Eye Candy

I don't know what happened but this Featured Artist was supposed to be featured Thursday AM. I just looked and this post was not there.

ERG!
Sorry Ana!

Anywho... I'm wishing I lived in the UK. I'd get FREE SHIPPING with any purchase! Actually, I think Ana's creations are worth the shipping fees no matter what! And if you like the jewelry in her shop but maybe want a different color than is listed go ahead and contact her and ask about it. She just may have it!

Did I mention her photos are A.MAY.ZING??? Just check them out.

Anacdesigns

Your Name: Ana

Location: London, UK

Etsy Store Address: http://www.anacdesigns.etsy.com
Facebook, Twitter, etc. address:
Facebook: http://www.tinyurl.com/anacdesigns
Twitter: http://twitter.com/anacdesigns

What Etsy groups do you belong to?
Etsy Artist Lounge, although I haven't been active for many months now. The time difference makes it difficult.

What is your craft?
I design and make unique colourful jewellery.

{Hot Pink Ring}

How did you start doing what you do?
Jewellery making started as a way of releasing my creativity while traveling about 7 years ago. Taking paint and canvases didn't seem practical. It started as a hobby and soon turned into an obsession. New and exciting beads find me everywhere I travel.

{Silver Rose Tourque Pendant}

What part of your work do you most enjoy?
I love everything about the process of making jewellery but the moment just before I starting a new piece when everything starts coming together is very exciting. I only make my jewellery in the best of moods and I try to put good thoughts and love into every creation.

What part of your work do you find the hardest?
I find it hardest to duplicate pieces. I get bored of it very quickly so most of my pieces are one of a kind.

Where do you get/find your inspiration?
I get inspired by nature, people, different shades of light, shapes, smells, conversations, the touch and colour of beads... The list is long! :)
What are the three most favorite items in your store right now?

{Orange cube - urban agate necklace}

{Mermaids Cuff Pearl Bracelet}

{Red Heart Bracelet}

What is the best advice you have received?
Every contact counts! By the time the credit crunch is over people want to know where to shop.

More Beauty for your Eyes!

Today we meet two more fantastic Etsy Artists. They live on opposite sides of the United States but both produce fabulous items. Since I've already read their Spotlights, I'm off to go heart some lovely items in their stores!!! Meet you there shortly!

nenafaye
{bags, jewelry, handcrafted embellished cards}

Name Nena Scrambling

Location Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Etsy Address www.nenafaye.etsy.com

Facebook address nfscram

What Etsy groups do you belong to?
New to Etsy as of July 3 (first posting) have not joined any groups yet...work full time.

{Orange & Cream Little Bit Purse}

What is your craft?
I am a beader and a crochet artist and a lover of embellishments!

How did you start doing what you do?
When I was a young girl I would sit and watch my mother sew late into the night, when I became a mother, it came natural to continue on in the same fashion, and I have evolved over the years into what I do now.

{Mauve Pearl Earrings}

What part of your work do you most enjoy?
I love working with color and texture. I find that the embellishments that I use bring so much to my art forms, I am loving cotton yarn, because of the texture of a completed piece, it is wonderful. I love working with the colors and textures of the beads, I guess to sum it up I love color, texture and natural cotton!

{Green Lampwork Bead Bookmark}

What part of your work do you find the hardest?
The hardest part of what I do is finding the time to do it in! I love what I do and really, once I am into it, there is nothing hard for me, just finding the time. I have to admit, I find the photography involved in listing items challenging!

Where do you get/find your inspiration?
I have gotten my inspiration from years of creating and seeing the results of something so amazing. For example taking a string of yarn and making something from it. From seeing the look on peoples faces as they purchase my stuff at craft fairs, knowing they love what they are purchasing. New Mexico is a state that is rich in colorful cultures; I have lived here my whole life and find it vital to have the richness of creating, of art, of making beautiful colorful items. It is part of my soul.


What are the three most favorite items in your store right now?

I love my Little Bit Purses,

{Bright & Beautiful Little Bit Purse}

my Everything Bags,

(Orange Everything Bag}

and my special clasp bracelets!

