One way to earn a little cash

Well, I spend a lot of time lately on eBay.  And then, I realized, I lost out on a bunch of money (well, not a bunch, but probably about $5 or so), because I did not log into my Mr.Rebates account before bidding on eBay.

Mr. Rebates gives you money back when you shop, at a lot of different stores...but in my case, I am penny'ing and nickel'ing them to death, as I am buying items that are giving me back sometimes as low as 1 - 3 cents...sometimes as "high" as 81 cents (oooooh, big spender here!).  But, it does add up!

Now, the advantage is, when I signed up, I got a $5 bonus for being new, not sure if you can still do that, but...and you can  cash out when you reach $10.  I just did $11...not too shabby, for doing what I am doing anyway.

Stop by, and click Mr. Rebates  to join up!

Trading Circle Traveling Box

I am sitting in the hospital, again, for the 2d time this week.  The first time was Wed - Sat for bilateral pulmonary embolisms.  Went back in Monday night for mild pneumonia, related to the first visit.

So...while I am sitting here, I came up with an idea.  I am hoping perhaps some people might be interested in this.

In the past, I participated in a type of traveling box...I started it, by putting in items (and an approximate value), and mailed it to the next person, who took out some things that they wanted, and added more in.  It was interesting to see what came through...it got lost after it reached me...but I was happy to see what came back through, and a few disappointments (it was kinda open ended, and child;s pony beads came back, but others might have wanted/needed them.  However, I got a nice polymer clay face, and a wire twister brand new in it....so it "balanced").

What I would like to do, is an "earring party" type trading circle box.  I make primarily earrings, and tend to use only 2 or 4 of a bead in earrings.  I know I would love to have some small amounts, to make more unique types, and/or try some new stones/etc.

I am not going to set rules yet, because I would like to get a group together, and have people suggest.  But I do have a minor "set" in mind, I would like to list here...subject to change, but gives us a starting point.

1.  6 people.  This box does take a bit to go around, so I would like to limit.  If I get enough people, I might start 2 boxes, with 2 seperate groups (yes, I get to be greedy and participate in both).  Since this isn't truly through a group or forum, I would like to request that there be some history of the people...i.e. showing posts on etsy/artfire (although I don't belong there) or facebook (with a fan page), etc...I realize that even that is not a guarantee, but  I think we could get a fair group going.

2.  I will start out the box with 10 baggies.  I would like to set a minimum price per bag...we will discuss that.  somehow, $5 per bag sounds a bit much, but perhaps not (the clay face I believe was a $13 value).  I would like to discuss what in each bag.  If a semi-unique cut (i.e. heart-shaped hematite, rondelles of lapis, coins of citrine), then 2 to a bag or so...if it is just "basics", i.e. 4 and 6mm rounds of aventurine), then the bag must contain an amount to reach the minimum.


3.  Should we put a maximum?  i.e. you can only trade 3 bags, so that there is a variety for the next person?  I will start it out with 10, but if you wish to add one or two more, to make the bag more variety, I think that would be good.

4.  I think that there should be a time limit, of course, of sending this on.  I would like to say try to do it within 3 days, but we know how RL is, so no more than a max of one week, to send it back out.  If you cannot figure out a trade in that time, then send the box on, and you will get to look the next time.  Also, if you realize you cannot accept the box on your turn (i.e. vacation, money went poof, etc) let us know in time, so we can send it to the next person, and either substitute someone for you, or add you back to the rotation when you can.

5.  Do we want to limit it to just stones?  Glass/swarovski/swarovski pearls could be good additions, but we know quality, and perceived value.  Also, do we want to add findings?  I have like 1 inch headpins I may never use, and could add those...

As I write this, I think, perhaps just make it a traveling box, not a "earrings only"...because I have things I won't ever use, Czech glass, etc, and could make some nice baggies.  Or like some single drilled amenome half-shell fossil beads, I would put like 1 or 2 in ...makes great necklaces!

Things to consider:
What if someone puts in junk...how do we deal with that?  Or overvalues something?  One man's meat...but we all kinda know how much swarovskis are, but do we count wholesale? retail?
How do we "end" the box?  How many rotations?  What if someone wants to join?  (I think it would be good to share within your city, as long as you are responsible for quality and sending it off at the end, like I would show my best friend, and she would trade, but I would check to make sure that she didn't trade a $1 item for a $20.

