The new issue of At Home In Arkansas Magazine is now on the newsstands. Make sure you grab a copy since you'll be seeing some familiar faces. This month's issue is all about cottage style and contains an article on cottage industry with some of our AREtsians' handmade goodness featured! Grab it up off the newsstands, your local bookstore or go see the online version here. Those featured in the article are:
Three of your fellow AREtsy members will be participating in a boutique... or should I say beaut-ique sale on Thursday, May 28 in Rogers, AR. Punkinhead, Idyllhands/Woolyhands, and NightskyProducts will all be selling their goods along with a few other local artists and there will be some wine, non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, and massages as well.
So come on out to Balanced Body at 816 B West Poplar in Rogers on Thursday evening between 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM.
Oh - did I mention, there will be door prizes? So come on out, meet some fellow AREtsians and have a fabulous time with the ladies.
Pssst - there is the potential that this event could grow a bit for the Holiday season, so if you're looking for a trunk sale in NWArkansas to get in on, it might be a good idea to come down and meet the ladies who organize it *winks*
While we're still lazing away the days here in May, summer is just around the corner. Before you know it, it will be June and just 4 weeks later, we'll be facing July dead on. The AREtsy team will be holding a team wide "Chrismtas in July" sale in July. It will either be the entire month or the first couple of weeks - that has yet to be determined. We'll promote it here on this blog, on our personal blogs, on Twitter, Facebook, other team blogs (we do have some sister teams), in the Etsy forums and on the Etsy event calendar. It should be big - so I'm hoping you'll all join in.
If you are interested in participating (and I sincerely hope you are), please email send me a convo on Etsy (Idyllhands) with your shop name, what your sale is (type of discount, free shipping, etc) and how the buyers will redeem their discount/sale (for example - will they leave a note at time of purchase? Will your items already be priced at their sale price?).
More exciting team member news! Laurie Ament, known to most of us as glassbead, has just had an incredible honor bestowed upon her glass, she's going to have one of her beads (pictured left) in a juried show in Corning, New York being hosted by the International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB). This is an incredible honor and the show is going to include a list of impressive glass artists that Laurie is honored to be among. Below is the show's description, as found on the ISGB website, but be sure to click here for a full list of glass artists that will be in the show and a gorgeous slide show of their very impressive work. You can also visit Laurie's Etsy shop, Isinglass Designs, to make some of her gorgeous beads yours or find her regularly at the River Market in downtown Little Rock, AR. Congratulations Laurie!
Perspectives: Traditions and Innovations in Glass Beads
We are pleased to announce the artists whose work will be our 2009 Perspectives exhibition and part of the GAS Conference in Corning, New York!
This juried exhibit presented by ISGB, represents the endlessly captivating styles, techniques, and processes used in contemporary glass beadmaking. Unique color, form, and textural elements were combined to highlight the infinite possibilities of glass, as expressed by our members. Artists were encouraged to create a bead that best captured their inspiration, innovation, and personal "voice."
This distinctive collection of small wonders in glass artistry can be enjoyed June 5 to September 7 at the Radisson Hotel, Corning, and opens specifically as part of the 2009 GAS Conference. Artists, collectors, gallery and museum personnel, writers, and critics from around the globe will come together to celebrate the medium that unites us all - glass!
In addition to the exhibition that will be showcased to glass enthusiasts all summer long, the top three beads with the highest jury scores will share the COVER of the summer issue of The Glass Bead magazine. These artists will be announced no later than May 12.
If you're an AREtsy team member who wants to participate in the Spring Tweets Swap please get your information in ASAP! Brandy will be sending out match ups for the swap Wednesday night! Happy Swapping! You can find the swap information here.
The Etsy Twitter Team is having a Sidewalk Sale to celebrate the spring weather and to get outside a bit! Virtually! So please take a stroll down our sidewalk of shop listings. Each shop is having a different sale so check them all out. There are some extremely great deals going on this week!!
The sales run from Sunday, May 17th to Saturday, May 23rd.
PrettyCheap.etsy.com FREE card with purchase of any 3 items! Exquisite floral, original photos and detailed embroidered cards will be given free (choice of free card by prettycheap). Just ask for your free card at check out (please purchase 3 items in one transaction).
