We Are Truly A Global Community

Char's lovely etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/charstreasures has many wonderful

items to choose from. She loves what she does and gets "a real buzz out of creating useful items with vintage fabrics, doileys & trims".

by Char's Treasures

Hi there, my name is Charmaine, but my friends call me Char. I’m married to a very supportive husband and live at Tannum Sands which is a picturesque part of the Australian coast in Central Queensland.

I have been crafting my whole life whether it be knitting, crochet, cross stitch, decoupage, patchwork or my current passion of cardmarking. I love the creative process of card making and gain inspiration from all kinds of things, often I see in my minds eye a trim, button or a piece of jewellery on a card before I actually create it, sometimes it doesn’t always go to plan but the failures often generate more thoughts and off I go again on a different tangent. My main aim is make things that are functional and stylish and where possible use recycled items such as fabrics, trims, buttons and discarded or broken jewellery. Why buy a store bought card when you can buy a work of art.

My preferred studio environment is outside in the fresh air and sunlight, I have a dog and a cat to keep me company as well as 2 groups of native birds that come for a visit and a chat several times a day.

I've only been a member of Etsy since January this year but I just love the diversity of items and the talent of the crafters found on Etsy but most of all I love the way that fellow fellow Etsians extend the hand of friendship from all areas of the world. We truly are a global community.

Visit my blog - http://charstreasures.blogspot.com/

How to Have "Me" Space

"I love to create, and have done so as long as I have been able to use my hands! I had taken a long break after having my second child, but after my 3rd who I had September of 09, I had a renewed sense of purpose... (okay okay, so I was bored out of my mind and I needed an outlet!) and so I discovered Etsy....wow, what an addiction!!! "

Enjoy a visit to this wonderful Etsian's shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/ZigZags123

by Zig Zag 123

My name is Laci and I live in Northern Idaho, with my husband and our 3 kids, who are 5, 3, and 6 months old. I have always been creatively minded, my mother saw to and nurtured that! I have always liked to crochet and sew, but it wasn't until I found Etsy this last November that I realized that I could make MONEY at it! When I had the chance I bought up a few boxes of yarn and have been going crazy with it ever since. I collaberated with my step-dad to help me build a sort of fold away sewing cubby, bookcase style so that I had a place to sew other than my kitchen table.. I currently live in a ONE bedroom trailer with 5 people, a cat that thinks he's a dog, and a ferret who likes to snuggle with my cat who thinks he's a dog :), so there isn't much room till we build our house in the next few years. It turned out FANTASTIC and now I find myself finding excuses just to be in it!

I love to work with really soft yarns, I hate scratchy sweaters and such. I always say that it's no fun to buy an awesome piece of bling that you don't want to wear cause it gives you the itchies! I have been having lots of fun with soft chunky yarn as well as cotton yarn making necklaces, but I hope to soon be making some clothing as well. I also use a LOT of clear tupperware to organize my fabrics and yarns, and although at the moment they are getting a little jumbled, I can still see what is in them and it is a BIG help!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
My only advice is that no matter your space limitations, you can ALWAYS figure out how to have a "me" space. It may be a corner, or a desktop or a box by your favorite chair, but it IS possible.. (and SO worth it!) TRUST ME :)

Eclectica

In keeping with the "Eclectica" in her shop name, Jan makes crocheted wearables, afghans, and throws; collaged greeting cards and ACEO's; and her signature Tabletop Labyrinths. Jan shares her belief that beyond that, the sky's the limit! Enjoy her feature and a visit to her shop!

by EclecticaByJan

Be sure to enjoy a visit to Jan's shop http://www.eclecticabyjan.etsy.com/

Jan's blog: http://www.jan4geo-glow.blogspot.com/

I have been needleworking and crafting since I was a kid - that's over half a century with a crochet hook & yarn in my hands! In keeping with the "Eclectica" in my shop name, I make crocheted wearables, afghans, and throws; collaged greeting cards and ACEO's; and my signature Tabletop Labyrinths. Beyond that, the sky's the limit, and I will be updating my offerings as my creative nose leads me onto new paths.

I freely admit that organization is not one of my strong points, but I want to share one thing that really works for me:

These folding canvas bins, which are available at variety stores like Target and Kmart, are great! They fit perfectly on the built-in shelves in the photo, where I use them to store sewing supplies and notions. The lowest row of bins holds books and items I don't use very often. I have more bins on freestanding shelves in my collage room, where I store markers, paints, embellishments, photos, floral materials, and so forth.I like the bins because - first of all - the bright colors lift my spirits when I see them lined up like this. Then, I don't have to be too organized to corral my clutter when I toss it in the bin. I put just like items together in a plastic bag, and I'm good to good to go. On the handle of each bin, I've hung colorful tags to identify the contents. Not bad for someone who's organizationally challenged!One last thing: I really can't work without a studio cat! The second photo shows my cat Luvlee, helping me out with a fabric-sorting project. And I've included a picture of me holding the furry culprit, just before we head off for some noms :)

Lindy's Place

Jessica named her shop after her grandmother. She loves to make a variety of jewelry, crochet and handmade paper. Check out her very cool and funky record bowls. A unique collection to your decor.

Visit Jessica at http://www.jdfootloose.etsy.com/

My name is Jessica jdfootloose.etsy.com my shop name is Lindys place after my grandmother. I create jewelry, crochet and handmade paper. My work space is a whole lot more cluttered now than it used to be, I had my own craft room until my brother moved in with me... Now my desk and supplies are squished into a corner of my bedroom. I use a lot of babywipe containers and Record Bowls for storage use of beads and other smaller supplies. I have a garbage bag full of yarns and a plastic dresser full too.

My scrapbook supplies are mostly in tote bags in my closet.

Piccoladonna's "Crocheted Little Things"

Check out Piccoladonna's Lovely Crochet Shop!
http://piccoladonna2006.etsy.com/

Piccoladonna2006

I came from Italy! :) and I live in the States (legally!) for a year. I'm a 26 year old busy mom of 2 wonderful kids and I have this big passion for crochet, that I'm trying to use to raise some money selling my "crocheted little thing" as I like to call my works.

I learned how to crochet when I was 9-10 from my mom who is a "doilie maker". It was something I liked to do during summer breaks, but never thought I could use it like I'm doing now!

I started crocheting during my second pregnancy.I got sick and I had to rest a lot for my little girl's sake so I needed something to keep my hands and mind busy while resting.

Most of the works I did during that time are now for sale in my etsy shop. So far I never thought about selling anything, I was just having a lot of fun!

Last year my hubby was out of job and we needed to buy clothes for my children...somehow I had a couple of skeins of yarn and I created warm sweaters for them (I think I have a pic of my daughter wearing it). When we went out everybody was asking me where I found those sweaters....and orders came to me.

I used to crochet gifts for family and friends and other orders arrived....then I tried to crochet some jewelry pieces and decided to try a craft show....it went pretty well and that's why I finally decided to seriously sell my works, even on line. I do not consider this like a job simply because I really enjoy crocheting each and every piece! My inspiration comes from little daily things....the necessity of a warm garment, a way to embellish my house...and so on.

Here is her workspace! Check out her shop!

http://piccoladonna2006.etsy.com/