tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58275829439477893842024-03-05T10:38:59.436-08:00Cyndie Smith DesignsUnique, Wearable, Handmade Metal Art
Designs in Sterling Silver, Brass and CopperUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-83960008703026793142013-06-28T10:57:00.000-07:002013-06-28T10:57:50.208-07:00I'm Being Published!I'm a little late with this news, but I want to make sure I get the word out. It's so exciting to be published again, and this time in the new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Showcase-500-Art-Necklaces-Series/dp/1454703520/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360155520&sr=8-1&keywords=showcase+500+art+necklaces">Larks book - 500 Art Necklaces</a>, due out in July. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The bead is a beautiful work of art, created by my old partner in crime, <a href="http://www.pattylakinsmith.etsy.com/">Patty Lakinsmith</a>. We did a couple of very successful collaborations for Convergence, ISGB and were lucky enough to have both pieces go on tour. This piece was strictly a labor of love! I love working with Patty's beads, and this was a chance to design something that would showcase this one. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At the beginning of this year, I was notified that the piece had been selected for the new Larks book. Woo Hoo! To say I'm thrilled is an understatement!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItC7BQEeM1mpF_DNZWmmYKb-KL6wLUzYKD8xalhc0h9GVQ2WzLhG9SLMoqY3QtPLJVhzNIDkBw_gA0Eg4fNufgxThj1x9V7zG9EHikLL25lt3O2JKz36ZnG7ccVE8hKQL3RDowcuBqJFV/s1600/CyndieSmith_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItC7BQEeM1mpF_DNZWmmYKb-KL6wLUzYKD8xalhc0h9GVQ2WzLhG9SLMoqY3QtPLJVhzNIDkBw_gA0Eg4fNufgxThj1x9V7zG9EHikLL25lt3O2JKz36ZnG7ccVE8hKQL3RDowcuBqJFV/s320/CyndieSmith_004.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Garden Necklace</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Photo by David Orr</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The book will be available in July, so keep an eye out!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Toodles,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-49260707598122826422012-11-15T13:00:00.000-08:002012-11-15T13:00:15.247-08:00OktoberFest!If you've been following along, you know we're getting to the end of the vacation in Germany. So sad when it ended, because it was such a great time.<br />
The last couple of days of our stay we spent in Munich. James was ill the first day, but <a href="http://www.komnatachista.blogspot.com/">Karren</a>, Bram and I braved the rain and went to the OktoberFest. I want to add here that we were still on our search for Leiderhausen flaps, just so you know! Karren took it one step further and put together this wonderful montage of flaps and dirndls! Check out her <a href="http://www.komnatachista.blogspot.com/">blog</a> - she really gets into some detail!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcUfD3toBq3T9HX38nBM5SusDTEKy0N1fR9tXaXHWQj4INhyphenhyphen7yBIvzom44GJunRFv3NU_Kvbmv54_31syzJTzrGrexnK4UUNh6vxSqbD4YnvYvVncgnBeJFrbGc1w76S6BNiP17mLEuZO/s1600/FlapAlertSm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcUfD3toBq3T9HX38nBM5SusDTEKy0N1fR9tXaXHWQj4INhyphenhyphen7yBIvzom44GJunRFv3NU_Kvbmv54_31syzJTzrGrexnK4UUNh6vxSqbD4YnvYvVncgnBeJFrbGc1w76S6BNiP17mLEuZO/s320/FlapAlertSm.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The park where OktoberFest was held was huge and very crowded. In fact, the buses, streets, train station and just about every square inch of land near the park were jammed with folks. Quite a sight, as you can see from the pic above.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hT8f1-WZgWdx30DMWIyEvltKHYZQFmNGwmdGKXSRi8px6UkGStbLN0IyzL6ioNh8STK07D1IPv88plyrX3ebD5-dOO4N5LtQav3v5FdB9vS8Bcq8vg0ORHJwEDelQ4S1W_Zwu6sn0Sv-/s1600/IMGP1671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hT8f1-WZgWdx30DMWIyEvltKHYZQFmNGwmdGKXSRi8px6UkGStbLN0IyzL6ioNh8STK07D1IPv88plyrX3ebD5-dOO4N5LtQav3v5FdB9vS8Bcq8vg0ORHJwEDelQ4S1W_Zwu6sn0Sv-/s320/IMGP1671.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The entrance to the park</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mXXwLR2msJCbHXhKy_KggAdm_ETskPWJCEpfbyONSRsnjMMk6N5FkNRfnuQj69-PfD80GxFz1NbKv7WD83mLhEF0FwcSWRs9iRbqfVadBQFJoqrOogYjkG1CtPxJpiZDXaseNiNzbWPS/s1600/IMGP1673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8mXXwLR2msJCbHXhKy_KggAdm_ETskPWJCEpfbyONSRsnjMMk6N5FkNRfnuQj69-PfD80GxFz1NbKv7WD83mLhEF0FwcSWRs9iRbqfVadBQFJoqrOogYjkG1CtPxJpiZDXaseNiNzbWPS/s320/IMGP1673.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTECWqqr1AL1tE07S0XgtBFYu8BISnBappgxTRn83_o2BwaLqwDuawyVSLIfxr3LZ-0YSLcaZxLio7psfTxFGBK0Ps-RKPBzmd4NM4L0gUfMMMPkYsOpwzW28RaXvbTuYK85ZDOQbud2iv/s1600/IMG_0959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTECWqqr1AL1tE07S0XgtBFYu8BISnBappgxTRn83_o2BwaLqwDuawyVSLIfxr3LZ-0YSLcaZxLio7psfTxFGBK0Ps-RKPBzmd4NM4L0gUfMMMPkYsOpwzW28RaXvbTuYK85ZDOQbud2iv/s320/IMG_0959.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5l3uu4o_Vgq7EelO3pcmJB3Vu6k1mAGX1g-a4CZY7b7j0iVGzi6E59hWv5HM9YFFx9JRu9MDTi1JMbCyOcHLYMuKk19MiJsmOXEkDwtfse0ytf7ZlYbfPF1IfLpN5-GNNMijEJankmNQ/s1600/IMGP1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5l3uu4o_Vgq7EelO3pcmJB3Vu6k1mAGX1g-a4CZY7b7j0iVGzi6E59hWv5HM9YFFx9JRu9MDTi1JMbCyOcHLYMuKk19MiJsmOXEkDwtfse0ytf7ZlYbfPF1IfLpN5-GNNMijEJankmNQ/s320/IMGP1674.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXAbyBd0fQW9WH6dFB17aaFfXKsSSzHGn09epTiSCqyoAzibsk6i80jdwh3zc0kCcSGfgRXLijcBlclNFdjrDzu5lb5fcIJLP-6cYyACKeAJj9Ah8jOBETRypLl6YEs_NNM5yeTjkkoTq/s1600/IMGP1676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXAbyBd0fQW9WH6dFB17aaFfXKsSSzHGn09epTiSCqyoAzibsk6i80jdwh3zc0kCcSGfgRXLijcBlclNFdjrDzu5lb5fcIJLP-6cYyACKeAJj9Ah8jOBETRypLl6YEs_NNM5yeTjkkoTq/s320/IMGP1676.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Every brewery was colorfully represented and all the beer gardens were packed with waiting lines, so we didn't have the opportunity to share in the the beer and song!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcCwsKA83dEatvTupua3Uxlo_VeQfUNGimQBr1kXuyLTPT6oOJW1CGJ9ONO8Pu8o4s6nGuBbG5YWtiO8Ll2rC1FGfLurpoRBogDLv8MhzT496WerMFc5ZSR-WqK7nY26bXrTFgQXviEDD/s1600/IMG_0962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcCwsKA83dEatvTupua3Uxlo_VeQfUNGimQBr1kXuyLTPT6oOJW1CGJ9ONO8Pu8o4s6nGuBbG5YWtiO8Ll2rC1FGfLurpoRBogDLv8MhzT496WerMFc5ZSR-WqK7nY26bXrTFgQXviEDD/s320/IMG_0962.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Ha ha! This funny sign was outside one of the restrooms. I'm guessing most men paid top Euro for the privilege of using the toilet, as manly pride would probably kick in here! (Bet they made a lot of money!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Qaxay6DNIwLNNB0YamaLCSsdF0X7IxcmH8N9FjkrMs0a75ti9SqeoVrzoS7cYtND9zfEvehaMpLdYqMleITFt8wv8cGay3G0eHJApX_JFOpkSxtLlWNsSL7RwoExVYu99dUJJsnJBREl/s1600/IMGP1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Qaxay6DNIwLNNB0YamaLCSsdF0X7IxcmH8N9FjkrMs0a75ti9SqeoVrzoS7cYtND9zfEvehaMpLdYqMleITFt8wv8cGay3G0eHJApX_JFOpkSxtLlWNsSL7RwoExVYu99dUJJsnJBREl/s320/IMGP1681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pjtJZ6N7iCHkTFaOJaRC3Q79YcvRfAK3r9EZR0jMuFFo-rHV64YFR0L6RQmQH_x9yLvTQh9l2o4uM_GgqXE2oJlL7WR3rZxge_vg2wJXwE7hTFVGOrVQN3Jz3C374yTwFQ-_QCCzkQnU/s1600/IMGP1678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pjtJZ6N7iCHkTFaOJaRC3Q79YcvRfAK3r9EZR0jMuFFo-rHV64YFR0L6RQmQH_x9yLvTQh9l2o4uM_GgqXE2oJlL7WR3rZxge_vg2wJXwE7hTFVGOrVQN3Jz3C374yTwFQ-_QCCzkQnU/s320/IMGP1678.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The lion roared, but it was so noisy we couldn't hear it! Great display though!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSX6SVn9jjw-nqSCqjsJ3H7Y1T2UsHatulbpp6y0alBwI5iXTm7dZv6rVWLeFHKElogqQjYl9yAtH_aFcCgClE2LNwjMhjzpqbW37iR7HvJD6inHZErz49cU7dtgM8XT1D4PbhKG9hLPq/s1600/IMG_1008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSX6SVn9jjw-nqSCqjsJ3H7Y1T2UsHatulbpp6y0alBwI5iXTm7dZv6rVWLeFHKElogqQjYl9yAtH_aFcCgClE2LNwjMhjzpqbW37iR7HvJD6inHZErz49cU7dtgM8XT1D4PbhKG9hLPq/s320/IMG_1008.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
And so we bid you<br />
<h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading">
<span dir="auto">Auf Wiedersehen!</span></h1>
<div>
<span dir="auto"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span dir="auto"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span dir="auto"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-57809335641020543332012-11-04T07:32:00.001-08:002012-11-04T07:32:42.694-08:00More on Our German AdventureWell, I hope you've been following along with the tales of my travels to Germany. I'm trying to be brief, however, it's hard to refrain from describing all we did and saw because it was such a perfect week! Our hosts, Karren and James, could double as tour guides anytime, but their friendship is precious and can not be duplicated!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdn-h_SNSEBOAcZBu3jW8tnPYMUTgB0FfGWYQ3YE6CX-vkQJlGP7QxCajPremk3evU0OZ9adXwnpb1z_Yt_8gj0ug40FDwW9zu7FDTUFMSgzT_dLD1q9drtT6BtCcW4H7mg6yccl4ZITp/s1600/IMGP1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdn-h_SNSEBOAcZBu3jW8tnPYMUTgB0FfGWYQ3YE6CX-vkQJlGP7QxCajPremk3evU0OZ9adXwnpb1z_Yt_8gj0ug40FDwW9zu7FDTUFMSgzT_dLD1q9drtT6BtCcW4H7mg6yccl4ZITp/s320/IMGP1618.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our hosts!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Karren writes a travel blog and has described our week in far better detail than I can, so if you want to see more fabulous pics (did I mention she's also a <a href="http://www.komnatachista.com/">photographer</a>?) - take a look at her <a href="http://komnatachista.blogspot.de/2012/11/new-world-visitors-part-2.html">blog</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So anyway....one of the things I always struggle with, when visiting Europe, is finding comfortable shoes. We do far more walking than when we're at home in the states, and besides, I live in Florida where flip flops are the fashion year round! Because I wear open shoes most of the year, I get blisters when wearing boots or closed shoes for any length of time. Every Europe trip finds me lamenting on the wrong choice of shoe/boot and scurrying around whatever city we're in, looking for a pair of comfortable shoes. Yeah, ok, I'm a shoe nut...I love shoes and I won't even try to disguise shopping for them as some kind of chore! I have developed quite a collection - from Italy, Spain, Greece, and Germany - to name a few. This trip was no different. On one of our walking tours of Bamberg, Karren and I decided to hunt, once again, for the "perfect shoe"! We were actually pretty lucky as we only had to go to one or two shops before I found my dream pair!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OUx_ndP_lippjgu22DX1Z7chFeb_jKOAkZGrAEkjcTusS7nnUdRJtP8LvR_8Vel7nTshZt5rAQ1G2zcwkHTnCwY1v-2n1-rpoCASwlZE4kqpfpM9GjB08KjUWvtYHbk0j4cxb48DaceG/s1600/IMG_0927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OUx_ndP_lippjgu22DX1Z7chFeb_jKOAkZGrAEkjcTusS7nnUdRJtP8LvR_8Vel7nTshZt5rAQ1G2zcwkHTnCwY1v-2n1-rpoCASwlZE4kqpfpM9GjB08KjUWvtYHbk0j4cxb48DaceG/s320/IMG_0927.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tah Dah!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That same day, we took a boat trip down one of the three rivers in Bamberg. The views from the water were lovely! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhnh6pkhOL35mgCtzcODiHXT-utV0J9tUtksTx4JgDYiRl-60D1scGYwTTohQQHkgIjxWfBJmuL2ENEcvKmCZL8io7iZBT8pGQTvwMgc8YhZCeTjGi9UZOKaj5s0OnMM1olX8kPbLptIS/s1600/IMGP1651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhnh6pkhOL35mgCtzcODiHXT-utV0J9tUtksTx4JgDYiRl-60D1scGYwTTohQQHkgIjxWfBJmuL2ENEcvKmCZL8io7iZBT8pGQTvwMgc8YhZCeTjGi9UZOKaj5s0OnMM1olX8kPbLptIS/s320/IMGP1651.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Das Boot (The boat)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eJFIUCDSu7Fx9jSQ0zcpt7KvhKaNzfa1k8tqi1N48967uHCSoPvFUB-KDRSrWle9Yv7EednwTXshhm8fbyaFfAuWgyAxA-ThY4Qls2jNa2HSrJOEmEXLbmrKEKRymFVhNqSurldUDI0q/s1600/IMGP1653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eJFIUCDSu7Fx9jSQ0zcpt7KvhKaNzfa1k8tqi1N48967uHCSoPvFUB-KDRSrWle9Yv7EednwTXshhm8fbyaFfAuWgyAxA-ThY4Qls2jNa2HSrJOEmEXLbmrKEKRymFVhNqSurldUDI0q/s320/IMGP1653.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
View from the boat...wouldn't you love to live there?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Finding good food is not difficult in Bamberg, and one of my favorite places is an Italian restaurant called Salinos. Yep, Italian in Germany. Why not? The food was delish!!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kqTtfSTrL6Vk65O_xL6UWbRV346WXjAuZwc9Z444ZIjfXPjKqTSt_ZWv0BXH0bjfnwg6C5edkRCtAwErb3LmVjr-YOBIeu-eS7MqqRL5jTo-cRAmpw8RO9WlSuE_0tn6_1RWJWP2JXtk/s1600/IMG_0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kqTtfSTrL6Vk65O_xL6UWbRV346WXjAuZwc9Z444ZIjfXPjKqTSt_ZWv0BXH0bjfnwg6C5edkRCtAwErb3LmVjr-YOBIeu-eS7MqqRL5jTo-cRAmpw8RO9WlSuE_0tn6_1RWJWP2JXtk/s320/IMG_0930.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My Penne Pasta</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I thought this looked like it had Pesto on it, and maybe it did...but it had a minty flavor that I've never tasted before and it's very light. Karren tried to get the recipe from the waiter, but his response was a very fast "nope"! Hildy, Karren's German friend is related to someone who works at this restaurant and has promised to get the recipe for us. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, my feet are comfortable, my tummy is full, and as you can see in the pic, more than enough wine to go around...so I'll leave you with that image for now!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Toodles,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-80186849831235097542012-10-28T08:59:00.000-07:002012-10-28T08:59:23.488-07:00German GraffitiI would be remiss in recounting our adventure in Germany if I didn't show you some of the wonderful Graffiti I shot! Those of you who know me, know I'm a collector! So this post shows some of the interesting art I found during our vacation. I am often inspired to create something from the wall art, in metal. So when I do, I'll post it here like I did last time.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And now on with the show... I showed this one in my first post about Germany, but I want to show it again, since this was the first piece of Graffiti I shot from the train.