Want to get awesome deals on jewelry from my etsy shop, AnotherUse?
Vote for me on Heartsy!
Thanks for looking and voting!
Stephanie
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Vote on Heartsy Deals: Day 6
Hi dearies!
Want to get awesome deals on jewelry from my etsy shop, AnotherUse?
Vote for me on Heartsy!
Want to get awesome deals on jewelry from my etsy shop, AnotherUse?
Vote for me on Heartsy!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Upcycled Finds: Day 5
Hi dearies!
I recently found a store, HotGlueHangover, I really like because it is funky and she includes upcycled items. Check out her shop!
When did you open Isabellaphenix?
So I just opened this new shop HotGlueHangover (transferring from isabellaphenix) and I opened it May 19th, 2011 (it's a girl!) My old shop was opened March 19th, 2011.
How long have you been making art?
I have been making art for as long as I can remember, maybe because it was free and kept me out of trouble. In fact the last time my husband and I went home to my parents house he got the joy of seeing my fabulous 1996 Olympics Scrapbook...It was pretty incredible.
When did you start reusing components in your artwork?
I love the idea of reusing what is already beautiful and already available. Being a history teacher there is something about the history of old jewelry or fabrics that is just so interesting to me! it's not just a brooch anymore it may have been someone's wedding piece or someone's favorite shirt. The possibilities are endless.
What do you find hardest about running your own store?
The hardest thing about running my own store is that unfortunately Angelina Jolie will not adopt me and let me just craft all day. Multitasking is hard and being creative and "crafty" is not really how I feel everyday. It's about finding the balance between doing what you love and staying on top of your game.
What do you love most about running your own store?
What I love most about running my store is the networking. i love being inspired by other people's work and seeing the new ideas pop up on my newsfeed. It makes me push the boundaries of what I was originally thinking or would be inclined to do. Plus custom orders are always fun! Its like a puzzle - trying to find the perfect mix of your style and their ideas. Plus growing up it was a family rule to never leave a puzzle unfinished so I basically think about custom orders day and night until they are done.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
I would say my biggest accomplishment in terms of crafting would be finally taking that step to do what i really enjoy. I love teaching, even though their hormones drive me crazy, but what I tell them everyday is to make a goal and go for it. What kind of educator would i be if I didn't follow my own words. It's mighty scary to start your own shop but i've found that Etsy provides you with such a support team that once you get connected you really don't feel alone. It has not been easy and very time consuming but there is something about putting your heart and soul into something and it being recognized that really there are no words for. You like me, you like me, you really like me!
What advice can you give others about making and selling their artwork?
I would gives these words of advice for future sellers on Etsy:
a. Pick a catchy shop name that people will remember - watch your spelling (made that mistake the first time =)
b. Coupons and discounts - think of why YOU would shop somewhere.
c. GET CONNECTED - join circles and teams - support your friends and they will support you!
d. Make Treasuries - It's FREE advertising, plus it opens your eyes to new shops, circles, and items that will push you to be better.
e. Customer Service - always thank for inclusion in treasuries, messages, circles, teams, etc. Customers remember if your nice.
f. Be Creative when you can fully be creative. What I mean by that is don't force something. I can tell when I made something to just make it and then when I made something because i really wanted to. If you are no enjoying it or it is not "speaking" your vision you need to find something else to make / do.
- Natalie (HotGlueHangover)
Thanks Natalie and everyone else!
Stephanie
I recently found a store, HotGlueHangover, I really like because it is funky and she includes upcycled items. Check out her shop!
When did you open Isabellaphenix?
So I just opened this new shop HotGlueHangover (transferring from isabellaphenix) and I opened it May 19th, 2011 (it's a girl!) My old shop was opened March 19th, 2011.
How long have you been making art?
I have been making art for as long as I can remember, maybe because it was free and kept me out of trouble. In fact the last time my husband and I went home to my parents house he got the joy of seeing my fabulous 1996 Olympics Scrapbook...It was pretty incredible.
When did you start reusing components in your artwork?
