Monday, September 12, 2011

Re: Conquering My Anal Retentiveness {Part 2}

No really, I am! :-D

The first step in simplifying {conquering my anal retentiveness} was to move from two shops to one. Find the details of said "merger" here.

The next step in simpliying {in order to do a better job with less} is to merge my two blogs.  This will be the last post on Twillypop's Place.  I'm not doing either blog justice right now and so, I'm giving this one up.  Thanks for following, I love interacting with you and I hope you'll find me at my other blog.

Anything I would have ordinarily posted here, can now simply be found here.  So please, come join me there!


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Re: Conquering My Anal Retentiveness

This post could go by many titles but they would all boil down to the same thing: simplifying.

I feel like I eventually have come around to deciding on my own what many others would have told me from the strart and that is: I don't need TWO shops.

Two shops came about because I didn't like my more playful Twillypopgirl necklaces in the mix with my adult necklaces. Anal retentive, much? (:-D)

 But now:
1} as Twillypop has progressed and grown, the  adult necklaces have taken on a more colorful, whimsical personality than I had originally expected.  The Twillypopgirl/Twillyteen necklaces fit like a glove and add even more color and fun to my shop. 
2}My hope is that customers looking for adult jewelry may be more likely to buy Twillypopgirl swag and vice/versa.
3} I wasn't doing justice to Twillypopgirl as a line or a shop and hopefully this will help me do better.

 Sooooo, I'm excited!  You'll see more Twillypopgirl/Twillyteen items popping up all the time! 


Many of the smaller Twillypopgirl necklaces will most likely not make the trip over to the growed up shop, so if you have your eye on one, better get "her" now!  Sometime within the next month or so, the old Twillypopgirl shop will be closed :)

Thanks for stopping by! Come back soon for part 2 of conquering my anal retentiveness {yes, there's more and no, I'm not kidding!}

Saturday, July 16, 2011

My Technical Ineptitude

Up until 2 years ago {when I started Twillypop} I didn't even know how to check the email account my husband had set up for me. No exaggeration.  I went to college in the early 90's {stop doing the math. I mean it. stop right now} and at the time was still able to avoid the computer almost altogether. I avoided the computer lab like it was my job. Dead serious.

To sum up: NO computer skills whatsoever. Fast forward to today.  I've spent the last two years learning {by trial and error and slower than most} how to navigate cyberspace and run and online biz.

Now that you know my background, imagine my delight when I decided to try my hand at making my own blog buttons, shop banner, and blog header...........and the finished product is pretty......OK!


{button}

{this blog~header}


{my other blog~header}


{shop}

These are on no way perfect, but a delight to me because I feel very much like an old dog who may well be able to learn new tricks. I could never in a million years have pictured being able to undertake such a project!

Have you ever done something that previously you would have NEVER thought you would be able to do? ........LOVE to hear about you.....

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Aqua {crush}

Crushing on aqua.......
{YellowHeartArt}

{timelessnchic}

{jennjohn}

{CupcakeSocial}
and green........

What colors are you currently crushing on???

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Could I Be a Rockstar?


LOVING this dress from {Free People}
My only real concern is that it may not look quite as "at home"
on a 30 something housewife with chubby thighs wearing an apron,
wielding a vacuum instead of a guitar.......
I'll have to think about it :)

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Liberty of London BUTTONS!!!

As if I wasn't already addicted to ribbons.....and fabric {Liberty of London, to be exact}.........

I discovered just how simple {and addictive} fabric covered buttons are to make.......



Fabric {by Liberty of London} PLUS a button kit PLUS handmade love {by Twillypop}
EQUALS
fun.

.......now to decide what to do with said fun......




Friday, July 1, 2011

...wishing I was wearing {weekend edition}

A-Bit-Unruly Top {anthropologie}
I think the name of this top says it all......


Joe's Visionaire Flair
...and again with the name! A visionaire with Flair?! Well, that's me! {ha...ha....ha.}


Ash by Vivian {piperlime}




Cerise Pink Frilly Clutch {TheLeatherStore on etsy}

Because I feel I NEED to own something "cerise"
This is what I WISH to be wearing this weekend, I can assure you the reality will be much different.....
Happy Weekend!!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Hershey Bar Cookies {herein lies the highly coveted recipe}

Almost a decade ago {I can't believe I'm old enough to refer to ANYTHING as being a decade ago *sigh*} I came up with this recipe for  a sweet friend's birthday.  Her favorite candy is Hershey bars and I wanted to make something special & unique to her....thus, the Hershey Bar Cookies were born. {I acknowledge that there are probably H.B. Cookie recipes aplenty floating around cyberspace.......but I bet mine's the best  :D}

Twillypop's Hershey Bar Cookies**
P.s. This is a double batch, as I always make my cookie dough in double batches so I can save some dough in the fridge for those cookie "emergencies" we so often find ourselves in the middle of....... :)

Ingredients:

 

