just a little rant about coupons

I am the sucker that coupons were invented for. I will (inevitably) forget them, lose them, or try to use them before they're valid or after they've expired.

I don't know why I even try anymore. It never works out. And then, on the rare occasion where I remember and have a valid coupon, the item is already on sale or some other silly rule like that. 

And it's not even that big of a deal. I would end up saving MAYBE 3 or 4 dollars in the end.... But I just always end up feeling like they FORCED me to come in there (with the lure of the coupon money-savings) and then BAM! ---I am spending money!

I used to work at a retail location. It was a Borders book shop. Their big thing was coupons that you print out and bring in for some sort of deal or percent off. 

I encountered all sorts of coupon faux pas:

"I don't have a printer." or " I lost the coupon."

"I want to return this item and buy it with the coupon."

"I want to use these two Xeroxed coupons on these two books."

or

"My 2-year-old is buying this other book with this Xeroxed coupon."

etc., etc., etc. 

I like to think that I am a good consumer because of these experiences. I don't like to hassle the retail worker. I've seen this same phenomenon with past-waiters/waitresses...they always give good tips.

But, come on ... it' not like the store will go out of business if you just give me the $3 discount....

Thanks for listening to my vent!!

Vacation's almost hhheeeeerrrreee!!! :) :) 

Sun & Fun

Thanks so much to every who commented on my last post! My eyes welled up a bit reading them all --*sniff* *sniff*

The plan (for now) is to not think about anything ... ANYTHING until I get back from vacation. Sounds impossible, but that is the task I am setting forth for myself.

I've got a really short work week next week, then a couple days to buy travel-sized hairspray and toothpaste and such. Also, I've got to drop Caesar off at my parent's house for bird-sitting :)

So, here is the big plan:

Day one: Colonial Williamburg

Day two: Busch Gardens

Day three---?: Virginia Beach

My shop is going to be temporarily down for this time (June 5-14th) So, I think I'm still able to get convos through Etsy. But if not, feel free to e-mail me at EmilyZych@yahoo.com.

Rich says one room has free high-speed Internet, so I may smuggle my laptop along for the journey :) :) :)

Pray for no rain, no sunburns and no stress!

The gears are turning ...

Well, I've got my pile of craft store Memorial Day coupons in hand and I'm ready to run the gamut. 

Had another long conversation yesterday evening with Rich about the logistics of doing Etsy full-time. I think the only thing holding me back now is this idea I have of what a person is "supposed" to do. 

Like, you grow up, get a job, and go to it (everday) and get your paycheck with insurance and a 401 (k). 

I feel like I'd be doing something naughty by just crafting full-time. Like the universe would come back and bite me for not doing what the normal people do. I dunno. Maybe I'm just chicken :)

But, anyway, I feel like I need to do some things before I jump in, in any event.

Like, I need to get my own website up and running. This is a major expense (a start-up expense, if you will.) And I've been pussy-footing my way around with a lovely lady who has been extremely patient, but I'm just still tossing the idea around in my head. 

Also, I need a professional photographer. I've been thinking of things I could do, like set up a deal where I ship a few pieces off to someone who shoots them with a better camera/model/setting ... but that would significantly raise my prices. Ugh. 

What's a gal to do!?

Anyway, for now at least, I will worry about my forthcoming beach vacation and concentrate on getting a pedicure and buying travel-sized bottles of mouthwash, lotion and sunscreen :)

P.S. Here's a new HP feature for all you nerdy nerds out there!!

I'm so trendy!

I've been collecting examples of crowns from various catalogs and such as they turn up. And look! Three! They are from Urban Outfitters, Free People and Anthropologie catalogs, respectively. (I think...)

Really, just the top one is a true crown, per say, but you know.  It's like collecting bits of proof

In other news!! The big vacation is coming up! Rich and I spent the past 6+ months (the entirety of our relationship) planning a big super gianourmous trip to London. 

BUT, my fear of flying there, paired with my fear of flying back, has edited this into a jaunt down to Virginia. 

We're thinking of doing the Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, and Virginia Beach circuit over about a week.

I feel myself getting stressed out already. I fear I am just not able to have a relaxing vacation. I will sincerely try though :)

Something pretty for the stressed

Isn't this nice? It's my favorite chipped (shabby chic) bowl that is full of crown supplies :)

Sometimes, like right now, I get really stressed out. I've got about 15-20 special orders I'm working on. And these aren't just assembly line products. I take care (maybe TOO much care) because most of them are for weddings.

I always think that what if this was MY wedding and some girl I never met was in charge of my hair accessorizing? I would want that girl to be on top of things! So, I try to be.

But dang, full-time job and etsy do not mix. I can't even imagine how women that have tots running around the house manage to keep a shop up and running.

So, tonight, after I get home from work (round about 11 p.m.) I will kick off my shoes, plug my iPod into my Harry Potter audiobooks, and set to work on my second job.... not that I'm complaining!! But wouldn't it be SO SWEET if I could JUST do this???

Ah...someday.... :)

*Note to self: Next year, plan for wedding season better!

Crowns in real life!

Ah! I just HAD to share this gorgeous photo I got from Etsian lizzik recently!

We made a pretty basic crown for her, with some pearly sticks coming out the top. And she just poked in a couple flowers for a truly magical look! 

Aren't you just so jealous!!!! :) 

I've been asked a few times (mostly by my sister and mom) if I'll wear a crown at MY wedding. So far, I've always so "No way." Not sure why, I guess because it's too close to home or something ?? 

But after seeing this wedding, I might reconsider. It's such a pretty and idyllic  scene!

another inspiration post!

I went through a little spell a bit ago where I was feeling a bit of the "Etsy Burnout." It was a combination of lots of orders, plus little time, and other stresses in life. But it's OK  now. 

The main symptom of "Etsy Burnout" is a lack of inspiration. Like, feeling as if you are just cranking out stuff instead of working through a creative process. 

But, all is well again and I am once again excited to create! I could tell it was all good when I started sketching crowns during meetings at work :)

Here is some inspiration from last week!

KENTUCKY DERBY! 

Lots of lovely hats. Don't you wish women wore hats all the time like in the pre-1960's? It has to come back...it HAS TO!

ENCHANTED 

(These next two are from me and Amanda W.'s cheesy movie night Monday.) Dig the ribbons?

MOMMA MIA

The whole movie circles around this wedding in Greece! (Not big fat Greek---blue and white island Greek) And there's a really nice veil/crown combo to see!! :)

You go girl.

Look it!  Look it! I want to brag about some happy things to make myself feel better :) haha

-----I've been featured on the Artists of Etsy Exposed treasury series! FUN-O-LA! ARTISTS OF ETSY EXPOSED  It's by this gal, Vicki Diane, and she makes Etsy treasuries with pictures of the artists themselves. So, since just about every picture I have has my mug on it, I tried to make this one a bit more natural and interesting (hence, the glasses and note to Mom and Amanda!) 

P.S. Happy Birthday to Dad, too, on May 12!!!  :) hehe

----- I'm also featured in this Etsy blog about May Day! LINK.

----- I got the first place award in the MDDC Press Association annual awards conference for Front Page design. Woot. Here is the LINK.

You have to scroll down to about page 7...but it says " 33B Page 1 Design / 1st  Emily Zych – The Frederick News-Post  “Infestation” ----Comments: What a way to show your readers just how much of a nuisance stink bugs are. I liked how you had the bugs coming onto the right side of the page. Nice use of information on left side of page. Nice use of color. 

That's it for now. Hopefully, good things in my life happen in three's (just like the bad things do.) Fingers crossed!!!  --Emily