Weekend Sale - Holiday Kick Off!

For this weekend, I am offering a FREEBIE!

Buy any three items and get a fourth item of equal or lower value FREE. Simply visit my shop and select four items (or 8, 12, etc) and submit your order. You may either pay and I'll refund you the lowest priced item (or items) OR wait to pay and I will send you an invoice via Paypal.

Get a sugar scrub for your sister, a gift crate for your best friend, a Gardener's Therapy skin salve for the gardener in your life, and a peppermint foot cream FREE for your very own! Your feet will thank you! :)

Sale ends Sunday at midnight EST.

Yay! My Lemon Creme Lotion Was Blogged!

If you would like to hear personal testimony about my Lemon Creme lotion ( my current favorite) then check out Beck and Call Girl's blog post!

And I just remembered the bottle of it in my car is getting low, so I'd better make some more! I can't be without my lemon creme goodness, no way.

My Sugar Scrub Made Etsy FRONT PAGE Today!

Etsy Front Page 11/5/08 longwinterfarm, originally uploaded by Etsy Front Pagers.

See my lovely sugar scrub there in the middle? :) I don't know how long it was on the front page, it was replaced by a new list a few minutes after I saw it (thanks to the several Etsyans who alerted me), but I got 300 extra views in my shop and the scrub got 10 hearts today!

Thanks to longwinterfarm for including me in this lovely treasury list!

Look! Something NEW in My Shop!

I rarely list brand new items in my shop, so I get really super excited when I do. I am preparing for the holidays, and when I saw these adorable mini watering cans at the craft shop, I couldn't resist. My travel-size one ounce lotions fit inside just perfectly - look!


These would be perfect for writing everyone's name on and using as place-cards at a lunch for your girlfriends! How about giving one as a Secret Santa gift for your office co-worker? Maybe a stocking stuffer for the gardener in your life?

Vote for Another of My Photos! :D

An Award? For MEEEE???

I have been honored with a gift from Nicki Leigh. The above image is known as the Butterfly award. It is a way for bloggers to show appreciation to others as well as vouch their interest in that particular blog. It is my duty to pass this award on to ten other bloggers whom I enjoy reading and who I admire. So, here are my picks:


1. Hot Child in the Suburbs
2. It's My Life
3. CakeWrecks
4. Jazzie's Junque
5. KrazyKate Designs
6. LLing Designs
7. The Lady Is Buggie
8. The Junk Drawer
9. Designs by Missrie
10. Pretty Pear Designs

Go check out these fun blogs!

Vote For My Photo! (pretty please?)

I've Been Tagged

A few times actually. So here goes - Seven Interesting Things You Never Knew (or even wanted to know) About Me:

1. If I laugh really hard, my throat gets all mucousy.

2. I only like tea with milk and sugar or iced with sugar.

3. I hate wearing socks and put it off as far into the fall/winter as I possibly can. I will sit around in wool pants and two or three sweaters and still have bare feet.

4. No matter how crazy or hectic my life is, I can't give up my Pogo.com membership. I think I need a Monopoly intervention.

5. I hate getting up in the morning so much, I don't even have words. If I were rich beyond all imagination, I would pay a personal chef to concoct delicious smelling breakfasts every morning as an incentive.

6. I used to record pretend TV shows on my tape deck - like soap operas on a 10-year-old level. I even did the commercials and everything. I still have one of the tapes floating around somewhere.

7. I was going to marry Joey McIntyre from New Kids on the Block and my friend Rachel was going to marry Jordan Knight and we were going to live in a mansion duplex and each have three children - two girls and one boy for me, two boys and one girl for her. NKOTB came out with a single this summer called "Summer Time" and I refuse to tell anyone how many times I've watched it on Youtube late at night. I may or may not be playing it the background right now, in fact.

There you go! If you'd like to participate on your blog, feel free to consider yourself tagged! :)

Check out My Pretty Treasury Lists!

For those not in the know: Etsy is an online shopping center for handmade items, vintage, and supplies. One of the many varied ways to shop on Etsy is through community curated "treasury" lists - compilations of items for sale on Etsy that last about 2-3 days.

Here are my two current ones (link won't be good once the lists expire) - I am really happy with how they turned out! Click on them and you can see all the amazing items up close and link to each one individually! :)

Well, Mow Me Down!!

I have been featured in another blog! :)

JazziesJunque is a terrific shop on Etsy, and the lovely owner of said shop has a blog, in which I've been featured!

Check out her Blog HERE and her Etsy shop HERE!

Thanks Jazzie!

I've Been Featured in a Blog!

Check it out - and read some of the other interviews too. Fun reading!

http://www.femmedetails.com/2008/blog/right-as-rain-creations/

And thank you to FemmeDetails for the feature!

OVERSTOCK Sale!

I had a local shop close and now I have overstock! Check out my sale section in my Etsy shop for some great deals!

SALE SALE SALE!

:) Some of my best sellers are there, discounted up to 1/3 off the regular price!

Saturday Night Special!

Have you been wanting to try out any of my products?

Tonight is the night to do it! I am offering a BOGO 1/2 OFF sale for the Saturday Night Special on Etsy tonight! :)


Now through 6 am Sunday, EST, buy any item and get a 2nd item of equal or lesser value for 50% off! Put the items you want in your cart and checkout, putting "SNS" in the notes to seller at checkout. Submit your order, but don't actually go to PayPal to complete payment - I'll send you an invoice for the discounted amount.

