FEATURE BLOG 4 - SoonerDesigner!!!!!!

I'm so glad to present a great paper crafter!!! Her shop has wonderful offers and great original items!!

SOONERDESIGNER

1. What's your shop name?
soonerdesigner.etsy.com
2. Introduce yourself (name age and a little info).
My name is Kristina, I'm in my 20's & am a student/housewife.
3. Why do you do what you do on etsy?

I love making papercrafts! I used to have way too much trouble looking for cute greeting cards. The handmade cards in my small town were not good quality & were priced too high, so I started making my own. I received lots of compliments & it was suggested that I try selling them so I decided to give it a shot!

4. When and Why did you join etsy?
I actually joined etsy a year before I started selling. I was browsing a shop while looking for wedding supplies & wanted to ask them a question about their product. Since you have to have an account to send a convo, I created one. In April of this year, we were hosting a birthday party at my house & several people suggested I try selling my cards on etsy which is when I first started using my shop.
5. What have you learned about yourself during your business endeavor in selling on etsy?
I've learned that I (like many other people on etsy) have a really hard time pricing my items!
6. What do you do by day when you're not etsy's soonerdesigner?
By day I'm a mild-mannered student/housewife, but by night I'm a card-making superhero! LOL Really though I really spend most of my day making items for my shop, photographing them, & editing my photos in an effort to improve my shop.
7. What are your thoughts about selling on Etsy?
It's tough, but fun nonetheless.
8. Explain your craft and your crafting style.
My favorite cards to make are bright & feminine. I prefer to make cards that can be given for all occasions. I also include a picture with all of my listings showcasing messages that may be added to the cards to make them occasion-specific. This service is free of charge.
9. What are some of your favorite pieces?
I absolutely love my hand bound envelope books! ( http://www.etsy.com/listing/50056554/hand-bound-envelope-book ) I carry one around in my purse for coupons & constantly get compliments about them. As for my cards, my "Vintage Style Clipping" card is definitely my favorite. I love all of the bright colors & the big pink flower. ( http://www.etsy.com/listing/45734115/all-occasion-card-vintage-style-clipping )
10. Is it hard to part with your items once sold?
Not for me because I am just so excited that someone else loves them enough to give them to a loved one. It really makes me proud!
11. Explain how you got started in your craft.
I never could find handmade cards that fit my style, so it was out of necessity in a way.
12. What's your working space like?
Mobile. I keep my supplies in art boxes that I move between my office upstairs & my workspace on the coffee table downstairs. I prefer to work wherever I feel comfortable at the time.
13. Is your craft your job or your hobby? (explain)
I guess you could say it's a hobby that I hope to turn into a profitable job. I truly enjoy making my items & would love to be able to earn a living from them.
14. What's your personality and how does that reflect in your craft?
I'm a bit of a mix. (Aren't we all.) I love the classics that never go out of style (pearls, lace, black); vibrant items that fill you with energy; & just enough trendy things to keep you on the lookout for the next big thing. I think all of these things are showcased in my cards. (Classic: http://www.etsy.com/listing/45732821/weddingall-occasion-card-flower-and-lace ; Vibrant: http://www.etsy.com/listing/49903698/all-occasion-greeting-card-blue ; Trendy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/50068440/miniature-card-set-8-modern-designs )
15. Do you do any other crafts?
I do sew a little, but I mostly stick to papercrafting. Some of my crafts that I hope to have listed soon are altered notebooks & handmade notepad covers.
16. Who taught you to do this craft?
I'm self-taught & constantly learning more.
17. What are some of your favorite shops?
There are far too many to name, but I especially enjoy BrixtonStudios.etsy.com & DECAcandle.etsy.com .
18. What else would you like to say about anything and everything including yourself and/or your craft?
If anyone likes the style of my items, but doesn't see a card or book (would you rather have pretty papers instead of envelopes fill the book?) that fits their need please do not hesitate to convo me. I love custom orders! Also, if you buy more than 1 item in my shop any additional cards (including sets) ship free!

SHOP OF THE WEEK THREE!!!! EDNA!!!!

Time for another shop of the week feature... I'd like to present EDNA!!! A crafter I met months ago when she won a set of my eggs without even trying, and a person I'm honored to present to you!!!!

1. Whats your shop name - Ednabelle

2. Introduce yourself (name age and a little info) - I am 78, born and raised in WV

3. Why do you do what you do on etsy? - Because I really like it and it's important to me to stay active.

4. When and Why did you join etsy? - I joined Etsy 6 months ago. Actually a wonderful Etsian, TheLittleGreenButton, purchased from me through another venue (but we're not calling names), told me how friendly and wonderful Etsy was and invited me to come check it out. I very much liked what I found here and it hasn't let me down. It is a wonderful outlet for my creative side.

5. What have you learned about yourself during your business endeavor in selling on etsy? - I've learned that my hobby is a great way to supplement my fixed income.

6. What do you do by day when you're not etsy's turtleXIII? - I'm an old fashioned gal who cooks and cleans for her family. I have 4 children, 19 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and a couple of local doctors who all like to spend some time with me from time to time.

7. What are your thoughts about selling on Etsy? - I'm proud to sell on Etsy where the artistic community makes me feel like I also have something valuable to contribute.

8. Explain your craft and your crafting style. - I have a passion for old things and cringe at the thought of throwing any useful away, even if it does need a little love before it can live again.

9. What are some of your favorite pieces? - My favorite offerings are always the re-purposed pieces made from vintage broken parts, like this necklace made from a lonely earring http://www.etsy.com/listing/44039945/vintage-repurposed-retro-enameled or this necklace and earring set made from a broken bracelet http://www.etsy.com/listing/41077295/ooak-vintage-repurposed-carved-black.

10. Is it hard to part with your items once sold? - I'm attached to everything I sell since they are the pieces I have collected over a lifetime, but quite a few buyers have sent me a personal note telling me how much they love and appreciate the pieces they've purchased, sometimes with stories of the dear loved ones they remind them of which warms my heart and makes it much easier to let go.

11. Explain how you got started in your craft. - My bio says it best: My name is Edna. I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia. Having grown up during the Depression with eleven brothers and sisters crafting new items from old ones became a way of life for me. As early as I can remember mother had shown us how to use old feed sacks, discarded sheets and small scraps of wood to make our own toys and later our own clothes. I developed a love of found objects of all kinds for the useful and interesting things they could become. Seems no matter what I see ideas begin popping into my head regarding the new life it could take on.

Ednabelle's shop on Etsy is becoming my creative outlet. It is a place where
I can distribute the items I've collected over a lifetime (after all I need
some work space here) and a place where I can find those who appreciate the
items my mind and hands create from the discarded goodies around me. It is a
passion I share with all three generations who have come behind me. My
daughter helps me with the shop. One of my granddaughters, who is a working
mom and student is creating works of her own to sell in my shop to help her
through school. One of my great granddaughters has modeled for me and she
and her brother have contributed many items that are made by eager hands not
yet talented enough for the public - but their time will come. And many of
the vintage handmade items in the shop were made many years ago with the
help of most all of the grandchildren when they were little.

It does my heart good to know the art of thrift and creativity is being
passed along and appreciated in our family and that so many of you are
taking the time to share them with your own children. My children and grand
children alike tell me that just as I have such wonderful memories with my
own mother some of their fondest memories involve crafting with me when they
were growing up. Such a precious thing to pass along.

I've been out of the work force now for many years so Etsy has filled my
days with much more stucture and activity than I have known for quite some
time since none of the little ones are living nearby. My daughter and I now
spend many hours sorting, creating, photographing and listing with a little
packing and shipping thrown in. While you will find some of our created
items in my shop already, you will also find lots of vintage items which
haven't been altered as I attempt to claim much needed work space. I hope
that you will stop in and help us clear this area, then come back for more
of the crafted treasures to come.

12. What's your working space like? - It's a small portable table set rather permanently in an otherwise unused corner of the house.

13. Is your craft your job or your hobby? (explain) - For me it is my passion. It is the thing which takes my attention each day and keeps me moving and alive.

14. What's your personality and how does that reflect in your craft?

15. Do you do and other crafts? - I can't think of many crafts I haven't at least tried over the years. Needlework, sewing and crochet were my favorites until age began stealing both my eyesight and the steadiness in my hands.

16. Who taught you to do this craft? - I am self taught, always learning through trial and error.

17. What are some of your favorite shops? - I never met a vintage or craft shop I didn't like.

18. What else would you like to say about anything and everything including yourself and/or your craft? I love life and I love to live.

New Idea

Sometimes I wonder what I should be doing with my life. On the one hand I'm in law school, barely even hanging in there (if that) but I dislike so much of it. I even have a law clerk position, but there too I find little to no interest in the material or issues I have in front of me. I find myself more nervous about what I'm going to do wrong.

All I keep thinking is how did I become so worthless? How did I go from high expectations, great potential, to nothing? While still working hard and not giving up I went from one of the best to someone not fit for anything. I can't understand my life, myself, or my future... because I don't have one.

By tomorrow at this time I should know what I should expect from others via my future or lack of one as a lawyer, and regardless of the outcome, I am still lost.

2nd Shop of the Week justByou

THIS BLOG'S 2ND SHOP OF THE WEEK:
justByou!!!!!!!

1. Whats your shop name?
Our shop name is justByou. We wanted something that would let us be creative with all the different types of items we offer.

2. Introduce yourself.
My name is Kim, and I've got three great kids who help me in the creation of all our items. I use their ideas and suggestions to create each piece in our shop. We live in Northern California, and we have fun creating and finishing projects together as a family.

3. Why do you do what you do on etsy?
We've made items for people in the past and sold them, and then it was suggested by a customer we try it out online. So that's what we're doing with Etsy, and it's fun. =)

4. When and Why did you join etsy?
We joined in January of this year. We're still learning as we go, but we're having so much fun with it.

5. What have you learned about yourself during your business endeavor in selling on etsy?
I'm still learning, because even with any education and experience, I believe learning is an ongoing thing (or, at least, it should be) throughout life. But one thing's for sure, I have a new appreciation for photography. Taking good pictures (I mean, REALLY good pictures) is tough (I'm still playing with lighting all the time - and it's a battle)!!!

6. What do you do by day when you're not etsy's justByou?
I'm a stay-at-home-mom, and I have been since my youngest was diagnosed with severe eczema when he was 2 1/2 months old.

9. What are some of your favorite pieces?
Some of my favorite pieces would be anything from the mood jewelry line, and we just launched a new section called "Handmade by the KIDS," where all the items are done by only the kids. There will be more in that section very soon. =)

11. Explain how you got started in your craft.

When I was younger, my mom had a gift/candy/jewelry shop (a brick-and-mortar, not online). I worked in that shop for many years and did craft shows with her. It was fun. She's a big inspiration for me. I've always been a little crafty (not in the way of sewing or knitting - I'm not that talented - but in other ways). Since I became a stay-at-home-mom, I got into creating...STUFF. Anything, really. Jewelry, beading, scrapbooking, making cards, recycling or upcycling into fun things. I started doing these kinds of things with the kids, and we all just have a blast with it. We bounce off of each other's creativity.

13. Is your craft your job or your hobby? (explain)
It's definitely a hobby that just might be quickly turning into something more. We're really starting to sell our creations to more people now. Our Etsy shop is still in its early stages, but hopefully we'll start spreading the word for online sales too. Who knows?

17. What are some of your favorite shops?
One of my most favorite shops is Pernillas Something Swedish, pernillasSS.etsy.com -- and I think it's because her shop reminds me a lot of my mom's when I was younger.

18. What else would you like to say about anything and everything including yourself and/or your craft? We offer different items at justByou, not just jewelry. We want all our pieces to show a little personality so that the buyers can express their personalities. So, custom orders are always fun!!!

We also work as a family. It's great to work together as a team and make something for someone. The kids are so much a part of the process that they really feel a sense of accomplishment when a project of ours is complete. So, when you buy an item from us, please know that it's a team effort and not just me using my own creativity.