Member Feature: Geraldine (Handamade)

Featured: Handamade
Interview by: MySelvagedLife

How did you get started on Etsy?
It happened to be when I ‘m searching something on Google and found Etsy and saw something that interests me.

What’s your favorite part of being a shop owner on Etsy?
My favorite part of being a shop owner is you don’t have to deal with your boss.

What challenges have you faced during the process?
When my costumer asked me to make a Boston terrier coffee cup cozy, and that I based on her dog pictures and make one for her. Not too bad ha! I don’t have any pattern at all.

Costumers dog picture
My work challenge:

After:

What inspires you?
When my item gets selected for treasury and get into the front page of Etsy. Also seeing a lot of shoppers hearts my shop.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
When I’m at home I keep myself busy with cleaning, gardening, or going to the store. One of my hobbies is photography. We purchased some studio lights and created a photography studio in our living room. I always photograph my new creations and post them to my Etsy shop.

What first made you want to become an artist?
Well, I have never been an artist, but I have always been a creative person. When I was in the third grade, I lived with my sister. When she went to college, she hired a nanny, who taught me how to crochet. When I got married, I made all the wedding favors for the reception guests. Later on I learned how to knit in a class taken at my local yarn shop. From that point on, I learned a lot of ideas and techniques to create my many designs. A couple of years ago, I came across Etsy. After a couple of months, I opened my own shop and tried to sell my apple jacket design. I was surprised at the response! Eventually I created my most successful design, the Monster Shark Cozy for water bottles and Monster Shark Sleeve for coffee cups.

What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
Be nice to your customers. Make sure you respond to their question as soon as possible and always email them your confirmation when their order has been shipped. Be patient! Every time I have sold any items, I will always include my business card.

Is there anything you would like to share in your feature?
Take good photography and I relist sold items and be patient…

Visit Geraldine's Etsy Shop:

Member Feature: Amanda (DawnCorrespondence)

Featured: DawnCorrespondence
Interview by: MySelvagedLife


How did you get started in stationery?
In college, I was a graphic design major, so I always had friends wanting me to design wedding invitations, thank you cards, etc. After college, I decided to take some time off from working full-time and figure out what I wanted to do. That's when my love of stationery really expanded, and I found myself creating all day every day!

What was your background in prior to stationery?
Prior to stationery, I was still in the design field. I designed magazine spreads and publications, but wasn't all that interested in the "politics" that come along with working in corporate design. I also dabbled in interior design for a little while, but realized I liked working more with smaller materials than a large space. I was also a real estate agent for a couple of years. That was fun because I got to meet all sorts of people and loved seeing how they decorated their houses. It was not nearly as creative as I would like to be, though.

How did you first get started on Etsy?
I don't even remember! I think I heard about Etsy through a friend and checked it out one day. It seemed cool, but I still wasn't sure what it was, so I created an account and looked around the site for about a year before even listing my own products! Now, though, I don't know what I would do without Etsy and the wonderful community and friends I've gained from it.

What is your favorite part of being a shop owner on Etsy?
Just one?? Well, my two top favorites are the friendships I've made, and being able to work on my own schedule. I don't have to worry about having a storefront open from 9-5 or dressing up to meet customers in person. It's nice to be comfortable in my own home, doing what I love, and still making great relationships and feeling like I am part of a community. Oh, also, along those lines, it is really fun to "meet" international customers and sellers and learn about places and lifestyles I would have otherwise never known about.

What is your least favorite part of being a shop owner on Etsy?
Hmm...I can't think of anything off the top of my head! I guess one of my least favorite things would be all the competition there is. There are so many incredibly talented artists on Etsy, sometimes it gets exhausting to keep up! However, I think that can be seen as a good thing, because when I am on Etsy as a buyer, I love seeing all the talent out there, and having lots of choices to purchase!

What challenges have you faced during the process?
I went through a growing pain at one point where my business on Etsy was really expanding. It was great, and I loved it, but at the same time I'm not sure I was mentally prepared for it. I didn't have a good schedule set yet, which I really should have had in place before trying to get more sales. Luckily, it was also a good learning experience for me, because it forced me to create a system and I schedule that I could work within.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by SO many things. My mood is often an inspiration. Nature. Architecture. Traveling. Also, I find that long trips where I am in the car for a long period of time is really where I get some great ideas. I just let my mind wander. The only problem is, if I am driving, I have to remember everything and quickly right it down when I am able to stop!

