Long time no blog....

I knew I hadn't blogged in a while, but I think a year really takes the biscuit! I made a lot of (positive) changes in the last year, and set afew goals in motion (like getting my driving liscence!) and admit I dropped the ball a bit with blogging and twitter...

...but I'm back now, and ready to get back to normal. I've listed some new items and I'm going to be listing more items over the week :D

Soooo Watch this space!!!

Happy May Day! and new items!

It's the 1st of May today (May Day), but it already feels like summer has started here in the uk. It's been much warmer and sunnier recently, and trust me we have to make the most of it here!

Here are a couple of really cute new items I listed :)

Lolita Pink Black and White Gloomy Bear and Bow Cameo Necklace
(in the etsy shop)

Super Kitsch and Cute Bunny Cameo Necklace
(in the Folksy shop)

Happy St. George's Day!!!

Happy St. George's Day! St. George is the patron saint of England, and so today is a celebration of everything English!

The English flag, a white background with a red cross is called The "Colours of Saint George", or St George's Cross. You can find out more about St George by clicking on the title of this post.

Heroine Industries have been featured on a St Geroge's Day themed post on Skullandcrossbuns blog, which you can visit at the link below;
http://skullandcrossbuns.blogspot.com/2010/04/folksy-friday-happy-st-georges-day.html

Here are some of the best 'English' themed items I found on Etsy (I wanted to pick items that were English, not British, and weren't too 'london');

English Rose Tote Bag by zukas


Jane Austen Glass Tile Magnet Set--Team Dashwood--Sense and Sensibilty by lalucita


ANNE BOLEYN Tudor Queen BEADED EARRINGS by FunckLoveDesigns


5 Shakespeare Postcards - Illustrated Set by immortallongings


St George English Flag Hand Knitted Tea Cosy by lilbritknits

UPDATE on the airmail situation

Royal Mail updated their information this morning;

"General synopsis

Although the restriction on flights into and out of the UK has been lifted, the closure of UK airspace and airspace in parts of Europe since Thursday 15th April, is continuing to affect our distribution of mail by air. This has impacted on some UK domestic mail which travels by air, as well as mail due to either leave or enter the country via UK airports.

The normal domestic airmail network is expected to operate tonight.

At the moment our contingency plans are still in place to keep as much mail moving as possible, using alternative road and rail networks to replace air services; there may be a small delay to mail being delivered in some areas, until such time as the air network is back up and running as normal"

--------------------------

About Air Mail to the US;

"Airmail items posted 15th-17th April inclusive and addressed to the USA are with airline handlers ready for despatch as soon as flights have capacity.

Items posted 18th-20th April are being sent by sea container for arrival in the USA on or around 30th April.
Airmail items posted from today, 21st April, onwards will be despatched by air with the first flights out of the UK expected to commence this weekend due to capacity constraints.

From today, mail will be despatched in sequential order, therefore some items mail incur a slight delay whilst schedules and airline capacity return to normal."

ICELANDIC VOLCANO ERUPTION - CAUSES DELAYS TO AIRMAIL

Now there's a title I never thought I'd have to write...
Due to the Volcano that erupted in Iceland last Wednesday, there are ash clouds over the UK, and all planes have been grounded in UK airspace. So there is currently no airmail coming in or out of the UK, and some other northern European countries.

So unfortunately there is a delay with international orders (to US, Canada, Australia etc...)
Hopefully flights will start again this week, and the delay will only be a few days *fingers crossed*

Royal Mail’s advice and latest updates can be found online at the link below;
www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/jump1?catId=400144&mediaId=112300784

Slightly worrying story in the Mail today
Scientists warn that volcano ash could return 'at any time', causing more travel chaos

Deer oh Deer

I just listed this super cute and retro deer cameo necklace!


♥ Super Kitsch and Cute Deer and Pink Bow Cameo Necklace ♥

Pink Deer camo necklace! Vintage style raspberry pink frame with a little kitsch, 3D, Deer charm! I added a sweet pink bow and added diamonte gems! With a silver plated bail and a 16" ball chain! Very cute!!!

Cameo measures = 50mm x 40mm

I need 6 people for an Art Swap :)

I was asked on folksy to take part, and now need to find 6 others interested....

----------------

I am taking part in this art swap on Konnie Kapows blog.

http://konniekapow.blogspot.com/2010/03/swapsies.html

I now need to find 6 others to take part. Would you be interested? You would only need to send out one piece of art, and you would recieve a few ( i think if it goes right about 6) in return.

You would need to find 6 others also.

The art can be a picture, something knitted, a felt plushie, jewellery, crochet, what ever your thing is :)

If you are intersted in doing this, let me know and i will send you the details. You can message me here (in the comments) with your email address, or email me at heroine_industries@hotmail.co.uk

I can't wait to get little suprises in the mail :) Now I need to decide what to make too....

