Moonangelnay on Etsy Blog

Monday Magic! - Near Undiscovered Wonder

2009-12-14T14:00:00.004Z

Monday Magic...Winter!

lilladyboutique	BlindFaithArt	feltywelty
csethicdesign	AliceHuntStudio	hermied
TheDailyFoto	Nakedbead	cosmicglassstudio
greeneyezdesignz	kpersonboutique	EnchantedHoops

Introducing my 15th installment of my new weekly feature, Monday Magic! These Etsy.com sellers all share something special... Fabulous work! Yet, somehow like many sellers on Etsy are wondering where all their admirers are! So this is where I feel it's time to showcase the undiscovered talent of Etsy, on Monday each week so they have a chance to shine like the best of Etsy do :)

All of the sellers names can be typed into the navigation bar on your browser followed with ".etsy.com" (dot etsy dot com) to take you to their stores. Otherwise click on an image to go directly to their listing!

I am now taking requests for next weeks Monday Magic Expo. If you would like to be a part of it, you are required to have less that 20 sales in your Etsy store, and the theme this week is CHRISTMAS! Contact me via convo @ http://moonangelnay.etsy.com to send in your requests, plus a link to your suitable item :)

Have a fab week!

moonangelnay xxx

SUNDAY... Coffee and Cake

2009-12-06T09:38:00.005Z

Sunday - Coffee and Cake
weekly musings, articles and mostly babble...

Puppies! Hello! Oh my goodness, I have had a mental couple of weeks. I don't know if I said before but I have had a partner in crime when it comes to pregnancy and 2 weeks ago she had her babies! SEVEN of them!!!! Thank goodness she's a doggy that's all I can say lol! but WOW! What an experience! I was out with my partner and son when I first heard the news. Specifically standing under a doorway in the middle of the city center eating a cheese and onion pasty when my mum called me to t

ell me "Sascha" was in labour! I had been asked to assist the birth you see so after wolfing down my lunch I had

to speed back to the car and make a move, yet before we even properly got going she called me back to say the first had been born! We were so excited, and knowing how big Sascha was we knew we had to get to my mums as fast as possible so not to miss the rest although the boys weren't going to join in on the spectacle so they just dropped me off. Unfortunately after I arrived it was another 2 and a half hours before puppy number 2 was born! couldn't believe it! And to top it off she was still massive so we knew there were more.... 6 hours later and all 7 had popped out! What a girl! And I moan about the trouble I have carrying one! LOL! Well I must say I felt very privalaged that Sascha allowed me to be "midwife" and very hands on at her birth, considering dogs are very private and protective at that stage. Poor thing had a terrible life prior to being rescued by my mum. She's still a puppy herself, under a year old and has seen abuse no one should see so early in their life at the hands of her previous owners and who knows who else. I think that may be why she was glad of the support, which has been a moving thought for both myself and my mum. Bless her. Well this is the reason I've not been so attentive to the blog, as being the more dog savvy I have been making frequent visits to assist my mum and advise too when it has come to the pups and their mum! Anyways I'll post their progress over the weeks for those that are interested! For now I'm off to play with my lil boy :)

Moonangelnay x

Monday Magic! - Near Undiscovered Wonder

2009-11-30T09:56:00.004Z

Monday Magic...Wool!

keret	bluebirdknits	RaindropBoutique
mauidragonfly	LotusDragonDesigns	FaStores
CandyVillage	MyDoubleCrochet	thegreenstitches
craftscafe	KarinSF	EightCrows

Introducing my 15th installment of my new weekly feature, Monday Magic! These Etsy.com sellers all share something special... Fabulous work! Yet, somehow like many sellers on Etsy are wondering where all their admirers are! So this is where I feel it's time to showcase the undiscovered talent of Etsy, on Monday each week so they have a chance to shine like the best of Etsy do :)

All of the sellers names can be typed into the navigation bar on your browser followed with ".etsy.com" (dot etsy dot com) to take you to their stores. Otherwise click on an image to go directly to their listing!

I am now taking requests for next weeks Monday Magic Expo. If you would like to be a part of it, you are required to have less that 20 sales in your Etsy store, and the theme this week is Winter! Contact me via convo @ http://moonangelnay.etsy.com to send in your requests, plus a link to your suitable item :)

Have a fab week!

moonangelnay xxx

FRIDAY - Friday Finds... MilkwoodDesign

2009-11-27T09:30:00.002Z

Friday Finds... MilkwoodDesign

This is my eleventh interview of the amazing not-so-well-known artists of Etsy.

Today I am posting an interview with a resin jewelry maker known on Etsy as MilkwoodDesign! I just love the vibrance and abstract nature of some of her pieces... you all know what I'm like! i think they're just gorgeous so I asked the shop owner if she would like an interview and so glad when she agreed :)

(Just click the images to go direct to the listings)

- Tell me a bit about you! (Name, Age, Location, and give us a random fact whilst you're at it.) My name is Amelia, I'm 30, I live in Melbourne, Australia with my darling husband and two angel children (4 years and 3 months). Well, the 3 month old is an angel... Random fact? All porcupines float in water (thanks Libra!)

-- What is your business about then? I create organic, natural shaped resin jewellery. My aim is to make pieces that are smooth and tactile that you just want to reach out and feel - I love the mix of natural organic shapes and textures, with the endless variety of colours - and the translucent ones really glow beautifully. I create models out of clay or found objects, pour over silicone to create a flexible mould, then fill the mould with resin, pigment, papers, fabric etc. When mixing colours, it is always a surprise to see what will come out at the end, as you can't really see what is happening within the mould. The 24 hour wait while it cures is a killer! Then there is the drilling, sanding and finishing. It is a labour of love... but the end result is an amazing, unique piece of jewellery.

-- How did Etsy come into your life? I read an interview about some crafters over here who sold on Etsy, and it was so easy to set up and get going. I kept getting more ideas for new pieces, but my jewellery drawer was getting crowded. This way I still get to create daily, and explore a bigger range of techniques and colours.

-- Are you working a day job too? I wish! It would be easier than keeping a 4 year old entertained all day...but we can lose hours with the scrap box and a bottle of glue.

-- How long has the artist in you been 'unleashed' for? I studied Textile Design (knitwear) at university, then worked in costumes before getting all corporate - but I always found a way to sneak some creative work into my roles.

-- What has been the inspiration behind your business? I'm inspired by natural forms and colours, and working with my hands to create something beautiful from quite basic raw materials.

-- If you could describe your products in three words, what would you tell me? Touchable. Smooth. Bold.

-- What would an average working day for you be like from dawn til dusk?

