As we get ready to round the corner to a New Decade, let's remember the last Etsyblogger birthday of the OLD decade as well as the ones coming up in the NEW.
Please have a safe and Happy New Year wherever you are, and however you celebrate.
Annmarie from Jack and Ella Thurday Dec 31
Just found out that Paige, also from Jack and Ella had her bd on the 7th of December - happy belated bd!
Leslie from Bei Mondi Monday Jan 4 her shop is on vacation until Friday
Elle from Down the Street Tuesday Jan 5
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: Handmade By Sandi
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Journal Swap for EtsyBloggers - a start of something new?
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by storybeader:
I got this idea from a website called swap-bot, that exchanges postcards, bookmarks, pincushions, all kinds of things. So first of all, thank you Rachel and Travis, for your website. If anyone's into swapping, their site is a great place to visit.
But my special thanks goes to ratbatzine, for the journal swap idea. This is a little different than just mailing items. Everybody will be required to write in their journals, on prearranged topics, starting March 1st. And in the first week of April, you will mail the journal back to your Swap Mate.
Like most things that involve a large group (hopefully) of people, we need to set some guidelines. So first off, here are some explanations and rules for the Journal Swap:
But that's only half the fun.
January 1, 2010: Signup Starts - go to the Message Board to sign up!
January 11, 2010: Signup Ends - if you missed the deadline, sorry! Wait till the next swap!
January 18, 2010: Swap Mate Announcement - I will modify the second post, and list Mates there
February 28, 2010: Last day journals must be sent to your Swap Mate. ("Media Mail" is the cheapest rate, at least in the US)
March 1 - 31, 2010: Journal entries
April 1- 8, 2010: Mail your journal back to your Swap Mate, and write about your experience.
OK, there's the rules!
Whatta ya think? Excited? 
Sign up now!
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: storybeader
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
I got this idea from a website called swap-bot, that exchanges postcards, bookmarks, pincushions, all kinds of things. So first of all, thank you Rachel and Travis, for your website. If anyone's into swapping, their site is a great place to visit.
But my special thanks goes to ratbatzine, for the journal swap idea. This is a little different than just mailing items. Everybody will be required to write in their journals, on prearranged topics, starting March 1st. And in the first week of April, you will mail the journal back to your Swap Mate.
Like most things that involve a large group (hopefully) of people, we need to set some guidelines. So first off, here are some explanations and rules for the Journal Swap:
- This Swap Is Limited To EtsyBloggers Only! So if you want to participate, and you're not a member of the EtsyBloggers team, now's the time to join! http://etsybloggers.com/
- All messages and signing up for Journal Swap will be managed through the Etsybloggers Message Board "Ideas/Idea and Info re: our EtsyBloggers Street Team/Journal Swap"
- The journal that you send can either be handmade or bought.
- There will be a cost involved, so to make things fair, I'm limiting supplies and mailing to $30. You can spend as much time as you want, getting things together!
- The storybeader will act as coordinator! All messages/questions/etc regarding this Journal Swap should be directed to the storybeader, within the Journal Swap signup thread.
- The Swap Mate you send your journal to and the person you receive your package from, will not be the same. I will do a random pick to match everyone with a Mate (Swap-bot doesn't believe in partnering, and I want to follow their rules.)
- I'll announce Swap Mates on the Message Board on Jan 18th (my birthday!) You will have until Jan.31st to exchange your mailing address with your Swap Mate.
But that's only half the fun.
- Swapping journals will last one month. I'm setting aside the month of February for everyone to get their packages delivered. This is an international swap, so be aware of your Swap Mate's address.
- If anyone is having problems,
like never getting a mailing address from their Swap Mate or not receiving a package, please contact the storybeader via the Journal thread and tell me what's up. Remember the Golden Rule, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." If you think you can't fulfill some of the requirements, have fun watching, not participating. I will keep track of "problem swappers" and pass this list onto the next coordinator, who may ban these shops from the next swap.
- Starting March 1, we will begin to write in our journals. All the topics are in the Message Board. Please do them all. You should do topic #1 (scroll down on the Message Board - it's in purple) first, but after that, you can do the topics in any order.
- Everyone will mail their journals back to their Swap Mates the first week of April, and write about their experience, sometime during the month, in a blog post.
January 1, 2010: Signup Starts - go to the Message Board to sign up!
January 11, 2010: Signup Ends - if you missed the deadline, sorry! Wait till the next swap!
January 18, 2010: Swap Mate Announcement - I will modify the second post, and list Mates there
February 28, 2010: Last day journals must be sent to your Swap Mate. ("Media Mail" is the cheapest rate, at least in the US)
March 1 - 31, 2010: Journal entries
April 1- 8, 2010: Mail your journal back to your Swap Mate, and write about your experience.
OK, there's the rules!
Whatta ya think? Excited? Sign up now!Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: storybeader
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Friday, December 25, 2009
Internet Artisan Interview - JN Originals
I've gotten to know this next artisan through the etsybloggers team and our weekly team thread. But I had no idea Judy, from JN Originals, was so involved in Etsy. She belongs to three street teams: the etsybloggers, bbest, and one from her home state of Iowa. Judy also has three shops and two blogs, which must keep her very busy. I love her banners and shop names, don't you? Read on, and see all the creative things she's up to!
What's the name of your business/shop?
I sell fiber arts-produced goods in JN Originals ,
and paper arts-produced items in Mister PenQuin , although there is sometimes some crossover.
I also have a destash shop called 2nd Chance Treasures .
Do you have a registered domain name and/or a blog?
