Tutorials ... Step-By-Step YourSelf To Exposure ...

...and have FUN at the same time.

Many of us are struggling to draw attention to our etsy shops. This challenge is only going to grow, not lessen. There are so many suggestions and ideas coming at us from dozens of sources. And, frankly, most are a waste of your time and energy. Why? Because they are unfounded grasps at solutions. The single most important truth you are not going to find in any list of tips is this: There's only so much you can control. And that's not much. Which explains why this topic is discussed endlessly.

Possibility is everywhere, but it's just that, a possibility. Find something you enjoy, something that challenges you, that makes you happy and share it. Think about what you like to find when you are searching through shops and blogs. Incorporate that into your life. You can't predict success, but you can have fun and inspire yourself. That's not a bad start.

I have been thinking about my etsy experience a lot these past 6 months. And I've discovered that most of the fun, for me, has disappeared. And I don't like that. And I don't want to give up my creative outlet. So I am focusing on doing what I enjoy. If no one else joins in, I'll still have learned and had fun. If others stop by, I'll feel even better because I followed my heart and have the added satisfaction that it was a good decision.

I enjoy blogging and reading blogs, especially blog tutorials and have posted a few semi-tutorials on my blog. I know tutorials are popular. So, for me, this is a good match. I can be challenged, learn a lot and spend my time and energy in a positive way. And have something interesting and useful to others. Maybe this appeals to you, too. Here is my first, detailed step-by-step tutorial. This is the exact post from my blog. Everyone has a different style, but the basic elements are here. My previous tutorials {not as detailed} are on recycled art projects. I am looking forward to writing a mix of recipe and eco friendly upcycled creation tutorials.

There is a tutorial blog called Totally Tutorials that accepts tutorials, which then link its readers back to your blog. But they must be step-by-step. The details on submission are on the blog. I submitted one and am told it is in the wings to be posted. It is also a great way to see samples of tutorials. So, if this sounds fun to you, try it and let us all know what happens. I hope you enjoy my tutorial and find this helpful.

Joon Appetit ~ Lemon Sour Cream Muffins ~ A Tutorial

* So easy & delicious you'll make them often *

* the usual suspects *
* round up these simple ingredients *

* In a medium bowl MIX thoroughly *

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsps. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda

{and yes, in fact, these muffins do defy gravity}

* MELT: 1/2 cup unsalted butter *

PREHEAT OVEN: 350*

{I turn it on warm first. This is how I melt the butter.}

* In a bowl that makes you smile BEAT with a fork: 2 eggs *

* Nicely done *

* You can light up a room with a dollop *

ADD:
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup + 2 TBSP. fresh lemon juice
lemon zest {to your taste}

* Lovely, isn't it? *

* MAKE A WELL in the center of your dry ingredients *

* ADD: The lemony mix & your melted butter *

* GENTLY STIR: Your butter & lemony mix about a little *
It's fun.
Really.

Alternatively
You can mix them together in your
bowl that makes you smile
prior to pouring into your floury well.

But I can't guarantee the fun level.

* LIGHTLY MIX: Your wet & dry ingredients together *
{Don't over mix now. Look at that fluffy batter.}

*LINE: 12-16 muffin cups with
your Wall*E paper liners *

OK. Use your plain pastels.
But it's not going to be the same
and I know you know that.

* How pretty are these muffins? *

* BAKE: about 18-20 minutes *

* You can add a lemon glaze if you like. *
{I did not here. But Evan did later.}

*** These freeze beautifully ***

Please come back and let me know how you liked these.
{and the tutorial}

until next time...

ox
joon

Autumnal Face

Nonnie's Treasure's

"The bounty shines in Autumn unconfined..." James Hamson


Beth Peardon Prods

"Behold congenial Autumn comes. The Sabbath of the year." John Logan


Artsy Clay

"Seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For Summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells."
- John Keats, To Autumn


Clinging Images.
"Autumn is a second Spring when every leaf is a flower ". ~ Camlus


The Knotty Sheep
Falling leaves
hide the path
so quietly. ~ J. Bailey


Big Island Rose Designs
"Octobers poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter". ~ Nova Blair


Backroom Treasures
"No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace. As I have seen in one Autumnal face". ~ John Dunne

TRIBUTE TO OUR BBEST LEADERS – PART 2

This is part two in our tribute series, and today we honor Joon. Joon goes by many other names – Joonbeam, Joonwalk, JoonE, The Flying Housewife, to name a few. Each of her etsy shop names describes a facet of her personality and her causes in life. That personality is a fascinating one, and her causes are noble and responsible ones in this world of waste.

Joon is a mother, a wife, a teacher and friend. She is a grandmother too, though her youthful face doesn't reflect that. She is honorable, honest and true to her beliefs. What comes to mind when I think of Joon? Champion of what’s morally right. Resourceful. Kind. Laughing. Fun. Full of life.

