Saturday's Featured Artist: Umecrafts

Ready for a fancy cup of coffee and some delicious fruit? Today, we'll meet someone that will definitely make us all feel younger and more playful. Her shop offers patterns and tutorials for pretending felt food that every child and their Moms will love. Let's have a chat with Jeanette Lin from Singapore. Her shop, Umecrafts, joined Etsy on Oct 06, 2007 and has 4025 sales so far!


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#1. Describe yourself in 5 words.
A mother, crafter, Tea Addict.

#2. What goodies do you offer in your shop?
Original patterns and easy to follow tutorials to encourage people to make their own handmade felt pretend play food and toys for their kids instead of buying the plastics one.
I also sell quality felt fabrics from Japan at my other etsy shop http://litlbrownbird.etsy.com


#3. How was your shop started?
I started selling the actual felt play food and started having a lot of requests for the patterns. So I switched to patterns instead.


#4. What are some unique things about your shop?
My felt patterns are original with actual cut out paper patterns and very easy to follow. detailed color photographs tutorials. I work with beginner felters in mind.


#5. What or who inspires you?
God and my 1 year old baby, Megan.
























#6. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
I'll have to say it's the dollhouse, I didn't think I can make it but I did it.


#7. What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
Believe in yourself and stay true to your own style. Read up on the useful tips on Etsy's Digest (Etsy Success). Participate in Etsy community where you can get advise & support.


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Beside her wonderful shop , Jeanette also has a blog (www.litlbrownbird.com ) where you can get to know her and her work better. So, don't hesitate to drop by and say "Hi"!

That's all for today's Featured Artist. Your Comment and Feedback are much appreciated! Next Saturday, we'll meet Marijke Janssens from Belgium, and her personalized stationary shop, EnfinLaVoila, where you can find such fantastic calling cards and especially wedding invitations like this one below! You know you don't wanna miss it. See you then!















For more information on "Saturday's Featured Artist" and "Wednesday's Hidden Gem", click here

Saturday's Featured Artist: Umecrafts

Saturday's Featured Artist: Sosorosey

Hi friends, are you enjoying the last few days of July(By the way, there's only 2 more days to participate in Papillon Jewelry's Monthly Giveaway)? Today, we'll visit one of my favorite home accessory shops on Etsy, where you can find incredible upcycled fabric crochet items like these colorful and stunning coasters below! Let's give a loud round of applause to Jennie of Sosorosey! Jennie is from Manassas, Virginia, and her shop joined Etsy community on Nov 22, 2007 and have has 460 sales thus far.























Let's pick her brain! :)

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#1. Describe yourself in 5 words.
creative, sentimental, perceptive, thinker, old soul

#2. What goodies do you offer in your shop?
I call my shop an “Elegant Eco-friendly Crochet Boutique “. I design and create functional treats for the home, baby, and soul including many unique, upcycled fabric crochet items.

#3. How was your shop started?
I discovered Etsy in November of 2007, and was a buyer only for a couple of months. I quickly became addicted to the community and decided to dive in and see if others would appreciate what I have to offer.

#4. What are some unique things about your shop?
My shop is uniquely “me”. From the banner, to the photos, to the props and descriptions I take great pride in every detail. I love popping into my shop and strolling around! Customization is a special and super enjoyable process with me, and each item is always presented beautifully and lovingly to its recipient.

#5. What or who inspires you?
Besides the many amazing artists that inspire me every day on Etsy, my main inspiration comes from fabric and vintage colors and patterns. I walk out of every thrift store with tons of new color combinations that I want to try out!

#6. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why? I REALLY enjoyed making the Love Your Mother rag rug. It was created for an Earth Day team challenge, and I had a great time dreaming up the concept and putting it all together. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23295759 #7. What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy? Etsy can be a lonely place, and it can be hard to keep the faith in your work when you first get started. Hang in there! Stellar product needs to be backed by phenomenal customer service and excellent communication. Always consider your shop a work in progress, always be willing to listen to suggestions, never underestimate the value of your time and effort, and never say anything in the forums that you wouldn’t want plastered on the front page of a newspaper!

