It's Carnival Time, April 11th

Twice a month, the Etsybloggers gather for a Carnival.  We write about one of two topics introduced by our host.  When hosting, I (Storybeader) usually look ahead to see what special events are happened before I pick a date.  With that in mind...

Did you know the first Public Library (in the US) opened on April 9th, 1833 in New Hampshire? 

I knew when I saw that, it had to be the theme for my Carnival.  Last week, I was looking through my calendar, to see what my work week looked like, when something special happened.  The Saturday before this carnival was supposed to be posted on the Etsybloggers team blog, I realized I had signed up to work at the local public library's book sale.  Synchronicity, what a good feeling it is! 

Here are the two Carnival topics we are writing about:
 
1) what fond memories do you have of your public library and reading?

2) Peterborough is the town where the first public library opened.  What's your town known for?  Show us around!

Please link directly to your Carnival URL in the form below, so we can all walk down memory lane with you!  And wouldn't it be a good idea to visit at least 3 links before and after your link and leave a comment?  That's right, everyone who posts a link visit at least 6 other blogs!



Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: STORYBEADER See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!

Mini Monday: Jordan Necessities

Jordan, jpulliam30, of Jordan Necessities, is a mother of two boys working from home while spending time with her family. The business began after becoming a mother, but she has been sewing for years.

There are all kinds of handbags and accessories in her shop including trick-or-treat bags, wallets, lunch bags, and diaper bags.
One of my favorites are this Orange Boo Trick-or-Treat Bag.



This Creamed Apple Lunch Bag is leak proof and washable!


How cute is this Retro Floral Everything Wallet which holds cash, cards, and coins?




Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: A Keeper's JackpotSee EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.comGot a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!

MiniMonday: NicoDesigns

Erika, of Nico Designs, has been sewing since she was a little girl, nearly 20 years now. Like most of us crafters, she says it keeps her sane. Crafting allows her to be creative and try new things, two things that are very important in her life since her decision to stay at home with her kids.

Her favorite things to make are dolls and baby items. Her three-year-old daughter inspires her work, as well as nature. Often times after spending time outside or at a zoo she finds herself wanting to create.

Aside from sewing, she has recently taken interest in gardening. She enjoys how excited the kids get about the garden, and it helps live a healthier lifestyle.
You'll find in her shop announcement that she donates some of her sales to the Ronald McDonald House in Temple and to MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston in memory of Chloe, age 7, pointing out that only 4% of the National Cancer Institute's research budget goes to children's cancer research? And that cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children age 15 and younger. She shared her touching story with me.

"A former childhood neighbor lost his oldest daughter, Chloe, to cancer. She was seven years old. I was struck by her smile and courage. Her mother seemed so brave. I do not think I could have kept it together the way she did. Anyway, because of that and what I learned about funding and just the simple fact that it is so young to deal with death I wanted to do something. We donate funds/supplies and I am currently making blankets for the Ronald McDonald House."

Handmade Chloe the Angel Cloth Doll

Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: A Keeper's Jackpot

See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com

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February 15th EtsyBloggers Carnival is Up and Running and Ready to Read!

Welcome to the February 15th, 2010 Edition of the EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival. Team members had the opportunity to blog about one of the following topics:

1) February 14th is Valentine’s Day. What is your best childhood memory of Valentine’s Day, or what childhood tradition do you now carry out with your children?
2) February is Heart Health Month. What is your best heart healthy recipe? What do you do to stay heart healthy? How do you promote heart health?

Following are the links to the EtsyBloggers’ posts on one of these topics, along with the links to their fabulous blogs.

Lois presents GO RED for Women! posted at Foxy G’s Den of i-KNIT-quity.

Sarah Buckingham “Finding Charm” presents EtsyBloggers: February 12th Carnival posted at Finding Charm.

gilliauna presents Heart Healthy… with Chocolate? – A Rare Post By Leal posted at The Meandering Musings of a Consummate Shopper.

MagdaleneJewels presents Carnival Blog: Valentine’s Day Wish posted at MagdaleneJewels’s Blogs.

