Sunday, February 24, 2013

#SFEtsy February 26th - Networking


I know this week should be a shop critique but I didn't quite get around to sorting that out so we're going to skip a month and talk about networking instead.

The chat this week will be at our new time of 7pm so I hope you can still make it and maybe even a few of you who couldn't come in the morning will be able to attend now!

We'll be discussing where to find out about good events to meet people, what kinds of connections to look for and ways to meet people online. We'll also chat about strategies for making an impression with someone as well as etiquette for following up with new contacts.

If you like to use tweetchat.com to follow our chats this is the link tweetchat.com/room/sfetsy



If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Our Team Captain about joining SFEtsy!

Friday, February 22, 2013

Friday Feature - Mindful Presents

Happy Friday, folks!


Today's interview is with Mindful Presents. Creating gifts from the heart that are meaningful and special to each recipient, the creator, Charlene, puts her soul into her work.  Each of her creations are made one of a kind with a story to go along, and the promise of a happy home. If you're looking for a unique birthday gift, her crowns and hand painted silk scarfs are ornate and precious. Enjoy Charlene's stories of uplifting inspiration and journeys around the world. 




1. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?

 SF ETSY of course, WOE on ETSY, ETSY SUCCESS, Leaders in Handmade, Homespun Society, Promoting ETSY Sellers, Etsy Sellers Unite, The Wedding Shop


2. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?
I make a variety of things:

CROWNING GLORIES: These are lovely whimsical fantasy creations and adornments for your head. I had been out of the creative process for a while, due to work and school and raising a family, and quite literally had a ‘break’. I broke my ankle, and decided to get back into the creative groove by doing one beautiful thing a day. I started making crowns. The goal and process of doing this opened up the channels of creativity that had been relatively dormant and inspired me to go back to the creative things I love to do.
I am a nurse in my ‘other’ life, and I see so much disability. I was inspired to make these by a patient who requested one. People are so physically disabled, and weak, and sometimes that is all one sees. I made these as a way to have people look past the disability at the that is on the inside be on the outside as well, and help the patient’s overcome their sense of weakness by living their dreams.

Bear Souls: There is nothing like having a bear to bare your soul to. I started making these many years ago when my children were little. All my bears are unique and different depending on how I sculpt their faces. 

Bottled Souls: I had lost so many socks, and had a plethora of single socks whose mates had gone to sock heaven. So I decided to make these whimsical dolls out of socks, and empty bottles, using the patterns in the sock to form the faces. They have turned out to be fun and colorful. For adults only though.

Silk Dreams: I call these meditations on silk, I paint on silk, and make silk scarves, prayer shawls, baby blankets and wall hangings. 



3. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.

I have had an eclectic life; I was born, and spent my first 15 years in South Africa, when it was still under Apartheid. I have lived in Belgium, Berlin, London and California. Being creative for me is like needing air to breathe. I have always loved to create, and am very passionate about everything I do.
I have worked as a costume designer, make up artist, secretary, massage therapist, a hospice nurse, and most recently a Registered Nurse in Critical care where I have worked for 14 years. I graduated at 51 with my Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Through all of this, I have been married for 24 years to my husband Alan, who is my rock. We have two beautiful children who are 23 and 21 who are in College and thriving, as well as a family of furry creatures (2 Border collies Jake and Gypsy, and a cat) who make my life complete.


4. What inspires your creations?

People and nature.  The colors of my youth, the exotic nature of Africa where I was born.  The elegance of Europe where I was raised.The desire to show your inner beauty on the outside. Creating freedom of expression. Emotions of the moment. I often include poetry and sayings in my work. Positive affirmations, so that when people wear the item, they are creating a feeling of goodwill for themselves. I once made a scarf for my Microbiology teacher with all the pictures of bacteria on it. It was very creative. She wore it during our final exam. Little did everyone know, that the answers to the questions were right in front of them.  My first prayer shawls were painted for my children with symbols of their characters and my hopes for their happiness. When babies are born, I will make special silk blankets with inspirational messages embroidered into them. Sometimes their astrological sign and  symbols related to their birth.
As a Registered Nurse, I see a lot of pain and suffering, and people who feel so down about life. One patient wore one of my crowns to the OR and not only did she feel radiant, everyone around her smiled as well.
I am a firm believer in letting your light shine, not shrinking so others won’t feel small. My bears were inspired by an old artist friend many years ago who gave me a handmade bear.  I really got the meaning of the incredible gift of giving and receiving a bear.



