• Tell me a bit about yourself

Hello. My name is Nilufer but like to use Nil. I am from Istanbul,Turkey but live in Brooklyn,NY for 4 years. I like crosstitches, Yo-Yo’s, Quilting, home decoration and find new ideas for my friends! I was working like Consultant for re-organization the companies. I worked at Gold , Steel, Car Filter and Textile Factories… So for understanding the company and write company manuals I worked at all departments and learn all the production procedures. It was really fun for me to learn a lot of thinks in short time!

• What is the name of your Shop?

Actually I have two stores, nakpunar and iloveyoyo. At Nakpunar I sell emery sand, emery pincushions and craft supplies. At I Love Yoyo I sell my handmade Yo-Yo’s. I have nice projects but need more time.

• Please describe your creative process

I like to use scraps! I hate to throw them to garbage. When I have scrap first I’m looking what is the fabric size and kind. I use satin and crepe fabrics for my Ponytail Holders and Table Runners. Cotton’s for Yoyo Quilts. Really small cotton pieces for my Collectible Miniature Yo-Yo Doll Quilts. After I seperate them I am starting to work.
For emery sand I like to wholesale instead of making pincushions! It’s give me much more time for my Yo-Yo’s.

• Where do your ideas come from?

I like to talk with my friends about our items.Usually I found new ideas when I talk with them! Example my best friend making dolls. When I see her dolls I think hey she need a quilt for her bed! And start to stitches Yo-Yo Doll Quilt Series.

• How did you get into your craft?

All my life I like to do something nice even I was a small kid. Turkey is very old country. There are thousands crafts. Our families teach some crafts like crocheting, sewing to young girls before get married. We like to create and save them.I still have my family chest that is around 300 years old and Basilisk Woman paint on, my Grandmom’s bridal towel that used real gold and silver threads for to make embroidery. So I cannot say I craft only 3-4 years.

• Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I like to go Manhattan, fishing,reading, see new places especially forests and waterfalls! and of course have nice times with my family.

• How do you promote your work?

I have Blog, I am writing at forums, have eBay,Amazon, eCrater store. Send advertisement to craiglist weekly.

• Tell me a bit about yourself

My name is Xin Zhao, and I live in Woburn, MA, which is about 16 miles north of Boston. I grew up in China, and came to US about 9 years ago. I live with my dear husband, our pet fish and lots of my precious plants (I call them my babies). I love my culture and all kinds of Chinese folk arts.

• What is the name of your Shop?

I opened my Etsy Shop, TranquilityKnots, earlier this year.

• Please describe your creative process

Normally, I will draw my designs first, select different basic knots and combine them together in a tasteful way. Then I will gather all the materials, like satin cords, glass beads, porcelain beads, jade pendant and beads, or other semi precious gem pieces base on the shape and colour of my design. I use pins and foam board when making complex knots, and pull the cords and adjust the shape after each section. This adjusting part is actually the hardest, you can destroy your knot right here. Depends on the complexity of the piece, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a whole night to finish.

• Where do your ideas come from?

There are more than a dozen basic knots in Chinese knotting, once you learned them all, you can combine them in any way you like, sky’s the limit. I get my inspiration from all sorts of things, especially the costumes in chinese operas and old movies. I think about them so much, these knots jump around in my head all the time. I carry a little notebook with me everywhere I go, so I can write down my designs and ideas before forgetting it.

• How did you get into your craft?

I loved all kinds of crafts ever since I was little, and my mom sent me to a Chinese brush painting class (for adults) when I was 13. That started my passion about tradition chinese arts, I guess. After I came to US, I appreciated my culture more and more. About 7 years ago, my mom bought me these wonderful books about Chinese knotting and a whole bunch of materials. I got so excited and started making some basic ones. I don’t like to repeat the same design, so I would look for challenging designs in the books and tried them out. I hang all my creations on my living room and gradually they became my one of a kind decoration. All my friends loved them, and kept asking for them. I probably gave away about 200 of them. Then everyone started telling me that I should sell them, especially after my knots were on TV 2 years ago. (I was in one of the episode of Ask This Old House, and they showed off 3 of my knots at the end of the show) I finally made the decision earlier this year, and opened TranquilityKnots. And a big thank you to all my friends who supported me when I started. I couldn’t do it without you guys.

• Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I love gardening and sewing. Actually I will introduce a new line of products in my store later this month. I have been making cute baby gifts and aprons for friends, and felt in love with them. So I have to share them with my customers. They are not really “Chinese”, but they are just so cute, and practical at the same time.

