I made my first set of bobby pins today. I'm hoping that tommorow's weather will be good so I can photograph them. I wonder what site I should add them to? etsy? my website? lov.li? even mintd? Probably either etsy or my website...

Best shop ever. etsy needs more nudity. *saves up furiously* but where would I display the naked photos?!

soap petals
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

It was a very etsy christmas- with my brother getting a tiny meat wallet, my other brother getting babypop gloves, my dad getting a sugarfoot sunglasses case, and my mama getting these soap petals from a breathoffrenchair! Also one of these corn things from halfpinto.

I've all but closed for the holidays. My energy has left me, and the only things business related I seem to be able to do is to renew on etsy, and I did draw some earrings, but they aren't made yet. I believe they will be lovely when made. I also broke down some old items for use as supplies in new items.

I'm very pro this new shop local tool as at least it gives people exposure based on proximity. Of course, it's much fairer for me than for people in really big cities since there are only a million people around Memphis, so you get a fair variety but you're not going to never come up on the first page, if you get me?

I note it's on the front page now, which is good- finally something that we can all equally be in.

so want!

I paid off my whole etsy bill. Merry Holidays!

For the love of god, pay your etsy bill.

So I'm packing up my orders from etsy, and am boggling. I'm always getting tripped up on etsy because the site seems to be set up as an area for all crafters to try to sell- the lack of jurying, the fact that they talk about it being a place for everything handmade,etc. Also, there's a forum to tell admins your ideas, and you can get the admins to post a storque article for you if you write it yourself, giving the illusion of a democracy or at least some participation. So I am often confused about the etsy spririt- is it a community where people of all skill levels, all pocket book sizes, all energy levels to be connected with buyers, other crafters and admirers, or is it a place for the 'crafting elite'? I would prefer the former as there's plenty of the latter. To develop a crafting world that is awesome and to promote handmade items, I think we need to have more community feeling. There are plenty of sites for the elite only, but let's have etsy be for the rest of us.

A touchy subject- why is shipping so high?

People often wonder why people charge $2 or even $3 to ship a pair of earrings. The truth is that if your package is not completely flat, there's a charge of 1.31 to even ship earrings that weigh one ounce. Then there's delivery confirmation, which is essential for people who sell with paypal [18 cents]. There's also the cost of packaging the item. Tape, bubble wrap, bubble envelopes[if you can get them in bulk, 20 cents each, but you have to lay out the whole $30 or $50 at once]- this all adds up. I also use shipping software so I can have envelopes that are readable, that have all the zip codes down to the four digit extension, and so I can ship first class international without waiting for an hour at the post office. This software is in fact, not free, but it helps packages get there faster. How? If the post wo/man can't read the label, that slows down the mail, having the four digit extension slows it down, and being able to print things at home allows me to ship more days a week, thus causing faster shipping.

I got two sales on etsy today, so I am packing them up. I really like to ship same day if I can because I generally am impatient with the mail. I also found my supply of purple organza bags, so I am generally happy.

flower bracelet

flower bracelet
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

I took photographs like crazy today. Some have to be retaken, but since it'll rain tomorrow, that won't happen.

It's another flash toy!

Today under the fear of exams, I crafted like crazy. I hope it doesn't rain.

green stripes

green stripes
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

Today is the start of the buy one, get one half off sale on etsy- running until the 15th. I'm hoping to do all my promoting for today before lunch and study the rest of the day, with large gaps for napping. I think that today I might be able to finally eat soup with noodles. Having your wisdom teeth removed makes it hard to eat.

Etsy CEO profile with interesting comments section. It's drizzling so yesterday's creations will not be posted today.

I didn't know the donutlounge was bailing out of etsy. She only has one item left.

I think a nice handmade item is a good donation for children for christmas. Handmade items actually are a bit more high toned and less supportive of the idea that the poor don't deserve nice things than a dollar store Barbie is. A well made toy that will stand the test of time is a really nice thing, especially compared to some of the things people give poor children. So if you make toys, give them this season. You can even give through etsy. And all year round- please donate yummy food to the food drive. Does anyone even eat pickled beets?

Admins say they will pull duplicates in gift guides.

I'm hoping to be able to make hoop earrings today. I changed my website around to showcase a variety of items on other sites, so it can be more of a one stop shop for cassowary goodness.

strawberry ring

strawberry ring
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

I'm becoming more productive as all I have to do is catch up with my reading for school. I think my illness is waning too.

IMG_6582
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

I got this from sallyscreations. I got major mom points for the decoration help.

I'm Chateau Bizarre's Dec 1st Site of the Day.

