Have You Ever Ordered Anything From Etsy?

I know a lot of us have. There are so many neat things over there! If I ever need a nice, unusual gift, Etsy is the first place I turn too. 

Bubbles & Mermaid Guitar String Ornament

from TappingflamingoBling

There is something about Etsy that does bug me, and I really don't know how to correct the issue. It is not really Etsy's fault, it is just something that has happened over the years.

Natural Beaded and Chain Wire Wrapped Shell Necklace

from TappingflamingoBling

Let me ask you this....when you have purchased something from an Etsy shop, and someone compliments you, and asks where you got it, what do you say? I am as guilty as the rest....I would venture to say that your answer would be, "ETSY!" Well, that would be an incorrect answer. Etsy did not design and hand create that pretty little necklace you are wearing. An artisan that has a shop through Etsy's website did. 

I am blogging about this, because it was brought to my attention. I can't believe that I never even thought about it. I have my own shop through Etsy called, TappingflamingoBling. When someone purchases one of my creations, I hope that they tell people that it came from TappingflamingoBling, not Etsy.  Well, I mean you can still reference Etsy, but say something like, "Oh, thank you! I got this piece from TappingflamingoBling who has a handmade shop through Etsy." Or...."TappingflamingoBling designed and made this piece. She has a shop over on Etsy."  

Wedding Cake Keychain Pulls

from TappingflamingoBling

Most of us who have online shops depend on the word of mouth. There is so much competition out there, that it is really hard to be seen sometimes. 

Glass Bead and Crystal Wedding Memory Wire Bracelet

from TappingflamingoBling

Thank you for stopping by for a visit and reading my blog. Maybe we can all help those shops on Etsy by giving these very talented artisans credit.

Princess Keychains/Bag/Lanyard Decorations

Great for Fishexteder Gift Exchange

from TappingflamingoBling

Essential Oil Diffuser Necklace

Recently, I was asked to join a group of ladies to play Bunco (I grew up with it being Bunko). I am really excited about this group, as most of them I sorta knew through church, but not very well. I am excited about getting to know these wonderful ladies better!

So, here is how it goes in the group. Each month, we take turns being in charge. We have the option of hosting the game at our homes or forgoing that and picking a place to meet for dinner. We also bring a gift to exchange. This month the lady that we will be visiting and playing in her home decided to have a theme. I think that is a great idea...to have a theme! One problem....the theme is "Uncommonly Common Sense." Love the theme, but the only things is....I am allergic to fragrances.

I tend to keep a cough and rash. I have battled this for about 15 years. About five years ago, I finally went to a specialist. I was told that I was allergic to a plethora of things, mostly ingredients found in cosmetics, lotions, perfumes, colognes, detergent, soaps, cleaning products, and the list goes on....! Pretty much everything! Fragrance was at the top of the list. Fragrance is in EVERYTHING!!!!! Go look through these products in your home and try to find one that does NOT have fragrance in it, lol.

Okay, what does this have to do with a group of ladies having fun and playing Bunco? Well, the gift exchange. This is not a blog of complaining, but a blog of some ideas!

I mentioned to the group what I was allergic to...candles, lotions, sprays, etc, are going to be a no go for me. One of them said to think outside the box, and so I did....

If you have read any of my blogs, you probably already know that I make jewelry. I decided to make a piece for this gift exchange. Living in Louisiana, most of these ladies are LSU Tiger Fans. I decided to make a diffuser Tiger Fan necklace. Of course, I will give a little sample of my favorite essential oil, Doterra Wild Orange.

This necklace is made from Terra Cotta Clay I rolled out and stamped with a "tiger" paw. After baking it, I then hung it onto a beaded hemp cord I crochet and attached to silver colored chain. This piece can either be worn as a necklace or hung on your rearview mirror.

I love thinking outside the box. Unless any of them follow and read my blog, I don't think they will expect something like this for Uncommonly Common Sense. Do you have any other ideas for a gift in this descriptions?

Beach Jewelry

My sister gave me some jewelry making supplies for Christmas, and my creative juices got going. I've been wanting to revamp my Etsy shop, and some of the things I've been working on are perfect. 

One of the gifts I got from my sister were some gorgeous Chinese Beading Cord in beautiful tropical colors. The first thing I made was this multi strand, multi beaded wire wrapped shell necklace. I love it, and will be keeping it for myself.

