Etsy Artist Feature: A Window into Whimsy

Showin' some love for one of my Etsy West Michigan peeps! Search "etsywmi team" on Etsy.com to find more great Michigan made items.

1. What is your shop name and what do you sell?

A Window into Whimsy is my shop name, and I make purses, key fobs, lanyards and other accessories for everyday, along with some mixed media art using paper, mat board and my sewing machine. :)

2. What is your shop URL?
www.awindowintowhimsy.etsy.com

3. What is your blog URL?

www.awindowintowhimsy.blogspot.com

4. When did you start selling on Etsy?

April of 08. I knew of Etsy for a while… just never spent any real time there. After I did, well, it was all over, I was hooked, lol.

5. What is your favorite thing about Etsy?

I love that Etsy gives every person the opportunity to sell their hand made wares… with no discrimination. I think it sparks creativity and inspiration.

6. What is your favorite thing about what you create?

I have a fabric obsession. No, seriously… it’s pretty bad. ;) But that is my favorite part… picking that perfect fabric and making into something useful.

7. What is your favorite item in your own shop and why?

Oh goodness… that actually changes on a daily basis, lol. ;) There are certain fabrics I love so much that I just like to look at the purse I just made, lol. But really… I suppose it would have to be my family tree and mixed media pieces, because they are ‘mine’ from start to finish.

8. What teams do you belong to?

Etsy West Michigan

9. What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop?

Carry on at Craft Shows. ;) I love talking about the markets I do on other days, and talking to potential customers one on one. I’m just a people person. ;)

10. What are some of your favorite finds by other sellers on Etsy?

Oh Goodness. That could get to be a dangerously long list, lol. But I love http://thedreamygiraffe.etsy.com There is not a single piece I would not love to own!

11. What do you do in your spare time?

Um… sew. Seriously.

12. What blogs do you follow?

Another long list! Since I am at a stay at home mom with a business that requires me to sit alone for hours, blogs are my link to sanity during the day. :) I love www.joyshope.com and www.octamom.com (no, it’s definitely NOT by that lady who had 8 babies, believe me!).

13. Do you have anything else you would like to share?

Just that I love what I do, and I love that I have the opportunity to do it!

Featured Etsy Shop: Curly Girl Crochet

Featured Etsy Shop: Curly Girl Crochet

1. What is your shop name and what do you sell?
My Shop is Curly Girl Crochet and I sell hand crocheted treasures.

2. What is your shop URL?
CurlyGirlCrochet.etsy.com

3. What is your blog URL?
I do not have a blog right now (not enough time!).

4. When did you start selling on Etsy?
March 2007

5. What is your favorite thing about Etsy?
I love the wide variety of creations. I sometimes find myself in wonder when looking at some of the handmade creations! I also love my Etsy friends and feel so fortunate to have met them. There are so many kind, thoughtful people on Etsy.

6. What is your favorite thing about what you sell?
I love creating something from yarn. I love seeing my creations come together as I work and become something.

7. What is your favorite item in your own shop and why?
Right now, this is my favorite. The colors are gorgeous! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8634466

8. What teams do you belong to?
I have looked into a joining few Teams, but do not belong to any right now (again, not enough time!).

9. What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop?

I enjoy monkeying around in the Etsy Forums. I also enjoy sending useful, promotional items to my customers along with their purchases.

10. What are some of your favorite finds by other sellers on Etsy?
I have so many and wish I could include everyone, but here are just a few of my favorites:
Love this necklace by rhbdesigns http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17278288
I want this chocolate mint yarn by larimeloom! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13160581
This Water Ring by jsurine is gorgeous http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vt_related_1&listing_id=16604188
Golden Apples of the Sun by ara133photography is a fine art photographic print that really I just love! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16231719
This gorgeous necktie lady pillow by twolefthands would look fabulous on my bed! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9342633

11. What do you do in your spare time?
Besides crochet, I love to read, gardening (especially flowers), watching birds at the bird feeder, spending time with my family, and watching movies.

12. What blogs do you follow?
http://twolefthands-twolefthands.blogspot.com/

13. Do you have anything else you would like to share?
I have taken the handmade pledge and love supporting other crafters and artists by buying handmade.

Featured Etsy Artist: Thinking Mama

Featured Etsy Shop: Thinking Mama

1. What is your shop name and what do you sell? My shop is called Thinking Mama and I make things using recycled wool and cashmere sweaters. I make baby hats, coin purses, coffee cup sleeves and water bottle covers. I'm an ecologist by day so many of my items have designs that are inspired by nature.

2. What is your shop URL?http://www.thinkingmama.etsy.com/

3. What is your blog URL?http://www.thinkingmama.wordpress.com/

4. When did you start selling on Etsy?I started selling on etsy just after Christmas last year, so not quite a year.

5. What is your favorite thing about Etsy?I love all the great things people sell! It's hard to keep the money that I make because there are so many amazing things I'd love to buy. I also love that it's a community and people are generally really nice and helpful. I don't feel all alone on etsy.

6. What is your favorite thing about what you sell?I love taking sweaters that people don't want because they have little holes, or they're really outdated styles, and turning them into fresh, modern creations. I love that most of my things are one-of-a-kind, since my materials are limited, so I get to try new designs and fun color combinations a lot.

7. What is your favorite item in your own shop and why?Right now my favorite thing that I sell are my water bottle covers. They're for metal bottles like Siggs or Klean Kanteens and I mostly make them as custom orders. I love making designs that the customer will love and it feels good to make it easier for people to use eco-friendly water bottles. Now they have something warm and cozy to add style to their bottle!

8. What teams do you belong to?I belong to the EtsyMoms team and also to a local etsy co-op. It's the Portland Independent Artisans Cooperative, or PDX Indie for short. It a really supportive group and it's been great to connect with other artists in my city.

9. What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop?I use my coffee sleeves! It's a good excuse to go out and get a cup of coffee.

10. What are some of your favorite finds by other sellers on Etsy?Since I love science and nature, I really like the slighty nerdy kids things that Electricboogaloo makes. I also bought my daughter a handmade doll for her birthday from WeeFaerieFolk and she's the most beautiful doll!

11. What do you do in your spare time?Spare time? I feel like I don't have much of it! When I do I love to knit and go on walks outside, though not at the same time.

12. What blogs do you follow?I read a lot of knitting/crafting blogs. I love to see what other people in the crafty world are up to.

13. Do you have anything else you would like to share? Nope!