Kae1Crafts & Kae1Supplies

Knitting for Charity and Other Tidbits

2009-12-06T08:55:00.000-08:00

December is here with snow included so I've been knitting up a storm as have others. Christmas is just around the corner and many projects clamour for attention.

The Share Your Gifts project 2 has just finished with roaring success and they have announced Project 3 - Oklahoma is the state and brain cancer patients are the focus. Just click on the Share Your Gifts link to get all the details and join in this great effort.

The helmet liners for the troops is surging ahead and has expanded to accept afghans to be donated to Ft. Carson's wounded warriors who arrive by medevac usually with no personal effects at all. The Salvation Army coordinator at Ft. Carson creates tubs of necessities and special gifts for these wounded soldiers. We are delighted to assist in this effort.

Now a personal goal is being celebrated - this week I have knit and donated 275 helmet liners since April, 2009. I hope to have 300 by the end of the year - I would like to have more but with the holiday's time becomes precious since I still have some personal knitting to finish.

Yarn sales and donations are always a wonderful event and I've received or found both recently. The patrons of the knit shop have been very generous with purchasing yarn and donating it to the helmet liner project - which keeps my needles busy. Then I went to Michael's the other day and the Paton's Classic Wool in selected colors were marked down to $1.99 a skein. I managed to find 17 skeins that were appropriate colors for the helmet liners. YEA!!! I'm all set until the end of the year.

I've also joined Ravely - an online group for knitters and crocheters - and they have a number of great groups you can join. One is Oddball Charity Knitters - which I joined - and they start a baby blanket, knit a border and 4 inches then mail the blanket still on the needles to the next knitter who adds another 4 inches and on it goes until it the appropriate length and has a border added. Once a number of blankets are completed, they are donated to a selected hospital or charity. This is a great way to use up odd lots of yarn, test new stitches and work with a great group of people. Loads of fun.

Today our oldest granddaughter, Meghan, is singing with the Colorado Springs Youth Choir. This is our first chance to see her perform and we are really looking forward to it. She is having a great time with her music.

Also, I couldn't resist showing this lovely fall picture. Same tree in first photo - oh, how the weather has changed!!!

Mailed My Contribution to Sharing Our Gifts

2009-11-04T13:00:00.001-08:00

Well, I managed to knit some mittens for the Alaska project and then a hat to go with the mittens. In the process I learned that knitting mittens were actually easier than the slippers since I used a single strand of yarn for the mittens and double strands for the slippers.

Here is a picture of my efforts.

These were knit from Lion Homespun yarn. This yarn give a lovely soft feel to anything you knit but is challenging because it likes to split off slender threads so you are always struggling to not have splits.

New 50 States Project Announced

2009-10-30T06:18:00.000-07:00

Our new Share Our Gifts 50 States project features the Lee Shore Center in Kenai, Alaska. We are to send a hat and mittens (hand crafted only) to arrive by November 25th. Please use the link to read about the details on this great 'giving' opportunity.

http://sharingourgifts.blogspot.com/

General Update on K-HeLP (Knitted Helmet Liners Project)

2009-10-20T14:24:00.000-07:00

We have experienced a small flurry of interest and activity with K-HeLP and wanted to share it with you.

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An email from my nephew contained this comment when he received his first 'goodie box' after being deployed to Iraq: "The helmet liners went fast. Once the weather cools down I'm sure I'll have a few guys asking about them. Thanks." He is in a small, isolated group of soldiers and more liners are headed his way in the next box.

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A volunteer found our project by 'Googling' - which delighted me when she wrote in support and with enthusiasm as she began her first liner.

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A group in Saginaw, Michigan donated 45 liners to their local armory and emailed us the total to include in this project.

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We received the following email and hope some of our readers can help with this request. Please email me with any Canadian project info so we can post it for all to find.

Hello Kae,

I have read about the helmet liner project in several magazines and have found your website as well. However, I am Canadian and would like to knit for the Canadian soldiers. Do you know of any projects up here in Canada? Thanks for the help and good luck with the 2010 challenge!

Thanks,

Melanie

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Another great email we received is the following:

Hi,

I am the volunteer coordinator with the American Red Cross at Fort Dix, NJ.

I decided yesterday (when we gave out the last of our donated knitted helmet liners) that I would start a campaign to have helmet liners knit for the soldier deploying from Fort Dix. We canteen on a regular basis for mobilizing soldiers from all over the country. We recently received some knitted helmet liners and put them out for the soldiers. They quickly disappeared. We wished we had more. I have since sent out word ot all the American Red Cross chapters in New Jersey to help with this project.

Do you have any suggestions or pointers you can offer?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Joan Brown

Volunteer Coordinator

American Red Cross of Burlington County

Fort Dix Service Center

In a follow-up email that we received from Joan after we sent suggestions she offered this additional information about Fort Dix and her situation.

"Fort Dix has just recently merged (Oct 1st) with McGuire AFB and Lakehurst NAS and we have become the nation's 1st megabase. We will have the Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines all operating out of this joint base.

"It is an exciting time of change for all. We have 1 Red Cross Service Center located on Fort Dix which will service all branches of the military."

==============================

WOW! What a mission and opportunity to serve our men and women in uniform.

My purpose in including the emails in this update is to help these other people with their projects. The reason that Carla and I had teamed up together with K-HeLP is to provide helmet liners for every service man or woman who wants one. The more people who are knitting the faster we will reach this goal.

I am happy to be the contact person for any questions or information you need. Just ask and I'll do my best to find out or help in any way I can.

Happy knitting everyone.

Sharing Our Gifts Donation Sent

2009-10-03T08:29:00.000-07:00

I decided to participate in this project, found a slipper pattern that seemed simple enough I could follow it and started knitting. The slippers knitted up so fast I decided to do 2 pair with matching hats. They were mailed off last week and have arrived - please click the logo above for a direct link to the donation site and her write-up.

Here are the pictures. Since I find knitted slippers very slick on hard surfaces, I purchased a bottle of 3D fabric paint and decorated the bottoms so that they had gripping power. These are going to a veterans home so I didn't want any 'slip and fall' issues from the slippers.

Here is the link to the slipper pattern I found. It is easy and free.

http://blog.innerchildcrochet.com/?p=358

911 Helmet Liners Challenge Final Total

2009-09-12T09:55:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! The knitters have outdone themselves on this challenge - final total is 1,142 liners knitted and donated. Here are just the 14 I knitted this last week. I decided to display them in the 911 format. These liners must be knitted of 100% wool.

A HUGE THANK YOU to all who knitted and helped promote this challenge. Over one thousand of our troops will benefit from your talent, generosity and time.

Details of the new challenge will follow shortly.

Sharing Our Gifts

2009-09-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

We are so fortunate to be living in these times where we can stay connected easily, have the knowledge to help others and people such as these to head up projects so we can do so easily.

"So, Project # 1:

Our 50 states tour begins in the beautiful state of Oregon. We will be making hats and slippers for Veterans at the Southern Oregon - White City Rehabilitation Center. It is a 600 bed facility, and I am told that they always appreciate hats and slippers. These can be knitted, crocheted, or sewn. The key is that they must be handmade. If you don't make items yourself, but you want to contribute, you could purchase handmade items at Etsy, Artfire, 1000 Markets,or some other handmade venue."

The above statement is copied directly from the original post. I want to add that I've joined in this great adventure and hope that others will as well. Please sign up by clicking on the logo included in this post - it will take you directly to the Sharing Our Gifts blog.

Happy crafting.

Kae

July Happenings Update

2009-07-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

July has been a busy month for us. Here is just a little of what we've been doing.

Over the 4th we attended Clarence's 55 high school reunion in Paonia, Colorado, spent a day on Grand Mesa and then came home and created some Squidoo lenes about the trip.

The 911 helmet liners by 9-11-2009 Knit Challenge is busy and I'm grateful to all who are participating. Currently we have 257 liners so please share the pattern and help us reach this goal. We have so many troops deployed where these liners are greatly appreciated. If you get them to us, we will see that the troops receive them. Here is the link to the lens with all the information including the pattern.

http://www.squidoo.com/knittedhelmetliners

We also have an eco-friendly member of the apartment grounds crew that I managed to photograph from our balcony the other day. Thought you might like to see. She is very tenacious when it comes to eradicating morning glories or bind weed.

Another thing we have been really enjoying doing is storm watching from the balcony and we get some beautiful clouds at times. Here is one of my favorite pictures I've taken so far. I'm off to create a lens on Colorado Clouds before long.

Squidoo Lens Update and Vacation Doings

2009-07-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

We took a brief vacation and traveled to the western slope of Colorado to attend Clarence's 55th High School Reunion at Paonia, Colorado. We had a wonderful time - he was renewing memories and sharing them with me. I also had a chance to meet people that I've heard about for 50 years and now I have faces to go with the names. In addition to the reunion, we drove to the top of Grand Mesa and took lots of pictures. That will be my next lens on Squidoo so watch for the announcement.

I've just updated the K-HeLP lens and now have 47 helmet liners donated. I'm a long ways from the 911 I'd hoped to have by 9-11-2009 but you don't achieve anything without a goal so I'm off to knit some more. Before I leave however, I want to add that I've created a business card to advertise this project and have given away 5 to potential knitters so I'm hoping the numbers will increase before long.

For any knitters out there - here is the link to the Squidoo Lens where you can print out the pattern and register the number of liners you have donated.

http://www.squidoo.com/knittedhelmetliners

Happy knitting.

Link to my Squidoo Lenses

2009-06-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

Here is a handy search link so you can find and read all of my Squidoo lenses - and I hope you will want to. I appreciate all visits, comments and ratings.

http://www.squidoo.com/search/results/kae1crafts

Kae

Update on my current Squidoo lens (web pages)

2009-06-02T08:27:00.000-07:00

KNITTING CHALLENGE AND PATTERN - 911 Helmet Liners by 9/11/2009This project is developed to challenge others to knit helmet liners for our troops. These liners are knitted from a specific pattern of 100% wool worsted weight yarn and then donated to our troops that are being deployed overseas. Word back from the deployed soldiers in Afghanistan is that the liners are wonderful in both hot and cold conditions since wool wicks moisture away from the skin.

http://www.squidoo.com/knittedhelmetliners

If you have difficulty reading a knitting pattern, this lens is for you. It takes the above pattern and give explanations and illustrations of the techniques needed to create a helmet liner.

http://www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/new_workshop/readingknittingpattern

How about some humor to ‘kick start’ your day. This lens is designed to make you chuckle, giggle, or laugh out loud.

http://www.squidoo.com/AnimalAntics

A personal glimpse into a sturdy country woman of pioneer stock and how that determination helped shape my view of life.

http://www.squidoo.com/Country-Woman

Some ways to save both money and our planet.

http://www.squidoo.com/GreenAndFrugalLiving

Some of my favorite recipes and tips on how to save money while eating healthy food that is quick to fix.

http://www.squidoo.com/frugalcooking

Squidoo is open to anyone so how about sharing what you know about with the rest of us. It is easy and free to sign up. If nothing else, please visit any of my lenses and comment, rate them and let me know what you think.

