Stuff… for People

❉ THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! ❉

CONGRATS AMANDA (cats99)!!!!

So for all the people out there that are sticking to their New Year’s diet resolution, and for those that aren’t (um… yeah…), here’s the perfect giveaway.  This month I’m giving away a tiny hamburger or cheeseburger necklace!  You choose either cheese or no cheese – perfect for anyone that’s lactose intolerant.  It can also be a veggie burger or turkey burger too.  Zero calories, organic and 100% local ingredients, well, at least if you live in the southern California area.  I personally think that these look just like an In N’ Out Burger just minus the animal-style toppings.  These little burger charms were hand-formed by Roscata (that’s me!) in my little house in Long Beach, California.  The bun has been expertly “toasted” and layered with crisp lettuce and juicy red ripe tomatoes and you get to choose between cheese or healthy.

❉ THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! ❉

To enter the giveaway see the rules below and note that you must do #1 as your first entry.  Also, please leave a separate comment for each entry.  This contest is open to anyone around the world and has free shipping!  Thanks!!!

1.) Your first entry is mandatory.  Visit my store Roscata – Stuff for People and leave a comment on this blog telling me which is your favorite item.  Feel free to choose more than one and visit Roscata’s sold items too.

2.) Follow Roscata on Twitter (username is Roscatastuff) and tweet the following: @roscatastuff Handmade Hamburger Necklace Giveaway from Roscata on Etsy!!! http://roscata.com/blog/?p=944.  When done, come back and leave a separate comment with a link to the tweet and your Twitter username for an additional entry.

3.) Become a contact with Roscata on Flickr to get an additional entry.  Just visit Roscata’s Flickr page and add Roscata as a contact.  Also feel free to comment on any of her pictures in her photostream.  Come back here and leave a comment with your Flickr ID for an additional entry.  If you’re already a contact, THANKS! and leave a comment with your Flickr ID.

4.) Join Roscata’s blog via Google Friend Connect (see right-hand column and click “Follow”) and leave your username in a comment for one additional entry.

5.) Lastly, make a purchase from Roscata’s shop and earn five (5) additional entries for EACH item purchased!  Come back here when done and leave five additional comments for each item purchased.  Be sure to include your Etsy username and item(s) purchased in the comment.

Until Later!  ®oscata

All entrants to this giveaway will be given instant membership in The Stuff Club, Roscata’s once-a-month mailing list where you’ll be the first to know of her monthly giveaways and super-special sales such as her spring and winter Buy One Get One Half Off with Free Shipping Sale (perfect for Mother’s Day and Holiday shopping)!  Your e-mail will remain protected, never spammed, and your privacy is thoroughly respected. If you would not want to be part of The Stuff Club just reply back to any e-mail with the subject line “Unsubscribe.”

CONGRATS TO JINGLE WHO WON THE BIRDCAGE NECKLACE GIVEAWAY!!!!

After a wonderful holiday season with my family, I had a well-deserved rest and now Roscata’s shop it back in full-swing for the springtime.  I know it’s only January (as I sit here in my warm flannel PJ’s), but I can’t wait for the warmer days and the southern California wildflowers to start blooming!

To celebrate the arrival of spring, new blooms, and of course, the arrival of little birdies to sing from the branches, I’m giving away a birdcage necklace in your choice of color and your choice of birdie!  A little handmade polymer clay birdie charm perches on a swing that moves.  The cage door is securely adhered so that your little feathered friend will not be lost.  The chain is 24 inches and goes perfect for tunic shirts and an adorable little silvery skeleton key charm adds a ton of cuteness!

You get to choose which antique Victorian style birdcage pendant you would like:  bright French blue, a pure white, or a light pastel rosy pink.  Bird choices are unlimited; however, as a bird biologist, I tend to go for real birds such as indigo buntings, yellow or white canaries, or red cardinals.  Although a purple or bright pink birdie is still really cute!  Below are some examples of birdcages that I’ve made for my Etsy shop, Roscata – Stuff for People.

To enter the giveaway see the rules below and note that you must do #1 as your first entry.  Also, please leave a separate comment for each entry.  This contest is open to anyone around the world!  Thanks!!!

1.) Your first entry is mandatory.  Visit my store Roscata – Stuff for People and leave a comment on this blog telling me which is your favorite item.  Feel free to choose more than one and visit Roscata’s sold items too.

