AllisaJacobs in Better Homes and Gardens!

Hi team! I'm sure most of you have heard by now, but I wanted to share on our blog the great news about our fellow team member, Allisa from AllisaJacobs has had her shop featured in the holiday issue of Better Homes and Gardens!


If you're anything like me, you can't help but pick the brains of those businesses really getting noticed, so I thought I'd share a little interview here on the blog and give her a little feature so we can all give her a HUGE congrats!

Angie: How did Better Homes and Garden find you? Allisa: BHG contacted me in early January. Of course, timid me, I at first thought it was a hoax or a prank & spent much of that day googling names to verify validity! I was that shocked.

Angie: How did you decide which item for them to use in the magazine?
Allisa: They specifically requested the Woodland pillow for their Holiday issue. Since I had to send them in a sample pillow, I was so nervous making it, being extra super careful of each stitch & fabric!

Angie: Who taught you your craft?
Allisa: I learned to sew early. My mom made some of my clothes & blankets and she would let me help. My best friend & I made our first quilt in fourth grade...loosely applying the directions from her mom. From then on I began exploring embroidery, beadwork, and even watercolors....but sewing is my true passion.

Angie: How did you keep it a secret? (you said in a tweet that it was really hard to do!)
Allisa: It was really hard to keep a secret but the fear of foolishness made it easier. I kept telling myself, 'what if they change their mind? what if it really is a haox? what if I'm just a little thumbnail with no name mentioned?' that kept me from blabbing & regretting it later.

Angie: Have you been published before?
Allisa: No, never. Closest was being included in the Dooce holiday gift guide, but that's it.

Angie: Any suggestions for others to get published?
Allisa: I think having inviting & professional photos is essential. I'm still not sure exactly how BHG discovered me, but at some point it was necessary to 'catch their eye'- I'm glad my photo was good enough to do that!

Angie: How has this impacted your Etsy business (if at all)?
Allisa: I had a brief increase of sales when the magazine came out but really I've just enjoyed all the random messages people have sent congratulating me. That means the wolrd & really makes me even more grateful for this fantastic little enormous community.

If you'd like to read more about Allisa's pillows, see her blog post about her inspiration  here.

Congratulations again, Allisa! It's easy to see why your shop and items were picked.  Great work!

Getting to Know ShawnaCameron

As my daughter sits here at her table, drawing pictures on scrap paper, picking out stickers, and singing a happy tune, it got me thinking about my fellow artists and crafters of this lovely team.

I thought while I was in an etsy loving mood, watching the love of art happen right in front of me, I could take the time to share a little about one of our own artists, ShawnaCameron.

because who doesn't want to hear more about an artist that shows us this?!

Angie: Who inspired you to be an Etsian?

Shawna: I had stumbled on Etsy previously - I don't even remember how - and when I made the decision to market my images and was looking at different ways to sell photography online I noticed that there were a few shops on here that sold it. Though he's not using his shop any more, I think it was JaredKS that made me decide to give it a whirl.

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 Angie: What is your favorite thing about Etsy?

Shawna: It's got to be the connections I've made and the communities that have formed on here. Most recently, of course, I've had the good fortune to join Curation Nation and become part of this diverse and talented group. I love making treasuries as much as I love being in them. Everyone is so creative and the myriad ways people can interpret the same theme just blow me away! I also love the fPOE team (Female Photographers of Etsy), of which I've been a member for quite a long time now. They have a very active Flickr group forum; I wasn't even aware that I lacked a peer group of women photographers until I found them.

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Angie: What is your favorite thing in your shop?

Shawna: Well I only sell images - albeit at different sizes and printed on different media - but my favourite changes all the time; it's pretty much always something I've done recently. Right now I'd probably have to say Allium Evening. I had to choose a few to print to canvas a couple a days ago to take advantage of a limited-time offer and that's one of the ones I chose.

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Angie:What do you do besides Etsy?