Patti presents F………ebruary Heart Health (and update) posted at peacoxcreations.

cindy devine presents How many ways can you prepare a chicken breast? posted at Devine Designs Jewelry.

theashgrove presents Monday Motivator: Heart Health posted at Notes from the Ash Grove.

BunnyKissd presents Diary of a Crazy Rabbit Lady, Too: Valentine’s Day Traditions posted at Diary of a Crazy Rabbit Lady, Too.

storybeader presents Etsybloggers Carnival – Feb 12, 2010 posted at Stroll Through Storyland.

Linda B presents Valentine’s Day – Blog Carnival posted at Linda B’s Blog.

Jen presents Valentines posted at Mama’s Magic.

veryverdant presents Valentines Day Traditions posted at Very Verdant.

Elizabeth presents Valentine’s Day from a Teacher’s Perspective posted at Thoughts from an Evil Overlord.

Antonella presents A new Valentine’s tradition posted at Zucchero Filato.

CREATEaTHOUGHT presents Valentines Carnival posted at CREATEaTHOUGHT.

UberArt presents Be My Valentine! posted at UberArt Shop.

Mary presents Heart Health Month Recipe: Tuna and Red Onion Spiedini posted at Misobel: Handmade Hooligan with a Mystic Touch.

Two Zany Zebras presents It’s all about the card… posted at Two Zany Zebras.

Trina Baker presents Etsy Blog Carnival » gallery32 posted at gallery32.

Melissa Sinisgalli presents Think About Your Heart posted at Made By Melissa.

Cathy Dean presents Etsy Carnival posted at Candles & Caffeine, saying, “I hope I did this right! ”

Alicia Mae presents Heart Healthy – An EtsyBlogger Carnival posted at Crafts and Cooking.

HomeMadeOriginals presents Valentine’s Memories posted at Home Made Originals.

A Keeper’s Jackpot presents Heart ? Health posted at A Keeper’s Jackpot.

Enjoy!

Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: Foxy G. Knits

See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com

Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!

MiniMonday: Cut Your Heart Out

The EtsyBloggers Team Mini-Monday line-up couldn't have timed out any better for Jessica, owner of CutYourHeartOut, with Valentine's Day quickly approaching!

Her self-proclaimed wickedly sweet designs are made with love, like this My Heart is Rubber and You Are Glue Necklace. The title says it all, and wouldn't you love to own this piece on Valentine's Day!


Jessica is a wife, mother, and therapist in New Jersey. A very interesting and creative woman, with an interest in the quirky, creepy, and slightly offbeat things in life, such as tattoos, loud music, creative arts, and psychology. She says that not just one particular thing that inspires her work, but her inspiration can come from several different things such as her mood that day, a person, a television show, a story, a piece of art she's seen...

I literally laughed out loud at her answer to my question of how she came up with her shop name. She said, "It was an old screen name that evolved from my non-committal dating days. My friends used to always say that I would cut boys hearts out and stomp on them."

Her designs are nothing she couldn't afford or wear herself! Each item she sells features a quote or poem in the description. You can tell she puts a lot of thought and love into her work.



Look for her second Etsy shop in the works called Mox.ie and Mis.chief (MoxieAndMischief) for children's clothing and accessories.

Fan her on Facebook and get entered into her monthly drawings.

Want to see more? Follow her Blog!

Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: A Keeper's Jackpot

See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com

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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:

• 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.

Activity wrap up for the Journal Swap:
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
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Internet Artisan Interview - The Beaded Lily

Sarah, owner and operator of thebeadedlily, uses a variety of techniques in her jewelry design. Many of her current pieces are complicated and minimalist at the same time. I started following Sarah's work in the Etsy Beadweavers challenges, about a year ago. If your love beadweaving like I do, the Etsy Beadweavers are something to see. After watching Sarah's shop on Etsy, I noticed her at other selling venues, many the same I belong to. There's lots of opportunity to see her work; I suggest taking a look at her blog first, and go from there.

