Pulp Sushi

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everybody! The best holiday EVER! I wish I had cool costume pictures to show you but this year Halloween is pretty quiet. The boyfriend and I have been watching a bunch of our horror movies (which we do a lot all year long anyway) and eating candy. We don't get trick or treaters where I live so we get the candy for ourselves.  He did carve a pumpkin.

I really don't know how to photograph Jack O'Lanterns but I like how this came out. 

So yeah, we don't have any major plans.  We were talking about this yesterday.  We both love Halloween and the TRADITION of Halloween.  Not exactly crazy about what it has become.  I still like seeing kids dress up as super heroes or cartoon characters but I'm not amused by the trendy pop-culture costumes, the slutty outfits, I actually think they're pretty lame.  When you see 30 Snookis in one place, it loses it's novelty. One year I was at the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade and the movie "The Crow" had came out earlier that year.  No joke, there were about 200 different dudes dressed as the Crow in the parade and walking around the parade. Some looked better than others but it's like "Oh, another Crow, ho-hum".

I prefer to see monsters and ghouls and zombies, you know...scary characters!   It seems like Halloween has turned into another holiday for people to get drunk and stupid.  I wish I could go out and scare people for real - because I think they need a good scare. Like jumping out of a bush covered in fake blood and scream at a bunch of wannabe Real Housewives at the top of my lungs while chasing them down the street but that might lead me to spending Halloween night in jail right?

New Vendor - Cornell St Studios

I have some exciting news to share.  Some of my jewelry is now available at Cornell St Studios in Kingston, NY.  I went to check out this amazing art gallery just to get a feel for it.  Thankfully, I brought a bunch of items and displays with me just in case I was swooned....and I was.  I got my stuff set up right away.

As much as I love Etsy and don't think I will ever leave it, I am on the lookout of finding new venues to sell my work.  Preferably boutiques and galleries.  These items (and more) will be available for the next three months and if things work out, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. :) 

FREE SHIPPING!

Let's pretend it's November 1st because that was when I was planning to start offering FREE SHIPPING in my shop, but I just can't wait till Monday, so it starts today!

Free shipping for both Domestic and International in my Etsy Shop Only until December 1, 2010 so get a head start on your Holiday shopping. Is it really a head start at this point?

Maybe you might pick up my latest necklace, Pink Champagne Flowers

Working With Flowers - The Arrangement

And now, another installation of me self-promoting! The weather may be getting chillier but I'll always like working with flowers. Autumn Bouquet necklace is actually inspired by Fall colors and the Sweet Girl earrings are just meant to be cute a little flirty.

Speaking of working with flowers, has anyone watched that show The Arrangement? I'm sorry but I can't bring myself to get into this show. I love competition shows when it comes to food, fashion, even interior design, but flowers???? I don't know. I'm not knocking the Floral Arrangement industry at all and I have seen some spectacular arrangements. However, I haven't been able to bring myself to watch one episode in it's entirety (including their Halloween/Saw III challenge one) and I've been sitting on my couch for the last two months!!

Cotton Candy Wedding

Yesterday I made a Treasury, it's been a while since I have.  I named it Cotton Candy Wedding using one of my favorite colors.

After MONTHS of not being able to, I attended a team meeting with members of the Hudson Valley Etsy Group this past Saturday. I love going to team meetings because not only do I get to socialize and meet other sellers, it inspires me to get involved and DO stuff. Just what I needed as I was feeling a bit burned out.

Hence me creating a treasury, ok it's not a "team treasury" but it gives me a chance to curate something which is fun, and allows me to reach out to other Etsy sellers in the hopes that one day Karma can come back my way and I find myself in a neat treasury.  I do want to stay active on Etsy but as a lot of us know, those Forums can be a bit suffocating.  So I'm trying to find alternative ways to still remain present in the Etsyverse.

Happy Friday!

I don't know what came over me, but I decided to buy two Showcase spots on Etsy for The Storque. It has been a couple of years since I've done that. What a difference. I totally regret it now. A few years ago, buying a slot would at least meant getting several new hearts and if you're lucky, a sale. This week, those purchases were just a waste of money, does anyone even look at the items in The Storque showcase on Etsy anymore? Never again.

Of course that hasn't stopped me from working on more pieces but they're not quite finished yet. I'm still waiting for some supplies to arrive in the mail. Waiting is the hardest part.  But I would like to share my latest necklace, Late Night Storm.

On a non-craft note, I received some good news yesterday, my CT scan from last week came back good! Don't have to go back to the hospital for my heart for another year, yay! I hope to find out about my EEG today and it's also good news.

MarKhed Design

Since I've been home, I have spent a lot of time going through my Etsy Favorite Shops.  I can't remember how I learned about MarKhed Design from Montreal, Quebec, Canada but I remember it was seeing this necklace that caught my attention.

There is definitely a lot more to this shop than hand cut and soldered jewelry.  You'll find beaded pieces with precious stones and wire work.  But the silhouette pendants are definitely my favorite to check out.

Halloween Sweets

Woke up with a sweet tooth this morning and in the Halloween spirit!  I think the Mummy cupcakes are my favorite.

