Mid-Week Feature #7

Today's mid-week feature comes to you from Brentwood, NH. Give it up for Rachel Grande - Designer and Creator over at Think Outside The Box! She's a real cool mom (and if she were mine, I would make HER cupcakes to make her day!) Know what makes her awesome in addition to her fabulous work? She tries to reuse as much packaging as she can, to be ecologically responsible. Way to go, Rachel!

She has perfect feedback, has made 65 sales, and looks to be off to a great start here on Etsy! Her one year Etsyversary passed in February, so go give her some love and snatch up some of these lovely creations!


What is your craft?
Definitely not a question easily answered. I am quite eclectic in my crafting and the mediums I choose. I could never brand myself as just one particular type of artist. I indulge in needle felting...or obsess is more like it! I adore felt..any kind of felt..dabble in polymer clay..love to sew..learning about embroidery,,and my ADD is now allowing me to paper craft too..But there is much more to it and me...

How long have you been crafting?
I think I knit myself a baby beanie while I was in the womb..Hey..it gets cold out there!
Kinda gives a whole new meaning to the Vagina Monologues..doesn't it?

Other than crafting, what else do you do?
What don't I do is the question at hand!...And I think it is all relative to who you ask! If you were to ask my 16 year old son..he would tell you that ALL I do is bitch..at him in particular..maybe nag a bit too. If you were to ask my 21 year old daughter..she would probably tell you that all I do is put up with everyone else's shit..If you were to ask my darling hubby..well first he'd give you a list of things I don't do...anymore..and then probably tell you that I don't do enough!

But, if you were to ask me..well I'd tell you what I do...I drive my ungrateful kid wherever he wants to go..I do put up with way more garbage than any person should..I do make dinner regularly like Edith Bunker..I do spend an abnormal amount of time with my dog..I do tons of laundry..I do pick up after everyone in my house..I do look the other way a LOT..I do consider myself to be a very understanding, loving, caring, sweet and kindhearted mother, wife, confidant, friend and person..and I DO complain about all of the above but I DO love them with all of my heart..well..most days!

What is your favorite part of what you create?
Well my greatest creations are my two brats...and my favorite part of them is when they are either sleeping..or better yet..sleeping at someone else's house!

In all honesty..regarding my craft..this is going to sound so ridiculously cliche and such bullshit..but I do adore getting such positive and personal feedback from the people who buy my items..It is such a rush every time I hear from my customers..and it would seem that people always want to share their most intimate stories about my pieces..so I am very fortunate about that.

If you could change anything about your craft, would you?
The only thing I'd change..is how it is marketed and exposed..especially on Etsy..I always feel that if I could just get more exposure..like the Front Page..then I'd be more successful...

What is one thing most people wouldn't know about you?
Most people wouldn't know that I think my Jack Russell Terrier, Gracie is the incarnation of a beautiful Indian guide I call Carmella...and that on occasion Gracie actually responds to me when I call her that name!

Describe yourself in 5 words.
Crafty, loving, funny, talented, hyper-sensitive

What inspires you?
Birds...the outdoors..money..my mortgage...feeding my kids..paying for college..car payments..electricity..dog food...doctor bills..I think you get where I am going with this!

Any words of advice for your fellow crafters or those who may be starting up?
The most important thing..if starting to craft and make money while attempting to do it from home..is to get up and take a shower every morning..and invest in at least 5 pairs of comfortable and cute pajama bottoms. Second and equally as important..is to carve out a crafting area for yourself and be as organized as you can...even if you are in the living room...in front of the TV..have your supplies at hand and put together...

Where else can we find you?
Flickr
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
ThisNext




Rachel would like to offer a giveaway for you all, so here's the deal!
Win your choice of her Bunny Ears Brooch (which will arrive just in time for Easter!) or a felted birdie ornament. YOU CHOOSE! (she'll even customize your colors and features!)

Check out her FLICKR page to see more examples of her rockin' feltwork!

