Friday Favorite - Tax Relief!!!

I've just discovered AccountingSpot on Etsy. What a relief!!!

With the very unhappy thought of trying to organize my profit, loss, and tax information constantly sitting in the back of my head, finding the very useful, inclusive, and affordable forms by AccountingSpot lifted my spirits immeasurably!

Holly, the owner, is super knoweldgeable and helpful. She recommended to me the form No.74 -- Detailed Profit Tracker, Income Statement, Profit and Loss (Month, Qtr, Year - Reporting) -- it is exactly what I needed and more. I was at first daunted by the scope of the form, but after taking a deep breath and actually reading the very good directions she gives it was a piece of cake to get started.

And I love that it's is organized to coincide with the Schedule C tax form.

Anyway, if you've been meaning to get your tax info together but have been putting it off, go check out AccountingSpot! She has a great Invoice Form creator and Inventory Tracker, too!

New Favorite Quote!

"Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door."
-Coco Chanel

Down to the last days of my Christmas in July Sale!

Just wanted to post a note to say that these are the last few days of my Christmas in July sale:

20% off of my Beaded Jewelry! -- if it's got a bead on it, it's on sale!

Put XMAS20 in seller's notes. I'll refund you the discount amount. (or if you'd prefer, I can send you a revised invoice, just convo me)

A few examples:

http://aweshop.etsy.com

Happy Summer!

Finally posting some new jewelry designs!

Whew! I haven't posted anything new in a while because I've been working on some new designs and techniques! I'm very excited about them and my journey towards finding my own unique look or style.

It's really hard to find an area that totally fits who I am. I love doing a lot of different things and will always continues to do so, but I'm also a believer in "jack of all trades, master of none" and feel like people/buyers have more faith in you as a designer if you are a master of one or a group of similar styles. Now those can change and evolve over time, and should, but bouncing around all over the place constantly is just destracting and shows no commitment in your vision!

Anyway, here's some pics of what I'm doing currently on my journey!

GREAT Half-Price Restaurant Deal from Washington City Paper!

I just found an incredible program offered by Washington City Paper. 1/2 price restaurant gift cards! Is that cool or what.

They call it: Let's Split It!

They feature different restaurants in DC, this time Agraria Farmers & Fishers on the Waterfront. You just purchase the deal online for $25 and the City Paper sends you a gift card for $50. Who doesn't spend $25 easily at cheap restaurants, so this is an awesome chance to try great restaurants that would normally be out of price range.

I've got mine already and will probably be going to Agraria in the next few days! Can't wait, I love the waterfront. The best time is late afternoon; not too hot, plenty of people for a great atmosphere, beautiful sunset, and then strolling around after dark. It doesn't get much better!

I'll give an update of the restaurant once I've gone.

Anyway, if you're interested go their website here. I think they might offer the same deal in the dead tree version!

Toothbrushing Soap - Statement from Live Laugh Love Soap!

Some extra info from Elle of Live Laugh Love Soap. Very interesting!!!

"Toothbrushing Soap is not just ordinary cold process soap, which can contain any number of food grade and inedible oils. Toothbrushing Soap is manufactured with a base of food grade Olive Oil and Sesame Seed oil, which are paramount in pulling toxins and cleansing tooth decaying bacteria from enamel, gums and tongue.

Tea tree oil is often added to the mixture to aid in teeth whitening and killing bacteria. The defining ingredient that separates Toothbrushing Soap from your every day handmade cold process soap is Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. Baking Soda scrubs and cleanses thoroughly, massaging your gums and removing bad odors that contribute to bad breath and gingivitis. Lemon essential oil is added to liven the taste buds, as well as continue to fight against infection and work as an antiseptic (extremely important in oral hygiene)."

:D

Toothbrushing Bar Soap - What an Amazing Idea!

I ran across this listing on Etsy and was immediately enamoured with the idea. I hate toothpaste tubes!

Come to find out it's actually much better for your teeth and gums to use natural soap (I guess you can use any natural, handmade soap w/o fragrance oils -only natural essential oils). But this soap by livelaughlovesoap is specifically made for toothbrushing.

My first thought was, is this sanitary? But, yes, just like with your toothbrush, any bacteria die once the soap surface dries, but Elle from Live Laugh Love Soap tells me that you can sanitize it with a uv light if you're so inclined.

Anyway, I'm doing away with my artificial ingredient filled, messy, annoying tube immediately!

Friday Favorites - Inspired by the Beach!

