Friday Feature -- Liz's Wares

Today's featured Etsy artist is the Etsyblogger of the month! Congrats to Liz who runs two Etsy shops: Liz's Wares and Liz's Supplies. In her shops, you'll find a lot of pretty shiny things -- finished jewelry in Liz's Wares and digital files to help organize your Etsy business at Liz's Supplies.

I especially admired this necklace with a vintage 1950s pendant. Love to see vintage pieces given a new life like this!
Enjoy the interview!

1. Are we teammates on any Etsy Teams? I belong to Etsybloggers, Etsymom, CCCOE, and I’m the captain for SF Etsy.

Etsybloggers is the only one we match on; but I am also in Deviant Art, Etsy Blog Team, MULTIPLE SHOPS on ETSY, Vintage Lovers, Craftcount, Top Treasury, Stumble-I can't even stand up straight, MADE IN USA, I Love Art, beads, Handmadeology, HeartsyOfficial.

2. 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?

My main medium is beads and findings. I love making bracelets, earrings and necklaces. I mostly lean fantasy princess-like pieces, but intend on branching to other styles as well soon.
When I was younger I loved making bracelets with pony beads and whatever string I could find. When I was about 14 I finally got the internet and my world opened up to the knowledge of stretch cord, chains, clasps, etc.

I love the design process when I start with a small set of beads and search to see what else I have that would look great with them. I've added to my collection of tools over the years as well.

I love knowing that I'm creating something that will be worn by someone who will feel great about wearing that piece. Whether it's a casual bracelet that becomes their daily favorite, or a special necklace that they chose for Prom or their wedding day!

3. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.

I have also been perfecting my sewing skills too. I intend in the next year or two to open more shops which include LizsHome, LizsClothes, and LizsVintage.

I've created profiles for them, but haven't opened yet. Feel free to add them to your circle so it may be easier to keep an eye on them.

4. How did you get involved with Etsy?

A friend of mind from community college introduced me to Etsy as well as glass beads! She was heaven sent.

I had planned from the first day of seeing Etsy to open up shop. So I created a bunch of items, and researched as much as I could about Etsy.

Then in October 2009 LizsWares was born! I am so glad to have found such an open and caring group in Etsy to share in the experiences of running a small business.

5. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite?


I love this bracelet for many reasons- the beads are gorgeous, it was fun to create. But mostly I love it because when I put it on just after creating it I felt like I had finally found what I really wanted to do with my life. That was to create!
I know that my passion is creating and that I'll never give that up for anything.

6. If you had a gift certificate to Etsy for any one item you wanted, what would you buy?

I would love to have a beautiful vanity to sit at. I currently use a hand mirror in front of my computer, lol.

7. What crafting skill(s) do you wish you had or hope to learn someday?

I'd love to learn carpentry so I can build the furniture that I wish I had now and want for my future dream home.

8. If money were no object for just one day, what would you do?

I'd travel to as many places as I could to buy amazing fabric and beads. I'd most likely start in Europe.

9. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

LizsWares on Blogspot
LizsWares on Stumbleupon
LizsWares on Kaboodle
LizsWares on Twitter
I founded a group on DeviantArt, Etsy-Deviants
I run EtsyDeviants on twitter




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

Friday Feature -- Magdalene Knits and Magdalene Jewels

Today's Friday feature is the featured Etsyblogger of the Month: Pamela, who runs two Etsy shops. Magdalene Knits and Magdalene Jewels.

You'll find lots of lovely, cozy items in Magdalene Knits. I especially love these precious Christmas Mary Jane booties!


And you'll find lots of pretty shiny things in Magdalene Jewels, including this beautiful Cobalt Blue Vintage Bracelet:



Enjoy the interview -- and congratulations, Pamela, on being Etsyblogger of the Month for November!

1. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How did you learn your craft?

I have always loved doing something creative, whether knitting, crocheting, embroidering, quilting, painting, and for the past few years designing my own jewelry, all of which I have taught myself.

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a creative nature within. The many Necklaces, Bracelets and Earrings in my shop are all created and designed by myself. As I just started making jewelry a few years ago, it has and still is a learning process. I never had any intention of selling my work, I would just give it away.

As for my knitted and crocheted items which are in my newest shop, “MagdaleneKnits” - when I found out that my daughter was going to have her first child (my first grandchild) I started crocheting little baby booties, and baby sweaters, and other little baby items, even a little lamb for Easter. I originally had scarves and neck warmers in my jewelry shop, but they have now been relegated to my “knit” shop as well. For any of you who do knit or crochet, you will understand when I say it is a very relaxing activity?

When I first started, I never had any intention of selling my work, I would just give it away. If someone said how much they liked a certain piece, well, it was then theirs – I still tend to do this with my friends, even when they want to pay me

2. Are we teammates on any Etsy Teams?

Besides being a member of the “EtsyBloggers Team”, I also am a member of the “Bbest Team”. Since I opened my Knit/Crochet shop I have joined the “CreateCrochet Team”, and “CrochetOriginals Team”.

3. What is involved in your creative process?

I imagine my creative process evolves from my own personality, and what one would term my very vivid imagination. In my “Jewelry” shop, often I will see a beautiful color crystal, which when in the light can reflect so many possibilities that my mind becomes absorbed in a certain moment or feeling or a certain song will come to mind, from there the creativity begins. The same inspirations and creativity can be found in my Knitting and Crochet work. As you can see from most of my pieces, I am one who is truly a romantic and love the feminine aspect of my being.

4. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.

I think the most important achievement I have accomplished are my three children, Kelly, Keith & Ryan. I have been a single mother since the boys were infants, which only made us closer as a family. No matter what, they have always been there for me, as I have been for them. For those that read my blogs, you know that my newest joy is my little grandson Zachary, who just turned 2 in October!

In between all of this, I am also member of a local theater group as their costume designer, as well as having had a few small parts in some of their plays. I have also managed to joined forces in my work, while designing the costumes, I have also designed jewelry pieces for some of the actresses to wear on stage.

5. What inspires your creations?

I imagine that my inspirations evolve from my own personality and what one would term my very vivid imagination. As all my pieces are made with Swarovski Crystals, often I will see a beautiful color crystal, which when in the light can reflect so many possibilities that my mind becomes absorbed in a certain moment or feeling, or a certain song will come to mind, and from there the creativity begins. Those that truly know me will understand this. As you can see from most of my pieces, I am one who is truly a romantic and love the feminine aspect of my being.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop? Why is it your favorite?
This necklace which I call “The Rose” after one of my most favorite song, “The Rose” by Janis Joplin. It’s Victorian, very feminine look reflects a lot of my inner self.


7. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?

Firstly, I would say to enjoy what you do, that is where you will find your creativity. I also suggest to those that are not part of a team to find one that relates to what their craft is, or interests. One, it is a good way to promote your work, and definitely do some Treasury’s – they are a lot of fun to put together. Also, definitely communicate through your Blogs, Facebook or Twitter, they are good networking tools. Most importantly since I have been here at Etsy, is not the sales I have made or hope to make, but it is the dear friends I have made during the past few years. We are there for each other during our many ups and downs, and very supportive during the many obstacles we often are challenged with.

8. If you had a gift certificate to Etsy for any one item you wanted, what would you buy?

These earrings -- actually I would love anything from this shop!! It is my favorite Jewelry shop – I purchased one of their rings “Karma” which I always wear.


9. Which one song describes your life the best? Why?

I would definitely have to say “Let it Be” by the Beatles. When I find life gets to much, and things have let you down, I start singing “Let it Be” and the words “speaking words of wisdom” brings an inner peace and I try to see things in a different light.

10. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

Shops: Magdalene Jewels and Magdalene Knits
Facebook
Flickr
Twitter
YouTube: I often do Video’s of Treasury’s I make







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

Friday Feature -- Tamdoll's SILVER Mountain Originals

This week's featured Etsy artist is the Etsyblogger of the month! Congrats to Tammy of Tamdoll's SILVER Mountain Originals! I love how unique her work is, with such rich textural detail -- these fabric heart charms are adorable!

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?

Right now, in my Etsy shop, you’ll find a few handbags, some fabric jewelry and sewing patterns for my original cloth art dolls (a mermaid & a dragon). I love to create with fibers and beads – usually making things that can be worn and that are one-of-a-kind. I love to recycle & reinvent items - some of my bags and jewelry are "upcycled" art, made with reclaimed materials.

How did I learn my craft?

I’ve been crafting since I was a little girl, mostly self-taught: hand-sewing doll clothes and knitting when I was young; then making gifts for others while I was trying to be thrifty in college; until finally taking a pattern workshop in 2001 where I unleashed my pattern making skills, creating my first completely original doll, a dragon. In recent years I’ve taught myself to crochet by watching online tutorials.

My creative process is never ending - I get an idea, jot it down in words or rough sketches, let it mull for a while… could be days, weeks or even years… until I find the time to turn my idea into 3D – whether by sewing, crochet, knitting or a combination of them all. I love taking the challenge of what’s in my mind and making it into something that I can touch and feel.

2. What Etsy teams do you belong to?

I belong to: EtsyBloggers, Team EcoEtsy, New Hampshire Team and EtsyChai where I’m the blog maven.

3. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.

Interesting? What will anyone want to read about?

I can often be found online (maybe obsessed a little?!), it is just so convenient (look for ‘tamdoll’): I love to read and keep my book lists online at Goodreads.com; keep track of my knit and crochet work on Ravelry.com; photos on Flickr; website favorites on delicious.com; and of course there’s keeping track of everything else I make on my blog!

In college I earned a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science, wanting to be involved with computer graphics and gaming, but since then ended up doing more marketing than coding. I still love working on blogs and websites, helping out friends when their sites need some tweaking.

One of my passions is recycling – I don’t like the idea of wastefulness. To that end, I challenge myself to look at things in new ways, figure out how materials can be refashioned. Sometimes it’s one of my husband’s torn shirts used as a lining in a new pocketbook, other times it’s running the book sale for the local public library and finding a home for the unsold ones. In my community, I’ve joined the Solid Waste Commission, with my personal goal being to improve recycling in schools.

At home, I’m a mom of two beautiful high school age girls, who I’m very proud of – one knits, the other crochets, both sew, so I’m pretty happy! My oldest even has her own Etsy shop and sells yoyo necklaces locally.