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcTF1699N26J0QHE3rS3241oSga5TUolBZjwvHyPf3KvR-2OKNwGIOpDUXRoBBaEFJ3qaST9TqG4cEpA02r7oMBLC_3PAlToPY7S_Ufl_5rPD9mIWLKsCIJF8X0RKSziO-gOoaWxq60LZ/s1600/IMG_0907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcTF1699N26J0QHE3rS3241oSga5TUolBZjwvHyPf3KvR-2OKNwGIOpDUXRoBBaEFJ3qaST9TqG4cEpA02r7oMBLC_3PAlToPY7S_Ufl_5rPD9mIWLKsCIJF8X0RKSziO-gOoaWxq60LZ/s320/IMG_0907.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDr9MFjk4CCmIaUJeH3zsYMMLkf79AlpucSisibBhEpay4makLMW9i06B4vM6c_FYdWMYLf-Al9OfPNbZeKNqOWaJf2CvIe4UWj4-9VTYSXQXg3ZbsYHa_ZWzRbVVMn7hBnXTYfO1DRBs/s1600/IMGP1599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDr9MFjk4CCmIaUJeH3zsYMMLkf79AlpucSisibBhEpay4makLMW9i06B4vM6c_FYdWMYLf-Al9OfPNbZeKNqOWaJf2CvIe4UWj4-9VTYSXQXg3ZbsYHa_ZWzRbVVMn7hBnXTYfO1DRBs/s320/IMGP1599.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Taken on our bike ride!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqkac8iLXA3oNr4v5BEdGsP1ym2qqNlyYEDCZF7vO3XMDN-8601_HAQJrPv8DSMz-JQDgi5LLxvk3e7BguOilPSwlNyfh3sRIhLvluUIaRQOptw3AUqWv3g8zHPqypdxhQ043BR190r18/s1600/IMGP1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqkac8iLXA3oNr4v5BEdGsP1ym2qqNlyYEDCZF7vO3XMDN-8601_HAQJrPv8DSMz-JQDgi5LLxvk3e7BguOilPSwlNyfh3sRIhLvluUIaRQOptw3AUqWv3g8zHPqypdxhQ043BR190r18/s320/IMGP1602.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ha ha! I leave Florida for Europe and find "oceans" of Graffiti!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ0L-hruVi_g91Uqyn8hPetf7OThN2X7RQ2mHf1d8fNyI4b8HUtbXk06f9Z69_SbGew2RgM9s1GoaYMhFmEaFF0IDGIKm9MnPAHkt4qSyKGdgsS3dhwMuSvmPVphMxfY3tTmVAhK1Bdbc/s1600/IMGP1603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ0L-hruVi_g91Uqyn8hPetf7OThN2X7RQ2mHf1d8fNyI4b8HUtbXk06f9Z69_SbGew2RgM9s1GoaYMhFmEaFF0IDGIKm9MnPAHkt4qSyKGdgsS3dhwMuSvmPVphMxfY3tTmVAhK1Bdbc/s320/IMGP1603.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not sure, but I think this is a statement about technology!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZasI8uxFu7tAYxlCFHzdc-eLxkDN8pWtD6-AbNKDR_ASgO5pJQfh4gaoIvNB_WB5fqYYZ33doODhVR9YsA9d6NFgW4nk7PkZygIaNNDcOormAF2lqJ4xYrs__5XY7z-heEe7-XXIqNaZ/s1600/IMGP1622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZasI8uxFu7tAYxlCFHzdc-eLxkDN8pWtD6-AbNKDR_ASgO5pJQfh4gaoIvNB_WB5fqYYZ33doODhVR9YsA9d6NFgW4nk7PkZygIaNNDcOormAF2lqJ4xYrs__5XY7z-heEe7-XXIqNaZ/s320/IMGP1622.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was one of my favorites! I think the flowering vine really adds to the overall affect.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkH3PyT_7WdfFAe1T1uk7EjhZEjBIP-mBSWCcSuWCvsyMj8D5MAAIDcRNwNVgwNFd6AOIKDbzeKZUfxIWi7pAAwyJER2TxPcu9psXj6dbIoFji2LjiATa4il19ohUzIfoCveOXS0WHXyX/s1600/IMGP1628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkH3PyT_7WdfFAe1T1uk7EjhZEjBIP-mBSWCcSuWCvsyMj8D5MAAIDcRNwNVgwNFd6AOIKDbzeKZUfxIWi7pAAwyJER2TxPcu9psXj6dbIoFji2LjiATa4il19ohUzIfoCveOXS0WHXyX/s320/IMGP1628.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love this one too!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My next post will be a continuation of the trip and I'll share more Graffiti down the road, so to speak!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Toodles,</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-12466431846297263882012-10-25T17:52:00.000-07:002012-10-25T17:52:24.444-07:00The Bike RideContinuing on my story of our German vacation...<br />
<br />
One of the things<a href="http://www.komnatachista.blogspot.com/"> Karren </a>and I discussed, in planning the trip to Germany, was the idea of renting bikes and really getting to see the countryside up front and personal. Since bicycles are a major form of transportation throughout Europe, I felt pretty safe in agreeing to the adventure, not worrying about people not having "bike manners" like where I live. Here, I think they must give points for running over the bicyclist...or at least getting far closer than is really safe and there are very few bike lanes, if any. Anyway, dear hubby and I ride our bikes several times a week, so I thought I was in pretty good shape.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.komnatachista.blogspot.com/">Karren</a> planned the route, including along the way, a couple of small breweries where we could get a taste of the local beer. (Let me insert here that Karen estimated it was about 10 miles round trip. I mention this, because I'm going to come back to her ability to determine distance a little later on!)<br />
<br />
So off we go to get our bikes. The scenery along the way was gorgeous and the shop was near the river.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoh6DOYF5ui9Z9xunqIzv2kB-hDPemsE6GV5yuGdhMe1Vkw6HJHVTVmzyup_KZaNfXBmcN2us8ITWau8I3ZdSyxbNr7V2UIwDz9j5xrB-8oF9bvJ5t8JFdEjfRR2JVRzKwY4hbbt_syM1/s1600/IMGP1592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoh6DOYF5ui9Z9xunqIzv2kB-hDPemsE6GV5yuGdhMe1Vkw6HJHVTVmzyup_KZaNfXBmcN2us8ITWau8I3ZdSyxbNr7V2UIwDz9j5xrB-8oF9bvJ5t8JFdEjfRR2JVRzKwY4hbbt_syM1/s320/IMGP1592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
It took a couple of tries and a return trip to exchange bikes to find one small enough for me to comfortably ride. I took a lot of teasing, because it looked like a child's bike. So ok, I'm short...deal with it! Anyway, we set off on our adventure (and the 10 mile round trip...). The country side was beautiful and the roads were perfect for us to meander around, building up our thirst.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexhcLCREXn6wbJdT3fUTWAS9EnC2WRa4dwx5x57nNMKlLPj9BXBnyvM613IdzH1ffIhb5DFzIIfLiPNeZQemMcrwG5HhQfwheUBCXdnaWJhyz1QV0vWuul17AC_ol3g1MaiLhnqDWsi1U/s1600/IMGP1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexhcLCREXn6wbJdT3fUTWAS9EnC2WRa4dwx5x57nNMKlLPj9BXBnyvM613IdzH1ffIhb5DFzIIfLiPNeZQemMcrwG5HhQfwheUBCXdnaWJhyz1QV0vWuul17AC_ol3g1MaiLhnqDWsi1U/s320/IMGP1606.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZIV3nPlbFH_lHhsGyKlgB71VljAg6bj_3s0fmNl7KG0jXDo22AjuFCiCjHofBkWdH45n0rWMnrl_RIeXRcGXNQQkD-WLOVY_3c4E_1dqqJyhp4VI2OvYYPIFZU3KYIlV8klMGLiqJcSi/s1600/IMGP1607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZIV3nPlbFH_lHhsGyKlgB71VljAg6bj_3s0fmNl7KG0jXDo22AjuFCiCjHofBkWdH45n0rWMnrl_RIeXRcGXNQQkD-WLOVY_3c4E_1dqqJyhp4VI2OvYYPIFZU3KYIlV8klMGLiqJcSi/s320/IMGP1607.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dear hubby and me!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0E6c7wk2WreqrJDrrsoL9ObGlqsqx8xIPSjT49oQWKgX_XU1xQG49pEX2p3omjaG0isC_Xn-_TgCyYJF9hUa2_oZYvfFuwokL1v7jz4JjcxEl95IEk_3LYb6StyELPEaMRXtx9E3UWnh/s1600/IMGP1609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0E6c7wk2WreqrJDrrsoL9ObGlqsqx8xIPSjT49oQWKgX_XU1xQG49pEX2p3omjaG0isC_Xn-_TgCyYJF9hUa2_oZYvfFuwokL1v7jz4JjcxEl95IEk_3LYb6StyELPEaMRXtx9E3UWnh/s320/IMGP1609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Karren and James</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">We stopped at a cute little brewery with a small restaurant that had outside tables. It was fitting to sit in the sun and enjoy the gorgeous view and weather....Mother Nature really favored us with a beautiful morning. This little tavern was apparently a local hang out as several people were sitting outside, drinking beer and playing cards.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHRMUyZBWdTBYRkPKNpkKUcFjO2csZVD5VNrzskLgtvo6vHih3eyg9inWneheUZMXOE2DNn-z2PKvmOq9Vt4ATvLAKFbmtuq42-4uDUsdbKE63-IKe3guWui-DhnHrBBD1UkA3Vnnh9Cf/s1600/IMGP1612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHRMUyZBWdTBYRkPKNpkKUcFjO2csZVD5VNrzskLgtvo6vHih3eyg9inWneheUZMXOE2DNn-z2PKvmOq9Vt4ATvLAKFbmtuq42-4uDUsdbKE63-IKe3guWui-DhnHrBBD1UkA3Vnnh9Cf/s320/IMGP1612.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cheers! (or is that Prost!?)</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After a delicious lunch and a lot of "beverages" we set off again. Now I have to tell you, we were headed, eventually, for another small town outside of Bamberg where Karren lives called Bischberg. The trip seemed to be getting pretty long and we teased Karren a lot about the true distance of this excursion. Toward the end, the weather turned cold and rainy, and we were still peddling our behinds off. Karren's theory was that because the headwinds were so strong, it got harder and harder and felt like it was longer (and longer!). That's probably true....but the debate about how long our trip actually was went on for a couple of days. ( I say it was closer to 20 miles!) In fact, it was still going on after we arrived home in New Port Richey. I got an email from Karren saying she tracked it on google maps (or a similar program) and it turns out it was actually around 13 miles. Yeah right! I have to see that to believe it!. I think we were out between 7 or 8 hours, including the stop for lunch.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Truth be told, it doesn't matter how far we actually went. (I just know it was more than 13 miles, Karren!!! lol!) It was a blast and I think we all enjoyed it so much, we want to do it again - next time! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But ....I am going to buy Karren a pedometer!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Toodles,</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-16163203727111916912012-10-22T10:10:00.001-07:002012-10-22T10:10:45.899-07:00An Evening in BamburgWhen I last posted, we had just arrived in Bamburg and checked into the hotel. By now it's evening and we're woefully sleep deprived, but too excited to call it a day! And we were hungry......<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So off we went to see the sights and find an outdoor cafe for food and drink. Bamburg is so quaint and pretty, with tons of cafes and restaurants so we let <a href="http://www.komnatachista.blogspot.com/">Karren</a> lead us to one of her favorite spots. The town is a big tourist attraction, and once seated outside the restaurant, we watched tours walk by, led by a costumed tour guide who looked like something out of a movie, carrying a lantern or a large staff.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3Qy49JFB67uFp7b6jfYuukHVwtfn0MkXvsEY2NuyE2nLjBpaw60YMM_5MnDTVg_kYS9C-tDj5SDu5YNdx3abZ0VoC2piOHVFIaYzINoOyeW4DY_b625P2Jot1EYizfU2bhlyYryB8qFF/s1600/IMG_0912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3Qy49JFB67uFp7b6jfYuukHVwtfn0MkXvsEY2NuyE2nLjBpaw60YMM_5MnDTVg_kYS9C-tDj5SDu5YNdx3abZ0VoC2piOHVFIaYzINoOyeW4DY_b625P2Jot1EYizfU2bhlyYryB8qFF/s320/IMG_0912.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our table. You can see the back of a tour guide in the middle, dressed in black.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Karren introduced us to a German specialty wine called Federweisser. It's yeasty white wine, low in alcohol content, that has been pulled off during the fermenting process. It is only available in Sept and October because as it continues to ferment, it will become regular wine. It can't be stored long, either. In fact, once bottled, it has to remain upright and vented due to the process and carbonation. Anyway, it was very tasty...it may be low in alcohol, but if you drink enough of it, you'll feel it! Of course, I would NEVER do that!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2s6Lpi_rpqKmsmy3UfgHYJ3nDzqJ9En8RlL15JxP5y3UjZEtwnjSg9g8q2GSO9R-W3Or1YdVNPoKGVMYboFoAxzShqhrQecDVsrkCdwJvkVwGlFGpUXgGdHBGxPFzYYZ2RWULEpgbpkL/s1600/IMG_0916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2s6Lpi_rpqKmsmy3UfgHYJ3nDzqJ9En8RlL15JxP5y3UjZEtwnjSg9g8q2GSO9R-W3Or1YdVNPoKGVMYboFoAxzShqhrQecDVsrkCdwJvkVwGlFGpUXgGdHBGxPFzYYZ2RWULEpgbpkL/s320/IMG_0916.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't see dear hubby too well, but here's what the wine looks like!<br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">As darkness fell, the town took on a fairytale look, and since we'd been up for a couple of days, we decided to call it a night. Sleep awaited.....</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2OmLKhbDVg1Gtj8uCpXRfTn2bA5ts7TOyUUdZb0cNPN0M7ebCsDtOaAARBxBr6MX3sHJSPyNZnB27t3AselygdaJT-ZRMmbKexe13u73k8j_sF_G7DmV9OcXF95yX4EyI7wu7GDOCTQI/s1600/IMG_0914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2OmLKhbDVg1Gtj8uCpXRfTn2bA5ts7TOyUUdZb0cNPN0M7ebCsDtOaAARBxBr6MX3sHJSPyNZnB27t3AselygdaJT-ZRMmbKexe13u73k8j_sF_G7DmV9OcXF95yX4EyI7wu7GDOCTQI/s320/IMG_0914.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't this pretty?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgx2tw8-74mqEzCuVI6Bic3EZZ73d37azBgoUuKzU-JitetuqYRkRzCvnv3UZ4mOZAZKe3hrUIuFNH4DUkNdwiWFXa5m3FCIGX5FOvUnFHH1yN_D5FbNBEpTg1-bv0JX6JJcTdIQ_bnlH/s1600/IMG_0918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgx2tw8-74mqEzCuVI6Bic3EZZ73d37azBgoUuKzU-JitetuqYRkRzCvnv3UZ4mOZAZKe3hrUIuFNH4DUkNdwiWFXa5m3FCIGX5FOvUnFHH1yN_D5FbNBEpTg1-bv0JX6JJcTdIQ_bnlH/s320/IMG_0918.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View on the walk back to the hotel. The river at night.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">That's all for now. Stay tuned for the next day's adventure - on a bike!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Toodles,<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-8131542557666688392012-10-19T07:49:00.000-07:002012-10-19T07:49:08.480-07:00On to Bamburg!So...yesterday I described the fun in the train station. Now we're on the train, headed to Bamburg, where we will stay for a few days. I was anxious to see the town that so captivated my friend Karren, so much so, that she left New Port Richey to pursue her dreams there!<br />
<br />
Karren had made the reservations, so we were treated to seats around a table and a great window view. Not a bad way to take a two hour train ride!<br />
<br />
The countryside was gorgeous and lush. I was intrigued by the village-like scenes that flashed by, all looking like they came out of a story book. But you know me, I'm going to find some odd ball things along the way....and so I did!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOcL0Txv2Au-LO7KrGDQdtOPp-DEsnHDdvMyuE6JUrwczFciFePyYMMJY5F_0ymGp7uEva_NWcNepp-rycBJV84P8ZmHPAAHKF-EshutwypkTytAfVNSFOhhXTRRpVkAJTIZZmCyM5lUZ/s1600/IMG_0894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOcL0Txv2Au-LO7KrGDQdtOPp-DEsnHDdvMyuE6JUrwczFciFePyYMMJY5F_0ymGp7uEva_NWcNepp-rycBJV84P8ZmHPAAHKF-EshutwypkTytAfVNSFOhhXTRRpVkAJTIZZmCyM5lUZ/s320/IMG_0894.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found outside the train station. <br />
