Etsy Interviews

Time to Face the Ch-ch-ch-changes!

2010-03-30T10:51:00.002-04:00

You may have noticed a little drop off in interviews and giveaways over the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately, we all know that life takes its own route sometimes. Mine has headed toward an unexpected divorce. So I will have to take a break from Etsy Interviews to focus on my children and the difficult transition from being a stay-at-home mom to a single mom with a full time JOB! Wish me luck, please, and know that I hold each and every one of you that has offered an interview or giveaway or become a follower of Etsy Interviews in my heart!

(P.S. If you are interested in taking over Etsy Interviews, please let me know! I would love for it to live on through someone who can nurture it as it deserves.)

Trisha B Designs Giveaway Winner

2010-03-27T07:22:00.002-04:00

And the winner of the
$25 Gift Certificate from Trisha B Designs
is...

(Congratulations, Steph! I will be in touch soon.)

Old New Again Giveaway Winner...

2010-03-23T13:20:00.003-04:00

And the winner of the

Kitchen Table Organizer Giveaway from Old New Again
is...

(Congratulations, Amy! I will be in touch soon.)

From the Forums: Best Craft Show Tips

2010-03-19T12:19:00.005-04:00

(Psst... don't forget to enter the Table Organizer giveaway from Old New Again and the Gift Certificate giveaway from Trisha B Designs!)

It's spring time and that time of year again to be gearing up your business for the spring craft show season. YOUniquelyours went to the Etsy forums in search of the BEST craft show tips. Let's take a peek at what she found...

Do YOU do craft shows, too? If so, what are your best tips?

Sponsor Spotlight: Trisha B Designs

2010-03-18T07:14:00.001-04:00

(Psst... don't forget to enter the Kitchen Table Organizer giveaway from Old New Again!)

I've been a long time follower and fan of Trisha's blog and etsy shop, so I was BEYOND thrilled when she became one of Etsy Interview's very first sponsors! Let see what she's up to at Trisha B Designs...

Trisha B Designs
blog

Tell us a bit about yourself, Trisha.
I am a stay at home mom of a 4 year old daughter and 1 year old twin sons, who loves to create beautiful and functional things. I specialize in homemade home decor, children's items, and Printable Party Invitations and Decor. I use the highest quality supplies so the items will last a long time, and because I want you to love your purchases.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
creative
genuine
talented
loving
hardworking

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
I opened my shop in May 2009. My husband has his own business and with the recession going on we needed some extra income. I also started my shop because I love to sew and create while my kids are taking naps and while they sleep at night.

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
fun
whimsical
original
functional
decorative

What are your 5 favorite websites?
Aunt Spicy
Bakerella
Creative Party Place
Skip to my Lou
Bake at 350

What are your 5 favorite Etsy shops?
Your Memories Captured
DeniSue
Sew Love Fabrics
Cherry Lane Textiles
Carrie's Fabric & Crafts

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
Be Patient and try to do giveaways on blogs and be featured on blogs. Just get the word out about your shop!

GIVEAWAY!
Trisha is so kind to offer one of YOU wonderful readers a...
$25 Gift Certificate
for Trisha B Designs

(Thanks so much, Trisha!)

Here's how to enter:

Visit Trisha B Designs and leave a comment on this post mentioning your favorite item.

For more chances to win, leave a separate post for each of the following:
*Subscribe to the Trisha's Blog, 3 Four & Under.
*Become a fan of Trisha B Designs on Facebook.
*Become a Follower of Etsy Interviews.
*Subscribe to Etsy Interviews via RSS.
*Tweet about this giveaway (please leave link to tweet).
*Follow B.Inspired Mama on Twitter.
*Become a fan of B.Inspired Vintage on Facebook.
*Share the giveaway on Facebook.
*Blog about the giveaway (please leave the link)
*Add Etsy Interviews to your blogroll.
*Submit to be Featured on Etsy Interviews, too!

The winner will be chosen via Random.org on Wednesday, March 24th at 9PM EST. The winner will be emailed within 24 hours. Please make sure your email is in your profile or in the comment. GOOD LUCK!

Middleburg Giveaway Winner...

2010-03-17T13:03:00.003-04:00

And the winner of the

Classic Spring Garland of Choice from Middleburg
is...

(Congratulations, Mim! I'll be in touch.)

Etsy Interview & Giveaway with Old New Again

2010-03-15T10:13:00.007-04:00

(Psst... just a few more hours to enter the Spring Garland giveaway from Middleburg!)

I was SO excited when I saw that Old New Again was interested IN being featured here on Etsy Interviews. Discovering new shops (and sharing them with you!) is one of the reasons I love doing this blog. And I truly love the combination of playful color and country primitive of the creations at Old New Again. So let's meet the artists behind it all...

Old New Again
other Etsy Shop
blog

Tell us a bit about yourselves, Rick & Liz.
We are a husband and wife team. We love to make cool, functional home decor items.

We love working with wood! We like to come up with unique ideas to make your life easier and more organized. Many times we come up with new designs that we ourselves need to make our home run more smoothly.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
creative
driven
hard-working
honest
sensitive

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
I (Liz) has been selling her artwork on etsy since August of 2007. After my husband, Rick, lost his job of 11 years, we decided to go for it and open up another shop where we can both create things together. I learned a lot from running my first shop on etsy, so it was much easier to set up and start our new one. Our goal is to completely support our family (we have two daughters, Molly 16 and Samantha 7) with our handmade goods. We're getting there!

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
fresh
unique
functional
upcycled
colorful

What are your 5 favorite websites?
TOLLIPOP.COM (pure, brilliant writing)
The Meanest Mom (funny!)
The Bloggess (crazy!)
Nienie Dialogues (inspiring)
mystele (great art, great pics and videos)

What are your 5 favorite Etsy shops?
Sushipot
Olive
Noodle & Lou
Sarah Wyman
Michele Maule

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
~ Develop great products that reflect who you are.
~ Work and work and work on your pictures (clear, bright, different angles, with plain backgrounds!)
~ Be careful with time on the computer.
~ Try to come up with a routine and stick to it.
~ Be serious about great customer service.
~ Be cheerful to fellow sellers - encourage!!!

Anything else you'd like us to know?
We're friendly and easy to work with. :)

GIVEAWAY!
Old New Again is so kind to offer one of YOU wonderful readers a...
Kitchen Table Organizer
of YOUR choice!

(Thanks so much, Rick & Liz!)

Here's how to enter:

Visit Old New Again and leave a comment on this post mentioning your favorite item.

For more chances to win, leave a separate post for each of the following:
*Subscribe to the Old New Again Blog, Primoriginals.
*Follow Primoriginals on Twitter.
*Become a friend of Primoriginals on Facebook.
*Become a Follower of Etsy Interviews.
*Subscribe to Etsy Interviews via RSS.
*Tweet about this giveaway (please leave link to tweet).
*Follow B.Inspired Mama on Twitter.
*Become a fan of B.Inspired Vintage on Facebook.
*Share the giveaway on Facebook.
*Blog about the giveaway (please leave the link)
*Add Etsy Interviews to your blogroll.
*Submit to be Featured on Etsy Interviews, too!

The winner will be chosen via Random.org on Monday, March 22nd at 9PM EST. The winner will be emailed within 24 hours. Please make sure your email is in your profile or in the comment. GOOD LUCK!

Beth Stone Studio Giveaway Winner...

2010-03-11T07:47:00.003-05:00

(Psst... don't forget to enter the great giveaway from Middleburg!)

And the Winner of
the 2 Greeting Cards from Beth Stone Studio
is...

(Congratulations, Sarah-Paige. I will be in touch soon!)

Sponsor Spotlight: crzylady's shop of (owl)ies

2010-03-10T10:12:00.000-05:00

(Psst... don't forget to enter the giveaway from Middleburg. And today is your last day to enter the one from Beth Stone Studio!)

Owls and other woodland creatures are so hot right now. But if you haven't really jumped on that bandwagon just yet, then must be you haven't came across crzylady's shop of (owl)ies! Make sure to click and read the fun descriptions of each owl's personality, too. Can't wait to hear more...

crzylady's shop of (owl)ies
blog
facebook

Tell us a bit about yourself, Tracylea.

A newly 30 year old (which has been a huge inspiration for me to get on the ball living my life) special events coordinator. I have a delightful 4 year old miss bossy pants at home. My husband and I work together at a small liberal arts college in Idaho. I love reading - I am absolutely obsessed with certain series and have to force myself to read new material. I like craft projects which are sometimes unusual but can be done in a variety of colors and are quickly finished.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
1) Voracious
2) Verbose
3) Aspiring
4) Controlling
5) Crzy

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
I JUST opened my shop at the end of January. One of my 2010 resolutions (in conjunction with a February milestone birthday of 30!) was to begin my etsy shop. I have typically made and made items and saved them in bin all year for a couple end of the year vendor fairs. It took too much fun out the crafting. I felt pressured to make things only before an event and with specific goals in mind. Etsy struck me (and still does) as an inexpensive avenue to see how I can inspire other crafters AND myself throughout the year. It offers me a place to receive constant feedback of items and business ideas. I hope the shop will be a continual source of inspiration. And I can't wait to begin posting more varied items.

