12.29.2011

Team Successes?

It is hard to remember that when I post these blog entries that not everyone knows me and when I refer to myself in the first person my English teacher cringes! My name is Felicia Norwood, and I am one of the four leaders of the AREtsy team! I have been working to help our team lately by posting discussions on the Team page in Etsy, facebook posts, and these blog posts. I am also working with the other leaders to make our team one of the best on Etsy!

In other teams I see discussions for treasury listings (we have a contest running now) and success threads (have one of those too) and I want all of us to work to celebrate our big and little victories! We will be making some changes to the blog in the way of including a directory, which we are requesting the information you want included be sent to sweetydarlindesigns@gmail.com. We are going to include a show schedule for the entire state, so send that information to the same email. I have been selecting and posting featured sellers on a monthly basis, the winner of the treasury contest gets to be featured in March!

We also want to eventually have a special AREtsy Craft fair!

In this depressed economy, and the pressures that creates on all of us we (as a society) seem to have lost our focus that there are some very good things in our lives worth focusing on, and I know for myself those are the things I want to focus on this next year. I think our team is one of those BIG HAPPY THINGS!

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

12.28.2011

Team Pow Wow Drive!

We have a rough direction of the way we want to use the Team Grant money received from Etsy. We are going to work on getting a Team Directory compiled, and getting some improvements to the blog. We want to make this a team collective that the general public can find us.

We want to include as much or as little information on each team member as they are comfortable with, such as name, shop name, shop category (as we plan on grouping the directory into categories) facebook, twitter, tumblr, blog, address, email, phone, etc.

We have posted in a few locations to send all your information to sweetydarlindesigns@gmail.com. That way no one is posting their information too publicly.

We will also want to keep our show directory up to date. So if you know of any shows, or events send those to us as well. That could be posted in a comment here, or sent to the email listed above.

We have looked around online, and have a few other sites that we are using as a rough guideline for things to include, but the best way to make the team better is to get the team members involved. Myself and the other leaders want to make this one of the best teams on Etsy, but that takes a collective effort.

Come on AREtsiers! Let's get to the pow wow and blow all those other people AWAY!

12.22.2011

BIG WIN FOR THE TEAM!!!

We have been awarded a Team Grant from Etsy!

The basic rules of the grant are that we can use it for any purpose with regards to team promotion, but we have to document the use of the money and Etsy wants us to report back to them with photos etc.

We could use it to have a craft fair, get team shirts, advertisements, team meetings, ANYTHING!!!

We will need input from the team in order to have plans of what we could do to spend the money as beneficially as possible!

Please comment with your ideas, and input! This is a great opportunity for our team to have some real positive impact for our shops and our state!

12.09.2011

AREtsy Featured Shop: Mountain Home Pottery

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My husband and I have owned and operated Mountain Home Floral Co. in Mountain Home for 19 years. I have been a floral designer for 36 years. (Really doesn't seem like that long!) I have a son and two daughters and two granddaughters. I started taking pottery classes six years ago, because one of the things I had always wanted to learn was how to throw clay on a potter’s wheel. Well, little did I know it would become a new passion in my life. Not only did I learn to throw clay, but I learned to hand-build with clay, which opened up a whole new world of form and design. Three years ago my instructor and mentor asked me to collaborate on a project with her and another clay artist and that has grown into another business venture for me. I am very passionate about clay and I can’t stop myself.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

My husband will tell you that I never stop creating things! I love to sew, knit, crochet, and make soap. I'm also learning how to make cheese. (If only we had room for a cow or maybe a goat.) Before I got into clay, I took cake decorating classes, now that is fun and yummy, but my family would cringe when they saw me coming with another cake! They were all gaining weight. Now they have to add extra support to their cabinet shelves to hold up all the stoneware pottery I have gifted them with. So they gained weight in a different way.

If I see some cute or interesting thing I have to figure out how to make it.

I do enjoy reading and watching movies (while I knit or crochet) and going on hikes in the woods with my husband. We live in one of the most beautiful states and I never tire of making day trips to go on hikes.

What would be the title of your memoir? Why?

“There’s Always One More Thing to Learn” I am a perpetual student, when we stop learning, we stop living.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I am inspired by nature. There is no greater artist than God.

What does handmade mean to you?

To me, handmade means taking something and changing it in to something else.

Who has been most influential in your craft?

The person who has influenced me the most in my craft is Deborah Mitchell, my clay instructor, mentor and friend. She has been very generous with her knowledge and encouraging with her critique of my work.

When did you know you were an artist/maker?