Here's what to do:
Visit Rachel's shop at ThinkOutsideTheBox, and comment with what your favorite item is and which of the two items you'd like to win (We all know that people like options!) :)
Please make sure you've left a way for me to contact you in case you win!

For extra entries: (Post one extra comment for each task completed)
1) Tweet about this giveaway, and leave a link to your tweet. (You can follow me @rocksmyworld if you'd like!)
2) Blog about this giveaway and leave a link to your post
3) Suscribe to my blog
4) Subscribe to my newsletter
(3 and 4 are different - There are seperate forms for each of these in the sidebar.. take a look!)

That's 5 possible entries for each of you! Good luck, and make sure to enter by Tuesday, March 31st at 11:59pm EST. That's when this contest is CLOSED, and a winner will be picked!


In addition Rachel is offering a discount of 25% off your entire order (before shipping) by using the code "VRMW25" in Notes to Seller at checkout. So go run quick and get to shopping before that expires! This discount is valid until the deadline for blog entries, so shop before next Tuesday night to cash in on this awesome deal.


Until tomorrow (and with love!),

Mid-Week Feature #6

Welcome to another Mid Week Feature! This week's artist is Cailey, from Midvale, Utah. She is the creator over at 3Sister. She is new to etsy (joined up in the end of January!) and has lots to offer to Etsy! Her work is super sweet, and I am especially taken by this beautiful crocheted headband!

Here's what she had to say for us this week:


What is your craft?
My sisters and I do handmade hair accessories as well as children's tutus. We hope to branch out to more items once our shop is booming!

How long have you been crafting?
My mother has always been a huge crafter. In the house that I grew up we had a barn in the backyard. Did we have horses and hay? Oh no. We had craft supplies galore! My sisters and I had a lot of fun going out there and coming up with ideas with my crafty mother.

Other than crafting, what else do you do?
I have a full time job as a secretary for an accounting office so from January to April 15th, it keeps me really busy. Other than that, I spend time with my husband and family doing all sorts of things.

What is your favorite part of what you create?
The endless possibilities! Seriously, give me some fabric, buttons, and a glue gun and I've got ideas on end!

If you could change anything about your craft, would you?
The good thing about crafting with my sisters is that we help each other out. So if I try something crazy and they don't like it, then it let's me get a second look at what I'm doing. Yes, it's a good thing, for the most part...

What is one thing most people wouldn't know about you?
That I was the first one to wear leggings @ my high school. And the first one to wear capris in elementary school. Kids were like "your shorts are too long, and your pants are too short." I didn't care, I was willing to take risks.

Describe yourself in 5 words.
Shy, Nice, Witty, Totally Awesome? (haha!)

What inspires you?
I have to admit, I'm a pretty trendy girl so I get inspired by the sort of things that are hot right now, but I also try to add my own lil spin on them. Looking thru countless magazines really gets my creative juices flowing.

Any words of advice for your fellow crafters or those who may be starting up?
Be patient! If you craft it, they will come...

Where else can we find you?
www.badonkatonkas.blogspot.com



And as a special thank you to the readers, Cailey is sponsoring a GIVEAWAY here - woohoo!!

What can you win? A fabulous little tutu for a fabulous little girl, custom-made with your color choices, or a rockin' headband of your choice from 3Sister's shop.

How to enter? Easy! Post by commenting on this blog post what you'd like to win (particular headband or tutu with colors). Simple! Visit her shop to check out what you'd like.. her crafts are great!

Extra credit, you ask? :) Of course!
For extra entries, you may do one, a few, or all of these things - but comment again for each additional entry!
1) Follow me on Twitter (@rocksmyworld) and tweet about this giveaway. Include the link to your tweet!
2) Blog about this giveaway, and leave a link to the entry.
3) Follow this blog
4) Subscribe to this blog
5) Subscribe to the newsletter - on the far sidebar

Contest ends Tuesday, March 24 at 11:59 pm EST.


Good luck! ;)

Mid-Week Feature #5

Well hey there! Here's another "episode" of our Mid-Week artist feature! ;)

Today's artist is Shannon of Charlotte, NC (just down the road from me)! Shannon is etsy seller MusetteMade, who gets a lovely and fantastic feature today.. just like her shop! Aren't her pieces beautiful?
Here's what she had to say during her interview!


