Friday, December 19, 2008
Not too Late to Buy Handmade
We sometimes forget that shopping local for handmade is an excellent choice. I actually prefer it to shopping on-line because I am supporting the community, the shop and the artist. Another benefit is that I can check out the quality of the product before I buy it.
Here are some ways to find handmade in your area...
1) Fairs- check your local paper in the Arts section for information about Street fairs, Farmers Markets or Art Shows happening in your community this weekend.
2)High End Boutiques- you will often find handmade jewelry and other accessories in these shops. Yes, it's more expensive but if you are splurging on a nice piece- it's worth it. Sometimes these are stand-alone establishments or they are located in a hotel or mall.
3)Consignment shops- Oh...a virtual treasure trove! There are many consignment shops in average size cities- some cater to home goods, some womens high end clothing; others to baby and children's items. Often you will find a considerable about of locally made goods in these establishments to round of their selections of gently used items.
If you are tight on time you can do internet searches for local shops matching certain keywords. Call ahead and see if they have items in the general categories that you are looking to purchase.
Some other places to look are museum shops, stationary stores/card shops and off the beaten path type of general stores.
Good Luck!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Jewelry for Your Little Darling
littlepinkposies.etsy.com
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
An Awesome Sterling Ring on the Super Cheap
klawrencedesigns.etsy.com
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Industrial Whimsy Nightlight Shade
MariposaAvenue.etsy.com
Monday, December 15, 2008
For the Fashion Forward Tween, Teen or Adult
onearmedscissors.etsy.com
Friday, December 12, 2008
For the Nintendo Addict
pumpingalrights.etsy.com
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Help Someone Bring Paris into Every Corner of Their Home
parischicboutique.etsy.com
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Something Unique for Someone Special
boopsiedaisy.etsy.com
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
A Little Something for the Person Who has Everything
whimsylove.etsy.com
Monday, December 8, 2008
For the Handbag Addict
This is created by LaVitaLola- the peacock is my favorite but I would be happy with nearly every one that she makes. I promise you will find the perfect one for the handbag addict on your list- in addition she will be the only one in her circle that owns it! This one is lined with teal silk and is topped with a silver kisslock frame for $45
lavitalola.etsy.com
Friday, December 5, 2008
Irreverent Christmas Greetings
earmark.etsy.com
Thursday, December 4, 2008
For the Funky Brooch Wearer
annalaura.etsy.com
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
For a Magical Princess
Thyme2dream.etsy.com
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
A Gift for a Family
Mounted to a tin with pre-drilled holes so you can add your own ribbon for a really custom touch. You could use rope for a nautical themed decor- chain for industrial and modern or nuts and bolts for direct mounting. Hold on to your seats folks- this is only $10!
scribbleIt.etsy.com
Monday, December 1, 2008
Pretty Little Butterflies for the Hair
mamaslittlebabies.etsy.com
Friday, November 28, 2008
For the Trendy Apartment Dweller
badasscustomdecals.etsy.com
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
For the Plush Collector
ennadesignshop.etsy.com
Monday, November 24, 2008
Something Sweet- But Not to Eat!
loveleesoaps.etsy.com
Friday, November 21, 2008
For the Crafter
I have lots of friends who create and make and craft....they love do for others and share their talents with their friends and families. This is the perfect gift for that crafty friend- custom craft room tags that they can present with their little handmade gifts. They will be amazed at how thoughtful and unique your gift is. For $15 you will get a set which includes 30 tags in 10 different styles, measuring 2"x4" each.
www.farouche.etsy.com
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Star Wars Lovers- Proclaim Yourselves!
minepress.etsy.com
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Know a Coffee Junkie? Who Doesn't?!!!
jenngee.etsy.com
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Got a 2-5 Year Old Girl on Your List?
I have my eye on these for my niece who just turned 3. She loves to help her mom make cupcakes, she plays dress up and makes food in her pretend kitchen. I think she would just love it and live in it. WildOliveKids makes kids clothes but specializes in particular in these aprons. They currently have over 20 of these in stock to choose from. These are priced at $22.
