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.