I've decided to switch my mintd items around. I only have enough money for 10 items[i.e. the free plan], but it's not interesting to have the same 10 items all the time. Mintd has added a new blog feature on profiles, and it seems to be working better than it did earlier.

Don't call other sellers names on the forums,ok? Now that hell month is over, I'm looking forward to a lot of new designs and a lot more advertising. But no google base until I feel better

A pet peeve: I hate it when folks act like it takes so much more time to express a complaint than to whine that people are complaining. I think a problem is that positivity can become toxic and more negative than negativity. If I say "Man, the jewelry category on etsy is really crowded! They should put in an advanced search instead of gift guides!", that is going to cause a whole lot less bad feeling, even though it was technically a complaint than saying "I bet the reason you think the jewelry category is crowded is because you're a miserable person deep down. Why don't you leave if you're so unhappy? Why do you have so much free time to worry about that?" despite this somehow being 'positive'.

I guess the problem is that positivity is very fragile, compared to being realistic, because it does not have a firm foundation, so anytime anyone makes any mention of a negative, that bubble is burst. You can't sustain it, and you have to lash out as an attempt to keep that unsustainable world view. When you lash out, bad feelings occur. So that creates more negativity than being negative.

cranberry ambrosia in light

cranberry ambrosia in light
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

an example of the pictures I took today. I guess indiepublic and we love etsy will be getting picture updates soon. I just need to distribute the new items among my sites. This one is already on lov.li

Oddly enough, the light of the setting sun makes for fairly OK pictures. I'll show you guys soon.

Wow, that was fast! My indie crafters page is up.

holiday earrings
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

I finally updated my website It takes me a long time to resize my images, upload them and then write in the descriptions

Today it rained. I rephoto'd some items but then I realized that the new items I made yesterday- I forgot to take pictures of them. Also, when I make a bracelet, it's always really short.

Personally, I feel more encouraged by kind words than tough love. All of us know that we haven't put our etsy items in google base, that we have piles of unused supplies, and that we haven't uploaded our pictures onto talentdatabase as often as we need to. But do we all know about the happiness that our crafts bring to so many? Even if I can't buy from you, I love the energy of crafters. People seem to think there is too much kindness in the world. But that's not true. Kindness is not some dragon's hoard to be massed up in a cave where no one can see it. Kindness is what everyone deserves. It's like religious things. No one deserves mercy or grace, but it is given freely to all. Having a generous spirit is good for all.

Stella notes that insinuating that other people's shops are inferior is not respectful on this page.

Today, I went out in the cold to take pictures, without gloves. It was forty degrees, and while I was snapping, it started raining. It's hard to get the right white balance under these conditions.

My philosophy about crafting is as follows. Not many people are making more than a thousand dollars a year in this world, as compared to the many people under that mark. I make double that working ten hours a week. So the idea that when we create a venue for crafting, everything should be as unfair as possible makes me laugh. What do you get when you've 'tough loved' the love out of people's crafting? What do you win when you make people feel awful about themselves, and turned off of crafting all together? I wish there was a separate place for the 'elites' to fight out their cage match for craft supremacy, and the rest of us can enjoy ourselves. Really, I want to have fun.

Read my awesome how to on how to promote in the etsy forums.

This sort of thing is why I am going to shop all online. I'm not waking up at 4 am in the morning unless people are going to give me money. As for spending it, it spends just as good online and it comes to your door.

*is in tootsiegrace's gift guide*

I've decided to be more open in my business blog. Being a one person business, it's hard not to reveal who you really are. Even if it does sometimes mean saying that I don't like posting on 1000 selling communities, or that I don't want to put up ten classified ads, or that it took me an hour to make a simple email for my mailing list. I have decided to do this because I don't want to be the sort of fake corporate business person that I don't like. I'll also tag my posts

A big problem that is making everyone divided over the gift guides is the sense that if you didn't get in, you're just not a good seller. The admins are working hard, but they are undercut by their cheerleaders. If you want to seem fair, it's hard to do that when folks are telling people that they didn't get in because their photos weren't good, that they are whiners,etc. But it's hard for the admin, because they can't just tell those people to shut up, and be respectful of everyone's hard work. It causes people to be more bitter if they are assumed to not be working hard or to be malcontents rather than saying that the admin worked hard, but there were too many people who are good at things to put everyone in. When you say, you're just jealous, it's not helping at all.

Not to mention, the assumption that no one who isn't a top seller/in the guide/perfectly happy all the time promotes or does anything with their business drives me nuts. I'm not sure why you would assume that without at least asking, because there are a lot of invisible promotions that people do. I put my cards out at the library, post on craigslist, put my stuff on stylehive and the etsy mini blog. There's not a big banner in my store saying that I do this, but I do. If you're not on my myspace friend's list, or my mailing list, yea, you're not going to see my promotions, but that doesn't mean they don't exist

I've been escaping from school work into doing business things, but I'm so behind on schoolwork. I haven't been able to make any progress for two days.

