. I will be participating in the Crazy for You Valentine's Day Sale, February 1-8. My sale will include free shipping on everything in my shop plus 20% off all pink, red and heart-shaped items! If you are a fan of my facebook page, you can take advantage of a special early bird version of my sale. Visit my fan page to learn the details...

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Catching Up!

2010-01-22T23:18:00.002-06:00

Wow! It has been over a month since I last posted here. Where have I been? What have I been doing? Sometimes I wonder...

Well, there was Christmas and then the New Year. With the start of 2010 came a necessary, but not so welcomed, online college class that I have to take in order to renew my teaching certificate which expires June 30. I have been spending my evenings doing homework and trying to get a little ahead of the course schedule while working 9-5 M-F. When the weekends finally arrive, I am ready for some creative time. I've managed to create a few new jewelry items and get them listed in either my Etsy shop or my new Zibbet shop. Here are a few of my newest creations...

Pondering Purple Beaded Jewelry Set

Turquoise Cascade Lariat Necklace

Pink Hearts Eyeglass Necklace

Silver Hearts Earrings

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Just CrossStitch Magazine Design

2009-12-20T14:22:00.000-06:00

I'm pleased to announce that I have a design published in the January/February 2010 issue of Just CrossStitch magazine. Isaiah 61:11 appears on pages 21-23. The verse reads:

"For as the earth bringeth

forth her bud,

and as the garden causeth

the things that are

sown in it to spring forth,

so the Lord God will cause

righteousness and praise

to spring forth before

all the nations."

This is the perfect sampler to stitch as you sit by a warm fire this winter and contemplate the colorful beauty that spring will soon bring!

For more needlework designs by yours truly, please visit my A Stitch and a Prayer website! A Stitch and a Prayer needlework designs are coming soon to Etsy also at http://www.etsy.com/shop/AStitchAndAPrayer.

Hebrews 11:1 at A Stitch and a Prayer

Mizpah Benediction at A Stitch and a Prayer

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This just in...

2009-12-18T21:02:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited to report that I am the first Friday Featured Seller on The Curious Pug blog! Please take a minute to stop by this cute blog and read my feature. While you are there, take a look around. The blog is rich with information and very well done. You will fall in love with Cyrus.

The Curious Pug's Etsy shop offers wonderful felted items as well as clay figures and glass tile pieces that are sure to please a variety of tastes! I particularly like this Rainbow Hearts Applique iPod Cozy:

Thanks Alycia for your wonderful blog and for making me your first Friday Featured Seller!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Birds of a Feather

2009-12-14T19:02:00.000-06:00

I was browsing through my Etsy Favorites and observed that three out of my four most recent favorite items were birds! So I decided that it was time to feature my bird favorites...

Cardinals are absolutely my favorite birds. My mother also loves cardinals and at Christmas I seem to be attracted to ornaments, dishes, whatever, if it has a cardinal theme. This is an absolutely gorgeous photograph of a male cardinal and is available for purchase at BedermannArt:

"Beautifully Red" by Donna Bedermann

Next on my list of favorite bird items is this cute clay Christmas ornament by Dyche Designs:

Blue Bird Christmas Clay Ornament by Dyche Designs

These simple earrings from sTuck in the Coop make me smile:

Perched Sterling Earrings by sTuck in the Coop

This art print pendant necklace from HJM Gifts would pair beautifully with the earrings above:

Night Birds on a Wire by HJM Gifts

Finally, the perfect gift tags for all those bird theme gifts are also on my list of favorite bird items. Check these out at Articulations:

Bird Tags by Articulations

Be sure to take a look at these an many other great items at Etsy!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

LOC Design Studio at www.zibbet.com

2009-12-13T18:20:00.012-06:00

I'm pleased to annouce that LOC Design Studio has a new online shop at Zibbet. I opened the shop on December 6, 2009. In addition to many of the same items listed in my Etsy shop, you will also find new items that are only available through my new Zibbet shop. Among those items you will find a section of School Colors items and a section of Christmas items. I will also be listing new necklace and earring sets, earrings and bracelets in the coming week!

Be the first to make a $100 or more purchase from my new Zibbet shop and receive a HUGE surprise that I know you will want to keep! Also, I'm offering my Christmas earrings (regular price $12 per pair) for three pairs for $27! Order in the next day or two and you should receive your earrings in plenty of time to wear before Christmas. If you want quick delivery, request Flat Rate Priority mail before finalizing your purchase and I will change the shipping cost for your order (on any purchase--not just Christmas earrings)!

