Handcrafted Holiday Sale

Halloween was a blast and now the holidays are right around the corner. It's hard to believe how fast the year has gone. It's time to celebrate the end of another great year with a sale! It's a great time to get some of that holiday shopping taken care of with a Buy 2, Get 1 Free Sale through December 31 at my shop, Oceanside Creations.

I love knowing that I'm giving a special gift that no one else in the whole world will have. Delight the jewelry lovers you know with unique, one of a kind necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Here are a few of my favorites:

Misty Morning Sea Glass Necklace with Blue Aventurine

Spring Amethyst Necklace

Antiqued Copper Wave Earrings

I'm back...and FREE SHIPPING!

I know its been a while since you last heard from me but I'm still here. It's been a busy few months making the leap from my home state of Maine to my new hometown in Washington. My fiance and I spent a wonderful week driving across this huge and beautiful country, stopping to take in the sights at Niagra Falls, exploring Chicago for a day, and making my life long dream of visiting Yellowstone a reality. What an amazing trip!

Here we are in the Portland area finally feeling like we are getting settled in. We have a cute but cramped apartment that is great for the 2 of us at the moment. It is right beside a park with walking trails that loop around a lake. I head out for a walk every day! I love that I can still be so close to nature and only a short drive into Portland. I have been enjoying my time here by getting to know my fiance's family, exploring the city, discovering some great eats, and of course diligently hunting for a job. That took a little longer than I thought but one came along just in time.

Now its time to get back in to my jewelry making. I haven't felt like I had time to work on it though I have had a lot of time on my hands. Focusing on other things I guess. It's hard to feel like I can have a hobby when I should be working at an actual job. Hopefully I will be inspired to start on some new designs for the holidays. I'm always excited to see what new ideas come along after taking a little time off.

~FREE SHIPPING~
Through October 31, I will be offering free shipping to US and Canada on all purchases.

Here are a few pieces to add some sparkle to your fall wardrobe:



Smoldering Garnet Earrings


Autumn Tribute Earrings




An elegant Jade Wirework Pendant with ribbon necklace


Glamorous Garnet Drop Earrings

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See more from Oceanside Creations on Etsy

Behind The Art Monday

Today's interview is with Etsy shop Beads Of Glass.

Introduce yourselves and tell us about your shop.

Beautiful handmade lampwork beads and jewelry for women who love one-of-a-kind artisan creations by artists Joyce & Harvey Richards. Our art is born out of a husband and wife collaboration. Our talents flow together to create unique pieces of artistic jewelry. I choose to work with glass because of the mesmerizing nature of the molten glass as it passes through the various temperatures of the flame. I feel in control until the flame changes my direction, at which time a miracle occasionally takes place. I try to translate my love of the glass and colors and luminosity into beauty and hope that you both see and feel that love in each bead I create. Harvey takes these artistic beads and with his sense of design, balance and form creates graceful, feminine, wearable art.

What inspires your work? Describe your creative process and favorite materials.

I use soft glass rods imported from Italy, Germany and other far off places to create my beads. I am inspired by nature and often use the glass rods to paint as I once used oils to paint on canvas. Color and the use of layered dots play a big part in my designs. I love to use glass infused with metals. These colors are manipulated in the flame in ways that help me bring out the metallic nature of the glass. Our glass beads are placed into a digitally controlled kiln to remove stress caused from manipulating the glass. Soaking the beads at almost 1000 degrees for hours and slowly reducing the temperature insures it's structural integrity so that you may enjoy your glass jewelry for many years to come.

We use only the finest materials and often combine the glass with semi-precious stones, pearls and either sterling or pure silver. Our aim is to give you a piece of art that you will treasure as you would an heirloom.

How did you get started with your work?

We are both self-taught artists and have exhibited and sold our work at various art festivals across South Florida. Our studio is located in SW Florida. We are members of Florida Craftsmen and have been members of the Englewood Art Center where we have participated in juried fine art shows. We have also been participating members of the Charlotte County Art Guild, The Arts and Humanities Council of Charlotte County and the Aiken Center of the Arts in SC.

