etsy trashion blog

Enter: The Year of the Dragon

2012-01-23T08:34:00.003-05:00

Dragon Chinese Zodiac Print by Chet Art

Check out the amazing shop of Chet Phillips Illustration.

His "collection of foolishness is created using the natural media painting software Painter"

Each print is signed on archival ultra premium matte paper.

His work will bring a smile to your face!

Visit Chet Art to sign up for email announcements and specials.

Read his interview on "It's Art" and check out
his "Now infused with vitamins blog!"

Scavenger Hunt with Twitch and Whiskers

2012-01-01T22:10:00.004-05:00

Ring in the New Year by winning a $25 gift certificate

from one of our fabulous Trashion Team members...

Twitch and Whiskers!

You don't have to be a genius to win.

Here is how you can enter to win the gift certificate:

1) There are 12 questions (for 2012...get it?). They can be found on the Scavenger Hunt Form. Comb through the Twitch and Whiskers Blog to find the answer to all 12 questions. Hint: use the labels on the side of the page to guide you.

2) Want to be entered twice? Share this contest on Facebook or Twitter. Indicate that you have shared it on the Scavenger Hunt Form.

3) Make sure you submit your name and email address on the form. Twitch and Whiskers will not place you on a mailing list or share your address with any one. This information will just be used to contact the winner.

The last day to enter this contest is January 8th at midnight. The winner will be randomly chosen from all entries using randomizer.org on January 9th.

Twitch and Whiskers will contact the winner via email on the same day. You can use the gift certificate towards any item in their Etsy Shop, for a customized piece, or in person at an upcoming show!

You can DIY (or get help from a friend).

Find the questions in this Scavenger Hunt Form
Find the answers on the Twitch and Whiskers Blog
Good luck and thanks for playing!

Images and text © Twitch and Whiskers

What's Up Wednesday: Junksmith

2011-11-29T22:45:00.004-05:00

Our very own Junksmith will be participating in the

Pleasant Home Artisan's Sale in Oak Park, IL.

Open house and meet the artist event is
Sunday, December 4 from 1-4 p.m.

The show continues from
Monday Dec. 5- Sunday Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Pleasant Home is an historic house museum located approximately 10 miles from downtown Chicago.

Free tours will be conducted during the open house.

Go to PleasantHome for further information.

Pleasant Home Artisan's Sale

217 Home Ave., Oak Park, IL.

Images © Junksmith

Feature Me Friday: Black Friday Cyber Monday

2011-11-25T12:50:00.005-05:00

Find fab Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals

from a few of our Trashion Team Members !

Rabbit Totem Beaded Cuff by Robin Stelling

Check out Robin Stelling and her beautiful creations!
Use code THANKSGIVING11 at checkout for 25% off

all ready-to-ship items including cuffs, necklaces, earrings, etc.

Please note: Discount does not apply to custom orders or made-to-order items.

Grunge Heart Scrabble pendant by Tubby Tabby ~ 50% off!

Get on over to Tubby Tabby's shop to find 50% off select

pendants listed in the Upcycled section on sale now!

No codes needed, they're priced to sell!


Gift Card Earrings by Green Designs by Lisa

Visit our newest member Green Designs by Lisa

Black Friday through Cyber Monday sale!!!

30% off any item in her shop!!

Use code Moorea and the discount will be taken.

Images © Robin Stelling, Tubby Tabby, Green Designs by Lisa

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T09:27:00.003-05:00

Orange Felted Wool Necklace by Scavengers Daughter

Happy Thanksgiving from the Trashion Team!

Image © The Scavengers Daughter

Feature Me Friday: Deja Vu

2011-11-18T09:21:00.008-05:00

We're finally back with another fantastic feature...

Rita J Peters of Deja Vu and SenoritaCA !

Rita comes to us from sunny Quail Valley, CA 92587

Hey Rita! What’s the first thing you remember making?

As a child we used to re-cycle christmas cards, make things from brown paperbags, make paperchains out of music sheets or pages from a colorful magazine, paperdolls out of thrown away magazines. We were always treasure hunting at the dump that was back in the day where the trash wasn't processed or bulldozed over and you were allowed to crawl amongst the treasures!

Why do you work with recycled materials?
It gives me such pride to be able to take something and re-design it into something current or useable once again. Materials from days of yorn are so much better constructed or made.

Where do you work?

I work on my patio, pictures are attached. I have re-designed my walk in patio as a shop.

Editors note: This looks an awful lot like Santa's workshop!

What are your favorite tools?

Jewelry pliers, scissors, and a dremel.

How do you get from A to Z?

By design!

Who inspires you?
Frida Kahlo, Laurel Burch, free spirited artists of which there are many non-descript in our area.

What music do you listen to while you’re working?
Frida Kahlo Movie Sound Script, Frank Sinatra, and it really depends on the weather and my mood.

Read any good books lately?
I read magazines - subscribed to Cowboy and Indian, Belle Armoire Cloth Design, Bell Armoire Jewelry Design and I have tons of bead books that I dive into when I am going to undertake a new challenge.

Been to any great exhibits?
No but my Frida Kahlo charm jackete was on display in Germany at a Frida Kahlo Exhibit.

Besides Etsy, where can we find you work?

I am featured on Ebay, same shop name Senoritaca and I am also showcased in an antique shop in Lake Elsinore called Mora's Antiques - 130 North Main Street, Lake Elsinore, CA.

How do you promote your work?
I have been in the newspaper several times, an article was written up about my work in Antiques, a Riverside County monthly publication that showcases unique people and their works. I float my work on facebook amongst my friends. I also donate items at my church so people will go to my shops on the internet.

What do you do for fun?

Sing in a rock and roll praise team for Celebrate Recovery. It is awesome.

I garden vegetables, herbs and flowers. Go for the hunt in thrift stores, estate sales, Salvation Army, garage sales - nothing more relaxing than doing this.

What’s in your future?

I plan on remodeling a space in my home, an attached room, that will be set up as a shop. I plan on taking silversmithing classes to begin that venture.

Have any words of wisdom?
No matter where you go there you are so leave your footprints!

Images & Text © Rita J Peters

Feature Me Friday: EllieMac Designs

2011-08-26T11:28:00.002-04:00

This week we'd like to introduce you to Mary Beth Stevens of EllieMac Designs! Mary Beth comes to us from Lynchburg, Virginia.

What's the first thing you remember making?

As a child I remember trying to teach myself to draw from a Richard Scarry children's book. The first finished product I made was in college (1990). I repurposed an old chair my grandmother gave me. I loved finding old furniture and giving it a new life. I re-painted it and did some hand painted flower work. My family & I just moved to a new house this past fall and I found that chair... I'm glad my skills have improved!

Why work with recycled materials?

I came up with an idea for a recycling project for my son and his kindergarten class in 2006. It was a 2 week project where the 3 classes brought in their recyclables (plastic & cans) to school. Whichever class collected the most won a party. As the days passed I collected the recyclables and stored them at my house to determine which class had the most. It was amazing how many bottles & cans the kids brought in. After the contest my children and I sorted everything in our back yard. There were mounds, piles & heaps. I wanted to created something for my sons teacher to remember the project... that's how my recycled art began. I did have a picture with my son in the heaps, but I can't find it.

Where do you work?

I work in my home & in my yard. My children own me and I revolve around them most of the time. So... I get to work on my projects when they are occupied.

How do you get from A to Z?

I'm quite organized. My friends actually chuckle because of my OCD in organization. They know who to ask when they move and need to pack up or just tidy up & rearrange things. I tried to start up an organizational business but had to stop because of my physical limitations; I've had 3 back surgeries.

What are your favorite tools?

I don't think I have a favorite, but I can say my Boston Terrier has a massive phobia to one of my tools. It's the tool I use to center punch my flower layers. It's not a regular hole puncher so it makes a loud noise. He freezes in fear because of the sound and will not move until I leave my work table, it sometimes is hours.

Do you listen to music while you're working?
Sometimes I have the local radio station on, sometimes the TV, but most of the time the sound of both is drowned out by my Red Poicephalus Parrot named Cookie, so I just talk to her.

Read any good books lately?

Beautiful Creatures & Beautiful Darkness - The Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl. If you like imagery and fantasy these are awesome. I hope there's a third book.

Been to any good exhibits?

Last summer my children & I went to Philadelphia, PA and saw an exhibit on Cleopatra (National Geographic). It was amazing to actually be in the same room with relics that belonged to Cleopatra herself. Wonderful & interesting history!

What five fab things you're purchased on Etsy?

Taper candles from Forest Candle Studio

Roman Coin Ring from Marajoyce

Tuffet from Fiber and Fire

Crown Charm from Cathy Dailey

Lampshades from A Shady Past

Where do you sell your wy work?

I'm on Etsy and there is a shop in Ocracoke, NC that carries my stemmed flowers.

How do you promote your work?
I'm trying to start a blog, but have no idea what I'm doing as far as setting up my page. I go into the forums on Etsy and belong to 4 Etsy teams: UpCyclers, Flowers & Romance, Hill City Street Team & the Trashion Team. I post on Facebook and Twitter also.

What do you see in your future?
I hope that my work continues to get noticed and people find my work to be beautiful and EllieMac Designs grows. I would like to finally be able to say to myself I am a true artist.

Have any words of wisdom?

I've gone thru out my life trying to find my true passion, what I was meant I do/career, believing my art was not adequate. I have my BS from college, I have my certification as a CNA and a Medication Technician and I also took classes to become a teacher years ago. But... I've always, always come back full circle to my art and began creating again. My wisdom... have confidence in yourself and listen to your heart.

Images & Text © EllieMac Designs

Trash Talk Thursday: Cast Your Vote!

2011-08-25T11:26:00.006-04:00

Lego Belt Buckles

The nice folks over at Fine Tuxedos and Formal Wear Accessories
are sponsoring a little contest, and our very own
Miss Courageous is lucky enough to be part of it!

So, please head on over to their blog and vote for her
Lego Belt Buckles, product lucky number 7!

Good luck Miss Courageous!

Images © Miss Courageous

What's Up Wednesday: What I Received in the Mail Today...

2011-08-24T16:04:00.004-04:00

vintage on the ridge

Etsy Sellers... you gotta love 'em

I found two beautiful vintage victorian trade cards in
a lovely etsy shop called Vintage on the Ridge.

I received my package today and was delighted to find my cards carefully wrapped in pretty teal and brown polka dot tissue paper with a dainty matching ribbon tied up in a bow. Very nice.

What tickled me most about the package (besides the cards wrapped inside!) is the note on the matching custom sticker used to secure the tissue...

I Hope You Love It

Thanks So Much

Please leave feedback - It's nice to hear from you!

In such a small space this seller was able to convey to me her anticipation that I love what she's sent, her thanks, and what is probably the nicest request for feedback that I've ever received. Nicely done.

Do you have any great packaging stories to share?

Marketing Monday: Is It Relevant? Part II

2011-08-23T01:20:00.004-04:00

delightworthyn

This week I'm posting a bunch of links for those of you who

would like to read up on the subject. There are posts and

discussions just about everywhere!

Make Your Shop More Relevant

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/make-your-shop-more-relevant/

How Etsy's New "Search By Relvelancy" Will Affect Your Current Sales Strategy

http://papernstitchblog.com/2011/08/15/how-etsys-new-search-by-relevancy-will-affect-your-current-sales-strategy/

Location, Location, Location

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/location-location-location/

{Business Tips} ETSY SEO: Relevancy Over Recency

http://blog.ecoetsy.com/2011/08/business-tips-etsy-seo-relevancy-over-recency/html/

And if you care to dive into the Forums on Etsy,

here's a link to discussions on relevancy!

http://www.etsy.com/forums_search.php?search_query=relevancy&search_submit=&search_type=forum_titles

Marketing Monday: Is It Relevant?

2011-08-15T20:57:00.006-04:00

Vintage Redoux

rel·e·vant adj \ˈre-lə-vənt\

Definition of RELEVANT

1 a : having significant and demonstrable bearing
on the matter at hand
b : affording evidence tending to prove or disprove
the matter at issue or under discussion <relevant testimony>
c : having social relevance

2 : proportional, relative

Synonyms: applicable, apposite, apropos, germane, material,
pointed, relative, pertinent

Antonyms: extraneous, immaterial, impertinent, inapplicable,
inapposite, irrelative, irrelevant, pointless

If you've been around Etsy this past week,
you've probably heard about relevancy.

The Storque posted about it
Keeping It Relevant: Default Search Is Now "Sort By Relevancy"
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/keeping-it-relevant-default-search-is-now-sort-by-relevancy/

and there was a letter from Chad, Etsy's new CEO, Notes From Chad
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/a-letter-from-chad-to-the-community/

Here are some tips on Putting Your Shop On Top: Etsy's Most Relevant Search

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/putting-your-shop-on-top-etsy%E2%80%99s-most-relevant-search/

There are lots of discussions in the Etsy Forums as well as on Twitter.
While all of shop items may not come up as the most relevant,
or even on page 1 in a relevant search,
I think something I saw on Twitter is important to keep in mind,

"We have to be a happy getting some items on page 1.
Think of it as an ad for your shop.
A buyer sees it - might not be right color but your shop has
a [item] so in they come to browse around.'
@TialeyVintage

Marketing Monday: Pricing Your Work

2011-08-07T22:54:00.007-04:00

Emily of Candy Calamity sent me this link last week
How-To: Price Your Handcrafted Goods.

You might think that pricing your work is more of a business tips sort of post, but pricing your work is related to how much you might sell. Changing your prices, creating a coupon, or having a sale are all marketing techniques to increase sales. So when you price your work, you must keep all of these things in mind in addition to all of the things mentioned in the article.

Happy making and don't work for free!!!

Marketing Monday: Attributes on Etsy

2011-07-31T12:38:00.004-04:00

Kimmy of bellavioletta shared a forum thread with me this weekend.
If you have been listing new items in your shop,
you may have noticed a new box with "attributes."
Everything from African and Art Deco to Victorian and Zen.
Here's a link to the discussion thread
Having trouble with attributes? Here's a guide!

