How to Make Your Own Etsy Banner from Picnik

Okay, so Picnik is closing in April, but I *think* will be available through Google+. I'm just not super hip with G+ yet, so I haven't signed on.  I am making all my banners now, and saving them in a file. You may want to do the same.

Here' my template, you can use if you like, basically you need a 760pxX100px


(printable instructions click here)




First go to www.picnik.com
Click get started now
Click Upload Photo
Upload the banner template (760px X100px)
You are in the EDIT Folder. Look at the toolbar and choose EFFECTS
Scroll Down the Left effects until you see TINT
Choose the desired color
You can continue to scroll down to TEXTURE to add a layer of texture on the template
Next look on the tool bar and choose TEXT
On the top left, type in what you want your shop to be
Then click ADD
The text will appear on the image sometimes way huge, and white.
You can change the font color and size...and then scroll down the left bar clicking on different   
     fonts until you find the one you like.
Repeat with any taglines you may wish to use.
Now, if you want to add even more texture, click STICKERS
If you right click stickers, you can do things like send it to the back even behind the texture if you
      prefer.
When you are finished, click SAVE AND SHARE folder
Save to your computer into your prefered file.

Now you are ready to upload your shop banner.
Once you sign in, hover over “Your Shop”
Choose Info and Appearance
Next to Shop Banner Image,  Click Choose File
Find your new banner in the folder you saved it in and upload.
Save changes.
Admire your handiwork.






Here are a couple I made myself.

Friday Night Feature EverythingElaine

Tonight (because today was so busy) my feature is a shop I was introduced to a little over a year ago.

EverythingElaine on etsy is such a fun place to browse for almost any occasion gifts!  She has sections for each of the following : custom printing, greeting cards, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, bookmarks, hair accessories, destash, and seasonal. Really, something for everyone. Like Elaine says, "You don't have everything until you have EverythingElaine."

Last year I was fortunate enough to make a trade with her, and received some beautiful items I used as gifts...and something I gave to ME!

pretty much my favorite earrings ever

Do you have a reader in the family? Need a stocking stuffer or a gift for a co-worker?

book thong $10

bookmarks $7.50 each

Here are some beautiful earrings that are just begging to be purchased!

$16

Now lookie looo, a necklace I think might go nicely with my earrings...

$16

(hint hint Mr Toddlerwhisperer...)

Before I go, I do want to share something she makes for jewelry makers...custom jewelry cards. I love these. They give such a professional look to your finished jewelry.

So go check out her shop EverythingElaine and see what goodies you may behold! 

Friday Feature- BPRDesigns

Hello lovelies!  I'm quite a bit late getting my Friday Feature out today!! (I didn't mean to keep you waiting, but I did have that pressing matter of getting the kids their free scary face pancakes at IHOP this morning)

I am very excited about today's featured artist BPRDesigns . I first learned of this shop through a forum on etsy about a year ago. I think it was really one of those "Hey, who has a facebook fanpage, I'll fan yours if you fan mine" kind of a deal.  I remember scrolling through her shop and drooling over her beautiful soap dishes.

contemporary cranberry $17

cobalt blue $15

What really struck me as totally awesome was her recycled slumped glass wine bottles.  She fires them up in her kiln and creates unique and truly conversation starter cheese plates.

$25

$20

Here's what she shares about her passion. "I have always loved glass and have found a real joy in working with fused glass. Living in the beautiful Northwest, which is home to Bullseye and Urobos glass, warm glass was a natural choice for me. So I bought a kiln and my journey began! 

I love the colors of nature and am drawn to those colors in my fused glass work. All of my slumped bottle plates and spoonrests are made from recycled bottles that I collect from friends and family."

Right now, BPRDesigns is carrying some truly beautiful and unique holiday items.  If you are looking for a special and unique gift this season, look no further! 

coasters $30

pair of stocking ornaments $8

Check out her shoppe or find her on facebook and get some shopping done!

Thoughts on Etsy Feedback

I remember when I first began selling on etsy two years ago this month, I carefully packaged my goodies and sent them away, ran to the computer and did my duty and left my feedback for the customer. Then, I eagerly awaited feedback from my first few customers. I was lucky because my first few customers were more than kind and left me with sweet feedback as well, and my customer base began to grow.

