Settling back in...

The move is over and the dust is starting to settle. There's still a lot of organizing and rearranging to be done, but I can at least ship out orders again. In fact, while I was away and moving, I sold not only a magnet and keychain, but also 2 hemp chokers from my secondary shop! How exciting! I also topped 400 fans on my Facebook page, too! Lots of good things happening now, it seems!

Today, I'm off to the post office to ship out those orders, and I'm hoping by this weekend, I can get started on a couple custom requests that have been on hold this whole time. I am so thankful for patience customers! You are awesome!

Just wanted to post a little something to let you all know what's going on. I hope to return to (whatever is) normal business by the end of this month... between settling in, school, and working overnight still. I sooooo need to burn something, but there's no time nor space just yet....

And just a reminder, everything in both shops is still 50% off! Not sure yet when I'll take that sale down, but for now, it's ongoing.

http://breathofthedragon.etsy.com - wood burnings
http://turnpeacearound.etsy.com - a new take on a classic symbol

Shipping on hold until 3/4

Well, the move is inching nearer each day, and all of my products are packed up now. However, I don't want to close the shops down, so I'm just putting all shipments on hold until 4 March. That should give me enough time to move and unpack enough of my stuff to be able to ship any orders that may come through.

And remember, everything in both shops is still marked at 50% off! Get while the gettin's good!

Breath of the Dragon
Unique Pyrography Gifts

Turn Peace Around
A new take on a classic symbol...

Moving Sale - 50% off EVERYTHING!

It's been quite a year already, and it's just getting started. At the beginning of the year, I was still thinking to leaving Etsy and selling my products from a stand-alone site. After some thought, though, I realized that wasn't going to be feasible in my current situation, especially since I would have to spend a LOT more (both time and money) to advertise properly.

That's when I decided to stick around Etsy for a while, as it just made more sense. So I went through some steps to keep my shop active and running effectively (like updating shipping prices and creating a working inventory for myself). Everything was running smoothly, and I had time to work on new creations as well as custom orders.

At the beginning of February, my mom and stepdad (who share a home with my boyfriend and I) broke the news to us that they were going to move back to FL, the same place they worked so hard to leave 5 years ago. The fact that they were moving was not as big of a deal as how soon they wanted to be gone. Now my boyfriend (who just moved here from FL back in October) and I are rushing through the process of finding him work and getting a place to live. Luckily, we have promising prospects for both right now.

So, because my world is in upheaval again, I won't have nearly as much time to spend devoted to creating and marketing my pyrography, which makes me sad, but I understand and can handle it. Seems like a great reason to mark everything in both shops at 50% off - to encourage sales and help clean out my inventory.

Have you been eying anything in either of my shops? Now would be the perfect time to jump on them, esp at such great prices! Or, if there's something you want, tell your friends to buy it for you. ;)

Because I don't know exactly when my move will be over, the sale is somewhat open-ended. Until I have moved and settled, everything will remain half off. Once I'm a little more settled, I can focus on creating again and reviving the shops back to life with new products. I'm hoping that is sometime around April.

EVERYTHING 50% OFF!
Breath of the Dragon
Turn Peace Around

Oh, and before I forget to mention, I've been featured in a blog as well as a Treasury, all in the same day!

Behind the Burning: Custom Altar Boxes

My adventure last summer was these boxes I created for my friend Daniel. From finding the right shape/size boxes, to getting the designs just right, not to mention the time involved burning all the little celtic knotwork details... But it was a great learning experience, and I am grateful that Daniel was so very patient with me. Here he shares a few things about the adventure.


- How did you find Breath of the Dragon?
I found it through Sunfire *grin* [he's a friend I met on MySpace before I left there]

- What drew you in?
The name and curiosity.

- What inspired your request for a custom piece?
I felt the need for something original and I knew that Sunfire does quality work.

- What was your reaction upon seeing the completed item, both online and then in person?
Shock (but in a good way), and then just pure awe and excitement.

- Will you be back for another piece, either custom or already made?
Of course, but I need to have a use for something else and somewhere to put it first...

- Would you recommend us to your friends? If so, why?
Of course! Quality work, outstanding craftsmanship, and the best service seen thus far.

Since these boxes, I've done quite a few different items for Daniel, including recipe boxes and a wall plaque. He's also been kind enough to purchase a few items that were already made (candlesticks, another wall plaque, and a stationary box). He's definitely my best customer, and it has been a pleasure working with him. Now if only we can get customers like that for his business, Charmed Touches, then we'd be set! Check out his site, Charmed Touches, as well as his Facebook page.

Behind the Burning: Rindy's Cafe box

Forgive me for not updating here more often - seems I have gotten way too distracted way too easily lately... But, here's another story from another happy customer I thought you might enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How did you find Breath of the Dragon? What drew you in?
- "I found Breath Of the Dragon through Etsy, by going through a search engine query for "custom recipe boxes"."

What inspired your request for a custom piece?
- "I figured my sister could use a box, because she's currently using a file folder that's quite messy! But I guess she likes it that way, since the box will be used for something else."

What was your reaction upon seeing the completed item, both online and then in person?
- "It was amazing and wonderful! Both preliminary sketches and finished item."
As for her sister, the one receiving the box, Julia added "My sister thought it was nifty. Though she's not going to use it for recipes, as she already has a recipe book. She said she would use it for little kitchen nick-nacks or something, though."

Will you be back for another piece, either custom or already made?
- "I'll probably buy another thing, if I need another wood item of some sort."

Would you recommend us to your friends? If so, why?
- "I would definitely refer other people to Breath of the Dragon! Great quality and decent price."

Behind the Burning: Wish Boxes

In the second installment of my Behind the Burning series, I'd like to share with you one of the pieces I take the most pride in - Manifestation, or Wish, Boxes. It's a simple idea that I am very glad I came up with: Take your wishes/dreams/desires/prayers, write them down as a way to manifest them, and place them in these boxes for safe keeping. The box serves as a reminder of what you are wishing for, and motivation to keep believing that it will come true.

One of the first people to purchase these boxes was Judy, and she's agreed to share her story with us today.

- How did you find Breath of the Dragon? What drew you in?
"My best friend is a jewelry designer and has an Etsy site (Krystalmoon74) and one day when I was feeling particularly down, she sent me a link to the Dream, Believe, Receive box. I immediately loved it and knew I had to have it, not just for its beauty but also the meaning behind it. I also bought one for my best friend and another friend who had all had trying years. It became a source of hope for a better new year."

- Will you be back for another piece, either custom or already made?
"Definitely, I am hooked..I'm already thinking of purchasing the "Wishes Come True" box but maybe that's a little overkill ;)"

- What was your reaction upon seeing the completed item, both online and then in person.
"It was as beautiful and special as I had pictured it. I couldn't wait to put my wish inside!!"

- Would you recommend us to your friends? If so why?
"I already have. I think that your items are unique and wonderful. Thanks."

Love is in the air...

... and Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

To celebrate, or at least to encourage shoppers perusing Etsy, I've decided to offer any of my "love" or "heart" items at 20% off regular price, up until Valentine's Day (14 February).

I even made new key chains for the occasion....

Check it out today!