Featured Shop - Kaice Joy

This week featured seller is Kirsti and her shop Kaice Joy

  Kirsti is a single mom, she loves Jesus, and she has four great kids!  Kirsti does daycare full time during the school year.
She started her shop with the help of her sister-in-law, who is an avid fan of Etsy.  Kirsti had been going thru a divorce, and needed a way to supplement her income.  Her shop was born! Ironically, Kirsti had no idea it was such an amazing community based entity:  she initally just threw things in her shop and then had no sales. It wasn't until Kirsti began to invest and discover this warm community, did her shop begin to get noticed and she had more sales!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/98952961/elmo-blanket-yellow-and-blue-blanket


What does handmade mean to Kirsti:

'' To me, handmade involves using your fingers: manipulating something into another. It is a process that might take 30 seconds or 5 hours, and you might use the click of a mouse, or paints, but something new is created.''

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/99285068/princess-and-frog-crayon-travel-bag-blue

 

What is your philosophy towards work?

 

''  I love "work" to be something enjoyable. Working on my shop is relaxing and fun, but not when I am pulling out stitches for the 10th time!! ''

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/103164683/scooby-doo-activity-blanket-lightweight

 

 

What advice would you give to other Etsy sellers?

 

'' Instead of thinking of all the reasons why I shouldn't make something a certain way, I am trying to approach my shop with a "Why Not?" mentality. Why not sew my fabric this way? Why not try this combination? There is no real failure, unless I refuse to try.''

 

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/108961250/infant-pooh-blanket-winnie-the-pooh

 

 

Visit our featured shop

 

Kaice Joy

http://www.etsy.com/listing/109455375/hand-warmer-blanket-kids-butterfly

Featured Shop of the Week

This week featured seller is Naquai and her shop Crazed Momma Creations


Naquai (nuh kwi with a long i) and I am a stay at home mom with four daughters.  There’s always something going on at her house.She's originally from Texas but came up to Utah to go to school and met her husband and ended up staying here.
Naquai had always admired Etsy and was contemplating doing something to help her husband out and bring in a little extra money. She love crafts of all kinds even though she's not really that talented at them. Her girls had made me some magnets for a gift and one day Naquai just decided that she could make them and then  took the plunge and decided to try selling them on Etsy. Since then,she has added bobby pin sets and bottle cap necklaces. She's always trying new things

http://www.etsy.com/listing/94835891/smile-bottlecap-bottle-cap-necklace

What does handmade mean to Naquai

"Handmade is something that someone has taken the time to think about and create from their heart. It is a process and giving handmade tells someone you took extra time to pick something out just for them. "

http://www.etsy.com/listing/91068139/handmade-hand-stamped-thank-you-tags

What is Naquai's philosophy towards work

"I would say that I am a perfectionist and sometimes that gets in the way of me actually enjoying what I am doing. I always have the idea of work first and play later BUT I have found that life doesn’t work that way and you should find a way to work when you can and be pleased with the things you can accomplish and also find time to play and relax. (I am working on this.) "

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86002066/white-rose-cabochon-and-silver-green


 Naquai's advice other Etsy sellers:
"I would just say don’t give up! Etsy has given me a place to interact with other people who are struggling and trying to raise their families and do something for themselves too. Etsy has a great community vibe to it and is a wonderful place to learn. There are so many others willing to help. I keep telling myself that if I quit I will never find out what I could have done with this endeavor. It takes patience."

http://www.etsy.com/listing/97436193/bakers-twine-spring-colors-red-orange

Visit our featured shop

Crazed Momma Creations

http://www.etsy.com/listing/94838479/butterfly-bottlecap-bottle-cap-necklace

 

Featured Shop of the Week

This week featured seller is Fuegodelcorazon 
Fuegodelcorazon   is a mom to a special needs boy. She received her degree in photojournalism and graphic design. But after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and unable to do her work, her mother inspired her to start making jewelry as an outlet.  She started her shop because I love making jewelry and she also needed a way to make money

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95639233/steampunk-necklace-skeleton-key-with