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Beside her wonderful shop , Jennie also has a blog (http://sosorosey.blogspot.com/ ) where you can get to know her and her work better. So, don't hesitate to drop by and say "Hi"!

That's all for today's Featured Artist. Your Comment and Feedback are much appreciated! Next Saturday, we'll meet Jeanette Lin from Singapore, and her shop. Here's a sneak peak at these amazing felt food and toys that you can make using pattern/tutorials from her shop! Yum!


















For more information on "Saturday's Featured Artist" and "Wednesday's Hidden Gem", click here

Saturday's Featured Artist: Sosorosey

Saturday's Featured Artist: Mummumscrafts

Happy Saturday, everyone! Hope that you are enjoying the sun, warm weather and all summer fun this weekend. Even if you have sensitive skin that does not get along very well with the sun and many other things, have no fear! Today, we'll meet Lucy of MumMumscrafts, a wonderful shop of skin care and makeup products that work great for even the most sensitive skin!




















Lucy currently resides in Hickory, NC. Her shop joined Etsy community on Dec 01, 2008 and have has 271 sales thus far. Lucy is also a member of Etsy's CAST team (Christian Artists Street Team) like myself, and it is indeed my pleasure to bring to you this short and sweet interview with her!


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#1. Describe yourself in 5 words.

Determined, caring, meticulous, loyal and...stubborn!

#2. What goodies do you offer in your shop?

A full line of Mineral Makeup, Makeup Brushes, Soaps, Lotions, Creams, Deodorants, Bath Teas & Treats, Lip Balms, and soon offering Lip Sticks and Mascara.

#3. How was your shop started?

I started my own jewelry making business in 2007, but had already been reading and studying natural skin care for years. In 2008 I started experimenting with making lots of soaps, lotions and makeup products. Once I got things just how I wanted them I couldn’t keep these great things to myself! I started selling at local craft shows and then branched out to selling online.

#4. What are some unique things about your shop?

I think what makes my shop unique is that I have a large variety of things! I guess I am sort of a workaholic because I just can’t keep myself from developing new products! I am also really sensitive to people with allergies and sensitive skin. I often will make custom items for people who can’t handle certain scents or ingredients. I don’t list or sell anything until it has been tested and I know it is safe!

#5. What or who inspires you?

Jesus is my inspiration in life and in business! I could not even make it a day without Him! I always try to serve my customers in a way that would be pleasing to Him!





















#6. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

I can’t pick just one!! The top two are my deodorants and my mineral foundations! I was so happy to finally come up with a healthy deodorant that won’t cause cancer, and actually works! So I absolutely love my deodorants! It took a lot of trial and error to get it just right, and now I really think they are perfect. I also love my mineral foundation, because it was also really rewarding to finally get a finished product that I am so happy with and that does such a great job for so many people.

#7. What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?

Be yourself and let your products reflect that. Don’t try to be like someone else! List as often as you can, so people can find you in the masses of items that are on etsy. And try to spread the word about your shop yourself. Don’t just post your items and wait for someone to notice them; blog, Twitter, take out ads, tell all your friends and family! Spread the word that you are HERE!

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Beside her wonderful shop , Lucy also has a blog (http://www.mummumscrafts.blogspot.com ) where you can get to know her and her work better. So, don't hesitate to drop by and say "Hi"!

That's all for today's Featured Artist. Your Comment and Feedback are much appreciated! Next Saturday, we'll meet Jennie and her "Elegant Eco-friendly Crochet Boutique", sosorosey. Looking at this wonderful set of bowls, can you tell next Saturday's interview is going to be so much fun? Don't miss it!





















