tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72765617248705454362024-03-05T06:50:44.496-05:00THE ART OF CRAFTThe Art of Craft is a collection of our experiences and lessons that we have learned as professional craft artists. Here you will find out what it is like to make and sell craft. The site features our work and the work of other craft artists.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.comBlogger214125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-58074490300591529162011-08-15T01:55:00.002-04:002011-08-15T01:59:48.304-04:00We are still here...I am sure some who have read this site in the past have wondered what has happened to us since this last post in April. Well, life happens and I have not had an opportunity to spend time on this site. We will be back in the Fall when things just naturally slow down, and there is time to do interviews and post articles. Please be patient and keep checking back. We are not lost and the site has not been abandoned. In September, we will be looking for new craft artists to feature, and perhaps we will focus on some of the members of our Etsy Team - Variety Shops of Etsy - and find out why so many have shops that sell a variety of craft.
<br />
<br />See you again, SOON!
<br />Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-14951388973432028312011-04-14T17:35:00.001-04:002011-04-14T17:35:00.957-04:00As a photographer, myself, I always appreciate the work of other photographers. Here is one that you have to meet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/metroline6"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 387px; height: 138px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.8273298.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Here is our interview with the photographer, Jessica -<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Briefly describe your photography?</span><br /><br />I am most drawn to extremes with light and color. I want to tell a story with my photography. I am always trying to capture a moment in my life that I want to remember, not just for the image that is taken but for where my life was at that time, what i was experiencing, how I was developing, and in which direction my life was headed.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">What do you enjoy photographing the most?</span><br />I really like photograph architecture. I would say that I am most drawn to that because I like the lines. I am also very interested in Urban life right now. City scenes, spray paint...stuff like that.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">How long have you been an artist?</span><br /><br />Since I can remember. I always knew I was an artist. I really wanted to be a painter or a sketcher when I was little because that is what my grandma and dad are good at, but I am terrible. It wasn't until later that I discovered my eye for photography.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">How did you get started?</span><br /><br />The first time I ever thought about selling my photography was about 4 years ago while I was living in France. My husband and I were taking a day trip. We were in the car, driving through the french country side, right before a storm. The sky was this amazing mix of purple, grey, black and yellow and the silhouettes of the trees against the sky were beautiful. I really wanted to get a picture of it but my camera was dead. I somehow managed to get my camera to turn on for long enough to snap one picture. For some reason that picture is what made me want to share my work with other. It's funny because I don't think that is even the best photo I've ever taken just the most inspirational. (You can find that picture on my Etsy shop, titled "A Tree in the Storm")<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Where does the name of your shop come from?</span><br /><br />I lived in Paris for a couple of years. Le Metro Ligne 6 was the closest line to our apartment there. I have so many fond memories of my life there that I thought it would be appropriate to incorporate my shop name into that experience.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work?</span><br /><br />That I really love what I do!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">What words of advice do you have for other artists?</span><br /><br />Love what you do!<br /><br />---------------------<br /><br />You have to come and see this nice work. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/metroline6">Visit this shop</a> and then come back and leave a comment.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-68821920077588810182011-04-07T17:30:00.000-04:002011-04-07T17:30:00.728-04:00FEATURED ARTISTWe are featuring an artist who works in soap. Come and meet<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/soapdeli"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 162px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.8029905.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Here is our interview with Rebecca -<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briefly describe what you make?</span><br /><br />I create divinely scented handmade, shea butter soaps that contain skin loving ingredients like unrefined shea butter, rice bran, cocoa butter and olive oils. They create a wonderfully rich lather that you can both shave with or use as a shampoo bar. All of my soaps are made from scratch using the cold process soapmaking method and never a pre-existing base.<br /><br />I also make shea butter and goat milk lotions that leave your skin feeling moisturized, soft, and silky smooth. They contain a combination of Goat’s Milk, Honey and Shea Butter in addition to aloe, sunflower, and soybean oils - all wonderful ingredients for hydrating your skin. My lush lotions are nice and thick so that such as with a cream, a little goes a long way.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What mediums do you enjoy working in most?</span><br /><br />I love working with shea butter. I include shea butter as an ingredient in everyone of my soaps and lotions without exception. I also love to experiment with different fragrances though I do carry two unscented soaps for those with allergies or skin sensitivities.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been creating craft?</span><br /><br />I started Rebecca's Soap Delicatessen in February 2001 and have been going ever since. Before soapmaking I worked in a variety of other mediums including scrap booking, painting, screen printing, sculpture, pottery, drawing, photography, graphic design and writing. I was an art major in college so I studied a little of everything including a bit of art history. Soapmaking, however, came after college and was self taught.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you get started?</span><br /><br />I started buying handmade soaps due to skin sensitivities and it was love at first use. Naturally, due to my creative background, I had to give it a try for myself. After a lot of studying and experimenting, I finally got the knack of soapmaking and came up with my own recipes for the soaps I now sell today. Once I got what I wanted, I decided I'd start up a business and that's exactly what I did. I didn't really get serious about selling though until some years later. I also started out on my own website, not etsy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where does the name of your shop come from?</span><br /><br />The original idea behind my business was to sell soaps that smelled like delicious favorites from the kitchen I was all about food scents in the beginning. So I combined that idea with my name and Rebecca's Soap Delicatessen was the first idea to pop out of my head. It sounded good so I stuck with it. I've since expanded my line to include more than just food scents however. Lots of people appreciate the scent of lavender and honeysuckle.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work?</span><br /><br />Basically that I really care about my product and I aim for customer satisfaction. If I notice something wasn't right with a product I sent out, I'm going to fix it. If you didn't like a scent, I'm not going to leave you stuck with it. Buying things with an aroma online is difficult and I want to make that experience as pleasant as possible. I also stand by the quality of my product, so if anything is ever not as it should be I want to know so I can make it right.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What words of advice do you have for other artists?</span><br /><br />You're only going to get as much out of your business as you're willing to put into it. If you aren't willing to invest full time hours into it, you're not going to get full time money back out of it. Running a business is hard work. It's not a hobby. It takes a lot of time and dedication. There's a reason so many first time businesses fail in the first three years. There's also a reason most businesses don't profit until after the first three years. Secondly, there is truth in the old adage you have to spend money to make money.<br /><br />------------------------------<br /><br />I can't resist saying that working in soap, Rebecca must be cleaning up! Bad joke! <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/soapdeli">Come and see Rebecca's shop</a> - you will like what you see!Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-53775943992616036012011-03-31T17:37:00.000-04:002011-03-31T17:37:00.596-04:00FEATURED ARTISTHere is a fiber artist who is a felter and wait until you see what she felts -<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/makingstuffwithlove"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 417px; height: 150px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7373803.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Come and meet the artist, Alice -<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briefly describe what you make? </span><br /><br />I create needle felted dogs. Needle felting is done by stabbing different types of fibers with a sharp, barbed needle to shape and sculpt it. Pieces take thousands of tiny stabs to finish. I use photographs provided by the client to make miniatures of their own dog using this needle stabbing method.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What mediums do you enjoy working in most? </span><br /><br />Most times the type dog dictates what fiber I need to use. I love to work with alpaca fiber, because it is so luxurious. I also use merino roving top which is also a very lovely fiber. The core of the dog is made from less expensive wool over a wire frame, with the special fibers finishing the exterior. The wire frame allows the dog to be gently posed. Finally, I use glass eyes because they are 'shiny', more like real eyes, and polymer clay for the noses.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been creating craft?</span><br /><br /> I've been making these little dogs for about a year and a half. However, I've been crafting all my life. I love to do all types of needlework, very intricate scherenschnitte and I sew on occasion. I recently had a little fling with terrariums, making them for family and friends. My love of making things is very ingrained. My mother, my grandmother and family were always creating something artistic. My aunt was a well known artist in my small hometown at a time when that was a relatively unique career choice. I have all of them to thank for my artistic abilities.