     5 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

     2 teaspoon baking soda

     2 teaspoon salt

     1 cup (2 sticks) butter AND 1 cup (2 sticks) margarine, softened

     1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

     1 1/2 cup packed brown sugar {I often use turbinado which makes 'em Xtra yum}

     2 teaspoons vanilla extract

     4 large eggs

     3 Tablespoons strong coffee, cooled {can substitute milk}

     4 cups chopped milk chocolate Hershey Bars {about 4 of the 7oz. giant bars}

     **Hershey bar segments {from the mini bars}, or Hershey kisses for decoration

     **optional


the beauty of chopping the chocolate is that you not only get big chunks, but also chocolate shavings which blend into the dough and give it amazing flavor and moistness



it helps to have a real live keebler elf to peel the kisses...... :D


the kisses will completely liquefy, but if left to cool will solidify and keep their shape

PREHEAT oven to 350° F.
COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter,margarine, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and coffee in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chopped chocolate. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. *Or, for extra fun, scoop into mini muffin pans, may increase baking time by a few minutes*

BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. {Or 15 mins. for mini-muffin pan.} Immediately upon removing from the oven, top each cookie or "muffin" with chocolate segment or Hershey kiss.  Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; carefully {so as not to disturb the liquefied chocolate} remove to wire racks to cool completely & until the chocolate cools and sets again .
    You seriously need to taste them to believe them.......

    Monday, June 27, 2011

    Beach Bag {extraordinaire}

    I've been in search of the quintessential beach bag for summer.

    You know, the kind that will hold everything but the kitchen sink.

    Or is it everything AND the kitchen sink?

    Or is it all that and a bag of chips?


    Last week my search ended!!
    
    ...when I received this beauty in the mail.....from MaidenJane on etsy
    If you have kids and need a summer bag into which you can toss EVERYTHING, look no further.  This will fit all you could possibly need.........even a kid or two if need be :-D



    The bag is impeccably made and the custom service was excellent.  So, if you need a summer beach bag,
    look no further than MaidenJane





    Friday, June 24, 2011

    Friday Fan {&Follower} Appreciation Special

    Happy Friday!!

    I appreciate all of my Facebook fans, blog & twitter followers!! And so.......

    A special just for you!





    This weekend only, if you purchase any of my Genevieve ribbon necklaces, I'll make you a matching bracelet for FREE!! 


    Because....who couldn't use a little ribbon and pearls in their life :)

    When you checkout, let me know in the message to seller box that you're an AVID *grins at her own silliness* Twillypop Fan or Follower!

    P.S. FYI, the 3 necklace package IS included!! You buy the package for 3 necklaces and you get 3 matching bracelets!



    Wednesday, June 22, 2011

    Inspiration in Unlikely Places

    Have you ever found inspiration where you LEAST expected it?!

    I have these stacking mugs and bowls on my kitchen counter and....

     I ADORE the colors....every single one of them....

    .......AND I ADORE the combinations of the colors as they are stacked next to each other...

    .......and every time I restack them in a different order there are new combinations that  I LOVE......


    {So I got Inspired}

    The mugs and bowls stared me in the face and tempted me day after day until I gave in.........
    And indulged in a line of necklaces more colorful, and in more unusual color combinations, than ever before.
    Coming soon to your local neighborhood Twillypop Etsy shop :)

    Where is the most unexpected place that you have ever found inspiration? I'd LOVE to hear.........


    {P.s. Scroll down for info on the Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway still going on!}

    Friday, June 17, 2011

    Shabby Apple {dress} Giveaway

    Enter to win THIS dress!!
    AHOY!


    I'm having a Shabby Apple {Dress} Giveaway!!!

    You MUST hop on over to my other blog and enter!

    Click the pic to enter!

    Thursday, June 16, 2011

    {random things} thursday

    {random things}

                                                                         {loving} this song
                             Don't you just want to {live} inside it?

    One Tree {ara133photography}

    Wednesday, June 15, 2011

    Wishing For wednesday


    {wishing for}
    
    Foxglove Enameled Bangle Set {bullfinchbarbury}
    
    
    High Ebony Wedge {mohop}
    
    
     
    
    

    Monday, June 13, 2011

    Twillypop's First Video Blog & Giveaway Winner Announcement


    My 1st video blog!! This video has it ALL :  the giveaway winner, advertising news, ringing phones, and me...Twillypop.

    Do you hate videos of yourself as much as I do?  How do I get over this?!

    Monday, June 6, 2011

    A Mini Giveaway!!

    In celebration of the new line of Twillypop earrings coming soon to my shop.......



    I'm giving a pair away! 

    You choose, hip & trendy hot pink faceted glass or ever classic 10mm white glass pearl...

    All sterling silver findings....

    Follow my blog (it's painless, I promise :-D) and just leave me a comment below to let me know which pair you're hoping for. You're entered!

    For extra entries: 'like' Twillypop on Facebook , follow me on twitter , or tweet/blog about the giveaway.  Please leave a comment for each :)

    Thanks for entering!

    P.S. ends Friday!
    THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED! THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED. WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED MONDAY!