4. What inspires your creations?


Everything inspires me. I never stop thinking of ideas! Song lyrics, puns, phrases, adages all become pictures or colors in my head - turning the words into images in my mind. Sometimes, this is the most fun for me, when I can see something in my mind and have the original idea. I wish I could write or draw them all down and then have someone else create them for me. Challenges definitely inspire me, creating combinations from unlikely objects or colors. I once made a pocketbook focused around a toy chicken:


Once, I was inspired to knit into a pile of gray wool roving that I didn’t know how to spin, and it took the shape of a cute round leg, turning into an elephant!



Sometimes a creation will continue to inspire me after it’s made and I’ll often think of a story to go along with an item.



5. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?

Use Flickr to showcase your items. Their terms of service don’t allow selling, but I’ve had folks see my items there and through my profile or messaging they’ve been led back to my online shop.

It can’t be said enough – but if you’re a seller, your pictures need to be sharp and clear and close-up! If I’m shopping, I want to see details. If I’m blogging or creating a treasury, I want to use high quality, attractive pictures to feature. I’m always trying to improve my own pictures and I know there is lots of help on the internet, no sophisticated equipment is necessary.


6. What crafting skill(s) do you wish you had or hope to learn someday?

I wish I could draw better, even more skill at drawing cartoon-like people. I’d like to make little comics of the funny things I think of sometimes – stick figures and rough sketches are all I can manage.

7. What has been your biggest success and/or proudest moment since opening your Etsy shop?

An exciting moment –

Fairfield saw something I had made, a quilted, decorative birdhouse, using their products and have included me at their website. You can see it here with a link back to me as one of their ‘world contributors’.

8. Give us some insight on how you personally, or your shop, gives back to your community.

I volunteer quite a bit. My husband and I decided early on in our marriage that if we didn’t have money to donate, we at least had time to give to different causes we felt were worthwhile. I’ve volunteered for the public library, art groups in my town, in schools, and as a driver for the elderly .

9. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations.

http://tamdoll.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/TamdollSMO
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamdoll/
http://www.ravelry.com/people/tamdoll
http://www.tamdoll.com
http://www.twitter.com/tamdoll

And locally, a different selection of my items are for sale at http://apothecaflowershoppe.com/ - these I usually announce on Facebook for folks to see what’s new.

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

Friday Feature -- NanjoDogz

This week's featured Etsy artist is the Etsyblogger of the month -- congrats to Nancy of NanjoDogz! Nancy's shop is really unique, full of canine cuteness and creativity. And as someone who grew up with a sweetheart of a Westie dog, I couldn't help but adore this little West Highland White Terrier polymer bead.


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 create polymer clay items including Pandora beads, sculpture, tiles, etc. I started working in polymer clay about 10 years ago and it just stuck.

My creative process is just a flow as you go kind of thing. I don't make any plans up, it's either hit or miss and sometimes things turn out lovely and sometimes not so good.

2. To which Etsy teams do you belong?

Etsybloggers, of course. I also belong to Polymer Clay, Polymer Clay Enthusiasts and On Fire for Handmade.

3. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.

I love my family, my dog and I'm a real homebody if that's interesting ;)

4. What inspires your creations?

Dogs, dogs and more dogs.

5. How did you get involved with Etsy?

I learned about Etsy through another group I was in on E-Bay.

6. What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop?

Doing everything from the creative process to advertising to packaging items, it's very time consuming!

7. What crafting skill(s) do you wish you had or hope to learn someday?

Knitting, I admire people who can knit.

8. If you had to be an animal for one week, which animal would you choose to
be? And what would you do?

I think it's obvious, I'd love to be a dog owned by me and we'd do fun things like go to the park, play in the river, fetch sticks.

9. If money were no object for just one day, what would you do?

Buy 20,000 acres of land.

10. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

Nanjodogz blog
Flickr
Facebook

11. Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about your shop or your work?

I love what I do and that's so important when you're doing handmade because you take it so personally and you have to do so much to make it work.




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

Friday Feature -- Linda B's Jewelry Designs

This week's featured Etsy artist is the Etsyblogger of the month for April -- big congrats to Linda B's Jewelry Designs! Her shop is full of pretty, sparkly, elegant items. I especially admire the wire work involved in this gorgeous Women's Wire Beaded Kippah


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 design gemstone and glass beaded jewelry. I am self-taught. I took a few classes in wire wrapping leading to creating my women’s wire beaded kippot (headcoverings for Jewish women), new chain and wire wrapped necklaces and wire wrapped pendants and rings. Also, I create bottlecap and scrabble tile pendants and magnets because they’re fun.


2. Do you participate in any Etsy teams?

I am on the EtsyBloggers team, EtsyBead team, EtsyTwitter team, Etsy Promotional Frenzy Team, Handmadeology team, and I lead the EtsyChai team

3. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.

I am married to a great man for over 30 years and he encourages my jewelry making and comments on my designs. We love our 3 cats, Buddy, Fritz and Sammy (more pictures are on my blog)



I am an avid reader and a few of my favorite authors are Stephen King, James Patterson, Nora Roberts, Steve Martin (yes the comedian). Currently, I am reading books about Social Media, to gather information for How to Guides to Facebook and Twitter.

4. What inspires your creations?

I am inspired by the beads or gemstones: the colors, shapes and how they look together in eclectic or classic designs. The more color the better. I create both balanced and asymmetrical jewelry. I subscribe to beading magazines and challenge myself to pick one design, change the symmetry or bead shapes and colors to create a masterpiece.

5. How did you get involved with Etsy?

A jewelry designer I used to work with mentioned Etsy to me and I decided to try it. I forgot about it for a few months and then starting listing items. I started joining teams and entering design challenges. Then, I met Tim Adams of Handmadeology online and started taking some of his advice.

