I want it - Golden Citrine Fine Silver Earrings

I love New Hope Beading! I have a custom mother's peapod necklace and gorgeous freshwater pearl earrings from her shop. Now I'd love to add these Golden Citrine Fine Silver Earrings to my jewelry box!


After you check out the New Hope Beading's Etsy shop, hop on over to the Facebook fan page, and let her know that Made By Melissa sent you!

Happy Birthday!!

I'd like to wish a very happy birthday to my first born, my baby girl, my puppy Mae! Mae is now four years old! It's hard to believe that we've had her for four years. We got her when she was just 8 weeks old and 8 pounds, now she is 4 years old and 45 pounds!



Here are some Mae approved Etsy items!

Orange Polka Dotted Dog Collar by BigDoggyBling



Puppy Birthday Party Invitations by BBDesigns


Birthday Greetings (dog-themed -- Have a wagnificent day) by PetScribbles



Fleece Tug Dog Toy With Ball-PROCEEDS DONATED TO GREAT DANE RESCUE by RescueMeTugz


Happy Shopping!!
~Melissa~

Team Tuesday - Geek Love

Its Team Tuesday!! With the NCIS and NCIS:LA season finales on tonight, I started thinking of some of my favorite NCIS quotes. Most of them come from Tony Dinozzo, how many times has he said the word GEEK in the series? McGeek! Enough with the geek speak! Well, Tony, this pin from The Angry Robot may not exactly be for you, so pass it on to McGee or Abby!



Check out the rest of the Team Tuesday blog hop!!

Team Tuesday - Pomgegranate Vanilla Soap!!

It's really no secret that I LOVE handmade bath and body products, its also fairly obvious that the EtsyNJ street team is loaded with great B&B artists. So, let me show you a delicious (although not edible) creation from sublimedragonfly!

Pomegranate Vanilla Soap - just look at those layers!


Once you are done drooling over this delicious soap, check out the other entries in this week's Team Tuesday! If you'd like to join in on the fun, just choose your favorite EtsyNJ seller or item and write about them! It's that easy! :)

Team Tuesday - A Card for Mom

Mother's Day is right around the corner (ummm, literally), get crackin' and order a card for your mom!!

Glittery Flowers Card for Mom by AJK Artistry:


Happy Mom Day by AlatheaPapergoods


Mother's Day greeting card -- From the dog by PetScribbles


After you pick out a card for mom, check out the rest of the Team Tuesday blog posts!

Team Tuesday - Play Ball!!

Baseball season has finally started! One week into the season and I am in heaven! Even my little guy is getting into the game. For this week's edition of Team Tuesday, I'd like to show you some of the great baseball themed items by EtsyNJ team members.

Wooden Peg Doll - Ball Player - Waldor Inspired Toy by theenchantedcupboard


Baseball/Softball Sport Athletic Headband by PurpleLicious


Yankees Hand Puppet by TraceyKnits



Join the Team Tuesday Blog Hop!!

Everybody loves a lady bug!

At some point in my life, I became aware of the fact that ladybugs were good luck. I'm not sure who told me or why, but from that point on, I decided that ladybugs weren't as creepy and gross and scary as other bugs. I suppose I convinced myself that they weren't "real bugs". At any rate, I made a super cute ladybug plush and he's been hanging around my shop for quite some time now (yes, I wrote "he" not all ladybugs are girls, you know!).



Larry isn't the only ladybug themed item that was created in the Garden State, there are many very awesome ladybug creations from the EtsyNJ street team. Take a look:

Little Ladybug...Boutique Hair Clippie by: TreasureBoxJewelry


Love Bug Birthday Invitations - Set of 10 by: BBDesigns


LadyBug LadyBug Tote by: beachchik


Ladybug Love Card by: AJKArtistry


Love those lucky ladybugs!
Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~

Team Tuesday - Susan's Treasures

Welcome to week six of the EtsyNJ street team's Team Tuesday blog hop! I've been in the market for a vendor apron for some time now. I spent some time searching the awesome sewers of EtsyNJ and came across this nifty brown retro floral apron by Susan's Treasures.




Please stop by and visit all of the EtsyNJ blogs below for a chance to "meet" some very talented people!

Team Tuesday - Beachchik Designs

Welcome to week five of the EtsyNJ Team Tuesday Blog Hop! This week, I'd like to feature Beachchik Designs where you will find unique wedding, engagement, bridal shower, anniversary gifts, custom tote bags, beach house decor, coasters, wall art and more! I have marked quite a few items in her shop as favorites, two have been on my wish list for my little guy for quite some time now.

Birthday Boy Summer Shirt:


Guitar Tote for Rockin Kids:


After you visit Beachchik Designs, check out the rest of the great blogs participating in the EtsyNJ Blog Hop!!

Team Tuesday - Dragon's Den

Welcome to the fourth edition of the EtsyNJ Team Tuesday blog hop!! This week, I would like to introduce you to the Dragon's Den! The Dragon's Den features handmade candles, lotions, soaps and lip balms in both traditional and unique scents.

I recently purchased a set of 3 creamy lip balms from Dragon's Den and I love them! They are creamy and moisturizing and make your lips feel soft for hours (even after eating). My favorite is the creamy coconut and I can't wait to try the chocolate!!


Please check out the EtsyNJ Team Tuesday blog hop below to learn about more great EtsyNJ shops!

