Joyce Is Crafty

How to Order Balance Challenge Kit

2011-08-05T04:35:00.000-04:00

Select Join the Challenge

Select Country/Language

Arrow to Right of Transformation Kit is a Drop Box

Arrow to Right of Transformation Kit opens a Drop Box

Select Balance Kit

Next post will be how to change/cancel autoship order.

Crochet By Numbers

2010-12-30T05:30:00.000-05:00

I've been showing the picture of what I did for Amber & Ryan for Christmas. I'm surprised how many people have been asking me how much I would charge to make one for them. Considering how long it took me to do this one, I'm going to have to say starting at $500 for one roughly the same size - 36" high, and maybe 30" wide - depending on the width of the picture. If anyone would like to ask me about one, feel free to email me .

Crochet By Numbers project is finished!

2010-12-26T06:23:00.000-05:00

I finished my project by adding a row of sc all the way around. Then on each side I added 4 rows of dc to make 4 tabs to wrap around the frame that Allen built and I made.

Crochet By Numbers project is finished!

2010-12-26T06:21:00.000-05:00

One edge is finished.

Here's an action shot of Allen stapling the edges on the back.

Here's another action shot of Allen stapling the edges

My 1st Crochet By Numbers project

2010-12-11T17:09:00.002-05:00

Crochet By Numbers

2010-12-09T06:05:00.002-05:00

I'm working on my 1st attempt at Crochet By Numbers. Here is Amber & Ryan, half way done. It was supposed to be a Christmas present 2 years ago, but I got overwhelmed and put it aside. Hoping to get it done this year by Christmas, or maybe for a housewarming for them when they move out mid-January.

Crochet Butterfly Cuff Bracelets

2010-07-23T07:58:00.003-04:00

After many many attempts, I am FINALLY happy with my design. It's 5 butterflies joined together with jump rings and toggle clasps on the ends.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52034777/ocean-tie-dye-bluegreenpurple-variegated

Going to podiatrist

2010-07-23T07:55:00.001-04:00

My foot has been hurting for over 2 months and I finally broke down and made an appointment last week to go to the podiatrist. Today is the big day. Is it wrong to hope there's something he'll do to keep me from going to work tomorrow so I can stay home with my family and work on my crocheting?

Welcome to JoyceIsCrafty!

2010-07-14T10:29:00.007-04:00

Click here for Crochet Butterfly Jewelry, Accessories, Appliques & Embellishments on Artfire.
http://www.artfire.com/users/joyceiscrafty

Click here for Crochet Butterfly Jewelry, Accessories, Appliques & Embellishments on Etsy
http://joyceiscrafty.etsy.com

Click here to become a fan on Facebook
http://facebook.com/joyceiscraftyfb

Click here for my Greeting Card website
http://sharingcards.com

Click here to follow me on Twitter
http://twitter.com/joyceiscrafty

Click here for my One Stroke online portfolio
http://paintingonthefly.com

New Facebook Group for Promoting Your Online or Offline Business

2010-07-01T14:33:00.001-04:00

I've created a fun new group for facebook!

Make Repeat Buyers Out Of Your Existing Customers, and Get Them to Send You New Customers

2010-06-01T12:28:00.022-04:00

Would you like your existing customers to keep coming back?

Would you like your existing customers to tell other people about you?

Do you have a mailing list just sitting there doing nothing?

Studies show that people do business with people they know, like and trust. Build relationships with your customers. Let your customers get to know, like, and trust you! When they do, they'll tell their friends about you.

Feeling appreciated is one of the strongest human desires. At the very least, send everyone a thank you note!

Guinness Book of World Records says Joe Girard holds the record for selling the most cars in a single day. He did this by sending cards!

Tom Hopkins is another man who is famous for sending cards.

This is not a new concept, but is one that is overlooked too often. Countless books and articles have been written about the simple gesture of sending thank you notes.

