Jalousie Etsy Find of the Week

Jalousie is a new T-shirt shop on Etsy.  Right now they have one design available in a variety of colours including: black, light grey, navy blue and light blue.

     These tanks are longer than most on the market creating a slimming effect.  Made from cotton they are breathable and comfortable! If there banner is any indicator then great things will continue to come from this shop in the future.

Available in Women’s sizes XS, S, M, L, XL

Are you interested in being featured as MonkeyBuns' Etsy Find of the Week? Let me know!

Etsy Problems

If you are an active member of Etsy then you know about the daily struggles that handmade artist face. Between the same shops being featured over and over again, resellers, glitches in the system and people who are selling (and taking money from us) items that are not handmade Etsy is forecasting an internal storm.

What it really boils down to is that Etsy wants to make money and they'll make it any way they can. I think in the beginning they really did care about providing a venue where handmade artist were allowed to gather and be successful. Then as time passed and they got so famous their morals and ideals took a down slide. This problem is not limited to just Etsy it can be seen in most successful businesses. When one person, say an Etsy Artist, is in complete control of their shop they make all the designs, they chose the prices and qualities of their products, they market the product. Now lets say that shop owner gains huge success and now their demand is so great they can't possibly do everything themselves as they are only humans so they start taking on employees to take some of the weight and stress off themselves. As the business continues to grow more of the day to day decisions are filtered down the chain OWNER----->VP----->Manager----->Employee. Every time some one makes a decision for you about your business they bring their own set of morals and visions to the table that may not match the owner's. The owner however is now busy thinking about other things other than the little day to day things they used to love and thrive off. In Etsy's case where at one point the owner really did care about us artists they have so many other things on their plates that they forgot about those of us who got them where they are today. The members of their chain care about getting a good pay check in this economy and the bills they have to pay. Where does that leave us artist?

I've observed that some artist have taken on the "if you can't beat them join them" theory. I ask how does this help our cause? How can we yell about our rights as handmade artists when our fellow artist are selling out? In some cases instead of standing on the front line and making it known that with out us artists Etsy can make no money artist have gone to . If there's nothing to buy there's no money going into Etsy. Is it realistic that every seller will shut up shop? No because we have bills to pay.

I've been told more than once at craft shows, through family and friends that "you know if you just make ___________and sell it for ________ you'd make so much money" I generally say that isn't my business vision. I don't want to mass produce junk in order to sell because that makes me cheap. I fully understand that in this economy not everyone can buy one of my cuffs for forty dollars. My solution? To pour my skill into a skinnier version to allow for price variance. I use the same quality materials and love in my Skinny Minis and I do in my bigger pieces. That has become my solution. I don't believe in using cheaper products to mass product items that I see are selling well. If you start doing that then you've become the Owner who sells out.

I encourage artists to make a stand and make it your own. Stand on the front line in a way that makes you comfortable.

What are your thoughts?

Great Winter Trend Colors Winner!!

Congratulations to Sabrita the winner of MonkeyBuns' November give away!!!

sabrita said...

I am such a fan of green- the dark sage is my favorite. Thank you.

sabrita@juno.com

If you didn't win this time stay tuned for MonkeyBuns' next blog give away!!!

Black Friday Sale

Black Friday Sale

30% off at MonkeyBuns

11/27/2009

Don't fight the crowds

stay in the comfort of your home

and find the perfect gift

for all the women in you life!!!

Iowa Craft:39 MacNider Museum Exhibit Update

Iowa Craft:39 Exhibit

This weekend the Iowa Craft:39 MacNider Museum Exhibit opened in Mason City. In addition to the opening of the Exhibit an awards ceramony was held. I must admit I didn't think I'd place although I was hopefully. They announced honorable mention and it wasn't my name. At that point I started telling myself it's a honor to be included and this is great exposure. Then they read the best in jewelry category winner and it was me!! I just thought hey they said my name. I was shocked that my simpler piece won even though I myself am drawn to simple pieces.

My favorite man was my date as well as my parents.

The lovely judge and me at my display.

Great Winter Trend Colors

As a jewelry designer I am realizing that it extremely important to know what new color trends are coming. Sometimes I baulk at the colors and I'm right and then sometimes I have to kick myself. But at last Winter 2009 colors are right up my

personal color love alley. I love love love rich earthy tones.

