Anniversary Sale

April 7th is the 2 year anniversary of my store on Etsy. To celebrate, all items are 20% off. I will refund the discounted amount through paypal. http://www.mycurlyred.etsy.com

Valentine's Day Drawing Winner

Congratulations to Christy Ivey Vansel. She is the Valentine's Day Drawing winner! She won the lovely blue bracelet pictured. Stay tuned for another contest coming soon!

Valentine's Day Contest Revision

Hey everyone. I don't usually do this, but I am going to change the rules on my Valentine's Day Contest.

When I started the contest my Facebook Fans were at 57. (We already have 15 new fans, Yay)! If I reach 100 Facebook Fans by Valentines day, instead of the 100th fan getting the prize, fans 58th - 100 will have their name put into a drawing. The fan whose name is drawn will get the prize.

This is my first contest. Sorry to change it, but we were only a couple of days into the contest and this just sounded more fair to me:)

Good luck and tell your friends:)

Become a Fan

In honor of Valentine's Day, my 100th Facebook fan will receive a free gift if they become a fan by Valentine's Day. Tell your friends!

Spring Handmade Boutique

My sister is organizing the Spring Handmade Boutique. I participated in the Fall Boutique and did very well. I plan to attend the spring one as well. If you are interested in participating you can find information at http://www.lamarhandmadeboutique.com/

Buying Handmade Part One

Last year I started reading the "Twilight" series by Stephanie Meyers. I was instantly addicted. I have since addicted friends and family, if they weren't already addicted. While shopping on Etsy I found the perfect Christmas card to send to my fellow Twilight addicts. I purchased the ones with Edward in a Santa cap, but if your a part of Team Jacob, they are available as well. Check out this great shop!http://www.etsy.com/shop/Kiru

Buying Handmade

This Christmas season, I am really trying hard to buy handmade. I will be honest and say that I haven't been able to do that 100%. (I had to order a meat and cheese gift box). But I am really trying. I have found many items on Etsy. And I did a boutique where I found one of my new favorite items. Over the next few days, or maybe weeks, I will be posting some of my favorites. It may be too late for Christmas, but keep these stores in mind for any future gift needs (including your own). I will only promote the ones I am 100% happy with. So hopefully, you won't have buyers remorse.
Stay Tuned:)

Lamar Handmade Botique

I will be at the Lamar Holiday Botique. If you are in the area, come by and say hi!

Send Me Your Pictures

I love knowing that someone who purchased a Curly Red item loves it. If you have an item you love. Send me a picture of yourself (or the person you purchased it for). Your picture could end up on my blog, Etsy store, or Facebook fan page:)

The picture that is posted with this post is one of my fellow artist, customer, and friend's sister. She makes a really good model. Thanks Ashley:)

Join My Team To Raise Money For Breast Cancer

Yesterday, I started a team with Lee Denim Day to raise money for Breast Cancer. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. I personally know three. Three years ago my friend Andrea was diagnosed while in her early thirties. My Aunt Cindy was also diagnosed. They are both doing well now. Many years ago, my Aunt Jo lost her battle.
The original concept is that if you paid $5 you can wear jeans to work on October 2nd. All proceeds go to benefit Women's Cancer Programs. You can choose to join our team, make a donation, or both. If you are interested, our team is Andie's Friends. Our team website is http://www.denimday.com/team_page.aspx?tid=236829.

Getting Ready For Fall

I am so excited! Fall is almost here. The weather is getting cooler, ball games are starting, the leaves are about to start changing. Fall has always been my favorite season of the year.
I have been making some new designs in jewelry, including wire wrapped earrings. They earrings are very pretty, but hard to photograph. That's always the hard part for me. If you get the chance check out the new items in my etsy store.
I am not going to do many shows this year. One I will be doing is the Artist Boutique in Lamar, MO. My sister is organizing the event. If you are interested check out this website. http://www.wix.com/ackentner/handmade

It is August

It is August. School starts in less than 3 weeks. It has been really crazy around here. But then, isn't it always. It's time to go school clothes shopping. And the dreaded school supply shopping. It's like a treasure hunt. I think some sadistic person came up with the list as sick form of entertainment at parent's expense. Maybe as payback for some badly behaved children in their previous classes. My son is in two-a-days. He is currently grounded from his car, but I wonder as I race to drop and pick him up multiple times daily - who am I really punishing?
I finally broke down and ordered a light kit. It arrived today. I was so excited. As it turned out, so were my cats. It looks much like the six dollar cube they received for Christmas a couple of years ago. I am hoping the kit will improve my pictures for my web-site. I took some tonight. So far, my out door pictures are still my favorites. Hopefully, I will get better at it.
I have managed to make and post a few items on Etsy. If you have a chance, stop by and check them out.
Take Care.