I hope that if you decide you want to join Squidoo that you will click on my personal referral link below as I receive credit for all referrals.

http://www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/referral/TalesTrailsAndTips2

Arrived in Colorado Springs

2009-02-26T15:48:00.001-08:00

Just a short update. We arrived in Colorado Springs on Feb 25th and found an apartment today. We will move in tomorrow. It is a 2 bedroom with a balcony overlooking the branch library - prefect location as far as I'm concerned. LOL. It is on the 3rd floor - high enough for a nice view but not too high that you can't climb the stairs. Great eastern view of the plains.

More later.

Truth or Consequences

2009-02-23T19:41:00.001-08:00

Saguaro Sunset acrylic painting by Kae Elliott of Kae1Crafts

Feb 23 - Monday (Tucson, AZ to Truth or Consequences, NM) We were greeted with sunshine again today as we drove the route through Tucson that Kae used to take to work and past the rail repair yard where we parked our trailer for many winters. Some things had changed in the last 8 years but many things looked much the same. We headed east on I-10 towards New Mexico and enjoyed the openness, our final look at saguaros for this trip and watched for interesting yucca plants, rock formations and just enjoyed the wide open spaces. We lunched in Deming, NM at Rancher’s Grill where we enjoyed a delicious meal and a relaxing lunch.

We took Highway 26 from Deming to Hatch – known for growing chili peppers and soft shelled pecans. At Hatch we turned north and took I-25 to Truth or Consequences. We have stayed in T or C a number of times and enjoyed it each time. The town has grown from a few restaurants, one grocery store and a couple of motels to a sizeable town with a Denny’s, McDonald’s, Walmart Superstore and small shopping center.

Truth or Consequences used to be known as Hot Springs until the Ralph Edwards TV show in the 1950s wanted to name a town after the show. Hot Springs agreed and has profited from the experience. For many years Ralph Edwards returned every year for Ralph Edwards Day and parade.

The hot springs here also have a rich history. They were a favorite healing place for many Indian tribes and the springs were neutral territory or safe zone. Members of different tribes who had been fighting to the death days before would soak side by side in the healing waters of the springs. It was a favorite place for Geronimo (Apache Chief) to come.

Moving Travel Journal

2009-02-22T14:00:00.000-08:00

Feb 17th (Tuesday) – our trailer was picked up and taken to Gib’s RV about 1pm today and we headed down Highway 101 to Brookings, OR (right on the California border) and stayed the night in a motel on the beach. It felt good to actually get started even tho it was later in the day and a short drive. I had a lovely walk on the beach and collected a few more stones and shells to wire-wrap once we get settled. All my supplies are tightly packed in our van at the moment. We are much like a turtle waddling down the road with all of our stuff securely packed under our shell.

Feb18th (Wednesday) – headed south down Hwy 101 – beautiful clear morning with sun and a few scattered clouds. I love this part of the coast drive with breathtaking ocean views and then forested roadsides with moss-covered logs and trees and lovely large redwoods. We took highway 20 east past Clearlake and arrived in Williams, CA.

The van is loaded but still getting fairly good mileage and the new tires handle beautifully. We've only had one luggage upset when Kae stepped on the brakes too hard and a couple of suitcases shifted forward. We got stopped safely and the suitcases were restored to their proper location. Next time I'll just run that yellow light!!!

Feb 19th (Thursday) We left Williams about 8am and headed down I-5 thru Sacramento and then across to Hwy 99. This is an interesting drive past many towns and lots of orchards and vineyards. The almonds and plum trees were in bloom from just before Williams all the way to Bakersfield where we turned east on Highway 58 and over Tehachapi Pass on to Mohave where we spent the night.

Feb 20th (Friday) We headed east past Edwards Air Force Base and Boron and then turned south at Kramer’s Corners onto Hwy 395. We worked our way through the Lucerne Valley down to the Morango Valley and on to Palm Springs where we took I 10 and then the cutoff down past the Salton Sea to El Centro where we headed east on I-8 to Yuma. We enjoy I-8 as there is less traffic than I-10 and it is a fairly good road surface. It takes us past a large sand dune area just west of Yuma where the sand buggies and people are having a great time.

Feb 21 (Saturday) We head east to Tucson and will spend a couple of nights visiting Bud & Jerri Finley (Clarence's sister & brother-in-law) who are wintering there. We have spent many winters in Tucson while RVing and so it feels much like coming home every time we pass through this area. We drove out to Agua Caliente Park and walked around for a while. The lack of extra water in the area has reduced the size of the ponds and lowered the water level but it is still a much loved park filled with people and a wide variety of ducks.

This beautiful painting of a desert scene can be found in my VAST team mate CeeVeeArts store:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19473830 It is so much like what we are seeing in Tucson that I asked her permission to use it to illustrate this section of my blog and she graciously said yes. Hope you will take a moment and check out her other wonderful art.

Feb 22 (Sunday) We are staying in a Comfort Inn on Tanque Verde in Tucson and they have a beautiful interior courtyard with fountains, birds, pools and a wonderful hot breakfast. I’m ready to just move in and let them feed me and do the housework but guess I’ll save this pampering for special occasions. We played tourist today and took a drive over Gates Pass to Saguaro National Park West and then back to the hotel. We used to stay in an RV park in that area so it was fun to see all the changes and what remained the same. More good food and visiting planned for this evening and then we are off again tomorrow.

February 17th is THE DAY!!!

2009-02-12T15:23:00.000-08:00

We have decided to put our trailer on consignment at Gib's RV in Coos Bay, Oregon - they will set the purchase price - and we will start our new adventure. We will be taking the scenic route from Southwestern Oregon thru the California Redwoods then over Tehatchpi Pass and on to Tucson. After a few days visiting in Tucson we will then head to New Mexico and up I-25 over Raton Pass and on to Colorado Springs. We are looking at this trip as part vacation plus the adventure of moving.

Once we arrive in Colorado we will be searching for an apartment and changing our lifestyle from one on wheels to one a little more stationery. In setting up our new household, we will be using thrift stores, moving sales, freecycle and Craigslist in an effort to do this as economically and eco-friendly as possible. Watch this blog to see how we progress.

Any posts in the next few weeks will be sporatic and dependant on time and computer connection availability. Pictures are dependant on my camera arriving from the repair shop before we leave - have my fingers crossed!!!

I've also started writing on Squidoo and hope to have that linked here soon.

See you on down the road.

Trailer For Sale Update with Interior Pictures

2009-01-20T09:04:00.000-08:00

For Sale
2002 NASH 29V Travel Trailer

$10,900

Dual Slides
Air Conditioner
Microwave
“Fantastic” Power Vent
Vent Covers
Queen Bed W/Dual Air Mattress
Bath Skylight Dome
Awning
Stabilizing Jacks
Power Hitch Jack
Heat Reflective Windows
Diamond Plate Front Rock Guard
Dual Axle W/Shock Absorbers
Spare Tire
Less Than 500 Road Miles
Many Other Custom Features

Non-smoking and pet free

Phone: 297-4341 Or see at River’s Edge RV Park Space 15

Due to requests to see the interior of our trailer I am posting a tour here.

Starting at the computer area we installed and where I spend much of my time (to the left is the couch that opens into a bed) and then panning around to the kitchen where I love to cook and bake.

NOTE: I don't have a picture of the couch area and the wall at the far end of the couch - my camera quit before I could get a picture of it. There is a full-length mirror on that wall. The couch and computer area are in the front slide-out.

We have a free-standing table which I find very useful for baking and crafting as I can put it where-ever it is the most useful.

The front blind is down for picture taking but allows much light and a view. The gas range runs on propane, the refrigerator is gas or electric and automatically switches if the power goes off, the microwave is electric only.

The refrigerator, front door and tv area, coat closet and hall towards bath and bedroom.

Similiar view as above but showing the movable table in another location.

This view is from the bedroom looking towards the living room and the front door. The shower and toilet are across the hall from the sink.

The bathroom sink is to the left of this image. You are looking at the back door and left side of the island queen bed.

Center view of the bedroom showing the back window.

This view shows the bedroom closet slide out with double closet doors for hang-up clothing, 4 under-drawers and to the right are 4 smaller drawers and a tv cupboard with pull-out tray. It is wired for cable and tv inside the cupboard with electrical plug-in as well.

Announcing Price Reduction on Trailer

2009-01-11T11:01:00.000-08:00

After research we realized that $14,900.00 was too high for the current market so so we have reduced the price to $10,900. Please contact me at kaelliott1@verizon.net or call 541-297-4341 for details. Trailer is located in Coquille Oregon 97423 at the Rivers Edge RV Park - space 15.

See picture and description on post below.

Kae

Happy New Year Everyone

2009-01-02T09:06:00.000-08:00

2009 ALREADY!!! Where oh Where did 2008 go? Time flies when you are having fun or getting older!!! 2008 was a busy, sad, change-filled year.

2009 Goals

1. Sell the trailer so we can continue our move from Oregon to Colorado.
2. Continue thinning, donating and downsizing so our worldly possessions will fit into our van for the move.
3. Once moved, reopening Kae1Crafts and Kae1Supplies.
4. Making the physical and emotional transition from RV living to apartment living.
5. Getting acquainted with our 4 grandchildren.
6. Focusing on ways to reduce our impact on the earth as we start a different lifestyle.
7. Continue with blogging and writing.

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays

2008-12-24T21:47:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to take a moment and wish all of my friends a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays if that fits better. May you receive love, warmth, good food and time with family and friends.

Kae

CHANGES - Moving

2008-11-17T07:53:00.000-08:00

For Sale
2002 NASH 29V Travel Trailer

WAS $14,900 NOW $10,900

Dual Slides
Air Conditioner
Microwave
“Fantastic” Power Vent
Vent Covers
Island Queen Bed W/Dual Air Mattress
Bath Skylight Dome
Awning
Stabilizing Jacks
Power Hitch Jack
Heat Reflective Windows
Diamond Plate Front Rock Guard
Dual Axle W/Shock Absorbers
Spare Tire
Less Than 500 Road Miles
Many Other Custom Features

Non-smoking and Pet Free

Phone: 297-4341 Or see at River’s Edge RV Park Space 15

Coquille, Oregon 97423

As you can see, my life and thus the focus of my blog is changing for a while. We are in the process of moving to from Oregon to Colorado to be nearer to children and grandchildren. We lived in Boulder, Colorado for 27 years so we know what kind of climate we are changing to but our main change is from living as full-time RVers to apartment living. After 19 years of RV living we are very accustomed to having wheels under us and the freedom to go where the road leads us and having our home with us.

Because of this move, I've put both of my Etsy stores on indefinate vacation hold until we get to Colorado and after 2009 arrives so that I don't have to calculate state income taxes for a business in two different states this year. That is a real pain - I've done it before!!!

There are a lot of steps or logistics to this kind of lifestyle change as we are currently living in our trailer but need to sell it - timing becomes an issue but we are up to the challenge and have contingency plans in place if the trailer sells soon.

I am posting the picture and details on our trailer for easy access for anyone who is interested. I will keep a journal of the move as we progress. Today I am working on disposing of extra books and magazines which I will donate to the local friends of the library for their next sale. The library and thrift stores here will benefit from this move as we are taking only personal effects and leaving all small appliances and most kitchen ware and restocking when we arrive. That is more cost-effective and trying to move it.

