On Vacation

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Hey, everyone! Some of you might know that I'm going on vacation tomorrow! Yay! I'm not sure what the computer situation will be at the hotels we're staying at so I'm not going to promise any posts. BUT if I do get computer access I will definitely try to post! If our time allows, of course! I'm taking the usb cable for my camera so if I can, I'll upload some pics too! I'm not making any promises though!

Anyway, I'll write to guys soon!

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Sunday Featured Artist

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Today's featured artist is a very talented person that goes by the name of SerendipityCollections online. Let's let her introduce herself...

Tell us a bit about yourself: name, location, anything else that strikes your fancy.

Hi! My name is Jana and I live in Littlestown, PA. I started selling gifts and collectibles on eBay and branched out into having my own online boutique called Serendipity Collections. I love selling online and have made many friends with other online sellers and my customers. They have enriched my life so much.

What do you make?

I make handcrafted greeting cards using digital collage and hand-stamping for sale. I, also, paint pots with acrylic paint, decoupage various objects and make collage on canvas using acrylic paints and found objects.



Why do you craft?

I am a singer first and always loved any kind of music. I wanted to try something different so one day I was watching Donna Dewberry on TV and I thought, “I can do that.” I started with One-Stroke painting and had success selling my wares at craft shows. From there, I just started trying different things. I have always had a desire to create and it is very fulfilling to me to try something new with my creations. Sometimes things work and sometimes they are an utter failure but the act of creating itself is very therapeutic. When it works it is just so joyful.

How did you learn to make your craft?

I started by reading magazines about paper art and then took some online classes. I read everything I could about the craft I wanted to take up and then just used that knowledge along with my own instincts to create.

What inspires you?

Other artists, nature, old family photos, old movies, looking at combinations of colors.



Who is your idol or someone you look up to for inspiration?

My mother was my hero and I got so much support from her. She is gone now but I remember her words about so many things. She was always looking at the wonder of nature and that is where I get much of my inspiration. My other idol is Eleanor Roosevelt. She was an advocate for so many good things associated with civil and human rights and was really a pioneer woman. They both inspire me to be a better person.

What do you besides crafting?

I have an online boutique that takes up much of my time. I l love to read (mysteries, fiction, biographies, and also anything related to my craft or owning an online shop), be involved in politics, talk to friends, shop, share a meal with good friends.



What books or movies do you like or is your all time favorite?

I love all Agatha Christie mysteries, Charles Dickens (with all his flowery language) and Ernest Hemingway (with his sparse, succinct style). I love reading the Romantic British poets and my very favorite is William Wordsworth. I love old classic movies like Casablanca, anything with Bette Davis and George Brent, The Thin Man series but also foreign films like Indochine and indie movies like Touch of Pink and Jump Tomorrow. My all-time favorite movie is L. A. Confidential.



What websites do you frequent?

Oh my gosh, I go lots of places. I LOVE just browsing Etsy – there is so much talent there. My friend, Tracy Roos is a talented artist and she has a few sites I visit, www.tracyroos.com, www.tracyroos.typepad.com, as well as www.tracylovespink.etsy.com. My brother, Bob, who graduated with a BFA from The Maryland Institute, College of Art, has an online gallery at www.americanpaintingsonline.com that I frequent to see what is new. I just joined a group on Ning called the 29 days of giving challenge at www.29gifts.com and I extend an open invitation to everyone to join. It can be life changing.



What other artist do you like (Etsy or otherwise)?

To name a few, Claudine Hellmuth at www.claudinehellmuth.etsy.com, Paper Nosh by Paulette at www.papernosh.etsy.com, Handgrown Pottery at www.lgbrinkley.etsy.com, and one of my dearest friends, Jessie whose shop J. B. Guess & Co. is located at www.jbguess.etsy.com.

If you are interested in what you saw and read here, I encourage you to visit her shop and online boutique and view her beautiful work!

Jana's Etsy shop: www.PaperFields.etsy.com
Jana's Online Boutique: www.SerendipityCollections.com

Thank you, Jana and Thank you for reading. I'll write to you guys later!

