2021

 

Hi everyone, I hope you are well.  It's been a long time since I've written here, for a proliferation of reasons, but I have missed chronicling my creative thoughts here.  So, for 2021, that will be something I plan to do more of.  What a crazy past 12 months!  

Above are a set of 2 mini 2021 journals for sale in my shop.  I made them at the close of last year in anticipation of the challenges and beauty of the upcoming year - the culmination of social distancing, enlightenment, stress, and yes, the extreme highs and lows of 2020.  It feels like it's been a lifetime.

Thank you for being here with me.  Even after 11 years (I now, right??), I am still thrown into a flurry of excitement and joy when I receive an order.  Your support is so deeply appreciated.  This year, I'll be sharing more here about what's been creatively dear to my heart, what I call this heartbeat, because I feel that that's all we can do right now.  Live by every heartbeat and every breath.  Thankful for the little things.  

New Shop Banner

It's a rainy day, my toddler is actually napping and mama cat-napped for a bit, even after two cups of coffee.  It's been a long day.  And I realized that this blog is in dire need of an update - so here it is.  Recently, I've added a few items to the stamped spoons and talismans section of my Etsy shop.  I'm excited about this new direction in my work.  As a result, I've decided to clear out my handmade jewelry line, so you'll find unique pieces at hugely discounted prices.  Each piece of jewelry is never remade and is truly one of a kind (especially my conceptual pieces).  My destash gem collection has yet to be sorted through, but once I have the time to sort and photograph I'll be adding these to the shop as well.

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My toddler is now reading, fiercely and intensely, and has her very own library card.  Yet she's definitely still a toddler in many ways (the occasional ear-splitting meltdown, anyone?).  We all read all these overarching romanticized narratives about motherhood - plus the ones that we can relate to - about the numbing exhaustion, toddler (and mama...) meltdowns, and the permeating nature of mama brain.  Making three food choices and your kid saying no to each one.  But that smile, when she chooses to do so, warms my mama heart.  Again and again.  That I can wholeheartedly relate to - even as I roll my eyes while scrolling through Instagram's deluge of happy smiley mama and kids.

New Shop Deal

Time for some pre-spring shop cleaning!  Here's my new Etsy shop deal: Name a Price for any item in the aforementioned shop section.  All you have to do is convo me the price you'd like to pay for the item in this section - whether it is jewelry, paper goods, etc. - and I will consider it.  Serious offers only, please.  If you buy multiple items from this section, your order will ship for free.  New items will be added weekly.

See my Name a Price section here.

Sale Still Going Strong

My Etsy shop sale has been extended.  Yes.  This mama needs to fund some gifts for the holidays, so my need is your treat.  Prices are generously as marked.  Shop: emeraldcut.etsy.com

30% Off End-of-year Sale

Huge end-of-year sale in shop now!

Enjoy 30% off selected items, as marked - no coupon code necessary.  I'm clearing out my shop for the new year, so get your holiday gifts now at truly affordable prices.  All items will arrive thoughtfully gift wrapped.  Stop by soon as this sale isn't going to last!  Shop: emeraldcut.etsy.com

P.S. Also enjoy free domestic shipping on orders $15+ when you apply FREESHIPPING at Etsy checkout.

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They're Back!

Recently renewed in my Etsy shop, check them out...

Small Book Page Envelopes

Monogram Small Book Page Envelopes

Hand-Stamped Name Tags - Sage Green & Black

1,000th Sale

If you've stopped by my Etsy shop recently, then you've likely noticed it's nearing 1,000 sales.  I'm elated!  As a gesture of thanks, I'm gifting the buyer of my 1,000th sale with a piece of jewelry of my choosing.

P.S. I just did the math - and can't believe I've had my Etsy shop for almost a decade come this fall!

New Year Thoughts

via impressus

Ah, 2017.  It still feels like 2016 to me, probably because last year was when all-wise little baby A. came into our lives - but back to the present moment...

My goals for 2017 are to enjoy family time (I often forget to take pictures!), make new jewelry when time allows, and begin again on expanding my writing services in shop.  I'm of the mindset that family comes first, so I'm continuing to accept custom orders on a case-by-case basis.  As I look at all the changes being made on Etsy and in our world, I'm astonished by the money-driven nature of it all - at the expense of creativity and ingenuity.  And need I mention old-fashioned integrity?  This I think about as I'm now a parent.

