Christmas in July sale

It's that time of year for my annual sale.  Enjoy 15% off with coupon code CIJ15

You can use the coupon on my website http://gypsymoondesigns.com/ and/or in my Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gypsymoondesigns

Thanks to all my wonderful customers who have been shopping my annual sale so far!  At the moment my Etsy shop is offering a wider selection.

Sale ends July 12, 2015

Big Cartel and ArtFire experiment

Three weeks ago I set up a shop on ArtFire and Big Cartel. When I set up these two stores I told myself I would watch and see which preformed best by April 1st.

ArtFire is a community based handcraft site and BigCartel is a shopping cart for indie artist. So, one would think you would have more traffic on ArtFire. I have 31 items listed on ArtFire and have had 900 views in three weeks. BigCartel has 25 items listed and has had 1400 views.


Chunky yellow necklace

Also, tonight I made my first sale on Big Cartel. I believe the customer found me via my Facebook page. I don't promote my ArtFire shop on Facebook, just my Etsy and BigCartel shop.

So, my experiment is over. Tomorrow I will deactive my ArtFire shop and add more to BigCartel. The ArtFire owner is very friendly and the forums are helpful. It's easy to set up shop there too. I find that BigCartel visually looks better if you buy a theme to install or know how to code.

Thought I would share for those considering one of the platforms.

Artist Kevin Gadomski and his Manitou totems

Last week on Etsy I found myself in a shop that amazed me with such unique talent. Having been raised in Michigan and being proud of my Potawatomi heritage I was thrilled to discover the Manitou carved sculptures by artist Kevin Gadomski.



The Algonquian people, Ojibwe/Chippewa,Ottawa,Potawatomi,Cree, believe that everything has its own spirit or manitou that is inseparable from the Great Spirit or Kitche Manitou.



"What is a sacred place, I wondered, except one that makes you feel humble and insignificant in the face of nature? And what is a manitou but the power of a place to move you to those thoughts?" — Greg Breining; The Power of Rock




Inspired by the Ojibway heritage of his children, Kevin began creating the Manitou pieces many years ago. His interest in all things esoteric has led him to explore shamanism, totemism, mysticism, Taoism, Zen, Sufism, Animism, nature, reality, dreaming, metaphysics, Kevinism as a life path which are all more or less reflected in his work.



You can explore more of Kevin's amazing work on his website freedom gallery

Kevin can also be found on FaceBook Kevin Gadomski

Taking a holiday break

Happy Holidays everyone!

Back in 1998 I spent the summer in northern Michigan with my family. I was making jewelry on my aunties dining room table at the time when my young cousins started calling my cousin jewelry. I taught them that a female cousin is "prima" in the Spanish language. That year for Christmas they made me this precious ornament. I hung it off the mirror this year at my holiday craft show.



The photos aren't the best but I thought I would share my displays from the holiday show "Missoula Made Fair". My studio mate Molly painted this room divider with a western theme of horses. When she moved away she gave it to me. It made a wonderful earring display. Thanks Molly!



The Missoula Made Fair was such a huge success. Between doing so well there and online with my Etsy shop Gypsy Moon Designs I am going to allow myself a 5 day break. I can't believe I am saying this, but I am looking forward to cleaning my house and work studio! It will be good to recharge my creative batteries.

On the winter solstice me and Mitchell are going to go check out an artist gallery about an hour from here. The artist is a man in his 90's who started painting in his 70's. His art is surreal and I am excited to meet him. I will share more about him on a later date.



My shop will be closed between 12/20 and 12/25. I hope everyone has a lovely holiday and Happy Winter! : )

Changes...but all is Honky Dory

It's been months since I last blogged.
I experienced some "stuff" and it's my nature to go within when dealing. But, I am back and ready to be consistent with blogging again.




This summer has been a summer of making so many decisions. My cancer scare in December turned into a hysterectomy. And the timing sucked! It was scheduled 5 days before opening season of my market. I cried like a baby! LOL

I thought I could be super woman and hire some help and show up on opening day. Ha ha, that was a fantasy! But, I did make myself go back into production 7 days post op and with help made it for the second weekend of the season. That's all behind me now and I feel much better.

