Blog Feature on My Little Angel

Hi Everyone,
This weeks Blog Feature is on a Fellow Etsykids Member My Little Angel.
She makes Amazing diaper cakes and so much more.

1)How did you first hear about Etsy?:
I first heard about Etsy, hmm it's hard to remember. I think when I decided to start selling online I googled " sites for selling handmade" and of course Etsy was at the top so I joined.

2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!:
My store is named after my son who battled leukemia for five years and lost the war on November 25, 2008. I miss him every second of every day and he is, and always will be my little angel.
Brandon Cameron 12/24/01 - 11/25/08

I have always been a very "crafty" person. I love to make and decorate things whether it's painting ceramics, making hooked rugs, learning to cross stitch, designing wedding flowers, etc. My problem is that I have the attention span of a gnat and I get bored halfway through something and want to switch. I have so many half finished hooked rugs and cross stitch that my husband won't let me buy any more. : ) I also love creating new things much more than repeating old ones. But making money has been a tremendous motivator to finish what I start and to keep selling the favorites. The process of making crafts is also a healing thing for me and helps me cope.

3)How did you get started as a designer?
I have created floral arrangements for my wedding, my sister's, my cousin's, and a friend's. I have created custom wood items for babies' rooms and I got into creating diaper cakes and shower items when I wanted something unique for my sister's first baby shower. When I decided to open a shop, I couldn't make up my mind which direction to go but I love babies and everything to do with them so I went with the diaper cakes. I wanted to branch out and I also love little girl stuff and desperately wanted one (but was gifted with two big headed boys instead) so I live out my little girl dream by making hair clips and headbands for them and trying them out on my year old niece.


4)What inspires you to create?:
My son is my top inspiration because of his bravery in dealing with his illness. Whenever I get frustrated with customers or lack of sales I remember that in the scheme of life, it is not that big of a deal. I get inspirations by trying to keep up with what is popular right now and by looking around and finding unusual items to build a theme around.

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

I have just started trying to spread the word about my shop by joining teams and starting a facebook page. Soon I might build up enough nerve to tackle a blog. I am not very computer literate and I can get confused easily about things (my 14 year old son had to help me make my facebook page). : ) I have a website but all it really does right now is direct people to my etsy shop. In the future I would like to have a shop website where I sell things on it. I am trying to build up my local presence by passing out business cards and am contemplating sending out flyers.


6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?:
Try to make items that are not the same as everyone else. There are around 4,300 diaper cakes for sale on Etsy but I try to make mine look unique and stand out from the pack. Don't get frustrated. I sat with two sales for a month and I wanted to cry and call it quits but after Christmas for some reason, I started doing much better. I think if you have a quality product, eventually people will start to recognize it. Don't become too obsessed where you shut everything else out, I have been guilty of that. Especially if I am in the middle of creating something new. And make time for yourself. I have a hard time with this and then get stressed out and cranky which does not help anyone.

Check out her shop for more Diaper Cake themes and so much more:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mylittleangelco

A new way to make Cupcakes

Hi Everyone,
Tori Spelling put a Post on her website ediTORIAL about a fun new way to make cupcakes. Cupcake Sandwiches!!! I had to look up a few websites for recipes:

Here is a few websites with recipes on how to make Cupcake sandwiches:
http://www.preparedpantry.com/recipes/How-to-Make-Cupcake-Sandwiches.htm



http://www.mixingbowl.com/content/LusciousChocolateDessertsChallenge/recipe/10434694/Chocolate-Sandwich-Cupcake-with-cream-chesse-chocolate-frosting

Enjoy!!!!

Feature Blog On Lil Lollipop

Hi everyone,
Today's Blog Feature on Lil Lollipop... a another Fellow Etsykids Member that makes Beautiful Clothing, Tutu's and so much more...

1)How did you first hear about Etsy?: A childhood friend of mine saw the designs I was sewing for my girls and mentioned that I should sell them on Etsy. I fell in LOVE with Etsy and became an Etsy addict.

2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!: I am a stay at home mom. My husband is a doctor in the Army. I am a musician; I sing and write music. I went to college for music and theatre. I also write children's books, paint, make and design jewelry, design and make lil ones clothes, and act. I CAN NOT DANCE!!! I can't say what is my favorite. I LOVE ALL ARTS! I would say music and designing clothes are neck and neck. I am hoping that once my kids are a bit older this coming fall and we move to Massachusetts, I can go to school for deisgn, since I am self taught.

