Member Feature: The Pink Lobster

Tell us a little about your shop.
I had made a few key fobs for people as gifts, and they requested to give some as gifts. After a little searching I realized there weren't many in the "genre" that I was aiming for, so I decided to give it a try on Etsy.

What brought you to etsy?
I love etsy.com. I've purchased a lot of gifts and things for myself. It seemed like a natural progression for me.

How long have you been crafting?
As long as I can remember! I loved arts and crafts as a child and even when life gets busy, I try to steal away to get some time in. While planning my wedding I did A LOT of the projects myself and really enjoyed how much everyone else enjoyed everything!

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?
Hmm, probably the pink lobster on yellow ribbon fob. It's light, it's fun and obviously I love pink lobsters!

What is your "day job?"
I am a litigation paralegal. Very busy, fast paced, high stress environment but I love it.

Where do you find inspiration?
The beach! Anything beach related, I love. I grew up at the beach, it's my favorite place to go to relax and anything that says beach life I love.

What is one thing you wish you could do better?
Knit and crochet. I can knit, although I'd say i'm at a beginner level. I would love to learn to crochet.

What is one crafting tool you couldn't live without?
A good pair of fabric scissors.

What is your favorite book/movie/song?
I have way to many favorite books to even pick one. Movie: The Quiz Show or The Notebook. Song: currently You Lie by The Band Perry

Where else can we find you?
For right now... just on etsy.

Member Feature: Cut.Your.Heart.Out

Tell us a little about your shop.
Cut.Your.Heart.Out is a collection of handmade jewelry, accessories, home decor and artwork. Most of what I make has a youthful, fun and hip appeal. Girly with an edge.

What brought you to etsy?
A few years ago I got into a jewelry making frenzy where I began to make way more jewelry than I could ever wear and decided that opening a shop on Etsy might be a great way to put my creative energy to good use.

How long have you been crafting?
I've been keeping my hands busy by creating crafty goodness since I was a child.

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?
I really like the necklace titled Black and Blue. It's casually sophisticated.

What is your "day job?"
I am a child and adolescent therapist.

Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere! I'm constantly inspired by my surroundings, events and materials.

What is one thing you wish you could do better?
Knit! I would love to knit cute and adorable baby things, but so far I can only knit scarfs... and potholders... and anything that doesn't force me to deviate from the square and rectangle shapes.

What is one crafting tool you couldn't live without?
My hot glue gun.

What is your favorite book/movie/song?
All time favorite book is Alice in Wonderland. Movie is The Breakfast Club. Song... I'll have to get back to that!

Where else can we find you?
http://cutyourheartout.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/cutyourheartout
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cutyourheartout

Member Feature: Made by a Princess

Tell us a little about your shop.
I started my stationery business about 8 yrs ago. It was difficult to find unique stationery supplies like notecards, invitations, food tags, so I began making my own. My friends and family began hiring me for special jobs and party planning so things just blossomed from there. When the economy took a turn I noticed a decrease in sales so I started selling printables. I opened my Etsy shop last January and have been really pleased with the results.

What brought you to etsy?
There is an instant audience. People who might never have found me through my own online advertising can easily find me on Etsy.

How long have you been crafting?
Since I was a little girl. I used to make outfits for my dolls with scraps of fabric my aunt gave me.

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?
Probably How to be a Good Wife. Every bridal shower I attend I am asked to bring this game and it just makes everyone laugh. It is a really good ice breaker and not too "cheesy". People who don't like to play games do like this.

What is your "day job?"
In addition to being a fulltime wife and mom to my son, Glenn, who is 9yrs old, and my newborn, Megan, who was born April 27th, I work fulltime for Sports Illustrated/GOLF Magazine as a Sales Coordinator. I love my job, my boss, the people I work with, and the company. I really lucked out.

Where do you find inspiration?
Bridal shows, cakes, magazines, cute little boutique stationery stores. I love to scrapbook so I look at new designs like a scrapbook page. I am constantly rotating graphics, playing with fonts, colors. I can spend an hour trying to find the right font.

What is one thing you wish you could do better?
Manage my time. It is hard to find a balance sometimes between working, filling orders, spending time with family, connecting with friends, housework, cooking, etc... My husband is a huge supporter in whatever I want to do and he knows now that "Party Week" as I call it - the week leading up to an event - makes me a little stressed so he has learned to just let me go and do my thing. I wish there were more hours in the day!

What is one crafting tool you couldn't live without?
Paper cutter.

What is your favorite book/movie/song?
Cane River is my favorite book. Gone with the Wind and Enchanted are my favorite movies. I don't have a favorite song but my favorite artist is Brad Paisley.

Where else can we find you?

www.papillonprincess.com
www.madebyaprincessdesigns.com
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Made-By-A-Princess/134902846541809
http://twitter.com/madebyaprincess

Team Member Feature: Jenna Sue Designs

Tell us a little about your shop
I design customized modern prints for the home. This includes everything from nursery prints, to wedding/couples' designs, to inspirational quotes and graphic map prints, bus rolls and more.