Marketing Monday: How to Screw Up Your Art Show

2011-07-25T17:26:00.004-04:00

Marang Studios

If you're like me, you're busy enjoying summer!
For some of you, that might mean a craft fair.
I had to share this post I found, because so much of it just made sense.

How To Screw Up Your Art Show

I can say I'm guilty of a couple of things the author says not to do,
but I think my favorite part was,
"Hang a showstopper on the rear wall. You MUST stop the hoards
of people rushing by like the Children of the Corn."
And "We saw a tent sign, 'No one enter without permission.' "
I was once at a tent with a sign that read "please do not touch"
and the artist was selling textiles. "Need I say more?"

So find that showstopper, don't hang silly signs, and
have yourself a great summer and some great shows!!!

Marketing Monday: Promo Swaps!

2011-07-11T18:32:00.007-04:00

Fab Trashion Team Swag

Promo Swaps are a great way for teams to help promote each others work.

Kimmy of Bella Violetta organizes a promo swap for our team twice a year.
It's a daunting prospect, trying to corral a bunch of artists,
but she's up to the task!

Everyone that participates sends Kimmy swag and in return receives a box of goodies. It's always exciting to open the box to see what's inside.
The promos get better every time we swap.
It's really quite impressive!

When we send out an order it includes a promo from a fellow member.
Who doesn't love to get swag??

The Trashion Team creates art, jewelry, fashion and objects from materials that are recycled, leftover, thrifted, or found.
We promote environmental awareness & look good doing it!
But it doesn't stop there! Man do we know how to brand our businesses!
Check out the amazing promos from this year's swap!

Images © 2011
All rights reserved.

Marketing Monday: Copyrights

2011-06-26T11:33:00.014-04:00

oblue

Last month there was a stir about Urban Outfitters stealing a design from an Etsy designer. While Regretsy may not be popular with everyone, the blog's author pointed out that the Etsy artist wasn't the first to create the design in question in this post.

Marie Young designs

I also found a very informative article on Crafting an MBA that explains why "You can't copyright an idea and you can't copyright a useful object." The author, Megan Auman, starts out discussing the Urban Outfitters story and goes on to explain that the US government sees jewelry as a useful object and will not give it copyright protection.

Relogyyy

Do you make clothes? The government also sees clothing as a useful object and here's a great video on "how the lack of copyright and patent protection for clothing design has accelerated the creative pace of the fashion industry."

Autumn Olive

So what to do? I liked what Megan Auman had to say about it: "Your biggest concern shouldn't be getting your ideas stolen, it should be obscurity." and "If you're really concerned about being copied, the best thing you can do is be innovative."

cincincreations

Marketing Monday: Living In A Fishbowl Part II

2011-06-04T18:35:00.010-04:00

Chaos Supplies

Last week there was a bit of press about online magazines. Here's the article that started it in the NY Times: The Thriving [Online] Shelter Magazine Industry. And here's Grace Bonney's response on Design Sponge: Design Online: A Response to the NY Times Story On Online Magazines. I wanted to focus on Grace's last point, "Younger women, as content producers and business owners, need to take greater control over how we are presented and how we present ourselves."Most sellers on Etsy are young women, content producers and business owners. Just last week I talked about how we "live in a fishbowl." Everything you say and do relates back to your business, and how you and your product is perceived. Mom was right, darn it. Not only do you have to remember to mind your P's and Q's, you need to remember to think before you speak. And if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

Memorial Day: 2011

2011-05-30T10:53:00.005-04:00

Today we remember and give thanks
to the men and women that so bravely protect our country
and to those that have so honorably given their lives
so that we may be free.

Marketing Monday: Living In A Fishbowl

2011-05-23T03:08:00.005-04:00

Metamorphosi

I read a post yesterday, 10 Terrible Tweet Types Killing Your
Twitter Strategy. And while I haven't been on Twitter as much
lately, the post reminded me of some advice I received as
a manager at a big retail shoe chain.

We live in a fishbowl.

I don't know about you, but the whole thing sounded crazy.
Our personal life should be just that, personal, right?
But as mainstream media shows, nothing really is so private .
And that translates to us as artists and sellers.
How you treat the people you have chance meetings with may
reflect on your business.

So mind your P's and Q's in your daily and virtual life!

What's Up Wednesday

2011-05-11T07:13:00.002-04:00

Our What's Up Wednesday post now includes a look inside the shops of our talented team members as well as the events they will be selling at. Whether online or in person, stop by to shop our recycled, upcycled and vintage wares.

Do you like your trashion with "sprinkles of fun & funky"? Then a visit to the shop of marysmenagerie to see her eclectic trashion wares like these is a must:

Handmade Beaded Body Jewelry Purse made with cd's
Grunge Victorian Lace Boot Wall Hanging

Earthtones Hand Dyed Upcycled Slip

Have a sweet tooth for trashion? Then get out and visit Emily of Candy Calamity at Soulard Market Park Arts & Crafts Fair in St. Louis, MO on Saturday May 14th, from 9am - 3pm.

This fun and funky craft fair kicks off its 2nd season on May 14th. It features the best of the best in local arts and crafts and offers more than fifty artists to shop with. In addition to the delightful wares, the fair will include live music, food, street performers, and area nonprofit organizations. You can visit the Facebook event page for more information.

Emily will be there selling her coffee bag wallets, candy wrapper bracelets and earrings, and other fun trashion jewelry and accessories.

Marketing Monday: Be Yourself

2011-05-02T01:40:00.005-04:00

Ever find yourself to be a little shy talking about what you do?
Just be yourself!

iamthemandy

A recent post I read, Come Out on Top of Your Competition,
really made a lot of sense. If you just be yourself,
the words flow, and if you are like me, you cannot stop talking!

A few key points:
No one else has it.

reinventedvinyl

Offer your talents.

bprdesigns

Your audience will come.

MPsen

Just do what you love and be yourself.

misscourageous

Trash Talk Thursday: Tree of the Week

2011-04-27T22:48:00.011-04:00

TREE OF THE WEEK

Last Sunday while walking to our local coffee place my friend told me that a tree we were approaching was her ‘tree of the week’. Did I have one she asked? I do not, I replied. (I am not a tree hugger type myself. My idea of being in nature is the walk from my vehicle to my front door.)

This, I have been told, is fairly common among upcyclers.
I think we come to this because
1- We are all thrift store, tag sale and vintage junkies.
2- We love the hunt.
3- We are very creative and like to challenge ourselves.
4- Oh yes, it’s good for the environment, blah blah, blah.

In order to upcycle you must be able to think outside the box and see the beauty in, well, garbage. Mucho creativity! A quick search on Etsy came up with many wonderful examples. Here are some of my favorites...

Enlightened Thinking

An Blath Paipeir

True Rebel Clothing

Amazing, right?

So next time you see that bulk trash pickup pile on the side of the road pull over and have a peek. You just never know what treasure awaits! You have your hand sanitizer already!

Happy Hunting!

Images © Enlightened Thinking, An Blath Paipeir & True Rebel Clothing

Text © Delight Worthyn

What's Up Wednesday

2011-04-27T09:37:00.001-04:00

This week three of our team members have shows on Sunday, May 1st in Kansas, California and Wisconsin. If you're in the area, get out and shop for handmade work from local artisans just in time for Mother's Day, graduations, weddings or Father's Day. Not in the area? Please share this post on Twitter and Facebook for your friends who might be.

Stop by and shop with Mandy of iamthemandy at Art in the Park on Sunday, May 1st from 10:00am - 5:00pm. It takes place in South Park (11th & Massachusetts) in Lawrence, KS.
The 50th Anniversary Art in the Park is sponsored by the Lawrence Art Guild. It features over 150 local, regional and national artists. Fine art and fine crafts abound in a lively atmosphere of music, vendors, and childrens activities. Admission is free. For more information, visit the Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=193087550708156

Mandy is an artist, designer and crafter. From buttons and old newspapers to cheap t-shirts and fabric scraps, iamthemandy’s style is reflected in both what she wears and designs. Although some may see fabric scraps and old magazines as trash, her philosophy remains: reuse. repurpose. reinvent.

Stop by and shop with Robin Stelling of CreativeBeadz at the Saratoga Rotary Art Show on Sunday, May 1st from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The show will be held at West Valley College in Saratoga, CA.

The 54th Annual Art Show and Wine Tasting will feature a wide variety of fine art: paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, photography, glassworks, woodworks and mixed media. Craftsmen from around the country showcase their works at what is recognized as "the largest one day juried fine Art Show in the West"!
For more information, visit their website: www.saratogarotary.org/artshow/index.shtml

Robin creates eco-friendly jewelry for the modern nomad from vintage global textiles, beading and gemstones. Learn more about her and her work at www.robinstelling.com

Lastly, you can stop by and shop with Rachael of Rachael Brooke Designs at Absolutely Art's "Girls Day Out" event on Sunday, May 1st from 10:00am - 5:00pm. Absolutely Art is located at 2322 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI.

Rachael will have a trunk show of her latest vintage tea tin earrings, button brooches and more for sale on Sunday. She will also be leading a "make & take" jewelry project throughout the day. You can make a recycled copper wire and button necklace or zipper pull for $10. Proceeds from the "make & take" will be donated to the Canopy Center in Madison. The Canopy Center provides many services to parents in crisis in an effort to prevent or stop child abuse. They provide services through three programs to 4,000 people annually. There will be food, drinks and chair massages during the event, too.

Marketing Monday: Driving Traffic to Shops

2011-04-24T13:12:00.004-04:00

zieak

I read this post over the weekend about
6 Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Gallery.
I just dropped off some work on consignment yesterday,
and I thought it was very relevant for that, too.
After all, I do want my work to sell!
The shop is a pop up shop - opening for only 2 months.
Any extra marketing the artists can do will really help the owners
toward their goal of making the shop a longer term retail venture.

remaker

While I do not have a mailing list (I really should),
I'll be dropping off some of the shop's postcards at other local businesses.
I'll be tweeting, posting on Facebook, and blogging.
The shop is having an opening event in a couple of weeks, so I'll be there. But don't expect to see me in any videos :)

alexkeller

Dragon's Spark is an urban boutique offering original designs
by local artisans, recycled materials, fair labor fashions from
around the world, and vintage jewelry and apparel.
Find them at 4280 North Oracle Road, Suite 130, Tucson, AZ.

Trash Talk Thursday: Let's Refashion... Go!

2011-04-21T19:29:00.007-04:00

Let’s Refashion…Go!

Let’s assume you have found your “raw” materials and have washed, unstitched and cut into usable pieces. How long did that take? Yeah, I know.

This is my process for making the above bonnet. Let’s start. First I drape pieces of strategically cut tee shirts, pinning as I go and stretching to shape. Once satisfied with placement of both seams and text (and lots of pinning) I head over to the machine to piece together. I am using a zigzag stitch here and leaving the edges raw. It’s a design decisionPress and trim.

While still on the form I cut the rough outline of the desired shape-inthis case a Neo Victorian Bonnet. Stay stitch around edges to stabilizethe stretchy fabric. It is starting to look like something.

Trim and repeat for lining. I often use solid color tee shirts for this because the hat is now reversible. I made a self casing and threaded a cord, also made from the recycled shirts, to tie under the chin.

A little decorative trim (also tee shirt fabric) hand stitched on to the back seam and there you have it!

Images & Text © Delight Worthyn

What's Up Wednesday

2011-04-20T09:31:00.019-04:00

This week's What's Up Wednesday post is dedicated to our Trashion Team Earth Day Sale!

As it says on our Etsy Trashion Team Page, "We're a global group of Etsy Shops that specialize in turning trash into treasure! We create art, jewelry, fashion and objects from materials that are recycled, leftover, thrifted, or found. We promote environmental awareness & look good doing it!" Earth Day is every day for the members of team. Trashion celebrates the beauty in unconventional objects & materials. For our team members, recycling is an art AND an ideal.

In honor of the official Earth Day on April 22nd, the following team members are offering sales or free shipping in their Etsy shops this week:

iamthemandy - Free shipping on all April orders with coupon code SUPPORTLOCAL11

Rachael Brooke Art Jewelry - 15% off through April 24 with coupon code EARTHDAY15

Candy Calamity - 25% off through April 24 with coupon code TRASHIONTEAM25

re-maker - 20% off through April 24 with coupon code TRASHIONTEAM20

Anyone's Guess - 15% off through April 24 with coupon code TRASHIONTEAM15

Tubby Tabby's Jewelbox - 20% off through April 24 with coupon code TRASHIONTEAM20

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How2: Market Survival Tips

2011-04-19T07:55:00.008-04:00

The farmers market season is upon us, are you ready to sell your artwork at a local market?

This week marked my fifth year selling at my local market. I’m sharing some strategies for a successful day at the market.

• Practice your display at home first

• Have different levels on your display tables. This brings more visual interest as well as gives you more room to showcase your wares.

• Make sure your displays are sturdy, they should stand up to customers & wind.

• Have a lot of change. Then get more. The alternative is to have tax included, you will need to back out the sales tax at the end of the day to pay the state, but you won’t be burdened by a bunch of coins.

• Put your information on the customer copy of your receipt book before you start, you can use a stamp or print labels, this way, if somehow your customer doesn’t get a business card, they will still have your info.

• Make a price list with tax and total, if you're like me my math skills are completely absent early Saturday morning. I still use a calculator for figuring change, that and plenty of caffeine and I'm in business.

• Dress appropriately, layer. You never know with early spring, and if you happen to be set up in the shade it's going to be even colder. If you're in the sun, you may need some sunscreen. Prepare for both! Pack some "little hotties" hand warmers and a tube of SPF & sunglasses.

• Give yourself plenty of time to set up, if you are done early you can always go grab coffee or say hello to fellow vendors

• Some markets have a selling before the bell policy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t interact with customers, talk to them, get their purchase ready, you just can’t take the cash until that bell rings.

• Taking credit cards… if you have a smart phone look into the square or other apps, other options available include Pro-pay & Paypal. These are good temporary solutions unless you want to commit to a contract that could last for a couple of years.