PLUS, all orders $20 or more (after discount, not including shipping) will get a surprise freebie included! :)

http://rightasraincreations.etsy.com

Stock up on lip balm, lotion, foot cream, and more!

Vote for Me! You Know You Wanna!

I am running in this week's Etsy Challenge!

Visit the Candle, Bath & Beauty category and cast your vote (preferably for ME, lol)!

If you are an Etsy seller, be sure to enter one of your items in next week's challenge! Many categories to choose from and it is easy to enter.

Thanks! :)

Etsy Seller of the Week: LilMouse

Please welcome LilMouse as featured seller this week! Chainmaille is a fascinating art form - be sure to check out this great chainmaille artist!

LilMouse says, "Thank you so much for including me in your blog as a featured artist, I feel very honored. As a thank you to you, and to all of the wonderful people who will be reading your blog, I would like to extend an offer of 20% off all items in my shop! Please mention this blog in the notes to seller, and I will send over a revised Paypal invoice."

How did you find Etsy?
I was working at a bead store about 2 years ago, and one of the regular customers came in talking about how she had started selling her items on Etsy, she gave me the website, and I looked into it. It took me a few weeks to get up the courage to actually list my first item, but I am very glad that I did!


What do you love about Etsy?
The thing that I love most about Etsy is the support and encouragement that I have received from the friends and contacts that I have met here. I have defiantly made some great friends that I will keep for the rest of my life. The camaraderie and support that I have received is wonderful! (Hehehe the money isn’t too bad either...lol)

What is your favorite dinner?
Well, there are so many things that I love to eat, but I would have to say that a really good steak and baked potatoes has got to be my favorite. mmmmmmmmmm, YUM-O!


What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
Everything is very different and unique. This allows me to express my creativity. I have never been formally trained, so no one has told ‘you can’t do that’ so I just do what the heck I want to! Also, all of the rings are opened and closed individually by my own little hands. This is a serious time killer that a lot of people don’t appreciate, but it’s very therapeutic for me after a long hard day at the office.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
That would be a toss up... I would either got to Ireland or Scotland. I absoulty would love to go on a horseback riding treck thru the lands of either country. They are both so beautiful, and so steeped in history and lore.

What do you love about what you make/sell?
I love the fact that chainmaille is so different and unique. You don’t see a lot of chainmaille out there, and it is very satisfying to me to make something so different. There are over 300 different weaves that you can make, and many more that you can design yourself. Just by changing the size of the rings, you can change the look of the entire piece. Not to mention all of the different metals and colors that the rings come in. Niobium, Sterling Silver, Gold, Gold Filled, Aluminum, Anodized Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Copper.... and the list goes on...lol

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
Believe it or not, one of my favorite ways to relax is to sit in front of the TV with a new batch of rings, and just sit there and open and close the rings. Then I get the fun job of piecing all of those individual little rings into some new creation! Deciding which colors go best with each other, and what weave would work best for the picture in my head... Very fun and very relaxing for me!

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
hehehehe, I am a handmade soap addict! I never tried handmade soap until I started shopping on Etsy, and I have to say I will never buy another bar of store bought soap! I love to look thru and see what great concoctions the wonderful soap sellers on Etsy have come up! Also, I have a serious addiction to anything with a hedgehog on it! LOL

What is your most unique pet?
Wow, I have had several…. The most recent ones have been a lil mouse that I named Fwed. She was a sweetie, loved running on her wheel. She would get out in her cage and tease the cats! Just running around and playing, knowing that the cats couldn’t get to her!
Then there was the hedgie that I had. His name was Acheron. He was born here in my house, and when he was old enough he went to a good home in Texas. While he was there, some bad stuff happened to his human family, and we ended up making an emergency run down to Texas to bring him back home. That was one heck of a trip! Driving 20 hours straight to get there, picking him up, and then turning around and driving another 20 hours to get home. But Acheron was defiantly worth the trip!

Photographers of Etsy!

The POE street team (Photographers of Etsy) have started up a blog! Check it out:

http://photographersofetsy.blogspot.com



As anyone who knows me can attest, I am a photography nut. I am a huge admirer of the talent other photographers possess as well as quite click-crazy myself. With the advent of the digital camera age, photography is being stretched and pushed into new dimensions as well as old ones with a new twist. My husband is an avid photographer as well. See our photography for sale here. We are members of POE!




Please stop by the blog. Then go to Etsy and search for "POE" - prepare to be amazed! Photography is a great way to add character to a wall. Choose the right piece for your house, and it is like having an extra window. One that bugs won't splatter themselves against!

My biggest tip? Get four to six different photographs, all the same size and frame them the same. Then, every couple months or so, you can "change the view out your window"! Of course, this does require you have a place to store the other framed photographs. I use the back of my closet, leaning up against the back wall with an old bed blanket draped down between each piece.

Happy Photograph Hunting!

Etsy Seller of the Week: Aquariann

This week's featured Etsy seller is the talented artist, Aquariann! Read all about her here and then check out more of her work, because she is offering 10% off to any buyers who mention "Rainy's Blog" in the notes to seller at checkout (wait to pay, she'll email an invoice) - offer ends next Monday, Aug. 18th.