What brought you to Etsy?

We found Etsy through other artists and we are still trying to get ourselves out there.

Where else can we find you online?

You can find us at:
http://www.lampworkbeadcreations.com
http://twitter.com/wildorchidbeads


What is your favorite piece in your shop?

You should check out our bracelets. They are colorful yet classy. My favorite is the Cherry Red with leaves and adorned with Bali silver.

You can find it here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18221381

Harvey's has started working with PMC and has made the most stunning earrings.

Aphrodite Pure Silver Earrings 999
His favorite can be found here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24541386

What have you learned from your craft and selling on Etsy?

The most precious gift our art has brought us is the knowledge of how wonderful it is to have work that you love. Too be so immersed in what your doing that you forget it's work. The joy you feel when you have created a beautiful thing is very fulfilling and we think many people on Etsy have discovered this.
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See more from BeadsOfGlass on Etsy

Behind The Art Monday

Today's featured artist is Belgian native Annik from Vintage Designs on Etsy. She lives in Spotsylvania, VA, near Washington D.C and has 2 daughters. She designs one-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry, incorporating vintage elements.

How did you get your start making jewelry?

It all started with a box of my grandmother's jewelry. I kept this box in a drawer for years and occasionally I would take it out to look at the wonderful jewelry in it. Some of it I could wear, but a lot of it lay broken apart in the bottom of the box. I felt it was such a shame not to be able to wear these pieces that meant so much to me for sentimental reasons. One day, I decided I would repair the broken necklaces so that I could wear grandma's things. From there the idea grew to start designing necklaces with a vintage flair. I decided to incorporate vintage beads into my own designs. Once I made a few pieces I was hooked and knew this was what I wanted to do!

What inspires your work? Describe your creative process.

I am inspired in a lot of different ways: fashion, colors in nature, period costumes, art... Usually, an idea for a piece will pop into my head and I'll try to sketch it out on a piece of paper until I can create the piece. Sometimes, I'll just look at the different materials I use and get an idea of how to put them together. I love to incorporate pearls into my work. I am smitten by the feel of the vintage elements I use; their details, the quality, the difference in colors from new materials...

What are your goals for your shop?

I want to add more & more pieces to my shop and hope to get more business. Who knows maybe someday I can do this full time?

What do you do when your not creating?

When I'm not creating I keep very busy with my children, work, home life, and trying to enjoy a few things I like to do to relax.

What brought you to Etsy? Do you sell anywhere else?

I came to Etsy because it is specifically geared towards handcrafted items. I have some of my items on Artfire as well.

Where can we find you online?

I am on Myspace, Facebook, Vintage Rising, Indiepublic & some others.
What is the most important lesson you have learned through selling your work on Etsy?

To be persistent and hang in there. It takes time to build up a customer base.


Anything else you would like us to know about you?

I have always been drawn to things from the past. It is fascinating to me to think who the items might have belonged to and what their story is.
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See more from Vintage Designs

Weekend Deals

This weekend August 21-23, I am offering Free International Shipping on any purchase of $25 or more (before shipping charges). Shipping costs will be refunded via Paypal as soon as your order is received.

Here are some of my newest designs:
Beach Roses Sea Glass Pendant


Golden Olives Layering Necklace

Behind The Art Monday

Today's interview is with Leeya Engel from Modi'in, Israel. Her shop is called Leeya and features fimo clay jewelry and singed organza blossom accessories. Leeya tells us, "I have always and will always love experimenting with crafts and new materials."

What inspires your work? Describe your creative process and tell us about your favorite materials to work with.

I love the way that the organza changes shape during the singeing process. I love making tiny precious details and setting crystals into my fimo creations. I love when something turns out evem more beautiful than I had planned. I love when things turn out beautiful without my having planned.
What are your goals for your Etsy shop?

My goal for my shop besides for having it cover the expenses of he materials I am always inevitably buying from various craft shops is to have an outlet for my designs. If I have a whole bunch of stuff I have made at home then I have no reason to make more. If the stuff starts selling then I have a reason to continue crafting and a justification for what I love to do.