Shawna: Photography-wise? I have my website www.shawnacameron.com that links to my Etsy shop, a blog, and my Flickr gallery. I also do the odd show at galleries or art events. For example, I was one of the artists that exhibited at the BlogHer Voices of the Year gala in New York this past August. After the show, all the pieces were auctioned off online to benefit the Nature Conservancy's efforts to clean up the Gulf. I like the fact that I can donate a piece to charity and they will get more money from selling it than if I'd just given them a straight cash donation. Win-win.

If we're talking life in general, I have a full-time day job sitting at a desk, I teach fitness classes a couple of times a week at the gym, and I contribute to a local Ottawa parenting blog called KidsInTheCapital in addition to running my photography and personal blogs. And did I mention that I have two children ages 2 and 4? I'm lucky because I can do some blog-writing on my lunch hour at work and a lot of the other stuff, like working online or on image post-processing, after the kids are in bed.

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Angie: What is one thing you would like everyone to know about you?

Shawna: I feel like I kind of said it all already. Hm. Except maybe that I have a fantastic husband? Corny but true.

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Congratulations, Malarie!

Most of you have heard the news by now, but I wanted to give Malarie aka Itsastitch a BIG congrats for being featured in BUST magazine!

You can read her take on that feature here.

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I'm sure we'd all love to ask Malarie a few questions, so I took the time to interview her for our blog!

Angie: How did BUST find you?
Malarie: BUST found me through Etsy! They contacted me (via a convo!) asking if I could make up one of these and ship it in week. Who would I be to say no? Thank goodness they're located in NYC or else I would've had to really eat it on shipping.

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Angie: Who taught you your craft?
Malarie: I taught me my craft! I have lots of other hobbies/talents that were taught to me by other people, but as far as jewelry/embroidery, all me :)

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Angie: HOW did you keep this a secret?!
Malarie: Oh my God, I BARELY did. I was actually about to run to twitter/facebook/blog IMMEDIATELY because - holy crap, who wouldn't?! But my boyfriend (Justin) actually told me to wait until I was 100% sure, so I knew it had to be when I had the magazine in hands. I actually told a few people (such a blabbermouth) in my family because I just had to tell SOMEONE.

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Angie: Have you been published before?
Malarie: Only online, this is my first time in print. And I'll use this as another ego-plug, the same stitch is actually going to be in a book (along with a pattern) next fall! I'm sure I'll freak out all over again, haha.

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Angie: Do you have any suggestions or advice for others looking to get published?
Malarie: Have awesome photos and a unique/interesting product. I was told that was what drew them in initially. After that, know the audience. You can be proactive and approach blogs/magazines/etc. right off the bat (it makes their jobs easier!), just have your stuff together and make sure it's going to the right audience.

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 Angie: How has this impacted your Etsy business (if at all)?

Malarie: I got to put "As featured in BUST Magazine" in the title, haha. I was so nerdily-excited about that (no, nerdily is not a word). And I actually sold another one, whether or not it's connected to the magazine is unknown - we can pretend!

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Getting to Know MyLittleGirlsCloset

Hi there team! It feels like it's been awhile since any of our lovely team members were featured.  I have to apologize, I've been on vacation!  Here I am again though, and I'd like to feature MyLittleGirlsCloset.

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Who inspired you to be an Etsian? I've been a buyer for years. My daughters inspired this shop. I really love making stuff for them and wanted to share my skill set with others. source What is your favorite thing about Etsy? I love that you can get unique things. I'm in several parenting forums and whenever someone posts a photo of their kids someone always comments with "my kid has the same shirt/dress/outfit" Shopping on Etsy this will never happen!   source   What is your favorite thing in your shop? I love this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/49890327/circus-monogram-toddler-shirt I've made it for each of my girls in several sizes and color combos.     source What is one thing you would like everyone to know about you? I love doing custom stuff. All the orders I've done so far have been custom pieces. I also don't feel limited to certain sizes or to girls stuff. I'm hoping to branch out and do a line of toddler boy clothes in the near future.   source

Getting to Know ShelleAnne

Hey team! It's time for a challenge winner feature! ShelleAnne was the winner of the ZWZZY treasury challenge, and I thought we could all get to know a little more about Rachelle.

Angie: Who inspired you to be an Etsian?
Rachelle: Truly, a lady inspired me to be an Etsian who now doesn't even sell soap online any more. (Tragic!) But once I saw Etsy and bought from several sellers I was hooked! I needed a creative outlet and set up shop.

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Angie: What is your favorite thing about Etsy?
Rachelle: My favorite thing about Etsy are two things: Treasuries (I'm addicted to them!) and how Etsy has strengthened my relationship with my sister: claireandjanae - we went from barely talking to talking every day and I am overjoyed about that.

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Angie: What is your favorite thing in your shop?
Rachelle: My favorite thing about my shop is just about anything pink.

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Angie: What is one thing you would like everyone to know about you?
Rachelle: One thing I would like everyone to know about me is that I am looking forward to making big improvements on my shop in the future AND I'm writing a book. (Had to sneak in two things!)

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Thank you for your interview Shelleanne!

Getting to Know Plucking Pendants

Hey there, team! Tonight, I'm going to be featuring Ashley, from Plucking Pendants.  If you haven't checked out her shop, you should.  She makes the most amazing jewelry out of recycled guitar strings!!  I've been eye-balling her items ever since I joined ETSY.  She's also a treasury wiz!  She won the GlitzGlitter treasury challenge back in July, but due to her being on vacation, then me being focused elsewhere, she's just now getting her feature.

So, let's get to know Ashley.

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Angie: Who inspired you to be an Etsian?

Ashley: It was my Mom! She was the one who introduced me to Etsy and has always been a huge inspiration for me. Being a crafty goddess herself Mom is always looking out for ways to help me further my business and creativity!

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Angie: What is your favorite thing about Etsy?

Ashley: Besides having a amazing place to sell my goodies and meeting lots of lovely people when it comes down to it I love to shop and Etsy really is my favorite place to spend my money, it makes shopping for gifts so much fun too!

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Angie: What is your favorite thing in your shop?

Ashley: I love the resin coated guitar string rings, especially the large ones! They are so sparkly and unique. I have some earrings very similar coming out soon too!

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Angie: What is one thing you would like everyone to know about you?

Ashley:I went to school from 3rd to 8th grade at a house on a small farm where we had barn chores during recess and we had a one room classroom that was heated by a wood stove. My first independent project there I did there was on jewelry making, looking back now I see that my passion was ignited and my path was set with that project thanks to my mentor and the adorable Fimo jewelry I made for it!

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Wow! That's so amazing.  You do great work, Ashley!

Congratulations BrokenHallelujah!

One of our team mates, Brandy, from Broken Hallelujah just got married last month! What an exciting time for her.  Let's all give her a big Congratulations!!

Beautiful. (and I love your dress!)

So, let's get to know Brandy a little more now.

Angie: "Who inspired you to be an Etsian?"

Brandy: "No on in particular. I was first inspired to join Etsy after hearing so much about it on the Craftster.org message boards several years ago. I decided to take the leap and open up my own shop as a way to help pay for my new obsession with crochet."

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Angie: "What is your favorite thing about Etsy?"

Brandy: "I love the amazing creativity of Etsy. Pretty much anything you want (and some things you don't) you can find on Etsy. It's so great. Plus it's full of amazingly creative people. I have made so many great friends here. If I ever have to leave Etsy I will miss it terribly."

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Angie: "What is your favorite thing in your shop?"

Brandy: "Right now my favorite thing in my shop are my summer melon mary jane slippers.
I love the bright summer colors & the cool freshness of the combination of green & orange."
I agree, I do love these colors! 

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Angie: "Is there anything else you feel everyone should know about you?"

Brandy: "I guess it would be that I opened & have run my Etsy shop as a full time college student. Now I am entering graduate school as a master's student & hope I will be able to keep my shop open. It was tough & I never had the time I wanted to dedicate to the shop, but I still made it work and I'm proud of being my own business owner while working to achieve my academic goals of becoming a Ph.D. in marine biology."

Wow.  That's really amazing, Brandy! If only we all had that sort of dedication.  You've done an amazing job with your etsy shop and I wish you all the best of luck with your graduate program.

I have to show a picture now of my favorite item in your shop! I love the flowers on this set.

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Brandy has all sorts of great accessories for women.  She's even got something for the people like me that already know how to crochet! I wouldn't necessarily buy a finished crochet piece from someone else, but crochet patterns are always an option in Brandy's shop!

I hope you've enjoyed getting to know your Brandy!

EllaBelleBoutique Blog Feature!

Hello team!  This week, we get to find out a little more about our last treasury challenge winner, EllaBelleBoutique.  Jessica won the Twilight Treasury Challenge with her beautiful Love is Eternal treasury.  Although she is not a Curation Nation member, she has had fun participating in our great challenges! Way to inspire other Etsians!

Anyway, let's get to know a little more about Jessica.

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Angie: Who inspired you to be an Etsian?

Jessica: All my life, I've been lucky to be surrounded by strong women who love to create beautiful things. Naturally, I've developed a love of creating as well. When a friend of mine told me about Etsy, I was basically in awe. A place where literally millions of handmade lovelies could be found? Yes, please! I couldn't wait to join.

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Angie: What is your favorite thing about Etsy?

Jessica: The friendships I've made and the interesting people I've met. There are so many amazing people out there with such diverse talents!

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Angie: What is your favorite thing in your shop?

Jessica: It's a toss-up between my Jane Austen items and my Avonlea items. I LOVE to read, so it's been really fun to create jewelry that embodies the thoughts and feelings I have while reading great literature.

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Angie: What is one thing you would like everyone to know about you?

Jessica: My most favorite things that I've created (but that aren't for sale in my shop) are my three sweet kiddos. They are my biggest fans. They fill my days with craziness, and they even let me make jewelry once in a while :)

Get to know your team: Raceytay

Hello again, team!  This week we're getting to know Tracey of Raceytay!  I chose her because she dominated the "most team treasuries made" competition that we didn't even know we were having (because we really weren't).  But she still made the most.... with 23 team treasuries!  Stand up wherever you are and give her a standing ovation!

I mean it.

Okay, you can stop now.  Let's get to know Tracey!

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Ashli:  Who inspired you to be an Etsian?

Tracey:  The inspiration to open my shop came from Preeti, of Preetalina Photography. Seeing her selling photographs on Etsy was the kick in the pants I needed to get the ball rolling. I reserved my 'spot' on Etsy in September, but did not actually open up for business and start selling until almost December. I'd had an account at redbubble where they sell images, cards, calendars and the like but it didn't seem to be going anywhere. Etsy seemed the next logical step. Plus I knew another Flickrite who had a successful letter press shop on Etsy, which further convinced me. 

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Ashli: What is your favorite thing about Etsy?

Tracey: My favourite thing about Etsy is that it is dynamic. It's always changing; with the seasons and the market. This keeps me from selling the same things over and over again. Also, it has helped me to believe in myself. I make nice photos. I finally believe it. Some of them are extraordinary. I finally believe that, too. They are hanging in the homes of people who don't know me, people I didn't give them to for free! Famous people own my photos. It's exciting and humbling at the same time. 

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Ashli:  What is your favorite thing in your shop? Tracey:  My Favourite shop item changes, right now it would be a tie between the Red Flyer Bike and the Field of Poppies. Although as I look through the items now, thinking on this question, "Sometimes, when you fall, you fly" jumps out at me. And I look to see it on the wall across the living room and I sigh - mainly at the quote (I love Neil Gaiman) but also at the photo and the memories it evokes. Least favourite? Wonderland. That photo took weeks to get right. I nearly gave up. source A little known fact about Tracey: "I am an introvert. I can go days without speaking to anyone. Happily :)" Get to know Tracey on: twitter blog