How did you find Etsy?
My mom and I were sharing a table at a small, local strawberry festival. Another vendor was impressed with my work, and thought I would be a hit on etsy. She (Aimee of Jewelstreet.etsy.com) had such amazing jewelry and was so enthusiastic about the site that I just had to check it out. It only took a few days of listing items and fluttering around the forums to make my first sale. It was a huge boost of confidence, as I had just started to try to sell my artwork and hadn't had much luck.

What do you love about Etsy?
The incredible amount of talent and support! I still do a happy dance every time I make a sale ... and every time I buy from a fellow Etsyian! I've gotten so many fantastic presents for my friends, family, and myself, of course.

What is your favorite dinner?
Pasta! I devour it all - spaghetti with meatballs, fettucini alfredo, stuffed shells, lasagna, you name it.

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
Where the name comes from. My birthday is February 8th, which makes me an Aquarian completely and utterly. My middle name is Ann, so Aquariann works wonderously.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Definitely Japan. Its culture just fascinates me. Anime has been a big inspiration to my work, too.

What do you love about what you make/sell?
I get to share my imagination - if it weren't for drawing, I would probably go mad not being able to let my visions escape. My drawings are flickers into the fantastical world that dances within my mind.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
Just hanging out with my boyfriend, especially when there's massage involved. A pomegranate pear martini helps, too. Yum.

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
Other fantasy-inspired items. I'm a member of the Fantasy Artists of Etsy team, so I just type the tag word "FAEteam" into the search and stare captivated at all the beautiful creations.

Where can people find your work?
Besides http://aquariann.etsy.com, my personal website is http://aquariann.com and my blog is http://aquariann.livejournal.com. I'm part of many networks, including flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/aquariann/, myspace http://myspace.com/aquariann, facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/aquariann/29929765133, deviantArt http://aquariann.deviantart.com/, ArtWanted http://www.artwanted.com/aquariann and Ning http://faeetsy.ning.com/profile/aquariann .

No Etsy Seller of the Week this Week

Why, you ask?

Well, I forgot. Ha!

Our baby has been waking up in the middle of the night the last few nights and it takes about 2 hours to get her back to sleep again. I am pretty wiped out and as a result, my brain is foggy.

I'll be more ahead of the game next week, I hope!

So, instead, I'll share a story about my family life - lucky you!


I usually manage to luck out during the week and have at least one grandma available to watch at least one of the kiddos. But not Wednesday last week. My mom was working or busy all week and my mother-in-law had watched the boys the day before so I could get some orders made and mailed.

So, I hauled all of us into town to both the post office (where I had to stand in line because I had international packages to mail) and the shop where I sell, to restock. First of all, hauling three little ones under age five ANYWHERE is not pleasant and takes about 1/2 your day just to get them all ready and loaded in the van. Then, my 4-month old is apt to cry when we are still 15 minutes from anywhere. Which then makes the almost-five year old start yelling and crying. And that sets off the three-year-old, who doesn't cry when the baby does, but will start yelling when his older brother does.

So usually by the time I've got them all dressed, fed, in the car, and then listened to all three of them lose their minds for the last 15 minutes - you can see that I am not really in the mood to haul them all out of the car and actually be seen in public. Which is why I never go anywhere.

I keep telling myself that in a couple years or so, this won't be nearly as much of an issue. Then I think "what if it is?" and get a mental image of driving around with a crying 12-, 15-, and 17-year old in the car; which makes me laugh and I can somehow make it through that moment without selling any of them.

So, we get to the co-op where I sell. I madly put out the measly few things I've managed to make above and beyond orders that week and pay my rent. Meanwhile, I've got the baby strapped to my chest, and my head is on constant swivel to make sure my boys aren't destroying anything (the 3-year-old managed to "redistribute" about fifty business cards from other tables the last time I took him with me.) But we get in and out without any damage and not even any screaming! I am thrilled.

On to the post office! If you've stuck with me this long - well, I am impressed! :) Thankfully the line isn't very long. My younger son immediately starts walking laps around the island divider thing that separates the line from the counter. Then my oldest decides to follow him, which quickly erupts into a game of chase. I put a stop to that immediately and praise God they listened to me and kept it to a walk after that.

The highlight of the trip was when my three-year-old stopped in front of the waste bin, pointed to the "W" in "Waste" and said, "W!"

I don't even know if my almost-five-year old could point out a W! I have tried working with him, but he is way more interested in drawing trains. He knows the alphabet, and the letters in his name and that is about all he cares to know right now. I figure he still has a year of pre-school and kindergarten to learn these things, so no pressure!

After the post office, I had to sit in the van in the parking lot and nurse the baby. No way was she going to make it the 20-plus minute drive home and no way was I going to listen to the kids screaming that whole way!

Well, there was a little slice of my life. I made it back home in one piece, and so did the kids. Although if you had told me 10 years ago that going to the post office and dropping in on a shop would take me three hours from the moment I put on my shoes to the moment I took them off back home again, I would have laughed you out the door!

Might I just add one thing? I love my kids to bits! As much as they can drive me crazy, being crazy is the best thing that has ever happened to me! :)

Sale! Sale! Sale!

UPDATE *Sunday Aug 3rd*
Thanks for the successful SNS! As host, I was busy as it was a very active and crazy SNS this week! As a seller, I got sales from four people! As a shopper, I bought from four! (one was a non-SNSer though. ) It was a fun and productive time for me.



