design shop: one fine day mercantile blog design...

Design is a passion of mine, whether it be jewelry or web. I love creating things that others enjoy and use.

I've been working on a blog design for a sweet customer for a few weeks now. I don't know how she has lasted this long without exploding, but she understands that I have a full-time job and life. 

The One Fine Day Mercantile Blog is LIVE and looks fabulous.

And, sweet Randi sells tons of cute products from clothing to handbags. She will be posting these items under her shop tab and on her Facebook page. Go check it out!

If you are looking into a blog design or re-design then head on over to my Design Shop tab and check out my portfolio. I'd love to work with you!

Enjoy and God Bless!

life: first week as a 3rd grade teacher...

I survived!

I am enjoying everything about this job. The part I love the most is that I'm teaching in a new grade. It is VERY different from 1st and even 2nd grade. But, I am learning something new everyday and learning from my mistakes. 

I would love to post pictures, but taking a picture of the room isn't what I'm thinking when I walk in. My mind races to my to-do list, lesson plans, etc. 

Meanwhile, I still have my back to school sale going on in my etsy shop!

Enjoy and God Bless!

 

life: school has taken over...

I've been very busy. It's crazy!

But I am so happy to have a job.

Too tired to really type, but lots coming next week!

Just two things:

1. I posted this Daily Lesson Planner in my TpT store.

2. Get in on the Back to School sale going on in my etsy store!

Enjoy and God Bless!

etsy: back to school sale...

School is starting all over the place.

Do you have your back to school jewelry bought?

If not, head on over to my etsy shop and get 15% off until September 8th! 

Just use coupon code BACK2SCHOOL at checkout!

Enjoy and God Bless!

etsy finds: "let them eat cake" wooden wedding cake topper...

This adorable cake topper caught my eye while perusing etsy the other day. This would be beautiful for a wedding, birthday, or any celebration. It's so unique!

{hostandtoaststudio wedding cake topper: let them eat cake}

Let's all go down memory lane to a very special day. Hubby and I enjoyed our wedding so much. We talk about it all the time and wish we could go back and do it all over again. Except without all the stress. I didn't eat all day I was so nervous and then chowed down at the wedding once I knew we had pulled it off!

Here is our sweet cake topper. You see, I collect vintage cake toppers. One day I am going to do a post about them (once I find out which box I packed them in). It was the week before our wedding and I realized I hadn't bought a cake topper. Oh wait, duh, I have one a collection! I chose the one that looked like it fit the wedding theme the most and popped it on top! It was perfect and so special.

Enjoy and God Bless!

etsy: neon jewelry...

My craft room is still in a disarray, but I went ahead and made myself a small space to create.

I got inspired by neon beads when searching for supplies. They make each piece pop!

Check out my neon jewelry now listed in my etsy shop!

Subscribe to our etsy shop newsletter!

Go get your NEON on and God Bless!

design shop: OPEN for business...

Graphic design has always fascinated me. I love how someone can take such a small idea and make a beautiful creation. All on their computer.

I want to do that.

So I did.

Ever since I started my blog, a few years back, I have been creating my blog design. Not because I was a FABULOUS graphic designer, but because I was cheap. My only follower was my mother and I didn't see the need to spend a ton of money on a design.

Because of this I began learning the Photoshop Elements ropes. Let me tell ya, it ain't easy. I do a lot of searching. A lot of trial and error. A lot of trashing my work. 

Oh, and did I mention that I also had to learn HTML and CSS so that I could actually apply all these wonderful designs to the blog. Jeepers! I'm surprised my head didn't explode!

But once I got both things down I was set. I still don't think that my blog design is worthy of any esteemed blog designers praise, but I think it's pretty cool.

Not only do I design my blog, but I also design my etsy shop, business cards, freebies, and classroom worksheets and goodies for TeachersPayTeachers. Again, I am no master, but I love it and it makes me happy to hear someone tell me, "That was exactly how I envisioned it in my mind!"

This past week I was approached by a fellow etsy seller and blogger. She was very sweet and had asked if I created all of the designs that I use on my blog. Why yes I do! She needed new business cards and a banner for trade shows that she attends. She had a very specific idea and design and asked if I would take on the task of creating these for her. 

Hell Yes! Yes ma'am, I would love to!