I love the idea of reusing what is already beautiful and already available. Being a history teacher there is something about the history of old jewelry or fabrics that is just so interesting to me! it's not just a brooch anymore it may have been someone's wedding piece or someone's favorite shirt. The possibilities are endless.
What do you find hardest about running your own store?
The hardest thing about running my own store is that unfortunately Angelina Jolie will not adopt me and let me just craft all day. Multitasking is hard and being creative and "crafty" is not really how I feel everyday. It's about finding the balance between doing what you love and staying on top of your game.
What do you love most about running your own store?
What I love most about running my store is the networking. i love being inspired by other people's work and seeing the new ideas pop up on my newsfeed. It makes me push the boundaries of what I was originally thinking or would be inclined to do. Plus custom orders are always fun! Its like a puzzle - trying to find the perfect mix of your style and their ideas. Plus growing up it was a family rule to never leave a puzzle unfinished so I basically think about custom orders day and night until they are done.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
I would say my biggest accomplishment in terms of crafting would be finally taking that step to do what i really enjoy. I love teaching, even though their hormones drive me crazy, but what I tell them everyday is to make a goal and go for it. What kind of educator would i be if I didn't follow my own words. It's mighty scary to start your own shop but i've found that Etsy provides you with such a support team that once you get connected you really don't feel alone. It has not been easy and very time consuming but there is something about putting your heart and soul into something and it being recognized that really there are no words for. You like me, you like me, you really like me!
What advice can you give others about making and selling their artwork?
I would gives these words of advice for future sellers on Etsy:
a. Pick a catchy shop name that people will remember - watch your spelling (made that mistake the first time =)
b. Coupons and discounts - think of why YOU would shop somewhere.
c. GET CONNECTED - join circles and teams - support your friends and they will support you!
d. Make Treasuries - It's FREE advertising, plus it opens your eyes to new shops, circles, and items that will push you to be better.
e. Customer Service - always thank for inclusion in treasuries, messages, circles, teams, etc. Customers remember if your nice.
f. Be Creative when you can fully be creative. What I mean by that is don't force something. I can tell when I made something to just make it and then when I made something because i really wanted to. If you are no enjoying it or it is not "speaking" your vision you need to find something else to make / do.
- Natalie (HotGlueHangover)
Thanks Natalie and everyone else!
Stephanie
Rapids and Rhythm Festival May 21: Day 4
Hi dearies!
Tomorrow is the Rapids and Rhythm Festival in Pagosa Springs, CO. It has been a couple of weeks since I was able to setup and sell my artwork with Jen. Now we are back at it, with a little rocky start. The event is from 10am-6pm. From the looks of the forecast, we should have the sun I was hoping for. After all of the clouds and rain this week, I am looking forward to a little sun.
There will also be the San Juan River Rod Run Car Show. This time of year the town is flooded with over 100 cars. The town is buzzing this time of year, and a great way to check out Pagosa Springs.
Hope to see a wonderful crowd!
Thanks!
Stephanie
Tomorrow is the Rapids and Rhythm Festival in Pagosa Springs, CO. It has been a couple of weeks since I was able to setup and sell my artwork with Jen. Now we are back at it, with a little rocky start. The event is from 10am-6pm. From the looks of the forecast, we should have the sun I was hoping for. After all of the clouds and rain this week, I am looking forward to a little sun.
There will also be the San Juan River Rod Run Car Show. This time of year the town is flooded with over 100 cars. The town is buzzing this time of year, and a great way to check out Pagosa Springs.
Hope to see a wonderful crowd!
Thanks!
Stephanie
Vintage Inspired Betty Boop Steampunk Necklace: Day 4
Hi dearies!
Because I am so proud of it and it is my first attempt at steampunk design, I wanted to share my vintage inspired Betty Boop steampunk necklace with you. It took several weeks for this project to transpire, but I am finally satisfied with it. Betty Boop is an upcycled piece actually used as an ornament, and the chain is handmade with upcycled beads and vintage clock parts.
Betty Boop is about 4" in length. The necklace has a length of about 17" and there is about 3" of adjustment for comfortability.