What brought you to etsy?
I started making prints for my own home and had so much fun doing it, I decided to turn it into a business!

How long have you been crafting?
I've always been creating art in some form. I graduated design school and have been a professional designer for a few years.




What is your favorite item in your shop right now?
I think my custom map art is my most unique item, and probably my best seller.

What is your "day job?"
I produce apparel art for college athletic teams.

Where do you find inspiration?
It's everywhere... I really can't go anywhere without taking some sort of inspiration from it, even in its most abstract form.

What is one thing you wish you could do better?
Product shots!

What is one crafting tool you couldn't live without?
Adobe Illustrator

What is your favorite book/movie/song?
I could live without movies and books no problem, but I live for music... my favorite song of all time is Debussy's Claire de Lune.

Where else can we find you?
I just started a Facebook page for my shop.

Member Feature: Crazy Daisy Creations

Tell us a little about your shop

My shop includes jewerly including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. I use mostly sterling silver components in my pieces. I also tend to favor towards swarovski beads and pearls.

What brought you to etsy? I started making earrings in grammar school (with help from my dad). I needed a new creative outlet, such I started back up agian. My fiance told me I should try selling what I make, to help with the cost of our wedding, so I decided to try out etsy.

How long have you been crafting?

I guess I can say that I've been a crafter since I was about 10 years old, making beaded earrings and pins. Over the years (minus the high school years), I have always been crafting in some form, whether it be making wreaths for holidays, making other holiday decorations, making decorations/collages for my room, to now back to making jewerly.

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?

My favorite item in my shop is my flower pendant necklace. This would not be up for sale if I could wear jewerly more often!!! (I work full time as a physical therapist, so I have to keep jewerly to minimum)

What is your "day job?" Full time outpatient physical therapist

Where do you find inspiration? Looking at different websites or spending hours looking over the selections at various craft stores

What is one thing you wish you could do better? Make rings!!

What is one crafting tool you couldn't live without?

My bead organizer

What is your favorite book/movie/song?

Favorite move is "The Notebook", favorite song "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton, and I LOVE paranormal romance novels

Where else can we find you? My facebook page

Member Feature: Clever Confections

Tell us a little about your shop

Clever Confections & Gifts features a variety of yummy edible treats from Decorated Cookies, to unique flavored Cupcakes. We also offer Chocolate yummies too from Peanut Clusters, Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Sticks, Chocolate covered Pretzels, Chocolate Crosses, Seashells, Starfish and Sand Dollars!! Anything for your special event! Our decorated cut-out cookies are a hit and we offer a varietey of shapes such as Baby Onesies, Cupcakes, Martini Glasses, Football / Baseball Jerseys, just to name a few. Our non-edible gifts are wonderful as well! We have Tile Coasters, Baby Blankets and more! If you don't see something here that you may be interested in, plesae don't hesitate to inquire, we're very versitile! All of our edible products are made fresh to order! We also offer non-edible gift items!! So be sure to check out CleverConfections & Gifts for all your Gift Giving Needs and all items made by Clever Confections whether it's edible or non-edible items are made from a smoke free home!

What brought you to etsy?

I had a personal website for my 'business' for a couple of years, and it was while I was in the midst of planning my wedding when I was introduced to the Etsy site. Simply amazing!! I loved everything about the way the Etsy. From a customer's standpoint as well as the seller's. About 6 months later and tons of encouragment from friends and family, I took the plunge and opened shop!

How long have you been crafting?

While I've been 'crafting' for a number of years, I've been a cake decorator since my son's 1st birthday! Since then, I've taken numerous classes,and eventually became a certified Wilton Instructor. I taught for 7 years and absolutely enjoyed it tremendously. Aside from cakes, cookies, and baking in general, I dabbled in jewelry making and love to sew!

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?

As of right now, my favorite item in my shop for me are the Baby Onesie cookies! I absolutely love making these!

What is your "day job?"

I go to school full time (despite the fact that I'm A LOT older than most attending college, AND my middle daughter who is 21 tends to joke with me that we'll be graduating with our BA at the same time). I also help 'plan' events year round so that along with my Etsy shop and word of mouth business keeps me busy!!

Where do you find inspiration?

I get inspiration every.single.day from everyone I come in contact with or everywhere I go! I see things and think to myself "ohhh, I could make that into a cake" or, going down an aisle at the grocery store, I see a bag of graham crackers and think "that would make awesome looking sand for my beach themed cake I'm doing this weekend". I also love blog hopping and getting ideas from other creative people!

What is one thing you wish you could do better?

I wish I could be better at creating my own digital files! I'm so not creative when it comes to digital scrapbooking or things of that nature. When it comes to the 'paper' end of my parties I host, I always rely on fellow KNET member Loobie Labels to help me out!!

