Friday 30 May 2008

Arrivals for LBOE 2

Hi guys, the new b.card that arrived today are from:

*Nifty Knits
*Indigo Rocks
*blinkingmouse
*Jane Gallagher

and also i have some b.cards and a couple of GORGOUS earrings to use for the promos from: RosieJo

Thursday 29 May 2008

Still Calling For More Sellers


Hi Guys,
I have had lots of convos about joining but ive still got room. if you wish to join in with the seond edittion of the LBOE please feel free to convo or comment to receive more info :)

Wednesday 28 May 2008

New Arrivals for the LBOE 2nd

Hi guys, just like to add the list of names of the first arrivals to be part of the second edition of LBOE. :)

*Moments By Martha
* Fantasea Jewelry Originals
*Boshemian
*piedras

thanks to those and to the sellers who have already contacted me to join in. many thanks! :)

My Interview With Elizabethslace


Today I am interviewing Elizabeth from ElizabethsLace. so please welcome, Elizabeth. :)


M: Please you tell us about yourself and your back ground?

EL: I am 39 and a happily married mother of fifteen-year-old twin boys. I have a degree in Business Administration and work as a tax accountant, but have taken art/craft classes consistently since I was little - all different kinds. I find the drive/need to be creative overwhelming at times - I really enjoy crocheting, calligraphy, cross stitch, and sewing - but I am completely addicted to tatting - a form of lacemaking I learned from my grandmother.

M: Can you tell us a bit about your work and how did you start your etsy shop?

EL: I grew up watching my grandmother do her tatting (lacemaking) around handkerchiefs and pillowcases. She also did some doilies. It was amazing to watch her fingers flying and lace coming out the other side. She wanted to teach me when I was young, but I was a typical teenager and wanted nothing to do with it at the time. By God's grace she lived long enough that when I, at 22, decided I was ready to learn, she was still able to teach me. I haven't put it down since.I wanted a contemporary way to use and display it - hence the jewelry.I have been doing art/craft shows with my tatted jewelry for fifteen years. I originally joined etsy so I could buy hand-dyed threads for use in my jewelry. After a while, I thought I ought to at least post some things to sell to make up for all the money I was spending. Unfortunately, with doing shows full time it's had to keep up with both, and the etsy shop suffers a bit. I do direct existing customers from my regular website to my etsy shop because etsy is where I tend to display some of my newer pieces.


M: What usually sparks off an idea?

EL: I have many inspirations - probably one of the most common is vintage books my grandmother had - there are no tatted jewelry patterns in them, but I look at a doily and can see a section of it that I think would make a beautiful necklace. They generally have to be reworked (knot count more than anything) to accommodate the beads I want to use. I do also use some modern patterns from other tatting designers - not jewelry designs, but motifs I incorporate into my own style of jewelry. I also find inspiration in other types of jewelry, patterns on clothing, and traditional shapes like hearts, crosses, butterflies or flowers. With things like this I am often designing the pattern from scratch because it's hard to find patterns in the size or shapes I want them.



M: Please tell us about your latest products.

EL: At the moment, I am completely addicted to variegated threads. I remember when I first started tatting, I associated variegated thread to my grandmother's tatting, and so I thought it a bit "old fashioned" and I avoided it like the plague. Today, with dyed silks and cottons, the colors are so glorious and once I start with my variegated threads it's hard for me to get back to my staple colors like brown, black, and olive green. You can see some of the examples of these types of thread being used in my etsy shop.

Thank you Elizabeth for letting us into your shop. I find your style very refreshing and also amazing www.elizabethslace.etsy.com

Monday 26 May 2008

My Interview with: Maicen

Today, i have interviewed Maicen. :D

M: Please you tell us about yourself and your back ground?

Ma:I am a 25 year old school teacher with a dream of becoming a full-time artist. I have been drawing and painting since I was about 15, and started selling self-designed hats and postcards in local stores when I was 18. I have gone 3 years in art-school, and have a burning interest for design, fashion, interior and art!


M:Can you tell us abit about your work and how did you start your etsy shop?

