Featured Artist: Thumbelina Creations

Jonquil Thiessen is a stay-at-home mom of three boys who loves to be creative in many different ways. She loves to sing, knit, crochet, draw, scrapbook, write music, and make jewelry. She would feel lost if she wasn't able to be creative.

She started young, singing in church and at weddings at three years old. Music and art have always been her passion.

She has tried to pass on that passion to her boys, but as you may know, little boys do not have a long attention span. Some of the boys are off to school now, so she has a little more time to focus on her art.

Her main priority is her family. Etsy has become a valuable method of continuing with her art and still being able to love and take care of her family.

Member of: etsyBEAD, ETSYMOM, and ETSYAlberta

Etsy Shop: http://thumbelinacreations.etsy.com/
Blog: http://thumbelinacreations.spaces.live.com/

Featured Artist: Lucky Girl Trading Company

1. Tell me a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff).

In the spring of 2001 I was overwhelmed by sadness and huge piles of clutter. My marriage was in the midst of a very ugly ending, and he had left tons of his stuff behind. I suddenly realized that I was a very lucky girl to be rid of him, and Lucky Girl Trading Company was born. I began listing his stuff for sale on eBay, clearing away both the clutter and the sadness. A few years later I met my lucky guy--who was selling a bit of jewelry--and married him in a hot air balloon ceremony in 2006. We've worked together to build Lucky Girl Trading into a fun and fulfilling enterprise. I've also discovered working with glass--one of my all-time favorite creative outlets. I've also discovered two ancient arts: Kumihimo and Temari. Both are centuries-old crafts, and both give me a zen-like tranquility while working.

I truly am a Lucky Girl! Every day I gather pretty, sparkly things and send them to people. I imagine a person opening their mail and taking out their new pendant or chain or Temari ball. It's perfect--they have a huge smile on their face--and so do I.

Be my friend on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/luckygirltrading

Make Every Day Your Lucky Day (my blog): http://luckygirltrading.blogspot.com/

Visit me on eBay: http://stores.ebay.com/Lucky-Girl-Trading-Company

Visit me on Etsy: http://luckygirltrading.etsy.com

2. What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from?

I never know what's going to inspire me until it happens. It could be something one of my children does, a "science project" I discover in the fridge, or a beautiful piece of art I see. Often my ideas come from picking up bits of glass and rearranging them--glass fascinates me and I could play with it for hours without ever doing anything productive.

3. What is the best thing about your products?

Every piece of glass, Temari ball, and Kumihimo braid is unique, so you're guaranteed to have a one-of-a-kind item. I can try to duplicate them, but it's never an exact match.

4. Why should people buy your product?

I want my customers to be completely happy with their purchase. It's difficult to shop when you can't actually pick an item up and feel it, turn it around, hold it up to the light. I'm happy to take returns and/or exchanges--it's more important to me that the customer is pleased with their purchase. I have a large number of repeat customers, and I think this policy plays a big part.

5. What is the best homemade item you have ever bought?

I can't pick just one! I think anything that inspires my family--whether it's one of my grown children or younger stepchildren--to be creative. I bought a chainmaille keychain that intrigued them so much that my 12-year-old asked where she can find a list of all possible arts and crafts so that she could try each one. I don't think it gets any better than that!

Etsy Shop: http://luckygirltrading.etsy.com
Blog: http://luckygirltrading.blogspot.com/

Featured Artist: made by Railyuh

While I like to experiment with a variety of crafts, photography has always been one of my first artistic loves (the other is writing). I especially enjoy landscape photography and I think the beauty I see in the natural world inspires me to fill my home with natural handmade items. I hope sharing my images will bring a little beauty into the lives of each person that views them.

Some people have asked where the name "railyuh" comes from so I thought I'd share. My first name is Aurelia (pronounced uh-rail-yuh), but I grew up going by my middle name because Aurelia was hard to spell and pronounce. By the time I was in high school a shortened version, "railyuh," became my nickname with a few close friends. It soon became my online screen name, hence my shop with items "made by Railyuh"!

Feel free to visit my blog to learn more about me and to see sneak previews and updates for my shop. I'll also be featuring some of my favorite Etsy shops, artists, and items there: http://etsyfind.blogspot.com/

If you are interested in a custom order, I would love to arrange a series of prints or cards in sizes and images chosen by you.

