Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Sale in shop

*~Buy two cards and get a free card (of your choice) or set of gift (of choice) This week only~*

All cards can be made into card set you can mix and match for only $8.00 dollars
Card set are perfect for a small gift to your mail carrier, hair dresser, Nanny,babysitter, Employer, Boos etc.. Also they are great stocking stuffers.
Don't forget to get gift take for all of your gift giving needs.
If i don't have a card or set of tags you are looking for ,Just ask i will be glad to make it for you (with no extra cost)
All tags can be made into a set of 10 for $5.00
If you are interested in the sale please make sure your write in buyers message your free item of choice Thanks!!!
Please check out my shop :
www.devinprather.etsy.com

Thanks fro looking and have a wonderful day:0)

Feature blog on Juliafinucane


1. I first learned about this wonderful handmade only site from a friend, Kelly O'Connell, who I went to art school with. She showed me jewelry from another student who was in our class. I was amazed and intrigued to join and a year later I did.

2. My full name is Julia Finucane. I am originally from Buffalo, NY but I now live in NYC. I have a BS in Fine Arts and Art Education and a MS in Computer Design and Fine Arts/Design. I mostly use the medium of acrylic to paint my pieces of art. I am interested in Lowbrow art and art that is not the norm.

3. I have been creating art my whole life, but I didn't start painting until high school in my studio in art class. I continued taking art classes, including photography, watercolors, and oil painting. This is when I knew I wanted to be an artist.



4. My family and friends are always a huge inspiration. I get my ideas and themes from them and different events that happen in my life.

5. I am still learning how to promote my Etsy shop. I link my shop to my Web site and blogs. I also write in the forums and try to do as many treasuries that I can get. Getting your Etsy shop noticed is vary hard and slow at first. I am still learning and trying to figure out how to do this.

6. I am still an emerging artist who is trying to get out in the art world. I would tell every artist to never give up and keep pursueing their dream.


Please check out her websites:0)
shop: www.juliafinucane.etsy.com
website: www.juliafinucane.webs.com
blog: www.juliafinucane.blogspot.com

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Feature blog On LuLu Design



Web:
www.LuLuDesign.com
Upcoming New Website: www.Soul-Reader.com
Shop: www.LuLuDesign.etsy.com
Blog: www.TheMaudeBlog.blogspot.com
Upcoming New Blog: www.Soul-Reader.blogspot.com
Email: Kathy [!at] luludesign.com

1. How did you first hear about Etsy?

I learned about Etsy through reading magazines like Bitch and Bust.

2. Tell us a little about yourself and your favorite art medium.

I am 43 and have been an artist, creator and dreamer all my life. I grew up in Belleville, Ontario, Canada and received my BA in Art History and a 3 year Diploma in Graphic Design in Kingston, Ontario. I moved to Southern California when I was 27 years old and got married to my sailor-architect husband when I was 27 and we’re still happily married and living in our house, designed and built by my husband, single-handedly!
I chose silk painting as my main medium because there is absolutely nothing else like it! The intensity and vibrancy of the colors are amazing - I have created many paintings, kimonos and even earrings from silk!

3. How did you get started as an artist?

I started LuLu Design in 1993 after a re-birthing session (in California, where else?!!) during which I regressed to the newborn state, was re-birthed all over again and had an amazing revelation about my entire business plan, it was all spelled out for me in black and white! I was also just approaching my Saturn Return, (astrologically speaking) and was ready to get serious about my life and my career! Silk painting has been my main medium, during my time in Laguna Beach, CA - I discovered an amazing 2 month long art show in Laguna called The Sawdust Festival, a true artist’s haven, that had begun in the 60’s. I found a whole community of artists and a whole new way of life too. I had always been an artist and a dreamer, since a very young age but it wasn’t until I discovered my partner and a town that was incredibly conducive to making a real living as an artist, that things really took off for me!


4. What inspires you to create?

- living in nature
- my beautiful friends
- my 4 legged friends
- fashion
- dreams, fairy tales and magic
- other artists eg. Matisse, Bonnard, Chagall, Candy Jernigan, Erte, Monet, Edward Gorey

5. How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?

- tons of social networking online
- selling my work at art shows, to galleries and on my website
- talking to other artists at art studio tours, in forums, in art groups and starting groups in my community
- getting my writing and artwork published in blogs, newspapers, magazines, datebooks

6. Any advice you would give to aspiring artists?
If you really want it then just go for it and don’t give up!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Spinner tags

This is a new design for Expressions by Devin.My Aunt gave me this Idea i ran with it.I have several different style.The tags measure at 2 1/2 inch. Here is a picture of a coupld designs and a picture on how they work:0)
Here are a couple of style I have more posted on shop:


here is how they work:

What do you think?