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
1) Whimsical
2) Entertaining
3) Inexpensive
4) Understanding
5) Inspiring

What are your favorite websites and blogs?
V for Violet
Ivy Black Chat
Foxs Lane
L ola Nova

What are your favorite Etsy shops?
B.Inspired Vintage
I've Got Worms
Kid-N Around Creations
Over the Wall
Lola Nova

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
To have fun. We are all too creative and life-enjoying to forget why we started crafting in the first place :)

Be polite and courteous and thoughtful to all other etsians.

Anything else you'd like us to know?
This year is magical - I can feel it!
Don't forget :)

SPONSOR SPECIAL
crzylady is so kind to offer a
FREE customized mini-(owl)ie
with any order mentioning this interview in the notes to seller.
You can customize by listing your favourite color combination (2 colors maximum).

(Thanks so much, Tracylea! We're so happy and grateful to have you here as a sponsor of Etsy Interviews!)

Etsy Interview & Giveaway with Middleburg

2010-03-08T08:02:00.006-05:00

(Psst... just a couple more days to enter the giveaway from Beth Stone Studio!)

I am IN LOVE with the primitive whimsical feel of Susan's creations in her wildly popular shop, Middleburg. Susan is an amazing artist and a SUPER-successful seller to boot. I think we can learn a ton from her...

Middleburg
twitter
blog

Tell us a bit about yourself, Susan.
One of my life long dreams is coming true. I read a book years ago about a lady who would fix up old houses and would sell them, way before "flipping" ever became a term. I begged my husband for years to consider some dilapidated old house that we could fix up together and make our own. He would always say "Well, we have to be able to live in it." That nixed so many. My dream always included a studio for us, since we met in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. And some of our favorite memories included the studio classes we took together. Well, we finally did it, after 25 years in advertising and marketing. We bought a historic house and farm in North Carolina, we transplanted ourselves, the Middleburg studio, and have been here just 6 months. Believe you me, it's dilapidated in spots. But it is my dream, and I'm getting to live it right now.

Some other things about me that I used to never tell anyone are; I love TV, but have purposely cut myself back when I moved and refuse to get dish or cable. But I don't know how much more I can take. TV here is really dated. I have a quirky favorite ice cream sundae my dad used to make with vanilla ice cream, fruit cocktail (from a can), real whip cream and topped with chopped nuts (pecan or almonds, but never peanuts they only belong on a hot fudge sundae). I enjoy mayonnaise, real mayonnaise and I have made it from scratch, but love Helman's the best and will do with out rather than substitute a different brand. I used to cook a lot and very well from what friends and family will attest to, but I think I'm over it. One of my new loves is documentaries and my favorite of late is "I Like Killing Flies." The guy it's about is so real, nothing phony. I realized from watching it that food and restaurant going has been a hobby of mine for years. There's nothing I like better than finding a good restaurant and taking people and family to it. It really can be my happy place. But being from Chicago it is almost a religion when you live in the city. Also been giving that up of late as Eastern North Carolina is not the foodie capital you would expect it to be.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
Creative, tenacious, patient (more so than I give my self credit for), resourceful, original, hard-worker, Yes that is 6, but it's OK!

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
When I opened it was because I saw it on the evening news with Katie Couric. I looked at it the next day and signed up immediately. I remember calling my husband and saying "I'm going to sign up for this site called Etsy." That was March 2007. I remember my first sale, and then the next and the next. I still feel the same each time I sell something. It's a cross between grateful and surprised. I never take for granted that this Etsy has played a major role in my success, and if I could give them a big hug in New York I would! My 4 year Anniversary on Etsy was March 5th!

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
Not perfect but Very Good, Classic, Bright, Unique and Sweet

What are your 5 favorite websites?
It's been changing lately. Twitter tops my list. It's short, quick and its really interesting what people share about themselves. I recently told a friend it is like eating potato chips but without the calories.

I'm looking at more art sites these days (see a trend, planning a trip really)
American Folk Art Museum
Museum of Modern Art
Guggenheim Museum of Art

And of course, what would my list be with out a good antique site? Still like Ruby Lane,one of the beast search engines.

What are your 5 favorite Etsy shops?
I going to give two lists.
MY ALL TIME favorites FOREVER are:
Marmee Craft
Danita.Art
HeliS
Sushipot

There are some really unbelievable shops on Etsy that only come up once in a while.
Here are just a few I like:
this is all I know
Loran Scruggs
Cornflower Press
doubleparlour
GalaFilc, amazing life like flowers!

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
Good photos are the key. I'm constantly trying to perfect my photos. When I get good light, it's like magic to me. I shoot everything outside. I'm originally from Chicago and have shot on days when it is 20 degrees and lower, but there was good light. I would get out there and set up my shabby backdrop door and vintage pedestal and snap away. Your descriptions need to have a little bit of you in them. Lets face it, this is not the classified section of the newspaper, people. We all put a lot of time, energy and love in to what we make. Stop making it sound like it was made by robots.

Anything else you'd like us to know?
I'm like a horse. I feel better if you give me a job, then let me roam the pasture. I've ridden horses at three different stages of my life; when I was young 3-8, then as a teen and then again about 8 years ago when I was doing some pretty cool jumping. And as I look back, riding and being with horses has taught me a lot. Of the last time, sit back and wait for it, referring to the bump you get from the horse before going over the jump to tell you to get your butt out of the saddle or I'm leaving you behind, sorta good lesson to live by. Patience is good, but procrastination will leave you sitting in the dust. I'll get off my horsey soap box now.

This all has been a long journey or path and I'm still on it. I sometimes discount all I can do and forget how much I have learned and how far I still have to go. Remember to dream, they can come true!

GIVEAWAY!
Middleburg is so kind to offer one of YOU wonderful readers a...
Classic Spring Garland of Choice
to bring a little Spring into your home!
You can choose from Dogwood, Rose, Daisy, Cone-flower, Poppy or Hydrangea.
This is a $32 value and includes Priority Mail shipping.
(Thanks so much, Susan!)

Here's how to enter:

Visit Middleburg and leave a comment on this post mentioning your favorite item.

For more chances to win, leave a separate post for each of the following:
*Subscribe to the Middleburg Folk Art Studio Blog.
*Follow Middleburg Folk Art Studio on Twitter.
*Become a friend of Middleburg Folk Art on Facebook.
*Become a Follower of Etsy Interviews.
*Subscribe to Etsy Interviews via RSS.
*Tweet about this giveaway (please leave link to tweet).
*Follow B.Inspired Mama on Twitter.
*Become a fan of B.Inspired Vintage on Facebook.
*Share the giveaway on Facebook.
*Blog about the giveaway (please leave the link)
*Add Etsy Interviews to your blogroll.
*Submit to be Featured on Etsy Interviews, too!

The winner will be chosen via Random.org on Monday, March 15th at 9PM EST. The winner will be emailed within 24 hours. Please make sure your email is in your profile or in the comment. GOOD LUCK!

Feltgirl Giveaway Winner...

2010-03-04T14:15:00.003-05:00

(Psst... don't forget to enter the giveaway from Beth Stone Studio!)

And the WINNER of the
71 COLOUR PACK OF MINI FELT SQUARES from feltgirl
is...

Congratulations, Shan! I will be in touch soon.

Etsy Interview & Giveaway with Beth Stone Studio

2010-03-03T02:46:00.002-05:00

(Psst... today's the last day to enter the giveaway from feltgirl! AND don't forget to take advantage of the fabulous discount at Funktapus Designs!)

The inspiring nature imagery and vibrant color are enough to draw anyone into Beth Stone's Studio. But it is her quilt-inspired mixed-media collages that I go crazy over! Her's hear more from the artist...

Beth Stone Studio
website
blog

Tell us a bit about yourself, Beth.
Hi! I am a stay at home wife and visual media artist. I love to paint in watercolors, oils, and acrylics, and among my other hobbies and interests are murals, collage, knitting, photography, quilting, reading, sculpture, carving, scrapbooking, blogging, gardening, and just about anything else that involves creativity and working with my hands! I LOVE to make things! I live in northeast Tennessee with my wonderful husband Josh and my miniature schnauzer, Harvey, who is the cutest dog in the world. :o) I am a Christian, and my primary goal, in both my life and my work, is to glorify my Creator.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
creative
funny (in a dry sort of way)
philosophical
organized (well, okay, OCD)
logical

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
I had been running my own business for a few years, mostly advertising by word of mouth and through an independent website. I recently joined Etsy for the built-in traffic flow, and because I love the idea behind the site - I think it's wonderful to have an online marketplace devoted to (mostly) handmade items. So unique, and so helpful to artists who just want to create and can't devote a lot of time to searching for venues and marketing... My goal is to be able to provide supplemental income from home, while doing something that I love and fulfilling my desire & need to create!

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
peaceful
inspirational
colorful
whimsical
beautiful

Give your 5 favorite websites.
Geninne's Art Blog
Facebook
Ravelry
GraceTool
SermonAudio.com

Give your 5 favorite Etsy shops.
Geninne's Art Store
The Mymble's Daughter
Middleburg Folk Art Studio
Bossy's Feltworks
Anne Holman Jewelry Design
(It's hard to choose! There are so many great shops!)

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
Be disciplined in setting definite "work" times (something I'm working on myself), limit time online, and be unique!

GIVEAWAY!
Beth is so kind to offer one lucky reader...
**2 Greeting Cards**
(Thanks so much, Beth!)

Here's how to enter:
Visit Beth Stone Studio and leave a comment on this post mentioning your favorite item.

