♥~♥~♥ 2018 ♥ MARCH / APRIL Team Chat Thread ♥~♥~♥

[#1]

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~~~ WELCOME TO PARADISE ~~~
(Established in 2008)

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♥ New thread starts when the leaders are prepared to start a new Chat 😂

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MORE INFO & HELPFUL LINKS:

♥ Etsy Rank ♥ A site to check your SEO and listing grade by BookfellStudio www.EtsyRank.com (APR 2016)
♥ Faving Each Other's Shops♥ by Kat
www.etsy.com/teams/7574/shoppers-paradise-bns-team/discuss/17792146/ (JUN 2016)
♥ Tips on Product Photography ♥ by FaeGartenClay (July 2016)
www.etsy.com/teams/7574/shoppers-paradise-bns-team/discuss/17944250/
♥ Team Pinterest Board ♥
uk.pinterest.com/ruthleblanc501/etsy-paradise-team/
♥ Team Facebook Selling Group ♥
www.facebook.com/groups/1248836618480346/1249011375129537
♥ Team Instagram Account ♥
www.instagram.com/etsyparadise/

Older links and obsolete links have been removed.

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PROMOTIONAL GAMES

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PIN AN ITEM FROM THE SHOP ABOVE:
www.etsy.com/teams/7574/etsy-paradise-team/discuss/17978603/page/1

THE SWAP THREAD:
www.etsy.com/teams/7574/etsy-paradise-team/discuss/17978645/page/1

THE ALPHABET GAME:
www.etsy.com/teams/7574/etsy-paradise-team/discuss/17994875/page/1

COLOUR CHAIN GAME:
www.etsy.com/teams/7574/etsy-paradise-team/discuss/18124913/

POST TWO, PIN SIX:
www.etsy.com/teams/7574/etsy-paradise-team/discuss/18141159/

POST TWO, HEART SIX:
www.etsy.com/teams/7574/etsy-paradise-team/discuss/18141169

INCOGNITO:
www.etsy.com/teams/7574/etsy-paradise-team/discuss/18147540

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[H20sDigitalWorld]

Hello from long lost me......

Sorry, I have not been around, I have been really struggling with my neck, shoulder & arm, it's gotten so much worse. I've been doing bare minimum on the computer, no crocheting for the past two weeks, no anything. I didn't even go into work this past week and I'm dreading going there tomorrow. Hope she'll be okay with me only working a half day because I really don't think I'll be able to handle much more.

I had been doing so well with my therapeutic massages, I have no idea what happened that it went so severely south. I went to the doctor on Monday, after crying in pain most of Sunday. He set me up with X-rays, steroids, a stronger muscle relaxer and I'm to continue the Ibuprofen. This has taken my pain level from a 9.5 to about a 7, but if I do too much, it's higher.

The X-rays came back with no abnormalities, which he said would probably happen but he had to "do the dance" for the insurance company before he could refer me to an orthopedic surgeon, that was mid-week and I never did get a call back to even set up an appointment.

I hate how the medical field just takes it's sweet ol' time, do they not realize how this has hindered my finances, my quality of life? Everything that I love to do, I can't do. I am so dependent on my right hand and arm working!

So, I'm pretty miserable, which is also part of the reason that I have not stopped in, I hate to be so negative, but man...this really sucks. :(

[LetsPartyCupcake]

Oh Kat I am sorry I know how hard it is to be in pain. I hope you have answers soon.
Happy Sunday everyone.

[H20sDigitalWorld]

Thanks Sandy.

I had to call the orthopedic surgeon's office, but I did get an appt. this Thursday morning. I'm really sore after a half-day at work yesterday, but I'll do another half-day tomorrow. It may not be the ideal job for me, but I can't lose it, financially. I also can't really look for another one until this situation with my neck is resolved. (and yes, Juls, I have my resume updated, lol ;)

I didn't get into it yesterday, but it was a bad week for anyone with the last name Wauters last week. Monday, one of my son's roommates from Port Huron killed himself. Since Nick isn't living here anymore and he's kind of gone off the radar, I have no way of knowing how he's coping. I try to text and I get back quick curt responses. His friend's funeral service is this Saturday and I'll be going to Port Huron with him. Hoping to get a better gauge on how my boy is handling things then.

