Life Isn't Always Peachy

Well, hi.

To say I fell off the blogging bandwagon would be an understatement. It's been almost a year since my last post. I've missed you guys. And I've missed sharing my adventures with you.

But this past year has been one crazy, busy, not-always-great adventure. There have been some major ups and downs.

I finished my first year of teaching. It was rough. Don't get me wrong - I loved most of it, but I was put into a few situations that caused emotional stress almost every day. I was exhausted by the end of the year. But the students make it all worth it. Nothing compares to giving a great concert with my high schoolers or a hug from a still-thinks-you-are-awesome sixth grader.

Next year is looking up, and I'm excited about my new teaching positions.

Along with my full time job, I was also teaching eleven private violin and viola students, helping with an after school orchestra, and playing with four different orchestras. Needless to say, I haven't had much time to focus on my blog or Etsy shop.

A major up happened in December: Daniel and I got engaged!!!

(AHHHHHH!!!)

Story coming soon!

(I still stare at my ring. No shame.)

We're getting married one year from today!

So, life isn't always peachy - sometimes it's downright not fun - but sometimes it's fabulous!

And speaking of peaches, I've got a peach pie recipe for you!

Check back later!

:)

Happy Birthday, My Dear Blog!

Well, it's been one year since I started Emerging Em!

I can't believe it's been that long. My main inspiration for blogging came from my dear friend Mandy of Mandipidy fame, who was my first follower. Her blog, then called Mandy's Yellow Corner, was so cute that I wanted to create my own blog for sharing the things I love to make. She helped me through the (somewhat overwhelming) beginning stages of creating a blog, and I am forever thankful for that.

Here's my first post about my first forays into blogging and my first project.

About a week later, I opened my Etsy shop, and my rosette hairpins have become my most popular item!

I am so thankful for the sweet blog friends that I have made over this past year. You all have been so supportive and encouraging! My little blog has grown from one follower to over 80 followers, and I hope it continues to grow. My blog has now become a place to share not only my crafts but my adventures in life as well!

Thanks for reading along as I found my incredible boyfriend (or rather he found me)...

... and ran a half marathon...

...and graduated with my Master of Music degree.

To celebrate you, my wonderful readers, I would like to giveaway a $30 shop credit to Emerging Em!

To enter:

Please visit my shop and leave a comment telling me your favorite item.

Extra entries:

1. Follow my blog.

2. Become a fan of Emerging Em on Facebook.

3. Follow me on Twitter.

4. Blog, tweet, or facebook about this giveaway.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you!

This giveaway will run through Friday, July 22nd, and I'll announce the winner the following day!

Handmade With Purpose

Remember this post about Handmade With Purpose?

I want to thank everyone who participated!

It was awesome to see the funds raised for the various charities of the blogs and shops participating! Over 20 handmade shops and blogs joined together to give back!

50% of Emerging Em's proceeds for the month of April went to the American Diabetes Association and the movement to Stop Diabetes®.

Thanks to your support, I raised $110!

I made the donation in honor of Daniel, my boyfriend, who has had diabetes since he was three.

 

If you want to keep up with other happenings from Handmade With Purpose, you can follow the blog here. Their newest posts deal with approaching a charitable organization and establishing credibility. I did not know that Etsy requires a shop owner to gain permission from an organization to raise money in their name. So I emailed the American Diabetes Association for permission to use their Stop Diabetes logo and to mention their name in association with my blog and shop. I'm happy to report that I received permission!

I'm also happy to report that I am going to make Handmade With Purpose a permanent cause! Each month, 15% of the proceeds from Emerging Em will be donated to the American Diabetes Association!

That means that whenever you buy a pair of these...

...or one of these...

...you'll be supporting a worthy cause!

Thank you again for all of your support!



New to Etsy

Despite being so busy, I added quite a few items to my Etsy shop during my blogging break. I added new hairpin colors, a new necklace design, and shoeclips!

I love all of the colors!

Are there any other colors you would like to see?



