ANNE DUNDAS Handcrafted Jewellery and Lampwork Beads

Meet Anne, a designer from Sydney, Australia!!

She has been creating jewellery since early 2004, and it quickly became a passion which helped fill the time while caring for her mum who has MS.

Jewellery then lead Anne to the wonderful world of lampwork beads, as you can see on this image.
Yet another way to play with colours. It's such a thrill to play with molten glass watching it flow and form beautiful objects.
You can see and buy her creations here.

She also spends time designing business cards, etc for other jewellery designers.
If you'd like to check them out, you can find her designs at: http://www.annedundas.com/graphics
Her Blog is: http://www.annedundas.com/blog

Member of the Etsy Glass Artists Street Team, http://www.etsyglass.com

Minou minou

- Your name - Lauren
- Your site - http://lostmitten.etsy.com
_ your blog - http://blog.lostmitten.com

- How did you get started ?
I have been into crafting since I can remember - ever since I was young. I learned how to knit over five years ago, and I try to learn new crafts all the time. I started selling Perler Bead decorations and coasters inspired by video game characters back when I first opened my shop, and have been continually adding new items to my shop all the time as I think up new ideas. I also love to create handbound journals, and jewelry made from pinback buttons.

- Where are you from?

I am originally from the small valley town of Dundas, Ontario, Canada, but have recently moved to the city of Brantford (in Ontario, Canada) to live with my fiance.

- Are your creations limited editions or unique?

Many of my creations are one-of-a-kind, but all of the them are truly unique - the ideas for the items that I create are all originally designed by myself.

- How long have you been doing it?

I have been crafting forever, but I first opened my Etsy shop in September of 2006.

- Are you a professional artist or is this a hobby?

This is mostly a hobby for me - I just love crafting and creating, and this is the perfect outlet for me.

- What inspires you?

I am constantly inspired by my interests and the things that surround me! I have always loved computers and video games, and many of my crafts reflect my love for gaming. I am also continually inspired to learn how to make new creations - for instance, I just learned how to crochet, and I am always trying out new knitting patterns! I also love Japanese inspired patterns and anything that is kawaii / cute.

- What is your favorite piece (that you still have for sale) and why?

I love my knit fingerless gloves and pantas because they are cute and fashionable, but will also keep you quite warm. I also love all of the Perler Bead creations that I create, especially the Question Mark Block decorations because they just make me smile - such fond memories of first playing the first Super Mario game for the Nintendo when I was a kid.

- How do you promote your work?

I promote my work through my blog, website, forums, but mostly through word of mouth.

- Where are you showing your work?

My work is currently just for sale in my Etsy shop, but will also be for sale very soon on my website: http://lostmitten.org .

- What is your favorite material?

Plastic, pinback buttons, wool, yarn, fabric, embroidery thread...I love them all!

- What advice you wish someone had told you when you started?

The only advice that I can give is to have fun with it, and create something that you love. Be as creative and original as possible - it is easy to get lost in the crowd since there are so many Etsy sellers, but if you make something that is a little different, you will stand out from the crowd!

- Do you have any advice for fellow artists?

My advice for fellow artists would be pretty much the same!

Just like a fairy tale princess, Belle

Stacey is the owner of Elle Belle. A fabulous little find full of useful and delighteful items for moms and children. She crafts with 3 other friends and her Mom.

Where are you from?
I'm from a small town in IL, now I live in St. Petersburg Fl and love it here!

Are your creations one of a kind?
Lots of Elle Belle stuff is one of a kind. Although, as we've gotten more experience with what customers want we've been able to narrow down the choices on some things which has allowed us to be more focused on developing the lines we currently have.

How long have you been doing it?
My Mom, my friend Ann, and I have been crafting in some (and many) forms pretty much since we can remember, there's about 75 years of experience between the three of us. Jennifer has a really great eye for color and pattern, she comes up with super cute fabric combinations, so the design aspect of crafting is what got her started a year ago. Karie was a preschool teacher for several years and always had creative projects to work on with her kids there. Once she had her daughter, Ava, and decided to leave teaching, we expanded those ideas for Elle Belle.

I have a business license, sell through multiple venues and promote my shop lots, so I guess it's a job, but I really love doing it, so most times it doesn't feel so much like work.

