More Sales!

Once again the Etsy fairy visited me!  This time there are three sales!  I just can't believe it!
Although, all three sales were to the same person, it is still very exciting.  Also the fact that the person was from Italy, the country of my cultural heritage, has made it very special.

I guess the promoting is paying off.  I better get busy and make some more product!  I certainly don't want an empty shop.

I Made A Sale!

Well, I did it! I made another sale on my Etsy shop!  I almost didn't check my computer last night before I went to bed but something told me that I should.  Pisst, maybe it was the Etsy Fairy.........

Thank you, Etsy Fairy!  Please visit me again real soon!

Yarn, Yarn, Yarn

There are so many yarns to pick from when you decide to make a new project.  I tend to go back again and again to my favorites.  Whether it is the variety of colors or the texture, certain yarns just do it for me!

If you are going to spend the time and effort(an enjoyable effort) to make your project, you want to have a pleasing experience.  Your favorite yarns can make it a pleasing experience where as some yarns can make you crazy and seem to make the work exactly that-work!

Not to say that I always use the same yarns, as new and improved yarns are coming on the market all the time. However, my favorite for now is Vanna White's line of yarns for Lion Brand. The texture is soft and plyable and there is a great color selection.  And of course, the price is great.

One yarn that I tend to stay away from, although there is a wide selection of beautiful colors, is Lion Brand Homespun.  I have used it many times before but I just seem to have trouble with splitting of the fibers with that particular yarn.  It may be me. however, and how I crochet and knit.

I have tried many other yarns as dictated by the current project.  Some expensive, some not.  It is all in the feel of the yarn.  Whatever makes your project a joy to do.

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. Please put a penny in my Etsy shop!

To paraphase the old Christmas song!

After spending the last couple of weeks promoting, I think I now need to spend the majority of my time making some more things for my shop and also get some Christmas gifts made.  Time is running out!

I really hope I will make a few sales over the holidays!  A penny in my Etsy shop?  Anyone?

Promoting, Promoting

The last week or so; whenever I get time, I have methodically gone through a list of 50 sites that allow you to post your shop site for free.  While some of the sites will not work for my situation, most are what I am hoping and praying I need to start bringing traffic to my site and ultimately result in some holiday sales.

It has been a journey in the workings of the internet.  I am learning things I never thought I would learn as I am not a very techno savy person.  However, I am proud of myself for accomplishing this.  As of now I have registered with around 25 of the sites.  I still have a few more to check into and a few to go back to.  It also turns out that several are not totally free after all.

I will persevere and keep my fingers crossed that it helps!

The Joy of Knitting and Crocheting

There is nothing more exciting for a yarn enthusiast then to find a new yarn shop ,get a new yarn catalog in the mail or find a new website on the internet.   The explosion of colors!  The unending number of  materials from which the yarn is made.  Wool, Alpaca, bamboo, mohair, cotton and the new organic materials so you can be earth friendly as you pursue your joyous hobby. 

What is more wonderful then the tactile feel of yarn as you work it on your hook or needles!  And then, not to forget, the unbelievable amount of patterns in which you can use this marvelous yarn....it is mind boggling in a very good way!!!

For myself, I enjoy making dolls, toys and holiday items.  I envision the person that I am making the item for as I knit or crochet.
 
This time of year is especially crazy for the crafter.  We enjoy making gifts but also if you have a shop, online site or craft show, they need to be stocked too.....busy, busy....joy, joy!!!

Back from North Carolina

We just got back from NC where my two daughters and granddaughter live.  It is always so hard to leave them.  Especially my two year old Adelaide.  She is such a joy!  And she really adores her Gamma and Gampa(not to brag)!

Being a grandparent is absolutely wonderful!  You love them and spoil them and let the parents do the hard stuff!  However, living 8 hours away is torture!  Not a short jaunt.  You feel so helpless when someone calls and they are sick or life dealt them a nasty blow and you can't be there to comfort them and give them a kiss on their forehead.

We have the house up for sale to rectify that problem.  But with the market the way it is, we are playing the waiting game.  Hopefully, something will work out soon.  Before Ade is too busy for Gamma and Gampa!

Paws for the Cure

This morning I got up at 5:00 to go to Hartwood Acres to help my hubbie man the Best Buy booth for "Paws for the Cure."  It was really a great experience (except for the muddy conditions). 

If you are a dog lover as I am, then that was the place to be.   So many beautiful dogs and very proud owners. Nothing pleases a dog owner more or makes their chest swell with pride, as having their dog praised.  I debated about taking my two furkids because I know that they would have gottens some ohs and ahs but I am glad now that I didn't.  We all would have been mud covered and I don't really think they would have appreciated the cold.  Neither did I!

It was a wonderful cause and a very good turnout and I am glad that I was part of it all.......

The Etsy Fairy

Every morning when I get up before I even feed my dogs, bunny, parakeet or myself, I turn on my laptop to see if the Etsy fairy visited me over night.  I scan through my emails looking for the prize- Did some good soul out there in cyber space care enough about my handiwork to purchase it?

Unfortunately, most of the time, the Etsy Fairy does not dain to sprinkle her magic fairy dust on my email. But the rare occasion when she does see fit to visit me is OH SO WONDERFUL!

PLEASE Etsy Fairy come visit me more often!!!

