in the works...with some thoughts about time management

The current EtsyBlogger Carnival is hosted by Edi of memoriesforlifesb.  Here are the topics:
1. How do you prioritize your time? How do you get more hours out of the day?
2. Are you a multi-tasker? Or do you prefer to finish one project before starting another?

I wrote a hub last month about this topic: Time Management Strategies and Techniques: How to Find Time For Your Hobbies and Personal Goals.  I am constantly asked, "How do you find the time for this?" about a number of my different projects.  This hub is my way giving people an honest answer because truthfully, there is no way to answer it in 2 sentences.

However, the basic answer I do give people is that I get a lot done while I'm watching TV, and I don't do a lot of random online browsing anymore.  I am constantly amazed how many people watch 2-3 hours of TV every day after work and don't get anything else accomplished during that time.  If you don't know where to start, cut out half that time or start getting something done while you watch.

As far as multitasking goes, I'm sure that you can tell from a lot of my "in the works" and "sneak peek" posts that I almost always have at least two beading projects going at one time, if not three or four.  I enjoy working up shorter projects in the middle of longer ones to help break things up.  I give myself plenty of time for the deadlines I do have, such as the EBW Challenges, so I don't get stressed out.

With all of that being said, here's a look at what I've been working on this past week.

I have been assembling my button magnet supplies this past week.  I haven't done a craft fair in almost a year, and it's been a long time since I worked on magnets.  I'm also going to try to develop some button tacks and button pins for my next show in November.  Does anyone have any ideas for how I could display pins?

I got out an old color combination when I remade this pendant recently.  I originally made a peyote cuff to match that I sold a while back.  I decided to make a herringbone piece this time.  It will be part of my new line that I'll release in 2012.

I've also been making a few purple/red pieces.  This is a brand new one that I'll be listing sometime this fall.

I have all of the pictures done for my clasp pattern and new right angle weave pattern (which I'm using my Picasso piece for).

I'm on track to list both the Picasso piece and the pattern for it well before the October 5 deadline.  I'm planning to release the clasp pattern before the end of October.

Hawkeye gear is back

Hawkeye gear is back and just in time for football season!  Hopefully fans have recovered from their 41-44 loss against Iowa State in triple over time earlier this month.  I'm actually not a football fan, but we do root for Iowa for Big 10 football.

It always surprises me what color combinations do well.  The black and yellow one has been no exception.  After I had my most recent black and yellow sale last month, I decided to make a couple new Hawkeye pieces before we got too far into the new school year.  Click on all of the photos in this post to go to the listings.

I still have a Hawkeye bangle available, too.

As always, I can make any of these designs in other color combinations.  So if you're not a Hawkeye fan and would like a different set of colors for your favorite team, let me know.  I won't be offended.

the search continues

Some of you may remember that a while back, I posted about how I've been searching for a five year anniversary right for myself.  I've actually been searching for a couple years now.  Our five year is in December.  I'd kind of put the search on hold for the last six months, but I picked it up again this month.

I've had my eye on a ring from Kay's for a long time that would coordinate well with my wedding ring.  More recently I've decided that I would much rather have something custom from Etsy.  It's very hard to find in stock rings in my ring finger size so I would most likely be ordering custom anyway.  I would rather do that through Etsy.

During one of my last searches, I stumbled upon this awesome shop: onegarnetgirl.  I still cannot believe how many awesome designs she has.  I'm not a big ring wearer, but I love so many of the rings in her shop.

I have to share more than just one item from her shop, but I'll start with what I have in mind for my anniversary.  Click on any of the photos in this post to check out the listings.

I would get it in yellow gold to coordinate with my wedding ring, which would look very similar to the yellow gold one in this listing.  Jake really prefers yellow gold over other metals (which is why our rings are yellow gold...I like most metals) so I was surprised that he actually didn't have a preference when I showed this to him a couple weeks ago.  I think I would still want to do that, though.

I'm keeping my mind open and will do a little more browsing in the next month, but I'm 95% sure that this is what I want.  It's a very classic design with real gemstones.  The blue aquamarine (which does match my birth month) will make it a little unusual.

