My Perfect Summer Evening...

I am often heckled by my cousin. "Are you working again?!" he says. Or my favorite... "OH, You're working, I don't want to bother you." It funny because he only seems to text me or message me when I an deep in thought, or working on my next big project. Or perhaps I do spend too much time working.

My cousin and I are only a few years apart from another, him being eldest. We were raised more like brother and sister than cousins. So we have a long history of poking fun at one another. I have to admit the heckling has always been fun. Its more of a show of endearment than harassment.

It is obvious that he thinks I work too much, and he worries. But... He is missing how much I enjoy building my company and the work I do. Mos t of the time I don't feel like I am working. I'm creating fun, beautiful things! No! Correction, I'm not just creating things that are beautiful and fun, I'm creating USEFUL, beautiful, and fun things! Items I can use often and share with others. Items no one should never live without.

The best part creating my product is that I get to share what I create with others. I give them a chance experience my joy when they own one of my creations.

Here is a real example of why I love to create useful,  fun, and beautiful things.

I love to make fresh summer drinks. Mojitos are one of my favorite and I enjoy them most often. Mainly because I have a huge variety of mint plants growing in my garden every year. They'd take over if I let them. So what better solution... make delicious Mojitos?!?!

BUT....

Who wants to enjoy a special drink in the same old boring glass every time? NOT ME! I want my drink to make me sparkle. I want to feel like I am having a mini party on my back deck. Soooooo, I create hand painted glass that I can use.

Check it out! This was taken this evening as my cousin heckled me about working too hard.

I was out on my deck, enjoying a Mojito made form the mint in my yard, and reading some business related materials. My son was playing with is ball and diggers, and the birds were singing. It was a delightful evening. I look at the table next me and see this bright yellow polka dot glass holding my drink. I can't help but smile! This is what I create!!!

Nope doesn't sound much like work to me. AND.... When ,I am all done the glass goes in the dishwasher for another time. Easy!

Work doesn't have to feel like work. Who said work has to be stressful and boring? Who said work has to be laborious? Sure not everyday is a "Mojito on the deck" kind of day, but I make the most of my time and try to remain in a positive mental state. I choose to find or create a little happy in every moment!

I hope you do too!

Social Media

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Etsy Treasuries

When I started my shop on Etsy in 2011, I was not impressed with it. I felt lost in the huge variety of shops and artful handmade products. I was frustrated with the struggle to stand out! Recently I discovered I was looking at it all wrong!

Etsy is a wonderful place to shop, of course!!! But the community aspect adds a great deal of depth to the Etsy experience. There are so many people willing to help you with anything you need. It took me reading about this community in books for me to discover it!! Yep, I was CLUELESS!!

Got a question? Need clarification? Just post it or send a shop owner a message, and someone will answer you. Some forums, threads, and teams are a little less active than others, so if you don't get your answer in a few days try another one. I would actually be surprise if you did not get an answer within minutes!!  Don't get frustrated (like I did) because there are plenty of people actively helping newbies. I even see veterans posting questions on various subjects. We can't know it all when we first jump in. It takes time to learn the ins and outs of this vast community. So take your time and check out all the great things Etsy has to offer.

One of my favorite community aspects of Etsy are the Treasuries. This is a place where you can gather up to 16 of your favorite items (per treasury) from your favorite shops and display them proudly. You can share the link with friends and family. Think of it... your husband is usually clueless about what to get you for your birthday or anniversary... Email him your own treasury filled with ideas!!! He will have 16 items to choose from and you can still be surprised!!!

Another one of the best parts of these lists is that the more clicks your treasury gets the greater chance it has of being displayed on Etsy's front page! So if you share it enough, all the things you love will be there for others to love.

Something to remember about creating treasuries is to make it beautiful. You might also like to create specific themes like, Summer, the Sea, use your favorite color as a theme, etc.

Below are a few great treasuries you should check out. Some I made and some have been made by my team members.

Green is Keen!

Twilight Before the Storm 

Summer Fun

Just Because

For Dad...

These are only a few of the great treasuries you can explore. I hope you take some time to explore the other treasuries out there, and create your own.

Please remember the shops and owners who bring you these wonderful treasures. They work hard to create items for your enjoyment. Show your appreciation by keeping them in business. I know many of these items are one-of-a-kind and will not be available again. So when you find items you really like, act quickly in making them YOURS!!!

It's a Win-Win!!! You support the economy while shopping for and sharing the beautiful hand crafted items!

ENJOY!!

Father's Day! Finding that perfect gift means finding the right shop!

There is nothing better than finding a unique and memorable gift for a specific occasion!! Father's Day is just that occasion, and as it may be it is around the corner.

Telling Dad how much he means to you is important!

BUT... Where can you go to find amazingly distinctive gifts.

Easy!