Weather made for Knitting

Another typical rainy PA day.  Dreary, cold, gray!  The bright spot in a day like that is staying home, curled up on the couch with a steaming cup of tea and knitting or crocheting in hand.  Of course, the dogs curled up beside me is a definite plus....

Another Sale on Etsy

I woke up on Monday morning and checked my email as I always do.  I was thrilled to find that I had sold my Steeler bear on Etsy!  I had only posted him on Saturday so I was especially happy about the sale.

That makes four whole sales since January when I opened my shop!  If you are an etsian, then you know the exhilaration you feel when you make a sale.  I felt great the whole day!  It makes you want to tell strangers on the street....I MADE A SALE ON ETSY!!!

Now, I just hope it continues.  I am pinning my hopes on the Christmas season.

Will anyone make it FIVE WHOLE SALES?

Rivers Casino

My hubbie and I went to the new Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh yesterday.  It was a great place.  Not that we have a lot of disposable income to gamble, but playing the occasional slot machine is fun and something out of the ordinary.

The casino was clean and shiny new!  The employees were very friendly and helpful and it was just wonderful to park in the garage FREE!

We got our players card so we will definitely go back to rack up some more points!  And they even gave us a free clip holder for the card!  How great is that?  Even the more posh casinos in Atlantic City don't give you a free clip holder!  LOL

Work Hard for the Non-Existent Money!

I am trying very hard not to be discouraged over the lack of sales on my Etsy shop.  I am telling myself that the Christmas season is coming and surely I will get some sales!  I have posted new items regularly and  I have been trying to promote as well as a novice promoter can.

I have been knitting and crocheting my little fingers to the bone!  I love it, though!  And I would do it no matter what, but a little validation would be wonderful!!!

What an evening!

The Steeler game was great!  What an experience!  The stadium, the people, the players!  The Pittsburgh skyline was gorgeous and so was the big, full Harvest moon that kept peaking out from behind the clouds!

Steeler Game

I have wanted to go to a Steeler game for quite awhile, but the tickets are very expensive and hard to get since the team is on such a winning streak.  It would be a new experience for me.  One of many that my husband and I have had this year.  Renaissance Fair, Science Center, PNC Park, Strip District.... We have lived near Pittsburgh all our lives and are just now starting to venture there.  Better late then never!

Fortune was with me and I was able to get two tickets for tonight's game.  Due to, of all things, an impromptu dental visit.  A root extraction that I had a week earlier was bothering me, so I stopped in at my regular dentist's office to have him check it.  He is a big sports fan and we started talking about the Steelers.
I mentioned how I would love to go to a game sometime and he gave me his tickets for this game.  I couldn't believe it!  What a great guy!

Blogging

I am so very new to this blogging phenom.  I would like to go on other sites and blog but I am not quite sure where to start and where to go.  I am told that it really helps to get your Etsy site seen.  So I am attempting to do the best I can with it.

I am totally committed to making my Etsy site a success.  For me a success, is making several sales each month.  Of course, more would be great but I am trying to be realistic.  Crafters really don't get rich on their crafts.  We do it for the pure joy of crafting!

Etsy Critiques

I am really starting to enjoy the Etsy experience.  So many interesting people....I reallly like the forums especially the Critique area.  People are so very helpful and complimentary. 

I am finding that it is such a learning experience. Promoting, commenting.  Such a varied amount of things to do beside actually producing the crafts that you hope with all your heart will sell.

Another rainy day in PA

We have had no summer this year in PA.  Now it seems we are jumping right into Fall.  I don't mind a nice clear,sunny, cool fall day but the gray, cloudy day is so very depressing and dreary.  That is all we seem to have here.

Aside from the weather, I have had a busy Sunday.  Washing clothes, hanging drapes, working on the budget(always fun) and now hoping to do some marketing for my Etsy shop and then watching the Steelers and knitting.  Not much else to do in this type of weather.......

Renaissance Fair

My husband and I went to a local Renaissance Fair on Saturday.  The weather was beautiful and we had a great time.  Definitely a different side to life.  People get very caught up in the costumes and atmosphere.  We couldn't tell who worked at the fair and who were visitors.

Now is the best part of the day for me as a crafter.  Taking a hot bath, putting on my jammies and plopping myself on the couch with my dogs, my knitting and my soapies!

I am a Dental baby! I have a definite fear of the dentist chair. Today, I had to have a root extraction but fortunately, the dentist is a wonder and he did it in 10 mins.

It is sore but not too bad. The worst soreness comes from where he gave me the shots. Also, the taste in my mouth is awful.....

First day back at work

You need a vacation from your vacation! The first day back is always tough. The desk is piled high with work and it's hard to get back into the groove. The day goes fast but I'm still anxious to get home to my current knitting project....

My first blog!

Well, I finally have a blog! I really hope this helps my Etsy and Heavenly Intentions sales. I realize that I know very little about blogging and such but I will hopefully learn.

I really want to share my joy of crafts! Especially the yarn crafts-knitting and crocheting.
I have tried almost all crafts through the years-cross stitch, sewing, rug hooking,Dip-N-Drape,jewelry making, doll making, etc, etc. But my real and lasting love is knitting and crocheting.

I get such a sense of happiness when I sit down in the evenings to knit or crochet with my two dogs on each side of me! I look forward to it all day long.