Featured Artist: Crooked Thorne

Welcome Sarah Crooks- metalworker and acid etcher behind CrookedThorne.
And YES to the gemstone rings!  We need to see more in your shop.

CrookedThorne blog
CrookedThorne Facebook

Victorian Monogram necklace

"I love making jewelry and that is the one thing that always remains constant for me, I may stop drawing or painting for awhile, but I am always making jewelry!"





Tell us about yourself 

"I graduated from Laguna College of Art & Design with a BFA in Illustration/Fine Art and a minor in Graphic Design. I am also a Certified Bench Jeweler from American Jeweler's Institute.  By day I am the head Graphic Artist for L*Space Swimwear, and I love my job!  I am constantly being inspired by the prints we use in our suits and the color combinations that are used. "

Death Tarot Card cuff

"Metal-smithing is something that is relaxing and challenging at the same time. I feel like I'm constantly problem solving so it's challenging but then there are  those times where I will spend two hours filing a piece of metal to perfection."  



I enjoy the act of creating, so I melt, pour, and roll out my own metal.  I set my own stones, and I design all my marketing materials, logos, web site, ect.  I'm not a control freak, but I look at Crooked Thorne as my ultimate art project and so I like to do as much of it myself as I possibly can. My line has a dark gypsy theme and I specialize in acid etching tarot cards onto sterling silver.  It's a challenge because each one turns out differently but that is part of the fun!

Do you offer anything besides product?

I love doing custom design work, so if someone has a special request I love to work with them and create something unique and special.

What have you learned as a seller?

Men's Devil tarot card cuff

I think that as organized as possible is the best tip I could recommend.  And having a system for keeping all your paperwork in order makes dealing with the year-end duties much easier and manageable.


Also, just networking with other artists and picking their brains never hurts either ;)


Any plans for the coming year?

This year I would like to work on a new line of rings which will have precious and semi-precious stones.  I would also like to grow my shop and focus on getting Crooked Thorne out there a little more with my website www.crookedthorne.com!

What is inspiring you right now?

Right now I'm being inspired by a lot of patterns that I'm seeing in the swim industry.  I've always had a love for Native American and Mexican jewelry so seeing all these Aztec inspired patterns is pretty exciting. As for a song...I'm going to have to go with anything from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club as they are constantly playing in my studio.

*I'm running out of people to blog about! I hunt them down as fast as possible but can't always find the best matches for this site.  If you have someone in mind, a favorite shop, or you yourself want to be featured send me a line on Facebook or Etsy.

Featured Artist: aKNITomy

Meet Emily Stoneking, amazing knitter of guts and seller behind aKNITomy.

The detail and craftsmanship in her pieces are pretty stunning- and the concept will delight science nerds with a sense of humor.

Biology 101 DIY kit

"I really like taking objects or concepts that many people (including myself, sometimes) are squeamish about and recreating them out of materials that many of the same people think are cozy and inviting."

Tell us about yourself

"I'm not a biologist, but I play one on the Internet! 

Actually, I'm just a crazy-avid knitter who is putting herself through school by making and selling knitted science themed stuff!"

Explain your craft

"I knit biology projects. The first was a dissected frog (the classic!), and later came the lab rat, fetal pig, earthworm, bat, and even the Easter Bunny (he's filled with Easter eggs and plastic grass!).
I have no background in science, I just really admire all that science is and does. This is my little knitterly homage to it, I suppose."

Alien Autopsy

Do you offer customers anything besides a product?

"I sell my patterns as well as my finished items, so customers who know how to knit can make their own dissections. I also provide pattern support, and am always answering questions -- everything from specific questions relating to one of my patterns, to helping out someone who is just learning and needs help with certain techniques!"

How have you grown as a seller?

"It's really important to take the time to work on new things."

 "When you create something and it is selling well, it's tempting to sit and make the same thing over and over, because you know it works. But stop and carve out some time to work on the things that you've been scribbling down in your idea notebook. It is good for you (keeps your mind active and your work fresh), and it keeps your customers coming back!"

