BESTeam weekly feature: DiCarlos

Please help me to welcome DiCarlos to the Clever's Corner blog! DiCarlos has a great little Etsy shop (www.dicarlos.etsy.com) featuring original artwork, jewelry, and cards!

I love the modern feel to this small painting, black and silver! And as everyone knows, fingerprints are unique, so I love the theme. Best of all? Only 5 inches, you can even decorate your work cubicle!

And just like you'll find in quite a few of my blog posts, I LOVE butterflies!! I normally wouldn't have added so many beads to a wire necklace, but I love the colors!

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's... yup, it's a bird!!

Isn't this a fun and summery card?? I love the indigos and teals and purples.

Be sure to swing by the shop for a full inventory of items to choose from! There are more cards, paintings, and jewelry to choose from, all completely unique and colorful! There's also a blog to check out at http://etsyasyoulikeit.blogspot.com for great features!

Focus Feature and Giveaway: Wearable Art By Pixie

This week I'm pleased to show you a newer shop, open since only July of this year! At http://www.etsy.com/shop/wearableartbypixie , you'll find the most original glass tile pendants ever: these pendants are made using the original artwork of the shop owner!! The prize? Any pendant of the winner's choosing! That's my kind of prize... (PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS GIVEAWAY IS OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY, SHIPPING WILL NOT BE PROVIDED OUT OF THE COUNTRY. THANKS!!)

Here’s what Debra had to say:

What’s your favorite item from your shop and what makes it your favorite?

Asking what is your favorite piece of jewelry is like asking which of your children do you favor. I like them all for different reasons. Each piece is taken directly from a print of one of my original paintings. Each painting has a focal point or two. I’ve taken that focal point and created a Wearable Art pendant or earring. I’m really excited by how well they have been received. The first time I showed them I almost sold out.

I wear, Paisley Damask, Blue Butterfly, Tweet Orange, and Eccentric Ovals the most.

How did you get into your line of crafting?

I’ve been an artist all of my life, but my jewelry line Wearable Art by Pixie really got started as a new way to use my art. I had been wanting to learn jewelry making for some time. It all just came together perfectly.

A lot of people ask why “Wearable Art by Pixie?” My nickname as a child was Pixie and the name Wearable Art was all over the place so I added my favorite name.

Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?

I belong to Christian Artists Promoting Shops or capsteam and Christian Artists Street Team or castteam. I would really recommend joining some teams. It’s a great way to network and make crafting buddies. People on Etsy have valuable information to be gleaned and shared.

If you had one super power what would it be?

To heal people. I’ve seen so much suffering as a Registered Nurse and if we all had physical, emotional and spiritual health life would be so wonderful for us all.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Chocolate. My friends and family know if I want something sweet only chocolate will do. I think it has to do with the rush of endorphins.

If you could be any animal what would it be and why?

A dolphin. I had the opportunity to swim with them in Hawaii and it was one of the highlights of my life. They are so smart and loving, and sooo cute!

Do you have a personal favorite Etsy shop that you would like to share with readers?

Not one but many. Visit my shop and you can see how much I love the artists on Etsy. I’ll name a few, GraeDawn, CleverCrafter, and all the people from capsteam and castteam!

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you take with you?

My family, a knife and seedlings among would have to be fruit, coco beans and sugar cane. Is that more than three items?

From my own personal crafting I’ve been through frustrating moments with new projects. What have you learned from your own crafting frustrations?

I’ve learned that nothing turns out exactly the way you think it will. I’ve learned that most “mistakes” are really happy moments. I’ve learned that patience in the process of learning a new craft always brings me to my happy place and produces a beautiful piece.

What advice would you give to new Etsy sellers?

List something every day, it keeps you near the front of the category you belong in such as art / watercolor. Heart loads of people, they will usually heart you back. Join some teams to get to know other crafters and help promote each other.

Blog, twitter, facebook links:

http://wearableartbypixie.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Wearable-Art-by-Pixie/117260118322045?ref=sgm

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Anyone can post and accumulate up to 15 entries for the giveaway! Please be sure to include your email address so that you can be contacted if you win, and don’t forget to post each entry as a separate comment!