Although I don’t have a registered domain, I do have a couple of blogs. Word Walks, my personal writing space (http://wordwalks.blogspot.com), is where I reflect, dream and talk about inspiration. Word Walks meanders in much the same way that a “walkabout” in Australia does, except that the journey takes place in words, not on foot. Spark Lines (http://sparklines.blogspot.com) features Etsy artists whose work I admire, as well as discussions related to creative expression.
What type of handmade products do you sell?
When I first opened my first shop, JN Originals, I wasn’t sure what it would grow up to be. I only knew that I like to play with color, texture and pattern, and that this was likely to be reflected in the shop. Over time, I learned that I also like to produce items that are functional. One day I looked at JN Originals and realized that nearly everything in the shop consisted of crocheted or felted wool items: Java Jackets (coffee cup sleeves), needle books, Treasure Books (felted wool multi-purpose books with pages for photos or ACEOs, business, Moo or credit cards, and a pocket page for a special treasure), spa cloths, flower brooches, scarves and scarflettes, and felted wool bags and pouches.
But I am also passionate about working with paper (and fabric), so I needed a home for those items; that’s how Mister PenQuin was born. If you visit the shop, you’ll see that the items there connect words, images and self-expression: bookmarks, sewing notebooks, note card sets, brag books, and altered clipboards. Eventually the shop will also include journals and padfolios. Mister PenQuin is still a work-in-progress, as it was just opened this past September. My husband’s doodling was the inspiration for the shop name. When we were first married, he was stationed on the West coast as a Naval Weapons Officer, and was often away in the Pacific while I stayed home. His letters to me were always signed with a penguin wearing a top hat whom he called “Mister PenQuin.” Just as the shop has a connection between words and images, so does this character.
Show us a piece you recently finished.
What are you working on right now? Any sketches?
I’m not one of those people who works on one project at a time. If you visit my sewing room or paper studio, and look about, you’ll see all kinds of UFOs (UnFinished Objects). Dolly, my dress form, is wearing a half-finished apron. On top of the sewing machine cabinet is a journal cover, waiting to be satin-stitched. The drawer in the paper studio contains date books waiting to be assembled with my Bind-It-All. I never run out of ideas, just time, so I keep a notebook where I jot these down. That notebook contains ideas for a fourth shop, likely for fabric products.
If you have a website or blog, what do you use for advertising? What do your avatars look like?
Marketing is always a challenge, mainly because of the time it takes. But without it, there’s not much point in selling. I use social networks like Facebook and Twitter to announce new items, as well as Stylehive and Kaboodle. Because you can feed photos from Flickr into your Facebook account, that provides a way for potential buyers to see what will appear in your shop soon. Blogging, of course, is a way for your readers to get to know you and trust you, and may lead (indirectly) to sales, so I keep two personal blogs, and write for the BBEST (Boomers and Beyond Etsy Street Team) team blog as well. High-quality photos are critical in all of these areas, so I am always happy to learn about a better way to take good ones. The avatars in my shops are related to the shop banners. JN Originals products nearly always include a flower somewhere, so the avatar is a flower. And the avatar for Mister PenQuin is predictable: a penguin wearing a top hat! When you purchase an item from me, I include a couple of handmade magnets with these avatars.
If you have a website or blog, tell us about your favorite widget.
Since I love to surf the Web, the widget I enjoy the most is LinkWithin , which lists three clickable blog links (with photos) beneath each post in a particular blog. This is a wonderful way to explore related content.
Which online selling vendors do you use? What do you like best about each one?
I only sell handmade goods on Etsy, since it is gaining visibility as one of the biggest (if not the biggest) handmade goods marketplaces. I appreciate the street team support that has helped me get my feet off the ground. In addition, when you have three shops and are thinking about a fourth, it makes it easier to manage them when they are consolidated in one online location. When I buy my packaging supplies, I keep all three shops in mind and purchase what I can online; this saves costs because you can buy in bulk. I purchase bubble mailers from PaperMart.com, and resealable cellophane bags from CreativeGiftPackaging.com. Both offer reasonable prices and quantities, and ship quickly.
Are you involved in social networking? What's your favorite and why? If you're not involved, you must have a good reason!
While my time to chat is limited, I do visit with others in Etsy’s forums, particularly with team members. And I enjoy doing the same on Facebook and Twitter. It is always a challenge, however, to balance social networking with marketing and creative time.
All of us can use a helpful business hint once a week. What's yours?
Don’t let your love of the creative process overrun your pocket book. Shop creatively for quality materials at a reasonable price, and then price your items in relationship to that very real cost. At the same time, don’t be afraid to charge for quality craftsmanship. Do what you do best, and do it well, then charge for it. Don’t compare your work to others’ work.
Do you have a "modus operandi" for computing the price of a handmade object? Tell us your formula?
I compute the actual cost of products, packaging and fees, and double that for my price.
We'd love to see your little corner of the world, where you create.
I use my son’s bedroom as my paper studio, since he vacated it after graduating from college this past June, and relocating to Chicago. His desk is my paper crafting space, and his bookcase and dresser holds my supplies and tools. See this blog for photos of my paper studio:
My sewing room, which is the size of a child’s small nursery, is where I do machine and hand sewing, as well as most of my writing. I have a wonderful old Parsons cabinet for my sewing machine, and my computer lives on top of a Mission-style writing desk. See this blog post for photos of my sewing room:
Where do you see your artwork in one year? Any plans in the works?
I’m satisfied with the sections I have developed in JN Originals, but would like to expand my felted bag line. Currently I am adding detachable handles to my Rebecca Bags to satisfy users who want handles, and users who want clutches. This way they can have both! I would also like to add Margarete Bags to the shop, which essentially are felted wool bags with handles that are big enough to carry a magazine. At this time next year, I hope that Mister PenQuin will be filled with brag books, notebooks, journals, padfolios, and box books or albums. The ideas just keep coming.