5. How did you get involved with Etsy?

After breaking my ankle, I decided to do something creative every day, and made over 70 crowns in 6 weeks. One of my patients asked to see them, so I brought a few in for her after I returned to work. She wore one to her surgery, and looked so radiant wearing it. She  suggested I open an Etsy store, so I did in July of this year, and I finally got accepted into SF Etsy some time in October. It has been a whirlwind of activity since July.


6. What has been your biggest success and/or proudest moment since opening your Etsy shop?

Being Validated. Being featured on TOP SHOPS OF ETSY. Being accepted into SF Etsy. It was such an honor. People telling me I am a ‘talented artist’. I never thought of myself this way before… a whole new world is opening up for me. The other big success is all the people I seem to have met online. The people who have validated me when I was unsure of myself. All the good positive energy. I had one scam email, but other than that, I believe in the goodness of the Etsy philosophy, and the people, and LOVE that I am in touch with so many artists world-wide.
I was too late for many shows, but I was selected for the Celebration of Craftswomen show on Dec 1 and 2 of this year, and even got my picture taken for Marin Magazine.  My photo is on their Facebook page.  I am meeting many wonderful people.

7. What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite? 

My favorite silk item is the mermaid quilt. I love her. I love the color and texture. I made her with my lovely daughter in mind. My beautiful daughter has very curly hair, and looks like a mermaid. I love running my hands over her embroidered hair, feeling the softness of the silk, and the detailed embroidery of her hair. The colors are soothing. I love animals, and the dolphin is so sweet. It can be used as a blanket, a wall hanging or whatever you want it to be. She is for sale, for $550, but I don’t really want to part with her.



8. If money were no object for just one day, what would you do? 

Well for one day I couldn’t really go anywhere, If it was a week, I would travel to India, and work with orphans there. But for one day. I would open up a giant studio in San Francisco, filled with all sorts of art materials, I would invite all the artists in the tenderloin to come in and paint. I would serve them lunch, have live music. We would wash and clean them, give them clothes to wear, and any fantasy outfits imaginable. They could then create to their hearts’ desire. At the end of the day I would have all the work displayed at the Museum of Modern Art, and their work could be put up for sale and they would get the money.


9. Give us some insight on how you personally, or your shop, gives back to your community.

I feel that I give to my community every day in the work that I do as a nurse. My family and I volunteer at Glide Memorial Church every Thanksgiving and Christmas and whenever we can. I will be there for the Toy Drive. I have volunteered as an RN at Vincent’s dining room in San Rafael.- held blood pressure clinics there. I would love for a number of us to get together and make scarves for cancer patients. I am looking forward to participating in some more events in Marin for the needy through Etsy.

A peek inside the workspace of Mindful Presents


If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Our Team Captain about joining SFEtsy!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Tuestorial: Recipe Box

Most of the time, I come across enticing recipes on Pinterest or blogs to recreate. This has left my favorite recipes scattered across my computer, print-outs stuffed in containers throughout my kitchen and email drafts saved. Wouldn’t it be nice if they were in one, easy-to-grab location? It also would be nice if it looked pretty awesome too! Goodwill gave me that answer in the form of a slightly beat-up recipe box.



Materials Needed:

  • old recipe box or wood box
  • your recipe collection
  • index cards (size that fits in your recipe box)
  • acrylic paint
  • paint brush
  • Thickers or sticker letters
  • glitter

Step 1:

You can find recipes boxes to use at thrifts stores or wood boxes at craft stores.
Prep your recipe box to paint. I decided to paint mine two different colors (top part bright green, bottom part tan). I tested the paint on the inside to make sure it would work with the box material.


love my laminator
Step 2:

Paint your box and while it’s drying, prepare your recipe cards. I printed my recipes on 3x5 index cards that fit inside my recipe box. Since I have a laminator, I decided to laminate all my recipe cards (you can also visit any major office store or Kinkos to get yours laminated too!).