There is only one MANDATORY ENTRY, necessary to collect your email address for contact if you win:

Visit Debra’s Etsy shop and post your favorite item here. (1 entry)

BONUS ENTRIES!!!

Follow Clever’s Corner Blog and post to let me know you follow. (1 entry)

Tell me your guilty pleasure. (1 entry)

Follow Debra’s Blog. (1 entry)

Tweet about this giveaway and post the link here. (1 entry)

Make a purchase from Debra’s Etsy shop and post the transaction here. (5 entries)

Make a purchase from The Clever Crafter’s Etsy shop and post the transaction here. (5 entries)

The giveaway will end on Wednesday, September 8th at midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Winner will be contacted Thursday morning and prize details will be arranged with Debra. Thanks for your interest and entries!

BESTeam weekly feature: The Garden Room

Welcome to my weekly BESTeam feature! This week's feature brings you great jewelry making talent from The Garden Room. You can find the etsy shop here: www.thegardenroom.etsy.com.

The green in there earrings makes me think of Spring, when the grass first starts to grow and the leaves are finally opening up on the trees... And best of all, the weather is warming up! Don't worry though, you can WEAR green all year round!

This great bracelet would make for a perfect bridal piece! Or for any special occasion really, white goes with anything!

I'm usually not a girly-girl, but lately I've really become quite taken with pink. So naturally, this great necklace and pendant caught my eye... perfect for spring and summer!

Part of the reason I don't make fancy jewelry is because I never would have thought to combine the peridot and turquoise that this great necklace uses. But don't they fit together nicely??

Don't forget to check out The Garden Room on Etsy and well as on the blog, http://patriciasnow.blogspot.com/

BESTeam feature: DramatiqueDesigns!

It's time for your weekly dose of the Etsy BESTeam!! This week I bring you Erin from www.dramatiquedesigns.etsy.com! Erin's shop is full of great purses, wrislets, cell phone cases, and headbands!

Check out my favorite purse, a fun print of I Love Lucy... getting into trouble like always!


Pink is such a popular color right now, and I'm especially loving this shade!!

Looking for traditional black and white? You won't find traditional, but you will find this great black and white print sure to match any outfit!

LOVE the bright colors in this wristlet!!

A few months ago a new movie came out that had everyone going crazy for... Alice in Wonderland! Now you can get a cell phone case in the theme of Alice!

In addition to Erin's great Etsy shop, be sure to check out her blog at http://dramatiquedesigns.blogspot.com. Erin brings great features your way on a variety of topics and you can really pick up on her great and bubbly personality through her writing. This is someone I would love to meet in person for an afternoon of crafting!

Focus Feature and Giveaway: UniqueDesignsByMsP

Welcome to another Focus Feature and Giveaway Thursday! First, let’s congratulate our winner of the Julessabjewelry giveaway. Using random.org, the giveaway winner is #11, dhesh! Congrats and I’ll put you in touch to collect your prize!

Welcome to another Focus Feature and Giveaway Thursday! This week will be dedicated to Paula at www.UniqueDesignsbyMsP.etsy.com. Paula has some great jewelry to show off and a couple pairs of fingerless gloves that I’m in love with! Be sure to enter the giveaway to win these unique earrings!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51505419/reservered-clevercrafter-giveaway-my

Here’s what Paula had to say:

What’s your favorite item from your shop and what makes it your favorite?

I am a rather fickle "Mom". My favorite is usually whatever I am working on at the time. Why? When I am working on a piece, no matter what that piece is, it has my full attention. As the piece comes to life, I think about how I would feel wearing it. If I wouldn't love wearing it, I scrap it and start over. Once it is completed and listed, the piece is forgotten until it is sold.

How did you get into your line of crafting?

For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed fabric and fiber; the texture, the color, the drape, and of course the fashion. I remember raiding my Mom's fabric stash for bits of and pieces to make clothes for Barbie; learning how to use a needle and thread to fashion the tiny pieces into fashionable dresses, skirts, tops, and pants. Then I discovered crocheting and that I could create "Barbie Fashions" with yarn. I absolutely love the cozy feeling of hats, scarves and gloves, not to mention sweaters (but I am too impatient to make a lot of them). Then, as a child of the sixties, I fell in love with beading when the Mom of a friend opened her very own bead shop. Adding the sparkle and shine to the color and texture I already loved made jewelry making a natural evolution for me.

Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?

I belong to 2 groups on Etsy; BESTeam and Sac-Etsy. Both groups are very supportive and great choices for me. BESTeam has connected me with numerous Etsy vendors from all over the United States and some from Canada and Europe. This group has also taught me some great marketing techniques. Sac-Etsy is a local group for me, being a Northern California Girl. The members are great in supporting the local artisans; helping with Etsy and also other local outlets for their creations.

If you had one super power what would it be?

I have to choose just one? :) I don't know if this is considered a super power, but for me it would be endless energy. I have so many things that I want to do and not enough energy to get them all done.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Again with the choices! :) Let's see, would it be the chocolate bar hiding in the silverware drawer, the lovely fragrance that I sprits on daily that makes me feel sexy, or the time I give myself to read the fantasy novels (at least that's what they are labeled). I believe in extreme self-care, so I indulge on a regularly scheduled basis.

What’s your favorite thing about summer?

I am one of those people who is not crazy about the summer season. The best part about the summer months, for me, is the longer daylight hours.

Do you have a personal favorite Etsy shop that you would like to share with readers?

Sooo many choices! If you visit my facebook page, you'll find that I have over a hundred "favorites". I try to share the love when looking for gifts and those little luxuries, and I pounce a lot just to experience new artisans. For instance, my hostess for this feature, CleverCrafter, has some wonderful pieces. She uses simple items in an unexpected way to create unique one of a kind jewelry pieces.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you take with you?

There are days that this would be a dream come true. Stranded on a deserted island, I would want a pen and paper so that I could write that epic novel I have been telling myself I would write some day; and the third item, hmmmm, maybe my blackberry so that when my novel is complete I would be able to call someone to come pick it up.

From my own personal crafting I’ve been through frustrating moments with new projects. What have you learned from your own crafting frustrations?

I have learned that creativity can't be rushed. It can be encouraged, but it takes the time it takes to come into full bloom. Trying to rush it causes more frustration and steals the joy from the project.

What advice would you give to new Etsy sellers?

Love what you are doing. Do some research. Join at least one great support group. Be patient, this is not a "get rich and famous quick" forum.

Blog, twitter, facebook links:

http://www.uniquedesignsbymsp.blogspot.com

http://www.twitter.com/myuniquedesigns

http://www.facebook.com/paulasdesgins (yes, there is a typo here, but I am stuck with it)

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Anyone can post and accumulate up to 15 entries for the giveaway! Please be sure to include your email address so that you can be contacted if you win, and don’t forget to post each entry as a separate comment!

There is only one MANDATORY ENTRY, necessary to collect your email address for contact if you win:

Visit Paula’s Etsy shop and post your favorite item here. (1 entry)

BONUS ENTRIES!!!

Follow Clever’s Corner Blog and post to let me know you follow. (1 entry)

Tell me your guilty pleasure. (1 entry)

Follow Paula’s Blog. (1 entry)

Tweet about this giveaway and post the link here. (1 entry)

Make a purchase from Paula’s Etsy shop and post the transaction here. (5 entries)

Make a purchase from The Clever Crafter’s Etsy shop and post the transaction here. (5 entries)

The giveaway will end on Wednesday, August 18 at midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Winner will be contacted Thursday morning and prize details will be arranged with Paula. GOOD LUCK!!

Focus Feature and Giveaway: JulessaBJewelry

Welcome to another Focus Feature and Giveaway Thursday! First, let’s congratulate our winner of the Keiglass pendant giveaway! Using random.org, the giveaway winner is #2, Lyudmila! Congrats and I’ll put you in touch to collect your prize!

Today I bring you a new giveaway from Julessa of www.julessabjewelry.etsy.com! This shop is full of handmade and uniquely designed jewelry and tutorials to make your own! Julessa will be giving away this amazing set from her shop:

I’m wishing that I could enter to win!


Here’s what Julessa had to say:

What’s your favorite item from your shop and what makes it your favorite?

