Studio 13

Friday, July 16, 2010

Posting

I'm afraid that I am a little behind in posting my latest articles on this blog, but you can always see the latest by clicking on the orange Examiner button on the left side of the page.

I have been so busy trying to get artisan's to interview to fill up my summer schedule that I have neglected this blog.

Now I must gear up for what I am guessing might be a tremendous influx of artisans responding because I finally got the Etsy admins to respond to my request that I needed their help getting the word out to the Etsy community. They finally replied yesterday, 7/15/10. Previously I had put out the word via the forum threads and did receive about 10 interview submissions but to keep posting to the ever changing threads and the folks viewing them at the time I posted was an ongoing effort.

So I was told that I should post a forum thread and that Danielleox (admin) would link to that article in her Etsy Success newsletter which goes out to 300k! So, you know as well as I that this could possibly just totally 'cover me up' in interview requests, I will be so busy that my head will totally spin right off, whew. I hope my e-mail doesn't crash!

I want to thank all of you who have signed up as followers, that's really cool. I have never had much dealings with blogs and all this posting stuff, it's all new to me. I started a blog over a year ago but didn't do much with it and then I started this one as I grew a little more familiar with how to use it. I will follow you in return if you have a blog but it might take me awhile to get to it.

Thanks for the followings, interviews and support. I hope you have subscribed to my article page, so you are notified whenever I publish an interview because I and the person being interviewed need your support.

Cheers for now my ♥'s
Bettie

Friday, June 25, 2010

Honk, honk, Beep, beep, how was your commute today?

June 23, 5:57 PM Artisans ExaminerBettie St.Ours

I can't tell you how many people tell me how horrible their commute is here in Northern Virginia! So many of my fellow artisans have encountered the "commute from hell"!

I am guessing that everyone has a story to relate to this topic. I am seriously considering starting an open forum for all of you to get the stress of commuting off your chest. I know that sometimes when I am just able to vent and get some degree of sympathy that it really helps.

My question to you as a reader is...would you be interested in this type of reading? Would you participate and leave comments and or tell us about your commuting woes? I could also collect some of your stories to turn into articles. I think that some stories and concerns should be put out the for others to read, sometime people just don't 'get it' until they hear or read about it.

Like why do people ride the left lane and refuse to got over to let others get by? Or why when other try to get by that slower person in the left lane, do they then speed up so that you can't get past them?

Let me know via comments below what you think of this idea. I appreciate your input.

♥BG
NOTE: All active links can be found on the article page CLICK HERE

'One Delightful Button' leads to many delightful creations for this artisan...

June 23, 11:27 AM Artisans Examiner Bettie St.Ours

...and Katie Bowling is one 'delightful' young lady! Katie really loves Bluegrass music but also enjoys many other genres as well; her favorite food is Guacamole and chips; her favorite colors are turquoise/light pink; and she absolutely loves Lucy, her 'delightful' little miniature Dachshund puppy.

Do you have a day job?

I am a substitute teacher and I work part-time for an organization called Young Life which is a Christian outreach organization.

How did you choose your shop name, "One Delightful Button"?

I found a jar of buttons at an antique store this fall and just loved finding creative things to make with them. I thought it was fit that my shop name includes buttons. There was not "one delightful button" that inspired the name though. I just thought it sounded cool!

In your opinion what is the most important factor to running a successful on-line shop or business?

I think finding your niche is essential. As my Etsy shop has developed I have tried to create somewhat of a theme that unifies my design. I also think it’s important that you stay true to yourself.

Have you ever had a project that didn't turn out well? If so, how did you fix it?

Well not that one didn't turn out well but a lot of times I'll come up with an idea and will start to work on it and then finish a few weeks later. I am always thinking of new ideas, but sometimes it takes awhile to get up the courage to make it. Also, I am learning to sew and it has been fun and challenging!

What do you do for fun when you aren't crafting?

My husband and I love working on our house together. We bought an older home and have been fixing it up since August and have made a lot of progress. We live by the beach too and love to go on walks there.

What do you like the most about your crafting?

I just love discovering how to make new things. How do you promote your business? I twitter, Face Book, sell my items to friends and wear things I made almost every day. Wearing my items really seems to generate interest locally.

Please be sure to check out the slide show below to see some of Katie's creations and be sure visit her shop, "One Delightful Button" on Etsy.

How did you like this interview? Please leave a comment below.

♥ If you liked this article and want to know when I publish more articles and personal interviews with talented artisans CLICK HERE to subscribe to this column or use the button at the top of the page, that way you will receive an automatic e-mail notification (no spam) whenever I publish an article (and while you're at it, please help me out by choosing me as your 'fav' Examiner) using the button above (: AND please always leave a comment below.

♥If you are a shop owner and/or an artisan and want to be interviewed, CLICK HERE to subscribe to this column, leave a comment (below) then grab the interview questionnaire from my blog and follow the instructions for submission. I'd love to publish an article about YOU!

Don't forget to visit my many artisan friends at Etsy.com and the VA Etsy Team for your shopping pleasure.

Until next time I wish you a good day today and every day!
Remember to always 'Pay IT Forward' because one good deed deserves another.

Cheers~
♥BG♥
NOTE: All active links can be found on the article page CLICK HERE

Drain-o bombs have been cropping up all over lately and unfortunately people have been getting hurt.

Drain-o Bombs, AKA Bottle bombs, "Works" bombs have been discovered in several states recently and people are getting hurt and maimed.

An artisan friend of mine told me the following story: "Several of us were out on the roads one day recently as volunteers to "keep America beautiful' by picking up litter that has been thrown out by "uncaring citizens" . I reached down to pick up a soda bottle when I noticed a large spider crawling on it. I called out to another volunteer who had a metal grappler pickup tool and asked if he would mind picking this bottle up with the grappler. He first rolled the bottle which contained a brown liquid in it over in order to get the spider off of it; but the spider managed to stay attached to the bottle. He rolled it again and all of a sudden the bottle exploded spewing out liquid causing 2nd and 3rd degree chemical burns on our legs. We were taken to hospital and treated according. Lucky for us that we didn't pick that bottle up with our hands and that we walked away with minor injuries. "I just can't for the life of me imaging why anyone would do something so malicious to someone they don't even know. There were two more of these bottles found and were detonated by law enforcement officers".

I did some research and found out that according to the information on 'Snopes' the report dated April 2010 these bombs have unfortunately become 'a thing' with the youth of today. I cannot imagine why or how these young people, or anyone else can be so cruel to other human beings, but they are.

Please be aware the these bombs are showing up in many U.S. states, they are easy to make as I found out using chemicals that are exceptionally assessable to anyone and you may even have the makings for this bomb in your home. Of course I'm not going to be telling any trade secrets here because this recipe is on the Internet far and wide. Using drain-o, tin foil, water and a plastic bottle with a cap is all that's needed. The bombs have been reported as showing up in mail boxes, residential yards, on the side of the road and on the interstates. They are extremely dangerous causing chemical burns, severing fingers and or hands, and even causing death.

There have been changes to the laws where penalties for this crime range from 15 years for possession of the substance to life without parole if harm or death should occur to an individual.

An urgent safety and health alert was put out by North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) June 15, 2010 stating that a potential serious incident occurred on a NCDOT worksite and it was listed as serious injury. The following was reported: "Two NCDOT employees picking up trash inhaled hazardous fumes when a plastic drink bottle containing hazardous chemicals dissolved. This bottle had a plastic hose coming out of the top. Another type of hazard involving plastic drink bottles involves mixing water and Drain-o. When the bottle is moved a chemical reaction causes the bottle to explode. Besides the danger of fumes there is a hazardous chemical burns."

You are now informed, be alert and stay safe. If you see one of these bottles DO NOT pick it up, call 911 and let the trained professionals do their job by clearing the area of these dangerous explosives.

I am glad my friend didn't pick up that bottle bomb, she could have lost her fingers, her hand or her life. This lady is a talented artisan who creates beauty with her hands and to have that taken away because someone whom she doesn't even know thinks that it is funny to place an explosive device disguised as tossed out trash left for others to pick up is just deplorable.

What have you heard on this subject? Share your knowledge by leaving your comment below.

Please don't litter!

♥ If you liked this article and want to know when I publish more articles and personal interviews with talented artisans CLICK HERE to subscribe to this column or use the button at the top of the page, that way you will receive an automatic e-mail notification (no spam) whenever I publish an article (and while you're at it, please help me out by choosing me as your 'fav' Examiner) using the button above (: AND please always leave a comment below.

