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.

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!

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

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!

Team Challenge: Create your own AREtsy treasury!
What better way to use all our communication forums than to share some of our favorite reasons we love Etsy and our team?! Make sure you let us know of your curation - spread the word on our Etsy team Forum!

A New Face on Facebook

Have you heard the news?  Have you told your friends?  AREtsy is now on Facebook!  Yes, we know most of the world is there too...  That's the point!  What better tool to use to get the word out about AREtsy and our members?!  We really want to bulk up our social media presence so that we can use it as a tool for all AREtsy shopowners who are interested in getting a bit more free advertising. 
Who doesn't love free advertising? 


To try to increase the excitement and build our fanbase quickly, we are going to do a giveaway once we meet 500 fans on Facebook, then 1000 fans. Anyone who is interested in donating a piece to include in the winners AREtsy prize package, please let us know by sending a pic of the item and short blurb to AREtsy@gmail.com (We will then compile them and make a photo folder on FB, as well as, get the word out about this awesome offer!)

You could even win!

Tell all your 'friends' :)

Tweet, Tweet

photo: artandartifacts

AREtsy Team now has a Facebook and Twitter account! We'd love to get as many 'likes' on Facebook as possible so tell your friends and tell them to tell their friends!

More to come!