EtsyMom Team Valentine's Treasure Hunt

The EtsyMom Team is having a Valentine's Day Treasure Hunt and ANYONE can participate.  You do not have to be a team member!

We have 8 shops that have hidden a Valentine's themed icon in ONE of their listings. You will be looking for the following icons:

The first 3 people to find all 8 hidden icons (their listing URL) correctly will win a fabulous prize so generously donated by some of our terrific team members. The hunt runs till Midnight on Saturday so feel free to come back and search again when you have time. When you find the listing, email the URLs to etsymomteam@gmail.com. You can submit all of them at one time, or come back each time you find one.

Here are the shops -

www.justbyjaime.etsy.com
www.etsy.com/shop/starknits
www.etsy.com/shop/handmadewhimzy
www.etsy.com/shop/tiffanysobears
www.etsy.com/shop/blueumbrelladesigns
www.etsy.com/shop/stoneymistdesign
www.etsy.com/shop/crystals7creations
www.etsy.com/shop/kendallsclosetofcute


ANYONE is eligible to win – not just EtsyMoms! So tell your friends, family, and make sure to promote it on facebook, your blogs, twitter, wherever! If you are having trouble finding the icons, check in the sold items too! The icon may be hidden in one of the listings that sells before the hunt is over.

Winners will be announced and notified next week.

Contest runs from February 10th until  February 15th at Midnight!  You can't win if you don't play!
Check out the EtsyMom Team blog for questions or more details!

EtsyMom Ready for 2013 Blog Hop

The EtsyMom team is having a blog hop to celebrate the new year!  Participating team members are blogging about business tips, ideas, recipes, organizational ideas and anything else that might help out fellow moms and business owners.

So here we go - my business tip/organization idea is about packaging and shipping of your sold items.

I am lucky enough to have a whole room as my sewing space.  I love it and I try to keep it organized mostly because disorganization overwhelms me. 
 
I have a table that I use as my "shipping area".  On this table, I keep everything that I might need to package a product that has sold.  I package every product exactly the same way.  The repetition of it keeps me from making a mistake and forgetting something.  How many of you have packaged up an item and sealed the envelope only to realize you forgot to include your business card?  I know I have.  Thus, the repetition.

(the little Santa box in the pic holds safety pins)

All of my items are placed in cello bags once they are listed on etsy.  Here are the steps I take when an item sells.
1.  Print the receipt/packing slip.
2. Gather the sold item.
3. Make sure it has a "care instructions" card if needed.
4. Seal the cello bag.
5. Tie a pretty ribbon around the item to make it look like a gift.  I want my customers to enjoy opening their purchase.  I think the packaging should make them feel special.
6. Fold the packing slip and slip it and a business card under the ribbon. 
7.  Tie a Thank You card to the ribbon.
8.  Place in envelope, weigh, print shipping label and attach

Here are pics of an apron that is ready to be placed in an envelope:

I've gotten so many packages from sellers on etsy who don't even take the time to write "thank you" on a piece of paper and include it in my package.  They just stick the item in an envelope and mail.  I've even received breakables that weren't in bubble wrap or bubble mailers.  Just stuck in an envelope.  I hate when that happens. 

One final tip - packaging your items doesn't have to be expensive.  A 3x2 inch piece of scrapbook paper folded in half makes a good thank you card.  Just write a little note on the inside.

I hope my tips help.  Thanks for reading!

To hop on over to the other blogs that are participating, just click the links below!

Handmade Whimzy http://handmadewhimzy.blogspot.com/

 

Hi Mamma www.himamma.com

Lavender Avenue http://mylavenderave.blogspot.com/

 

Loud Waterfall Photo http://loudwaterfallphoto.blogspot.com/

PetiteTuques http://petitetuques.com/blog

Polka Dotted Bliss http://mypolkadottedbliss.blogspot.com

EtsyMom Street Team Christmas in July Sale!!

The EtsyMom Street Team is participating in the Christmas in July Sale!  YAY!

