Treasures by Tina

Half Off Sale!!!

2009-11-28T13:39:00.000-08:00

I'd love to sell some of my photography and photo note card sets. As an incentive, everything in the photography section is half off before shipping! These make great gifts, so don't miss out! Enjoy! Just mention "NOV28" when you place your order and I'll send a refund.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TreasuresByTina?section_id=5151912

Holiday Boutique!

2009-11-11T10:34:00.000-08:00

I have a big seven foot table and I'll be filling it with more hand sewn pillows made with rescued designer fabrics from Fabmo.org, needlepoint pincushions and ornaments, note cards, and more!

Come visit me!

(click the flyer below for a map to the school)

Fun Day!

2009-10-30T16:17:00.000-07:00

What a great day it was! I saw SO much creativity and met such great people! I also sold a bunch of my pendants, pillows, note cards, and gift tags...all made with items I got from Fabmo.org! :)

Fabmo's First Annual Craft Exhibit and Sale!

2009-10-20T11:50:00.000-07:00

Come visit me on Saturday, October 24, 2009, at Fabmo's first annual Craft Exhibit and Sale in Menlo Park, CA! I got a big table there and it will be filled with all the hand-sewn pillows I created using the fabric samples and trims I got from the kind folks at Fabmo.org.

See you there! :)

Fabmo Art Exhibit and Sale October 24th!

2009-10-19T14:29:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! The first annual Fabmo Art Exhibit and Sale is this Saturday, October 24, at the Quadrus Conference Center in Menlo Park.

I got an 8' table to sell my hand sewn pillows, note cards, and hair scrunchies...all made with items I got from Fabmo giveaways. I've been sewing like crazy and will have LOTS of pillows to choose from. (I'm still wrestling with pricing.)

Come visit me on Saturday, and check out all the wonderful goodies people have created with items they received from Fabmo!

New Etsy Shop listings!

2009-09-15T16:34:00.000-07:00

I've been terrible about posting here! :(

I just listed a bunch of new stuff in my Etsy shop. Come take a peek, will ya?

Soy! At Last!

2009-06-20T16:15:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to announce that my treasure candles are now made with soy, rather than paraffin! Even the additives are plant-based!

Each candle contains items hidden inside that are revealed as the candle burns, such as crystals, charms, beads, stones, and coins! Here's a sample of the colors available:

Come take a peek!

June Photo Contest

2009-06-16T14:16:00.000-07:00

Aw! No comments? At ALL? I guess we don't may a May drawing winner. Drat!

Well, for June, how about a more fun contest?

As you know, I recently adopted THE cutest puppy ever. (In my humble opinion) She (Juliet) and my cat (Romeo) are slowly becoming friends, finally! Juliet loves to pounce on Romeo and torture the heck out of him until he finally starts wrestling with her. They very briefly stopped, probably to breathe!, and I managed to snap the picture below:

"A Tenuous Peace"

And now the this month's contest...

Send me YOUR photo of two different species from the animal kingdom getting along. I'll post all the submissions here, then at the end of the month, I'll pick my favorite one to receive a special gift from either my Etsy shop or my Artfire shop. (Links to both shops are in the left hand column on this web page.)

So send me your photos! (They must be taken by YOU.)

And the Winner of My December Drawing Is...

2009-05-08T15:16:00.000-07:00

OK, OK. I know I'm just a wee bit late on this, but better late than never. Right? The winner of my December 2009 drawing is.... Emily!!! She has selected the set of eight note cards with the dandelion on the front. Congratulations, Emily!

I guess we'll skip the February through April drawings and get back on track this month.

The prize for my May drawing will be a set of my note cards. You can view all the sets to choose from in my Etsy shop by clicking here. So don't forget to leave a comment to be entered!

Happy Friday...at last!!!

Stumbling Around

2009-05-04T12:35:00.000-07:00

Hello, and Happy 2009! Boy have I been unmotivated! The year started with my old kitty, Balthasar, slowly deteriorating. He finally passed away later in January. I had him for 15 years, and his passing was really rough on me.

