Friday, August 21, 2015

Friday Finds- End Of Summer

Welcome to this Week Friday Finds! This week’s treasury theme was “End of Summer”. We selected a treasury curated by Joanna Haraczka form from JoannaStanek1 . Joanna makes unique designer purses and bags, including yoga mat bags.
 Here is one of her great designs:



End of Summer

Backyard Beauty, Wildflowers, Black Eyed Susans, Sunshine, Happy, Spring, Summer, Field of Flowers - Travel Photography, Print, Wall Art
$25.00
Bead Embroidered Collar , Yellow Jasper, Picasso Jasper Nuggets
$125.00
Autumn wedding headwreath Bridal floral crown Bridal flower tiara with pearls Wedding headpiece Orange flowers headband Autumn wedding
$68.00
FARM Oil PAINTING Original AUSTRALIAN Landscape artwork on canvas by Graham Gercken
$129.00
Honeycomb Round Labels -- Beehive, Honeybee, Bumblebee Birthday, Bee Baby Shower, Cupcake Topper, Stickers, Printable, Instant Download
$5.00
Gold LeatherWrap Layer Japanese Powerstone Handmade Holistic Health Support Bracelet with Fall Browns Yellows Sunshine by Off on a Whim
$25.00
Corn fields and view of hills in rural York County, Pennsylvania - Nature Photography Fine Art Print or Wrapped Canvas
$7.00
Cat and Her Mouse
$10.00
Classic Vintage Style 10K Gold White Sapphire Ring 7.5
$89.99
Little Peaches Owl Hat
$14.99
Silver and Gold Beaded Cuff Charm Bracelet With Gemstone Spacers And Porcelain Beads Has A Charm Of Silver Heart Wrapped In Gold Edging
$15.00
California Beach, Sunset Photo, San Clemente Pier,  Orange County Beach Sunset, California Golden Sunshine, Orange County Beach, Photo Art.
$18.00
Golden Grass, Grass and Weed Photography, Free Shipping USA
$15.00
Copper Apple Earrings Summer Sunshine Orange Apple Ear Studs Apple Ear Posts Apple Fruit Stud Earrings Summer Jewelry - E157
$20.00
Corn on the Cob, Maize, Corn Stick, Yellow Corn Field, Amish, Amish Country, Mennonite, Americana, Fine Art Photography, Wall Art
$10.00
100 Yellow Mini Sunflower Artificial Silk Flower Heads 1.5" for Wedding, Parties, decor
$9.99

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 I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “Decorate my Dorm with Style”. If you 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

Monday, August 17, 2015

Artist Showcase - ElinaQuills

Welcome to this week's artist showcase.  is week our artist is Elina from ElinaQuills. Elina makes paper art and jewelry using a technique called quilling, which is a beautiful form of paper art that is centuries old.


Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

I'm Elina, a 26 year old woman from Finland. I had never thought of myself as a particularly creative or imaginative person, but through my hobby and craft, I've been able to prove myself wrong. My shop has only been open since the end of 2014, but I'm excited to grow and see more and more people liking my creations.


How did you get your start?

I came across quilling in a crafts magazine which my mother-in-law bought for me. There was a small article about quilling, and the beautiful shapes made out of paper caught my attention. Before this I had never heard of or even seen quilling before. I started with DIY tools (some made of bobby pins!) and hand-cut paper strips. A few months later as I got more excited about it, I got my first quilling kit and I've been hooked ever since. At first I made cards for family and friends, but after being told I should try and sell my crafts, I found Etsy and the rest is history!

Where do you get your inspiration?

Honestly, I don't get "inspired" by things most of the time. I sit down and try to think of what my next project could be and an image just pops into my head. Annoyingly, this sometimes happens when I've just got into bed, and I'll have to get up and draw a sketch so I'll still remember it in the morning! Other times I will just be fiddling with the paper strips, trying out different shapes and an idea will emerge from my hands. One idea can easily evolve into several other ideas around the same theme as well. Keeping upcoming holidays in mind helps if I'm stuck for ideas or inspiration. Sometimes as I'm working on something, the project may end up going into a completely different direction to the one I had planned or envisioned. With that in mind, I try not to plan too far ahead and let the work speak to me instead.


