Etsy, yelp, and reviews... and confessional...

Hi all,
Sometimes when I am a bit puny (as my G-ma would say).  You know just feeling a little blue and need to get going but can't.  I read the reviews folks have left for my alloneword caps on Etsy and Yelp.   Makes me blush a tiny bit -- and then I feel good.   I don't know if anyone else reads them or if they help anyone decide to get a cap from me (like to think they do).  But, those reviews do keep me going.
Thank you,
Mary
PS Last call for free ALC caps.  Email me if you are riding and want one.  :)  Cut off is Monday at nightnoon.
m

New shop in the City (SF) for my caps...

Good Morning,
Exciting news not only did I get 3 orders for caps on etsy but also have a sales lead on a shop in the city for my caps.  :)  good times

I've been making cool key chains out of bike inter-tubes for Handmade Ho-down swag.  My Grandpa was a cattle ranch owner and I found this great book of his "How to make Cowboy Horse Gear."   It has directions for a Magic Braid.  And that is the pattern I am using for the Handmade Ho-down swag!

Have a great one,
Mary
PS off to make more caps today.  Check out the bike shop in the city tomorrow.  wish me luck!
m

The pleasure of ETSY!

Good Morning Everyone,

Well, I have a full day planned for today.  I am going to make a cap for Hal my newest cap fan.  He ordered the Red Heart Lupe Cap from my etsy site.  I am so happy.   Hal has sent me the sweetest emails.  It is just such a pleasure to make caps (or anything for that mater) for folks who really understand the goodness of a handmade item.  It is why I love to work on Etsy.

Hal lives in the same town as Charm City Cakes: Baltimore.  It is the home of The Ace of Cakes, one of my favorite shows.  (Side note: Tori Amos won a Baltimore song writing competition as a child.  She is a cute kid in the video — belting out her love of this town)  I am such a big fan about this show and the folks who work at C.C.C.   Really, what could be more traditional than a wedding cake?  When you think of a wedding cake an image pops to mind: White, fancy, flowers, multiple levels.   CCC cakes have wires and decorations coming off of them and flame job paintings, fireworks just fun crazy beautiful designs.  Charm City Cakes is a business that makes and sells an alternative to the codified type. They are extreme and loved. It inspires me not to compromise on my design.  Sometimes folks try to temper my style to make it more sale-able.  Which is a good thing they are wanting to help me,  however, I am just now finding this voice of mine and it is ... well I don't know.  I am finding that out everyday.  My point is that the success of Charm City Cakes shows that there is a place for a different point of view.  Maybe there is a place for my quirky point of view too.

The wonderful exciting part is that you get to see if I can do it.  More than that you make it possible for me to have this creative life.  I am very  thankful to all of you.  Have a great Hump day.  Photos later… of Hals cap with a twist!

Yours,

Mary

P.S. Found this great music via the Found Mag. Tour.  The Watson Twins are fab!  Here is a link to the audio part of their website.  I can't get enough of them. 

www.thewatsontwins.com/audioplayer.php

Just go to the Audio in the menu bar.  You can listen to the album before you buy it! :)  The first song is so good.  I just gotta say one more thing.  Darn they have a great Web Page.  Check it out! m

Bead Inspirations!

Good Morning Everyone,

My earring wires came in to Bead Inspirations.  It is my local bead shop here in lovely Alameda California.  The nicest folks work there.  I try get my supplies from local shops.  Don't get me wrong, I love shopping on line as much as the next person.  Heck -- I even sell my creations on line at www.alloneword.etsy.com and www.centralave.etsy.com  However, I like having good craft places in town to shop at and take classes.  That is why I am always happy to find, and support, a new independently owed craft shop.

Bead Inspirations gives me a great deal on my beading needs and no shipping!  Even better then that -- they help me.  They help me find what I need to do my project and often how to make it even better.  And a big shout out to my peeps at B. I. : Vicky and Lydia.   Hip urban slang aside, these two folks are the greatest.  Thank you. 

Here is a link to them:

www.beadinspirations.com

I hope you like them as much as I do.

Happy Hump Day,

Mary