MadrinDesigns update!

I have finally got my Etsy jewelry shop up and running again! Check it out at http://laktjohnson.etsy.com.

I'm also going to be featuring "My Favorite Etsy Things" each week on my blog. You can see all of the fantastic finds!

Etsymom Giveaway

www.etsymom.com

Fox59 Morning News

I had the wonderful opportunity on Thursday to appear with some fellow Etsyians on Fox59. We displayed our Autumn items for sale and were interviewed by Angela Ganote. I was extremely nervous but I think my photography showed up well on camera. A special thanks to Vicki from Wild Art Designs and Amber from Blue Scarab.

On TV

MadrinDesigns will be featured on Fox59 Thursday morning in the 7:50 AM segment. Along with two other Etsy artisans, MadrinDesigns will be discussing the importance of buying handmade and great fall items available on Etsy. Tune in!!

Where I'll Be!!

Saturday, October 25 - Irvington Halloween Festival

Saturday, November 1 - St. Michael's Church (Greenfield) Bazaar

Saturday November 22 - IUPUI Fine Arts and Craft Fair

Saturday December 6 - Stringtown Church of the Nazarene Bazaar

Obama Mama!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=29634

Check out this treasury I'm in! Never thought of using my donkey this way, but it works!!

Family Portrait Sessions

Book NOW!! Above are a few examples of my work. Get your photographs in time for Holiday Cards!

• $30 Sitting Fee

• 24/7, 365 access to your photos through Zenfolio.com
  

• Print on your own or let me design and create an album, photo card, greeting cards, wall canvas, etc.

Most Succesful Show Yet

Pendleton was my best show yet!! We had PERFECT weather! The crowds were nice and we almost sold out of earrings. I'm really receiving some lovely feedback from customers. I sold almost a dozen photographs, which pleases me to no end. Everything went great and I can't wait to get out to our next show in downtown Indianapolis. Check out Fountain Square Art Fair!

I've started making some new pieces of jewelry that are different from what I've traditionally done. I'm doing more wire work and offering some simple pendants on chains. I've also done some chain necklaces and bracelets in the theme of charm bracelets, with beads attached with wire and hang off the piece. The ones that I had displayed at my last show sold immediately.

I haven't been able to get out much with my camera lately, but I'm looking forward to the change in seasons. New opportunities to photograph and capture my favorite season!

Speaking of photography, I've added a line of note cards to my Etsy shop, MadrinPhotography.

Surgery

I had surgery last week for ulnar nerve entrapment. So I haven't been as active at creating since most of what I do requires two hands. I'm submitting work to my first show tomorrow. Art will be judged and then displayed at the Ricks Theatre in Greenfield.

This coming weekend I will be in Pendleton, IN Friday-Sunday as mentioned in my previous post.
I have 40+ new jewelry pieces made, but have yet to list anything for sale. My shop, MadrinDesigns, looks pretty pathetic at this point, but I do have lots made and ready for sale. With only one hand, taking photographs and typing all of those listings is challenging. Next week, I should have use of my left arm again. But to keep you drooling for more MadrinDesigns jewelry, here's a couple of photos on what I've been working on.

New TREASURY!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=22779

Full of Rainbows!!

Rossville End of Summer Festival

I'll be there this Saturday! Come by and say hi and receive 20% off when you mention my blog!

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&q=rossville+indiana&ll=40.454262,-86.316833&spn=0.620712,1.455688&z=10&iwloc=addr

http://www.rossville.net/summers_end.php

My next show will be the Pendleton Fall Festival on Sept. 5th, 6th, and 7th.
http://www.pendletonshops.com/Pendleton%20Fall%20Festival.htm

Catch me next at Bizarre Bazaar in Hammond on September 20th!
http://www.downtownhammond.org/bizarre_bazaar.htm

My final show for September will be the Fountain Square Arts Festival in Indianapolis!
http://www.discoverfountainsquare.com

Recent Finds Around Indy

New Listing

Other treasuries I'm pleased to be in!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=15483

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=15558

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=15566

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=55174

Butterfly Treasury!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=55302

This one is great! I love butterflies!

