Here's to a Relaxing Summer!

Hello all! I just wanted to say thanks to anyone who takes the time to read my blog! I appreciate your time spent, friendship and attention! **Strokes own feathers...**

My son is almost out of preschool for the summer so I may be less active online for a few months. As usual I have several projects...usual stalking for Blockhead Radio, my new intern position with Chris Huff and of course the shops! I will not be renewing much on the MLM Etsy Shop, but will keep renewing Fleur De Ink and have my new soap shop open, Amelia Amos Soaps! That one is more for me to refer people to for wholesale inquiries so it doesn't take much attention! New items will be mostly listed on my Artfire shop because I am really digging how AF works!

I also am staying busy with Handmade Louisiana my non profit group for artisans and musicians in and around Louisiana. It gives me an excuse to go to local concerts (Benjy Davis Project in June..Can't WAIT!) You really must check out our little blog at the link above and please give some love to Merry of Cheeseandchocolate because she works her tookus off on the group!

Throw into that mix my local wholesale sale! You can now find some of my items at the Education Station in Slidell, LA!! Right now you can get my chalk mats, crayons, and crayon rolls. Around late July you'll be able to get my nap mat covers (which will require me to start sewing them mid June, actually.) I have a TON of adorable prints and styles to choose from! If you aren't in this area, no worries, I'll have them in my Artfire shop as well!

And of course, there is the other new project I've undertaken...making sock monkeys. First I want say, I both curse and love two shops for feeding my monkey obsession and encouraging me! Elegant Hobbies and HoffeeandaNuffin are two awesome shops for sock monkeys and they were very kind in encouraging me to go ahead and try them! (They like to tease me with their new monkeys too.....naughty naughty monkey makers!) They are right, they are SOOOOOOO darn fun. I have a sewing to-do list a mile long including a stack of mama cloth that is cut out for my testers from Diaperswappers, but the monkeys have distracted me! :) I made Harrison one he promptly named Gecko (could have been the huge button eyes) and I just finished a baby monkey for my lovely pregnant neice. I'll put up the pics ASAP! :) I keep organizing fabric and 'need to sew' piles but they keep growing! Throw in the soap obsession and Im in trouble. Countdown is on til Eli can share a room with Harrison and I can have a whole room for sewing/soaping...drooooool....

So I love you guys and if I am not around as much, it is because I'm spending time with the monkeys I TRULY loves best, my boys, and am working on things behind the scenes! I hope everyone has a fantastic summer, and gets their creative mojo out and moving!! :)

~~Amy

My Faves: Just for Mom!

Mama's Sneaky Treasure Hunt

Ya'll know I love Blockhead Radio! So we're going to have a little game....

SOMEWHERE in one of my MANY listings on my MANY shops there is a BHR Player Picture (there may be more than one..I'm not saying...) Like So:


So your mission is to visit my shops and FIND this graphic. DO NOT REPLY TO THIS POST where it is! Instead, email me at mama@blockheadradio.com and tell me where you found it! Then on May 12th (the date of the Amos Lee concert..I'll be in a REALLY good mood that day!) I will choose a random winner!

Want an extra chance to win? Blog this post and leave a comment here. You can also twitter, plurk or what not about it, but come back here and leave the URL of where you promoted this giveaway. But DO NOT leave the listing where this graphic is!! EMAIL that to me at mama@blockheadradio.com

Where can you find the graphic?
It's SOMEWHERE in:
Mama's Little Monkeys on Artfire
Mama's Little Monkeys on Etsy
Fleur De Ink on Etsy
Amelia Amos Soaps on Etsy
Mama's Little Monkeys on Crobbies

So get to hunting!!

What do you WIN?

Any of my lovely bath salts found on Artfire or Amelia Amos Soaps! :) Your choice!!
Have fun and smell good!


Don't Forget to Pop a Player and tune into some excellent indie music and great artisans shows on Blockhead Radio!

Surviving a Field Trip to the zoo....

So, life has been kinda crazy lately, and today was a field trip with my son to the zoo. My family will always be more important than my business, jobs, and anything else! So while it was crazy running around the zoo with 3 and 4 yr olds, it was fun (okay, well my son's petrified screaming at the stinging caterpillars on the ground was not so fun.) So we had fun and the zoo is always beautiful!

So tonite I buckle down, get some work done and get orders out! Tonite is soaping night dangnabit!! I have ducky's to make and can't wait to get my new fragrances out! :)

Sooooooooap...I'm coming to you soapy goodness!

