Hello and Welcome!

 I've updated my links! You can now visit me everywhere- it's all pretty interconnected. :) I'm "ZenithJade" on most platforms, and "anjicle" on deviantART.

I've been busy updating my banners and info on Etsy, as well! I'm sure most of you are well aware that I've been on Etsy since 2006! That's quite a long haul on one site! I've tried others, including running my own independent website, and it just isn't as cost effective as Etsy is. So Etsy it is!

I'm also updating my deviantART to best represent me as a photographer. If you want a signed print from me, the best way to get one is to either contact me directly or join my Patreon. The latter is "best of" assorted prints and cards of my choosing.

I also re-booted my Patreon! I've got all sorts of amazing things going on over there and so many cool things in the works. One of the things that I'm MOST excited about is my new bead subscription service. It's limited edition, kick butt boxes for $35/month, (free shipping & USA only). I can't wait to source beads for everyone! It's going to be a blast. I also have several photography tiers, a jewelry subscription service, and COMING SOON are STICKERS. Those who know me just know I'm obsessed with them. :) So now I get to make and sell cool ones for everyone else! I'm insanely excited. Hehe!

You can view links in the blog to your right, otherwise (since I'm x-posting), they'll be in the comments along with a link to this blog.

Happy everything, everyone!

Moving everything back over to ETSY. :)

Hey everyone! Long time, no write!

I'm just coming over here to let you all know that I'm moving everything BACK over to my Etsy shop, I'll be closing up my independent webstore soon.

I've been making all sorts of beautiful new jewelry! You can check it out in my facebook group by clicking here. It will eventually end up on my Etsy store too, although it may take a while for me to get decent pictures, edit them and post them. Honestly, the facebook group is the way to go if you want to see what I'm making right away and claim it BEFORE it hits Etsy.

Here are a few examples, (I've been on an earring kick so there are a TON of those up there right now!):

Iolite and sterling silver earrings.

Smoky quartz and sterling silver earrings.

Garnet and sterling silver earrings.

Rose quartz and sterling silver earrings.

 Anyway! So this is all that I've been working on. Check out the group, there's all sorts of great stuff in there! :)

Shoptoberfest in Coon Valley, WI, USA 2017

Making all sorts of neat, new things for the Coon Valley Show!

You can view them in my facebook event by clicking HERE. :)

The show is Sunday, October 15th, 2017. The address is in the event details.

And here's a little preview:

This one uses amethyst, opalite, freshwater pearls in two different shades and shapes, and silver plated spacers and other findings. Ear hooks are silver plated over surgical steel. Very good for sensitive ears!

I have other shows upcoming. They are viewable on my facebook page here:

http://facebook.com/zenithjadecreations/ .

There are also new items up in my Etsy shop! 

 http://zenithjade.etsy.com/

Honestly contemplating building a website! I've done it before, and it's a wicked amount of work, but also a lot of fun. :) Watch this blog for updates and information if I decide to do that! (It will be sometime in November if I decide to do it! *hints*)

I re-designed my Etsy shop banner, and have made it into a newer, sleeker logo:

 

I've been keeping wickedly busy! Hope to see you at one of my shows this fall!

New Year's Sale and Giveaway! ::: Tree Wings Studio

You can find the giveaway by clicking HERE. :)

&

The Sale from Tree Wing Studio HERE!

How To Boost Your Search Engine Optimization on Etsy! (SEO)

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2013/4-ways-to-improve-your-seo/?campaign_label=etsy_success&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=etsy_success_052813_5871075908_0&utm_medium=email&email_sent=1369856521&euid=_x7Z3Y6geqxH_oGb2BZZ-F9xILzy

COMING SOON TO MY ETSY SHOP:

http://zenithjade.etsy.com/

A Day of Jewelry Selling on Etsy, Alzheimers, Jilly's Bead Posse, ++!

A neat infographic on selling jewelry on Etsy! (Here's the original post with additional information: http://www.beadinggem.com/2012/03/day-of-jewelry-selling-on-etsy.html).