Any excuse to play with glitter

Step 3:

Take the Thickers (sticker letters) and cut out the letters you want to use. Peel off the top layer to expose the sticky top. Sprinkle with glitter of your choice (probably the best part here). Shake off excess glitter.


Step 4:

Apply a second coat of paint if needed. Once it’s dry, attach the Thickers to the outside of your box. Voila! Ready for your next cooking adventure.


If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Our Team Captain about joining SFEtsy!

Saturday, February 16, 2013

#SFEtsy February 16th - In-person sales techniques



This week our topic is very timely for me - improving in-person sales techniques.

We'll chat about experiences we've had with selling - good and bad - and what we've found to work best, sharing tips and tricks large and small.

We'll also discuss ways of responding to tricky questions and ways of staying positive and cheerful whatever the circumstances.

If you like to use tweetchat.com to follow our chats this is the link tweetchat.com/room/sfetsy



If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Our Team Captain about joining SFEtsy!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

#SFEtsy February 12th - Taxes



Yep, it's tax time again!

This week our chat will be devoted to sharing tax tips. We'll talk about good strategies for keeping all your information organized so that when tax time comes round it's not such a huge headache, as well as what to keep track of.

We'll also chat about how to fill in which forms and what gets categorized as what. Finally we'll discuss how sales tax fits into it all and what permits and licenses we need to sell in the Bay Area.

If you like to use tweetchat.com to follow our chats this is the link tweetchat.com/room/sfetsy



If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Our Team Captain about joining SFEtsy!

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Tuestorial: Heart Garland


Craft confession: I've never made garland before. Ideas flood sites like Pinterest with easy and cute ways to add garland to your next party or Holiday decorations. I decided Valentine's Day is the perfect Holiday to make my own! I've been enjoying it in my living room and will be sad when the days comes to take it down.



Materials Needed:
  • red construction paper 
  • scissors 
  • white glue
  • glitter
  • ribbon
  • newspaper or a large piece of scrap paper



Step 1:

First things first...I cheated a little bit. I have a wonderful tool called the Accuquilt Go! Baby Fabric Cutter. I use it to makes an assortment of shapes for my fabric needs. I have a die cut with 3 different heart shapes that I used to cut my paper with (shhhhh, I'm pretty sure it states not to use on paper, but guess what? It was totally fine). 

If you don't have a cheat to cut heart shapes, it's easy enough to find a heart shape to use as a stencil.  Just trace and cut! I decided to mix it up and use two different heart shapes.


Add glue... 
Add glitter...
Admire
Step 2:

My favorite part...glitter! I used Martha Stewart's tinsel glitter in garnet and amethyst (different color for each heart shape). 

Place newspaper or a large piece of paper on your work surface to catch the glitter. Apply white glue around the edge of a paper heart. Sparkle glitter over glue then shake access off. It was easier to apply glue and glitter to half the heart at a time. 


Row of hearts
Step 3:

Once glue has dried, it's time to string your garland! Lay out all your hearts how you would like to display them and your desired length. Flip them all over and lay across your string or ribbon. Tape the string to the back of all your hearts.


Love fest in my living room
Step 4:

Hang and enjoy! 


If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Our Team Captain about joining SFEtsy!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

#SFEtsy February 5th - Scheduling your time


While we're on the topic of getting things sorted out and improved for the new year, I thought it would be good to cover this, much upvoted, topic - how to schedule your time to fit in social media, listings and everything else you need to do as an Etsy seller.

We'll be sharing our own strategies that we've found to be successful as we talk about making time for social media and time-saving apps we've found.

We'll also discuss time-saving strategies for keeping on top of your Etsy store and ways of dealing with more than 1 online store.

Finally we'll think about time-efficiency in our personal lives and ways to make sure the professional doesn't take over the personal.