Start with our Etsy shop... here is the link. https://www.etsy.com/shop/ElegantlyHaunted

Within the Elegantly Haunted Etsy shop you will find quality handmade, tastefully designed greeting cards!

Here is the best part, our greeting cards are more than just some card you grabbed while you were at your favorite Big-Box Store... You will be telling Dad that you really thought about him. When you purchase from a small local artisan, you are telling Dad that he wasn't a second thought while you bought laundry detergent. Instead you will be saying to him that he means the world to you!

The card you present to him will be frame quality and keepsake worthy! That speaks directly to the importance of your Dad in your life.

So take some time and think about your Dad. Think about all the special things he has done for you.

Visit the Elegantly Haunted Etsy shop and find your Dad something truly special for this Father's Day!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ElegantlyHaunted

Find inspiration with Family and Friends. Creative inspiration at a bead show.

Creating from inspiration is the best way to make precious keepsakes.  Creating from passion and heart makes your item(s) irreplaceable. In the end you put more into them than you would by simply copying a design from a magazine or book. You have to make it your own.

I often get asked, “How do you come up with all these great designs?” What I do, inspires others to share with their family and friends. I offer them something gorgeous for personal satisfaction and gift-giving! This is why I do what I do, and this is why I keep myself open to a range of ideas and inspirations.

I think it is only fitting that I share my inspirations with you. Creativity is something that comes to individuals, well individually. Most of my creative bursts come from my family, nature, other artists in other mediums, and life experiences.

This card I call “You are my ROCK!” came to me at a bead show I attended with my Mother-in-Law, and her friend. I didn’t expect to find anything there to use in my art, as I deal mainly with paper and glass… Stones and glass have never gone together well as we have heard, and I was not sure how I could use beads and paper. I was very new to the card making and scrap-booking scene, I had no clue!! Regardless, I never give up a chance to hang out with my Mother-in-Law.

As we browsed the heaps of beads strung on fishing line, we came upon a table with some beautiful multifaceted stones. My Mother-in-Law picks up a strand and says to me, “What about a card, with one of these stones mounted on it and the saying, You are my rock?” I looked at her and saw the excitement in her eyes, and it clicked. That’s A GREAT IDEA!!

She had every confidence in me that I would create a card layout that would be keepsake worthy featuring this beautiful stone and a message to match. So I did. We bought several strands. I brought them home and worked on my designs. I ended up with a couple of designs I found to be very pleasing!

As I said before, inspiration comes to individuals, individually. Look for your own inspirations in the most unlikely places. When the idea clicks run with it!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151582476/you-are-my-rock-frameable-fathers-day?

Art Galleries

More photos at http://www.elegantlyhaunted.com/galleries/

Sustainable Solutions

XL Black and White Trees

My problem solved through creativity and imagination

By Brandy Boswell, Artist & Owner of Elegantly Haunted

www.ElegantlyHaunted.com   - Hand painted Glassware for ALL Occasions!!!

Today there are many ways your make your home, gift giving, and entertaining greener. One of the best methods is through purchasing products that are repurposed. However, it can be difficult to find repurposed items that are artful, tasteful, and usable, all in one. If the piece doesn’t have value or give pleasure, your effort is wasted!

I found myself facing this dilemma when I was looking for a sensible and sustainable way to “WOW” my guests at my annual Halloween party. There were several points I wanted to address with my parties;

1. I wanted to limit the amount of waste my party produced,

2. I wanted to give my guests something they would value and appreciate,

3. I wanted something to match my theme and decor, &

4. I wanted to create!!!

My solution? Hand painted glassware!

Over the course of about a month, I visited my local community stores and purchased the best quality wine glasses possible. Next, I hand painted each glass with a one of a kind design using the best quality glass paint I could find. As my guests arrived at my party, I handed them their own unique piece of art. My guests where more than WOW’d, they were FLOORED!

My guests used their wine glasses all evening and then took them home as a truly memorable and pleasurable gift. This was the perfect solution for me!! I reduced my level of waste, and clean up all in one. Above all, my guests received a gift filled with value, beauty, and personal attention!

From this spark of imagination, I now have a thriving business. I create hand painted glassware for anyone looking for a unique gift and/or a sustainable option when entertaining! As it turns out my original design is my best seller. It is a simple black and white tree, proving less is more!

This custom glass was created for Steve Buckley, author of Blackbear the Pirate.

My hand painted glassware makes AMAZING gifts for all occasions! I hand paint party & wedding favors, wine glasses, beer steins, candle holders and so much more! The possibilities seem endless.

Buying repurposed hand painted glassware not only supports a sustainable lifestyle, it also supports an American business, and artist creating American made products. No need to buy cheap print press ‘Made in China’ glasses disguised as hand painted.  Truly a sensible solution!!!!

Artful, Personal & Durable! Just the way my clients and I like it!

hand painted party favors are a MUST for your next event and gathering

Article featured on http://craftmarketer.com/sustainable-solutions/