What inspire you?
Our children inspire us

What is your favorite item?
It's hard to pick a favorite item. We have such a large variety of products that are each special for their own reasons, I can't possibly narrow it down to just one thing. I think the slings are the most useful and practical items in the shop, the pillowcase dresses are the prettiest, the chalkboard placemats are the most fun, the ballet slippers are the most unique/special, and the memory quilts are the most valuable.

How do you promote your items?
I have a pretty extensive mailing list, so I send out emails when we introduce a new product or when we're going to be at a local event (which we do lots of). One of my favorite ways to promote is to attend open houses at local hospitals... it's so much fun to talk to all the Moms to be and introduce them to some things that can make being a Mommy easier and more fun.

We get good results participating in craft fairs at upscale malls. There's one locally that hosts Thur-Sun shows so we get to talk to lots of stay at home Moms with their children in the mall. We also do more traditional outdoor craft shows, baby expos, and even an open house at a couple of the local hospitals.

What is your favorite material?
I really love the super soft combination of satin and fleece together, but some of the fleeces that are especially soft are sometimes difficult to work with.

Any advice for fellow crafters on etsy?
My advice (which isn't exactly working for me at the moment) is to post an item in your shop at least once every week day.

Satcey's site is http://ellebelleonline.com/
Her Etsy shop http://ellebelleonetsy.etsy.com/
and her blog http://ellebelleblog.blogspot.com/

Alaska Hot Doggies

Meet Jodi Hughes of Alaska Hot Doggies, located in (you may have guessed) Alaska, more precisely Anchorage.

Tell us about your home town...
Hometown: Chugiak, Alaska…can u pronounce that? When I was growing up, my family managed a church camp with a beautiful lake that looked a lot like Jason’s famous killing ground. The camp was 1 ½ miles from the nearest house on a dirt road thru the woods. There were dog trails that mushers trained on that crossed the road and cars had to yield to the dog teams.

Are you very young? I am 30 with a silent remainder of 9

Do you create all day? By day, I masquerade as Application Analyst for a large corporation. I take conference calls in my jammies and analyze code without even stepping out of the house! But in order to bring some originality into my world, away from the logical rules, I sneak away from the phone and emails to play in marbling goop! It calms my nerves and helps me feel creative. I get to color outside the lines, unlike my day job!


How did you first get started with crafts / artwork? I started with simple beading projects for myself…taking apart store purchased items and re-doing them more to my liking. My friend, Anthony, got me started shopping at thrift stores. I wanted comforter covers for the house in special colors and pre-made ones where just too expensive. When I was growing up, my mom had made me a customized comforter cover made from 2 sheets, so I did the same except I bought 2 used sheets, dyed them to my liking and stitched them together. TaDa!! Then I started dying everything! I made covers for the furniture, dyed clothes, curtains, EVERYTHING!! I dabbled in free form painting, mainly on clothes. Then I found Dharma Trading’s website with a cool starter kit for marbling. I can’t say that my 1st attempts turned out very well but for some reason I was determined to keep trying…and still am!

How long have you been crafting / making art? Decades…in one form or another. Most of the time my attempts at art never turned out very well. It took me a few years to find my niche.

How long have you been selling your crafts / artwork? Just opened my Etsy shop mid July of 07. This is my 1st attempt to sale my crafts. My family, friends and personal closet space is getting over stocked with my creations! Help me sell so I can continue to create!


What sorts of crafts / artwork do you sell ? I enjoy marbling the most. This last month, I’ve started moving away from regular clothes and moving towards unconvential textiles and other materials. I’ve been experimenting with wood, plastic & glass which have proved to be challenging. I’ve also started marbling different paper items. I recently marbled business card stock that turned out wonderful and really make my business card standout from most.

Which of your items is / was your favorite to make, and why? My favorite project so far has been a pair of Report Seattle sandals. These were a lot of fun to marble. I feel like the pics just don’t do the colors justice. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6670207

Another fav I have is a little silk purse. The colors really POPPED on this project. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6606569

Do you do custom work? I could. I haven’t any requests and haven’t advertised for that…just waiting for my 1st sale at this point.

Additional Venues? My work was sold at the local ‘Trapper Creek Festival’. I have blog pages & projects pics @ http://www.indiepublic.com/profile/AkHotDoggies
& http://www.myspace.akhotdoggies.com/ & http://akhotdoggies.blogspot.com/ I’m in the process of writing an article for the IndiePublic library. This will be a basic introduction on marbling paper. The article will need to be approved by Indie Admin prior to posting. Please check back for status.