Ma: I am mainly into drawing and illustration and have done a lot off work with this. I found etsy trough flickr ( www.flickr.com/maicen/photos/ ) and fell for the idea straight away! I mainly do prints in my etsy for now, but will soon start doing t-shirts, baby-clothes, bookmarks etc.I like my work to be girlie, cute and fashionable, but the most important thing is that the girls I draw have a good expression. I work with different theemes such as emptiness and lonelyness, but I would like to point out that this is not in a negative way! These feelings are often kind off euphoric and nice, and we all get alot of growth out of them.



M: What usealy sparks off an idea?


Ma: I get inspired of everything! I can walk around one day, and the work just pops into my head. I love when I get an idea, and I start working on it right away.




M: Please tell us about your latest products.


Ma: My latest products are key-holders with original illustrations, they are laminated. I have been handing these products out for gifts to friends and family, and now when they all have one each, I make and sell them.






Thank you Maicen :) I highly reconmend Maicen's shop because of the really funky unmistakable style that she has. And I'm loving the cool keyrings! :D http://www.maicen.etsy.com/

Sunday 25 May 2008

CALLING FOR MORE SELLERS :)

Hi Guys,
Im now calling for more sellers to join in with the seond edittion of the LBOE. Feel free to convo or comment to receive more info :)

The First Outings of LBOE


As you may know, LBOE has had it's first outing yesturday! :D

First of all I put all of the promo bags into it's special basket that I decorated to make it very eye catching to the passers by.

I split the promos I’ve been sent into two.

1. Was a card pack: inside held cards, postcards and art cards from different Etsy sellers + a voucher or two, all to encourage people to visit Etsy and your shops. These I gave to people who was stopping at my stall and looked at my items as a way of saying thank you and encouraging them to visit Etsy and it's shops when they get home.

I had put these into really nice paper bags that I’ve got, with a little message about what’s inside it and with Etsy's web address on it.The reason I did it this way was simply because the cards wouldn't fit in the drawstring bags and I didn't want to ruin them. I was planning on getting the next lot of bags to be made bigger to hold promos, LBOE and the cards but I am pleased to say that it worked out really well as it was.I started off with 20 card packs and I think I only had about 2 left at the end of the day!

Everyone was pleased with what we gave each of them and hopefully they will be quite happy to visit Etsy, to see what else Etsy holds in store :)

The second was the promo packs itself: with the promos, LBOE in the drawstring bags.

I played around with these through out the course of the day to find a balance where I could give them away but also encourage people to stop and buy more from my stall. It took a few attempts to get it to ballance correct but it all worked out well in the end.

Everyone was going away very happy with their little promo bags, it was the same also with the cards packs.

Yesturday was defiantly a leaning curve but personally it felt like a great success for the first edition:

One dad came over to my stall and was going around my table slowly picking up items to buy. After I explained what the promos were, what Etsy was about and why I trying to get the name of Etsy out in to the UK audience, he actuary turned around really kindly and wish me the best of luck with it and said that I was doing a good job. Which I was really pleased about :)

Another lady came over and bought some cards from me and received a free goodie bag along with them. Soon after, mum and me were laughing. This was because she and her friend were at an empty table on the other side of the room, pulling all the items out carefully from the bag and Oooing and Ahhing over all the goodies inside.
I went over to them and they thanked me for the promos. They soon was flicking through the LBOE itself and I explained what it was and they were really intrigued! :D

So you never know, they may be visiting Etsy very soon. :)

Another involved 1 old lady who came over to my stall and asked if I sold earrings. I didn't but I gave her a card pack thinking you never know, she may visit an Etsian's shop/s to purchase a pair or even more!

1 lady was going to send hers up to a relative up north, so the word will be spreading that way as well. :)

I was told that this year's craft fayre was quieter than usual but out of the 15-promo bags that I had, I had only 4 left! So everyone must of gone away very happy.

Plus I’ve put information about this blog in the card packs so it's all really great advertising if you have got your images/links/articles on here.

So, I am up for it again if you are! :D

I know what went wrong and I know what went brilliantly well this time round. So, I am sure we can work together to come up with an even better promo packs with the LBOE's help to bring in lots of customers to Etsy.

I have got an even BIGGER village fayre coming up on the 1st of Aurgust, which I am sure the LBOE will be well received.

If you feel/felt that the LBOE can/has worked for you, you are most welcome to join in, it’s totally free and open to all sellers on Etsy, more the merrier. :)

Please let me a.s.a.p. If you want to sign up and I can't wait to hear from you guys.

