Etsy Interview & Giveaway with Beth Stone Studio

(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

(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

(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!

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

(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...

(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

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!