:: find your unique ::

visit me!

noreply@blogger.com (serra) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:49:00 +0000

I have changed blogs....

visit me at simplyserra.blogspot.com

noreply@blogger.com (serra) — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:22:00 +0000

MAN! getting on here to update has been like pulling teeth! This past month has been so extremely crazy and Im am only nearing the tail end. By the end of this week, we should be through the worst of it. But enough excuses.

Dear Etsy friends,

Thank you for you participation in the first Spring Fling located in beautiful Cache Valley. I was able to introduce many of your items and stores to beautiful women who knew nothing of our creative cyberspace world. Those who won items were even more excited and committed to checking out the world of Etsians for future purchases for themselves and others they love.

I received many compliments on your fine work and many cards were passed along. Thank you again for your participation, all in all, it was a success!! There were definitely too many participants for me to list and link here. If you wouldn't mind even just making a comment with your store name, that way you can get some credit! I meant to make an awesome blog about this but, life has somehow gotten in the way.

Until next time....your Etsy bud,

simplyserra

When I grow up....

noreply@blogger.com (serra) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:09:00 +0000

As a child I always dreamed of being an artists. I mean, come on, practically all my siblings have amazing artisitcal talents, how come I got left in the dust!? So, sometimes I peruse Etsy and look at the many forms of talent which lay, literally, at my fingertips and again wish for my life long dream.... to be, an artist. That being said, I would like to share with you one of my favorite artists found on Etsy. I love this artist because of her simplicity, yet profound feeling in each piece of work. I introduce to you, littlelolas.

Featured Artist and Etsian

littlelolas

shop:: littlelolas.etsy.com

blog:: LorajeansMagazine

Littlelolas story:

"I have been surrounded by creativity and art all of my… but I only just started to be obsessed with crafting and creating in the past five years (since I married an artist). I opened my first Etsy shop's doors in August of 2007… I later moved to a new Etsy shop in October to focus more on just my art (with a few dolls and papier mache sculptures here and there.

For now Etsy is just a hobby that I, being a mother, cannot put all my time into; but I do put my whole heart into it. Every piece I create is made with LOVE and feeling! ;) Although someday I hope to show my paintings and sculptures in a brick and mortar gallery!

I am frequently inspired by the early 20th century masters, Abbott Handerson Thayer and John Singer Sargent, for example. I am also very inspired by movies and music: Penelope (the new movie) and Jane Austin movies, to name a couple. Classical music is really the most inspiring music to paint to.

I can find inspiration at any time, day or night, and sometimes at the most impossible and frustrating times. Nap time will FINALLY come a round and I will draw a blank. Or I will lie in bed trying to sleep but the wheels are turning and I can't shut my creative brain off.

As usual, I am in love with my latest works. "Lydia" is my newest watercolor painting (…not listed in the shop yet), I simply adore her, and I feel she is one of my best paintings yet. She was inspired by one of Jane Austen's characters from "Sense and Sensibility."

My art, I'm sure, has similarities to the work of other artists, since I am inspired by a great many of them; but I try to push all of that out of my head when I pick up my brushes. I do have a great love for illustrative art and realism, so I try to bring those two loves onto one canvas. "

Editor's Pick

A Valentine Balloon

Isn't she just a doll? (I mean, not literally, shes a drawing!) I fell in love with Littlelolas a few days before Valentine's Day. I think this was the first peice of work I saw in her shop, and she's been a favorite sense. Every day is Valentine's day in my book, thats why I can eat chocolate whenever I want :)

Visit Littelolas shop for more unique pieces of work and if you need your creative spirits lifted!

Be sure to also visit my Etsy shop simplyserra or my personal store cachvalleyboutique.com

An apple a day...

noreply@blogger.com (serra) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:32:00 +0000

Having been Easter and all, I've been craving chocolate sweets. And what could be better then double dipped sweets??? Be sure to check out the BONUS for our readers at the bottom!

::Featured Artist and Etsian::

DoubleDippedSweets

shop:: DoubleDippedSweets

"So, here I am celebrating my 1st year of business…"

The ::sweet:: history

Last year, beginning of 2007, I lost the home/in-law business I was doing. I thought about it; and the answer hit me- make caramel apples! Now, mind you, I have never made caramel apples before! I got a basic, over-the-telephone lesson from a relative who makes them elsewhere, and I was off! I then thought of doing caramel popcorn and covering it in chocolate- no one else did that! So, I experimented with caramel recipes; found one I liked, and started adding toppings. …The popcorn turned out to be a hit!!

[So, does the Queen of sweets have a sweet tooth or two?]

Oh, do I! I love all sorts of treats … brownies, choc. chip cookies, ice cream... My favorite popcorn is the German Chocolate Caramel Popcorn; the apple is Almond Joy. I LOVE the chocolate dipped Oreos.

I [recently] discovered Dark chocolate haystacks... heaven. (I had only had them in Milk Chocolate before). But, luckily I've passed the phase of "inventing" and "gotta have some" or I'd weigh a million pounds! I would love Double Dipped Sweets to be an almost full-time job. But, I want my kids in school first (3 years). So, for now, I'll take whatever orders come my way and enjoy it!