Wake up waaaaay too early and feed baby. Snuggle with 4 year old, then the breakfast / dressing etc routine starts. We'll potter around at home or the park unless we have kinder/swimming/playdates etc. I try and sneak onto the computer to edit photos sometime during the morning, and my 4 year old and I will often get together and do some clay modelling in the afternoon while bubs sleeps. End of the day, dinner, kids in bed, glass of wine, then out to the studio (glamourous name for my shed) where I'll work until it is time to wake the baby for her last feed of the night.

-- What's your favourite material and techniques to work with? Resin! Also love fabrics, knitting, threads... anything with colour.

-- What is your ideal vision for the future for you and your work? To be fabulously rich and successful would be nice. I'd settle for just having some more time to create though.

-- Away from work, what do you like to do for fun or to wind down? Drink. Hmmm, that doesn't sound like a responsible mother. So I'll say, at the moment just loving the warmer weather and picnics with friends.

-- What are you likely to search for on Etsy? Gifts, items for kids and babies, homewares and art.

-- Any last words? I make custom items and almost everything is available in another colour, so feel free to contact me about creating your own unique piece! And a massive thanks for the opportunity - been great to discover the broader Etsy community, and all those who take the time to help out others! Love to all!

Monday Magic! - Near Undiscovered Wonder

2009-11-23T09:08:00.002Z

Monday Magic...Stars!

BurtonsBoutique	MamaMayborneDesigns	MrsSupply
chicchamber	vee41dmb	WinterGirl0206
psychotropicart	mybabybee	starletcreations
NoniBam	signofthefishjewelry	DOGAART

Introducing my 14th installment of my new weekly feature, Monday Magic! These Etsy.com sellers all share something special... Fabulous work! Yet, somehow like many sellers on Etsy are wondering where all their admirers are! So this is where I feel it's time to showcase the undiscovered talent of Etsy, on Monday each week so they have a chance to shine like the best of Etsy do :)

All of the sellers names can be typed into the navigation bar on your browser followed with ".etsy.com" (dot etsy dot com) to take you to their stores. Otherwise click on an image to go directly to their listing!

I am now taking requests for next weeks Monday Magic Expo. If you would like to be a part of it, you are required to have less that 20 sales in your Etsy store, and the theme this week is Wool! Contact me via convo @ http://moonangelnay.etsy.com to send in your requests, plus a link to your suitable item :)

Have a fab week!

moonangelnay xxx

FRIDAY - Friday Finds... IvyKeep!

2009-11-20T09:15:00.004Z

Friday Finds... IvyKeep

This is my tenth interview of the amazing not-so-well-known artists of Etsy.

Today I am posting an interview with a lovely teamaker known on Etsy as Ivykeep! It's probably in my veins being a Brit but I just LOVE tea and was very excited to find such gorgeous looking blends from someone who seems as equally passionate about tea variety. I will certainly be giving some of her blends a go at some point, especially the gorgeous pressed green tea hearts, how cute! So feeling very inspired by her store I just had to ask for an interview of course, and so pleased that she took the time out to complete my questionnaire. So here is Ivykeep on Etsy!

(Just click the images to go direct to the listings)

-- Tell me a bit about you! (Name, Age, Location, and give us a random fact whilst you're at it.) My name is Krystyne and I live in wine country - the Niagara Region - in Ontario. I moved here while attending Brock University. After graduation, I stayed. Then I met my husband and settled here.

-- What is your business about then? Tea. All kinds of tea. Here in Niagara we have a culinary school, fine restaurants and we have wineries, but if I made it about food and wine, I'd be eating and tipsy all day. *grin* With tea, I can enjoy all the great flavours with which this region inspires me, without the guilt. Besides - I love tea.

-- How did Etsy come into your life? I was doing a search one day for a present for a friend. Following the links, I found etsy, was intrigued and stayed to buy things. In fact, it's my first stop now. Recently, I decided to open my shop here.

-- Are you working a day job too? Yes. I work in ecommerce. I set up people's on-online stores and shopping carts and help them get going. I love that job too.

-- How long has the artist inside been 'unleashed' for? For as long as I can remember. However, the materials kept changing. I used to draw. Then I moved to computer graphics. I also make jewellery, cards, bookmarks, and occasionally sew (mostly historic costumes).

-- What has been the inspiration behind your business? I think I mentioned earlier that I am in wine country and surrounded by great food due to the culinary school, fabulous bed and breakfasts and incredible restaurants in the area. The tastes of the Niagara Region definitely inspire me.

-- If you could describe your products in three words, what would you tell me? Fresh. Affordable. Quality.

-- What would an average working day for you be like from dawn til dusk? Morning - check email and orders.
Mid-morning - go to the day job.
Supper time - return home. Check email and orders again. Print orders. Pack orders.
Evening - try out new blends in the kitchen. When I find one I like, it will go to the blending kitchen and be packaged. I also use the evenings to work on the website, create new labels, and work on newsletters and marketing ideas.

-- What's your favourite material and techniques to work with? I have a little "flavour rack" in my kitchen that has core teas in it and mixing ingredients - the same idea as a "perfumer's organ". This allows me to go wherever the muse takes me. I love working with all the teas, but my current favourite (which will change once winter has come and gone) is chocolate flavourings.

-- What is your ideal vision for the future for you and your work? I always joke that this is my retirement plan, but the truth of the matter is, I'd rather be doing this than pretty much anything else. I'd like to see it take off so that I can hire someone for the more mundane aspects and leave me to be creative. There is never enough time for creative pursuits when you wear all the hats in a business.

-- Away from work, what do you like to do for fun or to wind down? I curl up with my latest tea blend of choice and a good book.

-- What are you likely to search for on Etsy? I love searching etsy for vintage teaware and I have had some wonderful tags and cards and packaging done up by artists on etsy. I also met my photographer there.

-- Any last words? Etsy is a great community, full of wonderful handmade items. It is also a great place to sell. I have met tons of great people - all of which I'd love to have to tea sometime!

Monday Magic! - Near Undiscovered Wonder

2009-11-16T15:13:00.004Z

Monday Magic...Animals!

brownsco	fiberpuppy	SSJewellery
LisaDorsey	Conflagration	DianeChallenger
DancingBird	saramontour	josasser
jrbaileydesigns	puppazzi	TheClayStore

Introducing my 13th installment of my new weekly feature, Monday Magic! These Etsy.com sellers all share something special... Fabulous work! Yet, somehow like many sellers on Etsy are wondering where all their admirers are! So this is where I feel it's time to showcase the undiscovered talent of Etsy, on Monday each week so they have a chance to shine like the best of Etsy do :)

All of the sellers names can be typed into the navigation bar on your browser followed with ".etsy.com" (dot etsy dot com) to take you to their stores. Otherwise click on an image to go directly to their listing!

