Friday Feature: Kristin from Connielou's Designs on Etsy

This week I interviewed Kristin, from http://www.etsy.com/shop/kristencwatts and her answers were so much fun, that I found myself wanting to ask her more questions as I read! Kristins shop is beautiful, lovely photos fill each page, enticing you to look at each of her pretty pieces!

Kristin and her husband

Tell me about yourself. Not necessarily about your shop, but about you.

I am a high school English teacher, who is a lead singer in a band, works part time making teeth for my dad (he's a dental tech) and jewelry for my shop Connielou's Designs. I love being busy. I have a wonderful husband, who is in his own band, and two sons; the oldest is 15 and the youngest is 10. I love teaching, writing, reading, singing, and of course...making jewelry! My business card slogan is "I never leave home without my earrings!" because I don't:)

Kristin's boys (her husband and her sons)



Tell me about your store.

My store is named after my grandmother Louise, who died from cancer, and my great grandmother Constance "Connie," whom I was named after (my middle name is Constance). I owe my love for jewelry to my grandmom because she would never leave home without her earrings, either:)

How would you describe your style?

As an artist, my jewelry is very unique. Sometimes I use recycled jewels; sometimes I use parts of my grandmother's old costume jewelry. I buy a lot of my parts from artisans and sellers on Etsy, though. I buy from Esty sellers or small stores near me most often because it's all about the "little people," not corporate America:)

How long have you been selling on Etsy?

I have been a member for over a year as a seller, but I only recently started to sell my jewelry (about 2 months). I've been averaging 10 creations per day, since in June I started to sell my jewelry inside and outside of Etsy. I'm proud to say in the last two months I have made 200 pieces of jewelry (necklaces, earrings, and bracelets).

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79670011/red-etched-wood-and-baby-blue-droplet


What is your workspace like?

Right now it's the dining room table, and it drives my husband crazy! Me too, actually:)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80556100/autumn-teal-and-silver-leaf-earrings

What networking do you do that you feel helps your business?In terms of "networking," I feel word-of-mouth has been the best for me. It also helps selling to people when they can see my product. My mom has been bringing in things to her work, and they are selling quickly. In terms of "social networking" online, I am having a hard time. I tweet, I've advertised, etc. My teams on Etsy have been great support; however, my sales have not increased yet from anything I am doing at present. I am hopeful, though, and I am not giving up. I feel like once people start to buy from me, it may spread. I really like my stuff, and it's so inexpensive. EVERYTHING is $25 and under!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77319843/black-red-gothic-lace-cross-necklace

Name some of the sellers whom you look up to and why?
There are so many, and I aspire to be like them. Looking up to others helps me become a better artist:)



What are some of your favorite Etsy stores?


This is a tough one because there are tons. I really love Mermaid Treasures. I like her supplies, and she always gives free goodies with her purchases! I love the surprise:) I also like Rustic Goth; her paintings and prints are so awesome and different! All Earrings and Supplies is another great supply store. Perfect packaging, labeled and all.



Share one random fact about yourself… or more if you wish.

My motto for life: "To thine own self be true."

Do you have any advice for new sellers?

Don't give up, don't get discouraged. Try, try, try again, and I believe we can succeed!


http://www.etsy.com/shop/kristencwatts


Kristin has a promotion going on right now:
free shipping in US, and throughout the rest of August and Labor Day, 20% off EVERYTHING in my shop. Use coupon code 20OFF at check out.


So- go check out her shop!


Have a great weekend!
♥Erica

Welcome Penelope!

Penelope Elizabeth Ringia Was born this past Monday, July 25th.

I have another beautiful amazing daughter, Autumn, who is about 2 1/2, and I am absolutely amazed by how different the birth of Penelope was.

Sunday evening, or in reality, very early Monday morning, I woke up to go to the bathroom and my water broke.

I wasn't really sure what had happened, because I was under the impression that when your water breaks it is pretty obvious. It was almost more like I peed myself, and then continued to expel fluid for about an hour.

I had not had any noticeable contractions before my water broke in this pregnancy, and they did not start immediately after it broke, so I was not really sure what to do... so I called my mom, who just happened to be at the airport waiting to fly back to her home in Savannah.