Are you a part of any of the Street Teams on Etsy? Etsy Fiber Arts Street Team.

Wonder shop for the crafty ones

Meet the team composed by Sarah and Carol Eshelman.

If you like kistch, unusual, vintage and funky, look no further. A real treasure.

- How did you get started? We have always loved creating! We've been involved in collage and altered art for about seven years or so.

- Where are you from? Minnesota

- Are your creations limited editions or unique? A mix: some are open editions; some are limited, and some are one-of-a-kind.

- How long have you been doing it? We have always loved to create! We just opened our Etsy shop in June.

- Are you a professional artist or is this a hobby? Both! :-)

- What inspires you? So many things! In no particular order: vintage games; kitschy cookbook images; Loteria; foreign texts; odd papers; nature.

- What is your favorite piece (that you still have for sale) and why? I (Sarah) am happy with the way the ballerina necklace came out. The fuse earrings were really fun to create, too!

- How do you promote your work? We are part of the 90 Features in 90 Days challenge; we have a blog at creativesundries.etsy.com, and we like hanging out in the Etsy forums.

- Where are you showing your work? Currently on Etsy, and hopefully in other venues soon!

- What is your favorite material? We love as odd papers, foreign texts, Mexican Loteria cards, plastic charms, decoupage...

- Anything else you'd like to add? We've met so many wonderful people through Etsy. It's been such a fun experience, and we're only just beginning! :-)

- Carol's and Sarah's site http://creativesundries.etsy.com/

- Their blog http://creativesundries.blogspot.com/

quality embroidered gifts at an unbeatable price!

Name: Adrienne Nielsen

Where are you from?
I'm from Spanish Fork, Utah...born and raised in Utah.


Are your creations unique? My creations are unique in that they can all be personalized...but none are limited editions.

Do you have a favorite piece?
My favorite piece that I still have for sale is my Daughter of God bag...I have another bag with "I am a Child of God" on it but I haven't been able to get a good picture to list it yet. I like these pieces because they remind ME of who I am. This is something that I have very strong feelings about.

How do you promote your work?
I go to craft shows (although I'm hoping not to do too many more...they are a LOT of work and I have to leave my kids too long.). We are starting "The Quilted Bear" a permanent craft show type store, the first of Nov...you set up once and then just maintain it, which will be nice...the store is a big thing here in Utah so I'm hoping it works out. Etsy and my online store and blog are the other places I sell. I just started in Aug. so I'm still new to it all and figuring out what works for us.

I love personalizing cute towels and blankets! I love when I see somebody using our stuff and enjoying it.

Any advice you wish you had been given?
I wish somebody would have told me how much work it would all be! I thought it would all be pretty simple...make our stuff, go to a craft fair (didn't think that one through at all) and sell our stuff like crazy. I have been surprised at how much work goes in to creating our craft alone, let alone setting up websites, promoting product, keeping track of expenses, etc!

My only advice to somebody starting out is it is a lot of work...but if you have something you have been wanting to do and you never try it you will always be wondering if you could have made it! I am a firm believer of just jumping in both feet first and trying things!

Site: http://www.personalityplusboutique.blogspot.com/
or http://www.personalityplusboutique.com/
Etsy site: http://adriennen.etsy.com/

Personal Treasures

Meet Phyllis Mufson Jewelry designer extraordinaire

- How did you get started ?
I've been 'arting' my whole life. An early memory is of sneaking into my holiday presents early because I heard one of my gifts was a coloring book - irresistible. I have a BFA and masters degrees in art and had a career as a textile artist before picking up a bead. My background in textiles influences how I design. I'm very concerned with drape and how the jewelry moves with the body.

- Where are you from? Currently Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was born in Brooklyn and lived most of my adult life in San Francisco.

- Are your creations limited editions or unique? 95 percent are unique - one-of-a-kind, the rest are small limited editions. 5 is big for me.

- How long have you been doing it? I’ve been making jewelry about 3 years.

- Are you a professional artist or is this a hobby?
This is a business that I do professionally, and I'm also self-employed (for 20+ years) as a career consultant and coach for creative people. My website for that is http://phyllismufson.interfaceias.com. There’s more background on me at that site under the Profile section.

- What inspires you? I'm inspired by the stones I work with and the challenge of creating something fluid and flattering for someone to wear. I also really enjoy having a business and am inspired by the challenge of developing an online business. That’s new to me although I’ve been in business most of my life.