3)How did you get started as a designer? 5 years ago after 10+ years of marriage, I had my first baby girl. She is my miracle baby. She has a rare form of Spina Bifida. You would never know it as she walks, runs and has no brain issues. Then 22 months later, I had my second. I always say...God gave me one physically challenging one and one emotionally challenging one. haha My second was VERY high maintenance and I had my hands full.



Before I had kids, I was a Praise Leader/Music Minister at a church in Hawaii. I wrote and recorded a Christian Contemporary album while there called Conversations. I toured all over Hawaii and California where I grew up. Once we had the kids and then moved to Savannah, GA, I realized more and more that the traveling around and singing was getting less and less. It was hard to be gone from my family on weekends and evenings. I loved singing jazz, but that meant being gone at night to sing at a bar or restaurant. I am one of those people who are up all hours of the night. I am an insomniac by choice, since my creativity consumes me. Once I had kids, I could still write music at night, but it was so hard to be quiet with that and not wake them up. I had to cut back on my music quite a bit, in order to be there more for my kids. I still lead worship. I currently am on the praise team here at the biggest church in Savannah, but I am not the Music Minister and I help lead twice a month.



I love to shop...what woman doesn't right? I remember going to these adorable boutique shops and seeing these ADORABLE outfits for my girls. I bought a few and then would take them home and think..."These are soooo expensive! Why are they so expensive?!" and then "I could make these!" I started to figure out how to recreate some things all on my own without patterns. Then I found ICANMAKETHIS.COM and that gave me more ideas. I had taught myself how to sew WAY back in high school trying to make punky outfits for myself. I had not used a sewing machine since then. So, I got out the old dusty machine and away I went. (I have a much nicer machine now! ) I LOVED it and more importantly my girls LOVED what I made. I remember one day my oldest daughter said, "Mom, can you make me a gameboy?" HAHAH They figured I could make everything else. Afterall, I painted murals in their rooms and pictures, made clothes, wrote music, made food....of course I could make a gameboy!!! lol



The things I made for my girls got so many compliments and then a friend suggested Etsy. I was hooked. I was so inspired by all the talent on there. My shop started to take off. Then I opened a jewelry shop too Jesuisamoureux.etsy.com, but not doing as well as Lil Lollipop because it seems like EVERYONE makes jewelry, but check my shop out if you would like! :)

4)What inspires you to create?: I have to say my girls...since they are my models and were my first inspirations. I am also inspired by color and pattern. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE going to the fabric stores and craft stores. I still have yet to net a profit because I buy so many "supplies" from the stores that I love to hang out in! Adult seasonal trends inspire me. Like this Fall when capes were so popular. I created some lil girl wool capelets. Period fashions inspire me too. Recently I have aquired lots of French fashion magazines from the 1800s and early 1900s. I am framing them to put them up in my studio as inspirations.

5)How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?: Facebook, my blog, twitter, word of mouth and business cards. On Etsy I make TONS of treasuries, which I also love to do. I find that it brings a lot of people my way to my shop. I have done some advertising in Modern Handmade Child and here through Etsy Kids. I used to buy spots on Etsy to promote, but nothing ever came out of those. For me, they were not worth my money. I have more Facebook fans than blog followers. I am not sure why that is, but it is.

6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?: Oh where do I begin!!! Well here are two things I have learned that may help you.

1. DON'T LOW BALL YOURSELF!!! When I first started I was like my own sweat shop as my husband used to say. I would quickly figure out in my head what it cost to make the item and then add 10.00 or 15.00 more dollars to the price. I still have not mastered this completely. I still low ball myself on a lot of things. But, for example, the Madison dress (picture included) with ruffles down the back. It takes about 10 hours for me to make. I was first selling them for 24.99. I think I was getting paid like two dollars an hour!!! Now I sell them for 59.99. I am not getting as many sales for them since raising the price, but I have to be fair to myself and the time I put in. Also, check the market. Go on Etsy and use it as research too. Type in what you are going to sell and see what other shops are selling a similar item for.



2. WHERE THERE IS FEAR THERE IS NO CREATIVITY. There is no fear in art. Don't over think things, just do. Artists feel and react. Second guessing yourself well end up in you not doing anything for fear of a mistake. In art (design) there are no mistakes. The worst that could happen...you don't like it...start again. That is all part of the creative process. Sometimes your best work will come out of something you are not sure will work, but you take the chance and it is AMAZING!!!

