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!

Freshen it Up Friday

It's Friday and it looks like rain in the forecast so I've decided to spend a good chunk of the morning CLEANING and freshening up the place. My studio has gotten a little on the messy side as you can see from the photo. By the by... I put gridwall up around my table to kind of "lock" myself in away from my cats who like to come a'bothering when they see me not giving them my every minutes attention. It sort of works, sometimes and of course my guy has taken to calling me Louie DePalma (the show taxi, Danny Devito sits in a little dispatch cage) which is hilarious!
Yesterday found me working on some Christmas cards and a Mondrian record and researching more marketing advice. One sale a week is not going to keep a roof over my head so I need to ramp things up, look for some local consignment places and hit a different audience. Should be getting some nice promotional materials I ordered next week.

The holidays are coming up and it's nice to be home and in the moment to enjoy them. Am going to work on some Christmas card sets this afternoon and hopefully discover some magic marketing venue online that won't require a big advertising fee. Being your own boss is the hardest work you can do. Poor but happy right now and sure things will start looking up in time.
The Winter Solstice treasury had three sales last time I checked. That is pretty cool, I am glad I was able to promote some other peoples shops and get them some business. Support handmade! If you've not seen my latest stuff go here:
TIGER BEE and if you want to get 20% off your next purchase sign up for my mailing list here:
http://www.electriclollipop.com
Happy Friday everyone!

Winter Solstice treasury

I'm trying to create a Treasury or two on Etsy a week. Here is my latest treasury dedicated to the holidays, which will probably be a recurring theme for a bit!
WINTER SOLSTICE
Candy canes, snowflakes and wintry whimsy- do check it out and support handmade!

Monday Monday

Had a perfectly wonderful day yesterday at the Buddy Walk. I was glad that Aidans Angels were able to not only make their goal but surpass it! The weather was gorgeous and the family was in good spirits.
Buckling down now for a week of working hard in the studio. Preparing for the cold winter ahead and possible bad weather that will hinder me priming records so while the sun is shining I'll be priming.
Trying to navigate google analytics and other stat monitoring sites to see where my marketing needs some help. Thanks to everyone who has already shared my links to etsy and my website. Next stop some more business cards and such!
Started Monday with good karma and made another treasury on etsy, peep out other peoples cool stuff here: she comes in colors

Sunday Morning

Sunday is usually the perfect day for getting busy in the studio but today I'm stepping outside and doing something different. I'll be walking in the 2010 Down Syndrome Buddy Walk in support of my cousins son Aidan. It will be nice to do something for a good cause while reconnecting with family I hardly get to see. The weather looks great for it too.
Sold my little Jaguar 45 rpm that's featured in the photo up there and just finished a Beatles commission so it looks like I'll be visiting the post office next week. Next week will find me buckling down and working hard in the Tiger Bee hive while the weather is good. I rely on the sun to take photos and prime records, guess I better get on that lightbox making project soon!

thanksgiving time

Every day this week I've been in the studio trying to work on something. Just finished a Beatles record commission, my latest canvas painting, a Mondrian box and started work on a new box I'll post soon. I did want to pause today and thank everyone who has been helping to keep me going...either with kind words of support, feedback on how to make my site/stuff better, helping to promote by sharing links and putting me in Etsy treasuries, etc. So many wonderful people out there and I just wanted to say THANK YOU! Here is my little show of gratitude for today- I made an Etsy treasury with some very nice Etsiers stuff. Check out the wonderful arts and handiwork of these wonderful and kind sellers.
Thanksgiving Time

Fun with Records

So one of the people who bought a record art from me on Friday is a United Record pressing employee! He (Jay) put a nice little shout out for me on the United Record Pressing facebook fanpage! I think that is terribly cool, the place where little records get made before they fall into my hands many years later and get turned into artworks.
Updated my Etsy shop with a few more records and this week it's order crackin' time. Have some customs to do for people now that the hub-bub of art shows is quiet. By the by both of my records in the Gingerama art show sold and some of the proceeds went to benefit the SPCA so I was glad I could help and that the records went to good homes.
Returning back to work today from "vacation" land...hope it's not too painful. I feel more resolved than ever though about my little business taking off. I have made some wonderful connections lately and have gotten positive feedback so I'm feeling pretty good about things. Have a wonderful week!

Spring Cleaning

Down with allergies today but wanted to update the blog with my new banner! I have had the same banner at my etsy shop for a long time. So I have updated it a bit and will make some more to keep the shop looking fresh. I just added two new vinyl art records so if you've been wanting one grab em now!
Patiently waiting on my allergies to get in check so I have the energy to sit and work on stuff but thats what I have for now. Thanks for popping in and check out the new pieces!
http://www.tigerbee.etsy.com
http://www.tigerbee.etsy.com

She Wants To Find Frankenstein

My talented friend Lorene Herrera posted a blog of interest to me yesterday over on She Wants To Find Frankenstein and i want to help her out as best as I can. Turns out she was in a car accident and although she is ok needs some financial help, so please go take a peek at her ebay listings and buy some art or visit her etsy shop and buy something there. Thanks friends! ;-)
ebay listings:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=160312554816

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=160312494120

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160312695568

Free Love Friday!

End Of March

Marie-Josée Létourneau paints some lovely pictures and then she makes prints of them and tells such sweet little stories with each one. This one is entitled "Jackalope Trapped". Don't you want to know the little story behind it? And also to behold the Unicorn girl? These whimsical sweet paintings are done in acrylic and marker and then printed for your personal collection. Visit End Of March on etsy.com