~Amy

So What Does a Possum/Monkey Sound Like?

Would you like to find out? Well, then I suggest you head on over to www.blockheadradiolive.com/advertising and snag your ad--because you can request Mama, The Awesome Possum, Mother of all Monkeys, to do YOUR voiceover!!

Not sure how that works? NO PROBLEM!

Simply go to the link above or email advertising@blockheadradio.com and get yours today!Why should you advertise with BHR?

What kind of reach does BHR have and why would I benefit from advertising. BHR is an Internet radio station, so that means people all around the world can listen and do. Our top 5 countries are:

1. United States
2. Canada
3. U.K.
4. Israel
5. Australia

Our demographics are a split of 60% Artisans and 40% General Listeners. 70% Women and 30% Men. Ages vary from 12 years old to 71. Yep we got a grandma jammin' with us.

Why use Internet Radio for advertising? Simple, interactivity. With an audio commercial you have put a voice/personality to your site. When your ad is playing a banner is displayed in the player and the listener has the option to go to you site right then and there. Then the most 5 recent audio plays are kept in a list on the player and those link up to your site too. It opens in it's own window so you have the listeners complete attention.

We sell in stream audio/banner spots on CPM. That way you know that 1000 people will hear your ad. CPM is frequently used in advertising to represent cost per thousand (where M is the roman numeral of 1000). When used in advertising it relates to the cost per thousand page impressions. Using the CPM model the advertiser is guaranteed that a minimum number of listeners will hear their ad.

The cost is $15.00 CPM. Advertiser is responsible for supplying a 240 pixel square banner and link to information. Please provide us with a couple sentences describing your site and we will do a script and voice over. You can renew your ad for $7.50 for another 1000 impressions.

If you have any questions or would like to setup and ad please email us at advertsing@blockheadradio.com

Would You Like A Jingle For Your Ad?

How would you like a catchy jingle for your ad? This special $30 offer for a low cost jingle will boost your image and grab the listeners attention! Singer/Songwriter Mike Burnes is available for this.

