Monday Morning Post

It is ten minutes til' 7:00a.m. and I am drinking a chocolate boost, while searching for packaging supplies on Etsy and wishing for sleep.   The zpack I am taking for bronchitis has kept me awake since 9pm.  Funny during the day it made me sleepy, I would nap for a couple of hours, wake up for a little while and go back to sleep. 

There are so many packaging ideas and resources available. I am trying to find my look for my business. Something simple, yet eye-catching that screams "Mardi Robyn!" I haven't found it yet, but I will.

Blues, browns, stickers, duct tape, washi tape, ribbon, organza bags, I like it all but I have not figured out just what my branding style is when it comes to packaging my jewelry.

Do you sell handmade items on the world wide web? Any packaging tips you would like to share? I would enjoy reading them!  I like gaining new ideas.

Last night started the Surprise Pre-Thanksgiving Sale in my shop. www.MardiRobyn.com  I have over 1300 handmade jewelry items to choose from, and will be adding more throughout the day, as well as the rest of the week.    The Pre-Thanksgiving Sale lasts until next Monday. You can save 15% off each item plus combine coupon codes for extra savings. 

If you have purchased anything from my shop you will find an exclusive customer coupon code on the back of the business card I packaged with your order.  Coupon codes can also be found on my facebook, twitter, and Etsy shop announcements!  

I added a lot of new jewelry pieces to my shop over the weekend, here is a look at some of the new items....

Rose post earrings. $3.00 each

Lightening Bolt Earrings. $4.00 each

Autumn Leaf Post Earrings. $2.50 each

Poodle Adjustable Rings. $4.95 each

Purple Plaid Flower Antique Style White Filigree Ring.

 

$6.00

 

 

Pre-Thanksgiving Sale: Save 15% on each of these items plus hundreds more!

 

Shop:  www.MardiRobyn.com

 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MardiRobynDesigns

 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/MardiRobyn

 

Instagram:  @MardiRobyn

 

Tumblr: www.tumblr.com/MardiRobyn

 

 

Unusual Adjustable Rings

 

I posted these pictures on my Instagram (@mardiRobyn) over the weekend but I wanted to share them here in case you do not follow me on Instagram and have not seen them.

 

To me they are a bit unusual and at first I hesistated to put them on the web since they are so different, but hey isn't that what fashion is about? I like them!  The circles backings are made of acrylic, the decorations are actual stickers that have been secured to the circle base and I will be adding a few coats of sealer so that the sticker stays in place. The rings are adjustable.

 

What do you think?

 

 

 

Orange Leopard Print Heart Sticker on a Blue base.

 

Cute Blue Owl on a Yellow Glitter Base.

 

Green Music Notes and Pink Treble Clef Music Symbol on a Black Glitter base.  This ring is my favorite!

 

 

I add the finishing touches to these rings, photograph them and list them for sell in my shop sometime this week or the first of next!

 

 

God Bless,

  Mardi Robyn

 

 

P.S. Expect alot of blog posts within the next few weeks and the weeks to come. I am wanting to reach atleast 100 blog posts before the end of 2012.

Thanks for stopping by!!

 

 

 

Shop:         www.MardiRobyn.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/MardiRobynDesigns

Twitter:     www.twitter.com/MardiRobyn

Pinterest:   www.pinterest.com/MardiRobyn

Tumblr:     www.MardiRobyn.tumblr.com

Instagram:  @MardiRobyn

 

My Personal Blog:  www.IAmADaughterOfTheKing.blogspot.com 

 

 

 

 

New Earrings Coming This Week

I am excited to be uploading the following earrings for sale later this week. In the meantime here are some pictures I took and uploaded to Instagram last night! Enjoy! 

 

Silver Glitter Star Earrings  $3.00

 

4inch Yellow Hoops with Glitter Pink Stars $5.00

 

Glitter Pink Stars Dangling from Black Chain Earrings $5.00

 

      Red and White Peppermint Swirl Ornament Ball Earrings $3.00

 

4inch Orange Hoop Earrings with Blue Glitter Stars  $5.00

 

Big Red and White Glitter Peppermint Ball Earrings on 4inch Gold Hoops. Lightweight. $5.00

 

Glitter Blue Star Earrings  $3.00

 

Silver Glitter Star Outline Earrings $4.00

 

Pink Glitter Star Earrings $3.00

All of these earrings will be available in my shop www.MardiRobyn.com sometime this week with better photographs!  If you are interested in pre-ordering any of these comment below or send me an email at Mard[at]MardiRobyn.com (be sure and change the [at] to @)  I can send you an invoice via paypal to your email address if you would like to order these before they are listed in my shop.

Keep checking back, I have a lot of blog post ideas waiting to be blogged!

Have a great week,

God Bless,
 ~Mardi Robyn

DIY Tutorial: Anchor Cameo Adjustable Rings

For today's DIY Tutorial I am going to show you how to make these adorable and trendy Anchor Cameo Antique Bronze Adjustable rings. They are super simple and it doesn't take long at all.

 

For this project you will need:

 

1. Clean Surface

2. Cutting Board

3. Anchor Cameos

4. Adjustable Ring Base

5. Super Glue





 

                                       

 

You can use any  cameo's, I like the looks of the Anchor ones. I also have lady face cameo adjustable rings available for purchase in my shop www.MardiRobyn.com   

 

You can find the supplies on Etsy or Ebay.   Personally I love using "Ingredients for Lovely" shop on etsy to buy my antique bronze adjustable ring bases.  The seller is super friendly, shipping is fast, and the quality of her supplies are wonderful! I have bought supplies from her shop multiply times. Which reminds me I need to place another order soon!

 

The adjustable ring bases pictures are 25 x 20mm in size. The Cameos are 18mm x 25mm in size. The cameos are made of resin!

Like I said this tutorial is super easy, and you can find the supplies on Etsy and even Ebay. I purchased some Anchor cameos from there not to long ago. 

 

Superglue can be purchased at a number of places. The yellow was purchased at Dollar General and the black tube came in a four or five pack at Wal-Mart. It can be found in the hardware department. I have been using both kinds for months and I like it. It is sturdy and holds up very well!

 



The next step is easier than baking a cake!  Holding the ring by the ring that goes on your finger. Add super glue to the oval base of the ring.  Next places the cameo evenly onto the ring, try not to superglue your fingers together!  Press the cameo onto the ring base with your finger for 10-20 seconds.  Let air dry over night and viola you have yourself a brand new trendy ring!  I told you this was a super simple tutorial!

Which color is your favorite?  I like the pink and black anchor! I made one for myself!  Don't have the time to make one yourself?  No problem! I will be listing these rings in my shop by the end of the week!  www.MardiRobyn.com

Don't forget to join the mailing list, like Mardi Robyn on facebook, and follow along on Twitter and Instagram. You will get exclusive coupon codes, sneak peaks and a lot more!

God Bless,
  ~Mardi Robyn

Mini Christmas Bow Adjustable Rings

I want to get into the habit of posting tutorials!  I love reading blogs that have diy tutorials and I love coming up with ideas and making crafts, so why not start posting tutorials.. 

 

For this tutorial I want to show you have to make cute adjustable rings using mini Christmas gift bows!

I sell these in my etsy shop and have had positive feedback!

Glitter Red Bow Adjustable Ring

You will need the following supplies:

~ Mini Christmas Bows

~ Adjustable Ring Base

~Superglue

~ Fingernail File (or sandpaper)

~Scissors

~Felt (Optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

 Prep-Time

1.  Using your fingernail file or sandpaper, file over your adjustable ring base a few quick times. This helps the adhere the bow to the ring base once the superglue is applied.

2. Next take one of your bows, on the back is the paper you usually peel off to stick to a package, you will want to neatly trim it to where the paper is more rounded on the back.  You can also cut the entire paper backing off and secure a felt circle to the back using your superglue for a more polished look, like you would do if you were making a hair bow using decorative flowers.

3. After you have filed the adjustable ring base and trimmed the paper from the back of the bow it is time to do the final step in making your ring!

4.  Using your superglue apply to base pad of the adjustable ring and add the back of the bow to the pad of the ring.  You might need to apply a little dab of superglue to the back of the bow as well.

Let dry and you have yourself a pretty cute bow ring! 

Simple and easy to make for you and your friends!