2.) Follow Roscata on Twitter (username is Roscatastuff) and tweet the following: @roscatastuff Handmade Custom Birdcage Necklace Giveaway from Roscata on Etsy!!! http://roscata.com/blog/?p=872.  When done, come back and leave a separate comment with a link to the tweet and your Twitter username for an additional entry.

3.) Become a contact with Roscata on Flickr to get an additional entry.  Just visit Roscata’s Flickr page and add Roscata as a contact.  Also feel free to comment on any of her pictures in her photostream.  Come back here and leave a comment with your Flickr ID for an additional entry.  If you’re already a contact, THANKS! and leave a comment with your Flickr ID.

4.) Join Roscata’s blog via Google Friend Connect (see right-hand column and click “Follow”) and leave your username in a comment for one additional entry.

5.) Lastly, make a purchase from Roscata’s shop and earn five (5) additional entries for each item purchased!  Come back here when done and leave five additional comments for each item purchased.  Be sure to include your Etsy username and item(s) purchased in the comment.

Until Later!  ®oscata

All entrants to this giveaway will be given instant membership in The Stuff Club, Roscata’s once-a-month mailing list where you’ll be the first to know of her monthly giveaways and super-special sales such as her spring and winter Buy One Get One Half Off with Free Shipping Sale (perfect for Mother’s Day and Holiday shopping)!  Your e-mail will remain protected, never spammed, and your privacy is thoroughly respected. If you would not want to be part of The Stuff Club just reply back to any e-mail with the subject line “Unsubscribe.”

Thanks everyone!  This contest is now over and I’ll pick a winner early next week!

Hello everyone and happy holidays!  It’s an exciting weekend at Roscata’s shop.  A huge holiday sale and a giveaway.  Read on for more details on the Day After Thanksgiving Day Sale and the $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway…

♥ Day After Thanksgiving Sale ♥

Stop by Roscata’s shop Stuff for People after gorging on turkey to catch the Day After Thanksgiving Sale that runs from Black Friday to Cyber Monday. Practice active consumerism!  Shop online on Black Friday.  Don’t work on Cyber Monday, shop online  So here’s the “scoop” on the sale:

* Black Friday, November Nov. 27th from 12am – 11:59pm Pacific time, buy one item, get the second item of equal or lesser value for 40% off (only one purchase, on one item, per person, per 24 hour period) plus free worldwide shipping!

* From 12:00 am Saturday Nov. 28th until Cyber Monday, November 30th 11:59pm Pacific time, buy one item, get the second item of equal or lesser value at 30% off (only one purchase, on one item, per person, per 24 hour period) plus free worldwide shipping!

Important Note:  Sale prices are not applicable to custom orders. Feel free to either pay for your purchase and I’ll refund your discount via Paypal or wait for a revised invoice – let me know your choice in the message to seller. Note that for each day of the sale, only one purchase with the discount applies. Feel free to make a purchase on Friday, Saturday and on Sunday; however, additional purchases made within the same day’s sale period will not be discounted. Thanks!

♥ $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway ♥

Also, to celebrate Roscata’s first Turkey Day Sale, November will have an extra giveaway!  A $25 Gift Certificate with no expirationdate to use in Roscata’s shop or to give to a friend.  To enter the giveaway do the following and please leave a separate comment for each entry (if you leave everything in one comment, no worries):

1.) Your first entry is mandatory.  Visit Roscata’s shop, Stuff for People and leave a comment on this blog with your favorite item.  Feel free to choose more than one and visit Roscata’s sold items too.

2.) Follow Roscata on Twitter (username is Roscatastuff) and tweet the following: $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway and Day After Thanksgiving Sale thru this weekend on Roscata’s Shop http://roscata.com/blog/?p=849.  When done, come back and leave a separate comment with your Twitter username for an additional entry.

3.)  Join The Stuff Club for an additional entry.  Leave your e-mail address in a comment (encrypt it like this:  stuff[at]roscata dot com to avoid getting spammed) or when you sign in.  Also, you can send a convo to Roscata with your e-mail address if you would like to remain secure.  If you send a convo, be sure to leave a comment letting me know you wanted to join the Stuff Club.  The Stuff Club is Roscata’s mailing list where you’ll be the first to know of her monthly giveaways and super-special sales like the Day After Thanksgiving Sale!  Your e-mail will remain protected and your privacy is thoroughly respected.