Romeo, my other kitty, got so lonely I decided to get a new pet. This time, I chose a four month old puppy, figuring he'd eventually enjoy playing with her and I'd finally get some much-needed exercise while taking her for frequent walks. Well, I'm getting lots of exercise, but Romeo isn't particularly keen yet on his new sister, Juliet. I got her at the Palo Alto Animal Services shelter in Palo Alto, CA. They believe she's Pomeranian/Chihuahua/Terrier. Does that make her a Pomchiter? Heehee! She currently weighs around 5 pounds and is expected to grow to somewhere around 10 or 15 pounds. Here are a few pics of my new baby. She's brought so much joy to my life!

If anyone has any suggestions for house-training a puppy, I'm all ears! (She shreds Wee-Wee pads)

Pin Cushion Ornaments

2008-12-29T10:02:00.000-08:00

Whew! I survived Christmas! I hope you all survived your holiday festivities too.

As usual, I've been having all sorts of fun making new things. My latest items are pin cushion ornaments. I did all the needlepoint and sewed each ornament together by hand. (The rose ones are about 3 1/2" across.) A woman I met at a craft fair recently said these would make great (and functional) decorations all year round for people's craft and sewing areas. (Click to see more detail)

Your opinion is important to me! What do you think? Before I list them in Etsy and Art Fire, how do you think I should price them? And should I offer them in sets or individually?

And don't forget, your comment enters you in my monthly drawing. :)

Have a great day!

I Just Joined Art Fire

2008-12-09T06:37:00.000-08:00

I've decided to branch out. So now in addition to my website (www.treasuresbytina.com) and my Etsy shop (treasuresbytina.etsy.com), I now have a studio at Art Fire (treasuresbytina.artfire.com).

At Art Fire, there's a special going on where you can pay a fixed fee of $7/month for unlimited listings. There are no other fees! I couldn't believe it! I've been listing all sorts of items, and will list more one of a kind items that are not in my Etsy shop or on my website, so check it out!

If you're interested in registering, just click here: Register on ArtFire.com

Have a great day! :)

And the Winner of My November Drawing Is...

2008-12-08T12:15:00.000-08:00

Head Bitch in Charge!

I love that name! :p

Head Bitch in Charge will be receiving a set of my scented soaps!

Please be sure to visit her shop on Etsy where you'll find all sorts of sewn items such as aprons, place mats, and oven mitts.

And you can view her blog at: http://homedeconomics.blogspot.com/

For my December drawing...

The prize will be a set of my note cards. You can view all the sets to choose from in my Etsy shop by clicking here. So don't forget to leave a comment to be entered!

Etsy Bloggers Holiday Sale

2008-11-27T18:23:00.000-08:00

I'm a member of the Etsy Bloggers Team and we're having a sale! Click this banner for a complete list of all the participating Etsy shops:

The special offer in my shop through December 1, 2008 is 20% off everything before shipping. (I will refund the 20% via Paypal).

Please visit the Treasures by Tina shop at Etsy to see all I have to offer.

Happy holidays!

P.S. Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered into my monthly drawing. ;)

Campbell Holiday Faire

2008-11-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

I had a table at yesterday's Holiday Craft Faire at the Campbell (California) Recreation Department. The set up was great, and there were a few crowded times, however sales weren't great. I enjoyed myself, however, and met some nice vendors and shoppers.

One vendor came over and said he loved my booth sign, then suggested I start selling my sign-making services. (I designed the sign myself, printed it on 11 x 17 paper, then laminated it.) At the time I just laughed, then I started seriously thinking about it.

Here's a closer sample image, so you can get a better look:

Question:
What do you think? Is this something people are looking for? Should I start selling a sign-making/design service on Etsy? If so, what should I charge per sign?

Don't forget to enter my monthly drawing by leaving a comment.

UPDATE...

After doing some research and getting some feedback, I've decided to give custom sign-making a whirl!

Treasure It Forward

2008-11-09T09:33:00.000-08:00

I am a proud member of the Etsy Bloggers street team, and they are currently doing a Treasure It Forward project, where all the members who signed up take turns receiving a traveling box of goodies. As each person receives it, they can take all the goodies they want that others contributed to the box, then add anything they care to. Then the box is mailed to the next person on the list. So the only cost to each person in postage.

My turn recently came up. When I received the box, here's all the cool stuff it contained:

Talk about fun! It was like Christmas! I kept a number of neat things, and I got to do a little destashing too. :)

Can't wait for the next time I get to participate in something like this.

