Not your grandmother's cross stitch!

My new obsession:

1. Squirrel Cross Stitch Pattern - Sewing Seed - $3
2. Babushka toadstool Cross Stitch Pattern - Cupcake Cutie 1 - $8.95
3. Fawn and Doe Cross Stitch - Slipcover your Life - $5
4. Key Cross Stitch Pattern - And Wabisabi - $3.50

What I got for Christmas

My lovely husband got me some of the most wonderful gifts for Christmas (and all from etsy!) Take a peek if you will...

1. Lovely neck warmer from FoldedRoses
2. Beautiful trinket box made from Maple by dikruck
3. Beeswax Votive Candles by echinacea
4. Gorgeous Print by sandrineM

1. Framed Original Drawing by Cookstah
2. Puggle Queen Print by Mandawlfe
3. Mac Love button by Gnipmac

I would love to see what you got for Christmas too!

Baby Booties

Although I'm not having kids any time soon, I was asked to sew a pair of booties to review a pattern from ithinksew.com. I decided on a gorgeous corduroy houndstooth fabric that I haven't cut into yet as I only have two yards and love it too much!

I lined the inside in chocolate brown cotton and added three little wooden buttons as embellishments. (The booties actually close with velcro, how easy!)

You can get your own pair right here!

Metricly

I found a great website for all you online shop owners. It is called Metricly and it is an aggregated dashboard and analytics platform. It helps businesses of all sizes track their metrics in one place.
They connect your data from a variety of platforms including Google Analytics, Salesforce, Twitter, Facebook, Mailchimp, Zendesk and more. They can even get live analytics from your own MySQL databases or custom internal data. Setup is fast and easy. Once you connect your shop(s), their powerful analytical tools make it easy to dive into your data and find insights that will help your business be even more successful.
I connected my 3 shops from etsy and the graphs were wonderful! You could choose what type of data you want to see and the trends based on the dates you choose. If you've been wondering who buys from you or how many sales you get per month, this does it for you. The best thing? It's FREE!!!

New Ventures!

Now that school is coming to a close, I am finally able to get back to the things I've been yearning for since the first day of class back in August. This Friday through Sunday I'll be at the Dogwood Festival. My friend Beth and I are doing a lot of home shows after the festival as well as a couple shows at the mall.

I opened up a supply shop on Artfire and a graphic design shop on Zibbet. Testing out new waters as well as new venues. I still have my regular bag and accessory shop on etsy as well as my vintage inspired hair accessory and jewelry shop on etsy. I also switched my kids shop on etsy to a de-stash shop as I just have had not had time to make children's clothing like I planned.

I also have plans to make a bunch of new tutorials this summer as well as changing some of the looks of my wristlets and some other items. In my graphics shop I want to make some printables, collage sheets and other things for those DIYers out there that want to make things themselves! If you have any suggestions for anything, I'd love to hear them!

Let ME host your giveaway!

Do you have an online shop or business and would like to have a giveaway? Contact me and let me do all the work by hosting your giveaway on my blog! By having a giveaway you can get more people following you on twitter, facebook fan page, your blog, and hearting your shop! It's free advertisement!

You can contact me through my blog or through my own shops! Just let me know and we'll work together to get you some more traffic!

Giveaway #3 from Littlemamas!

So a little bit about littlemamas! She is a 35 year old work at home mom of a 3 1/2 little girl and a 15 month old son. She spends her days chasing after them and her 2 dogs and cat. Her nights and nap times are when she is able to work on her crafts. Crafting has been a huge part of her life for my than half of it. Its like meditation of some sort for her. She has recently turned turned her focus towards kids things after her daughter was born. She keeps finding new things to create for her kids to play with and learn with. Right now she's working at getting herself into nursing school and her goal is to finish within the next five years. Big goal, but its very important too her.

I actually have a doggy coat from her that was hand dyed. It's awesome and keeps my little puggle warm during these cold days! I loved it so much that I actually got two more for my parent's dogs as well!

Now about the giveaway!

Be My Valentine Sugar cookies, valued at $7.50. What a great way to show your love day after day with these sugar cookies with red heart frosting. Children really love to use their imagination and these work with kitchen play and also can be for Valentines Day. They measure 3 /2" so they aren't your average size cookie, they are jumbo sized for those little hands.Set of 3 jumbo sized cookies

Here is how to enter:

• Leave a comment about a like and/or dislike about her shop or a particular item in her shop.
• Remember to leave your email address or some way for me to contact you if you win!