:: DoubleDippedSweets Featured Item ::

Click here to view or purchase in shop:: Cinnamon

…My Cinnamon Roll Caramel Popcorn is clearly [the] most popular popcorn ... I tried it out on my aunt [who] does NOT like cinnamon... and now she's addicted! My father-in-law recently had a Russian Scholar here visiting/learning for 6 months. Her last week here, she tasted the Cinnamon Roll and said it was the best thing she had tasted since coming to America! Wow!

:: Editor's Pick ::

Cookies and Cream Caramel Apple

Doesn't this look delish? I've had a thing for oreos lately, so this delicasy fits the bill! Made from a large and crisp Granny apple, and smothered in caramel, white chocolate, oreos, and then MORE white chocolate!

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, right?

Bonus!!

DoubleDippedSweets will gladly offer a 10% discount to you! Just put the name of the blog (cachevalleyboutique.blogspot.com) in the notes of your purchase to the seller!

You can also view this feature at simplyserra.blogspot.com. Be sure to visit cachevalleyboutique.com and simplyserra.etsy.com

Artist and Etsian

noreply@blogger.com (serra) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:52:00 +0000

I have found that I love Nicole's style! Check out what she has to say here and visit her ever growing shop! (Don't miss out on the editors pick at the bottom!)

::Featured Artist and Etsian::

Nicole Lee

Shop:: nicoleleeartistry.etsy.com

Blog:: http://nicoleleeartistry.wordpress.com/

Nicole:: I love when things do not get made by a machine. When we create handmade items, we are erasing our self-doubt and are giving our thoughts and feelings form…

When we recognize that we are capable of a unique form of greatness, no fear or criticism can take away the joy that you get from expressing yourself through an art form and creating something that people everywhere can enjoy!

I've been creating for as long as I can remember. I only started wire wrapping less than a year ago. I decided to start selling on Etsy on January 28th of this year, after no luck with Ebay and too much hassle when I designed my own site, Etsy was a breath of fresh air! I've only had my shop opened for about two months...given my success thus far, I'm optimistic about the future!

I quit my job in corporate America to become a full-time crafter, so my goal is to make a great living at doing what I love and to love doing it! Failure is not an option! …I can be moved by sounds, words, colors, magazines, fashion, plants, nature or whatever tickles my fancy … I find that I'm most inspired by the details of things. I suppose you could say my inspiration is consistently inconsistent, which is good because it keeps things exciting!

I'm starting to develop some very new and exciting jewelry products that are a mixture of wood, wood burning and precious stones. They are SO cool!

Sneak Peak at the Upcoming Goods!!

Nicole's featured item:: Hand Painted Wine Glasses

See them here:: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10355167

"...My mother's favorite [are] my hand painted wine glasses and I think they are just lovely! They take forever to make, my hands cramp a lot from the detailing, but I must say that it's all worth it in the end, when I see the results."

And now, for the editors pick::

Red Hot Wood Bracelet

Isn't this a fantastic piece of jewelry? Too bad it is reserved for someone else! I love wood, I love beads. What to love more then wooden beads? Visit Nicole Lee's shop for more awesome works of art!!

You can also view this feature at simplyserra.blogspot.com. Be sure to visit cachevalleyboutique.com and simplyserra.etsy.com

My First Spotlight!

noreply@blogger.com (serra) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:04:00 +0000

When I was a kid I loved to be spotlighted, and hear about other spotlights. Isn't it just so fun to get to know new people?? I think so. Therefore, I will be starting to feature other artists, particularly those who support the handmade community. I will most likely draw most the talent from Etsy, as I am a big supporter of that community. Stay tuned....the first feature will be here soon!

In the meantime, visit my shops!

simplyserra.etsy.com
cachevalleyboutique.com

I heart these magnets!

noreply@blogger.com (serra) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:19:00 +0000

I am excited about these cute heart magnets (everyday is Valentine's Day)! Visit simplyserra.etsy.com for more details.

noreply@blogger.com (serra) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:40:00 +0000

I am excited about the upcoming Spring Fling! I received word yesterday that I have been accepted and assigned a booth. I can't wait for spring and summer. I live to sell and meet all you beautiful people!

Happy Gloom

noreply@blogger.com (serra) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:46:00 +0000

One of my favorite baby bands sold today on Etsy !!

And, "Truly" my first photographed "Boutique Beauty" :)

First Annual Spring Fling!

noreply@blogger.com (serra) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:09:00 +0000

And YOU'RE invited!!

Click on image to view it in a readable size :)

Sneak Peak at the Goods

noreply@blogger.com (serra) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 23:53:00 +0000

now go and relish in the boutique goodness!

cachevalleyboutique.com

Calendar of Events

noreply@blogger.com (serra) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:13:00 +0000

I was looking through the "Local Pages" last night while preparing my weekly activity for Webelos and of course, like any normal hour, I was distracted by the Calendar of Events. I was amazed at the variety of activities which are presented throughout the year. I know a lot goes on in Cache Valley, but I never realized there was this much! I hightlighted events I could possibly sell my goods at. Jewelry, baby bands...so much to choose from. There were some events not listed and it made me somewhat sad that the calendar did not show everything. Perhaps its just not possible? At any rate, I was circling numbers and preparing a introduction to each number I called to request vendor information. And thats when I realized. This was the 2007 calendar! Besides mourning over how much I missed out on, I mourned the 2008 calendar which only flooded the first couple months of this new year. I need an updated calendar of events!