Dusting Off the Cobwebs!!

Dusting off the cobwebs is appropriate for this time of year. I have not blogged in ages! As you can see from my last post, I was involved in show. Then, once it closes, it is time to catch up on everything I couldn't do during the run. I now finally feel rested and caught up and ready to once again start posting.

It is time to get ready for the season of holidays that begins with Halloween...

by IMCreations

and ends at New Year's Day...

by Letterhappy

In the middle of all that is Thanksgiving...

by Holiday Designs

and Hanukkah...

by Tamerhammer

and of course, Christmas!

by Studio JK

Three months of celebrations!!! I hope you are ready...there are only 73 shopping days until Christmas!

Green the Color of Money

Wow ~ another FFEST Treasury! Check it out and make a comment! Thank you AngelqueCreations for including my Pretty Pincushion!!

LisaJHoney is Featured

I was just going through my emails and I opened my daily delivery from CraftGossip.com. To my delight at the very end was a picture that looked very familar...a member of our FFESTy family has been featured!!!

Lisa Johnson is an extremely talented artist. Her felt creations make my mouth water! Here is a sampling of her lovely work...

WE are proud to have Lisa as a member of the Facebook Fans on Etsy Street Team (FFEST) and look forward to seeing more of her faux mouth-watering creations!!

The Little Thread that Could

I am constantly amazed at the power of the internet. On July 20, 2009 I began a thread on the Etsy forum just to get enough fans so that my Facebook fan page could have a simpler URL. Did I even think that over a month later I would still be posting to that thread? Well, of course not! Not only is the thread over 800 posts long, but there are at least a couple of posts on the thread daily.

As the thread became active, I had the bright idea of forming a group on Facebook. Through that group I met some really nice and talented Estians. Then I made the comment about an Etsy Street Team for Facebook Fans. Before I knew the core group came together and we started laying the foundation for our team.

Last week, FFEST (Facebook Fans on Etsy Street Team) became official and we are slowly adding to our membership ranks. There are some awesome members who are planning contests, giveaways, scavenger hunts etc. We have an official FFEST forum, a Blog, a very vibrant banner and avatar, and a twitter account.

When I began the facebook fans thread did I even consider that it would turn into a team? Nope! But I am sure happy it did! Please stop by the thread and fan some pages...and ♥ some shops!

When fanning a fan page on FB, make sure you leave the link to your fan page. That makes it so much easier to fan you back!! If you go through the Etsy thread you will find hundreds of pages to fan! Good luck on reaching the goal of 100 for the vanity URL! And don't forget to stop by the Etsy shops and leave a heart or two...it is just good karma!!

August Etsyblogger - Memories for Life Scrapbooks

I was so excited to hear that Edi from Memories for Life Scrapbooks was chosen as the August Etsyblogger! This gal is talented with a capital T! She makes the cutest scrapbooks. I love all her embellishments! She is an active and supportive member of the Etsybloggers team. She is always the one to post a comment on a friend's blog. Here is a small sample of her creations...

FAMILY album for Christmas giving

Aren't these Flip Flop albums darling?

This is picture perfect for the pet lover!

How about this trendy little notebook?

Edi's items are reasonably priced and very well-made. I hope you will stop by her shop and leave a heart or two.

Friday Feature ~ Facebook Fan

Each Friday I am featuring a fan of my Facebook fan page. Today's Featured Facebook Fan is...

Matt of Glasstastic!!!

What first caught my eye was his colorful avatar. I had been given advice once to have a colorful and unique avatar so people will remember your shop...his fits the bill! I browsed his shop and found a number of glass items that I would love to have and that would be perfect for gift giving! Below you will find a few items that I like.

Stained Glass Business Card Holder

Celtic Knot Suncatcher - it actually looks like it was woven!

Old World Santa/St. Nick Suncather

As I browsed I saw that there quilted items available...a man that sews beautifully, who knew?

Goose Droppings Mini Wall Quilt

So please stop by Glasstastic and browse the wonderful items. Also, visit his Facebook Fan Page and fan him (as I write this he has 38 fans)...if you leave your page link I think he just might fan you back!!