Question:
Have you ever participated in a project light this? How did you like it?

Don't forget to enter my monthly drawing by leaving a comment.

Come Visit Me in Campbell, California on Saturday!

2008-11-05T10:46:00.000-08:00

I've got a table at this weekend's Campbell Holiday Craft Faire. Come check it out, do some holiday shopping, and meet ME!

My table will feature my hand sewn pillows, note cards, flower pens, and more! :)

And the Winner of My October Drawing Is...

2008-11-03T09:26:00.000-08:00

ArtbyMAR!!!

She is the lucky winner of a set of my note cards!

Please congratulate her by visiting her Etsy shop and her blog. Here's a sampling of what's in her shop:

For my November drawing, the prize will be a set of three 2 oz. bars of my scented glycerin soaps - one in each scent!

To enter the drawing, just leave a comment on any of my November posts. Good luck! :)

No Halloween is complete without this!

2008-10-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

I'm a member of the EtsyBloggers Team, and we periodically write about certain themes. This time it's spooky/scary stuff, so I thought I'd introduce this...

Looking for something really unique for your Halloween decor?

This is my skull treasure candle. As it burns, hidden treasures, such as crystals, stones, and charms will be revealed.

Mwahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!

Seven Random Facts

2008-10-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Nicaeli! This means I have to reveal seven random facts about myself, then tag someone else to do the same. So here goes...

1. I'm afraid of spiders. I think the older I get, the more creepy experiences I've had with spiders, so the fear just perpetuates. Here's the worst: My brother stepped on the back end of one of those hairy, dark brown, quarter-sized spiders, and it's front end reared up in the air, it's mouth opened wide, and this little squeaky noise came out! Talk about fodder for nightmares! :((

2. I'm a total slob. I have stacks of craft supplies and packing materials everywhere in my little 756 sq ft place. And there are stacks of papers all around my desk, since I keep putting it all off. It's a total disaster! Fortunately, my cats (Balthasar and Romeo) don't seem to mind. :D

3. I'm a bit of a geek. I actually designed a couple of websites using html CODE, before I learned how to use Dreamweaver. It's a really geeky thing to do, but it was a great education!

4. I watch too much TV. I love ER, watch nearly every episode of Days of Our Lives, and enjoy A&E, Discovery, TLC, and Animal Planet. Yay, DVR!!! At least I'm usually sewing while I watch. :D

5. I love my kitties! I've always been a cat person. Right now I've got Romeo (age 8) and Balthasar (age 15). I can't imagine a life with no cats. They're my babies! (There's a pic of them in my Tahoe post below)

6. My next cat might be a dog. I know, I'm a cat person! But I've recently met some really cute little dogs that were part chihuahua. If I could find one with soft fur, I might just adopt it. They actually are more interested in snuggling in my lap for long periods of time than my cats are. And I can take them out with me for walks and on little road trips etc. Now if I can just be sure Romeo won't play too rough with a doggy who's smaller than he is...?

7. I long to support myself by doing something I love. Right now, I don't sell NEARLY enough on Etsy or on my website to pay the bills, so I have a day job as a secretary at a local school district office. I love the people, but typing all day doesn't exactly make my heart sing. People keep saying I should market my stuff more, but I haven't figured out how! :(( Any suggestions?

OK. That's the first seven random facts that popped into my head. How'd I do?

A Gift from a Squirrel?

2008-10-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

First off, I live in a condo that's three floors up from the ground. Secondly, I've seen squirrels come down the wall from the roof (I'm on the top floor) to my deck, just like Spider Man.

This morning, I went out to water my plants and found this weird thing in one of the pots. My first thought was that it was a big, dried up banana slug. But those don't really hang out here in Mountain View, CA. Then I thought it was a big poop. But how the heck would THAT get up here?!

Upon closer examination (I finally touched it), I found that it was a somewhat chewed up seed pod. I really wish I had witnessed Spider Squirrel staggering down the wall with THAT hanging out of his mouth! Silly squirrel!

I wonder if it will sprout? And what exactly it will grow into?

A Question for You...

2008-10-13T11:07:00.000-07:00

OK. I've got a question for you all: Why don't my photo note cards sell well?