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Going to the South!

Friday, June 13, 2008

Hello, everyone! How are you guys? I'm doing good. Some days, like today, I really want to blog but I don't know about what! I guess I'll have to start a list of blog topics! Anyway, it's hot here in Los Angeles, California. Good thing I'm inside with the air conditioner!

I think it's time I told you about the trip I'm going to go on in about a week. I heard about this travel agency, Contiki, from my cousin. I've been wanting to go somewhere for after I graduated. I wanted to go alone but I knew my mother would probably not let me. So when I heard of this, I thought it was perfect! They provide guided tours of various destination for people from 18 - 35. So I decided to do discover the eastern side of the U.S. since I really haven't seen that part much.

The trip starts in New Orleans so I'm going to fly there on June 25. I'm going to share a room with another girl, someone I haven't even met! Then we're going to go by bus to other major cities along the way. We're gonna visit Savannah, Georgia then Orlando, Florida, where we will spend three nights near Disney World and EPCOT center. From there we'll be going to North Carolina and Washington D.C. for the Fourth of July. Our last stop is in New York where I'm going to meet my parents, who are going to be there from the fourth. I only have a full day there before going back come the next day, July 9. We're probably going to see a broadway show. I don't know which one yet.


View Larger Map

Anyway, I'm really excited about my trip and I can't wait! I've never been to the 'South' but I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun. Of course, I'll take a lot of pictures and share with you guys!

Also, I have updated my Etsy shop with these cute earrings...


Click on each to visit their listings on Etsy. Thanks for reading and write to you guys later!

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Featured EtsyBlogger for June 2008: AliciaMae

Monday, June 9, 2008

There is a new Featured EtsyBlogger in town, AliciaMae! She's from Raleigh, North Carolina and has a merriade of talents to offer! She says she has interests in wood burning, painting, cross stitching, polymer clay and taking photographs. Here are some of her beautiful creations:

OOAK Original Night Sky Painting

The Swift River - 5 x 7 Print


She is quite the busy bee with three Etsy shops, a blog and a separate website! Wow!
Here are the links to learn more about AliciaMae!
AliciaMae Etsy Shop 1: AliciaMae.etsy.com
AliciaMaePrints Etsy Shop 2: AliciaMaePrints.etsy.com
Shop #3 called randomsupplies: randomsupplies.etsy.com

Now for her blog and her website.

Thanks for reading! Write to you guys later!


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My New Room and New Studio

Friday, June 6, 2008

Since my sister got married and moved out of her room, I decided to take over and move my bedroom furniture in there. Since it's a bit bigger than mine it had enough room for my 'Craft Corner' which I was very excited about! Now that all the painting and decorating are done, I've decided to give you a tour.

Here is my bed. This is the view once you enter so the door is behind me. I got the curtains from IKEA, if anyone wants to know.

Right next to my bed is my 'Craft Corner'. It's just big enough to fit a small table and drawers full of my stuff. I love it! Then to the immediate right is my closet with mirrored doors. You can kind of see it on the side.

Then right by my closet is my clothes hanger which is right behind the door where you enter. The 'n' is for Nora! The clothes hanger is from IKEA as well.

Right by the door is my other computer, the PC. I used to use this before I got my laptop, now it just sits there. Next to it is my dresser with mirror.

Here's my dresser. Please don't mind the crap on it. I have a lot of stuff! And next to it is my nightstand and so on, again.

And here is under my bed, where my dog loves to hide and sleep. He's a cocker spaniel and poodle mix.

Here he is again. He thinks he's so cool! His name is Micky, btw.

Anyway, that's my brand new bedroom and 'Craft Corner'. Hope you like! Write to you later!

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The Stars are in Your Eyes!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008


So I updated my shop yesterday and today with these two star studs. I love the bright colors matched with a simple shape. What do you guys think? Click on the images to be taken to its listing on Etsy.



Anyway, just a quick post to tell you guys about the goings on! Write to you guys later!

