Hold on to your guy

Vintage 1974 Midol ad suggests "Be the you he likes"
My husband should just be lucky to have me around at all.

Some things are better left in the past.

Like these hideous slacks from 1969.

Easter Bunny Shopping

I thought these soaps from http://hellocrafty.etsy.com/ were adorable. My daughter loves getting soaps from Etsy and this will look so cute in her Easter basket.

Flea Market Finds

Yesterday we decided to get out of the house and hit the Tulsa Flea market.

I hadn't been there in quite a while and had a fun time. I am always on the lookout for tarnished silver pieces and Mr. keys has this new obsession with Amberina glass.

I saw several vendors with glass bubble necklaces that were so shoddily made I wonder if they sold any? I am thinking of getting a booth just to try something new.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

What is in your Handbag? QoTD 2-21-08

What is in your purse? I have a wallet,lip balm,pens,cell phone.

This great purse is from HRMB http://herroyalmajestybags.etsy.com/

Question of The Day 2-20-08

Stapler or Paper Clip? I use my stapler all the time so I will go with Stapler :)

Found these cute items on Etsy from http://SureAsBlue.etsy.com and http://cardblanc.etsy.com/

Freebie Wednesday 2-20-08

Congrats to last weeks winner http://thevintagezoo.etsy.com/

This week goodie is a domino necklace I made. I was thinking of destashing the dominoes but I really wanted to find the time to do something with them. This one has a cute paper print that I stamped with gold words and then sealed.

Hello Kitty

I know people get their panties in a twist when it comes to Hello Kitty but I like this bracelet. I made it for my daughter as a gift :)

Wasted Talent

This picture is precious to me. My daughter Noelle drew it of my 4 year old Gracie.

Noelle has talent. She is beautiful,smart,and also a drug addict. It is hard to help someone who doesn't want to help themselves. I just see so much wasted talent.

Oklahoma Living 2-16-08

I often tell people that I would much rather be killed in a tornado than that awful Phoenix traffic.
This is an easy way to calm down my mother who thinks I am going to be killled in a storm.
After 2.5 years here- I have come to a realization that I might actually have more chance being killed here on the roads due to weather. Today my husband hydroplaned in his truck and slammed into a wall at 60mph. Luckily he had his seat belt on and had no injuries.
The only thing predictable about the weather here is that it is UNPREDICTABLE . Driving fast in the rain here is a big NO NO. Quite a bit different than the Phoenix roads.
Oklahoma rule = RESPECT THE WEATHER

Etsy Undiscovered 2-15-08

Found this great shop with Pounce.

Sure I can buy some cheaply made table runner but I like them handmade myself.

I liked the eye catching photos and great descriptions.

Check out http://shadesofviolet.etsy.com/ for custom sewing and decor.

Happy Valentines Day

Mr. Keys is getting these great coupons from http://mel829.etsy.com/

They are really nice- heavy cardstock, and cute options to check.

I like that you can choose to massage "naughty parts"

4 coupons with matching envelops for $8

Freebie Wednesday 2-13-08

Congrats to DistressingDelilah.etsy.com Winner of the spoon ring

So someone posted that they would like to see Etsy have Auctions. I think it started as vintage and supplies then morphed into something else.

I didn't follow the whole thread but I did see that someone wanted to get rid of stuff they hadn't sold for a while and thought auctions would be better than other options.

I prefer to just give away things and this necklace has been gathering dust. I call it an antique brass cluster necklace.

I pick a winner from all the posters the following Tuesday night so you have plenty of time to post a comment to be entered.

Treasury Trouble?

As I blog there are currently 498 treasuries to look at. I am not sure when they added more but I think there are too many. It seems like it has been a while since I have really wanted to spend time going thru them. I miss that ~ I enjoyed looking at them but now it takes too long. I think 3 days is great but I would like to see about 100.

What Really Grinds My Gears 2-10-08

I have been on Etsy almost one year. I never go out of my way to flag for anything. I don't notice tag abuse or wrong categories .

So the other day someone posts about something I can't even remember what and for some reason I clicked on someone who posted to check out their stuff. I think I had seen them before and I look at an item- very pretty by the way- and the seller is in the US and the item ships from HONG KONG!

WTF?? I flagged it but the seller says she handmakes the items- please- do I look stupid?
Ok, well don't aswer that question but does this seem fishy??
How can admin leave that item up?
The only explanation I can think of is that the US city is wrong- it is a well known city and I am pretty sure it was in the US last time I checked? My 6th sense tells me I am right.

Etsy Buying 2-10-08

I came across this interesting listing for Tooth Chips and though I would share.
They are from http://roseofsharonacres.etsy.com/

I decided to give them a try and I really like them.

