SF Etsy goes STUDIO! (Gallery, that is.)

Last weekend, our team celebrated our first gallery show with a delight-filled opening reception at Studio Gallery.  Read on for a glimpse of the fun!  If you missed out, your next chance to participate is our upcoming Artist Trading Card making and trading evening this Thursday-- we'll be making and sharing ATCs on the spot!

ATC "Life is a Party" 

networking/making/trading/celebrating goodness!

at STUDIO 1825 Polk St.

Thursday, May 24th 6-8pm

The blog post that explains it all~

(Team members who would like to arrive early and help set up, please contact Rochelle.)

photo by J. Astra Brinkmann of AstraTakesPhotos.com

I loved seeing all the families and friends and art lovers' responses to the works.  With 65 artists, a bake sale, and a chance to win work in the raffle, it took me an hour just to make one lap of the gallery!  Along the way I heard how impressed and excited the neighborhood was about hosting our team, talk of making this an annual event, and lots of introductions as people placed artworks to artists and families and friend circles overlapped.  

As a jewelry maker, I was really appreciative of how our hostess, Jennifer, gave each jewelry artist a lovely display.  My favorite 'new to me' work was made by Carla Madrigal.  Her embroidered bracelets and zip pouches were a perfect mix of uniquely modern while holding the air of mystery of ancient heirloom.  

Can't remember who made what?  A great sample slideshow of many of the artists' work is up for viewing at the Studio gallery site.

Some Big Thank Yous:

Thanks to Katy for the spark that started it all

Thanks to Jennifer Farris of Studio Gallery for hosting us

Thanks to Steph, Katy, and Andrew for donating pieces for the raffle

Thanks to Astra for photographing the reception

Thanks to Rochelle for baking her own amazing treats (rose marshmallows and more!) AND running the bake sale with grace and welcome!

This was a juried show and I'd like to also honor those who were not selected to participate this time around.  Congrats also to our brave team members whose work wasn't on show.  I asked our team in attendence to share their impressions of the show and reception.  Enjoy and please post your comments below.  See you on Thursday!

~Even

photo by J. Astra Brinkmann of AstraTakesPhotos.com

From Sarah Friedman

T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U to our amazing team and team leaders for the opportunity to show our work together.  It was so great to meet some of the team and see so much talent and work in person at the gallery.  I almost think we could open an SF Etsy Bakery, that back corner sure was tasty!  My daughter had an especially hard time choosing her treat.

The pieces that stuck out in my mind were the oh-so-fantastic yarn bombed chair and the fabulous painting by Lisa from Tickle and Smash.  I wanted badly to bring both of them home, and add them to my artsy treasures collection.

From Heather

This was my 3rd gallery show, all of them being at Studio Gallery. The receptions are always really fun and the wine and cheese flow like wine and cheese. My point of going to the opening was to meet my SF Etsy teammates that I usually only "see" on twitter, facebook, and the google group.

Jen is a champion of great work. She knows her audience and has the open and inclusive personality to propel artists forward in their progression. I always leave her gallery feeling like the world is a really awesome place.  David Fullerton is my new favorite artist. I'm envious of anyone he's shared a cubicle with. 

photo by J. Astra Brinkmann of AstraTakesPhotos.com

From Taryn Bilstein

The opening was great, lots of people and such a great idea. Its nice to see all us Etsy people in one place and in a Gallery. Thanks again.

From Karen

Jennifer is awesome!  Witty, helpful and fun!  Thank you to her for hanging my work so beautifully and sharing belly laughs - fantastic event.

photo by J. Astra Brinkmann of AstraTakesPhotos.com

From Terri Raphael

The idea of an SF Etsy team show in a real gallery was - and still - is amazing. The gallery, which specializes in local color and local artists was a welcoming place to artfully present a wide range of creativity.

