Happy Back to School!

First off, Happy Back to School to the people I know that are going back to school today!! Today is my sister's first day in 8th grade, her last year in junior high. Many luck to you, even tho you don't need it!

And to make this day even better, I got a hand drill yesterday! One of my best friends (also godfather to my daughter) took me to Wal-mart and searched high and low for the perfect one. Usually, we would be able to find it right away, but they changed everything AND there was a lot of kids shopping for school supplies! So I got it! Yaaaay! Along with that, got some acrylic paint for my clay products (demo run to see what I can sell at the anime conventions).

Well, just a quick update. Gotta go make dinner now!!

Not Handmade Enough

So, today was a pretty bad day, for me. Although I got a sale in, and three sales two days ago, it still hurts me. But then again, it's something that I question myself.

As many people know, there are anime conventions, which I planned on attending to sell and just have fun. As I joined one of their forums, I asked if it's alright to sell scrabble tile pendants (very popular on Etsy!). After stating I would make my own images, they said no. It's not handmade enough. Which I was pretty disheartened. Is it really not handmade enough? Or is it because they have strict rules? I mean, making a scrabble tile pendant is not just gluing a piece of paper onto a scrabble tile; it's gluing it, cutting it, securing it with a layer of mod podge, sanding it, adding glaze to it, sanding it some more, and letting it dry for a couple of days (or so I've read).

I asked some friends and aquaintances and apparently, every con is different. Obviously, the one I planned on attending (and one of the oldest, biggest ones ever) wants everything made from scratch. It's strict on the rules. So I'm sad to say, I'm going to drop out of the anime convention and venture out craft shows (which I would like to know if there's any in the DFW area..).

So, on the note of "handmade"... What does 'handmade' mean to you? Is it something completely from scratch? Or is something you put it together with your own hands? Obviously, I'm on a route where it's put together with my own hands, but it's filled with love and time and care. So, is it really handmade? Or did I get help?

Oh I hope I don't lose my way in Etsy...

In with the good, out with the bad

The title says it all. I'm bringing all this "good" in and the "bad" out. I'm so grateful with where I stand right now: job or no job, sales or no sales... I'm so blessed to be a mother of an adorable baby girl, have great friends, a wonderful supporting family, and just have an awesome life. I'm not as down as I would've expected after the final words with my ex-boyfriend. After two hours of talking and crying to my little sis, I felt so better. The next day, I was joyous and it seems like it didn't happen.

Now, back onto my shop (lol sorry about the personal life stuff). From now until about May, I'll be use DD as a "test run" for a HUGE anime convention in Dallas: A-kon. I love A-kon. So great and so much fun! I'm quite anxious for it... So if there are repeats on items, there's a good reason on why. If more people keep buying that one item, it must be a good selling item.

Also, it seems like the goal for shop hearts is met!! Yaaaay! I'm glad people enjoy my shop. :) Keep it up.. close to 500!!

Sales are slow, but I'm not bothered by it. I think I need another 6 sales to meet my August goal.. What will be great is that it goes OVER 15 sales. :D We shall see!!

As I think about it... I'll be doing my next giveaway with 100 sales. :D Dunno of what yet... but I'll think about it as it comes..

Thanks to those who support DD!

Coming soon in future posts: New shop in details, BUSINESS CARDS.

Steppie's Giveaway Contest!

One of the successful shops on Etsy (IMO) has to do with my little sister's favorite animals: pandas. Who doesn't love pandas? They are cute, cuddly, AND they are raccoon cats (yes they are. Look it up). Who is this? Steppie.

Now, the name alone is cute. If you aren't familiar with her, you should be. She makes wonderful T-shirts, prints, rings, etc. I, on the other hand, have not experience any of her wonderful items yet, but I wish to be. And so, she is holding this free giveaway! I'm hoping to win just so I can get a free item. If not, I guess I'll do a bit of splurging ;)

Click on the link below and enter!! It's so great and awesome! Also, the video itself is adorable, I laughed at the first thirty seconds.

Facebook video

~Ann

First Treasury!

I had a horrid night on Friday, just something personal. Yesterday morning, I woke up the usual amount of emails, 15 or so. Some contained etsy conversations while others are Lilly's baby updates and something I subscribed to (B&N, Borders, american eagle, etc). As I read one of the Etsy convos, I saw two links. I was so curious, I clicked on it. And I realized it led me to a treasury.


I'm in it! Oh my goodness!!! After months of wondering when will be my time (I estimated two years), it happened!! Yaaaaaay!!! Check out the treasury here: Not too SHABBY.

In other news, I received some lovely supplies in the mail on Friday. That's right, it's those Alice in Wonderland themed tea cup set!! I ordered 5 of them. This is one of the few times that I LOVE ebay to death. Shocking, I know. So keep an eye out for a variety of ways for these lovely teacups and pendants!

(For more info on this personal life of boys, just convo me or catch me on chat...)

Motivation and Ideas

For the past few days, I've been stuck. Stuck at the point where I can't make things. Sure, I can just glue the ring base onto a plastic piece, but I couldn't even do that! What was going on?

Then the sales started to came in, which made me happy. But sadly, I didn't seem TOO excited. So I packaged them up and sent them to their destination. Then, my cousin came from CA to pick up my grandmother. While she was here, I took a break to think and gather my thoughts. And it helped! I guess I needed rest and just spend some quality time with the family. Now, my grandmother is gone and so is my cousin.. And the creativity juices are flowing in.

With that being said, sales are great!! I'm so glad people are liking my items and things are looking up! But seriously people, PLEASE PAY WHEN YOU BUY. Or at least contact the seller if you need more time. It irks me. I hope they know my policy on purchasing my items. =/

I'm thinking my goal for this month will be reached. That's what I hope for! Supplies are in and I've been sewing! Also, a new shop might open! Or maybe I'll tack it in with the current shop of Destination Design? Suggestions? The new idea has to do with baked goods (for the holidays! And other occasions if it goes well!).

Also, thank you, Damonique, for putting up the review of the blue rose ring! :D That's so kind of you!! I'm so glad you enjoy it greatly! And of course, I can try and give a matching necklace and earrings! If you are interested, please let me know!


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GOAL SO FAR:

-5 sales
-11 more hearts to 450

Looking good... :D

Goals for August

Happy August everyone! :D I'm having a good feeling about this month.. I think it's going to be a good one. I'm feeling a bit excited too, and a bit anxious: little Lilly will be one soon! Ahhh! I now know what other mommies have been raving about "Children grow up too fast". Such a new perspective for me.

Alright, after having sooo many sales lately (to me, more than 10 in the past week is amazing for me haha), I've decided to make a goal for each month, and YOU guys get amazing deals if the goal is reached! How cool is that?

So I'm going to start out small. For this month of August, the goal is:

-15 sales
-have a total of 450 hearts

BOTH GOALS HAVE TO BE REACHED. If the goals are reached, there will be a buy one, get one FREE sales in September!


What do you guys think? Looks like I'll be the busy one :D