• How do you promote your work?

I chat with people on the Etsy forums. BTW, I had so much fun doing it, you guys are awesome. I also have a Blog, where I talk about all aspects of my life, including my knots of course. I told all my friends and co-workers about my stores, and they help me spread the words as well. I am planning to join some local crafts shows to get more local customers. I have been looking for other creative ways to promote my work and Etsy concept. So if anyone has better ideas they like to share, please go to my store and convo me. Thanks.

I hope that you enjoy the cute list of the week!!!

My name is Barbara Nestola and while I grew up in the heart of the South (Upstate South Carolina) I am currently living in Munich, Germany with my 3 year old daughter while my husband is on international assignment. My background (formal education) is in Physics and Early Childhood Education, however I am currently a Stay-At-Home-Mom (and thats a good thing!). The name of my Etsy shop is “Bow Couture”. I specialize in boutique hair bows/clips, sculpted ribbon clippies, and headbands. I also dabble in sewing children’s clothing. When I am not creating I enjoy being a kid with my daughter (if you’ve never watched The Backyardigans without a child to ‘justify it’, you should give it a try, lol!). I also enjoy a good read every so often…nothing profound, just fun reading. Most of my crafting is done while my daughter sleeps on when Daddy in ‘on duty’! When an idea just can’t wait until naptime I hand her some ribbon and a pair of safety scissors and let her have at it until I at least mete out a few ideas and/or drafts. My inspiration normally comes from my idea of beauty in children’s fashion. (I also love doing custom pieces to match customer’s favorite item(s) of clothing). My love of the bowmaking craft came from my desire as a customer to have unique items to complement my daughter’s wardrobe and sunny personality. I could never find ‘the’ right hair bow worthy of my tot’s head so I tried my hand at creating them. ‘Lo and behold, I just might be decent at this!’ was my eventual conclusion and Bow Couture is now my medium so that I may be able to share with the world (hehe). I am pretty new on Etsy and in Germany but sold a ton of bows on ebay and through word of mouth ‘back home’ in South Carolina. I’ve got to start somewhat fresh now in a new country with promoting my items and so far my walking advertisement (my daughter) and starting to promote in forums are my only means.

• Tell me a bit about yourself

My name is Aimee Dars Ellis, and I live in Phoenix, Arizona, though I am moving to Ithaca, New York this summer. I live with my boyfriend, George, and my dogs, Walter and Harvey. During the day, I am a graduate student in Management, and I sneak in jewelry design at night and on the weekends when I can. I belong to a number of Etsy street teams: Etsy for Animals, Vegan Etsy, Amy’s in the Arts, AWBAR (Abandoned Wild Baby Animal Rescue), and EcoEtsy.

• What is the name of your Shop?

Aimee Dars Designs (etsy name; aimeedars)

• Please describe your creative process

I am lucky enough to have a craft room where I keep my beads, materials, and tools, but I often end up with a beading tray in front of the television! I love working with sterling silver, gemstones, and precious metal clay, though I am not exclusive to those materials. I also use wood beads, glass beads, and others. My current passion is chain maille, and I love learning new weaves!

• Where do your ideas come from?

I wish I had a profound answer to this question, but usually, I am inspired by the beads themselves. As most jewelry designers, I am obsessed with beads and have a ton. I love going to gemshows and bead stores to find new and unique beads. When I work, I try to highlight the beauty of the beads.
Some of the Etsy teams to which I belong have monthly challenges based on themes, and that’s a fun way to get started with new projects. It’s a different way of approaching jewelry pieces—instead of starting with the physical object like I usually do, I begin with an abstract idea and then find the beads or material to make it real.

• How did you get into your craft?

I started making jewelry because I love wearing jewelry, and I got bored with the selections that could be purchased in department stores. Once I took my first classes, I was hooked! Later, I worked part time at a bead store and taught classes, which I loved. I also became a certified PMC artisan, taking my class with Fred Woell, who was very inspiring. He loved breaking the rules which was very liberating and gave us all in the class lots of confidence.

• Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I will join the faculty of a small liberal arts college this fall, and that will change my life in a lot of ways! Besides the “real” job, I love Boggle, Soduku, playing with my dogs, reading, and spending time with my boyfriend. I’m also a bit of a tv addict.

• How do you promote your work?

