Retired Records

Name
Karen Dengler

Location
Cincinnati, Ohio

Business Name
Dengler Designs

Describe what you sell.
Functional art made from recycled record albums and the covers. Items include painted record bowl, coasters, wine rack, totes, purses, wrist cuffs and pendant necklaces.

What is your real life like?
I have 3 dogs and 2 cats, all from rescues. I am married for the past 11 years, and have two daughters, my husband is a firefighter. I work part-time as a social worker, currently working with older adults in a mental health treatment program. I facilitate therapy groups.My interest include, hiking, camping, rock climbing I love being outdoors. I also have an organic garden with vegetable and herbs. I also enjoy good wine and hanging out with my friends at home or going to an art opening or new restaurant.

What is your process?
My process is fairly loose, I usually am inspired by an album or cover and make a design that coordinates with it for my bowls and purses. I heat the albums and then cut them to make coasters and pendants. I am experimenting all the time and continue to change my process and I go and learn. I have no special tools that I use. I try to incorporate as much recycled material as I can into a project. For the straps on my purses and totes I recycled belts.

Business Goals and Vision...
Short term is to have enough inventory this year to get through the holiday season. I have been also working on some new designs. My long term goal is to have made 100 different items from the record and it’s cover.

Who is your favorite musical artist?
When You Were Young, by The Killers.

Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
http://www.parkandvine.com/
http://nvisionshop.com/ two of my favorite stores here in Cincy.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by nature, minimalistic design, influenced by art deco design. I love bands like The Killers, ie: modern rock . I love walking in the forest and get excited by the smell of skunk, horses and fall leaves on a sunny day.

Am a fan of these places...

Recently discovered: RighteousNiteOwl.etsy.com

NancyGamon.etsy.com

aBreathofFrenchAir.etsy.com for my bath & body

Spiderbite.etsy.com

Seagoddess.etsy.com

Find seller at...
RetiredRecords.etsy.com

Pink Papillon Jewelry

Name
Mary Ann Springer

Location
Central New Jersey.....in the historic town of Crosswicks...settled in 1670

Business Name
Pink Papillon

Describe what you sell.
Custom hand stamped jewelry in precious metals

What is your real life like?
Ha-ha! This *is* my real life!! Stamping has completely taken over! But seriously, I live in a fabulous small historic town called Crosswicks located in central New Jersey with my husband Nick, my children Noah (7) and Hope (5) along with a menagerie of pets including a 4 pound Yorkie, and Australian Shepherd, 4 cats, many fish, and Sea Monkeys! When I am not hammering jewelry you usually can find me running or at the gym. I also love to learn new jewelry techniques~~ before stamping took over my life, I actually made all kinds of jewelry!

What is your process?
I start with raw materials~~ which is SO satisfying when you finally end up with a finished product! I do a variety of things~~ I may saw or cut, use the torch (my FAVORITE), bend and shape, file and buff, antique~~ of an d of course, individually hand stamp each and every letter. I think that is important for people to know as some people think I "set" all the letters first, and then use something to stamp it all at once. Not so! I lovingly hand stamp each letter one at a time!

Business Goals and Vision...
This has been a big year for pink papillon jewelry~~ I have grown and expanded so much and have been extremely busy. This is the first year both of my children are in school all day. In the past I limited the amount of wholesale accounts I took on, just as I didn't feel I had enough time for any more. I am very excited as this opens up a lot of extra time for me, and I can not only allow more accounts, but I am thinking about do the large vendor shows in New York City to *really* get the pink papillon name out there!

How do you market your business?
Everywhere! I am pretty much open to whatever comes my way. I used to pay for many different advertising opportunities, but I started to find that the little things I did free of charge were the most beneficial to me. This is my best advertising advise to anyone! For example, I was asked to write and article for the Soft Flex Wire company~~ a fabulous opportunity, as they as so well known and have a very popular website! I have stayed with them and not only wrote another article, but was named their Designer of the Month! All for free! Now, I am not saying I wouldn't pay for a fabulous advertising opportunity, but I really do think that there are ways to advertise yourself with great results if you keep your eyes open!

Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
One that I *really* like is www.seekingdesigners.com.
For a small monthly fee you can set up a "look shop" on their site. They then will send you press releases and press opportunities through email. They also will send around a "Designer News Flash" where you can sort of toot your own horn and have other people see it! It has been really interesting!

What inspires you?
Nothing specific, really.....I'll just see something...a gemstone, or whatever and just think, "Wouldn't that look nice with X?" Or I will just sit there and put pieces together and see what I like!