For more information on "Saturday's Featured Artist" and "Wednesday's Hidden Gem", click here

Saturday's Featured Artist: Mummumscrafts

Saturday's Featured Artist: Sasaki Creations

Recycling for a better world is the lofty goal of many Etsians, including myself :). Today, we'll meet Barb Sasaki from Hawaii, who brings life to recycled material and makes unique and beautiful wonderful handbag for her lovely shop, SasakiCreations. Her shop was established in May 29, 2007, and has 199 sales so far.























Here's our short and sweet interview with Bard Sasaki from SasakiCreations. Ready for a trip to Hawaii?

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#1. Describe yourself in 5 words.
Determined, Passionate, Creative, Hard-working, Messy

#2. What goodies do you offer in your shop?
I make handbags and accessories mostly out of recycled coffee bags and potato sacks, but I also love working with silks from kimonos and obis or other beautiful fabrics. I just started making yoga mat bags out of Japanese obis. I love color and contrast.

#3. How was your shop started?
In the beginning, I opened my shop to sell my husband's items. He is a woodcrafter and also makes earrings. After a while I started selling my handbags and now that is all I have in the shop. (sorry, honey!)
I began making handbags after a work injury that left me depressed and broke. I decided to take my life back into my own hands and do something that made me feel good. Since I couldn't carry a big purse after my shoulder surgeries, I worked on a design for a wristlet to carry what I needed. That original purse evolved over time and then I started getting requests for bigger bags.

#4. What are some unique things about your shop?
I started using the coffee and potato sacks to set myself apart from the other bag makers out there. I wanted to be unique! People enjoy novelty items and I live in the middle of Kona Coffee Country so the bags are readily available to me. I also used to live in Idaho so have been quite creative in sourcing those sacks to use as well. I actually am licensed by the state of Idaho to use the bags and their logo in the production of my handbags. At this time, I am the ONLY person permitted to do so!

#5. What or who inspires you?
I am mostly inspired by other strong and determined women who go out and create the lives that they want to live. I also take inspiration from my own sense of humor. I love making things that "tickle" me. You will often see novelty bags like my watermelon bag or bags made from silly fabrics.
























#6. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
I think it would be my Silk Yoga Mat bag. I love that the textiles in the bag have a history. Somebody once wore that obi and the kimono that the bag is made from. Who were they? Where did they go all dressed up? The bag turned out so beautifully that I leave it hanging in my studio just so I can look at it.

#7. What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
You can not just post your item and wait for people to find you. You MUST be very diligent about listing new items or renewing listings, commenting in the forums and treasuries, social networking like twitter and facebook and always carry business cards with you to shamelessly promote your work. And don't spend so much time at the computer that you don't have time to be creating new works! It is a balancing act!


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Beside her wonderful shop , Barb Sasaki also has a blog (http://www.sasakibags.blogspot.com/) where you can get to know her and her work better. So, don't hesitate to drop by and say "Hi"!

That's all for today's Featured Artist. Your Comment and Feedback are much appreciated! Next week's Saturday, we'll meet Lucy and her incredible skin care and makeup shop, MumMum'sCraft. Au Revoir!




















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For more information on "Saturday's Featured Artist" and "Wednesday's Hidden Gem", click here!

Saturday's Featured Artist: Sasaki Creations

Saturday's Featured Artist: Uncorked

Happy Independence Day! Today, I'm very excited to present to you my Saturday's Featured Artist, whose beautiful and unusual work is incredibly inspiring. Let's meet Cat of Uncorked. Cat is from New Jersey. Her shop joined Etsy in October 20, 2007 and has 1,588 Sales.





















Here's our short and sweet interview with Cat from Uncorked. Be inspired!

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#1. Describe yourself in 5 words.

She can't throw anything away. (I have nightmares about my things decomposing for decades in garbage dumps-ugh!)

#2. What goodies do you offer in your shop?

I have 2 shops on Etsy- Uncorked and Polarity. Uncorked sells sustainable cork jewelry and housewares and Polarity sells recycled magnetic jewelry and housewares.

#3. How was your shop started?

My Uncorked line started as a way to keep young girls interested in math and science. I had heard about Etsy from my niece who has a shop called ButtonEnvy and loved it at first sight.

