Thankful Thursday • Linky Parties and Blog Buttons : Google It

I know.  Who doesn't love Google, right?  Well, I am the type of person who likes to self teach myself.  I like the fact that I don't have to go to a class with an instructor to hold me by the hand.  Although, I will admit that I could benefit from that for certain things, but I really like the fact that I can sit on my bed, couch or at the table on my lap top...and it's FREE!  Thanks to Google and it's wealth of tutorials and brilliant bloggers out there!

Since I am new to the craft blogging world, I have been prying around out in the blogosphere to see what I like and don't like.  What's everyone doing?  I want to make my blog more unique (without reinventing the wheel).  More my style.  I am no web designer, so I love that I can just type in to Google what I am looking to do and Voila!

For example, I wanted to make a button for my blog.  Did you notice it on my right side bar?  I also wanted to create the text box under it for those who want my button to put on their blog to be able to copy and paste the html code.  I came across this great tutorial on how to make a blog button at Oikology 101.

Why do I want a button for my blog?  I started participating in some linky parties, and I have been grabbing everyone else's buttons for their blogs, that I thought, "Hey!  Maybe someone will like my blog enough to grab my button!  Plus, I've said before I love buttons!  This is just a different kind of button, but cute all the same!

I am new to the linky party business, and I love the concept!  For those of you who don't know what a linky party is, I'm sure you could google "What is a linky party?"  Or I could just tell you :)  A linky party is where a blogger hosts a party called a linky party for other bloggers to contribute content their blog.  These other bloggers can post a picture with a link to their own blog post on the blogger's site that is hosting the party.  This gives exposure to these other bloggers' blogs.  In return for getting exposure, the other bloggers will "link back" to the party host's blog by adding the party host's button which has a link back to the party host's blog embedded in the html code of the button.  Why does all this matter?  1.  It gives the other bloggers exposure, and 2.  It helps the party host's blog's SEO (search engine optimization).

Back to why I'm thankful for Google.  Since I am new to the linky parties, I wanted to know, "Is there linky party etiquette?"  I saw that all the different linky parties had rules to follow for those participating, and one in particular said it was tacky to participate in more than one linky party for the same blog post.  Oops!  Guilty!  I wanted to see if that statement was common knowledge, so I googled "linky party etiquette."  I came across a fabulous analogy at the blog CrafterMinds that helped me understand much better!  The author relates a linky party to a dinner party.   Clever!

Linky parties are fun, especially when everyone follows directions and doesn't just link up on people's parties to show off their stuff and not visit anyone else's blogs that have linked up.  Plus it's a great way to meet other crafters, get inspired and find things I want to pin on Pinterest!  Check out all the linky parties I participate in.

With all that being said, I am thankful for Google for once again teaching me something new.  I'm sure I'll be thankful for Google a lot as I learn the in's and out's of craft blogging!


Thanks for reading,

Eva

Thankful Thursday • Breathing Room

This past Monday was the Christmas in July open house that I participated in where I introduced my product line in public for the first time.  We had a good turn out, and it was fun with Amy's cute Christmas decorations she brought out just for the event.  She even had a snowman out on the front porch to greet the guests as they arrived.

I had been working feverishly trying to get enough samples made for the open house, and any of you who have or have had a little one (mine is 11 months old) know how little can get done with a little sweetheart vying for your attention!  Our sweetie is a night owl, too.  She doesn't go to bed until between 9:00-10:00pm, so over the last week and a half I had been staying up until at least midnight trying to create everything I had envisioned in my head and getting up early to give myself at least an hour or so to create before she woke up.  Then I would go to work for 5 hours, and thankfully my sister was sweet enough to stay a couple hours after I got home to play with Stella while I worked some more.

Thankfully, I was able to get a variety of different samples made to show everyone.  I even made one last flower about an hour before the open house!  It was good to be able to give everyone a variety to choose from, and since they were only available by pre-order only, each of my customers could customize their flowers if they wanted.  It was fun to show people different color and style combinations that I could make for them.  I felt like a design consultant!

I am very thankful for all my friends and new customers who came out to support my new venture.   Thanks to them, I get to place my order tomorrow for my custom magnetic snaps that will have "Snappee Turtle" engraved on them.   They won't come in for a month, so I will have more time to get my pre-orders done, so that once they come in, I'll just have to install the snaps and they will be ready to be delivered!

Achievement through working under pressure has always been me, but it isn't necessarily the best or healthiest when it comes to the amount of mental stress I put my body through.  It doesn't help that I tend to be a perfectionist when it comes to my artwork and the expectations I put on myself either.  After these past couple weeks, I am looking forward to achieving balance with this new venture, remembering to keep my priorities in check.  It's easy for me to get so excited about something that it's all I think or talk about.

On this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for breathing room.  I will work on my orders at a steady pace without neglecting the 3 most important things in my life:  Jesus, Chris and Stella.  This is all new to me (actually putting a creative business into action), and I know it's a balance that I'll figure out.  I'm already learning quite a bit right off the get go, and I am glad I have a hubby who will hold me accountable and keep my perspective where it needs to be!

What is it that you have a hard time balancing in your life?

Thanks for reading,

Eva

Thankful Thursday • Encouragement

Everyone can use a bit of encouragement, don't you agree?!  I think I lack in the area of encouraging others, but I have some friends who have encouragement as a true spiritual gift!

As you may know by now, I am just starting this little handmade business.  Yesterday, I received a gift from a dear friend of mine that was just what I needed to encourage me in my business.   

Isn't this so cute?!  

Also inside the gift bag was a sweet little message that she would be praying for my new journey and a reminder that He has big plans for me.  {Jeremiah 29:11-13}  I love her!

How have you been encouraged lately?  Better yet, how have you encouraged someone else lately?

Thanks for reading,

Eva Taylor