What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
I am in LOVE with my new font~~ I call it the "Designer" font as you will find it *no where* else but in my shop as it was created by my husband just for me! I have been stamping for years, and in the beginning my block and my girlie font were enough. But as the stamping world has grown at an incredible pace, I like to keep my self a little ahead of the game. So I guess anything in my new font would be a favorite! I also really love my gold vermeil Initial Necklace with the Thai flower~~ I designed it so the flower is propped up a little and it is just the sweetest thing to wear~~ I love it!

Am a fan of these places...
Oh gosh, I am the BIGGEST online shopper, so this one is hard. Let's see.
I am addicted to the cupcakes at Fat Daddy Bake Shop on etsy. They are HIGHLY recommended by me!
I also love to visit www.stylebakery.com.
I think I keep Sephora in business all by myself! I buy tons of outfits for my daughter at http://www.liliputians-nyc.com/ CUTE stuff. Of course I love
Face Book and
my blog! (see link below)

Find seller at...
All over! But directly at: www.pinkpapillon.com or my blog at www.pinkpapillonsilver.blogspot.com

A Shout Out to Previously Featured Artists

I have a treasury on Etsy that features sellers who have been good enough to give their time and knowledge to inspire us through their words and work.

Pieces have been chosen in a red "theme"- I have not provided a link because at the time this is being published the list has expired. If you are a featured artist and I have not included you- take heart- I promise to put you in the next one.
Credits: (from left to right starting in top left corner)
BlackandRedEye "Seriously"
AlisaBurke "Graffiti Bangle"
PartyBots "Hurt Bot"
BallandChain "Underpants"
MyLittleOogaBooga "Red Robot"
Aria Images "Cherry Blossom Series"
Analiese "Painted Cardinal"
TrixieDelicious "Voyeur Plate"
JennGee "Flourish Coffee Corset"
MyFriendRoze "Silver Bubble Seed Beed Necklace"
HowlinDoggie "Sakura Hairstick"
KezBirdie "Killer Koi Heels"
(click any of the names to link to that listing)

AroundtheWorld - Beads

Business Name

Beads "Around the World"

Location
Philippines

Describe what you sell:
I Love traveling. Whenever I travel, I search for beads that I can find in that country. I sell beads that are found around the world.

What are the best sellers in your shop?
The best sellers in my shop are usually the vintage and strawberry finds.

How do you market yourself? What is your target market?
I join indiepublic to market myself. Post some pictures in social websites. My target market are beaders, artist and crafters who enjoy the different variety of beads out there.

What do you offer that sets you apart from the other supply sellers on Etsy?
Variety. I don't focus on one area alone. I create some of my charms as well.

What is your “real” life like?
Creating Jewelries

Where can we find you on the web?
www.aroundtheworld.etsy.com

ClaireLaFaye - Apparel

Name
Claire La Faye

Location
Portland, OR

Business Name
Claire La Faye and CLF by Claire La Faye


Describe what you sell.
One-of-a-kind and ready-to-wear originals, cutting Old Hollywood Glamour with a modern silhouette... luxury with an edge. Claire La Faye consists of a House label, as well as CLF, a secondary label invoking the same street smart sensibility as the House label. Claire La Faye emits a heavy nostalgia for romance and days gone by, yet still rings all things sexy and unique. Inspired by a need for the rare and unexpected, both labels offer a style for women that is wearable, feminine, and most unforgettable.


What is your real life like?
Real life is a house in Portland with a artist husband, two cats and baby on the way. All are work-a-holics and happily work from home, gardening and frolicking in the yard when not raining.

What is your process?
Everything is still hand-made, hand-touched, using a variety of fabrics from new silks and cottons to a combination of vintage tulle, pleating, slips, lace and finishings.


Business Goals and Vision...
Slow and steady expansion of both labels as life allows.

How do you market your business?
Claire La Faye and CLF are available in select stores across the US, as well as online.

Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
WWD, and a handful of fashion and art magazines.

What inspires you?
History is an amazing source of inspiration, as well as art, books, film, and people on the street.


What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
French Ruffle Tea Top and Dress are my favorite staples and have evolved as a signature look of Claire La faye over the years.

Am a fan of these places...
style.com
supertouch.com
paintalicious.org
agentprovocateur.com
and the ever changing Etsy home page

Available at
www.clairelafaye.com
www.clairelafaye.etsy.com