Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Featured Seller: POQAdotted

What a crappy day.

The bosses are loading work on all of us in their slave labor camp. My coworker asked me to crochet him a monster, then didn't pay, telling people he thought it was a "gift." And my diet is failing miserably.

I need to buy something, STAT. And lemme tell ya, this is pretty tempting:



I will not think about bad things. I. Will. NOT.

Instead, I will drool over (but not ON) the beautiful things in the shop of POQAdotted

Shop Name:
POQAdotted

Your real name
Nicole

Fifth grade teacher?
I think it was Mrs Cordero. Its hard to remember when you changed schools every six months or so

When did you first start crafting?
Gosh before I could walk I would imagine. I come from a super crafty family.

Got a day job? What is it?
I'm a nurse but I'm taking some time off to be with my family.

What creation are you most proud of and why?
My Kids!




What's the ugliest thing you ever made?
I honestly dont know. Maybe some of my early sewing projects when I though patterns and pins were not a necessity

Explain your etsy shop name.
It stems from something my dad used to say to me and I blended it with one of my favorite things..polka-dots so it came out as POQA(princess of quite alot)-dotted




Angelina or Jen?
hmm maybe if June or Johnny Cash reincarnated into one of them

Final words?
Create! Inspire! Craft!

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Featured Seller: Creative Sparkle

I am such a dope.

Would you believe that I stayed up until almost 3 a.m. this morning watching-- of all things -- The Burning Bed? I can not express how that movie transfixes me. No one does Sick-Of-Being-Beat-Up-Gonna-Light-My-Man-On-Fire like Farrah. The woman is my hero.

I do, however, wonder if the actor playing her hubby got a few real shots in there during shooting. Farrah, cancer aside, is looking pretty rough these days.

But you know what DOES NOT look like hell? Anything in the shop of Creative Sparkle



I love this lady's stuff. Let's learn more about her, shall we?

Your shop name
Creative Sparkle


Your real name
Christina (My friends call me Stina)

Fifth grade teacher?
Ms. Cory. She loved pigs and chocolate. She was a very quirky lady. I gave her a drawing of a pig and a hershey bar and I was set.



When did you first start crafting?
I've been crafting since I could use scissors. I used to cut out pieces of felt, construction paper, and other things and glue them together. Everything was topped with mountains of glitter, of course.

Got a day job? What is it?
I run an after school program for elementary school kids. That group has taught me patience, definitely. The kids inspire me every day.

What creation are you most proud of and why?
My Cinderella Story Box



The colors matched the illustration so perfectly.

What's the ugliest thing you ever made?
When I was about nine years old, I cut strips of paper and made a "woven" basket. I couldn't get the pieces to stay so I covered the entire thing in scotch tape. I thought I was a genius. Thank goodness I don't have any pictures of it.

Explain your etsy shop name.
Pretty straight forward. My mother always called me creative, and I believe that when you find an item that is perfect for you, it has a certain sparkle to it. Plus its a homage to all the glitter I used as a child.

Angelina or Jen?
Neither, I'm not big on celebrities in general.

Final words?
Do what you love, love what you do. Have fun, and don't settle, ever.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Featured seller: Carrie Scott

I want to look like this:



I know it's wrong. I'm 35 years old. I should be embracing the unbraceable me. Hugging my womanhood. Loving my lard all that.

But no. I want to be a fabulously blond cartoon character created by Carrie Scott. Don't hate me because I'm ridiculous.

Your Shop Name
Carrie Scott

Your real name
Carrie

Fifth grade teacher?
I honestly can't remember, which is horrible because it was not that long ago.

When did you first start crafting?
If I can consider my first crafting experience as coloring books, then I think I was two. If we're talking actually creating something from scratch, then I'd have to go with the age of six or seven. I would create custom cards and comic strips for my parents out of the same character. He had a spike mo-hawk and a lot of piercings and would say all of the things in the comics that I wasn't allowed to say or was too afraid to. Better than an imaginary friend, right?




Got a day job? What is it?
I'm an insurance agent. When people ask me where I work, I tell them to close their eyes and imagine the most boring place they have ever been. Now multiply that by ten.