Send your customers cards! Thank you cards; birthday; holiday; seasons; just thinking of you....whatever the reason, just send them cards! Make them think about you.

This would work for pretty much any business. Your own website, Etsy, Artfire, a "brick and mortar" store, Mary Kay, Avon, Arbonne, Tupperware, real estate, insurance, dry cleaning, lawn mowing, D.J'S, musicians, house cleaning, pet sitting, hair stylist, nail tech ..........you get the picture!

But if you REALLY want to make an impression, send them customized cards. How about a picture of the item they bought, maybe a picture of you holding the item, with a voice bubble coming out of your mouth saying "Thank you!" "I Appreciate You!"

How about a picture of your new summer line on a Welcome Summer postcard?

Get your customers' birthdays and anniversaries and send cards.

Do you do shows, festivals, or fairs? Do you get people who stop at your booth and maybe they really like what they see, but they didn't bring any money with them? Start a mailing list and follow up! Have them give you their name, address, birthday (just day and month), anniversary. Talk to them! Find out what product they like the most. Take a picture of them holding that product. Then send them a card with that picture on the front telling them nice to meet you, thank you for visiting my booth. Make them remember you! Make them your friend and they'll buy from you later or they'll send someone to you.

While you're at the show/festival/fair talk to the vendors around you. Take pictures of their booth and send them a card telling them it was nice meeting them.

Now imagine a system that will let you upload a picture, add a caption, add voice bubbles, change font, size, color, even upload your own handwriting and signature! Imagine that you can add thousands of contacts, their birthdays, spouses, anniversaries, children, children's birthdays and imagine that the system reminds you in plenty of time to send the appropriate card. Imagine that you can send thousands of cards with just a few clicks. Imagine that a company actually prints each card, stuffs it in an envelope, seals it, puts a stamp on it, and mails it to your recipient - all for less than $1 a card (plus postage)!

If you would like to see this system for yourself, go to SendCardsGetReferrals.com .
You can watch a short video talking about getting referrals. You can read/listen to some success stories. You can send a free card to try out the system. If you would like more information, send an email to joyce@sharingcards.com .

where have I been?

2010-05-02T12:16:00.002-04:00

Goodness, I just realized that it has been so long since I published a post on my poor neglected blog!

I haven't been feeling very creative lately. It's been hard dealing with the fact that little Mimi, my chihuahua, is not young and well any more. And my blood pressure issues have me really focusing on cooking better food and exercising, so not much time to be creative.

But I'm starting to get the itch to create again. I have some Tshirts all ready to paint. I just need to get some tracing paper to trace a couple of patterns.

Recycled Pond Project

2010-01-31T15:34:00.006-05:00

CIC

2009-11-11T11:31:00.001-05:00

CIC
Originally uploaded by JoyceIsCrafty

Check out the CIC Team~ http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=handmade&search_query=collaborators2team&order=date_desc&ship_to=
Lots To Choose From!

Facebook Fan Page

2009-09-02T14:41:00.002-04:00

Working hard on my facebook fan page and getting to 100 fans so I can get the shorter url.

Facebook fans will be able to use coupons for my facebook artfire kiosk that is brand new.

Find me on artfire - JoyceIsCrafty.

20 more sage green butterflies!

2009-08-26T12:44:00.000-04:00

The lady who ordered 125 butterflies ordered 20 more. I'm working on them now.

I still have to have a picture taken of me so she can use it on her site.

I've been really busy trying to get at least 1 made of every single color of the tiny butterfly earrings to keep my websites updated. The crocheting part is easy, it's the finishing part that takes the longest - jewelry findings, scanning, uploading pics, writing descriptions. Oh, and keeping track of what website has what on it. I started a spreadsheet for that.

helpful etsy threads & blogs

2009-08-18T20:27:00.002-04:00

One thousand sales, three months

etsy-how-to-make-it-work-for-you

fulltimeetsycraftersteam.blog

uploading more pics

2009-08-18T20:25:00.002-04:00

Good grief, will I EVER be done uploading pictures? I want to crochet! I have a quart size ziploc bag full of butterflies that need to be finished, scanned, and uploaded to my websites.