Thank you so much for all your support and those who had taken part in the first addition where I hope all your hard work will bring you many many sales. But I also hope that this can be an on going project that all of Etians can be involved in or even to be started by others :)
-artbymimi

Saturday 24 May 2008

My Interview With itsalovelycake:



Please you tell us about yourself and your back ground?
There are two of us at Cake, Mud and Sarah in South Wales, UK.
Can you tell us abit about your work and how did you start your etsy shop?

We love making jewellery that's a bit different from the rest of the stuff out there! Everything is one of a kind because we use a lot of vintage and hard to find materials. We opened our shop because Sarah needed money to buy more anime ^_^





What usealy sparks off an idea?

We get our ideas from wading through bags of beads, nature, dreams and each other. We work together on most pieces.


Please tell us about your latest products.

At the moment we are making a lot of charm bracelets because we were recently given an antique stash from Sarah's great grandma, and of course we have loads of animal pendants and dangling buttons!


Thank you itsalovelycake for letting my interview you and letting us have a insite behind your esty shop :)

---

Please check out http://www.itsalovelycake.etsy.com/ where they such intriguing products where you just want to brouse for hours on end :)....I know I do, see ya!

Friday 23 May 2008

Big Day Tommorrow!

It's the big day tomorrow when the LBOE goes out into the big wide world.
They are shaking with a mixture of nerves and excitement.
Here's to LBOE and let's just hope that you guys have many many sales from all your efforts.
thanks for taking part and all of your subport guys. :)
Best of luck!

Thursday 22 May 2008

My First Interviewee! I Introduce MissKnits




Due to i want to advertise Etsy and it's sellers Ive been asking for volenteers to let me interview them.


Me first victem is MissKnits :)


M: Please you tell us about yourself and your back ground?


MK: about myself, Well i am 29 and live in saint louis, though i was born and raised in texas. I love family and they are extremely important to me. Family is one of the main reasons i moved here, to be closer to them. I come from a pretty crafty family. I began making things from a very early age. My grandmother taught me most of what i know today. From ceramics/pottery, painting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, and most recently knitting and felting. Though the last two were more self taught. When i am not creating, i am thinking of what i can create next, and everything i see, i am thinking, hmmm how could i tweak this, or turn that into something. Making things is a part of who i am and it's what i love to do!





M: Can you tell us abit about your work and how did you start your etsy shop?


MK: I have always loved making things just to create, and to give to friends and family as gifts. I have been encouraged for years that i should try and sell my work. But never thought it was good enough, or knew how to even go about it. It was really an accident i happened apon etsy one day, and was immediatly in love with the site. After exploring it for some time, i thought wow, this could be a great way to venture into selling and just see if anyone likes my stuff enough to buy it. I figured, what have i got to lose! I was amazed to get sales the first week! But i have learned it takes a lot of work, and patience! Sales come and go and spurts for me. Which is ok! What i love the most is just making my items. And if i get a sale, then its all the merrier! I thought at first i would only list knitting items - hence the name! lol But i have found its fun to venture into different avenues and challenge myself into learning how to do different things. Now that winter is gone, i really had to come up with new and creative ways to design my work, into something people would want year round, seeing as scarves in the summer aren't exactly big sellers! lol So i started focusing more on making bags, and knitted and crocheted jewelry. I love combining fabulous fabrics with my knitting as well. I love colors, textures, and combining more than one medium. I'm still learning though, which is also what makes it fun.




M: What usealy sparks off an idea?


MK: Well almost anything really! I have never followed fads or trends. I have always just worn what i wanted to because i liked it, not because a magazine tells me i should. And that comes out i think in my items too. I really love to upcycle/recycle, and seeing old sweaters or jackets, i often think of what i can turn them into. Which is sometimes a challenge, but it's really exciting to see something old that someone would throw out, and turn it into something new that can be loved and used again. Or even this week, i was looking at my curtains in my living room and thinking they really need some kind of tie back. And i started thinking i could make them myself! Then i realized i could take the same technique almost and make really funky belts. So you never know where an idea will stem from! I never use any patterns, i always like to just create on a whim and see what i end up with!


M: Please tell us about your latest products.