They are not shy about using that four letter word!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />And of course, I found graffiti along the way! <div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxNXM84wmssLBdLf6VyBC-Itix_04wk2xKOckJNBtChlHbYAxZ_LehGaIsJKXrActbnEnbEbCmZgmmkTYfEH4ezCwC5WGOSzeb9RmhAGa90HTArYj_56134h9cN8KkqZmVLREhlOcWAhe/s1600/IMG_0907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxNXM84wmssLBdLf6VyBC-Itix_04wk2xKOckJNBtChlHbYAxZ_LehGaIsJKXrActbnEnbEbCmZgmmkTYfEH4ezCwC5WGOSzeb9RmhAGa90HTArYj_56134h9cN8KkqZmVLREhlOcWAhe/s320/IMG_0907.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I mention the Germans aren't shy? (or prudish)<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The trip was pleasant and uneventful, which was a good thing since we'd been awake for almost 24 hours by that time. But when we arrived in Bamburg, I was fully awake!!! Such beauty! I felt like I'd stepped into a fairy tale. So we walked to our hotel and checked in, anxious to explore if our energy held out!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFjHUnqTcoXUqC3xkV_RzfVU1AVgeIgvjvfW0q55ocMY766_hxRKPd4i2KGJrxT_JchFKXv2-SAjHeV7Xt_68sfNreakF_KIhUTrstBAerdry7CZN8NPM86KIrA8l3mECk6fITbPmXELz/s1600/IMGP1587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFjHUnqTcoXUqC3xkV_RzfVU1AVgeIgvjvfW0q55ocMY766_hxRKPd4i2KGJrxT_JchFKXv2-SAjHeV7Xt_68sfNreakF_KIhUTrstBAerdry7CZN8NPM86KIrA8l3mECk6fITbPmXELz/s320/IMGP1587.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our floor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDm9g3z4ENTNB-3keBwth11iEToKffjI4z3ZRYCwBTuqHew0HGOTB6cenGlpJL4dRi8PlpDaJ23glxyDXeU0dNVHvi6lyWneJO4Zq9tTkC0w79p0N3EvH4qXcbwN8aQY-4wQdl7pHl0Z4/s1600/IMGP1589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDm9g3z4ENTNB-3keBwth11iEToKffjI4z3ZRYCwBTuqHew0HGOTB6cenGlpJL4dRi8PlpDaJ23glxyDXeU0dNVHvi6lyWneJO4Zq9tTkC0w79p0N3EvH4qXcbwN8aQY-4wQdl7pHl0Z4/s320/IMGP1589.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the area behind the hotel from our floor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kfl5K0YfyvoZzJsrAw-h-7Pj4D3HVpTsFQVUDt1nzNb1pInb5emG8swf3jWg4-u-tw49wpOnlZ_fo333xBOHqefmq4eUXcVjMUca6Z2Dh7EciBzpJf-KIrFLy23CYviIHbt0YFLlso9Z/s1600/IMG_0921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kfl5K0YfyvoZzJsrAw-h-7Pj4D3HVpTsFQVUDt1nzNb1pInb5emG8swf3jWg4-u-tw49wpOnlZ_fo333xBOHqefmq4eUXcVjMUca6Z2Dh7EciBzpJf-KIrFLy23CYviIHbt0YFLlso9Z/s320/IMG_0921.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flap Alert!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So....we're off to explore. Let's not forget that we're still looking for Flaps, though we probably won't find many in Bamburg. I didn't realize that though Oktoberfest is a German celebration, the main festivities are held in Munich, not so much in the surrounding towns. But we will not be put off by that little factoid! Stay tuned for the continuing saga of the flap!</div>
<div>
Toodles<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-70914203767225201692012-10-18T10:00:00.000-07:002012-10-18T10:00:00.972-07:00Germany, continued -the Flap Alert!So, to continue my story of our adventures in Germany.....I left you yesterday as we were leaving Munich for Bamburg. The train ride was about two hours long, but the views of German countryside were great entertainment. However, the train station was even more entertaining!<br />
<br />
Because it was during Oktoberfest, the folks in Munich were dressed in Dirndls and Liederhausen, traditional German clothing. Karren and I were fascinated with all the different types and variations of the outfits, and I have to say I was surprised to see mostly young people dressed so traditionally. Karren and I can find humor in just about anything, and this time the Liederhausen provided fodder for much joking and speculation. For one thing...there's a big flap in the front, and they are all sizes and decorated differently. So.....we went on Flap Alert....and everytime a flap went by, one of us would call it! Now I have to tell you, most of the outfits were pretty cool looking, but every now and then we'd spy an odd one or two. Like this one:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6GqBWUat8VVMgDtSXk0KkRwnrvWO72RTEwhRQ_1dyQmkEKXg2Km8EMuNUrTTLBdDXijk7A51CyUVLaF6VgGQddeLOZLGZQof6Fjx7-Yc-AD2Oiho89dpVuLJC06ebqBdNYTnqC99lJjE/s1600/IMGP1579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6GqBWUat8VVMgDtSXk0KkRwnrvWO72RTEwhRQ_1dyQmkEKXg2Km8EMuNUrTTLBdDXijk7A51CyUVLaF6VgGQddeLOZLGZQof6Fjx7-Yc-AD2Oiho89dpVuLJC06ebqBdNYTnqC99lJjE/s320/IMGP1579.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall man with VERY short Liederhausen~</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4jwhdhwq0kwe7pwITJ8bpyfUphvlL7eZSBRayMEznfTDflxKT4w3X4IIoIELbXu8qBI9170ATyCuR_3gHgTp2zE2j2NELbe1tMkoC-HDicWc-14lfAxbLcGWrBSk0QihGX7ZR3C6ZMe_/s1600/IMGP1583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4jwhdhwq0kwe7pwITJ8bpyfUphvlL7eZSBRayMEznfTDflxKT4w3X4IIoIELbXu8qBI9170ATyCuR_3gHgTp2zE2j2NELbe1tMkoC-HDicWc-14lfAxbLcGWrBSk0QihGX7ZR3C6ZMe_/s320/IMGP1583.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dirndl and Liederhausen for sale at the train station.<br />
You can see the rather ornate flap I mentioned!<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9fLHfKgmJihHBAHP4zAFZeUIhfQzj3XLw1CTHuptV9N4t-RQq-fgh_6-7MenAhrA6U0GTuzdC1bU6aaLZ27B6VUlVqwyV9R2M7zn0HTi4VqS6rQzxe0tvZPDbUg90Si9oIglcr1Lr1Zw/s1600/IMG_0959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9fLHfKgmJihHBAHP4zAFZeUIhfQzj3XLw1CTHuptV9N4t-RQq-fgh_6-7MenAhrA6U0GTuzdC1bU6aaLZ27B6VUlVqwyV9R2M7zn0HTi4VqS6rQzxe0tvZPDbUg90Si9oIglcr1Lr1Zw/s320/IMG_0959.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leiderhausen with suit jacket.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUb3QHKIlSjll5ZA23n9X3jqQFcveIAr7n_E9TqpXE7GGqlAGeXVFwdhqh2Hyw1eUyzY0W4s2oTOnTGBIQvUs4agcUP_0RYBnmzmJSAZlSgLWFn_LO1ub7a7ccl6rsNQgjAdHD3MMLTbh/s1600/IMG_0921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUb3QHKIlSjll5ZA23n9X3jqQFcveIAr7n_E9TqpXE7GGqlAGeXVFwdhqh2Hyw1eUyzY0W4s2oTOnTGBIQvUs4agcUP_0RYBnmzmJSAZlSgLWFn_LO1ub7a7ccl6rsNQgjAdHD3MMLTbh/s320/IMG_0921.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Um..Flap alert!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYyAYvyIYuEOJeEGA8nwieO4uxvcPj9aBC8mpegYGN53wFoKfgYUOIYRWTvWduk_X7vZpbgdgiI75VzicVBEJRgEkofbTVdI4JNpB9HX4G5vNCExmvf3z_aNUT_3EjyWTOblqboV4kxhd/s1600/IMG_0976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYyAYvyIYuEOJeEGA8nwieO4uxvcPj9aBC8mpegYGN53wFoKfgYUOIYRWTvWduk_X7vZpbgdgiI75VzicVBEJRgEkofbTVdI4JNpB9HX4G5vNCExmvf3z_aNUT_3EjyWTOblqboV4kxhd/s320/IMG_0976.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really -Flap Alert!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AWS0hzmL-Xe0HAFtO4pvMx3Y5MJiQON2k6ccDJbN_1pUTsHaxNGwnwWimDa3_rNQMMgru63xa3DMIh5QTLP9dy31pOryYQtJRIEYQQqL6h-isMLxSHtyV4iATyEkKzgDjqpuw6XQbMll/s1600/IMGP1582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AWS0hzmL-Xe0HAFtO4pvMx3Y5MJiQON2k6ccDJbN_1pUTsHaxNGwnwWimDa3_rNQMMgru63xa3DMIh5QTLP9dy31pOryYQtJRIEYQQqL6h-isMLxSHtyV4iATyEkKzgDjqpuw6XQbMll/s320/IMGP1582.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last refreshment before boarding the train.<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So...we're off on the train...the fun has only just begun. Stay tuned...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Toodles,</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-58001403064787858342012-10-17T15:14:00.000-07:002012-10-17T15:14:59.261-07:00<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, I haven't written in a while because, frankly, I couldn't think of anything really interesting to say. How sad is that? My life just seems to hum along nicely, with few surprises but always a lot of fun!</div>
<br />
A couple of weeks ago we went to Germany to catch up with my friend Karren and her hubby, James. Karren is a writer and English teacher in Bamburg - you can catch up with her on her blog - <a href="http://www.komnatachista.com/">http://www.komnatachista.com</a>. She's also a fantastic photographer! Anyway, I digress....<br />
<br />
On arriving in Munich, we went to Marianplatz to have a traditional German breakfast and watch the Glockenspiel. A traditional breakfast is apparently white sausage, large pretzel and beer! (At least during Oktoberfest!)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55aOSB-6r4a4Z-rI2TQyLNYjTlYgl9hCeeKcOHmGnN_aeENx0FCWGLKelSORCkwuGXYG187Zc3SpOiAqhA8vT2E6gNJq0xqW4ScMVe7U-Ul5FYzndRM2eITsGXIXZc4-ghORvz1-Am5jR/s1600/IMGP1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55aOSB-6r4a4Z-rI2TQyLNYjTlYgl9hCeeKcOHmGnN_aeENx0FCWGLKelSORCkwuGXYG187Zc3SpOiAqhA8vT2E6gNJq0xqW4ScMVe7U-Ul5FYzndRM2eITsGXIXZc4-ghORvz1-Am5jR/s320/IMGP1561.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karren greeting us when we arrived!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXVTC3_ARWwLWIDcR14_utSG3yyF2EIJ6nSyojh37gm30gKHy9X11741ZfYJwnOf6uzwSYDxw7wLjFOXABbyNRbXll6FBHNmBbqvRtgq2KkX1SiQgPWjM41ipQPsF2RBHNbyhKapSSdPC/s1600/IMG_0896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXVTC3_ARWwLWIDcR14_utSG3yyF2EIJ6nSyojh37gm30gKHy9X11741ZfYJwnOf6uzwSYDxw7wLjFOXABbyNRbXll6FBHNmBbqvRtgq2KkX1SiQgPWjM41ipQPsF2RBHNbyhKapSSdPC/s320/IMG_0896.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Breakfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6ATJYdz1mG3viFIq0BVafxPoKEa1gNS5kHfURgERghdLdDzmlHNbr8_zIqFfpBZ6iSRNLsi4RINNGEBo3jihZCjifZWVGcOAu2svPSlVnzBRt5m9GeLrhgJcjmycgmh_AD5bjVFgJ0Hv/s1600/IMGP1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6ATJYdz1mG3viFIq0BVafxPoKEa1gNS5kHfURgERghdLdDzmlHNbr8_zIqFfpBZ6iSRNLsi4RINNGEBo3jihZCjifZWVGcOAu2svPSlVnzBRt5m9GeLrhgJcjmycgmh_AD5bjVFgJ0Hv/s320/IMGP1570.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And of course, the beer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GCUvB726Bwb28f4rCThChHhBCW7-5OH1HDhelPJgKjkFdS46mH1dRB3o3nM9Z2w54lyUlAuD8f8NvDP2jbmyKrYfq1p7xPrFIcVJEAcKIjlQvj2qeAZTmXP83ottS88x1ZrwfDVP4Pyp/s1600/IMGP1572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GCUvB726Bwb28f4rCThChHhBCW7-5OH1HDhelPJgKjkFdS46mH1dRB3o3nM9Z2w54lyUlAuD8f8NvDP2jbmyKrYfq1p7xPrFIcVJEAcKIjlQvj2qeAZTmXP83ottS88x1ZrwfDVP4Pyp/s320/IMGP1572.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James and more beer!<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After our traditional breakfast we took a walk around Munich and visited a large open market. I don't think I've ever seen markets like this one!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wZQlELZr22QPUKsQz-yV7Djek_5prNyM8ywFU09Y5B12_I5P2EMPhzOyKnfJwiXpovTyMxFmHLznmGOxrBrpRFLcDfLkm4Rdd5R7L9k4ouc2CkYBy5aeEfL9xBYQYANZQVScCas5dt_2/s1600/IMGP1574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wZQlELZr22QPUKsQz-yV7Djek_5prNyM8ywFU09Y5B12_I5P2EMPhzOyKnfJwiXpovTyMxFmHLznmGOxrBrpRFLcDfLkm4Rdd5R7L9k4ouc2CkYBy5aeEfL9xBYQYANZQVScCas5dt_2/s320/IMGP1574.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are hops, hanging in the market.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRuyIB5spzRVRDlcfThtaScPQvZPZ8kfRsKao6bV1Ye57ClHy8-K8ro4y8UHxqGaovUKrAWS5SvJXUQ46_pq-mnZbT_RezANDmCPCMH55E24Vc0vsuV6m8QUMhAHB8TsehwPJXf6Yf8er/s1600/IMGP1577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRuyIB5spzRVRDlcfThtaScPQvZPZ8kfRsKao6bV1Ye57ClHy8-K8ro4y8UHxqGaovUKrAWS5SvJXUQ46_pq-mnZbT_RezANDmCPCMH55E24Vc0vsuV6m8QUMhAHB8TsehwPJXf6Yf8er/s320/IMGP1577.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Would you believe these are Artichoke flowers???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwViu0rMdoBY2abooW9nUr21-JalwxLx2kX7ml8MeuMG50PJVIM2_rXep2KcwEywZAAlYgYPA-62nKAKYwImCrt7CqB2Xro52ToOVASsUKWkDyWVRLvGzmy0CDWEuMacAAOzdaHRpgDinY/s1600/IMGP1575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwViu0rMdoBY2abooW9nUr21-JalwxLx2kX7ml8MeuMG50PJVIM2_rXep2KcwEywZAAlYgYPA-62nKAKYwImCrt7CqB2Xro52ToOVASsUKWkDyWVRLvGzmy0CDWEuMacAAOzdaHRpgDinY/s320/IMGP1575.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After our walk, we headed to the train station for our trip to Bamburg...but that's another story!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Toodles,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-7636727208403861252012-08-20T13:56:00.000-07:002012-08-20T13:56:36.894-07:00A few months back I ran a boot camp for team Fest. It was really more of a workshop for us to get our shops prepared for Mother's Day and other upcoming events. I think we all enjoyed it...I know I did and it provided the incentive to make some changes in my shop.<br />
<br />
One of the things I covered was photography...not in great detail, but generally speaking it was a "how to" to enhance our photos in our Etsy shops. I found a lot of helpful hints on line to help us improve our pictures. However, the one thing I struggled with, and really wanted to do, was to make the photos look more professional. I've used a pro a couple of times, and love the background and clarity of the pics but could never figure out how to achieve that look. Guess that's why he's the pro!<br />
<br />
Recently, I read a nifty little tidbit in one of my metalsmith forums about some photography props that were useful in trying to get a more professional look so I went to the web site and boy, was I thrilled!<br />
