ETSY BLOGGERS BLOG CARNIVAL!

Welcome to the August 2nd, 2010 edition of the rockin EtsyBloggers blog carnival!

julie marriott presents Blog Carnival for July posted at Welcome To My World.

Liz Howell presents Summer Fashions at LizsWares! posted at Liz's Wares.

cindy devine presents They're back! posted at Devine Designs Jewelry.

Missie presents EtsyBloggers Carnival Post posted at Sykin's One Stop Etsy Shopping Guide.

Deirdre presents Catching up on the Handmade Faire posted at Blackbird's Learning To Fly.

theashgrove presents Blog Carnival: Summer Inspiration posted at Notes from the Ash Grove.

Betty Mathers presents Summer Flowers posted at The ReFORMatory.

BeadedTail presents Friday Features posted at beadedtail.

MagdaleneJewels presents Carnival Blog: My Summer Designs posted at MagdaleneJewels's Blogs.

Sandi Myers presents Blog Carnival – Who taught me to crochet? posted at The T-Shirt Lady.

Linda Pruitt presents Who started me crafting? posted at Pruitt Handcrafts.

April Featured Blogger: Magdalene Jewels & Knits

Congratulations to Pam, who runs two wonderful shops: Magdalene Jewels and Magdalene Knits. Shes this months featured blogger on Etsy Bloggers Team!

Take a look at some of her jeweled creations and cute knitted items! Summer is around the bend, and what better way to show your summery style~

Featured Blogger for March: DizzyDragonflies

Check out this month's featured blogger from Etsy Bloggers Team! http://www.dizzydragonflies.etsy.com/

She has some really unique hand dyed and hand spun yarns plus knitted items from her own handmade yarn. If you're into crocheting or knitting, shes definitely got the bold and bright yarns for you. Super soft Worsted Wool in tons of colors. Imagine the possibilities! Plus her prices are very reasonable for such a handmade a item!

I'm on the Mini Monday Feature!

http://etsybloggers.blogspot.com/2010/02/minimonday-bwsilver.html

Mini Monday Featured Blogger for the Etsy Bloggers Street Team!

SWEET!

TiLT Creations! February Featured Blogger

Congrats to TiLT Creations on the feature! This month it's all about you and your handmade goods. Take a look at some of her awesome hand sewn bags and accessories!

Check out her Etsy shop http://www.tiltcreations.etsy.com/ and her other shop for the wee ones & patterns http://www.tilttoo.etsy.com/

Shes got it made! All of her bags, purses, clutches are one of a kind, but she also does custom work. A great trade to have considering you could always use a funky or cute purse for spring/summer time! Plus baby bags are always a great gift for new moms...

Check out her BLOGS! (shes definitely keeps busy)
Crafts, kids, home & life: http://tiltcreations.blogspot.com/
Tilts Creations: http://tiltcreationstoo.blogspot.com/
Tilt Treasury Blog: Tilt Treasures - http://tilttreasures.blogspot.com/
Giveaway finds Blog: http://tiltsgiveawayfinds.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tiltcreations
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tiltcreations
Plurk: http://www.plurk.com/tiltcreations

Mini Monday Feature: jnoriginals

Hello all, just adding a feature to help support some of my fellow etsy bloggers! Featuring Judy and her 3 Etsy websites!!! She's got tons of crafty items!

hand crochet "Scarflette"

hand felted Needle Book

"Mini Brag Book"

Her first shop is jnoriginals, http://www.jnoriginals.etsy.com/, has neat hand felted designs like the needle book above, and some pretty crochet items like the scartlette. There are a variety of felted flowers, business card holders, as well as crochet "spa cloths" and pretty handbags too. She has a unique way about her designs, each has a personal touch.

The second shop is Mister PenQuin, http://www.misterpenquin.etsy.com/. This shop features her "Creative accessories for Creative minds" and is full of writing books, the "mini brag book" as show above, and cute hand made note cards and gift tags. A great shop to help store those memories, ideas and photos.

