Artist Showcase - Julamade

Welcome to this week's edition of Artist Showcase.  Our artist of the week is Julia Biesenthal and her shop is Julamade.

Harvest Banner

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

I have always interpreted the world through patterns and colours.  My studies at Ontario College of Art and Design (Toronto ON) provided the opportunity to explore my creative talents.  I currently live in a small town west of Ottawa ON, where I work as a Graphic Designer full-time. I am a fiancee and a mom to a fur baby.

Cinderella Cake Topper - Instant Download

Ever since I was a little girl, I loved using my mom’s sewing machine to create things with fabric and paper. One year for Christmas, I made each family member heart garlands from an old Japanese paper calendar – they all loved them and encourage me to sell them.  Over a year ago, I decided to make this vision become reality. I wanted to put more energy into working with my hands, rather than only being creative on the computer.  I developed a brand for Julamade – banners and garlands for special occasions. I took lots of time photographing each piece and eventually published them to my shop. From there, Julamade began to grow into what it is today.

Gold & Silver Leaf Heart Garland

Where do you get your inspiration?

PINTEREST. I think that speaks for itself ;) I also like to get inspiration from my fellow Etsy sellers – Etsy is such a beautiful community with lots of creative talent!

Her Own Wings Butterfly Garland

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

One specific successful moment would be when I got an order from a celebrity – Jaime Feld, wife of Keven Zegers. This is the moment where I felt Julamade isn’t so ‘small’ anymore…

Sparkling Champagne Heart Garland

What challenges do you face selling online?

I think the biggest problem is delivery times when I ship my items. Unfortunately, it’s not something I can control – and as a perfectionist, that’s not so easy for me to deal with ;)

Fall In Love Banner

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

Develop a brand. Having an inspirational and consistent look to your shop leaves a lasting impression for a potential buyer. Your brand includes a nice logo and banner, as well as displaying your products effectively. Not everyone is a graphic designer, so don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional. If you need help, I’d be happy to advise!

Princess Bunting Banner

 

Thank you Julia for sharing your story and your lovely items with us. If you want to see more of Julia, check out her Facebook page. 

 

Each week we select a new Etsy artist to feature.  If you would like to be considered, just send Zoica or me a note via Etsy convo.

Thanks for stopping by...

Until next time,

 

Friday Finds- Marry Me

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! The theme for our featured treasury was “All about love”. We picked a beautiful treasury named "marry me" and curated by Julia Biesenthal from Julamade. Julia makes beautiful paper goods and wedding crafts.

 Here is one of her creations:

 Feeling Fall Heart Garland

Here is her treasury called "Marry Me"

wedding finds - mr and mrs - love

GOLD GLITTER chair signs for the Mr and Mrs emilysteffen $70.00	NEW Danielle Calligraphy Script Recycled Kraft Wedding Invitation Sample with Pink Heart CricketPrinting $5.00	Grey wedding dress // Iris CarouselFashion $795.00	OH SNAP! - Printable Design Julabrand $15.00
ring holder, ring dish, engagement gift, wedding monogram initial tray, Mint Green, Gift Boxed, Made to Order PromisePottery $29.00	Rustic Wooden Love Is Sweet Hand Painted Love Quote White Calligraphy - Customize! TheBeezeKnees $20.00	Vintage Number Cards, Wedding Table Numbers hilltopcottage $6.00	Aurora Gold Tone Rhinestone Tie-back Headband, Prom Headband, Wedding Headband ElegantMeBoutique $25.95
Set of 15 bachelorette party favor,bachelorette tattoo,flash tattoo,gold tattoo,the original team bride© tattoo, bridal party,bridesmaid gif DAYDREAMPRINTS $32.00	Ivory Burlap Flower girl Dress…Champagne Flower girl Dress…Champagne Junior Bridesmaid TrendyBambiniCouture $80.00	Wood Laser Cut Handsome Husband/Darling Wife Chair Signs LHCalligraphy $62.50	Wedding Print - Paper Anniversary Gift - You Will Forever Be My Always - Love Quote - Chalkboard Art - Chalkboard Print LilyandVal $19.00
Wrap maxi pink bridesmaids gown, Pink blush maxi gown BLUSHFASHION $162.00	Anniversary Gift Marry me today and every day - Quote pillow cover - gift for newlywed - bridal pillow - love quotes - graphic throw pillow ItsTimeToDream €38.00	Floral Posy Patterned Robe | Kimono Style getting ready robe for wedding day, wedding favors, bridal shower gift, spa wear or dressing gown silkandmore $30.00	Mr and Mrs Coffee Mugs - Cute Coffee Cup Pair - His and Hers Mugs - 11 oz Ceramic Mugs - Coffee Gift - White Ceramic Mugs SushiandQueso $30.00

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I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “Fall is here”. 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 - Trish Designs Jewelry

Welcome to this week's Artist Showcase where we spotlight a different Etsy artist each week.  This week's artist is Trisha Tatsch from TrishDesignsJewelry.  Trish designs unique one-of-a-kind hand crafted earrings, necklaces, shawl pins and mMore out of hand crafted semi-precious stones.

Victorian Style Crystal and Filigree Dangle Earrings

How did you get your start?

When I was very little I wanted to learn all the crafts my mom knew. So, when I was four years old she taught me to knit, crochet and sew. I loved doing all three so much that they became my life's work. After doing craft shows for years, my husband and I created and ran our own retail knitting shop. After 9 years we moved back to my little studio where I've worked ever since.

I opened my Etsy store for my knitted and crocheted goods in 2010 and concentrated on that for 2 years. After being given a set of knitting stitch markers that didn't work very well I decided that I could make my own - thus began my jewelry making! My knitting customers liked the markers so well they wanted to wear them as earrings. So, I started making earrings. And of course, I just had to make matching necklaces, then bracelets, too, and shawl pins, bookmarks and scissors fobs. Who knows where else this will lead? So, now I have two Etsy stores and my creativity knows no bounds.

Jeweled Ribbon Bookmark

Where do you get your inspiration?

Mostly from the natural stones that I use. I don't always plan out my pieces - I let the stones tell me what they want to be. Sometimes what I've had in my head actually happens, but usually it's quite a surprise at the end. Often I'll just start putting stones on my worktable and see what they look like together. Sometimes I'll take everything but one stone away and create more out of it with just wire. My design process is very free-flowing.

Natural Nephrite Jade Bracelet

I also get ideas from looking at what's on the internet. A certain shape, a way of swirling the wire, putting different stones together, all spark my own imagination. I've looked at pieces and thought to make something similar, but mine always turn out so completely differently that even I can't tell where the original idea came from.

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

When I opened my first Etsy shop it seemed to take forever before I started selling anything. When I opened my Etsy jewelry shop, I sold an expensive necklace within 2 months of opening - that was extremely exciting! Then, the other morning I received that convo from you about being featured and that has eclipsed everything else that's happened so far!

Rhodochrosite Pendant

What challenges do you face selling online?

Taking the best pictures possible and marketing (promoting). I could really use a better camera, but it just isn't going to happen soon. So, I spend a lot of time doing my best to show off my items, then photoshopping my pictures. I just created a background that I really like. My husband even commented on how much he likes it - that's success! That means re-doing lots of pictures, but it is worth it.

Marketing and promoting simply take so much time and energy, yet they're so important. Actually finding the time to do everything that needs doing is the hardest part of this endeavor. Balancing the time between all the different aspects is a job in itself and sometimes leaves me very frustrated. But then things begin to fall into place and it all works out just fine.

Natural Keishi Pearls

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

Be sure to take the best pictures of your work that you can and plan to spend a large percentage of your work time on marketing. But, most of all, enjoy what you do!

Rhodochrosite Dangle Earrings

Visit Trish's knitting and crocheting store on Etsy.

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

Thanks for stopping by...

Until next time,

Weekend Finds- September Mornings

Welcome to this week's treasury finds!
 We selected a treasury curated by Trisha Tatsch from TrishDesignsJewelry. Her treasury is suggestively named "September Mornings". Trisha is a jewelry designer and she makes unique one-of-a-kind earrings, necklaces, shawl pins hand crafted in the most exquisite semi-precious stones. Here is one of her great creations:

Twisted Strands Pearl Necklace

September Mornings

Wood Photo Coffee Mug - Mug - Rustic Coffee Mug - Made to Order ShelleysCrochetOle $31.00	READY TO SHIP caramel brown and gold on black brown leather - beaded tile wrap bracelet - warm colors - metallic CorvusDesign $65.00	Monogrammed Wood Slice Pendant LaleePops82 $16.00	Paper Earrings: Handmade Rolled Paper Bead Earrings - Orange Earrings - Brown - Dangle Earrings - Nickel Free Earrings - Upcycled Earrings LeavesOfPaper $15.00
Cinnabar Merino Wool Roving, red wet felting wool roving, spinning fiber, needle felting wool, nuno felting wool, red merino wool, merino FeltEvolution $6.00	Purse Accessories, Find that Key Fast with a KeyFinder! Keys Hang Safely Inside Your Purse, Durable Grosgrain Covered Buttons, Personalize! FlipFlopsforAllShop $15.00	Chocolate Brown Alpaca Wool Crocheted Neck Scarf with Handmade Resin Button and Blue Bead Free Shipping missy69 $49.99	Cute Bear Print fabric - half meter - 100% Cotton - pink brown green on white - quilting patchwork craft bunting doll toy making fabricsandfrills $12.90
Hickory & Apple Wood Smoked Cashews 16oz Gourmet Smoked Cashews Unique Gift TinysSmokehouse $28.95	Gratitude Journal, Handmade Journal, Hand Bound Book, Small Journal, Prayer Journal, Unique Journals, Japanese Paper, Paper Art, Vicki Bolen LittleBirdDePapel $30.00	The morning of the first September. Canvas Print by Irena Orlov 24" X 36 irenaorlov $350.00	Alabama Sunrise Fog Lake Landscape Photography Sun On Horizon Misty Morning Water Sun Reflection Orange Sunny Glare Surreal Art Sun Print FeatherWindStudio $15.00
Framed Huge 3 Panel Seascape Red Ocean Sunrise Giclee Canvas Print - Ready to Hang ModernWallDeco $99.00	Picture Necklace Red Glass Pendant Necklace, Abstract Picture Necklace in red Picture Necklace Photo Pendant GlassCharmed £12.99	Sonora Sunrise Silver Wrapped Pendant TheSilverMaster $36.00	Antique Yellowware Bowl - McCoy Sunrise - Large - 10 1/2 Inches - Yellow - Sun Rise NorthSouthSalvage $90.00

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I hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week’s treasury theme is “All About 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

Great Gift Ideas - Family Wall Art

Today I thought I would share some great gift ideas for family from my Etsy shop.  Enjoy!
Just check out my Etsy Shop - Susan Newberry Designs - if you are looking for personalized gift ideas.

Thanks for stopping by…

Until next time,