OK, the storybeader's turn. My favorite?
I just love Judy's sewing books. Yes, you all know I love anything "book" but these are great for the seamstress, who are involved in multiple projects. The perfect gift - I wish I saw these before December. This is my favorite one:
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: storybeader
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
What's the name of your business/shop?
I sell fiber arts-produced goods in JN Originals ,
and paper arts-produced items in Mister PenQuin , although there is sometimes some crossover.
I also have a destash shop called 2nd Chance Treasures .
Do you have a registered domain name and/or a blog?
Although I don’t have a registered domain, I do have a couple of blogs. Word Walks, my personal writing space (http://wordwalks.blogspot.com), is where I reflect, dream and talk about inspiration. Word Walks meanders in much the same way that a “walkabout” in Australia does, except that the journey takes place in words, not on foot. Spark Lines (http://sparklines.blogspot.com) features Etsy artists whose work I admire, as well as discussions related to creative expression.
What type of handmade products do you sell?
When I first opened my first shop, JN Originals, I wasn’t sure what it would grow up to be. I only knew that I like to play with color, texture and pattern, and that this was likely to be reflected in the shop. Over time, I learned that I also like to produce items that are functional. One day I looked at JN Originals and realized that nearly everything in the shop consisted of crocheted or felted wool items: Java Jackets (coffee cup sleeves), needle books, Treasure Books (felted wool multi-purpose books with pages for photos or ACEOs, business, Moo or credit cards, and a pocket page for a special treasure), spa cloths, flower brooches, scarves and scarflettes, and felted wool bags and pouches.But I am also passionate about working with paper (and fabric), so I needed a home for those items; that’s how Mister PenQuin was born. If you visit the shop, you’ll see that the items there connect words, images and self-expression: bookmarks, sewing notebooks, note card sets, brag books, and altered clipboards. Eventually the shop will also include journals and padfolios. Mister PenQuin is still a work-in-progress, as it was just opened this past September. My husband’s doodling was the inspiration for the shop name. When we were first married, he was stationed on the West coast as a Naval Weapons Officer, and was often away in the Pacific while I stayed home. His letters to me were always signed with a penguin wearing a top hat whom he called “Mister PenQuin.” Just as the shop has a connection between words and images, so does this character.Show us a piece you recently finished.
What are you working on right now? Any sketches?
I’m not one of those people who works on one project at a time. If you visit my sewing room or paper studio, and look about, you’ll see all kinds of UFOs (UnFinished Objects). Dolly, my dress form, is wearing a half-finished apron. On top of the sewing machine cabinet is a journal cover, waiting to be satin-stitched. The drawer in the paper studio contains date books waiting to be assembled with my Bind-It-All. I never run out of ideas, just time, so I keep a notebook where I jot these down. That notebook contains ideas for a fourth shop, likely for fabric products.
If you have a website or blog, what do you use for advertising? What do your avatars look like?
Marketing is always a challenge, mainly because of the time it takes. But without it, there’s not much point in selling. I use social networks like Facebook and Twitter to announce new items, as well as Stylehive and Kaboodle. Because you can feed photos from Flickr into your Facebook account, that provides a way for potential buyers to see what will appear in your shop soon. Blogging, of course, is a way for your readers to get to know you and trust you, and may lead (indirectly) to sales, so I keep two personal blogs, and write for the BBEST (Boomers and Beyond Etsy Street Team) team blog as well. High-quality photos are critical in all of these areas, so I am always happy to learn about a better way to take good ones. The avatars in my shops are related to the shop banners. JN Originals products nearly always include a flower somewhere, so the avatar is a flower. And the avatar for Mister PenQuin is predictable: a penguin wearing a top hat! When you purchase an item from me, I include a couple of handmade magnets with these avatars.If you have a website or blog, tell us about your favorite widget.
Since I love to surf the Web, the widget I enjoy the most is LinkWithin , which lists three clickable blog links (with photos) beneath each post in a particular blog. This is a wonderful way to explore related content.
Which online selling vendors do you use? What do you like best about each one?
I only sell handmade goods on Etsy, since it is gaining visibility as one of the biggest (if not the biggest) handmade goods marketplaces. I appreciate the street team support that has helped me get my feet off the ground. In addition, when you have three shops and are thinking about a fourth, it makes it easier to manage them when they are consolidated in one online location. When I buy my packaging supplies, I keep all three shops in mind and purchase what I can online; this saves costs because you can buy in bulk. I purchase bubble mailers from PaperMart.com, and resealable cellophane bags from CreativeGiftPackaging.com. Both offer reasonable prices and quantities, and ship quickly.Are you involved in social networking? What's your favorite and why? If you're not involved, you must have a good reason!
While my time to chat is limited, I do visit with others in Etsy’s forums, particularly with team members. And I enjoy doing the same on Facebook and Twitter. It is always a challenge, however, to balance social networking with marketing and creative time.
All of us can use a helpful business hint once a week. What's yours?
Don’t let your love of the creative process overrun your pocket book. Shop creatively for quality materials at a reasonable price, and then price your items in relationship to that very real cost. At the same time, don’t be afraid to charge for quality craftsmanship. Do what you do best, and do it well, then charge for it. Don’t compare your work to others’ work.Do you have a "modus operandi" for computing the price of a handmade object? Tell us your formula?
I compute the actual cost of products, packaging and fees, and double that for my price.
We'd love to see your little corner of the world, where you create.
