How'd you do THAT?

At least twice a day, I am asked: "Jupita, how do you do THAT with your gift cards?" So, I decided to post a little HOW-To!



Today we will take this ordinary gift card (this one happens to be from starbucks) and "Upcycle" it into something CUTE!

First:
Assemble your materials/supplies
Gift card, Some Awesome heavy duty scissors, Sharpie, Eyelets, Crop-a-dile, Jump rings, Keychain ring, beads, CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION!!



Second:
Draw the shape you want to create, on the BACK of the gift card. I chose a BUNNY AND AN EGG. (Easter baby!!)



Third:
Here is where the SKILL comes in. (If you passed kindergarten, you are SOOO already there.) Cut out the shape you doodled. Be careful, the ER does NOT want you to be their next visitor. (If you did this correctly, there will be no need to sand anything down. It takes a steady hand!!)



Forth:
Decide on position for eyelet. Punch out hole, insert eyelet. (Eyelets are optional, but sometimes create a more finished look.!)



Fifth:
My piece is going to be a keychain charm. So, I looped the jump ring through the eyelets on the bunny and egg. Then, I attached the Jump ring to a made by me beaded piece (for extra pretty Jupitaness!) and added a little keychain loop.

TAADAAA
UPCYCLED GIFT CARD CUTENESS!!


If you are interested in this piece, or others like it.. Please, come visit me at WWW.JUPITA.ETSY.COM !!!

Jenn ~ Jupita

Cloth, Paper, Scissors and Etsy Chatters

Many of us are constantly on the look out for way to get our art noticed. We are in search of that magical promotional tool, to help thrust us into the next level of sales!

Well, I may have found (or been found by, rather) such a vessel!

Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine in a publication that focuses on altered art, mixed media compositions, how-tos and so much more. If you have not yet read it - you SHOULD!!

Last month, I was contacted by the Editor in chief about being in her publication. She was amazed that my upcycled jewelry was once GIFT CARDS!! So, I sent her some photos (and she even picked up one of my pieces from the shop.) and a little blurb. This month, I have a little spot in this amazing magazine, in the new MUSE Flash section.

Well, the point? They have requests for submissions in their publication. They are looking for new techniques, fresh ideas, inventive products and more! Chat Teamers.. you need to submit your items!


Right now they have a readers challenge. "Play on Words"

You do a mixed media piece showing a word, quote, depiction of such in 2 or 3d. All the rules are here:
http://www.quiltingarts.com/cpsmag/cps_challenge.html

There are also submission guidelines here: http://www.quiltingarts.com/cpsmag/cps_submissions.html
For other things that you may want to send in!! A great, fun way to get noticed.



Go to: http://www.quiltingarts.com/cpsmag/cpshome.html to read more. (and subscribe, TOTALLY worth it!!)


~Jenn~
www.jupita.etsy.com

Wednesday Rockin the Promos

Our very own Holisticallyheather has a new start up promo project going.

VEGAN CRAFT SAMPLES!!

If your product is Vegan Friendly (no use of animal products, no use of animals in testing on, etc.)this may be a great route for you to explore!

Holisticallyheather is assembling sample packages of items sent in from various crafters. From soaps, to crafts, to just about anything vegan friendly you can think of - are welcome here!

It is a great way to get your items out to more potential customers. An excellent way to showcase your products, all while helping out a good cause. (She is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sales to an animal charity to be chosen by vote on her BLOG!! http://www.vegansamples.blogspot.com/

So, go there and learn more. Get involved! Support one of our Etsy Chat Team members and promote your Vegan Friendly Items..

~Jenn~

Weiners.. er. I mean. WINNERS!!

According to my high tech number picker (random.org) # 3 and # 6 are the winners!!! SOOOOOOOOOOOOO:

J. Leigh Designz
and
Balanced

You are the two winners of Last Wednesday's Blog contest!!

The first prize was for Vetrina Girls Vintage Ring. #3 was random.org picked for this prize. J.leighdesignz ,please go to www.vetrinagirl.etsy.com to claim your prize!!!

