Catching up

I know I haven't made it around to everyone's blogs lately. And of the ones I have visited, I haven't been so good with leaving lots of comment love. Forgive me?? Thanks, I knew you would.

I think Facebook has a little bit to do with me neglecting my blog recently. At first I wasn't into my page there. And then as I started connecting with some old classmates from high school, it became a bit more fun. Some of us even had our graduation pictures posted as our display pictures for awhile. And a few of my blog buds are over there too. If you have a page, and would like to send a friend request, by all means do so!! I'm listed as "Mary Catherine" from South Jersey, NJ. And my email is Topaz926@verizon.net if you want to find me that way.

In other news......

*I have been working on my Etsy page some. Relisting items that had expired. Trying to get greeting cards photographed and added.

I do like Etsy alot. It's a cool place to have a store and a good place to shop. It's just very, very, very competitive. There are over 100,000 pictures that come up when you type in 'crystal jewelry' and over 32,000 if you search for 'greeting cards'. WOW

So this is just a little reminder that if you are ever in the market for something for yourself, or a gift for someone special, I do have a shop there!!! Please keep me in mind. :)))

And tell your friends!!!!

The link is at the top of my sidebar, but here is the addy if you just want to note it.

http://www.designsbymc.etsy.com/

Something neat going on in many places, but also at Etsy is Pay It Forward. You all know the basic concept..... do something nice for someone. And instead of receiving anything for yourself if they ask how to repay you, just ask that in turn the person do some nice things for others to keep goodness going in the world.

I put a greeting card up and within 24 hours it was gone!! Probably because I listed it in the true spirit of PIF. I did not charge a penny for shipping and I waived the small fee I had to pay to list the item. Some people are charging small amounts for their items, some are offering items for only the price of the upload fee, which is very minimal, but most seem to be charging shipping. The range varies. Some seem a bit high. While I don't know all the postal rates and shipping fees for different items, I'm sure it doesn't cost 4 bucks to send a very small pair of earrings in the United States. The greeting card cost me $1.50 to mail at my local post office and the only reason that was so high was because I put it in a large manilla envelope and wrapped it with alot of tissue paper to keep it from getting mangled in transit.
Well, I really shouldn't make assumptions. Maybe they are using Priority Mail or some other service that is more expensive. Everything is going up. While I include shipping and tax on all the items at my store, there may come a day when I won't be able to do that. And actually, I've heard that by including it already in the price it makes the item initially appear higher than it is. Some people would rather SEE the shipping FEE listed separately and PAY it themselves. What do you think?????

*I started reading a book that my father-in-law (the one who still likes me... long story... lol) recommended. It's called "Eyes of the Tailless Animals" and it's about a North Korean woman who was wrongly imprisoned and forced to spend many years at the hands of vicious torturers. I only made it to Chapter 6 so far. It's a very hard read.

*Wish I had some really cute pictures of my favorite little man to show you. But my pocket camera broke recently and he's just toooooo fast right now anyway. Of course he's just as handsome as ever. Even with the scar from a couple stitches he got a few weeks ago right on the center of his forehead. I told you he was FAST. I can hardly believe that he is almost 22 months old??!!??

AND........

He's going to have a little brother or sister later this year!!!!! It's still very early, not much to talk about right now, but my daughter and her man are very happy about the news. As are we.

*Now we're just waiting for the snow to start. In our part of NJ, we could see 6-12". Tomorrow morning should be FUNSVILLE.

What have you been doing this weekend?