I thought this was too cool not to share! *grins*

Also, a neat article from the same source on a jewelry-making world traveler:

Esfera Jewelry - A Traveling Jewelry Store

I've been busy making new things today! Some of it I'm donating to Jilly's Bead Posse, (a dedicated group of artisans working to raise funds++ for researching Alzheimer's). I made 36 pairs of earrings for the cause, (I forgot to take pictures, but you can view some of them on Jilly's Bead Posse by searching for my name!), and now I'm making some polymer clay pendants, a waterfall pendant or two, and some other stuff!*laughs* It's keeping me pretty busy!

And a random photo from my Etsy shop:

http://zenithjade.etsy.com/

A Simple How-To on SEO!

Here's the link: http://www.afterninetofive.net/2013/02/how-to-make-blog-posts-more-seo-friendly/ .

A great simplified tutorial on how to make your blog SEO (Search Engine Optimization) better. :)

One of my favorite hair clips! It's earthy. You can find more like it in my Etsy shop, here: http://ZenithJade.etsy.com/ .

ZJC Online Trunk Show!

Hello everyone!

I'm having an Online Trunk Show Monday, November 19th & 20th, and you're invited!

Click here to go to the facebook event where I list all the details and teaser photos!

Here are a couple of photos to whet your appetite:

 China crystal & Swarovski crystal pendant on copper.

 Swarovski crystal & Swarovski Pearl Angel with a Swarovski crystal halo!

 Tree of Life pendant in amethyst. There are going to be two more (but different) Tree of Life pendants available. :)

 Hand-stamped custom pendant with a freshwater pearl!

 Beautiful hand-made focals with gemstone cabochons set in polymer clay. (There are going to be three total available, I think! If there's interest, I will make more!).

I will be posting the link to Artisans Open Market (that's where my trunk show is going to be) on Monday at 9am on my event page and on my facebook business page! Be there or be square. Plus, most items are discounted at least 50% off, some are MORE than that. :) This is first come, first served.

If you "JOIN" the event, I'm offering a chance at winning a $50 gift certificate to either my Etsy shop or my ArtFire store. If you "SHARE" the event, you get an extra entry!

Beautiful jewelry, ornaments and bookmarks at great deals + friends + gift certificate = FUN!

How Beads Have Changed My Life!

Beads are a wondrous thing- they can sparkle, intrigue, and spell-bind... They can be mass produced, or artisan (one of a kind). Sometimes, they fall in between, with small batches being made. :)

I first began my journey with beads making macaroni necklaces for my Mom... then, in middle school, I made my very first beaded necklace for her. I took a break for many years from beading until I went to Brazil as an exchange student and discovered the most exquisite wirework known to man. It's incredible! I determined then and there that I wanted to make beautiful things out of wire and beads. I still have a gorgeous choker I got there. It's now missing some amethyst chips, but I'll get around to replacing those some day... (another picture I have to take for you!).

I didn't realize at the time just how many types, sizes, finishes and styles of beads there were! I bought some agate rounds with channels around them, and started practicing my wire-work skills. My first attempts were *interesting*. I may still have one of those attempts laying around. I'll try to find it for you and take a picture of it. :)

When I got back, I discovered ebay- and gemstone chips. Real, genuine gems! I bought chips in a RAINBOW of colors. Literally! I made my very first rainbow necklace, and then gave it away! I also bought faceted agate tubes, and other interesting beads.

Hence, my love of all things beady was born! I became obsessed with beads. (See above for why!). Wire work fell to the wayside as I learned how to weave, (self-taught), string, (self-taught), and create!

I started seriously selling my jewelry in 2001, came up with a business name (ZenithJade Creations), and started selling! I sold directly off my website and on ebay. It was all so new! And then I sold my very first woven bracelet! (It was made out of black-light reactive acrylic beads- very pretty!).

I started playing with polymer clay in 1999, but let it go after a few *interesting* (there's that word again!) attempts. (Again, another picture opportunity- will do all these pictures when I have better light- it's currently 2am here!).