For more chances to win, leave a separate post for each of the following:
*Become a Follower of Beth's blog.
*Follow Beth Stone Studio on Twitter.
*Become a fan of Beth Stone Studio on Facebook.
*Become a Follower of Etsy Interviews.
*Subscribe to Etsy Interviews via RSS.
*Tweet about this giveaway (please leave link to tweet).
*Follow B.Inspired Mama on Twitter.
*Become a fan of B.Inspired Vintage on Facebook.
*Share the giveaway on Facebook.
*Blog about the giveaway (please leave the link)
*Add Etsy Interviews to your blogroll.
*Submit to be Featured on Etsy Interviews, too!

The winner will be chosen via Random.org on Wednesday, March 10th at 9PM EST. The winner will be emailed within 24 hours. Please make sure your email is in your profile or in the comment. GOOD LUCK!

Announcing Our First Etsy Shop Sponsors

2010-03-02T10:00:00.003-05:00

(Psst... today is the last day to enter the giveaway from feltgirl!)

I'm so proud and excited to unveil Etsy Interviews first sponsors...

(and winners of the ad space giveaway)

Bella's Bowtique

CrzyLady's Shop of (owl)ies

Two Cheeky Monkeys

Trisha B Designs

Mile Marker

Stay tuned to learn more about these wonderful Etsy shops throughout the month!

Etsy Interview & Special Deal with Funktapus Designs

2010-03-01T01:45:00.001-05:00

(Psst... don't forget to enter the great giveaway from feltgirl!)

A vintage feel + astrology + funky bright color = I heart Funktapus Designs!
Let's here from the creative future-astrophysicist herself, Becca.

Etsy Shop: Funktapus Designs
Blog: Funktapus

Tell us a bit about yourself, Becca.
I'm studying to be an astrophysicist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and I'm an ultra-nerd! I love music, books, crafts and everything vintage, but science is my real passion!

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
Intelligent, resourceful, geeky, giggly, and ambitious. :)

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
I opened shop in September of last year (just for fun, really!), but before I knew it I'd made tens of sales and my starfinders were getting some real recognition! I had to really streamline things, as I had previously been selling whatever I felt like making, and I tended to switch media from day to day. My current goal is to introduce a southern hemisphere version of my starfinders, some fun and nerdy greeting cards, and eventually some recycled paper goods so that I don't have to waste all of my scraps!

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
Nerdy, colorful, friendly, lively, fun.

Give your 5 favorite websites.
A Print A Day
Save the Words
xkcd: Joshing
miniature rhino
Design Sponge

Give your 5 favorite Etsy shops.
seapod
miniature rhino
HARE and DRUM's House of Color
Floridity
Pinkkiss Pottery

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
Like what you sell, and have fun making it!

Anything else you would like us to know?
I like you. :)

SPECIAL DEAL

Get 50% off of your starfinder purchase if you mention Etsy Interviews!

(Thanks, Becca!)

FREE Ad Space for Your Etsy Shop!

2010-02-26T09:09:00.003-05:00

Etsy
Buy Handmade
BInspiredVintage

Today is the LAST DAY to enter the giveaway for FREE ad space right here on Etsy Interviews! All you have to do is leave one little comment to get FIVE chances to have your shop's Etsy Mini front and center on my sidebar. PLUS, you'll get a Featured Sponsor Interview and promotion on facebook and twitter, too! It's easy - all you have to do is leave one little comment on this post introducing yourself and your Etsy shop. (And I'll let you in on a little secret, too... there aren't many entrants so far, so the odds are in your favor!) Can't wait to meet you and visit your shop!

Etsy Interview & Giveaway with feltgirl

2010-02-24T06:28:00.002-05:00

(Psst... don't forget to enter the ad space giveaway from Etsy Interviews!)

I am in LOVE with bright, bold color! And one of my favorite craft supplies to work with as of late is FELT. So I am IN LOVE with fun Etsy shop, feltgirl! Let's learn more...

Etsy Shop: feltgirl
Other Etsy Shop: V for Violet
Blog: V for Violet

Tell us a bit about yourself, feltgirl.
I work from home in my little sewing studio and love every aspect of my job. I love sewing, knitting and have just learned to crochet which it becoming a little bit of an obsession. I am also obsessed by buttons, and fabric and have quite a collection of both!

I am a big fan of the handmade ethic that is big at the moment. It's great that sewing and knitting is having a resurgence of popularity. I love handmade stuff and appreciate the time and effort that has gone into producing it.
I have 4 children who are all now at school during the day which gives me time to sew.

I drink lots of tea and eat far too many biscuits.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
patient
creative
ambitious
optimistic
enthusiastic

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
I set up Feltgirl in 2009 when I had become exasperated in wanting lovely felt and buttons for my sewing and I couldn't find any. I had the dream of creating a little shop where you could find gorgeous coloured felt, beautiful different buttons - polka dots and stripes and delicious bright ribbons all in the same place. I have now expanded to include other stuff such as ric rac and pom pom trims. I put everything in the shop that I would love to find there.

My aim for the shop is continue to be successful and expand the range even more, I am always on the look out for gorgeous supplies.

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
colourful
exciting
inspiring
happy
fun

(Can be found here at feltgirl's sister shop, V for Violet!)

Give your 5 favorite websites.
Attic24
Anna Maria
Lil Sonny Sky
loobylu
Cupcakes and Biscuits

Give your 5 favorite Etsy shops.
syko
Moaning Minnie
Gaia Conceptions
Lisa Stubbs
summersville

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
I would say give it a go - promote yourself, get out there and let people know you are there. Having a blog is also a good idea, it's nice to get a bit of background on the seller, see how they create, makes it more personal.

GIVEAWAY!
feltgirl is so kind to offer...
**Full 71 Colour Pack of Mini Felt Squares**
Thanks so much, feltgirl!

Here's how to enter:
Visit feltgirl or V for Violet and leave a comment on this post mentioning your favorite item.

For more chances to win, leave a separate post for each of the following:
*Become a Follower of V for Violet.
*Become a Follower of EtsyInterviews.
*Subscribe to EtsyInterviews via RSS.
*Tweet about this giveaway (please leave link to tweet).
*Follow B.Inspired Mama on Twitter.
*Become a fan of B.Inspired Vintage on Facebook.
*Share the giveaway on Facebook.
*Blog about the giveaway (please leave the link)
*Add EtsyInterviews to your blogroll.
*Submit to be Featured on EtsyInterviews, too!

The winner will be chosen via Random.org on Tuesday, March 2nd at 9PM EST. The winner will be emailed within 24 hours. Please make sure your email is in your profile or in the comment. GOOD LUCK!

ClaySwan Giveaway Winner...

2010-02-23T07:42:00.003-05:00

(Psst... don't forget to enter the giveaway for Etsy Mini Ad Space right here on Etsy Interviews!)

And the WINNER of the
CHOICE OF MEDIUM PORCELAIN TRAY from ClaySwan
is...

Congratulations, Betsabe! I will be in touch soon.

Friendly Advice: Stay Happy & Productive Working From Home

2010-02-23T03:50:00.001-05:00

Patricia Wood of VerreDesign shares some GREAT ideas for being happy and productive while working from home on her blog. And judging by her full inventory and steady sales, she knows what she's talking about! My favorite is her suggestion for making three lists of three to organize your day. Maybe that would help keep my scatter-brain on better track! Thanks, Patricia!

Koko Candles Giveaway Winner...

2010-02-22T09:01:00.003-05:00

(Psst... today is your last day to enter the giveaway from ClaySwan! And don't forget to enter the giveaway for Etsy Mini Ad Space right here on Etsy Interviews!)

And the WINNER of the
LOVE Candle Gift Set from Koko Candles
is...

Congratulations, Ashley of Rejoice!. I will email you soon.

New Look from Dumplin Design Studio & Ad Space Giveaway

2010-02-22T06:45:00.003-05:00

(Psst... today is the last day to enter the giveaway from ClaySwan!)

You may have noticed a "little" change around here... I hope you likie as much as I do. I'm more than THRILLED with my brand-spankin'-new blog design courtesy of fellow Etsian, Shay Bocks of Dumplin Design Studio! Shay comes HIGHLY recommended. The process was fast and painless. In fact, it was even FUN! She sent a little questionnaire to make sure she understood exactly what I was looking for, and it must have worked, because she nailed it on the very first try! The best part is that the new design offers PRIME AD SPACE right there in top right sidebar for a few of you lucky Etsy sellers! (Just make sure to enter the free giveaway below.) And make sure to keep Dumplin Design Studio in mind for your graphic design needs, too!

Etsy Shop: Dumplin Design Studio
Website: Dumplin Design Studio
Blog: Dumplin Design Blog

Tell us a bit about yourself, Shay.
I am a stay-at-home mom and army wife who LOVES graphic design. We currently live in Fort Knox, KY but Chesapeake, VA will always be our home.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
dedicated
creative
mommy
loyal
inspired

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
History: Dumplin Design Studio started out as a small Myspace site called Bocks Creations. After the birth of my son in April 2008, I found myself up 3 times a night with nothing to occupy my time and keep me awake while feeding my baby. I decided it was time to take on a project and that became Bocks Creations. About six months later, I teamed up with Lisa at Carried Away then later branched out on my own with Dumplin Designs. At the inception, it was just a myspace page providing free and custom graphics. In August 2009, DumplinDesigns.com was born and later migrated to DumplinDesignStudio.com.

Mission: To provide high-quality design at affordable prices.