Describe your average day in one word:
Hectic!

Describe your style in one word:
Eclectic.

What is your favorite season?
I love both Spring and Fall. I love how both seasons reflect change and growth. There's just something about both of those seasons that is inspiring and uplifting.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I love to cook (though my fiance is much better at it than me and normally has to take over halfway through), write, paint, and make lists. And make lists of lists. I really enjoy a good book every now and then but don't have the time nor the patience to sit and read anymore!

What advice would you give to sellers new to Etsy?
Make sure you love it. You have to love your craft in order to make Etsy work for you. You need to sell on Etsy for YOU, not for anyone else, and not for the money. Because, ultimately, if you don't love what you do, than you won't succeed. Also, find a community or group of other Etsy sellers that you can build a relationship with. This will help make Etsy not feel so overwhelming, and will give you someone to bounce ideas and advice off of. Last thing: When it gets to the point where it's not fun, take a break for a while and come back refreshed and ready to go!


Visit Amanda's Etsy Shop!

Member Feature: Robin (TheFancyLamb)

Featured: TheFancyLamb
Interviewed by: MySelvagedLife

How did you get started collecting and selling vintage?
It actually happened in a bit of a roundabout and unexpected fashion, and it all began with a foray into the world of handmade. I was feeling incredibly unfulfilled in my boring 9 to 5 job where I sat in front of the computer all day, and I was having strong urges to MAKE something with my own hands. I started doing some sewing and crafting, and had plenty of other ideas in my head, but I was finding myself drawn to unique materials that had character and history. Feeling no inspiration from the craft store on the corner, I started going to estate sales and looking for vintage materials to use in my crafts: vintage fabrics, buttons, old books to turn into journals, paper ephemera for collaging, and all types of other goodies. And in my treasure hunts, I was coming across so many amazing items that weren't suitable for repurposing, but I couldn't stand to leave behind. So I started picking up some cool and unique things here and there, tried my hand at selling them on Etsy, and it really took off. Now, my vintage business keeps me so busy that I have very little time for my handmade lines, but I've discovered how much I really enjoy selling vintage, so it's okay. I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing.

What was your background in prior to vintage?
Pretty typical and boring -- working a 9-5 job in the Human Resources field. After getting laid off, I couldn't bear the thought of going back to another "real" job, so I decided to pursue The Fancy Lamb full-time.

How did you first get started on Etsy?
I think I started backwards compared to most people. I had been feeling these strong crafty urges and making a few things here and there, and then I heard about a local craft show focused on eco-friendly indie-style crafts. It seemed like the perfect fit for the repurposed vintage crafts I had been toying with, and it was just the kick in the pants I needed to get cracking. I cranked out a massive amount of inventory in preparation for the show, and when it was all over, I decided to try listing some of my leftover stock on Etsy. I had my first sale just a day later, and well...the rest is history.

What is your favorite part of being a shop owner on Etsy?
I find it incredibly rewarding to be a small business owner, with full control over my own destiny. I fully believe that if it weren't for Etsy, I would not have had the platform to build and grow my own small business. Not to mention all the wonderful friends I've had the opportunity to meet and learn from. THANK YOU ETSY!

What is your least favorite part of being a shop owner on Etsy?
Other than some administrative headaches, I seriously have no major complaints. I love Etsy!

What challenges have you faced during the process?
My biggest personal challenge has been finding the discipline to keep myself focused and task-oriented. I have to constantly keep myself on track day-by-day and minute-by-minute, because that's the only way that I'll ever achieve the bigger successes I strive for. I've had to create a lot of structure for myself because without a boss looking over your shoulder, it's really easy to burn the day away chatting with friends on Twitter, making a bajillion treasuries, or lurking in the always-entertaining Etsy forums. But business has to come first.

What inspires you?
History. I love thinking about who might have used one of my vintage cameras and what types of photos they took. Or what travels a vintage suitcase went on in its heyday. Who might have worn a fantastic vintage dress and what romantic rendezvous it experienced. It's so fun to imagine the past!

Describe your average day in one word
Dusty

Describe your style in one word
Comfortable

What is your favorite season?
Fall, before it gets too cold.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I like spending time with my family, seeing live music, and eating sushi. I like taking naps, cooking fancy breakfasts, and driving with the windows down. My 3 dogs are my partners in crime, and my husband is my best friend. Life is good!

