It's A Giveaway!

Today's giveaway is sponsored by Casey Vinke of Mrs.C.M.Vinke. Casey has been crafting for about 8 years and loves to make all things paper including scrapbooks, mini books, embellishments and cards. She's been selling her creations on Etsy for about a year now and loves it although she feels like a small fish in a big pond!

Lately Casey's been obsessed with peacocks and lucky for us she created a set of peacock feather cards just for this giveaway! The set contains five blank cards and matching self sealing envelopes perfect for any occasion. She used an off white speckled card stock, stamped it with a peacock feather and then embellished them with some beautiful fun jewels. The inside of the cards are lined with a matching blue card stock.

To win this set of cards here's what you need to do: Visit Casey's shop and select your favorite item. Once you've done that come back and leave a comment letting her know what that item is and what your favorite occasion or holiday is to give hand made cards. Please make sure your comment contains the answer to both of those questions. Then if you'd like to get a second entry visit her Facebook Fan Page, become a fan and leave a comment letting her know that you'd like to enter again. The winner will be chosen on July 7, 2010 and announced in the comment section below. Please be sure she has a way to contact you.

Have fun visiting her shop and please tell all of your friends about her giveaway. Have a great day everybody, good luck and thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday Treasury

Cards With Texture

Created By:percivalroad



Happy Birthday Butterfly Card By: Pnkgeeni




LITTLE BOY AND MAN IN THE MOON Greeting Card By: FishInTheAtticStudio




Happy By: LemonTreeStudio




Best Wishes Handmade Greeting Card with Butterfly By:Kelly Jo's Stamp pad - KJ0915




Cinderella Pink Slipper quilling card By:EnchantedQuilling





Birthday Card in the Garden with Butterfly -- C496 By:adorebynat




Gray and Aqua Butterfly Card By:squeezecardco




Vintage Decadent Dahilas Handmade Card By:Terrbear37

Friday Feature Special

July " Trade Secrets "

I just came from a wonderful post of much Value. How Do You Measure Product Value vs. Trade Equity?-by MCatherine over at www.etsymomentum.com . It brought up a great point and a crazy Mad yet brilliant idea over value. Woah! Will Robbinson, slow your role and take control?

Were simply MAD here therefore its accepted, proceed in deed.

Well, have you stepped into the light and really thought about the value of your product? Take into consideration the time it takes to create, package and ship your product. The customer service of following up and all contingent efforts to be known as a good seller are also important. Add all those things to the mix and then price your item. Step out of your skin and look at your item as a consumer. Would you pay the ticket price for your item?
Great question, Quisas? (Latin for maybe).
Well we all know that value is of great importance and is primarily based on how the item is cherished. It’s unfortunate that there are a few that don’t capture value in its true form, sentiment. Therefore you must have answered undoubtedly yes.

Here is a take on Sentiment value. These items are utmost importance
They are as precious as the items that grandmothers store in their armoire. Many items as insignificant as they may seem hold a priceless significance to us. My “dear to my heart” item came from a candy vending machine. Dear not for its nickel and dime value but for the sentiment it carries. A mere quarter size, red, rubber, beetle was given to me by my precious daughter dear when she was a yee toddler. It welcomes my travels softens my Monday{s} and warms me on those cold and dreary days as it sits on my speedometer whispering slow down and smell the roses.

As tender as that item is to me, I don’t speak of it to avoid it losing its magic. For you see we are all just simply Mad here and magic is the best thing to feel. We must bottle it up and retain it for as long as possible.

Well, I showed you mine now show me yours?
What is your dear to heart possession? Please do tell, Why is it so dear?

Since we are on the subject of valuable items I would like to take a time out for tea so that I can welcome you to the idea that this article bloomed.
Well, being that July is observed for liberty then free yourselves from all inhibitions and trade. “Trade Secrets” is name of the game. Value an item! Trade for it. Go tribal, go liberal, go get it !!

If you would like to participate please do so and let us know at www.cisnexpressions.etsy.com

so we can browse through your cherished items as well as we offer ours to you. Those open to participate please say YAY! and include the following

{ Comment on what delectable items you hold in your shop and let us know where to find these awesome items leave your shop link or website address along with a blog address if you so choose}

The blog, my dear, is for us to follow you as you in turn follow us. I see you typing at lights speed but
Slow Will Robinson! Only those open to participate will be found listed on my blog. Look forward to a great July of “Trade Secrets”. Don’t keep it secret Mad Teas isn’t just for me you see. Madness should fluster in great big numbers and spread sugary sweetness to all.
Please do share everywhere.

Sharing often, shy sparingly and always craft cheerfully
~ Cisne ~
www.cisnexpressions.etsy.com

Bargain Supply Shopping

by: Stephanie of Parker's Prints

Recent economic times have gotten me shopping at more discount stores than I shop at regular stores. During my shopping trips, I was surprised to find paper crafting supplies at these locations that I always viewed as home & clothing stores. I figured, regardless if you are on a budget or not, we are all selling on Etsy with the hopes of a profit. The less you spend on supplies, the more you make. Next time you are shopping, check out some of these stores, you will be surprised at what you may find!