I am now taking requests for next weeks Monday Magic Expo. If you would like to be a part of it, you are required to have less that 20 sales in your Etsy store, and the theme this week is Stars! Contact me via convo @ http://moonangelnay.etsy.com to send in your requests, plus a link to your suitable item :)

Have a fab week!

moonangelnay xxx

SUNDAY... Coffee and Cake

2009-11-15T10:54:00.003Z

Sunday - Coffee and Cake
weekly musings, articles and mostly babble...

Reflection on Inadequacy
Ahhhh, to think it was only a week ago that I was having the panic of the century over losing the internet... I have been thinking about it and to be fair as much as my Etsy work and Blog had come to a standstill, the fact I was pretty ill that weekend with the Rotavirus came at a good time as believe me there was absolutely no way I was going to get anything done whilst living in the bathroom for a few days! Yet it left me feeling insecure which is something I have spent the week trying to reflect upon. That tech guy was right about one thing throughout his non-discreet sexist insults. People do heavily rely on the internet, whether it be for work in my case or just for fun in many cases. Being a stay at home mum I really do find that my escape only comes in the form of doing my own thing, and being busy about it... and I do get that from trying to get my business working as I am passionate about being an artist, and also about the handmade community. I guess being the drama queen that I am, the loss over that weekend left me feeling helpless and ordinary which was amplified by having a nasty bug to contend with! But it's funny how I really did feel a bit insecure without that little bit of independance I rarely get in other forms. Shows how much I love what I do!
But it got me thinking like I say about the lessons being laid out for me. I spent one of the mornings this week, having being blessed with a lie in! chatting to the other half about it. For as long as I can remember I have felt pretty inadequate and small in such a big world... events as they do, happened to make it worse... Like never knowing my dad, going through puberty before I reached 9, having relationships that stripped me of my self esteem are but a few examples which could have been worse, but did unfortunately leave me feeling fearful of losing things that DID give me confidence in myself. Then god bless my fortune, I met my current partner and have lived a very happy life ever since. Surely I should just feel better about everything now! I guess it doesn't work as easily as that... However I do know that I really sould be feeling good about things now, and reached an epiphany when I finally said to myself that I was actually being an absolute retard thinking in any other way! The past is the past come on woman! Seriously, I think it is so easy to fall into the trap of inadequacy you forget to remember that when good things are around, you ARE actually allowed to recognise it and reflect it within! I see so many sad stories in the news about people taking their own lives, or murdering other people due to their own feeling of self loathing and it goes to show the extremes that can come out of true fear. I feel I have learnt a valuble lesson having my partner and son as my guides this week, that true blessings really are disguised if you're the one throwing walls up at every possibility. I think the reason I am an artist and developed an interest in photography in recent years is not just the idea of my soul trying to project the beauty I see in the world, but mirroring the beauty I have been desperate to see in myself for so many years. It makes me more grateful to be doing what I am, whether business can be slow like all of us handmade lot know and experience daily. I understand why i felt lost this weekend, and it has only made me fall deeper in love with art, nature and who I am.

Moonangelnay x

FRIDAY - Friday Finds... BACK!

2009-11-13T09:52:00.003Z

Friday Finds...BACK!

...Although not today! I managed to get my internet back on Monday... after being embarrassed to the nth degree when the bloomin modem started working the moment the flippin technician walked through the door. According to him the problem was actually the ISP in the first place and never the modem, which leaves me questioning the technical genius of the guy who walked me through the modems power stats on the phone being as HE was the one who told me I needed a new modem! But generally I am under the conclusion that all the techs at my ISP are *impolite words*, being as this one I met on Monday thought it would be highly amusing to make fun of the situation because of the fact I'm a "woman" and therefore rubbish at anything internet related. Shows how much he knows! I couldn't believe him... if there are people in the world that need the net to settle their daily surfing fix then he can direct his impromptu crud at an appropriate target... some people have to work! Cheeky swine. Anyway! I'm back, and almost back on track as I've had a lot to catch up with, so I will pretty much start the blog from Sunday, and continue my search for Monday's Magic people and Fridays interview for next week. Sorry for the delay once again, and glad to be getting on with things!

moonangelnay x

Friday Finds... Cancelled!

2009-11-06T15:21:00.003Z

Friday Finds...Cancelled!

I am ever so sorry everyone but I have to cancel Friday, Sunday and possibly Mondays blog posts as my internet is down at home and my only reprieve is my partners phone which seems as temperemental as my own... SOOOO, no lovely sellers until sometime next week :(

However some good news for today at least, which does help to forget my botched modem slightly, is that i had my first scan today of the new baby and all is well! I am definitely 13 weeks along, and hopefully soon I can post a scan picture for you all to see!

Fingers crossed I get the net back sooner rather than later!

moonangelnay x

Monday Magic! - Near Undiscovered Wonder

2009-11-02T08:44:00.004Z

Monday Magic...Weddings

CuriousSparrow	ruedubead	beingoflove
lespetitschatons	hilaryupton	joypeckjoy
TheVirtu	ModernNostalgiaLA	christinepauline
casparmetal	ginniehazlett	maymeDvintage

Introducing my 12th installment of my new weekly feature, Monday Magic! These Etsy.com sellers all share something special... Fabulous work! Yet, somehow like many sellers on Etsy are wondering where all their admirers are! So this is where I feel it's time to showcase the undiscovered talent of Etsy, on Monday each week so they have a chance to shine like the best of Etsy do :)

All of the sellers names can be typed into the navigation bar on your browser followed with ".etsy.com" (dot etsy dot com) to take you to their stores. Otherwise click on an image to go directly to their listing!

I am now taking requests for next weeks Monday Magic Expo. If you would like to be a part of it, you are required to have less that 20 sales in your Etsy store, and the theme this week is Animals! Contact me via convo @ http://moonangelnay.etsy.com to send in your requests, plus a link to your suitable item :)

Have a fab week!

moonangelnay xxx

SUNDAY... Coffee and Cake

2009-11-01T11:59:00.009Z

Sunday - Coffee and Cake
weekly musings, articles and mostly babble...

I have had a pretty good week for a change when it comes to getting things done, so you've probably noticed already i finally have new prints in my store... 6 infact!!! go me! I've been feeling a bit sorry for myself up until i managed to fashion organisation into my head at some point about 6 days ago, and since I have been on fire! I've even managed to get a tonne of housework done!

