Red Christmas Bells, been forever

The Red Christmas Bells Drawing diamond painting.  Finally finished.  Sorry, it was not a sunny day, and we aren't going to have a nice day for about a week.  This is a full square, 35x35cm from one of the 3 kits set I got last year.  I do still have the other two for now, details were in my FB and they are up online(ships from the US).  Now that I have finished this one, if the others aren't purchased, I will dig in and make those, as well, to be offered as finished art like this one.  I added the forest green washi tape, looks very light once on the canvas. Sprayed with some gloss sealant. I have put it on ebay and etsy  already. This does come in different sizes, you can still go to my shop and order it yourself in bigger or smaller sizes.  Remember that it will take about a month to get, from the shop orders. (I have noted that most all XMAS gift type things should be ordered by Nov 25, to ensure delivery in time, not much later will work.)

So, uh, blah.  I did get really sick over the entire summer.  I was fighting a nagging infection, ended up that I got a secondary infection--from the medicine.  I eventually went to the hospital and spent a little time there.  It's been a long road to recover, and I'm still feeling a little fragile, not sure if that will go away.  I've been taking it a bit at a time, all the important stuff for shipping and packing orders, as a priority.  I think I otherwise slept the entire summer, no joke.  I am tentatively getting back into my routine, including from having turned most communication off beforehand.  I am not sure what it is, younger crafters etc, but emails were outright bullying.  Writing an intro email to someone you are looking to help you, that sounds nearly like a death threat, isn't the way to go about it, sorry, and my stress levels cannot deal with that, and a lot of the toxicity of social media. 

I hope to have things back on an even keel, including contact for people that have actual problems with the orders.  There is tracking assistance all over the web, I cannot respond to everyone asking again for the status, when it's all been sent, or I'd never get anything done. If I get through the emails, it will only be on the TurquoiseRoads one, most all the rest, I never even see, as it is, those filter to junk email accounts from the payment processors and hosting, etc.

Next?  Good question.  I've now had a couple years to assess what is working and what's not.  Dealt with a few family issues that have seemed to resolved finally.  My health seems good, except for energy level, and I have to take that into account for what I can get done.  And for the first time in a long time, a relationship that may be blossoming into something worth setting aside some time and effort for. Still in a wait and see mode, at my age, I am not keen on rushing anything, and it's been buzzing around for a few years already, only recently becoming more apparent.

All of which means I need to be working smarter.  I will be trimming things that seem to be wasteful. I plan to downsize the ebay store when it is due, Feb 1? Most of the beads are not a productive item at this point.  If you want beads, this is the time to get them.  I will start lumping them into clearance bulk sets as the winter goes along, and moving them into auctions. I do have them on Bonanza as well, but I will try to push as many through on ebay as I can, before going into a smaller storefront.  A lot of the US dropship on ebay will also have to come down. Craft kits, threads, etc, will have to come off, probably not even enough space to auction.  Those are all on the TR Bonanza, again, you can still find it, but not if ebay is your preferred go-to, at that time.

I will be adding more China produced items in the bead space, ordering direct to have on hand. It's all stuff that populates US marketplaces already. However, I start to hit some issues on where to host items, conflicts on which platforms to use, and I cannot be spending hours every day in doing this.  The TR website is set to international shipping, which I cannot flip back and forth on items. I do not want to shut off international customers, that is about half my base.  But ALL of the items I have on hand, I will only ship in the US, it's much easier.  

So whether that is regular beads, China beads on hand, US sourced dropship, or the crafted items, I don't have a nice place to put all the overflow.  I am working on ideas to open another shop, for that.  It will only be available to US addresses---and quite possibly, no APO, PO Boxes, or even AK/HI, as many of the dropship will not accept those address formats.  Many are shipped by ground methods only.  Some of this is exciting for me, as I can add food items, perfume, etc, which I have not been able to offer before.  I do not have a firm date to start this, but possibly not until Jan 1.

In the meantime, it's time for a lot of site cleanup, and quiet nights of more crafting, as I hopefully recover a little more strength. (This includes the diamond paintings, as the super hot interest in those has waned a little; I will be cutting several of those slow movers out completely.)  I am quite disappointed in not being able to finish projects this year, especially since some are leftovers from last year. I am still working on the birds and maple pixel, ready to pick another type of diamond painting, and a few small cross stitch in the works. Not feeling like I have a lot of time to rest, needing to push so many things forward. 

My next update shouldn't be nearly so far, only a few weeks, if that.

