Eyelet Sage Studio

Come vote for us!

2010-03-02T16:31:00.001-08:00

Chris and I are in a Crate & Barrel contest, and we need your votes :) Please help us out!

click image below to vote!

Giveaway!

2009-12-08T10:35:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't switched over to my current blog, I wanted to update you!

Right now there's a giveaway going on, that if I wasn't hosting, I'd love to win myself! :)

Enter to win some fun snowflake wall decals here: http://eyeletsagestudio.com/2009/12/its-the-holidays-lets-have-a-giveaway/

Please update your link :)

2009-10-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

Please remember to update your link for my blog. We're now over at eyeletsagestudio.com/blog. The entries are still happening and updating over there.

I've added Google friend connect, so you can follow the new blog the same way you followed this one!

Check out the NEW BLOG!

2009-09-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

Just reminding you that we've MOVED! :) Still posting new finds, interviews, ideas and product updates over at the new location.

Out with the Old, in with the New

2009-09-20T11:54:00.000-07:00

::visit the new blog at eyeletsagestudio.com/blog::

As I mentioned earlier, my lovely web master and I were working for the past couple of weeks on revamping the Eyelet Sage Studio official website. The current one was acting more as a space holder and I decided that it was high time to get everything organized and into one place.

So here it is, the new-and-improved website!

What it means for you, my readers:

my blogger blog is NO LONGER the main blog, find the new one here
I've added "Google friend connect" to the new blog, so you can follow me, just like you would on my blogger blog (unfortunately, I couldn't just update the link and have you all forwarded over to the new blog, so please make sure you re-follow my blog)

I appreciate all of you so much and am working my hardest to make this transition as easy for you as possible. And if you're curious, here are the new benefits of the new site:

All-in-one: you can read my blog, contact me, find out more about eyelet sage, and see ALL of my items - all in one location (no more bouncing around between various websites)
To-the-point homepage: An up-to-date glance at Eyelet Sage Studio, what's new and what's happening right now
Shopping page: View all Eyelet Sage's current inventory with rich, easy to view photos - without ever having to leave the site
Contact Page: If you want to find out more, find out where I'm at elsewhere or just drop a line, there's an easy to use contact form
Newsletter option: you now have the opportunity to subscribe to my quarterly newsletter. This is a good option for anyone, but especially the casual reader, who likes to know what's going on, but doesn't have the time to read the blog every day. The newsletter comes out four times a year and gives you general updates about the upcoming season. (your information will NEVER be sold or used in any other way than to distribute the newsletter)
Blog: The Old Faithful of the group - still the same great blog, just with a new address :)

I hope this better fits all of your needs, and feedback is much appreciated. If there's something you think it needs just contact us and we'll get on it immediately. Come and visit!

Autumn Treasury :)

2009-09-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

My pumpkin patch cards are included in this fun treasury, come check it out! Thanks, abbasgirl!

Spotted on Indie Spotting!

2009-09-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

The Carefree Kids (in name) and the Teeny Trick-or-Treaters (in picture) are up on Indie Spotting today :)

Artist Interview: Fred of Birdhouse Accents

2009-09-17T17:40:00.000-07:00

Today I'm quite honored to be interviewing Fred from Birdhouse Accents on Etsy. Little did I know that I was interview quite the Etsy star :). Birdhouse Accents was recently featured in a video on Etsy's website for the Handmade Portraits section on Etsy. Fred told me to pick any items to feature, which I was thrilled about when I started poking around in their shop. I don't think I have ever seen so many cute birdhouses all in one place. Fred was right when he said that they try to make something for everyone! To make the picking easier on myself, I decided to go with birdhouses that matched my blog (all green!) which is good because green is Fred's favorite color too!

To get to know a bit about Fred, his favorite breakfast is hotcakes and sausage. And if he could do any weekend activity he would be outside cooking on the barbecue. And last but not least if he could travel anywhere, he'd travel to one of the Hawaiian Islands. (Which, I might add, works well with this nautical themed house)

Now onto those dear birdhouses:

What started you in your art/craft?
The love of woodworking. I have always enjoyed working with wood and found my niche in making birdhouses.

What are your favorite materials/tools?
I use reclaimed wood for most of my birdhouse projects. Discarded objects that I pick up at tag sales and flea markets such as rusty nails, antique hardware, and really anything that catches my eye.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
I love to make a design around an object that I have found at a tag sale or flea market. These one of a kind pieces are my inspiration. I also enjoy listening to many of my repeat customers when they tell me they had a family of birds in one of my birdhouses, it makes what I do worthwhile.

How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I have been building and designing birdhouses for nine years now. I made one which led to two, which led to a birthday gift, a house warming gift and before I knew it, became a full time job. I knew I had made the right decision when we were chosen as a Featured Seller (May 2008) on Etsy and featured in Handmade Portraits (June 2009) on Etsy. We have won several awards for our birdhouse designs in juried craft shows over the past few years too.

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I hope to increase my wholesale accounts and sales. We do have a following now and many repeat customers search us out at craft shows.

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I hope people take away the fact that my birdhouses are one of a kind hand made pieces. I try to make something for everyone.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Enjoy what you do, it will show through your work, offer fair pricing and don't be discouraged at first, it takes a while.

Make sure to check out their shop!

Hooray! I'm on Indie Parade again!

2009-09-15T21:56:00.001-07:00

My Teeny Trick-or-Treaters are the first slot on Indie Parade today!

Hello, Monday!

2009-09-14T13:08:00.000-07:00

It's been a very busy weekend over at Eyelet Sage Studio. The fall line is now all printed up, photographed and in the shop! I've also been working hard trying to begin the holiday season merchandise because...I'm selling my cards for the first time in person! I'm beyond excited about the opportunity because I have a feeling that once people see the cuteness of the Carefree Kids in person, they'll find them hard to resist :) (or, at least that's my hope).

Because I'm doing a little selling event in person I've been busy putting together order forms and signs and other little details to make the in person selling that much smoother.

Also, (see I told you it was a busy weekend here!) eyeletsagestudio.com is getting some well-needed attention. It's not live online yet for you to see, but it's getting there. Which brings me to some more news, that will affect you readers. Because of the work I'm doing, my blog will be moving over to eyeletsagestudio.com/blog. Again, this isn't live yet, but when it is, I will let you all know! I'm working my hardest to add features like Google Friend Connect to make the transition easy for all of you.

Oh Autumn, How I love thee!

2009-09-13T13:13:00.000-07:00

And here's a little preview of a new item in my shop!

Pumpkin Patch

Fall line soon to hit Shelves!

2009-09-11T15:55:00.000-07:00

Hey, guys - make sure you check back in at the beginning of next week. You'll see some brand new fall/halloween-themed goodies in my shop!

Please Help Me Out

2009-09-10T14:43:00.000-07:00

...by filling out a short survey. It's only 10 questions long, but will help me out immensely! It asks questions about how you perceive online indie shops and the second half is about how you perceive indie stationery shops.

You can find the survey here.

Artist Interview: Buttonwilloe

2009-09-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

Hey, everyone - my artist interview will be a little different today because the artist I'm interviewing is swamped with work - hooray for Buttonwilloe! So her Etsy shop is closed down for a bit until she can keep up with all of the orders and fall shows. Check out her artfire shop in the mean time. I'm so happy she's busy!

Here's a little bit of info I've grabbed from her profile:

"Hello. My name is Linda, and ever since I was a little girl I loved playing with clay. I still do!

It all started in the early 1970's making bread dough critters and giving them as gifts to friends and family. With their encouragement, and the gracious help of my husband, Richard, I started doing local craft shows and festivals. We still do them! I started working in polymer clay because of it's durability and resistance to moisture. I just love this clay.

It's my belief we are all given special gifts and talents. Sometimes we're not quite aware of them. But, they're there...just waiting to be discovered.

I have a very special little girl in my life. My puppy Tinkerbelle. We were trained, tested, and she was certified to be a Therapy Pet and we visit the elderly in rest homes. She brings so much joy to those dear folks. Quick story...the other day there was a man who wanted to pet her. I picked her up and brought her to him. He began to cry as he stroked her. He kept repeating "thank you, thank you" as tears rolled down his face. She is a precious gift from God and such a delight to me. I'm so happy she spreads her love to some that need it most.

Whether you select an ornament, figurine or a piece of whimsical jewelry, it's our hope it will bless your heart and make you smile.

We're so happy you stopped by the land of *Buttonwilloe*. Please come back soon."

And, I've discovered that she shares the same birthday as me! :)

Make sure you stop by her blog to find out more about her fall schedule! Below are a few pictures of her work from her blog.

Back to School Finds

2009-09-08T11:27:00.001-07:00

Around here and around the country all the little kiddos went back to school today, probably dressed in their new school clothes and toting their new supplies. With all that excitement, I just had to join in! Here are my some of my favorite back-to-school finds on Etsy today :)

Reusable Sandwich bags by Jordan.

CITY messenger bag by Sinem Inugur.

Pencil pouch by Goody Handbags.

Artist Interview: La Vie de Beaute

2009-09-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing La Vie de Beaute, a relatively new jewelry shop on Etsy. I asked her some get-to-know-you questions so we can see the person behind the craft. First off, her favorite color is purple. She states "the funny thing is that I don't have many purple items, and if you view my shop, you won't find many purples either :)." Her favorite weekend activity is to walk on the beach in the early morning when the weather is nice with her "ipod in one hand and [her] sandals in the other, listening to music as the gentle waves touch [her] feet." Her favorite breakfast is a soy latte from Starbucks with a blueberry scone, but it wouldn't be what she eats everyday. And last but not least, her dream vacation is to walk the streets of Paris (that sounds pretty good to me to!).

Now to the questions about her art:

What started you in your art/craft?
I started making jewelry because I wanted to wear unique jewelry pieces I could call my own creations.

What are your favorite materials/tools?
My favorite materials are sterling silver, and all sorts of semi precious beads, wood beads, glass beads and natural beads.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
My mom was my inspiration, she use to make her own maternity blouses, and the most beautiful crochet table clothes. I knew I had the creative gene, and that I would eventually find a craft I would enjoy and love. After my first beading class, I was in love!

How long have you being producing your work?
It was after my first beading class, 4 years ago, I started taking more classes and then I went solo. At first it was only for me to wear, soon people started asking, "Where did you get the beautiful necklace?" I would respond, "I made it myself" These people started buying earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, to give away as gifts. I found out about Etsy on T.V. with Tori Johnson in an interview with Diane Sawyer Of Good Morning America. I did my research regarding opening my shop, and soon started designing my banner, avatar, etc. I opened my shop on May 25, 2009. I've sold only 1 necklace so far, but expect to have more sales as soon as more people find out about my shop!

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I would love to be featured on the Etsy Homepage. I hope to have more sales on Etsy, as all my buyers are people from church and in the neighborhood. Recently I participated in an art fair in downtown Chicago and received a couple of invitations to participate in other art fairs, and events, which I look forward to attend to get more exposure and one day be able to focus on my art full time.

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I want them to feel beautiful when they wear my piece of work and know that they are unique as the piece they are wearing.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Patience is a virtue. You must plant the seed, and wait for the growth. Just don't forget to water it :) Tell someone that will tell some one. If you are new on Etsy, participate in forums. Let fellow Etsian's know who you are, and what you do. You'd be surprise how many nice people you can meet.

Other crafts I enjoy:
I like to sew, re-design t-shirts, making origami boxes, digital scrap booking, drawing, painting and photography.

Emma's Jewelry Box

2009-09-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

I love this newer jewelry shop on Etsy, Emma's Jewelry Box. The jewelry is so fresh and clean - and I LOVE the photography! Check her shop out :)

Artist Interview: Addition Jewelry

2009-08-27T15:51:00.000-07:00

Today I have the pleasure of posting my interview with Addition Jewelry. She's been selling her handmade original jewelry on Etsy since this past June. I sat down and asked her some questions about herself. She says her favorite color is green, and that her favorite weekend activity is to spend time with her family. "I don't care what we do as long as I am with my family." Her favorite breakfast food is bacon and eggs. And in her own words, her dream vacation is "This my sound silly but, I would love to go on a family vacation to California and go to Disneyland and other attractions."

And now onto her craft:
What started you in your art/craft?
I decided to do something for myself. Take some me time. I wanted to learn a new craft. I have always been interested in art, but I never really had the time. I love making jewelry and expressing myself through my craft!!

What are your favorite materials/tools?
Clay, shell, wood, glass and ribbons
Who's your biggest inspiration?
My sister-in-law. She makes beautiful pottery pieces and was inspired to make beautiful things too.

How long have you being producing your work?
I have been making jewelry for 3 years and I have been selling my items on Etsy for 2 months
Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I hope to make more sales on Etsy and do more craft shows. My hope is that my art turns into way more than just a hobby.

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I just want people to feel good when they wear my pieces.
What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Be patient. Don't feel too bad when you don't make lots of sales...remember it's not just you who is struggling with sales, a lot of people are. Just keep working on making your Etsy shop better and I'm sure your sales will pick up!

Any other craft or quirky information?
I love to think outside of the box and create something truly unique! I love to use materials for other purposes other than what it is usually used for. For example..I don't just use beads caps for caping beads but I also use them as beads themselves. Or I'll use ribbon instead of a clasp.
I want my jewelry to be something you have never seen before. It is also my goal to create quality pieces for affordable prices.

Make sure to check out her shop! I especially love the "Convertible" (the last image shown).

Whimsy & Spice and all Things Nice

2009-08-25T21:23:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite online finds. I think I found it through my Etsy, Blogger, Twitter contacts. I'm not sure how I stumbled upon Whimsy&Spice, but now that I have I keep going back to look at all of the scrumptious-looking treats! I haven't purchased any of them yet, but they keep tempting...especially the handmade marshmallows:

The maple marshmallows look particularly delectable :)

And the Earl Grey Sandwich cookies seems like such an amazing combination of flavors. It just makes me so curious!

Go check out their website and maybe try out some of those marshmallows :)

::all images property of Whimsy&Spice::

Bookworms - celebrate!

2009-08-24T15:13:00.001-07:00

I don't know if any of you are college students, or have a hankering to read The Illiad or The Lovely Bones, but in my attempt to clean house and reduce clutter I'm selling a bunch of books over on Amazon. If you're interested in any, come take a look at my Storefront.

Simply Pretty Prints

2009-08-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to do is to help out other Etsy sellers, especially when they're newer like Simply Pretty Prints! She's been around about the same amount of time as me, and has some pretty fun stuff in her shop...so go and check her out today :)

Artist Interview: Karen of Karen Hallion

2009-08-19T17:30:00.000-07:00

Today I have the pleasure to interview Karen of Karen Hallion. As you will see below she does amazing illustrations. I asked her the "typical" question of what her favorite color is and she responded with "Eek! That's a tough question, I actually have favorite color combinations, like purple and green, and pale blue and brown. If pressed to give an answer, though, I would go with green." Her favorite weekend activity is Friday night poker, breakfast with her family on Saturday and painting on Sunday. And for breakfast all she wants is coffee and more coffee :). Her dream vacation is to go to Disney World, which is what she's doing in September with her husband and four-year-old son. She also dreams of going to Hawaii someday.

One last bit of quirk information Karen says is "I am a big geek: Star Wars, Harry Potter, LOTR....the list goes on. I hide it well, though. :)

Now onto her beautiful art.

What started you in your art/craft?
It sounds strange but when I was 16, I saw the movie "The Little Mermaid", and I walked out of the theatre and decided I wanted to be an artist. I had always loved Disney movies, and had dabbled in drawing, but for some reason, this one really just jumped out at me. I wanted to try to capture the movement,flow and beauty that I had just seen. I went home and started drawing, and twenty years later, I am still going.

What are your favorite materials/tools?
Honestly, just a pencil and paper. The sketch is my favorite part of the process, the quick, easy flow of the line.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
I am going to have to pick a two, Alphonse Mucha and Glen Keane. Mucha is obviously a big influence in my work, I love the line quality in his art, and the decorative elements in his backgrounds. Glen Keane is a Disney animator, one of the best, and he was the lead character animator for Ariel. It's a dream of mine to someday meet him. He captures life on paper with just a few lines, it's awe-inspiring.

How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I have been drawing for about twenty years now, though it's only in the last few years that I have felt I have finally understood how to achieve what I want in my art. I have done various freelance work over the years, including illustrating a children's book, titled "Yen Shei and the American Bonsai" by Jennifer Anna. I opened an Etsy shop online two years ago, but hadn't really done anything with it till this past July. I was let go from my elementary school art teaching position last month, and now I am going to pursue art full-time.

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I am hoping that my art will bring in enough revenue to make it a viable option for me to continue it as a full-time job. I would love to have steady sales on Etsy, and also show in a few galleries in the real world. I am hoping to pursue children's illustration as well. Etsy has been a wonderful, and supportive community, and I am pretty happy there, so maybe I will be able to find my niche.
Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I usually draw women, lately mermaids and Geisha. I like to capture beauty and a bit of mystery,
along with an inner strength and joy.
What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Draw all the time, keep a sketch book and draw from life as much as possible. If you do a drawing or a painting you are not happy with, do another one, and another one. Just keep working, keep producing work. Research the business end of art, I am still doing this, and I am still trying to figure it all out! If you are new on Etsy, get into the forums, ask a lot of questions, and pay attention, because there is a lot of great advice there.

Make sure to check out her shop!

ACORNS!

2009-08-19T15:05:00.003-07:00

I'm just getting tired of all of this hot weather and am ready for fall...hence some of my finds on Etsy today :)

Paper Acorn Box by The Paper Acorn

Squirrel Necklace by The Brass Hussy

Felted Acorns by Fairy Folk

Raindrops and Roses

2009-08-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

This Rory Umbrella from Raindrops has got to be the most beautiful, amazing umbrella ever :)

Entrecard Update/Entrecard Ad Placement Manual

2009-08-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

As per request, I'll help explain how to advertise on other blogs with Entrecard...and explain how I *finally* figured out what was going wrong.

First, Entrecard is "fixed" for me! Hooray! Apparently, this is one case where Firefox's Adblock add-on is not a friend. (Side note: I LOVE the adblock feature because I hate pop-up and banner adds - little, unanimated ones like Entrecard are good - and this is coming from someone who majored in advertising in school. I know, a bit of a conflict of interest.) Anyways, a tag or meta tag (the behind-the-scenes words that a website coder adds to images so that search engines can find them) must have been changed on Entrecard's site which suddenly made Adblock block my chances of advertising. So I changed my preferences and now I'm back in business!

Okey dokey, so how DO you advertise on Entrecard? It's quite simple and fun :) ... this is where the advertising geek in me comes out. On Entrecard's site you will see eight tabs/buttons at the top (see below):

The third one over is "Campaign." If you want to advertise on other blogs, click this link and you will come to a page showing the different categories you can choose from (see below):

Choose the category that fits your target audience best. For me, I'm targeting mid-twenty somethings and older, moms, and the crafty crowd. So I usually choose "Women's Interest," "Art," and "Parenting and Family." Sometimes I'll spread to others, but I usually stick to the crowd that will most likely read my blog and find it interesting (so I wouldn't advertise on "Sports" or "Men's Interest"). Once you choose a category, click the link and it'll send you to the page of all of the blogs in that category. It'll usually list the most popular (i.e. the most expensive) blogs first. Check to see the balance of your Entrecard Credits in the upper right hand side of the screen (you earn these credits by "dropping," displaying other ads on your blog, and other people dropping on your blog).

When you find a blog that you think suits your ad and is within your price range, click "Advertise" which is right below the image of the blog (see below, "Advertise" is in black).

As you can see above, if you can't afford the ad, it will say "Too expensive" and if you purchase an ad, the box below the image will be blue. Once you buy ads, you can always check what ads you have running on the Dashboard page under "Your ads." And if you want to see what ads you've purchased, but haven't been approved yet look under "Pending ads."

I hope this helps!

Entrecard, Anyone?

2009-08-17T16:45:00.001-07:00

If anyone stumbles across this post who uses Entrecard to advertise their blog, maybe you can help. I've used Entrecard for about three or four months now. It was working as the way I expected Entrecard to work, I was advertising on other blogs and other blogs were advertising here. BUT, now people can advertise on mine, but the function of advertising on other blogs for me is no longer there. The button underneath their 125x125 avatar to advertise is missing and has been for about 1.5 months.

Does anyone know what's up?

A little update on Branch New/Made by Mo

2009-08-17T16:32:00.000-07:00

I was reading the blog of Made by Mo, who I interviewed a couple of weeks ago, and I found out some fun news: she has an Etsy shop now! Go check it out...and read her blog entry. She's pretty excited :)

More Thoughts of fall, and even winter?

2009-08-17T15:27:00.000-07:00

Things have a been a bit slow around here...a "lazy," crazy summer that has been fun, stressful, and a bit unproductive in terms of my shop. But thankfully, after weeks of no inspiration...I was inspired! And created four new designs yesterday, including my start of the holiday line :)

But just to give you a little look at some of the cards that will hopefully start hitting the shelves within the next two weeks here's one:

I'll start giving new little tidbits of my holiday line(s) later into October, but I'm sure no one wants to see Christmas cards yet (I know I sure don't!)

And for a little more studio news: I sent out a request for those interested in being featured on my blog, and I had an amazing response! It was much more of a response than I had before and now my calendar is filled through the end of April 2010! So be excited for all of the artist interviews for a variety of shops! And, one shop is doing a giveaway on my blog starting within the first week or so of December, so get prepared for some seasonal goodness there :)

I hope all has been going well in the blogging world!

Artist Interview: Amy of Avlors Imprints

2009-08-13T15:15:00.000-07:00

This week I have the pleasure of interviewing Amy of Avlors Imprints. You may remember that just last week she posted an interview of me on her blog! I've also had the pleasure of getting to know her a bit more through Twitter. Here's a little background so YOU get to know her a bit better. Her favorite color is orange because it is vibrant, warm and reminds her of fall, her favorite season. Her favorite weekend would start out with sourdough pancakes that her husband makes (He's the pancake and cookie master in their house). After such a wonderful breakfast she would hangout with family and friends. Her weeks are fast-paced, so the weekends are when she gets to slow down. And this is what Amy's dream vacation would be: "A walking tour in Japan from Kyoto to Tokyo, then to spend time in the north on Hokkaido. Hubby and I plan to go to Japan after we pay off our house. Hoping for about 6-8 years. Sounds like a long time - but we started planning last year and poof there's a year gone already!"

Now to the "serious" stuff.

What started you in your art/craft?
Doodling and drawing are things I've always loved to do. So relaxing! Even in college as a math major - I took all the art courses I could for the blessed winding down time. Later I learned on my own (practicing every tutorial I could find on the internet) how to digitize my work and to convert it to line and vector drawings.

I also love to peruse a through office supplies and stationery. (This must come from my mom - because we both get a little giddy about them.)

What are your favorite materials/tools?
Quality paper, a sharp X-acto knife, and my computer! Lately I've been having a blast learning to work with upcycled materials.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
Georgia O'Keefe and my mother-in-law, Shirley, are my two biggest inspirations. Both were warm, loving, strong, brave women doing what they loved and not afraid of what others thought of them.

Shirley loved art and you can see it in every piece she made - from chalk drawings to quilts. She taught me about the value of a lovingly made work and how to honor those who made the work.

Georgia O'Keefe did her work boldly, didn't let anything stand in her way, and adapted to where she was.

How long have you been creating and selling it on Etsy?
Avlor's Imprints has been open since December 2008. I started with PDF embroidery patterns, graphics, otedama sets (Japanese juggling sets, that I now sell in my other store), and art photographic prints of orchids.

After trying my hand at my own stationery - it quickly became one of my favorite items to create. I've been working on narrowing what I have for sale and am finding that my stationery, customized upcycled sew-in labels and customized promotional cards are the best sellers. Custom and business orders are just as fun as designs I do on my own. I love helping another business shine!

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
Go ahead and laugh - but right where I'm at! I would love to continue to stay at home even when both of my kids are in school. I love having my two shops and the mental stimulation and interactions they bring. I'm looking at needing to go back to work in about a year so we can catch up on the things we need to do around the house, put more into retirement savings, etc. I started this just for fun. But I really truly just want to continue be a stay at home business lady!

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
My hope is that people will feel the enjoyment in using my products that I had making them. Quite a bit of time and love is put into each set. If people love the products, I know I did well. ;)

What advice would you give to new Etsy artist just starting out?
Do what you love and know your customer! You'll hear know your customer over and again - but it's vital!

Be helpful and don't just focus on yourself when looking at places to promote. If you ask for an interview - be ready to post one on your site in return. Give more than you get. Get involved in Etsy teams. Don't just join, but do something to help out!

Limit what you try to do in a week - you'll accomplish more in the long run. Pick just a few things to do each day, so you don't burn out.

Make sure to check out her other shop, Ojami and find her on facebook!

Artist Interview: Marieke Made by Mo

2009-08-06T22:02:00.000-07:00

Today I have the honor of interviewing Marieke of Made by Mo. I asked her some questions about herself before we dove into the interview: Her favorite color is lime green and blue. On weekends she likes to work on crafty projects while she listens to good music, she states "I can't work without listen to music." She loves to eat cereal for breakfast or on Sundays she loves to eat a croissant and backed egg. For a dream vacation she'd love to go to America (though she's afraid of flying). By car she loves to go to Italy (I'm so jealous! I wish I could drive to Italy!). She thinks Italy is a beautiful country with tasty food. Her mother lives in Spain, so she loves to go there too!

And now down to the interview! :)

What started you in your art/craft?
When I was a child I already made stuff for my barbie dolls. Little bags, clothes etc and I drew a lot of Disney characters. When I got older I started to paint more realistic. I was also into music. My mom is a professional singer and I got the 'fever' too. Not by singing but by playing drums.
A few years I totally added to music I played drums in several bands and when I finished highschool I had to make my mind up. Am I going to an art academy or a music academy. I choose for the art of course! And this is when I realised that I can make money out of my favourite hobby. And can teach other children/people more about art, craft and culture

What are your favorite materials/tools?
At this moment I am into sewing. I want to learn more about this technique. I am also a fan of ceramics. But this is more difficult to work with at home.
So I have to go to a ceramic workspace. In my studie I learned to etch, screenprinting and bookbinding. So I use this techniques more often now but I still have to learn a lot.
Besides my webshop I am also into drawing. I draw on assignment. as specially pets.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
My parents are also very creative. My father is a real handy man. He does everything by itself. Making the bathroom for example. My mom is always busy with little projects, she is very creative. Her house looks very cosy and finished with cute little corners. My sister is into scrapbooking and she does it very well.
When we (my sis and I) were little kids we did a lot of crafty projects with our mom. We can still learn from each other. My mom is going to give me some sewing tips and I am going to teach her more about Photoshop.

How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I am making things to sell for two years now. It started with 'strawbunny' I made a few different characters in my studio. I made little stories about them and painted this. Later on I started to screenprint little books with these characters called, monkey chunky, cookie dog, honey bear and strawbunny. So i wanted to do more with these guys. Beside this I made a lot of different things to try some techniques out. Bookbinding, sewing (bags, toys etc) I got so much stuff so I decided to sell my things at Dawanda and mijnwebwinkel.nl. I want to sell on etsy but don't have a credit card so this makes it more difficult. I hope in the near future that I am going to be able to sell my things on etsy because I can reach a wide range of people.

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I hope I will reach more people. I am just graduated at the art academy as Bachelor in fine art and Design Teacher Training and I hope I'll find a job were I can match these two. In September I am going to do my first craft show so I am very excited! My wish is to have my own store were I sell work of young (new) artists and can give workshops.

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
The work is inspired by nature. I love being surrounded by nature. It makes me feel relaxed and de-stresses me. In the big city everything goes fast and by bringing these forms and colors in the city makes me feel happy and peaceful. I hope I can give these feelings to other people by showing (and selling) my products.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Just do what makes you feel happy. Start a blog. It is always interesting to read more about the person behind the shop and what moves you..

Make sure to also check out her blog, flickr, and twitter!

Cupcake Papers Photo by Danske

2009-08-04T21:17:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, I found this picture through Tumblr and I love it! It's from Danske's flikr account. You really should check out her other photographs, they're amazing :)

Thanks, Amy!

2009-08-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

Amy from Avlors Imprints featured me on her blog today! She'll be showing up as one of the artists I interview soon, so take this chance to get a peak at her work beforehand :).

I'm Sorry

2009-08-03T17:34:00.001-07:00

I'm sorry. I've been a bit remiss in the blog-o-sphere and Etsy-land. Life's been a bit crazier than I had anticipated so the designs and new blog posts I talked about have been a bit lacking and non-existent. I've also fallen back on my Etsy group responsibilities, but I promise, as soon as life gets a bit less hectic I'll be posting new designs and finds. I just have to gain some composure and rhythm again in order to do that. So here's to hoping that after this week, I'll be back and ready to tell you all about my new designs and finds.

What I CAN tell you is I have been brainstorming designs. They're not fleshed out on paper or on my computer, but I have them in mind, so hopefully soon they will be nice and ready. They're all fall inspired, so I need to hurry up and get them in the shop and on my blog in time for the fall season.

Hopefully I'll see you all soon in the blog world! :)

Artist Interview: Lucinda of Luli Bags

2009-07-29T19:39:00.000-07:00

I'm doing this interview a bit early because with full time work tomorrow (for just the day) and packing to leave for camping, I don't want this interview to fall through the cracks! Because, as with all the interviewees, Lucinda from Luli Bags has some facts and information that you wouldn't want to miss! Luli bags is a fun purse/bag shop on Etsy.
I asked Lucinda first what her favorite color was and she responded "As a fabric hoarder, I cannot possibly answer this question. I love fabric in so many different prints and colours, that my answer changes on a daily basis." I completely understand - my mother has always been a fabric hoarder and has the same mindset! Her favorite breakfast food is smoked bacon ("(as part of a full English breakfast). Fulfilling the stereotype..."). And on weekends she likes to do "simple things" like relaxing at home; watching films, eating, spending time with friends and family. And when I asked her what her dream vacation would be she said "A private beach somewhere tropical sounds good. On a more realistic level, I’d love to visit New York."

Then, I asked her about her art:

What started you in your art/craft?
I have always enjoyed painting and photography and did A-Level art at school. However, I had a creative hiatus for several years while I studied to become a Solicitor. I started sewing around 5 years ago when I found an old sewing machine in a shared house and decided to test it out. It wasn’t long before I was hooked. I grew up around some talented seamstresses, so I may have had a head start.

What are your favorite materials/tools?
My Janome sewing machine and overlocker. I had a false start with a sewing machine that wasn’t fit for my intended purpose (despite advice to the contrary). My current semi-professional machine is really powerful and can cope with a wide range of heavy fabrics, leather and suede. I find my overlocker invaluable; it adds neatness and durability to my work. I’m very protective of my scissor collection! A good pair can make such a difference (and prevent blisters when cutting out in bulk).

Who's your biggest inspiration?
My boyfriend is a talented musician and artist and has actively encouraged me to pursue my creative side.

How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I’ve been making bags for around 5 years. When I bought my most recent machine, I made a lot of stock and attended various craft fairs in London. I made countless gifts and items for myself, building stock along the way. I eventually opened my Etsy shop in late April 2009, so I’ve been up and running for around 3 months.

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I would love to see my business grow into something which can help to pay the bills. It would be fantastic to have a busier Etsy shop and to establish some links with small gift shops, to ensure a steady flow of business. I’d like to set up a blog and promote my shop more effectively. Being the featured artist on the Etsy front page would be fantastic but I’m not holding my breath...

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I hope I can share and enhance the initial impact the fabric had on me, by creating a finished piece of work for others to enjoy. I hope that buyers can also enjoy the feeling that they own something that either no-one else has, or that hasn’t been mass produced.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Think carefully about your product before you build up stock and open your shop. Try to creative a distinctive house style, so people can recognize your products at a glance. Perhaps consider limiting the types of item that you sell, e.g. specialize in a few styles of bags/clothing/jewelry. I notice that sellers who manage to do this are often more successful. I should probably follow my own advice.

She had this to say as her final words, "I’m currently working on a range of clutch purses with metal kiss-lock frames. I have a large stash of beautiful and unusual smaller pieces of fabric and I think this will be the best way to make use of them. I plan to ornament these bags with vintage brooches/buttons (if I can bear to part with them). I’d like to thank Melanie for featuring me on this blog, much appreciated!"

Fall Preview

2009-07-26T15:33:00.001-07:00

Here's a little preview for one of the designs that I'm hoping to have in the shop. Maybe you remember my previous little kids pack (a kid playing in the rain, pool, blowing bubbles). I decided that this line needed to be seasonal - kids are so perfect for customizing for the seasons. And I wanted to embody some of my favorite childhood moments because as we get old, we start to forget how carefree and happy we were as children. We all need a little reminder every once in awhile. :)

Artist Interview: Valerie of Zebra Lilly Jewelry

2009-07-23T21:48:00.000-07:00

Today I have the pleasure to introduce you Valerie of Zebra Lily Jewelry. Her favorite color is any blue that has an aqua or teal hue. She's a girl who loves the sun and for her dream vacation she'd "like to envision [herself] in one of those huts above the pretty blue waters within French Polynesia. One day [she] will also go to the Galapagos Islands." While on her vacation she'd feast of a breakfast of "a veggie omelette with morning star veggie sausage patties and toast! MMMmmmmmm…" And, Valerie gave me her perspective on weekend activities "Weekends? What’s that? No, I’m kidding. I like to rest my feet if I can because I’m always on the go but I will always sacrifice that if I can go spend time with family or friends, especially if the weather is good (not always common in Seattle) and we can be outside."

Then we got down to business and asked some questions about her art:

What started you in your art/craft?
I have been told I was probably a crow in one of my past lives. I love all things sparkly. When I was a little girl I would spend my time pretending I was a paleontologist digging up dinosaur bones or excavating pretty stones out of the back yard. It was a hobby that I never believed would exceed that status. My mother gave me a beautiful wire-wrapped necklace as a graduation gift and I thought to myself, ‘Hey, I can do this!’. I studied that piece and began to teach myself how to make jewelry. I wish I could meet the artist and thank her for leading me to happiness!

What are your favorite materials/tools?
My favorite materials are sterling silver wire and faceted, plump gemstones. The fatter the better : )

Who's your biggest inspiration?
My mother was the person who instilled in me an appreciation for nature, especially geology. She continues to inspire me and support my endeavors.

How long have you been producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I have been making jewelry off and on for 2 years now. I began making jewelry as a junior in college with the idea that it would remain a hobby so it often took place on the back burner while I studied for exams and tried to keep up with homework. I realized that my love for sparky things like sterling silver wire and those juicy gemstones was pretty expensive so I sold a few things here and there so I could continue to do what I loved doing.

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
Who wouldn’t love to see more increased sales? Just before graduating college (from the University of Washington), I realized that I would want nothing more than to be my own boss and use my time being creative and making things people love. I want to be able to support myself (at least part time for now) off of my jewelry. I just want to be successful, which for me, is determined by my happiness, not necessarily financial gain.

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I want people to appreciate the love and time that goes into handmade pieces. Now that I’m on the inside of the handmade community, I completely understand what it takes to create products that the artist and people can love and appreciate. When I make my pieces, I make sure it is something that I, too, would wear and proudly stand by. I pay so much attention to detail and make sure every wrap is to my liking and every component sharpened or polished. All of us make products because we care about making a quality item that can be shared and/or given to loved ones.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Do your research first! Hang out in the forums…get all the legal business paperwork out the way…keep track of all your receipts…don’t underprice yourself…give great customer service and always be willing to go the extra mile….there is so much but I guess most of us just learn through trial and error.

Here is just a sampling of some of Valerie's beautiful work!

Thanks Suzie's Armoire!

2009-07-20T11:57:00.001-07:00

She's included my birthday card sampler pack in her treasury :)

In Prepartion for my Fall Line

2009-07-17T18:23:00.000-07:00

So, I've been a bit brain-dead when it comes to being inspired for the fall line. I've been trying to be inspired, but the more I try, the less inspired I am! So, I started with the basics, the colors :)

Let's just say, I'm pretty excited with the envelope colors I chose, which will be the basis of my fall line, a more "serious" illustration-based group of cards.

Here's a look at the main colors for Fall of 2009:

Artist Interview: Robin of The Fancy Lamb

2009-07-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

Today I have the pleasure of talking to Robin of The Fancy Lamb. It's a fun little shop that repurposes vintage fabric, maps and books for new, fun uses. I asked Robin some background questions to help us understand her a bit more. Robin's favorite color(s) is the combination of pink and brown (good choice!). Because of her shop and her hobbies, her favorite weekend activity is to go and browse through estate sales. Her favorite breakfast food (on a rare occasion) is French toast, but she states "On a day-to-day basis, Diet Mountain Dew. (Does that count?)" Her dream vacation is to go RVing with her husband and 3 dogs: "No timeline, no planes to catch, no rules." Now that we have a bit of a background, let's jump right in. This one's a bit longer, but definitely worth it! :D

What started you in your art/craft?
Well, I have always been pretty crafty, thanks to my family. My mom sewed quite a bit. And my grandma was a knitter, weaver, photographer, and many other things all rolled into one. So when I was a kid, it was not unusual for me to go to a pottery class, then come home and make some handmade paper, then finish the night off by cross-stitching in front of the TV. That’s right, I was cross-stitching at 12 years old. I was mature beyond my years!
Then, once I got into high school and college, I kind of let the crafting bug go by the wayside. I was so busy during those years with school, work, extra-curriculars. And crafting wasn’t exactly “cool” in the circles I frequented during that time.

But then over the last year or so, I’ve had this itch to just MAKE something. Anything. As long as I made it with my own two hands. So I picked up sewing again, which got me rolling, and I started brainstorming other creations.

What are your favorite materials/tools?
Most importantly, all of my crafts have to include at least one vintage component. I’m quite the treasure hunter, and you’ll find me hopping from one estate sale to another on the weekends (and sometimes during the week too, if I’m lucky!). And I’m constantly picking up materials that I can use to create something new and useful.

I suppose my favorite materials would have to be all the lovely old books that I gather. I love everything about them: the feel of the worn fabric covers, the weight of the pages, and even the smell. I use the covers to create my Vintage Book Journals, and I am often able to use the pages elsewhere. For example, I’ll use unique illustrations to create my Upcycled Tile Coasters.

I’m also a huge fan of vintage fabrics, which I use for my sewn goods. Sometimes I’ll find raw pieces of fabric, but sometimes I’ll find a set of curtains that I love and I’ll deconstruction, then reconstruct those to create something new from them. Quality vintage fabrics, in patterns I like are a little bit harder to come by than other materials though. I suppose that makes my Everyday Bags and Zippered Pouches that much more special to me.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
(Warning, this is very cheesy…) I think I get inspired by my husband a lot. He is a graphic designer and a huge art buff and he has given me the courage to try new things, and not be scared of being creative or making mistakes. I’ve loosened up a lot since I met him and I’m very appreciative of that.

How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
Well, in late 2008, I saw a Call For Artists for a local juried craft show. It was called Green With Indie, and it was focused on arts and crafts that promoted upcycling, recycling, repurposing, etc. I said to myself “Hey, I could really do this!” and I applied. And to my surprise, I got accepted! The next 3 months were a whirlwind, because I was really starting at ground zero. I had to develop my entire brand, gather my materials (and I mean gather…I can’t just purchase my materials in bulk since they are primarily vintage), plan my product lines, develop price points, and design my booth display. These are things that often evolve naturally over time, but I dove in headfirst and was determined to be ready for the show.

And in the end, it all came together. I had a great show that exceeded my expectations, and got awesome feedback from customers. Following the show in late March 2009, I photographed my remaining inventory and started listing on Etsy. And I must say, I LOVE Etsy. I love the community aspect of it. I’ve gotten to know some of the other sellers, and I love talking to people who have similar interests and goals as me. It’s been a huge support system.

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I plan on doing more shows over the next year. I already have a few on my calendar (Big A$$ Indie Art and Craft Show and Strange Folk Festival) and have a few others on my short list that I plan to apply to.

In addition, I’ll continue to sell on Etsy, and I’m starting to branch out into selling unaltered vintage items too, in additional to my handmade items. I am considering opening up a second shop to keep my vintage and handmade separate, but haven’t decided yet. I also just opened an ArtFire shop, and am hopeful that traffic there will steadily increase as ArtFire becomes more well known. Eventually, I’d love to be able to bring in a comparable income to a day job by selling my little pretties. But of course, that’s easier said than done!

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
The most rewarding thing has been hearing the personal details that draw people to my work. The Vintage Book Journals are big in this regard. I can’t tell you how many people have said “I loved this book as a child” or “the title of this book reminds me of my sister” or some other personal detail that makes the journal meaningful to them. I recently worked on a custom order for a lovely woman whose daughter was graduating from high school. She wanted to give Vintage Book Journals to her daughter and all of her daughter’s friends. And she painstakingly picked out books that spoke to each recipient’s character. One of the recipients was an aspiring musician, so she gave him a journal that was based on the importance of music in one’s life. “Charm and Personality” went to another recipient who was known for her friendliness and tact. Each of the 10 journals had a special meaning like this, and she was kind enough to share those details with me. It really touched my heart.

I also see this with my upcycled tile coasters. People will often select a set of Road Map Coasters based on their favorite city, or a place where they recently visited and have fond memories. It’s really nice to hear about WHY someone is purchasing a particular item and what makes it meaningful to them.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
I would suggest that you really take the time to learn about Etsy before you try your hand at selling. I spent about 3 months poking around before I started listing any items. Of course, there’s no harm in learning as you go (and I’m still doing that) but there’s a lot of value in having a good understanding of things beforehand. Read the Storque, attend Virtual Labs, talk with people in the forums…there are so many opportunities to learn valuable information.

And make treasuries! It’s a great exercise for multiple reasons. First, it’s putting your name out there. Other treasury-makers will see your treasury, find your shop, and perhaps include you in a treasury, which means exposure for you. Second, curating treasuries is hugely beneficial for improving your eye for good photography and aesthetics. It gives you an opportunity to look at other good photographs, and analyze what aspects about those photos make them so visually pleasing. Then you can transfer some of those realizations to your own photography. You should be constantly improving your photography. It’s a never-ending process.

Made by Hank

2009-07-15T16:12:00.000-07:00

So this is another shop I found through someone else's blog, but I think it's absolutely adorable - and apparently many people agree because Made by Hank has had many sales and there are only four more little purses left in the shop! I'm hoping more are being sewn up right now because I just love 'em! :)

*all images are property of Made By Hank*

Flip and Tumble Fun!

2009-07-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

As per one of my favorite comment-er's request, I'm back to the blog. It's been a bit challenging recently because I think I lost my mind along the way - life gets in the way, and when I'm busy and stressed all creativity goes out the window. So yes, that means my new line has yet to be even remotely started (sorry!)

I'm going to start with an easy blog today...just one of my favorite recent finds :)

Flip and Tumble makes me happy - I'm not sure if it's the bags, the website or just the happy-go-lucky feeling of everything. I stumbled across this website from another blog (sorry, I can't remember which!) and it made such an impression that I bookmarked it. Maybe it's because it's inspiring me to find some rip-stop fabric and make a handful of grocery bags for myself :) Or maybe because it doubles as a game of catch :)

Oh Boy

2009-07-13T12:44:00.000-07:00

Another apology is in order for the lack of blogging - and the cure is no where in sight!

I just got back from a (very nice and long) vacation, so I'm still a bit in vacation mode and post-vacation hub-ub of unpacking. And the exciting part is that I have a job interview tomorrow (hooorrray!), so I've been a bit preoccupied by that.

Don't worry, I'll always have at least the artist interviews!

Wish me luck tomorrow!

My very first time Curating a Treasury!

2009-07-10T08:24:00.001-07:00

Please tell me what you think! :D

Artist Interview: Bonnie of Bonnie Boden

2009-07-09T08:11:00.000-07:00

Today I'm happy to interview Bonnie of Bonnie Boden. I was very excited for this interview because it's my very first interview of a photographer! She has some amazing work that I get to show you at the end of this interview. But first, a few little details so you get to know Bonnie better. Bonnie loves the outdoors and her favorite weekend activity is "Spending some time in the outdoors with my camera and the local critters and creatures is always both relaxing and refreshing. Just sitting outside reading and enjoying the fresh air is good, too." In the morning before she heads out she'd eat something fresh, seasonal and homemade for breakfast. She loves to cook and try new recipes. Going along with her love of the outdoors, for vacation she'd love to go where there's a stream, hiking, lots of trees and crisp mountain air. (Maybe I should recommend Oregon! ;)). And last but not least, her favorite color. She states "I don't think I really have a favorite color. I like certain combinations of colors -- I like blues and browns together, for instance. And I really like colors that remind me of fall."

After this I asked her some questions about her art:

What started you in your art/craft?
I've been a photographer for as long as I can remember. I started with a little point-and-shoot camera when I was in grade school, and moved up to a 35mm SLR in high school (it's still in the closet -- I don't know that I'll use it again, but I just can't get rid of it!). I had a makeshift black and white darkroom in our basement in high school, thanks to a family friend unloading some equipment -- no running water except for the washing machine, so things were a little, well, interesting. :) I bought my first digital camera back in the mid-'90s, and it served me well for over ten years. I decided it was time to move up to a digital SLR in 2007, though, and I'm so glad I made the move.

What are your favorite materials/tools?
I've also always felt a strong connection to animals and nature, and I enjoy capturing their beauty in everyday surroundings -- often what you can see if you take a minute to stop and look around. I really enjoy the macro work -- many of the insects in my photos are less than half an inch long -- some about half that.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
I don't have any single inspiration for my work, but I've been inspired by artists whose work makes me feel something. I'm also energized by the critters and creatures in my photos. With the macro work I do, since everything's so tiny I often don't have a good sense of what something looks like until I get it off of the camera and onto the computer screen. It's exciting to see the results -- the beautiful colors and the intricate markings -- and it pushes me to want to get out and shoot more.

How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
It's only within the last year or so that I've started producing prints of my work for sale. Last summer I had the opportunity to sell my photos at a local community day -- the feedback I received there inspired me, and I decided to try other venues as well.
Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
In the next year, I hope to add more product types (notecards, magnets, bookmarks, canvas prints, calendars, etc.), and I'd like to get my work into local galleries and shows. I'd definitely like to increase my sales.

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
It's been fascinating for me to see people's reactions to my work when I'm set up with my photos at a public venue, and while there are a few images that consistently get noticed, individual tastes are really varied. My hope is that people find something that they connect with -- something that makes them feel good, something that sparks a memory, something that inspires them.
What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Do what makes you feel good -- the connections you make with people who appreciate your work will be all the better for that.

Bonnie also has some fun names and facts about her images shown above (click on each for the click-through link). Here are her descriptions:

Tiny Insect -- To give you an idea of the scale on this one, that's a marigold flower. This little guy was so tiny, covered in pollen, and so very busy.
SnowPeaFriendship -- This one always seems so sweet to me -- one snow pea tendril reaching out to another. (My tendril images are some of my favorites -- like the cucumber spirals and the intricate snow pea support constructions.)
Clearwing -- I'd never seen a clearwing hummingbird moth before -- they're pretty incredible. I love how its back legs are crossed -- so relaxed while hard at work.

Bonnie has shops on Etsy, 1000 markets and her own website.

One last fun fact about Bonnie: "I didn't know it until *after* it was published, but the subject of my first photo published in a national magazine was...a stinkbug. (And actually, it's the only item that comes up on Etsy if you search on that keyword!)"

Go check out Bonnie's shops!

I've been a bit absent

2009-07-08T18:48:00.000-07:00

But don't worry! Come back tomorrow for a fun Artist Interview!! :D

Also, if you know any other artists who would be interested in having a feature (or even yourself!) just email me (eyeletsagestudio (at) gmail (dot) com). I'm starting my list for the August interviews and into the fall. Get your spot now!

Adorable Etsy Shop!

2009-07-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

I like most of the vinyl decal shops on Etsy, but Mae surpasses them all in terms of children decorations. And it's because they're not vinyl at all - they're fabric! And they come in adorable fabrics and are reusable and washable. This is what Mae says on her

Unlike most wall decals on the market, which are made of vinyl, our lovely stickers are made of fabric. This makes them perfect for children, as they are removable and completely reusable. YES! Our stickers are re-usable! They can be scrunched into a ball and will easily un-scrunch and re-apply to your wall, many times over. They are even washable, which is important when it comes to those precious yet impossibly grubby little ones! Our stickers can be applied to almost any surface, and will not damage your walls.

Come check out her shop!

*all images property of Mae*

Happy Fourth of July Weekend!

2009-07-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd share some fun Etsy 4th of July products! :)
Star Spangled 3 Piece Pom Set by PomLove

Fourth of July Wool Felt Flower Hair Clip by Sweetly Baby

America Vinyl Decal by Vinyl Vineyard

Happy Fourth of July, America :)

Artist Interview: Kris from Laughing Vixen Lounge

2009-07-02T08:56:00.000-07:00

Today I'm interviewing Kris from Laughing Vixen Lounge. She creates fun and playful pop culture pendants and bracelets. When I interviewed her, I asked her for some information about herself. Her favorite breakfast food is cold pizza and if she could do anything on the weekends she'd watch movies, " Anything and everything. [She's] partial to horror and a really good romantic comedy." If she could have her dream vacation it would be to take road trips around the United States. She would also love to see Paris again. Her favorite color combination is green and purple.

Next, I sat down and asked her about her work:

What started you in your art/craft?
I've always been crafty but what made me pick the jewelry I do? Seeing bracelets and saying "Oh, I could do that." So I decided to finally do it.

What are your favorite materials/tools?
I love charms and pretty colored beads. I could sit and play with them for hours.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
I'd have to say it's more of a "what" when it comes to the inspiration for my designs. I've been a movie fanatic since birth and I finally have something to do with all that useless information. Plus I've always been a retro kind of girl which mixes nicely with the pop culture stuff.

How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I've been developing my designs for a year or two before I started selling them. I decided to start on Etsy and have been selling there since the beginning of the year.

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I would just love to be able to keep having fun making everything and be able to support myself eventually.

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I want people to have fun with it. This isn't fancy jewelry is fun jewelry. I like to make things that remind people of something special, something silly or something they love. That's why I love doing custom work because you know it will be something that means so much to the person buying it.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Don't give up. It takes time and persistence. And you have to advertise. Only a lucky few make big sales off of just listing on Etsy. The rest of us have to work at it. I highly suggest things like Twitter, Blogs, Etc. They are free and spread your store around like crazy.

Make sure to stop by and check out more items from her wonderful shop!

Giveaway on Mi-Spa

2009-07-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

Check out the amazing giveaway from Mi-Spa on their blog! The prize for the lucky winner is ten amazing gifts from ten wonderful Indie designers. Check it out and enter! :D

Fun DIY 4th of July from Twig & Thistle

2009-07-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

Head over to Twig & Thistle's Blog today for a fun DIY 4th of July!

*picture property of Twig & Thistle*

Featured Artist on Shop Indie Online!

2009-07-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

I had completely forgotten that I had done this interview about a month back, so when Google Alerts told me this morning that I had an interview, I was a bit confused. Come check out the interview her e!

Please Bear With Me

2009-06-29T15:31:00.000-07:00

I'm going to attempt to redo the layout of my blog so it more closely matches my website. Since I'm a bit clumsy with html, my blog my suffer a few hours of crazy layouts.

While you wait check out the Freebie on Creature Comfort's blog! :)

Sneak Peak into the Late Summer Line

2009-06-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

It's a bit hush-hush for now because none of the designs are completed (I'm also not sure how soon they'll be up in the shop), but I thought I'd give all you lovely readers a little sneak peak :)

The closest item I have right now to the new line is the Flower Garden Thank You Notes

The goal for this line is to create more of the things I absolutely love! (if you didn't read the "What is a Rose by any Other Name?" entry, do so now). The designs in my shop now, I of course love, but I have a special place for muted, vintage-feeling floral designs. So, by the end of my (hopefully brief) project I hope to introduce this new line into the shop. But again, since this is a newer design style for me to create - I'm not sure how long the process will be. Most of these will presumably start off as sketches...so the process is more tedious.

If you want a more visual representation of the style I'm going for, check out Fleur Avenue's Etsy shop. It's basically the jewelry representation of what I'm going for in my new line. Hopefully, I'll be successful and I'll keep you updated on my progress!

Gift Guide?!

2009-06-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

WOW! I'm in the Etsy Gift Guide!! I was on Craft Cult (aka the Heart-o-Matic) and clicked on the "featured" tab. I haven't EVER been featured on Etsy (I figured that admin didn't even know I existed except for when I need to pay my bills). Apparently being in the Etsy Voter the other week paid off!

Here's the article about the Etsy voter winner(s).

Thanks to those who voted! I still haven't picked my jaw up from the floor. I never thought I'd be in the Gift Guide! :D

Eyelet Sage Studio is online!

2009-06-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

With it's very own website! Come check it out and feedback is VERY welcome. I'm not keeping the blue background color, but I'm trying to decide what color I should use. All of the main colors I use are too strong to be used for the entire background, I'm looking for a softer, complimenting tone.

It's still a work in progress (though don't tell my very loving web master (aka my boyfriend)). I'm trying to figure out how to make it the most professional I can. eventually a gallery, my blog and a shopping section will be included, but those are fairly far down the line from now.

If you have any suggestions, please respond! I'm open for critique! :)

I do like the direction it's going in though :)

Artist Interview: Kieu of Tea Light Shoppe

2009-06-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

Today I'm interviewing Kieu from the Tea Light Shoppe. She creates jewelry, hair accessories and phone charms. The phone charms she makes are completely hand sculpted and are baked in her home oven. Kieu's favorite color is green because it "reminds [her] of trees and nature. It also really pops out in clothing/accessories." Her favorite weekend activity would be sleeping [:D]. She goes to school full time on weekdays and works on stocking her shop, so it is the weekend when she catches up with the sleep she's missed during her busy week. Her most favorite breakfast is breakfast pizza which she says she usually makes herself because very few places make it. (I've never heard of it myself!) Her dream vacation would be to tour Asia. She states, "I don't travel outside of the United States much and I would love to experience more of my culture."

Below are some of the questions I asked Kieu:

What started you in your art/craft?
I've always been into doing anything creative. I was at art school for two years and made many trips to the art store. One day, I just stumbled on some polymer clay and I started playing around with it. It eventually expanded into jewelry making as well.

What are your favorite materials/tools?
I love using polymer clay, Swarovski crystals, and more recently air dry clay. Using polymer clay and air dry clay is like sculpting with playdoh. It's so much fun and you just got to be creative. Swarovski crystals look absolutely beautiful illuminated in the light.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
I've been browsing around Etsy and I have found so many talented people. My two favorite that inspire me so are Nataliaraya and Elishalong. Their designs are so romantic and whimsical.

How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I've been creating for several months. I'm still new at this and enjoy learning and gaining experience in my craft. I only recently started my Etsy shop in March.

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I hope my Etsy shop will be very successful and consistent with sales. I also hope to consign with several boutiques/gift shops if possible.
Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I want my pieces to look cute and fun. That's why I use bright colored roses or cute little charms. I want people to feel cute wearing my jewelry/accessories.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Don't give up! Make good products, work hard on promoting and you will go far.

Make sure to visit Tea Light Shoppe!

A Pocket Feature on Papillon Jewelry

2009-06-24T08:55:00.001-07:00

Papillon Jewelry is one of my favorite stores on Etsy - the owner is just so sweet! Today on her blog is a pocket feature of my shop! Come read the interview here :)

What is a rose by any other name?

2009-06-23T12:47:00.000-07:00

And what would Eyelet Sage be without its name?

Since I'm on vacation and not quite as up-to-date with my web browsing and finds, I thought I'd stick to some topics that required a little less research and give you all a little more insight into my little shop.

Where did my name come from? Well, it's not as complicated as some people think. "Eyelet" comes from my favorite type of lace. I love eyelet trimmed details - especially sheets. I love how the eyelet lace adds just a little more fun and flavor and pretty detail to sheets that makes them more fun to climb into. My work is similar. Usually it's all simple, but it's a simple little detail that adds just enough touch to make it special and fun and delightful. Or, at least, it's what I strive for.

"Sage" simply comes from my favorite color, sage green. It's been a favorite of mine for years, so it seemed fitting to put it in the name of my shop that so greatly relies on color. The most fun part of my name is just seeing how people react to it. Some have loved it, others have hated it. I've had a few say they were confused by my name and thought I would sell I glasses cases and not cards (really?). Others can't figure out what my name is when it's all squished together on etsy as "eyeletsagestudio." It's a bit confusing, but I've seen some fun interpretations of it.

If you don't know etsy well, or don't spend a lot of time in the forums, one main thing other etsians do is create nicknames for shops so it's easier to refer back to them. For me some people got it right with "eyeletsage," some call me "eyelets" (I guess they think it's Eyelets Age?). Some opt for the even shorter "eye." I never stopped to think of what an abbreviation of my name would be, but it's fun to see others trying to figure it out.

Maybe you were looking for some larger insight, but the name is plain and simple. My favorite decorative element and my favorite color. It was a bit of a last minute decision too. Before I thought of starting and Etsy shop, I was playing around with names, and for awhile wanted to us "beatus designs" (Beautiful in latin), but it seemed to presumptuous. When I started figuring out Etsy names I originally was thinking of "First Edition Studios" (because I love to collect antique, first edition books) but it didn't seem quite whimsical enough. I'm very pleased with my name, and how it's turned out. And I'm glad I didn't spend too much thinking about it because I probably would have come up with a name I liked less.

And a random little tidbit: the items in my shop do not actually encompass my own personal style. I'm a bit more of a rough, elegant polished look (think of shabby chic and elegant wedding invitations). When someone asked me why I don't create work that resembles my style I had to stop and tell them that I just can't. And it's true. I try to create within my style, and I think why I don't is because Eyelet Sage wouldn't be unique because I would be replicating other designs I see.

Who knows, maybe I'll introduce a couple of lines of more elegant stationery, but right now Eyelet Sage is sticking to the little fun details and colors :)

Gosh, I can't believe it!

2009-06-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

I'm in a Treasury West room today! The person who won the Birthday Card voter decided to make a treasury of the people who didn't win. :) So my fun little new magnets are in the room today. Thanks Dragon House of Yuen!

Hooray, I'm in a Treasury! :D

2009-06-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

Come check it out, and click around and comment :)

Thanks Miss Moose Designs!

Artist Interview: californiablue

2009-06-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

This week, I have the pleasure of interviewing Melissa of californiablue. She lives in San Jose with her husband and two cats, Pinky and Newbie. One of her favorite weekend activities is to hang out with her husband and two kitties. Her favorite breakfast food is whole wheat blueberry and raspberry pancakes. If she could go anywhere in the world, she'd travel back to Italy where she and her husband had their honeymoon.

This may come as a surprise to you, but her favorite color is a toss up between green and blue - recently her all time favorite has been aqua blue. Take a look around in her shop and you'll see her wonderful use of the color! Also make sure to take a look at her blog where you can get some fun insight into her work and a glimpse at some delicious looking food and her adorable kitties! Also make sure to check her out on facebook and become her fan!

Here are her responses to our interview:

1)What started you in your art/craft?
After recently having been laid off from a corporate job I held for 13 years, I had an overwhelming urge to create something. I saw a book on making earrings and just felt compelled to try it out! My sister is a painter and has always encouraged me to explore my creative side. My change in employment circumstances opened me up to doing just that!

2)What are your favorite materials/tools?
I really like working with sterling silver wire; it's so forgiving. I also enjoy working with semiprecious stones, and learning about where they come from and other facts about their origin. I'm admittedly most attracted to subtle soft colored beads, especially blues and greens. Also, I like to incorporate recycled glass beads into my work when I can.

3)Who's your biggest inspiration?
I would have to say my sister is my biggest inspiration. She is an amazing painter and has always stayed true to her passion for art both in her personal and professional life. For my 16th birthday she gave me a big box of art supplies which I've moved with me many times. I finally used these supplies to create my californiablue logo I put on my boxes and use for my earring cards!

4)How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I am a Newbie! I opened my Etsy shop in March of this year. Thanks to a colleague at work who introduced me to Etsy, I was really curious how easy it really would be to set up an online shop. I was incredibly impressed with the ease and user friendly nature of Etsy's site.

5)Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I hope that I will continue to dedicate time to the creation process and expand into new styles and techniques in my jewelry making. Of course, I would love to have increased sales, but I feel that this creative outlet is priceless for me personally.

6)Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
First and foremost, I want my customers to enjoy wearing it, and feel good about themselves when they do. When I named my shop "californiablue" I really wanted to create simple, yet elegant casual jewelry at affordable prices which would make you feel like you are on vacation! I love where I live, and strive to work that feeling into each piece I create.

7)What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
I would say to new Etsy sellers, you are not alone! The Etsy community is fantastic and so supportive. I was really pleasantly surprised by all of the advice and support I received thru the forums. All of the tips and resources are wonderful. I would highly recommend that anyone who wants to try to sell their work, that they join Etsy and not be scared. The handmade community is a warm and supportive one, and once you dive in, you won't regret it!

Little Party Boy Invitations in Treasury West

2009-06-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

I usually don't use Craftopolis, but today I decided to use it and discovered I am in a Treasury West room! Come check it out and click and comment! Thanks Matrice!

Busy Day!

2009-06-17T11:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry, there's no thought provoking entries today! I have only a couple of days to get my shop in order, clean up and pack up before I go on vacation for three weeks! There is WAY too much to do before then - and probably even more that I'm forgetting about.

But don't worry, I'll have a post tomorrow - another fun artist interview! :D

And please don't forget to vote for my card on Etsy!

My Card is in Etsy Voter!

2009-06-16T10:47:00.001-07:00

Please come check out Etsy Voter and cast your vote today! My Bright Flower Birthday Cards are one of the cards in the running, but it needs some votes to catch up! Come support my card! :D

The Magnets are Listed!

2009-06-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

I have one more set to get up in my shop, but I think I'll wait a couple of hours to do that - spread the wealth a bit!

Here's a preview of the listings:

And don't forget! The promotion is going on still - make sure you get your free magnets while you can!

Botanical Bird Giveaway on Rainbow Swirlz

2009-06-15T10:44:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite (among many) jewelry designers is Botanical Bird. Her garden-inspired jewelery is so feminine, romantic and unique. Always in the back of my mind I've had that this would be one of the first Etsy stores I'd purchase something from. I love her Bohemian Red and Blue Necklace

And the Cherry Blossom Robin Necklace

There are SO many more, but those are the ones on my favorite's list on Etsy.

Now for the exciting part. Botanical Bird is giving away one of her necklaces (pictured below) on Rainbow Swirlz's blog. All you need to do is to head over to the blog and leave a comment saying which of Botanical Bird's designs are your favorites! As simple as that! Happy commenting!

Oh! And she's from Portland - like me! Just another reason to support her :)

Have a Happy Weekend

2009-06-12T15:27:00.001-07:00

I've got a busy weekend up ahead, so probably it'll be a bit slow on the blog-front. Don't forget my promotion going on! :)

Fun New Packaging!

2009-06-11T16:49:00.001-07:00

I started putting the magnet packages together (that will be listed on my shop next week). I'm SO excited about how they're turning out. I'm amazed that the ribbon I bought ended up being the PERFECT colors for my logo.

Take a look! (Sorry for the photo quality - I'm getting so spoiled by borrowing a digital SLR, that when I use my regular digital camera I'm just not too satisfied)

Isn't that fun?! I'm so excited to list them next week!

Artist Interview: Jeanne of Three Wishes Studio

2009-06-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

{Jeanne with one of her daughters, Kiera}
Today I'm glad to have the opportunity to talk to Jeanne of Three Wishes Studio. Jeanne is a jewelry designer, wife, and mother of three who works full time. Her favorite color is any shade of green, and states "Other than taking this leap of faith with opening a shop on Etsy, I’m ridiculously normal." She loves any sort of breakfast that involves coffee and someone else making and serving her something (sounds like a good idea to me!). On the weekends she likes to enjoy "the gift of time with nothing you have to do [because] that makes a weekend special." If she could travel anywhere in the world she'd go to Australia, Spain or Greece, but really would love to go anywhere outside of the landlocked Midwest. She did say this about her most recent trip "I [...] dog sat for my sister who lives in Solana Beach, Ca. Five days, four nights, with no kids to feed, bills to pay, laundry to do. It was just me and two easy going Jack Russell Terriers. I made tons of jewelry, drank wine, listened to music, walked on the beach and watched movies. It was heaven!"

After discussing some fun stuff we got down to business with her shop questions:

1)What started you in your art/craft?
Beading has been a hobby of mine for some time. So, a few years back when I was between jobs, I started taking classes, learned some new techniques, and eventually ended up having so many things on hand I decided to sell my jewelry on Etsy.

2)What are your favorite materials/tools?
I love, love, love vintage beads and components and am especially fond of Lucite. The material can hold great color and detail and is also very lightweight which makes the jewelry extremely easy to wear. Lately I have become obsessed with enamel and hand dyed ribbon. I’m always experimenting, which is the fun part!

3)Who's your biggest inspiration?
My creative inspiration comes from the materials, of course, but also from colors and patterns in nature, graphic art, fabric, current and past fashion, films and TV. I’ve always had a keen interest in costume and set design.

I have also had the opportunity to work with many fearless and successful entrepreneurs in my former career life, and they have taught me so much about pursuing your dreams and remaining true to your own style.

4)How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I opened my Etsy shop in February 2009 so I'm still a newbie! I've been making jewelry for the past few years. I am hoping to branch out into some other online venues and local craft shows and art fairs.

5)Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I would love to be able to spend more time making things! With three kids and a full-time job my studio time is limited to weekends and evenings. My goal is to slowly replace hours on my 9-5 job with hours in the studio! That will come with lots of hard work and consistent sales.

6)Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
My wish is that my customers have as much fun wearing their jewelry as I have creating it.

7)What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Much as I would like to simply list items and watch them sell, it just doesn’t happen. You really do have to promote. I am considering starting a blog and recently joined twitter. I am a member of the Etsy Bittersweeets team. Our challenge is to list at least one new item every day. That keeps me productive and the team is a super supportive group of sellers. You can find team members' work by searching "dailychallenge" in the search bar. I also participate regularly in the forums. There are so many creative, supportive artisans on Etsy. It really is a wonderful community of creativity!

Her jewelry is so sweet and cute. Make sure to go check out her shop and follow her on Twitter!

The PERFECT Ribbon!

2009-06-10T17:40:00.000-07:00

So as most of you know - I have a weakness for craft items at Michael's. Luckily, this time, my extra item didn't end up being too expensive. It's ribbon! But not just any ribbon - the ribbon that happens to match nearly PERFECTLY to all of my Eyelet Sage Studio designs.

{photo borrowed from here}

It's a little hard to tell from this photo, but unfortunately, this is the only photo I could find with the ribbon in it! I could take my own picture (of course), but it's getting too dark to take a decent one. So the one I got is the green with blue polka dots (near the bottom of the second stack on the right, to the right of the big pink with polka dots). But it's just perfect! Maybe you haven't noticed, but on the header of the blog, the cross sections of the green lines have little blue dots - the same color as this ribbon! See it's practically perfect!

I'm going to use the ribbon to package up those lovely magnets I've been talking so much about (that you can get free right now!) I'll end up selling them in packages of three, but they'll be in cute little boxes tied up with this ribbon. You'll have to check back soon - I'll post pictures of the final boxed product once I get it all together! :)

Just so you know..

2009-06-10T15:03:00.001-07:00

This is a bit of a superfluous blog post, but just so you didn't miss it - the promotion blog post is a couple down! :D

Have you seen the new Safari?

2009-06-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

So I'm usually not a big fan of Safari on the Mac - I usually use Firefox (and am now) because I just like the way it runs better. I mainly use Safari so I can have my personal and business email open at the same time.

Last night I had to run an update, which updated Safari. I didn't think it would change anything, but when I opened it this morning it was crazy! Take a look! (Don't look too closely or you'll see all the top sites I visit!)

But basically this is the opening page for Safari. It has little thumbnails of all the sites you visit on a regular basis or in my case, most of the site I visit on Safari period. You can click on any of these thumbnails and it'll take you directly to that website. Kind of cool, right? And if you're on one website, you just need to click the grid icon in the upper left hand corner to go back to that screen.

I guess Apple wanted to integrate it more into their other programs. It definitely looks a lot more like iTunes now than a web browser. I don't know though, I'm kind of liking it :). Take a look here to see what Apple is saying about it.

Drum Roll Please!

2009-06-10T11:40:00.000-07:00

And the moment you've all been waiting for! The EXCLUSIVE FAN PROMOTION!

But first (;)) let me say how much fun I've had the past week seeing all of you guess what I'm making and how it's involved in the promotion. As some of you guessed, I was busy making fun magnets to coordinate with some of the stationery designs in my shop. And some of you were curious where I was taking those pictures - sorry to say it was just on top of the newspaper I was working on! Okay, okay, now for the fun part! Read carefully!

PROMOTION:
From now (June 10th) through Wednesday, June 17th with any card purchase* from my shop, you will receive a FREE coordinating** magnet. If you're one of the first five to participate in this promotion, you will get to choose which magnet you would like to go along. Just send a message along with your purchase with: FANMAGNETS. In order to receive your free magnet you must type that in the message.

Here's some photos of the magnets:

Happy Shopping!

* This offer excludes journals
** Magnets coordinate with the Bright Flower Birthday Cards, Summer Citrus Cards, Summer Citrus Thank You Cards. Other card designs will have a randomly selected design to go along with them.

::This offer is not being announced in my store, in Etsy forums, or on Twitter::

Don't Forget!

2009-06-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I'm unveiling my week-long promotion! Come find out what those pictures I've been posting really are and how they're involved in the promotion! I'm excited!

Oh Boy my first REAL Treasury!

2009-06-09T14:00:00.000-07:00

Guys, I'm SO EXCITED! I just found out that I'm in a treasury! This my first time in a non-West Treasury, and I'm beside myself because I didn't even ask to be considered, they just picked it! :)
Please come check it out and give it some views and comments - let's try to get this one to the first page! (Haha..I can dream, right?)

My Citrus Thank You Cards are the ones in the bottom middle! You can find it in my shop right now, as part of my summer line!

Are you ready? Photo Hints #2 AND #3

2009-06-08T15:56:00.000-07:00

Here we go - only two more days until I unveil the promotion, and I thought I'd give you a couple more hints. Maybe you'll be able to guess it after these, but maybe you won't!

Hint #2

Hint #3

If you visit my shop and read some older blog posts, you might be able to figure out what's up! ;)

To Design or Not to Design: Commentary on 99designs.com

2009-06-07T22:26:00.000-07:00

So here's the background: I graduated in January 2009 from the top communication school in the US with honors and a degree in advertising (I'm not trying to be snooty, just bear with me - this all comes into play later). When I started looking for jobs I had at least 3-5 design/marketing/advertising firms looking into hiring me. And then Fall/Winter of 2008 hit, and so did the height of the economic crisis. Suddenly, those promising, possible job offers turned sour. The story was now "we really like you, but we can't hire you (we don't have space, we don't have money, we decided not to add anyone to the team), but we wish you the best."

So I'm facing bills of school loans and a monthly car payment, and I'm one of the lucky young designers who has had parents to keep a roof over my head. But I can't stay here forever and I don't want to - and I can't fall back on my parents for financial support. There's little opportunity for me to find a job in the design field right now (especially when designers with a lot more experience than me are willing to work for peanuts since they were laid off) and even admin positions which only require a GED won't even ask me for an interview.

I'm a young designer, who's been looking for a job for nearly six months with no results. What am I to do? A friend of mine told me about 99designs.com. So I took a look. I was wary of it at first because you put so much work into something that you're most likely are not going to be able to get diddly-squat out of, but looking at the dismal numbers of my bank account, did I really have much choice? And after several weeks, I won three contests, which was a life saver for me. I was able to pay that much more off on my car payments.

But, I agree with a lot of other blog posts (here and here) who absolutely LOATHE the idea of 99designs. It cheapens real design, and the client doesn't get the best product, but hey it's dirt-cheap for them, so do they really care? It's hard for me really. I really don't like the idea in some ways. The site allows clients to "take advantage" (and the designers do this willingly), of young, poor designers. Am I starved for experience? (as one of the blogs says) Of course I am! But, a main part is because of this economy - places that were once willing to hire me now don't have the funds. Unfortunately, now many people assume design should be cheaper than it is. They are horrified when I ask for a measly $10 an hour for a logo (this is figurative, but true).

I'm highly educated for my field from a great school, but I can't find a job. It saddens me that I participate in something that in the long run weakens good design, but I also am indebted to the only site that has allowed me to pay my bills in a state that has 12.1% unemployment and growing.

What's your opinion?

Oh boy. Sorry for the long post!

Etsy Bloggers Featured Blogger: June 2009

2009-06-07T15:09:00.000-07:00

This months featured blogger is...LazyTCrochet. She has a fun shop with various crocheted goodies! Here's a sampling of her work:

You can find the above items at her shop. She also has a wonderful blog about her work and life located here. Now spend some time going and checking out her work and blog - both are fun, and you won't be disappointed you went!

My Studio by eyeletsagestudio

2009-06-06T23:32:00.001-07:00

So apparently work spaces have been on more than just my mind recently! The Etsy Bloggers team posted the question of where people work if they don't have their own studio. (Apparently I'm slow to grasp the concept that I'm supposed to do this every two weeks...) They also suggested posting pictures, but because of the state of it and the fact that it's my bedroom, I figured it'd be inappropriate.

So where do I work? Most simply. My bedroom, plus one or two other locations around the house when I'm tired of my room or need more space to work. I'm working on figuring out how to organize it right now - to make it have a more "studio" feel - so that while I'm sitting at my desk I know I'm working. It's been a little difficult since by doing this I have to remove a lot of things from my room (which is MUCH easier said than done). I have two bins under my bed that I think are meant for wrapping paper, but I'm using one to store my fine art supplies and the other one (cleaned out a couple of days ago) is now holding the majority of my supplies for the Etsy shop.

I'm an avid collector of antique books (and books of all kinds) so right now the back of my desk is also functioning as a bookshelf, since the book shelf I have is already chock full of books. I'm hoping to get another shelf soon to add those ones to. My ideal goal is to have the top of my desk clear save for my computer, a jar of my essential tools (pencil, sharpie, x-acto knife, etc) and maybe a sketchbook. But I want it to be sparse so I have room to actually work on it.

Sometimes I also take over the floor in the family room and put up a card table to do my more craft-intensive work (like journals) since there are a variety of steps and materials needed (therefore I need a little bit more room to function).

But, it's pretty simple overall. Someday I hope to move out into my own place and have a completely separate room that I can devote to this work - I think I'll feel like it's a little more like work when I take my work space seriously. We'll see how it all goes!

Hint #1

2009-06-06T21:25:00.001-07:00

Here's a little picture hint for my coming promotion for my Etsy shop!

Baby Boy Cards

2009-06-06T20:21:00.001-07:00

Here's a couple of my baby boy designs. If you're interested in a different type of design, just let me know! You can leave a comment or email me at eyeletsagestudio [!@] gmail[dot]com.

Newly Listed Invitations

2009-06-06T19:36:00.000-07:00

I'm a little sad that it was cloudy today because my photos didn't turn out quite as well as my other batch. But, I was to impatient to wait for a sunny day to post them. I'll just have to re-photograph them later. What do you think?

Check out these, and other cards and invitations at my shop!

Going through my Life: Oh all my art!

2009-06-06T13:20:00.000-07:00

So, if you've been reading many of my blog posts or tweets you know that I've been trying to rummage through my things and find room for all of my new crafting supplies.

Art has always been a part of my life: I have drawings and paintings I've done from over the years hanging on walls and laying in piles because I don't know what to do with all of them until I get my own place. If I can build up my current Etsy shop, I'm considering opening one up for fine art. But I found a fun example of my completely RANDOM art (i.e. it wasn't some class assignment and very atypical of my other work). Wanna see? Well, I'm going to show you anyways! ;)

My "wire flowers:" (I apologize for the quality of the photos)

So what do you think of them? I think I did this three or four years ago. I won't tell you the secret "upcycled" ingredient of these, but they're fun.

Working on some Shop Goodies

2009-06-05T20:46:00.000-07:00

I'm working on some new little items for the shop. It's a new project for me, so we'll see how many times it takes for me to get a perfect example.

But, I'll give you a hint...once they are all completed, there will be a fun little promotion only for you: my blog readers and my facebook fans. So keep checking back to see how my project is coming and soon I'll post the code for the promotion!

Some Blog Browsing

2009-06-05T11:45:00.000-07:00

Some days I like to scour my favorite blogs (just take a look at my inspiration list) to see what pretty things they've found. They seem to be much more talented than I am when it comes to finding unique and beautiful products and images. (Though I imagine that some of the more popular blogs add products that have been sent to them to feature). Unfortunately, I was looking for stationery, and only one blog really had any featured!

Anyways, I found this beautiful card from Bow + Arrow on {Oh So} Beautiful Paper. If you haven't checked out her blog before now, you really should - she always has the most fun things to look at! :)

(bow + arrow)

*image property of Bow + Arrow

Oh Boy! I've gotta get a move on!

2009-06-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

So I just realize how LITTLE time I have left until vacation! Which, I'm beyond excited, BUT that means I have to get in gear and create a lot more designs and projects to post to my shop before I leave - and all before I hand it off to a friend to look over! WISH ME LUCK!

I'm on Indie Parade!

2009-06-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

Come check it out! My birthday cards are featured on Indie Parade!

Oooh I just LOVE Supplies

2009-06-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I went to Michael's to find some supplies for new items for my shop. I always LOVE going there. I could buy up half of that store, if I had the money too - especially in the paper craft aisles. That was one of the main reasons I wasn't able to blog yesterday. Well, that and I attacked my work space to make it more workable...it was only about 60% successful. I have some serious reconfiguring to do, but don't really want to take all the time to sit and figure it out - I just want it to be done!

Anyways, back to the fun stuff: supplies! I got most of the supplies to make coordinating magnets for my store - I have yet to figure out how to package them, but I'm really excited to be doing them - it'll be a fun way to group cards and goodies together :). Unfortunately, I don't quite have ALL the supplies yet because Michael's didn't have the major component of the magnets - the correct sized glass gems. Since they didn't have them, I also didn't purchase some other supplies, just in case I couldn't find the size I wanted. Thankfully, I found some at JoAnns today, so now all I have to do is head back to Michael's (I have TWO 50% off coupons!) and finish getting the supplies. then I'm going to have fun this weekend testing out the best techniques and hopefully getting them up in my shop by next week!

I'll be posting pictures of my project once I'm actually able to get it started. Soon though! I'm excited :)

Artist Interview: Emma of Russian Doll Designs

2009-06-04T11:04:00.000-07:00

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Emma of Russian Doll Designs. She sells art made through a variety of print methods such as lino, etching and monoprint. She also sells jewelry.

For some fun background info. Emma doesn't have just one favorite color because she thinks there are too many colors to choose from! If you had breakfast with her, you'd realize that her favorite breakfast food is a fry-up (for those who didn't know - I had to look it up! Check the link). Her favorite vacation would be to New Zealand "I like city breaks but the best holiday I've had was a trip to New Zealand - I loved the people, the relaxed attitudes and the great food." Emma also states, "that, as a UK seller on etsy, I am hoping etsy will become more well-known in the UK, as a lot of people still don't know about this amazing site. I sell internationally but am also doing my best to spread the word here!"

Here are some questions I asked her:
1)What started you in your art/craft?
I know everyone says this but I really have been making things for as long as I can remember! My mum was an art and textiles teacher so when I was small I was always given a project to keep me busy and got to learn all sorts of skills including knitting, crochet, batik, weaving, drawing and painting. More recently I got into silversmithing and printmaking through taking some courses and I've spent the last few years learning a range of different printmaking techniques and qualifying in silversmithing.

2)What are your favorite materials/tools?
In printmaking, obviously my main materials are paper and ink! I'm also lucky to have access to a print studio with a range of presses. The jewellery I currently have in my etsy shop is made with a lot of beads, buttons and marbles - and I've have to pick out marbles as my favourite material at the moment! I have always loved them and I now love making jewellery which incorporates them.

3)Who's your biggest inspiration?
I don't have one single person who's my biggest inspiration. It would be the people I have worked with and met in the print studio, the people I know through silversmithing and also all the people whose amazing work I have seen on etsy. My work is inspired mainly by nostalgia and childhood memories and toys.

4)How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I have only had my etsy shop since March 2009 so I'm still very new to it. However I've been making the prints and jewellery which you will see there for the past few years, along with lots of other things! I am hoping to branch out into some textiles in my shop soon.

5)Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I will be doing some craft shows soon which I have never done before, so I am looking forward to it but am also a bit nervous! I would love to be able to spend more time making things, and my ideal scenario would be to work part time in my 9 to 5 job, and be able to spend the rest of my time making and selling things.

6)Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I just want people to be happy with anything they buy and I find it very exciting to think that if someone buys one of my pieces it will be out there in the world in someone else's house or being worn by someone! The majority of my work is inspired by memories and objects from my childhood (hence the marbles, buttons, paper snowflakes etc.) and I hope that some of these things spark some memories for other people too.

7)What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
I am new myself so still learning from everyone else, but I think the main thing would be to go for it, and don't think that it's something only other people can do. I wish I had set up my etsy shop years ago, as it's finally given me an outlet for all the work I was producing.

Here are some selections from her shop:

Don't worry guys, I'll be back tomorrow

2009-06-04T00:28:00.000-07:00

With some very interesting posts about upcoming projects and an artist interview! See you all tomorrow! 'night!

Sorry, You'll See Me Less Today

2009-06-03T11:12:00.000-07:00

I'm going into that room of mine and going through it! As I'm accumulating more things for my Etsy shop, I'm also realizing that that translates into less wiggle room in my already crammed quarters. I need to take some serious action and figure out how I can make my space more productive and conducive to work so I can actually get stuff done!

Special Sneak Peak

2009-06-02T22:42:00.000-07:00

So, as much as I love having cards as my main focus of my etsy store, I really want to make coordinating items that would be fun gifts. So, my little shop will hopefully be expanding soon to include various sized notepads and fun coordinating gift-able magnets. What do you think?

Blog Spotlight: Fun Food Blog

2009-06-02T18:50:00.000-07:00

Today, thanks to one of the people I follow on Twitter (sorry, I don't remember who this was!) I found Cannelle et Vanille. The blogger posts recipes and pictures of the results. Besides the fact that the design is beautiful. The photographs are AMAZING

Today her post was about Raspberry and Pink Peppercorn Macaroons...if you read through the post she even gives you the full recipe for these lovely treats!

Here is a sample of her photography*:

*All images are copyright of Aran Goyoaga. Please view her blog for full-sized images.

Vote for Wedding Cake Toppers

2009-06-02T13:14:00.000-07:00

I was just introduced to the Voter section of Etsy today. I didn't actually know it even existed. Well, I went to the wedding cake topper, and it shouldn't be surprising to those who follow my blog that these, from Red Light Studio, were my choice:

Though, it was a tough call because these from the House of Mouse (which have the most votes right now) are utterly adorable too, they're just not what I would do for my own wedding:

I love these ones too from Middleburg. Goodness it's so hard to choose!

If you have an account on Etsy, go vote for your favorite wedding topper here!

Good Afternoon!

2009-06-02T12:38:00.001-07:00

What's more exciting than waking up and seeing that you had a new sale on Etsy? Well, right now not much, except finding out that the person who bought the item also forwarded your information onto their friends. Yay for networking!

And, for the first time ever, I was able to RELIST (?!) items in my shop! Yay for sales! Now let's hope I continue to have sales because I just bought these boxes to mail them in!

Vote for IS*LY!

2009-06-01T19:59:00.000-07:00

If you have never visited IS*LY, you should. It's a fun design-oriented website that's part of my list of inspiration sites.

When I stopped by today she had a blog post about how her blog was nominated for some awards. Check out the post here. All she needs to win are your votes, but make sure you check out her blog first - it's super fun! :)

Check out this Awesome site: My Meals Today

2009-06-01T18:57:00.001-07:00

My Meals Today is still in production (and I know the designer/developer!), but I wanted to share it with you all. I really think it's an amazing site, that's going to be really useful.

Basically the idea of the site is to help you plan out your meals - think of it as Pandora for food. You find recipes or add your own and add it to your personal profile database. Then the site takes those recipes and lays them all out in a month long schedule for you.

You then can decide if you want it to keep that recipe or you can "refresh" and it'll find a different recipe for you. There's also some networking where you can share your cookbook in groups (such as your family, friends, etc.)

You can sign up now (it's completely free!) and I'll tell you when it's fully functional.

Some new work

2009-06-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

I've been working on some new designs - trying to decide what to finalize and add to my inventory - maybe you can help me out?

This one's my favorite right now:

Another idea for a birthday card - for those crafty women in your life :)

Hooray!

2009-06-01T18:04:00.001-07:00

I've made a second sale! One of my professors bought a set of cards :)

Something to look Forward to

2009-06-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

I think I'll post some of my recent (still working on) designs once I get back - and you can tell me what you think! :)