The name of the web site is <a href="http://www.tabletopstudio.com/specialFX.html">Table Top Studio</a>. You should check this out if you're trying to photograph jewelry for your shop or website. I bought a couple of sheets of background with that graduated effect from light to dark, and some props for photographing earrings and necklaces that are terrific.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's what the background looks like! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcig2MOtc7cqZF55OEyyhKz17Pw96AGZjEhbO6SQ-B2lCrQtQmE2u0iQYlq7dwWB13KZ0Wb2qjmLY4sGeq1iWyFJH1oGrk-LmEcazm7llzghNO5zFCOQD8CJKlZHN3jHnrWFTqXKwoHq1/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcig2MOtc7cqZF55OEyyhKz17Pw96AGZjEhbO6SQ-B2lCrQtQmE2u0iQYlq7dwWB13KZ0Wb2qjmLY4sGeq1iWyFJH1oGrk-LmEcazm7llzghNO5zFCOQD8CJKlZHN3jHnrWFTqXKwoHq1/s320/DSC_0108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is what the earring prop looks like. Basically it's got two filament strings held on with clips that suspend the earrings so they don't sway while you're photographing them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_Y3isRaTMa2smFcACbTbu453v9-IuGTBs-LgGy33AfpOApTdbvbcupl184KYxI0vi22mxY9e9k2cX_juIgvGczq7OmF9oEfAxEXfCVE36J8afg6VjnVbYZCobBN37ITNm5tALfQ3QEbm/s1600/DSC_0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_Y3isRaTMa2smFcACbTbu453v9-IuGTBs-LgGy33AfpOApTdbvbcupl184KYxI0vi22mxY9e9k2cX_juIgvGczq7OmF9oEfAxEXfCVE36J8afg6VjnVbYZCobBN37ITNm5tALfQ3QEbm/s320/DSC_0197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It looks like this. You will have to go to your photo editing program to "erase" the lines later.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZ-5uPbir6bVvgiBs9KdaLGgwsobyyVfxCaf0AIZhn-EZkIrb3E9-XHfNS1ZMI87dPErQzok7DS9sGdyIy_IusvDXJzzx251V9F2d7SxEtlvpT33VfwNZpEZuNCSLe5d0BptkS2AYaR2g/s1600/DSC_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZ-5uPbir6bVvgiBs9KdaLGgwsobyyVfxCaf0AIZhn-EZkIrb3E9-XHfNS1ZMI87dPErQzok7DS9sGdyIy_IusvDXJzzx251V9F2d7SxEtlvpT33VfwNZpEZuNCSLe5d0BptkS2AYaR2g/s320/DSC_0283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here it is close up!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVymg6EcIIGDmpA3aJMZBc29V9a4fK4LJz_njrie2S0qdKEAKV7wbII_P4qKe0AQ4_7XUmKjnu6eAeAFscmLonrX0_S2_t821xcXdCENgwQ1uecRgZWj1bVnCxHAfp97wtEGbOrBtfLSQl/s1600/DSC_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVymg6EcIIGDmpA3aJMZBc29V9a4fK4LJz_njrie2S0qdKEAKV7wbII_P4qKe0AQ4_7XUmKjnu6eAeAFscmLonrX0_S2_t821xcXdCENgwQ1uecRgZWj1bVnCxHAfp97wtEGbOrBtfLSQl/s320/DSC_0284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Work in progress, partial editing done. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjsA1HrgcCww9NhGwLcyB6XhixmDwJ6G5E46SlPbi0VqWAOvrcezvza_Xx5Wbi4zJDFeVb7dyEXS_NqSXDBnglDCa3mTlSBCki0UivrqCDsW5UW6THdKDTZ2yDNx6s66iieO56fT5x8k5/s1600/DSC_0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjsA1HrgcCww9NhGwLcyB6XhixmDwJ6G5E46SlPbi0VqWAOvrcezvza_Xx5Wbi4zJDFeVb7dyEXS_NqSXDBnglDCa3mTlSBCki0UivrqCDsW5UW6THdKDTZ2yDNx6s66iieO56fT5x8k5/s320/DSC_0288.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyway, if you get a chance, check out <a href="http://www.tabletopstudio.com/specialFX.html">Table Top Studio</a>. The prices are good and I, for one, think it will greatly improve my shots for the shop. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Toodles,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-36510117914629822492012-06-11T21:56:00.000-07:002012-06-11T21:56:14.049-07:00Flowers All Over - FEST Blog Give Away - June/July<br />
<h1 style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;">Our latest FEST Blog Giveaway features a colorful and convenient Cosmetic Bag from<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chantalmarieliving" style="color: #5c8fb5; text-decoration: none;">ChantalMarieLiving</a> of Lake Worth Florida. Bursting with flowers in fabulous colors, these handy bags are perfect to keep your cosmetics all in one place and can also be used for small on-the-go hand clutches.</span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1ROZXYsf_w_2tB-uJp9659Pt0Q1gOn8GBt0Xe93zxPYAYGX07_3BV2vNv4XLNJV1WpCkFOiY1qiS64T5XVV116uK6_yKxwnepSBxDmdeprG-A8tFbqIs3FBCUPzp_UW-4CwcDIo-zu6b/s1600/il_fullxfull.289831694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1ROZXYsf_w_2tB-uJp9659Pt0Q1gOn8GBt0Xe93zxPYAYGX07_3BV2vNv4XLNJV1WpCkFOiY1qiS64T5XVV116uK6_yKxwnepSBxDmdeprG-A8tFbqIs3FBCUPzp_UW-4CwcDIo-zu6b/s320/il_fullxfull.289831694.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"> Chantal also fashions quilted seat belt covers, handbags, pillows and picture frames, among other things. Her throw pillows are made from Molas, madras plaid from the Caribbean, floral prints from Columbia and Brazil and fabulous cottons from Provence, France. She is always on the lookout for unique and gorgeous fabrics to use in her creations. The Summer Citrus Striped Beach Bag featured below would look fabulous on your next trip to the beach.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpP_ALq-StgL06WOejH9qoUbfEdLqg1_7hd9AKwheNGQzyBGSfHqosXtkccdFa1MGIoLS-EHiWpJK9XI9bMjQqFwp-48t55OqL1i2JU6t9T4W3UfKRlAdkg6lp_ppCMMOv72E2vjBEJCo/s1600/il_fullxfull.329472400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpP_ALq-StgL06WOejH9qoUbfEdLqg1_7hd9AKwheNGQzyBGSfHqosXtkccdFa1MGIoLS-EHiWpJK9XI9bMjQqFwp-48t55OqL1i2JU6t9T4W3UfKRlAdkg6lp_ppCMMOv72E2vjBEJCo/s320/il_fullxfull.329472400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"> You can visit Chantal at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chantalmarieliving" style="color: #5c8fb5; text-decoration: none;">ChantalMarieLiving </a>on Etsy to see more of her wonderful creations.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">HOW TO ENTER: Enter to win one of these wonderful and cheery Cosmetic Bags by visiting <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chantalmarieliving" style="color: #5c8fb5; text-decoration: none;">Chantal</a> or any of the FEST member shops listed on the top of our Blog Page. Find your favorite item, share it with us and tell us why you love it. Remember to add your email address or contact info so we can connect with you if you are the Lucky Winner! Winner picked on 07/09/12. Simple and Easy!</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-10476195199264463142012-04-26T15:33:00.000-07:002012-04-26T15:33:37.592-07:00FEST Boot Camp - Week 6! Using Social MediaSo here we are at our final week of the FEST boot camp! By now you’ve probably made some changes to your Etsy shop. We talked about tags, search relevance on and off Etsy, key words, titles and photos. Probably lots more, but I don’t need to list them if you’ve been following along each week. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The last thing we need to discuss is how to drive traffic to your shop from outside Etsy. Of course paying for advertising is one way, and if you have that in your budget, lucky you! But there are lots of ways to market for free and probably the easiest (and cheapest) way is through social media. Available to you are Twitter, Facebook, Flikr, blogs and your own web site. There are others, of which I’m sure you are aware, but in order to not spend all my time on the computer, I’ve limited myself to these few. So I’ll talk about them. If you don’t have accounts with these social sites, I highly recommend it. <br />
<br />
First and foremost, make sure that every site you use has a link back to your Etsy shop! My twitter and blog link back to my Facebook fan page as well as my shop.<br />
<br />
I use Twitter for listing treasuries I’ve made, treasuries I’ve been featured in, and some of my new listings. The icon for direct listing to Twitter is found on each page - treasuries and new listings. I even post great designs from other artists if I think they’re unique and others will like them. Because of the time element, I really don’t get too involved in conversations with other tweeters, but that’s just me. If you have the time, it’s a good thing to do instead of just marketing. Personally, I fall short in this endeavor, but I know I should be more sociable. This is probably a case of “do as I say, not as I do” lol!<br />
<br />
Facebook is a great place to market. You’re probably already using it so my advice is two fold. One- don’t pepper the home page with new listings. Your friends and contacts will tire of that quickly, so do it sparingly. Do comment on other posts, and wherever possible, include pictures with your status updates. Two – create a fan page. Here is the place to show off your new work, your treasuries, any creative postings….it’s all about your business. Ask your friends to “like” your fan page and become fans. This will increase the traffic and they will know that you will be sending them your new or featured listings. On both your facebook home page and your fan page, be sure you are interactive. If someone comments on one of your postings, make sure you thank them or comment back in a timely fashion.<br />
<br />
According to my Etsy stats, I get a lot of outside traffic from Flickr. I not only have my own account, but I have joined several groups appropriate for my craft that allow me to post my pictures on their site too. I get lots of comments and, according to Etsy, the link to my shop is working just fine! It’s a major traffic source. It is against Flickr rules to openly sell or market, so be careful. Your personal info can be the place you provide the link to your web site, blog and Etsy shop. <br />
<br />
Speaking of blogs, do you have one? It’s a great way to get noticed, particularly if you can include an occasional tutorial or a “how to” related to your craft. You can join network blogs, which will automatically post your blog link on your fan page (if you set it up that way) with pictures and title. Folks have to click on it to read the blog. Blogs are free, mostly, so it’s another good way to advertise. You can include your Etsy mini which will show your work “live”. <br />
<br />
I know most of you probably have some or all of these. If you do, and they are driving traffic to your shop, yay for you! If your Etsy stats don’t show much activity from these sites, maybe it’s time to “fine tune” them. <br />
<br />
So, that’s it. Remember to link your item listings from your blog, Twitter, Facebook Fan Page and your website. Always include a bit of interesting context so folks will want to see more. Now is a great time to put together a Mothers Day Gift suggestion post. Everyone is looking for something for mom, so why not look at your shop?<br />
<br />
I hope this team has enjoyed the last few weeks and that you’ve found these postings helpful. Have you made many changes? If so, do you see an improvement? I wish you all the best with your marketing plans and your future Etsy sales. Thanks for joining the team and following along with me!<br />
<br />
Toodles, <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
More Mother's Day Selections!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTi-NWxmwg5Xgs5vnT5YbFc_N_SkBdLiDlA-ZOm07ZcZJ5HjgHnrjEgI4bEQ_ivhUtdk80CxGtVktxL-ZTbYnafo3EOpUuo3R5bVmqehTdf_q9QwdBKLdaoldUPHUqB0g9jUvsIGs826a/s1600/Devine+Designs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTi-NWxmwg5Xgs5vnT5YbFc_N_SkBdLiDlA-ZOm07ZcZJ5HjgHnrjEgI4bEQ_ivhUtdk80CxGtVktxL-ZTbYnafo3EOpUuo3R5bVmqehTdf_q9QwdBKLdaoldUPHUqB0g9jUvsIGs826a/s320/Devine+Designs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73146340/twisted-wire-bangle-sterling-silver">Devine Designs</a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3RljQOXFxQFHtHu4m6uvaPrkgFrN7dLdFJtIRvQd1AbLRlgxVGm9Rw_w9VgST_hg1B9mdS2P8_BrS4KprJC2GZaPE4DLizh65S5z19VA0Sfmr9pyjf_nmgPTk5ewyq5LAC0QAT5S0sL6/s1600/il_fullxfull_212709245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3RljQOXFxQFHtHu4m6uvaPrkgFrN7dLdFJtIRvQd1AbLRlgxVGm9Rw_w9VgST_hg1B9mdS2P8_BrS4KprJC2GZaPE4DLizh65S5z19VA0Sfmr9pyjf_nmgPTk5ewyq5LAC0QAT5S0sL6/s320/il_fullxfull_212709245.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/40631837/now-on-sale-victorian-flair-necklace">Recreational Art</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcD7g9LbLrGdYJHHnH2gtBx5jn880ygB8zM4Ew6m6RF45el52QDRzyFG7piAUheWFTqGHEKi-OHBo7m-wVRG0RnVZGuWqFK6tL7aL-S6HXo26bWGuTgCnhQBLjbgsVh1140V34wq0cx2k5/s1600/il_fullxfull_288476282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcD7g9LbLrGdYJHHnH2gtBx5jn880ygB8zM4Ew6m6RF45el52QDRzyFG7piAUheWFTqGHEKi-OHBo7m-wVRG0RnVZGuWqFK6tL7aL-S6HXo26bWGuTgCnhQBLjbgsVh1140V34wq0cx2k5/s320/il_fullxfull_288476282.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86725147/steampunk-vintage-vacuum-tube-earrings">Mad Scientist Designs</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH24yeu3sAE7xHQM1afa-2RDlVJRDastDkXYpKKw6YHJcH3D6kz3wMa6R71-qgumyyMNatNFJjLDG0qZlo4tkSBkXbRhjF2QKDiI-63AWJIB6wBsP1WtD1ZExYIoVJ0OPSWM0_hZl0eZM-/s1600/il_fullxfull_331990028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH24yeu3sAE7xHQM1afa-2RDlVJRDastDkXYpKKw6YHJcH3D6kz3wMa6R71-qgumyyMNatNFJjLDG0qZlo4tkSBkXbRhjF2QKDiI-63AWJIB6wBsP1WtD1ZExYIoVJ0OPSWM0_hZl0eZM-/s320/il_fullxfull_331990028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/98426355/labradorite-rosary-chaplet-st-francis">Bead Lovers Korner</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBC8tKQkeyJw3NavM8algbB__JijC6wow1CewkRaA5JfZTzTi2EcGAQVY5FHqMkykEDHEoeZ8y0BiZvBErox0YunsK2Rqfq9ZjYFWzE3ynUfFmdVgBhksU8wH3ZEkfLwggXTm3KfKquW8/s1600/il_fullxfull_316005053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBC8tKQkeyJw3NavM8algbB__JijC6wow1CewkRaA5JfZTzTi2EcGAQVY5FHqMkykEDHEoeZ8y0BiZvBErox0YunsK2Rqfq9ZjYFWzE3ynUfFmdVgBhksU8wH3ZEkfLwggXTm3KfKquW8/s320/il_fullxfull_316005053.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/42932970/ocean-aqua-blue-sterling-silver-beaded">Lees Earring Boutique</a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoRdQHBgx_7dFfwLP_V1ugaPlb4nzoaNpg1n3IsM2Sn3NKsRe6uU5rBRo29RCHrYMzzbpe7bQwsW6AGHdryvFUwLO2qGRE2FenFEzHbhcbiN57YP7N7OAw7Ymv3xdnRyUOM5aAXqFKRRk/s1600/il_fullxfull_317962377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoRdQHBgx_7dFfwLP_V1ugaPlb4nzoaNpg1n3IsM2Sn3NKsRe6uU5rBRo29RCHrYMzzbpe7bQwsW6AGHdryvFUwLO2qGRE2FenFEzHbhcbiN57YP7N7OAw7Ymv3xdnRyUOM5aAXqFKRRk/s320/il_fullxfull_317962377.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/94630935/blue-apatite-bali-bead-necklace-florida">Chiavari Designs</a></div>
<br />
<br />
I love the work and the pictures showing off these lovely designs are simply great! Congrats on great photo work, everyone!<br />
<br />
Cyndie<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-88032006939924842272012-04-15T21:24:00.000-07:002012-04-15T21:24:42.896-07:00FEST Boot Camp - Week 5! Tips on Product PhotographySo …..we’re coming down to the big finish, almost done! This is week 5 of our FEST boot camp - how is everyone doing so far? We’ve covered a wide range of tips for improving your shop to get it ready for Mother’s Day. You’ve made some changes that will hopefully help you on your road to a successful holiday. <br />
This week, as I alluded to in my last blog, we’re going to get into more detail about your picture taking. I’m no expert here, and I struggle with it just like you. The key, I have found, is experimenting and practice, practice, practice!<br />
<br />
So let’s take a step back and look at your shop as a whole. When you look at your first page, do the photos look cohesive? By that I mean, same background color or props? Generally, are all the products shown in the same size? Think of some of the web stores you go to when shopping…..the pictures of the products are pretty much the same. Same coloring in the background (usually white) – same offering of views, etc. That’s the look you should be going for. For some of us, (yes, myself included) it may mean taking some new photos. I can hear you moaning! Trust me, I’m with you here! But, like you, I’m going to spend this week evaluating which pictures work, and which products need new pictures!<br />
<br />