My shop's not participating, mostly because I couldn't get myself together enough to do it.  So sad.  But there are tons of really great shops that ARE participating.  You can get all kinds of awesome stuff - baby stuff, jewelry, artwork, graphics, home decor, gifts for mom - anything your heart desires!  EtsyMom's make cool stuff!

Just click HERE to go to the EtsyMom team blog and see all the shops with sales.  Some have percentages off, some have free shipping, some have other great deals.

Happy Shopping!

Magic Wand

A couple of weeks ago, I found out that I had won 2nd place in the EMCA (Etsy Mom Curator Award) contest for the EtsyMom team.  My prize came from AppleNAmos which is a store on etsy owned by a cool EtsyMom.  She sells wooden toys made for baby and children.  Such cute stuff!  Wish I had had some of her cool toys when my son was little.

My prize was a beautiful magic wand.  I told my son that it was a REAL magic wand.  He rolled his eyes at me and grunted.  He's so not fun.

Thanks AppleNAmos!  I love my magic wand!  Your shop is awesome!

All You Need Designs

One team that I belong to on etsy is the EtsyMom Team.  Every month the EtsyMom's give out an Etsy Mom Curator Award (EMCA) to the person who makes the most treasuries featuring all EtsyMom team members.  I try to participate every month and last month (Feb. 15 - March 14), I got 2nd place.  I made 6 treasuries and the winner, Tamsy Trends, made 11.  We had a total of 38 treasuries made during the time frame.  Our goal is 50 each month so we have a ways to go.

So, for my prize, I was able to pic something from All You Need Designs' etsy shop - who so graciously offered to be a sponsor that month.

All You Need Designs has some wonderful things in her shop.  She makes bookmarks, keychains, jewelry and also does graphic design for invitations, birth announcements and such.
I chose as my prize, this sweet Peace bookmark.  I love it. 

It's colorful and fun and I've never seen a Peace charm like this one before so I was pretty excited about that.  I received it last week and have been remiss in telling Heather thank you and posting pics to my wonderful prize.

So, thank you Heather.  I love my bookmark and I appreciate you sponsoring the EMCA award and being active in the EtsyMom team.  You rock!

Be sure to check out All You Need Designs because she has some really neat stuff in her shop.
You can also check out Heather's blog here.

EtsyMom's Valentine's Day Treasure Hunt

The EtsyMom's Team is having a Valentine's Day Treasure Hunt.

For all the info, click here.
My shop is not participating but alot of really great shops are.  All you have to do is look for the Valentine symbol in each shop, make a list of the item URL's and email them to the email address given.  You then have a change to win 1 of 3 great prizes.
So, nothing to loose and you may win a prize - plus you'll find lots of great EtsyMom shops that you might not have known about before.

Have fun!!

And for those who might not have heard yet, Punxsatawney Phil did NOT see his shadow, so that means it's SPRING!  YAY! 
Why is it still only 20 degrees outside then? 

Holly Day Blog Hop from EtsyMom Team!

Check out all of the fabulous holiday-themed projects, gift ideas, and more from our wonderful EtsyMom Blog Hop Contributors from around the world!!

www.crazyadorable.blogspot.com/
http://www.thecountrychiccottage.net/2010/12/etsymom-blog-hop-giveaway-with-ornament.html

http://signature-sterling.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://allyouneeddesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-blog-hop-with-etsymom-street.html
http://tctliebel.typepad.com/life_as_we_live_it/2010/12/its-a-holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-blog-hop-sweet-salt-dough.html
http://singingthreelittlebirds.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsy-mom-holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://camelotstreasures.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-holly-day-blog-hop.html
http://homemadebyamanda.blogspot.com/2010/12/blog-hop-holiday-inspiration.html
http://annavirginiafashion.blogspot.com/2010/12/piggy-peeps-baby-shoes-pattern-holly.html
http://mylavenderave.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-days-blog-hop-delicious-fudge.html
http://babyjives.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-silhouette-ornament.htmlwww.babyswank.blogspot.com/
http://babysindulgencebyjocelyn.blogspot.com/2010/12/rocky-road-fudge.html
http://handmadewhimzy.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-blog-hop-from-etsymom-team.html
http://katekatenyc.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-blog-hop.html

http://caramagic.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-holly-day-blog-hop-pleated.html
http://onlyterrastreasures.blogspot.com/2010/12/tutorial-make-your-own-chinese-takeout.html
http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/lets-do-some-holly-day-hopping.html
http://quirefly.blogspot.com/2010/12/holly-day-fun-cranberry-pudding-with.html
http://cinnamonspicecrafts.blogspot.com/2010/12/come-blog-hop-with-etsymom-team.html
http://handprintlady.blogspot.com/2010/12/holiday-tutorial-gift-from.html

