Birthdays this Week August 1st - 7th

Please join me in the very best birthday wishes for this year and many to come to our members celebrating this week!



Just a quick hint. If you get the feed from this blog on a reader the etsy mini for each shop may not be visible to you. Come on over to the blog to see who is celebrating and leave your own birthday greetings.

It's Monday!

Whine and grumble all you want about Monday but this is a special day here on the EtsyBloggers Street Team blog. This is the day each week that we share with everyone one of our team members. We use their own words from their Etsy profile page and shop minis because we all know that pictures tell the real stories.

Today you are meeting Melissa Meman who has two shops on Etsy.


Welcome to Melissa Meman Designs! My "handmade" journey began many years ago in a small southern town. I am the youngest of five children and we grew up with our mother making most of our clothes (and many other things) by hand. Our father was a house-painter, but also a farmer and we lived off the land as much as possible. My sisters and I have always been involved in some craft or project for as long as I remember...I think my first endeavor was crocheting which I still love! Currently, I live in Maryland with my husband and son. My mission is to create jewelry designs with a unique, eclectic flair. I mostly work with "one-of-a-kind" designs, but am working on a few "limited edition" pieces, and love custom work. I am always trying to incorporate new techniques into my designs. I utilize a mix of materials - gemstones, artisan-made glass beads (lampwork), precious metal findings and wire (sterling, Balinese, Thai Hill Tribe and Indian silver; bronze; gold-filled; and gold-vermeil), freshwater pearls, coral and other organics, Austrian crystals, Czech and German glass...the list goes on! Most of my designs are created with a "wrapped" link technique, usually utilizing sterling silver, gold-filled or bronze wire. I absolutely love this style, not only for its beauty and versatility, but also for its strength and durability. I occasionally utilize a strung method with beading wire and sterling or gold-filled crimps. I have been making rosaries for about 3-4 years now and strive to the same high standards as with my jewelry pieces. It is my hope that they will become your cherished heirlooms. My rosaries incorporate wrapped links with sterling or bronze wire, and as such, are much more durable than traditional single-loop rosaries.

I encourage you to take a moment today to browse these lovely shops. You can also visit Melissa's blog, say hello, leave a comment and let her know the EtsyBloggers sent you.

Hoppy B-Day!

No I didn't misspell happy. I was making one of my silly little word plays that makes my kids roll their eyes at me. Today is the birthday of the person behind the shop bunnykissd.

So Hoppy Birthday to You!

Linda B's Mini Monday

Hi, my name is Linda and I'm passionate about beads and beading. I've been doing it for about 4-5 years now. I work full-time and find beading to be relaxing. My bead collection is expanding and it's so fun to bring them out and choose what I'm going to make next.

My husband and cats don't mind, except when it's dinner time for the cats. One cat, Buddy, likes to help me bead and list items on the computer too.

I'm excited to be a part of the EtsyBead Team, the EtsyTwitter Team, the EtsyBlogger team and the EtsyChai Team.

Of course this very busy, passionate beaded designer has a blog. I am sure she would love you to stop by and say hello. When you do let her know that Cozy and the EtsyBloggers sent you.

Beautiful Blogger Birthdays!

Say the title three times fast. No you don't have to but what I would really like is for you to leave a comment with birthday wishes for two of our members this week. The birthday greetings go out to Spotted Cow Soaps otherwise known as Ms Moo and Shell Mitchell.

Time for Celebrating!

In the last week two active members of the EtsyBlogger Team have had birthdays. The person behind the Peacox Creations shop had a birthday on the 15th and the shop owner of Kuartzo we hope had a great day on the 17th.
Join me with your comments in wishing them both a happy birthday and many, many more.

Happy, Happy This Week

We have two active members with birthdays this week!
Etsy mini shout outs are going to Lost Mitten and Mama's Magic!
Happy birthday to you from all of your friends on the EtsyBloggers Team!

Mini Monday for Storybeader

Newly returned from a trip to Ireland we are featuring the shop of Deb who is known to all the EtsyBloggers as Storybeader. My favorites of her creations are the treasure necklaces. Together with beads and charms each piece tells a story. Each stunning necklace also comes with a poem specifically inspired by the work.

The haiku for the necklace below is -

She walked through the door

With the bright star reflecting

In her deep blue eyes.

- storybeader

To travel with this jewelry artist on her recent journey to Ireland keep an eye on her blog. To find out what treasure is waiting for you in her shop take a look below and don't be afraid to click because clicking on any item will take you to her shop and we know you want to look!

Mini Monday for Betani's Bureau

If you go to the website of fellow etsyblogger Elise of Betani's Bureau you are greeted with a header that explains the person in her own words better that I certainly could. It says " One girl, a thousand interests, unlimited curiosity, and a singular desire to be helpful." Sounds just like the type of person you want to get to know better and you can at Betani's Bureau.com. You can also take a stroll through her shop and see what all those interests lead to.

Mini Monday for We are Wedges

Cheese is good and stuffed toys are good right? Let the shop owner of We are Wedges tell you more about this in her Etsy profile-

THE STORY OF WEDGES

Wedges are called wedges because they are wedge shaped…like cheese.

There are person wedges and animal wedges. Some of the animal wedges are more devious than others.

Wedges like to live in silos, but more than anything, they enjoy going on adventures together.

Wedges are handmade and created with love by Benita Hsueh in her Toronto, Canada based studio.

Well…Will Baker also helps, but he is a boy.

Some of Benita’s favourite things are:
- Squares
- Circles
- Various combinations of squares and circles
- Cheese
- Plush Toys

Thus, it is only logical to combine these things, and while eating a wedge of cheese one night, the Wedges concept was born. After all, cheese is good, and cheese is wedge shaped. Plush toys are also good, so why not?*

That’s our story. THE END. OK. BYE!

* Please note that, unlike cheese, wedges should not be eaten. That would be wedgicide. Or wedgibalism?

So remember when you order yours, don't eat it!

Celebrating this week

The EtsyBloggers are sending best wishes to My Aphrodite this week. We don't tell ages around here but we do wish everyone a happy birthday!

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Two members with birthday greetings coming their way from the EtsyBloggers!

Mini Monday for Lost Mitten

Meet Lauren. She is one of our fabulous EtsyBloggers from Canada.

In her own words from her website lost mitten.org this busy gamer, knitter, musician, vegetarian and crafter lets you know who she is.

My name is Lauren and I create everything at Lost Mitten out of my home in Ontario, Canada. I love crafting and creating new items for myself, my fiance, Paul, and for my online shop. I am a huge video game addict; I have loved games ever since my family got our very first computer when I was four years old, and our first Nintendo Entertainment System when I was six. In my creations, I have combined this love for video games and crafting in many of the items that I make, including my pixelated Perler Bead Nintendo crafts.

I also love to knit - knitting is my favorite way to relax and unwind at the end of a busy day. I like to knit all sorts of things for myself and Paul, including sweaters, bags, hats, socks, and gloves. You will find some of my knitware up for sale in my shop. I also love to make things out of Japanese Chiyogami paper and any kind of kawaii (cute) note paper or fabric from Japan that I can get my hands on!

Aside from crafting, I love music - I have played the piano since I was four years old. I also play the guitar, bass, and the clarinet. I have been a vegetarian all of my life, I love animals (especially cats!), and I am an advocate for animal rights. I love to travel as much as possible - even though I have only travelled throughout Canada, the U.S., and many parts of the Caribbean, I hope to travel all over the world someday! I also love to work out at the gym, especially participating in the yoga classes.

To keep more up to date with the happenings of one of Etsy's top sellers follow along with her writings in the Lost Mitten Blog.

Need a peek at the shop? Take a look at what is current in the Etsy mini below.

Mini Monday for A Good Witch Too

Need to wash away your wicked? You may have to wait a couple weeks but I am sure it will be well worth the wait. A Good Witch Too who runs the Etsy shop The Copper Cauldron is in the process of moving and expects have her shop back open in March. If you want to be notified of the shop opening in March you can submit your email address by following the shop link. If you are reading this post later than mid March what are you waiting for? Go shopping!


The soap above with the name Absolute Lavender is just a tiny sample of what will be available once the shop is reopened. This shop is not just soaps either. You will be able to find a lovely selection of solid perfumes and lip balms.


The main purpose if these Mini Monday features is to intoduce you to the member of the EtsyBloggers Street Team. One of the best ways to get to know an artist is to read their blog. The Copper Cauldron is certainly worth some of your blog reading, I sit in front of the computer too long, time. This blog generously showcases some of the most beautiful finds on Etsy as well as sharing the life of the soapmaker behind the shop and the blog. In particular take a minute to read this post. It explains the birth of this soapmaking business as well as an Etsy addiction.

Celebrations!

In trying to get too many details organized I have been slipping up on other things. I want you to be able to depend on me so I have made a decision about the birthday posts I do here on the team blog. Mondays are very busy for the EtsyBloggers with Mini Monday Features and blog carnivals being published. I think I will post birthdays once a week on Fridays. By doing it this way I will show you the shops of all active team members that have had birthday in the past week and I am very likely to be much more consistent on getting what are really some if my favorite posts to do.

If you are an EtsyBlogger team member and are wondering what I mean by being active, let me explain. All you need to do each month at a minimum are three things. First you need to write a post about the featured blogger of the month. Second you need to participate in at least one team blog carnival each month. Last and to me the most important is put the links to your posts on the team message board in the roll call thread. This is where I look to see if you are an active member and get to have your birthday post here and also where Lily of Tulips Treasure Box and I look when your name comes up on the list for a mini Monday feature.

So starting today I have three birthdays to share with you. The Etsy mini's of their shops are below. If you are reading this post through a reader come on over to the blog so you can see who it is.

Belated Happy Birthday

I am a day late with this birthday shout out, sorry.
Best wishes from all your EtsyBlogger friends!
Jersey Girl Designs we all hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Happy Birthday!

Check out who is celebrating today! Happy birthday to you from your friends on the EtsyBloggers Street Team!

Mini Monday for Gallery 32

Welcome to the world of Gallery 32. The Gallery 32 shop on Etsy if filled with images of the state where I was born, Kansas. The images you find here can be soft but stunning. I am particularly drawn to the flower images that have been manipulated into paintings. Being the dreary snowy winter that it has been so for in much of the US I thought you might enjoy the beauty of the flowers too.
From the shop profile you get a hint into the life and inspiration behind the work of this artist.

I have always had a passion for art. When I was a child my Grandma encouraged me by teaching me how to sew, embroider and paint watercolors. These experiences still influence my work in the form of color, shape, and line. When I went off to college I decided that painting would be my major and I graduated with a BFA from the University of Kansas.

Much of this photographer's work is documented in her blog. She is now over 300 in her 365 project and I found it fascinating to go through the images. She explains why she decided on doing this project in the shop profile as well.

Lately I have been making photographs, which has always been something I enjoy doing. I decided to make an image a day so I started my '365 Project' on my blog. It is my way to share my daily thoughts and images.I have never been much into keeping a sketchbook. I find it a boring activity that doesn't work for me. However, I enjoy writing about my process on my blog and I think it has really helped me grow as an artist.

I love this image of being cozy in the blankets! I can imagine the cool morning waiting for the parade to come by. There is much more that you need to check out and I encourage you to do so. You can find Gallery 32 on Etsy here and the blog of this talented photographer here.

Happy Birthday!

Let's all sing along-
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear shop owner of Calkat the Jewelry Junkie,
Happy birthday to you!

Happy to You!

Send a birthday greeting in the comments to A Keeper's Jackpot!
I really hope she has a great day no matter what.