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you get started? </span><br /><br />I started the little dogs after learning of needle felting on Etsy. I am so crazy about my own dogs and even the dogs of others, it just seemed to be the thing to do. There are some excellent needle felters on Etsy and they are very inspiring. I learned from different blogs: gourmetfelted is one, and on youtube with Kay Petal of Felt Alive. These are just two astonishingly great artists who are willing to share their knowledge with others.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where does the name of your shop come from?</span><br /><br /> Actually, my name was made spur of the moment late at night for the purpose of buying something from Etsy (you have to have an account to purchase as well as to sell). I never really had considered having a shop myself. But as I said before, I am always making something and I love doing it, thus, makingstuffwithlove seemed to fit. I wasn't very specific because I am always trying new things. Luckily the name worked when I got ready to make my little dogs, because I certainly love making them, probably more than all the different things I've tried up until now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work?</span><br /><br /> I'd want people to know how much love and caring go into each one. That to me they gain little spirits. I normally know the name of who I'm working on and they are very real to me through clients that tell me stories of their behaviors and personalities. I literally can't get enough of it, and it actually helps in creating the individual dog. I can relate to these owners so well as I read of their love for their dogs. I live fighting the urge to own every needy dog in the world, so this helps me to curb that appetite.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What words of advice do you have for other artists?</span><br /><br />First of all, I'm usually getting the advice, not giving it... I guess I'd have to say that to be happy with your art, you have to be doing something that you love. For me, to have been able to connect an art to dogs has been monumental. Of all the crafts I've done in the past, this is the one that fits just right. Customer service is of utmost importance to me. I work very closely with my clients and it is so rewarding, so I'm a big fan of custom work. I realize this doesn't happen in every niche, but if it fits you, I'd encourage others to try it. It makes art a living, breathing thing :)<br /><br />------------------------<br /><br />You have to go and see what Alice makes. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/makingstuffwithlove">Visit her shop now on Etsy!</a>Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-76372135372646991722011-03-24T17:28:00.001-04:002011-03-24T17:28:00.327-04:00FEATURED ARTISTOur features focus most often on craft - here we have a feature on art - a painter.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.acaciasgallery.etsy.com/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 139px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.8075537.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is our interview with the artist, Krishala.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briefly describe what you make?</span><br /><br />I am primarily a painter, and initially started by painting pop art works. Lately this has developed into a line of prints in my Etsy shop. Recently, i have picked up a camera and am enjoying photography. I have my 2 year old son all day with me so photography tends to be easier to do while looking after him. We go for wolks and I capture the landscapes. I will get back to painting in the fall, and will be creating larger pieces, still working with oils, and also experimenting with acrylics. I also have a clothing line, Jalousie, which is in my shop - this was created for the fun of designing a 'line' but my true passion is painting.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What mediums do you enjoy working in most?</span><br /><br />I used to only work with oils. Lately i have been experimenting with acrylics. one thing I don't like about acrylics is that you cannot manipulate your piece over and over again as you can with oils. I do intend to try watercolour in the near future, after seeing a wonderful local exhibition which inspired me which was entirely watercolour.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been creating craft?</span><br /><br />Only sine 2008! Just after the birth of my son, Leon. I was at home all night and he just slept and slept. so I needed something creative to do! I enjoyed art classes in school, but really my passion for art started in the summer of 2008. When I was nineteen I was very into abstract photography. I lived in Santa Monica, California and the landscapes and greenery were amazing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you get started?</span><br /><br />My boyfriend who was a photographer kept pushing me and pushing me to try and do something creative. I think he wanted to live with a like minded artist! I tried one night with a small canvas panel on the kitchen table, and was very proud of what I created. Around the same time I discovered Etsy and as soon as i started gaining hearts on my first few items, I was hooked. (Literally, Etsy is addictive people!) I would paint at night at the kitchen until one night my boyfriend came home with a huge industrial easel.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where does the name of your shop come from?</span><br /><br />Acacias is where i used to live. It's a suburb of Geneva, Switzerland. I added gallery as I thought it would seem more professional. The region is named after the tree Acacias.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work?</span><br /><br />That I am constant exploring and trying new things, and that I put my heart into my work! I don't have formal art training, but I have been thinking of finally taking some lessons to further develop my work. I would like people to think my work is edgy, some of it isn't and I go through phases of just painting 'pretty things' but then I always have the desire to be a bit more rough, and towards the style of pop or modernism. I like the idea and hope that some people are following what I do, and seeing me grow as an artist.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What words of advice do you have for other artists?</span><br /><br />Something that I struggle with is that I don't have a distinct style. You don't yet see a piece of mine and instantly recognize it as mine. That is something i believe can really work for you, having a signature style. Also, take good photos of your work. My earliest works which have since sold, some of them I took slightly blurry photos of them. This means sadly that I can never sell them as prints. If you take crisp excellent photos of your work, your work can live on in pendants, prints, postcards, you name it!<br /><br />Also have faith in what your producing. I am getter better at believing in my work. I used to be insecure as I hadn't gone to school for art, but now I realize what I am creating is unique and precious, even if it won't be to everyone's taste, someone out there will hopefully love it.<br /><br />Lastly, as another artist on Etsy told me, don't forget to paint! Then paint some more! You can get so caught up in twitter, the forums etc that you forget to produce. Sure marketing is important but try to produce new work as often as you can.<br /><br />-------------------------------<br /><br />Krishala does very nice work. <a href="http://www.acaciasgallery.etsy.com">Come and see her shop!</a>Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-74263615408409698492011-03-18T12:16:00.003-04:002011-03-18T12:23:13.007-04:00FEATURED ARTISTWe have a fiber artist to feature. Come and meet -<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCrochetBarn"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 135px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7594734.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is our interview with the artist, Joyce -<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briefly describe what you make? </span><br /><br />I am a crocheter. I make crochet items for babies, kids, teens, men, women, whomever! :) Right at the moment, my shop is filled with mainly baby and toddler hats, but I'm hoping to expand quite a bit on that and also offer patterns in the near future.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What mediums do you enjoy working in most? </span><br /><br />Yarn! LOL. Lately my favorite has been cottons, probably just because it's been VERY warm here in New England this summer and anything heavier seems too much at the moment. I cannot wait for fall though, and add some of the warm, fuzzy, cuddly yarns to my creations!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been creating craft? </span><br /><br />I have actually been crocheting off and on for almost 20 years!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you get started? </span><br /><br />My grandmother taught me when I was younger, and I would obsessively crochet for a few months and then put it down again. This went on for a few years until I recently made a baby sweater and hat set as a baby shower gift. My two aunts own a craft store, and begged me to make more to sell at their store. So that went great, and I'm trying to keep up with keeping THAT store stocked. Then I posted a few photos on my facebook page and a bunch of people wanted to order some! That's when I decided to open my Etsy shop. It just kind of has taken off from there and I HATE to have a day go by without my hook and yarn in my hands.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where does the name of your shop come from? </span><br /><br />Well, the property we live at has a barn and I wanted to somehow work that into the name. My first choice was The Yarn Barn, but it appeared to be already taken. My next choice was The New England Hooker, but my husband was not crazy about that one! So "The Crochet Barn" was born.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work? </span><br /><br />I guess I would want people to know how much time and effort I truly put into each creation. I have a MILLION ideas for new items swimming around in my head, and hoping to find the time to make them a reality once my little one starts school in the fall. I would want customers to realize that they are getting a true quality item that will last YEARS and probably receive quite a few compliments!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What words of advice do you have for other artists? </span><br /><br />I think the best advice I ever got was to go with what you truly love and enjoy. In other words, don't just try to follow the "trends" of what seems to be popular and selling the best, because you will quickly get burned out. Do what you LOVE and it will show in your work.