Check out her shop for more of her Adorable Items:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lillollipop

Celebration Sale!!!!!!

Hi Everyone,
To Celebrate many thing happening in my life . I am having a Sale to Celebrate my 25th Birthday that is tomorrow and Our 3 year etsy Anniversary that is on Saturday  Plus Celebrating  the exciting news that my Husband and I are excepting our first child in Jan!!!

To get apart of this Celebration Sale ( 15% off your order) enter  the Coupon code at Check out:  CELEBRATION15
Sale Starts Today through  26th.

Also Addi Jai Party Poms is also  having a Sale in Celebration of their 1 year Etsy Anniversary and hitting 500 Sales.
Check out there shop for a (15% off your order)  Enter thie Coupon Code at Check out : SAVE15
Sale Starts Today through  26th.

Thanks so much for Celebrating with us:0)

Feature blog on My Artsy Baby

Hi everyone,
Today's Feature blog on another Awesome Fellow Etsy Kids Member My Artsy Baby.
She Paints Beautifully. Her items are perfect for Birthday gifts , Baby shower gifts and so on.

1)How did you first hear about Etsy?:
I heard about etsy about four years ago from a friend in Nashville


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

I'm a stay at home mom of five from a very creative family. For as long as I can remember, I was always making, painting, or doing something that required imagination! I hope to instill that type of creativity into my own children. I use my art as an outlet, and enjoy it very much. I love painting wall murals, but also enjoy smaller scale projects, which is why Etsy is perfect for me.

3)How did you get started as a designer?

It was my search for unique baby items for baby number five that inspired me to open my own shop. At first I only have canvases in my shop. I put in an alchemy bid to create a growth chart, and that opened a huge door for me. They have become my best sellers.



4)What inspires you to create?:

Everything. Life. My kids. I love browsing blogs and finding inspiration online.

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

Word of mouth is great advertisement. I have many repeat customers, and several who've been referred to my shop through past customers. I am also learning the power of etsy teams. Facebook and blogs have also been quite a success.

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

What are you waiting for? Just go for it! Be you, and learn as you go. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there, and to make mistakes and learn from it. Don't compare yourself to everyone else. Keep your art real and original, and let it speak for itself.

My Artsy Baby is Currently on Vacation but make sure you Hit the blue button to be notified when she re opens. Check out her sold items to see some examples of her items she makes. You will love her Items:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/myartsybaby

Feature Blog on Joyfully Sewn Designs

Hi Everyone,
Today's Feature blog is on Joyfully Sewn Designs another Fellow Etsykids member that makes Adorable Clothing.

1)How did you first hear about Etsy?:

I first heard about Etsy through a few friends who had shops there. I didn't know anything about the place except that it was a website where people could sell their handmade items. When my local business started to slow down enough for me to consider expanding to include online selling, I thought I'd check into Etsy, and I'm glad I did! :)


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

My name is Sarah. I live at home with my parents and younger sister here in SW Missouri. I've been interested in sewing for as long as I can remember. I grew up watching my Grandma sew, and learned so much from her not only about sewing but also about serving and blessing others with sewing. My best friend growing up was also an excellent seamstress and together we sewed many little projects.

3)How did you get started as a designer?

After I graduated from high school I made a Christmas outfit as a gift for a special little friend of mine, and from there, I took off! I've been doing custom sewing for friends, family, and other customers for the past 11 years, and I'm still loving it. Designing patterns certainly isn't my specialty, but I love taking a pattern and making small changes or adding special touches that make each outfit unique. I don't often sew more than one of any outfit unless it's for a custom order (matching sister outfits), or it's something that I really, really liked. :)


4)What inspires you to create?:

Many things inspire me - fabric, pictures, clothes I see, sweet little girls. I love to create cute, feminine, and modest dresses, jumpers, skirts, etc. for girls!

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

Marketing is something that's not easy for me. I have business cards that I include with every order along with giving them out when I can. I also have a blog. I've done a few giveaways on other people's blogs which has helped to bring a few new lookers into my shop and Etsy. Other than that I'm still trying to figure out what I can do to get the word out. :)


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

ENJOY what you do. Be yourself. Don't try to do just what some other person has done. Use the skills and talents you have to create and have fun. There are lots of ideas and patterns out there. Just jump in and see what you can make. And be sure to do your very best at whatever your project is. Don't settle for second best - aim for high quality.

