Thursday, August 5, 2010

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:
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!!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

BESTeam feature: VieForColor

Happy Tuesday!

First off, here's your friendly reminder that there is a giveaway going on... Be sure to check out the prize and enter to win!

http://cleverscorner.blogspot.com/2010/07/focus-feature-and-giveaway-keiglass.html

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I've also been working on improving my shop and have been playing around with new, and hopefully better, photos. Here's 3 new listings from last night:


Pretty in Pink

Peachy Keen

Candy Apple

Come visit the shop at www.clevercrafter.etsy.com and find your favorite button bracelet! These bracelets are made with high quality materials and are tested for strength so you can rest assured your bracelet will not break!
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And now onto our BESTeam feature!
This week brings you a relatively new shop, open on Etsy since May! www.VieForColor.etsy.com has a great collection of hand painted clothes as well as handbags and originals on canvas.

Nobody will show up at your next party wearing the same dress as you if you have this one!

Loving that gold shimmer!

These bright colors are great for a summer evening out!

Looking to accessorize? Check out the handbags too!
Be sure to check out VieForColor on her blog as well at http://vfcshop.wordpress.com/ for features and new painted pieces!!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

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!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

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!

Hump Day Humor




Thursday, July 22, 2010

Focus Feature and Giveaway: youaremysunshine

Welcome to another Focus Feature and Giveaway Thursday! First, let’s congratulate our winner of the MissPrettyPerfect handbag giveaway! Using random.org, the giveaway winner is #7, LaughingFridge! Congrats and I’ll put you in touch to collect your prize!

This week will be dedicated to the lovely and talented Nina and her Etsy shop chock full of items featuring fabric flowers! Check them out at
www.youaremysunshine.etsy.com! Nina will be giving away a $20.00 gift certificate for you to spend in her Etsy shop, so start looking for your favorites!!



Here’s what Nina had to say:

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

http://www.etsy.com/listing/31178796/necklace-like-a-monet-painting-in-blue
I love this necklace because of its sunshine colors. It always makes me smile. I think it epitomizes my shop.

How did you get into your line of crafting?

I have always created something since I was very young. Jewelry making I started about 7 years ago as a hobby and a stress reliever from a demanding sales job.

Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?

Yes, I belong to my local group, North Florida Craft Revolution, Busy Moms of Etsy and Boosting Etsy Shops Team.

If you had one super power what would it be?

Understanding children. especially a teenager. I have a 13 year old and it seems my husband and I both need super powers to understand him.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Tobleron, gummy bears, potato chips, whipped cream.

What’s your favorite thing about summer?

The beach. We live very close to the beach here in Florida and we take the kids at least once a week.

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

I have many many favorite shops! Just about any beads supplies shop is my favorite. I also love the purse shops, the graphics shops, the stamps shops, the vintage shops.


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

I would take my husband and my 2 sons. It would be very hard to live without them.


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

I see many Etsy shops that are very successful, far more than my shop. I get very tempted to lower my prices, my shipping, etc. I think I should create less expensive items. I have learned that crafting for me is primarily a creative process, not a business process. If I am not creating what I love, I am not happy with my business.


What advice would you give to new Etsy sellers?

Take good pictures. Join a team. Read the forums.


Blog, twitter, facebook links:
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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 Nina’s Blog. (1 entry)

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

Make a purchase from Nina’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, July 28 at midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Winner will be contacted Thursday morning and prize details will be arranged with Nina. GOOD LUCK!!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Tuesday's Top 10: RED!

It's been a while, but now that I'm moved and starting to get settled it's time to get back to my daily features! This week's Tuesday's Top 10 is bringing you RED in honor of Etsy Christmas in July!


Personally, I am offering 20% off all button bracelets in my Etsy shop (http://www.clevercrafter.etsy.com) until July 25th! Get your Christmas shopping started early with great deals from fellow teammates of mine from the CAPSteam too! You can find links to sales and PRIZES too by checking us out here: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6575123


And as always, be sure to check out these 10 featured Etsy artists to see more of their great work!