A special aspect of the experience for me was bringing my work to the gallery for Jennifer to decide - in person and while I was standing there! - if she would include an array of ceramic vases in the show. Being able to discuss my work with an experienced gallery owner was invaluable: with take-aways about pricing, presentation, and what interests her customers. And, as it happened, several of her customers who came in while I was there chatted with me about the pieces. One even came back when the show opened and bought several!At the reception, I enjoyed meeting other team members -- putting faces to names and shops -- as well as lending a hand with the dessert table. And, there was the extra comfort in numbers of being with friendly artists and their friends.

photo by J. Astra Brinkmann of AstraTakesPhotos.com

From Co-Captain Katy Atchison

What was wonderful about the art opening was that shops were connecting face-to-face and the community bonded together through the art and talents of it's members during the opening. I enjoyed getting to meet so many members that I had only interacted with previously online.  There was an almost overwhelming sense of SF Etsy Pride during the entire event. It was fun to hear team members talking about the friends they have made, shops they admire and talent that they see in the work of others. When you go to a craft show, people tend to talk about value as well as talent - whereas, the talent, technique and admiration were the main topics during the event.

I'm really happy with the amount of members who reached out to participate. One of our many goals this year within the leadership team is to connect local members to each other and create a stronger sense of community outside of Etsy. Each of us live and work within such a small distance of each other... we want to make sure that the support we give each other can grow and blossom into long-lasting friendships and business connections. Events like the SF Etsy Art Show and other craft shows, business groups, meet ups and workshops that we organize and attend help to bond our team together in a special and unique way. "

For more photos of the art itself and a list of all our team member participants check out the prior blog post.

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Katy or Steph about joining SFEtsy!

Happy 500!

Hold on to your hats, ladies and gents! SF Etsy has hit 500 blog posts!

Hip hip hooray!  Bring on the confetti, please!

HAPPY 500th Post, SF Etsy!

Your hard-working SF Etsy Blog Team along with our fearless SF Etsy Team Co-Captains would like to thank you for the amazing memories and the many more to come! You've helped this team grow exponentially giving us non-stop excitement and wonderfully interesting content. 

"Hey Guys! I'm SO excited and proud that we've come this far on the blog.

Our team is stronger and more connected because of our blog – it's the hot glue gun that connects all of us online! That sounds cheesy, but it's true! Think of all the creative projects you've been inspired to make from the blog, or the countless craft shows you've been notified about...or gotten to see behind the scenes of. This blog is a wonderful example of how truly creative, inspiring, intelligent and RAD we are! This year, you'll expect to see even more great things from us as we strengthen our online presence even more on the blog, Facebook and Twitter as well as start to bond outside of Etsy and the web through workshops, Meet-Ups and Etsy events."

- Katy Atchison, Co-Captain of SF Etsy Team

"Being part of a community is always a good way to make sure you succeed and grow. Being part of THIS community of creative entrepreneurs has made the journey to success & the process of growth all the more interesting and inspiring. 

Thank you for sharing your thoughts at local shows, for contributing to our discussions and for enriching our collective bank of knowledge, SF Etsy. Your consistent willingness to be awesome has helped WAY MORE humans than you may have realized. So let's celebrate US!"

- Steph Cortes of nerd JERK, Co-Captain of SF Etsy Team

To show our gratitude, we've put together some super-fun FREE printables inspired by your creativity and geared toward what you've been asking us for! 

 Remember these from when you were a kid? Predict your creative future with this fun SF Etsy Inspiration Fortune Teller!  Designed by SF Etsy leader Ash of Kelly Drive.

Print this and bring it to the Opening Reception of our Team Art Show on May 12th for a fun icebreaker!

Want to show your team spirit at your next craft fair?

Identify yourself as a proud SF ETSIAN with this tabletop tent sign!

Need a Artist Trading Card envelope template? Katy built out two templates for you to download, print and fold. The perfect size to house your works of art during our ATC Event on May 24th!

a cute little owl ATC envelope featuring SF Etsy by Katy Atchison

Print this ATC Envelope template to house your Artists Trading Cards during our Team Meet-Up on May 24th.

We're a busy bunch! I dunno about you, but I can't hardly keep up with my own life, let alone our Etsy lives! I make lists to keep track of everything...hope this helps you keep track of everything, too!

Keep up with your busy schedule by using this handy to-do list!

To print any of the free graphics in this post, simply left click on the printable. When the shadow box pops open, right click on the image and select "open image in new tab". When the new tab opens, magnify the image to its largest, actual size, then right click on the image and choose "save image as...". Save to your desktop and print, print, print! (Make sure to turn off your margins so your printer doesn't cut off any of the good stuff!) 

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Katy or Steph about joining SFEtsy!

