Friday, July 30, 2010

Member Interview

My kitty, Buster
Hi there! Who are you?

Hi, I’m Peggy McNatt from the BeadAerie.
Chinese turquoise dangles
Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m originally from Michigan, but when I was 20 years old, I packed all my ‘worldly possessions’ in my little green VW beetle and headed west toward California, specifically Santa Barbara. However, fate had a hand in that: I settled in Santa Maria, instead, where my cousin lived - and where I would meet my future husband.
For the past 20 years, we’ve lived in Woodbridge, about 35 miles south of Sacramento. We have a grown daughter and son (Katy and Jamie), who both live in the Bay Area.

The name of my shop was a collaboration by my family. We brainstormed ideas one night, and I Googled them all; BeadAerie was available, and well, that was it! I liked the ‘aerie’ part because working on jewelry takes me to a higher place, so to speak - my own eagle’s nest.

How did you learn about Etsy Project Embrace?

I learned about EPE the same way that many others have: through the treasuries. There was this really funny and engaging woman named Laura… and all of a sudden, people were expressing concern and wishing her well. I did a little research and discovered that she’d been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Well, I knew something about that! I’d been diagnosed with the same in 2003, and had had a recurrence just a year and a half later.

Laura received a convo from me that day telling her that I’d been there, done that, and got the wig. We’ve corresponded ever since and I treasure her friendship! Being involved in Etsy Project Embrace has enabled me to give back for the kindnesses which were shown me when I was going through treatment. I‘m also involved with our local Relay for Life, and a program called STS (Survivors Teaching Students), where we travel to Stanford each year and talk to the med students during their gynecology rotation. That diagnosis changes the whole direction of your life!

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment?


There are several items that are my favorites, but I’d have to say the Owyhee jasper necklace, the water tones lampwork bracelet, and the Kazuri, copper, and silver necklace are the top three.
Owyhee jasper necklace
Kazuri, copper, and silver necklace
What is your favorite possession, and why do you cherish it?

Here’s a photo of some of my favorite possessions, and it looks like a wild mish-mash of things! 
Clockwise from the top left: a platter with butterflies and wildflowers from my maternal grandmother (there’s still a piece of tape with her name on the back to identify it at church functions), a drawing of a giraffe by my son (who’s an amazing artist, BTW), my mother’s bride doll, a champagne glass from my paternal grandmother (who died before I was born and whose name I inherited… yes Laura, that would be ‘Margaret’!), and finally a beautiful little ceramic vase that my daughter made when she was in high school.

What do you collect?

I don’t really collect anything. I’m not one for a lot of chotchkies around the house, but maybe I’ve relaxed that a bit as I’ve gotten older.

Where would you like to be and what do you hope to be doing ten years from now?


Like Ginny Huber and all survivors, I mainly hope to be *here* ten years from now! I would hope to have seen more of the world, and to have expanded upon my skills in creating jewelry.
My freeform ceramic sculpture of Max from Where the Wild Things Are

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Finds 'n' Fancies

central air
Lolliopop Bowl by SometimesSheDoes, Dream House 1 by BethBFowler
Diagonal Abstract Print by twoems, Children at Play by LizNadjecki


Ice Blue Pochette by renneslechateau, Ruffle-trimmed Nightgown from VonlenskaVintage
1966 Mattel Dollhouse from bigapplevintage, Felt Ball rug by krita


Chauncey, Beast no. 151 by debivanzyl

Hope you've enjoyed this blast of cool Etsy fare! --Katie :D

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Weekly Challenge

Hello lovelies!
It's time to announce our Weekly Challenge winner!
This week's theme was "Ice Cream Truck"

Our winner is Gabriele from Fluur
with her yummy Candy Carambolage scarf.

Congratulations Gabriele!

Yvonne's mouth was watering just as much as mine this week as she tried to decide between our four delicious entries. In the end, she went with Gabriele's, which reminded her of a rainbow snow cone. Yummm.

A big thank you to
Karon from Wild Woman Jewelry
Anne from Wish Art Glass
Mollie from Rough Magic Creations
who also participated last week.

You can check out their fabulous entries on our Weekly Challenge page.

Gabriele's choice for this week's theme:
"enjoying the morning dew"

To participate in the fun:
1) Start creating!
2) List the item in your Etsy shop.
3) Contact me with a link to your entry by next Monday (August 2nd) 12 midnight EST.

**I just want to remind all of our teammates
who sell vintage or supplies that you can enter too!**



I will post all of the lovely entries on our Weekly Challenge page as they come in. The new winner will be posted here next Wednesday. The winner then gets to choose the following week's theme, and of course, it's winner!


