Elite Art for the elite at heart.

5 Ways to Organize Your Business for the Holidays

2008-10-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

The holidays are quickly approaching--it's already October!! Here are five ways to help organize your business for the holidays. Hopefully you can be prepared so you can take it easy.

1. Purchase plastic shoe containers at Target or Walmart for $0.99 each. These fit great on shelves, and they are see through. If you do a lot of shows you can designate one container for each show and label them as such. These bins are also good for storing supplies, finished product…the possibilities are limited to your imagination.

2. Get a free self-inking address stamp from Vistaprint. These are great to stamp on customs forms and envelopes. It will be a great time saver when you have a lot of orders to package and ship at one time.

3. Make sure you have enough shipping supplies. Plan to have more than you think you need. Do you have enough tape? Bubble envelops and boxes in different sizes? You can get free expedited shipping supplies from the United States Postal Service website. You can even order free customs forms.

4. Create, create, create! The holidays bring a lot of hungry shoppers. Be sure your shop has plenty of stock available in different styles and price ranges. If it is possible, create multiples of the same item so when you sell one you can immediately relist it. Look through all, and I mean all of your supplies to see what you actually have! (I know I have a ton of supplies around that I need to dedicate a day to go through!)

5. Set boundaries. If you accept custom orders set a deadline so you aren't overloaded on custom orders. Designate a weekly schedule to go to the post office...maybe just two or three times a week? You could also make things one day, ship items another day, etc. Whatever will work for you.

I hope this is helpful to you, and I appreciate you taking the time to read. If you have any comments, questions, or requests please feel free to reply to this blog.

Thank you so much for your time,

Christina

CM Designs dba 1337 Art

http://1337art.etsy.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

Etsy Artist Feature 23: ThisandThat

2008-10-10T21:17:00.000-07:00

It is important to show the world the charms of handcrafted items, and I plan to do this one artist at a time. Tonight I feature Randi from This and That.

Below you can read the interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

I have loved crafting since preschool.

2. What are some of your favorite past times?

I can vividly remember painting a construction paper butterfly, I loved it. I love to craft of course, read, shop and be with my children.

3. What do you specialize in?

I specialize in hand painted items that can be custom ordered.

4. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

I started on Etsy because I now have the time to really work at crafting, I left teaching after 15 years this May.

5. How did you choose your shop name?

I chose the name This and That because I like to do a little bit of everything.

6. What are your hopes for the future?

In the future I hope to have my work in retail stores.

7. How do you feel about custom orders?

I love custom orders, nothing makes me happier.

8. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

My workspace is my dining room table, nothing fancy.

You can visit This and That’s Etsy Shop:

http://randi100.etsy.com

You can also email Randi at randimontessori@yahoo.com

Thank you for reading,

Christina

CM Designs dba 1337 Art

http://1337art.etsy.com

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2008-10-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

Breast cancer is the third most common cause of death in the United States alone. Women have a 1 in 8 chance of developing the disease, and a 1 in 33 chance of it causing their death.

I have donated my previous Breast Cancer Awareness Items to a fund raiser, and so I made these simple earrings for my shop. Not everyone likes chunky and/or elaborate jewelry, so I thought these earrings are perfect for just about anyone.

All profits from this piece will be donated towards finding the cure through further research and studies. Please follow the link below to the selected charity:

http://www.bcrcwa.org/

You can find these lovely Breast Cancer Awareness Earrings for sale at my Etsy shop:

http://1337art.etsy.com/

In the upcoming months I plan to add more modern-friendly awareness items to my shop. If you have any suggestions for designs and specific causes please feel free to contact me at 1337art@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading,

Christina

CM Designs dba 1337 Art

http://1337art.etsy.com

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

How to Recover from a Bad Craft Fair.

2008-10-04T16:56:00.000-07:00

It is so easy to feel exasperated and hopeless after you return from a not so great craft fair. I've been there, and it really sucks. I've made a list of a few things to keep in mind to help you recover from a bad craft fair.

1. Relax. Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea. Put on some comfortable clothing and listen to music and do what calms your soul whether it be reading, writing, or whatever.