#4. What are some unique things about your shop?

I try to offer unique items with green, industrial materials in both my shops. I am not a jeweler by any stretch of the imagination! I have always looked at things with an eye toward their alternate uses. I have alot of things in my house that have been repurposed into other things and try to bring that same spirit into my shops.

#5. What or who inspires you?

I am inspired by trips to the city, crowds, museums (I am a science nut), junkyards, junk piles (ie trash) and time spent alone.




















#6. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

Definitely soldering my lockets because it is such a calming, centering activity- which is something that does not come easily to me. I tend to naturally be all over the place and it really forces me to focus.

#7. What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?

I would say to be true to yourself and produce unique work. Use the best camera you can get your hands on and really work on your pictures. Make sure your product is top-notch; just because you can make something doesn't mean you can sell it. Also, realize Etsy will likely be just one avenue for your business. You will probably need to do shows and use advertising, blogs and social networking to grow your business.

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Beside her wonderful shop , Cat also has a blog (www.olivebites.blogspot.com) where you can get to know her and her work better. So, don't hesitate to drop by and say "Hi"!

That's all for today's Featured Artist. Your Comment and Feedback are much appreciated! Next week's Saturday, we'll meet Barb Sasaki from Hawaii and her wonderful handbag shop, SasakiCreations. See you next week!























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For more information on "Saturday's Featured Artist" and "Wednesday's Hidden Gem", click here!

Saturday's Featured Artist: Uncorked

Saturday's Featured Artist: Graffiti2

Happy Saturday, everyone! :) Guess what? Today, I've found the place for all your button/pin needs. Let's meet Judy Punta Gorda of Graffiti2. Judy is from Florida, and her shop join Etsy in Jun 29, 2006 and has 873 Sales (impressive, huh?).

















Here's our short and sweet interview with Judy from Graffiti2. Ready? Let's pick her brain!

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#1. Describe yourself in 5 words.
homeschooling advocate, avid recycler, resourceful

#2. What goodies do you offer in your shop?

Buttons/Badges/Pins Hand drawn, Custom Made, and Vintage Rock and Nostalgia buttons, mirrors, also.

#3. How was your shop started?

Started in 1979 in Lodi, NY. Inspired by a woman selling hand painted buttons as souvenirs on a corner near The Cannery in San Francisco. I bought one she painted of the Golden Gate Bridge. When I got back to NY, I searched the Thomas Register at the Library to find out where one can buy a button machine. I went to the bank and borrowed $1,000 to buy my first button machine which was $800 back then, and reams of papers and art markers.

I applied to arts and crafts show by mailing in slides of the button booth and samples of the buttons. That's the way it was done back then. I got into big art shows like The Cornhill Festival and The Clothesline Show. And continued doing shows until 1991 after my kids arrived, 2 adopted, and 1 biological.

In September of 2008 I dragged the business out of the cobwebs and opened a shop on Etsy.


















#4. What are some unique things about your shop?

Wide Variety, something for everyone. Buttons for little children, parents, teens, seniors. Every subject: Sayings, animals, peace, professions, humor, serious, rock and roll, famous people, sports, hobbies. I try to have every subject imaginable. And if I don't have it, I'll make it.

#5. What or who inspires you?
My kids inspire me. As a single parent in a recessing economy I am inspired to keep working, work fast, every minute of the day and evening counts. So, I respond quickly to potential customers, I mail orders out same day or next day, I give feedback as soon as items are paid for. I list new items every day. I operate my shop as if my life and my kids' lives depend on it for the food on our table, because it does.


#6. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

I enjoy making the individual custom made buttons the best. Like this one made in photoshop: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24830033 and these I make by hand: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16126633

#7. What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?

1. User Name is the shop name. I messed up there. 2. Accept all forms of payment. Why turn down a sale if someone does not want to have a pay pal account? I accept personal checks, money orders and have even received cash in envelopes. I also barter. 3. Don't make people of other countries have to email you for a cost to ship. If possible find out the cost or estimate the cost to ship. Some you might under estimate but some you over estimate and it all works out in the end.


