Treasury Etsy Orange Montana Blue

I created this treasury Sunday night with items from the Montana Team.
Treasury link

I Quit!!

Okay, I confess...I smoke.

I have chronic tonsillitis and with no health insurance I am having trouble getting any help. I have been suffering for 5 years with it. Monday I am going to go back to the Clinic and again see if they will help me. Last time I went they said if I had throat cancer I could get help. I am frustrated and tired of being in pain.

So, after 33 years of smoking I am going to quit, cold turkey. It scares the crap out of me! It is snowing hard today, but I am going to take a walk to the store and buy a bag of hard candies.

If anyone has any helpful hints, I am open to hearing them!

Kitty Luna

I wanted to show of my little friend, Luna. She always runs from the camera and this time we gotta picture.

Luna is around 2 years old. I had won a silly prize thru a raffle with an organization called AniMeals. They help people provide food and assistance for your pets. Luna's previous owner was very old and had died. The neighbors called AniMeals and they came and picked her and several other cats up and took them to there office.

When I walked in to pick up my chainsaw carved bear (my prize) there was this petite cat standing in a kitty litter box and staring at me. It was love at first sight!

Luna is light as a feather and a wonderful hunter. She is glued to me. I would call her my shadow, but she actually likes to lead me. Lead me straight to her kitty treats!

Creamy Orange earrings featured on a blog!

I was nicely surprised Friday evening by a message from Lilac Pop blog that she had featured my Creamy Orange Bellflower earrings on her blog.

Every Friday she is featuring $10 items. How cool is that! You can check out her blog by clicking Lilac Pop.

I was nominated for a "Lemonade Award"!!!!! Awarded for great attitude, I guess it goes along with t graciously hat whole "given lemons, make lemonade" saying. :) And Celtic Cat Photos bestowed upon me a "Lemonade Award"!

Thank You!

The rules are quite simple...

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 5 - 10 blogs that show great Gratitude and/or Attitude.
3. Be sure to list and link your nominees within your post.
4. Tell them they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.
5. Nominate your favorites and link to your post.

Here are my lovely nominees:

Angi's World

Sassy Glass Designs

Judith B Designs

Judy Elizabeth's Flock

Busy Bead Lady

The Muddy Moose Bath Boutique

Getting ready for Summer

Life is starting to become a real balancing act! I am gearing up for Summer craft season. I sell at a Saturday market here in Missoula. I am going to also check in on a Sunday show that runs thru the summer, about an hour and a half north of here.

In the summer I get up at dawn and hike the mountain that is right out my back door. But, after a winter of not much exercise I start my Spring with yard work. I rack up the lawn and clean up my flower beds. I laugh because tending my yard is like trying to keep the forest in order. One side of my yard is a little hill with a deer path and rocks. When there are deer there is deer poop! Also, way to many rocks to use the lawn mower. So, I usually just yank up the weeds with my hands, after it rains. Once I have started using my muscles in the yard I am ready to hit the trails.

Anyway, back to market! Last week and part of this week I am working on stone necklaces to draw shoppers to my booth. Then it is time to sit down and see how many earrings I can create.

My Dad sent me his old copy of Photoshop. Last night I played around with the Turquoise necklace. I blurred the pic and then with the eraser tool went over the necklace to make it stand out.

Well, off to create!

Funky African inspired necklace

This design is not for everyone, but I love it!

Every year between Mid January and mid-March I allow myself a creative break. From May to December I am extremely busy and working as fast as I can. Well, ones creative juices start to dry up.

It is almost spring and time to get busy. My craft season starts up first weekend of May. Last night I pulled out this huge book we have on The Dawn of Civilization. Looking at jewelry from the days of antiquity really got me jazzed up.

So, today this is one of the designs I came up with. It is different to say the least. Now, I am so excited for tomorrow and what I can be inspired to make.

Front Page of Etsy

This past Monday I was thrilled to find out I was on the front page! One of the administrators put together a collection and included my Brass Filigree earrings.

Of course I was in my studio working at the time and missed watching the views come in! I gained a lot of views and hearts but no sales.

It made me wonder about advertising. Here was free advertising but no sales. If I was to pay for advertising would it be the same? Lots of hearts and views but no real return for the buck? But, then it was in house advertising so maybe there is a difference.

Love to hear your thoughts on this subject!

Custom Order

The other day one of my regular Etsy customers who lives in Belgium request a custom order. She had purchased some earrings from me and wanted a necklace to match.

So, this is the design I created for her. I am pleased to say she is very happy with it and will be purchasing it.

The first photo on my Reserved or Custom orders hides the item. This way I do not tempt others to purchase it. Well, I have noticed that I get a lot views on these hidden items. So, I am contemplating hiding all my items! LOL

Kreativ Blogger Award

Well, I woke to a wonderful surprise this morning, I have been awarded the Kreativ Blogger Award! Thanks to Deb at The Muddy Moose for the wonderful award. I am honored you would think of me!

Here are the rules:List 7 things that you love and then pass the award on to 7 people...tagging them and letting them know they won! You can copy the picture of the award and put it on your sideboard letting the whole wide world know you are KReATIV!

Ok, Here goes:

1. I love my parents and sisters. I wish they would move to Montana!

2. I adore my honey, Mitchell! I am so glad he walked into my life!

3. I love my kitty, Luna. She adds a lot of laughter and sweetness to my life.

4. My soul feels satisfied when I create.

5. I appreciate and love all the people I call Friend!

6. I love living in a Urban Wilderness neighborhood. Even if I have to protect my flower garden from the deer!

7. I love that there is a mountain hiking trail right out my back door!

I pass this Kreativ Blogger Award to

1. So, SherryHer blog is incredibly beautiful!
2. Celtic Cat Photos
3. Sassy Glass Designs
4.Dornick Designs
5.Julie Magers Soulen
6.Angi's World
7.Black Star

Wordless Wednesday

Loni is having a birthday!

My parents have seven grandkids and they are all boys except for the youngest, Loni.

Loni had been telling her Mom that she wanted to be a boy. No wonder with all those crazy boys running around! Well, her birthday is coming up in a few days and she told Grandma she would like pretty clothes.

Grandma bought her some skirts and tops. One of the skirts has a yellow flower print. So, today I made her this necklace. It has been a long time since I was seven and sure hope it is not to gaudy!

The only photo I have on my computer of my niece is from Christmas. Doesn't she have the prettiest smile!

Artist Paulo J Mendes

Visiting this artist shop is a wonderful diversion from your busy day. Artist Paulo J. Mendes takes us on a visual journey thru a small village in Portugal. His attention to small detail will keep you engaged in each water color. His descriptions are very fun and you eagerly go on to the next painting to see what adventure may lay ahead.

You can view his shop here Postalguarelas

Shop of the Week Angel Kisses Jewelry

Etsy Twitter Team has named Angel Kisses Jewelry the shop of the week!

Angel Kisses Jewelry is a collective comprised of designers: Michelle Aguilar, Annette Crews, Sherry Hadley
**SUPPORT HIV+ WOMEN IN ADDIS KIDAN, ETHIOPIA**
10% of all proceeds from sales March 2nd - March 8th will go to support HIV Positive women in Addis Kidan, Ethiopia through the Good Samaritan Organization. Sherry personally visits this organization in Ethiopia to ensure the funds go directly to the women. Her next visit to Ethiopia is scheduled for March 16th, 2009.
So please check them out and support their very worthy cause! Angel Kisses Jewelry