My husband called the hospital, and they told me to come in within 6 hours or when I started having contractions.

I had an order that needed to be rushed, so I went ahead and printed that while I was waiting to start having contractions, and before I got it packaged I started having contractions. I quickly finished packaging the order and called my dad. I dropped the package off in the mailbox and my husband and I drove my daughter to my dad's house.

My mom decided to stay in Albuquerque a few more days to meet my new daughter and I was lucky enough to have my mom at the hospital with me. Only my husband and the hospital staff were in the room for delivery because that is what I was comfortable with, but it was really wonderful to have my mom there for so much of the process.

She was at the hospital for the entire labor and delivery process and kept us company for various parts of Penelope's birth. She was in the room when I called for the epidural and left when they administered the epidural. A few hours later, after a nap she came back and she was really impressed with the difference the epidural made :)

The delivery was easy and fast, and I had a successful VBAC.

I had my other daughter Autumn Via emergency C-Section and it was much more stressful. I never actually went into labor with Autumn, and I was really worried I wouldn't know when I went into labor with Penelope. When Autumn was two weeks past due I went to the hospital to be induced. I was 8cm dilated when I had the epidural and it was only starting to become painful at that time, but the contractions never felt anything like what they felt like with Penelope. Autumn was not positioned correctly and after 17 hours of labor I was whisked away for an emergency cesarean. The recovery for Autumn didn't really feel that hard, but in comparison I feel really great after this pregnancy. Recovery is MUCH easier after a vaginal birth.

I also am having much better luck breast feeding this time around. I know it is much harder to breastfeed after a cesarean, but I am sure that the hours spent with lactation consultants when I had Autumn probably helped a lot this time around.

I was surprised to have to stay in the hospital for 24 hours after Penelope was born, I guess I felt so great that I thought I should be able to go home right away.

I was released from the hospital in the afternoon on the 26th, and it was really wonderful to come home to my mom and my beautiful daughter Autumn. I have spent the past few days relaxing and recovering with my family and finally started production again for Caustic Threads. I have several orders that I will be slowly catching up on, and will reopen shop when I have all of my current orders (including my wholesale orders) complete.

I don't expect to be finished and back in full swing especially quickly, as I have more important things to tend to.










(The beautiful blanket in many pictures was made by Angela, her etsy store is http://www.etsy.com/shop/allthingsgranny )

It's July Already?!?

Hello!

This year has flown by for me. It has been a hectic whirlwind, and....

I'm tired.

It is so amazing that little Penelope will be here soon, and I am clearly nesting. I made new curtains and some decorative pillows for Autumn and Penelope's room, and re-coverd the rocking chair that we got in a very impractical light color because I am to frugal to spend twice as much on the same thing in a dark practical color.

I like how it turned out, I think it is cute. The pillows and curtains match, and the cushions are actually reversible. It was also a pretty easy thing to do that really made the chair look much better. The cream was a beautiful color, but not appropriate for an item used by a baby or a toddler. It is kind of like white and pastel baby clothes- which for some reason are available in abundance- but not good for more than a few wears because they get so stained. Which makes me want to run off on a tangent about baby clothes, but I guess I have digressed enough. Back to nesting.... I also really want to replace autumns bed. She has been sleeping on a futon mattress, because although her crib turned into a toddler bed, she does not like sleeping in it because it is a "baby bed".

Since we have another baby coming, we will certainly be keeping the crib, but it is really crowded in there with a futon mattress on the floor, so I would like to get autumn a proper bed. Either a toddler bed, or a proper twin bed... or what would be really cool would be to build her a loft that can be transformed into bunk beds later. I have a cool design in mind, that includes turning the bottom portion into a playhouse. Adam is not a fan of this idea, since it is likely that he would be making it. I also really want to paint the walls in thier room.

Oh... and the carpet... I want to steam clean the carpet- but not just in autumns room... in the whole house.

I am also finding that when I am working on orders for Caustic Threads, my mind is really wandering. I have so many fun items I want to make for autumn and Penelope, that it is hard to stay on task. Despite this, it seems like I am doing a better job of juggling orders, helping my dad at the shop, and taking care of Autumn, I just wish I had a little more free time to spend with Adam and Autumn.

Autumn has been pretty difficult lately. I am not sure if it is because there is a new baby coming, or because she gets less attention from me now that I am a little overloaded. It is probably a combination of things. I know why kids this age are so damn melt-your-heart CUTE at this age though.

Finally, speaking of being overloaded, Caustic Threads had a record month in June. Amazing. It was the best month ever, we even beat December of last year. It is exciting, and gratifying. I am not sure what kind of goal I should have for July though. Not only do I think expecting to beat June is a little unrealistic as far as actual sales are concerned, but with a new baby I know that the amount of work I am able to do right after she penelope is born will be limited too.

And to say Adieu, here is my newest design in Caustic Threads.

Tiger RAWR Onesie $14.00

Have an excellent weekend!

♥Erica

Finding Happiness

Things are crazy here, as usual.

I started helping my dad at his shop recently, and it is getting hard to keep up with orders in Caustic Threads, but I have been managing. I like helping my dad,

and don't mind the work, but I was hoping he would try a little harder to hire someone. Caustic threads is a full time job, and even working about 10 hours a week is taking a toll on both my family life and my business. My younger brother started working for my dad a few weeks ago also, but I know he has other things he wants to be doing too.

I am absolutely thrilled with the unexpected success of Caustic Threads. It is amazing to me that a hobby that was started with relatively low start up cost has grown into a business that allows me to stay home with my daughter autumn (and soon a second daughter, Penelope) and make more than I was making at my last job... granted, I have made more take home income at other jobs, but they required long hours and a lot of travel, which is just not very compatible with a family. (although I know some very amazing families do have a parent that has to travel often). I feel extraordinarily lucky every day to be married to an amazing man that I fall more in love with every day, have a beutiful daughter and another on the way, and to have been able to build a business that allows me to work for myself doing something that I love. I thank Adam, my husband, regularly, for giving me everything I never knew I wanted.

If someone had asked me 10 years ago, when I was 18, what I thought I would be doing right now, I never would have expected to be married, with children, living in Albuquerque. In fact, I think a senior paper that I had to write in high school was about what I wanted and expected to be doing at this point in my life. "Where do you want to be in 10 (or 5, or 15) years?" seems like a common question for people to ask 16 to 18 year olds, and it was always an easy question for me to answer, because I thought I knew exactly what I wanted, and I was sure I would accomplish my goals. I would say, " I want to be a fashion designer, with my own label at some point. I would like to work for someone else to learn the ropes at first, and when I have some experience and capitol I will start my own business. I like the juniors market, it is fast paced, trend driven, and exciting- oh, and teenagers usually have part time jobs and no bills so they have more disposable income than other markets. I want to be single, with no children, living in LA or New York. Preferably New York. " That is really what I thought I wanted to do! I wonder if I had taken a look forward to see myself here now, if I would have considered myself a failure. I don't now, but I may have as a stubborn teenager- which is not to say I am not stubborn now- just that I know how unbelievably happy I am, and I wouldn't trade my life now for the unrealized dreams of a teenager. There are many parallels, and I think the progression of my life, and the steps that brought me here all make sense. All we really want in life is to be happy, and I am so lucky to have found happiness, in a life that I had never expected to be in.

Xoxo,

Erica

So, in the news… Erica is due at the end of July with (odds are) baby girl number 2.

This is exciting, as it will:

1. Give Autumn a moving toy to play with for the foreseeable future.

2. Fulfill replacement value reproduction

3. Reward the parents with a tax break

4. Be another cute child

5. Give the grandparents something new to talk about

This is less exciting because it will require:

1. The purchase of Diapers for a few more years

2. Another baby seat, filling the car completely

3. Tolerance of house being a disaster for additional years

4. More of Mommies time, leaving less for Daddy

5. And will reduce the number of hours that Daddy can sleep

Generally, blacksmith shops are not considered very baby friendly environments. Carpentry shops are almost as bad. And Blade smith shops the worst of both worlds, plus some sharp edges.

I don’t know why, but people seem concerned about mixing a child (or children) with limited hand to eye coordination with a scattered and disorganized pile of blades you could shave with. Go figure.

I don’t think that I have ever seen Autumn hold a knife the wrong way, and she knew what they were and what they were called before she was 2.

I keep her out of the shop mostly because I don’t have protective gear small enough and she doesn’t like to wear it when it falls off like that. Also because she makes it more likely that I will hurt myself due to the distraction.

At least she can’t really open the door to the shop while I am working yet. But I can’t imagine that day is too far away. Sigh.

And here are some recent pictures of Autumn, since I was talking about her...

With her brand new big girl skates!

And again...

and just waking up from a nap...

Family Walks

Family walks don't happen quite as often as they should, but we do try.

Not far from the house there is a "lateral". Laterals are turn-outs from the main irrigation channels of the Rio Grande. They are opened in the spring to feed water to the little ranchitos that are abundant in our area. They also make very nice little walking paths.

Autumn enjoys the walks, and was fond of this graffiti until it was covered up.

Erica and I enjoy them also, but the pace is definitely a little slower with Autumn.

We'll probably be taking fewer walks for a while since Erica will be expanding for the next few months, and then we will have an additional non-walking family member.

Sometimes Autumn needs to take a break from walking.

Daddy getting older.

Autumn being cute.

Happy New Year!

Lets start the new year with a look back! So much happened it is hard to remember everything! It feels like the days passed in seconds and I expect this next year to be equally busy.

This past year I was travel team captain for The Munecas Muertas roller derby team along with my friend Killer Queen. That was one of the most interesting and challenging experiences ever. I probably should not have run, but had so many people tell me they thought I would be good at it that I ran anyway. I am not one of those people who loves power, or leading things, or anything like that. I am even kind of shy, so the whole experience was way outside of my comfort zone, and the job came with a ton of paperwork. BOOOORRRIIINNNG. I became pregnant, about two months before the season ended so I removed myself from the travel team and then almost as soon as it was too late to put myself on for the last tourney, I had a miscarriage. I had a dream recently that the current travel team went to nationals! That would be so exciting!

I also opened my store, Caustic Threads, on etsy. ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/CausticThreads ) I started my account at the end of last year, but didn't actually list anything until April of last year, and since I have started listing things I have been really thrilled with how things have been going in that store. I have another store where My husband and I sell other items that we love to make, mostly Fine Art and Knives. That store is called Acrylic and Steel ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/AcrylicAndSteel ), and have to admit it has been pretty neglected since Caustic opened.

Those are the two things that stand out the most, but I also: had my gall bladder removed, started selling items on consignment, had a pregnancy, and a miscarriage, started running, lost 35 pounds, gained 40 pounds, had my blood tested A LOT, stopped eating corn syrup,traveled all around the US, played a lot of roller derby, had a great time with my husband Adam and daughter Autumn (pictured above) , went to visit my mom, laughed, cried and loved.

It has been quite a year.

I am also very excited because I am pregnant again, and things seem to be going well.

Thanks For visiting!

♥ Erica

NEW CAUSTIC THREADS:

• 
  dia de los muertos Sugar S...

  CausticThrea...
  $14.00 USD
• 
  Long Sleeved Cruiser Bicyc...

  CausticThrea...
  $22.00 USD
• 
  Sugar Skull with rhineston...

  CausticThrea...
  $12.00 USD
• 
  Key to my Heart Skeleton k...

  CausticThrea...
  $3.50 USD
• 
  Womens Octopus cotton tee...

  CausticThrea...
  $18.00 USD
• 
  Crochet Love ladies Tee Sh...

  CausticThrea...
  $18.00 USD

Last week we did something new and very fun, we too autumn to her first pixie class at the place that was once roller king. She is the one in the green shirt sitting OUTSIDE the big circle. I am pretty sure that at barely two she was the youngest one there, and I was surprised at how well behaved she was. She had a lot of fun and I plan to bike her up there tomorrow for the pixie class.

This weekend was very eventful, on Friday Adam's mom came into town via train, which sounds like a great treat. My brother was also in town from Las Cruses so it was really a big treat for me to be able to see him. We all went out to dinner Friday.

