Item of the Day

I've started a new (to me) feature for my Etsy shop...an Item of the Day.  I don't do these daily, but on a whim.  So I could have just one a week, 3 a week or if I'm feeling really saucy, 7 in a week. ;)  Today I do have an item of the day:

Fancy Jasper and Copper Bracelet

In addition to being a really great bracelet that is perfect for fall and could be for a man or a woman, I really like the pictures I took of this one.  Not so much because I think they're stellar art, but because the rocks came out of my daughter's rock collection.  I really like that she's gladly let me borrow her rocks (and shells in some of my other listings) for my pictures, so every time I look at this or the other pictures with her rocks and shells, I think of her. :)

Another Self-Portrait Project and Creativity

I've decided to start a 365 Days self-portrait project, again.  It's funny, I managed to stick with it and do the whole thing the first time I tried it out, but every time I've started it again, I've always stopped within the first couple of weeks (or, in some cases, days).  I'm up to day 18 (today will be day 19 once I take it), so maybe this time it'll stick.  At the very least, I've made it longer than past attempts. 

As I go, I'm hoping to take some more creative shots, not necessarily showing my face, or even most of my body.  My hand as been featured in two already, and today's will likely be my foot.  The last time I did this, I also did various themes for the week and I'd like to do some of that again to keep it interesting, both for me and anyone who looks at the set.

This one is from Day 11 and shows two charm bracelets I recently made (along with my hand).  I have not put them into my Etsy shop yet, but plan to do so soon.  It's the first time I've made charm bracelets like this and I'm pleased with the results.  I've also started making cell phone charms and am looking into other ideas for things to make with beads and charms that are not necessarily jewelry.  Although I enjoy making jewelry, I'm itching to make new and different items as well.  I may start looking into making more stamping/scrapbooking items as well.  So many crafts, so little time. :)

A New Year

I knew that I would not be ready to start any new goals over a weekend that followed celebrating New Year's Eve, so I resolved to start working toward my goals on January 5th, which is when my older daughter goes back to school and we get back into the "normal" routine.  So far, my goals are more ideas than solid goals with action steps.  I want to eat healthier foods, work on paying down debt, keep a cleaner house, and of course continue to work on building up my Etsy shop.

One thing I'm hoping to offer more of in my shop in the coming year is more chainmail items that my husband has made.  These have been really popular, especially at the craft fair we did in December.  I have one of his chainmail keychains on my keyring, although mine is a straight line rather than a celtic star.  I asked him to make it for me to "test" to see if the rings would hold up to being taken in and out of my purse, pocket, dangled from the ignition of the car, etc.  Yeah, I was just wanting to "test" it, that's it. ;)  I've had it for several months now and it has held up quite well.  I really like it.

So, now that we are 4 days into the New Year, what kind of resolutions have you made?  Have any of them already been broken? ;)  If so, I hope you don't throw in the towel, one of the things about goals is they are something to work toward, not something you flip a switch and have perfectly.  There will likely be bumps on the way, but as long as you don't let them stop you, you can still reach your goal.