<br /><br />------------------------<br /><br />This is a nice shop. Come and take a look at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCrochetBarn">Joyce's work</a> and then come back here to leave a comment for her!Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-8058020093403052392011-02-24T17:48:00.001-05:002011-02-24T17:48:00.215-05:00FEATURED ARTISTHere is another shop that sells a variety - come and meet<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShamelessAK"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 100px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7997928.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Here is our interview with the artist, Melissa -<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briefly describe what you make?</span><br /><br />I make a variety of items. The shop started out with a faux flower hair clip, but has since expanded lol. I have light switch covers wich are completly customizable, ribbon hair clips, vinyl hair bows, fabric, ribbon and faux flower brooches, headbands, gift boxes-well a gift box, and some random art items.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What mediums do you enjoy working in most?</span><br /><br />I like all fabric. Dupani silk being my favorite, all ribbon-except organza-I can't seem to get it to cooperate lol, any and all items from cameos, photos, buttons, clocks and watches, any random tool or item i can find in the tool box as long as it goes with how im feeling that day. Sometimes a little "odd" ;) and sometimes a little not. Nothing is safe when I have my siccors and hot glue gun.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been creating craft?</span><br /><br />Prob since I was a child, but more on a seriouse level after I had my 3rd child in November 2009. Now its what I do all day and well, all night.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you get started?</span><br /><br />I didnt open my shop untill November 2010. A year after my 3rd child. I figure if by some chance I get to do what I enjoy and also stay home with my children AND make money doing it...why not? Who wouldnt want that?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where does the name of your shop come from?</span><br /><br />ShamelessAK was just a name I used so that I could purchase items on Etsy. My line of products are called EverMore Accessories....by ShamelessAK. EverMore was a play on Edgar Allen Poe and the Raven (my favorite).Also ive also got just one more thing to say. I'm gonna be here and everywhere EverMore. ;)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work?</span><br /><br />That I absolutley love creating personalized items and I spend many hours making sure that the 1st item and every other like it, is pefect(to me). I have a ton of "mistakes" all over my home. Every item I ship out I would wear/use myself. If not I dont even put it up for sale.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What words of advice do you have for other artists?</span><br /><br />Remember to have fun. Not everything has to be so seriouse all the time. If your doing what you love then keep on. You may not wear a 4 inch vinyl bow in your hair now. Ask yourself why not? lol I didnt used to, but now I do. 'Cuz I love being me and you should too!<br /><br />------------------------<br /><br />I like that advice - "Remember to have fun." Absolutely. Go now and take a look at Melissa's <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShamelessAK">shop</a> - then come back and leave a comment here!Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-55510494529019579772011-02-17T17:38:00.003-05:002011-02-17T17:38:00.376-05:00FEATURED ARTISTCome and take a look at this great shop. Here is<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thisandthat879"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 336px; height: 64px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.8150151.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is our interview with the artist, Rebecca - and as you will see, like myself, Rebecca sells a nice variety in her shop!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briefly describe what you make?</span><br /><br />I make all sorts of items!!! I started out making a tutu for my daughter. Then it turned into blankets, and then I learned to crochet!!!!. After my sisters had their babies I started new items like stuffed animals, diaper cakes, and rose bouquets made from baby socks!!! Well from then on I was totally hooked!!!! I went crazy making bows, bow holders, clips, necklaces, leg warmers, scarves, and just about anything else I thought was cute!!!! There are also a ton of items I have in my mind that I would love to try and make, and hope to find a little spare time soon!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What mediums do you enjoy working in most?</span><br /><br />My favorite is crocheting, although making bows and headbands is working its way closer to the top pretty quickly!! Crocheting will always have a special place in my heart though, because it always reminds me of my grandmother who used to crochet a lot before she passed away several years ago. Even though I did not crochet at the time she was alive, I can feel her looking down and smiling every time I pick up the yarn and hook.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been creating craft?</span><br /><br />I am actually pretty new at making crafts. Several years back I started making some necklaces for myself, but gave up on it pretty quicky because I just didnt have the time to continue doing it. It was about 8 months ago that I really got into making everything I make now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you get started?</span><br /><br />I started out making things for my daughter. Then, after I realized how much fun it was, decided to also make some things for family members. After making everything for them, and needing nothing else for my daughter, I decided to sell on etsy, because I just can't stop making things! I'd probably a very stressed out person without my crafts, because it is just so relaxing to make them now!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where does the name of your shop come from?</span><br /><br />I chose "this and that", because thats what I want in my shop. I want people to be able to stop by, and find a little bit of everything. I love variety, and thats what I wanted to be able to offer everyone that stops in at my shop!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work?</span><br /><br />I put everything I have into making each piece of work special. I always have my customers in mind, and my main goal is to work with them, and get them exactly what they want.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What words of advice do you have for other artists?</span><br /><br />Starting out is not always easy. It take a lot of time and effort. Its hard to get your name out there. I am still working on that!!!! Advertising is so important in building up a good group of customers. Don't be afraid to just out there and get started, but don't be shocked when it doesnt take off as quickly as you would like!! With hard work and persistance, you will get there :)<br /><br /><br />--------<br /><br />Nice! Now head on over to this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thisandthat879">shop</a>. Then come back here and leave a nice comment for Rebecca!Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-63980746130348231022011-02-10T19:17:00.002-05:002011-02-10T19:32:15.019-05:00Changes at Etsy - the Online Selling Site for HandmadeSome of our readers are already aware of this as they have shops on <a href="http://www.etsy.com">Etsy</a> - but there have been some recent changes at Etsy involving the site's forums which are open to all who come to the site, buyers and sellers. Many of the forums that have existed since the site opened are now gone. What remains are forums directed only at sellers - and this is a shame for the shopping public. <br /><br />It was always possible before the change to announce a new item that went into a shop by using the Promotions Forum. This was a busy place. Some sellers felt that it was too busy - but it brought results. A shop could announce a new item or cleverly remind everyone of other items in the shop and buyers could go and see what was new and for sale. Discounts could be announced. Coupons could be offered. It was the only place on the site that a seller could go on their own and promote their work without paying a fee. That is now gone.<br /><br />Many of my sales have come from the Promotions Forum. Many buyers have found me there and have come back as repeat customers. This was a way to get your work looked at and ultimately make a sale. Now this opportunity is gone.<br /><br />There is nothing of any practical application that has taken its place. It is possible to pay to be noticed on the overall site - but why should the customer have to pay the cost for a shop to advertise - no matter what anyone will say - all expenses are reflected in the cost charged.<br /><br />There is no logical reasoning offered for this change - at least not one that makes any sense to anyone selling on the site. Could the forums been revised to make them more manageable? Sure! But eliminate the ones that the general public would benefit from? No sense at all!<br /><br />Several sites suddenly sprung up to take the place of the Etsy Forums and also provide a Promotions Forum. One of the most notable is <a href="http://unofficialetsyforums.proboards.com/index.cgi">UEF (Unofficial Etsy Forums)</a>. But it is too soon to see if this site has any effect on sales. And unless buyers find that site - it will do no good. Take a look at<a href="http://unofficialetsyforums.proboards.com/index.cgi"> UEF</a>. If you are looking to buy, you will find shops and new items promoted there.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-89385644163876289532011-02-03T17:44:00.000-05:002011-02-03T17:44:00.491-05:00Craft Selling Venues OnlineMost of the readers who come to this site know about Etsy and many have their own Etsy shops. There are changes going on at the Etsy site that may greatly have an effect on the sales potential at that site. Many are scrambling to expand to other selling venues online.<br /><br />One of the problems is that many sites charge not only a setup fee but also a monthly fee to keep a shop on that site. I have looked at many sites, tried a few who either charge no fee or just a listing fee and I have not had the success that I have had making sales as I have had on Etsy. Will that success continue there remains to be seen.<br /><br />A few months ago I wrote about trying a shop on a site called <a href="http://www.zibbet.com/qbranchltd">Zibbet</a>. So far that shop has made no sales - and it went through the holiday season as well.<br /><br />A site that many talk about is Artfire. Artfire requires payment for the site but offers a small free shop site as well. My shop at <a href="http://www.artfire.com/users/qbranchltd">Artfire</a> - though it only has one item listed - my best seller - has had no sales.