More Etsy Front Page News!

It seems that CigarBoxBeads is also famous! Her Just Before Dawn 3 strand Copper and Gem Necklace was on the front page on March 2. Congratulations again to Marilyn! Really, you must share your secret for success. And your photography technique!

I think it is wonderful that we have member shops making it to the front page! Let it be known that our hoard stash is Front Page Worthy!



I've done a little more digging, and found at least one more member who has been on the front page recently...look for that post, coming soon!

Go Team!

Etsy Front Page News!

Well, fellow craft supply hoarders, it seems it does pay to hold onto those items! Because, if you have enough vintage stash, you might be able to create a unique item that will wow the powers that be (AKA: the front page assimilators) on Etsy and land yourself right on the FRONT PAGE.



That is just what Marilyn of Such and Sort did yesterday with her Super Shabby Zipper Fabric Cuff. See it, right there in row 2? I ran across it by accident last night. I was closing down the computer for the night, and I just did a quick refresh of Etsy for the sake of inspirational dreams, and I was compelled to click on this zippery cuff. I didn't even realize it was a shop I knew until I was at the shop looking at the item. Then, I went (in my mind, of course) "Hoppin' Hoopleheads! That is suchandsort's item...and she is a member of the team!!"

Happily, I caught a screenshot, but I am using the shot from Craft Cult for purposes of this post. Congratulations, Marilyn! (now you can add this so very cool badge (above left) on your product page. There are a few styles from which to choose. Get the badge (here).

You can also view the screenshot and information on CraftCult in The Vault (here). If anybody else wants to share this screenshot and information on their blog, go to CraftCult and grab this widget.

Who will be next?

GIRAFFES

Katy, of Girl Industries fame, is one of our members. I read her blog and she mentioned a project whereby a guy is collecting giraffes. Drawings or ?? of giraffes. He told his friend that he thought he could gather 1 million giraffes by 2011. So he has a website and he has posted a "Giraffe of the Day" since he started this project. Some of these giraffes are amazing! There are rules but anyone can contribute to the project.

Here is the link for the website about the project and where you can see some of these giraffes: http://www.olahelland.net/giraffes/blog.php.
There have been 607,425 photos of various giraffes received so far. There are 302 days left. 

Here is the link for the rules:  http://www.olahelland.net/giraffes/rules.php.

Basically the rules are that you cannot use your computer to make the giraffe but you can use any other way or form. (You will use the computer to send the giraffe to him, though.)

Here is the giraffe of the day for #265.

And day #264.

This is the Giraffe of the Day #259.

As you can see, people are being very creative. You will be amazed at the cleverness and maybe you will want to use some of your hoarded goodies to make a giraffe. You might be the honorable Giraffe of the Day! I'm planning to make one and I'll post it here for you to see once it has been completed.

Winter Olympics Come to a Close

I normally try to post to the Hoarders Unite blog on Sundays, but yesterday it was time to celebrate the Vancouver Winter Olympics! I had planned to profile the team’s Canadian members today, but was surprised to find that I appear to be the only one. So instead, here are a couple of photos I took at the women’s curling event I attended (their first games).

The team from the USA

and the Canadian team.

Being in the bleachers was so much fun! Ultimately, the team from Sweden won gold, and Canada took silver.

I wish you could all have attended the Games – what a fun and exciting time it was in Vancouver!

LIFE IS BUT A CHAIR OF BOWLIES

Do you remember that saying? I believe it was one of the Mary Engelbreit phrases. I used to get "Home Companion" the magazine for Mary Engelbreit and suddenly they quit publishing it. I loved it and was saddened over its demise. *sigh*

Anyhoo, here is is nearing the end of February and I have not even begun my February Challenge, Purple. Shame on me. This month has had so much going on that I haven't even a clue of what I was planning to make! And, as I am not "at home" this week, was not home last week, was sick the previous week, I'm thinking I am not going to be entered in the contest at all!!

Speaking about challenges, I need your mailing address, Gretchen. You won the Jan. challenge and I'd like to send the prize to you. I haven't had a computer to use for awhile and if you sent it via the Groups, thank you, I'll find it and mail the prize whenever I get home.

My shops are "on vacation" right now, due to a family emergency after being gone a week at the beach. But how are the rest of you doing in the sales department? How are you faring in your challenge to use only items you already have?

I bought a Sew Beautiful magazine with ribbon roses all over the front of it. I am so excited to learn o make all different kinds of ribbon roses. I do know how to make some, but this will give me such a variety that I am beside myself. I have tons of ribbon at home but I don't know if it is the correct type and won't know until I am at home with the magazine in front of me in my workroom. Stay tuned...

So for now, happy sales and happy hoarding to you!

~Nancy~

New Year’s Team Challenge - AlterDesigns

AlterDesigns (http://www.etsy.com/shop/alterdesigns) took up the new year’s team challenge by deciding to organize her craft work space. Wow! Wouldn’t you love to work in a room surrounded by such beautiful jewelry?

Here is Gretchen’s revamped space

It was so difficult to decide which items to feature from AlterDesigns, because every one is so wonderfully rich and beautiful. I particularly love Gretchen’s belt buckles.

This one-of-a-kind sterling silver belt buckle is crafted with four tear shaped black chalcedony stones as the centerpiece, surrounded by pink zircon and freshwater pearls. Oxidized silver background makes the stones pop. It is designed to accommodate a removable belt strap.





I think this is my favourite - a beautiful Victorian steampunk handcrafted cameo belt buckle lovingly created with pink suede, filigree, Swarovski crystal and a lovely porcelain cameo with a vintage transfer of a flower. It’s stunning both with jeans or dressed up.


This cuff is also almost impossible to resist. Hot off the runway, this aged brass cuff with Swarovski crystal centerpiece was modeled by America's Next Top Model, Whitney Thompson. The cuff is two inches wide, with shimmering pink crystal and pink aurora borealis. The centerpiece measures 1.75 inches.

Happy Valentine’s Day to the Hoarders’ Unite Team!

Crafts are here, crafts are there.

My craft supplies are everywhere.

I really should clean this mess,

But I like it, I must confess.

Floor is littered, chairs are piled,

Kitchen’s looking pretty wild.

On the table counter too,

Seems that any place will do.

Hall is stacked with cartons high,

Filled with things folks like to buy.

Garage is full, but so far …

There’s still room to park the car.

I never have an idle day,

New ideas come my way.

Don’t know yet what I’ll create,

But at least my imagination’s great.

My family smiles, they don’t complain,

Although at times I am a pain.

But when all is said and done,

I really am a crafty one !!

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