What is your craft?
I am a jewelry designer. I also paint but my focus for a while now has been jewelry!

How long have you been crafting?
Forever! Seriously, as long as I can remember...

Other than crafting, what else do you do?
I work in an art gallery - Beet Functional Art - here in Charlotte. So I am always doing stuff involving art and artists. I get together regularly with a couple of girlfriends for "art night" and I love hanging out with my boyfriend, Joe. We watch lots of movies, cook, and hang with friends.

What is your favorite part of what you create?
I love to hole up in my studio, listen to music, and just get in that creative zone! That is the most fun part of my job but it can also be the most frustrating!

If you could change anything about your craft, would you?
Nope -I love the endless possibilities! Maybe I would wish for extra hands but I'm not sure that counts!

What is one thing most people wouldn't know about you?
I am actually pretty introverted and have to work super hard to be outgoing and network/promote myself.

Describe yourself in 5 words.
I am a - sassy artsy creative catloving goofball! (is catloving one word??)

What inspires you?
I am so inspired by other artists who are out there just doing what they do. I love looking at all kinds of art and find many things about it that inspires me. I also draw lots of inspiration from my beads. Just sitting and looking at them often sparks new ideas!

Any words of advice for your fellow crafters or those who may be starting up?
I know everyone says this, but make what you love, not just what you think will sell. If you love it, chances are others out there will too. It is just a matter of finding them and putting your work in their path!

Where else can we find you?
Twitter
Flickr


As always, there is a surprise for you all (So I guess it's not so much of a surprise anymore!).. Shannon would like to extend a 20% off sale for you all! Make sure to include "VRMW20" in Notes to Seller at checkout for this discount, and Shannon will refund the difference or send you a new invoice after you make your purchase.

AND MORE!


Up for grabs as a giveaway item, Shannon is offering this beautiful copper bangle bracelet to a lucky winner here on VRMW!

Here's how to win!
1) Post a comment here on this post with what item you love best from Shannon's etsy shop.
Be sure to include an email address or etsy name for me to contact you by if you win!
2) Blog about this giveaway and comment with the address to it.
3) Twitter about this comment and include your twitter address to let me find it.
4) Follow my blog and comment here about it.
5) Subscribe to this blog and comment letting me know you did.

Simple enough!
This giveaway and Shannon's 20% off coupon ends Tuesday, March 3rd at 11:59pm EST.

Mid-Week Feature #4

Today's feature is Michele Maule from Detroit, Michigan. Her etsy shop is michelemaule, and it is chock full of super sweet art that anyone can enjoy. I love the vintage feel and the great bold colors in her work.. Fab!



Here's what she had to say in her interview:


What is your craft?
I make art :)
Painting, printmaking, drawing, mixed media

How long have you been crafting?
8 years

Other than crafting, what else do you do?
I like to read, and I love watching television...
I also really like seeing old friends and drinking lots of coffee.

What is your favorite part of what you create?
I like the process of it.
Sometimes I go through several steps of a piece before its finished, and I really enjoy those steps. I also really like selling online.
I love hearing why someone buys on of my pieces.
Sometimes it's a very special gift for someone. Other times it's a small gift for themselves. I love hearing the story behind the purchase.

If you could change anything about your craft, would you?
No, I don't think so.
I really like all the aspects of it.
Well, sometimes working by myself gets kinda lonely.
Hopefully this Spring I will be moving into a studio space with some other friends.
So I think that will take care of that.

Any words of advice for your fellow crafters or those who may be starting up?
Be patient! If you're selling on Etsy, or any other online venue, sales can be really slow at first. Don't let that get you down. Keep working at it, and promoting, and the sales will come.



As a thank you for you readers, Michele is going to give you 10% off your order for one week, so you've got until Tuesday, February 17 11:59pm EST to cash in on this. Be sure to include VRMW10 in Notes to Seller at checkout!

And if you know anything about me, I love to throw you all surprises and thank-yous for reading, so Michele has decided to offer a GIVEAWAY! (Oh, you are so lucky!)
Michele is offering a 5x7 reproduction print of your choice from her shop. Comment on this post, telling me (and her!) what your FAVORITE print is, and you'll get it if you're selected!
You've got until Tuesday, February 17th 11:59pm EST to enter. One post entry per person! Make sure there is some way I can get in contact with you if you win - an etsy username or email address will be fine. Please don't make me hunt you down!

For extra credit, you can: (extra entries in parentheses)
(1) Follow this blog
(1) Sign up for the VRMW Newsletter (on your right sidebar)
(2) Blog about this comment and link back to this post. Post the link to your entry with one of your two extra comments for this, letting me know where I can find it.
(3) Make a purchase from michelemaule, including your blogger username in the Notes to Seller (along with the discount code!)

Fine print: If you complete any of the extra credit entries, you must comment again, letting me know what you did. If you make a purchase, comment 3 extra times to receive those entries. DO NOT comment more than once if you didn't earn the extra credit! Be nice. :O)
If you are already following this blog or have already signed up for the newsletter prior to this contest, the extra credit doesn't apply, I'm sorry!
I will contact the winner within 24 hours of contest end. The winner has 48 hours to respond by Etsy convo or email. If there is no response, a new winner will be picked and the original winner is "Sorry, Outta Luck!".
Tell your friends and earn another entry! 1 extra entry if you tweet about this giveaway - send me a DM or reply letting me know you did (@rocksmyworld).
If you read this, you rock. Thanks for being such a cool cat.


To find Michele elsewhere on the web, check out these links!
http://www.how2drawacupofcoffee.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/michelemaule

Mid-Week Feature #3

Today's Mid-Week Feature is Seann Vicente from Boulder, Colorado. What a beautiful city - I've visited a few times! (I've got a brother in that neck of the woods!) Plus, she graduated from UNC; just a short drive from where I attend school.. Small world!
Seann is the amazing artist over at StudioSRV.


Her etsy shop is full of spectacular pop art pieces, featuring your own pets and little loves in your life! As a shopper, you've got the option of getting custom pieces done or you can choose from some animal prints that are already waiting to be 'adopted'!


Here's what she had to tell us today!

What is your craft?
Pet portraits! I also do other paintings than just pets...but that is what I am focusing on right now.

How long have you been crafting?
Since before I can remember. Didn't start painting until college though , but I never took a single art class. I just loved to paint and blow steam from my stressful pre med curriculum in college!

Other than crafting, what else do you do?
I am a science geek :)

What is your favorite part of what you create?
Looking at all the cute pictures of doggies! I also really love helping people who have lost pets, they always appreciate what I create for them, and I like to know it helps them remember their lost pets.

If you could change anything about your craft, would you?
hmm...well I like to paint BIG so if I could have bigger and bigger canvases I would! Maybe go back to doing mural work...

Any words of advice for your fellow crafters or those who may be starting up?
Just stick with it, even if you aren't selling. Do what you love and fake it till you make it!


Great advice! I didn't make a sale for a month once I came to etsy, and look where I am now - 2 years later, and I just hit 100 sales this weekend! :O)

Here's where you can check out Seann on the web!
www.StudioSRV.etsy.com
www.StudioSRV.com
Flickr
Facebook

As a reward for reading, Seann would like to extend a 10% off discount to you all for one week, starting today! Please include VRMW10 in "Notes to Seller" at checkout to receive this discount. Offer expires 2/10/09 at 11:59pm EST

She's also got another promo going on through the end of the month for Buy One, Get One 1/2 off pet portraits. Convo her for details on sizes and prices! :O)

Mid Week Feature #2

I'm going to start these Mid-week Features every single Wednesday! Some will have giveaways, some will have some awesome discounts for you (the readers!) and ALL of them will feature some really amazing handmade artists!

Today's feature is Megan from Seattle, Washington over at Bellflower Textiles.



