Vacation in PA!

I vacationed.

This is worthy of capital letters, but I'll make do with it prominently displayed at the top of the page in bold. I can certainly say that this is the first time that I've vacationed where the main point was to relax and do what I wanted. Who knew that that's what people normally do on vacations? 

I'm a part of a Christian team on Etsy (aka CAST) and I went to visit some friends from that team. Bear in mind that I have not only been on this team since 2009, but a couple years ago I met two of the team members I would be hanging with. 

I'd gone through a break-up six months previous, and as soon as that was "finalized" I started planning my trip to Pennsylvania. It had been so long since I'd done something solely for me. Not "for-me-because-someone-thinks-it's-what's-best" but just for me. My mom is like my bestie, and she lives with me (technically I live with her and dad but whatever), so she wanted in on the fun as soon as she heard. I was even more excited by that prospect! I went to work pretty fast looking at tickets, telling my entire team that I was going, contacting all the members in the area, and looking up places to stay. 

One of my castie friends, Sheila, had invited me numerous times to visit her. Over the years, since we'd both been on the team, we had exchanged many many emails and become close, so I was super excited about that prospect! She quickly offered to be our chauffeur and tour guide as well as opening her home up to us. She went grocery shopping with all the things that my mom and I liked in preparation-which was really sweet.

When the team found out I was going, three other members in the area offered places to stay or activities that they could take us to, while one-all the way in Indiana-decided she would drive ten hours to meet up with us! 

Meet Becky, Sheila, Angel (sleep-over at her house Sunday night), me on the end, and Kelly chillin' in our arms

Pennsylvania is a beautiful place, and for any lover of old barns (like me), it's the place to be. Our adventures included many visits to thrift stores, antique shops, specialty shops, sight and sound theatre with Becky, a smorgasbord (ham balls anyone), and a trip in the rain down a mountain and subsequent sleep-over at Angel's house.

Moses is the show we saw at Sight and Sound Theatre

Sheila, mom, and I in front of the fountain.

 Did you vacation this summer? If you did, I hope you had as much fun as I did! 

Etsy Lists Are Pinterest-esque

Hi! Christmas is almost here, can you believe it?

I'm so attached to Etsy lists right now! You can not only add things to your favorites section, but you can also create lists under other titles. It's almost Pinterest-esque (and you know how much I love pinterest)! It's great for the organizer (really deep down) somewhere in all of us. I have a Christmas list and I have a "To buy one day" list. Click on the titles to see those.  

And here is part of my favs list.

Love it like I do?

It was custom made-for me.

"That is so cool! Where did you get that?"

I finger the conversation piece, "Oh, it was handmade, it's one of a kind." 

I try to say it casually, like it's not a big deal, but as usual there is a moment of silence-then,

"Oh. So someone made it that you know?" 

Here is where things change. Sometimes I say yes, and tell them it's someone that sells online, other times I say that I bought it from etsy, other times, I didn't know the seller and just smile mysteriously while saying that I can get the the info if they want one "almost" like it. 

This all happened to me once again on Friday. I never know when it's going to happen, I just know that when it does it makes me happy. You see, there is something special about handmade or NOT mass produced items. 

A unique way each person leaves their fingerprint on their craft

A special story behind why every crafter creates

A touch of pride each artist has in making sure their item is just perfect

Each piece is different no matter how much they were made to resemble. 

But back to my story...

Where I work I have to wear a uniform, and for certain reasons we're not supposed to wear acrylic nails, any earrings that aren't studs, or any shoes that aren't black (to name a few little rules).  Basically, we all look somewhat alike. I think we all want to be unique, but my way is usually to put on some sparkly aqua nail polish or a pair of custom made earrings. 

Friday, it was the necklace. This adorable bottle cap necklace was made by an online friend Ingrid who you can find by clicking that name or going here . I can't remember why she was having a giveaway, but I won this necklace from her on her facebook fanpage. Around lunch time, about three co-workers gathered around me. One-a guy-said, "Can you turn it over? I want to see what it has on back." another said "Is that really a bottle cap?" a lot of "wow"s followed.

While we were all standing there another strolled up and said "That necklace is really cool..." Everyone looked at him and said "Duh, we were just talking about that." 

My customers also commented; one noted that it matched my nail polish. I beamed...But casually, y'know? 