2. Don't take it personally. Perhaps the fair was badly advertised or the weather was bad. You aren't the only vendor that had a bad time. Just remember that your products are desirable, and that you put a lot of love and hard work into each piece.

3. Learn from the experience. Take any customer/vendor advise into consideration. Was there something people paid more attention to? Did you pick up some tricks from the other vendors such as product placement, exceptional customer service, etc.? There is always at least one thing you can learn from each craft fair you participate in.

4. Remember this event. When you are scoping out craft fairs for next year you know to skip this one. You can also compare this fair to other ones so you have a better idea of where your time is better spent.

5. It's over. You're home now, and the fair is behind you. If it will make you feel better you can sulk for a few minutes...but only for a few. It's better to eat a little bit of dark chocolate. It's best to take the rest of the night off from doing any work towards your business, or you will feel distraught and overwhelmed.

We all will experience a bad craft fair at one point or another, but we will have our share of great ones too. It's important to let go of this bad experience or it will be more difficult to make progress.

Thank you for reading,

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

Craft fairs, new items, and lots of coffee.

2008-10-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

1337art has an upcoming craft show this Saturday:

Harvest Fest in Home, WA
Community Services House Saturday, October 4th from 10am - 4pm

I'm looking forward to taking a nice month off from craft fairs so I can focus on adding a much larger inventory to my Etsy shop. My goal is to have at least 200 items before my next show in November. I'm hoping to expand my collage items; cards, ACEOs, pendants, and more. I also want to add a lot more to my Men's Jewelry, Brooches, and Hair Accessories categories.

I'll be drinking lots of coffee, reading the latest "Quit Your Day Job" articles from Etsy's blog, and finally putting my overload of supplies to use.

Thank you for reading this quick update,

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

Patience - That Virture Thing

2008-09-30T12:37:00.000-07:00

It is easy to get caught up in the dreams you set your sights on. In my experience impulsiveness is risky and not such a good idea. There are things I am wanting and craving more each day, and it is really hard to stay focused about making responsible decisions.

"Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience."

Whatever dream you currently have really think it out and plan how to reach it steadily as well as successfully. It's like a seedling that needs the appropriate nurturing and proper care before it can grow into a beautiful plant. It's cute to even think of yourself as a curious kitten waiting to pounce on a ball of yarn or a creeping little insect. Focus, concentration, and patience.

Thank you so much for reading.
-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

Etsy Artist Feature 22: BellyBabies

2008-09-26T17:52:00.001-07:00

It is important to show the world the charm of handcrafted items, and I plan to do it one artist at a time. Today I feature BellyBabies.

Below you can find her interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

My first memory of crafting is when I was about 5 years old, I was sitting at a table behind our kitchen making Valentine's Day cards with my mom and brother. My next memory was probably about 3 years later, knitting a set of little leg warmers for my dog (it was the 80s).

2. What are some of your favorite past times?

Even though I do graphic design in my day job, one of my favorite past times is designing! I have done several of my friend's wedding invitations as well as business cards and logos for their own entrepreneurial pursuits! I also enjoy sewing -in addition to completing a slip cover for my sofa, I have also been working on plushie versions of all the Belly Babies characters. You can check out my plushie penguin here: plushie penguin

3. What do you specialize in?

Belly Babies specializes in cute and fun onesies and t-shirts for infants and toddlers. Bellies - pregnant bellies and babies bellies are what inspire me! Each of the Belly Babies characters was designed starting with the same round belly shape!

4. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

I heard about Etsy from a friend of a friend and honestly it took me a long time to actually check out the website. But once I did, I became an Etsy addict!!! I especially love spending time in the forums and learning about other Etsy crafters experiences.

5. How did you choose your shop name?

That was easy! Bellies and babies - that's what Belly Babies is all about!

6. What are your hopes for the future?

My hope for the future is that one day Belly Babies will become a more than just a part time pursuit. I would love to grow our brand explore other areas...I have already started illustrating a children's book based around Belly Babies!

