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/.

Featured Etsy Artist: Tagisa

Featured Etsy Artist: Tagisa

1. What is your shop name and what do you sell?
I would have liked to have a fancy name, but came up with "tagisa" many years ago and just kept it. I sell a variety of items such as jewelry frames, jewelry, magnets, push pins, decorative pens and hair accessories...at the moment!

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

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

4. When did you start selling on Etsy?
Well, I registered on Etsy in January '08 and believe I only listed one item at that time. Surprisingly to me, nine days later it sold! That gave me a bit of hope so I kept at it, listing just one item, which was an earring frame, until it sold. It wasn't until June that I started listing more items, more often.

5. What is your favorite thing about Etsy?
That's a tough one. I'd have to say (one of) my favorite things about Etsy is seeing all of the talent out there! It is amazing to see so many beautiful handmade items all in one place.

6. What is your favorite thing about what you sell?
I enjoy brining happiness to others and also fun and functional items. I've always loved jewelry and office supplies, so naturally, that is what I gravitate to!

The earring frames were created out of necessity for myself. Now see what I have and can select accessories right away. My friends who have these also love them and their functionality, which makes me happy.

7. What is your favorite item in your own shop and why?
Really? Just one? I'm not sure I have a favorite item. However, I will tell you that I recently took an item off because I decided to keep it for myself! It is an earring frame decorated with pink and clear rhinestones, glitter and the word "beautiful" across the bottom also in rhinestones.

8. What teams do you belong to?
I belong to only one team (so far) which is the UtahEtsy Street Team.

9. What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop?
Honestly, I haven't done much promoting. I feel like I still have a lot to learn, but blogging is fun and I really enjoy flickr! It's nice to see pictures from others, join groups and share photos in them. - http://www.flickr.com/photos/tagisa

10. What are some of your favorite finds by other sellers on Etsy?
Oh, there are soooo many! I bought a strawberry charm from Amanda at http://migotochou.etsy.com/ who makes such cuteness that you might accidentally want to eat it!

Another is Elaina of ThumperFantasy, her site is: http://thumperfantasy.etsy.com/ I bought a lovely pendant from her before discovereing she was on Etsy. Her work is beautiful!

One more is Nikki of aurella27. She is another great artist on Etsy. Her site is: http://aurella27.etsy.com/

11. What do you do in your spare time?
Besides my "real" job and etsy, there isn't much spare time. I enjoy keeping myself busy by shopping (craft supplies, rebates & deals), festivals and doing outdoor things. Bellydancing is a love of mine which I need to make time for again!

12. What blogs do you follow?
I have a long list of blogs that I look at occasionally, but none that I follow regularly. Most are from people on Etsy.

13. Do you have anything else you would like to share?
Don't be surprised if you see me making earrings one day and cutting wood the next! I love doing it all!

Thank you, Suzanne, for featuring me in your blog, I really appreciate it!

Featured Etsy Shop: courtneydell

Featured Etsy Shop: courtneydell

1. What is your shop name and what do you sell? My shop name is Courtneydell and I sell picture frames, necklace holders and mirror sets.

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

3. When did you start selling on Etsy? I started selling my crafts on Etsy in January 2007.

4. What is your favorite thing about Etsy? I love Etsy! It’s a fun and easy way to sell my crafts. I also enjoy checking out what everyone else is selling.

5. What is your favorite thing about what you sell? I love creating fun, whimsical items people can use to decorate their homes.

6. What is your favorite item in your own shop and why? My favorite item in my shop right now is the vintage bird collage picture frame. I love the old-fashioned look of it.

7. What teams do you belong to? I belong to the Portland Street Team/PDXEtsy. It’s a friendly group of Etsy sellers in the greater Portland, Oregon area.

8. What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop? Being featured in Blisscandles wonderful blog is definitely the most fun thing I have done to promote my shop. Thanks Suzanne!!

9. What are some of your favorite finds by other sellers on Etsy?
Here are just a few of my favorite items from some very talented Etsy
sellers:

Earrings by Puffluna:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13744885

Bag by Appetite:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13239572

Thank you cards by CecilyInk:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=13272715

Address rubber stamp by Sweetpaperie:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15321528

10. What do you do in your spare time? Read, read, read. I read a lot in my spare time. I work at a library and I am addicted to books.