Motivation Monday

Working alone on your business can be a challenge. Sometimes great things happen that you want to share.

 We all want and deserve praise for the successes we have in our business. 

I recently was accepted to be a guest blogger on the Handmadeology website. I am so excited, this is a great opportunity for me and my business. Sharing the news with my sister, my business and creative confident, made hearing that news even more thrilling . 

Getting her positive feedback and praise made me want to work harder and find more opportunities. I hope to find more guest blogger opportunities soon.

Pulling together a group of business and creative confidants to share your goals and successes with will keep you motivated to keep seeking new opportunities. 

Do you have your own circle of business and creative confidants that praise you often?

Turn Your Jewelry into Art

We buy fun jewelry and then we tuck it in a drawer, not to be seen again until we have a chance to wear it out.

Why not show off your jewelry and let it decorate your room as well.

Today I found some fun and simple ideas on Pinterest  to create your own wall art and showcase your jewelry.

Source: onewomenshaven.blogspot.com via Valerie on Pinterest

Source: mrkate.com via Valerie on Pinterest

Source: bexastylediary.blogspot.com via Hollie on Pinterest

Source: salvagesavvy.blogspot.com via Kim on Pinterest

Source: mrkate.com via Adriana on Pinterest

Source: blog.freepeople.com via Brittany on Pinterest

How do you creativity showcase your jewelry?

Monthly Link Share

I find a lots of cool things while working online that are inspirational and helpful for my business. In this new monthly post I will share links to creative ideas, business tips, and inspirational sites that I hope you find useful.

I know you find links as well, and I want this post to be an opportunity for all of us to share what we find.

Take a few minutes check out a couple links, and if you have one you want to share leave a comment with a link.

Creative Ideas

 How to "No Carve" a Pumpkin: Ideas for Halloween Lots of very cool ideas on this site.

This ideas would be great for any holiday. Use orange or black lights for Halloween in different shapes and designs, or white, red, or green for the Christmas. Glittering Landscape

Business Links

• Targeting Holiday Shoppers

• How to Find Your True Target Market so You can Finally Grow Your Business

• How to Get More Feedback and Keep Your Customers Coming Back

Creative Inspiration

• Fall 2011 Pantone Color Trend Report download page

• Spring 2012 Pantone Color Trend Report download page

Do you have any links you want to share today?

Be Inspired - Scary Trees

Words to Inspire

“Friendship is a sheltering tree.”
Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Idea to Inspire

Take a day and go out to find the scariest tree in your neighborhood. Take pictures and share with everyone.

Photos to Inspire

A little inspiration for Halloween. These Flickr shots of trees have amazing shapes and textures.


Scary Tree by Ben O.


scary tree by k0na


Scary tree by Kallain


Scary Tree by J-o-h-n---E


Scary Trees by Grant Se1by

Artist to Know - Tony Orrico

I have never had the opportunity to see live performance art, but this would be an artist I would love to see!

Tony Orrico

Tony Orrico is a visual artist, performer, and choreographer. Using his past experiences as a dancer with Shen Wei Dance Arts and Trisha Brown Dance Company he uses his body as a tool to create his art.

He creates remarkable large-scale mock-mathematical drawings with a savant’s focus and a marathoner’s endurance, sometimes drawing for up to four hours continuously.

Some of his pieces are created using just his wrists and other times his whole form to create his massive drawings that are organic and highly precise.

His work has been presented and exhibited worldwide.

See more of his amazing work on his website.

Motivation Monday

                            Source: babaloud.com via Valerie on Pinterest

DIY with Kzieglerdesign

Free and Easy Halloween Projects

I've been at my parent's house the last couple days, and my mom and I were decorating the house. Some of these are old standards in my house, some I came up with on my own.

So grab your construction paper, glue, tape, string, scissors, paper towel, paper clips, markers, pipe cleaners, and toilet paper (yes, toilet paper), and head on over to kzieglerdesign to find out more on how to make these adorable projects!

