ETSY online!

IT’S ALL ABOUT ETSY!

 

I’ve always enjoyed the creative process and using reclaimed wood for Folk Art satisfies my need to be creative.

I enjoy playing with wood, cutting, painting and repurposing it as something whimsical, fun and playful.

All I required was an outlet to sell my product, so opening an Etsy shop seemed like the right solution!

Although I have enjoyed starting up my Etsy shop, the downside is that it is taking up a great chunk of my time and I am discovering that too many hours at the computer is not such a great thing for back and eyes which begin straining and complaining to move away, go outside, jump, walk anything but sit at a screen editing listings, interacting in the discussions, checking and rechecking tags and titles, looking over the stats, (why are my views so low?) and brainstorming marketing ideas.

Then ‘HELLO’ I receive my first Etsy Transaction Note for an order and a following email from Paypal stating that an item has been paid for and can now be shipped and all the pains and strains melt away in the happy delirium of a sale!

Having an Etsy shop is so much fun and also so addictive!  To create something out of reclaimed wood or repurposed items and have a Buyer like it enough to purchase it, is so gratifying and motivates me to keep on creating!

A BIT ABOUT ME:

I live on Vancouver Island in a small cottage by the sea called Black Crow Cottage. My husband and I built our small cottage a few years back when our daughters grew up and away. We embraced the idea of minimizing, sold the big house and gave away or sold a lot of the items that are necessary to fill all the rooms of a big house and then we built small, very small by most folks standards, a mere 1000 square feet.  Living on a smaller footprint has been challenging in some ways and liberating in others.  Less time spent cleaning and more time having fun!

 

When a big storm took down our friend’s barn in the Cowichan Valley, I recovered a barn window from the collapsed building.

I knocked out the remaining glass, removed the old putty, repainted the frame and added squares of mirror. I gave it back to my friend as a memory of her old barn and she was delighted with it!  From there the inspiration of creating other Barn Window Mirrors began.

 

I am constantly inspired by the beauty of our West Coast shores.  Living by the sea not only affords me the luxury of kayaking, beachcombing and enjoying the West Coast lifestyle but also offers me a fresh 'crop' of driftwood daily to use in the making of driftwood boats, such fun to create, and of course it's very gratifying if others enjoy them as well!
My Etsy shop is still pretty new and while I am very focused on improvements I also have plenty to reflect on regarding my accomplishments, what I have learned and what I still need to learn.

AND I HAVE LEARNED AND ACCOMPLISHED PLENTY!

I’ve ACCOMPLISHED opening a shop, stocking it with Barn Window Mirrors, Driftwood Boats, Wall Hooks, Signs and Folk Art and I am actually making sales from people other than my friends and family. People unknown to me actually felt my product was worth purchasing. Go figure…

I’ve LEARNED that opening an Etsy shop is time-consuming and comes with an enormous learning curve. I am finding that I am spending way more time on my Etsy Shop than I had imagined I would.  I don’t have an addictive personality, however I have to be careful that when I ‘power up my computer’ and sit down at my desk I don’t get sucked into the Etsy vacuum and lose myself in the reading, absorbing and applying of what I am learning.

I’ve LEARNED that if you want compliments, ask your friends and family but if you want an honest critique from your Commitment Team that is exactly what you will get! Gut wrenching honesty. I have learned many things from the team I have joined, such as my photos are horrible, dark and cluttered and my shop is not cohesive. In the future I hope you will see cleaner, brighter product photos and a more cohesive shop look.

I’ve LEARNED the INS and OUTS of social media and how to increase my shop’s reach. So ‘friend’ me on face book and ‘like’ me on my blog.  Basically I am requesting all your hearts and attention…

In reviewing my successes this year the only thing I really know for sure is that I am exactly where I need to be...

BLACKCROWCURIOS believes in creative reuse by reclaiming and transforming cast off items into useful and decorative home accents. Beach combing and the inspiration of the outdoors are essential components of the BLACKCROWCURIOS design process.

Etsy Shop Link:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackCrowCurios

Personal Blog:  http://blackcrowcurios.wordpress.com/2013/05/22/folk-art/

Author:  Trish Repay

ARE YOUR CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING?

