Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Featured Artist From Etsy "lou1498"

My name is Louise Nylander, I'm originally from England but moved to California after I met my husband who was born and raised here. My shop is called Coco's Crafting Corner, (named after my 10 month old daughter Chloe, in case you were wondering where the "Coco" came from). I specialize in sewing and started off making baby blankets but have now branched out into other areas too, although blankets and quilts will always be my one true love! I now also do rag quilt bags, dreamcatchers, and I have a little of my pencil artwork in there too. And I love to do custom requests!!!

All the net profits from my shop are donated to the charity Newborns In Need, who help supply babies born into poverty or sickness with blankets and other essential items.

I started out sewing just a little under a year ago when my husband bought me a sewing machine for Christmas, I don't know if he was trying to hint that I wasn't domesticated enough or what, but that's what he got me. After leaving it in the box for about a month, I finally decided to get it out and have a go. I was almost 8 months pregnant with my daughter at the time so I tried my hand at sewing her a patchwork stroller blanket, and although it wasn't the best work I have ever done, I was pretty impressed with myself. That was it then, I was hooked. I havent stopped sewing since, I just love it.

My creative process, hmmm. Well, firstly I have to wait till my two young children are happy and settled before I can even think about doing anything, my home is a bit of a mad house right now. Sewing is therapeutic to me so as soon as the little guys are in bed, I'll be at my sewing machine. My favorite part is picking out the colors for anything I make. I usually just end up on the floor surrounded by squares of fabric, throwing then around till I like what I see.

I started selling baby blankets as soon as I started making them on Ebay, and was pleasantly surprised how many I was selling, although to be honest I wasn't asking much for them back then. I just loved the fact that other people liked them too. I found Etsy last September, and now I hardly list anything on Ebay anymore. I love the community on Etsy, everyone is so kind and helpful to one another. It's a great place to sell.

I guess my favorite item in my store would be my pink and brown rag quilt made from flannel and minky

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39339558

I love the colors in it and also the mixture of fabrics. It's so pretty and girly but also very warm and cozy.

I would love for my blankets to become known worldwide and become a sought after designer, of course, who wouldn't? But realistically, I would just love to sell some blankets here and there, keep myself going and keep bringing in some money for Newborns In Need. I just want to be able to keep buying the fabrics so I can keep sewing.

You can find me here on Etsy, occasionally on Ebay, same user name lou1498. Also I have a facebook page, by the name of Coco's Crafting Corner, and I would always love more fans. I also do giveaways about once a month, randomly picking someone who has hearted my Etsy shop. And I'm always advertising special offers and promos on my facebook page.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lou1498

Monday, February 22, 2010

Fashion from Thailand

Tribal on street

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

PONY TAIL - Brown leather handbag

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

Freshwater pearl,crystal necklace

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

Sweet Yellow Flowers Kimono Floral Robe Fits S M L

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

Florets in Earth..Medium Frame Purse

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

RING -- FASHION Designer Bold COOL Extra LARGE Focal, Stretch Antique Blue White Green Beads

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

Manee015 The secret promise blouse

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

Floral bloom Hand Bag

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

Mother Pearl on Lotus Leaf

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

Tibetan / Nepalese style Vintage wrung Ganesh white base subtle color trendy hippie tee

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

Thursday, February 18, 2010

From Whitney Sews- How to Make A Drape Neck Halter Top

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Featured Etsy Artist Janice Cordeiro "

Taking a journey through Janice Cordeiro's Wool Fiber Creations

I think the first time anyone picks up a barbed needle and pokes at the wool they are hooked. And the adventure begins. It almost seems magical to take a flat piece of wool and poke it into the shape you want. I especially like to create baby animals. Something about the innocence in their expression.

I've been involved in some area of art for a very long time. I think, however, that needle felting is the direction I will continue. I also have a web site, woolcreations.net however I am shamefully behind on my blog. I can't seem to find the time for everything so far.

My Etsy shop has been opened a year last Fall. I find it hard to let some of them go as they are my creations. From idea to finished sculpture . . . it brings me closer. I started selling because you can keep just so many. I do pop them here and there around the house. Never know what will be peeking out at you. If I had to pick one that I might not let go it would be my "Sleeping Kitten". I still don't know if I will let it go. it always brings a smile to my face.

I have had some exciting things happen since I've been on Etsy. I was contacted by a new art gallery in Silver Springs, Maryland - Artspring. They have some of my pieces included in their gallery. I was also contacted by Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Craft Magazine to have one of my ornaments featured. That will come out this August I think. It has been a joy.

Sales are nice, but it's not always about the sale, it's about the journey.

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

Monday, February 15, 2010

Unique Handmade Fashion from Turkey

Talented artists and designers from Turkey

WEDDING CAPELET (For the happiest days)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mucar

Ottoman Style Black and Turquoise Necklace

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

Love Me Aqua Cable Long Sleeved Shrug / Bolero

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

Mini Mini Jewelry Purse-Japanese Hexagons

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

Tweed Brown Hood by Afra

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

Set of 5 Wool Wrapped Stacking Bangles

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

Golden Blooms and Turquoise Roses - Fully Reversible Modern Everyday Canvas Tote Handbag

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

Knitted Neckwarmer / Scarflette - Dusty Rose Pink - Colorful Flowers

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

Starfish and Seafoam Key / Bag Ring

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

Home Slippers - Cadet Blue- Traditional Turkish Design

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

Thursday, February 11, 2010

How to make a summer dress!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Etsy Featured Seller : lterrill9

1. Name and a little background information about you and what do you sell in your shop.
Hello everyone, my name is Leann and I have 2 crazy, wonderful teenage girls that keep me on my toes! Crafting is my joy and my getaway time for myself. I love to make things out of tile and hope that you will enjoy looking at the items in my shop!

2. When and how did you get started in your craft?
I got started a few years ago when I bought an English Bulldog, Gunner. I really wanted some bulldog coasters and the ones that I had found I didn’t like or they were asking way too much for a set of coasters. I began trying different things and came up with my own. My neighbors, family and friends started buying them. I then began doing craft shows and hence my journey to Etsy.

3. Could you explain a little how is your creative process?
A lot of people want custom things to match their décor or for gifts and a lot of inspiration comes from there. I spend a lot of time fishing and outdoors and love to come up with new ideas while spending time outdoors.

4. How long have you been selling your craft?
I have only been selling on Etsy for about 3 months (still a newbie) but have been selling by word of mouth or craft shows for about 2 years.

5. Do you have a favorite item from your store and why?
My favorite items in my store are my tile tic tac toe boards. They are great coffee table décor and so much fun to make! Especially the custom order ideas that I receive families love to have the two different teams and these are great for those long commercials!!

6. What do you want to achive from Etsy?
I am hoping to learn all aspects of what it takes to run a business, make great friends and of course run my shop successfully!

7. Where else can we find you? (blog, facebook, twitter, etc.)
I am a proud member of Primos Pawtouragehttp://primospawtourage.ning.com/

Thursday, February 4, 2010

How to dance Salsa?? Learning from a real Pro

Today I want to share with you this video that I made last summer when I was visiting my family in Cuba.
Here is my nephew dancing at a restaurant in Old Havana. His name is Alejandro but everyone in his neighborhood knows him as Tato. He is a very restless child, but likeable and very affectionate with everyone. He likes dancing, playing video games and goofing off with friends.
I hope you like it! :)

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

JollyJennifer: Etsy's Featured Seller

1. Name and a little background information about you and what do you sell in your shop.
My name is Jennifer (thus the JollyJennifer ;) I'm 25, single. I have a culinary arts degree but decided that it just wasn't for me. In my shop I sell a variety of items from polymer clay sculptures to my swirl art, all types of jewelry and paper products such as cards, tags, origami boxes, etc.

2. When and how did you get started in your craft?
I've always been a crafter-the creative one in the family. I've collected things over the years and dabbled in this and that until I dated a guy and he told me his mom had an etsy shop. I learned more about it and got more serious about my crafts.

3. Could you explain a little how is your creative process?
I've mostly been sticking to ACEO size work for now. I start off by sketching a basic design with pencil and then taking a thin marker to make a basic outline. Alternating around the page, I fill it in with swirls. If you watched me you'd think I was a little scattered with my technique, but I think the specific order that I do things in a picture is what makes it so captivating. Making each piece of art takes a lot of time and hurts my hands after not too long, so I take my time.

4. How long have you been selling your craft?
I joined Etsy July 2, 2009.
5. Do you have a favorite item from your store and why?
It's too hard to pick a favorite. Each new item is my favorite!

6. What do you want to achive from Etsy?
It would be amazing to be able to just rely on funds from Etsy, but I don't honestly get that many sales (I usually trade as much as I sell). I hope to return to school soon to get my masters and teaching certificate. While that is my end goal in full time employment, I plan to keep up with Etsy. If nothing else, it's a creative outlet for me that I enjoy. I have plans to use my Etsy funds as a savings account to return to Poland for a vacation. I lived there for a year and a half and I've been dieing to return and see all the friends I miss. On a side note, I also have another shop called Crafting4Causes.etsy.com where I donate all proceeds to good causes each month. My goal is just to help as much as I can with that :)

7. Where else can we find you? (blog, facebook, twitter, etc.)
At this time I'm still setting up a facebook page and a video montage with my work and video of me making my work on youtube. For now I have my blog:http://jollyjennifersetsyblog.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JollyJennifer