At the same time I have been celebrating reaching the second trimester this week, managing to get a hospital appointment for a dating scan after all hell broke loose last week with my GP and chosen hospital since my referal had magically disappeared weeks ago, which frighteningly left me with no place to have the baby! A million phone calls later, and I am now looking forward to my first appointment this week *sighs*. yes! and yesterday I had a Halloween party with my other half, son and his lil friends. That was a good end to a busy week. All in all I am happy... OHHHHHHHHH and to top it all off yesterday I was also asked if I wanted to showcase my work in a shopping event at the Warwickshire Exhibition Center which left me elated at the prospect!!! Emphasis on prospect... my only downer... that I may not be able to do it, but I am awaiting more information to see if I can because, OMG my own little stall in an EXHIBITION CENTER... WOOP!!!! Also I have previously turned down 2 other opportunities this year like it and I REALLY dont want to have to for this one because of the usual money issues... short term ones I mean, as obviously longer term it would be a good spend as I would sell the work and make up for it, but unfortunately the short term really does leave the whole idea in question so I need to think very hard and carefully about it... and HOPEFULLY, I'll be able to do it! I'm so chuffed that I had been found on Etsy and asked to take part. I guess even if I can't it's a nice feeling to think that event organisers 3 times this year have liked what I do enough to go out of their way to find and contact me!

So whilst I'm puffed up with pride and achievement this week I think I'll leave this short entry here for this Sunday :)

FRIDAY - Friday Finds... LunarBelle

2009-10-30T10:11:00.003Z

Friday Finds... LunarBelle

This is my tenth interview of the amazing not-so-well-known artists of Etsy.

Today I want to introduce a wonderful jewelry maker that hails from Australia, whom came into my awareness after contacting me via the Etsy Promotions forum. I am in love with her work, there is something very romantic and delicate about her jewelry that appeals to me and I think she pieces together the findings and beads she uses in an extremely beautiful way. So here is LunarBelle on Etsy

(Just click the images to go direct to the listings)

-- Tell me a bit about you! My name is Regina, I am 37 years old and I live in Australia. I lived in Austria when I was a little girl and had to translate for my English speaking mother!

-- What is your business about then? I design and make jewelry that I love and hope others do too. My jewelry design is more of a hobby than a business, I get great satisfaction creating beautiful peices and even greater satisfaction when people enjoy what I make.

-- How did Etsy come into your life? I had been selling peices at a local gift shop and found that I needed another outlet for my designs. It was through a google search that I came upon Etsy. I had never heard of it before but thought it was a wonderful way to get my jewelry out there.

-- Are you working a day job too? Yes and no! I am a stay at home mum to two beautiful girls. I have been very fortunate in that I am able to do this. I really appreciate my time with them.

-- How long has the artist in you been 'unleashed' for? I have been plying my family and friends with my creations for around five years now. Before jewelry making I was dabbling with other arts and crafts such as stained glass, sewing and painting with watercolours.

-- What has been the inspiration behind your business? A new bead shop opened up at the local shopping centre and I had never seen such a pretty shop before. I fell in love with all the beautiful things in there. Ever since then I have had a passion for beads. I feel like they have taken over my life! When you start dreaming about them and your designs you know its a passion!

-- If you could describe your products in three words, what would you tell me? Pretty, unique and colourful.

-- What would an average working day for you be like from dawn til dusk? It starts off with getting everyone off to work and school, then I spend one or two hours promoting my business. After this it is housework, washing and shopping (not a very exciting part of the day!). I then do the school pick up and start thinking about dinner. Often I will bake at this time as well. After dinner and everything is done I sit down and start creating (this is my favourite time).

-- What's your favourite material and techniques to work with? I love crystal beads and use them all the time. I accent these with metal and I am particularly fond of antique brass and gunmetal. It highlights the colours of the crystals nicely. I love gemstones and pearls also.

-- What is your ideal vision for the future for you and your work? I am very happy with how everything is at the moment and hope to keep on creating. Sales are good because then I can continue buying lovely peices to work with!

-- Away from work, what do you like to do for fun or to wind down? I play tennis twice a week - Wednesday is competition day and Friday night is for fun. I love to read, garden and catch up with family and friends. Fun is watching my husband's band play at functions so I can have a dance!

-- What are you likely to search for on Etsy? I like to look at the treasuries and would love to try one of my own. I search art as I am in awe of their talents. I also like to look at other jewelry designers beautiful work.

-- Any last words? Thanks for the interview! I have really enjoyed it and am glad to be featured on your gorgeous blog. If I can make somebody happy with one of my creations then I get so much in return.

Monday Magic! - Near Undiscovered Wonder

2009-10-26T14:05:00.004Z

Monday Magic...Glass

niapen	gildedlilyglasscandy	anapinatelier
suziesbeads	RASPBERRYRINGS	RamblingRoseJewels
endiodesigns	glasssculpture	OceanSkye
doraArt	HanksStainedGlassArt	fotoveronika

Introducing my 11th installment of my new weekly feature, Monday Magic! These Etsy.com sellers all share something special... Fabulous work! Yet, somehow like many sellers on Etsy are wondering where all their admirers are! So this is where I feel it's time to showcase the undiscovered talent of Etsy, on Monday each week so they have a chance to shine like the best of Etsy do :)

All of the sellers names can be typed into the navigation bar on your browser followed with ".etsy.com" (dot etsy dot com) to take you to their stores. Otherwise click on an image to go directly to their listing!

I am now taking requests for next weeks Monday Magic Expo. If you would like to be a part of it, you are required to have less that 20 sales in your Etsy store, and the theme this week is Weddings! (Show me your delicate white items!). Contact me via convo @ http://moonangelnay.etsy.com to send in your requests, plus a link to your suitable item :)

Have a fab week!

moonangelnay xxx

FRIDAY - Friday Finds... Hell0Z0mbie

2009-10-23T05:00:00.000+01:00

Friday Finds... HellOZOmbie

This is my ninth interview of the amazing not-so-well-known artists of Etsy.

After posting this week's Monday Magic, I was contacted by a fellow Etsy artist known by the shop name HellOZOmbie with a request to check out an item of hers that may have been suitable for next Monday. Well, I was so impressed when visiting her store I had to ask for an interview, I was absolutely enthralled by her paper arts! The colors springing out at me! My particular favorites being the origami cards. I think they're beautiful and was so pleased when she wanted to do the interview, so I'd like to introduce Emma of HellOZOmbie!

(Just click the images to go direct to the listings)

- Tell me a bit about you! (Name, Age, Location, and give us a random fact whilst you're at it.) My name is Emma, I go by Firheruwen and Hell0z0mbie around the interwebs. I am 23 years old, I grew up in Boise Idaho but escaped to Phoenix Arizona right after high school! I love Arizona! A random fact? I have been vegetarian for about 16 years!

