TGIFT - It's Christmas in July!

All these items come from amazing shops that are offering sales and specials from 7/14/2011 to 7/24/2011! Be sure to check out their shops to learn more, and see this post to see more wonderful shops participating in the Christmas in July Sale!

- Sun King Wall Sculpture by WalterSilva

- Eva Earrings (Sterling Silver and Freshwater Pearl) by ThePeachTree

- Original Art Adjustable Ring - White Magnolias by Flowerleaf

- I am so in love with you Card / Mini Print by letterhappy

- Organic Beach Bath Towel by BeautyAndSpa

- Vintage 70s Floral Dress by JojosRetroandVintage

A Very Merry Christmas [in July] Sale

Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho! It's that time of year again: the annual Etsy Christmas in July Sale running between the dates of 7/14/2011 through 7/24/2011! Some of our Aspiring Artisans are participating in this shindig and we want to share their sales and specials with you. So while it's as hot as Hades outside and you relax in your freon scented abode, browse through these amazing savings and do some early Christmas shopping!

Letterhappy is offering 20% her entire shop with the code HOTCHRISTMAS

CornflowerBlueStudio is offering 15% off her entire shop with the coupon code VERYMERRY

Flowerleaf jewelry will be offering 15% off select items HERE

Leanimale is offering 10% off in her entire shop with code LEANIMALEXMAS

LauraJohnston photography is offering 30% off all archival prints

DovieMoon is offering free shipping on all photos

AeridesDesigns jewelry is offering 15% off, shop wide with the coupon code AERIJULY15

Barkingbirds is offering 15% shopwide with the coupon code MERRYJULY

Galejade jewelry is offering free shipping with the coupon code HAPPYJULY and 15% off with the coupon code HAPPYJULY15

MyOliviaJewelry jewelry is offering 20% off with the coupon code JULY20

CarlaDyck is offering 20% off shop-wide with the code MERRYMERRY .

Setting Goals for Your Small Business

Making plans for our Etsy shop or small business can be one of the most fun and challenging responsibilities you face. It's a great time to dream big and think about all the possibilities, everything you would like to achieve in the next year and beyond. It can be intimidating, too - an entire year to plan for! Not to mention the future of your business. Take a deep breath and listen up - you can totally do it if you break the task into small steps and take one step at a time!

The first step to planning out a year's worth of objectives is to create a "Big Picture" list. This is a great way to get your goal-making juices flowing! Sit down with your notebook or computer and write a list of all the things you would like to accomplish in the next year - business goals and personal goals, too. Choose a few BIG goals that will take the most time and energy (like setting up an online shop, participating in a big craft sale, or launching a new product) and include more small goals that will be less time consuming (such as using your Twitter account, organizing a supply area, or planning a weekly coffee date with your BFF).

After you have finished your "Big Picture" list it's really helpful to break it down into a month-by-month schedule. This way you can see which goals are time sensitive (like planning for holiday season sales or scheduling a trip) and you can give yourself deadlines for completing other projects. Start with your BIG goals, plugging them into each month, then fill in the smaller goals.

For example, my big goals for July have been to develop items to market for back-to-school season and to create a new crochet pattern to sell. Those goals have taken up the biggest percentage of my time and energy this month. I've also plugged in quite a few small goals like stocking up on packaging supplies and making a simple tutorial to post on my blog. Next month I have one really big goal of moving into my new apartment and getting settled, so I balanced my list by including a bunch of small goals that I know I can accomplish!

Here are a few more goal making tips:

Keep Your Goals Handy: Keep your list in a spot where you will see/read/review it often.

Add Details: The more details you use the more focused you will be.

Celebrate Your Achievements: Get excited when you accomplish a goal! Cross it off the list, tweet about it, tell your friends!

Contributed by Rachel of Cornflower Blue Studio

Images and Inspiration

All the so-called "secrets of success" will not work unless you do.  ~Author Unknown

 Unlocked Secrets by junkyardglitter

Images and Inspiration

Teachers who inspire realize there will always be rocks in the road ahead of us. They will be stumbling blocks or stepping stones; it all depends on how we use them.   ~ Author Unknown

 Stone Steps by DovieMoon

TheAngryWeather is an Etsy Featured Seller

Congratulations to our very own Iveth Morales of TheAngryWeather on being an Etsy Featured seller! Her unique style is instantly recognizable in her her lovely shop. You can read more about her in the Etsy feature here.

The Miniature Refuge/Home Necklace

TGIFT - Stars and Stripes

To all of you who celebrate : Happy Independance Day!

USA Flag Cuff Links by HoneyCase2 - $20
Organic Star Pouch in Brick by MilkandHoneyHandbags - $26
Star Cookies (8 Dozen) by sugarandflour - $11.50
American Flag Fine Art Photo Print 8x8 by SylviaCPhotography - $29
Vintage Sparklers by northbrooklyndrygood - $20
Iddy Biddy Zipped Coin Purse by betsywynn - $10
Star Burst Fireworks Print by SarahKnaack - $15