Join SF Etsy at the Vagabond Indie Craft Fair -- Tomorrow!

We are so excited! Tomorrow is the last SF Etsy team show of the year -- the Holiday Edition of the Vagabond Indie Craft Fair at Urban Bazaar!

SF Etsy is a big fan of Urban Bazaar, and we're delighted to be working with them again on a holiday shopping opportunity that is sure to please. Come have something warm to drink, nibble on some sweet treats at the SF Etsy bake sale table, and shop with some of SF Etsy's finest artisans:

Art History Nerd
Estudio Martita
Heathered
Isobell Jewelry
Lady Alamo
Mz Creation
Nidhi Chanani Illustration
The Enchanted Square
Yarrow Jewelry
Katy Atchison Illustration

WHERE: Urban Bazaar's backyard garden
1371 9th Ave. (between Irving & Judah Streets)
San Francisco CA 94122

WHEN: Saturday December 10th, 12:30-6pm

ADMISSION: Free!

Visit the WEBSITE for more info, or the Facebook page and event page.

Hope to see you there! Shop local and handmade this holiday season!

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

Savvy Entrepreneur: Craft Swap Recap

One of the essential ingredients for success in running your own small business is a support group. As you're probably well aware the SF Esty Street Team is a great resource for just that reason. We have over 400 members in the Bay Area will all levels of experience and all sorts of backgrounds. There is almost sure to be someone who's "been there, done that" when you find yourself with a problem to solve. But beyond just being a resource for knowledge, having a group of like minded entrepreneurs to turn to when you're feeling overwhelmed, frustrated or simply beat down is invaluable.

All of this is why I was so pleased to hear that three of our team members have taken it upon themselves to form a meetup committee with the mission of having more in-person events for all of us to really get to know each other and make some deeper connections.

Lisa of Tickle and Smash, Rochelle of Haute Mélange, and Géraldine of Géraldine Adams Illustrations are the trio behind the most recent and biggest of these events so far, The First Annual Craft Swap. Held at TechShop, the afternoon was filled with all sorts of crafty goodness.

There was a plentiful swap table filled with all sorts of treasures.

GoGo Craft was in the house to to help us all make a banner with plenty of tools and supplies at the ready.

And one generous crafter donated boxes, upon boxes of inspiring materials.  

This is just the beginning of many more events to come, from smaller monthly meetups at cafes and wine bars to bigger events with hands on demos and networking. So watch for updates on Facebook, Twitter and here on the blog.

Thanks again, Lisa, Rochelle and Geraldine!

Rochelle and Lisa (Geraldine was unable to be at the event)

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I encourage comments directly to this post, but also feel free to email me directly with questions, reactions, struggles, etc. genevieve [at] lightboxsf [dot] com

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

SF Etsy Members at Maker Faire THIS WEEKEND!

I'm so excited! This weekend is Maker Faire, and it is going to be fantastic! Not only is Maker Faire just AMAZING, but there are many talented SF Etsy members present as vendors this year. And we'll also have on hand many other movers and shakers in the SF Etsy community. Don't miss out on all the fun!

Etsy is a sponsor of Maker Faire this year, and at the Etsy booth (by the East Gate) you can stop by and chat with Etsy admin, SF Etsy volunteers and team leaders, including yours truly on Sunday afternoon. Rumor has it that there will be a giant Treasury generator, complete with plushie hammer!

I'm also delighted to share that we'll have many folks on hand who are involved with the new I Heart Art: SF initiative. Interested in hearing more about I Heart Art: SF (and feasting your eyes on amazing crocheted creativity)?
Be sure to check out nerdJERK and chat it up with Team Leader and I Heart Art:SF co-chair Steph in booth 38 of the Baz Biz tent!

Or come meet I Heart Art: SF co-chair Tammy of punkrawkpurl at the Etsy booth on Saturday afternoon! Or chat with me on Sunday afternoon. We'd love to let you know what awesomeness is being planned!

NerdJERK and many of SF Etsy's own will have samples on display at the Etsy booth, and then for more of their handmade goodness you can go visit their booths. SF Etsy member vendors include: art by lepetitelefant
whimsical pottery by Village Clayworks

jewelry by Sora Designs
Handmade Housewares from Casa Murriguez
art by Nidhi Chanani

Butterflies and bugs from Bug Under Glass

And that's just the beginning! Science! Craft! A Giant Electric Giraffe! Seriously, you gotta see all this. Go here for a complete list of vendors, and here for more info about Maker Faire in general.