Here's how it works:
1. Hop through each of the blogs listed above to get fabulous holiday inspiration and leave a comment. If you are starting at a blog in the middle of the Hop, start back at the EtsyMom Blog. You may have to scroll down a bit on the blogs to find the Blog Hop posts as the week progresses.
2. Leave a comment on the EtsyMom Blog post between now and December 11, 2010.
3. Enter to win our giveaway by doing any of the following. For each thing you do, you will be entered into the drawing one more time:

~Leave a comment on the EtsyMom Blog post between now and December 11, 2010.
~Leave a comment on the Holly Day Blog Hop posts for any of the blogs listed above between Dec 5 and Dec 11, 2010.
~Join the EtsyMom Blog email list (fill out the form in the right hand column).
~Become a follower of the EtsyMom Blog! Just click the "Follow" button in the lower right column.
~"Like" the EtsyMom Facebook Page.

Share about this Blog Hop on your own blog, posting a link to this page.

Share about this Blog Hop on Facebook, posting a link to this page.

Share about this Blog Hop on a message board or forum, posting a link to this page.

To let us know you've done these things, please come back to the EtsyMom Blog post and leave a comment for each thing you did.
Sorry - you cannot enter the giveaway here on my blog.

On December 11, 2010 we'll choose a winner using the Random Integer Generator from random.org. The winner will receive this super sweet gift basket full of handmade holiday goodies, including:

a pair of Turquoise Earrings from
http://www.stoneymistdesign.etsy.com/

a greeting card from
http://www.homemadebyamanda.etsy.com/

a lampwork bead bracelet by
http://handmadewhimzy.etsy.com/

sterling silver and Swarovski pearl/crystal holiday earrings by

http://www.etsy.com/shop/signaturesterling

a cream colored cotton scarf given by
http://www.zoegirldesigns.etsy.com/

a raincloud ornament from
http://www.etsy.com/shop/babyjives

a matching splat mat and baby bib from
http://www.babysindulgence.etsy.com/

two pair of earrings from
http://quirefly.etsy.com/

a gift pack of over 30 pages of vintage paper ephemera by
http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrychiccottage

a lovely sustainable stocking from
http://www.rikrak.etsy.com/

a set of holly jolly gift tags from
http://cinnamonspice.etsy.com/

a set of toddler pajamas in a style of the winner's choice from
http://heatheregley.etsy.com/

a $15 gift certificate from
http://camelotstreasures.etsy.com/

A gift certificate from
http://babyswank.etsy.com/

A Custom copper heart necklace from
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ct2designs

My contribution to the blog hop is a tutorial for making an easy peasy Advent banner for Christmas.  I'm calling it my:

 12 Days of Christmas Treats Banner

I got the idea from a Better Homes and Garden Christmas magazine that had an article on Scandinavian Christmas traditions.   The family in the picture had an advent banner for each child strung across different windows.  They were very simple little red and white bags or stocking shapes, pinned to a string with clothespins.  Perfect for dropping in a sweet little treat each day.  I only made mine for the 12 days leading up to Christmas.  So, my son will check his treat  pouches each day from Dec. 13th till Dec. 24th.

I decided to make mine with felt (because it's so easy to sew and cheap!).
Here's a pic of the final result:

Stuff you need to make a 12 day treat banner:

2 pieces of sparkly red felt (the 9x12 inch sheets)
2 pieces of sparkly white felt
2 pieces of bright green felt
12 Christmassy buttons
Christmassy scrapbook paper
1/8 inch ribbon in coordinating colors
paper punch in your choice of shape
red and green sharpie markers
Jute (or similar sturdy string)
clothespins
Christmas ribbon
Sewing machine or needle for hand stitching - with thread

Step 1
Cut out your rectangles with the red and white felt.  Each rectangle should be 6 x 4.5 inches.

