It's my 1st ETSYversary . . .

A year ago, my life was a mess. I was, as one might say, at a crossroads. I didn't have a "real" job, my only son was away at college, and my beloved Mom had just passed away. I had stepped away from my job at a small shop in town after my Dad had passed away just months before. I felt very alone - probably one of the darkest times in my life. This is not me - I'm generally a very happy go lucky person; big smile and hearty laugh. I came home and sort of wandered around for weeks not sure what I should be doing.

So what was this girl to do? I had been creating jewelry for many years, selling at a couple of local shops and to sweet girlfriends who wanted to support my little venture. I did have an ETSY account. I had bought a few things from other artists, actually had listed a couple of pairs of earrings that were featured with really bad photographs. Really, what was I thinking. So I woke up one day and decided that life was going to pass me by if I didn't get it figured out. So I literally spent hours upon hours scouring ETSY about how to take good photographs and set up shop in Kellan's room. I purchased some new beads and just went to town. In a few short days I had a little collection that I thought I would list. I took the photographs, they were just okay. Nothing great, but each time I took a photo, they got better. I figured out that lighting was crucial. So I had to wait many a day for a sunny spot here in Seattle. I listed my first grouping and waited . . . and waited . . . and waited. I had a few sales here and there, but nothing to write home about and certainly not enough to pay the bills if this was to be my "new job". John and I took off on a trip to Florida in August and while I was gone, I spent the days scouring magazines for inspiration. When we returned, I jumped back in and got going on new designs - I found a fellow ETSYian (thank you Phaedra) who had amazing filigree findings, and that's how Tippy Stockton took off. My Caliente earrings went bonkers. Okay, so this was fun. People were liking my jewelry - YES!!! Oh, and how could I forget, John and my neighbor Jerry built me a new Studio in our backyard. What a place - great light, everything in its place, and such a wonderful spot to go to each day for WORK!!! I had made a a lofty goal for myself; 100 SALES by Christmas!!! Boy was I being overzealous!!! As the days ticked by and the sales kept coming, I thought for a minute that 100 sales could happen. And happen it did!!! By Christmas, I had surpassed 100 sales. Way past 100 sales and looking at 150. YAY! So I could do this.

So, now I'm committed. I have a handful of Wholesale Accounts (yes I love my Wholesale Accounts), I'm about to be represented in the Midwest by a lovely young lady, and I'm dedicated to finding even more wonderful shops and boutiques across the country to have a spot for Tippy Stockton.

I'm also excited to share some news with you! In April, I will be flying off to St. Louis with my sweet friend Cindy to attend the Mary Engelbreit Workshop. I'll be meeting with many wonderful designers who started their careers like me. Kaari from French General is of particular interest to me as she has a lovely jewelry line. There are others too who I have my sights set on for tips of the trade. Can't wait.

Stay tuned . . . Tippy Stockton isn't going anywhere!!! I'll have more "breaking" news to share with you soon. I'm in Studio every day designing and loving life. I've just listed many new items to the shop, so I hope that you'll head over and check them out. http://www.tippystockton.etsy.com/. As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, or just want to chat, FIRE AWAY!!!

Oh, and one more thing . . . to celebrate my anniversary, here's my gift to you.

20% off anything RED in February

20% off anything GREEN in March

Make sure you type "anniversary" in notes to seller. I will issue you a purchase credit through PayPal upon completion of the transaction.

I couldn't have done this without all of you!!!

Thank you fans of

Tippy Stockton and ME!

You're all awesome and I can't wait for 2010.

Oh, how I Love thee!!!

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. Helen Keller

Valentine's Day is almost here. How do you celebrate the day? If you're looking for a little something to give to your sweetheart, make sure you take some time and head over to www.tippystockton.etsy.com. If you need help selecting that special gift, please just shoot me an e-mail. I would love to help. Just so you know, with every gift, you will receive complimentary Valentine's Day gift wrap.

Wishing you love . . . always!!!

Haiti Relief Fund Nets $42

I am happy and proud to say that I had a few sales for my Haiti Relief Donation Fund. The donations netted $42 from 4 sales and I have decided to match that donation. A total of $84 is being donated to World Vision on behalf of my customers. Thank you to all of you who purchased something from my shop, Tippy Stockton last week. I know it doesn't seem like much money, but I know that every little bit helps. $84 can buy a lot of bottled water, right!!!

If you missed out on purchasing something from www.tippystockton.etsy.com, please send me an e-mail. I would love to continue to donate. I know the people of Haiti will need the help for many years to come. Merci beaucoup!!!