I guess I have always been an artist. When I was young I loved to paint and draw and make things with whatever was on hand. I started working in flower shops when I was 16 and that gave me another outlet for my creative side.

How would you describe your creative process?

With clay you can have an idea of where you want to go, but you need to let the clay lead you as well. It’s good to be flexible when working in clay. My favorite saying is “I meant to do that!” Thing usually turn out better than my original plan.

If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsman (dead or alive), who would it be?

I am fascinated with Glass Blowing. I would love to give that a try! I would love to watch just how to go about making a gob of molten glass transform into a beautiful work of art.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

I have a number crocheted Afghans made by my Mother that I love. Every time I wrap up in one I can feel her giving me a hug. I cover my granddaughters when they come to visit, in ones that she made for my daughter when she was a baby. Mom passed away thirteen years ago.

How do you get out of your creative ruts?

I switch gears and do something different. Take a walk and really look around. Or if I’m really in a rut I clean the studio, that does it everytime!

Where would you like to be in ten years?

I would like to still be working in clay in ten years. Making the majority of my income from the sale of my pieces. I would like to be able to travel more and see places I have never been before.

Check out Mountain Home Pottery's Etsy Store and Liz's profile!

12.07.2011

Hump Day Blues

Today is the middle of the week. The time that we start to look forward to the weekend but are so glad it is no longer Monday. This weekend there is an AREtsy meet and greet in Fort Smith at the Sweet Bay Coffee company on Rogers Avenue. It will be between noon and 2PM, and is not a come and hang out type thing, even though you can come for sure. It is more of a come and say hi and stay or go at your preference.

We have selected one of our team members to have a featured selling post and will be putting that up in a week or so. At this time I have just been surfing the team members pages and arbitrarily selected someone, but I would also welcome submissions from shops that may wish to be featured.

Also I would love submissions from team members to do little tutorials about how to make simple things. Sometimes we all need something fun to create that is outside our norm.

I really do want to work with the whole team to make us a cohesive group of artisians that relish our Arkansas heritage and skills.

11.22.2011

Coffee Chats?

So in an effort to get to know our team members we are going to attempt to schedule some coffee chat sessions in various areas around the state.

I (Felicia Norwood) have scheduled a meeting here in Fort Smith for December 10th between 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm at the Sweet Bay Coffee Company on Rogers next to Creekmore Park.

We would like to thank Sweet Bay Coffee for allowing us to use their space, free of charge, and are excited to patronize our local small businesses.

Just comment on this post to RSVP that you will be there! I am all excited now!

I will work to have one in the Fayetteville area maybe after the first of the year, but if there are any Etsiers up there that want to get together just let me know and I will help find a place and post all the details.

Anyone else want to schedule a meet and greet coffee chat?

11.15.2011

Getting Back on Track

Hello AREtsyers!

It has been a while since any posts have been made, but we want to get back on track and try to keep all of us connected! We have a lot of exciting ideas and would like to call on our members to pitch in and help us all! We will briefly list a few of the ideas, and look forward to seeing some comments regarding your thoughts.

1. Monthly featured team members, similar to the Etsy Featured Seller with the same questions to start and then maybe tweek them to our interests.

2. Tutorials from selected team members for quick and easy ideas for gifts, or other simple projects.

3. AREtsy events for team members in regional areas to get together, craft, drink coffee, and get to know one another.

We all lead busy lives, between homes, work, family, friends, and crafting. However we think as Arkansas, crafters, and Etsyiers we can work to make our group the best!

Let's hear from your all, and we look forward to getting to know all of you better!

5.18.2011

Wear Your Team Spirit


We need your help! 
Calling all AREtsians... We would like to design and print AREtsy t-shirts!

We would love as many of our talented members as possible to give this little design request a try! Make them cute, clever, the world is your oyster, anything goes!  We will then load all of them to a 'voting' page and send out the link, so that all members, or fans, can vote on their design.  We will work hard to find printing options that are as cost-conscience as possible (and if any members can help there, please drop us a line!)... and will make these tee's available for purchase!

We would like to have all your ideas by Sunday, June 5th and hope to have the voting page up on the 8th. You can send to AREtsy@gmail.com. This initial design can be just flat artwork and we will place them on a tee for voting (just send instructions on where on the tee you'd like the artwork to go)... artwork will have to be kept to one side of t-shirt design.  You will have to be willing to share your working files with us, so that we can print and keep handy for future needs. The voting will be anonymous, however, we will share proudly who created the 'favorite' look!

Who wouldn't want to sport their team pride, and advertise their shop on Etsy at the same time? What a great idea! Thank you labdesigns!

