Internet Artisan Interview - Coffee Pot People

Anitra's blog is a favorite place for me to go. To keep the Coffee Pot People company, she introduced a line of Tea Kettle Characters. Too Funny! She has so many creative ideas, it's hard to keep up with her. You just have to go by and see her creations - they always put a smile on my face (sorry, there are not links to every photo.) Even if you don't have the chance to buy one of these fabulous characters, you can always catch their escapades, on vacation notecards. Perfect for your coffee or tea drinking friends!
What's the name of your business/shop?
I call my business Coffee Pot People, but I actually have two etsy shops, http://www.coffeepotpeople.etsy.com and




http://www.aniwatersprite.etsy.com




CoffeePotPeople is where I sell what I make, and AniWatersprite is where I sell beads, sewing patterns, a few vintage items, and, once in a while, aprons my mama makes. She's an expert seamstress, and I'd like to get her set up with her own shop, but we haven't had time to do that yet.
Do you have a registered domain name and/or a blog?
I have a blog: http://www.coffee-pot-people.blogspot.com

What type of handmade products do you sell?
Hoo boy. I'm ADD. The short answer is, "Anything that pops into my head to make!"

The actual list includes Coffee Pot People and Tea Kettle Characters, who are garden and kitchen folk that start with either a coffee or tea pot for a head. The big ones have names and personality profiles/bios that tell about their jobs, hobbies, and idiosyncracies, and the little ones get just names.

Other things I sell are China and Mega Blossoms, which are "flowers" made from glass and china dishes and other shiny bits; greeting cards that feature the Coffee Pot People and Tea Kettle Characters; jewelry--button stack bracelets, cuffs, fabric pins, earrings; and fabric gift and wine bags from recycled fabrics.

As if that weren't enough, I have a long mental list of things I haven't made yet, but NEED to.

Show us a piece you recently finished

(She's in my Etsy shop!)

What are you working on right now? Any sketches?
I get ideas, and then I sit down at the table with my materials and see if they work. Once in a while when I'm away from home something will pop into my head and I'll grab whatever piece of paper is handy and sketch it out, to keep myself from forgetting it. Then I forget about the piece of paper until it resurfaces, sometimes months later, which can leave me scratching my head, wondering what I meant to convey with that little drawing!

Right now, I'm working on cuff bracelets made from recycled belts. I've been using belts with double or triple rows of grommets, and lacing electrical wire through them in a crisscross pattern. Today I'm trying one that uses chain instead, to get a cuff with more shine. The belt inspired that change, as it is white and chrome; it seemed like gold would be nice on it.

With the Coffee Pot People, it's all in the assorted "Junk" on the shelves of my workroom. A piece that would make a great hat, or a coffee pot with exceptional character, a lamp that looks like a gown to me--those are what get my imagination running. I stack up the pieces until I get a person I like, and after that it's pure engineering to figure out how to connect everything. The last step it to paint the face on. When it's all done, I stand the person in the kitchen or on the dining table until s/he tells me who s/he is!

If you have a website or blog, what do you use for advertising? What do your avatars look like?
This is the avatar I use most:

It's Ari, an engineering major who got into designing her own retro fashions to wear swing dancing. They've become so popular, she's thinking about changing majors and careers!

I don't really advertise, per se. I do Twitter new posts, and I hand out a lot of business cards at art/craft shows. Posting on various websites puts my name out, too.

Oh, and recently a website, http://www.thinkcrafts.com invited me to be a regular contributor. They have my bio and link back to my blog.

If you have a website or blog, tell us about your favorite widget.
The Linked Within widget that puts, "You might also like:" after each post. I even click on those myself sometimes, because after a while you forget what you've written a year or two back!

Which online selling vendors do you use? What do you like best about each one?

Right now, the only one I'm using is Etsy. The low fees are great, and it's pretty easy to list an item. I also love the fact that everything on the site is either handmade, or supplies. And I know some people get a little exercised over the vintage items that are sold, but I like those, too.

I used to use eBay, and may go back to it, since I have a store there. I'm even a power seller, but their fees seemed to get a little out of hand, and I quit listing there quite a while ago.

Are you involved in social networking? What's your favorite and why? If you're not involved, you must have a good reason!
I do Twitter, where I let my Political Me out, and am intermittent on MySpace.