MK: Well i kind of touched on some of my latest products earlier. I have really enjoyed experimenting ways of using yarn and material into making bags and purses. Its really fun to find contrasting designs, like my latest bag - the black white and red clutch. That was really an accident by the way! lol i didnt plan for it to look like that, but i love how it turned out! Same with the Peekabo Paisley Bag. I really had fun combing my knitting with fabrics. I think it gives the bag a unique feel, letting the inner fabric show on the outside as well. And my new Versatile Crocheted Belts that can also be Hair Ties or even layered necklace! Those to me were so fun to make. Beading the yarn is a bit trick sometimes, but i think they give it a little extra pizzazz. I am hoping to add more colors and styles in the future.

M:Thank you MissKnits for letting me interview you and may you have many many sales in your shop.

Please check out MissKnits' shop where she sells her eye catching and unique items :) http://www.missknits.etsy.com/

Today's New Arrivals:

Today I have received so great cards from:

*Gems By Jules

and some VERY nice clay broaches from:

*sallers

Thank you guys for taking part :)

WE'VE BEEN FEATURED! :D

Please click here to see http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com/

Wednesday 21 May 2008

Add Space For Etsy Sellers

Add Space For Etsy Sellers Is Now Advalable! :D
If you wish me to addvertise for your etsy shop please let me know and i will add you for FREE!
Unfortunatly I can't advertise you all in this space but I plan to rotate it every week so everyone has a chance to have a spot light.
I plan to also do articles about different sellers in the future so please let me know if you are also intersted in this.
Thanks again for all the positative feedback and to everyone who wishies to take part with the second eddition (if the first goes well on Saturday).

-artbymimi

Video

Hi guys :)
As a way of shoing off what LBOE members can do, I've made a little slide show.
If you are not happy for any reason for me to feature your work, please let me know and I will take it off a.s.a,p, with no questions asked. :)
I hope you like

Arrivals Of The Day

Hi guys :)
Thanks for taking part in TLBOE. I have received some b.cards and some great promos! :D

The new arrivals are:

*Snowbell (thanks for the cool phone charms!)
*Yvonne Catterson (Thank you for the card :) )
* moopf (Brilliant promos, thank you!)
*Miniatures For Everyone (Thank you for the great promo and leaflets :))

I this brings brings many sales for everyone :)

LBOE Article!

I am very pleased to announce that tomorrow on http://sarastexturecrafts.blogspot.com/ there will be a article about LBOE :)
Thanks Sara!

Tuesday 20 May 2008

Preview Of LBOE Is Now Here! :D


Hi guys,


I have added a preview of LOBE :D


I hop you guys like and please feel free to comment.


enjoy :)

New Arrivals Today

Today 4 more etsians have arrived :)

*art angel
*Timeless
*Treasurefield
&
5FingersUp

Thanks guys :) can't wait to add you guys to the book

Our New Mascot - He/She Needs A name


Hey guys,

I came across something today and it gave me an idea. To create way of making people remember typeing: etsy.com So I came up with our little buddy.
She/he is the dot in the .com But he/she needs a name and also I am wondering what you think?


Will it work and make people remember? Is he/she reconizable?


So please feel to comment and let me know :)

Monday 19 May 2008

LBOE & Over The Pond

Hi guys, more b.cards have arrived today and it's mainly from America :D
So TLBOE is now advertising for international as well as UK sellers, which is great!
These new seller to be added are:

* Atelier de Soyun

* Blinking Mouse

*Vintage Sanps and Scraps

*A Passion For Fashion

and

*Hare And Drum

Many thanks to those who have already sen and those who are on their way. :)

Saturday 17 May 2008

2 More Etsians To Add:

Hi guys, just like to add that I have received cards from:

*madboodesigns

&

*AndromedaDesigns

Many thanks fir taking part! :)

Update: I met up with my friend who's making the bags, today and she gave me a few samples to make sure they're the right size ect. They have turned out really well :)

Ive got the b.cards that ive already received, ready for turning into the booklet and also ive got those promos waiting to be added. It's all coming together really well so far, so I'm hopeing that you guys will like what you see.

Will be posting pictures of finished product soon :D

Friday 16 May 2008

Tripping Over The Post - And Important News Etc.