I will wind down by saying this: I know you're a fashionista, a trendsetter, and all that. Prove it to everyone else by wearing things they couldn't copy if they wanted to! Nothing burns a girl up like being told that something they complimented can't be obtained by them. They won't be so upset that they will dislike you though, they'll just go find something similar, but never the same. See how that works? You're welcome. 

Feel free to go check out my friend's shop...and of course with Christmas coming soon I'm working my poor fingers to the bones and I will once again be posting a bunch of great etsy shops for you to buy handmade/custom made from!

Also important: My website is coming along; I'm so excited to show it to you--when it's ready. 

Elisabeth Arona

Hoodie hoodie hoodie...and scarf.

I've been extra busy lately. For once, something is selling somewhat consistently. I'm enjoying it while I can (I'm sure you understand lol.)

This black and white scarf is my first men's scarf and was a custom request. After I made and posted the first one on my facebook fanpage another guy saw it and asked the price then purchased one himself right then!  He has promised to take pictures in it, and since he's a graphic designer, I'm sure they'll be awesome!

Knowing how much I love love hoodies, I'm sure this next picture doesn't come as a surprise to you. This hoodie scarf is an idea I came up with last year, but didn't think anyone would be interested in. I made the hood pattern last winter too, and was actually excited to put it to good use. It turned out pretty well I thought. As a fashion designer I do realize that I wasn't matching, and since it was the middle of the night I hope you will excuse me :-)

Ah well, I am done shirking work keeping you informed and need to get back to sewing! 

BTW...come back later in the week for pictures of my little elves working on scarf fraying. 

Elisabeth Arona

Apology for neglect

Oh my lonely lonely blog. I apologize for the neglect. I am working on my part 2 of the natural hair series. It's been so delayed because I'm a somewhat of an overachiever mixed in with a bit of lazy bum; basically I wanted to add in some pictures of me when I was younger (with the style my mom always had my hair in) and I haven't gotten down to the basement to find any to scan on! 


Also stay tuned for the latest and great of the Etsy shop highlights! You definitely need more really cool stuff to make your handmade Christmas just perfect! 


In other news, my Thanksgiving weekend was absolutely fabulous (thanks for asking--or wondering), and I hope yours was too. I'm having withdrawal symptoms now that I'm back home and have to get back to life as I know it. I'm allowing myself only a tiny pout. While I have you here, please check out my latest listing which is an illustration that I did awhile back, but thoroughly enjoyed. Someone suggested that I list it, and I can honestly say it didn't cross my mind before that. A little dense sometimes? Maybe. Your feedback is-as always-appreciated and even possibly expected. IF YOU WOULD, please click on the picture so it can take you to the actual listing and you can see the original scarf that is in the sketch. 

Elisabeth Arona 

Pretties!

Tay and I went to a bead shop call The Bead Shoppe :-) I liked all the pretties I saw. I'm going back soon...be super jealous that if you don't live in GA, because you can't go to her brick and mortar shop. Don't worry, after sharing my pics I'll post the link for her online store.

Y'know the best thing? She sells vintage AND buttons!! You all know I LOVE buttons! All of these are beads pictures because I was there for Taylor and her bead addiction, not my button addiction.

I even bought a few beads (because I couldn't resist.) 

Wanna check her out online? You can find her at  Bauble Bangle Beads on Etsy!

Her brick and mortar shop is here in Georgia: 

2849 E College Ave.

Avondale Estates, GA, 30030

Elisabeth Arona

My gift!

It's here!!!!! I got my hairpin!! Don't ask me why I was so excited about a hairpin of an insect that in real life I'm slightly afraid of...but I am okay? When I saw it, I knew right away I wanted it...The crazy thing is that someone who has never actually seen me in real life bought it for me.
Long story short, I joined a group called CAST (Christian Artists Street Team) on etsy, and everyone was really friendly. So many encouraging wonderful people. When I posted that I loved the hairpin and wanted it, someone bought it for me. That touched my heart in a special way. If someone would buy something for me that hasn't even seen me, then things I do, and say can affect people the same way. Anyway, enough yammer. Here it is in all it's glory. I must've pinned it in, then pulled it out fifteen times on the way to midweek service until I finally found the perfect place and way to put it :-) I love the way it looks like it just lit there and will flit away any moment. Check out this special lady's store at: www.SueRunyonDesigns.etsy.com