It's been a while

It's been almost a month since my last post so I figured it's time to check in. I have a shop full of jewelry waiting for those Holiday shoppers! I offer very low shipping rates and additional items ship free!

Thanks for stopping by!

Great Lists of Places to Sell and Promote for Etsy Sellers

I submitted a post to the Etsy forums today looking for a long list of places to promote my shop. I got a great list and wanted to pass it on to those of you who don't know about it.

I hope this is helpful. I'm going to start working on it right now. I need some serious Christmas sales! Take care and thanks for visiting! Also, check out these beautiful gemstone earrings I recently listed on Etsy.
Kira :)

List #1

Places to Sell Online:

www.supermarkethq.com
www.dawanda.com
www.handmadecatalog.com
www.canduru.com
www.youcraft.org
www.bigcartel.com
www.mintd.com
www.pinkpoodle.com
www.gozabo.com
http://lov.li
www.silkfair.com
www.cafepress.com
www.yessy.com
www.imagekind.com
www.winkelf.com
www.erayo.com
www.girlshopspot.com
www.seekingdesigners.com
www.skydowntown.com
www.elsewares.com
www.ecrater.com
www.crowsoup.com
www.shopify.com
www.craftersbuzz.com


Places to Advertise Online:

www.thelittleblackboxes.com
www.craigslist.org
www.webbcatalog.com
www.usfreeads.com
www.oodle.com
http://modish.typepad.com
www.theindiego.com
www.craftster.org/advertise
www.webclassifieds.us
www.linkrefferal.com
www.projectwonderful.com
www.diyscene.com
www.stumblehere.com
http://lunacraft.com/help_promote


Social Networking Sites:

www.myspace.com
www.flickr.com
www.deviantart.com
www.artbistro.com
www.indiepublic.com
www.creativestem.com
www.smidge.ca
www.stylehive.com
www.twitter.com
www.thedb.com
www.facebook.com
www.squidoo.com
www.thecreativespirit.ning.com
www.mylot.com
www.linkedin.com
www.cafemom.com
www.stumbleupon.com
www.entrecard.com
www.weloveetsy.com


Find Craft Shows/Fairs:

www.craftlister.com
http://zapplication.org
www.juriedartservices.com
http://eventlister.com
www.hpifestivals.com
www.artandcraftshows.net
www.artfaircalendar.com
www.bazaarbizarre.org
www.craftmasternews.com
craftsreport.com/showfinder
www.fairsandfestivals.net
www.festivaldirectory.com
festivalnet.com
www.indiecraftfairguide.com
www.indiecraftshows.com
www.sunshineartist.com
www.craftconnection.net

