3 from the BESTeam

Wow, I can't believe I let a whole week go by without blogging anything!!!  I was trying to finish up a custom order inbetween "play" dates with Owen, Chuck coming down with a cold, and Christmas shopping? Forget it!  I only made it to one store, but I thankfully ordered a few things on-line. I realized that I was losing total control over my time when I remembered this great post from Erin Giles.  I subscribe to her blog (one of the few I subscribe to) and last month she wrote this great piece about using your time, Smokin' What I Sell, How I put my family before my business.  Yeah, it only took me a month to put it into practice, but I have been running on that hamster wheel, and not only was my family getting short-changed, so was my business.  So I made myself an HOURLY schedule.  I cut out for myself 4 hours of computer time and 3 hours of studio time, just like a real out of the house job!  And with this being the Christmas rush, this was probably not the best time to start. hahaha.  But yeah, I will be putting into practice what I preach to everyone else, especially my good friends on the BESTeam.  With that being said (and I only have 1 hour left of work time this morning)  here are my favorite items from the shops of Absolutely Kismet, Beader Bubbe, and Redemption Art.

I have always considered drinking wine a "classy" thing to do, and even though I don't drink myself, I love to entertain.  What better way to track each guests glass than with a "classy" wine charm.  In the shop of Absolutely Kismet, you can find all kinds of wine charms (and some jewelry).  My favorite one is this Bow Tie Wine Charms.  It comes in a set of 6, and you get to choose the color.

Etsy / Blog / Facebook

My favorite piece from BeaderBubbe is this Butterfly Pendant.  My love of heat and summer is no secret, and one of my most favorite summer pastimes is watching the butterflies and hummingbirds in my garden.  I chose flowers and plants just for them, so this necklace is a no brainer for me!  Agnes is a loving (and spoiling) gramma just like me, and can't wait to retire so she can create and sell her jewelry full time.  Etsy / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Now over to Connie's shop, Redemption Art.  Located in Hawaii, you'll find some amazing vintage items here, like this cobalt blue hand painted vase.  The colors just shout out "LOOK AT ME".  Connie has made some great vintage finds, she has a good eye and knows what to look for, there is always something new in her shop.  And if that's not enough, she has a second shop, Volcano Girl Creations, where she offers her handmade items.  And her blog is one of the few that I subscribe to....  Etsy / Etsy 2 / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

Now it's your turn.  Go visit these great shops and find your own personal favorites.  And if you're an Etsy seller with a blog, come and join the BESTeam around.  And follow our team blog for more news about our members.

Debbi





here kitty kitty

Here's some Besteam kitty kitties! This week I pulled 3 totally different shops for my BESTeam weekly feature, and was "almost" stumped as to how to tie them all together for my feature. That's when I noticed that all 3 shops had a cat item for sale, so here we are, "here kitty kitty kitty". lol

First up from the shop of UpcycleRecycleReuse I found this way too cute orange tabby kitten.  I had a kitten just like this as a kid, we called him Kris Kringle (yes I brought him home at Christmastime).  This Orange Tabby Cat envelope was created from recycled paper, which is the foundation of this Etsy shop.  You can also find UpcycleRecycleReuse on facebook, and follow the Recycle blog.

Next I found this Vintage Siamese Cat Perfume bottle and vase in the wonderful Hawaiian shop, Redemption Art.  Let me tell you....Connie finds the neatest stuff, and graciously shares them with us.  You can like Connie on facebook, or follow her tweets on twitter.  But I'm telling you, her blog is a must read.  She has a great way with words, and shares life on the island so well, you'll feel like you're really there, so bring your lei and grass skirt and enjoy.

And finally Michelle from Mossy Creek Soaps handpainted this Black Cat on a pumpkin for those who celebrate Halloween.  Michelle makes all her soaps from natural ingredients right in her own studio in Georgia, USA.  She also teaches soap making there and in case you were wondering, she is a certified soap maker with the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild.  And you can find her all over the web...at her own site, read her blog, on facebook, on twitter, and the first place I met her, on Creating the Hive, another cool social site for artists.

Well, that's all the Best for this week.  You can click on any of the links above to get you where you want to go.  And remember, if your an an Etsy artist that likes to blog, and is looking for support, friendship, and promotion, the BESTeam is the team for you.

Debbi

Aloha to Besteam member Redemption Art

One of our newer members of the BESTeam is Connie Lou from Hawaii. I've always wanted to visit Hawaii, I wonder if Connie has guest rooms, hahaha. Connie's Etsy shop is Redemption Art, and it's full of wonderful vintage items. I have a special fondness for vintage items, I still listen to vinyl records, and refuse to buy a kindle because there is nothing that can replace the feel and smell of a good book. Connie's shop has great items, like these...

This vintage Santa pin brings back memories of my mother wearing a large holiday feather pin I got her back in the 60's. She loved me and wore that on her coat every day, even way past Christmas.

And this turquoise and silver charm bracelet would be the perfect gift for that special someone in your life.

And these white things are pig's teeth. Wild pig's teeth. Pig Pua'a teeth to be exact.

Connie also has a wonderful blog, Island Buzzy. It's full of great pictures and stories of life on the big island. You should really stop by and see her blog about making a traditional (?) Hawaiian Christmas wreath.

You can click on any of the above links to visit her shop and blog. And be sure to say "Aloha".