My favorite is Facebook, because I get to see what my family and friends are up to. It's like eavesdropping on a whole bunch of people who don't mind that you're doing it!

Last night there were new pictures of our great-grandson, from way over in New Zealand. It lets you feel like people aren't quite so far away, you know? Another example: During the 2008 election, I chatted back and forth with an old classmate who lives in Japan, and we watched the returns together that way. It was so cool.

I haven't figured out the Fan Page thing yet, but I'm not really sure I want to, since I'm not sure what it's good for, other than bothering people! (Bad Anitra! Bad!)

All of us can use a helpful business hint once a week. What's yours?
Don't quit, and stay active! With Etsy especially, the more you list, the more sales you'll have. (That's a business hint for me, too, since my shop isn't the hottest store on the planet. Yet.)

Do you have a "modus operandi" for computing the price of a handmade object? Tell us your formula?

I'm a member of an artists' co-op, Trillium Artisans. Their formula is: Cost of materials + (time X $12. per hour). If you're putting your items in a store or show, you add the percentage they're going to take to that. The idea is to make at least $12 an hour. I use that as a guideline, but it isn't carved in stone for me.

One thing that enters into it for me is affordability. I've spent most of my life not being able to afford many things I loved. When I price things, I want to include as many people in the "I can afford that!" Club as possible. It may not be the best business sense, but it puts a happy feeling in my heart.

We'd love to see your little corner of the world, where you create.

This is one end of my workshop, where I create the Coffee Pot People:
And here I am, out in the yard, my preferred place for making the China and Mega Blossoms:















Where do you see your artwork in one year? Any plans in the works?
Hallmark! Made in Oregon stores!

The greeting cards are a bit of a focus, since they let me market an image after the actual item has sold. I've got ideas for flip books, and my daughter is working on an organizer with Coffee Pot People images sprinkled throughout. We'd both like to see a coffee table book of Coffee Pot People.

The other thing I work on is lining up shows. Each new venue scares the bejeebers out of me, for fear I'll mess something up, or not be able to find it, or some other newbie disaster. My goal is to have a whole list of annual shows that are familiar and reliable, and not have to look for new ones ever again!

OK, the storybeader's turn to pick a favorite.

It definitely has to be a Coffee Pot Person.
I found Amos on one of Anitra's photo storage sites.

Isn't he a doll! I've always gone for the strong, silent type (hehe) And so handy. He's a bricklayer by day, firedancer by night. That's his lady friendm Angie. You can see more of Anitra's photos on a new (to me, at least) internet photo storage site called dropshots

http://www.dropshots.com/DifferentEyes
http://www.dropshots.com/CoffeePotPeople

and she also have a flickr account:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14925282@N08/

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

Internet Artisan Interview - Vintage Chenille

If you've a regular reader to my blog, you know my affinity for stuffed animals. What Leah has created are adorable soft toys and rattles, with individual personalities. I love her dogs, but they all have touched me in one way or another, whether it's my favorite foods, animals, or ethnic dolls from my family's past.

What's the name of your business/shop?


Vintage Chenille




Do you have a registered domain name and/or a blog?
here is my blog http://handmadebitsandpieces.blogspot.com/


What type of handmade products do you sell?
mostly soft toys and quilts created from vintage chenille


Show us a piece you recently finished

What are you working on right now? Any sketches?
I don't have any sketches, I have many ideas and not enough spare time! I am creating stock for 3 craft markets, some wholesale orders and hopefully some Christmas items.


If you have a website or blog, what do you use for advertising?
What do your avatars look like?
I have an animated ad that I use for advertising on websites and project wonderful, it rotates between my logo and some of my toys.



If you have a website or blog, tell us about your favorite widget.
The followers widget, because I can click and visit their favourite blogs too (I spend too much time on my computer!)



Which online selling vendors do you use? What do you like best about each one?
Etsy and Madeit, I love Etsy because of the huge variety of items for sale and the enormous amount of helpful info on the forums. Madeit is an Australian site and I am an Aussie, so I like to purchase Australian made when possible.




Are you involved in social networking? What's your favorite and why? If you're not involved, you must have a good reason!
Twitter is the one I use the most because it seems to be the quickest. I love browsing on Flickr.




All of us can use a helpful business hint once a week. What's yours?
I think that my blog is a great business tool and I love connecting with other amazing creative bloggers through my blog.


