Monday, March 28, 2011

Feature Blog: Little White Chapel

Hi everyone,
Today's blog feature is on Little white chapel. She makes Beautiful Wedding jewelry. Amazing jewelry for the Bride, Bride maids, mother of the bride etc


1)How did you first hear about Etsy?:
Oh my gosh, I don't even remember. Most likely on somebody's blog, but I'm not sure whose it was.

2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!:
I'm Paige, I'm 25, and I live in the Chicago 'burbs with my husband. My favorite crafty things are making jewelry (not a big shock there) and re-painting old ugly furniture to make it pretty again. Seriously, I believe in the power of paint.
3)How did you get started as a designer?
I've always loved weddings, and planning my own was like being in heaven. Once the day was over, I wanted to stay involved in the process, so I started making bridal jewelry. Plus, I hated my day job at the time and needed a creative outlet to distract me from the misery. It worked!

4)What inspires you to create?:
As dorky as it sounds, my beads. Getting a new shipment of supplies is like getting a present. A lot of the stuff I use is pretty all by itself, so combining them only makes it better.

5)How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?:
I have two blogs, finalclothesout.blogspot.com and whitechapelwedding.blogspot.com, I'm on Twitter, I occasionally post things on Facebook (though I don't have a dedicated page for my shop), I sell my wares at craft shows, and I do guerilla advertising by putting my business cards inside wedding magazines at the book store.

6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?:
Stick with it. Being successful and getting noticed takes a ton of work and it can be easy to get discouraged and give up. But don't! Work everyday to get better and you will.

Check out her shop: littlewhitechapel.etsy.com






Friday, March 25, 2011

Who want's a Tv Dinner?

APRIL FOOLS..... A Little early I know but this would be a Perfect April's Food Dessert. Yes I said Dessert... Those are Cupcakes.
These Cupcakes are so easy to make and Great for kids to make. Would be a great project for the kids make at a  Birthday party. I can't wait to make these...

Here is the Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the basic vanilla cupcakes:
For the drumsticks:
For the potato mash:

TV dinner cupcakes
Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4.

1) In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.

2) In another bowl, whisk together the vanilla extract, milk and vegetable oil.

3) Cream together the butter and sugar with a hand-held mixer in a large bowl. Add the eggs 1 at a time and mix to combine. Alternate the dry and wet ingredients to the egg mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.

4) Pour the batter 2/3 full into the cupcake tins and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before frosting.

For the drumsticks:

1) Put a bone template on a greaseproof paper lined baking tray.

2) Melt the chocolate over a double boiler. When melted, pour the chocolate into a resealable bag. Press out the excess air and seal the bag. Snip a .5-cm corner from the bag and, following the bone template, pipe an outline onto the greaseproof paper. Fill in the bone with chocolate. Tap the baking tray lightly to smooth the top of the chocolate. Repeat with the remaining chocolate to make 6 bones.

3) Refrigerate until firm, about 5 to 10 minutes.

4) Spread the vanilla frosting on top of 6 cupcakes, mounding it slightly. Using a sharp knife, make a small slit in the top of each doughnut hole. Carefully peel 1 chocolate bone from the waxed paper and insert the pointed end into the slit. Repeat with the remaining bones and doughnut holes. Place 1 doughnut hole on top of each cupcake. Put in the freezer for 15 minutes. Spread the frosting over the doughnut hole until it is smooth and covered.

5) Add the cornflake crumbs to a medium bowl and gently press the frosted cupcakes into the crumbs to cover completely. Transfer the cupcakes to the aluminium tray.

For the mashed potatoes:

1) Cut the yellow fruit chews into 2.5-cm squares. Spread the vanilla frosting on 1 cupcake, mounding it slightly. Use a small spoon to create a well in the center of the frosting. Put the cupcake in the baking tray and arrange the fruit chew in the well at an angle.

2) Heat the caramel sauce for 2 to 4 seconds in the microwave and drizzle it on top of the cupcake so that it fills the well and spills over like gravy. Repeat with remaining 5 cupcakes.

For the peas and carrots:

1) Cut the fruit chews into .5-cm cubes. Add the vanilla frosting to a small bowl and add enough green food coloring until it becomes bright green color. Spread on top of the cupcakes. Arrange the green candies and orange chews on top, pressing them into the frosting. Transfer the cupcakes to the aluminium tray.

Have a Blast Making these. I know I will

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

A Special Blog Feature on Lady Hudd

Hi Everyone,
Today is a Special feature on my friend Sarah's shop: Lady Hudd. Her work is just Beautiful and very will made. The most unique thing about her shop is everything
she makes she doesn't use a pattern . She free hand makes every piece. She comes up with a idea and just creates it.

The photos above of are her Minnie and Mickey Photo Prop sets. Arent' they just Adorable!!!She has tons of great gifts for moms to be and so much more.


