Something New

I just love fabric covered buttons. I made these little cuties some time ago but I'm just now getting around to listing them in the shop. It's a gift set with eight fabric covered push pins and a bookmark/paperclip. And look chinamommy, it's got a bird on it! If you don't know what I'm talking about, go here. :)

I thought that this set is really cute for a teacher.

Maybe the perfect gift for that student teacher graduating this May, hmm?  ;)

What do you think?

No Love

Do you ever make something, whatever your creative something is, and you can’t wait to get it online because it’s so fabulous and you just know it’s going to sell immediately? Not that all my items aren’t fabulous, mind you, but every so often I create a piece of jewelry that I love so so much and think it is just going to jump off the shelves, figuratively speaking, of course….because I don’t really have shelves…because it’s an online store….And that would be funny if jewelry really could jump off shelves...Why do I remind myself of Sandra Bullock in All About Steve right about now {insert laugh, snort, laugh, snort}…I could keep going…really, I could…. :)

…I digress…Or even vintage sellers, you find that great vintage item, in perfect condition, just a little dirty but it cleaned up so nicely and you can’t wait to list it for all to see, and you finally get it listed online, and then, nothing, nada, no views, no interest…{insert cricket noises here, please}…

Do you have any items like this hanging out around your store?

A few of mine are below. All can be found at my store on Etsy.

Meet My Friend...Shabee Stitches

Woohoo!! TGIF baby. I can't wait for 5:30 to get here today. This is one week that I am ready to just get over with.

Anyhoo, have you met my friend Jennifer over at Shabee Stitches?  I met her when she ordered some button covers from my destash shop, One Thrifty Diva, be sure to check it out if you're in the neighborhood :). Turns out, she is also from North Carolina, over the river and through the woods in the tres lovely city of Asheville. Really, the buzz is that Asheville is THE spot for all things fabulous. I've been trying to get up there for a weekend but life seems to get in the way. What's up with that?!

Again...anyhoo...I'm so easily distracted, lol. Jennifer makes unique wedding accessories such as ring pillows and garter sets. Ooh la la in the boudoir! But seriously, ahem, she can design anything for any style. Her items are very unique and different from the those that I've seen...And you know I've been shopping around because I also have a wedding to plan for! And I just love that her items are keepsakes that can be handed down through the family.

So, which item is your fave? Ooh, ooh, I just love the boho hippie chick ring pillow in down in the corner. It's so colorful and bright. The butterflies are sooo adorable. What a great accessory to add a little fun to a wedding. Sometimes they can be so serious! I mean, it's only a little thing called a lifetime committment, what's the big deal? :)

Be sure to check her out on Etsy!

I'm in a Treasury!

Included in this awesome treasury by StringofJewels on Etsy. Thank you for including me. Aren't these some great items to be in the company of?

Some folks are included in treasuries all the time, but I am truly thankful when someone picks one of my items out of the gazillions on Etsy to be in their treasury. It would be even better if it made the front page!!! You can check it out here on Etsy.

Bieber Fever Custom Jewelry

Do you have the fever? The Bieber fever?

Well, a very special customer of mine does so I made her this bracelet.

I can make one for you too with anything that your little heart desires...your family, special pet, celeb crush, anything!

 Just drop me a line for details.

Blah, Blah, Blah....

...No, I'm not talking about the Kesha song. :)  Wow, I just feel so down in the dumps lately. I feel like Rainbow Blue in the Jimmy Dean commercial, lol. It makes me giggle every time I see it...

But the blahs are really taking a toll on my Etsy shop! I don't feel like listing anything. Well, I do, but it takes so much work. I had no idea when I started on Etsy what is required to become a successful seller. I don't really consider myself successful at this point, a few online sales trickle in every now and then, but I want to have hundreds, even thousands of sales!! I'd soooo love to work from home but I guess that's probably most seller's dream. But, I digress, I was saying that there is so much work involved: taking good pics and even then going back to edit them. Then, trying to come up with a title and catchy description of the wares I'm peddlin', then coming up with tags so you can find my goodies when you search, and then still, pricing. Pricing can be so stressful. I try to be fair to both my customer and to myself, but it's difficult to do both and still compete with those sellers that somehow sell their wares for super cheap. It can be overwhelming!

Anyhoo, thank you for allowing me to vent. I think I have found the perfect remedy for my blahs. LanyardLady has what sounds like a fabulous chicken pie on her blog that I just might try tonight! Recipe, here.

Plus-Size Fashion Spotlight

Good morning, my fashionista friends! I'm always on the lookout for something fabulous to wear to the office. Remember ladies, just because your outfit is fabulous, doesn't mean you have to sacrifice comfort!

• Since I tend to be more comfortable in slacks at the office, I started with these pinstriped trousers from Lane Bryant. Aren't they great?
• I paired them with this print top from Fashion Bug. The right print can actually be more slimming for full figured ladies, according to Clinton and Stacy on What Not to Wear. Love it!
• A simple, silver butterfly necklace handmade by yours truly, moi! Find it here.
• This awesome hot pink suede microfiber bag really brings out the pink in the blouse.
• And finally, perhaps the most important part of any outfit, the shoes! This affordable peep-toe wedge is great for work or play.

