Captain's Message: You Matter to Him

Maybe Matilda - PDF Crochet Pattern on Etsy

Well team, here is a long overdue Captain's Message. I asked for ideas in team chat about Conference talks that lifted you up - You Matter to Him, by Dieter F. Uchtdorf was suggested and I really, really loved it. Here is a selection from the talk:

"....No matter where you live, no matter how humble your circumstances, how meager your employment, how limited your abilities, how ordinary your appearance, or how little your calling in the Church may appear to you, you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you. He knows your humble heart and your acts of love and kindness. Together, they form a lasting testimony of your fidelity and faith.
….please understand that what you see and experience now is not what forever will be. You will not feel loneliness, sorrow, pain, or discouragement forever. We have the faithful promise of God that He will neither forget nor forsake those who incline their hearts to Him. Have hope and faith in that promise. Learn to love your Heavenly Father and become His disciple in word and in deed."

I really encourage you to read the whole talk here; it is wonderful!

Enjoy the rest of your Holidays - I will do one more Captain's Message before 2012!

- Rachelle

Icons - Make it and Use it!

Have you noticed the nifty little icons that a lot of web pages have next to their tab?  Blogger has a white "B" in an orange square, Gmail has an envelope with their "M" incorporated, and Flickr has two little dots next to each other - blue and pink.

This option is not just for fancy, big-name companies!  Even small business entrepreneurs, family blogs and any body can have their own icon.

For some web hosting sites, you'll need to switch to .ico format.  I love this site (http://favicon.htmlkit.com/favicon/) for converting an image from my computer into a .ico image.  This is also known as a FavIcon image.  If your web hosting requires an .ico image, any other format will not work (ex: .jpeg, .bmp, .png, etc.).  They have a video how-to if you need any help.  It will save the image to your downloads on your computer - and completely free!

Other web hosting sites (I know Blogger is this way) actually don't accept the .ico format (or they convert it on their own).  This shouldn't be a problem, though, because they accept the common image formats, like .jpeg, .png, or .bmp.

Okay, now how to make it?  Here's how!

1. Find or make an image that would work with the theme of your site or blog.  It needs to look good at tiny sizes, so don't pick anything too complicated.

• Don't pick photos - they don't look good when they are tiny!  Trust me, I tried.
• Use a Letter (that's what Blogger, Etsy, Google, Facebook, and Pinterest all use!)
• Or a Simple Drawing (not too many lines or fine details.  Images lose their quality in .ico format, so the simpler the better!)
• And Use Bright, Bold Colors (So many big businesses use bright primary colors to get attention.  It's a well-known advertising trick.  Even online it's good to be bold - think of Flickr, Twitter, and again, Blogger, Etsy, Google, Facebook and Pinterest.  What do they have in common? Bright, bold colors.)

Here are some pics I compiled (in Paint - nothing fancy!)

2. Next, you'll need to make sure that your image is perfectly square.  If you're in Paint, Picasa or PhotoShop, you can edit the pixels.  These instructions are for Paint:

• Click on Resize
• When the window opens, select Pixels
• Make sure the pixel numbers are equal.

I recommend somewhere between 100 sq. pixels and 400 sq. pixels.

3. If you are using a web hosting site that needs .ico format, it is now time to use the nifty tool at the FavIcon site.  It's very simple!  Again, if you need any help, they have a video to help you out on their main page.
If your site doesn't use .ico format, then go to step four.

4. Now it is time to upload!  You'll need to use the browse function to find where you saved the image.  In Blogger, it goes like this:

• Go to Layout
• Select Edit in the Favicon box (it should just be there - you don't have to add it as a gadget.)
• Upload the image.
• If this is your first time ever uploading, it shows up pretty fast in the tab.  However, I've noticed that sometimes it can take a few hours for a revised or different Favicon to show up in your tab.

5. Make sure you save any changes you have made, including the change of uploading an icon! 

Get "My Etsy" on Your Facebook Page

This article I wrote is very helpful, but I've realized that some of you have found a hurdle that you can't jump!

"My Etsy" is an application that you can add to your Facebook Page and can be very nice - unless you can't get it to work!  I've found that some people have Secure Browsing enabled in their privacy settings, and that setting doesn't allow My Etsy to connect.  Here's how to navigate the maze of Facebook and get My Etsy onto your page! (click on any image to enlarge!)

Log into your Facebook account.

In the upper right hand corner there is a little arrow facing down (same place that gives you the menu with the Log Out option). Click on the arrow, click on Privacy Settings.

Scroll down to Apps and Websites and click on Edit Settings. In the Apps You Use section click on Edit Settings.

 

In the menu on the left, click on Security.

Check your Secure Browsing - if it's enabled My Etsy won't work. Click Edit.

You'll have to disable it (I think you can re-enable it after you've added My Etsy. It just doesn't want to add it while it's enabled!).  Un-check "Browse Facebook using secure connection (https) when possible" and click Save Changes.  It will now say that Secure browsing is disabled. 

  

From here, you can type in My Etsy in the search bar. The app will be a selection. Click it.

