The Little Quirky Shoppe

Just a very quick update to let people know that we are on the ETSY VINTAGE front page.

The new job...

Carrabba's is going smoothly. Honestly, the training is grueling; five days of classrooms and memorization of the entire menu. The menu test was eight pages full of blank lines...yes, you had to read the menu item and then describe it to a "T." However, I passed with a "very well" from the trainers who were brought in from out of town. This is serious stuff.

My first three days on the floor by myself brought in enough to meet our weekly budget! I stressed a bit last night, but one of my wonderful coworkers said, "It's only food. It's only food." I calmed down a bit. I worked a twelve hour shift on Valentines day and the day after I worked an eleven hour shift. The next time your server looks or acts a little stressed out or "out of it" think of how long they may have been there. One of the cooks had only been AWAY from the restaurant 5 hours in 3 days! No joke.

Our Etsy business is going well. Sales are slow, but so is the economy. We're trying to keep our thinking caps on and are wondering what we should do in order to not only boost sales for our store, but help other people get more for their money. We'll keep you up to date on those types of things.

Now to our favorite part of this blog: FEATURING

My wife just purchased some beautiful hand made posies made from old post cards and I wanted to get on here and talk about them. I can't wait to see them decorate our house! Seller AUTUMNTOMAY located at www.autumntomay.etsy.com is a wonderful artist and must be featured on this small, yet growing blog of mine. Her stuff is absolutely beautiful and screams creativity. Great job Autumntomay and I can't wait to see the posies!

Alright, I promise it won't be so long as I am trying to blog every other day at the very least.

Peace!

Kyle
{The Husband}

So, I took the plunge

So, my wife and I are people who pray and we asked God, "God, would you provide a way for me to be home with Sharayah and the girls?" I went into work on Monday and my boss sat us down and said to us, "I'm not sure when, but there is a good chance we could be closing down...you better start lining up possible options for other employment and see what's out there." As so many of you know, there is not much employment happening out there. I stayed home from work one day due to back pain and neck pain which was causing a headache (and had been for days...blasted mattress...it has to be the blasted mattress) and by mid-day after the pain was gone I made my way to Carrabbas. The next day they hired me! I start training tomorrow. The menu test is going to be tough...but I think I can master it.

So, I wonder if my wife and I can be featured on Etsy.com in the "Quit Your Day Job" interviews they have with people who actually leave their "steady" jobs to sell full-time on Etsy. I don't know. Anyone out there with connections, hook us up!

So, our prayer was answered. I get to be home with the family every day...I get to spend 8 hours with my girls instead of working out of the home 8 or 9 hours and spending 3 hours with them. I get to help home-school, help with The Little Quirky Shoppe, heck, I even get to work at my "day job" 10 hours a week for some extra money.

So, wish us luck and many tips...we are embarking on a new journey.

On the Etsy side of things don't forget to visit Nikkimichele at www.nikkimichele.etsy.comand check out the soccer mom's who rock. Also, you cannot forget to check out midnightjo1327.etsy.com

Alright, time to sign off and drink some wine!