Madelynn's shop is so awesome that I had to share a few other items here, too.

For some reason, I'm really drawn to this ring.  She has a number of listings with this setting with different stones, but I keep going back to this one.

She has a number of amazing stacking sets as well like this one.  Usually I prefer multiple stones to single stones, but her single stone settings are so beautiful.

Obviously I like the three stone setting so I had to share one more of these as well.

Our anniversary is December 29, but I don't want to wait until the Christmas rush sets in to order something custom.  So I'll most likely make my final decision next month or early November.  Until then, I'm still open to suggestions.

double treasury round up

Please help me thank all of the curators who included my items in their treasuries the past couple weeks by visiting their shops!

Jessica (JessicaRParker) included my Button Bracelet - Black and White (small) in her Black and White treasury.  This is a cute collection.

Jessica doesn't have a shop, but you can check out a great item from one of her favorite shops.
Smokey Eyes Set - Pure & Natural Mineral Eye Shadow - Set of 2 by noellabeautyworks

Scentsiblescents included my Button Charm Bracelet - Blue in her End of Summer Blues treasury.  She's from my home town!  Small world.  This is a gorgeous collection.

1980's 8-pc Set of Olive Green Dinner and Salad Plates

Sheena (CasualFashionQueen) included my Button Bracelet - Black and White (small) in her black and yellow treasury.  This is an adorable collection.  I love the mix of items.

Purple, Magenta, and White Crochet Baby Beanie with Braided Tassels 12-24 months (1-2 years)

Connie (AsteropeBC) included my Beaded Bracelet - Jade Elegance in her Contemplation in Jade and Ivory treasury.  I'm sure that it's no surprise with that title that this is a very elegant treasury.

Bracelet, Nature Inspired, Intricate Beadwork in Gray, Green, and White with Peridot, Labradorite, and and Pearls: "Horsetail Falls"

Anne Marie (WoodlandWorkroom) included my Beaded Bangle Bracelet - Warmth in her Etsy Is On Fire treasury.  The colors in this collection are amazing.

Vintage Pink and Purple Buttons - Destash Lot

Saturday Link List

Welcome to this week's edition of my link list.  Enjoy!

FUN WITH DECALS: In the Kitchen PDF Images from justsomethingimade.com

This is another fun freebie for anyone crafty who enjoys retro kitchen labels.  Download the labels for free, then print them and follow the instructions for application.  There are a few different sets available.

trunkt.com

This is something that may only be applicable to small shop owners, but I thought I'd throw it out here because it's a neat idea.  This site offers wholesale handmade items.

ARTISTS EXPOSED!! by VickiDianeDesigns

If you've been on Etsy for at least a few month, you've probably see Vicki's treasury before.  I've been fortunate to be included in a couple of her regular collections as well as one of her team features (I think I ended up in an EBW one).  The team feature is actually why I created my current Etsy photo.  It's a really fun idea and great exposure for so many Etsy sellers.  Vicki has instructions in her profile about how you can be included in the treasury.

Picasa Photo Collage Tutorial

I use Picasa all the time for my photo editing, but for some reason, I never think to use this awesome tool.  If you're interested in using Picasa to make a photo collage like this for your blog, web site, etc., this simple tutorial will walk you through the process.

visualrecipes.com

I'm sharing a different type of recipe link today.  For those of you who enjoy step by step photos for your recipes, this site is for you.  There are all different types of recipes as well as other kitchen resources such as healthy eating tips.

I also wanted to share a recipe that I recently got from someone else's blog round up.  Jenny from A Bird in the Hand Art recently posted this pumpkin recipe in a pumpkin recipe round up that she did.

I used just a touch of cloves and nutmeg instead of the larger amounts that the recipe suggests.  I knew that I'd forget to put the powdered sugar on at the end...which obviously I did, but it is still delicious.  Jake really likes it, too.  We love pumpkin recipes so this will be a new one in the rotation.  Thanks Jenny!

Did you use one of the resources, tutorials, or recipes from my link list?  Leave me a link in the comments or send me an e-mail (randomcreative28@gmail.com) with your photos and stories.  I would love to post them here!