So the big topic of conversation on etsy over the past few days is the forums transferring to teams... Not everyone is liking the idea.  Part of my day is spent on the forums, making connections, critiquing and being critiqued and just having fun making new friends.  I have started the daily discoveries and so far it is a hit, why not roll out a new forum as well!  So come be a part of MY community!  Everyone is welcome, there are no rules on what you can and can't post (regarding photos, try to stick to thumbnail size).  Lets take what we love about etsy and keep it alive, what we will really miss is the community input and atmosphere, we can have that here.

Check out the new forum here: Community Forum it is easy to use and figure out, if you have trouble use the contact form at the bottom of the page and I'll help you :)  I look forward to seeing many new faces!
 
I've had some success with featuring other etsy items by posting in the promotions forum.  I allow each shop to give me a link for one item in their shop per day that I then post in a daily gallery.  (See Promotions Page)  With the popularity of this item I wanted to lay down some ground rules for people to refer to.  So here we are...

1.) I will post a new topic in the promotions forum every morning (Monday - Friday) The name of this thread with be Foget-Me-Nots  Daily Etsy Discoveries (date) for searchability

2.) You are allowed to post a link for one item per shop per day.  Try to mix your items if you list often so we have diversity! (you are welcome to add more links in your thread post but I will post only 1 item in the gallery).

3.) All I ask in return is that you spend a little time clicking through the other items and leaving some love behind you.  Feel free to invite your friends to the site and to leave a link to it wherever you want.  Feel free to flip through my website as well, I post in the blog daily and I love comments and input from others.

4.)  Each Saturday I will choose one shop at random that was in that weeks galleries and feature them in a blog post on Sunday.  That shop will also get a banner and shop link in the 'my favorite etsy shops'  page as well as your banner and link on my front page for the following week. 

I believe in helping other shop owners, I love the etsy community an I love finding all these great items from great artists.  I am trying to build my own community here on this site and hope that you will want to be a part of it.  Come back often to check out what's new and comment on the blogs as often as you'd like.  I love that people are communicating with each other through the thread as well, don't be afraid to tell others what items you love, we all love a little pat on the back once in awhile!

Thank you so much, I look forward to featuring your items!
Jill



 
Since starting this etsy experience I've discovered that it is not a 'part time' hobby.  I make an effort every day to find new ways to promote my shop, my head is full of project designs and business ideas.  I work a full time 8-4 job and sometimes I find it hard to balance all the to-do's that come along.  Craft projects start to pile up around me, I go from one project to another without finishing the first.  I swear it feels like this sometimes...
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Sometimes you just have to hit the reset button and go back to the basics.  Here are a few ways I unclutter my space and my mind.

* Reset work area, throw away scraps that are too small to use, put away tools and accessories, organize all unfinished projects into file folders.
* Take a night off from 'the grind' everyone needs a break now and then, don't be afraid to take it
* Get a journal and write down all new ideas that you have when you have them, sketch, describe, remember.  Getting the idea out of your head and on to paper will clear the clutter from your mind and help you later when looking for insperation.

How do you hit your reset button?
 
Some days I wake up in the morning feeling overwhelmed and down.  Nothing seems to go right, I drop everything, wake up late, can't find anything to wear.... Then I read the news and realize how very lucky I really am.   My bad hair day seems small in comparison to natural disasters, terrorist threats, school shootings, domestic violence and a multitude of other horrific acts and events that happen every single day.  So today I say MY LIFE IS GOOD and I am lucky to have the life that I do.   I'd like to share some things that I am thankful for...

    * I am thankful that I have a family, boyfriend and dog that loves me unconditionally.
    * I am thankful that I have a job, a roof over my head and a hobbie that I adore.
    * I am thankful that I spent a lot of quality time with my father before he passed through this world far too soon.
    * I am thankful that I have not been personally touched by the cruel events that happen in the world around me.

I'd like to hear from others today about some of the things they are thankful for, lets all celebrate life rather than read about its dilemas.
 
I had a very productive weekend, had a craft get together at my moms and made bunches of great Valentines Day Cards.  My mom and her friend made beautiful Fashion Pin Gift Sets out of poly clay.  What a perfect one stop shopping deal! 
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In all I listed 10 items yesterday and still have more to photograph.  I love having enough inventory and choices for people to look at when they visit our shop. 

Did anyone else have a productive or inspirational craft making adventure this weekend?
 
I find inspiration in all the normal places, books, pictures, the internet, but I also find it in the not so normal...  The mall, a city street, an outsiders view of a couple or group of people, dreams...  What I'd like to know today is:

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I will then conglomerate all entries and issue a challenge to all my fellow artists with a prize giveaway from my shop.  I think other people are the fountain to our own ideas, imagine the possiblilities when creative minds are all working towards the same goal and  taking different roads to get there.  So please if you have a few moments let me and everyone else know what inspires you.

 
So the east coast is being buried in snow... again.  I'm used to it here south of Buffalo but it's still a pain.  Here is a small distraction and a picture to warm you as you think of the sunny days of summer!
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Well I guess this is Post #1!  It's rather exciting isn't it?  I can't wait to share some of my inspirational moments and help some great artists by spreading their word.  Here's to the beginning!

Please feel free to comment at any time, we will all learn as we go and I love feedback!