Gold Stars

I’ve recently started selling prints of my photographs on etsy.com. (If you don’t know etsy, check it out, amazing marketplace of handmade items)

This is the first time I’ve sold my photographs, and it’s hard work, and very up and down emotionally.

Up, when I sell something, Up even more when customers tell my how they connect to my photograph. Up when I get compliments in the forums (I’m a sucker for it…)

Down when its days or weeks between sales, down when you put your treasured work out and no one seems interested, down when I feel like I’m talking and talking and no one’s listening.

No sales this weekend (**sigh**) but some recognition, and I’m grateful and excited.

First, kankalinhats, put one of my personal favorites in this black, white and yellow treasury

Treasuries are collections of favorites put together by other etsians (members of the etsy community). There's a limit on the number of spots, so when they're coming up, it's a bit of a free-for-all trying to snag one.

And if you're in one, there's a little gold star by the treasury listing. It's an awful lot like being back in elementary school, getting a sticker for doing good work. A little thrill. (Little voice in my head: 'you like me, you really like me...')

The photo is “Old School”, one of the vintage camera images I blogged about in my first post.

And then last night, BonghiNatura, put one of my featured images in this bright colorful treasury

Let me say, I have no interest in cars. I drive a 10 yr old, beige, slightly beat-up Mazda Protégé that’s so non-descript I periodically walk to the wrong car in the mall parking lot.

But, I love the care and quality design that went into vintage machines of all types. This particular image is a vintage fire engine from a local parade: it was a great firey red with lovely lines.

Wheels

I didn't snag a treasury (ok, I didn't try this time, I was too busy setting up a blog, updating flickr, adding new photographs, haunting the forums ... and oh, yeah, taking some time for life outside of etsy)

But, I get so excited by those little gold stars, I wanted to share the love:

Here's one of my own favorites from kankalinhats shop

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10432477

This shop is full of beautiful, whimsical hats. This one is called shy violet, and I love the swirling shapes and the translucent colors

and....

Some wonderful looking soap from Bonghi Natura’s Shop

It's cappucino - and I love coffees! And it looks beautiful, and sounds amazing with espresso beans and brown sugar and a layer of vanilla!