What is one crafting tool you couldn't live without?

My one crafting tool I couldn't live without would be my Kitchen Aid Mixer! That baby has whipped up tons of pounds of cookie dough and cake batter!!! Icings as well!!

What is your favorite book/movie/song?

My favorite book is The Notebook; favorite movie is Sweet Home Alabama; and favorite song at the moment is You're Beautiful by James Blunt.

Where else can we find you?

I have a personal blog and a Clever Confections blog which I haven't really done too much with, but would welcome followers there as well. I also have a Facebook Fan Page.

Member Feature: Cupcake Dream

Tell us a little about your shop:
Cupcake Dream specializes in decoration and digital designs for children. Add a personal touch to a special event or nursery with these vibrant, whimsical creations.

What brought you to etsy?
I found Etsy when I was planning my wedding years ago. After becoming pregnant, experimenting with different crafts for my daughter's nursery was a regular thing. When a friend saw some of the things created for the room, she suggested I start up a store of my own. Since an actual store front was not possible at the moment, I decided to give Etsy a try.

How long have you been crafting?
Even as a little girl, I loved making things. In school, I was always labeled, “creative” but had a really hard time sticking to one thing. Since then, I have done my best to expand my creative hobbies. Each new chapter of my life has given me more opportunities to experience something new. I've tried everything from scrap booking to sewing, graphics to wood work, and painting to jewelry making .

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?
It would have to be a tie between the polka dot cupcake invitation or the owl nursery closet dividers.

What is your "day job?"
My day job is taking care of my beautiful, amazing daughter. I really love being a stay at home mother and sometimes I can get a little crafting in during nap time.

Where do you find inspiration?
My kids give me all the inspiration. Being around such colorful personalities allows me to create playful products for the store. Sometimes I pull colors from the clothes they wear, or design based on a favorite toy or character they love.

What is one thing you wish you could do better?
I would love to be able to draw better. Give me a computer and I can create just about any design. Give me a pencil and paper and you'll get an amazing stick man.

What is one crafting tool you couldn't live without?
My designs would be nothing without a computer.

What is your favorite book/movie/song?
Book: Not a big fan of books. Movie: Dirty Dancing Song: I Saw God Today by George Strait

Where else can we find you?
Etsy
Facebook

Member Feature: Loobie Labels

Tell us a little about your shop.
My shop sells personalized party items, as well as small gifts. My biggest sellers have always been personalized candy bar wrappers - Hershey bars, Kisses, Miniatures, etc. That was all I started out with when I first began. Now I'm branching out. I sell gifts, photo candles, bottled water labels, custom made business fliers and a lot of other items that will soon be listed. My shop is still fairly new, but I'm working on getting my entire arsenal listed so people can see the true scope of my capabilities.

What brought you to etsy?
I got tired of people asking me "What's your website?" lol. I tried to do my own website but I'm pretty computer illiterate and it was a huge flop. I had already created an etsy account for buying, so I figured why not go with a shop here? Now my repeat customers have a place to go if they want something, and I can reach out to new customers and show them what I have to offer.

How long have you been crafting?
I've always enjoyed crafts and creating in general, ever since I was a child. But I've been doing the custom labels for about 3 years now.

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?
I really like the photo wedding favors. We're planning a destination wedding and it's a great way to show off your wedding location. I'm also working on samples for at-home weddings.

What is your "day job?"
During the day, I do in home daycare. I also work as a respite worker, which is basically a very well-trained babysitter who has the skill and knowledge to take care of special needs children. I have a degree in social work, but gave up my career to stay home when my daughter was born.

Where do you find inspiration?
I get my inspiration from the people around me. They all have reasons to celebrate, and every item in my shop is the result of a celebration that someone I know and love has had. I go to weddings and birthdays, graduations and Baptims, and I think "It would be cool if I could make......" Then I go home and turn the idea into reality.

What is one thing you wish you could do better?
I really do stink at photography. That's a bad thing.

What is one crafting tool you couldn't live without?
My printer! I'm the one who got the ladies on the DIY board all excited about the Canon Pixma MP 620 when it first came out, and I'm still using mine! I know all its features and all the little tricks to make it perform at its highest level.

What is your favorite book/movie/song?
My favorite book is Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews. My favorite movie is Clerks 2, and my favorite song is "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts. (That song has a special place in my heart, because it was the first song I sang to my daughter when she was in the NICU after she was born. Every time I hear it, it brings tears to my eyes.)

Where else can we find you? Right now, I'm focusing mainly on my shop so I'm not into the social networking scene much. Aside from my etsy shop (Loobie Labels) you can find me on facebook.

Member Feature: Little Paper Boutique

Tell us a little about your shop.
I make greeting cards, invitations, announcements, note pads, gift tags, and pretty much anything paper related. Some of the items are made of paper and other items I make on the computer and have them printed.

