Wow 'Em Wednesday: Celebrate Today

Wow 'Em Wednesday!

Let me introduce you to ... Celebrate Today.

1. What is your business name and website/shop URL? What do you create?

My jewelry store is called Celebrate Today and can be found at celebratetoday.etsy.com on the wonderful Etsy site. I specialize in hand-stamped, personalized jewelry in sterling silver and gold.

2. What is the theme or idea behind your website/shop?

I enjoy making custom pieces that help you remember all you have to celebrate. High quality materials, attention to detail and excellent customer service lead to one of a kind pieces with initials, children's names, important phrases or dates that have meaning to you.

3. What makes your items unique?

My items are unique because they are designed by you! I am very flexible and I'll create whatever you're looking for! Want to add a birthstone or pearl?

Want a different shape or font? Need more charms? I love to work with your ideas and have found some wonderful new designs have been sparked by that collaboration.

4. What is your favorite item on your website or in your shop right now?

This is a very hard question. It is a serious perk to have all of these wonderful samples to wear myself! Right now, I am most enjoying playing with the fun crystal colors in the briolette designs. This particular necklace is my favorite color green and I wear it often:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53624432/august-birthstone-personalized-gold

5. What teams do you belong to? How do we search for their items?

I currently belong to the Etsy West Michigan team. You can find beautiful items by this wonderful group of artists by searching EtsyWMI.

6. What is your favorite thing about handmade items?

I have always tried to purchase handmade items for gifts and special occasions. I love that each item is unique and so personal. I also enjoy supporting individual artists.

7. Do you have any favorite finds by other handmade artists?

There are SO many! I am constantly adding new things to my "Favorites"

section and love browsing.

8. Do you have anything else you would like to share? Other links?

Thanks for featuring my Etsy shop! It is so wonderful to promote handmade items and support the great artists on Etsy. I hope you and your blog readers have much to celebrate today!

NEW Products on our Website!

This morning, I updated the website with my new goodies! Check out these great newcomers for yourself and gift giving.

Pampered Pal Gift Set

While this is no newbie, it is one of my favorites! This great set includes a Premium 10 oz Jar, Tea Light 10-Pack, and filled Premium Votive Holder nestled in a thick kraft box with kraft shreds - all tied up with kraft wraphia! Buy it HERE.

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Maddie 8 oz Jars

Maddie is one of my favorite new additions for 2010! She is beautiful and is perfect for bathrooms and elegant areas of your home. I kept the label simple to compliment your decor. Maddie is fancy by design and comes packaged in a kraft box with our choice of ribbon. Maddie will be natural white/ivory in color. If you order two of the same fragrance, she can be dyed to the normal color - just ask! Buy it HERE.

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Boxed 16 oz Jars

Now you can get our awesome 16 oz jars boxed in kraft boxes ready for gift giving! Buy it HERE.

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Boxed 26 oz Jars

Now you can get our huge 26 oz jars boxed in kraft boxes ready for gift giving! This jar is becoming increasingly popular for Bliss addicts :) Buy it HERE.


Have fun shopping!

Handmade Directory: Jewelry

People love jewelry! Here are some great handmade items to help you get your fix. Find more on Etsy and Artfire!

















































Want to be included in the directory? Email me!

Etsy Artist Feature: Nature's Favors

1. What is your shop name and what do you sell?
The name of my shop is naturefavors, I sell unique eco friendly favors and gifts that are inspired by nature. I specialize in earth friendly favors of distinction for weddings, bridal showers, baby showers and garden parties.


2. What is your shop URL?
www.naturefavors.etsy.com

3. What is your blog URL?
www.naturefavors.blogspot.com

4. When did you start selling on Etsy?
January, 09

5. What is your favorite thing about Etsy?
It is a close tie between convos and feedbacks. I believe my favorite would have to be the conversation link. My background is in customer service and I love the fact that I can stay in contact with customers before, during and after a sale.

6. What is your favorite thing about what you create?
Knowing that the end result of what I have created is going to put a smile on someone's face when they receive it and again when they gift it back to nature.


7. What is your favorite item in your own shop and why?
My favorite at the moment would be the Earthblooms, because they are so unique and fun to make. They are garden favors that include everything but the water and do not require planting or digging.

