SO SO Saturday

Today is a big shopping day for me. So that is why it is a so so day. Maybe something great and exciting will happen and I will find a fantastic bargain in craft supplies. I love to shop for bargains. Where do you shop for bargains? Online/in store? I do both. Then there are the groceries I need which are basically stock up items, canned goods, staples, condiments mostly this weekend. I am hoping it warms up a bit later on as it is only 39 at 7 AM this morning. I am not an very early neither really late shopper. I don't go for those 4 AM in store after holiday sprees. I am very conservative with what little money I receive. Every bit of it carefully calculated. I love to shop thrift stores and garage sales. What are your likes and dislikes about shopping? I love shopping Etsy the most. I find the best deals there! I can't hardly wait to reopen my etsy shop Glenna's Garden http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/ and hopefully soon. I am redoing the entire store and I will be offering all new products. Etsy has the best feature where you can sign up for email notification for when a shop reopens. If you want to know when I reopen and be the first to know about some fantastic deals I am offering please sign up.

Etsy has partnered with http://www.hgtv.com/ check out the latest for holiday decorating ideas!

Holiday cookies yum I love to bake cookies.

Do you bake cookies?

http://www.allrecipes.com/Recipes/Desserts/Cookies

I sure do hope you have a blessed and happy Saturday!

HAPPY FIRSTFRIDAYARTWALK ON ETSY

Today is the first Friday of November and also Firstfridayartwalk at etsy.com use the search words firstfridayartwalk, aweteam or ffaw fine art to see all of the awesome shops that are participating in this monthly event on Etsy. I would be at http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/ but I am taking a break to move. You can sign up to be notified of when I reopen Glenna's Garden by visiting my shop now. Etsy will send you one notification email.

I spent the day yesterday taking care of my 2 1/2 year old grandson and then I spent the evening with his baby brother 4 months, Mom, Dad and my other son as well. Boy did Nana ever sleep well last night and I am sooooo sore this morning. A good sore and definately worth it.

Rainy and cold outside but warm inside. I have that feel good feeling that stays with me for some time after seeing my grandsons.

I am truly blessed. How about you? Do you have anything or anyone to be grateful for?

TOO Long Thursday

I know it has been long time since I blogged I miss it. I had to make some changes to this blog. Yay I am finally ready to post. I couldn't post for the longest time and didn't know what was wrong with my blog. So much has happened. I haven't moved that is going slowy. Fine by me! More time to look and find a new place that is just right. I have a new medical issue affecting my right hand. It was xrayed again this week. I am experiencing an unbelievable amount of pain at the base of my thumb. It makes it very difficult to do anything. Now I am waiting to see a specialist. I am very limited in all I do. I am not using the computer much or creating right now. I am happy to at least be able to blog a bit.

I know it is a generic picture of the lillies but still beautiful none the less.

What's up, it is Wednesday?

It's the last day of June.......already half way to the big weekend. Nice temperatures today YAY! Today is a beautiful day! Finally a typical day in June for us 70 degrees low humidity. The kind of day when you go outside you feel refreshed. I will be out taking advantage of this day taking many new pictures. Yes today I get to be the photographer side of myself. Nowhere best than Manchester, NH for an adventure in the gardens. So this will be a short short blog and if I can I will add to it later on today, I just might. One of the items in my shop made it into another Etsy treasury today please check this out this one titled Gentle on my Mind 

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c2b34226f6f6d91d6d84b2b/gentle-on-my-mind#4c2b37076f6f6d9104114c2b

Many thanks Sarah for including my vintage cat card in this beautiful soft treasury.

I belong to three Etsy teams so I have decided to create new treasuries one in red another in white and the third one in blue to salute our teams and of course Fourth of July! This weekend is going to be fun. I enjoy watching the fireworks over the river downtown. Enjoy your day wherever you are!

Feature Friday: Charlene from Cssupplycloset on ETSY

FEATURE FRIDAY: Charlene's Creative Closet of Great Supplies

Charlene says when asked how she has become so successful on ETSY:

1. I truly don't know how I have had such a successful Etsy shop. But, I think there are a few key things you can do, finding out what people like/like to buy, pricing right, and posting at least every other day if not every day (including when you re-post from a sale).



