Please Meet Kristina

Kristina, a fellow artist and member of the network team I belong to, eSMARts, is from Jackson MS. Kristina writes a wonderful blog which I have been following- http://www.washwhendirty.com/index2.html and also has a wonderful etsy shop where she displays her passion of making handbags. Here is an excerpt from her bio which is listed on her etsy shop http://washwhendirty.etsy.com/--- "i write lists and forget them on my desk. i bake. i cook. i read. i ponder. i take walks. i sing to myself. i sip tea. i listen. i notice. i sew. i doodle. i smile. i laugh. i cry. and i don't think artists become. i think they've always been. "

Quite an impressive list, and when I read that, I said to myself "Wow are all artists like this?" because I find that I do the same things and think that "artists have always been!"

Kristina makes and sell grocery bags (think green), totes, and recycled bags (again think green)on her etsy shop, which happens to be a fetish of mine. I love handbags and totes ..............I also love the fact that she is recycling materials to make into new and pretty reusable totes and bags. a few more things that Kristina said which impressed me were her list of "things that fascinate me", such as : adventure. camera. change .french movies. green apple. grass. hill tops. hot tea. Jane Austen. Japan. knitting. new and old friends. new places. rain showers. At least we now know where her inspiration comes from. pretty impressive her thoughts and her work. Please visit her shop to get a look at all her creations. Kristina's shop can be found at http://www.washwhendirty.etsy.com. I am pleased to have gotten to know a little more about her and her thoughts and fascinations.

Etsy to be Featured Locally

Through the Minnesota Etsy street team (teamMN) I've found out that a local TV Station, WCCO, is airing a news story this Friday night on their 10:00 pm news show about Etsy and the Handmade Movement. We are all hoping they mention teamMN, but even if she doesn't this will be great exposure for Etsy and the handmade community in Minnesota. If you are local to Minnesota, make sure you check out the story. You can also watch it on line after it airs at WCCO.com.
We are all looking for ways to promote ourselves in this slow economic times and are very proud that a Television station would be willing to promote Etsy. Even if teamMN is not personally mentioned, the group is now looking for more ways to promote and there are many ideas in the works.
We have a new member who has taken it upon herself to organize craft shows for all those who have not done a show and for those that would like to know about the upcoming shows, who would like to share a booth or those with tents for outdoor shows. We also have another member who is organizing a craft show for ALL teamMN members to hold in a central location featuring teamMN Etsy members. Looking forward to that as we are a large group, and never seem to be able to get together in one spot. What a grand idea this will be so that the people of Minnesota to see that there are many many handmade artists here and also a reminder to "shop locally".
For a listing of the teamMN artists and their etsy shops as well as blogspots and websites please visit http://tinyurl.com/b7ags4. Oh and please buy handmade.
to see my website, please check out www.wilmas-whimseys.com.
As a promotion for the upcoming airing on WCCO, if you buy one pair of ear rings, you can hoose another pair free. Buy two pairs, get two pairs free etc. Just let me know when you order put the words WCCO, or contact me directly at whimsey1947@hotmail.com.

I Have been Featured

Recently I sold a set of beads to a customer, and the day she received them she sent me a Thank You note and mentioned that she was going to write about me in her blog. I was very pleased that Lisa Crone would want to feature me in her blog. Much to my surprise she included her blog address for me to check out. On Friday I received another note from Lisa telling me she had made a bracelet from my beads and gave me her blog link again http://www.abeadaday.blogspot.com/

This is the finished bracelet she made for her friend who was on her way to Costa Rico. She really knows how to bring out the highlights of the colors of the bead that I made, and also she made me very happy that she choose to blog about her creation and mentioning whom she got the Universe Beads from. Lisa is a very talented artist, and has very interesting items on her blog as well as new items she is making daily. If you get a chance please pop over and read her blogs and leave her a comment. Thank you Lisa for "showcasing" my work. Read her blogs here http:/http://www.abeadaday.blogspot.com/. Definitely worth the read.

The Lemonade Award!!!

I hadn't heard of this award, but I am pleased to be nominated for it twice, by Joni of Inspirations In clay http://www.inspirationsinclay.blogspot.com/ , and by Susan Precious Creations by Izzy http://www.preciouscreationsbyizzy.blogspot.com/ Here is what it is all about-

Yipee!!Lemonade Award!!
Susan and Joni have nominated me for the Lemonade Award.Thank you very much, both of you I really appreciate it. You are too kind. The Lemonade Award is awarded to sites that show a positive attitude and gratitude. And I am grateful to be considered a part of that group. Here are the rules for the award:1.Put the logo on your blog or post 2.Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great Gratitude and/or Attitude. 3.Be sure to list and link your nominees within your post. 4.Let them know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blog. 5.Nominate your favorites and link to your post.

My Choices for the Award:
Jer- ImagesByJer.net
Lisa Crone http://abeadaday.blogspot.com/
Theresa Kwong www.studio618.blogspot.com/
Van http://kickingbear.etsy.com/
Lois http://www.abeadedaffair.blogspot.com/
Karon Adams http://http://www.yellowribbonrosaries.com/
Kelly http://http://sweetieroom.webs.com/
Heather http://http://adagiobeadcrafters.blogspot.com/
Auggie Queen Parker http://auggiequeenparker.blogspot.com/
Joelyn Welch http://www.ardentdesigns.com/

Everyone selected deserves this award!!!!

Jann Alexander-McCullough- An artist of many talents

Let me introduce you to a member of our eSMARts team that I have had the pleasure of becoming friends with. Her name is Jann Alexander-McCullough. Jann was born in Arizona and is currently living in Glendale. She started her artistic life at age 23 by doing almost all the traditional mediums. Her first job was a Creative Art Director, which kept her busy into her 30's.

Now Jann makes jewelry for the Rubenesque woman, Hot glass, Painted glass, Fused glass , Sterling silver wire work, chainmalle to name a few. She also does crocheted jewelery with Sterling Silver wire, or yarn, seed beading, embroidery beading, crochet, sew, pencil draw and watercolor painting -

Jann has three areas where she creates, her husband turned a spare bedroom into a fine arts studio where she sews, beads, crochets and everything else except for her glass work. She creates most of her projects from a Lazyboy with all her items around her. Jann has just recently found her love for jewelry design

These are just a few of the items that Jan makes, and as you can tell she does a beautiful job and is a very talented artist. Jann also belongs to several Art Leagues, has done many shows both juried and non juried, has won many awards and sold many paintings and drawings with watercolors and pencils being her favorite medium. Now her favorite medium is glass, her torch, her kilns and wire and jewelry making. A Woman of many many talents.

If you get a chance please visit Jann Alexander McCullough's Webb page is http://phoenixrisingglassart@cox.net. Also be sure to stop by her Etsy shop to see many more wonderful creations !!! http://jannadu.etsy.com. This multi talented artist has caught my eye, and makes me think I don't have enough crafts going at one time!

For relaxation Jann visits her children and grandchildren and she and her husband go out to dinner once a week. Her favorite colors are purple and deep jewel tones, and her love for crafts shows in everything she does. So this is Jann Alexander-McCullough a very multi talented artist.

Unemployed

In today's economy, it isn't uncommon to hear of people being let go from their jobs. I am one of them. I have taken all the necessary steps, applied for unemployment insurance, searched and applied for jobs and networked to all that I know.

But being unemployed doesn't mean that its the end of the world, at least not for me! sure I wish I was working and bringing in a steady pay check, but I now have started to devote my time to a couple of neglected things. eSMARts, my team...I am now able to devote more time to promoting the team and fulfilling the obligations of being a member. Website, slowly but surely I am adding and updating my website to make it current with my latest beads and jewelry that I have made. Etsy shop, adding more new items as I get the opportunity to make them. Torching....hooray I am finally back at the torch, and have a couple private orders I need to fill as well as make new beads for my website and Etsy to sell. Jewelry making...ahhh I have spent the weekend creating a couple of pieces which I have already added to my website, and continue making more items unfortunately I worked with magnetic clasps in my jewelry making and now all my tools are magnetized.....very frustrating. Researching trying to learn techniques for easy wire wrapping to enhance the beauty of my larger pieces of lampwork beads I have made. also researching various gemology terms and drooling over some of the beautiful pieces I wish I could own to incorporate in my jewelry making. In time the last two items will fall into place. For now I will continue to create what I know.

