I am a shop owner inside the 'Etsy' website (as many of you know, click on the left pics for a little piece of them).

An investor came in with $27 million for Etsy which will help them become a household word.

See an article here from cnet, internet news service:
http://www.news.com/8301-13577_3-9861216-36.html?tag=blog.1

And they expect to go public. No time line, no other details.

But I've been involved for 2 years, a veritable oldster!! And am ready with the little buck$.

I let an acquaintance pitch me an unnamed business venture yesterday over coffee for 15 minutes. She didn't give a name to the venture, but it sounds very much like what Amway used to be.

Anyone have experience with them?

Supposedly entails purchasing your household goods directly from the manufacturer, saving a good percent of cost. No pyramid scheme, each purchaser makes their own profit.

Anyway, I am not interested. Just wonder why these organizations are not more high profile if they are so profitable.

Not Saving Advicers, my Etsy buddies!

I belong to a team of California Crafters inside the Etsy handmade marketplace. We call ourselves the California Crafters Club of Etsy (CCCOE). It is a statewide group, so alot of distance separate many of us.

But a good number are in Los Angeles, of course. And a few near my location.

A comment in our group discussion was made about the wholesale fabric shop in downtown LA (Michael Levine's) and a couple members decided to meet there to shop!

A few more members are truly professional jewelers and work in the downtown LA jewelry district. They wanted to join and it took off from there.

I am going down just to have a blast and see who some of these characters are! And they no doubt wonder about me!

As I mentioned, a couple new members of this Crafting team are fantastic professionals and I show two pieces below. Somewhat intimidating but inspiring to be in this group!

New Beginnings Ring
by Amanda K Lockrow Jewels
http://www.amandaklockrowjewels.etsy.com



BodyCast
by PalliekoDesigns
http://www.palleikodesigns.etsy.com

Which is higher priority?

Craft items to build 'after' Valentine's Day stock?

Redesign business cards to reflect new logo on website at Pretty Cheap Jewelry?

Pursue April Art Show (application due in Feb)?

Oh, yes;
Plan 2 kids birthday parties in Feb?
Cook hot meals?
Clean the house?

OK, nevermind those last two.

I actually am fairly caught up and have started a line of wedding styles for my business. Watch for photos after Valentines Day!

Three day weekends are helpful, and we have another one coming up 1/28 (Teacher Buy Back Day). That means I stay home from work with the kids and get a couple hours to chip away at the list.

SOLD Yesterday!
Vintage Cupid Valentine's Bangle.
~~~~Offer to Saving Advicers~~~~~
Free pack of handmade pressed floral notecards with any order from my shop (click 'prettycheap' left column). Mention this offer, expires 1/31/08.

Pretty Cheap Jewelry has added a new address! I'm now available in 3 local and one distant shop, as well as the original website (link in the left margin).

Wonderful to acheive this goal so early! (of adding a shop to my family in 2008)

Here's a few new items to delight your eyes. Everything made (by me) with quality and care and sold for fun and love at a bargain basement price.

~~secret special to SavingAdvicer's only~~
A free Dark Chocolate Hershey 1 lb bar with the order of any 3 notecards or journals. Offer good until 1/31/08 only. Please mention this post at check out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks and here's to a sweet 2008!

BEAR HOPES AND DREAMS JOURNAL
Slim volume perfect for a new marriage, graduate, or baby book.


WATCH US GROW
Photo album cover features cross stitched sprig and ruffled lace!


GRACIAS
One of 3 International thank you cards featuring different girls, each holding a heart. (sold separately)