What creation are you most proud of and why?
I was pretty proud of the last mural I did. Here's a pic:



The people that I painted it for have a beautiful custom home. I was so proud that they allowed me to be a part of creating a permanant piece of art on their wall.

What's the ugliest thing you ever made?
Anything ugly I have ever made has been thrown away to erase all proof that it ever existed. Therefore, I have NEVER made anything ugly.

Explain your etsy shop name.
It's my name! (I thought long and hard about it)

Angelina or Jen?
Jen because she's the underdog. Everyone loves the lady who adopts all the orphans!




Final words?
I find that I'm bipolar when it comes to inspiration. I'm bone dry or spilling over the edges with ideas. This is why I love creating custom work. You get to tell me what you want. This way I don't end up walking around the house in circles with painters-block. (It IS a word)

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Featured Seller: Jared KS

Well, it's been almost two months since I started this blog and I've decided to shake things up.

Be afraid.

Today, instead of doing the usual interview feature, I've picked a featured seller at random from the ranks of Etsy. I just clicked on a few names until I found some cool stuff. It took about 3 seconds.

Seriously. Etsy has the best stuff. From the moment I saw this photo by Jared KS , I could not take my eyes off it.



And look at this:



And this:



And this!



Bravo Jared KS . Your beautiful art has made my day!

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Featured Seller: My Creative Corner

Some of my favorite Etsy items are cards and paper. Look at this:



I just love the colors!

This is usually the part where I tell you some charming anecdote about how I once painted clam shells or ate a box of crayons or ate a human kidney or whatever. Not today, my friends! Now I just want to tell you to check out the great work from today's featured seller My Creative Corner

Your Shop Name
My Creative Corner

Your real name
Sherry

Fifth grade teacher?
OK, it’s on the tip of my tongue, I can picture her. Nope can’t remember. I do remember her trying to help me with math but it was hopeless.

When did you first start crafting?
I have been crafting forever. My Mom is an artist and she discovered to keep kids still give them paper and crayons. As an adult, I started sewing again after I was married. My husband bought a sewing machine for my birthday. I have a friends, Jan, who has her own jewelry making business and she is teaching me. I love doing all sorts of creative stuff.



Got a day job? What is it?
Yes, I have been in law enforcement for almost 10 years. I was a patrol officer and now I am training in Investigations.

What creation are you most proud of and why?
I am really proud of a dress that is almost finished. I used a vintage remake fabric and a 1940’s pattern. I think it is one of the best I have made.

What's the ugliest thing you ever made?
No picture. My upcycling attempt for the contest on Etsy was a disaster and I threw it away. It involved vinyl, fabric, and a JoAnn’s flyer. I was going to make a wallet with the flyer behind the vinyl and it really didn’t work. I threw it away.



Explain your etsy shop name.
My Mom has 6 kids so space was at a premium. She kept a corner to herself that she tried to keep us out of and called it her creative corner. I stole it from Mom.

Angelina or Jen?
Jen – but I don’t really care in the long run. I am not much on who’s doing what in Hollywood.

Final words?
Thanks for doing this. I have been trying to get my Etsy shop exposure and I love your blog so this is perfect. Good luck to everyone being featured.
Don't be afraid to do trades. It is a great way to get great Etsy items without spending money. Plus, your site gets "sales". My advise is to not leave feedback until you receive the item because there are probably a couple of shops doing it for sales and then not sending the item so that they can relist it. The only recourse you would have is the negative feedback.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Featured Seller: Bead Gal Designs

I am a karaoke whore.

Mostly I sing in my car. I will bellow along to Olivia Newtown John from the minute I climb into my Saturn to the second I get to the company parking lot. And usually, that's where it ends.

But now? Oh now.

A few fine ladies started an etsy karaoke contest at http://www.singshot.com/contestDetail.html?contestId=1562. And now I am hooked. Ridiculously hooked. Obsessed, one might call it.

And this is why you must forgive me. I was so busy singing yesterday, I forgot to post a new seller.

I can not face the shame. Forgive me.