Halloween Pumpkin Finish, China Holiday

Another older finish, to some extent.  Halloween Pumpkin, from Artiste. 5x7" on 16ct white aida, full coverage 2x1 cross stitch. Some partial stitches, and I left off the backstitch, kinda looked cheesy. And wow, did this take a long time. Not just how long I've had it, but the actual stitching, as it's 16ct not 14. And it's all full coverage, and very few of these tiny charts ever are.  But I love it, rather stunning for only 3 colors. It's up on eBay  and I will give it a little bit before posting to Etsy.

Nothing much on the other pumpkin, the diamond painting. I am still waiting for missing drills to arrive, and have set it aside for now.  I may not pick it up again until the spring, to be worked on in advance of next holiday season.  I'm going to pick out a Christmas one this week, which will be one with extra kits, to also sell direct once they arrive.  This is just on the FB page, as I am not ready to add to the Ebay site until after the main holiday season for me is done.

I also have square diamond drills #310 and #318 already shipping to me.  Those will be available in a week, or so. Also, preferably through FB, although I have added to a stationary Bonanza site for those, as it is much slower, and some other perks that eBay doesn't have.

I'd suggest if you've been waiting to place some orders, that you do that soon, for diamond paintings or other items on my shop site.  The October Festival in China is Oct 1-7 and they are closed all that time.  And from what I remember last year, seriously closed. Nothing happens.  Which means you need to order a few days before then, so the order can be processed, sent to the shipping containers, and out to sea, before Oct 1.  Some of my suppliers are MUCH faster than others, but of course, you don't know which ones, beforehand..... So, considering that also falls into a weekend, before that, I'd suggest you place orders by Sept 24 or before. If not, it could be 6 weeks before you get your items, as they will be backlogged as well.

In the meantime, the weather has been giving me some fits, but it is storm season and the change into cooler weather. I do hope to have some other finishes posted soon, but with a few of those issues, and it being well into my selling season, there are only so many hours in a day!  Be safe out there.

Pink Goldfish in Bubble, merged sites

A little late, both on finishing and on posting.  Hard keeping up with social media when there is so much to do.  And social media is not the most fun place to hang out, of late.  Maybe after the next election?  But, so here is the Pink Goldfish in Bubble diamond painting.  40x40cm, full square.  I added some lavender bubble looking washi tape to the edges, as it was a bit sticky.  It's up on Ebay and Etsy, too, already.  Fun, I just got distracted near the end with some family issues, and that last mile.....lol.

But, my observations, I think I either like the small partials, or I would need the massively big diamond paintings as projects.  I like the small really 3D sparkly look, or it would need to be huge so it looks like a painting, for real.  This middle of the road pixel look, loses the effect, I think. And possibly, I just prefer the round drills, not square.  So I think I will start ordering some small partials, for me to do and list, quickly. And browse for some massive ones, for later in the year(maybe NSFW? I have my eye on one or two mild ones).

I do also already have some other kits here, and a Halloween one coming, cat and pumpkin diamond painting, but I will save all that for another post. The Goldfish I do still have 2 kits on hand, and the Halloween cat, I will also have extra kits, maybe next week. Please check the FB page in the meantime.  I will also post when I have ordered more drills, black 310 in round and square and one of the whites, when I have actually done the order.

Progress is just a little slow.  It's been an odd, rambling, hot, summer.  And it seems to be ready to ramp up for XMAS.  So when things are a little more liquid, stuff will move a little faster.  I am still ordering beads, however, you may notice that the name has now changed for sales.  Ebay is now TurquoiseRoadsUS, and a few links have been changed.  I am merging almost all of the sites and pages together. A few things that are craft related will likely stay separated, as it's not quite as contemporary and such, (eyeroll) as the new manufactured items. I have a page on most social media outlets.

The Yellow Rose cross stitch sold.  I do have more supplies, patience, I will list again.

And I do have another finish. A nice one. It's already done, but I will save that for another post.

WIP of Pink Goldfish diamond painting, plans

Excited.  I took on a big(certainly for me, anyway) project, and jumped in.  Sticking with it pretty well. This is my Pink Goldfish in Bubble diamond painting.  My first square one, I think I like round better, but I've adapted pretty well, not as scary as I thought.  And it's 40x40cm(16x16), the largest I have done, and it is full coverage.  I was pretty nervous to see the amazing sea of pink drills that were in the package.  I had thought there were some more variations in the colors, but not really. I am plugging away, a few hours here and there, this is pretty close to about half done.  I would like to have it finished really soon, like a week, and up for sale. I have other projects of diamond paintings waiting, as well as a couple needle projects in the works that are also calling, for a bit of a break. I;m pushing to try to do some items on commission, as well, a bit of interest for that.

