I think this is a great idea.  I got a whole bunch of cards and flyers and things like that inside of a bag I bought on etsy, and I spent about an hour going to all of the sites afterwards so it DOES work!  I am thinking of ordering postcards from these people: http://www.vistaprint.com...has anyone used them?  Or do you know of anywhere else good?

Ok guys, this is the first project I am posting to Craftster so forgive me if I don't do the pics right.  I promise I will come back and fix it if I don't!  I started making this skirt during the summer of 2005, and it kept getting pushed to the backburner to make room for special orders that were coming in.  Then Christmas came...you know how it goes.  I designated February as my UFO marathon month, so the skirt came out of it's bag once again.  It has been on many plane rides and even through Jury Duty with me, so I am thrilled to be finished.  I used mother of pearl buttons as suggested in the book, but chose white for the color instead of green.  Mine is a little shorter than the one in the book as well, but I thought it was the best length for my height.  Here it is!

http://images.snapfish.com/346325444%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D323%3A%3E53%3B%3E934%3EWSNRCG%3D323353438%3A%3C%3B4nu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346325444%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D323%3A%3E53%3B%3E934%3EWSNRCG%3D323353438975%3Bnu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346325444%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D323%3A%3E53%3B%3E934%3EWSNRCG%3D323353438974%3Anu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346325444%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D323%3A%3E53%3B%3E934%3EWSNRCG%3D323353438976%3Anu0mrj

Thanks for looking...let me know what you think!

thanks mizbabette...exactly what I was looking for!!!

I was wondering, since many of you are really successful with your etsy store, what other sites do you post in to drum up business and increase your exposure.  I am only on etsy and the switchboards.  Any other I should belong to? 

I was wondering the same thing.  Aside from my myspace page (kristiehaynes) I don't really know where to advertise.

I am listing a whole bunch of what I would call "mediocre" pieces of mine just because it's free.  Do you think that's a bad idea?  I don't want everyone to think that my average work is just...average.  Still, it's hard to resist when it's free.

hollyg9211 - hand-dye that yarn and it should sell pretty quick ;-) Most days, it seems like 10-25 or even 33% of the sales are hand-dyed yarn!

I'm going to whip up something (crochet probably) tonight for the Pay It Forward phenomenon sweeping Etsy, it's such a cool idea.

Cheers all,
Miriam

I haven't heard of this "pay it forward" thing yet...what are the guidelines?

you guys are great...how in the world did it take me so long to find out about this whole craftster thing??  I appreciate the support!  How wonderful and satisfying to know that I am not alone in my crafty compulsions...

My shop has been up for a month now, and I've sold 5 items.  Is that good?  Also, I'm looking for someone (or somewhere!) to make a banner for my shop.  Does anyone know of someplace good?

http://www.kristiehaynes.etsy.com

I don't know if this counts, but...I made a huge mistake when I had a booth at a craft expo this summer.  It was outdoors in the GA summer sun, but I thought that by staying under a store bought "sun shelter" that I would be protected from the sun.  The result was the worst sunburn I've ever had.  It didn't look like I even sat in the shade.  I know that those things are pretty popular for craft fairs (at least around here!) and maybe I'm the only one dumb enough to have done this, but I just wanted to pass along the advice.  Definitely wear sunscreen!

i just used dollar store brand cherry, strawberry and orange, and lots of cream of tartar.

thanks!  Cause you know I have to make another set or two now! 

http://www.kristiehaynes.etsy.com