I can't seem to make any masculine items at all. Whenever I make something, it's uber uber girly. I'd like to branch out, but it's hard when your favorite stone is rose quartz.

Now that exam time is nigh, I've become obsessed with gluing things to other things. I started with earrings, and I'll progress to rings soon. There's just something so simple and pure about stud earrings or a ring with a nice flashy vintage twang to it. When winter break comes, I'll go back to larger scale jewelry. I have several half done projects ready to be done just when I get ready

It's nice to see etisians coming together to promote each other.

and they work fast too.

Ok, etsy, I'll pay! I'll pay!

I'm loving abreathoffrenchair's soap petals~

This year's gift guide is out! I had to delay it for one day because I made a pair of earrings that I needed to photograph.

Missing the Mark-

I missed the group fire mountain order, I just found out today. Time to look for greener supply pastures. I think I'll try out some gold filled items in time for the holiday. I upgraded to sterling silver at least six months ago, and it has been working well, but gold filled is much pricier..

I'm on parade on indieparade. I need to get my gift guide together soon..

Apparently flying backhoes have it out for etsy?

On etsy, homepage showcases will be $15. A bit much for me... $7 was already high for me. [$50 etsy bill]

A list of my various shops:

my main jewelry website
Manga, nonhandmade jewelry and more
My etsy shop
Me on Mintd
On Lov.li

so not my picture! soap resembles bar in picture.
Soap Review

Soap Name: crushed cranberry by abreathoffrenchair

Smell: Like a cranberry candle. In shower, it smells quite strongly. Out of shower my skin smells like a combination of 'clean' and a cranberry candle. I'm not sure if I am too young for cranberry. Fall scents are so mature.

Lather: Lots. I was surprised by the amount of lather, actually.

Size: 4 oz. The bar seems huge.

Other thoughts: Hands oddly smooth from using it. Came gift wrapped.

I added a test item to lov.li. You can actually buy it, though. All went well, except for a small image error.

Etsians donate sales to fire victims. For direct donations.

Big hearted etisians continue to be concerned about the fates of fire victims.

Sweet! I was featured in the under $25 section of the Indie Love Gift Guide! A little legwork goes a long way.

The hot topic of copying has come up yet again. I think the hotness of the topic is based on a clash of world views. There seems to be two streams of thought in the crafting world- the gift economy model and the market economy model. The gift economy model sees ideas as free floating, and the sharing of knowledge as an important part of the process. The market economy model focuses more on competition and protecting one's copyright. These don't go together and people end up talking past each other. Is craft a product to sell or a gift you give to the world? It's both I say, both!

An etsy seller gives the lowdown on promos. I find that you tend to get better results posting a new thread if you title it in a way that makes other people want to look: be both general enough so that a lot of people will be interested in and have items for the thread, and specific enough so that your thread is not all over the place.

Not so good: "look at my shop" why? what's in your shop? why do we care?
good: Gifts for Golfers why? many items can be gifts for golfers- socks, little doo doodads with gold related slogans on them,etc. People who like golf and people who know people who like golf will check out this thread.

Also, how you act in the promos post can help too. Come back to your post, and comment on the items that other people have posted. Chat about aspects of these items that you like. People like being complimented. Of course, when you post your link, try to say what's on the page. I'm more likely to click "hand crocheted golf club cozy" than a plain link.

The etsy girls calendar is out. I'm miss december[and not just a pretty face!]

Yay! My buy one, get half off sale is live on indiecontests~! I find that you have to be pretty aggressive in finding new ways to promote for free. The more eyeballs you get, the more sales, but you also have to find ways to target to your audience, but also reach a wide enough audience.

Kindhearted Etsians donate to a woman whose home was broken into.

This one page is worth more than all of my shops together I bet.

It seems that we have new tagging guidelines on etsy. Learn them, love them, use them.

[so not my picture!]
I'm wearing this today. It's a bit lighter than my usual winddefense skirt, but seems to work just as well. It fits best over the stomach.

I'm feeling torn. I wanted to go back to the farmer's market this weekend, but after sleeping all day today, I don't think so. Maybe the church sale next week?

*so* not my picture!

Sweet Bamboo Soap:

smell: like the best citrus in the world.
lather: a lot
in shower smell: very nice and intense.
out of shower: some lingering on skin, nice if you don't mind smelling all girly all day.
Size: 3 oz.
Notes: No clue what bamboo has to do with anything.

