Pen-Pals Update!!!

First off, I want to thank everyone who signed up for Etsy pen-pals - we've had an awesome turn out and I couldn't be happier with the whole project!

Questionnaires went out last week and although I've gotten quite a few back, I'm still waiting on a handful to be filled out and returned. While going through the ones I have, I've already made what I think are a few great match-ups but I don't want to send people their partners until I've chosen them for everyone! I'm going to send a few reminders for questionnaires out tonight and will hopefully be able to complete matching everyone up this week.

In other Etsy news, I'm having a Christmas in July sale! All Christmas items are 50% off their listed prices. Stock up before the holidays, chilly weather, and postal slow-downs arrive!

It was a nice calm weekend at our house - we're trying to relax, get home stuff done, and curb our spending in anticipation of our summer vacation in less than two weeks! I can't wait! We're kind of vacation veterans of the Wildwood/Cape May area by now but if you have any suggestions for restaurants or things to do that we might not know of, feel free to leave a comment and let me know! We're always up for trying new things!

Have a great day everyone!

Dear Pen-Pal,

Did you ever write that? As a kid, to another kid someplace else on the globe, usually as required by your English teacher :) But I, like lots of other kids, really enjoyed having a pen-pal! Today, it came up in the Etsy forums that lots of us would like another go at having a pen-pal. So here goes - welcome to the Etsy pen-pal signups!

If you would like to write letters back and forth with another Etsy crafter, please e-mail me at tracyleighernst@gmail.com or convo me on Etsy. And we're talking real letters - stationary, postcards, and postage stamps. Maybe even a fun care package or small gift now and then if you want.

I'd like to get all participants together by Friday of this week. Once I have a list of participants, I will send out a short survey (5-10 questions) just to get a short list of your general interests and of course, your mailing address. Once I have everyone's info, I'll do my best to find compatible matches and will send everyone the info for their new pen-pal.

This should be lots and lots of fun and I hope we get a great turnout!

If you have any questions, you can contact me at the e-mail address above.

Best of the Best: Part 1

The more time I spend exploring all of the creative works on Etsy, the more I tend to feel like I have no right whatsoever to even be there. Some of the artists and artisans there so far surpass any abilities I have or will ever have to such an extreme, it's near frightening. I have, however, compiled a list of some of who I think are the best of the best, the most creative, the most talented or for whatever other reason, just my favorites. I've decided to feature these artists a few at a time here so that you all can see just how incredible these people are.

The first etsy shop I'd like to show you is a little place called Perdoozy. The Perdoozy shop's owner, Portia, is not only insanely talented and awesome to work with, but the creator of my most favorite possession that has been purchased from Etsy. She made me this:

Yes, those are pictures of Elvis rockin out all over it. How awesome is that? Jealous that it's mine? I know you are. But her aprons are all super cute with that retro pinup flair and I can't wait to add another to my collection. You can find her shop here: http://www.perdoozy.etsy.com/

I cannot emphasize enough the quality of this item and how great Portia is to buy from! You would have a hard time finding a nicer seller or a cooler apron!

The second shop I want to show off is actually one I found not too long ago. The shop is called MagicHands and this shop quickly became one of my top favorites. They make and sell some of the most amazing soaps and body products I have ever tried- and as a self-professed bath junkie, I've tried just about everything. Her soaps do incredible things for your skin and the scents make you want to wash your own mouth out with soap!

But the soaps are just the beginning - Have you not been able to find the right body butter because they're all too heavy, too light, too greasy, too powder-y feeling or a million other things that just aren't quite right? Well, search no more - the perfect butter exists and Jackie at MagicHands will sell it to you AND make the transaction a truly pleasurable experience. Go visit MagicHands here: www.magichands.etsy.com and you'll find out what I mean.

In other news, there are some new goodies listed in my shop and I'm thinking of opening a supply shop...actually I've decided to open one but I CANNOT think of a name. I'll be selling plain tags, poly and cello bags, and some die cuts and paper piecing. Any ideas for a shop name? I'd gladly hear any and all suggestions at this point.

Day 1....

So after much consulting with more successful sellers on Etsy than myself, I've been encouraged that this is the way to go. I'm still not sure what to think, seeing as this whole 'blogging' thing is fairly new to me, even as a member of a tech-savvy generation. A part of me thinks this is just going to end up the type pad for my constant mental monologue (which wouldn't be the worst thing in the world). Hopefully, that part of me is wrong and this will serve as another jumping-off point for the venture that people have told me I should be attempting for a while now. Although I might not have the most confidence in myself, I know that if I try and fail, at least I tried. And hopefully will have had a good time and met some new people while doing so.

In other news, it's so cold in New Jersey this morning that I can't even feel my painfully bruised & broken pinky toe due to the numbing temperatures. As much as I appreciate the change of seasons here, I could definitely deal with an environment where they weren't quite so drastic...at least the cold ones....Memphis, anyone???