What I Offer:
* Blogger Template Design
* Cards & Stationary Design
* Business Identity Design
* Event & Party Design
* And More!

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
sleek
simple
creative
blogger
design

Give your 5 favorite websites.
Queen of the Castle
SIMPLEmom
zenhabits
Smashing Magazine
Twig & Thistle

Give your favorite Etsy shops.
Carri Ann Designs
Centsational Style
dimple prints
Simple Sage Designs

GIVEAWAY!
This great new blog design has inspired me to
feature some of your lovely Etsy shops in my new sidebar (at right)
so you get the attention you so deserve!
Therefore, I am offering...

5 lucky Etsy sellers
**30 Days of FREE AD SPACE**
on Etsy Interviews!

Includes:

YOUR Etsy Mini in the top right sidebar for 30 days,
a Featured Sponsor Interview,
and promotion on Twitter & Facebook!

Here's how to enter:

Leave a comment introducing yourself and your Etsy shop you'd like to advertise along with the shop's link. Let me know why you think you'd be a great fit for Etsy Interviews. Give me your PITCH!

For more chances to win, leave a separate post for each of the following:

*Visit Dumplin Design Studio's Portfolio and leave a comment on this post
mentioning your favorite design.
*Blog about the giveaway (please leave the link)
*Become a Follower of EtsyInterviews.
*Subscribe to EtsyInterviews via RSS.
*Tweet about this giveaway (please leave link to tweet).
*Follow B.Inspired Mama on Twitter.
*Become a fan of B.Inspired Vintage on Facebook.
*Share the giveaway on Facebook.
*Add EtsyInterviews to your blogroll.
*Submit to be Featured on EtsyInterviews, too!

Because I want to make sure to have a good fit for Etsy Interviews, 8 semi-finalists will be chosen using Random.org on Friday, February 26th, 2010. I will then use my own discretion to choose the 5 winners from those 8 semi-finalists. The winners will be emailed within 24 hours. Please make sure your email is in your profile or in the comment. GOOD LUCK!

From the Forums: Tips for an Etsy Mompreneur

2010-02-19T10:01:00.014-05:00

It's amazing that on any given day, I can find others just like me, going through the same things I am, right in the Etsy Forums. What a vast yet seemingly small Etsy world it is! I truly believe that the sense of community and friendship is Etsy's most endearing quality.

I was so relieved to see that Sarah of BlueBirdHandmadeBags asked this question; a question I (as well as presumable many other stay-at-home mamas) struggle with EVERY day...

She asked:

I have a toddler and we are adopting again, so I have about 3 hours at the most maybe a day to devote to business including all aspects of running a business and making things for my shop. Since I sew it takes a while to make items, and with everything going on with the adoption and raising a child, sewing has taken a back seat right now, thus not many items in my shop. :) I'm looking for specific tips on better marketing strategies and store promotions as well as any other nuggets of wisdom y'all can pass along specifically for a stay at home mom. Any other advice is really welcome.

They answered:

I work outside of the home, but we have a similar amount of time to work on our business...I suggest a facebook fanpage. I invited some friends and family to join, then between Etsy and people seeing it on other people's pages, I got more members. I've had a few sales from it so far. PhineasandLou

I'm not very good at time management, so I can't really help you out on that, but when mine were little, I worked at night.... justgivemepeace

My big tip is to have a dedicated space for your work so that your not spending half of your time setting up and tearing down. Then pop in and work at nap time, bedtime, when your partner is with the kids, whenever you get a second. I also leave the computer on (with sleep mode) so that I can quickly check and update things. Most of all, don't pressure yourself to much! Let the laundry pile up!! LuttrellStudio

I am a SAHM of a 3yo and 1.5yo. I sew as well. I have a little nook in our kids playroom, which is gated off from the kiddos. Most of the time they are very good about letting me work as long as they can see me. I try to take advantage of nap time, but a lot of times the housework consumes that time. The kids go down at 8pm. I spend a little time with DH, and from 10-1 (or 3am sometimes) I am sewing or promoting my business. It also helps to make several of the same items at once. My diaper clutches use to take 1hr to make, but that was because I did them all 1 by 1. I have an assembly line going now and it takes 30-45mins to make 1. modmomME

I've toyed with the idea of utilizing an iPhone or any other internet-browsing phone as a tool for promoting; if you're waiting in line somewhere you can tweet or answer convos, etc. and you're not tied to your computer. NoriaJewelry

And just look (above) what these busy mamas manage to do. AMAZING!
Visit the forum thread to read their full responses and many more not featured here.

Do YOU have any tips for a busy Etsy mompreneur?

New Blog Design Teaser by Dumplin Design Studio

2010-02-18T15:43:00.006-05:00

Just a little taste of EXCITING CHANGES to come

with the help of the A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

Dumplin Design Studio on Etsy

The Daily Pincushion Giveaway Winner...

2010-02-18T11:26:00.003-05:00

(Psst... don't forget to enter the giveaway from Koko Candles and the giveaway from Clayswan, too!)

And the WINNER of the

Choice of Pincushion & Emery Set from The Daily Pincushion

is...

Number 79 ~~~~~ M

(Congratulations, M! I will email you soon.)

Etsy Interview with Noica and her Craftomania Toolbar

2010-02-17T01:18:00.002-05:00

(Psst... today is the last day to enter the giveaway from The Daily Pincushion!
And don't forget the giveaway from Koko Candles and the giveaway from Clayswan, too!)

Since I've gotten my Firefox browser (not that you NEED it), I am all about the fun add-ons and toolbars. So I was ecstatic when I came across Noa Brumberg's Craftomania toolbar especially for Etsy-lovers!! It puts everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) Etsy right at my fingertips. And it didn't hurt that it already listed EtsyInterviews under the blogs button when I first downloaded it. (Thanks, Noa!) Let's hear more about it and her cute little Etsy shop from Noa herself...

Etsy Shop: Noica
Blog: Craftomania Tools

Tell us a bit about yourself, Noa.
My name is Noa, but you can call me Noica. I'm 26 years old and on my 4Th year of visual communications design studies, live in Tel-Aviv, Israel. I love making plush, graphics and short animations. I created along with my boyfriend the Craftomania toolbar for Etsy users. A couple of months on Etsy were more than enough for us to assemble a very detailed and ever growing list of favorite Etsy related links, and we were baffled; Navigating through the endless list of blogs and magazines and tools. Every site or blog led to a new exciting one, and on it went... We were wondering to ourselves that there had to be a better way to manage our stores and our time on Etsy. And so we started to build Craftomania toolbar. We felt so excited starting Craftomania Toolbar; creating order from mayhem, neatness from Chaos! We categorized our lists of everything Etsy (Craftopolis, Craft cult, treasuries, blogs, sites that offer promotions, groups, and many more). And finally there was serenity: we were 1-click away from everything we need and even the morning coffee tasted better. We thought it's selfish to keep it all to ourselves and that others should benefit from the toolbar as well. That’s when we teamed up and created the Craftomania Tools Team. Here you can see the toolbar's map- all the menus and links on it. To download the toolbar click here.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
possum
fun
sunshine
optimistic
carebear

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
I just love the idea that people from all over the world can have their own Noica plush or graphic. I Love kids, and it makes me happy knowing that they can hug my reindeer. :) As for the toolbar, it is fun to help others and find new friend. We are building a community here. Now we are dedicated to anything Etsy and handmade. Our goal is to create a Tool which is a synonym to managing your store on Etsy. The Craftomania toolbar is a lot more than a links index; it's a community of Etsians, where all are invited to join freely.

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
soft
funny
whimsical
unique
sweet

What are your favorite websites?

I have so many this one is hard, but you can see all websites I love on the toolbar.
NOTCOT.org
Poppytalk Handmade
FFFFOUND!
Amy Holton Designs
doll stories

Give your favorite Etsy shops.
Baby To Go
Nurit Design
Opus Muse
Netamir's Designs
Amy Holton Designs

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
Just have fun with it, make yourself a fun workspace, find new friends from far away countries, try to help others, create during positive thinking and let the world do the rest.

Anything else you would like to share?
I offer my toolbar for free here!

And a free iron it patches for ordering from my store. Iron-it are my original handmade illustrations made into ironing patches! You can decorate shirts, hats, napkins and more! Just Place the patch, facing down on the fabric, at the desired location. Set the Iron to maximum and Place it on the patch, steam for about 5-15 seconds in small flattening motions.

YOU'LL GET A BAG WITH-
5 desired characters
1 "NOICA" try-out patch
Detailed instructions in English or Hebrew!

Etsy Interview & Giveaway with Clayswan

2010-02-15T11:39:00.007-05:00

(Psst... only one more day to enter the giveaway from The Daily Pincushion! And don't forget the new giveaway from Koko Candles, too!)

I just LOVE the bold bright colors of the hand-built porcelain pottery at Clayswan. I was thrilled to be able to interview the creator, Lyn! Let's meet her...

Etsy Shop: Clayswan
Second Etsy Shop: Lynswan

Tell us a bit about yourself, Lyn.
I am a ceramic artist living and working in Sonoma, California. My current body of work is very much inspired by early California Pottery, Bauer Ware and Fiesta Ware. I love to hand build, I love color, and I always seem to imply function in my work. This does not necessitate daily use, but it is always nice to know that on that special occasion, you have that special piece to use .... you know, like that first cup of coffee in the morning!

