Cyber Monday Sale, Exciting News and Winner of Giveaway...

Cyber Monday Sale Today

25% off regular prices on everything in the shop to my readers!
Please use code "Cyber" in message to seller to receive credit!
For use in my Etsy shop....find link to shop to the left.

Other exciting news...
One of my tatted lavender sachets made the front page today! It was in a treasury I posted about over the weekend.


In addition to that, my button garland was featured in The Storque over the weekend!

Click here to read the article!


And now for the winner of Dana's sterling earrings......
Drum roll, please........

Random.org pulled number 3 out of 99. The third comment is by none other than KreatedByKelly! Congrats, Kelly, I will be in touch today :)

Tomorrow is the launch of another giveway, so be sure to come back....

Busy with Giveaway, Treasuries and Black Friday Weekend!

I was pleased to find I was in two treasuries (one was twice) and an alternate for another treasury. Check them out!

I was in this one twice...the ring and the yellow tatted sachet.

My lavender wands made this treasury.

And, of course, don't forget that this is your last chance to get in on the Giveaway. It ends tomorrow morning.....click on the picture to enter!

Hope you are having a great weekend! I will see you Monday Morning!

Giveaway - Sterling Charm Earrings

There's still time to enter the giveaway from Dana's Jewelry Designs. Up for grabs? Gorgeous custom sterling silver 14k gold filled interchangable charm earrings!
Visit the original post to enter! Contest ends Monday morning!
Well....what are you waiting for?!

Black Friday and Giveaway Still Open

In keeping with tradition, Alterity is holding a Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale!
25% off everything in my Etsy shop!

For an added bonus, type in THANKS09 in the message to seller and receive FREE Shipping!

Also, my giveaway is still open...win a custom pair of fabulous earrings like these! Visit the original post to enter!

Be safe this weekend!

Feature with Dana's Jewelry Designs and Earrings Giveaway'

To celebrate Week 2 of the Alterity Holiday Celebration, we will be meeting Dana from Dana's Jewelry Designs. I have planned a brief interview with Dana so you can learn more about her and what she does; her special giveaway follows. Dana comes to us from Tacoma, Washington where she is a writer and jewelry designer specializing in gem trees and wire wrapping. Dana is also a standing member in her local gem and mineral club since 2000.

Lapis Gem Tree $85

Dana has always loved to work with beads and gemstones. After joining the gem and mineral club, she learned everything from wire wrapping to silversmithing to gem trees and beading. After successfully selling her creations to friends and family, Dana turned to sites such as Etsy, Artfire and 1000 Markets to offer her products to the general public. She marvels in the fact that customers love the kits she offers as customers have been trying their hand in creating their own pieces. In fact, her gem tree kits are her biggest seller. Dana has been blessed with the gift of teaching and spends her time teaching others how to make gem trees when she is not designing and creating. Currently unemployed, she devotes at least 4 hours per day designing and about 6 hours per day working on her next upcoming book.

Champagne Delight $25

In her down time, Dana devotes her attention to her dogs, watching SciFi movies and playing application games on FaceBook. I asked Dana if she could have a free life-time account with any supplier of her choice, she didn't hesitate to mention Bend Bead in Oregon. Definitely at gem or silver supplier would top her list!

Wrapped French Coin $35

Finally, I asked Dana what her favorite part of selling her products during the holidays is. Her response?
"Selling items as gifts is a joy. I can just imagine the look on the receiver's face when they open their present. I usually make special holiday boxes for my jewelry so I know that it will be special."

Dana can be found Online on Etsy, Artfire and 1000 Markets.


Now for the Givaway!

Dana is offering readers the chance to win a custom pair of Dana's signature Charm Earrings similar to the one's pictured below. You can find more samples in her 1000 Markets shop. The earrings are created from sterling silver or 14kt gold filled wires and as you can see, the charms are interchangable so you can always change up the look. The winner of the giveaway will have the choice of sterling silver or 14kt gold filled wires and their choice of colored charms. As you can see in her shop, these earrings have a value of up to $25! Perfect for your holiday dress!

Each entrant can earn up to entries for these earrings. Please make a separate comment for each entry you cast to increase your chances. If you did 5 things and put them in one comment, you only have one entry. Please remember to leave your email address or shop link so I can contact you if you are the winner. I DO NOT have outlook, therefore I cannot access your email through Blogger. Comments will each be assigned a number from top to bottom. The total number of comments will be run through random.org and the comment that corresponds with the number chosen will win the earrings! The contest runs today through Monday, November 30 6am EST. You can cast one entry, you can cast all entries...the choice is yours. The important thing is that you enter!

