Front Page again :)

This time it was our homemade Marshmallows! It truly was a well done collection of items...Such a wonderful honor <3

I feel so loved <3

We made it to the Front Page of etsy again yesterday! I was actually able to catch it while it was still up - such a rush! We did much better than the last time we were featured. We ended up with 35 sales yesterday, about 900 views and almost 100 new hearts! Loves it!



I also found out we are featured in our 3rd gift guide, holiday food gifts! http://www.etsy.com/gift-guides/holiday-food-gifts/257



What an incredibly first 6 weeks for us - I really can hardly comprehend it! We have SUCH big things in store for 2010, I can't wait to divulge details but for now I will have to leave you in suspense :) I will say we are currently working on some fantastic new items for Valentines Day that should be up in the shop mid-January. One will definitely be a new flavor of marshmallow that will replace the current peppermint ones so if you'd like to try those you only have a few weeks left!

What a month!

Sales have really taken off for us! I've been so overwhelmed with the response we've had on etsy...it's truly not taken for granted and I'm so thankful daily that this may actually turn into a 'real' job for me!

I of course had to splurge and use some of our profits to buy a few items...now I get to show off my new goodies! <3


A splash of hot pink business card case - $8, http://GracieDesigns.etsy.com


Follow Me thigh high stockings - $18, http://post.etsy.com


Sense and Sensibility quote pillow/sachet - $5, http://AnnasTrunk.etsy.com
(This one is the only to arrive thus far and is SO adorable and beautifully made, I can't believe it was only $5! It's hanging lovingly on my bathroom doorknob now)

Cheesecake Marshmallows!

Just made this morning - our first batch and they are DIVINE! I already know these are going to sell out before Christmas!



http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35064645

Whew!

What a week!

Tuesday we were featured on the FRONT PAGE of Etsy!!



[Not the actual Front Page photo - had to search the archives at craftopolis and find it]

I had no idea when it happened! I was at work and all of a sudden I logged in and saw we had a few sales and tons of convos. I was always interested in how much could come from shops being on the FP and this is what we saw:
500 visitors that day (we average 150)
20 sales (were seeing about 1-2 a day)
100 new shop hearts

So - yea - it was AWESOME!! That night was a little hectic getting everything all packaged and ready but I'd do it again in a heartbeat lol.

Baking Tip #1

I'm sure this is going to be very common knowledge with most folks but just in case I thought I'd share my massive brownie FAIL that occured mid-Hurricane Ida!

I wanted to try using our Mint Extract in a standard box brownie mix as an easy way to spice up the usual amazing fudge brownies...



The mix tasted delicious and as usual I probably ate about two servings of brownies in raw batter :)



28 minutes later they were perfectly done and I waited patiently to take them out of the pan...



Then I realized...that was not going to happen lol. I buttered the pan before I put the mix in but Chef Boyfriend informed me after the fact that I should have also rimmed the pan with flour....so I ate a decent amount with a fork then gave the rest to him to take down to his restaurant to let his staff devour :)



Oh well - guess I just have to make more this weekend!

Just made this morning!

Chocolate swirl marshmallows.

Enough said!



http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34293896

WOW!!!

So I woke up this morning to see that a item we just listed yesterday had an incredible amount of views (our mushroom oil). I checked craftcult.com to see if we had been featured anywhere and imagine my surprise when I see that two of our items have been featured in two different etsy gift guides! I've been on etsy for almost a year selling jewelry and I've never been in one so this is the best news I've received all week! Here are some screenshots (yes, I'm bragging and I'm sorry but I'm just so darn happy)!






Off to make some chocolate mint brownies with our mint extract - will post pics tonight!

Our first treasury!

Our homemade Vanilla marshmallows made it into the Treasury on Etsy! I'm so excited :)

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=74953

Love you etsy!

P.S. - We're in the midst of hurricane Ida. I have off the next two days and will be baking up a storm (ohhhh 'a storm'...get it,...I'm lame lol).

Come check out the shop if you haven't already and support my habit!
http://TheFoodSnob.etsy.com

Local Love

I decided to do some snooping on etsy and found some amazing etsians located in my very own town! I highly encourage you to do the same at some point - it's great seeing the local talent.


Butter yellow bridesmaid dress - $64.99, http://Entwife.etsy.com


Pink stripe adjustable dog collar - $12, http://emmaginables.etsy.com


Dark Princess Gold Cameo Necklace - $43, http://EdenGlitters.etsy.com


Hand-dyed silk-screened scarf - $18, http://plainbeautiful.etsy.com


Pink Rain Hood - $22, http://Wrapt.etsy.com

The Shop is Open!

I'm so excited that we were finally able to list a few products tonight! Look for dozens more new ones in the coming weeks but for now here is a small peek and what's in store :)


Lavender and Sea Salt Grinder - $7, http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33654992


Really, Really, good Hot Chocolate mix - $15, http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33666315


Citrus, Lemon and Lime, Extract - $6, http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33662601

Herbs, Sugar Scrubs and Food Snob!

It's been a very busy week already! My herbs are doing well...I have (left to right) Thyme, Parsley, Basil and Rosemary...they smell divine!