Here are stores I frequent, a few top brands I find there, & a few pictures of some my amazing finds.

Places to check out: (Click for store locators)

Ross Dress For Less

TJ Maxx

Marshalls

Big Lots

Dollar Tree

Tuesday Morning

Just a few brands I have seen & love to see at these places:

American Crafts

EK Success

Martha Stewart

We R Memory Keepers

Cutter Bee

K&I Memories

K&Company

Making Memories

GCD Studios

& MANY MORE!!

Check out some of my fabulous finds:

I hope this post helps save you & your shop some money and is of use! Best wishes for continued success in your sales!

Tuesday Treasury

In Bloom
There are flowers blooming everywhere in the EtsyGreetings Team!

Created By:LeftandRightCreate



Friends Make Life a Little Sweeter -- Friendship Card for Your BFF -- C494
adorebynat




Personalized Funky Flower Note Cards - 8 card set
lavendergreetings




Daisy Pop-up - Birthday PaperCompositions




Happy Birthday in pink flowers SouthernScraps



Paper Quilled Purple and Lavender CURL FLOWERS on a Pale Lilac Border Handmade Greeting Card by Enchanted Quilling
EnchantedQuilling



Handcrafted handmade purple sunflower card
QuirkynBerkeley



Spring Flowers All Occasion Greeting Card
AandRDesignStudio




Thank You Hummingbird colorfulcelebrations


Another treasury I made Strawberry Fields

Friday Feature

FRIDAY FEATURE

Newborn baby births have resently boomed and blessed many homes with giggles and goo gaas.

The patter of little feet and joyfull smell of babies comes with its own challenges though. Working through many hours of work in or out of the home beeing received by a baby with colic or ear infections can be a daunting task. Daunting as children may seem conquering the challenges is as gratifying as the sound of a babys laughter. Life is not without its challenges and there never seems to be a break away from them. Amanda Coleman seems to have found the answer. Well maybe not the answer to stress but she certainly has found an outlet that has worked well for her to express and destress from the every day challenges. This outlet has created a flurry of delightful goodies in store for you. I would like to introduce to you the creatives of Amanda Coleman. Better known as Little B Bunny and this is her story.

When did you begin creating?

Little B Bunny came about as a creative outlet for me after having my first child. I am a freelance writer, stay-at-home mom and avid paper crafter. I was born in WV, but have since lived in Ohio, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey and Virginia. I now call Louisville, Kentucky home and am excited about how the city supports the handmade movement. I love paper! I enjoy making, cards, scrapbooks, handmade books, embellishments and recycling materials from other paper products. One of my goals is to make my cards so beautiful that everyone will either want to reuse them or display them after they've been given to keep more refuse out of the landfills.
I am a stay-at-home mom of a three year-old girl, as well as a cultural anthropologist. I am currently writing my doctoral dissertation on gender-based political asylum in the U.S. My etsy shop is my escape from the craziness of day-to-day life. Paper crafting, creating treasuries, listing new items in my shop, and my blog all help me to relax. My shop is named after my daughter Brennan (I opened it when she was one.), who I call both "bunny" and "little B".

You can follow Little bbunny at:

http://littlebbunny.etsy.com/
blog:http://littlebbunny.blogspot.com/
facebook:http://www.facebook.com/littlebbunny
twitter:http://twitter.com/littlebbunny

What influenced your creativity in the beginning?

I decided to make handmade gifts for Christmas of 2006. I made several scrapbooks, which got me hooked on paper crafting. I then turned to making handmade cards for family and friends for birthdays, etc. Everyone told me I should sell them, so I eventually opened my shop on etsy.

With so many great items in your shop. You must have a favorite tool that you use to create it all. What is the one tool that has won your utmost affection?

I love quilling! I could not live without my basic quilling tool kit.

What inspires your creations?

I am inspired by friends and family. I often have a particular person in mind when I am making cards for my shop.

Having many items in your shop I simply have to ask, Which item is your favorite and what inspired it?

I've always loved my deer in the forest card.My love of the outdoors inspired the deer in the forest card.

What a great way to unwind from a busy day. Theres no better way than creating. Wait there is a better way, shopping for a great card such as Amanda's Littlebbunny cards. Simply visit

http://www.littelbbunny.etsy.com/ for your very own delightful quilled card.

Its been fun and its been real. Until next time may you have a great weekend.