What's the name of your business/shop?

thebeadedlily

Do you have a registered domain name and/or a blog?
http://thebeadedlily.blogspot.com/
What type of handmade products do you sell?
Pieces by thebeadedlily generally fall into three categories.

Stringing: bold, colorful, texture laden designs, often influenced by the artists and artisans who create the beads I work with.

Wirework: simple, clean, and highly primitive. I use ancient wire-working techniques and aim for what the earliest jewelry must have looked like, to create something timeless, like what you'd find in a museum's antiquities exhibit.

Beadwork: totally unique and original one of a kind art pieces.

Show us a piece you recently finished

What are you working on right now? Any sketches?
A collection of pieces inspired by the colors of Alphonse Mucha, my favorite artist. I don't sketch too much and I didn't sketch these at all-- but I am beading with my Mucha calendar right next to me!



If you have a website or blog, what do you use for advertising? What do your avatars look like?
The graphics are my current ads and the face shot is my current avatar for most of my accounts.

If you have a website or blog, tell us about your favorite widget.
I'm not too into them. I make sure that my Etsy mini, ArtFire kiosk and 1000Market shopfront are up and running! I worry that too many cool widgets will get distracting.


Which online selling vendors do you use? What do you like best about each one?
Love
Etsy's built in traffic!
ArtFire has some cool cutting edge features and is so reasonably priced!
1000Markets has such a gorgeous look and really upscale professional feel.

Are you involved in social networking? What's your favorite and why? If you're not involved, you must have a good reason!
Does Flickr count? If not, facebook! I just like knowing what everyone is up to. I'm not very skilled at leveraging social contacts.
Keep up with me:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/thebeadedlily/70612550008?ref=ts

http://twitter.com/thebeadedlily

All of us can use a helpful business hint once a week. What's yours?
Grab yourbusinessname.com and hold on to it!

Do you have a "modus operandi" for computing the price of a handmade object? Tell us your formula?
It depends on the item. For earrings and wirework I'm mainly concerned with what the market will bear. For beadweaving the key factor is how long the piece takes to create. With my strung pieces the biggest factor is the price of the materials that go into the piece.

We'd love to see your little corner of the world, where you create.
Two shots -- the fairly organized wall and absolutely unorganized table!










Where do you see your artwork in one year? Any plans in the works?
That's something I've been contemplating myself for a week or so as I've been thinking about tightening up some things. I really haven't decided on a firm direction.

OK, it's the storybeader's turn to pick one piece by thebeadedlily.
I just adore beadweaving, but guess I don't have the patience, or stamina, to stay with it. Maybe some day, when I have more time! Sarah's beaded cuffs are amazing; her "Hands Against Time" is one of my favorites:

Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: storybeader
See EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.com
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Happy Friday and a Birthday!

All EtsyBloggers want Stormy to know that we hope she had the best birthday ever and has many, many more. This would also be a good time to thank Stormy for putting together our blog carnivals twice each month. They just wouldn't happen without her.



Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out! etsybloggers.com

EtsyBloggers Team Mini Monday - Joey & Aleethea - Monster Shirts, Monster Jeans, and Monster Dresses!

For goodness sakes, where does one begin to write about our very own team leader?

Sandra, (but everyone calls her "Joey") is the fearless, dynamic, funny, easy-going, talented, endearing team leader of EtsyBloggers. She has a hubby and two adorable younguns that she adores and looks after as a gift and blessing to her fulfilling life.

"We're all about family and fabric, love and laughter, and handmade super coolness. That's how we rock."- Joey & Aleethea™"

Joey & Aleethea™ is the Admin and Team Leader of the EtsyBloggers team. She is also a member of these fab Etsy teams: EtsyBABY, EtsyKids, EtsyMom, SwankyMoms, FAM, EtsyGreek and Loco for Gocco!

Her "Super Cutesie" baby boutique is named "Joey & Aleethea". If you have children and none of them have a Monster Shirt or monster outfit, or a pair of Ankle Biters lounge pants, or a Monster Cupcake dress, then they are just not super cool "yet"! "Joey & Aleethea™ is a super cutesie boutique for baby boys, baby girls and their peeps!"

Ankle Biters

Where does she find the time and energy?

Joey and Aleethea are "We are baby-wearing, breast-feeding, co-sleeping, attachment-parenting parents!" FYI: Those of us with grown up children, well, we do not do this last part anymore.

MONSTER CUPCAKE DRESS

MONSTERLICIOUS SET

Who can resist?

Geeky Argyle with Apples and Pears - Handmade Baby or Toddler Dress

and Bloomers by Joey & Aleethea

Do you have children? Grand or GreatGrand Children? Nieces, Nephews? Need a baby Gift? Please visit her Flickr to see many photographs of her clothing designs. You can also see Joey & Aleethea's gallery of sold items here.

Are you interested in becoming an official member of the EtsyBloggers team?
See Membership Requirements here : http://etsybloggers.com

etsyBloggers Mini Monday May 4, 2009

Quirky Dolls joined the etsyBloggers Team September 2008

She can introduce herself best: "I am a Pediatric Nurse, artist, and Mom of three great kids. They are a Handful sometimes but a Heartful all the time!" Two at home, one who leaves and returns and leaves and returns. I can't blame her....it's a tough world out there.

I Love sewing, painting, redecorating and hunting garage sales for interesting products to upcycle.

I Love to recycle fabrics, trims, beads and trinkets into my doll crafts. My glue gun and I are the best of friends, even when she burns me! Ahhhh the pain of creativity.....

All products assembled in a smoke free home. Three cats and a dog reside with me - I couldn't live without my fur babies."

Her Craft Blog
Her Craft Room
* Simple crafts for tweens and Moms in tutorials and videos.
* Random info about my crafty life.
* Links and info about Fun things I stumble on and want to share

YouTube

AND Flickr.com
Search,"candeecrafter" in people.

And, she teaches girl scout programs too! See >>>>

We lurves ya Quirky Woman!

etsyBloggers Mini Monday featuring ...

"I'm Jenni B (Bee) and I have been sewing professionally since 1999. I started to get so many custom orders that I decided to open up shop! I enjoy designing as much as creating, so I rarely create two of the same thing."
Established: May 2007

"We are two sisters (L Black in WA and J Brighton in AK)"
Established: April 2008

Click on banners above to visit her shops...

Member of:
♥ MDC Team ♥ search 'mdc' ♥ http://mdcmoms.blogspot.com
♥ EtsyBloggers Team ♥ search 'etsybloggers' September 2008
♥ Cloth Diaper Team ♥ http://etsyclothdiapers.blogspot.com
♥ Team EcoEtsy ♥ search 'teamecoetsy'

Wow! This peep gets things done! All while awaiting the arrival of a new little one...Congrats!!!

Oh, did I mention Jenni also has an awesome blog? Guess living in Alaska has it perks!

Jenni says, "I ♥ custom orders and trades!"

Jenni, I will trade vacations...Me to Alaska, You to Florida...whatcha say? I see the temperature you have posted on your blog. It was 89 here yesterday, we went fishing/catching - 8 keeper sea trout. Dinner was yum, yummy... hehehehehe

etsyBloggers Team Mini Monday .... featuring ...

(click to link to shop)

(click to link to shop)

(click to link to blog)

Angie says, "I am a married WAHM/SAHM mom of 2 boys ages 8 & 11. I am an independent consultant for a great charm company called Charms-A-Plenty. I am also on 4 Etsy Street Teams, have a Myspace page, Facebook page, and a blog!"

AND, she is on four Etsy Street Teams!
ETSY SCRAP
CAFE MOM ETSY MOMS
THE IN CROWD
ETSY BLOGGERS

"I have been crafting for as long as I can remember"

Angie hails from Central Indiana and must never sleep! She opened her first etsy shop September 2007, and became a member of the etsyBloggers Team in August 2008.

Here is a favorite pick from each of her shops

Congratulations Angie!

Celebrate With These Teammates!

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Celebrate along with the shops

Devine Designs Jewelry

and

C2 or Candy Crack!

etsyBloggers Team Mini Monday Designs by Vanessa

(click banner to shop)


Vanessa is a self-described "girly-girl" who live in Texas with her hubby. She said, "I have enjoyed anything and everything crafty since I was a little girl. My designs are fun and feminine.

What I Love: Friends, Family, Being Crafty, Photography, Scrapbooking, Journaling, Jewelry, Purple, Pink, Traveling, Working Out, Retail Therapy, Reading, Movies, Music, Fashion and anything that will hold my attention!"

Vanessa also has a beautifully designed blog

Designs by Vanessa

where you will discover delightful contests, features, and more!

Vanessa has been a member of the etsyBloggers Team for almost a year.

Congratulations Vanessa!

Pssst...this is my favorite

etsyBloggers Team Mini Monday Feature

Short Biography:

Hello! I'm Sharla and along with my mom, Sheri, we are using our love of creating beaded jewelry to benefit our love for animals. Recent news reports regarding animal hardships have put us into action to design and create beaded jewelry which we will give a portion of the sales proceeds to animal awareness causes. Each of our one of a kind designs contains an animal theme from paw toggles to cat face beads or animal awareness ribbon charms or butterflies.

Our items come from a smoke free environment, however, we are owned by both cats and dogs.


The following are a list of the organizations that we support:

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals .... www.ascpa.org
Humane Society for the United States .... www.hsus.org
Dogs for the Deaf.... www.dogsforthedeaf.org
Alley Cat Allies.... http://alleycat.org
Chintimini Wildlife Rescue .... www.chintiminiwildlife.org

Total 2008 Donations $407 - Thank you to all our customers!

Our January 2009 donation was $44.50 to The Anderson House - safe home for women and children affected by domestic violence.

Copies of receipts are available upon request.

I have had pets literally all my life and currently my husband and I have a Husky named Sadie that was rescued from a puppy mill by the humane society and we have two cats, Isabella and Angel, that we adopted from the humane society in 2006. My mom has an American Eskimo named Samy that she adopted after someone got him as a puppy and was unable to take care of him. Our animals are a huge part of our lives and now live like royalty!

In addition to our current pets, we've had many wonderful pets that we've adopted from the humane society or had found abandoned so we certainly know that there is a great need for animal awareness education to prevent overpopulation, abused and homeless animals. We are grateful to be able to sell our jewelry here on Etsy in order to benefit animals.

We make beaded jewelry for animal lovers with a portion of ALL sales proceeds benefiting animal awareness causes. See our profile for a list of charities we support.

We are proud members of Etsy Angels, Pluggers United, EFA Artists Helping Animals,
EtsyBloggers and Abandoned Wild Baby Animal Rescue (AWBAR)


My friend, Sharla

"SEW IT'S FOR YOU" etsyBlogger Mini Monday Featured Artisan!

Julie, creator of "Sew It's For You"

"I learned how to embroider by reading a book from Sublime Stitching about 3 years ago. I have so much fun doing it and loved to share it with my friends and family. This is how Sew It's For You came about."

Montessori Training Kid Friendly Placemat Set ( Four included per set)

Boys Dino/Tools T Shirt

Beary Sweet (7) Page PDF Embroidery Patterns

"We also do custom orders on: pillowcases, tablecloths, hankies,bibs, burp cloths, onesies, napkins, towels, aprons, etc!"

"I hand sew almost everything including the adorable bag that comes with your item."

"I am a licensed merchant for Sublime Stitching and Pimp Stitch. Go check out their sites for some of the best patterns around! www.sublimestitching.com and www.pimpstitch.com."

BLOG

Julie lives in Tarpon Springs Florida with her hubby and says, "We like to be chill and wish we had more money just like everyone else."

I know exactly what you mean...this is the best I could do!

Bliss Designs

Ara133 Photography

Sorry Julie, I could not resist... ROTFLOL