QR Codes Anyone?

Have you ever seen one of these and wondered to yourself what exactly it was and/or how you scan it? The first time I saw one was in a Best Buy ad paper and after about 5 minutes I figured out how to use my Android phone to scan it. To my surprise, after scanning it a website pulled up on my phone. It was THE coolest thing I had ever seen. The first lot of business cards I ordered from Moo.com (ever been there? if not, check 'em out) I put one of these codes on it. I'm not sure if my customers knew exactly what to do with it. However, I feel that in the next year these QR codes are going to spread like wildfire and I wanted to be the first on the bandwagon. QR Codes are awesome because you can program any type of phone number, contact information, website, or SMS message into one and save the file on your computer to print or post online. The website I found that was most helpful was Kaywa. It's self-explanatory and so easy to use and save onto your PC. The QR code I have below will take you to one of my sites. If you've never used one before, here's what you have to do:

First - you have to have a SMARTPHONE. (i.e. Blackberry, Android, Windows based, or iPhone). My phone in particular is through AT&T and it is a Samsung Captivate. Prior to purchasing an app called "AT&T Code Scanner" had been installed. So if you have something similar, simply open the app and hold the camera lens up to the QR code and wait for the phone to read the code. And there ya go... the site should pop up. How cool is that? Just thought I would share this tidbit with you. Happy scanning!

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Side Note: I have yet to start my 365 project. I have every intention to but I started school back this week, rearranged and updated my office, and have been trying to promote ChainedStories as much as possible. However, I plan to start as soon as I have some free time. I have to say that I am totally impressed with the revamp I did on my office. It looks A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and so much bigger (see pics below). The walls are very bare right now, but that should be taken care of by the end of the week. That's all I got for now... Happy scanning and redecorating!

Until next time...

 

See Event Below...

I'm so excited to be involved in this Girl's Night Out Event on March 21st.

Quickie...

Just a quick post for now. I have made so many new items to put up on Etsy - but that's the easy part of the job. The hard part is taking the photos and doing the descriptions. You can only rave and rant about your stuff so many times before you start to second guess what you're putting. However, I managed to put up this BEAUTIFUL necklace I made last week. I lovvvve it! Almost decided against putting it for sale, but money is money and that's what I need.

...Until next time

2011 Is In Full Swing!

I cannot believe that it is 2011 already! 2010 flew by and there were so many exciting things that happened in my life. Hopefully this year will be just as eventful. Speaking of eventful, I have decided to do two things during this new year. 1 - a 365 Day project using a book by Noah Scalin and a Pinhole Camera I made a couple of months back. 2 - update this blog on a weekly basis!

I am really excited about trying this 365 project out and I hope it is a huge success. I will be documenting my progress on here and I hope to attract some Followers. 

Until next time...

Black Friday/Cyber Monday

The holiday season is officially in full swing! Are you prepared for the hustle and bustle? Excited to be rushed for the next 4-5 weeks? Looking forward to fighting that crazy soccer mom in Wal-Mart for the brand new Wii Limited Edition in red? Setting your alarm clock for 3AM so you won't miss Kohls' biggest sale of the season? I have news for you, Kohls is kind of like Haynes -- in that they have the "BIGGEST SALE EVER!!" every weekend. It's ridiculous. I have not and will not subject myself to such torture. I am against waking up at 3AM to rush to Target and Wal-Mart to fight with some old lady for Zu Zu Pets and Hello Kitty. I shop in the comfort of my very own couch via this very device I am writing to you on right now. Internet shopping is the best thing since sliced bread. You don't use up gas and sit in traffic; no more waiting in line; no need to wake up at the butt-crack of dawn to stand outside of Toys 'R Us. Nope -- all you have to do is open up your laptop or sit at your desk and log in to your fav websites or use that wonderful invention called, "Google". Ahhhh! The angels are singing in rejoice right this very moment.

I don't know about you, but I personally love personalized or one-of-a-kind gifts for those special people in my life. It's nothing like finding that unique gift that cannot be found at any department store or shopping mall and ordering it online, having it shipped to your home, wrapping it, giving it to that special person, and their eyes lighting up. Last year, I discovered Etsy(.com) -- the best internet invention next to Google -- and purchased so many great gifts that were handmade and a lot of them being one-of-a-kinds. Here is my list of my best Etsy finds and purchases:

1. Refrigerator magnets that had all of the Ramones album covers on them.
2. Handmade, leather wallet that looked like old school yellow notebook paper.
3. Personalized, handmade, hand-stamped metal guitar pick.
4. Suede cuff with hand sewn/embroidered guitar on it.
5. Clemson diaper bag
6. Clemson baby wipe holder
7. Red leather cord bracelet with pottery bead that says, "Hope".
8. Handmade leather journal w/ treble cleft on it.
9. One-of-a-kind leather cuff with dragonfly embellishments.
10. And finally... an array of Nautical and Beach style pillows to put in my new house.

I don't know how many times I can say... I LOVE ETSY!! I truly do. There are so many gifted, talented, creative artists on Etsy that sell amazing stuff that you could never find in a store. Knowing that someone put their own blood, sweat, and tears into an item you are purchasing, makes it worth every penny you are spending on it. However, the BESTEST part of buying stuff from Etsy sellers is...
(a.) most sellers are friendly and have great communication skills. If there are any problems with your purchase, most sellers are willing to work with you, and the end result is usually in the customers favor.
(b.) the packaging!!! OMG how I love opening the mailbox and seeing a package from an Etsy seller, because I know that inside of that mailing envelope is something that is not only handmade but also gift wrapped and packaged so beautifully!It just puts a smile on my face.

So if you haven't already, please please PLEASE check Etsy(.com) out. I can promise you that you're going to find something that is calling your name. Guaranteed!

Whew!

This has been a challenge! I'm talking about setting up a blog. To add to that... so is opening a story on Etsy. My goal is not to make money and be able to stay at home, but to have fun and make an array of crafts that people will look at and say, "hey, that's really cool". So far my Etsy store just has jewelry for sale, but that's only because I have an obsession with jewelry right now. I am certain that there will be much more than jewelry on there some time soon.
I give much praise to those out there who do this whole blogging and online selling deal. It takes a lot of patience and time, and sometimes the reward isn't as great as we would hope. But for those out there like myself, even if you're not raking in the big bucks it's fun all the same.
I hope that I can keep up with my blog and share some really great things I come across. And if I get a couple followers along the way, then that will be great too. This is just my first post, but I plan on posting on an important thing for those Etsy sellers out there and the holiday season... gift wrapping your sold products!! As many of us have read on Etsy, the packaging you send your products in can be just as important as what is inside. Who wants to open up a bubble mailer at their mailbox and see some dinky looking package that came with their Etsy buy? Ummm... not me! That's for sure.

Until Next Time...

-Erin