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!

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

Our Sentiments Exactly

Ditto on the Love Cards by Gingiber

Heart on a Stick by punkinhead

MuLti hEaRts Small Bowl by mmcollins

Red Heart Button Ring by JulieRose

Happy Valentine's Day! 

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!