Knitted Neuroscience

Any plans for the coming year?

"I've currently got a list of dozens of dissections and other science-themed knits that I want to get out into the world in the coming year, as well as launching a new hand-dyed yarn line!"

What's inspiring you right now?

"The Smiths song, Everyday is like Sunday. I'm currently brewing up some ideas for hand dyed yarns, inspired by Britain! I don't know when they'll debut, but I'm hoping for late Winter, early Spring."

Featured Artist: House of Eleggua

Visiting Carolina and Fernando's shop is like being welcomed into their home.
You see where they live and work, and they wouldn't share anything they wouldn't use themselves.



From beautiful altar adornments and prayer cards (all are prints or from sculptures painted by Carolina) to powerful magickal items, you can be sure they only offer the best.
Look through their shop and blog and you can see how dedicated they are to their faith and work.

Oya print

"we are a husband and wife team dedicated completely to the creation of magickal items for your devotional use"

"I have been a Witch for 22 years. Since my path mixes several pantheons, I could be considered an Eclectic Witch; but honestly, I would prefer the label of Artisan Witch...arts and crafts are entwined into my path to its very root; I am a painter, a doll customizer, a herbalist, and a daughter of the Orishas."

"My husband Fernando, a follower of the Norse pantheon, is the other half of House Of Eleggua. He's the homemaker, the wood carver, the sacred musician and the taxidermist, and also a Pagan since his early teenage years."

Tell us about your craft

"Creating art devoted to the spiritual paths of Pagans is the call of both our souls; we constantly seek and learn new techniques, and thrive on one of a kind and custom work for our customers, who are all over the world thanks to Internet."

"recreating crafts that are disappearing like spinning, hand sewing, hand carving"

 'Our spiritual path shapes all our life – we are committed to recycling, organic gardening, homemaking, and many times work with upcycled or discarded materials.  Everything you can find at our shop is handmade, homegrown and wildharvested by us."

"House Of Eleggua is mainly focused on the devotion of African – origin paths like Santeria, Voodoo, Hoodoo Umbanda, Kimbanda and Spiritualism, but we serve Pagans of all paths, and have created custom work for almost every type of practitioner under the wide Pagan umbrella."

A Protection bottle charm for your home

Our work covers three main areas

* Tarot and Spellwork services;

* Handcrafted and unique devotional items: amulets, incense holders, altar statuary and ornamentation, original paintings and prints, Book Of Shadows inserts, etc.

* Handcrafted spiritual supplies: spiritual waters, holy cards, herbs, ritual supplies, powders, oils, incenses, etc.

3 Question Tarot Reading

Do you offer anything besides a product?

"We offer the expertise of a lifetime devoted to the practise of Spirituality and the creating of Devotional art.
...the assurance of three years of positive customer feedback... a unique approach to Afro-Caribbean religions, away from fear and ignorance." 

"We offer a constantly growing inventory, which offers a continuous selection of one-of-a-kind art, and the best handmade supplies for the practise of spiritual work. We offer handmade, homegrown and wildharvested items."

"We offer uniqueness, transparency and truth about what we do."

How have you grown as a seller?

"Be Yourself, Be Patient And Work Hard"

"After almost four years selling online, the most important tip I have learnt is Be Yourself, Be Patient And Work Hard. Customers are intelligent and can tell fake from true in a second, and that is the reason why many starting business fail – because they are trying to imitate someone else. We were the first shop to offer Santeria products at Etsy, and we hear of a new rip-off everyday from our customers and friends."

"...no matter how small your business is, it IS a business and must be treated as such. Learn accounting, marketing, tax laws, customer service, and anything that your business requires to grow. In this economy, this is more important than ever, because competition is higher."

What are you plans for the coming year?