8. What teams do you belong to?
None at the moment, I just haven’t had the time.

9. What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop?
Networking on facebook, twitter, and my blog.
http://www.naturefavors.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/wildweddingfavors?ref=profile
http://twitter.com/NatureFavors

10. What are some of your favorite finds by other sellers on Etsy?
I plan to add more as time permits.
blisscandles.etsy.com
celapiu.etsy.com
BlissCandies.etsy.com

11. What do you do in your spare time?
Spare time? Seriously, when I have spare time I spend it with my family. I also enjoy coaching softball, gardening and web designing.


12. What blogs do you follow?
monarchwatch.org/blog
bigblogofgardening.com/
www.farmersalmanac.com/blog

13. Do you sell anywhere else (websites, stores, etc)?
Yes, there are to many to list, but here are a few:
www.naturefavors.com
www.beau-coup.com
www.daisy-days.com
www.blissweddingmarket.com
www.naturegiftsandmore.com

14. Do you have anything else you would like to share?
Thank you for featuring Nature Favors on your blog. I want to welcome everyone to visit naturefavors.etsy.com. Send me your comments and suggestions, I’d love to hear from you.

My New "Black Bag!"

Yesterday, I received an awesome Etsy find made by Black Bags. This handbag is incredibly well-made. It is clear a lot of care went into making this handbag and it is adorable! To see more of this artists great items, visit her Etsy Shop HERE.


-Suzanne

Etsy Artist Feature: The Monkey Shop

1. What is your shop name and what do you sell?

The monkey shop and I sell Sock monkeys

2. What is your shop URL? http://themonkeyshop.etsy.com

3. What is your blog URL? http://dulcescreations.blogspot.com/

4. When did you start selling on Etsy?

April 28, 2007

5. What is your favorite thing about Etsy?

I love it because I am selling along with thousands and thousands great artist. I love how easy it is to sell on Etsy.

6. What is your favorite thing about what you create?

I love the smiles of my sock monkeys, they all have their own personality. not one will ever look the same, they are baby safe and machine washable.

7. What is your favorite item in your own shop and why?

My favorite sock monkey is Martin. I love the color and he may be in a children's book coming out in October. I still have not heard yet from the publisher.

8. What teams do you belong to?

Etsywmi team

9. What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop?

I love to tweeter, and I always advertise on the forum on etsy.

10. What are some of your favorite finds by other sellers on Etsy?

I love soaps and candles. Bliss candles is my all time favorite. For the soaps I love morganstreet

11. What do you do in your spare time?

I love to crochet and hang out with my Grand Baby Kaveh.

12. What blogs do you follow?

http://cafehandmade.com/

http://aneedleinthehaystack-debbie.blogspot.com/

Plus many more.

13. Do you have anything else you would like to share?

I sell wholesale and I would love to see my sock monkeys all over the USA.

Etsy Artist Feature: JustJaynes

1. What is your shop name and what do you sell?

My shop is JustJaynes, and I sell sterling silver jewelry, mostly necklaces and earrings. There are a few fun things in there, too!

2. What is your shop URL? http://justjaynes.etsy.com is a spinoff off http://lydialayne.etsy.com LL is empty, but it is my original shop.

3. What is your blog URL? http://justjaynes.blogspot.com

4. When did you start selling on Etsy?

I signed up on April 19, 2006, under LydiaLayne. In June of 2006, I had my first sale! Etsy was just 1 year old at the time!

5. What is your favorite thing about Etsy?

My favorite thing about etsy…. the people I’ve met, online and in person. My favorite Etsy features are the Treasury, Time Machine 2, and Shop Local.

6. What is your favorite thing about what you create?

Being able to customize my items for customers. I currently have a custom word charm order and have a couple custom initial charm necklaces that I’m working on.

7. What is your favorite item in your own shop and why?

My favorite item is probably the Tree of Life necklace. It’s my best seller!

8. What teams do you belong to?

EtsyWMi (West Michigan) MICE, and Michigan Trolls. As a co-leader for the EtsyWMi team, I am most active with this group.

9. What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop?

Fun things include craft shows, Facebook and Twitter. The MOST fun thing? Probably Facebook because I can interact on a personal level, too. It doesn’t move as fast as Twitter.