I created a spreadsheet to help me keep track of what products I have on what sites. What a help!

Featured in a blog today

2009-08-15T10:26:00.002-04:00

I was featured in a blog today, check it out!
http://vabeachquilter.blogspot.com/2009/08/joyce-is-crafty.html

What I'm working on now

2009-08-14T10:50:00.004-04:00

I'm working on getting at least 1 pair of each color of thread made into tiny butterfly earrings so I can get pics up on all my sites. Next, charms!

125 Sage Green Butterflies finished & mailed

2009-08-06T07:40:00.002-04:00

I did it! They're all finished and mailed.

Today I will add to my Artfire shop . Lots to do!

I also need to work on the tiny butterfly earrings that I was working on when I got the big order.

Butterflies with wire antennae

2009-08-05T10:05:00.000-04:00

125 butterflies almost finished

2009-08-05T06:58:00.002-04:00

It's a bad picture, but it's of 125 butterflies that I crocheted for a wholesale order for a scrapbooking kit-of-a-month club. All I have to do is finish putting on their antennae; package them; and mail them.

Wholesale Butterfly Appliques order

2009-08-03T08:29:00.004-04:00

On July 29 I started an order for 125 wholesale butterfly appliques from my etsy shop. I'm up to 81 crocheted so far. These are for a scrapbooking kit-of-the-month club. Just as soon as I have them finished I'm going to work up a wholesale page for my website.

Broke another crochet hook!

2009-08-03T08:27:00.002-04:00

Darn it! I broke another crochet hook last night! Once again, I used polymer clay to fix it. It works better than the last one I fixed with polymer clay. I guess I learned a couple of things, huh.

The good news is that Joann.com had hooks on sale, so I ordered 6 more this time. I also had a couple and got one for half price, and I registered (thought I was already!) for an account and got 2.95 shipping.

New Shop on 1000 Markets

2009-07-28T15:57:00.003-04:00

Earlier today I was approved for my shop on 1000 Markets. I'm very excited, as I've read very good things about 1000 Markets. But I'm dreading all the work involved in uploading all my items, LOL. I have 42 colors of appliques - plus all the earrings, necklaces, key chains, cell phone charms, barrettes, and pins that I've made with most of those 42 colors.

I also have my butterflies on
my own website JoyceIsCrafty
Etsy
Fuzzb
Zibbet
Winkelf
Shophandmade
Artfire
Bonanzle
Ecrater

Yes, some of those places may only have a couple of things, but I wanted to check them all out and get my name out there.

I'm going to be a very busy gal getting these stores stocked!

Cleaning and Organizing today

2009-07-21T15:38:00.002-04:00

Good grief, I didn't realize how much stuff I have. Today I'm cleaning and organizing the craft room. Sure helps to know how much I have of what kind of supplies.

Crochet Butterfly Appliques on Site

2009-07-21T15:32:00.003-04:00

I added crochet butterfly applique sets to my new website at JoyceIsCrafty.com.

I spent quite a while putting the new website together, I hope you like it.

I'm still on etsy, have opened a shop on fuzzb, and also on zibbet.

The more exposure the better, right?

Broken crochet hook fixed

2009-06-25T02:41:00.002-04:00

I broke my crochet hook on day 1 of my last 4 day work trip! My sis said I was taking out my frustrations on my hook, LOL. It was the only one I had in that size. The others I had with me were like Goldilocks and the 3 Bears - this one is too small, this one is too big. None of my local stores had that size, so I had to order replacements (I ordered 2, just in case). Glue didn't work, so I fixed it with layers of polymer clay. I'm just hoping it will work, at least for this next 4 day work trip!

I got the idea from http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/

Cindy Lietz does amazing things with polymer clay.