• Know where the nearest ATM is, especially if you don't take credit cards.

• Have a sign-up book for e-mail mailing list, you can let your customers know about new items, special sales, or send them coupons for their next visit.

• Make sure your prices are clearly marked.

• Have things in different price ranges. Not everyone can afford the original, have some prints too. Greeting cards & postcards are great impulse buys especially with tourists. Smaller pieces that pack well are a good idea too, as many markets can attract tourists.

• Get a banner for the front of your tent. Or make one. Create brand identity and get your name out there.

• Put some things at eye level. Have something interesting to draw people to your space. Whether it's a colorful sign, work of art, or a hanging display, it will make your booth more enticing.

• Make friends with your neighbors. You never know when you might need change for a fifty or run out of credit card slips, or simply need a quick potty break!

• Please don't just sit behind your table, greet people, welcome them, walk around and interact! (if you must sit, see if you can get a stool or bar height chair, it makes you more approachable & eye contact easier with customers)

• NEVER let a customer leave empty-handed. Give them a business card or a flier, a sample of some sort, something to remember you by. I’ve done pin back buttons, temporary tattoos, and candy with my logo on it as take-aways. Other ideas include upcycled bookmarks, mini matchbook notebooks, magnets, postcards.

• Most of all have fun! The customers at farmers markets are already in tune to sustainable options, and you’ll find they love local artists.

Images & Text © Miss Courageous

Feature Me Friday: Miss Courageous

2011-04-15T08:27:00.012-04:00

This week we feature Trashionista Millie Hilgert aka
Miss Courageous and Buckle Up!
Millie comes to us from lovely Boise, Idaho.

Who is Miss Courageous?
Miss Courageous is a mother, a sister, a friend, a mentor, an inspiration. She is strong, adventurous, brave, creative, independent, heroic. There’s a little Miss Courageous in everyone. Millie Hilgert designs and makes all Miss Courageous jewelry & accessories. Everything she makes used to be something else. Call it upcycling, recycling, repurposing, eco-friendly, crafting green, re-use, reinvent, or redesign. Whatever you call it, ultimately it means you get something fresh, fun and new from something that reminds you of your childhood. From vintage game pieces and record vinyl to bottle caps and altered LEGO bricks, Miss Courageous transforms pop culture into Pop Jewelry and Accessories for you and your home.

What’s the first thing you remember making?
I remember kindergarten crafts with glue and macaroni, and yarn on tin cans.

Where do you work?
I am lucky to have a really great studio space in my basement. And you’re lucky enough to catch it while it’s clean.

Why work with recycled materials?
I have always been fascinated with history, restoration, and transformation. I live in a 100 year old house and drive a 1963 ford falcon wagon. Similarly, the materials I use all have a history & a story that makes the finished product much more interesting & fun.

What are your favorite tools?
My dremel, my drillpress, and my band saw, yep, I’m a girl that loves power tools!

What music do you listen to while you’re working?
If my husband is home sometimes I get to listen to him working on a new song, but usually I play old school 80s alternative on my i-pod or Pandora.

How do you get from A to Z?
Fueled by coffee, driven by the desire to create something out of the unexpected, helped (with a small h) on occasion by an enthusiastic 5 year old, and propelled by a warped sense of humor and large dose of sarcasm.

What are the five best things you’ve purchased on etsy and where did you find them?
Okay, not necessarily in this order:
• MixedSpecies “today I am not a ho” t-shirt for my husband, these guys are simply hilarious
• My fleece slugs from supersugarrayray are a wardrobe staple for any super hero, especially at an outdoor winter market, I love them so much I’m on my 2nd pair.
• “there is a light” print from onetwofivego it’s a smith’s quote and hanging proudly in my kitchen
• A cool vintage condiment holder from vintagebyalexkeller
• & my logo… I had it designed by etsy seller kieutiepie

What do you do for fun?
Peruse thrift stores, drink coffee or wine with good friends, spend time with my family and creating, yeah, my work is fun!

Who inspires you?
Random strangers, Monet, Warhol, Seth Godin, and Doctor Seuss.

Read any good books lately?
Amy Sedaris’ SIMPLE TIMES, crafts for poor people & REWORK by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson

Been to any great exhibits?
Do you mean lately? Does a LEGO® convention count?
How do you promote your work?
Aside from the usual, facebook, twitter, a sadly neglected blog… I also have my logo on the back window of both my cars, my everyday Honda Element and my 1963 ford falcon wagon that I use for hauling my things to the weekly market. I give out pin-back buttons with my logo with Etsy purchases, at the market, and at random places. I’ve actually turned unsuspecting flair wearers into customers. I silkscreened my logo onto re-usable tote bags to give with purchases at events. I donate items to local charity auctions, making sure to give them plenty of business cards. I wear my products, everywhere. I belong to a local Etsy team, Idaho Indie Works and also another local artist group, Treasure Valley Artist Alliance. This might sound silly, but I have a business debit card that I use for almost everything, everybody always asks “what’s Miss Courageous?”

Besides Etsy, where can we find you work?
I’m at the Capital City Public Market downtown Boise every Saturday from mid April thru Christmas, I also sell at a local artists co-op (greenchutesboise.com) and at a illuminate salon in downtown Boise. I also participate in local art & craft shows and lately have been vending at LEGO conventions around the Northwest.

What’s in your future?
I will continue to create new products and add them to my Esty lineup. I have a few very fun new belt buckle ideas in the works as well as some new houseware items I’ve been toying with. My daughter starts school next fall so I’m looking forward to having more uninterrupted time to create.

Have any words of wisdom?
“Be heroic.” This was told to me by a drawing teacher during my brief stint at art school, I wasn’t filling the entire page and he was encouraging me to do something big. But it stuck with me over 20 years and has been a constant reminder in many situations.

Check out Millie's work on Etsy at Miss Courageous and Buckle Up
Or on her blog misscourageous.blogspot.com Images &

Text © Millie Hilgert

Trash Talk Thursday: What Price Knowledge?

2011-04-14T08:37:00.016-04:00

What Price Knowledge? Upcycling PT 2
by Delight Worthyn

People often say to me, "you find great stuff” and it is true, but there are many visits that are a bust...Many...the trick is to go frequently, very frequently and pounce if you find something.
I have been sewing for a lot of years and I understand how garments are constructed and therefore how to take them apart.
I wasn’t born with this knowledge I have learned largely through trial and error, learning vastly more from the latter. (Hint-don’t be afraid to “fail”) Although you can expect to pay less for material you should be prepared to make up for it in labor.

Let’s go to the thrift store… To start:
1) Become a regular at your local thrift stores. If you have a question about price always talk to a manager. The clerk ringing you out can’t help you and are often instructed not to sell an un-ticketed item. If they have seen you around you will get the best deal.
2) Be prepared to spend time sorting through a lot of undesirable stuff. Dig into bins, good stuff is often at the bottom. And it probably isn’t clean-bring hand sanitizer!
3) Most thrift stores have a half price day, find out what day it is and GO.
4) If you see something that really speaks to you buy it on the spot for it will be gone when you go back.
5) Have a general idea of what you are looking for, but be flexible.
6) Bring a tape measure
7) Look over the garment and don’t dismiss stained or otherwise damaged items since they may have trims, buttons and the like that you can employ. I am generally looking for either tee shirts or silk. I have developed a signature style using the ubiquitous tee. I dye them, hand paint them, bead them and weave them. People never believe where they started.

Years of acquired skill and knowledge, how much is that worth,
I wonder?
Check out both of Delights Etsy Shops to see her fanciful work!
DelightWorthyn and ScavengersDaughter

Images & Text © Delight Worthyn

What's Up Wednesday: Opening Day!

2011-04-13T17:32:00.011-04:00

.To celebrate the opening of the Capital City Public Market in Downtown Boise, Idaho. Miss Courageous will be having a huge sale, with many of her fantastically creative upcycled items up to 75% off original prices!

Find bottlecap necklaces & keychains, upcycled domino necklaces, recycled records & more!

Find Miss Courageous at her booth by the fountain on the Grove in front of Qwest Arena.

Capital City Public Market Opening Day!

8th Street, Downtown Boise

Saturday April 16 from 9:30 'til 1:30

Images & Text © Miss Courageous

Feature Me Friday: Fashion Green T-bags

2011-04-08T07:05:00.012-04:00

This week we feature Fashion Green T-bags.
Linda comes to us from Kent, Ohio.
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Who is Fashion Green T Bags?
I'm a 52 year-old retired teacher, a mother and a wife. I value my family and friends above all else and I try to make a positive difference in the world. I run my shop to raise money for our local food bank.
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What’s the first thing you remember making?
The first thing I remember making is a bag from an old t-shirt. It was a bit over done and I've since made them much simpler. I like them better now.
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Why work with recycled materials?
We consume too much new material in our country when we have perfectly good reusable material easily at our disposal. If we are to be good stewards of our Earth we MUST use less new and make fewer demands on our natural resources.
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What are your favorite tools?
My favorite tools are my sewing machine and a seam ripper.
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Where do you work?
I work in my kitchen at the table or in the "dining room" that I've converted to my craft room. I don't really have a permanent set-up. I just work where I feel like working.
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What music do you listen to while you’re working?
I usually listen to NPR.
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What do you do for fun?
I swim, work out, bike ride, hike and take camping vacations with my family. I spend some time on the computer "socializing" but I prefer to meet people face-to-face.
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Who inspires you?
So many people. My husband and my children make me want to be the best person I can be.
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How do you promote your work?
I don't spend a lot of time promoting. I belong to a few Groups on Etsy and I try to renew items regularly. I haven't worked a lot on my shop recently because I'm back in graduate school for my 2nd master's degree and my time is spent writing papers and reading...lots of reading.
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Besides Etsy, where can we find you work?
You can find my work at occasional craft shows.

What’s in your future?
I hope to work in the field of bully prevention/remediation when I am finished with my degree program. I also want to continue to maintain my Etsy Shop so that I may continue to raise money for the local food bank.
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Have any words of wisdom?
REUSE REUSE REUSE and be kind.
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Images & Text © fashiongreentbags
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Trash Talk Thursday: Upcycling-a labor of love

2011-04-06T22:18:00.010-04:00

Delight Worthyn: Upcycling-a labor of love

Often I am faced with a question about costs of some of my hand crafted items and the interaction usually goes something like this, ‘since you are using recycled materials how come this item is expensive?’ I have accepted the mission to explain some of the process and concerns that go into upcycling.

But let’s start at the beginning.

. Our grandmothers didn’t use this term but they were upcycling all the same. It was a way of life not to waste things that could be used again. (How many people have inherited vast collections of buttons)... The term ‘upcycling’ was coined in 1994 by German Reiner Pilz who also used the term ‘downcycling’. This is what we primarily think of when we use the term recycling. You know, melting plastic bottles to become some other hybrid plastic that is degrading with each generation. Upcycling is taking used materials and turning them in to something of greater value. For instance, after demolishing an old building you can 1- crush the bricks and make an aggregate 2- clean and restore those same bricks and use them in a new building. It takes a lot longer to get those bricks into usable condition so you see upcycling is a very labor intensive process. Time is money!

. Over the next few weeks I am going to take you on journey through the wonderful world of upcycling. Knowledge is power and also, as Martha would say,’ a good thing’.

.Check out DelightWorthyn and Scavengers Daughter

and Delight's Website and Blog.

Etsy Treasury: Trashion in Bloom

2011-04-03T18:01:00.004-04:00

It's been a long... long winter.

The Trashion Team has been thinking Spring!

What's Up Wednesday

2011-03-30T20:59:00.000-04:00

Spring is here and Earth Day is just a few weeks away! If you're in the Toronto area, you can celebrate in Trashion Team style by taking a workshop with Tammy from Junckshop.

Tammy will show you how to create a fabulous mobile entirely out of toilet paper tubes. Express your creativity by transforming the humble toilet paper tube into a mobile or piece of wall art. Paint your design and attach thread to hang, or mount directly on the wall. Great for parents & kids (ages 10+). Event information, registration details and a photo of Tammy's brilliant upcycled mobiles are at the link below:

Upcycled Mobile Workshop
Saturday, April 16th from 2:00 - 4:00pm
$35/person or $30/person if you bring a friend
Wise Daugthers Craft Market
3079B Dundas St. West, Toronto, ON, M6P 1Z9

Tammy's distinctive upcycled jewelry is featured in Garth Johnson’s latest book, 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse: Remake, Restyle, Recycle, Renew.