I use my son’s bedroom as my paper studio, since he vacated it after graduating from college this past June, and relocating to Chicago. His desk is my paper crafting space, and his bookcase and dresser holds my supplies and tools. See this blog for photos of my paper studio:
My sewing room, which is the size of a child’s small nursery, is where I do machine and hand sewing, as well as most of my writing. I have a wonderful old Parsons cabinet for my sewing machine, and my computer lives on top of a Mission-style writing desk. See this blog post for photos of my sewing room:Where do you see your artwork in one year? Any plans in the works?I’m satisfied with the sections I have developed in JN Originals, but would like to expand my felted bag line. Currently I am adding detachable handles to my Rebecca Bags to satisfy users who want handles, and users who want clutches. This way they can have both! I would also like to add Margarete Bags to the shop, which essentially are felted wool bags with handles that are big enough to carry a magazine. At this time next year, I hope that Mister PenQuin will be filled with brag books, notebooks, journals, padfolios, and box books or albums. The ideas just keep coming.
OK, the storybeader's turn. My favorite?
I just love Judy's sewing books. Yes, you all know I love anything "book" but these are great for the seamstress, who are involved in multiple projects. The perfect gift - I wish I saw these before December. This is my favorite one:
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: storybeaderSee EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Birthday Wishes during this holiday season!
With the holiday season upon us, we have some terrific Etsybloggers whose birthdays we celebrate. Be sure to let them know their day is special.
Patch First Shop a belated birthday wish to you! - Dec 15
Mi Lady Creations a new member who is being sent a belated birthday wish - Dec 18
CalKat - Dec 23
Sunshine Day Dreamz - Dec 23
Andi Kim - Dec 25 - working on new items for shop!
Miss B MCKay - Dec 29
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: Handmade By Sandi
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
Patch First Shop a belated birthday wish to you! - Dec 15
Mi Lady Creations a new member who is being sent a belated birthday wish - Dec 18
CalKat - Dec 23
Sunshine Day Dreamz - Dec 23
Andi Kim - Dec 25 - working on new items for shop!
Miss B MCKay - Dec 29
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: Handmade By Sandi
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Dec. 21st Edition of EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival
The Dec. 21st edition of the EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival is ready to read at Linda's blog! Thanks for hosting, Linda.
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: joeyandaleethea
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out! See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: joeyandaleethea
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out! See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Friday, December 18, 2009
Internet Artisan Interview - Locust Street
Kristy is a newbie to Etsy and selling online, and she has some terrific pieces. Her handmade journals are so very unique, I just don’t understand why she’s so surprised with all her sales! You need to go by her blog and say hello, too. She is currently donating some of the sales to missionary friends in Guatemala. Just write their name, "The Amands” in the buyer’s notes section, when you purchase one of her journals before January 1st, and she will give 40% of the sale to their cause. What a great idea, eh?
What's the name of your business/shop?
Locust Street
Do you have a registered domain name and/or a blog?
Locustst.etsy.com
Locust-street.blogspot.com
Facebook—Locust Street
What type of handmade products do you sell?
Right now I am making handmade journals. The covers are paper grocery bags that I doodle on or collage on, ink, then cover with packing tape. The insides are recycled paper… paper that’s plain, stamped, inked, doodled on, old envelopes, postcards, random papers, maps, pictures etc all hand cut and bound with metal wire. They’re smaller in size… about the size of an old postcard. 5 1/2"x 4"
I am also working on some Christmas Banners. As soon as I finish my next batch of journals I will be working on the banners more.
Show us a piece you recently finished
I tend to work in batches. I am knee deep in creating 30 more mixed art journals at the moment. The very last things I’ve finished are these love-note-pads found on my etsy site. [she sold this one, but Etsy shows some similar items
What are you working on right now? Any sketches?
Here is one the banners… I’m still working on the prototype. There are some MAJOR changes that I’ll be doing… but this is the relative idea..
If you have a website or blog, what do you use for advertising? What do your avatars look like?
I haven’t advertised much yet. I am waiting to build up more stock. I will be pushing my facebook fan site more, spending more renewing items on etsy and participating more on others blogs.
If you have a website or blog, tell us about your favorite widget.
My etsy mini for sure!
Which online selling vendors do you use? What do you like best about each one?
I just use etsy right now. I just opened it at the end of Sept ’09 and will probably just stick with them so I don’t have to do a lot of separate advertising.
Are you involved in social networking? What's your favorite and why? If you're not involved, you must have a good reason!
I have a facebook fan site. I run special sales just for them. I will be working on upping my fans once I finish my next set of journals.
All of us can use a helpful business hint once a week. What's yours?
Do be afraid to let people know what you do (both online and day to day)… you never know who will be your next costumer! And fight the urge to give friends and family large discounts on the products you’re selling!
Do you have a "modus operandi" for computing the price of a handmade object? Tell us your formula?
Wow. I wish I knew. When I started making my journals I was afraid to price them more than a few bucks… I had no confidence in myself. But they take SO long to make... so I researched it a bit and realized that I have to respect my product and myself. I took my journals to a small community event to sell for the first time and priced them over twice as much as I was originally thinking… and they sold well! I got so many compliments and could have sold more if I had lowered the price, but at the end of the day I would have had the same amount of money and close to no product left! Seeing the public’s reaction helped me have confidence in my art. I am very tempted to drop my prices a little bit… but I keep going back to how much time it takes to make… almost every page needs to be either hand cut, or decorated and then punched for binding. And my prices now have to reflect the fact that I am also selling some of the journals on consignment. My pricing is not scientific… it’s more of a gut feeling as to how much I need to get for them to make it worthwhile… it comes to a point where I would rather give them as gifts to dear friends then to make so little off of them.
We'd love to see your little corner of the world, where you create.
Sometimes I work on a typing table next to my computer… this was my actual workspace for my first set a journals… chaos sometimes helps me feel like I don’t have to reach perfection. Other times I haul everything up to the kitchen table.
Where do you see your artwork in one year? Any plans in the works?
I am in my first month with this and never imagined that I would already have a few etsy sales, be selling in an actual shop and being interviewed for a blog! I think I’ve already passed my one year goal! I would love to come up with a few more different products… some that were a little faster to create... and keep finding stores to sell them to. I am also starting to think about doing a few craft fairs. I’m excited what this year has in store!
OK, it’s storybeader’s turn to pick a favorite.
Kristy is a real soul sister, loving many of the things that I hold dear: books, notetaking and recycling. Love the color of this little journal - you need to look at the images in her Etsy shop, to understand how her mind works! They’re terrific!
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: storybeader
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
What's the name of your business/shop?
Locust Street
Do you have a registered domain name and/or a blog?
Locustst.etsy.com
Locust-street.blogspot.com
Facebook—Locust Street
What type of handmade products do you sell? Right now I am making handmade journals. The covers are paper grocery bags that I doodle on or collage on, ink, then cover with packing tape. The insides are recycled paper… paper that’s plain, stamped, inked, doodled on, old envelopes, postcards, random papers, maps, pictures etc all hand cut and bound with metal wire. They’re smaller in size… about the size of an old postcard. 5 1/2"x 4"
I am also working on some Christmas Banners. As soon as I finish my next batch of journals I will be working on the banners more.
Show us a piece you recently finished
I tend to work in batches. I am knee deep in creating 30 more mixed art journals at the moment. The very last things I’ve finished are these love-note-pads found on my etsy site. [she sold this one, but Etsy shows some similar itemsWhat are you working on right now? Any sketches?
Here is one the banners… I’m still working on the prototype. There are some MAJOR changes that I’ll be doing… but this is the relative idea..
If you have a website or blog, what do you use for advertising? What do your avatars look like?
I haven’t advertised much yet. I am waiting to build up more stock. I will be pushing my facebook fan site more, spending more renewing items on etsy and participating more on others blogs.
If you have a website or blog, tell us about your favorite widget.
My etsy mini for sure!
Which online selling vendors do you use? What do you like best about each one?
I just use etsy right now. I just opened it at the end of Sept ’09 and will probably just stick with them so I don’t have to do a lot of separate advertising.Are you involved in social networking? What's your favorite and why? If you're not involved, you must have a good reason!
I have a facebook fan site. I run special sales just for them. I will be working on upping my fans once I finish my next set of journals.
All of us can use a helpful business hint once a week. What's yours?
Do be afraid to let people know what you do (both online and day to day)… you never know who will be your next costumer! And fight the urge to give friends and family large discounts on the products you’re selling!
Do you have a "modus operandi" for computing the price of a handmade object? Tell us your formula?
Wow. I wish I knew. When I started making my journals I was afraid to price them more than a few bucks… I had no confidence in myself. But they take SO long to make... so I researched it a bit and realized that I have to respect my product and myself. I took my journals to a small community event to sell for the first time and priced them over twice as much as I was originally thinking… and they sold well! I got so many compliments and could have sold more if I had lowered the price, but at the end of the day I would have had the same amount of money and close to no product left! Seeing the public’s reaction helped me have confidence in my art. I am very tempted to drop my prices a little bit… but I keep going back to how much time it takes to make… almost every page needs to be either hand cut, or decorated and then punched for binding. And my prices now have to reflect the fact that I am also selling some of the journals on consignment. My pricing is not scientific… it’s more of a gut feeling as to how much I need to get for them to make it worthwhile… it comes to a point where I would rather give them as gifts to dear friends then to make so little off of them.We'd love to see your little corner of the world, where you create.
Sometimes I work on a typing table next to my computer… this was my actual workspace for my first set a journals… chaos sometimes helps me feel like I don’t have to reach perfection. Other times I haul everything up to the kitchen table.
Where do you see your artwork in one year? Any plans in the works?
I am in my first month with this and never imagined that I would already have a few etsy sales, be selling in an actual shop and being interviewed for a blog! I think I’ve already passed my one year goal! I would love to come up with a few more different products… some that were a little faster to create... and keep finding stores to sell them to. I am also starting to think about doing a few craft fairs. I’m excited what this year has in store!
OK, it’s storybeader’s turn to pick a favorite.
Kristy is a real soul sister, loving many of the things that I hold dear: books, notetaking and recycling. Love the color of this little journal - you need to look at the images in her Etsy shop, to understand how her mind works! They’re terrific!
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: storybeader
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Here's to a wonderful group of Etsybloggers on their birthdays!
What a wonderful way to celebrate birthdays, with warm wishes from our Etsyblogger team!
lunasbaublebilities's birthday is December 17
plushrobotart's birthday is December 21
akeepersjackpot's birthday is December 21
Enjoy ladies and may you have many more!
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: Handmade By Sandi
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
lunasbaublebilities's birthday is December 17
plushrobotart's birthday is December 21
akeepersjackpot's birthday is December 21
Enjoy ladies and may you have many more!
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: Handmade By Sandi
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Friday Feature -- CalKat the Jewelry Junkie
This week's Friday Feature at Mama's Magic is also the featured Etsyblogger for the month of December -- CalKat the Jewelry Junkie! Actually, there are several shops associated with the incredibly creative team of Carrie and Kathy: CalKat, Ametista, the Clay Shoppe and YogaFairies.