7. How do you feel about custom orders?

We have a number of ways that you can customize an order...in terms of sizing or adding a specific phrase on your shirt. Including: baby brother / big brother / baby sister / big sister

8. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

Oh wow, my workspace is my desk, my backyard, the dining room table, the basement, a big corner of the bedroom...the list goes on! It's taking over!

9. Is there anything else you would like to add?

For the upcoming Christmas season we are offering shirts for your own 'Santa's little helper' and for 'Baby's first Christmas'. So start your shopping early :)

How can people get in contact with you?
http://www.bellybabies.etsy.com or email: info@bellybabies.ca

Thank you so much for reading.

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

Farmer's Market from a Crafter's Point of View

2008-09-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

My friend and I have attended a summer long Farmer's Market consisting of 22 Sundays from 12pm - 4pm. It was located in a small town, and the only advertising done had to do with the food portion of the market. There were 4-5 other crafters at any given time, and the community didn't know we were there!

This was the first Farmer's Market in the area, and we had prepaid for the entire summer at a discounted rate. There were pros and cons in this experience, and you can read about them below:

Cons:

1. There was no advertisement for crafters.
2. There were two other jewelers. My friend and I shared a booth, and we also made jewelry.
3. The market was held in a small community.
4. A lot of people didn't anticipate crafts so they didn't bring money.
5. We spent a lot of time setting up and taking down our booth with little overall profit.

Pros:

1. We had the opportunity to meet people and to let them know we are here.
2. We reminisced with people we haven't seen in a long time.
3. It was really a community event where everyone knew each other.
4. We made our booth cost back with some profit :)
5. We gained experience on good days vs. bad days.

Advice and Tips:

1. Share a booth with a friend. It keeps booth costs down, you have support, and you can take a few moments for yourself when need be. You both probably sell different things with a different style, so more people would be drawn to your booth.

2. Check out the other booths. Not only do you get to check out what other great crafters/farmers there are, but if you make friendly contact with them they are more likely to come visit your booth. Vendors are customers too.

3. Offer discounts. You can offer scratch cards that give the customer a chance to win a percentage off of their purchase, or you can put a coupon into the packaging after they purchase something. I didn't think of it in time, but I had postcards with a discount code on them that I handed out with each purchase. This will definitely be something I hand out at every upcoming show.

4. Offer a variety of items in a wide price range. Perhaps someone dropped by to check out the market as they were heading out to buy a friend a gift. Maybe a kid has a little spending money and wants to use it in your booth. It's important to have a little something for everyone.

5. Don't get discouraged. It was a farmer's market after all. We had high hopes, but we learned from the experienced and met a lot of interesting people. We got our name out there, and we did have our good days. It really put me in low spirits when people walked right past our booth without even looking inside because they immediately think "Oh. It's just jewelry." We offered more than jewelry, and some people didn't give us the chance. Perhaps we didn't stand out enough. Perhaps they stereotyped us. It was the moments when one person came in and looked carefully at everything, took a business card, and said with sincerity, "You really have some amazing stuff here" that made me forget about the rough time we were having.

Perhaps you have or will have a more overall profitable and successful Farmer's Market in your area, but before getting a booth it is best to check out the market to get a feel for it. Ask the vendors what their opinions are on how successful the market is, and if they would attend again. Also check into how the event is organized and advertised.

I hope this has been helpful to you, and thank you so much for reading.

Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

Etsy Artist Feature 21 : clairelaraine

2008-09-21T21:31:00.000-07:00

It is important to show the world the charms of handcrafted items, and I plan to do this one artist at a time. Today I feature Claire Laraine from North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Below you can find her interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

Since I can remember I have had a love of fabrics, colour, pattern but most importantly, creating. I have spent years gathering and hoarding scraps of fabrics, beads, buttons, ribbon, anything that I thought might just be useful for something!

2. What do you specialize in?

I specialize in making accessories (bags, purses, pocket mirrors, jewellery, notebooks etc) and follow the mantra of 're-new and re-use', no little scrap of fabric can escape, I am always on the hunt for faded remnants, or a fragment of jewellery I can bring a new lease of life to. My mission is to find all the 'forgotten' fabrics in the world and make them beautiful again. I like the idea that when you make a purchase from Claire Laraine, you will be helping us to do 'our bit' for the environment together.

3. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

I already had my own website with an online shop, but decided to become a part of Etsy because I liked the idea of being 'surrounded' by other great creative people.

4. How did you choose your shop name?

I chose to use my actual name!

5. What are your hopes for the future?

In the immediate future I hope to continue to build my online business, and branch out into other areas, I hope to be able to provide every accessory anyone could possibly want! Then further in to the future I hope to be able to open a bricks and mortar shop, and sell all my lovely handmade creations, as well as some of those that I have featured in my 'Partners in Crime' venture.

6. How do you feel about custom orders?

I am always open to custom orders, especially as I work with re-newing and re-using fabrics and 'found' items, I would be happy to make something for somebody from a special piece of fabric they might have, or a favourite button or something similar!

7. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

Quite small but very full! Inspiring to work in, and it says lots about me.

8. Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would also like to mention in more detail about my 'Partners in Crime' blog, where I feature other UK sellers and their lovely creations, and I will soon be running monthly give aways. So, please have a look and support lots of other fabulous crafters. http://www.clairelaraine-partnersincri me.blogspot.com

How can people get in contact with you?

email me - mail@clairelaraine.com

Thank you so much for reading! Feel free to visit Clair Laraine's Etsy Shop today!

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

Relax...just relax.

2008-09-15T20:38:00.001-07:00

When you're told that you "don't seem to just relax anymore" it puts you in a kind of perspective...a take a step away from yourself for a few seconds perspective. You ask yourself those questions: are you happy with your current living situation? are you happy with yourself? are you being productive? are you giving off positive vibes? It is okay to take a break and just relax.

Just relax.

I light candles, dress in comfy clothes, and cuddle up with a book or a movie. Sometimes I even drink coffee and listen to music. If you can't focus on yourself you can't focus on your creativity.

I admit to being occupied with the computer far more than I should lately. I'm young and ambitious...what can I say?

But I do have a new system going. A couple years ago at a Renaissance fair I bought two leather journals, and neither of them knows what it feels like to be written in. So I have decided, after being inspired by an Etsy forum link, to do this (see formula below:)

September XX, 2008

What are five things you've done to improve your business?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What are five things that you have done for yourself?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Write one creative sentence:

The above is going to become a nightly exercise before I go to sleep. I am going to train myself how to balance things in my life. My writing has been severely lacking in the last couple of years...it's really time to kidnap my muse, tie him to a chair, and make him inspire me.

You are more than welcome to try the above formula yourself. You can even buy a fancy notebook and pen to make it more exciting. (I'm tempted to buy a fancy pen for the occasion myself.)

Thank you so much for reading,

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

5 Reasons Why the Night is Inspiring for your creativity.

2008-09-13T10:39:00.000-07:00

During the day I get so swept up in the rush and laziness of stress and all of the things that need to get done that I find it hard to focus on creating. When I don't have to work the next day I usually stay up late because that is when I am most myself and most capable of being creative.

1. Silence. The only sounds that you hear are the ones you make yourself. No telephone, no lawnmower, no screaming toddlers...the silence follows your lead.

2. You're the only one awake. You do not have to converse with anyone or fix anyone a snack. You are left to your own devices where your productivity doesn't have to take a break.

3. No responsibilities. There are no phone calls that need to be returned. The groceries and bills can wait until the morning. You have no need to feel stress; this is your time. The only thing you need to focus on are your own needs.

4. Relaxation. You can light candles, drink tea or coffee, write down new ideas while you are soaking in the tub with a new (and slightly expensive) bubble bath. Take this time to be one with yourself so you can open up to the endless possibilities.

5. Research. The computer is finally yours to use. This is the perfect time to look up new tools and supplies, new and upcoming trends, and to look up helpful articles that will point you in the right direction. Take this time to expose yourself to what is out there...new tips, new tricks, new techniques.

Thank you so much for reading. I hope this list inspires you to focus on whatever it is in your life that you can't seem to focus on.