New items in Shop:0)

Hello everyone I just wanted to let everyone know that I have posted 25 new Items in my shop.Please go and check them out.All cards can be made into card sets.Card sets are great for stocking stuffer ,a small gift to you childs teacher, your mail carrier ,your hair dresser,your cleaning help, your nanny and even your babysitter.Here is a preview of what is have posted:





There is tons more new cards and tags Go and check them out:
www.devinprather.etsy.com

Feature blog on Treasures by Tina:0)



1)How did you first hear about Etsy?:
A friend at work mentioned it. When I checked it out, I fell in love! People were so kind, and so creative! I felt like I'd finally come home. :)

2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!:
I was born and raised south of San Francisco in the Silicon Valley, and currently live in Mountain View, CA. For my "day job" I work as a secretary for a local school district, with my primary specialty being that of taking minutes for board of education and committee meetings. (No one else wanted to do it!)
My current favorite craft is sewing. I love doing needlepoint and sewing pillows, etc. by hand.

3)How did you get started as a designer?:
Since I was a kid, I've enjoyed doing things with my hands. I took eight years of piano lessons, which was great fun until I hit my teenage years and had "social obligations". :p I also learned embroidery from my mom when I was very young.
More recently, I loved the treasure candle I received as a gift a few years ago. However when I looked for more, I couldn't find them anywhere. I finally decided to try making them myself, and Treasures by Tina was born! Since I opened my Etsy shop a little over a year ago, I've added a variety of other items (I love to experiment!), such as flower pens, photography and photo note cards, hand sewn pillows made with repurposed designer fabric samples, and much more.

4)What inspires you to create?:
Being out in nature is always very inspirational for me. And caffeine in always helps me get started. :D

5)How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?:
I participate in Etsy forums and chat rooms as much as possible. I also talk to friends at work, sell at craft faires, and write in my blog (treasuresbytina.blogspot.com).




6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?:
If you've been thinking about trying something new, but are afraid of "failing", just do it! There really is no such thing as failure when it comes to creativity. Just relax and let your creativity flow. Take a chance! :)

Please visit her shop at www.treasuresbytina.etsy.com

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Blog Schedule

Here is the blog schedule From now to Feb 1st.

Treasures by Tina : Oct 21st
Failli Handknits: Oct 28th
Julia Finucane: Nov 4th
Something Form nothin: Nov 11th
Mvincent: Nov 18th
2Kute: Nov 25th
Bdesigns: Dec 2nd
13moons Art: Dec 19th
Musette made: Dec 16th
Wear my colors: Dec 23rd
Aggieray: Dec 30th
Secoundsister: Jan 6th
Warm and Fuzzy baby : Jan 13th
Luludesign: Jan 20th
Randi 100: Jan 27th
Lesbijouxcrelune: Feb 1st

Looking for Etsians to be Featured on my Blog

Hello everyone,I do a feature blog Every Tuesday.I am looking for Etsians who are interested in being featured.I have had a lot of great response from doing the feature blogs.IF you are interested leave me a comment on here and I will send you questions for you to answer(please send 2 to 3 pictures of your items or art work you would like to been shown.Thanks and Happy Blogging:0)

Feature blog on Zadyball:0)



1)How did you first hear about Etsy?:
I first heard about Etsy from a good friend. She had found out about it from someone else, and told me that it would be a good place for me to start selling my creations.

2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!:
I am a stay-at-home mother of two – with another one on the way. I learned to sew when I was about 8 or 9 from my mother. She is what I consider an amazing seamstress. Since then, I’ve really enjoyed working with all kinds of fabrics to create all kinds of things. From clothes for my Barbie dolls – to toys for my children!

3)How did you get started as a designer?:
When my first child was about 6 months old, he had a toy giraffe with a knotted string for a tail. He loved playing with the string, and would rub it to help him fall asleep.
He loved it so much, that I thought it would be great to make something for him that had lots of strings for him to play with. So the first Zadyball – a soft, stuffed ball with fabric strings attached – was born. He carried that ball with him all the time, and now, four years later, he still won’t sleep without it!
So many people asked about my son’s toy, that I started giving them as gifts. They were a hit at every baby shower, with many of the guests asking for one.
Because there was such an interest, I decided to turn my idea into a business.




4)What inspires you to create?:
My children are my biggest inspiration. I love making things for them! I also love getting ideas from customers. So many of my ideas have come from special requests!

5)How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?:
Any way that I can! I talk to people about it whenever possible, and hand out business cards. I started a blog (http://alaynacreations.blogspot.com). And I even got a vinyl sign for the back of my minivan – so every where I go people see my shop name!

6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?:
Be innovative and creative – try to be as unique as possible. Find something you love and stick with it! Most of all – have fun!




Check out her etsy shop:www.zadyball.etsy.com

Glendale this weekend:0)

Sorry I haven't wrote a blog the past week or so.It has been really crazy around my house.I am trying to get all my stuff together and finished for Glendale this weekend.If you live in Kentucky,This is a Amazing fall festival to go to.It has tons of arts and crafts booths,Great food,a parade at 10 am and it has such a great atmosphere. If you are planning to go Here is the website to find directions and more details:www.historicglendale.com .I will be in the True Kentucky field.Just look for the Expressions by Devin banner.It will be hanging up in my booth.Stop by and say hello I would love to meet follow etsians.Hope to see you there:0)

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Feature Blog on TheHauntedHollowTree


1)How did you first hear about Etsy?:
I first heard about Etsy a couple of years ago. Not sure where I heard it from though, maybe from someone on Ebay... I was selling there at the time.