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
happy
encouraging
inspired
creative
out-of-the-box

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
My shop opened just over a year ago. Fellow potters in the bay area kept on prompting, nudging, compelling me .... just to try Etsy. Then, last year at the ACC Baltimore Show, an Etsy team gave a wonderful presentation about the Etsy world. All of a sudden the doors opened wide, and I never looked back. I continue to try to bring new pieces to my shop all the time and just LOVE to try out new ideas on a world wide audience.

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
happy
playful
whimsical
smile
useful

What are your favorite websites?
Apartment Therapy

Give your favorite Etsy shops.
Susan Eastman
raedunn
Whitney Smith Pottery
Village Clay Works

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
Stay with it, visit and "fluff" daily, check out what everyone is doing and let it inspire you.

Anything else you would like to share?
I have undying gratitude to the Etsy team for providing this wonderful venue in which we can present our work. Etsy is a simple and inexpensive format. There are so many talented artists that would not have had the opportunity to showcase their talent (and I am one that believes that every one has talent) on such a level, reaching far beyond their back door. Thank you, Etsy!

GIVEAWAY!
Lyn is so kind to offer one of her most popular pieces...
**A MEDIUM PORCELAIN TRAY OF CHOICE!!!**
Thanks so much, Lyn!

Here's how to enter:
Visit Clayswan and Lynswan and leave a comment on this post
mentioning your favorite item.

For more chances to win, leave a separate post for each of the following:

*Become a Follower of EtsyInterviews.
*Subscribe to EtsyInterviews via RSS.
*Tweet about this giveaway (please leave link to tweet).
*Follow B.Inspired Mama on Twitter.
*Become a fan of B.Inspired Vintage on Facebook.
*Share the giveaway on Facebook.
*Blog about the giveaway (please leave the link)
*Add EtsyInterviews to your blogroll.
*Submit to be Featured on EtsyInterviews!

The winner will be chosen via Random.org on Sunday, February 22th at 9PM EST. The winner will be emailed within 24 hours. Please make sure your email is in your profile or in the comment. GOOD LUCK!

Yalipaz Giveaway Winners

2010-02-15T10:54:00.000-05:00

(Psst... only a couple more days to enter the giveaway from The Daily Pincushion! And don't forget the new giveaway from Koko Candles, too!)

And the WINNERS

of the
Custom Brooches
from Yalipaz are...

Number 54 ~~~~~ ANNA from Perfect Blue Moon

Number 54 ~~~~~ CINDY from Hellcat Vintage

(Congratulations, Anna & Cindy! I will email you soon.)

Etsy Interview & Giveaway with Koko Candles

2010-02-15T03:57:00.002-05:00

(Psst... you only have a couple more days to enter the giveaway from The Daily Pincushion!)

So, you'll probably learn that yummy foods tend to catch my eye. That's what first drew me into Paoling's candle shop. Some of the candles at Koko Candles look good enough to eat! I can just imagine how wonderful they smell. Why can't Etsy add that as a feature: scents through your computer screen?! I guess we'll just have to take Paoling's word for it...

Etsy Shop: Koko Candles
Website: Koko Candles

Tell us a bit about yourself, Paoling.
I am a single gal in the LA world trying to make art & change theworld. I'm a full time web/graphics designer, partner in a designcompany, wannabe artist, social butterfly and lastly a candle-maker.Wax is my #1 medium of choice for creative expression. I have beendoing my craft for about 10 years on & off now, starting with myhigh school years. My inspiration mostly comes from daydreaming andlying on my bed on lazy Sunday mornings, which unfortunately nowadaysis becoming a rare luxury. Usually my best ideas come to me when I'mdoing absolutely nothing.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
fun
artistic
social
witty
LA

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
I've had my Etsy shop for about a year now. The power of internet andthe beauty of Etsy has really motivated me to work harder on my items& my shop. Its a place where I open myself up to the world, where Iexpress my creativity & personality, and what I'm passionate about.

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
conceptual
pink
dessert
indulgence
vibrant

Give your 5 favorite websites.
Regretsy
Smashing Magazine
Toxel
Dustin Curtis
Paoling Che

Give your 5 favorite Etsy shops.
sunbasilgarden
Neon Canvas
Karen's Soap Co.
Dirty Ass SoapsLoveLeeSoaps

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?

I would say the number 1 thing is to have unique items that reflect theabsolute essence of yourself. Having unique items really paid off forme, getting me into magazines, books and sites. Don't ever stopcreating, and don't ever stop solving problems. Take care with thelittle things, like packaging and how you present your business. Fromthe way you word your confirmation email to the box your packagearrives in to your business card design, every touch point is anopportunity to stand apart and be memorable.

Anything else you would like to share?
Stay tuned with www.candle101.com, soon to be home of candlemakingtutorials on various original projects, articles and useful resourcesfor starting your own candlemaking adventure!

Follow kokocandles on twitter.

GIVEAWAY!
Paoling is so kind to offer a...
**LOVE CANDLE GIFT SET**
Gift Set Includes:

(1) LOVE Chocolate Scented Soy Jar Candle

(1) Bite Sized Cupcake Candle with Pink Frosting & Real Sprinkles

(4) Exclusive Mini Heart Candles

Thanks so much, Paoling!

Here's how to enter:

Visit Koko Candles and leave a comment on this post
mentioning your favorite item.

The winner will be chosen via Random.orgon Sunday, February 21th at 9PM EST. The winner will be emailedwithin 24 hours. Please make sure your email is in your profile or inthe comment. GOOD LUCK!

Etsy Interview & Giveaway with Miss Pretty Pretty

2010-02-12T05:15:00.001-05:00

(Psst... don't forget to enter the giveaway from Yalipaz

and the one from The Daily Pincushion, too!)

Being a mom of two little ones, I was immediately drawn to the "Imaginative Play Toys" at Miss Pretty Pretty. Let's learn more about the creative mama behind all of the fun...

Etsy Shop: Miss Pretty Pretty

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hi! My name is Julie, and I am the creative force behind my store on Etsy, MissPrettyPretty. I am an *older* mom of 44, with two children ages 5 and nearly 4. I am married to the kindest man on earth (or so I believe), and he is my best friend and biggest cheerleader. We live in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin (a suburb of Milwaukee), at the beginning of a dead end street upon which 17 children under the age of 12 live. (Well, it was 17 that last time I counted!) We love living here! There is so much to do and see in southeastern Wisconsin, and obviously a lot of children for my kids to play with! Sure makes for exciting summers. My husband works for a large banking institution, and I work part time at a local college, run my business, and try to control all of the antics of two very active children.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
creative
imaginative
hard working
innovative
outgoing

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
I opened my shop on Etsy in August of 2008 with the idea of supplementing my income from arts and crafts shows. I have sold handmade items at craft shows for over twenty years, and thought it would be fun to try selling some of my handmade apparel online. It was originally my sister who suggested I sell my playhouses on Etsy instead of my clothing. I had been making and selling the playhouses for about 12 years, but hadn't really considered selling them online. I had just finished a Little Red Playhouse for my kids, so took some pictures and listed it and my little shop just took off from there. Soon after I started selling my playhouses, Etsy ran a handmade kids contest, and my playhouse won the Member's Choice category. That helped me out a lot at first! Over the past 18 months, I have gradually added more of my designs to my shop, sales have been great, and I am basically now running my business full time.

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
colorful
imaginative
creative
fun
wonderful!!

Give your 5 favorite websites.
Honestly, this is so tough for me because I am so busy I rarely have time to spend on the internet besides working on my Etsy shop! I do have a few besides Etsy:
Amazon (only because I have a new Kindle that I am obsessed with! Love the freebies!)
Lostpedia (I am also obsessed with Lost)
Google (I am an information junkie)
Skip to my Lou
Mary Janes and Galoshes

Give your 5 favorite Etsy shops.
This is a really hard one for me, there are so many!
I love these:
The Merry Crown Society
Taylored Arts
Palomino Morgan
danielle
The Beer Soap Company

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
For me, the most important thing I have done is to find one item that sells well on Etsy (playhouses) and focus on it. I have about a million ideas I would love to try, but the playhouses are the focus right now because they have been such a successful seller and I love making them so much!! If something in your shop really takes off, perfecting it and making it a focal point of your shop can lead to great success.

GIVEAWAY!

Julie is so kind to be offering

***ONE FREE PLAYHOUSE OF CHOICE!!!***

Just visit Mary Janes and Galoshes to enter to win before February 15th!

Etsy Interview & Giveaway with The Daily Pincushion

2010-02-11T13:20:00.001-05:00

(Psst... don't forget to enter the giveaway from Yalipaz, too!)

Since I've been sewing more lately, pincushions have become a little obsession of mine. There's just something about how you can use a beautiful little work of art for such a utilitarian purpose! I have been eyeing up the gorgeous felt ones at The Daily Pincushion for a while now. Let's learn more...