Drum roll please:

Leave MonkeyBuns a comment letting us know which color or piece you love the most and why. You could win a $10.00 Gift Certificate to MonkeyBuns!!! Drawing will be on Nov. 30th!!! Let your friends know.

Monday what else is there to say

Good morning blog followers!

It is again Monday :( the world's longest day. I work at my "real" job six days a week now so it seems like Sundays burn away so quickly. I have been working hard at wire wrapping on Sundays. I've seen my ups and downs and a few bruises along the way.

Two out of the four pieces I submitted to the Iowa Craft Exhibit were accepted.

The will be exhibited at MacNider Museum from November 19th to February 20th.

MonkeyBuns Update

I'm currently waiting to hear if I made it into MacNider Art Museum's Iowa Crafts Exhibit. I entered the following pieces:

Fall Crossing

Queen's Tea

Rainy Days

Stockman

I should hear something the first week of November. If I'm accepted I'll be in the exhibit through February and stand to win some money.

In other news MonkeyBuns has seen a couple horrible craft shows in the last month. This weekend really took the grand prize. We had to content with a horrible band that did a sound check all day. The horrible music drove away customers but you win some and lose some. I highly advise that you when you are signing up for craft shows that you ask for vendor contact information from the previous year and contact those people for a honest review of the show. The promoter will always tell you it was a fabulous show. I encourage you to post your best craft show tip in comments.

If you enjoy my ramblings let others know!

Jet Sale 9/25-9/27

JETSALE : WEEKEND DEALS 25 - 27 September 2009

Snuggle up this weekend with some great offers from the JET team on
Etsy. Whether you're looking for something special for a birthday,
would like to accessorize your outfit for the upcoming Halloween fun,
or are already looking forward to the Christmas season - you'll find
plenty of jewellery and accessories to choose from in the JET team
SALE.

JET team comprises of a large number of artisans who handcraft and
present for sale their own creations directly to you. There are many
styles of jewellery to choose from, and if, on an odd chance, you
don't find exactly what you're looking for, you can always request a
custom item. Supplies, clutches, bags, hair accessories, scarves, pins
and many other items are also included in this promotion.

Shop local with us! Whether you're in US, Canada, UK, Australia, Asia,
Brazil, or Europe - you'll find a shop close to you as our members are
located all over the world!

To take advantage of JET team SALE, visit any of the shops in the list
below & note the Shop Announcement on the home page. Each shop has
it's own special discounts during this weekend, but each request you
either to contact them for a custom/reserved listing mentioning
'WEEKEND DEALS', or, alternatively put 'WEEKEND DEALS' in notes to the
seller at the checkout in order to take advantage of the discounts.

MonkeyBuns will be offering 25% off my sale section and free shipping store wide.

LIST OF PARTICIPATING SHOPS:
http://3squares.etsy.com
http://abacusbeadcreations.etsy.com
http://adroitjewelers.etsy.com
http://Angeliquescreations.etsy.com
http://artmadebytammy.etsy.com
http://beadifuldesigns.etsy.com
http://brookejewelry.etsy.com
http://capitalcitycrafts.etsy.com
http://cocosgreenhouse.etsy.com
http://combustionglassworks.etsy.com
http://cooljewelrydesign.etsy.com
http://cooljewelryjr.etsy.com
http://crystalimpressions.etsy.com
http://danugs.etsy.com
http://dashery.etsy.com
http://designsbycher.etsy.com
http://divinedesignbyforet.etsy.com
http://emotionaloasis.etsy.com
http://erikaprice.etsy.com
http://foret.etsy.com
http://forettwo.etsy.com
http://grandmamarilyns.etsy.com
http://grandmamarilynstoo.etsy.com
http://intheraw.etsy.com
http://jdsgemsnd.etsy.com
http://jemsbyjbandcompany.etsy.com
http://jewelry24seven.etsy.com
http://justicejewelry.etsy.com
http://littlebrownbird.etsy.com
http://littlebugjewelry.etsy.com
http://lotusstone.etsy.com
http://lucidjewelry.etsy.com
http://malves1009.etsy.com
http://marciejanedesigns.etsy.com
http://metalicious.etsy.com
http://michon.etsy.com
http://nightskyjewelry.etsy.com
http://ovgilliesdesigns.etsy.com
http://satindollco.etsy.com
http://sendinglovegallery.etsy.com
http://stoutdg2.etsy.com
http://sugarpanda.etsy.com
http://thebrasshussy.etsy.com
http://urbanmetal.etsy.com
http://vitrine.etsy.com