{Natural Red Jasper and Shell Heishi Bracelet}

What is the best advice you have received?
The best advice that I have received is to promote, be creative with photography and to be patient about sales, they will come to you!

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Fiberfads!

When the owner of Fiberfads! contacted me about being a Featured Artist I immediately thought she was way cool! The reason is that she has quite an uncommon name (at least I think so) AND it just so happens to be my mom's name!

WAIT! That's not all.

She then tells me that her second daughter's middle name is Patrice. Can you start to hear to 'Twilight Zone' music??

WAIT! There's more....

Her daughter, whose middle name is Patrice, is her second daughter. I'm my mother's second daughter.....

Goodness!

So far, that's all the similarities I know of....other than the fact that I love felted stuff {like the stuff over at Fiberfads!} . I once attempted to needle felt a cupcake which turned out looking more like.... an ice-cream cone according to my husband.

Oh well. At least I can drool over the awesome goodies at Fiberfads!
{I really like saying Fiberfads! It's kinda like saying "Sha-zam!'}

Name Adele

Location Fredericksburg, VA

Etsy Address www.fiberfads.etsy.com

Facebook Address I don't do Facebook, Twitter, etc.

What Etsy groups do you belong to?
I haven't joined an Etsy group as of yet.

{Fiber Holiday Giftcard Holders}

What is your craft?
I hand knit, hand felt, and needle felt.


How did you start to do what you do?
My husband liked the idea of his wife knitting, I guess, because he bought me a huge encyclopedia of knitting book about 18 years ago and once I started, I never stopped.

{Three Knitted & Felted Acorns}

What part of your work do you most enjoy?
I most enjoy the feel of the yarn and the rhythm that develops when I know the pattern I'm knitting by heart. Very relaxing!


What part of your work do you find the hardest?
Actually, I am really drawn to the felted finish of a knitted item, but find the process of hand felting to be laborious.

{Scalloped Felted Bowl}

Where do you get/find your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from the two dimensional...decorating magazines, books, fabrics...once the third dimension is thrown in, I'm lost! I'm also inspired by the rich, warm colors of Fall.


What are the three most favorite items in your store right now?
The three most favorite items in my store right now are my

Fall wine cozy,

my holiday bowl with holly berries,


and my felted vases.

What is the best advice you have received?
Best advice: "Do good and avoid evil." I try my best to create a lovely product that someone can enjoy, sell it at a fair price, and treat my customers with gratitude. Thankfully, I am then able to donate the net profits from Fiberfads! to a local woman's shelter that aids women facing a crisis pregnancy.

Until we meet again!

Featured Artist Spotlight!

I'm happy to announce the first day of the

Featured Artist Spotlight!

{clap, clap, clap}

We have two special artists today--

Michelle, shop owner of
Michelle's Charm World

and
Diane, shop owner of
Crafty Crocheting

Michelle and I go waaaay back...Okay, not so far... but I've 'known' her for some time on Etsy. In fact, we belong to the same Etsy Team--Eclectic Artisans Team. (Shameless plug....but hey, it's my blog...heehee)

Michelle makes some fun and chunky jewelry. As she says ' If it ain't chunky, it ain't funky!' It's all very cute and I want to know how to make me some. Do you have any tutorials Michelle???

Oh, one other small fact about Michelle -- she was married at DISNEYLAND {aka Happiest Place on Earth}! Crazy, I know, but we are all envious of her!

Now, on to the show!


Name Michelle

Location Rockford, Illinois

Etsy Address http://michellescharmworld.etsy.com

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=569654595&ref=profile
Twitter twitter.com/MichellesCharmW

What Etsy Teams do you belong to?
Eclectic Artisans Street Team!

What is your craft?
Jewelry Design and Creation

{Trick or Treat Charm Bracelet}

How did you start doing what you do?
Wearing a Uniform in school stifled my individuality, on the weekends I would take old jewelry and combine it with new pieces and mix it up with garage sale finds and I would have funky, new-to-me Jewelry!

What part of your work do you most enjoy?
The colors! They brighten my day no matter what mood I am in!