Her third shop, 2nd Chance Treasures, http://2ndchancetreasures.etsy.com/ is full of just that. From old cross stitch patters, to holiday decor and others, this shop is a resale spot for someones old or used items that can become new again. It's a great way to recycle your treasures to someone else, you never know who might be interested....

Learn more about Judy's handcrafted designs, and other items from her blogs:

http://www.wordwalks.blogspot.com/

and

http://www.sparklines.blogspot.com/

Blog Carnival for January!!

For Etsy Bloggers Street Team January blog Carnival!

**What's your favorite Winter time activity?**

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I must start by mentioning that I'm not a fan of the cold weather, and I do love to stay inside on a chilly day! Living on the NC coast gets it's share of rain, snow, and cold weather for many more days of the year than Texas...I miss the warm January's there...but, I try to keep busy inside as I love the warmth of a snugly blanket and hot cocoa!

As of now it's cold here, but I'm definitely staying busy with jewelry orders and trends developments. I haven't made too much lately as I'm trying to get some of my stock sold before I indulge into more jewelry designs...a draw back of the January season no less...Christmas is over!

So I'm keeping busy with getting the house organized and fixed up nice to get ready to put it on the market. And there are lots of unorganized closets, shelves and storage that I have forgot about...and the garage definitely can use some cleaning love. It's a great time of year to re-vamp your organization, clean, and rearrange! I like the idea of cleanliness in the summertime and spring, but I'd much rather be outside than indoors cleaning when the weather is nice again!

The custom orders keep me busy so I'm glad about that, I don't have kids, just my Schatz dog and she sheds like it's already summer so I'm definitely keeping myself busy with all the vacuuming! Plus with all the cleanliness that's going on, I'll be ahead of the curve by the time allergy season hits!

Is it May yet?....

If I had my way I'd be taking advantage of the season and get to a place where I can snowboard!!!!! It's so fun! A trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains or West Virginia might need to be in order! That's the one part of the snow that I do enjoy!

Magdelene Jewels - Mini Monday

Magdalene Jewels is today's Mini Monday featured Etsy Blogger! ((http://www.etsybloggers.blogspot.com/))

Artisan Pam, the person behind "MagdaleneJewels”, flexes her creative nature with embroidering, crocheting, knitting, and quilting. Her jewelry shop: http://www.magdalenejewels.etsy.com/ contains necklaces, bracelets and earrings mainly using Swarovski Crystals in her own creative designs.

Besides selling on Etsy, Pam also does a lot of custom orders and craft shows - and just recently opened up a new shop on Etsy: http://www.magdaleneknits.etsy.com/ which showcases a lot of knitted and crocheted items such as adorable baby booties and sweaters, scarfs, and neck warmers.

Check out her blogs at http://www.magdalenejewelspjk.blogspot.com/ and http://www.magdalenejewelsblogs.blogspot.com/.

Great items Pam!

Successful Sale {Blog Carnival!}

Thanks to Indulgeyourshelf for hosting this weeks Blog Carnival for the Etsy Bloggers Street Team! Q: What was your most successful sales event or product, and why do you think it was?

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I'd have to narrow that question down to two equally challenging, profitable and fun custom pieces. The first would have to be the Cross pendant necklace I custom made for my cousin Chris. He runs a Metalsmithing business in San Antonio, TX and wanted me to make him a custom pendant that matched his company logo. After design collaboration, we ended up with this idea and I hand cut, soldered and forged every detail.

Made form Argentium Sterling silver sheet, pendant measures 2" long on Sterling silver oxidized chain 18"

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My other successor would have to be the custom arm band I handmade for a customer in Spain. She asked me to make her a large {3" x 8.5"} arm cuff she could wear on her upper arm. She wanted the three rows of studs added for design flair and for it to be adjustable. This cuff was among the largest pieces I have ever had to solder and forge. It was a challenging piece, but I was very happy with the outcome and so was my customer...