 

Click Add To My Page.

 

If you are an admin on multiple pages, you'll need to choose which one. Click Add My Etsy.

 

It will then take you to the Wall of your Page. Click on My Etsy in the menu on the left.

 

You will need to enter in your Etsy username.Click Submit.

 

Decide if you want to show your favorites or just your own shop.  I did just my own shop for my page.  Click Create My Etsy Tab.

 

It's ready to go!  To see it, click on the My Etsy tab in the menu on the left!

Any other questions or problems?  Mention them in the comments and I'll see what answers I can find!

Captain's Message: Of Things That Matter Most

Eternal Round, Textured Logan Temple Portrait, by lighttotheworld on Etsy

Recently the Etsy team page discussions have centered around balance in life and time management. There is no easy answer to the question, "How do I achieve balance in life?" It does help to start with a good spiritual foundation when approaching the solution to this - and other - life questions. For more wisdom I turned to remarks from Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor of the First Presidency, in his talk titled, "Of Things That Matter Most" given in the October 2010 General Conference.

"If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.

My dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most. Let us be mindful of the foundational precepts our Heavenly Father has given to His children that will establish the basis of a rich and fruitful mortal life with promises of eternal happiness. They will teach us to do “all these things … in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that [we] should run faster than [we have] strength. [But] it is expedient that [we] should be diligent, [and] thereby … win the prize.”

Brothers and sisters, diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world. That is why “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, … that [we] may know to what source [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins.” In the complexity, confusion, and rush of modern living, this is the 'more excellent way'."

I encourage you to read the entire message, found here.

Perhaps it is important for you to honestly evaluate your spiritual foundation before you create a schedule. Decide what your priorities are before you create a schedule so it may reflect those priorities. And don't forget to periodically re-evaluate your priorities and schedule, especially in the beginning of implementing any structure or changes! It is my hope that your spiritual foundation will allow you all to find the "balance" you seek.

Best Wishes,

Rachelle

Team Member Interview: sarahndipities

Sarah Anderson of Sarahndipities on Etsy

Name: Sarah Anderson
Location: Mount Pleasant, UT
Etsy Shop: sarahndipities
Website: www.sarahndipities.etsy.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sarahndipities/
Blog: http://sarahndipities.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarahndipities1

Rachelle: Tell me a little about yourself.
Sarah: I'm a stay-at-home mom of five children, and I'm married to a wonderful school teacher husband. We live in the small town of Mount Pleasant, in a 114-year-old Victorian farmhouse, and I love it here!

Right now I'm the Primary Chorister in my Ward....I love it! I've been the chorister several times during my adult life...and I used to be an alto...but after singing Primary songs every week, my voice has changed!

I have my degree in Graphic Design and Illustration from what is now Utah Valley University (back then it was still UVSC). It's been a great degree to fall back on...and has helped out a ton with PTA projects and parade float designs. Seriously.

Rachelle: How would you describe your work/shop? Who should definitely stop by?
Sarah: I make lots of fun crocheted items like hats, scarves, and shawls. I like to make things that people will actually use and wear. I also love to sew and embroider, and make and sell small toys and ornaments using felt and floss. I've recently started crocheting toys for my own children and may give that a go at some point, too!!

Sarah's favorite item from Sarahndipities

Rachelle: What brought you to Etsy?
Sarah: One of my husband's colleagues asked if I ever sold my creations...She mentioned Etsy to him as a great place to sell things online. About a year later, after we moved to Mount Pleasant, I decided that I didn't have anything to lose...The only person who was missing out on an opportunity was me...so I stopped worrying about what people would think, and I started my business!


Rachelle: What keeps you motivated?
Sarah: I have craft ADHD. I can't stick to making one single kind of thing for too long or I go nuts! I think that changing things up often really helps me to stay motivated with the business side of things! Plus, I never run out of things to do. Boredom just doesn't happen here.


Rachelle: Any tips for other sellers or things you wish you had known when starting?
Sarah: Be patient and be consistent. Things don't happen overnight, and they definitely don't happen without consistency and effort! Don't get discouraged and don't give up! Sometimes things don't go your way...just hang in there. And be nice to others. Even when you don't feel like it.

My favorites from sarahndipities on Etsy

Rachelle: What are your three favorite Etsy shops?
Sarah: One of my favorites is ArtisanMaskers - sort of shameless self-promotion here. The shop is technically run by my sister! She and my other sister, a sister-in-law, a cousin, and a couple of friends make and sell papier mache masks there! It's a really fun (and different) outlet for my creativity...and I recently began creating digital collage prints to sell in the shop as well!

I also love EmmaLamb
- Vintage and retro inspired crochet items with lovely colors!

And I also really enjoy TwoEms
- Fantastic collage paintings with wonderful colors!

Rachelle: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Sarah: Oh, man. In ten years I'll have a 20-year old, an 18-year old, a 15-year old, a 13-year old, and a 10-year old. I suddenly feel old myself! I hope to have a happy family and comfortable home life. I hope to be continuing to have fun and having creative outlets. And to still be sane. That would be good.