There's a certain philosophy to destashing. While to a certain extent I believe in the creative chaos of the bead box, at a certain point you need to pare things down. I think that if you haven't used them in four months, it's time to destash them. When you clear out your beadbox, you make room for new beads and new ideas to come in.

Rokali, the owner of etsy is featured in the new york times.


There is a new bill in congress dealing with copycats. Of course, the context is different. Although copycats are argued about every single day on etsy, I think the relationship is different- as barely anyone can afford $1000 for a shoe with a label on it, and on etsy, the copier and the copiee are in the same marketplace. On the other hand, the real issue on etsy is that many of us use commercially available materials and techniques that are very basic. A lot of toes get stepped on because there are not that many different ways to make a pair of earrings or a bag.

There's a storque. I've noticed that I'm more of a link blogger. I don't craft very verbally. This pretty thing goes with that pretty thing, and that's the end of it.

moo cards

moo cards
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

I'm glad to have some cards that both show my work and have more than one of my sites on it.

Today I made a new pair of earrings in the morning because yesterday night I was too tired to bead. I love it when a plan comes off.
Yay! Blog feature

I've been semiobsessed with matching sets lately. I usually don't do them, but I've created two within the last week. I've also been dreaming about lampwork beads.

One of those voting websites- just for crafts! You can tell what my new addiction will be.

I was featured on talent database.

beads...

what is this?
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

The story that goes with this picture is as follows:

lady on LJ: I am selling lovely tourmaline!
me:I've got monies!
lady: yay!
me:hey! this isn't tourmaline!
lady: wtf! It isn't!

Hey, my hero has an etsy shop. Science fiction is love. You all should read Brown Girl in the Ring.

[definitely not my pic]
Today's Cookie Review:

Ullja's Assorted Cookies: 8 cookies sounded like a small amount for the price, but as each cookie is really big- it doesn't seem so bad any more. The body of the cookie was very soft and melted in my mouth. I ate orange flavored today, and the zest really added a kick to the cookies. You might only be able to have these 2 or 3 times a year, but it'd be great when you can.

I'm splitting my website into two- one for jewelry only, and one for other items. The new jewelry site isn't completed, but here's a peek.

I snagged a treasury on etsy- all stars in honor of the starlight etsy bead theme of the week.

Another Calendar Picture
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

As promised, my calendar outtakes. See what I'm talking about here:

The poster contest winners are in. Today I completed my shots for the calendar and tomorrow I'll post my outtakes.

Stellabella is talking to us. I've been slacking off a bit lately. I made two pairs of earrings yesterday, but have not photographed them. I don't think I can go to the farmer's market this week because of the heat and because of my final on Friday.

The most I can do lately is to blow my book fund on jewelry supplies.

Today's Soap Review:

Venus and Vixen Oatmeal and Honey Soap:

Price: $1
Size:3 oz

Lather: almost none

Smell and Soap Experience:

Very nice in shower smell, nice homey oatmeal smell lingers on skin. Very scrubby bar. I smell like an oatmeal cookie.

People from Detroit can go to a crafts fair this weekend it seems. A way to make ear hooks. Cheap sun silkscreening.

Hey! Look at me, I'm using mintd!

I'm having free shipping on all etsy items until August 10th because I've gotten 200 hearts.

Today's Soap Review:

Baby Legs Soap Sample: Good lather, shaved off well. Nice shave- smooth legs.

My last post was my 700th post to this blog. It seems that Vistaprint is having some customer service problems.. Be careful small business people.


Listen to the bunny.

Millionth Etsy Item Sells.

I learned of a new site, and so I put my etsy mini up there.

Apparently at etsy, you have to handmake your promotional posters.

Also, the great etsy bill charge of 07.

Now that the mail has run, I think I'll lay in bed and bead..

The best part about etsy is the sense of community. I traded some beads to this lady, and I see that she has made earrings from them and made those earrings their avatar. I feel sort of like a fairy godmother.

I'm noodling around with this talentdatabase thing. I am also being amused about ebay- even with best offer on some items, you can get offered full price.

Today's Candy Review:

Today I got a package from cravelousianna. The caramels weren't melted all that much, a miracle with the heat inside our mailbox, and so I popped one in my mouth to enjoy the sugar. Very nice toffee like taste. The packaging was also attractive. I would give as a gift or eat a lot myself, but I try not to eat too much candy.

Today's Soap Review:
Crazy Age Apple Soap: A very crisp apple scent- smells good in the shower and stays on skin. Moderate lather. I believe my skin is vaguely softer now. Also can be used as a bathroom decoration.

