tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82980011629658198992024-03-05T06:11:06.249-08:00Turtlebug GoodsArchive for Turtlebug Goods.Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-46159508596222981882011-08-22T10:22:00.000-07:002011-08-22T11:08:48.511-07:00Turtlebug Goods blog has moved!Hey guys!
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<br />I'm leaving blogspot for a blog hosted on my own website. I've already migrated a few important blog posts there. Please check it out to keep up to date with Turtlebug Goods:
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<br />http://www.turtlebuggoods.com/blog.html
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<br />Thanks blogspot! Its been fun!
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<br />Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-30882599544390124642011-06-28T12:22:00.000-07:002011-06-28T13:21:24.902-07:00Hit and Miss<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVcvmzOufK2bAK4XQQGO2sz_7zhFDrXM7M6CQvpxJ25snsEPoivHc0f7bFDNuKM7kKhZxGXHBvsF6CG37IGWBfcr4PkOpG61PiBn9PiEDx-NIe6GegXf0zdKBId1v6gXZqz6KCAF0-gs/s1600/cupcakes.jpg"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Baking has always been Hit and Miss for me, with luckily more hits than misses. You can ask my boyfriend and he'll be the first to admit that I freak out when things don't go perfectly, but I'm not always so bad that it burns. But last week I had an expereince so catastrophic I had to tell you about it.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSEkmAhn5k84qcNRVP3caaJLqXyUqanN2MKFT6zSbijIGZ3siQsMgQ8oD3bNUM3nBijG9SL4M7JqFtDgjZV88mG414UW0QCu7QtBtl1gOHKVKN7OChMPD5pOkFyzJeLt4ss78OgL8YSM/s1600/cupcakes1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSEkmAhn5k84qcNRVP3caaJLqXyUqanN2MKFT6zSbijIGZ3siQsMgQ8oD3bNUM3nBijG9SL4M7JqFtDgjZV88mG414UW0QCu7QtBtl1gOHKVKN7OChMPD5pOkFyzJeLt4ss78OgL8YSM/s320/cupcakes1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623362511170864914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">It provided momentary amusement to my friends on facebook, too.</span></span><br /></div><br />My friend Kristina, over at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Ayianai?ref=pr_shop_more">Ayianai Home Goods</a>, invited me over to make cupcakes one day. We set out to make Black Forest Cupcakes and Chai Honey Cupcakes. We never got to the second recipe, but we are planning to get there sometime next week. The Black Forest Cupcake recipe we used first required us to make a tame looking Devil's Food Cake recipe that I <span style="font-style: italic;">swear</span> I've made on my own. You then top it with glaze, and lastly with a fresh cherry/heavy cream topping we made.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The first batch looked like it cooked fine, at first, but it did overflow a little. We assumed that we filled the cups too high, and so we scrapped those cupcakes by making them into cake balls, along with some other cake we made earlier that day from a box.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzl6iCai-gt9HhiIXyojLsVS9bV1w9I2db1n_GB1obwYW5AXhVGThPeAvxK2317-tplrmFO-dRTf7tSfYO50guUc4kOVJ_crRCiiRKE6K7bkroQNkdGrt4CQHXPTLs-ST8CzRbl9GN-o/s1600/0623112033.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzl6iCai-gt9HhiIXyojLsVS9bV1w9I2db1n_GB1obwYW5AXhVGThPeAvxK2317-tplrmFO-dRTf7tSfYO50guUc4kOVJ_crRCiiRKE6K7bkroQNkdGrt4CQHXPTLs-ST8CzRbl9GN-o/s320/0623112033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623361851420925618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >Which came out fine.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">By the time the second batch came out of the oven, we were ready to call it quits. It was beyond terrifying just how bad they came out. They crazy thing is that these are not burnt cupcakes. They tasted fine, and they were still soft - well, what was left in the cups were still soft. The only burnt parts were the parts that fell into the oven itself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVcvmzOufK2bAK4XQQGO2sz_7zhFDrXM7M6CQvpxJ25snsEPoivHc0f7bFDNuKM7kKhZxGXHBvsF6CG37IGWBfcr4PkOpG61PiBn9PiEDx-NIe6GegXf0zdKBId1v6gXZqz6KCAF0-gs/s1600/cupcakes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVcvmzOufK2bAK4XQQGO2sz_7zhFDrXM7M6CQvpxJ25snsEPoivHc0f7bFDNuKM7kKhZxGXHBvsF6CG37IGWBfcr4PkOpG61PiBn9PiEDx-NIe6GegXf0zdKBId1v6gXZqz6KCAF0-gs/s320/cupcakes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623366124582938530" border="0" /></a>So, I suppose....better luck next time? Round two of baking should be sometime next week. Let's hope for the best!<br /><br />If you haven't already, I hope you are keeping up with my <a href="www.facebook.com/turtlebuggoods">facebook fanpage</a>. I've been posting some new sneak peaks of cupcake cards that I hope to release in the coming month!<br /><br /></div></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-9551291187592233122011-05-24T19:40:00.000-07:002011-05-24T20:04:04.423-07:00Where did I go?!Hello, followers!<br /><br />I know I haven't been around a whole lot lately, and I do apologize! Things have been crazy around here, in an exciting way! First off, I have been hard at work on <a href="www.turtlebuggoods.com">my website</a>, providing content that I think you guys will enjoy as well as keeping it maintained and up to date.<br /><br />And very importantly, I graduated from Colorado University at Denver on the 21st with a degree in Business Administration! Let me say, it was well worth the effort. I am so glad to be done with this chapter.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohf4PxKwuh1B0F2xtRedXTPFCEk9qnHPdkmfOO2YJsrqaqqzHITUUwJ9RaxFACcxNha6amgOtgZZ7z9jBskXBpsQrf2Zheaiuvy7fZYJqVEchigV_yrc-lGEdTutrUUGxxLE3M2lhXvM/s1600/gradpic.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohf4PxKwuh1B0F2xtRedXTPFCEk9qnHPdkmfOO2YJsrqaqqzHITUUwJ9RaxFACcxNha6amgOtgZZ7z9jBskXBpsQrf2Zheaiuvy7fZYJqVEchigV_yrc-lGEdTutrUUGxxLE3M2lhXvM/s320/gradpic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610480438414586322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Woohoo!<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">This means more time doing what i love the most - creating! As a result, I've started to research all sorts of fun products that I may be able to implement! Some of the things are for my mother's <a href="www.etsy.com/shop/powellvintage">vintage shop</a>, such as fabric flowers and pendants out of otherwise ruined products - such as ceramic pieces. Other things will be for my paper goods shop, such as spiral journals, notebooks, other sizes of calendars (and more designs!) and maybe even day runners. Stay tuned for more information on that end!