What do you do when you're not crafting? Any favorite hobbies?

When I am not crafting I am probably doing homework or preparing for a lab or hanging with my hubby. I am pursuing a masters in Materials Science and Engineering. In addition to crafting, I like to paint while listening to soft music and to write poetry.

How did you come to Etsy? Do you sell anywhere else?

A friend of mine turned me on to etsy one day and since then I've been hooked (serious spend-too-much-time-on-etsy-anonymous). I also sell my fimo earrings and rings in a local store.

Where can we find you online?

I twitter (LeeyaEngel) I facebook (Leeya Engel) and I have a craft blog where I talk about my work: http://LeeyaEngel.blogspot.com
What is your favorite item in your shop?

It's tough to pick a favorite item...I'd have to say these days its my Cherry Lover Earrings
What is the most valuable thing you have learned from your art and being an Etsy seller?

Great question. I have learned so many things. First of all I believe that by selling in a community like etsy I have been able to compare my items to those of others which helps with pricing and uniqueness. I find it so inspiring to admire the work of other crafters. My photography and photoshop skills have improved dramatically. I have also learned that creating an online presence and personality is an important thing and that it is something that you really need to build over time.

I hope that you enjoy etsy as much as I do! Happy crafting, shopping, and wearing :)
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See more from Leeya at her Etsy shop

Weekend Deals

I will be moving from Maine to Oregon September 1st so I am offering great deals this month. Every weekend will be a new special. Here's this week's:

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 14-16, ALL EARRINGS are Buy 2, Get 1 Free. The lowest priced pair will be free. Please add only 2 pairs to your cart and indicate your free pair in the notes to seller section during checkout.

Shop Oceanside Creations

Behind The Art Monday

Today's featured artist is Beth Reiman from BPR Designs. Beth lives in Portland, Oregon and does beautiful kiln fired glass work, making soap dishes, pendants, wine bottle cheese plates, vases, bowls and more. Beth says, "I have always loved glass and a few years ago I decided to take a couple of fused glass classes locally. I was hooked at once!"

I hope you will take a moment to get to know Beth and peek into her wonderful shop.



What inspires your work?

I think the colors in nature inspire a lot of my work. I love the outdoors and gardening. I think that is why you see so much green and blue in my shop. But I really love all color! When I am creating a functional piece (like a plate or bowl), I try to think of how and where I might use it to determine the design. I generally create to my own taste, although I often accept commission work of a particular style or color that I might not normally do on my own. The great thing is that often drives me to something new that I haven't tried before and it opens up my horizons! The primary material I use is fusible art glass, generally Bullseye, which is manufactured here in Portland.

What are your goals for your shop?

The primary goal that I have for my shop is to grow my business consistently and maintain a base of satisfied customers who love my glass pieces as much as I do, and will return to shop with me again!

What are your hobbies when you ae not creating?

When I am not in my glass shop, I like to garden, cook, travel, kayak or sip some wine on my deck! I think that my flower garden is my second favorite creative activity. I keep stealing lawn space to put in more dahlias!

How did you come to sell on Etsy? Do you sell anywhere else?

I first was referred to Etsy by a friend when we were looking for a wedding gift for a mutual friend. I couldn't believe how many great shops were out there! It seemed like a great community to sell in, once I decided to try to sell my work. I also do some art fairs locally.

Where can we find you online?

You can find me Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/BPR-Designs/82999911944 I am still "Twitter-free!"

What is your favorite piece in your shop?

My current favorite in my shop is my Galaxy bowl:

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned from creating and selling on Etsy?

The most valuable thing I have learned from my art and being an Etsy seller is the incredible power of networking. It is amazing how things catch on when you start connecting with others.

See more from Beth in her Etsy shop

New Favorites

I just listed this Wire Wrapped Freshwater Pearl Bracelet and it's my new favorite in my shop. I love pearls. They are beautiful in such a simple way. This bracelet would look spectacular with the matching Freshwater Pearl Necklace and Earrings set.

