Favourite Etsy Shop Friday

Favourite Etsy Shop Feature

Alphabet Art Photography Designs
www.AlphabetArtDesigns.etsy.com

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
Debbie loves to cook and watch reality TV. Cheryl loves to scrapbook and is team photographer during motocross season.

2. What made you open your shop and why Etsy?
Debbie always gets me started in new projects but this one we both fell in love with (however, I was quite fond of her cupcake phase...). It was unique and different and no one in our area was doing it so we decided to give our families a sample for Christmas gifts and it was well received. We thought about building our own website when someone mentioned that we should look into Etsy...so we did and the rest is history.

3. Do you sell your photographs anywhere else?
Yes, we have 2 shops that we do consignment retail with; Home Chic in Mayville NY and Randolph Retail in Randolph NY. We also have attended various craft shows in our area (Randolph, Westfield, The What's New Fair)

4. Do you do any other types of photography?
We do not sell other types of photography but we love to take pictures of flowers and elements outdoors. Not to mention that I take photographs at my husband's motocross events. The pictures are typically posted on the WYNOA series website :)

5. What are your favourite things to do?
Debbie's favorites include: travel to NYC, Time with family and pets. Cheryl's Favorites include: Scrapbooking, dining out, spending time with my family and pets, and a good movie.



6. What inspires you?
For Debbie, everything around her inspires her. For Cheryl, Debbie's new ideas inspire me and looking at scrapbooking magazines.

7. Which of your photographs are the most popular?
Our most popular design is our Custom orders typically for weddings. The "Forever" print has been the most talked about and most ordered for weddings.

8. If you could learn one new craft what would it be?
Debbie has been trying to teach me how to crochet...I guess I would like to learn/master that!

9. Which handmade possession given to you do you cherish?
The most cherished handmade gift was the queen size crocheted afghan given to me by my grandmother as a wedding gift.

10. Name 3 other Etsy shops you love to visit.
Debbie is the Etsy surfer and is always looking for new and unique things...I don't think she could pick just 3. Unfortunately, I (cheryl) do not get much surfing time on Etsy :(



Thank you to Alphabet Art Photography Designs for being my featured favourite shop this week. I really love how they have made letters out of different objects. I think these photographs would look great in any home and make a really creative, different gift. The black and white photography would look good in any setting. You can also just buy individual letters so you could use them for initials or spell out whatever you wish. Take a look at this shop and you will thinking of all sorts of uses for this wonderful photography.

Favourite Etsy Shop Friday

Favourite Etsy Shop Feature

DeniseAnnette
www.deniseannette.etsy.com

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I have 4 children, I'm very proud to have been married for a long time, nearly 28 years, I became a licensed vocational nurse at age 20. Was back in school 20 years later to get my bachelors in nursing when I was critically injured in an auto accident and didn't walk for about 2 years. It is how I started lampworking and I taught myself. I love walking on the beach with my dogs. I work full time at an optometric practice, love it!

2. What made you open your shop and why Etsy?
I used to do home parties and sell jewelry only. I had my own website but wasn't getting enough traffic to my site. A friend encouraged me to join Etsy because she was doing very well with it.

3. Do you sell your items anywhere else?
From time to time I have trunk shows here on the island, and I am in a gallery here on Whidbey Island, WA.. Also sell to the bead store at Pikes Place Market in Seattle, and have sold to several bead stores in California.



4. What are your favourite things to do?
Favorite things, hmmm. besides making beads... baking, I love sweets. Also I'm an accomplished cook and worked as a cook and baker for 2 years. Love making homemade bread and anything from scratch. I also enjoy doing pastel drawings, ink drawings, am learning to do watercolor, sewing, embroidery, spinning wool, reading, knitting and crocheting.

5. What inspires you?
My love of nature and animals, absolutely cannot live without dogs in my life! Mountains, the beach, calm and peaceful surroundings, one of the reasons I live on an island in the Puget Sound. Birds



6. Which bead design to you most enjoy creating?
Right now owls and birds, but that can change.

7. Which is your most popular bead design?
Owls, birds

8. If you could learn one new craft what would it be?
I want to work with paper clay and make animals and do felted animals as well.



9. Which handmade possession given to you do most cherish?
I love all of the original drawings and art that I have purchased here on etsy, owning a one of a kind is so very special. Right now I just purchased an angel pendant from Robin Wade and I adore it, along with her wonderful little stories about them.

10. Name 3 other Etsy shops you love to visit.
barby303, Leuckit, Mary Judy , your shop of course! I've been so blessed to have met so many kindred spirits here on Etsy.