To this day, I still package the orders, and remove my feedback reminder to leave feedback for the customer by leaving feedback and ship them off.  Feedback for me is my way of keeping track of my orders.

Recently, I  had a friend who purchased an item that stated it took something like 2-3 weeks to receive after ordering. She gave herself plenty of time, and placed the order. Well, something like 4 weeks was approaching and she repeatedly tried to contact the shop owner. When she finally did get a response from the shop owner, it was very dry, and filled with empty promises. (Like I will mail it priority today, or the last one I did mail it priority on _________________ day.  She received it mailed first class much later than the day the seller had said she sent it.)

When it came to leaving feedback, my friend wasn't about to leave a green plus sign, and by this time her situation was far from "neutral" so my friend gave this seller a "negative" and explained the situation on the feedback. (which as a customer reading through feedback is invaluable. A plain ol' plus/neutral/or negative without any explanation is difficult to judge a situation by.   Within minutes, the shop owner went over to my friend's feedback section, and left really terrible, vindictive feedback.

This happens a lot of the time, yet often goes unnoticed. The practice of shopowners withholding feedback until the customer has left them feedback.

My aunt and I were discussing this and she shared a very similar story as to when she was displeased with an item, left neutral feedback (rather than negative) and in turn received neutral feedback from the shop owner.  She and I both agreed that the customer HAS FULFILLED THEIR OBLIGATION to us as a shopowner once they have paid for their item. They "owe" us nothing more. We both feel that upon sending the order off to our customer, that is when we should send the feedback as well. Basically to wipe our hands clean of the transaction.

Yes, it is wonderful to receive a thank you and a humongous compliment through feedback. If you are solely a customer through etsy and you have yet to leave feedback for your purchases, I want to encourage you to leave honest feedback. I'm one of those customers that as soon as my package comes in the mail, I open it up, see it, smell it, feel it, then hop on the computer and leave a feedback. Here are my three reasons for leaving feedback 1. the shop owner knows it has arrived  2. the shop owner knows how I feel about their work and 3. others will be encouraged to buy from that shop as well

And shopowners, should a customer feel like there will be retribution for their honest evaluation of your work?  Are you that concerned with the quality in the first place?  Personally, I never send out anything I would be ashamed of. I'm finished with the order when it is out the door and I have left my feedback. What about you? Do you wait? If so, why? (seriously just curious because as you can read from my perspective I may not know your reasoning.)

And as always, you are encouraged to share this article and comment your opinions as well.

Friday Feature- Nenafaye

Today's featured shop is one of my favorites for wonderful little feminine gifts.  Everything stocked in Nenafaye's etsy shop is beautiful, affordable, and ready to ship! 

Here's what she has to say about her love of crafting, 

"I love creating, and I love a bargain, therefore, you will find items that are unique, well made, yet affordable. My love of glass beads, cotton yarn and embellishments controls my creative adventures! Come along with me and I bet you will find that perfect gift for that someone special...including yourself!"

Not to worry Nenafaye, we will...we will. Let's take a peek, shall we?

She has delightful Little Bit Purses that are a whole lot of color and detail...and are only $10. TEN DOLLARS!!! (Need a stocking stuffer for a sister or mom? A teacher gift?)

Really unique embellished cards. I mean, really, you  could frame some of these. 

(and they're only $3)

She carries lots and lots of beaded bracelets, necklaces, scarves and bookmarks... something within everybody's budget, and the cutest little crochet handbags as well. 

($35)

($20)

So if you are looking for something handmade, unique, and doesn't break the bank, you really should check out Nenafaye on etsy, and be delighted by what you find!

Friday Feature- GoneTheSun Vintage

Back in the late 90's I was attending college away from home.  Being that I pretty much had no money for spending at Abercrombie or American Eagle- I began my love affair with thrift shopping.  I found some amazing deals ($1 sweaters and 25 cent t-shirts) and also started my Anchor Hocking Avocado Sorreno collection. :)  But enough about me.

What I really love about today's featured seller, GoneTheSun Vintage is that everything in her shop catches my eye like my treasures from my "thrifting" days.  She has exceptional finds at wonderful prices!


Here's what her store philosophy reads,
"I just can't shake my obsession for the search of fun vintage items. I really don't need any of the stuff I find so rather that finding things and passing them up, I've decided to bring them here to share with all of you.
I tend to gravitate toward items that remind me of things from my own past or items that were just fun, cutting edge or trendy for the time or stuff that shows a touch of by gone glamor or simplicity. Stuff that will either take you back to grandma's kitchen or yearn for a time when life was slower and not so mass produced."