So she created a pinterest board full of her inspirations for the design and I created what I envisioned them to be. She loved them and so do I!

This whole thing got me thinking, "I could do that! I could have a design shop!" And so I started one. 

 CharlottesWebTheBlog Design Shop

I can now say that I've had my first paying client in my design shop.

Check out my designs. So far there are only the products I've made, but I plan on adding some that are pre-made.

So, what do ya think?
_______________________________

Oh, and go check out the blog Pretty Shiny Object. Elizabeth is doing a shop feature post about my etsy shop!

Enjoy and God Bless

life: 10 years...

10 years. 

That went fast.

10 years ago today my hubby asked me out on our first date. I was 15 and he was 16. 

Who would've known that seven and a half years later we would be married and starting our adventure.

I love you hubbyface and can't imagine my life without you.

Ok, now some less sappy stuff. Don't forget to use coupon code JULYXMAS2013 to get free shipping until July 31st!

Subscribe to our etsy shop newsletter!

Enjoy and God Bless!

GIVEAWAY winner announced...

And the winner of the bling earrings is....

Bethany L. I will be emailing you within the next couple of days to get your mailing info! Congrats!

And don't forget, you can still get free shipping until July 31st in my etsy shop!

Enjoy and God Bless!

etsy finds: painted wood vases...

Etsy is my go to place for fun, one-of-a-kind items. I have liked so many different things by clicking that "Favorite" heart over and over. {you can check out my favorites here}

These hand painted wood vases have completely stolen my heart. They are so simple, but at the same time completely different and funky. 

{Shade on Shape: hand painted wood vases}

This one-of-a-kind shop is also one of the Etsy Featured Shops with its own article here.

Don't forget about the Giveaway and the etsy shop sale!

God Bless!

GIVEAWAY!

Well, I finally gave in! It's Giveaway time! WHOOP!

I hit 100 likes on my etsy shop Facebook Page the other day and what better way to say thank you than with free earrings! Right?!

I just love the new bling earrings that I listed in my etsy shop!

To enter just fill out the rafflecopter below and the winner will be chosen on July 28 at midnight! 

Good Luck!

If you don't want to play around with Giveaways then head on over to my etsy shop and use coupon code JULYXMAS2013 to get free shipping until July 31st!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enjoy and God Bless!!

life: D.C. mini adventure...

Yesterday, the hubby and I decided to have a mini adventure into D.C. and it was warm HOT! I was uncomfortable all day. All day. Other than being hot, we had a really good time. We decided to go to the Mall and see some memorials and monuments and then stop in the Holocaust Museum. 

After getting of the Metro we had to walk a bit to get to the WWll Memorial, which is a beautiful fountain. Unfortunately, this is where I took most of the photos because it was the only time I was cool. 

People cooling off in the fountain. 

Panorama of the awesome memorial.

Decided to cool off as well. Great TOMS tan, huh?

The hubby sitting with me.

We passed in front of the White House on our way to the Holocaust Museum.

We also stopped at the Korean War Memorial, Lincoln Monument, and the Vietnam Wall.

The Holocaust Museum was amazing and heartbreaking. I enjoy learning about different events in history, but this one is by far the most horrific. With all that said it is a must see if you are ever in D.C.

A few weeks ago, when my sister-in-law was here, we saw a ton of things and I never posted pictures. You can see most of them on my instagram page!

Oh, and do you LOVE my new picture watermark? The glitter is my FAVORITE!

Have a great rest of the weekend! Hoping to post tons of jewelry pieces this week so keep a look out!

AND don't forget about the Christmas in July Sale going on in my etsy shop until July 31st!

Oh, and be on the lookout for my first GIVEAWAY this week!!

Subscribe to our etsy shop newsletter!

God Bless!

etsy: just listed in the shop...and SALE!

Even though my craft room isn't complete I had an itch to create some jewels for the shop today. So, I pushed some mess aside and got busy. I created 6 pairs of earrings, but only got around to listing 4 of them before the hubby got home. 

BLING! Love, love, love bling. These earrings are super lightweight and adorable. I love the light green sapphire ones the best. 

Check them out and all my other jewelry in my shop! 

Don't forget about the Christmas in July Sale going on until July 31st! Use coupon code JULYXMAS2013 to get free shipping!

