Superstar Saturday: Kim Scherer

Superstar Saturday!

Let me introduce you to ... Kim Scherer.

1. What is your business name and website/shop URL? What do you create?

My website is http://kimscherer.etsy.com and I make sleep sacks, burp cloths, bibs, bows, pacifier clips, and crib teething guards.

2. What is the theme or idea behind your website/shop?

I started my website after my son was born and I wanted to make things that I used or needed! It started with the burp cloths and got bigger from there! I wanted to make a gender neutral looking site and offer cute patterns in both boy and girl items!

3. What makes your items unique?

I want to make all my items something I would buy and make the fabrics fun! I try to take things that moms use everyday and put a small twist to it, to make it something unique!

4. What is your favorite item on your website or in your shop right now?

Right now my favorite item in my store is the pink and brown damask teething guard. I really like the fabric and think it came together great! http://www.etsy.com/listing/53895416/crib-teething-guard-for-convertible

5. What teams do you belong to? How do we search for their items?

I am part of the Etsy West Michigan Team and you can search items for that team by searching for "etsywmi team."

6. What is your favorite thing about handmade items?

I love handmade items because they are unique and they can be made for what you need or want!

7. Do you have any favorite finds by other handmade artists?

There are so many great handmade items that I can't pick just one! I love handmade jewelry and of course baby items!

8. Do you have anything else you would like to share? Other links?

My sister-in-law and I started our websites at the same time and we help each other to grow and get better at what we we do! The link to her shop is http://marcellas3monkeys.etsy.com. We also attend craft shows together and have a great time meeting customers and other great vendors! Since I have started this shop I have been pleasantly surprised at all the support from my family and friends and the wonderful customers that I have worked with!

Featured Etsy Shop: Sun2Create

Featured Etsy Shop: Sun2Create

1.What is your shop name and what do you sell? Sun2Create
I sell throw pillow covers, market totes/handbags and weekender laundry bags. I am expanding my line of market totes and adding some small accessories such as zip pouches. I also have some wine bottle bags available in my shop.

2. What is your shop URL?
http://sun2create.etsy.com/

3. What is your blog URL?
http://themarygoround.blogspot.com/

4. When did you start selling on Etsy?
I had been on Etsy as a buyer for a couple of months but actually started stocking my store at the end of August, 2008.

5. What is your favorite thing about Etsy?
My favorite thing about Etsy is the sense of community. I have learned so much from other Etsy sellers. and I know that there is always a wealth of knowledge and experience available for me as a seller. This helps tremendously in giving new sellers the confidence to get started. There is also a lot of support and encouragement from Etsy members.

6. What is your favorite thing about what you sell?
I love fabric of all kinds. I love color and texture and pattern. I spend a lot of time looking for unique fabrics that I think would make a great pillow or bag. Throw pillows can very quickly and easily change the look of a room. I like being able to find that special fabric that will really pop in someone's decor.

7. What is your favorite item in your own shop and why?
Typically, my favorite thing is whatever I made last. I always love whatever I am working on. But, if I had to choose, it is probably my Lipstick Safari Bag. It is oversized and has long, comfortable straps. I was recently in New Orleans for the weekend and could certainly have used a bag like this for the all-day walking and shopping we did. And, the true-red and oatmeal-colored animal print is just one of the most fun fabrics I have ever used! I will definitely be making another one of these bags for myself.

8. What teams do you belong to?
I belong to the Design Style Guide Team, the Wild, Wise, Witty Grandmas Team, the Southeastern U.S. Team and Team Etsy Mississippi.

9. What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop?
I have really started to enjoy my blog and I have made some blog friends, some Etsians, some non-Etsians. I like keeping up with their activities and lives through visiting their blogs. I do a weekly “Best Gifts on Etsy” feature on my blog and it is geared toward a different type of recipient each week. I also have been writing a monthly newsletter for those on my mailing list. I enjoy that as well.

10. What are some of your favorite finds by other sellers on Etsy?
A jewelry seller named Maddyanne has a bracelet I love called Jolie Bracelet.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16916308

I really love the artwork of Karenfieldsgallery such as her painting called Take Your Time.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16481041

And Pickleberries makes some very pretty fused glass earrings like these called Delicate Nosegay
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13582018

11. What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I play with my four-year-old grandson, cook, read and garden. And of course, browse fabric sites on the web.

12. What blogs do you follow?
I follow TimothyAdamDesigns blog. http://timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com/
And PamperingBeki http://pamperingbeki.blogspot.com/

13. Do you have anything else you would like to share?
I would just like to say that selling my handmade items on Etsy has been a completely positive experience. The community is friendly and supportive, the array of talent there is amazing and the buyers I have dealt with have been wonderful! I love being a part of it all!

Featured Etsy Artist: Alphabet Hill

Featured Etsy Artist: Alphabet Hill

1. What is your shop name and what do you sell? My shop is called, The Alphabet Hill. We specialize in custom alphabet photo keepsakes. Photographs are taken of architecture, nature, and everyday life and resemble the letters of the alphabet.

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

3. What is your blog URL? http://www.thealphabethill.blogspot.com/

4. When did you start selling on Etsy? I started selling on Etsy on Labor Day 2008. Pretty ironic, isn't it?

5. What is your favorite thing about Etsy? My favorite thing about Etsy are the forums. I have learned so much from talking with and bouncing ideas off of other sellers.

6. What is your favorite thing about what you sell? The best part of what I sell is that it every piece of artwork is customized. I have never created the same piece twice and that makes it so meaningful for me.

7. What is your favorite item in your own shop and why? My favorite item in my shop is the custom black and white framed alphabet keepsake. I really like the way the framed pieces look the best and the black frame that I use is gorgeous.

8. What teams do you belong to? I have just recently applied to the Etsy Moms..and I am looking for a Michigan team that is a little closer to me in Metro Detroit.

9. What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop? The best thing I do to promote my shop is to pass out business cards and sell at local craft shows. I love talking to my customers and recommending Etsy to people.

10. What are some of your favorite finds by other sellers on Etsy? A few of my favorites are...YUMMYBUBBLEGUM's necklaces, OKTAK'S handbags, and of course Suzanne's BLISS CANDLES, the three-layer jars are on my "want to buy" list.

11. What do you do in your spare time? In my "spare time", I am the mother to three boys, ages 8, 3, and 2. My "real" jobs are a first-grade teacher and volleyball coach.

12. What blogs do you follow? I am pretty new to the blogging world...I still am trying to figure out how to find people out there. Come find me and I will follow you! :)

13. Do you have anything else you would like to share? Thank you so much for reading! And thanks to Suzanne for featuring me, be sure and visit both of our shops. http://www.blisscandles.etsy.com/ and http://www.thealphabethill.etsy.com/.