(for those who don't know me, I'm also a flight attendant)

Crocheting with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2009-06-11T07:24:00.003-04:00

I was diagnosed with a mild case of carpal tunnel syndrome close to 20 years ago. I was crushed, as I LOVE to crochet and have been crocheting since I was 8 years old way back in 1973 when my best friend taught me during recess in the 3rd grade.

I quit crocheting, wore a brace, and changed jobs. But I missed crocheting so much and tried to get back into it. Glucosamine helps a lot! So does wearing the brace like I'm supposed to and a hot wax bath, like the one here.

Now my hands hardly every hurt, but I still had a problem with smaller hooks. So I made my own. I just took a hook, put it inside a sponge, wrapped it with non-stick drawer liner like the one here (by the way I did get my liner and my sponge at the Dollar Tree, love that place), and wrapped thread around to secure. It's working great!

Special Touches to Keep Customers Coming Back

2009-06-10T09:02:00.001-04:00

Special Touches to Keep Customers Coming Back

Shared via AddThis

Canary Yellow Butterfly Jewelry Uploaded Today

2009-06-09T18:24:00.006-04:00

All available on JoyceIsCrafty.com

Lazy Sunday

2009-06-07T20:33:00.002-04:00

I spent most of it either on the computer, with Mimi at my side, or out in the backyard, looking for frogs in our pond.

I can't believe Mimi let me stay up so late! It's after 8:30 and that spoiled little dog hasn't started bothering me to go nite nite yet.

Going to have a girls' day out with my sister tomorrow, can't wait!

Shades of Bright Pink Variegated Crocheted Butterfly Jewelry Added Today

2009-06-07T20:27:00.006-04:00

Bright Pink Crocheted Butterfly Jewelry Added Today

2009-06-07T20:25:00.005-04:00

Patriotic Butterfly Jewelry Uploaded Today

2009-06-06T11:43:00.008-04:00

32 Crochet Butterflies

2009-06-05T19:44:00.000-04:00

Facebook Pictures, can finally upload

2009-06-04T12:38:00.000-04:00

I'm so happy I'm able to upload pictures onto Facebook again.

Facebook Fan Pages - Server Not Found

2009-06-04T10:38:00.000-04:00

I'm so frustrated! It's been almost a week, and I'm still getting the Server Not Found error when trying to upload pictures to Facebook. I don't get it! I'm using the same laptop, in the same place, with the same server, and the same settings. I was able to upload pics before, and I'm able to upload pics to other sites. So why Facebook?

Facebook Fan Pages

2009-05-30T11:56:00.002-04:00

I've spent way too much time online today reading about how to use Facebook Fan Pages in order to promote my Etsy shop.

101 More Great Jewelry Selling Techniques

2009-05-24T10:46:00.001-04:00

Need a great handcrafted jewelry selling idea?

How about 101 of them!

Click here for the NEW eBook
101 Great Jewelry Selling Ideas

Getting Ready for a Rough Work Week

2009-05-24T10:24:00.002-04:00

OMG, I'm such a terrible blogger! I spend most of my online time reading a couple of favorite blogs, reading emails, and Facebook.

Since my last post, I've uploaded more new things to my Etsy store, with different wires for earrings and different types of necklaces. I also made some butterflies in red/white/blue thread, which I need to finish and get uploaded to Etsy as well. I think they turned out cute, but they were kind of a pain to make, what with changing colors and all.

I still have lots of thread in different colors I haven't even opened yet, so I'll be winding a few balls to take with me on this work trip.

Speaking of work, I'm on a 2 day, off 1 day, on a 2 day, off 1 day, then on a 3 day. Yes, that's a rough work week - especially when I live out of a suitcase and eat mostly from a cooler.

Pastel Butterflies

2009-02-27T07:50:00.001-05:00

I'm heading out today for a 4 day work trip and I'm going to crochet some pastel butterflies to put in my etsy store. It's nice to be able to keep my hands busy in between walk-throughs on the plane.

