The price of nostalgia......

Is roughly $10 plus shipping.

Well, at least for me it is. In a moment of brilliance the other day, I decided that if I had a lunchbox, perhaps I would actually remember to take my lunch to work for once. And that if I couldn't make it fit in the lunchbox, I couldn't EAT it, therefore helping me stick to my diet.

Like I can't cram a lunchbox full of Twinkies.

Anyway, the quest for the perfect lunch box began. I decided I wanted something retro from my childhood (the 80's) and it had to be real retro, not a reproduction. Of course, the 80's were the high point of the plastic lunchbox and thermos combo, so I started my quest on the site of all-things-you-need-to-have, Ebay.

After about 3 hours of searching, I found it - a REAL vintage She-Ra Princess of Power lunchbox with matching thermos, in good condition. This was the lunch box I really really wanted as a kid and never got. It arrived today, better than pictured, and I really am beside myself with happy childhood memories at the moment. And plans for what I can pack inside this week.

So, dear readers (as few of you as there are! LOL), what's the one thing you really wanted as a kid but never got? Did you ever get one later in life? If not, maybe if you're really good, Santa will bring you one this year. :)

A little early holiday spirit

Yes, I know it's maybe a little too early to start thinking about Christmas. (Can we get past Halloween first, please?) But it's never too early for a little holiday spirit! I'm quite flattered to have my gingerbread house ornament (above) be featured in this Etsy Treasury by MedleyofCreativity. Please check out their shop as well!

What's new with us?

We're getting ready for fall!

Just added this week in our Etsy shop - some great new jewelry for girls, made to match the newest Gymboree lines for back to school! You can grab our great new Classroom Kitty charm bracelet, seen here. Also, more made to match coming just in time for fall! Keep your eyes peeled!

Doing some early holiday shopping? In our Ebay store we've got some great new collectibles and toys - including some My Twinn doll dresses!

Also being unveiled this week - our official website, which you can find at www.bunniesnbuggies.com! It's long overdue for us, and I'm so happy to announce the opening! From here, you can find links to both our stores, some company information, links to our blog (here) and our affiliate's sites. Please, go give it a peek!

Dead Tired.......

Want a wardrobe that is just to die for? Check out Patricia's Upscale Resale on Ebay. Photo is also courtesy of her!

Etsy Seller of the Week

Etsy Seller of the Week - Teaman

My apologies for being behind on the Etsy Seller of the Week feature, but I've been super busy lately! (See previous posts - LOL) BUT, this week, I am featuring the super awesome Teaman on Adventures In Blueberry Pancakes. I have had the pleasure of ordering from Teaman several times now, and it's always a wonderful experience. Aside from the super fast shipping, the prices are fabulous - 50 teabags for just $4.00 or, if you can't make up your mind like me - samplers for $5.00 to $7.50!

Also, the flavors are *to die for*!! The chai tea is spicy without being overwhelming, with hints of pepper and vanilla - I consider myself a chai tea connoisseur of sorts and this is the perfect chai. The peppermint is a great soother for sore tummies, and the orange spice has made a great iced tea for the summer.

So, stop in at Teaman's Shop on Etsy and pick some up for yourself or the tea-lover in your life!

Ready for back to school?

Are you outfitting some little ones for the upcoming back to school season? If so, check out our shops! HUGE back to school deals in our Ebay store - search "BTS08" for our Back to School 2008 specials! Tons of new and gently used clothing, including Gymboree, Mini Boden, The Children's Place and more!

Also, check out our brand new E*Crater Store for new offerings for infants to adults!

I've been a busy girl!

Really, I have!!! So I haven't been posting.

I got a new workspace.... well, not "new", but it's on the other side of the living room in a private corner with all nice shelving and organization and everything. I'll post pictures of the new "office" later in the week.

We also got new furniture, and I've been busting my butt cleaning and reorganizing.

AND.... I now have my THIRD store on the internet! You can now shop Bunnies & Buggies at:

Ebay - for great deals at auction
Etsy - for our handmade goodies
E*Crater - our "full" online store

It's that time......

For a new treasury!!!!
I'm such an Etsy Treasury Junkie!

This weekend's theme: the great beyond - to the moon and back. Please check it out, there are some amazing artists here!

Tedious days

Yawwwwwnnnn........

It's just one of those days and all. Problems with the knee doctor (um, how can I go to work when I can't walk for more than 15 minutes or drive? hmmm?), kiddo is bouncing off the walls hopped up on marshmallows, and we have to put our poor old kitty to sleep this week. She bit the mother in law on the wrist yesterday - right in the big vein - and now we have to get rid of her because she's a potential danger to the kiddo. Poor, poor kitty. So it is a sad, tired, frustrating day. And I have gotten nothing accomplished so far.

Well, it's only 6 pm - still a few more hours to try and get *something* done!

Today's Treasury

I was lucky enough to snag a new Etsy treasury on Treasury West today. Please visit it - there are some amazing artists exploring the boundaries of the universe!

Today's Treasury

Featured Etsian Of the Week: KeepYourBabyClose

Featured Etsy Seller of The Week KeepYourBabyClose

Kicking off the newest article in my blog - the Featured Etsy Seller of the Week!

This week I'm featuring the fabulous Keep YourBabyClose - designer of some of the most gorgeous baby carriers around!

Besides doing beautiful work, she is also an absolute darling to work with, and her carriers are of only the top quality!

Her shop has a variety of Mei Tais, slings, nursing covers and wraps guaranteed to suit any mama! So whether you're shopping for yourself or for a gift for the new mommy in your life, be sure and check her out!

Woohoo! I'm in a competition!

