Random question of the day

Ok, I was laying in bed last night waiting for the baby to wake up (why go to sleep? my brain says) but, of course, now I can't think of my questions. Hmmmmmm.......

What is your favorite Arts and Crafts site? It could be Etsy, ShopHandmade, 1000Markets or an info site like Craftster, CraftJuice, etc.

For shopping I like 1000Markets. Even though it's small it's so clean and fresh. I really need to spend more time digging around on that site.

For info sites I like CraftJuice but haven't been playing around much with info sites. I've been working on FunnyErnie too much.

"New" to me Website

Have you ever heard of CraftJuice? I hadn't until an Etsy friend told me about it. It's kind of fun!

I guess the idea is to vote on your favorite listings. The more votes a listing has the higher up the rank it goes. On the one hand I feel bad for those that don't get votes but on the other how fun it would be if MY product made it to the front page, right?

(I'm one of those people that votes for the loser so they don't feel bad. Hee Hee)

Random question of the day

Here is your Random Question of the Day......

What is your favorite brand of pen? I mean, like a writing pen, or any pen I guess. I have a fetish for school supplies and was thinking about how I wished I had more of my favorite pens around and tha I should treat myself to some new ones.

My favorite brand is by PaperMate. Those really simple blue or black ink 'el cheapo pens. I love those.

Joker Valentine

Here is my latest Valentine. I think he looks like the Joker. Do you love him or hate him?



To purchase him visit my Etsy site here.

Etsy Woes

Etsy is a great site for artisans, however, my Etsy experience has been a bit lack-luster as of late. I've had great sales but sellers and buyers have been a bit withholding in their abilities to effectively and professionaly communicate their thoughts, needs and desires. Even Etsy Admin has been lacking in their ability to effectivly communicate with their patrons.

Is Etsy getting too big for their own shoes? I'm beginning to wonder so.

I am seriously considering leaving the Etsy world for new adventures. There are many a great artisan sites available now - Etsy has some exciting competition. Granted, these sites are still up and coming and do not have the traffic flow that Etsy has, however, this could be a good thing. Etsy has a large traffic flow but with that comes the issues I touched on above (without going into detail).

These issues, I believe, are not just with Etsians but a large problem with the world as a whole. With the advent of the Internet we seem to have lost touch with our personable side. Now that we can express our thoughts without repercussion we go on ahead and say what we please without thought or consideration as to how one may be perceived, how one's words may affect others and how one's emotions play across the lines of the internet.

We are all one in this world, struggling along the same as the next. Regardless of what method of communication you choose to use don't you think you should still treat others as you would wish to be treated? This philosophy seems to have gone out the window (or computer screen in this matter).

Are you feeling the Etsy grudge, too? Check out these alternative Etsy sites and feel the love!

ArtFire
1000Markets
HyenaCart
CafePress

Will You Be My Valentine? Valentine

Here is my latest Valentine listing. I just finished him today. I think he's cute. My hubby think's he looks like the Excorsist. Hey, the dog never said he was perfect - when your drawn by hand your never perfect, right? I still think he's cute even if his head does spin all the way around. What do you think?

I Heart You!

I've gotten a chance to work on some new Holiday items and here are the few I've completed so far.

For this holiday's cards I've chosen to work with fabric. The completed artworks so far use the actual fabric after it's been starched and glued onto the paper. The other method I'm trying out is using BloPens over lace to create an image. I've had these BloPens for years so I am so glad to be able to use them now.

The first one I call "You're in my Heart". I think he's so cute! I've done these as ACEO's so far with a Chocolate Lab and a Yellow Lab. I'll be printing these for traditional Valentine's soon. You can see the listing here for the Red Heart and the Floral Heart.




This one I call "Smooches". I love how in-your-face he is. He was done with starched fabric and acylic paint. He's just an ACEO right now but he will soon be a traditional Valentine as well.