I had a great time checking out all these shops full of pretty shiny things, and was utterly charmed by the Yoga Fairies, particularly this purple Namaste pose!
CalKat was kind enough to take time from their busy holiday schedules to answer a few questions. Enjoy the interview!
1. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?
I had a great time checking out all these shops full of pretty shiny things, and was utterly charmed by the Yoga Fairies, particularly this purple Namaste pose!
CalKat was kind enough to take time from their busy holiday schedules to answer a few questions. Enjoy the interview!
1. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?
We make one of a kind artisan jewelry. We use only high quality gemstones and precious metals. In our other three shops we work with polymer clay as our primary medium along with recycled glass and wood.
We began 7 years ago designing and creating artisan jewelry under the tutelage of our dear friend Suzanne Colucci of Belandaria Designs. What we didn't learn from Suzanne we learned from books and experimentation.
Our use of polymer clay was a progression in to a more flexible medium, something that allowed us to be creative and widen our spectrum of items.
2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?
EtsyBloggers Team
Polymer Clay Artist Guild of Etsy (PCAGOE Team)
Etsy Dark Side Team
3. How did you get involved with Etsy?
We heard about it and fell in love with it. It seemed to us the perfect venue for our artistic offerings.
4. What inspires your creations?
The miraculous mind of Tim Burton, A.D.D., our love of all things shiny, Halloween, vintage inspired anything, the artwork of Dr. Seuss, the amazing imaginations of Lewis Carroll and JK Rowling, nature and the endless possibilities provided via polymer clay and pmc (Precious Metal Clay).
5. What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop?
Getting noticed amongst so many talented artists and making a name for ourselves.
6. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)?
Our signature Zodiac handcrafted pendants in CalKat. In Ametista, Night's Grace Artistic Apothecary Bottle and any of our Monster boxes, in our Yoga Fairy shop, we love them all.
7. Why is it your favorite?
In CalKat it's our Zodiac necklaces. These pieces are extremely unique, everything from the hand carving of the mold to the firing of the PMC is done by us. Each necklace includes corresponding gemstones to signify ones sun, moon and rising signs. Our customers who wear these personal talismans tell us that it is their favorite necklace and rarely take it off.
In Ametista it's "Night's Grace" as it embodies the look and the idea of Ametista,which is a darkly whimsical shop in which old is made new and uniquely re-purposed. We like to incorporate the use of recyclable glass and wooden boxes to create our artistic oddities.
Our Yoga Fairies shop just makes us giggle every time we look at them.
8. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?
Be persistent, don't give up, try new ideas. Check out your favorite stores, find out what makes them sucessful and then follow their lead. Make things that you love and it will show through in your work.
9. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.
A. One of us is an avid photographer and the other one has a beautiful singing voice.
B. The whole reason we decided to work for ourselves, was so that we' never have to wear pantyhose EVER AGAIN.
10. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?
http://calkatthejewelryjunkie.blogspot.com
http://ametistadea.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ametistagirl/
Facebook search Ametista Artistic Offerings http://twitter.com/AmetistaEtsy http://halloweenart.ning.com/profile/Ametista
http://designstyleguide.ning.com/profile/Ametista
11. Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about your shop or your work?
We're excited to be working with PMC more in the upcoming year. We have a number of ideas we can’t wait to manifest.
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: mamasmagicstudio
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
Internet Artisan Interview - Linda B's Beaded Jewelry
Linda has a load of small jewelry items that are so very simple and sweet. And it's perfect timing to show everyone her Judaica items, with the first night of Chanukah starting tonight. Linda is the Team Captain of the EtsyChai team, and a member of three other etsy teams: EtsyTwitter, EtsyBloggers and EtsyBead. She has a site on 1000markets, and is a member of two marketplaces there. Not only does she work fulltime; she's an active tweeter and blog poster. So stop by her blog, and see what she's all about!
What's the name of your business/shop?
http://lindab142.etsy.com
Do you have a registered domain name and/or a blog?
Blog: http://linorstorecom.blogspot.com
Website: http://LinorStore.com
What type of handmade products do you sell?
I create handbeaded jewelry, keychains, bookmarks, car jewelry, stamped paper greeting cards, candles
Show us a piece you recently finished
Blue beaded wire kippah for Jewish women
What are you working on right now? Any sketches?
You can see pics on my blog on Sun. post
If you have a website or blog, what do you use for advertising? What do your avatars look like?
I tweet for some advertising, belong to some Etsy teams, and write press releases. You can see my avatars at my shop and blog.
If you have a website or blog, tell us about your favorite widget.
On Blogspot, my favorite widget is the Share application that allows me to post to Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites.
Which online selling venues do you use? What do you like best about each one?
Yes, I have my Website, which needs updating at http://LinorStore.com,
http://linorstore.1000markets.com
http://lindab142.artfire.com (temporarily).
I also have photos at http://yourhandmade.ning.com/profile/LindaBlatchford63 and http://facebook.com/linorstore
Are you involved in social networking? What's your favorite and why? If you're not involved, you must have a good reason!
I love tweetdeck and am on the EtsyTwitter team.
All of us can use a helpful business hint once a week. What's yours?
If you blog, promote other shops on your blog and in the forums.
Do you have a "modus operandi" for computing the price of a handmade object? Tell us your formula?
I take the cost times x factor depending on the complexity of the item and listing costs, etc.
We'd love to see your little corner of the world, where you create.
I have to get more pics, but my blog from Sun. has a couple of projects underway.
Where do you see your artwork in one year? Any plans in the works?