-- What is your business about then? I love crafting and trying new things! Arts and crafts have always been a bit of a passion for me, although I don't think I am good enough at them to make a decent living at it alone. There is no better feeling than someone buying something handmade from me though! It makes me so happy!

-- How did Etsy come into your life? I have been an Etsy shopper for a few years, and this spring I finally got motivated enough to list some of my stuff. I started out with mostly bracelets and am branching out.

-- Are you working a day job too? I am, it takes up way too much of my arts and crafts time! I work for an economic consulting / expert witness company in Phoenix. I only recently graduated/started so my job can be a little boring sometimes (copying and data entry - barf!) but on good days I get to do cool things with MS Excel, I love spreadsheets at least as much as I love arts and crafts!

-- How long has the artist in you been 'unleashed' for? I have been into art since forever! I was never super good at any one thing, but I like to try everything. Having my artistic side repressed at work during the day makes it come out harder on my off time.

-- What has been the inspiration behind your business? The happiness I feel when someone wants something I made enough to purchase it motivates and inspires me. It is vindication, approval and acceptance, the money is fairly secondary!

-- If you could describe your products in three words, what would you tell me? Random, Girly, Colorful

-- What would an average working day for you be like from dawn til dusk? Get up at six, fart around on the internet and shower and all that until I go to work at around 8.
Work all day at the office, leave anywhere from 5:30 to 9!
Have dinner with the boyfriend, maybe watch TV or a movie or work on my arts and crafts, do some Etsy and blogging stuff and go to bed. So exciting!

-- What's your favourite material and techniques to work with? I love paper, decoupage is awesome as is Origami, collage, scrapbooking...

-- What is your ideal vision for the future for you and your work? I would love to find a niche, something creative that I do really well that I could market and sell. I have no idea what this would be, at the moment. I always want to do art and keep trying new things.

-- Away from work, what do you like to do for fun or to wind down? I love to read, I mostly read fantasy and science fiction but also some non fiction. My favorite authors are Robert Jordan, George R.R. Martin, C.S. Friedman, Richard Dawkins, Max Brooks.

-- What are you likely to search for on Etsy? Purses! I am seriously obsessed with buying purses. I search that all the time, sometimes to blog about it and sometimes just to buy. I also like searching for pretty jewelry.

-- Any last words? Live Long, and Prosper!

Monday Magic! - Near Undiscovered Wonder

2009-10-19T09:00:00.001+01:00

Monday Magic...Wood

cameronzegers	driftwoodangels	lichenwoods
MilesWoodworking	arkane451	hannahchristie
TheMadBowler	rustymoon	Daleswoodturnings
WandsAndSwords	gru2000	JewelsByCarolyn

Introducing my 10th installment of my new weekly feature, Monday Magic! These Etsy.com sellers all share something special... Fabulous work! Yet, somehow like many sellers on Etsy are wondering where all their admirers are! So this is where I feel it's time to showcase the undiscovered talent of Etsy, on Monday each week so they have a chance to shine like the best of Etsy do :)

All of the sellers names can be typed into the navigation bar on your browser followed with ".etsy.com" (dot etsy dot com) to take you to their stores. Otherwise click on an image to go directly to their listing!

I am now taking requests for next weeks Monday Magic Expo. If you would like to be a part of it, you are required to have less that 20 sales in your Etsy store, and the theme this week is Glass! (Show me your Glass items!). Contact me via convo @ http://moonangelnay.etsy.com to send in your requests, plus a link to your suitable item :)

Have a fab week!

moonangelnay xxx

SUNDAY... Coffee and Cake

2009-10-18T10:25:00.005+01:00

Sunday - Coffee and Cake
weekly musings, articles and mostly babble...

I'm currently in the process of discovering the classic joys of pregnancy as most of you probably know from my previous Sunday post, and so far this week I've been under the hopeful (yet very naive) belief that because I am approaching the 2nd Trimester, all of the lovely things that have been happening to me lately will cease to plague my days. However I am wondering if I'm going to be one of the lucky ladies that lives in the 1st trimester throughout the entire 40 week period, as so far I haven't noticed any let up in my pregnancy symptoms. Only that they appear to be getting worse! Eek!

When I was pregnant with my son I loved the fact that despite having physical trauma towards the start, and the need for chiropractic care 4 times a week for many months I was pretty fortunate to not experience morning sickness, nor the loss of appetite thing and the like... but bloomin heck, I dont know what's worse at the moment. It's pretty frightening actually, as I'm sure highly amusing for anyone that watches me heaving 100s of times a day, but I have completely lost my desire for food, and because my sense of smell seems to be amplified, any food stuffs I approach sets off this uncontrollable need to be sick. It's terrible and I don't know what to do about it. If it was just the sickness that's fair enough but to loose my desire for food and find every smell I come across physically unbearable worries me a lot, particularly as it seems to be getting worse. I hear a lot of women get this problem but I never imagined morning sickness to go as far as this. I look forward to the day that I dont have to retch all the way through my cooking and spend millions of years trying to get through meals, I only hope that it lets up soon!

Despite the fun and games, I have been back on form all week enjoying finding lots of newbies to help promote and making the necessary alterations in my store (slowly but surely). Glad to have successfully managed it all too in amongst all the goings on at home too, but I have felt that despite the changes something feels a bit empty. The great things I think have been making more time for myself on top of my usual duties, but for some reason there is this feeling that with the blog in particular there is a need for something more. I have been considering adding a new weekly post, which I thought could involve linking to helpful resources, focusing on the arts, design, marketing, business... you know, the generally need to know's for I guess a lot of people trying to work from home as there is SOOOO much that I have found to be handy myself, and not enough venues that list all the need to knows in one place. I personally have 1000s of links bookmarked in my browser and most of the time I'm driven nutty trying to go through what I find to be particularly helpful to me, as my internet habits normally involve me coming across these kind of things then bookmarking them for later reading (lack of time factor). As I do have a lot of good one's (that I have managed to check out) I know for me and anyone that's interested, to have them all available in one place will be handy for future reference. This will all need planning though as I still havent worked out how to make this idea an organised idea, nor how I plan to catagorize topics on the blog to keep things minimal yet accessible. So this one is one that'll come in time. I'll keep ya posted :)

I think maybe I'll end this one for today, as the week has been more of an adjustment to changes than interesting things to share that have occured so hopefully next week I'll have a lot more to talk about, now that I'm back into the swing of things!

FRIDAY - Friday Finds... ChocolateCreative

2009-10-16T10:30:00.004+01:00

Friday Finds... ChocolateCreative

This is my eighth interview of the amazing not-so-well-known artists of Etsy.