Newest on MadrinPhotography

Featured!!

I'm featured on 2 blogs this week from fellow Etsyians! Take a look!

http://coolcraftymom.blogspot.com/

http://craftgirlalli.blogspot.com/2008/07/etsymom-feature-laktjohnson.html

Thank you so much to craftgirlalli and littlethingsdesign for their wonderful blogs and selfless promotion of others! Check out their shops for some really adorable things!!!

New Treasuries!

MY NEW TREASURY!! With a very special theme!http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=14882



Treasuries I'm in:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=53677
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=53505
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=53305
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=14746

Check them out!!

Good Weekend!

Well, my first two art fairs/craft shows went very well this weekend! We sold lots of photographs and jewelry. We did better than I expected. My wonderful assistant, my mom, was with me both days. She is invaluable! She's definitely my promoter/salesperson! The rain held, but the wind did not!! We were blown around for 2 days, as was our booth and display items. Both days we ended up putting the photograph easels and jewelry displays back in the car. They fell over about every 15 minutes because of the strong gusts! If you've looked at MadrinDesigns lately, you'll notice how many different pieces are missing, which means I have to get to work. I got lots of really fabulous feedback and am looking forward to my next show!

Pennsy Trail Art Fair and Bluegrass Festival and Old Settler's Days

This weekend I'll be participating in 2 art fairs/craft shows! First is Saturday, June 28th from 10 to 6. Its called the Pennsy Trail Art Fair and BlueGrass Festival and promises to be a good time. I've been to this show several times, but this is my first time exhibiting. Stop by and see me! For more info visit: http://www.pennsytrailartfair.org//index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

On Sunday, June 29th, is Old Settler's Days in Wanamaker, IN. For more information visit: http://www.indyftlions.org/

Hope to see you this weekend!!

Going on "Vacation"

I'm participating in mommyholly's wonderful idea of going on a faux vacation and posting our imaginary trips on our blogs. So here's where I visited:

I decided to take my family to sunny Santa Monica, California! My husband lived in Marina Del Rey for awhile, so any chance he got, we would be headed back to California. Santa Monica and the surrounding communities are very kid-friendly, which is helpful when you have a 3 year old and an 8 month old. My 3 year old, Maddox, would adore Santa Monica Pier and the beach.

The shopping and dining in Santa Monica are to die for. Third Street Promenade and the Montana shopping area encompass all you could ever need when shopping. A 2-story Banana Republic and Anthropologie, a beautiful Pottery Barn, and several independent shops make you feel like you have arrived in a shopping mecca! All of this is in an open air environment that even husbands don't mind going to.

Dining: you will find almost anything you could possibly want. Award-winning restaurants, where spotting a celebrity wouldn't be unusual. Seafood, Ethnic, American, European, Asian! All groups represented in Santa Monica restaurants. There are even your normal chain restaurants for the picky eaters in the group.


Relax at one of the famous Santa Monica Beach Hotels after all of the shopping and eating you'll do. I know I'll be heading to the Spa.


After a thoroughly enjoyable time at the Spa, I would want to curl up and take a nap in a fabulous hotel room with views of the beach!





Finishing each evening with a good meal and a beautiful sunset would be perfection!



Thanks for going on vacation with me!!

New Interior Design Team Treasury featuring MadrinPhotography!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=14186

My photograph, Tiny Flowers, is featured on this new treasury! Check it out!

BUY 2 Get 1 FREE! Print SALE!!

MadrinPhotography is having its Grand Opening Sale!! Buy any 2 prints and receive a free print of equal or lesser value FREE!!!! Many new listings and more to come!!

The Kellie Necklace

I made this a couple of night ago and named it after my sister, Kellie. I think it is representative of her personality and her location right now. She lives in Arizona and something about this pendant reminded me of the Southwest. The green beads are bold and bright, also reminding me of her. Its an interesting piece that will get noticed, just like Kellie! Love you and miss you Kell!!