The second prize was for ShineYourHineySoaps prize!!
Balanced, please email me at jupitadesigns@yahoo.com with your address information. I will forward it to shine, so that she can mail out your prize!!

CONGRATS..

Wednesday Games and a PRIZE!!

Last week, I just was not in a good blogging mood! So, this week.. I give you....

Let's try to get some promoting of our ETSY CHAT TEAM Members going!!!

An Exciting New (easy) Blog contest!

What you do:
- Go to VETRINAGIRL.ETSY.COM and SHINEYOURHINEYSOAP.ETSY.COM. Find your favorite item in theose two shops and BLOG about them. (then reply here with the link) - 1 entry for each blog (2 entries total)
- Blog about one of your favorite CHAT TEAMers Etsy Shop (reply here with link) - 1 entry
- Follow this Blog (Then post reply here) - 1 Entry
- Go to your Fav Chat teamer shop, post a link here to your fav item in that shop- 1 entry
- If you are BLOG-less Twitter about Vetrinagirl, Shineyourhineysoap and any other chat team shop. (Post link here) - 1 entry

So, total you can get 6 entries!!! WOOOOO


Prize:
From Vetrinagirl.Etsy.Com
This ADORABLE Vintage Ring


From Shineyourhineysoap.Etsy.Com
LOVE SPELL WHIP YOUR HINEY BATH WHIP (2 oz)


Contest Ends Wednesday February 18th at 8a.m. EST.
I will choose TWO random winners (using the random number picker)
Then, I will forwards your info to the wonderful shops who are sending out your PRIZE!! (Make sure you have a way for me to contact you. IE Blog or email address! Thanks)

Chataholics anonymous

Dear Chat Team,

I am going on a supply finding mission. Once I come home, I will give you a REAL BLOG post.

Until then, let me leave all of you CHAT ADDICTS with a little Dictionary.com wisdom:


ad⋅dic⋅tion   /əˈdɪkʃən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [uh-dik-shuhn]

–noun the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Origin:
1595–1605; < L addictiōn- (s. of addictiō) a giving over, surrender. See addict, -ion

Be back later to Edit with a more FUN post!

Soap + Coffee = Addiction

Recently, I was introduced to the world of handmade soaps.

(Oh hush, I have been bathing for 30 years now. I just always used big company products.)

Etsy has hundreds upon hundreds of bath and body type shops. You can find everything from plain jane soaps to soap pretending to be a burger! Whipped body butter? Sure, you can find that alongside of the scrubbing salts. Oh, and do not forget the EXPLODING frog soaps. How does one choose.....

Trial and error!! I have tried a few shops out, and I have found a favorite in our very own Etsy Chat Team Member, Heathenshearth!

Her Cafe Mocha Goats Milk soap has captivated me!!



Upon opening the package, I was nudged with the delicious aroma of coffee! The tantilizing scent begged me to taste it! (But, seeing as it was soap, and I did not have a wish to visit the local emergency room.. I did not nibble the soap!)

I brewed a pot of coffee. Ran a bath. Put the kids to nap. Then - HEAVEN!! I lingered in the bath quite some time. The soap, the coffee, the quiet! It all worked in my favor for those few majical moments.

The goats milk soap was filled with little bursts of exfoliating awesomeness! The cafe mocha bar left my skin feeling like silk. A perfect marraige of smooth soapy goodness, and scrubby coffee grounds!

I recommend you go over to heathenshearth.etsy.com and purchase a bar, or two, or ... well, get a sampler set!! (I have one on the way!) Experience the awesome that is Heathenshearth soaps!!


~Jenn .. the BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!!~
(Yes, it is January 28th where I am..)

Promotions ARE FUN!!

One thing we all wonder is: "How the heck am I suppose to promote my ETSY shop?"

Twitter? Myspace? Blogger? Chats? Etsy Forums? Business Cards?! Paid Advertisments? Features on other blogs? Word of mouth?