{Retro Tray Necklace}

What part of your work do you find the hardest?
Production. It's hard for me to churn out new pieces constantly while being a stay at home mom to 3 kids. Between school and after school activities and then family time and time with my husband, I feel like I am just barely doing enough.

Where do you get/find your inspiration?
My kids playrooms. They are bright, cheery and colorful!

What are the three most favorite items in your store right now?{Penny Candy in a Jar}

{Lego Fun Bracelet}

{Dessert Tray Brooch}

What is the best advice you have received?
Relax. We sometimes get too uptight and worried about everything, that while worrying and spending time thinking things out we waste even more time. Just relax and enjoy everything.

Next up is Diane with Crafty Crocheting.

She can do some serious crocheting! I know because I've tried my hand at crocheting and can NEVER finish a project. I get so frustrated....Okay, I've made a few scarves but those are easy peasy. You've GOT to take a look at Diane's shop AFTER you've read her Spotlight!

Name Diane

Location Dyer, IN

Etsy Address www.craftycrocheting.etsy.com
Flicker http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftycrocheting
Artfire www.craftycrocheting.artfire.com

What Etsy Teams do you belong to?
Create Crochet Team
EtsyHookers Team
The INCrowd Team

What is your craft?
My craft is crocheting

{Princess Tea Party Dress}

How did you start doing what you do?
I learned to crochet from my mom. After many years of working, I had to quit.

I was not used to sitting around after cleaning the house and my mom was just sitting around not really watching t.v. So, I thought since we like to crochet but had no one to make something for, we could just make whatever we wanted and when we got enough we would do craft fairs.

That is how it started. We have been doing craft fairs for about 3 years and then we heard about Etsy. That is when online came into my life.

We would eventually like it if online was our main source of extra income so we would never have to sign up for another craft show. It is to hard on us to get all the displays and set up and take down.

{Bee Afghan}

What part of your work do you most enjoy?
Wow, there are actually a few, one crocheting it relaxes me, joining groups and having conversations with other crafters and I really love it when someone says they like your work, I think that is the most rewarding.

What part of your work do you find the hardest?
Easy, promoting, takes alot of time and energy

Where do you get/find your inspiration?
I get my inspiration from my mom, she taught me everything I know. I also watch the market here a little, but basically I try to make different items because everyone is different, one person may like on type of product while another hates it.

What are the three most favorite items in your store right now?

I love the Luxurious Oversized Throw in Nutmeg. The pattern is beautiful.

My second would be the Reversible Cream and Green Lattice Throw
It is large and very pretty and is a great size for anyone. Plus, it would go with everything

And third the Unique Tulip Throw because:

1. My mom made it
2. It would not be my style but when I saw it finished I really thought it was pretty.

And it also is truly not a busy pattern in person. It is also great workmanship and took a long time to make it.

What is the best advice you have received?
To be patient. I never have been, I like to see results now, it may be from working outside the home for so long, but I need to relax, enjoy what I am doing and have patience.



Thanks for taking a look at a few of the amazing Etsy Artists! Stay tuned for more creative artists!

Get Ready!

I know all you readers are patiently waiting for my 'Featured Artist' Spotlights to begin. You'll just have to wait until Monday the 14th! Make sure you come back to read all about a few fabulous Etsy artists--what makes them tick, why they create and more!

I Want YOU

Featured Artist sign-ups are now
CLOSED!

Thanks so much for all of those who signed up! Please check back to read about these awesome artists and to get your chance to sign up to be a Featured Artist! Thanks!

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I love, love, love browsing the many terrific Etsy stores and seeing the amazing creativity. I can spend hours browsing the site. Admit it. You do it too! :)

Soooo, I'd love to have shop owners volunteer to be featured on my blog. We all want to look at your wonderful creations!

Depending on how many responses I get, I will do one to two shop features per day until my little fingers wear out!

After volunteering I will contact you with a questionnaire you'll need to fill out and also let you know when you will be featured.

If interested, please leave me a comment with your shop name and a way to contact you! Thanks!

So come one and all and join in the fun!