"To continue work on our website, which we finally opened this year, and start working completely on our own. We intend to have an integrated shopping cart so we are not under the system of a venue any more. Hopefully, that will be a reality by Spring 2012. Also, we hope to make our Newsletter Subscriber Sales a regular feature, as we have just made the first one as it's been a roaring success."

Quick!  What's inspiring you right now?

"We are constantly evolving as growing as Spiritual Practitioners, so our work is never static. We are inspired by ancient crafts, and expect to offer more and better handmade items continuously. Of course, this will always be reflected on our shop."

Featured Artist: AbbotsHollowStudios

You can see the devotion and skill Randy at Abbots Hollow puts into every piece he makes.




It takes a brave and talented soul to fashion books from the skins of trolls and grind their teeth into magickal potions.


With a life steeped in mythical interests, Randy offers anyone who is willing to suspend belief companions and treasures for their everyday quests.

The Abbot's potion collection

" bridge the gap between the fantasy and real worlds"

"I’m an artist, musician, armourer, educator, husband, father, history buff, and lover of grade B fantasy movies!


Seriously, I have an eclectic range of interests and ways to express myself...through leather work, armour, drumming, or even building models and vignettes."

"underlying all of it is a deep need to "create""

Leather Orc eye pendant

"Years ago, I was a drummer in a Progressive rock band and I currently play in a Celtic rock band.  Before I got married and had a daughter, I owned a shop at the Bristol (WI) Renaissance Faire for seven years, where I sold miniatures—painted figures, fantasy scenes, castles, cottages...

For twenty years, I’ve run an educational program about the Medieval Knight, in which I demonstrate the arming of a knight, using my replica 15th-Century harness (suit of armour)."

"...sharing my love of history with kids and adults through libraries, schools and other venues is a real joy..." 

Your Craft

"I love working with my hands and creating things.  I’ve always been fascinated with faces.  In fact, my mom recently cleaned out the attic and came across a small box with several faces I sculpted in clay when I was about 10-years old."  

Leather Mythical Beast book

"I also love leather—the smell and feel of it is a connection between me and the Medieval world.  Working in that medium brings me to the place in my imagination which I love."  

"Similarly, I love going to Renaissance Faires and dressing in costume.  My goal is to look like I’ve just stepped out of the past.  Spending the day at a Faire helps me bridge the gap between the fantasy and real worlds.  The feelings, images, and ideas I bring back after a foray into the fantasy realm take physical form in my art.  Sometime people ask about my shop name, Abbots Hollow Studios.  A hollow is a hidden valley—for me, it’s a valley tucked away in my imagination.  I also have a theology degree, so I guess I’m the Abbot of the Hidden Valley!"

Do you offer customers anything besides a product?

"I put my heart and soul into each piece"

"I strive for high quality products which will last a lifetime.  What I create is not just a “product.”  I also enjoy working with people to bring their ideas to life.  Sometimes a custom order results in a combination I would never have thought of. Some of my customer’s requests, like horns, have become a regular feature of products in my shop."

How have you grown as a seller?

"keep trying new things...write down all of your ideas..."

"I created an etsy account last summer—and first listed an item in late September.  So, my one-year shop anniversary is nearing. As a relatively new etsy seller, I’m still growing and learning.  Thankfully, my many years at the Bristol Faire and running part time businesses have taught me a lot..." 

"Some things I’ve learned in the past year are: have a diversity of products in your shop, and sell at a variety of price points.
Keep trying new things.  It’s sometimes hard to anticipate which ideas and products will connect with people.   

Mythical Beast book purple leather

Write down all of your ideas—no matter where I am or when they occur to me, I grab a notebook, or back of a receipt.  I have nearly 100 scraps of paper with ideas jotted on them, which I haven’t even tapped into."  

"As I hinted at above—be open to custom work and do it well, since it’s simply not possible to anticipate or stock every possible combination.  Finally—be open to International shipping.  Taking the time to figure out how to ship to other counties has significantly expanded my customer base and it really wasn’t too hard!" 

