Featured Artist: The Candle Gourdess

The Candle Gourdess

Let me help you pass on a smile!

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

My name is Tracy Swartz, (a.k.a. The Domestic Gourdess) and I live in Northwest Ohio. I discovered dried gourds in 2004 when a friend of mine brought a Gourd Woman to sell. I was drawn in and hooked! She came home with me and I started to look up information about gourds on-line. I kept hearing "Gourdesses... make Gourdesses" in my head. I haven't been able to stop playing with gourds ever since. I also love to garden, can, raise chickens and ducks and live a sort of homesteading kind of lifestyle. I also love to write and am working on publishing a children's story.

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

It's hard to pin down because sometimes it's the gourd itself (shape, texture, spots) or an idea will drop into my head when I'm looking at something. I do receive inspiration from my customers who request a customized piece. I have an uncanny knack to "see" or "visualize" what they want. Again, the picture sometimes drops into my head.

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

Right now my favorite item is the Hooey Bird. I had this gourd sitting on my workbench intending to create something totally different with it. I picked it up as a visual aid to show my husband something when I noticed it had a belly button. The rest of the "bird" popped right out at me after that. Most importantly, it made me laugh as I created it.

4. What is the best thing about your products?

They make people smile and feel good. I really believe people deserve to smile and feel good more.

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

Every year I go to a local craft show to purchase stocking stuffers for the kid's at Christmas. It's well made, unique, and something you aren't going to find at the big box stores.

Website: http://www.thecandlegourdess.com
Blog: http://www.thedomesticgourdess.com

Featured Artist: Paint with Barb Oil Paintings

Paint with Barb oil paintings and beaded treasures

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

Barbara Furlong, Hermiston, Oregon, USA. I have been crafting all my life but I only started in oils in the last 4 years or so. I always thought oils was too messy but now that is all I do. I love it. I teach oil painting so I have lots of paintings to sell. To see all my paintings go to www.paintwithbarb.com

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

Photos of the sea, books, my mind. I think my students inspires me the most, they ask for something and then I have to do it.

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

All of them are my favourites. I love each of my paintings.

4. What is the best thing about your products?

They are priced fair, if you buy 3 paintings or more, free shipping.

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

Quilt

Etsy Shop: http://www.paintwithbarb.etsy.com
Etsy Teams: Interiordesignteam, wwao, bbest
Blog: http://paintwithbarb.blogspot.com/
Website: http://www.paintwithbarb.com

Think Again

Featured Artist: Erica Leigh Designs

One-of-a-kind tops, totes & things

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

Hi! I’m Erica Leigh. I just turned 20 and I live in the Los Angeles suburbs. When I’m not making things, I’m a full-time college student at Woodbury University where I’m majoring in fashion marketing. I love fashion, art, shopping, baking cupcakes, and watching way too much television. Oh, and I also created EtsyU: The Street Team for College Students on Etsy!

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

My ideas come from everywhere! They’re really all over the place; history, current trends, indie fashion… a little bit of everything, I think. I’m especially fascinated by the Victorian era, as well as 1960’s mod styles.

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

I hope that I’ll have learned a lot in five years. I’m self-taught, so I’m constantly trying to figure out new sewing techniques by reading sewing books and doing research. I also hope that I’ll have been able to pursue other crafts and possibly a new Etsy shop. I get bored easily, which is why I also enjoy doing a variety of arts & crafts. I eventually want to silkscreen, draw, paint, and even do some photography. I’m currently working on some jewelry designs too. It may seem excessive, but I just have too many interests and creative energy, I guess.

4. If you had a client who had unlimited money, what would you create for him and why?

Whoa, I really don’t know. Maybe I’d design them a whole new wardrobe, complete with accessories (bags, scarves, jewelry). It’d have to be a girl though, because I don’t know how to make boy clothes yet.

5. What is the best thing about your products?

I make my own patterns and design everything from scratch. All of the items in my shop are handmade and one-of-a-kind, so every customer is guaranteed an exclusive piece that I’ve put a lot of work into.

Etsy Shop: http://ericaleighdesigns.etsy.com
Etsy Teams: EtsyU, Scratch, Artisans of California, Retro Street Team

Featured Artist: Cutiepie Company

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

My name is Milly and I live in Manhattan with my sweet beagle, Hunter. My Etsy shop features screenprinted paper goods, and will soon also feature my photo prints and prints of my collages. I have been doing mixed media and photography for a long time, and am really excited to be able to offer it on Etsy in the near future! My boyfriend also has an Etsy shop, Corporan Glass.

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

I'm not sure I can remember the first thing I made by hand, because I was probably too young to remember! I know that I have been drawing and painting and scribbling since I could hold a crayon. The first thing I remember making that I absolutely loved was in school. It was a construction paper collage of a bird and nest. I have a vague mental image of it that has always stayed with me for some reason. I simply adored it.

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

My favorite thing in my shop right now is the Walking the Dog gocco print. The drawing of the little girl is based on myself as a young girl. And the beagle pictured is based on my beloved beagle. Call me nostalgic...