YouTube Video of me Crocheting a Butterfly to be turned into Jewelry

2008-08-03T13:59:00.002-04:00

The Jewelry Selling Answer book

2008-08-02T13:58:00.000-04:00

Do you have questions about
how to sell your jewelry?

Dr. David Weiman has the answers!

He's the marketing director of Lapidary Journal and

Step by Step Beads. And he just wrote a new eBook:

The Jewelry Selling Answer Book:
Expert Answers to the Most Popular Questions
Jewelry Makers Have About Selling.

It's available for Instant Download. Click here to learn more!

Want FREE Jewelry?

2008-07-23T16:13:00.003-04:00

See my jewelry line at http://joyceiscrafty.etsy.com

Whether it's for yourself or upcoming holiday gifts, FREE JEWELRY is great!

Who doesn't want FREE JEWELRY? It's simple! Host an online jewelry party - kind of like a Tupperware party, or a Mary Kay party, but it's online.

The BENEFITS of hosting an online party vs a home party:

1) You don't have to clean the house!
2) You don't have to buy, prepare, and serve food.
3) You don't have to make your friends and family feel obligated to buy anything.
4) Online parties work with everyone's schedule, even those you know out-of-town.
5) You don't have to collect money for orders.
6) You don't have to sort or deliver orders.
7) You get FREE JEWELRY when your friends and family buy from your online party!
8) No pushy, annoying sales pitch!
9) Use your FREE JEWELRY credit for yourself or for holiday gift-giving.

Here's how it works:

You email me at JoyceIsCrafty@gmail.com and tell me you want to host an online party.

Together we set up dates for your party to start and end - usually 7 days, 10 days or 14 days.

I send you an invitation that you then forward to all your friends (note: ONLY SEND TO FRIENDS, NEVER SPAM THOSE YOU DON'T KNOW!).

Your friends will need to put your name in the "Message to the seller" comments box so I can track orders and who to give credit to. Once your party has ended, I will tally up the sales and issue you a credit for __% of the party sales, good for FREE JEWELRY.

The more orders, the more FREE JEWELRY you can earn!

A party is a minimum of $25 in orders.

Hostess always receives a thank you gift, just for hosting the party (once sales reach the minimum).

All sales amounts are before shipping costs.
Shipping costs do not count toward party sales.

Sales of $25 - $99.99 - earn 10% in free jewelry
Sales of $100- $199.99 - earn 15% in free jewelry
Sales of $200 - $299.99 - earn 20% in free jewelry
Sales of $300+ earn 25% in free jewelry

You will also earn FREE JEWELRY when your friends book a party from you, $5 each, credit issued upon completion of your friend's party.

What your friends will get:
Excellent customer service from me.
Jewelry that is hand-made (by me) and can't be found in any store.
A free party favor with every order.
ZERO SPAM! Privacy is extremely important to me!

Crocheted Butterfly Jewelry - Pins/Brooches

2008-07-19T10:18:00.001-04:00

Attaching the Cell Phone Charms

2008-07-19T10:00:00.000-04:00

First, find the little hole at the top of your cell phone.
Slide the loop through the hole.

Next, slide the butterfly through the loop. Be careful that the cord doesn't get caught on the antannae.

Pull to tighten.

Crochet Butterfly Cell Phone Charms or Zipper Pulls

2008-07-19T09:58:00.001-04:00

Crochet Butterfly Keychains or Zipper Pulls

2008-07-19T09:54:00.000-04:00

Crocheted Butterfly Jewelry - Pierced Earrings & Necklace Sets

2008-07-18T12:52:00.000-04:00

Crocheted Butterfly Jewelry - Necklaces

2008-07-18T12:50:00.001-04:00

Crocheted Butterfly Jewelry - Pierced Earrings

2008-07-18T12:20:00.000-04:00

Update on my little dog

2008-07-18T12:16:00.001-04:00

She ended up having to have 5 teeth pulled. Poor baby! She is getting up there in age, she was 12 in April.

