I have discovered in my travels through Esty Land a few unusual terms. It has taken me weeks to work a few of them out.

PIF - Pass It Free - sounds kinda simple. Really it’s all about doing something nice for a total stranger. Which in the Etsy case means listing an item you have made for 10cents and posting it to whoever buys it, for free.

The snag? If you buy a PIF item, you are expected to list your own. I have recently listed my own PIF. Not to be a good Samaritan, but to get more traffic to my site (evil I know).

TRIF - Trade It Free - ahh, I like this one. Basically you and another seller agree to swop an item from your shop. You can approach a seller on your own (most will give you a polite no), or you can search Etsy for them.

This is one of mine (it’s worth mentioning here that you can also buy something listed as a TRIF). Although once again, it was to get more visits to my shop - however - I am expecting a super cool box, groovy magnets and custom made bag in the mail soon.

Another term which took me ages to work out was OOAK. One Of A Kind. Hrm - me no brain surgeon!

There’s an amazing community in Etsy Land and I am quickly getting to recognise some sellers. Although, I feel I need to mention that some sellers have Avatars which are kinda scary. People - don’t use a photo of yourself if you are trying to sell something!**

Avatar - your personal picture which everyone sees.

** Disclaimer - This statement does not include sellers with which I have already had contact with, if your photo has been ‘worked’ or if you’re just plain gorgeous!

My latest creation for sale. I love red. Such an emotional colour.

I have used various Vintage as well as new beads.

The vintage seeds however have me stumped.

When you crack them open they have the insides of a seed. The hard outer layer is naturally red. And for the life of me I have no idea what they are! (Other than seeds).

Do you recognise these seeds? Have you seen them on a local street corner one Saturday night?

Can you help me solve this mystery?

Technorati Tags: red, jewelry, etsy, oriental, vintage, beads

During my travels in Etsy Land, I came across a little Blue Jay Bird.

Who just happens to be hand stamped on a gorgeous card, by pink bath tub.

I bet the arty and crafty minded of you out there are saying ‘easy!’

Well, I don’t see you selling any. :)

My Way or the Highway now has an online shop! The latest range of unique, vintage necklaces can be bought here.

www.MyWayOrTheHighway.etsy.com

As more items are put up for sale they will be blogged so you now must check both places! *evil laugh*

And maybe…if you blog about the new shop, you might get something in the mail! (Don’t know what this means? Check out previous post paper relics).

Wow! Get this. I emailed a whole stash of gorgeous people letting them know I blogged their online shops at Groovy Moves.

And you know what happened? Paper Relics actually sent me FREE STUFF!!

Not only did I get a thankyou email (which most shops also did), but they also sent me a series of fantastic art cards.

So now I have a dilemma, they are so exquisite I can’t use them! Perhaps I need to pin them to the computer for a couple of months so I can look at them every day.

So if you haven’t already, you now need to visit Paper Relics and relish in their pure creativity.

I believe, that children conspire against their parents. Especially, when one of the Parental Team is away.

Take my children for example.

I would think that their conversation tonight went something a little like this…

Eldest Boy       ‘Hey Sis, Dad’s away in Melbourne for two days.’

Youngest Girl   ‘Cool!’

Boy                 ‘Yeah. I think it’s your turn to be sick. Remember I was sick last when Dad was in London for two weeks?’

Girl                  ’Ok! What do you recommend?’

Boy                 ’Something messy. I think you should throw up on Mum, WHILE she is eating dinner. And make sure it’s curdled *milk too’

* As every parent knows. Vomit, is not just vomit. There are some that don’t really smell all that offensive. Baby ‘possets’ and clear liquid chucks are yuck, but are nothing compared to curdled milk.

It doesn’t matter how many times you get on your hands and knees cleaning the floor. You end up mopping the entire house, disinfecting all vertical surfaces, putting all clothes through the wash with NappySan…AND I CAN STILL SMELL IT!!!

It’s up your nose, as wise Helene would say.

Technorati Tags: conspiracy, vomit

My Way Or The Highway has this necklace for sale.

All My Way pieces are individual, unique art. No two are the same.

Handcarved Turquoise, Vintage Glass, Shell and Wood beads.

Measures 36 - 42 cms (14 -17 inches).

AU$42.00

Free postage worldwide. Payment via Direct Deposit or PayPal.

Please email meredith@bam.com.au for queries or to buy.

Wooden beads may change colour with time.

Post about my way or the highway

My Way Or The Highway is our label for unique, handmade jewellery.

Each piece is a one-off creation.

All items are created in Perth, Western Australia using a variety of vintage and new materials.

You can find work here online and at these Perth locations;

Old Bakery on Eighth Gallery                                     

Mundaring Arts Centre

Bungalow Gifts

Longden Burke & Co

Lush Mint

All enquiries about commisioning a piece are welcome, (sounds impressive! But really all it entails is you telling us what colour and style you would like).

We post Worldwide and it’s FREE!

And yes! Our online shop is coming soon! Created by this amazing Web Company bam creative

Technorati Tags: jewelery, vintage, beads, Perth, shop

My Way Or The Highway has this stunning necklace for sale.

You can now buy this piece at our online shop!

MyWayOrTheHighway.etsy.com

Technorati Tags: for sale, necklace, unique, vintage, beads, handmade, online, etsy 

Vintage Bone and Wood beads, Firepolished Crystal, Onyx and glass necklace 

This piece has been SOLD

 My day today

8:30 am

Parent roster at PrePrimary. Two hours playing with twenty five year olds. We made a plastic link chain that ran the entire circumference of the class. We decorated paper bags for popcorn. Lots of talking, sitting on the floor and enjoying the intelligence.

11:30 am

Drove to Leederville to approach a new shop called ‘Distraction Merchants of Fancy’ about stocking my jewellery (the above piece is one). True to Leederville form they were not open, it being a Monday and all.

So I decided (unwisely) to approach a few other cool shops. They were clothes shops and giftware and the response varied from a ‘how quaint’ snobby attitude to ‘they’re great, but the boss isn’t here.’

I am so used to my little world in a bubble where I have had shops and Galleries ask for my work and where my circle of friends all do the right amount of enthusiasm and buying that it was a bit of a blow.

Hence…

12:30pm

Gloria Jeans for a flat white and a chocolate brownie.

1:00pm

In my infinite wisdom I popped into a couple more shops in Mt Lawley. Once again, the boss wasn’t in (seems to be a Monday thing), but the staff were all gorgeous and I didn’t need an intake of important food groups afterwards.

2:15

Back to school for a Parent Viewing of the Semesters work. Davis (5 year old) was thrilled to show me his work as I was proud as punch to see how much he has improved and loves school.

Sad to see the kids standing there holding their folios waiting for a parent to arrive, who doesn’t. The ‘I want what everyone else has’ starts so early.

3:30

Pick up Leia from Grandma’s house, home in time to start the afternoon and evening routine.

Technorati Tags: Beads, Vintage, Necklace, original, Distraction Merchants of Fancy, Leederville