I’ve found that the Etsy teams are a good way of promoting my shop. I keep a blog, which is a mix of shop/personal information, and I have links to my etsy shop on my myspace and facebook pages. Also, I donate jewelry pieces to a number of charity auctions and events. However, this is an area of my business that needs attention, and I’d love to hear ideas from other Etsy sellers!

I hope that you enjoy the selection of the week… always jewelry

• Tell me a bit about yourself

Hello everyone! My name is Leeana and I have a soap business called LoveLeeSoaps. It is full of fun colorful, beautiful smelling soaps in all different shapes and sizes. Also rich and creamy body butters, lotions, scrubs, and even lip balm.

• What is the name of your Shop?

LoveLeeSoaps

• Please describe your creative process

My products are all very fun and colorful. I am always coming up with new funky designs and all sorts of shapes and sizes. I make soap whenever I get orders or when I am just feeling in the soap mood. I mostly use shea butter and a glycerine soap base.

• Where do your ideas come from?

I draw my inspiration from many different things. Its funny once you start making soap it seems like almost everything you look at you are always thinking in your head how can I convert that into something soap related. I love working with bright colors and coming up with fun new ideas for my soap. There are so many creative one of a kind items on Etsy that its hard not to be inspired.

• How did you get into your craft?

My obsession with soap making started awhile back when me and my mother went to our local craft store like we do every single day. I was sick and couldn’t go to school or out with my friends. I decided to pick up one of those soap kits and try it out. I brought it home and immediately fell in love. I made soap as often as I could but didn’t have much time because of school. As I got more interested in soap, I researched and read books which helped me learn more and more. I even decided it would be a good idea to stop buying those icky soap bases from the craft store and found a great alternative. A couple years later, my mom had an Etsy shop that I helped her maintain and take pictures. She now has a new shop called WildOliveKids. She always pushed me to start my own. After I graduated high school I had already decided to take a year off before going college. It was the perfect time for me to start my own shop so I did. I cannot believe how far I have come in just a short amount of time. From being mentioned in the New York Times magazine to having me soap featured on the Martha Stewart show.

• How do you promote your work?

I do most of my promoting in the forum on Etsy and word of mouth.

• Tell me a bit about yourself

Hi there! My name is Amanda. I live in the beautiful Smokey Mountains of East Tennessee with my wonderful husband, sweet little kitty, and four gerbils! During the school year I work part time at the most wonderful after school day care; I’ve been working there for six years now!

• What is the name of your Shop?

The name of my shop is Migoto Chou. It means ‘beautiful butterfly’ in Japanese. I’ve always been interested in Japanese culture; I’d love to visit there someday. And I am ever enchanted with the magical transformation of the butterfly. Their representation of all things that are new and changing; it’s all very fascinating to me. And there aren’t very many things in this world that are as beautiful as a butterfly!

• Please describe your creative process

My ideas usually come from a thought. I’ll see something, or think of something, and try to figure out a way to bring it into jewelry/miniature form. Sometimes I’ll sketch out the idea, sometimes I’ll just go through all the possibilities in my head, and sometimes I even write out step by step directions for myself! It’s all a lot of trial and error, but I really enjoy the process.

At the moment, I am working in jewelry making, bead embroidery, fabric embroidery, beaded flowers, beaded wirework, sewing, felting, aromatherapy, polymer clay, and resin. I think I’ve tried just about everything now, but those are the ones that seem to have stuck with me.

• Where do your ideas come from?

I have discovered that most of my creations stem from childhood memories. Or just fun childish fairytale things in general. Wishing stars, princesses, castles, doll houses, fairies… I just adore all of these things, and I am so happy to find ways to bring them to everyone! More recently, I’ve been working on jewelry that is inspired by some of the places that I would like to visit… Paris, Hawaii, England, Africa… There are too many wonderful places to name!

• How did you get into your craft?

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always loved being able to make things with my hands. There’s no question that I got this from my Mom. She’s one of the most wonderful, creative, talented, supportive people that I know! I am so grateful to her for always encouraging me to try new things, and to never limit myself.
As far as selling my creations… I started out taking jewelry orders from friends and family while I was in high school. Now I participate in local craft shows and fairs, sell to both local and international boutiques, and I am working on getting up an online boutique as well! It has been such a fun and exciting experience so far!

• Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I love to travel, especially to Walt Disney World! I’ve been 13 times now and still can’t get enough! It is my happy place, and I could go on forever about how wonderful it is!
I also enjoy candy making and a little bit of party planning. I would really like to get into gardening as well, but we’ll see about that!