What does handmade mean to  Fuegodelcorazon 

"Handmade....mmm....made by me, or put together by me. That is the best way I can think of it. "

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95251944/steampunk-earrings-clockwork-with-fire?ref=v1_other_2


What is  Fuegodelcorazon 's philosophy towards work

"Make jewelry that I would wear, and make quality of jewelry that will last."

http://www.etsy.com/listing/99509596/steampunk-filigree-bat-bracelet-with

  Fuegodelcorazon 's advice other Etsy sellers:

"Patience and perseverance"

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86010042/free-shipping-rondelle-swarovski-crystal

Visit our featured shop

Fuegodelcorazon 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95744921/steampunk-ring-clockwork-adjustable-ring?ref=v1_other_1

Featured Shop of the Week

This week featured seller is Kelly Hoag and her shop Shelby's Enchanted Bowtique


 Kelly anis a SAHM. Her daughter, Shelby, is 5 years old and started Kindergarten this year. Her son, Gage is 2 years old and is about the size of a 4 year old:) She's married to the best man she knows(aside from her Dad). He is a Special Education Teacher and an amazing father.

Her daughter, Shelby, is a total girlie-girl. She loves all things pink and purple. She LOVES clothes, shoes, and accessories. When Kelly would shop for her, she would always look at hair accessories(clips, headbands, etc). Kelly always felt they were poorly made, over priced, and un-original. So, she found some tutorials on the internet, rounded up some fabric scraps and other craft supplies and started creating. Shelby was thrilled! And she found that she really enjoyed the process. Since Kelly is a major flower lover, she incorporate flowers into her pieces and use them as inspiration.
When she was 15 years old, Kelly was diagnosed with Juvenille Rheumatoid Arthritis. About 6 years ago her condition worsened and started to impact her life. Kelly had to stop working. And while she loves her job as a SAHM, Kelly haa always felt like something was missing from her life...something that made her "Kelly" and not just "Mommy". So....when he husband suggested that Ishe starts selling her creations, Kelly was thrilled. She already loved Etsy, so Kelly thought it would be the the perfect place for her to share her work.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82094936/sale-rosette-lace-headband


What does handmade mean to Kelly

"I have always loved anything handmade. When something is hadmade it is always unique...not something that just came off an assembly line. Handmade means someone put their time and heart into making something special"

http://www.etsy.com/listing/99867591/hair-pins-polymer-clay-buttons-green-and

What is Kelly's philosophy towards work:

"You only get out what you put in:) "

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90688769/march-for-babies-awareness-bottle-cap

Kelly's advice other Etsy sellers:

"I am still pretty new at this, so I probbly need more advice than I can give. I would tell new Etsians to take it slow in the begining. I tried to do way too much, way too fast in the beginning. I have learned to step back and slow down. When I push too hard I get burt out, and that really stiffles my creativity."

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81886214/clearance-little-monster-bottlecap

Visit our featured shop

Shelby's Enchanted Bowtique

Featured Shop of the Week

This week featured seller is Andrea McBrady and her shop ARoseMcBrady

Andrea is a mother of 4, army wife, volunteer extraordinaire, and generally a busy, happy person. She likes to be busy, and to show her kids that it's important to help other people.
After her youngest was born Andrea decided to quit work (up until then she had at least worked part time), daycare prices for 4 were crazy, and Nic's travel time had picked up. She likes to crochet and someone mentioned Etsy to her and she decided to try it out

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82600528/cream-stork-pouch-photography-prop

What does handmade mean to Andrea:
"Handmade means that someone loved you enough to make you something, there is no better gift than something that has been made for you. My grandma makes something every year for all of us for Christmas (and she has 8 kids, so by now, there's a lot of us!), so I grew up with that feeling, and knowing the value of something handmade."