Then mid-week last week, I get a text from my other son that my bdil was being brought into the emergency room. First thought, "Oh, no! The baby!" but baby is fine. She ended up staying overnight tho, she had to pass a kidney stone. From what I understand, it was pretty big. Normally, they would give someone some medicine that would help dissolve them to make them easier to pass, but because she is pregnant, they couldn't give her those meds. Poor girl had to endure so much pain, but she is doing better now. My oldest is home today because he caught something from being in the hospital with her all that time. Ugh!

And Mike is still working these insane hours....

Can you see my worry lines?

See why I haven't been in lately? No good news and I hate to keep being negative....

[JulsSewCrazy]

Kat, I am so sorry. What an awful time of it! For all of you.
I hope things pick up for you and you feel better quickly.
Blessings to you and your family and the family friend's family, as well.
(((HUGS)))

[bagsnstuff]

hi to all

kat I hope things get lots better for you soon.I am still cleaning out things

have a nice week end

[JulsCraftCrazy]

Good luck to you, Dianna. I know it is hard. Blessings to you.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/445303133/crystal-20mm-sun-catcher-ornament-light?ref=shop_home_active_...

[H20sDigitalWorld]

Good Morning Paradise! Thank you Juls and Dianna ♥

I'm heading out in a bit to go back to Port Huron for my son's friend's service. I will be glad to see how my son is doing, he has pretty much dropped off the radar since the event. It will be a sad day, such a waste of life, suicide is. <heavy sigh>

I got a call yesterday, an MRI has been set up for me on the 10th, and an appt. for me to go back in and see the orthopedic surgeon for the results on the 13th. I'm SO in pain, not as bad as Tues and Thurs after working half days, but I'm never not hurting. It sucketh. I'm glad they got me in quickly, and considering how long it took me to get thru the lapband preliminaries, I feel blessed. He did tell me that working at the computer will not actually hurt my condition, it may make things more uncomfortable for me (understatement), but it won't damage whatever is going on. That in itself is a relief. So, I will continue to do the half days, if I can handle the pain. I've got to have some kind of money coming in.

Just thought I'd update everyone, I'm down but not out, lol.

I do miss this place being so active, when I get better, we should plan a reunion of some sorts and invite some of our Paradise people back.

Thank you Juls for keeping us going, love you! ♥

[AlwaysBeadBeautiful]

H2H
I too dropped off the face of the earth for a little while - sorry folks.
Kat, sorry to hear about all your troubles. It's Saturday so I hope you are having a nice mother and son bonding time. Not the best occasion to do it but at least you are there for him.
Glad to hear that your bdil is okay. Sorry to hear that your other son is not. :(

Never be concerned about coming here to vent your troubles - that is what friends are for ...

Looks like your shoulder is finally getting some attention from the "higher powers".
Did you ever go to a chiropractor?
I say this because I had a friend who was in an accident and had terrible troubles. She suffered for a long time and went through all the regular specialists who could not help. Then she went to a really good chiropractor and he fixed her problem...

How is the job going Juls?

I should be running errands before it rains and before my March transit pass expires. I am not buying them anymore. I don't use them enough and can save money by getting the new pass that you just load money on to for your fares - I should be able to save at least $20 - 25 this way every month. :)

On my list to do today is go to my TV cable provider and get new remotes for my boxes. Perhaps go to Walmart to buy moisturizer and mascara. I buy expensive stuff at times but always go back to Maybelline. The last Maybelline I tried, I really liked the brush so I will buy that one again.

I screwed up my budget for April by forgetting to cancel a payment that was pending on my house taxes. Why this is bad is because I had decided to pay the remaining two installments together last time. :( The good thing is that in a few months they will send me my bill for the remaining part of the year and I will have already paid some of it. ..... does not help me now though. :(
I pay a lot of my bills automatically and since they are the same each month really don't look at them (I go paperless so looking at them means going to the websites). Well, one changed and I didn't realize it until the money came out of my account - an extra $30. Then a $30 check that I had forgotten about (entry fee for a show that went in weeks ago). So all those things have made me over $400 short this month. :(

Still not working on my Etsy shops. Still working on my bead embroidery flower garden for my granddaughter. There is not much left to do in the garden area but I still have to bead the clouds and sew in the birds, turtles, frogs etc....
This week, I also finally worked on finishing my large reversible shopping bag. My friend says I should give up jewellery and make bags instead. :)

I am wishing I had a garage so I could remove all the boxes of things I have down in the basement and sort them out. Then call the "I Got Junk" people to come and get what I want to remove - not that it is "junk junk" just things I don't use/need anymore and is too hard for me to remove it myself since I don't have a car or a garage for a garage sale.... I live in a townhouse and it is a complex of courtyards so no driveways to the individual houses.

