Blackbird's Learning To Fly

I am offering FREE Shipping on ALL of my Valentine's Day items on my Etsy and Artfire shoppes!

I found a large heart shaped lollipop that said Be Mine. I then photographed it, placed different colours into each background and then I created "pop art" pendants out of the lollipop.

The glass is hand cut, 23 x 23 x 5 mm (7/8" square)square.
It comes with a ball chain that is 17" long.

The pendant comes in a ready to wrap clear topped round tin.

Each piece of jewelry is signed by me, all findings are hypoallergenic.

Try something different this year! Send out Valentine's Day postcards to your loved ones!

Each set of 4 4x6 photo postcards have different images that I shot and printed using my Epson R2400 printer. I use 60lb Premium Matte paper.

I left the back of each blank so that there is plenty of room to write on.
These cards take just one postcard postage stamp, making them different and cheap to send out.

Go for something different! Try handmade and help to support small businesses :D

I am finally getting back into my blogging schedule. Thank you all for your patience and understanding!

This week I'm featuring:
BrigaBauble
www.BrigaBauble.etsy.com
Sometimes funky, always unique handmade jewelry and gifts.

She has a little bit of everything, handmade jewelry, vintage items and sewing destash. She also has handmade Catholic rosaries which make wonderful gifts for First Holy Communions, Confirmations and Easter gifts.

1. What inspired you to open your shoppe?

Hmmm, boredom and a need for attention? No, seriously. My inspiration came in the form of friends--two in particular, one with an Etsy shop and one without. They both encouraged me to try my hand at selling my wares and, at first, I was massively intimidated. Then I figured, "The worst that can happen is that no one wants to buy my creations."

2. Is this your full time job? If not do you hope it can be?

Definitely not my full-time job. (Definitely not because my full-time job is currently a major source of stress and frustration.) I would love to make creating handmade jewelry and gifts my full-time job but, being 33 and single with a huge mortgage and a need for excellent health care, doesn't seem terribly realistic. I would also love to open a small shop that features AFFORDABLE handmade goods; I so often see these "artsy" shops and fall in love with a million things I could never afford. I think there's a need for a middle market.

3. How did you come up with the idea and name for your shoppe?

I swear that I do actually make my own decisions; I don't solely rely on other people. I was really stuck for a shop name. I've never been good at writing headlines and wasn't having much luck naming my shop either. I knew I wanted to use some variation of my first name, Brigitta. I hit up my oldest friend, a fabulous writer. Told her all of my random thoughts and she came back with "BrigaBauble." I loved it!

4. Do you plan on expanding your items?

Always. I can't stick to one style anymore than I can stick to one craft. I've already expanded beyond jewelry and into "gifts" with magnets, bookmarks, photos, keychains. I plan to expand within each of these categories and to add more. For example, I'm a closet decoupager. And yes, I did just make that word up. I have some small furniture pieces in my house that fell victim to my decoupage obsession and I think of them as some of my best work. Also, I'd like to work with glass and learn metalsmithing. Plus, I knit but have forgotten all of the fancy stuff so, I want to relearn that. And sewing. And crochet. (The list goes on and on...).

These would be PERFECT for St. Patrick's Day!

5. Can you tell us about your studio and process?(you may include a photo with yourself in it if you like).

I completely lack discipline when it comes to my studio. I have a dedicated craft room with a table set up directly under a window for natural light. But, I'm short and the window is too high to look out of while seated. Plus, I just bought my house a month ago and haven't had the time to focus on making my "studio" feel comfortable. So, instead, i spread myself and my supplies all over my coffee table and an extra crafting table in my living room. I like to turn on the TV and get totally lost in my crafting. It's a bit embarrassing, really, and requires quite a lot of cleanup before I can accept any visitors.

6. What motivates you?

Hmmm...well, I have an almost compulsive need to make something when an idea pops into my head or I'm running in circles or I need to relax or I'm bored and don't have a good book handy so, part of my motivation comes in the form of a crafting addiction. Then there's the interaction with other sellers on Etsy through Etsy and Twitter, that helps me keep going when sales are slower than a new bottle of Heinz ketchup. And, there's the interaction with and feedback from buyers--especially for custom orders. I love knowing I brightened someone's day.

7. Do you have a blog? If you do, what is it about?

Yes and no. I have a blog (BrigaBauble.blogspot.com) and it was going gangbusters for a while. I posted a mixture of personal stories, random musings, seller profiles, business ideas, etc. Then life kinda got away from me. Plus, I write all day at work (in communications department for a nonprofit) and, lately I haven't had much writing energy left. I keep trying to restart with my blog but, so far, have lacked the necessary commitment.

8. What made you decide to go with Etsy?

It was really all I knew. I became a member two years ago this November (though I began with only a couple of listings, no marketing for at least a year, and a buyer more than a seller). I suppose Artfire and other venues probably existed but I didn't know anything about them. I knew Etsy and it had a positive reputation so, I went with it.

9. Do you sell anywhere else?(retail in your area or other online shoppes or through a personal site)

I've been psyching myself up to pitch to local stores for nearly a year now but, must confess to a lack of confidence. I can promote my heart out if I'm talking about someone else's work, just not my own. And I do aim to have a personal website/shop when I have the money to pay for it to be professionally done. But, for now, I sell at craft fairs and on Etsy. I love the personal interaction you get at a craft fair.
10. what do you like best about creating?

Feeding the need? LOL. Best? I'm going to have to go with two things: the process of choosing my materials and colors and determining exactly what I want to use and how; and the finished product. I am very results-oriented so, I love finishing a piece.