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My Graphic Design Services

Monday, June 2, 2008

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am offering my graphic design services! I'm offering a whole range of services like:

- Logo Design
- Banner Design (Blogger, Etsy or any other website)
- Avatar Design (Blogger, Etsy or any other website)
- Business Card Design
- Packaging Design
- Brochure/Multi-page Catalog Design
- Website Design
- Advertisements (Web and Print)
- Flash Advertisements

Visit my graphic design website to see my portfolio: www.norademirjian.com

Since I just graduated and I'm just starting out, I thought the Etsy community would be a great place to start. If you're not in the Etsy community, that's fine, too! For right now, the only compensation I require is, if you have a blog or website, that my blog link be added to your blog roll if you have one or link list. I just want to get my work and name out there to as much people as possible. So the time is now, folks, to take advantage of this great opportunity!

If you are interested, please email me. My email address is: norademirjian@gmail.com and it also can be found in the upper left hand corner of my blog. Thanks for you time!

Write to you guys later!

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Sunday Featured Artist

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Today I'm going to start a new series called 'Sunday Featured Artist' where I interview a lucky Etsy Artist and showcase their work here. Our first artist is A Keeper's Jacket.

1) Tell us a bit about yourself: name, location, anything else that strikes your fancy.

My name is Jackie, I live in Upstate New York, at the southern end of the Adirondacks. I am a Medical Technologist in a hospital microbiology laboratory and I'm married and live with my two cats.


2) What do you make?

I mostly make jewelry, but I've been experimenting with polymer clay, decoupage, crochet, and I'm really bad at knitting. I sell beaded jewelry, and wire jewelry, bookmarks, and lanyards. I would like to sell polymer clay beads and decoupage pendants, coasters, picture frames, wall plates, and maybe more in the future.

3) Why do you craft?

My mom crafty mom got me into it as a kid, and I outgrew the phase. Somehow I grew back into it a couple years ago. Maybe because I'm a married woman now. Anyway, unlike my regular job, it allows me to be creative. It keeps my fingers moving :)

4) How did you learn to make your craft or how did you get started doing your craft?

My sister (in law) made me a necklace, I thought it was really cool. She showed me some, I learned other techniques on my own. My mom taught me how to crochet. Co-workers taught me how to knit. I learned decoupage from the local bead shop while being cashed out, inspired me to decorate stuff around the house.

5) What inspires you?

Sometimes a focal piece, like a pendant or bead will inspire me for making the rest of the necklace, earrings, or whatever. Sometimes I accidentally get an idea when another goes awry. Other times I'll start making something and decide to change it into something completely different, like with my Mood Swing Jasper Necklace and Bracelet set. I also get vague ideas from magazines, but I like to put my own style into it.


6) Who is your idol or someone you look up to for inspiration?

I guess it depends on what I need inspiration for in the moment.

7) What do you do besides crafting?

I recently got super into hiking. I'm in the Adirondack Mountain Club with my sister. I like camping and exercising, and baking/decorating cakes.

8) What books or movies do you like or is your all time favorite?

My favorite book that I've read in Book Club is the Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. Can't think of an all time favorite right now. Favorite movies... I like anything ridiculously stupid and funny. When I watch a movie I don't want to have to work for it, understanding plot. I just want to be spoon fed humor.

9) What websites/blogs do you frequent?

My own, of course, (A Keeper's Jackpot) http://akeepersjackpot.blogspot.com
my mother-in-law's (Journeys) http://dmcordell.blogspot.com
Blaze Danielle: http://blazedanielle.wordpress.com/
EtsyBlogger's street team blog: http://etsybloggers.blogspot.com/
and useful blog tips: http://tips-for-new-bloggers.blogspot.com/



10)What other artist do you like (Etsy or otherwise)?

The wife of a co-worker: Brodeur: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5670253
Lucid Studios: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=45591
and JoeyandAleethea: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=80947 - I don't have any use for what they sell (baby clothes) but she is so very helpful with advice on blogging.

To learn more about A Keeper's Jackpot aka Jackie, visit her blog: http://www.akeepersjackpot.blogspot.com.

To shop her Etsy store, visit: http://www.AKeepersJackpot.etsy.com.

Thanks for reading and write to you guys later!

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