THE THRIFTY SHOPPING GAME

2008-10-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

THRIFTY SHOPPING or BEAT THEM AT THEIR OWN GAME

We all shop for something and the object of this game is to save as much as possible. Since my grandmother and mom did a large portion of their shopping in grocery stores, let’s play the grocery store game. By following a few easy principles we can save a lot on our food bills and reduce the number of times a week we have to eat out because there isn’t anything ready to fix for dinner. As with the previous games, add the savings to a “piggy bank” so we can have a concrete measurement of how we are doing. This time, we are using a separate “bank” from the previous game so we can chart our progress in each area.

Here are the guiding principles of this game:
1. Read and use the weekly grocery ads.
2. Always shop from a written list.
3. Never shop when hungry.
4. Shop alone.
5. Be flexible.
6. Use manufacturer’s coupons when practical.
7. Shop a maximum of 4 times a month.
8. Resist impulse buying.
9. Take a re-useable shopping bag.

These principles look simple and they can be but it usually helps when we understand the pluses and pit-falls of each one so let’s analyze them.

Read and use the weekly grocery ads.

This is the few minutes a week that can really pay off big time in the grocery shopping game.

Loss-leaders: Now stores have items called loss-leaders that they use to get us to come to their store instead of the competing grocery store. We want to use this competition to our advantage. The loss-leaders are items that are selling way below the normal price and often below the wholesale cost. IF this is an item that you use often and it will keep (canned goods for instance) this is the time to stock up.

For instance, say the sale item is canned tomatoes and you know that you frequently use two cans a week, and there isn’t a limit on how many you can buy, you might want to buy 3 months worth (8 cans a month times 3 months equals 24 cans). If the tomatoes usually sell for $1.00 a can and you can buy them for 2/1.00 then you have saved $12.00 and you won’t run out of tomatoes for 3 months.

You save in a couple of ways using this method AS LONG AS you don’t let any of your purchases spoil. First, you have the tomatoes on hand whenever you need them so you don’t have to make a special trip to the store to get some. Second, you have paid half of the regular price for the tomatoes. Third, this form of saving is a short-term hedge against inflation. In three months, the price of tomatoes may have increased to $1.05 a can so over the three month period your savings have grown without you having to do anything.

Now, compare the various grocery store ads and decide on which store has the best sales this week on the most expensive items you need to purchase. It is only time and cost effective to go to one or two grocery stores a week so it is important to decide where your will make the greatest savings.

Make a list for each store and note the items with special prices. Be sure to watch when you are checking out and verify that the scanned price is the correct price. Frequently the scanners are incorrect on sale items and often on the regular priced items as well. Some stores will give you the item free if you catch a scanner error but even if they don’t, you receive the benefit of the correct price every time you catch an error.

Always shop from a written list.

But my memory is fine, you say. Well, so is mine – most of the time. However, it isn’t fool-proof and I’m usually the fool that has to go back to the store to get the key ingredient for the main dish that I forgot because I didn’t use a shopping list. The other problem I frequently have when shopping list-less is buying the same item repeatedly. We had to eat our way through 40 pounds of potatoes one month because every time I went to the store I thought I needed potatoes so I bought 10 pounds. It was quite a while before the family wanted potatoes again after that fiasco!!! LOL.

The picture of the pizza notebook is from a Trashion Team member’s shop NatureMadeScents Think Again Notebook
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_18&listing_id=5232344

The Trashion Street Team specializes on creative thinking and making useful items from “trash”. This is just one example.

Next time we will continue with this discussion.

Collage Materials Packets with Blog article offer

2008-10-04T17:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday everyone.

I have just listed some Vintage Magazine pages as a collage packet which will include magazine pictures, fabric, a map, old greeting cards and many other goodies. I hope all the collage artists will take a look and then take me up on my offer to feature their creations constructed from the packet on my blog once they have listed the item (s) on Etsy.

Collage Materials Packets with Blog article offer listed in my Kae1Supplies store and the links below will take you to the items.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15857757

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15857427

Hope you all enjoy what you order and receive as I've had a lot of fun making up these awesome packets.

Happy creating.

What Can I Do With This? Game

2008-10-01T16:41:00.001-07:00

What Can I Do With This?

“A stitch in time saves nine.”

Notice that this pearl of wisdom doesn’t state nine what – stitches, cents, minutes or all of these?

“But I don’t sew,” you say.

No problem. It is very simple to sew on a button or to tack a seam by hand. All it requires is a needle, scissors and thread that matches the garment. In fact, if you secure the buttons before you wear the garment the first time you will probably never have to replace one as they will stay in place. The commercial sewing of buttons leaves a thread hanging and if you pull on that thread your button magically disappears. Once that happens you have to spend more than nine minutes finding another one, more than nine cents to purchase a new one and often more than nine minutes to sew it on if you count the time to get out your supplies, sew and put everything away.

The same principle holds true with many things. If you oil a squeaky hinge when it first starts to squeak, it won’t annoy you as much and it won’t wear out as fast.

Fix a leaky faucet and you save money on the water that drips down the drain and the faucet won’t wear out as fast.

Tighten a loose screw or bolt and it won’t fall out and disappear so you have to purchase a new one or throw the item away because you can’t find one the correct size.

But what if the item does break or wear out? What do you do with it? Throw it away? That is the American way after all – just toss it and go buy a new one. But remember, we are working on not spending extra money but learning how to change our wasteful habits.

The thrifty person looks at it first before tossing it to see if there is any part that can be used for another purpose.

Does it have a handle that will work on that case where the handle broke?

Do the small gears lend themselves to your latest art or craft project?

A plate breaks and after I get through being annoyed I wonder if I can use the pieces as mosaics in the new stepping stones for the patio.

My jeans have too many holes to repair – can I make a purse or an apron or a pot holder out of the useable pieces?

When something at our house breaks I hold it in my hand for a moment and try to imagine a new life for it.

Of course, not everything can be reused but you will find many items that can and save pennies or dollars with a small amount of thought and effort. Remember every penny you save this way you don’t have to pay the government taxes on again so it is really more than a penny saved.

One example of this is, I have a lovely brown stretch top in my shop that had a small spot on the front. Now it looked like new except for this small spot and I couldn’t bear to just toss it. I found a small piece of lace with a flower and leaves in it and cut them out, used some fusible webbing and attached the lace to the top. Then I added some fabric paint and a few amber and topaz colored glass beads. Instead of a spot, now I had a lovely lace bouquet on the front. Since this top was slightly too small as you can see from the picture I listed it on Etsy in hopes it will make someone else’s wardrobe sparkle.

Every item you reuse instead of discarding means that there is one less thing in your trash that you have to pay to have hauled away and one less thing in the landfill.

Reuse, Repurpose, Upcycle, Recycle – make these words a part of your daily life and your piggy bank game will grow rapidly.

I'm in two Etsy groups that focus on reusing and recycling items: EcoEtsy and Trashion. When you visit Etsy, search for trashion or teamecoetsy and you will find a wealth of ideas and products to help you save money and be creative with your own items.

COME PLAY GRANDMA’S ECONOMY GAME

2008-09-28T15:10:00.000-07:00

My grandmother and mother both lived through the ‘great depression’ and learned some very hard fiscal lessons. Money was scarce but taxes still had to be paid on land or the family homestead would be forfeited and sold to pay the taxes, jobs were non-existent or paid very little if you could find one, often workers were paid in local script and that ‘money’ didn’t pay the federal tax bills. Hopefully we won’t experience these dire circumstances again but we can all use some of the lessons to increase our financial well-being.

They lived by some of the sayings that we now call clichés and ignore because we’ve heard them so often. In this series I’m going to examine some of these sayings and see if they are still beneficial today.

“A penny saved is a penny earned.”

I know that we’ve all heard this saying so let’s start by analyzing it. In today’s world a penny isn’t even worth picking up – or is it? If we find a penny on the ground and pick it up we’ve gained a little much needed exercise but we’ve also gained a penny that the government isn’t going to tax us for earning. So that penny is automatically worth more than a penny because we haven’t paid income taxes on it or social security (FICA) taxes on it. That probably makes this penny worth at least 1.15 cents or more. Now if we save this penny and put it into our savings account it will start to earn compound interest and be working for us immediately. Just imagine, if we find a lot of pennies, we have increased our wealth by just bending over and picking them up and saving them.

Now if we apply this saying to our spending habits by thinking before we spend our hard earned money, we can increase our wealth by putting the pennies we’ve saved into a savings account and again use the power of compound interest.

About now I can see you jumping up and down and saying, “But I have too much month for my money right now. I can’t save anything because I need every penny for current expenses!”

I won’t question that this is the case but we are on a mission to fix that problem. I hope that some of what I’m writing about will help you accomplish financial freedom from overwhelming bills and money worries.

How do we determine if we are saving money or overspending our income? One of the easiest ways is to write down every purchase for at least a month and then look at where your money is going. Am I spending it on espresso coffee? Cigarettes? Movies? Eating out? Beer? Snack foods? Rent? Gas? Car payments? Or….?

Once I have this information then I can see where my budget is leaking or hemorrhaging money. As a famous TV psychologist is fond of saying, “You can’t fix what you don’t acknowledge”. Information about my spending habits is the first step to fixing the problem. After analyzing my monthly expenses here is the next step.

If you are married and/or have children, it is important to involve the whole family in the debt reduction process. Children need to learn about money matters and how to handle their finances and if you work as a family then everyone has a sense of accomplishment as the piggy bank fills.

NOTE: If you have very small children set aside a small percentage of the savings for a reward the whole family can enjoy so that they see an immediate result of saving.

THE PIGGY BANK GAME

Now you are ready to start playing the Piggy Bank Game. Start playing by picking at least one thing that you are going to reduce or stop buying for at least one month. See how many things you can find that you should or could reduce. If you have an espresso coffee every morning ask yourself if you could make it at home for less money and be just as satisfied. If you smoke, could you cut down one or two cigarettes a day? If you rent movies a lot, could you use the public library and check them out instead. That is free!!!

Once you have determined what you are saving on this month, set up a piggy bank to put your savings into each day. Your piggy bank doesn’t need to be an actual piggy even though that would be fun – use a can with a lid, a jar or whatever you have on hand. You DON’T need to go buy a piggy bank – remember this is about saving money, not spending it!

Paying into the piggy bank is your visible reward for reaching your daily goal. If you drink one less espresso a week, put that amount of money into the piggy bank the day you skipped your espresso. If you smoked two less cigarettes, put the cost of those cigarettes into the piggy bank.

There are three rules to this game:
1. Pay yourself every time you save on what you have determined is your item you are reducing or stopping for the month.
2. Put the money in the piggy bank daily.
3. DO NOT remove any money from the piggy bank until the end of the month.

Once you have done this exercise for a month, count the money in the piggy bank and then take it directly to the bank and put it into your savings account. This is your first step towards economic freedom. Pat yourself on the back and get ready for next month and see if you can save even more.

It is important to continue keeping a spending record of what you are spending each day so you can analyze how you are doing at the end of each month.