• How do you promote your work?

I like doing link exchanges, swaps, blogging, and posting on the forums. I have found those to be great ways to not only promote my shop, but to meet some wonderful people as well!

• Tell me a bit about yourself

My name is Vanessa and I’m from Kansas. I get inspired by everyday things. When I see something remotely interesting I tend to capture the image forever in my camera and then into my computer.

My shops name is Nessa Monster, I’ve learned allot of my techniques, believe it or not, from girl scouts.

• Where do your ideas come from?

I’ve always been that sort of person who just can’t seem to get rid of anything so instead I make it into something interesting. There are many ideas running around in my head and now that I’ve actually got a place to express them at i am starting to form them together.

• How did you get into your craft?

Aside from searching Etsy, I tend to day dream allot and hang out with my friends or go for a bike ride to the river not far from my house. I’ve also have been quite successful in selling numerous things on Ebay. I also do not have a good connection with the way things are spelled in the English language.

• How do you promote your work?

I’ve just started Etsy and I’m starting to get ideas on how to get my name out there. People have helped me make my shop more appealing and I’ve gotten some great advice on how to promote myself. I’ve recently started a Blog, and I have an idea to start making videos about my Etsy shop. But that’s still in pre-production.

I hope that you enjoy the selection of the week… only girls!

Till recently I worked in the basement of an art museum but left my job to pursue life as a full time mom, artist and crafter. I consider myself a maker of things. I love working with fabric and paint, embroidery, sewing and vintage findings to create something that has a completely new and original aesthetic from its former life.
Instead is the name of my store on Etsy and it is still a relatively new venture.
With my paintings and embroidered pillows, I often start with an idea about colour. It could be just a feeling of a blue and yellow day for example and then I find objects that relate to that. I am always inspired by the outdoors and little things that scamper about or flutter in the wind but sometimes when I find a fabric or vintage find that I am absolutely crazy about, that will be the starting point for a clutch or something.
I have been making things for as long as I remember so I can’t imagine not.
My promotion so far has been by word of mouth and just being on the for a lot as well as through my Blog which has been as addiction of mine lately.

My name is Arnesa, I go by the nickname Arny. I live in Leesburg, Virginia. Originally I am from Bosnia and I have lived in United States for 10 years now. I work as a Store Manager at Anne Klein and I make my products when I have free time. The name of my Shop is Arny Designs. I am all for going green, so I make my products from plastic shopping bags, materials, plastic, metal, etc. I usually like to come up with new ideas so I try to put a few things together to make a design. I know there are a lot of products that look the same and I am trying to just have one of a kind. I have started making my products last year and it just came to me. I was playing around with some bags and trying to think of something and that’s how it just came to me. I promote my work online, through friends and co-workers and any possible way that I can. Since I have just started this I am hoping that my business will pick up as more people get to know about it. We all know that there is a lot of people that are going green, and for me, this is the best way to start saving the environment.

• Tell me a bit about yourself

My name is Christen Largent. I live west of Toledo, Ohio in the middle of nowhere called Monclova — it’s not a town, it’s a township. I am married to a wonderful man and this year we’ll celebrate our 15th year of marriage!! I can’t believe it! I have 2 awesome kids - Meghan and Liam. I’m a member of the Etsy Street Team ‘AJC’ (Art Jewelry Collective) and my Etsy Shop is “bddesigns”.

• Please describe your creative process

My creative process is a bit scattered and unpredictable! I’m a mom, so as such, you never get a moment to have 2 logical or creative thoughts in a row during waking hours, so a lot of my designs come to me in dreams or in that half-awake state, when my brain has time to process what I’ve been mulling over throughout the day! It’s almost eerie how that happens, but it works for me! I do a lot of my creating during the late hours of the night into the wee hours of the morning, again, because I’m a mom. But it works for me! I do all the things that I need to concentrate on — design elements, most of my soldering functions that take concentration, etc. while my kids sleep and then while they’re buzzing around during the day I get the “production” functions done, like patina, sanding, polishing and the like.

• Where do your ideas come from?