Then, I went under the tutelage of Vanessa Hand to really learn how to wrap raw rocks! It was a wonderful time. Vanessa did fairs at the time in Cameron Park in La Crosse, WI, and sold some of my work there! (I used her supplies to learn with). And it SOLD! *falls over* It was a heady experience!

Then I moved to Columbia, Missouri- and things started to get really interesting! I taught some beading classes at the University of Missouri-Columbia for about six months. It was wonderful teaching others the joy of beading!

My business took a break, and I worked on other projects for a good while- stamping, making cards, and ATC's (artist trading cards- google them, they're GREAT!). I also happened upon scrapbooking. And crochet. And and and. AND cat toys!

I got a few custom orders during my time in Missouri, but for the most part, my creative energies were spent on other projects.

When I moved from Missouri to Michigan, once again my jewelry making badness was ignited. :) I started creating jewelry again on a regular basis. I didn't stay in Michigan very long before I moved back to Wisconsin, (where I'm at now, even!). And my business was reborn by selling on Etsy now instead of Ebay! I sold some beautiful work on Etsy! Some of it was quirky, some of it elegant, but it was all me. :)

I discovered ArtFire many years later. ArtFire is another handmade artist's site on these great interwebz. ;) I jumped the Etsy ship for a while to really throw myself into ArtFire. Now, I'm selling on both! They both have very distinct styles. My Etsy shop is dedicated to mother of pearl flower and Swarovski crystal jewelry (hair clips and rings), and my ArtFire shop is EVERYTHING ELSE!

Here's a link to both of my shops so you can see what I'm talking about:
http://ZenithJade.etsy.com/
http://ZenithJade.artfire.com/

As you can probably see, I've been incorporating many of the skills I've learned over the years into both of my shops.

My goal is to learn as many different techniques as possible and then combine them into stunning pieces of jewelry-artwork.

Some of my newer pieces really combine my first love of wire, (I've been wire-wrapping pearl sticks and Tree of Life pendants), gemstones, polymer clay and stringing. It's just so FABULOUS!

Beads have been a part of my life for YEARS. They've changed me, grown with me, and defined me. I continue to grow and change. My styles have evolved with me. It's been a fabulous process, and one that I hope will continue for many years to come!!!

Pay It Forwad - Handmade!

So I signed up for a creative challenge from my Creative Outlet, (Mel).

Basically, the idea is to share a surprise with three people that leaves comments on the post. Those three people, the first three that comment, will receive a handmade gift from me through the mail within the next year (365 days.) You won't know when it is coming...

Here's what you need to do:
1. Leave a comment that includes your name, email address, and either blog address or Facebook address. (You may need to add me as a friend so I can see your page.)
2. Pay it forward by doing the same for three people through your own blog or facebook page.

Here is what I will do; I will confirm that you, my three commenters have met the requirements, above and then contact you via email to get your snail mail address, color preferences, and other info to help me make you something personal and special.

This is going to be a blast, and the only string attached is that you also pay-it-forward, (do something special for another three people).

*love*
Andrea

Giveaway Time!

There are three ways to gain entries:
1) Share my facebook fan page with your friends using your personal page! Here's the link: http://facebook.com/ZenithJadeCreations (Because the more, the merrier!)
--> Please link me to your "share". Nevermind, I have no idea how to do this, either! I'll just have to trust you! (But PLEASE let me know you've done this, so you can get your extra entry in).
2) Sign up for my newsletter (right hand side of page).
--> Please let me know you've done this. (Everyone who has done this already automatically gets an entry. I realized after the fact that if you sign up for the newsletter, I get a notification via my email. So let me know if you want to, but it's not necessary).
3) "Like" my facebook fan page with your personal page. (Everyone who has "liked" my page automatically gets an entry).

--> Please comment below to let me know you've done at least one of the three! If you do all three, you get three entries. :)

I'm doing this old school, and writing down everyone's names and sticking them in a bowl to pull out the winners.

