Christmas in July Sale!

Hello, all my fantastic readers!  My new Pattern by Etsy shop is having a Christmas in July sale, from 7/25-7/31 25% off, plus free domestic shipping.  If you click the link below it will take you to a video showing all items.  If you prefer to go right to my store, click here. 

Are you having a Christmas in July sale?  Check out the banner available from Amazon, below.  I love Christmas and it is time to start shopping.


https://plus.smilebox.com/play?g=858cd298-6b7d-4efa-a568-3d3b1bd77809&sbid=3463&d=1563404593259&fbclid=IwAR2DqQUhIichjStQ8X3n3dOF6-VgHEZ-QuP6WxvrtLDyIw7DoOH7cDKp_OM

Christmas in July Sale Item #3: Blue Glass Wine Bottle with Etching

This is a great office party gift idea, or to bring to an evening party invite. This is a blue glass wine bottle. It is sealed, and never used. You can put wine in it, candy, or just about anything else that will fit. I hand etched on the snow flakes, all around the bottle, and the saying Tis the Season. Great for New Years too, and now on sale! Until the end of July this is priced at $25.90. Click here to visit my Etsy store to purchase, or check out my other sale items for Christmas in July.

Christmas In July Missy69 Etsy, Item 1: Soft Variegated Baby Boy Crochet Blanket

So, if you were following along, I didn't do so great blogging in June. My life has been crazy since April, and I sure am hoping by the end of July it will slow down a little, and be more normal. For the month of July, I am running a Christmas in July sale. There are 14 items marked down, and they center around Christmas, or cold weather. For example, this lovely baby blanket, handmade crochet with baby soft yarn in variegated blues and greens. A lot of time goes into a crochet project, and often people don't realize how much love is put into a crocheted item. Crocheted items last for years, are super warm, even the lighter yarns, and can be handed down from generation to generation. Visit my Etsy store to see this beautiful baby blanket, and maybe purchase too.  I can't make the link thing work on my Nextbook, so go to Etsy and search Missy69, and  you will find my shop.  I will fix the link asap.

Etsy Christmas in July 2016 Starts on July 1st

I almost forgot about the Etsy Christmas in July Event.  I participated last year, for the first time.  I will be having a store wide sale, with 10% off.  You can use EtsyCIJ2016 at cash out, or if you forget it should automatically deduct it for you.  But, don't worry if it doesn't for some reason, I will be contacting customers with the good news about the extra savings.  This year I am trying to create all new Christmas theme items, for this event.  You don't have to do a Christmas theme, but what fun.  I have already finished a baby blanket, and working on some more items, including jewelry, some painted table decor, and maybe a few more tidbits. 

Christmas in July runs from July 1st through July 10th.  Start your Christmas shopping early.  I will be sharing my items, as well as items from the team.  You can always find my shop by clicking the My Etsy Shop banner, on the left hand side of this blog.  I do custom orders as well, and I am pretty sure I can have them done by Christmas, especially if you order now, lol. 

Stay tuned~  My 30 day art challenge will start after the Christmas in July event is over. 

Society6 Christmas Board and a Neon Blue Apatite Bracelet

 I love bracelets.  They are by far my favorite piece of jewelry to wear, besides rings.  The bracelet shown, can actually be worn as a choker, or a double wrap bracelet.  It is all done in genuine Neon Blue Apatite beads.  Such a beautiful color.  It is available in my Etsy store.  I just had another sale, in my Etsy store, so things are moving along nicely.  My BOGO sale ends on Jan 1, 2016, but I think I will have an after Christmas sale.  Below, you will see a link to my new collection, on Society6.  This is not just my art work, but art work of fellow artists, all with the theme of Christmas.  If you know someone who loves customized cell phone cases, skins, home decor, tees and other wonderful gift ideas, then be sure to check out my Society6 collection.  Mine are all called Melissa's Art, so look me up.  It is actually very time consuming to upload 4 years worth of paintings, and all the wonderful photographs I have taken over the years.  So, check back often.  The animals are all still my favorites. 

https://society6.com/missy69/collection/christmas?curator=missy69

Citrine November Birthstone Facts Beautiful Yellow Gemstone

Each month, I try to share a video about that month's birthstone. The birthstone for November is Citrine. The original birthstone, was Imperial Topaz, an extremely rare and expensive gemstone. Citrine is now the accepted birthstone for November. Citrine is an affordable gemstone, even in extremely large sizes, compared to other gemstones. Be careful when buying yellow gemstones. Some sellers will try to sell Citrine as yellow sapphire, or yellow topaz. Visit my Etsy store to see three Citrine jewelry pieces, and all my items come with free USA shipping, and a buy one get one free sale going on now.