To get bonus entries you can do one or more of the following:

• Add yourself as a facebook fan and post another comment saying that you did
• Follow her on twitter and post another comment with your user name
• Tweet about this post with @nitelily3 and @littlemamas and post another comment saying that you did
• Blog about this post and post another comment with the link of the post
• Follow her blog
• Heart her shop on etsy and leave a comment with your username
• Buy something from her shop and get 10 bonus entries
• Buy something from my shop and get 10 bonus entries

This is open to anyone in the world :) I how how much it sucked to be abroad and not be able to enter contests! The giveaway ends February 8th and a winner will be chosen by a random number generator.

And the winner

of HandyMaiden's giveaway is lucky number 15!











You will be contacted shortly!

Goldfinch Giveaway by Handy Maiden

Handy Maiden, run by Danielle is a neat little store that has all types of handmade jewelry and accessories. She is supposed to be attending SDSU right now but California's massive budget cuts to education have made her college aspirations to study Western and US history an impossibility (for now). She and her husband will stay local until he finishes grad school and then they will move so that she can persue her degree. While waiting for her husband to finish school, she spends her time meticulously painting tiny lumps of polymer clay. I personally love all her floral bibs and the tiny painted creatures made from polymer.

She's always liked artsy stuff. She draws all the time and always gets really excited about learning a new material. She has tried embroidery, crocheting, made beaded and button jewelry as well as copper wire window hangings. The majority of the items in her closet have been upcycled/ altered in some way. A while ago she got her hands on some polymer clay and made a bunch of things. She learned shortly after that she preferred to paint the clay rather than use different clay colors. This is not the typical way most polymer artists work, as they use different polymer colors rather than painting white polymer. This gives her polymer creations much more detail and more vivid colors. Now whenever she is out and sees something interesting she wonders: "How can I turn that idea into a pendant?"

She also just opened a new shop, Terra Farma, where she will be selling terrarium decoration supplies (dinosaurs, castles, bears, snails, mushrooms, etc.) for etsy sellers or people who simply want to add something surprising and fun to the terrariums they build.

Now about the giveaway!

The pendant that Handy Maiden is giving away is a goldfinch from her finch series, inspired by the birds that loiter about her front yard every day. It is about 1” tall (2.54cm), it was hand inked and painted in shades of yellow, orange, black & white before being dipped in several layers of varnish for a glassy finish. He comes attached to a ball chain with an aged pewter finish by way of a custom copper finding.

Here is how to enter:

• Leave a comment about a like and/or dislike about her shop or a particular item in her shop.
• Remember to leave your email address or some way for me to contact you if you win!

To get bonus entries you can do one or more of the following:

• Add yourself as a facebook fan and post another comment saying that you did
• Follow me on twitter and post another comment with your user name
• Tweet about this post with @nitelily3 and post another comment saying that you did
• Blog about this post and post another comment with the link of the post
• Heart her shop on etsy and leave a comment with your username
• Buy something from her shop and get 5 bonus entries
• Buy something from my shop and get 5 bonus entries

This is open to anyone in the world :) I how how much it sucked to be abroad and not be able to enter contests! The giveaway ends January 25th and a winner will be chosen by a random number generator.

Giveaway! Prints Charming Purses by Readingbunky

Kathy, aka readingbunky, owns and operates Prints Charming Purses. By day she is a wonderful theathre teacher at a High School, by nights, runs her etsy shop. She is a creative person by nature and that's why she adores teaching theathre but her shop allows her to be creative in other ways. She loves to sew and work with paper, creating one of a kind items that are never repeated. He sewing skills also come in handy when she is creating costumes for the different theatre productions every year.

Her motto is "I may not be organized, but I am creative!"

She has a wonderful husband and two (mostly) wonderful teenage daughters.

For the giveaway you will be able to choos any Valentine's Day card in her shop AND a choice of one of these Valentine's Day sticky notepads

Here is how to enter:

• Leave a comment about a like and/or dislike about her shop or a particular item in her shop.
• Remember to leave your email address or some way for me to contact you if you win!

To get bonus entries you can do one or more of the following:

• Add yourself as a facebook fan and post another comment saying that you did
• Follow her on twitter and post another comment with your user name
• Follow me on twitter and post another comment with your user name
• Tweet about this post with @nitelily3 and @dramamamaugh and post another comment saying that you did
• Blog about this post and post another comment with the link of the post
• Heart her shop on etsy and leave a comment with your username
• Buy something from her shop and get 5 bonus entries
• Buy something from my shop and get 5 bonus entries

This is open to anyone in the world :) I how how much it sucked to be abroad and not be able to enter contests! The giveaway ends January 18th and a winner will be chosen by a random number generator.