ARE YOU CONSIDERING OPENING AN ONLINE BUSINESS?

It's HARVEST TIME!!!

I typically associate a Winery with a wedding location or a wine tasting tour. But last Sunday we went to the local winery, Indian Creek,  for the Harvest Festival!! Let me tell you....it was beautiful weather, live music, local handmade crafters (Like Etsy sellers) and oh sooo good wine! We brought blankets and chairs and sat down on the beautifully flowering grounds with friends, wine and enjoyed the day!

The first 100 guests were given these fancy little wine glasses, and $5 bought you 5 tastings and a chance at a raffle. We arrived after, oh....let's say 500 people, so we had to pay for our lovely glasses. Then a bottle of Star Garnet, which is my favorite red wine that they make.

Above is where the band was set up all day and below, near a little pond were two gourmet food trucks! Apparently these food trucks are the new Top Chefs! I have ordered from a variety of these food trucks and the food never fails to be original, gourmet and so yummy! 

B29 Streetery is my favorite, the brisket sliders and garlic cilantro fries are delish. 

In their gift shop they have local jewelry and handmade goods among other must haves. I nearly bought this shirt, I am fairly certain it would have made me more awesome:) I do however have a bling wine shirt already, it reads Wineaux. Nearly every time I wear it someone tries to buy it off of me!!!

This little gal belongs to the owners. She roams the winery in search of pets and treats. There was a wine cork counting contest, guess how many in the bucket??? Alas I didn't win....

Needless to say the day was perfect and we can't wait to go to the next event. 

Check out the events for your local winery, they often have Holiday Festivals, where you can buy last minute xmas etsy-like goods, wine and even make your own concoction of wine!!

Happy Thursday!!

Vikki

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BenderBuckles

What Are We Teaching Our Children?

Debora L. Griffin - Wife, Momma, Domestic Goddess and Jewelry Artist. Sharing everyday experiences, parenting while re-purposing and up-cycling unique handmade jewelry pieces.  www.CraftedLocally.com 

These are my opinions.

For whatever reason, my husband LOVES to watch the train wreck of Mommas on Toddlers and Tiaras. He is so entertained watching grown women make idiots of themselves.  Because I love him and wanted to be with him, I sat in the room with him and watched with growing horror.  I couldn't believe not only how some of these women act, but also what they were teaching their children.

These women (I could say parents or families here because sometimes it is the whole family but for brevity I’ll leave it at women, that’s 99.9% of what you see on the show) have sexualized their children beyond belief.  It’s not enough that they are putting makeup on them to “make them beautiful” and that toddlers look like a 20 year old. Or that they are buying hair pieces for a 3 year old to wear, or even that they spend a truck-load of money for “flippers” (fake teeth to improve the smiles) and sparkly beautiful $5000 gowns.  No these women have to go on and sexualize them through their stage movements, dance and their theme outfits. 

Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman

Madonna theme outfit

Instructions at dance practice or stage performance practice or whatever you want to call it might include “shake your booty,” “flirt with the judges,” “show your sexy eyes,” “give me a real shimmy now” and the killer for me “sex it up some.” 

You heard me…”sex it up some.”  To a three year old - “Sex it up some.” REALLY?  REALLY?

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE?

I think it’s time for a disclaimer here.  My daughter participates in pageants.  She has participated in 3 school pageants over 3 years.  So at 13, 14, and 15 years of age, we bought her a formal (well, actually she bought it.  She saved enough money to buy it herself, I’ll tell you more in a later post) searched for that perfect Sportswear Outfit, put on a little extra makeup and let her strut her stuff across that stage.  Basically, she has fun playing dress up with her friends.

E. in Blue - Miss Congeniality

So you can see we are not against pageants - not at all.

But what these crazy mommas on Toddler and Tiaras are teaching their daughters just astounds me.

Even at 3 these pageants could be beneficial.  It could help a child feel comfortable in the limelight.  It could help her overcome shyness…or if she’s really a stage hound, it could give her a venue to perform a talent in front of a willing and appreciative audience.  As children get older pageants can teach poise and self-confidence, and perfect talent skills.  They can teach children to deal with stage fright, organizational skills, planning skills, time management, even some beauty tricks that the average female may not know.