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

Silkfair Artist Feature 1 - madeformebyoaklie

2008-09-12T10:24:00.001-07:00

It is important to show the world the charm of handcrafted items, and today I wanted to introduce a new feature for artists selling their handcrafted items on Silkfair (an online venue to buy and sell.) Today I feature Anne of madeformebyoaklie. She currently resides in Saint George, Utah. Below you can find her interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

I was very young and my Grandmother was teaching me to embroider... I was working on a pillow case and rolling right along... I stood up to got to the kitchen to show her and discovered I had embroidered the pillow case to my night gown! Real bummer but quite funny!

2. What are some of your favorite past times?

I love to play piano and watch movies. I can create and work on my scarves with the Movies... I am afraid my piano playing has taken a back seat lately though!

3. What do you specialize in?

Knitting and crochet - Scarves is my biggest items followed by baby booties.
.
4. What made you decide to open up a shop on Silkfair?

Affordable and great Admin Team. They are very supportive and the other shop owners are very friendly too!

5. How did you choose your shop name?

That was tough! My 1st few choices had already been taken (discovered when setting up my website) so I ended up with Made for Me by Oaklie. A nickname given to me many years ago by my brother.

6. What are your hopes for the future?

Health for myself, family and friends... and of course - success with my new business!

7. How do you feel about custom orders?

I think they are great - I take custom orders upon request. They may be a little tough at times and take a little longer to produce but the end product is truly Unique!

8. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

Small, Full of on-going projects - and Mine all Mine!

9. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Buying hand made is truly a great way to find special items for that special someone. Your items are truly Unique and the odds of finding another one like it is rare!

You can contact madeformebyoaklie via her website:
http://www.madeformebyoaklie.com

or her email:
info@madeformebyoaklie.com

Thank you so much for reading.

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

---
Featured in this post:

"Cheetah" Fluff Scarf
African Safaria Scarf
Gumdrop Fluff Scarf

These items can be found for sale at madeformebyoaklie's Silkfair Shop: http://madeformebyoaklie.silkfair.com

Less business; more personal.

2008-09-06T16:07:00.000-07:00

The title says it all. Perhaps the reason why I don't update as regular as before is because I don't want to bore my audience with business type things. You can find my new items in my shops. I'm also developing a newsletter that will have that information inside. You can sign up for my newsletter by clicking on the link at the bottom of this post.

What I am going to do with this blog now is still in the works. I do want to do [more] artist features from Deviantart.com, Etsy.com, and Silkfair.com every Friday night. I do want to post promotional tips as I do currently. I also want to offer more of a behind the scenes of 1337 Art, and the person behind it [me.]

Sometimes it doesn't seem like it, but I do have a life outside of the Internet. I want to focus on life, not businessworkjobmoneystress. With the holiday season approaching along with three upcoming shows I can't help feeling stressful and wanting to make the most out of the season. I think if I have time to "chill" I can be more productive than I am now.

Thank you so much for reading.

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

The Night Speaks to Me...

2008-08-31T02:04:00.001-07:00

For the last few years between the end of summer and the beautiful coming of Autumn I feel more alive; more alert and aware of my surroundings, environment, psych, and self. I feel most at ease and centered late at night...what job? what family drama? what bills? It's just me, alone in my room with the music playing and my hands, my fingers acting on their own accord.

The music sounds different at night too. You don't pay attention to it, but the melodies and the sounds, and the words, and the pauses, and the entire song seem to play just for you. In your mind you envision each individual component and recognize them separately when they bind together into that familiar tune. When you are at one with yourself the music speaks to you when it normally would have no appeal. You begin to appreciate what goes into it, as you appreciate the work you put into your own craft.

I haven't written a story or a poem or a piece of prose for quite awhile. I have been so involved creating jewelry and drowning in the stress of work; both pain and pleasure. It always seems as though Autumn has a special song she sings to arouse both myself and my muse. It's a beautiful, nostalgic feeling that thinking about it leads to a little melancholy.

I have finally let go of the sense of time just for one night. Free to roam, free to soar.

Tonight is the first night Night has spoken this year.

Thank you so much for reading [by the chance you have wandered here.]