4.01.2011

AREtsy Featured Shop: The Little Chick Boutique

Photos courtesy of The Little Chick Boutique.
Rhyming Words Crayon Roll

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I am a self proclaimed domestic diva, wife, mother, personal chef, taxi driver.....you name it.....and I would not change it for the world.  In my past life, I was a corporate aviation designer, but since having my daughter I have focused my attention on my creativity and building a business that will allow me to spend more time with my precious 1 year old. 

Tell us a little bit about your
shop:  

The Little Chick Boutique specializes in baby accessories, monogramming and embroidery.  We will be branching out into more fun things for mommy and also wedding items in the next coming months. 

How did you become interested or involved in your craft or art?  

I have always sewn for myself and others and I love to design so it made since to me to combine the two.



Crayon Roll - Retro Pink Paisley

How did you find Etsy? 

I actually found Etsy from a purchase that I made myself. 

When you made your first sell...what did you REALLY do?  

I did cartwheels.....well not literally.  But they were sure going on in my stomach.  I was ecstatic.

What is one thing that you have learned through your experience as an Etsy member that has impacted you as a person?  

Organization and prioritizing....okay that’s two things, but they have been a real challenge for me as a shop owner and I’m getting better at both.

Do you promote your shop in any way? Please, share!  

I try to promote as much as I can thru word of mouth as well as facebook (the little chick) and my blog. www.thelittlechickboutique.blogspot.com


The Reversible EVERYTHING Bar - Retro Pink Paisley

(finish the following sentence)
This year I would like to accomplish...
I would love to be able to do some trade shows/craft shows this year and branch out my products.

Finally, just for fun, list 5 of your favorite movies, 5 of your favorite bands and your most favorite thing in the world to eat!

Movies:  1) Eat, Pray, Love   2) Harry Potter Series   3) Kate and Leopold  4) When Harry Met Sally  5) Casablanca                                  
Books:  1) Dave Matthews  2) Train  3) Enya  4) Iron and Wine  5) One Republic
Favorite thing to eat:  Chocolate

Set of (2) Appliqued Bibs - Pear and Strawberry

3.10.2011

Crafting for a Cause

Blog by AREtsy member: JenuineMemories

Photos courtesy of JenuineMemories.
Hope Vintage-Look Scrapbook

As a single person, who still has a wonderful day job as a teacher, my crafting is my "hobby". Note: that should read escape, pamper, alone time, etc.  So more often than not my scrapbooking/ cardmaking hobby has evolved into a self-loving expression of and to myself. And my crowded studio (my spare bedroom) and my shrinking wallet reflect that I love Jen A LOT. Which is fine, but lately I have had the urge to give back. 

So I was pleased to find in a recent etsy email, a link to Crafting It Forward. From there I found a link to where to donate. The first thing that caught my eye was Operation Write Home



This allows card crafters like myself to send cards for the troops to write home on. An important thing to remember is that these are for our military men and women to write home to their families. They have a place where you can send hero cards. They have some rules and regulations, so read over them carefully. In my opinion, I can't think of a better way to give back than to make it easier for a service man or woman to write home. They really want "blank inside" cards and cards that can be used year round. I sent over some of my Sock monkey cards


I hope that some quirky service man or woman will write home to their significant other or child using my cards. That would make my day and make me feel just a teeny bit less selfish.

Happy Crafting!
Jennifer 






Other inspire ideas to craft for a cause:
Thank you so much Jennifer for taking the time to share your story and this inspiring idea!  Any other blog ideas?  We would love to hear from you!  Email us at AREtsy@gmail.com.

3.04.2011

AREtsy Featured Shop: Primal Painter

Modern Abstract Painting Wall Sculpture
Photos Courtesy of Primal Painter


Describe yourself in 5 words:

I'm an artsy, creative, spiritual, nature loving, color loving, cartoon loving, dreamer type.

Tell us a little bit about your shop.

Right now my shop is concentrated on geometric colorful abstract wall sculptures, although I'm also moving in the direction of abstract figurative wall sculpture and 3D chakra and aura interpretations intended for healing purposes. http://primalpainter.etsy.com

How did you become interested or involved in your craft or art?

I've always been defined as an artist, even as a young child, so I guess making art is just a natural way of being for me.

Modern Abstract Art Painting Wall Sculptures:
  Red Diamond, Spiral Blue and Modern Art


How did you find Etsy?

I googled online marketing opportunities for artists

When you made your first sell...what did you REALLY do?