Don't forget to check out my shop! www.MardiRobyn.com  you will find over 1000 handmade jewelry items and hair accessories to choose from!

DIY Tutorials: Decorated iPhone Case

I love my iphone! I have had an iPhone since December 2011 and I cannot imagine ever going back to any other type phone. It seems like the iPhone does everything!

I had a teal otterbox that was falling apart from use, so one day I decided to paint it blue with acrylic paint however I should have used some sort of sealer on it to keep it from chipping, since I didn't it chipped and started coming off on my iPhone. Big no no!  So, I remembered that I still had two rubber silicone iPhone cases that I bought in a pack of three at Wal-Mart last year when I bought my first iPhone.   The pack was around $10 and had three cases, white, blue, and gray. I used the blue right away since it is my favorite color. When it wore out I bought the otter box I mentioned.  

Today I decided to do a simple diy decor for the white rubber iPhone case!  Take a look!

I added sparkly music note stickers that I bought by a sheet in the scrapbook section of Wal-Mart several months ago.  Isn't it cute!

This little gal is called a Kawaii Teardrop.  Kawaii means Cute in Japanese.

I turned this Kawaii Teardrop charm into a cellphone charm! (Charms like this will be available in my Shop www.MardiRobyn.com in the very near future along with other styles!)

Not bad for a simple Diy iPhone case tutorial!

My Top 10 List of Resources

It is common in the blogosphere world for bloggers to post atleast one post of "Top 10 Resources" rather those resources are cooking, make-up, webdesign or anything else that has it's on category.  I decided to do my own top 10 list of resources.  Resouces that I use and deem necessary and or helpful when running an online business and blog sooo in no particular order, here is my top 10 list of helpful resources I use from time to time!  Enjoy!

1. Pinterest :   I love pinterest!  It has quickly taken the world wide web by storm! I love it so much I have the app downloaded onto my iphone so I can browse the site and repin pins when I am not on my computer!   Pinterest is very helpful for finding ideas and inspiration, as well as promoting my own jewelry.  A feature on Etsy lets you pin your jewelry items, (or anyone elses if you are just browing shops) I like to pin my jewelry to my board "Mardi Robyn" on pinterest. I always love it when someone "repins" one of my jewelry creations!

2. Everything Etsy : I came across this website not to long ago and I like it a lot!  The author is a home-school Mom which I think is awesome, especially considering I am a homeschool graduate!  This website has a lot of helpful resources and information for running your online business on Etsy. I recommend everyone who is interested in selling their handmade creations check out this website!

3. Modish Biz: I came across this website a few years ago, around the same time I opened up my first Etsy Shop. It has a wealth of information on how to run an online business. I recommend this website as well!

4. Ehow: I love ehow. I don't visit it nearly often enough, however I recently downloaded the ehow app to my iphone and plan on browsing it often.  I like ehow because you can find a variety of helpful information from running a business, jewelry making ideas, tutorials, fashion and style, health and gardening, you name it you can probably find just about anything. 

5. Wikipedia: I have found Wikipedia to be very helpful. And yes I have the app on my iphone! If I want to learn about a fashion trend, style or anything for that matter, all I have to do is go to wikipedia. It is convienant and has a ton of information.

6. The Cutest Blog on the Block : I like this website alot! It has free background and templates for twitter, wordpress, and blogspot. It also has banners and blinkies. Its fun and has a nice layout. You can also find tutorials for blogging. I learned how to add three columns to my blogs from this website and how to add a layered background (like on this website it has a blue background and then white on top of the blue) They also do custom designs.   I use one of their free blogger backgrounds on my website Cutesy for Less www.cutesyforless.com

7. Google : Google really needs no introduction. lol I use it to search for anything and everything that I am searching for. Business help, ideas, etc.. As millions of people have discovered, google is a very helpful search engine.

8. Amazon : I love shopping Amazon for books on running a business, craft ideas, blogging, etc.. You can find great prices and a variety of resources.

9. Home-Jewelry-Business-Success-Tips: This website has a wealth of information on how to be successful with your jewelry making business.  I encourage you to check it out! It is very informative!

10. Urban Dictionary : You have to be careful on this website because it does contain inappropriate language on some of the definations. I visit this website ever once in a while to keep up to date on teenage lingo and styles to kind of help with my jewelry making and promotion since I like to make a lot of jewelry that is appealing to children, teenagers, and college students.