But WHY OH WHY do we have to make it about being sexy?  Why does a 3 year old need sex appeal?  WHYYYYYYYY?

There were some other values being taught to the children that concern me too.  i.e.

•  You have no value if you aren't pretty;
• Do whatever it takes to win;
• Belittle your opponent;
• Complain if you don’t win;
• Acting like a “diva” is acceptable, nay, expected;
• No one else in this family is as important as you;
• It's ok to treat your mother with disrespect when you aren't getting your way;
• Screaming at people is acceptable;
• Pitching hissy fits is acceptable;
• Throwing things – acceptable;
• Ripping costumes – acceptable.  

enough said

screaming at mom

hissy fit

disrespect

This list goes on and on.  Some of these behaviors were prevalent because the child was tired and didn't WANT to do the pageant at that particular moment.  I get that. But at 3 years of age, I can definitively say…MOMMA put her there.  MOMMA entered her in a pageant.  MOMMA is responsible for the behavior and the training of the child thereof.

What ever happened to?

• Beauty is from within;
• Play fair;
• May the best man (child) win;
• Learn from your mistakes;
• Act like a lady;
• Treat others with compassion;
• Be respectful;
• Speak kindly to others;
• We’re in this together;
• You break it you pay for it (or in the case of a 3 year old…you’ll do without)?

Tolerating unacceptable behavior as a parent is just raising the next unproductive, uncontrolled, undisciplined adult, because you are telling them in the moment THOSE are the values you accept – live even.

As we got deeper and deeper into the show I started questioning…why would these mothers do this?  Why would they let their children act so disrespectfully?  Why did they act like children themselves? Why was having their child look sexy important to them?  It made me start thinking about some of the issues these mothers may be dealing with.

But this is a parenting blog so I’ll stick to that.

Parents – what you teach your children matters.  What you teach by example is often more important that what you teach by instruction.  Whether it is a pageant, sporting event, field trip or just every day life, these are all teaching moments.  And it is in these moments that your child learns about themselves, develops their self esteem, their self worth, their value, compassion for others, kindheartedness, self control, selflessness, self-reliance, sensitivity to others, teamwork, strength, thankfulness, thoughtfulness, loyalty...  Again, the list can go on and on.

Teach your children positive values.  Don’t blow it.

PS...not all of these pictures above show toddlers...but they are representative of what I saw on the program last night.  Below are some photos submitted for Miss Photogenic...I believe they are all toddlers - touched up.

PPS...I realize the producers choose the worst behaved child and weirdest mom...makes for "good" TV.

Now just a little pageant humor...or not.

Debora L. Griffin - Wife, Momma, Domestic Goddess and Jewelry Artist. Sharing everyday experiences, parenting while re-purposing and up-cycling unique handmade jewelry pieces.  

www.CraftedLocally.com

Good Reads: Never Have Your Dog Stuffed

A few weeks ago a coworker at my "day job" foisted a couple of books on me. She used the old line "You'd really like these," and I ended up with them, obligated to read and, of course, report that I liked them. I love reading; books are my favorite method for escaping my own life (which, despite my own better judgment, I still seem to be trying to do). Yet, I am always wary of books given to me by others. Like the kid at the lunch table who gives away his dessert without bargaining for it, I have to wonder what is wrong with it. It's clearly not your prize treasure because you are willing to risk handing it to me. There's also this freaky thing: I feel like I am peering into your skull when I read what you read.

Hesitations aside, I picked up Never Have Your Dog Stuffed the biography of Alan Alda (M*A*S*H star "Hawkeye") today and have gotten about halfway through. He's funny, quirky, intelligent and I think we share a similar disregard for other peoples' rules. So far it sounds like he'd do just about anything to follow his dream of being an actor. That's something I admire. The biggest difference between us seems to be that, at the age of twenty something, he still had that feeling of invincibility that only toddlers and lunatics seem to be able to muster. He never grew out of it, I suppose, and I doubt I ever had it. This whole "making it on your own as an artist" thing scares the crap out of me!

