Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Seller Spotlight

Welcome to a new seller spotlight! This week, Linda, who owns an adorable shop on Etsy, shares how she started doing what she loves.

"The best thing I can think of to share with your readers is how I found my “dream job”.  I’ve been making hand crafted things for as long as I can remember.  I have been selling my things at craft shows for years.  Then I found Etsy.  Etsy is like a huge craft show with worldwide customers.  How great is that? So after I “quit my day job” almost a year ago, I plunged right into developing my own Etsy shop “A Sign of the Times”.  It was a lot of work and a big risk.  However, the ride over the past 10 months has been a joy for me.  This is truly my “dream job”.  I won’t kid you, I’m probably working more hours than ever and there is no “off” button.  My mind is always working on the next best item I can put in my shop, how to photograph it or how I will get my orders all finished on time.  My customers have been wonderful to work with and I’ve made friends all over the world through my shop.
 If you visit, you’ll see that I have a large variety of handcrafted items.  That’s because I love making all sorts of crafts.  The most popular items seem to be baby gifts and wedding jewelry for flower girls, brides and bridesmaids.  Since getting married and having babies are two of the most wonderful times in our lives, I enjoy making things that will make those times extra special for my customers.  The customers help to keep my ideas flowing by the requests they make.
I also started a blog to share the many things I find on the internet that spark my interest and think others would enjoy.  I would love people to stop by my shop, A Sign of the Times, or my blog and share their  ideas too."
                                                                                              Thank you,
                                                                                              Linda Quackenbush
My shop: A Sign of the Times http://mmtncrfts.etsy.com
My blog: A Sign of the Times http://mmtncrfts.blogspot.com


Here are a few of Linda's adorable items!

Little Girl Pearl Bracelet perfect for flower girl or first pearls
 

So Sweet.

Seller Spotlight

Welcome to the first Seller Spotlight! This week, Julie of Julie Magers Soulen Photography shares a bit about herself and her successful career.

Living in a remote Colorado off-grid home powered by solar energy and surrounded by acres of pine forest allows me to immerse myself in nature. Living so close to nature's rhythms becomes a way of life. I have always been an outdoors type. As a child I was outside more than inside, exploring the leafy deciduous woods of Ohio near my home. I always felt at home with nature, poking around being curious about the natural world.

The most important thing I want to give people with my photography is inspiration. I would love for people to be inspired, awed, happy, contemplative, or just plain moved by my images. I consider photography an art form and as such it should evoke emotion.

My photography was featured for over eight years on DenverPost.com in "The Colorado Journal". I have also been featured twice on the Daily Ray of Hope published by the Sierra Club. My work has been published in the "
2009 Paws for Charity Art Book" and "She's a Rainbow Photography Book."

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                                                                                                                        Cheers!
                                                                                                                             Julie


1000 Markets Gallery
Etsy Gallery
Facebook

Here are a few of her amazing photos!


Bird Photo -FREE SHIPPING -Hummingbird Repose -5x7 Photograph
Colorado Western Landscape Photo-Home on the Range-8x10 Photograph-FREE SHIPPING
Dog Porch Photo -FREE SHIPPING -Golden Bliss -8X10 Photograph


Thanks Julie!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Treasury

Well, today a very nice seller named OhDearWatson, who owns a darling vintage shop here, put one of my rosettes into a sweet red gingham treasury.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

So, I found the most AMAZING recipe on bhg.com! For peaunt butter and chocolate addicts (like me) these treats are heaven!


Here's how to make them!


Ingredients

  • 1  12-oz. pkg.  miniature semisweet chocolate pieces
  • 2  Tbsp.  milk
  • 3/4  cup  butter, softened
  • 1/4  cup  creamy peanut butter
  • 1-1/2  cups  granulated sugar
  • 1  tsp.  baking soda
  • 1  tsp.  baking powder
  • 2    eggs
  • 1/2  cup  milk
  • 1  tsp.  vanilla
  • 1/2  cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3  cups  all-purpose flour
  • 1  recipe  Filling

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Set aside 1/4 cup chocolate pieces to sprinkle on cookies. In microwave-safe bowl combine 1 cup of the chocolate pieces and 2 tablespoons milk. Microwave on 50 percent power (medium) 1 minute or until melted; stir once. Set aside.
2. In bowl beat butter and peanut butter with electric mixer until combine. Add sugar, soda, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; beat to combine. Add eggs, 1/2 cup milk, vanilla, and melted chocolate; beat until combined. Beat in cocoa powder and flour until combined. Stir in remaining chocolate pieces. Drop by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Sprinkle with reserved chocolate. Bake 9 minutes or until tops are set. Cool on sheets 1 minute. Transfer to wire racks; cool completely. To assemble, spread flat sides of half the cookies with Filling; top with remaining cookies.
3. Filling: In bowl beat 1 cup softened butter, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 cup marshmallow creme, and 2 cups powdered sugar with electric mixer until combined. If needed, beat in 2 tablespoons milk until spreading consistency. Makes 30 servings.


Enjoy! I know I did!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Welcome!

Welcome all! My name is Juliette, and I run the Bloomin' Cute Boutique on Etsy! On this blog, you will find pictures and links to my new items. I will also put up treasuries people have put me in and treasuries that I have made so that you see all of the great things other sellers have to offer. Once a week, I will do a Seller Spotlight, which will include a paragraph written by a seller that I am impressed with and pictures of my favorite items from their shops.