Shop Of the Week : Yarn Coture

Exquisitely knitted creations take center stage in YarnCoture. The shop is filled with amazing pieces that will have you looking forward to weather cold enough to wear them!

Owner Maryum Karim says, "I try to offer a wide variety of designs to appeal to a broad spectrum of buyers. I love to create custom designs as well as OOAK (one-of-a-kind) items in order to provide a personal shopping experience for my customers. Every item is made with great care and will not bear the Yarncoture name until I feel that it's just right. I am constantly educating myself on new knitting and crocheting techniques to improve my craft. "

In addition to scarves, shawls, and fingerless gloves, Maryum also offers vintage inspired designs. "My favorite pieces that I make are my Vintage Inspired Ascot neckties... I just love the simplicity of the design! "

Maryum admits that inspirations for her stylish creations come from everywhere. "I can have a dream about a design and then wake up and create it that same day. On the other hand, a set of beautiful vintage buttons or really funky novelty yarn may inspire me to make something new. A medley of my vintage patterns collection or just a simple knit or crochet pattern coupled with my special touch will sometimes do the trick. It all depends on what mood I'm in!"

A self-taught knitter, Maryum's passion for her craft is another source of inspiration. "there's always a new technique, stitch pattern, a new yarn fiber, or design to try or learn. I love the way the yarn feels as it glides off my knitting needles or how quickly I can crochet a beautiful flower. I also love the fact that I have been teaching my 2 daughters to knit and crochet, and have even featured some of their finished pieces in my shop! Being able to pass these ancient crafts down to my daughers has truly been a joy! "

Maryum admits that its sometimes difficult to balance all the areas of her busy life, so her favorite twitter trick is using her shop Facebook Page to update twitter as well. " I love to tweet, however lately I have been swamped preparing for an upcoming craft show as well as custom orders. Tweeting through my Facebook fan page saves me a lot of time and enables me to allow my fans as well as fellow "Twitteroos" to sneak a first peek at new items in my shop. I usually tweet about my day and sometimes ask fellow Twitterers about theirs. Watching what others are saying also helps me to get a feel for my audience and what a potential buyer may be looking for. "

YarnCoture offers unique gift ideas for everyone on your gift list, including great accessories for those hard-to buy-for men on your list, and ships both domestic and international.

Free standard worldwide shipping for every item in my shop. This special offer will be available through December. Priority Mail and Express mail services will be available for an additional charge.

Follow YarnCoture:

http://www.facebook.com/yarncoture

http://www.twitter.com/yarncoture

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade yarncoture.etsy.com

BOOM! The Etsy Twitter Team Launches Shopping Season with a Bang!

This is it! The start of the shopping season.
What better way to shop for gifts this year than by sitting back in your PJs, with a cup of cocoa with marshmallows, and browsing the amazing discounts and deals being offered this weekend by the members of the Etsy Twitter Team?
Now is the PERFECT time to find a beautiful, handcrafted cowl for Aunt Margery, who hasn't been pleased with a gift since 1957, or stock up on luscious soaps that make perfect stocking stuffers, or to just find that ONE perfect gift that is as special as the person on your list.

Grab a throw and a comfy chair, and leave the 3AM mall calls to those less in the know ;)
Happy Thanksgiving from all the members of the Etsy Twitter Team!

HandmadeBySandi
http://handmadebysandi.etsy.com/
http://sandists.etsy.com/
FREE SHIPPING 11/27 - 11/30 in both shops.

LindaB's Beaded Jewelry
http://lindab142.etsy.com/
Etsytwitter 22% off purchases totaling $8 Please put “Tweet” in notes to seller

Art by Betty Refour
http://brefour.etsy.com/
Original art will be 50% off. No code needed - discount will be given as a refund. starts 11/27 and ends Monday, 11/30 at midnight CDT.

ScrapWithStyle

http://scrapwithstyle.etsy.com/
Buy More- Save More:
Up to $10 10% off
$10 to $20 15% off
$20 to $30 20% off
$30 to $40 25% off
over $40 30% off
Discounts will be given via paypal refund- or convo for a reserved listing or a revised invoice! ♥♥
Plus, DOTD (deals of the day) starting tomorrow

Constellation Photo
http://constellationphoto.etsy.com/
Buy on get one FREE on all 8x10 prints and 5x7 prints! Of equal or lesser value. Simply list your choice of print in the comments to seller during checkout.
Spend $75.00 or more and your items will ship FREE!