"Tooth Chips™ - Soap for your Teeth!A wonderful tasting blend of orange and cinnamon brings a new experience to toothpaste flavor! For those who love citrus, this will be a delight! Made with our vegan formula without neem oil!A 2 oz container will last 2 people approximately 2 months if brushing 2x's per day. That's $2.25/person/month!"

They really are amazing and there is a great reason to use them instead of toothpaste, took a bit of getting used to but I enjoy them. I went with the Cinnamon Orange flavor.

What Really Grinds My Gears 2-9-08

This edition is about those loveable friends who come to visit and insist their cars are not leaking and in great running condition. They then proceed to park in your driveway instead of the street. When the drive off your realize they were full of BS but they still insist it wasn't their car. Thanks buddie!

Dealing with Copying

We all know how frustrating it can be to feel ripped off. I have made a few decisions regarding this.
I never check my category, that way I won't see anything I don't want to. Either something I think was copied from me or if I have an idea I won't think that I look like a copier myself.

I try to focus more on my work and less about others. It can be frustrating but it keeps me sane. I try to keep this quote in mind:
"Inspiration can be derived from those who have come before us, however an artist never copies the work of another for it is against the very spirit of what feeds our creativity"

Election 2008

Now that Super Tuesday is behind us I felt like writing about politics.
I was first eligible to vote during Ronald Reagans second term. I voted for George Bush Sr., Ross Perot, I can't remember next ( not Clinton) George W Bush ( ugh), John Kerry and now it is election time again.

I find politics fascinating suddenly. I was originally on the McCain train being that I loved in AZ and he seems likeable but then I heard about Ron Paul so I went that direction. I did cast my vote for him but it looks like that isn't going anywhere.
Now I find myself really liking Barak Obama. I tend to focus on who appeals to me and need to be a bit more informed about the issues.

I love talking politics so feel free to leave comments :)

Freebie Wednesday 2-6-08

Congrats to last weeks winner http://contrariwise.etsy.com/ of the Shift key Necklace

This weeks goodie is a spoon ring. I really like these. I don't make them but they sell like crazy on my website. Someday I will tinker some more with spoons but they area little bit harder to work with than I thought.

This is an antique goldplate ring with a pretty pattern. Something fun and funky :)

Etsy Picks 2-3-08

I love eye catching colors and http://boulderglassmonkey.etsy.com/ takes care of that!

She specializes in lampwork glass and her talent just rocks. I love all her bright colors.

Great customer service as well :)

Etsy Talent

This weeks in depth feature is http://immortallongings.etsy.com/

Tell me about yourself: I'm a designer living in London. Outside of my Shakespeare series, I work as an animator and theatre/film designer, and storyboard artist.It comes out as a multi-tasking, productive cyclone that makes messes, fueled by tea., then needs much sleep and book reading.I'm very silly and clutzy, mixed between OCD and haphazard impusiveness.

What do you create?- Whatever is needed: Drawings, paintings, product designs, animation, scenery (for stage and music vids), props (anything from upholstry to antique books, to realistic beating hearts, to corn and ham, to dead people, to holy relics), and my latest umbrella and fabric designs.In the past, I've done stained glass scuplture, lathe, carved print work, architectural drafting, roughly sewn things- curtains and costumes, and even done a little scriptwork for performance.

What inspires you?-Lush visuals like art nouveau designs, french graphic novels, beautiful bits of architecture, and espcially travel (favorites: Italian colors in Rome, buildings in Prague, Paris in general , Rhodes and Barcelona thick old walls, Irish countryside, NY skyscrapers, seaside, good food, pretty doors and windows).

How do you feel about Etsy as a venue?-As a seller it's great, very easy to use, and a supportive community. As a shopper- I hate shopping on the streets, and ebay makes me OCD with bidding worries, so Etsy is fantastic-I can give the sale to a working artist, and is really fun to use, and it's inspiring to see what folks are making. I love their graphics, and the laid back friendliness.

What is your favorite word? "fwaaar!

What is your least favorite word? "Eighths

What turns you on? Half a glass of wine.

What turns you off? Styrofoam

What sound or noise do you love? -Sound: Violin, Noise: "thwak

What sound or noise do you hate? -Loud screechy things- especially higher pitched.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? -Burlesque/nightclub singing star by night, secret agent by day.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? "Oh, Good! You're here. Right this way, we've got loads for you to do."

Etsy Undiscovered 2-1-08

I have been late getting on the Pounce bandwagon. I know many of my friends are addicted to it so I decided to check it out again this morning and realized that it had changed. Now it includes shops with no sales. so I am going to pick an undiscovered shop for today.

These caught my eye fromhttp://potterri.etsy.com/

*Wheel thrown mug with hand built dragonfly applique. Multiple glazes give it that impressionalistic look. Each mug may vary just a little in shape and color because each is handmade.*

I love purple and dragonflies.I love this hummingbird feeder as well.