What brought you to etsy?
I shopped there for my wedding and loved how unique and fun everything was. I was so impressed by the quality of the items and how nice all of the shop owners were. Once I started selling items, that was the first place I thought of, I wanted to be a part of the community.

How long have you been crafting?
I have been making items for a few years now, but only selling for about a year now.

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?
I love my little matchbook notepads. So easy to throw into a purse or car in case you need something to write on.



What is your "day job?"
I am an event coordinator for a golf club. I love my job and seeing all of the weddings and showers definitely inspire me!

Where do you find inspiration?
My job inspires me (seeing all of the color combinations). I also get inspiration by colors in nature and in clothes.

What is one thing you wish you could do better?
I wish I could sew. I am in awe of the people that can just take a piece of fabric and create clothes or purses. I can sew a blanket and that is about it.....

What is one crafting tool you couldn't live without?
Stamps and ink. I have a huge collection of hundreds of stamps...

What is your favorite book/movie/song?
I just got a NookColor for the holidays, so I am on a big reading kick right now. I just finished The Time Traveler's Wife and it was much better than the movie! As for movies, I am a hopeless romantic, I love Serendipity and the Notebook. I could watch them over and over...

Where else can we find you?
Etsy: http://www.littlepaperboutique.etsy.com/
Website: http://www.littlepaperboutique.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/littlepaperboutique
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlepaperboutique/

Member Feature: Pearls Night Out

Tell us a little about your shop
Pearls Night Out is a shop dedicated to jewelry that is stylish, fun, chic, and unique. While I love jewelry for special occasions and I have a special place in my heart for jewelry for brides, I think jewelry is for every day and can make any day a fun, special day.

What brought you to etsy?
The first time I ever heard about Etsy I was purchasing beads and crafts supplies in a local store and the salesperson mentioned it to me as an avenue for selling my jewelry. At the time, I had never heard of it and Etsy was smaller than it is now and I just forgot about it for a while and then I wanted to focus on my store a little and I remembered what she said.

How long have you been crafting?
I've always loved crafting and over many years have dabbled in different things. In high school I loved to sew and took sewing classes. I made some really (awful) things, like a bubble skirt and a jumper. In graduate school I took several oil painting classes. I've also tried crochet and card making. When I was planning my wedding I really wanted to do all DIY projects, but we had so many guests that it wasn't feasible. I was inspired by some necklaces I saw in a shop and I decided to try to make jewelry for me and for my bridesmaids since that was a manageable number and I was hooked! The rest is history!

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?
That's probably a tie between the pink and green Cami necklace and the new Blue Leopard necklace. Both of them have bright colors and Kazuri beads and they both have personality and I love that!

What is your "day job?"
During the day I am a physical therapist. I specialize in working with people with neurological disorders and dizziness.

Where do you find inspiration?
All over the place. Craft magazines mostly. But, sometimes, I like to look at color combinations on different design websites.

What is one thing you wish you could do better?
That's easy! Use my camera and photograph my jewelry!!! I always struggle with that.

What is one crafting tool you couldn't live without?
For jewelry, I'd have to say my bead board, but if you want to know my favorite craft tool of all, it'd be the Cricut machine!!!

What is your favorite book/movie/song?
I don't have one favorite book, but I do have a favorite author- Jodi Picoult. I love her books.
My favorite movie is probably Dirty Dancing.
My favorite songs are anything and everything by Elton John.

Where else can we find you?

Blog: http://pnojewelrydesign.blogspot.com/
Facebook: Pearls Night Out

Member Feature: 19Eighty Expressions

What brought you to etsy?
After a few people told me I should sell my cards I decided to open shop at etsy. It seems the perfect place for my creations.

How long have you been crafting?
This type of crafting started when I was planning my wedding in 2008. I realized I really liked designing things. I did quite a bit of graphic design for my wedding items as well as papercrafting. Just in the past few months I started dabbling seriously in papercrafts such as scrapbooking and making cards.

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?
My favorite item is the Cupcake Birthday card. It's fun and colorful.

What is your "day job?"
I work in accounting and finance.

Where do you find inspiration?
I look online for most of my inspiration. I also use everyday experiences such as vacations I've been on to come up with my card designs.

What is one thing you wish you could do better?
Color digistamps. I cannot figure that one out. I love the look of them when they are colored.

What is one crafting tool you couldn't live without?
My Cricut Expression!

What is your favorite book/movie/song?
I don't really have favorites of anything. I like to try out all types of books, music, and movies.

Where else can we find you?

19Eighty Expressions on Facebook, and on Twitter @ 19EightyExprssn

Member Feature: Belletristics

Tell us a little about your shop.

Belletristics is an online graphic design shop, specializing in printable stationery design for the do-it-yourself bride.

What brought you to etsy?

I joined Etsy when I first started my business- I was looking for a place where I could easily set up a storefront to offer my designs.

