Happy New Year!

 

At this time, I would like to thank my followers for supporting me.  I would also like to thank those that don't follow but still leave comments.  I love feedback and interaction.  This is a new blog , I hope to bring more features to my readers in the coming year. 

 

I want to wish you all a Happy New Year!  Hope all of your dreams for 2013 come true and may all your days be happy! 

Newton's Angels

This Etsy Shop will be donating 20% of all sales during the month of January to Newton's Angels. For more info. click here https://www.facebook.com/events/326673547446235/?notif_t=plan_reminder

Your one stop shop for diaper cakes, candy bar cakes, gift baskets, gifts in a jar, knitting gift sets and more!

Shop link http://www.etsy.com/shop/GrandGiftsGalore?ref=si_shop

Feel free to convo me. I love interaction but please don't spam.

Feature Friday: marys4everflowers

Mary's 4ever Flowers

Let Your Day Last 4ever. Silk Flowers for all occasions.

 

 

Classy Arm Held Real Touch Cala Lily and blue freesia Brides Bouquet.

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/115133107/classy-arm-held-real-touch-cala-lily-and

 

 

 

Tall Birch log wedding table Centerpiece with Silk flowers and matching Ribbon with brooch.

Has led lights.

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/118114795/tall-birch-log-wedding-table-centerpiece

 

 

 

Birch Log 3 candle Centerpiece with table numbers.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/118146054/birch-log-3-candle-centerpiece-with

 

 

Hot Pink Real Touch Brides Bouquet

http://www.etsy.com/listing/118560011/hot-pink-real-touch-brides-bouquet

 

 

 To see more from this shop, click here:   http://www.etsy.com/shop/marys4everflowers?ref=seller_info

 

 



My Apologies

Sorry I haven't blogged lately.  I was busy with Christmas as I am sure you all were.  I ended up in the E.R. Christmas Night.  I have gallstones and possibly an ulcer.  I will try to get to the Friday feature sometime today. 

Feature Friday

This week's featured Etsy Shop is  Diaper Cake Boutique.

 

 

 

 

 

This shop is owned by Rachel.  Rachel is from Springtown, TX.

 

 

Diaper Cake Boutique specializes in making Diaper Cakes, Banners, Cupcake Toppers, Favor Tags, Door Hangers, and many more Party Decorations!  Creating made to order items for all your baby shower and birthday party needs!

 

 

Here are a few items offered by Diaper Cake Boutique:

 

Owl Baby Shower Bassinet Diaper Cake

 

Pink and Brown Owl Baby Shower Decorative Door Hanger

 

 

Jungle Party Decorations Birthday Party or Baby Shower Centerpieces

 

Cowboy Birthday Party Banner

 

To see more from the shop, click here:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/DiaperCakeBoutique?ref=seller_info



Treasury Tuesday

A treasury created by me titled Silver Bells.  This treasury features........ wait for it......Silver Bells!  Of course, as I was making this treasury, I had the song going through my head! 

 

 

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you'll hear

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day

Strings of street lights, even stoplights
Blinkin' bright red and green
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures
Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch
This is Santa's big day
And above all this bustle you'll hear

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
Soon it will be Christmas day


Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

 

So, I found a recipe online for homemade hot cocoa mix.  I decided to try it.  It is super delicious!  My husband, daughter and myself all sampled it.  My daughter told me I am no longer allowed to buy store bought hot chocolate!  Get some now from my Etsy shop.  Made to order.  https://www.etsy.com/listing/118314167/homemade-hot-cocoa-mix-with-marshmallows

Link Exchange

Link Exchange on Facebook

 

 

 

A brand new page on Facebook.  This page is all about exchanging links. There will be exchange ladders for Facebook Fan Pages, Pinterest, Blogs, Twitter, and Etsy.  If you have any of these and are on Facebook, click the link below to like the page. 

 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Link-Exchange/315392991907202#!/pages/Link-Exchange/315392991907202?sk=info

What's the deal on Etsy?

I posted this in the forums: 


Ok so, I made up a gift basket. There are no handmade items in it. I got an email from Etsy stating that I had to remove it because it didn't meet criteria.

Here is part of the email

Gift baskets and sets sold on Etsy may only contain items that meet Etsy's selling criteria. This means that all of the contents must be handmade, vintage, or a craft supply.

Please refer to the three categories of items that can be sold on Etsy below:

- Handmade by you: Handmade items must be created by the seller. For more details, see: www.etsy.com/policy/dosdonts#handmade

- Vintage goods: The Vintage category is for items that are at least 20 years old. Items in this category are not required to be handmade. For more details, see: www.etsy.com/policy/dosdonts#vintage

- Crafting supplies: The Supplies category is for both handmade and non-handmade ("commercial") crafting supplies. A crafting supply is an item that is primarily used to make handmade items you might find for sale on Etsy. For more details, see: www.etsy.com/policy/dosdonts#supplies

Even if it's creatively packaged and curated, a set that contains one or more items that do not meet the above criteria may not be sold on Etsy. You must remove any listings for gift baskets or sets from your shop that do not meet these guidelines.

Diaper cakes don't meet these criteria but they allow them to be on Etsy.

Here is a reply I received:

Marie KellyfromEiramVintage says

Hey there,

I have to close this one up, since it's a private matter. Any other questions you may have, please reach out to us via the email sent.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Really?  Why shouldn't other Etsians that make gift baskets be made aware of this?  I strolled through Etsy and found a bunch of gift baskets that didn't meet the criteria. Is it because I am a new shop and they are targeting me or are they checking out all these other shops that sell these gift baskets?

Facebook Fanatics Etsy Team Treasury

Something for everyone on your list! Great gifts!   This treasury features items from the Etsy team Facebook Fanatics.  To learn more about this team click here.  http://www.etsy.com/teams/9465/facebook-fanatics

The Advantages of Networking

 

 

 

Some of you may be new to networking and may have questions as to the advantages of networking.  I found this great article to share with you.