- What is your favorite piece and why? - What is your favorite material? I’m usually in love with whatever I just completed. I like designing and get excited by solving visual design problems. I went on a massive gem shopping spree to prepare for the holidays so I have lots of interesting new stones to work with in the weeks ahead.

- How do you promote your work? Where are you showing your work? In addition to ETSY I sell through trunk shows in people’s homes and offices and at a lovely boutique in Center City Philadelphia called Suzanne Roberts.

Well I'm new at the online store world, but I imagine that marketing basics are still valid. So, figure out who your ideal customer is (she's often someone a lot like you), know what she wants, what's important to her and how she likes to shop - and then deliver it. I'm still figuring this out for my stores.

Phyllis Mufson’s jewelry consists of one-of-a-kind, handmade pieces created in her Philadelphia studio. She carefully selects beautiful, unusual, semi-precious stones and pearls from gem dealers in Hong Kong, mainland China and India, and crafts them with sterling silver, gold-filled and vermeil beads to create each piece. Her intent is that each “Personal Treasure” be beautiful, elegant and comfortable to wear.

Prior to working as a jeweler, Phyllis was a textile artist. Her work is in public and private collections and she is a winner of the National Endowment for the Arts Crafts Fellowship. She was awarded a BFA in Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute and a Masters degree in Interdisciplinary Creative Arts from San Francisco State University.

Phyllis began creating jewelry as an adjunct to her private practice as a creative career coach. She was previously director of the Locks Career Center at Moore College of Art and currently serves on the U.S. Board of the Association of Career Professionals International.

Personal Treasures: http://personaltreasures.etsy.com/ , http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com/ Mufi Jewels: http://mufi.etsy.com/

Lovely lavender hearts and tartan treats from Scotland!

Zoe Stewart designs lovely lavender hearts and Gifts with a Scottish flair, are they inspired by Nessie, the famous Loch Ness monster? Let's find out.

- How did you get started ? I heard about etsy from a friend and after uni I decided I might as well use my degree, I'm working with the prince's trust too,

- Where are you from? originally Edinburgh, but I live in North Yorkshire just now with my husband, only for the year, cant wait to get back to Edinburgh


- Are your creations limited editions or unique? some are unique and some WILL be limted editions, I don't use patterns for my tartan creatures, so theyre all different, which make them special

- How long have you been doing it? I have only had my etsy shop a few months, but been sewing and making things since ever I can remember,

- Are you a professional artist or is this a hobby? It was a hobby, but where we live there isn't a great deal of work, and i would love it to be a profession full time but its not really gonna happen soon enough, its so hard to get yourself noticed!

- What inspires you? People ask me this a lot, children, i work in the local nursery and the kids do some fantastic drawings there, i get them to draw me funny monsters and they love it when they see the ones ive made...... the eyes crack me up everytime!

- What is your favorite piece and why? it has to be henry, he makes me giggle everytime i see him, he sits on this big old fancy chair we have, its great, he does look quite at home and if he doesnt sell by christmas i think i might just be tempted to keep him!

- How do you promote your work? I am on various websites including etsy and i am just learning how to promote myself, i leave business cards everywhere i possibly can, loo's service stations, phone boxes, shops, photobooths, and hand them out to everyone i meet, its actually quite fun

- Where are you showing your work? my work is only shown on my etsy, theres not really many places around here to exhibit it or stick it without a great deal of fee's and its more than I can afford, so I use etsy every minue I can

- What advice you wish someone had told you when you started? list something everyday, have a clear studio, and promote, if I knew now my things would be much more organised lol

- Do you have any advice for fellow artists? same as above really, promote at every given opportunity!

- Anything else you'd like to add? Tea makes the world go round, and nothing is as bad as it seems, we all wait fo that first sale or the big sale and it will come, no one has the slightest cluewhen, but one day..... soon!

Her site http://www.zoestewartuk.etsy.com/
Her blog http://zoestewart.blogspot.com/

CryZZZZZZZZZZtals by Beth Alexander

Oh and what's with the "Z" in Cryztalvisions? It's an homage to one of her wonderful teachers who pronounced crystals: "creezzztals"


- Where are you from?
I've lived all over the United States and also lived in Cairo, Egypt for a time. I currently reside in California.