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

Clip On Earrings

2008-08-29T20:57:00.001-07:00

Clip-on earrings can be a hard thing to shop for because a lot of things need to be taken into consideration such as materials, cost, and style. Precious Metal clip on earring components are very expensive resulting in a pricey pair of clip on earrings. Some people have allergies to nickel, which is found in a lot of the plated and base metal clip on components.

We currently do not have any clip on earrings in our shops, (etsy, silkfair) but it is something we are wanting to offer to our customers. It is hard to determine what kind of material to offer. If you experience difficulty trying to shop for a special pair of clip on earrings, or if you are wanting to find one online shop to purchase all of your clip on earrings, please let us know what you are looking for. Your voice will be heard, and we will be happy to work with you.

Also, if you see any pair of earrings in our shops (etsy, silkfair) that you would like made into clip on earrings please feel free to contact us via email 1337art@gmail.com or by replying to this blog post. We can easily make that switch for you.

Thank you so much for reading.

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

Our first card!

2008-08-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to make cards for awhile now, and here is the first one out of many to come.

I started making collage cards when I met my fiancė. Ever since then I make cards for almost every occasion, and now I want to make cards for you to give to your friends and family.

Looking for the perfect card for the punk rock girl in your life? I have designed this birthday card just for her! It features a lovely winged heart on pink paper and we laced the top of the card for that extra cuteness and punkiness. And I left the inside blank so you can add your own personal message.

This card measures approximately 5" x 4 "

You can purchase this one of a kind card at our Silkfair Shop:

http://1337art.silkfair.com

Thank you so much for reading. Please feel free to check back for updates on more new cards and other great products.

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Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

Sneak Peek!

2008-08-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

We wanted to give you a sneak peek of something we will be offering in the near future--magnets! Who doesn't love stumbling into their kitchens for coffee to gaze at their refrigerator magnets while they wait for the coffee to brew?

Magnets offer the opportunity to express yourself as well as brighten your kitchen with personality. Almost everyone we know has a refrigerator full of magnets that they have collected over the years.

We're going to offer two kinds of magnets-bottle caps and glass tile. Both offer their own unique style and fun.

But why do I need more magnets? Because you can use them to hang pictures of your loved ones, grocery lists, good test scores, reminder notes, favorite cartoon strips, newspaper articles, and so much more!

If you happen to be in the area you can purchase our magnets at the Key Center Farmer's Market (in the O'Callahan's parking lot) every Sunday from 12 - 4pm.

Thank you so much for reading, and please feel free to check back for updates on when and where to purchase our magnets online.

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Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

New Dragon Items!

2008-08-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Masculinity has been on our minds lately as we work on new designs and items. Dragons are a very popular and well known creature, and they have a special place in the hearts of men. Today we have to offer you two new dragon products for the man in your life or for yourself.

The first dragon is a dark style necklace suitable for casual wear. We used an interesting pewter dragon pendant (measures ~5cm) and black (dark grey) gun metal chain. It is a nice mix of metals at an affordable price.

You can find our Dragon Whisper Masculine Necklace for sale at our Etsy Shop:

http://1337art.etsy.com

The second dragon we have for you is a kilt pin in a dark/goth style. It also has a nice mix of metals including gun metal, pewter, sterling silver, and silver plating. We also added two 6mm Snowflake Obsidian "orbs" that add a nice touch to the overall piece.

Our kilt pins can be put on your jacket, shirt, purse, tote bag, pants, kilt, skirt, scarf...just about anywhere. They are a nice added accessory to express your personality.

You can find our Dragon Kilt Pin Brooch for sale at our Etsy Shop:

http://1337art.etsy.com

Thank you so much for looking. Please keep checking back for more masculine items. If you have a request you can email your inquiry to 1337art@gmail.com

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Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter?

Embrace the Holiday Spirit.

2008-08-23T12:58:00.000-07:00

August is finally coming to a close, and Autumn is around the corner...with the Holiday Season following quickly behind. We seem to lose focus of the beauty of the Autumn leaves and chilly air because we are too busy thinking ahead to the gift giving tradition. That's why we wanted to show you some of our Holiday Items a little early.

