Friday Finds- Summer Celebration

Welcome to this Weekend Friday Finds!

 This week’s treasury theme was “Summer Celebrations”. We selected a colorful treasury curated by Andreea Radu from FunkyBoxStudio.
 Andreea’s shop offers gift boxes and packaging supplies as well as other paper goodies like gift tags, coasters, envelopes and table numbers. Andreea has also a letterpress studio, which you can find here.


Here is one of her creations:

                                  Fall wedding Table numbers Square flat

Summer celebration

Earl Grey Tea Lip Balm - summer celebrations Gift for Men, for women fresh gift for her soap $4.50	Ceramic Jewelry Cocktail Ring - big ring, ceramic and pottery, handmade boho cocktail ring - SOLAR POWER - 2.4 inch StudioLeanne $32.00	Americana Banner 1776 Fourth of July Independence Day Summer Celebration PapergirlStudios $17.00	mother daughter jewelry, best friend bracelets - you are my sunshine my only sunshine WyomingCreative $42.00
Needle Felted Butterfly - Needle Felt Yellow Butterfly - Summer Celebrations - Home Decoration FeltArtByMariana Sold	SALTI Nautical Rope Bracelet '3rd Wave' SHACKLE Summer Beach FREE Worldwide shipping (2) SALTIBRACELETS $35.00	FREE SHIPPING Grey bowtie Men's bow tie Gift idea for men Boyfriend's gift Boys bowtie Groomsmen bowtie Handmade bowtie Gift for husband accessories482 $30.00	Feather felt keychain, yellow and red embroidered ethnic and boho accessory for women, gift idea for her InspirationalGecko €14.00
Sparkly Gold Paper Beads, Handmade Bead, Paper Bead Jewelry Supplies, Set of 8 SweetPaperLove $7.00	American Flag Hand Painted Mason Jars 4th of July Fireworks Patriotic Mason Jar Decor Holiday Decor Summer Celebration Stars and Stripes KathiJanes $29.95	Short Mint Pink Yellow Paper Straws, 50 SUMMERTIME Cake Pop Party Birthday Baby Shower Cocktail Straw 5" TaDaPartyShop $5.00	Boys bow tie in yellow polka dot perfect for boys baby shower gift--newborn bow tie LilGents $18.00
Sunshine Yellow Swarovski Pearl Earrings - Antique Gold Pastel Yellow Earrings - Summer Yellow Jewelry - Yellow and Gold Dainty Earrings ArdentHearts $22.00	Summer Yellow Burlap Wreath, Yellow Burlap Ruffle Wreath, Summer Burlap Wreath, Summer Yellow Wreath, Burlap Wreath, Burlap Daisy Wreath NOLACraftsbyDesign $55.00	BETSEY JOHNSON Dress S// 90s Dress// Betsey Johnson Dress// Summer Yellow Cotton Japan Doppelstandard $124.00	Yellow clutch for the summer, yellow standout clutch bag, yellow vegan clutch w/ non leather inner lining, tuckable chain shoulder strap MeDusaBrand $81.00

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

Artist Showcase - By the Art Bug

Welcome To this week's Artist Showcase.  Our artist this week is Megha of By the Art Bug. Megha's shop is full of Hndmade Felt Plushies & Patterns, Pdf Patterns, DIYs & Craft Kits, Eco Friendly Paper Bead Jewelry, Digital Art and Typography Prints, Photography Prints, Custom Pet Portraits, Handmade Craft Supplies, Recycled Art, Posters, Felt Jewelry, Key Rings & Charms, Paper Flowers, Home Decor, Seasonal Decor & Ornaments and the list goes on...

Here is one of Megha's lovely items:

Statement Heart Necklace and Earring Set

How did you get your start?

After my wedding I moved to USA with my husband. While we were in India, I was completed my PhD and taught. I always loved arts and crafts and no matter what I was doing or how busy I was I always had time for creative things! So when we moved to US it was a golden chance. I took a much needed break from academics and planned to pursue my passion as my new profession.

1st Anniversary Eco Friendly Bracelet

 Where do you get your inspiration?

I get my inspiration from little everyday things. Honestly, sometimes ideas just pop in my head while cooking, watching TV or when I am out enjoying nature!

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

Just setting up my shop was an adventure for me. I get joy with every single sale that I make, Each of my handmade goodies is special.

First Anniversary Geometric Dangle Earrings

What challenges do you face selling online?

When we moved, I had to close my shop and it was a huge setback. It was like starting from scratch again. Advertising is also one of the challenges that I face.

Beach Necklace

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

I would say don’t be afraid. Jump in but be ready to give 100%; be patient and you will get there. It takes a lot of time and effort but if you are ready to take the challenge no one can stop you! And of course the most important thing is to "Believe in Yourself".
If you would like to know more about Megha, check out her blog. 