AbbyChaseDesigns
http://abbychasedesigns.etsy.com/
Black Friday through Cyber Monday SALE:
Buy any Incognito e-book and get a free Patchy Pin Pillow e-book for FREE!
Buy 1 Incognito Wallet get FREE SHIPPING!
Buy any 4 Incognito Wallets get the 5th FREE!
Buy 2 seat belt covers, get FREE SHIPPING
Buy any 3 seat belt covers, get the 4th FREE!
Sale ends Monday night at midnight.

MySassyGlass
http://mysassyglass.etsy.com/
Free shipping on orders over $40.00

ACageyBee
http://acageybee.etsy.com/
Free Worldwide Shipping across the entire shop.


Safiya Beauty
http://safiyabeauty.etsy.com/
BOGO sale in my Etsy shop 11/26-11/30. It's Buy One Get One 50% off the entire shop. Just enter 'Black Friday' in notes to seller and the discount will be refunded via PayPal.

GeekDetails

http://geekdetails.etsy.com/

Black Friday - Cyber Monday is BOGO. Buy one pinback button, get another of your choice for free by entering BOGO and your button choice.

Threepeats Jewelry

http://threepeats.etsy.com/

Friday, November 27th and lasting through December, free worldwide shipping. Prices already adjusted.

FoxyGKnits

http://foxygknits.etsy.com/

10% off (less shipping) on all items in shop, including sales items. Payment will be refunded via PayPal after the transaction is completed.

PurpleLemon Designs

http://purplelemondesigns.etsy.com/

Free Worldwide shipping Black Friday - Cyber Monday. No codes needed. Shipping will already be removed.

SumikoShop

http://sumikoshop.etsy.com/

FREE SHIPPING WORLWIDE

on all items in shop.Shipping has been adjusted.

RhodesAnnalsDesigns
http://rhodesannalsdesigns.etsy.com/
free worldwide shipping in my shop from now through to Fri 4th December with a code TEAMBLOG

DizzlePop
http://dizzlepop.etsy.com/
Buy One Get One Half Off, Nov 27 - through Monday, Nov 30.
Use code BOGO.

NikkyleeDesigns
http://nikkyleedesigns.etsy.com/
Free US Shipping and Holiday Sale Section.

Firebirdhouse Designs
http://firebirdhouse.etsy.com/
30% off TOTAL purchases over $25, 11/27 - 11/30
Free US and Canadian Shipping thru the end of the year.

HuayruroPeru
http://huayruroperu.etsy.com/
Free shipping on the weekend

JusShar
http://jusshar.etsy.com/
Facebook Fans get at total of 20% off of the purchase price, and free shipping within the US (25% off outside the US).
Everyone else receives 10% off the purchase price.

BeautifulBridget
http://beautifulbridget.etsy.com/
Free Worldwide Shipping on everything in my Etsy and Artfire shops! AND, spend $100 or more to receive an additional 10% off your entire order :) Happy shopping!

SoapRehab
http://soaprehab.etsy.com/
Free Worldwide Shipping on all orders

Mikiye Creations
http://mikiye.etsy.com/
Buy one item and get 1/2 off the second of equal or lesser value on all items over $20.00.
Price difference will be refunded though PayPal.
VALID DATES NOVEMBER 27-30th

PunkyJane Jewelry
http://punkyjane.etsy.com/
FREE STANDARD WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Friday thru Monday on my entire shop with the code 'EtsyTwitter' in the message to seller box. Shipping will be refunded via PayPal.

BeadsOfGlass
http://beadsofglass.etsy.com/
Free Shipping on orders over $50. 10% EXTRA OFF ANY Xmas ORNAMENT
10% off any bracelet over $50
$100 off my desert painting http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32783240
Please put "Happy Thanksgiving" in Notes to seller to receive PayPal rebate if applies.

StarBabyOnline
http://starbabyonline.etsy.com/
$5.00 off any handmade piece in my shop
3.00 off sale prices on my sterling chains which are already on sale
Code to use is ET-BFCM-5/3; prices will be adjusted and a specific Paypal request will be emailed out.
11/27 - 11/30

InMyHeadStudios
http://inmyheadstudios.etsy.com/
Free worldwide shipping until Monday. Prices will be marked down already so there's no need for a code.