See something you like? Click on the pictures to link to my shop.

Weekend Deals

This weekend, Saturday August 8 and Sunday August 9, receive free shipping to US/Canada on any purchase. Your shipping charges will be refunded via paypal. Happy shopping!

Just listed this lovely Sea Glass necklace with blue aventurine

Behind The Art Monday

Today's Behind The Art Monday Interview is with Lynn Fraser from Liverpool, England. Her Etsy shop features original handpainted artwork in a variety of styles, along with cards and prints of her work. Check out her shop, LynnFraser on Etsy.com.
Tell us about your art. What do you make? How did you come to your craft?

I have always been interested in drawing and painting.I attended nightschool to reawaken my desire to paint. Leaving work a few years ago, I was able to indulge that desire.I love to paint and can throw myself into another world when I'm creating a picture.

What inspires your work? Describe your creative process and tell us about your favorite materials to work with.

I'm inspired by beautiful photography and my imagination.Usually ideas come just before I go to sleep.Then my mind goes into overdrive with ideas rushing in.Hopefully I remember them when I wake up! I like to paint in acrylics on canvas. I love the near instant effects you can get with it,because of its quick drying nature.

What are your goals for your shop?

To open my artwork up to a larger market and learn how to promote myself successfully within Etsy.I find the people in the forums very friendly and like the sense of community.

What are your favorite hobbies?

Reading is my favourite hobby when I'm not painting.I love to get lost in a good book!
Anything from chicklit, a good ghost story to an autobiography. I always seem to be creating something.Otherwise I like to read and walk my dog on the beach.

How did you come to Etsy? Do you sell anywhere else?

A friend on Deviantart introduced me to Etsy. I also have a Folksy shop and my own website.

Where can we find your work online?
You can find me at http://www.lynnfraser.co.uk also on flickr, deviantart, artinliverpool, folksy, almiro gallery, and myspace.

What is the most valuable thing you have learned from your art and being an Etsy seller?

I'm still learning with my art. The more I paint the more I learn. I like to flip from figurative to folkart style and popart painting. Also,I love the pleasure I get from standing back from a finished painting and thinking I did that!. The icing on the cake is when someone feels the same way about your work and buys a piece. I love to think someone has put my work on their wall and is getting the same pleasure in looking at it as I got from painting it.

See more from Lynn at her Etsy shop

I'm moving!

~August Moving Sale~

I will be moving from Maine to Oregon September 1st so I am offering great deals this month. Every weekend will be a new special which I will post on my blog to keep you updated. Here's this weeks':

~Weekend Special August 1st and 2nd~
All items are Buy One, Get One 50% off!
Please contact me through my shop prior to your purchase for this deal so I may adjust the price for you. Lower priced item will be discounted.





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Shop Oceanside Creations on Etsy

Reviyve Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Aik with winning comment #16! Aik said" I love the Organic Shea Butter and Soy Lip Balm Set." She has won the Sweet Orange Scrub and Sampler Set from Reviyve.

You will be contacted by e-mail and have 48 hours to claim your prize. If I don't receive a response within 48 hours I will need to choose a new winner.

Enjoy your prizes!

Behind The Art Monday

Today's feature is with Heidi from Etsy shop pickmeup, a jewelry shop filled with beautiful, creative and colorful pieces. I love all the gorgeous wire work that goes into giving her pieces a unique look. Heidi is offering shoppers free shipping through July so go take a peek.
Introduce yourself.

My name is Heidi. I recently returned from a stint in Sydney, Australia and am currently living in Nashville, Tennessee.

Tell us about your art. What do you make? How did you come to your craft?

I make handmade jewelry. It started when I was putting on a necklace I had bought at the store. For some reason, I took a closer look and said to myself, "hey, I can make this!"

What inspires your work? Describe your creative process and tell us about your favorite materials to work with.

I tend to sketch a lot to get ideas (I got my spiral earring ideas from doodling one day). I work mainly with sterling silver and gold-filled wire with all sorts of gemstones and Swarovski crystals thrown in.