Since I like to put a picture into every article and I didn't have a bowl or piggy bank in my shop, I used this beautiful blue felted bowl that is for sale in TanisAlexis shop on Etsy as an illustration of something you could use as a piggy bank. Here is the link to this bowl and other awesome items. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_13&listing_id=10715266 She is a member of my awesome EcoEtsy Street Team.

Watch for my next article and please leave a comment if you have found this helpful or not.

How I stopped coughing!

2008-09-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

I've been battling bronchitis for about 2 months and a couple of weeks ago a friend of mine asked if I had ever rubbed eucalyptus oil on the ball of my foot to stop coughing? I'm sure I looked at her as if she were loosing it but I was desperate enough to try anything so I said no and where do you get this oil. Long story short, she had some and gave it to me to try. I was coughing most of the night and not sleeping so I had very little to lose except maybe to have oil on my sheets and smell like a medicine bottle so I put a couple of drops on my finger and rubbed into the ball of each foot and then waited to see what would happen. Now up to this point I had been coughing constantly when up or down, so I went bed and tried to go to sleep - just certain that I would start to cough the minute my head hit my pillow. Boy was I wrong! Instead of coughing, I went to sleep and slept through the night without coughing. Next morning I started coughing again so I rubbed some eucalyptus oil on the ball of my foot and magically the cough went away.

So far, both my husband and I have used this treatment with great success and the oil absorbs into your skin very rapidly so it doesn't stain the sheets or leave a lingering odor after a couple of minutes. My friend said she got the oil at the local health food store.

Now I always like to put a picture into my posts and the only thing I could think of that was connected to eucalyptus was that Koala Bears eat eucalyptus leaves so I decided to link to this ecoetsy team member's shop and her pins that feature Koala Bears. Swirlyarts has these really cute button pins http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_1&listing_id=15541764

I hope you will visit her store and purchase a pin to remind you to use the handy eucalyptus oil the next time you are pestered by a cough - and may that be a long time before you need to test out this tip.

Added a Follow This Blog Link

2008-09-24T17:01:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Thanks to Lyndel of BearHollowCreations wonderful instructions I was able to add a follow this blog button on the right hand side of this blog and hope that you will do so. If you follow my blog, I'll link to yours.

Fall has officially arrived and with it many activies on my various street teams. The Trashion Street Team has a couple of biggies planned. Watch this space for updates on the Trashion Monster Mash, a Virtual Trunk Show and Save the World Sale.

The VAST (Visual Artists Street Team) has a fall colors challenge so many new items will be posted and I'm sure a lot of lovely treasuries will feature these items.

My OCEAN (Oregon Coast Etsy Artists Network) just finished a local art festival very successfully and now are working on various local events and a rack card to promote our items.

EcoEtsy rocks as a street team and many treasuries are created weekly as well as updates to our web page and the Etsy Mini photos that display our work.

Last but not least, Acetsy and Aceo Bounty Challenge keep creating wonderful ACEO's for all of us to collect and give as gifts.

If you haven't already done so, attend one of the Virtual Trunk Shows in the Etsy Virtual Labs. They are a lot of fun and you get to see wonderful items and learn more about the artists who create these items.

Etsian Injured in Plane Crash

2008-09-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

I just came across this article in the Storque and wanted to help spread the word. A lovely young couple were critically injured in a plane crash in Arizona and the Etsy Community is rallying around with prayers, funds and blogging.

http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/craftivism/article/etsian-and-blogger-critically-injured-in-plane-crash-nienie-/2562/

Stephanie Nielson was an active blogger nieniedialogues.blogspot.com and her sister is keeping up with some of the blogging on her own blog with updates on Stephanie and Christian's condition http://blog.cjanerun.com/

This is written with my prayers for a speedy recovery so you may both be with your 4 small children soon.

SALE Section added to my Etsy Store

2008-09-10T12:59:00.001-07:00

I've just added a SALE section to my Etsy store. Click on any of the pictures above and they will take you directly to my store. This week I'm featuring great buys on three items of reconstructed clothing. I hope you will check it out.

Handy Cleaning Tip

2008-09-04T10:54:00.000-07:00

A fall feeling is in the air and makes me think of a crackling fire in the fireplace with me all snuggled up with a cup of coffee (cider, tea, hot chocolate or whatever you want) and some soft music playing in the background. Now this is a lovely picture but how about tomorrow when you need to clean the soot off of that beautiful glass fireplace screen. The picture turns not so pretty unless you use this tip.

First, make sure all the ashes are cold before you try this.

Take a damp paper towel or rag and dip it into the cold ashes. Now smear those damp ashes all over the sooty glass and interior frame (wherever you want to clean off the soot). Let is stand for a couple of minutes and then take a wet rag and clean off the ash mixture. Most or all of the soot should be gone but if any remains, repeat the damp ash treatment. Once all of the soot is gone, either clean with your glass cleaner or just polish with crumpled newspaper. Your fireplace glass screen should be shiny and ready for another good book and crackling fire.

Now if you want to keep your tea warm while you are either cleaning or reading, how about this tea cozy I have listed in my shop?

Just added some pics

2008-08-31T22:09:00.000-07:00

Since the Sale is over, I've changed the picture display to show items in my own shop. Thanks for viewing and for your visits to the shops participating in the sale and for your purchases.

Kae

My VAST street team is having a Labor Day Weekend Sale and so I've added some visuals of the wonderful artwork that is specially priced this weekend. Just click on the picture you like and it will take you directly to the artist's store on Etsy. Happy shopping.

VAST Labor Day Weekend Sale Treasuries

2008-08-29T20:50:00.000-07:00

The VAST Labor Day Weekend Sale is in full swing with lots of wonderful art and some of it is showcased in these treasuries. I hope you will check them out and give them some clicks as well as visiting the various stores featured and pick up some wonderful art at affordable prices.

VAST LaborDay Sale!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=4449

More VAST LaborDay SALE!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=4619

VAST Visions
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=4646

VAST Labor Day Weekend Sales Event

2008-08-28T20:09:00.001-07:00

The Visual Artists Street Team had such a successful Christmas in July event that we have decided to hold a Labor Day Weekend Sale. At this moment there are 16 shops participating with a variety of discounts available from 25% off everything in my stores to buy two prints and get the third free and a variety of other discounts and programs. I hope you will all take a moment and check it out. This handcrafted carousel book is one of the items in the Kae1Crafts store that will be discounted 25%.

Here is the link to the forum thread with all the latest on the VAST Labor Day Weekend Sale.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5780437

And here is the latest list of participating stores:

Here's a list of the VAST shops that are participating in our LABOR DAY SALE:
http://www.hwinfield.etsy.com/
http://www.coquinaarts.etsy.com/
http://www.hammelmanart.etsy.com/
http://www.norablansett.etsy.com/
http://www.jeanhood.etsy.com/
http://www.kauaiartist.etsy.com/
http://www.studiovirgo.etsy.com/
http://www.jamieribisi.etsy.com/
http://www.glasscatjewels.etsy.com/
http://www.kae1crafts.etsy.com/
http://www.dianeclancy.etsy.com/
http://www.susanelkin.etsy.com/
http://www.lilypang.etsy.com/
http://www.heronkate.etsy.com/
http://www.scharart.etsy.com/
http://www.siiso.etsy.com/

Whew! That's SIXTEEN Wonderful Art Shops that are participating! Awesome!

and if you count my http://www.kae1supplies.etsy.com/ then there are 17 great places to save a lot of money.

Happy shopping.

Monster Mash Materials Arrived

2008-08-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

The Trashion Street Team is holding a Monster Mash and I'm taking part. We have been assigned trading partners and mailed our Monster Materials. Mine arrived yesterday and now I need to see what Monsters emerge from the wonderful box of goodies that NatureMadeScents mailed to me. As you can see from the picture - there are many monsters lurking in that pile of goodies.

We are each to create 2 monsters - one goes into our personal Etsy store and in my case it will be sold in the Kae1Crafts store. The second monster will be sold in the HOST store to benefit Etsians in need. Any further monsters we create from the materials can be sold or given as gifts.

Watch my blog for updates on this Monster Mash with pictures to follow.

VAST SALE Update

2008-07-27T13:34:00.000-07:00

Hi again,

The VAST Christmas in July sale is still going but there is a new forum link with the lastest info.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5731996

Don't miss out on this great sale.

VAST Christmas in July Sale Continues

2008-07-26T08:22:00.000-07:00

Some of the participating stores are continuing to offer bargains through the end of July. Now is a great time to stock up for Christmas and beat the long lines, save on gas and get a jump on that busy time of year.

Here is the link to the forum thread where anyone joining this list will be adding their name and items so check there for the latest offerings.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5730649

Here is the current list of Visual Artists Street Team bringing their art to you at reduced prices!

Kae: http://Kae1Crafts.etsy.com/
http://Kae1Supplies.etsy.com/
Melanie: http://TheCreatorsPalette.etsy.com
Susan http://susanelkin.etsy.com
Diane http://DianeClancy.etsy.com
Jen: http://www.IrresistableImages4u.etsy.com
Ellen http://www.girlworkstudios.etsy.com
Kate www.heronkate.etsy.com
Jess http://blackeyepea.etsy.com
Jean http://www.jeanhood.etsy.com

VAST Christmas in July SALE

2008-07-14T20:47:00.000-07:00

Here is your chance to put a beautiful piece of original art under your Christmas Tree this year and do it at a great price. The Visual Artists Street Team has some awesome works and they are being offered at great prices. Don't miss out on this sale.

Etsy stores participating in the VAST Christmas in July Sale so far are:
JeanHood
treeartist
artbylmr
TheCreatorsPalette
kauaiartist
dianeclancy
Kae1Crafts

For a preview of the great listings check the VAST Gallery Blog.

http://vastgallery.blogspot.com/

Check this thread for updates

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5706334

And I will blog as I have time.

Quiltyasin an O.C.E.A.N. Team mate on Front Page

2008-07-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I've been absent for a while dealing with personal stuff but wanted to show off the Front Page debut of Quiltyasin. Congratulations. Your miniature art quilt is lovely.

Treasury experiment

2008-05-31T08:54:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I'm trying an experiment with a treasury I created last night. I selected 12 items to start with and then put out a request to all Etsy Visual Artists to click through the treasury and then comment. I then select an item from their shop (or they do) and put it in the treasury for a while - usually 2 to 3 hours. I will convo them and let them know when the item is in the treasury if they request I do so. (I can't just convo them without permission as Etsy considers that spam and I can have my convo privileges revoked if I do so.)

The main purpose of creating a treasury this way is to give lots of artists some exposure plus introduce people to the VAST and Acetsy Street Teams on Etsy. Many wonderful artists don't appear to be on a street team and are missing out on great group marketing opportunities.

Hope I see you posting in the promo thread:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5641413
And clicking and commenting in the treasury:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=47716

Hope you enjoy this treasury. Let's all make it wonderful by showing us your work.

Hearts to all of you.

Kae

EcoKate has Front Page Treasury

2008-05-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

My EcoEtsy team mate, EcoKate has her awesome treasury on the front page. I've captured a screen shot for those who missed it. She is very mathematical inclined if you look at this one. :)

Kitty 107 on Front Page of Etsy

2008-05-25T22:33:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Kitty 107 on her kitties making the front page. Here is the screen shot and she has the place of honor as the lead photo.