SouthPawStudios
http://southpawstudios.etsy.com/
My Black Friday Sale Section http://www.etsy.com/shop/southpawstudios?section_id=6588408
will have 4 sets of multi colored glass pearl earrings on sale for $7 each, while supplies last, limit 4 per customer, limited quantities available, sale will end Monday Nov. 30th at midnight. ALSO entire Etsy store will have free worldwide shipping, No codes necessary.

Jenco13
http://jenco13.etsy.com/
Cup Cozies are BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!
Scarves are BUY ONE, GET ONE 1/2 PRICED!
Use coupon code -BOGOHOLIDAYS
Custom orders are part of this deal and more than welcomed!!
Please note these deals are for the lesser or equal amount of the second item chosen. It will be refunded through PayPal within 24 hours of purchase. Buyers are responsible for shipping and handling of all items purchased (please see special rates for second items). Priority mail rates are available for US customers only.

KimWhiteCreations
http://kimwhitecreations.etsy.com/
Sale running now through Cyber Monday of free shipping when you purchase $50 or more.

SweetwaterGifts
http://sweetwatergifts.etsy.com/
FREE US Domestic Shipping on all US purchases and additional items (2+) ship FREE for international customers 11/26 -11/30.

FrostedTreats
http://frostedtreats.etsy.com/
Free Gift with every purchase. Sale starts 11/25 and runs to 11/30.

NovaScotiaBeachGlass
http://novascotiabeachglass.etsy.com/
Pendants marked down to $5.00 each in my store.

TheSoapSeduction
http://thesoapseduction.etsy.com/
I'm offering free domestic shipping and 1/2 off int'l shipping 11/27-11/30. There are no coupon codes to enter. All items will reflect the free and 1/2 off shipping. A free bar of soap (randomly chosen) will be included with every gift set purchase! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone :)

Team Treasuries

Created by Firebirdhouse.etsy.com
Expires November 27th

Created by Jenco13.etsy.com
Expires November 27th

Created by HuayruroPeru.etsy.com
Expires November 26th

Download Snaptu, sensasi berbeda untuk twitter dan facebook

Snaptu merupakan aplikasi handphone berbentuk java untuk membuka jejaring sosial seperti facebook dan twitter. Saya mencoba menginstalnya di ponsel dan mencobanya. Membuka akun twitter dan facebook terasa berbeda. Tampilannya sungguh menarik, berbeda dengan tampilan fb dan twitter mobile. Lebih enak dipandang.

Selain jejaring sosial facebook dan twitter, di snaptu juga terdapat menu lainnya

Sekarang Twitter sudah ada RT-nya loh

Yup, benar. Twitter semakin memanjakan para tweeps / tweeple, twitter sudah memberikan tambahan "tombol" untuk melakukan RT (ReTweet). Hanya tinggal klik pilihan "retweet" yang ada di pojok samping tweet. Maka dengan sendirinya akan meretweet tweet yang mau di RT.

Saya pribadi cukup terbantu dengan adanya "retweet" ini, klo sebelumnya harus copy paste tweet dan menambahkan RT didepan tweet itu,

Shop of the Week: Journey of Love Designs

Denise Kung, of JourneyofLoveDesigns.etsy.com, is a woman after my own heart. Most of her work is made with fascinating papers, many of them Japanese papers. I absolutely love paper! I want to buy everything in her shop!

She specializes in stationary, paper gifts, magnets, and even related products like invitations, escort cards, and table numbers.

Denise also has a second Etsy shop called SeashellBaby.etsy.com. She lists products made by her mother. Her mother had to retire early due to her poor health. Now she knits and crochets to pass the time. She loves to come up with new products to make. What a nice mother-daughter story!

Denise is currently working with Japanese chiyogami paper (chiyogami is a type of Japanese paper decorated with brightly colored, woodblock-printed patterns) for her products. “I recently returned from a trip to Japan. I bought a few sheets of chiyogami paper and will be using them for my new products. I would love to buy the whole store of paper! The colors and textures are so beautiful and delicate. I am inspired by the colors and patterns of the papers I work with and find. I am a visual person so my eyes get tickled when I see certain papers,” says Denise about her adoration of paper. Her work reflects an interest in Asian design like in this Chinese New Year Paper Orb Ornament.