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

Thanks for stopping by...

Until next time,

Artist Showcase - Inbar Shahak

Todays featured artist is Inbar Shahak from Inbar Shahak. Inbar is a jewelry designer with a background in textile design.  Here is one of her lovely items:

Gold Lace Ring

 

How did you get your start?

I made my own wedding jewelry , I loved making the crochet needle work and I sold to some shops and friends around my home area…and that’s what I'm doing since 2006

Rose Gold 24 Karat Plated Earrings

Where do you get your inspiration?

 

From ancient crochet pattern and nature.

Feather Bracelet

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

Exhibiting in the Norton Art Museum in Florida.

Rose Gold Lace Bracelet

What challenges do you face selling online?

 

When a buyer spend their money on the internet, they really need to be able to feel the item, sometimes I get people tell me, oh it look even nicer then the photo…it's very hard to get the photos transfer the feeling and touch of the jewel. Also for a first time costumer sometimes they want to "take the risk" and try a smaller jewel before they know they can trust me and come back for the bigger ones.

Green Leaf Necklace

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

Not to give up, some people think that if they post their items it is enough , but it's like having a real store in the street, once you organize it you need to make sure people will go in, and this part takes endless work, but it's well worth it so good luck.

Crochet Black Lace Bracelet

 

 

Thank you Inbar for sharing your lovely jewelry with us.  If you would like to see more of Inbar's designs follow her on:

 

YouTube

 

Facebook

 

Blog

 



Website

 

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,

Artist Spotlight - Human Elements

Today is Monday and that means it is time to feature a fellow Etsy artist.  Today's artist is Jenny from Human Elements. Jenny is new to Etsy and her shop  Human Elements  features beautiful jewelry and unique memory albums.  According to Jenny's shop announcement "Elements make up our everyday lives. We treasure keepsakes like the beautiful necklaces and bracelets we use everyday. We treasure the memories and photos of our friends and family. At HumanElements, the elements that make up our lives become the inspiration for our one of a kind handmade jewelry and accordion photo display albums."

Jenny is a friend of my daughter's and creates beautiful greeting cards.  If you  have been lucky enough to be the recipient of one of Jenny's card, you should treasure it.  Here are some of Jenny's beautiful items from her shop.

Vintage Baby Boy Album

Glittering Gold Ballerina Album

 

Woof Dog Album

Vintage Style Silver, Antique Brass and Amethyst Stone Layered Necklace

 

Aventurine Stone, Black and Silver Accented, Triple Layer Pendant Necklace

 

Turquoise Stone and Silver Stretch Bracelet

 

I think you will all agree that Jenny's items are truly beautiful and unique.  As a  newcomer to Etsy, we wish you the best!  Happy Sales!

 

Until next time...

 

Thanks for stopping by,

 

 

 

 

Friday Finds Colors of Spring

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! We picked a treasury with a spring theme. The treasury is called “Colors of Spring” and was curated by Alena from Strickzeit. Alena makes knitted necklaces and other unique items for adults and kids. Here is one of her beautiful knitted crochet necklaces:

Here is Alana's treasury: Colors of Spring

                                     

We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week's theme will be” Mom Love”. 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

Artist Showcase - Jewelry by Andrea

Welcome to another edition of Artist Spotlight, our regular Monday blog.  This week’s artist is Andrea from Jewelry by Andrea.  Andrea creates beautiful tribal and ethnic jewelry.  Here is one of Andrea’s gorgeous pieces.

Silver Peacock Earrings

 

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business

I’m Andrea with Jewelry by Andrea. I have been making jewelry for 6 years. I hand make Spiritual, Yoga and Zen jewelry. I love using pieces that are made through Fair Trade by traditional and old methods. I also love to create with spiritual symbols. For the most part I am self-taught. I have taken a few courses in metal fabrication but found I enjoy creating with beads and components so have stuck with that.

Elegant Black & Silver Earrings

How did you get your start?

I have always loved to travel and collect unique jewelry. After having children I wasn’t able to travel as much or as far. Making jewelry started as a creative outlet for me. I was drawn to materials that reminded me of an exotic vacation and creating with those pieces gave me a feeling of connection to something bigger. I started selling through home shows and then expanded to selling on line. In the last few years I have taken my business from hobby to full time. I now have several wholesale accounts, sell on Etsy and through my own site. I write a weekly blog exploring the meaning behind the symbols I use in my work.

Large Gold Starburst Earrings

Where do you get your inspiration?

