November Mid-Month Sponsor Love

I'm celebrating the middle of the month with a shout out to all of my lovely blog sponsors!

Edi of memoriesforlifesb

 Edi recently added some fabulous new ornaments to her shop like this personalized snowflake ornament.

Jamie of ForLoveofCupcakes

 Jamie and her family wore an awesome set of skeleton costumes that Jamie made for them for Halloween this year. Keep this idea on file for next year!

Linda of PruittCreations

 Linda has everything that you need to decorate for winter like this winter banner - paper bag art.

Angela of AngleAh

 You can dress Angela's snowflake ring up or down for just about any occasion during the winter.

Valerie of additionsstyle

 Of course I'm always a sucker for the bracelets in Valerie's shop like this copper chain bracelet.

Deb of storybeader

 It's now kind of a little known fact that among other things, I studied Latin in college. Deb's XXXI is for thirty-one post for Halloween appealed to my nerdy side.

Tiffany of Ribbon Lane Supplies

 Are you making crafts for Christmas yet? Whether you are selling holiday items and/or are giving handmade gifts, it's not too late to pick up some new supplies like Tiffany's red and green chevron ribbon.

Paige of Little Nostalgia

 If you're struggling to put together day-to-evening looks for the cooler weather, take some tips from Paige.

Kristen of Milo and Molly

 Kristen participated in a recent pizza blog party and shared her white pizza with ricotta and spinach recipe. Don't forget to check out the other pizza recipe links at the bottom of the post as well.

I hope that you found some useful resources today!

Are you interested in advertising with me? Click here!

What's Up For November

Somehow another month is here already. This has been one of the fastest falls in my entire life.

Happy November! What's going on this month?

• I'm still doing a lot of writing. My first bullet for October was "I'm doing a lot of writing." That was the understatement of 2013. October was by far my most writing intensive month and also highest earning month since I quit teaching more than 2 years ago. I'm not planning to break either goal this month or any time soon really, but it was extremely empowering. With that being said, I am still doing a lot of writing this month, primarily for clients. I'm hoping to find a better balance between client writing, passive income writing, and blog writing again in late 2013 / early 2014.
• I'm keeping holiday inventory and Etsy inventory stocked for the holidays. I didn't get as much small show inventory (magnets, etc.) done in October as I'd hoped, but I did surprisingly well during the summer and fall months with everything else. I've been in good shape thus far and am finding little bits of time to keep ahead. If you've been thinking about ordering something for the holidays, especially something custom, it isn't too early!
• I'm trying to squeeze in a little time for fun photography. This is a complete change of pace from the spring and summer when the highlight of each week was a fun photography outing or two. It's been really hard to fit that in with everything else that's been going on lately. I know that this crazy schedule isn't going to last forever, and I'm still going through a huge backlog of photos from late summer and fall, so I'm okay with it. I still haven't put together a cold weather photography "to do" list either, but that is going to happen at some point.
• I'm standing up in my brother's wedding. I finished the wedding jewelry and co-hosted the Chicago shower so until the big wedding week, my wedding duties are pretty minimal. I know that it will be here and over before we know it, and I'm going to do my best to enjoy every minute.

Think about joining my blog sponsors!

I have a great round up of blog sponsors! These lovely ladies all have Etsy shops and/or blogs. Check them out on the left hand side of my blog under "Private Sponsors." Would you like to join them? It's only $3 per month or $10 for 4 months to advertise with me. Check out all of the details about it right here.

Finally, THANK YOU to everyone who stops by here regularly, reads what I have to say week after week, and leaves me comments either on the blog or elsewhere! For the first time since I started this blog, I've been struggling to make the blog rounds and comment regularly, but I'm hoping to get back into this routine soon. Until then, bear with me.

What are you up to this November?

November Top Commenters and December News

I hope that December is getting off to a good start for everyone! We have had a lot of warm weather this way lately, which makes it that much harder to believe that Christmas is only a few weeks away, but I'm not complaining.

TOP COMMENTERS:

If you're new to this blog, you can check out my Top Commenters widget on the right side of my blog.  It's under my blog roll.  I will feature an item or give a shout out to everyone on that list in this monthly post.  I really appreciate those of you who take the time to leave me feedback!