What resources would you recommend?

Fruit Eraser Adjustable Rings

These cute fruit adjustable rings are made from actual eraser!

Lemon

Orange

Grape

Apple

Pear

Strawberry

Now available at www.MardiRobyn.com

"Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!" ~Philippians 4:4

Etsy Shop Feature: JMP Designs

For today's blog post I would like to start a new section "Etsy Shop Feature" (until I can think of a better name for this section!)  From time to time I will be featuring works from some of my favorite shops on Etsy!  I am excited about my first feature, "JMP Designs."   Jill the owner of JMP Designs

 specializes in creating wonderful works of wearable art from recycled aluminum cans! 

I was thrilled when I received permission to feature some photographs from JMP Designs.

Last year I ordered Coke themed Earrings and a Necklace for my oldest sister Kristi's birthday in March, and in September I ordered Pepsi themed jewelry for my sister Kim.  They loved it!  I believe you will love JMP Designs as well, take a look at some photographs of Jill's many designs. 

**Photographs are the property of JMP Designs and are used in this blog post with the permission of the owner.**

                       Metal Lace Diamond Earrings. DOUBLE-sided. Recycled Soda Can Art. AZ Tea

      Recycled Soda Can Art. TRENDY 30 inch Pendant Necklace - Pink Rockstar Flower and Leaf

                         Recycled Soda Can Art. Mini Blue Rose and Leaf Earrings. Monster

TRENDY 30 inch 3D Butterfly Necklace. Recycled Soda Can Art. DOUBLE-sided. Mango Tea

              Cameo with Embossed Frame with Leather Cord Necklace. Recycled Soda Can Art.

                   TRENDY 30 inch 3 Leaves Necklace. Recycled Soda Can Art. - Mango and Sprite

Floating Flower Earrings. DOUBLE-sided and embossed. Recycled Soda Can. AZ Tea

Isn't her designs incredible?!! I think so! Check out JMP Designs shop on etsy for more great colors and designs! 

               Recycled Soda Can Art. Stacked Hoop Circle Earrings . DOUBLE-sided. Pink Rockstar


I just purchased these earrings for myself!! Aren't they cute?!  I can't wait for their arrival so I can wear them with a cute outfit!


                         Be sure and stop by JMP Designs for more awesome wearable artwork!

Glow-In-The-Dark Pony Bead Cluster Dangle Earrings

Check out these fun and bright Glow-in-the-Dark Pony Bead Cluster Dangle Earrings!

Available Now in my Etsy Shop!

(Also available in various colors in my shop not pictured above!)

Check it out!

www.MardiRobyn.com

..::Shop::..

www.MardiRobyn.com

..::Facebook::..

www.facebook.com/MardiRobynDesigns

..::Twitter::..

www.twitter.com/MardiRobyn

..::Pinterest::..

www.pinterest.com/MardiRobyn

Duct Tape Flowers

Last week while watching television and laying around I decided to play with duct tape. I made duct tape flowers!  The above plaid flower is just one of over twenty I made!  Want to see more?

Check them out here "Duct Tape Flowers"  (My album on facebook for Mardi Robyn!)

These are so much fun to make! I want to try using more colors of duct tape and make different styles of flowers!

Duct tape is so much fun!!

Have a great Thursday,
    Mardi Robyn


..::Website/Etsy Shop::..
www.MardiRobyn.com

..::Facebook::..
www.facebook.com/MardiRobynDesigns

..::Twitter::..
www.twitter.com/MardiRobyn

..::Pinterest::..
www.pinterest.com/MardiRobyn

~*~It is good to praise Yahweh. To sing praise to Your name Most High. To declare Your faithful love in the morning and your faithfulness at night." ~Psalm 92:1-2 ~*~

Color Combinations

Just some pictures I wanted to post...I'm playing around with these color combinations of flowers and beads! 

What do you think?

..::Etsy Shop::..

www.MardiRobyn.etsy.com

..::Facebook::..

www.facebook.com/MardiRobynDesigns

..::Twitter::..

www.twitter.com/MardiRobyn

..::Pinterest::..

www.pinterest.com/MardiRobyn