Living With The Angels Treasury

2008-05-18T21:27:00.000-07:00

This treasury was created featuring many of my Mother's favorite things. She loved lilacs, kittens, and dogs. She made awesome jams and jellies and her cookies filled the kitchen with wonderful aromas and a hungry tummy with goodness. Sheep, sheep dogs and farm life suited her as did her love of the outdoors, the ocean and water.

A tribute to her had to include a hand sewn item and the apron was very appropriate - as she made her own aprons and then wore them daily.

Thanks to the kindness of Diane Clancy for capturing this screen shot since my photo program was being difficult and I didn't have the time to make it work.

Treasuries - much like life - come and go but now we can view this one as we wish.

Also, thanks to all who have emailed me, made comments on the treasury and convo'd me with hugs, prayers and love. We all appreciate it as I've been sharing the comments with my family.

Hugs back to all of you, my wonderful Etsy friends.

Kae

Mom is with the Angels

2008-05-16T20:19:00.000-07:00

In loving memory of Genevieve Elliott

Everyone eventually comes to this day - the day that their Mother dies. Suddenly you are the older generation. So much of what I am today is due to her teachings, her passions, her love.

My Mom was an awesome cook who baked, canned and provided wonderful meals for her family. Her buttermilk biscuits were light and fluffy, her oatmeal cookies delighted the taste buds, her jams and jellies won many first prize ribbons at the county fair. But she didn't just cook, she also sewed. I remember when I dreamed of having a reversible pleated skirt and we didn't have the money to purchase a 'store bought' one. My Mom helped me find the material that was suitable and then used her treadle sewing machine and painstakingly matched and sewed the skirt. Suddenly I was the proudest girl in high school with my new reversible skirt.

Mom's talents didn't end with the cooking and sewing. She also loved animals and her life on the farm in Southwestern Oregon. She was a master at taming wild kittens when their mom would bring them out to join in the communal feeding in the barn. An injured animal seemed to trust Mom instinctively and allow her to tend to the injury. I once watched her remove a mole trap from my dog's paw. The dog stayed very still - it just whined a little even though it was trapped and in pain - while Mom gently removed the trap. Most people would have been afraid to try, but not Mom.

Lilacs, roses, gladoli and fushias were featured in her garden and yard. Reuse, recycle, upcycle and frugal living were a way of life - at times from necessity but often because it just made sense to this country woman.

A neighbor needs help, Mom was there with a friendly word and always food to comfort and sustain them. Someone was injured, Mom was there with the calmness of spirit and willing hands to take charge and make it better.

Mom has been involved with raising foxes, dairy cows, sheep, cattle, chickens, goats, dogs, cats and kids - and loved them all.

Then came the day that she could no longer manage the farm and we couldn't either so it was sold and she lived in town. One day she fell and broke her hip and with the same patience and determination she had always shown, she walked again, decided to stay in the assisted living facility so her kids wouldn't worry and "because it was just so comfortable, I stayed."

I don't remember a day that I didn't see her with a book to read. Even when her mind began to fail, she would have a book on her lap and proudly state that "I am a reader."

In her memory, I created a treasury of some of the things that I knew that she liked. I hope you will view it and learn a little more about my Mother.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=10183

In getting to know her, you get to know me just a little as I find myself doing many of the things that she used to do. I love to cook, sew and read. I find myself reusing, repurposing and recycling many things which has led me to join EcoEtsy and Trashion street teams on Etsy.com.

Mom, thanks for all you have given me. Have a wonderful time playing with the angels.

Love,

Kae

EcoEtsy Treasury on Front Page

2008-05-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

Silver of the Valley's treasury just made the front page of Etsy. Here is a screen capture of the treasury for those who missed it.

Here is a link to Silver of the Valley's shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5526983

EcoEtsy Team Member on Front Page

2008-05-03T09:26:00.001-07:00

Fisheye of the EcoEtsy Street Team made the Mother's Day Showcase on the front page. Congrats!! Her lovely blue pottery pendant is in the lower left corner of the screen shot.

GOOD JOB!!!

Play a game - feed the hungry

2008-04-26T13:36:00.000-07:00

I've come across a site called Free Rice - Nice clickable link on the right - where you can increase your vocabulary and earn free grains of rice to feed the hungry. Every correct multipile choice answer earns 20 grains of rice. Now that doesn't seem like much but according to WikiAnswers - How many grains of rice in an ounce - There are 1000 grains in a ounce. So for every 50 words you get correct you "purchase" an ounce of rice for a hungry person.

This is a great way to learn something, help someone and have some fun or relax all with the click of your mouse. So let's all get to clicking and see how many rice bowls we can fill. 1000 grains fills a bowl and I've filled 7 in just a little while. Now that is 7 ounces of uncooked rice that will fill the belly of a hungry person. Click, Click, CLICK.

Capturing Screen Shots

2008-04-25T16:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I've been creating treasuries on Etsy to promote the ACEO Bounty Challenge (link to this challenge under favorite blogs on the right side of this page) and was lead to this handy site for capturing screen shots: http://www.thumbalizr.com/ You just enter the URL you want to copy and it creates a screen shot for you. I use a PC with XP and it works fine for me.

Here is a screen shot I just took with it.

Storque Article Uses my Item Picture

2008-04-20T17:04:00.000-07:00

WOW!! I was reading this very interesting article in the Etsy Storque and when I got to the bottom and was looking at the pictures they had selected to go with the article - there was one of my items!!!! {See Kae doing the happy dance} Here is the article link and it is well worth the read. http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/craftivism/article/upcycling-for-greener-living/10/

A big thanks to the author TeenAngster for using my picture.

Bounty Challenge Treasury Screen Capture - And Prize is well over $1,000.00

2008-04-20T16:15:00.000-07:00

Hi,

First of all - the prize for the ACEO Bounty Challenge is now well over $1,000.00. Everyone really, really needs to check it out. There is a link to the details in the upper right corner at the top of my favorite blog links.

I'm determined to find a way to create good screen shots of treasuries to post. Here is my latest attempt of a treasury that I created and really, really like the way it looks. These ACEOs are super hot as far as I'm concerned.

I appreciate any comments you wish to leave.

Kae

My ACEO Bounty Card Made Etsy's Front Page!!!

2008-04-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

This morning I logged on to my computer and had a flood of emails telling me that my ACEO Bounty Challenge Abstract Spring card was on the Etsy Front Page and some very nice people took screen shots for me. Then another VERY NICE person BOUGHT the card. Now all of this was even better than that first cup of coffee in the morning.

My card is the center image in the top row. :)))

Also, the last word that I had on the ACEO Bounty Challenge was the grand prize is well over $1,000.00 - YES, One thousand dollars and climbing. The amount will fluctuate as cards are added and as some sell. But this in an awesome prize and well worth telling all your friends about.

Here is the link to the ACEO Bounty thread so you can see what all the excitement is about.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5566696

ACEO Bounty Challenge - Prize now over $400.00

2008-04-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
This is a busy week. I've been participating in both the Storque Earth Day Articles (I wrote one that was published and will talk about it later) and the ACEO Bounty Challenge - I've created some ACEOs and some treasuries.
First, the ACEO Bounty Challenge:
I snagged a Treasury West titled ACEO BOUNTY CHALLENGE
Here is the link
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=7330
I've focused on the animals for the moment and will switch it around after a while so keep checking. Also, here is the link to the ACEO Bounty Challenge thread in case you missed what this is all about.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5566696&page=1
One of the challenges was create a colorful bird and here is my entry into that one:
There are numerous challenges and I can hardly wait to create some more. Some lucky person is going to win the ACEOs in this challenge that haven't sold by the time the challenge ends. The prize was valued at over $400.00 earlier today and more entries keep pouring in. Now this is certainly a challenge to follow if you like art at all.

ACEO BOUNTY CHALLENGE TREASURY - CELEBRATE LIFE

2008-04-14T21:40:00.000-07:00

I've created a treasury featuring the talented artists that are participating in the ACEO Bounty Challenge which started today. Anyone can challenge this group of artists to create ACEOs in a theme, style, subject and then the individual members can decide whether or not to create and post their creations for sale. The complete details can be found on the thread and a collection can be seen in the treasury.

Here is the thread link:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5566696&page=1

And here is the Treasury link:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=39221

This challenge has a special reward at the end and often mini-prizes along the way so be sure and check it out. You may just find some awesome mini-art or win a prize.

ETSY TREASURIES AND EARTH DAY IS COMING

2008-04-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to make it a special project to capture treasuries on Etsy that will feature Earth Friendly items or images of our lovely world as a lead-up to Earth Day. Also, watch the Storque http://www.etsy.com/storque/ for articles on Eco-friendly and Earth Day activities.

My lastest treasury is here and will last until April 15 @ 11:00pm Eastern time:
EcoEtsy and Trashion Together
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=39047

Here is just one picture from this treasury with permission from fisheye:
If I get more treasuries after this one expires, check them out too. The more views the better.

Etsy Bloggers and Me

2008-03-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

I joined the Etsy Bloggers Street Team a while ago and found it to be a very worthwhile team however in a flurry of interest in being very active on Etsy, I joined a number of street teams and found myself very over-extended so I reluctantly have resigned from Etsy Bloggers. I have left the links to the site ring and the Etsy Bloggers Blog so that others may investigate and enjoy.

Eco Etsy Street Team Scavenger Hunt

2008-03-14T17:55:00.000-07:00

The Eco Etsy Street Team is holding it's first scavenger hunt on Etsy this Sunday, March 16th. You have a chance to win prizes donated by the Eco Etsy members. Join in on the fun! The hunt starts at 12pm EST and ends at 12am EST or until all the prizes are spoken for.
You can visit the team blog at http://ecoetsy.blogspot.com/for more detailed instructions on how to participate.
So come out and celebrate the lucky holiday with us!
*please note
The details of the hunt will not be posted on the blog until tomorrow evening, March 15.

TRASHION ECOETSY AND OUR EARTH TREASURY on Front Page

2008-02-17T16:35:00.000-08:00

I was lucky enough to get a treasury the other day titled Trashion EcoEtsy and our Earth - this one was so popular that it rose to number two before it expired. I captured a screen shot (sort-of) so that you could see it for a little longer.

The items are all constructed either of discarded materials or are earth friendly items. It is so awesome that you can buy recycled or upcycled and it looks so awesome. Thanks to all of you who checked this treasury out and for creating such wonderful items.

There is a picture of the front treasury page showing that this treasury was in second place but I can't seem to insert the picture into this post so here is the link to view it. http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/ecoetsy/photos/view/d6fc?b=1

Kae

2 Treasuries on Etsy - Check them out

2008-02-15T08:16:00.000-08:00

I snagged a regular treasury and a treasury west last night and both feature VAST, Trashion and EcoEtsy items and how well all these concepts fit together. I hope you will look at each item in the treasuries to help them move to the hot list at the front of the treasury list so happy looking.
Here is a link to the main treasury:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=28815
And the link to treasury west.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=1544
Kae of Kae1Crafts and Kae1Supplies

Eye-Popping Art Featured

2008-02-10T10:57:00.000-08:00

Interview with Christine of EyePopArt

How did you get started with your art or craft?