6. What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop?

It’s tough to compete in the heavily saturated jewelry market. Each jewelry designer has a style. I work in eclectic and classic styles. It’s difficult to know what shoppers will purchase; therefore, I offer a variety of colors and design styles in my shop.


7. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite?

Today it's my Personalized Swarovski Bracelet

The design is a variation of a design one of my new clients showed me and ordered for Mother's Day. I'm exciting to be offering these custom order bracelets (a little late for Mother's Day), but birthdays and other events apply.

8. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?

Join a team! Team members provide support, friendship, and information I promoting other Etsy sellers on my blog; it is one of my favorite blog posts. Also, I am a Twitter addict and I tweet items for team members too.

9. If you had a gift certificate to Etsy for any one item you wanted, what would you buy? (Please provide a link.)

Just one?
Today, I'd like this handmade wearable Turkish bath towel.

10. If you had to be an animal for one week, which animal would you choose to be? And what would you do?

I would be a cat, so I could catnap during the play, be spoiled by my parents and play with shiny beads, milk rings, and other toys.

11. If money were no object for just one day, what would you do?

I would create the jewelry designs I have in the back of my mind and I might take another beadweaving class.

12. What does buying and selling local handmade mean to you, and how has it affected your life?

It means taking the time to design an item, visualizing the gemstones and shapes fitting together in a pleasing design. Putting my heart and energy into each piece I create.

13. Give us some insight on how you personally, or your shop, gives back to your community.

I create jewelry and accessories out of upcycled, bleached bottlecaps and previously owned-jewelry. During certain months, I donate a percentage of sales proceeds to Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Fund.

In fact, right now, if you buy anything pink in my shop, I am putting aside money to donate to Susan G Komen.

14. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

Artfire
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Flickr
Online Shopping
Website

Congrats again, Linda!




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

Friday Feature -- Mystic Wynd

This week's featured Etsy artist is the Etsyblogger of the month! Congrats to Karen of Mystic Wynd. Her shop is full of beautiful jewelry in a variety of styles. With so much loveliness, it's really hard to choose a favorite! But this Aspen Leaf necklace especially caught my eye. I love the simple, unique design.

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 sell a wide variety of jewelry designs using everything from acrylic beads to gemstones and everything in between. I’m self taught for the most part, although I’ve taken some classes in the basics. Gosh, my creative process is a 24/7 thing… I draw on life, nature, events, childhood memories - you name it. I’ll jot down notes or throw together certain components for future projects when something flashes through my mind and eventually it becomes a reality!


2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?

Etsybloggers, of course! BEST (Boosting Etsy Shops Team), Treasury Team for Tutti, Captains’ Quarters, Etsy Blog Team, Etsy Success, and Handmadeology

3. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.

I love science and anything that makes me stretch my imagination, and I tend to be a bit of a nerd/geek at times. I currently have 7 grandchildren under the age of 6 thanks to my three children, and they are all the light of my life! My favorite getaway would be to a cabin in the mountains for a long weekend of hiking, skipping stones on a lake, hot dogs over a camp fire or hot chocolate in front of a fireplace, lots of nature photography, and maybe some fly fishing!

4. What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop?

Hands down, it’s finding the time to do everything I need (and want) to do to be able to compete in the handmade market – creating, promoting, learning new techniques, and taking care of the business end of the business is pretty overwhelming at times, but I tend to be a workaholic, so for me it works!

5. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?

My advice to sellers would be to put yourself on the other side of the listing. A photo and a few words are often all a buyer has to go on and you want to give them the best possible information you can. Buying something sight unseen takes a leap of faith and the more accurate and detailed your listings are, the more likely your customer is to be satisfied with their decision to purchase from you. For the people buying on Etsy, please put yourself in the crafter’s shoes – many of us put our heart and soul into our work, not to mention the time we spend buying our supplies and doing the bookkeeping and trying to keep costs down while we keep quality up. You can shop for bargains or you can shop for quality, and occasionally you’ll be lucky and find both… don’t be afraid to ask questions to make sure that what you’re buying is going to meet your expectations.

6. If you had a gift certificate to Etsy for any one item you wanted, what would you buy?

You should have put a dollar limit on the gift certificate! LOL – I’d love to have this dragon sculpture from metalbymartin - I can just imagine how beautifully it would patina over the years… sigh… I love it!

7. Which one song describes your life the best? Why?

There was a song back in the early 70’s that started out as a commercial for Coca-cola and ended up morphing into a real hit song. It’s called “I’d like to teach the world to sing” and its message is about peace and mankind working together to achieve a wonderful world. I’ve always hoped for that, so that song is kind of like my life’s vision.

8. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

Shop

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

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

Friday Feature -- Devine Designs Jewelry

This week's featured Etsy artist is Cindy of Devine Designs Jewelry -- the Etsyblogger of the Month for November. Congratulations, Cindy!

Her shop is full of such pretty things. I especially love this Purple Beaded Dragonfly bracelet -- one might be tempted to think she'd designed it just for me, because it's purple (my favorite color) and features dragonflies, of which I am particularly fond, as any Mama's Magic fan could tell you!


Enjoy the interview!

1. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?