Etsy Shop: The Daily Pincushion
Other Etsy Shop: The Daily Vintage

Tell us a bit about yourself, Cathy.
I live in Florida now - my sister Jamie and I share a house in Lake Worth.
We are from New York. My dad's family came over from Germany in the 1860's before the Civil War. They settled on Manhattan Island. They once had a farm on the upper west side. My Mom is first generation Italian. The Greatest Generation. I grew up on Long Island. I was a Chef for 25 years. Now I’m an artist with a full time job at home on Etsy. I love what I do now, although I still work long hours. I have always been creative and am so happy to be able to do it for a living.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
Creative
Insular
Pragmatic
Irreverent
Reliable

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
My Etsy shop The Daily Pincushion came about after my last stint as an executive chef in a Boca country club. Enough was enough! I needed to earn a living and I was determined not to cook outside the house again. I thought I would open some kind of baking business – cookies or cupcakes. During an Internet hunt for inspiration I saw a cupcake that was made of felt. It was a pincushion. That person sold them on a site called Etsy. I knew I could do that and I wanted to do that. I looked at many things I could make but I kept coming back to pincushions. I have always sewn, and they just clicked with me. I combined a style I had been doing with felt doll clothes and a simple shape of pincushion and I made my first one. When I got good at it (after about a hundred) I opened the Etsy shop The Daily Pincushion (because it took the entire day to make one)! Now I have some custom dies that help me do things quicker and more consistently, but a lot is still cut by hand. Everything is hand sewn and embroidered. My sister has quite a few popular designs too and she does the taxes bless her and most of the post office trips. She also has a 9- 5 job. Working with her helps me break out of my parameters. Whenever I start a big project or when I would write a new menu I built in the dogma. Rules to live by - limits with color or material and I work within that. It makes it easier for me at first to get comfortable and to stretch the limits of what I can do within those limits. Then I break them when I'm comfortable. And set new ones!

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
Colorful
Unique
Happy
Helpful
Tactile

Give your 5 favorite websites.
Nest Decorating: A Journal
Posie Gets Cozy
Cute Overload
Very Short List
wfuv.org radio

Give your 5 favorite Etsy shops.
Bossys Feltworks
Mincing Mockingbird
Two Kazoos
Gretchen Kramp
Linda Solovic
I wish I could name ten!

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
Be prepared to work hard, be consistent, limit you time on the computer and make things. Be nice.

Anything else you would like to share?
I love what I do. I love when people are happy with their pincushions. I wish I knew more about technology to have a website with a shopping cart. Then I would sell kits. Maybe after we move.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheDailyPincushion

GIVEAWAY!
Cathy is so kind to offer...
**Pincushion & Emery Set of Choice**
Thanks so much, Cathy!

Here's how to enter:

Visit The Daily Pincushion and leave a comment on this post
mentioning your favorite item.

The winner will be chosen via Random.org on Wednesday, February 17th at 9PM EST. The winner will be emailed within 24 hours. Please make sure your email is in your profile or in the comment. GOOD LUCK!

From the Forums: Secrets to Success

2010-02-10T12:17:00.000-05:00

(Psst... don't forget to enter the awesome giveaway from Yalipaz!)

DETERMINATION! Pretty Paris

Having useful, different, high quality products that no one else is selling. Blue Kimono Studio

I would say persistence. (Which I am not always good at!) Keeping up, posting new items, promotions. Crafts by Katie

As a relative newbie, I have found the forums VERY helpful. The more time I spend in the forums reading and talking, the more I learn and the more my network grows. I try to read and respond to threads in the Business section, but I also spend my fair share of time trying to give out critiques as I found them really helpful when I first started. Without the forums, I wouldn't know about the treasury, treasury clock!, craftomania tool bar (just found it today!), twitter, naming photos, google analytics, and the list goes on. Pretty Damn Cute

Having confidence. If you don't have the confidence in yourself/your work, then you won't get very far. You must believe in your product, your art, your crafts or no one else will believe they are great enough to buy them. The less confidence you have in your product, the less likely you are to keep going, keep promoting, keep listing, keep networking, etc. Kendra J Kantor

Keeping your current customers happy. Repeat customers account for a large portion of a shop's longevity. They can also spread the word to future customers. Wasijiru

Putting your own stamp on things, give them a twist. Pink Sherbert

"I am always doing things I can't do and that's how I get to do them." Pablo Picasso. A magnet on my office/studio inspiration board...to that end I'd say, believe in yourself, and keep on pluggin'! The Well-Seasoned Nest

Etsy Interviews Bobbityboo Giveaway Winner

2010-02-10T11:17:00.003-05:00

(Psst... don't forget to enter the awesome giveaway from Yalipaz!)

And the WINNER

of the
ONE ITEM OF CHOICE
from Bobbityboo is...

Number 50 ~~~~~ ICITEA!

(Congratulations, Icitea. I will email you soon!)

Etsy Interview with Art Mind

2010-02-09T09:56:00.006-05:00

(Psst... Today's the last day to enter the giveaway from Bobbityboo!

And don't forget to enter the giveaway from Yalipaz, too!)

I'm thrilled to be introducing you to Art Mind today!
I LOVE the modern minimalism of Mitsy's style and her unique use of a wide array of mediums. Let's see what she has to share...

Etsy Shop: Art Mind
Website: Art Mind
Blog: Art Mind

Tell us a bit about yourself, Mitsy.
My name is Mitsy. I'm just a girl living in Belgium, Europe. I make things with my hands in order to maintain a happy heart in a crazy world. I love clay, paper and yarn. I'm very curious by nature and love to experiment. Obviously, my studio is the place where I spend most of my free time and I love every minute of it. I find it difficult to deal with the fact that there is never enough time ot execute all ideas.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
happy
creative
driven
open-minded
energetic

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
I opened my shop in the summer of 2007 just for fun. I like making things but never had the guts to go to a craft fair or sell it. Being able to sell my work via the internet gave me enough confidence to sell on fairs later. I'd love to do this for a living but combining it with part-time job is the ideal solution for now.

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
Feelings
emotions
colors
happy
purity

Give your 5 favorite websites.
The Red Thread
EvaForeva
Flickr
DeviantArt
Ravelry

Give your 5 favorite Etsy shops.
LilaRubyKing
Sigmosaics
Kreativlink
Mamachee
CabbagesandKings Art

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
Join a team! Etsy is big and you'll feel less lonely and get to chat and share with other like-minded people! Best thing I did when I started out on Etsy.

Sushipot Valentine Collage Block Giveaway Winner

2010-02-09T09:39:00.002-05:00

(Psst... today is your last day to enter the great giveaway from Bobbityboo, and don't forget the one from Yalipaz, too!)

And the WINNER

of the
VALENTINE COLLAGE BLOCK
from Sushipot is...

Number 16 ~~~~~ BETH!

(Congratulations, Beth. I will email you soon!)

B.Inspired Giveaway Winner...

2010-02-08T15:51:00.003-05:00

(Psst... today is your last day to enter the great giveaway from Sushipot! And don't forget the ones from Bobbityboo and Yalipaz, too!)

And the WINNER

of
ONE ITEM of CHOICE
from B.Inspired Vintage or B.Inspired Supply is...

Number 62 ~~~~~ KIM!

(Congratulations, Kim. I will email you soon!)

Etsy Interview & Giveaway with Yali

2010-02-07T12:53:00.008-05:00

(Psst... Today's the last day to enter the giveaway from Sushipot!
And don't forget to enter the giveaway from Bobbityboo, too!)

I just LOVE the vintage feel and intricate detail of the flapper girl brooches
and mixed media art in Yali Paz-Gilboa's Etsy shop.
And apparently I'm not the only one, given the success she has found
on Etsy in just a year and a half.
Let's hear from her how she's done it...

Etsy Shop: Art & Accessories by Yali Paz-Gilboa

Tell us a bit about yourself, Yali.
I am a wife and a mother to a 6 months old baby and I am a full time artist. I work at home which lets me be close to my baby in all times. I have been creating since I was a child and I can say that my art is my meditation, it makes me feel relaxed and happy. I try to create new things all the time, if it is an illustration, painting, paper clay art doll, plush or felt brooches. Before, I sold in my etsy shop mostly prints of my illustrations and paper clay art dolls. Now I am focusing on felt brooches. I find it is easier for me to create these cute brooches since I became a mother and need to take care of my baby at the same time.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
Creative
honest
funny
open
not afraid to say what I think

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.
I opened my shop after I decided to quit my day job and become a full time artist. It was a dream of mine since I was a child. My life took me for a long time to the safe place where you have a boss and get a salary. For years I worked for other people doing office work and kept on dreaming about becoming a full time artist and a boss of myself. Since I started to be a full time artist, about two and a half years ago, I learned new things about myself and my abilities and became very proud of my life. My goals are to keep doing what I do and be very successful.

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
creative
whimsical
adorable
unique
colorful

Give your 5 favorite websites.
To say the truth, I don't read blogs so much and most of the time I am busy creating or taking care of my baby. I read only Israeli news websites to know what is going on.

Give your 5 favorite Etsy shops.
DuBuhDuDesigns - Love her art dolls!
Roadside - Amazing art $ illustrations
MarmeeCraft - Love her work!
tascha - I love the colorfulness in her art!
Dilkabear - Love, love, love her work!

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
Work hard on your shop! Your photos are the most important thing! Don't give up if you believe in your work!

Anything else you would like to share?
Since I started to live like I really wanted I became a much happier and better person.

GIVEAWAY!
Yali is so kind to offer...
**2 CUSTOM BROOCHES!!!**
SO, there will be 2 winners (1 for each brooch)!
Thanks so much, Yali!

Here's how to enter:

Visit Yali's shop and leave a comment on this post mentioning your favorite item.

The winners will be chosen via Random.org on Sunday, February 14th at 9PM EST. The winner will be emailed within 24 hours. Please make sure your email is in your profile or in the comment. GOOD LUCK!