10. What are some of your favorite finds by other sellers on Etsy?

There are so many! I have a leather watch by RADCOW in my favorites that I want sooo bad. It’ll be my reward someday. Lots of my favorites are flowery or bird-related. I also love to look at aprons, totes, clutches, anything knit or quilted.

I see lots of awesome items from EtsyWMi team members everyday. Just ordered chocolate marshmallows from Bonnie at FirstFruitsLLC, rag cloth coasters from DulcesCreations. Karin from AwindowIntoWhimsy makes adorable mixed media pictures. There are just too many to mention!

11. What do you do in your spare time?

What spare time? Outside of my day job and my etsy business, I make time to golf and spend with family, adult beverages included. I like read a bit before I go to bed.

12. What blogs do you follow?

Lots of blogs! Part of my morning routine is going through my blogger dashboard looking at the most recently updated blogs.

13. Do you have anything else you would like to share?

Anyone who mentions this interview in the Message to Seller will get a shipping refund!

Verde Lifestyles Grand Opening ~ Coming October 1st!

We have been blessed this year with an increasing number of stores wanting to carry our products.

We are very excited about the latest carrier of Bliss products, Verde Lifestyles -- set to open on October 1st. Verde Lifestyles is an online venue that will be residing at http://www.verdelifestyles.com. For those who aren't aware, "verde" means "green." Verde Lifestyles is dedicated to carrying products that support a "green" lifestyle by being natural, organic, recycled, etc.

Itching to redo that bedroom? Check out these great items that you'll be able to find on their site. :

Don't forget, they will be carrying these Bliss Candle jar styles in Cozy Home, Harvest, Pumpkin Spice, and Victorian Christmas!


For more information, check out their "teaser" blog article at http://blog.verdelifestyles.com/2009/09/10/website-teaser/.

-Suzanne, Your Candle Lady :)

Beautiful Fall Etsy Treasury

Look at the beautiful Treasuries I'm in! Gorgeous!

Click HERE to go to the one below.... And...


HERE to go to this one!


-Suzanne

Fabulous Find: Organic Cotton Spa Washcloth Set

Of the many things I have bought on Etsy, this is one of my favorite items by Spotted Cow Soaps. These wonderful washcloths are fantastic for people with allergies and while the artist recommends hand washing these, I have put them in the machine several times and they come out fine. Check them out here:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15829472

Have fun out there! -Suzanne

Fabulous Find: Flower Tags for SpRiNg!

I came across these pretty little flower tags today while "surfing" Etsy! What a fun little addition to those Spring and Easter gifts - designed by whateverislovely:) At only $4, this is a fun purchase to brighten your day. There are many more wonderful items in this shop so stop in and take a peek!

Here is where you can find these delightful little tags:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=19461136

Spring Fever!

In Michigan, you have to do what you can to keep a positive attitude in the winter months! I have been working hard at "thinking spring!" I have already brought out my favorite spring candle fragrances - Hyacinth, Lilac, Spring Bouquet, Tulips, Hydrangea, and Lily of the Valley. My home smells like a dream!!! Buy them at: http://blisscandles.etsy.com/ or http://blisscandles.com/.



I contacted my Etsy West Michigan Teammates to see if they had any springy goodies to offer and found some great items to help everyone think spring!

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Catherine Marissa is offering this beautiful necklace. The soft 3/4" x 1" (18mm x 25mm) seafoam green slab of Amazonite is simple and feminine. All metal is 14k goldfilled. The necklace closes with a standard trigger clasp. Find this item here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15707269

Maria Soleil is offering these pretty little all-purpose tags that you can use as gift tags or little love notes. They've been made with images from etsy seller piddix. Maria Soleil inked them and added an eyelet and cotton string. There are 7 different images. This set is for 14, two of each. They measure 1 7/8" x 1 7/8". The backs are white. Find them here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18935851

These pretty little magnets by Craftinator are sure to brighten up your fridge or office! This is a set of 7 small flat glass marble magnets with rare earth magnets on the back. These new type of neodymium magnets are a blast - they're little tiny things but they're so much stronger than the old ones! The small magnets are approximately 1 inch across. Find them here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17857543


Search "etsywmi team" on Etsy.com for more great items to bring that Spring fever back to life!