SumikoShop.etsy.com Free shipping worldwide shipping all week. Please contact her before buying, She will cancel shipments or mention "Etsy Twitter Team" in the message to seller at checkout.
MeagansDesigns.etsy.com KaedanKrafts.etsy.com Offering free worldwide shipping for both of her shops that will be already marked with $0 shipping InMyHeadStudios.etsy.com 15% off items (not including shipping or NY state sales tax if applicable). Add the comment "Etsy Twitter Sidewalk Sale" during checkout. Discount given via PayPal refund.
ACageyBee.etsy.com Every order will get a free sampler pack of 4 postcards included in their shipment! In the note to seller box, please mention "Sidewalk Sale" to get your free postcards.
Threepeats.etsy.com All necklaces $5.00 off! After payment, $5.00 will be refunded to the buyer’s PayPal account for each necklace purchased.
SandisTs.etsy.com Free Shipping - After payment, shipping will be refunded via PayPal
FirebirdHouse.etsy.com 30% off all purchases that total $20 or more. PayPal refund given for discount.
WaysideViolet.etsy.com 20% off all items in my shop: To participate type "May" in the message to buyer. Discount will be refunded via PayPal after purchase
ScrapArcs.etsy.com All earrings $5 or less per pair. Prices already marked down.
SouthpawStudios.etsy.com 15% off, + Plus free worldwide shipping. Also $5 gift certificate included for future purchases (limit one per customer). Redeemed with code "Sidewalk TW Sale" in message to seller box, then you will receive a prompt PayPal refund
HuayruroPeru.etsy.com 20% discount using PayPal refund to everyone mentioning "Sidewalk Sale" in message to seller box
RhodesAnnalsDesigns.etsy.com 10% off list price - Leave message to seller saying “sidewalk”. She will do a revised invoice or if you have already paid via PayPal she will do a refund.
AquarianBath.etsy.com Free Lavender Spearmint Lip Balm with purchase of $10 or more. Add the comment "Etsy Twitter Sidewalk Sale" during checkout.
MindyG.etsy.com Free shipping within the US only (via USPS First Class) with any purchase. Add to message to seller box "sidewalk sale" and you will get a refund through PayPal for the shipping amount.
Jenco13.etsy.com free shipping to anyone in the USA and a flat rate of $5 to all other countries on her list for items over $20 and $3 for items under $20. Discount given via PayPal refund
TamaraGarvey.etsy.com With any purchase, get a FREE single card of your choosing from any of the card sets in the Stationary section of her shop. Just include which card you'd like in the Message to Seller box, or contact her soon after purchase.
MissesKwittys.etsy.com Free USA shipping or Half Price international shipping when you spend $20.00 or more in her Etsy shop. Plus she will be tossing a free little "thank you" present into each package! Just put "EtsyTwitter Rocks" in the note to seller and she will refund the shipping discount back to your PayPal account.
PurpleLemonDesigns.etsy.com Free Shipping! Use code “SIDEWALK” in the notes to the seller, and she will refund the shipping after the order is paid for through PayPal
BRefour.etsy.com Most items are already on sale but you can get and additional 10% off on orders of $15.00 or more by entering the words "Sidewalk Sale" in notes to seller. The 10% will be refunded through PayPal.
LindaB142.etsy.com 20% off purchases over $5. Buyers need to use the Promo Code "Sidewalk" and she will refund the discount via PayPal. Free shipping for orders over $30.
Tamdoll.etsy.com Free domestic shipping on non-ribbon items. Will automatically give a PayPal refund for items not already specially marked as part of the sale.
ArtWhims.etsy.com Free Shipping on every item in the shop! To redeem this great deal, enter “MAYSIDEWALK” into the message to the seller upon check out. You will be reimbursed through PayPal for the cost of shipping.
DeeJayPhotography.etsy.com Free shipping! Type "Sidewalk Sale" in Notes to seller to receive a refund via PayPal.
NikkyLeeDesigns.etsy.com 15% off items $20 or more. "Sidewalk" in message to seller to get discount. Wait to pay for revised invoice
AmbientLights.etsy.com 20% off all items*! Please write "May Sidewalk Sale" in notes to seller when checking out and wait for a revised invoice or pay and you will be refunded via PayPal. *discount valid for items only, does not include shipping or taxes if applicable.