“I have always loved creating things. My craft allows me to come up with ideas and carry them out to put together materials and create something new from them. Also, when I get an event related order, I enlist the help of my mother and we bond over our work.”

Follow her on Twitter: @journeyoflove
Read her blog: http://journeyoflovedesigns.blogspot.com
Fan her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Journey-of-Love-Designs

Special for This Week Only:

Free set of 6 gift tags with any order
from Journey of Love Designs.

Free set of 2 scrubbies/coasters with any order
from Seashell Baby.

Use code: "Etsytwitterteam"

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade journeyoflovedesigns.etsy.com

Our Friends at EtsyChai Are Having A Sale!

EtsyChai and Etsy Israel Hanukkah Contest & Sale

Several of our Etsy Twitter Team members are on the EtsyChai and EtsyIsrael Teams. So we’re helping to promote their sale and contest because they were kind enough to blog and tweet our Trunk Show. I love working with other teams to make promotions a success!

The details: Many of their team shops are offering discounts until November 22nd. A list of participating shops is on the blog at http://etsychai.blogspot.com

The contest: Shops have hidden an image of a Menorah. The people who find the most Menorah images will win prizes. Prize winners will win a prize bundle (1 per winner). And, while you're looking for images, you will see some great discounts on handmade Hanukkah and other handcrafted items.

So go check their blog out at http://etsychai.blogspot.com for some great deals and a chance to win neat prizes! Happy shopping!

Dazzled by the Stars...Lost in the Quest

It would appear the definition of success for young people today evolves around the concept of being “known”. This thought is echoed by the realisation that the career aspirations of girls today centre on becoming a WAG (Wife and Girlfriend of a footballer), Glamour model or Pop star. The Pussy Cat Dolls song When I grow up, which peaked at number 3 in the UK charts, clearly tapped into the wants and dreams of many. So what is it about this lifestyle that is so appealing?

No matter where you look, our screens and papers are awash with high profile successful individuals in glamorous attire, living the life that many consumers want. Hence the reason why so many celebrity endorsed brands do so well. Individuals want a piece of what they have and are willing to part with their money to ‘Glo’ like J-Lo, “Get the London Look” like Kate Moss and even wear FUGG’s (Fake Ugg boots) to imitate the celebrity style.

As an outsider looking in, it appears the hard work it takes to become successful to a mainstream level is not seen as inspiring or motivating, but long, un-necessary and time consuming by the majority of teenagers. Forget Generation X this is Generation NOW, a group of young individuals seeking instant gains for instant gratification. Not necessarily there fault, might I add, teenagers have merely evolved with the changing trends and technology. However I also wonder whether their appearing attitude has a direct link to the one-sided influx of only the most glamorous aspects of what these celebrities do?

Wining, dining, sun bathing, parties, magazine deals etc, rarely do we see the day to day work routine of the rich and famous that has enabled them to have the lifestyle they have and so whilst adults (there are exceptions) have a better understanding of the blood, sweat and tears involved, both young viewers and teenagers are still learning and yet to be awoken by the smell of coffee.

The birth of reality TV began 10 years ago thanks to Big Brother, who opened the doors of opportunity to desperate talentless individuals with stars in their eyes. Play it right and your 5 minutes of fame may stretch to weeks, months or years if you’re lucky. Play it wrong and you could become a hate figure or nonentity. For the “prize” (the money and beyond) many have and still are prepared to take the risk and as a result many have been evicted with less than they entered with. Loss of dignity and integrity are high prices to pay for the blasé acknowledgment that “It’s only a game show” don’t you think? There have been a handful of successful contestants and so in spite of the consequences many will continue to try their luck for instant fame and possibly fortune here and on other reality shows.

When I was younger I wanted to be Wonder Women, seriously. Other than the red lipstick, tiara, cape and boots, she saved people’s lives which I also found appealing. I decided the nearest real life role was a nurse and so dabbled with the idea until I realised needles, blood and medicine, all of which I hated, were important live saving aspects. To the majority, TV hospital dramas such as ER and Casualty are said to have encouraged many teenage girls to choose careers within the field of medicine. Whilst both programmes are still on- air, reality shows are dominating the screens whilst celebrities are dominating both the press and screens. Consequently should I or any of us really be surprised that this celebrity craze culture has had a huge impact on young people’s ambitions?