I am curious how others handle their online stores when life throws something at you. I closed it for 10 days and then reopened. I had requests for custom orders and did manage to fill them. But, I never told anyone I was, well, exhausted! It seemed like it may have been unprofessional to explain that I was in recovery and could not do something. So, I kept plugging away. The best thing about surgery is you get to nap. I have never been a napper and man oh man did I LOVE my naps!



I share studio space with two other artisans. Well, lots of changes there. Molly got married and moved away a few weeks ago. CarolLynn is having a fantastic year. She had baby Cora late winter and her husband just graduated from Law school. He found a job a few hours from here, so they bought a house closer to work and are moving.

Aren't mom and daughter so pretty! Baby Cora is at the studio everyday. I am getting a kick out of watching her develop. She is a genius!!! Just ask her parents, they will agree! She is a very smiley baby and is so fun to be around.




So, I again am moving my studio. I am going to bring it back to the house. I think my kitty, Luna, will be happy for the company. As I write she is laying across my neck...such a lovey dovey.

Summer shows have been great. They started out slow this year but picked up nicely. Etsy became busier this summer than the prior years. So, I ended up dropping my Sunday show. Being a one woman act here I just could not keep up. As Martha Stewart would say "That's a good thing".

Hope all of you are having a good summer!

Apple Seed necklace

I can't believe opening day for Missoula Saturday Market is almost here! I have so much to do by May 1st.

It took me all week to complete my Apple Seed necklace. I worked on it in between filling orders for my Etsy shop and working on a custom necklace.



Every year prior to opening day I tell myself I will be better prepared. The last few weeks I have been creating more complex designs. This necklace is the most time consuming. It never fails first day of market on of regular customers inquires about it. So, it feels great to have it done.

There are around 350 apple seeds that are dried and shellacked. I get them from vintage necklaces of the 1970's. The stones of Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Carnelian and Amber look so yummy and earthy against the browns of the seeds.

Multi strand apple seed necklace can be purchased at my shop Gypsy Moon Designs.

Better get back to creating!

A new adventure

Last year I had moved my studio space back into my home. It is great to stay in my house clothes all day but I am running out of space.

So, I mulled it over and decided to go look again. Change can be scary at times. It is easy to keep your same routine. Well, the other day I got an email from a woman who has a large studio space and sublets parts of it out. She had 200 square feet for rent.

The space includes internet access, utilities, has a shower and a kitchen. It also provides a small show case to sell from. Every 2nd Friday she has a art opening too.

So, I took it! I will be around cool woman each day and no longer isolated in my house with only the post man to say hi too! LOL

One of the artist is a Native American fabric artist and the other is a seamstress who makes hipster skirts.

I will post photos when I move in. My move in date is December 15th.

This necklace can be seen in my Etsy shopRomantic Citrus necklace

Artists Exposed by Vicki Diane

Vicki Diane is a fellow Etsy artist from Spain. She grabs Etsy treasuries and features other artist on Etsy. What a great idea and generous of Vicki to spend her time doing this.

Vicki messaged me and asked for a photo of me wearing a piece of jewelry be added to one of my listing. I was completely honored and freaked out! LOL I hate my picture taken. When I was young I was a ham...but then with years adding on and weight I felt like a ham!

So, I think I captured the right angle to hide my double chin and baggy eyes. And I was having a good hair day too.

I am going to go see my family for the Thanksgiving holiday and had hoped to lose some weight but didn't. I know it doesn't matter to them at all. So, I am going to enlarge this photo and walk around behind it! hehe

Here is a link to visit Vicki Diane Designs A big thanks to you Miss Vicki!

Building links with Craftgawker

Building links to your online store is the best way to improve your Google page ranking. I learn so much valuable information reading the Etsy forums.

One day I saw a thread about a site called Craftgawker.

"craftgawker is a gallery where anyone can showcase their art, crafting and photography skills. It's a place for you to discover new artists and handmade goods to inspire your own creations. Anyone can submit pictures, if they follow our simple site rules..."

There rules are pretty basic. It must be your photo and a well balanced composition.

It is a visually stunning site to visit. I am always thrilled to see my favorite Etsy sellers items there!

Here is link to what I have submitted so far. Gypsy Moon's items

Have fun viewing the site and hope to see you there too!

Gothic Victorian Lotus necklaces

One of the benefits to selling at a weekly craft show is getting feedback from customers. By mid-summer I started focusing on designs for this holiday season that I would list on my Etsy shop. This Lotus Necklace design was very popular. I found these large hand painted charms in several colors and the customers loved the look.
October is my favorite month, when the air becomes crisp and the leaves are blowing about. I know it's time to pull out my velvet skirts and dresses. Fall is when I become so homesick for Taos, New Mexico. Roasted green chilies bought from roadside stands, Aspen trees shimmering golden in the afternoon light. Once the snow falls it is very common to see free spirited women in velvet dresses and skirts with big ole' snow boots on and there stunning jewelry. In the Southwest just running errands around town is a reason to wear your favorite goodies.

But, back to the Lotus necklace. This statement necklace is a perfect accessory for that velvet party dress. I created this Gothic Victorian design in three color choices, Burgundy, Chartreuse and Scarlet. I can't resist adding a touch of sparkle, so I dangled complimenting colors of Swarovski crystals.

Hmmm....where did I put those velvet skirts?

Carolina Prints Featured Photographer

This month I am featuring photographer Glenn Burns of North Carolina and his Etsy shop Carolina Prints
For decades Glenn shot photo's of nature scenes, family and wedding portraits. He worked in the computer industry and needed a creative outlet. Upon retiring from IBM he has been able to focus more on his passion.

Glenn's favorite subjects are flowers, sea and landscapes. He primarily works in digital but also enjoys making analog black and whites in his dark room.

To see more of his work you can drop by his Etsy shopCarolina Prints

New Boho Chic Jewelry Designs

As a designer I eagerly await the change of season in order to create new designs. It is so fun to go from a light summer color palette to a more rich fall/winter palette.

I created this chunky bohemian necklace is two color choices. Warm colors of tans, browns, olives and denim blue are glazed upon these large porcelain beads.

The pendant is a large copper oval with a pendant of Glazed Porcelain. I dangled the pendant on a tubular copper bail from Bali.

For a South Western flavor I teamed up the porcelain beads with turquoise color stones of Magnesite.

The tomato red chunky Bohemian necklace is paired up with round stones in a brown-black called Mahogany Obsidian. This one would look so beauty with a light cocoa silk blouse.
You can view here

Earrings on Summer Clearance Sale

You can find an array of earrings on sale at my shopGypsy Moon Designs

There are these cool bohemian style metal earrings in several colors marked down to $13 from $18.

Small bell flowers topped with Swarovski crystals are available in several colors for only $7.
Gypsy Moon Designs

Handing out your Business Cards at Craft Shows

I sell at two craft show each weekend throughout the Summer. I hand out hundreds of my business cards for my online Etsy shop Gypsy Moon Designs This Saturday I sold this Charoite necklace set which is a bit pricey to a women who lives in Michigan. She vacations each Summer in Montana and had my card from last year. She told me that she had been eying this necklace online and couldn't wait to see it in person. It thrilled me to hear that!

Saturday I had another customer who bought several pieces and I offered her my card. She told me my shop is book marked in her favorites. Another thrilling thing to hear!

Now, for some synchronicity...A few weeks ago I sold this Charoite necklace set to a woman also from Michigan. I am a born and raised Michigander and found it so interesting that this stone necklace set keeps selling to my fellow Michiganders.

Funky Hats at Jaxons Jazz on Etsy

This month I am featuring a fun Etsy shop called Jaxons Jazz. I met Jackie, the hat designer at the People's Market in Missoula, Montana. It is always fun to meet other Etsy shopkeeper's.

