Sharma Designs - Behind the Scenes of a Handmade Jewelry Business

Still Need to do Some Christmas Shopping?

Here are a few Etsy items that I think would make great gifts!  I don't have a reason to buy all of them so I thought I would pass along some of my favorites!

Remember when shopping on Etsy to read the shop announcements and shop policies so you are aware of turnaround time and shipping methods.  If you are buying a gift it doesn't hurt to look at return policies either.  If you still have a question you can contact each shop by clicking on the Contact button on their shop home page.

Long Sleeve Urchin Lace Sweatshirt $38 at Seal Maiden

True Confections Calendar $23 at Irene Suchochki

Owl Art Clips $29 at Maple Shade Kids

Bird on a Branch Coasters $28 at Peppersprouts

Screen Printed Jeresey Scarf $25 at MBMB

(I LOVE these jersey scarfs.  Maybe not appropriate for colder climates but here in California they are the perfect accessory!)

Wood Storage Dresser Box $55 at Any Card

Leather iphone or itouch case $39 at Tovicorrie

Those are just a few of my favorites for today.  I tend to go a little crazy at Christmas but I am really trying to be conservative this year with the little ones on the way so I figure if I at least enable others to shop I will feel better.

If you like my finds feel free to add me to your circle on Etsy.  What is an Etsy circle?  Read more here

Christmas at Sharma Designs

First and foremost, I am running a free shipping promo in my shop from now until Christmas.  All orders under $50 will ship USPS first class and domestic orders over $50 will get a free upgrade to Priority Mail.

I myself love to shop online (especially this year being pregnant with twins!!) but my two gripes are shipping fees and no instant gratification.  So shipping is free and I really do try to get your orders out as fast as possible.  They are guarateed to be in the mail within 48 business hours. 

The USPS official cut off date for delivery by Christmas is Dec 20th for first class and Dec 21st for Priority.

Remember, I am always happy to ship straight to your giftee and I can also enclose a Christmas card with your message.  Just let me know those details at checkout.

I have a few earring gift sets that are new to my shop for this Holiday season.  Above are my stocking stuffer earring gift sets.  You choose 3 sets of earrings and they are $20 for 3.  They are made from sterling silver findings and are on sterling silver ear wires.  They are small and perfect for a gift extra, a stocking stuffer, or just for someone who may prefer a smaller earring. 

I have also added a petite wood twiggy gift set.  These are 3 pairs of earrings for $30 (save $9!).  They also are totally customizable.  You choose the bead and the color of wood.  These are some of my favorite earrings and they make great gifts!

Lastly, if you "like" Sharma Designs on Facebook you will see that I have a special discount code for Facebook fans.  Etsy has just rolled out coupon codes and I am excited to finally be able to offer special discounts to my fans!

In the next few days I hope to post a few of my favorite gift ideas from Etsy.  I love to support handmade and I am really trying, this year especially, to gift from small businesses and my Etsy community!

As always, let me know if you have ANY questions!!

Weekend Wish List

Today we are having a lazy Saturday.  I even got to get out and get a pedicure!  With my husband's crazy work schedule that is a rare treat.

For this week's pick I utilized one of Etsy's new features.  When you log into your favorites on Etsy (Your Etsy> Favorites is on the left hand side.  Third one down) you will see a new tab that says Suggested Shops.  It's dangerous I tell you!!  I've added a ton of new favorite and I have to say that it does a really good job of finding favorite in your style.  At least that has been my experience.

Mini Dachshund by Alice Apple $20

I am dying for a dog.  My husband is not a fan while our girls are young but as soon as he gives the o.k. I am getting a mini dachshund.  In the meantime, this pretty girl will have to do.

Dressform for Accessories by Happy Day Vintage $55

LOVE.  I wish I could buy the whole collection.

I Love You, Blogs and Coffee print by Jennifer Ramos $25

Do you think my husband would be offended if I hung this in our bedroom?  Nah.  He already knows my loves and loves me anyway.

Iridescent Turquoise Drops Wrap by Victrola Designs $34 (on sale)

Remember when I said a few weeks ago that I was doing "weekend wish list" so that I could share the love and save money.  Well, that backfired on me a little this week.  I might have one of these on their way to me as of an hour ago.  Oops.

We plan to go out to dinner and roast marshmallows with the kiddies tonight.  I hope you all have an equally fabulous weekend!!

(My S key seems to be sticking so if there are missing letters in this post I apologize!  I tried to find them all)

Weekend Wish List: Flowers

So I didn't get as many posts done as I wanted this week but there is always next week right?  This week has been full of stress and we are waiting to hear an answer on the house we want.  Everyone keep their fingers crossed for us!!

I was inspired by all the beautiful flowers I have been seeing this week for my wish list.  Granted, we certainly didn't see them at the hill but they seem to be everywhere else!  I am kind of a tomboy myself and I am not into the romantic florals but show me a retro flower looking print and I can't resist!

Business Card Wallet by Jennifer Ladd $18

I desperately need something to hold my business cards.  This wallet is perfect!

Leather Lace Cuff by Beautiful Skin $26.50

My 5 year old has started to bring me flowers home from preschool to wear behind my ear because she says all I ever wear is brown, gray and black and I need to be less boring.  I think she would approve.

Gray Flower Granny Bag by Charm Designs $50

She would probably not approve of this one but it would match everything I own right?  That print is making me drool!  I need a new bag too.  I should have hinted before Mother's Day.

