I started a forum in etsy about the front page analysis I do each Tuesday and I found out people want some analysis done of my findings.  I’ve decided to try to do this on the last day of the month – seems appropriate.  So, here’s what I have.  This is from January 1st through February 16th.  I think there is about a three day hole in there that I missed on the etsy flickr site, but it’s the best I can do right now….

KEYWORDS:

The most used keyword is ROMANTIC.  Of the 62 keywords that were used for the front page in the time from January 1st through February 16th, romantic was used 7 times, or 11.3%.

2nd – recycled, 6 times or 9.7%

3rd – tie:  geometric and Haiti relief: 4 times or 6.5%

4th – love, 3 times or 4.8%

INSPIRED BY:

I counted 49 front pages created by ‘inspired by’ themes.

Appropriate to the month and time frame, Valentine’s Day wins first in this category having11 front pages, or 22.5%.

2nd – with 4 front pages – fairy tales (or whimsical fairy tales)  8.2%

3rd –with 2 front pages – Winter Olympics, 4.1%

MISCELLANEOUS:

The most common miscellaneous front pages (besides, unique gift ideas and browsing etsy categories) are Community Picks from Etsy Treasury’s and Pounce your way to New Finds. 

Etsian Curated Front Pages

In the month an a half that I watched (excluding those three forementioned days), there were 384 front pages made by etsians!  WooHoo! 

Front Page Makers

ThePeachTree, NiuTaller, glassetc, and coolranchstudio all had 4 treasuries.

zwzzy, TheFancyLamb, RustBeltThreads, ozetta, LostandFawned, kauthiroussel, glasfaden, and DawnCorrespondence, all had 3 treasuries make the front page.

Nice work!

What other types of analysis would you like to see in my monthly summaries?  Did you find this helpful?

Still not feeling the best but this definitely boosted my spirits today!

Thank you Weezawear for including my Flowers of Autumn Quilt in your beautiful FRONT PAGE Treasury!

I officially have  a sinus infection – I went to the doctor today after having a cold on and off for two months and an eye that wouldn’t stop ‘dripping’ for three weeks .  I am now on three different medicine’s to try to clear it up and I’m officially beat (any home remedies for feeling better from these kinds of things would be much appreciated).  

So today, I’m going to keep ‘Themed Thursday’ fairly simple – some recent favorites of mine…

Normally I featured OriginalsbyLauren for her amazing quilts or adorable little girl clothing, but today I had to share with you her Sterling Silver Rectangular Pendant.  I find it just stunning!

I discovered MintyFreshFushions gorgeous Sterling Stack Rings with One Copper Heart after ImogensGarden tweeted about wearing the jewelry she had received from this shop.  I am in LOVE!

Anyone that knows me, knows that I have an affinity for hats.  This Hand Knit Hat Oversized from beltfussy is no exception.  I would love to add it to my collection but I’m not sure my husband thinks I need anymore. 

I don’t typically wear pins but I may have to make an exception for this adorable Little Quilted Posy Pin from pinderella.

My last pick for today is this Laughing Buddha print from MelissaBeach.  It brings me back to my college days.  I went to UW Madison for Civil Engineering and all of my earlier core classes were HUGE (300-500 students).  At each exam, I would pull out this tiny Buddha statue I had, kiss it and pass it around to everyone else to kiss it’s belly or rub it or whatever they wanted.  Since classes were so large it was difficult to remember people or make friends.  Then, at the beginning of a semester I was sitting in a much smaller discussion class and the guy next to me looked at me and said, “Hey!  You’re the Buddha girl!”  We’ve been friends ever since.  Anyway, I had to share this print with you since I’ve always loved Buddha's and I still feel they helped get me through those crazy exams!

 I know! I can’t believe it either! My baby girl is two today! In remembrance of that special day I’m going to take a little look back…(sorry, I do this with each birthday…I personally never get sick of remembering their ‘birth story’)

February 24th, 2008

I woke up that morning extremely uncomfortable because I was ridiculously pregnant and baby girl was hanging out with her feet jammed under my ribs. Also, today was my due date and baby had not dropped…I was NEVER going to have her. Jared knew I was not in a good mood so he said he would watch Cedi while I went and sewed a bit…sewing relaxed me.

My mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and I had decided to make a quilt for Katrina’s wedding (Barb’s daughter). Karma had just gotten me her blocks the day before and I decided I would try to get my portion done since I knew that once baby did decide to come I wouldn’t have much time for sewing. I ended up finishing my part in the quilt that morning.

I think Karma called me around 1:00 to wish me “Happy Due-Date.” I responded with, “Shut Up, this baby is never coming.” Around 2ish I felt something weird…but wasn’t quite sure what it was (I was induced with Cedi and once I started contracting I pretty much had my baby-so I wasn’t really sure what contractions felt like). Cedi was napping so I told Jared that we should do the bills while she was down.

I decided to take a shower. When I got out I realized that my contractions were really close together. I told Jared he should call his parents…we needed to go to the hospital.

I think we arrived at the hospital around 4 or 4:30. Jared said that the roads were the best they had been all winter. (thank goodness!) I felt like I was in Triage forever before they finally got me my own room. All I wanted was an epidural.

My doctor got to the hospital pretty quickly…it was her first anniversary and I tore her away from their dinner (sorry but thanks!). All I wanted was an epidural. My doctor ordered one for me as soon as she got there but she knew my labor would probably be short. They called to say the epidural would be there in fifteen minutes. I made Jared tell me the time so I could try to keep track. Thirty minutes later and 8 cm I had given up all hope. I even looked at my doctor and said, “This is going to be you in three months!” (she was pregnant too…)

But, miracles upon miracles, the anesthesiologist arrived right then. Stuck an insanely large needle in my back while I was having contractions (I had to sit absolutely still, but it really helped me deal with the pain by having something to focus on). It started to work pretty much right away. I had them put the Oscars on. They told me that a lot of women like to wait and rest before they start pushing. I said, “Let’s just get her out.” Fifteen minutes later (at 8:16pm), my beautiful baby girl, Capri, joined us. She was 8lbs 1oz and 21-inches of absolute perfection!

Happy Birthday my beautiful and sweet baby girl!

Cedi (at 15 mo) meets her baby sis for the first time!

 Here’s our picture from ONE Year ago…now let’s take a look and see how she’s GROWN! Here Capri is with a disheveled momma on her SECOND birthday! She’s very excited about her blue (her favorite color…) cake today…that’s all she’s talked about for the last few days…and her Uncle Brian.

KEYWORDS/Search Terms

• geometric
• embroidery
• eco
• romantic x 3
• woodland
• science
• carnival
• rustic
• natural history
• organic
• travel
• bicycle
• recycle x 2
• cute
• linen
• aqua and gold
• stripes
• music

INSPIRED BY:

• love
• fairytales
• Winter Olympics x 2
• the public library
• winter whites
• surfing
• artists’ studios
• bright colors
• fresh home decor
• vintage weddings
• international vacation
• geeks and nerds

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Community Picks from Etsy’s Treasury x 2
• Found Browsing Etsy’s Categories x MANY
• Community Nominated Fashion Finds
• Community Favorite Valentine Gifts for Her
• Recently Listed Items
• in Celebration of Mardi Gras

CURATORS:

• arttales
• tootsytwo
• binkaminka
• editionbw
• That70sShoppe
• mujoyas
• InmostLight x 2
• Fluur
• filofashion
• StoneMe
• thejunebride
• nauli
• slubird
• reflectionsbyds
• factorygirlashli x 2
• floodplainstudio
• ggiotta
• malam
• RubySueVintage
• feltandfound
• aemcdraw
• BlueRoseRetro
• volleyballgirl
• gemagenta
• kimiko611
• ArzuMusa
• decoratethediva
• terrain
• rejenerate
• dillondesigns
• CreaShines
• alyanna
• OnYourHead
• DawnCorrespondence
• CowlickCutie
• cricicis
• virtuebathandbeauty
• KalliaSuppliesland
• nauliknits
• ifanhour
• LAWBags
• 3squares
• HeartshapedCreations
• fivelittlegems
• FootprintDesigns
• dinafragola
• cooljewelrydesign
• ThongbaiTatong
• JudyRuth
• FebystanDesigns
• 4URKrafts
• capelet
• shecological
• abacusbeadcreations
• calloohcallay
• bitterend
• embellishedlife
• MyBlackEyedSusan
• zerva
• KellyChristina
• aroluna
• lavenders
• linkeldesigns
• glassetc
• Rosengarten
• stylinstuff
• strandsofflight
• TheSunflowerGallery
• KissedbyClover
• lunahoo x 2
• KneeDeepOriginals
• ZhivanaDesigns
• emeemeKids
• diasyflores
• theLostEarring
• OrdinaryMommy
• glassetc
• misobel
• CityofDionne
• OrdinaryMommy
• botodesigns
• TheFancyLamb
• sweeteverythings
• Aurorart
• NiuTaller
• PixelWildChild