Haiti Relief Fund

Haiti Earthquake Relief

I was hoping that my first blog of the new year would be something happy and hopeful for 2010. I couldn't let the tragedy that has befallen Haiti go by without trying to help these poor people. When I was a young girl, I couldn't wait for Labor Day Weekend. Why you ask? Well it was my opportunity to get out in my neighborhood with my decorated coffee can and collect money for Jerry's Kids. Yes, I really did. My parents would then load me and my little brothers in the car and we would head over to Peoria (yes I really did live near this infamous city) and I would get to go on the air at the local TV Station. "Hi, my name is Patty Kelly and I have collected $31.23 for Jerry's Kids". True story!!! So I guess you could say donating is in my blood. When my cousin Dennis was killed in the World Trade Center on 9/11, I was quick to donate to the Red Cross. As a side note, the Red Cross actually contacted me after I attended Dennis' funeral to see if I needed help with my travel expenses. I didn't accept any donation for travel; so many people including American Airlines made it financially possible for my Dad, brother and myself to travel to Long Island to be with our family.

So, for the next week (until 1/20), I will be donating 25% of all sales. World Vision is a local agency here in Shoreline, WA who have done amazing work when tragedy strikes somewhere in the world. They already have people on the ground in Haiti. I will be updating this blog at the end of the week with the total that I will be donating on your behalf. Treat yourself or someone you love to a lovely piece of jewelry and help the people of Haiti.

Let's try to make a small difference for these poor people. They were just restoring their lives after enduring 3 hurricanes in recent years. Thank you for your support, and God Bless You! www.tippystockton.etsy.com.

Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010

Happy New Year one and All . . .

Christmas has come and gone - I hope that it was PERFECT for you. It certainly was for me! But I can honestly tell you, I am so glad 2009 is almost over. I can't wait to close that chapter and open fresh and new for 2010.

This has been an incredible year for me with my business. I had set some lofty goals for myself and I'm so excited to say that I blew past those goals with flying colors.

I was thinking that I would take some time off - well I have had a little downtime due to some minor surgery on Monday, 12/28. I've rested a lot and have let my family take care of me. But I am so anxious to get out to my studio and get going on all new designs for 2010.

So help me clear out my ETSY Shops!!! I am having a RED TAG SALE on both websites. For gorgeous jewels head over to: www.tippystockton.etsy.com . For pillows, boxes, glass and odds and ends go to www.tippystextilesnstuff.etsy.com.

I can't wait for you to see my new designs - they will start rolling into the shops in a week or so. Until then, have a wonderful New Years Eve!!!

May blessings of love and prosperity come your way in the NEW YEAR! See you all soon.

Holiday Boutique at Tippy's

Greetings Family and Friends . . .

It's that time again when I open my doors and welcome you to my annual Holiday Boutique. It's a great time to come out with a friend, have a glass of wine and some goodies, and shop for that something special for all the good girls on your list. Lot's of gorgeous jewelry, pillows, scarves, glittery boxes, carmel corn and nuts, and so much more!!! Here's the details:

Tippy Stockton's Holiday Boutique

5:00 - 9:00 pm

948 Cedar Street, Edmonds - WA 98020

(425) 359-8555 or e-mail for info. @ tippystockton@aol.com

I can't wait to see you! I hope you stop by, shop some amazing handcrafted items, and spend some time enjoying the season!!!

Tippy's Textiles in Atlanta???

Well, not really. Here's the scoop. Twas the day before Thanksgiving, while I was scurrying around getting packages shipped off, glittering boxes, wirewrapping bracelets, peeling potatoes, preparing pumpkin pies, chopping onions, etc., etc., etc., I was contacted by Amy from ETSY in NYC. She was calling to let me know that the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper had selected my "Joyeux Noel" Pillow to be featured in their Holiday Gift Guides Section of the newspaper. What did you say? You want WHAT? Who, me, you want my pillow? Of all the thousands, perhaps millions of items listed on ETSY, and you want my pillow??? Well, okay then! So I scrambled to get a good quality photo off to Amy, and promptly got back to my pies.

I didn't hear back from Amy after the long weekend and I kept checking on-line to see if I could find anything about my pillow. Nothing :( I received a note from a fellow ETSYian in Atlanta letting me know she saw my pillow on the Front Page of the paper. Wahoo!!! She said she would send me a copy of the paper.

So, it's back to the real world. I'm continuing to create beautiful jewelry, crochet like a mad woman, and package and mail out my shipments. It's not too late to shop. Delivery deadlines start to get in the way in a couple of weeks. Today I'm headed to Haley's Cottage in Mill Creek for their Holiday Open House. I'll be there from 3:00-8:00pm. Stop in, say hello! Here's the address: 15021 Main Street, #E, Mill Creek, WA 98012 (just across the street from LA Fitness)

Next Friday, December 11 is my 4th Annual Holiday Boutique here at my home. Here's the address: 948 Cedar Street, Edmonds, Wa 98020 5:00-9:00pm. Share an evening with friends, sip on some wine and have a nosh or two. Can't wait to see you all there!

Take some time and enjoy all the blessings of this Holiday Season. Treasure the time with your family and friends; create new memories! Have a lovely weekend!