<br /><br />A site that has had sales for me is called <a href="http://www.silkfair.com/store/index/330">Silkfair</a>. I have made several sales on the Silkfair site but these have been over the course of more than two years. Silkfair is a sales site that is not just limited to art and craft. General merchandise is sold on the site as well. The owner of the site had tried hard to make it visible and bring customers to the site. There is also a way to migrate your Etsy listings to your Silkfair shop.<br /><br />I have shops on two sites that are strictly art and I have photography on both and my ACEO mats on one in addition to the photography. One of those sites is <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/qbranchltd">Redbubble</a>. Redbubble is a site that prints your artwork, in my case my photography, and ships it to the customer for you. All you do is upload artwork. You set the percentage of the selling price that you will get and Redbubble sets the price. You can sell prints, cards, shirts, calendars, and framed art. All of the work in production is done by Redbubble. The site is based in Australia so the shipping prices to the US are high. I have made sales on Redbubble BUT I have yet to be paid. WHY? Redbubble pays you when your sales balance reaches $50. It has been a couple of years and I have yet to reach that.<br /><br />The other art site is <a href="http://www.artbyus.com/auctions.php?a=6&b=7036">Art by Us</a>. Here there are no fees AT ALL. You list your artwork or art supplies and you can either set a flat price or run an ebay like auction. Listings remain for months and are easily renewable - and they are free. The site is set up with an emphasis on individual listings and not on "shops", though it is possible to create a single link to all of your listings.<br /><br />So now we wait and see. Will the changes that have been announced and started to be enacted on Etsy cut down on sales? I certainly hope not but without the ability to interact on the site with potential customers, I think that there will be a downturn coming.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-72312982520613101582011-01-27T17:30:00.004-05:002011-01-27T17:30:00.394-05:00Scan Instead of PhotographI recently posted some new items in my <a href="http://qbranchltd.etsy.com/">Etsy shop</a> and when I photographed the items the images were just coming out with colors to match actual items. I used my good camera - the one that never fails - and put the images through Photoshop to correct the color as best that I could - and still the colors were not correct. There were color casts and tones that just would not go away no matter what I tried.<br /><br />I was about to give up when I thought of my scanner. Now, my new items are flat and could easily go onto the scanner bed, but I have done this in the past with fully three-dimensional items and it has worked well.<br /><br />First chose a good background - a piece of color (or white) paper or cardstock. Place the object on the glass bed of the scanner. Cover the object with the background. Close the scanner cover gently on top of the item. Most scanners are made to scan open books so there will be some flex in the cover hinges to get the cover closed flat. If you find that the cover sticks up too far and too much light gets to the bed, cover the top of the scanner with a dark cloth to block the light (this is rarely necessary). Go to your computer and scan. You will get a perfect image that you can place into your software and resize, crop, or manipulate as you choose.<br /><br />This won't work for everything but it works for many items - especially if they are small and relatively flat.<br /><br />Recently, new technology is being introduced to scanners that work with digital camera technology rather than a light bar that scans as a photocopier does. These new scanners are actually shooting high megapixel photographs of whatever is on the bed of the scanner. One that I heard about from Lexmark is selling for about $400. I am sure more will come along and the prices will drop considerably.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-90885734427578671032011-01-20T18:30:00.000-05:002011-01-20T18:30:00.608-05:00FEATURED ARTISTHere is an artist who is creating some very unique items. Come and meet<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7515364.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 434px; height: 102px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7515364.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Here is our interview with the artist, Nikki -<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briefly describe what you make?</span><br /><br />I make clutches and wallets of all different sizes, home decorations (clocks, various decorative stuff), and jewelry (earrings & bracelets for now. I'll do necklaces when I figure out a way of making or getting nice chains instead of just having to buy them at craft stores). I've also expanded my home decor line to include stuffed food men ("Food Friends"). Everything in my shop except for the stuffed food men is made from recycled materials. Right now, the items that seem to get the most views and sales are my big and small cassette tape clutches, kitchen utensil clocks and my Food Friends.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What mediums do you enjoy working in most?</span><br /><br />Sewing and polymer clay modeling. When I was a kid I would watch Gumby and those claymation TV shows, and be like "I so want to do that with clay". Nowadays, I love working with polymer clay because I can make my own charms for my jewelry. Sewing is probably my #1 medium though, and it surprises me that it is because I had to teach myself how to sew. I was horrible with a sewing machine in Home Ec class-I couldn't even thread one. I got much better at sewing when I got a good machine--a vintage Singer 301A--and could relax while sewing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been creating craft?</span><br /><br />I always loved making things when I was a kid, but I didn't really get started full-time with crafting until about 2005 when I didn't have a whole lot of money to buy stuff and realized I could make what I wanted.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you get started?</span><br /><br />I saw a girl in my acting class in college with a purse made out of Ramen Noodle soup bags, and I really wanted it, and by that I mean I REALLY wanted it. In fact, I wanted it so bad that I devised a way to sew that same bag by hand for myself. I worked at Wal-Mart at the time so I strolled through the craft section, found some vinyl material, and got to work. I had so much fun doing it and looking at the finished product, I knew that I wanted to keep doing it, so I came up with more and more ideas and my hobby grew from there. I knew I wanted to set up shop a couple years ago because I got to the point where I said to myself, "Why keep all this cool stuff just locked up in the house?"--I wanted to share my crafts with others.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where does the name of your shop come from?</span><br /><br />I wanted something that was original, but also sort of described the kind of crafting that I was aiming at. I describe my crafting as being done on sugar highs because I tend to like bright, happy designs in my work, and my work is also very youthful and kid-friendly. I remembered years ago when I would watch cartoons, that sugar cereal was called "Sugar Shox", so I thought that would be a great name for my business as it sort of describes the kind of designs I like. Plus it's short, catchy, & has a nice rhythm to it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work?</span><br /><br />I love creating new things out of old things. Some call it recycling, some call it upcycling, some call it garbage picking...:) To me, there's just nothing better that you can do than to give something old a new use. I'm also pretty much a big kid (I never really liked becoming an adult LOL), and I like to remember things from when I was younger--that is where my retro cassette tape line comes from. I know there's others who feel like I do too, and I also design things to remember those carefree summer vacation days where all you had to worry about was whether you'd go swimming that day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What words of advice do you have for other artists?</span><br /><br />Don't give up, even the smallest progress is better than nothing. You can build from even the tiniest step. Also, don't let anything stop you from doing what makes you happy--I know I'm certainly not happy just going about the old 9 to 5 workday, coming home and doing it all again the next day. That's no way to live--you have to find out what makes you happy and do it! Even if you only can do a few minutes a day of something. Doing what you love works wonders and actually works better than professional therapy!<br /><br />--------------------------<br /><br />Nice interview. Head on over now to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Sugarshoxcrafts">Nikki's shop</a> and take a look. Come on back and then leave a comment!Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-91667124574920292062011-01-13T17:34:00.002-05:002011-01-13T17:34:00.171-05:00FEATURED ARTISTHere is a jewelery artist that you really should see. Come and meet<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7352944.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 442px; height: 84px;" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7352944.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Here is our interview with the artist -<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briefly describe what you make?</span><br /><br />I make all kinds of beaded jewelry, and I also love to paint, but the main focus of Sweet Avenue at the moment is my collage pendants. I use patterned paper, acrylic tiles, and transferred images to make colorful and lightweight, graphic pendants. The other thing you will see a lot of in my shop is jewelry and hair accessories made with vintage-inspired resin flowers. I started making them purely for selfish reasons - I love to wear them myself!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What mediums do you enjoy working in most?</span><br /><br />When I am creating visual art, it's mostly acrylic paints, but also charcoal with ink, and pastels. With jewelry - semi-precious stones, beads of all shapes and sizes, paper, plastic, fabric, wood, ink, all types of metal - basically anything you can think of that can be turned into a cool-looking piece of jewelry, I will use.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been creating craft?</span><br /><br />Over twenty years now, I guess! Although, growing up my mother always encouraged our creativity, so I suppose I've been creating since I was born. I've always been a very passionate person. Apparently, when I was three or four years old, I had a crush on the boy who lived next door, so I painted him a picture, and ran out to give it to him - completely naked! Kids are great because they just do what they want to without worrying about what's proper. I think good artists are the same way.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you get started?