Do you have a "modus operandi" for computing the price of a handmade object? Tell us your formula?
I don't really have a formula, the cost of my materials varies greatly!


We'd love to see your little corner of the world, where you create.
I create in all corners of my home, I don't think that I have a pic!




Where do you see your artwork in one year? Any plans in the works?


I have many new creations and "branding" ideas that I would like to try, I hope that my business continues to grow as it has in the past 12 months.




OK, it's the storybeader's turn.
I think Spot has got to be my favorite. These are his two sides. I love the name and Leah's play on words. And, of course, I'm partial to doggies! (Update: Spot has wandered out of the shop!)















Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out!
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Mini Monday - Foxy G. Knits

This week our Mini Monday features Foxy G. Knits. This shop easily blends fun and style and has been doing just that on Etsy since September of 2008. The fun starts with her profile. Take a minute to read it below.

GETTING STARTED
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.

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! I recently took the plunge and opened Foxy G. Knits where everything is knit by hand – from my heart to yours.

PICKING A SHOP NAME
I have a little granddaughter who is going on two 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!

WHAT MAKES MY ITEMS UNIQUE/SPECIAL?
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.

My favorite part of the creative process is coordinating and blending various yarn colors and textures within the same garment. In addition to designing and knitting all the items that appear in the store, I also knit shawls for a local hospice.

I am so glad that you stopped by Foxy G. Knits. Please let me know if there is something you would like to see or even if you would just like to say hello. I'd love to hear from you and how you found me!

The style is evident in every piece in the shop. See for your self. (Hint) When you decide which scarf or shawl you just have to have click on it to go right to the Foxy G. Knits shop on Etsy. If you are using a reader come on over to this blog to see all the lovelies in the Etsy mini that you are missing.

Of course this busy knitter has a blog. You can stop by the Den of i-KNIT-quity and say hello. Tell her the EtsyBloggers sent you!


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

Internet Artisan Interview - Foxy G. Knits

I recently visited Lois' blog, and it is so very interesting. I later realized why it appealed to me: she's an organizatonal freak, just like me! Her blog, Foxy G's Den of i-KIT-quity, has a variety of weekly posts, featuring interesting artists and creative people who support good causes. And she's very business savvy. But I didn't realize I was a scarf lover until I looked at Lois' unique handwork. Everyone needs to check out her Etsy page, especially now that winter’s coming... at least in the northern hemisphere.

What's the name of your business/shop?
Foxy G. Knits



Do you have a registered domain name and/or a blog?
Registered domain name: www.foxygknits.com

What type of handmade products do you sell?
Foxy G. Knits features hand knit scarves, shawls and wraps for today’s woman.

Show us a piece you recently finished

This is Pretty in Plush Purple Pluffs, certain to bring out your inner fabulous!

What are you working on right now? Any sketches?
Currently, I am working on 200 children’s scarves. Recently, I wanted to build a Facebook Fan page and get to 100 fans so that I could secure my vanity name (http://www.facebook.com/foxygknits) So, I offered to knit a children’s scarf for the local homeless shelter for every new fan I received between July 15 – August 15. 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! Fortunately, I had built up a large inventory for my shop and am now in the process of taking photos, writing copy and listing those completed items.

If you have a website or blog, what do you use for advertising? What do your avatars look like?

I have not hosted any advertising on my blog to date and have advertised on others sites very little. When I did advertise, I participated in Project Wonderful on others’ sites. I have two avatars, one I use for etsy and my personal Facebook page. The other, I use for my Facebook biz page and online advertising. I have chosen to keep my shop name, Facebook vanity and twitter name the same to help build brand recognition.

If you have a website or blog, tell us about your favorite widget.
As I am on wordpress.com, I am at the mercy of the particular theme I am using for widgets. I would have to say that my favorite widget is “flickr.” I am very visual and enjoy having photos of my items in various colors on my blog. In addition, I like that when I add an item to flickr, it automatically adds to my blog.

Which online selling vendors do you use? What do you like best about each one?
This is an easy question – I am only on etsy.

Are you involved in social networking? What's your favorite and why? If you're not involved, you must have a good reason!
I am on Facebook and twitter . I post newly-listed items and other information on my Facebook biz page. I am a member of the Etsy Twitter Team, and we are very active in promoting our team as well as each other. Facebook is more narrative; you put information out there, and people respond or not. Twitter is way more interactive. I think each has its place in the marketing mix and also that both are effective if used to develop relationships.