Here are some examples from the School Colors Jewelry section. If you don't see your school colors, let me hear from you and I will do my best to make what you need!

Blog Features

2009-12-07T18:35:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited to share that I currently have jewelry items featured in TWO blogs! Please take a look and post your comments...

The first is Shapes and Memories: Etsy Items Parade III and the second is Creative With Clay's Color Feature of the Week: Peach. I feel so honored and blessed to have two of my items featured in two blogs during the same week!

Black Friday Countdown...

2009-11-20T10:20:00.016-06:00

The day after Thanksgiving has become known as "Black Friday" because that is when many retailers are able to replace red ink with black ink in their financial books thanks to Christmas shoppers. Usually the best sales of the season are offered on Black Friday.

LOC Design Studio will be having a Black Friday sale beginning Friday, November 27 and ending at midnight on Tuesday, December 1.

Black Friday, November 27 everything in my shop will be 50% OFF the regular price!

Saturday, November 28 everything will be discounted 35% OFF the regular price!

Sunday, November 29 the discount will go to 20% OFF everything that remains PLUS shipping will be discounted by 40% for the remainder of the sale!

I will start marking down prices before midnight on Thanksgiving Day, so you may catch a reduced price before the sale begins!

Also, items that have color/style options are relistable so don't let a sold sign stop you! I expect to be near my computer all day on Friday so if I haven't gotten it relisted yet, convo me and I'll get it taken care of PDQ!

Here are some examples of items available in my shop:

Turquoise Stone Pendant Necklace

Regular Price: $55 Black Friday Price: $27.50

This is one of my newest items!

Lampwork Bead Key Fob

Regular Price: $18 Black Friday Price: $9.00

This is my most viewed item!

Dragonfly Serenade Necklace and Earring Set

Regular Price: $75 Black Friday Price: $37.50

This is my most "hearted" item!

Check out these sites for lists of Etsy shops having fantastic Black Friday Sales:

Etsy Black Friday

A Delightfully Perceptive Perspective

Support independant artisans and crafters:

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

I'm in an Etsy Treasury!

2009-11-16T18:47:00.000-06:00

I just had to share my surprise and excitement about being in an Etsy Treasury for the first time. Timing is often everything and such is the case with my Treasury appearance. I was browsing the threads in the Promotions Forum and I came across one titled "simply make a comment and be in this treasury". I clicked on the link to the Treasury and to my surprise there were only a few comments. In the few seconds that it took me to post a comment there were a few more ahead of me but I was comment #9 and made the list! The curator of the Treasury is mulberrymoosetoo and she has the cutest shops (check out mulberrymoose also)! The featured item from my shop is my Swarovski Crystal Butterfly charm:

Swarovski Crystal Butterfly Charm

Be sure to visit the Treasury and check out all of the great items featured along with mine. Happy Shopping!

Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade ~ Buy Handmade

Family Traditions and Holiday Recipes

2009-11-12T12:05:00.162-06:00

For years, I have made three casseroles for Thanksgiving and Christmas family gatherings that have become part of our holiday tradition. My husband and nephew, Will, can eat their weight in my Sweet Potato Casserole. My sister-in-law, Pam, loves my Broccoli Casserole. And I think almost everyone in the family saves a special spot on their plate for a serving (or two) of my Hash Brown Casserole.

About a month before Thanksgiving, I start hearing little "reminder" comments from various members of the family, making sure that I don't "forget" their favorite! This Thanksgiving, my brother and his family will be spending the holiday with Pam's family in Alabama. Will has already made a request, by way of my mother, for Aunt Vicki to make a "small" Sweet Potato Casserole for him to take along on the trip!

Here are some photos of my family sitting around the table after enjoying last year's Thanksgiving dinner:

I hope that your family enjoys some special food traditions also. If not, here are some time-tested favorites from my kitchen to yours--it's never too late to start your own traditions. Enjoy!

Sweet Potato Casserole

Fresh sweet potatos, enough to fill a cookie sheet, baked, pealed and mashed (about three cups)

Two eggs

One cup sugar

One teaspoon vanilla extract

One quarter cup milk

One third cup melted butter

Mix the above ingredients and spread evenly in a greased casserole dish. Mix the following ingredients to make the casserole topping:

One cup shredded coconut

One cup chopped pecans (I've used walnuts in a pinch!)