One quick more answer. When checking your Goggle Analytics/Incoming URL's the incoming link from the player is: media.streamads.com

~~~But I digress...it is indeed a FABULOUS deal. I, personally have had an ad running for my Cafepress shop and have seen an increase in sales. So it does work!! :)

And should you need a graphic for your ad...NOT A PROBLEM! If you choose ME as your voiceover, I will do your graphic for free! :)

Have no clue what I sound like? It's ok...tune in on Wednesday nights at 9 pm Eastern to hear myself and Rocker host Mom's Cafe...you guessed it, on Blockhead Radio!

So, let us help you have a fantastic business and get the most for your money! You will NOT find a better ad deal than this!!

~~Amy

Win a 5000 impression ad for your business and help a friend!

How about a 5000 Impression Ad with Clickable Banner on BHR?

Here is your chance.

A good friend needs to raise a few bucks to see an endocrinologist for a diabetes problem tuesday and the dr. is 3.5 hour trip each way from his home. So how about it........a donation of any amount gets you a chance.

You know him, he is a fellow artisan and the conductor of the Crazy Train segments you hear on BHR. Larry is an all around cool dude and a friend to all.

You can also check out his shop on ArtFire.

Use glorybound@skybest.com for paypal and put bhr ad in the description. We will keep track and on Tuesday 5/5 we will use a random number generator to pick the winner. The winner will be announced at 8pm et on BHR.

Internet Diet Weekend..

Okay...I'm inspired. I think it's high time for an internet weekend diet! I will not go cold turkey, but I will severely cut down on my time spent online this weekend! :)
Today was a great start! Caught the Morning Brew Ha Ha on Blockhead Radio (well some, my phone always seems to ring!) checked emails, and turned it OFF! Had playdate at Chuck E Cheese with my cool friend Jenni, and our crew of boys! (Grandma kept Eli because the allure of Chuck E Cheese is lost on him...)

Got back, checked in to make sure the world did not spin off it's axis in the few short hours I was not online (it did not..but I was able to get in on an awesome wholesale michael miller fabric deal!) Turned it OFF! Headed to the evil empire to purchase last minute weekend things (they have a GLUTEN FREE SECTION NOW!) Snagged my washing soda so I can soon attempt my handmade laundry detergent. More tedius tasks.....

My long winded point (is there any other?) is that I am going to attempt to spend this weekend LESS on the computer and MORE with my family, friends, and best of all...my sewing machine! I am DETERMINED to start making mama cloth and I even have testers from Diaperswappers willing to test my creations! (I love diaperswappers for just that reason!)

I'm sure I'll get online, check email, check in with my homies tonite on Blockhead Radio but overall...its kids, sunshine (hopefully!), sewing and LOST with my hubby!

Sometimes ya just need a break!! :)

~~Amy

This is really cool

Awesome new Artfire Guild..ok a couple!

Are you on artfire? Are you verified? Then let me tell you about some cool guilds!
Cafemom Street Team is brand new and awaiting approval, so if you are a Cafemom Member come on down and join that guild! You can learn more about our group at http://www.cafemom.com/group/cafemomteamand we welcome ALL Selling venues, not just Artfire! :) Side note though, please keep your drama to yourself! We are about HELPING moms, not making life harder for them! :)

And I recently created Handmade in Louisiana Guild, also awaiting approval! If you live in Louisiana, or are from La and are temporarily away from home, then join our little guild! We also welcome members who sell on all venues! Obviously the artfire guild will focus on Artfire, but you can certainly be a member of wherever you want! :) We will offer you help in ANY business matter!

So if you haven't checked out Artfire, you should. You can try the free membership to get your feet wet. Then if you like it, snag a membership! 12.00 a month is less than I spend in fees on other venues these days! :)

So come on down and check em out!:)

Do you artfire?

Well I do now!! And I'm loving it!! I admit, shamefully, to have signed up waaaaay back in November. Then something called BLockhead Radio and a craft show came along, not to mention children, house, etc...and I neglected my AF shop..horribly! :) But NOW, I am BACK baby! I finally signed up to be verified and am slowly listing more items! (not sure which items will take precedence...I'll decide that later since it doesnt cost to list PER Item I can do what I want!!)

Of course i like Etsy, it was my starting point, but the times they are a changing! It's time to try new venues and see which ones really rock! Im also checking out Crobbies.com...good potential there also! :)

SOOOOO come check out artfire and of COURSE I created a Louisiana guild!!! You must be verified to join a guild, and just like Etsy teams, guild's hold great potential for you!! :)

So come check out and you'll be impressed I'm sure! Super easy listing, great customer service and very user friendly!!

www.mamaslittlemonkeys.artfire.com

See you there! :)

Happy April!

Okay, so I don't really DO April Fool's, but I thought I'd say happy April everyone! May you see pretty flowers, nice showers and more blessings than you can handle!! :)

And of course, don't miss Mom's Cafe tonight at 9 pm Eastern. :)
www.blockheadradiolive.com :)

~~Amy

I feel tired, oh so tired, but accomplished! :)

I'm tired. Crawl into bed, snuggle up and pass out before Seinfeld tired (that's 10pm Central!). BUT, I feel accomplished! My first ever craft show appearance is next Sunday, and it's been a long road. Man, I hope the customers come! :) I sewed today from 10am-6pm. I am beat! But I made some awesome things for the show, including my own chalk cloth sign for my booth! (Being chalk cloth, I can write whatever I want on it!)