Black Friday - Cyber Monday Sale

I'm having a Black Friday sale that will run from today, 11/24 through Cyber Monday, 11/30. Save 20% in all my shops. Mention 'Black Friday' in the notes to seller. I will be listing new items in the shop (hopefully) the whole weekend. This does not apply to custom work.

http://nitelily3.etsy.com
http://nitelilykids.etsy.com
http://nitelilyglamour.etsy.com

Happy Shopping!

TRADEAHOLICS PRE-BLACK FRIDAY $10 and UNDER SALE WEEKEND!

Join us at our pre-Black Friday Trade-a-holics SALE $10 weekend! Browse for some awesome $10 and under deals and steals BEFORE the Black Friday rush! The holidays are just right around the corner so this is a fabulous chance to grab some goodies NOW!!!

With out fabulous shops, there is something for EVERYONE!

The sale runs from 12:01 am Friday, November 20th to 12:00 a.m. Monday, November 22nd, Etsy Time (EST).

You can use the team tag “TRADE10” to search for sale items! And browse the thread for team members' special picks!

Here is the list of our participating shops...
0namesleft.etsy.com - handmade pride items, purses, totes, books, journals, and more
2Sleepyheads.etsy.com - Bags of the month, totes, and other sewn goodies
CleanAsAWhistle.etsy.com - Handmade household cleaners, wool dryer balls, and cleaning zine
alicesangeljewelry.etsy.com - handmade necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets
amanda23.etsy.com - handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gemstone jewelry
anchorhold.etsy.com -- Crochet goods and stickers
arenacreative.etsy.com - artistic and jeweled creativity
artrageousclay.etsy.com - Unique Ceramic Jewelry Pieces
BeesCreations.etsy.com - Polymer clay jewellery, lip balm and more
boogerandtash.etsy.com - fun accessories and necessities for kids!
cafesugirons.etsy.com - sachets, christmas ornaments, coasters, wine bags and such
candlesbymarla.etsy.com – soy candles
cappysueclay.etsy.com - clay pendants, charms, monsters, fairy homes, mini sculptures and more
chendric.etsy.com - handcrafted fine silver and gemstone jewelry
cherylspurplecow.etsy.com - Beaded, Awareness, and Metal-Free Jewelry, reflections, Vintage, other
chrystalyn.etsy.com - semiprecious jewelry & gemstone holiday fare (wine charms, ornaments)
parallel.etsy.com - gemstone & glass bead jewelry supplies
craftydill.etsy.com - Vintage: pottery, kitchen, dishes, figurines, linens, paper, decor and more
divinecanine.etsy.com pet treats and more for your fur babies!
dutchtouchbeads.etsy.com Artfully Handmade Jewelry
exClamations.etsy.com - Handmade Jewelry
firstfruitsllc.etsy.com - homemade goodies, jams, candies, bath and body
FirstLightGlass.etsy.com - Fused glass jewelry, art and home décor
Funnykindagirl.etsy.com - Fun and Unique Ribbon Characters, Hair Bows, Pins, Ribbon Bookmarks, Headbands, and Ornaments.
GardenGwyn.Etsy.com - Quirky, Elegant, Eclectic & Charm, jewelry for every occasion and whim
GemsandDolls.Etsy.com Soy Candles, Soap, and Gems for your holidays
GirlettesMV.etsy.com - Felt Barrettes, Crowns, Pony tails, Headbands, Holders
handymaiden.etsy.com - hand painted polymer and wood pendants
harvestmoonbyhand.etsy.com - natural toys; window stars; art kits and supplies; patterns; greeting cards; and homeschool resources.
hildeguardslair.etsy.com sale items in trade 10 section of shop, earrings, keychains, cell phone charms
hillsidebakery.etsy.com - fudge, fudge, and new candy listings for the holidays
hillsidebathandbody.etsy.com - goats milk soap and sewn holiday gifts
jerseymaids.etsy.com - polaroid artwork, jewelry, gifts, and more!
jewelzbyjen.etsy.com Handmade jewelry and bookmarks
julibeekitsch.etsy.com - Handmade Jewelry, Accessories, & Gifts
KarolsTreasures.etsy.com - Yarn, Beads and Fabric for your next crafting project
KnotOrdinary.etsy.com - Darling friendship bracelets for all ages!
laurali.etsy.com - Zen/Visionary and Traditional Art (Paintings, Prints, ACEOs, Pendants
LisbonSky.etsy.com - Specializing in affordable eclectic and gorgeous jewelry & accessories.
LittleAlleyCatDesign - Shop Banners, Business Cards, Graphic Design
louisiana1966.etsy.com-upcycled bags,journals,pencil cups,pillows,cup cozies,etc.-everything ecofriendly
Love2Embellish.Etsy.com - Fun paper crafts including: scrapbooks, cards, tags, clipboards and altered journals
ltuarchangel.etsy.com - plantable cards and beaded creations
lucindaramsay.etsy.com - Fun, chic, and customisable accessories.