We have some manly gift tags that feature a diamond sheet image that is perfect for the men in your life. This little touch of masculinity will make your gift to them a little more special. You can purchase our Manly Gift Tags at our Silkfair Shop:

http://1337art.silkfair.com

To satisfy your sweet tooth or that of your child, we have a clever little bookmark that features a green candy mint. This miniature bookmark measures approximately 3.5 inches, and it will fit perfectly in paper and hardback books. You can purchase our Mint Candy Mini Swirl Bookmark at our Silkfair Shop:

http://1337art.silkfair.com

This necklace displays the innocence of Winter with its hue of iridescent colors and delicate appearance. It's perfect for casual wear when you're relaxing by the fireplace with friends and family drinking hot cocoa. You can purchase our snowflake necklace at our Silkfair Shop:

http://1337art.silkfair.com

Do you love the snow? Remind yourself of the sweetness of snowfall with this cell phone charm. The beads carry the subtle colors of an ice blue with an Aurora Borealis finish. (the rainbow effect) This can even be made into a key chain at no extra cost. You can purchase our Think Snow Cell Phone Charm at our Silkfair Shop:

http://1337art.silkfair.com

We hope to introduce more Winter themed items soon. Winter seems to be the most calming and loving season of them all.

Thank you so much for reading. Please keep checking back for updates.

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Vincent Needs Your Help!

2008-08-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

A Special Message about a Cat in Need:

My cat went into the vet on Saturday August 16 because he was having problems breathing. After X-Rays were taken, it turns out he's got TONS of fluid in his body. The fluid is pressing on his lungs and is making it difficult for him to breathe. He was prescribed some medicine to help take away the fluids until his next visit. I will be taking him back to the vet within the next few weeks - the vet bills will rack up. The doctor said that the fluid could be caused by one of two things; it could either be a tumor or it could be heart disease. If it's a tumor, we will probably not be able to do any surgeries because of his age. If it's heart disease, it can be treated by a pill.

So for our sake, I hope that it is heart disease. Vincent, my little Pookie bear, has been my friend, my companion, and my pet for the past 14 years. I know he is old, but I want to make it comfortable for him. He's a good healthy cat with the exception of the above. I'm going to promote all of my stuff listed as much as I can because any sales I get will help fund for his next vet visit. The X-Rays alone cost me 190 dollars that I had to borrow. I understand that there will be a lot of tough decisions I will need to make within the next few weeks. We need your help.

Thank you,
Stephanie and Pookie

Please stop by Stephanie’s Etsy Shop to help her cat, Vincent, get through this terrible health issue.

http://yukoimada.etsy.com

Thank you so much for your consideration. We can't help every animal in need, but we can help one at a time.

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Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Keep to your budget!!!

2008-08-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

When sales are good you can't help but want to indulge a little, whether it be on more supplies, an espresso, or a gift for a friend. I feel the same way. I don't feel as guilty as I used to spending money I've earned from my business, but now I am feeling more "protective" or "defiant." I have some big goals I am working towards, and I must have subconsciously hinder my desire to spend money faster than I make it.

My friend and I are participating in a summer long Farmer's Market in Key Center, Washington. It's every Sunday for the whole summer. At first I'd take money out of my half of the cash box and buy an espresso or a nice fresh loaf of bread from another vendor. Now though I bite my tongue and make enough time to drink coffee at home before going to the market.

I take a look at my room where I store my supplies. I have more beads and paper and boxes than I have appropriate storage for! Who doesn't love to shop? Who doesn't like indulging in the sake of their business? Although I'd love to buy more supplies until the piles hit the ceiling, I am going to force myself to organize all of it in such a way that it inspires me and challenges me to use the supplies I already have. The carrot I keep walking towards is extra spending money to buy more supplies for my business. There are so many ideas I want to dive into and invest in, but, as the saying goes, patience is a virtue.

What every business needs (and should have) is a budget. If you have another job working for someone else calculate your monthly income. Figure in bills, expenses such as food and hygiene. It is wise to save a small percentage of every paycheck into a savings account. It is just as wise (if not a little more so) to save a percentage of the profits you make from your business and put the rest back into your business whether it be for advertising, supplies, or time. Managing your money is a big responsibility.

