Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Featured Artist From Etsy "RobinsFlight"

My name is Robin, hence RobinsFlight. I'm a stay at home mom of 2 kids, and I make crocheted bags and purses with fabric linings.
I learned to crochet when I was 8 from my grandmother, and to sew from my mom not long after that. I picked up crochet again about 10 years ago, and started crocheting bags probably 3 years ago. Eventually, I started adding linings, since they added so much to the usefulness of the bags.

I design all my bag patterns myself, often based somewhat on bags I see other people carrying, or in stores, or from a pattern on an crocheted afghan. Often a fabric I like will set the stage for a crocheted exterior too. The crochet is usually easier to design than the linings, though, since I like to add in lots of zippers and pockets. I'm usually working on a few projects at once, crocheting one while I'm with the kids, and working on a different lining after they're in bed, and a few more in the planning stages in my head. It keeps things interesting.

I started my etsy shop in April of 2009. Before that, I hadn't really sold anything, just given them as gifts.

That's a tough question. I have a few favorites- the buckle handle bags, the belted pleat bottom bags. My favorites usually are bags that were a little of a stretch for me when I first designed them, but they turned out really nicely, so I'm proud of the work that went into the design.

At this stage, Etsy is just a means for me to sell my bags. And I sell them basically so I can justify making more. It's all a creative outlet for me, something that's mine, that gives me a sense of accomplishment more immediate than raising children (although just about everything's more immediate that that!) So I don't have any hard and fast goals for Etsy right now. I'm excited when people like my bags, and even more excited when they like them enough to buy them.

I just started a facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/RobinsFlight-handmade-bags-and-purses/263070380756?ref=mf

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

Thursday, March 11, 2010

How To Make A Fabric Rose by SecretLifeOfaBioNerd

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Featured Artist From Etsy "brownsco"

Name and a little background information about you and what do you sell in your shop.
We are a husband and wife team. Mike makes paper mache and chalk ware sculptures and I dabble in hypertufa making planter troughs, planters and other garden accessories. We have sculptures for all holiday seasons, and just items for special people.

When and how did you get started in your craft?
We have been hand crafting for many years; but turned it into a business in 2008.
Could you explain a little how is your creative process?
Mike thinks about what type of sculpture to create on his two hour commute back and forth to work and than releases his stress of the day by creating it.

How long have you been selling your craft?
Since January of 2008

Do you have a favorite item from your store and why?
Most all of the characters are favorites because they have been hand crafted individually based on whatever life event may have taken place or how the day went, etc.

What do you want to achive from Etsy?
Hoping to promote our products and initiate more sales
Where else can we find you? (blog, facebook, twitter, etc.)
We have a website of our own called brownscountryoriginals.com and are also on artsaflutter.com
Mike and Donna Brown
Brown's Country Originals
http://www.etsy.com/shop/brownsco

Thursday, March 4, 2010

How To Make A Flowy Spring Top by Whitney Sews

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Featured Artist From Etsy "kavali8"

My name is Cassandra... I am a wife and a mom and I work from home. I paint abstract and floral canvas paintings using acrylic paint. I am from Michigan.

Art has been my passion since I was a child. I am self taught,I never went to art school I learned it all on my own.You will find Canvas Painting, aceos, cards,Prints,and pet toys in my shop.

I have loved to draw since I was very young. My mom and my grandmother are artist as well... not the same kind of art but we all have some kind of creative craft. My mom's shop is THEMONKEYSHOP.

I guess everything in my life gives me inspiration... Depends on what is happening that moment I guess. I have been on Etsy for over a year I think...
I think my favorite painting would have to be my Ayana Painting which I sold to the family that inspired me to paint it in the first place.

All of my items are reasonably priced seeing that the economy is rough right now. I feel everyone should have art in there home so that is why I am giving everyone such a great deal.

I would love Etsy to be a great opportunity to make some great money and also a way to share my passion.
I have a blog: kavali8.blogspot.com

*Specials*

FREE U.S. SHIPPING ENTIRE SHOP!

Pet Toys B1GOFREE!!! (buy 1 and get 1 FREE)

HUGE Markdowns on Paintings!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/kavali8

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