The opportunity of a lifetime & the stress to match

Today is March 11 and I'm stressing out.  I'm stressing because I am pitching my product to an exclusive, trendy 5th Avenue boutique in two weeks.  I'm stressing out because other than the 2 bracelets that I created today, I haven't developed any product for the meeting -- I need at least 2 to 3 dozen pieces to feel like I have a fighting chance.

I'm stressing out because I have what's called "starving artist syndrome" in other words, I need to be inspired to create.  And it would appear as though my muse has run off to inspire another.  This absence is temporary, I know.  Still stressful nonetheless.

The stress coupled with the "what if's" is weighing heavy.  Will they like my schizophrenic one-of-a-kind style?  Will they think it's a good fit for their boutique?  Will they appreciate its uniqueness?  Or will they want it mass-produced? Come to think of it, in addition to the actual product, I need line sheets and a bio too!  Some nice displays wouldn't hurt either!

One would think 20 + years in the fast paced NYC fashion industry, working for the likes of Emmanuel Ungaro and Liz Claiborne doing fashion shows, in-store events, and  managing a 10 million dollar business in a sales capacity at the height of my career would have prepared me for this.  In some ways it did.   But it is different when it's your baby & your business.  ...I never felt guilty traveling or working late when another was providing my income.  Now, I get intense pangs of guilt when I tell my son I'll play with him later, because "mommy is working on an important project".  I'm a great mom & I know it.  I spend a great deal of time with my son and family, yet I still feel guilty for taking that much-needed time to help myself.  Any doctor, family counselor, self-help guru, or other mom will tell you that you need to take care of yourself first and foremost, otherwise you're no good to anyone else.  I know this to be true, so what's with the "mom guilt"?

Anyway, I do my best work under pressure, I always have; so I am positive that I will pull through.  Without inflicting too much damage to the family on the home-front too.

For what it's worth guys, I'm a really private person by nature.  It took some courage to share these to share these thoughts and emotions with you.

PAMA Pomegranate Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ever since I was a little kid, I've been allergic to chocolate.  That's probably why I don't have much of a sweet tooth as an adult.  Every now and again, I do get a craving for a cookie and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are my favorite.  Here's a quick and easy recipe for Oatmeal Raisin Cookies incorporating PAMA Pomegranate liqueur.



Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
• 3/4 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups oatmeal
• 1 teaspoon hot water
• 1 cup raisins
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• PAMA pomegranate liqueur 

First, soak the raisins in PAMA pomegranate liqueur for a minimum of 60 minutes.   If time is on your side, & for the best flavor allow the raisins to soak overnight.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and butter a cookie sheet or three.

Now add the butter and sugars into a mixing bowl and cream with a mixer.  Add the eggs and continue to mix.  Add the flour, salt, cinnamon and baking soda and continue to mix with the mixer.  Fold in the oatmeal and mix well.

Drain the raisins retaining a teaspoon or so of the liquid.  Add the PAMA soaked raisins & liquid, hot water, and vanilla extract.  Mix well.

Once the batter is fully mixed, take a teaspoon and drop dollops onto the buttered cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 10-15 minutes depending on how large your dollops are and Enjoy!

Recipe yields about 4 dozen cookies.

Everyone can have a Treasury, including YOU!

The Treasuries on Etsy are a wonderful way to share your favorite items or express your mood.  And, if the Treasury you created captures the essence of Etsy, then it might even appear on the front page.

Now there are those that wait patiently through the wee hours of the morning for the Treasury to open up -- that's not me.  The Treasury does not always open up at the most opportune times for me, however, if the time is right then I'm always grabbing one.

Here's how:

1. Check the Treasury Clock over at Craftopolis -- if the timing is right then click the link and head right on over to the respective Treasury to wait.
2. Have your Treasury Title ready and copied into your browsers clipboard ready to go. ( Once the Treasury opens, it remains open for a brief period so you must be ready)
3. Sort the Treasury by expiration so the next list set to expire appears at the top of page.  Scroll to the bottom of the page and wait!  DO NOT refresh your browser.  If you're like me and your a bit impatient than you can click the page numbers as a way of refreshing, but I can not stress enough NOT to refresh the browser.
4. Once the Treasury opens paste your title and hot "ok create" -- that's it, you're in!

 Things to note

1. There is no limit to the amount of Treasuries that can be created, so in essence everyone waiting can in fact have a treasury.
2. The Treasury MAY open early -- as long as the list is above 333 people have the opportunity to delete their treasuries. once the list drops to 333 (or 222 for West) nothing can be deleted and it becomes a fair playing field.
3. The Poster Sketch tool is great way to play and prep for your Treasury.

To be considered for the Front Page Etsy requires:

1. Well photographed items
2. A variety of items across different categories
3. There must be 4 alternates (many Treasuries I see are not done yet, which also narrows the pool)
4. Can't use Treasuries that use a curator's own item (we can take it out, but then there are not enough alternates)
5. Can't use Treasuries that use more than one item from the same shop.

Read what admin has to say about Treasuries & the Front Page here.

As of this post, Treasury West is set to open in an hour and a half - GO GO GO!