Feature Artist of the Week

From handmade housewares to jewelry. From yarn to upcycled materials, this seller can use it all and create the most beautiful items from them. It is my pleasure to bring you......




1. Why don’t you start by telling us your name and when and how you got starting crafting?

My name is Michelle May and I’ve been crafting since I was a pre-teen. I got hooked in Grade Seven Home Ec, during our sewing unit, and in Industrial Arts, when we got to use power tools! My mom was a great seamstress and I remember watching her sew all kinds of things.

2. What made you choose your niche?

I got away from crafting for a few years when my children were small and I was in university, but once I got back to it, sewing was my first draw. I tried to pick up knitting again, found the newsgroup rec.crafts.textiles.yarn, read about all the crocheters, and got hooked on the hook J That’s about five years ago, I’ve loved crochet ever since. More recently I’ve taken up needle felting, too.


3. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

All over. Sometimes the idea tells me what materials, sometimes the materials tell me what they can be. Or sometimes I’m just bored and poke around to see what I can find to do! I’ll see something in a color that strikes my eye, or a texture, or even something someone might be wearing, and I’ll turn it over in my head until there’s a solid idea there.

4. Do you ever get in a creative slump? And, if so, what do you do to pull yourself out of it?

Oh, gosh, all the time! Sometimes I just ride it out, other times I’ll read about other crafts I don’t do, or just randomly google ‘crochet’ or ‘wool’ to see what pops up. I’m currently into fabric, yarn and roving, so it isn’t hard for me to find something different to do, either.















5. How many hours a day do you devote to your craft?

It varies; sometimes it’s only a few minutes, sometimes it’ll be six or eight hours.

6. Do you have a job outside the home or is your online business your full-time job?

I don’t currently have a job outside the home, but that’s partly because I got laid off and haven’t found anything else yet. Although, a lot of people have been encouraging me to make crafting my full-time gig; expand my ‘product line’ and venues, perhaps teach classes, do more craft fairs, etc. I think I’d really like to see that happen.

7. Do you sell anywhere else in addition to Etsy?

I have stores on ShopHandmade and ArtFire. I used to sell on consignment at a local store, but haven’t had any of my products there for six or eight months. I have just started carrying things at a local vintage shop called Model Citizens (in St. John's). I do some smaller local craft fairs, and I’m a regular at our local farmers’ market (http://stjohnsfarmersmarket.com/ ). That’s my favorite venue!


8. What would you say is the most difficult thing about having an online shop and what have you done to overcome it?

Getting enough exposure, for sure! I’ve used flickr and Facebook to try and get my shop out there! I’ve also started blogging.

9. What are your long term goals for your shop/craft?

I really do wish that I could craft full-time (and sell, so I have an income from it!)

10. Do you do custom orders?

I LOVE custom orders…nothing is more fun that working with someone to figure out what they want and how to meet their needs.



















11. Where would you say has been the most helpful place in finding information to help run your shop on Etsy? The forums, the help guides, other sellers’ blogs?

I find the forums the best spot for information. It’s not always correct, so you have to research to back it up!

12. If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about opening a shop on Etsy, what would it be?

Get a good banner and avatar, have good-looking photos, and have fun with it!

Sometimes I think we forget that there are real people, with real lives behind all the beautiful crafts and handmade goodies we see on Etsy. Here is a look at Michelle's everyday real life.

My everyday life centers around my family; three kids, husband and father in my household. Getting everyone off for the day, housework and laundry, then it’s my time…surf the net, check Etsy and my other shops, read some blogs, work on current projects, shop for materials. My kids come home at 2:40 and 3:40, so it’s all about them for a few hours. When I’m working, the ‘my time’ comes after supper is done and homework is underway. Evenings around 9:00 is when things quiet down in my house and I usually get some serious craft time in then.


You can also find Michelle here:

Blog - Mayberrycreations.blogspot.com
Facebook page - Mayberry Creations
Shop Handmade - Mayberry Creations
ArtFire - Mayberry Creations
Flickr - Mayberry Creations


Before we say goodbye to Michelle, I just wanted to take a moment and send out a huge Happy Birthday Wish!!! Toby turned 8 years old today and has been and will continue to be a huge influence in his Mom's life. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOBY!!!!!!

Thank you Michelle for taking the time to let us get to know you and your shop, you have beautiful items and I wish you much success!!!

Be sure to visit Mayberry Creations as well as the other places you can find Michelle!!

Etsy Bloggers Street Team - Blog Carnival

I recently joined the Etsy Bloggers Street Team and every month they have a blog carnival. There are 2 themes per carnival, you pick one, write about it and then post a link to it for other members to read. This is my first carnival and the topic I chose is, Why I opened a shop on Etsy, what I like about being a seller and what I dislike. I am so excited to be a part of this team and look forward to participating in the many events they have going on.

So, on with the answer to the question why I opened a shop on Etsy, what I like about selling there and what I dislike...

I had been selling on Ebay for about 2 years but started to get very frustrated by the constant fee increases. It was getting harder and harder for me to keep my prices reasonable and still make a profit. I was also starting to believe that Ebay was not the best place to sell handmade items.

I did a search on google for online venues and after doing some investigation on each of them, I found that Etsy had the most to offer. I was immediately pleased with my decision. Setting up my shop was so easy, and the little personal touches, like the store banner and choice of avatar gave my shop that 'just right' feeling.

I think what I like best about being a seller on Etsy is the large number of people who are willing to help you when you need it. I spent a lot of time in the forums when I fist opened my shop and the information I found there and received from many members has proved invaluable.

It's funny; when I thought about what I didn't like about Etsy, it turned out to be the same thing I love about it. The forums. While there are a ton of wonderful people willing to put themselves to the service of others, there are also many who can be very intolerant of 'newbies'. I have seen some pretty awful behavior on some threads and sometimes I have even been shocked by how mean people can be to others. I just wish that Etsy admin. would step in more frequently when threads get abusive because it really is quite disrespectful.

So I guess you could say I literally have a love/hate relationship with the Etsy forums. I don't visit them as much as I used to but when I do drop in, I still find it full of very valuable and useful information and just choose to stay away from the threads that are not appropriate.

Etsy is a wonderful place, especially if you sell handmade items and I intend to be there as long as I continue to sell my jewelry.

CPSIA and You

By now I'm sure most of you have heard about the CPSIA (Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act) and how it is going to affect thousands of sellers of childrens' handmade items. And although the act is at a 1 year stay, it still has the potential to put a lot of artists out of business.

For those that may not be familiar with this new act, in short it was created to protect children from excessive levels of lead in toys and other products. This is, in and of itself a good thing, but the act is poorly written and doesn't address the real problem. The act is forcing testing to be done on products manufactured in the US when it wasn't even our products that were causing the problems. Testing should be forced on products that are imported to the US.

Testing of items for children can range any where from $100 - $4000. In addition to making it just about impossible for small business owners to stay in business, I recently found out about other ways this law will have a huge impact. We will no longer be able to buy or sell items for children under 12 at yard sales, consignment shops or flea markets unless they have been tested. I don't know about you, but over the course of my daughters 4 years, I have found some really great things that were second hand, not to mention some extra money I have made by selling things she no longer used. The act will also affect daycares and schools, which possibly means price increases, and in an already struggling economy who will be able to afford it?

Can you image that giving a family member or friend your used baby and childrens items will now mean that you are breaking the law if you do not have the items tested first? The act definitely needs to be revisited and changed so that it is more realistic.

The other day in the Etsy forum DollCloset posted a link to a really cool poem called, "Dr. Seuss Meets The CPSIA". It's a little long but definitely worth the read and it really makes you think.

http://www.easyfunschool.com/the_CPSIA_meets_Dr_Seuss.html

Free Craft Fair

I came across a great website this morning that is full of valuable resources for crafters. The name of the site is FreeCraftFair.com. The site has sections for Craft Business Planning, Craft Business Resources and there are also several tutorial for many different craft projects.
You can also submit your site and link back to their craft directory for free. It is definitely worth a look! Click here to go see it now.