Written by Cisnexpressions

http://www.cisnexpressions.etsy.com/

Tuesday Treasury

“ Just Buzzing’ around, downtown
Waiting for the very special
Comes in to see what I got
Orange Popsicles and lemonade

It’s the summer of love, love, love”

Summer of Love written by Kate Pierson, Keith Strickland, Cindy Wilson, Ricky Wilson
Sung by the B’52’s
Song Title: Summer of Love

Summer Luvin yes in deed. Summer luvin I do love. Love on the beach or the brilliance of colors in the sun the simple delights of summer freezes and pina colada umbrella drinks. I do love summer and I know many of you do as well. To embrace the simple delights many members have found the best way to capture and share their summer lovin with us and here are a few summer favorites as you can see they are all special and dear to me. Love them or love them a lot summer luvin is where it’s at this Tuesday treasury.
Selected by ~ cisnexpressions



Fun in the Sun Party Pocket Invite By:baybreezedesigns




3 Reasons why is she wonderful bouquet of flowers mechanical card
By:mollylee




FUNKY BIRTHDAY GREETING CARD DECKED OUT WITH FLOWERS by:CardMaven



Palm Wedding Invitation Sample Set By:steliedesigns




LOVE--AN ALL OCCASION FUNKY GREETING CARD By:CardMaven




Thank You Gift Tags Set of 50 By:baybreezedesigns




Pretty Pink Bird, personalized note cards, set of 6 By:CarlinCardCreations




Heartfelt Set of 5 Blank Note Cards By:baybreezedesigns

Friday Feature

FEATURE FRIDAY

Friday is the day to unwind and leave the week behind as we slip in our yoga pants and lather in sunscreen for our morning walk. This morning we take a walk around the Etsy Greetings block around the lily pond between the rosy creek and into the shop of one of our fabulous neighbors. A Double take you shall make in this bright eyed colorful shop of not one but two fabulous designers.

Margie was so kind to invite us and our cup of joe(coffee) as she shows us around her shop and tells us a little about her and her sister and the magic that they hold in their shop. If you would like to ask any questions or have any comments for Left & Right Creations or myself please by all means feel free to do so at the end of our visit.
Thank you!


Hi Margie! Thank you for allowing us to visit. I’ve peered into your shop and I loved it but for those that haven’t we should start at the beginning. So tells us a little about yourself .

{Well} We're a creative sister duo! Sharon is a fifth grade teacher and I (Margie) am a graphic designer by day. We've both been making cards on our own for years. Sharon likes to come up with unique shapes and moveable cards. I started making cards because I could never find exactly what I wanted in the store and thought, "Why not just make my own?" I enjoy layering papers, ribbons and embellishments on my card designs. Once I discovered Etsy, I realized we should combine our efforts and Left & Right Creations was born!
LeftandRightCreate.etsy.com
www.facebook.com/LeftandRightCreations
http://twitter.com/LeftRightCreate

So, How did you get started in your craft?

Sharon and I have always been creating. Our parents and grandmother taught us many crafts. I can't even begin to list all the crafts we've done! As kids, we would elaborately decorate our bedroom for every major holiday. Paper crafting has been a favorite since those days.

Wonderful memories sounds like you all had your fare share of projects. With so many projects you must have a collection of tools. In your collection of tools which tool is your absolute favorite?

I would go crazy without my Tonic Studios Guillotine Paper Trimmer. It's the best trimmer! We use it constantly.

Wow that’s a long name. Kuddos for being able to say that all fast like that.
Well as I see many wonderful items in your shop. I have to ask. I know you asked me not to but do I ask everyone only the toughest question you can ask. What inspires you?

We're both inspired by nature. A walk in the woods always recharges the creative spirit. We also find inspiration in the atmosphere of celebration.

Everyone Loves a party, indeed yes celebrations rock.
Speaking of celebrations I would like to take the this time to remind everyone of Fathers Day. Oh yes and we must not forget our vivacious Graduates. Now back to our regularly scheduled broadcast. Well, Sharon, I see you carry many cards for many occasions and celebrations If you had to narrow it down to one item in your shop which one would be your favorite?

It's so hard to pick just one! We're quite proud of our flower shaped cards. Sharon originally designed this one and made it out of purple construction paper for my birthday one year. We've taken it to a new level using patterned paper and more sophisticated techniques.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/48092465/yellow-flowers-flower-shaped-card

There you have it folks, the magic behind the curtains of Right & Left Creations.etsy.com
I want to Thank you Margie and Sharon for making time for us as you share your life, shop and creativeness with all of us. Until next time. Be Safe and have a great weekend everyone.

Its been fun and its been real. Signing off ~ Cisne Expressions.etsy.com

How To Use Digital Stamps

I love using stamps in my work but I am starting to run out of room to store them all, because of this I have started to use digital stamps as well. You can't use digital stamps for everything but some advantages I have found to using them besides taking up less space are:
They cost less
They can be resized and flipped.
You don't have to wait for them to be delivered.
You don't have to worry about the image not stamping right.
I was very frustrated learning how to use them at first but after doing some research I figured it out and it was a lot easier than I thought. Today I am sharing a video with you showing how easy it is to use them if you want to try them too. If you have any questions let me know. I hope you enjoy the video.

Tuesday Treasury

Summer Time

Created By:Bay Breeze Designs



Summertime flip-flops in blue card By:petitepear



You're One In A Melon-handmade fabric card By:cardwear




Palm Wedding Invitation Sample Set By:steliedesigns




Fun summertime - Handmade card By:FarAwayDesigns




Coastal Notecards - Set of 4 By:orangecatart




Grillin and Sizzlin BBQ Card By:jessijewels




Taste of Summer- set of 6 notecards By:LindasPaperie