What are your goals for your shop?

My goal is to earn enough in a month to pay my car payment. After that, we'll see:)

What do you do when you are not creating?

I have a degree in Architecture. Unfortunately, I had to return to the States at this difficult time. So I'm also job hunting...

What is your favorite hobby other than crafting?

I've recently started cooking and trying new recipes. I love good food! I'm also an avid reader and tennis player.

What brought you to Etsy? Do you sell anywhere else?

I was telling a good friend about my jewelry I was making and she suggested Etsy.

Where can we find you online?

I'm on Twitter: http://twitter.com/heidispickmeup
and I recently started a blog: http://pickmeupboutique.blogspot.com/




What is your favorite item in your shop?

One of my first and favorite creations is my Yellow Jade Spiral Earrings
I think they are a TRUE pick-me-up- how could you be in a bad mood while wearing those earrings?!

What is the most valuable thing you have learned from your art and being an Etsy seller?

Be patient with your shop- you never know who is looking!
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See more from pickmeup on Etsy
Enter this week's giveaway to win great skincare products from Reviyve

Giveaway winner

***Update***

This prize was not claimed within 48 hours and a new winner has been chosen and notiified by email.


The winner of the Papermepretty giveaway is Comment #3, Olga, who says "I love the love birdies, they are absolutely adorable!!"

Congratulations on winning these fabulous customized business cards!
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Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win some great skincare products from Reviyve

Giveaway!

Today's interview and giveaway features Michelle from Reviyve. She runs her own business, offering a great variety of skin and health care products on several websites and recently opened a shop on Etsy . Today she is offering readers the chance to try some of her products through a giveaway.

Enjoy meeting Michelle and enter below for your chance to win.

Tell us about yourself.

I am Michelle Howard from Westchester County, New York. I am married with 3 children of my own, a step daughter, and a cat that thinks she's human. I am President and co-owner of Reviyve LLC a personal care e-commerce business presenting my clients with alternatives to healthy living. I currently manage two e-commerce stores that offer stress relief & pain management products and handcrafted skin care products as well as other private labeled natural skin care products. In the near future I'll be offering Kathy Ireland Essentials, a new Dead Sea Cosmetics line that is totally paraben and sodium laurel sulfate free. In addition to my sales efforts, I write a monthly ezine for both of my sites.

My husband is a motivational speaker and conducts regular blog talk radio interviews with small business owners that need assistance with promoting their businesses. You can find him on blogtalkradio.com and his show is The Coach K of Life Show. In addition to his speaking career, Karriem manages an e-gourmet coffee store, http://premiumcoffeebyrv.com.

How did you get your start?

Oh boy I think I covered what I have to offer and now a little about why my husband and I started our business.

We started our business with the initial goal of being able to work from home full time so we could spend more time with our children and work our own schedule. My youngest son Christopher is diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy so he was my biggest determining factor. I want to some day leave a legacy for my children and ensure their financial well being. If I depend on my day to job to do it, then it's just a dream. Instead, I've turned my dream into goals that will eventually become a reality.

As time goes on I discover that I really do like helping people so I guess you can say that's one of my goals as well.

What inspires your work? Describe your creative process and tell us about your favorite materials to work with.

I do not create my own products. There are so many great artisans available so why reinvent the wheel. Besides, marketing and researching, which is my field of expertise, is very time consuming. I have someone else to hand craft my skin care/bath & body line, Blended Naturals but I am fully aware of the ingredients that formulate them. My role consists of designing my packaging, labels, websites, brochures; assembling sampler sets, gift baskets and promoting my products at events, shows, parties and in the near future I'll be contacting spas and alternative health providers in my local area. I am also heavily into the design and marketing of my skin care line and I consume my own products daily because I have sensitive skin and other products on the market have not been so kind to me. Besides, one can be more passionate about what they have to offer when they consume them.