My listings show which photos are in each set, so people know what they'll be getting. (You can click the image above and see the listings.) And I think the photos are all very clear. What am I doing wrong? Is the price too high perhaps? What can I do differently?

I'd really appreciate your honest opinion on this.

Remember that your response will enter you into my monthly drawing! ;)

And the Winner of My September Drawing Is...

2008-10-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

... Nicaeli !

She posted a response to my baseball game question and has won a set of my note cards! :) Nicaeli has a wonderful Etsy shop called Nicaeli Designs, featuring wallets made with recycled leather and other very unique items. Here's a screen shot from her shop. Just click and you can check out all her wonderful creations...

For October...

I'm offering the same drawing. So just respond to any of the questions I pose in any of my October posts (like my Tina Goes to Tahoe post below), and you're entered to win a set of my note cards!

Have a great day! :)

Tina Goes to Tahoe!

2008-10-10T10:32:00.000-07:00

I've visited Tahoe with my family off and on since I was five years old. I love it! We rent a cabin right on the water, so we can hear it and nothing blocks the incredible view.

This time, I was there with my dad and my brother. Here are a few pics:

Me on the breakwater.

The sun is setting.

We're not sure what this is. Marmot? Mink? Marten?

While I was there, I made a bunch of needlepoint pincushion
ornaments to sell at upcoming holiday faires.

A wonderful Tahoe sunset.

My Welcome Home Committee! :-)

I hope you enjoyed my photos. :)

Now here are a few opinion questions, if you've got a minute:

1. Would people buy the sunset photos on Etsy (in higher resolution, of course)?

2. How much should I charge for the ornaments I'm going to sell at holiday faires?

3. What the heck is that critter?!

All-American Past-Time

2008-09-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

Last week, my friend Mike and I went to an Oakland A's game. We try to go at least once each season, and since the seats were only $2 (before all the silly service charges) and hot dogs were $1, we couldn't resist!

I love watching baseball live and in person. All the people to watch, the view of the stadium, the smells of garlic fries, hot dogs, nachos...

And the game got pretty exciting toward the end, with the A's winning in the bottom of the 9th! YAY!!!

Here's our self-portrait:

Have you even been to a baseball game? What was your favorite thing about it?

Talk to Me and Win a Prize

2008-09-15T11:59:00.000-07:00

I'm finding that you all seem a tad shy about talking to me, so I've decided to offer an incentive.

Respond to any question in any of my September posts in this blog through September 30th and be entered to win a FREE set of my photo note cards (You can view all my note cards by clicking on the image to the right). The drawing will be held at the beginning of October, and the winner will be notified AND featured here in my blog!

Your opinion is important to me, so please talk to me! :-)

My First Collaboration

2008-09-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to share this with you! A couple weeks ago, while perusing Etsy's Alchemy section, I came across someone looking for photography to feature in her scrabble tile pendants. I responded, we made an arrangement, and voila! Studio66 makes wonderful pendants, and I'm honored to see my photography featured in her work.

Just click this image and check 'em out:

Have you ever collaborated? If so, what was the final product? And how was the experience for you?

Taste of Saratoga

2008-09-14T15:27:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! My first big art and wine festival is this Saturday, September 20, in Saratoga, CA! If you're in the area, please come by and visit me.

Here's the flyer I created (click it to see a larger version)...

Have you ever sold at a large event? This one's my first biggie, so if you've got any tips, tricks, suggestions, please leave them in my comments section to share.

I think I'm going to buy a director's chair, so I can see over my table stuff when I'm sitting down. Good idea?

Have a great day!

EEEK!!!

2008-09-10T11:23:00.000-07:00

OK. I must admit, I'm a tad arachnophobic. (Did I spell that right?)

I do, however, appreciate the beauty of a critter in it's natural environment. So when I was coming home from a late Board of Education meeting last night and saw a huge spider on a spectacular web in the hallway outside my front door, I couldn't resist running in to grab my camera. The spider was way up over my head, so out of 20 attempts, I managed one fairly clear photo. Here's what I came up with, in regular color and stylized. The last one is stylized, but more close up. What do you think? Which one do you prefer? Should I zoom in more? Should I offer one or both in my shop as a print? Or a note card?

To view a larger version of any of these, just click the image.

The more opinions, the better!