If you are looking for something different, perhaps a series of magnets or a gallery wrapped canvas featuring my photos, please convo me. If you have an idea in mind, we can figure out a way to make it happen.

*Proud Member of the Etsymom and Etsy Bloggers street teams*

Etsy Shop: http://railyuh.etsy.com
Blog: http://etsyfind.blogspot.com

Featured Artist: Purrfectlydevine

1. Tell me a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff).

Donna....York, PA.....etsyBEAD, BBEST (Boomers and Beyond Etsy Street Team)....Married with a 27 year old daughter. I am a special education teacher and alsso work part-time in a deli and make jewelry and am thinking about expanding by adding small crochet items like ponytail holders.

2. What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?

The first thing I made was a crocheted granny square large enough to be a baby blanket. I'd graduated from college and had only a part-time job and time on my hands. My late grandmother had crocheted, so I bought a hook, yarn, and a 35 cent book and taught myself how to crochet.

3. What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from?

Everywhere and anywhere. Bead books, bead magazines, and the beads themselves. Often I will take an element from one piece and an element from another piece and yet add something not in either piece to come up with a unique piece. My Crystals and Swirls Necklace http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7441288 is one such piece. Purple and Teal Sensation http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6566661 is a piece where the focal bead seemed to speak to me.

4. Why should people buy handmade?

Uniqueness is one reason. You can purchase inexpensive jewelry from a company that sells make-up etc. nationwide. In the course of a week you might see 15 women wearing the exact same piece. Even if handmade items are not OOAK [one of a kind], it is unlikely that you will see too many people wearing the same piece. Most people who make items to sell care about their reputation and take care to make a quality item.

5. Creatively where do you think you'll be in five years?

I hope that I'll have increased to number of skills that I will be proficient in, therefore my creativity will take off because I won't be as limited by my skill set.

Etsy Shop: http://purrfectlydevine.etsy.com
Blog: http://purrfectlydevine.blogspot.com/

Featured Artist: A Passion For Fashion

1. Tell me a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff).

Jennifer Meyers..Phoenix Arizona..Jewish

I am a stay at home Mom and I take care of my 2 kids..Both Under 6 years old. I started making jewelry about 7 years ago after my Dad bought me some books on the subject. I have always been creative and and I started calling myself an artist at age 5. I got my degree in Art from ASU where I did more painting and photography. My career includes more than 15 years as a professional artist, designer and consultant.

I have been on two local television morning shows, channel 3 and 12. My work has also been featured in the Arizona Republic Newspaper (in Arizona, USA). I have also been in many juried art shows, and high end retail shops. And now I am addicted to Etsy.

My Husband wrote two great stories for me in the Storque..one of those on Etsy addiction... http://www.etsy.com/storque/author/aPassionForFashion/

2. What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from?

I am inspired by everything... I look at everything and try and think how I could use that. I tease my kids that I will turn their toys into jewelry and sell it on Etsy if they don't clean their rooms. Most of my idea come to me when I am working on a project... or hunting for something different on the Internet... I am always looking for that next big thing.

3. What is your favourite thing in your shop and why?

This is my favorite right now [Field of Flowers...Glass and Japanese Chiyogami Paper Pendant Necklace]... It is my newest design and very classy with my unique stamp on it. Plus I had a great time shopping for the supplies for this... It took 5 different venues to put this piece together... 2 brick and mortar stores and 3 online stores.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8838095

4. What is the best thing you have ever created?

The best thing I ever created first I'd have to say the relationship with my Mom... My Marriage... and My children... but I had help in those...

My best creation with my hand was when I built a 30 ft redwood trellis across our pool area in our former house. I had more time on my hands before kids and I love to construct things. I even designed and planned it all myself... Jewelry wise I am really tickled by a wholesale order I had... 33 pieces that went to Saudi Arabia.

5. What is the best homemade item you have ever bought?

I love my Cheetos Change Purse... I love Cheetos... I always have... so when I saw it I had to own it! Made by MoJo on Etsy. I also love aBreathofFrenchair shop on Etsy... I bought some grape-seed lotion with the smell of carnations... I bought some for my Mom as well... I just love it! I won't buy store lotion again...

Etsy Shop: http://apassionforfashion.etsy.com
Blog: http://jewelsbyjennifer.blogspot.com

Featured Artist: Citrus Tree Designs

1. Tell me a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff).

Name: Stacy Beck
Location: Delray Beach, FL

My Black & White Abstract print is currently on exhibit during the winter show at:

D'Art Gallery
116 Pleasant Street
East Hampton, MA

My cards have been blogged here:

http://Kiddlins.com
http://Kopahetsy.blogspot.com
http://hauteinnovations.com/?p=47.

I have also exhibited at All Florida Fine Arts Show -

Cornell Museum of Art and History,
Delray Beach Florida

My Flickr Account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/citrustreedesigns/

My Blog: http://citrustreedesigns.blogspot.com/

My sister & I have an infant and toddler line of clothing: MakristaBaby.com This is where we earn our living.

2. What is your favourite thing in your shop and why?

My favorite item in the CitrusTree.etsy.com shop will have to be the Photomontage's I am currently playing around with. They allow me to express my creativity more fully than my photography alone. And...they are just plain fun to create!

3. Why should people buy your product?

I would like to have people purchase my items because they are unique and of course HANDMADE.

4. Where would be the best location for showing off your product (the Louvre, Buckingham Palace)

Any gallery would do as far as showing my work...I would be thrilled to exhibit in New York, as that is a city close to my heart.

5. What is the best homemade item you have ever bought?

The best handmade item I have ever purchased, it a Spiritual Bracelet from BlueMango.etsy.com The bracelet has one of my favorite Emerson quotes: "Stand in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air"

Etsy Shop: http://citrustree.etsy.com
Blog: http://citrustreedesigns.blogspot.com

Featured Artist: Katrin Lerman Jewelry

I come from a family of makers and have been doing jewelry since I was a little girl (if making friendship bracelets is considered jewelry ; ) Originally from Germany, I settled in Massachusetts, US almost ten years ago. I can’t believe it has been such a long time already! Nonetheless, I draw inspiration from my German childhood as well as from the time spent here and from every little moment I can remember happening in between. Sometimes, photographs of finished jewelry pop into my mind and I have to quickly run to jot them down before they are gone. Other times, I have an idea in mind and it takes a lot of drawings until I have figured out how to best do what I was thinking about. Of course, those sketches are not written in stone and I often change a design while I am making the piece to arrive at the best end result possible.

All of my pieces are entirely hand made by me using sterling silver wire and high quality genuine gemstones. First, I create the desired shape/shell for a piece out of thick sterling silver wire. Then I string on the gemstones and wrap the entire piece with feet upon feet of thin sterling silver wire to give it a finished look. I add tiny sterling silver beads to the frame during wrapping to give it more dimension.

Every piece is different so if you see something and you like it you better grab it fast!

I also LOVE to work on custom designs. So if you have a certain gemstone or color in mind, please contact me. I can also incorporate keepsakes, such as beads, shells or charms into a beautiful pendant.

I graduated from the New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University in Boston with a Degree of Fine Arts in Interior Design. Interior Design is all about color, form, and texture – and that’s what I’m integrating in my jewelry designs.

Now that I have a beautiful baby girl, I try to spend every free minute (and those of you who have a baby know that there are few) creating jewelry. Naturally, I have lots more time thinking than creating and so my sketch book is filling up with ideas for years to come. I can’t wait to get working on all those ideas and designs!!!

Etsy Shop: http://KatrinLermanJewelry.etsy.com
Blog: http://katrinlermanjewelry.blogspot.com/

Featured Artist: Autumn Leah Designs

I absolutely love making jewelry and come up with new ideas every day so my pieces are always fresh and unique!

I am a stay-home mom and I love being able to see my daughter grow everyday... with that said I also need something to keep me sane. So I make stuff! I just recently started making jewelry so it is my habit right now but I also love making anything on my computer. I do all of my scrapbooking digitally. I create Christmas cards, birth announcements, birthday invitations etc. I have a degree in graphic design so that is my passion. I would never actually work in the advertising world (too much pressure) but I love using those skills for personal use or for friends, etc. I love to look at a craft and figure out how to make it myself. That is why my shop is kind of eclectic.

I am also willing to do custom pieces if you need something specific for an outfit and I also customize my prints.

Etsy Shop: http://autumnleah.etsy.com
Blog: http://autumnleahdesigns.blogspot.com

Featured Artist: Glory2727

Let me share my joy of painting with you

What inspires me as an artist? I would have to say everything! I am always amazed at cloud formations. I look at this all the time. The flowers with delicate petals of color are considered God’s Art- work. The beautiful birds and butterflies could give anyone a color theory lesson. My slogan for my business and my work is “Let me share my Joy of painting with you”.

I work each year on a technique of painting. So far I have done oils, acrylics water color, pen and ink with watercolor wash, colored pencil, and one stroke painting. I am having such a good time with my pursuit of colored pencils that I shall work with them for now.

I got started late in life on an art career. I am a widow and have battled with cancer and a handicapping accident. Art has given me a new purpose to get up each morning and being glad to be alive. What more does anyone need in life?

I have my own hours, eat when I want, watch TV programs I like, sleep when I want, get on the Etsy forums anytime I like , and travel and share with my daughter and friends. And I will have to say the mother and daughter roll has switched. My daughter is my roll model now and she inspires me and encourage me in all that I do.

Etsy Shop: http://glory2727.etsy.com
Blog: http:/www.frommybrush.blogspot.com

Featured Artist: Berry Beads

My name is Rosi Berry and I'm a 50-something divorcee from Long Island, NY. By day I am a supervisor for a defense electronics firm and by night I craft, whether it's making jewelry, sewing, embroidering, drawing. I also play flute and love celtic music. Many different things interest me. I suppose I inherited the crafty gene from my parents. Both of them valued things made by hand and they encouraged me and my sisters from an early age to create with our hands. The earliest thing I remember making was a wooden dish that I painted and drew designs on for mother's day in kindergarten. I was supposed to put my mother's initial U (for Ursula) but I put an A instead because that is what the teacher put. My mother never got rid of that dish.

Many things inspire me. I love animals so I am always looking to incorporate them into my designs. Color also, especially natural, earthy tones and celtic designs. I've only been making jewelry for a few years so I am still experimenting and trying to find my own style but I especially like working with wire. It's hard to say what my most favorite thing is in my shop. I love all my things that I put there, otherwise I wouldn't want to sell it to others. But thinking about it, I guess my absolute favorite item are the fishy earrings right now because it incorporates both an animal design and wirework.

The best homemade item that I bought is a hard question to answer. I have so many handmade things from family that were given as gifts. For example my sister is a deocrative painter and she makes amazing nutcrackers. I have quite a collection of her work. Hopefully soon she will open up an Etsy store herself. Anyway, a few years ago I bought a hand-painted fruit bowl at a craft fair of a strawberry man. It is my favorite bowl since I love strawberries and Berry is my last name. At that same craft fair I bought a beaded badge lanyard and that person's design inspired me to start making lanyards myself since all my coworkers wanted to know where I had gotten mine. That is how I got started making lanyards and jewelry.

Etsy Shop: http://berrybeads.etsy.com
Blog: http://blog.berrybeady.com

Featured Artist: On A Thousand Hills

1. Tell me a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff).

My name is Cheryl, and I live in western Massachusetts. I have been involved in crafts and sewing in particular, since I was in grade school. I took 4 years of a clothing shop in our local vocational high school. I try to integrate my love of nature with my love of craft.

2. What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?

I remember my aunt getting out boxes of supplies when we'd visit. We'd sit for hours and make all sorts of things. I most remember the snow globes we'd make out of baby food jars.

3. Creatively where do you think you'll be in five years?

I am just beyond the beginning stages of beading, so I will certainly become more creative in 5 years. I have a lot to learn. I also get ideas for other craft and art ideas, and am hoping to branch out into some of those soon.

4. Why should people buy handmade?

It keeps our dollar in our own, American economy. When you buy handmade, you know it is not being made using slave-labor. It is usually something unique, not one of a zillion that were made by machine somewhere.

5. What is the best homemade item you have ever bought?

I would have to say that the beautiful butterfly bowl, made by Judy B Freeman (JudyBFreeman.etsy.com) was my best homemade purchase so far. It was hard to give it up as a gift to my Mom this Christmas.

Etsy Shop: http://onathousandhills.etsy.com
Blog: http://onathousandhills.blogspot.com

Featured Artist: Cigarboxbeads

http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

I'm a retired Home Ec teacher, loved what I did, love what I'm doing now.

