multi talented Christian artist called Christi

Hello,

This week, I am introducing you to Christie of Christie Cottage, from Oklahoma US, who is a Proud member and The Team Leader of
CAPS - Christian Artists Promoting Shops
Proud member of
Etsy Promotions Team
Bluebird - Twitter Tree Team

So Christi, what are your passions ?
I like to paint, sew, knit and crochet. Anything that I can recycle is more fun!


My great-grandmother worked with her hands until they worked no more. My grandmother also worked with her hands until they worked no more. I spent a great deal of time with them. More so with my great-grandmother who was also one of the best friends I ever had. I learned that love is easily worked into every handmade item you touch. When I pick up a crochet hook, my great-grandmother's love floods my memory and thus, love is worked right in my piece.

Her little shop has some funny and quirky items, along with pdf crochet patterne to mek you rown little things yourself.
I noticed this little duck, whiochis a cell phone pouch, ideal for a Eastern present

The simple things in life are best. They are easily afforded. And are by far the most appreciated.

My blog: ChristieCottage.blogspot.com, si a Christian blog promoting handmade

What are some of the ways you market and promote your business/Craft?
I promote others as much as myself, using twitter and my blog. I host giveaways. I do not require the sponsoring shop to send me an item I use that opportunity to promote their shop(s). Items that I feature are either those I purchased or randomly find online.

One thing that I recommend is leaving feedback for your customers immediately. As soon as your payment is cleared, go first to feedback. It is how you thank your customers publicly.

My online sales motto. Don't get discouraged, get busy!

Thank you for featuring me on your blog. May God bless you richly! <>< P.S. I always sign my name with the Christian fish. It may be the only Christian witness people see all day Blessings!
Thanks you Christie for this insight int your creativity and your motivations

a Yarn Obsession

Ever heard of a Yarn OBsession? Meet Sedruola Maruska aka "Sedie", owner of

- website: http://www.sedruolamaruska.com/
- shop: http://sedruola.etsy.com/
- twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sedruola
- Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Yarn-Obsession/22453642035

- blog: http://yarnobsession-2.blogspot.com/

- How did you get started? I started crocheting about 7 years ago after I met my husband's grandmother who did so many crafts I felt I could at least do one. Then about a year after that, I decided I wanted to learn to knit at well. So I now knit and crochet and have been designing patterns since 2004.

- Where are you from? I'm originally from Queens, NY

- Are your creations limited editions or unique? Yes, usually my creations are limited editions, because I don't like to keep doing the same thing over and over again for too long. I think the longer I design and work on developing my skills, the more unique my items are and become.

- How long have you been doing it? For about 7 years

- Are you a professional artist or is this a hobby? I'm working very hard these days to make my yarn my profession. I have lots of ideas of how to make it work, but time is elusive. I'm thinking that in the next 4-6 months I'll be well on my way to having established a business presence and therefore on my way to making yarn my profession.

- What inspires you? Becoming my own boss and being able to be flexible enough to spend time with my family is what inspires me and motivates me. Secondly, the yarn inspires me. When I have yarn, I spend quite a bit of time looking at it to see what it should become. I also love to look at the fashions that come out each year to see what can be re-created in yarn or what can be "improved upon" by being made with yarn.

- What is your favorite piece (that you still have for sale) and why? Right now my favorite piece is one that I created to sell the pattern. It's the cropped top that can be found here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21126133. This is my first "fashion" piece and I love the way it came out. I kept the sample for myself because I felt I'd made too many "errors" on it to sell, but it's so soft and drapey and wonderful! I really look forward to having people try the pattern and tell me what they think of the design.

- How do you promote your work? Via all my online sites, I talk about it all the time to those I know and I donate items to various charitable events. I also give out business cards and do a few craft shows a year.

- Where are you showing your work? Right now my showcase spots are my Etsy shop and my website.

- What is your favorite material? After creating my cropped top, I'm in love with bamboo yarn!

- What advice you wish someone had told you when you started? Be patient with yourself and your work. Keep steady, do what feels right for you and your art, learn all you can and things will work out in the direction you set your sites.

- Do you have any advice for fellow artists? Just what I said above.

- any special promos? Right now I have a contest to give away one of my most popular items, you can find the details on my blog. I also have a few items in my shop marked down 25%. And finally, for March, National Craft Month, I'll be running several small contests at random times to celebrate and educate my customers on the benefits of handmade.

- what would you like to be when you grow up? LOL, I love this question because I'm still always thinking about that. . . but my answer is "I'd like to be a knit and crochet wear designer with my own shop and several books under my belt"

- favorite jeweller/artists/designers? I do love Debbie Bliss for her timeless, classic designs and Candy Jensen for her fun and funky designs for everyone. Both are yarnwear designers.