<br /><br />At this very moment, I'm printing off some cards that will be donated to a friend's silent auction for charity, which I hope to have more information out for those of you in the Denver Metro Area.<br /><br />Alright everyone, I hope you are all well, but I'm about to wrap this blog post up! Tell me what you think about the new product ideas!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-70689517820224081742011-04-25T23:13:00.000-07:002011-04-25T23:26:16.330-07:00The Website is Up!Hey guys!<br /><br />I'm sure some of you have noticed, but our website has just launched! Please check it out at http://www.turtlebuggoods.com<br /><br />And I have some good news. I have decided to keep my blog right here on blogspot. This means that I can keep up with all of you! You can navigate to here and from here by using some handy links at the top of the page.<br /><br />That's all for now, folks!Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-71577339043326990952011-04-07T18:17:00.001-07:002011-04-07T18:21:25.154-07:00Happy Birthday, Turtlebug Goods!The short: Turtlebug Goods has been open for two years as of the First of April. Happy birthday Turtlebug Goods! May there be many more years!<br /><br />These next couple years promise to bring many exciting changes...<br />-The reintroduction of jewelry!<br />-An awesome website!<br />-And so much more!<br /><br />Thank you for everyone's support over the past couple years. And here's to many more!Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-53478745277524680032011-03-19T14:14:00.001-07:002011-03-19T14:31:09.331-07:00Exciting News!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKKl1zN676qr-VdOz1BxXVBEQ2egmABjxRsgtyTKTnmfSaSvJfERCxdBFZPJNxYY7t0w2-sQFdnUT_494mNhjkLsH3rw9RE0UDasUSU-ZXh1sgBjS7uzJLuftOyiskjHoLofl6VygTa0/s1600/underconstruction.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKKl1zN676qr-VdOz1BxXVBEQ2egmABjxRsgtyTKTnmfSaSvJfERCxdBFZPJNxYY7t0w2-sQFdnUT_494mNhjkLsH3rw9RE0UDasUSU-ZXh1sgBjS7uzJLuftOyiskjHoLofl6VygTa0/s320/underconstruction.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585902648820241890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Hey guys! We have some exciting news here at Turtlebug Goods, and we're working to make it <span style="font-style: italic;">awesome</span>!<br /><br />With the help of my friend Mallory, we're going to put together and put up a dedicated website exclusively for Turtlebug Goods updates, fans and supporters. We're working on making it entirely integrated so that my dear friends on blogspot can continue to keep up with us and our products.<br /><br />The number one question I've been asked so far: <span style="font-weight: bold;">will we still be on Etsy?</span> Of course! The website will be primarily content driven, but I do love the friends I've made on Etsy so much that I don't want to leave. :) In the distant future, Turtlebug Goods may migrate off of Etsy, but it will not be as a result of the website creation.<br /><br />Do you have any questions or suggestions? We'd love to hear it! And we'll keep you updated!<br /></div></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-58041030002474709012011-02-25T14:08:00.000-08:002011-02-25T14:15:58.380-08:00For the sake of cupcakes...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxpqV7KL-eAq0G9gx3sCL_1MEc6GrtA_mQbjLxoYhiq2nGWRjFoCo4mnOD-66LPcnGjhCpOfggWzcQr2t9hzU2Mejn0EyDhdyFqMJ0Y_18qs5goqbeW_djIrdWg0ESu-B4AX9uTmqigs/s1600/hellocupcake3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxpqV7KL-eAq0G9gx3sCL_1MEc6GrtA_mQbjLxoYhiq2nGWRjFoCo4mnOD-66LPcnGjhCpOfggWzcQr2t9hzU2Mejn0EyDhdyFqMJ0Y_18qs5goqbeW_djIrdWg0ESu-B4AX9uTmqigs/s320/hellocupcake3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577752745372121714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hello, everyone! Let me start off by thanking all of you for your comments on my last blog entry featuring Never Too Old Vintage. He is so much fun, and I'm glad that I was able to interview him! Since the first entry was such a success, keep an eye out for the March edition in the middle of next month.<br /><br />I also wanted to announce some new cupcake designs currently for sale in my shop, so check them out! I have many more listings to put up soon, so keep an eye out for new designs coming in for spring!<br /><br />Have a great weekend!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68863522/two-party-cupcake-blank-greeting-cards?ref=pr_shop"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PGZW7tko55MqgbfCu-ltSPxOe8lD3gaQhr0E7qRv9o1vHgKhyJOOiPcFCXx_SRovjGd7tSQLDfFV3o_iy2BhuDyzy1LoHqlwqcimsWG2mCPNjaRccQA5yskFSYah6cm9OYL8WskotVk/s320/partycupcake3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577753420739573042" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68857513/one-hello-cupcake-blank-greting-card?ref=v1_other_2"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJO1wl_ZOdIsbg1CwkPFjWzgzmRyjR9yBgtxkzKkx6L7BKhNJqERcLbaBPOVQryhCV23NpHXpMMcvHQMDT7L1L7oRjN0Jfml-juJwY7tU642xmbM85Emg-7n1wPekOxKZ1_aQ1JGSu9hs/s320/hellocupcake1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577753277798154610" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68858654/one-lucky-cupcake-blank-greeting-card?ref=v1_other_2"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl98DXLQ57iGiP9H-5rsGMQ4ZfEYcQqgj28lwdNgGVSyOUsm4cPqPu8b_Nd75jcpfDp6FvMDIxcb2ZjZoS0DnvMW9MfMpXHEWknYDvoah6ta2MN4X-Nld_Ap6tsNSNCfCqFYI2dQ1iTSA/s320/luckycupcake2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577753351956660642" border="0" /></a></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-46622357697158953112011-02-14T10:32:00.000-08:002011-02-15T13:43:00.457-08:00Etsy Crush: Nevertooold Vintage Finds<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67578849/lovely-vintage-50s-or-60-pill-box-w-rose"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFemKfw6gwz8HeIMj00mNoYeenHdePga1tZwcacD_MlmGE9ti7fVZCWOY1_6FNO70DDtY1v4n3n2Rg7NZuRqR-obTwOqLTs37jhZ5gQgao4NElOybVLG7SBGyqfneyuVwtgAsumkv-AbU/s320/pillbox.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573615540197112386" border="0" /></a><br />I hope everyone is enjoying their Valentine's Day! And I am happy to announce the first installment of my Etsy Crush segment! Let me introduce to you Dave of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NeverTooOld">Never Too Old Vintage Finds.</a> One of the things that first struck me was <a href="http://onesnevertooold.blogspot.com/">his blog</a>. He takes time to features both friends and exceptional shops. I can appreciate that kind of selflessness! He describes himself as "I'm just a kid at heart and a grownup only when I'm told I have to be," and you can definitely see this is true in both the items he puts in his shop and in his personality.