Entry chances:

1. Go to Dana's Artfire shop or 1000 Markets shop and comment here what your favorite piece is. Lucky Dana is currently on a cruise, so her Etsy shop is on vacation :)
2. Jump on over to Dana's Etsy shop and shoot a heart her way!
   
3. Follow this blog and comment that you did or are already a follower.
4. Follow Dana's Blog and comment that you did or are already a follower.
5. Follow me on Twitter and comment your twitter name so I can follow you :)
6. Follow Dana on Twitter and comment your twitter name.
7. Retweet this post (link in post) up to three times and post that you did in separate comments.
8. Tweet your own twitter up to 3 times. Comment that you did and be sure to include your tweet URL in each comment.
9. Fan my FaceBook Fan page and comment that you did.
10. Fan Dana's FaceBook Fan page and comment that you did.
11. Blog about this giveaway and earn 3 more entries. Be sure to actually create three comments for this: "blog entry 1", "blog entry 2" and "blog entry 3" with the URL to the post.

I will contact the winner to link them with Dana where the specifics of the custom piece can be discussed. Dana will be mailing your your piece.

With 17 chances to win and nothing to lose, what are you waiting for? Own a custom piece from Dana....Custom....created especially with you in mind!

Giveaway Winner....and another Giveaway!

I had to transfer all the entries on a separate piece of paper as some comments had multiple entries in them. Therefore, after writing and number each entry as they were done, 8 was the number that Random.org chose.

Number 8 is........Kirsten of KL Bailey Art!!! Checking out Robin's store and posting your favorite was the winning entry!

Congrats, Kirsten....Robin will be sending those out to you within the next week!

If you are interested in another giveaway, Gems by Jerri is giving away gift certificates to use in her Artfire store!!! Here's the scoop:
1st prize --- $30 certificate
2nd prize -- $20 certificate
3rd prize -- $10 certificate

To enter, visit her blog: Gems by Jerri
rules are simple and runs now until December 4, so hurry and enter before you forget!

Treasury! And Last Chance for Giveaway...

I was in a treasury over the weekend...yes, it is over now, but hey...I was in a treasury over the weekend! Whoo-hooo! BTW, my piece is in the upper right hand corner...

Last week's giveaway ends tomorrow morning when I get up, so be sure to get your last-minute entry in. Visit the original post.

Looking forward to a hectic Black Friday weekend. Praise the Lord that my life is chaotic right now. I could be in a position where I cannot move or care for myself. Just one of the many things I am grateful for!

My Giveaway, Her Giveaway and Their Giveaway!

Just a few more days to get in on the giveaway from SewSillyDesigns by Robin on my blog. Go to the original post for details how to enter.

The awesome prize!
4 Reversible quilted coasters
$12 value

I also want to put in a plug for a few more giveaways going on right now. Eco Chic Hand Knits is having a giveaway on her blog. The prize? A set of three hand knit nesting bowls in either colors she currently has available or custom colors you choose yourself based upon her available yarns. All cotton yarns are completely organic spun from cotton grown without the use of pesticides, chemicals or herbicides. And they are totally cute to boot! A $35 value, you will want to get your chance at winning these! Visit her blog below for details! Make it quick, though, her giveaway ends Sunday, November 22 (that's tomorrow, folks!)

Next up is Burning Moon who is having THREE giveaways on her blog. Two artisans are giving away their wares on her blog, a necklace, a pin and a pair of earrings. You have got to see this necklace and pin (well, and the earrings, too). To enter, visit her blog below. Together, the three items are valued at $60, so what have you got to lose? Hurry, though, her giveaway ends November 25!


Have a great weekend! Oh, and I am having free international shipping this weekend in my Etsy shop. Follow link to my shop via my Etsy mini to the left!

A Few More Giveaways

you may be interested in:

Eco Chic Hand Knits is having a eco nesting bowl giveaway. visit her blog.

Burning Moon is having a great handmade jewelry give away. Visit her blog.

Just wanted to throw this out to you in case you were interested!

Surprise Vistor and Current Givaway...

My daughter Ashlee

So, I'm busy working on photos for my online shops at about 3:00pm yesterday when the the phone rings. I see that it is my daughter Ashlee in North Carolina and I answer thinking that she is bored and just wants to chat. What a surprise when she says,
"Guess where I am, Mom?"
"I don't know, Grandmas?"
"Pennsyvania!" she yells.
By the way, I live in New York. Oh, so very cool...I knew she was coming up for her birthday, but I didn't expect her to come up yesterday! So she will be coming over today for the weekend. My first thought: "Crap! The studio is a mess!" So I high-tailed up to the studio to put things away, straighten up and vacuum. My studio was once the spare bed room, now it is the spare bedroom on one side, and a studio on the other. I should photograph it today. Anyway, I am so excited as I haven't really seen her in over a year.