Last weekend I participated in the Valentine Craftacular at the High Noon Saloon in Madison, WI. It was SPECTACULAR – as a seller and as a shopper. Just before everyone started picking up I managed to make a quick run to snag a few items I’d been eyeing the entire day – one of those being two really big, and really adorable pigs! I thought they’d be the perfect Valentine Gift for the girls and keep them happy as I was picking up my booth. These adorable pigs were made by Christina Ward Creatures. They are super cute and super durable! The perfect prop for PIG RACES!

Before we get to the pictures of my adorable girls racing, I would like to share with you some more fun information that I’ve learned about ChristinaWard:

Tell me a little bit about your background in arts and crafts.

I'm a product of the early 1980's Milwaukee. It was a strange time. Factories were closing, we lived with a real fear that the world was going to end in nuclear annihilation! I was lucky to have my Gramma living on her farm between Black River Falls and Osseo, Wisconsin. (This is the area made famous by Micheal Lesy's 'Wisconsin Death Trips'!) I spent most of my summers with her.

We had an outdoor privy. There was electricity, but no phone and the heat was from a wood burning furnace in the basement. The house itself was a three room with an attic structure constructed from old dynamite boxes left over from when the railroads were being put through.

My grampa had died in 1974, so we didn't keep the pigs and Black Angus anymore, but we had loads of chickens and a full 2 acre garden. In those days, you either did it yourself or worked with your neighbors to barter what was needed.

Gramma made rag rugs on her loom, stitched quilts, tatted, canned, crocheted and did loads of other home skills now enjoying resurgence. Childhood itself was different during that time and place. Kids worked! The TV was black and white and only got in a weak signal from Eau Claire. Enough to watch the news and Johnny Carson.

As I got older I became more and more interested in what she was doing. How do you string a loom? How do you stretch a quilt using dining room chairs? What are the signs that blueberry bushes are nearby? She began to teach me the basics. Nothing formal, I just became another set of hands for her. So we would work together with me asking questions and taking mental pictures of how it should be done.

When did you first start creating things?

I was always a tinkerer as a kid. Making Barbie clothes from scraps. Nailing boards together to make boats. Experimenting with my easy bake oven. My first conscious success was a version of the Cabbage Patch dolls in 1983. My gramma had taught me an old way of making dolls using old stockings...I was using gramma's stash of silk stockings!

I brought the doll I made to my Home Economics teacher and she was really surprised. She had me make her two more for her friends. I think that was the start.

What were the first things you created? and how did your creativity progress from there?

This kinda continues from the last questions.....I moved on from the old stocking dolls to making a full size person! It was a prank for school. She hung by a noose in a classroom window; it was very effective!

I then would make animals for friends as presents. It wasn't until many years later that my husband encouraged me to try to sell them.
Is this your only business or do you do other things as well?

I'm one of those people that cannot sit still! I can't even watch TV without having a book or sewing in my hands. (me too!) My other current projects/work/obsessions are:

1. Milwaukee Beersoap. My friend is a brewmaster at Sprecher Brewery here in Milwaukee. We make soap from the beer and sell it to small boutiques and stores in the midwest.

2. Making my stuffed animals! I have so many ideas for designs in my head and never enough time to work on them. I'm thrilled this year to have the opportunity to attend Maker Faire in San Francisco in May 2010 and do some teaching of creature design.

