Ramblings of a crazy urban girl

Posted by Missie on June 6, 2013
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a Comment

Have you ever just looked up while you were walking?  I mean up.  Keep looking.  Stretch that neck.  Point your chin to the sky.  Yeah – up there.  Now stop where you are and reflect for a moment.  Really take note of what you’re seeing.  Ceiling?  Sky?  Whatever it is, think about what you’re looking at.  And then think further into it.  Really examine every nook and cranny of what you are seeing.  This, my friends, is my purpose on just about every walk I take on my lunch break at work.  It’s relaxing for me.  If I’m outside, I gaze at the trees.  The wind blowing through the leaves.  The birds chirping to one another.  I listen for the reply from a nearby tree.  The flower blooms rustling and falling like snow onto the sidewalk.  The way the sun looks between the branches.  The contrast between the live plants and the hard concrete of a nearby building.  Then I start to think about the building.  Is the architect still alive, or is the building too old?  How many people have lived or worked there?  How many memories do the walls hold?

Today, I want you to look around and step outside of yourself for a minute.  Focus on something other than what’s going on in your world.  Where does it take you?

Please visit the shops featured here!  each item description includes the shop name.  Simply copy the shop name, go to a browser window and paste it in there with “.etsy.com” added to the end :)

Projects This Weekend

Posted by Missie on May 17, 2013
Posted in: Accessories, Art and Photos, Household Items. Leave a Comment

This weekend, I have a birthday party, a date, and a gathering with a friend, but I have been itching to finish projects.  In case you don’t follow my facebook, I’m working on many projects and am excited with how I’ve improved.  This month, I’ve been really working on my house and yard.  Check out the improvement photos!

Original

Siding painted one color

trim painted

Unused walkway

walkway removed and grass planted

driveway potholes

filled!

So as you can see, I’ve been a busy, busy girl!  I’ve been clearing up my yard as well…pruning plants, removing junk, raking up pine needles (dang pine trees!) and figuring out how I’m going to make my yard look.  I think it’ll help me not want to cry every time I come home and look at my house.  Next big project is fixing my porch (as seen in the first few photos).  I have two weeks off next month to do that one.

Here’s my idea for this weekend, though, and it’s a little more creative.  You know my little love notes listed in my shop?  I’m going to make more designs.  I started some and never finished!  I also think I’m going to make customizable postcards.  Like you can choose the photo and then add whatever text onto it that you want.  And then there’s the ruffle scarves.  I bought more yarn on Mother’s Day and…well…I shouldn’t have.  LOL – I have so much yarn!  I think I have a problem.  ;)

So what are you working on this weekend?

How would you like some free stuff?

Posted by Missie on May 16, 2013
Posted in: Special Offers. Leave a Comment

Who wouldn’t want free stuff?  I’m looking to give away some of my knit items.  There’s only one thing I’m asking for in return – professional photos of my items that can be used in my shop listings.  I love taking photos, but I’m more of an “outdoor” photographer.  I’m struck by the beauty of a sunset, sunrise, the way water falls over a hill.  The look of the clouds rolling in across the water.  How blue the sky can be in contrast to a dark shed.  I’m not the best photographer of my shop items.  I’m not sure why I’ve always struggled with this, but I do.  So I’m looking for someone (or someones) who would be willing to trade my items for services rendered.  You can tag the photos with your business name, I will give credit in the item descriptions, whatever way you want to be recognized in.  Items range from scarves to hats to baby items.  As long as the item is represented well, I’m not too picky about the style of the photo (modeled or unmodeled, etc).

Interested?  PLEASE send me an email!  sykin.at.etsy@gmail.com

I’ve been Featured!!!

Posted by Missie on May 7, 2013
Posted in: Accessories, etsymom. 2 comments

Most of you will probably think I’m crazy but I had an emotional response when I got the news that the EtsyMom team was featured in the official Etsy Team newsletter on May 6th.  For some reason, mine didn’t get delivered to me so I didn’t hear about it until today when an EtsyMom member told me about it (what’s up with that, gmail?).  Crazy, right?!  I was super stoked the EtsyMom team was being recognized (we’ve been working really hard lately trying to get member activity up, huge thanks to Jenn and Erin!) and when I actually saw the feature, the tears started to flow.  There I was.  Second picture in.  I’ve never been featured in an official Etsy….anything.  And here I am.  After my last blog post…so close to giving up…giving in.  So close to…well…throwing it all away, I guess.  And here I am.  In the Etsy Team email that goes out to every subscriber of the Etsy Team newsletter.  You probably think I’m overreacting, but after the roller coaster I’ve been having with my shop, this is exactly what I need to keep going.  Everyone say “hi” to my beautiful scarf model, LeAnna!

Ruffle Scarf, Sashay Tutu Pink, loom knit

EverythingEtsy.com and the Etsy Blog

Posted by Missie on May 7, 2013
Posted in: Accessories. 1 comment

I’ve been reading a lot lately about things you can do to boost shop and website views.  While browsing through everythingetsy.com today, I got an email from Etsy with their latest blog post.  I’ll be honest and say I typically get the emails, barely scroll through the topics and then delete them.  I so rarely actually take the time to read the great advice they are giving me.  Etsy has become a hobby for me – no longer something I do to try and make money.  Let’s face it, with the amount of time (and talent) I can put into my shop, I will never get to the point where I can “quit my day job”.  I love what I do – I love creating and knowing others enjoy what I make.  My blog suffers, my facebook page suffers, my shop suffers…all due to my lack of time.  I could probably list just about every excuse in the book about why I can’t do this, but instead, I’m going to focus on what I can and will do.  Starting with, streamlining my shop photography.

