BESTeam Feature: Blue Forest Jewellery

Meet Blue Forest Jewellery from the UK. Alison's love of crafting comes from her grandmother, and though she dabbles in many crafts, jewelry is her passion. She creates beautiful pendants, earrings, and necklaces with semi-precious beads.

"The shop name comes from the remains of the Forest of Arden here in the middle of England where we love to walk the dog. There are a variety of trees there, many very ancient, including silver birches and firs. In the right sunlight, they reflect the lovely blues of the sky and in the spring the deep purply blue of the bluebell carpet."

Connect with a natural beauty with these handmade earrings with a tree charm, wood, and freshwater pearl beads, $22.00, pictured below.

There is a simple beauty in the handmade blue veined jasper coin bead necklace, $30.00, shown below. Feel a calmness in the beads.

Alison's designs are classic, pure beauty. Handmade earrings with tiger eye, elephant jasper, and blue aventurine tiger sky, $30.00, shown above. A handmade bracelet with semi-precious turquoise and howlite beads, $25.00, shown below.
And, of course, I'm drawn to the speckled owls and dalmation jasper earrings, $20.00, shown below.
For more, follow Alison on her blog, facebook, or twitter.

BESTeam Feature: Mystic Wynd

Is it already Thursday? Where did the week go? With all the sickness and computer sickness going around this week, I have waited far too long to introduce you to a stellar seller, Karen of Mystic Wynd. Valentine's Day is just around the corner (crazy, no?), and everyone has a special someone who deserves something sweet--yourself! Ok, maybe you have someone else in mind. Karen designs for a specific type of person--everyone. Whether you are looking for something whimsical or elegant to polish your look, you can easily find the accessories with Mystic Wynd.

I love the Keepsake Heart Locket Necklace, $27.95, pictured below. It reminds me of Victorian novels and romantic evenings.

The Chrysanthemum Ring, $10.95, shown below, is a unique addition to your ensemble.
Or for an elegant hint of pink, this Shell and Crystal Necklace, $27.95, shown below, will add a touch of class.
The Frilled Purple and Green Flower Earrings, $19.95, shown below, conjure stories of fairies and elves.
It is also clear in browsing Karen's shop that she has an eye for photography. This Eyeglass Holder Necklace, $16.95, shown below, is a fantastic piece, but the photo made me smile all on its own.
Mystic Wynd is a great example of not only a collection of beautiful pieces but also a showcase of a master shop owner.

Can't get enough? Follow Karen on her blog.

BESTeam Feature: Rae of Light Photography

This week's feature (which apologetically arrives late) is Rachael of Rae of Light Photography, based out of Joplin, MO. Her photography appears in her shop in a variety of sizes of prints and can even be adapted for calendars.

Simple beauty is captured magnificently in the lines curves of both Telephone Numbers, a 5x7 print for $15.00, pictured above, and Curve Appeal, an original fine art print for $30.00, pictured below.

Curious what sizes are available? Traveling by GMC Truck, the colorful but quiet piece shown below, is available as a 4x6, a 5x7, an 8x10, or an 11x14 print.

This print is perhaps my favorite of all the prints in Rachel's shop: For Sale, shown below, available as a Fine Art Print and other smaller sizes.

For more, you can follow Rachel on her blog.

My computer and I have both been sick this week.

Vitamins, sleep, and plenty of fluids, folks. Please don't get whatever I've had! Everyone I know is out with a cough or congestion or worse. On top of all that, my computer picked this week to decide to not recognize my operating system.

But it's all on its way to be okay now. BESTeam feature on the way! And my lungs are feeling much more functional than they have of late.

Business Notes: Photoshop

I finally installed Photoshop on my brand new laptop!

While I realize that having a fancy-schmancy photo editing program is unnecessary, having great product photos is a key element of running a successful shop. Hopefully, the tools will help the motivation to update my photos!

BESTeam Feature: Too Much of a Good Thing

Jill of All Trades Leyla of Salem, OR (Hi, neighbor!), is creator and curator for this week's BESTeam shop: Too Much of a Good Thing. Where to start? There are so many different treasures in her shop!

Don't think about a giraffe! Too late. Gerald the Giraffe Amigurumi Doll, $15.00, shown below, is the perfect companion. He is not meant for children in his current condition (his eyes may not withstand a child's love), but Leyla will make embroidered or button eyes, if the kids want a Gerald of their own.

Check out this Purple and White Flower Brooch, $8.50, shown below! It's a lovely accessory for any outfit and can be customized for whatever color combinations you need.

If needlepoint isn't your style, there are plenty of beautifully crafted paper items to choose from. The Hot Air Balloon Note Card Set, $7.50, shown above, is one of my favorite designs in the shop, but there are many more where those came from! They are perfect for writing Thank You notes after the holidays or sending a colorful hello to a far away friend.

This beautiful Yellow and Orange Kelp Leaef Picture Frame, $10.00, shown below, would not only make a great pair with Gerald, but it will also add a smile to your face and a little brightness to your office. Start the New Year with some color in your life!
Leyla's Black Zipper Flower Statement Headband, $12.50, shown below, is not something you see every day. This bold and original accessory is the perfect example of the creative solutions found in this shop.
Pick up a new craft this New Year, and take some time to appreciate the crafters and artists who display their variety of talents!

If you're visiting Salem, OR, you can also find Leyla's work at the Willamette Valley Fruit Company and Felicity Boutique. Online, you can follow her blog.

Tuesday Treasury

Above: Cupcake Greeting Cards -- Set of 5 All Occasion Greeting Cards

by creativeapples photography, $15.00

I Love You, Cupcake is my newest treasury on Etsy. I would love to post an image of that treasury here, but I am not sure how to do that without taking a screen shot and editing it and then importing it. How do people do those cool treasuries in their blogs where you can click on a picture and it takes you to the item's page?

I feel technologically challenged.

Please do check out the new treasury.

I've Had a Nice Vacation...

...and now I'm ready to get back in the game.

Obviously, I am making a resolution to blog more frequently. I think I make that goal about once a month, hold myself to it for a few days, and then relapse into my once-a-week BESTeam feature. "I'm serious this time!" Really, I will blog more. Hold me to it, mates.

I would love to list a new item every day, but unfortunately, I'm drowning in the current economy, and I have been so busy trying to keep bread on the table that keeping books in my shop has been lower on the list of priorities than I would like. I often read "Quit Your Day Job," and think to myself how nice that would be, but realistically, I have miles to go.

The more manageable goals include taking new product photographs, designing a cohesive product line, and keeping my records organized.

That's it for now, but hopefully I'll be back tomorrow!

Check out the feature that Norah from Your Daily Jewels wrote about my shop! Thanks Norah! BESTeam is awesome!