I am hosting Etsy's Saturday Night Special sale this week. Sale is up and running - mine is in the very first post here:

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5742116



After shopping from me (lol), please continue to browse the rest of the thread for great deals! :)

If you haven't purchased from Etsy before, just let the seller know when you check out with your items that you are a newbie and might need help. :) There is a spot for Notes to Seller at the checkout for such purposes.

It's Ok to Call Me the Muppet Junkie.

I know. I just posted last week about Season Three of the Muppet Show.

I was so excited about it that I'd already watched all four discs through about five or six times and was already craving more.

So I bought Season Two, and I think I might love it even MORE! :) Season Two has more guest stars I recognized than Season Three had. Favorites like John Cleese, Steve Martin, Julie Andrews, George Burns, and Bob Hope!

This set also has the sketch where the Swedish Chef makes "Chocolate Moose"! Ahhh, classic Muppet stuff! :)



Also, check out these great new clips posted on YouTube! The originators are "unknown" but it is believed these are official clips from the Muppets franchise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDFgtFXfnv0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDA9NbPAK8o&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpcUxwpOQ_A&feature=related

Now all I need is Season One and I'll be all caught up Muppet-wise.

Etsy Seller of the Week: Niftyknits

Please welcome this week's featured Etsy seller, Niftyknits! I am a knitter myself, and it is so inspiring to see the amazing variety of items Nifty has come up with in her shop! Contact her via Etsy before buying, mentioning you read her interview on this blog, and she will give you 10% off your order!

How did you find Etsy?
My son’s girlfriend told me about Etsy. I’d started selling my knits on ebay but when I looked at Etsy I was in awe at the talent. I didn’t think my work was good enough, but she encouraged me to go for it…the rest is history.(Thanks LennyPenny!)

What do you love about Etsy?
I love the variety, I never know what I’m going to find next. I love curating treasuries, putting together beautiful quirky unique items.

What is your favorite dinner?
Traditional roast for me please! The pork from the farmshop near my house is gorgeous, with crackling and apple sauce and veg and gravy and roast potatoes. My husband makes the best roast potatoes in the world, all crunchy yet soft inside. Mmmmmm.

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
Tricky question, this one! I suppose my answer is that the knitted and crocheted items you see in the store are not everything. You name it, I’ll knit (or crochet) it! I love puzzling out new ideas … at the moment I’m knitting morris dancers, because I want to have a stall at a folk festival.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I always wanted to take my family to see Steve Irwin at Australia Zoo, but sadly that’s not to be :-(
My holidays are in different parts of the UK, we have so much beautiful countryside to wander in. I would like to retrace Steve’s adventures across Australia, but someone would have to turn down the temperature and remove all the biting things first, please.

What do you love about what you make/sell?
I enjoy that moment when I see it’s all coming together., but I LOVE the journey to that point. My favourite piece is still the fuschia flowers I designed and knitted. When I started I had no idea I would be using headpins and seedbeads…indeed I’m not sure I knew what they were at that point! I knew what I wanted it to look like, and had to find ways to make it happen. That’s the best bit.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
Hot bubble bath and a book, preferably with a glass of red wine :-)

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
Steampunk! Again, I had no idea steampunk existed until I found MadArtJewelry on Etsy. I read a lot of Science Fiction so when I discovered her jewelry and asked her what it was about I was instantly hooked. My first piece is called Tempus Fugit (time flies) and was so appropriate at that time in my life.

Where in the world are you?
In the real world I live in the south east of the UK, in Kent (the county with the white cliffs of Dover). This area is known as the Garden of England because it is so beautiful – come and visit!
On the web I am at niftyknits.etsy.com and naughtyknits.etsy.com
I have also just helped my son set up a shop to sell his band's CD at AScandalinBohemia.etsy.com
Then there's my blog http://niftyknits-somuchyarnsolittletime.blogspot.com/
and last but not least my website
http://members.lycos.co.uk/heatherml/Up%20the%20Lone%20Piners/
(Actually that will change shortly as my son has shamed me into realizing what a truly atrocious URL that is!)

The Muppet Show: Season Three

If you are a Muppet fan, this four-disc DVD set is a must-have! I bought this for my kids as a special treat for while their Daddy was gone on a week-long business conference.

Well, I ended up watching it more than they did! I watched it after they went to bed every night that week! :)

Some of the guest stars: Danny Kaye, Loretta Lynn, Sylvester Stallone, Gilda Radner, Harry Belafonte, Raquel Welch, and Alice Cooper!

Danny Kaye, Gilda Radner, and Harry Belafonte are probably my three favorites.

Plus, you get plenty of well-loved classics: Pigs in Space, the Swedish Chef, Dr Bunson and Beaker, and an endless line-up of great songs and talented puppetry.

Look for it at Costco, Target, etc - or click the picture to find it on Amazon.com!

Etsy Seller of the Week: Greenbelts

Thrift shops and landfills applaud this week's featured seller! Greenbelts uses reclaimed belts to make all kinds of unique pieces - from dog collars to wrist cuffs (even dog collars and matching wrist cuffs!) AND until next Monday, July 28, she is giving blog readers 10% off any purchase over $10! Just put "Rainy's Blog" in the notes to seller. Now read on!

How did you find Etsy?
My neighbor (who has since moved) used to have a shop on Etsy. He saw some of my dog collars at a neighborhood party and suggested that I give it a try.