-Suzanne

Fabulous Find: Solid Perfume - Romance

I indulged myself quite a bit over the holidays with great Etsy finds! One of my favorites is this "Romance" solid perfume from The Copper Cauldron. The fragrance is very soft and enticing.

Here is part of the listing description:

"This particular scent is based on the fragrance by R.L. This is one heavenly floral scent! Top notes of rose, muguet, and lilac with touches of apricot blossom, heliotrope, iris, sandalwood, amber, and musk. A truly feminine fragrance that is not to be missed. Just put a touch of this on all your pulse points. The best time to apply is right after you've toweled off after a shower (with the matching soap of course!) when your pores are open. Of course you can reapply when you feel the need to freshen up.This solid perfume comes in a lovely hinged tin... perfect for on the go! No messy spills!

Made from olive oil, shea butter, beeswax, and fragrance oils. There is no greasy feeling with application and it melts beautifully into your skin."

Would you like your own? Follow this link to the listing on Etsy!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18983263

-Suzanne

What's the Big Deal?

I often have people ask, "What's the big deal about Bliss Soy Candles?"

First...I only speak for my own soybean candles. I named my business, "Bliss," for a reason. When I first started making candles, the difference between mine and others was very noticeable. They were much stronger, burned better, and the colors were beautiful (thank goodness I paid attention in that Kindergarten class on blending colors!).

If you buy a Bliss Soybean Candle, here is what you can expect:

1. Zero to little soot. Soy wax produces little to no soot if burned AND made properly (keep out of drafts, use the appropriate amount of oil, etc). I use the no more than the maximum fragrance recommended to make sure you don't get soot.


2. An attractive container that you can be proud to display in your home. There is a reason why I search for cool lids and cute candle caps - I'm a very picky decorator! It would always drive me crazy when all I could find was jelly jars.


3. A candle made with the best ingredients available. My candles are often pricier for a reason. You pay for quality. I don't buy from people who sell "discount oils." I buy the most awesome wax on the market. Most of my jars still say Made in the USA!


4. Metal - free wicks. My wicks are all made with paper and cotton...period. No zinc or lead to worry about.


5. A stronger candle. Most of my fragrances are quite strong. Cozy Home, Hot Apple Strudel, Clove, Victorian Christmas, Christmas Berry...oh I could go on! There are also several that are on the lighter side. Many of your vanilla or clean fragrances are softer. The food fragrances and fruit fragrances will knock your socks off!


6. A better burn. If the instructions on the back of my candles are followed, they will burn across every time and straight down to the bottom of the jar using nearly all of the wax. And if you are a "liquefy" junkie like me, you'll love the burn pool on these!


7. Beautiful colors. I love color and I am very picky about my dyes.


8. A candle that supports American farmers...they make the soybeans (yep..this stuff really comes from soybeans!).

I'll admit it. I love my candles. If you look at my Etsy feedback, you'll see I'm not alone!

DISCOUNT!! If you read this entire article, take 5% OFF in any of my shops below. Just use the code BLOG at checkout and I will send you a refund!

Etsy: http://blisscandles.etsy.com/

ArtFire: http://blisscandles.artfire.com/

Lollishop: http://www.lollishops.com/bliss-soybean-candles-and-gifts

Regular Website: http://www.blisscandles.com/

-Suzanne

Fabulous Find: Soft Knit Neckwarmer

With the winter storm that is coming today, wouldn't this neckwarmer by LazyTcrochet be a great find?! This neckwarmer, in steel grey, would be a perfect gift for mom, sister, aunt, or yourself this Christmas. Check it out here:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_5&listing_id=17969982

-Suzanne

Featured Etsy Shop: Nostalgia Organics

Featured Etsy Shop: Nostalgia Organics

1. What is your shop name and what do you sell? My etsy shop name is NostalgiaOrganics. I sell all-natural, artisan soap and skincare products made with pure botanical oils.

2. What is your shop URL? http://www.nostalgiaorganics.etsy.com/

3. What is your blog URL? http://www.nostalgia.typepad.com/

4. When did you start selling on Etsy? I am new to selling on Etsy and recently launched one of my lines, the aromatherapy doll soap, in November.

5. What is your favorite thing about Etsy? I love the collaboration of creativity. It’s a wonderful, supportive community of talented people from around the world.