"My wife and I...enjoy building off of each other’s ideas"

"She’s in touch with fairies and has a feminine, card-making, scrapbooking sensibility while I have a gaming, hard-core fantasy/history background.  Blending the two helps us appeal to a variety of customers." 

Dragon eye keychain

 Plans for the coming year?

"In the coming year, I plan to grow my shop and get more involved in etsy teams.  I expect to participate in promotional giveaways and network with more sellers with a variety of product types.  I plan to build adequate stock to sell at a show or convention and ultimately, to go fulltime with Abbots Hollow Studios.  My longtime dream of working from my home, creating my art, is becoming a reality."


What's inspiring you right now?

"The Jim Henson movie Labyrinth immediately comes to mind.   The whole world he created is wonderful.  I especially love the two door knocker characters who guard the entrance to the kingdom.  I’ve been thinking about these two faces for awhile and you never know which faces will appear on one of my journals!"  

"...the Necromancer by RUSH is always an inspiration. Music is a soundtrack to my life—with different songs seeming to play frequently during significant times and transitions."

Etsy AbbotsHollowStudios

Featured Artist: GypsyMoonArt

The gaze of a cat's eye ring brought me to Shannon's shop, where I was immediately drawn to the symbology and references of her pieces.
There are the stunning eye rings, the polished stones and beads dangling among antiqued silver and copper.


If your tastes are refined and dark, with a smattering of pagan mythology thrown in, you may want to take a peek!

The Eyes Have It custom ring

"inspired by fantasy, fairy tales, and legends"

 "I am a wife and work-at-home mom, and I live in Michigan in a 108 year old farmhouse that we are slowly bringing back to life.
I have always been an artist, and began drawing and painting when I was very young. I once was a muralist and trompe l'oeil painter and still love to paint. I am very inspired by fantasy, fairy tales, and legends. I love science, history, nature, Celtic Folk music, and I love to go to thrift stores. I am also learning the art of home-brewing beer."


Your craft & ideas

"I have an ocean of creative ideas in my head...I am merely trying to stay afloat"

"I taught myself wire-wrapping, and am now obsessed with it. I sketch some of my ideas and will often stop whatever it is I am doing and find my sketchpad to jot down an idea. But oftentimes things just seem to flow from me and the wire almost seems to work itself into shape. I have only been making jewelry for a few years, and at first I made what I thought other people would like. It wasn't until I made what I liked that my jewelry started to get better."

Do you offer customers anything besides a product?

"Services, a good cause, years of crafting experience, special expertise, etc... I offer great customer service. I treat my customers the way I would like to be treated. I always package my items ready for gift-giving wrapped in tissue in a beautiful little black organza bag. I am very quick to answer questions and have excellent communication with my customers."

How have you grown as a seller/what tips have you learned? 

"I am not afraid to be who I really am"

"As an artist, I have learned to create what is in my heart. I do not create something only because it is trendy right now. I have somewhat of a wild darkness to a lot of my work and tried for a long time to subdue that. I now embrace that and have found that that is what sets me apart. People like it. I am not afraid to be who I really am."

"As a seller, I have learned to offer excellent service, and to not get too upset when the sales are slow. Selling has it's ups and downs. Keep trudging along and keep creating new things. I do not use Etsy as my only selling tool. I participate in local art shows and have jewelry in shops. If I have a slow month on Etsy, then I can rely on an art show to help things along. Also, taking great pictures is a must. Online sellers MUST be part photographer."

Any plans for the coming year?

"I am planning on participating in more art shows next summer (I am weeding out ones that are not so successful). I would like to do some home trunk shows and have got those wheels in motion. And my husband and I (he is a welder and metal artist) have some ideas for a collaboration that are just in the beginning phases. I am looking forward to moving onward and upward!"

Etsy gypsymoonart

Featured Artist: MamaLovePerfume

I love this shop- it has an awesome range of blended oils with a healing kick.  And a cute little babushka lady.
Read up on Sheryl and buy/heart/convo as always.