What advice would you give to sellers new to Etsy?
Make friends with other people in the Etsy community. Find your niche, develop your own style, and run with it. Help others out and karma will take care of you in return. Enjoy every minute!


Visit TheFancyLamb's Etsy Shop!

Member Feature: Pegg (FiveForty)

Featured: Fiveforty
Interview by: hoganfe



How did you get started on Etsy?
I live in a small northern town in the woods near the shore of Lake Superior. We are isolated so I was looking for a way to market my wares. My daughter told me about Etsy. It took me almost a year to get my shop set up.



What's your favorite part of being a shop owner on Etsy?
I love being part of a world wide community of very talented artisans. It truly is amazing! I have made many wonderful friends here.



What challenges have you faced during the process?
I was challenged right from the start, I had to learn how to use a computer. I have a very kind computer mentor who lives far away from me, and we have never met. I could not have done this without her help, she is an angel!

Having an online shop is challenging in itself, you have to strive to be seen in an ocean of talent.. besides fabulous product you have to have fabulous photos. Striving to be better is an ongoing process.

My biggest challenge is the written word, I am not good at it.


What inspires you?
Nature and colour inspire me!



Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I am a daughter, wife and mother. My husband and I have lived with my mom since my father passed away. Our two children are grown and live away. I miss them terribly, just as any mom would.
I am a foodie, a fan of the slow food movement before there was a slow food movement. I grew up surrounded by fabulous cooks, it instilled a passion for food and cooking in me. I love growing food in our gardens, foraging for food in the woods, and cooking with our harvest. I am always trying new things in the kitchen!



What first made you want to become an artist?
My paternal grandmother was a painter. My dad attended art school in his youth, and always encouraged us to create. He had us drawing and painting (playing really) for as long as I can remember. The drive for creativity is the same in my art world as it is in my kitchen.


What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
Strive to do the best work that you can and take the best in focus photos that are possible.
Make yourself visible, post in the forums, build treasuries, and renew, renew renew!!


Is there anything you would like to share in your feature?
I studied weaving and silk screening for three years in college, as well as painting, photography and printmaking. I worked in a professional weaving studio for a year after college.
I have been weaving on my own for over thirty years. Yes I am old and I have a weird sense of humour.

We had a small team of six Inuit dogs, my husband used them for winter camping. They became a huge part of our family.

In my care for them I developed an injury that prevented me from weaving for a number of years, this is when I started to play with beads. Beads have become an obsession!
I still do not use my floor loom as my injury never healed, but started to weave again on a frame loom. I had thought about 100% recycled content rugs for years, it was a lot of fun and hard work developing my ideas. I found a used upright loom online and adapted it for rag. The only thing I need now is a loom twice the width to weave big big rugs, some day soon I hope!


Visit FiveForty's Etsy Shop!

Member Feature: Julie (JulieGarland)

Featured: JulieGarland
Interviewed by: MySelvagedLife

How did you get started creating your line of jewelry?
About eight years ago I escaped winter and worked at a jewelry store in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for a few months and I loved being surrounded by all the shiny gems! When I left and moved to Dallas I took some basic jewelry lessons and started creating simple designs.

What was your background in prior to creating these items?
In my life before Etsy I worked in public relations and worked at agencies in both Toronto and Dallas. I mostly worked with travel clients which had the bonus of the occasional work trip to exotic locales!

How did you first get started on Etsy?
I actually started selling jewelry on my own Web site but while reading some popular blogs I discovered Etsy. I loved the site and the incredible array of handmade goodies you could find there. I joined three years ago and now I sell on Etsy exclusively. It was probably about a month after I joined that I discovered a nifty little feature called “the treasury” which would forever change the way I spend my free time lol!

What is your favorite part of being a shop owner on Etsy?
Being a part of the Etsy community and meeting all the other wonderful shop owners.

What is your least favorite part of being a shop owner on Etsy?
Probably dealing with non-paying buyers – it’s time-consuming to keep sending convos and following up with them.

What challenges have you faced during the process?
Hmm I would say coming up with the right price points for my jewelry and photographing my designs. The way you present your products is so important and I have probably re-taken all of my pictures at least five times. I’ve also watched my husband’s eyes glaze over again and again as I’ve discussed the merits of a light gray or lighter gray background!