A big thank you to DeniseAnnette for being my feature favourite Etsy shop for this week. I just love her beads. They are so cute and have such character. I think my favourites are the sheep and the pigs. I think its great that you can not only buy individual beads to make your own creations but you can buy jewelry thats been created using wonderful handmade beads. Take a look at this shop and see if you can find a favourite, Im sure you will.

Favourite Etsy Shop Friday

Favourite Etsy Shop Feature

Hazel Village
www.HazelVillage.etsy.com

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I have always been working on one cottage industry or another. I love making things that people can use, and I love keeping shop. Hazel Village, the most recent project, sets a new record for slow and steady growth; always before I spent a bunch of money buying supplies and otherwise getting established, and then no one bought anything and/or I got bored.

2. What made you open your shop and why Etsy?
Last April I made the first of the woodland creatures. It was a tiny brown mouse. Something about it was very satisfying, so I made more and soon there was a small community of them sitting on my bureau. In May I took a booth at a local market, and I sold six of them! I was so excited. By then I had also listed them on Etsy, where I sort of expected them to sit and languish. But also in late May, I got my first order! Also very exciting. I got a couple of orders in June and July, then more and more every month. I recently sold my 150th animal on Etsy! I love that Etsy has allowed customers to find me, because marketing is definitely not my strong point (see former statement about no one buying anything from prior cottage industries. Also be the animals' facebook fan.) Also, I love the way customer service merges with basic good manners to make people extremely nice to each other.



3. Do you sell your toys anywhere else?
I sell them at markets, lately at the Brooklyn Flea which has an excellent collection of flea market vintage things, crafts, and amazing food vendors. Also I'm in a few stores: Urban Alchemist and Acorn in Brooklyn, Petunia Babies in Queens, Branch and Birdie in Portland, Oregon, and Romp and Endeavour Toys online.

4. How did you choose your shop name?
I wanted something that sounded both wild and settled, that suggested a magical fairy tale unknown but was not too scary. Also I didn't want it to be too long. The names of some former cottage industries have been Jane Van Cleef Clothing Company and Climate Change Preparedness Center. Those are bad for URLs, bad for logos, etc.



5. What are your favourite things to do?
Making things, especially sewing, especially hand sewing. Watching TV while making things. Eating food while watching TV while making things. Archery and darts, neither of which I'm terribly good at. Walking around the city at a very brisk pace. Also, most mornings I walk to get a delicious latte from the cafe, and then go a few more blocks to the post office. I enjoy both of those errands a surprising amount.

6. What inspires you?
Seeing kids interact with the animals.



7. Which of your critters is the most popular?
Definitely the foxes. People like that they're soft, and also that they're a little bit unusual as stuffed animals go. I'm working on raccoons now, which I think might be appealing in a similar way. If I do say so their striped tails are mighty cute.

8. If you could learn one new craft what would it be?
What a great question! If I had any sense the answer would be web design. As it is, maybe weaving? Or machine knitting? Machine knitting I think.



9. What handmade possession given to you do you cherish?
When I was in college my baby sister wrote me a letter. She was 4 or 5. It says, "Dear Jane, How are you doing? I miss you. I hope you have a good time in school. Love, Grace." Which is nice. But the special thing about it is, every letter is illuminated with a picture of a thing that starts with that letter. So all the O's have little legs and tails so they look like otters if you suspend your disbelief. And all the U's have umbrellas sprouting from them. One of the P's has a tiny playground, with a slide and swings and tiny kids attached to it. And one of the T's has tiny ticks standing on the horizontal part. It's a little hard to read but it's amazing.

10. Name 3 other Etsy shops you love to visit.

This is actually a list of 4.

Richard Upchurch:
There are only a few variations on one idea, but what an idea!

Ninon: Amazing stuffed creatures. They're expensive because each one is one-of-a-kind.

The Small Object: Something about it is so satisfying.

And my new obsession, Nutfield Weaver: Who makes really beautiful tea towels, that seem like they should be much more expensive but I guess once you get the loom going it all works out.



Thank you to Hazel Village for being my featured Etsy shop this week. How can you resisted these cute little guys? I love each and every one of them. I can picture a little boy or girl with a little Hazel Village critter tucked under their arm, taking it everywhere they go. When you go and check out this shop make sure you read their descriptions, they will make you smile.

Blog Mention

I just found out that Marcel Mouse is famous today. He was mentioned on a blog post about knitted toys.

If you would like to check out this article this is the blog to go to

http://www.maxiesknitwear.blogspot.com/

Favourite Etsy Shop Friday

Favourite Etsy Shop Feature

Maisey Handmade
www.maiseyhandmade.etsy.com

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Karen. I live in a small prairie community in Southern Alberta, Canada with my husband, son, cat, two Chihuahuas, and three rabbits.

I have been a crafty person for as long as I can remember. I fact, I come from a long line of crafters. My Mom would sew clothes for my Cabbage Patch Dolls and Barbies, my Grandparents always made their own gifts and cards and I even have a set of pillowcases my Great Grandma made from her old flour sacks.

I studied Archaeology and Art in college and university for several years, but was never really satisfied with settling for a “real job” and gave up on my desire to become Indiana Jones. I dreamed of creating in a studio one day but thought it was unrealistic. Now, I’m lucky enough to be able to stay at home and work on my creative endeavors. Every day I spend working away in my studio feels like a guilty pleasure.

2. What made you open your shop and why Etsy?

I was drawn to Etsy because it is such an amazing resource for artists, crafters and buyers. I opened my shop, after a little trepidation, two and a half years ago. I was worried that I would be lost in a sea of such talented, experienced artists, but instead the inspiration and support from the community has allowed me to grow, develop and succeed.

3. Do you sell your items anywhere else?

Right now I just have my Etsy shop and do the occasional local craft sale.

4. How did you choose your shop name?

My shop is named after my 17 year old cat Maisey.

5. What are your favourite things to do?

My crafting really consumes me for the most part. When I’m not making stuff I’m thinking of making stuff. But I also enjoy traveling, knitting (oops that’s a craft too), cooking with my husband, and gardening (very domestic, I know).

6. What inspires you?

Everything. More specifically, I love browsing Japanese craft books and magazines, vintage children’s books, blogs, thrift stores. Special requests from customers have been great in forcing me to go into new directions.

7. Of all the different items in your shop which do you enjoy making the most?

I really enjoy making the stuffed animals because I love to see their little personalities develop as I am creating them.

8. What is your most popular item?

Without question it would have to be the Pocket Hippo - but all the little animals in the Miniature Menagerie seem to find homes rather quickly.

9. Which handmade possession given to you do you cherish?

One of my most loved childhood toys was a black cat my Mom made as a young girl. His head flopped around and his eyes were a little uneven but he had a special personality that made him a favourite.

10. Name 3 other Etsy shops you love to visit.

1. Stitchface – Some wonderful plush toys from Toronto

2. for my darling – Brilliant upcycled wool items from Finland

3. Chat Noir Jewelry – Enchanting pieces from a lovely seller

Thank you to Maisey Handmade for being my featured Etsy shop this week. How can there be so much cuteness in one shop? I think my favourite is the Cuddly Friends section. I just want to give all those little critters a hug. I love their names and little profiles. There is a little something for everyone in this shop and would be great for those times when your looking for a gift that has a little special touch of love in it.

Favourite Etsy Shop Friday

Favourite Etsy Shop Feature

Roxana Illuminated Perfume
www.IlluminatedPerfume.etsy.com

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Right out of high school I attended Otis Art Institute in downtown Los Angeles and felt as if the world had opened up. While there I studied a variety of arts but focused mainly on illustration and letterpress printing. After graduating I started teaching, moved to Brooklyn in NY, purchased a letterpress and began getting freelance illustration work immediately.

Six years later I moved back to Los Angeles, birthed my daughter naturally and studied Aromatherapy professionally. After discovering the wonders of healing with nature I stopped teaching illustration and became a tutor for an aromatherapy school.

Now I live in the Santa Monica Mountains, surrounded by native oaks and run a natural perfume business titled Illuminated Perfume. The name was inspired by illuminated manuscripts.

2. What made you open your shop and why Etsy?

I was invited to be a speaker at a large perfume event in NYC called Sniffapalooza. For the event I choose to launch a series of solid perfumes. At the time I didn't have the funds to redo my website. I decided to open an Etsy shop in order to have a place to sell my solid perfumes. It's been about three years and the success on Etsy has been so great that I still haven't re-done the website!


3. Do you sell your perfume anywhere else?

On my website and when I do events.

4. How did you choose your shop name?

As mentioned above I choose my company name based on a play of words. The word illuminated refers to manuscripts painted in the 1600s and light. I am working with the plant materials to make my perfume instead of synthetic petro chemicals. I feel like I am illuminating a path back to our own essential nature.



5. What are your favourite things to do?

Make art and follow my creative muse are my very favorite things in the world. I also love spending time with husband and daughter, especially when we travel together, thus travel is on the list to.

6. What inspires you?

Inspiration is an interesting thing with me, I find it everywhere. This morning driving my daughter to school she was going over some things for a test and I got massively inspired from the topic. Other times I am inspired by nature, history and great art. Sometimes it's just a little whisper of an aroma that gently wonders into my smell scape. I keep my artistic radar tuned and prepared for inspiration, it may strike at any moment.

Unlike the premise of an artist needing to "starve" to produce great work, I am the opposite, the more vital my life is the more inspired I am.



7. What is your favourite scent you create?

This question is really hard to answer, it's like picking a favorite child or color. The fragrances I most often wear are Cimbalom and Chaparral solid perfumes. I like the creamy quality in the solids and they are so great to throw into ones purse.

8. Which is the most popular item in your shop?

The solid minis are my best selling item, people just love those little pink pots with the iconic bee wax seal. My best selling perfume at the moment is GreenWitch, named after Susan Coopers book.



9. Which handmade possession given to you do you most cherish?

Gosh, I have so many! My husband creates beautiful little painted cards, he created one for me when he proposed on bended knee. I also adore all the knitted and crochet items my mother makes and even have some from my grandmother that I cherish.

10. Name 3 other Etsy shops you love to visit.

www.Geninne.etsy.com
www.almapottery.etsy.com
and I've been yearning for something from Treehouse28 ever since finding Etsy:
www.treehouse28.etsy.com



Thank you to Roxana Illuminated Perfume for being my favourite Etsy shop feature this week. I am a big fan of solid perfume and have been learning about aromatherapy for many years. I love the idea of the solid perfume locket. Its such a genius idea to have a pretty piece of jewelry to wear and be able to have your perfume with you whenever you want a touch up. If your after a unique gift or something for yourself then you should check out this wonderful shop.

Favourite Etsy Shop Friday

Favourite Etsy Shop Feature

Williamsburg Bears
www.williamsburgbears.etsy.com

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a 49 yr. old mother of 3 wonderful children, all grown and on their own, and Grammy to two adorable boys. My father put a pencil in my hand as soon as possible which began my love of all things handmade. My mother taught me knitting, crocheting, embroidery, and sewing. My father taught me carving, wood working, drawing, painting, mechanics, and fishing. He wanted a boy and the poor man got stuck with 3 girls so I was his tomboy. My Grandmother began my interest in quilting.
My daily goal in life has always been to learn something new every day and to get someone to smile.

2. What made you open your shop and why Etsy?
Opening the shop was actually my daughter’s idea. Amy found Etsy and was so impressed with the sight she urged me to put my bears on.



3. Do you sell your bears anywhere else?
Etsy is the only place to find my bears.

4. How did you choose your shop name?
Williamsburg, Ohio is the small town where we lived when my children were growing up. I started making my bears at that time and wanted to honor the town I had come to love.



5. What are your favourite things to do?
I love being with the people I love more than anything in the world. Having everyone together and cooking a huge meal for them is my heart’s desire. When I’m alone my favorite thing to do is sit outside on a clear summer’s night and gaze up at the stars. As a child I would lay in the cool grass with my arms spread wide and stare at the stars for hours. Of course I’m too old to lay in the grass now and the chiggers would eat me up but it is still my favorite thing to do.
But if you mean my favorite craft it is definitely making bears. When they begin to take shape and their little personalities begin to emerge, I fall in love with each and every one of them.

6. What inspires you?
Nature. I’m not sure how to explain it. Something stirs in me.



7. Which of your bears is your favourite to make?
My favorite is the one I’m working on at the time whether it’s a 2inch miniature or a 3 foot hairy brute.

8. If you could learn one new craft what would it be?
I am learning how to do woodturning. I love the smell of the wood.



9. Which handmade possession given to you do you cherish?
My Grandmother and Great Aunt both made quilts for me when I first got married. Grandma’s is made from old dresses, slacks and shirts I remember seeing her wear as I grew up. They are most cherished because both of these special ladies are gone now.

10. Name 3 other Etsy shops you love to visit.
A Little Character - I could look at their amazing faces all day. So much personality.

Spirit Faces - I love the spirit faces. Something about wise looking old man faces in trees...

And lastly, Pieces of Pine.



A big thank you to Williamsburg Bears for being my featured Etsy shop this week. I am just in love with all of her bears. I wish all of them could come and live at my house and join my other handmade bears. So much character, so much cuteness, oh my goodness how could you not love them. If you've never owned a handmade bear then you need to have at least one. There is something about them that makes you believe they come to life when no one is looking. I think its the love and care that is taken when they are created. A Williamsburg Bear would be a great start to your collection as each one is very special.