Look what I found! some new faves

I'd love to share with you today some of my newly-found favorites on etsy!

Isn't this the most squeely- adorable little bag?

cross body bag Lavinia and her dog by hensteeth

Just loving these gorgeous bright colours - and of course, I have a weakness for square plates.

handpainted pottery plate set by DixiesNightOwl

I am in awe of people who crochet! What a lovely simple idea though, so sweet.

granny square necklace by table tin

These cool pouches are made from Robins own artworks!
So clever! So unique! so chic!

dollar bill pouch and keyring by Robin Maria Pedrero

Still loving the super-bright and colourful - which earrings would you chose?
I dont' think I could stop at just one pair!

enamel heart earrings by gillthecat

This one speaks to the latent hippie in me!
Such a clever design and oh, those colours!

circular hippie vest by LoveandKnit

Have a fabulous weekend and may it be filled with love and colour!

Remember to leave a lovely meaningful comment if you would like to go in the draw for my sweet beaded necklace.

Blogging tips

Last week's ticklish question "why blog?" inevitably led me on to the question of "how to"?

So I did a little research, as you do, and wondered if I could impart some quick and useful blogging tips.

Now, I should tell you that I am by no means an expert.
I don't pretend to be the best blogger or even a good blogger.
So you need to do as I say - not do as I do. OK?

What I aim to do is distill some of the vast quantity of information that is out there for bloggers.

- blog what you know. Remember you are the expert on your business, your garden, your cooking, your children, whatever.

- let your personality shine through in your blog. Don't try and be someone else's blog. Although you may love the style and content of The Ginger Cat's* blog - it's a mistake to try and emulate that exact cat's style, people will find it hard to engage with you and you will find it hard to maintain.

- be consistent. Blog regularly, not necessarily every day, but if you blog regularly your followers will look forward to your posts.

- build relationships. That's what it's all about really. Comment on other blogs (meaningfully!). Invite guest bloggers, submit content to other blogs. Use facebook, twitter, google + etc to find your readers and build up networks.

- keep posts fairly simple. One topic/issue/point/item per post mainly. That way your posts are easy to read, and you can save the extra material for more posts.

- Use a mix of images and text. Some posts might be mainly photos (like wordless Wednesday), some (like this one) mainly words. Mixing it up keeps things interesting and remember that a picture tells a thousand words!

- Have fun. If blogging becomes a chore it will show!

- Rules are meant to be broken!

Here are some links to pages that I used to find this info.
There is heaps out there!
Do you have any recommendations of bloggers who have given you good information or advice?

How to grow your blog by Neil Paton

blogworld

Charlie Beckett on LSE

OneofaKindSites on etsy forums

Timothy Adam handmadeology 

Jess over on Epheriell Designs 

blogging with Amy

Pip over at justb is holding a blog school, starting next week, should be good.

Happy blogging!

Remember I'm having another giveaway you can see it here. 
Please leave a comment on any post and proper, thoughtful comments are much appreciated, thankyouverymuch : )
If you want to take part in other giveaways during blogtoberfest have a look at Ms Curly Pop's blog.

*hopefully not a real blog, I think I just made it up.

Getting straight - my creative space

I had a really big festival at the weekend, and I had to take all my stock with me, so when I got back I had to sort out what had sold from my etsy shop, what new items I wanted to list in my etsy  shop and what I want to take to The Nook at Leura.

Stocktaking like that is quite a task, but made a bit easier now by being able to take the computer to my workroom, instead of taking all the stock to the office (yay! for laptops!)

What do you do if you sell at more than one venue, how do you keep everthing organised?

Anyway mine is all sorted for now.

Tshirt orders have been made and dispatched - thankfully my sewing machine was repaired in time so I could make the custom orders.

Jewellery customising has been done and sent off to their new homes.

Today I felt like making some simple shell earrings - for my on-line shops here and here and for The Nook.

 I'm joining in with My Creative Space over on Village Voices, have a look at the other creative spaces there or better still - join in!

Also I'm having another giveaway you can see it here. 
Please leave a comment on any post and proper, thoughtful comments are much appreciated, thankyouverymuch : )
If you want to take part in other giveaways during blogtoberfest have a look at Ms Curly Pop's blog.

A winner and another giveaway

The winner of the earrings giveaway is Dani! Yay! for Dani!!

This week's giveaway is a sweet glass beaded necklace set on a chain.
Like the one shown here.

All you need to do is leave a comment on any post this week and I'll draw a winner next Tuesday 16th October.
For more blogtoberfest giveaways pop on over here.

Doors of India - wordless Wednesday

 

and a few windows!

Linking up with Wordless Wednesday over on My Little Drummer Boys - have a look at the others over there!

Pasta with gorgonzola and zuccini

Just have to share this delicious pasta dish I just made!

It's a bit tasty! As long as you are not frightened of blue cheese!

I served it with a raw beetroot salad, but a green or tossed salad would be just as nice.

For 2 people.

Dice and saute 1 small or half a large onion in some olive oil until softened.
Add 2 medium diced zuccini and continue sauteing until softened but before they go mushy.

While that is happening cook 250 grams of your favorite pasta, I used penne.

And also while that is all happening mix together 125 grams of cream cheese (I use philly light, but you could use regular cream cheese) and 125 grams gorgonzola cheese, just mash them together with a fork.

When the pasta is cooked drain it and stir in the zuccini and the cheese mixture. Season with some black pepper if you like.
This is quite a salty already, so I wouldn't recommend adding any extra salt.

Serve with raw beetroot salad.

Peel and grate one small beetroot.
Peel and grate one apple.
Finely slice on stalk of celery.
Finely slice 1/4 green capsicum.
Chop a handful of walnuts.
Mix well together with 2 teaspoon cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of cold pressed olive oil.

Tonight I will be drawing the winner of the earrings and announcing anothe giveaway.
So statyed tuned!

Who I met at the weekend!

Introducing......at Leura Fair -

Lynne Lade's really comfy pants -

 Wondrous textiles from Janet of feloffa -

Delicious candles from Wyck -

Amazing children's clothing from Danette at Sami Bop -

The most beautiful ceramics from master potter Lyn Hart -

The prettiest wearable art from Suzie Webster Art Studio -

and the colourful and diverse display from The Nook Leura artisans -

Don't forget my weekly blogtoberfest giveaway.
To have the chance of scoring a pair of planettreaures earrings leave a comment.
I'll be drawing the winner next tomorrow, Tuesday 9th .