How long have you been crafting?
As long as I can remember! Some of my earliest memories are of painting and sewing alongside my mom- I definitely get my DIY spirit from her! Growing up, we were constantly creating something, and that has always stayed with me.

What is your favorite item in your shop right now?
I'm currently in love with all the designs in my Besotted invitation suite! If I were to do it all over, I would use that stationery suite for my own wedding!

What is your "day job?"
I'm happy to say that running Belletristics is my day job (and has been for over a year now)!

Where do you find inspiration?
I try to find inspiration in everything around me, but it primarily comes from nature. I also love to browse through vintage ads and signage.

What is one thing you wish you could do better?
I wish I could draw better freehand. Give me Illustrator and my Wacom tablet, and I'm good to go, but with a pencil and paper I'm lucky if I can draw a stick figure!


What is one crafting tool you couldn't live without?
Does Illustrator count as a crafting tool? ;) Off the computer, I'd be lost without my 3M ATG gun- I've never found a better adhesive runner.

What is your favorite book/movie/song?
Book: anything by Greg Iles
Movie: any Guy Ritchie movie (especially ones with Jason Statham)
Song: You Look Wonderful Tonight- Eric Clapton

Where else can we find you?
Etsy: http://www.belletristics.etsy.com/
Website: http://www.belletristics.com/
Minted: http://www.minted.com/search?designerID=573
Blog: http://belletristics.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/belletristics
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Belletristics
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/belletristics/
Zazzle: http://www.zazzle.com/belletristics*

Team Interview: Do you Blog?

Q: Do you blog?

Prost to the Host: I blog about events I've hosted, planned , coordinated etc, wedding styles/trends, post mood boards for events and other holiday centered enteratining tips.

Go Against the Grain: I blog as well and it varies from baking, etsy, home decor to DIY things. It started out as a home rebuilding blog that kept family up to date on our re-build after the damage from hurricane Ike and has evolved since then.

mary*mule designs: I blog about sewing, new recipes, book reviews, house stuff and life in general.

Personally Speaking: I blog about recipes, designs, cupcakes, cake lets, etc. It's new but so much fun! I wish I had more time!

Four Harp Designs: I have a food blog, Mama Jan's Kitchen. It's more just a recipe blog that I started so I could keep all my favorite recipes in one place. My friends are always asking for recipes so that was an easy way to share my favorites. It's turned into much more but has sort
of gotten put on the back burner lately. I have piles of recipes that need
to get posted.... if I ever have time to edit the pics!

Emebellished Bayou: I blog about my crafts and DIY projects with the occasional recipe and decorating post thrown in. I also use it to promote my Etsy shop and Facebook page from time to time.

Candid Grace: My blog is still a work in progress. I started it to be able to showcase my work and upcoming projects, but I also intend to use it to promote other's work that I admire as well. I also throw in the occasional random post too. :)

Belletristics: I blog at Belletristics - it's mostly a place to showcase previous custom design work, and keep anyone that's interested up to date with the goings on at Belletristics. I also do a "Real Weddings" feature , as well as offer free download and print stationery designs from time to time.

Blush Printables: I blog for my design work, though, to showcase current projects, share inspiration photos, ideas and DIY projects, along with free downloads every Friday. I also share photos from Real Parties + Real Weddings that I've designed for, and share photos from projects & photoshoots that I've
participated in.

Swish Designs: I have several blogs including my swishdesigns blog, my family blog and my bootcamp blog: all of which are sadly neglected.

Bowrene: I blog at Itching for a Stitching. I often just blog about crocheting and knitting and all things related to the fiber arts. I also post personal projects as well as reviews of products that I come across. Sneak peeks of upcoming listings can be found
there as well. Its an unorganized mish-mash, but I love it.

Cupcake Dream: I have a baby blog, where I share daily activities, milestones, pictures, and other family related topics. Included is a recipe and craft page. Unfortunately, I haven't really worked on those areas in a while. Recently, I started a house blog . So far it just details our build, but soon will include pictures of the decorating and future house plans.

2Birdstone: I have a blog but it's been sorely neglected. For a while there I did a weekly feature called "Six to Buy" highlighting six items based on a common thread that I would buy if money were no object. I occasionally will do a free download but it's been a long time. Mostly my blog involves shameless self promotion and highlighting past clients' weddings.

Carried Away By Paper: I have a blog that is really centered around photography, I do a lot of challenges that other blogs host and throw a few updates about our lives in there as well

Member Feature: Personally Speaking

Tell us a little about your shop.

Many of the items in my shop are ideas from buyers who ask "oh, can you make me this..." -- with a bit of my own "that should be a shirt...."

What brought you to etsy?

A friend suggested it when I mentioned selling on ebay

How long have you been crafting?

Most of my adult life -- but for profit, for about 4-5 years now


What is your favorite item in your shop right now?

