Finally adding some new things to my shop

Since the Holiday Shopping Season is upon us, I've been trying to make a ton of new bookmarks. I've got the middle pieces for almost 40 new ideas started, in every color of the rainbow. From fairies, wizards, and dragons, to ladybugs, butterflies, and flowers, to snowmen, trees, and snowflakes, there should be something to appeal to everyone. (If not, contact me, and I'll create something special for you!)

I've been adding dangles and charms whenever I have a free moment at swim lessons or dance practice. So far, I have 5 completed bookmarks that have been listed in my Etsy shop. Two of them are for Breast Cancer Awareness and feature "Hope" Ribbons. $1 from the sale of any bookmarks in my Pink Ribbon section will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).





Two more bookmarks are "girly-girly," all pink and sparkly with charms that have Swarovski crystals on them.





The fifth one if my tribute to the Black 'n Gold fans of The Burgh.  It features the standard black and gold beads, with some white, red, blue, and yellow from the Steelers emblem thrown in.



Stay tuned for what I hope to be many, many more bookmarks in the coming weeks!

Teacher Gifts 2010

I planned to write an entry about the gifts I gave the kids' teachers last year. I may still do that, but for now I'll write about what I came up with for this year. As usual, I waited until the last minute to get things together. I try to get everyone to buy my wares to give as gifts, but then I drag my feet putting my own together. What's that line about the shoemaker's kids?

I've had this idea for a gift set for a while now. I just haven't acted upon it. Partly because it was missing one last thing. Then Starbucks came out with their Via coffee packs and the lightbulb went off! The idea was to package up a store bought mug with one of my handmade bookmarks (the shepherd's hook type) and one of my quilted coasters. But it just needed "something." I had thought about a packet of gourmet hot chocolate, but that didn't pan out. I thought about tea, but that didn't work out, either. (I may still use them in the future.) Somehow instant coffee just didn't seem right, until Starbucks made one my husband would consider "worthy" of being consumed. Enter Via coffee packs! I decided to include one of each flavor in the gift set.

I put some shredded paper in the bottom, stuck the coaster, bookmark, and coffee packs in the mug, along with a business card (and a coupon for 10% off an online order), and wrapped it all up with clear cellophane and some curling ribbon in colors to match the coaster. I created a product card for the bookmark that includes information about the whole set. I think the tag taped to the mug will have to be "flashier" for future versions.
I have about 8 more mugs on hand for future gift sets. I just need to get more coasters made. I'd love to have some of these to sell before Christmas shopping season, with hot chocolate packets instead of the coffee. (Guess what next year's teachers are geting for Christmas!)
And now, a few more pictures...