Last Blog Update for 2010

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and Hanukkah time. Thanks to all my wonderful customers I was able to, not only give my family a decent Christmas, but pay for my first class of school. I've begun my courses at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) to become a gemologist. I've studied gems for more than 15 years and as you may know, I sell them on Etsy as well. I have a complete gem lab and a vast array of rare and exotic gems used for my study so this is right up my alley.

Between caring for my 3 children and my dear husband, and managing all their appointments, I'm finding time to study, paint, make jewelry pieces and manage my shops. I'm not Super Woman so something is going to have to give--and it can't be my kids or husband so it'll be time on my projects. I'll be a bit slower paced on getting pieces made and listed.

I've reduced prices (some drastically) in my art and jewelry shops on most items to clearance out older pieces. New jewelry should be released by next week and I hope to create and list more new paintings sometime this week as I have ideas stewing in my head.

Thank you all for a wonderful 2010. I understand we're in an economic recession and there are many things you can choose to spend your money on. I'm humbled and honored that you'd chose to invest in one of my art pieces whether it's a painting or pendant.

May God bless you and keep you safe. Happy 2011 to you and yours,

Melissa

THANKSGIVING SALE!!! Preview

This is the biggest sale of the year for me and for the first time, I will have great sales in ALL THREE stores! Etsy (the site my stores are on) has made it so we can issue out coupon codes. The reason this is so great is you don't have to wait for me to refund savings any longer. You get your savings immediately at checkout.

So, onto the sale specials. These specials will begin on Thursday. This means the coupon codes you see here will not work until then. These codes will all expire Cyber Monday.

Embound (jewelry store)

Use coupon code "thanks201" for 20% off your entire order. This includes chains that never go on sale (nor should they with today's silver prices) as well as the already discounted items in my clearance bargains catagory.

EmBoundArt (my paintings shop)

Use coupon code "thanks102" for 10% off your entire order. PLUS, buy 3 of my necklaces in this store, get 1 free. Just enter your selection at checkout and please allow up to a week for shipment. THERE'S MORE! With any $30 purchase (after savings, not before) get a free "thank you" gift! This is a sample pack of my work. It includes a blank card, 2 stickers, a glass magnet, and a metallic ACEO signed print. Your pack will vary slightly. One per customer while supplies last.

EmBoundGem (my store for loose gemstones)

Use coupon code "thanks103" for 10% off your entire order in my shop. This is really special because I've never done a sale in this shop. I price my gems competitively anyway and often find I've priced them lower than I can replace them for. Nonetheless, they are overstock of my personal collection and are great for creating your own jewelry or just adding to your own collection.


So, there it is. Please know I really appreciate all your support :). Happy Thanksgiving!!

Custom Nursery Paintings

I have two pregnant friends who have babies due at nearly the same time. Both these women are absolutely precious to me so I wanted to do something for their nurseries. Doing so meant I've had to step away from my girly-girl butterflies and ladybugs and try something new. I actually had a great time making these and coming out with new characters. I've made some ACEOs that match both of these themes.

In other news I have several of my necklaces now listed in my Art Shop on Etsy. You can click on "Jewelry" to see each piece. I have many more designs to come eventually but if you see an image in my digital collage you like, you are welcome to email me with a custom request.

Terraterra and EmBound

I just had to show off these adorable Scrabble tile pendants made by Maybe Kinda Crafty, Etsy user name "terraterra". These pendants were produced using my art images and are fantastic ideas for stocking stuffers. Terraterra sells these necklaces at $7 each plus shipping, however, if you buy 3, you can choose a free one.

Here is a link to view necklaces made from my images: http://www.etsy.com/shop/terraterra/search?search_query=emboundart&search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5430443&shopname=terraterra

Thank you Terraterra for featuring my art in your jewelry!

In other news, My EmBoundArt shop is going to be debuting it's new necklaces too. They aren't scrabble tile pendants but a little bigger. I have 1 inch circle and square necklaces. I've been working on these for quite some time. I've considered using this pendant style to do custom art pieces as well as customer's submitted photos. My "goal" is to have these necklaces listed sometime this week. But with 3 kids, and a busy schedule I'm not going to hold myself to that.

This week has been productive. Last night I managed to FINALLY get a bunch of new gems listed. I have morganites, sapphires, tanzanites, alexandrites, zircon, and more. I've got many more items to list but the camera battery died so I'm off the hook for now. I also got quite a few custom paintings done (likely to be reveled in the next blog).

I'm excited to see what new items other Etsy sellers are putting out as the holiday season draws near. If you're a seller, feel free to post your shop and what's new in the comments. I'm looking for cute inexpensive gifts for my nieces and other family members if you would like to share some ideas with me.

What's New? Here's the Latest...

I have several projects I've been working on the past couple of weeks in addition to my day to day busyness.

Currently in the midst of making pendants out of portions of my artwork. Feeling crafty yourself? You can purchase downloads of the same images I will soon be creating into magnets and necklaces. The pendants will make great inexpensive stocking-stuffers come the holiday time!


I just got done uploading several new paintings. I'm really enjoying flower themes and ladybugs.

In the next couple weeks I'd really like to begin restocking my gem shop. I have some morganites, sapphires (mellees) and much more I'd like to add.

Lastly, I've made some major discounts in my jewelry shop. I'm really hoping to clearance out some of my pieces before adding any more. I have some custom jobs I'm needing to get started on and hope to do so also within the next couple weeks.

While I'm a stay-at-home-mom and not employed outside my home, I stay extremely busy during my day. I have three wonderful kids, but between therapy, school functions, church and day to day chores, finding time to stay on top of shop updates is not easy.

Thank you all for your support! It means more than you know.

Digital Collage Sheets for Artists

I'm excited to introduce my digital collage sheets available in my Etsy shop now. These are great for making Scrabble tile pendants, glass tile pendants, magnets, pins, buttons, scrapbooking... and so many other things!

I have 2 different sheets available. One is bugs (ladybugs, butterflies, dragonflies, bees..) and the other is birds, fish, crosses, hearts, abstract, flowers... Check out the listings for more details. The picture in this blog is reflective because my husband used photo paper to print the file out on.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/EmBoundArt?section_id=7413277

Campus Crusade For Christ

I would like to begin a habit of featuring a new charitable causes that are dear to my heart. This month I've decided to feature Campus Crusade for Christ.

While I've heard of this group I didn't know too much about it until I reconnected with an old friend Stephanie. I've asked her to share a bit about herself and what she does.

"I have been on staff with Campus Crusade since 2005. Currently I am part of a team of people in Missoula, Montana who are trying to share about who Jesus is with students on the campus of the University of Montana. Our heart is that every person here would know someone who truly follows Jesus Christ. I believe that every person is on a spiritual journey and my desire is to help them along the way. If you want to see more about our ministry feel free to check out Grizfuel.com! It is such a privilege to do this work that God has called me to. I love it!"

Stephanie is a missionary on college campuses. She shared with me the struggles some may have when going to college connecting with other Christians. For believers, connecting with the body of Christ is so important especially as there are often social pressures that can tempt young people especially from living a Christ-like life. Campus Crusade for Christ makes themselves available reaching out to those needing spiritual guidance.

If you would like to support this mission, please check out the link above Stephanie provided and contact her there. Please visit my Art Store this month as 20% of my sales will be going to support Stephanie.