Look, new pretty things to see!


Your Shop Name
Bead Gal Designs

Your real name
Sarah

Fifth grade teacher?
I honestly don't remember!

When did you first start crafting?
So when did I start walking? Seriously, I come from a line of crafty ladies, so crafting as as integral as learning my ABCs. My mom used to buy big rolls of butcher paper (what it was called then, now it's probably just craft paper) and spread it out. We drew complex machines and long sceneries. She was always keeping our creative sides engaged.

Got a day job? What is it?
Yup. I'm a project editor at an educational publishing company, however I hope to someday actually use my engineering degree.

What creation are you most proud of and why?
Oh gee, I don't know! I like both this piece:



and this piece:



Are they what I'm most proud of? I don't know, I just know that I'm *really* fond of them!

What's the ugliest thing you ever made?
ugliest thing? hummm..I don't think I have any photos of those. I tend to scrap all my projects that go pearshaped ;-)

Explain your etsy shop name.
Well, I'm a gal and I like beads. I also design jewelry. So I came up with BeadGal Designs. Original, I know. I was stuck, what can I say?

Angelina or Jen?
Angelina, I like a woman who kicks ass.

Final words?
I enjoy what I do and it makes me so happy to see other people enjoying my work. I can't wait to see what ideas I come up with next!

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Featured seller: Lava Jewelry

I'm at work and have nothing witty to say.

DAMN YOU EMPLOYER! Damn you for crushing my creative sprit!

A peek at this might get the old juices going again:



Isn't that lovely? Very Jackie O, to me anyway. And as some of you may know, Jackie and I were very close back in the day...

OK I'm lying. I am so lame tonight. Save yourself and go visit Lava Jewelry. She'll give you the respect and attention you truly deserve.

Your Shop Name
Lava Jewelry

Your real name
Chel

Fifth grade teacher?
Mrs. Brenda Lyle - she was amazing!



When did you first start crafting?
I don't remember ever _not_ crafting. I used to set up "craft stations" for my younger siblings. In each station would be a different project. They would work on one project for about 20 minutes or so, and then I'd have them switch to the next one. It's a good thing I had so many younger siblings.

Got a day job? What is it?
I'm currently devoting all of my time to my business, but I'm a geologist by training, and I do plan to keep geology in my life.

What creation are you most proud of and why?
Right now I'm most proud of my blue mystery stone pendant. It is made from a rock I collected myself in the Sierra Nevada. A friend of mine cabbed it, and I wirewrapped it. It's not my most sophisticated piece, but it has special meaning since I collected the rock myself.



What's the ugliest thing you ever made?
The ugliest thing I've ever made would probably be the first scarf I ever knitted. I don't have a picture, but it was an obnoxious bright purply pinky reddish color, and I skipped all kinds of stitches, the rows weren't even in size, and it ended up being about ten feet long because I couldn't figure out how to bind off.

Explain your etsy shop name.
I chose the name Lava Jewelry because of my background in geology. There's not much that I love more than molten rock. I went to college in Hawaii, where I'd spend every possible spare moment at the active lava fields on Kilauea, helping various people with their research or just exploring. I love the flow and curves of hot lava, and I think some of those same
curves can be seen in my designs. I like the word "lava" itself too - it's two pretty syllables. And I do incorporate lava into my jewelry; I make designs using basalt, rhyolite, and obsidian.

Angelina or Jen?
Ummm, what?

Final words?
None. I plan to live forever. Really.

http://cheldodge.net/blog

Friday, February 16, 2007

Featured Seller: Neccies

Dear Neccies:

Your photography is AMAZING.

SERIOUSLY. You could sell these pictures...





And, oh yeah. Your jewelry rocks too :)

Your Shop Name
Neccies

Your real name
Kelly

Fifth grade teacher?
Mrs. Johnson - Not related to the Mr. Johnson who taught 4th grade. ; )

When did you first start crafting?
As a child, I used to do cross-stitch and tried my hand at crochet. During high school, I moved onto simple beading projects. Most of my crafting time disappeared through my college years (I was lucky to find time to read a book for pleasure, let alone craft something!), though I did take a pottery class as an elective. That was fun times! I recently got back into beading/jewelry-making.