If you would like to purchase one of these kits, they do come in different sizes, and you can buy it from the shop link, which will take 2-3 weeks to arrive, many countries and paypal accepted .  Pink Goldfish   or I also have 2 of these in the 40x40cm size ready to ship immediately in the US. I've counted the drills, and with paypal, they are ready to go.  Please find me on the Facebook link for TurquoiseRoads for details.

I am on most social media with those pages, if you just search.  I have a few to change or update. Life has still been crazy, and not in a good way.  So I have been pacing myself for increasing shop responsibilities.  When I have the Pink Goldfish done, and up here, I will announce some of my plans and start finalizing some links and cross over things.

So, more updates soon!

Tie Dye Roses Diamond Painting, beads gotta go

So yay, a finish in a decent amount of time! For me, anyway, lol. And it was a little bigger than I remembered, this is 30x48cm. (about 12x19in). I need to be finishing projects a lot faster right now, some things have changed---some related to the online censorship underway.  So, I'm starting some real hustle.  This is already on Ebay, if it hasn't sold really quickly, I'll get it to Etsy. This is a partial diamond painting, done with round drills.


Next diamond painting is probably a pink goldfish, should arrive any day.  I have 2 extra of that kit, I ordered to be able to sell direct. I will quality check that all the drills are there, before sending out or listing elsewhere for sale.  This is full square, 40x40cm. Can check out my TurquoiseRoads Facebook page for the details. I also have some round drills that have already arrived, listed on Bonanza. Will be taking requests for more to order, I'll add those a few at a time.

In the meantime, I am growing the website tremendously. Not just diamond paintings, but getting around to listing some more jewelry, makeup, a few more dresses, and even some cellphone bling cases.  About as quickly as I can get them listed, in between everything else going on.  I'll be able to pace myself to be a little slower, once the summer is in full swing.  I'd like to concentrate on more crafting by then.

And the beads, still need to go. A lot of inventory on The Blushin Rose, that really needs to go. I'm trying to add more items to the auction side, but it's not moving fast enough.  I have a lot of other items that I want to start listing, and some changes to make. I might put them on sale soon, but not yet. I will not be re ordering, 95% of what's listed, will be gone.

More updates soon!

WIP of New Start, New Year

First new start of the year, actually, first work of any crafting of the new year.  I got this last year, on ebay, I call it Fringed Purple Tulips, a partial diamond painting. Really love the colors, just the flowers are filled in, in purples.  Round drill, 40x30cm.  It's a mood lifter, and I am enjoying a little peace and quiet, working on it.  Since it's small, hopefully I will have it finished and listed for sale, in the next few days; I'll post an update when it's ready, along with some other updates about business in general.

Life is still tough.  I have moved again.  Back near where I was, but not the exact part of town, as I couldn't handle doing that.  A temporary place, with nearly no distraction.  Not sure how long that will be, but at least a few months.  I hope to make some real progress in mentally, emotionally, and crafting/business healing.  Things are going well in the business sense, just a little tough when I have so many pieces to keep together, alone, and my expenses are so high right now. 

But it's a new year.  I'm working through it.  Hoping that this year brings some smoother sailing as I start to get myself righted.....instead of looking back at how painful(and scary) last year was.  Peace to all that are struggling.

Hot Corvette Diamond Painting Kit, plug links

Diamond Painting Hot Corvette Car in Desert   from my TurquoiseRoads  shop.  Just one of the many random craft kits and women's items being added. I wish I had more to show for my own progress on the diamond paintings, but I am not able to spread out and get that going right now.

Since I don't have much of any updates, I thought I would put a few plugs out there, as I am quietly still working on my storefronts, etc.  A few hiccups with some slower shipping times, which may continue for a short while longer, but otherwise, MOST business as usual.

One of the things not as usual, is my crafting.  Not only do I not exactly have the time, but my mental and emotional health is a little frazzled.  The past few months have been extremely stressful, and trying to sit and craft, when I feel like there are so many other things to be doing, and frankly, not able to relax, at all.......just not really working.  So if anyone has been watching my FB on The Blushin Rose, etc. that's why there have been no updates, and unfortunately, pretty ignored.  My interpersonal brightness just isn't around again yet, sorry.

For those watching the ebay things for dropship, the upheaval of the summer, and the storms, put me in a precarious spot, and the ebay storefront is closed, for now, on that. I have slowly been moving them, on relevant items, to The Blushin Rose space on ebay.  I have opened an additional Bonanza site, to list all of that inventory, and more, as it moves slower, and there are very little restrictions.