This piece I made and is now listed on my Etsy shop. It is made from seafoam green cording with which I crochet pearlized glass beads. I added a brass seahorse charm I was able to pick up while in Puerto Rico last spring. 

I've been doing a lot of traveling lately, so while sitting in the car, I have been crocheting jewelry and messing around with different styles. 

This next piece I absolutely love, and will be keeping it for myself. I do plan to make it into a lanyard and wear it on our cruise that is coming up in a few months. I made it from an oyster shell I found while beach combing in Cocoa Beach, Florida (my old stomping grounds). I hung a few other shells onto it for a layered look and crocheted and knotted and shredded the hemp cording that the shells hang from. This piece is not for just anyone, but those of us who love the beach boho or shabby chic look will love it!

As I was creating, I was thinking about those who would love to wear their jewelry while surfing or swimming. Most any piece of jewelry, from 18K to costume should NEVER be worn at the ocean or pool. The salt and chlorine is really bad for your jewelry, and can deteriorate your pieces quickly. 

I started making necklaces using hemp and shells I had found on the beach, then realized they would make great multi strand bracelets or anklets! Just tie them around your neck, wrist or ankle, and you have a great look at the beach or pool.

Now, some of the other pieces I have listed on my Etsy shop that are wire wrapped or beaded, I do not recommend wearing to beach or pool. These are great to wear while out on the town.

Where are some of your favorite places to go? Do you like to wear jewelry that reminds you of those places? If you love the beach or love to cruise, check out TappingflaminogBling. I also make purse or bag jewelry/keychains and other fun accessories that would be great for gift giving or fishextedners. I also have some fun accessories such as wine glass charms and cake pulls that would be great for your wedding. 

Fun Wedding Tradition

Have you ever heard of a cake pull? No...it's not when you pull down the cake, actually this is a tradition that is pretty popular in South Louisiana. It came from the Victorian era, and is done in several countries throughout the world. Originally, it was a way to wish friends and family good luck. I have a friend that is from Argentina, and she told methey have cake pulls at weddings.

So, what is a cake pull...? Well....

Charms are tied to ribbon and put under the wedding cake; Sometimes in between one of the layers. Before the cake is cut, a few ladies are invited to participate in the ceremony of pulling the ribbons out from under the cake. Each charm has a special meaning. 

Sometimes the charms are on keychains, and sometimes the charms are alone on the ribbon, allowing the recipient to hang the charm on a piece of jewelry, like a necklace or bracelet....

My son is getting married soon, and we have decided to have a cake pull at the receptions. Yes, receptions. You see, they are having three. They will be married in Utah, so one that evening, then, it is off to California, where the bride is from. Then....to Louisiana. The cake pulls will be done in Utah and Louisiana. 

In Utah, we plan to ask the brides attendants to participate. She will have 10, and they will all take part in the cake pull. In Louisiana, we will just randomly invite ladies, young and not so young to participate. 

There are so many fun charms and meanings. Here are some examples of what some of the charms mean....

Tree--Your marriage will be strong and have deep roots

Butterfly--You will lead a life of eternal beauty

Heart--you are blessed with a life full of love

Bird--A new opportunity is coming your way.

I think this is such a fun idea, and look forward seeing the reactions of the ladies as they pull their charms and see their "fortune." I thought this was such a fun idea that I decided to make them for my  TappingflamingoBling Etsy Shop. I noticed that since I listed them, I have had quite a few people interested in them. 

Unique Christmas Ornaments

In just a few days, we will be into November....the month of Thanksgiving. To be honest with you, I feel every month, every day, every minute should be one of thanksgiving. Sometimes it is hard to realize all of our blessings, especially when things are not going right, but, you know....it could always be worse. 

But, anyway, I am getting off track of the purpose of this blog! After November, we enter the month of December! Probably the busiest month of the year! 

So, let me ask you some questions....how busy are you during December? Do you buy your gifts ahead of time? Throughout the year? Or do you wait until December? Personally, I like to buy a little here and a little there throughout the year. It is less stressful that way...less stress on the pocketbook too, lol. 

I'd like to share a tradition with you, many of you probably do this same tradition. I started this back in 1988, when our first child was born. I started collecting ornaments for all of our children, and I also give ornaments each year to other friends and family members. I love to look for ones that are unique, or ones that maybe represent something that happened in the past year. 

Most of the time, I make them. The past several years, I've been making some really cool ones from old guitar strings. You would be surprised how many old guitar strings wind up in the landfill! I like to make all kinds of things from old guitar strings....keychains, pendants, bracelets, earrings, etc. 