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUut4WgC78iUoWmbuIuBxBMR-3-lWoAvw9JWSs-xghajKNtaaAhRHD_e2eYKBUTM5OlX4QS7GVoMMXPhs35vS7Z2JsUEmABIJrLjwb8O3d-soifo6a6Z85TLNpBDGWwXqL8Fh6KBn64oE/s1600/doll.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUut4WgC78iUoWmbuIuBxBMR-3-lWoAvw9JWSs-xghajKNtaaAhRHD_e2eYKBUTM5OlX4QS7GVoMMXPhs35vS7Z2JsUEmABIJrLjwb8O3d-soifo6a6Z85TLNpBDGWwXqL8Fh6KBn64oE/s320/doll.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573618348980929714" border="0" /></a><br />I originally met the owner, Dave, in the Etsy Chatrooms. What a great guy to be around - very fun, easy going, and playful. He describes his products as "finding him-" he may go to garage sales, estate sales, or even what he calls "cold calling," that is, he goes up to houses with some vintage cars out front and sees if the owners have anything they would part with. "I've met some very cool and interesting people doing so," he explains, and also told me about how he might pass an item three or four times before it jumps out at him. But regardless of his source, whether flea market, classifieds, or cold call, the number one question on his mind has always been, "would you buy it Dave?"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/56105676/1962-milton-bradley-stratego-game"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxRNqtJ4fWHZ-YxmMqSFBu-at6lhzDyehRznM1p0kL7Dx-ivyJ0aqwIIOpTY8R54wXUQyFpsdkFuEsiHBFWmk0AAGuD6CJ5TzqF9FeSIKLdZy2bOP5PAldlxhab7nT61fb3DUB01Ssyo/s320/stratego.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573619248233980754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">When I found his board games for sale, my only question was does he have Crossfire?!<br />Oh well, maybe next time ;-)</span></span><br /><br /></div>Dave has definitely added his own personal flair to this collection of vintage goods. Everything seems to belong with each other, despite the collection spanning decades and sources. So is it such a surprise that I have an Etsy Crush on Dave's shop? Thanks for letting me pick at your mind and shop, Dave! Here's a few other favorites that I love from his shop...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/40774415/50s-or-60s-square-dance-dress-by-vb"><img style="width: 141px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnGaiA0xdfSmo88ZKAoIbmCyemQWh7GFcfCYzAzPVMNH7pwLFTr38mYuKwGQ5UjljTSjw7zQOg7kloXCuA7uaBca__xIeDhn1OitHVxBECeedndmDHDbs9L3ykDAS7d8XV70BQv8fcuA/s320/gloves.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573621993105447314" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/37862126/vintage-scale-craft-model-fiat-g91-pan"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5knwjJdM2M9p5LX_piHDPS_e623gEv1MDqbEGaYPCiey7TB577CQH-k5FN5MA9KUE9j0LQZGL23SshG-ay1de3M1D46aLsSbKPCA-P8jSHrUCvTn-j-dwNCXq3S2bZ6_jlKV3ucYF_8/s320/jet1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573622305485162274" border="0" /> </a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67270695/vintage-puppy-salt-n-pepper-shakers?ref=v1_other_1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdKxb_UAAsNCqlc_EC1v-zqjDIPdhXCQmp6rBb055UxqePp8gB8sfWcksL1rjvKvq6ljy7Z7rc7vIxQoZvFAM9-UhB4IzRxNrGKNiZNjnuvuUhcz9pv-oi0bU-DCjExv32a0dO1E7iTE/s320/puppies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573623596450233490" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-23839610097366571552011-02-04T10:14:00.000-08:002011-02-04T10:50:59.030-08:00Seeing Red...and Pink!Valentines day for 2011 falls on a Monday, making it difficult to buy last minute gifts online. So be sure that you get your cards and gifts ahead of time! Otherwise you may find yourself panicking to find the perfect gift when its too late! So what are you looking for this Valentines' Day?<br /><br />The equation for love...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65602980/1-cupcake-math-valentine-blank-greeting"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvf8qhvyXbAK1aE6prVWWYrhYOUvVLHAlFc3Pz0pyR8fcdcWDVHA4DSF9DnE1jFsRV0hayc_YTPC8W2ihhNbvAUkrCaunfiTWP32XnGK3jrWBiv3MPhNgg4Tbst5JafigsjUuuBbWN0dM/s320/frosting+a+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569901761369704018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65638528/1-cupcake-math-blank-greeting-card"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mrkIocdw8Yap-_AHi7Dmd2SIs2w0O8ZZ1jm022FeKLZCKIMZh2j8BsTZIdCILbPPI7Xi7hxrcGJBvtFcavWne0vA9WnbsMjeVJokMLukGBDpvQKwExQtrUdunT-3LOA_hffK2PDGxms/s320/frosting+b+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569902427774043970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">cupcake math cards. On Etsy for $2.50 each. Other quantities available.</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />A quick and fun message to your friends...<br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65314865/8-mini-sweet-cupcake-valentines"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27ZdCi3ko7cyigXoT1aeZjHonydmOpLRSwni2uvhD6LmWEe-Eks7TR_Lvk-Yadccz_4F-6yUzlhyphenhyphenAWmYKEIu26xuOg5V2KR0uKqy0u_8SOrV1A14SUfAiKmx5HiCqmTj_B7rLQC10KcY/s320/mini+valentine2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569905378225312002" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65325932/8-mini-cupcake-with-hearts-blank-cards"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRLVmqJCndw0ZV3YaKOYs9UEBkw146D5RA4GBwpcN8hwfQuUO9VZvuwM2KRHZLjJ6xR3fKQbXTf_wLRAKXwdg9bRF5HX9jVxdjRxtHtIsESmPq_GCc7Bi617w7aW_fYUQy-cAl64JPtA/s320/pink+mini+cupcake2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569907766042260818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Valentine's Day mini cards - $8.00 for 8.</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Oh forget it. Let's go get some chocolate.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65329417/set-of-4-chocoholic-cut-outs"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9u5lS54FaDNKX_-iRd7aVAMnUXbHUap7fFna2Q1WKTCYZPqVTg3rac9_W4AWSn5BqSSRBHWas6B1fziLV92aXJ0SRKC7xq46MwDTzfAroYpKqCYNvvZUE-EYRzEbNYyG32Vc9barb9aM/s320/chocoholic+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569908185270910370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Four sets of Chocolate cutouts - $8.00</span></span><br /></div></div></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-73259714409402456522011-01-23T14:12:00.000-08:002011-01-23T15:44:54.577-08:00Product Sneak Peek Teaser: What's that?Hmm, a teaser. I wonder what it is?