I am also a member of two other teams: Etsy North Georgia Street Team and Etsy Bloggers Team and share useful information with them at every opportunity. I promote members of my teams, as well as other etsy sellers on my blog.


All of us can use a helpful business hint once a week. What's yours?
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. As I mentioned above, I use a variety of methods to market or promote Foxy G. Knits, and they all involve building relationships and trust. I share useful information with my team members at every opportunity. I generously heart sellers whose work I like. (OK, those were two helpful business hints!)


Do you have a "modus operandi" for computing the price of a handmade object? Tell us your formula?
I have been advised that I should be charging three times the cost of the yarn per item. Sometimes that works, and something it doesn’t. For example, I am currently working with yarn that costs $13 a skein retail, and the scarf I am knitting will take at least two skeins. Now, there is no way that I can sell that particular scarf for $78. By the same token, I have knit items with yarn that cost only $5 or $6, but that required a lot of time. Those scarves are worth way more $15-18, based on that formula.

We'd love to see your little corner of the world, where you create.
My knitting is so mobile that I take my little corner of the world with me wherever I go!

[Lois, I found this photo on Lois' blog, back in August, on a Monday morning. This is her beloved ashtray collection... or part of it. She has even started a designated blog about her collection - I personally have to commend you on this, being a curator in a museum and knowing the hardships of cataloguing objects ]

Where do you see your artwork in one year? Any plans in the works?
I am absolutely doing what I am suppose to be doing right now – selling on etsy and producing a regular blog. Where that takes me in a year, I do not know, but I am confident that it will be to the right place. I am pretty sure that as someone who has been a writer for her entire life and been in the communication field for more than 25 years, I will have expanded my writing options.


OK, it's the storybeader's turn! I was trying to see if I had a favorite style, but there was such a fantastic choice, it was hard to say. The sassy wrap scarfs were the most appealing to me, with the different textiles and colors. Hate the say it, but it reminded me of an animal - check this out!

Mini Monday for Sykin's Shops

Hey Twilight fans! Are you looking for Twilight inspired accessories? Well Sykin's shop on Etsy is the place to find them. If you like what you see in the main shop and you make jewelry you need to check out her overstock shop as well. I will let her introduce herself from the profile page of her shop.

I'm a 26 year old wife, full time worker, and mother to a little boy named Kyler. I've recently started designing beaded jewelry (inspired by books, music, etc) and hope to start designing clothes and other miscellaneous sewing items as well. *Almost* Everything here will be related to the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer in some way, shape, or form. Please feel free to browse through my shop and send me a message if you have any questions.

I do take personal requests on jewelry, graphic design, web design, etsy design, etc. Don't be shy! My graphic work can be viewed at http://www.fraying-fabric.net

Don't forget to check out my SOLD orders to see custom items I've made for others!! (bella bracelets, matching earring/necklace sets, etc)

Ready for a preview of the shops? Here you go.

What would an EtsyBlogger be without a blog? Of course she has one and you can find it right here. Oh and when you stop by the blog to say hello tell her the EtsyBloggers sent you.

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

Internet Artisan Interview - Miao Miao by Mysie

You can tell Mysie, from Miao Miao, has Halloween on her mind. I saw holiday colors and themes, when I visited her blog and Etsy shop recently. She uses a lot of black and red gemstones, which I've love together, but could never get past the traditional turquoise and coral that became so popular about 10 years ago. And some of her wire wrapping techniques are so unique. With great prices, I'm surprised Mysie hasn't sold more jewelry. Here's a look into her creative process:

What's the name of your business/shop?

Miao Miao by Mysie


Do you have a registered domain name and/or a blog?

http://miaomiao-jewelry.blogspot.com

What type of handmade products do you sell?
gemstone jewelry

Show us a piece you recently finished
I'm trying to incorporate more silver into my jewelry, and get back to delicate designs that first inspired my jewelry making.

What are you working on right now? Any sketches?
Nope, no sketches, just half-finished designs:


If you have a website or blog, what do you use for advertising? What do your avatars look like?

I have my Etsy shop and my business blog, but I don't really have a concrete strategy for advertising. I'm trying to focus on blogging right now. Advertising on Etsy itself hasn't yielded any real results. I did buy a logo design however, which at least makes me happier about my shop! :)



If you have a website or blog, tell us about your favorite widget.
I have two widgets on my blog, and I love them both! The Etsy shop widget that displays my jewelry for sale is vital for connecting my readers to my shop. But the Heart counter from Yaami.com is really cute and links to other free statistics tools.