6. What is your favorite thing about what you sell? It was important to me that my products were not only natural, but functional and beautiful. I am excited to bring luxurious soaps to market that aren’t full of harsh detergents, colors or synthetic fragrances. My soaps are created with an all-natural, vegetable base, colored with natural earth pigments and enhanced with aromatherapy essences from fruit, nut and herb oils. I also love to offer my collection in heirloom quality packaging, such as antique style apothecary jars or hat boxes, which can serve another purpose after the soaps are gone.

7. What is your favorite item in your own shop and why? We have a lot of lovely items in production that are not currently on our etsy shop (but will be soon). But, of the items listed, I love our aromatherapy doll soap collections. Our hand-crafted doll soaps were inspired by antique penny dolls and each collection was created with a specific aromatherapy blend to enhance positive emotions. They're very unique and always make people smile.

8. What teams do you belong to? None yet, but hoping to join a few soon.

9. What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop? Online, I have a lot of fun at Twitter.com. I've met a lot of interesting people there and our fans can keep up with us daily at twitter.com/nostalgialife. I also enjoy participating in the Etsy forums. But mostly, I enjoy meeting and greeting people at local arts and craft shows, passing out samples and inviting people to learn more about us.

10. What are some of your favorite finds by other sellers on Etsy? Oh, there are many. But, if I had to choose a few of my recent favorites: I love the baby bunny slippers by Jenniferladd and all the sweet vintage trinkets at efinegifts.

11. What do you do in your spare time? I have fun exploring and learning with my 1 1/2 year old son, Michael. We get lost at the zoo or find a new slide to test at a local park. He is so much fun.

12. What blogs do you follow? I enjoy the vintage eye candy at velvetstrawberries.typepad.com and the sweet inspiration at sweetcandycreations.typepad.com. Those are just a few that come to mind, but there are many!

13. Do you have anything else you would like to share? Sure, I think this is an interesting bit about our products that your readers might appreciate. It took well over two years in research and development to bring my first collection to market. Not a detail was overlooked in creating each product: from the selection of hard-to-find botanical oils from remote places such as Bulgaria or France, to the late evenings designing vintage-inspired patterns and imagery for each collection. I've always believed that style and substance are not mutually exclusive, and it is my goal to offer products in which the finest materials, elegant design and handmade craftsmanship converge to inspire a fresh approach to skincare.

Fabulous Find: Candy Cane Brownie Cookies

Here is another wonderful find I came across today in the Treasuries! This shop is too scrumptious to describe!! These are Candy Cane Brown Cookies from KE Cookies. You get a dozen and can even purchase special gift packaging!

Check them out here:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16933273

-Suzanne

Featured Etsy Shop: Silver Lake Studio

Featured Etsy Shop: The Silver Lake Studio

What is your shop name and URL? The Silver Lake Studio
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5614518

I sell handcrafted sterling silver jewelry, sometimes incorporating stone and faceted gemstones.

Blog URL: I do not currently have a blog.

When did you start selling on Etsy? I joined last February and opened my shop in March,

What is your favorite thing about Etsy? The fact that there is so much diversity and talent in one place.

What is your favorite thing about what you sell? I am a bling kind of girl, so I love it all!

What is your favorite thing in your own shop & why? It has to be the pansy cuff bracelet that I just finished and will list tonight. When I finish a new piece, it automatically becomes my favorite.

What teams do you belong to? Metalsmiths In Action and Etsy Dallas.

What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop? Without a doubt, it is talking to others in the forums. There is so much knowledge to be found there.

What are your favorite finds by other Etsy sellers? I love kathydkeith’s photography, Davidloongs jewelry, and I have a beautiful leather journal from MyHandboundBooks.
I am also in awe of the jewelry made by JoyfulCrow.

What do you do in your spare time? I love to cook and I have a new gas stove that I refer to as my Porsche. I also enjoy reading and I’m hooked on HGTV!

What blogs do you follow? Only one so far…TimothyAdams.

Do you have anything else to share? In 2005, after a routine mammogram, I was diagnosed with lymphoma. I started chemo the week before Christmas, and by February, after only 2 rounds of chemo, I was cancer-free. The Dr. put me through 4 more rounds to be safe. And, I’m still here!