4. Who is your dream buyer? Brad Pitt, Queen Elizabeth.

That is an interesting question! I have been thinking about this one for a few days. I'm not sure, to be honest. Maybe Holly Becker of Decor8 blog? She's not really that famous, but I totally admire her and I love her blog!

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

I bought an awesome jellyfish screenprinted t-shirt in Brooklyn recently (at Artists and Fleas) from a sweet and very talented woman, whose website is Heartisans.com.

Etsy Shop: http://www.cutiepiecompany.etsy.com
Etsy Teams: Etsy Beagles, Loco for Gocco

Featured Artist: Doll Closet

Quality Handmade Doll Clothing For 18 Inch Dolls

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

I'm Christine. :) I live in Michigan. I've been sewing for as long as I can remember - my mom taught me to hand-sew at the age of five, and then by machine a few years later. I enjoy many hobbies, such as quilting, cross stitching, knitting, and last but NOT least, horseback riding. Lately though, just about everything has been taking a back seat to sewing. :) I am really addicted to Etsy, I love it here! I joined shortly after my friend Ashley (http://dcstuff.etsy.com) first told me about it way back in February.

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

Wow, that's a hard one. I'm pretty sure this wasn't the first, but I remember making a little Christmas Tree ornament out of fabric for my dad as a gift one year. It was just a rectangle of white cotton with a gold cross stitched on & a loop of gold cord at the top to hang it with. He still has it!

3. What is the best thing you have ever created? What is the best thing about your products?

Well, it's a matter of opinion if this is the best thing I've ever created, but it's definitely one of the most time-consuming and detailed! It's also one of my most-viewed items. I want to try making it in different fabrics, and then perhaps it will appeal to someone enough to buy it. :) Old-Fashioned Dress, Apron and Bonnet - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10455551

The best thing about my products? I'd have to say the quality. I think the time I put into everything shows in the final product. I am a perfectionist when it comes to sewing, and if I make a mistake, I rip it out and re-do it. If I can't fix a mistake, I won't sell the item.

4. Why should people buy handmade?

Well, in my case, the reason I buy handmade is it's just nice knowing that (usually) the things you buy are one-of-a-kind! And lovingly handmade instead of mass-produced by a factory.

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

So far I haven't purchased many handmade items, but among the ones I have bought, I'd have to say this is my favorite!
Blue Topaz Post Stud Earrings in Sterling Silver - http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=8440811
I wear them all the time. :)

Etsy Shop: http://dollcloset.etsy.com
Etsy Teams: Doll Couture, Christian Artisans Street Team (CAST)

Featured Artist: JazziesJunque

JazziesJunque, Your place for unique supplies

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

My name is Linda and my shops name is JazziesJunque. I live in Pueblo, Colorado, where I have lived my whole life. I am happily single with 2 cats (Jazz & Peanut) and two dogs (Coco & Myka). I am always on the lookout for those certain items that someone with an imagination will take and create a beautiful new and unique piece of art. I stay busy running my shop all day promoting and at night when I feel my most creative, I work on my handmade items. I really love what I do here at Etsy.

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

My inspiration comes from the things around me, like from an empty roll of packaging tape that I once used to make a birds nest. Or seeing a domino and adding potpourri to make a keychain charm or pendant. I don't like throwing things away without really looking at them to see if they can be made into something else. So altered art/mixed media is my favorite forms of art.

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

My favorite item in my shop has to be my domino keychain charms, mainly because they are so unique and that is the idea of my shop, to carry and make unique and OOAK (one of a kind) items.

4. What is the best thing about your products?

Best thing about my products are their affordability. This gives everyone the chance to try their hand at art without it costing too much.

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

The best handmade product I've purchased are some game tiles made into beautiful pendants (from Tia's Treasures).

Etsy Shop: http://www.jazziesjunque.etsy.com
Etsy Teams: TEAM ESST - Etsy Supplies Street Team - the best team ever!
Blog: http://jazziesjunque.blogspot.com/

Featured Artist: DoSiDough

Handmade doughs, crayons & chalks for your handmade kid

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

I'm located in Sunny Arizona, and no, scorpions and gila monster are not everywhere in Arizona. Just for the record "Cholla" is pronounced "Choy-ah". Just thought I'd throw that out there. I'm a wife, mom, Mary Kay consultant, and a bunch of other stuff. I do some public speaking from time to time and I'm told I can sing...but I'm not convinced.

2. Why should people buy handmade?

People should buy handmade because I said so. I worked in an independent business and a corporate business within the same field. Hands down: I'd rather work for the underdog. I say buy handmade to support the individual.

3. Besides what you feature in your shop, do you plan to turn your creative mind elsewhere or what do you hope to do, creatively, next?

I have several children's art supplies in the works. Some are very close to production! Other than that, I tend to putter around with all sorts of silly notions, but I don't sell any of that goofiness on Etsy. Only my family falls prey to that.

4. What is the best thing about your products?

I could say the color or texture or selection...but I think the neatest thing is that I leave my fingerprint in it to remind you that a real, live person made and touched this product.

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

I'm really digging my handmade shell necklace. Then again, I just ordered a re-purposed Coca Cola bottle. That's going to be pretty nifty too.

