Party Inspiration : Star wars Party Ideas!!!!

Hi everyone,
I have a lot of orders for our Star Wars Inspired themed items. So I thought why Not write a post with some fun Star Wars items that would a amazing Party for your little one or for any age!!!

 Star Wars Han Solo Carbonite Ice Cube Tray:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/e845/?cpg=fbl_e845

Robot Droid Sci fi Geek party favors chocolate Lollipops
http://www.etsy.com/listing/62616359/robot-droid-sci-fi-geek-party-favors

Star Wars Tie Fighter Pinata:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74228123/star-wars-tie-fighter-pinata?ref=sr_list_3&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=star+wars+party&ga_view_type=list&ga_ship_to=US&ga_noautofacet=1&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Fgeekery

And Of Course Expressions By Devin Party Decorations To tie it all together:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/78568459/star-wars-inspired-party-pack?ga_search_query=star%2Bwars&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5318504

I hope this blog post helps get those party ideas flowing. Check back for more Party inspiration. You'll  never know the theme you may be thinking about doing may be my next post:0)

Blog Feature On The Sewing Loft and a GIVEAWAY!!!!

 Hi Everyone,
Today's Blog feature is on a Fellow Etsykids Member The Sewing Loft.
She sells Amazing patterns and adorable kids items in her shop.  She is also Giveaway some Amazing Patterns . Make sure you enter for this Awesome Prize ( see details at the end of the feature)

1)How did you first hear about Etsy?:

I 1st heard about Etsy through a friend. She told me that there were amazing artists there and I should consider selling my items. From there it was hooked!

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

My story is really quite simple..... Growing up my family reused everything, not because we were thinking of the environment but because we needed to. This reuse and re purposing always fascinated me. I would watch my mother refashion old clothes into new outfits for me with her trusty sewing machine or snuggle with my grandma on a Saturday morning while she darned thinning socks. One of my favorite things was sitting in a sunny corner of the sewing room sifting through buttons. Those buttons were like “eye candy” to me and not just because they were hidden in an old cookie tin! There were just so many colors, textures, shapes and sizes, each one more intriguing then the next. From these memories and life experiences my passion for creativity was born. My favorite projects all involve sewing but my personal crafting projects all have to be quick and easy. I am so into the instant gratification!

3)How did you get started as a designer?

I was always watching my mother sew and one day, I fell in love with a shirt in a magazine. After "stealing" fabric from moms stash, I started cutting, sewing and creating. Before I knew it, I had a new shirt. Granted, it did not fit well but I made it! And to me, at that moment, it was clear that I would be creating from that day forward. After finishing high school, I fine tuned my skills with a degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology and spent the next twenty years working for some of the top designers. This is where I learned the fine art of manufacturing from the ground up.

4)What inspires you to create?:

I am constantly inspired by everyday by the simple things in nature. Like the colors in flowers, birds on the feeder or colors of leaves during the changing of seasons. It is amazing what you can create when you think outside of the box.

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

To help spread the word about my products and Etsy, I use our Facebook page. It is amazing just how much social media has changed the playing field of younger businesses. I also partner with some amazing Etsy teams. Collaborating with other talented artists helps keep my shop fresh.

6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?:
My advice to aspiring designers is to follow your dream and be true to yourself. I have found that my best selling products are the ones that are dear to me.

GIVEAWAY~
One lucky winner will a collection of "DIY" patterns from The Sewing Loft.
To include:

Fabric Flower Headband
Zipper Flower
Flower Brooch


These patterns/tutorials will be sent direct to the winner via email in a pdf format.


Here is how to enter:
1.) You must Fan The Sewing Lofts Facebook Page.Leave a comment below letting me know you did.
Extra Entry
2.) You must Fan Expressions By Devin Facebook Fan Page. Leave a comment letting me know you did.

Giveaway Ends Thursday September 1st. The lucky winner will be picked out using Random.org

Good Luck

Customer photos ~ Enchanted Forest Party~

Hi Everyone,
I wanted to share some Customer photos that I was sent. I a Fellow member from Etsykids team Tz Burps order some enchanted forest items from me for her daughters birthday. Check out her shop out and see what a amazing plush owls, birds ,other animals  and so much more :
http://www.etsy.com/shop/tzburps

Here are the Photos from her Adorable Party

She order a few sets of Centerpiece sticks to make this adorable centerpiece buckets!!!

