This Intial Decal by Badass Decals is the perfect thing for anyone who wants to personalize their space. Because it is removable it can be used by apartment dwellers and be taken down when they move. It comes in a wide range of color choices as well as a few specialty reflective colors, chrome and metallic finishes for an additional charge. It provides alot of bang for the buck because it can be highly personalized at the bargain price of $18.
EnnaDesignShop makes the most adorable Kawaii style 50's inspired plushes. They have the look of vintage but are new and handmade with felt. This is an ittsy bitsy thing- which makes it even that much cuter, really- it measures 11cm by 7cm. There are many different styles to choose from of the Bambi as well as poodles, cats, dolls, seahorses, turtles, etc. The one I like best is this little Bambi in all of it's variations- I want to start a collection! This Bambi sells for $22 and would be the perfect gift for any handmade lover who appreciates plushes and excellent workmanship.
There are so many sweets around for the holidays. These are sweets that you don't eat- they are soaps from LoveLeeSoaps. Everybody loves a decadent chocolate and nothing says love like the gift of this non-calorie alternative. LoveLeeSoaps make some of the most amazing soaps that I have ever seen- I chose these because they seem to be the perfect little non traditional display for a guest bath that will still be in season after the holidays are over. These are also wrapped in little foil wrappers and are ready to gift. You will get a set of 8 for $3.50
My nephew is in college far from home....I want to send him these buttons for Hannukah! He loves Star Wars and I can't think of a boy/man who doesn't! Since he will not be home until around Christmas these will be easy to send to him as part of a little Hannukah care package. They are a set of four pin back buttons from Minepress in a cool stencil design.
When I featured Jenn on this blog a few months ago I asked her what her short term goals were and she answered "To make enough coffee corsets to be ready for the holiday season." That she did....she now has over 250 different coffee corsets listed in her shop and you have such an incredible selection. Great for almost anybody on your list! They are functional, well crafted and gorgeous. They sell for $12
If you are doing an ornament exchange this is the item for you! From MyImaginaryBoyfriend who makes this three pack of jolly roger skulls out of screenprinted felt. These could be the coveted item at that white elephant gift exchange! My favorite item from this shop is a set of white screenprinted log pillows- you have to check those out- because I recently featured MyImaginaryBoyfriend as an artist on this blog and raved about those logs- I thought the presentation of another of her awesome items would be more fitting. This set sells for $25
I have had my eye on this magnetic locket from Polarity for my sister in law who teaches yoga. I think it would be great for her to keep her something important in under her yoga shirt.
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 
Once the house was in "livable" condition, I switched my energy over to chez-sucre-chez; getting my studio in order, creating new products, working on my etsy store, doing some marketing, and doing all I could do with chez-sucre-chez to keep me from needing to get a full-time normal job. It is constant work, but I'm happy that I am giving myself this time and putting this effort into what I want to be doing. Now I spend my days working in my studio with my cat, Emil, by my side. I wake up early, go for a walk around town, and get to work. When I need a break, I make myself coffee or tend to the garden or mow the lawn or work on some other house project. It's pretty great. I'm fortunate, though, to still have a lot of friends and connections in NYC. I definitely feel the need, at least once a month, to get back to the city to see my friends, go out to eat at good restaurants, drink fancy cocktails, do a little dancin', and keep up with what is happening in the city as far as fashion and culture. It's a nice balance I have here.
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
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.
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
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.
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
www.allisonluciart.blogspot.com
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.
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
Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
I confess- even though I am a jewelry designer- I still own two pieces from Unearthed and have recently inquired about a pair of electric blue lizard earrings circa 1983. I love the dyes that they use on their pieces. I now have a new favorite...it's this grey crocodile cuff. Me want want want (said as I stomp my feet like a toddler). This is one of their more expensive pieces and sells for $155.
What is your process?
Most of my jewellery is made from repurposed silk. This means that
Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
I don't subscribe to it but always look at
long ago.
What inspires you?
Museum collections of intricate textile work, costume dramas, reading
blogs, browsing through Selvedge,
complicated dreams, fairytale moments in real life, archetypes,
autumn, combinations of colours...
What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
Right now it would have to be the
necklace and
which sold but I like it so much I'm planning to make another one.
Find Seller....
Etsy
flickr
I also have a (neglected) account on
Ravelry
What is your “real” life?
Right now, my real life is being a student. I am in my second year of graduate school in the metals program at ASU working on my MFA. I have been married for 5 years. I volunteer at a Boys and Girls Club and enjoy everything related to art.
What is your process?
I don't do a lot of sketching, I make a lot of samples and do a lot of trials. I reject a lot of pieces before I come up with a final product. I love working in silver and copper and combining metal with embroidery and fibers. My favorite tool in the studio is the hydraulic press for die forming.
What are your goals and vision for your business?
I want to finish my MFA and then work on getting my work into galleries. I'd like to do some of the bigger shows like the American Craft show. I think I may decide to teach metalsmithing, but want to focus first on getting my work out into the world.
How and where do you market your business?
Mostly my marketing is through word of mouth. Also, a lot of people find my work through my blog. Blogging is a great way to let people know who you are as an artist, and then through you they become more interested in your work when they get to know the maker behind it.
Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
18kt
Metalcyberspace
The Carrot Box
Zero 925
Design*Sponge
What inspires you?
Materials and my relationships with other people.
Who is your favorite musical artist? (click on the artist name to see video)
Pearl Jam
What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
Embroiderd neclace in Warm tones
Sterling Silver Stick Earrings with Rivets
I am a fan of...
Corey Ackelmire
Elsa Mora
Megan Auman
Post Secret
Margaux Lange
Find Seller....
www.lynetteandreasen.com website
www.lynetteandreasen.blogspot.com blog
www.asymmetry.etsy.com shop
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