The FUN part, PRIZES!

1) Bright and Brilliant 8x10" signed print. Link here: http://www.deviantart.com/print/29306905/
2) Purple Lightening Mousepad. Link here: http://www.deviantart.com/print/29485410/
3) Pastel Hearts Postcards Set of 2. Link here: http://anjicle.deviantart.com/#/d5d24hq
4) $25 gift certificate to my ArtFire shop.
5) $15 gift certificate to my Etsy shop.
6) Smoke AB Necklace and Earring Set

Yes, I'll be pulling out people's names in this order. :)

If you have any questions, please ask!

I'll be contacting winners via email, so please leave your email in the comment boxes below! Please put zenithjade@yahoo.com in your address book, because that's where I'm emailing from. (I also like funny jokes, so feel free to send me some. LOL!).

ALSO! Contest ends on September 15th at midnight, CST. Get those entries in!

Have fun!
Andrea

PS- for those having problems leaving comments, feel free to message me via my business facebook page. http://facebook.com/ZenithJadeCreations

Some New Etsy Forum Links

Everything you ever wanted to know about buying FACEBOOK ads - a great run through on how facebook ads work, and how to make them work for YOU.

EVERYTHING you need to know about the CPSIA - a post containing links to CPSIA information. All in one post, no hassle.

Is this considered fee avoidance? - A great question. Chime in with your thoughts!

U.S. Customs Forms Now Track Packages - Great to know. Read up!

The Studio is a MESS!

You heard it right, my studio is a disaster. ;) I've got too many art and craft supplies! I can't believe I'd admit something like that! Pictures forthcoming, I promise.

So I've had a few interesting months with my cats. In October, (on my birthday, no less!), I acquired a kitten. For a while it was touch and go. I wasn't sure he was going to make it. But he did! His name is Maneki Neko Bones. He's the cutest kitten you've ever seen. Lovely blue-gray coat, bright eyes, and the best attitude. In late October, AlleyC had to go in for a UTI, (urinary tract infection). Pilling a cat is an adventure- one I don't care to repeat by the way! She kept spitting out the pill, so I'd have to patiently try again... and again... and again... December was thankfully quiet. January saw Gabriel to his first vet visit. He was so scared! He's due for his second round of Distemper shots. In mid-January, Hunni got sick. He wouldn't stop wheezing, so another vet visit was in order. (They're getting to know me rather well!). Hunni got an anti-biotic shot, and is thankfully doing much better.

My health has been kinda interesting lately too. I've currently got a heart monitor in my pocket, so it's handy when I start to experience chest pain. Luckily, I haven't had any chest pains lately! I've also, (FINALLY), got medication for acid reflux. I've had that problem since grade school. I guess this is what happens when you don't visit a doctor for ten plus years!

So I haven't been making much lately- I'm too busy listing on Etsy! 350+ items in my Etsy shop now. Talk about crazy! I've got much much more to list. Earrings, scrabble tile pendants, bookmarks, necklaces, earrings, beads and more. On my list of things to make are more rings and shoulder-duster earrings. (Those lovely uber-long earrings that are just to die for). I haven't made those in quite a while, so it should be great!

I take it back, I have been "making" something... I've been editing pictures to put up as prints. I've been having a blast looking through all of my older pictures. It's quite a task, though!

In additional cat news, I re-homed two kittens in November. My cat AlleyC had two lovely white kittens in July. It was time for them to go to new homes. If I could have kept them, I would have! But I already have several cat puddles worth of cats!

That's it for now! More crafty news later!
<3,
Andrea

PS- I'm currently running a sale- Buy a print, get 50% off another item in my store! Not too shabby. :) PLUS! One of my good friends just hatched a baby duck! Here's a photo, (click me!).

ZenithJade Creations' SPRING TRUNK SHOW

Saturday, May 30th

Noon-6 p.m.
(click image to view larger on flickr)

FREE: wine, soda, juice & lemonade
FREE: finger sandwiches, dip & crackers

New Upcycled Project, new listings on Etsy plus+++ facebook & links

---------------------->

New upcycled project!
Recycled, (or upcycled!), vintage stamps on mother-of-pearl open coins. Stamps are sealed using liquid laminate for a beautiful shine!

These will be available in my Etsy shop soon!

---------------------->

Gorgeous necklaces & earrings NOW AVAILABLE in my Etsy shop. PLUS I'm destashing some gorgeous supplies, like these lovely smokey quartz oval briolettes. <3

<----------------------

I've also joined the Facebook hordes. :) If you'd like to be a fan of my shop & stay current on special projects like custom orders & my amazing seasonal collections, join me over there!

http://artist.to/zenithjade/

Firefox + EtsyHacks = Etsy Lurve

I really hope that I can truly delve into the wonders of EtsyHacks and how to use it one of these days.

For those of you who are already familiar with Firefox and GreaseMonkey, AND have an Etsy Shop... then EtsyHacks are really, truly, just what the doctor ordered. ehax.etsy.com has created some lovely hacks to make your selling++ experiences easier and more fun. He's got: copy listing hacks, forum hacks, receipt hacks, convo hacks... I think you get the idea.

I promise- one of these days, I'll post a tutorial for newbies on how to get started. ;)
(If you know of a newbie faq already in existence, please let me know! I'll post it!).

<3,
Andrea

ZenithJade Creation's First Easter Egg Hunt!

Why should the kids get all the fun hunting for Easter Eggs? ;)

Announcing ZJC's first Easter Egg Hunt!
Interspersed throughout my Etsy shop are Easter Eggs-->

Find one image, get 10% off,
find two, get 20% off,
find three, get 30% off,
find four, get 40% off,
find five (!!!), get 50% off...

your TOTAL ORDER.
(not including shipping)

How to play:
* Find as many Easter Egg images as you can/want to.
* Buy as much as you'd like... and in the "Notes to Seller," list the links of the items where you found the eggs. Don't pay yet!
* I'll send you a revised invoice to your email with your new total, and then you can pay, (a lot less than what was listed!). :)

This % off is in ADDITION to the many items that are already 25% off!

Happy Holidays, Happy Easter...
And...
Have fun searching for Easter Eggs!

<3,
Andrea

PS- many thanks to WonderCliparts.com for providing such a cute image!
PPS- the Easter Egg Hunt only lasts until Easter day!

Books!

I've decided that it's high time that I created a wonderful book, (or books!), from the thousands and thousands and thousands of flowers I've photographed... I'm also going to enter a competition! =^.^;=

It's funny just how addicted I am to photographing flowers. They each have their own personality that shows through.

In other news, my Etsy shop is pretty darn full again. 50+ items and growing on a regular basis. I've got a huge backlog of inventory, (because I just can't stop creating!), so much of what's in my shop is on sale. Woohoo!

And I really am making a concentrated effort to do some Spring Cleaning around my studio, so destash supplies are also going to end up in my shop.

Swing by! I promise you won't be disappointed. =~.^=

<3,
Andrea

**Valuable Links not found via Etsy - Updated 6-11-08

from loosewirestudio, (via this Etsy forum post):

Here's the updated list of links that are used by many Etsians, but cannot be found (or not easily) on Etsy.

Full list always maintained here:
http://loosewirestudio.blogspot.com/2005/06/etsy-helpful-links-not-found-via-etsy.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to all of you who contributed to the original list. Have more? I'll add them and keep it running. :)

-----LINK LIST ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://etsywiki.com/ Accumulated wisdom from seasoned sellers.
http://etsytreasurydemo.blogspot.com/ Treasury tutorial.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_west.php Test Treasury.
http://www.etsy.com/poster_sketch.php Prepare a treasury.
http://www.etsy.com/tag_fractal.php Tag Fractal Etsy Search. Cool!
http://team.etsy.com/downloads.html The old Resources page, which has the postcards.
http://fix.etsy.com/ Where to go if Etsy is down.

http://www.majaba.org/heartomatic.php See hearts and views in one place. By Juln.etsy.com.
http://bestysearch.com/ Lots of other ways to search Etsy.

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now Secret Paypal shipping link.
http://etsy.ppcalc.com/ Fees calculators.
http://checkout.google.com/ Alternate payment option.
http://www.propay.com/?refid=ETSYOLCM Propay discount link. Alternate payment and means to take credit cards at fairs.

http://www.usps.com/tools/calculatepostage
http://www.geocities.com/vlhester/index.html TheBeadingTree's international rate chart.
http://www.shelfmasters.com/InternationalRateChart.aspx International Postage rate chart. (Has not been updated.)

http://www.thumbalizr.com/ Cross platform means to screen shots.
http://tinyurl.com/ Make long links short.
http://tools.oratory.com/altcodes.html How to make those little characters.
http://www.onlineconversion.com/ Conversions.
http://picnik.com/ Pic site.
http://webresizer.com/
http://www.primopdf.com/ Convert any document to a PDF!
http://chris-parry.blogspot.com/search/label/Pricing
http://etsyforeveryone.typepad.com/my_weblog/graphics/index.html How to make your own banner. And lots more!

http://www.weloveetsy.com/shops We love etsy shops directory.
mini blogs:
http://etsymini.blogspot.com/
http://etsyminisupplies.blogspot.com/

Gift Certificate knowledge:
http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_financial_services/003889.html Consumer's Union
http://www.rimmkaufman.com/content/brannlawgiftcertchart.pdf PDF document chart
http://www.naag.org/ag/full_ag_table.php You can also check out your attorney general's website

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also, FAQs, non-offical Etsy style (my cheat sheet):
http://loosewirestudio.blogspot.com/2005/02/faqs.html


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And I thought that *my* list of Etsy links was pretty good! LOL! =*^.^*= Thanks loosewirestudio!

Busy busy busy!

I've said this too often, but I really didn't need to join another site, create another profile, ad infinitum! But I did it anyways. =^.^;=
Please give me a super-warm welcome to the world of Technorati! *grins* I know it's been around for quite a while, but I'm trying to cut *down* on all the places I'm at on the www, (for ease of organizing, updating, ++)... I finally caved. I figured that Technorati would be a pretty decent place to get some blog exposure. LOL! (Let me know if I'm waaaaay off base here!).

Since I'm a total "newb" to the site, does anyone have any advice/thoughts/suggestions on how to use the site? *curious* I'd also love to know how to get some of *my* photos into the Technorati photostream. =~.^=

And yes, FYI, I use that photo for my profiles A LOT.

I finally updated my site submissions to Bust.com... I can hardly believe that I've been a link supporter of that site for more years than I can remember. I HIGHLY recommend taking advantage of their very generous "Girl Wide Web" page to share your own links with their readership. (This can include blogs, online shops, etc. etc. etc!). They are also supporters of the Indie Movement, (viva handmade!).

I've spent wholly too much time over the past week and a half making polymer clay beads. I knew it would be addicting... but jeez! *falls over*

Of course, I had to turn some of them into pendants. Totally biased over here, but I think they seriously ROCK. =*^.^*=

I finally managed to list on Etsy some new POSTERS. (11x17" photography prints on cardstock). There are some wonderfully yummy flower posters. Ok, they're *mostly* yummy flower photos. I'm obsessed with flowers in nature! =~.^= (We can just add that to the current list of my obsessions... Etsy, making beads, photographing flowers, funny cat pictures...)

Speaking of funny cat pictures, I uploaded a new one to my flickr that I think is absolutely hilarious- click here & throw your two cents at me, (and my cat, Einstein). =^.^;=

300+ product photos Sunday. Do I even need to mention that that was the majority of my Sunday? To top it off, I got sunburnt taking all those pictures. I knew I should have worn sunblock! =^.^;= I really shouldn't complain- one really nice day & I can just zoom through catching up on photography for my Etsy shop- it's the editing that always takes me forever!