Happy creating!
xo, Jen

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Favourite Things

Hello, friends!

You know those Featured Seller interviews on Etsy? I love reading them, but a lot of times I like to skip ahead to the end where they ask about favorite movies, shows, books, websites, etc. Does anyone else do that? If so, this post is for you because I want you to share with us your favorite movies, shows, books, and websites of the moment (or even all-time). For a lot of us, it's too hot to spend much time outdoors right now, but a trip to the library or video store is probably do-able and maybe not even necessary with sites like Hulu, Netflix and Amazon...

Here's hoping your AC is fulfilling its purpose!

--Katie

Friday, July 23, 2010

Member Interview

Hi there! Who are you?


Please tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi! I'm a retired health professional living the good life in rural south central Virginia with my husband, Charlie and my dog, Iko.


I became a full time potter after my retirement. My pottery covers a whole gamut of things, functional, whimsical, sculpture, etc. 


The shop name, Beggar's Tomb Pottery, comes from a line in as song that goes "...I live in a silver mine and I call it Beggar's Tomb...". We named our house Beggar's Tomb when we built it so it all fits!

How did you learn about Etsy Project Embrace?

Our own Kristin Love is a member of the Etsy Mud Team and posted about Etsy Project Embrace, so I decided to check it out since my mom is a cancer survivor.


  
What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment?

I guess I'd have to say my banks are my favorite at this time, especially my panda bear.

 

What is your favorite possession, and why do you cherish it?

At this time in my life, my favorite material possession is a handmade sterling silver necklace that my husband bought me for the 25th anniversary of when we met! I guess it's self explanatory as to why it's my most cherished possesion!

What do you collect?
Pottery and jewelry!

Where would you like to be and what do you hope to be doing ten years from now?

In ten years, I would love to be healthy living here with my wonderful husband making pottery!


Thursday, July 22, 2010

Embrace Treasury Challenge Winners

After tons of gorgeous treasuries
and a whopping 99 votes on the final 9,
we have a winner!
Drum roll please!.....

Congratulations to Erika Price with her stunning "A Romantic Embrace" treasury! Erika will receive a gift from Suz of polkadotmagpie.

For second place we have a tie between...

Jane of LittleBugJewelry with her dreamy "Embrace Innocence" treasury and...

Mollie of RoughMagicCreations with her oh-so romantic "Embrace Love" treasury.

Jane will receive a prize from Kristin of LoveArtWorks
and Mollie will receive a treat from Rebecca of KneeDeepOriginals.


A big huge THANK YOU embrace goes out to all of you lovelies who participated and made this challenge such a smashing success!

I also want to take a second to thank Kristin, Ames, Rebecca, Rose, and Suz for taking time out of their busy lives to get this going (whether by judging, blogging, offering prizes or some combination of the above!).

Check out the Storque Article that resulted in this outpouring of beauty here.

Finds 'n' Fancies

wild things


1. Pikku Kukan tiipii via varpunen 2. Birdy hair clip by emiyl
3. Please Don't Go... print by dearcolleen 4. Palm Plate by mexchic
5. Abstraction 7 by tarudesign 6. Vintage Metal letter X from MonkiVintage
7. Dreamcatcher necklace by dreamersandbelievers 8. TomTom tote by themeantambourine

9. Big Friendship Band from bhalo 10. Angry Ginger doll from The Future Perfect
11. Play Longing card/disc by athertonlin 12. New line of knits by Annie Larson


Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Weekly Challenge

Hello lovelies!
It's time to announce our Weekly Challenge winner!
This week's theme was "Farmer's Market"

Our winner is Yvonne from WoodenNickelsJewelry
with her juicy Key to the Vegetable Garden necklace.

Congratulations Yvonne!

Angie chose Yvonne's necklace because "it looks like she stopped at all the booths at the Farmer's Market and put all the yummy veggies on a necklace!"

A big thank you to
Erica from Mazzy Jewelry Designs
Kristin from loveartworks
Katie from BlackStar
who also participated last week.

You can check out their fabulous entries on our Weekly Challenge page.

Yvonne's choice for this week's theme:
"Ice Cream Truck"

To participate in the fun:
1) Start creating!
2) List the item in your Etsy shop.
3) Contact me with a link to your entry by next Monday (July 26th) 12 midnight EST.

**I just want to remind all of our teammates
who sell vintage or supplies that you can enter too!**



I will post all of the lovely entries on our Weekly Challenge page as they come in. The new winner will be posted here next Wednesday. The winner then gets to choose the following week's theme, and of course, it's winner!