</span><br /><br />I started beading with seed beads when I was eight years old at summer camp. I learned how to make daisy chain, tube peyote stitch, seven bead lace....and it just progressed from there. When I got older, I became more interested in gemstone beads, fashion jewelry (why buy it in the store when you can make it yourself?), and most recently, multimedia jewelry. I have sold jewelry in various ways over the years, including one summer at my parent's farm stand. I decided to open an Etsy shop just this year, and "officially" opened in May. Things have been going really well, and I'm hoping to continue to build momentum. You can also now find my things at the boutique called Trinket on Church Street in downtown Burlington, Vermont.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where does the name of your shop come from?</span><br /><br />The name of my shop comes from the beautiful song "Sweet Avenue" by the band Jets to Brazil, whose singer used to front one of my favorite bands of all time - Jawbreaker. It also happens to be the song that my sister and her husband danced to at their wedding. So besides simply being a song that I love, the song has good memories associated with it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work?</span><br /><br />One is that I make the things I make because I think they are beautiful, and I love them. I never make a piece purely because I think it will sell. The other is that when they buy a piece of jewelry, or even if they just tell me that they think it's beautiful, they are supporting an important part of me, a part that I don't get to express in my day-to-day, 9-to-5 job. It brings me so much happiness.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What words of advice do you have for other artists?</span><br /><br />Follow your heart, support your fellow artists, and dream big! On a more serious note, if you are in business, stay organized and keep good records. You'll be glad that you did!<br /><br /><br />__________________<br /><br />Now, take a look at <a href="http://www.sweetavenuejewelry.com">this shop</a> and come back here and leave a comment.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-61053783094037102992011-01-06T17:36:00.000-05:002011-01-06T17:36:00.387-05:00FEATURED ARTISTWe are back after the Holidays with another artist interview. Come and meet<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SeaminglySarah"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 472px; height: 93px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7100303.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Here is our interview with the artist, Sarah -<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briefly describe what you make?</span><br /><br />I have fabric bookmarks and reusable gift bags in my shop, but I primarily create fabric flowers to be used as an accessory. My Esty shop is relatively new to me and so is this process of creating products to sell. So I am still finding myself and what it is I want to present to the world. Right now I am in the midst of a rainbow-licious project that will include quilts, placemats, bags and more.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What mediums do you enjoy working in most?</span><br /><br />I love to work with fabric. The minute my mother gifted me with a sewing machine I was hooked. I love to draw, paint, take photographs and create will sorts of mediums, but I feel I can best offer people quality products of value through sewing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been creating craft?</span><br /><br />How long? Um...Can you count creating storybooks as a child? =) I'd say I started the love affair with sewing about 8 years ago.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you get started?</span><br /><br />It all started one winter when I was home from college for Christmas. I was an Environmental Science major and young, which meant I thought I could save the world. Coincidently my mother was slowly taking over my room and was storing her sewing machine and fabric in there. I was inspired to sew dozens of cloth gift bags in order to cut down on the amount of wrapping paper we threw away every Christmas morning. It snowballed from there. Both my mother and mother in law now have hundreds of cloth bags for Christmas and other special occassions. I wanted to challenge myself to new projects and along came blankets and quilts. Now I just want to see how I can challenge fabric to mold into the images I see in my head.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where does the name of your shop come from?<br /><br /></span>When I began to acrue more inventory than I could handle I knew it was time to start selling my products. I had just heard about Etsy on some blogs and thought this would be a great way to start. My friend and I brainstormed some shop names and she came up with Seamingly Sarah. It was perfect! I remain open to outside influences and offers of help because sometimes they are just what you need, a blessing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work?</span><br /><br />I really want people to know that (a) I love to create with fabric, (b) I truly believe each product they receive from me is made with love, pure, true, love and (c) I intend to create products that can be used over and over again, cutting down on the waste we produce in this life.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What words of advice do you have for other artists?<br /><br /></span>Words of advice? This question scares me because I deal with my own inner battle that I am a good enough artist. A large reason I started Seamingly Sarah was because I wanted to explore who I am as an artist and realize and accept my creativity - nourish and grow it. So the advice that has inspired me just to get started has been to (a) just do it, we have so many ideas go through our heads yet rarely follow through, take a step, even a small one, (b) only do it if you enjoy the process, don't get hung up on the results and (c) find a mantra to counter attack your deepest fears - mine is "I am a valuable artist"<br /><br />__________________<br /><br />Great! Now go and see <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SeaminglySarah">Sarah's shop</a> and come back and leave a comment!Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-58793573959329070632010-12-24T17:40:00.000-05:002010-12-24T17:40:00.933-05:00Happy Holidays to ALL!I just would like to wish all of our readers very happy holidays and a joyous new year! Let's all hope that 2011 will see an improving economy and a renewed growth in retail sales. We will have many artists to feature in the coming year! Our best to all!Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-13156202361829033322010-12-17T17:49:00.001-05:002010-12-17T17:49:00.157-05:00FEATURED ARTISTThis artist has some wonderful things for the tots! Come and meet<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="www.mabelise.etsy.com"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 434px; height: 102px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7424659.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Here is our interview with the artist, Gwen -<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briefly describe what you make?</span><br /><br />I design and sew blanket dolls for babies and small children. They can also be called loveys. Blanket dolls have been widely used in Europe as a comforting toy for babies. The idea is that mom sleeps with the doll for a few days and the fabric will absorb her scent. Then when baby is snuggling with the doll it can smell the comforting and familiar scent of the mother and it will soothe the baby by letting it know that mom is near.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What mediums do you enjoy working in most?</span><br /><br />Ever since I saw minky fabrics for the first time I have been hooked. The softness and texture of the fabric is just perfect for baby items. I have made so many minky blankets for my two babies and for friends. I just can’t get enough of that fabric. I’ve always been tempted to make a large blanket for myself, but somehow I just have not gotten around to it yet.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been creating craft?</span><br /><br />I have been crafting for as long as I can remember. My mother always did little craft projects with my sister and I growing up. We mostly made little clothes for our dolls and as we got older we stared to make furniture for our dollhouse. I also had a wonderful grandmother how was patient and taught me how to knit and crochet when I was really young. Most of my crafting has always revolved around sewing or knitting. I have somewhat turned my love for creating and designing into my full time job. I have been working as an architect for the last 10 years and love what I do. It is another creative outlet for me, granted the materials used are not as soft, but I get the same satisfaction from my day job as I do from crafting.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you get started?</span><br /><br />I got started with my Etsy shop just a couple of months ago, back in May. I’ve been browsing Etsy for the last 3 years and always thought that one day I would love to open my own shop. But being a brand new working mother I just couldn’t believe I’d somehow be able to manage my time well enough to pull of<br />such a big endeavor.<br /><br />When my second daughter was about 9 months old I just had this urge to design her a doll that she could cuddle with at night. She was having a terrible time sleeping through the night and I thought that if she had a truly snuggly companion to hold on to it might help her. My husband and I also noticed that she was never able to find her pacifier in her crib in the dark, so I wanted this doll to help with that problem as well. I worked on several different prototypes and after a couple of months and a lot of input from family and friends I arrived at the Blossom Baby doll which is currently featured in my Etsy shop. I made a few of these dolls for my friends’ babies as well and everyone seemed to really like them. Especially the babies! Mabel immediately took to her Blossom Baby and by tying her pacifier to the feelers of her doll we have been able to enjoy long sleep-filled nights.<br /><br />After having some success with my daughter and with friends, my sister encouraged me to look into starting my own Etsy store and I decided to just go for it. It has been a huge learning experience. Designing and sewing the dolls is the easy part for me. Setting up and promoting the store has been a wonderful challenge. I am constantly trying to improve the doll as well as my shop and am now working on a new product that I am hoping to start selling in August. I will also be adding new blanket dolls to my shop where the flower hat will be replaced with a star hat, the new Star Snuggles.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where does the name of your shop come from?