Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my blog! My name is Karen Snyder and I've been a crafter for about as long as I can remember. I am a stay-at-home-Mama of two beautiful children with a husband who makes my dreams possible.

This blog is about all sorts of crafting. I am a paper-crafter from early days, a jewelry-maker with an unending obsession for chain maille. I make chain maille purses, many of which will be chronicled in this blog as their future owners await their completion. I love metalsmithing. I am an indifferent beader and don't get me anywhere near seed beads... they scatter, screaming to get away from me. I love to try new things, have a short attention span so if its a long-term project... I'm probably not doing it LOL.

If you have questions, ask. If you have tips, share. Same with suggestions - share! I want this to be a great forum for people to brainstorm and problem-solve with a good attitude. Crabby Apples need not respond, this is a feel-good kind of blog :)

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Celebrating Three Years on Facebook



It's hard for me to believe, some days, that I've had an active business page on Facebook for three years already! The medium has changed so much in that time and my page has grown in ways that amaze me. I can remember when I struggled to achieve that first 100 fans milestone and today, I'm proud to say that my fan count is at 4,530! WOW! In three years! 

I have said it before, but it bears repeating: I have the best fans, a lot of whom have become friends, that an artist could ask for. You cheer me on through tough new projects, you bring me custom ideas that turn into new avenues for me and you have supported me through some tough personal times. The last year has been especially hard - my husband traveled almost non-stop and I had to learn how to be a single mother while he was gone. I've always said that single parents have the toughest job in the world and now I know that I had it right! My hat, as always, goes off to those of you who do it alone, day in and day out, and haven't ended up in the loony bin. I can't tell you what it has meant to me to have the support and encouragement of my fans and friends to help me through the learning curve, exhaustion and sheer uncertainty of going it alone as a parent. Thank you, all of you, from the bottom of my heart.

I was asked today, rather snarkily in fact, why I do so many give aways. I nearly got snarky right back, and I can DO snarky pretty handily, you know? But instead, I answered with the truth. I do it because I love to do it. I love the joy of giving to others, of possibly making someone's day brighter with a simple gift. I love to give back to the people who have given me so much and by that, I mean the glorious Facebook community who makes my page so much fun every single day. I am grateful for the extra income I am able to bring to my family and I use a small portion of my profits to give back to the ones who brought the profit to me. 

See, that wasn't snarky, was it? LOL!

So I bet you are wondering about that picture at the top of this post, right? Well I told y'all  that there would be one major give away this week - one that would NEVER happen again and one that you would not want to miss. I wasn't kidding around! Yep, I am giving away a PURSE!

Now, let's all just take a minute here to breathe. If you are feeling light-headed, put your head between your knees and focus on your breathing. If you just spit your drink across your computer screen, go get one of those screen wipe thingies so it doesn't get sticky and ruin your computer. If you want to go outside and whoop and holler, then now is your chance! I'm going to go clean up the entire glass of tea my daughter just spilled.

Okay! Everyone back with me? Good. Now here's what you need to know about the purse you have a chance to win:

1. It will be custom. It will be bag #23. It will be signed, numbered, have all the documentation to prove that it is is OOAK (one of a kind) and an original Mini Maille Bag.

2. You and I will work together to create your piece. It will measure roughly 4 1/8" in length x 2 1/2" in width. It will hold a credit card, your ID, some cash and a lipstick and that's about it. If you want it to be bigger, you are welcome to pay the price difference to make that happen.

3. You may choose from the colors I have in stock, which are bright aluminum and red, green, blue, gold, pink, and black anodized aluminum. If you want a color other than what I have in stock, you are welcome to pay the price difference to make that happen.

4. You may choose to have it woven in a pattern with several colors. If you want to include a color I don't have in stock, you are welcome to pay the price difference to make that happen.

5. I will choose the chain maille pattern, period. Depending on what we come up with for your design, I may choose to do the strap from pre-made chain, hand-made chain, leather or a combination of those things. 

6. You can choose to have the bag lined or leave it unlined. If you want it lined, you may choose from the fabrics I have in stock. If you want something different, you are welcome to pay the price difference to make that happen.

7. It will take some time to make your Mini Maille Bag - possibly as long as four weeks depending on the design. It will be entirely hand-woven by me, will have to be tumbled and sealed and I will have to create the documentation. I will have orders to complete while I'm making your bag so I can't work on it non-stop until it is finished. If you think you won't be okay with waiting that long, please don't put your name in the hat.

Comment here - that's all you need to do to be entered to win. Tell me what you think you'd want your Mini Maille Bag to look like if you win! You can also comment on the Pinterest post here for a second entry. If you Tweet about this, make sure you tag me at @OSebastianJewel and it will count as a third entry. This give away will close at midnight on Saturday, June 22 and the winner will be announced everywhere on Sunday afternoon, June 23. Good luck everyone and thank you for three wonderful years on Facebook <3 font="" nbsp="">

39 comments:

  1. I would love a bag I want the color blue I don't know what colors to use to be woven in it I want it lined ohh I know I will love it I hope to win it.. It would be cherished and taken very good care of.

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  2. I think a bright aluminum with some black in it, as well. Also a lining would be so nice. What a generous gesture!!

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  3. I would like you to surprise me. I love your work and creativity.

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  5. I completely understand how you feel about giving your creations away sometimes! It is very gratifying and in some ways more than selling them. At least that is how I feel.

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  6. I already own a piece of your work, a sterling ring with red Swarovskis, and I love it! I'd also love a red maille purse with lining, and I'm more than willing to wait the time it takes to weave it, line it and document it. Congratulations on your 3 year aniversary!

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  7. Awesome work Karen. I would love the mini bag actually a little larger to fit my blackberry and definitely lined. Congratulations on 3 years.

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  8. HOLY Moley Karen! What a FABULOUS giveaway!!! 1st off CONGRATS on 3 fantastic years!! I am so proud of you honey! I want to thank you again for being a wonderful friend & being so patient helping me when I had questions starting out. It has been such a pleasure to watch your page grow, along with getting to know Seb & Piper along the way too. <3 BIG hugs!
    As far as design, I have no idea lol- but I know that it would be gorgeous! Planning & deciding is 1/2 the fun right? The size would be great, that's pretty much all I ever carry anyhow- minus the lipstick- maybe a chapstick instead? lol
    Hey I HOPE I win this to add to my collection of KS Originals ;) Whomever does will be mighty lucky indeed!

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  9. It's gorgeous!!!!! I seriously want it!!!!! Gimme gimme gimme :D

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  10. WOW! This is a terrific piece to be offering to your customers and FB friends! You sure do have a big heart and show your appreciation. I love the way the bag in the picture looks but I may like a to add some color, but which color I will have to think on more. Many more happy years of business to you Karen!!

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  11. I'm not sure what I would want exactly, but 2 or 3 colors like in your Tri-Metal Byzantine Micro-Maille band ring would be nice. That said, I would appreciate anything that you make.
    eugeniewu at gmail dot com

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  12. Wow! This would be AMAZING to win!! I would probably do red and blue, but I'd have to see the colors first. If they aren't what I'm imagining, I'd probably go with silver. I'd have it lined either way.
    rgulick at ku dot edu

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  13. Holy COW! What a generous giveaway! CONGRATULATIONS on three fabulous years!

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  14. What a fabulous piece! And I'd love to look my purse a little rustic/antique.

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  15. Wow what an awesome giveaway!! Would love to have one! I would like mine in pink or black or even a combination of both. I don't get to use a purse very identified with having four little ones around. Having one made specifically for me would be absolutely incredible!

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  16. Oh wow...and I remember you way back when thinking you'd never make your early milestones and I told you , don't worry you'll have no problem making them..It has been a pleasure knowing you and being your friend all these years. You have shared you kiddo's stories and you ups and downs and your creations..<3 ya sweet Lady

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  17. Holy crap on a cracker. A purse?! That is so cool. I don’t think I even knew you could chain maille a purse.

    If it were me, I’d have a hard time choosing colors! Blue with the aluminum, or maybe pink with aluminum or pink with black. I cannot even imagine the work that would go into this, and I know that whoever wins it will be so thrilled.

    You rock, Karen! Good luck, all!!

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  18. Happy 3 yrs!! WOW! What a prize!! How can I even begin to answer the question on what I would like my purse to look like if I won. Any way it looked it would be a work of art - I have long admired your work and am lucky to have a few pieces..

    thank you for letting us have the opportunities to win pieces from you..

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  19. Happy anniversary, Karen!!
    Incredible prize, to be cherished a lifetime.
    <3 <3
    And also amazing that you are going to make this in cooperation with the super-lucky winner.
    If I was lucky enough to be the latter, I would love it in silver and with lining.

    deb_oro@yahoo.gr

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  20. I also commented on Pinterest (DESPINA VNT) and tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/DESPINA_VNT/status/347686448260071424

    deb_oro@yahoo.gr

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  21. OMG girl that is gorgeous!I don't know where to begin!!!I am a huge fan of chain maille and not so much of purses so this is purrrrrfect for me.I am a lipgloss,compact kind of gal so this is so me.You are such a talented and beautiful friend~one of my first FB friends and this is so generous of you.I think silver and black or purple would be kickin'.....wow just wow

    Dana Rodriguez @tatzgrrly

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  22. I follow and tweeted to my followers @tatzgrrly
    https://twitter.com/tatzgrrly/status/347708161928601601

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  23. I am not a crabby apple lol~I already follow you on Pinterest and re~pinned http://pinterest.com/pin/1688918583298059/ Thanks for the chance!!!

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  24. comment comment comment...love love love it!!!!!!!!!!!! you're awesome. i've commented on fb, pinterest and now here! :)

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    1. Sorry, forgot to say what I'd like it be. PINK! everything else to your discretion!!!:)

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  25. would love something in black or just the silver, maybe with just a short strap kind of like a wristlet would be cool!! thank you!! this is fantastic!!

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  26. A lot of decisions, lined or not lined, never thought of that.

    I think a short strap, and maybe silver lining.. It is a beautiful bag.

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  27. Happy 3 years!!! I'm so glad to be a part of your journey, to call you not only "my jewelry designer", but also my friend. I *think* I'd like a red cross in silver if I win, definitely lined and possibly made a bit larger to fit my phone. You probably could've guessed that, though. Fabulous (!!!!!) giveaway, Karen!! Thank you!!

    Cindy Sparwasser
    lilhvn4me at gmail dot com

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    1. pinned, commented & tweeted (though it's been a long time since I used twitter so I hope I did it right!)

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    2. You did it right Cindy - I saw your Tweet :)

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  28. Happy Anniversary Karen ! You've certainly worked hard to get here and deserve that inner "warm fuzzies" of being able to give away to others..

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  29. oooh I have to get in on this..lol
    I would do the regular aluminum color- lined, and with a leather strap if you'd let me. I'm going to tweet, repin, G+ and FB share for you too my dear.
    Congrats on the 3 years=)

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  30. Entry for Corinna Cambanes, whose phone won't let her enter for herself!

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  31. Entry for Amanda Gomez, whose phone won't let her enter for herself either!

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  32. Well this is exciting :D Mine as someone else had mentioned I'd want just slightly larger to fit my phone. Wrist-let or purse would depend on the final design and weave . I'd want silver with possibly a light pink, lavender, or cream lining. Possibly some pink in the edging of the flap on the purse. If I had choice with weave which i don't and is fine I'd think about also doing a Japanese weave for a lacy frill to the lid, flap whatever you call it >.< I never learned purse anatomy lol -FB Dawn Ashley

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  33. And our winner is Dana Rodriguez! Congrats to Dana and my thanks to everyone for making the past three years such a treat for me. I look forward to many more years of making jewelry and sharing it with you!

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  34. The most unique healing stone berlin. I will go back here every single time i buy jewelry...no questions asked. I cant say enough good things about them.

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