Check out her shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/joyfullysewndesigns

Life update

Hi Everyone,
Many of you know about My husband and I trying to adopt our first child. This plan has thrown a unexpected twist our way. I am Pregnant 9 weeks today to be exact.
We found out in a Crazy way. Here is a link to our Family blog that explains our Miracle story:
www.joeanddevinsblog.blogspot.com
We are so excited!!!!
Please keep us in your prayers for a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Summer Fun Craft: Handmade Side walk Chalk

Hi everyone,
I remember when my sister and I where little we would draw on the sidewalk for hours. We would go through tubes of chalk. I have found a How to on how to Make Sidewalk chalk. This would be a fun project for the kids and could also be great to make to give out for party favors. I can't wait to try this Recipe in the future.

Tools and Materials

• Cardboard tube (saved from center of paper towels, toilet paper, wrapping papers, tinfoil, etc.)
• Scissors
• Duct tape
• Freezer paper
• 32-ounce plastic containers (saved yogurt containers work great)
• Tempera paint in a variety of colors
• 1 cup water
• Mixing spoon
• 1 1/2 cups Plaster of Paris
• Rubber spatula
• Cooling rack

Tip: Silicone baking trays also make great chalk molds, and come in fun shapes such as stars and hearts.

Sidewalk Chalk How-To
1. If necessary, cut cardboard tube to about 5 1/2-inch lengths (the size of half a paper towel tube). Other sizes can be used as well. Use duct tape to tape off one side of each tube.
2. Insert a sheet of freezer paper, cut to size (with paper inside the tube).
3. In a plastic container, mix 2 to 4 tablespoons (depending on color desired) of paint into the cup of water. Continue mixing while slowly adding the Plaster of Paris to the water, until completely combined. The mixture should be about the texture of frosting.
4. Fill prepared tube with mixture, assisting with a rubber spatula. Tap tube on work surface to release air bubbles.
5. The plaster will set in about a half hour, and can be removed from tube after about one hour (check for hardness by gently squeezing tube). Once chalk is removed from tube, place on a cooling rack and let dry completely (at least 24 hours) before using.

You can make Fun shapes and several different colors.
Have fun and Enjoy!!!

Feature blog on AliBeanBaby

Hi Everyone,
Today's Feature blog is on AliBeanBaby another Fellow Etsykids member that makes gorgeous Clothing.

1)How did you first hear about Etsy?:
I first heard about Etsy a few years ago when we were living out of the country from a friend who was a regular buyer. She repeatedly told me I should try selling on Etsy, but I wasn't at all interested.


2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!:
When my husband and I moved back to the States 1 1/2 years ago I was needing to find some kind of job. One of our daughters-in-law kept telling me that I should make little girl clothes and sell them on Etsy. I wasn't at all interested, until we spent a week with them and I made a couple of pillowcase dresses for our 1st granddaughter, who was then 7 months old. I was hooked immediately!!


3)How did you get started as a designer?
I started designing clothes for my dolls when I was very little - kind of a cut-and-paste method! I didn't like using patterns and following directions like my Mom did so I did my own thing. Over the years I made/designed some of my own clothes and then also for our 5 sons when they were little. None of them wanted anything I came up with when they were old enough to know better! That developed into designing and making work-out clothes for the gym that were flattering for different body shapes (while they were trying to get into shape rather than after they were in shape!), which I did with my sister-in-law for a few years. After that my husband and had a business designing and making flags, banners and dance garments. I did all my own patterning, learning how to fit different shapes that wore the same sizes.

4)What inspires you to create?:
When I first started AliBeanBaby I relied on my daughter-in-law's input for dress designs and fabric ideas. Little girl dresses was a very unknown area to me! Thankfully that has changed and I am much more confident now and we both have input. I get inspired both by looking at fabrics and also looking at clothing. I'm not an original creative person - but have ideas sparked from something that I see, with the ideas sometimes similar and sometimes nothing like what I saw originally.

5)How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?:
I count on customers who are wearing AliBeanBaby to bring new customers in, and I love relating to repeat customers. I'm not a social chat-er, so using Facebook and Twitter have been a slow learning process for me but participating in a couple different teams has helped with that. I have done some blog/give-away and photo trading also.