Vintage Raggedy Ann Doll $14

                            

Tea for two, or 8 perhaps $20

Vintage Lily Tin $5

And for the month of October, she has been running a Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. Here it is:

THINK PINK! In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, for the entire month of October, 50% of sales on any of my PINK items will go to City of Hope Cancer Center. Find a treasure, support a good cause! 

So for the rest of the month, any sales on items like the ones below will benefit a great cause!

PINK Vintage baby booties vase $7

PINK Vintage pink iridescent disy ashtray $10

So go check out GoneTheSun Vintage and make a purchase or two. You won't be disappointed! Everything I have purchased from her has arrived quickly and nicely packaged. 

Friday Feature- Gracie Girl Barrettes and a Giveaway!

Well hello lovelies! I am going to start doing a Friday Feature to feature some of my favorite crafty people. There are just so many lovely handmade goodies out there, I want to begin promoting them, and challenging you, my readers to shop handmade as much as possible!

Today's feature is a new etsy shop called Gracie Girl Barrettes .  The shop owner and I met online because we both have our two children born in the very same months and years. She's my toddlerwhisperer equivalent back East!  She's a very talented and crafty lady. She makes a variety of different non slip hair clippies. (And believe me, the quality is fantastic. VERY well made)

But just recently, she has begun making these wonderful key fobs! (I think I have three or four already for gifts and for myself!)

She makes these great clippie holders too.  I love that you can have a cute place to hang your daughter's clippies!  Seriously, because by the time my daughter was 6 months old it seems she had quite the collection!

And if that's not all, she makes these wonderful wrapped/woven headbands with removeable clips. Really, really cute! Her choices of color combos are really tasteful and pleasing to the eye!             

This is truly just a sampling of the feminine and cute items in her shop. Her prices are fantastic, and THAT'S NOT ALL!!! She is giving away to one lucky commenter on this post....dun dun dun daaaaahhhhh....

Your choice of either a woven headband, a clippie holder, a key fob, OR a suprise variety pack of clippies!

Here's what you need to do.

1. Go to her shoppe, Gracie Girl Barrettes then come back here and tell me what your favorite item is.

for more entries do the following:

2. Heart her shop then come back and leave a comment

3. BUY SOMETHING! (link your transaction in your comment and you get 2 more entries)

4. Follow this blog... and leave a comment (you know, I'm going to showcase a whole lot more of my favorite things on Fridays!!)

Contest will close on Monday, October 11 at 2pm Eastern time. 

Mount Pom Pomma Slippers

These sure did keep me busy!! 12 pairs of identical cheery school colors slippers!!

Want to show your school pride?

Free is NICE!!

Sunday I found my mustard slippers in this gorgeous collection on etsy.  Later in the day, it became a front page feature! YAY!

A couple of months ago, I was contacted by a reporter in the Albuquerque Magazine. She asked if she could include one of my lunch bags in the August issue...My lunch bag had its own photo shoot too. It is featured on page 29!

We have been wanting a play structure in the backyard for the kids. We've had the perfect spot for one since cleaning the backyard.  Everyday we scour craigslist to see if there are any for sale or...better yet free!! The other day a really cool wooden one was listed for free, but by the time I showed the link to my hubby, it was expired...taken.  So, my mom put an ad on craigslist, asking for a play structure...for free.  And within minutes she received a response for this amazing FREE playground structure!! The kids LOVE it! (And we do too!)

And lastly, don't you love the beauty around us? This beautiful scene was captured just a few moments before sunset. I just love monsoon season!

been in a funk

don't know if it has been the weather or what, but I just haven't felt like doing much. including blogging.

today i wanted to show you a hat i plan on putting in the shop very soon. i am working on lotsa colors and will have them posted on Monday.

i also want to work out my pattern for my dainty frilly sunhat that was listed in my shop last year. i think i am just intimidated by the sizing...so i may just make it in a toddler size, and then whoever wants to modify it can. i also may need some pattern testers for it, so if you are interested, let me know. here is a picture to remind you what it looks like:

Busy Week

I know, I know, it's Friday. I don't have a five for Friday today. I honestly just don't have the time to think of five things for today's FIVE. So part one of this is, what Five do you want to see me do? (restaurants, bugs, movies, songs, recipes....) leave a comment and let me know, maybe I will chose that topic for my next Five for Friday.