Feature Me Friday: Pulpa Paper Products

2011-03-25T10:44:00.023-04:00

This week we feature Erin Groff of Pulpa Paper Products!
Erin comes to us from Newark, Ohio.
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Who is Pulpa?
Pulpa is a handcrafted paper products company that combines natural and recycled elements with an imaginative and eco-friendly approach. Pulpa strives to offer high-quality paper products that are not only beautiful, but beneficial.
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What’s the first thing you remember making?
The first thing I remember making that is relevant to my medium now is sheets of paper. I met an artist who was touching on papermaking while getting her fine arts degree. She invited me into the lab to play and experiment. I found a new friend as well as a new love of papermaking!
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Where do you work?
I am one of the lucky individuals who is afforded much time her basement studio. I guess if I work, it would be here. Although, I find it very difficult to state it as a job to anyone. I don't even have an alarm on my side of the bed. I find them very disturbing and wish my boyfriend would get rid of his. He says he needs one more than I do. I don't have to commute, be involved in corporate meetings, wear a suit and tie, or a pair of heels (unless I want to). I can wake, pour coffee that was already brewed so sweetly for me ( by the love of my life, that most unfortunately has to use that alarm clock), and work in pj's.
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What are your favorite tools?
One of my favorite tools is my drying rack. When working with wet paper you need plenty of room to "loft dry" as they call it. So screens come in very handy for this. My neighbors were throwing out many of the old window screens from their home and replacing them with new ones. It was a great find i thought, so I brought them home. I spraypainted them glossy black to cover any rust that may stain my paper, and my boyfriend was so kind as to build me a rack so that they would stack on top of each. It's not only beautfiul it's darn handy.
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My second favorite tool is my rigged mixer! I cannot yet afford a hollander blender, but look forward to in the future if I can obtain one at a decent price. I believe they are around $2,000. But fortunately, I have some pretty crafty friends! He took the end of the drill with the handle and the motor in it and welded it into a frame. From out of the drill comes the long steel mixer that you mix buckets of paint with. I use old kitty litter buckets for holding my wet pulp which sits under the frame with the mixer handle; and with the flip of a switch my wet cotton starts to become a slurry! In papermaking, this term is a good thing!
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Why work with recycled materials?
Consume, Consume, Consume! It seems to be what we are good at. In an effort to reduce waste and keep our earth beautiful, each and everyone of us must do our part. I am so inspired by these fellow artists who take this seriously enough to do something about it in their own unique way. These artists not only make good use of otherwise unneccessary and space hogging items, they can make it fun, funky, and at times moving. I raise a glass and cheer these artists. Thank you!
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Who inspires you?
Other artists such as yourselves. Lost in a sea of commericially, mechanically, soullessly stamped out products that remsemble those items that take time and effort. "Blood, sweat, and tears" as they call it are our "babies". Our art, crafts, creations take time to make and are wonderfully, unique. Sometimes people have so many options abound at the local mass-producer, where quality and creativity is NOT the goal but keeping prices at their lowest is, they forget or are uneducated to the fact of the time and costs you put into creating that item by hand. That's when the comments such as "They charge this, for that?" or "Is that award a fake?" are heard among the throng of onlookers. I have found believing in oneself and supporting other artists in a key to all of our future successes.
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How do you get from A to Z?
My day to day A to Z'ing usually goes down in my trusty silver
PT Cruiser. I used to take the PT to my shows and festivals, but recently have acquired "Big White" our large white chevy cargo van. Taking the PT to shows was much like putting together a puzzle and not the one with the big pieces. The van is wonderful because at the end of a long weekend or day I can throw my tent, tables, display, etc. into the van without my thought.
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What music do you listen to while you’re working?
I love listening to Sarah Barielles and Norah Jones quite a bit it seems when I am working down here. I find myself getting lost in my pulp and singing as loudly as I can. "There is great acoustics in this basement", I think to myself. Wondering if anyone outside can hear, and do they think I am crazy?
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What do you do for fun?
I am a closet kareoker. Sometimes we pull out an old disco light, I apply some red lipstick, and we pretend we are rock starts for a night!
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Travel, Travel, Travel! I've been fortunate enough to start traveling these last few years. I love doing new things, meeting new people, and taking in the foreign and exotic. My out of country travels have taken me to Mexico, the Netherlands, and Singapore so far. I believe somewhere in the Caribbean is our next stop. We can all use a little fun in the sun! Especially, after a long, Ohio winter.
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Outdoor movie nights with the neighborhood are a blast, and I cannot wait for warmer weather so that it permits us to begin doing this again. We haul out speakers and the projector and many cushions and chairs. We hang a white sheet from the trellis and either watch a movie or sometimes we even watch an Ohio State Football game or two. Go Bucks!
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Read any good books lately?
I am just finishing the 12 book series of Left Behind. I find myself a deeply spiritual person who believes in energy and connectiveness. Religion has been difficult for me. This series is still an amazing story, and scared the beejeezies out me!
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Been to any great exhibits?
I was able to visit the Van Gogh Musuem in Amsterdam a few years back. That was most wonderful. I also visited the Salvidor Dali Museum in Florida. Another amazing place to visit!
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What are the five best things you’ve purchased on etsy and where did you find them?
1. The stamps I use for applying my logo to my cards and other products. Thanks Blossomstamps!
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2. My fingerless gloves because they keep my hands warm but my fingers free to work. Obviously, I can only wear these when I am not working with wet pulp. But they are stylish and cozy! Thank you Imaginativecreations!
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3. My Etsy shop banner and avatar set for shop. I received a sale sign, a thank you sign, an away sign and much more! Falcor Digital really helped give my shop a more cohesive and professional look. Thanks FalcorDigital!
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4. My sugar scrub made by pegasussoaps. Every woman needs at least one jar of this magical concoction in their shower and tub area. I feel brand new every time I use it.
Thank You, Pegasussoaps!
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5. Last, but not least my lavender eye pillow from Maplestreetcreations. After, a long day at a show or in the basement making product I want nothing more than to use my sugar scrub in the bath and then grab my luxuriously smelling eye pillow to melt away stresses from the day.
Thanks Maplestreetcreations!
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Besides Etsy, where can we find you work?
My Etsy Shop, my website, Wilson's Garden Center in Newark, Ohio, Cobenick Studios in Columbus, Ohio, and at Central Ohio Festivals!!
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How do you promote your work?
I promote with my website, Etsy, and a mailing list that I gather at my shows, as well as at the local shops I consign through, and a gallery show here and there. Talking to people, getting to know them, and making a personal connection seems to be the best way to promote my art.
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What’s in your future?
I made some pretty serious goals for Pulpa this year. My plan is to be in 5 retail shops by the end of the year. I am officially in two now! I also want at least 100 items in my Etsy shop. I'm currently at 83! I also would like to do at least 10 outdoor shows this year if possible. I love the outdoor shows versus the indoor ones. I find it much more enjoyable basking in the sun. Unless inclement weather intrudes upon the day! Even high winds can be toughie for me. My paper products are so light and are easily swept down the sidewalk on those days.
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Have any words of wisdom?
"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be the fool." ~William Shakespeare
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Peace, Love, and Handmade Paper
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Text & Images © Pupla Paper Products
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Feature Me Friday: Tinkan Designs

2011-03-11T09:45:00.021-05:00

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This week we feature Annabel Neilson of Tinkan Designs!
Annabel comes to us from the green and pleasant countryside of Herefordshire, which is a border county of Wales, in the UK.
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Who is Tinkan Designs?
Tinkan Designs is about quality, unique, handmade designs in recycled materials. The name Tinkan Designs comes from the jewellery I make that inspired me to start the business, made from ring-pulls from tin cans, and also from a nickname I have- Tinkerbelle or Tink, and also ‘tinker’ means to work with metal, and is slang for a gypsy, which I am a bit! (Or at least I used to be!)
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What’s the first thing you remember making?
I’ve made ‘things’ for as long as I can remember, in all sorts of materials. I learnt to knit at quite an early age I think, and most probably I made a scarf first. But the first things I can remember I made to sell were some stripy purses, and stripy socks that I took to Glastonbury festival, which sold out very quickly!
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Where do you work?
I have a workshop where I have a forge, welder, and other ‘heavy’ metal working tools on one side, and ‘light’ jewellery making tools and materials on the other. I like to be able to work on a few things at one time, so its good to be able to flit from one side to the other! However it is an old, cold, stone, farm building, and in the winter I end up making a lot of jewellery from home. In the summer however its great with the doors open, and sun streaming in! All the other many farm buildings on this beautiful old farmstead are now used either industrially, or artistically, so there’s usually other people, and noise, about. I also work for 2 days a week on an organic fruit and veg farm, near to where I live. This is what brings in a regular income!
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Why work with recycled materials?

Why use recycled materials? Its always been natural to me to re-use and recycle things from altering clothing to create a new outfit, to keeping plastic pots and packaging to be used for some other purpose. Some of its to do with saving money, and being thrifty, but its also ‘cos I just can’t throw things away, and I hate waste! Why buy new when you can still make use of the old? I enjoy the challenge of working out how to re-use things creatively, and so many so called mundane objects are actually really beautiful in their own right, and beautifully made- it’d be sacrilege to throw them away! Things like mechanical parts, cogs, bike chains, keys, plastic components, ring pulls even! Even polystyrene packaging comes in amazing different shapes (I used to collect this off the street and make them into frames for mirrors).

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What are your favourite tools?
My favourite tools have got to be my rivet gun (I just love rivets!), and stud machine, doming block and punches, and of course the hammer and anvil. I also have a very old, very heavy, flypress which gives 4tonnes of pressure with the swing of a handle, making bending metal so easy!
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How do you get from A-Z?
Often the material or objects I find, or collect, dictate what I make. In the case of my ring-pull jewellery I collected loads before the ideas started flowing. I knew I wanted to do something with them, ’cos they are great little shapes, but wasn’t sure what or how. It was through trial and error that the jewellery has evolved and become refined into what it is now, and as with most things, it is still evolving. It amazes me how much potential these little objects (ring-pulls) on mass, have, I am so NOT bored of them yet as a medium, and I have loads of other ideas brewing for them! (no pun intended -as they are mostly from all the beer cans that my boyfriend, and other alcoholic friends drink!)
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What music do you listen to while working?

I usually have the radio on while I’m working, or if I’m at home the telly is often on as background noise.

Read any good books lately?

I only seem to have time to read novels when I’m on holiday, and its been a while since I’ve been on that sort of holiday (although I’m going to Thailand soon -WooHoo!- so maybe I’ll get time whilst lazing on the beach then!) The books I do read at home tend to be useful books either on keeping chickens, growing veg, or becoming self sufficient!
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What are the five best things you’ve bought on Etsy?

I’ve only bought 3 things so far on Etsy-all gifts for other people. 2 lovely eco bath and beauty things from Spiralmoonfantasy, an Etsymidlanders team member from my part of the world, and a lovely greyhound print from ElleJW that I think I found through a treasury.

Been to any great exhibits?

Yes! I’ve just been to Barcelona to see the ‘Drap-Art’ exhibition, which is an International Creative Recycling Festival, which happens every year in Dec, and Jan. I’m hoping to be involved next year, so I went to check it out. There was some great and inspiring stuff. Also in 2009 I went to see the Banksy exhibition in Bristol museum. Quite a landmark event, literally 10’s of thousands of people went to see it, every day there was at least a 3 or 4 hour queue to get in! Having lived in Bristol, with Banksy’s grafitti a common site, it is amazing how famous he has become, and very ironic that he exhibited in the museum in this way! I love his work, fair play to him!

Who inspires you?

People like Bob Cambell who makes amazing industrial art furniture out of scrap metal parts, and Ptolemy Elrington who makes fantastic sculptures out of hub caps. Anyone really who uses different, and especially recycled, materials to create original stunning art. I admire anyone actually who can make a career out of their art, without compromising on their style. I especially admire those who run successful businesses, and also find time to do everything else, and have full, rounded, and sociable, lives. I envy people like this actually because I feel like I am always juggling my time, and compromising somewhere! Its what I aspire to I guess- to make a living out of what I make, without it becoming a chore, and still have the time and energy for everything else life entails. My brother is an inspiration (he is a stone letter carver, and a musician) as he seems to have achieved all this, and carved himself a great little life, with a good balance between work and play!

What do you do for fun?

Now my partying days are (mostly) over! I enjoy the quiet life- watching the chickens (I am new to keeping chickens-they are great!) walking the dogs in the countryside, gardening and growing our own veg, photographing wildlife, and sitting round a camp-fire with friends.I also like to listen to loud music, and have a good dance every now and then! And when I can I travel around the country to visit friends and family who are in various different locations in the UK.
.

How do you promote your work?

I try to promote my work through my website, face book, and Flickr sites, networking via Etsy teams, and giving out business cards whenever I do a stall, or make a sale.

Besides Etsy where can we find your work?

I do Christmas fairs, Arts markets and music Festivals here in the UK. I did have stuff in a few shops around the country, but most of them have now closed down! I have a website and a face book page and a Flickr too.

What’s in your future?

I am relatively new to the online world, having got my first ever computer just this time last year! So I intend to keep learning, and getting the most I can from it (without it taking over my life!) I need to do more self promotion (again a new thing for me!), and get my stuff back into shops and galleries. I’m also designing a logo, and I hope to have labels, packaging etc looking more professional. I’m looking forward to this years festivals, where I hope to collaborate with some likeminded people, and I also hope to be part of Drap Art next winter. At the moment I am working on a couple of Blacksmithy commissions, so I hope more of that type of work will come from that, and I will get my forge working at last! A busy year ahead!

Any words of wisdom?

I am in my 40’s and I’m still learning, it’s a long process that takes a lifetime!

Images & Text © Tinkan Designs

Marketing Monday: Branding 2

2011-03-07T11:52:00.003-05:00

On Twitter last week, I found a site that gave some really
great basic advice on branding, Craft Marketing Tutor.
There is a lot of information to explore, but this post
Branding Small Crafts Businesses
goes back to some of the basics we always talk about.
While I don't agree with sending candy as a gift with purchase,
I do think sending along a little something that represents your
business is a good idea.

click on the image to go to the item!

Marketing Monday: Branding

2011-02-28T00:44:00.003-05:00

I've been thinking about branding and cohesiveness again lately.
Sellers Assisting Sellers had a post this weekend:
How To Tell If Your Business Is Branded.
I'm not sure about the 'tell a story through your descriptions.'
I prefer a clear and concise description, both as a buyer and a seller.

JohnnyNoThumbzzz

Catherine of Olivebites, Home of Uncorked and Polarity
has been writing a marketing series on her blog. From
Marketing This Thing Part IV: Strategy Is Not Just For Generals,
I really enjoyed this advice,

Now, we want to be creating our own brand and not
copying anyone else's, but seeing someone else doing
something really, really well can get us thinking of new
ways of looking and thinking about our own work.

CandyCalamity

So what do you prefer? A story? A concise description?
Have you found your brand?

Feature me Friday: Unik Creations

2011-02-25T08:42:00.014-05:00

This week we feature: UnikCreations

The perfect excuse for addictive creating.

Who is UnikCreations?

UNik Creations is myself, a sophomore in high school with an abnormal amount of ambition and a passion for sewing,

dancing, and creating.

What’s the first thing you remember making?

The first thing I can remember making was a halloween costume when I was, say, in the third or forth grade. I remember taking

an old dress, ripping the bodice from the skirt, and then using

the skirt over an old tutu so that it was like an old fashioned puffy, hoop skirt. My mother nearly killed me, considering it was a beautiful dress that could have been worn by my sister, but I loved it, my first taste of taking something and giving it a new voice. I've been doing it ever since.

