Flashback Monday(12/31)

Originally posted on April 10th, 2009 and entitled 'Art and Ourselves'

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I bet everyone understood this concepts before I even had the epiphany, but have you ever wondered why someone likes a particular something? Do we all have the same tastes, I think not, but I think some of us are very similar sometimes.

That being said, I personally believe that we put a little of ourselves in our work and what we do. Whether we know we are doing it or we do it subconsciously, I think our work is a reflection of ourselves.

Now my question to you is this.

When we are attracted to one person's handmade, artistic, photographed, or crafted creation, are we really attracted to them as well? I use the term attracted as strictly non-sexual, fyi.

What I mean by attracted is, if we meet on the street, would we strike up a conversation or if we meet at a local gathering such as a craft fair, would we become fast friends?

I can tell you that a lot of the people I have met on Etsy are wonderful people and I have met my share of friends from there. Going back, I have looked into their shops and have been either fascinated or captivated by their merchandise.

Quite interesting. This is something that I will have to consider further.

Tell me what you all think on the matter!

Flashback Monday(12/24)

Originally posted on March 19th, 2009 and entitled 'Trying Something New' 

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So I learned real fast that I'm not much of the blogger type. Well, I guess I am in some ways and in others I just draw a blank. Writing about myself is fine (when I have stuff to write about). Writing about how to's just isn't my thing (I get so stressed out)! What else would there be to write about?

Then the thought hit me. Advice. Critiques. Features.

I LOVE to help people and I do know how it is to start out on Etsy so why not lend a helping hand while publicising my blog?

Which is why, on top of my other random blog posts that you all enjoy so much, I will be doing featured sellers and shop critiques.

If anyone is interested, drop me a line!!

http://www.theeclecticelement.etsy.com/

An Auction for Survivors-Meet Ms. Sandy Newtown

What happened on Friday, December 14th will ever be on our minds and in our hearts; the senseless slaughter of 20 innocent grade school boys and girls and 7 teachers, principles and other adults took the whole nation, and possibly the world, by complete shock, surprise and left us all feeling completely and utterly heartbroken.

Our hearts go out to those people that lost their lives to an obviously disturbed individual and to their families who were left to pick up the pieces, but that's not going to be an easy task for anybody involved.

As a nation, we all have to ban together and show our support to the community and it's inhabitants; they need to know we're behind them right now!

{Image Credit}

{Image Credit}

Max of Krafty Max Originals is doing her part in supporting the community of Newtown and she made Ms. Sandy Newtown, a beautiful beadwoven bracelet comprised of cheerful blues, pinks, greens and yellows which come together to make a single, little girl in a pretty pink and yellow dress.

This bracelet shouts 'Hope,' especially with the single strategically placed pink heart on the middle of the little girl's shirt.

From 12/19/12 5:00am until 12/23/12, 5:00pm, this bracelet will be auctioned off to the highest bidder on Krafty Max's Facebook Fanpage. The minimum opening bid is starting off at $15.00 and from there, it's up to YOU!

The highest bidder will be required to send a Paypal payment to max@kraftymax.com as a gift, which means no fees will be taken out.

All proceeds of this bracelet auction will go to a survivors fund for the survivors and the community that has been hit incredibly hard by this horrible tragedy.

Flashback Monday(12/17)

Originally posted on March 18th, 2009 and entitled 'WooHoo, My First Sale!!'

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I think the title says it all :D :D :D

Yesterday, I made my first Etsy sale, and may I say, I flipped my lid! I was crawling all over the place getting things ready to mail today and writing a little thank you note to put in the package. It felt SO good to actually have made my first sale. I thought for awhile there that my stuff just wasn't going to sell, but I think that's every newbie's fear.

Now that I made my first sale, I'm more confident. I think the sale gave me the confidence I need to continue on.

So my advice for people who still haven't gotten a sale, or haven't had a sale in awhile is be patient(yeah, I know. Patience is a virtue) and just have fun with it. Eventually, you will make a sale and then your attitude will be renewed!

I know this is a short post, but I just had to share my good fortune and my advice with all of you.

Flashback Monday(12/10)

Originally posted on March 14th, 2009

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This morning when I woke up, I was feeling a bit down. Everything that has happened this past week has taken everything I had stored out of me and to tell you the truth, it's a bit sad that it's all over.