My absolute favorite thing in my shop is my latest addition, the Sterling Silver Fringe Bracelet. I've been toying with this idea for awhile and now that it's a reality, I'm planning a whole new line basted on this particular "fringe" idea.

How did you get into your line of crafting?

I started crafting when I was very young. My mother, grandmother and great-grandmother were all quilters, painters and artists of some sort so I began at a very young age. Although, I didn't get into jewelry until 2004 to get my mind off my studies in college. I started out beading and when I got impatient with it, I began a few silver-smith classes and instantly found my passion. I love the torch and the silver and making something three dimensional out of wire, sheet and gemstones.

Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?

Yes, I belong to the Boosting Etsy Shops Team of wonderful artisans and I've met some great friends along the way with Etsy.

If you had one super power what would it be?

I would say super strength, although all the wire bending is making my forearms look like Popeye the Sailor {smile}.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

My guilty pleasure?? Ahhh, great question! I'd have to say my morning pot o'coffee. Yes, I said POT of coffee. I love the smell, the taste and the warmth, especially in the winter.

What’s your favorite thing about summer?

My favorite thing about the summer is opening the pool and watching my labs go nuts! Really, my one baby, Bailey, she only gets 30-minutes at a time because she sprains her tail if I let her go too long. She weezes, pants and is thoroughly tired after 30-minutes, but if I don't stop her I have to hear her whine each time she sits, lays down or gets excited and tries to wag her sprained tail. If the vet hadn't clued me in, I would never have known dogs could sprain their tails.

Do you have a personal favorite Etsy shop that you would like to share with readers?

I have a brand new favorite jewelry shop it's stickmanjewelry and I just adore these designs. I have a ton of other favorites, but right now Virginia and Edward's shop is just so cute and cuddly, I couldn't go without mentioning it!

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you take with you?

My hubby, because he makes me laugh, all the sterling silver wire in the world and my torch with unlimited oxygen and propane!

From my own personal crafting I’ve been through frustrating moments with new projects. What have you learned from your own crafting frustrations?

Well, I'm not one to sketch a design or really try to work out on "practice" materials and it has had its share of ups and downs because of that... I'm learning that an idea in my head doesn't necessarily constitute a great design. So, now I'm making a better effort to work things out on paper first then try to build it with materials - I still haven't quite decided on the "practice" materials thing, but I'm sure it will come to that someday when my designs get a little more advanced.

What advice would you give to new Etsy sellers?

My advice to new Etsy shop openers? Well, first find your passion. Make sure you shop reflects who you are as an artisan and don't browse too much at other artists of your type because it can make you a little disheartened at times. I learned that the hard way and found when I just design the things I like and what I think my clients will like, I'm much happier as an artist and a business owner.

Blog, twitter, facebook links:

Blog: http://jujubeejewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charlotte-NC/JujuBee-Jewelry-Designs/102307866471655?ref=sgm

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jujubeejewelry

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Anyone can post and accumulate up to 15 entries for the giveaway! Please be sure to include your email address so that you can be contacted if you win, and don’t forget to post each entry as a separate comment!

There is only one MANDATORY ENTRY, necessary to collect your email address for contact if you win:

Visit Nina’s Etsy shop and post your favorite item here. (1 entry)

BONUS ENTRIES!!!

Follow Clever’s Corner Blog and post to let me know you follow. (1 entry)

Tell me your guilty pleasure. (1 entry)

Follow Julessa’s Blog. (1 entry)

Tweet about this giveaway and post the link here. (1 entry)

Make a purchase from Julessa’s Etsy shop and post the transaction here. (5 entries)

Make a purchase from The Clever Crafter’s Etsy shop and post the transaction here. (5 entries)

The giveaway will end on Wednesday, August 11 at midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Winner will be contacted Thursday morning and prize details will be arranged with Julessa. GOOD LUCK!!

Focus Feature and Giveaway: Keiglass!

Happy Thursday and welcome to another focus feature and giveaway! First, let me announce the winner of the youaremysunshine giveaway. Using a random number generator from Random.org, the winner is… (drumroll please…) #25, Melody from www.EverybodyElse.etsy.com!!! Congrats and I’ll put you in touch with youaremysunshine to collect your prize!

