Welcoming A New Year and An Aspiring Artist

Happy New Year everyone!

To celebrate the New Year, please help me in welcoming Sherril to the Etsy community with a visit to her etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/sywang. She is an aspiring artist who creates handmade realistic and contemporary original oil paintings on a variety of canvas sizes.

A NEW LOOK for the blog coming soon with special giveaways and tips!

by Sherril Wang
I guess I'll just start off by saying hi! I'm Sherril Wang--I'm a 15 year old aspiring artist from the suburban jungle of Beaverton, Oregon. I work mostly in oil paints and occasionally in pencil/charcoal and have taken private art lessons for over seven years. Although I have just started selling my artwork online, I also plan to approach small local coffee shops and hangout spots to hang some of my paintings.

You can view some of my more casual art at www.tinyurl.com/syw-art
(don't worry, it just links to my Photobucket!).

Thanks for reading! :)

Re-Thinking & Re-Creating

Be sure to stop by Mistle and Toe http://www.etsy.com/shop/mistleandtoe , a lovely shop where you will find upcycling, recycled crafts, and eco-friendly items. We create recycled fashion, home decor accessories, and recycled art.

by Mistle and Toe
Our names are Sarah and Tiff and we started Mistle and Toe, an eco-friendly design store. We are from Ohio and Minnesota respectively and became fast friends when we met in college. We started this as a Design Collective for both ourselves and for a few of our creative friends that will be joining us as the months go on. We are inspired by the creative possibilities and challenges of upcycling things to keep them out of the landfill and still make them beautiful! There seems to be a stigma around re-using goods, and we love the challenge of re-thinking and re-creating them into purposeful things once again. There is always a surplus of stuff, so what's not to create?

We wish we had studios where we could store all of our great supplies and have endless space to create, but for right now, we are making do with any space that is available in our respective homes. We like to call them our "craft lairs"! But Sarah's father just made her a shelf that has helped tremendously in organizing all of her supplies that correlate to specific items that she is making. We think that this is essential to being organized! And we also recommend focusing on one type of item before moving onto the next -- we love getting so excited about the possibilities of new wares, but fully finishing one line of items before starting the next has helped us to remain sane :)

When we are not creating wares for Mistle & Toe, Tiff is working on her own strategic sustainability consulting business to help small businesses and non-profits integrate sustainability and green initiatives into their organizations. That and training her little rescue dog :) And Sarah is doing community outreach for a charter school in Troy, NY.
 

A Little Corner Space

Enjoy a visit to AvaGirlDesigns http://www.etsy.com/shop/AvaGirlDesigns where you are sure to find something adorable. You will find lovely baby photo props, knitted beanie and cocoon sets, designer changing pad clutches, diaper and wipe clutches, designer baby wipe cases, and highchair tray covers... and so much more.

by AvaGirlDesigns
I was reading some of the things that you would like to know and I guess I might be a little unconventional compared to some of the artists on Etsy. I do not have a studio or a special place to design my products or hardly a place to make them. I etched out a little corner space in my husbands office that completely annoys him with all my supplies and a very comfortable chair to do all my knitting, and for the Upsy Daisy line which I designed in line of keeping with mom's personal style which consists of Changing Pad Clutches, Diaper and Wipe Clutches, Designer Baby Wipe Cases, and Baby Tray Armor I have to use my dining room table.

 I lug out my supplies, equipment, and materials every time I need to make something. Which is very inconvenient but being a stay at home mom of a 2 and 4 year old in a 1200 sq ft house I do not have many options. I stay as organized as I can but probably like most people things start getting in disarray causing me to waste a lot of time looking for the scissors or my pack of needles.