luckedog.etsy.com - vintage and collectibles
LDCraftSupplies.etsy.com - craft supplies for anything and everything
LDGeneralStore.etsy.com - handmade goodies
MakingsByMary.etsy.com - Bags of all sorts plus crocheted scarves, hats and cloths
mamajboutique.etsy.com - handbags, jewelry, home décor
maplestreetcreations.etsy.com Fun and creative soaps, lotions, candles and more for the entire family and all friends.
marsbar35.etsy.com - (jewellry)
vintagemylove.etsy.com -(clothes and jewellry)
mjowest.etsy.com- Patterns, Vintage, Garden art- Country Goods!
mrssmeow.etsy.com - jewellery, lingerie, clothing and organza clippies
muffintopdesigns.etsy.com - sterling silver, copper and brass stacking rings & semiprecious jewelry
nativebeads.etsy.com - beads, earrings, chokers, jewelry, gourd art and natural soaps
nitelily3.etsy.com - Bags, clothing and other sewn accessories
nomsa.etsy.com - fun and chic hair accessories and jewelry
NotYourMomsVinyl.etsy.com - Pop Culture Tees and Vinyl wall decals.
OrionBotanicals.etsy.com - soy candles, reed diffusers, sachets & home fragrances
pawsintheair.etsy.com - Crocheted items, for fun and warmth, table and body.
pennyspug.etsy.com- Fun Beaded Jewelry
misspennyspapershop.etsy.com- Affordable Paper Goodness, Note Pads, Seals, Cards, Planners
PoignantProjections.etsy.com - Trinket Tins and other good stuff!
prariewindstitchery.etsy.com - Crochet accessories, housewares and much more!
purplefuzzyfeet.etsy.com - Fun notecards, dog toys, and holiday gifts all under $10
raevyn77.etsy.com - Handmade jewelry
simplyraevyn.etsy.com - Handmade seed bead jewelry
peculiarparchment.etsy.com - Handmade cards and tags
Randumosity.Etsy.com - Fun & Unique Cloth Womens Products, Bags & Accessories
ravenbrook.etsy.com - jewelry, tote bags and baby gifts
readingbunky.etsy.com - stocking stuffers and more!
redrobinpretties.etsy.com - charms and findings
magymai711.etsy.com - vintage image cds and jewelry
RockyMtBeader.etsy.com - Jewelry, Beaded Ornaments, Ceramic Coasters, Loose Beads and More
ShoreDebris.etsy.com - Beach-themed jewelry and home décor
somethingolde.etsy.com - vintage jewelry, household and more
sparklegarden.etsy.com - handcrafted sterling and gemstone and personalized jewelry
twigandfeather.etsy.com - handmade housewares
spinalfusion.etsy.com~eclectic array of handmade goods, jewelry and accessories
splurge.etsy.com - simple and modern jewelry
stephaniesjewelrybox.etsy.com - handmade jewelry for all styles of people from vintage to funky
SugarChills.etsy.com - natural body care
Sugirons.etsy.com - cloth menstrual pads, nursing pads, baby quilts, diaper bags and more!
sunflowertouch.etsy.com..accessory heaven.
sunshinespeckles.etsy.com - handmade cards and gift tags featuring hand carved stamp designs
suppliez.etsy.com - scrapbook, jewelrymaking and crafting supplies
SuzanneDesigns.etsy.com - Sassy purses, tees, pet collars and accessories crafted from vintage neckties!
TattooAnnie.etsy.com - vintage inspired jewelry, cozy knits, geekery and kawaii goods
terrabellaaccents.etsy.com - jewelry, accesories, pine neddle baskets, keepsake boxes
The3Maries.etsy.com - vintage books, collectibles, pottery, and clothing,
CreatedByThe3Maries.etsy.com - original art, crafts, sewn items, fabric, and supplies
CharmingMittens.etsy.com - Photographic Tendencies and Fine Prints
thegirlyplace.etsy.com - Girly accessories, tutus and more!
ruascrapper.etsy.com - Paper goodness.
tailsnsnails.etsy.com - The boy shop
ThePaperElement.etsy.com Paper art, origami, and other delights
thisisit.etsy.com - ecofriendly journals, notepads, jewelry, and cards
qualitycraftsupplies.etsy.com - recycled sterling silver wire and handmade paper
thoughtfulexpression.etsy.com - jewelry, photography, destash and more!
tootsweethandbags.etsy.com - Fab Handbags and Fun Accessories
TracyDesigns.etsy.com - wristlet keychains, quilted bags, hot pads, table runners, coasters, awareness items and more
Uneek4U.etsy.com - jewelry, children's items, paper products
victoriantimes.etsy.com - vintage, destash, and recreated items. (Regency & Civil War era items)
VintageLoveHeart.etsy.com..treasures for fashion followers and collectors
WhimsicalTransformation.etsy.com-making treasures from trash!
Shellrifficheirlooms.etsy.com- decorated eggs,gourds,seashell and more!
YourTime.etsy.com - Wire Wrapped Jewelry, Vintage and Supplies
YourTimeBodyTreats.etsy.com - Bath and Body Products