1. SpicyPumpkin (18), 2. Spider Cupcakes, 3. "Spider" Cheesecake (1/2), 4. Halloween Cupcake, 5. mummy cupcake, 6. flickr.com/photos/8123802@N04/4648039946/, 7. Halloween Cupcake Collection, 8. Bettys Halloween treats, 9. Pumpkin Owl Cookies Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Other than go out to dinner Saturday night, my weekend was pretty "blah". It was kind of depressing actually, was in a really funky mood. Looking back, I wish I had gone out with my camera and taken some pictures of the leaves changing colors, it's really pretty up here. Damn, why didn't I think of that on Saturday? Well, whose to say my other half would have been up for it.  But I hate wasting days like that.

Oh well, it's a new week and I have stuff to work on! I have a necklace that I have made but I'm debating on whether or not I should post it online. I'm also thinking about doing something special next month to kick off the Holiday season.  Have a nice week!

*Hoot! Hoot!*

I recently had an incident where I ordered some supplies and they did not turn  out to be what I expected.  The supplies in question are these owl pendants. I was expecting them to be bigger.  So when life hands you lemons, make lemonade! I am already out of owl pendants. You can find my Etsy shop a new pair of earrings and necklace.

 

I made a pair of earrings for myself too. I think it worked out that they turned out to be smaller.

I can't believe it has been seven weeks since my surgery and since I've been at work! I hope going back won't be too much of an adjustment. My disability ends on the 24th of this month and I really hope I can get back to work on the 25th.  I am kind of done hanging out at my apartment. I wish I could go out more but I do not have my own car and this area isn't exactly great for walking.  Some of you may think that I should take advantage of all the time off and believe me I have but I'm just about done. I will keep my rants to myself.  That's it, next year I plan to finally take a REAL vacation to.....somewhere, anywhere! I just need to get out of New York for a bit.

New Earrings

I just spent the morning ordering a whole bunch of jewelry supplies, afterall the Holidays are fast approaching and I want to seriously stock up.  In the meantime, here are some new earrings that have been added to Etsy.

 

 

I think I'm going to make more of the Chrysanthemum earrings later on today. I like making my own ear hooks. The more I do them, the better they start to look.

Have I mentioned here that I applied to the Bust Holiday Craftacular in NYC? I did it last year and I had so much fun.  It was probably the most relaxed I ever felt at a show even though it was busy, does that make sense? And it was also an oppportunity to meet some of my online customers so that was pretty sweet.  Anyway, I hope I get in again because as of right now, it's the only show I plan to do for the rest of the year.  I'll totally be back in the swing of things and applying for a bunch of shows after the new year.

Uh oh, I hear my crazy neighbor upstairs banging and stomping around, that's my cue to go for my walk and enjoy this nice Autumn weather.

 

Don't Get Sick

Hi everyone! The good news is, it's FRIDAY! The bad news? Well there isn't exactly bad news but I'm just feeling a little frustrated and drained today. I haven't updated in a couple of days but I wanted to still let people know that I'm here and adding stuff to the Etsy shop.

So why am I frustrated? I won't bore you with too many details (unless we're friends on Facebook) but the hospital where I had my operation called today and they say they need another MRI from me and I kind of snapped. I'm already going in for some testing next Friday and as much as you psychologically prepare yourself for surgery and the aftermath, it still really takes it's toll on you. I've broken down a couple of times from all the doctor visits, the poking, the needles, the waiting, the pills, the loud machines they put you in, it sucks I tell ya! 

Because I don't want this to turn into a rant, I will end this post with something that always makes me smile - Dachshund doggies

 

Do What You Love

In one of those very rare occasions, I won a giveaway from the blog Good Day Sunshine!  I won this great print from Letterhappy

This print comes in different colors too. Actually there are a lot of very cool items in Christen's Etsy shop.

I got my eye on that desk calendar. I need one for work next year and it's a weenie dog! I love everything Dachshund.

Craft Week

I did not know this, but apparently this week is American Craft Week.  A time where those of us who make and appreciate handmade items can share with other non-believers why DIY is so great!   I know that a lot of people who visit this blog already know this but Megan over at Crafting an MBA has a great entry pitching some ideas on how to open the eyes of those friends or family members who may not see the value in it. 

I wanted to share a picture of me being crafty. :) This was from the needle felting class I took.  You can view some Felt Jewelry in my shop by clicking here. 

There are new necklaces that I added over at the shop since my last post. Have a look! :)

Sweets

Ever had cake in a jar before? Me neither but I can't wait to try it out.

These came in the mail the other day from Spoonful of Sugar Bake Shop as a gift from fellow Hudson Valley Etsy teammate Libby from Blonde Chick.

And just the day before that, my friend Kerry from Mrs TattooedGeek came by bearing more sweet gifts

Am I spoiled much? :) 

All of my doctor appointments went well yesterday but I gotta do it all again in 2 weeks.  Have to have another EEG and CT Scan just to make sure my chest and brain are back to normal (was my brain ever "normal" to begin with?).   I'm starting to think more about work and when I should go back. My Cardiologist says I should give myself 3 months (!!) but because I sit at a desk all day, I may be able to go back sooner. It's already been one month, I think maybe a few more weeks once I am off the medication and functioning ok I can go back.  Originally, I was saying the beginning of October but I honestly still don't feel it. I need to have a chat with my boss.