EtsyNJ Team Tuesday - Baublettes

It's Team Tuesday time again!! This week, I'd like to feature Beth from Baublettes. Beth's shop has a great mix of unique and funky jewelry and accessories with a vintage feel to them. My favorite from her shop is the Swanky Swank Bib Necklace:


I recently met Beth in person when she stopped by to visit me at my last craft show and she was wearing this necklace! It looks amazing and really pops. I noticed it, even though she still had her coat on. So, if you are looking for jewelry that stands out, definitely visit Baublettes by Beth!!

Please take a few moments to visit the other EtsyNJ blogs in the blog hop (see below), and if you'd like to participate in this blog hop, visit the EtsyNJ blog for all the details!

EtsyNJ Team Tuesday - AJK Artistry

Welcome to the first edition of Team Tuesday!! Every Tuesday, EtsyNJ members will feature a different team member on their blog. This week, I am sharing one of my wish list items from AJK Artistry.

Handpainted ceramic Tea for One Set:


Also check out AJK Artistry for greeting cards, invitations, paper cranes and other handpainted ceramic gifts.

Visit the EtsyNJ Blog for more Team Tuesday fun!

Win one of my Plushies!!

One of my fabulous EtsyNJ friends, TraceyKnits, featured me on her blog this week and is offering you a chance to win one of my adorable elephant plushies!



Check out her blog here: http://www.traceyknits.com/2010/01/shop-of-week-made-by-melissa.html

Also, visit Tracey on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/traceyknits

Good luck!
~Melissa~

Fun with Treasury West!

I love making treasuries almost as much as I love finding out that I have been featured in a treasury. Here are two EtsyNJ treasuries from the West - one by yours truly and one by AJK Artistry featuring yours truly!


Ends December 31, 2009 - Black & Blue for You by Made By Melissa



Ends December 31, 2009 - Relax... the holidays are over by AJK Artistry

Santa Claus is Coming to Town - EtsyNJ Style!

It's almost time! Almost the day that little kids spend all year waiting for. The big man is getting ready. That's right folks, Christmas is just 5 days away! Let's see some Santa Claus!

Broken china Santa pendant by Marjorie's Cracked Plate Jewelry


Snow Santa, 5x7 Fine Art Photograph by Brief Moments Photography


Ho Ho Ho Santa Card by AJK ARtistry


Christmas Eraser Necklace by The Tote Trove


Merry Christmas!
~Melissa~

Tis the Season to Accessorize!!

The holiday season is upon us and many are beginning their gift buying. Not feeling the Christmas cheer yet? Well, then you need a fun holiday themed accessory (or two or three...) to get you in the mood!!

Jingle Bells Beaded Necklace


Santa Claus Charm Earrings


Let It Snow Glass and Crystal Snowflake Bracelet


Also available are festive ornaments, scarves and plushies!

Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~


PS - Don't forget about the EtsyNJ Thanksgiving Sale and the EtsyBloggers Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale! I will be including a free gift with every purchase!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From today until midnight on Cyber Monday, November 30, get a free gift with every purchase, simply put "EtsyNJ Thanksgiving Sale" in the notes to seller.

See other participating EtsyNJ shops by visiting the EtsyNJ Blog!

Thanksgiving Sale Starts Today!!!

The EtsyNJ and Made By Melissa Thanksgiving sale starts TODAY!! From today until midnight on Cyber Monday, November 30, get a free gift with every purchase, simply put "EtsyNJ Thanksgiving Sale" in the notes to seller.

There are over 50 shops participating in this year's event. There is so much to choose from, you can complete all your holiday shopping while comfortably sipping a cup of coffee or tea in your cozy slippers and pj's!

Search "EtsyNJ Thanksgiving Sale" at Etsy.com.

Reminder: Check each shop description for more details. Sale ends Monday 11/30 at midnight, unless otherwise specified by the individual shop owner. You must pay each shop individually, contact shop owner with any questions.

To browse participating shops by sales promotion, click on the following links:

Free Shipping

10% - 20 % off entire purchase (not including shipping)

Free gift with every purchase

BOGO - Buy One Get One Half Off

I Want It - Fingerless Gloves

The Problem:
My office is majorly chilly, my hands are quite cold while I type away at my desk in my little cube. I would like to keep my hands warm, look stylish and still be able to type without pausing to rub my hands together.

The Solution:
Fingerless Gloves

The Second Problem:
Which pair to buy???

Long Plum Arm Warmers Fingerless Gloves by LazyTcrochet


Extra Long Fingerless Gloves by ShellMitchell


Black Fingerless Gloves by seahorsedesigns


Shavasana- fingerless gloves by Happiknits



Decisions, decisions....

I decided to attempt to make my own pair, and while they came out awesome, I am still contemplating buying a pair of the ones listed here. Stay tuned for photos of my first attempt.

Personal News and Autumn Leaves!

I recently started a new job (Yay!) and although the commute is a killer, the jon itself is pretty cool. What's even cooler is that my cubicle has a window!! With the office being on the second floor, I can see all of the trees that overlook the parking lot. I've seen some monster mosquitos, crows and a blue jay, but mostly I've noticed that the leaves are slowly starting to change color. Fall is almost here! My favorite time of year. Anyway, staring at all those leaves all day long got me thinking about what I'd find on Etsy if I searched for leaves, and of course, I narrowed it down to my EtsyNJ friends. Check out the EtsyNJ blog to see what I found!