Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Feature Shop: ScissorGoddess

If you've participated in our business card swaps (and you should!), then you've met Nicole of ScissorGoddess. The swaps were her idea, and she's been running and organizing them for about a year now. Meet this busy mom and three and learn more about her creations! -Cori of Peace, Baby! Batiks

What is your name?
Nicole

Where are you located?
Lehighton, PA

Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a SAHM of three little girls ages 8, 7, and 2. My time is consumed by my girls, being an active member of the school’s PTO, and helping my neighbors with babysitting. When I can manage to find some free time I love to read, draw, paint, sew, and of course -- craft! 

What do you sell in your Etsy shop?
Different types of accessories for all age ranges: Hair clips and bows, necklaces, and bracelets.

Upcycled Sunny Yellow Vinyl Record Cuff Bracelet

How long have you been crafting? 
I’ve always been inclined to make things for myself but really started crafting in early 2009 when my daughters got interested in hair clips but I felt that the retail stores overcharged for poor quality items. Then it just sort of spiraled from there into other types of accessories.

What or who got you started in your craft? 
YouTube is where I got started with simple clips and bows; once you get the basics down it’s really easy to expand with your own ideas.

Tell us the story behind this item: Upcycled Funky Fashion Necklace. What inspired you? How did you choose the materials/colors/etc.
This necklace is actually up-cycled from three or four other necklaces that I had purchased for myself and were either broken or unworn. I don’t like to waste anything so I disassembled them and played with the parts until I came up with something I thought was pretty and interesting. My middle daughter loves this necklace because it’s her favorite colors and she says it’s very “rockstar.”

OOAK Upcycled Funky Fashion Necklace

How did your shop get its name?
Everything I create starts by being cut; from ribbons and bows to metal for beading, my world revolves around a good pair of scissors. I played around with a bunch of different shop names and when I came up with ScissorGoddess, it just seemed to fit me best.

How do you balance mothering and running a small business?
Some days are more difficult than others, any SAHM mom knows what I mean! It’s really about committing to make the time for your shop and all the steps that go into keeping it running. 

Disney Cinderella Shimmery Blue Boutique Bow

What is one piece of advice or a tip you'd give other stay-at-home moms?
A giant calendar and scheduling EVERYTHING! Each year I buy a desk-sized calendar and attach magnets to the back so it can be on the fridge. I have a magnetic locker bin that holds pens and highlighters right next to the calendar so I can jot things down as they come up. There is nothing that happens in this house that isn’t on the calendar! There are only two rules with the calendar: mark events/appointments/etc. as soon as you have the information, and don’t over schedule any day. The calendar is my guideline for maintaining my business just like a job, if a day is too busy then it’s a day off from crafting but I can also clearly see where there’s time to get my “work” in too. It’s a real lifesaver and we’ve been using it for over two years now.

Do you have a favorite quote or inspirational saying you'd like to share?
No pain, no gain

What do you like to browse for on Etsy?
I love to check out other shops to see what neat things are popular, maybe gain some inspiration for my own shop in the process. Most of my searches are random by keyword, for example if I’m not having a good day I may search “happy” and then just browse from there, it works really well to lift my spirits.

Sassy Schoolgirl Black And Pink Plaid Set Of Two Bows

What is your favorite Etsy shop currently?
My longtime favorite has been www.etsy.com/shop/schin. I get inspired to create every time I visit her page.

Where can we find you?

Lost In Wonderland Long Chain And Charm Necklace OOAK

Monday, February 27, 2012

Monday's Menu: Spaghetti with Spinach and Tomatoes

At the beginning of the week I cook about 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the crock pot for 6 hours on low in 1 cup of chicken broth. After it's cooked I store it in the fridge, in the broth, and use it in meals during the week. It saves me a ton of time when I am cooking dinner. 

This is one of my family's favorite meals. It's simple, but delicious! My kids are allergic to dairy so we don't add cheese, but I know that some shredded Parmesan or chunks of mozzarella would be a nice addition on top.

Spaghetti with Spinach and Tomatoes

Ingredients:
  • 1 box of Spaghetti
  • 1 lb cooked chicken, chopped (about 2 cups)
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • pepper
  • 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 bag of spinach (12 or 16oz )
Directions:
  1. Heat oven to 450 degrees. Put tomatoes in an 8x8 baking dish with garlic and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with pepper. Cook for 10 minutes.
  2. While the tomatoes are cooking, cook pasta according to the box instructions. When the tomatoes are done, pour the bread crumbs over them and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Set aside when done.
  3. Heat chicken broth in a large saute pan and add spinach. Cook spinach in broth over medium-high until all the leaves are wilted. Turn down heat to low and add tomato mixture.
  4. Gently stir in the tomatoes being sure not to smash them. Add chicken and heat through for a few minutes.
  5. Serve over noodles.
Enjoy!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Feature Yourself Friday Link Party #33!