What is your craft?
I sew hip, modern baby and toddler clothes and accessories, home decor items, and personal accessories like coffee sleeves and brooches out of bright, colorful fabric.

How long have you been crafting?
I've been a quilter for about 20 years and opened my Etsy shop in 2008.

Other than crafting, what else do you do?
I'm a stay at home mom, writer and editor, freelance grant researcher, obsessive quilter and reader, long term blogger, and all around busy person. I have a million projects going at once.

What is your favorite part about what you create?
Definitely picking fabrics and playing with colors. I love and am so inspired by all the wonderful fabrics out there! Lately I'm really in love with the great Japanese fabrics available online -- such amazing stuff.

If you could change anything about your craft, would you?
I wish I had more time to do it - most of my crafting is done during my daughter's nap (she's two) or in a really brief period in the evening when my family doesn't need me.

Any words of advice for your fellow crafters or those who may be starting up?
Make time! Even if you only have a little bit of time, doing what you love feeds your soul.

Where else can we find you?
Check out my blog at: http://growingnotes.blogspot.com
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/megzseattle



I just love Megan's shop.. it's so much fun!


I know you're asking right now.. "How could this feature get any better, Amanda? We've got a terrific featured seller, some gorgeous photography, I'm almost on information overload!"
Okay.. brace yourselves!

Megan will be giving away one of her FABULOUS coffee/tea cozy sleeves right here on this blog!

This sweet sock monkey cozy can be yours!

Here's how you can enter this awesome giveaway!
*Post one (and only one!) comment on this post, telling me one thing you love from Megan's shop, Bellflower Textiles.

Want some extra credit? We all do! Here's how!
For one extra entry:
1) Follow me, using the little widget on the sidebar with the thumbnail pictures. You know what it is! Comment one extra time saying you did this. (Sorry, if you're already following it doesn't count!)
2) Tweet about this giveaway on your twitter account! Send me a DM or a reply message (@rocksmyworld) letting me know and post another comment on here for it.
3) Blog about this giveaway. Include a picture from Megan's shop (copy one of these pictures from here if you'd like!) and a link to this blog post. Surf back over here and post another comment, including a link to your blog post, letting me know that you did that.
If you don't have a blog, email 5 of your friends about this giveaway and send a copy to me as well. Click
here for my address.
4) For THREE extra entries, make a purchase at Megan's shop and comment here THREE times. Put "VRMW GIVEAWAY ENTRY" in Notes to Seller at checkout if you do this. I will double-check with Megan, so don't lie or I'll figure it out!


***PLEASE make sure to leave an email address, etsy username, or some way to contact you in case you win!


This giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on Tuesday, February 3rd. At that time (but probably in the morning once I wake up!) I'll contact the winner. If I do not get a response after 48 hours, a new winner will be picked. Once I get an address to ship to, Megan will ship it out to you within 7 days and you'll have it to enjoy!

Thanks for reading, and come back next week for another feature!


Want to be a featured seller? Fill out an application form here or you can find it on the sidebar at any time!

Mid Week Feature

I wanted to start featuring more etsy sellers on my blog, because I love when I'm featured myself!

Today, I wanted to feature KarensSoaps, an etsy seller for 2 years now. I have been a long-time fan of her soaps, and finally got my hands on some just before Christmas! They were great stocking stuffers for mine and my boyfriend's families, and everyone really loved them! (I even kept a bar for myself!)

Karen is super friendly and has one of the best studio's I've seen! She's got a whole room in the basement for soaps, and is so organized! She let me smell tons of different scents and was very helpful when I tried to figure out what I wanted for different people.

My favorite is definitely the Green Tea and Cucumber soap.. it smells so fresh and clean!

I also got this Snozzberry soap for my sister.. We both watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory so much as kids, and I knew she'd love it!

I think the next time I go back home, I'm going to try this shave soap!


So head on over to her shop.. She's got more than just bar soaps though! She also has lotions, foaming soaps, candles, tarts, lip balms, and more! Even these Conversation Heart soaps, just in time for Valentine's Day!



Hope you enjoyed the feature today!