Size: 5 oz
Price: 1.99

Cassowary Jewelry and Finds has been all over the internet. Proud member of etsy bead and JET, two street teams on etsy, which are improving the image of jewelry on etsy, I have also participated in many great indie events such as Happily Handmade, The Sampler, and Totally Indie Coupons.

I've been showcased on many blogs: Indie Fixx, Kaskaad, Wickedly Chic, Roxi's Friends,The etsybead blog,Chateau Bizarre

Treasury

Treasury
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

I fail at screen capping, but it is rare that I get a treasury

Got a treasury.

Chunky Necklace

Chunky Necklace
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

This necklace is full of items that I didn't expect to be as big as they were. I traded a pair of earrings and a bracelet for the wooden beads.

Simone Walsh,a popular jewelry designer, is becoming the publicity manager at mintd.

Also I have a long queue of soap to buy. Including the soap I already have this is more than a year of soap.

Lost Earrings

Lost Earrings
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

I forgot to photograph these for weeks, but they are on etsy now.

Not Delicious Candy!

Not Delicious Candy!
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

I like getting promos, oddly enough.

My new this next list is all about images of color on etsy. ooh, made it to the blog!

I'm getting addicted to Iliketotallyloveit.

Sweet! One of my sk*rt stories got published.

Soap Review:

I got a sample of Nag Champa(sp?) soap from distilled rose. Good lather in bath, subtle bath scent, a bit stronger on the skin. I can't describe the smell- it's not floral or fruity,, I smell a sort of sweet type of clean now. Would buy it if available.

What are these beads?

Obsessed with these beads
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

I can't for the life of me figure it out. I thought they were trade beads, but maybe not?

Finally, a good link to sk*rt

Golden Pearls

Golden Pearls
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

I think that the black background will become my trademark someday.

There's a big marketing outrage going over at bentolunch on LJ. I use bento boxes for the farmer's market since it's a lot better to have little cut up strawberries, peanut butter crackers, etc on you instead of buying fast food.

Also, never procrastinate. I did and it rained and I have five things to photograph.

To the person who stole the pet jewelry lady's keychain at the farmer's market:

When you steal from a vendor at the farmer's market, you're really not helping your local community. When a person vends at a farmer's market, a lot of the money goes back into the community. There's the booth fee, which helps the farmer's market keep going, encouraging local produce and crafters, which take less gas to get to market and thus are better for the environment. Any profit that people make at the market often either goes back to buy stuff at the market or to help support the local crafter- when you buy local, you help kids go through college, stay at home mothers surmount the wage gap, disabled people have decent work...there's so much value there. So boo on you for stealing.

No love,

shannon

I've started posting some of my stuff on Gumiyo. No clue if I'll get anything out of it, but the more exposure, the better,eh?

Soap Review:

Lather Lemongrass: A lot of lather, very little in shower smell, very subtle scent on skin. I really like the slight citrus smell. Special thanks to dad for the hotel soap.

Is your gemstone a real stone? Also, olive jade is sepertine and african turquoise is jasper.

More product reviews:

Venus and Vixen Vanilla Chai Body Milk: Be careful with this! I wasn't anticipating the thinness, put on too much and ended up smelling like dessert(it mixed with my cinnamon soap) all day. and not subtly either.

Lather Yuzu Bergamont Moisturizer : Smelled a little too fruity at first, but goes on subtle. Not the best thing ever, but pretty good for free.

Bright Green Earrings

Bright Green Earrings
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

Etsy seems to be fixed so I posted these earrings. 21 views so far, not so shabby!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6216552

I love this funny antihotlinking image

Etsy Party Pics

Purple Spiral Earrings

Purple Spiral Earrings
Originally uploaded by cassowaryjewelry

If etsy ever is up this weekend, I'll list these earrings there.

Hey, My My is having a store opening.

The search issue has been resolved.

I'm hoping for the broken etsy search to be fixed soon.

I got a treasury! Of course, they are testing how many treasuries people will get before a disaster occurs.

Meringueshop tries to clear her name.

I've started a free shipping sale on my etsy store until 12 am CDT on Friday to celebrate my 100th heart.

I saw that post too, and thought that jared shouldn't have posted with his badge because people would confuse his personal feelings with an Ok to copy others from etsy itself. Don't copy, please.

I've started a new flickr account for my jewelry pictures. Also, Pass made a new store for her (much) cheaper glass jewelry.

new earrings up I hear gingko is trendy nowadays. One trend I'm seeing a lot of is domino art for jewelry. Although now even magnets are getting in on the action.

Etsy top sellers. I only have sold 26 items, so it's really inspriring to hear about those who have sold in the thousands on etsy.