I think that would have to be my large tree skirt for Christmas. I have a 15' Christmas tree and laughed at the tree skirts available. So I decided to make my own - and realized if I have a huge tree, others may too.

What is your "day job?"

I'm a VP for a major corporate promotions company

Where do you find inspiration?
In everything I see that I like... my biggest "problem" is saying "oh, I can do that...."

What is one thing you wish you could do better?
Web design

What is one crafting tool you couldn't live without?

My vinyl machine/heat press set-up


What is your favorite book/movie/song?

I'm a huge fan of Eminem... no time to read anything other than a cupcake book, and I love the Saw series of movies

Where else can we find you?

On Facebook -- and will even set up my own fan page sometime this year!!

Team Interview: Holiday Goals

Q: What are your goals for the upcoming holiday season?

mary*mule- My goals are to focus on products for men. I know this is one area on etsy that is lacking, and I'd like to help fill that niche. I already make items for men, I just need to work on beefing up my stock of those items.
I am also working on some new products, hopefully I will be able to get them in my shop before the holidays.
~~~
bowrene- I am hoping to run a successful sale, and get my items up to the 50
mark. I'm at 38! I also am hoping to get my FB fan following up to
100.
~~~

Four Harp Designs- Survive :) No seriously though... that kind of is my goal. Last holiday season my kids were sick basically the whole season long. "Two under two" with very little napping - so just keeping up with my orders is my goal.
I'd love to get more items listed in my new shop Four Harp Designs Too and get selling! I just opened but haven't done a whole lot in terms of marketing, etc. I'm going to be selling some items in a holiday boutique next month so I hope that draws a little attention to either of my shops!
~~~
Prost to the Host- My goal is to build up as much stock as possible before the baby comes. Ideally, it will help me get through the first few months.
~~~
Go Against the Grain- Ideally I'd like to create some new products and work on a better strategy for repeat customers. Also would like to increase my marketing, maybe figure out if I can afford some advertising.
~~~
Madas Place and Madas Place Baby- My big goal is to reach 1000 sales by New Year's! Go Mada's Place, go!
The rest of my goals stay the same. I am always looking at my photos and descriptions and branding and hoping to improve it. I want to continue relisting new items in my shop and making it the most awesome it can possibly be.
~~~

Bella Mia Bows n Things- I'm just trying to get back into etsy. I've taken a very long hiatus since we've been super busy on the homefront, but I sorely miss etsy. I just have to learn to manage my time better so I don't get lost in taking pics, editing listings, promoting, etc while totally neglecting my dayjob (stay at home mommy to a toddler and being a super-wife. hehe). I think I was just trying to do too much, and I just got burnt out. Maybe I can look at etsy as stress relief from the day to day stuff, instead of just one more thing to add to the stuff I HAVE to do.

Team Interview: Best Halloween Costume

Q: What was your best Halloween costume?

Go Against the Grain- I'm actually hoping to make this year my best one ever. Bust since I don't have a picture yet, I'll share last year's! I was little red riding hood, complete with basket of real baked goods :) We all dressed up for work, it was a lot of fun.
~~~

Bella Mia Bows n Things- My favorite halloween costume was when I was about 19 or 20, I think. I was working at target, so i decided to go as a Target Guestcard =)

I took 2 pieces of red poster board and I made the front look like the front of the guestcard and the back I made to look like the back of the guestcard. I had every detail down to the tiniest thing. Then I put the two together with ribbon, I think, and put it on so I was a walking guestcard.

I won the contest that year at target for best costume
~~~

Four Harp Designs- My 1st grade costume was my favorite. I dressed up as a Cabbage Patch Kid (still in the patch). I remember my mom spending hours upon hours sewing it for me - complete with a little "patch hat" and leaves to cover my shoes. She even ironed on a Cabbage Patch Kids logo. I loved wearing it!

~~~

Belle Papillon Designs- My best costume ever was a California Raisin. I think it must have been 1987 or 88. My mom took a huge purple t-shirt and sewed tucks in it all the way around. Then we stuffed the inside with newspaper and grocery bags. We painted my face purple, and then I pulled the neck of shirt over my head (Beavis and Butthead style, though this was long before they were on TV). Paired that with leggings, white gloves, and hi-top Chucks, and I won the costume contest at my afterschool program!
~~~

Blush Printables- I have two favorite costumes.

In 1988 I was a witch. Yes, I went trick or teating with a broom in one hand and a my little pony in the other.
In 1991, I was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz which is my favorite movie EVER. My nana sewed my costume & even bought me red shoes that we put glitter on. My brother was the cowardly lion that year.
~~~

Swish Designs- One year (about 1998 or so), me and all my friends went as the cast from
Austin Powers (the first movie). A couple of the guys bought their costumes
but my girlfriend and I made the fembot costumes. We won first place in a
costume contest. My 2nd favorite costume was in about 1996ish - I made a
cat woman costume. I had found a mask at a costume shop and rented the movie
and painstakingly drew the costume out on a black lycra full body suit. It
was super cute - didn't win first place though - my roommate did!!!
~~~

mary*mule- I was Pippi Longstocking in 4th grade. My dad bent a wire coat hanger around my head and my mom braided my hair around it so my pigtails stuck out. I had mismatched clothes too.
I won 2nd place in a costume contest at the grocery store.