ArEtsy Christmas in July Sale

I am participating in ArEtsy (Arkansas Etsy Team) Christmas in July Sale. The sale is from July 6th - July 19th. The specials I am running during this sale includes: buy one get one half off on zipper pulls/bag charms. (The discount is applied to the lower priced charm), a clearance section and FREE SHIPPING. This is a great sale and a great time to purchase great Christmas gifts! For other great sales by Arkansas Etsy Team check out: http://aretsy.blogspot.com/
Happy shopping

Summer Is Here

Summer is here! Today when I went for my run I started thinking how kids can't wait for summer to arrive. They love it. I think it must be more about not being in school than the actual season. Summer is hot. Very hot. I have always been more of a fall person.
I have been working on a few new things for Curly Red. I have recently made a "Fan Page" on facebook. I signed up today for Google base, which hopefully helps internet surfers find my Etsy shop more easily. I am also going to start doing more trunk/home shows. I also have a couple of things planned for July..
Having mentioned all that, I am open to suggestions. If you have ideas or suggestions, please feel free to contact.
I hope everyone is having a great summer! I'll been posting again soon.

Yart Sale

I am participating in the Etsy second annual Yart Sale. The sale is from Wednesday, June 10th to Sunday, June 14th. When you go to my Etsy store, go to the "Yart Sale" section. Many items are 50% off. There are Twilight items on sale too. Remember, no matter how much you buy, shipping is just $2.50. :)

http://www.mycurlyred.etsy.com

It's Been Really Busy

I know I haven't posted in a while but it has been really busy around here. As usual work is crazy. I have had continuing education and my husband's big anniversary open house. Softball season is in full swing. With all the rain we have tons of make up games. For example next week the only day we don't have a game is Wednesday. And with ball season starting that includes my favorite special needs baseball team - A field of Angels. If you would like to read more about them visit http://www.afieldofangels.blogspot.com.
Thursday I attended my first "After Prom" meeting. This is kind of depressing because it doesn't seem like my baby boy should be old enough to go to prom next year. Oh and then there is my infamous spilled sprite zero on my laptop incident.(which is why I still don't have use of my comma key). A week without my computer and a few hundred dollars later my computer is better - not perfect but better.
On the upside I have made many new items. I then remembered I need my comma key to list them. So I ordered my new key board Thursday. I have also created a Facebook fan page. The link is listed on the side of my blog.
Anyway the purpose of this post is to let everyone know I really am trying to keep my goals of promoting more. It has just been crazier than usual around here.

A Field OF Angels

This weekend is bittersweet for me. I am so excited that this weekend is A Field of Angels first game. I am so dissapointed that I will be in Little Rock at continuing education. A Field of Angels is a baseball league for children with special needs. I heard Mark Brashears talk about his dream for the team at a PAA meeting. You know me, I felt compelled to help him. Now I am his right hand (wo)man. Not only is this great for the players, but for the volunteers that help. Check out our blog http://afieldofangels.blogspot.com. Our game schedule is posted on the blog. If you are in the area, please check out a game. I highly recommend it.

My Vintage Pearls

Today was my first day back at my day job after my vacation. When I came home I made my "milk jug light box" that I had read about in an Etsy forum. I have listed two items - both vintage faux pearl earrings. The earrings themselves are not vintage, but the pearls are. My great-grandmother, Isabell Blanchard (or Grandma B.) used to make beautiful, intricate, jewelry. I have a few of the pieces and treasure them. A few years ago, my grandmother (her daughter) gave me an ice cream bucket full of her unused beads. Recently, I have started using them in my jewelry. For Christmas, I made each of my sisters a bracelet and earring set with the pearls and their birthstones. I hope to do so for my nieces and other family members. It is kind of like handing down a little piece of our family that they can treasure for years and years to come.

New Goals For The New Year

Hello everyone!

Welcome to my new blog. My goal for 2009 is to really improve my business "Curly Red." I am planning on listing on my Etsy store and promoting more often. I am also going to try my hand at making a light box. I joined Twitter yesterday. Now, I just need to figure out all of these things out. Be patient with me this is all new to me.