What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

As my shop is relatively new in the Etsy world, I'm hoping my biggest success moments are still ahead of me. Due to my day job, I haven't been able to put as much effort into my Etsy shop as I would like, but slowly and steadily I'm creating and adding more items to my shop which will hopefully attract more customers or 'fans'. So far, each sale I've made has been a success and a source of joy and motivation. It still feels surreal sometimes that little old me can create something that someone across the world will like enough to buy! It's a wonderful feeling.




What challenges do you face selling online and what advice would you give someone just starting out on Etsy?

The online world is incredibly crowded, so it's a challenge to stand out. Product photos need to look professional and clean in order to get people to even look at your items and your shop. As someone with little to no photography skills this can be challenging! I don't necessarily have the best equipment for taking professional looking photos, but I make do with what I have for now. Shipping can also be an issue, as sending heavy or larger items can cost quite a bit. Not every customer is willing to pay for it. I would recommend reading the Etsy Seller Handbook thoroughly. Aim to get as many products in your shop as you can to improve your visibility, work on your tags and titles to get higher up in search and remember to fill in your shop policies. Oh, and most importantly, never stop loving what you do!
 
 
Thank you Elina for sharing your story and your beautiful items with us. If you would like to see more of Elina, you can follow Elina on Instagram @elinaquills and www.pinterest.com/elinaquills on Pinterest.
 
Next week we'll select another Etsy artist to feature.  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, August 14, 2015

Friday Finds- 1st Anniversary Gifts

This week’s treasury theme was “Special Anniversary Gifts”. We selected a treasury curated by Christine Holland from “SewBuyLove”. Her treasury is named “1st Anniversary Gifts-Paper”.
 Christine makes handmade sachets, flax seed heating pads and eye pillows. She also makes fun keyboard wrist rests.
Here is one of her beautiful creations:

1st Anniversary Gifts-Paper

A treasury containing gift ideas for your first anniversary!
Paper Wreath,map,Atlas,World Map,home decor,gift,destination wedding,choose your city or state, first anniversary, travel gift, journey
$57.00
1st Wedding Anniversary Paper Gift 12" Photo Letter Number Picture Collage Baby's First Birthday 360' 3D Rare photo frame
$40.00
Custom Bridal bouquet painting
$45.00
Paper Earrings, Quilled Blue Earrings, Long Earrings, Dangling Earrings, Niobium Earrings, Paper Quilling Jewelry, First Anniversary Gift
€16.00
Variety Pack of 9 (Nine) Baby Pink and White Washi Gift Envelopes:  Perfect for Mothers Day, New Baby, or Any Other Occasion!
$29.95
All occasion gift card, all occasion gift tags, birthday tags, shower tags, beaded gift tags, beaded gift cards, multi use gift tags, tags
$2.00
Personalized Stationery / Personalized Stationary - FLORA Custom Personalized Notecard Set - Flower Feminine Pretty Cute
$16.00
be yourself art print, inspirational quote, to be beautiful means to be yourself, mixed media art, sister girlfriend mom daughter wife gift
$18.00
Folded Book Art - Paper Anniversary Gift for Him or Her - Date - Unique Birthday Gift - Wedding Decoration - Wedding Gift
Sold
First Anniversary Gift Map Heart Framed Print Paper Gift - Any Location Worldwide Available One Year Gift Paper Anniversary Valentine Gift
$49.00
Sweet Daily Dose of Your Love Jar
$35.95
Personalized Important Dates Art, Personalized Wedding Anniversary Gift, Tree Stump Print, 1st Wedding Anniversary, Paper Anniversary
$20.00
3d Origami paper swan- pink- heart  home decor paper anniversary birthday Valentine Love gift party decoration centerpiece
Sold

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I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “End of Summer”. If you 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

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Artist Showcase

Welcome to this week's Artist Showcase where we feature another Etsy artist.  This week's artist is Tatin from Tatin Bags.


Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

I am from Barcelona, Spain. I am a fashion designer and have worked for years as a designer women's clothing. I can remember when I was a child,  I found myself designing clothes. And now it is my job.

How did you get your start and where do you get your inspiration?
Tatin Bags started initially with the bags I made for myself, using just scraps of fabric. I'm inspired by timeless simplicity.  All my items are hand-made with love. I enjoy exploring new fabrics, new shapes and creating special bags for special people.


What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

For me the biggest success is when someone identifies with my style and  tells me that they have been looking for my bags.  That moment in which I feel I have connected with people through my bags is when I feel successful. I  am also happy that my bags can  be found not only on the internet but also in some stores. The fact that I can reach more people is a pleasure.


What challenges do you face selling online?

My goal is to satisfy the customer and that means that when someone receives a bag , the bag should be even better than the one seen in the photo.

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

Selling on Etsy is a rewarding adventure because it is a meeting place for artisans like you. To me it has helped me to be in groups to learn to collaborate. But above all I would advise staying active, making treasuries because through the treasuries you get to know other artists from around the world and you discover other exceptional works.

 

Thank  you Tatin for sharing your story with us. Next week we will select another Etsy artist to highlight.  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, August 7, 2015

Friday Finds -Back to School

This week’s treasury theme was “back to School”. We selected a treasury curated by Tatin from Tatinbags. Her treasury was named “Back to School" and is full of fun items that would get your kiddo ready for a great start. Tatin makes unique handmade fabric bags like messenger bags, shoulder bags, totes, and clutches. If you have a teenager that goes back to school, she/he is not interested in carrying too many books.
Here is a fun, unique alternative to the usual backpack:





Back to School
Save The Date Watercolor Tandem Bike- DIY Printable JPEG Black and White Wedding Announcement-Getting Married- Tying The Knot
$15.00
Back to School Monogrammed Back Pack
$28.00
magnet set in school (3pk)
$24.00
custom engraved personalized pencils set of 6. One quote. Please read listing for colors. back to school.
$11.00
Zipper Pouch, Pencil Pouch, Pencil Case, Mint Pink Red Floral, College, Teachers, Kids, School Supplies, Teens, Women, Organize
$16.00
Teachers Personalized Classroom rules vinyl decal measures 22" wide x 28" tall
$30.00
Personalized  Waterproof  Labels - Waterproof Stickers Name Label Dishwasher Safe Daycare Label School Label - girl damask mint aqua pink
$11.50
Pink and Aqua "Whooo Owl" Bubble Shorts 2pc Outfit Set With or Without Matching Pink Knotted Headband - Back To School Outfit- Photo Prop
$24.99
Birds in a bird house hand painted bookends in pink, yellow and blue
$66.00
A Perfect Library - Books, Decor, Bedding, Nursery, Girl's Room, Jane Austen, Alice in Wonderland, Fairy Tales, Mint, Aqua, Pink
$30.00
Dainty Flower Girl Hair Pins - Set of 10 - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Aqua, Violet, Purple, Pink, Rose
$12.00
Aqua Cupcakes Child Apron with pink polka dot pocket
$16.99
Owl Baby Quilt, Girl Patchwork, Bedding Blanket, Nursery Crib Cot, Pink Orange Aqua Blue, Chevron Child Youth Toddler, Ready To Ship
$159.00
kids  Art display hanger- Two aqua and pink Birds- - kids wall art, girls wall art - kids photos display
$19.50
Pencil Case, Pencil Box, Supply Box, Kids, Children, Back To School, Organize, Case, Child Accessory, Personalized Case
$10.00
Pouf  Ottoman Cube Footstool Aqua Pink Wave
$79.00

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I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “Surprising Anniversary Gifts”. If you 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