Wallpaper Lunch Bags by Draw Flowers $22

 The girls and I just had a picnic lunch at the park today and we should have had these upcycled wallpaper lunch bags to carry our lunch.  I'm sure we would get a lot of use out of them.

***** For those of you who haven't seen I am running a Facebook contest for a free piece of jewelry.  If you haven't already go over to the announcement and post a comment!  I will pick a winner Sunday afternoon. *****

Have a great weekend!

Weekend Wishlist

I'm going to try to post a tempting wish list from my bookmarks every week.  I tend to stay up late browsing on the computer and enjoying the silence of my house so I collect quite a list!  I also LOVE to shop.  Unfortunately, we are in saving for the house mode so I rarely get to treat myself.  I think it will make me feel better to share them rather than having them gather dust in my computer.

This week I have a top theme going.  I have no fear of shopping online but I don't usually buy pants or jeans because I really prefer to try those on.  Tops are easy though.  At least for me.  So without any further rambling...

I lied.  I also want to point out that I will tend to feature mostly Etsy shops.  I love to support my fellow Etsy sellers.

Puff Sleeve Shirt by KayLim $72

I think the cuteness of this shirt speaks for itself but I also want to say that I have a shirt by KayLim and it is so well made.  I have washed it numerous times and it still looks brand new.

Sexy Neckline shirt by Mia Blaz $36

I tend to gravitate towards simple tops but I love it if they have small details that are unique.  The little flower on this top is sweet and I love the pleating on the neckline.

Grey Cowl Tee by Replicca $55

I am addicted to cowl necks.  A crossover cowl neck?  I must have.

Vintage Scarf  Top by Tangente $30

Honestly I need to work out a bit before I wear this top but I just love it.  I keep an eye on this shop and one of these days she is going to list this style shirt in the perfect "Sharla" pattern and I'm not going to be able to resist.

Jersey Halter by Larime Loom $53

This top seems like it would be super flattering.  Having 2 children does not give you six pack abs.  A top that is forgiving in the stomach is my friend. 

Hope you have a great weekend!

Mom Jewelry Minus the Cheese

Mom jewelry seems to be very popular these days.  I myself have a few pieces of mommy jewelry but I tend to be pretty picky about it.  While I like my jewelry to be big and bold I don't feel the same about my mom jewelry.  I want it to be sweet and symbolic to me  but not necessarily obvious or in your face. I also prefer for it to be handmade...for obvious reasons.

Since Mother's Day is coming up I thought I would share a few of my favorite mom finds.  I'll start off with a necklace I own and adore.  I bought this in September of 2008 and it looks like the shop no longer carries the style but maybe they would take a special request.  The stars are tiny and I love that they are just initials because they could mean anything.

If you are in to birth stones this next necklace is a fabulous find.  It is simple and elegant and could be worn everyday.  It is very customizable too!

Next up is one I just stumbled on today and I think it is so perfect.  Granted, you need to be a fan of birds but lucky for me...I am.  Hidden away inside the necklace is either "eggs" made of turquoise or you can choose Swarovski crystals representing the birth months of your children instead.

Bracelets and rings personally drive me crazy but I do love them and this next tiny bracelet makes me want to become a believer.  You choose what you want to engrave on the bracelet so you could go with initials, song titles, birth dates etc if you felt that names were too much.

I think these rings are also perfect.  You choose the birthstones of your children and make your own silver ring stack.  Very understated and meaningful at the same time.  I'm seriously having to control myself to not click buy buy buy.

It really is unfortunate that my husband does not read my blog.  He would have a variety of gift choices in one easy spot.

Am I missing a fabulous piece of mom jewelry?  Let me know!

Warm and Toasty

french roast sweater dress - $38.99 : ShopRuche.com,

I LOVE this sweater dress from Shop Ruche.  It is finally getting cold enough around here to consider sweaters.  Being a coffee addict, it's hard to resist a piece of clothing (my other addiction) with a name like "French Roast".  I think it would look fabulous paired with my Ebony Wood Mod earrings ($17).

On my Etsy Wish List

I saw these eco friendly gnome baby dolls on the front page of Etsy the other day and when I clicked my 2 year old screamed "It's a small world!"  For that reason alone I want to buy them.  Her little eyes lit up so bright when we looked at them and they are so cute!

Viva La Moda

As much as I love flipping through magazines I love the online versions too!  It makes me very happy to be able to click through to the items featured.

 Viva La Moda is an online magazine that features all handmade and vintage items.  Ainhoa, the editor, does a really great job.  The magazine is really well done.

 Because I love to support other indie business I volunteered to do a "Shop ad Tell" which is a section where you show yourself wearing an item you have bought on Etsy and then give a review.  Flip through and see if you can find it!

How to Make an Online Christmas Wishlist

You don't want to send your friends and family a lengthy Christmas wish list email full of links and notes about sizes right?  You do want to steer them in the right direction though.  Especially if they are asking for hints.

I found this great site a few years ago called The Things I Want.  You can make a bunch of lists each with their own links and notes.

My favorite part is that you can have many links to different online stores.  I love my Etsy favorites but it's only good for things on Etsy.  Same with Amazon or Target or other popular stores with wish lists.

Just add a link to your browser bar and when you find something you like  you click on the button and a little box pops up asking for more details and which list to add it to.  Very easy.

When you are done you can send an email or individual links to lists.  Your friends and family can just click through to buy.  Love it!