I am off now to have a quick bite to eat and run my errands. I will try and get back later to talk to Leslie and Diana....

[bagsnstuff]

hey to all
2 days in a row on here yay

what kind of bags are you making? I been thinking about making some kind of bags.
sorting out beads off and on today and getting them in my drawers, and I got lots more of them now....
back to bead room for a while

havea a great day

WHOOO NIGHT OWL OVER AND OUT FOR NOW

[bagsnstuff]

OH i GOT MY taxes SEND IN went pretty good with my tax lady
now this year I will be trying to get things wrote down haha, we will see how that goes

[StymiepieStudios]

HAPPY PASSOVER AND JOYOUS EASTER to all of you and your families..
I'm going to get out of this winter coma and get my butt here as much as possible to keep up with all of you and your news. Wishing everyone a beautiful start to Spring.
Dress Up!!!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/118769312/piggy-bank-for-kids-personalized-dress?ref=shop_home_active_1

[H20works]

Morning Paradise! Happy Easter and Passover!!!

Ruth, thank you too. Yes, it was good to see where my son's head was at, I think he will be okay. The service was just the closure he and his friends needed, they shared stories and lots of laughter remembering their friend thru stories before the service and then afterward when we all went out to get a bite to eat. Such love between them all, they are really a great group of kids.

Yes, I have been going to a chiropractor and doing therapeutic massages pretty much since it started in June. Everything seemed to be doing better until a few weeks ago.

Sorry about your budget, that stinks. When it rains, it pours...I know the feeling. I was just going thru and writing down what I owe Etsy this month, in my Designs shop, I owe $6.96. I only had one order that was $4.50, so a loss in that shop. I was pondering shutting that one down, I'll have to think harder on it. Anyways, hoping you get thru your rough patch.

The "I Got Junk" people sound cool, is that just a Canada thing, I wonder? I want to do a garage sale this year, hope I'm up to it. It's amazing how things accumulate if just a few years!

LOL, Dianna, I always have the best of intentions too, about keeping my tax stuff done thru-out the year and every year, I'm doing all 12 months at a time!

Leslie, thank you so much for reaching out to me in a convo, my friend. Love you! ♥

Because I am not able to crochet right now, I have deactivated ALL custom listings in my Works shop, the only thing I'm keeping are things that I have ready-made. I have a couple of sacks of those, that I don't have listed. I am wondering if I can handle taking pictures, slowwww-ly correcting images and getting them listed. These meds make my mind all gobbly-goopy. I feel like going and taking a nap, lol.

That may have to wait, I need to start working on my dil's baby shower invitation first, I guess.

But for now, it's back to my chair to do nothing.... :(
Love, Me

[JulsSewCrazy]

Happy Easter, Everyone! It is a beautiful, hot and sunny day here in Northern California. It's perfect Easter weather. I hope you are all warm and dry. The Easter bunny dropped off LOTS of eggs... and the raccoons did not eat any of them, this year. haha. (No more candy wrappers in the yard!)

Kat, I am so glad you are feeling better. Enjoy the time with your son, sad as the event is, enjoy the good memories.

Ruth, I empathize with you! The auto-pay is great, but it can change just enough to mess up the finances. Enjoy your grandkids!

Dianna, WAY TO GO! Great job in getting your taxes done! We are on extension... every year (family accountants). So... I guess I have time to save money to pay for next year! ug!

Hello, Leslie! It's great to see you! Your piggy banks are always so cute!