Thanks to Ann of Ann's Snap Edit Scrap, Sandee of Comedy Plus, and Jamie of Crafter on a Budget for stopping by and commenting regularly!  I also have to give a shout out to Sharla who is enjoying a lovely vacation with her husband right now and has her Etsy shop on vacation as well. Here are some lovely items from the ladies on my list who have Etsy shops.

1) Christmas Ornament for the Newlyweds - Carved Tree First Christmas Ornament by memoriesforlifesb
2) Original red and green sewn paper snowman collage - I Love Snow by storybeader
3) Knit Coin Purse Zipper Pouch Wallet - Green / White Geometric Triangles by NFallonDesignStudio
4) Ruffle Shorts. Red Gingham and Swiss Dots. Size Medium. Picnic by PeriDotbyDuni
5) Simple Pearl Earrnings by littlewhitechapel
6) Emerald Green Silk Velvet Scrunchie by SplendidLittleStars

Blog Sponsors and November Advertising:
I have an awesome round up of blog sponsors!  These lovely ladies all have Etsy shops and/or blogs.  Check them out on the left hand side of my blog under "Private Sponsors."

Would you like to join them? I'm running a special right now:
$10 for one 150x150 ad for the entire 2013 year
You won't see this again until late 2013! Take advantage of it while you can. Check out all of the details about advertising with me right here.

Holiday Sale

My holiday sale is still running strong with 15% off lots of red and green items, 25% off Christmas items, and free shipping on all sale items. If you don't order a sale item, you can still get free shipping with the code FREESHIP. I will not be able to ship December 8-15 this year so if you need an early Christmas gift and/or would like a custom order in the near future, please contact me ASAP. Thanks!

Bring It On December!

• My holiday HubPages traffic has been growing steadily since mid-October and I had my highest earnings to date for November. I also ranked in this Top 100 List for November, which was very exciting. I pushed hard to stay motivated through the final couple months of the Apprenticeship program and am not going to keep up that pace this month, but I'll still be publishing once a week or so.
• My client workload continues to grow. I've picked up a couple new semi-regular clients, which has allowed me to work through several works without searching for any random articles. This won't be a record earnings month with the holidays and a couple other things going on, but I'm got a solid freelance earning base going now.
• I wrapped up my 2012 shows this past weekend (more on that soon) and am looking forward to stepping back a little once the online holiday sales slow down so I can regroup and plan for next year's craft fair scene as well as my online shop focus.
• Jake and I have some out of town time planned as well as lots of get togethers with family and friends for the holidays.
• I'm on track with my Christmas shopping and home decor projects and am looking forward to spending the final days before (as well as right after) Christmas relaxing a little.
  

What's going on with your business and/or blog for December?

Voting for the November EBW Challenge

I'll be honest: I have been torn about promoting this challenge and future EBW challenges all month. I have a very minor leadership role on the team and get to participate in the discussions about moderating entries. Lately this has nearly set me over the edge. I don't know if people get some sort of power trip out of denying entries in a beading contest through Etsy or criticizing people who did win whose entries "stretched" the theme, but I sure don't. Most people on the team don't even participate in the voting process, let alone promoting the challenge for the sake of the team. I'm hanging in there for the remainder of 2012, but I think that my patience will be gone by 2013. This saddens me because the team has been a huge asset for my beadwork since I got serious about my beading in 2008, and there are a lot of talented people there. But I think that my priorities are better spent elsewhere.

With that being said, there are still many gorgeous entries for the November theme, Circles and Squares. With all of the drama going on this month and the crazy limitations that got set within this theme, I wasn't very inspired to create anything myself even though I'm a huge fan of geometric shapes.

Voting takes place on the EBW blog through November 15. Please check out all of the entries and vote for your favorite. If you can't see the clickable mosaic, click here.

Here are just a few of my favorite pieces for this challenge.

Retro chunky rainbow geometric bead embroidered statement bracelet by MoonsafariBeads

Cowboy Geometry Necklace by thistledew4u

Circles and Squares Geometric Modern Beaded Bracelet in Red White and Black by MegansBeadedDesigns

Saturday Link List: the November recipe edition

Welcome to my Saturday Link List!  There is no theme here, but I've tried to mix up the healthy and not so healthy recipes so there's something for everyone.  I've also included some great options for cooler weather.  Enjoy!

Apple, Bacon and Cheddar Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions from Project Domestication

I did make this recipe last month and highly recommend it.

Easy Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings from How Sweet It Is

Cauliflower Soup Recipe from Sharyn's Slant

Savory Italian Meatloaf Cupcakes Recipe from Kelley Ward

Easy Butternut Skillet Shells from How Sweet It Is

How to Make Your Own Homemade Wheat Bread - No Knead from cclitgirl

dreamy cream scones from Smitten Kitchen

Apple Cinnamon Cheerio Treats from Sweet Treats and More

Apple Pie Bars from Once Upon a Cutting Board

And finally, this is the last time that I'm posting this for a while. I promise. If you love pumpkin desserts, please go make this. Even if you are not a big of cupcakes, you will love these cupcakes.

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon-Cream Cheese Frosting from Kraft Foods

What recipes/foods have you been enjoying lately?

Create your own link list and grab a button for your post or simply spread the word on your blog.

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Did I feature your work here?  Grab a button for your blog or web site!

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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.

Stay tuned next week for the November resources edition!

October Top Commenters and November News

Happy November! Is anyone else missing Entrecard? While I don't really miss the network, I am struggling to pick up all of the blogs that I visited through the site every day and am missing some of those people. Those of you who are still stopping by regularly, thank you!

Is anyone else getting excited for Christmas? Now that I'm packing up my Halloween decorations, I'm excited to start brainstorming Christmas decor ideas.

TOP COMMENTERS:

If you're new to this blog, you can check out my Top Commenters widget on the right side of my blog.  It's under my blog roll.  I will feature an item or give a shout out to everyone on that list in this monthly post.  I really appreciate those of you who take the time to leave me feedback!

Thanks to Ann of Ann's Snap Edit Scrap, Sandee of Comedy Plus, and Jamie of Crafter on a Budget for stopping by and commenting regularly!  Here are some lovely items from the ladies on my list who have Etsy shops.

1) Handwrapped paper pumpkin beads by storybeader
2) Tiger Striped Polymer Clay and Black Onyx Leverback Antiqued Brass Earrings - In the Wild by BeadedTail
3) Shabby Chic Decorative Red Gingham, Polka Dot, Floral Hanging Hearts by PeriDotbyDuni
4) Wooden Earrings - Leaves by memoriesforlifesb
5) Copper Pendant Necklace Hardware on Leather Cord by additionsstyle
6) Fotia - Beaded Bead Necklace by ThreeFatesDesign
7) Redhead ACEO Female Portrait ATC Original Art Card Illustration by GoodnightOwlArt

Blog Sponsors and November Advertising:
I have an awesome round up of blog sponsors!  These lovely ladies all have Etsy shops and/or blogs.  Check them out on the left hand side of my blog under "Private Sponsors."

Would you like to join them?  It's only $3 per month or $10 for 4 months to advertise with me.  Check out all of the details about it right here.

Holiday Sale

I will be running my standard holiday sale on Etsy during November and December with 15% off lots of red and green items, 25% off Christmas items, and free shipping on all sale items. I'll also be circulating lots of free shipping codes. You can save yours right now: FREESHIP. Anyone who finds a code can use it in my shop any time during November and December. I am just getting the sale up and running but will have more info about it as it develops.

Bring It On November!

• I have had growing HubPages traffic the past month, largely due to my holiday articles. October was the best month of earnings that I've had since March 2012. I'm confident that November will be just as good if not better. I published 10 there during October and am planning to publish just as many this month.
• I had my best client writing earnings to date during October, largely because of a couple prominent clients. I don't know if I'll beat those earnings this month, particularly as there will be a lull in jobs during Thanksgiving week, which is okay. I've reached an earnings mark that I'm pretty satisfied with and can keep building from there.
• The first three weekends in November will be pretty busy with shows. If you're in the Milwaukee area, please consider attending one of them. Aside from Thanksgiving, we don't have any big social plans yet, but I know that we'll work in some fun things around the shows.
• Last year I got so busy with my holiday shows that I got stressed about my personal gift giving and card sending. I'm determined to find a better balance this year. I love Christmas and want to keep it fun.