LOL, I did some crazy dance with lots of hair tossing and shakin' that thang

What is one thing that you have learned through your experience as an Etsy member that has impacted you as a person?

There's a sense of freedom with Etsy. It seems to have broken down some fear barriers about trying something artistically new.  It's opened up the creative flow and natural evolution that artists thrive on.

Has another shop, blogger or website inspired you or helped to shape your vision for your own shop (like a muse)?

No one shop in particular has influenced me in terms of my own shop appearance, but there are dozens and dozens of shops that I admire and would like to achieve their level of professionalism and performance.

Wall Sculpture 3D Art Mirror
Green Violet Starburst




Do you promote your shop in any way? Please, share!

Oh gosh, I wish I had some magic way to promote! I haven't been involved in online marketing for very long, so I still have alot to learn. Possibilities include: making treasuries, having a blog, getting involved with teams and the forums, facebook page, twitter, and art shows

(finish the following sentence)
This year I would like to accomplish...
feeling complete creative fulfillment and financial security from my etsy shop and other online venues each and every month.

Finally, just for fun, list 5 of your favorite movies, 5 of your favorite bands and your most favorite thing in the world to eat!

Movies:  1) Avatar  2) Alice in Wonderland (Johnny Depp)  3) Lord of the Rings Trilogy  4) Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy  5) Ice Age
Bands:  1) Nickleback  2) Metallica  3) 3 Doors Down  4) Fuel  5) Saliva
Favorite thing to eat is:  As a bad girl: Dove Dark Chocolate.  As a good girl: sugar snap peas and cherry tomatoes fresh off the vine in my garden..yummy!

What's one thing you would do to improve Etsy for sellers?

I think it would be cool if when an item gets, say 5 hearts, it automatically gets moved to the first page of its category without having to relist. A reward system for love, right on!

2.18.2011

AREtsy Featured Shop: Shelly's Crafting

Diaper Bag - All-Purpose Bag
Photos Courtesy of Shelly's Crafting
Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I am a 26 year old mother of two. I have a 3 year old son named Gracen and a 7 month old daughter named Patience. I have been married to my wonderful husband, Warren, for six years. I live in Centerton, AR.  I enjoy sewing and crafting, singing in my church choir, loving on my kiddos, and hanging out with friends.

Tell us a little bit about your shop:

I love kiddos!! So, my shop is full of creations for all those cute kiddos out there!

In Order: Spring Garden Burpy Set,
Garden Argyle Boutique Burpy Duo,
Boys Polka Dot Boutique Burpy Pack
How did you become interested or involved in your craft or art?

I have always loved crafting, but never thought I would be able to use it to make money. When I had my first child, I was working full time.  I missed my son terribly during that time and I prayed that the Lord would provide a way for me to financially be able to stay home with my son.  Now, three years and a daughter later, I am a stay at home mom babysitting part-time and working to build my Etsy business.


How did you find Etsy?


I stumbled across Etsy when I was searching online for a way to be able to sell some of my handmade items.

When you made your first sell...what did you REALLY do?

Called my very supportive husband and my very best friend to share the news!!!

What is one thing that you have learned through your experience as an Etsy member that has impacted you as a person?

That "I can do it." Years ago I would have never thought I would be making and selling items on the internet. I would have never had the confidence to do it. But, Etsy has provided a way for me to sell my items and each time I sell an item and I receive positive feedback it boost my self esteem and make me want to run to my craft room and try something new.

Has another shop, blogger or website inspired you or helped to shape your vision for your own shop (like a muse)?

Most shops I see are inspiring and I can learn so much from all the other Etsy members.

Do you promote your shop in any way? Please, share!

I have lots of friends and family that are very supportive and hand out business cards for me.  Some even take items of mine to work with them to sell.  I also have a Fanpage on Facebook.

(finish the following sentence)
This year I would like to accomplish...
my 100th sell on Etsy!!

Double Layer Twirl Skirt
Finally, just for fun, list 5 of your favorite movies, 5 of your favorite bands and your most favorite thing in the world to eat!

Movies
Facing the Giants
Love Dare
Twilight Movies
The Notebook

Favorite Bands
Mercy Me
FFH
Avalon
Casting Crowns

Favorite Thing to Eat:  Taco Salad

2.11.2011

AREtsy Featured Shop: Closet Lush Boutique

Top:  Monogrammed Lavender Candle - Set of 3 
Bottom Left:  Ivory Swarovski Pearl & Clear Crystal Earrings 
Bottom Right:  Seven Necklace 
Photos Courtesy of Closet Lush Boutique.