I started from seed mint (on the left) and lavender. The lavender is doing well but the mint hasn't come up yet :( The package did say to start it inside, and covered, for 10 days but I kept hearing how quickly it grows and takes over yards so I figued it would be fine. Any tips on how I should handle this would be appreciated! I'm tempted to bring it in now but not sure if it would mess it up.



Made the most amazing vanilla and brown sugar scrub for my bath time :) I really liked that it was simple and using mostly ingredients that I already had in my pantry. To fill the 8 oz jar (got at hobby lobby) I used:

1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar in the raw (I just used regular sugar)
1/2 tsp Vitamin e oil
1/4 cup olive oil
10 drops of vanilla essential oil

I think next time I may use some other oil aside from olive...the aroma from the oil was nice but overpowered the vanilla. You could really use any scent you wanted - the original recipe I got called for lavender oil but I'm a sucker for vanilla.

And yes - I did try a bit to eat lol. It was yummy :)



Finally - a sneak preview of some Food Snob products! The shop should be open on Monday and I'm soooo excited! These are some of the herb grinders we're going to sell :) http://TheFoodSnob.etsy.com

Shop Grand Opening - Nov. 2nd!

I'm sooo excited we're finally close to opening up the shop! We just finished putting the first round of products into their respective bottles & bags last night and will be working nightly on the shop until it's opening.

I can't wait to show off what we've been working on and hope that you all will be as excited about our little store as we are :)

Stay tuned - there may be a discount code offered sometime for the grand opening week ;)

http://TheFoodSnob.etsy.com

Fabulous Finds for Under $20!

I *love* a good deal, especially on etsy! I'm addicted to buying handmade and it's unusual for a week to go by and me not purchase at least one small item from my ever-growing favorites list. I think I may have to puruse etsy further today at work and make a special purchase :)


Build your own Tinysaur - $7, from http://kfarrell.etsy.com
* I think this would both delight and frustrate me at the same time, but I have to try it!!


16 oz ceramic mug - $18, from http://TwistedRiverClay.etsy.com
* I adore ceramic work and this is just one of the many reasonably priced pieces in their shop


Monogram wine glass - $18, from http://WineWhimsy.etsy.com
* I LOVE black & pink and can't paint to save my life so even though I don't drink wine I'm so in love with this chic idea!


Eye Chart Brooch - $15, from http://TillyBloom.etsy.com
* For some reason what the brooch says just CRACKS me up! It also comes as a necklace :)


Buy 5 Goats Milk/Glycerin Soaps and get one FREE! - $25, from http://HeathensHearth.etsy.com
* I can personally say I've tried about a dozen of their products and loved EVERY one of them! Best of all they have a sale this weekend for 25% off your order! So that brings the cost of 6 soaps down to 18.75 + shipping. Can you say stocking stuffers???

My birthday weekend...

So I started off Friday night with some friends at the house consuming my favorite drink...



Then migrated to the best bar downtown...



And eventually got a bit too drunk and had a massive amount of fun (me on the left - usually not so intoxicated in appearance!)



My actual birthday day (sat) was spent eating chocolate chip pancakes, lounging around the house, eating delicious chili and finishing the day off with hot chocolate and cuddling on the balcony ... I love this weather <3

It's my party and I'll shop if I want to!

So....I'm turning the big 2-6 this weekend! Not sure exactly what I'll be doing to celebrate, probably having a few drinks with friends Friday night and spending the day Saturaday with the boy and possibly family <3 Dew Drops, Tiny Sterling Silver Hoops - $15, http://bloomstudios.etsy.com/

Double Shot Espresso Cup and Saucer, $14 - http://ofminedesign.etsy.com/

Oyster in Shiney Black, $120 - http://morelle.etsy.com/

Eco-Friendly Reusable Lunch Trio, $16 - http://crafttwins.etsy.com/

Wallet, Some Bitch Stole my Lunch Money, $15 - http://dayler.etsy.com/

Pride and Prejudice Ornament, $7 - http://brookish.etsy.com/

Up and Coming Sellers on Etsy

I *love* finding shops on etsy that are just getting into the swing of things (under 200 sales in my opinion) but already have stellar items and feedback. These are just a few of my favorite shops and I hope you enjoy these future etsy superstars as much as I do!


Long, hooded, 3/4 sleeve top - $47. http://OneLoveCreations.etsy.com

Mug set for lovers - $24, http://LennyMud.etsy.com

Upcycled personal flask - $25, http://StrangeandViolent.etsy.com

Witch's Brew Natural Clary Sage Soy Candle - $14, http://PlunkSoap.etsy.com

The Morticia Necklace/Scarflette - $35, http://GlenandConstance.etsy.com

Yummy Halloween!

As usual I'm bored and starving at work so I thought I'd share some of the unnaturally yummy looking Halloween themed treats I've found on etsy lately <3


18 Gourmet Marshmallows $15 - http://miaMallows.etsy.com

Chocolate Candy Corn Bark $7 - http://pinkFairySweets.etsy.com

Pumpkin Ginger Sandwhich Cookies $8.25 - http://whimsyandspice.etsy.com

Scaramels Halloween Caramels $20 - http://haveitconfections.etsy.com

Pumpkin Cake Cookies with Brown Sugar Glaze $8.99 - http://BlissCandies.etsy.com

Pumpkin Oatmeal Banana Bread $9 - http://FancyThatCookie.etsy.com