It has been a long while since I have done my weekly searches through my favourite newest of the new on Etsy so over the weekend I almost felt peace washing over the diffiulties that have surrounded my families lives lately, by just being able to do what I love doing the most here on Blogger and Etsy. I haven't managed to finish updating my own store as of yet, but as you discovered on Monday I found 12 great new artists with wonderful work to share that I wanted to share with the community as my favourite finds of the week. Today I want to introduce my favourite artist of the week in my artistan interview, that makes beautiful home decor printed cushions and textiles. I love her work because it is fresh, unique and elegantly abstract that reflects times of old, as well as the fact that she likes to use eco sound materials like organic cotton and hemp in her eco collection. I think her concept is just so carefully thought out and produced so well that I couldnt resist asking for an interview, and thrilled that she wanted to take part! I'd like to introduce you to Designer Margarita of ChocolateCreative. Also check out her wonderful blog http://chocolatecreative.blogspot.com.

(Just click the images to go direct to the listings)

-- Tell me a bit about you! (Name, Age, Location, and give us a random fact whilst you're at it.) Margarita Lorenzo, 38, London, Spanish at heart, living and enjoying my English life in London.

-- What is your business about then? My business is about creating sustainable handmade textiles and accessories for the house, spreading the word about craft and traditional skills and promoting handmade design above mass produced one.

-- How did Etsy come into your life? I learned about Etsy last year while browsing an American blog, and thought what a brilliant idea!! As it reaches out globally and have a great designers/makers community.

-- Are you working a day job too? My background is in Graphic Design, and have been doing this for the past 15 years, still work part time for a company, but trying to give up on this job to concentrate on my textiles business.

-- How long has the artist in you been 'unleashed' for? For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to do/study art, I went to University to do Fine Art, specialised in Graphic Design, and since them never have stopped studying and learning new ways of expressing my creativity, printmaking and textiles have been my latest studies.

-- What has been the inspiration behind your business? I suppose the main reason is my passion for what I do and make, and wanted to be my own boss for a long time. I believe in handmade design and love making my own things. I look for inspiration in traditional craft, embroidery, stitching, old linens, vintage textiles, the colours and look of old houses in Cuba and Brazil, etc…I like mixing the old with the new and that is what I try in each design, to bring a bit tradition into a contemporary piece.

-- If you could describe your products in three words, what would you tell me? Sustainable handmade textiles

-- What would an average working day for you be like from dawn til dusk? It differs from day to day, (this is when working on my textiles from my studio at home), I am not an early bird, so start around 9.30/10am,
have my coffee while I browse a magazine
read and answers emails
organize the day’s work
If time, go for a walk in the park/have lunch
Print/sew/make cushions
Work on new ideas
Market the business
Run the blog
Shop for materials
And last browse blogs and sites for inspiration and networking while I watch TV on my sofa, absolutely exhausted but very happy!!

-- What's your favourite material and techniques to work with? I only work with natural fabrics, such as Linens, hemps, 100% cottons and organic cotton, I soon hope to start introducing some old linens and vintage fabrics. I want to reuse as much as possible, I value old textiles and believe in recycling very much. I screen print my own designs and use transfer paper for some motives, I love using traditional skills such as cross stitch and embroidery.

-- What is your ideal vision for the future for you and your work? In the ideal world and hopefully in my near future I see myself dedicated to Chocolate Creative full time, and living between Spain (Canary Islands where I come from) in Winter and spending Summer/Spring in London. Expanding the textiles lines and introducing stationary and ceramics. Running the blog, and who knows what my creative mind and new opportunities will bring along the way. I am very certain this is what I want to do as I feel very passionate about it.

-- Away from work, what do you like to do for fun or to wind down? I love being with my friends and family, (they are a very important part of my life and feel very privilege to have so many supportive people around me), cooking and entertaining at home, traveling as much possible, going home to my local beach and relax by the sea. I love going to the cinema, museums, galleries, browse second hand shops and antiques markets, and above all a good piece of cake, cup of tea, good magazine, my cat next to me and my confy sofa, HEAVEN!!!

-- What are you likely to search for on Etsy? Anything that looks gorgeous and is being well crafted, I have already bought a few pieces from it and I am always surprise about how much talent is out there, it is such a source of inspiration!!

-- Any last words? The piece of advice that has helped me the most and that I pass on to you all is: “Be true to your heart, believe in yourself and follow your dreams”. I want to thank to all the amazing global community that is out there, making, designing and creating for being a constant source of inspiration!!

Monday Magic! - Near Undiscovered Wonder

2009-10-12T09:00:00.003+01:00

Monday Magic...Light!

DominicMcCabe	thecuckoostory	MatilskyArt
HinasApprentice	alexandratiara	TheBushSewer
sliceoflifejewelry	LifeinaLens	ProjectsOfPassion
janice10art	CuriousSparrow	pandyautry

Introducing my 9th installment of my new weekly feature, Monday Magic! These Etsy.com sellers all share something special... Fabulous work! Yet, somehow like many sellers on Etsy are wondering where all their admirers are! So this is where I feel it's time to showcase the undiscovered talent of Etsy, on Monday each week so they have a chance to shine like the best of Etsy do :)

All of the sellers names can be typed into the navigation bar on your browser followed with ".etsy.com" (dot etsy dot com) to take you to their stores. Otherwise click on an image to go directly to their listing!

I am now taking requests for next weeks Monday Magic Expo. If you would like to be a part of it, you are required to have less that 20 sales in your Etsy store, and the theme this week is Wood! (Show me your wooden items!). Contact me via convo @ http://moonangelnay.etsy.com to send in your requests, plus a link to your suitable item :)

Have a fab week!

moonangelnay xxx

SUNDAY... Coffee and Cake

2009-10-11T12:49:00.004+01:00

Sunday - Coffee and Cake

I'm Back!!!

After an astonishingly awkward few weeks, I can hope that this is the beginning of a most definite return without disruption!

Wow things have been hectic. Infact that is a slight understatement really, so much has happened it's any wonder I haven't lost the plot yet but to my relief I think things surrounding our life at home will return to normal fairly soon.

Unfortunately my other half's very poorly dad passed away about a week ago, so in amongst everything that has been the saddest part of our busy few weeks. However it's good to know that he is no longer suffering. I commend Elric for being as strong as he is being about it. He has had such a difficult time lately, I am really glad that he's now ready to move forward.

As for me and my pregnancy, things are going well of which I am glad about. No scans booked yet but I shall be seeing a midwife for the first appointment in a week or two so hopefully I'll know more about what's to come then, including which hospital is willing to take me! I'm excited as unlike my first two pregnancies with my first ending prematurely, this one minus the morning sickness seems to be going pretty well to our relief! I only hope that things continue this way, minus the morning sickness LOL!

