Gifts for You Treasury

I made a brand new treasury filled with great items from the EtsyNJ team that remind me of a special someone. Please check it out!

For My Grandma

My grandmother loved the fact that I am crafty and not only found a way to keep up with crafting while working my full time job and caring for my family but also managed to keep open an online shop and vend at multiple craft shows every year. My grandmother passed away early this year and as her birthday approaches, I think of things that I know she would love.

I always remember my grandmother wearing pearls, multiple strands of classic pearls. This necklace by Capital City Crafts would have been a perfect fit in her jewelry box!


I can picture these Gold Metal Dragonfly Magnets by merritthyde adorning her refigerator!


Brown and leopard print were two of her favorite colors, she would have loved this hobo tote bag from amarie.


I always remember my grandma being chilly, she would have a scarf or a shawl with her most of the time to ward off the shivers. This Bohemian Knit Shawl by Happiknits would have been the perfect accessory to keep her warm.


Happy birthday, Grandma! The heavens are rockin' today as you party with Grandpa and the rest of our family.

I love handmade!

I didn't realize how many handmade items I use everyday until recently. I get up every morning and use some nifty crocheted cotton face pads made by yours truly! After I get dtressed, I accessorize with a bracelet I made myself that has the birthstones of myself, my son and my hubby and I put on the super cool star earrings I bought from Capital City Crafts. I take care of my dry skin with some tasty vanilla bean hand lotion from Lollibomb and protect my lips from getting chapped with some equally tasty coconut lemongrass lip balm from You Stink Soap.

Then I grab the tote bag I got from Bugga Love aka ALaine Designs this past Christmas and I pack my son's bag for daycare, next I grab my totally awesome hooker tote bag from Trashed Clothing and pack my lunch.

Once everything is packed and everyone is dressed, I rummage through my bag from Tracy Joy and look for my car keys which are attached to a fabulous wristlet keychain from PurpleLicious.

I finally then scoop up my son and walk to the car. His sweet little neck and cheeks are protected from the stiff car seat straps by blue fleece protective covers from Handcrafted Baby Accessories by Georganne (bummer! I see that she's closed her shop! How sad!) and since its been so cold latey, I toss the blanket on his lap that I made for him when I was just barely pregnant.

And that sums up all the handmade items I use on a daily basis. Have you taken the handmade pledge yet??




Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~

Another Successful Trade on Etsy!!

As if you didn't already have enough reasons to love Etsy, here is one more - TRADING. I've had successful trades in the past with ScrapTrendz (I traded a pair of earrings for some cute botte cap pendants for my little cousin) and PurpleLicious (I traded some earrings and bracelets for some key fobs for Christmas gifts).

My most recent trade happened on a whim. Every Monday through Thursday I start the daily promotion thread on Etsy for the EtsyNJ team. Purseonality Bags posted a link to her gorgeous Hi Ho Cherry O Purse and I instantly fell in love with it. But, like many people, right now, funds are tight and I can't justify spending money on a new purse. So, I contacted her to see if she'd be interested in trading. I was totally prepared for a polite no, since two of the last two people I contacted said no and I also turned down a couple of trade offers myself. She said yes!! Woo-hoo! So, I got this purse:


For these washcloths, facial scrubbies and kitchen items:

And of course, she couldn't resist this adorable ladybug bracelet:


Purseonality Bags snatched up my entire inventory of crocheted washcloths and cleaning cloths, but have no fear, I am busy creating more and will have them listed as soon as my son allows me to take some photos after dinner. You see, he always tries to get in the shot... I'm not trying to sell him! Feel free to convo me if you are looking for something specific and I'll do my best to get it made for you!

So, if you are a seller and interested in trading, I would put a note in your profile or in your shop policies, since I tend to look there before I contact a seller to if they are interested. Also check out the Etsy Trade-a-holic Team’s blog for a list of trade friendly shops. Here are the guidelines they offer for a successful trade:
♥Don't be offended if someone isn't able to trade with you, it's okay - someone WILL need your stuff
♥Try to heart sellers & items as you go, show some love!
♥Shop
♥Have fun & see you in the stores
♥Remember to leave prompt feedback as a buyer & a seller!

If you would like to initiate a trade, be polite and offer an out, I usually say "Hi! I simply love your ________. I was wondering if you would be interested in trading for something from my shop. If not, I understand. Thanks for looking!" And remember, always be polite to someone who asks you for a trade. Even if you say no, they may still buy from you, but not of course, if you are rude to them.

If you are interested in trading with me, please keep in mind that I typically don't trade for anything that I can make myself, such as beaded jewelry or crocheted/knit items. I am not into scrapbooking and I don't know many people who would appreciate the crafts(wo)manship of handmade cards and I am not much into vintage items even though I do occasionally sell a few. I am interested in toys or clothes for my one year old boy, sturdy toys or treats for my 2 year old black lab/basset hound mix, crochet patterns, bath & body (not candles though), purses or totes, handspun worsted or bulky weight yarns, hair accessories for grown-ups, men's clothing, jewelry supplies and candy or baked goods (yum!).

Happy Trading!
~Melissa~