My New Favorite

I took a series of photographs in my backyard yesterday. It was 70 degrees and sunny. Perfect in my opinion. I got some great shots. This is my new favorite! I call it The Rising. Be sure to visit MadrinPhotography for all of my new photographic listings!

Strawberries

Here's a treasury with one of my photographs:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=52001

New Treasury from InteriorDesign Team

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=13885

and one from another Fabulous Artistic Mom:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=52317

NEW Treasury from FAM

Two of my photographs and one necklace are featured in the beautiful treasury of Valeriesgallery! Check it out! http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=51855
I am so excited! This is my first piece of jewelry to be featured in a treasury. Last week was a good week for MadrinPhotography though. I was in 8 different treasuries!! I'm still in shock!

New Member

I just found out I'm a new member of the Interior Design-Home Decor Team! Check it out!
http://designstyleguide.ning.com/profile/MadrinDesigns

Can't Keep Up :)

I'm in another treasury! This one is beautiful!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=51519

Just found another!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=51608

Wow!! Thanks everyone!!

PROUD NEW MEMBER and Something FREE...

I have recently become a member of 2 fabulous Etsy teams: Photographers of Etsy and Fabulous Artistic Moms. They have been so welcoming. I'm looking forward to getting to know the members of each of these teams!

Also, I've been reading the comments left for the contest at http://babylyonstreasuries.blogspot.com . The overwhelming majority have said that both the Mermaid Necklace and the Aloha Necklace are their favorites. To the person(s) who buys one of these necklaces, I will include a free bracelet! Yes, I will include a FREE custom made bracelet to the person who buys either the Mermaid or Aloha necklaces. Mention this blog post in a convo to me and your bracelet will be shipped out with your order. Thank you!

My First Treasury West!!

For those of you who aren't familiar with Etsy, a Treasury is a very coveted item for Etsyians! Treasuries are only available at certain times, so when you get one its exciting. I chose several of my favorite items I've found on Etsy and listed them in this treasury. Enjoy!! There is some amazing talent in this group!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=13573

Giveaway on Babylyonstreasuries.blogspot.com !!!!!

Babylyons has been generous to feature Madrin Designs on her blog: http://babylyonstreasuries.blogspot.com/ . She has a super cool, organized, and fun blog all about different Etsy sellers. Those she features have a chance to participate in a weekly giveaway of one of their items. I decided to giveaway my "Hearts Among Us" Necklace. Check out her blog and enter to win!!!! Plus, you get to read some of my less than fab poetry and a profile of me!!!

MadrinPhotography featured in First Treasury!!

Well, it finally happened. One of my photographs has been featured in a Treasury on Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=12884

Thanks to VintageEmbellishment for choosing my piece. Now, I just have to wait for that first sale! Patience is definitely a virtue!

SALE SALE SALE

SALE in my shop on Etsy: http://laktjohnson.etsy.com !!! Prices reduced by up to $13!!! Check it out and mention this coupon code (MYBLOG) in your checkout for an extra 15% off your purchase.

Also use the coupon code in my photography shop: http://madrinphotography.etsy.com !!

ENJOY!!

Busy, Busy!!

I could spend my entire day, every day, working on my Etsy shops, this blog, and all of the promotion that goes with it. I could also spend every day making jewelry and taking photos. Too much I want to do and too little time!

June is the month for 15% off in both of my stores, MadrinDesigns and MadrinPhotography. Just mention this blog in a convo to me!

I'm gearing up for my first two shows, the Pennsy Trail Art Fair and Bluegrass Festival and Wanamaker Old Settlers' Days. Come see me at both on June 28th and June 29th.

This past weekend, I went crazy taking pictures and making jewelry. I made a whole tray full of jewelry. I've been very into pearls lately. I'll be listing those pieces later this week. The pictures I have already started to post to MadrinPhotography.