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/calendarteaser2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 373px; height: 262px;" src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/calendarteaser2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Yep....calendars! I Have three different designs I've finished the past few weeks, and I can't wait to list them. Get ready for a super top secret sneak peak at what you can look forward to being listed in this coming week:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/calendarteaser1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 484px; height: 324px;" src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/calendarteaser1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/calendarteaser3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 475px; height: 316px;" src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/calendarteaser3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />twelve months of individually illustrated pictures on 5.5x8.5 card stock. All of the pictures featured are of the quilt design. (I didn't like the number font as shown in the first picture, so that will change. Posted pictures will reflect the change). There are others that should be popping up in my shop as well - but I want those to remain a secret until they are revealed. I think everyone will be pleased. :)<br /><br />On top of this, I'd also like to announce that starting in February I'll start a monthly blog series called Etsy Crush - the shops that I have bought from or would love to buy from. So keep an eye out for those posts!<br /><br />I see a few of you are interested in a review of <span style="font-style: italic;">Anticraft</span>. You are correct when you say this does not sound like your average craft book- part of the reason I love it! But since it does contain designs, I would like to try a few of at least the basic stitches before completing my review. Stay tuned for that.<br /><br />I think February will be an exciting month for Turtlebug Goods. Do you guys have anything planned for next month?Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-73601219090013657842011-01-16T13:45:00.000-08:002011-01-16T13:48:32.505-08:00Now Reading: The AnticraftSo I found this awesome book at a very nice price in an Etsy shop, and it came in a couple days ago. I can't wait to get into it - from what I've read its fascinating. I hope to post a review after I've finished reading it, or even better after I've tried some of the crafts.<br /><br />Have you read this book? What did you think of it?<br /><br />If you're interested in this book, you can find it on Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/AntiCraft-Knitting-Stitching-Slightly-Sinister/dp/B00375LMYI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295214482&sr=8-1">here.</a><br /><br />Enjoy!Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-890138537219596292011-01-01T19:45:00.000-08:002011-01-01T20:00:55.923-08:00Happy New Year!Dear friends and fans,<br /><br />Thanks for your support this past year :) I look forward to having another productive and exciting year to design cards and content for you.<br /><br />Over the next few weeks, you'll see some new designs with cupcakes, chocolates, and hearts. Know what that means? It is almost Valentine's Day! As such, some of my Christmas cards are on clearance. I hope you check them out.<br /><br />Once again, thanks for making my reopening so successful. Happy new year!<br />Anna<br />PS: We made some cookies last night. Go ahead and take one.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/?action=view&current=kamecookie2.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 473px; height: 315px;" src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/kamecookie2.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-48335530298531895432010-12-30T13:29:00.000-08:002010-12-30T14:20:28.774-08:00We're on Flickr!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78XmfcOt9Ljbh9itO-mOQ2VdCrv0aA489zV7yzsgG2NCliLeT1EI1A1GXh47RRYsMsw2vAvLtwCoPhUINN0RIdsW0MpjxzcfXXUnjbwLvkWI9-zdxHoYgQ1MkD5poVTu7T3pdtKr3FWU/s1600/100_2246.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78XmfcOt9Ljbh9itO-mOQ2VdCrv0aA489zV7yzsgG2NCliLeT1EI1A1GXh47RRYsMsw2vAvLtwCoPhUINN0RIdsW0MpjxzcfXXUnjbwLvkWI9-zdxHoYgQ1MkD5poVTu7T3pdtKr3FWU/s320/100_2246.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556603474863378018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Hey guys! Turtlebug Goods is now on Flickr!<br /><br />I use it to network and to post pictures I've taken of work and of things or places that have inspired me, or even just things I've created. :) If you'd like a deeper look at what makes me tick (and perhaps sneak peeks of what's to come?!) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/turtlebuggoods">check it out!</a>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-44445408492000870072010-12-20T12:41:00.000-08:002010-12-20T17:20:46.479-08:00Eyes Upward<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://epoxi.umd.edu/3gallery/vid_20101118_AHearn2.shtml"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 283px;" src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/20101118_AHearn2b.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I'll admit it. I took Astronomy I and II to avoid as many formulas as possible. And luckily for me, it worked! When I left that class though I really could say that I understood astronomy better than going in, which is definitely something I would never be able to say about biology or chemistry.<br /><br />Last month NASA realized that their probe was going to go right through the tail of Hartley 2. Of course it caused some worry, but in the end they got some fascinating pictures, such as the one above, as well as information on a comet's behavior. If you click the picture at the top, you can see more pictures and read more about their mission. I love comets. The picture above inspired this Thank You card design:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63605384/12-blank-thank-you-cards-with-star"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 408px; height: 280px;" src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/StarShatter4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Of course, one look at the other two inspired designs and you'll see that my inspiration turned whimsical quickly. I do love shooting stars. The last meteor shower I saw was the <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2391938/leonids_meteor_shower_2009.html?cat=7">Leonids Meteor Shower</a> in 2009. We got really lucky that night, actually. It was nearly clear and it was only a little chilly. I went down to the park with my boyfriend and we were looking up at the stars. At first they were rather small, garden variety pieces falling through the sky.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63607607/4-blank-greeting-cards-with-shooting?ref=v1_other_1"><img style="width: 408px; height: 272px;" src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/shootingstar1.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Did you know that Meteor Showers are named by the constellation they appear to fall from?