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I've always loved the arts.  I grew up drawing, reading, writing, crafting.  Anything I could do with my hands.  Anything intellectual.  I'm a weird mix of laid back and perfectionism.  As opposite as that seems, I like everything to be perfect.  Im very detailed.  But I'm also relaxed.  Is that possible?

Tell us a little bit about your shop:

Closet Lush Boutique started out in October 2010 for local friends and family.  (Located in Russellville, AR)  It expanded to include friends of friends and co-workers and so forth.  At the time, we mainly featured the most sought after items.  Brand name, if you will.  I discovered Etsy and joined in December 2010.  I mostly browsed through other people's handmade items... and that inspired me to limit brand name items and focus my attention back to crafting. 

How did you become interested or involved in your craft or art?

I think it is just a natural thing for people.  We all like to fill our time with hobbies.  Some people have a gift in certain areas, like painting (and how I wish I could paint!).  I started as early as could remember.  I used to draw... a lot.


Sorority Picture Frame

How did you find Etsy?

I stumbled upon it while searching for ways to list items online.  It was much better than ebay.  The users are friendly and it had a sense of community.  Something I didn't expect to find, but made me stay.

Has another shop, blogger or website inspired you or helped to shape your vision for your own shop (like a muse)?

For Strange Women.  That shop is the best shop I have ever seen.  Her photos are remarkable, her listings are perfect.  Very inspiring!

Do you promote your shop in any way? Please, share!
Facebook
Blog

(finish the following sentence)
This year I would like to accomplish...

a growing shop.  I would love more people to discover my work, to wear my work, to tell their friends about it.  I wouldn't mind this being what I do everyday.  In fact, I hope it happens!

Finally, just for fun, list 5 of your favorite movies, 5 of your favorite bands and your most favorite thing in the world to eat!

Movies: The Notebook, Titanic, Iron Man, Transformers, & National Treasure.
I love action movies... The Notebook & Titanic are the only two romantic movies I actually like.
Bands: I like rock.  I love Linkin Park, Skillet, Hoobastank, and Paramore.  But I love Carrie Underwood too!
Favorite thing to eat:  Either chocolate or salads.  Hard to pick.

As you can tell, I like the extremes.  There doesn't seem to be a "happy medium" to me.  But honestly, I'm quite happy on one end or the other.

2.10.2011

Blog Beautiful!

Drum roll please... and, REVEAL!
The blog receieved the new look facelift today! Hooray! Let us know what you think? Also, please be sure to share with us any ideas you have on how we can continue to improve this location as a perfect 'one-stop' for an overall connection to the AREtsy group - both for Members and for all our friends/fans.

Take note of the exciting new pages at the top too! We wanted to have another spot to list our Members with links to their Etsy shops and social media spaces, as well as, another place to list all upcoming shows in the state (and surrounding area) and events planned for the AREtsy group. These pages defintely take time, so thank you all for your patience... but most importantly, send us anything you can or know about to make sure we get it included!

Calling all bloggers! Starting very soon we will launch the 'shop profiles', where we'll get a chance to learn a little more about our members... BUT, anyone who has an idea for a blogpost, helpful tips, business advice, etc. that they would be interested in writing about and submitting, we would LOVE to hear from you! Just email us at AREtsy@gmail.com.  Thanks everyone!

1.19.2011

Vote Now!!

for the 'New Year. New Look.'

We are giving AREtsy a make-over for the new year and we now have some designs to choose from! Thanks to everyone who contributed something, your help was greatly appreciated!

Just click on the following link to choose a design you think fits the look and personality best of our little ole' Etsy team. You can comment on as many as you like but you can only choose one! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!!!

http://fb.me/twkZj4Lk

1.07.2011

New Year. New Look.

We need your help!


Calling all AREtsians... We are looking to give a new 'look' to AREtsy. Updating the identity as it were, for what we use on our blog header, Etsy profile pic/banner, facebook, twitter, etc. We would love as many of our talented members as possible to give this little design request a try! We will then load all of them to a 'voting' page and send out the link, so that all members, or fans, can vote on their favorite new look.

We would like to have all your ideas by Sunday, January 16th and hope to have the voting page up on the 17th. You can send to AREtsy@gmail.com. This initial design should be 450 x 300 pixels per inch. jpegs will do fine. You will have to be willing to share your working files with us, so that we can translate into all sizes needed and keep handy for future needs. The voting will be anonymous, however, we will share proudly who created the 'favorite' look!

So, doodle-on, snap some pics, drink some coffee - however, you get inspired! We look forward to seeing your new look!