Artist Showcase - Tsvitana Love

Welcome to another edition of Artist Showcase.  This week the spotlight is on Tsvitana Love, the place for children's and decorative accessories.

Teething - Nursing Necklace

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

My name is Tanya Nesterova. I live in Ukraine with my husband and son. I like natural materials and I’m glad that I can use them for creating toys for children and decorative accessories. I make naturalistic fruits and vegetables, berries and mushrooms, and also rattles and balls using a crochet hook. It is so magical to create.

Baby Rattle

 How did you get your start?

I have been crocheting for 5 years already. When my son was little, I took a great interest in the crocheted rattles. I wanted to try to create something by my own. I began to make the crocheted toys for my friends’ kids. And then my friends’ friends started to ask me to crochet for them also. And that was how everything began.

Baby Toy

Where do you get your inspiration?

The process of creating toys is my inspiration. I take yarn, hook and then I come to another dimension. It is similar to meditation. My husband is my inspiration. People who enjoy the fruits of my labor inspire me.

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

The most exciting order I filled was the huge educational set of crocheted fruits and vegetables for Gallé-Juillet museum in Creil, France. They were used for “Vegetable garden” exhibition for children of 5-10 years old.

Crochet Vegetables

What challenges do you face selling online?

I like selling online. I see lots of possibilities here. I believe any challenges are possible to overcome with the help of patience, kindness, and respect.  My biggest frustration is that delivery service sometimes is not as fast as it should be.

What advice would you give someone just starting out on Etsy?

Sell the things you like and others will like them too. 

Felt Numbers

 

Thank you Tanya for sharing your story with us.  Next week we'll feature another Etsy artist.  If you would like to be considered, just drop me or Zoica a note via Etsy convo.

 

Thanks for stopping by...

 

Until next time,

 

 

Friday Finds_Blue Nursery

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! This week’s theme was “Better Together” and we picked a treasury curated by the artist Virginija Dovile from YarnBallStories. Virginija makes soft and friendly crocheterd and knitted creations like baby mobiles, rattles and toys.
Here is one of her beautiful creations:

 Crochet Unicorn Mobile

Treasury: “Together”

I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “Special Day” have a treasury you would like to submit, just send me or Susan a link via Etsy convo by Thursday afternoon and we will take a look. Remember, if your treasury is featured, we will feature an item from your shop. Thanks for stopping by! Until next time… Zoica

Artist Showcase - Custom Quilts by Eva

Welcome to this week's edition of Artist Showcase.  This week's artist is Eva of Custom Quilts by Eva.  Here is one of Eva's lovely items:

Bunny Pillow Cover

My passion is making customized interior decor and nursery textiles. Blankets, wall-hangings, pillows, throw-pillows, curtains, baby beddings, playmats, everything made for the customers, for them special needs. They could choose hundreds of different colors of textiles. Also can be done any motives, theme of the applications, what they like the best.

Chevron Owl Pillow

I started to do my quilts and patchwork bedding sets about 10 years ago. Absolutely love to do. It's something, what you can do day by day without doing the same job every day. It's an amazing craft, and I feel lucky, because every day a new challenge, thanks to my lovely customers. The best part of it, when they give me a positive feedback, and order some more pieces to complete the design of them home. It's a trust-based relationship between the client and me. Sometimes can be challenging, but the outcome always brilliant. My customers are so creative, never do the same piece.

Elephant Pillow

 

Inspiration? Coming from the nature, from my childhood, with all the dreams, and hopes, what we all had. From the fairy tales, what granny was reading beside the bed. Its an endless material, i can work with.  Especially like to do nursery bedding sets. Our little babies are so special. As a Mom of three, I know, it is very important to make them living space nice, comfortable and safe and giving them a nice visual experience from the first day with all the different colours and shapes.

 

Baby Quilt

The greatest success is when I see my clients happy with the new items from my shop. When a colorful wall hanging, blanket, owl pillow, or puppet theater make them room improved, cozy, comfy, bright. And the parents are glad they have a nice environment to grow up.
Also some of my product are recognized by professional craft team, awarded based on the quality and design.

 

Cloud Pillow Set of 2

The business part of it always a big challenge. To make my shop more visible online, make easy access to place an order. It is a full time job. Over the years I'm much better create sides, use the internet, the latest techniques, the tips, what we share online with the Etsy Team. It is like a big family, support each other side by side.

Wedding Pillowcases

If you only started on Etsy, concentrate to create a brand. Your very own brand, look, design, which is recognizable for the public. Try to build up a nice stock of your product. Be creative, use quality materials, focus on quality, not quantity! Make sure you have time for you customers, if they have concerns, make them clear, communicate with them, because they will make your business successful in the future.

Thank you Eva for sharing your story with us. Next week we'll select another Etsy artist to feature.  If you would like to be considered, drop me or Zoica a note via Etsy convo. 

 

Thanks for stopping by...

 

Until next time,

 

 

Friday Finds First Day of Spring!