</span><br /><br />The name of my shop “Mabelise” was inspired by my two beautiful little girls, Mabel who is just about to turn 2 and Elise who will be 5 years old soon. Initially I thought about naming the shop “Elise and Mabel” but after kicking around some other ideas with my sister, we came up with Mabelise. My husband was very opposed to this name in the beginning because it is just so similar to Maybelline but I simply loved that with one name I could dedicate my work to both of my children. Especially since the doll was originally designed for them. Elise has her own doll as well that she is really fond of.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work?</span><br /><br />Making these dolls has truly been a labor of love for me. I have invested so much heart and soul into these little creatures and love the idea that somewhere out there another baby or child may be comforted by one of my dolls. Every doll is completely handmade. The production of these dolls is partly done on my Singer sewing machine and partly by hand stitching. The faces are all individually embroidered by hand and I feel that in turn each doll has it’s own personality and each one is unique.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What words of advice do you have for other artists?</span><br /><br />My advice for other artists is to simply follow your passion. There are so many amazing shops in the Etsy community and so many talented artists who are just inspiring. Even if their medium is completely different from mine, seeing their artwork just encourages me to keep going. Opening and running a successful store on Etsy takes a lot of time and energy and patience. I am a very new shop owner myself and still have very far to go, but there is so much help out there in the community. Etsy is a great place to showcase your artwork and your craft, but it does take a lot of hard work. As I mentioned earlier, for me the hard part is not making my dolls, but it is running my Etsy shop itself. I think as long as you are able to take the time to learn all the different aspects of running and promoting a shop you can have a successful shop. The one thing that I never really considered when I started was how difficult it can be to achieve great photos of my items. It is the number one thing that I am trying to improve. Since no one is ever able to actually touch and feel my dolls, I need the pictures to really show off my items. So I guess besides following your passion, if you are considering opening up your own Etsy shop, learn to become a great photographer.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How do you comply with the CPSIA requirements for children’s products?</span><br /><br />All my products are made from materials that are on the exempt list for lead testing. I am required, however, to have sewn on labels on my items for tracking purposes. These labels contain my brand name and website, the materials used, care instructions, and date and place of manufacture. Currently I make those labels myself with approved fabric and inks.<br /><br />______________________________<br /><br />Great interview! Please come and look at what Gwen has in her <a href="www.mabelise.etsy.com">shop</a>! They make great gifts!Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-84257639214754018272010-12-10T16:46:00.005-05:002010-12-10T16:46:00.838-05:00GAMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS!Everyone enjoys a good game and I make three great ones. These are perfect gifts for the family, for friends, for anyone on your gift list. OR just for you! Treat yourself once in a while!<br /><br />My games are historic reproductions - but history does not have to be boring! Just because a game has been played for hundreds of years - in one case thousands of years - does not mean that the game will not be enjoyed just as much today!<br /><br />Here are the games! And you can purchase them at <a href="http://qbranchltd.etsy.com/">Q Branch Ltd.</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFkMhSN3yv92Y1FWgB-XHjWFAImQ8ilJjCpDi_bojTzlIMR0bL7mbtHh-rnWEtQG9uhAPxqNQ0PIfjnvni9r9T0Ko6c7h5yRV9LC1wwsyX_SaUbw03DI-R-pRiVx_EzuWAChnPRCrCgc/s1600/Pocket+box+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFkMhSN3yv92Y1FWgB-XHjWFAImQ8ilJjCpDi_bojTzlIMR0bL7mbtHh-rnWEtQG9uhAPxqNQ0PIfjnvni9r9T0Ko6c7h5yRV9LC1wwsyX_SaUbw03DI-R-pRiVx_EzuWAChnPRCrCgc/s320/Pocket+box+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540268377824530210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8RzOej2DGQBkM5l39tFVYtRIx0KogT-xrSJgbU8vcfmOxoVjvEpC4HhHwntaxz_8X6VPEskIrGXk63WuDkcby-rGoHU5y0URgCjYzYVfHmT37TvtZrHgCb_mY6UAVoB6HLyzKxI3q4U/s1600/pirategame1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8RzOej2DGQBkM5l39tFVYtRIx0KogT-xrSJgbU8vcfmOxoVjvEpC4HhHwntaxz_8X6VPEskIrGXk63WuDkcby-rGoHU5y0URgCjYzYVfHmT37TvtZrHgCb_mY6UAVoB6HLyzKxI3q4U/s320/pirategame1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540269095384368626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp_YXdmi1Ogo1uA-rSsEahH5WnI6fawcX4m903aXdV74Je14oZRnR9v9XkE8P-vTFBRySu8W_Lr-1vxryY8RJDjf9H2ibt5NKIOGP2DnjxqQ8m6mRGvpsnZuiWKIycpBDw7R-4wLtgb4/s1600/Morris1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp_YXdmi1Ogo1uA-rSsEahH5WnI6fawcX4m903aXdV74Je14oZRnR9v9XkE8P-vTFBRySu8W_Lr-1vxryY8RJDjf9H2ibt5NKIOGP2DnjxqQ8m6mRGvpsnZuiWKIycpBDw7R-4wLtgb4/s320/Morris1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540269548670419378" border="0" /></a>Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-45750805353657655642010-12-03T17:38:00.000-05:002010-12-03T17:38:00.219-05:00FEATURED ARTISTHere is a great gift idea. Come and meet<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/twiddletoes"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 465px; height: 107px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7513209.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Here is our interview with the artist, Stacy -<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briefly describe what you make?</span><br /><br />Socks. I have two main flavors that I have listed in my shop: tabi (traditional Japanese, split-toe socks) and my Simple Luxury line.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What mediums do you enjoy working in most?</span><br /><br />I enjoy working with natural fiber yarns. There are some synthetics that work well for me and my current focus, but I really find the most inspiration and pleasure working with fiber from animals, be it common wool or luscious cashmere or alpaca. There's just something about the way it handles and suits itself to socks that appeals to me.<br /><br />There are some amazing synthetics and alternatives to natural fibers for those who are vegan, allergic/sensitive, or just want something else, so don't think I'm putting down those fibers. Just a personal preference for my current production. :)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been creating craft?</span><br /><br />I've been creating since I was tiny. My mother is an amazing craftswoman, and made all of our clothes growing up, from jeans to sweaters to underwear. There's nothing she can't do, if she decides to take the time to try. From my earliest memories, I remember making modeling clay sculptures, learning how to decorate Easter eggs, helping her with her baking, and drinking straw and card towers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you get started?</span><br /><br />I started knitting at around age 9. My mom gave up her knitting for other pursuits a few years before, so I had an heirloom collection of knitting needles (some over 100 years old!) and patterns and books to start. I taught myself, and my mom helped me out when I needed it. I've taken breaks from it, and really picked it back up again about seven years ago.<br /><br />Socks became my focus as I tried to eliminate my husband and father from stuffing their regular socks into flip flops, and I haven't looked back. I sold them at craft shows and fairs for a few years, but developed health problems, moved, and wasn't able to get back into that sort of production. I started my own website and Etsy shop a little over a year ago, and have found it a great way to maintain my older clients and find new ones without the physical demands.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where does the name of your shop come from?</span><br /><br />I don't really know, to be honest! When I first toyed with selling my socks, it's the name that popped into my head and stuck. I wanted a name that related to feet without being totally foot oriented, and thought it was cute and quirky and fit with my theme pretty well.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work?</span><br /><br />I've found that a lot of people shy away from my products because of my primary use of natural fibers. There's a pretty common feeling that natural fibers are hard to care for and super picky, but there's a natural fiber (or fiber blend) out there for every lifestyle and care regimen. I try to link my easy peasy instructions for washing my socks in my listings, and I've had people try out wool for the first time and that makes me happy. :)<br /><br />I'd also like people to give a pair of handmade socks a try. I hear a lot of '$50 for socks? I can buy 10 pairs at <big> for half that!', and I'd almost like to hand those people a pair with the instructions to wear them a week and report back. Not everyone likes, appreciates, or cares about the difference, but I like to think that you can feel the warmth from the creator in each pair. There's a common line out there that says that handmade socks are like hugs for your feet, and I truly believe that. Besides, where else can you get socks knit to fit your foot specifically?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What words of advice do you have for other artists?</span><br /><br />At least once, try one thing at a time and experiment within that area, rather than bouncing from new thing to new thing. I used to feel like I was most creative and had the best ideas when I bounced from craft to craft, but I've found that I can be more creative when I spend time focused in a more narrow area. Experiment with colors, textures, and patterns and you might find a new path to take.<br /><br />_____________________<br /><br />Nice! Now, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/twiddletoes">come and look!</a>Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-79860767693607441852010-11-26T18:26:00.000-05:002010-11-26T18:26:00.119-05:00FEATURED ARTISTThis artist creates something useful in everyone's home. Come and meet<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fancy4u"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 472px; height: 83px;" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7120606.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Here is our interview with the artist -<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briefly describe what you make?</span><br /><br />I create unique hand painted accent pillows for home or office decor. I like to think of them as 'that little something extra' that adds a bit of art without using wall space, or as a point of interest in a space that could use some spark!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What mediums do you enjoy working in most?