Hey guys, I just posted these on another board I belong to for artisans and I thought I'd share them with you too just to give you guys a heads up if you're trying to sell online:


Post one:

Hey guys, thought I'd post a heads up about getting etsy messages from anyone claiming to be from UsTrendy. They have anice way of telling yu that they discovered you and think you'd be perfect for their site and how much they love you. Unfortunately a lot of people are getting this exact same or barely varieted versions of it. They're spammers, clever spammers but still spammers. I stupidly signed up for their site before checking them out and the site is terrible. They also take 10 percent of everything you sell there. I don't know for sure but I don't trust them, especially if their first contact with me is SPAM

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Post Two:

I did email them telling them how displeased I was that it was spam, because they did attempt to make me feel like I was specially picked but it was a spam rouse instead. I would also like to point out that I couldn't get their "selling" feature to work when I had signed up with them so I sent them a note about it and they replied that I was doing something wrong with my portfolio when it was obviously something wrong with their site. I had three different people/email addies respond to me at the same time about the problem. I don't think they actually know how to run their own site. Even if they aren't up to something nefarious I don't know if I'd trust them selling or featuring any of my stuff. Something seems fishy.

They just replied to email about how disappointed I am with them. They told me the emails are an attempt at "scouting" new talent to help us artisans out in getting started. I called his bull and told him how disrespectful it is to an artist to be told that we're specially picked and we're specifically chosen only to find out a hundred more people got told the same thing, often times using a different name when they send it. It's definatly spam or these guys have no idea in the world how to conduct their scouting practices. either way, BEWARE. There is a lot of people out there wanting to take advantage of us.


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You can take my advice or you can just ignore it, just thought I'd share it with you anyways in order to avoid seeing anyone get scammed or used if this website turns foul. Who knows, they might turn out to be legit but for right now I smell something bad about it all and I am very suspicious of a site that scouts through spamming.

~Minerva~

I really lucked out relationship wise because my boyfriend's mother is one of the best product photographers in our province and she's recently agreed to take some pictures of my stuff!  We went out for a couple hours yesterday for an impromptu photoshoot after I busied my weekend away sewing up some new delights in velvet, lace and brocade.  I'm in texture heaven right now.   What do you guys think?




























Isn't she awesome??  This was just a quick hope in the car yesterday afternoon for some "Family time" for her.

I found this beautiful little locket pendant during one of my urban hunting trips amongst a trove of vintage/antique jewelry. I don't have any history on it but I find the miniature painting on the front side just lovely. I strung it on some organza ribbon and I think it would make a very fine accent on a beautiful gown wardrobe for someone.  Just wanted to show it off

I always have to keep my hands busy, so I find little thread and needle based crafts to keep myself busy when I'm riding the bus or waiting between classes.  This was this weekends task:

I'm in LOVE with this fabric, it's well worth the 20.00 a meter price tag.  It's black Chinese brocade and I've used a bit of it in this Victorian overbust corset, modeled by my awesome roommate (Who is sadly one size too big for the size ten corset so she doesn't get to keep it.)  I just finished it.  It's boned with artificial whalebone and line with a double layer of poly/cotton blend.



She's also a singer, so her firm diaphragm doesn't allow for much squeeze from the corset.



Here's some more photos I took with another friend modeling, she's an actual size 10 so it fit wonderfully!

I just finished a commissioned corset tonight that I'll be sending out tomorrow hopefully,  I really like it despite the fact I don't care much for browns and such tones.  Chinese Brocade, I think it's just Lovely.  I think it's going with a pseudo-victorianesque costume.  Sorry about the terrible pictures, I'm just awful at such things.

We're working on recipes now for the Domestic Gothess Project here in my flat, thought I'd share one with you!



Poisoned Apple Pie

Pre-heat oven to 420

Take:

2 Granny Smith Apples (Chopped up and cored)
1/2 c Raspberries
1/3 c Cranberries
The Juice and pulp of one Lime
2 Tbls Margarine
2 Tbls Cinnamon
1 Tsp Nutmeg
2 Tbls Vanilla
1 cup Brown Sugar
Pinch of Salt
1/4 cup flour

Mix all ingredients into a bowl, mix well. Scoop into a pie plate lined with pie crust (Homemade or bought) or Tart shells. Cover with second pie shell or tart shell, pinch the edges to seal it shut poke or cut holes into top of shell ( I use a heart shaped mini cutter for mine) and bake for 30-40 minutes for Pies or 15-20 mins for Tarts.

Also Tastes Amazing When You Use The Filling For Apple Crisp with Ice Cream

Been busy with my grommet gun today!  Both of these cuffs come in pairs.  And yes, that is a paprika bottle modeling them.   It's kind of hard to photograph your own wrist decently.
















And The Headbands!





What do you think?

Made a couple ties this weekend for some Gothic Lolita Gear. 



This one is decorated with red Swarovski Gems



This one has Hematite beads



And this is one of the pair of corset cuffs I made with green swarovski gems and silver plate chain. 

Sorry for the terrible pics, but what do you guys think?

Had a couple of orders to rush off for corsets this week so I decided it was time to get a new one of me too.  Just finished lacing her up!  Pardon the poor pictures of course, and the corset isn't fully laced up because I need help with tying it up behind me.  What  do you guys think?