Also, don't forget to get your entries in for the current giveaway. The giveaway ends on Monday, so don't delay! Click here to get to the post. Here is the current prize - 4 handcrafted reversible quilted coasters. $12 value here, folks!


Have a great weekend!

What?! No One Wants a Free Giveaway?!?!

What sweet little coasters you can win...Really, no one wants them? Two people have entered in the last two days.....are you sure you don't want to try for them?

Visit my last post to get your chance.......

Cool Give-Away By SewSillyDesigns of Etsy

What a way to start off our busy Holiday season than with a glimpse into the creative life of Robin from sewsillydesign on Etsy. Sewsillydesign specializes in creations for your child, yourself and your home ranging from kitty toys to baby items to beautiful quilts and quilted items.

Brighten Your Day Quilt
$130

Walking in her mother's footsteps, Robin began sewing as a child under the instruction of her mother. However, 10 years ago she was instructed in the art of quilting and has worked the past 10 years perfecting her skills and techniques. Being the mother of three children from middle school to college age, Robin manages to work in about 10 to 15 hours a week creating her quilted gems. The most satisfying part of this time for her is picking out fabrics for her latest creations and seeing them coming to frutition.

3 Little Fish kitty toys
$6

When she is not creating, Robin can be found reading, spending time with her family and friends, as well as traveling. She stated that her favorite part of selling her creations over the holidays is that she is then able to buy gifts for family and friends with the money she earns.

My Own Everyday Bag
$24

I asked Robin one final question: If you could win a free life-time account with any one supplier, who would it be? She didn't hesitate to answer Fabricworm on Etsy!

Now....for the Give - Away!!!!


To celebrate the holidays, Robin is giving away 4 reversible quilted coasters to readers! Folks, this is a $12 value from Robin's shop you will be getting for FREE! Entering is so easy peasy! You will have a chance to earn multiple entries for multiple fun! You can do one (the first one) or you can do all!


1) Go to Robin's Etsy shop, Sewsillydesigns and comment here what your favorite piece is. This one is a must-do! PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR COMMENT so I can contact you if you are the winner! I DO NOT have outlook, therefore, I cannot access your email from your Blogger profile.

The rest is optional.....

2)Follow this blog and comment that you did. If you are already following, comment this also.

3) Retweet this post (see link at top of post) up to 3 times...be sure to comment each time you do!

4) Tweet your own twitter up to 3 times...comment that you did and include your tweet url in each comment.

5) Follow my twitter and comment that you did.

6) Follow Robin on twitter and comment that you did

7) Throw some Etsy-love Robin's way and give her a heart. Comment here that you did.

Hmmm....the more comments you make, the more entries you get! You have the potential for 11 entries, and as we all know-----> the more tickets in the pot increases your chances of winning!

Winners will be chosen via random.org Monday, November 23 at 6:00am EST and will be posted within the hour. I will contact the winner with details. The winner has until Friday, November 20 to respond or an alternate winner will be selected. If the winner has failed to leave an email in at least one entry, an alternate winner will be chosen.

Okay, get crackin'! Oh, and have fun, too!

Busy Holiday Season coming up....

Well, readers, we are in for a super-busy Holiday Season!!! There is so much planned in the next month and half. Here's a little preview:

• Weekly Features of Talented Artisans!
• Weekly Give-Aways....get some free stuff!
• Vote For Your Favorite Piece challenge events!
  
• Business advice, tutorials and how-to's, plus tons of other stuff!
• Lots of Sales announcements!
• Maybe even a few recipes or two....plus whatever crosses my mind....
  

The kick-off begins tomorrow and will go until after Christmas. Yes, you heard me....after Christmas! Everyone who knows me knows that Christmas is my favorite holiday. I usually start decorating right after Halloween and leave it up until Valentine's Day, and then it all doesn't get put away. In every room, I intentionally leave one discreet piece of Christmas tucked away so I can glance at it all year long and still feel Christmas!

So, stay tuned....there is more to come starting tomorrow!

Free Shipping Weekend!

Got the itch for Christmas shopping? Enjoy free domestic shipping all weekend! Visit my shop below:


Have a great weekend!

Blog Features Full!

Okay, I took the offer to an Etsy forum and booked up the rest of the year (and then some) in about 5 minutes. I'm sorry if you got here too late...I began promoting this earlier on in the week. Thank you for all who expressed interest and stay tuned over the next month and a half to see who has really cool stuff! Oh, and thank you, Karen, for the testimonial!!!!