2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!:
There isn't too much to say about me. I live out in the country with my husband, my son, and another baby on the way. It's a simple life we have going here. I spend a lot of time just hanging with my family and woodburning.

3)How did you get started as a designer?:
Like most artists, I started drawing before I can remember. I was very much into painting for awhile there, and in late 2004 I sold my first piece of art on Ebay. I stuck with oil painting for a few years until I discovered Pyrography (woodburning) and haven't gone back since.

4)What inspires you to create?:
I am inspired most by the human form. I love the silent expression of the human figure. Back in 2005 I did a series of 20 drawings called The Truth about Humans. I have been thinking of starting a follow up series with the same title, just part 2. I am a people watcher. I don't have many friends and am not a really social person, but I just love to try to figure other people out.

5)How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?:
I am not the best with self promotion. I got really lucky on Ebay and sold rather effortlessly there. On Etsy, I just kind of take what I can get. Life with a toddler and pretty soon, a toddler and an infant, just doesn't allow for a bunch of extra venues. I work in a really slow medium, the process of woodburning is rather tedious. I try to juggle the actual act of burning and the rest of my daily life the best I can, but I still feel like I need more hours in the day. My next big step is to submit some of my work to galleries and see what happens. I have not been to art school, or even taken any art courses for that matter, so I don't have resume. I guess that has been what has kept me from pursuing the galleries and shops further. I have recently found some local galleries that I think my work would fit nicely into, so I am going to take the plunge at some point soon and see what happens.

6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?:
I wouldn't know what to say to designers. To artists, especially self taught artists, I would really suggest sticking it out if its something that you really love. You will likely hit rough patches and likely learn most things the hard way, but I think that is what will really make your art unique. Take the time to study the different mediums and try your hand at all of the ones that you find fascinating. I have boxes and boxes of art supplies, I went through each medium until I found the one that was right for me. I think I gained a little something along the way with trying each medium too. It has been a fun road.

Make sure you check out her etsy shop:http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5924751

Sunday, October 5, 2008

St.James Art Show







My mom and I decided to the St.James art show.We went last year and loved it.This was even better.I took my camera along with me this time to take so picture's.I had a wonderful time and I can't wait to go back again next year.IF you haven't been to this art show before it has 750 booths and it is the world largest art show.If you are interested in going our setting up next year here is the website http://www.stjamescourtartshow.com/

Check out Our Team Sale!!!

Bluegrass Etsy Street team is having a sale.Check out the list of shop on our blog.Thanks for supporting us
:0)

www.bluegrassetsy.blogspot.com/
You can use this link our you can go on the right had side of my blog and Clip the picture that reads "Best SALE".

Friday, October 3, 2008

Check Thsi out:0)

Hey everyone I have been featured in blog.Go and check it out:0)
http://novelyjewels.blogspot.com
I hope everyone had a great week:0)

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Feature Blog on Antigoni !!!



1)How did you first hear about Etsy?:

I was searching in Google for lampwork beads and there it was. An Etsy treasure of fine artists! In fact that was my first purchase lampwork beads from Bellebead's shop.

2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!:
I'm 45 years old, I live in Greece, married and have 2 teenager boys 17 and 16 years old Konstantinos and Marios. I'm very proud of them and my family is my whole life!!!!

I love every kind of art, in fact as a kid liked to draw a lot and actually I took some drawing lessons also. Maybe that's why I studied architectural design and later I changed course and became a Graphic Designer.
Always I like to do things with my hands and also help my mother in making clothes.

3)How did you get started as a designer?:
Sometime 3 years ago I started to make jewels just for hobby. With my hubby's support who gives me my self confindence, I tried more and more and now I'm an Etsy seller and I'm planning to quit graphic designing and become a full time jewels designer.

4)What inspires you to create?:
Everything. It' may be a favorite place, a feeling a color or a new material. I like colors and "non colors" different materials and techniques and create my designs upon my mood. That's why my jewels are not in one certain style.

5)How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?:

I'm not so good with that yet. I have a blog since July, but my time is not enough yet to make new posts frequently and although I have visitors from all over the world traffic is not good enough yet.
I try a bit in Etsy forums and that's how I met Devin and her beautiful blog and also I'm trying to be an active member of Europeans Street Team of Etsy.
I opened my shop 5 months ago so I'm in still on start and need to do more things about it!
I want to thank Devin for featuring me and give me one more change to show my work. I'm very honored!!!

6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?:

Not to be fear of a new start! work, work, work, patient, try new things and be open to new challenges!!!
Personally I'm a low profile person and really can understand that sometimes we hesitate to expose our selves to the world, but think of this, our "art" is one of the best expression of our inner personality.
It's wonderful for other people to see and it's also a personal "healing" process!

Please Visit her etsy: www.antigoni.etsy.com
Also visit her blog :www.novelyjewels.blogspot.com