For my stress and pain relief line, I look for items that will assist my customers with addressing their pain and stress safely...hence, alternative products. I have personally used a number of the items on my site to ensure their quality and effectiveness. I spend time researching these items and then I offer them to my customers along with tons of information about a variety of stress and pain related issues.

What are your goals for your business? Is this a full or part time job?

It is my goal to run my business full time out of my home. Once all of my debt has been eliminated, I will purchase my own home and create a home office to work from. While this is currently a part time gig (says my finances), I expound a lot of energy into it and I work many many hours coming up with useful content to share with my website visitors, blog readers and ezine subscribers.

What are your favorite hobbies?

Writing, Reading, Shopping, Watching Movies

What brought you to Etsy? Do you sell anywhere else?

While I do sell on my own websites, I decided to try Etsy out in order to get more exposure for skin care line, Blended Naturals.

Where can we find you online?

Where can't you find me?! LOL Ok, here's where you can locate me and my goodies:

http://www.deadseastorebyrv.com - Dead Sea and Natural Skin Care, Bath & Body Products
http://www.stressreliefbyrv.com - Stress & Alternative Pain Relief Products
http://www.deadseastorebyrv.blogspotcom - Fresh Radiant Skin Blog
http://www.stressreliefbyrv.blogspot.com - Stress and Alternative Pain Relief Blog
http://www.10steps2success.blogspot.com - Work from Home Success Blog
http://onlineshoppingmall.ning.com/profile/Reviyve
http://twitter.com/reviyve
http://www.linkedin.com/in/reviyve
http://www.facebook.com/Reviyve
http://onlineshoppingmall.ning.com/profile/Reviyve
http://sistapreneurs.ning.com/profile/MichelleHowardSmith
http://beautiesonthego.ning.com/profile/Michelle
http://wozone.ning.com/profile/Michelle624

What is your favorite item in your shop?

In my natural skin care shop, my favorite items are the Organic Shower Gel (favorite essential oils to scent with are relaxation and honey almond) and my customer's favorite: The Brown Sugar Scrub & Combination Facial Mask.

In my stress and pain relief shop, I don't have a favorite item but more so of a favorite line which is the Magnetic Therapy line. I LOVE these products. I had a double foot surgery in Nov, 2008 and the magnets are phenomenal at alleviating pain and swelling.

What is the most valuable thing you have learned from your business and creating your products?

The most valuable thing that I have learned thus far is that being successful is not just about making sales but it also includes building relationships and meeting interesting people along the way. Will everyone like and want to buy my products? Nope but there are many who do and those are the individuals I am seeking to connect with.

Lastly, I'd like to add that running your own business is HARD work and there are many times when I feel discouraged. When you experience discouragement, my suggestion is to go back to ground zero which is remembering why you started your business in the first place.

Anything else you would like us to know about you?

Yes, are you surprised? :-) I invite anyone who is interested in skin care, beauty in general or ways to live stress and pain free without the side effects caused by traditional medicine, to subscribe to one of my monthly ezines. You won't be disappointed. I do not spam but I do feature many guest writers as well as write my own unique articles with information from research conducted as well as my personal experience. I also tend to write with a comical twist at times. You can subscribe at:

http://www.stressreliefbyrv.com/newsletters/subscribe - Stress Less Ezine

OR

http://www.deadseastorebyrv.com/subscribe - Skin Naturale Ezine

Michelle is giving away a full size jar of Organic Sweet Orange Sugar Scrub along with A Sampler Gift Set :

Here's how to enter:

First you MUST visit either Reviyve on Etsy, http://www.deadseastorebyrv.com or http://www.stressreliefbyrv.com and leave a comment with your favorite item. Please be sure to include your email address in your comments or have it visible in your blogger profile. You want to know if you won, right?

For additional entries you can do any or all of the following, leaving ONE comment for EACH:

~Visit my shop, Oceanside Creations, and share your favorite item- 1 additional entry (leave 1 comment)

~Become a follower of this blog or let me know if you already do- 1 additional entry leave one comment

~Follow Oceanside Creations on Twitter AND tweet about this giveaway including @OceansideJewlry in your tweet - 1 additional entry (leave a comment letting me know)

~Blog about this giveaway with a link to your post- 2 additional entries (leave 2 comments) Include a picture of the prize for a 3rd entry and leave a 3rd comment

~Become a fan of Oceanside Creations on Facebook- 1 additional entry (leave one comment)

~Add Oceanside Creations to your blog roll- 1 additional entry (leave 1 comment with a link to your blog)

~Make a purchase from Reviyve or Oceanside Creations between now and midnight July 31 -5 additional entries ~ Leave 5 comments telling me what you bought

That's a lot of chances to enter this fabulous giveaway!

Good Luck!

Giveaway runs through Friday, July 31 at midnight EST. Our winner will be chosen on Saturday morning, August 1st via the random.org widget in the right sidebar and will be announced right here on this blog. Winner will be e-mailed and have 48 hours to claim their prize by responding to the email. If winner does not claim their prize within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen. When leaving comments please be sure your e-mail address is available for me to contact you. All photos are courtesy of Michelle.
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Behind The Art Monday

Today's Behind The Art Monday interview is with Lisa from Thoughtful Expressions. she makes jewelry, greeting cards and cute beaded flip flops. Enjoy!

Introduce yourself.

My name is Lisa Anderson and I'm from Atlanta, GA

Tell us about your art. What do you make? How did you come to your craft?

I make jewelry and have started making beaded flip flops for the spring and summer seasons. I got started making jewelry because my husband and I walked in the Breast Cancer 3-Day last year in memory of my mother and someone suggested that I should make jewelry and sell it as a fundraiser so that is what I did. I received a lot of compliments and raised a lot of money so I decided to try it out as a business and here I am.


What inspires your work? Describe your creative process and tell us about your favorite materials to work with.

I am inspired when I see something that is beautiful or relaxing and a name will pop into my head and then I will create something to go along with that name. Sometimes I just see some pretty beads and a design comes to me. I enjoy working with all kinds of beads. I love the sparkle of swarovski crystals and the beauty of lampwork beads. I like functional pieces that you can wear with a variety of outfits.

What are your goals for your shop?

My goal is to create quality jewelry that people fall in love with. There is nothing like seeing a piece of jewelry and wanting to match everything you wear to it! I also want to provide quality jewelry that everyone can afford and unique pieces that you won't see on anyone else.

What do you do when you are not creating?

When I'm not creating jewelry I am taking care of kids. I have 3 of my own and also provide childcare full time.


What is your favorite hobby other than crafting?

I would have to say spending time with my family. They are the most important thing to me and we do a lot of things together. Sometimes we even design together!


What brought you to Etsy? Do you sell anywhere else?

A friend of mine told me about Etsy and suggested that I try it out so I did. I have also sold at a few festivals and to people I know. My daughter is my little sales person at her school. She has sold a lot of things to the teachers!
Where can we find you online?

Etsy is the only place for now. I haven't branched out anywhere else yet but I'm looking into it.

What is your favorite item in your shop?

My favorite jewelry piece in my shop right now is the Sparrows Flight necklace and earring set



My favorite non-jewelry piece is this pair of flip flops that would be great as comfortable reception shoes for a bridal party and they will go great with a little sun dress.

What is the most valuable thing you have learned from your art and being an Etsy seller?

Patience for one. Both in creating the jewelry or flip flops and in waiting for sales. Also the importance of networking and being involved with others to get the word out about my shop.

Anything else you would like us to know about you?

I love creating things that others love to wear. I am constantly thinking about what other things I can try. Oh, the best part about what I do is that a portion of all sales goes to help fight cancer!

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See more from Thoughtful Expressions in her Etsy shop.

Papermepretty Giveaway

Today's feature and giveaway is with Shalon from Papermepretty. Her fantastic shop is filled with customizable paper goods from business cards to gift tags. I love her colorful designs that would add a professional touch to any Etsy shop. Hope you enjoy discovering this wonderful shop and enter the giveaway for a customizable set of business cards.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Shalon. I live in the same town where I was born in Elkhart, Indiana. I love it here although outsiders would wonder why. Not too much going on here. I love design and have been a freelance designer for the past 7 years. Although graphic design isn't my primary job, it's my secret love.

Tell us about your art. What do you make? How did you come to your craft?

I am a designer of all things web & print. I mostly design stationery goods and couture graphics. I started out several years ago with the deep curiosity of how things on the web are all put together. I was obsessed with web design for some time before I realized everything all relates back to visual appeal. That is how my love for graphics were spawned.


What inspires your work? Describe your creative process and tell us about your favorite materials to work with.

Since I mostly work with my computer, I rely on my graphics programs to get my jobs started. I work with adobe illustrator, photoshop, fireworks, and dreamweaver depending on the project. Illustrator is my most favorite. I also couldn't design with our inspiration from fabrics, paper, and vintage materials.

What are your favorite hobbies?
My favorite hobbies are reading, sipping tea, and visiting my local bookstore. I love thrift shops. I love love photography.


What are your goals for your business? Is Etsy a full or part time job?

As for now I am still a corporate american. It would be my dream to be a full time designer and I do see that in the future. It wasn't until about a year ago I believed it could be possible. Now I'm in the process of getting all my thing together. I know it can be done, I just have to do it!

What brought you to Etsy? Do you sell anywhere else?

I found Etsy by accident. I was looking for a venue to sell my works and I fell in love with this site! Most of my work is listed on my etsy site and my blog. I'm mostly a freelancer so I take a lot of private sales & custom works.

Where can we find you online?

Find me on Etsy at www.papermepretty.etsy.com
Blog: www.designartsoul.com
twitter: twitter.com/shalonestrada

What is your favorite item in your shop?
This is a tough one! I would have to say that one of my favorites is couture deluxe business cards. There's nothing like the first impression you put on people when you had them your card. People take you serious when you take your business serious.

What is the most valuable thing you have learned from your art and being an Etsy seller?

Artists appreciate other artists. I want to be involved in a environment of the appreciation of handmade goods.

Anything else you would like us to know about you?

I'm a mom to Rocio and Fiance to Israel. I'm work in the corporate world by day and I design by night. I'm a lover of all things true and live by faith. I'm a average girl living the life that was set out for me and living my dreams.

And now for the giveaway!
Papermepretty is giving away a set of 250 matte 1-sided business cards. The design can be customized by the winner and printing will also be included, however logo and illustration design will not be included.

Here's how to enter:

First you MUST visit Papermepretty on Etsy and leave a comment with your favorite item. Please be sure to include your email adress in your comments or have it visible in your blogger profile. You want to know if you won, right?

For additional entries you can do any or all of the following, leaving ONE comment for EACH:

~Visit my shop, Oceanside Creations, and share your favorite item- 1 additional entry (leave 1 comment)

~Become a follower of this blog or let me know if you already do- 1 additional entry leave one comment

~Follow Oceanside Creations on Twitter AND tweet about this giveaway including @OceansideJewlry in your tweet - 1 additional entry (leave a comment letting me know)

~Blog about this giveaway with a link to your post- 2 additional entries (leave 2 comments) Include a picture of the prize for a 3rd entry

~Become a fan of Oceanside Creations on Facebook- 1 additional entry (leave one comment)

~Add Oceanside Creations to your blog roll- 1 additional entry (leave 1 comment with a link to your blog)

~Make a purchase from Papermepretty or Oceanside Creations between now and midnight July 24 -5 additional entries ~ Leave 5 comments with your transaction number

That's a lot of chances to enter this fabulous giveaway!

Good Luck!

Giveaway runs through Friday, July 24 at midnight EST. Our winner will be chosen on Saturday morning, July25 via the random.org widget in the right sidebar and will be announced right here on this blog. Winner will be e-mailed and have 48 hours to claim their prize. If winner does not claim their prize a new winner will be chosen. When leaving comments please be sure your e-mail address is available for me to contact you. All photos are courtesy of Papermepretty.
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