Got a day job? What is it?
I do. I'm a Network Administrator for an electrical manufacturer. Another cohort and I keep our computer systems up and running for about 500 users. Some days are easier than others... But, after being on a computer all day, it's nice to go home and bend wire or string beads.

What creation are you most proud of and why?



My amber bracelet. It's one of my earlier creations. I decided to wrap the jump rings I made to give it some interest. I love how it turned out.

What's the ugliest thing you ever made?
I made some pretty ugly Mardi Gras masks (think feathers exploding, glitter paint everywhere...) as a pre-teen.

Explain your etsy shop name.
Mimi & Neccie
My 2 year old daughter has a bear blanket lovey, one of those loveys with a small bear with a small square of fabric attached. One day, she started calling the bear "Mimi". Probably "Meme", more accurately - she is two after all!
She also has an amber teething necklace that she likes to wear. She couldn't say "necklace", though. It comes out as "nessy".

Angelina or Jen?
What exactly are whe choosing here? Which one I need to off so Brad Pitt ends up as my love slave? (Obviously, I choose Angelina, then) ; )

Final words?
Thank you for giving Etsy sellers another forum to get the word out!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Featured Seller: Gin Gin's Goodies

What would you do if today was your last day to live?

I would:

1) Eat every single thing I wanted, including the entire Chicken Broccoli Combo at Golden Wok
2) Jump on a plane to China and see the Great Wall
3) Rent Walk the Line.
4) Buy this print from Gin Gin's Goodies




Shop Name:
Gin Gin's Goodies

Real name:
Ginny

5th Grade Teacher:
Miss Cook. She was the most awesome teacher. Loved sports, (I was a tomboy) read us the gruesome stories in the bible, and the ultimate, to be chosen to play against her in scrabble. She was rough and told it like it was, yet made each of us feel special.

1st started crafting:
I first started crafting in 2003. My husband had died and I needed something to fill the void. My daughter did scrapbooking and suggested that I try it. Instead, I started making cards and explored from there.

Day Job?
Nope, don't know what I want to be yet!!!!





What creation are you the most proud of:
I have several, but don't have them anymore. I am currently working on 2 Faux Stain Glass projects that I think are going to be really nice. Keep checking my shop to look out for them.

Ugliest Creation:
There have been so many!!! Needless to say, I throw them out.

Shop Name:
I was only 39 when I first became a grandmother. I figured I was too young for the usual "grandmother" names so, chose Gin Gin. My oldest grnadson, ( I have 4) who is 6 now, is extremely artistic and loves playing with my "stuff". He calls them my goodies, hence the name, Ginginsgoodies.

Jen or Angelina?
Jen

Final Words:
Live each day as if it is your last!!!!

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Featured Seller: Katiebug's Quilts

This is cute, right?



And while I'm at it, I think I'll take the chair too. Just one year ago -- oh tax time how I love ya -- I bought a gently used couch, chair and ottoman. They're still used. Only now, after a year with two kids and three dogs, not so gently.

I look at that picture, that lovely, dog-hair free chair, and remember what life should be. Thanks Katiebug's Quilts !

Your Shop Name
Katiebug's Quilts

Your real name
Katie

Fifth grade teacher?
I can't remember, I hated school.





When did you first start crafting?
I played in my dad's cabinetry shop ever since I can remember. I always enjoyed creating stuff with him. I started quilting in 2004 and I learned to knit and crochet in October of 2006

Got a day job? What is it?
I am a full time MOM

What creation are you most proud of and why?



I made the three dresden plates and I hand appliqued them on the quilt. Tedious work, but lovely.

What's the ugliest thing you ever made?
I wish I had a picture. It was the UGLIEST art quilt EVER! I haven't tried another one since. I think I will stick with traditional quilts.

Explain your etsy shop name.
I had a group of friends at church who named me Katiebug. My step daughters call me Katiebug. So I took the name and add quilts because that is what I thought I would list in my shop. I love to learn new crafts and my shop shows it. You never know what you will find there.