What do you love about Etsy?
I am a graphic designer by trade. I mainly specialize in printed pieces (ink on paper). I am not really excited about the idea of designing, producing, and upkeeping web sites - especially my own. Etsy is a perfect fit for me and my Greenbelts. They do it all for me and all I have to do is find time to list and create. I adore Etsy.

What is your favorite dinner?
My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I love a hot loaf of French bread with butter, a sliced crisp red apple, and a hunk of yummy cheese. With a glass of freezing cold milk. Mmmm, yum.

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
I worked out of my neighbors basement for my first year. They were nice enough to loan me a workbench on a temporary basis. After a year of their kindness I decided that I needed to give them some space. I begged my husband, Chris, to build me a tiny shed out in the corner of our back porch. So now, my 4yo son and I go out to the shed whenever we want to work. He has a little workbench too. He's learning how to hammer and use a electric screwdriver. He's been making some fun sculptures out of the scrap wood we have left over from building the shed.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I'm not picky. I have only been to 3 countries (Canada, USA, and Mexico) in my lifetime. I feel like I have so much more to discover. I would love to go ANYWHERE. Especially Europe, Australia, Africa and anywhere that is warm. :)

What do you love about what you make/sell?
Because I base my pieces on recycled items, I love the thrill of the hunt. When I find a really cool belt that makes me want to run home and start cutting it up immediately, or a super-cool button that is just begging to be sewn onto a piece of leather, that is FUN! There are more and more of us belt recyclers out here on Etsy now. It's important to me that I find really unique pieces to start with so I can keep my items fresh and interesting. Searching and reclaiming the findings is half the fun.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
I pound, cut, punch, and sew all my pieces by hand. I get my aggression out on my poor belts while I sip a glass of wine and listen to my favorite music. That's pretty darn relaxing. Even when we go camping or sit in front of the television, I'm cutting out leather flowers or sewing on buttons. That's still 10x more relaxing to me than sitting in an office all day (which I used to do). I have no complaints.

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I'm obsessed with earrings right now. And necklaces. I can't seem to get enough of them. And, of course, buttons and buckles.

What is your favorite sound?
The sound a dry, puffy pine cone makes when you step on it. That crunchy, crackly, smooshy sound. Love it.




Thanks for stopping by!

Etsy Seller of the Week: MerkabaJewelry

Feast your eyes on this week's Etsy Seller of the Week, MerkabaJewelry! Her beautiful designs and great eye for color combine to create gift-worthy pieces - even if the gift is for yourself! :)

Plus, she is offering 10% off to all blog readers! Just put "Rainy's Blog" in the notes to seller at checkout and she'll send you an adjusted invoice.


How did you find Etsy?
I found Etsy through other online crafters who were fed up with eBay and looking for another venue to sell their handcrafted goods.

What do you love about Etsy?
I love the community and all the people I've met through forums, groups, and treasuries. I attended two local craft shows this past weekend in Asheville where the majority of vendors were Etsy sellers. It was great meeting the folks behind the shop name :)

What is your favorite dinner?
I love pineapple pizza and wish my metabolism allowed me to eat it every day!

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
I am getting ready to introduce a line of gourd jewelry. Gourds grown in my garden, dried and cured, then cut up into large beads and pendants. I enjoy expanding my craft and trying new things.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Italy. I've always dreamed of going there to experience the culture, art, food, etc.

What do you love about what you make/sell?
I love that each piece is unique and my customers enjoy knowing that they are the only person that has it.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
Actually making jewelry is my zen time. With an active toddler, I am always on the go. I like being able to spend time totally focused on each piece. It also allows me to be uninterrupted and spend time with just me! Seems a lot of my personality comes out in each design.

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I love all things handmade. Soaps, handbags, cards, jewelry, etc.

What is the best thing about your business?
The greatest thing about my business is how it allows me to stay at home with my son, Camden. I thoroughly enjoy spending my days with him. As much as I teach him things, I constantly feel like I'm the one who is learning. It's an amazing journey. The icing on the cake is the freedom to be with him and also work on my craft.

Etsy Seller of the Week: flauntitmaternity

Having just had my third (and most likely last) baby, I really wish I'd discovered this shop earlier!! Flauntitmaternity has the coolest maternity shirts at a very reasonable price!

Now YOU can get it at an even better price because for the week of this feature, you can save 10% off any one item (except sale items) or buy two maternity tees and get free US Shipping (or just $5 everywhere else). Simply mention "Rainy's blog" in notes to seller at checkout and wait for an adjusted invoice!

Learn more about this great shop and seller!

How did you find Etsy?
A friend of mine told me about Etsy.

What do you love about Etsy?
I like that thousands of people from all over the world have access to see your product.

What is your favorite dinner?
I love grilled salmon.

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
I have stylish maternity tees of all varieties that are affordable, comfy and cool. Personally being pregnant twice, you have so many days that you don't feel beautiful. With my first pregnancy, I was frustrated finding something to wear on an every day basis and didn't want to spend big bucks for maternity clothes or wear "tent like" maternity that makes you look larger than life, so I started this line! Women shouldn't hide their miracle, but Flaunt It!

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would go to Switzerland, always wanted to go there since I did a report on it 3rd grade, plus I love chocolate and know they have awesome chocolate there!

What do you love about what you make/sell?
I love that women can feel good in it and enjoy it.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
I love to work out-run, swim, lift weights etc.. gives me more energy and I feel good after I do it.