First of all, let me say this….I own a smartphone. I love the convenience of taking a quick snapshot at the drop of a hat. Most pictures come out pretty good. But pretty good isn’t good enough for your shop, so for this exercise, drop the smartphone! You don’t need a fancy, expensive camera. You do need one that will allow you to make some manual adjustments to get a better picture. I’m not going to turn this into an essay on manual settings because every camera is different. Your manual can tell you how to do it and get the affect you want….so lets’ stay simple here:<br />
<br />
Let’s start with lighting. The simplest lighting is natural….if you can shoot near a window or better yet, outdoors, I highly recommend it. Direct sunlight is too bright so find a spot that’s bright without the sun shining directly on your product. (It’s called indirect lighting) Because I photograph jewelry, shadows become a problem. I have solved this by using sheets of white construction paper placed strategically around my piece. If you look through your viewfinder, you’ll see your shadows. While looking at them, move the paper around until the shadows disappear. It’s easiest to shoot this way if you’re using a tripod. You can find small, inexpensive ones just about anywhere (Kmart, Walmart, etc.) Tripods will also eliminate “shaky” photos…you know, the ones that are just a little blurry. Good lighting will make your other colors more accurate too. I bought an inexpensive “light box” that is very handy. It works to filter the natural light so that it’s less harsh, and provides a great background. If I’m forced to take pictures indoors because of the weather, it’s great with a couple of lamps strategically placed. One overhead, one on each side usually works for me, but it's not unusual to have to make adjustments to get the affect I want.<br />
<br />
Backgrounds. I know its fun to find pretty backgrounds. I say, be creative! However, be careful that the background doesn’t detract from your product. The simplest background is usually the best. Try buying heavy construction paper – it’s available in lots of colors. Or use a piece of material in the color you want. Just be careful that the color doesn’t clash with your product. Light colors usually show off your product and its colors the best.<br />
<br />
If your product is small, get as close as you can. If your camera has a macro setting, now is the time to use it. (usually it’s a little flower icon) The closer you get, the more detail your customers will see. If your product is large, step back as far as you need to get the entire product in the picture. Make sure the rest of your studio or room isn’t visible in the shot. Shoot against a wall, or hang a sheet. You can later crop parts of it to show a larger view of the detail. I don’t have much of a zoom lens, but I bought some used, inexpensive close up filters that magnify in different degrees. They work for me, but I’d rather have a zoom lens! Lucky you, if you have one!<br />
<br />
Make sure you get lots of angles – close up, the whole thing, front and back, etc. Let the customer see what he/she will be getting. <br />
<br />
Use proportion. If you don’t want to model the product, or you don’t make wearables, use a prop to show the size in comparison in one of your shots. I don’t wear my earrings for pictures, so I take a shot holding one in my hand. You can use familiar coins (quarter, dime, etc.). You can also include a ruler in the shot if you want.<br />
<br />
Don’t forget to edit! A good photo editing program can fix a lot of things. I confess to depending heavily on mine! You can lighten, darken, highlight, crop, adjust color, etc. with a click of the mouse. Most useful to me is that I can take the same photo and edit in effects a couple of different ways and look at them side by side to see which one works.<br />
<br />
So there you go. Very, very basic picture taking tips. I don’t profess to be a pro, so I’m talking from personal experience. There’s always room for improvement, so I’ll let you know if I find more handy ways to do it.<br />
<br />
Let’s review:<br />
<br />
Step 1: Take a look at your shop as a whole. Do the photos look cohesive?<br />
<br />
Step 2: Read your camera manual. I also went to a camera shop and had them review how to use the settings.<br />
<br />
Step3: Whenever possible, use natural light.<br />
<br />
Step 4: Use a tripod!!!<br />
<br />
Step 5: Use simple backgrounds and props.<br />
<br />
Step 6: Get close up, use lots of angles.<br />
<br />
Step 7: Show size and proportion using simple props.<br />
<br />
Step 8: Edit like crazy. Just kidding! But do use the editing program to fine tune your picture.<br />
<br />
Remember, practice, practice, practice. Take lots of shots of the same product so you have more to work with. Adjust lighting, angles, etc. many times until you find what works. Compare photos taken with different settings side by side and pick the one that shows off your designs the best.<br />
<br />
Here are some links to articles I’ve found helpful:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.everythingetsy.com/2010/04/how-to-photograph-your-work-for-sale-on-etsy/">http://www.everythingetsy.com/2010/04/how-to-photograph-your-work-for-sale-on-etsy/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2008/shop-makeover-series-photographing-for-success/">http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2008/shop-makeover-series-photographing-for-success/</a><br />
<br />
And most important….be creative and have fun!!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
FEST artists are preparing for Mother's Day ! Here's a few gift suggestions:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguawHOX-GIGEqra6rzwFlV2GMpRzykjvJl2hRr9RQLqX0J89uC4H805OqGgoZQCrwyWkAsrOrXEfdfHR_qdKLe563w8MaOC54HlLB0ZsCJJnygIHz7bU1T3-xe_q-SVWAq53F092d12iFg/s1600/Leesearringboutique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguawHOX-GIGEqra6rzwFlV2GMpRzykjvJl2hRr9RQLqX0J89uC4H805OqGgoZQCrwyWkAsrOrXEfdfHR_qdKLe563w8MaOC54HlLB0ZsCJJnygIHz7bU1T3-xe_q-SVWAq53F092d12iFg/s320/Leesearringboutique.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LeesEarringBoutique">Lees Earring Boutique</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFPVfcyRpS8DGBNBxMr237ZxQNS-j7jCD0x74vkcohcFPttEcguMT6PSHcaad23mctLBXTUEzJZqnEcY0E8yeKso1NKtUFFss3VG04v0pshgnULjknluMMO6anrfiV6DGISKFLGRPayTo/s1600/Beadloverskorner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFPVfcyRpS8DGBNBxMr237ZxQNS-j7jCD0x74vkcohcFPttEcguMT6PSHcaad23mctLBXTUEzJZqnEcY0E8yeKso1NKtUFFss3VG04v0pshgnULjknluMMO6anrfiV6DGISKFLGRPayTo/s320/Beadloverskorner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadloverskorner">Bead Lovers Korner</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDsARMxlJKjOzrBWDPuTiTGycyPNMYie3amClsWYfKiuqNb8eRd1PONUbRpxg7kaeunyeZPpvj0jslO9V75-_FNTWuKBiV90JtwulKZT1MEuwWSxae_b4adC8N6_zNUX9CeUfm6Z63ZeU/s1600/blackwillowsoaps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDsARMxlJKjOzrBWDPuTiTGycyPNMYie3amClsWYfKiuqNb8eRd1PONUbRpxg7kaeunyeZPpvj0jslO9V75-_FNTWuKBiV90JtwulKZT1MEuwWSxae_b4adC8N6_zNUX9CeUfm6Z63ZeU/s320/blackwillowsoaps.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackWillowSoaps">Black Willow Soaps</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn9fLAFGE5UxyiXtGjoxOMze2b8Gv0-PkrpFQAmvO8OjzGv8p_Ijjm-ZpH-AlbWHX8dOjn5VV6kkvjKCl3lcvb_LAVE1oFBJrbntwwMMQmh-F9BoXn6xmbP1m-daDA-VxmIrnUr7TcH_Q/s1600/DevineDesigns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn9fLAFGE5UxyiXtGjoxOMze2b8Gv0-PkrpFQAmvO8OjzGv8p_Ijjm-ZpH-AlbWHX8dOjn5VV6kkvjKCl3lcvb_LAVE1oFBJrbntwwMMQmh-F9BoXn6xmbP1m-daDA-VxmIrnUr7TcH_Q/s320/DevineDesigns.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DevineDesignsJewelry">Devine Designs Jewelry</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And what about those single dads? Maybe we should surprise them with a gift on Mothers Day since they do double duty as both Mother and Father! How about a nice pair of cuff links?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiIXgZcx1u9pBAcyqXoGyo0TqANYVz-gORkQiPs4OK42cClQnyiR76hd3LBdWTz1w7B6boeUuZbtg4WM5s1EYa5XT0ueSMjmyUCFjZGB9Ew2zPOadCn359c2pX9sKZQMwh9M5YsD9lJTk/s1600/gentlemensemporium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiIXgZcx1u9pBAcyqXoGyo0TqANYVz-gORkQiPs4OK42cClQnyiR76hd3LBdWTz1w7B6boeUuZbtg4WM5s1EYa5XT0ueSMjmyUCFjZGB9Ew2zPOadCn359c2pX9sKZQMwh9M5YsD9lJTk/s320/gentlemensemporium.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/GentlemansEmporium">Gentleman's Emporium</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See Ya!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-36687081521480692662012-04-08T21:41:00.000-07:002012-04-08T21:41:28.601-07:00FEST Boot Camp Week 4! Quick Ways to Update Your Pictures!Happy Easter everyone! Seems like we were just celebrating Christmas and the New Year…and here it is – the middle of April already. Boot Camp week 4!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
By now you should have looked at your listings in detail with an eye toward improving descriptions, tags, your search engine relevance, sections and titles. Whew! Sounds like a lot! If you’ve made some changes, how are your stats? Are you noticing any increase in views? <br />
<br />
All of these changes are important, and if you get the potential customer to your shop via the search process, what’s next? The picture of your product! You need to catch the eye of the buyer, make them interested enough to click on it and actually read the nice description you gave. So let’s get started….<br />
<br />
First, and the easiest thing to do, is to change up your photos. No, you don’t have to go take all new pictures! When a customer visits your shop, do they see the same products and pictures day after day? Maybe your pictures are all starting to look alike. Boring! Even if you haven’t added new products, a new view of the old ones will freshen up your shop. Take a look at your pictures of one product. You should have used up all 5 slots for different views. Pick one that shows your product differently than the one you are currently using and make the change. See? It looks like you just listed something new. Speaking of different views….a few things to keep in mind: have you shown the product from the front, side, and back? Can you show a picture of how it can be used or worn or displayed? If you offer different colors, do you have a picture showing the choices? Be sure to use all five photo slots! If you have difficulty finding five photos, add one of your packaging. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Remember, your customers can’t pick up your product and turn it over, try it on, or feel the texture. If you’re taking new pics (we’ll talk about that later..) or even if you use an old one, crop it close so they can see the texture or design. Don’t worry about showing the whole product…what you’re looking for is the texture. Here’s an example:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pMOc1DMfYvbovfdJHFhv5KLNyNSLUwgD758zgHELHUAGgnmaH0GwxW6CF4JcLnh8ElsLfQuIcATtq2KGG9-vnkflublMPzIeDi6EkNK1LPrpRthxBS4vaI-LfRaDCLxjEDnG8n8io2m8/s1600/copperbangle4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pMOc1DMfYvbovfdJHFhv5KLNyNSLUwgD758zgHELHUAGgnmaH0GwxW6CF4JcLnh8ElsLfQuIcATtq2KGG9-vnkflublMPzIeDi6EkNK1LPrpRthxBS4vaI-LfRaDCLxjEDnG8n8io2m8/s320/copperbangle4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeXvMf1lxQCoPPWj3lAJCU7kGBca9IRgorQpgN5qzDqIU_VZOsMobTAnb4EUp7t5wjYKMopcRZj2T2OLjrt4cx_Sy-8VTQkZYCxd5yYVA1spPpC7eDQJVMgIbquN8ZZdYqvmQBCTZIpNv/s1600/copperbangle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeXvMf1lxQCoPPWj3lAJCU7kGBca9IRgorQpgN5qzDqIU_VZOsMobTAnb4EUp7t5wjYKMopcRZj2T2OLjrt4cx_Sy-8VTQkZYCxd5yYVA1spPpC7eDQJVMgIbquN8ZZdYqvmQBCTZIpNv/s320/copperbangle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Next, let’s talk about visibility. Are your pictures light and bright or dark and difficult to see? Short of taking new pics (like I said, that’s for later) there is a quick and easy solution. …..use your photo editing program! Since I don’t know which one you use, I can’t address specifics. However, every program has a light and contrast feature. Pick a picture and, using your editing program, see if you can make it lighter. The lighter the better, short of making the product disappear! Try the contrast feature to darken up some of the detail against the lighter background. Does it make the product pop a little? It should. And my favorite is the sharpen feature. When you’ve adjusted the photo and made it lighter with contrast, hit the sharpen button and see what happens. In most cases, the photo will appear crisper. One caveat: make sure the colors are as accurate as you can.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgILN-RgwzD4lE4-4Vmt16x3qnX6O04x7UrAyboPXPB69b5rRLkPtK0u3E63NvWbdYe5PS08ClkmwXVZZIVBAUuBQMmEwgpOK9gMGUjlj40uwRkbTHzNTcGkEaXwIm_ulvUky5GO4t67SP/s1600/bangles1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgILN-RgwzD4lE4-4Vmt16x3qnX6O04x7UrAyboPXPB69b5rRLkPtK0u3E63NvWbdYe5PS08ClkmwXVZZIVBAUuBQMmEwgpOK9gMGUjlj40uwRkbTHzNTcGkEaXwIm_ulvUky5GO4t67SP/s320/bangles1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Before</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqPRT00Gosj1A1PckIIUDxlmK5XWvr7RaQctc-HqG5w2R5SUamq9qeQ1FVN4AWAyy9w1egQ9G_ckfP8QzBMvXjAcT4n03rSBBToED-rWRVnezOOrsekozSd7UO3pqu_2Z8xYiz5_6Cp48/s1600/bangles1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqPRT00Gosj1A1PckIIUDxlmK5XWvr7RaQctc-HqG5w2R5SUamq9qeQ1FVN4AWAyy9w1egQ9G_ckfP8QzBMvXjAcT4n03rSBBToED-rWRVnezOOrsekozSd7UO3pqu_2Z8xYiz5_6Cp48/s320/bangles1a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After</div><br />
<br />
Another trick to refreshing your old photos is to recrop them. Maybe the product looks small. Or maybe it’s off center or in a clutter. Crop away some of the clutter, or use this action to center it. You’ll see a big difference in your old photos by using some of these simple techniques. Here’s another example:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkpHD1qpYrKFfWVr7ety8hTM7Itc1ZTladwDBdcP-UdnkM8bBR_5KxpcVLuaYaWZaQDoGvMHWxP03MbJnxmPmrD4pNJ37IKyoY55dxGdbLNsJMux6uq7oum89NRf1Eb0L2skahkaZPYcP/s1600/DSC_1284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkpHD1qpYrKFfWVr7ety8hTM7Itc1ZTladwDBdcP-UdnkM8bBR_5KxpcVLuaYaWZaQDoGvMHWxP03MbJnxmPmrD4pNJ37IKyoY55dxGdbLNsJMux6uq7oum89NRf1Eb0L2skahkaZPYcP/s320/DSC_1284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsR121Qo_tC2sC2Vvc73gjfYeKNo4YynC_uwNL1XWPyBxi-qhaY4LLeRk1YYLe5FUCEFzWlyLLd5hJEzeBWni0XVNKaqE8b6VegRcbMj6ryRnfUPYZT9EYUzh2zm6ongtMZaiExKXSqQC/s1600/DSC_1283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsR121Qo_tC2sC2Vvc73gjfYeKNo4YynC_uwNL1XWPyBxi-qhaY4LLeRk1YYLe5FUCEFzWlyLLd5hJEzeBWni0XVNKaqE8b6VegRcbMj6ryRnfUPYZT9EYUzh2zm6ongtMZaiExKXSqQC/s320/DSC_1283.JPG" width="319" /></a></div><br />