I get inspiration from the materials I use. I love using spiritual and symbolic symbols. I may not know the full meaning behind each piece but I do my best to learn about them. I focus on finding amazing quality items with beautiful finishes. I use the spirit and vibe of my materials to inspire my designs. I love to open a package from a place like Nepal or Thailand and wonder what life was like where they came from and think of what I am going to make with it. Equally inspiring is to open a package with stunning components and vibrant colored beads... then my mind spins with ideas for them! I often have pieces sit for years before I figure out what design to use them in. I’ve learned rushing the process never works for me.

GarnetStatement Necklace with Mother of Pearl

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

Last year one of my designs, “Garnet Moon”, was worn by Nina Dobrev on The Vampire Diaries. It was really exciting to see something I created on TV. Definitely a high point for me!

Hot Pink Necklace

What challenges do you face selling online?

Selling on line is all about getting found, having wonderful photos and being able to convey your message about why your items are unique and what they are going to bring to the buyer. It’s a process figuring out how to tell your story and how to stand out in the crowd.

SilverHematite Chandelier Earrings

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

It’s easy to get overwhelmed on Etsy by all of the amazing other items for sale there. My advice for someone starting out selling on Etsy is to do your research, allow yourself to get inspired but never copy. Customers purchasing on Etsy want to know your story, your inspiration and purchase from “you”. It’s important to be authentic. Great photos are a must. Photograph with good lighting and close up shots showing lots of detail. Know your prices and what you need to charge to make some profit. You don’t want to be too high or too low. Don’t be afraid to play around with your prices as well. Put thought into your packaging and presentation. Think of what impression your packaging gives when a customer opens their purchase. It doesn’t have to cost a ton but a nice wrap in tissue paper, business card & handwritten note go a long way.

Want to see more of Andrea?

Andrea’s Website

Andrea’s Facebook Page

Andrea’s Blog

Two Hearts Valentine Necklace

Thank you Andrea for sharing your story with us. 

Well that wraps up another edition of Artist Spotlight.  We run this column every Monday and we’re always looking for artists to spotlight.  So if you are interested or know someone that we’d enjoy reading about please pass on the information.

Thanks for stopping by,

Until next time…

 

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! This week’s theme is “Something Blue.”  Our first treasury comes to us from Jenna and Heather, a mother daughter team from Warren, Texas.  Their shop, TwoSweet Teas, has an eclectic collection of beautiful, unique, vintage treasures.  Remember these?

Vintage Green Tupperware Jello Mold

 
'Something Blue' by Hstarr1969

Light blue topaz aquama... blackandwhite... $26	1970s ANGEL white weddi... AlexAndAftonV... $148	4 Vintage Aqua Blue Bal... CatfishJarRes... $42.5
Blue Sky on a Rainy Day... ooohlalapaper... $3.6	Baby Blue Damask Digita... MFDigiLand $1.7	Tiffany Blue Flower Gir... FromDiapers2D... $49.99
Dark Blue and Light Blu... Sweettoothswe... $18	Something Blue Wedding ... CoutureLife $33.99	Baby Blue Embroidered F... LaceFabrics $6.9
Tiffany Blue lace Weddi... ForeverLoveNo... $115	SALE - Photo locket Pho... bomobob $40	Mid-Century Taperlite S... thewhitepeppe... $52.5
Dainty Wrapped Blue Dia... violetfly $38	Wedding Shoes Sale som... norakaren $125	Blue Baby Blanket / Blu... StitchSoup $75
antique book bundle. sh... HamptonHouseV... $32

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

Our second treasury comes from Aiste from Lithuania.  Her shop is called Drop of Amber.  Aiste makes beautiful Handmade Baltic amber jewelry, baby teething necklaces, and Kimekomi decorations.  Here is one of her beautiful designs:

 OOAK Soutache Jewelry Pendant

 

'Fresh blue' by AistesJewelryBox

Enjoy!

Artist OOAK Handmade mo... SoftlyBearPaw $220	gold stars necklace, mi... colortreasure... $25	Blue And White Ceramic ... BlueMagpieDes... $44.55
Navy Blue Ring - Ombre ... EjaEjovna $16	Black blue beaded earri... RasaVilJewelr... $13	Linen cotton kitchen 2 ... LinenHomeShop $11.99
Shirt dress- denim dres... StellaandLori $121	metallic blue derby oxf... goodbyefolk $225	Moroccan Blue Azurite C... PURYST $66
Vtg 80's Ralph Laur... thenovelty $43	Tiny Blue Earrings JullMade $11	Womans day SALE Crochet... Yoola $228.8
Pale Blue Forget Me Not... TaylorsEclect... $65	Felted Stones - ice blu... feltjar $12	Round Samsonite Suitcas... thewhitepeppe... $94.5
Monaco Blue and Gold Be... LemonStreetJe... $18

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week's theme will be “Just Dance.” If you have a treasury you would like to submit, just send me or Zoica 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...