Joon respects and loves traditional family values and concepts. She values her family above all. One of her strong beliefs is that her children should have the best possible education in the best possible environment. Though “retired” from teaching, she home-schools her daughter, Scout. To Joon, this is not a "task." Home-schooling is a dedication, a gift of love, a way of life for the Wilkinsons. Joon and her family tackle together every challenge with a “can-do” attitude.
Joon is justifiably very proud of every family member, and is daughter Scout’s biggest champion, especially when it comes to her creativity—writing, singing, drawing, etc.

Joon is a natural writer and a gifted one at that. She is currently working on her first novel, and we will all be able to say, one day very soon, “We knew her when…” Her creative, descriptive writing style brings the most mundane events to life and make them special in a very unique way. She says about life, “I am here to share my stories of this journey we call life. Stranger than fiction never had it so good. My love affair with words and all things good starts here.”

For instance, “Joon – Keeping it Weird: Tales from the Road.” Joon has traveled throughout much of her adult life, living in many places for short periods of time. She has met many people along the way and has made many friends. She has never forgotten a single one. She says, " I have this dream of taking a leisurely trip around our country. Along the way I will meet and chat with people...People from all walks of life with life experiences to share. That would be heavenly. And I'd write a book and share the stories with the world. But I cannot do that right now. Maybe not ever. So I am starting here. Making connections, shortening the distance with words on paper. And on a smaller scale."

Joon is referring to her "hand-written letter revival." In an age where letter-writing is fast becoming a thing of the past, pushed aside by the world of computers, e-mail and texting, Joon harkens back to the age when we linked to each other and communicated via the written word. She realized that in this world of high technology and speed there is little time left for real, genuine, meaningful communication. Not the quick one-liner text or e-mail, but a proper letter. Taking the time to sit and think about what to write, what news to impart, and taking time to inquire about the other person and make them feel that they matter. Joon writes real, hand-written letters – to total strangers who, not surprisingly, become strangers no longer by the time the correspondence has been completed. Each letter is unique, special, a one-of-a-kind, crafted especially for the receiver. Joon also includes little extras with each letter such as original homemade recipes. This extra touch helps to make the receiver feel special. What a lovely, unique idea!

Along Joon’s journey through this life, she has made and continues to make a major contribution – She wastes nothing. There is nothing thrown out that isn’t rescued and fashioned into something charming, useful and wonderful. It’s called “upcycling,” and as far as I am concerned, Joon invented the word. In Joon’s own words, “Saving the planet through art, one step at a time, because environment is everything,” says it all. Her shop, "Joonbeam," features "Recycled Art with Heart."

Joon is passionate about the planet on which we live, as she states in her profile in her shop. She says, “I am a writer and an artist but, primarily, I have been a homemaker and caretaker forever. I love scissors. I upcycle, recycle and reuse our culture’s plethora of consumer waste and discards and repurpose it into unique and useful pleasures for our future. Because environment is everything.”

One of my favorite stories is the one describing her hand-crafted mailbox. The mailbox at her home in Texas was originally an older mailbox, serviceable, intact, a bit small for magazines since they always arrived folded from being crammed into this mailbox, but acceptable. Joon wasn’t going to have just an “acceptable” mailbox. She was going to have a mailbox that greets her and her family home. She describes in her blog how she came upon the idea and the materials to create a lovely, meaningful, purposeful and honorable mailbox. Through a series of events, which she calls “destiny,” she stumbled upon a wire basket which she acquired for pennies. A few days later she discovered a vintage Little Golden Book for, again, mere pennies. A few days after that, she flipped through the little book and found just the right page, the illustration just the right size, with the perfect text. She dressed up the magazine rack label space with a collage on coordinating paper. By the time Joon completed the project, the mailbox was a work of art!

Did I say that Joon loves to cook? Not just ordinary dishes, but special ones. Many of her special dishes are described in her blog, along with the recipes (http://www.joonbeam.blogspot.com/)



Another of my favorite stories is the one about the day she left a very special package for her mailman. Here is what she said:

"Do you love to surprise people who make your day in simple ways? I do. Do you hope they'll like your surprise? I do. I told you I LoVe my mailman. He said he thought this was mail. He was looking for a stamp. Those of you who have received packages from me know this makes perfect sense. I asked him can he eat this? Oh yes, I can eat it. Do you think this made me happier than I made him? I do."

Joon makes life just a little bit better for those people who are lucky enough to know her.

There you have it. "Joon – Stronger than pain!"

Thank you, Joon, for your friendship, and for your contribution and leadership of our BBEST Team this past year.

Contributing to this blog were Pat (On a Whimsey) and Judy (JN Originals).

Stay tuned for Part 3!

XOXO

Nonnie