Front Page Themes and Tags for Feb. 20-24th

It's been a couple of weeks since we have taken a look at some of the front page themes and tags to grace the front pages of Etsy and Artfire. I personally am enjoying the shift into spring (despite the snow here today). Be sure to check out Etsy's March Merchandising article for an insight into upcoming holidays and popular trends. Here's this week's list of front page themes and tags:

Etsy:

• I'll Stay in Your Forest Forever (forest, animals, rabbits, hare, deer, birds, bear, whimsical, cute, strange, weird, nature, trees)
• It's a polar bear kinda day (polar bear, ice, water, blue, white, greenpeace, fragile, nature, polar, bear, environment, climate change)
• Once Upon a Time (magic, fairy, tale, fairytale, forest, story, white, sparkle)
• Become an Animal (animal, human, person, wild, mask, animalistic, owl, mosquito, horse, bird)
• Bright Spring Finds (aqua, red, kelly green, blue, white, bright, spring, fine art, photography)
• One touch of nature makes the whole world kin (woods, woodland, forest, trees, fox, deer, squirrel, mushroom, acorn, nature, trends, green, garden)
• Cozy Day (brown, caramel, earth tones, cream, beige, ivory)
• Inspired by an Irish Cottage (ireland, st.patricks day, green, clover, shamrock, garden, nature, unique, march trends, spring, cottage, irish)
• Orange (orange, maple, carrot, mouse, brown)
• In a dream like state (spring, gardening, spring, planting, neutral, palatte, dreamy, white, peach, natural history, woodland theme, terrarium, succulent, handmade, spring trends, march trends, nature)
• awaiting Spring
• Dreaming of Summer (summer, daydream, water, beach, june, fan, clothing, jewelry, flies, bugs, picnic, warm weather, biking, gardening, petals, green, yellow)
• Celestial (celestial, galaxy, planetary, light, white, astronomy, stars, astrology, night, sky, nighttime, blue, black, grey, dark, cloudy, sparkle, crystal, planet, constellation)

Artfire:

• Lady Sings the Blues
• Give Me Five
• Green Grass
• Coffee- Got to Have it!
• Spring, Spring, Creations of Spring
• A New Spin on Earth Tones
• Sunset Splendor
• Owls, Acorns and Mushrooms, Oh My!
• Gardening
• Going Buggy
• Fancy Pants
• Spring Miniature Containers
• St. Patrick's Day
• Nothing but Blue Skies
• A Day at the Beach
• Forecast: Rain
• Lemon Meringue
• All in the Mind
• Time on My Hands
• Shades of Green

New Goodies from some of my fav. shops!

Hope that everyone enjoyed their long weekend. It was a holiday here in Canada for Family Day and we spent the day lounging around then headed to my parents for a nice dinner. I also spent some time browsing around some of my fav. Etsy shops and found some new goodies from some talented local artisans. Here's a selection for you to enjoy!

Coffee Bean Stitch Markers from Bijoux Designs For You

Sea Songs Necklace from Agawa Canyon

Soother Clip and Washcloth in Orange from DezignzbyLiz

New Artfire Collection!

Not Just for Ice ...

Curated By: kawarthabeads

ArtFire.com

Craft Supplies

Local: Stock up at the Indoor Yard Sale!

Kawartha Lakes This Week is hosting their 12th annual Indoor Yard Sale on March 5th from 9-2 at the Moose Lodge in Lindsay. While I will not be taking my own table this year (I didn't think I could be on my feet that long at this stage of pregnancy) I will be making an appearance to help my mom. This year she will be destashing an assortment of quilting books, patterns, and fabric fat quarters so if you like to sew be sure to stop by her booth for some great deals!!!

If you are looking to clear out some of your own goodies there are still some spaces available. Table are $39.55 (tax incl.) and you can book your table by calling the newspaper at (705) 324-8600.

Artfire Top Sellers List

This is by no means an official list, it is merely put together by yours truly through browsing the wonderful shops of Artfire and with some starter help from the AF forums. I will try and update it once a week and would love to eventually have the top sellers for each handmade category. If you would like to have your Artfire shop added please contact me through my Artfire Studio. You may have your name removed from the list at any time if you so wish, just let me know.

HANDMADE:
1) mayleesgarden (1538)
2) mysticknotwork (1120)
3)soapsmith (1107)
4) spoiledbratzwear (948)
5) libertydoll (547)
6) thyme2dream (539)
7) normasbathandbody (445)
8) bakidagain (310)
9) paperstreet (242)
10) katsallthat (216)
11) kibbles (212)
12) sandrahealy (119)
13) LAjewelrydesigns (99)

SUPPLIES:
1) lululalaland (143627)
2) miabellacollection (5692)
3) susansscrapbookshack (5166)
4) cupcakesocial (4450)
5) bobbibeads(1381)
6) royalmetals (1345) 
7) tantalizingstitches (1095)
8) bopper (1045)
9) rougeriverbeads (803)
10) beadcomber (738)
11) susansheehan (555)
12) bakidagain2 (433)
13) beadsbytlc (181)

Are you on the Artfire Top Sellers list? I would love to interview you and share your journey. Contact me through my Artfire studio if you are interested.

Baby Shower Goodies!

Yesterday I had a great time at a baby shower for my sister's best friend. She's due March 10th with her first and I'm excited to have another mommy expecting so close to me (I'm due with my 2nd April 29th). What a perfect time to place my first order with friend and fellow mom-preneur Shannon of Baby Bum Cakes. Specializing in custom made diaper cakes using only quality baby items, they are both a fun and practical gift for new parents. Be sure to stop by the website and check out this February Promotion: Become a Facebook friend to our 'Baby Bum Cakes' local business page by clicking on 'Like' and receive a 10% discount off your order for the entire month. Be sure to add "Facebook friend" in the Special Instructions section of the Order Form.

I also added my own handmade touch with this Mom To Be Charm Necklace from my own shop. Necklace can be customized with a yellow, pink or blue flower. All this baby excitement is getting me in the mood for our new arrival as well.

Countdown is on!



Custom Order Inspiration!

I had a wonderful customer contact me the other day to create a pair of earrings and necklace to match the Purple Flower Memory Wire Bracelet that she wanted to order. I decided to do a cascade style necklace and she had requested a fairly long chain. I have created several of this style of necklace over the past year and every time I make one I remind myself that I need to make more (including one for myself!) I love the way that it turned out and the combination of purples creates such a rich and luxurious piece. We decided to go with a chunkier style chain and then she can shorten or lengthen it depending on her outfit. I'm definately feeling inspired by her order so watch for some more of this style of necklace to come soon!

Stampin Up Fun!

I've been such a bad blogger this week but I've been having such a great time creating new goodies! The perfect thing to do when it's cold and snowy outside! Last week my dear friend Courtney hosted a Stampin Up workshop/party with demonstrator Maria. Despite enjoying making tags I have never actually made any cards. We made 3 cards, one for Valentine's, and two more generic cards. They were so much fun! I also learned quite afew new techniques which I have been playing around with this week and I haven't even received my goodies that I ordered yet! If you are interested in checking out some of Maria's fun techniques you can visit her blog at http://simplycardsbymaria.blogspot.com/ or to check out her Stampin Up selection you can visit http://mvanderform.stampinup.net/.