If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

What's New with I Heart Art: SF - Leadership Council Call!

I Heart Art: SF wants YOU!

We'd LOVE to have you!
[Image from SF Etsy Member ChristinaWilliams]

That's right, folks! We all know that Rome wasn't built in a day! We need lots of help to get I Heart Art: San Francisco up & running like we'd all like to see it run. That's where YOU come in!

In the other incarnations of I Heart Art, there have been Leadership Councils to give direction to how the initiative was going to impact their cities. We'd like to form a Leadership Council of our very own in San Francisco. But first we'd like to know a little more about you!

If you're interested in being part of the I Heart Art: San Francisco Leadership Council, please fill out this form by Monday, May 1st, 2011. Tammy & I will be taking a week to review the applications & will get back to you all with our newly-formed Leadership Council by the following Monday, May 8th!

Would you like to help out & support I Heart Art: SF in another way? We're always looking for volunteers! We'd love to hear from you. You can email us with your ideas &/or sign up for our newsletter to get started!

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

What's New with I Heart Art: SF - CRAFT PARTY!!

Exciting event happening in a town near you - SAN FRANCISCO!

Ever feel like you'd like to craft with more company than your cat? I know I do! Well, try 15,000 more people! Julie from Etsy says:

"Last year, over 5,000 people participated in over 500 meetups from Dallas to Romania, and this year our goal is for over 15,000 people to share in the spirit of Craft Party. Since we can't do this without you, we're calling on your help to mobilize in your local community."

Come and join Etsy in their 2011 version of Craft Party - and make it extra special because it's the I Heart Art: San Francisco KICK-OFF EVENT!

You heard right! We here at I Heart Art: San Francisco have been in cahoots with Vanessa at Etsy for a while now, talking about what a wonderful opportunity this is to get the Bay Area together for some good ol' crafty fun.

While right now Tammy & I are working on scouting an event big enough for our Craft Party, we'd love to extend an invitation to ALL of the SF Etsy Team & their friends to sign up to come & craft with us on June 10th!

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For more info on this event, visit the I Heart Art: San Francisco blog & feel free to sign up for our newsletter!

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

Come Talk Etsy & I Heart Art: SF -- Etsy Meet Up April 2nd

Have you heard about Etsy's I Heart Art? They started in Portland and have since expanded the program to Baltimore. We're excited to announce I Heart Art: SF might be next!

That's right -- Etsy has asked the SF Etsy Street Team if we are interested in exploring what I Heart Art: SF might look like. And of course we said YES. With San Francisco's strong Etsy team presence, rich cultural resources, and enormously talented population of crafters and artists, it seems a natural fit.

We're delighted to share that team leader Steph (of nerdJERK fame) will be working closely with team captain Jen (the Mama in Mama's Magic Studio) to lead up the program as we think about how we might turn possibilities into realities. We also have a strong planning committee in the works and with a big project like this we look forward to involving as many SF Etsians and local folks as we can.

I Heart Art is the kind of program that morphs to suit the needs of each community, but at the heart of I Heart Art is finding ways to connect and support artists, crafters, and DIY folks. It's all about creating opportunities and supporting creativity within the local context. Exciting, huh?

To give you a taste of what I Heart Art has looked like in other cities, check out this awesome video from one of  I Heart Art: Portland's Mixer Match - where speed-dating & networking collide by connecting crafters/artists with local businesses/wholesalers:

Mixer Match: Round One from I Heart Art: Portland on Vimeo.

Want to learn more? Come join us on April 2nd from 5-7 pm at MOCFA for an Etsy and SF Etsy Meet Up to talk about I Heart Art and other topics of interest to the Etsy community. We'd like an accurate head count for planning purposes, so please RSVP here if you can join us.

Questions? Leave us a comment and we'll do our best to get you an answer.

Hope to see you there!

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

Inspired by Handmade - Pattern People

"The other day I was at work...and someone complimented my outfit and said... "WOW! I just LOVE the combination you've done"... great mix of pattern and texture. As an artist...I see a necessary balance between texture, pattern and color.