<br />
So ok – let’s review!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Step 1</span>: Look at your photos! Do they show your item accurately and in detail? <br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Step 2</span>: Change them up! Move a new view into the first position. It will look like you added something new.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Step 3</span>: Be sure you’ve used all five slots. Add your packaging in one if you’re having difficulty finding five photos. Make sure you show all sides, front and back. Or how it can be used/worn/displayed.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Step 4</span>: Crop to show texture.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Step 5</span>: Lighten up where you can! Don’t forget the sharpen feature!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Step 6</span>: Recrop an old photo. Sometimes all it takes is a little tweaking to make the product more visible and interesting to the buyer. <br />
<br />
Step back and look at your shop as a whole. Do the photos give the customer a reason to keep on looking? By now you will have played with them enough to know if taking new shots is what you need to do. Next week we’ll talk about that in detail, but for now, try the exercises I’ve listed and see what you think. Your shop should look different than it did when you started and that’s probably a good thing. I play with my photos all the time! I still need to do some of these steps and I’ll be doing them right along with you this week. <br />
<br />
So have fun and be creative!<br />
Toodles,Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-11355711146440853472012-04-01T22:53:00.000-07:002012-04-01T22:53:18.083-07:00Get Found By The Search Engine - FEST Bootcamp Week 3Well, we’re almost to the midpoint of our FEST boot camp exercises! Welcome to week 3! How do you think you’re doing so far? <br />
<br />
<br />
I know that for some of you, last week might have been a major task. We looked at our tags, added “mother’s day” tags, or “gift for mom” or whatever else was appropriate. For some, with around 100 listings, I’m sure that took a lot of time. I hope you looked at the Etsy Apps to find one that would do it all at once for you. Believe me, those Apps can be time savers.<br />
<br />
This week we’re going to look at your listings and see what we can do to get them found in Etsy and Google searches. Again, this will involve tags, as well as titles and your descriptions.<br />
<br />
Let’s talk about Google first, because it’s really important to find buyers off Etsy….a way of bringing in new customers. What I’ve learned – and I still need to make changes like you – from my research on the subject is that Google likes repetition. So first look at your product. What is it? I’ll give you an example: Copper cuff. I can give it a fancy name like “dream cuff” but how many people do you think will type that name into a Google search? Right! Probably only me, so Copper Cuff needs to be in the title. Next, look at your description. Your first sentence needs to include the words Copper Cuff. This will make your product Google relevant. These changes will also apply to your Etsy search, but you need to include these keywords in your tags as well, in order to be Etsy relevant. If you’ve read any of the blogs from Etsy marketing, you know the search process is all about being relevant.<br />
<br />
While you’re looking at your descriptions, ask yourself – does it tell a story? Or is it creative? Does it make the potential customer interested in seeing more? Yeah, I can hear you groaning! I hate writing descriptions too! Most of the time I’m in a rush to get the product listed, and my creative writing just isn’t there for me. So, like you, I’m going to take a look at my descriptions and see if I can improve them. Things like how it was made, or why it was made, or imaginative uses for the product are simple ways to enhance your descriptions. Phrases like “a perfect gift for Mom” can apply this time, since increasing sales for Mother’s Day is our goal.<br />
<br />
Another thing I recently learned: Your shop sections tell Google and potential customers what your shop is all about. Check out your sections. It’s easy to get carried away with cute descriptive titles, but Google won’t know what you’re talking about. Maybe your customers won’t either! So try to include your key words in your shop sections too. Example: “Copper Cuffs” if you have more than one. Or something even more basic – “Metal Cuffs” or “Copper, Brass and Silver Cuffs”<br />
<br />
One last thing about key words: if you go to your shop stats section, below the nifty graft of activity, you’ll find a list of key words customers have used to find you. That will give you a good idea of what words are working for you, and which are not. Can you apply those key words to more of your products? If you can, this will increase your visibility in the search process. <br />
Ok – so let’s recap!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Step 1</span>: Look at your titles. Do they accurately describe your product?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Step 2</span>: Look at your descriptions. Have you incorporated your title into the first sentence? You can get pretty creative here!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">St</span><span style="color: red;">ep 3</span>: Look at your tags. Have you included the keywords?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">Step 4</span>: Look at your shop sections. Make sure they accurately describe the products to be found in your shop. <br />
<br />
Remember: Repetition, Repetition, repetition!<br />
<br />
Before I sign off, here are some Mother's Day gift suggestions - handmade in the USA - by some of our bootcamp participants! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKMLAOJjWfbblp9n_rRDP_hOVaXXa3NYUHM4FLsJ2zk2oZKFGVIISt-RDlkHzhImcgdhOc-Whw1eCY07WNmgdHbak-JdY8JTG7aXXy88MuoNJAOSRLamItQJWwUzdcXoHSDQcGfTR6ofO/s1600/Devinedesigns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKMLAOJjWfbblp9n_rRDP_hOVaXXa3NYUHM4FLsJ2zk2oZKFGVIISt-RDlkHzhImcgdhOc-Whw1eCY07WNmgdHbak-JdY8JTG7aXXy88MuoNJAOSRLamItQJWwUzdcXoHSDQcGfTR6ofO/s320/Devinedesigns.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Great cuff by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DevineDesignsJewelry">Devine Designs!</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aghn2fjP7564ujuC1Xc-yH6lQEl7xs6SnCJH5Bwh9WRbK3ooD4o3weYPuGqzHLlDRAxvLsG5SFnm0pdxZQoe8INk6mL94a5QZL1wWeaisPlKtZzcy9BeDpuPhQkvczhlQZSeK4GdJyE4/s1600/beadloverskorner1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aghn2fjP7564ujuC1Xc-yH6lQEl7xs6SnCJH5Bwh9WRbK3ooD4o3weYPuGqzHLlDRAxvLsG5SFnm0pdxZQoe8INk6mL94a5QZL1wWeaisPlKtZzcy9BeDpuPhQkvczhlQZSeK4GdJyE4/s320/beadloverskorner1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or a beautiful Rosary by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadloverskorner">beadloverskorner!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwth7rCEXjcZxbpo9NtfM2tsV11HCOnXEyH_cCi-pJfRLQtAV8FGTvHMb_J9NgQWfnls-RgKYyvB9xtypMeJBFg7g4VJ-BDHMA36HfSobweN4tFfZMbYTqEfMYdtzXM1I-68Picp7jPMXR/s1600/Blackwillowsoaps1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwth7rCEXjcZxbpo9NtfM2tsV11HCOnXEyH_cCi-pJfRLQtAV8FGTvHMb_J9NgQWfnls-RgKYyvB9xtypMeJBFg7g4VJ-BDHMA36HfSobweN4tFfZMbYTqEfMYdtzXM1I-68Picp7jPMXR/s320/Blackwillowsoaps1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lovely gift basket by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackWillowSoaps">Black Willow Soaps</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZmcphPKKoF7_QxH_3dghPhmc4FxwiTIy8RQJ_90GFBTj8HcZu6U3UgWo-cK2GIVafLfeeMijC1fyeOo4v27gfVOlWZy-SaOMsHmpjG_EXFfvI6Tl3Mutt5bTUG5Ii7OA44meKaNDOd2n/s1600/InYourBones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZmcphPKKoF7_QxH_3dghPhmc4FxwiTIy8RQJ_90GFBTj8HcZu6U3UgWo-cK2GIVafLfeeMijC1fyeOo4v27gfVOlWZy-SaOMsHmpjG_EXFfvI6Tl3Mutt5bTUG5Ii7OA44meKaNDOd2n/s320/InYourBones.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cute kitchen towel by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/InYourBones">InYourBones!</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a great week! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Toodles,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-70889546362944360822012-03-25T21:46:00.000-07:002012-03-25T21:46:47.803-07:00FEST Boot Camp - Week TwoWell! We’re on to week two!!! I really loved hearing about your goals and hope you feel you’re on track to get there. This week we will focus on specifics for readying your shop for Mother’s Day. With that in mind, let’s take a close look at the products in your shop.<br />
<br />
<br />
Step 1: <span style="color: red;">Make a list of all the products that you think would make great mother’s day gifts</span>. They can be from hubby, children…or from a new grandma to a new mother! Lots of possibilities! Be sure to look at your sold items…is there something there you sold that you haven’t replaced in your shop or that you could make again that would make a good gift for Mom?<br />
<br />
Step 2: <span style="color: red;">Look at your price range.</span> You should have a variety of prices. Make a list:<br />
<br />
Under $25 _____ Under $50 _____ Under $75_______ Under $100_______<br />
Noteworthy or Luxury_____. Are you short on any category? Now is the time to plan to make products that fill that price slot. What products will you make? <br />
<br />
Step 3: <span style="color: red;">Look at the products you identified in step one, then look at the tags you used for those items.</span><br />
If you completed the first two steps, step 3 will be a cinch. Have you included “Mother’s Day gift”, Gift for Mom, gift for a new mom….or any variation in your tags? If you completed step 2, you guessed it…you can use your price list to adjust your tags as well. “Under $25” will help someone with a limited budget find your item in a search, and so on. Start revising your tags now so they can be found in mother’s day searches and for treasuries of the same theme. A little at a time will make it seem not quite so daunting. <br />
<br />
And that’s it! It’s enough to keep you going all week. To make the changes in tagging easier, check out some of the apps Etsy has featured in the apps section. There are a couple that will change tags automatically by adding or deleting whatever you tell it to. Some of them are great time savers!<br />
<br />
Before I sign off, I wanted to feature a few of our team mates…I specifically chose items I think would make great gifts for mom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFNC9FmIRjywgvAxyxksfHPhNDKw_YW-QAovFqA_bGUuUktUKEYHJfuRCZSvXjhF3W-A6jLp5vxIWjFgRZx6TwTg1zU6JWMPs39gZdnb1Lfph5iXjReMNe51FYRLJmMliaRyczuKjbIS8/s1600/PennyBoperoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFNC9FmIRjywgvAxyxksfHPhNDKw_YW-QAovFqA_bGUuUktUKEYHJfuRCZSvXjhF3W-A6jLp5vxIWjFgRZx6TwTg1zU6JWMPs39gZdnb1Lfph5iXjReMNe51FYRLJmMliaRyczuKjbIS8/s320/PennyBoperoo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Who wouldn't want a hug from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PennyBoperoo">PennyBoperoo</a>??</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFkEvXIcsFUlrh4QFxRc0wOuOLxdrYbCY2xgFddOk-lcR9WjBJVkpmdChCQrGy1zsaaXzl35ZhVMmjFrcXUbHSyW3Rq_BSaBGdWh-XMguEGBAs9dKph2CVAN2kgf8S2F-vfoftW175vm1/s1600/recreationalart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFkEvXIcsFUlrh4QFxRc0wOuOLxdrYbCY2xgFddOk-lcR9WjBJVkpmdChCQrGy1zsaaXzl35ZhVMmjFrcXUbHSyW3Rq_BSaBGdWh-XMguEGBAs9dKph2CVAN2kgf8S2F-vfoftW175vm1/s320/recreationalart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">How 'bout a gorgeous ring from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RecreationalArt">RecreationalArt</a>?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDQDsjloIhgWCDDOa17NxOsRnzaL4UcwfOB_imv1vwHJFyeagqbwQ2QNBjkrkMeuO8Q8a_4mOmjvi70QJ0YaMKGpM0yB3EhDNNlzzT4CT5HhmG_CpPdktoUgTIXUBReRdz3eu6mN-uWny/s1600/madscientist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDQDsjloIhgWCDDOa17NxOsRnzaL4UcwfOB_imv1vwHJFyeagqbwQ2QNBjkrkMeuO8Q8a_4mOmjvi70QJ0YaMKGpM0yB3EhDNNlzzT4CT5HhmG_CpPdktoUgTIXUBReRdz3eu6mN-uWny/s320/madscientist.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fab earrings from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MadScientistsDesigns">MadScientist</a> are a great idea for Mom!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GpiD7jnJJK16lkNudc7utCZ_cOQzLXDiKZy6qOf5JNavxeHZfohJcKKLMz8kwA-qMMh7OEPH4lXUj8aGWex0a5iQw5V1knhJpRcRhN235mHW0NAFXzWaI5cjP861VO5diKkJpGfif3xm/s1600/beadloverskorner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GpiD7jnJJK16lkNudc7utCZ_cOQzLXDiKZy6qOf5JNavxeHZfohJcKKLMz8kwA-qMMh7OEPH4lXUj8aGWex0a5iQw5V1knhJpRcRhN235mHW0NAFXzWaI5cjP861VO5diKkJpGfif3xm/s320/beadloverskorner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Bead bracelet from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadloverskorner">Beadloverskorner</a>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">You can't go wrong with any of these choices! They're all unique in their own way!</div><div style="text-align: left;">So that's all for now!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Toodles,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-44985740426280139112012-03-20T13:33:00.000-07:002012-03-20T13:33:59.046-07:00My Try at Lampworking - Again!OK, so I've mentioned before how interested I am in lampworking. It's not so much the creation of the beads as it is the properties of the glass. What happens to it when a HOT torch hits it interests me to no end. That's how I started in metal, and it's been a never ending exploration. So...off to class I went once more. <br />
I'm priviledged to live near a great teacher and artist, Joyce Horn, who's skilled at so many things, I dare not try to list. Her forte is beadmaking and stained glass beauties, so I went to her once more. It's not that I see myself creating a ton of beads and I admit, after my last class with Joyce, I never even picked up the torch to apply it to a glass rod. Not for lack of enthusiasm, but for lack of time to venture off the metal path into something new. No practice, no results!<br />
Joyce opened her studio (and her gimongous heart) to me and Jill Bradley last week and we sure had fun. One of the things I find different from other lampwork artists is Joyce's incorporation of dichroic glass into the bead. I'm sure others do it, but in my limited exposure to watching glass beaders work, I'd never seen it done before and I really like the results.<br />