Which online selling vendors do you use? What do you like best about each one?
I opened my shop in 2008 and haven't felt the need to go anywhere else. Etsy has a great look, a great community, and is incredibly easy to use.

Are you involved in social networking? What's your favorite and why? If you're not involved, you must have a good reason!
I've been putting it off, but finally signed-up for Twitter and then Facebook. I can't keep up with the pace of Twitter, but I've learned how to manage Facebook in such a way that at least I go crazy from all the posting! I think my favorite thing about it is being able to update distant family members on my life more easily.

All of us can use a helpful business hint once a week. What's yours?
When things aren't going great or sales have stalled, remember why you started creating in the first place. Not why you started selling, but why you create. Deep down, you should be doing this for yourself, because you have ideas and visions of things that you just have to make, and you enjoy the feeling you have bringing those things to life. This may not help your business, but it can help you stay sane.


Do you have a "modus operandi" for computing the price of a handmade object? Tell us your formula?
Actually, I've been guilty of under pricing my work. I'm trying to move away from that. Right now it's kind of zen: costs + a few bucks for my time, compared to what similar things I've already made have been priced at, compared to what I would be willing to pay for the item.

We'd love to see your little corner of the world, where you create.
Eek! It's really wherever there's space left. All my workspaces are cluttered with materials and half-finished projects, tools, magazines, mail, shipping supplies, camera stuff, things I have no idea why they've been left there. Currently I'm using the living room coffee-table because it's the one space my husband will not let me take over for more than a few hours at a time.

Where do you see your artwork in one year? Any plans in the works?
By this time next year, I hope to be preparing for some holiday craft markets. Between early deadlines and illness, I haven't shown at a market in about a year. Also, I'd love to take a silver-smithing class. The jewelry itself? Well, that depends on the beads!


OK, it's the storybeader's turn to pick a favorite!
I really like mysie's cluster work and her wire wrapping, especially her Starry WireWrapped Necklace.






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

Mini Monday - Mystic Wynd

Today meet Karen of Mystic Wynd. Her appreciation of handcrafted things began early in life as she shares in her profile in the etsy shop Mystic Wynd.

Born and raised in the Windy City (Chicago, Il), I was fortunate to have grown up in a culturally diverse, ethnically rich, "neighborhood" where everyone knew everyone else, we were able to keep our doors unlocked, girls actually couldn't wait until Mom or Grandma or Aunt Sally taught them to crochet or knit or do any of the other handcrafts that adorned our homes, our wardrobes, our places of worship and even sometimes made it into the little shop on the corner to be sold.

In the generous spirit of all EtsyBloggers she also has this message for you.

One last note, as someone who appreciates the love and energy and hard work that goes into anything that is handcrafted, thank you for shopping at Etsy. Whether you buy from me or one of the many, many very talented crafters who show their wares here, thank you for appreciating and acknowledging what we put into our work!

Take a look at the gorgeous jewelry in her shop. Stop by the Mystic Wynd blog, say hello and tell her the EtsyBloggers sent you.

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

Happy Birthday!

It is Friday again and time to share some birthdays with you.
The shop owner of Dizzy Dragonflies had a birthday on the 24th of September. The message board says the 29th and that is why I am late with this one. Her shops on Etsy are empty right now but you can see what she is up to on her blog, Knitting Dragonflies.

Another belated wish for a happy birthday goes to A Forest Frolic. That birthday was in August but not on the calendar of the message board. If you are a member or EtsyBloggers make sure that you put your birthday in your profile there and set show age to yes. I promise not to tell anyone how old you are.
Reminders are over now frolic through this cute shop!

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

This Week's Mini

This should have been done on Monday but I got a bit delayed and distracted this week. I am going to introduce to you a very busy member of our EtsyBlogger team. This member has not one but two shops and always finds the time to chat with others on our forum threads.

You can get to know Linda through her profile page which says-

Breast Cancer Survivor and grandmother of 23+ grandchildren. I like to stay busy and use various mediums for creativity. I like fabrics and like to quilt. I am not a purest quilter, but like color and whatever hits my fancy! I like beads and paper, even paper bag art! I love to create jewelry and occasionally dolls for my grandchildren. I create household items for my daughters and daughter-in-laws! And for you! Check back often and see what new thing I am creating!