Have You Been Spotted?

Have you guys heard of IndieSpotting? It is a gallery that showcases photos of indie and handmade goods. What's great is that the photo you submit will link to any site you want, ex. your etsy shop, your website. IndieSpotting just displays the item for you, giving you more exposure, and what's even better, it's free. The other thing I really like about this site is that they only allow you to submit 1 item per week, which allows everyone a chance for some exposure.

Your image will need to be 200 pixels high and 200 pixels wide. They look for quality photos, so make sure your lighting is good, the image is clear and it is really good quality. The site really tries to get all eligible photos up on the site within 24-48 hours of submission. You will receive an email when the item is up.

They also have a badge that you can post on your blog to promote the site - more traffic to the site and mean more traffic to your shop!




Here is the link the FAQ page, and from this page you can click 'submit an Indie find and submit your item.

So what are you waiting for, go, go go...get some free exposure!

A Little Different and A Lot of Fun

I had some random beads that have been laying around for quite a while so I thought I would put them together and make this fun bracelet. I think it would be perfect for summer being that it is so colorful and bright. It's very different but I think it's pretty cool :)

Feeling the Yellow

Here is my latest treasury. I'm usually not a big fan of the color yellow but these items have changed my mind. If you want to check it out, just click here

I received an award from Baroness Bijoutery.....

The Lemonade Award




A huge thank you to CJ from Baroness Bijoutery for feeling I was worthy of this awesome award!!!

1. Put the logo on your blog or post

2.Nominate at least 5 - 10 blogs that show great Gratitude and/or Attitude.

3.Be sure to list and link your nominees within your post.

4.Let them know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.

5.Nominate your favorites and link to your post.

What a cool way to be recognized for the time and effort I put into this blog. I now pass this award onto those whose blogs I visit daily and admire greatly!

I nominate:

Originals by Terri

Dashery Jewelry

Always Amy

Bliss Soybean Candles and Gifts

Sassy Glass Designs

Etsy Shop Feature of the Week

How awesome is it that in today's age, we are not only able to enjoy beautiful things, but we now have the ability to capture that beauty. We can ultimately freeze an image in time, allowing us to continue to enjoy it after that moment is gone. We can also share that beauty with others, so they too can enjoy it.

My next feature artist has an amazing eye and combined with her skill with a camera she is an extremely talented photographer. Her Mom calls her Apple and combined with her obsession with the color orange, it is my pleasure to share with you Apple Loves Orange and her piece of Etsy.




1. Why don’t you start by telling us your name and when and how you got starting crafting?

My name is April. I've been a photography lover for as long as I can remember. I only just recently began to really get into doing it myself.

2. What made you choose your niche?

I'm always amazed at what you can discover through the lens of a camera! I started playing around and learning about my camera and my husband actually suggested I should sell them.

3. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Anything the has interesting color and shape. I think Mother Nature provides some pretty great material too!




4. Do you ever get in a creative slump? And, if so, what do you do to pull yourself out of it?

Not so far, since I haven't really been doing it long. For me, right now it's more a matter of being able to go out and shoot!

5. How many hours a day do you devote to your craft?

I think it's more hours in a week for me. I have a 3 year old home with me all day, so I can't always just grab the camera and go.

6. Do you have a job outside the home or is your online business your full-time job?

My first job is being a mom, so that has to come before anything else I do. I try to sneak in some "work" time here and there during the day and at night after the kids go to bed.



7. Do you sell anywhere else in addition to Etsy?

I do have a second Etsy shop http://appleblossomfl.etsy.com and an Art Fire studio http://appleblossomfl.artfire.com

8. What would you say is the most difficult thing about having an online shop and what have you done to overcome it?

Competition! It's hard to stand out in a sea of photography! I just try and promote as much as I can to get my stuff out there.

9. What are your long term goals for your shop/craft?

I would love to be able to make steady sales! Not sure if the ecomony is up for that right now!

10. Do you do custom orders?

That's kinda hard with photography, but I would be willing to shoot something specific for somebody!

11. Where would you say has been the most helpful place in finding information to help run your shop on Etsy? The forums, the help guides, other sellers’ blogs?

The Etsy teams I belong to, first and foremost. The forums are always great for figuring things out too.




12. If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about opening a shop on Etsy, what would it be?

If you love you craft, DO IT! Be bold, be original. PROMOTE


Other places you can find April are:

blog - http://appleblossomfl.blogspot.com/
twitter - http://twitter.com/appleblossomfl

I just want to give a special thanks to April for taking the time to let us get to know her and her beautiful shop. Be sure to visit April at applelovesorange and take at look at her amazing work.

A New Etsy Shop That Will Leave You In Stitches

I am completely addicted to totes, my closet is full of them and when I saw this shop, I knew I just had to share with you the beautiful items this seller creates. I was so happy when she agreed to let me get to know her and answer a few questions so I could share this great shop with you.

It's my pleasure to introduce you to a new shop on Etsy called The 6'oclock Stitch.



1. Why don't you start by telling us your name and when and how you got starting crafting?

My name is Gina. I've always enjoyed making things but took up sewing to make toys and things for my toddler.

2. What made you choose your niche?

I enjoy creating things for my daughter and I love playing with new fabrics so I guess I just naturally fell into it.



3. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I love bright bold colors and whimsical prints. Anyone can peek in The Studio Window each week to see what I'm working on. Since each design is unique (I rarely duplicate), they can request notification by email as soon as any particular item is in the shop and available for purchase. Studio Window is at http://the6oclockstitch.blogspot.com/2009/02/studio-window.html

4. Do you ever get in a creative slump? And, if so, what do you do to pull yourself out of it?

Yes! Walk away! I usually find inspiration when I'm not looking for it.

5. How many hours a day do you devote to your craft?

I named my studio "The 6 O'Clock Stitch" because I have to get an early start every morning before the other demands of the day press in. Typically I put in several hours a day. It's just broken up into small increments as time permits.



6. Do you have a job outside the home or is your online business your full-time job?

I do not work outside the home.

7. Do you sell anywhere else in addition to Etsy?

No.

8. What would you say is the most difficult thing about having an online shop and what have you done to overcome it?

Getting the word out has to be the most difficult. I'm chasing every marketing venue that arises. You never know where your next customer might be!

9. What are your long term goals for your shop/craft?

Right now I have so many design ideas floating around in my head! I want to dabble in a little of everything and have a unique and varied collection of goods.

10. Do you do custom orders?

Not at this time.

11. Where would you say has been the most helpful place in finding information to help run your shop on Etsy? The forums, the help guides, other sellers' blogs?

All of the above. There's a wealth of info out there. You just have to dig a little to find what you're looking for.



12. I saw in your announcement that you do eParties. Why don't you tell us what exactly that is, how it works and how we can have one?

1. Sign up for a party date (instructions below). Parties run for 5 days.


2. You'll receive your eParty invitations with a promo code, good for 10% off all purchases (excluding shipping) to email to each of your guests.


3. INVITE as many people as you'd like! The more the merrier!


4. When your guests shop during the scheduled 5 day period, and enter their eParty promo code in the "Message to Seller" section at checkout they'll receive 10% off their purchases. Merchandise is shipped directly to each purchaser.


5. At the conclusion of the event, you will receive a hostess code, for a discount on your next purchase, based on the total sales (excluding shipping) generated during your eParty. Hostess discounts will be issued as follows:


Total Sales of $50 to $99 = 20% Hostess Discount


Total Sales of $100 + = 30% Hostess Discount


For more information OR to schedule a date for your eParty, email the6oclockstitch [!at] gmail.com [Subject: eParty]. Please specify your eParty date preferences. All dates are subject to approval by The 6 O'Clock Stitch!

13. If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about opening a shop on Etsy, what would it be?

Set aside some time each day to focus on marketing your shop. It will pay off in the long run.


Also, I would like to provide you and your readers with a COUPON CODE good for 10% OFF (excluding shipping) through March 1st. Enter code bj173609 in the Message to Seller section at checkout. 10% of the purchase price will be refunded after the transaction is processed.

Here are a few places in addition to Etsy that you can find Gina:

I blog at the6oclockstitch.blogspot.com
I tweet too! twitter.com/6oclockstitch


Not only is Gina extremely creative, but also a wonderful person for doing this interview for us. And if that wasn't enough, to offer us a discount for just learning about her - awesome!
So go visit her shop and don't forget to use that discount code in the Message to Seller section to get your 10% off.

Thank you so much Gina, it was fun getting to know you and your shop The 6 o'clock Stitch and I wish you much success on Etsy!!

Someone Featured Me

There was a thread in the Etsy forums not too long ago from a fellow artisan who was looking for people to feature on her blog. So many people had already posted their interest; but I thought what the heck, I volunteered and posted a link to my shop for her to look around. I was so honored when she convo'd me with a list of questions and said she was going to feature my shop. The questions really made me think and some were a little challenging, but it wasn't until I got down to the last few that I knew I was either going to really embarrass myself or sound like a complete idiot. So go check it out and find out a few things about me that I never would have thought I would divulge online.

Just another day in Paradise


I want to thank Julianne at Julianne A. Designs for taking the time to get to know me and thinking my shop good enough to feature on her blog - Thanks Julianne!

Another New Adventure

As if I am not busy enough, I just took on another project. I just couldn't pass up this new opportunity though. I am a big supporter of promoting other artists and this outlet will give me the chance to do just that.

I am now going to be the guest editor for the 'Everything Else' category on the Etsy Profiles blog. In case you have never heard of it, the Etsy Profiles blog is open to all Etsy sellers who would like to get their profiles featured. Free advertising, now you just can't beat that. The blog is not only a great way to get your shop seen by people who stop by, but it is also a wonderful way to discover shops on Etsy that you may not otherwise ever find.

In addition to all the great shops featured on the blog, you will also find a list of Etsy resources and directories, important Storque articles and important Etsy links. There is a ton of valuable information that is definitely worth checking out.

So stop by for a visit and if you would like to have your shop featured just contact the editor for your particular niche and supply them with all the required information (there is a list of what you will need to send the editor in the Index, in the lefthand column or just click here).

Hope to see you soon!

What the Heck is Etsy Anyway

I realized that a lot of people visiting my blog may not be familiar with Etsy; and since the majority of my blog is focused around it, I thought I would take a minute to let them know exactly what it is. First, if you are wondering how you pronouce Etsy, it rhymes with the girls' name Betsy

Etsy is an online marketplace where you can buy and/or sell anything handmade. Etsy also has vintage items and crafting supplies. Etsy has over 1.8 million members and there are over 200,000 sellers. Etsy is different from Ebay, in that, there is no bidding; you just find what you like and buy it.

If you have never visited Etsy, you really must check it out. On Etsy, you can find anything from jewelry to pottery and everything in between and with the ever growing number of extremely talented artists found on Etsy you are bound to find something you just can't do without.

Valentine’s Day Challenge

I belong to the North Georgia Etsy Team and this month we are having a contest for Valentine's Day. Go to our website, choose which item is your favorite and leave a comment telling us which item you choose and you are entered.

The prize pack consists of A Tinkerbell reversible bib from CooAndCole, an Amber Romance scented Soy Candle from WorthySoyCandles, an India Hand Figure from EyeDesign, a Tissue Cozy from DingoGirl, a Heart Pendant from MarciaPalmer, & a Glass Pendant from AliciasColors.

The winner will be announced February 8th