100 Motivational Blog Posts for the Unemployed

I stumbled across this list online, and know that unfortunatly alot of people are in the same boat as me (unemployed) and thought I would share it!

It's a list of 100 Motivational Blog Posts for the Unemployed, and they have been listed in to little catergories of 10, each under a different theme.

I hope it is of some use to someone :)

100 Motivational Blog Posts for the Unemployed

I Left My Heart On Etsy....

I've listed some new hearts in the etsy shop...

Chunky Purple Glitter Heart Necklace


Rainbow Stripey Heart Necklace


80's Inspired Stripey Heart Necklace


Large Pink Heart and Glitter Stars Necklace

I can't get this song out of my head...

I saw Orianthi perform 'According to you' on American Idol and I'd never heard of her (don't think she's released it over here in the uk?) but I haven't been able to get the song out of my head since! Definitely someone I'm going to be keeping an eye on in the future! Plus it's great to see an amazing female musician, instead of the usual talentless clones who have to rely on sexuality to push songs.

A little about her from her own website'
"At 24 years old, Orianthi has already experienced what most aspiring musicians only dream of. She's opened for her hero (Steve Vai), backed an Idol (Carrie Underwood), traded solos with a legend (Carlos Santana) and shared the stage with the King of Pop (Michael Jackson). What's left to conquer? The world stage, for one, and this guitar wunderkind has her sights clearly set on the road ahead."

You can see the music video by clicking the photo or the link below;

MUSIC VIDEO FOR 'ACCORDING TO YOU' BY ORIANTHI

Shiny New Items

...ok they may not be shiny, but they are new! I have just listed a load of new items in the etsy and folksy Heroine Industries shops. And I thought I would share some with you :) (click on the photos to be taken to the items)

New Items on Folksy

Cute Pink Cupcake Beaded Bracelet

Sunny Yellow Charm Crammed Kilt Pin Brooch


New Items on Etsy

Heart Cookie / Biscuit and Bow Necklace

Large Gloomy Bear on Long Pink Chain Necklace

Hello Kitty Party Magazine - Issue 1

If you're in the UK you may have seen the TV adverts for a new Hello Kitty magazine, which has recipies and each issue comes with a piece of a dinner set....the idea to collect the whole set.
I may be 24 but I just bought the 1st issue! You see I am a sucker for both collecting and Hello Kitty. They must have seen me coming!
Though I have seen lots of girls my age buying them in WHSmith. Honest.
I don't think I will buy the whole set, I don't really see myself using napkin rings.
The first issue is £1.99 and comes with a plate (all the next issues will be £4.99) and I noticed that there are atleast 4 of the same plate in the set, so I'm going to buy 3 more issues to get them at the £1.99 price!

Happy Pancake Day :)

I was going to do a Valentines day blog, but bit late for that now. So happy Pancake day instead (which is today!) Not sure if people celebrate this in america or not, but here in the UK on Shrove Tuesday we have Pancake Day ^_^ Usually eaten with lemon juice and sugar or golden syrup. The pancakes are typically thinner and bigger than american style pancakes, more like french crepes. (the title of the blog links to the wikipedia page for more info)

So I thought I would find some yummy pancake related items on etsy to share with you ^_^
(photos link to listing - shop name links to their shop)

1)

Breakfast Buffet Earrings by BetsyEtsy

2)Kawaii Pancake Necklace by BabyLovesPink

3)

Felt Food Pancakes - You Choose by lisajhoney

4)

Scented Plate O Pancakes Ring by danzdzynes

5)

Pure Massachusetts Maple Syrup by ChickenBetty

6)

RISING SKY ARTWORKS BATTER BOWL WITH WHIP - DESERT'S EDGE by risingsky

7)

Pancake Soap by RuthsFunShop

8)

RETRO fifties RED POLKA DOT APRON by loverdoversclothing

I've been featured in my 4th and 5th treasurys! :D

In the space of a month Heroine Industries has been featured in 5 treasurys on etsy!!! It's kind of strange because I hadn't been featured in any, and then loads come at once! But hey I'm not complaining! It's a really nice compliment and I always like to see what the other items are, and how the theme comes together through totally different items.

Unfortunatly I don't have a screen shot of the 4th treasury as it was on the 26th Jan and has ran out. I was a bit pre-occupied with the magazine coming out, and forgot to get a screen shot of it. But I'd like to thank Lisa of gemandicollection for featuring me in her treasury (and if anyone has a screen shot of it I'd really appreciate it?)

And my Pretty In Pink Glitter Packed Ring has been featured in StudioSeventyFive's treasury -> "Pixe Dust Treasury" (which you can see a screen shot of below!)

