Waiting for the Cosmic Egg to Hatch

I'm working on a new project for an artist friend in exchange for a beautiful painting.  This is a painting which I have permission to use as the cover for my up-coming novel which will publish before Christmas. 

(Watch for information here regarding this novel: Saint Sullivan's Daughter.)

The new project is a secret right now, as it will be a surprise for my friend.  Let us just say these few hints.  It involves the moon, the color blue, stardust, and a bee.

That and the beautiful inspirational image (you'll find below) - an illumination from Hildegarde, who lived from 1098-1179: visionary, writer, artist and composer.  And like so many gifted European women of her time, a Catholic monastic.


Have a great week!  I'll be publishing a photo of the altar sculpture as soon as it's done.

The Cosmic Egg by Hildegarde of Bingen

HeartSpace offers free shipping this July 2010. Click here.

Ride the Changing Tide on Etsy

It feels like I am riding a changing tide. At the end of my first year on Etsy, I'm pondering how to survive the economic crisis and still grow my Etsy site.  There's so much I would do with my site, if I had more capital to invest.  I would make a lot more jewelry, advertise more and certainly expand my options.  I have made a vow not to create debt while starting this small business, and that has kept my business small.  I have made ten sales this year, though I have made more sales off line at trunk shows and craft fairs.  Ten sales feels too small.

I enjoy making jewelry, but I've other work to do, too.  I would enjoy hearing from those of you with Etsy businesses how you find time to grow your business and do whatever other jobs you have.  I will share some of the things that have been storming my brain and look forward to your ideas, too.

Claire's Ideas for Growing Business

1. Make simpler, quicker jewelry, which can be sold for less.  
2. Repeat designs instead of making "one-of-a-kind."
3. Find a less expensive source and recycle materials.
4. Diversify what I make to include non-jewelry items (there's a glut of jewelry on Etsy).
5. Find a good, active Street Team on Etsy.  I love the team I have, but I maybe need another.
6. Advertise myself more off-line.
7. Focus on preparing for a few big craft shows and fairs and participate big time.
8. Guard my spare time with a passion so I don't get burned-out.
9. Passionately uphold my schedule, with an eye for boundary busters. (They don't know who they are, poor things, but they suck up a lot of my energy for my work.  Only I can create my boundaries - and only I can enforce them.)
10. And I will be aware of the fact I am learning and not compare myself to other artists. 

I will honor that I am doing the best I can, even in those times when I need to do better.

So tell me all of you out there in Etsy Land - any advice for growing my business, without going into debt or spending too much? How do you guard your time for other things?  What has served you well?  What hasn't?

Etsy Going to the Dogs? May be, but it's a good thing!

Beautiful hemp items available at Earth Moon Beam's Etsy Store and website.

This dog looks so proud in her handsome Celtic collar.

And the prices are reasonable, too.

Hi Etsy Fanatics,

Have you found everything you needed on Etsy, the premier site for artisan made items?  Well, maybe not everything for your pet, eh? These handsome Hippie dogs in spiffy handmade hemp collars delight me.  

The collars and leashes should last forever and be a lot more comfortable than a lot of the collars around, especially more comfortable than those choke chains.  You can custom order a collar and have your dogs name beaded into the macrame design.  Check out Earth Moonbeams art while you're there.  What a versatile artist!

Amazing: all the beautiful things at Earth Moon Beam's groovy store!

http://earthmoonbeam.etsy.com

That's all for today,

Your roving reporter, 

Clarita de Heartspace