.
Where do you work?
For my sewing and crafting I basically invade a decent chunk of my families basement.
.
What are your favorite tools?
My sewing machine (which I often refer to as my baby), my
duct tape dress model, and most importantly my seam ripper.
.

Why work with recycled materials?
Working with recycled materials began because they were easier and cheaper for me to get my hands on, but has become something that inspires me. When your materials have a history,

I feel like it becomes a more interesting relationship. I'm not just taking my ideas and making them new, but taking things that already have a past and giving them new life. That's really the beauty of working with recycled materials for me.
.
What music do you listen to while you’re working?
It really depends, if I need to chill I'll listen to classical, if I need to get pumped up I'll put on the radio to some awful pop station, and sometimes I just like to listen to some soft indie rock.
.
.
Who inspires you?
So many people. Both my grandmothers are insanely talented and artistic, they partly got me interested in arts and crafting. My dance and art teachers really inspire me both in their determination and their willingness to experiment and "play" with what art is. I'm also so so so SO inspired by all the amazing things I see on Etsy, as we all know it can be mind shattering how much talent and creativity is both close to home and thousands of miles away. Not to be too corny, but I have become inspired really by this team's noble ideas, which are so much a part of me.
.
Been to any great exhibits?
I live in a vibrant 5 college area, so I have been able to see so much local and global art. Recently I was awed by an exhibit called Luscious, by Emily Eveleth at the Smith college museum which was these enormous still life's of jelly doughnuts. Very memorable.
.
Read any good books lately?
A few. I loved the book Button Button by Terry Talyor, I discovered it right after I began to work with buttons and was thrilled to hear so many other creative minds were thinking the same thing.
.
.
How do you get from A to Z?
Biking and public transportation all the way- parents gave up on the whole issue a while back ;)
.
What do you do for fun?
I love biking, swimming, dancing, cooking, painting, drawing, sewing, designing, and just plain playing.
.
.
Besides Etsy, where can we find you work?
As a high school student, my main work domain is still school, but I also work as a teacher trainee at both my dance school and my temple. Basically I teach/ control little kids, and try not to be that horrible assisant teacher who is detested forever.
.
How do you promote your work?
facebook for sure, flickr, email lists, handy business cards, word of mouth, plus my website and blog. To be honest, it's an area I probably need to work on.
.
.
What’s in your future?
I'm still in high school, but someday I'd love to be able to really do what I'm doing now, crafting and beingable to live of it.
.
Have any words of wisdom?
You are your own unique person... just like everybody else.
.
.
Images & Text © UnikCreations
.
.

Feature me Friday: JohnnyNoThumbzzz

2011-02-11T10:06:00.009-05:00

This week we feature JohnnyNoThumbzzz

One of a kind creations from a man that's one of a kind.

Who is JohnnyNoThumbzzz?

Johnny No Thumbzzz came from an old episode of Golden Girls in which Sophia had to talk to Mr. Thumbs about the old days and who he was connected to. An old girlfriend started calling me that and it went from there.

What’s the first thing you remember making?

The very first thing I remember making is a Christmas ornament in kindergarten. It was a cut and curled construction paper monstrosity.

Why work with recycled materials?

I started working with recycled materials because I couldn't afford "real art supplies". I had majored in ceramics in college and after graduation found that it was hard to continue working with those materials. So I started making things with whatever I could find.

Where do you work?

I work mostly in the basement of my house, but sometimes in

the garage or outside on the patio. Here's a photo of my severely cluttered work bench...
.

Who inspires you?

Inspiration: Andy Warhol, Jean Tinguely, Rauschenberg,

Jim Dine, Arman, Antoni Tapies, Yves Klein...

What are the best thing you’ve purchased on etsy and where did you find it?

Best thing I purchased on Etsy was a porcelain skull ring by Mishko. I was just doing random searches on etsy and found it.

.
What do you do for fun?

For fun I ride my 1999 Yahama V-star Motorcycle or garden.

I have a great perennial garden. I also have 4 cats that keep me entertained.

Read any good books lately?

Just finished reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Currently reading

Just Kids by Patty Smith.
.

Been to any great exhibits?

Haven't been to any good exhitions lately, but I am really liking the images posted at the Dudecraft Blog.

How do you get from A to Z?

A-Z transport is Big Blue Skulltruck, my everchanging art truck.

.
Currently Blue has been updated with a lifesize plastic skull hood ornament with red led's for eyes. There are two smaller skulls on the left and right sides that are also wired with red led's and are wired into the turn signals. Blue was featured on the Skull-a-Day Blog.

.
What are your favorite tools?

Favorite tool has to be a Craftsmen rotary tool.

.
What music do you listen to while you’re working?

I don't really listen to music when working. I just let the voices in my head jabber away. (just kidding). I'm on a sound of silence kick these days.
.

.
Besides Etsy, where can we find you work?

Besides Etsy my work can be found at Collector's Corner at the Toledo Museum of Art and The Hive Creations, Anna Maria Island, Florida.

How do you promote your work?

Still trying to find a good way to promote my work. Have tried Google Adwords, and I'm currently considering other options

like Art Fairs. I'm on Facebook too.

.
Have any words of wisdom?

Words of wisdom: ? Live Long and Prosper!

.
What’s in your future?

I intend to keep pushing forward with my artwork and intend

to make it my day job. I want to be able to support my wife and myself in a manner in which we'd like to be accustomed.
.

Images & Text © JohnnyNoThumbzzz

Marketing Monday: Square

2011-02-07T10:59:00.003-05:00

If you have any sort of booth, at any sort of show,
where you need to be able to accept credit cards, then you need Square.
I witnessed one first hand last week at the To Bead True Blue show in Tucson
[one show of the much larger Tucson Gem and Mineral Show].
Just plug it into your iPhone, iPad or Android device and swipe cards right at your booth.
Customers sign with their fingertip, you receive your payment instantly,
and you can immediately email the customer a receipt.
For me, this sort of thing is priceless,
but it will only cost 2.75% of total receipts, plus 15 cents per transaction.

Marketing Monday: The 21 Best Resources from the 2010 Blogosphere

2011-01-24T08:51:00.002-05:00

misscourageous

Hi - I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday!
I'm back to posting links and articles about marketing on Mondays.
Today I'd like to share an Etsy blog post with loads of great information:
The 21 Best Resources from the 2010 Blogosphere
Everything from "When to Start Selling Your Work"
to tax information and social media.
{I love that part about wasting an entire day on Twitter.}

So, cheers to a New Year and pimping, I mean marketing, our wares!

Feature Me Friday: iamthemandy

2011-01-14T10:42:00.017-05:00

This week, we'd like you to meet Mandy Stos of iamthemandy

reuse. repurpose. reinvent.

Who is iamthemandy?

iamthemandy is Mandy Stos: an artist, designer and crafter.

Born and raised in Central Kansas, she mastered the technique

of bargain hunting at an early age. In her spare time, Ms. Stos hunts garage sales, estate sales, auctions, and yes, curbside

junk for treasures that she can either resuscitate or recreate

into an entirely new existence.

From buttons and old newspapers to cheap t-shirts and

fabric scraps, iamthemandy’s style is reflected in both what she wears and designs. Although some may see fabric scraps and old magazines as trash, her philosophy remains:

reuse. repurpose. reinvent.

What’s the first thing you remember making?

The first thing I recall making is a braided hair piece made from scraps of thread and an old gym t-shirt. Needless to say, my mother wasn't the happiest with the new addition of a "rat-tail".
.

Where do you work?

I work from my home office/studio. I have work tables,

shelving and organize like crazy. I have two cats and one dog,

so if I leave anything out it is either strung across the floor

or sometimes chewed up.

How do you get from A to Z?

coffee and smiles

.
Why work with recycled materials?

Working with recycled materials is very important to me. I feel that everything has a second life and deserves it. My love for recycling came clear to me while in college, trying to make it but didn't have the funds for many items. I began making my own knick-knacks, clothing, accessories and gifts. Now I just don't see any reason not to do it anymore. It is a way of life.

Who inspires you?

My family and friends inspire me daily. It was my boyfriend who gave me the push to make iamthemandy what it is today. The hard work my mother and father portrayed while growing up showed me I could do whatever I set my mind too.
.

What are your favorite tools?
My favorite tools would be my sewing machine, electric scissor and soldering gun.
.
What music do you listen to while you’re working?
I listen to all types of music, however lately im into a South African Zef band called ManDie Antwoord. I can't understand all of their gibberish, but that makes it inciting.
.
What do you do for fun?
I love hitting up auctions and garage sales, brewing my own beer, walking my dog, watching movies, Mad Men, and it may sound odd, but I love mowing the yard. Something about a push mower makes everything better.
.
Read any good books lately?
Not much of a book reader, but I do enjoying recycling and sewing/craft magazines. Does Twitter count?
.

.
How do you promote your work?
I promote iamthemandy in any medium I can, however Google Adwords and Facebook seem to be working the best for me. I never turn down a networking event or meeting new people at craft shows.

Besides Etsy, where can we find you work?

You can find my work online at http://www.iamthemandy.com/ as well as retail locations in Kansas and Missouri. Kansas; The Onion Tree in Wichita, Miss Fortune's Creation Station in Lawrence and Warehouse 414 in Topeka. Missouri; STUFF, a store filled with stuff in Kansas City.
.
What’s in your future?
I hope the future holds more than I can handle. However, I hope to create a support local kansas crafters organization as well as bring many new eco friendly products to all eyes!
.
Have any words of wisdom?
Support Local. Think Global.
.
.

Images & Text © Mandy Stos
http://www.iamthemandy.etsy.com/
http://www.iamthemandy.blogspot.com/
.
.

How2 Tuesday: Packaging Prep for 2011

2010-12-20T17:58:00.010-05:00

Okay, okay!

I must be crazy talking about getting ready to ship orders in 2011

when the Holiday hasn't even been here and went!

Really, I'm not...

Take a good look at all of those cardboard cartons

from Etsy and Amazon and who knows where else

speeding across your doorstep every day!

Instead of sending these boxes directly to the recycle bins

lets let them pass Go! Give them a new life!

Cut them open and into precut sizes that'll slip into

your bubble envelopes and flat rate boxes.

They're a lightweight (and free!) way to add strength

and durability to your shipments. They also provide a surface to

tape and/or staple your products, business card or swag!

If you ship via USPS, now is the time to order your supplies for next year! You'll receive them early in January when things are a little bit slow. The perfect time to prepare...

My absolute favorite day of the year is the day after Christmas.

I'm so excited to clean, and organize,

and prepare for new year sales!

I cut stacks of 3x5, 5x8 and 8x10 pieces of cardboard

to fit into my bubble mailers and small flat rate boxes.

Little "pockets" are affixed to each board and a business card slipped inside. 2x2" zip lock bags are filled with Etsy & Trashion stickers and buttons and stapled to each board too.

It's fun to get swag!

Most of my items ship in a small flat rate box.

So, I partially assemble a few dozen boxes by stapling the front

of the box closed and insert a 5x8 board with business card and swag. They'll nestle inside one another to make storing easy.

So, you see, it really isn't too soon to get a start for next year.

Positive Thinking = Positive Results!

Images © USPS

Text © remaker

Trash Talk Thursdays: A Trashion Tribute

2010-12-09T06:58:00.003-05:00

A silly poem by Jodi from Tubby Tabby’s JewelBox

.
A TRASHION TRIBUTE

The next time you must buy a gift,

it really would be nifty,

If you would check out Trashion team f

or something upcycled and thrifty
We take stuff other’s feel is trash,

and make awesome gifts to give.

They’re eco-friendly and help the earth,

where all of us must live.
Just let me say, handmade is cool.

We’d love you to stop by.

There’s so many little Etsy shops,

for you to give a try!

.
http://www.etsy.com/people/EtsyTrashion/favorites

.
Much Love,

Jodi

What's Up Wednesday

2010-12-01T09:12:00.000-05:00

This week one of our team members will be selling her handcrafted trashion wares at a show in Fayetteville, AR. If you're in the area, please stop by. Not in the area, but know people who are? Fabtastic - please send them this link and encourage them to "shop local, shop trashion" for the holidays!

Punkinhead Designs will be selling her lovely repurposed wares at Fayetteville Farmers' Market - Holiday Market 2010 on Saturday, December 4th from 10am - 2pm. The market is located at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Fayetteville, AR. More information is listed at the Fayetteville Farmers' Market website.

Shop local and shop handmade at Fayetteville Farmers' Market - Holiday Market this Saturday. The crafty members of the market will offer a selection of locally-made wares perfect for holiday gift-giving and decorating!

Marketing Monday: Gift Tags

2010-11-29T08:19:00.007-05:00

Sending out Holiday Orders?

Include a Customized Gift Tag!

They're a simple yet effective way for the

hand-maker to take their branding to the next level.

How2 Tuesday: Mini Mini Cards & Case

2010-11-23T09:27:00.025-05:00

Mini-Mini Cards & Case

by Etsy Trashion Teammate Tammy of Junck!

.
Inspired by an empty Tic Tac® box, these mini-er than mini business cards are a fun way to market your shop! I used a large box for this tutorial but you can size your cards to fit the standard box as well (they’ll just be even mini-er!)

Here's what you need:

- an empty mint box

- heavy card stock
.

- a ruler

- scissors or cutter

- rounded corner puch (optional)
.

Step 1:
Peel the label from your container and pop the top off.

Soak both pieces in hot, soapy water and then rub clean (this should get rid of any label residue). Mineral oil will remove any remaining sticky bits but you’ll have to wash the box again with soapy water to remove all traces of oil.

Allow to air dry completely.

Before you make your mini mini cards, you need to take two

measurements: the height of your container and the width of

the lid opening. These measurements will determine the size of

your mini-mini cards. The cards need to easily slide out of your

container. For example, the measurements I took from my

large container meant that each of my cards needed to be

4/8 of an inch wide by 2 1/4 inch long.

Create your mini-mini cards!
You can design them on your computer and print them out.

If you want double-sided cards, you may have to do some test prints to ensure your front and back images line up.

Or... you can cut your card strips and write them out by hand.