</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br />At one point, as the shower was starting to calm down, a piece streaked right across the middle of the sky. Most meteors to this point had been pretty small, living up to the name "shooting star" as they were small enough to be about the same size as the many distant stars. This one was easily large enough to be mistaken for a full comet, or a fireball. Up until this point we had been trying to point out particularly beautiful shooting stars, but this one left us completely silent.<br /><br />For half a second, we debated whether or not there was a chance that it could have landed, as by the size (even if it did streak across the entire sky, you would have to have been blind to miss it) there was a chance it did not burn up entirely. We went home shortly after that. There wasn't any way for the show to top itself after the fireball went by.<br /><br /><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63606763/6-blank-greeting-cards-with-a-comet?ref=v1_other_1"><img style="width: 456px; height: 304px;" src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/comet1.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >Meteor showers are usually caused by pieces of a comet's tail breaking off in the earth's path.<br />Then when the earth passes through the debris it burns up in the atmosphere.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">In related news, tonight is the lunar eclipse, which occurs when the earth gets between the sun and the moon. I hope those of you with clear skies will be able to see it tonight!<br /></div></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-78968389484568214672010-11-27T10:13:00.000-08:002010-11-27T11:11:20.033-08:00Cupcake Mania!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/DSC01003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 391px; height: 261px;" src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/DSC01003.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have a confession. I love cupcakes. I love baking them, I love drawing them, I love writing about them, and unfortunately for my diet (which is on life support after the holidays!) I like eating them.<br /><br />The night before Thanksgiving I came to a startling realization: I didn't have a lot longer to make pumpkin cupcakes before it'd be Christmas time. A matter of fact, I figured, I had about twenty four hours to get it done!<br /><br />And of course, it being the eve of Thanksgiving, everyone else had the idea of using the kitchen as well. So unfortunately, cupcake baking was delegated to least important (bah, who needs sweet potato salad I say), and thus I had to wait. But finally I was able to bake on Thanksgiving, much to my boyfriend's mother's amusement, as you would think - as any normal person would be - that we'd all be lethargic from the ample amount of turkey and food we had eaten that day. But I was on a mission. And my cupcakes came out perfect.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/DSC01002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 470px; height: 315px;" src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/DSC01002.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I call this one perfect cupcake</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I tried to ice it using a ziploc bag, a trick I had learned from one of my several cupcake books to make swirls when you didn't have an icing bag handy. But it being my first time, I cut the hole too big, and after two hours of baking, I was far too tired to start over and find a new bag. Instead, I smoothed out a little dollop of cream cheese icing on top of the cupcake (which were pumpkin spice - a mild enough combination for it to have been a muffin) and they were done.<br /><br />Almost as soon as we had cleaned up the kitchen I wanted to make more cupcakes. But my boyfriend, who had patiently kept me company while I was baking the first time around, was exhausted. Oh, and it was nearly nine o'clock, meaning that soon we wouldn't have a kitchen to use.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/facebookstatus.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 126px;" src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/facebookstatus.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cupcake fever did not reside by noon the following day.</span></span><br /></div><br />By this point I had posted pictures of the cupcakes I made on my own wall, and I had even found a couple of people to do a baking exchange with over the holidays. All of this was just furthering my desire to make cupcakes. I tried to read my books, and that only gave me a larger desire to go make cupcakes. Or, at least, play with icing. On a related note, last night I had a dream where someone gave me icing tips and bags for Christmas, wrapped in a ziploc bag.<br /><br />So now what was I going to do? I didn't have a kitchen - let alone the ingredients I wanted - to make the cupcakes. Well the answer was obvious, I opened Inkscape and started to draw. What I came out with was awesome:<br /><br /><a href="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/threecupcake.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 284px;" src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/threecupcake.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>And that design pretty obviously became some of my new cards, freshly listed this morning:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63069644/12-blank-seasons-greetings-cupcake?ref=v1_other_1"><img style="width: 255px; height: 166px;" src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/cupcakecard5.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63068888/8-blank-cupcake-gift-tags"><img style="width: 249px; height: 166px;" src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/cupcaketag1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Also, knowing me, I'm thinking there will be many more cupcakes to come! ;-)<br /></div></div></div></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-90214946557826543982010-11-21T18:45:00.000-08:002010-11-21T18:56:38.511-08:00We have Reopened!Thank you for the support from everyone who came last night, and those who have helped me along the way. :)<br /><br />I've also noticed that due to how I saved the images, a lot of distortion is occurring when you zoom in. So I'm in the process of updating the pictures with better quality.