What's going on with your business and/or blog for November?

November Top Droppers and December News

It's a new month, which means that it's time to thank my Top Droppers and Commenters once again and let you know what's going on with my shop next month.  Thanks to everyone who made November a great month for me!  I had a record number of Etsy sales and a landslide record number of shop views.  I have many of you to thank for that!

TOP DROPPERS
As a lot of you know, it's been a terrible month for Entrecard.  After the entire site had major problems for a couple weeks and was then completely down for over two days, everything came back up with no message whatsoever.  I understand that these things happen, but users should be notified and ideally, given something like free credits to make up for the lost time.  I seriously have no idea why I'm still there.  But for now, I am.

Thanks to everyone who fought through the frustration and still managed to stop by my blog on a regular basis this month, especially those of you who take the time to leave comments.  Here are the top 10 for November.

 

 

TOP COMMENTERS
If you missed this last month, I now have a Top Commenters widget on my blog.  If you're interested in seeing where you rank, scroll down and look on the right side of my page.  It's right under my blog roll.  I will feature an item or give a shout out to everyone on that list or who has commented regularly (even if not within the last week) in this monthly post.

Thanks to Grace of Dragon's Alley for stopping by and commenting regularly!  Here are some lovely items from the ladies on my list who have Etsy shops.

In clockwise order from the top left corner:
1) Custom Photo Ornament - Laser Cut Wood by memoriesforlifesb
2) SILK SCARF, hand dyed, Leafy by SplendidLittleStars
3) Peaceful Holiday Cards - (4) Cards by storybeader
4) Kitty Cat Face Beaded Sterling Silver Earrings - Olive by BeadedTail

5) PDF Christmas Pattern for Felt Pets Stockings - Cat & Dog Christmas Stocking - Tutorial, DIY by SherHastingsDesigns
6) Green Winter Hair Clips: Green Christmas with Pine Trees and Holly by ForLoveofCupcakes
7) Midnight Star Earrings by AsteropeBC
8) Gift Tag Sized Card and Envelope Set of 6 - Spain Inspired by nfall2rt
9) Christmas Ornament - ACEO print of my original watercolor painting by tapestry316

SALE
My holiday sale in my Etsy shop is still going strong.  I have all Christmas items marked down 25% and lots of red and green items marked down 15%.  All sale prices stay good through Christmas.  Please note that I will have my shop closed December 2-4 while I'm at my big Christmas show so plan accordingly with your shopping.  Get free shipping on all jewelry orders with the code FREESHIP when you check out.

I've added a couple brand new Christmas designs this past month.

The second piece is part of my new wrap bracelet/necklace herringbone line.  The detachable charm is a clay Christmas tree from Lisa of LisaPetersArt.


ADVERTISING
Finally, I still have private sponsor ad positions available on my blog for December.  For more information, check out my advertising page.  Send me an e-mail or leave me a comment with your contact information if you're interested.

voting for the November EBW Challenge

Yes, once again, it's time to vote for your favorite entry in the new EBW Challenge.  To recap, the November challenge theme is Twisted.  This is my entry.  For those who missed my update on this piece, I did alter it after I originally listed it so the charm is now detachable.  You can wear this piece as a bracelet OR a necklace with OR without the charm.  I will continue to include this detachable charm feature for all pieces in this new herringbone line.

It is available for sale here.  Voting is on the EBW blog.  Check out all of the entries and then head over to the poll on the right side of the page to vote for your favorite.  If you can't see the clickable mosaic with all of the entries, click here.

As always, there are so many amazing entries.  Here are just a few of my favorites.

Of course I love the leaf detail.  The color combination is stunning, too.
Hibiscus - Bead Embroidered Necklace with Laurel Burch Cloisonne Tile by Annahatvani

I love how changing the color palette and a few details can completely transform a design.
November EBWC study on ropes twisted crochet and Russian necklaces by beadshead

This is so unique!
Sun & Clouds Necklace by BohoDame