A comparison between the showcase and relisting. When ebb and flow relisted she got exposure in several places: the time machine two, the fresh items on the buy page, the newly listed items on the bottom of the front page, and in the search and category pages.

I finally got this set up at my site I broke my little hand, so I'm debating super glue or getting a new one..

I've started selling on ebay again. It can be tough to pull several venues together, which is why I don't do more, even though the extra exposure doesn't hurt.

Awesome artist Jelene has a romantic comic themed pop painting up. Someone should make romance comics for today

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed this, but I guess more books are donated to the library since used copies are worth nothing.

More about the new treasury beta. All good quality treasuries here too.

Etsy has a new treasury in beta. Thread

A new board has opened for buyers and sellers to link up for custom etsy listings.

I'm preparing for the farmer's market. I've got a zillion tags to put on.

I'm having a bought too many beads sale on etsy. 20% off everything with code toomanybeads

It's a hard life being an online business person. All my google base listings expired at once. For etsy I have to do them one by one, but at least my website lets me export the listings and I only have to type a few things in.

Good Earth Soaps Chai Soap

Price: 4.25
Review: A large size bar, with a little lather in the bath. Good smell, and cinnamon fragrance lingers on skin.

Information about the May Trunk Show is here. Get 10% off on everything in participating stores!

I've started a layaway plan on etsy. Half down, half the next week.

Note: All my earrings are the same pair pictured, and have never been worn. In response to this thread.

Blog post on etsy trends. Thread on etsy trends. I love bell flower earrings! The thing with jewelry is that there are only so many ways to combine jewelry findings. Of course, many makers are also responding to larger trends. This sort of earring is getting popular. I saw them, so I decided to make my own version.

New necklace up on my site

I've gotten 50 hearts on etsy! *happy* and posted a new item.

Etsy soap off: I'm a soap addict, and so I've sampled a few of the soaps on etsy.

Country Heart Samples: Great guest soaps- the fragrance stays on your skin. The clear ones last for a shorter time than the nonclear. Buying an actual bar of soap might be a better deal though. Price: 3.75

Lemon Poppy Seed from Daisycakes: Lots of lather, nice and scruby. Smells great but fragrance doesn't stay on skin. Good value, but the different soaps tend to sell out. Price: 2.75

Oatmeal, Milk and Honey Soap from Distilled Rose: Very large bar with nice scrubiness. Smells quite earthy in shower, and lends a subtle fragrance to the skin. Price: 3.75

Daisycakes has become an etsy featured seller! She makes very good soap. Lemonpoppy seed was the soap I bought and it was great for exfoliating. It was limited though, so she doesn't have any anymore.

Etsy is back up if slow after an all day outage. Avenue beads has a nice glass 101 on annealing and an after party bead treasury.

I'm setting up an ecrater store

My items are almost overrepresented in this three day etsy bead treasury.

Etsy bead party treasury! All items 10% off at participating stores! Free gifts for over $30~

Bead party treasury!! The bead party is on the 21st and you're all invited!

Mother's Day showcase spots are on sale.

Crafters of color corner:

Etsian ibec got press coverage in her local newspaper. I don't have a translation though.

I've been slow in setting this up, but I hope to have more information about crafters of color as I don't think that crafting is quite as white as people depict it as.

I have a kadoodle list.

Also, amazing pottery treasury. A front page contender?

New etsy bead treasury- all earrings, all under $10! One of my earrings is featured.

Etsy email!

Dear Etsy Sellers,

This is a quick note to let you know that we've finalized the new DOs and DON'Ts of Etsy, which you can view by clicking the Help link in the main site header.

As we've grown and grown, the need for clearer rules has grown, too. We spent a lot of time sharing ideas and getting feedback from the community on our Forums, and the DOs and DON'Ts reflect this (we hope!). Our goal is to keep things growing nicely, encouraging community and kindness.

March set several records on Etsy: over 100,000 items sold in a single month, bringing the total items sold to well over half a million. That's a whole lot of crafting! On average over 1,000 new people a day join the community, which means more and more buyers.

Right now we're making some key changes and additions to the website. Our goal is to get things in shape for a flawless holiday season, and get us back on track adding the many many features everyone's been asking for (and we love to make for you).

Our goal is to grow big while staying small. We love the community we have and the site itself will always be something handmade. This month in the Etsy book club we're reading Ben & Jerry's Double Dip: How to Grow a Values-Led Business, which has many lessons to learn from.

Last but not least, if you're in town please come join us at Etsy Labs in Brooklyn on June 16th at 7pm, the night of the Renegade Craft Fair. We'll be having a party celebrating two years on the Web.


