Nintendo DS

Nintendo DS, yup, just got one! I know, I know, I'm a little late on getting it, but I got a cute pink one used at GameStop. I saw a commercial for the new Brain Age game. You know, my brain is tired! I forget lots of things. My brain needs exercise! But, I don't have a DS, nope, not me, all I have is a GameBoy Advance with lots of games that I am very tired of. I could only play for a short time before getting a headache from that teeny little screen.

On Friday I casually asked my hubby if he still used my GBA. He said "Nope, why?" I suggested trading it and all the games in and pondered if we'd get enough cash back to get me a Nintendo DS. He thought it was a great idea, reminded me that we still had $32 credit from when we brought back Game Cube, all its games and accessories and some other random PS2 games that had been long beaten. We just had one tiny problem - where was the GBA charger????

Needless to say, we found the charger and a few other PS2 games that hadn't been looked at in a while and packed up and headed to GameStop. Long story short, they had a cute pink used Nintendo DS and used Brain Age (the first one, of course). We had enough credit that all I had to pay for was the game. Woo-hoo!!

On Saturday night, my brain was an embarrassing 73 years old. Today, Monday, my brain is a slightly less embarrassing 41 years old. Now that's what I call progress!!



I now want to get Mahjong Quest (which I saw used) and Tetris (my all time FAVORITE game). So, pretty please go buy something from my shop??? Don't forget, I'm still having a sale!!

PS - I find it absolutey hilarious that Nintendo DS comes with a health and safety precaution booklet! Apparently, all Nintendo systems do... HA!

Free Shipping Sale!

For a limited time, get FREE SHIPPING on any jewelry, vintage and destash item in my shop. Just put FREE SHIP in the notes to seller at checkout and I will reimburse you the shipping fees, or you can request a revised PayPal invoice.

If you pay using Revolution Money Exchange, I will give you free shipping and 10% off your purchase! Just put RME FREE SHIP in the notes to seller along with your email address and I will send you an invoice. If you haven't signed up for RME yet, click this link to sign up:
https://www.revolutionmoneyexchange.com/ReferAFriend_landing.aspx?referreremail=littleone78@yahoo.com

I am also offering a multiple item order discount to my blog readers. If you order two or more items, I will take an additional 10% off your entire order! Just add the code FREE SHIP BLOG when you check out.

Bracelets: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=28859§ion_id=5016771
Anklets: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=28859§ion_id=5391489
Earrings: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=28859§ion_id=5016768
Necklaces: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=28859§ion_id=5016770
Vintage: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=28859§ion_id=5438057
Destash: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=28859§ion_id=5395035

Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~

Lovin' the craft!

As you can tell, I love making things and I love what I make. Sometimes though, I love what I make a little too much and I can't bear to part with it. I've kept quite a few things over the years, but most recently, I've kept two things.

I made this blanket while I was home on bed rest right before my son was born. I made this in less than 4 weeks using yarn completely from my stash. I couldn't give it up for two reasons. The first being because I love it, the colors are so totally me - browns and blues. And secondly because it kept me sane while I was home alone every day for a month. I wasn't totally alone, I had my pup with me, but she doesn't have the energy to keep me entertained all day long, I mean, a dog needs her sleep!



Its not the best picture in the world, and does the blanket no justice whatsoever, but cut me some slack! I took the picture the day before I was admitted to the hospital to be induced. And it was the most physical activity I did since I was threatened by everyone I know to "take it easy".

The most recent thing I have decided to keep for myself is a simple white and blue cotton washcloth. I made a round cloth with some leftover white yarn from a custom order and added a border with some of the blue ombre yarn (I have tons of it!). I've been trying to duplicate it and for some reason I can't. I count stitches and use the same hook, same weight cotton yarn. Nothing... it comes out terrible. So, I am keeping the one that came out simply fabulous and hoping that one day I can duplicate it, if for no other reason, than I want another one!!


Have no fear! There is plenty in my shop that I have decided not to keep for myself!

Happy Crafting and 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~

EtsyBlogger Featured Member - AliciaMae

June's featured EtsyBlogger is AliciaMae. Alicia has three shops that are chock full of awesome goodies. She has eclectic design gifts here. I love her trinket boxes, this one is sweet and simple and worthy of a heart or two!