Busy.  It's plenty for me to plug away at, moving and sorting items, it's a tedious process to list items from scratch.  Real bead, kits, crafts, growth etc, is in a holding pattern until next year sometime, spring at least.

On that note, my personal situation has not resolved, at all.  Not sure what I am doing in a new town, so far from where I was. Not getting much assistance anywhere, and can't get settled.  So if anyone feels like being nice and letting me have some relief,  please feel free to go shop and make some purchases.  If you'd simply like to donate a few dollars to the cause, I've used some old links and brand new, to set up a little funding.  Paypal  and ko-fi  have been set up.  I will be in some real need until at least mid January minimum.

Blessings, hopefully I have some better news soon.

Golden Lilies Diamond Painting, A Farewell, and New Start

Golden Lilies Diamond Painting.  It looks nothing like the picture they advertise, a very striking gold with soft flowers, but eh, it's China.  I wasn't expecting a much more dull print, somewhat country, primitive even.  Not exactly my style, but it came out well, and I think it would be a nice addition to many environments.  This is a small one, almost 22"x12", one of the smallest of this size.  I really am going to have to stick with bigger and better!  It's been on ebay  now for a bit already, I will update etsy pretty soon. I do have another one started(a kitty!), putting these little dots on canvas, is really fun, it goes quicker!

But.  It's been a while, since I posted. A long while, longer at least than normal.  And I still struggle with even posting, now.  Sometime back, I recall posting about.....people, take time to appreciate the ones you have around you.  Even when they are sick and struggling.  There are no really big problems, usually, especially with someone sick, it's all small stuff, and just one day at a time.  Unfortunately, perhaps, my tenure with that is over.  I lost one of the best friends I have ever had, earlier in the summer.

That has caused a snowball of more serious problems, for me, as we lived together.  With some urgency, I have had to move.  So I packed up, with all my stuff, and moved another few states away.  I am facing some challenges, with having to do so many things on the fly, so please bear with me, on the business end.  I have not even had time to deal with the loss, in having to make so many changes at once, with all my things packed up, and some uncertainties in front of me.

So.  A very rough summer. I am hanging in here, for the fall and hopefully an okay XMAS season.  Not quite on such a roll as I was, before the world flip flopped.  (Somehow, this always happens to me.)  I am hoping to be settled, a bit, soon, and maybe get a handle on cranking out some good work, once I get a breather for a minute.  Hang tight, everybody.

Diamond Painting Fairy Cat, and other finishes

I had gotten this diamond painting off of Ebay, had a last minute coupon that I used.  I had no idea of the size or coverage when I bought it.  I was a little nervous to see how small it was, and a bit pixelated.  It's the 30x25cm size, and it's only a partial.  This is round drill rhinestones, 11 colors.  It's a nice design, I think I may want to do the much larger size, and do it again.  Anyway, it's up on Ebay and I will add to Etsy soon.  The kit, if you are interested, I have listed on the Turquoiseroads  site, full coverage and bigger.  Magic Fairy Cat

In the meantime, I sold the Swans with Roses diamond painting.  I haven't seen another partial one, exactly like that, so if I do it again, it will be slightly different.  Or I could do the full one, also listed on my TR site,  Swans with Roses

In the meantime, I've finished on of my pixel mosaic kits. I just don't have it all assembled, etc. yet, but that will be coming soon. It's nice to see at least a few finishes, after being so mired down with being sick. 

All that glitters Diamond Painting Swans with Roses

So here is a new obsession and addiction!  Since I thought I would start selling the diamond painting kits on the dropship site (see the TR links or FB) that I should try it and see what it was like.  I bought this one on ebay, still from a seller in China.  It took 2 weeks to arrive.  This is just a partial one, not full coverage.  I call Swans with Roses, as there are no real names.  This is like a very lightweight banner material, vinyl, with adhesive and markings for where to place the faceted rhinestones.  This one has round stones, stick them in place with a sticky pen.  It took me 2 days to do this one, a miracle for a slow poke like me. Added to Ebay for now, Etsy at the beginning of the month if it lasts this long.  I have to figure out shipping tubes, etc.  And I do think they are heat sensitive, to extreme temps, so I will not be shipping during the summer months.

But it's fun, quick, and pretty interesting, sparkly! so I will be making more, probably steadily.  Like most any of the other crafts, I can do commission work on these, if you find something you like(or they do convert your own photos.)  Always the option of purchasing one and holding for cooler weather to ship, as well.  The other idea that was brought to my attention, was to perhaps bulk order a few, and keep them in stock and sell.  Likely through ebay.  A few popular ones, no waiting for long shipping and weird tracking from overseas.  Noodling on that one.