I am engrossed in figuring out how he managed to stay so insanely confident of success. I have been told before that learning about other artists is helpful to my own success, but it never really occurred to me to REALLY try until I met this HUGE ego of Mr. Alda's in his book. I suppose I'll let you know how the dissection of his words go. In the meantime, I am curious; what keeps the fear monster at bay for you when you want or need to accomplish a daunting task? I'd love to hear how other people operate.

Nee-ner-nee-ner!

Yummy! Weekend Breakfast!

It's the weekend, and there is definitely one thing I look forward to...a yummy breakfast made at home with my family. We try to do this at least once every weekend, schedules permitting. So we do our best to sleep in a little, we slowly wake up and then I make a beeline to the coffee maker. Everyone else follows closely behind and then we start asking, "What would be good for breakfast?" There's always suggestions for the usual suspects:  Sausage Gravy with Biscuits, Coconut French Toast, Eggs Benedict (my personal all-time favorite), Pancakes and Bacon...and the list goes on. We decide what we want and most of the time my husband and/or I have to go to the store and pick up odds and ends. (Okay, it's usually my husband because I'm just not quite ready to go out anywhere...ever...when I first wake up.) That's alright. Breakfast may be a little later than usual, but hey. It's the weekend! So - I'm going to feature three of our favorite breakfasts ever:

A family favorite is definitely Sausage Gravy with Biscuits. It's a recipe we got from my mother-in-law. I remember the first time I had it was with my husband and his parents. I had never had it before, and I was a little leery. (I seem to recall my dad calling it sh..on a shingle...it didn't sound appetizing AT ALL) I was polite and I tried it. SO GOOD! The epitome of comfort food for breakfast, and extremely easy to make. Brown a tube of Jimmy Dean Hot sausage in a medium sauce pan (DON'T strain the grease) sprinkle 2 - 3
tablespoons of flower over the browned sausage; mix well. Add 2 - 3 cups of milk (if you add 2 tablespoons flour, use 2 cups of milk (smaller, concentrated batch); if you add 3 tablespoons, use 3 cups of milk (larger, less concentrated batch, both options are very good and flavorful)) Turn heat to medium, stir frequently, let boil and reduce heat. Keep stirring occasionally until desired thickness is achieved. Cook biscuits according to directions (we like Pillsbury Grands in the exploding tube) Place 2 biscuits on a plate, pour gravy on top, and DONE! Seriously, it's so easy and very good. Not the best breakfast for dieting; it's definitely a treat. Pair this with a nice, hearty bloody Mary for the adults, and a glass of apple juice for the kids!


Another family favorite is French Toast. I generally make the French toast for my family. My husband makes the pancakes, so this is my "specialty". I oftentimes make the traditional French toast recipe - milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon. The kids love it, and so does the hubby. Another very easy to make breakfast. And then I happened upon a recipe for French toast in Coastal Living magazine...Coconut French Toast. OMG yum. It's a little more of a high maintenance French toast, but worth the wait. I am attaching a link for the recipe from Coastal Living Magazine: 

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/coconut-french-toast-10000001589332/ Seriously - if you like coconut, and you like French toast, you'll love this. It's especially great on a nice, sunny summer morning. Pair this with a fresh cup of Kona coffee for the adults, and a glass of pineapple juice for the kids! Then after breakfast you send the kids to the park and start making some pina coladas. ;)

And now for my all-time favorite breakfast in the world...Eggs Benedict. There are so many variations of this breakfast, and I prefer the traditional version - Eggs on top of a piece of Canadian bacon (or ham for those who don't care for Canadian bacon - I don't get this at all. Canadian bacon rocks!) on top of a toasted English muffin, smothered in Hollandaise sauce and topped with some parsley. Granted, I have yet to try to make my own hollandaise sauce; it's on my list of things to try. We just buy the packet of powdered mix, and then I soup it up with some lemon juice and pepper. My husband and I have yet to perfect the art of poaching an egg, so we make sunnyside-up eggs instead. Still very tasty, and the kids love it! Pair this with a mimosa for the adults, and a glass of OJ for the kids.

