Thursday, May 15, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Spotlight On...
Danielle Green of Collective Elements!
1. Tell us a little bit about who you are and your life up to this point in time.
My name is Danielle. I'm a 35 year old single mom of my darling six year old daughter. I've always been artistic in some way. I write poetry and I have a B.A. in Music. (I'm a soul singer.)I've been crafting since I was a child. I have a love affair with paper and stationery. I had a serious addiction to book stores and art stores. (Have to spend at least $100 a visit.)
2. Besides your fantasy creative life, what else are doing currently?
I work as an office manager for a college scholarship program for students from high risk areas.
3. What do you offer in your Etsy Shop?
I offer a collection of stationery, crochet goodies, and other novelties.
4. Where do you create?
LOL. Wherever I can. Primarily at home but I do crochet during my commute to work.
5. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Music is a big inspiration to me. Sometimes as I'm jamming to my MP3 player, ideas pop in my mind. Sometimes its from things around me in everyday life.
6. How did you learn how to do your craft?
Papercrafting I learned from my various grammar school art teachers. (Keep art education in schools) Crochet from my mommy. And every other craft is self-taught.
7. How do you promote your wares?
I promote through sites like Indie Shopping, Indie Coupons, updating my blog, SEO, business cards, word of mouth, etc. You can't be afraid to be your own PR rep.
8. What has been the most important lesson you've learned since you started selling your own creations?
Keep alot of inventory. Originally, I began my business as a consignment shop so I always had products handy. Now that I have switched over to doing my own products I have to keep my production standards up to keep my shop updated. Customers are not impressed with empty shops.
9. Is there any advice you can give others who are just starting out?
Be flexible. Sometimes the big idea you start out with needs revamping or retooling. Things don't always go according to your business plan so you have to stay limber to navigate changes.
10.Do you have any favorite Etsy artists you'd like to promote here?
Wow I have so many. There's so much talent on Etsy. I would say any artist in the street teams I belong to: EAOC, EtsyNJ, NewNewEtsy, Etsy Hookers, Etsy Paper, Etsy Greetings. They're all fabulous and diverse.
1. Tell us a little bit about who you are and your life up to this point in time.
My name is Danielle. I'm a 35 year old single mom of my darling six year old daughter. I've always been artistic in some way. I write poetry and I have a B.A. in Music. (I'm a soul singer.)I've been crafting since I was a child. I have a love affair with paper and stationery. I had a serious addiction to book stores and art stores. (Have to spend at least $100 a visit.)
2. Besides your fantasy creative life, what else are doing currently?
I work as an office manager for a college scholarship program for students from high risk areas.
3. What do you offer in your Etsy Shop?
I offer a collection of stationery, crochet goodies, and other novelties.
4. Where do you create?
LOL. Wherever I can. Primarily at home but I do crochet during my commute to work.
5. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Music is a big inspiration to me. Sometimes as I'm jamming to my MP3 player, ideas pop in my mind. Sometimes its from things around me in everyday life.
6. How did you learn how to do your craft?
Papercrafting I learned from my various grammar school art teachers. (Keep art education in schools) Crochet from my mommy. And every other craft is self-taught.
7. How do you promote your wares?
I promote through sites like Indie Shopping, Indie Coupons, updating my blog, SEO, business cards, word of mouth, etc. You can't be afraid to be your own PR rep.
8. What has been the most important lesson you've learned since you started selling your own creations?
Keep alot of inventory. Originally, I began my business as a consignment shop so I always had products handy. Now that I have switched over to doing my own products I have to keep my production standards up to keep my shop updated. Customers are not impressed with empty shops.
9. Is there any advice you can give others who are just starting out?
Be flexible. Sometimes the big idea you start out with needs revamping or retooling. Things don't always go according to your business plan so you have to stay limber to navigate changes.
10.Do you have any favorite Etsy artists you'd like to promote here?
Wow I have so many. There's so much talent on Etsy. I would say any artist in the street teams I belong to: EAOC, EtsyNJ, NewNewEtsy, Etsy Hookers, Etsy Paper, Etsy Greetings. They're all fabulous and diverse.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Weekly Giveaway - Small Clutch!
Thank you to Dolapo James of Urban Knit for sponsoring this week's giveaway! This came all the way from London to be given away to you, our fine readers and fans. It is a lovely small clutch made from Nigerian cloth. It has a double snap closure and a beautiful bright orange lining - very sturdy.
How to Play
1. Go to Urban Knit and take a look around. Trust me - it will be hard to pick a favorite, but once you do, come back here and leave a comment telling us your fave.
2. Tell us the farthest away from home you've ever been.
3. Be sure to leave a way to reach you if you win.
Contest ends on Saturday, May 10 at 11:59 pm ET. The winner will be announced on or around May 12. Good Luck :)
How to Play
1. Go to Urban Knit and take a look around. Trust me - it will be hard to pick a favorite, but once you do, come back here and leave a comment telling us your fave.
2. Tell us the farthest away from home you've ever been.
3. Be sure to leave a way to reach you if you win.
Contest ends on Saturday, May 10 at 11:59 pm ET. The winner will be announced on or around May 12. Good Luck :)
And the WINNER is....
DivaDea! Congratulations on your win and on being Fabulous and Forty!
Sorry I haven't listed the winner sooner - have been down with the flu for a few days. Thanks to everyone for playing and stay tuned... coming up next - This Week's Giveaway!
Sorry I haven't listed the winner sooner - have been down with the flu for a few days. Thanks to everyone for playing and stay tuned... coming up next - This Week's Giveaway!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Spotlight On...
Gaetana of Satin Doll Company!
1. Tell us a little bit about who you are and your life up to this point in time.
I'm a Native New Yorker living in Florida and before starting my own business and moving down south I was a successful Freelance Designer for 3 years. It's true what they say, that if you can make it there then you can make it anywhere. I love designing apparel but accessories are my true love and passion.
2. Besides your fantasy creative life, what else are doing currently?
I'm currently designing and making pieces for my first collection for this Fall/Winter '08-'09 called "Tragic Romance", which will be sold on my official shop/website this coming September. I'm also gearing up to start selling in the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop in the last weekend of May and every weekend following.
3. What do you offer in your Etsy Shop?
As of right now I currently offer one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry and accessories, which include handbag charms, cellphone charms, belts, and hair accessories. In the coming weeks, I hope to add an array of different handbags, totes, clutches, passport covers and much more.
4. Where do you create?
I work from home and sometimes flip-flop from the living room to the dining room table.
5. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Inspiration can come from anywhere at anytime. It could be a newspaper article, a television show, a photograph, a single bead or even a swatch of fabric. I'm inspired by life itself.
6. How did you learn how to do your craft?
I'm actually as self-taught jewelry designer. When I was back in college in my last quarter of school I talked about designing jewelry and handbags but I actually started making pieces a year or so after graduating. I learned to sew from my mother, still to this day I can still remember all the dresses she made for me in kindergarten. If you look in my new shop, Paradise International (http://paradiseint.etsy.com) all the backpacks are sewn by her.
7. How do you promote your wares?
I promote my shop(s) any which way I can. Business cards, postcards, flyers, word-of-mouth, newsletters, blogs, mailing lists, Myspace, Facebook, IndiePublic, WeLoveEtsy, Craigslist and many more.
8. What has been the most important lesson you've learned since you started selling your own creations?
Never giving up is the most important lesson I've learned. There were times when I truly doubted myself and was ready to throw in the towel but I soon realized that I was just having a bad patch. I picked myself up and worked even harder.
9. Is there any advice you can give others who are just starting out?
A business plan is key when deciding to start your own business. I wrote mine 4 years ago when I was just out of college. I go back to it time-to-time to make sure I'm still on the right path. Also great customer service and packaging are also key elements; they can make or break any business.
10.Do you have any favorite Etsy artists you'd like to promote here?
I have tons. Of course all my EAOC members, Stoopidgirl, Morganstreet, Oktak and so many more.
1. Tell us a little bit about who you are and your life up to this point in time.
I'm a Native New Yorker living in Florida and before starting my own business and moving down south I was a successful Freelance Designer for 3 years. It's true what they say, that if you can make it there then you can make it anywhere. I love designing apparel but accessories are my true love and passion.
2. Besides your fantasy creative life, what else are doing currently?
I'm currently designing and making pieces for my first collection for this Fall/Winter '08-'09 called "Tragic Romance", which will be sold on my official shop/website this coming September. I'm also gearing up to start selling in the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop in the last weekend of May and every weekend following.
3. What do you offer in your Etsy Shop?
As of right now I currently offer one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry and accessories, which include handbag charms, cellphone charms, belts, and hair accessories. In the coming weeks, I hope to add an array of different handbags, totes, clutches, passport covers and much more.
4. Where do you create?
I work from home and sometimes flip-flop from the living room to the dining room table.
5. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Inspiration can come from anywhere at anytime. It could be a newspaper article, a television show, a photograph, a single bead or even a swatch of fabric. I'm inspired by life itself.
6. How did you learn how to do your craft?
I'm actually as self-taught jewelry designer. When I was back in college in my last quarter of school I talked about designing jewelry and handbags but I actually started making pieces a year or so after graduating. I learned to sew from my mother, still to this day I can still remember all the dresses she made for me in kindergarten. If you look in my new shop, Paradise International (http://paradiseint.etsy.com) all the backpacks are sewn by her.
7. How do you promote your wares?
I promote my shop(s) any which way I can. Business cards, postcards, flyers, word-of-mouth, newsletters, blogs, mailing lists, Myspace, Facebook, IndiePublic, WeLoveEtsy, Craigslist and many more.
8. What has been the most important lesson you've learned since you started selling your own creations?
Never giving up is the most important lesson I've learned. There were times when I truly doubted myself and was ready to throw in the towel but I soon realized that I was just having a bad patch. I picked myself up and worked even harder.
9. Is there any advice you can give others who are just starting out?
A business plan is key when deciding to start your own business. I wrote mine 4 years ago when I was just out of college. I go back to it time-to-time to make sure I'm still on the right path. Also great customer service and packaging are also key elements; they can make or break any business.
10.Do you have any favorite Etsy artists you'd like to promote here?
I have tons. Of course all my EAOC members, Stoopidgirl, Morganstreet, Oktak and so many more.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Weekly Giveaway!
From Ramona at Bklyn Momo's and Jennifer at Ginger Lime!
Sorry I'm a little behind this week, but I'll give an extra day to get your entries in. This week, we are having a Double Giveaway! It's very exciting! The lucky winner will receive a pair of golden crocheted earrings by Bklyn Momo's and a Spring Poker Chip Magnet from Ginger Lime!
Ramona creates crochet fashions that are off the hook! You can go here to check out her shop. Jennifer adds some spice to your life with her creations - you can find them here.
How to play:
You will have to go to BOTH shops and come back here to leave a comment. Your comment is your entry and you can only enter once. The contest runs until Sunday evening 11:59 pm ET, with the winner being notified and posted here on Monday.
In your comment please include:
1. Your favorite item in each shop. (So there should be 2 favorites listed.)
2. Tell us something about you that is "off the hook!" or "spicy" (Keep it clean - there are children around!)
3. A way to contact you if you are the winner.
Those four items must be in your comment for your entry to be valid. Good Luck!
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