What inspires you?
I could be inspired by something as simple as the color or shape of a gemstone. Or it could be an overall look I admire and I’m motivated to create pieces that work with it.

Describe your average day in one word
Happy! I get to spend it with my son.

Describe your style in one word
Classic. I like clean lines and nothing too busy or complicated.

What is your favorite season?
Definitely summer. Ahhh sweet summer I will miss you! Flip-flops, patios, cottages - really what’s not to love? I grew up in Ottawa, Canada so I’ve had my fill of snow and cold.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I hang out and play with my son. We go to the park a lot and this summer we went swimming as much as we could. I also enjoy Yoga and love to read so I always have a book on the go.

What advice would you give to sellers new to Etsy?
Really take the time to work on your pictures. I think interesting and engaging pictures are a big key to success on Etsy. And get involved in the community in some way!


Visit JulieGarland's Etsy Shop!

Member Feature: Cathy (GlassEtc/PhoFun)

Featured: glassetc
Interviewed by: Hoganfe

Cathy of glassetc is a San Diego based stained glass artist. If you are looking for something unusual you are in the right shop - plant stakes, business card holders also mosaic frames, mirrors, suncatchers, and more!

How did you get started on Etsy?
I actually got started on etsy at the recommendation of my brother who is also on Etsy. I remember thinking that it would be too hard to figure out how to open up a shop and was quite surprised by how simple it really was!



What's your favorite part of being a shop owner on Etsy?
My favorite part of being an etsy shop owner is getting feedback on my work from all over the world and the excitement of making sales! Also being a part of our lovely team, of course!!



What challenges have you faced during the process?
I was frustrated at first when it took a couple of months to make my first sale and then it was still quite slow for some time after that (and during certain periods). Of course it didn't help that we had the worst recession that we have ever seen in our lifetimes. It also takes a while to figure out the ins and outs of etsy and what it takes to make something happen (when to list, how often, etc). I think we are all still learning and trying to keep up with the merchandising themes and new improvements!



What inspires you?
I am inspired by so many things!! I am most creative when I am in the middle of a project or two and then I have too many ideas and have to keep a journal because I need to focus on the projects at hand. I think creativity begets creativity! When I have a creative dilemma I go to my yoga class and by then end of the class I have the solution!



Apart from creating things, what do you do?
By day I am a school psychologist but I have worked part time for many years so I still have time to create (and I have summers off!!) My interest in art began as a young child when I watched my mom paint from my playpen. She has a little etsy shop now too!

What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
My advice for a new etsy artist would be to offer something original, different, and better than what you see in the category that you are selling. I also try to slightly undercut the prices of other sellers. Other than that it's important to list frequently and network with others (facebook, twitter, etc). It was my lucky day when Tara invited me to join our team!



Is there anything you would like to share in your feature?
In case anyone is interested I have been married 25 years and have three kids (23, 20, and 14 years old). I have lived in sunny San Diego for more than 30 years and prior to that moved around a lot because I was an Air Force brat (which included living in six different states, going to Kindergarten in Tripoli, Libya, and later teaching high school in Tehran, Iran. )


Check out Cathy's other shop (phofun) for cards, t-shirts and paper goods.

Follow Cathy on her blog, too!

Member Feature: Marsha and Katie (EdensWake)

Featured: EdensWake
Interview by: Hoganfe


Did you know that the lovely shop, EdensWake is a mother and daughter collaboration? Marsha and Katie enjoy the Arkansas countryside and creating beautiful handbags, clutches and brooches.

When you stop by their Etsy shop you will the see the attention to detail as well as the variety and gorgeous color choices!



How did you get started on Etsy?
I actually heard about Etsy the first two times within just a few days. First, Martha Stewart had someone on her show that had an Etsy shop - no idea who it was b/c their particular items didn‘t interest me that much, but I thought the idea of Etsy sounded really cool and made a mental note to check it out. The second time was from my sister just a few days later; turns out she had opened a shop on Etsy (rocketsciencestyle) a couple of months before and was loving it. After that second time of hearing about it, I went and checked it out and fell in love! I immediately opened up a buying account and started making purchases of some awesome handmade stuff. :)

Several months (and many purchases) later, my mom and I decided to open a show...EdensWake!



