Focus Feature and Giveaway: SandTCreations

Happy Thursday and welcome to another focus feature and giveaway! First, let me announce the winner of the UniqueDesignsByMsP giveaway. Using a random number generator from Random.org, the winner is… (drumroll please…) #5, Jasmine1485!!! Congrats and I’ll put you in touch with Paula to collect your prize!

Let me introduce you to a creative duo from Indiana. These beading gals bring amazing talent to their Etsy shop, http://www.sandtcreations.etsy.com/! You'll find a wide range of color and jewelry types in this shop, with reasonable prices too! You could even start your Christmas shopping, or simply enter to win this great bracelet to wear year round!

Here’s what S and T had to say:

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

I think that changes each time we list new items, but right now it's Cherries Jubilee: http://www.etsy.com/listing/50666338/cherries-jubilee-in-free-shipping

How did you get into your line of crafting?

We were invited to a "beading party" and a small bracelet and earrings cost us over $40. Yes we did use nice stones, but it seemed alot. Saundra said to herself that she could do what they did to make our pieces and bought a small set of tools, beads and findings. She began teaching herself, and then, while I was recovering from surgery, she gave me my birthday present early: a set of beading tools, findings and some basic beads! We beaded together 2 or 3 times while I was off work and then it grew and grew as we learned about stones and components, found sources and, eventually, set up a business.

Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?

Yes, right now these 3: AWETeam (Art Walk on Etsy) that promotes the First Friday Art Walk every month, BESTeam (Boosting Etsy Shops Team) and INCrowdteam (Indiana team)

If you had one super power what would it be?

To read minds. I'm the most lousy office politician you have ever seen and would love to be able to tell if what they said was really what they meant.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Ice cream

What's your favorite thing about summer?

I HATE cold, so summer is always better. And I love long summer days of sunlight.

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

I have 3: Beadin Babe, Recycled, and Youniquely, Inc.

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

Oh my. One of our dogs, my air mattress, and a journal

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

Well, unfortunately, if I'm trying to work on something new: wire-wrapping or silversmithing, once I mess up a time or two, I quit for a long time, so I never get that practice time in so I could do well. But if I'm frustrated with a design, I put it aside and find I can go back in a day or two and finish it up. It's as if, just thinking about it works through whatever problem I was stuck on.

What advice would you give to new Etsy sellers?

List plenty of items, people can't stay and shop if you only have 3 things to look at. And promote your store and work outside Etsy, draw in customers from facebook, twitter, myspace, a blog, videos, podcasts, stumbleupon, flickr, your own customer email list and whatever else you can think of. Have that website on every printed material you have, not just your business card.

Blog, twitter, facebook links:

Blog: http://sandtcreations.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://companies.to/sandtcreations

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Teri_B

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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 sandtcreations’ 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 sandtcreations’ Blog. (1 entry)

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

Make a purchase from sandtcreations’ 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 25 at midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Winner will be contacted Thursday morning when the next giveaway is posted and prize details will be arranged with sandtcreations. Thanks for your interest and entries!

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!!

BESTeam weekly feature: Lightkeeping

Happy Monday!!! I hope everyone had a productive weekend like I did... 43 new Button Bracelets and 7 new pairs of Button Earrings made, all set on the display stand and ready for my show on Wednesday! Boy were my hands cramped up!

This week I'm pleased to bring you a feature on fellow BESTeam-mate Anastasija from www.lightkeeping.etsy.com! In her shop you will find the most beautiful lampwork beaded jewelry: bracelets, earrings, and necklaces!

I love the classy look of the simple red and white. Search the shop, she has a black and white set as well!!

These earrings would look great with your favorite pair of blue jeans...

And these are just perfect for summer!

Necklaces more your style? Take a peek at this blue and white piece, you'll get so many compliments!

Be sure to check out Anastasija's blog as well at http://lightkeeping.blogspot.com. You'll find new pieces from her collection as well as artist features, and I loved the colors and music on the blog too. So much fun!

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!!

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!!

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!