List #2

http://groups.msn.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/
http://us.vclart.net/vcl/
http://www.amateurillustrator.com/
http://www.artbyus.com/
http://www.artindustri.com/
http://www.artspots.com/
http://www.artwanted.com/
http://www.base.google.com/
http://www.bigcartel.com/
http://www.blip.tv/
http://www.Blogcatalog.com/
http://www.Blogger.com/
http://www.BlogsByWomen.com/
http://www.blujay.com
http://www.bouf.com/
http://www.burdastyle.com/
http://www.Cafepress.com/
http://www.cdhm.org/
http://www.cellspin.net
http://www.considerations.ning.com/
http://www.craftersbuzz.com/
http://www.craftjuice.com/
http://www.Craftster.com/
http://www.craigslist.org/
http://www.creativeartworks.cc/
http://www.Cuteable.com/
http://www.DaWanda.com/
http://www.DeviantArt.com/
http://www.diyscene.com/
http://www.Ecrater.com/
http://www.elfwood.com/
http://www.Etsyfame.com/
http://www.etsymini.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsyminisupplies.blogspot.com/
http://www.Facebook.com/
http://www.fashhh.com/
http://www.fashionindustrynetwork.com/
http://www.FashionSpace.com/
http://www.fecalface.com/SF/
http://www.Flickr.com/
http://www.folksy.com/
http://www.gawker.com/artists/
http://www.gazabo.com/
http://www.girlshopspot.com/
http://www.hyenacart.com/
http://www.ibrsc.org/
http://www.icollectorbazaar.com
http://www.icraft.ca/
http://www.illustrationmundo.com/
http://www.imagekind.com/
http://www.Indie.com.au/
http://www.IndieFriendly.com/
http://www.indieparade.com/
http://www.IndiePublic.com/
http://www.instructables.com/home
http://www.iqons.com
http://www.iupost.com/
http://www.ivoteforart.com/
http://www.jaabu.com/
http://www.kaboodle.com/
http://www.kijiji.com/
http://www.lampworketc.com
http://www.Linkedin.com/
http://www.Livejournal.com/
http://www.lookbook.nu/
http://www.loudfrog.com/
http://www.lov.li/
http://www.MadeIt.com/
http://www.madeitmyself.com/
http://www.merchantcircle.com
http://www.metalchasers.com/
http://www.metalchasers.com/
http://www.miniaturesonly.com/
http://www.Mintd.com/
http://www.modepass.com/membres
http://www.modish.typepad.com/
http://www.moli.com/
http://www.myartplot.com/
http://www.myartspace.com/
http://www.mybloglog.com/
http://www.Mycraftivity.com/
http://www.Myspace.com/
http://www.Neatostuff.com/
http://www.neoloch.com/
http://www.peacefulvalleygreetings.com/
http://www.phirebrush.com/
http://www.Picasaweb.com/
http://www.picturetrail.com
http://www.pieronymuskosch.ning.com/
http://www.pinkdoodle.com/
http://www.poppytalkhandmade.com/
http://www.pownce.com/
http://www.Ravelry.com/
http://www.redbubble.com/
http://www.RenSpace.com/
http://www.RubyLane.com/
http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/
http://www.sabet.tv/
http://www.seekingdesigners.com/
http://www.silkfair.com
http://www.smashingdarling.com/
http://www.Smidge.ca
http://www.squidoo.com/
http://www.StumbleUpon.com
http://www.StyleHive.com/
http://www.stylehive.com/
http://www.StyleMob.com/
http://www.TalentDatabase.com/
http://www.technorati.com/blogs/directory/
http://www.terralunasol.net/
http://www.thefairysociety.ning.com/
http://www.thelittlechimpsociety.com/
http://www.thisnext.com/
http://www.trendyshoppes.com/
http://www.tribe.net/
http://www.trilliumartisans.org/
http://www.Trunkt.com/
http://www.Twitter.com/
http://www.typepad.com/
http://www.ushops.com/
http://www.vimeo.com/
http://www.VintagePulse.com/
http://www.vox.com/
http://www.warmtoastcafe.com/
http://www.webshots.com
http://www.weloveetsy.com/
http://www.wench.org/
http://www.wetcanvas.com/
http://www.WindowonWeb.com/
http://www.winkelf.com/
http://www.wists.com
http://www.wwcrafters.com/
http://www.Xanga.com/
http://www.yessy.com/
http://www.youcraftylot.com/
http://www.yourhandmade.ning.com/
http://www.youtube.com/
http://www.zazzle.com/

I hope this is helpful. I'm going to start working on it right now. I need some serious Christmas sales! Take care and thanks for visiting! Also, check out these beautiful gemstone earrings I recently listed on Etsy. I posted a picture here for you.
Kira :)

New Items from My Etsy Shops

I want to remind you that I am adding new items to my shop on a very frequent basis. So if you love my work check back often. Here is a sampling of some newly listed items from Kiras Creations. Thanks for visiting!!! Kira :)

It's been a while

It's been a while since I've posted on here. I haven't forgot, just busy. I have listed a ton of new items since my last post. I know I sell mainly jewelry, but have also listed a few of my dolls. I have over 20 years experience as a seamstress. Here are some new items listed they include two Halloween dolls and a pair of Halloween themed earrings. One of the dolls and earrings are available in my shop at www.kirascreations.etsy.com. The other doll will soon be available. Thanks for visiting!

HALF OFF SALE!!!

I am having a half off sale in my "KirasCreations" Etsy shop. Check out the section titled "Half Off Sale" for items marked down. Prices are 50% off the original selling price. Prices are as marked. There are some great deals! Sale is for a limited time only. Thanks!

Here are some photos of newly listed items.







Thanks for looking!

Saturday Market, New Etsy Items, etc.