Etsy Bloggers and FEST (Florida Etsy Street team)

2. 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 consider myself a cold forge metal artist. I work with wire and metals and hand tools to wrap, twist, weave sterling silver and copper into one of a kind jewelry creations. I do not duplicate or cookie cutter my creations. I use hand stamping and texturizing techniques as well. I love to incorporate natural gemstones and artisan made glass lampwork beads into my work. I try to think outside the box, and create something different. Sometimes ideas just pop into my head, and I usually draw out a design first before attempting it.

3. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.

I am a veterinary technician by trade. I like tattoos. (I have a few) It is an expensive "hobby".

4. What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop?

My biggest challenge with Etsy, is in the photography department. I try to take good quality photos, have read and had tips on photography, upgraded my camera; but I think with jewelry it is difficult to see all the details, how light hits and reflects or how it will look on an individual. Selling jewelry is such a tactile thing.

5. What crafting skill(s) do you wish you had or hope to learn someday?

I wish to develop my jewelry making skills, and hopefully add metalsmithing and work with PMC too. I might even take up basket weaving!


6. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

http://devinedesignsjewelry.blogspot.com, http://www.flickr.com/photos/devinedesignsjewelry/
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/DevineDesignsJewelry








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

Friday Feature -- Splendid Little Stars and Sparkly Park

This week's featured Etsy artist was the Etsyblogger of the Month for October. (Better late than never!) A big congratulations to Margaret, who is the owner of two fantastic Etsy shops:

Splendid Little Stars and Sparkly Park! Both shops are full of handmade goodness. I think these crocheted and beaded flowers are super cute, don't you? You can wear them on your wrist or in your hair!

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?

Splendid Little Stars: hand dyed cotton clothing and silk scarves and scrunchies
Sparkly Park: jewelry (mostly earrings right now) and paper goods such as cards and tags.

I learned to tie dye by just plunging in. My daughter's first grade teacher tie dyed with the children every year. She introduced me to the "good" dye. Then, with the help of my son, I made hundreds of shirts for several fundraisers. Over the years, I have developed my own unique processes, styles, and designs.

The dyeing process involves many steps: washing and drying the item, tying up, soaking in solution, dyeing, curing for @ 24 hours, washing, drying. That is the basic formula, of which there are variations. To paint with dye, I usually soak the item in a solution, let it dry, then paint and cure.

2. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.


I Iove photography and have found great joy in capturing the unique essence of nature and the spectacular drama of natural landscapes. Hiking in beautiful places is one of my most favorite things to do. I am inspired by art all around me--natural and human-made. I've enjoyed incorporating my photos into my blog and thus sharing my interest with others.

I love science and have a degree in zoology. I have taught nature and science classes, developed by me, to children in my neighborhood and at the YMCA. Once, a friend and I created a summer camp which we held for several years. We taught nature, art, science, music, and movement. It was so much fun! You can read more about it here.

3. What inspires your creations?

I am inspired by the texture, colors, shapes, and feel of the materials I work with. I am inspired by art around me. I love investigating the designs in nature. These designs are repeated in my work either literally or imaginatively. I love looking at the "flow," the movement of shapes and designs, across a space.

4. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite?

3 piece empire waist dress set for children. I have been making these in various patterns for many years. They have been a best seller and little girls love them (as do their moms)! They are so soft and comfortable. The pieces can be worn separately or mixed and matched, so it's a very versatile outfit. Most children can wear the dress for 2-3 years and the shirt and leggings for 1-2 years. It just warms my heart when I see a child loving something I made!

5. Give us some insight on how you personally, or your shop, gives back to your community.


There are many ways. I am passionate about giving to my community! I give of my time and I give of my creations. Once, I helped a group of kids tie dye shirts that they would be giving away to children while on a mission trip to Mexico.

I've been planning a section in my Splendid Little Stars shop called Charity Pink. I will give 50% of the profits of every sale of these particular pink shirts to breast cancer research.

6. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

BLOG
WEBSITES: Splendid Little Stars and Sparkly Park
FACEBOOK: (sadly, I haven't done anything with it yet)
FLICKR

7. Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your shop or your work?

I teach tie dye classes, mostly to children and their adult helpers. How fun to share with others an art I so enjoy!





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

Friday Feature -- Etsyblogger of the Month -- Patch!

Congratulations to Patch, the Etsyblogger of the Month for August! This busy, talented artisan has not one, not two, but THREE shops on Etsy!

Jewelry Shop

Vintage Shop -

Supply Shop -

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?

For jewelry, I make them from Genuine Swarovski beads - Crystals and Pearls with simple beading techniques and I learn all techniques from the internet and beading magazines. I have a passion on Weddings stuff so I always get the inspirations to make a piece from wedding gown fashions and some from the real diamond jewelry.

I do sewing and put some in my supply shop. At first I made them for my jewelry packaging and someone asked me to make for her. That's the way sewing business came to my mind.

2. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.

Umm.. as I put it in my blog..

Patch is .. a Third child, graduated in Mechanical Engineer, a wedding addict, a crafty maniac, a vintage lover, a movies lover, and more..


3. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite?


I love the Amelia Collection!! especially this Necklace.. I designed it when I saw the sleeveless wedding dress without beading or lace and I thought of something to put together with that dress. And it was the first time that I made something from laces. :D

4. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?