Attitudes have changed and so has behaviour which is clear to see on a Friday and Saturday night. Have you also seen the young girls dressed to the nines wearing outfits and shoes straight out of the fashion pages of magazines and music videos that centered on their idols? With great clothes at affordable prices looking fabulous is easy. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with looking hot and having a great time, the problem is that no one looks like they are having a great time. Why? I have no idea but will contribute the following guesses…too cool, part of the swagger and the blatantly obvious fact that standing in 6 inch shoes is painful.

Artists are protected by bodyguards and hardly ever have to walk more than 100 yards anywhere. Emulating Lady GaGa from head to toe on a night out in London is just absurd and the fact that so many young individuals are doing it surely is a clear indication that inhibitions have definitely been lowered.

Sex sells, it is a fact and one which I find uncomfortable as it feels like a form of grooming. Sexual images, content and suggestion are no longer out of reach on the top shelf of the local newsagent. Press the remote, tune into the radio, look online, it is blatantly there. Look back at artists such as Ciara, Beyonce, Cassie and Britney for example, they all started out looking cute, respectable, innocent and quickly turned into sex objects, tantalising teasers, with outfits associated with porn and lyrical content littered with sexual innuendos. Young girls are emulating their role models just like I did with Wonder Women. However dress up has moved away from innocence to adult suggestion. The underlying messages of these constant sexual images projected onto young girls soon to be women can form into an unconscious internalisation that this is how they are expected to and should behave.

It is therefore no surprise as to why being seen to be seen appears to be the in thing and less to get attention, is definitely more. However this is an act and possibly part of the reason why I find so many clubs in London vibeless. Everyone is trying to be like…so and so rather than being…themselves. A whole lot of swagger with absolutely no substance.

A man could be fine as hell, but a man who has vision and is working towards his aspirations makes him even more desirable to me. Fake it till you make it, is not a notion I believe in, as I see it as selling yourself out, whilst aspirations like becoming a WAG is selling yourself short. Wags are “known” because of their situation rather than their skills. So someone striving to become a WAG could be classified as no more than a glorified contemporary gold digger. Whether you agree or disagree one thing is for sure, this “aspiration” is an underselling of one’s OWN potential?

Many are losing themselves in the desperate quest for stardom, doing anything and everything to be instantly “known”. But can fame ever last more than a moment?

Yes they may grace the cover of top magazines and be papped at awards ceremonies and events, however whilst the smile and beautiful dress is forever captured in a still, the feeling of adoration and external validation lasts only as long as the lights continue to flash. Once this stops there is no attention and therefore no fame. Then what? Stardom can’t give you what you don’t already have.

Everybody is a somebody it’s just a shame that society puts so much value on the notion of stardom. Celebrities are not separate from us, they are mere mortals too, the only difference is that they have a wider platform to showcase there abilities.


© 2009 Lisa Bent 

Uniquely Gifted- Handmade Holiday Gifts Under $50

If you spend every year searching for unique gifts that will thrill your gift list while not zeroing out your bank account, this is the gift guide for you! All of the unique, handmade items below will please even the most prickly person on your list, and all for under $50!

Stay tuned this weekend for more gift guides, including one just for HIM, as part of the team's Handmade for the Holidays event!

UNIQUELY GIFTED ( and Under $50!)

Let 'em carry it all ( or just their lunch ) in cool, upcycled Bento lunch bag sets from Ojami :


Keep 'em ruffled with these lovelies from FoxyGKnits:

Make 'em sparkle in vintage-inspired hair ornaments from Firebirdhouse :

Surprise 'em with fun, and funky, upcycled domino ornaments and pendants from inmyheadstudios :

Amaze 'em with stunning handmade lampwork jewelry from BeadsofGlass :

Give 'em a chance to shine, in glittery jewels from MySassyGlass

Or, make 'em smile, with whimsical jewelry from imwithsully :

Dress 'em up in Cuties like these, from AmieVoltaire :

and keep 'em warm and stylish in soft scarves like these, from HandmadebySandi:

Or these warm fuzzies, from jenco13: