On the Martha Stewart Show

MARTHA AND ME!

Presenting the Martha Stewart Show!

I was fortunte enough to be a part of the Martha Stewart Show this past Thursday. Her "Egg Show" presented recipes, egg dying tips, and how to etch eggs! Martha and I both etched a three daisy design on brown and blue eggs!

Please watch the video and check out he link to the list of directions for egg etching on your own as well as my shop link!

I will be updating with more articles on egg etching and the like.

Easter is only a week away!

Thank you for all the well wishes and support while this was in progress. I feel truly blessed. The excitement is still overwhelming! I hope you enjoy the video!

Here is a treasury that made it onto February 26's Midnight spot!

I am so happy and honored to make it into my second ever front page!!!

Thanks for looking!

Welcome to Egg Central Station

Welcome to Egg Central Station! Above you will see the numerous eggs, most dyed and ready fro action, with several also etched and waiting for a home. Here at Egg Central eggs are continually emptied and dyed. The goal is to have as many colors available as possible to etch. All sizes and kinds of eggs are made available in the egg purchasing process.

During this tour of the Egg Central Station area, I will explain some exciting information of the egg process. First, eggs must be purchased. The grocery store is a great place to start. For more exotic eggs, local farmers as well as the internet can provide additional resources. However, the most purchased etched egg is the traditional chicken egg.

As a result, when a sale on eggs occurs, Egg Central Station launches its egg procurement forces...

The state of the refrigerator is one of egg domination! Though several dozens have already been emptied and consumed, there will be many more quiche to go before returning to a non-egg dominated diet.

As eggs are emptied and consumed (we try our best NOT to throw away eggs needlessly)
new colors are added to the egg army at Egg Central.


All eggs stay together in order to keep in mind what color is running out and what color would next go best with the current tenants of the egg cartons.

Though Egg Central is a small station, production stays at a steady 3-4 eggs nightly. However, when the Card Making Factory, a sister company to Egg Central, is in full swing, some production decrease can occur.

Efforts have been made with the head organizer of Egg Central to boost the reach of Egg Central's products. Craft shows in Pittsburgh as well as North East Pennsylvania has made this production shift into overload. In the next 4 weeks or so, Egg Central will be cranking (hopefully not CRACKING) out eggs for over 5 shows!
Speaking of cranking out eggs, Easter is soon coming, making this the most important time of year for Egg Central! The Easter Bunny will soon need eggs for decoration, gifts, fun, and more! To stay with the spirit of the season, Egg Central has its own MASCOT!

Not quite the Easter Bunny, but excited for the work, Sir Didymus is the symbol of fluffy fun here at Egg Central! She hops all over the place, excited to be a part of the egg production. She sometimes forgets her floppy ears at home, but we are glad to have her as a part of the Egg Central Family.

As time moves closer to Easter, the eggs will continue to move from the food stage to colored to the final etched stage!

**Most packaging materials are packed away daily in order to keep the residual munching from Sir Didymus to a minimum.

Thank you for visiting Egg Central Station and We hope you had a lovely tour!

Eggs Eggs Eggs!!

I have been using ever minute of spare time scratching eggs! Some new designs and some old! In the next two weeks I will have 2 craft shows here as well as 2 to 3 in my home town. In other words I will have to mail half my inventory home to my mother who will be selling for me there as well.

This is exciting, because Etsy is a little slow right now. I hope to make some great Easter sales instead at the shows. However, I am behind... I have over 50 eggs created, but I have a sneaky feeling that dividing that in two and over 5 shows will not be enough.

I planned for this however. If you have been reading, you'd know I bought about 25 to 30 dozen eggs when they were on sale! Here is round 2 on that buying frenzy:

I also have 5 dyes going at once right now, red, blue, lilac, golden wheat, and patina.
I hope to star a mushroom soon. Last night, Rob (boyfriend) and I bought 3 more pairs of tongs to hold the eggs in the dye. Hopefully that will make the dying process go a little faster.

Right now my fridge is filled with eggs. We ate 4 quiche so far, and will be making another round of them in order to get me some shells without wasting the egg. I should take a photo of my fridge so you can see what I am talking about.

My goal is to get 4 eggs done a night in addition to card making and homework. I lucked out and a paper draft that would have been due tomorrow has been extended until next Tuesday. Thank God!

I hope to be able to send 3 dozen to my mom and still have at least 3 dozen for myself as well.



Also I have cards to make. I wonder if people would rather see Spring themed cards or more Birthdays and thank you cards. I never know how to gauge themes of cards people may want.

I will also be working on ideas for advertising online as well as in Pittsburgh. I currently am toying with the idea of advertising on facebook with a paid ad. Has anyone ever tried it? If so, what are your thoughts? Anyone advertising online somewhere? Any thoughts?

Wish me luck on the egg crafting adventure! I'll post more as I get more done. For now, Here is a new egg design or two I did this weekend and love! All are for sale on my Etsy Shop!

Thanks for looking! Have a great day! And as always, comments are appreciated!

coupon code TNKS25 for 25% off as a thank you for reading my blog!

Versatile Blog Award!

I've been given the Versatile Blogger Award by Inessa from Prittyfy Handmade Jewelry, unique handmade jeweler from ETSY as well as an active and valued member of the Promotional Frenzy Team. Inessae is a talented crafter and her listings are always a pleasure to see!
I am truly honored Inessa gave me this award and my deepest thanks goes out to her!

HERE ARE THE RULES:

*Thank the person who awarded you and link back to them in your post.
*Tell 7 Random facts about yourself.
*Pass the award on to 15 new found bloggers.
*Contact each blogger you want to pass the award on to and let them know you've done so, and let the giver of your award know you accept it.

RANDOM Facts About Me
1. I love Pride and Prejudice so much I read it over 5 times and own over a dozen (one from the late 1800s)
2. I am a sucker for old tv shows like Three's Company and Bewitched
3. I have an entire closet door dedicated to coffee. I love coffee to the point of using it as decor in my apartment.
4. I own every song Billie Holiday ever sang
5. I playe violin, saxophone, and clarinet - and years ago I thought I would be a professional musician
6. I am addicted to scrapbook materials - especially flower embellishments and stamps! (this is why I opened my other shop Allthingseclectic
7. I currently have over 20 dozen egg sin my fridge to blow out to make more etched eggs for this Easter... wish me luck!!

To spread this wonderful Versatile Blogger award, below are 15 blogs I find amazing and will be passing this award onto. Please check them out!! THANKS
1. Pieces of Home Designs - http://www.piecesofhomedesigns.blogspot.com/
2. Linda B. - http://linorstorecom.blogspot.com/
3. 42things - http://42-things.blogspot.com/
4. The Clever Kitty - http://thekittypad.blogspot.com/
5. PulpSushi - http://pulpsushi.typepad.com/
6. Little Eye - http://littleeyedesigns.wordpress.com/
7. AnnaSkates - http://annamichellecards.wordpress.com/
8. Creative Corner Designs - http://wwwmycreativecorner.blogspot.com/
9. Art of Amy - http://www.artofamy.blogspot.com/
10. ElfRenee - http://elfrenee.blogspot.com/
11. Miss Meghan Elizabeth - http://missmeghanelizabeth.blogspot.com/
12. Marcenz - http://marcenz.blogspot.com/
13. Petite Hermine - http://petitehermine.blogspot.com/
14. Biji Bijoux - http://bijibijoux.blogspot.com/
15. YarningAbout - www.yarningabout.blogspot.com

Please check out these awesome blogs and shops for a great experience! Who knows, you may find something you can't live without!!!

New Day and New Eggs

I found that if I blog more often, I think I will feel better about my progress in my Etsy shop regardless of a drop in expected sales. I more designs I come up with the happier I am. I no longer am just repeating the 3 dozen or so designs I have been doing for years, but now in addition I am trying new styles to scratch.

Recently I scratched this cute blue bird about to fly off a branch. I was so pleased with him, I am now trying to find new bird designs I can use to attempt to place on an egg.

I have so far five colors ready to dye. It's Red, True Blue, Patina, Lilac, and Golden Wheat. I hope to do a Mushroom or something else as well in the near future!

Good news! I have over 30 dozen eggs in my possession! I bought about 35 dozen in the grocery store this week because of a wonderful sale they were having! Now, We are at quiche count 4 and will be making more this weekend I hope.

I will have to post again with some quiche recipes were have been using and pictures of the quiche we made. It's a yummy perk to egg scratching!

New Eggs and Big Ideas

Easter is coming quicker and quicker. Any egg crafter will tell you that the preparation for Easter is harder and stranger than any other holiday. Most people are excited for the coming of Spring and the end of the hectic Christmas season. Several crafters are settling into an easy paced routine but most are not over exerting themselves.

Not the egg crafter! This is our Christmas! Now is the time for new colors, new designs, different techniques, and producing many many eggs! Now is the high productivity mode where one design should be made in several colors and it couldn't hurt to make the design in the same color a few times as well.

I and so many of egg crafters are busy bees right now, balancing life, the coming of spring, lets not forget Spring Cleaning, and the constant production of Easter eggs.

I have been working on some new colors and designs lately. I hope to break out some "Golden Wheat" eggs today (I took the day day of to study for an exam, clean, and etch several eggs!) and then a new color, perhaps "Mushroom."

Here are some of my newly added creations:

This is my M.C. Escher egg! The fishes fit together up and down just like one of M.C. Escher's works of art. I have a lot of fun making this egg, and it always seems to go on a duck egg better than a smaller chicken egg.









This is my geometric egg I made up while at a show. I hope to make it in blue and purple before the Easter season flies by.




Now that I feel the need to make new designs for my shop I am not sure what designs would be best received. I find so many people like flowers, but the traditional designs also draw a steady crowd.

I wonder if people would want to see more modern designs like dog faces, scenes, and other more modern designs that are rarely seen on egg art.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a new design? A new color? Maybe you would want to see a different flower, like a hyacinth or Bleeding Hearts. I appreciate all comments and feedback to help me branch out more and more during this Spring Easter preparation!

As always, thanks for reading!

Esty Newsletter and One Year Anniversary

Well two things I would like to post about today!

ONE - It was my one year anniversary on Etsy on February 19, 2011!
TWO - I made it onto the Etsy Newsletter for February 21, 2011!

ANNIVERSARY!

I was so excited to find out that I was going to be on Etsy for an entire year! Not only was I happy that I have been a part of the online selling community for a year, but I was also so excited to discover all I have learned as well as grateful for all the people I met.

In true, one year anniversary form, I would like to thank all the people who helped me get this far!

My mom has helped me in more ways than I can express on this blog! She has provided me with packing supplies, materials, egg dye, eggs, ideas, support, and so much more. She checks out my shop and sometimes knows I made a sale before I do. Withour all the help she has given me, I don't think I would have been able to run my online stores while in law school.

My sister Mary has taken me on numerous shopping escapes for craft ideas and items and talks with me on the phone weekly. She gives me ideas, support, and sadly the desire to go to craft stores daily. I am lucky to have such a creative sister who can help me grow my creativity!

My boyfriend Rob. This guy not only makes earrings for my craft shows, helps me at the shows, and lets me steal his car, he is always there as my support to help me get through tough days. He also is my business manager and talks me out of some bad business ideas. Also, he makes sure I don't sell my work short. Sometimes I feel my art isn't wanted and I try to cut prices to where I wouldn't be making any money, and thanks to Rob I haven't revisited that technique in awhile.

Family - My family in general understand how insanely curious I am to try new things, and I'm so lucky they never tried (too hard) to stunt my desires to break into a new craft. I cross stitch, knit, crochet, etch eggs, make cards, and jewelry. In the end, I love every craft I have ever tried and sometimes wish that it would be my sole profession. Regardless what I end up doing in life, I'm glad I got to try everything crafty I wanted to try so far... quilting... hmmmm I want to try quilting!

Etsy Newsletter

After my anniversary came and went, I as a little bummed I did not make it to 100 sales or 1,000 shop hearts. However, my sadness was gone when I saw on the Etsy Newsletter 1-21-2011 my etched egg! I got views, hearts, and even a few sales! I hope the sales and hearts continue as Easter approaches.

Thanks again for reading and I hope you check out my shop sometime!

CRAFT SHOW In Pittsburgh!!! I Made it! Original 2-11-2011

In Pittsburgh next weekend there will be several opportunities before Valentine's Day to but your loved ones some wonderful handmade items to show your unique love!

I Made it Market is a indie handcraft organization that works with local crafters in order to both help self business people as well as share handmade items with the public. February 11 and 12, 2011 are two opportunities to see artists from Pittsburgh and make special purchases as well as have fun!

I Made it! Original is February 11, 2011 from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm at the University of Pittsburgh several vendors who make different items like knitting, felting, soaps, scents, jewelry, metal art, paintings, and more will be displayed and sold. Crafters will have Valentine's Day items as well as Spring items! Come on over and look for birthday presents, Mother's Day presents, Easter presents, or just presents for yourself!!!

I Made it! has information on all crafters who will be there. Click on the link and go to the artists button for the February 11, 2011 show!

I will be there! If you mentions the blog I will give 10% off an egg purchase you make!

Here are some great articles to read please!!!!


Racial Profiling in Law Enforcement:
great article to read and learn something new!!!

Free Local Advertising in Pittsburgh (WELL ANYWHERE)
great for anyone who wants to increase shop traffic and sales without spending a lot or anything!

European Egg Art: Pysanky Vs. Lithuanian Etched Eggs
awesome article if you want to understand a little bit more about the art I do and it's differences from psyanky egg art!


Please check them out and write your comments here or after the articles!! thanks!