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Many thanks to SassyCat.etsy.com for creating our sale graphic!! I could not have hoped for something better!! Thank you!!
The Etsy Twitter Team is having a fantastic sale that starts on Sunday so keep your eyes pealed for participating shops. The full list of shops and the specials they'll be running will be posted on Sunday! Until then, here's a little teaser:
The Etsy Twitter Team is having a Sidewalk Sale to celebrate the spring weather and to get outside a bit! Virtually! Each shop is having a different sale so check them all out. Some extremely great deals will be going on!!
The sales run from Sunday, May 17th to Saturday, May 23rd. Shops and sales to be announced Sunday! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many thanks to SassyCat.etsy.com for creating our sale graphic!! I could not have hoped for something better!! Thank you!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why, you might be asking, would a group for Arkansas Artists on Etsy be promoting a Twitter Team sale? It's all in the name of team spirit, because the more teams band together to help each other the more we can all get out of our promos, sales, knowledge and all around Etsy love! AREtsy will be hosting our own summer sale soon and the Etsy Twitter Team has agreed to promote our sale! I'm feeling the love!
Brandy of ekioart has graciously accepted the title of Swap Queen for our team! A big thanks to her for helping us all build our group! Swaps are a time consuming thing to organize and we're so glad to have someone willing to take on the job. Brandy will be heading up regular swaps for our team and has already worked up our first challenge. It's a cute one!
Swaps are great fun. They are a way to stretch your creativity, make something you may not think to make otherwise and to trade for someone else's fantastic creation. Sound pretty great? It is! Here are the rules, if you're interested please view the yahoo group link here to see her email address, where you'll send your info. Happy swapping!
Spring Tweets Swap.
This swap will be all about birds. Swallows, Robins, Blue Jays, Mockingbirds, DoDo's you name the bird this swaps about it! From their adorable and unique nests to their little flitting tails.
Here's the low down.
A. This swap will be one lovingly crafted item from you to your partner. Lets say it's a Medium. Medium is considered (by time) 2 or more hours, (by size) one single necklace or bracelet, a scarf, (by cost) $10-$30 dollars. Now, if you want to do a couple of smalls instead of one med that's fine too. And if you want to do one Large that's fine too, just make sure your partner knows so they don't feel bad when it arrives and they only sent you a med.
B. Time limit. Lets start this puppy on May 20th and say send outs are June 15th. That's nearly a month to do one swap item. Of course, you can always send earlier, I just want to give everyone plenty of time as I know there are plenty of spring things to do!
C. Fill out this form!
Name of swap: Spring Tweets! Etsy username: Email address: Your real name: Mailing address: Anything your allergic to? Is there any craft you would NOT like to receive? Your fav colors, wists, styles, artists? Is there something you collect (IE, boxes, tiles, tiny pictures, etc) Anything else you want to share with your partner?
All in all, we want you to just have fun with it, get creative and enjoy getting to know one another!
IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE, REMEMBER TO SEND YOUR INFO TO ORGANIZER VIA PRIVATE MESSAGE AND NOT TO REPLY WITH IT HERE. Please send your email with the info to (go to yahoo group thread here for email address)
16x80' mural in downtown Blytheville by Suzanne Churchill
AREtsy member and painter Suzanne Churchill has much to celebrate with the recent completion and installation of her mural in downtown Blytheville, Arkansas. The mural is comprised of 40 4'x8' wood panels that had to be transported from Jonesboro, where the artist lives, a trek of about 1.5 hours. That accomplishment is topped off with an exhibition of her paintings at The Ritz in Blytheville, Arkansas for the month of May. Congratulations Suzanne!
Blytheville Bus Station, a painting by Suzanne Churchill that can be viewed at The Ritz in Blytheville, Arkansas through the month of May.
Hey all of you in Little Rock - Teresa of TSmithDesigns will be hosting an open house at Stefano's Gallery next week. There will be wine and goodies... oh, and some great artwork! So if you're in the area, make it out to help support a fellow AREtsy member (and to get that glass of wine!).
Debby of StarlightDesigns will have her work featured at the Arkansas Studies Institute in downtown Little Rock! The Arkansas Studies Institute is a joint project between the Central Arkansas Library System and the University of Arkansas - Little Rock. Located in the Main Library campus in the River Market District, this is a place where people can learn more about what has shaped our state's past and what guides the future of Arkansas.