♥If you are a shop owner and/or an artisan and want to be interviewed, CLICK HERE to subscribe to this column, leave a comment (below) then grab the interview questionnaire from my blog and follow the instructions for submission. I'd love to publish an article about YOU!

Don't forget to visit my artisan friends at Etsy.com and the VA Etsy Team.

Until next time I wish you a good day today and every day!
Remember to always 'Pay IT Forward' because one good deed deserves another.

Cheers~

♥BG♥
NOTE: All active links can be found on the article page CLICK HERE

Dear Daddy in heaven

June 19, 7:46 PMArtisans Examiner Bettie St.Ours

Dear daddy in heaven I miss you today more than ever because it's Father's Day.

day we use to celebrate the fathers of the world, and you my father were my world.

I can remember that warm fuzzy feeling I had when you would cradle me in your arms as a baby and as I grew older I felt it in every hug you gave me every day.

Daddy I miss you so much, I miss seeing the love in your eyes and feeling the love in your touch.

We had such fun together, playing ball, fishing having a cup of tea in my playhouse. Remember when you were acting so silly that one day? You grabbed the dog, put a napkin around his neck and then poured some tea in a saucer along with a cookie and put it on my little table we were sitting at, sat the dog in that spot and the dog actually sat down and began lapping the tea up and gobbling the cookie down. We laughed so hard because the dog actually joined us for tea and cookies.

Remember when you and my little brother and me went to the park and had a great day of fun together, we were so tired by the time we got home that you had to tuck us in before we had our bath.

Daddy, I understand that you gave your life to help preserve our freedom, I understand that if other countries fall into the hands of the bad guys that they will get stronger and their forces will grow larger and eventually they could infiltrate, take over and change our great country; then all of the soldiers past, present and you, who have given their lives to protect our homeland would be in vain. I get all of that and I know how important it is to maintain our freedom.

But daddy, it is so very hard for those who have lost such a huge piece of our lives; it hurts so badly, it's almost unbearable at times. I know that we will move on and the hurt will ease but it will never completely go away and it shouldn't because that's our way of remembering how we felt, that's just how strong and powerful love really is.

Daddy, you're farther away than ever, you're in heaven and I can't board a train or a plane, drive or catch a cab to get there, I can only climb the stairway leading me to you one step at a time as I continue my journey through my life.

You would be proud of me daddy because I make beautiful handmade gifts for others to enjoy. You taught me well.

Today, Father's day, I celebrate you by recalling all of the memories of our togetherness; today I will cry because the hurt in my heart allows me to and because it helps me to heal.

Today I will embrace others who love you and we will support each other and together we will all send you all of the love in our hearts so that you will feel that warm fuzzy feeling that always made me feel so good, loved and cherished.

Daddy, I will always love you, happy father's day in heaven!

Your little girl♥

Anyone who would like to leave a comment below, sending a message to your daddy in heaven, please do so and I will write a follow up special edition article with your message to your daddy.

♥ If you liked this article and want to know when I publish more articles and personal interviews with talented artisans CLICK HERE to subscribe to this column or use the button at the top of the page, that way you will receive an automatic e-mail notification (no spam) whenever I publish an article (and while you're at it, please help me out by choosing me as your 'fav' Examiner) using the button above (: AND please always leave a comment below.

♥If you are a shop owner and/or an artistan and want to be interviewed, CLICK HERE to subscribe to this column, leave a comment (below) then grab the interview questionnaire from my blog and follow the instructions for submission. I'd love to publish an article about YOU!

Until next time I wish you a good day today and every day!
Remember to always 'Pay IT Forward' because one good deed deserves another.

Cheers~
♥BG♥

Craft Shows and Festivals. Look what’s coming our way this weekend Virginia.

June 2, 9:48 PMArtisans ExaminerBettie St.Ours Look what’s coming our way this weekend.

Talented and Crafty mother of three. Joyful Jessica tells you why she's joyful.

June 11, 9:32 PMArtisans ExaminerBettie St.Ours

Joyful Jessica makes the prettiest bows ever!

I grew up in Texas, but have lived on the east coast for the last 13 years and love being close to the ocean and mountains that Virginia has to offer. For the last 9 years I've been a stay-at-home mom to my 3 children, Jackson (9), Katie (8), and Sammy (3).