"I'm a spiritual counselor, healer and flower essence practitioner (as well as an artist and published author)."

Your crafts & ideas

"I make a line of spiritually-guided flower essence aromatherapy perfumes and body/bath/massage oils that are organic, 100% natural, and Reiki-infused. My first product was called Mama Love for Troubled Times and the formula was guided to me when I was in a crisis of my own. It was wonderful! I couldn't stop crying at the time and it never failed to soothe me. Then I started to give it to anyone else in need of comfort and love and they all wanted to know if I sold it so they could buy some more. That's how my Mama Love flower essence aromatherapy business was formed. I now make 12-15 formulas (depending on the time of year). All of them are for healing purposes, some are mostly for fun, but they're all called Mama Love."
 

Do you offer customers anything besides a product?

"Services, a good cause, years of crafting experience, special expertise, etc...

My partner Paul and I do a spiritual counseling and healing practice which you can find out more about at http://www.healingcommunication.com. On my Etsy site I offer spiritual consultation in relationship to the products I sell for those who want help in picking the perfect ones."

How have you grown as a seller & what tips have you learned?

"A lot of what I learned came from other people on the Forums so my first words of advice would be to participate in the community there and read everything you can! I think the most useful things have been to have better photographs, more detailed descriptions, to link to my shop in my blog and on Facebook, and to make friends who appreciate what I do."
 

Plans for the coming year?

"My partner Paul and I are starting another Etsy shop for our art and photography (http://www.etsy.com/shop/paulnsherylart). We plan to start putting things up this year but it takes time to photograph and get everything up. We're intending to get our work and Mama Love into more retail shops. And -- if everything goes well -- I might have a new book out. (We're looking for a literary agent and publisher now.) "

Featured Artist: Monamiga

I had to get Monamiga on here after seeing her shop of

wonderful, natural bath items.  Her shop won't be open for long,

unfortunately, so shop while it's hot!

"I am a stay-at-home mom with a bit of a craft addiction. I live in the woods in Very Northern California and am a nature girl."

Explain your craft and where you get ideas

"I do so MANY kinds of crafts. My favorites are herbal products, and crochet, although I often do jewelry/beading, sewing, cordials/elixers, and other random funky stuff like glass magnets, hair clips, zipper pulls, hair falls and recycled envelopes...."

Do you offer customers anything besides a product?

"I do some childbirth education type classes on the side, and I don't usually charge very much if anything. Much of what I make on etsy goes to supplement that work. Also, I have been considering offering tarot readings on etsy, as I've been doing that informally for 13 years, and feel like I am ready to offer it to the public. I have been crafting since I was a child... 30 years now!"

How have you grown as a seller?

"I have learned that pictures are super important and also relisting often. For me, a big step was cleaning up my marketing and getting an official logo to add to my labels and matching it with the professional banner." 

Your plans for this year?

"In the coming year, I plan on going through all of my crafting "supplies" and finishing up the projects I've collected stuff for already. i've got some cute organic cotton totes waiting for silkscreens, a huge quantity of cool feathers to make into fascinators and also some beads. After that is all made and sold, I have decided to reanalyze my relationship to crafting, as it has become a bit of an unhealthy obsession." 

Beautiful Bath Tea

Recycled/Upcycled

envelopes

Antimicrobial

Black Salve

Featured Artist: MeredithFenwick

"My name is Meredith and I am a SAHM to two little boys by day and scrapbook and jewelry designer by night."

Your craft & ideas

"I love making things. For the past few years I was very happy creating graphics with my computer but I wanted to get away from being plugged in all the time and jewelry has always been special to me. I decided to start making some fun pieces and opened my Etsy shop. I love getting to shop for new stones and beads and every sale is so special to me."
 

Do you offer customers anything besides a product?

"For a few months this summer I had a necklace available where part of the proceeds went to a charity my friend was raising money for. The necklace was called Zachary's Hope and was inspired by my friend's little boy."

