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[28 Nov 2009|04:50pm] |
Most of the new items I've made lately, I haven't photographed yet since I'll be bringing them to the holiday fair on Wednesday, and figured I'd let them get first dibs if it meant potentially selling something without having to photograph and list it. ;)
I made this about a week ago and FINALLY listed it the other day. I really love the color purple of these pearls! And I just love purple in general.
Other than that, I've been making tons of map bracelets, and more long snowflake necklaces. Oh, I did make a really cute 'travel' inspired necklace.. I photographed it earlier but haven't edited the photos yet. Maybe tonight.
... and of course an homage to where I (mostly) grew up..
I think I have at least a dozen of these bracelets made up right now. What can I say? They're addicting! And I know I'm not the only one who likes them!
I decided to do free shipping this weekend in my store (http://vsc83.etsy.com) in light of the holiday weekend. Why not, right? :)
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[17 Nov 2009|07:06pm] |
Quick post..
Reached my 100th sale on Etsy today! Hooray! :) I've never bothered to add up and total my "offline" sales, but I'm happy already with the Etsy tally!
..Time to get back to work!
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[16 Nov 2009|07:12pm] |
I've decided for the Google event that I am at the very least going to have oodles of map bracelets. I just spent a while cutting out tons of local area pieces, and I will be scouring for more maps this week! They seem to be really popular right now, and they're a great gift for a variety of people - so why not! Plus, they are affordable. I'm getting quicker at making them, since I've been putting together 3-5 at a time, sort of like an assembly line. I can always work on other stuff while the glaze dries.
I'm officially out of small Thank You note cards, and almost out of glaze. Yikes! My errands list is a mile long for this week.
Anyway, I wanted to post some pics of new stuff since I haven't in a while.
Picture post!! I don't feel like lj-cutting. I like looking at pretty things and I know most people on my friends list do too. :)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34160580
Yep, I am still making these! Haven't made the same one twice yet! I have another new one, teal pearls on gold, it's in my shop too.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33707205
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33708600
Moonstone and sterling, if you're wondering!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33762253
freshwater pearl, sterling, swarovski, and Blue Topaz! (loooove these stones)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33770287
another version!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34648925
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34646124
And a TON of map bracelets..I have Tokyo, Orlando, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Des Moines, Burlington, and Minneapolis. More on the way, of course. Here's the bracelet category link if you want to see them:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/vsc83?section_id=5585826
*WHEW*!! Between this and homework, there's never a dull moment!
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[31 Oct 2009|04:18pm] |
If you're on my facebook, you can ignore this post because I uploaded these photos to an album last week!
However, I've been sluggish about getting things posted on Etsy due to lack of time, but here's a few new things! I've also made more stuff but need to get a new tripod before I can take more pics. :( (Which is also why I didn't take pics of me wearing the necklaces.. you know, busted tripod and all..)
These are seriously some of my favorite pearls ever.. they are pretty big and the color is soo beautiful! They look just like cranberries to me, but a little smaller. The only downside is that my supplier had only a couple half-strands available, and I only got my hands on one half-strand.. bummer! I want more!! :)
Freshwater Pearl, Garnet and Swarovski on Sterling (with sterling snowflake)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33604289
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Freshwater pearl cluster bracelet (all gorgeous AAA grade pearls.. love them all! I want one for myself..)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33397452
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I also really love these Blue Topaz gemstone beads!! I have only 8 of them, and have been "saving" them to use sparingly. :) The other stones are Quartz, all metal is sterling.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=33455920
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[05 Oct 2009|11:07pm] |
"I was in the office making coffee singing that song from the Lion King, and he came up and sideled me! He's a sideler!"
"Hakuna Matata?"
"I thought I was alone.."
hahahaha
Definitely one of my fave Seinfeld episodes.. it's on right now. :)
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| website |
[04 Oct 2009|11:51am] |
I'll probably still play around with it some more and make some additions later, but for now - my website is up! (Aka, there's something on every page now, LOL! and I set up my email account for the site.) Maybe later I'll make things available for purchase through the site, and possibly a blog or something if I feel like it.