Team Interview: Fall Favorites

Q. What are your favorite things about fall?

Blush Printables- I love fall. I love sweaters, boots, football, the changing leaves, Halloween... Halloween is one of my favorite holidays (next to Christmas) and it's so exciting being able to decorate. Also, fall means Pumpkin Spice lattes :)
~~~
Go Against the Grain- My favorite thing about fall is the smell. Love the smell of a wood burning fireplace, yummy treats baking too! Seeing smoke rise from chimneys and using blankets to snuggle up with.
~~~
Prost to the Host- My favorite thing about fall is the fashion. The boots, scarves, jackets and layers of soft sweaters are just perfect compliments to a great fall
ensemble.
~~~
Embellished Bayou- My favorite things about fall are football, cooler weather, and fall decor!
~~~

Four Harp Designs- I love fall cooking! Slow cookers, quick breads, pumpkin recipes.... Yum! I can't wait to make these pumpkin spice cheesecake swirl brownies again and I'm looking forward to finding a good pumpkin quick bread. In June, I found a recipe for zucchini sweet potato bread and have been looking forward to fall so I can make it again!
I also love fall decorating, bundling up in sweaters, foggy mornings and puddle jumping with my boys! :)
~~~
Jessica Rae Jewellery- My favorite thing - thats easy!!!!!! Aside from the awesome colours - my wedding anniversary is in Oct 3rd!
Also I'm Canadian so that means Thanks Giving.... mmmm Gobble Gobble!!!
~~~
mary*mule- I love the food. Pumpkin bread or scones especially, although I make them all year round since I love them so much. I love homemade soups, especially this corn and potato chowder. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday b/c turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes are my favorite meal. I also just love the "atmosphere" in the air, and the leaves changing colors.
~~~
Swish Designs- Ohhh - I love so many things about the fall: Nice days and cool
nights...leaves...pumpkins...pumpkin patches...the food...and my
anniversary!!! :)

Team Interview: Hobbies

Q: What are your hobbies outside of etsy?

Personally Speaking- I tend to turn hobbies into work -- no matter how much I try to keep them separate! When I'm not making personalized orders for my customers, I'm usually baking cupcakes, cakelets (mini cakes), cake ball pops, or personalized cookies. And that has become less of a hobby and much more of a business! With a full time job, plus my Etsy shop and my baking, there really isn't much time for anything else. But I always make time to watch my 14 year old daughter, Britt, compete in dance. She competes Nationally in 14 different routines and keeps me busy day in and day out.
~~~

Carried Away By Paper- I have always been into and played sports so my husband and I play softball together during the week and I play soccer every week as well - I have been playing for 24 or so years, I can't give it up quite yet. After our wedding
I got back into photography, I minored in it in college and am hoping to
turn it into something more in the future. I do a lot of "photo challenges"
on my blog that really challenge me Just the 2 of Us.
~~~



Damask Diva- Seeing as how we're about to close on our first home, I am very much into DIY/home decor stuff. I've got a blog where I chronicle all my inspiration &
projects over at www.monicawantsit.com I love to scour online blogs and
print magazines for ways to bring designer looks to my home for a
non-designer price. I also watch HGTV an awful lot every week, and have a
total crush on Scott McGillivray. Here is a photo of my transformation of a tacky gold shelf into a lovely, chic ribbon holder.
~~~

Blush Printables- We bought our first house a year ago this month, so I keep myself busy with decorating and home projects. There is never a dull moment around here, and home ownership is full of surprises! Our latest project is building a deck,
and I am constantly changing the decor in our house. I have a personal
blog, www.vintage-intoxication.blogspot.com, that I used to regularly update
with our home shopping experience (that later turned into home decor
inspiration), but after I got super busy with Blush I started neglecting
it. It hasn't been updated in months.
We also like to travel, and try to take as many vacations as possible.
Neither of us get a lot of vacation time throughout the year, so we take a
lot of mini vacations on the weekends. Our next trip is this weekend, and
I'm really looking forward to it!
I'm not sure if TV is considered a hobby, but I just discovered True Blood
and I am officially OBSESSED.

~~~

Go Against the Grain- My hobbies have def. changed over the years. Taking out all my graphic
design/ crafty stuff, I guess my hobby is baking (def not near the
talent that Lisa has!). I bake about once a week.
I don't know why but it is very relaxing to me, kinda my stress
reliever I guess.
~~~