New Earrings for a Good Cause

2008-09-06T11:24:00.000-07:00

I think we all have connections to breast cancer in one way or another. Either you've had it yourself, or know and love someone who has. In my case, my grandmother had breast cancer and a mastectomy many years ago. More recently, my mom had it too. Hers was found so early, it was barely noticeable in the mammogram. (Thanks SO much to a very observant doctor!) She just had a lumpectomy and radiation and has been cancer-free for several years. Now, because both Mom and Grandma had a hereditary form of post-menopausal cancer, and I had to have a total hysterectomy several years ago, I'm VERY apt to also get this form of cancer. It's a pretty scary thought, but I get mammograms every year, so I know I'll survive it, if and when it hits me.

The challenge I featured in my last post inspired me to do a little something to help out. I've created these cute earrings and plan to donate $2.00 per pair purchase to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. I'm offering ten pairs, so if I sell them all, I'll be donating $20. I wish I could do more, but I'm so broke now. :(

If you would like to purchase these earrings, please click the image of them above.

Or if you would like to donate directly to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, just click here.

And don't forget to examine yourself regularly!

Have a great day! :)

Show Us Your Boobies!

2008-09-04T10:23:00.000-07:00

OK. Not technically. :p

(I got that line from a really bad, but funny, horror flick called "Psyclops".)

A couple of Etsy folks I know (Sarahinflorida and MissKnits) are holding a creative challenge on Etsy in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is in October.

Here's what they had to say:
Here's the deal..... You must create something new (not already made or listed) that is Booby themed. It can be anything you want! (pasties, bras, maybe a nipple hat?) But it must be made and listed by 5pm etsy time on September 20th. You may create more than one item for this challenge - but only one can be submitted for votes. You also must agree, that if you sell your item (or items) that the proceeds are donated to the Susan G Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. This Challenge is not about winning this time, its about giving back! My mother is a breast cancer survivor, and i think most of us know a love one who has gone through this! From September 20th, til noon Sunday September 28th, we will keep a thread going with all our entries, so people can come in and vote on them and hopefully support the cause and buy! Everyone will be allowed 1 vote! However,for everyone of your items that sell you will get another 5 votes. (hope that makes sense) Because again, you can make more than one item for this challenge! We do have a prize for the winner! to be announced! This is an open contest! Anyone and everyone is welcome to enter! There will be no cutoff, because this is for charity! So lets make it huge and get a lot of donations! So Who's in?

This is a wonderful cause, so please check out the Etsy forum thread and participate if you can.

Have a great day!

P.S. This just in... MissKnits says your challenge item can also be pink or pink ribbon-themed. :)

I Love.....

2008-09-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

Purple!!!

Can you tell? It's in my banner (above), my product labels and biz cards, the backgrounds of some of my product photos, and a number of the items I've created (below).

(Johnny Jump Up photo) (Grapefruit and Peppermint Bath Salts)

Treasure candles...
(Each candles has charms, crystals, and stones hidden inside)

I'd thought my favorite colors were burgundy and forest green, but when I'm creating things, I seem to be leaning toward dark purple. Verrrrry interesting!

Tulip's Treasure Box

2008-08-31T10:05:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm featuring another Etsy shop owner and fellow member of Etsy Bloggers...

Lily, owner of Tulip's Treasure Box and fellow member of Etsy Bloggers, has a wonderful variety of treasures, including tote bags made from recycled T-shirts and intricately-beaded jewelry. Here's a small sampling of her wares:

You can also check out Lily's blog called Tulip's Talking. You'll see posts on a variety of subjects, such as travel and her creative hobbies. The the photography is spectacular!

So please come explore all that Tulip's Treasure Box has to offer to you.

Have a great day!

Spring Cleaning Time

2008-08-28T14:48:00.000-07:00

I know it's not really Spring any more, but I've never been on the same schedule as everyone else. So why should this be any different? :p

I've decided it's time to narrow my focus a bit, and tidy up my shop. To accomplish this, I decided to create a Clearance section in my Etsy store. Everything has been marked down, so grab it while you can!

Here's a sampling of the items you'll find. (Just click the image to visit my Clearance section):

Stinky Feet

2008-08-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

Today, I've decided to feature the new Etsy treasury one of my online buddies, MFCrafts, got today. With the weather so hot here in Northern California, the idea of bare feet (preferably not of the stinky variety!) is very appealing! Here's the treasury:

To check out this cool treasury, and give it some love, just click the image. And to visit MFCraft's shop, just click her shop name.