This is version Fall/Winter. I'll change it around late March most likely, when winter semester is done and I have time to play for a couple weeks.
http://www.victoriacamp.com
I guess this means I need to print out some new business cards, huh?
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[27 Sep 2009|06:56pm] |
I wanted to share a link to this recipe for those who enjoy Indian food. It's for Paneer Tikka Masala, but you can use chicken, beef, veggie, whatever your fancy. We've made it twice now, the first time with paneer and the second time with chicken. I love it!! I probably won't ever try another version. The second time we also made it less spicy, because while I enjoy some spice now and again, my stomach however does not. So, less spice for us. Add however much you can handle! I add a little to the marinade and don't add any to the gravy.
Anyway here's the link:
http://cookeasy.wordpress.com/2006/09/28/paneer-tikka-masala-marinated-cottage-cheese-cubes-in-tikka-masala/
I would have posted it to Super Supper, but since Indian food never *looks* very pretty, I forgo taking any pictures of it and instead will just share the recipe with you guys. I know I have some adventurous cooks on my friends list. :)
I wanted to give you a few notes for what I do to make this recipe easier to prepare with the more common counterpart of some of these ingredients.
- Instead of whole tomatoes, I buy one can of tomato sauce (plain sauce, NOT spaghetti sauce. The kind that's next to the tomato puree, diced tomato, etc.) I use 1/4 of it in the marinade, and the rest I use in the gravy. Mostly because I hate chopping, and I prefer a smoother sauce over a lumpy one. Not only that, but sometimes if we don't know our weekly schedule it's easier to have canned sauce in the cupboard than it is to have fresh tomatoes that might go bad before we use them.
- Instead of ginger and garlic paste I use powdered. (Since it's what we have on hand.)
- I also don't have tandoori masala but I do have garam masala, so that's what I use, plus an additional dash of cumin and ginger powder to make up for it.
- For "thick yogurt" I use the plain yogurt that comes with cream on top.
- I use less onion in both parts of the recipe (personal preference - again, stomach issues) and I sometimes use just a little extra cream.
Well, I don't think my changes really make it any less "Indian" since I'm using the same ingredients but in different form for ease of availability. :) If you have ginger and garlic paste and tandoori masala, and want to chop tomatoes, by all means go for it.
This dish is fabulous with Naan of course. I've seen a few recipes for tikka masala but I like this one because the sauce is creamier. With that being said, it's REALLY good! It's also one of those dishes that's just as good as leftovers, and if you know me, I'm super duper picky about leftovers. I usually hate them and only eat them out of not being wasteful, but this I would eat the next day, or the day after, and possibly a third day. If there's any left by then. :)
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[27 Sep 2009|02:59pm] |
I have this new obsession.. (no, shoes haven't been replaced..) it's called gemstones.. and I don't think I want to be 'cured'!
Granted, I'm pretty sure this obsession started in my youth at the gem and mineral shows, but it was put on the back burner for far too long. Gems, I have missed you, but am ready to embrace the return of your sparkly gorgeousness! :)
haha. Okay, anyway, here's a couple new pieces. I have many more pretty sparklies in my supply box now but am waiting for inspiration before using them. Couldn't wait on these sky blue Topaz though!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31647096\
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31645626
Definitely one of my favorite colors of gems. Not that I don't like any color, but still. This is just a really "happy" blue to me.
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[24 Sep 2009|01:46pm] |
Playing with a potential layout for a website.... I'm still tweaking things around and playing.. but the mood struck me today and I'm going with it!