Because I am so proud of it and it is my first attempt at steampunk design, I wanted to share my vintage inspired Betty Boop steampunk necklace with you. It took several weeks for this project to transpire, but I am finally satisfied with it. Betty Boop is an upcycled piece actually used as an ornament, and the chain is handmade with upcycled beads and vintage clock parts.
 |
| Vintage Inspired Betty Boop Steampunk Necklace |
Betty Boop is about 4" in length. The necklace has a length of about 17" and there is about 3" of adjustment for comfortability.
This project was a lot of fun for me because I had to hunt out a clock in order to find these wonderful gears. I participated in the Community Rummage Sale here in Pagosa Springs, CO and found a wonderful mini mantle clock that looked quite old for $3. I'm horrible at bargaining, so that's what I paid for it and my friend, Mike, who has a love of taking clocks apart, worked diligently as I watched him pull away beautiful part after beautiful part.
What do you think of my Betty Boop necklace?
Thanks everyone!
Stephanie
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Continued Collaboration for Music Festival: Day 3
Hi again!
As plans have continued to grow, I am learning more about how the kid's tent at the San Juan River Music festival is going to run. Supplies are mostly covered at this time, and it appears that our largest project is painting beautiful 10x4' canvasses. It is very exciting to be working on such a big project. Many ideas are running through my head, but I can't seem to decide what will be the best idea for painting these canvasses. I would love to have the kids paint with their fingers and/or feet. These ideas have yet to be approved. =D In the meantime, I have been hunting out more Marilyn Monroe photos in my magazines and am in the process of constructing 10 necklaces!
Pagosa Springs, Colorado is such an inspirational place for creativity. It makes me wonder how so many people don't know about its splendor, and how I was once one of those people. Never had I heard of Pagosa once in my life until a friend moved here, and now I feel, sometimes, that I never want to leave. I was sitting in the parking lot at the City Market grocery store yesterday when I heard a woman tell her husband as he came back to the car that there is a falls here in Pagosa. I wanted to run out of the vehicle I was in and tell her that there are actually four or five, at least, here in Pagosa. If it wasn't for the intensity of Anna Karenina, I would have.
I am truly confident that finally, after so many years, the Chimney Rock natural stone structure will become a national monument. It would be nice to see this area receive the recognition that it deserves. Although I would love to keep this spectacular place all for myself, the many people struggling in this economy could use more people coming through this area. Let's hope it gets the recognition it deserves.
Thank you so much!
Stephanie
As plans have continued to grow, I am learning more about how the kid's tent at the San Juan River Music festival is going to run. Supplies are mostly covered at this time, and it appears that our largest project is painting beautiful 10x4' canvasses. It is very exciting to be working on such a big project. Many ideas are running through my head, but I can't seem to decide what will be the best idea for painting these canvasses. I would love to have the kids paint with their fingers and/or feet. These ideas have yet to be approved. =D In the meantime, I have been hunting out more Marilyn Monroe photos in my magazines and am in the process of constructing 10 necklaces!
 |
| Weminuche Wilderness |
Pagosa Springs, Colorado is such an inspirational place for creativity. It makes me wonder how so many people don't know about its splendor, and how I was once one of those people. Never had I heard of Pagosa once in my life until a friend moved here, and now I feel, sometimes, that I never want to leave. I was sitting in the parking lot at the City Market grocery store yesterday when I heard a woman tell her husband as he came back to the car that there is a falls here in Pagosa. I wanted to run out of the vehicle I was in and tell her that there are actually four or five, at least, here in Pagosa. If it wasn't for the intensity of Anna Karenina, I would have.
 |
| Four Mile Falls |
I am truly confident that finally, after so many years, the Chimney Rock natural stone structure will become a national monument. It would be nice to see this area receive the recognition that it deserves. Although I would love to keep this spectacular place all for myself, the many people struggling in this economy could use more people coming through this area. Let's hope it gets the recognition it deserves.
 |
| Chimney Rock silhouette. |
Stephanie
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Donations Needed By May 28: Day 2
Hi Everyone!