2. I love Etsy, it has never given me any problems. They are quick to refund if you get an order that doesn't pay on it. Easy to navigate and have a great social community. I really couldn't tell you the least favorite, might be the way they have the posting set up. I'd love if they could have it all on one page!

3. Brads are my favorite. If I had more time I think I'd make my own like http://www.aimoobaroo.etsy.com/

4. I belong to Team Esst (Esty Supply Street Team) and FirstFridayArtWalk which Glenna from Glenna's Garden introduced me to.

Some feedback Charlene has received:

ThePinkZebraCompany says:

Unique products! I will definately purchase more supplies from this seller!

NVBarbarella says:

Recieved Quickly, Packaged Nicely, Will purchase again!

Pugglebugs says:

Flawless international transaction. Excellent item, service and communication - thank you so much!

5. Other Activities thats a Great question! I think my life is one big activity. From running around with the kids for soccer and swimming. I'm the secretary for my local MOMS Club, I sit on the Soccer club board as the Uniform person. I'm a part of MOPS (Moms of Preschoolers) which is an group of women who get together for support and fun! I'm a hardcore swapper on swapbot (charlenescreativecloset). I have just started posting my finished items on Artfire (http://www.artfire.com/users/charlenescreativecloset) The reason I'm using Artfire is because it's free. I'm really only using it to send people to that I meet at craft fairs. I'm not depending on it to sell anything. I occasionally go to the gym... when I feel a little heavy and next on my list might be to join a soccer team. Oh yeah and tonight I have Bunco :) What a cazy busy life us Moms lead!

Before I go I'd like to say thank you to Glenna for featuring me and my ETSY shop. Glenna is a great friend.

~~Charlene Moss~~

http://www.themossfamily123.blogspot.com/

http://www.charlenescreativecloset.blogspot.com/

http://www.cssupplycloset.etsy.com/

Nothing is more simple than greatness; indeed, to be simple is to be great. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love smores now you can make them in a new way without the campfire. I love to camp and have campfires and make smores the old fashioned way too.

Here is a delicious interpretation of a campfire classic from Epicurious Bon Appétit

Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup whipping cream
5 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
16 large marshmallows
1 1/2 pints coffee ice cream

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter 8-inch square baking pan. Mix flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Whisk butter, egg and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Add flour mixture. Stir to blend. Mix in nuts. Press dough over bottom of prepared pan. Bake blondie until golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Transfer pan to rack and cool.

Bring cream to simmer in heavy small saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chocolate. Stir until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Store blondie airtight at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate chocolate sauce. Rewarm sauce over medium-low heat before using.)

Cut blondie into 16 squares. Place 2 squares in each of 8 large sundae dishes. Thread marshmallows onto 4 skewers; hold over gas flame or under broiler until soft and golden. Place 2 scoops ice cream atop blondies in each dish. Spoon sauce over. Top with 2 marshmallows.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Smores-Sundaes-101824#ixzz0ppewPSHk

FEATURE FRIDAY: ETSY SHOP

Welcome to Crocheted Bees Beanies and Beyond

Doris Sturm of Honey Bee Crocheting  http://www.sturmdm.etsy.com/

She donates 10% of every sale (and 20% of every bee shaped item) to Honey Bee Research to help save our bees.

Where are the honey bees going and why is it so important to help save our honeybees? If you are interested in learning more about our vanishing honey bees, you can find more information at

http://www.helpthehoneybees.com/

Doris says:

I learned to knit and crochet in school when I was a girl in Germany and even though that was many moons ago, I still consider myself an amateur because there is always something new to learn that I have not tried yet.

I recently became a crochet instructor at Valdosta Technical College and I look forward to sharing my gifts with others. I am also looking into becoming a certified crochet (and knitting) instructor using a correspondence program.

Over the years I have knitted and crocheted all sorts of things and I often design my own patterns. Not only do I draw from my memories of what I have learned in the past, but also challenge myself by trying new stitches and patterns that I find in books or on the Internet. As you can see in my shop, I don't specialize in any one particular item, but like to crochet (and knit) all sorts of things to keep me amused, although recently I am leaning towards making more bees to support my cause.

I like using good quality acrylic or cotton yarn for easy cleaning. Any specialty yarn items will be explained so that the buyer is aware of specific cleaning considerations beforehand.