But I didn't spend more then five minutes feeling like that because my mum snuck in and gave me a white plastic bag with something in it (Yeah, I know bad for the environment. We will work on it)! Well, to my renewed surprise, I had forgotten I asked her to peruse a garage sale for jewelry for me and I got my wish :D

Of course, this gave me my next blog idea! Upcycling =]

Different people have their different ideas and ways of creating things whether it be to buy the stuff new or make everything out of expensive materials, but NO MA'AM, not me. First of all, I don't have the cash to do that(I'm a college student for goddess sakes) and second, I could buy all new, but where would the character be?! I like to look at something I want to use and see its past. See all the nicks and scratches that make up the piece because those are what gives it it's life! Each piece has a story and who are we to deny it and throw away what we see as 'junk'?

This is exactly why I fancy myself and old soul. I enjoy shopping second hand and seeing what treasures I can find. Even before going green because a statement, I was the one shopping in a Goodwill or Salvation army and wandering up the isles of a lonely antique building.

My message is a seemingly simple one today. Go to a garage sale or Salvation army and see what you can find that interests you. Pick it up and hold it. Imagine what it was like in another life and what it could be for you. You will be proud of yourself for not only helping the environment(and your pocketbook), but that you gave something a new lease on life. When that's done, go ahead and tell me about it because I would love to hear!

Now I am off to sit outside in the beautiful spring weather!!

Treasury Alert!

Another five beautiful collections to show off today!

Enjoy :)

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Vintage Ten and Under Look What You Can Get by UtterDebotury

Gift Ideas by pheinart

Holiday Love by BrokenGhostClothing

Black Tambourine by Diva Meshia Arif



  

Cold and Blue Morning! by Silvia LaViola

Looking Back...

I'm currently in the process of going 'pro' as it's called with my healthy living blog, but unfortunately that means cutting down and deleting some of the posts I've accumulated in the past 3 (almost 4 years) that I've been blogging. 

As many of you may or may not know, The Eclectic Element was started as a promotional tool for my, Etsy shop(s), and has just grown so much over the years that I was pretty much forced to split everything up so it all didn't run together. 

It really breaks my heart to delete some of my earlier business-related posts, so I'm transferring them here, to my newest blog venture, where they'll never be forgotten by me and they'll see the light of 'blogger day' again by you all!

We shall we call it Flashback Mondays ^.^

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Originally posted on March 10th, 2009 and entitled 'Pull up a chair and make yourself comfy'

So in honor of my shop on etsy, The Eclectic Element, I am creating this blog as a marketing tool. However I really hope that it turns into something more then just that. I want to be able to help all of you if you need advice or share my ideas and thoughts when I feel strongly about the subject.

Lets just say, this blog is as much for you guys as it is for my shop =]

I haven't really thought about what blogs I would do and what would be their content, but I suppose that can come in time like one of my jewelry pieces. I look at one seemingly simple object and *BAM* there is my inspiration for my next piece! I couldn't begin to explain how my mind works (I know now that I get it from my mother), but It just does that way and I have learned to go with the flow.

I would appreciate every one's help in checking out my shop and giving me advice on what you think needs help, what I could do to help it along more, etc etc.

www.TheEclecticElement.etsy.com

Just give it a quick once over and comment me or message me or email me. Even if its just something simple like a compliment or something as complex as my shipping/pricing/blah blahblah, I want to know!

I shall keep working on this blog and getting some ideas on what to write in the mean time.

Saturday's Picks(12/1)-Winter Wonderland

Since today IS the first day of December, which in turn means the holidays are definitely upon us, I think I'll take today's Saturday's Picks and dedicate it to the impending season of Winter! 

Enjoy :)

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8x10 Winter Snow Icicle Wall Art from TerraVision
 

$25.00

Periwinkle Purple Winter Tree Earrings from OstaraMoonJewelry

$34.95

 

Ornate Steampunk Snowflake Tree Topper from splendidcolors

$15.00

Etched Snowman Ceramic Mug from desolationallie

$12.00

Winter Penguin Needle Felting Kit from wildethyme

$12.00