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: storybeader
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
What's the name of your business/shop?
http://lindab142.etsy.com
Do you have a registered domain name and/or a blog?
Blog: http://linorstorecom.blogspot.com
Website: http://LinorStore.com
What type of handmade products do you sell?
I create handbeaded jewelry, keychains, bookmarks, car jewelry, stamped paper greeting cards, candles
Show us a piece you recently finished
Blue beaded wire kippah for Jewish womenWhat are you working on right now? Any sketches?
You can see pics on my blog on Sun. post
If you have a website or blog, what do you use for advertising? What do your avatars look like?
I tweet for some advertising, belong to some Etsy teams, and write press releases. You can see my avatars at my shop and blog.If you have a website or blog, tell us about your favorite widget.
On Blogspot, my favorite widget is the Share application that allows me to post to Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites.
Which online selling venues do you use? What do you like best about each one?Yes, I have my Website, which needs updating at http://LinorStore.com,
http://linorstore.1000markets.com
http://lindab142.artfire.com (temporarily).
I also have photos at http://yourhandmade.ning.com/profile/LindaBlatchford63 and http://facebook.com/linorstore
Are you involved in social networking? What's your favorite and why? If you're not involved, you must have a good reason!
I love tweetdeck and am on the EtsyTwitter team.
All of us can use a helpful business hint once a week. What's yours?
If you blog, promote other shops on your blog and in the forums.Do you have a "modus operandi" for computing the price of a handmade object? Tell us your formula?
I take the cost times x factor depending on the complexity of the item and listing costs, etc.
We'd love to see your little corner of the world, where you create.
I have to get more pics, but my blog from Sun. has a couple of projects underway.
Where do you see your artwork in one year? Any plans in the works?
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: storybeaderSee EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
A birthday to celebrate!
Sending special birthday wishes to jbEbert whose birthday is Thursday, December 10!
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: Handmade By Sandi
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: Handmade By Sandi
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
Monday, December 7, 2009
December 4th Blog Carnival is Here!
Thank you to everyone that participated in this week's blog carnival. It was great to learn another aspect of our team from behind the scenes....Please join me in reading about fabulous holiday traditions and delicious recipes on my blog here.
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: NicoDesigns
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: NicoDesigns
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Friday Feature -- Foxy G. Knits
This week's Friday Feature at Mama's Magic Studio (cross posted here for your viewing pleasure!) is Foxy G. Knits, a witty textile artist and Etsyblogger member. I had great fun learning more about her and her craft! As a beginning knitter myself, I truly admire her skill with yarn. (As I have said more than once to my customers when talking about my handmade knitting needles, "I'm a better needle maker than a knitter!" I know enough about knitting to know that they are a good tool, but don't ask me to make a cable stitch or follow a pattern!)
I love all her Goddess Shawls, especially this one -- After the Rain. Aren't the colors amazing?
Enjoy the interview!
1. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?
Foxy G. Knits features hand-knit, one-of-a-kind shawls, wraps and scarves that are versatile and designed for today's woman. My items encompass comfort and style, and you don't have to give up one for the other.
Knitting is my passion that has its roots in childhood. I learned from my mom, way back when we were carving our needles out of dinosaur bones. And then, sadly, I fell off the wagon and embraced needlepoint and counted cross stitch for countless years (pardon the pun). However, being a woman of true grit and strong character, I saw the light and found my way back.
2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong (if any)?
Etsy Bloggers Team
EtsyTwitter Team
Etsy North Georgia Street Team
3. How did you get involved with Etsy?
For a long time, knitting was an avocation and not a vocation for me. While others expressed their creativity through cooking or gardening or painting, I was clicking away on my needles. In sheer and utter desperation, friends and family finally convinced me to open a store on etsy. I just know that they were getting so tired of receiving scarves, shawls, baby blankets and hats for birthdays and every other special occasion! In September 2008, I took the plunge and opened Foxy G. Knits where everything is knit by hand – from my heart to yours.
4. What inspires your creations?
My inspiration comes from colors and textures in the everyday world around me. My favorite part of the creative process is coordinating and blending various yarn colors and textures. I have the ability to conceptualize and see various colors, textures and designs before they are actual completed items.
5. What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop?
I would have to say that my biggest challenge related to my Etsy shop is finding my niche. What I think will sell does not always. And what I think might never sell sells quickly. While I can get the Etsy demographics, I do not yet have a good handle on the demographics of Foxy G. Knits shoppers.
6. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite?
My favorite item could change with my mood, so I will go with the first one I thought of when I read this question: Hand Knit Lady in Red Scarf
I love how it looks in photos and sounds in the description: You are saucy and sassy, sultry and sexy, stylish, smart and oh, so sophisticated. Just showing up in this elegantly simple, femininely tailored scarf makes words unnecessary. You will mesmerize anyone within eye shot.
7. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?
As a seller, run your business like you are the customer – be that customer. What makes you want to shop in a particular place – service, attention to detail? And do get comfortable with promoting yourself.
I know that many artists and artisans do not like to promote themselves, and I truly understand. However, if you don’t promote yourself, it is like throwing a party and not sending out invitations. I bet no one shows up. But there are ways to promote yourself that are not distasteful. I use a variety of methods to market or promote Foxy G. Knits, and they all involve building relationships and trust. I am a member of three teams and share useful information with them at every opportunity. I have a blog and promote members of my teams, as well as other etsy sellers. I am also on twitter.
8. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.
How I chose my shop name: I have a little granddaughter who is 2 ½ years old. When we were selecting our grandparent names, I joked that I would be “Grandma Lo” by day and “Foxy G.” by night. When I was trying to come up with a name for my shop, Foxy G. Knits was a natural!