</span><br /><br />When I first began experimenting, I used permanent ink on different kinds of fabric until I found what worked best for me, then began using paint in order to expand my use of colour. Currently, I continue to use high quality fabric paint with a mix of fabrics to vary the look and to appeal to a wider variety of customers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been creating craft?</span><br /><br />I started sketching my shoes just for fun almost one year ago, things evolved from that point on and I now have an Etsy shop that I enjoy spending time in!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you get started?</span><br /><br />After a long and rewarding career with a large Canadian corporation, I retired and began a quest to try some things I had never done before. One of these thoughts included trying my hand at some form of art; what it might be was unknown at that time. I have always loved shoes, and I thought it might be fun to use some of my high heels as subjects of inspiration for sketches. I did this, and the idea to create hand painted pillows followed. Although I had never sewn, with my husband's encouragement, I bought a small sewing machine, did some reading online on how to make pillow covers, then proceeded to make my first pillow!<br /><br />From there, it's been a steady evolution, and I'm now thrilled to say my pillows have found homes all over North America!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where does the name of your shop come from?</span><br /><br />My shop name 'fancy4u' is actually a name I made up in haste when I found something on Etsy I wanted to buy, but needed a username! This was long before I had any plans to open a shop on Etsy. When you visit my shop you will notice my banner says 'PillowArt' and that is the name I will use when Etsy allows us to make those changes in future.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work?</span><br /><br />I like the idea of my pillows being used to change or freshen the decor in a home without needing to go to a lot of expense. My pieces can add a fun twist or accent to the theme in a room's decor, or become the starting point to build theme in a room. To me, there is nothing like a unique handmade piece of art to bring a room alive and add fun and flair. I have become such a fan of handmade and Etsy is the place to find 'that perfect something' you're looking for!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What words of advice do you have for other artists?</span><br /><br />You must always have fun creating, no matter what it is you're working on. Be prepared to work hard at getting exposure for your craft, the hard work will pay off and many other people will ultimately be able to appreciate your creations also!<br /><br /><br />____________________________<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fancy4u">Come look, come buy</a>. This is a shop not to be missed.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-3176114115213817592010-11-18T17:38:00.000-05:002010-11-18T17:38:00.637-05:00FEATURED ARTISTThis artist does something that is a bit different from the others that we have interviewed. Come and meet<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpeakForYourself"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 459px; height: 90px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7454409.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Here is our interview with the artist, Suzanne<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briefly describe what you make?</span><br /><br />I screen print original designs and drawings that I create and then put onto t-shirts, totes, onesies and hankies. I try to come up with things that speak to me that hopefully speak to others. Some of my designs are image based and a few are text based. A simple onesie with hand drawn trucks or fresh grown flowers can be found in my shop. And contrastly, you can find a simple "Romance is Dead" piece on another shirt that I wrote, designed and printed. You can also find designs that have been test printed onto a shirt or bag. This is where the first print of a screen is tested so I can see how the ink coverage is working. I use the entire shirt or bag, covering it with these tests, so they are mix matched and fun.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What mediums do you enjoy working in most?</span><br /><br />Definitely screen printing, which is perfectly matched for my design work. I have a degree from Herron School of Art and Design, which has been around for more than a hundred years! I'm found on my computer or with my sketch book in hand a lot while I'm home.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been creating craft?</span><br /><br />I've been an artist, since I was young, starting off focusing on painting with oils while I was in high school. When I went to college I ended up discovering Visual Communication, which is graphic design, and fell in love. It's amazing how imagery and text beautifully put together can communicate powerfully. It just doesn't have to say something, it can be beautiful, or purposely ugly. This is the power you have as the designer or artist to evoke feelings and send messages. Sometimes it can be a way to work through things personally or celebrate things...visual communication is universal. Everyone has something to say, some people want to hear what you have to say, some agree, and some don't, which is totally fine. We are all so different, it's just fun personally to say what I want to say creatively. I've been screen printing for 2 years.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you get started?</span><br /><br />I've been interested in printmaking since college. But since I paid for college myself, I was very selective of the classes I took. But my hunger for printmaking grew.<br /><br />So, using a garden hose and the sunlight, I began teaching myself how to screen print. It took a few months to get the process down and I'm still finding that I'm learning more and more about screen printing the longer I do it. And I have to say, teaching myself the process by trial and error has made this experience more emotional than I would expect. A successful exposure and print made my day! It felt so good to get it right. And oppositely but equally, when I didn't succeed I felt like tossing the screen into the trash! Learning from my own mistakes was very gratifying. I felt like I conquered something that at one point I knew nothing about. How fun is that!?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where does the name of your shop come from?</span><br /><br />Speak For Yourself. It is a bold and powerful thing to speak for yourself. Standing up and speaking up, sometimes that takes guts and can be a scary thing, but I think it is hugely important. Be brave. Also, communication is so important, we can all strive to be open and sometimes just a little more honest. It is a vulnerable thing to do, but I think it pays off in the end. You can be stronger personally and speak up for yourself, others, the environment, disease, all types of things, that's how the ball gets rolling, and if you do it effectively, you can change things!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work?</span><br /><br />My work is something I'm compelled to do, I'm passionate. I like to have fun. I love beautiful things. I'm honest and I think my work is too. I love what I do, it can be scary making things for other people, but it's exciting when people appreciate it or can identify with my work.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What words of advice do you have for other artists?</span><br /><br />Keep your chin up! I think it is difficult for some artists [obviously me :)] to continue putting yourself out there and seeing what others think of you and your work. Art is subjective, and sometimes what your saying people disagree with or don't get the feeling behind it. If you're a sensitive person this can be challenging, but if you can stay positive, that is the key.<br /><br />-------------------<br /><br />Great interview. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpeakForYourself">Come and see this shop</a>! Then come back and leave a comment!Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-69335478544720188462010-11-04T17:17:00.000-04:002010-11-04T17:17:00.766-04:00FEATURED ARTISTWe are featuring a fiber artist. Come and meet<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://knotworkshop.com/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 487px; height: 117px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7838047.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Here is our interview with the artist, Diane:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briefly describe what you make? </span><br /><br />Figuratively? I make people laugh (I hope). Literally, I crochet all sorts of items- hats, scarves, mug cozies, ipod cases, etc, etc. I love yarn, bright colors, and have a short attention span. So crochet ticked all the boxes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What mediums do you enjoy working in most?</span><br /><br />As stated, I love yarn. So in addition to crochet I also knit. However I like calling myself a hooker which is why crochet took the top spot. Aside from crochet I very lightly dabble in photography and painting.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been creating craft? </span><br /><br />I'm not what you would consider a crafty person. For example, I buy all the stuff to make an awesome scrapbook of a summer vacation and then it just sits there gathering dust. That being said, I enjoy making things. The universe says you can't make stuff. It all exists and we just manipulate the atoms. But when I take a ball of yarn and make it into something you can wear or use, well, it's as close to being a god as I'm ever going to get.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you get started? </span><br /><br />A neighbor taught me to knit when I was about 10. I thought it was cool that I could carry around sharp, pointy sticks. I learned to crochet a little over a year ago. From the moment I learned I was hooked (pun intended).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where does the name of your shop come from? </span><br /><br />When I was learning to crochet I had a day job I dreaded. By dread I mean every fiber of my being turned to stone the moment I pulled into the parking lot of my office. I could barely get down the side walk. It was like walking through peanut butter to force myself to show up. Crochet was/is a stress relief and it was not work. It was pure pleasure. So my shop is KnotWork, meaning no matter how busy I get or how frustrating it can be, it is still not work to me in the literal sense.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work?