Our thanks to all the sellers who make Etsy what it is,
The Whole Etsy Crew

Rob, Chris, Haim, Jared, Matt, Adrian, Alex, Anda, Anna, Charles, Emily, Erin, Jay, Lauren, Lori, Mary, Mike, Sarah, Simon, Tim and Vanessa

The Art Beads Scene monthly contest is going on. Just produce an item using art beads with the theme 'flight' and you can win hundreds of dollars worth of beads

Trailer for Handmade Nation. I'm inspired by this. I want to collect interviews with crafters of color now.

My etsy has a new clearance section!

I got a feature on wickedly chic~!

The unofficial etsy news blog is up! Get the latest etsy news.

I got featured on the etsy bead blog!

Etsy BEAD bracelet treasury.

Trumpet flower treasury! My trumpet flowers.

Etsy BEAD is really getting on the map with these treasuries.

Ebay forums FAQ.

Easter version etsy bead treasury Your etsy bill has not been autocharged, people. Please pay your etsy bill.

Hella Good is moving on. PSU's new virtuemart googlecheckout module. I can personally say the module works well- most of my site sales are processed through google checkout.

Ebay stores fee increase rumors. Sellers of vintage collectibles continue their discussion. My theory on the seller of the low priced new items is that people are starting to tighten their belts a little. Not a lot, but enough that a low price appeals to many people.

New etsy bead treasury- purple and black!

New etsy beads blog, with the exciting feature of the day!

I'm also having a huge free shipping sale!

The official destash bash list.

Showcase delayed to 3 pm est.

My squidoo updated.

Multitalented etsy beaders.

Etsy showcases on sale tomorrow, 12 pm EST!

More treasuries: advertising for the jewelry party. I plan to bead up a storm, but my supplies aren't in yet

Another etsy beaders treasury. Very beach feel, very serious jewelry. And another: from beaders with less than 10 sales!

Interesting ebay forum thread: what do young people collect? Also, another etsy bead treasury! Ooooh!!! When you're in a treasury, you do get a little star!!!

Newspaper story on ebay. Forum thread. I think a problem in basing one's ebay business around collectibles is that there's a limited audience for them. There's only so many people who collect a particular thing, and after a while, the audience is satiated. Another issue is that time keeps moving on. Maybe some items were rarer on ebay when the bulk of the boomers didn't know how to sell on ebay. But now, they all know how to use ebay, so there's a bigger supply than there is a demand. Of course, another issue is expectations. People expect to make 1000s of dollars a month on ebay, so when that doesn't happen, people get upset.

New etsy beaders treasury- bountiful beads!

Interesting etsy article. I think sales from posting on the forums aren't just from just random posting, but from participating in events(I got a sale from the big destash thread), and joining street teams(I'm in etsy bead) which can help in treasury placement. I sometimes get sales or hearts from people who seem to be buyers only, but I do promote outside etsy.

Best. Blog. Ever.

Next item sold over $10 gets free shipping. I'm finally getting around to fiddling with my stylehive.

Another etsy beaders treasury. Some of the unappreciated beadweavers are in this one. I don't bead weave, but I have much respect for those who do.

I'm #3 in the squidoffers!

My squidoo offer is up! Vote it up up up!

A beading maniacs treasury.

New social shopping site: iliketotallyloveit.com

IndieFixx's Spring Gift Guide is out~!

Etsy makes it easy to find ACEOS with their new ACEO Street Team! Tiny pieces of art for your consumption! I dabble in painting(here is one I've done) but I'd really need to hone my technique before I could do ACEOs!

Etsy showcase spots on sale today noon EST.

Jelene featured on front page of etsy. Congrats Jelene! Full disclosure: she designed my promo stickers.

I didn't make this latest etsy beader's treasury, but it's still a good one.

I got my sampler today:









I gave the vintage fabric to my mother to patch our quilts. Thank you reprodepot(?)

My lens is in popular lenses in DIY and Hobbies.

I've put up a new squidoo.

Etsy bead street team members are listed here.

I'm in today's etsy showcase.

I made up my list for this spring break.

My website is back up- now with the power of google checkout! Just click the buttons for ultra fast checkout.

I've put new books on my amazon 'shop' and my ebay store has a nice Asian vibe to it now.

I'm still bummed about my domain issues. I am trying to transfer my domain, but it might take days to get up. But a place in a treasury for the new etsy beaders street team is helping soothe the pain.

Argle, bargle, it may take up to two days for my site to go back online, so I have redirected to my ebay store in the mean time. A new domain name and google checkout(beta) may be added. Try back Monday.

Etsy has a new constitution. I listed a new choker in the spirit of etsy. Handmade by me.

The gallery of the March sampler is out! See the other great contributers!

I did it! I got two showcase spots on etsy! Spots are going fast so snap them up!