My next project is to create a blog for a fellow team member who is a great artist also...more on her next post, so keep watching for it! for now I will show you what I have created this weekend and as I said they are listed on my website, and the beads can be found either on my website (http://www.wilmas-whimseys.com) or on Etsy (http://www.whimsey.etsy.com. Hope to sell to help with the unemployment and the incoming bills! Enjoy looking, and for those who live in the Northern areas, stay warm!

esmarts.etsy.com

I know that many of you already know about this worthy cause which assists those in need. There are so many talented artists that have donated to this site that I am promoting the site again to make newcomers to my blog aware.
Recently a contest was held where you had to dm abeadaffair (Lois) that you had been to the site and this would enter you into the contest for a $10.00 certificate. What a great turnout this promoted. So much so that I am hoping to see more of these contests in the very near future.
The site has made sales thanks to the many wonderful contributions of the eSMArts team-m5creations, gahooletree, sassydelite, coastalartists.abeadaffair, jaecreations,hobbnobins, and the list goes on and on, so many many talented artists and I am proud to say I know them all and appreciate all their hard work and efforts they have put into this.
Please if you get a chance check the site out and buy a small token to help this worthy cause. Their address is www.esmarts.etsy.com

Till next time
Wilma

Saturday...Working OT

Pardon me for laughing right now but hee hee hee hee....I am supposed to be working four hours of over time, and our system is down!!!!! So I am taking this time to write another blog, after all I need to keep my public informed as to whats going on.
The latest news from Whimsey's etsy shop is I have revamped all the current beads and marked them all 50% off!!!!! so get there while the deals are hot and shop till you drop!!!
Some of the sets I can make duplicates of, just let me know and will do my best.
Wishing everyone the Happiest of New Years and may all your wishes come true......
I make resolutions every year, but like everyone else they get broken, so I am not making any this year, instead I will focus on fixing broken fences, trying my best to do more marketing, not only for my team (eSMArts), but for my self too. Oh and get my website updated and open another Etsy shop for my jewelry. Big plans, but one step at a time
I am amazed at what I have learned in the last year - Twitter; Facebook; tiny url and I know that there is more, just can't think of it right off hand. I still have tons to learn, but at least I am not shy about shouting out "Hey go and check the newly created esMARts team shop where all items are donated and sold to help our fellow etsians! So please check the shop out, its address is www.esmarts.etsy.com. There are so many wonderful items listed there. I have my eye on a couple of things, the prints by Coastalartist, the copper rings and a few other things. i really want a wall hanging by Tina Cowan; m5creations...that will have to wait a while tho.
So I was just told that our system is back up. If you get a chance please check out my reduced prices in my shop www.whimsey.etsy.com.
Till next time stay safe and warm and out of the snow for those of us who live in the snow region area.

Wilma

Check this out!!!!

I was chatting with a friend a couple of nights ago and she asked me to look at something she had just posted on her Elsy sight. Well I fell in love with what she had to show me! I feel that I need to spread this good news as I know there are plenty of jewelry makers out there who would LOVE a collection like this. Even if you are just starting out with collecting gemstones, this is a great place to start your collection. I am just starting to try and gather some gems to add to my lampwork beads, and can't wait until I have the monies to get myself started!!!!
So please check her store out, you wont be disappointed believe me. Her offerings are the very best around!
Here is the tiny url to her shop, so go and shop till you drop!!!!!!!
http://tinyurl.com/9ujsfb

Happy New Year

Wishing all my friends and their families a very Happy and prosperous New year.
Its going to be hard to remember to write 2009 now. Every year I have a little contest with myself to see how long it takes me before I mess up and write the wrong year!!!! Great fun, last year I got through to March!
We have been hit very hard with lots of snow so far this year, and they are calling for more tonight. why does it have to snow when you have to drive into work? I had my one day of rest this week, Christmas day, and now we are on the mandatory overtime. they are offering to those who wish to work 10 hours on Sunday so that we have fulfilled our obligation. I have already worked 25 hours ot this week so far, so lets see how many I can put in for the new week which starts tomorrow.
We had a wonderful and very quiet Christmas, kind of tough being away from the ones you love and care about, but at least we talked with them and I pictured myself sitting in front of their tree with a nice cup of hot cocoa.
I hope Santa was good to all of you and you got what you really wanted. I love hearing what everyone got, so feel free to share.
I got Ray (my son) a handmade , 50 x 60 double sided Homer Simpson and family fleece blanket, which has disappeared into his room! It was the best gift he received so he said! Thank you Sue from Cozy Covers.
So now its on to a New Years resolution....hmm have some thinking to do before Midnight 12/31/08..
Again happy New Year Everyone!