Step 2
Cut rectangles out of the bright green felt.  Each one should be 4 x 3 inches.

Step 3
Choose the buttons you want to use.  I made some fabric buttons and also used red star shaped buttons. 

Sew buttons on to the center of each felt piece.

Step 4
Pin green felt pieces to red/white rectangles, placing them where you want your pouches to be.   I centered mine closer to the bottom.

Step 5
Sew green rectangle to red/white piece using a zig zag stitch or other decorative stitch.  I used my sewing machine but this could also be done by hand.

Step 6
Punch out tags using Christmas paper and a paper punch.  I used a heart punch and 2 different Christmas papers.  Punch a small hole in each tag for the hanging ribbon.

Step 7
Thread the 1/8 inch ribbon through the hole and tie to make a hanging loop.  Use the sharpie markers to write the dates on the back of each tag.  I used a red and a green sharpie.

Step 8
Hang each tag from the buttons on the pouches.  Tie your jute wherever you want your banner to hang.  Pin each pouch to the jute with clothespins in date order.

Fill with tiny treats and voila', you're done!
Merry Christmas from Handmade Whimzy!!

And on to the next blog in the hop!  http://katekatenyc.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsymom-blog-hop.html
Have fun participating!

EtsyMom Team Huge Black Friday SALE!

The EtsyMom team is having a huge Black Friday Weekend Sale!  It starts at midnight tonight and goes until midnight on November 29th - Cyber Monday.
(My sale starts now!)
I'm having a 30% off sale on all Hair accessories and scented sachets in my shop.  To get the discount, I will either refund you through Paypal or you can wait for me to send a revised invoice to pay.

Click here to see all the participating shops - and there are lots! - http://etsymom.blogspot.com/
Or search "EtsyMomSale" on etsy for the sale items.

Happy Shopping!

Feature!

Every Monday the EtsyMom Team features a different EtsyMom and this week the feature is ME!
Read all about me and Handmade Whimzy here.

I'm also doing a promo during my feature week.  15% off total purchase from Handmade Whimzy from today (9/20) until Sunday (9/26) - does not include shipping charges.  All you have to do is put "Etsymom Team" in the notes to seller to get your discount.  You do not have to be a member of the EtsyMom Team to get the discount but I would love it if you read my feature article :)

Etsy Treasuries

I've created 2 treasuries on Etsy.  One for each of my teams!

Here is the link to the Chartreuse?  Lime Green?  Treasury of Etsymom Team members:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c8bf7e055a78eef9b8e71ce/chartreuse-lime-green?index=0

And here is my Fall in Texas treasury for the Etsy Texas Crafters team:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c9237aecabf8eeffc5abf8e/fall-in-texas?index=1

Both are full of beautiful items from both teams.  Please click and comment!

Back to School Etsymom Blog Giveaway

The Etsymom Team is featuring several Back to School blog giveaways and this weeks featured giveaway shop is Handmade Whimzy (that's me!).

My giveaway is a set of my mini ribbon bookmarks.  So if you didn't win the set that I gave away here on my blog a couple of weeks ago, you have another shot.  Just go here to the team blog and see the many ways to sign up.

You could win this:

New Giveaway at Etsymom's Blog

The Etsymom Team is having a giveaway on our blog this week sponsored by FeltedKitten.  She is giving away your choice of either a pink or blue felt crown.  They are adorable and they fit adult heads - I checked.  LOL 

To enter and to read about Felted Kitten, click HERE.

This is my favorite item in her shop - a felted cupcake pin cushion.  It could also be used as play food.

It's made from upcycled sweaters.  I think that's so clever.  And so yummy looking.

So check out the Etsymom team blog and enter to win a crown.  Then no one will be able to argue with you when you say you're the Queen because you'll have the crown to prove it.  LOL