Good morning! I wanted to let all my customers know that I will be at the Longview Washington Saturday market again this coming Saturday. If all goes well you can expect to see me there every week. If you love my designs, this would be a great place to get them. I have a huge variety of jewelry at affordable prices. Also, here is some newly listed items from my Etsy shops. Thank you! Kira :)


Vintage Look Earrings


Lucite Beaded Earrings


Earrings with Vintage Beads and Hand Formed Ear Wires

Blue Quartz Wire Wrapped Earrings


Beautiful in Blue


Thanks for visiting my blog! Here are the links to my web site and shops:
Kiras Creations on Etsy
Kiss My Brass on Etsy
High Wired on Etsy
Kira's Creations Web Site

My First Show!

Just wanted to let you all know that I am doing my first show. I will be at the Longview, Washington Saturday Market on this coming Saturday. The market is held on Commerce Street. I am so excited! You will see a lot of the same stuff listed in my Etsy shop. I will have a ton of my jewelry, my own hand sewn handbags and more hand sewn items. So if you're in the area feel free to stop on by. Thanks!
Kira :)

Betsy (Feb 1995 to June 27, 2008)

Okay, it's been a while since I last posted one here. It's been a rough few weeks. Our dog Betsy passed away from cancer. We have been devastated by this. She was 13 years old and we've had her since she was a puppy. The story of how we got her is a cute one. One night, shortly after moving into the house we're living in now, my husband was working in the garage. He had the door open. It was a cold winter night. Next thing you know this little black puppy came waddling into the garage. The next day we went around door to door trying to find the owner. Instead of taking the puppy to the pound, we decided to keep her. We named her Betsy. We have so many fond memories of Betsy. She especially loved going to the river to play. We have her son, Max, who came from her second litter of puppies. They snuggled up together every night since the day he was born, about 8 years ago. He is doing okay, and is happy as ever. However, he seems to be looking for her from time to time, checking the back door to see if she comes in. This is a sad time for us and also a happy one, because we are so lucky to have known her and had her for the short time she was on this earth.

New Items

Disco Balls Necklace

In Love With Red


I purchased some vintage jewelry, took it apart and came up with some cool items.
Thanks for looking! Kira :)

Etsy Yart Sale!

Disco Balls (Available in my Etsy shop Kiss My Brass)


Charm Watch (Available in my Etsy shop Kira's Creations)


Someone on Etsy started the idea of an online craft yard sale. Instead of yard sale it's a yart sale. I thought this was a very cute name and a great idea. I am joining in. I have just started adding some stuff to it and will continue to add more. All of my yart sale items are in my KirasCreations shop. All items in Kira's Creations yart sale section are 50% off of regular price. Sale runs from Wednesday, June 11 through Friday, June 20th. After the 20th, I will be marking my items back up to regular price. I would recommend taking advantage of this. I have and will be adding some great jewelry pieces. Also, take a look at some of my newly listed items. These items pictured are NOT yart sale items. Thanks for stopping by!

Check these out!

"Friendship"


"Friendship Brass Bangle"


"Brass Filigree Dragonfly Necklace"


Am I imagining things or has business on Etsy been slow? I've been selling some, but not like usual. I sold a nice pair of gemstone earrings yesterday so was pretty stoked about that. Here are some of my brass items from my Kiss My Brass Etsy shop. Visit my shop for more of these fabulous creations! I also have two more Etsy shops. My main shop where you can find a large variety of jewelry is called Kira's Creations. My destash/ supply shop is called High Wired. Thanks for stopping by!
Kira :)

Check out some of my cool brass jewelry!

Bold and Beautiful (Available in my KissMyBrass shop).


Rain Drops (Available in my KissMyBrass shop).

Today is my daughter's 20th birthday. It makes me feel old! We went out to dinner and a movie. The movie we saw was What Happens in Vegas. I just wanted to recommend it to those of you who love romantic comedies. It was a very funny and heartwarming story.

Also, check out some of my items. My new Etsy shop called Kiss My Brass has yet to see any sales. I have some really nice and unique jewelry. Definitely worth checking out. You can get there by going to www.kissmybrass.etsy.com.

New Items and New Shop

Bird Drops (Available in my KissMyBrass shop).

Diamond Copper Wire Wrapped Necklace

Floral Elegance


Have you had a chance to check out my new Etsy shop yet. It's called Kiss My Brass. I still have my main shop which is called Kira's Creations. Here are some new and very cool items from Kiss My Brass.