Etsy Interview with The Wheatfield

2010-02-04T06:49:00.001-05:00

(Psst... Don't forget to enter the giveaways from B.Inspired, Sushipot, and Bobbityboo!)

I'm SO excited to be introducing you to The Wheatfield today!
I am in utter awe of her combination of crisp typography and whimsical flowing watercolor. And the artist's name is almost as cute as her work!
Meet, Katie Daisy...

Etsy Shop: The Wheatfield
Website: katie daisy

Tell us a bit about yourself, Katie.
Hello! My name is Katie Daisy and I am an illustrator/designer/typographer originally from a little farm in Illinois. Currently, I'm living in Minneapolis, Minnesota about to move into a sweet little cottage. However, it's best not to keep tabs on my whereabouts! My sweetie and I like to up & leave whenever we feel moved to!

Although I'm situated in the busy city, country life is really what drives me to create. I find inspiration in simple things -- hikes through the woods, wild chamomile, a sunny creek, a big patch of clover... I absolutely love being in nature, and I think my work is a reflection of that.

Just nine months ago, I graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design with a BFA in illustration. Like many, I was stumped what I wanted to do with my education. I have since decided that I will commit myself to freelancing, running my Etsy shop, and getting my work in boutiques around the globe. Luckily, the effort has paid off, and I am now busier than ever! I love being able to support myself through my artwork. It's a dream!

After getting established in the next few years, I plan on returning to the country to enjoy early-morning strolls around the pasture, and long catnaps in the afternoon sun...

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
Cheerful
Simple
Prairie
Inquisitive
Loving

Tell us a bit about your shop.
I opened The Wheatfield in October of 2008. I created it with the intent of getting a wider audience for my artwork and inspiring others around the world.

In my shop, I primarily have colorful posters with uplifting, simple messages. I am in love with hand lettering! The Wheatfield is about simplicity and kindness. Love your neighbor and love yourself.

I have many goals for my shop, but the biggest is to inspire others. Whether it be through a print that says "Be Kind To Others," or a rendering of spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle -- I want people to feel good about life.

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
Vibrant
Farmhouse
Springtime
Typographic
Uplifting

What are your 5 favorite websites?
Dancing Elephant Studio
decor8
Early Bird Acres
Luke Redfield (my folk-singer sweetheart!)
Cafe Cartolina

What are your 5 favorite Etsy shops?
While Owl
Stout Woodworks
Spread the Love
Golly Bard
Giant Dwarf

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
Dive in! Have faith in yourself, and dream big. Life is too short to not do what you love...

Anything else you would like to share?
After months of moving around, I am finally setting up my own studio! Stay tuned to my flickr page for pics :)

From the Forums: Best Photography Tips

2010-02-03T12:13:00.003-05:00

Ooopsi-daisy! This was supposed to be a post for Friday, but I published today by accident. Lucky YOU!

(Psst... Don't forget to enter the giveaways from B.Inspired, Sushipot, and Bobbityboo!)

Light...lots and lots of light. Lack of said light is the biggest cause of most photo problems, and one begets the next. It causes slow shutter speeds, high thermal noise, high ISO settings, poor depth of field. It's the single most important ingredient in good photos. bomobob

Light is so important. Natural light is best unless you can afford expensive equipment. Once you have enough light, you need a good background. Busy backgrounds are not pleasant to look at, and typically swallow the item you're trying to sell. I opt for plain white backgrounds, but I've seen some lovely photos with other neutral backgrounds as well. Another very helpful thing is lowering your fstop. This widens your aperture, which also lets more light in. But the best part is the fuzzy background effect you get by doing this. There's just something about having your item in perfect focus, and having everything else slightly blurred or fuzzy, that really makes items look great. Photography isn't something you can learn or perfect overnight... I'm still learning and changing my photos, and have gone through many rounds of photos with my items. Creek Bed Threads

Study some photo basics instead of flailing in the dark...or buying a new camera. Strauski

My answer is simple....edit your photos! re-size, crop etc. L F Jewelry

Outdoor photography will give you the best lighting but it can be a pain in the butt depending on what you are taking photos of. I like to take mine indoors that way I don't have to be concerned about the sun position, wind, rain, bugs, etc. I use a photo tent box to soften the light and reduce shadows. Two adjustable desk lamps with daylight bulbs. I had to refer to my camera manual on how to change the white balance setting. This will make a big difference in the clarity and coloring of the photos. Also in my opinion you should stay away from busy backgrounds. You will also need to use some type of editing software to correct color and lighting. Every once in a while I take a photo that needs no editing but in most cases I have to edit them to get the best photo results. Majestic Pieces
I like playing around with perspective (i.e. where I am focusing, shooting from the side or above the product, etc) to get interesting and compelling images. Joy Rebel Images

Its essential to use the macro option on your camera and a tripod. Also make sure to set the camera at the right shutter speed and ISO (depending on the light). Alina & T

Use photo editing to adjust contrast, light, and saturation/color. If you're Photoshop savvy but can't afford it, there's a great free download called Gimp. Moody Girl Aromatherapy

If your camera has an aperture priority, use it! Don't be afraid to get up close to your items. If need be, you can crop and rotate your pictures using picnik.com (it's free!) to get a visually appealing angle, and format your pictures to fit Etsy's suggested 1000x1000 pixel guidelines.If you sell clothing, use live models! I love to see what clothing will look like when it's worn :) Most of all: Keep playing, and don't get discouraged Pictures are something you can always work on...and you don't need a huge fancy camera to get results :) Rock Fern Designs

If you have items that are difficult to photograph in a light box, use a window! Find a window in the house that has lots of sunlight streaming through, and cover the window with a white sheet. The white sheet will give you a great diffused effect for your photos. I used a coffee table next to the window, and poster board for the background. I turned the table so that the light from the window hit the front of the items (you don't want the window directly in front of you.) Also, make sure you cover any other windows in the room with white sheets, so all the light in the room is the same color. Joyous Treasures

I did a blog post about this in my blog. I found a fantastic website that I decided to share with all my followers. It explains the best way to photograph artwork in particular...but the rules really apply to many different mediums. Dirksen Dabbles

Check out my complete etsy photography tutorial! Green Heath Treasures

Luck, lol :) andreacreates

Etsy Interview & Giveaway with Bobbityboo

2010-02-03T03:55:00.002-05:00

(Psst... don't forget to enter our other giveaways from B.Inspired Vintage & Sushipot!)

Today's interview is from super sweet Bobbi, of Bobbityboo. I found her shop when I fell in love with her colorful little apron skirts and was over the top when I entered and saw adorable little man ties, too! Let's hear what she has to say...

Etsy Shop: Bobbityboo
Blog: Bobbityboo

Tell us a bit about yourself, Bobbi.
I live at the base of the beautiful Rocky Mountains with my sweet hubby of 25 years and 4 crazy kids (three teenagers, AAAAAH, and one little 8 year old caboose). I love to create, no....I need to create. Taking a little bit of "nothing" and turning it into "something" is total therapy for me, my anti depressant if you will! Give me a Diet Coke, a nice fresh piece of fabric and a couple of uninterrupted hours and I am in Heaven.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
fun
friendly
honest
thoughtful
A.D.D.ish!

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop, Bobbityboo.
Bobbityboo was totally the product of a midlife crisis. My last child had just started 1st grade and I found myself at home....alone! You can only clean the house for so many hours a day, so out came the sewing machine. I really missed sewing for my girls (they were in that "I wouldn't be caught dead in my mothers hand made clothes" stage), so I decided I'd sew for other peoples girls. The funny thing is that now my daughters BEG me to sew for them. Love it!

It's important to me that my clothing is affordable. When our children were young we were starving college students, money was tight and I have never forgotten how hard that was. It is important to me to create adorable, stylish clothing that is also affordable. I have been told that my prices are too low, but I honestly can't feel good about charging an arm and a leg for something so simple.

You see OOAK a lot in my listings (that's "one of a kind"). The reason being that I am a little A.D.D.ish when it comes to sewing. I get tired really quickly of working with the same fabric. I usually only buy about 2 yards worth of a fabric to make skirts out of. Once it's gone I move onto another pattern. I also use a lot of scraps in my pieces, which makes duplication kind of tricky.

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?
unique
inexpensive
quality
cute
friendly

Give your 5 favorite websites.
Tatertots and Jello
One Pretty Thing
Pretty Little Things
Allsorts
LDS.org

Give your 5 favorite Etsy shops.
pretty little me
Rosierosies
Fab Addiction
Giggles & Grins
Paper & String

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
Renew, renew, renew. If you want your things to be seen you have to make sure that they are towards the top of that list of "thousands" in your category. I usually renew something three times a day, morning, noon and night. That way my shop is always in the top several pages in my category. Don't let the .20 cent charge bother you, you have to spend money to make money. BLOG... if you don't have a blog, create one. Your blog is basically the front door to your etsy shop. Don't be afraid to approach other bloggers to host giveaways for you or write up a feature about your shop. If your stuff is great, they will jump at the chance.

Anything else you would like to share?
Although I love selling and creating my little ditties for children, I equally love getting to know others in the bloggy world. I would love you to come play at my blog, and link me to your blogs as well....we can soak up so much creativity from each other if we share!

GIVEAWAY!
Bobbi was so kind to offer...
**ONE ITEM OF CHOICE from Bobbityboo!!!**
Thanks so much, Bobbi!

Here's how to enter:

Visit Bobbityboo and leave a comment on this post mentioning your favorite item.