So this week... let's get inspired by Pattern & Texture!

PATTERN:
As a background or the center of your design...pattern can turn an ordinary pillow into a work of art! Notice how all of these Etsy items have LOTS of character, just in the pattern the artist chose to use!



1.) Striped: notice how the simplicity of this Thank You Card by HelloCupcakeLLC makes a huge statement...the addition of the simple button also gives this set of cards something very unique!

2.) PLAID!: Plaid can be "boring" but mixed with other patterns and texture...you can really make this standard pattern really have some new personality. This clock by 1byliz is a great example of the balance between texture and pattern with TWO patterns!

3.) SWIRLS! How do you add instant whimsy to a project? Use swirls - You'll see your project go from serious to playful right before your eyes. This wonderful piece of art by devikasart is a great example of how lots of freedom in your line work can create a pattern that is beautiful and playful.

TEXTURE:
Smooth, rough or soft...texture is the core of any piece you do...it gives your product personality!



1.) Stitching!: Embroidery on a smaller object always amazes me...this brooch by creativebeadz is a great example of how a small item stitched with lots of texture can really POP!

2.) Natural Texture: What I love about the Salt Bars made by asliceofdelight...is that the salt adds a visual texture to the soaps that is just stunning. My favorite is the beautiful Spiced Cranberry Salt Bar Soap. The blend of Salt and Cranberry colors makes this functional soap a stunning bathroom addition!

3.) FACETS!: These beautiful earrings by BellaBeadsOriginals have a great balance of textures. The facets on the ruby Red Garnets are the perfect texture to balance the pink pearls. Surely, these earrings will really catch the eye of many people when you wear them thanks to the textures they feature.

Explorations in texture and pattern will for SURE bump up your sales and inspire your work in a whole new way. If your work tends to be very clean in it's texture and design...try adding an element to your work that is the direct opposite! It will make your work POP and the interest in your work will increase... I promise!

I'd love to hear any stories where you also explored texture and pattern within your own designs. Did you find that it was hard to find a balance?

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

“Be Mine, Valentine” Craft Show Reminder

HI! I am a fairly new member to the SF Etsy team! I am so happy that I am a part of such a great team! I have learned so much from these lovely local artisans in such a short period of time. I am also excited to do my first blog post EVER!

Pretty much I am here to remind you of an upcoming show “Be Mine, Valentine” craft show. That will be happening on Friday, February 11^th from 11-5 in Berkeley. There will be a variety of locally hand made goods for you to pick up for your sweetie, and maybe you will even find something for yourself!

Here are the SF Etsy Team Members who will be at the show:

A Slice of Delight
Haute Melange
Scottish Lily Jewelry
Gabriella Designs
Nidhi Illustration
Velvet Otterhound
Jen Spilly Designs
Garden Delights
Tchoupuce
Robin Stelling Design
Divine Elegance

Click here for all the info you will need! It also lists all the local artisans that will be there!

Click here for the Facebook invite

Don’t forget to share the love of this great upcoming show with your friends and family!

Hope to see you there!

*Special thanks to Nidhi of Nidhi Illustration for doing the flyers for us :)

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

Friday Feature -- Girl on Bike

Time and time again, I am inspired by the ingenuity of my fellow Etsy sellers. It's so impressive how folks with a creative bent can find beauty and function in unexpected places. This week's featured Etsy artist, Kendra of Girl on Bike, is a perfect example -- before learning about Kendra's shop, I never would have imagined that stylish, striking jewelry could be made from recycled bicycle tires! I especially like these "Native Slender" earrings. So classic and yet unusual!
Enjoy the interview!

1. 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 earrings using recycled/upcycled bicycle inner tubes.

Lady Lace Recycled Bike Inner Tube Earrings

As an avid cyclist I was horrified at the amount of inner-tube rubber that I would see in trash cans at bike shops. This, and my amazing boyfriend Dan, inspired me to find a creative, marketable, and longer lasting use for those tubes that are so full of holes they can no longer be patched and used for their intended purpose.

I am very inspired by nature and natural elements. Most of my designs center around feather shapes and currently the colors blue, gold, & silver. People often think the inner tube material looks like leather until they actually touch it.

