~MIA~ Oh, My!

Yes, I have been MIA when it comes to my blog... Shameful! It's true! I have been busy, though, so I kinda have an excuse ;) My Shop has kept me busy, which is a good thing. I'm telling you, getting a tiny, little, handmade shop off the ground takes A LOT of time and effort and more time and MORE EFFORT! ...But I will add that it's been fun! AND a great learning experience. I am also making GREAT connections with so many wonderful and insightful AND knowledgeable people! So, even with tons of TIME and EFFORT being put into this, I'm getting SO MUCH MORE out of it! I am on Etsy (still) with my shop and I also have a FAcebook page that is SLOWLY growing... I emphasize SLOWLY! LOL... I will say that I have FINALLY made it to 300 fans!!! YAY!!! Facebook is fun because it allows me to interact so much with my fans. I do lots of giveaways and contests; it's a total blast for me. I hope it is at least half as fun for my fans! I am also expanding the types of items I make and offer. THIS is the MOST fun!!! I am getting more and more comfortable behind my sewing machine which is really opening up possibilities and a WORLD of enjoyment for me! WIN/WIN all around! I offered a new item in my shop and on FAcebook and people really LOVED it and my sales really boosted! THAT was exciting! It was the biggest activity I had seen with my little shop! It not only proved that I loved my item, but a lot of other people liked it as well. My Rockabilly, Retro Twisty Headbands:

It is safe to say that this item will be a favorite of mine for a long time! I LOVE wearing them myself, but I love them even more because of the attention it gained my little shop! So, I'm continuing to "spread my wings" and "get my feet wet" in the world of Etsy and Facebook and marketing and networking and etc, etc, etc--- I am having such a blast along the way and loving and appreciating the friendships I'm making along the way! So, as I end this blog post today, I want to encourage you to go ahead and take a leap. Believe in yourself. Branch out of your comfort zone. Connect with POSITIVE like-minded people and HAVE FUN!!!

What's New?

A YouTube video for The Kandy Shoppe.... That's what's new =)  Check it out... I'd love to read your responses/comments/feedback...
Peace, Love and all the Good Stuff
Kandy

Crafting all the way... HEY!

YES, I LOVE CRAFTS!!!  I love any and all things crafty.  Anything from throw pillows to rugs to hair accessories; I LOVE IT!  I have been making hair bows for my daughter for a couple of years now and for some reason, this has drawn attention to my craftiness and others have wanted me to make hair bows for their daughters.  Then, I really got into making "BIG GIRL" hair accessories, especially the vintage looking ones, and this has REALLY gotten attention.  A couple of people told me I should really advertise and make some money doing this... So, I thought, "Hey!  Great idea"!  I didn't even think about the fact that I have NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING.  I just created a blog and a Facebook and Twitter... then there is the glorious WORD OF MOUTH method, which is the best. 
I have already made a few sales.  I have no idea what I'm doing in the marketing aspect of things... And I haven't really taken the time to properly sit up for the photographs of products (*giggle*), but ya know; IT'S FUN!
These are my newest addiction:

I got this idea from Pren, here is her blog: http://convivialcrafter.blogspot.com/  She is AAAAAA-MAZING!!  I love her style and her tutorials are the HEAT!  You can find her tutorials on YouTube here http://www.youtube.com/user/archerpren , Check out her "Talk To Me Tuesdays" TTMT =)

So, this is my VERY FIRST ATTEMPT at making these little cuties, so of course, there are several mistakes I see right off the bat... I've NEVER worked with wire before and that takes some getting used to.  But I'm determined to get the hang of it and have made a couple of really nice looking ones that I don't have pictures of yet.

So, this is what is keeping me busy... New craft addictions, working my way through the craziness of marketing and advertising and tweaking and perfecting...  I'm definitely new to these waters and I'm winging it on my own =)

I am WILLING to accept any advice, critiques and encouragement along the way, so if you feel so inclined... ;)



Live, Laugh, Love...

Ahhh, the weekend!!  Most people LIVE for the weekends.  I have to say, I am one that looks forward to those days at the end and beginning of the week that are sit aside for leisure, relaxation, play and, yes, usually the place on the calendar that we pencil in all of our DIY, fix-it projects that need to be done.
This weekend, my husband had to work... Overtime = Bittersweet.  Love that overtime pay, but not so much the hours and the "not being together as a family" thing.  So, the kiddos and I have played extra hard to day and enjoyed each other's company to the fullest.  There was fun to be had by all, in between me playing referee and breaking up the fights that spontaneously break out of nowhere about nothing.... SIGH. 
I got to thinking about my two little beautiful monsters.  How my life is so full of meaning, adventure, blessings, cursings (hee hee), LAUNDRY, fullness, LAUNDRY, laughter, giggles, stories, LAUNDRY...  These two little bundles of joy have made my life enriched beyond belief! 
So, on this glorious, a bit chilly for Texas, Weekend, I hope you are enjoying the blessings that have been put into your life, whatever they may be.  Those people who make your life sweeter and richer.  Just don't forget to LIVE, LAUGH AND LOVE!!

Ho, Ho, Ho! Here We Go...

I'm still here!!  I have not gone AWOL or MIA or any other sort of military acronym... I'm still here!!
I had recently tried my hand at "mobile blogging" and it doesn't seem to like me... I actually sent an update from my phone and on my phone's part it said it was successful...but it's nowhere to be found here online... That update is just floating out there somewhere in cyberspace.
So, I did make the ATTEMPT to update my blog, technology just was not cooperating!!
I don't always have time to actually sit down at the computer and type away, so I figured mobile blogging would be perfect!!!  I will definitely have to work the kinks out (if I can) and try again in the near future.
On another note, Christmas festivities are in full swing here on the home front.  Parties and Plays and Programs and dinners and lots of lots of sweeties and energetic kiddos!!!!!! ... WHEW!  But it is fun!  I will keep reminding myself of that... "It IS fun"!! 
Just finished this school semester out with one kiddo, Monday we will finish the school semester out for my other and then it is all the family planned festivities left on the agenda!   Holidays can be so BUSY!!!!   I will need a vacation to recover from this Holiday "Break" (I use the term "break" with tongue in cheek).