The plague abates! Sort of. Still sniffly but feeling much more dry about the nasal area (lord that's pleasant isn't it? =P). I am concerned about my inability to make it from the kitchen to the couch without having to stop and cough for a few raw seconds. The pharmacist says drainage (eewww) so I'm looking forward to that going away! In the mean while I am staying away from my jewelry supplies and my paper scraps. Free germs with every sale? Mmnope! While that is painful in the long run it's probably better! It's given me a lot of time to surf and search for some great ideas about advertising and improving my product, my approach, and my shop in general. This article http://http//cloud9design.wordpress.com/2008/10/25/10-ways-to-promote-yourself-on-etsycom-from-littleput-books/ by this blogger http://www.littleput.blogspot.com/ is one of my favorite finds. There are some wonderful tips in there and some great inspirations. I'm looking forward to trying a few new things myself!

On that note I don't advertise but my shop traffic is picking up to the point that I think it's necessary. Someday Prdy will be a household name! Well maybe just a retail name =P

Had a lovely evening of sitting and packaging after the kids went down (finally!). I have decided that I'm determined to have a postage scale so that I can just do it all up at home and drop it off without waiting in a long line with two little monkeys. Perhaps I will put it on my birthday list and bat my eye lashes at the big man. =D

So many plans, so little...alright there's no excuse for it! I have plenty of time to pull some of these plans to fruition. And I will! I WILL finish my preparations for a luxe line, I WILL keep working on my upcycled line, and I WILL churn out some ideas, some proposals, and some product for wholesaling!

....Someday

Search and Intimidate

Crafting withdrawal has hit, or maybe it was crafting ambition overload. Either way, it's not pretty. As my first etsy-versary AND the holiday season approach the hurtles mount, one by one. All fun and spending have come to a screeching halt as Paypal harangues me for for everything from a photo ID to paystubs, utility bills, W2s, and social security cards. I'm not sure if this is something random or is the result of some problematic transaction. I can make money but I cannot move it until the review process is ended...a process that should have been finished this last week. I am...annoyed. I am also afraid of my shops for the moment. Nothing new has gone up and nothing expired has been renewed! Oh my.

Today I was searching around Etsy to ease my...unease about life, ambition, and the pursuit of contentment when I decided I should check out the Teams page again. It seems that everyone I meet is on some sort of team and everyone has great praise for them. I...am jealous. As someone who feels they are always struggling to find that perfect niche the idea of a team that fits just right is so appealing. However, I have to say that I am still extremely intimidated by the four extra long rows of Teams that hang about on the big E. Searching, searching, searching, I will find one yet! The perfect one! But for today I will end my searching at the Bs and continue daydreaming of magazine features and blog reviews. I'm so ambitious this week!