 

 

The Advantages of Networking

Awareness---

If your goal is to expand your business and gain market share, awareness is an absolute necessity
Also serves as a benefit when you are looking for a job, needing help with a project, or simply desire to expand your circle of influence.


Income Generation---

Income generation can mean selling more products or services or simply obtaining a new job. This Income is created through speaking to and meeting new people that have a desire to gain something from what you offer

New ideas---

Can reveal benefits of your existing product or service that you didn't think of. It can be a different perspective on the current marketing angle you are using, or it be a whole new position about what you are doing.
The ability to gain a new perspective is crucial. Networking provides the opportunity to test market your ideas to people. A third party can be a great benefit as they have nothing personally invested in you

Opportunities---

When you take the step of advancing your current circle of influence, you vastly increase your chances of having new opportunities offered to you. Opportunities can be for business, pleasure, personal growth, career advancement, or simply just knowledge.

Networking Tips and Ideas

There is no shortage of networking opportunities to take advantage of, especially with the constant expansion of the Internet. Try some of these:
Chamber of Commerce
Toastmasters
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
 

Tips:
When attending an event in person, try to find out who will be there in advance.
Bring plenty of business cards.
Prepare an interesting 30-second vision that you can present fluently to others.
Be willing to listen and provide value to another person before asking for help.



Read more: The Advantages of Networking | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5249990_advantages-networking.html#ixzz1mgFBVB1t
  

Christmas Magic an Etsy Treasury

Christmas Magic
Featuring members from Best Kept Secerets Promotion Team on Etsy

 

For those that don't know what a treasury is, it is an ever-changing, member-curated shopping gallery comprised of lists of items.

These lists contain 16 items. Members can create a themed collection or feature their favorite items from all over Etsy.

 

 Best Kept Secerets Promotion Team is a team that allows you to promote and have fun plus make new friends. To visit this Etsy group, click here:  http://www.etsy.com/teams/13442/best-kept-secrets-promotion

 

 

Central New York Benefit Craft Shows

 

Central NY Benefit Craft Shows On Facebook

About

Helping your church, school, or volunteer fire department raise money. We can also hold Craft Show benefits for those with illnesses for medical expenses. We offer this as an alternative to or in addtion to having a benefit.

Mission

To provide an alternate way for churches, schools, and volunteer fire departments raise money. To help those with illnesses raise funds for medical costs not covered by their insurance.

Description

Central New York Benefit Craft Shows is a new organization formed to help schools, churches, and volunteer fire departments achieve fundraising goals.
Our organization realizes the struggles that schools, churches and volunteer fire departments go through to fund their programs.


If you are a crafter or consultant from Central New York, please join our group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/400238540045045/



Infant Gift Basket

Infant Gift Basket

 

Infant Gift Basket

 

I just put this togehter and listed it on Etsy today. 

 

This gender neutral basket makes the perfect baby shower gift! It contains:
1 Infant Sweater in mint green, fits newborn - 3 months depending on size of baby.
4 Size 1 Little Snugglers diapers with Pooh and Friends
3 Baby Wash Cloths

 

My Office/Craft Room Part 2

Well, I spent most of the day yesterday and the last hour or so working on my office.  Here is what I have accomplished so far.

 

 

My desk organized for now.  Hopefully after the New Year, we will put shelves up to put my home decor items on.

 

See the dresser?  It has some of my yarn and my knitting looms in it.  It also holds my sewing boxes.

 

In the box is some crafting tools.  The cupboard holds some misc. things.  The box has finished projects that I have to list on Etsy.  The tote holds soap-making supplies.  The chest is now empty and ready to go with my daughter.

 

 

The stand and the stuff on the shelves have to be but back in the livingroom after Christmas.  The tote contains home decor from the livingroom that we took down to make room for Christmas decorations.  The basket contains books which will find a new home soon.

 

 

My desk again.  The posters have been taking off the walls. 

 

This is all that will be done until after the New Year. 

 To see the before pictures, click here.  http://ggiftsg.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-officecraft-room.html

Etsy Team

Etsy teams are a great way to promote. You can promote your shop, your items, blogs, facebook page, twitter page, pinterest page and more.  I think a team set up exclusively for promoting your blogs, facebook page, twitter page, pinterest page is a good idea and maybe something I might do once I get established on Etsy. 

 

If you are on Etsy and reading this post, what do you think?  Leave your comments below.

Gifts In A Jar

 

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/117189361/gifts-in-a-jar-soups-made-to-order

 

 

What better way to fight off the cold than with a nice bowl of hot soup? These make a great gift for friends, family, co-workers, teachers or yourself.

Each jar contains all the dry ingredients for the recipe of your choice and a gift tag with the mixing and baking instructions.

These gifts should last up to 6 months.

 

Click above link to order yours today!

 



My Office/Craft Room

Between my husband and my self, we have 8 children.  We are down to one that lives home full-time.  So, we decided that since I didn't have an office or craft room we would convert one of the bedrooms.  Last week my husband started it for me by bringing some of the things into the room.  I have some organizing to do as you can see by the pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is my desk.  Needs to be cleaned off.

 

This is some of my craft supplies.  These need to be sorted and put away.

 

See the posters on the walls?  They belong to our boys.  They will be coming down.

 

This is like a cubby hole about 5 ft wide.  I couldn't get the whole picture because the room is so small.  Eventually, my husband is going to build actual cubbies so I can organize my yarns.

 

My desk again.  Yep, needs to be cleaned.

 

 

Well, as you can see, I have a lot to do.  I will post updates as things get done.  And yeah, see those walls?  I really want a new paint job!