And the winner is...

Number 92! And that would be Delilah!

Thanks to all of those who participated in the giveaway! Sorry for posting this so late, but I was moving and was not able to get into blogger! Delilah already received her bag and says she loves it! Hope to see some of you again at the next giveaway!

Testing out Fellow Estian Products

So, I adore Picnic Basket Craft's shop. I had a couple items custom formulated for my skin and let me tell you, they are my favorite products to date. They are also affordable for a college student like me!

She sometimes has people try out items that she's planning to put in her shop. I always volunteer, as I love to try out new products that I could see myself potentially buying. It's great because I can test out the product for her and see for myself if it works the way I'd like it to before I commit to buying. (I also just want to say I really appreciate her sending out these samples for all her testers - postage isn't cheap these days!)

I tried out a cream for her about a month ago and the latest is a solid laundry stain bar. It is made of just a few all natural ingredients, which is what I'm aiming for in my home. I do not have any kids so I don't have grass stains or food stains, but I do have grease and 'mystery' stains that somehow appear on my clothing. I tried the stain remover on two of my tops that have become sleeping shirts because they had two mystery grease/oil stains on them (probably from cooking.) One of the shirts, the stain came completely out. The second shirt's stain is not as visible, but it's still partially there. I think I'm going to treat it again and see if it completely disappears this time.

All in all, I think this is a great product. Other stain removers (commercial) obviously didn't take these stains out nor did my regular detergent so for an all natural one to get it out is saying something! I am slowly but surely switching all my cleaners to natural, and this will definitely be something that I'll be adding to the regime.

EDIT: I laundered the one shirt where the stain was still slightly visible again and the stain came completely out. And the same day that I wrote this post, I got butter on one of my shirts while baking. I applied the stain bar and laundered it as usual and the stain came completely out!

The Lucja Day Bag Giveaway!

I've participated in many giveaways this summer, and although I have not won a thing, I think it's still nice to give back! So now you, my lovely blog readers, will have a chance to win the wonderful Lucja Day Bag! This bag is made from Michael Miller fabric, lined in black cotton, interfaced with heavyweight interfacing and closes with a magnetic snap. It's a great bag for day/night transitions. Here is how to enter:

• Leave a comment about a like and/or dislike about my shop or a particular item in my shop.
• Remember to leave your email address or some way for me to contact you if you win!
  

To get bonus entries you can do one or more of the following:

• Add yourself as a facebook fan and post another comment saying that you did
  
• Follow me on twitter and post another comment with your user name
  
• Tweet about this post with @nitelily3 and post another comment saying that you did
  
• Blog about this post and post another comment with the link of the post
• Heart my shop on etsy and leave a comment with your username
  

This is open to anyone in the world :) I how how much it sucked to be abroad and not be able to enter contests! The giveaway ends July 27th and a winner will be chosen by a random number generator.

Sample Sales and Clearance

Maybe you've wondered what sample sales were and if clearance means the item is bad/defective/etc. Maybe you know exactly what it is and take a jump at the great deals you can find! Either way, I'll explain what each is and what they entail.

