• Tell me a bit about yourself

I’m Vivian Low, a Chinese from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I’m a simple person, all I wanted is I could create more bags and others will love them as how I love them as well. I don’t have a strong design based background, I studied accountings. Many people had asked me how an accountings person could be a bag maker? Well, partly because I love crafting more than accountings and I create bags for my sister at the beginning. She is a bags lover but she hates sewing, I have become a sewing tool for her for making bags. And since then, I fall in love with this craft and involve myself quite into it.

• What is the name of your Shop?

I have a little online shop in Etsy called “Cottonbud Design”. This name has given by my sister five years ago when I started to make bags. Meaning being bags are a intimate buddy to ladies and most of my bags are made from cotton, hence came out the name “Cottonbud Design”. I like this name and has using it since then.

• Please describe your creative process

I’m a yarn and fabric person, I collected tons of them and never been choosy when come to crafting materials. As long as the materials is environmental friendly and can be transforming to pretty design, I’ll love to have them. I mix and match all sorts of materials and techniques in my creation. Since I have a full time office job, I only be able to involve in crafty activities during my free time at night or during weekends. I love to spend my times crafting at home, it gives me pleasure and satisfaction every time I finished making a bag.

• Where do your ideas come from?

My inspiration mostly come from the fabric itself. I love to hold, touch and feel the fabric to visualize what sort of bag it will make into and how the design will be. The colour and texture give me endless ideas, I just love to look at the fabric and start my crafty imagination.

• How did you get into your craft?

I can say that I’m quite a self-thought crafter. I only started to learn sewing from a short sewing course five years ago when I wanted to make bag. And then come knitting and crocheting thru books and internet. I never tired to learn new crafty techniques and wish to learn every of them if I could.

• Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I have a full time job as a Accounts Executive, it’s such a boring job. Besides creating bags, I love to cook as well. However, times is always not enough for me, I can’t be able to involved in all sorts of crafty activities that I like at the same times. How I wish I could be able to quit my full time job and get my self more times in creating.

• How do you promote your work?

I promote thru my own Blog, Etsy forum, flickr, facebook and also other blogger’s Blog. My sister also playing a very important role in promoting my bags as well, she is my bag’s live model. Most of my bag’s prototype will go to her, and her friends and colleagues will ask when they see her carrying the bags and this is how she introduce Cottonbud Design to them.

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I hope that you enjoy the selection of the week!!!

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• Tell me a bit about yourself

I’m Delphine, based in sunny (and usually also very humid) Singapore. I picked up jewellery making about 10 years ago, but at that time, it was really only a hobby to be indulged in as and when I could fit it into classes and work. It’s now become a hobby that’s spiraled somewhat out of control and taken up at least one room in the apartment!

• What is the name of your Shop?

Essentials, because, well, I hope that what I’ve created become essential to everyone!
Heh. That was so incredibly cheesy.

• Please describe your creative process

My day job tends to take up a lot of time, which makes it difficult to sit down at the worktable (which doubles up as the dining table) on weekdays. I make it a point to sit down for a couple of hours on Saturday and Sunday mornings to fiddle around with gems and wire. On good days, I get a couple of new designs out in a weekend of work. On bad days, I put together, I take apart and then put things together again – it takes hours just to come up with something at all! The bottom line of my designs is this: Would I wear it? If I would, then it’s something that I can offer in the shop.

• Where do your ideas come from?

Gems! I’m a gemstone junkie and every time a new strand of gems arrives, I am inspired to use at least some of it to make something new. I’m trying to work with different types of gemstones, experiment with different cuts and colours and materials.

• How did you get into your craft?

Jewellery making was one of those things that was really “hot” amongst the university/student crowd years ago and I figured why not make some money out of it if I can. I lost touch with it when I started work, but then picked it up again about 3 years back in the middle of a really busy time at work. I just needed something that was completely different from my day job. Since then, I’ve never looked back!

• Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I spend most of my time at the office and divide the rest unequally between family, the cats and my worktable. I have (previously unvoiced) aspirations to be a domestic goddess, but I’m not quite sure the cooking/sewing bit of it is for me.

• How do you promote your work?

Most of the promotion is by word of mouth and through friends. For online promotion, I use Etsy Showcase quite a bit, as well as Facebook.

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• Tell me a bit about yourself

”Glintbymich” is the lovechild of Mich and Chad. We were based in Sydney more than a year ago, and only just moved to Melbourne, Australia.

• Please describe your creative process

Still trying to figure out if there’s a process, but whenever an idea pops up, we discuss on how to make it happen. We try to work with material and colour contrasts, mixing old and new, modern and vintage, soft and hard textures, really just to have fun in the process!

• Where do your ideas come from?

Mostly, our inspiration comes from places we visit, art that we’ve seen, and vintage finds we’ve come across.

• How did you get into your craft?

I started making my own jewelry when I got tired of the run of the mill jewelry, and as I got more sophisticated in the craft, Chad specialised in the ‘engineering’, soldering, putting things together. Now I’m more of the sales person, while Chad’s moving towards design. It’s a rather organic relationship that’s evolved.

• Apart from creating things, what do you do?

When we are not creating, we are online promoting our store! Because we are in a different time zone from the rest of the world, most of the promotional work is done at night, we are slowing becoming insomniacs!

• How do you promote your work?

We’ve done the usual, chatting on forums, blogging, participating in festivals and I’m always accessorised from head to toe whenever we go out!

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• Tell me a bit about yourself

My name is Maeg, I live in Western Massachusetts with my husband, stepdaughter, and cat.

• What is the name of your Shop?

My shop is Ranunculae, after my favorite flower. I also dig the “ae” spelling thing.

“Diesel Takes Flight” by Ranunculae © 2008 Maeg Yosef

• Please describe your creative process

Whenever I can! I work a full time day job and have a family so I tuck creativity into my day wherever I can (like when I should be sleeping!). The front room of our house has exploded into a Paper Source/JoAnn Fabrics lovechild type mess; I work there. I mainly use Gocco, also linocuts. I love to combine printing and quilting as well.

• Where do your ideas come from?

A lot of inspiration comes from my friend Marykate. She gets credit for being the first to call my sewing machine “diesel.” That little comment blossomed into one idea, then another and another.

I get a lot of ideas randomly and jot them down. I also take time on a regular basis to sit quietly with my sketchbook and get down anything that comes to mind. Right now I have more ideas than I have time or materials, which I think is a good thing. They’re waiting for me!

Fab Five Coasters by Ranunculae

• How did you get into your craft?

I liked to make things for as long as I can remember. I have some “training” here and there and always want to try to new things, new materials. I took about 5 years off from being very creative–it just happened. The whole 5 years I missed it all, but felt uninspired. A few months ago I experienced a very sad loss, and found myself channeling the energy I had into creating again. That’s the short version of how I got to be doing what I’m doing right now.

• Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I work as a retail sign artist, I hang out with my family and friends. I chase my cat around the yard and read a lot of books.

• How do you promote your work?

That is definitely a skill I am developing! My latest project is starting a blog. When it’s ready there will be a link to it in my Etsy shop, please take a peek!

Bobbin Card Set by Ranunculae © 2008 Maeg Yosef

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• 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.

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• 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.

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

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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.

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• 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!

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

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• 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.

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