3. Baking! I love baking. Every holiday season I bake around 25,000 cookies that get packaged and bagged and sent all over to our friends and family. I also do some baking throughout the year. My goal for this year is to master some traditional Polish pastries, as enjoyed by my husband's family.

4. Gardening. I volunteer at Pinehold Gardens CSA throughout the season as a farm laborer. My youthful farm experience pays off! I also work at our urban backyard garden during the season.

5. Wine making & food preservation. I'm big on canning and all types of preservation. I make jellies, jams, pickles, wine, whatever else we can think of.

6. WMSE 91.7fm. This radio station is a small community radio station in Milwaukee. I volunteer as a grant writer, development developer and all around helper. This radio station is the ONLY outlet for local music of all types and genres.

Do you still dream about making other things? If so, what?

My brain is always ten steps ahead of me! Animal wise, I have patterns I'm working out for 4 new animals. I've got a series of quilts reflecting the year 1979 in Middle Eastern Politics that I hoped to have finished in 2009...but am still working on.
My big pipe dream project is a still. Yup, moonshine. I've been reading about how to do it. I've got a set of plans. Someday soon, you may see the smoke in the backyard and know that we got the applejack a cookin' and keep the revenuers away!

How did you come up with your shop name?

My shop name is the antithesis of creative! It's just my name. I couldn't think of anything clever and remembered what my dad always said, "All we really own in this world is our own good name." I thought, well, good enough!

What are your favorite shops on etsy? Why do you like them?

I have an odd and a bit rarefied sensibility, so my taste is what could be called a bit "off". I love looking at the shops of my compadres on the Plush Team. Collectively and individually, they are mighty inspiring. What I find myself drawn towards buying are items that are wonderfully unique and expertly crafted.
Here are some of my favorite places on etsy:

http://www.etsy.com/people/MiR1

MiR1 does sillkscreen designs of Russian Criminal Tattoos. A subculture from the Soviet era that spawned a whole new type of art.

http://www.etsy.com/people/Barneston

Dave creates a magical universe where heroes are mild mannered and the most desired commodity is cookies.

http://www.etsy.com/people/AtelierKanawa

This marvelous lady creates kanzashi, traditional Japanese hair ornaments, from recycled kimonos. They are breathtakingly beautiful.

How did you hear about Etsy?

I heard about etsy from a little soap maker in Crivitz, Wisconsin in the summer of 2006. I didn't get my shop up and running until 2007. I still struggle keeping it stocked...my biggest challenge is that I'm not a very good photographer!

Any words of advice to others?

I have a few bits of advice to pass along.

First I would say, be true to yourself. It's easy to caught up in trends or worry about who is selling a thousand widgets. Don't fall into that trap. There will be very few people who make millions of dollars selling handmade. Think of every piece you create as another way to create your Community. Just like my old farm days, I'd much rather have folks think highly of me and my work than any amount of dollars.

Secondly, Join a team! On etsy, there are hundreds of teams that focus on region, city, type of craft and even professed beliefs. Joining a Team provides camaraderie, challenge, fun and inspiration. And again, you get to create your community. My membership in the Plush Team has brought me boundless good. You can even check us out at www.plushteam.com!

And now that we’ve met the artist and heard her fabulous story and past, let’s see the PIG RACE!

Here the girls are getting there pigs to the starting line. Capri has a few issues… …but don’t worry…she figures it out… Here they are. Waiting for the start. don’t worry…the outlet has child proof covers on it… And they’re off! Capri has a bit of rocky start. Still trying to figure out exactly how to sit on the pig and move at the same time. Cedi kept wanting her picture taken and then to ‘see’ it (she’s figured out you can preview on the camera). I had to assure her that I would show her once the race was over. Capri has figured out a new strategy for riding her pig… Cedi has found her rhythm (she literally jumps up to move forward each time – oh and I know – her hair rocks!) and is moving quickly around the track.Capri loses her balance…Cedi has taken a clear lead. Capri has switched strategies all together. She has abandoned her pig and has decided to run the rest of the way.

And we have our winner… a proud Mercedi Rose Lapacek!

The girls LOVE their pigs. They have raced with them everyday since we’ve brought them home. And even though the last thing we needed were more stuffed animals – these were definitely worth it.