1.  Striped trouser pant...by Lane Bryant...$49.50

2.  Print Blouse...by Fashion Bug...$19.99

3.  Silver butterfly necklace...by LeeLuCreations...$18.00

4.  Pink suede microfiber bag...by Valeriefogg...$89.00

5.  Peep-toe wedge...by Fashion Bug...$24.99

Plus-Size Fashion Spotlight

Hey ladies! It's been a few days since we had the fashion spotlight, but today we are back in business! They're calling for more snow here in NC, but I'm dreaming of somewhere warm and sunny, which is why I have chosen this super fabulous sun dress as the fashion spotlight anchor piece.

• We start with this playful sundress that's packed full of color! Gives us so many options to accessorize with!
• Next I added this coordinating knitted shrug. The color is perfect...and the brooch is removable so you get two looks in one!
• Wow, check out this agate bracelet! It is perfect for this dress. I think it really makes the blue in the dress pop.
• And finally, check out these handmade leather sandals. You won't believe the price!

1.  Smock and Roll Sundress...alight.com...$55.00

2.  Orange "Take me Out" Shrug...trendyknitting...$57.00

3.  Under the Sea Rainbow Agate Bracelet...HardCandyGems...$45.00

4.  Handmade Leather Sandals...LilaSandals ...$75.00

Plus-Size Fashion Spotlight

I just love a great wrap dress! I think they are flattering to all body types. And just look at the shine on the dress I found for today. Love it!

• Pair it with a cami underneath for a work appropriate look, or without, for a night out on the town. I used a beige cami here, but purple or even black would work.
• I love the beige shoe already paired with the dress, but, I found these fantastic purple 4-inch (yikes!) Steve Madden sandals. Definately worthy of a night out with the girls!
• To finish the look, I found these awesome pieces from artist funkyartista on Etsy. The pendant in the necklace and the beads in the bracelet are handmade by her. She truly designs her pieces from start to finish.  Be sure to check out her store.

1.  Violet Print Wrap Dress...swakdesigns.com...$54.00

2.  Beige Cami ...swakdesigns.com...$8.90

3.  Mardi Gras Purple Big Wave Flower Pendant...funkyartista...$18.00

4.  Purple Swirl Silver Link Bracelet...funkyartista...$24.00

5.  Steve Madden Crazzy Lilac Sandals...Overstock.com...$46.58

Plus-Size Fashion Spotlight

Hey girls! I had so much fun with yesterday's fashion spotlight that I thought I'd do another one today. Today we have a super fun outfit for the casual diva.

• We start with a great pair of boyfriend jeans. They have gold paint speckled on them. Creative divas- do you have an old pair of jeans at home? Experiment and make your own gold paint speckled jeans. I'd love to see them! 
• Next we add a paisley tunic tee. Not too overwhelming when paired with this super cute knitted short sleeve sweater.
• These paisley clogs from Zappos.com are a splurge at $145 but I thought they were too cute and add a pop to the other neutral colors.
• Accessories include a great leather bag and matching bracelet and earrings from talented Etsy sellers. Check them out!

Plus-Size Fashion Spotlight

Being a plus-sized girl, sometimes good fashion is hard to come by. Each week I plan to post about fashion geared towards those of us that are big 'n beautiful. Don't worry slim jims, no discrimination here, if you're not plus-sized you can still enjoy these posts as I will also have fun girly accessories and plan to spotlight talented Etsy artists.  After all, divas come in all shapes and sizes! :) 

I usually have a hard time finding a fun and flirty summer dress but I just love the one below. Turquoise and brown-such yummy summer colors together! 

• Layer the tank underneath the dress so that there are no "girls gone wild" moments.  
• Add the blue sweater shrug for an outfit appropriate for office casual. It will bring out the blue at the bottom of the dress. 
• Check out the fabulous embossed sandal! Shut up! as Stacy London from TLC's What Not to Wear would exclaim.
• Also added some great accessories from talented Etsy artists. Be sure to check them out.

Spooktacular Finds on Etsy!

First Row: MissButler-Day of the Dead Ornaments, Ivcreations55-Haunted Cameo Necklace, Niswanderceramic- Franken' Stein and his Bride Stein Set, HeartSpeak-Spooky Album


Second Row: VespertineGallery-Gothic Vampire Victorian Necklace, ClutchThat-The Raven Clutch, CreaShines-Glow in the Dark Skull Earrings, Sweetpetula-Halloween Shea butter soap

Third Row: JustTheThing4U-Howlite Pumpkin Earrings, BeBopMoon-Halloween Charm Bracelet, Bprdesigns-Halloween Pumpkin Dish, Agonysdecay-Gift Tags

Fourth Row: Alteredtreasures-Gift Tags, Vintageus-Cats Meow Charm Bracelet, SeaPinks-Black and White Flora and Fauna Decorative Pumpkin or Gourd, Jessejanes-Scrabble Tile Hair Pins

Fifth Row: Peppertree-night owl hair bobbies, OhFaro-black cat hairpin, Jenifersfamilyjewels-Spider Hairpin, BunnyBaubles-Creamsicle Hairpins