<br /><br />Thanks again for the support, guys! I hope this year is a very successful one. :)Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-8868558333265050822010-11-19T10:20:00.000-08:002010-11-20T07:57:14.967-08:00Turtlebug Goods and Profit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/funding.jpg"><img src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/funding.jpg" alt="" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 205px;" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This is part of a series of blog posts concerning my business plan as well as my outlook on how I want to run Turtlebug Goods. Expect more of these up until - and beyond - the intended launch of the company! </span><span style="font-style: italic;">There is a relatively new theory in business planning and organization called the Triple bottom line - people, <a href="http://turtlebuggoods.blogspot.com/2010/10/turtlebug-goods-and-planet.html">planet</a>, and profit. </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> This deals with profit.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Turtlebug Goods and Focus</span><br /><br />The word 'profit' is used a lot in business, with it describing how successful a company is in general terms. It is not the only focus of Turtlebug Goods even though it plays a vital roll in the company's health, as the triple bottom line places equal pressure on people and planet on top of profit. Companies that are driven by all three tend to be more responsible socially as well as with natural resources, and both of these in turn naturally contribute to a positive bottom line. It is important to remember this, because in nature companies take a lot from a community in the way of resources as well as money paid for goods or services rendered. Part of this is an expectation that profits will be used accordingly to grow the community and the business.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Expected Sales and Profit</span><br /><br />Fortunately, start up costs for Turtlebug Goods have been pretty low due to concise spending.. Comparatively speaking, fees and variable cost, such as ongoing ordering, will end up being much more expensive than our start up. As such, the profit margin is estimated to be at about 14%, or, $0.33 per card in profit at the forecasted price of $2.25 a card. The company will break even at the sale of 230 cards, or, in other terms, between 20-23 sets of cards sold. These numbers take into account all costs including sunk costs, materials cost, listing costs, and cost of labor. According to the government, by all means, my profit is also my income. This makes it necessary to clearly divide in my records what is profit and what is personal gain, so the division between profit and cost of labor is important for book keeping.<br /><br />The greeting card and stationery market is seasonally dependent. Sales for Turtlebug Goods are forecasted to be highest in Fiscal Quarter 4, which includes October, November and December. This is because the stationery industry sees its biggest sales due to holiday cards as well as increased gift buying. The lowest Fiscal Quarter will be 1, which includes January, February and March, which traditionally has low sales in stationery and card sets (even though individual card sales for valentines day, etc. are still rather high). During these slower months, it is expected that Turtlebug Goods will take this opportunity to prepare designs for the busier quarters and to investigate new market opportunities.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Business Model</span><br /><br />Turtlebug Goods has chosen to offer stationery, greeting cards, and other paper products in sets rather than individually. This is for a few reasons. First, printing off one card at a time is incredibly wasteful, especially if there is no directly present use for the remaining paper. It also wastes packaging, as each greeting card sold would need its own shipping envelope. On top of this, it can end up being more expensive for the customer. Currently, shipping costs in total are about $3.00. This includes proof of drop off and shipping. As such, the first ounce shipped is the most expensive, as regardless of size or weight the proof of drop off will always remain the same price. If we shipped one card at a time, it would literally double the price of a card, and that is not sustainable. However, customers can request custom packages at any time, and if it is feasible - that is, it does not violate Turtlebug Goods' triple bottom line - and in this case, smaller batches of cards will be made available per request.<br /><br />Value is added to the product in a few ways. First off, all except font designs are handmade by me, with no guides or third party sources. Fonts are by <a href="http://www.typodermic.com/">Typodermic Fonts</a> by Ray Larabie, and are licensed for proper use. Otherwise, designs are personally created and offered exclusively, with many patterns going into planned retirement on a regular basis to be replaced by new and fresh designs. Value is also added by the personal aspect of handmade products. Where it may be hard to get a custom made item from a larger corporation - especially if it involves making an entirely new design. On top of this, customers can be in more direct contact with me via <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.facebook.com/turtlebuggoods">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.twitter.com/turtlebuggoods">Twitter, </a>or <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/turtlebuggoods">Etsy</a>'s modes of conversation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Evolving Principles</span><br /><br />Typically, as profits increase in a company, it is reinvested to help grow the company. Turtlebug Goods is no exception to this. The reason I and others like me go into business is to grow within the community. As such, there are evolving principles that Turtlebug Goods follows.<br /><ul><li>Support initiatives found in other pieces of the triple bottom line as it becomes possible.</li><li>Reinvest and explore new markets to break into, both in Paper Goods and otherwise.</li><li>Increase margins and become stable in the long term.</li></ul>~~~~<br /><br />Expect me to wrap up my triple bottom line in an upcoming blog post! Don't forget that the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169711599711909">launch party</a> is tomorrow, and everyone is invited!Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-54957584404204872642010-10-31T18:38:00.000-07:002010-10-31T18:39:49.885-07:00Happy Halloween!<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/turtlebugpumpkin.jpg" border="2" /><br />Happy Halloween from Turtlebug Goods!