Please look at some items I have created:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41914366

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42877786

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43239895

I am offering a SPRING SPECIAL: A FREE gift with every purchase of $5 or more!

(click the link below for details)

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35266809

I specialize in crocheted bees (all of which are my own design and OOAK), kitchen accessories and - as of late - doll couture and beanie type hats (caps.) However, you will find a variety of other interesting and unique items. If you like something you see that I sold, or would like a custom order, just let me know. Please note, that CUSTOM ORDERS ARE PAYABLE IN ADVANCE, often at a slightly higher price depending on your yarn selection (for detailed explaination, please read my Policies Section at http://www.sturmdm.etsy.com/

You can also find me here:

http://www.crochetingingeorgia.blogspot.com/

Memberships:

Etsy Hookers Street team

http://www.etsyhookers.blogspot.com/

 AWEteam (firstfridayartwalk) Art Walk Etsy team

To learn more about the AWETEAM you can click here:

 http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6298059&page=1

Doris says: On every FIRST FRIDAY of EACH MONTH, I offer FREE Standard USPS SHIPPING (to the USA and Canada only) for all items listed in my shop that are tagged with the word firstfridayartwalk.

Search the following tag words on ETSY: firstfridayartwalk, aweteam and ffaw for all items from participating shops.

THE NEXT FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK: June 4, 2010

Here's the link on her blog that explains the current giveaway that Doris is having, it's really easy -everyone can enter. Just post a comment and followers get two entries:

http://crochetingingeorgia.blogspot.com/2010/05/may-giveaway-and-survey.html

Doris says: I'm just asking the people who enter to please answer which of my bees they would be more likely to buy, either as a gift or for themselves because I'm trying to determine which kind to make more of for the upcoming Honey Bee Festival in October.

MORE BARGAINS MONDAY

This double layout of lovely ladies on a vintage greeting card is for sale at Glenna's Garden http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/

I was out and about this morning. In my local drugstore I found a close out sale of 3 packs of baby onesies four to a pack for $1.50 a pack. Good quality onesies too. How sweet of a deal. I have all of these cute appliques I can iron on to them and make the white ones look really great. One pack is definately all boy in blues stripes etc......I have a grandson due in July and an adopted granddaughter due in June! I can't find flower seed packets anywhere even Walmart was out! I like to give my customers seed packets. I looked for postcards too and they don't even sell them at the drugstore. I am in a two swaps and this week I have to go to the $ store and a thrift store to find things for my two swap partners.  I love to plant flowering bushes. This one is new to me in color. I have a bunch of the regular butterfly bush. White flowers are amazing to see at night!

This vintage greeting card is for sale at http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/

I planted a seed card today that I got from a seller on ETSY. I had to rip it in two and plant in two seperate pots. I also have some beautiful irises in full bloom. Today I am going back out on my usual walk and take pictures. The rhodadendrons are coming into full bloom and the main garden is looking so nice. I am going to make some of my own seed paper as soon as I find some flower seeds. I have plenty of paper. The directions are easy. I even have a blender that rarely if ever gets used. I am always saving paper down to the last bits. I found the directions here on how to make seed paper

http://www.ehow.com/how_4464555_make-seed-embedded-plantable-paper.html

We are now watching these for flowers from the plantable seed paper.

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

FEATURE FRIDAY

ETSY SHOP FEATURE FRIDAY




Kelly Owner of KJPatino says:


I learned to crochet at the age of seven from my wonderful Grandmother. She was a mother of twelve, grandmother of 45 and at the time of her death, great grandmother of over 50 children. Each time I crochet, I think of her, hence, a lot of love goes into everything I make. Most of my work is made as gifts for my wonderful, extended family, The Cornwells.

I started my shop about two years ago and am surprised at it's success. I love getting feedback, which to me is more important to making money. I get more excited about receiving feedback than I do when I make a sale, and that is very exciting!

I tend to sell a lot of children's items, and I enjoy making those the most. Currently, my favorite item to make is baby blankets, although that tends to change with each new pattern I learn. Last year I believe I was really into children's hats.

It is fun thinking of myself as a business woman doing what she truly loves. When I make the items for my shop, I truly love the creative process, such as what pattern to use and what yarn goes best for each application. Loving what I do, doing it with integrity and treating my customers as I would treat the family I love so much is what I believe contributes to my shops success.