"how to" on the bag -- name, email, item description, qty, approx value.

and what about a "surprise gift" for the next person?  little gift wrap, with something special.  We can list things about the person in the forum/blog/whatever we post the details to (i.e. I prefer sterling silver, 6 inch wrist, make primarily earrings, allergic to x (not allergic, but gives the idea), color preference is...so that the person before me might see it, and make a pair of earrigns, or wirewrap, or send me wire, because i said i was interested in learning...that kind of thing.

And if this happens, I will state the obvious...not to put in what you can't afford to lose.  So...if you join, and you put in items, and they never come back to you...don't put in $50 if you can't afford to let that go to the fates.

These are ideas, and obviously would be ironed out before the box went out.  But i would like to get this settled. so that the first round, and maybe the 2d could be finished by christmas.

Long winded, but when you are in the hospital, not much else to do.  Can't guarantee this will happen...but just an idea to discuss!

you can discuss in comments here/sign up, or you can email me at kittyn.twins@yahoo.com

Help?

Alright...I imported my wordpress into blogger.  I have found out that blogger doesn't automatically change the size of the pictures, that I know of.  Does anyone know how?  or do I have to go into each post, and change the HTML to adjust the size?

Thanks!

test post

just a test to see if it will adjust my pics

Auto Draft

Pretty of the Day -- 7/25

I found this today, in a forum thread, where the person states she might be closing her shop. One of the main suggestions of the thread was, Raise Your Prices. I know this is a problem that most people have, is finding a good price point. I do agree, after looking through the items. Although they are not in a price range that I can afford, I believe that they are on the low end of the spectrum that she needs to charge. I believe that each item could have $5-10 added, and no one would blink an eye.

This outfit has a very classic line...50's? She has some absolutely beautiful details to this dress, from the selection of the material, to the piping around the edges. And the ruffles that she has added, just draws your eyes. Sadly, I could not wear this, as I do not have a shape that would work with that dress, even if she were to custom make it in my size. But I can dream...and draw it to your eyes!

Dahlia Dress:


And another one, just because:

2 new listings today!

2 beautiful bracelets are what I got entered today. Both are elegant, and both have their points. However, I see "Revolution" as a more classic beauty, that you could wear it daily with office wear, for a bit of splash of color. "Deep Blue Allure" is the opposite, pure nightlife. I imagine it on the gambler's wrist, as she walks through the Casino, or the blond with an almost-nothing sequined sapphire dress, as she is let in to the nightclub.

Deep Blue Allure:

Revolution:

Show me some Violet Treasury

I found out today, that I am in a treasury! It's called "show me some violet love" and was created by jacarandawood. Didn't she select a beautiful assortment?

Show me some violet love! treasury link.

Sadly, I don't know how to do one of the screen captures to place it on here, so I will post the item that got me on there:

Pretty of the Day -- 7/24

Okay, I just found this soap, and I love the detail! It is so beautiful!

New Items! 7/23

Okay, I have been posting a few items, despite my severe back pain, and having to take percocet. Trying to make entries on Percocet is fun!!! Colors go wayyyy fun. *laughs*

Anyway, I have posted 4 pair of earrings today, and renewed 2. These are some beauties, and I hope that you like them!

Vibrant Pink Earrings!




Golden Beauty Earrings!





Petite Pleasures Earrings





Peachy Guardian Angel Earrings





And "golden oldies" of my Etsy shop:

Roses and Pearls Earrings





Evening Light Smoky Quartz Earrings

Pretty of the Day -- 7/23

Okay, I never wear scarves. I don't have the clothing for it. But I am finding myself drawn to them.

Look at this one...I love the combination of colors, and textures. This is a beautiful example of hand-craft! A way bit out of my price range...but such a beauty!

Pretty of the day -- 7/21

I was bouncing around yesterday, and I found this piece of art. Interesting, but cute at the same time!

Who would have thought cardboard could be art?

Joke -- An Old Man's Good Time

The jeweler looked through his stock and brought out a $5,000 ring and showed it to him. The old man said, "I don't think you understand, I want something very special."

At that statement, the jeweler went to his special stock and brought another ring over. "Here's a stunning ring at only $40,000," the jeweler said.
The young lady's eyes sparkled and her whole body trembled
with excitement. The old man seeing this said, "We'll take it."

The jeweler asked how payment would be made and the old man stated, by check. " I know you need to make sure my check is good, so I'll write it now and you can call the bank Monday to verify the funds and I'll pick the ring up Monday afternoon," he said.

Monday morning, a very teed-off jeweler phoned the old man.
"There's no money in that account."

"I know", said the old man, "but can you imagine the weekend I had?".

Surprise Find! -- Crying Baby Doll

Wow! Wasn't going to post more today, but when I saw this, I just *had* to post it!