My magnificent obsession: When I am not knitting, I am collecting weird, old ashtrays. Currently, I have more than 3,000. (They live in my master bedroom, and I inhabit the west wing!) I also have cigarette cases and boxes, lighters, old magazine ads, sheet music and many promotional pieces that were put out by the various cigarette companies. My goal is to one day curate an exhibit of the 20th century as seen through these items. I am in the process of building a blog for my ashtray collection: Reflections on an Ashtray Collection
Marketing idea that really worked: Recently, I wanted to build a Facebook Fan page and get to 100 fans so that I could secure my vanity name. So, I offered to knit a children’s scarf for the local homeless shelter for every new fan I received from July 15 – August 15. And I posted that information on my Facebook page as well as tweeted about it. I thought that it would take me a month to reach 100, but it took only four days. By the time the promotion was over, I owed the shelter more than 200 scarves!
9. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?
Blog: Foxy G’s Den of i-KNIT-quity http://foxygknits.com
Facebook biz page: http://www.facebook.com/foxygknits
Twitter: http://twitter.com/foxygknits
Flickr: http://su.pr/9ivUYH
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: Mama's Magic Studio
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
I love all her Goddess Shawls, especially this one -- After the Rain. Aren't the colors amazing?
Enjoy the interview!1. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?
Foxy G. Knits features hand-knit, one-of-a-kind shawls, wraps and scarves that are versatile and designed for today's woman. My items encompass comfort and style, and you don't have to give up one for the other.
Knitting is my passion that has its roots in childhood. I learned from my mom, way back when we were carving our needles out of dinosaur bones. And then, sadly, I fell off the wagon and embraced needlepoint and counted cross stitch for countless years (pardon the pun). However, being a woman of true grit and strong character, I saw the light and found my way back.
2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong (if any)?
Etsy Bloggers Team
EtsyTwitter Team
Etsy North Georgia Street Team
3. How did you get involved with Etsy?
For a long time, knitting was an avocation and not a vocation for me. While others expressed their creativity through cooking or gardening or painting, I was clicking away on my needles. In sheer and utter desperation, friends and family finally convinced me to open a store on etsy. I just know that they were getting so tired of receiving scarves, shawls, baby blankets and hats for birthdays and every other special occasion! In September 2008, I took the plunge and opened Foxy G. Knits where everything is knit by hand – from my heart to yours.
4. What inspires your creations?
My inspiration comes from colors and textures in the everyday world around me. My favorite part of the creative process is coordinating and blending various yarn colors and textures. I have the ability to conceptualize and see various colors, textures and designs before they are actual completed items.
5. What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop?
I would have to say that my biggest challenge related to my Etsy shop is finding my niche. What I think will sell does not always. And what I think might never sell sells quickly. While I can get the Etsy demographics, I do not yet have a good handle on the demographics of Foxy G. Knits shoppers.
6. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite?
My favorite item could change with my mood, so I will go with the first one I thought of when I read this question: Hand Knit Lady in Red Scarf
I love how it looks in photos and sounds in the description: You are saucy and sassy, sultry and sexy, stylish, smart and oh, so sophisticated. Just showing up in this elegantly simple, femininely tailored scarf makes words unnecessary. You will mesmerize anyone within eye shot.
7. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?
As a seller, run your business like you are the customer – be that customer. What makes you want to shop in a particular place – service, attention to detail? And do get comfortable with promoting yourself.
I know that many artists and artisans do not like to promote themselves, and I truly understand. However, if you don’t promote yourself, it is like throwing a party and not sending out invitations. I bet no one shows up. But there are ways to promote yourself that are not distasteful. I use a variety of methods to market or promote Foxy G. Knits, and they all involve building relationships and trust. I am a member of three teams and share useful information with them at every opportunity. I have a blog and promote members of my teams, as well as other etsy sellers. I am also on twitter.
8. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.
How I chose my shop name: I have a little granddaughter who is 2 ½ years old. When we were selecting our grandparent names, I joked that I would be “Grandma Lo” by day and “Foxy G.” by night. When I was trying to come up with a name for my shop, Foxy G. Knits was a natural!
My magnificent obsession: When I am not knitting, I am collecting weird, old ashtrays. Currently, I have more than 3,000. (They live in my master bedroom, and I inhabit the west wing!) I also have cigarette cases and boxes, lighters, old magazine ads, sheet music and many promotional pieces that were put out by the various cigarette companies. My goal is to one day curate an exhibit of the 20th century as seen through these items. I am in the process of building a blog for my ashtray collection: Reflections on an Ashtray Collection
Marketing idea that really worked: Recently, I wanted to build a Facebook Fan page and get to 100 fans so that I could secure my vanity name. So, I offered to knit a children’s scarf for the local homeless shelter for every new fan I received from July 15 – August 15. And I posted that information on my Facebook page as well as tweeted about it. I thought that it would take me a month to reach 100, but it took only four days. By the time the promotion was over, I owed the shelter more than 200 scarves!
9. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?
Blog: Foxy G’s Den of i-KNIT-quity http://foxygknits.com
Facebook biz page: http://www.facebook.com/foxygknits
Twitter: http://twitter.com/foxygknits
Flickr: http://su.pr/9ivUYH
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: Mama's Magic Studio
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Happy Birthday to a wonderful Etsyblogger!
We have a birthday to celebrate this week! Be sure to pop over and send birthday greetings to our Etsyblogger member!!
Emily's birthday is the 7th of December - enjoy your day!
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: Handmade By Sandi
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
Emily's birthday is the 7th of December - enjoy your day!
Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: Handmade By Sandi
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)