For sellers, I think the most important thing to sell your products is the photography. As an online business, buyers can't see your real products. The photos are the only way for them to see your items. The better the photos, the greater the chance to get an order.
For buyer, believe in your instinct when you want to buy from the new seller and read the feedbacks before making the purchase. If you're not sure about anything, contact them for details. Most Etsy sellers are friendly.. like me.. LOL

5. What crafting skill(s) do you wish you had or hope to learn someday?

Sewing human clothing.. I do know how to sew both hand sewing and machine sewing but I don't know how to sew a dress or blouse.. Love to design my clothes and it will be great if I can make one by myself.

6. Which one song describes your life the best? Why?

"The Climb" by Miley Cyrus.. It's made me stronger and push me forwards.. :D

7. If money were no object for just one day, what would you do?

Traveling to the places that I haven't been before.. and take a lot of photos to share to everyone else.. and watch every movies I can..

8. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

I have 2 blogs.. One is all about my life and everything. I called it "Patch's Diary"

Another one I've just changed it from Wedding guide blog to Jewelry inspiration blog and everything about my jewelry shop.

And I opened a new blog for Wedding Guides.

9. Is there anything else youd like to tell us about your shop or your work?

I do love custom-made orders. I like to communicate with customers and work together to match their needs. So feel free to contact me for serving you what you want. :D





Posted for the EtsyBloggers team by: MamasMagicStudioSee EtsyBloggers team membership requirements here: etsybloggers.comGot a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!

Friday Feature -- Sykin! Etsyblogger of the Month for July

This week's featured Etsy artist is Sykin, the Etsyblogger of the Month for July! Congrats!!!

This creative seller has not one but two shops -- Sykin's One Stop Twilight Shop and Sykin's NW Wonders. Enjoy the interview!



1. Please tell me about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?

In Sykin's One Stop Twilight Shop, I make all things Twilight inspired. You'll find mostly jewelry that reminds me of something in the series - be it a person or a paragraph in the book. I try to stay away from movie likenesses to avoid copyright issues, but I have done them as a custom order request before.

Sykin's NW Wonders is all about everything else I make. Everything that is not Twilight inspired. Right now, there's mostly photography listed, which is something I am growing to love more and more each time I take my camera out of my bag. I'm about 90% self taught on everything I create. I'll look up tutorials but once I learned the basics of making jewelry, making paper crafts, etc, I have been teaching myself new techniques and then fine-tuning it when I realize there's an easier way to do what I've been doing. haha! I did take a photography class in college as a required class, but that was over 10 years ago (*gasp* already??) and I'm not using a dark room to develop my film, so I've had to learn to mess with my camera settings to get the looks that I want. *phew* That was a long answer!

2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?

EtsyBloggers, EtsyMom, EtsyRAIN, and Fabulous Artistic Moms

3. Tell me two (or more) other interesting things about you.

I'm a dedicated fangirl. I collect everything Twilight, Harry Potter, and Hanson. I still buy CDs and DVDs relating to those fandoms. I also have an irrational fear of holes. Drains, manhole covers, grates, holes in the bottom of toilets. I haven't the foggiest idea where the fear came from but it started when I was in high school. Weird, I know :)

4. What inspires your creations?

First and foremost, Twilight, for obvious reasons :) I am also inspired by just about everything I see around me. I'm big on shapes and I love to look at what others are wearing as far as jewelry. It gives me good ideas of what people like to wear and want to purchase.



5. How did you get involved with Etsy?

A friend of mine (Platipuses) first told me about Etsy when she moved over from Ebay. I checked out her shop and a couple months later, set up my own. I had never created anything before other than drawing and painting so it gave me a new creative outlet.


6. What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop?

That's a tough question! I don't think I really have any challenges. I have a great customer base, I work in advertising so that helps with getting the word out, and I've met some really great people so if I ever need advice or help, I know I can count on them.


7. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite?



Ooooh, that's a tough one. I would have to go with the Oceanside Blues and Greens print in NW
Wonders. I love the colors on this print! When I took the photo, all I saw was wet rocks and some moss - I just loved the green moss on the rocks. When I got home and looked at my photos, the reflection from the ocean turned the wet rock into this fantastic blue color. It's so vibrant! But to be honest, my favorite changes just about every time I list something new. haha


8. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?

Advertise and list often. Ask questions. Take good photos of your items. Find a group of people you trust and stick by their side.


9. If you had a gift certificate to Etsy for any one item you wanted, what would you buy?

Not that I need it, but this wedding dress:


It's been one of my favorites since I started at etsy! I would definitely be willing to have a second wedding if I could wear that dress!


10. What crafting skill(s) do you wish you had or hope to learn someday?

Painting and drawing. I have such an active imagination but I have a hard time portraying it on paper.

11. What has been your biggest success and/or proudest moment since opening your Etsy shop?

I consign in a Twilight store in Saint Helens, Oregon where they filmed the first Twilight movie. I never thought about selling my crafts in a store before so it took me completely off guard when they asked if I'd be willing to!

12. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

Everything is listed on one website: http://www.sykin.net. There you can find the facebook links for both shops, items listed from both shops, my twitter, my blog, and my email address. I will also post special discounts and sales there when I have one going on.