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74135637/white-yellow-green-and-blue-earflap-baby

Andrea's  hilosophy towards work:
"My philosophy towards word is usually it can wait. NOT that it doesn't get done, but it usually can wait until after the kids are tucked into bed. I enjoy the flexibility of the online shop and not having to work in the stores that are selling my items. I work hard, all day long, be it chasing kids and doing dishes, or crocheting one more hat to bring to the store or list online, I think hard work is a good thing, it keeps your brain active and your body moving."

http://www.etsy.com/listing/84857172/orange-newsby-hat-great-photo-prop

Andrea's advice to other Etsy sellers:
"My advice to other Etsy sellers would be don't give up if it starts out slow, and to dive into the teams and community aspect of Etsy right away. I have just recently started that and it has drastically improved my sales and promotion. Also, professional pictures are worth it, every time. :)"

http://www.etsy.com/listing/87331308/lion-earflap-hat-grrrr-great-photo-prop?ref=v1_other_1

Visit our featured shop

 ARoseMcBrady

Featured Shop of the Week

This week featured seller is Chaya Udinsky and her shop Pearls Plus LLC


Chaya (pronounced hi-ya) Udinsky is a stay at home mom who lives near Savannah, GA USA. She designs, makes, and repairs pearl and bead jewelry on wire, silk, and elastic.
She was inspired to open an Etsy shop because friends and family had seen her original designs and thought she should be selling them. Chaya found it difficult to find a venue to display all of her items at one place locally, and liked the idea that Etsy was inexpensive and easy for people in all areas to see.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88730243/cream-pearl-ring-antique-brass-wrapped



 What does handmade mean to Chaya:

"Handmade means something that a person imagined, designed, and then created by hand."

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82958629/dark-pink-pearl-necklace-knotted-pearl


Chaya's hilosophy towards work:
"My philosophy towards work is do the best job you can...it will eventually pay off."

http://www.etsy.com/listing/99623996/large-labradorite-pendant-wire-wrapped

CHaya's advice to other Etsy sellers:
"Advice to other Etsy sellers: know that it is very hard and time consuming work to get the shop going, but it is fun to be social. If you make lots of types of crafts, try to pick a shop that focuses on the rarest item that you make so you don't get lost in the competition."

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85280750/pearl-and-crystal-bracelet-pearl-bridal

Visit our featured shop

Pearls Plus LLC

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85430351/pearl-bridal-necklace-hand-knotted

Featured Shop of the Week

This week featured seller Pam and her shop MastersCreations

Pam is a stay-at-home mom with a 3.5 year old daughter and a 9.5 year old son. She currently lives in Canada, but she's originally from the US. Pam has been a crafty/creative person most of her life. She was introduced plastic canvas when she was in 6th Grade (mid-80's). Then a family member gave Pam a pattern book and some canvas, from then on she was hooked. Pam has made stuff for her family off and on for years, but never in big quantity. Pam has entered her items in the Virginia State Fair (when she lived there), and won 2nd place her first year and 1st place her third year.
Pam had been posting pictures of some of the stuff she had been making on Facebook, and one of her friends suggested she tries selling it here on Etsy. She thought about it for a while, and looked around the site quite a few times. Then she decided to do it, because if she didn't she wouldn't know if it would work.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/99645328/a-trio-of-roses-in-bloom-wall-hanging

What does handmade mean to Pam:

"Handmade means something made by hand. I know that sounds almost too simple, but that's what it means to mean. I also love handmade items as they are full of love and care, especially when it's from someone you know. As I say that I'm looking at my kids rocking chairs that were made especially for them from my uncle. My son will try to keep his for years to come I'm sure, just because of what it is and who it's from."

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78687640/lighthouses-set-of-5-magnets-decorations

Pam's philosophy towards work:
"My philosophy towards work is the harder you work the greater the rewards. I know that's true, even if I haven't seen it always happen in the rest of the world."

http://www.etsy.com/listing/82782057/funky-retro-bookmark

Pam's advice to other Etsy sellers:
"I would tell others to "just keep swimming!" Sorry, we watch Finding Nemo, and that line is stuck in my head. But it's not a bad philosophy. I know many of us have sales goals, and get frustrate with the lack of sales. But if we just quit trying then we will never reach our goals. Each shop is in competition with several others. We have to just keep trying, and try to find our niche in the market."