Happy creating!
xo, Jen

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Favourite Things

I'm going to have to be quick about this. As you've probably figured out, I have a new favorite in my house and she's taking up a lot of my time. The night before she came, I was working on getting posts together, but as you can see, I went to bed without finishing. I woke up two hours later and my life changed forever (in the best possible way). I apologize for the past few weeks of silence from my end, but I'm trying to get back to the blog. I've certainly missed it!

I hope you all are having as wonderful a summer as I! How 'bout telling me your favorite thing that's happened so far or something you're looking forward to this summer--you already know mine!

--katie :D

Friday, July 16, 2010

Member Interview


Hi! Who are you?

Ginny of ginnyhuber.

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

Born in Brooklyn, live in Seattle; one foot in the energy of both coasts! I live next door to several generations of my family members and their tenants who often serve as models for my shop offerings.

I make one of a kind hand felted art, most of it wearable, and enjoy evolving ways to combine color, texture, contrasts, connection and using supplies from etsy sellers! I'm very inspired by flowers. I love the immediacy of the “fiber miracle” of felting ... how wisps of wool and other disparate materials - just with soap, water and the work of one's hands produce a new fabric and a connection to thousands of years of history!

Another passion is the Italian language. When my next door niece married an Italian 6 years ago I started learning before we all went to the wedding in Assisi. As I am not a fan of classes I taught myself through movies, DVDs and Italian TV online. Italian conversations with my niece have helped too. I'm off to Italy in September for another family wedding and to try out my language skills.

 
How did you learn about Etsy Project Embrace?

Laura and I found each other through the treasuries. Well over a year ago I noticed her engaging style and all the loving supporters wishing her well. I was so admiring of her way of going public with the cancer she was dealing with.

I myself am a cancer survivor (times two). I had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, a blood cancer, in l996 and then a relapse 2 years later and went through chemotherapy treatment and baldness (times 2) . After an experimental vaccine the second time I became involved in local and national cancer awareness and support activities and then "took a break" from direct involvement in the world of cancer... When EPE got started it seemed natural to join in. It continues to be a touching, fulfilling and fun experience being part of this great, ever growing group. The bonds and friendships are strong; and Laura has forgiven me for "promising" her curly hair..which I briefly had post-chemo!

Please show us some favorite items from your shop.






What do you collect?

No "official" collections...I do accumulate stuff but tend to pass things along or include them in my art. I have, however, saved 20 art journals that I made during and after the second bout with Lymphoma...and peek at them sometimes. And I have other little inspirations from loved people and places that often turn up in my shop photos.

What is your favorite handmade possession?

The photo of me holding up the new shawl I have made is taken in front of a favorite painting of dancers that hung in our house when I was a child.

Where would you like to be and what do you hope to be doing ten years from now?

In ten years, like most cancer survivors, I hope to be in good shape (and present and accounted for) and pretty much doing what I'm doing now - making art, checking in with people I care about from etsy, from Seattle, from New York and from Italy. The pile of calendars in the photo is part of "Flowering Paper Arts", the home of my paper art that has been on hold for a bit. I've been thinking about finding a place for it on etsy...


Thursday, July 15, 2010

Vote for Your Favorite Embrace Treasury!

To celebrate our Storque Article we decided to have a fun treasury challenge. Everyone who wanted to participate used the word "embrace" in the title of their treasury. Our judges had their work cut out for them....the entries were all beautiful!

The judges are:
Kristen, Ames and Rebecca


....and here they are!

Embrace Life by Sacred Suds

Embrace Innocence by Little Bug Jewelry



Embrace the Old and New by Ginny Huber
A Romantic Embrace by Erika Price

Embrace the Talent by Knot Original


Embrace Softly by Wild Woman Jewelry

Canyon Embrace by Wish Art Glass



Embrace Sunshine by Monarch Dancer

Embrace with Love by Rough Magic Creations

Which Embrace Treasury is Your Favorite?
Embrace Life Sacred Suds
Embrace Innocence Little Bug Jewelry
Embrace the Old and New Ginny Huber
A Romantic Embrace Erika Price
Embrace Talent Knot Original
Embrace Softly Wild Woman Jewelry
Canyon Embrace Wish Art Glass
Embrace Sunshine Monarch Dancer
Embrace with Love Rough Magic Creations
pollcode.com free polls

Finds 'n' Fancies

child's play

Annabel Necklace by NestPrettyThingsKids, Golden Girl Dress by hautechocolategirl
Barney P. Dustshelves by ninon, Saddle Shoes from keekster


Hawk's Airplane Mobile by JAustinRyan

untitled image belongs to art&ghosts-journal, Leave Your Shoes by the Door by johnwgolden
Julie Morstad print at le train fantome, Toadstool Twins barrettes by LambCandy

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Weekly Challenge

Hello lovelies!
It's time to announce our Weekly Challenge winner!
This week's theme was "Sizzling Hot"

Our winner is Angie from Cherry and Violet
with her fiery Amber Nugget Chunky Bracelet.


Congratulations Angie!

Pearl chose Angie's bracelet because "the internal 'crackles' of the amber make this piece truly sizzling hot!!"

A big thank you to
Rebecca from Knee Deep Originals
Elizabeth from Foret
Erika from Erika Price
Uyen from Asian Expressions
Kasia from KasiaBlue
Michelle from bMichelle Designs
who also participated last week.

You can check out their fabulous entries on our Weekly Challenge page.

Angie's choice for this week's theme:
"Farmer's Market"

To participate in the fun:
1) Start creating!
2) List the item in your Etsy shop.
3) Contact me with a link to your entry by next Monday (July 19th) 12 midnight EST.

**I just want to remind all of our teammates
who sell vintage or supplies that you can enter too!**



I will post all of the lovely entries on our Weekly Challenge page as they come in. The new winner will be posted here next Wednesday. The winner then gets to choose the following week's theme, and of course, it's winner!


Happy creating!
xo, Jen

Monday, July 12, 2010

Use that Thesarus!

Within the last ten days Etsy introduced the ability to tag treasuries. This opens the doors for a lot of useful ways to search for treasuries. Have you noticed at the bottom of several of the Etsy Finds emails the words they used to create their finds? If you click on those it brings you to a list of treasuries that are tagged with those same words. This brings more attention to your treasury that you may have created weeks and weeks ago. I think we were all wondering why they chose not to have treasuries expire and I think this is one of the reasons. I'm sure they have even more fun up their sleeve.

You have up to 18 tags to use in your treasury. If I'm making a team treasury I always use the team tag identifier. Then I use as many descriptive and emotional words I can. Or, if my treasury is team based and Etsy marketing theme based I will use the marketing terms that are highlighted by Etsy.

I've also noticed that google is now finding the treasuries as well. I get google alerts on my shop name (if you don't know what this is, let me know and I will help) and just over the last two weeks I have received alerts on those treasuries. Which means that the google spider is crawling those treasuries. So when people search on a term that you may have used as a tag there is a possibility that they will find your treasury. Exciting isn't it?

So brush off those Thesauruses and find descriptive words and fill those 18 spaces!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Member Interview

 
















Who are you?

Abi of Abi Monroe.

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born and grew up in England, but now live in the hills of Buffalo Gap, Texas with my husband Jesse, 12 cats, and 8 dogs ~ all rescued, or once-upon-a-time strays! Better exclude Jesse from the last comment! I met Jesse when he was stationed in England - I thank the Air Force.













My shop is called Abi Monroe! Very imaginative I know! I sell Art Dolls I make, which is a very new art to me. It has become my obsession! The ones my friends and family don't steal, are the ones I have started to sell!

Currently I'm raising funds for our local 'Rescue The Animals'. Every $2 ACEO/ticket bought enables the ticket holder to enter the giveaway ... win one of two art dolls, and their carousel horses. All money raised is going to the local organization. Please visit my blog for more details on how to enter ...











How did you learn about Etsy Project Embrace?

One Clay Bead added me to one of her Etsy Treasuries, and mentioned EPE ... I then became a member!

What is your favorite item in your shop at the moment?
I don't really have a favorite ... once I have made a doll, I see all the faults, and things I would do better, or improve on.....
 









What favorite vintage or antique item do you own, and why do you cherish it?

My 75 year old wedding ring! It belonged to my Grandma, and she gave it to me when Jesse and I got married in 2006... It's always been special, and even more so, now she passed away recently. She was 98, and was blessed with a splendid long and healthy life :O(

What is your favorite handmade possession?

Ooh, I have lots of favorites! but one in particular is Tony Bear, a prim bear my Ausie friend made. He is absolutely adorable!

What do you collect?

Animals mainly! But I have a growing selection of fabric, ribbon, dolls, bears, and handbags/purses - I just can't resist them!

Where would you like to be and what do you hope to be doing ten years from now?










Hopefully living in the log house we have just made plans to build, with plenty of room for more animals and kids would be the icing on the cake! Oh, and lots of doll making, and a husband that has learnt to cook would be a bonus!


















Thank you for allowing me to be part of a very special group... cheers!