Your Favorite Color {A Winner}

Just popping in to announce the winner of the giveaway!

The winner of the necklace and hairpins and items from Mandipidy and Moonbeamwishes is...

...comment number 32, Gina from Hiya Luv!

Congrats Gina!

Disappointed you didn't win? Use the code BLOGFRIENDS30 for 30% off your purchase from Emerging Em until Wednesday, April 20th! Don't forget that I'm participating in Handmade With Purpose, and 50% of proceeds this month go to the American Diabetes Association. Please consider shopping for a worthy cause!

:)



Your Favorite Color {and a giveaway}

Remember how I told you that I would host a giveaway for reaching 50 followers?

Well, here it is!

I've teamed up with two other bloggers to give you a whole lot of cute stuff!

First up is the very sweet Ms. Megan, who blogs over at moonbeamwishes and sells her beautiful paper magic on Etsy.

She is giving away a $10 credit to her shop!

Here are some of my favorites.

Next up is the adorable Mandy from Mandipidy, who sells fun prints (and now cards!) on Etsy.

She is giving away the winner's choice of print!

My favorite right now is this...

...and I own one of these.

Lastly, I'll be giving away items from my Etsy shop.

The winner will receive a Rosette Necklace...

...and a set of hairpins, both in the winner's choice of color!

(They don't have to be the same color, of course.)

That's 50 dollars worth of delightful items!

To enter:

Leave a comment telling me what color or colors you would choose for the necklace and hairpins if you win.

Extra Entries:

1. Follow my blog.

2. Become a fan of Emerging Em on Facebook.

3. Follow me on Twitter.

4. Blog, tweet, or facebook about this giveaway.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you!

The giveaway will run through Friday, April 15th, and I'll announce the winner next Saturday!

:)

Handmade With Purpose

I'm participating in Handmade with Purpose!

For the month of April, over 20 handmade shops and blogs have joined together to give back. Each of the particiating shops and blogs will be donating proceeds to the charity of their choice.

Please help us give back by:

-buying handmade goods from participating shops

-sponsoring participating blogs

-donating to designated charities

-spreading the word on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter

{#handmadewithpurpose}

Please visit Handmade With Purpose, and specifically this post, to receive updates and to learn about the participating shops and blogs and the charities to which they are donating.

Thank you to Lindsay, of Paint Me a Picture, for organizing this exciting event!

Emerging Em's charity is the American Diabetes Association and the movement to Stop Diabetes®.

Join the Millions^SM in the fight to Stop Diabetes. Help build the momentum needed to put an end to diabetes once and for all. To learn more visit stopdiabetes.com.

"Our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes."

Every 17 seconds equals a new case of diabetes, and I have several very important people in my life affected by the disease. My boyfriend, Daniel, has had diabetes since he was three, and my little cousin Chris has also struggled with the disease for a few years. Both have been hospitalized from complications. I want to help them as well as the over 25 million people affected by diabetes in the United States.

That's why I'm donating

50%

of the proceeds from Emerging Em for the month of April to the American Diabetes Association to Stop Diabetes®!!

You can buy one of these...

or these...

or these...

...and shop for a worthy cause!

I'm so excited about this opportunity, and I'm hoping you'll consider helping me give back!

Giveaway {Coming Soon To You}

I've reached 50 blog followers!

YAY!

I think I'll celebrate by treating myself to a cupcake. With sprinkles.

(City of Blackbirds) 

I think I'll help you celebrate with a giveaway from Emerging Em!

(Unless you want cupcakes, too...)

Be on the lookout soon!

And thank you for being such wonderful, lovely readers! I truly appreciate your comments, advice, and support!

:)



New to Etsy

I recently listed some new items in the shop. Did you see them?

I added new hairpins in a variety of colors.

My favorite colors are Sky Blue...

...and Dusty Rose.

I also listed this Cream Rosette Hair Clip.

How about I give a discount to you lovely readers?

Use the code BLOGFRIENDS30 for 30% off your order from Emerging Em!

p.s. Discount code is good through March 22nd.