Angelina or Jen?
Oh I don't know. What's so great about Brad anyways? Other than he's hot and rich? Oh yeah he's hot and rich do I need to say more?

Final words?
"Etsy Rocks my Socks off". This is a quote from my 14 year old daughter.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Featured Seller: Lucid Dream Designs

Oh caffeine. When did I fall prey to your evil ways?

Yesterday I had FIVE Diet Pepsis. And now there are none in my house. NONNNNEEEEE!

Must. Calm. Down.

Must. Think. Relaxing. Thoughts.






Ahhhhhh. That's better.

Your Shop Name:
Lucid Dream Designs

Your real name
Desirai

Fifth grade teacher?
Mrs. Reade

When did you first start crafting?
As far back as I can remember. I always played teacher's pet to all of my art teachers. I was also kind of poor growing up so I had to find creative ways to improvise and create the things I couldn't afford.



Got a day job? What is it?
Full time student four months away from getting a Bachelor of Science in Digital Art and Design

What creation are you most proud of and why?
I had these really torn up Reebok sneakers while I was in high school. I bought some glitter paint and glow in the dark paint and went crazy. They were the coolest glitter glow sneakers on the planet. People would stop me on the subway all the time to ask where I had gotten them. I guess I was proudest of them cause I took something that the average person would have thrown away and turned them into something I had a really hard time parting with (the holes in the soles forced me to finally put them to rest.)I stopped wearing them but still couldn't throw them out. I might still have them somewhere.

What's the ugliest thing you ever made?
The first abstract piece I ever created. I was feeling uninspired and bored but felt I should probably make something to get my creative juices flowing. Alot of people ended up liked it.




Explain your etsy shop name.
I'm a lucid dreamer that can control my dreams. When thinking of a company name I felt it should say something about me, something personal. Everyone that knows me knows how important my dreams are, hence the name Lucid Dream Designs. "Helping you realize and take control of your visual dream so we can make it a reality."

Angelina or Jen?
Angelina. Big lucious lips are sexy. Then again I might just be saying that cause I have big lips.

Final words?
Well I guess first off I'd like to thank Powderpuff for featuring me. I love reading your features not only because I get to see new shops but because they are highly entertaining as well. Lastly, please stop by my shop. Send me a note. Tell me what you like, what you don't like, what could make my shop better. But more importantly just send me a note to say hi. I'd really like to connect with as many like minded creative people as I can. =)

Friday, February 09, 2007

Featured seller: Trollflings

I am wayyyyyyy too manic. In my next life, I'm going to take it easy, see the sights, smell the flowers, all that jazz.

In my next life, I'm coming back as this:



I will live in a mystical, magical kingdom filled with fairies and elves and goofy looking creatures. I will live here:




This will be my best friend:



And this is the grizzled, wise old soul who will guide us through our many adventures:



Doesn't that sound great? But it may take a while to find this brave new world of mine. So until then, I'll have to live the dream through The Trollflings® of Amber Matthies.

Your Shop Name
The Trollflings® of Amber Matthies.

Your real name
Amber

Fifth grade teacher?
Mr. Gibbons

When did you first start crafting?
When I was 12. I sold wire wrapped marble necklaces..to kids at my school. Had a nice little business going from it, and I got hooked.

Got a day job? What is it?
No Day job

What creation are you most proud of and why?
This little guy here



He combined my love of the muppets and yoda, with my love of trolls. I also felt after his completion...that I was as real of an artist as anyone else. :)

What's the ugliest thing you ever made?
When I first started sculpting...I made this ugly little blue sleeping goblin. (no, no pic) I can't begin to think about what I was thinking when I made him...but yep I kept him anyway. Not his fault he is horrid.

Explain your etsy shop name.
Trollflings are half elf-ling(baby elves) and half trolls...hence...trollfling!

Angelina or Jen?
DEFINITELY Jen.

Final words?
I have a reputation for being too "cheery" but honestly...I spent enough of my life being miserable. I am in a good place now and I wish that same happiness for everyone.