Take a peek at her shops to see what she has created lately.

The lovely spirit of this person becomes very evident if you take a few moments to read her blog. Better yet become a follower of it so you are always up to date on what is new in Linda's shops and life.



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

September 28 Edition of the Etsy Bloggers

The September 28 edition of the Etsy Bloggers Blog Carnival has been published. You can read it HERE.

There was a good mix of posts on both topics, check out what our members had to say!


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

Meet Designs By Vanessa ~ Where every Birdie is Welcome

And where handmade jewelry, paper goods, and more abound. You will notice first off the cute little birdie theme throughout her shop. The birdie theme is just a "tiny" obsession of Designs by Vanessa. Since childhood the crafty bug has been in her veins and it shows in her artistic abilities.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade designsbyvanessa.etsy.com

If you have the opportunity, check out the Designs by Vanessa Blog.

Congratulations on being our EtsyBlogger of the Month!

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

Oh Happy Day!

Happy days for two of our teammates this week! Birthday minis here on the team blog for Laurie of Indulge Your Shelf and Kelly known to us as Macaroni and Glue whose shop is Retro Crafted Paper Goods.

Happy birthday ladies and many, many more!

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

Mini Monday Indulge Your Shelf

Today we introduce you to Laurie. She runs two charming shops on Etsy. Indulge Your Shelf is a vintage shop full of always changing treasures and Twice Shy Restored is a handcrafted site with products that use antique and vintage supplies. She sums up the purpose behind her shops and blog very well in her blog profile-

I'm passionate about pretty things and love to rescue the old and forgotten and make it useful again. This makes me happy because: 1. It's a green way of life 2. It makes the world more beautiful 3. It's fun!

Take a look at the shop minis below and you will see the fun and passion in both shops.
Just a hint for those who get this post in a reader. Come on over to the blog because you will miss all the fun in these shops if you don't.

Are you still here? Please click, browse, shop, read the Indulge Your Shelf blog and enjoy!
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Got a blog? Love Etsy? Check us out! etsybloggers.com

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

Mini Monday Feature- Gallery 32

I love getting a glimpse of where the art comes from on Etsy. The profile page of the shop is a great place to start. The profile page is a place where each artist can introduce themselves, explain their background and training and let you know why they bring all their efforts to you in a shop online. The profile page of Gallery 32 by Trina does all these things. Read it yourself below.

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

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

Painting has definitely influenced my photography in the way that I compose images in the frame. I like to include abstract images and I use Photoshop and ArtRage to make my images more painterly. My goal is to show my version of the world. I try to photograph the simple scenes in life that maybe get overlooked in our daily lives. I now feel that my work, painting and photography, are influencing each other and I am enjoying the journey exploring the world.

You can go along on her journey by taking a look at the offerings in her shop. You can keep current on this artist and her life by following her blog, Gallery 32, The View From My Lens.

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Greetings and Celebrations

It's Friday once again. That means I share with you which of our active members had birthdays in the past week.

Join me -

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear busy teammates, wonderful artists and friends AliciaMae and AthenaWorkman,
Happy birthday to you!

And we all hope there are many, many more.





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Mini Monday - Splendid Little Stars - Sparkly Park

You can easily see the love for creating in the items from the two shops of Margaret who is our mini Monday feature for today. To continue her introduction read what follows from her profile.

My home studio is located in the Cincinnati area. There is a little bit about me in the "policies" section. Artsyness and crafting have always been a part of my life. I love the outdoors, to travel to new and beautiful places, photographing all the while. Nature inspires me. I love making most anything with my hands. Inspired many years ago, by a special teacher of my daughter's, I began the study of tie dyeing. Learning something new while creating is a constant process. Discovery is a joy (mostly). I have been selling hand~dyed and hand~painted clothing for about 18 years now. I have been making jewlery for longer than that. For about 4 years, at the turn of the century, I owned a gift shop along with other artisians. We made and sold our own creations along with some "ready-mades." Truly, the most meaningful part of this was the relationships formed with our treasured customers. Sharing our creations with an appreciative audience was always heart-warming as well.

Of course I would be remiss if I didn't lead you to her blog as well. You can find out more about this busy person right here. When you stop by leave a comment and tell her the EtsyBloggers sent you!

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