Here is the original post from earlier today:
As I wish to begin running your features next week, I have to wrap this offer up. I currently have several openings available. Here's what it basically is: You comment that you want me to do a feature on you and your products, leaving me your etsy shop or email so I can contact you.. I send you the interview questions and other pertinent info. You send back the questions, but with answers, along with a .jpg of an item you want to give-away during your feature run. When the winner is chosen, I send you winners address...you mail winner your item!

Please keep in mind that your give away item doesn't need to be a big whopping deal or pricey, for that matter. Something small that represents your talent and workmanship is quite sufficient.

What have you got to lose? A feature is like free advertising! Comment below with your email or etsy shop so I can contact you. I do not have Outlook, so I can't get you from your Blogger profile.

Anyone Else Want a Feature?......

I know...you probably stopped in and thought you were not on the right blog. I am redesigning it again (what a nightmare...future post coming).

Anyway, just wanted to mention that there are still a few spots left for a feature before Christmas. As I mentioned in another post, I want to do features on fellow talented artisans once a week from next week until Christmas (maybe a little after to nab after-Christmas sales). If you are interested, simply leave a comment with a way to contact you (etsy shop, email, etc). I will then send you the interview questions. I will also send you instructions on your give-away piece. I am asking that everyone who has a feature find something (can be inexpensive) that you created (can make it up special if you don't want to take from your inventory) to give-away in the feature post. After the winner is selected, I will contact you with their address to mail it. Simple!

So....leave me some comments and let's book up the rest of the year!

Happy Veterans' Day!

I don't know of anyone who does not know a veteran. With 5 major conflicts to choose from, I'm sure at least one person in your family is a veteran. Well, today is their day. Today is the day you pick up the phone and thank them for the ability to run to the store when you want....or start putting your garbage out at the curbside a little early if you choose....or carry a Bible to church with you if it compels you. Thanking them for watching what you want on TV, wearing whatever clothes you feel like wearing today and most importantly, holding your beliefs true with the ability to make them public.

There are several veterans in my family. Unlce Jerry was a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War. I say was because he passed away recently, but he is still on my mind today. He was a medic in both wars and was awarded the Silver Star (among other awards and medals) for removing wounded by putting them on a heli from an area that was being heavily attacked despite his chance of being killed. Then there's Uncle Bob, who's story is not as heroic. Uncle Bob was a pot-smoking protester drafted to the front lines in Vietnam against his will. He saw some pretty horrific stuff (as I am sure you can imagine). He left Vietnam after an attempt on his life went awry, leaving his face permanently disfigured and facing debilitating mental anguish and PTSD. He still suffers shell-shock evident when he sleeps even today. He still can't talk about the war. Then there is my brother-in-law, John. John was a marine in Vietnam and today is battling Lymphoma due to Agent Orange. I could go on naming friends of the family, but I'll leave you to remember your own veterans, just make sure you make an attempt to contact at least one veteran to tell them "Thank You" for risking their life to ensure your freedom.

Wanna Feature on My Blog?....and a Blog Award...

Well, the holidays are rolling around pretty quick and I haven't done features in a while. I like to feature fellow artists at the holidays to help spark their sales, so I am currently taking applicants for features I want to start running beginning next week. I am going to do things a little differently this time. In addition to your feature, I ask that you donate one item either from your inventory or something you whip up for your feature. This item will be included in the feature post. When a winner is drawn, you will be contacted by me with the winners mailing address, in which you mail out the prize!

All applicants will be on a first come, first serve basis. To apply, simply comment with your Etsy shop or email address so I can send you all the information you need. My last major feature event went very well...here's to hoping that this one will be even better!

On a second note, Karen from WillOaksStudio has given me a blog award! *blushes* Thanks, Karen!!!! Also, like Karen, I am making a list of 15 blogs that you may not have stumbled on yet in which I visit frequently.

The Best Blog Award rules are:
To accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his/her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you have recently discovered and think are great! Remember to contact the bloggers you've awarded to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

January Wish
Yours Truli Blogs
Lovely Purses
Oceanside Creations
The Queen Speaks
OliveBites
Lenox Knits
B.B. Bellezza
ArtMind
Islay Finds Makes and Bakes
Sand and Sea Design
This Artists Journey
KreatedbyKelly
Waterrose

Music Monday - Indian Summer by The Doors

We are in the middle of Indian Summer right now. It's close to 70, the sun is out all the time...time to celebrate with a little Jim Morrison!

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.





PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

25% off all Braceles.....

Weekend sale continues, only to end at 12 midnight tonight (EST).