Since I did open up shop on Etsy I have learned a lot this past 8 months from how to improve my listing from the description to the photos which is an ongoing process but also to make sure you are always thinking on how to improve your products. Could this use an extra pocket or I should learn how to knit a different kind of stitch to make my products more desirable. The key is to keep improving and never give up step back every once in a while and look at your products in different ways see what new and exciting ideas come to you.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/pages/San-Diego-CA/Ava-Girl-Designs/113113922055062?ref=ts&__a=17&ajaxpipe=1


www.twitter.com/AvaGirlDesigns

Happy Happy Holiday Season Everyone

Hello everyone. I am looking for more wonderful Etsy studios and shops to feature! Are you looking for a fun and easy way to promote this holiday season?  My lovely readers (hi there!) enjoy finding out about you, the "artist" behind the creations, your favourite organizational tips and tools and where you create. I feature all of the unique items from your shop and link your shop and any other links to your store through Facebook, Twitter etc.. If you are interested and would like me to feature your shop or a friend's shop, please feel free to say hello and contact me!

http://www.thereddoor.etsy.com/
More great Etsy features to come!!!

Here is free image as a gift, just for you!
Simply save the image and print it to the size you want.
Looks great framed, sitting with your holiday decor or give as a gift for a special friend.

Perfectly Paper

Whether you are planning a wedding, throwing a bridal shower, going to prom or just want beautiful flowers around your house, Perfectly Paper Flowers will light up your day and never fade or wilt. These hand-crafted flowers also make wonderful gifts! Enjoy a visit to Perfectly Paper http://www.etsy.com/shop/perfectlypaper.

Perfectly Paper specializes in hand-painted paper roses in a variety of colors. Paper roses are perfect for weddings, special events or every day home decor. Now your roses can look great year round without requiring water and they will never wilt! A variety of colors and bouquets are available and custom orders are always welcome. Stop in today to treat yourself or someone you love with beautiful flowers that will last a lifetime.

I have a variety of options including hand painted paper roses and vibrant tissue paper flowers. Stay tuned for a variety of new flower types coming in Spring 2011!

Shop: http://www.perfectlypaper.etsy.com/
Blog: www.myperfectlypaper.com/blog
Website: http://www.myperfectlypaper.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/perfectlypaper
Twitter: www.twitter.com/perfectlypaper

A Kaleidoscope of Vintage Finds

Enjoy a look around http://www.etsy.com/shop/JewelryKaleidoscope where you will find Hand Embroidery, Vintage Linens, Aprons, Blankets, Craft Supplies, Christmas Ornaments, Home Decor  and lots more...
 

 
Vintage & Crafts,
by Jewelry Kaleidoscope
In my shop you can find hand embroidery, blankets, pillows, holiday decor, vintage linens, you just never know what you'll find.

 I love to do crafts, and trying something new. I like to do the vintage, because there are some many interesting items.

Dark Heart Designs

Dark Heart Design offers hand made eye shadows, lip slicks (lip gloss), and sample make up products. Be sure to drop by and find out more about her wonderful products http://www.etsy.com/shop/darkheartdesign

by Dark Heart Design
My shop is primarily make up. Mostly Eye shadows. When my family stopped traveling with the carnival, we ended up in a small town in Georgia.

This being the country, bright eye shadow is almost unheard of. After a long time of watching other make up companies pop up online, I decided to start my own. I sincerely love what I do.

I love it even more when people like/use my products. I consider my customers the most important part of my business and I want every one of them to be happy with their purchase.

Thanks so much!

Her shop is trade friendly :) too. You can also find her here:


http://www.darkheartdesigns.com/
http://darkheartdesigns.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/DarkHeartDesign
http://www.youtube.com/user/darkheartdesigns
http://www.linkedin.com/in/darkheartdesigns
http://www.facebook.com/darkheartdesigns

Recycled Goodies

Be sure to drop by Creations by Ingrid http://www.etsy.com/shop/creationsbyingrid where you will find one of a kind items made specially from recycled materials.  She is offering a special Promotion...Fashion Magazine Wallet Clutch ( randomly picked ) on certain items. Please read her item description for the promotion!

by creationsbyingrid
I use as much recycled materials, such as denim, vintage ties etc, as possible in my work to create that ONE OF A KIND item.