So, if I get a little extra time this week I'll finish up one set of flannel baby bib/wipe sets, and maybe one minky bear (amazingly a teddy bear doesn't take me too long.)
But more importantly to do:

• All the tags, labels, prices for completed inventory..including ingredient label on soaps and bath salts.
• Cut swatch samples for fabric available for custom pants, teddy bears and more! (basically a swatch of all my fabrics!) Organize and label accordingly.
• Print out the 'catalog of ducks' available for ducky soaps, as well as a catalog of ducks I can easily order.
• List of scents available for soaps/salts.
• Prices signs, info signs, etc. Biz cars, CPSIA info all ready to go.
  
• Blockhead Radio print out!
• Price listing sheet...because I won't be there on Saturday (church), my selling partner will be working on Saturday, so I need to leave her a complete list of my items with prices so she can mark off as she sells and I can accurately figure out taxes, etc.
  
• Buy various office supplies/table supplies for set up.
• Drink a large appletini and eat massive amounts of chocolate.
• Sell like I've never sold before.....

That about sums it up....countdown is ON.

Going On VACATION!

Ok, not really. Man, I wish I was....

But I am preparing for my FIRST EVER craft show on Mar. 21-22nd in Slidell, LA, at the Harbor Center (shameless plug) so I put the shops on vacation to help prepare for my show!! I will post updates and report back, hopefully with great success!! :)

Support the Handmade Movement and Don't Miss BLOCKHEAD RADIO!!!

Video Debut of How Awesome the CEM's are!

WOOOT Cafemom Etsy Moms! Sequels coming soon!

CEM Member Drive! Join the BEST of the BEST on Etsy!

Cafemom Etsy Moms Street Team is having a member drive!

We have a goal of reaching 500 members by 3/29/09.

On March 29th Our Group Leader is Co-hosting on Blockhead Radio, a station for independant artisans and musicans!

We would like as much group participation for the radio show b/c we can promote our group to the world!

So come on over to the Cafemom Etsy Moms Street Team and join up if you sell on etsy!

And btw, the group member who refers the most new members will recieve a handmade tee shirt, and earring pendant combo from the group owner Rockerchic.

There will also be a funny video for the group made to laugh at, as a thank you for helping reach our goal! What it is of yet? We do not know! But we are sure we need to share this with the world!

I Got Tagged!

I got tagged by The Watermelon Tree.! And... the rules are to tell 7 things about yourself and then tag 7 others.

1. I would be an Amos Lee groupie. No questions asked.

2. I am learning to soap.I like it. Now I smell good.

3. I can somehow never keep the house clean enough...never.

4. I both hate and love to take photos at the same time....

5. I can curse in American Sign Language

6. I run promotions/public relations for www.blockheadradiolive.com---Enjoy!

7. I love Lost, do not miss it, and would marry Desmond in a heartbeat.

Now for 7 lovely ladies
1.http://mypocketfulofsunshineblog.blogspot.com/
2. http://heatherknitzdesigns.blogspot.com/
3. http://turtle-turtlemommy.blogspot.com/
4. http://shineyourhineysoap.blogspot.com/
5. http://mybeautifulcreations.blogspot.com/
6. http://buddydesigns.blogspot.com/
7.http://welovecheeseandchocolate.blogspot.com/

Easy to Understand CPSIA

Thank you Matt, from Etsy for this great article on how to better know what to do for your business.

http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-its-february-10th-so-now-what-3413/

Mindless Trip Down Memory Lane

Wow. I miss these little snippets of life in New Orleans!

These were always AWESOME!



I miss K&B... I really do



Krispy Kreme has NOTHING on the gone but not forgotten McKenzie's!




It drives me crazy sometimes, and I can barely afford to live here...

But you know I still

Don't Forget the Weekly Giveaway!! Ends Saturday!

Don't forget the weekly giveaway to win a pair of Layla Legs! You have til Saturday!! COME ON!
http://blog.mamaslittlemonkeys.com/2009/01/weekly-giveaway.html

You know you wanna...

Awesome Blog Award

Well, I figured everyone else is doing it...WHY NOT!

SOOOO, I have awarded some of my favorite blogs with this oh so holy of awards!! If you are not on the list, never fear, I still love you!

Now..go spread the awesomeness around!! Copy and paste below the line, change the links to YOUR fave blogs and SHARE!
-----------------------------

You have been bestowed this great and awesomenest of honors. Do not take it lightly! Carry on the awesomeness and share this award with other blogs that you think are SPECTACULAR!



The Awesome List:

http://catzinthehouse.blogspot.com/
http://whimisical.blogspot.com/
http://opheliamcphee.blogspot.com/
http://shineyourhineysoap.blogspot.com/ (how can you not love a blog with a booty on it's banner?)
http://turtle-turtlemommy.blogspot.com/
http://sewhappydesigns.blogspot.com/
http://huckleberryarts.blogspot.com/
http://cootiepants.blogspot.com/
http://alteredevents.blogspot.com/
http://anitasweettreatcrafts.blogspot.com/
http://roseworksjewelry.blogspot.com/
http://mydarlingbabyetsy.blogspot.com/
http://thecoppercauldron.blogspot.com/
http://layla-legs.blogspot.com/
http://eleganthobbies.blogspot.com/
http://mycozycabincreations.blogspot.com/
http://the-watermelon-tree.blogspot.com/
http://tuffassnails.blogspot.com/
http://childishthoughts-childishthoughts.blogspot.com/
http://therockerchiconetsy.blogspot.com/
http://tulipstalking.blogspot.com/
http://blockheadradio.blogspot.com (of course!)