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie!

2008-08-25T12:48:00.000-07:00

From time to time, I hope to feature a shop I really like. Today's featured shop is MiniPlants.

I've always loved really detailed miniatures, and am even building (very slowly) and 1":1' scale dollhouse. Eventually, I plan to collect really nice miniatures for it, and this shop has just the type of quality I'm looking for. I can't wait until I'm ready to start mini-shopping!

I think what got me started on this project is CSI: Las Vegas...believe it or not! The miniature room tableaus in the "miniature killer" episodes were amazing! Here are some snaps I found on the internet to give you an idea of what I'm talking about:

Howard Family Reunion

2008-08-22T20:20:00.000-07:00

Here's a totally non-business post, just to change things up a bit...

On Saturday, August 16, 2008, (which also happened to be my birthday) I attended the Howard Family Reunion in San Jose, CA. (The Howard branch of my family descended from George Washington Howard and his wife Georgia.)

There were about twenty-four of us there, which was a nice size for my parents' backyard. We had a ton of food and it was really nice reconnecting with relatives I don't see very often. And all my little cousins are so cute!

It took me a few attempts at the names because things get a little confusing here and there, but here's a photo of the group (just click on it to zoom in)...

Swirly Treasury on Etsy!!!

2008-08-22T14:04:00.000-07:00

As all my fellow Etsyians know, getting a treasury on the main Treasury is REALLY tough, so I'm really excited to announce...

I got one!!! Woohoo!!!

I love spirals and swirls, and there were so many beautiful ones, it was really tough choosing my favorites!

This treasury expires on the morning of Monday, August 25th. So if you get a chance, please take a peek, and maybe leave a comments and some clicks, will you?
(Just click on the image here --->>>)

Have a wonderfully swirly day!

Etsy Bloggers Featured on the Storque!

2008-08-21T17:43:00.000-07:00

I recently joined the Etsy Bloggers street team, a group of bloggers from around the world. I haven't been very involved yet, but my involvement is increasing, I'm happy to say.

Recently this team was honored by a Spotlight article on Etsy's Storque. We're so excited! To read the article, just click on the image (which was on Etsy's front page!) above.

Gamble Gardens

2008-08-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

As you may have noticed, I love flowers... Alot! Yesterday, I went for a walk during my lunch break over to Gamble Gardens (in Palo Alto, CA). So much was blooming, I couldn't help but take a bunch of photos. Here are a few of my favorites:

I'm toying with the idea of creating some new note card sets using some of the photos I took. I'm thinking of the following themed sets: Sunflowers, Dahlias, and possibly a mixture of flowers.

What do you think? Would any of these sets be of interest to you? Would you like to suggest a different set of cards? (Each set consists of eight cards, two each of four images)

Have a great day!

Flower Pens

2008-08-14T13:50:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I thought it was time to add some color to my blog, by introducing you to my flower pens. I made them all by hand, and the pens I use are Bic Round Stic Medium Point.

I've had a lot of fun looking through all the silk flowers in the shops I go to, then choosing only the very nicest ones for my pens.

I hope you enjoy them, and that they bring a little light and color into your life.

Cheers!

SF Etsy is Featured on the Storque!

2008-08-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

Looks like my San Francisco area Etsy street team, known at SF Etsy, has finally made the big time! (Well, sort of.)

We are so honored to be featured in an Etsy Storque article today! Just click here to read about us.

We had so much fun at our first Handcrafter Faire in Los Gatos, we're having another one in November. You can read a recap of our first faire by clicking here. Jen Johnson, of BF Beads, was kind enough to put it together for us. Thanks Jen!

I'm Famous!

2008-08-09T05:31:00.000-07:00

Heather, also known as "MooseBerryHill" on Etsy, featured my shop during her online radio show yesterday! I knew she was going to mention Treasures by Tina, but she went far beyond that and described my shop, announcing my first Etsyversary. It was really nice! And I enjoyed listening to her show, where she chatted with a fellow crafter named Bunny about crafting, family, and more. It was very entertaining! :)

Thanks so much Heather/MooseBerryHill!