One cup brown sugar

One third cup plain flour

One Third cup melted butter

Sprinkle topping mixture over sweet potato mixture. Cover the surface as evenly as possible. Bake the casserole for approximately one hour at 350 degrees or until bubbly and golden brown on top.

Hash Brown Casserole

Two cups (or more) shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese

One can cream of chicken soup

One cup (or more) sour cream

One cup (or more) chopped white onion

Melted butter or vegetable oil

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

One 32 ounce package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cheese, soup and sour cream. Mix well. In a large skillet (I use a Dutch oven because stirring is easier and less messy), lightly saute the onions in the butter or vegetable oil. Add the thawed potatoes and mix. Let the potatoes heat through and brown slightly, stirring ocassionally. Add salt and pepper as desired. Remove from heat and add the cheese/soup/sour cream mixture. Mix well. Turn mixture into a grease casserole dish. Mix the following ingredients together for the casserole topping:

One cup (or more) crushed corn flakes

Enough melted butter to coat the amount of corn flakes you use

Sprinkle topping over the potato mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately one hour or until the casserole is bubbling hot and the topping is golden brown. TIP: To prevent the topping from over browning (aka burning!), bake the potato mixture for 30-45 minutes without the topping. Add the topping for the last 15 minutes of baking. ANOTHER TIP: I have found that it is difficult to use too much cheese or sour cream in this recipe.

Broccoli Casserole

Large bag of frozen brocolli florets, thawed

One large white onion, chopped

Shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese

Cream of mushroom soup

One or two small cans mushroom stems and pieces

Slivered almonds

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Dash garlic powder

Melted butter or vegetable oil

In a large skillet or Dutch oven (my preference), saute the onions in the melted butter or vegetable oil. Add the broccoli and allow it to heat through. Add the remaining ingredients (salt and pepper to taste). Stir to thoroughly combine. Transfer mixture to a greased casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately one hour or until bubbly and golden brown.

FINAL TIP: Unlike baked goods, exact measurement of ingredients in casseroles is not required. As you may have noticed, I didn't give exact quantities for all ingredients. Feel free to use a little more of this or a little less of that to make these casserole dishes your own!

Things I think Jesse would like...

2009-11-07T17:12:00.001-06:00

Yesterday was my younger son Jesse's 22nd birthday. While reading posts in a promo forum on Etsy, I came across several "funky" items that made me think of my Jesse. Thanks for endulging me as I walk down Memory Lane explaining why I think Jesse might like each item that I am sharing and perhaps you will find something you like as well. Enjoy!

The first item that caught my eye was a pretend chicken made of fabric. The pieces are held together with velcro, allowing the bird to be "cut up" for "cooking". This unique toy reminded me of Jesse and a birthday cake toy that he had as a tot. The plastic cake was divided into wedges and came with candles and plates (if memory serves me correctly). Jesse actually wore out two of these toys before he outgrew serving us plastic birthday cake!

Pretend Chicken from Uneek4U on Etsy

For several (most) of Jesse's childhood years, he insisted on having Christmas-themed birthday parties. He loved Christmas trees and all of the accompanying lights and decorations. At one birthday party, we played "Pin the Ornament on the Christmas Tree." Jesse's love of all things Christmas is how this "funky" snowman ornament made my list.

Needle Felted Snowman by AnnaBelleArts on Etsy

Jesse is an artist and a musician. When I saw Wobble Bowl by AlyshellsCraftShack I immediately thought "funky" followed by "I think Jesse would like this!"

Wobble Bowl by AlyshellsCraftShack on Etsy

Jesse's older brother Luke was a dinosaur fan for many years. Jesse and some of his high school friends caught "dino fever" at a much later age. So when I found the Jurassic Planter in Treebottom Nursery shop on Etsy, I immediately thought of Jesse and purchased it. Here is a similar planter currently available at Treebottom Nursery:

Jurassic Planter No. 5 at Treebottom Nursery on Etsy

Jesse enjoys a good cup of tea. Early in my Etsy experience I marked the Teaman's shop as a favorite because I knew that I would be shopping for some tea gifts this year. I don't really think of the tea as funky but I do know that Jesse will like it!