Etsy Shop: http://DoSiDough.etsy.com
Etsy Teams: natural kids team

Featured Artist: Woodshed Designs

WOODSHED Designs by Lindy Varney Wood

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

Hi, my name is Lindy Wood. I live in Turner, ME with my husband of 33 years. I work full time as an LPN clinical assistant to a wonderful doctor in an OB/GYN office. We have no birth children but we claim 5 --'of the heart'-- international kids which are now adults. They live N.Ireland, New Zealand, Dubai and one lives a few hours away in ME. We love to travel and plan to go to N.Ireland to our daughter's wedding.

I started sewing around the 5th grade at 4H. I think my first project was a heart shaped needle cushion. I made my first quilt on New Years Eve in 1973. I didn't sew much for the next 20 years until a friend gave me a log cabin table runner pattern and I promptly told her I could not possibly do that. Here I am 12 years later. I got serious about sewing my runners 3 years ago when my husband got sick and I needed to pay medical bills. He's healthy again and I just do it for me now.

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

I love color and texture. Fabric jumps out at me. I can walk into a store and instantly know what I will be walking out with. I don't like traditional pastel colors. I love the Amish and feel inspired by their bold quilts. If I can't make a decision about what border goes with which fabric, I just ask my husband. He is always by best advisor.

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

My least favorite thing is the first 3 logs on the log cabin squares. The fabric is small and the work is slow but once I put on the first row of the basic fabric then every step is my favourite thing. I love building on the runners (There are 70 steps that go into everyone of these). It is exciting to see something that you thought would be lovely turn into something lovely and functional. I love meeting the people that will buy my products. I always think, "I made this for you".

4. What is the best thing about your products?

The best thing about my product is that every stitch, every piece of fabric and how it matches up is thought about. I don't sit down and just sew. I look and think about where every log is placed upon another. I wonder if the consumer will care or even notice but the bottom line is that I care and notice the quality and placement of my fabric. I can only hope that others will feel the attention that I give to each one of my runners or pillow covers.

My product is used to enhance your home. You can use them as a base under any treasure that you hold dearly. The different sizes allows you to use them all over your house. They are durable and wash well.

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

That would be a quilt. It matches the wallpaper in my guest room so perfectly and it always makes me happy to see it. Of course when I found co-ordinating fabric and could make runners to use on the bureaus I was even happier!

Etsy Shop: http://woodsheddesigns.etsy.com
Etsy Teams: interiordesignteam, maineteam, etsyfast, castteam, quiltsyteam
Blog: http://woodsheddesigns.blogspot.com
Website: http://woodshed-designs.com

Featured Artist: UniqueGarden, uniqueXpression, UniqueTreatDogBones

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

My name is Tammy. I have been crafting and selling for over 35yrs. I love to make so many things, that I have ended up selling an eclectic assortment. In addition to my Etsy shops, I sell in some local shops and at craft shows. I make ornaments, wreaths, floral arrangements, jewelry, soaps, and scrap book pages to mention a few. Visiting my craft show booth is always an interesting prospect!

When I set up my Etsy shops, I felt that I needed to open three that would encompass the bulk of what I make, so that I could sell on line, what I normally take to shows or sell in shops.

I have been making my own bath and body products under the name Unique Garden Essences for the past 10 yrs. I use all natural and nearly natural ingredients. Any herbs or flowers that I use are grown by me or my personal friends. I mainly use cold pressed, food grade essential oils, so that all of my recipes are high in quality and therapeutic properties. (My etsy shop is UniqueGarden).

While I have been selling my jewelry and crafts for about 35 yrs., I have been doing so under the label of UniqueXpression for about 10 yrs. I mainly use gemstones, sterling silver, and Zwarovski crystals, although I have added a value corner to this shop so that I can offer affordable pieces in different medians..

Aside from being a crafter, I am a Mom to two young men and three four-legged boys. Last year I began making my own dog treats, and, as with so many other things, one thing led to another, and I began making and selling those treats to the public. I now have an Etsy shop, UniqueTreatDogBones for all natural treats. Before the end of this month I will be adding an all natural dog soap to this shop and also some aromatherapy items.

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

I am really into nature and just about anything can inspire me! As I indicated before, one thing usually leads to about 10 in my life! It just seems like everything has its own, natural progression and I always seem to follow it.

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

I know that this will sound self-serving, but I don't really have A favorite. I love everything I make and I make what I love. That's how I have ended up with 3 shops and boo coo items that still aren't listed!

4. What is the best thing about your products?

I love the fact that almost everything I make is natural, or as natural as can be. I don't use chemical preservatives in http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifmy bath & body recipes or my dog treat recipes. To me, this brings my recipes to a higher level than most

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

I'd have to say that it was a gorgeous angel made from a basket and wood. She is unique and something that I have never made or even attempted, which makes her even more special.

Etsy Shops: http://uniquegarden.etsy.com
http://uniquexpression.etsy.com
http://uniquetreatdogbones.etsy.com
Etsy Teams: EFA, Dog Mafia and Great Circle Ohio
Blog: http://uniquegardenessences.blogspot.com