As for my job, I LOVE IT! This school and the people are so great. They work so well together. I feel that I have blended in with the staff nicely. They are all very helpful and supportive. I don't ask for much, but when I do, they are happy to answer. I have asked a few of them for Letters of Recommendation so that I can apply for full-time jobs. (asked 5... one is busy, but said later - after showers and family stuff). I said great! It will be sad to leave, but I need a full time job. As you said, Kat, the money is good and helps to pay the bills. I will be looking at Edjoin this week to see what is out there. I will also be updating my resume... again. What will be will be.

Any weddings in your future?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/83605154/bride-groom-beach-towels-with-tote-bag?ref=shop_home_feat_4

[AlwaysBeadBeautiful]

H2H
It's Easter Monday. I did not have my usual Friday night guest last week so she asked for a sleepover last night. She is still in her nightie having had her breakfast (she likes oat bran with brown sugar and milk) and now trying to do cartwheels in my living room in between nibbling on the chocolate troll that the Easter Bunny left at my house. ;)

Leslie, hope you managed to get your taxes done.

Diana, good luck on your bead organizing. After moving all mine to the office in the Fall, I have now decided to move them down into the basement and move the books upstairs to the office. It's a big job, so who knows when I will actually get around to it, especially since the basement den is a big mess with boxes in front of the bookcase.

As for my bags, the ones I made were from a pattern but I have a few ideas to change it and another completely new design in mind. If you are on Instagram you will see my bag there I am @alwaysbeadbeautiful.

[LetsPartyCupcake]

Kat I hope you get answers soon. I know how you feel. When I had my back issues I was in pain for the whole year. I was miserable.

[H20works]

Juls, I am not feeling any better, I hurt every single minute, nothing is making it better. I am moving in the right direction with an MRI scheduled, but unfortunately that is another week away...doesn't seem like much unless you are the one in pain. But, for the medical field, they did well.

I have to go back to the doctor today, I have two plantar warts on the bottom of my foot, I've tried the over the counter stuff, didn't work. I tried getting them looked at last week when I was in there, the receptionist told me I couldn't see him for both my neck issue AND the warts on the same visit (thank you insurance company...grrr). Anyways, I will let him know today how much pain I am still in.

Ruth, I am so looking forward to sleepovers with my grandbaby(ies)!!! Oh, the wonderful things we can do! Eeeeeeeeee........

Spwaking of beads, I have tons of them too...plus every piece of jewelry that has broken, all put into separate little bags. Jewelry people will take apart the broken jewelry for parts. I have sold such things on Etsy before, just to get rid of supplies and they have all gone over well. When I get to feeling better, I need to do that and list more of the tons of rubber stamps I just HAD to have. So many crafts, so little time!

Sandy, I do remember you suffering with your back, and you having to reach down to your little students. I felt for you then, man, do I feel for you now. There is just not one way I can hold my arm that doesn't hurt right now.

Okay, so I've been trying to do a better job getting in here. Sorry I am so full of gloom and doom. Something positive, something positive...I am so blessed to have so many people that care about me in my life, friends and family, online and offline, I am one blessed woman....in pain, LOLOL! :D

[H20works]

And for anybody who remembers Bette from
https://www.etsy.com/shop/lvsbeadsnthings

She has been diagnosed with stage 4 uterine cancer and will begin chemo next week. She remains hopeful, your thoughts and prayers are appreciated. ♥

[JulsCraftCrazy]

God Bless Her! My prayers are with her.
Have fun with her, Ruth.
Kat, you are in my prayers, as well.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/197770421/xl-diamond-crystal-with-mustache-beads?ref=shop_home_feat_1

[JulsSewCrazy]

Having a FLASH SALE until Saturday, 4/7
Items in this section:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JulsSewCrazy?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&section_id=22711441

I am looking to clear inventory FAST! I have only Spring Break to get my TV room/downstairs/laundry room back in shape before I go back to work on Monday... until Summer, I am guessing. Have fun shopping these crazy sales.
FLASH SALE until Saturday 4/7
Then, returns to regular price

https://www.etsy.com/listing/239761455/flash-sale-adult-large-crew-sweatshirt?ref=shop_home_active_1
https://www.etsy.com/listing/89501666/flash-sale-until-saturday-pink-blanket?ref=shop_home_active_8
https://www.etsy.com/listing/273895776/flash-sale-until-saturday-on-oops-tshirt?ref=shop_home_active...
https://www.etsy.com/listing/152756390/flashsale-until-saturday-go-to-hell?ref=shop_home_active_10

[JulsSewCrazy]

OH BOY! I got an unfair review.
I responded to that lady within 24 hours! I offered a FULL REFUND!!!!
She says I did not respond.
I will contact her and Etsy....
But I need some quick reviews to get that off my front page.