I am volunteering my time on May 28 at the San Juan River Music festival in the kid's tent in order to get my face out in Pagosa Springs a little more. Jen and I will be trading off throughout the day coordinating kid's activities and selling artwork at our booth. Working with children is something we are both very good at and eager to plan.
We have never been to this event before, so we are unsure the amount of children that will be there. At this point, we are to obtain supplies that are red, white, and blue themed, such as paints and crayons. The children will be painting 4x12' canvasses, and we need to collect paints and paintbrushes. If anyone is willing to donate, please let me know. Items can be mailed to Stephanie Casey:
875 Cloud Cap Ave
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
I was also thinking we could make recycled magazine or newspaper bead necklaces, along with painting rocks. I have hosted these projects before and they turned out successful. It's also important that since most of mine and Jen's items are recycled, we pass on this trend to others. We could also use donations for this project, as well. Tape and glue are also required for these projects.
Thank you!
Stephanie
Facebook: AnotherUse
Twitter: anotherusestore
I am volunteering my time on May 28 at the San Juan River Music festival in the kid's tent in order to get my face out in Pagosa Springs a little more. Jen and I will be trading off throughout the day coordinating kid's activities and selling artwork at our booth. Working with children is something we are both very good at and eager to plan.
 |
| Indian Head near Pagosa Springs, CO. |
We have never been to this event before, so we are unsure the amount of children that will be there. At this point, we are to obtain supplies that are red, white, and blue themed, such as paints and crayons. The children will be painting 4x12' canvasses, and we need to collect paints and paintbrushes. If anyone is willing to donate, please let me know. Items can be mailed to Stephanie Casey:
875 Cloud Cap Ave
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
 |
| Mountain range near Silver Falls outside of Pagosa Springs, CO. |
I was also thinking we could make recycled magazine or newspaper bead necklaces, along with painting rocks. I have hosted these projects before and they turned out successful. It's also important that since most of mine and Jen's items are recycled, we pass on this trend to others. We could also use donations for this project, as well. Tape and glue are also required for these projects.
 |
| Four Mile Falls outside of Pagosa Springs, CO. |
Thank you!
Stephanie
Facebook: AnotherUse
Twitter: anotherusestore
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Commencing Day 1
I decided that since my classes are over for the semester I would make more effort at blogging. There are many days after I have completed my courses when I feel like I am not accomplishing enough. So this is my solution. Blog for at least the rest of the summer until the fall semester starts. If I get into a rhythm, I'll continue on through for the rest of the year.
Jen and I have been working on a lot of ideas in the past couple of weeks. I was able to get into her store and take more photos of items she has made herself. These items can be found on my Etsy shop site.
Jen and I have been working on a lot of ideas in the past couple of weeks. I was able to get into her store and take more photos of items she has made herself. These items can be found on my Etsy shop site.
Jen is a big fan of reusing things to create something new. We're really great at bouncing ideas off of each other and we work well together. By the end of the month we have a number of things planned that I will write about in later blog posts.
For now, we struggle as everyone in these hard economic times, doing all that we can to keep sane and happy. And at the end of the day we know we can smile, because of the beauty we are surrounded with, and the fact that we at least still have a roof over our heads. Things are looking brighter as summer nears. In the meantime, we still have snow in the middle of May. Oy!
At the home front, Leikos and I have decided to start making our own cat food. We have two dogs and two cats; Jackson is a lab mix; Tiki is a Yorkshire Terrier; Blues is a Tonkinese-like cat; Cinema is an Earth Day giveaway kitten. Fishing is one of our most favorite past-times, and we thought we could make our furry friends wonderful meals of fish and rice puree with our catches that we may not eat. Our oldest cat, Blues, is not such a fan, but our youngest can't get enough of it. I consider it one less trip to the grocery store. And it's healthier for our animals. Yes, we do give the dogs a little every now and then.
 |
| Blues on the left and Cinema on the right. |
Thanks everyone!
Stephanie
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