WildOliveKids.etsy.com
Monday, November 17, 2008
Great Funky Ornaments
myimaginaryboyfriend.etsy.com
Friday, November 14, 2008
For the Yoga Enthusiast
Polarity makes magnetic accessories of all types with different themes and pictures. It also comes in a little tin that is perfect for gift giving. It sells for $16
Polarity.etsy.com
Thursday, November 13, 2008
For the Bike (cycle that is) Lover
My sweetie is a bicycle rider- gets up early whenever he can to take his baby to the road. I am so getting this for him- it's his favorite color and the bike actually looks like the Pinarello that he actually rides. It's an organic tee made by Vital and sells for $26
vital.etsy.com
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
chez-sucre-chez
Describe what you sell?
This has always been a difficult task. My interests change so often, and what I sell at any given moment is directly related to whatever craft or technique I am into at that time. For a while it was ceramics, and then paper-crafts, and then knitting, and then sewing on my machine, and then cross-stitch, and then embroidery. I've adopted the term "handcrafted miscellany" to describe what I do. Currently, I am mostly focused on textiles and needlework.
What is your "real" life like?
Well, in January, I had an opportunity to buy a huge old fixer-upper house in the
What is your process?
With the current work that I am doing, it is mostly just needle and thread and embroidery hoops. I am fortunate to have two great shops near me where I can buy all of my supplies (neither of which has a website, though). The Crewel World is an embroidery and needlecraft store in my town that is owned and run by a very sweet woman named Shirley whom I look forward to seeing everytime I need supplies. Also in town is a mennonite-run shop called Wooden Bridge Dry Goods. They have great fabric and lots of the notions that I need for my work. It really makes me happy to be able to ride my bicycle to these shops and to have a rapport with the shop-keepers. I also have a number of wonderful thrift/antique/flea markets around me where I can find unique trimmings and supplies.
What are your goals and vision for your business?
For the short-term, I've filled my calendar with lots of craft fairs between now and December. I also plan to continue marketing my etsy shop. After that, I just don't know.
How and where do you market your business?
Currently, I am doing all of my sales through etsy: www.chezsucrechez.etsy.com. Someday in the not-too-distant future, though, I would like to move that business to a regular website. I gotta learn how to do that first, though. My goods are also being sold at Sprout Home, in their Brooklyn and
Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
This is definitely something I need to learn about! The Etsy Storque site is a great resource that I check in on often. I've also just signed myself up to the Modish Marketing newsletter where Jena of Modish compiles and send out tips on how to be a crafty marketer.
What inspires you?
People inspire me a lot. This whole notion of attempting to make a living off of what I love doing was really inspired by my friends Simon and Estelle in
Who is your favorite musical artist?
This changes almost daily! Some days, all I want to listen to is the Amelie soundtrack. Other days it's Bob Dylan, or T-Rex, or Beyonce, or Muddy Waters or Joy Division or Ride or the Sonics or the Zombies or the Association or Nina Simone or Herman Dune or the same New Order song over and over and over. Yeah, I like to change it up. Currently, I am really loving the music of Willie Breeding
What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
my piggy goes to market tote: i take mine with me everywhere.
my silver-lined cloud cross-stitch pieces: i just really, really love them.
I'm a fan of...
tastespotting
decor8
shelteriffic
day19
whipup
Find me...
www.chezsucrechez.blogspot.com
www.chezsucrechez.etsy.com
www.flickr.com/photos/chezsucrechez
www.threadandbutter.blogspot.com
WhiMSy love
I’m a stay-at home-mom. That’s my #1 duty. After feeding kids & reading stories & playing games, I make stuff. And in-between putting off loads of laundry, I make stuff. After the days errands are complete, dishes are done & littles ones are sleeping, I make stuff. I LOVE making stuff! I also love thrifting, taking pictures, spontaneity, the color pink, laughing, eating peanut butter, cuddling with my hunky hubby & anything cupcake-y.
Because I make a random assortment of goodies, I have a random assortment of supplies. But mostly I like taking vintage items like
Short term I’d like to make it through the holidays in a successful crafty whirlwind. I’m doing my first show this December! Long-term, I’d like to help bring home the bacon.
I’ve found that how much or how little I put into my business equals how much or how little I’ll get out of it. And being a mom of two kidlets, that’s a little tricky. I do simple things like handing out my biz card wherever I can, updating my blog on a regular basis, networking with other artists online & selling/consigning my items to other online shops. And I just joined Twitter. Eventually I also plan on approaching local boutiques about selling WhiMSy love goodies.