In other news, I made the front page of etsy.com again!!! It was Wednesday of this past week.

A HUGE thank you to www.botanicalbird.etsy.com for creating such a lovely treasury that got noticed by etsy and including my slippers!! I got 7 orders as a result of this, and really need to be finishing them right now. My goal is as many pairs ready to ship as I can on Saturday, and the remaining to ship on Monday.

Please, if you haven't yet, enter this giveaway!! I met such a cool local etsian this week and she is giving away a beautiful prize. All you have to do is comment on my blog HERE.

I'd love to hear from you all my readers, so be sure to leave a comment and say hello!!

Have a beautiful weekend.

Gracelaced

I recently was contacted by a shop owner whom I had hearted a few weeks ago. I started reading her convo with a grain of salt, because I thought at first she was going to try to sell me something...(which really bugs me when I heart someone) well, she actually just wanted to make acquaintance since we live in the same town.

She does, as a matter of fact, have a beautiful shoppe. Have you seen it yet? Gracelaced is a shoppe full of feminine and gorgeous items at really reasonable and affordable prices. It has a bit of an anthropologie feel to it. (And besides all that, she is really great to work with.)

Well imagine my delight when Ruth, the owner of Gracelaced donated a beautiful set of hairpins for a giveaway!!! So without further ado, here is what YOU can win!!

Posy Hairpins Set in Double Sorbet:

This set of hairpins makes a perfect gift...but they're so sweet you might have to keep them for yourself!

Two satin posies in peach and pink corals are secured with glass pearl beads, then fastened to nickel hairpins, making them stylish for exposed or hidden placement in any hairstyle.

Aren't they so pretty...so worth winning?? Here are FOUR ways you can enter (You can do all 4 or just one or two...whatev..):

1. Leave a comment about how incredibly cute they are and how much you want them...

2. Go to her etsy shop and heart it, then come back and leave another comment telling me...

3. Become a fan of hers on FB then come back and leave another comment telling me..

4. Become a follower of my blog and then leave a seperate comment telling me.

Winner will be drawn by random.org on Monday, March 1...So tell everyone you know to head over here and let the games begin!! :)

Front Page

So I have been so busy with all kinds of off etsy orders, that I have kind of been neglecting my shoppe...Well imagine my suprise when I went to etsy.com today to log in and found the treasury I am in on the FRONT PAGE!!! Woooooooo!! I am so excited!! Here it is in case you missed it. Congrats to all that are included in this treasury, and thank you Whoaitsme for the inclusion!!

And another Happy 4th

Check out this awesome 4th inspired treasury!! My white sunhat is featured here. I do have more to post...non etsy stuff...so I will see you soon!

A happy 4th of July

Treasury. Thank you to Southerncharmquilts.etsy.com for placing one of my items into another treasury. (My red sunhat!) You can view it HERE . Please comment and click! :)

Summer time

It's fun to find my items in a treasury every now and then...and even more fun..I've found..when the curator actually tells you. I am addicted to http://www.craftopolis.com/ to find out if any of my products have made it into a treasury...but also because of the treasury clock...lllllllooooooooovvvvve it!! Takes a lot of guess work out of when a treasury will open up. This time, though, http://www.southerncharmquilts.etsy.com/ was nice enough to actually send me little note to let me know she placed my frilly fourth of July sunhat in her super cute summer time treasury. Check it out here before it expires. Click and comment too if you have an etsy account! (The more the merrier!! ;) )

Happy Friday all!

Just made

My first ad...someone is giving away free advertising...so I thought I would give it a go. What do you think??

I've also just made my first few sets of coasters. I know, I know, kinda typical for crochet...but I kinda love them...

And, I am still working on my friend's bday bag. Her bday was in February...but she'll get it soon. I'm sick of staring at unfinished work! I will be getting it to her next week.

I scored at hobby lobby!!! I found kits made by sugarand cream cotton yarn...with three almost 1 lb balls for less than $15. That was a huge score. I needed brown and black...and they had a camo colored one too. I made the boy a big floppy sunhat! :)

Tell me what you think abou the ad and the coasters! :)