Some Kind Of Wonderful

Every morning before I get out of bed I thank the powers that be for everything. Life, Health, Friends, Family, Shelter, Food, Clothing, Love and for the ability to work with my hands to put food on the table. The feeling of gratitude is overwhelming.
Leaving the house to go to the post office with a heavy bag to ship off to customers- WONDERFUL. I will gladly carry that heavy load!
My Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sale was GREAT! Sold lots of pieces to friends and strangers. Truly a time to be thankful.
Yesterday was Cyber Monday and completely dead in my shop until the sun went down. Promptly sold both of my English Tea Boxes, a hefty handful of holiday cards and a record mirror! Thankfully my trip to get supplies yesterday was fruitful and I have lots of blank boxes and more mirrors for making. Happy, yes I am happy right now. I love making things for other people to enjoy!
Now that the sale is over I'll be getting down to the commissions I've got and still offering some deals in my shop: FREE shipping on Holiday cards until Dec. 10th and $3 off RECORDS in the U.S until Dec. 10th. Got some stuff to pack up nice and ship away, busy day! Have a wonderful day!

My Day Off

Mondays are typically my day off from being crafty in the studio. But I would hardly call it a day off. Up at 5:30 to check the shop, charge the ipod and get ready for Pilates and the Post Office. Taking all the orders to ship out today!
Then it will be a quick bite of lunch downtown and jumping the train to go get more supplies. Then back on the train downtown to catch another bus homeward- I'm figuring this is going to be an all day affair and I'll be putting in as many hours as most of you heading out to work today.
But this evening Im doing NOTHING!
Today is the last day of the big sale I've been running, tomorrow the BLACKCYBER1 code becomes inactive and I have the fun task of changing every listing manually back to normal. So BUY EVERYTHING so I don't have to do this! Ha!
Sold a bunch of Christmas cards, listed a few more and will be starting on commissioned stuff so people can have their gifts in time.
Wish me luck or another pot of coffee, here I go!

Addition and Subtraction

The shop looked bare without mirrors so first thing after breakfast I got busy with my REAL COLORED VINYL 45's! They look so cool with light coming through them! I just listed them today so they are on sale at a great price. Check em out in my shop!
Also just listed a Flora record in BLUE! My first blue flora- looks really pretty

Sold one Telescope print, so all in all a productive day in the beehive. Now I'm going to pack up my orders to ship out tomorrow and kick back with some pie...possibly a little holiday decorating later if the mood strikes me. Have a great Sunday evening!

Shipping and Receiving

The Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sale is in progress. Here's what sold yesterday. This lovely Rooster Cut Out Record (the color is FABULOUS) and my little Coco Flor mirror

which leaves no mirrors in my shop and the vinyl is getting low! I'll be working in the beehive today to put a few more things in the shop for CYBER MONDAY!
Discounted my gift tags even more


And did I mention the holidays just got even busier in my hive? I'll be doing a POP UP SALE next month but will update you on that later. For now have a wonderful Sunday, go scoop up some holiday deals and enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Sale in progress!

The sale is in full swing and will be going all weekend long and into CYBER MONDAY! If you use the discount code BLACKCYBER1 you get 20% off the price you see. Wonderful deals! Here's what sold yesterday- the Flora Cabernet record above and this sweet Ringo Record Mirror!

Don't let any more sweet deals slip through your fingers! Today Im offering the first customer of the day a FREE Holiday card with purchase- complete the handmade gift with a handmade card. So thoughtful!
Ideas:
For the gardener or for your first herb garden:
This sweet little handpainted Jaguar pot. The word "JARDIN" is Spanish for Garden- totally sweet in the kitchen with a nice herb plant growing in it. Discounted price $12.80!

For the Tea Drinker:
An English Tea Box is the perfect gift for that person you know who takes tea like clockwork everyday! WOnderful box holds LOTS of tea bags so you can minimize all those cardboard tea boxes taking up space in your cupboard. Cheers mate! New discount price $28.80!

I could go on....and on but just check out my shop and you'll see what a great deal you can find if you shop this weekend! Shop my Etsy Sale: http://www.tigerbee.etsy.com

Release the Hounds!

