My Dream Space

I need SPACE! My own little space where I can leave my beads, wires, jump rings, clasps and tools out and not waist precious crafting time setting up and cleaning up. You see, I have an almost-2-yr-old who is very curious and very interested in what I am doing. When he sees me photographing finished products he slowly makes his way over and says "oooh, pretty." When I say thank you, he'll ask "Mine?" I'll apologize and tell him that its not his and then he'll look at me with those big deer-in-headlight eyes and say "I touch?". He typically listens when I tell him that he can't touch, but his little fingers get as close as possible to whatever I am taking pictures of and I often have to edit out his hands or his toys from the edges of my photos.

So, my dream is to have a craft room. It doesn't have to be big, it just needs a sturdy table, a comfy chair, lots of shelves and preferrably some good lighting. Oh, and the major necessity - a door that locks from both the inside and the outside and has a high handle that can't be reached by a toddler!

*sigh* We can all dream....

Happy Crafting!
~Melissa~

PS - Don't forget about my Earth Day Sale!

Crafty Childhood Memories

The Etsybloggers posed this question for the current Blog Carnival: "What Is Something You Did When A Child That You Will Always Remember?" Well, there are lots of things that I remember from childhood - like family vacations to the beach, the local roller rink, walking my dog around the block over and over and over again because I wasn't allowed to cross the street yet.... But, I figured I would keep this loosely related to the general theme of my blog, which is making things. So, here it is....

Every year, as soon as school let out and summer began, my mother would take my sister and I to the closest craft store which happened to be the Rag Shop in Bergenfield (may you rest in peace) where we would stock up on craft supplies for the summer. Then we would haul them all to the town pool every day where we would sit with our friends and craft during the adult swims or on days when we just didn't feel like swimming (I know, I know, hard to believe, but sometimes we did get tired of swimming all day long every day for three months). Each summer it was something different and as we got older our crafts got more and more sophisticated and sometimes, the craft of the summer would be picked up during the following school year once homework was completed.

Here I will list for you the evolution of Made By Melissa - it all started with embroidery floss friendship bracelets. First they were just braids, then I learned how to knot them and I got some pretty fancy bracelets. Then we ran out of room on our wrists and they became anklets and keychains. Even my dad had an anklet!!

A couple of summers later I discovered beads!! I mostly made bracelets and anklets and soon I learned how to weave seed beads into flowers. Too bad I forgot how, I must try to jog the old memory!



Then we picked up crocheting! Now, sitting in the sun under an umbrella by the side of the pool crocheting blankets wasn't exactly the smartest thing in the world. So, my friend's mom taught us how to make granny squares. What a fabulous invention!!



And there you have it!

Happy Crafting!!
~Melissa~

Happy Birthday Melissa Sale!! Ends 11/18

In honor of me surviving another year, I am having a Happy Birthday sale. Simply put HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELISSA in the notes to seller form and I will give you free domestic shipping. Its that easy! Wish me a happy birthday, wait for a revised PayPal invoice and get free shipping on your entire order!

Valid until midnight Sunday 11/18. Wait for revised invoice before paying, I will not refund shipping costs if you pay before the invoice is sent. All items will be shipped USPS parcel post (7 day delivery). Offer valid to US residents only. If you live outside the US and would like to participate in my birthday celebration, please convo me and we can work out a reduced shipping rate.

Introducing the EtsyNJ Street Team!

For those of you who are familiar with Etsy you may or may not know about street teams. Street teams are a group of sellers that come together and promote each other - these teams are based on a common interest - in this case, its sellers who live in the glorious state of NJ! This blog will feature two of my fellow EtsyNJ members - Kate from Shutterkate.etsy.com and Catherine from SweetyPrize.etsy.com.

Kate is a student at Rutgers University and calls herself a spontaneous crafter. She says "I began knitting and taking on other various forms of crafting about 3 years ago and have been obsessed with crafting ever since. I'm not sure how I lived happily without making things before that time."

Check out Kate's Black and White Skinny Scarf:


And while your shopping take a peek at Hooded iPod Cozy and Colorful Coffee Cozy!

One of the things Sweetyprize struggles with is whether the plural of scarf is scarves or scarfs. She makes a lot of scarf/ves so she needs to know. She makes them out of unique materials, reclaimed yarn and fabric, cassette tape! Reconstruction and rethinking objects is all over her shop: housewares, jewerly, accessories, clothing, paper goods. Check it out! Sweetyprize.etsy.com is also a member of the Trashion street team, the Etsy Fiber Artists street team, and Old World Shoppes.

Check out Sweetyprize's Romantic Green doily Scarf w Flowers:

And while your there make sure you check out
Crocheted hat with cassette tape and Colorful round throw rug.

For more information on EtsyNJ visit the Yahoo group at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EtsyNJ/ and Flickr group photos at http://www.flickr.com/groups/429661@N24/ or simply search for EtsyNJ at Etsy.

Happy Shopping!!!
Melissa

Everything on Sale - in honor of Baby Dean

To celebrate the arrival of my first baby - Dean John, I am having a huge sale! Just put "Its a boy" in the message to seller section and get 10% off your entire purchase (including shipping!) AND buy 3 items or more and get 10% off PLUS free shipping!!

Visit http://madebymelissa.etsy.com and start shopping!! All items on sale - jewelry, cell phone charms, crochet, kid's items - EVERYTHING! Now is the time to buy that item that you've been eyeing up!

Here's a pic of the wee little man:



Happy Shopping!

Help Me Reach My Goal

I have a new goal now that my work schedule has been altered. Its actually a two part goal, one that I can handle myself and one that I need help from all of you on.

Part 1 - list at least one new item in my shop every day

Part 2 - sell at least one item every day

This goal began last week when my OB told me I couldn't go to work anymore and will continue to exist until I return to work after the baby, of course that first week or two with the baby home, I'll take it a little easy on myself!

So, PLEASE help me out with part 2 and visit http://madebymelissa.etsy.com

Baby Blanket!!

Good afternoon everyone!

I just listed my very first crocheted item, its a granny square pink and green baby blanket and in my opinion is just too pretty for words! There is a little baby girl just waiting to be wrapped up in this one!





And a more traditional item for Made by Melissa - an adorable flower bracelet for the little lady in your life:



Just click on the images to go to the listing page at Etsy! Also check out the rest of my shop, I have lots of new items!

Visit Made by Melissa

Happy Shopping!

The Welcome Blog

Welcome to Made By Melissa's blog!!

This is the place to keep up to date on my new items, sales and promotions. So, bookmark the page and keep your eyes peeled for my next thrilling blog! I plan on spending some quality time with my craft supplies this weekend and hope to have tons of things to update you on very soon.

For now, here is my newest item - Ice Cream Charm necklaces - a perfect accessory for summer, ice cream that you can wear and that won't melt!!

Click here to go to the listing http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5800618

Thanks for stopping by!

~Melissa~