August Bead-a-Day Calendar Challenge Update

Well September is upon us and rather quickly I might add. I've been hard at work on the Bead-a-Day Calendar Challenge for August. Wouldn't you know it the awesome cabs I got from my fellow JET, Tara at CombustionGlassWorks, sprouted legs and walked away. So I had to dive deep into my stash and found a great broach that was once my grandma's. I hope to complete it very soon over my four day weekend. Until then please shout out your dates for the September challenge!!

August Bead-a-Day Calendar Challenge

Thank you everyone who shared their pick and story! I decided to put all the dates in a hat and drew one. The winner for the month of August is...................Sending Love's Birthday March 4th. Once I drew the winner I scampered to my Bead-a-Day Calendar to check and see what the project will bring. Turns out it's a continuation from March 3rd. My project for Augst will be a Framed Cabochon Brooch. This is something I've wanted to do for awhile and have been horrible at it. Check back through out August to see my progress.

For those of you whose dates weren't drawn this month never fear! I'll leave yours in for the next drawing. Until then keep those dates coming!!!

New Blog Challenge

This year I bought the greatest tear away calendar! The Bead-a-Day 2009 Beading Calendar. It's fabulous but I have no idea where to start. I know I could just start in January and work my way through but what fun is that? If I knew what was coming the Beading ADD in me would kick into gear and I'd have a bunch of half completed projects running around. So I'm asking you my blog reads the few of you our there to pick the date of my project of adventure each month.

On the first of every month I'll attempt the project of the day for the month. If it's a quick project I may do two a month. Then when I'm done you can be the judge.

Please pick a day of the year and tell me why it's significant to you.

It's Been Awhile

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the best blogger in the world seeing at the last time I blogged was two months ago. Opps.

So what is keeping me so busy? Balancing real life and the dream.

I recently did two show and learnt a lot from them. One was an up class art world sale and the other was a carnival craft showed. I paid around the same for each one only the carnival show was 3 days and the art show was 1. Guess what? I did much better at the art show. I now know my market. Knowing my market and watching my stats on websites had really shown me who to target.

Speaking of shows I have two upcoming shows in August. On August 8th you can find me at Affordables on 1St's Annual Business Expo and Party in Mason City Iowa from 10-4. Afforables on 1st is a great place that provides jobs for the Medially Handicapped. They asked me to donate for their drawing and silent auction. I made a Rose Quartz wire wrapped necklace with a shiny metal tree pendant with complimentary wire wrapped bracelet and earrings. I haven't take the photos yet.

August 15th You can find me in Charles City Iowa at the Art-A-Fest show from 10-4.

Besides all of that I have really seen some success of Etsy as of late. I wish that I had enjoyed this success before I went back to work. Perhaps then I wouldn't have gone back to work. I recently completed the first bracelet in a new line of bangles and some resin pieces. Picture to come when I get a chance to take them.

I will have to take a short break from the crazy ideas in my head to complete a string of custom orders.
Stayed tuned to a new blog challenge........

Lipstick Lady Wired Wrapped Charm Bracelet

I have always wanted to own a Lipstick Victorian house. The architecture in a Lipstick Victorian home is just beautiful. Unfortunately updating a home of that era to be eco friendly is very expensive so for now that is just a dream. When I first saw the beads I used to create this bracelet I immediately thought Lipstick Victorian house. Each of these little faucted purple, green, gold and cranberry plastic beads was hand wrapped using gold color head pins to increase the richness of the bracelet. Lipstick Lady was finished completed with a magnetic gold ball clasp. Lipstick Lady Wired Wrapped Charm Bracelet measures 7 5/8".

4th of July

I am a huge fan of the 4th of July. It maybe because my birthday is around the same time or it could be the carnival, the parade, the huge craft show. It seemed only natural to make this 4th of July Charm Bracelet.