Alicia Mae Art and Photography features some stunning prints and photos. This lighthouse print would make a great Father's Day gift:


Need some supplies? Alicia Mae's random supplies even offers a 10% discount on orders of $5 or more, and believe me, its easy to spend $5 in this shop!! This sweet handmade polymer clay flower pendant is sure to fly out the door before long!


For more info on the fabulous EtsyBloggers street team, check out the website!

Happy Shopping (and blogging)!
~Melissa~

Bottle Cap Magnets Are Back!!

I have more fabulous bottle cap magnets for sale in my shop and quite a bunch waiting to be listed. These make great gifts for Father's Day, the college graduate, or any other beer enthusiast in your life.



Check out my shop to see all the magnet varieties!
Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~

EtsyBlogger Featured Member - Cozy

This month's featured EtsyBlogger member is Cozy! Cozy is the ultimate crafter and she makes amazing creations with her knitting and crocheting skills.

I love her lipstick red knit headband:


Cozy also has some great kitchen cloths that are the perfect alternative to paper towels - you want a stong towel, use a handmade kitchen cloth!!


To see more of Cozy's items, vist her Etsy shop and her blog!

Happy Shopping!
~Melissa~

I <3 Freshwater Pearls!!

Freshwater Pearls!! So, how did this come about? Well, my mother wanted a special gift for her friend's big birthday party. So, she asked me to make a necklace for her. Knowing her friend fairly well, I suggested that some colored pearls would look nice on her. So, off to the store I go, and I find these lovely blue-gray rice shaped freshwater pearls. OoOoO!!! Me likes! I grab two strands and I just can't wait to get to work with them.

Here's the final product, sadly the pictures do it no justice, a simple yet fabulous 20 inch necklace with understated magnetic clasp:


And, because I am such a great daughter, I threw in free giftwrapping with this nifty pink paisley pillow box I bought from OhMyMommyClementine (although now it seems she has them in her other shop - ScrapDragon):


Needless to say, I love these pearls, so keep an eye on my shop, you may see some more freshwater pearls popping up! Also, feel free to convo me in Etsy if you'd like a custom necklace/bracelet/earrings. And if you pop by OhMyMommyClementine's shop, tell her Made By Melissa sent you!!

My First Ever Mother's Day Present!

This week was rough. Dean was sick, I was sick, hubby was sick - we basically had enough! I picked up the little guy from day care Thursday after work and there was an extra little bag hanging on his hook. And I don't mean the bag holding a bib full of spit-up or clothes that suffered a diaper blow-out... His teacher says "That's for you, its a Mother's Day gift. Oh, its fragile" She also explains to me that he made it while he was half asleep. See, it involved paint and hand prints and there is no way my Dean would cooperate with that!! I couldn't wait to see it! And since Dean was asleep, I opened it right then and there (yeah, I am bad with gifts). Here's what it is:



I know its hard to read, its the best picture I can get, so here's what it says:

Sometimes you get discouraged
Because I am so small
And always leave my fingerprints on the walls.

But every day I'm growing -
I'll be grown some day
And all those tine hand prints
Will surely fade away.

So here's a little hand prints
Just so can recall
Exactly how my fingers looked
When I was very small.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
2008

Awww, its brings a tear to my eye!!

Happy Mother's Day to all you mom's out there!

New! Made By Melissa has Vintage Jewelry!

Yes, you read it right, Made By Melissa now has vintage jewelry. Its only for a limited time as once my stash runs out, its gone forever (or until another female relative passes on her jewelry box). This jewelry is an assortment from my husband's grandmother Adeline and his great aunt Margo. There are some classic pieces from Margo's world travels and some simple and trendy necklaces and clip on earrings from Adeline's colorful collection.

These two pieces were snapped up less than 12 hours after I listed them!
Lovely black and gold multi-strand choker:


Golden Eqyptian Pendant:


This nifty wood and rope necklace is still available:


Keep checking back at my shop, I still have a lovely turquoise and pearl pendant, a gold ladybug watch necklace, some funky chunky totally 80's necklaces and enough clip on earrings to make your head spin!

Like vintage but jewelry isn't quite your thing? Well, how about vintage baseball cards? They are perfect for scrapbooking, altered art, collages and all your paper art projects!


In fact, these cards even made an appearance with my vintage crochet hook for the One Object, 365 Days Challenge!