My first sale on my TappingflamingoBling Etsy shop was from a lady who bought five of my guitar string ornaments. She was giving them to her children as gifts. Sounds like she does the same thing I do...

Whenever I go to a wedding, I always like to wrap their gift in pretty paper, and use one of my guitar string ornaments as a gift topper...instead of a bow that will get tossed later. 

Whenever I give one of my ornaments, I like to make sure it is representing them somehow. I made one to give to a Denver Broncos Fan one time. Another time, I made one for someone who was from Louisiana. 

These ornaments are not just for the Christmas Tree, but you can hang them around and enjoy anytime of the year. They are sure to be a conversation piece, especially if you have someone on your list that loves music...

TappingflamingoBling is on not only on Etsy, but also on Instagram and Facebook. I'm on Youtube as Tappingflamingo...check out my youtube channel for tutorials and cruise info....

Cocoa Beach Wire Wrapped Shell Pendants

My most favorite place to be is with my family. My second favorite place to be is at the beach!

Last week, I was able to attend my 40th class reunion in Florida. Wow! 40 years!  Anyway.....

While I was on this short visit, my mom and I went to the beach. This is something I always do when I go home to Florida. I love walking up and down the coastline, looking at the birds, picking up shells enjoying the sound of the waves crashing on the shore line. 

Not long ago, this area of Florida was hit by hurricane Irma. I figured there would be all kinds of debris washed up on shore. There was a lot of seaweed, but not anymore shells than normal. 

Usually, when people comb the beach for shells, they like to get the ones that are not broken. For me, this was not the case. I wanted to get some broken shells. I'm sure you wonder why in the world would I want the broken ones....well....

Here is a broken piece of shell....

...and this is what I did with it!

Sorry for the poor photography. I was wrapping my shells in the car on the way home. Thirteen plus hours, a girl has got to do something other than just sitting there.... :)

So, after I wire wrap these beautiful pieces from nature, I make them into jewelry. 

Sometimes, I will drop them onto a beaded piece like this one. This one has moonstone, pink shell chips, crystals, rose quartz, fresh water pearls, and glass beads. Most of my pieces are one of a kind. I do have a similar piece in my shop...

Sometimes, I just drop it onto a black adjustable hemp cord, like I did this one. This one is actually listed on my Etsy shop....This one would be perfect for the guys or gals on your gift giving list! 

One thing to remember about your jewelry....ANY jewelry, even your expensive 18K gold fine jewelry. You must never wear it to the beach or pool. The chlorine and salt water can be very bad for any of your jewelry. Also, make sure your jewelry is the last thing you put on in the morning, and the first thing you take off at night, as soaps, lotions, and hair products are also not good for your jewelry. 

If you are in the market for some pretty pieces from Mother Nature or from recycled materials like guitar strings, hop on over to my TappingflamingoBling Etsy Shop! :)

Thanks for stopping by! Check out my Tappingflamingo Youtube channel, and TappingflamingoBling is on Facebook and Instagram!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!!!!!

GIVEAWAY!!!!!!

Hello there! It has been awhile. I've been real busy this summer trying to get things made for my Etsy Shop. I have all my holiday pieces made up, just need to photograph them and put them on the shop. I have earrings, necklaces, keychains, lanyards, guitar string ornaments, and bracelets...and all my creations are very affordable and made well. Everything is priced at or below wholesale prices, because I just like to make them, and I want everyone to be able to wear and enjoy them.

So....I do have an announcement...

drum roll.....

I am having a GIVEAWAY!!!!!

 YEP, that is right! I will be giving these beautiful agate/jasper earrings away, along with one of my drawstring boho bags. 

All you have to do is go to my TappingflamingoBling Facebook page and give me a like. If you already liked my page, then you are already in the drawing. This must be done first! 

After you like my page, find the Giveaway post...NOT the video, but the post with the pictures, and give it a "like." Then comment on that post, and share that post.

If you do all FOUR of those things, you will have FOUR entries!!

These earrings will be fun to wear during the holidays. They are angels...or fairies, which makes the wonderful to wear any time of the year.

Go Like, Like, Comment, Share....and GOOD LUCK! Drawing is September 2...Saturday...live drawing on my TappingflamingoBling Facebook page! I'll announce the time later.....OH...USA shipping only....sorry, Internationals...