So let me inform you of my plans... I intend to bring back Monday Magic tomorrow, and my Friday finds interview this week also. As for Sunday Coffee and Cake, I will be continuing the post however because of time and planning that is involved with the articles, I will be intergrating normal posts like todays as an example into the updates each week. So Sundays may not necessarily bring an article, but sometimes just a normal blog post about whatever may inspire me at the time! It means I can be an organised lady and reserve just the 3 days I usually use for the blog instead of 7 days which was what I had to do before (mainly for the Sunday posts... planning and writing!). With a busy family life and busier one to come, I think this is a fair deal on everyone at home, and still allows me to help new sellers on Etsy without any changes in how I do things on both Mondays and Fridays. I look forward to doing this again :)

I'd like to announce that I now offer flat rate FREE POSTAGE worldwide on all photography in my store. I am due to make some new price changes too, to make the process of understanding how much different sized print costs more easy to understand as I know at the moment my prices can be one of two things depending on the work put into the photograph during editing. I intend to make this cost flat rate for the size, without taking the time of working nor the type of paper into account. This will make my work more affordable and a lot more straightforward when it comes to choosing what you would like me to create for you. This change should come into effect shortly!

I also have lots of new prints coming into the store that I have been diligently been working on lately. They are perfect for the halloween and colder seasons as they are very mystical and gothic in ways. My work always seems to reflect my moods so understandably you'll know where the inspiration is derived from considering recent events, when you get to see them.

All in all I think that is all I wanted to say. I am off now to search for my Monday Magic peeps for tomorrow! If you're a new seller with 0-19 sales, then get in touch and I'll be straight over to your store for a peek :)

All the Best everyone and thanks to those who have left such lovely supportive messages lately, my love to you all.

moonangelnay x x x

My Apologies

2009-09-28T20:23:00.001+01:00

My... Apologies

To all of my blogging friends, and newcomers to my little corner on the web here. I need to say a big sorry for my inconsistancies the past few weeks. So far I have missed a few Sunday Coffee and Cake, one Friday Finds, and one Monday Magic post. The reasons being many, both good and bad. The good news is I am pregnant and have the most irritating insomnia that has rendered me unable to devote my free time to the blog, and instead to forced sleep! Goooood...bad news I guess lol! Honestly these new babies need to come with warnings or something, I didn't have this trouble with Yukio (although I did go through worse things so i shouldn't complain really!).

On a more negative note, my other half's dad isn't doing to well but we do know what to expect very soon so right now particularly whilst my other half is by his dad's side, I'm having to take on complete responsibility of my son which so far hasn't given me much time to do anything more than I am able to do right now. So there will be a delay in these posts, but I will be continuing them when things become more stable. My Etsy shop is still open as I am still able to work my post office errands, and orders... but any new designs will have a delay as I can't dedicate any time to making new work until things here calm down a bit! It's my Birthday next week too, and I don't even think that's going to work out with current circumstances :( It's all rather depressing but this is the way things are right now. I look forward to returning soon, I really am missing the "me time" I had with all my work!

I am sorry once again but I'm sure you'll understand. I look forward to getting back on track and meeting loads of you again soon. All the best!

moonangelnay x

Monday Magic! - Near Undiscovered Wonder

2009-09-21T08:25:00.002+01:00

Monday Magic...Coffee!

Jularee	PostMerriweather	EarthRitesBags
ElementDesigns	AlcheMysticAmulets	froststudio
patacoah	JBellDesign	wobblebox
ZeNoVkAsCrAfTs	CirceEffect	johnloftus

Introducing my 8th installment of my new weekly feature, Monday Magic! These Etsy.com sellers all share something special... Fabulous work! Yet, somehow like many sellers on Etsy are wondering where all their admirers are! So this is where I feel it's time to showcase the undiscovered talent of Etsy, on Monday each week so they have a chance to shine like the best of Etsy do :)

All of the sellers names can be typed into the navigation bar on your browser followed with ".etsy.com" (dot etsy dot com) to take you to their stores. Otherwise click on an image to go directly to their listing!

I am now taking requests for next weeks Monday Magic Expo. If you would like to be a part of it, you are required to have less that 20 sales in your Etsy store, and the theme this week is Light! (Show me some sparkle!). Contact me via convo @ http://moonangelnay.etsy.com to send in your requests, plus a link to your suitable item :)

Have a fab week!

moonangelnay xxx

FRIDAY - Friday Finds... RAJewelryDesigns

2009-09-18T10:54:00.005+01:00

Friday Finds... RAJewelryDesigns

This is my seventh interview of the amazing not-so-well-known artists of Etsy.

There are quite a few jewelry sellers in the world, and some are far from being unique. Yet on Etsy there are so many people with incredibly innovative ideas that I personally find awe inspiring. Particularly the seller I have interview for today. Her work is simply AMAZING and very artistic, inspired by the beauty of floral designing, and very carefully considered. For anyone looking for the perfect wedding adornments, or gifts to bring beauty into one's life I'd like to introduce you to RuthAnne of RAJewelryDesigns.

(Just click the images to go direct to the listings)

--Tell me a bit about you! (Name, Age, Location, and give us a random fact whilst you're at it.) My name is RuthAnn, I am 64 years of age, live in the Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., area. I am married with one son and one grandson. I worked over 40 years as a legal secretary. In my spare time, I would tinker with making quilts and jewelry. About 4 years ago, I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis which altered my daily life tremendously. No longer being able to work, I turned my interests to the hobbies I had and am now a full time artisan making custom designed jewelry and wedding floral designs. Thanks to the wonderful people who purchase my designs, I keep busy 7 days a week sometimes 12 hours a day making complete bridal party flowers and jewelry. I thank God every day for awakening me to this hidden talent I have had for so long.

-- What is your business about then? I design and create custom made jewelry and silk floral designs. My jewelry is mainly sterling silver and 14k gold filled. I create items from simple necklaces and earrings to elaborate wire wrapped designs. Sometimes when I have a piece of wire and a lovely gemstone or cameo, my mind just goes on and on and next thing, I have created a lovely pendant. My floral designs range from complete wedding packages including cascade and round bridal and attendant bouquets, boutonnieres, cake toppers, pew bows, pomanders (kissing balls), hair accessories and more. I was asked to make a flower girl halo for a friend's daughter's wedding and it all started there. My love for floral designing has been enhanced ever since.