Welcome!!!

Hope you all had a great Valentine's Day!  Thanks so much for joining in and helping make this party fun...don't forget to spread the word!!  :D

Our most-viewed link last week was...
This listing for cute Non-Slip Headbands in Your Choice of Colors by My Lovebug Baby!  So fun!!!  What great colors to choose from!!
If you've been feature you can add our button (found on the sidebar!) to your blog or site!

Feature Yourself Friday is a place to highlight what YOU do!  You can link up a blog post, tutorial or an item from your shop!  We want to see what YOU'VE been doing!

Rules:
1. Please become a follower of our blog!
2. Make sure you visit a couple of the other links each week, and show them some love by favoriting an item or leaving a nice comment!

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE TEAM TO LINK UP!!!

(You can also add our button to your site or blog and help us spread the word! It's over on the sidebar!)

~ Sarah from Sarahndipities

Let's see what's new this week!!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Treasury Thursday

Happy Thursday, everyone!! I didn't realize that the Etsy Mini I had been posting with my favorite pics from the new listings was changing as I changed my favorites. Sorry about that! So for now, I will go back to just posting treasuries and see if I can figure something out. So here are a few of the team's treasuries! Enjoy!!

'Hugs at Home' by CanDoStitching

Inspiration from BirdsNestTreasure's Store! Nothing better than being home!


Ceramic Brooch Pin Vint...
$8.00

Abandoned Farm House 8x...
$25.00

Brown Batter Bowl
$25.00

Tools of the Trade seri...
$26.00

Beige Cotton Soap Saver
$6.00

Burlap bottle bag Hugs
$6.00

American Girl 18" ...
$8.50

Recipe Box Brown Retro ...
$32.00

Good Moms Vinyl Board
$30.00

Shabby Chic Upcycled Gl...
$30.00

Striped Spring Colored ...
$6.00

LOVE Natural Tumbled Ma...
$16.00

Cup Cozy Mug hug - knit...
$3.50

Custom Valentines Day H...
$1.00

Cottage Chic Art Photog...
$25.00

Soap Dispenser-Tan Pump...
$12.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.



Last round's treasury challenge winner!!

'Orange Sherbet' by CanDoStitching

Love this color combo inspired from the SAHM of Etsy Team and others!!!


Woven Headband and Bow ...
$8.00

LOUNGE SHAWL. Fleece. A...
$15.00

Boutique Fall Fun Fur ...
$3.50

Organic Orange Marmalad...
$11.75

Large Crochet Flower Br...
$10.00

Baby Bodysuit: Orange w...
$10.00

Set of 3- Citrus Scrubb...
$7.50

Upcycled Sunny Yellow V...
$12.00

Felt Orange Rosette Bob...
$4.75

Hair Flower Clip with F...
$2.50

Orange Blossom Quilted ...
$37.00

The Alice-Retro
$19.00

Ready-Made SALE: Croche...
$9.35

Set of 2 Golden Origami...
$6.00

Green and orange Flower...
$13.99

Tiny Crocheted Embroide...
$15.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.



A new entry for this round!

'Impatiently Waiting For Spring' by ScissorGoddess

Winter is by far my least favorite season so I thought I would put together a few bright and spring-y items to block out my winter blues


Primitive Stitchery Pil...
$15.00

Sale Original Landscape...
$159.00

Yellow Butterfly Clip
$1.65

Decorative Ceramic Tile...
$17.00

Dandelion Photography T...
$30.00

Kanzashi Flower Elegant...
$8.00

Spring Wedding guest bo...
$70.00

SPRING Wood Block Set E...
$19.00

Paper Flowers, Set of 1...
$36.00

Fabric Basket Organizer...
$18.00

Retro Flower Necklace, ...
$28.00

Crochet Flower Garland ...
$18.00

Recipe Box Birdhouses a...
$32.00

Wall Stencil Spring Son...
$39.95

Burlap Pew Cone or Wall...
$12.00

Hand Painted Wine Glas...
$195.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.



~Steph~The Cuddle Corner~