</span><br /><br />For those who crochet or knit you understand the time it takes. The items may seem costly to many because our society simply doesn't value yarn. And while our materials may cost less than say the silver wire to wrap around a lovely bead- it is our time and expertise you are paying for. So many people think they can knit or crochet. And yes, many people can with lots of practice. But we've already practiced and perfected and we sat there for three hours making that hat. Please remember that when you're distracted by those shiny beads at the table next to ours at a craft show. :)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What words of advice do you have for other artists? </span><br /><br />Decide whether this is simply an art/hobby or a business. If it's a business then you should keep trying new things and see what sells. If it's a hobby, or your art, keep trying new things if you want to be challenged. But don't stubbornly stick to what you like and wonder why no one else wants to buy it. However, always make sure that your personality comes through in your work as that is what makes you truly unique.<br /><br />------------------<br /><br />Great interview! And some great items just in time for holiday shopping! Go and check out <a href="http://knotworkshop.com/">Diane's shop</a>. Then come on back and leave a comment!Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-52039966762057602652010-11-01T01:27:00.001-04:002010-11-01T01:29:53.141-04:00New SiteCome take a look at a new photo blog site that I have created to feature my photography. The images will be added twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. Most images will be available for sale at one of the sites that I am on. Come and see <a href="http://qbranchltdphotos.blogspot.com">PAST PERFECT</a>.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-75373622089298916452010-10-21T17:45:00.002-04:002010-10-21T17:45:00.624-04:00New AdditionI have just added a new version of my popular and historic Pirate's Box Game to my shop. This is a portable, pocket version of the game. And just as historically correct!<br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/http://www.etsy.com/listing/59069209/pocket-pirates-box-game" target="_new"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/http://www.etsy.com/listing/59069209/pocket-pirates-box-game" target="_new"><img style="width: 293px; height: 236px;" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_430xN.183655579.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The pocket version is played the same way and is just as much fun - perhaps even more so when you can stash it in your pocket and take it anywhere that you go!<br /><br /></div></div>This was a gambling game that was played by pirates and adventurers in seaports and aboard ships around the world for 250+ years.<br /><br />Now, it is fun for all. It is a challenging game of strategy. Wager on the outcome and it is back to the days of the pirates when treasure's were won and lost at this game.<br /><br />The game is played with dice and number tokens. The game can be learned in a minute or two and will be played for hours at a time. The best part of this game is that it can be played alone when no one else is around to play and still be fun. It may be played by any number of players.<br /><br />EACH GAME TOKEN HAS BEEN KISSED BY FIRE AS IS BEFITTING A PIRATE!<br /><br />You get 9 rustic number game tokens that measure over 1.25" in diameter of solid wood, two "faux bone" dice, and a cloth bag to keep it in and carry it in. The game instructions are laminated and fit in the bag with the playing pieces. The pocket version of the game sells for $12 plus shipping.<br /><br />This makes a great gift for holidays, birthday, or just for you!Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-69744804908822569862010-10-14T18:14:00.000-04:002010-10-14T18:14:00.173-04:00I Don't Think I Want to Do Craft Shows AnymoreWe have been doing craft shows for more than twenty five years. In the past five years or so, craft shows have become overwhelmed with vendors selling imported, commercial merchandise. So much so that you can hardly find the handmade among the garbage that is being sold. There was a time when these "buy and sell" vendors would try to hide that what they were selling was commercial - they would take the stickers off that say "Made in China", they would remove the commercial packaging, and hide the shipping cartons that it all was delivered to them in from the factory. Not anymore. Now the imports are just put out on display with the packaging and the stickers of origin - and the cartons stacked behind the tables.<br /><br />We recently did a craft show that we have been doing for twenty years. This is actually the only show that we have done for several years now since the commercial vendors overtook the other shows that we do. As we are sitting in on booth we are seeing people walking by with commercial holiday decorations and kids with plastic toys. One woman and daughter came up to look at my wife's collector teddy bears (which sell for all of $5) and the daughter was deciding which one she liked. There was a discussion and then the mother said, "Ok, if you would rather have the Webkin, we will go back to that booth and buy it now." And then they walked away. Webkin? Craft? Of course not. Webkins are commercial dolls. And they were being sold at this so-called "craft show". I then decided to walk around the show and see for myself. I walked up and down the first two aisles of this large show. On those first two aisles alone there were 28 booths selling commercial items (exclusively). This was the majority of booths in those aisles. Moving along to the rest of the show, the same was found. It was hard to find the crafts and easy to see who was getting business - the guys selling jewelery for $3 / 2 for $5. All of which was commercial. With this there is just no way to compete.<br /><br />In the past at this particular show we would come away with a profit for the day of several hundred dollars. This year we barely sold over the entrance fee for the show - which means that we gave away all that we sold and then lost money.<br /><br />We have been told - complain to the show promoter. We have done this several times - and each time we were not invited to come back to do the show while the buy and sell vendors returned. All of the shows that we have done, including this one, are juried to get in. Obviously, whoever is jurying the show does not know what they are looking at OR just does not care. And no one ever comes around to see that what you are actually selling at the show is what was juried. The people next to us were selling commercial candy - in the wrappers. Did someone jury Hershey bars?<br /><br />This is not just a local problem. The professional craft trade magazines have noted this as well - and not just with local shows but with the large "exclusive" shows as well.<br /><br />It is a disgrace when someone shopping at a craft show comes up and looks at your craft and says "Oh, is this handmade?" A polite, of course, is the answer, but they look astonished that anyone would actually make things to sell. And in essence, they really don't care. And they certainly do not appreciate the time and talent that goes into the items that need to sell for more than the imports.<br /><br />No, I don't think I want to do craft shows anymore.Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276561724870545436.post-7269989778620996852010-10-07T17:25:00.000-04:002010-10-07T17:25:00.244-04:00FEATURED ARTISTHere is an artist who works in various media. I would like to introduce you to<br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/http://www.kelligbarnettdesigns.etsy.com" target="_new"><br /><img style="width: 456px; height: 143px;" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/iusb_760x100.7336417.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is our interview with the artist, Kelli -<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Briefly describe what you make?</span><br /><br />I make a lot of things, but my true love is painting. I paint on canvas, wood, furniture, walls, floors, you name it. I also love making hair clips and bows and handcrafted jewelry. I love things that make people go, "Where did you get that???? It is so fun and unique!" I have a new line of up cycled barn wood paintings that are getting noticed quickly locally and on etsy too...that excites me.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What mediums do you enjoy working in most?</span><br /><br />I love acrylic paint the most and the more I mix it the more I like it...I am a color lover and mixing interesting colors and hues is fun for me. I love to layer paintings to bring out a bright, vivid mix of colors.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How long have you been creating craft?</span><br /><br />I don't' remember not painting...so my entire life I suppose. I consider my first real paintings to be the set I did when I was nine months pregnant with my son. He is 8 now. They are of an elephant, an alligator and a monkey. I couldn't find what I wanted and whipped them out while my parents and my husband painted Greer's nursery. I finished in much less time than they did and couldn't wait for the walls to dry to get them up. I got so many compliments on them I started doing paintings for other people and it just kept growing from there. I sell at a lot of local craft shows now, but am new to selling on etsy. I am hoping to build a fan base there like the one I have locally. I began making jewelry a few years ago and started selling it almost immediately. I began making hair bows when I had my little girl and wanted to make some for her. I used my extra stock to make more to sell and they took off fast.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you get started?</span><br /><br />I just went for it. It was word of mouth at first and still many customers come from the word spreading of satisfied customers. I am still working on my etsy store and am a newbie there. I am frugal with my shop and only put money into it from sales. This supports my habit of creating and allows me to continue doing it even when the economy is down.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where does the name of your shop come from?</span><br /><br />I used my name a long time ago on my very first business cards and have just kept it ever since. I have thought about changing it over the years, but it is working for me. I include my middle initial as a nod to my Dad who I adore.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you most want people to know about your work?</span><br /><br />That a lot of obsessive compulsiveness goes into each piece...into each stroke really. I try my best to have the best possible craftsmanship and I don't make anything unless I am enjoying making it. I always want this to be fun...never something I dread or that feels like work.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What words of advice do you have for other artists?</span><br /><br />Go for it! And do everything you can to get it out there. I keep a list of strategies and ideas and haven't implemented them all yet, but I am always planning my next move and prioritizing what that move should be. Do what you love and love what you do!!! That's what life is all about, right??? If not it should be.<br /><br />__________________________<br /><br />Wonderful interview. Wonderful shop - <a href="Http://www.kelligbarnettdesigns.etsy.com">come see!</a>Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06664259206096691320noreply@blogger.com0