Jill and I sat for a couple of hours, after Joyce's demonstration, and attempted to make beads. Now when I say attempted, I'm referring to me. Jill, on the other hand, cranked those babies out at rapid fire speed! Don't you just hate it when someone you know - with major talent in many artistic modes, I might add - takes to something you're trying to learn like a duck to water???? Geez! And hers actually looked like beads. (I will refrain from describing mine!)<br />
After I get mine cleaned up, I'll (maybe, I think, well we'll see) post a pic or two. I will expect a lot of sympathy, though! <br />
In the mean time, here's a couple of fab beads made by Joyce. She sells them on Ebay under Joyous Creations, Inc. if you want to see more.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRBHNqt7T8DcOxQNjPRoScWWJsb40YDzoIWntliiqKVM68jYqRn1diDn7J2qyiEnHD8HXEZviwUKJuAptgD08TpEkrVZy2SBetNYwFs6k8x9eAuaeSNlitw5kitnNE1bJsd9lUzw-DoC7/s1600/$(KGrHqRHJ!wE8+wMdwziBPZTmyg)iw~~60_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRBHNqt7T8DcOxQNjPRoScWWJsb40YDzoIWntliiqKVM68jYqRn1diDn7J2qyiEnHD8HXEZviwUKJuAptgD08TpEkrVZy2SBetNYwFs6k8x9eAuaeSNlitw5kitnNE1bJsd9lUzw-DoC7/s320/$(KGrHqRHJ!wE8+wMdwziBPZTmyg)iw~~60_12.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvxLN4Ro9hHI5nBqKYRsOvQ5fF6GgFLDvoHxcETHf04XOJQeM7NP7Jy61rTDi8KYmtiOH41V0ejyyKLq_bC0ia27DI4_38cLr5bUlmo8FoDgJzqodtjbxgf5wCTrqpGY3OtbzayKfAyRp/s1600/$(KGrHqVHJB8E9!iG,t3,BPZTpheKL!~~60_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvxLN4Ro9hHI5nBqKYRsOvQ5fF6GgFLDvoHxcETHf04XOJQeM7NP7Jy61rTDi8KYmtiOH41V0ejyyKLq_bC0ia27DI4_38cLr5bUlmo8FoDgJzqodtjbxgf5wCTrqpGY3OtbzayKfAyRp/s320/$(KGrHqVHJB8E9!iG,t3,BPZTpheKL!~~60_12.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><br />
Beautiful!<br />
Well, that's my latest news....<br />
Toodles,Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-36078407552314433992012-03-18T21:21:00.000-07:002012-03-18T21:21:23.317-07:00FEST Boot Camp is On!Woo Hoo! Today is the day! If you signed up for the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/10586/festive-bootcamp?ref=pr_teams">Florida Etsy Street Team Boot Camp</a>, you’ve been waiting for this! I know I have and I’m rarin’ to get started!<br />
<br />
<br />
This is YOUR boot camp! Do as little or as much as you think you can or have time for. The more you do, the better prepared you will be for Mother’s Day – our ultimate goal. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eq5nZOjQz_vRSE3odkRTxoCdGIXkE8dPs9xrTY1JbyZRDCpgVpyUPu-Z66DohiQ2CAAe9ZIfpyAFVpmslJHDMeDeXmZNRBCXm7NRRW31PuH0XR2ioyOArdp4joOcbHl6rMGQv9tQxNiZ/s1600/il_fullxfull_317536291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eq5nZOjQz_vRSE3odkRTxoCdGIXkE8dPs9xrTY1JbyZRDCpgVpyUPu-Z66DohiQ2CAAe9ZIfpyAFVpmslJHDMeDeXmZNRBCXm7NRRW31PuH0XR2ioyOArdp4joOcbHl6rMGQv9tQxNiZ/s320/il_fullxfull_317536291.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/FromBeths?ref=seller_info">(FromBeths on Etsy)</a></div><br />
Though I originally thought I’d take the easy way and follow Etsy’s Holiday Boot Camp steps, I’ve decided that we’re all too busy for long lists of “to do’s” so you’re getting my version. Feel free to chime in here with suggestions….I’m very open to ideas other than my own!<br />
<br />
So, let's get started!<br />
<br />
Step 1: <span style="color: red;">Cle</span><span style="color: red;">arly define your goals</span>. What do you want to accomplish? Write it down and share it with us, if you want. Here’s mine: I have always wanted to have a mailing list so I could send out news of specials for the holidays. I need to make a plan to do this. But I’d like to have a list started by Mother’s Day. So when you define your goal, think about what it’s going to take to accomplish it. Maybe you have a financial goal, or a sales number in mind. Maybe you want to improve your photography. If you share your goal with the rest of us, we might have some suggestions on how to get there!<br />
<br />
Step 2: <span style="color: red;">Make a budget for time and money</span>. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Think of renewing and relisting as well as new listings. It will help you if you set up a plan that includes how much you want to spend each week for these things, and how much time you want to spend doing it. You may want to take advantage of Etsy’s ad program or use google ad words or Facebook Ads. All are viable options, and if you want to get noticed, you need to get customers from outside Etsy. There are plenty of free ones – like using your social networking (twitter, facebook, flickr, etc). Here’s how I’m doing it: I allow $30 a month on advertising. That’s all, no more. If I break that down, it’s $5.00 a week. It’ll come back to me with one sale, so it’s worth it. I plan to spend one hour a day listing a new item or renewing, then on to twitter and facebook to post something. One hour per day on line is enough for me. I can get carried away and spend several hours on the computer which means less time in the studio. Fun but not good! I want lots of new items to list for Mother’s Day, so I need to work! This plan may not work for you, it’s just an example to get you started. Your financial goals should include how much you want to make in a defined period. Example: $250 a week for the two weeks prior to Mother’s Day. What will it take to make that? More listings? More exposure? Think about it.<br />
<br />
If you complete these two tasks this week, you’ll be off to a good start. Next week we’ll expand on the plan. Last time FEST did this boot camp, you were to pick a buddy. It’s not required, but if you can find a buddy to work with, I highly recommend it. It’s nice to have someone as a sounding board, but that’s just one more option to help you work your plan. If you have any questions, feel free to contact <a href="http://www.cyndiesmithdesigns.etsy.com/">me.</a> Most important: have fun!<br />
<br />
Toodles,Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-69233019194918472842012-03-12T07:31:00.000-07:002012-03-12T07:31:15.461-07:00FEST Boot CampWell, for those of you with Etsy Shops, you know that Mother's Day is a big day. Sales and views leading up to it are usually very good. However, we on the Florida Etsy Street Team are going to do what we can to increase our visibility by implementing Boot Camp.<br />
<br />
Etsy introduced their Holiday Boot Camp last year, so we're adopting and adapting! Each week the tasks will be posted here along with any forms necessary. If you're not a member of FEST, that's ok! I invite you to participate anyway! If you're from Florida, with an Etsy shop, you can join FEST by going to: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5263/florida-etsy-street-team">http://www.etsy.com/teams/5263/florida-etsy-street-team</a> and signing up. If you're already a member of FEST, you can sign up for the boot camp here: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/10586/festive-bootcamp">http://www.etsy.com/teams/10586/festive-bootcamp</a>. Come one, come all!<br />
<br />
Boot camp will start on March 19th. I will also be featuring a member each week, talking about how they accomplished the tasks at hand, along with some of his/her yummy designs from their shop. <br />
So stay tuned!<br />
<br />
Toodles,Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-41544924817302792172012-02-07T08:25:00.000-08:002012-02-07T08:25:44.002-08:00The Oops Opportunity (or how to turn your mistakes into something unique)The other day, while showing off one of my finished pieces to my husband, he said "I just don't know how you have the patience to do this. I would make so many mistakes!"<br />
<br />
Mistakes???? Moi???? Ha ha ha! Of course I make mistakes - plenty of them, in fact. You name it - burn it, melt it, break it, I've done it all! But it brings to mind something one of my instructors, often said to our class, "Turn your mistakes into a creative opportunity!" OK, sometimes it's just gone....but many times it does present itself as a ceative opportunity. I've had a lot of fun figuring out what to do with that burned hole in the middle of my cuff....or the wire embellishment that wasn't meant to be melted in half. <br />
<br />
For those of us who create - opportunities often present themselves in strange ways. But we wouldn't continue to try if we didn't really love what we do....we'd just give up everytime we made a mistake and that would be sad. <br />
<br />
Here's an example of a mistake that gave me pause. While trying to use the torch to get an organic appearing texture, I applied too much heat in one spot and burned a hole right through it. What to do, I thought???? Well, after putting it aside for a few days, I went back to it with a new perspective...and here's what happened.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ucCvX06QGqwtlj0Dbaxh2OQkNs5HnRRcw8PIfmQQLxs6w9C8cRRs_BY_oOOJHzWzFR6Az30GYYu_lhnnKMfTSMzMgurpfeaWd7Fz0gDUHTmkLEdIsCcEgZ25mBPJwpHKMt_jUbf4b8cM/s1600/eruption.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ucCvX06QGqwtlj0Dbaxh2OQkNs5HnRRcw8PIfmQQLxs6w9C8cRRs_BY_oOOJHzWzFR6Az30GYYu_lhnnKMfTSMzMgurpfeaWd7Fz0gDUHTmkLEdIsCcEgZ25mBPJwpHKMt_jUbf4b8cM/s320/eruption.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I definitely had the texture I was going for, so I added the hammered copper wires, protruding from the hole and oxidized it to bring out that molten lava look and aptly named it "Eruption". I liked the way it turned out and put it in my <a href="http://www.cyndiesmithdesigns.etsy.com/">Etsy </a>shop - and it sold right away. Obviously I will not be able to recreate it, but it's a good example of using an Oops opportunity! <br />
<br />
So don't give up when you make a mistake....put it aside and go back to it later. You'll be surprised at what you might think of!<br />
<br />
Happy creating...<br />
ToodlesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-11438277753160035302012-01-06T08:37:00.000-08:002012-01-06T08:37:56.207-08:002012 FEST January Giveaway!Ring in the New Year with a Special Treat from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWoodenBee?ref=ss_profile">The WoodenBee</a> for our January FEST Blog Giveaway. Bee started it all with a love for the environment and partnered with Busby Cabinets recycling pieces of wood and other materials to make her wonderful art and product lines.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjFn2Suk9VpuYEbZFYmYITnTFVVRnD_SmFxN7XIal2uqY0v3stm5nT7_VySZca5Wk28U5FE-IiTLz2dPDKQBD2vyD3oufqUCv50jMCramWJDOF0geri-QEFPztPxj5oKt9aYwmMC2teXx/s1600/January_Giveaway1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjFn2Suk9VpuYEbZFYmYITnTFVVRnD_SmFxN7XIal2uqY0v3stm5nT7_VySZca5Wk28U5FE-IiTLz2dPDKQBD2vyD3oufqUCv50jMCramWJDOF0geri-QEFPztPxj5oKt9aYwmMC2teXx/s320/January_Giveaway1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We are delighted to offer, as this month's Giveaway, the beautifully fashioned Wall Hanger seen above. It's made from reclaimed cherry wood with a merlot brown stain and would be perfect for organizing keys, necklaces, belts, pet leashes, aprons and much, much more<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4qauUX7QGXD5GXMdlYNt5WktUDsed_V9KfXd58refgyB9eo-Wqrv4xS7F7oyw7PBTbKUlJv2JRMYVRVyTFPP-xoDIj2Haw_fpmdotgC2_QgTaxd_kC3zTA1Y459YCvfxAUxss_W99VCN/s1600/January_Giveawaya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4qauUX7QGXD5GXMdlYNt5WktUDsed_V9KfXd58refgyB9eo-Wqrv4xS7F7oyw7PBTbKUlJv2JRMYVRVyTFPP-xoDIj2Haw_fpmdotgC2_QgTaxd_kC3zTA1Y459YCvfxAUxss_W99VCN/s320/January_Giveawaya.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Each item is one of a kind and requires "following the wood" to unlock the beauty within and create masterfully finished products, giving reclaimed materials new life. You will find Wall Art, Bulletin Boards, DYI Wine Cork Kits, Mirrors with Hangers and a myriad of interesting finds in<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWoodenBee?ref=ss_profile"> Bee's Etsy Shop.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSV_fqAd9BG03cCS1iRJSf-sO34tZhY_QV_jx3zu9BT1XyjLp-WQGZZ4kecf__-rFIJTGe5ZxFYcrjLccNoLKt4i8XpHFzeco6nKsWWdbWv5sesEenAoQbtOQ2nrInUVUsuu54KfvADBkl/s1600/January_Giveawayb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSV_fqAd9BG03cCS1iRJSf-sO34tZhY_QV_jx3zu9BT1XyjLp-WQGZZ4kecf__-rFIJTGe5ZxFYcrjLccNoLKt4i8XpHFzeco6nKsWWdbWv5sesEenAoQbtOQ2nrInUVUsuu54KfvADBkl/s320/January_Giveawayb.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><br />
You can visit Bee at her Etsy Store to see more of her unique and original wares at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWoodenBee?ref=ss_profile">The WoodenBee</a> . Find the perfect item for your home and save the environment too.<br />
<br />
<br />
HOW TO ENTER: Enter to win this versatile Wall Hanger by visiting <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWoodenBee?ref=ss_profile">The WoodenBee</a> or any of the FEST member shops listed on the top of our <a href="http://www.etsyfest.blogspot.com/">Blog Page</a>. Find your favorite item, share it with us and tell us why you love it. Remember to add your email address or contact info so we can contact you if you are the Winner! Winner picked on 02/05/12. Simple and Easy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-36378717165489462662011-12-29T12:30:00.000-08:002011-12-29T12:30:25.049-08:00December is Almost Over!Well, this month has been one hustle! Very little studio time, unfortunately, so I have nothing new to show you, though there are several new style rings in the works. <br />
<br />
What I have done is reconnect with friends from all over...party....eat....drink....eat....did I mention eat???<br />
<br />