2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?
I'm a member of SFEtsy, East Bay Team, and ETC.

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

I got in to business young, opening my first boutique at 22. In 2009 I decided I wanted to live a simpler more conscious life and made some drastic changes. I closed my store down, got rid of my car & got a bicycle, lost a bunch of weight, sold off or gave away most of my unnecessary "things", and really got in to things like gardening and urban foraging.

Now I live off the money I make selling my earrings in local boutiques and have plenty of free time to explore the activities I have always been interested in. I run a local Bay Area Clothing Swap group . I have a group for Urban Foraging the East Bay, and I also started a group for Food Swap Events where people can get together and swap their home made or home grown foods (ie: jams, breads, granola, pickles, etc.).

4. What is your favorite item in your shop? Why is it your favorite?

Right now my favorite earrings are my Oak style in silver:

I wear these all the time and love how large they are while still being really lightweight.

5. What does buying and selling local handmade mean to you, and how has it affected your life?

I try to buy locally as much as possible. I want to make sure as most of the money I spend goes to bettering my community and improving my local economy. If I can't make it myself then I look for someone locally who can. I even translate this in to my eating habits and focus on buying only fruits and vegetables that have been grown in California...that is, for the produce I can't grow myself in my backyard garden.

6. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

I have a blog where I write about Food, Bikes, & Sustainability: http://girlonbikewrites.blogspot.com

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

Saturday Workshops with Raissa Bump Jewelry & Knitwear!

Raïssa Bump Jewelry & Knitwear, a San Francisco based member of the SF Etsy team, is proud to announce the launch of Saturday WORKSHOPS! Three hour or six hour workshops are held in a creative studio/workshop/showroom gallery called MondaySpaces.

Workshops are designed for anyone to have a new experience in both jewelry and knitting and to take home a handmade piece. No experience necessary! Private and semi-private in-depth, individualized instruction is also available.

You could make beautifully colorful pendants like these, or other lovely creations! If you are interested in learning something specific email raissa@raissabump.com to suggest a future workshop that you would like to see.

Raïssa Bump studied at Rhode Island School of Design, Alchimia School of Contemporary Jewelry and Penland School of Crafts. She exhibits her jewelry and knits in galleries and boutiques across the country and has been 'making' since she was a young girl. Over the years Raïssa's passion for adornment has only grown and she believes in sharing her knowledge with others through teaching.

Go here for a complete list of workshops. And leave us a comment if you're planning to sign up!

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

SF Etsy Meet & Make in San Jose -- January 30!

I'm getting so excited for our first SF Etsy Meet & Make of 2011! We will be meeting on January 30th from 2 to 5 pm at the wonderfully inspiring space of A Work of Heart Studio in San Jose.

Andrea, the owner of the studio, has generously opened her space to the SF Etsy team and guests of the team for FREE studio time during our Meet & Make! (Studio time is normally $7 an hour!)

Andrea says that during the Meet & Make, tools are all available for use with no added fees. Consumables such as paint, ink, glue, glitter, scraps of paper, etc. are also included. Full sheets of paper, canvas, fabric, ribbon by the yd, buttons, metal, glass, game pieces, etc all cost extra. (Just ask if you're not sure -- Andrea is super friendly!)

And just in case you missed my earlier post in which I practically jumped up and down with glee, simply delighted by all the great stuff available at A Work of Heart, you can go here to read about all the nifty tools, supplies, and resources.

This Meet & Make will be a casual gathering to work on UFOs (UnFinished Objects) and WIPs (Works in Progress), or just to spend a few hours exploring all the great stuff at A Work of Heart. So bring your UFOs, WIPs, a snack or drink to share, and join us for an afternoon of crafting, chatting, and connecting with local creative folks!

All we ask is that you RSVP here at our Facebook event page so we know how many people to plan for.

Hope to see you soon at A Work of Heart Studio, "Where Everyone is an Artist." On January 30th it is going to be packed with creative energy!

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

Friday Feature -- Sew Smashing

Today's Friday Feature is a new SF Etsy member -- Alexis of Sew Smashing!

I received some of her beautiful butterflies for Christmas this year, and they are my new favorite hair accessory. I love her eye for color and her exquisite designs!


Enjoy the interview!

1. 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?

