Bead Treasure Hunt

Currently I am on vacation in Gainesville, FL and heading to Bluffton, SC (near Hilton Head) in the next couple of days. I have been relying on the Internet to help me find bead supply shops so that I can bring home the most fabulous new gemstones to use in some 2009 jewelry. Even though I am enjoying my vacation, I am almost more excited to get home to bring together the beads I've found on my trip with the beads that I ordered from Etsy right before I left and get these necklaces in my head out of me!!

Keep your eye out for some fabulous new things in the coming year. I'm positive they will not disappoint.

Have a happy New Year!!!!

Gypsy Jewels has a new model and has reached 100 sales!!

Gypsy Jewels would like to introduce Cassie! My new official Gypsy Jewels model. That's right, folks! No more hassle with self portraits - not when I've got a beautiful girl like her more than willing to have some fun and let me take pictures of her!

We are also celebrating our 100th sale today!! Winter Solstice I hit 100, and I think that is pretty rad! This is a perfect milestone to hit right before we really overhaul Gypsy Jewels and start taking things a little more seriously. Better pictures, better beads, trying to incorporate more sterling silver without having to increase my prices (fingers crossed), and most of all - aggressively seeking avenues toward opening my own coffee shop / art studio. These are my New Years Resolutions. What are yours?

Gypsy Jewels and Arbonne Party!

The first offical Gypsy Jewels party was hosted by Shawna and Leticia, and we had a wonderful turn out! What a great way to kick off this new chapter for Gypsy Jewels!!

Sylvia Longcore from Arbonne was there doing amazing makeovers and being that helpful ball of light she always is! These products are truly wonderful and it's great to see products that aren't only bent on being beautiful, but being safe for us AND our environment!

The Raffle for our Grand Prize was a smashing success! For $5.00 people were given the chance to buy a raffle ticket for a drawing at the end of the night to win a beautiful pearl necklace and bracelet as well as a very nice Arbonne spa package! I almost wanted to buy a ticket myself! Carrie Karston was our lucky winner, which I felt was karmically owed to her after having her spinach artichoke dip locked in her van and unable to enter it into our recepie contest.

The recepie contest was many people's favorite feature. The ladies who attended this party more than rose to the challenge! We had the BEST food and plenty of it. From Tuscan dip, Chicken and rice and crab stuffed mushrooms, which Shawna made and took the prize for best appetizer to "Better Then Sex" cake, cookies, fruit punch cake and the prize winner - Banana Bread. MMmmmmmm. This is definetly a feature I will be holding onto in my future Gypsy Jewels parties!

Overall, I think everone left having had a great time, which is ALWAYS good. :O)

Gypsy Juliea's Natural Beauty Secret - Anti- Cellulite

Did you know that jojoba oil is the closest to our own skin's compound - therefore it penetrates deeper than any other carrier oil? It's true. That makes jojoba oil the best oil to use in this following anti-cellulite regime.

Anti-cellulite treatment:
Take the warm grounds from your morning coffee and put them in a bowl. Grab a carrier oil (jojoba is best, but you can use other oil's such as almond or grape-seed) and bring everything to the shower with you. When in the shower, put some of the ground in your palm and put some carrier oil on top of it (you don't need much - there should be more grounds than oil). Rub your hands together slightly to mix the grounds and oil and then rub vigorously into thighs, belly and anywhere else you may have a problem with cellulite. Circular motions work best.

When you are done, rinse off and rinse the grounds down the drain (it does not harm your pipes - it's actually GOOD for them!).The bottom of your tub may be a little slippery from the oil, so be careful!This is also a great thing to do after shaving - it leaves your skin the softest and smoothest it's ever been. I PROMISE.

My 100th Sale!!

I have 92 sales right now and I want to get to 100 before the holiday comes - so I'm giving a beautiful freshwater pearl bracelet to whoever is my 100th sale and FREE SHIPPING on their entire order!

I wonder who it will be.....

Wednesday Dec. 3

I guess I'm motivated, even if I don't feel very good. Today I finished three projects that I'm really happy with! Three decoupaged items, kind of a strange mix, but, whatever. I'm a weirdo and I'm OK with that. But, I bet you'll rarely find pot boxes next to baby boxes anywhere else! :O)

I have opened a new shop on Etsy called "The Smoking Section" and it is going to contain all of my marijuana themed items. I think that ending prohibition is an absolute priority. I think it is wrong to turn good citizens into criminals for something that is completely harmless - especially when you consider the amount of Rx meds, cigarettes and alcohol that are killing people on a daily basis. Even if marijuana WAS harmful (which I do not believe that it is - I believe that smoking it can be harmful, but that is because of the fire - not the marijuana. There are HEALTHY ways of ingesting marijuana.) it should still be legal because we are grown and this is a "free" country. We should be allowed the right to choose a SAFER buzz. This shop will be my outlets for expressing that, and I'm eager to get things in there! I already even have my first order.