Prost to the Host- planning out events (ha)
reading
traveling
trying new restaurants (double ha..does this really count...yum)
~~~

Mary*Mule- My hobbies are reading, baking, and surfing the internet(!). I do sew for myself too, not just for my shop, so I consider that a hobby. I like to snowboard, but haven't gone in years since I live in a fairly flat state with "ski hills" instead of mountains. I also like photography, but am far from an expert.
~~~

Bowrene- I crochet and knit as a hobby as well as for my shop. I also am a full time graduate student, so linguistics is my hobby. I also like tasting wine and beer and reading and baking (I try to challenge myself by making weird things from scratch). I dabble in sewing, and I really
like tv and movies (particularly old movies). I also study Korean and
Spanish and have recently been sucked into the wide world of Korean
dramas (soap operas). They are aaaamazing :) corny, but amazing.
~~~

Four Harp Designs- With my two little ones running around I don't have much time for hobbies.
But I do love to cook - I grew up cooking and baking with my mom and a few
years ago I started a food blog, Mama Jan's Kitchen
Sewing has also become a hobby and I've had a lot of fun making all kinds
of things, my son's favorite is his Lightening McQueen reversible placemat
:) I've opened a second Etsy shop, Four Harp Designs
{too}
and will be having my grand opening soon with some of the items I've been
making!

Team Interview: Where Do You Create?

Q: Where do you create?

Click photos for a larger view. Please excuse any messes!

{Plumb Pretty}

{mary*mule}

{Mada's Place & Mada's Place Baby}

{Jessica Rae Jewellery}

{Go Against the Grain}

{Embellished Bayou}

{Four Harp Designs}

{2 Birdstone}

Team Interview: Etsy Shop Love

Q: Which etsy shops do you like to shop from?

ProsttotheHost- Bubbletime: I bought from her shop several times, since her little pudgy birds are popular with my little dog(!). I had to replace a few of them and they are now in our baby's room (far and high from Mo). They are soo cute. Plus, the seller was super quick to respond to my convos, sale and promptly mailed my birds. Love the quick service.
Sugar Fresh: Was featured on the front page and I bought her You are My Sunshine print. So awesome! I love buying from shops with few sales. She was quick, sweet and I had a very lovely conversation with her about her shop.
Mayberry Sparron: I love her custom stamps. I used her stamps for a few wedding projects and they have always come out beautifully.

~~~

SwishDesigns- Giggles and Grins Creations - she is super sweet and created some adorable 4th of July bloomers for my daughter. Super fast communication (important to me) and very nice. And had some great ideas! Really went above and beyond compared to the other sellers I contacted for similar products. Her prices were a bit more than the others but I went with her because she was so prompt and gave more than she needed to before I even committed to the sale.

~~~

PersonallySpeaking- Obviously - because I bake every day - I've ordered from The Baker's Confections - Esther is great to deal with, has pretty much everything you need, and responds quickly!! When I do a custom order with fondant toppers, I look for coordinating papers from her shop -- it just adds to the overall display of the cupcakes.
And ohhhhhhh boy - do I love this shop.... LilaFrances I bought a custom hanger from her for Erik's police uniform (I had bought him a valet stand for Christmas and thought the hanger would be a perfect compliment to it....). It says "Sgt O-----" - and it is AWESOME!! My sister finds out on Wednesday her baby's gender -- and I will be ordering a hanger for the baby's closet as soon as they decide on a name.

~~~

BlushPrintables- I bought a hand drawn poster from Madame Talbot and it is breathtaking. It was the fastest transaction ever, and I gasped when I got the poster in the mail. It's hand drawn and I couldn't believe the incredible detail and intricacy!! Included was a handwritten note thanking me for my purchase. I ended up writing a thank you letter back to the seller because I was so pleased with my purchase and the artwork.

~~~

Mary*Mule- I bought a wooden truck/car for my best friend's son from Woman Wood Worker. She makes natural wooden toys, and they are really cute, and reasonably priced. Her shipping prices are good too.
I ordered a custom made stamp from GettingHooked. She made a mule stamp for me (twice, b/c my dog had the first one for a snack) to use for my shop. She was very friendly and easy to work with. She even ended up adding the new stamp design to her shop.

~~~

2Birdstone- I've purchased prints on Etsy. I bought three of the state bird and flower letterpress prints from Dutch Door Press for each state my husband I have lived in (WI, CO, TX - they've not created NC yet). The prints are perfect and have them framed and waiting to be hung on the wall. I will buy from this seller again.
I commissioned this from a shop called Doc Martin Studios. I really like his modern pop art-y style and thought it would make a great gift for my husband when he returns from his deployment. It was very easy to work with Doc and he was willing to make any change I requested from colors to composition. The print itself is on very heavy, thick cottony paper and very nicely done. While it is digital the ink looks totally solid, with not dots, through a magnifying glass. I was seriously impressed when I got it and he only charged $100 for the print and totally custom work. I would buy from this seller again.