This week I'm pleased to show you a relatively new shop, open since February of this year. Check out http://www.keiglass.etsy.com/ to see that she brings you jewelry and other creations in handmade glass work! Almost every piece is named after a city or other place that this unique artist has visited! For this giveaway, keiglass has made a special piece. There's no link to view, but here are 3 photos:

Here’s what keiglass had to say:

What’s your favorite item from your shop and what makes it your favorite?

Well, i like a lot of my jewelry for their pretty colors and shapes but I believe my favorite item is my Waterfall Wind Chime - http://www.etsy.com/listing/48090400/glass-wind-chime-waterfall

The tinkling chime it makes is so cheerful and makes me smile. Plus the colors are some of my favorites, and i just think it's so pretty outside in a tree or on a porch!

How did you get into your line of crafting?

Just before moving back to Colorado and getting married, my at-the-time fiance's second mom invited me over to make some glass pendants as presents for my wedding party. She also started up her torch and let me make some beads. It was so amazing. i had no idea you could do this at home and i became totally hooked!

Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?

I belong to two groups: The BESTeam (Boosting Etsy Shops Team) and the LAWST Team (Loud and Wacky Street Team). Both teams are about support between fellow etsy artists and are full of fun, great people!

If you had one super power what would it be?

Oh this is a tough one... I think it would be fun to be a sponge- like Peter Petrelli in Heroes- because you get to try out all the different powers. If i had to just choose one though i'd have to go with flying.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Mint Oreos dipped in Marshmellow fluff. YUM and Addicting.

What's your favorite thing about summer?

NOT the heat- this current nationwide heat wave is Killing me. I'd have to say outdoor swimming pools and picnics.

Do you have a personal favorite Etsy shop that you would like to share with readers?

There are so many amazing shops with talented artists so i couldn't choose just one! Here's a link to my Favorites, but it's definitely not a fully inclusive list- there's just so much great stuff on here!

http://www.etsy.com/people/keiglass/favorites

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you take with you?

Husband, Dogs, and sunscreen. I would love to add some books but how do you just choose one?!

From my own personal crafting I’ve been through frustrating moments with new projects. What have you learned from your own crafting frustrations?

Slow down. I often move ahead with a fun idea without having fully thought about the steps needed for the final project. It makes it sloppy and lacking. Taking a little extra time is the most important thing for me!

Blog, twitter, facebook links:

http://www.keiglass.com

http://www.facebook.com/keiglass

https://twitter.com/keiglass

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Anyone can post and accumulate up to 15 entries for the giveaway! Please be sure to include your email address so that you can be contacted if you win, and don’t forget to post each entry as a separate comment!

There is only one MANDATORY ENTRY, necessary to collect your email address for contact if you win:

Visit keiglass’ Etsy shop and post your favorite item here. (1 entry)

BONUS ENTRIES!!!

Follow Clever’s Corner Blog and post to let me know you follow. (1 entry)

Tell me your guilty pleasure. (1 entry)

Follow keiglass’ Blog. (1 entry)

Tweet about this giveaway and post the link here. (1 entry)

Make a purchase from keiglass’ Etsy shop and post the transaction here. (5 entries)

Make a purchase from The Clever Crafter’s Etsy shop and post the transaction here. (5 entries)

The giveaway will end on Wednesday, August 4 at midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Winner will be contacted Thursday morning when the next giveaway is posted and prize details will be arranged with keiglass. Thanks for your interest and entries!

BESTeam Feature: Gilliauna

Good Morning and welcome to another BESTeam feature! This week I'm happy to bring you a beautiful collection from the craft team at www.gilliauna.etsy.com! All of these jewelry items are rich in color and texture, and you're bound to find something in just about any price range.

I'm in love with this emerald green...
And these soft shades combine so well!!

I'm not a fan of yellow gold myself, but with so many great pieces in their shop, I had to include a little gold for everyone out there.

Looking for a truly unique gift?? Check out the selection of handmade rosaries! Bracelets or full length, these rosaries are the best for First Communion, Confirmation, Graduation, Weddings... any of those important times to remind someone of their faith!

Don't forget to check out the blog at http://www.colorfulartisanjewelry.com as well to find great features, giveaways, and more jewelry of course! This will be one of your new favortie shops!