Black Tea Sampler by Teaman on Etsy

I hope that my trip down Memory Lane will spark some happy memories for you also and that you will visit these Etsy shops, and others, for your gift shopping. Support independant artisans and crafters by buying handmade!

Buy Handmade! Buy Handmade! Buy Handmade!

Weekend Earring Sale!

2009-10-31T09:56:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I added a bunch on new earrings to my Etsy shop and I decided to have a Weekend Earring Sale so that you can get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping! All of my earrings are 20% off until midnight on Monday, November 2, 2009. Here are a few examples of what I have available:

Colorful Glass Bead Earrings

Sale Price $14.40

Tiger Eye Teardrop Earrings

Sale Price $20

Blue Lampwork Bead Earrings

Sale Price $16

Shop Handmade! Shop Handmade! Shop Handmade! Shop Handmade! Shop Handmade!

The Cat's Meow

2009-10-28T10:40:00.001-05:00

I am a "cat person" without a doubt! I have three inside kitties and one outside kitty. Actually, LOC Design Studio is named for my three girls: Lluvia, Oreo and Cali. I have two jewelry pieces named for my outside kitty, Big Boy: Big Boy's Key Fob and Big Boy's Necklace and Earring Set. I am always on the lookout for cute kitty items. Here are a few kitty products that I have spotted at Etsy--enjoy!

The Cat Lady

ONYX

Fresh and Clean Kitty Cat Goats Milk Soap

Tropical Fish Catnip Mat

Receive a free catnip toy when you make a purchase from Colorado Catnip Toys and mention the LOC Design Studio blog!

Kitty Hat

Mice - Set of four - Bright Colors

Raya FatCat

My Craft Show Experience

2009-10-26T08:07:00.000-05:00

The Bayou Country Craft Show in Niceville, Florida is now history and from my perspective it was a success. I signed up at the last minute and as a result, my booth was at the end of a hall and away from the main traffic flow. I shared the room with one other jewelry vendor. I sold enough to pay for my space and then some. I saw a lot of my business cards leave the booth which hopefully will send traffic to my websites. I also gained some experience with how these events work. The potential web traffic and experience are my measures of success. I plan to participate in a few more of these events for the same reasons. Do I want a steady diet of this? Probably not. But I do think that it is a good idea to participate in several events each year to establish and maintain a "real person" presence. If you have a craft show scheduled, I wish you much success!

Bayou Country Craft Show

2009-10-21T08:35:00.000-05:00

If you are in the vicinity of Niceville, Florida this weekend, plan to visit the 32nd Annual Bayou Country Craft Show at the First United Methodist Church. The show will be open from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm. Yours truly will have a booth there and I would love to meet you and for you to see my beaded jewelry in person! I will have items from both of my shops at the show: LOC Design Studio and A Stitch and a Prayer. A craft show is a great place to start your Christmas shopping. Support your local artisans and crafters--buy handmade this year!

Feels like fall...

2009-10-16T14:56:00.000-05:00

October has been very hot and humid here in NW Florida. After a huge storm last night, today we are feeling cooler temperatures and a bit of a breeze. OK, it's more than a breeze! The wind is bringing a welcomed relief from the heat of summer. October is my favorite month here in the Florida Panhandle (check out my blog post at http://astitchandaprayer.com/). And October makes me think of pumpkins. Here are some pumpkin items that caught my eye at Etsy...

Autumn Pumpkin Tea Towel

Hemp Child's Tam in Pumpkin

Trio of Pumpkins with Wire and Button and CinnamonStick accents

Pumpkin Time Earrings

What I've learned today...

2009-10-15T18:46:00.002-05:00

...is that I have a lot to learn! SEO, the importance of a consistent shop appearance and blogs. That is the tip of the iceberg. I want to thank the great buyers and sellers who contributed to Etsy forums which address the first two points: SEO and shop appearance. Take a few minutes (hours) to read these forums if you are interested and are in a "need to know" situation:

Your Etsy shop - how to be found on Google, Yahoo and MSN searches - Part I

Why does each shop have to optimize their SEO?

Does your shop have a coordinated look?

Another great resource that I discovered today in the Etsy business forum is:

The Handmade Business Blog

There is a wealth of information in these resources. Whether you are an Etsy shop owner or not, if you want your web content to be found and you aren't a "geek" these resources are a great starting place.