This I now realize as the first month of the new year unfolds.

Life As I Know It

If you've been wondering where I've been over the last few months, this is it.  Babyland!  Our sweet (and feisty) daughter was born earlier this fall.  With her birth, the magnitude felt has been extremely intense, intoxicatingly overwhelming, and yes, VERY exhausting.  Motherhood is nothing like I'd imagined.  It's indescribably harder.  But as the tears streamed down my face, a smile also curled up at the corners of my lips.  Each day, she grows.  The next day builds upon the prior, and we'll never get this moment back again.  Little Baby A., you are loved like no other.

In shop news, I've reopened with limited ready-to-ship stock.  Check it out here.

New in Shop: Raven Book Page Envelopes

If you've been following along on Instagram, the subject of this blog post - raven book page envelopes - may look familiar.  This week, I added a set of 10 of these small handmade envelopes to my Etsy shop.  Spooky and perfect for Halloween gifting or parties, these delicate envelopes can also be used for your seasonal DIY projects and function as bookish Poe-esque home decor, too.

                            

Raven/Crow Book Page Envelopes

Close-up of the raven/crow image, which I stamp by hand using a rubber stamp and archival black ink.  Layout varies slightly per envelope, as does ink saturation.

These upcycled book pages each have a different visual text layout.

No top closure allows for use as tiny gift bags - tape the top closed with your washi tape of choice and you're all set.

Size-wise, these handmade envelopes are around 4" tall x 2.75" wide.

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See the listing here.

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August's Birthstone: Peridot

August jewelry for sale in shop

Peridot is one of my favorite stones to wear and work with.  So much so that my first engagement ring was indeed peridot!  Ranging from a glassy lime color to an earthy olive green, the moody mystique of peridot is in its characteristic "glow," which is absolutely spellbinding.  Peridot is also August's traditional birthstone.

The peridot beauties shown above are available for purchase in shop.  Complimentary gift wrapping is always included.  On that note, have a wonderful week!
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Last Day

Today's the last day of my Christmas in July sale, that is!  Visit the shop here.

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In other news, I recently finished an order of pendants for a bachelorette party.  See my Instagram account for a photo of some of the completed pieces.  It's not the best photo, I know, but it was nighttime and I was tired after having not made jewelry for months.  Thank you for all your support--it means so much to me as I try to get back in the swing of things.  Happy (almost) August!

Sale Ends Soon!

20% off Christmas in July sale ends soon...

If you're looking for a unique, minimalist piece of jewelry, take advantage of this sale (prices as marked).  The following pieces are still listed!  Plus, enjoy free US shipping on orders over $15 when you apply the following coupon code at checkout: FREESHIPPING

June Donation

From your purchases, I donated $11 to Feeding America for the month of June!  Thank you.  This new donation brings my total 2016 donation-to-date up to $74.  My year's end goal is to donate $175 and we're not quite there yet--this is where I need your help.  With each item purchased in my Etsy shop I'll donate $1 to this charity, which feeds the hungry in the US.  #goodsforgood

Below is the June donation receipt:

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Read more about this 2016 goal and see monthly donation totals here.

Spider Plants Available

Newly re-listed in shop: spider plants*!  My mama spider plant's pups, aka baby spider plants, are now big enough to ship, so they're up for sale in my Etsy shop.  These small houseplants will arrive without fully developed roots and will need to be planted in soil, in a partial light area, for the roots to take hold.  Once established, spider plants will need to be watered just enough to wet the dry soil around the plant's base.  An easy-care indoor plant!

Purchase a spider plant here.

* Plants are not guaranteed to grow, but I do sell healthy plants and ship via USPS Priority Mail (2-3 days domestic).

In-Shop Wedding Favorites

1. Please Sign Our Guestbook Hand-stamped Book Page 4" x 6" (sold)
Received a few inquiries lately for this stamped book page sign, which has just sold.  This particular item is cut to 4" x 6", but I can stamp entire book pages without cutting them down.  I also have a few book page sizes to choose from if page thickness and length matter to you.  Word count limit is due to stamp size.