I became a non-stop beadweaver when I purchased 3 vintage cigarboxes full of beads at a flea market---about 20 years ago. I'm still using those beads, plus a 'few' more I can not help but purchase!

I also knit, sew, crochet, decoupage and lots and lots of other stuff so some other goodies might show up here as well, along with beads!

Happy looking!--here and at my other etsy site - http://suchandsort.esty.com. I also just took the big plunge into blogging- come see me there- http://cigarboxbeads.blogspot.com

I've also joined Etsy Beadweavers and am a humble participant!

Beadweaving is my joy, along with knitting, crocheting, sewing AND being with our twin grand daughters. Not at the same time though, they love to 'help'! We do have 'crafting time' every day that I watch them, so I hope I'm instilling the love of creating in them.

Etsy Shop: http://cigarboxbeads.etsy.com
Etsy Shop: http://suchandsort.esty.com
Blog: http://cigarboxbeads.blogspot.com

Featured Artist: MyFairLadyvt4

My name is Ann, I'm a stay at home Mom in Vermont. I am married and have 2 children a boy and a girl. My favorite hobbies are reading and beading.

I get inspired from nature, photos, books, friends, colors, I love putting different colors that you would not think to put together. Then see the colors together and think wow, that actually looks good, at least to me. Currently, my favorite item in my shop is my new Red Brick Road freeform Brick stitch bracelet. I created it for the Etsy Beadweavers January Challenge. The theme is "RED".

Wow, I think my dream buyer may be Sarah Jessica Parker because she seems to appreciate different things. In 5 years I hope I am still doing what I am doing now, but I hope I have learned a lot of new things and incorporated them into my creations.

Etsy Shop: http://myfairladyvt4.etsy.com
Blog: http://myfairladyvt4.blogspot.com

Featured Artist: My Cat Lulu

MyCatLulu
Lulu is one of the cutest cats out there. She has great big eyes and really soft fur. She reminds me of an anime cat, but only better–no crazy effects...though her purr could use a little more volume.

About me:
Professional facts:
BA in Art
Day Job: Desktop Publisher
Trained in Photoshop, Indesign, gocco, my medium format camera, black and white darkroom, and the color darkroom.

I am:
I'm a lover not a fighter who enjoys the company of people, the songs of birds, and an occasional Mia tai. Don't like mean people, but really who would. Don't own bowling shoes, but I did play in a league when I was in 5th grade. Other than art, my passion is traveling. My last trip took me to Kauai, Hawaii...lovely.

Read about art and the life on me and Lulu at:
http://mycatlulu.blogspot.com
Pictures, pictures pictures!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/beccaphoto/

Proud Member of the following street teams
California Crafters Club Of Etsy
EFA- Etsy's For Animals
Gocco
Paper
SF Bay Area

I love custom orders, design work with the gocco or a banner for your own etsy shop.

Etsy Shop: http://mycatlulu.etsy.com
Blog: http://mycatlulu.blogspot.com

Featured Artist: Zoe Stewart UK

1. Tell me a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff).

My name is Zoe Stewart, I am from Edinburgh but currently living in Yorkshire with my wonderful husband and cat. I work part time at a nursery and I sew every other minute of the day, and I love tea :)

2. What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?

The first thing is a Mother's Day card for my mum. I made it in nursery and it had a teapot on the front and I glued and celotaped a teabag to the inside as a gift for her, lmao. I don't think she drank it though.

3. What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from?

In the nursery we have a lot of imaginations, so I get kids to draw me pictures and then I sew things. That's how the long hearts came around, and the monsters. They think it's funny when they see one they drew all sewn up, and they help me name them too.

4. Why should people buy handmade?

Handmade is wonderful! And I think more of it should be bought. I am buying all my Christmas gifts from Etsy this year, all handmade, all made with love, and just for me. Buy something individual for a change.

5. Where do you think you'll be in five years?

In 5 years, if my Etsy doesn't work out how I think it should, I plan to be teaching, high school art. I would love to be a teacher but right now I love my sewing and 'what if' isn't an option later, I see myself still happily married and to have a baby or maybe 2 soon also, and more animals, and a new house in the country, and just to be happy, nothing more important. :)

Etsy Shop: http://zoestewartuk.etsy.com
Blog: http://zoestewart.blogspot.com