New Name

I'm changing my name--from Brenda's Craft Store to Brenda's Handmade Store.  This more accurately reflects what I sell.  I'm also consolidating to 2 on-line shops--Brenda's Handmade Store on Etsy.com (https://www.etsy.com/shop/brendashandmadestore) and Brenda's General Store on Bonanza.com (http://www.bonanza.com/booths/brendasgeneralstore).

In my Etsy shop I sell knit and crochet items handmade by me.  I also sell some knitting and crocheting supplies.  In my Bonanza store, I sell vintage glassware, pottery, etc. and collectibles along with some of my handmade items.

New banners will be coming soon.  So will new items.  Stay tuned!

Proven Ways to Work Smarter

The moderator of one of the LinkedIn groups I belong to posted a link to an article entitled "5 Scientifically Proven Ways to Work Smarter, Not Harder" by Jeff Haden.  I think it's a great article and can be applied to your 9-5 job, your own business or your part-time craft business.  Although I find it hard to take breaks because I feel I don't have time to take a break and there's not a minute to spare because I have so much to do, intuitively I know Mr. Haden is right.  Breaks really do refresh you and help you get more done.  I think naps are great too--but I doubt my 9-5 bosses will ever agree with that!

Here's the link to the article:  http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/5-scientifically-proven-ways-to-work-smarter-not-harder-tues.html

Giveaway

I'm trying something new and partnering with Eden and her blog entitled "Eden's Evaluations" and doing a giveaway of one of my trellis necklaces.  The necklace is a $6.00 value.  If you'd like to enter the giveaway, please check out Eden's blog and follow her at http://www.edensevaluations.blogspot.co.nz/

Valentine's Day projects

I got inspired and decided to try a couple of Valentine's projects.  I think they came out quite nicely.  The first is a set of heart shaped coasters.  I used a free pattern from redheart.com.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/178327075/heart-shaped-coasters-hand-crocheted-in

For the other one, I've always wanted to try and make cards, but I can't draw or paint, so I decided to do what I do best--crochet some hearts and put them on the cards. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/92504084/valentines-cards-with-crocheted-hearts?ref=listing-shop-header-1
Happy Valentine's Day!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Are you turned off by seeing ads on a blog?

I periodically get emails from Google encouraging me to sign up for Google AdSense.  If I do this, I'll earn some money if people view the ads Google puts on my blog page.  Sounds good.  Seems easy.  But do you really earn any money?  I must admit that whenever I'm on a blog page or any web page for that matter, I completely ignore the ads.  If there's a button or box to click to close an ad that's blocking me from seeing the page I want, I click it and get rid of the ad.  I don't read the ad.  I just get rid of it.  I can't imagine that I'm the only one who ignores all the ads.  So would anyone actually look at ads on my blog so that I'd actually earn any money?  Or would they just be annoyed by them and stop reading my blog?

Let me know what you think?  Should I allow ads?  Or not?

Get Into the True Holiday Spirit

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  I hope you were able to spend it with family and friends and good food.  I had a lovely time hosting family and friends at my home and the food all turned out well.

As we all get wrapped up in the frenzied Black Friday shopping and holiday parties and gift wrapping, here's something that speaks to the true meaning of Christmas and is just beautiful to listen to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qJ_MGWio-vc