Wow - front page-tastic!

I'm not sure what I've done to deserve this, but I have been on the Etsy front page 3 times (!!!) in 2 days. I must have been very good lately!

I am really trying to take my Etsy shop to the next stage. A more professional looking shop, better photos, more items available for sale, etc. I think I've been a little lax in the presentation so far. I find it hard to put as much effort into the shop - photos, descriptions etc, as I do into creating. I've been regarding the time taken to maintain my shop as time away from my workbench, rather than an important part of my business. I think it's time to set aside some time and give the shop a bit of an overhaul. (Eek!).

Well, I guess time will tell whether my good intentions come to anything! Here are the lovely front page treasuries:

Woo-Hoo! I was on the Etsy Front Page!

I've been on cloud nine all day. Yesterday my bracelet made it to the front page of Etsy! This is the first time I have ever been selected, and it really is a big deal for me. I've been an Etsy seller for over a year now and have dreamt wistfully of being on the front page for all that time. Maybe my photos are finally (at long last) becoming front page-worthy.
I have to admit that I'm not a naturally gifted photographer (actually I'm not sure I'm naturally gifted at anything). My photos take ages. This is partly because I would rather do almost anything else than take photgraphs, so they tend to get put off, and partly because I need to take about 100 pictures to get a couple of useable ones. (An image of monkeys and typewriters springs to mind).
But anyway, here is the lovely front page (My bracelet is top middle) courtesy of thebrickkiln.etsy.com

Shiny New Heart

There is something very zen about filing, sanding and polishing metal by hand. Yes, it is time consuming, but if it keeps me away from the housework, then frankly I'm all for it. ("I'm sorry you have no clean shirts dear, but look at the shine on this!")

This little heart was fabricated entirely by hand. It is hollow sterling silver, with a twisty little bail. I've hung it on a longer than average, delicate sterling chain.

The heart looks great, but sadly my fingernails are now covered in dents and scuffs from all my determined sanding. Will my rate of producing hearts be determined by how quickly my nails grow? A wretched flaw in an otherwise perfect plan of eternal zen-dom and undone housework.

Opals of the Sea

Since I got back from New Zealand I have been keen to try and use some abalone (paua) shell in my jewelry - I saw so many great examples there. Yesterday (afer much polishing) I finally completed this pendant. I am really pleased with the result, and have already started work on a matching ring!

Bellini Cocktails

Another front page treasury! I really think I would like to own everything in this!

New Favourites!!

I think I might be slightly in love with these new earrings: They are Made with vintage German glass beads, which are over 50 years old. They are a fabulous deep blue with coppery gold sparkles within. Such a stunning bead.

Calm and Frosty Morning

This is the next best thing to having one of my own items on the front page (which wont happen until my photography skills improve!) Here it is: I called it "Calm and Frosty Morning".