 

How have you grown as a seller/what tips have you learned?

"I am learning every day. The best tip and the one that everyone will tell you is to work on your photos. I am relatively happy with mine right now although I know they can be better. I am always searching for a way to make my photos the best that they can be and show the customer the actual item at the same time."

Plans for the coming year? 

"My plans for the coming yeara are to keep learning and making new things. Each piece I make teaches me something new and I love doing tutorials and taking classes when I can. I tend to roll with the punches since this is a hobby business right now. :)"

Etsy Buy Handmade meredithfenwick

Featured Arist: SunkenGardenBeads

SunkenGarden's Zenith Earrings on craftgawker were what

drew me to her shop.  

I hope you enjoy looking through

this latest discovery, and as always comments and hearts

are appreciated.

"I'm a creative and literary sort of person at heart. I love learning languages, writing and creating works of art, jewelry being my favorite craft."

Explain your craft & ideas 

" I've been making jewelry since I was a child and in March 2009 (rather on a whim) I decided to start selling jewelry online for a little extra cash. It's worked out great, and although I don't make sales every day I enjoy the creation process and seeing people find pieces they love in my shop, www.sunkengardenbeads.etsy.com."

Do you offer customers anything besides a product?  

"I include free jewelry repair with all my pieces that are purchased from me. Even years down the road, if something happens to your favorite earrings - one gets lost, a bead somehow breaks during normal wear, etc. - I will gladly fix it for you if possible, at only the cost of return shipping."

How have you grown as a seller?

"I've picked up a wide range of beading techniques over the months, and wire-wrapping in brass has come to be my favorite and the style I stick to the most. Brass is nice because, unlike silver, it actually looks cool when it oxidizes and ages over the years. It's a very carefree sort of metal. I've also learned that photos can always be improved on, so I'm constantly stepping up the quality and appeal of my photos."

Plans for the coming year?  

"I just launched my new sister shop, www.aromaelarmoury.etsy.com, which features medieval-themed metalsmithed jewelry. I also plan on increasing the number of items in both my shops to 100, which I've heard is a good average number of items to have in your shop. Who knows how long it'll take, with school and two jobs to keep up with, but I make new pieces every week and don't think it will take a very long time."

Inferno earrings

 Twilight Cinderella earrings

 Vesper earrings

Featured Artist: MyriadDesign

About MyriadDesign

"I'm an artist, designer and a mom. I have a BFA in photography which led to a career in computer graphics for movies, when I had kids I wanted to be home with them. Sitting behind a computer for several hours a day for several years left me with a need to make things with my hands and be physical, hence ceramics. Now I have a wheel in my backyard and 200 lbs of clay in the garage, and I sit behind the computer several hours a week to market and sell my wares! But I get to do it at home."

Explain your craft & where you get ideas

"My work is influenced by my other disciplines and interests for sure. I meditate, do yoga, and reiki and when I make a piece I want it to flow through me like a dance. I know if I'm sitting too long with a piece I'm overworking it and have lost that flow of creative energy. My job is to be the conduit for the work to come into being. I feel very passionate about creating in this way."

Do you offer customers anything besides a product?

"Very personalized service, convo me and I will work to fulfill your request! I want you to LOVE your purchase and your experience shopping with me. In addition, I offer you my experience as a designer. I went to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, which is heavily weighted toward design. Working with product designers and advertisers definitely influenced my work in ceramics, I'm always thinking of the functionality of a piece, developing a line of products and creating a cohesive body of work. I love to use a handmade piece and own several items from other artisans. I have a favorite little cup from my teacher that I love to drink wine from, I'm always discovering and rediscovering its special little quirks. I want to create pieces that you will love to use for special things."

How have you grown as a seller?