If you like to use tweetchat.com to follow our chats this is the link tweetchat.com/room/sfetsy

ALSO
Our tweetchats are nearly a year old now (!!) so I'd be really grateful if you could fill out this really short survey so I can get an idea of what you liked and didn't and where to take the chat in the future. I'm considering changing the chat time so it's really important, if you currently attend or would like to attend, that you let me know your time preferences!

You can find the survey here

If you think you might want to help out with the tweetchats I'd love to have more people on board with that - anything from running your own chat (maybe at a different time or once a month) to just helping out a bit. Let me know if you're interested!
Thanks


If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Our Team Captain about joining SFEtsy!

Friday, February 1, 2013

Meet Your New Co-Captain of SFEtsy


We had a tremendous year in 2012. And we accomplished so so SO much stuff... including building a complete Leadership Team - with committees and volunteers! Each leader spends 10-20 hours a week helping our team succeed in ways large and small. This year, we have a new Co-Captain stepping up the ranks to help me (Katy) lead the team!

Announcing our new Co-Captain: EVEN HOWARD!


Even Howard, Co-Captain of SFEtsy

Even has been tirelessly going above and beyond for SFEtsy this last year as the Leader in charge of Business Development & Education. Through this committee she organized many team workshops and events (like the Holiday Boot Camp, Zoo Event and the Bazaar Bizarre SFEtsy Booth!).
As well as contributed to the blog, built the team survey, helped with social committee and
meetup committee. Also, a little known fact - Even has been on Etsy the longest out of
ALL of our over 800 members!

Even's Etsy Shop ~ Nadene
 
Even on Facebook
 Even on Twitter
Even on Pinterest
Even on Instagram

Even says, "Handmade has always been the cultural touchstone of my life. Long before I knew that everyone didn't live such a life, I enjoyed making gifts for friends and family and my first thought when I had a want for something new was how I could make it with something I already had. I love ideas and their fruition, the collaborative synergy as well as the lone exploring along the way. My crochet jewelry is born of this journey, my own answer to the question of how to live simply and well while encouraging and enabling others to do the same in their own way. I've now lived in San Francisco longer than any other place in my life. Enjoying living at the place where people meet the ocean, I'm consciously learning from the people and potential of this city and especially our Etsy team beings and doings. Our team creates momentum and inspiration along with all our arts for sale and I love being part of that."

Her favorite item in her Etsy Shop is this Cedar Facet Geo Wood Ring.


EVEN'S CURRENT PROJECTS:
~ SFETSY Zoo Calendar (premiering soon!) - a partnership between SFEtsy, Weave & The SFZoo
~ Outright & Etsy Taxes Workshop! - Happening in Early March at Ruth's Table

Ask Even anything and she'll give you the answers you're looking for. She has years of expertise in selling her own work on Etsy, licensing products, working with retail businesses, gallery and event management, teaching workshops & more! 

Together your Co-Captains - Even and Katy look forward to supporting SFEtsy!

TAKE ACTION: JOIN A COMMITTEE

Over the next couple of months, we will be looking toward team members and asking people to join committees and TAKE ACTION - be brave, contribute to our supportive arts community in ways that mean something to you. You want to know a secret? Why this community works so well, is because it's based around supporting members through projects each member is passionate about.  Now is a great time to reach out and be part of upcoming events as well as share new ideas.
SFEtsy is what you want it to be! 
WHO IS ON THE LEADERSHIP TEAM: read up here
HOW TO JOIN A COMMITTEE: Email Katy or Even!

Your Co-Captains, Katy & Even at a Crafty Computer Event - Photo by Adra of Stone Valentine


If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Our Team Captain about joining SFEtsy!

SFEtsy Crush - 40% OFF One Day Only


Did you know? You have a secret admirer...someone has a crush on YOU.
Our team loves our customers so much that we're giving you your first valentine.

SFETSY CRUSH
ONE DAY ONLY - Feb 4th!
GET 40% OFF

participating SFEtsy Stores – February 4th from 8am-11:59pm PST
USE PROMO CODE: XOXOSFETSY

No really - it's no joke - we love our customers THAT MUCH
that we are offering a deal that you can (in most cases) use for valentine's day gifts!*
There's no catch...just click around the stores below and use the promo
code to get the discount on Feb 4th.