She's being SUCH a big baby! The only way I can get her to drink any water is to feed her with a syringe. And she's being very picky about what she eats, too. I crushed her dog food and "cookies" so she can eat them without chewing. She'll eat shredded cooked chicken (I made it into "chicken soup" to get more water in her) and chicken baby food, fed with a spoon, no less! Yes, she is a little spoiled.....She won't touch the canned dog food the vet sent home. Oh, but she will eat vanilla ice cream.

Good thing she has me so well-trained.....

Little Dog Going to Vet Today

2008-07-15T05:48:00.000-04:00

I'm a nervous wreck. She's my 12 year old long hair Chihuahua and she's going to get her shots, her teeth cleaned, her nails cut, and they'll be doing "geriatric" blood work because she's getting old. They put her under to clean her teeth and I hate that they have to do that, but she does need them cleaned for her continued good health. I hate leaving her there all day, waiting for the phone to ring. She's mad at me too, because she's hungry, and I haven't let her have anything to eat since before bedtime last night. She looked for her nite-nite cookie and she didn't get it, and she looked for her cookie this morning after she went potty and she didn't get it.

I think I'll try to distract myself and keep myself busy by going on a little shopping spree. I think Hobby Lobby has some jewelry things on sale.

Saturday I spent about 3 hours scanning in all the jewelry pieces I have finished (that I haven't already sold!) and I haven't had a chance to post them online yet. Today will be a good day for that too.

Crocheting on the Fly

2008-07-08T18:31:00.002-04:00

I'm back out on a 3 day work trip today. I got to sleep in, I didn't have to get up until 3:10am!

I remembered to bring my bag of crochet thread and hook, thank goodness! When I'm done with my work, and in between flights, you can find me crocheting away, making more butterflies. It still amazes me how many people stop to comment when they see me crocheting. So many people have stories about their grandmothers or mothers who used to crochet.

Crocheted Butterfly Jewelry

2008-07-07T12:21:00.002-04:00

I have been crocheting since I was 8 (36 years now) and a friend taught me during recess in the 3rd grade. It made me very sad when carpal tunnel syndrome kept me from crocheting for a few years, but I found a way to alter my crochet hooks so I can crochet again. I do a lot of other crafts, but crocheting has always been my first love, so to be able to crochet again makes me happy!

I am a flight attendant. I had to do something to keep my mind and hands occupied, so I started crocheting butterflies. My butterflies have been through a lot with me - from mechanical delays, to weather delays, to cancellations. My butterflies have been crocheted on the ground and in the air, in hotels, airports, and on planes. From Halifax to Edmunton to Denver to Miami to Washington DC - and everywhere in between - you can find me crocheting butterflies.

Crocheting butterflies has helped me keep my cool when having to deal with disruptive passengers, deal with stress during difficult situations, stay awake in the wee hours of the morning, and keep my hands busy when there's absolutely nothing to do. Crocheting is also very homey-feeling and it helps when I'm away from home and miss my family.

Passengers and other crew members always seem amazed that I can hold conversations with them while crocheting a butterfly, and that I can look at them while talking to them, and only look down at what I'm doing occasionally.

I love taking a hook and thread and making something that looks like nothing, then I fold it, do one more stitch, and all of a sudden, like magic, it's a butterfly.

I made matching necklaces and earrings for myself with the first bag of butterflies I went home with. I have so much fun putting together color combinations with the butterflies and beads and trying different combinations of chain lengths and findings. Friends and family started commenting on my jewelry, I gave some away, and sold some more. That's how my butterfly jewelry business began.

If you buy a piece of butterfly jewelry from me, either for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, know that each butterfly is crocheted with love and care.

My Online Store

2008-06-10T14:11:00.000-04:00

I'm working on lots of new projects. With the encouragement of friends and family, soon I'll have my online store up and running. It's so nice to be able to take crocheting projects with me to work!

I still have my One Stroke painting portfolio posted online.