And my etsy shop Facebook page has almost reached 100 LIKES! Yippee! Get on over there and LIKE my page, please and thank you! 

AND, sign up for my etsy shop newsletter to receive news about shop sales and new items listed before anyone else!

Subscribe to our etsy shop newsletter!

Thanks and God Bless!

etsy: Mother's Day Weekend etsy Sellers Sale in Carmel, CA...

On Saturday morning we loaded up the car with etsy goodness and headed on down to Carmel for the Mother's Day Sale! There were around 14 sellers with their tables set up. The hubby helped me set up a mock table the day before so we knew what it should look like the day of. He also stayed the entire time on both days. What a sweetheart.
I sold a ton of merchandise and made a few contacts for in-store wholesale selling. :]

My outfit the first day. Finally wore my lace dress with lime green slip.

With my table.

Table set-up.

While we were there I bought a few pieces from the other booths. I am in love with this new leather name bracelet.

And apparently I like my name because this OTHER bracelet came in the mail a few days ago, so....

Oh, and speaking of Mother's Day, here's my mommy with her present from the hubby and I. Brand spankin new Coach purse in a design that is SO her! Check out her blog {that I designed} here!

My etsy shop is up and running again with a ton of items. I might put it on vacation while we are moving across country. But, until then, ENJOY!

God Bless!

Subscribe to our etsy shop newsletter!

etsy: New Year, new sale...

I just wanted to write a quick post about my latest etsy sale! Since it's a new year I thought why not do a New Year's Sale!

Just enter coupon code NEWYEAR13 at checkout to get 13% off your purchase in my etsy shop!



I'll be posting about my Christmas Break once I get all the pics edited!

God Bless

etsy: 2013 Calendar iPhone Wallpapers...

Well, I got to playing on Photoshop again and I made some iPhone calendars for 2013. I decided they were so good that I might just see if I can sell them on etsy. SO, I just listed them in my etsy shop. Go and check them out.











Don't forget about the 10% off until December 19th!!!

God Bless!

Freebie: Username and Password Printable Organizer...

I was looking through my pile of notes that I have on my desk for a username and password. It took me forever and it turned out to be the wrong one. This got me thinking: I need to have a central location for all usernames and passwords. SO, I made one. There is even a place for the date it was modified (because how many times have we had to change passwords?!). Oh, and it's FREE. Just click the image and save or go to the bottom of the webpage and save from the "box" widget.



AND, don't forget about my etsy shop sale going on until December 19th. Use coupon code THANKYOU10 for 10% off at checkout!



Enjoy and God Bless!

etsy: Only 2 days left!

You only have 2 days left to get 15% off your entire purchase in my etsy shop!



God bless!!!

etsy: All about my etsy shop, CharlotteIsChaCha

In 2011 I opened my etsy shop, CharlotteIsChaCha. 

My purpose was to sell the many things that I made through my hobby of jewelry making. I am obsessed with making jewelry. I see a design online and I want to make one for myself. But, I made so many that I was sure I would never wear them all. And that's when I decided to open my shop.

My mother had started her shop quite a while before I opened mine. Her design and love of antiques motivated me to open my own. She now has two wonderful shops: lynnesfinds and lynnesjeweledfinds.

She has been such an inspiration and I thank her for taking the leap she did when opening her own etsy shop.

I decided within the first few months of opening my shop that I wanted to add some different items besides handmade jewelry. So I went around  town to all the thrift and antique stores and purchased wonderful vintage items to add with the jewelry. They are all such sweet items and I am finding more all the time. Sometimes I don't want to sell them.

I also started dabbling in making digital prints (I make the print and save it as a jpg or pdf and then when someone purchases the item I email it to them so that they can print it off). I love fiddling around with Photoshop and in doing so taught myself most of the techniques used to make these digital prints. Again, I make more for myself then I do for the shop. They are all just so cute.

For now I have earrings, necklaces, pins, digital prints, and antique knick knacks. I haven't made a ton of sales, but when I get that email saying I've sold an item that I've made it makes me feel so wonderful. Someone likes me, they really like me!

My favorite items in the store right now are my "Keep Calm and Carry On" earrings and necklaces. They are too cute!

So please check my shop out and let me know what you think. AND I love doing custom orders!