Artist Showcase - Bits n Pieces Events

Welcome to another edition of Artist Spotlight, our regular Monday blog.  This week’s artist is Donna from Bits N Pieces Events. Donna creates beautiful invitations and announcements.  Here is one of Donna’s gorgeous pieces.

 Will You Be MyMaid of Honor Proposal Card

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

My business is invitations and announcements for all of life's happenings! I am currently expanding my business to offer not only DIY invites, but also printing services, coordinating party decor and apparel (say whaaat!).

Vintage Lace Barn Rustic Country Wedding Invitation and RSVP

How did you get your start?

Family! It started off from my first baby shower invitations and was topped off by my son's first birthday party. And once everyone saw what I could do, I became the go-to person and loved every second of it. :)

Tiffany Blue Bridal Shower Invitation

Where do you get your inspiration?

Honestly, my kids are true inspiration along with my whole entire family! It's their interest I feed off of. They spark an idea and then I dwell on it configuring the design out in my head and I literally dream about it until I'm happy with my idea and then sit down and make it happen.

Baby Zebra Invitation

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

Although, it’s rather a small one and kind of not-so glam, but I was pretty darn proud to be making some international sales!

What challenges do you face selling online?

There is such a HUGE amount of competitors in my area! Making myself known in the world called the Internet isn't such a problem with all the social media. It is... and I'm going to say what everyone in my business area wants to say-- those of you who are crafty! Ha-ha! But seriously Pinterest is my BFF or my greatest foe since it serves as an idea/inspiration mecca to all. People like so they pin and try to recreate themselves (which I am guilty of myself), but it really puts me in the happiest of places to see my listings pinned all over!

Personalized Dad Wall Art

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

Be sure you love what you are selling and be prepared to spend a decent amount of time online doing your research! Etsy has consumed my life and I adore it. It takes time to create that perfect title and perfect tags along with the perfect thumbnail photo. It could become a daunting task spending all that time and researching in order to create a listing that is easy for everyone to find and to like what they see. But those are the key ingredients to get those views! And ya know what? More views = More sales! --Your main goal! Therefore, if you’re not really into what you are selling or have a certain passion for it or even seriousness for it then chances are you won't be willing to put forth that extra time to create that perfect listing. So then it becomes a waste of time. Yea, I know... truth hurts.

Baby-Q Shower Invitation

Thank you Donna for sharing your story with us. 

Well that wraps up another edition of Artist Spotlight.  We try and 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…

 

 

Friday Finds- Beautiful Mint Wall Decor

Welcome to this week's Friday Finds! The theme was "Wall Decor" and we picked a spring infused treasury curated with a mint color theme. It was created by Anna from Inmyc ( In my closet). We hope it will inspire you to decorate! Anna is from Greece, and she creates beautiful woven printed pillows. The process requires a labor of love. The original illustrations are woven by her loom at the family weaving mill and then sewn by hand.
 Here is one of her beautiful designs:

                                    French Vintage Bike at Eiffel Tower

    Mint For Wall Decor by Anna from Inmyc

Handpainted mint ho... LinaECreation... $27	Typography poster, ... MessProject $17	Wooden Bake Sign in... ThePineNuts $46	Mint In The Morning... MySweetReveri... $30
Large Mint Green Fl... bedbuggs $34	Hot Air Balloon Min... AccentuWall $40	Wall Decal - Laundr... TweetHeartWal... $15	3 Vintage Wooden Pl... ProjectSarafa... $19
Mint polka dots gar... HoopsyDaisies $11	paris photograph, m... oohprettyshin... $35	Metal frame, shabby... deeeco $10	Mint Green Birdie W... joom $40
starburst mid centu... beepart $26	Mirror - Just a lit... PamelaAngus $39	Garland Dodecahedro... submicrocosm $30.5	3D Wall Butterflies... hipandclavicl... $23

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

We hope you have enjoyed this edition of Friday Finds. Next week's theme will be "Spring 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…

Artist Spotlight - Kim Rose Colored Glass

Welcome to another edition of Artist Spotlight, our regular Monday blog.  This week’s artist is Kim Rose. Kim is the designer and owner of Kim Rose Colored Glass. Kim creates beautiful hand Crafted stained glass style art.  Here is one of Kim’s gorgeous pieces.

Retro Vintage Apron with RoseQuartz

Tell us a little about yourself and your creative business.

I live in a quaint little town on the Grand River in Ontario, Canada with my husband and two of our three children. Life is a little slower here, which really helps with allowing the creativity to flow. I enjoy creating new, one of a kind pieces of art in my studio. Glass paint is definitely my favorite medium. I love how it looks just like stained glass without the possibility of breaking it, because I paint on plexiglass, which is great for kids décor as well. I`ve been using this medium for almost ten years now, but only registered by business in 2006, and shortly after ( 2009 ) opened my Etsy shop.