For more chances to win, leave a separate post for each of the following:
*Become a Follower of EtsyInterviews.
*Subscribe to EtsyInterviews via RSS.
*Tweet about this giveaway (please leave link to tweet).
*Follow B.Inspired Mama on Twitter.
*Become a fan of B.Inspired Vintage on Facebook.
*Share the giveaway on Facebook.
*Blog about the giveaway (please leave the link)
*Add EtsyInterviews to your blogroll.
*Submit to be Featured on EtsyInterviews, too!

The winner will be chosen via Random.org on Tuesday, February 9th at 9PM EST. The winner will be emailed within 24 hours. Please make sure your email is in your profile or in the comment. GOOD LUCK!

Etsy Interview & Giveaway with Sushipot

2010-02-02T03:02:00.002-05:00

(Psst... Don't forget to enter the giveaway from B.Inspired Vintage & B.Inspired Supply!)

For our first EtsyInterview (aside from myself, which just doesn't count), I'm so excited to introduce you to one of my long-time favorites (& HUGELY successful), Sushipot! We can surely learn a lot from the wizard behind the retro collage magic, Suzanna.
So, here's what she has to share...

Etsy Shop: Sushipot
Blog: Sushipot

Tell us a bit about yourself, Suzanna.
I'm a 35 year old artist living in Manhattan, Kansas (also known as
the "Little Apple"). About 10 years ago (this June) I married my best
friend Patrick. We have a daughter, Lizzie who just turned 5 and keeps
us young at heart. My husband is a graduate student at Kansas State
University and I am a full-time artist and mom.

Give 5 words to describe yourself.
curious
creative
collector
cynic (always)
cantankerous (sometimes).

Tell us a bit about your shop.
We opened our Etsy shop, "Sushipot" in September of 2006. My initial goal, when I discovered Etsy, was to eventually earn enough to pay a couple of the monthly bills. After 2 months I was able to make our mortgage payment. Now we look back over the past 3 years and realize
joining Etsy has been a life altering event which allowed us to quit
our management and retail jobs, send Patrick to graduate school and
keep one of us home full time with Lizzie since she was born.

Give 5 words to describe your shop.
art objects for your life!

What are your 5 favorite websites?
Elsa Mora
Aesthetic Outburst
One Pretty Thing
Morbid Anatomy
The Jealous Curator

What are your 5 favorite Etsy shops?
Artsy
Stiksel
Dolan Geiman
Margaux Lange
Journey and Landscape

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
A few years ago, I opened a fortune cookie with a very useful fortune.
It reads: "Customer service is like taking a bath; you have to keep
doing it." Take it or leave it--I've found this to be an apt reminder
for doing business.

Anything else you would like to share?
I finally started a blog for Sushipot this year. I'd love to have you stop by and take a look around! Any comments and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, too. :)

GIVEAWAY!
Suzanna is being so generous in offering a lovely
VALENTINE COLLAGE BLOCK
created with an adorable image from a 1950s children's magazine. LOVE IT!

Here's how to enter:

Visit Sushipot and leave a comment on this post mentioning your favorite item from her shop.

For more chances to win, leave a separate post for each of the following:
*Become a Follower of EtsyInterviews.
*Subscribe to EtsyInterviews via RSS.
*Tweet about this giveaway (please leave link to tweet).
*Follow B.Inspired Mama on Twitter.
*Blog about the giveaway (please leave the link).
*Add EtsyInterviews to your blogroll.
*Submit to be Featured on EtsyInterviews!

The winner will be chosen via Random.org on Monday, February 8th at 9PM EST. The winner will be emailed within 24 hours. Please make sure your email is in your profile or in the comment. GOOD LUCK!

Welcome to EtsyInterviews with B.Inspired Vintage & B.Inspired Supply

2010-01-30T15:29:00.002-05:00

Welcome to EtsyInterviews! I'm so excited to bring you interviews with the MANY talented and friendly Etsy sellers that I have met while running my own Etsy shops, B.Inspired Vintage and B.Inspired Supply. I have some really GREAT interviews lined up with tons of GIVEAWAYS, too! If you want to be featured, it's SO easy; just fill out this form and I will let you know if and when you are selected. Anyway, I'll just jump right in and get started by "interviewing" (and introducing) myself first...

Etsy Shops: B.Inspired Vintage & B.Inspired Supply

Blogs: B.Inspired Mama & EtsyInterviews

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hi, I'm Krissy! I am a former art teacher turned full-time mama to two beautiful (and energetic) little ones under 3! I gave up a high school art teaching position to be a stay at home mom when we had to relocate from northern to southern Pennsylvania for my husband's work a few years back. It was the first time I'd left "home" and everyone thought I was CRAZY for leaving my teaching position, but it has proven to be a fun and worthwhile adventure. Etsy and the blogging community have made that transition even more fun!

Give 5 words to describe yourself.
Caring
Compassionate
Creative
Responsible
CRAZY!

Tell us a bit about your shop(s).
I love staying home with my kiddos, but I do find it hard to fit in much creative mama time. So I've been blessed to discover thrifting, which my little ones can do with me, as my new passion! I am completely addicted to the thrill of the hunt and always amazed at how a little cleanup and clever photography can transform something tossed aside into a treasure. I especially love anything colorful and fun. I share my fun & funky vintage finds in B.Inspired Vintage and B.Inspired Supply. My etsy shops and my blogs, B.Inspired Mama & now EtsyInterviews, give me the creative boost I need between all of the diaper-changes, children's books, playdates, and snuggle time!

Give 5 words to describe your shop(s).
Colorful
Funky
Fun
Clean
Affordable

Give your 5 favorite websites.
Etsy of course, but that doesn't count!
Heartomatic
Etsy Treasure Hunt
Etsy Fee Calculator
One Pretty Thing
Swap-Bot

Give your 5 favorite Etsy shops (aside from your own).
So hard to narrow it down...
Shop66
Missy Magoo
Tortoise Loves Donkey
Reclaim2Fame
Lemon Blooms

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?
I'm still learning as I go, but my advice would be to have great customer service, fast shipping, and don't be afraid to ask questions and learn from others. I visit other Etsy sellers that I admire and that are successful and soak up as much from them as possible. Oh, and spread the love via hearts! I'm a HUGE heart-er. I truly love something about each item or seller that I heart. I believe lots of people find me through the heart-trail that I leave behind.

Anything else you would like to share?
I'm excited to have just listed new vintage-inspired handmade creations in B.Inspired Vintage! And can't wait to make time to create some more.

GIVEAWAY!
**ONE ITEM OF CHOICE from B.Inspired Vintage or B.Inspired Supply**

Here's how to enter:
Visit B.Inspired Vintage and B.Inspired Supply and leave a comment on this post mentioning your favorite item.

For more chances to win, leave a separate post for each of the following:
*Become a Follower of EtsyInterviews.
*Subscribe to via RSS.
*Tweet about this giveaway (please leave link to tweet).
*Follow B.Inspired Mama on Twitter.
*Become a fan of B.Inspired Vintage on Facebook.
*Share the giveaway on Facebook.
*Blog about the giveaway (please leave the link)
*Add EtsyInterviews to your blogroll.
*Submit to be Featured on EtsyInterviews, too!

The winner will be chosen via Random.org on Sunday, February 7th at 9PM EST. The winner will be emailed within 24 hours. Please make sure your email is in your profile or in the comment. GOOD LUCK!

Advertising on Etsy Interviews

2009-12-31T10:13:00.000-05:00

We have had AMAZING success in our first couple weeks here at Etsy Interviews! I am continually amazed at the overwhelming support and kindness offered by the Etsy and indie community. Etsy Interviews will soon (like - VERY soon!) be offering advertising space to Etsy sellers and related brands who want to reach our rapidly growing indie/creative audience. As our traffic grows, we will be able to offer relevant statistics for potential sponsors. If you have interest in advertising and getting in early (at a trial discounted rate, too!), please contact us at binspire@verizon.net with "ADS" as the subject.

Want to be Featured on EtsyInterviews?

2009-11-01T16:47:00.004-05:00

***SORRY! We are not accepting submissions at this time.***

Want to be featured on EtsyInterviews? Just shoot me an email (at binspire@verizon.net) with SUBMISSION in the subject line, a photo or two of you, your creative process, and/or your work space, and answers to the following questions:

Tell us a bit about yourself.

What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?

Tell us a bit about your Etsy shop.

What 5 words would you use to describe your shop?

How do you market or advertise your shop?

Give your 5 favorite websites.
(in the following format: http://www.etsy.com)

Give your 5 favorite Etsy shops.
(in the following format: http://binspiredvintage.etsy.com)

What advice would you give other Etsy sellers?

Do you have any discounts or giveaways to offer our readers?
(Interviews with giveaways get lots of extra promotion on giveaway sites and therefore more attention and traffic for your shop. The most popular giveaways seem to be the ones that offer a choice of item or store credit and are generally $20+ in value. Upon completion of the giveaway (they usually run 5-7 days), the winner's contact information is passed along to you, so that you can then make arrangements to get the winner their prize. All giveaways are offered to international readers unless you request otherwise. Giveaways and discounts are NEVER necessary, but ALWAYS appreciated!)

Anything else you would like us to know?

By submitting the form and emailing, you give permission for photos from your Etsy shop(s) and blog to be included in the feature on the EtsyInterviews blog. You will be notified via Etsy convo or email if you are selected for feature on EtsyInterviews. Thanks a bunch!