13. Is there anything else you’d like to tell me about your shop or your work?

For those wondering, my shop name is pronounced "See-kin". It's a nickname I was given as a child and I found out after spelling it the way I do that on urbandictionary.com, it's listed as meaning psych but spelled different (because who wants to use the real spelling for things??). I promise you, that's not where the name came from! :)





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

Etsyblogger of the Month: Magdalene Knits and Jewels

This week's featured Etsy artist is also the Etsyblogger of the month! Congratulations to Pam, who runs two wonderful shops: Magdalene Jewels and Magdalene Knits. With so much talent, it was easy to find favorites in each shop! I love the detail and artistry in this Vintage Bracelet, which uses vintage components and semiprecious beads in carnelian, jade, and golden onyx.

And of course when I read that the description referenced Anais Nin -- I knew for sure this was a shop where I'd feel at home!

In Magdalene Knits, I immediately noticed these adorable Mary Jane baby booties. Simply too sweet!

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?

Since I have been very young I have always loved doing something creative, whether knitting, crocheting, embroidering, quilting, painting, and for the past few years designing my own jewelry, all of which I have taught myself. The many Necklaces, Bracelets and Earrings are all created and designed by myself. I recently added my first ring to my collection. As I just started making jewelry a few years ago, it was a total learning process which I can attest to, as I see pieces I designed when I first started compared to what I design now. I never had any intention of selling my work, I would just give it away. If someone said how much they liked a certain piece, well, it was then theirs -- I still tend to do this with my friends, even when they want to pay me.

As for my knitted and crocheted items which are in my newest shop, MagdaleneKnits, when I found out that my daughter was going to have her first child (my first grandchild) I started crocheting little baby booties, and baby sweaters, and other little baby items, even a little lamb for Easter. I originally had scarves and neck warmers in my jewelry shop, but they have now been relegated to my knit shop as well. For any of you who do knit or crochet, you will understand when I say it is a very relaxing activity.


2. How did you get involved with Etsy?

My friend Marion, who has a shop on Etsy in which she sells beautiful handmade quilts, suggested I put a few of my pieces on Etsy and try to sell them. So began Magdalene Jewels.

3. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?

Besides being a member of the Etsy Bloggers Team; I also am a member of Bbest Team ("B" stands for Boomers), yes, that generation! And I just recently joined CreateCrochet after opening my Crochet and Knit shop here on Etsy.

4. What inspires your creations?

I imagine that my inspirations evolve from my own personality and what one would term my very vivid imagination. As all my pieces are made with Swarovski Crystals, often I will see a beautiful color crystal, which when in the light can reflect so many possibilities that my mind becomes absorbed in a certain moment or feeling, or a certain song will come to mind, from there the creativity begins. Those that truly know me will understand this. As you can see from most of my pieces, I am one who is truly a romantic and love the feminine aspect of my being.


5. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite?

Although there are many from my Jewelry shop, I would have to say The Rose (named after my favorite song by Janis Joplin).

I love the femininity of this piece, it has such a Renaissaince look to it.

One of my favorites from Magdalene Knits is this little girls infant sweater in Yellow with matching Mary Janes!


6. What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop ? I really can't say that I have any sort of challenge, since I enjoy what I am doing.

7. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?

Firstly, I would say to enjoy what you do, that is where you will find your creativity. I also suggest to those that are not part of a team to find one that relates to what their craft is, or interests. One, it is a good way to promote your work, and definitely do some Treasurys -- they are a lot of fun to put together. Also, definitely communicate through your blogs, it is a good networking tool. But most important to me since I have been here at Etsy, is not the sales I have made or hope to make, it is the dear friends I have made during the past few years. We are there for each other during our many ups and downs, and very supportive during the many obstacles we often are challenged with.

8. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.

I find my jewelry making to be more of a hobby then a job. If I looked at it as a job, I think I would lose the enjoyment of being creative. So I prefer to enjoy what I do, as I feel each piece of jewelry I make is an extension of inner self. My hobbies consist of working of my various crafts that are in my shop. I also love to do quilting, and have made some beautiful baby quilts, and designed one for my daughter when she got engaged (the center has a heart with both her and her husband's names embroidered in it) I design my own quilts, working out the blocks and sizing, etc.- still have not learned how to work with a pattern. With all the crafting I do, I must say my main passion is writing either on my blogs or in my journals. Someday I hope to write a book, I have my ideas all assembled within my head, just have to find a minute to put those thoughts onto paper. Besides two kitty cats which keep me busy, I also watch 2 infants everyday (one which is my grandson), so my days are totally complete! I have been on disability for 6 years, but as I say, I am the busiest unemployed person I know!


9. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

I have two blogs: one of which involves my everyday life, etc: http://MagdaleneJewelspjk.blogspot.com

The other are specific blogs which I write for our Blogger Team on the many topics they provide: http://MagdaleneJewelsblogs.blogspot.com.

I am also on Facebook and Flickr.

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

Friday Feature -- Dizzy Dragonflies & Knitting Dragonflies

As a dragonfly lover myself (exhibit A: my avatar!) I was tickled to see that the featured Etsyblogger for the month of March is Vicky, the owner of Dizzy Dragonflies. (She also runs Knitting Dragonflies, but right now, only her Dizzy Dragonflies shop has any items in stock.) But her shop isn't about dragonflies -- it's about yarn, which is another thing I love! I especially liked this Spring Violets hand dyed yarn.

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 have been knitting since I was about 4, my grandmother taught me. So I have always played around with it. After years of making gifts, and requested items for friends and relatives this seemed a natural outlet.


I just recently started spinning and dyeing my own yarn, and I learned everything from the internet. It is so much fun to be a part of the entire process.