I'm Shop of the Week!

2008-08-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

I just found out I was selected as Shop of the Week on the Naptime Crafts blog! I feel so honored! You can read her post about me here: http://naptimecrafts.blogspot.com/ Please visit Naptime's shop. She's got wonderful cards, tags, and knitted items!

And now for my newest pillow. I just finished this cutie last night:

Once again, I stitched this by hand, using repurposed designer fabric (and tassel!) samples.

Have a wonderful day!

Opinions, Please...

2008-08-07T10:32:00.000-07:00

Today I'm asking for your opinion.

As you know, I've been hand sewing pillows using repurposed designer fabric samples. People seem to like them, but I haven't sold any yet.

Why is this? Do I need to adjust the pricing up or down? Are the colors or styles not popular?

To take a look at my pillows, just click the image and you'll be taken directly to my Etsy shop so you can see full item descriptions and closeups.

I'd really appreciate as many opinions as I can get on this.

Have a wonderful day! :)

Dining By Candlelight

2008-08-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

“The candle’s bright.
It’s just been lit.
At the table it’s time to sit.”
CMA

“By the peaceful light of the candles,
The family dines calmly in silence.”
CMA

Ah, the light of a candle…

Who doesn’t love the soothing, peaceful feeling that arises when a candle is burning? Candlelight can set a mood unlike any other form of light. My parents always burned candles at the dining room table at meal-time when I was a child. It was a small daily ritual: First, my father would get the matches down from the top of the fridge, where they were safe from us little ones. Then he lit the candles, blew out the match, and tossed it in the kitchen sink. Next, he turned down the overhead lights. Once this happened, we knew Mom would bring our plates of food out shortly. The light was relaxing to us at the end of the day, and it signified the beginning of the calm of the evening. Candlelight at the dinner table encouraged us to slow down, unwind, and savor every bite of our food.

In addition to the lighting provided by the candles on the dining room table, the candles were a part of the décor even when they were not burning. My mother always placed the candles in decorative holders, which were usually surrounded by freshly cut flowers from the garden. Her choice of candle color varied with the season and the rest of the décor, as she always tried to coordinate them with the flowers and place settings on the table. As the dining room was in the front of the house, this was the first thing visitors always saw when they walked in the front door… A warm, inviting space.

Tina’s Tip: Always place your candles on something that will protect your furniture from drips and stains from the wax dye. A small saucer will usually do the trick.

It's My First Etsyversary!

2008-08-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

Woohoo! August 4th was my first anniversary at Etsy. (I like to call it my Etsyversary.)

To celebrate, I'm offering YOU a ...

*************** SPECIAL OFFER!!! **************
I joined Etsy on August 4, 2007.

To celebrate my first Etsyversary, through Friday, August 8th, buy any two of my hand-sewn pillows and receive a set of my notecards FREE!!! (Just add your choice of notecards, normally priced at $10, in the notes section when you order and I'll include them. :)
*************************************************

Here are the pillows I've created so far:

And here are the photo notecard sets (each set contains two each of four different images):

For more photos or information on any of these items, just click the picture.

Have a wonderful day!

My Latest Pillow

2008-08-01T20:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I just finished yet another pillow.

This one is light yellow with darker yellow bands. I sewed it by hand, using repurposed designer fabrics. I hope you like it. :)

I'm really enjoying creating these. I love rooting through my big stash of designer fabric samples from Fabmo to pick out the material I want to use for my next project. It also feels really good knowing I'm repurposing/recycling items that would otherwise be thrown away. Thanks Fabmo for rescuing all these wonderful materials!

Light Up Your Bath

2008-07-30T20:42:00.000-07:00

"The candle is glowing, the warm water flowing.
As the tub fills, the bubbles form hills.
It’s time to get in, the water’s up to my chin.
My cares melt away, I wish I could stay!"
CMA

A candle can be a wonderful addition to your bath routine. I find that lighting a small pillar candle then turning off the overhead lighting creates a very relaxing atmosphere.
The light is warm, gentle, and soothing. Combine that with some bubbles in the tub, and you really can’t help but relax! (It is a good idea to run the exhaust fan or open a window whenever an open flame is present.)