THE SALE IS ON!
Just finished a Fox Box for the shop and I'm pretty enamored with it I must say! The store is now fully stocked with boxes, vinyl record art, paintings, cute flower pots and some holiday cards...something for everyone! For him, for her, for the gardener, for the tea drinker and trinket collector, for the artistically inclined, rocker or a record lover. Do go check out the SWEET DEALS- take 20% off the price you see by using the code BLACKCYBER1 when you check out. And all the holiday cards have FREE SHIPPING on top of their 20% markdown. All hand made! All hand painted! Unique and made with Love!
Where? Here! http://www.tigerbee.etsy.com

Everything with the exception of paintings looks to be under $44.00!

Let's all give a warm send off to my Bike and Bunny record, he was sold yesterday and will be off to California soon. Bon Voyage Bun Bun!
I'm going to make another treasury today to thank some of the kind sweet people who have put me in some of late and then I'm going to poke around Etsy's Black Friday Sales and see what I can see.
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and found lots to be thankful for!

Thankful

Sitting here waiting for the cold front to come in before I pop a pecan pie in the oven and feeling thankful. I'm about to prepare a few items to add to the Thanksgiving spread and will be spending Thanksgiving with my family and not logging on until this evening when I prepare to launch the Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sale in my shop. I have a lot to be thankful for and I'm really going to focus on that, today of all days. This will be my first Thanksgiving without my loving Dad there, a bittersweet holiday, but again- thankful for all the times we had together and really am feeling like his warm presence is always with me.
Be thankful for these moments we take for granted, that won't always be there. Remember to say thanks for all you have, that many don't. And on that note Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Thank YOU for keeping up with lil ol' me in the beehive, keep it kind!


(pictured above "Snowflake Holiday Keeper Box" for sale in my Etsy shop)

Blackcyber1

Starting on Friday you can use the code BLACKCYBER1 in my shop when you check out and your discount will be applied to your purchase.
If you have another discount code -put that in the "message to seller" field and I will manually discount it and refund it to your paypal. Confused yet?!
It's easy, you'll be fine! The code starts working on FRIDAY but people are already shopping. And since most of my stuff is one of a kind I do suggest if you want it-you get it ASAP.
I have been getting queries and questions on items and some of my favorite things are about to go. This time of season is a big deal for us little businesses so I appreciate your business and purchase- you are helping me continue on and for that I am so thankful!
Going to ship out orders first thing and then get cracking in the studio making, making, making...I have a feeling it's going to be a good time for business!

Good Mojo

My spidey senses were telling me to wait to go to the post office and lo and behold- another sale! This is my favorite little record that I worked super long on. Thought a lot about my Dad while I worked on this...Mexican cactus and pretty palomitas. Shipping day tomorrow and good mojo keep on flowing!
Thankful!

Bzzzy!

Yesterday was spent in the studio working on another box. My English Tea Time got lots of hearts so I decided to make another in time for the big sale this weekend. Also worked on some Christmas cards and hand delivered a painted record. Busy day!
Today may find me biking to the nearest post office to shoot off that Ramones box which brings me to the subject of packing and packaging! I've been seeing some very nice eco-friendly ways of packaging and need to wrap my brain around my own idea about what works for my items. HMMMM! Any ideas? Simple but eco-friendly, not a lot of paper and frills. If I come up with any ideas I'll fill you in.
On my walk home from the doctors I noticed a lot of nice little things I could use for my natural wreath I'm planning on making. I plan on doing a HOW TO on the blog when I get that started. I really should go scoop up those little holly boughs and nice vines before someone gets the wise idea to rake their yard.
My Mom gave me some nice little pieces of wood she found, they came off some old drawers and have the nice dovetails and everything. I am inspired to make me a sign to hang outside. Going to poke around the web for ideas on using these little niceties!
Today will be THANK YOU card making day and that will be my Creative Challenge offering this week. Will post pics when they're done.
Everyone is off enjoying the holidays this week but a busy bees work is never done. Am definitely looking forward to doing NOTHING on Thanksgiving day..nothing but eating and enjoying my family. Buzzing off, keep it kind!

Good Mojo

SOLD! To the man with good taste on Etsy, whoever you are thank you! I'm gonna miss my boys!

one little, two little, three little treasuries

Good Etsy karma in the air this week! This is my third treasury...it's a mod, mod world! Check out the InfamousDB's treasury:
Arts+Crafts

So much clickitty goodness! I will have to do a Thanksgiving treasury and thank all these treasurers this week!

Black Friday-Cyber Monday SALE!