Cut ‘em out!

(round the ends for added flair!)

Have some fun!

Add some quotes, maybe a discount code, a holiday greeting etc.

Make lots!

(the large container shown here holds 120 cards).

Place your cards in the container and pop the top back on.

Your ready to start marketing your shop! I’m sure you can think of many creative ways to utilize these teeny promo tools!

Have fun!

Trash Talk Thursdays: Buying Vintage, Recycled & Handmade

2010-11-18T07:35:00.009-05:00

Delight Worthyn gives us...

8 Reasons to Buy Vintage, Recycled and Handmade

I have heard it said (re: the current economic strife)

that we are living in a new normal.

We will buy less but buy quality.

Bring it on…mindful spending!

1. Help contribute to establishing a new economy!

2. Contribute to decrease in fossil fuel erosion.

Purchasing mass produced products generally come from overseas plus barging it all over, production costs etc.
.

3. This new breed of craftsperson/merchant is often using recycled materials or selling vintage treasures.

4. Artisans/craftspeople love creating their wares

and pay a great attention to detail. This is the way it used to be, in other words, vintage.

5. Purchasing should be a conscious decision.

Be more conscious of spending and of where your

hard-earned money is going. This contributes to the bigger picture.

6. Made to last.

Many manufacturers make things with a purposelessly short (seasonal) lifespan. A handmade item will be made to last. This, of course, is much better for the environment. Quality over quantity!

7. A vintage item has already stood the ‘test of time’.

8. When you buy from an actual person.

This is the true “trickle down” economics...

...everyone wins.

Check out Delight on Etsy!

What's Up Wednesday

2010-11-17T09:22:00.000-05:00

This week one of our team members will be selling her handcrafted trashion wares at a show in Madison, WI - and it's me! If you're in the Madison-area please stop by. Not in the area, but know people who are? Fabtastic - please send them this link and encourage them to "shop local, shop trashion" for the holidays!

Rachael of Rachael Brooke Art Jewelry will be selling at the Authentic Art Fair on Saturday, Nov. 20th from 9am - 3pm. The fair will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 4011 Major Ave., Madison, WI.

This is a very well juried annual fine art & fine craft show loaded with a fantastic variety of handcrafted goods. Shop for photography, watercolors, soaps, felted wool creations, jewelry and more.The church ladies also put on a delicious lunch and tasty home-baked treats area available, too.

I will be selling my "High-Style/Low-Impact" which I hand-fabricate from repurposed objects and 100% recycled sterling silver wire. My Vintage Redoux Collection features designs made from vintage, antique or simply second-hand metal objects such as: tea, candy & tobacco tins; aluminum drinkware; and serving trays. Show special: mention this post and get 10% off your purchase!

What's Up Wednesday

2010-11-10T23:13:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my first "What's Up Wednesday" post!

This week, three of our team members will be selling their handcrafted wares at events in Massachusetts, Missouri, and Wisconsin. If you're in those areas, take advantage of the opportunity to meet Etsy Trashion Team sellers in person and shop directly. Don't live there, but you know people who do? Great - send them this blog post and encourage them to shop local, shop trashion!

Pam of Remaker will be participating in the 14th Annual Amesbury Studio Tour on Saturday, Nov. 13th (10am - 4pm) and Sunday, Nov. 14th (12 - 4pm). The tour is located at the Amesbury Cultural Center, 36 High St., Upper Millyard, Amesbury, MA 01913

The Amesbury Cultural Council presents the 14th Annual Open Studio Tour. Local artists & artisans will open their studios to display and sell their one of a kind work. It's a great opportunity to support your local creative economy and share in Amesbury's rich arts and culture community. You can also enjoy a variety of performance art & live music during the weekend! For more details visit http://www.amesburystudiotour.com/

Pam will be presenting many new items crafted from thrifted, found and recycled materials. It's an eclectic collection of funky, yet useful, mixed media items in small sets, series or one of a kind pieces. Her work combines thrift finds, repurposed materials, and gemstones with recycled sterling silver, steel, copper and brass to create unique pieces that make life a little more fun! Imagine the fun you'd have wearing her Miniature Copper Book Pendant or her Dekt Out Belt Buckle Pink No. 1

Emily of Candy Calamity will be selling at the Green Arts & Crafts Fair at the Garden on Saturday, Nov. 13th and Sunday, Nov. 14th (10am - 5pm both days). The show will be held at the Missouri Botanical Garden 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110 in the Ridgway Visitor Center, upper level.

The Green Arts & Crafts Fair is a great opportunity to buy unique holiday gifts made from recycled, handcrafted materials. Wrap up in a cashmere shawl, buy soap for a smelly friend, or purchase vintage-style holiday cards for everyone you know!

Emily will be selling her bracelets and earrings made from candy wrappers, pouches made from fused plastic shopping bags, and christmas ornaments made from old holiday cards. I'm in love with her Starburst Coin Purse - it's bright as summertime and reminds me that Starburst was my candy of choice at the beach concession stand when I was a kid!

Rachael Brooke of Rachael Brooke Art Jewelry (Hey, that's me!) will be selling at The Crafty Fair on Sunday, Nov. 14th (10am - 4pm). Madison's freshest indie-artisan show will be held at the Goodman Community Center located at 149 Waubesa St., Madison, WI.

The Crafty Fair features 20 Madison-area artisans selling a variety of handcrafted wares such as: upcycled jewelry and clothes, soaps, crocheted items, and more. Stop by the Ironworks Cafe before or after the show for delish food and coffee. It's located inside the Community Center and just next door to the show.

I will be selling my "High-Style/Low-Impact" which I hand-fabricate from repurposed objects and 100% recycled sterling silver wire. My Vintage Redoux Collection features designs made from vintage, antique or simply second-hand metal objects such as: tea, candy & tobacco tins; aluminum drinkware; and serving trays. Stop by and get yourself or someone else some perfect holiday accessories like my Vintage Droste Chocolate Tin Earrings.

Marketing Monday: Self Promotion

2010-11-01T11:17:00.003-04:00

sadieolive

Toot your own horn!
Marketing should be an everyday part of your business.
Take your work with you everywhere you go!
Have your business cards with you, wear your work, carry
your work ... Send out postcards, do interviews, do giveaways,
take out ads on blogs. Participate in social media!
Self promotion - if you don't promote yourself, who will?

I'll be taking a break from blogging on the Etsy Trashion blog
until after the New Year. Stay tuned for some new authors!

Feature Me Friday: Unraveled Revelry

2010-10-28T22:07:00.004-04:00

This week we have Elizabeth Revels of Unraveled Revelry
from Louisville, KY.

Who is Unraveled Revelry?
Just one little gal trying to change the face of consumerism and
live a better life by doing things for myself. The things I make are
useful, but also artistic. I feel like the beauty of life is found in the
everyday. Unraveled Revelry grew out of a desire to not only
eliminate the waste I saw in my life, but to offer others the ability
to limit waste in theirs. When people around me started wanting
reusable bags I knew there had been a shift in popular thinking.
I love to sew. It is both technical and creative at the same time.
I really enjoy the puzzles that present themselves in what I do.
Really it's me just getting to do what I love.

What’s the first thing you remember making?
I was around five years old. I am sure I made things beforehand,
but I don't remember them. The first thing of note was this little
draw string purse I made with my grandmother. It made me so happy.

Why work with recycled materials?
Waste is a devastating tragedy we can't afford to overlook. Growing
up with an appreciation for secondhand has influenced the way
I live and the way I craft. To be stylish as a kid I had to learn to
"Frankenstein" things. It was very empowering. Keeping disposables
from being the everyday norm is something I have a passion for.
So for me it's mostly environmental. The environment as a whole
as well as the one I grew up in. Good stewardship is a virtue I hold dear.

Where do you work?
I have a small studio in my apartment. I look forward to having
more space. It seems like my fabric stash is always threatening
to avalanche on me. It certainly pushes one to be very organized.

How do you get from A to Z?
Each of my pieces are dictated by the fabrics used to make it.
From the time I choose my fabrics, it's all kind of like a puzzle.
Where do I need to make the cut for straps? To reuse that pocket
or make a new one? I am getting ready to experiment with batching.
A whole new concept for me.

What are your favorite tools?
My utility knife- it's the best seam ripper I have. My snipes for
cutting close to fabric (all my seams are hand finished). I found
these craft rulers that have cork on the back and they are great for
holding the fabric in place when using the cutting wheel. Most
of all my 1920's industrial singer. It makes the magic happen.

What music do you listen to while you’re working?
I listen to a lot of different things. I'm really
into my music collection. The top ones would be: My morning
jacket (famous local boys), Iron & Wine, Calexico, The White
Stripes, The dead weather, the raconteurs (can you tell I like
Jack White?), Pearl Jam, The kills…

What are the five best things you’ve purchased on Etsy
and where did you find them?
I don't buy a whole lot. I'm kind of frugal that way. However,
I started a tradition three years ago to buy myself something from
Etsy with the money I get for my birthday. Thank you family
and friends.
A beautiful print from Tollipop
A great walnut hair pick I use everyday from Wooden Treasures
An awesome recycled skateboard pendant from O'Blue
There are many artists out there that I want to get things from
and the next two are:
Girl Savage and The Generation

Read any good books lately?
It may sound funny coming from a seamstress, but
I really enjoyed the DIY book "How to Sew a Button" By Erin
Bried. I am currently reading Handmade Nation.

Been to any great exhibits?
Every couple of months I go to the Arts and
Crafts museum here in Louisville.

Who inspires you?
When it comes to sewing my greastest inspiration comes from
my grandmothers. Both have always taught me the value of thrift
and secondhand. My Memaw is a seamstress and the one who
taught me to sew. She is an amazing woman who once made a
kimono for my cousin from a picture. My Nana ran a large business
and taught me to be independent. She is my biggest influence to
go into business for myself.

What do you do for fun?
Bon fires, hanging with friends over good food and brews, singing,
playing around at making music. Reading a lot of how to books
and scribbling notes in journals. Playing strategy games, brain
teasers and puzzle games. Gardening. Camping and hiking.
Crafting of course.

Besides Etsy, where can we find you work?
I am talking to a gallery about having some of my
things but it's not final yet. So right now Etsy is the only
place to find me.

How do you promote your work?
I have just started a blog: A Self Made Life
I use Facebook: Unraveled Revelry
and Twitter: ElizabethRevels
This December I will be featured in a local magazine
article.

Have any words of wisdom?
It can be scary to venture out on your own, but
just do it. Even small steps will get you there.

What’s in your future?
Self sufficiency. Living the life I love. I am
looking forward to branching out into the craft fair world. I am
working toward being a full time artist. Where else can you meet
such awesome people.

Marketing Monday: Qualities of a Successful Artist

2010-10-25T23:34:00.000-04:00

I recently purchased
Creative, Inc.: The Ultimate Guide to Running a Successful
Freelance Business by Meg Mateo Ilasco & Joy Deangdeelert Cho.
At the very start of the book, the authors describe qualities of
a successful freelancer. As I read them, I thought these same
qualities are also essential for a successful artist. Substitute Etsy
shop owner for artist, selling art, jewelry, craft, even vintage ...
business owner, manager, consultant - these are qualities of
a successful person in any field.

So let's review:

One: A strong business sense.
You may make beautiful widgets. But if you can't promote them,
no one will ever see them.

westernartglass

Two: A love of your art.
If you are selling life insurance,
you should be passionate about life insurance.

Three: Curiosity
If you sit in a studio all day,
go to the science museum or take a finance class.
If you sit in a cubicle all day,
visit a gallery or the library and find a good book.

SurpriseBoxSupply

Four: Confidence and a strong vision.
When you decide to follow a recipe you have never made before,
you are confident the outcome will be a success.

Five: Good listening and observation skills.
When you're the new kid in class, you check everyone out first -
then you move to make friends with those that will be compatible.

Six: Good communication skills.
When composing a proposal, you should be able to write it legibly,
type it up in an organized fashion, be your own copy editor, and
present it well verbally.

remaker

Seven: An ability to handle criticism and rejection.
Your professor was brutal in that last critique.
You maintained composure, didn't argue, and took the advice.
Your next critique was stellar.
or
You asked out 10 girls in as many weeks with no success.
You asked out girl number 11 and she said yes.

zJayne

Eight: A positive attitude and professional demeanor.
If you're having a bad day, leave it at the door.
Customers don't want to hear it.
If you have some great news, by all means, share it.
But please don't give your life story.

Nine: Good work habits.
"Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
Benjamin Franklin

PopCultureRehab

And my personal quality I'd like to add:
Ten: A friendly sense of humor.
No one wants to work with a stick in the mud.
An ability to laugh will make you a more well rounded and
interesting artist/freelancer/shop owner/manager.

What's Up Wednesday: iSwipe

2010-10-20T07:33:00.007-04:00

iSwipe for your iPhone...

Allows you to accept credit cards when you're on the road,

at the trade show, or selling at the market.

It's the easiest and most affordable way to jump start your business and increase sales.

..
Features:
Best-of-class security: full SSL encryption and keychain password protection
Safe: credit cards are verified as entered.
Quick: single-screen entry makes processing credit cards a snap. Just type and go!
Full Address Verification: (AVS) support with ZIP, street, and CVV fraud detection
Signature capture: with electronic display online

.
Supports all major credit cards including Switch and Solo

.
Support for the following gateways:
Authorize.Net Gateway
Authorize.Net Card Present Gateway
PayPal Website Payments Pro
PayPal PayFlow Gateway
CyberSource Gateway
TransAction Central
Merchant Anywhere Gateway
PayTrace Gateway
NMI Gateway
Quantum Gateway
MerchantWARE Gateway
Navigate Gateway
BluePay Gateway
FastCharge Gateway
Elavon InternetSecure Gateway
SecurePay Gateway
Braintree Gateway
USAePay Gateway
MyVirtualMerchant Gateway
Expitans Gateway
PlanetAuthorize Gateway
GoToBilling Gateway
CyberAuthorize Gateway
eProcessingNetwork Gateway
Pivotal Gateway
Merchant's First Choice Gateway
uCharge: Authorize.Net Gateway

Go to the App Store today.