Sample sales are usually with clothing, shoes and accessories. They are when a designer makes one or two of a particular item and sells them at a deeply discounted price because they were the 'firsts' that were made. They usually do not have blemishes or anything of the sort, they were just made and the creator decides that they want to change the design a bit or improve on something. That is the case with me. Sometimes I'll make something and decide that I want it a little bigger or smaller, to add or take out a snap or to add more interfacing in some places. That's what happened with the July Day Bag and the Dorota Bag.

Clearance is when something has been around a little bit in a shop or a whole new style of that item came out and the designer wants to get rid of it quickly to make room for the new version. It's not that it's bad, just that a pocket that may have trademarked an item was moved and now it is the new style of the season like my Jane All Day Tote.

My advice is if you see Sample Sale or Clearance anywhere, go shop there first! You could find exactly what you are looking for at great prices!

A real business?

I have finished one online class and am now on my second one. Got an A in the first class, but this second one, the professor seems to be a stickler. But we'll see...

So, I really need to get my business going and start marketing and promoting it. I have to write a real business plan and get things in gear. I'd love it if I could have a steady source of income, even if it wouldn't be enough to pay the bills, but at least pay for my etsy addiction lol. Anyone have advice on this or some tips? I have the summer to do this, so it'd really be the perfect time to get the ball rolling for real!

Being poor sucks!

So, being back in the US for a few months now, I finally had to buy a car. You need a car here... it's not like in Europe where you can take a tram/bus/walk to where ever you need to go. So Last week I finally bought one... a 2008 Scion tc. And I love it. But now I'm in debt to my parents (they were pretty awesome of loaning me a butt load of money!)

And then I decided, since I have a car, and am 23, I want my own apartment. I convinced my parents of this and then they actually thought it was a good idea lol. So yesterday I signed the lease to my first apartment (and by first, I mean, I'll be the only one living there.) So now I have visions of decorating, sewing up a storm and shopping my heart out at target and other places that have awesome home stuff. I wish Ikea was closer!

So because of this car and apartment (had to put a deposit on the apartment and borrow money from my parents), and my student loans, I am one of the poorest (but some how well off) people I know. Because of this.... I have been going trade crazy on Etsy. I will be shipping out all the stuff people traded me for today, and I can't wait to get all my stuff! Trading is such an awesome thing to do when you need retail therapy but don't have the money for it! When I get all my stuff in, I shall post pictures! Now stop reading this and go trade!

I'm still here!

I know, I know... I have not been updating my blog. School got incredibly busy and it just gets put on the back burner. I promise though, this summer I shall be updating more often and posting some new goodies in my shop. I will also be taking more custom orders.

This summer I will be taking two classes and working, so things will also be busy, I will make sure I have time for some sewing. Next semester I have 3 clinicals to go teach in schools so I will probably be just as exhausted, if not more, than I am now. But I will definitely try my best to keep my blog and shop updated. I will also be getting my own apartment this fall, so towards the end of the summer I will be busy moving and getting settled in before school.

Mineral Makeup

I have to say that I love the *idea* of makeup but I hate wearing it. I never wore foundation or coverup, I'm just talking eyeshadow, mascara and lip gloss. The lip gloss I do, but the mascara and eye shadow I've always had a problem with. They make my eyes itch and burn like crazy. At first everything seems ok, and then all of a sudden I feel like I'm going blind. And that's when I stopped wearing that stuff.

Fast forward a few years and I will be going into the *real* workforce and have to look presentable for other things as well. So I broke down and bought some mineral makeup from Etsy. I got a variety of colors in sample sizes, just in case I didn't like them I wouldn't feel so bad about buying a regular sized container. I actually went and bought from two sellers: MineralMagic and PinkQuartzMinerals.

I asked a few questions about Mineral Magic and decided to start with a color scheme for brown eyes. She had 4 chosen shadows for that and they all appealed to me so I got that to start out with. They shipped to me within the week, everything was professionally wrapped and labled and of course I had to test it right away. I have to say that I had it on from morning to night (with the addition of the veil she sells) and it stayed on just as well or better than regular makeup. And as a bonus there was no itching or burning! Yay! This shop will be getting more of my business soon!

I just got the package from Pink Quartz Minerals, and although it did take a while to get to me, I do like the colors. I still have not tested them on my eyes, but my first impression is that I do like them. She included a small booklet for those who have never used mineral makeup, which was nice.

I would reccommend mineral makeup for those who are sensitive to the things they've tried from a drugstore or department store. I believe this stuff, by far, surpasses that and it's much more affordable. So go ahead and treat your self to some great makeup!