I was 19 years old and living in a studio apartment in Great Falls, Montana with Chuck (who is now my husband, we have been together for 17 years). Chuck had bought some acrylic paints from the hobby store and painted a cool canvas. Then one day I just started painting on this old hardshell suitcase that I had, and found that it was really fun. It got a great reaction from our friends and from then on I was painting mad psychedelic patterns all over everything in sight, seriously, guitars, tabletops, a pop machine, the interior of our car. There are some pictures on my website at http://www.eyepopart.com.

Anyway one day, after we had moved back home to our native town (Portland - we were just in Montana long enough to live in the mountains for a while and then have a baby!), someone gave us some records and that's when the mandala thing really took off. I painted lots of mandalas when my kids were babies, then I went to work in the corporate world for about five years and tried my hand as a vendor at Portland Saturday Market in 1998.
That didn't last, there was just too much going on. We bought a house and I spent my free time painting murals on walls and ceilings. We've been in our house for ten years now. My house was recently featured on "Look What I Did" on HGTV.

So one day I found myself laid off from my big career as a commercial salesperson in the printing industry, and I decided to turn to Trillium Artisans, a local nonprofit, for help in starting up a business and selling my artwork.
Trillium works with low income artisans who use recycled and reclaimed materials in their work. Amazingly enough, I am now employed part time as the Program Coordinator for the organization. I sell my Mandala Record products through Trillium and also help to run the program, which serves a very cool group of about 26 (and growing!) artisans here in Portland, Oregon. Check us out at http://www.trilliumartisans.org.

What do you find the most satisfying about your creations?

I really enjoy the beauty of the finished product, and I am always eager to finish up a piece so I can simply look at it and love it. Mandalas are just so beautiful, no matter who makes them. I have done some wonderful projects with elementary and middle school kids, and I get the same excited feeling of just loving the design and wanting to see the finished product.

Of course, the process itself is very satisfying too, especially with mandalas because they are so powerful and are used throughout the world for centering, healing, and meditating. I enjoy the process equally when I am the one designing and painting a mandala and when the work is being done by kids under my advice. It's just fun to watch it all come together. There's something about the circle that truly satisfies the soul!

What do you find the most difficult about selling your items?

At shows, it can get really tedious to receive a lot of compliments from people who do not buy. It gets hard to keep smiling and thanking people for their kind words after several hours of no sales. This used to happen to me a lot and was one of the main reasons why I quit doing Saturday Market (both in the '98 season and when I went for it the second time around, between 2004-06). That was before I started making my record cuffs! Since I came up with a wearable product, I've done much better.

The hardest thing about selling on Etsy is just keeping up - with everything. There's so much going on and it's really hard to stay on top of it without feeling like I am getting sucked into my computer and never have time to make stuff!

How about sharing one time-saving or eco-friendly tip with the readers?

Time saving tip: use a planner. Set aside time once a week or even once a day for planning. It helps me stay organized.

Eco-friendly tip: use recycled boxes and packaging materials!

Tell us a little about your personal life â?" married, children, pets, hobbies other than your art, favorite food, place, activity â?" whatever you want to share.

I'm married to my soul mate and best friend, Charles Claringbold aka Chuck Thrust. He's that tall, weird guy with pink socks and dangly earrings and a tribal tattoo (an original Eye Pop design!) around his neck. I am also a doo-wop singer in his band, Dartgun, a loud, rocking indie punk group that performs at Portland rock clubs once or twice a month. Check us out at http://www.myspace.com/dartgun.

Two kids, Tangereen Velveteen, age 13, and Julius Elvis Chaos, age 11. Tangereen is a mad scientist and math whiz, and a beautiful, creative sweetheart. Julius is a flute player, squirrel lover, and comic book artist. Check out his shop at http://www.cafepress.com/juliuschaos.

My other big loves are READING, camping, and playing chess (I'm not very good, but I love it). I also enjoy blogging and you can check out my blog at http://eyepopart.blogspot.com.

Share a favorite quote or thought with us.

Kurt Vonnegut said, "A plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit."

Thanks!
Christine

ANNOUNCING the 1st MONTHLY EtsyBloggers TREASURE HUNT-JAN. 19th

2008-01-19T07:33:00.000-08:00

**♥** ANNOUNCING the 1st MONTHLY EtsyBloggers TREASURE HUNT-JAN. 19th!!!! **♥**

**♥**JOIN IN THE FUN!!! **♥****♥** WIN YOUR Choice of prizes!!! **♥**

HOW TO PLAY:
At the end of this post is a list of participating EtsyBloggers Street Team shops. Each shop will have our team logo as one of their item's images in their shop:

The team logo won't be the 1st image for the item, it will be the 5th OR the last image for that item, so you'll need to click on each item to see all the pictures in at least 10 different participating shops to find the logos. Go from shop to shop until you find 10 of the team logos, write down the shop name and also all of the item names which contained the logos. While you're doing this, decide which ONE of those items you would like as your prize. THEN convo StormyDesigns immediately with your finds AND which ONE of those items you would like to choose as YOUR PRIZE!!

WHEN IS THE TREASURE HUNT:

The EtsyBloggers Treasure Hunt BEGINS at 12:00 AM EST Saturday Jan. 19 and ENDS at 12 AM EST Sunday Jan. 20 OR UNTIL ALL prizes have been found, whichever comes first, so be sure to start playing as soon as you can after the hunt begins. It will be announced here in this thread when the Treasure Hunt has ended so check this thread for updates.

WHO CAN PLAY:

Limit one prize per person.

You must be an Etsy member to win, buyers and sellers are welcome!

Members of the Etsybloggers Street Team are not eligible to win.

HOW MANY PRIZES CAN I WIN:
Limit 1 Prize per person. Prize availability depends on how many participating shops there are.

HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE:

You must convo StormyDesigns with all the info needed and you must have the verification number that StormyDesigns gives in order to claim your prize. To claim your prize just purchase the prize you are claiming without paying and leave it in your shopping cart. The shop owner will be notified of your win and your verification number shortly after you are so they will be expecting your order. You must enter that verification number or convo it to the shop owner so they can verify it with the number that they were given by StormyDesigns. The numbers must match so make sure you get them right.

GOOD LUCK & Have fun playing!!!

The following is the official list of shop links for participating shops:

http://JoeyAndAleethea.etsy.com

http://StormyDesigns.etsy.com

http://VanillaLotus.etsy.com

http://NahiaCreations.etsy.com

http://NaptimeCrafts.etsy.com

http://GroovyVinyl.etsy.com

http://DeabusAmor.etsy.com

http://aprettyrock.etsy.com

http://aliciamaeprints.etsy.com

http://BeckyKayDesigns.etsy.com

http://msbelle.etsy.com

http://SignatureSterling.etsy.com

http://debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com

http://Kae1Crafts.etsy.com

http://cserpent.etsy.com

http://LazyTcrochet.etsy.com

http://ShannonSaylor.etsy.com

http://BonnyJewelry.etsy.com

http://Alteredevents.etsy.com

http://pensiverabbit.etsy.com

http://perpetualplum.etsy.com

http://TulipsTreasureBox.etsy.com

Polymer Clay Artist Featured - ArtsyClay

2008-01-13T10:01:00.000-08:00

Recently I was previleged to have a chance to interview a talented artist who sells on Etsy as ArtsyClay and also blogs. Her colorful creations will brighten anyone's day as will her interview. Happy reading as you get to know ArtsyClay (Judy in real life) and after you've read the interview do visit her blog - link under favorite blogs and then her Etsy shop for wonderful art.

Kae

INTERVIEW WITH ARTSYCLAY

Judy, how did you get started with your art or craft?

I grew up with a very artistic mom and cousins, and we were always making something. As a child, I loved knitting, drawing, painting, decorating my doll house and making my own paper dolls. As an adult, I've taken many classes and tried everything from needle arts to stained glass to macramé to handmade paper. My step-son and I made candles this year for Christmas gifts and coated the kitchen from one end to the other with wax and had a blast.

As far as polymer clay specifically, in 1997 my friend's daughter was wearing the most beautiful necklace with big, bold-patterned, colorful beads. I asked her where she got it and I was amazed when she said she'd made it in school. Her mom told me it was polymer clay and where to buy some. I was hooked immediately! I'm still just as intrigued with it as that first day. There are always new techniques and new ways to combine it with other media, so I never get bored.

What do you find the most satisfying about your creations?

Both being able to control the outcome and not being able to control the outcome. Sometimes I am very intentional about whatever color or shape or specific thing I wish to make. Other times I just put my brain aside, let my inner child play, and whatever happens is a delightful surprise. I also find it very satisfying that I have improved enormously over time. I have kept some of the first pieces I made, and in comparison my work today is thinner, more lightweight, more intricate and more attractive.

What do you find the most difficult about selling your items?

I get very attached to most of them and consider them my babies. It's like sending my child away when I package them up and mail them off. I kiss them and talk to them and love them while I am packing them. My husband laughs at me and thinks I'm totally nuts but it's just the way I am.

How about sharing one time-saving or eco-friendly tip with the readers?

An artist friend taught me this time-saver. If I need to complete a large order or need to make several similar items, the "assembly line" method works well. At Christmas time I usually make a lot of angels which always sell well at my craft shows, so I will cut out 10 or 15 bodies, then make all their faces, then all their hair, etc.

Tell us a little about your personal life - "married, children, pets, hobbies other than your art, favorite food, place, activities" - whatever you want to share.

I am blessed with a large, wonderful family: 3 grown sons from my first marriage, 3 daughters-in-law, 6 grandchildren, my husband Mike, a 17-year-old step son and a lovable mutt named Snooky. I work four days a week in communications for a large health services company and am the church choir director of a teen-adult group. I've been a vegetarian since 1985 and love Chinese buffets.

Share a favorite quote or thought with us.

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." - from "The Little Prince" by Antione de St. Exupery

Any final thoughts you want to share.

I always feel very honored that other people enjoy my creations enough to want to purchase them and wear them or give them as gifts. I never dreamed I would become an artist and it is a very fulfilling part of my life!

FEATURED ETSY SELLER MT Designs 4 u

2008-01-06T15:24:00.000-08:00

This is the first (of I hope many) interviews featuring other Etsy Bloggers in my blog. I plan to ask the same interview questions of each person featured so there will be some continuity in the features. I learned of Mary Lou because of her article on her closet workroom she wrote for her blog. After you've read this interview, be sure to go to her blog and see the awesome workroom she has created out of a closet.

How did you get started with your art or craft?

I have my "nana" to thank as I spent a lot of time in her care as a young child. Being from Portugal, it was instilled in her that girls were to learn from early childhood how to create beautiful items, heirlooms one might say.
Whether it be tatting lace, crocheting doilies or sewing clothing. I was blessed she took the time to teach me and share her talents throughout my growing years.

This picture shows how I feel about my art "As it has taken layers and layers (years and years) into evolving who I am today."

What do you find the most satisfying about your creations?

I find what is most satisfying is the joy I feel when I have decided to let my art come naturally: To create using my own visions, my own ideas and with my own two hands. Of course what we see, read and learn from others all make up what our own visions become, and to be able to express that in some form of art is most satisfying to say the least.