Hi

It's been a rough few weeks. Our dog Betsy, whom we've had almost 14 years is dying from cancer. A while back we had a tumor removed from her chest. We were hopeful that it was just benign. We were wrong it was a very fast spreading cancer. Her arthritis has also taken a turn for the worse so she has the double whammy! The cancer has spread and is spreading with a vengeance. We love her sooo much and are very torn up about this. My kids have been upset and crying because they see her getting worse. I realize there is nothing that can be done. At her age and in her condition I won't put her through any more surgeries. We are now discussing having her put to sleep, which is one of the hardest decisions we've ever had to make. We are torn between our selfish love for her and her pain. Anyway, I had to talk about this. Anyone else experience anything like this who can give me advice? Thank you!
Kira :)

Set up a third Etsy Shop!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11621061


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11487925

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11474648


I recently set up a new Etsy shop. It's called Kiss My Brass Creations. I will dedicate it mainly to my brass jewelry creations. Currently I have 10 items, but will be listing on a regular basis. Check out the samples of some of the items you will find there.
Here are addresses to all three shops:
www.kirascreations.etsy.com - Jewelry/ Main Shop
www.highwired.etsy.com - Supplies/ Destash
www.kissmybrass.etsy.com - Brass Jewelry


Also, feel free to check out my website in progress: www.kirascreations.com. I am working on some tutorials that I plan on adding to it soon.

Thanks for stopping by!
Kira :)

Business is slow/ New shop

I've noticed lately that business on Etsy is slow for many of us. I haven't been selling much at all lately. Yesterday I sold some beads in my supply shop. Because of this I have been trying to come up with some new ideas. One of these ideas was to open a new shop where I can sell my brass creations. I named it KissMyBrass. So here are my links:
Kira's Creations - kirascreations.etsy.com - Main shop, jewelry
High Wired - HighWired.etsy.com - Supply shop
Kiss My Brass Creations - KissMyBrass.etsy.com
Also feel free to check out my web site in progress at www.kirascreations.com. I am working on some tutorials to put on here. So check back often.
Thanks for visiting! Kira :)

And so on and so on

Hi, It's been a while since my last post. I've been a little busy. I wanted to check in and show some newly listed items. I really enjoyed making these bracelets and am very happy with how they turned out. Who would have thought all one color could look so pretty! Thanks for looking and make sure to check out my web site in progress at kirascreations.com.
Kira :)

Wanted to add...

I have new supply shop on Etsy. It's called HighWired. I originally set this shop up for other reasons. It has sat idle for a while. Recently I decided I would use this to sell the supplies that I am not using. A lot of times I will buy beads and not use them all. The leftovers collect dust. I would like to see others get use out of them. This shop can be found at www.highwired.etsy.com.
Thanks! :)

What about the Etsy forums?

What's up with the Etsy forums these last few months or so? There is so much meanness and animosity going on lately that I rarely post in them any more. Etsy admin needs to take a look at what's going on and start doing something about it. Not too long ago I posted a question on there. I got many friendly responses, but also got a couple of not so nice comments from one person. To me this is very upsetting. Why can't people treat each other with respect. Treat others like you want to be treated. Some people get enjoyment out of being nasty to others who are asking honest and legitimate questions. What do others think of this? It's got to the point where many Etsy users are afraid to post on there for fear of being harassed in the forums. There needs to be definite changes made or Etsy will lose a lot of it's longtime sellers. It reminds me of high school. Okay, I'm done. :)

Vegas or Bust

I spent most of last week in Las Vegas. I haven't been there for ten years and wow has it changed! I didn't want to leave. If it weren't for the fact I had kids waiting at home for me I would have stayed. After this visit my husband and I are seriously considering moving to the Las Vegas area. We both suffer from arthritis and found the climate in that area did wonders for both of us. Living in the NW can be murder on arthritic joints. Cold, wet weather aggravates the symptoms. I figure I'll wait until my 14 and 16 year old girls have finished school.
I wanted to add an extra thank you for waiting to those of you who purchased from me during this period.
Kira :)