The March Sampler is going forward! Subscribe to their mailing list so that you can get future samplers. I might try for April's sampler too!

I got my totally indie coupons today. I wasn't expecting the huge box of coupons I got. I'll have to make my first coupon pack tommorow

As I put together's this week's newsletter, I saw that it had almost been a year since I had started using my mailing list in its current form. I nearly have 500 subscribers now.

My new thisnext list is up.

I'm having a sale until the 21st on the anime section. Everything is 10% off.

The Happily Handmade Giveaway will have 51 winners- 50 regular gift box winners and 1 special grand prize box winner. You can enter by clicking on the Happily Handmade logo on my site.

Also, it seems that google and paypal are competing with rebates, but with Cassowary Jewelry and Finds, you win. I take both. However, google checkout's $10 for a first time purchase of at least ten dollars expires Feb 15th.

I've been updating my etsy shop. Birthstone and easter bracelets are on sale.

My items have been received for the March sampler. Look forward to it!

The list of shops for the round of totally indie coupons I am in has been released. I'm hoping to get my coupon packs soon.

I'm so excited! I just made my happily handmade giveaway page. I can't publish it for you all to see until Feburary 12th, but I can't wait. They have sneak peaks on what you could win at their website

I have a lot of auctions this week. 80s seems to be the order of the day

My shopcast was featured on the thisnext blog.
It really was like 60 degrees in the winter when I typed that rec.

Ok, my cart is back up. Here is how you make an order on my site. First you click the add to cart button. When you want to checkout, go to the checkout button on the top of the site. If new, fill out your infomation(we never share it with anyone else) and then click registration on the bottom. Then choose your payment type- google checkout, paypal and money order.

My cart is down for the time being, so for orders email me at seweary @ gmail.com and I'll invoice you(google checkout,paypal and money order are taken here)

The upcycle contest has winners now.

I have my indie recs list for this week up. Yesterday I talked about getting some gallery space in Memphis. Wish me luck.

My hello kitty charm auction is ending soon, and I just put up a new bracelet.

I also have new etsy items.

My Thisnext list for this week is up! I create these every week. To get the week's new list, special coupons and always know what's going on at Cassowary Jewelry, I recommend you join my weekly mailing list.

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Business owners! The DMOZ's suggest a site is back up.

I was featured on Roxi's Independant Designer Friends.She also posts lists of her indie favorites on thisnext.

I'm Secret Pal Friendly- that means that if you put on your order comments that you are a secret pal or a secret Santa I will send the package out with the name just 'secret Santa' and my business address.

I signed up for the happily handmade giveaway. I'll have to make a happily handmade giveaway page.

Woo! I'm confirmed for totally indie coupons! Hopefully I can get into the Happily Handmade giveaway tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Woo! I'm on Indie Fixx's Valentine's Day Gift Guide.

My new indie picks list is up. and my new mailing list should be out tomorrow. Now just to upload the eBay listings I put in turbolister this morning and I should be done.

Now after fooling around in the backend(you all bring your own jokes) I've made it easier to find the paypal and money order options on the checkout.

Kimino Momo is having a wholesale prices sale on her site. I'm hoping to be able to get into the sampler for feburary or march. I'm also preparing for the happily handmade giveaway.

I have 2 ebay listings for faux pearl earrings ending tomorrow. Check them out.

I'm also listing up a storm on amazon. I have 32 items listed now.

Two new bracelets up. I think my hard work is paying off.

Ah, finally my feed up on my site. I'm going to have to work harder on my blog now.

DMOZ submit is down.

Also, information about art jewelry.

Etsy has a great Zelda 2 error page.

Even though I'm on a diet, I ordered spoon fudge. I'm going to be a future fatty-chan for sure.

Apparently there's an indie craft documentary being made.

My new indie recs list is out. The next list may be generated by my mailing list members.

Rates for priority mail And probably for first class mail as well. I may have to raise my shipping prices, which include more than just the shipping price. I also put in for the cost of tape, bubble mailers, shipping software and promotional materials. Why don't I just do exact shipping? Because I know that if I'm losing 50 cents on every package, and I mail out say, 25 a month...yea, I could have had two good dinners out with that cash.

Ebay fees will increase in 2007.

Encidia saves the day. I had three media mail packages to send out(2 books and a CD) and before, I woud have had to stand in line. The line was out the door at the post office today, and I had to circle around twice to get a parking space. But having my postage already paid, I could just toss them in the chute and get on with my day.

I don't accept payment in stamps.

I've gotten a ton of faux pearl earrings in. My other jewelry section is nearly as big as my jewelry. I should fix this with new year's day shopping.