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I love shopping for skin care, lotions and scrubs, but ones made with all natural ingredients, not chemicals!(funny I put this, I just looked at your shop and the scrubs look delicious!)

Why, thank you, flauntitmaternity! :) Now everyone run off to her shop. She has gift certificates as well, so think about all those mothers-to-be who want something different and fun to wear!

Etsy Seller of the Week: WarpedandWonderful

This week brings us to the world of WarpedandWonderful! I have one of her handwoven baby blankets and all I can say is WOW! I drooled over it every time I saw the listing online, but holding it in person was immensely better. The quality and workmanship is superb. My daughter is snuggled in her blanket right now as a matter of fact!

Now is a great time to give WarpedandWonderful a try, because she is offering 10% off all orders during the week of her feature! Convo her with "Rain's Blog" and she'll adjust the price or mention "Rain's blog" in the notes at checkout so she can send an adjusted invoice. Offer ends July 6th.

Now for her interview....

How did you find Etsy?
I first stumbled upon Etsy soon after it started but I was not ready to set up a shop at the time. A little over a year ago it was mentioned in a forum and I decided to join.


What do you love about Etsy?
I love the community. There are not many places that everyone answers questions and gives so much of themselves to help others. The variety of crafts represented is staggering. Where else can you find so many wonderful things in one place?


What is your favorite dinner?
Wine and lobster ~or~ steak and salad ~or~ roast beef and potatoes ~or~ roasted chicken um - I can’t make up my mind....


What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
Weaving is not a lost art. There are handweavers around the world exploring and rediscovering what masters of our craft knew centuries ago. Many of the designs I use come from old manuscripts written by weavers in the 1600's and 1700's. They were struggling to compete with the factories of the industrial revolution. Some master weavers decided to break with tradition and share the information they had been keeping secret in the guilds. They hoped to help weavers in outlying areas be able to continue to earn a living with their craft.


If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Anywhere in Europe. I am fascinated by old buildings. Here in Idaho the oldest buildings are the old cabins of early settlers and they are just over 100 years old. I dream of wandering through old castles and ancient ruins.


What do you love about what you make/sell?
The fact that I am able to do it! Weaving fascinates me. I love the process and am mesmerized as I watch the patterns grow on the loom in front of me.


What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
A good book, once I start one, I can’t put it down till I’m done. I’m looking for new authors all the time and would love suggestions!



What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I love to look for several things on Etsy. One of my “fetishes” is fountain pens. I am searching for just the right one when I have money to spare. The turned wood pens are so beautiful. I also discovered a love for lampwork beads. The ones I have found on Etsy are amazing.


What are you working on right now?
Right now I am working on my Certificate of Excellence in Handweaving. I completed Level 1 two years ago and am finishing up a specialized study for Level 2. It has been an all consuming task the last few months. I will be able to call myself a “Master Weaver” if the judges approve of the work I have done. I will be so relieved when it is finished and I can focus on adding new things to my shop in the fall.

Etsy Seller of the Week: WhimsybyMari

This week's featured seller is WhimsybyMari! Check out her shop for fresh, fun jewelry. I especially love her earrings! From now till next Monday (June 30th) she is offering 10% off if you mention "Rain's Blog" in notes to seller at checkout! :)

How did you find Etsy?
A very good friend “Angelinabeadalina” thought it would be a great outlet for my jewelry. She already had a shop and was having success. I registered and shopped for awhile to get comfortable then slowly started stocking my shop.

What do you love about Etsy?
There are so many things I love about ETSY. Number one are the people I have met, everyone is so helpful and supportive. I love it that people from all over the world has a chance to purchase my jewelry. I love being able to look at everyone else’s shops.

What is your favorite dinner?
This is the hardest question yet. I love BLT with my heirloom tomatoes straight from the garden, fresh picked corn and a cucumber salad. Homemade ice cream would finish off the meal.

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
That I craft each piece as if I was to keep it myself. I use the highest quality supplies and best Lampwork beads I can find. Each piece is a small work of art in itself.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
It is several places, I would like to visit all our National Parks. There is so much beauty in this country I have yet to see. I have had the opportunity to see a grizzly bear in Glacier National Park, a condor flying over the Grand Canyon and shooting stars over Crater Lake. I don’t want to camp, I would like to stay in the nicest rooms at the lodges.

What do you love about what you make/sell?
I love the glass, the small little treasures each piece contains, the way the glass reflects differently with the sun. I love the look in someone’s eye when the try on that perfect piece and know they have to have it. I love putting different components together to make a piece of jewelry. Sometimes I play with them forever until I get it just right.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
I like to read, and garden and of course playing with the dogs. We have a 14 year old Golden, a Brit and a ShihTzu, three cats round out the family. I love to take my coffee out on the deck early in the morning and watch the world come alive. I like to walk and canoe too.

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I love to pounce, just to see what comes up. I don’t have a organized pattern to shopping on Etsy! I have bought beautiful bangles with scripture written on them, lampwork beads ( a girl can never have too many lampwork beads!), purses, the list goes on and on. If I like it I usually buy it. All the gifts I have purchased this year have been from Etsy, that is a good feeling.

Where so you see yourself after a year on Etsy?
I hope that I will have many repeat customers, that is when I will feel like I have accomplished my goal. Success in my book does not always mean monetary, sometimes it is knowing I have done a great job.

Visiting Elderly Loved Ones

My mom and I took my newborn daughter on a road trip this past weekend. We went east over the mountains to visit my grandma, who is 84 and slowly losing her memory to dementia.

It was fun to see how much she enjoyed having the baby around. It was sad to hear her ask 10 times in an hour how old the baby was, or what her name was. It was great to laugh at old family memories. It was hard to see that she no longer remembers some of her favorite stories she used to tell. It was hard to see her cry when it was time for us to leave. It was sort of a relief to know that an hour later she will have forgotten we had left. Although not when I realize she would also have forgotten we were even there at all.

The trip was fun in many ways. I got to spend quality time with just my mom and my daughter. We ate whatever we wanted without worrying about calories or fat content. I learned some new funny family stories I hadn't heard before. I also learned things about her and her family that I probably didn't want to know - things she hadn't told me about before because I was too young. Apparently now that I am a mom of three just like her, I was ready. I really wasn't.

However, the past is the past, and I can't do anything to change it. I can only move forward, hopefully with more understanding for why people are the way they are. And really, can't that be applied to everyone we know? That crotchety neighbor who has a fit over how fast you drive down the road (even when you are going the speed limit) - maybe he had a grand-daughter who was hit by a car. The cashier who is impatient with you at the checkout - maybe she gave up cigarettes three days ago. Your son's teacher who grills you about every bruise he gets - maybe she was abused as a child. Your uncle's new wife who wants to know how much you make and how much your mortgage payment is - maybe she was homeless during part of her life.

I guess this weekend was a reminder, in more ways than one, that life is so short and so out of our control. We need to take each day as it comes, being thankful for the blessings we have and simply surviving the hard parts. And in the midst of it all, show love and forgiveness for people and their shortcomings. Because face it - you have shortcomings too.

Etsy Seller of the Week: JazziesJunque

Welcome to this week's featured seller: JazziesJunque! She sells all sorts of great supplies, plus a selection of her own hand-crafted goodies. And through Sunday, June 15, she is offering 30% off one item if you put "Rain's Blog" in the notes to seller at checkout (she'll send a revised invoice). What a great time to try her out! :)

How did you find Etsy? I found out about Etsy from my good friend Kate from KrazyKateDesigns. She has been wonderful in helping me to get started and answering my many questions, such as "Does this look good and do you think it will sell on Etsy?". She has been great.

What do you love about Etsy? The best thing about Etsy is the people. I have met so many wonderful people here and consider them as good friends. And I love being able to provide that item that someone has been searchng for but not able to find.

What is your favorite dinner? This one is a toughy - Favorite dinner would be chicken enchiladas with green chile, spanish rice, and a sprite. For dessert white chocolate Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. Notice the plural?

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop? I try to provide unique items that can be used to make really cool altered art, mixed media or assemblage. And also I like to make things that has (as far as I know) never been made by anyone else.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would love to go to Australia or to Africa on a safari.

What do you love about what you make/sell? I like the originality of what I make and the ability to find something that would have been thrown away and sold to someone that can bring new life to it through Art.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind? Sitting on the sofa with my dogs is the best way to relax.

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I buy way too many beads, just ask Kate. I don't know what it is but I have the hardest time finding a bead I don't like.

Anything else you'd like to add?
Why didn't I think of the Etsy concept first?

Etsy Seller of the Week: ancientgamecupboard

This week I am featuring the shop ancientgamecupboard. The business is a family effort, with Mom running the Etsy shop! See her interview below and check out the amazing games from history! For the week of this feature, ancientgamecupboard is offering 10% off the item price if you put "rainy" in the notes to seller at checkout.

How did you find Etsy?
My Mom kept bringing it up. She saw Etsy featured on a TV show and then saw it in our local paper, too. This was just at the time that we were thinking about making our games for more than just gifts for our own kids. So, Providentially, I made our username something to do with the games and even though we eventually registered our business under a different name, our Etsy name still makes sense.

What do you love about Etsy?
I love the community, as quirky as it may be sometimes. Generally speaking, people are very willing to help you learn new skills for your craft even if it means adding competition for themselves. Etsy is such a diverse community that every individual can find an audience - there may be a lot of jewelry, for example, but it's diverse enough in style and price that you can reach your own target market despite all the 'competition'.

What is your favorite dinner?
Arabic food - specifically, anything involving hummus and filafel.

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
That we put our heart and soul into it. We love what we do, we love to see a game turn out perfectly and we obsessively re-do them until we are satisfied with them. Also, most of our wood is reclaimed from sources such as discarded furniture, hardwood pallets, and any other high quality wood that still has life and beauty in it. We love to discover some really great pieces of hardwood in a heap of discarded materials.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I think I'd go back to Jordan. We used to live there, and I just love the people and the culture there. I'd also love to take a year off from life and backpack across either Africa or Asia with our little tribe.

What do you love about what you make/sell?
Everything! I love that we've found a business making something that combines our love for board games, history, woodworking, and art, and which has aspects that every member of the family can take a part in. The older kids are learning woodworking from their Dad, they all do some sanding and have aspirations of moving on to staining and painting someday, they're all learning about customer service, quality control, sales, time management. It's been the perfect family business for us.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
Reading. We're book-aholics in this family~

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I love to look for other woodworkers shops and for shops selling Renaissance Fair or other historical reenactment wares.

What game is your current best-seller?
Our best-selling item is our Viking Game, Hnefetafl.