So - there you have it. Three awesome weekend breakfast ideas. Are they diet-friendly? Probably not. Are they yummy? Yes. Are they worth the wait for the weekend? Absolutely. I think next time I will give some diet-friendly breakfast ideas. Those are good, too!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Heather Zappo
Id & Ego Creations

Fall Gardening

Fall Harvest

When most people think about gardens in the fall, they usually picture ripe, orange pumpkins ready to pick, apples being picked off the tree, and baskets overflowing with fresh vegetables. Fall is the time when the summer vegetables and fruits finish ripening and become ready to enjoy. For many people, this season marks the end of the year for their gardens, and they are busy cleaning out the old plants and covering their garden beds with plastic for the winter. This has always been one of my favorite times of the year. Not just because I get to pick all the apples I want and eat all the fresh vegetables I want, but also because it's time to plant my fall garden.

Even in places like my home in Seattle, where we end up getting frosty mornings so quickly come fall time, there are many vegetables that can be grown successfully and are fairly frost-hardy. These plants include leafy crops like kale, lettuce, spinach, and swiss chard. Root crops like beets, carrots, garlic, onions, potatoes, radishes, and turnips. As well as broccoli, cauliflower and peas. These frost-hardy plants also make the best choices for the very first plantings in early spring.

If you're lucky to have a longer autumn season before the mornings turn frosty, then you can have your choice of any cool season crops, including: arugula (rocket), beets, brussels sprouts, cabbage, collards, celery (mild winter climates), chard, fennel, kohlrabi, mizuna, mustard greens, onions (bulbing), onions (bunching--standard onions harvested before they form bulbs), Pak choi (Bok choy), and coriander (cilantro).

 As with any gardening adventure, it's always best to do your research. Find out what grows well in the climate you have. Plant nurserys and your local county extension office will usually be more than happy to help you learn what kinds of cool season crops can do well in your area. Also make sure to research what the different crops need in terms of light/shade, and water. During the fall, you won't need to water a garden as much as you would in the hot summer months, but it's still important to make sure your plants are getting the water they need. Also make sure to find out what fertilizing needs your garden will have. During the wetter months of autumn, plants will usually need more fertilizer to ensure adequate nutrients in the soil. Above all, remember to have fun!

 Enjoy your summer harvest, and get those cool season crops planted!

ENTERTAINMENT - what is entertainment exactly?

What Do You Find Entertaining?

My Webster’s dictionary describes entertainment as anything from a leisure activity, a pursuit of amusement, an enjoyable hobby, leisure time, a riveting distraction or simply a diversion. 

Entertainment can be a source of laughter, enjoyment, delight, fun and pleasure when the entertainment is geared towards being lighthearted.

Or it could be relaxing if you are being entertained by soft music and a soothing massage.

Entertainment could also be dramatic and possibly heart rending as in an entertaining but sad movie.

My pleasures are many and so varied and a good number of them are homey ones. 

Things like devouring a book nestled in the ‘sweet spot’ of a comfy chair, dancing in the kitchen as dinner simmers, enjoying the sedate excitements of domesticity.  Just the mere feeling of Milorne’s soft touch on the small of my back entertains me.  Really it doesn't take much...

I am easily entertained by rainbows, watching the sun rise or by reveling in the luxury of a good book while relaxing in bed with the enticing smell of coffee wafting in the air. 

I am also thoroughly entertained while meandering through the library entranced by the scent and symmetry of rows of orderly books.

I am often entertained while hiking with friends or kayaking early in the morning when the water is smooth as glass, or while biking along a tree lined trail where the boughs overlap and provide a canopy tunnel.

 My entertainment quota is as full as the first sip of wine on a sunny deck overlooking the shore. 

The kid’s performances, cartwheels on the grass, a fast paced live hockey game or just visiting and laughing with friends and playing bocce ball on the beach on a stormy day.

Recently we sat on the grass in Victoria in the Inner harbour and watched for hours a variety of acts put on by the Buskers at the annual Buskers Festival.  There were an amazing variety of acts some which involved quick intellect while others required team work,courage and strength.

All humble delights and yet greatly entertaining...

How are you entertained?

author:  Trish Repay (BlackCrowCurios)To learn more about the annual Buskers festival in Victoria BC click on the following link:

http://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/guide-to-the-buskers-festival-in-downtown-victoria-1.542391