100 Sales 100 Days

Wow, I can't believe it's been six weeks since I started 100 Sales in 100 Days.  Unfortunately, since the end of September sales have been really slow.

Here are my Etsy stats since 9/22:
Etsy Sales 4
Items Sold 6
Shop Hearts 15

Here are my Overall Etsy stats since I started:
Etsy Sales 13
Items Sold 18
Shop Hearts 30

Since Etsy has switched to relevancy, my views are down. I have spent the last few weeks changing all my titles, tags, and descriptions, but it has not helped much.  All I can do is keep tweeking them until I find the right combination. How do you like the new search by relevancy on Etsy?

I have started to spend a money on advertising. I ran a one week Project Wonderful campaign, and I did an  Etsy ad for one week. Both brought in more view, but no sales, and a few hearts.
Not familiar with Project Wonderful, click here for more info.

I think I will give both of them a try again, and start looking into doing an ad on a couple of blogs. I budgeted a few dollars to advertising and I am going to keep working on putting together a effective ad to try to generate some sales.

I would love your input on blog ads. What makes you click on an ad on the sidebar of a blog? Do you like catchy tagline's or is the picture more important? Have you ever purchased an item from a shop you found from an ad?

When you are spending money on advertising you want to have effective ads.  I appreciate your feedback. So we can all benefit, I will take everyone's ideas and suggestions and create a blog post in the next couple of weeks.

Be Inspired - Fall Harvest

Words to Inspire

“Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”
Robert Louis Stevenson

Idea to Inspire

Autumn not only has beautiful colors from the falling leaves, but also from the colorful harvest of autumn vegetables.

Visit a farmers market or the grocery store and check out all the amazing colors and textures that the autumn harvest has to offer. Then take a couple new veggies home and let the inspiration of the market inspire you to create a new recipe for your evening meal.

Photos to Inspire

Enjoy the colors and textures of these autumn veggies I found on Flicker.


Artichoke Up Close by Stiiiiina


Cabbage Vivisections by bj_reames


Orange Pumpkin by Brit at Large


Mushroom by Phil-Clements


Leaky by Nickeh Smith


Onion slice by Digital Wilderness

Explore Art for a New Perspective

Sometimes it's important to move outside of our familiar world from time to time to consider a new perspective.

Abstract Canvas Art Painting by wostudios

I like to visit galleries and museums. It gives me the opportunity to see a variety of different art, challenging my perspective and direction I can take my art. I love to see contemporary art, furniture, light fixtures, even buildings, they make me see shapes, textures, and colors in new ways.

Source: tumblr.com via Alesia on Pinterest

I was never a fan of portrait art until I went to an art show that was nothing but portraits and I was blown away. The portraits looked like black and white photos on a very large scale. Up close they were amazing, the detail, textures, and lines used to create these magnificent works of art made me appreciate all the work that goes into each piece.

I let myself discover a whole new art medium and was able to take away that sense of detail and apply it to my own work.

Source: guggenheim-bilbao.es via Tia on Pinterest                                                                                                                                      

Consider going to a museum or gallery, looking through a book, or even an online art collections you are not familiar with or interested in. Give yourself a little time to explore what the collection has to offer, examining the technique used, the perspective, and the style the artist choose.

Modern Acrylic Abstract Painting by FariasFineArt

Then ask yourself what you can take away from the experience, and how you can apply it to your own work. Maybe it will inspire you to work with all new colors, work in a much larger format, or even try something complete different.

We have something to learn from all forms of art. I enjoy this part of being an artist and discovering new ways to be inspired.

What art medium do you want to experience?

Motivation Monday

As the holiday season approaches it's time to start working on what's important to help you meet your seasonal goal.

Daily we spend time on certain tasks to help our business succeed. Ask yourself:  Are you doing tasks that will help you meet your goal? Are you getting everything done you need to get done daily?

I know I have been spreading myself around lately, and not getting good results. Recently I decided what was really important to me, achieving my goal of 100 sales in 100 days.