I've been working really hard to get ready for my big BLACK FRIDAY-CYBER MONDAY SALE. I'll be discounting everything in my shop by 20-30% so save your pennies because it will never be priced this cheap again!
If you have a coupon code you can use that toward your purchase on top of the discount! I have a whole range of things in my shop and will be adding more throughout the week, also lots of handmade holiday cards will be discounted too so add one to your gift and make it super special! I will ship immediately so your gift arrives on time. Peek at the shop and make your shopping list! TIGER BEE ARTS ON ETSY

Blogged!

A little THANK YOU to these blogs which threw a little love-ity love my way this past week! Check out these blogs:
http://elephanttrunkstudio.blogspot.com



http://grsgvintageluggage.blogspot.com/
and
http://hottentotvegan.blogspot.com/
Since my computer is running on an outdated everything it won't let me post comments to some of the blogs. Dag nabbit! Will have to sneak onto the boyfriends computer sometime this week and give you personal smiles :-)
*Also big THANKS to the friends who reposted my links on facebook, told your friends and put me in treasuries! We little businesses depend on word of mouth to help spread the word- if you did this you are helping me eat Thanksgiving dinner and keep my heat on this winter. Blessings to you!

Creative Challenge: CREATED!

I was thrilled to get a few bites on my Creative Challenge of the week. The Challenge being CREATE SOMETHING THIS WEEK- it could have been anything from a song, sketch, casserole (share the recipe please!), doodle...anything. Here are some creations for you to enjoy!
Featured above is Dexter Sleeping by San Francisco artist Rene Rodriguez. Not only is Rene a talented artist, triathalonist and awesome gal- she's also my sister! Dexter is my honorary nephew- isn't he cute! Sweet dreams Dexter!


Next in the queue is a wonderful poem/handmade creation by local (sometimes) Carlin Stultz. Carlin is one of my art collectors as well as being a wonderful supporter of the local music scene in DFW. Here is her creation Heartbroken and she has sewn up the heart with mementos inside, one of which is this little poem she wrote: "Teach me to sew & I'll sew back your heart.
To how it was before the lies & betrayal did start.
The innocence, the joy & hope for tomorrow.
You deserve it as well as I do, with no sorrow.
I'll reserve just a little space for me to abide.
So you can keep my true love & loyalty inside."
-Carlin Stultz
I think it's wonderfully sweet!
Here is one of my own creations this week:

This is just one of the many pair of TOMS shoes I had the honor of painting yesterday. If you scroll a few posts down you can read more about TOMS but the big thing to note is that for every pair of shoes thats bought at TOMS they give away a pair for free to a child in need. I think they just hit the millionth pair and are still trekking. It was really a lot of fun and made me feel warm and fuzzy inside to participate in this. The girl who got her cherry blossom shoes came to find me and tell me she loved them and THANKS!
Which brings us to our next weeks creative challenge. Since it's the week of Thanksgiving the Creative Challenge is to create a THANK YOU something this week. Whatever it may be, get creative and keep it kind!
(Want to participate in the creative challenge? Send your creation to djtigerbee@electriclollipop.com)

Gabba Gabba Hey!

Just finished a Ramones keepsake box for the etsy store. Perfect gift for that moody punk rocker in your life? Hey ho, let's go.....check it out!

A Tale of Two Treasuries

Have you ever just not been feeling the love? And then out of the blue you are pleasantly surprised from the most unlikely source? Well, that was me yesterday. I had asked my facebook friends to share my link around and got all of two people to help me. Little Red Hen much? I'm showing my age with that comment! :-)
Anyway by the end of the night I had been featured in TWO treasuries by total Etsy strangers, how's that for the world being a wonderful place? Funny thing is-they are both featuring the same record. Twiggy- you are adored!
Check out both treasuries as they are both stocked with wonderful stuff, first on the queue was a treasury by
GetReadySetGO with a vinyl record lean.

Baby, Put Your Records ON!
Check out the previous post for more on GetReadySetGO!



Get your kicks on CARNABY STREET at Flapperdoodle's fab little retro treasury! And DO check out Flapperdoodles shop and meet Ramona and Eloise, her fantastic flapper characters that are so whimsical and elegant I was smitten immediately.


Thank you unknown comrades in the handmaking army, thanks for taking the time to show a little care. And isn't that what it's all about?

Hive Five!