My favorite yarn to crochet with is hand-spun yarns. I love knowing that someone took the time to consider the color, quality and fiber that goes into spinning yarn. especially the alpaca yarns! Alpaca's are really cool creatures!

For beautiful hand crocheted items such as the newborn baby converse booties pictured above please visit

http://www.kjpatino.etsy.com/

I can also be found on Facebook: Kelly Jean Cornwell Patino

RESERVATIONS PLEASE

READY SET GO I am a member of the AWE TEAM (art walk etsy team) and I participate in the FIRSTFRIDAYARTWALK my bookmarks you see here are part of a giveaway called 5 Days of Mother. Sounds like fun! I know it will be......check out the following link for all the juicy details and pictures of the other giveaway items. There is some really great stuff in this one! So easy to participate too. Good Luck!

http://stitchnstudio.blogspot.com/p/5-days-of-mother.html

If you want a set of mulberry bookmarks let me know soon! gnormyle@yahoo.com

My shop: http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/

Etsy: How did it get started? Meet Rob Kalin

"Meet Rob Kalin, the man behind Etsy.com" is a fascinating must read article from Readers Digest magazine, in the Dec. 09 / Jan. 10 issue.

http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/meet-rob-kalin-the-man-behind-etsycom/article169446.html

As an Etsy shop owner that operates Glenna's Garden at www.gnormyle.etsy.com it was really great to see how Etsy started four years ago,(now as I am writing this article dated today which is Jan. 12, 2010) and then many other interesting facts are presented too, such as what does the word Etsy mean. Read the article to find out. Visit Glenna's Garden for Handmade in NH www.gnormyle.etsy.com The duckling picture is a sneak peek from Glenna's Garden for Spring 2010. Enjoy!

VINTAGE FINDINGS TRUE AGE KNOWN

I love to make jewelry as well as collect it. I will post a picture of new earrings I created that are similar to those available for sale at Glenna's Garden www.gnormyle.etsy.com Each pair of dangle earrings were created using only .925 sterling silver pieces and glass beads. I will show you my favorite pair today and part of the Spring 2010 line. My customers love it when I show new items on here so you will get an eyeful today. My love for vintage jewelry collecting has spanned 30 years now. My recently found treasures once belonged to my Mother. So I mostly know the true age of this collection. There are so many pieces in this collection that are wearable today. Do I wear them yes I do to feel special!

FINALLY FRIDAY

I captured a picture of the three pomegranate buds so that will be the pic of the day. I hope they all bloom at once. Rainy and cold again today in Manchester, NH. Good time to stay in and get some projects done here in the studio. The rain is taking all the leaves down at once so when they dry out some there will be much raking to do around Glenna's Garden. Lately I have been making some Spring things I will also put up a pic here of some very cute clippies I made for Spring 2010. Yes I am still doing Christmas supply gathering and ready for Thanksgiving. Check out the studio shop at www.gnormyle.etsy.com

WET WEDNESDAY

It is early in the morning here at Glenna's Garden in Manchester, NH and pouring rain. Sweet sounding and soothing....my other computer crashed a few days ago. I finally got this laptop I have to run well. Yesterday I downloaded some pictures to this computer. I say this because I have lost a lot of pictures in the crash of the other computer. SAD about that! Now I am back up and running. I posted a new item in my shop so I will be sharing that as the picture of the day here. FALL is gorgeous here right now. My favorite trees nearby are slowly changing. I have been busy getting supplies to transition from Fall to winter. I am listing items for sale slowly to see what sells. It would be so great if I ever made it to the front page of ETSY, one day I tell myself. Well it looks like I am on track with all of the work I am putting into studying marketing on my own and with my knowledge of business especially small business I have now it definately helps. I now have a rubber stamp for Glenna's Garden. It is all part of certain things you need to have to be successful. Next I will working on a logo. G G with flowers around it and viney would be perfect. I have no experience with creating logos so I will search for that person on ETSY. The picture of the day is a fun ACEO I created depicting russian nesting dolls.