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Beside her wonderful shop , Judy also has a blog (http:// www.portablegraffiti.blogspot.com) where you can get to know her and her work better. So, don't hesitate to drop by and say "Hi"!

That's all for today's Featured Artist. Since this is a new category, I'll definitely appreciate your Comment and Feedback! Next week's Saturday, we'll meet Cat of Uncorked, where you can find incredible cork jewelry like this one and lots of other cool things. Make sure you don't miss it!





















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For more information on "Saturday's Featured Artist" and "Wednesday's Hidden Gem", click here!

Saturday's Featured Artist: Graffiti2

Saturday's Featured Artist: Nataliaraya

Today, the spotlight is on Natalia of Nataliaraya, where you can find amazing jewelry like this unique necklace right here!





















Natalia is from Costa Rica (Coronado to be exact its like a little mountain town which is most the time cold even if its in CR! :P). Her shop was established in Mar 11, 2008 and currently has 608 sales (wow!). Here's our short and sweet pocket interview with Natalia of Nataliaraya.

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Q: Describe yourself in 5 words.
A: Humble,goofy, insomniac, practical ,simple

Q: What goodies do you offer in your shop?
A: All the ideas I have running in my head transferred into metal.

Q: How was your shop started?

A: After getting very frustrated over my work (Human resources).. I decided to quit , the kind of things you do and you don't know what the next step is or what you are going to do.

I was making jewelry but mostly really intricate pieces it was like my way out of the stress I was living in, never imagined I could make a living out of it mostly because I was in Costa Rica and well even getting a paypal was so hard for me needed an account in the states.To make a huge story short… I managed to get a paypal, a wonderful friend of mine helped me doing all this and also had to bring down some machines and tools all the way from the states , because they don't have them here at all any were all this to make a workshop home, all of this because my teacher said one day "You can"..

To me the first piece I sold online was surreal and to this day I still ask myself with every sale,every conversation .. "Is this really happening? "





















Q: What are some unique things about your shop?

A: A very personal approach to jewelry, every single piece I make I look at once is finished and I Imagine a person wearing it or giving to a special person.. If is a piece I would be proud to say " I made it" .. If I would wear it myself…or give to my mother.. If the piece has this pre-approval and applies in all these categories and my final reaction is pure love .. then goes to the shop..I have a lot of things I haven't listed just because I am not 100% pleased with the result… :)

Q: What or who inspires you?

A:This was the hardest question because I can't tell you exactly what it is everyday things and as I run into things .. I get ideas , I think they come to me instead.. I see something and I see the finished piece in my head and go make it..

I've always had an interest in classic pieces of jewelry so I also have some attempts at making my own take of the classic designs.

Q: What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

A: Currently listed Martirio all the way.. As I was making it I was sure, this is the kind of jewelry I want to make from now on, original and it is exactly what I had in mind it's also way more artistic .. I love it so much and I enjoyed making her hair, lips all the little details…

Q: What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?

A: Don’t get sad when things don’t sell right away etsy seems to have a rhythm and one minute you don’t sell a thing the next you get orders..

Just keep working and enjoying it , this reflects in your shop and you can tell when a person wants to sell something and when one person wants to create and share… Every human is an artist. If the dream of your life is to make beautiful art people will notice this and appreciate it.


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Beside her wonderful shop, Natalia also has a blog (http://www.gravitando.wordpress.com/), where you can get to know her and her work better. So, don't hesitate to drop by and say "Hi"!

That's all for today's Featured Artist. Since this is a new category, I'll definitely appreciate your Comment and Feedback! Next Saturday, we'll meet Judy and her successful Grafitii 2, the place to go to for a great variety of cool Buttons/Badges/Pins. You know you don't want to miss it!






















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For more information on "Saturday's Featured Artist" and "Wednesday's Hidden Gem", click here!

Saturday's Featured Artist: Nataliaraya