I created a list of all the tasks I need to do daily and action steps to keep me on track. My plan includes one challenging task and three practical tasks so I can achieve success daily. My printable to-do-list is going to help me stay on task everyday.

I have other projects I need to work on as well, but I am going to work on them using the 15 minute plan. Incorporating this plan will leave me the bulk of my day for creating new items and marketing my Etsy shop.

Want to be really motivated and see an increase in productivity? Decide what main goal you want accomplish this season and then make a plan. If you give it all you've got, success will be easy to achieve.

Do you have a one goal you want to reach this season?

Get A Handle

Lately, I've been putting much more emphasis on accessories. Accessories can really add the extra oomph to your outfit. And this fall I've seen so many variations of the clutch. I adore all of them, especially the Louis Vuitton because you can wear it in two different ways, folded over or open! :) Some clutches have color blocking, while others are just one hue. Whatever style you may have, these hand bags are sure to liven up your fall wardrobe.

Will you be carrying clutches for the fall season?

All Photos Via NyMag 1. Louis Vuitton 2. Moschino 3. Alexis Mabille 4. DKNY 5. Dolce & Gabbana 6. Viktor & Rolf

Check This Out...

This is a monthly post where you can share 3 things about yourself or your business. Giving us an opportunity to get to know each other and our businesses.

Suggested ideas:
-business goals or goals you have met
-books you are reading
-a new project you are starting or doing
-places you have visited
-blog posts you have enjoyed
-a post you have written that you would like to share
-new items you have added to your shop
-a sale that you are having
-new materials you are working with
-family plans or an event you are excited about
-need help with an idea - ask for help

All I ask is that you are a follower of my blog to participate and that you check out a few links from the other people who leave comments.

Let me know if you have any suggestions,  ideas or questions.  You can contact me at additionsstyleblog@gmail.com.

Be Inspired - Night Lights

Words to Inspire

“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”
Vincent van Gogh

Idea to Inspire

Remember that inspiration is all around us during the day and through the night. When the sun sets step outside and see what sights, sounds, and smells inspire you.

Photos to Inspire

The lights of the city at night create inspiring views with different shapes, textures and colors.  These Flickr photographers have found the perfect spot for these beautiful shot.  Note - the last photo in this collection is an amazing painting .  Take a moment click on it and see all the detail he has included in this view of the city lights from space.


City Lights 222/365 by Dave Worrell


Deep City Lights by eRachel11


city lights by konstantinos **


night city lights by www.andreygorlov.ru


City Lights by hipydeus

Are you Pursuing Your Passion?

When I started selling online, my goal was to sell lots of jewelry.  Jewelry is my passion and I knew the more I sold the more I could make.  As we know if you want to make any money selling online you have to work hard and do a lot of marketing.

On my journey of marketing my shop I discovered blogging.  I really enjoy blogging, and now I equally market my blog and my shop. 

I didn't plan on enjoying blogging so much. When I started it was just to share new items and things I learned along the way.  My passion for blogging has grown over the last couple of years and now my goal is to build a community where we can share, learn, and grow as creative individuals.

With blogging and creating jewelry I am pursuing my passion full force. I feel very lucky everyday to be able to do what I love and what makes me happy.

Are you pursuing your passion?

Motivation Monday

Guest Blogging

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be a guest blogger on the Etsyfix blog today.

My post is called The Power of Inspiration, and I would love for you to take a moment, stop by EtsyFix, and let me know what you think.

Have a great weekend!

DIY with Kzieglerdesign

I had a pair of blue Converse sneakers that fit well, but never wore. I didn't like how they blended in with my jeans - I prefer a pop of color on my feet. One day, I decided to attack them with a Sharpie, and now they're purple!

After they were all colored, I set them in the open window for a couple hours to get the stink out. So far, the color's rubbed off on the laces a bit, and I haven't worn them in the rain yet, but I have a feeling the color won't run too much. Just be sure to not wear your favorite socks the first time :)

The best part is, this process will work great on pretty much any kind of shoe, just make sure to give them enough time to dry.

What color would you make your shoes?