Having a hard time deciding what to get someone?
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram the day of the sale and we will walk
you through the best deals we find throughout the day.
Or even visit our Pinterest Board about it!

Discover new SF Etsy businesses that you never knew about before and
snag some great things before day is out.

Over 55 Participating SFEtsy Stores:

katyatchison - Valentines, cards, crafts, paintings and illustrations
Ms Amanda Jayne - Quirky & cute crochet cozies, mittens, hats, & more!
Betty & Beth Designs - Naturally Dyed Yarn, handmade jewelry, knitwear and more
CAMermaidJewelry - Swarovski, Seasonal and Vintage Jewelry and Accessories
PoppyPeach - yarn goodness :: everything has a story
Flower7 - lampworked beads and more
Tofufu Studio - Modern Wall Art / Now Only for the Kids in You!
GuiltFreeCandy - Kawaii Handmade Faux Candy Gifts
Mycrobe Catnip Toys - awesome felted catnip toys with Valentine's day "chocolate" catnip sampler boxes
Crystal Dawn Davis - Dreaming In Watercolor: Original Paintings and Prints
Leaf & Tendril - handmade bohemian brass and silver gemstone jewelry
Cats & Ghosts - Prints and Art
Laura Damiano - Fun & Colorful Jewelry
Laughing Devil Bath & Beauty - all natural, vegan friendly, bath and beauty essentials
Hello Sisters - cards & crafts
Andrea Fuentes - Natural Stone Jewelry
Making Jiggy - Hand embroidered fanciness
Nadene - Crochet art Jewelry handmade by Even Howard
Victoria Veedell - Landscape paintings
9th Cycle Studios - Fine Art Photography and More
Salty Fox - handmade jewelry
Impossible Dolls - Where anything is possible!
Woven Designs - Hand Woven and Hand Knit Accessories
Lulu Deux Millinery - Fascinators, Millinery and Costume Supplies
The Recoverie - Block Prints & more
Chunky Pineapple - Cute Cards & Prints
Salt & Light - Prophetic Christian Jewelry & more
Impressed by Nature - handmade nature-inspired jewelry
Eko Jewelry Design - Handmade Sterling Silver Jewelry
Rainbowearring - Handmade & Stylish Jewelry
The Bird Bags - Handbags, iPhone/Gadget Cases & more
Maggie Hurley - Whimsy & Whatnot
Multiflasking
An Astrid Endeavor - Unique adornments made with a lot of love
Stone Valentine - fine fabric goods in limited editions
Mama's Magic Studio - Handmade bird nest necklaces, earrings & jewelry for knitters
Stinkysocks - the everything shop
San Francisco Terrain
Lyn & Lee - Cool handmade jewelry that goes from day to night
the lei stand - just a touch of natural beauty
Joules Jewels Vintage
Picture in a Dream - hand painted pottery, glass & home decor.
A Slice of Delight - handcrafted soaps
Bluehour Studio - Art & Illustration
Pearl Reef Designs - handcrafted jewelry made in Berkeley
Mindful Presents
Arena Shawn - Original Watercolor Paintings
mhandmade - Felted and Crocheted Treasures, uncommon jewerly
ichiv - bags, accessories - handmade in San Francisco

*Do please make sure you look at each individual store policies since they all differ slightly in regards to shipping and handling. Use promo code "XOXOSFETSY" at check out. Offer only available on 02/04/2013 from 8am-11:59pm PST. Offer can not be combined with other coupon codes. Offer valid on all items within the participating SFEtsy Shops - unless otherwise noted by the individual seller. Offer not valid on shipping or handling charges. Please contact the individual seller via Etsy if you have any questions about items in their shop.

Graphic for this special event was made by Ms Amanda Jayne:
Quirky & cute crochet items & more! Special Thank you to Lisa Spinella of TickleandSmash for
her creative efforts, too!

If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Our Team Captain about joining SFEtsy!
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