4.) If you’re already a member of The Stuff Club, YAY!  you get two additional entries!  Be sure to let me know you’re a member (send an e-mail or convo).  Leave two comments to get your two additional entries.

5.) Become a contact with Roscata on Flickr.  Just visit Roscata’s Flickr page and add Roscata as a contact.  Also feel free to comment on any of her pictures in her photostream.  Come back here and leave a comment with your Flickr ID for an additional entry.  If you’re already a contact, THANKS! and leave a comment with your Flickr ID.

6.) For southern Californians , get an additional entry by visiting Roscata in person at the Long Beach Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Fair at the Long Beach Marine Stadium (for directions click here).  Patchwork runs from 11am to 5pm on November 29th, 2009.  Stop by Roscata’s booth and say hi, let her know you’ll be entering the giveaway, and then come back later and leave a comment.

7.) Follow Roscata’s blog (see right-hand column and click “Follow”) and leave your username in a comment for one additional entry.

8.) Lastly, make a purchase from Roscata’s shop and earn five (5) additional entries for each item purchased!  This even applies to the items discounted from the Day After Thanksgiving Sale!!!  Come back here when done and leave five additional comments for each item purchased.  Be sure to include your Etsy username in the comment.

Giveaway ends at Midnight Pacific Time on Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

☺ GOOD LUCK! ☺

Until Later!  ®oscata

THIS CONTEST IS NOW OVER!  THANKS!!!!

Congratulations dymphna!!!!  You’re the winner of the Mochi purse charm!

Interested in my other monthly giveaways?  Sign up for Roscata’s Stuff Club mailing list to be notified of future contests and giveaways.  Just send me an e-mail or go to my Etsy store and send a convo!

I’ve been so busy doing a ton of custom orders that I almost forgot that it’s giveaway time!!!

So this month, I’m giving away a totally cute mochi purse charm (or keychain)!  If you’ve never had mochi before, you’re missing out.  Most people have it in ice cream but my favorite way when it’s wrapped around some sweet red bean paste and then covered in black roasted sesame seeds (called daifuku) – YUM!

Mochi is made from cooked rice that’s pounded and when done, the result is this chewy yummy Japanese treat, similar in texture to a marshmallow!  Mochi can be sweet (perfectly not-too-sweet) and used in tons of desserts and snacks or even unsweetened and added to savory dishes.  Monjayaki with cheese, mochi and spicy cod roe from GajaMoc (in Lomita, CA) or takoyaki with mochi and cheese from Asa Ramen (in Gardena, CA) are some of my favorites…  Geez, I’m making myself hungry, um… back to the giveaway!

For all mochi-lovers out there, I’ve created a little purse charm / key chain with some traditional mochi treats – a mochi bunny, green tea mochi, pink mochi flower, mochi folded over sweet red bean paste, mochi with sweet red beans and a fresh juicy strawberry, and three flavors of mochi on a stick.

So here are the rules…

Be sure to include your e-mail address, website or blog link so if you win, I’ll be able to contact you!  You can leave separate comments or put everything in one comment.  Either way is fine with me.

1.)  Visit my shop (www.roscata.com or http://roscata.etsy.com) and leave a comment on this post with your favorite item – feel free to peruse my listed items and my sold items!  This will get you one entry.

2.) Blog about my giveaway (be sure to link to my shop, to this giveaway post, and include a picture of the mochi purse charm!) and leave a separate comment with the link.  This will get you five additional entries.

3.) Go to Twitter and tweet the following for one additional entry:  @roscatastuff Handmade mochi purse charm giveaway! http://roscata.com/blog/?p=573

4.)  Go to my Flickr page and leave a comment on this photo to get one additional entry!  Feel free to look at my other photos too!  To see all my photos click here.

5.) Follow this blog and leave another comment letting me know you did so for one additional entry.  If you already follow my blog, just remind me.

6.) Make a purchase of $10 or more from my shop and receive 10 additional entries!  Be sure to let me know you made a purchase in either a separate comment or in an Etsy conversation.

The winner will also receive cute goodies from talented Southern California crafters Ennadesign and LuckyFindDesigns!!!

The giveaway ends at 12:00 pm Pacific time on September 7, 2009.

All entrants will be added to the Stuff Club (Roscata’s mailing list) to be notified of other Roscata giveaways!  E-mail addresses will be kept private and only used to send notifications of sales and giveaways at Roscata’s Shop – Stuff for People.