BOGO Sale Starts November 1, 2015- January 1, 2016 My Etsy Shop Buy One Get One Free

My entire Etsy shop will be having a massive #bogo sale, starting November 1st. It will run all the way through the holidays until Jan 1st 2016. This will give me plenty of time if there are any made to order items. I have jewelry, crochet items, and art work. Here is how it works:

1 You must have an Etsy account. It is super easy to sign up.
2 The free item has to be of equal, or less value than the item purchased.
3 Place in your cart the item you intend to buy. Then in the comments state the item you want for free. Then checkout.
4 Please note that if someone else has chosen the same free item, it will be first come first serve, unless I can make another. All receipts are dated, and timed, so this will be easy to keep track of.
5 It is literally that simple. Please note that if you pick an item that is made to order, and one that is already made, both items will be shipped when the made to order item is completed.
6 Please ask questions, if needed.

Etsy Sale Item Of the Week 8/21/15-8/28/15 Plus Free USA Shipping Victorian Cameo Pendant and Necklace

So, I still have not finished my Summer themed crochet apron, for my Team Support and Promote challenge. However, I did finish the painting, and that is now listed in my Etsy store. I will feature that another day.

Today, I am featuring my sale item for the week of 8/21-8/28. Each Friday I slash the price of a new item. This week it is this beautiful blue and white victorian lady cameo, set in resin, then made into a pendant and wire wrapped to the gold tone tear drop piece. Then a bail and a gold tone necklace to complete the piece. This would be awesome for a wedding, mother of the bride, or ladies who love more traditional jewelry. At 16.05 cents, it is definitely affordable, and if you are in the USA I ship to your for free. Start your Christmas shopping early this year, less than 20 bucks you can't beat it.

Etsy Christmas in July 10% Off Paintings and Art Work Birds

5 more days to use coupon code, christmasinjuly, to get an extra 10% off all my paintings. All my store items, actually. Today, I am sharing two of my most favorite paintings. The owl, and the blue footed booby. Two of the most majestic birds. If you don't know about the blue footed booby, do a quick search, it is a fascinating bird, and one of my favorites. I have other bird paintings as well, including cardinals, hummingbirds and others. I offer free USA shipping, everyday of the year, and a layaway service. Come on over to Melissas Menagerie of Stuff, and start Christmas shopping today.

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/195212878/owl-tangle-doodle-ancient-flowers-at?ref=shop_home_active_22&ga_search_query=painting

https://www.etsy.com/listing/183842670/blue-footed-booby-bird-with-neon-blue?ref=shop_home_active_15

Orange Mandarin Garnet Ring 50% Off Today

Today only, until 9 PM Eastern, get this Orange Mandarin Garnet ring for only 12.50. That is a real and beautiful gemstone, at an awesome reduced price. Visit my Etsy store,  or my Ecrater store to buy.

Ecrater and Etsy Sale, Buy One Get One 50% Off

Today only, buy one item either from my Ecrater store, or my Etsy store and get the second 50% off.  This sale will run until 9 PM tonight only, and then it expires.  Both items must be bought together, and either from Etsy or from Ecrater.  The sale item must be of equal or lesser value.  Visit my Ecrater store and shop now.  Or, visit my Etsy store, to shop now.  Share this post, so others can get in on an awesome deal too. 

Flash Sale Hand Painted Snowman Christmas Gift Bag

Yesterday, we were so busy, I didn't get to post my sale item of the day. Today, I will do it before we head to church. My sale items are always shared on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Google plus, so there are lots of ways you can follow me. Today, I have put one of my hand painted gift bags on sale. These are new to my store, but since it is Christmas, I figured I would offer a couple of them at a sale price. I always consider offers too, so remember that when browsing through either my Etsy or Ecrater store. This bag, Christmas With the Snowman Family, is only in my Etsy store. It did not make it to my Ecrater store, yet. Click the link if you are interested in purchasing. I offer a free layaway service too. I hope to get some New Years bags painted tomorrow, and a dolphin wire pendant or ornament. So, watch for that. I finished all the slippers I was making, and now am working on an interesting item, that I will share if it turns out how I hope.

Questions About My Jewelry and Flash Sale Princess Cocoon

Every now and then someone on Etsy accuses me of selling manufactured jewelry, and not making it myself. I really can't believe I have to speak of this yet again. I have said on my opening page about my store, and when asked by Etsy officials where I buy my settings and gemstones. So, let me make this clear. I do not sell manufactured jewelry. No, I do not make the settings myself, but I do buy from one gentleman on Ebay who does. I also buy semimounts and settings from JTV.com, Rio Grande, Rings N Things, and a couple of other Ebay sellers. I have been learning and collecting gemstones for almost 14 years. I have taught myself to set the gemstones into the castings and semi mounts. If you think this is an easy job to do, then try it and let me know. It is a skill and a craft. If other sellers think my prices are too cheap, I disagree. They are affordable, which is exactly why I started making my own jewelry, to keep it affordable. I am not interested in whether others agree with my pricing system, or not. I make very little profit and most times none, on my jewelry pieces. You can look up any of the companies I listed and see the products available to buy, for jewelry making. I hope this has cleared up this issue, and I will not have to address it again. I don't mind answering questions, I love that, I do mind rude people, or other sellers trying to undermine me. I would never ever do that to anyone, so please don't do it to me. I am very supportive of others who are in turn supportive to me, even my competitors. My flash sale item for today, is a Princess infant baby cocoon. You can purchase it for $9.99 in my Etsy store, or Ecrater store. Sale price ends at 9PM tonight, so get it if you want it.