Every business owner needs discipline. If you can master the art of holding back your urge to spend every penny in your name as well as run your business in a steady gradual pace, then you are capable of just about anything.

I have a lot to improve on in regards to feeling too ambitious and spending more than I should (but not extremely). I am looking forward to the day where I can work from home on my business full time.

Thank you so much for reading. Good luck on your business endeavors. How rewarding it is.

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Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our email newsletter? Follow this link to find out how: 1337art Newsletter Sign Up

Etsy Artist Feature 20 - KreativeKarryAlls

2008-08-15T22:32:00.000-07:00

It is important to show the world the charms of handcrafted items, and we plan to do this one Etsy Artist at a time. Today we feature KreativeKarryAlls from Lancaster, PA.

Below you will find her interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

As a child, we didn’t have a whole lot of money so making handmade Christmas ornaments with my mom was something we would do, and she still hangs them from the tree every year. I also LOVED to color – give me a coloring book and a box of crayons and I was set!

2. What do you specialize in?

Sewing – handbags, keyfobs and my newest addition fabric business card holders, which have been a big hit.

3. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

With some encouragement from a co-worker, I brought some of my items into the office and people went nuts! Thank you Michelle! Then our IT Coordinator (and friend) informed me of an “All Things Handmade” website and suggested I check it out. I did and here we are almost 2 years later. Thank you Ommie!

4. What are your hopes for the future?

At some point it would be WONDERFUL to make this my FT job or at least enough to compensate enough for me to be able to work from home. Don’t get me wrong, I love my office job, but there is something about working at your own pace and being able to use my god given talent to make a living that would be so fulfilling. I get such a rush every time I see that I sold something and then to hear from my customers that they love their items when they receive them.

5. What are some of your favorite past times?

Spending time with the family, going to the beach, the park, or on a hike. Sitting around the campfire with friends and family making smores (even though I don’t eat them myself). I also love to scrapbook, and do home decorating/remodeling. My husband and I would love to someday flip a house, we keep looking but haven’t found “the right one” yet.

6. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

An organized mess. There is fabric and ribbon everywhere, but I know where everything is!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I have a wonderful and very supportive husband who allows me the time to work on my projects and a little boy who is my world! Even though I love my craft, and that rush of joy when I sell an item – nothing can compare to being a wife and mother!

How do you feel about custom orders?

Love them! I also do special pricing on bulk orders.

How did you choose your shop name?

It just came to me one day, and I liked the idea of being “kreative” with the wording.

How can people get in contact with you?

Via email:

mhlgall@yahoo.com

Visit my website:

www.kreativekarryalls.etsy.com

Thank you so much for reading, and please check back for more Etsy Artist Features.

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

**All items featured can be found for sale at KreativeKarryAlls's Etsy Shop:

http://kreativekarryalls.etsy.com

Pictured in order are Micah, Heather, and their son, Logan.

Great Finds - Novelty Soaps!

2008-08-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today we wanted to show you some great novelty soap that we discovered! It's never too early to shop for the holidays...now is the perfect time to shop!

The first soap weighs 6 ounces and sports a clever brown dog with his paws wet. He is made with goats milk glycerin based soap. This could be a unique stocking stuffer or inspiration to get your younger ones excited to take baths.

You can find this dog soap for sale at JBSoaps:

http://jbsoaps.etsy.com

The second soap we have to show you features a lovely pink rose. A perfect gift for her or a nice feminine accessory for your bathroom. It is made with vegetable based glycerin.

You can find this rose soap for sale at GentleSuds:

http://gentlesuds.etsy.com

The third soap we wanted to show you features...pizza! They are made of goats milk and glycerin, and they smell of tomato leaf! Who wouldn't want to enjoy pizza in their bathroom or kitchen sink?

You can find this pizza soap for sale at SunBasilGarden:

http://sunbasilgarden.etsy.com

Thank you so much for reading! We hope you have enjoyed these novelty soaps. The best way is handmade--all three featured soaps are handcrafted!

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Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more!

Custom orders are accepted.