It's a no go

So, yesterday I went to the hospital for the first day of my Thyroid Uptake and Scan test. On the first day they give you a pill that contains a small amount of radiation..basically equal to the amount your cell phone emits. Then, 4 hours later, I come back to the hospital and they use a machine to take a picture of your thyroid and then also of your knee.

The next day, being today for me, I was supposed to go back to the hospital receive a shot of some radioactive tracer, and then you basically lay on your back on a table with your head tilted back and they take an active xray of your thyroid - its kind of cool actually because you can watch it on the tv screen.
BUT here's the problem with how today went - The machine is OUT - OF - ORDER! and that sucks!

SO - Next week, we get to start all over again.

Being sick is aweful

I hate being sick. I have such a bad cold right now. There are tissues everywhere - I think I've gone through a whole box! Halls and Shower Soother wrappers littering my trash cans and Dayquil every 4 hours.

I've always been, as my mom says, her "Sick Kid" :

Hospitalized for dehydration when I young.

I got Lyme Disease when I was only 2, and after many years of extreme joint pain and a millions different medications - one finally worked to send it into remission.

Appendicitis when I was 12.

Got Mono in college.

In 2009, I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and Graves Disease - which is an auto-immune disease. I was on antithyroid medicine for about a year and a half and now the doctor is recommending Radioactive iodine therapy. I've chosen to do this because it is a safer option then continuing the medicine I'm on now. This option means being on medicine for the rest of my life (and if you're wondering- yes, I'm only 24). It scares me a little, but I know this is the best option for my long term health.
My Radioactive Iodine therapy is schedule for next week, so I'll update you on my progress and maybe even the procedures process later.

For now, I just want this cold to go away! Yuck!

Sound the Trumpets!

Heeelllllllloooooo Readers! Are you still out there?

I know it's been a while, but let's start again. I want to start adding new items to my shop, so let's try to move some items that have been here for a while!

Step 1: Head on over to the DipYourToes Shop and scope out your favorite items
Step 2: Load up your cart with all those favorite goodies
Step 3: When checking out, enter the coupon code: CLEARANCE10 and receive 10% off you entire order!

I know it's pretty crazy, but I need to reclaim some crafting space in order to make new items to list!

Weekly Feature Seller: ArtistiKat

Of all of the jewelry shops found on Etsy, this one is truly unique!


A Short Interview with ArtistiKat

Tell us a little about yourself and your shop.
I never know what to say when asked to talk about myself. I think I would make a good hermit; just sitting in my little hermit cave all day making art.
Currently, I make hand crafted jewelry from copper and sterling silver. I love doing it, and always am trying to find new things to do. I honestly have not found an art medium I don’t like. Of course I haven’t tried them all . . .yet.

What's your favorite item that you've ever made?
Well, there was the time I painted my entire body with acrylic paint and pressed it onto a canvas. Wanted to see how it would turn out. You REALLY don’t want to see that.
But seriously, my favorite item is always the one I’m working on at the moment. Really- It’s such a joy to do art. Anyone who is fortunate enough to be able to spend ANY time doing something they love will know what I mean.

Can we find your items on any other websites or in any stores?
Not currently. I have done some bazaars around Asheville, and had some of my art in a (now defunct) gallery in Illinois, had a pen and ink illustration featured in a magazine a few years ago, but nothing at the moment. I am entertaining thoughts of opening a website. (Adding this to my list of things to do).

What is your daily Etsy routine?
It would be nice if I had a routine. I squeeze my jewelry making, Etsy listing, blog updating, and other artwork whenever I can squeeze a free moment in my day. It’s not the most efficient way to do things, but that’s what I do at the moment.

Do you have any promotions you'd like to offer readers?
Currently I’m participating in the Saturday Blog shopper Event that “Quilts Galore and More” is organizing. Actually, last week was my first one. Every Saturday participating Blogs offer one item for sale that Saturday only. It’s been fun and I’ve learned a lot.

Name a few of your favorite Etsy shops.
Here are SOME of my favorites – but certainly not all (that would fill up pages and pages). Everyone is so talented that I hate to list only a few for fear of leaving someone out. You can also check out my favorites on Etsy for loads more.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/KayzKreationz has all kinds of creative glass art.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HautTotes gorgeous totes! Love the oriental styles.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/feltmeupdesigns adorable birds! I would love to be able to do that.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Scrollworkdesigns a very talented jewelry artist.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/straycatfarm Charming crocheted towels!
What song/book best describes YOU?
I like to listen to Pink Floyd “Dark Side of the Moon” when I’m creating. Does that count?
I had to ask my husband that one and he said “Flight of the Valkyrie” by Wagner. I wonder what he means by that.

Aside from creating items for your shops, what is your favorite pastime? Reading, painting, drawing, gardening, cooking, eating, long walks in our North Carolina Mountains. I enjoy proofreading too ( I know it doesn't exactly match the rest).

When/why did you begin creating jewelry?
I started it on a whim. I seem to start most things that way. I love art- all aspects of it. I was at a craft show one day, saw some pretty jewelry and said “I can do that”. This is a phrase feared by my family. I’m forever adding to my list of things to do (which is probably why I’m so swamped with things to do all the time).

Tell us about your best customer/ favorite experience on Etsy.
All of my customers have been wonderful so far. Everyone is so nice.

Anything else you'd like to add?
I wish I could think of something terribly clever, but nothing comes to mind.

Weekly Feature Seller: KhoKreative

Check out this week's awesome shop!



A Short Interview with KhoKreative

Tell us a little about yourself and your shop.

KhoKreative is a dual effort of my husband's (Andy Kho) photography and my card making creativity. We have been married for almost 5 years, and make a great team. This shop began as a side hobby, but now that we are expecting our first little one this spring, I hope to grow this shop into some sustainable income. (Living in sunny SoCal has its perks, but can be expen$ive!) Life's circumstances have prevented me from pursuing the career that I set out to do (Social Work), so I've found ways to touch others' lives through other avenues such as KhoKreative.

What's your favorite item that you've ever made?

One of my favorite items would have to be this set of surfboard cards
The photo was taken on our of our best trips to Hawaii and it brings a warm feeling. The cards can be used for any occasion to brighten someone's day. Here's a link to a set in my shop

Can we find your items on any other websites or in any stores?

Not at the moment, but we do have a Facebook page, so check it out and become a fan!
http://www.facebook.com/KhoKreative

What is your daily Etsy routine?

I'm just starting to build a routine, as I recently resigned from my part-time job in preparation for baby. I usually check my convos, look through the custom listings to see if there's any pertinent requests out there, and surf through & post on the community forums throughout the day. At the moment, I'm working on building my inventory with a goal of posting a few new items in the shop each week.

Do you have any promotions you'd like to offer readers?

Readers of this blog feature will receive a BOGO deal on any item in the shop. (2nd item must be of equal or lesser value) Just enter BLOGBOGO in the message to seller at checkout to get the discount. Offer good thru April 23rd - I will be on hiatus starting in May as we are expecting our first little one soon!

Name a few of your favorite Etsy shops.

LambnRobbo: beautiful wedding accessories
Krafty Lady Kreations: adorable crocheted baby booties/high tops
Inspired Adornations: unique jewelry
Painting from the Heart: beautiful hand-painted items


What song/book best describes YOU?

"The Little Engine that Could"

Aside from creating items for your shops, what is your favorite pastime?

I enjoy scrapbooking, baking and just recently picked up crocheting.

When did you begin with photography?

I've always enjoyed capturing life's moments with my little point-n-shoot camera, but Andy picked up his first SLR in the spring of 2004, and hasn't put it down since! It's turned into a great joint hobby for both of us. He captures the images, and I get to go along for the ride.

Tell us about your best customer/ favorite experience on Etsy.

That first sale was exciting, and it's always fun to network with other Etsy sellers. I love how Etsy brings out the creative side of people and I'm alway inspired by other people's stories of success and enjoy seeing what others come up with.

Anything else you'd like to add?

Come on by KhoKreative! We'd love to create something for you! :)

I've opened up an additional shop: theKhoKhoNutGrove.etsy.com Check it out!