I made progress now what?

Okay I took a quick photo in the middle of me packing up some custom orders today. I thought I was doing good. I like to give myself at least week from ordering to shipping out custom orders. Sometimes it is sooner, but lately it has been a week. I hope that seems fair. I did have a few inquiries wondering when their item would get to them. I think they were just excited. Wow I made good progress. I have a few left from last week and they are scheduled tomorrow. They were photo creations and I like to do them all together. I was supposed to go to a craft show this Saturday and I am not going to attend. I can not think about too much because it is such a waste to not go after you pay for a booth. I just did not have enough time to prepare and it is alot of work to go there and be embarassed with little inventory. I was thinking of going to one in June down the shore, but we will see. It has been pretty steady from my Etsy store. I did get a little panicked today after I realized I made so much progress that I am almost all caught up. LOL! I should be excited I have a paper full of design ideas. Now I will have time to create some new pieces. I also want to write my next ebook Sawing and Riveting silver. I am excited about that being done. Hey did I tell you I am taking an awesome 5 day workshop in July. Oh I will tell you more about that later. I will learn so much. Talk soon.

Where have I been?

Well we had a great time in Hershey park on Mother's day after Saturday's competition. The girls performance was wonderful. They won first, but best of all for all Level 1 they placed grand champions. That means they had the highest score overall. They were excited and it was great way to end the season. Sunday at Hershey park was cool and not too many people so you could ride one of thier popular rides and than get right back on. We rode quite a few, even Rachel who is usually scared. Actually her dad rode one that shot like an aircraft carrier shoots a plane. It was really neat. So I guess this is great time to visit an amusement park and get the most out of your visit. It rained toward the end but it was time to go anyway. I came home to a list of orders to do and sometimes I do not know whether I am coming or going lately. Mother's day was busy, but I have yet to get everything complete before I get more it is great! I am really excited, but really busy. I thought I had my first craft show this Saturday and I decided not to attend, because I was unable to prepare. I had too many current orders to fill. I realized just last night that it is actually next Saturday. I am too silly. I have a calendar I think I need to start using it. I guess because the weather is getting better that every weekend is filling up. I get a little tense when I have too many things lined up, but this weekend is packed and so far I am doing well. LOL! We have a chinese auction to go to tomorrow night and I have to still get cups, make my basket, and go early to help set up. Sunday is church and than I am taking my mom out to lunch for a belated Mother's day. Than it is Monday again and next weekend is filled already. I guess I will just take a deep breath and enjoy it.

Yeah for Mother's Day

Beach girl stamped bracelet with sand dollar charm, Peruvian opal and pearl dangle. Something coming soon to craft shows and Etsy. What can I say I love the beach. Okay back to my title. I am so glad that Mother's day is almost here. I am tired. I am thrilled that I was so busy, but it has been a mad rush to get so much done in a short time that my back hurts. LOL! I usually try to give myself a week from ordering to mailing, but you know with gifts there is a quicker turn around time. Especially if you are like me and order at the last possible minute. I had a few that came in today that I will finish over the weekend, but I am all caught up. I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's day weekend next week. My sister and I usually take my mom out to brunch and a walk around to some fancy stores that we just look around in, but this year we have to reschedule for the week after. We will be in chocolate town in Hershey, PA. My daughter has her last cheer competition on Saturday and they give the girls tickets to go to Hershey park on Sunday. I am so looking forward to having sometime with my family and relaxing a little bit. I will have to take some photos to share. Well I am off to bed to sleep in late.

Do you want to stamp?

I love to stamp, so you might too! Well I help create this kit with all the necessary tools. You will have everything you need to stamp any metal you want brass, copper, and silver. I would have loved to buy a kit from one place with only one shipping cost. When I first started out I was forever looking for the best deals, but after you find them than you have to pay for shipping from each of them. So check out Chris's Etsy store for the kit or even if you are just looking to pick up some silver blanks or other tools and supplies. Coming soon custom design stamps to really add something new to your designs. Feel free to submit ideas for stamps you may be looking to purchase.

Handmade Invites

Okay my intentions were to have some postcards made and they would be a fancy way to give out invitations to home parties or send with applications for craft shows. Well that just did not happen. I have been trying to take care of Mother's Day orders and have not had too much time to create new items for the upcoming home show that I will be attending. A couple of ladies that I met at local craft shows are hosting a home jewelry party. They are so dear, and it will be a perfect time for Mother's day jewelry. So I thought I have to get these handouts to my party host, but it was too late for a professional printing job. Well I digitally put together four photos in a 6 by 4 inch frame. I went to my local photo print and printed a bunch out for 19 to 29 cents a piece depending if you wanted it right now or come back in hour. I bought some nice paper from the local craft store with a 50 percent off coupon to use a backdrop. I cut the photos up into four and double taped them to the cardstock paper. I had also printed business cards with all the party info and double taped them to the other side. I think they turned out nice for the time crunch and the price. It is a crafty way of presenting your different works to your party guest.

Random Act of Beadiness

I belong to bead group that exchanges ideas, encourages one another, and do fun exchanges from time to time. I have done this exchange before and it is so much fun. We all had to fill out a favorites list answering all kinds of questions. One group leader will pair you up with someone and you have to buy $10 worth of stuff to send their way. The list helps you know what the person likes and dislikes. It is fun to give, but it certainly fun to open a big box of surprises. So this is what I received yesterday at my doorstop. She so spoiled me.

Thank you Wendy so much for my big beautiful box filled with goodies. I got reeses cups that are so yummy my favorite so I took the picture quick yesterday. Pens, paper, a photo album in my favorite color green, a magazine love that, vanila cream my favorite smell, lip gloss never can have enough of that, and a big focal turquoise bead and my favorite beautiful teal lampwork beads. I do not have any of them but I think now I will have to get more. They are so beautiful. I think they could be used instead of money. I just have to make something beautiful. Thank you so much.

Wedding Photo

I was just going through my wedding album to find a picture. Some ladies were posting their photos online to share, so since I scanned it here we are. It was so fun to look through our photos together. It is amazing what 11 years can do to a person. LOL! I thought I was fat and now I want to lose a little weight to be that fat again. LOL! We were and are still so in love. It makes me think of our kids being excited to look through all of our photos when they get older. I really need to get a video camera. Isn't that terrible that I do not have one? Video captures things differently that a camera, but photos are beautiful. (except school photos LOL! I don't like buying them) Boy I am tired. I am all over the place with the photo thing. Thanks for letting me share.