It's the best .99¢ you'll ever spend.

Feature Me Friday:

2010-10-08T00:55:00.000-04:00

This week we have Vicki of Wearwolf and MyFathersHouse,
from Tucson, AZ.

Vicki is now obsessive about making cool stuff from
recycled/found objects. Giving things new life as beautiful
keepsakes is very rewarding! Using the process to teach future
generations to look at trash differently is the main goal.

I'll be the one walking along the side of the road picking up
every tiny item someone else has discarded as trash!

The recycling of metal is labor intensive. All cans are washed, dried
and cut. Cutting also includes "flesh" and I go through many bandages!
I then emboss, shape, paint, sand, distress, and/or file each piece into
a little creation of art. Add fun images in bottle caps or lovely glass
charms wire wrapped by hand and "Voila", a little piece of personal
wearable art!

Marketing Monday: Etsy on Sale

2010-10-03T13:52:00.005-04:00

Have you ever wanted to run a sale in your Etsy shop?
The only way to do it is to mark and edit each item,
send the buyer a new invoice, or
give each customer a refund of the discount.
Not any more!
This week Etsy on Sale had my Twitter a buzz.
The site does all the work for running a sale in your Etsy shop.

Etsy On Sale is a collaborative effort between three friends who love Etsy and are big fans of those who buy and sell handmade items. Etsy On Sale is their effort to help the handmade movement continue its exponential growth. Etsy On Sale is a service for both shop owners and customers. Artists now have a simple way to manage and promote discounts and sales events for their Etsy shops. Shoppers now have a site where they can easily connect with Etsy sellers who are offering promotions.

The site has a great forum set up for communication, too.
Since it is brand new, Etsy on Sale is working on getting timing
and kinks worked out, and has asked for your patience.
I think it just might be worth it!

Feature Me Friday: Rachael Brooke

2010-09-30T19:55:00.011-04:00

This week we have Rachael Brooke Winkley of
Rachael Brooke Art Jewelry, from Madison, Wisconsin.

Who is Rachael Brooke?
Rachael Brooke is a one-woman art jewelry studio.
My name is Rachael Brooke Winkley.
Rachael Brooke Art Jewelry is my business name which leads
people to assume that Brooke is my last name. My design aesthetic
is “high-style/low-tech” which means I design and craft stylish
jewelry using low-impact metal smith tools and techniques.
I have three design lines in my Etsy shop. The Classic Collection
has a simply elegant design focus. It’s a line of beaded jewelry
(semi-precious stones and cultured fresh water pearls) on my
handmade sterling and 14k gold-filled findings.
The Simply Striking Collection is my line of hammered sterling
and 14k gold filled wire jewelry. The Vintage Redux Collection
features jewelry made from vintage, antique or simply
second-hand metal objects: candy, tea and tobacco tins; aluminum
drinkware; serving trays and such. The sterling silver wire I use
in all my jewelry is 100% recycled.

What’s the first thing you remember making?
Geez Louise, I have no idea.
We were always making stuff in my family. My dad and I would
make Christmas ornaments and little sculptures out of salt dough.
He was finishing his sculpture/art history BFA when I was in
grade school. My mom made clothes and stuffed animals for me.
She was finishing college, too. We were broke, but I had no clue
back then. Doing without or making do with what we had fueled
their creativity, I guess. I also remember making gowns for my
Barbies out of plastic produce bags and twist ties.

Why work with recycled materials?
I think I may have answered that above. My parents taught me to.
Besides, it’s much more of a design challenge to take discarded
materials and try to find one more use for them.

Where do you work?
In May, I became an artist-in-residence at Mendota Mental Health
Institute on Madison’s north side. I’m part of a group of artists
who volunteer to teach art classes for the patients in exchange
for very low rent on our studios. The facility is located on a hill
overlooking Lake Mendota. My studio has high ceilings and
three big windows that look out into a park like setting.
It’s the bestest studio I have ever had!

How do you get from A to Z?
By singing the alphabet, of course.

What are your favorite tools?
My jeweler’s saw, hammers and well worn set of Swanstrom pliers.

What music do you listen to while you’re working?
I often work without music because it’s nice to listen to the sounds
outside. I find I concentrate better without it, too. I do listen to
classical on the local public radio station and jazz or world music
on WORT-FM 89.9 which is Madison’s community radio station.
If I ever get around to loading my i-pod it will have Laurie Anderson,
Beck, Janelle Monae, Cyndi Lauper, Brand New Heavies, Prince,
Mike Doughty, Angelique Kidjo, Harmonious Wail, Stevie Wonder
and English Beat on it.

What are the five best things you’ve purchased on Etsy
and where did you find them?
Please don’t hate me or kick me off the team, but I haven’t done
much shopping on Etsy. However, my favorite things include:
a really lovely handmade bag by rosybird and a vintage French
magazine style playbill for a nightclub featuring topless dancers
from VintageEye.

Read any good books lately?
I’m currently reading the Narnia series with my daughter, Bella.
I just read a collection of Dashielle Hammett’s fiction, which
I can’t believe I’ve never read before. The Thin Man movies with
Myrna Loy and William Powell are some of my favorite movies.

Been to any great exhibits?
The most recent one that comes to mind is the Chuck Close
exhibit that was at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
in 2006. His work makes my jaw drop to the ground in wonder
and amazement every time I see it. Seriously, how does he do
what he does?

Who inspires you?
My 87 year Tata Martha (French nickname for aunt).

Why?
My aunt has been through it all and still keeps on going with
a cigarette and a glass of wine. She still knits and can whip up
flawless cabled baby sweaters from memory. My mother told
her recently that I collect Vera scarves. This prompted her to
think she might have one from the days when
“we wore silk scarves with our wool suits.”
She found it, re-rolled and stitched the hems which had loosened
and sent it to me. Did I mention she’s 87? My Tata has more
energy and a sharper mind than many people I know.

What do you do for fun?
Crochet, shop flea markets and junk shops, tweet, hang with my
daughter when she’ll tolerate me, put my vast knowledge of
useless pop trivia to good use when Guy works on the New York
Times crossword puzzles.

Besides Etsy, where can we find your work?
Absolutely Art in Madison, WI has been a long time customer.
They are phenomenal at supporting local artists.
There is also a list of shops on my website.

How do you promote your work?
I’m trying to be a 21st century babe by doing a lot of tweeting and
Facebook-ing (hey, if google is a verb then so is facebook).
The Etsy teams I’ve joined and the blogs I follow have been helpful
in promoting, too. I have an email and postal mailing list from
doing art fairs for 12 years. Yes, I still mail post cards.
Yes, they work….really.

Have any words of wisdom?
It has taken me a long time to become disciplined about my
artwork. Creativity may be spontaneous, but it goes to waste if
you’re not prepared to do something with it. To quote Prince,
“there is joy in repetition”. So, dedicate a space to your craft and
dedicate time to it each day. The size of the space and the amount
of time isn’t the important thing. The discipline of creating,
brainstorming and visioning on a regular basis is important.
Holy cannoli, did I really just spout that bit of wisdom?

What’s in your future?
More coffee. More jewelry making. Fewer outdoor shows and
more indoor shows. More wholesale business and, hopefully,
more Etsy sales. But first, more coffee.

Blogs: flea-bitten
mycreativehustle

Marketing Monday: The Blog, Part II

2010-09-26T11:25:00.009-04:00

nerdgoddess

Finding our way in the blogosphere is ongoing ...
I've gathered up a few more links to articles to help with blogging.

A post by Tara Gentile of Scoutie Girl on CraftMBA discusses
why your blog needs a purpose, a method, a goal.
She suggests you create an objective so you can build
a community around your blog.

vinylvisionaries

This post from Open Forum discusses
3 not so obvious things your blog needs:
1. a point of view
2. really great headlines
3. calls to action

mmiskowski

Lisa Barone of Outspoken Media suggests an editorial calendar:
Why You Need An Editorial Calendar For Your Blog.
She feels it will increase your post quality, your post quantity,
your advertising opportunities & your subscribers.
My favorite reason is that the urge to bang your head against
the wall will decrease.

ponyboypress

Rebecca Osberg, a social media writer, has some content ideas:
How To Write Content For a Business Blog.
I thought the part about blog design was important, as well as
the section on promoting your industry - go handmade!

shopsaplingpress

My favorite article, though, has to be
5 Essential Blogging Tips from the Father of Chinese Philosophy.
Confucius had some great advice, which has been applied to blogs -
From knowledge to beauty, respect and consequences, and
not doing to others what you would not want done to you.
The author adds his own tip as well.

fishlegs

About what will you be blogging?

Marketing Monday: The Blog

2010-09-11T12:59:00.006-04:00

jenniferramos.etsy.com

When I opened my Etsy shop last year, I did some research on
marketing my shop. It seemed that the thing to do was to have
a blog. I had always wondered why people read blogs ...
and now I had to start my own?

PopCultureRehab

I had all sorts of questions about blogging:
What do I write about?
How often should I post?
How should I set up my blog?
Should I have advertisements on my blog?
Should I have giveaways?
How personal does this have to get?
Who will follow my blog?

You can Google just about anything there is to do with blogging,
but I have picked a few posts that were of interest to me,
hoping that maybe they will be of interest to you, too.

Design Sponge: Biz Ladies: Using a Blog to Grow Your Business

"Social media writer, editor and blogger Rebecca Levie Osberg
offers her social media savvy and blog writing skills to her clients
on a daily basis." In this post, she explains why you need a blog,
what blogging platform to use, and answers some of my questions
above with some guidelines.

remaker

Unamimous Craft: Write a Better Blog 101
This post links to quite a few other articles on blogging.
The first one talks about habits of effective bloggers, another
about what makes a good blog, while most discuss how to
come up with content.

fishlegs

Copyblogger: Write Less
This post I liked because it tells you that you can write one post
a week. It just has to be a 'good' post. As we all know, things
get better with practice - ah, the conundrum!

I am not an expert in blogging, and I do not blog every day.
I do like it, though.
And I have found a blogoshpere full of
jewelry/fashion/design/photography/art/crafty/eco-friendly
obsessed people just like me.
So sometimes I blog about that.

What do you blog about?

Feature Me Friday: Miss Courageous

2010-09-09T23:57:00.004-04:00

This week we have Millie, the miss who IS
Miss Courageous , as well as Buckle Up, from Boise, ID.

All of the things she makes used to be something else.
It's been called upcycling, recycling, repurposing,
trash to treasure, trashion, eco-friendly, crafting green, re-use,
reinvent, redesign, etc...
She calls it "POP Jewelry & Accessories" -
As in pop caps, pop music, pop a lid, pop art, pop culture.

She's been creating as long as she can remember. She left art
school and ended up with a career in the cosmetic industry,
where most of her artistry skills were spent on faces. When she
left the cosmetic industry in 2004, she focused on making jewelry
and using found objects.

"BuckleUp just makes sense. Upcycled belt buckles to hold up your pants."

Happy Labor Day

2010-09-06T08:59:00.002-04:00

Here in the US, it's a holiday.
Have yourself one last picnic!

vintage picnic baskets from Etsy

Feature Me Friday: Lake Erie Beach Glass

2010-09-03T13:15:00.002-04:00

This week we have Jodie, the owner and designer of
Lake Erie Beach Glass from Erie, PA,
halfway between Cleveland, OH and Buffalo, NY.

Jodie started her journey with sea beach glass several years ago
while walking the local beaches with her family. They have
collected many unique items including sea beach glass and have,
in a sense, recycled these items into wearable pieces of art & more!

Sea Beach Glass is glass that was once a beautiful piece of tableware,
a bottle, or a dish that once served a purpose for man. For one reason
or another it was discarded and found it's way into the water where
nature refined this piece of trash by tumbling it into a beautiful,
smooth, gem. It has been given back us by nature where we can
find these beautiful pieces laying on the shores of our Lake!

Marketing Monday: Is Use the Best Form of Marketing?

2010-08-29T16:04:00.006-04:00

PettiBear

I read this post, Is Use the Best Form of Marketing? sometime ago.
But just last week, I was out and about & talking about my jewelry....
And was not wearing a single piece of my work.

alexkeller.etsy.com

I believe the message should be repeated and
knock me over the head with it, would you please?

onewomanstudio

Wear your work:

It's free marketing.
It's an icebreaker.
It's market research.
It's product testing.

misscourageous

I liked the last paragraph, too, which addressed those that
do not make wearables.

Hang this up!

PopCultureRehab

Use this at your next party!

bprdesigns

Take this bag to the store!

fashiongreentbags

Pull this out of your handbag!

slyraccoon

And put this on your table!

EyePopArt

Put these on gifts and packages!

wearwolf

But you are already doing that, right?

Feature Me Friday: Anyone's Guess

2010-08-27T08:28:00.014-04:00

This week for Feature Me Friday, we have Nancy of
Anyone's Guess from Forest Park, IL.

Who is Anyone's Guess?
I upcycle a variety of materials into creatively designed,
fun to wear jewelry.

What’s the first thing you remember making?
When I was in grade school, I made some stuffed animals for my
brother and myself from printed fabric patterns that I cut out,
sewed, and stuffed with old nylon stockings. That was also my first
use of recycled/upcycled material. I still have the stuffed horse I made.

Why work with recycled materials?
I inherited the recycling gene from my parents, who grew up during the Depression and taught me the value of thrift and re-use. As an adult, I became concerned about being a good steward of the earth’s resources. I also love the surprise of the unexpected- wearing trash. This is why I like using things that are still recognizable as trash, even though they have been transformed. It's a metaphor for life and reflects my belief - and my own experience - that God can transform
even our worst experiences.

Where do you work?
I work in a spare bedroom - a.k.a. 'the junk room' - for more reasons than one! I am always accumulating more "raw material," and have a hard time keeping up with organizing and storing everything.

How do you get from A to Z?
I start with something discarded and begin playing around. My workspace is usually pretty messy, so I'll see something lying out in the open and get an idea about how to use it, or what things might work together. Just sifting through things generates more ideas.