- Are your creations limited editions or unique?
Most of my pieces are one-of-kind, I also have some very limited edition designs. I've never liked mass produced jewelry, and get bored too easily to keep making the same design over and over.

- How long have you been doing it?
I've been crafting in one form or fashion since I was 10 years old. I've been creating jewelry for more than 20 years now.

- Are you a professional artist or is this a hobby?
This is my passion and has become my profession.

- What inspires you?
My best inspirations always come from nature whether it's a walk through the woods, or a visit to the beach, I always come back to my workshop refreshed and full of new ideas. I also find inspiration in the materials I work with. Sometimes all I need to do is spread out some gemstones and I start to envision new designs, it's as if some pieces actually design themselves.

- What is your favorite piece and why?

Hmmm. That's a hard one. Each new design usually becomes my favorite for a while. It's hard to see some of them go, but I know they will bring beauty and happiness to their new owner so I send them happily on their way. Currently I still really like the "Tree of Life Pendant".
The tree was drawn free form and has a large spiral taproot. I used Precious Metal Clay from a syringe to create the tree. The background has a wonderful starry night type texture, and the tiny dichroic glass cabochon reminds me of the full moon peeking through the branches. The whole piece was kiln fired, leaving behind pure fine silver (.999 FS). I added a patina to the piece to accentuate the tree and background texture.

- How do you promote your work?
Word of mouth
Networking
Blogging
online advertising
local advertising
participation in local guilds and organizations
Through Social networking sites like: myspace, facebook, flickr, Indiepublic, etc.
Participation in online communities
I always wear my designs in public and carry my business cards with me at all times. I've made a lot of sales this way.

- Where are you showing your work?
My work is currently only in my online store www.cryztalvisions.com and now on Etsy. I also show at San Francisco Bay Area Arts & Crafts fairs

- What is your favorite material?
I'm always exploring new techniques and materials. Currently I'm passionate about precious metal clay and all the fabulous things I can do with it.

- What advice you wish someone had told you when you started?
No matter what you do or how skilled you are at your craft, there will be people who are attracted to it and people who are repelled by it. In any case, don't take it too personally. Stay true to yourself and follow your passion. When you do, everything else falls into alignment.

- Do you have any advice for fellow artists?
Resist the urge to under price your work in order to make a sale or "compete" with others. There is great value in your knowledge, skill, time, and creativity. There are plenty of people out there who value quality, original, handmade items and will pay fair value for them. It can take time to build your customer base, but once you do you will have loyal return customers who truly appreciate what you do. If you are just starting out try to find things you can create in a range of prices, this can help get your sales going and will eventually lead to the sale of your larger ticket items.

- Anything else you'd like to add?
I'm very happy to have found the wonderful community of people that have been drawn to Etsy. I've made so many new friends there the past few weeks. Etsy offers a vast, deep pool of creativity; it really is remarkable. Spend some time exploring all the wonderful handmade treasures, you'll be glad you did and I bet you won't leave without purchasing something wonderful.

- the site: http://cryztalvisions.etsy.com and http://www.cryztalvisions.com
- her blog: http://cryztalvisions.typepad.com

Crocheted Cartoons

An interview with Amanda, master crocheter and talented individual.

- How did you get started ?***I taught myself to crochet when I was about 19 years old.

- Where are you from?***Michigan.

- Are your creations limited editions or unique?***Some of my items I am sure I will never re-create. Others I could make again if I want to try to sell more or if someone specially requests something.

- How long have you been doing it?***I have not been selling items long, but I have been crocheting for about 6 years and giving crocheted afghans and other items to my loved ones as gifts.

- Are you a professional artist or is this a hobby?***I would love to be a professional, but for now this is just a hobby that I love.

- What inspires you?***God, my husband, my family.

- What is your favorite piece (that you still have for sale) and why?***I really love all of my crocheted flapper hats. They are so comfy, funky, and stylish.

- How do you promote your work?***I find it hard to promote my work. I mostly write on my blog and rely on spreading the word through family and friends.

- Where are you showing your work?***I have never 'shown' my work at a craft fair or other show, but I hope to be able to do something like that in the future.

- Do you have any advice for fellow artists?***To do something you love and don't do anything you don't love just because you think it will make you money. If you don't love it, it's not worth it.

- anything else you'd like to add?***Just that I appreciate anyone who browses through my shop! Hopefully there is something there for everyone :)

- Her site: http://bluebaby.etsy.com, her Blog