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71715631/cream-tan-heart-doily

Visit our featured shop

MastersCreations

http://www.etsy.com/listing/99101986/tropical-birds-magnets-set-of-4-toucan

Featured Shop of the Week

This week featured seller is Janine and her shop:  LesleysGirlsVintage


 Janine  runs Lesley's Girls with the help of her older sister, Susannah. Although it is a joint venture - at the moment Susannah is taking a back seat until her daughter is a bit older.  Janine has 2 kids- Isobel (three) and Jonny (one), She's a stay at home mummy from Colchester, England. Susannah is a stay at home mummy too and she also has two kids- Matthew (two) and Emma (6 mths)
Janine always loved vintage and she did history at university; she had been stumbling around for a while trying to figure out a way she didn't have to go back to Human Resources when she eventually have to return to work and after a night sorting through her clothes (and drinking wine!) Janine thought about selling vintage clothes (something her husband had previously suggested to her and at the time she did not feel confident enough) and it grew from there. Susannah is a seamstress (originally her mother taught her but mainly Susannah has taught herself), they have always been close and Susannah's sewing ability linked so well with the shop they decided to open it up together. They named it Lesley’s Girls after our mother who passed away when they were young so it felt like an appropriate name and a nice way to acknowledge how important she was to both of them.

 What does handmade mean to Janine:
"Susannah is the guru on handmade things with us as she is more practically creative. To me handmade means anything which someone has the ability, time, enthusiasm and determination to create and idea into an item. Whenever I think of the concept of handmade I am filled with respect for those who do this as it’s an amazing talent to have. Susannah thinks handmade can be described as somehting that is “100% me”!"

 Janine's philosophy towards work:

" Not sure I really have a specific attitude really. I think you should enjoy life and your work too. If work isn’t enjoyable then there is something wrong and you need to address it. Susannah says her philosophy is that at the bottom of it your work is down to you and that you need to work hard to get results."

Janine's Advice to other Etsy sellers:

 "Being quite new on the Etsy scene I’m probably not best qualified to give advice! However, my advice links most closely to my philosophy towards work in general- you should enjoy what you’re doing, and if you’re not enjoying it perhaps its because you’re not focusing on the area which excites you most."

 Visit our featured shop - you can click on each image to bring you to the listing or click on the link -

 LesleysGirlsVintage

Featured Shop of the Week

This week featured seller is Heidi and her shop:   Little Tadpole Designs


 Heidi is mommy to two little ones, a 3 year old boy and an 17 month old girl. She  lives in  Canada and is a stay-at-home mom. Heidi started making items when her son was about 6 months old. He needed soother clips and a special blankie and she couldn't find any that I liked. Heidi purchased a few and thought that she could make better ones herself... so she started exploring doing that. Things just sort of took off from there! She started selling on Etsy this last January and it has been a great outlet for her to use her talents and creativity and share them with others!

 What does handmade mean to Heidi:

 "The more I get into the handmade community and get to know and network with other sellers, the more I love and respect "handmade". I think of handmade items now in terms of the time and love that goes into them and feel that the items have a heart behind them that you just don't get with mass-produced products. I also think first when I want something for myself "I'll check on Etsy and see if anyone makes it" before I run to the local Walmart or department store"

 Heidi's philosophy towards work:

"Honestly, I'm still working on this. I struggle with "balance" and sometimes use my shop as an escape from the real world when the kids are being particularly demanding. I'd like very much to have the reality of a philosophy that puts the work on my creations and Etsy shop firmly in the realm of something that is a tangent to my life and not a focus... but I'm not there yet."

 Heidi's Advice to other Etsy sellers:

 "Get involved! The community on Etsy is fantastic and the more you can network the more successful you will be! By talking to people in teams and conversations, you will learn how to make your shop the best it can be. Don't be afraid to ask for and, more importantly, implement the advice you are given!"

 Visit our featured shop - you can click on each image to bring you to the listing or click on the link -

 Little Tadpole Designs