11. Do you twitter or have a facebook fan page or any other online social media sites?

I tweet for my shop: BrigaBauble.twitter.com (Follow me and, unless you're one of those weird Twitter spammers who claims to be a chick selling her "wares," I'll follow you back.)
I set up my Facebook business/fan page under BrigaBauble but, I have yet to figure out how to connect it to my Etsy shop. So, if you search under my name (Brigitta Kral) and friend me, you'll be privy to all of my latest listings and sales (as with Twitter).

12. Can you tell us about how you ensure that your products arrive intact and the instructions for caring for them?

I love packaging! I like to think about my packaging from the buyer's point of view. As a buyer, I care most about: the item arriving in a timely fashion and, as you mentioned, intact. Secondly I like to have a nod of thanks for buying--a note is really nice. After all, one of the benefits to buying handmade is that personal touch. Most of my items are delicate so, I usually package them first in some form of box--the actual shape and material of which varies. I then wrap that item in brightly colored tissue paper and include a personal note and a business card. This I ensconce in bubble wrap (love the bubble wrap), and then slip into a padded envelope. I mark fragile on the outside and am always careful to include my return address. For certain items I provide specific care instructions. For something simple like earrings (which I place on an earring card before packaging), I tend not to include care instructions. Knock on wood but, to date I have never had a complaint about receiving a damaged item, not receiving an item, etc. I should note that I also notify the buyer when the item has shipped with an estimated delivery date, and I ask them to contact me if they have not received the item within two to three days of that date.

13. Who are your 4 favorite artists or sellers on Etsy, Artfire or 1000 Markets?

Oh boy, only 4 huh? I feel like I'm gonna be blacklisted if I don't get this right. (Just kidding!) I'll stick to Etsy sellers because I know them best. OK, at the moment (and not including suppliers), four of my favorite Etsy sellers are...

Warm N' Fuzzy Fiber Arts: For absolutely gorgeous and cozy handknit and crocheted items; I gifted one of her funky handbags and a cup sleeve to a friend who absolutely LOVED them. (Plus, and you'll find this to be a recurring theme, Iris is a total sweetheart.)

Giggle Goddess Creations: When I first discovered Rhiannon's shop, she had fewer than five sales, and I simply couldn't believe it. I fell in love with her artwork immediately. In fact, I own two prints and one original of her fairy pieces, and gifted a print to a very special young girl, who adores it. [And I'm thrilled to say that Giggle Goddess Creations has been discovered by many, many more people.] Plus, Rhiannon's a sweetie. (That does factor in to my choices.)

Rose's Handmade Menagerie: Rose also specializes in knit and crochet items, and she and Warm N' Fuzzy have delightfully different wares. I particularly love Rose's handwarmers. I own a fabulous pair in hot pink and black and ordered a custom pair in black and deep red for a close friend who, of course, adores them. And hands down, Rose has a heart of...roses (minus the thorns!)

It's so hard to narrow down and pick my last one but, I'm gonna bite the bullet and go with...

Robyn's Art: I adore photography. I am much more likely to go to a photo exhibit or museum than a traditional art museum. I own three or four of Robyn's nature photographs and I love each and every one. Robyn also has a wonderful perspective on life, which I really appreciate. Her blog and her work are both sources of inspiration.

14. can you tell us the 5 weirdest things about you?(optional, just want others to know the person behind the creations).

Hmmm...trying to decide what others would consider weird...

1. Having been deprived of sweet cereal as a child, I have developed some rather odd habits...I purchase three to four cereals at a time always including at least one "adult" cereal. And I mix them. There are no cereals I like that I would not mix. I also rely on cereal quite often for both breakfast and dinner.

2. I relish in telling embarrassing stories about myself--partly because I can't resist an audience and love making people laugh, and partly because I've found that it puts people on ease. After all, if you're willing to tell something embarrassing about yourself, then what should they worry about?

3. I have a terrible memory, particularly for people's names (and faces). As a teacher I really struggled to learn all of my students' names (up to 130 of them) as quickly as possible because it's integral to classroom discipline. I developed various memory tools to help me, none of which are among those recommended. My most effective is to develop an odd association with that person's name. For example, my female neighbor goes by the nickname "Bruce." I remember this because, upon seeing an old Christmas photo featuring myself and my sister decked out in matching red and white tracksuits (I tell no lie) and these androgynous haircuts, a former boyfriend of mine started laughing hysterically. When he finally calmed down he said that I looked like Bruce Jenner. I had no idea who he was talking about but, upon finding a photo of the Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner, I had to agree. So, my neighbor is Bruce like Bruce Jenner.,

4. When I moved into my townhouse about a month ago, I did so without a bed, microwave, dining table or TV that would work with a DVR. The only item I have, as yet, purchased is a TV. Am I obsessed with TV? Nope. But, I tend to fall asleep before 10 and there are certain shows that I adore. I have a hard time both focusing and relaxing, and I like to record my favorite shows, which I can then play back without commercials when I know I need to sit still and I'm having trouble doing so. Also, I have a totally groovy, comfy lime-greenish vintage velour sofa, and I find it quite comfortable.

5. I have two pen pals, both of whom are in their 80s. One is my great aunt in Prague, whom I correspond with in German. Unfortunately, my written German is on level with that of a first grader, since I learned my German by ear. My second pen pal is the grandmother of an ex-boyfriend. She and I only met once in person a little more than two years ago in Florida. It was billed as her 80th birthday celebration when, in fact, Grandma G (as I call her) was only turning 79, a fact she did not let her daughter (my ex's aunt) forget! Grandma G and I instantly bonded, and have been pen pals ever since. [Couldn't manage to hold on to the boyfriend but, I did get a grandma out of it!]

Thank you Brigitta! Be sure to check out her Etsy Shoppe and right now she is having a sale!