Please!

[NHQuiltArts]

Hello my dear friends!! You probably thought I had disappeared from the face of the earth! I was just reading back as I do occasionally and saw some familiar faces and just wanted to say a few things.

First, Kat I am so sorry for what you are going through with your neck/shoulder issues. If they haven't found anything on the tests what are they referring you to an orthopedic surgeon for? Hopefully it an issue of pressure on nerves as opposed to a structural problem! Pain anywhere near your head is horrible-you just can't separate yourself from the body part that hurts like you can if it is a knee or a foot. My sympathies sweetie!

For all of you with PILES of STUFF that you want to get rid of, mine has been my preoccupation for the last 2 1/2 years. My friend's mom died 3 years ago and I helped her empty her mom's house. My mom had died 28 years before, so we decided to open another (for me) Etsy shop. It is here: www.etsy.com/shop/GiftsFromMomsAttic

And it has been the most fun EVER. We each post our own items and mail our own sales out, and I do all the record keeping and promotions.
It has actually been a lot more successful than NHQuiltArts in the last couple years! It is AMAZING what people will buy! Some things are true antiques, some are just STUFF, but as long as they are 20 years old they are vintage.

Last night I sold one of my baby dolls. I woke Bob up and kind of whined about it, and then I realized it had been in a footlocker in my attic for about 57 years (!!) and I barely remembered it. And the woman who was buying it is so excited that she wrote me the sweetest note!

So, of it's not furniture, but it is keepsakes,, clothes, jewelry, books, home decor, etc. consider opening a vintage shop to downsize. It is wonderful to see your things going to people who WANT them and will pay NOT-YARD SALE prices for them!

I'm still recovering from a knee replacement I had Jan 31st. It is not an easy recovery. Not only the rough therapy but my whole system has been off--I lost my appetite completely and lost 20 pounds (NOT complaining there), and I've gotten into horrible insomnia patterns. Fortunately I don't have a job I have to go to each day, so I can be productive at night just as easily. But it has been strange.

Some of you may remember that my son was in a horrific motorcycle accident in Louisiana 4 1/2 years ago that left him with dozens of broken bones and a permanent brachial plexus injury which has left him permanently paralyzed from the left shoulder to the wrist. He moved home about 3 years ago and finally got disability in December after a 2 year court case. So we now have Brian living at home with us permanently probably. It's been working. Not exactly how we planned our older years, but when your child needs help you help if you can.

He continues to paint. I think he has been a member of this team (EightAngryBears) and I still am amazed at his talent.

It's lovely to see familiar faces here. I do keep up with a number of people from this team on Facebook, so I don't feel totally out of the loop on the team.

Hugs to everyone!!

[bagsnstuff]

Kat ~ broken jewelry for parts

I will be looking at that post lol

[bagsnstuff]

Nancy Henry

I just got a cook book from you

[bagsnstuff]

night OWL here see you soon

WHOOOO

[StymiepieStudios]

Hi ya kids Hi ya Hi ya...
going crazy trying to clean up my studio..filled with half finished art, tax papers(still not finished), bits of paper and notes stuff in a "look at this " folder, and then when I look at them , i have no idea what they are so I put them back in the folder, magazines I haven't had time to read, half finished candles, fabric pieces, ...because an old classmate is coming in tomorrow t visit before we meet another friend for lunch.
I almost want to leave it all and say " Here it is..an honest account of my daily life" My new name should be Procrastinella"
No Ruth, I haven't finished my taxes!!!! Arggg...But Im close.
Kat, I know all too well how pain can just wear you down til everything seems gray. Im hopeful that once the Dr figures out the issue, you'll improve quickly.
NANCY!!!!! So great to see you here.. I have been told knee replacement is rough, but Im glad that you are a few months past it, with a new figure!. At least you get to talk to Brian without having to text him! HAHAHAHA..Almost impossible to get into real conversations with my sons that aren't two sentences long.
Hi Diana! Hi ya Sandy..