Check it out...stuff will be going in pretty regularly - at least weekly. http://www.smokingsection.etsy.com/

This next item isn't exactly a box, it's BETTER! I did an exceptional job on this one and loved the way my vision for it was complete!! The paper is really hard to get around the hardware one the front of the drawers but damn I did good! I really REALLY like this one, and the drawers pull out smoothly - which is what I'm always going for.

The "Get Me Drunk" Sale

This Friday I will be listing a new item in my shop every hour in hopes of making some sales and getting my "red" a little more "black" if you know what I'm sayin'.

I'm am offering FREE SHIPPING on all jewelry and gift certificate purchases and FREE gift wrapping. But, that's not all, folks! For one day only - I'm going to do a shot in celebration of any sale I make. Could be one...could be more - let's hope it not NONE! I'm taking one per item sold, so if you buy 5 things, that's 5 shots. And, yes, I've pre-written all my listings so I can keep listing items in my shop without typing errors. :O)

There will be cameras involved....as well as live chat. See the Etsy.com forums to find me Friday.

So, remember, shop Gypsy Jewels this Friday not only because you love it, but because you love to get me drunk (and save money, AND support artists at the same time)!!

PS. Just so those of you who don't know me know - I obviously know my limit and would in no way give myself alcohol poisoning. Don't worry - this is all in good fun!!

Gypsy Jewels home Parties!

*Hostess receives 50% off total order at the party and a gift from me

*Guests receive 25% off total purchase for signing up to host a party

*Grand Prize Raffle drawing - Winner gets to choose from a beautiful necklace set or a gift certificate of equal value ($40.00). Raffle tickets are $5.00 each. They are sold at the party and can be sold by the hostess before the party. Hostess will get $1.00 from each ticket they sell. The winner does NOT have to be present to win. The name and phone number are written on the back of the raffle ticket and if the winner is not present they will be contacted the following day.

*Dish To Pass Challenge! - If your group is the cooking or baking kind, this is for you! Sharing food is a custom that has gone back as far as mankind itself, and this is a great way to get the conversation going between guests. Not only will everyone get great snacks to munch on - but there are prizes awarded to best appetizer and best dessert. Winners are chosen by votes cast by the guests at the end of the party.

*Gift Wrapping available on site

*Jewelry tools on hand for length adjustments

*Instructional parties are also available! - Jewelry instruction or Decoupage instruction. Both incredibly fun and very comprehensive. Cost per person applies to cover supplies.

*Music, Wine, Friends and beautiful things - all while supporting a LOCAL cause. What more could you want?

Want to book your super-awesome party? Contact me!
Juliea @ willow_moonspirit@yahoo.com

I Aint Your Ho Ho Ho...

After hours of stalking and looking up the items I wanted to include, I FINALLY got a treasury on Etsy. It used to be so much easier than it is now, you really have to keep a close eye on it if you want to make it happen.

The theme of my treasury is "Naughty Santa" -or- I Aint Your Ho Ho Ho. I found all kinds of sexy items to put in there to display the hotter side of the holidays. ;O) Check it out!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=22591

Leave a comment to help it go to the top of popular treasuries~!

I Have Gone Decoupage Crazy!

From gift and baby boxes to jewelry boxes galore - I've gone decoupaging crazy. I was asked recently to make a memory box for a baby boy, and it has inspired me beyond what I ever thought it might.

I have even stepped away from my life online a bit because I've been so caught up in creativity. I've got ideas flying through my mind all the time and sitting down and making a vision become reality brings out so much from seep within. It's kind of hard to keep up with myself. Unemployment changes the whole game, and even though I never considered this a hobby and always wanted to create full time, it still changes your whole approach to what you do. Hopefully, regardless of the economy, I can still manage to find people who value handmade goods and love to support people rather than corporations so that Gypsy Jewels might survive. Truly, creativity is all I've got left. It's the only time I feel in control and at ease - like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. So, it HAS to be right. I'm willing to start slowly because I know what hard work and persistence will get anyone in the long run.

I'm enjoying the extra time I have now each day to hone my craft(s). I've gotten pretty good at getting my seams as perfect as possible, and I am pretty proud of how professional everything is turning out. These boxes could easily rival anything found in stores and I take a lot of pride in that. The quality of my work is often what keeps my Gypsy Jewels customers coming back, and even though I know eventually everything can break or wear - I feel absolutely terrible if anything I made does. That is why I'm forever telling my customers that if anything does happen they can send it back and I'll fix it no problem. This is another one of those things that helps build confidence for my customers - and that makes me feel great!

