The Story of My Life

Umekoji dancers
Originally uploaded by MShades

Sometimes we have experiences that tell our story in a nutshell. When I was attending the University of Washington School of Drama, I auditioned for a musical. The director had a group of us lined up as in this photo for the dance portion of the audition. The music began and the choreographer directed. I found the group a bit constraining, so I stepped out of the line and asked the director if I could have a little more room. I was asked to leave. I guess I just have to be different. I still think I would have been great.

Jewelry Design Contest

l o t u s necklace by Rachel323 aka mylittlesunshine

How would you like your jewelry design to be worn on the people's choice awards show?
A contest for jewelry designers. From the looks of it, also a contest for jewelry designer wanna be's. This cut and paste contest has some cool prizes. Check out this video of jewelry designer, Kendra Scott talking about the contest and how to enter.

Crafting with Randi

On Tuesday, we managed to squeeze in one last fun outing before school started (today.) Gabrielle and I visited the very talented Randi Zangar at her home where she taught us how to recycle paper scraps into new handmade paper. Here is G and R, making paper. There will be a big post about Randi coming up here soon because she is one to watch and I want to show you why.

More Treasury Tips

raspberry sorbet shrug
Sharon is one of the most popular front page treasury curators on Etsy, click here for the proof. I asked her to share tips, and got this completely humble response. It's so wonderful, I just decided to get out of the way and print it here for you to read...along with a couple of shots from her shop, KnotOriginal.
Tea Party size 6x girls shrug

Hi Cherie,
For the most part I think it's just luck. I always start with 4 sellers that have featured me in treasuries, on their blogs, or who have helped me in the forums. After finding a commonality among their items I choose 4 of my etsy friends to feature. By this point I can see a theme emerging and do a tag search for for the last 4 spots. I only feature items that I truly like and would buy if I had disposable income and when I do tag searches I'm very specific in order to narrow my search. For example, if the 1st 8 items were cream and dark brown, I would search "ivory and espresso" or some equally obscure combination. I don't think there are any all-purpose tips other than to just create treasuries that you really like, I've found that the less I pay attention to what others suggest(even admin), the more success I have.

p.s. It doesn't hurt that I think whoever chooses the 4am fp slot has a crush on me!!!
take care,
Sharon
Thank you, Sharon!

Helping the undiscovered

The treasury I made yesterday morning was on Etsy's landing page this afternoon. I am excited about that for a few reasons. Half of the shops represented in it are either undiscovered or underdiscovered, having zero or very few Etsy sales. I am happy to give those talented artisans a little boost. Secondly, it tells me, yes, Etsy does look at my treasuries and consider them for the front page. Thirdly, it gives me hope that what goes around with come around too. Did I say that right? Six of the sellers featured are very active treasury curators as well. (Four from the treasury team.) When one of us helps another get FP exposure, we usually try to return the favor.

So all of this sort of adds up to a formula for creating successful treasuries:
1)Find some popular curators by going to the craftcult vault and taking note of FP list curators. Include a few of those people in your treasury.
2) Try to find some new shops to include as well by checking out Etsy's pounce feature, or just searching for items you are looking for and clicking on outstanding photos with sellers you have never heard of.
3) Use Etsy's merchandising guide to help you with the theme. This treasury was named September Honeymoon. Use a theme and name that might catch Admin's attention by going with their trends.

Do click on the treasury and through to the items to find out which shops are new. You may be surprised.

Pillow Fight

Pillow Fight
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

Rory woke up this morning saying TGIF. I love every day of the week because I have so much fun at my work. I really wish I could manufacture fun jobs for all of the people in my life. Caleb took the photo. Maybe he will have his day as an Etsy front page photographer the way Christian did on this page. I believe all three of my kids will grow up to be business owners and fab photographers like their mom and dad.

Slipcovered Office Chair

Slipcovered Office Chair
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

Turning a drab office chair into a thing of beauty is such a joy. I will slipcover anything that holds still long enough.

Handmade leaf

Handmade leaf
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

I came across this leaf while I was cleaning my studio. I forget why I made it. It made me feel good to know that I can produce something pretty cool right out of my imagination. I think I will finish it and turn it into a brooch. Maybe I will do some more of these. I feel fall in the air.

Closer look

Closer look
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

I said a while back I had some bridal party bags coming up that I thought I'd enter in the Martha Stewart wedding contest. I think this is the shot. I absolutely love how these turned out, and am so grateful to Kristel in Florida for having a teal, bronze, and peacock themed wedding. I never would have found this fabric, if Kristel had not given me the theme and colors to search. I think this goes in the customers have great ideas category. Sets like this are one of the things I love about offering made to order and customizable products on Etsy!

sparrow on shoulder

sparrow on shoulder
Originally uploaded by studiocherie

Monday morning around 6:30,downtown Spokane is pretty quiet. Great morning for a photoshoot. I was happy to catch the sparrow too.