Sutlry

Sultry: characterized by or arousing passion

This weeks finds are all about sultriness. These are my top 5 picks from a search for Sultry.

1. Follow the Raven-Print
by SandyMichelle
2.

Sultry Red and Black with Cheetah Print Organza Garter

by Garter Lady

3.

Aronia Eyeliner Eye Shadow Vegan Deep Purple Matte Mineral Makeup Pink Quartz Minerals

by pinkquartzminerals

4.

Indiscretion Ear Bobs

by gypsyeyesjewelry


5.

PRINT - The Way It Has Always Been

by John Clark

Strawberry Daiquiri Cube Cuff

Strawberry Daiquiri Cube Cuff

Strawberry Daiquiris are sweet with a punch of flavor so why not wear one on your wrist? Strawberry Daiquiri Cuff is a great way to jazz up an outfit this summer. Each clear color lined cube was hand woven to create this summery cuff. Strawberry Daiquiri was finished off with a silver hook clasp. Strawberry Daiquiri Cuff measures 7 1/4"x1".

What's going on at Monkeybuns?

Hello All
It's been awhile since I blogged. Right now life is a little hectic between my "real job" as a preschool teacher, planning my first open house and applying to craft shows. This weekend is my first open house wow talk about tense lol. I've only done one craft show and now I'm working on this open house where it's just me. This first go around is going to be friends and family. I'm looking forward to my first run. I'm also looking for craft shows and I have found a couple that I'm really looking forward to them. I still have to get in first so keep those fingers crossed.
I'm very excited about where I want to be next year at this time with Monkeybuns. I recently read a blog entry from Tim Adam. The article was about using Twitter, Facebook etc but what I really learnt from it was that you can't think of your Etsy shop as a place to sell your hobby you have to think of it as a business. I've thought about my Etsy shop as a business but have always been really shy about marketing my items to friends and family. It is my goal to step outside my thoughts of my jewelry and try to be a better spokes person. Next year at this time I want to be a full time jewelry maker not working for "the man". I challenge those of you who are currently doing the 9-5 to take this journey with me.

Beach View Charm Bracelet

Beach View Charm Bracelet, originally uploaded by Monkey Buns Etsy.

I've decided to branch out into other jewelry. My first new branch is wire work. I must say at first I was really frustrated but now I find wire work fun. I'm still learning all the ins and outs.

Light Bright Cuff

Light Bright Cuff, originally uploaded by Monkey Buns Etsy.

Grab a piece of your childhood with this new cuff!

JET SPRING FLING SALES!!

Jet Spring Fling Officially starts tomorrow!!!

My fellow JET team members have so awesome sales going on!

DASHERYFREE SHIPPING in the US and Canada FREE CIRCLE SHELL EARRINGS with order over $25 and SPECIAL SALE SECTION of up to 50% off

Sendinglovegallery

15% off one jewelry item, 20% off two

MichonFree gift with purchase, plus free shipping on orders over $25. Use code "fling" at check out.

CrystalImpressions

Be sure to visit MY SPRING FLING SECTION for huge sales for these 3 days!
25% SPRING FLING SECTION....PLEASE CONVO ME for price adjustments!!!!!!

3squares

I'll be offering free world-wide shipping on all items in my shop this weekend.

ErikaPrice

20% discount on all
jewelry in my special JETS SPRING FLING section. Plus FREE world-
wide shipping, and all profits from my jewelry sales donated to charity!

AdroitJewelers
Buy one get one 1/2 off

OVGILLIESDESIGNS
FREE postage on all items in the SpRiNg fLiNg section & any from any other section ordered at the same time (all items to be sent together). Plus a FREE pair of the lovely BLUE LAKE earrings with all orders over $50. (BLUE LAKE earrings option is provisional at the moment as I'm in the process of getting more beads.) All orders made during the Fling Weekend will be sent out on Monday-Tuesday.

MonkeyBuns25% off my Spring Fling Sale Section

Spring Fling Event

Click on the invite for more information!


Everyone who is anyone is going to be there!! I haven't decided exactly what my sale will be so stay tuned for my sale update and my fellow Jets sale updates!!! See you there!