Happy 1st Anniversary EAOC

Today marks the first anniversary of Etsy's Artists of Color street team. The team has grown tremendously in the last year, with members from all over the world. This group of minority crafters represents regions such as the US, UK, The Caribbean, countries in Africa and Asia, to name a few. We offer a wide variety of handcrafted quality wares. We have many plans in motion for 2009. I am very proud to be a part of this team and to be able to network with such a diverse group of individuals. If you are a former member or just learning of EAOC, we extend this invitation to (re)join our team. 

http://etsyaoc.ning.com

Looking for EAOC products? Search tag TEAM EAOC.

Won't you please join us in celebrating our team's anniversary? Special offers by select shops are available today only!

Satin Doll Co. is offering free shipping

Aku's Ear Ornaments is offering 25% off all inventory, plus free shipping 

My Crochet Passion is offering free shipping

nyblaque is offering free shipping

Specials & Promos Week of Jan 27

Sweetheart Savings

Save 20% OFF all merchandise before shipping

Sale Begins:Tuesday, January 20th @ 9 a.m.

Sale Ends: Tuesday, February 10 @ 9 p.m.

This offer doesn't include gift certificates. Gift wrapping is also available, simply specify when checking in "Note to Seller" box with Gift Wrapping. Your order will be wrapped in beautiful red tissue paper with a sweet note from your sweetheart.

Note: Please wait for a revised Paypal invoice before paying.

Start shopping now at: http://SatinDollCo.etsy.com

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$$$$$$-----SALE-----$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Everything in the store is 20% off to make room for new designs. All Holiday items 50% off. 

http://SachiDesigns.etsy.com

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*** Free US Shipping & Reduced International Shipping for "PUCKER UP" & "Sweetheart" print til Feb. 10th***

www.POPULAR.etsy.com

Sweetheart Savings With Satin Doll

Save 20% OFF all merchandise before shipping

Sale Begins:Tuesday, January 20th @ 9 a.m.

Sale Ends: Tuesday, February 10 @ 9 p.m.

This offer doesn't include gift certificates. Gift wrapping is also available, simply specify when checking in "Note to Seller" box with Gift Wrapping. Your order will be wrapped in beautiful red tissue paper with a sweet note from your sweetheart.

Note: Please wait for a revised Paypal invoice before paying.

Start shopping now at: http://SatinDollCo.etsy.com

Barack Obama's unOfficial Handcrafted Portiait...

Inauguration Day is January 20, 2009
and commemorate the History made by the unanimous voice of the people,

I am showcasing these...

Wonderful paintings done by AJ of Storm One,
Part of a new series of portraits of our newly elected

President
Barack Obama

The portraits were painted with
watercolors, gouache, acrylic paint, ink, paint stick and

pencil on heavy Arches cold press watercolor paper.
The paintings measure 10"x16" unframed and

are mailed flat in acid free vellum with a protective card board backing.
Shipped in a waterproof mailer.

The paintings are $70 dollars each.

Find these and other great works by AJ at STORM ONE...

Barack Obama Inauguration Charm...

In honor of our new President of the USA

Nara made a charm of

Barack Obama.

You can contact Nara with your inquiries by leaving a comment...

Stay with us as we Showcase more

Crafters and Artist and different themes

every month this year...

National Book BLITZ Month...

To start this months Gift Guide and Showcase, we will begin with fine handcrafted art by

Akua Designs for National Book Blitz Month, which was created by a public relations executive to encourage authors to promote their own books, focuses attention on improving the relationships between authors and the media in order to create a best-selling book.


Les Tetes Bookmark

is a worked copper bookmark
or placeholder. The face may face out
and be used as a paper holder.











Tiny Heart Bookmarks
These felt Tiny Heart Bookmarks
are made of Peruvian Wool
and come in 3 colors...
Pink 3/4" by 7.5"
Light Sage Green 3/4" by 9.5"
Purple/Aubergine 1" by 10"

So what will you do for National Book Blitz Month? Read more books? Explore different genres? Let your image run wild in the pages of adventure/romance?

Which ever way you decide,

Akua Designs has provided great bookmarks

for you and yours this month...

Lets also encourage our young to read more and do the same!

Find these bookmarks and more at Akua Designs

EAOC 2009 Gift Guide/Showcase...

Yes!
Finally this year we will put a group of wonderful and talented

artist and crafters together in one place,
"the EAOC Gift Guide/Showcase"

EAOC will Showcase a variety of artist
whose products make for great keepsakes and gifts for friends and family alike.

Every week we will showcase a different artist,
a new creation with brief description of the work and

new themes every month.

So stick around because I am sure there will be something
showcased here that will excite your palate.

Spotlight On ...

Paula Bidwell of Native Talisman Art!

1. Tell us a little bit about who you are and your life up to this point in time.
I am an American Indian artist and jeweler. I am also considered an Indigenous Healer and spent many years on the reservation learning. I combine both worlds into my art. I draw, paint and illustrate the visions, dreams and mystical experiences I’ve had. This work is so gratifying because it resonates with so many other people. I also believe strongly that we are all related and there is very little separation between us. When making jewelry or creating traditional crafts I use materials and symbols that have meaning and substance in a spiritual sense.

2. Besides your fantasy creative life, what else are you doing currently?
I love to cook and consider this a creative endeavor that fits nicely with my artist jeweler life
I’m working on a new cook book called “Hard Times—Fast and Decadent Comfort Foods" with recipes that are fast, easy and inexpensive.

3. What do you offer in your Etsy Shop?
My Etsy shop “Native talisman Art” has art prints (from my dreams, visions and experiences), hand painted leather medicine bags, Native Amercian cookbooks, and a new line of Native American Bone (Hair Pipe) Chokers, necklaces and earrings.

4. Where do you create?
Everywhere...kitchen, studio, and many times lying prone on the sofa!

5. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Inspiration usually comes to me around 4:00 a.m. when the world is quiet and still. I think at this time, I can reach out and capture the more mystical and magical elements of the world around me. I also spend quite a bit of time thinking about new designs. If I’m especially excited about something, I can stay focused for hours and sometimes days. The process of designing in my mind is a pleasurable one for me and has been really successful. It’s almost like I tap into some sort of creative mystical zone where everything is possible. The materials I use are so varied. I’ll try anything and everything to achieve the design. I don’t believe much in limits.

6. How did you learn your craft?
When I was very young, my father who was an artist, recognized some sort of talent in me and on my tenth birthday presented me with a full set of oil paints, canvases, brushes and easel. He gently guided me with paints, pen and ink and charcoal. The jewelry came later. My uncle showed me how to solder silver. Then a brother showed me how to cut and stamp. The beaded jewelry started when I was a teenager and various relatives and friends showed me different techniques along the way.

7. How do you promote your wares?
Since most of my sales are from my internet stores, I really research keywords and read everything I can about Search Engine Optimization. I also belong to several networking groups such as Flickr and IndiePublic. When I list an item on Etsy, I upload the photos and descriptions to these sites. On my e-mail signature I add a “clickable” URL for my stores. And most of all, I am a member of Etsy Artist of Color.

8. What has been the most important lesson you've learned since you started selling your own creations?
To do what I love and to love doing it.

9. Is there any advice you can give others who are just starting out?
List or renew items frequently and in the early evening when most people are home from work and have the time to browse. Read Storque articles, network with other Etsy artists through Etsy groups and forums, have lots of items in your store at least 2 dozen and take really good pictures, include everything you can think of in your description.

10. Do you have any favorite Etsy artists you'd like to promote here?
Foret—Emporium of the Unique, Indigenous Art—Ornaments and Prints , The Lote tree—Hand made with Love, and Native Beads .