Have you ever meditated on a candle flame? Ten or 15 minutes are all you need. Once your bath has been drawn and the bubbles added, light a candle and place it at the foot of the tub. Just before stepping into the bath, switch off the overhead lights. Once settled in the tub, allow your breathing to calm and slow. Focus on the candle flame and take a few slow, deep breaths and allow your mind to clear. Just observe the flame. It is so simple; so primal. If you find your mind wandering back to the day’s stressors, just gently direct your thoughts back to the flame. After a short time, all the stresses and worries from your day will have gently melted away and you will be overtaken by a wonderful calm.

I recently received this kind note and the photo you see above from a loyal customer:

"Dear Tina,
I was given one of your wonderful treasure candles last year and thoroughly enjoyed lighting it each evening as I fell into my bubble bath to soak away the day. The lovely treasures gradually appearing are such fun... I’m collecting these pretty charms, crystals, and stones in a glass swan on my bath counter... I was so happy to find your website so that I can continue this wonderful tradition. This shows my second candle. And, I have a third treasure candle for when this one is finished. Believe me, some days your candle and my tub are the best part of the day! Thank you!!
Sue in San Jose , CA ."

Watermelon, Anyone?

2008-07-28T00:04:00.000-07:00

As usual, once I start something, I have trouble stopping. I began this pillow yesterday and just finished. :p

As with my first pillow, this one is hand-sewn using repurposed designer fabrics I received from Fabmo. The color makes me think "watermelon".
Stay tuned for my next creation...

Handcrafter Faire - Los Gatos, CA - July 26, 2008

2008-07-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I participated in the Handcrafter Faire, along with ten other venders -- all members of the SF Etsy Street Team. This event was very generously hosted by Linda, of Linda Davis Designs, at her home in Los Gatos. She's standing on the left in this photo.

I had a great time meeting everyone and learning about their crafts. I even found out what "Waldorf" was and how needle felting was done! I just might try needle felting. It sounds fascinating. Here's the entire group:

I even made a few sales! Here's my booth (and me!):

The weather was great, though a tad warm, but we were all in the shade, so we were fine. Here are a couple more photos of the Faire. We had so much fun, Linda's even thinking of hosting us again soon! :)

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

2008-07-25T08:07:00.000-07:00

I've always enjoyed taking pictures. Maybe that comes from having a professional photographer for a father. I got my first camera when I was a kid -- a Kodak Instamatic -- and I've been taking pictures ever since.

These days, I'm really enjoying the ease of digital photography, as well as the nifty macro feature on my little camera. I've even listed a number of my favorite photos on Etsy.

I've also taken many flower photos. My favorites are now in sets of notecards, also offered on Etsy. The set you see here contains eight cards, two each of four images.

I am now looking for my next photography project. If you have any suggestions for subject matter, please let me know. I'd love to hear from you!

Have a great day. :)

P.S. If you're interested in learning more about any of the items you see pictured in my posts here, just click on them.

Providence

2008-07-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

Wondering how Treasures by Tina came to be?

I actually began offering solely treasure candles. (As Romeo so proudly displays above.)

Each of my hand-poured candles contains hidden treasures, such as crystals, charms, polished stones, and beads. These are revealed as the candle burns. I offer a number of different shapes, such as the Buddha you see here. And my candles come in the following colors: red, orange, blue, green, and purple. (Black may be on the horizon as well.)

Here's a sample of the treasures I've used.

Over time, I've branched out to include the items like the pillow in my prior post, as well as photography, bath salts and soaps, jewelry, flower pens, stationery, and more. I'll be featuring other items I've created in future posts.

I hope you've enjoyed this mini-history of Treasures by Tina.

Have a great day! :)

My First Pillow!

2008-07-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I made my first pillow! I really enjoyed sewing it, and the color scheme is my favorite!

I hand-stitched it using repurposed designer fabric samples I got from Fabmo, a non-profit group that rounds up cast-off samples from businesses to save them from going to the landfill. It's really a wonderful organization.

This pillow is now available in my Etsy shop. Just click either of the images to get to the listing.

Opinions? Suggestions? I'd love to hear your comments.

Welcome!

2008-07-22T09:18:00.001-07:00

Hello and welcome to my new blog!

My name is Tina and my business name is Treasures by Tina. I love to make all sorts of handmade items, and plan to introduce them here in my blog.

Enjoy!