Many moons ago, before life got strange and complicated, I used to do a Five For Friday blog spotlight on Etsy sellers who just happened to be at the right place at the right time. That place being the Promotions Forum on Etsy and the right time being quick enough to just say "ME ME ME!" and be the first five.
I decided to resume the tradition ( and while I can't say it will happen every Friday it will happen at least once a month) and bring to you todays lucky 5, let's give them all Hive Fives for all their hard work. Handmaking is a labor of love:



Kneatknit Creations Kneatknit knits all kinds of lovely scarves and hats and I was particularly drawn to this "short" scarf- such a pretty green! It's an acrylic and wool blend and looks super warm for the upcoming winter ahead. Kneatknit will be running a Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sale so go make your list and catch a deal!



Hampshire Rose You know darn well what is right around the corner, you've probably even stopped eating just so you can prepare for it. THANKSGIVING! Luckily for you all your fun photos and memories can be preserved in one of Hampshire Roses little mini albums! Each page looks so fun to turn and there are many themes to choose from so get snappin'!



Elephant Trunk Studio I am loving this print over at Elephant Trunk Studio! There is also a smaller mini version but wouldn't this look lovely framed on your wall? Love the "wrinkly" technique that went into this, lots of elephants over here-stomp on over!



GreenGabby is a new store and I really favor these unique holiday cards! Lovely design (you all know I heart Nature) and simple, not your average square card! These come with envelopes and are really striking, there are also snowflakes and other styles so go peep them out!

Our last Hive Five goes out to
GetReadySetGO.
Can you believe I only got FOUR takers for free promotion yesterday? GetReadySetGO just happened to put me in a Treasury last night as I was waiting for my fifth taker- and that dear sirs and madams is the stuff rewards are made of!
I chose this lovely case out of her collection of beautiful vintage hand embellished luggage and cases because- I have one just like it! Only it's not just like it really- it doesn't have that really cool black feather design and is rather beat up and dusty. These are wonderful for your cosmetics and have a gigantic mirror so you can get gussied up on the go. Check out her fab collection now!
Big HIVE FIVES to all the makers out there, you make the world a more wonderful place!

Would you care for a spot of tea ol' boy?

One lump or two? And do you take cream? Of course you do!
Just finished my English Tea Box which would make a fab gift for your favorite tea drinking mate! Cheers!

Commuting

Yesterdays trip to get art supplies proved fruitful as is proven by that lovely picture of my Paciugo treat! Dark chocolate vs Mediterranean Sea Salt Caramel...mmm!
I couldn't have chosen a better day to go box hunting, not only was the store fully stocked with new boxes but the weather was gorgeous. When you commute by train and bus you have to pay close attention to the weather forecast. When I heard Wednesday was going to be the warmest day of the week I marked that as THE day.
Overheard lots of funny and interesting conversations on my trip. One guy proclaimed he was going to see someone who he thought was dead but turned out not to be.
What a wonderful surprise it must've been to find out someone you thought was lost forever really wasn't and you could make up for lost time. He had health problems and used a cane. I sat listening to him and some other people talk about the cane he made out of pecan wood. When the lady he was talking to brought up making a cane from bamboo he said "Oh I've made a cane from bamboo before. You know those make good pipes and bongs?". He then regaled them with the tale that the lady he was going to see (the one he thought was dead) had hung out with Joan Baez in San Francisco in the 60's, his exact words were "they would walk down Haight, smoking marijuana and passing out flowers. If you can smoke marijuana and pass out flowers with Joan Baez then you are the right kinda person!"
Got a tasty lunch at Central Market and sat down at the long table facing the street. Midway through my charred eggplant and capers an older man sat down across from me and struck up a conversation. He was humorous and we talked about where we were in life. He asked what I did and I said "Starving artist" and then we both laughed at the full plate of food in front of me.
Turns out he is an actor and producer working on a movie. He asked if he could have the food I was going to toss to give to the birds outside. Apparently this is a ritual thing for him. We exchanged business cards and then I was en route to my Paciugo and art supply mission.

Saw a few of these boogers. Out of Service trains that get your hopes up and then kick you in the shins when they get close enough to read.
There was a generally friendly vibe in the air, strangers talking to each other, sharing stories and advice. Not long after I got home the winds started howling and the temps started dropping. Got my supply run done in the nick of time!
Todays project is finishing the English Tea Box I've been working on and visiting my Mom.
Have a great one and keep it kind!