Featured Seller: Sojourn Curiosities

Jewelry lovers, start your drooling.


The Ivy Ring:



I'm not a jewelry person. Never have been. I'm 35 years old and I don't even have pierced ears. I know, I know, I'm an aberration. Get off my back.

But even I can not resist the lovelies created by our next featured seller, SojournCuriosities. Check her out.


Your Shop Name
Sojourn Curiosities

Your real name
Sarah

Name of your first grade teacher
Mrs. Greenhaugh

When did you first start crafting?
When I was 15, a long-time friend of the family, who was a beader, got me started with some seed beads and thread. String, knot and wear; just right for me then. After that came clasps, larger beads, weaving hemp, simple earrings and, so, it evolved... it still is!

What creation are you most proud of and why?
Ah... that would be a piece from my "What the Nets Brought In" collection, titled "Christmas Eve on Fairmont Ave." I am proud of it because it takes a concept, a memory that is dear to my heart, and conveys it beautifully in a way that others can connect with.

What the Nets Brought In- Vesuvius, 1631 Cuff:



What's the ugliest thing you ever made?
I consider it all part of my history and growth. It may not all be salable, but it all helps to hone skills and refine the senses.

Beatles or Elvis?
Beatles, all the way. My love of The Beatles, strangely enough, got its start around the same time as my making jewelry!

Chunky Money or New York Superfudge Chunk?
Can I say Cherry Garcia? It's just that I've never had either of those!

World peace or worldwide distribution of your crafts?
World peace! The feeling I have when designing and creating my pieces is something that is very grounding, connecting and uplifting. I wish for everyone to feel that way, somehow.

Final words?
Take a moment, whenever you can, however you can, to ground, touch inspiration, and just be.

FAQ

What is TheCreationStation?
It is a blog devoted to promoting etsy sellers. It's not my personal blog.

Who is eligible to be featured?
Anyone who has a shop on etsy.com

How many sales do I have to have to be eligible?
None. That's kind of the point of this whole thing.

Etsy already has a Featured Member section, but most of the people chosen are very popular sellers who have lots of sales. There's a place for that here too, of course. Like I said, everyone is welcome! But I definitely want to spotlight new folks and smaller sellers.

How are the sellers screened?
I'm not going to check for a criminal history, if that's what you mean! After all, this site does not vouch for the integrity of the featured business owners. Everyone I've dealt with at etsy -- and I've purchased quite a few things -- have been honest people with great products.

But if you have a dispute with a seller you saw here, it's not my problem. I'm all about the love, man. The love and the art.

Now -- if you're a seller with 5 percent positive feedback, then no. I probably won't feature you. No point is asking for trouble.

How much does all this cost?

Nothing! It's free!

Yeah, right. This is one of those sites where you get paid per hit.

Nope.

OK, freak. Why are you doing this?

To meet other etsy sellers. To have fun. To get good karma. And who knows, maybe I'll sell a couple of things on my own site. That would be cool. But mostly, I'm a very creative person. I'm a writer by trade and doing something like this helps me sharpen my own computer/writing skills. Ok? OKKKAAAAAYYYY??

You have too much time on your hands.

My husband, two small sons and three dogs would disagree. They would, however, concede that my priorities are wonky.

OK. So I've been chosen as a featured seller. Now what?

It's very easy.

First, answer these questions and then convo them back to me (both questions and answers)

Your Shop Name
Your real name (first name)
First boyfriend (or girlfriend)?
When did you first start crafting?
Got a day job? What is it?
Smurfs or Barbies?
What creation are you most proud of and why? (send me a photo link and we can post pic)
What's the ugliest thing you ever made? (got a pic???? )
Explain your etsy shop name.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Final words?

Photos:
I'm taking them off people's etsy sites. I've tried doing it with flickr and other photo hosting site and it's not working out. SO. If you have a preference of which of your pieces you want featured, convo me the link to that page and I'll snatch the photos.
What can I do to help?
Promote promote promote! Tell everyone you know about Etsy.com and -- of course -- this site. This is your moment to shine. Tell the world!!

Who are you? How can I contact you?
My name is Andrea. I live in Austin, TX.
You can contact me through my shop at POWDERPUFF.ETSY.COM
You can also email me at pantrypuff@yahoo.com

Is anyone even looking at this site?
Besides me? I have no idea. That's why I just installed a nifty Site Meter at the very bottom of the page. Click on it and you'll see the number of views.
Tres clever, non?

Andrea, you're a goddess!
Oh you mustn't say such things.

Seriously!
Well...if you insist. The reader IS always right.

Anything else?
Nope. Just get out there and buy stuff from etsy!

First featured artist: Sunfleur1

The minute I saw this, I knew that Sunfleur1 had to be our very first featured artist:



Look at those colors. They are so bold and blend so well with the others. This bag is seriously a work of art.

Word.

So here it is, our first featured seller, Sunfleur1...

Your Shop Name:
Sunfleur Productions at sunfleur1.etsy.com

Your real name:
Michelle

Name of your first grade teacher:
Mrs Trayon (rhymes with crayon...cool, huh?)

When did you first start crafting:
I have fond memories of making spool critters with my grandma when I was a toddler - she kept a walrus I made in her luggage and he travelled all over the world with her.

What creation are you most proud of and why?
My best work of art so far is my daughter, but I know that's not what you meant. I am proud of almost everything I make, so it's hard for me to choose.



What's the ugliest thing you ever made?
I made a blanket for my husband when we were still dating and it is ugly, but at the same time, one of the most beautiful things I ever made. We use it everyday. I don't have a pic anywhere online.

Beatles or Elvis?
Both.

Chunky Money or New York Superfudge?
New York Superfudge Chunk all the way, baby!

World peace or worldwide distribution of your crafts?
World peace, for now.

Final words?
I am so glad I found Etsy this year. It has gotten me back into creating things again. I feel recharged and inspired. I dream of new things to make.

Welcome to the Craft Jungle

In the beginning, there were crafters.

Twig knitters, vine crocheters, rock jewelry designers, you name it. The mission: To take Adam and Eve out of their fig leaves and sass them up with a hand-stitched loincloth, lambswool scarf and limestone choker.

And it was good.

Fast forward a few thousand years. Today, crafty people direct Adam and Eve to Etsy.

At http://www.etsy.com, the artists come together to make friends, support each other, fight on the forums and -- of course -- sell their wares.

My name is Andrea and I'm an Etsyholic.

Even better, I'm a Blogaholic. Two great tastes that go great together, no?

So here's the deal. I'm using this blog to feature the work of great, independent artisans. We'll have Q and A, photos, contests and so on.

So get your butt out of WalMart and stay tuned. You don't want to miss this.