What do you find the most difficult about selling your items?

I get a little melancholy about some of my pieces. The process of going from stage one to final completion has enveloped many ideas, thoughts and memories. After all, that is how my art takes shape. I begin with an idea of what I'd like to create... the thought process starts.... and often pieces have a tucked in memory I might have thought about when creating the piece. So.....sometimes selling my artwork gives me a little tug at my heart strings.

How about sharing one time-saving or eco-friendly tip with the readers?

OK, this tip consists of both time-saving as well as being eco-friendly.
I like to keep 2 baskets close to my work space to catch my discarded fibers, papers and threads.
One basket consists of the small pieces that really can't lend themselves to another project due to their miniscule size. Once this basket is filled, I have a great assortment to make hand-made paper. With all the beautiful threads and fibers in there who needs to add more inclusions?

The second basket is for pieces that are being cut from the main project. These pieces are usually several inches or better. Since I create all the backgrounds I use these pieces lend themselves for future projects like ATC's, collage and even greeting cards.

Tell us a little about your personal life - married, children, pets, hobbies other than your art, favorite food, place, activities - whatever you want to share.

I've been married to the most loving, caring and tolerant man for the last 26 years. We have 2 beautiful daughters.... one of which is profoundly deaf. We use American Sign Language to communicate. I am proudly owned by a 15 year old, blind, toothless and selectively deaf 3 lb. Yorkshire terrier named Chaz.

When I'm not creating art you can find me at my full time job as a medical secretary. I enjoy cooking and my favorite foods are lobster, lobster, and did I mention lobster? I enjoy pretending to be watching a movie. (OK, you caught me.... it's really my way of taking a nap).

Share a favorite quote or thought with us.

My thought for you today is just this: ASPIRE TO BE

Any final thoughts you want to share.

Be who you want to be, create what you want to create. In the process of both, do it to the best of your ability!
Enjoy the process, have fun with it......

Thank you for taking the time to participate in this Etsy Bloggers interview.

Thank you, I am honored that you asked me...... I am worthy!

Mary Lou - mtdesigns4u

~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~

HANDMADE ART FOR SALE: http://www.mtdesigns4u.etsy.com/

WHY HANDMADE? You are purchasing higher quality products, made with love and care by the artisan.

BLOG: http://www.mtdesigns4u.wordpress.com

"Art is neither a profession nor a hobby. Art is a way of being."
Frederick Franck

Taming Etsy Paperwork

2008-01-04T19:27:00.000-08:00

I was recently asked how I handled the paperwork for my Etsy shops. Here is my answer. Maybe it will help others.

I've found that I can print the Etsy invoice on one side of a paper and the PayPal info on the other side as my record (and it includes a picture of the item) and the PayPal stuff includes their charges so most of my bookkeeping info in on one piece of paper.

For my customer, I print the PayPal packing slip on one side and the Etsy invoice on the other side and use that as a packing slip. I also copy their mailing address and paste it into a word processing page, enlarge the font and print it on the bottom of the page - now I have a clean, clear and accurate mailing label to tape to the package.

Happy selling.

Kae

Etsy Bloggers - Inspiration for All

2008-01-04T14:41:00.000-08:00

One of our members has compiled the following list of Etsy Bloggers. Now it is so long that I am just posting the link to it. Take a look.

http://sixthandelm.com/resources/the-etsy-sellers-blog-list/

A clickable link is in the list of links.

Etsy Bloggers Site Ring

2007-12-31T13:19:00.000-08:00

Click on the links in the header to view the Site Ring and the various shops included. Way cool method of viewing the blogs written by shop owners.

Now a Member of Etsy Bloggers Street Team

2007-12-31T12:51:00.000-08:00

Due to my time constraints I am no longer a member of Etsy Bloggers Street Team but I'm leaving the link here so others may investigate joining. It is a great team but I am on more teams than I can easily support and this one was the last one I joined. I highly recommend the team.

Kae of Kae1Crafts

I have just joined the Etsy Bloggers Street Team so my blog will have many more posts in 2008. Be sure to come and check it out frequently.

Hanger Christmas Trees

2007-12-02T17:01:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of pictures of Christmas Trees made from wire clothes hangers. They are difficult to photograph because they are so shiney. The first view is the tree standing on a glass table and the second image is of the inside showing the crossed hangers. I've used 6 hangers that are interlocked with all of the hooks pointing downward. They are taped together like a star and then a craft wire is fastened around the bottom to make it secure. Once the hangers are secured, I then take garland and wrap it around the tree shaped hangers fastening at each hanger edge with hot glue. Once all the garland is attached, you can add a string of mini-lights if you wish. I don't because these trees are perfect for nursing homes and other places where you don't have a plug-in or lights can't be used. I then add decorations (again using hot glue to keep them in place). To store, I cover with a cloth and put in a dry place until next year. The colors and decoration choices are almost unlimited. Go Trashion and impress all your friends and family.

Announcing "Save the World Sunday" Sale

2007-11-24T23:10:00.000-08:00

!!! SALE !!! SALE !!! SALE !!! SALE !!! SALE !!! SALE !!!
TAKE 20% OFF ALL ITEMS IN MY STORES ON SUNDAY, NOV 25, 2007
http://kae1crafts.etsy.com/
http://kae1supplies.etsy.com/

*********** TRASHION TEAM - SAVE THE WORLD SUNDAY SALE *********
To encourage customers to buy recycled, and to buy handmade, the Trashion street team is hosting Save the World Sunday, a major sales event and celebration of all things recycled & handmade.
• Participating shops are offering 20% off or free shipping on two special sales days, Sunday Nov. 25 and Sunday Dec. 2. For a list of participating shops, visit http://www.etsytrashion.com/ or http://www.etsytrashion.blogspot.com/

Here is a list of participating stores and what they are offering in the way of discounts:

A list of all participating shops:http://SweetWolf.etsy.com 25% off anything. Free shipping over $25.00
http://LindaErzinger.etsy.com 20% off. Free shipping
http://etsytrashion.etsy.com 20% off
http://fairytalefibers.etsy.com 20% off
http://anniessweatshop.etsy.com 20% off
http://samann1121.etsy.com 20% off
http://SweetyPrize.etsy.com 20% off
http://JunktoJewels.etsy.com 20% off
http://bayousalvage.etsy.com 20% off
http://foundthings.etsy.com 20% off
http://reduxdesigns.etsy.com 20% off
http://jen1kanobi.etsy.com 20% off
http://JunktoJewels.etsy.com 20% off
http://tomatedepingles.etsy.com 20% off
http://trashionmode.etsy.com 20% off
http://sojourncuriosities.etsy.com 20% off
http://RunzwithScissors.etsy.com 20% off
http://kae1crafts.etsy.com 20% off
http://www.kae1supplies.etsy.com 20% off
http://reneedesigns.etsy.com 20% off all Trashion Items
http://LilliputianDesigns.etsy.com Prices reflect 15% off
http://www.siragwatkins.etsy.com 20% off on three or more
http://bayousalvage.etsy.com Free shipping anywhere
http://sweetpepita.etsy.com Free Priority shipping
http://tamdoll.etsy.com Free domestic shipping
http://PaganoDesignWorks.etsy.com Free shipping
http://TwistThis22501.etsy.com Free shipping 'til noon

Eco Etsy Holiday Sale Launched

2007-11-15T20:11:00.000-08:00

"Welcome to the Eco Etsy Holiday Sale. Take 20% off select items. When you purchase an item on sale, you will be entered into a drawing to receive a free gift donated by our members. See our blog at http://ecoetsy.blogspot.com for more details. Happy shopping!"

Both of my shops are participating - just click on the sale category in each shop and you will find the items on sale and already reduced 20% for ease of calculating final price with shipping. I will combine items from both shops whenever possible to save you shipping. Just convo me or email me and I will send you a corrected invoice.

Happy shopping - remember - Buy Handmade for the Holidays.

BUY HANDMADE FOR THE HOLIDAY'S

2007-10-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

I took the handmade pledge and I hope you will too. This is my effort to walk gently on the earth, give gifts of art and love and support other artisians and crafters. I hope everyone will join us in this effort.

Blog Action Day

2007-10-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

I just learned from another Etsy Trashion Team Member that today is Blog Action Day and wanted to participate. The focus of recycling is so VERY important to all of us that I like to make my voice heard even a little bit.

I think I was born into a recycling family - in that they never threw anything away!!! :) Now, sometimes this can become a problem but often great uses were found for the saved objects. Used yogurt cartons became freezer containers for leftovers, jams, jellies and more. Flour sacks were transformed into beautiful clothing. Living on the farm meant that compost piles nourished the garden, manure piles - ditto.

Now I live in the city in an RV so my footprint is small but I still recycle what I can, I shop for clothing as thrift stores and yard sales, I recycle packaging materials when shipping items sold in my Etsy stores Kae1Crafts.etsy.com and Kae1Supplies.etsy.com as well as my Amazon and Ebay accounts. When I ship books, I make my own boxes out of discarded cardboard.

Many of the items in my Etsy stores are recycled, upcycled or used.

Special Invitation Wine Tasting and Craft Show

2007-09-22T22:11:00.000-07:00

A friend was invited to bring her crafts to a wine tasting and BBQ today and asked me to help her and bring my jewelry. We both had a fun and successful day. Fall in Oregon can sometimes be very lovely and today was one of those days. Some clouds, some sun, shade of a fir tree, and appreciative customers. What crafter could ask for more. We were the only crafters invited so we really felt special.
We each had sign for our section of the tables, business cards, and name tags. There were many comments on our nice displays, requests for business cards and some special orders taken. This is a small winery in a country setting and only about 70 - 80 people attended so we were very surprised and pleased at our sales.
Since this was the first time we had joined forces to show our crafts, we were both very pleased at the results.
Just wanted to share the fun with all of you. Here is a picture of my happiness.

Gratitude - Is It Good Business?

2007-09-19T17:41:00.000-07:00

I want to share the link to this Reader's Digest article. Personally I've found this to be true and am grateful to see that the science backs up my experiences for a change. To make it even more special - my Sister sent me this link with the comment that she knew that I already did this. :)

The October Reader's Digest had an excellent article that I wanted to share with you, so here's the link. http://www.rd.com/content/the-new-science-of-being-thankful/

VAST AUTUMN EVENT LAUNCHED

2007-09-15T20:22:00.000-07:00

The Visual Artist Street Team of Etsy is launching their Autumn Event today, September 15, 2007 and it is well worth your while to check it out. It is a visual feast for the eyes as well as a great way to get started on holiday shopping.

Just follow this link to Etsy.com http://www.etsy.com/buy.php and enter the following phrase into the search box: vastautumnevent

Yes, I know that there isn't any spaces in it - the search tag was designed that way so you would find the items you are seeking.

Happy searching and shopping.

NOT A CRAFT - GREAT SITE

2007-09-06T15:05:00.000-07:00

If you have a high-speed internet connection and haven't already discovered National Geographic's Wildcam Africa you need to take a look. Best viewing times are listed on the site. You can sit comfortably at your computer and have a window into wild Africa. Pete's Pond (where the camera is located) frequently has visits of elephants, giraffes, eland, wildebeast, hyenas, jackels plus a crocodile lives in the pond.