Kyle
{The Husband}

From yahoo Finance

These days, it seems there’s no sense buying something unless you can get at a steep discount. That goes for big-ticket items like houses and cars, down to such smaller purchases as vacation packages, electronics and clothes.
More from WSJ.com: • Mobile Banking Finds New Users• Travel, Debt and SATs • The Urge to Splurge: Don't Worry, It'll Pass
According to research group comScore Inc., 27 million Americans visited coupon sites in October, up 33% from a year earlier. And from last January to September, the number of coupon-related Web searches doubled. So it’s clear more of us are hunting for deals.
Scores of Web sites aggregate coupons and promotional codes that help people shop online without ever having to pay full price. Some, like Coupons.com, are geared toward grocery and drug store staples. (Today, that site is featuring $1 off Velveeta cheese and $2 off Perdue Frozen Fully Cooked Chicken on its home page.)
But others, like CouponCabin.com and RetailMeNot.com, offer a wider array of discounts for popular retailers, usable in-store and online. CouponCabin claims to have more than 100,000 discounts from more than 20,000 merchants.
More from Yahoo! Finance: • As Prices Rise, Some See $2 Gas • Celebrity Charity Auctions• More Travelers Redeeming Miles for Merchandise
Visit the Family & Home Center
While some sites require subscriptions to get at the good stuff, most offer coupons for free. The sites make money by selling ad space or offering “featured discount” status to stores for a set fee.
Here’s how it works: I happen to be in the market for a new comforter, as mine was mauled by a pair of scissors (an arts and crafts project gone bad). At CouponCabin.com, I found a discount code for $15 off any order over $75 at Macy’s, which is having its own sale. I click the coupon link, which takes me to Macy’s site, find the item I want, enter the code upon checkout, and, voila — a new comforter for Melissa. CouponCabin.com even shows a screen shot of where to enter the promotional code on a store’s Web site.
Most coupon sites allow you to sort discounts by retailer, so if my comforter didn’t qualify for the minimum dollar amount of one Macy’s coupon, I could always check to see if it made the cut for another.
Coupon sites vary in breadth of offerings, but also in practicality. Users should scour these sites after picking out a specific item on a store’s Web site or when they want a certain item (say, a just-released DVD) but don’t care where they buy it. But if you’re tempted to buy things just because they’re on sale, steer clear, as these sites can turn your computers into a money pit.
RetailMeNot.com, for example, has shopping tips for certain stores, as well as a separate forum for shoppers to trade details on one-day sales and new markdowns. Sensible for people who have been eyeing those fabulous but otherwise too-expensive jeans. Not so much for people who just like to browse.
One nifty thing RetailMeNot.com does have is a downloadable browser application that alerts you to promotions and coupons when you are on a retailer’s Web site. If you don’t mind the extra software, it may be a good way to ensure savings even if you forget to consult a coupon site pre-checkout. RetailMeNot.com also provides success rates for coupon codes so you know whether that hot 30% off code at J.Crew is likely to work when it comes time to check out.
Of course, coupon sites aren’t always all they’re cracked up to be in terms of actual bargains. Some ask contributors to send in those alphanumeric codes they get after making purchases, the ones that promise a percentage off the person’s next purchase above and beyond other promotions. But they also include nothing-special “savings.” Right now, AnyCoupons.com (along with a half-dozen other sites) lists free shipping on purchases totaling $150 or more at Banana Republic. But the store’s own Web site advertises that one, and has done so for at least a few weeks. Because so many stores are discounting deeply and offering incentives, make sure to check out the sidebars on retailers’ own sites for discount codes.
Readers, what are your favorite coupon Web sites? Why? Do you find them helpful for online or in-store shopping, or both?

Monday Monday

I woke up this morning with the sad realization that I had to wake up, get dressed and drive to work, leaving my family at home. I miss so much in their lives being at this office.
I thought about the novel I am writing and how I need to be outlining. No matter how creative I keep telling myself that I am...I need to outline otherwise I get stuck. If I at least had a direction I wouldn't get stuck and I can change the plan anytime I need/want to. Writing is so much more than sitting down and typing up a story...
I started reading Obsessed by Ted Dekker over the weekend. It's good and I am excited to follow the story. I'm on chapter 3 now. I am almost finished reading, The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. The Shack is such a great story and has really re-shaped my view of God and the Trinity. I have been a Christian for so long, but always despised the religiousity of so many...I'm blessed to go to a particular church who doesn't get too involved with the religious, but The Shack really does make one stop and ponder while at the same time, it reads like scripture and makes you fall in love with the Creator all over again, each time you turn the page. I recommend it.

Our hopes are up with the Etsy store today. We picked up a bunch of vinatage items over the weekend and Sharayah was creating great jewlery/hair art most of the weekend. If you care, check out www.littlequirkyshoppe.com for gifts or self-gifts.

I do want to mention a store on here, WanderlustBling on Etsy. www.Wanderlustbling.etsy.com
This lady and her husband travel in an RV year round and she creates while he drives I imagine. It's all very interesting stuff and beautiful creations. I believe she is having a sale for V-day, but don't quote me on that. No matter, go and check out her store. Also, I have to mention nikkimichele on Etsy at www.nikkimichele.etsy.com who are just some wonderful ladies who are creating out of Stamford. Check out their store for some great items as well. Honestly, these ladies rock the playground I imagine. {More coming on Nikkimichele in the next few days.}

While perusing through Pounce this morning I must say that I found a few new Etsyans who are sure to do well. One, Barbosaart at www.barbosaart.etsy.com paints some beautiful pieces. I can imagine several of them haning on my own wall. The work looks just splendid and should be considered anytime you need an art change in your home or office.
Another great new seller working with clay is Laceypots at www.laceypots.etsy.com and is doing some great things with clay. I see some buttons that she created, but my favorite is an Orange mug with a large handle and purple interior, it just beggs me to come and drink my morning coffee in it - a perfect wake me up. Check her out, honestly, she'll be some competition.

Other than that folks, I think I'm going to get to my real j - o -b here and hopefully make some money today. Have a great day! Be blessed.

Kyle
{The Husband}