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[21 Sep 2009|03:28pm] |
Remind me.. I think some of you guys are on Twitter, but I don't remember any of your account names! Sorry! I signed up last week and have kind of neglected it, but I'm trying to get into it I promise. :)
I've made a bunch of new stuff the past few days.. well and few weeks. I could put up an Etsy Mini but I've also renewed things so you wouldn't see only "new" things, so I'll do pics instead. As I mentioned the other day, I'm trying to use nicer materials when/where I can. I'm pretty much exclusively using sterling and gold filled chain/wire (with the occasional copper item, but that's obvious when you see it) and also have been buying nicer pearls (AAA grade when I can, so pretty! and smooth! and lovely!) as well as gemstone briolettes, which are rather pricey but I buy them in small quantities and use them when I can. love them! They're like little bits of sparkly candy to me. :)
Here's one, then a cut for the rest:
( the rest )
Well that's most of the new stuff, and as always it can be found at my shop link:
http://vsc83.etsy.com
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[19 Sep 2009|01:52pm] |
Gosh, I really can't complain about the additional exposure Etsy is handing to me lately.. I still have my Halloween Fangs and Mini Nintendo remote in those other two gift guides, and I realized this morning that I always forget to check the stats on my miniatures shop.. Well, turns out they included my teeny candy apples in the Halloween Tricks, Treats and parties gift guide! :)
http://www.etsy.com/gift-guides/210?page=1
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[18 Sep 2009|02:43pm] |
I've decided.. I'm giving myself a raise.
I've been selling online for just over a year now (granted, some months were more than preoccupied with school instead of my shop, but still.. there weren't any months I didn't add anything, and I more than made up for it this summer anyway.)
If I were working at a job for someone else at another company, it would be time for my yearly review. I feel that my designs have improved, my skill has improved, the quality of my materials has improved, and my photography has improved.
Not only that, but I have to break out of the mindset that this is an "online" store and actually realize that I DO pay for utilities to run the lights to work on my pieces when it's dark out, and run the oven when I bake the polymer clay pieces. Not to mention electricity generated using my computer. I DO pay rent to be able to work in my space, even though I live here too - I have designated areas of the apartment to do my work.
If this were a brick and mortar store, the customer would come into the store and I could literally show them the piece and tell them about it - but with online, I have to take time to take nice photographs and edit them so they're coordinated, I have to take the time to write out a thoughtful and descriptive product listing so that the customer knows what they're buying .. size, materials, etc. I have to then market the product (which I'm still working on expanding that area.) Selling online IS a lot of work!!!
My normal code for pricing was materials cost plus labor. When I say labor, I mean just the time spent on making the piece. I factor in a dollar or two for fees I will lose if the item sells (and to renew it) and there you go. I don't factor in "labor" as time spent photographing, listing, packaging the item for shipping, etc. I should. I haven't before, but I need to. I don't factor in rent or utilities or anything it takes to actually produce the piece other than my own physical labor. Again.. I should.
I think my prices were lower in the beginning because I hadn't established myself yet.. who was I? What was I doing? As I mentioned before, I can see a big change in my work and I like where it's going, but I'll continue to take classes and learn. Perhaps if I price fairly for myself, I will be able to afford to take a "side class" here or there, such as enameling, or metalsmithing, to continue to bring myself to the next level. Perhaps I'll even be able to afford a seperate website for myself at some point - even if it just links to my Etsy shop. Something would be better than nothing, but "something" doesn't cost nothing. The way I have priced in the past year doesn't really allow for much else. I cover the cost of my supplies, which enables me to buy a little bit more supplies, and that's it.
Well. It's about time I take the advice of others to heart. I think I listened before, but never acted, because I was always unsure of myself and my work. I feel much more confident now in my skills and abilities, as well as the better materials being used.
There's always room for improvement and learning, but so far, I think I deserve the raise. :) Good job, self. ;) [pats self on back] LOL! Hey, you might laugh, but I think it's necessary to recognize in yourself if you have worked hard on something and it shows. I feel that I have.
If anyone else has something they are proud of and would like to share, please tell! :)
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[16 Sep 2009|12:18pm] |
Okay, I'm not a bug killer but I do make an exception for ants. I don't know why..
And if the same little sugar ant is going to crawl on my arm THREE times after I brush it off each time, then I'm probably going to squish it the next time... just sayin'.
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[14 Sep 2009|02:37pm] |
I knew the catnip mice must have had some good catnip in it when I saw how desperately my cat kept on trying to get to all the toys I had made up.. but I thought this was pretty funny..
