Skinny Bracelet - Weight Loss Challenge PIF - WEEK 1

I finally posted my PIf for Week 1 of my weight loss challenge. It is a cute little skinny bracelet made from stretch cord and seed beads.

Just pay listing fee!!! Here is the link:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14612251

Reward System...

Ok, so I am going to make like one of my kids and use a reward system for this weight loss challenge. I am only on day 3 - and this is harder than I thought it would be. Why isn't my will power enough? I figured that because I want to lose weight and get in shape so much, that this would all be so easy. That it would just come naturally. Let me tell you - it is not that easy!!! I have so much respect for people who are doing a lifestyle change. It is hard work and I just want you to know that I am proud of you all for sticking to it. It takes courage to change. It takes courage to overcome food. It takes courage to go on that walk or go to the gym. I want to be that brave...

So here is my reward system. I have 50 pounds to lose, so I am going to reward myself for every 10 pounds lost. Once I hit that last 10 pounds, my reward for hitting goal weight is going to be a new, sexy dress!!! I am so excited. I've heard that the first year after losing weight is the hardest time for maintaining the weight loss, so every 3 months (for a year) that I am within 3 pounds of my goal weight I am going to reward myself.

I think I came up with a good system to help me focus and also a treat to strive for. Here is a tentative list of what my rewards will be.

10 pounds lost: Adorable Make Up Bag - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13346134

20 pounds lost: Beautiful Art Kit - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12056745

30 pounds lost: Lovely Initial Necklace - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14127484

40 pounds lost: Gorgeous Hair Pin - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13486530

50 pounds lost: Sexy Dress - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_4&listing_id=13500400

Weight Loss Challenge - Week 1

Ok, today is the start of my weight loss challenge.

My weight today is 195.5

So the PIF for next week will be worth the dollar amount of 195.5 - weight loss (1 pound = 1 dollar).

I am so nervous and excited about this!!! I am doing the nutrisystem food program (because I still have tons of that food to go through). Once that food is gone and I start trying to diet on my own, I will let you all know.

I am using my Lucky Sparrow Moleskin Cahier (Lined) from MuffinTopsyTurvy as my food journal. If you would like one of your own, here is the link:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vt_related_1&listing_id=13894853

If you are interested in losing some weight of would just like the support of the esty community in changing to a healthier lifestyle, please let me know. I would be happy to meantion you and your shop along with your weight loss goals in my blog.

Thanks for stopping by and learning some more about my goal for a healthier me!!!!

Weight Loss Challenge

WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE

Ok, So I'm tired of carrying around this extra weight from my last baby, so I am sarting my own weight loss challenge. I spent a ton of money on Nutrisystem and because of family situations (son being sick, etc), I have not used any of it yet. So I am challenging myself and you all get to benefit from it. I am starting on Sunday, August 17, 2008. I will be weighing myself every Sunday thereafter. For every pound lost in a given week, I will list a PIF of that amount (ie, 1 pound = 1 dollar, so if I loose 2 pounds it will be a product worth $2). This is a fun way for ya'll to get cute free stuff and for me to stay accountable. This challenge will go until Dec 15, at that time I will list ONE PIF worth the total amount of my weightloss (my goal is 145 and I am at 196ish right now). So the more weight I loose by then, the more value that PIF will have. I know you all want awesome free stuff, so if you see me start to slip, feel free to let me know to get my booty into gear!!!

Thanks for the support!!!!

New Etsy shop items for sale!!! OOAK

I posted new charms/embellishments for sale.

I also (finally) added my art work. I added 3 original, OOAK watercolor paintings.

I had sooo much fun painting them.

take a look at my sho and see for yourself:


threeofwands.etsy.com

Etsy at Christmas Challenge Shopping List

Ok, Here is the list of people I need to shop for...

Mom, 1 gift: Loves mineral makeup, the color green and all things Irish.

Dad, 1 gift: Firefighter, loves all things Nascar and Spanish inspired, loves to read

Brother, 1 gift: Just moved into a new place, loves journaling.

Brother's girlfriend, 1 gift: very girly and spunky, cute dresser.

Mother-in-law, 1 gift: Loves bath/body products, purses and matching wallets, big, old-fashion jewelry.

Father-in-law, 1 gift: Retired army, loves all things military.

Sister-in-law, 1 gift: Late teens, in college, wears candy and toy inspired items

Sister-in-law's Fiance, 1 gift: Pseudo-hippie, loves cartoons

Brother-in-law, 1 gift: Loves beanies, scarves and bags, Loves fragrance.

Grandma, 1 gift: Nurse, loves nature, loves all things 'Noah's Ark.'

Grandpa, 1 gift: Preacher, Loves woodsy, outdoor decorations/items.

Grandma, 1 gift: Loves personalized items, loves items that represent her grandkids.

Grandma, 1 gift: Loves sequins and sparkles, loves cardigans, loves Asain inspired items.

Grandpa, 1 gift: Firefighter, loves all things Colts and 'Route 66.'

Son (will turn six 3 months after Christmas), 5 gifts: Loves super heroes, will be in kindergarten, at least one article of clothing (or jammies), at least one toy.

Daughter ( will turn four 2 weeks after Christmas), 5 gifts: Loves princesses and hair bows, at least one article of clothing (or jammies), at least one toy.

Son (will turn two 4 months after Christmas), 5 gifts: Loves 'lovies' or 'softies,' at least one article or clothing (or jammies), at least one toy.

Female friend, 1 gift: Loves faeries, magick and divination, loves bath/body products.