I live in the middle of the woods, and always have from childhood on up, so I’m a nature girl! The things that inspire me the most are “oddities” in nature…like a “weird” bug, or a plant that just spring up out of nowhere in the middle of my flower garden, or the shape of a seed pod I haven’t seen before. I tend to notice everything (much to the dismay of my children) and it all gets trapped up there in the great beyond that is my brain, and then it somehow finds its’ way into my work. I also love words! I was an English/Lit major in college and even though I don’t claim to be a writer, I still am fascinated by the way writers, especially classic poets, string words together and make what sounds like music when read. That has also found its’ way into my work.

• How did you get into your craft?

I have always worked with my hand — product of growing up on a farm and having a father who can do EVERYTHING from plumbing a house to bricking a wall! When you grow up in Lancaster County, PA, you naturally learn that if you can make it, don’t buy it! So I got into jewelry about 10 years ago - stringing and then wire working and then one day my Dad gave me some jewelry that he had metals method in high school and told me that this was where I was headed! And I said NO WAY! I don’t want to buy expensive equipment and take the time to learn how to use it! He wore me down — and gave me my first lesson on how to solder a few years ago. I since have studied with a fabulous artist in Atlanta - Helen Blythe Hart - who opened a whole other world of fabrication to me! She really is a rock star! She gave me a lot of the tools to do what I do now!

• Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I am a SOLID perennial gardener! I was well trained by my mother! I not only know how to make perennials grow and come back every year, but I can identify a whole lot of plants in general! She was a great teacher and inspired me to be creative in the planning and planting of all my flower gardens!

• How do you promote your work?

My husband calls me a “Walking Etsy Billboard”! I talk to EVERYONE about Etsy! A friend of mine who owns a print shop designed my business cards and they are GORGEOUS! I learned a LONG time ago that your business card is the least expensive and most effective form of advertising and I wholeheartedly agree with that. I’ve tested the theory for about 10 years. This is my 2nd business that I’ve started in my life and my first one was just as prosperous and a lot of that I attribute to my handing out business cards. It may seem laughable, but it works! I don’t just hand A SINGLE biz card to someone when I bump into them….while singing the praises of Etsy, I am grabbing 4 or 5 biz cards out of my easily accessible pocket in my purse and handing them to this poor, naive person who doesn’t know it yet, but will soon be hopelessly addicted to this fabulous site! I ASK each person to give one of my business cards to their best friend, mom, sister, co-workers. I ASK them to do that! You will not receive unless you ASK!!!! It really is the key!!!

I hope that you enjoy the beautiful selection of the week.

Hi my name is Kia Xiong, 23 going on 24 years old and I am a Fashion Designer who loves clothes and making unique pieces from beautiful fabrics to left over vintage fabrics that I think will work on a women’s body. I am currently located in California and enjoy the sun and people around me. I am also a student in Fashion Designing and am certified to make clothes.

I make all my designs and list them on my Etsy Shop called Nostalgia. I choose that name because I like the word and hopefully a nostalgic feel when you drop by my shop…since there is vintage and retro garments. I first found out about Etsy through my great friend Tammy who was already an Etsy member. I took a browse through her shop and others and just find it so amusing so I thought maybe I can create fun shop too and from there, Nostalgia was born.

Everyday, every night, and while I’m asleep, I dream of making clothes. I may sound crazy but really , I do dream about making wonderful wearable dresses that drapes or flares and when the morning comes, I would make what I had in mind. I always imagine a particular type of fabric and then I would go find it at the local fabric shop and see if I can find something similar or maybe something better. On a regular day, I wake up and think of what I can make for the day or week and browse through fashion magazines, thrift shop or for a walk to gather my inspiration and go straight to my very cool blue sewing machine and start sewing away. When I’m in the middle of sewing, I always seem to have more and more ideas that pops up in my mind and I would alter whatever I was making.

I usually use fabrics with a pretty print or vintage fabrics. I love to alter an abandon t-shirt or piece of clothing and make an old to a new. I love the recycling process and mixing it with the new. The types of clothes that are in my shop are pretty, flirty, and cute dresses, skirts, funky tops and tanks, draped tops, vintage clothes and accessories and more…..Well, besides designing, I do enjoy swimming and try getting a tan because my legs are sooo white. I love to scooter and bike with my little sister and baby cousins as well as decorating my apartment. I enjoy watching interior designs makeovers and love to watch reruns of Me, My Wife and Kids and Reba. I love love love sushi and mint ice cream. And sometimes, I will be on Etsy and munching away on my yummy mint ice cream and promoting by going on the forums and chatting with other buyers and sellers on Etsy. I do enjoy Etsy very much and it is the best thing that has happened to me so far.