Etsy Seller of the Week - LadybugsDesigns!

This week's featured Etsy seller is LadybugsDesigns. Check out her shop for fun baby items, and more! Plus, if you put "Rain" in the notes to seller, or contact her before ordering, she will give you 10% off your order this week!

How did you find Etsy?
A former coworker suggested it instead of Ebay.

What do you love about Etsy?
Since it isn't an auction, I don't have to constantly check to see if someone won. And you can always find someone to answer your questions and give you advice.

What is your favorite dinner?
Macaroni and cheese casserole. It makes me feel good when I'm down.

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
My emphasis is on great baby things, many of them embroidered, but I also have bookcovers and cool ties, and I'm always thinking of new things to try. They might never happen, but I am thinking about them. I also carry some lovely jewelry made by one of my sisters.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
If it was just one place, I'd like to go to England and tour London and Bath and some of the great houses, and stop by Edinburgh too. If I could go more places, I'd take a month and visit the museums in Washington, D.C. and tour some of the Revolution and Civil War houses and battlefields.

What do you love about what you make/sell?
I think my favorite items are my bookcovers. I take a book wherever I go, and they make it so easy to keep track of your reading material (and avoid any comments on my choices). My second favorite would be my toddler aprons, which keep little ones clean from neck to knees.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
I love to read, watch movies/tv series from Netflix, play computer games, and hang out in the Etsy forums.

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I like to look for soap and hair products --- one of these days I'm actually going to buy some! :o)

What's your favorite part of Etsy?
All the friends I've made in the forums. Most of us have never met or even talked to each other, but we're there for each other in good times and bad.

What A Nice Birthday Week!

Today is my birthday! Well, for 10 more minutes anyway. :)

My whole week was pretty great. Tuesday I added more products to my table in the crafters' co-op I was invited to join.

Wednesday I had my sugar scrub featured in the "Etsy Finds" email, and received four orders for a total of six scrubs sold! Not to mention the shop exposure I got!
See my sugar scrub here.

And today was my birthday and we went to my folks' house. My mom made her famous potato salad and I totally pigged out (hey, nursing moms are allowed to do that, right? Right!)

My husband gave me a "free day pass" so I can spend a full day all to myself one of these weekends. My parents gave me a gift card to Best Buy so I can get the WiiFit, once they get more in (yeah, none of us thought to reserve it.)

Now if only my kids would sleep in till 10 am tomorrow! I'm not holding my breath though. Our middle one loves waking up at 5:30 am. If I hadn't given birth to him myself, I'd doubt he really was my son!

Etsy Seller of the Week: Circleinthesand

This week I am featuring CircleintheSand! Check out her shop for fun supplies and a variety of handmade items! PLUS, put "Rain" in notes to seller, and she'll give you 10% off your order while she is featured.

How did you find Etsy?
Our local newspaper did an article on a lady in Jacksonville (thedoglady), who was making pet accessories in order to raise money for her vet bills, cos her doggies were in need of medical attention. I was intrigued, so I started browsing around on Etsy looking at all the wonderful handmade items. I did that for almost a year before I had the nerve to actually sign up.

What do you love about Etsy?
Well, of course, what got my attention at the beginning was the 20 cent listings for 4 months. I had been selling on Ebay before coming here and the fees are so much better. But, after I started spending more time on Etsy, I grew to just love the spirit of friendship, helpfulness, caring and love that everybody had for each other. I have since then made some really close wonderful friendships here. And, I think it is neat as heck that I can talk to folks all over the world! Some of those close friendships that I've made are from ladies "across the waters".

What is your favorite dinner?
My favorite dinner is anything that I am eating with hubby!! We have a good time just eating together, no matter what the menu is.

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
I would just like for everyone to come away from my shop feeling as if they had an enjoyable experience - whether they buy anything or not. I always try to have fun, colorful items listed, I try to keep my Sections List easy to read and organized and I try to keep the number of items per section at less than 12 so that folks only have one page to look at. I am always pleasant and friendly with my customers - I want them to come back time and time again. I can't work at Etsy fulltime, so I have to try harder to compete with the larger shops, so every shopper is a potential customer, and every customer is a potential referral for another customer so I try and treat each one special. And, I'm known for my fast shipping (just read some of my feedback).

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
If I could have an all-expense paid trip - I would like to have a fullsized motorhome so hubby and I could travel all over the United States.

What do you love about what you make/sell?
I just love playing around with all kinds of different crafts - but I also love playing around with all kinds of supplies to make those crafts. And it gives me great pleasure to put those supplies in the hands of another crafter so that she can play around with her favorite craft. One of my favorite things to "play" with is vintage buttons, I love getting them and sorting them and grouping them together. And, I use button on some of my own creations, like the purse pouches.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
I love to relax by browsing around on the internet, or reading thru several favorite magazines that I get, or sitting and watching a movie with hubby - we don't really watch any TV, but we have a ton of movies; give us a big bowl of popcorn and we're set!!

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I love to browse around Etsy looking for some of my own favorite things - vintage buttons, plastic canvas items, supplies, cross stitch - and I also look for things that I can use as Christmas gifts. I did a great deal of Christmas shopping last year right here on Etsy.

Where do you see your Etsy Shop in 3 years?
I dream of being able to do this fulltime, and actually make some income, lol. It is so much fun - both being here on Etsy and searching for those special items to put in my shop. It would be awesome to have this as my sole employment.