On Saturday we almost went to Old Town because Adam and I both enjoy it and thought his mom would enjoy it but she said she would rather go to the zoo after sleeping on it. I am very glad she stated an opinion because there are few things more annoying than a guest that isn't enjoying themselves or cant tell you what they want when you ask them. The Zoo was fun, and we got through about half of it before Autumn got tired and we were ready for lunch.

After that we went to the Tram to take it up Sandia Crest but it was closed for annual maintenance. Isn't that amazing? it closes once a year and it happens to be closed now. We ended up driving up to the top instead, and got there right around sunset. It was freezing and we headed back down the mountain. Before we got to the bottom I had a miserable cold, which I have since recovered from, and Autumn is now ailed with.

Sunday November 14th was Autumns second birthday. Last year we threw a huge party, but we kept things a little simpler this year. We ordered a pizza and some salads from dions and the grandparents came to out house. There was a huge social gaffe committed by a grandparent and it took a second for me to pick my jaw up off the floor. I only know what Adam thought about it because I didn't ask anyone else about it, and actually I think HE brought it up to me. I was glad that everyone at least appeared unaffected by it because it could have potentially elevated to a very unpleasant situation. Maybe I am too American or something. I know there are many other countries that are more open about some things, but I was very upset by it.

meh, family. You cant live with them, and thank god that as Adults we don't have to, but life would be far more dreary without them.

Autumn had fun either way, and she got lots of fun presents from Adam and I and the grandparents.

Mary, Adams mom, went home on Tuesday. I hope she enjoyed the train home as much as she enjoyed the train trip here.

and this is the new screen I burned this week, a Dinosaur. It is oddly unisex. It is blue, but the dino has flowers and hearts.

and I bought these super cute and cozy arm warmers from my friend Tracy at www.babynest.etys.com .

See you all later, I hope to post sooner than later, but I will be back next Wednesday if not sooner.

♥Erica

A lovely weekend

Happy Monday folks! I am enjoying the postal holiday because although I am working today I did not have to get any packages ready to ship. On one hand I am VERY happy to have orders to ship, but it is sure nice to get a little break!

If you have not entered to win a tee shirt of your choice from my shop, you can enter here:

http://christiecottage.blogspot.com/2010/10/win-it-wednesday-new-giveaway.html

Saturday we woke to an unfamiliar noise. It was the last day of the international balloon fiesta and there were hot air balloons flying right over our house! Autumn was so excited watching them fly right over us!

(autumn with daddy's keys)

my Dad babysat Autumn on Saturday and Adam and I both did something very unusual. Other than packaging and a trip to the post office, We didn't work. We spent the WHOLE day together. It was really fun. I actually felt a little guilty about not working with all of the deadlines I have coming up.

(autumn and adam looking at a lizard the cats brought in)

We biked around town and went to the Rio Grande arts and crafts fair. Part of the reason we went was because we wanted to scope out the scene and see if it would be a good fit for us, and obviously the other reason we went was to see some awesome artisans. I didn't feel like my items fit in there at all, although because my tees are SO different from anything at the fair they may do well, you just never know. The fair seemed geared towards an older crowd. I think Adams knives would be a good fit but I don't know if he really has the inventory for it. we bought some really yummy honey comb and also some homemade pasta, and almost bought a print from one of the artists. Later that evening we went out to dinner with or friends bill and rocketpants.

(a new screen I burned, this is a scan of the drawing on photocopy mode)

Sunday I made up for not working on Saturday by seriously busting ass. I Got 4 more damas dresses from just being cut out to being almost ready for fitting and I plan to contact my former co- worker to tell her she can bring the girls over this weekend. I sure hope there are no major issues with fit! I also got to sewing the wedding dress I am making for my good friend Missl Command as a wedding preasent. It is going to look really awesome, I can tell already. I will share pictures of these projects and talk about them in greater detail later this week. I also got a ton of printing done, and this morning I have been printing like a madwoman.

(one of the "presents" the cats brought in)

It is finally becoming noticeable that it is fall, and the evenings are starting to get very cool like they should in the dessert. I really love fall in New Mexico, the crisp air perfumed by roasting green chili is something that I look forward to every year, but this year I am really excited, because I know pretty soon our cats wont be bringing in lizards, birds, katydids, and mice any more.