Even with the daily demands of being a full time mom and homeschooling my three children, I've always looked for little ways to help out our family budget. I had a Eureka! moment about 3 years ago while searching for some hairbows for my then 5 year old daughter to wear to church that would match her little dresses. I quickly found that the ones in the stores weren't of great quality or wouldn't stay in my daughter's hair and the ones at local boutiques were too pricey for my budget. So, I started making her bows and clips and was thrilled that she now had an assortment of good quality bows at a very reasonable price.

That's when it dawned on me that others may be having the same problem finding quality bows and maybe I could start selling them. Little did I know just what a demand there was out there! In the last 3 years I've sold tens of thousands of bows and my little hairbow business has turned into a full time job for me that I can do from home.

So Jessica, how did you choose your shop name?

My shop name (JoyfulJessica's Sugar-n-Spice Boutique) comes from the last verse of Psalm 113, "He the childless woman takes, and a joyful mother makes." I am so thankful for these little people and for the blessing of being with them each day. They have truly made me JoyfulJessica. The Sugar-n-Spice part is... "because that's what little girls are made of."

In your opinion what is the most important factor to running a successful on-line shop or business?

I think what has led to my bit of success is attention to every detail and customer service. All of my hairbows are made-to-order after the sale to my customer's specifications. I carry over 200 ribbon options in my most popular styles and am happy to work closely with the customer until we have just the right colors and styles to match their special occasion clothes, school uniforms, sports/cheer outfits, or for everyday wear.

What has been your most challenging project? And how did it turn out?

My most challenging projects are always trying to fill my wholesale orders and get ready for local craft shows. During these times, I sometimes have to churn out 100+ bows in a single day and it can be pretty tiring and monotonous, but so far I've always managed to make my deadlines.

What do you like the most about your crafting?

Colors! So many happy, vibrant colors! Since I began bow making, I've found myself noticing and enjoying color so much more! I never realized how special yellow is, how great brown looks next to turquoise, how classy maroon satin can be. Pink never makes me think of Pepto anymore, now pink makes me think of pixies and fairy dust. Purple is perfect in every shade, from soft baby lilac, to a bold, rich plum. What a wonderful, colorful world!

Do you have any pets? What are they?

We have two leopard frogs, Bill and Ted, who we've had since they were tadpoles.

That's awesome Jessica, I collect frogs (not live ones) and have a curio cabinet full .

Be sure to check out the slide show below to see Jessica's bows and if you want to contact Jessica or see more of her beautiful bows check out the provided links.

website: http://sugarnspiceboutique.com/

A shout out to Andrew! Thanks for your support and for reading my articles! (:

If you liked this article and want to know when I publish more personal interviews with talented artisans be sure to use the subscribe button at the top of the page so that you will automatically be notified via e-mail whenever I publish an article (and while you're at it, add me as one of your 'fav' Examiners).

If you're an artist and want me to conduct an interview with you to feature your shop, "SUBSCRIBE" (above) go to my blog where you will find the interview questionnaire. Follow the directions there and then e-mail your completed questionnaire to me at http://myinterview@verizon.net.

Until next time I wish you a good day today and every day!

Remember to always 'Pay IT Forward' cuz one good deed deserves another.
Cheers~
♥BG♥
NOTE: To see all active links in the article CLICK HERE then go to the article of your choice

Studio 13 All Things Wood

Feedback from sales

BG's Directory

Read my latest article here

Blog Archive

Total Pageviews

Friday, July 16, 2010

Posting

Friday, June 25, 2010

Honk, honk, Beep, beep, how was your commute today?

'One Delightful Button' leads to many delightful creations for this artisan...

Drain-o bombs have been cropping up all over lately and unfortunately people have been getting hurt.

Dear Daddy in heaven

Craft Shows and Festivals. Look what’s coming our way this weekend Virginia.

Talented and Crafty mother of three. Joyful Jessica tells you why she's joyful.

Please Tweet all about it!

Followers

About Virginia Etsyers

Feedback from sales

BG's Directory

Read my latest article here

Blog Archive

Total Pageviews

Friday, July 16, 2010

Friday, June 25, 2010

Please Tweet all about it!

Followers

Subscribe To

About Virginia Etsyers