2. Custom Wedding Speech Writing Service
Perhaps my most popular writing service, my wedding speech writing service is also a personal favorite.  With the purchase of this listing, I will edit and polish your wedding speech from information that you provide--and work with you until the speech is what you are looking for (wording, tone, style, content, etc.).  My writer's credentials include a Master's degree from an accredited university.

3. Stamped Custom Initials Seed Packets - California Poppy
These handmade seed packets include upcycled vintage book pages, which I hand cut and then stamp with your two initials in bold typewriter font.  Seeds are organic California Poppy.  With a bookish touch, these seed packets make lovely wedding, bridal shower, and engagement party favors.

4. Bridesmaid or Maid of Honor Small Hand-Stamped Manila Tags
We can't forget the bridal party.  This listing is for bridesmaid or maid of honor small manila tags stamped by me using small typewriter font.  The classic font with colored twine will adorn gifts perfectly.  Attach individually to your bridal party thank-you gifts and you are good to go.

5. Wedding Website Content Writing Service
A less traditional but much-needed offering, this writing service allows for your love story and other wedding website content to be edited for clarity, content, flow, and tone.  I will need a rough draft, so I can build on your unique voice.  Like my wedding speech writing service, this writing service will help with the wedding planning process.

6. Long Hand-Stamped Name Tags - Sage Green
Another versatile listing, these long hand-stamped tags fit a first name or first-name-with-last-initial combination.  Simple yet visually appealing, I stamp each letter freehand so layout varies per tag.  Sweet as wedding place cards and favor tags--or even as gift tags, too.  See the non-twine version here.

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Interested in a variation in these designs?  Contact me via Etsy (username: EmeraldCut) to discuss the details.  See my entire wedding goods section here.

March 2016 Donation

Thank you for helping me donate $9 for the month of March!

From each listing you purchase in my shop, I'll donate $1 to the charity, Feeding America. 

My 2016 goal is to donate $175, and so far this year, I've donated $31.  

Here is the March donation receipt:

Learn how to help me meet my 2016 donation goal: 

emeraldcut.blogspot.com/2016/01/meet-my-2016-goal.html

900 Sales

Thank you for helping me hit 900 sales on Etsy today!

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It's been an amazing almost five-and-a-half years selling online, and I couldn't have done any of it without your support and feedback.  When I started my shop in 2010, it was only in my wildest dreams that I'd make it this long as an online seller.  But life has an interesting way of stepping in, without you knowing it, and sometimes that's all that's needed to keep going.  The next milestone is 1,000 sales (which sounds so daunting...), but it's all baby steps from here since 1,000 sales is only one-hundred more than the current 900th sale mark, right?  Beyond quality and integrity, "slow and steady" has always been my mantra--I deeply appreciate your sticking by me and my creative vision.  My gratitude to you; thank you.  And happy weekend!

Lately

via Instagram

Quiet and crazy: this is how it's been around here lately.  With the weather changing manic-like from 75 degrees one day to 60 degrees a few days later, I'm still reeling from the effects of a too-early spring with profuse buds and blooms and pollen dusting everything.  It's supposed to be winter, right?  At this time two years ago, I still remember the hummingbirds leaving for a few months because of the cold, only to return in spring.  This year, spring has come in February.  A part of me is hopeful that winter weather will once again reign before April, for at least a few weeks.

The crazy weather coupled with the relative quiet in shop news has been a fruitful recipe for some belated (and much needed) introspection.  Shop, donations, creative direction, and my novel are all included in this thought process.  This month's donation will be humble compared to January's, but I'm happy to donate what I can with your help ($1 per item purchased will be donated to Feeding America).  Also, I've been working steadily on editing my novel, which is a refreshing challenge on multiple fronts unrelated to the shop.  I've stopped making new jewelry for the time being to reevaluate my shop's direction, but will still accept custom jewelry orders on a case-by-case basis.  This isn't a permanent decision, though--expect new jewelry to be made and added to the shop by late April.  My writing services and bookish wedding items will not be affected by this ruminative slant. 

I hope that things are going well for you all.  "Lately" has been lovely and disconcerting at the same time.  Life often works that way, doesn't it?  

New Jewelry Designs

Two Dainty Pink Amethyst Dangles
(Best friends jewelry or interchangeable earring drops)

Fiery Raw Citrine Point Pendant - Copper Wire

Small Rose Quartz Cluster Pendant

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New jewelry designs will be added weekly!  

Visit my shop here.