Now is your chance to get the bracelet you love....
Click on the button above!

Have a blessed Sunday :)

Weekend Sale and Cool Morning Pictures...

First the sale info...then scroll for the pictures!

Weekend Sale:

All bracelets in my Etsy Shop are on sale 25% off regular prices
Free shipping for everything else!

Please us coupon code Nov6 in message to seller at checkout to receive a refund. Or, simply convo me to let me know what you wish to purchase and I will revise the listings for you.
Sale ends Sunday midnight EST.

Now, on to the pics....
So, I get home from taking the kids to school, not really paying attention, and this is what I saw....

Don't you love when God paints the sky so beautiful? Love the rainbow, although, we didn't get rain.

Have a great weekend!

A SunShiny Treasury....

I was so thrilled to wake up this morning to find I'm in a treasury! Be sure to click on the picture to visit the treasury and comment!




The treasury was compiled by Islay Bower. Be sure to visit her Etsy Shop for awesome vintage finds as well as her Blog, Islay Finds, Makes and Bakes... Thank you again, Islay, for including me in your treasury!

So, my birthday was such a wonderful day yesterday. There was no bickering, no drama, and I had the opportunity to devote 2 full hours of digging in my saltwater tank! Aside from the irritated cut and the coral stings, what fun I had! Well, it was funny at one point...I was tweaking the protein skimmer off the refugium and the connection was lost between the pump and the skimmer. Water started shooting EVERYWHERE! Good think hubby was out shopping (he doesn't like my tank too much)...he would have thrown a fit! I was completely drenched trying to fix the connection as fast as I could. It was too funny, because the pressure of the water coming out of the tube was so hard that I had a hard time lining up the tube with the hole!

Anyway, got some really cool stuff! Hubby got me a Shark Floor Steamer (been begging for one for years) and a couple World War II movies (Das Boot, Saints and Soldiers and When Trumpets Fade). Really wanted Pearl Harbor...oh well. Tina got me House Season 1 (scoring the brownie points with me) and Edward Scissorhands (another scored point). Tayelor got me this cool laptop stand (really liking it!) and Jacy drew me a picture (he insists on making my present every year, but he is one hell of an artist!) and a Whitman's Dark Chocolate Sampler. So....very cool birthday! Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes! I really do appreciate it, you know!

Oh, and Jacy has MRSA again....what is it with this kid?!

Happy Birthday to Me...

and 25% off for you in my Etsy shop!
use coupon code TuesBirth in message to seller.
Hurry, today is the last day for my progressive birthday sale!

What do I have planned today? Well, probably putting on my cozy coffee-cup jammy pants and laying around watching House re-runs and World War II movies all day. However, kids are home from school again (Superintendent's Conference Day), so I may have to fight for the TV. Oh, will they be sorry later because I am going to make them all watch Das Boot later on!

Halloween Costume Fashion Show.....and 20% Off

The Progressive Sale continues today at 20% Off Everything in my Etsy shop! Click the above graphic to get there......Use coupon code MonBirth in message to seller.

And...

Halloween Costumes! Now, what could be cooler than that!?!

There he is, my son, Pyramid Head. If you are not familiar with the Silent Hill movie or video games, you will not know who Pyramid Head is. Let me show you a little snapshot the real Pyramid Head:


I know...pretty darn creepy, huh? Well, Jacy and I set off to make the costume about two weeks ago. It was really a lot of work and Jacy had H1N1 then, so he really couldn't help me out much. But he sure did look great! He never really wore it anywhere...He wore it to the Halloween party at school last Friday and on Halloween for a few minutes so I could get the pictures....(okay, I was mad after all that work I put into it and he barely wore it!). Good news, he has a cool prop in his room now! Besides, we went to see Saw 6 on Halloween, so it's all good.

And then there's the Gothic Queen...Tayelor. Her costume was pretty simple. She borrowed the clothes from me and her step-sister, Tina (who appears below) and the makeup was pretty easy to do. She ended up going to a Halloween Party on Saturday with her friends at the local coffee shop. I told her she looks so beautiful, maybe she will find another boy so she can tell "Hot and Cold Boy" to hit the road! She wasn't too amused.

I know, typical teenager...you try to take a picture of them, they flash that fake smile and you catch them with their phone. ....


Next in the Halloween gallery is Angie, my step-daughter's daughter. She's the one I have been babysitting much lately. Anyway, she was adorable as Raggedy Ann.

And then finally, my step-daughter, Tina, who was a dead prom queen. This picture was from Friday, however, as she wore this to work on Friday. Where does she work? HSBC. Want a mortgage from her? I didn't think so.....