TRULY AWESOME TUESDAY

I finished my 8 X 10 inch canvas of real pressed flowers, leaves and greenery depicting the EDGE OF THE WOODLANDS near the water. Months of work design and layout to fixture to completion with a multicolor blue acrylic paint to finish the project is what it took to have this beautiful picture for show and to sell. It is available for purchase at www.gnormyle.etsy.com Much love went into this one as is always the case.

It all began in a garden!

SOMETHING FOR SATURDAY

I love the Fall time....leaves are changing....it is cooler and crisp! Saturday morning waking up later than usual and you step on the kitchen floor tile and it bites back. Time for socks and slippers. The gardens are so colorful now with the smaller leaved plants being changed quickly by the cooler nights now. Whole trees have changed and they dot the landscape. A quick trip up North yesterday and you could see Fall everywhere in the foliage. My shop at www.gnormyle.etsy.com has taken on the Fall theme. The Black Eyed Susans are so bright right now.

TRULY THURSDAY

I was fascinated to discover that a huge group of shops all from ETSY only are listed at this mall on the internet....makes sense you go to one place and you can find many nice shops to visit. So the following link goes to my shop listing

http://snorple.com/showstore.php?id=277

I am amazed at the many different ways you can promote your shop. So if you read this and you have an ETSY shop join up. Also check out the AWE TEAM button and join the firstfridayartwalk on ETSY.

The picture is of a bracelet I made I call it cracked ice. I am thinking about putting some jewelry I make up for sale in my shop....the only thing it is such a hugely competitive field. It can't hurt to try a fun PIF or two though. Glenna's Garden www.gnormyle.etsy.com

WOW ITS WEDNESDAY

The first leaves are already turning I have noticed. We are due up here in NH for some cold temperatures the next couple of nights and that will really get things going. Today I received a huge lot of fabric. I am truly amazed at what I have to work with now. I have already made some fabric bookmarks and they will be listed in my shop soon. Today it is cool and going to rain definately. The sky's are dark now. So I will have to wait photograph them until things clear up. I sorted the fabric and gathered all the Fall colors togteher. I will put Spring and Summer away. Then I have silks in another bag. There is a bag of an assortment of gauzy bright fabrics. There is more larger various allotments of fabrics in a stack about two feet high. Meanwhile The Fall Collection 2009 is set to go now at Glenna's Garden check it out and enjoy your visit www.gnormyle.etsy.com

MUCH LOVED MONDAYS

I found this beautiful ACEO created by Rita from my ACetsy Team. I so love it I asked her to reserve it for me. Check it out and let me know what you think.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25413978

I have started posting my Fall 2009 designer collections and pieces to Glenna's Garden at http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com and there is more to come. At the same time I have created some really cute ACEO's myself, a couple of which I will share with you on here. I love dimensional so I made a Back to School ACEO (pictured above) it is very much dimensional and my Christmas 2009 ACEO is also available for early purchase in my gallery shop. I am so touched this morning from a lovely letter written to me by a customer ~ at first I thought it was some joke then I read the letter again. It was genuine gratefullness for the happiness I was responsible for in a stranger's life. From a husband about his wife to me. As an artist/designer/photogrpaher it means so much to me to receive thanks for something I have created.

Tickled Pink on Tuesdays

I had a nice order over the weekend. That always make for a happy start to the week here at Glenna's Garden www.gnormyle.etsy.com I am transitioning my shop over to Fall, winter and the holidays now. I was recently approved to show my art at www.redcreations.com.au I am involved in a grassroots movement (ETSY approved) on Etsy called firstfridayartwalk (ffaw) what it means is that on the first Friday of each month we have a sale or do something special in our shops. The group is small now and we are forming at Ning.com The official group name is AWEteam which stands for artwalketsy team. Won't you please join us!!!!!! I hope to see you there......just click on the connection located at the top right hand corner of my front blog page.

FINALLY ITS' FRIDAY

This is a vintage Fall necklace I own. Three acorns adorn it. I finished all of the Fall products I want to list for now. I just need some sunshine today to photograph them. Check it out at Glenna's Garden shop http://www.gnormyle.etsy.com/ So today I hear from beccasbeads.etsy.com , she is on my New Hampshire Team at ETSY, about this contest at makinglemonadeblog.blogspot.com for the most beautiful bracelet you have to go there to the blogspot enter the contest it's easy and fun, fun, fun go check it out everyone.