Our Enchanted forest Centerpiece sticks with the Adorable Birthday girl Emma!!! Look at the handmade cake they made... So CUTE!!!

Blog Feature on Apple N Amos

Hi Everyone,
Blog feature for today is On Apple N Amos a Fellow etsy kids member. Read how her business began and Check out her Wonderful Handmade items!!!

1)How did you first hear about Etsy?: I first heard about Etsy on NPR. They were doing a interview with the creators and I thought to myself, "this sounds like a pretty cool thing, a world market place for artists.What a great way to see people from all over the Earth doing their thing!"

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

My name is Amos, I met my hubby on Match.com, fell in love and moved to Connecticut and have since become a co-sleeping mama to Henry, my 3 year old. I am very passionate about photography, books, gardening, camping, consigning, sewing and crocheting. I am obsessed with anything Little House on the Prairie and I aspire to become Ma Ingalls. My dream is to move off the grid...farm, make soap, live in a yurt and build a wicked tree house.

3)How did you get started as a designer?

I lost my job in July of 2010 and have yet to find another one. So, pushed up against a rock and a hard place, I did what any tough cookie does...I started to sew... that led me to Etsy and in September 2010 I opened up my shop, started a blog and the rest is still being written.

4)What inspires you to create?:
Henry is a pretty big influence on me and of course our Mother Earth. That is why I started working with wood...I wanted him to play and learn with toys that honored Her and our connection to Her. There is something to be said for toys and handmade goods that can be played with now and passed on to the next generation.

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

Well, first I looked to my friends to spread the word for me and when that starts to wind down, I moved to the social networks and tried to gather a following on my facebook page and blog (www.applenamos.blogspot.com). But let's not forget Etsy Teams...they are crucial. Finding a supportive, creative and encouraging team really helped push me forward. I met other people that were just a hardworking and passionate as I am. It has been a wonderful experience.

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

I would say just go for it! Find your voice and then scream it from every place you can!

Check out Apple N Amos shop for more Amazing Items:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/applenamos

Halloween Cupcake toppers ... Now in shop

Hi everyone,
Halloween themed cupcake toppers and party pack are now available in shop. Get them for a Halloween themed birthday party or For a Halloween party . Great for school Parties and so much more.

Check out my shop for details on the Halloween themed Items:
 www.devinprather.etsy.com

Blog Feature on The Itti-bitti baby boutique

Hi everyone,
Today's Feature is on a fellow Etsykids Members shop: The Itti-bitti baby boutique
She has beautifully made Baby & Kids items.... so much more

1)How did you first hear about Etsy?:

I can't remember how I first heard about Etsy, but I do know that once I saw it, I was hooked! I just loved everything! I called my sister immediately and told her she had to check out this awesome site!

( I am totally going to be purchasing one of these for my diaper bag once we find out if we are having a boy or girl in September)


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

Well, my name is Erica and I am a proud mommy of two boys, Cale and Elias. I love the simple life, as misleading as it may sound. And yes… I'm one of those moms that think, "If I CAN do it myself, darn it, I'm GOING to do it my self!" I homeschool, cloth diaper, and soon will be starting a small fruit and vegetable backyard garden. AND I LOVE IT ALL!


3)How did you get started as a designer?

My grandmother sewed EVERYTHING! from dresses to dog beds and with visiting through the summers growing up, I learned all sorts of crafting skills. After I was given my first sewing machine I also began sewing everything, from pillows to prom dresses. After creating things for myself that seemed to make my life so much more simpler, my friends began asking me if I could make something for them. Naturally, my next step was an Etsy shop, which has pushed me as a designer and a mommy.


4)What inspires you to create?:

Anything to make my life easier as a mother is enough to think that maybe another mommy out there might need these same things. The more I sell, the more motivated I am to get up and make my baby items for the people out there going on errands, trips and playdates without them!

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

I Facebook a lot and tell my friends all about the things I'm making next or what I just finished. I've also recently started joining some of the Etsy Teams, such an awesome resource! I really think it's upped the traffic I'm getting through my shop.

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

Photography, photography, photography! You wouldn't believe how much the look of your pictures effect your potential to sell! You have to keep it creative and unique, and NEVER boring and drab. I also think a logo is so important to your design's advertisement! Make sure when you sell your item, YOU are still on it somewhere! It doesn’t have to be big and obvious, I use a small tag with my shop's name on.

Make sure you check out her shop for more Wonderful items:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mommmyerica