What's your favorite part of being a shop owner on Etsy?
Hmmm…specifically to Etsy, it’s probably the opportunity it gives you to get to know so many people that are doing the same thing as you - trying to be successful at doing something they love. I’ve gotten friendly with a variety of sellers over the last year and a half that w/o Etsy I never would have encountered, and that’s been awesome. Also, it’s just incredibly awesome to log on and have a convo from a customer telling you how much they loved whatever item they bought from you - rather it’s a bride who is thrilled with the $300 clutch set she bought from you, or someone who bought a $15 pouch…it’s all equally encouraging and cool to have someone take the time to write you how much they loved your work!



What inspires you?
People inspire me. People who are talented, who work hard, and are actually succeeding at what they love to do, whatever that is. That’s such an awesome thing to me - and people who have done things like “quit their day job”, and are taking risks in going after their passion. I find it very courageous, and it inspires and encourages me to go after what I want.



Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I’ve always been an avid reader - I find it so incredibly relaxing to just zone out with a book, and become completely wrapped up in whatever world I’m reading about. This summer I’ve gotten into vegetable gardening, so I spend a fair amount of time in the garden every morning - most days I wake up, put sunscreen on and wait the mandatory 20-30 minutes for it to fully absorb, and then am out in the garden for an hour or two. I’m a dog lover, we have four dogs (we live way out in the country, and dogs get dumped out here a lot, so that’s where they all came from!), and I adore playing with them, and going out for hikes with them.



What first made you want to become an artist?
I don’t know if I ever decided I wanted to be an artist, exactly…I was always into writing as a kid (and ended up as an English major in college), did things like write the plays for competitions our gifted and talented program was involved in, and write tons of short stories. In college I fell for pottery, I took a ceramics class, and that was such a great way to relax. Late in the evenings after a long day, it was so great to go in the ceramics lab, put a cd on, and just create. Creating in general is just a really cool thing - it’s such a great way to clear the mind, to become totally focused on whatever you’re doing. With bag making, it just sort of happened. I like bags, I like sewing, I like sketching out ideas and turning those ideas into patterns, and I even really enjoy cutting fabric and ironing. My mom and I made some bags for ourselves and friends/fam, and ended up deciding it would be cool to open up a shop and start selling some. It quickly became something we truly loved, and that’s where I’m at now.

What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
Definitely try to build relationships with other sellers on Etsy…join a team, participate in the forums, etc. The advice/council/support of people who are experienced on Etsy, and dealing with the same things you are dealing with, is invaluable.


Visit EdensWake Etsy Shop!

Member Feature: Jennifer Dickerson (ChefJen137)

Featured: ChefJen137
Interview by: MySelvagedLife

How did you get started in photography?
I decided I was going to try my hand at being a stay-at-home mom and was feeling fulfilled in every way but artistically...so I started playing around with my camera and it just "clicked".

What was your background in prior to photography?
I'm a semi-retired restaurant and private chef. I've been fortunate enough to be featured in Bon Appetit, Conde Naste Traveler, Gourmet Magazine, and a few others. I was a chef at KOTO, McEwen's on Monroe, and The Brooks Museum of Memphis. I've been out of the restaurant business for 2 years and my last 6 years was as a private chef.

How did you first get started on Etsy?
I happened across Etsy through flickr and was immediately attracted to the site.

What is your favorite part of being a shop owner on Etsy?
I love the community of artists, it's so welcoming and supportive

What is your least favorite part of being a shop owner on Etsy?
I DETEST editing!! I so wish there was a batch editing tool.

What challenges have you faced during the process?
The biggest challenge I had was understanding the way the site worked. People would feature me in treasuries and I was flattered, but didn't understand that I should visit it, reciprocate, etc. Now of course I know treasuries are the way you make the front page and how important it is to contribute and become involved.

What inspires you?
I love beautiful things, I love to find beauty in the unexpected, and I love originality. I'm inspired by the sculptural element in organic things.
originality. I'm inspired by the sculptural element in organic things.

Describe your average day in one word:
BUSY!

What is your favorite season?
I love spring in Memphis, but it's very close between Fall in Memphis...

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I'm mother to three adorable kiddies age 9, 10, and 4, so I take care of them. I also cater part-time.

What advice would you give to sellers new to Etsy?
Become involved in a community, group, or team and photography, photography,
photography! It's so very important to showcase your talent with great pictures.


ChefJen137 Etsy Shop