Heroine Industries in Make Jewellery Magazine!!!

I was asked to be in a little feature about kitsch jewellery for the March issue (no.11) of Make Jewellery Magazine (available in the UK from all good news agents, tesco, WHSmith, morrisons etc...) And I was really super happy when I was sent an early copy yesterday ^_^ The issue has gone on sale today (it comes with some free beads too) ^_^

So here are some piccies ^_^

Front cover - issue 11 March 2010 Make Jewellery Magazine


You can click on the photos to enlarge them if you want to be able to read it ^_^


It's moi!!! lol. What a great start to the new year! ^_^


And you can find the items featured at the links below;

Poisoned Apple Hair Clips

Psychobilly Zombie Charm Bracelet

I've been featured in my 3rd treasury!!!

I had never been in a treasury and now all of a sudden i've been featured in 3! :) This is the third one, based on Sex and the City! Which features my New York City Skyline Necklace (2nd row, middle picture) I really appreciate being picked for a treasury so thanks guys :)


you can view the treasury here -> SEX AND THE CITY TREASURY

I've been featured in my 2nd Treasury - 'My Rainbow Heart'

In less than a week and I've been listed in my first 2 treasury! :D Thankyou so much guys I really appreciate it :)
This one is based around 'rainbow hearts' and features my 'Retro Rainbow Stripey Heart Necklace'. It has lots of fun and colourful items ideal for Valentine's Day!


Here is a link to the treasury -> 'My Rainbow Heart' Treasury

I was featured in my first Treasury!

I got a message on etsy today that my 'Screw You' necklace (which is on sale and only $5!)has been featured in this treasury -> 'You Don't Get It' Treasury
The very first one I've been featured in ever! ^_^

New Years Resolutions

Happy New Year! I hope you had a great Christmas and New Years! Not written in a little while... been really busy with the holidays. As it's a new decade, as well as a new year, and I could really do with some luck/change, I thought I would write some new years resolutions...

1) First and foremost to get a (day) job. At this rate any job will do! Since leaving uni I've found it impossible to get a job, there's only so long you can keep telling yourself it's because you graduated in to a recession, before you start to doubt yourself. I know I need to dedicate more time and effort to that, but with all the rejection it's always so much easier to get lost in the shop/internet/tv/anything other than filling out endless application forms. I'm going to get off my ass and get it sorted!!!

2) To get my drivers liscence and get a car. This I HAVE to do. I HATE the bus!

3) To go to the gym atleast 3 times a week, eat better and loose some weight!!!

4) To continue to build up Heroine Industries, on both etsy and folksy. Reach sales goals, branch out and try new crafts/items, improve photography, advertising?, get some business cards etc...

5) To start doing more illustration, and try to get some commissions. Given that I went to uni for it!!! lol.

6) To stop being one of those people who let their life pass them by, while making plans for it. I will stop just saying I'm going to do stuff and actually do it, and stop leaving things till the last minute (I do that alot)

I hope that wasn't too boring to read lol, but I just really want this year to be one where things finally start happening. So here's to new beginnings!

I'm now a member of the new UK KAWAII TEAM on etsy!

The UK KAWAII TEAM on etsy is now up and running

I've tried to join a couple of teams on etsy and contacted various people but to no avail, so I am pleased to announce I am a member of this new team on etsy :) You can find our blog by clicking the banner below;

New shop on Folksy.com

I decided to make a shop on Folksy.com today

It's like etsy.com, but it's a british site. It's still in it's early days i think, which is exciting to be there at the beginning of something. ^_^ It also means I can list in £'s which is good for any UK customers!
I've been reading it's good not to have all your eggs in one basket, so it's all good ^_^ so Heroine Industries is now on etsy, ebay and folksy. I'm thinking about maybe selling on misi.co.uk aswell, but we'll see!

Click the button below to go to the new shop on folksy;

100 Fans on Facebook :D

I reached 100 fans on facebook this week :) and would like to say thankyou so much to everyone for their support, it's really appreciated! I've also found some great sellers and shops myself through facebook fan pages!
I also *finally* changed the name of the Heroine Industries fan page...I'd been struggling for a while to figure out how to change the url for the fan page and not my own personal facebook profile.
Here is the new url for anyone who would like to take a look(much easier to remember now);

www.facebook.com/HeroineIndustries

Next milestone.......40 sales?

Ever since I opened the shop on etsy I've kept having a goal number to reach in sales, from 5, to 10, to 15, etc... now I've reached 30! :D which may not sound alot to bigger sellers, but it feels great to hit each little milestone!
So now I have 33 sales on etsy, I guess my next goal is to hit 40!

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."

-Lao-tzu, Chinese philiospher