6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?:
When I started AliBeanBaby I didn't have a business plan, or really any kind of plan or goals or vision. I just had 2 dresses and was loving the idea of making more and possibly being able to stay home and make an income doing it. I know that probably isn't a good way to start a business, but not having all of the business aspects in place gave me the freedom to let it grow and develop slowly until I could see the "personality" it was beginning to take on. For someone just starting out I would say to go with who they are personally, whether that means having a detailed business plan and knowing all the steps to take ahead of time, or just having an idea and letting it develop.

Check out her shop for more amazing items:
www.alibeanbaby.etsy.com

Strawberry Etsy Finds

Hi everyone,
I am on a Strawberry Kick right now and thought I would share some awesome Strawberry etsy items I found.

Recycled Soda Can Art- --CupCake Necklace With Toggle Clasp-From AZ Kiwi Strawberry and CC : www.apmemory.etsy.com

Strawberry and Lace Backless Sun Dress : www.ClementinesAtticSF.etsy.com

Strawberry Dessert Soap: www.cocoandlolabathbody.etsy.com

I hope you enjoyed this Finds. Check back for more Etsy Finds.

Feature Blog On Baby Boomba

Hi Everyone,
Today's Feature Blog is on Baby Boomba. She is a Fellow Etsy Kids Member and make Beautiful Baby accessories.

How did you first hear about Etsy?

I first heard about ETSY through a really good friend of mine back in 2007. She is a very crafty mom whom I worked with at a well known children's publishing company.

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

When I was young, my mom taught me how to knit and sew. The sewing eventually came back to haunt me after starting Baby Boomba (inspired by my little 4 year old man). I'm a graphic designer by day and a sewing fiend by night. Or vice versa. When I have spare time and not picking up toys, I try to do a little bit of painting or little crafts with my son. A recent art project I did with him can be found here: http://babyboomba.com/archives/1215

How did you get started as a designer?

My favorite subject in school was art and I was always found holding a sketchbook and a 2B pencil. I grew up drawing and painting which eventually led me to pursue the Graphic Design industry in University. I majored in Fine Art and received an Honors Bachelor of Fine Art degree. The internet was just coming out then so I dived into the beginnings of web design back in the mid 1990's. After graduating, I worked in various design companies ranging from print houses, to multimedia, to publishing, to photo + video, eventually settling down to form my own two companies, Baby Boomba (designer baby gear) and Q graphique (my graphic design company). Both that and chasing my 4 year old leaves me breathless!

What inspires you to create?:

Beautiful designs, beautiful fabric, functionality of a piece.



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

Through Facebook and Twitter and sometimes Newsletters and of course, my website.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?
A teacher in high school once asked me what I wanted to do as a career. I told her I wanted to be an Artist. She replied, "Great you'll be starving!". My response to her right now: "I ain't starving!"

Do what you love, do lots of research, market yourself like crazy and make sure you have a good and solid brand for your company. Invest in a logo. Don't get your best friend's son's nephew to make you one. Take beautiful pictures of your products. Photo shop is your best friend.

Check out her shop for more Lovely baby Items and so much more:
www.babyboomba.etsy.com

Summer fun Craft made out of SeaShell

Hi everyone,
Summer is almost here!!!! I know a lot of people go to the beach for Summer vacation. When you go to the beach do you look for Sea Shells? What do you do with them when you get home? I collect Shells and have tons just sitting in a bucket. If you are like me and just have them Bucket somewhere....I have the Perfect Kids Craft for you.
Why not make SeaShell Kola's out of them?
Awesome Craft for kids.. Found On Martha Stewart.com

Koala How-To
1. Experiment with different combinations to come up with animal shapes before gluing everything into place. We chose small scallop and clam shells for the koalas, and long razor clams decorated with ring-top cowries for the tree.

2. Use small cushions of polymer clay, which is pliable and slightly sticky, to test out various arrangements. For assembly, a tacky, quick-drying glue works best. Build heads and bodies separately. Before joining larger parts, use a brush to glue on small parts (such as beads for eyes) and clay to support creatures while glue dries.

If you don't have shells and are wanting to make this craft. You can go to your local craft store and buy a basket of seashells but that kinda takes the fun out of finding them on then beach yourself and making a Kola out the shell you and your kiddos kind.
Have Fun and Enjoy!!!