Cut It Out!

One piece of equipment I wouldn't want to do without, is my Cricut Expression 290300 Personal Electronic Cutter The different projects I can create with it are endless! From Home Decor, All different types of Paper Crafts and Ephemera Projects to Glass Etching - the projects are limited only by my imagination!

cricut has a wide range of cartridges to choose from, so no matter what project you're working on, I'm sure you will be able to find a silhouette, shape or text to enhance your creation.

Wall Decals are all the rage right now and they really brighten up any room! You can cut them from vinyl, or use any paper you'd like to bring your decorating up to a whole new level!

If you want to do glass etching you'll want to use a good vinyl or quality contact paper, so the material will stick to the glass well and not leave any openings for the etching fluid to leak underneath. All you have to do is cut out the shape you want to apply to the glass and use the negative shape (the paper where the shape was cut from) apply it firmly to the glass and follow the directions on the etching fluid. It's really easy and the results are unbelievable! So great for many gifts ideas!

It's also easy to make mobiles to hang from the ceiling, bumper sticker advertisement or team logos for your car window! The creations truly are endless! Let your imagination take you to projects you never dreamed you would be creating!

Being An Artisan Store Owner

Come with me as I look into being a crafting addict. Do you believe you can relate? Most whom own their own artisan stores, can definitely do so- and I actually believe you almost have to be. Many people do not realize the work that goes into running an online business... not that I'm complaining, I absolutely love it- most of the time ;). But if you don't love creating new pieces, then online artisan stores, is not for you. You need to be able to list new items to keep your listings fresh in search engines, but mostly to keep your customers coming back, as well as bringing new customers in. I try to have a wide arrange of styles - though, I guess I can only design a limited degree of styles and fashion, I try to offer as wide of a range as I'm able. (And the more experience I get, the wider the range spreads).

I have four main stores, plus list my items on other places. I try to visit many of the social networks, and while I am getting better at utilizing them, I'm not doing so to their full extent. However, I don't believe in spamming in any sense of the word, but I do believe you have to be able to spread the name of your stores, or you will never do any business.

I create jewelry, greeting cards, note cards, photography, mixed media, graphics and wall decals. I'm always dabbling in different mediums. I love staying busy- mainly with my mind and hands. It's really a must with me. Even when I'm watching T.V, I have something in my hands, rather it's a project, or a book. I'm an avid reader and writer. You can find many of my articles all over the internet. I write mainly for ezines.com- ezines is a site where web owners can post articles from the writers on their site, as long as they leave the credit to the writer. I would like to start blogging on more of a regular basis- it would seem since I love to write, that blogging would just come second nature to me, and to tell you the truth, I don't understand why I don't do it more often. If it takes me all this year, I will learn how to utilize my time better (can you say that with me) lol

Owning an online store is very time consuming. Most people (including my own husband and family) still don't realize how much time and energy go into running a store. It's more time than an outside job, that's for sure. But I count my blessings everyday to be able to do something that I love and brings me in a little money.

My main store is Bonanzle:
I not only have my creations here, but also list other items: dvds, books, clothes, etc... This is such a great site! It really is my favorite, and believe me, I have experience with many. Everyone is so friendly and will go over and beyond to help any way they can. The boys who run the place is the absolute best! They stay on top of it all and really care about what the members have to say- not only do they care, they actually listen to the members and put it into action. I believe that's why Bonanzle has grown so quickly so fast, and will continue to do so!

My main artisan only store is on Etsy:
This was my first artisan store and still my favorite "Artisan Only" store. I did take a break from it for almost a year, because if you're not careful fees can add up awfully fast, especially if you try to renew your items to keep them up front. Renewing was worth the money when Etsy was newer, but the day I renewed a piece of jewelry and found it only a short few minutes later already on page ten, I knew renewing often was only a waste of money. There's so many other ways to advertise- also, I believe if I'm going to advertise on etsy itself, the showcases are a much better way.

I also have an Ecrater store:
This is also an 'everything' store. I don't have all of my products on this site yet, but have been adding them slowly. I sure can't complain, as Ecrater is totally free and has been since they opened their doors. I find that amazing! Ecrater also shows up in the search engines with no problems- which is a must!

My newest store is on Artfire:
It's an artisan only store as well- but vintage, supplies and wall decals are allowed (as with etsy) which is nice. I joined it last year, but actually just started using the site, listing my items, etc... about two-and-a-half months ago. I joined as a pro. but went to basic this month. I will probably go pro again shortly. I'm new to this site, but I like the layout of the place. The owner seems really nice.

I'd love to have you visit any of my stores. I'm always happy to make custom orders. If you come via this blog, please let me know. Also, if you shop on Bonanzle, you can put in a coupon code, 'yay' and save 20% off your purchase! :)

Thanks for stopping by- I would love for you to 'follow' me. If you have anything you'd like me to write about, give me a shout-out! I'd be happy to do so.

Fabulous Items Can Be Found on These Great Links:

Tools of the Paper Craft Trade

Art, Craft, and Sewing Supplies

Inspiration, Where Are You?

Pulling my Snuggie closer around my shoulders, I pour my first cup of strong coffee and inhale the delicious aroma. I wrap my hands around my favorite puppy dog cup and let the heat help warm my morning. Staring off into space, my mind is filled with all the possibilities that await me in my craft room.

Today, I will be productive and do more than just play and rummage through all of my ever-growing supplies. I say this to myself, with utmost determination, and try to ignore that little pang of doubt hiding in the darkest recesses of my brain. After all, an artist's block can only last so long, right?

Two hours later, and I still haven't started a project - but this time, I'm not letting it get me down. I'm going to try a little something new and hopefully put a new meaning to 'rummaging'. While sorting through all the gorgeous colors and mouth-watering textures, several ideas have popped into my head. I pick up my trust-worthy notepad and gel pens, which are always close by, and start sketching rough drafts of various projects. Instead of tagging various areas with the intended color, I use the coresponding gel pen color. Gazing at the delicious colors, my inspiration starts to rise. I embrace the electric energy of my old friend Creativity, flowing once again throughout every single cell of my being.

Standing up to stretch, I glance down at the notepad, pick it up and start leafing through my rough sketches. My smiling eyes grow wide at the emerging rainbow of colors. I can't believe all of the potential projects I now have before me - fabulous projects that may not have ever crossed my mind, if I hadn't gone through this 'so-called creative 'rut'.

Excitedly, I pull out containers of supplies I don't dive into often. Plucking items, one after another, which grab my attention for any reason. I'm not limiting myself to an idea project, instead I'm grouping a wide range of supply items into various piles: colors that work well together, materials which compliment each other, certain items for 'wild mood,' off-the-wall projects, supplies for different theme vintage projects, and so on. While separating the wide varying genre supplies, inspiration grows stronger, and snapshots of designs pop into my mind. I grab my pencil and notebook and write down the idea, making a rough draft.

The day grows late. I may not have created a certain project today, but I am so content, so fulfulled. I have finally broken the curse of my artisan's block! Beside me sits my notebook, flowing of color and ideas, several projects to keep me busy for quite a while. Tonight, the world outside will be sleeping, but the light in my window will be shining, right along with my spark of creativity.