It's funny to me that the origami I did as a child would influence me as an adult, and allow me to create wearable art. Origami was first introduced to me by my parents when I was a child. It was one of the many activities that would keep me entertained during summer vacation road trips.

A couple years ago I had first noticed paper origami being turned into wearable jewelry. I thought how lovely it would be to try and make the origami creations out of something more durable. It so happens I had just bought my first cuttings of silk fabric, and I had this epiphany of "Well, why not?" I searched through dozens and dozens of origami patterns until I found one that I thought would work well. And this is how I started my line of silk origami butterfly accessories.

What started out as a brooch available in a handful of colors, has quite literally morphed into a full line of accessories available in over 70 colors of silk!

My creative process isn't much of a process...it's a series of random epiphanies. I suppose I get the most ideas right before I fall asleep. I started keeping a pen and paper beside the bed. I'd roll over in the dark and write down my ideas, and with luck I was able to decipher my writing the next morning. However, I do have a new creative tool. I never thought staring at sunsets would be included as a tool of my trade, but it has been quite helpful! I've found wonderful color combinations in various sunsets that I never would have thought of on my own. The end results has been beautiful multi-color butterflies.

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

Hm...interesting things about me? Well, I used to do taxidermy as a part-time job in college. My first task was to make a study skin of a donated deceased bird; it was going to be used by an drawing class.

After I was finished preparing the bird, which entailed removing all organs and tissue, I couldn't eat chicken for a month! Each time I did afterward I realized I could identify which part of the bird I was eating and what joint it was located next to. That took a while to get over.

Before I started my own small business, I got a master's in Museum Studies and for a few years I worked with the collections at a natural history museums. I loved the idea of preserving the past for the future generations to see. However, I loved even more the idea of creating something from nothing. When I think of a new item to make I quite literally get this little tingly sensation in my brain! I once told this to a friend of mine who was in medical school, he laughed and said "Yes, when I think about what I'm working towards, I get that same little tingly feeling too. It means that what you're doing is right for you."

3. What advice do you have for other folks selling or buying on Etsy?

The creative process in developing your shop or your business takes so much time, and can feel discouraging. It took me a year to find my niche. I started out doing hand bags and scarves, but found it difficult to get noticed. I started out with my silk origami butterfly line and when people took notice it made me thankful I didn't give up.

Something else I realized is the importance of appealing photos; quite literally the need to create a pretty picture. I still haven't figured out the best way to photograph all of my items, but with time I'm slowly finding better angles or more interesting props. And I can tell when I have a good photo, because that's the item that I will repeatedly sell.

Taking the time to brand your shop and your business is also important and well worth the invested time. By branding you literally create the identity of your business and give your business a presence. I feel the same way about packaging. How you present the item to your customer is a direct reflection on your business and matters just as much as the quality of the item.

I'll get off my soap box now...


4. What crafting skill(s) do you wish you had or hope to learn someday?

I would love to crochet! My mother in law has sat down and tried to teach me, but I always get the tension wrong and get the different chains confused. I would love to get it right one day!

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

My proudest moment came one day via an Etsy Convo. It was written by one of my previous international customers. She wrote to tell me how much she loved her custom silk origami butterfly hair barrette. Her son was in the hospital and it was the one thing she wore every day when she went to visit him because it made her happy to wear it. It was that moment when I realized the potential that something I make could actually positively affect someone. It was in that moment that I actually felt I was a real business. To have an item I made, now halfway
around the world, bring joy to someone's life...well, it was an incredible feeling. Since then I've had similar experiences with my customers, where I was able to make items for them that held special meaning. It's the interaction with my customers that gives meaning to the things I make.

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!

Friday Feature -- Nadene

This week's featured Etsian is Nadene *little dreams becoming string* a long time SF Etsy member who is also known as Even Howard. The exquisite delicacy of her work takes my breath away. My favorite item in her shop is this lovely Tide Pool Bracelet.

Handy with a crochet hook? You can try your hand at making one yourself, with a DIY bracelet kit! Even says, "This kit contains the materials, tools, and full color instructions you will need to create your own version of my signature design, the tide pool crochet bracelet. The only thing you'll need is a pair of scissors."