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds!
 This week’s theme was “April Trends” and we picked a spring infused treasury curated by the artist Yulia Tsukerman from YuliaTsukerman. Yulia makes Yulia is a ceramic artist. All her products are designed and hand-made by her, and she creates functional housewares along with sculptural objects. Her design guideline is to keep all products simple and elegant. Quality and attention to details are important to Yulia.
 Here is one of her creations, which speaks for itself:

 Contemporary Ceramic sculpture

Yulia's treasury: I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “Better Together” have a treasury you would like to submit, just send me or Susan a link via Etsy convo by Thursday afternoon and we will take a look. Remember, if your treasury is featured, we will feature an item from your shop. Thanks for stopping by! Until next time… Zoica

Artist Showcase - Bellaliz Jewelry

Welcome to this week's edition of Artist Showcase where our artist is Marin of Bellaliz Jewelry.  Marin handcrafts dainty jewelry from gemstones that dazzles with beauty.  Here is one of Marin's lovely designs.

Round Cut Black Gemstone Bracelet

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

My name is Marin, I’m 32 years old and I have a handmade Jewelry shop named Bellaliz. I finished my first degree in communication, art and creation major in photography and then I decided to pursue my dream and handcraft my own jewelry.

Silver Layered Chunky Bracelet

How did you get your start?

Ever since I was little, I always loved handcrafting. I used to collect beads and other materials from my mother’s jewelry, and create my own with it. The idea of wearing jewelry that went through a long family line has always fascinated me. Now I handcraft dainty jewelry from sterling silver, gold filled, gemstones and other unique stones.

Red Drop Dangle Earrings

Where do you get your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from different eras; my everyday life, photography, art and fashion, mostly from the 50’s and the 60’s, that way I can connect between the old and the new design. Some of my inspiration comes from people needs, their questions and products they want or need.

Black Swarovski Pendant with a Gold Crown

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

It’s hard to point on just one moment, I think it's made up of many small successful ones that making me proud of my hard work. That moment that I’ve opened my store on ETSY and became a small business owner, my first sale, my first jewelry exhibition and every thank you note since then.

Blue Gemstone Ring

What challenges do you face selling online?

Target audience and reaching them this is the hardest challenge. There is a great range of products all over the internet and you have to offer something that will catch the customer eye with good photography, composition, price and variety of products.

Geometric Wooden Black Necklace

What advice would you give someone just starting out on Etsy?

Patience, this is the most important advice that I can give. It’s takes time to understand the platform.

Thank you Marin for sharing your story with us. If you would like to see more of Marin, you can follow her on Facebook.

Next week we'll feature another Etsy artist.  If you would like to be considered, please drop me or Zoica a note via Etsy convo.

Thanks for stopping by...

Until next time,

Friday Finds: Call of Spring

This week’s theme was “Spring Celebrations” and we picked a treasury curated by Vita from “LINOHAZE”. Her treasury is called “Call of Spring” and is full of unique items. Vita makes linen scarves, kitchen towels, linen bags and home accessories. Here is one of Vita’s creations:

 Linen Scarf / Colar Orange Colour/ / Unisex Scarf

Here is the treasury curated by Vita:
Treasury: Call of Spring



I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “April Trends” have a treasury you would like to submit, just send me or Susan a link via Etsy convo by Thursday afternoon and we will take a look. Remember, if your treasury is featured, we will feature an item from your shop. Thanks for stopping by! Until next time… Zoica

Artist Showcase - Hadley Clay Studio

Welcome to this week's edition of Artist Showcase where our artist is Hadley Sedgwick of Hadley Clay Studio. Hadley has been creating limited edition ceramic goods from her studio on a little island off the coast of Georgia since 2009.  Here is one of Hadley's lovely items:

Ceramic Yarn Bowl

How did you get your start?

After receiving a BFA from Herron School of Art in Indiana I moved South with little more than my kiln, two dogs, and a dream. I built a workshop on some land, travelled the local art fair circuit and settled in my new space with selling directly to art galleries and gift shops nationwide.

Stoneware Planter

Where do you get your inspiration?

I am inspired by my medium. I love pushing the boundaries of ceramics. I incorporate my love for animals, fascination of color, and passion for clay into my work. When it comes to the products, it’s the stories behind them that inspire.

Maine Coon Cat Magnetic Bud Vase

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

I am so pleased with the success of Hadley Clay Studio! In November 2014 I was featured on BuzzFeed and it was probably the hugest push for my work to date. Reaching a mainstream audience of that magnitude took my business to another level!

Utensil Holder

What challenges do you face selling online?

My biggest challenge so far is knowing exactly where to go from where I am now. I have big dreams and lots of ideas for Hadley Clay Studio, but right now I’m pretty much a one-woman show, and I don’t have the resources to see all of my dreams through right away. I try not to get overwhelmed by all of the things I want to do, and I just take baby steps towards my goals and focus on making what I do now the best it can be.

Red Fox Mug

What advice would you give someone just starting out on Etsy?

Address your shop’s presentation. I think the first step is to just allow enough time to really decide what the aesthetic of your business should be and to stay true to that all the way through. It’s important to know who you want your audience/customer to be and keep them at the forefront when finalizing your look.