YES! To all of those.

I have been poking around the web. My plan was to find a fun, exciting way of reaching a multitude of new customers. I thought about the various Titter, Blog, Etc. giveaways. Then I said to myself : " Self, why not THE SAMPLER?!"

I went to their site and began to read up on it. (I had seen the site in passing some time back, but gave little thought to it.)

http://www.homeofthesampler.com/index.html

What you do:
Contact the sampler. Let them know what you have to offer. They will then give you the aokay or the nyeh.

Once they approve you, send in 25, 50, 75, 100, 200 or MORE "samples" of your product/ in neat little packages with your business card attached. (This way it is a sample, not a promo only.)

They then package up the samples and send out SAMPLER Packages to various subscribers. (These include business owners, media outlets, buyers, and other sampler contributers.)

The more items you send, the wider audience you will reach.
(I am planning on sending 100 samples. Each sample containing an upcycled gift card guitar pick on a hemp string, or even an upcycled giftcard charm on a keychain!!)

Here is a list of some of their recent contributors: SAMPLER CONTRIBUTORS

In addition to being distributed to XX number of potential buyers, you get a FREE SAMPLER of your very own for that month! (You will get to try out goodies from many MANY others). Depending on the amount of items you send in, you can even get discounts on advertising on their site. You could receive FREE ads as well.

So, go check out their site, http://www.homeofthesampler.com/index.html and see if it is a good fit for you!!

ENJOY..

Oh and P.S.
in 7 hours I will be choosing the winner of last weeks treasure hunt. Hopefully you all are finishing up and are going to post your finds!!! As of right now, we have ONE person in the running!!

~Jenn~
www.jupita.etsy.com
www.dropsofjupita.etsy.com

First time out... is this thing on?

Edited Wed. Jan 21 at 10pm EST.

BALANCED is the winner by a landslide. Did not have to use the random number picker.. Because, balanced was the only entrant!!

balanced, I will be convo'ing you in re to your prize

Happy Wednesday Etsy chatters!

(It is Wednesday where I am. Jacksonville, Florida, USA)

A little intro:

I am Jenn of http://www.jupita.etsy.com/ , I am a chat-aholic! I am a 30 year old stay at home mom, ex-architect, ex-mortuary assistant. I love to create art, of all kinds!

Each Wednesday, I will wander into the Etsy Chatters Blog and leave behind something for you all. One day it will be product reviews. Maybe some "How-TO-torials". I love some random silliness. I'll also throw in some promo ideas. My favorite though, is when we get to play games and win PRIZES!!!

For my maiden voyage.. I would like to host a little game.

TREASURE HUNTING!!!

The object of the game is to locate items (in the Etsy Chat Team shops) that you have clues to here:

1. Something made with Lemongrass.

2. Eat this side to get bigger. Eat that side to get smaller..

3. The one that beat the HARE!

4. Life in Plastic. It's fantastic!

5. A wolf in SHEEPS clothing, oh my!

6. HEART (hey it's close to valentines day!)

7. A winged creature.

8. The dog needs a bath!!

9. Tea or Coffee anyone?

10. It is NOT a doiley, gramma!! sheesh.

Be creative!!! I am not a stickler for EXACT!! I want to see everyone's interpretations. (And get you all to know each others shops/personalities a bit more.)

Once you have found the items, post in reply here with the links to each item! Have FUN!!! and GO GO GO!!!! (You must have links to at least 8 of the 10 items requested in order to be put in the number picker!! see next paragraph.)

Next Wednesday, January 21, I will put the names into random.org to choose a winner! The weiner.. er, I mean WINNER... will receive a customized upcycled gift card bracelet from http://www.jupita.etsy.com/ (I'd give you a prize from others shops...but, I dont have any to give away. If you ever want to be one of the give-away prizes, convo me!! It is a great promo tool!!)

I will be back later on to check progress!! Happy hunting Chatters!!!

On your marks. Get set. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

~Jupita~