Off to take care of my other responsibilities, my children! Maddox wants a popsicle! Stay cool!

Lots of New Photos on MadrinPhotography.etsy.com

I just finished putting on a ton of new photos on my new shop site: http://madrinphotography.etsy.com !! Check them out at the bottom of this page too in my Etsy-Mini!!

MadrinPhotography

I've opened a new etsy store which is a sister site to MadrinDesigns. MadrinPhotography.etsy.com is my latest venture where I'm trying to create some interest in one of my biggest passions, photography. I love taking photographs especially of my children, but of lots of other things too. The spring flowers have inspired some of my work as of late. The first series in the new shop is from my mother's garden. Check it out at http://madrinphotography.etsy.com !!

Successful weekend!

The weekend went extremely well. I had 4 sales!! Now gone is the Illusion, Tantalize, Purple Haze, and Luck necklaces. I'm happy to try and recreate these if you saw them and want one. I'm excited about the many more sales to come! Cheers!

Memorial Day Weekend

Well, I took a little break for the weekend. I can't really say that though. I was busy putting together 4 new necklaces and 2 new bracelets. Just can't get enough of the bright summer colors that are popular right now. Violet, turquoise, orange! Look for some new designs @ http://laktjohnson.etsy.com !! And if you convo me about this blog or leave a comment, receive 15% off your purchase!!

FireChickTick.etsy.com

I'm collaborating with a wonderful artist, Karen, on some new designs. I will be using her fused art glass pendants in some new necklaces. Look for them soon! Plus, check out http://firechicktick.etsy.com for more from Karen. Absolutely beautiful work!! I'm so excited to be using her fantastic art to create my own!

First Sale!!

I made my first sale today! Yeah!! I sold 2 "mommy bracelets" to my dear cousin. You know who you are. I want to thank her and tell her how much I appreciate the support. Hopefully this is just the beginning! Yeah!!

On another note, I am happy to say I'm a proud new member of Etsymoms and the INCrowd team on etsy.com. I'm looking forward to working with these folks. I've already seen some beautiful work and can't wait to see more!

Pennsy Trail Art Fair and Bluegrass Festival

I'm doing my first art fair on June 28th, 2008. It is the annual Pennsy Trail Art Fair and Bluegrass Festival. Come see me, mention the blog or Etsy and receive 15% off!! For directions and info check out www.pennsytrailartfair.org !!

New Bracelet Design

I was experimenting on Tuesday night with different jewelry ideas and I thought of an idea I had seen advertised in some of the magazines I read, "The Mommy Bracelet". So I gathered my materials and worked on it for a couple of hours. I came up with a design that I like and that I'll wear, since the names on the bracelet are those of my children. I used Swarovski crystals and sterling silver spacer beads and findings. Of course its all customizable. I picked emerald, peridot, violet, and lilac as my crystals, but more traditionally they are your child's birthstone. I can make them in gold or silver and with up to four children's names with this particular design. Really I could make them for Grandmas, Aunts, Doggie Parents, anyone! They could also be like an ID bracelet for the younger crowd. Check it out on http://laktjohnson.etsy.com !! Check back often for new designs. I'll try to put on at least 2 new pieces per week.

Grand Opening of MadrinDesigns on Etsy

My name is Kristin and I'm the creator/designer of MadrinDesigns, handmade, affordable beaded jewelry. I opened my Etsy store yesterday, find it at laktjohnson.etsy.com. I started making and designing jewelry a while ago after much thought, anxiety, and gathering of supplies. To supplement our income, I decided to try something that I can do from home while I take care of our 2 children, Maddox (3) and Marin (6 months). I'm a bit of an accessories freak, so I take inspiration from high-end designers, images I see in books, magazines, etc. I'm inspired by nature and my environment. I'm absolutely inspired by my children, who renew my sense of wonder and whimsy. Check me out on Etsy!! laktjohnson.etsy.com

I'm also a new member of the INcrowdteam!!