Sterling Silver sheet with Sterling studs. One monster of an arm cuff!

I'd definitely say that these two pieces were the most successful due to the time, skill and money put into them. They are the most expensive pieces I have made and the most cherished. I hope the customers who have them know that I worked especially hard to ensure they were just as please with the design and outcome as I was. They helped me build my skills as a craftswoman and I hope for more challenging pieces in the future!

Viva Vintage

{An Etsy Bloggers Group "Mini Monday" shout out to Laurie and her fun and unique Etsy shops!!!}

Indulge Your Shelf & Twice Shy Restored are her cute little shops that feature vintage finds she has restored, revamped and rewound to sell to today's vintage seekers! Quite the variety of cute finds from hand appliqued hankies, lace & buttones, china, antique decor, and vintage-y knick-knacks.

She uses beautiful old table cloths and lace to make cute throw pillows and card tags. Plus there is a variety of vintage findings and supplies for you to make your own restored antique treasures in her Twice Shy Restored shop

Her blog gets you up close with her findings, ideas and projects. She's also won a few awards for her work! Here are a few finds form her Indulge Your Shelf shop on Etsy...

Show Your Face

Blog Carnival post for my Etsy Bloggers: I love to know the artist behind the work. Show us a picture of yourself and talk about your work, life...whatever. Interview yourself if you like...

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- ALL ABOUT BW:SILVER - (Survey Style)

Name: Brittany Wende

Nicknames?: "Britt", and formerly known as "BZ" by all my friends, but they still call me that...

Business Name: BW:SILVER

Why This name?: It's my initials, plus what I do...silver!

Business Location: Hubert, NC...but I'm a Marine wife to it's a traveling business...

Year Started: 2007

Type of Business: Custom & Handmade Jewelry

Media: Argentium Sterling, Sterling Silver, authentic gemstones, glass beads

Favorite Materials to Use: TURQUOISE STONES!

Products Sold: Chain and beaded necklaces, pendants, rings, earrings, cuffs, bangles, bracelets, etc...

Inspiration: Natural objects, antique jewelry, paintings & colors, fashion magazines, individual ideals, changing seasons, art books

Target Market: Anyone who enjoys handmade jewelry!

Price Point: Moderate to Best --everything is handmade!

Employees: 0

Office/Studio Location: My garage!!

Websites: 4 - ETSY, Artfire, 1000Markets, Blog

Social Networking Sites: Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn (Be My Friend!!)

------Q & A ------

Where did you learn your craft?

It was my minor in college, I took a metalsmithing class just out of curiosity, I never knew it would turn into more than a hobby. I didn't know if I could get into it at first, but after my first few lessons, I knew I was really going to like it. My great grandfather was an ornamental metalsmith that came over from Germany to the US and started his metalworking business in TX. Since then, my Grandpa and my uncles and cousins has all carried down this business, and now I do the same...just on a smaller scale. I guess it's kind of in my blood?

What makes your designs different than others?

I try to design pieces that are eye catching, unusual, and unique. I feel that jewelry should reflect someones personality. Fun, funky, bold, simplistic, clean...I'm all of those! I have many different styles I like to incorporate into each piece. It's fun to play with different techniques and try new things to see if I can come across a totally original and unique art piece and someone can have & wear. I like that my work is mainly original and one of a kind, it makes each piece that much more valuable to the person. Jewelry should be loved too, not just worn!

What are your future business plans or goals?

I hope to have a wider customer base and maybe even a shop someday I can sell my work and other handmade artists works. I value the efforts of handmade goods and artists with those skills to make someones life a little more vivacious & fun! I would also like to learn more about jewelry making and metalsmithing, an apprenticeship with a silversmith artist or advanced metalsmithing workshops would be great.