My parents have two cats, Autumn and Arthur. They ordered some of the toys from my fundraising figuring Arthur would like them. He loves to play with cat toys, but Autumn usually plays with "imaginary" toys.. (yes she's odd!) Anyway, mom says they just got home and brought the mail in, put it on the counter and walked into the other room. She heard a noise in the kitchen and walked in there to find Autumn having knocked the *whole package* of [unopened!] cat toys off of the counter and was batting the package around on the floor!! Mom says she was going nuts with it, and at one point the package flew almost four feet up into the air!! Too funny!! Obviously, they opened it and let them play with the mice inside.. she says the two of them were fighting [playing] over the mice, and kept trying to steal them from eachother! Autumn, the little kitty who usually has no interest in these things was going nuts, running around, tossing them in the air, rolling around on it. Hilarious!
I figured that since my picky cat actually loves them, that they must be something good.. but it's always nice to hear when other kittys enjoy them too!
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[11 Sep 2009|05:40pm] |
I posted this on my FB too, so ignore it if you already saw it there.
I just wanted to give a head's up for anyone that was considering custom work - whether for themselves, a gift for someone, holiday gifts, etc.. if you're thinking of it, I would suggest ordering sooner rather than later, because now is when I have the time to get them done! School starts up in about 3 weeks, and I'll probably be working too (the internship I was mentioning the other day) not to mention, working on my own holiday gifts here and there if I have the time! If it's anything like the previous semesters I've had, I'm gonna be pretty busy.
The only reason I mention it, is because I absolutely hate making people wait long for their order. If it takes any longer than a week to get something done, I get nutty about it and feel like it HAS to be done ASAP! But I get the feeling that fall/early winter orders could take at least a couple weeks to complete, so.. just a warning! ;)
Most custom work I ask for 50% up front, but if I know you fairly well, or I know how to track you down (muahaha! lol) I'll likely just require payment when the item is done, on an honor of trust. So far no one has let me down! :)
Anyway, just an FYI! And for those of you who are "planners" like me and already have started your holiday shopping.. you rock!
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| Fundraising |
[09 Sep 2009|10:43pm] |
Hey guys!
Last call for the cat toys for fundraising. I'm a huge procrastinator, I know, but I haven't been able to get ahold of my advisor since Thursday (I think she's out of the office) so I decided to go a few more days on these since I can't reach her anyway.
I'll make this entry public since I know a couple people were interested in linking it. If not, that's okay, if they still are, then great! I'll offer these through this weekend. $10 plus $1.75 shipping (11.75 total) for 3.. well 4 really, catnip mice shaped cat toys. My cat loves these, and she's super picky about her toys! I send a combination of burlap ones and regular fabric ones. I'm fundraising towards my freakishly high tuition at FIDM (at least it's a good school.) Any money I submit for my self-fundraising is put up for consideration for them to match the funds for me! Basically, I submit the money I earned through fundraising and write a letter about what I did and how I earned it, to convince them to match the funds for me and contribute that money towards my tuition. Anything I earn from this goes directly towards my tuition bill to them, NOT to my bank account! I will be writing them a check with the total amount that I earned, accompanying my letter.
Here's a pic of some of the mice.. In addition to the burlap ones I have some "girl" and some "boy" prints for fabric, let me know if you have a preference!
I have been also sending some homemade dog treats (1 lb for $10 plus $5 priority mail shipping, in the US) but I'm not sure if I'll keep offering and sending those anymore because I'm not sure that I'll have time to make any new batches by Monday. If you really want those, let me know and I'll see what I can do. (The cat toys I have made already within the past few weeks, so they're ready to go!) I don't think I can ship the dog treats outside of the US though because it's a food item.
Anyway, I have I think 6 more sets of cat toys ready right now. If I don't send them out through fundraising, I'll probably list them in my Etsy shop at a later date.. although I really didn't want to do that because it won't go towards fundraising if I sell them later than next week. :\ (And that's my main goal right now!) Plus, my kitty really does not need THAT many new toys, so take these off my hands, ok? ;) If you don't have cats but you know someone who does, feel free to pass along the info!
Anyone interested can send me an email vsc83 [at] hotmail.com, or send me a private message on here, with your email address. I accept payment through paypal - works best for everyone! :)
Thanks again to those who have supported and helped me with this so far! You guys are awesome! :)
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spracker's journal
