I Heart Swapping

Me in my new Idyll Hands necklace

I've only participated in 3 swaps but it is so much fun and this last one was by far my fave, to make and to receive! It was called Spring Tweets and the challenge was anything with birds. I was thrilled when I learned my fellow swapper would be Erin of Idyll Hands on Etsy, since I had long admired her delicious jewelry. Now I get to strut about in an Idyll Hands creation of my very own! My taking a photo of myself photo just doesn't do her work justice so be sure to head over to her shop, you won't be disappointed! I was so excited when it arrived yesterday and have been wearing it all day today, it's perfection!


I wanted to break away from scrapping a bit with this challenge so I made a shadow box. Erin has another shop on Etsy called Wooly Hands where she sells her hand spun yarns and roving. So I thought it would be appropriate to make her a little knitting birdie, the idea is that the bird is stealing a knitter's yarn to cozy up its nest. I didn't stray far, I used a pattern scrapbook paper background,diecut tree trunks and branch shadow out of black paper and mounted those flat. Then diecut a brown branch that I raised off the surface. When I put the shadow box on my new bookcase to try and get a good photo of it I almost kept it for myself! I will definitely be making one of these I can keep.

Pat On The Back Junkie

One major thing I've learned since opening my Etsy shop is that I'm one hardcore pat-on-the-back junkie. I get so excited when someone compliments my work, I'm in a treasury or I make a sale but a few days in a row with no acknowledgment and I'm jonesin' for my next fix. I don't think that's a good thing, not at all, so I'm going to try and put myself in rehab. Wish me luck!

Voting Time!

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

I've entered a photo of my You Rock My Socks Off appreciation box in a contest on Timothy Adam Designs blog, which is awesome. If you don't know him he's become an Etsy rock star in short order. Please cast your vote for my pic here, I'd love to win and if you have a great product pic of your own enter it!

Ringing The Wedding Bells

Wedding Album (12x12 premade scrapbook with 20 scrapped pages and embellished cover)

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

'Tis the season to get hitched and and to celebrate I have a new item in my shop that I'm excited about, a wedding scrapbook! Visit The Beehive or click any image to get yours.

The Beehive Yart Sale!

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

The Second Annual Etsy wide Yart sale is happening now, June 10-14! During that time I'm offering $5 off shipping on all items, that means free shipping on many Beehive items! I will refund the money through Paypal after the purchase has been made. For other great Yart sales search "Yart" on Etsy. Visit The Beehive here. Happy Shopping!

A Treasury Kind Of Morning

What a beautiful way to wake up, I'm in 2 team treasuries this morning!

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

My Cherry Blossom memory catcher is in this all AREtsy team treasury by the always wonderful Oakleaf Hollow called AREtsy! The Heat Is On!

My Rainbow Brite appreciation box is in this all Twitter team treasury by Huayruro Peru called Twitter Friends.

Etsy Twitter Team Picks Treasury

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

I love blue and it just so happens my Chilly Cat paper bead bracelet just showed up in a fantastic all blue Etsy Twitter Team treasury by SimplyDoodles. Thanks! Purchase Chilly Cat here and be sure to visit the SimplyDoodles shop here for digital banners and avatars.

Hot Of The Press: At Home In Arkansas Magazine

I like to enjoy all of The Beehive's latest press while riding my wooden rocking horse.

NOTE: My shop The Beehive is now Papercut Kitchen! Please visit my shop Papercut Kitchen by clicking here.

Well, not so hot off the press now, I can't believe it's taken me so long to blog about this momentous occasion. That's what happens when a gal's computer dies. Anywho, my Framed Custom Silhouette is featured in this month's At Home In Arkansas magazine in a great little spotlight on cottage industry. You'll find me alongside other fantastic Arkansas artists and crafters who sell their wares on Etsy.

Custom Frames Silhouette by The Beehive

See the online article by clicking here

Weekend Feature: The Scrappy Shack Die Cuts

Blah Blah Blah Word Balloon Die Cut by The Scrappy Shack

I'm so excited about this weekend's handmade supply feature. I've been growing more and more in love with designing and making die cuts but Lori of The Scrappy Shack on Etsy is the queen bee of die cuts. Her shop is full of beauties and she'll even do custom and wholesale orders! Have a look at her shop here, click an image in this post to be taken to the listing, where you can make it yours, and be sure to read the interview below. You can also keep up with Lori and her creations on Flickr here and on her blog, www.thescrappyshack.com where she has some exciting things going on. You can enter to win some of her die cuts here and apply to be on the Scrappy Shack design team here. Happy Crafting!

Circles Die Cut by The Scrappy Shack

Flourish Frames Die Cut by The Scrappy Shack

Alphabet Circle Frame by The Scrappy Shack

All photos used with the permission of The Scrappy Shack

Interview with The Scrappy Shack

What do you do for a living in the daytime?

I am a full-time mom and part time paper craft designer. Once upon a time I worked as a secretary in a federal prison, but when my daughter was born three years ago I left to stay home and watch her grow.

Tell us a little about your etsy self

Well....I spend my days running my cutter and my nights working on new designs. I keep a notebook next to me at all times because I have the most random ideas at the weirdest times. My Blah Blah Blah Word Balloon die cut was something I thought of while I was drifting off to sleep one night.

Tell us a little about your non-etsy self

I am married to Jay, who is the very best travel partner in the world. We love to travel and some places we have been together are Hawaii, Seattle, Napa Valley, and New Orleans, and right now we are planning our trip to my favorite city in the world - New York.

In 2006 my daughter was born and joined our family through the miracle of adoption. She is a fun and lively 3 year old, and she keeps me busy. Adoption is very close to my heart, and I love to share Lacie's story and hear other families' adoption stories.

What do you make and why did you start making it?

I design and create die cuts for paper crafting. I started my business to scrapbook memories for others when I left my full time job in 2006. I bought my cutter to help me speed my production time, and quickly fell in love with the machine and what I could do with it. Thus, my designing took off and now I am spending all my work time creating die cuts.

What inspires you?

Everything. Honestly, most of my ideas come at the oddest times and I most times I have no inkling where they came from.

What advice do you have for people trying to sell their crafts?

Network every chance you get. Carry your business card with you at all times and pass as many out as you can. Take advantage of all the networking opportunities online - Facebook, Twitter, photo sharing, blogging, Meetup, CafeMom, there are tons of ways.

For an online venue, invest in a good camera and learn to use it properly. Photos are the most important thing for setting up an online shop.