Inspired!

Gorgeous idea for milk glass!

A big shout out and thanks to my milk glass customer, Lindsey, for sharing her pictures of what she uses her milk glass for (and allowing me to share them with you)!

And what a gorgeous view!



I don't have much of a green thumb, but I'm definitely going to take some of my own milk glass pieces, and make an herb garden to sit on my window sill!

Thanks Lindsey!

I love the mixture of different plants, flowers, colors, and textures that Lindsey used!

Thanks so much for the inspiration Lindsey!

Jen

I love to gift wrap!

I shipped out a pretty teacup & saucer for a customer today that will be going directly to the gift recipient.  I love to gift wrap!  I added a personalized gift tag, along with an organza bag and a couple of tea bags.  I hope she loves her gift!  What a nice friend she has!

And a few unrelated notes:  thanks for the comment regarding my recent blog! I get so excited to see a comment (except when it's a spam)!  I just bought a new camera (and it is the one I used for the flower shots).  My old camera was on it's least leg, so I bought a new one:  Canon Powershot A2200.  This is actually the least expensive in their line (like $80), but I love it!

Also, the cute shoes that Katherine was modeling in my recent blog are Jeffrey Campbells.

Happy Friday!

Jen

Misc.

Silk flowers shot with my new camera!

This is my "miscellaneous" blog!  I haven't blogged for awhile, so I thought it was about time!

These cuties are on their way to Norway!

I thought I'd start with Pinterest.  I know I've blogged about it before, but it's worthy of another mention!  I've made several "boards" of different things I love, such as fashion, vintage, and cute animals!  One of my favorites is my board called "thoughts", where I can add both inspiring and humorous messages!  Plus, I've made at least a few sales through Pinterest!

From my china shop-sold!



Something I am really concentrating on this year is pricing my Etsy shop items so that I am making a profit!  You must take into consideration the taxes you will be paying, the fee that Etsy and Paypal take from your sale, the cost of packing the item for shipping, and time and cost of you shopping and cleaning the item (if you sell vintage you know what I mean about cleaning!).  After all, I love my Etsy shops, but I also want to make a decent living!  I was surprised when I received my 1099 from Paypal, the income shocked me, until I realized it also included the shipping amount!

Lovely porcelain creamer

Katherine's crazy shoes

And on a totally unrelated topic, I had to show you Katherine's shoes!  I can't remember the designer, but I know that they were specially made for her since they are "vegan"!  They are cute...for a 19 year old!  Katherine has great style, so I'm sure she will wear them well!

That's it, I just wanted to ramble a bit!

Carry on,

Jen

Kindness

Be Kind

It's actually very easy to be kind, and fun too!  My dictionary's definition of kind is "sympathetic, gentle, benevolent".

My definition of kind is smiling at a stranger, holding a door open for a stranger.  It's having compassion.  It's knowing you're not the only one in the world with problems, everyone has them. 

Practice Kindness

Simple acts of kindness, leave space when you're at a stop light so someone can get out of the gas station. 

We're all in a hurry, busy lives, just slow down just long enough to show some kindness, and compassion.

It's easy.

Jen

Estate Sales With Dad

Brian-the liquidator, and my Dad!



One of the best days I can remember (okay, not including my wedding, and the birth of my children~!), was the day I got to be my Dad's secretary for the day!  I'm not sure how old I was, guessing maybe around 12?  I got to answer his phones, and do other fun secretary stuff!

So here it is, years, oh-so-many-years later, my Dad joined me for one of my favorite parts of running my Etsy shops, shopping! 

Nippon (one of my estate finds)



My Dad had never been to an estate sale!! Can you imagine that!?  I wasn't sure he would be able to keep up with me, as I know what I like, and I can shop quick!  Sure enough he kept up, and I think he had fun!

We had so much fun at the first estate sale, that we went to a private estate sale, where my Dad got to meet one of my favorite people, Charlie!  Charlie helps out at the estate sales, and we've become good friends.  He was actually the police chief in the 1970s and 1980s in Lakewood, Ohio!

Another pretty estate find!

So who would have imagined, that one day, I would have my Dad as MY assistant!?

I hope he did have fun!!  Thanks Dad!!

Jen

beautiful pottery

I love Etsy!  If you haven't check it out, you must!  etsy

I love Etsy not only because I'm able to make a nice living selling things that I love, but also because there are so many talented artists on Etsy!

The bowls above remind me of my daugher, Katherine!  She loves rice and I could see her eating her rice out of cute bowls like these!

These also remind me of Katherine

How cute are these cookies!?  Sweet Ambs These also remind me of Katherine!  She just turned 19, and has been baking and decorating cookies for years!  I try to help her, but I just don't have the standards that she has! 



Gorgeous succulent wreath



This gorgeous succulent wreath reminds me of Colorado!  I lived there for 9 years in the 80's and just loved it!  Plus, my daughter, Lindsey was born there!  Wreath

So 70's!



Yes, I am vintage, and proud of it!  I swear I had this outfit in the 70's (oh how I love the fashions from the 1970's!).  patterns 

Check out Etsy!  Tons of beautiful vintage and handmade shops!

Happy shopping!

Jen

Fresh Flowers

Love fresh flowers!

No matter what a crazy mess I have in my house (my shop stuff has taken over my house), I have to have fresh flowers!

From Costco

I love Costco!  My favorite bouquets come from there!  Always gorgeous-and they last so long!

Beautiful color!

Not only do I love fresh flowers, but I have found I have a passion for photographing them too!  I just use my trusty Canon Power Shot!

Flowers!

Another good source for fresh flowers is Trader Joe's!  They have a huge selection, and I must get there soon!

Think spring!

Jen

High Tea For Alice

High Tea For Alice

If you haven't see this Etsy shop before, you must check t out!  That bottom cake plate was from my shop!  Perfect for a tea party, wedding, or just about an occasion!

Custom orders

Lisa Marie is the shop owner.  She can even take pieces you already own and create a custom design just for you!

Pink!!

I love this pink one!  I just think these would be gorgeous for a wedding!

So many to choose from!

So lovely



Be sure to take a few minutes to check out Lisa Marie's gorgeous shop!  Shop

You'll be inspired to throw your own tea party!

Enjoy!!

Jen

Shipping Shipping Shipping

My USPS Scale

I absolutely love love love running my three Etsy shops!  Everything, the marketing, photography, shopping, even the packing!

My one nemesis is shipping!  I honestly think some shoppers think I make up random shipping costs!

But, I use a scientific method (okay, it's as close as I get to a scientific method!)!

Milk Glass Bowl

Take, for instance, this pretty milk glass bowl.  When I listed this, I placed it on my scale, with a box (that has a bit of packing material in it).  It weighs 1 lb, 5 oz.  I know from experience, that the total weight will end up being almost an extra pound from the original weight.

I usually use priority shipping, and have printed out the costs (for the USA).  I will use the farthest zone for my shipping quote, and refund if it is less. 

I will also add at least a $1.00 for packing material.  I use plenty of bubble wrap and that is an expensive item!

For international shipping, I have made up a list of shipping information for Canada and "Everywhere Else" (I usually use the costs for Australia since that is one of the most expensive countries to ship to).

So that's a quick summary.  There's a lot more you need to know, and I will be happy to elaborate.  Maybe next I will talk about the use of oversize boxes (be careful with this one, as you can be charged a crazy extra charge by the USPS!).

Happy shipping!

Jen

Testing testing

jenscloset

Trying the link stuff so blah blah blah and then milk glass

Cool, it's working!