Ebay VS. Etsy ?

This has been a crazy week!  My dad had surgery Tuesday and my whole schedule has just been off and it seems like I can't get caught up.

So, the heck with catching up!  I'm just going to start over from here.  lol

But, I would like some input.

Lately, I've been debating a switch from an ebay store to and etsy shop.

I started with an ebay store because I already had an account there and had sold some things here and there before.  Mainly books and movies.

I really want to get more into my crafting and was wondering if I would get the most benefit from staying with ebay or moving to an etsy store.  I've been seeing so many great etsy stores in blogland.  Maybe I have etsy envy.

What do you think?  Should I switch over?  Would it enhance and enlarge my customer base?

I'd love to know what your opinion is.  Anyone?

Bavaria Tirschenreuth "Dogwood"

I was browsing through teacups and saucers on Ebay a few months ago and found a 49 piece set of Bavaria Tirschenreuth china in the pattern "Dogwood".  I instantly loved the delicate pattern.  They were from the estate of the seller's grandmother.

Unfortunately, by the time they made it to my doorstep, only 35 pieces survived.  I got such a deal on them thought that it was still well worth the price.  I was heartbroken though.

As I said, I was orginially looking at teacups and saucers.  Here is the set.  Isn't it gorgeous?

I love the inside as well as the outside.  So delicate.

Each setting contains 7 pieces.  Dinner plate, soup bowl, bread plate, salad plate, dessert bowl, teacup, and saucer.

The stamp on the back.  I find it so interesting.

I'm very happy with my Ebay find.  I can't say my husband is quite as joyful.  I'm running out of room!

Linking up to:
Tea Cup Tuesday
Table Top Tuesday
Tea Time Tuesday
Simple Pleasures

Bavaria Tirschenreuth Dogwood

I won this place setting on ebay last night. It was made in Germany and was part of the seller's Grandmother's estate. I'm not sure when it was manufactured.

The pattern is Bavaria Tirschenreuth Dogwood Pattern 1147. I think it is loverly.

I've been looking for a special tea cup to use at ladies teas. I found this set and won it for $5. It turned out that the seller had 6 more sets so I also won them for a total of $35 for 49 pieces.

I looked up replacement values for the pieces and according to that, I got a steal!

I can't wait to receive them. I hope they travel well and make it here safely.

"Candy Apple", "Windsor" and "Ocean" Shawl/Wraps

I just listed a few shawl/wraps in my ebay store. You can click on each picture to go directly to the listing.

"Candy Apple"


"Windsor"

"Ocean"
I went to Joann's yesterday and stocked up on some more Lion Brand Homespun yarns, so more will be coming. Eventually.

Moda Flower Basket, I-Spy and a Bridal Shawl

I have a couple finishes that piled up without me posting about them. So, here they are:


This is a 40" x 40" Quilt made with a Moda "Flower Basket" Turnover and some border fabric I had in my stash.




On my Dining Room table. Looks good there. Hmm..?

Girly "I-Spy" Quilt that is 41" X 50". I collected these novelty prints in an I-Spy swap. I have a Boyish I-Spy and a Neutral Matching Game/I-Spy in the works.

Close-up of some of the novelty prints.

Bridal Shawl made from Simply Soft Yarn in White. I needed a break from hand-quilting and picked up my crochet hook for a while. It measures 20" X 72". I broke out in a sweat everyone time my little one came near me while I was working on this one. No cheesy fingers allowed!

I've listed all these in my ebay store. Click on the picture to go directly to that listing or here to go to my store.

Thanks so much!

Book Review: "The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper" by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Product Description (from Amazon):
In 1880 America, socialite Eugenia Cooper's life is all mapped out, including a marriage to rich banker Chandler Dodd. But this lover or western dime novels longs for an adventure of her own. When the opportunity arises, she jumps a train to Denver, Colorado to pose as a governess for ten-year-old Charlotte Beck. What she discovers in Denver, however, can hardly be called a girl. The grubby thing not only wears britches and refuses to bathe, she stole Eugenia's pocketbook before Eugenia even left the train station.

Then she meets a handsome man at the local store and wonders if this western adventure won't have a little romance. What she didn't expect was that she would be thrust into a scandal that would not only ruin her good name, but that of Charlotte's father, Daniel Beck. What's a girl to do?

My overall feeling of the book:
While this wasn’t my favorite Kathleen Y’Barbo book, I did enjoy it.

My Favorite Character:
Charlie, aka, Charlotte. The daughter of the hero even if she is a bit precocious.

My Favorite Scene:
My favorite scene is in the general store when Eugenia and Daniel first meet and flirt.

It Would Have Been Better If:
I just wanted to get deeper into the book than I was able to.


I would recommend this book to:
All us girls who long for a “Wild West Adventure”.

Rating:
7/10. Good

Challenges:
2010 100+ Reading Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge
Christian Historical Fiction Challenge
Historical Fiction Challenge

To view my challenges, please see my sidebar.

My copy of this book is listed in my store.

A Few Finishes

I finished a few projects this past weekend.

This is a Brown and Pink Tote Purse with a make-up bag.



I love making shawls with Lion Brand Homespun Yarn. I have a couple that I made for myself and they are so snuggly soft. The name of this color yarn is "Mediterranean"


This is from a Round Robin that I participated in. The center is a Hunter's Star quilt block. It measures approx. 34" X 34".

I've listed all these items in my store. You can click on the picture to go directly to that listing.

Thanks for looking! I just love finishing a project. But I also love planning new ones and shopping for "ingredients" and making them. I guess you could say I love the whole process!

I'm so excited!!

I sold the Blue and Yellow Sampler quilt from my store!!

It's the first actual quilt bought from my store and only my second quilt that I've ever sold.

I just had to let you know that I'm so EXCITED!

The button for my store is on the sidebar. If you've never checked it out, please do. Pretty please!

Thanks!

Easter Resurrection Girl's Tote Purse

I listed 4 of these Resurrection themed Girl's totes in my store and sold them all within a day.

I was able to get more of this fabric and have listed 8 more totes in my store.

Click on the picture to go directly to this listing or click on my store button to see all my items.

Thanks so much!

Free Shipping for My Followers!

Because you, dear ones, are the people who put up with me and read my blog, I am going to give my followers free shipping on any crafty item in my store, Colletta's Quilts Crafts and Books. This excludes books.

If you purchase something from my store and are a follower, please add a note to let me know you are a follower when you check out.

Sorry, but due to postal costs, this is for US residents only.

A special thanks to all of you who spend the time to look at my posts, my reviews and my creations. Even more thanks to those of you who comment and encourage me.

God bless you and yours!

Sewing up a Storm?

Or in a storm? Both!

I've made a bunch of girls' Easter/Spring tote purses. I have 4 of each listed in my store.


You can click on each picture to go directly to the store page for that item or click on my store button on my sidebar to see all the items in my store.

(All 4 of the "King of Kings" bags have been sold!
I'll try to get some more of this fabric.)

Thanks for looking!

25% Off Sale on Valentine Items

I'm having a 25% off Sale on Valentine items in my store.


If you order before Wednesday, I'll try to have your items to you before the weekend.

Thanks!

Book Review: "LFY in Miracle, Kentucky" by Andrea Boeshaar

Product Description (from Amazon):
Anything can happen when you live in Miracle After her life in Chicago falls apart, Meg Jorgenson arrives in the small town of Miracle, Kentucky, with plans to start over. She moves in with a grandmother she barely knows and takes a teaching position at the local elementary school. Meg soon garners the interest of Miracles eligible bachelors, but its eight-year-old Cammy Bayer who instantly wins her heart. Cammy has spent most of her young life in a wheelchair, but she firmly believes that God will miraculously allow her to walk again someday. Although Meg admires the girls optimism, she pities Cammy for believing something so impossible. Vance Bayer has always made Cammy his first priority. Though delighted by the attention his daughter receives from her pretty new teacher, the shy widower is embarrassed by Cammys not-so-subtle attempts to play matchmaker. Both Meg and Vance want the best for Cammy, but will they see eye-to-eye when it comes to an experimental surgery that might grant Cammy the use of her legs? Will they open their minds to the miracle of healing and their hearts to the miracle of love?

My overall feeling of the book:
This was my first “Love Finds You” read and I wasn’t disappointed. I read it in a day during a power outage due to the snow. I couldn’t wait to find out how things played out.

My Favorite Character:
I loved Grams. She reminded me so much of my grandmother trying to keep everyone in touch and basically being the matriarch of the family. I really miss her

My Favorite Scene:
My favorite scene was the bonfire scene. You’ll just have to read it to find out the details. Sorry

It Would Have Been Better If:
That creep, Kent, had been a gentleman and kept his hands and attentions to himself.

I would recommend this book to:
Children of broken families, grade-school teachers, those who are around disabled children, small-engine repair-people, those who have been given a second chance in life, small town dwellers and those who wish they were small town dwellers.

Rating:
9/10. Fantastic, couldn’t put it down.

Challenges:
2010 100+ Reading Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge
What’s In a Name Challenge

To view my challenges, please see my sidebar.

My copy of this book is listed in my store. You can click the store button on my sidebar to see it.

Book Review: "Match Point" by Erynn Mangum

Book 3 of the "Lauren Holbrook Series"

Product Description (from Amazon):
Matchmaker Lauren Holbrook is happy after putting together four successful couples. That is, until the tables are turned and she’s on the receiving end of the matchmaking

Lauren and her boyfriend, Ryan, devise a plan to make it look as if they’ve broken up so people will get off their backs about marriage. No problem, right? That’s of course until Lauren realizes she’s in love.

My overall feeling of the book:
I really enjoyed this entire series. This book was a great conclusion that wrapped everything up nicely.

My Favorite Character:
For this last book in the series, my favorite character was the entire circle of friends woven through this series. I loved them all, each and every one.

My Favorite Scene:
My favorite scene was the fake break-up scene. I wondered how they were going to pull it off and it was great.

It Would Have Been Better If:
There was more fire in the first kiss. I waited through 3 books for Ryan and Lauren to kiss and then that’s all it said. Basically, “Ryan kissed her.” I’m a married mother of 2 young girls. I gotta get my romance somewhere Nothing distasteful or anything. Just some description would be fine.

I would recommend this book to:
Coffee lovers, chocolate lovers, photographers, matchmakers, girls whose best friend is a guy, those who have hypochondriac parents, aunts, sisters, EVERYONE

Rating:
9/10. Fantastic, couldn’t put it down.

Challenges:
2010 100+ Reading Challenge
Chick-Lit Reading Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge

To view my challenges, please see my sidebar.

My copy of this book is listed in my store. Click the store button the sidebar to see it.

Spring Purses and a Pink/Brown

This was a weekend of snow and purses.

While it was snowing outside, I was nice and cozy in my sewing room making these purses.

The "Springy" fabrics cheered me.

I have listed these in my store. You can click on my store button in the sidebar to see them also.

Listed a Bunch of Books

I just listed a bunch of books in my ebay store. A good many for only $1.00.

To see them, please click my store button on the sidebar.

Thanks!!

Book Review: "A Vote of Confidence" by Robin Lee Hatcher

Book 1 of "The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs" Series



Product Description (from Amazon):
Beautiful and single, Guinevere Arlington knows her “place” in the early twentieth century. She just refuses to stay there. Gwen loves her life in Idaho—the mountains, the town, her independence. But when she runs for mayor—and falls in love with her opponent—Gwen realizes winning may come at too high a price.

My overall feeling of the book:
I enjoyed this book very much. I loved the characters, the time period and the location. It took place in a time where old was converging with new to create a very interesting storyline.

My Favorite Character:
My favorite character was the hero, Morgan. Sigh....What a man

My Favorite Scene:
My favorite scenes were the piano lessons. There was so much chemistry and the sparks were flying.

It Would Have Been Better If:
This was actually a very good book and nothing struck out at me majorly that I would want to change.

I would recommend this book to:
Twins, piano players, confirmed bachelorettes, anyone who has ever ran for an office, and all Robin Lee Hatcher fans.

Rating:
8/10. Very good.

Challenges:
2010 100+ Reading Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge
Christian Historical Fiction Challenge
Historical Fiction Challenge

To view my challenges, please see my sidebar.

I listed my copy of this book in my store. Click here to see it or click my store button on the sidebar to see all my items.

Black and White Patchwork Purse

I started this Black and White Patchwork purse yesterday afternoon. Then, I couldn't help myself from finishing it last night after church.

It is listed in my store here or you can click on my store button in my sidebard to see all the items in my store.

Thanks for looking!

Purses/Totes

I spent all last evening playing in my sewing room. I decided to make my own tote pattern. I've done this before but I tweaked it and changed a few things.

This is the first one I made. I think it looks very Springy.
I just love the tie closure!

There is also a pocket on the inside.

After I looked at it for a while, I thought: It would be a really cute purse if I only made the bottom portion.

So I did:

I once again love the little bow!

I used the contrasting fabric for the pocket this time.

These are now listed in my ebay store.

You can see the Spring bag here.

You can see the Creamy Orange bag here.

Blue and Yellow Sampler Quilt Completed

I participated in a Blue and Yellow Sampler Block Swap. I pieced the top before Christmas but just finally had the chance to hand-quilt it.

I put the binding on today and threw it in the washer. It's fresh from the dryer.

It measures approx. 45" X 60".

Another angle.

Showing the backing.

I've listed it in my ebay store. You can see it here or your can click on my store button on my sidebar.