What are your favorite tools?
My chain nose pliers. I have them in my hands at one time or
another every time I work.

What music do you listen to while you’re working?
I prefer quiet; background music distracts me.

What are the best things you’ve purchased on etsy
and where did you find them?

"Trashion" bookmarker from naturemadescents

recycled record earrings from misscourageous

a bottle cap horse from embarkingdog (my favorite)

and my newest purchase, a recycled T-shirt scarf from ragsbysockmonkey

Read any good books lately?
Son of Hamas by Mosab Yousef; The Maker's Diet by Jordan Rubin;
Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon; The Gift of Dyslexia by Ron Davis

Been to any great exhibits?
I enjoyed touring the American Precision Museum in Vermont
this summer. It's full of interesting early machine tools.

Who inspires you?
My grandmother. She had elocution lessons as a young girl and gave a recital. She talked about the fuss people made over her after her recital, but she never let it change her. At the age of 92 she performed a poem from memory that she had done over 70 years earlier. I hope I have that kind of energy and recall at 92!

What do you do for fun?
Read, sing with our church praise team, and of course, make jewelry!

Besides Etsy, where can we find you work?
I recently starting posting photos on Flickr, and I do a Christmas
show locally at Pleasant Home (house museum) in Oak Park, IL.

How do you promote your work?
Some of my pull tab earrings appeared in the August 2010 issue of
Greencraft Magazine. I also get some business from wearing my
work. I've found being part of the Etsy Trashion team a big help;
participating in our combined Earth Day sale helped me reach new
customers, and I'm currently participating in the Trashion team
promo. I'm also considering expanding my use of social media.

Have any words of wisdom?
Do what you love, do it wholeheartedly, and don't quit.

What’s in your future?
I'll continue to use a variety of upcycled materials in my work,
always looking for innovative ways to transform my trash into
someone else's treasure.

Marketing Monday: Wider Shop Pages on Etsy

2010-08-23T09:37:00.007-04:00

Last week, Etsy created wider shop pages.
Here's the tech post and a forum announcement.

Here's a screen shot of our team page.
Note the change in the placement of the banner.
I believe it is the same size, just moved over a bit.

There are lots of changes in the shop announcement,
with a run - on structure and a pop - up box.
If your announcement is longer than space allows, you will have
a 'read more' link. Links in the announcement do not work until
you click on the announcement and get the pop - up box.

Sellers have been deleting their banners, changing their
announcement to fit the space or deleting that, too.

I also just noticed with the team shop, that when you have no
sections, the avatar is closer to the top. If you deleted your
banner, would you delete your sections, too, to get your avatar
closer to the top?

For further discussions, take a look at 'wider pages' in the forums.
How have you changed your shop?

Feature Me Friday: Metamorphosi

2010-08-20T00:49:00.006-04:00

This shop supports completely the Organization Progetto
Metamorphosi which promotes the use of recycled material
to create art and design and opportunities of work.

"Beside our studio in Calcata, we started in 1997 an organization
to promote the work of artist and artisans using recycled material."

Run by Ilaria Sadun, Metamorphosi sells unique creations made
with recycled material.

"We do projects with schools and events with public or private
organization. We have an ongoing project in Valença, Bahia, Brazil,
to support a group of talented women who are otherwise unemployed.
We initiated it in the year 2007 with the ONG Banca Comunitaria
Mais Vida, a project for street kids and poor family kids. 70% of
the sales of their creations go back to them."

Marketing Monday: Selling the Handmade Way, Wider Shop Pages & Pocket Shop

2010-08-16T09:34:00.005-04:00

Bonnie of Going Home to Roost is starting an e-course on
Selling the Handmade Way. She is also offering a free guide
you can download. It is a shop help guide, with a lot of
information targeted to newer shops. But it doesn't hurt
to give yourself a refresher every now and then!

"making readers of your about or profile page feel important,
cared about, and well educated on you and/or your business
is a great starting point on building a relationship with them."

"use your shop title wisely- make it short and sweet, and what
you most likely think your customers will search for."

"the first bit of your shop announcement is the most important.
you want to open here with your ‘hook’ "

"make your space inspiring. one of the quickest ways
(i’ve learned) to kill my motivation is to have a messy workspace.
sometimes i try to work through the clutter, but it never fails to
effect my inspiration, and nag on my motivation. surround yourself
with things that make you happy like flowers, artwork or pictures
and reflect on them when you’re feeling a little bogged down. it’s
also helpful to just take a break and change the mood. go for a walk,
open the windows, fix some lemonade, or anything that will help
rejuvenate your spirits."

And did you see The Storque last week?
The tech post about wider shop pages?
Now is a great time to get your sections in order, and edit your shop
announcement, as it will be shortened on your page. The part that
doesn't fit can be read in a pop up box.

A new widget was also mentioned Handmade Code: Pocket Shop.

From Craft Cult, it reminded me of this post and the widget from Cr8tivity.

What are you doing this week to promote?

Feature Me Friday: Rags by Sock Monkey

2010-08-13T11:50:00.006-04:00

This week for Feature Me Friday, we have Molly Kay of
Rags by Sock Monkey and Petite Dancer 25 from Chicago, IL
and Minneapolis, MN.

Who is Rags by Sock Monkey?
Rags by Sock Monkey is a eco-friendly, recycled clothing design
mini-business run by the one and only Molly Kay. It was inspired
by my sock monkey, Ginny, who really “embodies”, as much as
a sock monkey can embody something, the philosophy behind
my business. Sock monkeys were created from old socks to give
enjoyment and comfort. So, Rags by Sock Monkey is about taking
a piece of clothing that could end up as a rag and make it into
something beautiful and enjoyable to wear.

What’s the first thing you remember making?
Ooof, that is a hard one. I’ve been creating things since before I
can remember. One thing that sticks in my mind is a little drum
made from an old cardboard oatmeal container, which I painted
blue with red stars. I also still use the first thing that I ever created
from old clothing- a bag made from a pair of old jeans. I made it
in seventh grade but I still get compliments on it everyday.

Why work with recycled materials?
I think that recycled materials, besides from being good for the
environment, give specific parameters which I can work within.
Having parameters actually allows me to be more creative. It’s
easy to become overwhelmed with choices, but when one is given
a t-shirt and asked to created something new from it, it suddenly
becomes more of a puzzle-solving challenge. That gets my creative
juices flowing!

Where do you work?
Right now, in Chicago, IL! That is, in my tiny studio apartment
in Chicago which I share with my fiance, Brandon. My workspace
consists of a desk which we found in the lobby of our apartment
when we first moved in. I don’t know what I would do without this
desk!

How do you get from A to Z?
Right now, I travel on my Freespirit cruiser bicycle most everywhere. His name is Baby Blue. I like to think that he is a dreamy movie star with sparkling blue eyes. Yes, I did just call my
bicycle a dreamy movie star...

What are your favorite tools?
My favorite tool to use in my work is a tiny pair of scissors originally intended to cut thread, but which is now used to cut out the patterns that I sew onto my shirts, skirts, and other items. However, I also enjoy my large pair of shiny fabric scissors. I think I just enjoy chopping up fabric in general! It’s my favorite part of what I do.

What music do you listen to while you’re working?
It’s always different. I’m currently inspired by The Bird and the
Bee but often just turn the radio on to NPR and listen to the news
as I sew.

What are the five best things you’ve purchased on etsy
and where did you find them?
An urban holster (really, a fancy fanny pack) by Utilitywear, a shaving brush by craftiness as well as an Atari ductape wallet by jDUCT both for my fiance (he’s a lucky guy), a sparkly headband (the most comfortable headband EVER) I wore as a bridesmaid by chastina, and my absolute favorite are a pair of wood and pearl earrings which I wear everyday by my good friend, Allison, at potpourri4.

Read any good books lately?
YES! Everyone must read Eating Animals by Johnathan Safran
Foer, he’s changed my life forever. Whether you do or do not eat
animals, you must read this book!

Been to any great exhibits?
I’m not much of an art exhibit person. I’m more of a
music-in-the-park-free-event kind of girl... However, I love
museums, and particularly loved seeing the Adler Planetarium
in Chicago, IL. Super informative and fun!

Who inspires you?
My grandmother, who was born the year the Great Depression
began. She knows how to make something out of nothing, and
also makes some delicious canned peaches!

What do you do for fun?
Dance, a lot, and take yoga classes. I also love seeing movies in
the theater with my fiance. And, I'm also part of a burlesque
troupe in Chicago called A & M Burlesque. I love performing
with them for fantastic audiences!

Besides Etsy, where can we find you work?
In a lovely new shop in Seattle, WA called Reconstructed Clothing, Inc. Check out their website at http://www.reconstructedseattle.com/, and if you are in the area, you should definitely stop by! You can also find me on Facebook and on Twitter- just look for etsysockmonkey!

How do you promote your work?
Usually on Facebook, on Twitter occasionally, and on Etsy through an occasional showcase. I do like to put new items that I've created on my blog as well. And I wear my stuff around town.
I think that is the best way to promote it, show everyone how great it is to wear!

Have any words of wisdom?
Believe in what you create, but also have the sense to receive
constructive criticism. Always strive to be better in what you do!

What’s in your future?
Moving home to stay with my mother and father, so that I can
sew more and work less!

Marketing Monday: A Postcard - The New Business Card

2010-08-01T22:23:00.004-04:00

NatureMadeScents

I have posted about business cards before
here MOO and Super Friendly Paper ,
here Business Cards and Getting Them Printed , and
here DIY and Recycled Business Cards.

AlmondWorks

But what about a postcard? Last week Eco Etsy posted
Business Tips: Creative Marketing & Promotion.

SurpriseBoxSupply

One of the tips was to:
"Create a Killer Ad & print it on small recycled postcards."
It was suggested to mail postcards to a target market and to ask
business establishments if you can leave them on their counters.

MOO suggests using postcards as a business flyer or even a
gift certificate. Many artists seem to have a postcard
with a bio on the back to present to the public at fairs & shows.

Why not use a postcard as a business card?
You could print the same information as you do on your
business cards and use the postcards for everything:
thank you cards, flyers, coupons, gift certificates.

How do you use postcards?

Feature Me Friday: Candy Calamity

2010-07-29T19:41:00.005-04:00

This week for Feature Me Friday, we have Emily of
Candy Calamity from St. Louis, Missouri.
Who is Candy Calamity?
I make jewelry and other accessories from recycled materials,
sometimes including candy wrappers like Starbursts, Dum
Dums, and chocolate bars, but always including what I call a
‘candy aesthetic.' I love bright splashy colors and fun modern
shapes.

Why work with recycled materials?
I love the challenge of working with a limited material set. It
inspires me to think of new solutions & techniques when I can
only work with the materials I’ve collected or had donated.

Where do you work?
My studio is in the front room of my apartment. It’s nice to
have a space to keep everything contained, or else I’d be finding
craft supplies sprinkled all over the place. I like to keep the
blinds on all 4 windows wide open to take advantage of daylight
hours, plus the birds outside keep the cat entertained.

What music do you listen to while you’re working?
I’m devoted to a local radio station, The Arch 106.5. I keep a
radio on that station all the time when I’m working. Today they
just played some Bonnie Tyler, Kenny Loggins, Green Day, Bon
Jovi and Soft Cell, so I’m rocking out.

What are the five best things you've purchased on etsy
and where did you find them?
Five handmade goodies that get almost daily use at my house
include:
A carnival photo set by bomobob framed in my dining room

A shine colander pin cushion from fellow trashionista Loneweever

2 corkboards by The Crafty Wino are keeping my office organized

Handmade mandarin bergamot soap and grapefruit
sugar scrub cubes from Bella Luna are the BEST

And my first every Etsy purchase:
some chocolate and lime arm warmers by Dyno

Read any good books lately?
I just finished A Series of Unfortunate Events, by Lemony
Snicket, which was a huge downer, and then I picked up
Love in the Time of Cholera, by Gabriel García Márquez,
which is also on the sad side – only cheerful books for me
from now on.

Who inspires you?
I have had the pleasure to meet so many awesome crafty ladies
(too many to name) through my two street teams: the St. Louis
team Show Me Etsy and the Trashion Team.
Being surrounded by all this talent gives me a huge boost to be
able to do what I do, without my two street teams I probably
would have quit long ago.

What do you do for fun?
I have a major sweet tooth and love baking and cake decorating.
I also live close enough to the Missouri Botanical Garden to go
visit the flowers and I walk around there all the time.
It’s a beautiful place.

Besides Etsy, where can we find your work?
I do a lot of shows in the St. Louis area. My next show is
the Tower Grove Farmers Market on August 21st.
This fall I’ll be at the Green Homes Show, September 25th,
Show Me Etsy’s Artropy show on December 2nd, and
the Every Artist Market, December 11th.
I’m still working on the full schedule, but I always keep an
updated list on my blog for anyone who’s looking for me.

How do you promote your work?
You can find Candy Calamity on Facebook
and I’m 2/3 of the way done with Craft 365 on Flickr.
I’m posting a picture of one crafty thing I do each day.

Have any words of wisdom?
Even if an idea seems totally crazy go with it!
You never know how things are going to turn out.

What's in your future?
I don’t know! That’s what makes it so exciting

"Now you can eat your candy, and wear it too!"
www.candycalamity.com

Marketing Monday: Create Your Own Website

2010-07-26T00:55:00.004-04:00

Do you have your own website?

Maybe you have great web design skills and you've done it all yourself?

Or maybe you had some help? A friend? Someone in the family?

Or maybe you have made your blog your website, because
Blogger now allows you to add pages to your website.
Recently, on design*sponge there was a how-to using WordPress:
Biz Ladies: Get a Website in a Weekend

Still seems a like a little too much for you?
How about flavors.me ? Check out the demo!

"Flavors.me allows anyone to create an elegant and dynamic
website using personal content from around the web for only
$20 a year." And you can try it for free.

There's also soopsee, where you can create a website from your
Etsy shop. You can import your Etsy listings, your blog, host
your site on your domain, and list other locations that sell
your work. And they have free accounts, too.

What other places do you know where you can create your
very own website?