My 2 girls inspire me A LOT! Kids see things in a very different & very cool way, & so a lot of times I steal their ideas. HAHA! They sometimes say the most silly things…that make complete sense. I wonder what I’ll do when they grow up & move out? I guess I’ll have to borrow someone else’s kids. I also find that an occasional break is very inspirational---anything from a nice relaxing candlelit
I love music. I listen to all styles of music. I’m on a Damien Rice fix right now. But I could listen to this version of ‘Rain King’ by the
I love the vintage button rings! I wear a different one almost every day.
And I also really like my book art, “Writing on the Wall”. I have them hanging in my own home & they‘re just funky pieces of artwork! (pictured below)
Besides checking my email & blog a bazillion times a day, I’ve also been known to visit these sites:
http://projectplaylist.com
http://oneprettything.com
Flickr--http://www.flickr.com/photos/whimsy_girl/
http://allrecipes.com
I just recently joined Twitter & it’s so much fun! http://twitter.com/whimsylove
Come visit my Etsy shop
See the goofy girl (that’s me!)
Oh, & this is totally random, but I was super psyched that one of my tutorials was recently featured on the CRAFTzine.com blog
AND
Sunday, November 9, 2008
ParisChicBoutique
What is your "real" life like?
I live in a great building in
What is your process?
Most of our items are ceramic so we use special paints that are later fired to create permanent art. The tote bags offered are all organic cotton canvas and we use all natural pigments made for fabric painting, again creating a permanent bond. Just browsing through our shop, you can see that we paint on just about everything and use all different types of materials. Right now, our favorite decoration is glitter! Just in time for the holiday season!
What are your goals and vision for your business?
Short term goals are to sell as many products as our little hands can keep up with! Long term we would love to grow our business by obtaining more wholesale accounts and having more availability of the Paris Chic Boutique line.
How and where do you market your business?
Mainly on Etsy but there are so many wonderful blogs that have so graciously featured some of our products:
www.organic4baby.com
http://onthedotcreations.typepad.com/onthedotcreations/
http://trendytots.typepad.com/trendytots/
Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
Martha Stewart Living, (lots of entrepreneurial advice & creative ideas)
What inspires you?
So many inspirations...just love
Who is your favorite musical artist?
Neko Case but love such a broad range...classical music while painting, classic rock while emailing.
Cabinet Knobs: (pictured above)These were just so much fun to paint on because they are so small!
Wish, Dream & Believe Painting: (pictured below)
Just love this painting because i had no idea where it was going and I love the outcome!
I am a fan of...
www.daisycakessoap.etsy.com: best soaps I ever bought!
www.TRUEGODDESSFRAGRANCE.etsy.com: quality incense in hundreds of scents!
www.pacokeco.etsy.com: creative paper products that will amaze you!
For book lovers:
www.paperbackswap.com : you can recycle your books and get great new ones for free!
Find Seller.....
The Paris Chic Boutique line can be found in many boutiques across the
Flourish Boutique & Gallery
www.flourishboutique.com
810.985.0075
Brentwood Kitchens ; www.BrentwoodKitchen.com
Fortunes Rocks Fine Art
www.TheBabyGiftShoppe.com
www.allisonluciart.blogspot.com
Sellers Who Go Above and Beyond
Deco Alley was featured on my blog last month and wanted to thank me by sending me a little sampler. When it arrived my 9 year old daughter and I tore the package open and discovered some miniature goodies like biscuits, bagels and donuts. My daughter immediatly had ideas how SHE could use them- or - how I could use them to make something for her. I ended up making her a charm bracelet out of the bagels and it was so cute. Above is a picture of one of my favorite new things by Deco Alley.
Another artist that I recently featured was Blue Rock Gourds. As I said in the post that I did about them- my heart is warmed by the family nature of their business. They went out of their way to thank me by sending me a gourd. Now, I have- historically- never been a big fan of gourds-maybe I thought I was too cool for gourds- or they were too crafty. I am a modern girl- stainless steel birdhouses- that kind of thing. I am a gourd loving convert now- they seem so alive because they come from nature. When I opened the box I was wowed by how dynamic and glossy the stain was on it. She included the extra touch of sending it in my favorite color- green! I was so overwhelmed by the generosity of it and it's unexpected beauty. I immediately hung the birdhouse gourd on a tree that you see from the patio door so I could continue to admire it from indoors. I am selling my house and all of my personal items are in storage- which is where, technically, this gourd should be also but I don't care- I am going to hang it proudly on that tree until I move- then I will hang it at my new house. BTW- they tell me, over at Blue Rock Gourds that they send out a thank you gourd a week- what a great idea!