If you’ve decided you need one of these pigs, or your child does, or someone you know child’s does…check out http://christinawardcreatures.com/.

And her etsy shop is: www.christinaward.etsy.com

She has a HUGE selection of SUPER CUTE animals to choose from!

Thanks Christina for the great interview and the FABULOUS PIGS!

After returning from a surprise mini-vacation (thanks to my DH)  to the Heaven Scent Bed & Breakfast last night, I was pleasantly surprised to see that one of my treasuries made it to Etsy’s front page last night!  Congratulations to all the amazing sellers featured and I hope many sales, views and hearts were had!  It’s always an honor to have a treasury chosen to be featured. 

The image of a spool of thread has really caught my eye latetly.  Here are some of the images I’ve been eyeing up:

Vintage Spools on Green from frecklesfairytales

Thread Spools Ring from bethne3

Threads Fitted Blue V-Neck – Medium to Large from moxiemadness

 The Finest Thread Zipper Pouch from kaylah7 

Stitcher’s Earrings – Golden Needle Ear Thread from markaplan

Vintage Thread Series 1 from patinaphotography 

I could keep going…but I’ll stop for now!  Have fun checking even more thread finds in your etsy search!

I apologize for not posting this yesterday…it completely slipped my mind…

KEYWORDS/Search Terms:

• recycled

INSPIRED BY:

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Pounce Your way to Fresh Finds x 2
• Community Nominated Fashion Finds x 3
• Community Picks from Etsy’s Treasury
• Berlin Sellers Found Using Shop Local
• Hugs and Kisses from Etsy

CURATORS:

• SeaPinks
• NauliKnits
• noblegnome
• ericawalker
• lapomme
• leapinggazelle
• fosterbk
• SigaliotJewelry x 2
• SarahRobinL
• marysworkshop
• lisaburkin
• Pizpireta
• OhMyAmpersand
• escaodesign
• quenchmetalworks
• LaBestia
• jealousydesigns
• phoebestreasure
• jewelryvixen
• tiderdesign
• AngelicFolk
• JennytheArtist
• zwzzy
• FiberFancy
• ThePeachTree
• Blushie
• tikil
• dollcloset
• courtneyrobysage
• baronikadesigns
• arttales

Sort of short list this week…but here it is…

I just wanted to wish everyone a  Happy Valentine’s Day!  I know, I know…it’s a Hallmark Holiday…but hey, why should we pooh pooh a reason to celebrate our love for someone else.  I was lucky enough to get to be wished a ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ two mornings in a row.  My lovely husband woke up yesterday and with a smug grin on his face he said, “Happy Valentine’s Day”.  My response…”Sweetie…it’s tomorrow.”  “Oh.”  He didn’t realize it’s on the 14th of February…every year…he just thought it happened on a Saturday in February.  Gotta love him :)

Anyway, I did want to share some pictures of the Valentine Craftacular I sold my goods at yesterday.  I had a wonderful time, met a lot of great people, enjoyed a few beers (hey, my booth was literally right by the bar), and sold a few things.  I didn’t sell all of my items though so keep an eye on my etsy shop for some new listings in the next few days. 

 A quick snapshot of my booth.  I have way too many things and am always trying to figure out a new way to display it all…it seems to change at each show.  The other challenge at this show was to provide proper lighting for myself.  It was at a bar, the High Noon Saloon, so the lighting was crap.My weird five light lamp ended up being the perfect solution.  And of course my hubby created an amazing contraption with a hanger and some duct tape to keep the lights all facing in the right direction!  Thanks Jared!  Many were impressed…Some of my early browsers…the earrings and typewriter rings were a hit!    My cousins, Eric, Paul and Scott, and Scott’s girlfriend Erika came to visit me at my booth…make a few special purchases AND buy me a beer!  Thanks guys! These girls were really into my earrings (yeah!) I think they had a lot of fun looking at all the selection.  View from the top…lots of shoppers checking out all the amazing goodies!     A few from the top…my booth was just past the second beam…right across from the bar…

Thanks to everyone that came and a special thanks to Naomi, from the Glitter Workshop, for all her work organizing and advertising this event to make it the success it was!