Here is the link and hope you enjoy the viewing as much as I do. I just put a small real player viewing window on the corner of my screen and go on about my Etsy or other business. http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/wildcamafrica/

Fall Events and Happenings

2007-09-05T14:04:00.000-07:00

Lots of great things have been occurring lately on some of the street teams that I'm involved with plus a surprise notice from the cross stitch editor of http://craftgossip.com/ stating that she will be mentioning my Kae1Supplies.etsy.com store in the blog.

Etsy Trashion has been very busy with their Trunk Show (a great success) and now a posting on Etsy's new Storque
http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/events/article/trunk-full-o-trashion/124/

that shows some of the Trunk Show action and participants.

VAST Street Team is getting set to launch our VAST Autumn Event on September 15th so we are all busy creating great items for this. You can use vastautumnevent as a search on Etsy to find the items that are linked to autumn and this event.

On a more personal front, I've been busy creating clothing for my Craft store and adding a lot of new craft books and magazines to my Kae1Supplies store so do check them out and remember that I will combine shipping for items purchased in both shops to save you money.

I've also joined ecoetsy street team but haven't had much time to really get acquainted with it. One of their focuses is to reuse as much packaging materials as we can so that items don't get put in the dump -- well many of my items I use in shipping are 'reclaimed, reconstructed and repurposed' to say the least. Here is a short list of how I reuse packaging materials:

1. I use old plastic bags to make padding for shipping using foam peanuts that I've been given and then seal the bags to that the peanuts aren't floating away while packaging.
2. I use old boxes to make 'new' shipping boxes the correct size for what I'm shipping.
3. Egg cartons make good packaging around lighter weight items and protect them.
4. Cereal cartons make a good protective backing for lighter weight books and magazines.
5. Carefully open any item you receive so you can reuse the envelope, bubble wrap, peanuts, etc.
6. Tell friends and neighbors that you accept all used bubble wrap, peanuts, and any other packaging materials you use so you don't have to buy new.
7. Protective plastic wrap from boxes (the soft kind of plastic wrap) is great for filling small corners when packaging.
8. Soft foam can be sliced with a serrated knife and made to fit whatever packaging shape you need. I found a cheap knife at a thrift store and use it just for that purpose.

These are just some of the things I've done for reusing packaging. I'm sure others have many great tips and I hope you will share them.

Happy autumn, selling, packaging and successful shipping.

Kae

Places to promote our shops

2007-08-10T21:51:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I want to start a list and a dialogue of good places to promote our Etsy shops. Here are a couple that I have found and almost overlooked and they are free. The links are in my links section on the right hand side of my blog.

1. PayPal shops. Since most of us accept PayPal as a method of payment on Etsy we should take advantage of the free listing in the PayPal shops. It is a very easy signup once you log into your PayPal account.

2. Eons (for those over age 50 and who will admit it) - they have a group that focuses on people in our age group that are selling online. Again free advertising.

3. Flickr is a great site for posting pictures that many come and view just to see what is happening.

4. Your own blog - If you don't already have one -- start one!!! Run, Hurry, Do It Now!!! It is easy and free on Google, Yahoo and many other sites. If you can read and type you can have a blog. If this 60+ grandmother can do it then so can you. It doesn't have to be perfect. It doesn't have to be done daily. It just has to be.

5. Please feel free to link to this blog, email me and ask me to link to your blog, web site, network, so that we can help each other. The more people who discover Etsy and our wonderful crafts, supplies and ideas the better.

6. Please add any more free sites as comments and I will try to get the links into my links section.

Thanks for reading, linking and posting.

Kae

Introducing my New Supply Store on Etsy

2007-08-10T21:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I have opened a store on Etsy just for supplies since I was overwhelming my crafts with all the books, patterns and supplies that I needed to list. I hope you will take a moment and check it at at Kae1Supplies.etsy.com

I am also trying to post my Etsy Mini in this message so I hope it works.

TODAY'S THE DAY

2007-07-27T08:33:00.000-07:00

Well, it has finally arrived ETSY TRASHION TRUNK SHOW DAY!!! I will only be able to attend via computer but have sent items to be sold - see my Flickr Post to see what went to New York -- and now I anxiously await the time for everything to start.

Now is a great time to for me (and everyone else participating) to thank all those who worked so hard to make this event happen and who promoted the heck out of it. Being around all these creative minds is very invigorating even when it is 'just' a computer association.

Watch for more great things from this team -- they have snagged at least 4 Etsy treasuries, a Etsy showcase spot, a featured place on the Etsy Home Page and so many other great things I don't even remember them all.

So let's all shop Trashion, recycle, upcycle and make our world an even better place with less trash blowing in the wind and filling up the landfills.

Great Site to promote your store

2007-07-08T15:25:00.000-07:00

Hi,

If you are over the age of 50 then this site is for you. It is called eons.com and concentrates its marketing and site to the baby boomers and those that are older. It is free to join and they have a specific blog that focuses on home businesses that welcomes Etsy stores participation. Here is the link so look it over, then join and promote, promote, promote. The more we have our name out there the more people we will drive to our stores. http://community.eons.com/groups/group/the-home-business-network

VAST 15% OFF SALE STARTS TODAY

2007-07-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Check it out. VAST members are having a 15% off sale.

15% off all items in Kae1Crafts.etsy.com shop. Buyers please write 'VAST OFF THE WALL SALE' in the notes section of your purchase and wait for a revised invoice.
Sale will take place Friday July 6th through Thursday July 12th (art knows no time zones!)

Come look now and get great buys on craft patterns and books, jewelry, cards and much more.

Added a Flickr page

2007-07-05T23:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone.

Since others on Etsy have been talking about their Flickr page I decided to add one to my different efforts. Here is the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/9808686@N08/ . I've been using it to showcase the items I've made for the upcoming Etsy Trashion Trunk Show on July 27th being held in New York City. I can't be there but some of my projects will be. SweetyPrize has offered to sell some things for me and I am contributing to the swag bags (see sample of the cards I'm sending in picture above) that are being given away at the Trunk Show. I will also send some ACEO kits so people can take something home and create a 'Trashion' project.

Etsy Treasury

2007-06-25T16:04:00.000-07:00

This has been quite a week for me. I'd never had anything of mine selected for a treasury on Etsy and this week I had not one but two ACEOs featured. You can check them out here:

The Trashion Treasury featured one of my Taradiddle Cat ACEOs
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=265

And the Visual Artist Street Team (VAST) featured one of my series from a slumber party challenge.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=267

In addition to all this excitement, the Trashion Team has their new store up and running. I will have my addition added shortly. I have made two cards that are completely constructed from junk or damaged papers. Nice to find something fun to do with junk mail!!!

Here are the pictures of the cards.

In addition to the EtsyTrashion shop opening, the Etsy Trashion Street Team is going full speed ahead on their Trunk Show being held on July 27th in New York. Details were published earlier in this blog. Sure wish I could be there but hope others will attend and snag one of the great swag bags we are handing out.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July in case I don't get back to posting on this until afterwards.

Removing Smells from Books & Paper

2007-06-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

I've had a question on how to remove smells from old books or papers.

Here are a couple of suggestions that I found that work:

1. Cedar Oil Spray:

I have had some success in removing odors from old books by spraying the sides and lid of a cardboard box with cedar oil (used to refresh cedar blocks to place in closets)by putting them in a box being careful not to let the oily parts of the box touch the books. Then close up the box and leave for a couple of days. Your books or papers should be odor free or almost so. If not completely free of odors, repeat treatment.

2. Kitty Litter:

I have had moderate success with burying a book or magazine in kitty litter (clean and unused of course!!!) that is in a plastic bag. Close up the bag and leave book or books for a couple of days. Don't over-fill the bag.

3. Freeze it:

Our librarian recommends treating smelly books by sealing them in a plastic bag and putting them in the freezer for a couple of days. I haven't tried this one but I frequently see books stashed in the library freezer so it must work or they wouldn't keep doing it!!!

As you can see, none of these methods are rapid but at least they are fairly safe for the books or papers involved.

If you have a method that works -- and especially for large quantity of books, please post it. Our Friends of the Library group is constantly running into smelly books -- some we discard, some we clean, some we isolate and let others worry about it. We'd like an easy method to clean them all.

Announcing Trashion Trunk Show

2007-06-04T08:32:00.001-07:00

Hi,

The Etsy Trashion Street Team is holding a Trunk Show. Here is the announcement:

The Trashion Street Team will have a trunk show at the Etsylabs in Brooklyn, Friday July 27. Please join us for all things trashion - clothing, accessories, jewelry, housewares, paper goods and more made out of unique materials. We'll have items for display, for sale and to giveaway!Our inspiration is using materials that are found, reused, reclaimed, second hand or otherwise destined for the trash bin. We take it and reconstruct it into beautiful new items. Think upcycling.For more information see the Trashion Street Team profile at: http://team.etsy.com/profilest/trash.shtml

Here is a link to the Forum Thread.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5119729

Wish we could all go and meet there. Many of the Trashion items could fit in VAST very well, I know that some of mine are already there.

Taradiddle Cat ACEO Series

2007-05-22T22:34:00.000-07:00

I've begun an ACEO Series focused on cats. This all began because of a VAST project to compile an ACEO album of animal cards then sell it to benefit an animal charity. Well, the end result was after I made the first card I was having so much fun that others just came to life as well. I have some of them listed in my Etsy shop so check them out. The one I listed today is titled "Halo", shown above. Hope you enjoy it.

2007-05-11T18:34:00.000-07:00

Here is a great weekly post on Etsy featuring new art. Check it out.

http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_title&search_query=WeeklyArtOfferings

Removing a Musty Smell from Fabric

2007-05-09T16:15:00.000-07:00

I've recently received som items that had been my grandmother's and they had a very musty odor to them. Now from past experience, I knew that this odor is difficult to remove so I finally put a query on Y!Answers and got some very good advise. Here are a couple that I've tried that worked very well.

1. If you can wash the item just add about 1/8 cup of ammonia with the soap to the tub of laundry and the smell will magically disappear. CAUTION: Be sure that there is NO clorine bleach in your laundry detergent before adding the ammonia or you will produce a deadly gas.

2. Some of the things were skeins of yarn and I didn't want to handle them to wash so another suggestion was to put cedar wood into a box with the item for a couple of days and the odor would disappear. Since I didn't have any cedar, I purchased some of the cedar oil you can use to refresh cedar items and sprayed it on the sides and lid of the box being sure to protect the yarn with an old towel. After a few days the odor was mostly gone.

3. Since another suggestion was to hand items out in the sunshine and fresh air for a day, I threaded a small rope through the skeins of yarn and hung them in the sunshine for a day and they now smell fresh and ready to use.

Next I plan to use the box and cedar oil spray method with old books and see if it will remove the odor from paper without damaging it. I'll let you know if this works.

VAST Showcase

2007-03-13T15:54:00.000-07:00

The Barrette is from glasshousejewelry http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5355006

This stained glass is from Bear Hollow Creations Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=616326

These are just two of my favorites. I am new to blogging and having trouble setting this up so will continue to study on how to do it. Any suggestions are very welcome.