Last week we did a trade and I now sport one of her fun hats. They are so comfy and stylish. I love mine!

Jax Hats are made from 100% preloved sweaters and t-shirts. They have a cute flapper style that looks great on everyone who wears it! They are light weight, just right for summer. She adds cute coordinating brims to these fun hats. Depending on your mood, you can wear the brim down or turn it up.

Jackie even makes her own Fimo clay buttons that most of the hats sport along with a JAX logo.

She even makes infant and toddler hats. This little one looks so precious in her hat! You can see her baby doll modeling the infant hat.

If you are in Missoula come by the Saturday Market and check out Jaxons Jazz or online at Etsy. You can see more of these fun hats by following this link.Jaxons Jazz

Summer of 2009 Craft Show Season

It has been an incredible season so far. My best ever. I spoke to a friend who said she was listening to the radio program "Money Matters" and that a women on the program said her mom is having the best season since the 1980's. I started selling at shows in the mid 1990's and always heard how wonderful the 80's were.

As a one woman business and two shows each weekend I am finding no time to list new designs onto my online stores. I hope to start listing again after Labor Day.

With two shows a week it sure pushes ones creativity to come up with new designs. So many of my customers come by each weekend to see what I have new.

Also, price pyramiding really boost sales. I have items that range from $6 to $300. My bread and butter sales are in the $15 to $20 range. A great sales day is made when I sell a high dollar piece.

Hope everyone is having a stellar season! Cheers!

Doubled my Goal

I like to post a photo with my posts and this one is from Glacier National Park. We are heading up there this week to celebrate my birthday. There is a scenic road called Road to the Sun that is open only a few months out of the year. We are going to take in the views, swim, fish and camp.

Well, it is my 1 1/2 year anniversary on Etsy. When I first joined I made a goal for this date. I wanted to make 325 sales by this date.

I know it is odd to choose a goal for 1 1/2 years rather than 1 year, but that is what I did.

I am thrilled that I practically doubled that goal at 649 sales. Being self employed I really find setting goals to be imperative.

Often I set goals such as in the month of June I shall accomplish this...for July, that... That way I am not just drifting aimlessly, accomplishing nothing.

When I come home from my much needed vacation I shall post some photos!

My Own Website

A few weeks ago I took the first step towards my own website by purchasing my domain name. Last night I upgraded my shopping cart with Big Cartel and became official.

Learning new things is great for the brain and I am excited about mastering a new skill. CSS, SEO, HTML, CNAME...OMG...so much to grasp! I didn't realize that I would need to learn some html language to make my shop look visually nice. So, I will take baby steps with learning html. and all the steps to creating a stand alone website. Makes me appreciate how user friendly Etsy is.

It is such a busy time of year and I was thinking why am I doing this right now while production work is at full throttle. So, it will be small steps and I hope by September to have my shop looking pretty and having all the SEO steps in place. I am so new to the language of computers that I don't even know if I am saying things correctly! Ha ha!

Wordless Wednesday

Premio Meme Award

Julie of Julie Magers Soulen has awarded me the Premio Meme Award. I am blushing with this honor! Thanks so much!

It is Julie's birthday today so if you know her you may want to drop in to her blog and wish her a good one. She is such a great gal! Happy Birthday Julie!!

The rules of this award is that I am to give 7 facts about myself and pass it to 7 people. Here we go!

1. I am married to a man 10 years younger than me, I am a cougar! : )
2. I have travel alone cross country many times.
3. I traded my gift shop for a funky, safety orange RV and traveled.
4. I am proud to be part Pottawatomie Indian from Michigan.
5. I sweet talked an Elk that was 8 ft from me once in the woods until he left.
6. I tried to get backstage at a concert in San Francisco to meet David Bowie.
7. I have sold many paintings but designing jewelry comes more naturally.

Now to pass this award along to 7 deserving blog owners (in no particular order):

Postalguarelas
East of the Sun West of the Moon
Three Peats
The Business of Craft
Primitive Surrealism
Tattoo Dreams
Judith B Designs