<br /></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-40335530651807281732010-10-29T15:08:00.000-07:002010-11-19T10:24:05.745-08:00Turtlebug Goods and the Planet<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af163/blossoming-crafts/blogpic0001.jpg" border="2" /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This is part of a series of blog posts concerning my business plan as well as my outlook on how I want to run Turtlebug Goods. Expect more of these up until - and beyond - the intended launch of the company! </span><span style="font-style: italic;">There is a relatively new theory in business planning and organization called the Triple bottom line - people, planet, and profit. </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> This deals with planet.</span><br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Turtlebug Goods and the Environment</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span><br />Sustainability. Its practically a buzzword used in business to show that a plan will work and that it will last forever - especially when the environment is brought into question. But how do companies really affect the environment? Every industry does so in a different way with different materials. Jewelers use natural resources such as metals, minerals and rare gems while photographers use chemicals to develop their pictures. As for paper goods, the culprit is in the name: we produce products made out of paper, and paper is made out of trees. It sounds pretty hopeless once you think about it. After all, these are only the raw materials, and doesn't take into account the many tools needed to package and finish a product. But there is some good news: it is getting better, and business owners are getting more access to recycled, lower impact products now than ever before.<br /><br />To state it simply: Turtlebug Goods wants to use resources efficiently and with as low of impact as possible. However, we acknowledge that where we are is not where we want to end, with the desire to make measurable progress in the years ahead.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tools and Materials<br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span></span></span></span>Turtlebug Goods wants to minimize environmental impact as much as possible as soon as possible. Currently, all products will be printed on paper that is at least 30% post consumer content. As time goes on, I plan to up that until it is eventually at 100% recycled paper. I wish I could say that I could start with 100% recycled paper, but that is not economically feasible, unfortunately, at this time. However, the great news is that not only does paper biodegrade quickly, but it is also recyclable. All scrap paper will be collected and either recycled at a facility, or else made into paper by me to be used in products.<br /><br />I acknowledge that a small business has a lot of competition and resistance when it comes to finding affordable but environmentally sound tools to use. However, the scale of operations works in our favor over large businesses, in that there is no large office that needs extra power for lighting and comfort control, nor is there as much in the way of large machines that require resources and so on. There are also tools made with home businesses and the environment in mind. For example, the paper cutter I will use (pictured above) has a trimmer base made of 100% recycled resin. My printer is Energy Star compliant, and Canon (the printer's manufacturer) is working on full certification with ISO 14001, and fortunately has many sites already in compliance as seen <a href="http://www.canon.com/environment/activity/data/pdf/canon-list.pdf">here</a> [pdf]. Printers leave a lot of waste in their path: packaging, handbooks, and most of all - ink cartridges. These will be recycled at the nearest location.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Efficiency: The "4.25" Principle<br /><br /></span>Waste not, want not. A lot of paper can be wasted just by trimming something down to fit. Turtlebug Goods has gone to great lengths that packaging, envelopes and paper are used as efficiently as possible with minimal waste. This includes choosing product dimensions. Products are designed to intentionally to use up the entire piece of material when making the product. In the case of the primary offering, greeting cards and note cards, they are sized to use the most of a standard 8.5x11 piece of paper: two cards per each sheet. As other products are introduced, they too will be sized accordingly. The printer to be used is wide format and can feed a variety of sizes, which will be utilized to support this principle. Not only does this keep us from wasting inordinate amounts of paper or other product, it also is a more efficient use of company capital. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span></span>Efficiency is very important, especially since greeting cards can use up massive ink and paper resources. Unlike large manufacturing facilities, we are in a unique position that allows us to print only when a sale is made. Designs are stored on virtual drives and then printed when an order comes in. This allows customers to choose colors or wording, adding value to the card. On top of this, it allows us to keep stock levels low (only model cards will be printed and kept on file for posterity), conserve space and conserve paper. Its a winning situation for all parties involved.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br />Evolving Principles<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>Turtlebug Goods does not intend to stop at this point and consider it the most efficient mode of business or efficient use of valuable resources. Over time, the environmental statements will evolve to these principles:<br /><br /><ul><li>Increase post consumer content in paper until it is at 100% post consumer<br /></li><li>Be more efficient in ink and paper usage as needed</li><li>Decrease recyclable waste</li></ul><br />~~~<br /><br />This is it! What do you think, or what are you doing to help the environment?Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-29529697691257287612010-10-24T18:22:00.000-07:002010-10-24T22:22:59.624-07:00Turtlebug Goods to launch November 20th, 2010!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/FireKame/invitation.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 631px;" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/FireKame/invitation.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The launch date has been finalized and announced! Interested? RSVP here, on the facebook event page <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Here!</span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/event.php?eid=169711599711909"></a> Otherwise just show up. More information on etsy to follow, but sign up is incredibly easy, and the chatrooms are a very fun feature!Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-38767557026763229292010-10-21T10:44:00.001-07:002010-10-21T11:02:06.699-07:00Planning for SuccessHey guys,<br /><br />Turtlebug Goods is still in the planning stage, meaning it past the first test: is the break even point reasonable and obtainable? And yes, yes it is! But let me tell you, that was a close one while I was doing preliminary projections. I started off without much price guidance. All I had was a really good idea and an enjoyment for drawing on my tablet. In the time since then, I've valued and revalued my start up costs, trying to decide what to sell and what to wait on. I've chosen a good model and I'm really excited and very confident in what's going to happen. All that's left to do is order the true supplies and do a few tests, a little tweaking, and we're off!<br /><br />In the coming weeks leading up to the official launch, I'll be posting information on the process, the business, and policies. In exciting and related news, Turtlebug Goods is officially and legally registered in the state of Colorado. How exciting!Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-9767517473952456152010-10-17T19:14:00.000-07:002010-10-17T19:24:50.184-07:00I'm back!I'm back and Turtlebug Goods is rearing up to launch in a little over a month. In the meantime I'll be updating my blog with a personal and in depth peek into the world of planning for, creating, and selling my goods on Etsy.<br /><br />The biggest initial change you can expect to see is a change in product focus. While I plan to return to creating jewelry, this will happen at an undecided time, after I brush up on some old techniques and learn a few new tricks. In the meantime, you can expect to find high quality stationary and cards in my Etsy storefront upon relaunch. I must say that I have been really excited to reopen my Etsy shop every since I closed it for renovations before.<br /><br />Currently, I've been updating my new Twitter feed, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/turtlebuggoods">@turtlebuggoods</a> with information while I'm in the creation process, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Turtlebug-Goods/157855610915230">my Facebook page</a> with other information. Just recently - as in, today - I posted a few samples of designs that will be featured when I launch on Turtlebug Good's facebook page, so check them out!<br /><br />I'll be around on blogspot too, so stay tuned for more information!Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-57783279006830413672009-10-21T13:21:00.001-07:002009-10-21T13:23:00.840-07:00We'll Be Back!Thank you for visiting Turtlebug Goods.<br /><br />Turtlebug Goods will be back bigger and better than ever.<br />Follow me on Twitter for up to date information on my activities, and watch for the grand reopening announcement to follow!<br /><br />http://www.twitter.com/firekameAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-83443188253974002672009-07-28T16:13:00.000-07:002009-07-28T16:34:03.129-07:00A touch of extraordinary...There have been many new beauties added to TurtlebugGoods on Etsy. These crazy pieces will make you go oooh and ahh..<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsJ2ktYK6N_dhCkicPOkmL_3DRNgjmBpmrjHWDjm3tucGQhDX2qYeBpyWqR_cCrNKGdysoXp_MXR0OoErY-NqSODxvuBHRZl0famabQTZKlusKUJpyN-LfPcWNd_O0GU0iVZMK91ES9o/s1600-h/il_430xN.80550830.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsJ2ktYK6N_dhCkicPOkmL_3DRNgjmBpmrjHWDjm3tucGQhDX2qYeBpyWqR_cCrNKGdysoXp_MXR0OoErY-NqSODxvuBHRZl0famabQTZKlusKUJpyN-LfPcWNd_O0GU0iVZMK91ES9o/s320/il_430xN.80550830.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363654632143152914" border="0" /></a>Show off your geek pride with these<a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27981518"> funky hot earrings</a> that remind me of a time when "advanced" meant side scroll platformers with jump action. Only $5.00! While you're at it, check out the other members of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Green is the New Black</span> line with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=27979449">this</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28001730">this</a>, and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28005246">this</a>. Each set also only $5.00.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoR3fLY9QkodCR88oJljwnkJPDKVF7LXTdABBATvXBdqo1adqUW_xbCjoeIZ81JSEj-AUFW51VauJe66rsX0exUFXiGtrKhc-rHzy341_bgCR5WEN0MlOhjegR4DgVTQNoAUDsE2NSck/s1600-h/il_430xN.80617277.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoR3fLY9QkodCR88oJljwnkJPDKVF7LXTdABBATvXBdqo1adqUW_xbCjoeIZ81JSEj-AUFW51VauJe66rsX0exUFXiGtrKhc-rHzy341_bgCR5WEN0MlOhjegR4DgVTQNoAUDsE2NSck/s320/il_430xN.80617277.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363655897099662594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Intentionally made with the recreational reader in mind. Ths out of this world design adds a little personal flair to any book. Don't rely on just a book flap to keep your spot anymore. Handmade and one of a kind - although that should go without saying - <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28001461">this gem</a> is only $4.50. Not your style? Not to worry! Other bookmarks can be seen <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7157788&section_id=6151828">here</a>!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRucRr11q-g0wFmE-bStE7jU0hlz-e8gRqLw0YPb6WkYEEVxtH4UaAhY_R0ZgDioQOVZrDGPsK3Ee89NRmmUCHzJFWFTOHOIPU8HlrUyt64-Ge2WS6oqwaqDaTdSMv9yX6Zq1JOCmhWuM/s1600-h/il_430xN.72137326.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRucRr11q-g0wFmE-bStE7jU0hlz-e8gRqLw0YPb6WkYEEVxtH4UaAhY_R0ZgDioQOVZrDGPsK3Ee89NRmmUCHzJFWFTOHOIPU8HlrUyt64-Ge2WS6oqwaqDaTdSMv9yX6Zq1JOCmhWuM/s320/il_430xN.72137326.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363657010167321746" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">A touch of goth, a touch of wire, a touch of vintage - in the place you expect it least - and what do you get? A beautiful one of a kind <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25466778">choker necklace</a>. This is by far my favorite creations to date. Only $12.75, and measures about 16 and 1/2 inches.<br /><br />Oh, and did I mention I added some international shipping options? If you see something you love, but no shipping is available to your area, leave me a note and I'll leave you a quote!<br /><br />Prices are always changing. Stop by to see if there's any unannounced sales on the items you love listed below. You might be pleasantly surprised!<br />-Anna, TurtlebugGoods.etsy.com<br /></div></div></div></div>Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8298001162965819899.post-22137977251758671752009-06-02T17:57:00.001-07:002009-06-02T17:58:20.356-07:00Check it out!Price cuts through out the store! Most earrings are only 3.50, necklaces as low as 4.00!Annahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13066595149739758162noreply@blogger.com0