❀ GOOD LUCK!!!! ❀

Until later! ®oscata

Well, pillaging usually involves taking and not really asking and there’s usually no money coming from the pillager’s purse… but, look at the score I made at the Pasadena City College Flea Market!  I got a great, never-been-used Queensland tea towel, an older train case with paper lining with a great mirror, four hankies, and a tin Wolverine doll kitchen sink and dishwasher – the faucet swivels!!!!!!

I also spent the last week making a ton of new stuff.  With my mom visiting, craft shows, and being just plain worn out, I didn’t get to get my hands into some Sculpey until early last week.  My latest creation have been polymer clay balloon dog charms that are now available in my shop.

Until later! ®oscata

“Necessity never made a good bargain.”  Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

I actually thought about this for a while but once I start working, I tend to get into my zone and forget about everything else.  This time; however, I took out my camera and documented the process of making tiny burger charms!  Of course, I start from the bottom up, building each little piece, and then I bake, polish, sand, and glaze – ORDER UP!

Bun Bottoms with Burger Patties

Next come cheese slices and tomato with some bakeable adhesive

Lettuce goes next and then the top bun with an eyepin to secure it all together

After sanding and buffing, just brown the tops and bake

Yum! Finished Burgers!

Until later! ®oscata

“Sacred cows make the best hamburger.”

-Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) (1835-1910)

Patchwork is over and I am so tired! But it’s back to work today and this weekend photographing all the stuff that I created for the show and didn’t get to list in my Etsy shop yet.  The show was great and I had a ton of sales and wonderful people come to visit my little booth.  I even got to use my tiny fridge and stove that I bought (thanks PeachyChicBoutique and bunnypig !!!!) and tons of compliments on them!  By the way… disregard the ol’ crappy Ford Probe on the right, that’s NOT part of my display!  Yeah, that wooden hand sculpture on top of the rice box is giving the bird!  I love that thing!

Until later! ®oscata

“Anyone who lives within their means suffers from lack of imagination.”

-Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

So I’m doing another craft fair that I’m really excited about. It’s an event through Handmade District (thanks Kayte of Lucky Find Designs!!!) at To Die For Clothing in Costa Mesa, CA.  The best part is that there are only a small number of vendors and hopefully there will be tons of people that want to buy my little stuff!   There is $1 fee to cover the cost of printing and posting flyers around.  The event is sponsored by Handmade District, To Die For, KidRobot and tons of others!  This one will be fun and have some amazing stuff!

The Swap
Saturday, June 13th from 10am to 3pm

To Die for Clothing
1032 West 18th Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Google Map of Location

I’m so excited!!!! Really, I could giggle for hours over my latest acquisitions!  I recently had an idea of displaying some of my items at craft shows by using doll or childrens toy furniture and appliances.  After looking on eBay (yuck) I thought… “Duh, go to Etsy!”  My first search was for a little stove and I found the cutest little pink Wolverine vintage 60’s stove from bunnypig.  It’s about 12 inches tall and wide and about half a foot deep – PERFECT for my stuff.

Then I found the most amazing vintage 70’s Raggedy Ann refrigerator from PeachyChicBoutique and it is 15 inches tall, 6 inches deep and about 7 inches across.  I just finished a bunch of handmade magnets (I swear I’ll post pics later!) and this would be an adorable way to showcase them!

Not only were the items in fantastic condition considering they’re older than me (and I’ve seen better days!) but the sellers were amazing and super sweet!  I’ll take pictures of the set-up at Patchwork Indie Arts & Crafts Festival next Sunday – May 17th!!! – with my little appliance displays and post them ASAP.  I’m so happy I could snort!

Until later! ®oscata

Afraid nobody around here understands my potato
Think I’m only a spudboy looking for a real tomato

-Devo lyrics (1979) from Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA on Duty Now for the Future

I’m so excited!  I get to go to Patchwork in Santa Ana!  I’ve been working like crazy to get enough stuff together and have a lot of awesome inventory for the show.   I’ve been making some really cute fudge covered ice cream treats (remember Dove Bars?) with gooey fudge dripping down over ice cream on a stick!  I also added cute crystal embellishments to make them ultra-girly!  I’ll take pictures tonight and post them later.

Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Festival

Sunday May 17th, 11am until 5pm

2202 North Main Street, Santa Ana CA 92708

Until later!

®oscata

“A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men.”

-Roald Dahl (1916-1990), (Willie Wonka) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory