RME? Tired of Paypal? Try Something New!

Are you fed up with Paypal's fees, bad customer service and unwarranted disputes where they hold your money for what can seem like forever? I am, so I decided to check into other ways to receive payment from customers through my Etsy site and other ventures.
I recently signed up for Revolution Money Exchange. This company doesn't take any fees out of your money and they will even give you $25 if you sign up before May 15! Plus, you can get $10 just for referring a friend.
When I signed up the $25 showed up in my account immediately! I plan to use it on a fun Etsy purchase. You can even withdraw your $25 immediately and they'll send you a check!
RME is becoming very popular and lots of people are talking about it. Feel free to research it before you join - I did! I read many blogs, forum posts from Etsy members who love it - and even those who have their concerns. After researching, I made a decision that the pros outweighed the cons, and decided to take the leap!
Here are some websites that might help you make a final decision:
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/revolution_money_to_take_on_pa.php
http://www.profy.com/2008/02/14/moneyexchange/
http://geek-news.net/2008/02/revolution-money-exchange.html
If you decide that RME is for you, please click on my button above to sign up. You will get $25, and I will get $10!
If you accept RME and have anything to add about this great new service, feel free to post a comment.

Disco Ball Earrings Winner!

Congratulations to Mrs. Kwitty! She is the winner of the disco ball earrings created by me. Mrs. Kwitty, I will be in touch through email.

Thanks to everyone who commented on my jewelry blog post. I appreciate your comments and support! Mrs. Kwitty is a fellow Estian - check out her shop at http://misseskwittys.etsy.com/!

Fun With Beads and Wire

For the past few months I have been trying my hand at creating various pieces of jewelry. It started with necklaces, then ventured into earrings and just this evening I delved into creating coil bracelets.

It is amazing how much fun creating jewelry can be. I really love picking out beads and then stringing them by their colors, sizes or shapes. I am most in love with my photo necklaces which are perfect for new moms and grandmothers. However, creating the coil bracelets is fun too. I even combined the bracelet with my photo pendants and created a coil bracelet featuring two photo pendants - one on each end.

I currently have most of my jewelry listed in my Etsy shop - http://mylittlemonkey.etsy.com/. I have a few of my pieces of mother's jewelry at my online boutique - http://mylittlemonkeyboutique.com/.

My next step is to create enough jewelry that I can showcase it at a craft fair or festival. Please take a few moments to check out my shops. Feel free to leave a comment about my jewelry. I will choose one person who leaves a comment before the end of the day on Tuesday, April 2 to receive a free pair of disco ball earrings!

My Etsy Favorites!

Well in one of my most recent posts I talked about becoming absorbed in all things Etsy. So I thought it only appropriate to show you some of my most favorite findings and shops in the online shopping community.

First, a shop that provides a variety of handmade items, including my most favorite lampwork beads, is http://sheltie19.etsy.com/. It only took one purchase of Sheltie's lampwork beads to fall in love with them. Her beads are beautiful and versatile - I have created earrings, bracelets and more with them. In addition she also specializes in glass dragons, even one named after me! I can't wait to receive my dragon - it will be my first - and may cause me to become addicted to them like I have become to Sheltie's beads.

Another favorite Etsy seller of mine is http://heatheralexander.etsy.com/. I received the most beautiful wrap bracelet - Imagine - from Heather. Made from a variety of vintage beads and buttons, this bracelet is named after John Lennon's song, Imagine. It is a beautiful bracelet.

If you're looking for baby items, you will want to check out http://girliemomma.etsy.com/. Don't let the site name fool you, this shop also creates some wonderful items for boys too! I recently received an adorable safari security blanket perfect for a little boy! It will be a gift for my brother's baby. The material is beautiful and fabric is soft. In addition, I was lucky enough to get a very nice yard of fabric featuring zoo animals from girliemomma. I can't wait to use this colorful fabric in my next creation.

I definitely suggest taking a few moments to check out these Etsy sellers and Etsy itself. It is a wonderful community of talented people who offer some unique and very cool items. And if you stop by my shop - http://mylittlemonkey.etsy.com/ - I will give you 10% off any purchase over $10 when you mention this blog post.

It Will Suck You In!

If you love to create and are looking for a place to show off your wares, Etsy is for you - but be forewarned, it will suck you in. I just joined Etsy a couple weeks ago and have found myself consumed by it!

Between creating and listing my products, promoting my shop and chatting on the forums, I have spent way too many hours to count in front of the computer. Right now I'm waiting for a fun game of Secret Shopper to start!

Please feel free to check out some of my most recent works at my etsy shop - including these adorable wall hangings perfect for a baby's nursery or child's room.