The baby boy box is my favorite. There is an adorable baby girl one too (available in my shop), and usually I'm a bit partial to girls - but, this box is sooo cute! I just can't help but love it to pieces.
The Gypsy Woman jewelry box is another truly fun, beautiful and PRACTICAL box. I'm currently trying to keep myself from using it because I know I'll get attached. This one is truly my style. I did a little painting on the front which is something I really want to start doing more often, but that definitely makes this box a little more special to me. Plus the LID! When I shop for boxes, I always pay attention to the lids and how easy or hard it is to open or close them. This box is exactly what I look for, which is loose enough to open easily and without much effort - but tight enough to catch if just flipped over or something. I think I spent a good 10 minutes just opening and closing the lid. I'm kind of ODC - things have to be perfect - so when it is, it's sooo pleasing! :O)

WM

Black Saturday @ Gypsy Jewels
www.willowmoonspirit.etsy.com


Recently it seems I've been making a lot of beautiful black things, and I'm taking the time today to post everything on my ETSY site. I'm also offering free shipping for the first time ever in my store, so we'll see how that goes. I am excited to offer the people who have been loyal to Gypsy Jewels a special this holiday season, and hopefully make some new friends while I'm at it. :)

Take The Pledge!

I want all of you to think about what you are buying for the holiday season - and ask yourself - who will it benefit? You? The person getting the gift? The people selling the gift to you?? Why not buy gifts that EVERYONE benefits from?

Buying handmade insures that you are getting something with meaning, by someone like me who makes it. It is better for the environment, usually cheaper and of a better quality, AND you are not supporting big business like Target or Wal-Mart - who don't need your money the way that artists do.

Please, take the Handmade Pledge and buy or make handmade gifts this holiday season. You truly do have the power to make a difference in the lives of individuals who create as a career.

WWW.ETSY.COM
WWW.WILLOWMOONSPIRIT.ETSY.COM
http://www.buyhandmade.org/
http://vimeo.com/375970

Getting back up.

Adding things to my ETSY shop today has been making me feel so much better. I've been sitting on a lot of unfinished projects - it's just the Aries in me, I guess.
Ever since I lost my job, I have been pulling out all the stops and getting the lead out on finishing the unfinished and getting excited about new projects and expanding my horizons. Now hopefully I can get the ball rolling just in the nic of time for the holidays.

I'm learning how to use my new camera, too. It's all seeming new even though I've been at this for years. It took me a long time to teach myself to take pictures of jewelry with my old camera, and now I've got this awesome camera and only half of an idea on how to use it. It'll take me some time, but I don't mind. I can get it good enough for now.

I think the new approach in my art as a job is inspiring and focing me to get serious. Put up or shut up. I like the kick in the pants...it just may be exactly what I needed. Though, I still miss the steady income. The book "The War Of Art" has found it's way into my life right on time and I constantly get myself to overcome the resistance that holds us back from doing what we want to accomplish. Let's hope this is only the beginning....

I need some advice

I want some opinions on something I've been throwing around in my head for a little while now - I'm debating on changing the name of my business from Gypsy Jewels, which it has been for years - to Willow Moonspirit. Here's why...

When I started my ETSY shop, I was not aware (like a lot of people aren't) that the user name you chose for yourself would also be the name of your shop in your URL. Well, I, personally have always identified myself as Willow Moonspirit online, so that is what I chose for my ETSY user name. It is the name of my spirit, and I have never EVER heard it anywhere else. Where as, I HAVE found other businesses (that sell similar stuff) that are also called Gypsy Jewels.

So, there lies my dilemma. While I would have to change other things that have the Gypsy Jewels name tied to it already (such as this blog), I would be able to keep my shop on ETSY as it is now (I even already made a Willow Moonspirit banner for the shop) instead of making a new ETSY shop with the Gypsy Jewels name and leaving behind my history and feedback. The only reason I am hesitant is because I believe I have built a name for myself under Gypsy Jewels for so long. But, I'm also encouraged because it's almost like it signifies a new start and I will be free to completely reinvent myself - which is exciting and inspiring.

I would love any thoughts on this...

The Present Is A Gift

Today I decided to take my art to the next level. I'm opening up my mind to the possibility of many different facets of craft and it has my mind buzzing with excitement. It all started when I decided to start a group called "Creative Outlets" for my friends and I.

The objective is to get together with the people I love and make stuff. To share ideas and different facets of art while encouraging each other to remain creative. The first meeting was two weeks ago tomorrow - and tomorrow is the second. We got together and made decoupaged magnets out of half glass marbles. Everything we used was recycled or purchased from ETSY, so it was something we had a lot of fun doing and were very productive at and also something we could feel good about. The flat marbles were left over from the decorations from my wedding that I had no idea what to do with until I thought to make magnets. I've had SO much fun with that since! The possibilities are endless, and I'm getting some great ideas.

I'm very much looking forward to tomorrow's meeting. It's looking like it's going to be a good one as a lot of my favorite people are coming. We are planning on decoupaging different items and discussing future plans for the group. I think it is a good idea to pick and schedule the projects that we are interested in doing so that we can all better prepare. I've been poking around the Internet for hours looking at different projects to do. I found a lot of good ones on Martha Stewart's site and there are a few I can't WAIT to try!

It'll have to wait....but I'll be dreaming about it!