First up was the opening of the <a href="http://alteredminds-npr.blogspot.com/">Altered Minds</a> Christmas Shoppe at the Progress Energy Gallery. We do this every year, and it's always a great time. Most of the Altered Minds gals offer up items that they've been working on all year. It's a glorious collection of arts and crafts. We started earlier this month - just after Thanksgiving to allow the good folks of New Port Richey enough time to do their Christmas shopping. And of course we started with a party!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfWmtqfJ_uYvJkOjPH1nWaMfKbPPUh4UegkJ_YMG-buB3lZB0JUu0tpH7J8_obCZOnnAbcQB3Yzqsufc_FdWKdQ4a6ZY6xLDMgywv1unAQH9kEgxPrv_uUmXVv3ikrZyIIyiX54brouC3/s1600/IMGP1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfWmtqfJ_uYvJkOjPH1nWaMfKbPPUh4UegkJ_YMG-buB3lZB0JUu0tpH7J8_obCZOnnAbcQB3Yzqsufc_FdWKdQ4a6ZY6xLDMgywv1unAQH9kEgxPrv_uUmXVv3ikrZyIIyiX54brouC3/s320/IMGP1374.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the gang!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3eC-o2llso8MopOExRDvKpl1QzXMZY38GbI3ZZLoIj_uV7pCSSJTFKe18uc6TsFrlPUI55yQ8q7iWMkkyWDAMEjznXYqjzrjUa4lX7ywum2_Y9LzWxxv7G_R_RAeiClsObXv8EftnzF1/s1600/dolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3eC-o2llso8MopOExRDvKpl1QzXMZY38GbI3ZZLoIj_uV7pCSSJTFKe18uc6TsFrlPUI55yQ8q7iWMkkyWDAMEjznXYqjzrjUa4lX7ywum2_Y9LzWxxv7G_R_RAeiClsObXv8EftnzF1/s320/dolls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Great kids gifts!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbpX0g2QQ047o01BAdjxVAmE4tiazyF5TBgtSLu_VHeaDWW2eiAYpGA_tzUhdtwHI_Q2kBuB_SnkBOgON-Qp5kU-uXin8BGNE-wFfN5eB0gCkMY_pJ1U97R2b_JrDriqx1JDM_jug3bIu/s1600/theweaver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbpX0g2QQ047o01BAdjxVAmE4tiazyF5TBgtSLu_VHeaDWW2eiAYpGA_tzUhdtwHI_Q2kBuB_SnkBOgON-Qp5kU-uXin8BGNE-wFfN5eB0gCkMY_pJ1U97R2b_JrDriqx1JDM_jug3bIu/s320/theweaver.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ila demonstration her spinning wheel technique! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjC64sJ-BXObcLofKvFpqyj37kxBgQrrSpM2Udz59Pfpju5gJFq34fWxVHjKFd9RGlrC9qUhDGGkFWueoth5ycfQQnwXlgkTni7Ya3lBffV2OubVc-_-t1oRdavO41YkWThvs4D9As4ej/s1600/IMGP1382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjC64sJ-BXObcLofKvFpqyj37kxBgQrrSpM2Udz59Pfpju5gJFq34fWxVHjKFd9RGlrC9qUhDGGkFWueoth5ycfQQnwXlgkTni7Ya3lBffV2OubVc-_-t1oRdavO41YkWThvs4D9As4ej/s320/IMGP1382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dolls by Diane</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK24JOS9kgnhG9hzsC26hqw9DRjt3Y3dV0YSzID1XM3CeNydc7HfcFkmyQYPETbcDw4pHchHucleENtg30MLjyZaYVypctvPGtg0KKRWGC4CTOpIBaDhmcbr3YGu7ZBYLof1FAGaFM8AD7/s1600/food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK24JOS9kgnhG9hzsC26hqw9DRjt3Y3dV0YSzID1XM3CeNydc7HfcFkmyQYPETbcDw4pHchHucleENtg30MLjyZaYVypctvPGtg0KKRWGC4CTOpIBaDhmcbr3YGu7ZBYLof1FAGaFM8AD7/s320/food.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And lots of food! (Thanks Audrey!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I inventoried and packed up the last of what was left yesterday. Kinda sad, but Christmas comes again next year, and I'm sure we'll all be there. It's something we look forward to every year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next on the agenda was the <a href="http://alteredminds-npr.blogspot.com/">Altered Minds</a> Christmas party. This year the party was hosted by Jill Marcus, at her wonderful home on the river. Everyone brought food to pass....did I mention we ate?....and a great time was had by all. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIjSRCTFK2ypex8Cxi91uOW_wawNB-onMDbxEnZIiRvBgwBlTIUzNU6cJFyM3NyLZOtd31YXtAuEV6XCgeZ2cB-bvfhDhHlYcgWdH8IbH8DM6VwpJPZqZG1hKciYXp1ZnjRZIJ29aKdcW/s1600/amparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIjSRCTFK2ypex8Cxi91uOW_wawNB-onMDbxEnZIiRvBgwBlTIUzNU6cJFyM3NyLZOtd31YXtAuEV6XCgeZ2cB-bvfhDhHlYcgWdH8IbH8DM6VwpJPZqZG1hKciYXp1ZnjRZIJ29aKdcW/s320/amparty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ellen, Audrey and Betty</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4CbOFVfBux9E2fQlkwyISj8ar16fe6AtSyCw7tJuqqG7fBpMAMajohFyGBJKB3A87dXi7mlXSH396hV_-wEaPWsA6pGlRWG1rB0sQISYaLLvGjLlLzyRzh6HVAlfgxEln1u65-l6qpem/s1600/jill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4CbOFVfBux9E2fQlkwyISj8ar16fe6AtSyCw7tJuqqG7fBpMAMajohFyGBJKB3A87dXi7mlXSH396hV_-wEaPWsA6pGlRWG1rB0sQISYaLLvGjLlLzyRzh6HVAlfgxEln1u65-l6qpem/s320/jill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our wonderfull hostess, Jill</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGNyRNPkNSnI6mwR-bcN2x6Kwh9dPZD4oCdZKBDwqEiDBrGfzNX1Eza_PZ9W7F49XH88z7FFj1oGX-mJ-88bvrTgQ9uaS_K9T8GzWergSpn114oB7j_2Y-9oasncWlg8ie3mUcqizViut/s1600/food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGNyRNPkNSnI6mwR-bcN2x6Kwh9dPZD4oCdZKBDwqEiDBrGfzNX1Eza_PZ9W7F49XH88z7FFj1oGX-mJ-88bvrTgQ9uaS_K9T8GzWergSpn114oB7j_2Y-9oasncWlg8ie3mUcqizViut/s320/food.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Um, did I mention the food?</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a wonderful luncheon, in a gorgeous setting on the water....great friends, beautiful weather. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks Jill!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I think this is long enough, so I'll continue with the month's activities in the next post. Wishing you all a Happy Holiday!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Toodles,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-9820318198789748872011-12-12T21:36:00.000-08:002011-12-12T21:36:24.329-08:00FEST Holiday Blog Give Away!We are delighted to feature as our Happy Holidays Giveaway three colorful and fun polymer clay sculptures from Kathy of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SmallThingsClay">SmallThingsClay</a>. Kathy creates fanciful clay sculptures of frogs, toads, lizards, crabs and all things whimsical from the sea and sand. She utilizes glass beads, colored wires, found shells and other items to produce unique and happy figures sure to bring a smile.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEQLugIgjzD2teQf3NYzAq19wkUN4qYmXOb90xpsz6LKFcIW_3IPupc-J5pCgnnfNksfMEj7cfkAmAxZSwpWFhNzJgEeHftuXwTiML9WCifdj02LnMAL0k0B9DXX_IRYpWlWMHaWLuBOp/s1600/December_2011_Giveaway1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEQLugIgjzD2teQf3NYzAq19wkUN4qYmXOb90xpsz6LKFcIW_3IPupc-J5pCgnnfNksfMEj7cfkAmAxZSwpWFhNzJgEeHftuXwTiML9WCifdj02LnMAL0k0B9DXX_IRYpWlWMHaWLuBOp/s320/December_2011_Giveaway1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Kathy is providing a set of three of her wall hanging Nubibranches from her Epicenter Gene Pool Series as our December Giveaway, two of which are pictured. Each one of a kind Gene Pool is created with polymer clay, fired to specifications, painted in the best acrylics and sealed for UV protection. A swipe of a soft damp rag is all you need on cleaning day. They are durable enough to gift to a child and also perfect for adults<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLlMaHXP_zfDLog_Er14UfDccRxpm7kgNcQ8r9wTZXL9AkY3BVnPSd9v68f5EgcyS25i1yRehDVCp1Vc1HEwDoawoqdnSVzsLGbDbRaTURCBI6SwtrCG_t7YGnf9P1lgpnoZXvOIUMvbA/s1600/December_2011a_Giveaway2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLlMaHXP_zfDLog_Er14UfDccRxpm7kgNcQ8r9wTZXL9AkY3BVnPSd9v68f5EgcyS25i1yRehDVCp1Vc1HEwDoawoqdnSVzsLGbDbRaTURCBI6SwtrCG_t7YGnf9P1lgpnoZXvOIUMvbA/s320/December_2011a_Giveaway2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As a sponsor of the Florida Parrot Rescue, Kathy donates $5 to the FPR for every item she sells and helps in the effort to rescue, rehab and rehome Companion Birds throughout the State of Florida. Below is another of her creative figurines.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtusHjizzpLxrfwp-b1Yd29fTpx3Rqvfww5k1jPMFtgqaggNYtgTzkxXkSBwr1vsXRWBpQdbMvOJNLlRJVHaa9muVmk4bbZUgAHkPEOXuep6Oi85GqA1tJXcqCBzpHRnzMmQCqWw2gEaNS/s1600/December_2011b_Giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtusHjizzpLxrfwp-b1Yd29fTpx3Rqvfww5k1jPMFtgqaggNYtgTzkxXkSBwr1vsXRWBpQdbMvOJNLlRJVHaa9muVmk4bbZUgAHkPEOXuep6Oi85GqA1tJXcqCBzpHRnzMmQCqWw2gEaNS/s320/December_2011b_Giveaway.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
You can visit Kathy at her Etsy Store to see more of her clever creations at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/SmallThingsClay"><span style="color: #5c8fb5;">SmallThingsClay</span></a>. HOW TO ENTER: Enter to win the Nubibranch Set by visiting <a href="http://http//www.etsy.com/people/SmallThingsClay"><span style="color: #5c8fb5;">SmallThingsClay</span></a> or any of the FEST members listed on the top of our<a href="http://www.etsyfest.blogspot.com/"> Blog</a> Page. Find your favorite item, share it with us and tell us why you love it. Remember to add your email address or contact info so we can contact you if you are the Winner! Winner picked on 01/10/12. Simple and Easy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-86333088270085610182011-11-14T20:45:00.000-08:002011-11-14T20:45:56.451-08:00November Giveaway!It's Giveaway Time Again!!!<br />
We are so delighted to have our November FEST Giveaway sponsored by Cory of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/aquarianbath">Aquarian Bath</a> from Daytona Beach. Cory is a herbalist who makes wonderful and delicious natural soaps, specialty salves and natural perfumes and grows her own herbs for her organic products.<br />
<br />
<br />
Cory is getting us ready for the Holidays with her wonderful Christmas Gingerbread Man Soap on a Rope Ornament of Ginger, Cinnamon, Clove and Essential Oils.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPtUTNpP5Ge3jCdxX61wD_gA8tJJQhBd636qwMCJCPIWR_EHmAhcpfeGcEKO-OLj6kNknaxyH0C5klNFMGNE99cFL_jLjWd5ZBXhjACVbN6fNxsm7mPb_02PKH-B8aZMBb2wtigbkmIYa/s1600/gingerbread+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPtUTNpP5Ge3jCdxX61wD_gA8tJJQhBd636qwMCJCPIWR_EHmAhcpfeGcEKO-OLj6kNknaxyH0C5klNFMGNE99cFL_jLjWd5ZBXhjACVbN6fNxsm7mPb_02PKH-B8aZMBb2wtigbkmIYa/s320/gingerbread+man.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Her veggie soaps are hand cut and strung with natural hemp. Gingerbread men soaps are a great gift for co-workers, family or friends. Cold-process soap and Orangutan friendly; no palm oils are included.<br />
<br />
All of Cory's items, such as those pictured below, are made from scratch and formulated by her and are either unscented or lightly scented with pure essential oils<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VwgmHlwBQ3MAjC4SsogR-Z93iiVg66ftBgeE-WKgvcoIiCUCK4shl1_YHx_5vA-QlDmorOdFfmkzPXUNb2bezRBn9zwvsYsUFWfWAuzgnY1HYnNolw_xeMk4xqKsRw7yLPMShfrjNtPt/s1600/soaps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VwgmHlwBQ3MAjC4SsogR-Z93iiVg66ftBgeE-WKgvcoIiCUCK4shl1_YHx_5vA-QlDmorOdFfmkzPXUNb2bezRBn9zwvsYsUFWfWAuzgnY1HYnNolw_xeMk4xqKsRw7yLPMShfrjNtPt/s320/soaps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
HOW TO ENTER: Enter to win this darling Gingerbread Man by visiting <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/aquarianbath">AquarianBath</a> at her Etsy Shop or any of the FEST members listed on the top of our<a href="http://www.etsyfest.blogspot.com/"> Blog Page</a>. Find your favorite item, share it with us and tell us why you love it. Remember to add your email address or contact info so we can contact you if you are the Winner! Winner picked on 12/10/11. Simple and Easy! <br />
<br />
Toodles,Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827582943947789384.post-67589886729765629422011-08-24T11:44:00.000-07:002011-08-24T11:44:55.359-07:00Forms and Shapes to Inspire you!I talk a lot about what gives me inspiration so I thought I'd share some photos of shapes that just might inspire you. My inspirations so often come from the things I see around me - architecture, sculptures, nature- and I'm wondering where all of you get yours. <br />
<br />
Do you carry a camera around with you (or cell phone with a camera) everywhere you go? I do! Nothing is safe nor sacred! My family has threatened me with bodily harm if I dare share some I've taken of them....so I'll stay on a safe subject here! Forms and shapes!<br />
<br />
Here's what I'd like to see.....no matter what type of art you create, take a look at these pictures to see if any inspire you. Then create a little something and send a pic to me. I'll post it here. In fact, I'd love to interview you about your piece and what inspired it for this blog. I'll be nice, I promise. But I'm challenging you to stretch a little and use one of these pics! Fair 'nuff?<br />
<br />
OK, here goes!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6f_GA85xZiUx4Ig-eMtin7Di-dt_aodoPzm4vyOFfhByEVoDKCLbM72XExqFBxAftz_NBY9R6YQD36INnHj1webphRht2vAgKZowhyphenhyphenBHXgqlIFQ2V2NZOGsQxeii7Nt75RePtK7u8ZzyV/s1600/cascade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6f_GA85xZiUx4Ig-eMtin7Di-dt_aodoPzm4vyOFfhByEVoDKCLbM72XExqFBxAftz_NBY9R6YQD36INnHj1webphRht2vAgKZowhyphenhyphenBHXgqlIFQ2V2NZOGsQxeii7Nt75RePtK7u8ZzyV/s320/cascade.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No, these are not bowling balls!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTxC-Yp4UueUOKIbtETwkq21iUI5JyfbZB31KliBa6phXQTVjU4htGAieXhVzMroX-ESQkN6BoXEnJbhNlR2jAvGGTxqIM3GAVNgmsHDjR7TQA_ZVnDT3SQhyBuaPWtZicCWY10RGaFTz/s1600/piano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTxC-Yp4UueUOKIbtETwkq21iUI5JyfbZB31KliBa6phXQTVjU4htGAieXhVzMroX-ESQkN6BoXEnJbhNlR2jAvGGTxqIM3GAVNgmsHDjR7TQA_ZVnDT3SQhyBuaPWtZicCWY10RGaFTz/s320/piano.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is the inside of a very old Steinway Piano I saw at the BMW museum in Munich!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYeKrKIbbpZbut4sHSkErMP7E1jMt2lQZU3D_PlW2bx-4CJ9DG9RCTn3fNhzyoH_3phtNxiYyumeAKs31hJPYHttmQN_cCWqUjIZ7E6lSVk45avE3QgooZtXXlsz1Yxrz6d34AgNDdnH6L/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYeKrKIbbpZbut4sHSkErMP7E1jMt2lQZU3D_PlW2bx-4CJ9DG9RCTn3fNhzyoH_3phtNxiYyumeAKs31hJPYHttmQN_cCWqUjIZ7E6lSVk45avE3QgooZtXXlsz1Yxrz6d34AgNDdnH6L/s320/tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A tree in Romania</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg263Vfd8JvnoOCp0OBIjoxb0Eb8BzpjKlAeCDrUGef0NRjGJf1g5eEZlc7dRfgzbWkPBKG6Sl4ao900qzgqB7WIZJsaBBETuysibCZ7ztP_IbjodQPJgiU_rjXW6yKTxMzcoIUM6lUoy0d/s1600/fence1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg263Vfd8JvnoOCp0OBIjoxb0Eb8BzpjKlAeCDrUGef0NRjGJf1g5eEZlc7dRfgzbWkPBKG6Sl4ao900qzgqB7WIZJsaBBETuysibCZ7ztP_IbjodQPJgiU_rjXW6yKTxMzcoIUM6lUoy0d/s320/fence1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ornate Gate from Eastern Europe somewhere! I can't remember! (memory is the first to go!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUth3i2i3DNkjy5FN5nPI2IbkhECQ4B8vfFt1TlrhFqfgnO9YeqLxiU2Uy5OOrczKIo53s7wSGlpDE6KNldp8VhDmavhepzaTBsnvX5SZyp0Mfl2bX1zKYYx_vPq8cRyfYXPS1zw2WOBg7/s1600/german.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUth3i2i3DNkjy5FN5nPI2IbkhECQ4B8vfFt1TlrhFqfgnO9YeqLxiU2Uy5OOrczKIo53s7wSGlpDE6KNldp8VhDmavhepzaTBsnvX5SZyp0Mfl2bX1zKYYx_vPq8cRyfYXPS1zw2WOBg7/s320/german.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a sign above a store!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">Ok, so there you go! Show me what you can do!</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;">Toodles,</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0