"My shop sat unnoticed for about 1 year, I was bummed. I started reading about how to make a successful shop, purchased some guidebooks from www.thebuzz.etsy.com and got involved in the forums. There are tons of good tips and slowly but surely my shop is getting visited and I'm making more and more sales. Best tip: Post often. Do I? Well sometimes."

Your plans for this year?

"Porcelain. I used to throw lots of porcelain and had a good rapport with it, it is time to get reacquainted with it. I'd like to make some cups and glasses with it but we'll see what comes up!"

Etsy Buy Handmade MyriadDesign

Featured Artist: Some Weird Crab

I found SomeWeirdCrab on Etsy's Pounce feature- her shop stood out from the others who haven't made their first sale- yet.
Check out her plushies & bags and don't forget to heart and comment!



About SomeWeirdCrab

"My name's Sarah Beth Falbe, and I live in Hendersonville, TN (which is close to Nashville), and pretty much the only thing I do is sew."

Explain your craft and where you get ideas

"I basically make whatever I feel like making that day. It really just depends on my mood. One day it may be a bag, while the next day it might be a stuffed animal. I really get inspired by fabric, and I just wish I could have an unlimited supply of it. I would probably never leave the house if I did, though..."

Do you offer customers anything besides a product?

"The thing I offer customers apart from a only a product is a promise that whatever the customer buys is made with great love and care. I take my time in everything I make, to make sure that the customer is getting the best product possible."

How have you grown as a seller?

"Well, really the only way I've grown as a seller is actually BECOMING a seller. It's all very very new to me, and I just think it's a huge step for me to actually BE selling things now. It's all so exciting!"

Your plans for this year?

"My plans for this year are very daunting. I'm starting college this year, so I really don't know what to expect. Everything's changing! And I don't know how much time I'll have to make anything, but I know I'll find time somewhere."

Etsy Buy Handmade someweirdcrab

Featured Artist: Klosti

About Connie

"I come from a large Greek family with many talented tailors and seamstresses. I sew to make clothing, gifts and items for my home and for my friends and always find great enjoyment and relaxation when I'm in my studio."

Explain your craft and where you get ideas

"I always stick to simple and classic designs/styles with a modern twist, they seem to best represent my aesthetic. Currently, I'm enjoying the challenge of using what I have to create new/upcycled items."

Do you offer customers anything beyond a product?

"I have been sewing for almost 40 (ack!!) years making everything from quilts to wedding dresses. I take great pride in the quality of my materials and sewing. Currently, through convo, I also offer my Etsy customers the ability to contact me with special requests for color and/or theme for dish towel dresses."

How have you grown as a seller?

"I got into selling a little over a year ago. One of my friends signed me up for a local craft fair and dared me to join Etsy. Even though it was hard at first, I have really been enjoying it! The best advise I can give it to read all that you can and to ask questions. I have learned so much from other crafters!"

Your plans for this year?

"For this year I plan on participating in more local craft fairs and expanding the items I sell on Etsy. I have so many dish towel scraps and will soon have some great new items coming to my shop!"

Etsy Buy Handmade klosti

Featured Artist: Whiteserenade

First fs honors go to D. Elizabeth of whiteserenade
on etsy.
Below is a little something to get readers to know her
better & send some lovin to her shop!


D. Elizabeth, Southern Cali
Wife & mother with two shops

Your craft/ideas:

"...photography, graphic design, stained glass, mixed media paintings and paper mache..."
"...I have a passion for graphic design and reclaiming and repurposing materials."

"...I have several things that I haven't even put on Etsy. Just not enough time to get all the photos done. But more soon."

Do you offer customers anything besides a product?

"I donate some of my profits to www.bloodwatermission.com they provide clean blood and clean water for those in need. "

How have you grown as a seller/what tips have you learned?

"I've changed my store name 2 times and each time I feel like i'm starting over. So try not to change your store name."

What are your plans for this year?

"Just keep crafting, junking and creating. I'm so blessed. I thank God everyday for allowing me to work at home and be a mom to my kids."

Etsy Buy Handmade whiteserenade