I love to knit, crochet and sew. I have designed an adorable crochet Fox Scarf, knit scarves, chain link scarves which are listed in my shop.

I also love to sew - purses, bags and Fashion Magazine Wallets/Clutches.
I also have a second shop on etsy - creationsbyingrid1 filled with jewelry and Soda Pop Can Letter collages.

For Food Lovers!

Handmade miniature food jewelry! We hope you'll find a tasty treat to wear.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/inediblejewelry

We're Jessica and Susan, two sisters who sculpt tiny foods from polymer clay and fashion them into whimsical jewelry.

Everyone has a favorite food!

We've made everything from steak cuff links to kiwi fruit studs, and are always happy to take on new mini food challenges.

http://inediblejewelry.etsy.com/

Adorable Stocking Stuffers

Do you need some adorable handmade stocking stuffers for your favourite little ones?

Try Dove Desings at http://www.etsy.com/shop/sowega.

I'm Sowega, my shop is Dove Designs. I make hairbows, headbands,and hair accessories. I've been selling locally for a couple of years and I'm fairly new to Etsy. I design fun bows that are cute and appealing to all types of girls, from sporty tomboys to girlie girls!

I sell hairbows, clippies, and headbands. My items are custom-made for you! My goal is to have a fast turn around so you have your items as quickly as possible!

 Make great stocking stuffers!

Handmade Jewelry and Home Decor Ideas for the Holidays

I have a jewelry and home decor accessories shop - mostly jewelry. I have been open on Etsy for about five months and I make unique, beaded, whimsical and sometimes conservative jewelry aimed at the career crowd of women. I started out making jewelry that had a 60s twist to it, but found that it wasn't fashion forward enough for today's market so I started making statement pieces that women could wear in the office and that would transform into evening wear just as easily.

In my handcrafted, beaded jewelry shop, you will find a large selection of home decor accessories, semi-preious stone jewelry as well as beaded necklaces, beaded earrings, beaded bracelets from my handcrafted, beaded jewelry shop.

My home decor accessories are concentrated for small gatherings, wine charm sets and wine toppers. They make good hostess gifts or housewarming gifts.I hope you enjoy my home decor accessories, beaded necklaces, beaded earrings, and beaded bracelts.

My shop is at http://www.jacquelinejewelry.etsy.com/

Somewear In Tyme

Enjoy a visit back in time and explore these lovely handmade jewelry pieces http://www.etsy.com/shop/somewearintyme.

by Somewear in Tyme

Our shop carries mostly delicate jewelry but there are other finds/handmade items. We are inspired by everything from leaves, to rain, to emotions. have a selection of all sorts of jewelry pieces,

who says you have to go broke looking fabulous?

We use all sorts of materials, anything that really catches our fancy. From metal to beads, yarn to gems. If its unique we will use it. We like to make things that are slightly different, modern yet echos of time's forgotten. Think Victorian London with a flare and a ray gun. Somewear In Tyme is run by two sisters who enjoy crafting with different mediums and different outlooks. All pieces are handmade using any and all materials that we have on hand.

When shipping we like to include DC's for every item so you can keep track of it.

Every piece of jewelry comes in a specially made box that is unique to each piece.

http://www.somewearintyme.etsy.com/

Fun, Pretty, Simple

Be sure to stop by kmdouglass etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/kmdouglass# where you will find handmade paper goods...cards,gift tags,confetti and more.

by kmdouglass

My shop is simplicity and it's filled with simple, no-fuss items. I get inspiration from pretty much anything, especially fun patterned papers.

I am starting to work on various kits (gift wrapping, scrapbooking, card making) and party pack (invitations, thanks you notes, cake toppers, gift tags, banners).

Right now my shop is filled with a bunch of wonderful holiday paper goods and there are more being posted soon.

http://www.kmdouglass.etsy.com/