I thought I'd add a theme to my Friday Favorite's. Today I used the search term BEACH on Etsy, just because I'm aching to go to the beach :D

First off is a gorgeous sea shell encrusted treasure box by SandisShellscapes. On our vacations in Pismo Beach, CA when I was young, I would spend hours in the shell shops drooling over, fondling, and begging to buy every type of shell there was! It's such fond memories for me and this box brings them all back. [sigh...]

Visit SandisShellscapes to see all her goodies!




My second favorite is Itsy Bitsy Bikini by SewFragrant. I can imagine this swinging from my review mirror in the summer, keeping my car fresh smelling and my spirits up. Hmmm... or maybe on the fridge door as a good smelling reminder to stop snacking -LOL! I also love that song, reminds me of growing up in California!

Take a look at SewFrangrant for lots of good smelling goodies!


TGIF, Deb.

New Men's Ring Design - Riveting... in copper.

So, I listed a new men's ring design that I'm actually very proud of. It came out so good. I just love working with mixed metals - copper and silver being my favs and combined with texture and an aged patina, it doesn't get much better! I love the urban, industrial, almost steampunk look to it.

Anyway, it's already listed in an Etsy treasury! How cool is that! Now I just need to get some orders. LOL.

Yay! Got letters from two juried shows yesterday... Accepted!!!

I've entered into several juried shows for the fall/winter season and after one disappointment a couple of weeks ago (not accepted, but an alternate) I received two letters yesterday with good news. I was accepted into both. Yay!!! I don't know if I could've taken two rejections in one day :D

Anyway, the shows are:
Takoma Park Folk Fest in September 2009
McLean Jewelry Showcase in February 2010

I still need word on a couple more, fingers crossed.

"Kites fly highest against the wind, not with it" -Sir Winston Churchill

A great quote to start your week! I love this one!

AWEshop Featured in Online Magazine: Viva la Moda!

I'm soooo excited! One of my pieces has been featured in an online magazine. Is that cool, or what!

The magazine is actually great. All about the indie market and it has some really great articles and features. Definitely worth a look. http://www.vivalamoda.co.cc/

My necklace, Urban Feminine, is on page 41 in the Indie Zodiac section.

Friday Favorite

I'm trying to get back into doing a feature of fellow Etsians so I decided to try and commit myself to it by making a new feature listing every Friday called... yep, Friday Favorite. I'm always hearting Etsy sellers that I come across and so I have a large collection of great items to choose from. My first Friday Favorite is:

Olive and turquoise shoulder bag with matching coin purse. -by MsRin

This is pretty close to what I would call my perfect purse. Not too small, not too big. Lots of pockets on the inside and an all important pocket on the outside for my phone. A strap long enough to cross over, and super cute! -this one also comes with a matching coin purse!

Be sure to take a look around MsRin's shop. She only has a few bags up right now because she's fairly new to Etsy, but they are all great!

Find Your Finger Size : AWE Ring Sizer pdf download

Hi, I've put together a pdf file to download and print to help find you ring size.

Click to download the Ring Sizer.

Download it, use it, pass it around, just don't call it your own ;D

It's basic ring size finder tools with my own, hopefully helpful, instructions. I'd love feedback from anyone who tries it. Is it understandable? Easy to follow? Accurate (well, as accurate as a paper sizer can be :)

Thanks!
*image is not to complete or to scale. To use, download here.

Don't you just love Scavenger Hunts?

I love scavenger hunts! They're fun and you get really cool free stuff just by playing!

My Etsy Team, Eclectic Artisans is holding a scavenger hunt! Come join it, it'll be fun.

Here's the text: -note the 20% off! (I just listed a new ring, good time to take advantage! ;D )

July 1st - 10th, members of the Eclectic Artisans team are hiding an American Flag in their shops and waiting for YOU to find them!

Want to play and win great prizes? Read about it here: http://theeclecticartisansteam.blogspot.com/

During the Hunt, enjoy 20%OFF your purchases store wide! (before shipping if applicable- discount not valid on custom orders) Just enter SCAVENGER20 in the message to seller!

OMG. I had the dreaded...

...MOMMY, My stomach hurts really bad............ B A R F!!!!!!!

Yikes! That's never a fun ending to a day. Comforting your child, washing your child, rinsing and changing sheets, setting up a "safe" barfing zone, and worrying the rest of the night!

Luckily he was fine, must have been the yogurt and milk right before bed just didn't sit well. Thank goodness it wasn't stomach flu or something with days of misery!

Anyway, back to normal. He's bored, and anxious for his trip to Portugal in just 4 days!!!

What in the world am I going to do with 6 weeks of quiet...

Here's my boy, Téo, with me at Annapolis, MD. Just a proud Mom!