- favorite websites? Mine and Etsy!

Thanks for answering these questions and inspiring other crafts people.

Indigo Luna - or Blue Moon

Meet Rachel Kitterman, an art addict.
primary passion is fabric and she has been making art quilts and dolls for over a decade now.
a love of paper, altered art, mixed-media, knitting, crocheting, jewelry, artist books, photography...pretty much, if it will hold still, she'll make art out of it.

For all things geeky, nerdy, goth and quirky, visit her other shop http://blessedarethegeek.etsy.com

She also writes on her blog at http://indigoluna.typepad.com

feature in CatLady 99

as feature on Catlady's blog: a thousand hills





Thank you

Can a Cat ever be Lazy?

Well, there are so many talented Purring Cats around. Me, CATherine, kaliCAT, and now even a lazyCAT, or shall I say several Lazy Cats?
Lazycat is the name of a little business run by Allison, Stasia, & Kelly

- How did you get started?
We love to crochet! We made so many gifts for friends and family, we decide to try to sell them somewhere, and Etsy seemed like a great place!

- Where are you from?
We are all from the Great Lakes area, and met in Ann Arbor, MI. Kelly lives in Philadelphia now, but is moving back to A2 very soon!

- Are your creations limited editions or unique?
There is the occasional limited edition jewelry piece--if one item is really beloved by a customer, we will try to make something similar. However, most items are unique.

- How long have you been doing it?
We joined Etsy in 1/07--we had done 1 craft show before then, so about 1 year.

- Are you a professional artist or is this a hobby?
We really want to make this a viable side-business, but we all have full-time jobs (doctors and researchers) so we give it as much time as we can. It helps to have 3 people!

- What is your favorite piece and why?
Pasadena Necklace and Earrings Set

It was a very technically challenging piece, and we are so happy with how well it came out!

- How do you promote your work?
On Etsy (treasuries and forums), on our blog, via friends and family, and through our consignment contract with a store in town. We are hoping to expand our consignment/wholesale projects.

- Where are you showing your work?
Etsy, Suwanee Springs (Ann Arbor, MI)

- What is your favorite material?
Carnelian

- What advice you wish someone had told you when you started?
This is hard, but believe in yourself and your designs!

- If you were an object, what would that be?
Does a cat count? :)

lazycat gifts

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

Sparkles of Talent

This interview features the multi-talented Jamie Hinson.

How did you get started ?
I learned how to string pearls in college from a family friend that's a jeweler. My mother bought me a beautiful bead book for my birthday that same year that had some instructions in it. I learned from that and kept trying to make everything I could find instructions on. I am self-taught for everything I do.

- Are your creations limited editions or unique?
I usually post my more "one of a kind" items here in my shop. My website is designed so that I have styles of earrings, necklaces, etc to peruse, then you can help design your piece by choosing the color, length, etc from drop-down menus. Makes it more fun for the customer.

- How long have you been doing it?
Over 10 years for jewelry, over 25 years for crochet

- Are you a professional artist or is this a hobby?
It's a hobby turned business. I am an occupational therapist and can incorporate beads and crafts into my therapy. Then this is MY therapy when I get home.

- Where are you from?
Friendswood, TX--suburb of Houston that is b/w Houston and Galveston.

- How do you promote your work?
Blog, word of mouth, craft shows, Etsy, Myspace,etc

- Do you have any advice for fellow artists?
Do what you love, and don't be afraid to incorporate different mediums, items into your work.

- Anything else you'd like to add?
I love custom orders. That way people get exactly what they want.

Thank you Jamie
website: http://www.sparklystrandz.com/
blog: sparklystrandz.blogspot.com

FSOJ - Week 23 - Iced waters and icicles

Iced waters and icicles
a crocheted bracelet made with sterling silver wire and ice cubes of Rock crystal.

This bracelet has 3 rows. The dainty nature of the crochet contrasts nicely with the nature and translucency of the gemstones.

Cleopatra's Dream

The legend says that Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, used to drink fine Pearls dissolved in vinegar. Her favourite cocktail!

I wonder if she would wear or "drink" this bracelet inspired by the deep Sea. Its Ripples, Depths and Shallows. A bit like the inner Meandres of a woman. Each circle can also be perceived as a Matrix, filled with eggs at a different state of maturity.

3 different kind of pearls adorn this crocheted artwork: tiny Rice white and lustrous pearls, dark grey baroque pearls and a few bigger baroque ivory ones. A nice combination with the thin sterling silver used in this design.

FSOJ - week 11 - Nid d'hirondelle

To respond to the Windchimes in the breeze theme, I have created a sterling silver crocheted object that moves in the wind. But without the musical noises.

It is a swallow's nest.

I used a 0.6mm crochet, and I knitted it in the subway :)
Funny looks I got. I enjoyed it