Check out her shop and see all the other wonderful items she offers in her shop.
Sarah would like to offer 10% off your purchase with this coupon code: Blog23
Make sure you enter that code int eh coupon section at check out.

www.ladyhudd.etsy.com





Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Paper Solar system Moblie

I was watching Martha Stewart the other day and fell in love with this project. I can't wait to make this for my kids in the future. I think this would be a great touch to a space theme birthday party or Toy story party. After the party is over it would look adorable in a kids room. I am dieing to have one of those circle cutters LOL

Here is the link to the directions . There is a video of her making the mobile and link to to templates for the project and much more.
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/solar-system-mobile



Sunday, March 20, 2011

Feature Blog: Heart Felt Crafts

Hi everyone,
This weeks Feature blog is my Mom shop and fellow Etsykids team Member . She makes awesome felt food and very stylish Make up case and so much more.





1.)How did you first hear about Etsy?:
Through my Daughter

2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!:
I will be married 28 years in April. I have two Daughters and two Son in laws and 2 Grand dogs.
I started making felt food because I remember all the fun my girls had playing in their kitchen & having tea parties. I am having so much fun making felt food & remembering all the great times I had playing with them. I have recently started making personalized quilted cosmetic case and matching key chains Because I just love making them and coming up with different styles and color combinations.


3)How did you get started as a craftier?
I have been crafting all my life. I learned about crafting through my mother.



4)What inspires you to create?:
I have a blast creating new items and hearing feedback from my customers on how there children love playing with my items.

5)How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?:
Through my Face book page and by word of mouth

6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?:
Find something that you would love to do and be yourself.



Check out her shop:
www.heartfelt3.etsy.com
Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/HeartFeltCrafts



Monday, March 14, 2011

Feature Blog: Bison Booties

Hi everyone This weeks Feature blog is a fellow Etsykids team Member. She makes the most adorable baby booties.



1)How did you first hear about Etsy?:

A few years ago, my mom first told me about Etsy. I think she read about Etsy it in a magazine article. A few years later, I stumbled upon it by accident ... and made a purchase or two. Then I was hooked.

I opened my shop on November 1, 2010.



2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!:

I am a stay/work-at-home mom to my 1-year-old daughter. My husband, daughter and I live in rural North Dakota, near the Missouri River. I was raised in Northern California so this far from what I grew up with, but I absolutely love it here. My hobbies include sewing, photography, and painting.



3)How did you get started as a designer?

I worked as a professional graphic designer and I was a hobby quilter before my daughter was born. When I was pregnant, I started making smaller/faster projects and sewed my first pair of baby booties. After my daughter was born I quickly realized that these were the only booties that would stay on her feet. I made a few more pairs for my daughter, and a few as gifts. I improved my design and bought more fabric. I received a few orders and decided to open a shop on Etsy. I also sell wholesale, and I'm excited that Bison Booties are now available in a few retail locations.


4)What inspires you to create?:

I am inspired by everyday life around me like colors and shapes.


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

My daughter always wears her Bison Booties and we get compliments wherever we go, so that is an easy one. I also promote my Etsy shop through my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/bisonbooties). I love the Moo (moo.com) Mini Business cards and I cary then with me everywhere.



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

Do what you love, and be excited about it. Excitement is contagious, so if you are truly happy with your art/craft, then others will be too. Also, don't be afraid to continually improve your product, whether that be through the design or the marketing, stay fresh.


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

Monday, March 7, 2011

Feature Blog : Bethany's Five

Hi Everyone,
I have brought back my Feature blog spot. This weeks Feature is a Fellow Etsykids Team member: Bethany's Five





1)How did you first hear about Etsy?: A friend on a cloth diapering forum told me about Etsy several years ago.



2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!: I am mother of 5 wonderful children ages 11 to 1 years old, 3 girls and 2 boys.

My mom taught me to crochet when I was 10 years old and I remember making my father a wool scarf for Christmas that year. I have been at it 20 years and love it more and more each time I create something new.



3)How did you get started as a designer? I have always loved to create but the idea for my hats actually came from my oldest daughter who out of the blue one day said "mom, you should make a giraffe hat" I told her to draw it for me and I would try. To this day she often comes up with and draws me new designs.



4)What inspires you to create?: Everything inspires me!




5)How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?: I am big on word of mouth, I think most of my business comes from happy customers telling their friends. I also use Facebooks pages to keep my "fans' up to date on my work.



6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?: Keep at it, most people are not an over night success! I was given to pieces of advice when I started on Etsy, 1) have great photos and 2) keep relisting. Those 2 things are what keep me in business but you have to remember to FOLLOW advice, just reading it does not always help.



Check out Bethany's Five shop. She makes Amazing Hat for your little ones.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bethanys5