Go and make it an awesome day!!

God bless!!

What's Up Wednesday!!!

Do I have news?! Lots of happenings in my life and online. Blessings are abundant in my life and I am so grateful. Here is a bit of what has been happening...

On Monday, my daughter, Emily, and I auditioned for "My Fair Lady" together. I was keeping my fingers and toes crossed we would both make the show. We got the calls last night and we are in the ensemble together! We did this a couple of years ago at the same theater and it was fun. I can't wait to get started!

Last night, I had a night off from theater since we are finished rehearsing the current show I am in, Fiddler on the Roof, and we have only two more shows this weekend. I decided to start getting the crap...oops!....I mean, Craft room back in order. Over this summer it had become a haven for anything that came under the category of "Where should we put it?". The answer always seemed to be the craft room. I did get a great start...there is now a walkway to my craft table, my beading supplies are all in one spot, fabric scraps are together in one basket and my table has been cleared of miscellaneous paperwork! It is still not pretty but it is a much better work environment.

As I was putting things away, I started to look at the tubs of finished items I have...and I have more than I thought I did! I really need to get to posting these items! I have some cloche hats that need just a little embellishment, scarves, more cotton cloths, and other various crocheted items looking for a new home. My goal is to get photos and postings done by September 1. That gives me almost a month so that seems doable. Plus, I can't sell them if I don't post them.

Another thing that has been occupying my time is Facebook. I truly believe that this can be a great networking tool for sellers on Etsy. I began a thread in the Etsy forums on July 20th asking "Do you need Facebook fans?" I am amazed this thread still has life!!! I just wanted to get over 100 fans for my Etsy shop's facebook fan page. I am quickly coming up on 270 and I have began a group on Facebook called Facebook Fans on Etsy. It has already gotten 101 members! That tells me this is a direction that needs to be explored. If you have any tech savy and would like to help, please let me know!! I could definitely learn from you!

That's a bit of catching up for now...next time I will try and post something lovely with pictures! Don't forget to check back on Friday when I feature one of my Facebook Fans!!!

God bless!

~gloria

Friday Feature ~ Facebook Fan

This Friday's Featured Facebook Fan is......

Behind this beautiful Etsy shop is Cheryl Patterson! Here is a link to her Facebook Fan Page. She makes a variety of items from felted wool. She is a fellow Hoosier, too!

This is just a peek at her wonderful creations you can find in her Etsy shop...

Blue Flower Basket Handbag with removeable brooch

Merlot Stripes Cat

Purple Poppy Felted Brooch

Flower Garden Felted Wool Pillow

Cheryl ~ thank you for becoming a fan of Lucky Ladybug Designs! I hope this feature brings more fans to your page and your shop!

Also Known As

As I was cruising around the internet to all my favorite sites; Facebook, Etsy, Indiana Auditions, Yahoo, Blogger, I realized I have too many identities!! Who am I? I am not quite sure I know. Here are some of my identities.

glorybe1024 ~ I used this for my main email account. You know, the one you don't give out when shopping online. I also used this for my Etsy shop which I signed up for before the birth of Lucky Ladybug Designs. I never thought to open another shop so I will just stick with the one I have.

Gloria Thomas Bray ~ my original identity that I use on my facebook profile. It has been wonderful to connect with friends I haven't seen since high school.

gjbdiva ~ This is my yahoo id. I use this email for offers online that I think will share my email. I have also used it for my shorten FB link www.facebook.com/gjbdiva I don't typically chat on yahoo but I could use it for that.

mamadiva ~ this is my name on indianaauditions.com, a great site for theater peeps in Indiana.

Luckyladybugdesigns ~ my fan page on FB and my fun little etsy shop. I also use Lucky Ladybug on Plurk!

That is all I can think of for now...I am sure there are a few I have forgotten. How about you? How many identities do you have?

Friday Feature ~ Facebook Fan

Recently, I have been working on my Facebook Fan page. In order to get a simplified URL, the page needs 100 fans. What better way than posting on the Etsy Promotion forum. The response has been incredible! I am still getting people adding to the thread after 5 days!! I have a total of 167 fans and achieved my goal of shortening my link to http://www.facebook.com/luckyladybugdesigns

Along the way I have visited the pages and etsy shops of many extremely creative crafters. I believe in paying it forward to someone who needs some assistance in getting more fans for their Facebook page. My Friday Feature will be dedicated to one of those pages that needs some love to get to the 100 fan goal. I hope you will take time and visit the facebook page and shop of the featured artist.

Enough explanation...now for the feature....(drumroll please!).....

This Friday's Feature is the Facebook page of......

MadeWithClayAndLove!!!!

As of today, this page has a total of 64 fans...and it deserves tons more!!! Please stop by and visit and fan this lovely Etsy artisan! Here is the link to her shop on Etsy!

Some of my favorites from her shop are:

The Artist's Palette Keychain

I can't help but smile at The Knitting Sheep

Here is an elegant Pink Rose and Baby Blue necklace

And finally the World's Smallest Sewing Machine!!

I hope you have enjoyed exploring the world of MadeWithClayandLove. Become a fan and don't forget to heart her shop!!! I am sure she will return the favor!

Thank you for reading my blog. May you enjoy many blessings today and always!

Gloria

LuckyLadybugDesigns

Lucky Ladybug Turns 2!!!

My little homespun business turns 2 today!!! It was on 7-7-07 that I officially named my shop Lucky Ladybug Designs! Here are some Etsy ladybugs I found today.

6 Ladybug Tags by deejann

Here is a Knitting Needle Organizer from knitonebeadtwo

Ladybug crayons by lilbooandco

StickyGraffiti has one that is a fav...vinyl wall art

There are tons of ladybug items on etsy...just seek and you will find them!!

God bless!!!

Stocking the Shop

I spent today gathering up all the items I have been working on for the last few weeks and finally put them up in my shop at Lucky Ladybug Designs on etsy.

This is a set of Ponytail ties for only $5

I have been crocheting tons of cotton cloths...you can find sets of 2 or three.

I love the bright colors of this set.

This has to be my favorite new item...the Lil Ditty Bag with yo-yo embellishment.

Stop by and see all my new items! Remember that Christmas is only six months away...now is the time to start your shopping.

God bless!

LazyTcrochet - June's Etsyblogger of the Month!

What can I say about LazyTcrochet! I think she is so talented and offers some of the most beautiful items on Etsy. Here is one example of her incredible work.

Her Cool Blue Wrap

This is another beautiful creation...the Terra Cotta Capelet

Tricia ~ Keep on crocheting!! I love your items!

My Newest Creations!

I finally got around to posting more items in my etsy shop!! Here is a sampling...

The newest Mini Key Fobs

Recycled Decoupaged Jar

Pretty Pincushions that are my original design!

I hope I get a sale or two!

God bless!!

Tuesday's Treasures ~ Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!! In honor of this holiday here are the treasures I found on Etsy today!

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Margarita Zipper Pouch

by Novelty Creations

Happy Hour Margarita Fused Glass Ornament by glassworksnorthwest

FlossieBlossoms created this clever Condiment Wallet

I have to say this one is my favorite...created by DreamsCreationArt

God bless and Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!

Rag Quilts are Fun!!

First thing I must do is apologize for the photography. I took these pictures with my cell phone before leaving for work this morning. With that said - on to my post for today.

I have been intrigued by rag quilting. I searched around the internet and most of what I found said it was easy, fast and fun. I decided to try it. I bought various black/white fat quarters and some fabric for the back and began to make a small quilt for my daughter. She always gets my first attempts at anything. I must say it was so easy and fast!! I made it in one weekend! While it isn't perfect, rag quilting is quite forgiving =) Like I said at the start ~ the picture quality isn't the best but here is the result of my labor...

Last night, I had some time and decided to make a tote. There are things I will change next time around but overall I like it. It still needs to go through the wash.

This technique has my creativity on overdrive! As you can imagine...there will be more things to come. So many different ways I can use this! I really enjoy the simplicity of the rag quilting. The wheels are turning! Stay tuned!!

I hope you enjoy many blessings today! God is good indeed!