Enjoy the interview!
1. 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'm inspired by daydreams and experience. My aim is translating the natural world into a microcosm of colors and patterns that become a reminder of present moment awareness and appreciation. The things we choose to wear and surround ourselves with can become an expression of identity, including connection with local landscape and personal values. I like to reference history, as crochet is bound to do, but bring it into comfortable modern accessories that are easy to wear and enjoy.

I learned to crochet first from my mother, but I was very challenged by watching her quick movements and have learned most of my advanced techniques from library books. When I was 11, two books I had checked out were chewed by my dog so my family had to purchase them. This was a hardship at the time, but I decided to appreciate them for the gift they were! These became the staples of my crochet library and the fodder for many future ideas. They were from the '70s so I also spent a lot of time observing which ideas were timeless and only needed a color update and which ideas were truly trendy. With the effort involved in handwork as well as a mind towards 'slow living' I strive to create those timeless treasures with only a wink towards the fashion of the moment.

I currently sell bracelets and necklaces as well as a few housewares. I have been a published designer of crochet patterns in the past and I'm now celebrating the joy of the finished product as it travels on to its new owner. It's more immediate gratification and I love knowing my designs are out there being gifted and worn.
2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?
sf etsy, cccoe, and etsy old timers


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

Hmmm. I lived in Japan for two years, and because I was in a rural area I was offered the chance to learn many of the traditional crafts. I've always been a 'renaissance woman' and so I jumped to learn to sew and wear kimono, write calligraphy, and learn macrobiotic cooking. My national shuji (calligraphy, also called shodo) school gave me a license to teach in my last few months in Japan, I became the first foreigner to gain this level.

My beautiful and patient kimono sewing teacher took me on without knowing a thing about me and I not knowing any Japanese. But as soon as she saw me sew we had a common language and the rest came over two years of spending afternoons in her sewing space. I learned a lot of small town gossip and traditional protocol from the lovely ladies of the sewing group. I was by far the youngest and it was truly an amazing experience to learn from women who had been in Osaka during world war two and had not interacted with any Americans since. I'll never forget when I had learned enough Japanese I could understand my teachers' story. I listened quietly as she told me of her childhood, the bombs falling, her family life, and how they made-do. On that day, I had asked her if she knew how to make the traditional straw sandals and, at nearly 70, she said I was the first person who had ever asked her. Her own children and grandchildren had no interest. As she showed me how, the memories came out. That group gave so much to me, but I also appreciated being able to give them the gift of taking on their stories and history. I can see their smiles and shining hearts in my mind and it gives me much hope.

Even Howard in Kyoto in kimono she made.

4. How did you get involved with Etsy?

I was an original member of www.craftster.com and heard about Etsy through them. I joined right away, now I'm the 'oldest' etsy member other than the CEO. I was living in Japan at the time with no camera so it took me a while to actually open a shop, but I've been following and participating in the community since the 'beginning'.

5. What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop?

I like to be an involved partner in every venture in my life. I care about the future of the Etsy community and probably spend more time than I should evaluating changes, trends, and the direction of Etsy as a whole. On the plus side, I love to help new sellers get set up and make beautiful shops that highlight their creativity. On the minus side, I spend a lot of time in the forums discussing the finer details of the Etsy model and its paths to success.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop? Why is it your favorite?

The handsome tear necklace.



My favorite because it embodies the ideas I'm obsessed with~easy to wear but unique and with a reference to the past. Add in some custom colors depending on the mood and place and that's pretty much my ideal design aesthetic.

7. What crafting skill(s) do you wish you had or hope to learn someday?

I'd love to work in wood. I have a new line in progress right now using gorgeous wood faceted briolettes that I had made by another Etsy seller. I wish I could do this kind of small work, but really I would be so happy to make some awesome furniture.

8. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?
I try to keep a good presence going and love it when my customers keep in touch!
home: http://www.evenhoward.com
fan page: http://www.facebook.com/evenhoward.art
tweets: http://www.twitter.com/evenhoward
blog: http://www.evenhoward.wordpress.com
other etsy shop (patterns): http://www.evenhoward.etsy.com






Note from Jen: I'm delighted to share that Even is offering a special coupon code for readers of the SF Etsy team blog! The code is sfetsyjan7 and is for 15% off any items in shop. Good through next Friday, January 14th.

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Jen from Mama's Magic Studio about joining SFEtsy!