This bracelet, my Berry Sweet Charm Bracelet is in a jewelry maker's competition on MKSupplies Etsy Blog. Please stop by there and cast a vote - even if it's not for mine!

Etsy Discovery of the Day

Where I post something I like so everyone else can like it too! :)

Super Mario Tutu Skirt by XPoppysWickedGardenX

I love this! I had bedding made from that fabric when I was a kid. And when I was a kid, was just the right time when the Nintendo was released. So, thank you XPoppysWickedGardenX, for the awesome trip down memory lane!

Feeling uninspired.

Yes, that's my actual workspace. Well, a partial view anyway. You can't see the catastrophe UNDER the table.

I think the TV remote right in the center says it all.

I am *not* inspired today. Or motivated. Or anything.

No, I do *not* need to take a day off. In fact, I think I've taken one too many days off and now I can't get back ON. It's also kind of dreary today which doesn't help.
I'm trying to find inspiration in my new Etsy treasury. It's bright, it's colorful, it's beyond creative, and it is inspiring.... please give it a click, and please pass the cup of creative juice.

Six freakin' thirty.....

Anyone see what time my last blog post was?

Yeah, like three hours ago. At three freakin' thirty.

Now it's six freakin' thirty. Daylight = kiddo wide awake and bouncing off the walls like Tigger on crack.

:Yawn:

So, to comemmorate the fun of six am... I bring you my favorite coffee, fresh from the pot, off Etsy ;)

Vanilla Swirl Gourmet Coffee from PMSMITH55 on Etsy - So YUMMY!!!

Mmmm... pancakes

So, it's a new blog, and a new me.... and I get a lot of questions like, "Adventures in blueberry pancakes? WTF?"

It's pretty easy really.

When the kiddo (who is now almost four) was two, one day he said to me, "Mommy, want to make grueberry panplates" (Ahem... blueberry pancakes)

"Ok......"

"We need 2 cups flour, 2 eggs, and 2 milks, and grueberries"

"Um, sure we do, kiddo... let mommy find the Bisquick"

So I get out the box, and what does the recipe say?

2 cups bisquick (flour, essentially)
2 eggs
2 cups milk
Blueberries (well, blueberries optional)

I was stunned. I think we had made pancakes ONCE at that point with him helping. I have no idea where he picked it up from. But I was shocked, that my kid new something more than me already!

And so it began.... Adventures of Blueberry Pancakes - because every day, he teaches me something new.

Shipping for Newbies!

BEFORE you start selling anything, you need to consider this: HOW WILL I GET MY ITEM TO MY BUYER?

For starters, you need the following:

A scale of some sort - either digital or mechanical. These can be purchased online (I got my digital from Ebay), in Walmart (in the stationary dept), Staples, OfficeMax, or anywhere else that sells shipping supplies. A scale is crucial to shipping well!

Appropriate packing supplies - depending on your product, this may mean bubble mailers, boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts or any number of other things. It must be both DURABLE and SECURE. If you are going to ship via USPS Priority Mail, you can order FREE boxes online for this!

A measuring tape - you’ll need this when you’re figuring out your postage


HOW to ship - it’s not all tape and pretty ribbons!

I strongly recommend learning to use an online shipping service to print labels from home - this saves you TIME and MONEY. You can ship through Paypal, the USPS website (Click & Ship), Endicia, Stamps.com, or any number of other places. It is very very simple to use now that you have your shipping scale! Your postage prints from your printer, tape it to the box and you’re done! You can even have your mail carrier pick up the packages from your door - go to USPS.com and use Schedule A Pickup for this service - it’s FREE!

An important thing to consider when shipping is PROOF OF DELIVERY - so that your buyer can’t claim they didn’t receive something to get a false refund. This is called DELIVERY CONFIRMATION and it is only $0.18 when you purchase your postage online, and it is FREE when you ship Priority Mail. Use it, EVERY TIME, to cover your butt!

Shipping services - what to use, and what NOT to use!

For domestic (US) shipping, you have a few options:

USPS First Class Mail - if your item is under 13 ounces, use this option - it is the cheapest AND the fastest
USPS Priority Mail - for anything of any weight - can be expensive if your package is large, but fast
USPS Parcel Post - for anything over 13 ounces that doesn’t need to arrive too fast - can take 2-3 weeks to arrive

Of course you also have UPS, FedEx, and others, but for most things these options are too pricy to really consider.

For International shipping:

USPS First Class International - anything up to 4 lbs - cheapest to use. You need the GREEN customs form for this and you MUST pay for the postage AT the post office
USPS Priority Mail International - anything at any weight - can be VERY expensive - can print postage online

Please, do NOT use UPS, FedEx, or other carriers internationally! Your buyers will have to pay BIG brokerage fees on these and will NOT be happy!

How much do I charge for shipping?

Get your postal scale. Take your lightest item, and heaviest item. Package them like you would to ship - box and all, and weigh them. Go to USPS.com and use “calculate shipping” from your zip code to the furthest state from where you live. This is your minimum BASE shipping charge. Now, add to that the cost of your mailing supplies (usually around $1 or so) and if you want, a small handling fee. That is your PRIMARY SHIPPING COST.

You can choose to offer a discounted rate for buyers that buy more than one thing, or not - it’s up to you. Most people charge a certain percentage of the first rate as the additional item charge. This is your ADDITIONAL SHIPPING COST.

How do I need to pack my stuff?

Your item needs to be packed to withstand a 6 story drop and 70 lbs of weight on it. It will go through many conveyer belts, machines, planes, mailbags and more and will hardly be handled by humans that read, rather than machines. You really do NOT need to write “fragile” on your items - but you MUST pack them well!