Thank you Hadley for sharing your lovely items with us.  Want to see more of Hadley? Check out these sites:

Hadleyclay.com

Hadley's Pinterest

Hadley's Twitter

Hadley's Instagram

Hadley's Facebook Page


Next week we'll choose another Etsy store to feature.  If you would like to be considered, just drop Zoica or myself a note via Etsy convo.

 

Thanks for stopping by...

 

Until next time,

 

 

Weekend Finds- Geometric Design

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds!
 This week’s theme was “Geometric Decor” and we picked the treasury curated by Marin K from “Bellalizd”. Her treasury is called “Geometric Weekend” and is full of unique items. Marin handcrafts dainty jewelry in sterling silver, gold and unique stones. Here is one of her beautiful designs:

Lava Statement NecklaceBlack Stone Gold Filled

Treasury:
 Geometric Weekend



I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “Spring Celebrations” have a treasury you would like to submit, just send me or Susan a link via Etsy convo by Thursday afternoon and we will take a look. Remember, if your treasury is featured, we will feature an item from your shop. Thanks for stopping by! Until next time…

 Zoica

Artist Showcase - Gopher Shop

Welcome to this week's artist showcase featuring Alicja Suska from GopherShop.  Alicja's shop carries handmade felt bags, boxes, cases and accessories.  Here is one of her lovely items:

Felt Tote Bag

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

Hi, I am Alicja and I run my handmade business named Gopher. I make bags, boxes, cases and other accessories. In majority of my products I use felt but, from time to time, I also add other kind of fabrics. On daily basis I am an interior design student but, telling the truth, I dedicate almost every moment of free time to creating new items. I feel that handicraft is something I really love and I can express myself in. I sell my products on Etsy which I consider the best place to present and sell handmade goods online. I hope that in future it will become my full time job.

Kindle Cover

 How did you get your start?

At the beginning I was planning to sew bags. Designs were already prepared in my head. I wanted to create something simple but interesting and original for myself. My dream was to make bags which were different from those in city malls.

The start was quite difficult. I had to learn all by myself as every sewing course I found was connected only with clothes. Also tutorials in the internet were rather basic and not satisfying for me. The only way of learning was to analyze construction of bags available in shops and making mistakes, actually tons of mistakes.

That was the beginning - difficult but fruitful. Encouraged by family and friends I decided to open my Etsy shop with handmade bags. Then, thanks to my partner's suggestions, I came up with the idea of making boxes and cases for different devices which are the biggest success for now, as far as sales are concerned. 

 

iPad Case

 Where do you get your inspiration from?

It is hard to answer this question in one sentence. In general, my designs are inspired by needs of people I meet in my everyday life. I am trying to analyse their behaviour all the time. I observe their shopping habits, listen to their complaints, etc. Then, I usually design products which are improved versions of those which already exist. For example, many people would like to posses set of storage boxes in different shapes and sizes that match each other. Gopher offers CD storage boxes, vinyl storage boxes, DVD storage boxes and other boxes you need on your shelves in the same colour or texture.

Anyway, sometimes inspirations comes out of the blue - at night, during the walk or while taking a shower. I am not able to name the source of the idea, it just comes. 

Wacom Felt Case

 What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

I think it was my first sale. It happened after a very long period of hard work without any effect. I became discouraged and sceptical then. This sale was not a large financial success but it gave me the motivation to continue improving my business. It showed me that my products are worth buying and, as a conclusion, I should develop my business. I was so proud that someone appreciated my work and uses Gopher's bag in everyday life. 

 

Felt Tote Bag

 What challenges do you face selling online?

Selling online is not as easy as many people think. Reaching the customer is the biggest challenge I face. The Internet is huge and it is difficult to find a small shop there. Advertisement, social media campaigns are effective but it takes time to get enough views to sell something.

Another challenging aspect of selling handmade products online is mass production that offers extremely low prices. My job is to convince people that although handmade products are more expensive they are better as far as quality is concerned. I use better fabrics, stronger stitches and take care of every detail of the product. That is why at the beginning as a handmade seller you should realise that your products are not dedicated for everyone and that you should concentrate on the proper target. You also should not pay too much attention to "why is it so expensive?" type of questions.

 

Big Felt Clutch Bag

What advice would you give someone just starting out on Etsy?

Be patient, this is the most important from my point of view. Instant success on Etsy is very rare and mostly happens to those who sale small and cheap items.

Secondly, add new listings as often as possible and stock virtual shelves of your shop which big amount of products. Your admires and customers would like to see some fresh ideas all the time. Many Etsy sellers claim that this is very effective solution.

As the last advice, I would list high quality of product photography. You can find many tutorials how to make excellent pictures on budget. It is not very complicated and gives good results. It is easier to encourage someone to buy your product or include it in the treasury list when it is well presented.

 

Thank you Alicja for sharing your story with us.  If you want to see more of Gopher Shop, follow her on Facebook.

 

Next week we'll choose another Etsy store to feature.  If you would like to be considered, just drop Zoica or myself a note via Etsy convo.

 

Thanks for stopping by...

 

Until next time,