Custom Portrait

how did you got your start?

It all began when I moved into my present home. There was a large window in the front door that I wanted to cover for privacy. Since I don't do anything in the conventional way, I wanted something other than curtains. I had seen this cool glass paint in a magazine and thought, "what a great idea.” I painted an exact replica of a stained glass window in my home. It turned out so well, I just had to create more. I gave my creations to family and friends as gifts. It was suggested I try a craft show, so I did...and wow, I was thrilled at how fun, and successful it was, so, for several years I did weekly craft shows and markets. I love the face to face interactions I experienced when selling at shows, but wanted to try selling online as well. I've tried everything from, ads, well known selling venues, to creating, and maintaining my own websites. They have been valuable tools in helping me to get where I am today, a shop owner here on Etsy (my favorite yet) I love the atmosphere here. There is always someone nearby to give advice or lend a sympathetic ear. It feels like family here.

Victorian Shoe with Emeralds

Where do you get your inspiration?

I am inspired daily by so many different things, such as, a song, a commercial or t.v. program, a color, a piece of clothing, or even a dream.  I have been known to get up in the middle of the night to write down my ideas, because they won't let me sleep until I do, he he!

Personalized Princess Crown  

What has been your biggest successful moment so far?

I think my proudest moment in nearly 10 years of business was surprisingly, not when I received 2 awards, or when I was featured in a local magazine, or the entire front page of a local paper (although, I am proud of these accomplishments) but rather, when I was told that the private lessons I was giving to a young autistic student had helped to bring him out of his shell more, he was very proud and happy with his artistic accomplishments during these classes, and was able to communicate, and express that to his family. I was so deeply touched, that it literally brought me to tears. My proudest moment to this day!

Sapphire Birthstone Butterfly

What challenges do you face selling online?

Anyone who sells online, knows firsthand, the challenges we face on a daily basis. It's hard to stand out in a crowded market. It can be difficult trying to be different from everyone else.

Sexy Valentine Lingerie

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

My advice...don't be afraid to “toot your own horn." Tell everyone and anyone that will listen about your business. I use every opportunity to tell people about my Etsy shop.......while standing in line at the grocery store, sitting in the waiting room at the doctor’s or dentist, or shopping at the mall. I've handed out thousands of business cards over the years, it's a great way to get yourself out there.  As difficult as it can be, by the same token, it can be amazing. I wouldn't give it up for the world......Etsy, I'm here for life!

Vintage Victorian BathScene

Thank you Kim for sharing your story with us.  Want to see more of Kim?  You can visit Kim here:

Kim’s Facebook Page

Kim on Ebay

Kim’s Pinterest Page

Well that wraps up another edition of Artist Spotlight.  We try and 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…

 

 

 

Friday Finds- Love is in the Air

Welcome to this week’s Friday’s Finds! This week’s theme was “Love is in the Air” and we had a hard task in choosing from many treasuries sent. Thank you Etsy artists! We settled on the treasury curated by Fieke from HandmadebyFieke. 

Fieke is from Belgium and she makes beautiful crochet items for kids. Here is one of her booties:

                                                              Crochet Baby Booties

Love is in the Air by Fieke:

Chalkboard Valentin... RosieAndViole... $5	hot air balloon nec... JewelMango $19	Best Valentine'... PAPERandPANCA... $25	Love Keeps Her In T... WhiskerPrints $8.99
Pigs Can Fly with L... VintageDictio... $10	Ladies Tshirt, Wome... CausticThread... $20	Love birds, You mak... TriciaODesign $18	Long Distance Love ... HBLH $12
Love Is In the Air ... KatieLloydPho... $45	Love Is In The Air ... STILphotograp... $25	Valentine Card, Lov... ThePaperMenag... $4	Love is in the air ... Bohemiq $2.5
Valentine Love Lace... SugarySweetCo... $40	I love you a bushel... spunkyfluff $42.5	8X8 Square Mini Pri... povphotoart $22	Hearts mask in red ... TomBanwell $39

Treasury tool by StylishHome

.

Valentine Heart Print with Butterflies

 

Poem by E.E. Cummings

Husband - Wife Typography

 

Love Typography Print

 

 

 

Customizable Wedding Print

 

Next week’s theme is “Wall décor”. You are more than welcome to submit a treasury and if your treasury is selected we will feature an item from your shop. Just convo Susan or myself. We’ll let you know if your treasury is selected. Also feel free to pin any of the items on our blog and follow our blog with bloglovin’.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time…