-- How did Etsy come into your life? I started as a buyer on Etsy, purchasing my jewelry supplies, ribbon, flowers, etc. Then one day it hit me, why not sell what I buy. I opened RAWeddingCreations.etsy.com first and a bit later opened RAJewelryDesigns.etsy.com.

-- Are you working a day job too? No, due to my spinal stenosis, I can no longer be gainfully employed. Etsy has helped me feel like I am still contributing to the income and not a burden on my husband.

-- How long has the artist in you been 'unleashed' for? I was "artsy" from grade school but never to the extent it is now. I wish I had realized years ago how much I love making things and began full time much sooner.

-- What has been the inspiration behind your business? My illness. If I was still gainfully employed, I probably would not be doing my crafts to the extent that I am.

-- If you could describe your products in three words, what would you tell me? Beautiful, stunning, well made.

-- What would an average working day for you be like from dawn til dusk? We are up at 5 a.m. every day. Get my husband off to work by 6 a.m. and he does not return until 5 p.m. After he is gone, general everyday household chores get done (takes me a bit longer than the average person). Usually by 11 a.m., I am working on my orders or creating something new I may have thought of or saw something that gave me an idea. I work on my orders and crafts until about 4 p.m. when I begin to prepare dinner for the 2 of us (in between there, I have to take a few minutes to pay attention to Patty, our cat). After dinner, I will go back to what I was working on for a few more hours. In the course of an average day, I spend about 8 to 10 hours crafting -- creating or completing orders. Of course, there are days with doctor's appointments, repairmen, etc. which totally messes up my day.

-- What's your favourite material and techniques to work with? With my jewelry, gemstones of all kinds, sterling silver, gold filled, wire, fancy beading. With my flowers, all silk florals, lovely satin ribbon.

-- What is your ideal vision for the future for you and your work? I would love to see my shops grow to the point where I can make a total living just doing the crafting that I love. It would benefit me not only financially but also as part of my therapy. I encourage all my customers (especially weddings) to send me photos so I can see my crafts "at work" and to see how much joy my handiwork has brought to other people.

-- Away from work, what do you like to do for fun or to wind down? I like reading and canning foods we have grown in our garden.

-- What are you likely to search for on Etsy? Gemstones, wire, beads, silk flowers, ribbon.

-- Any last words? Thank you for contacting me and especially for your interest in RAJewelryDesigns. I think what you are doing is a fantastic thing and wish you well with it. I deeply appreciate your interest in me and my crafts.

Monday Magic! - Near Undiscovered Wonder

2009-09-14T08:46:00.001+01:00

Monday Magic...Black & Pink!

hippopotamejewelry	PrincessCrossing	AccessoryHeaven
raffique	FrenchRevelation	PoundPuppies
kittywantstoplay	goddevi	cartooniecatdoodles
TheSwissStudio	VenusPrototypeLatex	mollimoo

Introducing my 7th installment of my new weekly feature, Monday Magic! These Etsy.com sellers all share something special... Fabulous work! Yet, somehow like many sellers on Etsy are wondering where all their admirers are! So this is where I feel it's time to showcase the undiscovered talent of Etsy, on Monday each week so they have a chance to shine like the best of Etsy do :)

All of the sellers names can be typed into the navigation bar on your browser followed with ".etsy.com" (dot etsy dot com) to take you to their stores. Otherwise click on an image to go directly to their listing!

I am now taking requests for next weeks Monday Magic Expo. If you would like to be a part of it, you are required to have less that 20 sales in your Etsy store, and the theme this week is Coffee! (Show me items that are dark brown!). Contact me via convo @ http://moonangelnay.etsy.com to send in your requests, plus a link to your suitable item :)

Have a fab week!

moonangelnay xxx

SUNDAY... Coffee and Cake

2009-09-13T09:59:00.000+01:00

New Prints On Etsy - Click Images to Visit Listing

Sunday - Coffee and Cake

Hello!

I'm a bit rushed today, as so far my week has been a mixture of battling through a never ending crashing PC, new ideas for my Etsy store, and tasks unrelated to the stuff I do online. So being VERY behind is an understatement. In the long run however I'm hoping that I shall achieve peace with my computer and digital files on my Etsy store. For now my focus is today's article which I know is a week late! Apologies!

For today this is more of an opinion than anything that is of the record, but I hope that my little insight is worthy of consideration. I'm certain that what I am going to write about has been said before as with most things everyone has their own way of taking on board information and then displaying it for others to see. So this is just my take on things.

Objective Thinking : I am one of those people who have a firm belief in what is known as "The Secret", although I have been well aware of the Law Of Attraction for many years having being blessed with the freedom to find my own way through my mind. My mum is a very Spiritual person so naturally for me I was left open to think objectively about the world, without too much influence of my mums ideas but having the freedom to choose to take them on board if i wanted to.

Without thinking about it consciously, I always found myself taking on board new ideas without taking them on board, if that makes any sense? I think in order to have a point of view that is unhindered by bias or immediate belief, you must have a strong sense of self. Not necessarily eradicating self consciousness which in New Age society is the "thing" to do in order to be completely "self aware", but to have love for your ideas is actually part of the journey to loving yourself. The thing that is most important about having "your own" ideas is that any incoming ideas trigger conscious thinking on your part, and not any sort of immediate lemming response "without" conscious thought. Not to say that everyone is a lemming, but in a lot of instances when you think about it no-one really has an idea that is their own as we are born into a world that likes to impose itself on us from birth, and we have to rely on our teachers and elders to show us the path to making the right choices in our lives. In order to do that, we also have to be able to 'identify' with these people in order for their ideas/ways etc to have that sort of impact on us. Even if you're the most lonesome person in the world that doesn't really talk to anyone that maybe does form ideas of your own, the place that you're in didnt happen by mistake and more than likely your life events, choices and surrounding entourage from the earliest of your days will have lead you to that point of existance (or non existance if you find yourself completely absent from any social interaction.)
It's not something we think about either, as we all know babies are like sponges, and you too were once a squidgy porous little thing that literally sucked up everything that displayed itself infront of you. So I guess the first thing to realise when trying to work out the beginnings of where you may pick up things from is truely within yourself. Unfortunately as a baby you can't really stand up and know who you are to the point where your ideas can really do great things, but 'Knowing' who you are and having confidence in that is where you can say that maybe more than a person that follows the crowd, you have more potential to be a dream weaver and know that your ideas are influential to others. Until you can think for yourself you are not really able to think objectively. Without being able to think objectively you will more than likely always have finality, bias and judgment ready to leap out and do the talking, when in reality being able to embrace both polarities from a neutral perspective without being clouded by immediate responses will lead you one step closer to freeing your mind and helping you feel more confident in your descisions. Ultimately without a mindful attitude, how can you be sure of anything?