LolasCraftShop makes the cutest cards. I was on her blog awhile back and left a comment - she contacted me and asked for my address so she could send me the card that I commented about. It was an owl card- not the one above. When I got it in the mail I was taken back by the workmanship she puts into these cards. I left it on my counter so I could admire it for a few days before tucking it away into my card box. I am waiting for the perfect opportunity to send it to someone- or give it to someone that I like alot. I just feel like sending a card like that out of the blue is such a great approach to marketing yourself- I have to figure out how I can incorporate that into my business.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Sick Days
I can't help but think of all the things that I have to do, from laundry to cooking, my business- oh, and I have to update mt blog daily- I promised myself that I would do that. So here I am, updating my blog for the certain pleasure of my loyal readers. Are you pleased? (laughing)
I do have a useful piece of information in all of this though.....Puffs tissues with Vicks lotion added are the best thing since sliced bread- if you get a cold make sure you have these on hand. They have prevented my nose from getting red and cracked and they give me that tiny bit of sinus clearing goodness that I am oh so grateful for.
Click on the picture above to go to the Puffs site and read more about them.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Keri Rounding
What is your "real" life like?
When I’m not creating, I work part time in an office at a hockey arena. My free time is spent with my cat
What is your process?
First I do a little sketch of what I want the piece to look like and then start experimenting with the wool. I have about 9 styles of brooches now but am always coming up with new ideas. I do every piece by hand using a wet felting technique. The little balls are done using needle felting. I love to work with merino wool- it felts easily and feels great! Each piece takes about an hour each to complete.
What are your goals and vision for your business?
My short-term goals are to make more products and work on new ideas. I’m currently working on expanding into a line of felted bags. I have also opened a new etsy shop which showcases my embroidered brooches. Long-term, I would like to continue to expand the business- maybe into clothing.
How and where do you market your business?
I am always adding new photos of my work to flickr. I also use www.weloveetsy.com and http://buriedtreasury.ning.com/ to showcase my work.
What inspires you?
Receiving a new shipment of dyed wool is always exciting. I am inspired by the
possibilities of colour combinations. I can’t wait to get to work on matching them up. I also like to flip through photography books. I’ll go to the library and check out books on sea life or biology. The images inspire me to create.
Who is your favorite musical artist? (click artist name to see a video)
Jack Johnson
What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
These are my favorite shapes and colour combinations:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16857372
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15596112
I am a fan of....
Flickr
Contest Girl
Not Always Right
100 Ideas
Majaba
Find me....
www.kerirounding.com
www.seapod.etsy.com
www.kerirounding.etsy.com
www.onthebutton.etsy.com
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Wearable by Design
What is your real life like?
I'm married, have lots of grown children and a funny fur baby named Gizmo (He's a Shih-Tzu). I'm pretty passionate about my jewelry and so I spend most of my time creating.
What is your process?
I work mostly in Metal Clay. I love the fact that it is reclaimed silver and has a green aspect to it. I also can use every single scrap of it with very little waste. I prefer to work in Lab Created stones so that I know I am not funding questionable activities in third world countries. But I also work with semi-precious stones whose provenance I know well.
Business Goals and Vision...
I hope to have my work in galleries after the first of the year. I would love to always be a hands on creator and therefore would love to be able to keep the pace steady at a few finished pieces per week.
How do you market your business?
Mostly on Etsy: www.wearablebydesign.etsy.com
Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
I am a member of the Yahoo Metal Clay Group
The Starving Jewelry Artists Forum
I am a member of the PMC Guild: http://www.pmcguild.com/
What inspires you?
I am intensely fascinated with things that humans create -- mechanical devices, architecture, etc. I am equally intrigued with what nature creates -- buds, blossoms, pods, etc. I vacillate between the two worlds when I am creating things.
What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
Chain Reactionand Blossoms (pictured above)
Find seller at...
www.wearablebydesign.com
www.wearablebydesign.etsy.com