5 Reasons I Love Entrecard

1. I've discovered a lot of truly nice bloggers and interesting blogs that I probably wouldn't have known existed through Entrecard. I learn at least one new thing from these folks each day, and most days several of them will make me laugh.

2. The traffic to this blog has increased significantly, and it's not all drop-and-run as I feared it would be. A fair number of Entrecard users take the time to stop, read, leave comments, even check out my jewelry and temari. I've come to believe that you get out of Entrecard what you put into it, and if you make the effort to read and interact with the others, people will do the same with you.

3. The ads I buy (with credits I earn, not real money--perfect for my current budget!) on other blogs give this blog exposure to everyone and anyone who might be reading those blogs--many of whom are not entrecard users--bringing new blog readers here and potential customers to my Etsy and eBay shops.

4. The powers that be have come out with a free new ebook to help new entrecarders and seasoned droppers alike. My favorite part about the ebook is that they included MY AD as part of an illustration (see page 8), but it's also full of a ton of helpful tips and info.

5. Entrecard has just been updated so that you can have more than one blog on your account, and switch between them quickly and easily. This is terrific news because I'm planning to launch another blog in the next few weeks and I'm looking forward to using Entrecard to help get traffic moving to it.

If you're a blogger and not in the Entrecard network yet I recommend you have a look around, read the ebook, and feel free to ask questions.

My Latest Kumihimo Necklace

I listed this braided Kumihimo necklace in my etsy shop today. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out until I was a good way into the braiding because I made it with windowpane yarn. If you've never seen windowpane yarn, it looks like two strands of string connected by little ribbon flags. This was my first time using anything like it, and I love the way this necklace looks! I also refreshed myself on kumihimo history today so that I could answer a customer's questions, so here's a mini history lesson for you: Kumihimo is a centuries-old tradition, dating back to the days of the Samurai who used kumihimo braids to lace up their armor, wrap sword handles to create a secure grip, and to hang a sword on their belts. The Samurai warriors were expected to be able to repair their braids if they became worn or damaged, so by the time they were too old (or maimed) to do battle they were able to earn a decent living by making kumihimo braids.

Crack Kills

We usually have kids on weekends. And every weekend someone says to our almost-teenager, "Crack kills." Or "The moon is bright today." And sometimes, "Hey, did ya get a job as a plumber?" I'm sure there are more, but after hearing them over and over and over again I try to block out the lame humor. Bad butt jokes no more! I was blog-hopping and landed at Livin' With Me!, where I discovered the Hip-T: it slips over your jeans and under your t-shirt, giving you a layered look (and protecting your, um, assets) without the bulk of layers. And the best thing is, you can win one just by checking out Hip-T.com, choosing your favorite color, and leaving a comment on Livin' With Me! Or shop to your heart's content if you're like me and can't stand to hear another bad butt joke.

Tag, I'm It: Seven Random Facts and 12 Great Blogs

This past weekend we went to watch a Durham Bulls baseball game. Throughout the game an announcement flashed on the screen at least once an inning about this being the 20th anniversary of the movie Bull Durham. This reminded me that several weeks ago Rich at Copywrite, Inc. tagged me with a meme that asks I share seven useless facts about me and then tag 12 more blogs, asking the authors to do the same. What does a ball game have to do with a tag? See Random Fact #3.

Seven Random Facts
1. I married my sweetie in a hot air balloon ceremony over Niagara Falls. It was the best ceremony I could ever imagine!
2. I rarely go to movie theaters, or for that matter watch a DVD in one sitting. I like movies, but sit still for that long and I'm sound asleep (see #6).
3. When they were filming Bull Durham I worked in an office near the ballpark. I spent more than one long lunch break sitting in the stands. If I learned anything it was that watching a movie being made is really boring (but still better than working for someone else).
4. I have 3 adult children, 2 school-age step-kids, and 2 grandkids--with one more due any day now.
5. My closest brush with fame came when I was working for a book design and production studio. James Dickey, famous for writing Deliverance, is also an accomplished poet. He phoned to say that he was worried about making his deadline because his dogs ate his page proof, and could I please get him a new set.
6. I struggle with insomnia more than not, so most nights I fall asleep with the television on (see #2).
7. HTML has been known to bring me to tears.

Twelve Great Blogs
I love the creativity of artists and crafters, so I'm tagging some of my favorite blogs from creative types:

Lizzy T, who knits the sweetest creations.

Cutting Edge Creations, needlefelting treasures

NanjoDogz, amazing beads in the shape of dogs.

Sam McLean Designs, you've got to check out the pie!

Aerten Art, where even the doodles are fabulous.

Funky Folk Art by Memekiwii, pottery that's fresh and funky and folksy.

Caroline Parsons's Art Blog, paintings I could look at for days on end.

Althea Peregrine, sumptuous silk art

Strawberrycouture, bright and colorful hats that practically scream FUN!

Carolina Patchworks, creations from a fabric addict

Connie at The Tiny Fig, who makes "sweet figments of the imagination."

An Artful Mess, unique art masquerading as greeting cards