Again With the Talents, and an Update on Random Acts of Kindness Month...

Ok, I'll admit it...I'm stuck on this talents thing.  Seriously, it's like the topic is stalking me.  I try to think of other things, and somehow the whole talents concept keeps creeping into my brain.  It's a little unnerving, but I can definitely think of some other topics that would be far more disturbing to have randomly pop into my head.  All in all, I consider myself pretty lucky that it's just TALENTS that I keep thinking about.  It could definitely be worse.  I mean, what if I suddenly couldn't stop thinking about something REALLY crazy...you know, like...shark attacks...or the plague...or the end of the world?  Now, THAT would be something to be concerned about.

Anywhooo...back to the topic at hand.  So, Etsy sends me a daily digest of random merchandise to peruse, and I love it because there are SO many shops out there that I would never find otherwise.  And since I started looking at all of these cool things, I've been really, really impressed with the wide variety of talents that people can possess.  There are some REALLY amazing talents out there: from mainstream skills like photography and sewing, to really crazy things like taxidermy and custom feathery light switch covers.  Today, I'm enamoured with glass blowing.  Truthfully, ever since Mr. Nierste let us experiment with glass rods and bunsen burners in my 8th grade earth science class, I've been moderately fascinated with glass.  I love the way it appears so fluid and full of movement, but is actually quite solid and brittle.  It's really an interesting material, and I wish I possessed the skill to create beautiful pieces of glass art.  I've emailed a couple of the artists whose work I admire to see if they'd mind if I put a couple of pictures of their blown glass up on my blog post.  Still waiting on replies, but as soon as I receive them, I'll put up some of the cool glass stuff I've found.  **UPDATE!**  Here are a couple of pieces from an Etsy shop called oneilsarts...aren't they absolutely beautiful???





On a completely unrelated note, thank you to those of you who commented -- either on here or through Facebook messages -- and gave me ideas for Random Acts of Kindness Month.  I decided to go with Triss's idea and send out some notes in the mail.  Additionally, I got Ilaiasi (my 7 year old) in on the action and had him write a little note to his Sunday school teacher, who has been gone the last couple of Sundays.  It was fun to see him get into it and write her a sweet note and then draw a little picture of their whole Primary (aka Sunday school) class.  We drove it to her house and Ilaiasi got to be the one to put it in her mailbox.  I think he had a good experience, and the very best part about it was that we got to see her appreciation firsthand via her Facebook update!  So, here it is:

"Day= Made. i got a letter from one of my kids from primary and it just made my day! i cant wait to see my class on sunday!"

Pretty fun, huh?  So, thank you so much to all who gave me such good ideas.  It was a success, and we will definitely be using more of them in the future.  In fact, next time I think we'll make it a family affair!

And, finally, see below for a few more previews of what I'll be putting up for sale on my Etsy site this week.  I took the plunge and made a couple of pairs of earrings out of my sterling silver wire.  And guess what?  The world didn't end, I didn't screw everything up and cost myself a fortune is silver, and I think they actually turned out pretty well!  See?  I told you I'm not a Group 3 member. 

Zebra Stone and Silver-colored Wire Bracelet

Sterling Silver and Swarovski Crystal Earrings

Silver-colored wire Bracelet with Swarovski Crystal and Freshwater Pearl Accents 



"Peacock Feather" Ring Made of Czech Glass Beads and Silver- and Blue-colored Wire



"Peacock Feather" Pendant Made of Czech Glass Beads and Silver- and Blue-colored Wire



So...if you get a chance, go check out my new stuff on my Etsy page:

www.etsy.com/shop/thepinkpersimmon

OH!  Before I forget...ok, so even though I've got my little shop up and running, I've still got a LOT to learn about all of this online buying/selling business (obviously). I keep seeing people doing "giveaways" and "contests" through their blogs or on Facebook.  That sounds like fun to me, but I really have no idea as to how you go about it.  I'm in the process of looking up how to do it, but if anyone has any immediate insight, I'd love to hear it.  Come on...wouldn't you just LOVE to be the recipient of a great Pink Persimmon giveaway?????  So, let me know if you are familiar with the process because I'm hoping to get something along these lines going soon.  Thanks so much!!  :)