Thanks to this article, I now know you can easily photograph your items with your smartphone and upload them directly through the Etsy app.  It’s funny I come across this now as about a year ago when I got my phone, this is exactly what I wanted to do.  I was so thrilled – until I found out the Etsy app didn’t exist as it does today.  It was not as friendly.  Listings were hard for me to create using my phone.  And taking photos and using them directly in my shop?  I never would’ve dreamed they’d be good enough!  What I love about this article is it not only walks you step-by-step through the process of creating a listing with your fancy new phone photos, but it gives you tips on how to take the best photos with what your phone can do!

So this brings me to the rest of the browsing I was doing.  As I was so rudely interrupted by my email notification, I was reading everythingetsy.com’s article about not giving up on “quitting your day job”.  Do I think I’ll make millions selling on Etsy?  No.  Do I honestly believe I’ll “quit my day job”?  No.  But do I think one day it will supplement my income to make it less of a hobby and more of a business again?  Yes…yes I think I will get there again.  One day.

Ruffle Scarf, Pirouette Night Sky, loom knit

Happy May Day!

Posted by Missie on May 1, 2013
Posted in: Accessories, Art and Photos, Household Items. Leave a Comment

When I was a kid, I was taught that May Day was the day you made a paper basket in school and picked wildflowers to put in it to give to your mom.  Apparently this is not a common tradition so I’m not sure where my school picked that crazy idea up.  LOL – maybe because it was Minneapolis and everyone was just thrilled we HAD flowers.  I hear my relatives back home are covered in snow right now – part of me wishes I could be there with them, but part is super thrilled I’m in the land of rain now.  Either way, let’s celebrate with some etsy love on this fabulous May Day!  Click on the photo to see the listing on Etsy, which includes purchasing options, more info about the item, and more photos!

Bright Daisy Bouquet Colorful Yellow & Purple Flower Arrangement

freshly picked 8×10

8×10 Painting Flower Garden Bouquet by Watercolor Artist Martha Kisling

paper basket handmade out of woven cardstock in pastel pink with ribbon handles

Paper basket with paper flower applique

Child’s Hand Holding Hand-Picked Bouquet – with Hymn Title – Christian Nursery Art – JPG Instant Download

Tribute to White Cherry Blossom Trees

Posted by Missie on April 2, 2013
Posted in: Accessories, Art and Photos, Household Items, Miscellaneous Items. 2 comments

This is my absolute favorite time of year because the Cherry Blossom trees are in full bloom.  I go back and forth every year admiring first the pinks and then the whites.  I change my mind often on which I like more, but this year, it’s the white ones.  They remind me of freshly fallen snow and innocence.  One day, I’ll have one in my front yard.  For now, I’ll just dream while looking through Etsy :)

 

ORIGINAL ART 24 x 24 Palette Knife Textured Modern Home Decor Landscape Abstract Sping time White Cherry Blossom Tree Painting

White Cherry Blossom Wire-Wrapped Ring

White Cherry Blossom Origami Garland by Paper Disciple

White Cherry Blossom Scented Square Pillar Mottled Candle

White Cherry Blossoms and Washington, Washington D.C. Photography Print By Klaire Warren 8X10 Matted 11X14 Inspirational Artwork

White Cherry Blossom Fan Wreath

 

YARN POT!

Posted by Missie on March 28, 2013
Posted in: Uncategorized. 2 comments

It’s time again for a yarn pot!  I’m so excited to participate in these.  Knitting is my latest thing (see photos of some of my creations on my facebook page) and so getting a chance to win a HUGE STASH of yarn totally excites me.  I love that it’s public so ANYONE can join in.  Want in on it (really, the more, the merrier)?  Hopefully this link works:  https://www.facebook.com/events/126080537576581/ If it doesn’t, let me know and I’ll get you the info!

Open to the public! Click the photo for the event page

Etsy Blog Feature: DIY Pressed Flower iPhone Case

Posted by Missie on March 27, 2013
Posted in: Tutorials. Leave a Comment

Have you ever looked at something and said “Man!  I can’t believe I didn’t think of that!”?  I had one of those moments as I viewed the etsy facebook post about a DIY pressed flower iphone case.  I mean, really.  How difficult would it be for my brain to come up with an awesome idea like that?  Work with me here, brain!

Photo by Clare McGibbon

What’s so great about the etsy community is people are generally willing to share tips and tutorials.  This, my friends, is one of those times.  Click the photo above to view the tutorial on how to make one of these yourself.  I may have to try it out.  I know you can buy the materials at ANY major craft store and online.  I have some resin at home.  I may have to try it out myself and let you know how it turns out :)

If you made your own iphone case, what would you put on it?

HipHopLadyBug.etsy.com

Posted by Missie on March 26, 2013
Posted in: Children's Clothes, etsymom. Leave a Comment

Check out this shop, HipHopLadyBug!  I love this adorable pillowcase dress.  I would love to learn how to make these.  I guess I need to learn how to sew first.  LOL – anyone out there want to teach me?  I have fabric and thread and a sewing machine.  I’ll trade you loom knitting lessons.  Anyone?  Hello?  :)

Teal and Raspberry Polka Dot with Solid Raspberry Pillowcase Dress – LeT’s ParTy by HipHopLadyBug