Ebay Blues

Sometimes I get so pissed off at Ebay. They frustrate me so much, hiding behind cut and paste 'Customer Support' emails which make it so obvious they haven't even read you email, let alone understood your problem.

I don't usually visit the Community Forums but I wandered in there this afternoon in search of comfort and a group hug.

Wasn't feeling the love in there though...just more evidence of frustrated PowerSellers.

However, there was one chink of light that turned out to be a full blown sun beam!

Pop over to YouTube have a larff at this...cheered me right up.

Suitably inspired I came up with this badge.

How to Shop...

I love shopping...actually, that's not strictly true.
I love buying! Sometimes I HATE shopping.
Take yesterday for example. Frustrated by the number of shops that think the bigger you are, the taller you must be, I just stood, tears rolling down my face, propped up by Himself, unsure whether to collapse pathetically in a heap or to charge, crazed and finger wielding into Evans. However,I'll save that rant for another day...

I visited the NEC on Tuesday to attend the Spring Fair which is the highlight of the trade buying year. I love it. Its like all the Christmas's I've always wanted, all at once! Hundreds of traders with, mostly, amazing stalls and the most gorgeous things you could ever want to buy. With last year's trip still quite fresh in my mind I was determined to stay focused this time and not wear myself out looking at every shiny, bright, colourful,funny and cute item on display. I also had a secret weapon this year...Himself had offered to come with me to see what I found so fascinating. Besides, I'd also made a list! (His Virgo-ness must be catching)

So, within a couple of hours I'd visited all of my existing suppliers, found the ones I wanted to checkout on my list and managed to discover a couple of lovely surprises. Leaving a couple of hours left for wandering to Ooo and Aah at the shiny,bright,colourful,funny and cute things....oh, and buying of course.

Well, what did I buy? Here's a teaser, a taste of what's to come to The Stroppy Cow very soon:

Envirosax...gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous

Apparently Cameron Diaz has had the Envirosax bug since 2007

and check out all the other celebs here

David Arquette with his Envirosax

Cute key rings and phone charms from Hot Munkey

I've also ordered some great handbags made from recycled packaging, but sadly no pics yet and a huge selection of quirky jewelley. I've tried to go Fair Trade and as Eco-Friendly as possible and have generally stuck with the smaller traders (actually the larger ones can be really snooty with 'small-time' retailers so stuff em!).

Watch this space for updates or subscribe to The Stroppy Cow newsletter using the link on the right for regular updates.

Nurse Badges and Magnets

Following a bulk order for the sleep with a nurse magnets for a web based nursing supplies company Nifty Nurses, we've been busy designing some new nursing badges.
Some are on eBay but the complete set can be found on The Stroppy Cow web site.

Ireland Special Order

These mirrors were done towards the end of last year...I'd forgotten about the pics I meant to post! DER!

Made for Waxperts in Ireland as a mail-shot promo

Customer's artwork printed and ready to cut out

Cutouts and components ready to assemble.

Nearly done!

Lots of bubble wrap!

All ready to post, complete with voile gift bags.

It was a great order, shame we were let down by Royal Mail who took 3 days to get it out of the UK on a 'guaranteed' 24 hour service!

Twilight Badges

Just a quick post...new Twilight badges now on The Stroppy Cow and eBay.

Snow in Shropshire

Tilly makes a snow angel

(appropriately dressed ~not~ as usual)

Snow on the rosemary bush

My poor veggie plots!

The snow wasn't right for making a snowman so here's what we would've liked him to look like!

Wishful thinking! LOL

Happy New Year!

Better late than never I guess!

I've been super busy, firstly recovering from the amazingly manic Christmas rush and secondly tweaking my new look web site. Pop over and have a look..it's FAB!

I've so many things to post but I'll start with the new stuff and hopefully, catch up later!

There are some new Valentine's Day badges on the The Stroppy Cow and eBay, although, technically, most are Anti-Valentine's Badges!

I was rummaging through my jewellery finding, just to re-acquaint myself with the stock 'cos it's been sooo long since I had time to make anything, when I found some cute boy and girl fimo charms I was 'saving' for a project and quickly whipped them up into earrings!

How cute are they?

I'm going to have to have a clearance sale! I'm off the the NEC for the Spring Gift Fair at the beginning of February so I need space for all the new goodies I'm hoping to find.

I just don't seem to find the time now for making the bracelets and stuff and I miss it.