Yep, that's right. lol opened up the door and my mum tripped over the post that was waiting to be added to the promo bags :)

I have got today:

*FeltLikeStitchin
*cloudhopping
*soundslikerain

And Fantastic lavanda pouches from: BlackRose1

Some GORGOUS cards from: meplusmolly

And last but not least, some fabulous cards from : gillboulter

Thank you guys for taking part and all of your really subportive letters (and gifts). I really hope that the promotion will bring you many many sales.

IMPORTANT, Members Please Read:

Due to etsy's scam detector having a hissy fit at my many replys to emails and letting everyone know what's happening, it's stoped me from convoing people :( It's a bit hurtful due to I am not a scammer and trying to help people on etsy for free. Please send me your email addys so I can note them down and then keep you updated with any changes etc.

Progress! :D :

I have ordered 20 bags from my friend who is great at her job. She will be making them out of really nice faberic, so I cant wait to see them when they're finished (i think maybe within the next few days.
Ive wrapped the promotional items in really nice paper so they'll be really professional looking (very posh ;) )

I hope to start putting together the books real soon so you can get the first viewing of Little Book Of Etsy very soon :)

Thursday 15 May 2008

New Arrivals

Hi Guys, Thanks for all the feedback and comments. I really glade this is getting lots and lots of subport.

The b.cards that arived today are:

*makeyourpresentsfelt
*guerillaembroidery

Also bussiness card AND some really great promos from : karizcat

To confirm that I also have cards from:

*Jane Gallagher
*Smug Cat
*Sara's Texture Crafts

And lots of goodies from: Liz Plummer

Thank you and please keep them coming guys :)

Wednesday 14 May 2008

List of Etsians Involved

Well submitting your etsy shop for being part of the first edition of Little Book of Etsy is closed now but we have international sellers as well more localized store involved.

From painters, photographers, jewlers, textiles and whole host of other creative products.

Here's the list of names of Etsians that we have involved...are you ready? ;) :

*lizplummer
*SarasTextureCrafts
*Snowbell
*Karizcat
*artangel
*pouch
*smugcat
*GuerillaEmbroidery
*creativecouture
*ArabersqueArtsByDarcy
*JaneGalagher
*snowangel
*aterlierdesoyun
*aPassionForFashion
*Bombus
*treasurefield
*time2cre8
*higgletypigglety
*yvonnecatterson
*moopf
*GillBoulter
*CreativeCreations79
*meplusmolly
*soundslikerain
*madboodesigns
*rocktasticplastic

(keep going, your doing well to read this much :) )

*LilyBeFunky
*starrybluesky
*makeyourpresentsfelt
*cloudhopping
*HAREandDRUM
*Timeless
*piedras
*feelingcrafty
*HomeoftheGumbles
*daisychainjewellery
*JudithSignoriello
*laugnome
*Unravelling

(Keep breathing, you're nearly at the end!)

*bunny
*oldbagcrafts
*MomentsByMartha
*FeltLikeStitchin
*zoewoods
*creamrose
*flauntitmaternity
*blinkingmouse
*GemsbyJules
*AndromedaDesigns
*FanaseaBySherryB
*ToddDegin
*JodisCraftEmporium
*sparklinglotusdesign
*MinisForEveryone
*maicen
*sallers

(You are nearly at the bottom honest)

*AMSX05
*littlepinkplum
*Vintagesnapandscrap
*SatinDollCo
*Tristabell
*KreatedbyKarina
*delilah32uk
*lishlash

And breath :D congratulations, you've just read 64 names!

The B.cards and/or/ promos that have arrived so far are:

*lizplummer
*SarasTextureCrafts
*Smugcat and
*JaneGallahgher

Oh, the Postman is going to love me ;)

If you wish to be part of LBOE and help out, please feel free to give me a shout. Thanks again for all the subport - mimi

Hello and Welcome

Hi there :)The Little Book of Etsy is a great way of reaching out to the UK buyers.I am currently involved with a small regular craft fayre every Friday and also throughout the year I will be getting involved with some major village and school fayres.

Cornwall is a very touristy place and so by giving this book away in the Cornish fayres, you'll be achulary reaching lots of buyers around the UK!

I have only been working on this since the 9th of May and I have got a very positive response!

So I thought I would set this blog up to keep a record of everyone involved and also to publise Etsy and it's sellers even more.

So thank you to all those who have been involved and please feel free to contact me or leave comments with any enquiries, comments, surjestions any thing that's really on your mind.62 heads are better than 1!