I like working with silver just as well, but I think incorporating other metals would be nice too. It will also help to broaden my consumers. No everyone likes the look of silver, and I always like to try new things! Maybe one day I can be like James Avery!

Any current specials, sales, or shows going on soon?

As of now, and always, I have FREE SHIPPING on all items over $30! And that includes Canada & overseas shipping. And in the next few weeks I will be posting a LIQUIDATION SALE of items in my Etsy shop that MUST GO! ((They are cluttering up space for new jewelry pieces to come...))

All of my items are complimentary gift wrapped, boxed and ready to enjoy or give upon receipt. I can also do custom greetings on a gift tag to include on any items purchased. I don't have any shows planned as of now, but I'm looking into a November show in Wilmington, NC. Christmas is coming....

Memories For Life

As a member of the EtsyBlogger Team I will be writing a monthly blog post about a chosen group member...this month's feature is for Edi and her fabulous Etsy shop "Memories for Life Scrapbooks!"



Edi has a variety of items to keep your memories looking as cute as ever! Featuring an assortment of creative handmade photo albums with custom wording, prints, layouts, etc. Her notepads have fun patterns and designs, with an interesting twist...some of them are made out of flip flops!



Cool designs for a creative memory keeper, these items are one of a kind! Visit her shop for more info about her craft and see other items she's got. A perfectly unique way to store your precious photos!

Blog + Carnival = Blarnival!

This post regards the Etsy Bloggers ::Blog Carnival:: bi-weekly post, and OF COURSE I wanted to participate as a newbie...
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TOPIC: In a few months, the holiday season will be in full swing. What are you planning for: increasing your inventory, festival hopping, networking?
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But of course I am planning to get my self geared up for the holidays! It's probably my busiest time. Last year was good, but I'm hoping to do better this year. With the fall approaching...yikes! already!...I'm finishing up custom orders as of now, and moving onto a new collection of turquoise and silver inspired bracelets, rings, necklaces and more! I recently made a trip home (to "Tejas") and brought back mucho turquoise and unique stones to work with.

I went to the International Gem & Jewelry Show on June 19! One word: AMAZING! If you've never gone before, you must go! It's worth it and so inspirational! They have wholesale beads, findings, finished jewelry and even fancy diamonds to trendy cheap styles. It's the BEST and goes all over the US.

A few necklaces have already been made and posted form findings at the G & J Show, but that's beaded stuff...the metalwork aspect will come into play very soon. My Military Medallion pendants have been a big hit with my fellow Facebookers and military friends, so I plan to keep them rolling as the year goes on. I'm gearing up to possibly have a booth at the (OWC) Camp Lejeune Art Fair again this year....and this time, I'll be ready! Last year was fine, but it was also my very first "show" so I didn't know what to expect. Now, I am fully ready to take on the show with a better set up, display, organization, etc. I'm hoping to do well this year! The Art Fair will be in November, usually close to Thanksgiving, I'll post exact dates once I know more ~ My husband should be possibly coming home from Afghanistan around then so we'll have to see if I can actually make it.


As of now I am still selling items via Etsy, 1000 Markets, Artfire, as well as Joolz in Canandaigua, NY and of course through social networking with my Facebook group and some on Myspace. If you'd like to be my friend on either of those sites please feel free! Just give me a heads up on where you heard about me. I'd love to connect with other buyers/sellers of handmade goods. Connection is the key!

Newbie On Board

Proud new member of the Etsy Bloggers Team! After pending approval, and waiting about a month I have finally been approved to be apart of the Etsy Bloggers proboard and blog site. It's a great way to get new ideas, updates on new artists, new items, and much more. I hope to get more traffic through this site and get to know other Etsy sellers too...

There are some really awesome handmade items out there! Take a look at what they have to offer...

http://www.etsybloggers.blogspot.com/

New sellers are welcome to join the proboard with a few small membership requirements, but everyone can check out the blog to see what's happening with some of their favorite Etsyians...