Etsy Seller Spotlight...LeahDeCapio

I'm a big fan of pottery that has bold graphic design. I found a shop on Etsy today that has some stunning pieces~LeahDeCapio. I love the black and white paired with saturated colors. Her pieces remind me of wood block prints. Just lovely!

Etsy Success for RentMoney

There was a very nice blog article about my daughter's shop today. I think it's amazing that her shop has only been open 3 days and she has someone singing her praises already. Yay! A big thank you to Archdiva.

Benton County Indiana Wind Farms

We went on a Sunday outing today to see the wind farms in nearby Benton County, Indiana. These things are awesome to behold. Here are a few pictures from our tour.

My Daughter's New Etsy Shop...RentMoney

If you follow my blog you know I have a daughter who recently graduated from college with a degree in theater. She has dreams of performing on the Great White Way. Right now she is home trying to earn money to move to NYC. She, like her mother, loves to craft and her latest obsession is with beads. She makes the cutest little beaded bobby pins you'll ever see. Each style of bobby pin is named after a famous Broadway Diva. She is so excited about Etsy and her shop. Check it out and give her a heart...better yet, give her a sale.

CABTeam Giveaway

Our team is sponsoring a fantastic giveaway to help get the word out about our new Etsy Team Shop~CABTeam. Who wouldn't love to win this?

Latest CABTeam Freedom Bags

This bag was created by Glintgear...


This bag was created by Southernsweetts...


This pouch was created by Threadsofgray...

Collage...Off the Cuff

1. Pocket Cuff Organic Bamboo by Enuwbe
2. Pink Vintage Bracelet in Freeform Crochet by Saraaires
3. Bumpy Bracelet in Turquoise Blue and Rainbow Green by MadeByKatarina
4. The Goddess Bracelet by FashionTouch

Collage...Telephones

1. Power ) Slim Wallet by QuietDoing
2. Wired Birds by aliherrmann
3. Telephone Triptych by kerrybeary
4. London, UK-Allo Big Ben by YannPendaries
5. Telephone Pole and Flying Birds by decorette
6. Coke Zero Telephone Magnet by FunkyRecycling
7. Baby, Leave It All Behind by ravensung
8. Faux Bois Switch Plate-Call Me by alamodestuff
9. Hommage a Rock by clairepinatel

Another Milestone

You know how in life the biggest milestones are your first words, your first steps, your first day of school, your first boyfriend, getting your drivers license, your first kiss, your senior prom, graduating from high school, moving away from home for school, being able to drink...legally, your first time voting, your first job, your first car, getting married, owning your first home, your first child, etc. Well, yesterday I reached another milestone, but this time on Etsy. My first anniversary. Yes, that's right, my shop has been open for one full year. During the past year, I've had 139 sales, an average of 2.67 sales per week. My shop has collected 490 hearts, an average of 9.42 hearts per week. My items have been in 50 treasuries, almost one a week. And, my items have made it to two front pages. I'm not sure how that compares to other shops, but I'm pretty happy with these results. It has been fun and exciting. I never thought it would be so satisfying to have people buy something I made with my own two hands.

Equally as satisfying are the relationships that have developed because of Etsy. I've become a member of the Etsy Carried Away Bag Maker's Team~CABTeam. There I have met many other talented bag makers who have shared their experiences and successes ultimately helping me to grow my business. I have started a blog and highlighted other artists who have inspired me to keep creating. I've helped my sister open her Etsy shop and soon my daughter will be opening her own shop. I've also connected with local Etsians.

All in all, I'd say this has been a great year. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved. I couldn't have done it without you.

Latest CABTeam Freedom Bags

This bag is the second in our shop from Solsisters...


This bag is from VenezieBags...


This bag is from SouthernSweetTs...


This bag is from KarenMeyers...


This bag is from HugsandHolidays...


This bag is from Deaniesduffles...



Here is the matching wallet...

In a New Treasury

Thanks to PuzzleBoBuzzles for including my clutch.

Handbags for Heros

As you may know from reading my blog, I belong to an Etsy team of bag makers~Carried Away Bag Maker's Team or CABTeam. Our international team is 203 members strong and growing every day. We recently opened a team shop so that we could give back to those in need. We plan to have bag challenges and to list the bags we create in our team shop. All proceeds will be given to charities voted on by our team members.

Our first team challenge was to create a bag that represented our personal feelings about the word "freedom". We are so excited to be able to show our appreciation for freedom by helping make life on the front lines a little easier for one of our fighting girls! The proceeds from all bags sold in the shop will go to send care packages to deployed military ladies through herobox.org. Huge thanks to new team member and former Air Force active duty solider & military wife Beth Holmes from Southern Sweet T's for suggesting this great cause!



HeroBox is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides custom support to our heroes overseas. Their mission is to provide items that deployed American soldiers need and want while they are away from home defending our freedom. A HeroBox is a care package that has been customized to a soldiers specific request. The troops have certain needs and wants depending on their sex, location, and a variety of other factors. The typical care package that a soldier receives isn't always influenced by those needs and wants. The goal is to make sure that each HeroBox is directly influenced by the soldier.

Here is my challenge bag...


This bag is by Theresa of Tilt Creations...


This bag is by Ebony of LoveBug Studios...


These bags are by Dawn of DsChicBoutique...



This bag is by Krystal, our fearless team leader, of Solsisters...


This bag is by Cynde of Cyndesplace...


This bag is by April of Aprilsoriginals...



This bag is by Beth of SouthernSweetTs...


I will continue to post other bags here as they are completed. Please visit our shop and consider making a purchase for our heros.

Fabulous New Pictures from Silverbay

If you sell on Etsy or other online shops, you are perfectly aware of how vital it is that your pictures be top notch. You can create the most beautiful items, but you won't see any sales if people aren't drawn to your photos. Well, my sister has been experimenting with different shots for her jewelry and I think these are awesome! What do you think?





Visit Silverbay for more.

July Giveaway on A la mode

How would you like to win one of my fun zipper pouches? Visit this blog and get the details...
A la mode

While you're at it, visit Linda's fabulous Etsy shop where she sells her "unique stuff with an urban appeal". You'll love it!
Thanks Linda!