If this sounds like a big deal, that is because it is. What a great honor to be featured in such a way! Make sure to drop by and check out her lampwork art - you won't be disappointed!
I know, I know - it's been a couple of weeks since our last featured artist. I really just wanted all of you to build up a ton of anticipation for who the next one would be. Eleanor of ElsBells is one of our newer active members of the AREtsy Street Team. But don't let "newer" fool you. She's very supportive of the team members, always offering up kind words in the forum and has a fabulous shop to boot! I can't wait for all of you to get to know a bit more about her.
Tell us a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff.
My name's Eleanor Evans, and I live in beautiful, sunny Bentonville. I'm 31 years old, single and a social butterfly. I'm loud, opinionated and can usually be found at the karaoke bar every week.
Apart from creating things, what do you do?
My first love has always been writing. I was a newspaper reporter for several years until I was laid off early this year. Since newspaper journalism has reached a dead end, I'm now working toward being my own boss - getting freelance writing gigs, odd jobs and nannying. Much happier than I was when I was someone else's employee!
What first made you want to become an artist?
I had a friend who started crocheting a couple of years ago and I decided I wanted to get into it as well. It's hard being a lefty crocheter because books either tell you to learn to do it right handed or try to read the directions backwards, so I had a fellow lefty teach me how to crochet. I just loved the idea of making things, and my relatives and friends have really enjoyed the gifts I have given them since I started crafting. Since I do nothing from patterns, I consider myself a crochet and jewelry artist.
Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
I just started making jewelry about a month ago and I absolutely love it! For jewelry, I just like to make things that I know I would wear myself. I usually sit at my table with my bead organizer and put beads together to figure out what looks best.
I love working with Czech glass beads and metals - and my favorite beaded jewelry to make is earrings. I ALWAYS use nickel-free ear wires when making earrings, because I am allergic to anything else and completely understand the problems a lot of women have with finding cute, fashionable earrings that actually work.
But lately I've discovered Shrinky Dinks. The first thing I made with shrink film is a pair of Flight of the Conchords earrings that sold almost immediately. Since then I've made a few other pieces, and I plan to make a lot of 1960s advertising ephemera charms. I love the mod styles, bright colors and general kitsch of 1960s advertising. Be on the lookout for some really fun pendants and earrings!
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
A navy blue chenille afghan my mother made for me about six years ago.
Name your top five books, movies, songs/musical groups, and web sites besides Etsy.
Books:
The Handmaid's Tale, To Kill A Mockingbird, Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them, The Color Purple, Animal Farm
Movies:
Harold and Maude, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, A Clockwork Orange, Sunset Blvd., My Fair Lady
Songs/Musical Groups - oh dear, do I have to pick five? I'll just pick what pops up when I hit "random" instead: Yael Naim and David Donatien, Weezer, Snow Patrol, The Beatles, Madonna w/Justin Timberlake.
I have only been selling my work through Etsy since mid-April. I use my twitter account (@bellesouth if you'd care to follow), as well as my blog at bellesouth.blogspot.com. I also use Facebook - and word-of-mouth.
My mom has been my biggest cheerleader since I opened my store and also tells all her girlfriends to look at my work. Things are starting out slowly, but that's to be expected.
What are your favorite things about belonging to AREtsy?
First of all, artists have the power to lead and to drive Arkansas' economy. If you haven't looked through The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation's report on Arkansas' Creative Economy, I highly recommend it. I believe our future is not going to be in giant manufacturing plants, but rather cottage industries.
Also, to find other artists in my home state who are passionate about what they do and who have the drive to create, inspire and be inspired by others is wonderful. I've only been a part of AREtsy for a very short time but I really hope to become an active part of what seems to be a wonderful network of folks.
I also like making new friends.
In ten years I'd like to be...
Proud owner of a house with separate studio room, an adorable rescue dog, and maybe mom to an Elsbells Junior or two. And finally able to knit something.
The new issue of At Home In Arkansas Magazine is now on the newsstands. Make sure you grab a copy since you'll be seeing some familiar faces. This month's issue is all about cottage style and contains an article on cottage industry with some of our AREtsians' handmade goodness featured! Grab it up off the newsstands, your local bookstore or go see the online version here. Those featured in the article are:
