Artist Spotlight - Lilly Queen Vintage

Welcome to another edition of Artist Spotlight.  This week's artist is Sara from Lilly Queen Vintage.  Sara's shop contains Shabby Home Decor items which she hand painted. You will also find Vintage items, Retro Chic pieces, as well as vintage jewelry.

Here is one of Sara's beautiful items:

Set of 13 Frames



Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

I'm Sara, a lover of all things unique. I see the beauty in trashed, neglected and unwanted home decor. My shop gives a new life to these items for years to come!

Square Decorative Wall Art

How did you get your start?

It actually started as a way to raise some money for my sister and her then fiance. They were clearing out an old home that was left by a family member. This house, was like walking into a time capsule. I sold off vintage items and it sparked my love for recycling old things.

Paper Flower Wreath

Where do you get your inspiration?

Cottage decor, old french shops, garden stores, unique items. I buy the things that I would want to keep in my own home. So my inspiration....is me!

Black Fleur de lis Bookend

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

I have sold a vintage purse to Michael Kors, years later I saw the actual manufactured purse that they made with the inspiration from my vintage one. I also sold to the set design team of Mad Men. My purse was featured in the TV show. Recently I was also repinned by a guest pinner on Martha Stewart for my handmade Paper Dahlia Wall Flowers.

 Oscar & Edgar Gutherz Teapot

What challenges do you face selling online?

The challenge is being able to show the item in a way where my buyer can almost feel it. Online shoppers can't touch, hold, feel, smell items, so I have to do my best to give them an experience while shopping online of being in a store.

Black Decorative Shelf

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

Photos are the most important part of selling, after that the most important is SEO. If your shop isn't working, change something, if that isn't working....change it again. Ive been on Etsy since the beginning (2005). I've changed my styles, pictures, and ways since then, up until this past year when I finally found what works.

White Metal Planter

 

Thank you Sara for sharing your story and your lovely items with us.  If you would like to be considered for an upcoming Artist Showcase, please drop Zoica or I a note via Etsy convo.

 

Until next time...

 

Thanks for stopping by,

 

 

Friday Finds Soccer Fever

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! The theme had an appropriate title: “Soccer Time”. We picked a treasury curated by Nora from Sunchildsews with the title: Soccerfever. Nora makes beautiful fabric items for kids, for the house as well as accessories.

Here is one of Nora's colorful kitchen items:

          Coiled Fabric Basket

We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week's theme will be “Red, white, blue”. 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 Spotlight - Debroervandevogel

Welcome to this week's edition of Artist Showcase.  This week's artist is Catherine from debroervandevogel. Here is one of Catherine's beautiful items:

Black Circle Necklace

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

My name is Catherine. I’m from Belgium and live in Wemmel, which is near to our capital Brussels.
Designing to me is about creating my own unique world. Therefore I use different materials and let my imagination go free. Lately I’ve been working a lot with polymer clay. I like this medium very much because it makes you create something starting from scratch. It’s like giving shape to color. A design often starts by playing with the clay, very intuitively.  In my designs I'm constantly balancing between adding or reducing. Trying to work by the principle ‘less is more.’ I think in volumes, colors and materials and try to fit all these together into fun, colorful and somehow pure and sober jewelry. I want my jewelry to make you smile!

Black Scallop Necklace

How did you get your start?

I graduated in Sculpture but for a long time it just didn’t happen.  Once my kids got older and became more self-reliant, it felt like I could spent some time on something just for me. I started my Etsy shop at the end of 2012. It was a big step for me but I felt like I had to try it and I’m so happy I did . Being creative again makes me happy as a child and I consider that as the best reason ever!

Purple Disk Earrings

Where do you get your inspiration?

I can be inspired by the colors of a painting or an illustration, by organic shapes in nature, urban trends, the repetition in primitive patterns, everyday life,… . Inspiration also comes while working. One design will lead to the next, trying different variations and evolving to my own unique world . I often start to work in a whimsical way.

Teal - Purple Statement Necklace

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

My biggest accomplishment is to have a worldwide audience. I find it amazing that people who live across big oceans are wearing my handmade jewelry. I find this really extraordinary. My first sale on Etsy was to the United States. I was so excited about it that I couldn’t sleep.

Turquoise Abstract Flower Earrings

What challenges do you face selling online?

First of all I would say good pictures. If I compare my actual pictures to the ones I had when I started, there is allready a big difference but there is still a lot of room for improvement. Secondly good tags to get found in that big Etsy world!  And of course an excellent customer service.

Red-Orange Dangle Leaf Earrings

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

Learn how to use your camera! Experiment with backgrounds to find the right atmosphere for your product. Do some research about SEO, tags and descriptions. Join a team so that you can share experiences and learn.

White Sand Necklace

 

 

Thank you Catherine for sharing your story and your beautiful creations with us.  NExt week we will visit another Etsy artist.  If you are interested in being showcased, please let me or Zoica know via Etsy convo.

 

Until next time...

 

Thanks for stopping by,

 

 

Friday Finds Beach Weddings

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! The theme was “Beach Weddings”. We had hard time to pick only one treasury, so we picked two. They are both filled with amazing beach theme finds, from wedding favors and nautical theme decor, to bridal accessories.
One treasury was curated by Catherine from debroervandevogel. Catherine makes colorful mixed media jewelry made with polymer clay, paper, gemstones, felt, wood, sterling silver and other materials that inspire her.

Here is one of Catherine’s beautiful designs:

Black Carved Polymer Necklace

The second Etsy artist’s treasury was curated by Vesna Koatye from Koatye1. Vesna offers handmade wearable art like: fabric tote bags, hip bags, clutches, and yoga mats.

Here is one of her unique designs:

Hand Painted Dragonfly Gray Tote Bag

We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week's theme will be “Soccer Time”. 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

Free Printables - Inspirational Greeting Cards

Once again I am going to share some cards with you from my Etsy store.  Today's greeting cards can be used to whenever a little inspiration is called for.  As a reminder the cards are sized 11 x 4 (or 5.5 x 4 when folded) and can easily be printed on letter size paper.  They are best printed on matte photo paper.  I used Epson but I am sure any type will do.  You can find envelopes at Joanns, Michaels, or Hobby Lobby to fit.  Once printed, just cut along the light gray line using a xacto knife and metal ruler.  Use the back of the xacto to score the card down the middle and fold - Voila!

Thanks for stopping by...

Until next time,

Friday Finds Brilliant Blue

   Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! The theme was “Brilliant Blue”. Blue color is very popular this year in fashion apparel as well as interior design. From light blue shades to indigo tones, blue is refreshing, cool and calming.

   We picked the treasury curated by  Vesna Koatye’s from Koatye1. Vesna makes unique fabric tote bags, hip bags, clutches, and yoga mats. Most of her designs are hand painted.

   Here is one of her beautiful items:

                                                    Orange/Turquoise ReversibleTote Bag

Here is Vesna's treasury with great blue items for the talended Etsy artists! Enjoy and share. We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week's theme will be “Beach Wedding”. 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 - Barbara Hobling of Kreative Produkte

Welcome to another edition of Artist Showcase.  This week's artist is Barbara Hobling of Kreativprodukte.  Barbara designs handmade friendship bracelets, kumihimo bracelets, macrame jewelry, seed bead ornaments as well as original artwork. Here is one of Barbara's beautiful items:

Macramé Flower Earrings

 

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

My name is Barbara and I am 27 years old. In my day job I work as a chemist and in my free time I´m a creative mind. I love painting, knotting and my garden and this is what I spend most of my free time with.

Red Macramé Friendship Bracelet

How did you get your start?

I started my shop almost 2 years ago (August 2012) when I was still studying at university because the products of my creativity took up more and more space in my home and there is no way I can use all of them.

Multicolor Friendship Bracelet

Where do you get your inspiration?

Everywhere I´d say, from tutorials on the internet (Pinterest is such a great thing), from everyday situations, from other artists (I do not copy of course but change what I see to make something new from it) and many other sources. There are always tons of ideas spinning in my head.

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

When I sold 10 bracelets to one person ;-) but right after this great moment came something like "oh my God, my shop is empty now, I need to make new ones fast."

Macramé Necklace and Earring Set

What challenges do you face selling online?

The biggest challenge I think is to show your customer how awesome your product is; good descriptions are just about as important as great photos. Right after that comes good customer service.

Macrame Flower Cell Phone Charm - Keyring - Pendant

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

Prepare well!!! Stock up about 30 - 40 items prior to opening your shop (customers love choice) and read up on everything you can on marketing and SEO.

Infinity Knot Kumihimo Rope Bracelet

 

Thank you Barbara for sharing your lovely items with us.  If you would like to be featured in an upcoming article on our blog, please contact me or Zoica via Etsy convo.

 

Thanks for stopping by...

 

Until next time,

 

 

 

 

Friday Finds June Trends

Welcome to this week’s Friday Finds! This week’s theme was “June Trends” and we picked a treasury with a lighthearted feeling, soft colors and a suggestive title: “Love”. The treasury was curated by Afra from the shop with the same name: Afra. She makes wonderful, colorful and unique crochet clothing and accessories. It was hard to pick only one item from her shop, but there it is:

Latte Crochet Sweater

                                                   

Here is her treasury titled Love: We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week's theme will be “Brilliant Blue” a popular color for women this 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

Artist Showcase - Red Dolly Swimwear

Welcome to another edition of Artist Showcase.  This week's artist is Heather from Red Dolly Swimwear.  Her swimwear is absolutely beautiful.   Words to describe her style include Hollywood glamour,  Hollywood classic style, retro Hollywood and pin up girls.  Her suits would  make any woman feel like a Hollywood movie star!

Here is one of Heather's beautiful designs.

The Bella .. Pink and White Polka dot one piece Maillot Swimsuit

 

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.
My Name is Heather Stepanik, and I am the designer/owner of Red Dolly Swimwear. I graduated from The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in LA in 2004. I started my swimwear line in 2008, and have been growing and expanding every year since!

Blue and White Polka Dot Two Piece Swimsuit

How did you get your start?

I started designing swimwear in 2008, when I had such a hard time finding a cute and comfortable, yet modest swimsuit! I had studied fashion Design, but never worked with swim type fabrics. I knew design basics, so I gave it a try, and loved how my first suit came out, and figured there are other women out there looking for the same thing.

Red Sailor Retro One Piece Swimsuit

Where do you get your inspiration?

I get my inspiration from classic movies, vintage pinups and models and lots of modern things as well. I do love how classic and retro styles are flattering on all shapes and sizes.

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

I feel blessed that everyday women enjoy my swimsuits, But It was an awesome feeling when Taylor Swift's stylist ordered 6 suits for her a couple years ago!

The Paris Maillot in Black and White Stripes

What challenges do you face selling online?

The only challenge I would say is some women prefer trying on clothing before they purchase it. But, I always try to help girls pick the perfect style and size that would work best for them.

The Bella Yellow & White Polka dot Retro Swim Set one piece Maillot Swimsuit w/Matching Skirt

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

I would say if you have an idea or passion go for it!! You will never know if it will work, or sell unless you try! I designed lots of clothing before swimwear, that was not successful. But if I didn't keep going I would have never got to where I am today! Do what you love, and never give up!!

Retro Leopard Pin-up Girl One Piece Maillot Swimsuit

Heather's Facebook Page

Red Dolly Website

Heather's Instagram: @RedDollySwim

Thank you Heather for sharing your story with us.  Your swimsuits are truly beautiful!

That wraps up another Artist Showcase.  If you would like to be considered for an upcoming feature, just drop me or Zoica a note via Etsy convo.

Thanks for stopping by...

 

Until next time,