    Monday, March 21, 2011

    Permission to Fail

    sneak peek~ Liberty of London & Pearl Upcycled vintage metal cuff



    From the time I first started Twillypop I wanted everything to work out.  I wanted every finished product to be something that I could list and sell. I didn't want to "waste" any time on things that.........well, failed......

    sneak peek~Twillypop Blossom Raw-Edge Ribbon Belt
    and yes, even as I write this, I know that that's not always possible and it's certainly not always the recipe for success...in business....art....or life in general. Nothing ventured, nothing gained...


    So, as of late, I have been taking somewhat of a break from cyberspace and the whole Etsy "scene" to do what I could best describe as "putz." I have decided to give myself permission to "fail" and as a result,  I have finally put into motion a BUNCH of projects that I have had in mind from the very beginning, but have continually put on the back burner for fear of "failure."

     I put the word failure into quotations because I know that even when a project doesn't go exactly as I had planned, that the lessons I learn from said "failure" will have value in my business as I move forward.....

    and so....the putzing, planning, thinking, working a little & then walking away..

    returning a little while later, after more thought, putzing a bit more, and then walking away...and so on....

    sneak peek~Charm&Bauble&Ribbon Pendant Necklace
    and I believe there will be some good fruit at the end of this. fun and exciting new directions for Twillypop......

    Possible up and coming attractions: upcycled vintage/thrifted purses and clutches, Twillypop bloom ribbon belts, earrings, charm & bauble& ribbon pendant necklaces, upcycled vintage acrylic metal cuff & bangle bracelets, bib necklaces.........all starring: vintage pieces, pearls, baubles, Liberty of London, and more!aaaahhh!!! FUN! FUN! 
    sneak peek~ Upcycled thrifted Twillypop-ified Clutch Purse

    Ever been at this kind of place.....needing to allow yourself to fail, in order to keep moving forward?

    Wednesday, February 16, 2011

    First Fruits Earrings

    So, I've started taking a jewelry class.  If you read my last post, you know that I enrolled, not only to learn how to work with something other than ribbons and beads, but partly to give myself a reason to get out in the winter, a task, a purpose.  But I have found, within those three small hours a week so much more.......

    Not only have I enjoyed the task of learning, but the process of working with silver has been (for lack of a less dramatic word) cathartic.  As I sand, saw, and file the rest of my world is put on hold.

    I realized as I was at class last night that I was...................
    relaxed
    and
    my mind was completely at rest.

    and I can honestly tell you that my mind is rarely ever at rest.

    At home my mind is constantly cluttered with responsibilities,
    chores,
    the ever-present job of being a diligent parent,
    and the neverending Twillypop ideas that constantly flood my already crowded brain.

    But this 3 hours of jewelry class is a mini-vacation in the midst of everything.  To say that it is a gigantic blessing would be an understatement.

    It's just fun.
    I'm not there to prove anything. I just want to learn and see where it goes. I have my suspicions that I'm not really going to be all that gifted at working with metals. and I'm more than OK with that because the journey is proving to be fun and really, what more could we ask for?

    So, this is my first pair of earrings.


    My First Fruits earrings.   Not just earrings, though.

    They are little silver representations of a girl, relaxed. A girl, along for the ride. A girl, enjoying every minute of the journey.



    What about you? Is there something that you do, or a place that you go, that seems to make the entire world  melt away?

    Wednesday, January 5, 2011

    Eye of the Tiger

    Here's the thing: Every year, winter gets the absolute best of me.  I am less active, I miss more workouts due to sick kids & snowstorms, I get less cardio because.......

     I AIN'T a winter runner y'all....

    I am hungrier and in the house more and that means more food consumption.
    I  feel like I EXIST in the winter, rather than LIVE.
    The FIGHT goes out of me......

     I live in sweat pants, my thighs expand, then I don't EVER wanna put jeans on......and before I know it I have not gone out of the house in almost a week (yes, literally) and have myseriously gained 15 to 20 pounds by the time spring decides to show up.

    Winter & ME.....

    SO not pals.

    So, this year my biggest New Year's Resolution is to not let winter get the best of me.
    I'm fighting back.
    Eye of the Tiger. (:D)

    In times past I have made resolutions, but not really ever come up with a plan as to how to help myself achieve whatever goals I have set. I can "resolve" all I want, but if I don't have a way to make it happen...then what?

    I decided to set some things in motion. I have a very hard time stepping out of my comfort zone but I need to grow up. So, I have taken two big steps in helping me........well, help me :) 



    First, and the lesser of the 2, I have signed up for a spinning class 2 mornings a week to compensate for the runs I am missing due to winter.  Which means I'll be burning the fitness "candle" at both ends some days (becasue I weight train in the evenings), but it is really what my body needs to combat how much more sedentary I am in winter.

    Second, and this is the one that makes me really nervous.....I signed up for an adult jewelry class!!  It has been almost 15 years since I have been a student of anything but life and it makes me nervous.  It will be not only good for my business, but good for my personal growth on so many levels.

    OK, so there you have it. When you see me around Cyberspace ask me how it's going. Hold me accountable......pretty please?
    Or just toss out: "Twillypop. Eye of the Tiger" to remind me to keep fighting.

    Here's what I am wondering....did you make any major resolutions for the coming year? Have you made changes to set them in motion.....?