My Second Place Creation

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10977089

I entered this necklace in the BrassBouquet design contest at BrassBouquet.com. I am excited to say that I along with another designer received 2nd place runner up. I am so honored to have received this. I wanted to show my design and let you all know that it is available in my Etsy shop. I received a $25 shopping spree and my item is featured on the BrassBouquet website. Brass Bouquet is my favorite supplier. I recommend checking out the website or her Etsy shop. She has the very best prices on the internet for brass goods.
Thanks for stopping by!
Kira :)

Second Shop for Supplies

Okay, a while back I opened a second shop. I was going to sell wire wrapped jewelry in that shop and other jewelry in my main shop. I listed a few things and sold a few things and decided I was going to close it. It has sat idle for a while until just the other day. I am always buying beads and findings and almost always have leftovers that I don't use. This is where I got the idea to use this shop that has been sitting idle as a supply shop. Currently I have 5 things listed and will be listing a lot more in the future. I am so excited because I've sold my first item from my supply shop last night. Yeah! It was a set of metal utensil charms, forks, spoons and knives. I'm off to a great start. The shop is called High Wired and you can reach it by going to http://www.highwired.etsy.com. Here is the newest listed item from Kira's Creations:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10803935

Also, don't forget to check out my new web site at www.kirascreations.com. Feel free to sign up for my mailing list. This is a good way to find out about sales and newly listed items. I am also going to start a little newsletter which will be delivered through email. I welcome any comments or ideas to make my site better. I am new to the web site thing so desperately need any input I can get.
Talk to ya later,
Kira :)

Web Site Up!

Yeah! I finally got my web site published. I know it's not perfect and needs some definite tweaking, but it's up. I am so excited! Check out this newly listed necklace. This is definitely one of my favorites. www.kirascreations.com

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10770088


Talk to ya later! Kira :)

Lots of Views

Wow, last I looked this necklace had 242 views and 21 people hearted it. I am surprised it hasn't sold yet. This is a unique design, designed and copyrighted by me. I would love to show it off again. Here are a few pics of it. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10114984
Thanks for looking!
Kira :)

Working on a Custom Order/ New Items

Okay, This week has been soooo slow in my Etsy shop. This has encouraged me even further to get going on my web site. I am having issues figuring out some of the technical things on it. It is a website tonight thing from GoDaddy. I'm ready to give up on this one and go back to the one I started on Weebly.com. I have been working on a custom order this week. It is for a mother of a bride. I am stressing about this one because I want it to be perfect. I finished some of the jewelry, but still have a bracelet and possibly a necklace left to do. Also, would love to show you a new pair of earrings I listed on Etsy. My first and successful try at oxidizing sterling silver.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10532486

This is my first time oxidizing sterling silver and love how it turned out. Here are the instructions I went by:
1. Boil an egg or two dependng on how much silver your oxidizing. Boil for 30 to 45 minutes.
2. Peal eggs. Put in a plastic tupperware container.
3. Smash the eggs up.
4. Put your items, which should be hung on a earring holder or something that will suspend the items above the eggs, in the container with the eggs. You can put the items directly in the eggs, but suspending eliminates the clean up hassle.
5. Cover with Lid
6. Leave it for a few hours or overnight depending on the result you are looking for. The earrings pictured above were left in overnight.
7. If you like them darker, repeat the steps above.
8. Buff with steel wool until you reach the desired look. Buffing will lighten and rough up the outer areas keeping the crevices dark. This gives an aged look. I didn't buff the earrings above, because I love the way they look as is.

I would love to hear any new and unique ways others oxidize their metal. I have some brass dragonflies that I want to age and am looking for a home method for doing this. I am not into all of the harsh aging chemicals on the market.

Thanks for passing through and reading my blog! Come back any time! Kira :)

Long time no blog

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10374136

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10423545

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10350192

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10324610

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10446302


I have been distant from my blog lately and appologize. I am so excited. Yesterday I booked a trip to Las Vegas. So if you are a customer of mine I will be away from April 7th through April 10th. I will be back on Etsy the 11th. Feel free to purchase from my shop during this time. Keep in mind I will not be shipping or answering my convos during this period.
Today I would love to show you some of my new items. Currently I have 423 items listed on Etsy. I just can't stop creating. I get such enjoyment out of it and have gone a little overboard. This is great for my customers because they have a ton of different items to choose from.
Talk to you soon and happy blogging! :)