The detail is amazing..it is a beautiful doll, that you can tell is created with love.

If I did a doll collection, this would definitely be in it! That is some great detail!

Pretty of the Day -- July 20

Okay, something else I am trying. I know it won't be every day, but I hope that I will keep this up. *smiles*

I found this today, just wandering etsy (actually, I think I clicked on an ad from Craftcult.com)...isn't this a beautiful shawl?

So very light and airy:

http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.139837946.jpg

Surprise Find -- A Shop I like!

Okay, perhaps this might become a semi-regular "chapter" to this blog, I am not sure. I see lots of beautiful items, but rarely do I see a shop with items this beautiful! Okay...I do run across them. But sometimes, something just grabs you. And this time, I have to I ran across this etsy site today, and I can only say, WOW.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51769431/master-piece


I think this person creates gorgeous items ... for WAY too cheap! I think the stores here in LV would buy it, and sell each of these for anywhere from 4-6 times the amount. I don't wear bold items...and I would be so tempted with several of these.

Oh, if only I could find a magical fairy to supply me with jewels at cost, or near...*laughs* But I will take a magical fairy that will get me one of these beauties!

Heck! You could just about buy the necklaces, just for the supplies! Look at this:


or this one...a Turquoise necklace? at this price?


And I really like this one with the stripes and variegations of the stones.


Okay, I am going back to drooling. And wishing!

Joke -- The Cheap Ring

A young woman walked into a jeweller first thing one Monday morning, handed a large impressive solitaire ring to the owner, and asked could he "just tell her whether this is a real diamond or not, and is it worth having valued" as a very good friend had given it to her over the weekend. The jeweller could tell without from a distance that it was only in a cheap 9 carat gold mount, and a quick look using an eyeglass not only confirmed this, having a "375" hallmark, but also revealed a "C.Z." stamp, so was undoubtedly a cubic zirconia.
The jeweller relayed his opinion to the "customer", who promptly burst out into tears, wailing, gnashing of teeth, and other hysterical behaviour. After five minutes she had recovered her composure sufficiently to further quiz the jeweller, "How can you be so sure after such a brief look, you haven't even tested the stone", she said accusingly. "Madam, from years of experience, I can tell diamonds from fakes without using a diamond tester, they are only used by amateurs, it is only in a 9 carat mount, and nobody in their right mind would set a high quality 4 carat diamond in such a cheap mount, it's also stamped C.Z. inside the shank, so please do not call my expertise into question, especially when I am giving you free advice", replied the long-suffering jeweller. At this the woman burst back into uncontrollable sobbing, and it took several minutes before the jeweller could manage to communicate with her. "Well, dear, don't get so upset. As you were given it, you haven't suffered any financial loss. If this were a real diamond ring it would be worth £40,000 or more, at least you haven't bought it on ebay for £20,000; if you had I could quite understand you being so upset, but as it was only a gift, then really you have not lost anything," he tried to console her.
At this point she snatched the ring from his hand, and snarled "You clearly don't understand the seriousness of the situation! I insist you call the police immediately."
"Why?", said the puzzled jeweller.
Isn't it obvious?, said the woman, "I've been raped!"

A few of the new items for 7/18!

I entered some beauties in my shop...I topped 100 entries!!! Am so happy!

I think this is my favorite of today's postings:

You can find it for sale here: After Midnight

This bracelet just drips with bali silver!

Mystic Reflections

These earrings are nice, but not for the sensitive ear type...great to make a statement, though...and you won't forget you are wearing them!

Cloudy Skies

Joke -- The Deposit

Judi was walking by the jewelry store one day in the midtown mall. She saw a diamond bracelet that she really liked. In the store she went.

“Excuse me,” she said to the sales lady behind the counter, “Will a small deposit hold that bracelet until my husband does something unforgivable?”

Joke -- The Gold Earrings

Okay...this was so funny, I had to share!

Dianne goes to the doctor, and says, "Doctor, I've got a bit of a problem. I'll have to take my clothes off to show you."

The doctor tells her to go behind the screen and disrobe. She does so, and the doctor goes round to see her when she is ready.

"Well, what is it?" he asks.

"It's a bit embarrassing," she replies. "These two green circles have appeared on the inside of my thighs."

The doctor examines her and finally admits he has no idea what the cause is. Then he suddenly asks, "Is your boyfriend a Harley rider?"

The woman blushes and says, "Well, actually he is."

"That's the problem," the doctor says. "Tell him his earrings aren't real gold."