Wow 'Em Wednesday!: Julie and Co

Let me introduce you to ... Julie and Co.

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

My shop is called julieandco and is found at http://julieandco.etsy.com I make hand-embroidered decorative thread balls. They are in the tradition of Japanese temari, an ancient Japanese folk art.

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

I love all things handmade and particularly those things with threads -- pearl cotton embroidery thread is my primary fiber, but I also love metallic threads, silk threads and wool. I named my shop Julieandco because my family (my husband of 26 years and our daughters) are a huge part of my work and who I am. They are the "and co." of my work!

3. What makes your items unique?

Japanese temari has been around for thousands of years and is making a resurgence in modern culture and craft. I like to put my own modern interpretation to these ancient creations -- modern color palettes, unique design twists, updated forms.

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

My favorite creation right now is a new temari pincushion, http://www.etsy.com/listing/53616411/temari-teacup-pincushion-hand , in a lovely porcelain Asian tea cup. I think it is adorable and so practical for a modern seamstress!

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

I am a happy member of the Etsy West Michigan team (etsywmi team) and the Homeschooling team (SHE team). They are great encouragers!

6. What is your favorite thing about handmade items?

I'm really into textures and fibers....I love things that have multiple types of fibers (I'm currently intrigued with nuno felted scarves) and textural delights.

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

I love therainbowgirl's hand dyed threads ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/therainbowgirl ), and the gorgeous scarves of my friend Cathi in Portland ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/sassicathi ) and everything of one of my long-time favorite embroiderers, Waterrose ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/Waterrose )

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

I am planning on opening a new shop soon of my own fiber art! Please stay tuned as this is a whole new adventure for me!

Wow 'Em Wednesday: Celebrate Today

Wow 'Em Wednesday!

Let me introduce you to ... Celebrate Today.

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

My jewelry store is called Celebrate Today and can be found at celebratetoday.etsy.com on the wonderful Etsy site. I specialize in hand-stamped, personalized jewelry in sterling silver and gold.

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

I enjoy making custom pieces that help you remember all you have to celebrate. High quality materials, attention to detail and excellent customer service lead to one of a kind pieces with initials, children's names, important phrases or dates that have meaning to you.

3. What makes your items unique?

My items are unique because they are designed by you! I am very flexible and I'll create whatever you're looking for! Want to add a birthstone or pearl?

Want a different shape or font? Need more charms? I love to work with your ideas and have found some wonderful new designs have been sparked by that collaboration.

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

This is a very hard question. It is a serious perk to have all of these wonderful samples to wear myself! Right now, I am most enjoying playing with the fun crystal colors in the briolette designs. This particular necklace is my favorite color green and I wear it often:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53624432/august-birthstone-personalized-gold

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

I currently belong to the Etsy West Michigan team. You can find beautiful items by this wonderful group of artists by searching EtsyWMI.

6. What is your favorite thing about handmade items?

I have always tried to purchase handmade items for gifts and special occasions. I love that each item is unique and so personal. I also enjoy supporting individual artists.

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

There are SO many! I am constantly adding new things to my "Favorites"

section and love browsing.

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

Thanks for featuring my Etsy shop! It is so wonderful to promote handmade items and support the great artists on Etsy. I hope you and your blog readers have much to celebrate today!