Male friend, 1 gift: Loves quirky, weird, nontraditional things, nothing religious.

'Niece' (will be 4 at Christmas), 1 gift: Loves princesses, hair bows and fairytales, does not need to be a toy.

'Nephew' (will be 6 at Christmas), 1 gift: Loves elmo, special needs child, does not need to be a toy.

Female friend, 1 gift: Loves dolphins and figurines.

'Nephew' (will turn three 4 months after Christmas), 1 gift: Loves trucks and tractors, needs to be a toy.

Female friend, 1 gift: Loves movie memorabilia, loves apple decorations, loves country motif.

Male friend, 1 gift: Loves beer and all things manly, and beer.

'Niece' (will be six 2 months after Christmas), 1 gift: Tomboy, loves books, will be in kindergarten, does not need to be a toy.

'Nephew' (will be four 2 months after Christmas), 1 gift: needs to be a toy.

Husband (this will be the hard one), 5 gifts: Military, total metal head, loves crazy random things, actually has a zombie escape plan (lol), at least one nice item, at least one fun item, at least one article of clothing, at least one romantic item.

I also 3 item for 'Secret Santa' drawings. 1 item must be under $10, must be unisex and this item needs to be fun or different. I then need 2 items under $20, one for a male, one for a female, can be nice or cute.

~~~~for more info please see 'Etsy at Christmas' Challenge blog~~~~

Etsy at Christmas Challenge

Calling all Etsians
I need your help and opinions...

This year for Christmas I have decided to purchase all handmade goods. This means tons of fun Etsy shopping!!!

I am calling this my 'Etsy at Christmas' Challenge (after the song 'Someday at Christmas').
I'm not sure if there is already a pledge or anything like this out there, as I am a newbie. But this is what I am doing and it is really important to me. I am boycotting corporate Christmas. I am trying to make Christmas what it is supposed to be - giving beautiful gifts with importance, that mean something, to show people I love them and truly thought of them this year.

I like to start my Christmas shopping early, instead of waiting until the last minute, so I will be starting my challenge NOW!!! To keep myself accountable (and to stave off any mall slipups), I will be keeping track on my blog and myspace. I will list the people I need to purchase gifts for, along with a short description. I will update gifts (along with seller info) as I make purchases.

If you have any good ideas or just want to show off an item, please let me know. I would love to see what items you love and hopefully find some great gifts too. Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Send all ideas and such to:
www.myspace.com/threeofwands
or
shopthreeofwands@yahoo.com

And while your at it, go ahead and see if you can do the 'Esty at Christmas' Challenge. Let's see if we all can go handmade this year!!!

To Purchase Handmade, in a nutshell

I made my first Etsy purchase today!!!

I am so excited. Normally I hate speding money on toys and such, but my daughter was checking out the site with me and fell absolutely in love with a mermaid toy. So I just had to get it for her. And you know what? I felt exhilarated and totally justified in doing so. It feels really good to buy handmade. It feels really good knowing that my daughter will have a beautiful plaything that someone cared enough to actually make, instead of send it down an assembly line. It feels special knowing that she loves something (or will love something, we just ordered it today) that someone else lovingly created.

She watches me work and loves to 'help' mommy, but she doesn't quite understand what I am doing. She is only three, but I hope to instill in her the love and importance of handmade goods. When her new lovey arrives I'm going to tell her how it was created just for her, by someone who knew she would love it very much...



If you would like your own 'Free-Range Mermaid' (made from organic cotton) - please visit:
http://www.cswbeach.etsy.com/

I'm Not the Only Creative One (a.k.a. Starting My Store)

~~~~My Intro to Etsy~~~~

So, I'm creative. I pride myself on being creative and artistic. I love to make jewelry, atc's, bath and body products, paitings, dolls, etc. You name it, I love to make it. So I decided to start an Etsy store to sell some of my creations. I looked at the site, did some research, basically tried to get a feel for the site and how it works. To my astonishment, the products are amazing. I was in awe of some of these people's creativity and talent. There are some absolutely beautiful pieces for sale. Now, I'm like, ok, so who's gonna want my stuff? I mean, I want my stuff. I love my pieces. I make things that inspire and move me. Things that I am drawn to. I just hope others are drawn to my work as well.

~~~~My Inspiration~~~~

I love religion and spirituality, folk lore and fairy tales. I think that a person's beliefs are so personal and so beautiful. I strive to create things that help bring out a person's hopes and dreams, beliefs, fears, even the depths of their spirituality. I think all religious cultures have great meaning and ideas, so I try to include as many different religious pieces in my line as possible. I love studying the tarot, runes, herbal well-being, the bible and chakras. I love doing tarot readings. I feel such a connection to myself as a reader and the person I am reading for. I currently read from 3 decks, The Llewellyn Tarot, The Tarot Discovery Deck and The Vannessa Tarot. I make rune sets and will have some up for sale soon. I love my rune sets because I actually use runes. I understand the importance and history behind runes. When I make my runes, I craft each stone by hand and lovingly imagine the meaning into each stone. This helps the set focus properly during a reading. I find the more you practice with and use rune sets, you can tell which sets were created with the meanings in mind, and which were just thrown together to make a sale.

~~~~What You Will Find In My Store~~~~

Religious and spiritual jewelry
Jewelry
Rune sets
Sari bags
Single use spells and divination sets
Trinket boxes
Tarot and rune bags
ATCs
Worry dolls
Herbal bath and body products
Herbal teas
Chakra sets

I am learning to make incense, so check back often to see when it will be available for purchase.