Day 2 Sale Panda Bear Original Painting with Frame

My item for day two, is this signed and dated original Panda Bear acrylic painting with the frame. Click the link to visit my Etsy store and purchase. If you don't prefer Etsy it is available for the same price at Ecrater. The sale price is only valid until 9 PM Eastern time on 11/30/2013 so don't dilly dally.

My New Love!

I just ordered myself, for Christmas, some supplies to make resin jewelry. My ultimate goal is to be able to add some of my painted images to the resin pieces. I especially want to make resin cuff bracelets and Christmas ornaments. Because this will all be new, I have a lot of learning to do. Resin Obsession, has a free ebook, which I have already read twice, and she is a wonderful teacher. Check out her website if you are interested. There are some lovely resin rings, with gemstones, that I would love to eventually learn to make as well. I will have a lot of videos on this topic, so I can watch them as I go along. I also now have all my handmade items listed on both Etsy and Ecrater. My blogs currently only have the Ecrater widgets. The prices are the same, and all sales and discounts will be the same. My Etsy store does have some items that my Ecrater store does not have. I will be starting my daily sales, for 25 Days of Christmas, on Black Friday. Be sure to bookmark this blog, so you don't miss the one piece you really want. Each sale will only run for a short amount of time, each day.

Veteran's Day Sale in My New Ecrater Store

I have only gotten nine things listed, but today, until 9 PM Eastern time all items are 25% off.  Since I don't know how their checkout cart looks, I will give several options for getting the amount off.  First you can checkout, using Paypal, enter code Vets13 and I will reimburse you the 25% off.  Second you can contact me here on this blog, email me at melissaruede@yahoo.com, or contact me on Facebook, tell me the item you want and I can deduct the 25% and then you can cash out.  Since this store is brand new to me, I am learning as I go, but rest assured that with a Paypal merchant account you are buying from a safe seller.  Just new to Ecrater.  Here is the link to my Ecrater store, just click it.  I have jewelry and crochet items right now.  More to get up soon.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Oh my, I have been busy.  Last Sat, my mother, daughter and I, went to the Monarch Butterfly Festival as vendors.  I had never been a vendor at an event like this.  It was quite the learning experience.  For one thing it is a lot of work, and I mean a lot.  I did not sell anything, but my mom made 54 dollars, so I was very happy for her.  Caitlin had a ball as well. 

This weekend my husband, and son, went on a camping trip with our church.  Other than it rained, some, they had a ball and I am sure will be exhausted when they finally get home.  DJ had hurt his arm a few days before the trip, and he said it is sore now, but OK.  I have lasagna all ready to bake for them when they get home.

Yesterday, I had my first craft porch and yard sale.  My mom brought stuff, and I put out stuff, and it went well.  You never know what you will sell, or what people are looking for, so we always try to have a variety.  I did not sell any of my craft items, but I had a ton of people asking for prices and hopefully they will come back and purchase in future sales.  We are hoping to do this once each month, except December.  I think we should try to get one in, in Dec.  Will have to wait and see.  The benefits of doing it this way, is you can lower your prices, because you have no fees to website such as Etsy or Ebay, and you don't have to ship it anywhere.  Plus, I didn't haul tables and everything, it was all right there.

Caitlin had her first sleep over last night.  I was so tired, but I made it fun for them.  They loved it!

So, with all that going on, plus homeschool, Run Club and 4H, I have not painted, or made any new jewelry.  I did just start a new crochet cocoon, and I can not wait to share it.  Be sure to watch for that.  Especially if you have a new baby that you will need a gift for. 

Oh, by the way, visit my Etsy store, the widget is at the top of this blog.  From now until Christmas I am accepting offers on all my items, even Clearance.  It is free to sign up and be a buyer at Etsy, so no problems there.  I offer a layaway service too.  Message me on Etsy to make me an offer.

Sold Peridot Ring and Sold Pink Spinel Ring

Two more clearance items in my Etsy shop have sold. They are going pretty quickly now, which is good. I need to get out some old inventory so I can get some new in. Check out my store, every time one sells I add another older piece to Clearance.