I love doing the spinning, knitting and dyeing. So I end up with more yarn and knitted items than I need.


I have a fast paced, high stress job, and find that creating is necessary for me. It relaxes me and lets me enter a different world. I just let go and start having fun.


2. How did you get involved with Etsy?


I read a lot of blogs, mostly knitting ones. Then I decided to start one myself, I met so many nice people, and many of them had shops on etsy. I started shopping there and then thought "what the heck" I'll try a shop myself.


3. What inspires your creations?


Nature is my inspiration, especially for the colors of my yarn that I dye. My husband and I love to camp and hike, and I take photos and sketch (and knit) during that time.

I'm also working on some spring/summer knit wear items, that I came up with during a hot weather camping trip.

4. What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop?

Promoting! I enjoy the creating process, but didn't think about how important networking and promoting was.

5. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite?

As a knitter I tend to use a color to excess and then move to another. Right now I'm in my red/orange phase. After a winter of clouds and rain, I needed some bright colors. Turn It Down a Notch is one of the colorways I'm most pleased with.


6. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?

Stick with it. The economy goes up and down. Get out there and network. Add a link to your shop in your emails, and social networking sites. Let people know you are here. And photos!, Keep making them better, get some books from the library, study others that have good photos. Something not getting hits? Try taking different shots.

7. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations? (blog, website, flickr, facebook, twitter, etc…. please provide relevant links)

http://knittingdragonflies.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/knittingdragonflies/
http://www.ravelry.com/people/knitdragonflies
http://twitter.com/knitdragonflies
http://www.plurk.com/knittingdragonflies







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!

Friday Feature -- Tilt Creations & Tilt Too

This week's featured Etsy artist at Mama's Magic Studio (cross posted for your enjoyment!) is the owner of not one but two great Etsy shops -- Tilt Creations and Tilt Too. She's also the Etsyblogger of the month for February! Congratulations, Theresa!

I really like this casual backpack -- the colors are such fun!


And this clutch would be perfect with a Valentine's outfit. Plus, it's on sale!


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 make handbags, purses, backpacks, messengers bags, clutches, zip pouches....I am starting to narrow my focus to backpacks, clutches and coordinating zip pouches. Along with these I will (slowly) be adding more home products such as quilts, table runners, coasters, pillows, embroidery piecs, etc.....maybe even painting.

I am self taught, unless you want to count that one home-ec class back in 7th grade in the early 80s...I mean mid...um, let's just say a while back :) When my oldest was about 3 he wanted to be Robin Hood for Halloween but I could not find a costume, so I just made one....then I got hooked. He's too old for costumes now, but I still sew.....same machine too.

2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong (if any)?

Etsybloggers

M.I.C.E. (Michigan Indie Crafters of Etsy) BDC (Big Damn Crafters...fans of Firefly & Serenity) Etsymoms (although i have not been as active as I would like)

3. How did you get involved with Etsy?

I think the main reason was a push from friends & family to start selling. It may be possible they were just tired of all the bags they kept getting as gifts, who knows :P But I started reading up on selling crafts and this "Etsy" place kept popping up in all my resources - so I checked it out - shopped a bit there - liked it - and opened shop.

4. What inspires your creations?

I really do not know. Every creation is different. Some bags come from a "I need something to do X"...so I make one.

5. What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop?

Pictures. My house has horrible lighting - even with added lamps that are supposed to work well - and no blank wall for a nice background. But I make do...plus, I am getting to be good friends with my editing program :) And time. Time to list & promote...I fall short most days.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite?

I love my Buffy messenger bag. It took FOREVER to embroider, but so worth it. It has been gathering cobwebs in the shop, so I may just snag it for myself, we'll see.

7. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?

Don't give up. I hear so many people grumble when they don't start selling right away or "only" sell one thing a week. Etsy is a big - huge - giant - place. It can take time. Get to know the place & the people. Join teams. Tweek when necessary - change up pics, tags, promotions & sales. I spend lots of time searching for items to promote on my treasury blog...it's a great way to understand the search engine so you can better tag your items for others to find.

8. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.

Interesting? Hmmmm....I used to be in the sciences...after I stopped studying art early on in my college career. I love to paint, but am not very good. So I thought I'd just keep the brushes to myself & switched to biology...another love of mine that has more job possibilities. I studied immunolgy/microbiology at the PhD level and worked cardiac rehab as an exercise scientist. Quite different from what I do now - mom and crafter. After I spent 6 months on bedrest with my youngest, I decided to stay home until he is in school all day. One more year to go. Crafting has kept my sanity.

9. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

Blogs:

Crafts, kids, home & life http://tiltcreations.blogspot.com

Tilts creations http://tiltcreationstoo.blogspot.com

My treasury blog: Tilt Treasures http://tilttreasures.blogspot.com

My giveaway finds blog: Tilt's Giveaway Finds http://tiltsgiveawayfinds.blogspot.com

Facebook: me: http://www.facebook.com/theresa.tilt

my fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/TiLT-creations/56395604288

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tiltcreations

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tiltcreations

Plurk: http://www.plurk.com/tiltcreations

10. Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about your shop or your work?

I do custom work as well. While I am going to be focusing on the backpacks & clutches, I will work with someone who may be interested in another bag of mine. I will also be creating more works with hand embroidery & painting sometime in the Spring.

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!

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?

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!

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

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