Getting to Know Winklepots

Winklepots has a wonderful etsy shop where she creates her own designs and then hand paints them onto clothing. How clever!!! be sure to check out her links.



What region do you live in?
I live in the sunny state of Oregon. Oh, yeah, give me that liquid sunshine. :op

What kind of items do you create?
I create hand painted clothing for children and adults. I also make korker hair bows for girls or boys, I'm not gender biased.

How long have you been creating?
I've been painting since 2006 and creating hair bows since early 2008.

What or Who are your creative influences?
I see potential everywhere; the zoo, the store, my kids, my weird sense of humor. The idea for the birds in my store came from a baby blanket that had various animals on it, and I was really drawn to the bird image. So I made my own.

Do you work outside of the home/studio?
I used to, but fortunately I'm able to slowly go insane at home rather than the quicker pace I previously had been while I was in Accounting.

If you could be in someone else's studio or kitchen, whose would that be?
Krista's from DoubleDippedSweets or Nicole from Nikid.. I'd like to offer my services as an official taste tester.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your goals with your business?
Once the kids are in school, I'd like to dedicate more time to my business and hopefully see it grow significantly. I'd like to sell in more boutiques and have fairly regular sales. One a day would be cool. :o)

Do you sell wholesale/consignment?
Sometimes. I haven't been successful with it yet. I'm actually meeting with a local boutique today who is interested in carrying some of my items. We shall see....

Where else can your products be found?
Right now, my products can be found in my Etsy store at http://www.winklepots.etsy.com

What groups and/or affiliations are you a part of?
EtsyFAME - http://etsyfame.com/

Etsy FAM - http://fam-fabulousartisticmoms.blogspot.com

Etsykids Team as a regional co-leader for the Pacific NW Region. http://www.etsykids.blogspot.com/

What is your education as it pertains to your craft?
I received a certificate in Interior Decorating which ultimately led me to painting murals and eventually painting clothing.

What is your favorite part of creating handmade items?
It's such a great escape. I'm in my "creative zone" once that first brush stroke hits the fabric. Aaaaah, crafting nirvana.

do you have any connection likes you'd like to share?
http://www.winklepots.blogspot.com. Mostly random thoughts, a weekly featured artist and plenty of snarkiness by moi. :o)

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade Winklepots.etsy.com

Getting to know Valeries Gallery

Valerie is a wonderfully talented artist. She creates such wonderful items with felt. Her bowls are by far my favorite item.


What region do you live in?
I live in Central NY State, just before entering the Adirondack Park. When I tell people I live in NY, everyone thinks I live in the city, but I live just outside a town of only 2,300 people. Hometown goodness!

What kind of items do you create?
My shop features items that are knit, crocheted and/or felted. I mainly use wool and wool blends, but have been experimenting with some soy and bamboo yarns as well.

How long have you been creating?
I've been crafting since I was in junior high. I really put craftiness in action when my children were little and made many of their toys, clothes and decorated their rooms. When one of my daughters only wish for Christmas was a store bought sweater, it broke my heart...

What or Who are your creative influences?
My parents have always been my biggest influence regarding creativity. Mom would make everything for our home, including curtains, rugs, tablecloths and clothes. My dad was a wonderful woodworker and made absolutely gorgeous items that I will treasure forever, including a hand carved cradle for my children.

Do you work outside of the home/studio?
I do work full time as a Business Consultant at MetLife Insurance Co and will be celebrating my 20th year there in April. It has been a rewarding and fun career.

If you could be in someone else's studio or kitchen, whose would that be?
There are sooo many talented people that it would be very difficult to choose.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your goals with your business?
In 5 years I would love to have my business be supportive enough to retire from MetLife and keep my days filled with knitting! There are just too many ideas in my head and not enough time to do them all.

Where else can your products be found?
In addition to Etsy, I have a shop on Shophandmade - http://valeriesgallery.shophandmade.com and Art Fire - http://valeriesgallery.artfire.com

Are you a member of any organizations or have any affiliations?
I am a member of Fabulous Artistic Moms - FAM - http://fam-fabulousartisticmoms.blogspot.com/ Etsy For Charity - http://etsyforcharity.etsy.com , EtsyHookers (a crochet group), Artfire Fiber Arts Guild, WeLoveArtfire Guild, and Artfire Yarnies

What is your education as it pertains to your craft?
I was taught the basics by my mother and self taught from there.

What is your favorite part of creating handmade items?
I love working out the details and perfecting the finished product. I am always trying new techniques and although they may not always work out as planned, I always learn something..whether is is what works or what doesn't.

Please Connect with Valerie at all her links.
Blog: http://feltedtreasures.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/valeriesgallery

If you are viewing Valeries feature via email. Please click on the blog title to view it online. This way you are able to see the widget below showcasing her wonderful talents.

Etsy Buy Handmade valeriesgallery

Getting to know Lily of Sweet and Tranquil

Andrea : What region do you live in?
Lily : I Live in Halton Hills Ontario Canada,.I Grew up in a big city and moved to this small town a few years ago, as I wanted a quieter life style to raise my family

Andrea : What kind of items do you create?
Lily : Currently I am creating Bath and Body Products as well as Jewelry. In my spare time I also Crochet, Paint and Sew. I am always trying new things

Andrea : How long have you been creating?
Lily : I first started creating at a young age when my Aunt taught me to Crochet and my mother taught me to cross stitch. As I got older I worked in a Craft store here in Canada and starting trying new crafts. About 2 years ago I started making Bath and Body products and fell in love with the creativity and satisfaction of making my own soap.

Andrea : What or Who are your creative influences?
Lily : As I was growing up I was influenced by my mother who I thought could do anything. She was able to sew, needlepoint and was the best cook. You could always find me tagging along with my mother to help with whatever she was doing. My father also influenced me as he was had the ability to make anything. I would ask for a bird house for the backyard and my father would take me out to the garage and we would make the bird house. I am still influenced by my early childhood as well as Food/Cooking .

Andrea : Do you work outside of the home/studio?
Lily : After my Son was born I quit my job and began a new chapter in my life being a stay at home mom.

Andrea : If you could be in someone else's studio or kitchen, whose would that be?
Lily : I would love to be in the Barefoot Contessa – Ina Garten’s kitchen. I watch her show religiously and have all of her cookbooks.

Andrea : Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your goals with your business?
Lily : As far as the business, I hope to have a larger Wholesale base and expand my website to start selling my products there as well as Etsy.

Andrea : Do you sell wholesale/consignment?
Lily : Yes I Sell Wholesale as well as have one consignment account.

Andrea : Where else can your products be found?
Lily : Currently I am selling my products in a shop in Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario called Rarefunk http://www.rarefunk.ca/. as well as my 2 shops on Etsy. http://www.sweetandtranquil.etsy.com and http://www.sweettranquiljewelry.etsy.com

Andrea : Are you a member of any organizations or have any affiliations?
Lily : I am a member of FAM, Fabulous Artistic Moms { http://fam-fabulousartisticmoms.blogspot.com }

Andrea : What is your education as it pertains to your craft?
Lily : I am self taught.

Andrea : What is your favorite part of creating handmade items?
Lily : I love the entire creative process. Thinking of an idea of what I want to create and then finding the components to have it come to fruition.
Andrea : Please take some time and visit Sweet and Tranquil's blog.
{ http://sweetandtranquil.blogspot.com/ }

Getting to know Kelly of 5LittleMonkeys

I sat down for an interview with Kelly. Here is what we talked about. Be sure to visit Kelly at all her links.

Andrea : What region do you live in?
Kelly : I live in Queens, which is a borough of New York City. We live close enough to enjoy all the city has to offer, but far enough away to not be right in the middle of the insanity.

Andrea : What kind of items do you create?
Kelly : I like to make almost anything. I get distracted really easily because I want to try everything! I enjoy making jewelry and things for babies and little girls. I recently learned to knit, so that is my current obsession. Look for knitted items in my shop soon.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8739926
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9262069

Andrea : How long have you been creating?
Kelly : Since I was a little girl, but now that my kids are getting bigger, I have a little more time to do things I enjoy.

Andrea : What or Who are your creative influences?
Kelly : Growing up, my mother was always doing some kind of needlework, whether it be knitting, crochet, or needlepoint. She inspires me to make beautiful handmade items. Etsy artist are also so inspiring. By seeing their beautiful creations, they make me want to go beyond the ordinary and make something really beautiful and one of a kind.

Andrea : Do you work outside of the home/studio?
Kelly : I have been a stay at home mom to my five kids for almost 12 years. I will be starting a part time job very soon as the swim coach for my kids' team, the Barracudas http://www.ciybarracudas.com/index.html

Andrea : If you could be in someone else's studio or kitchen, whose would that be?
Kelly : I'd love to spend time with Martha Stewart. She just has so many creative ideas for every area you could think of from meals to decorating to parties.

Andrea : Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your goals with your business?
Kelly : I hope to still be coaching swimming and helping those kids achieve their goals. As far as my business, I hope to be able to devote more time to it as my kids will be older, and have a customer base that comes to me when they need a gift or just want to treat themselves to something special.

Andrea : Do you sell wholesale/consignment?
Kelly : Not at the moment, but I am open to any and all possibilities.

Andrea : Where else {besides etsy} can your products be found?
Kelly : I have a few items for sale at Texas Art Spot in Corsicana,TX. I also sell on ecrater http://www.5littlemonkeys.com and http://www.madeitmyself.com/

Andrea : Are you a member of any organizations or have any affiliations?
Kelly : I am a member of FAM, Fabulous Artistic Moms { http://fam-fabulousartisticmoms.blogspot.com }and Etsymom { http://etsymom.blogspot.com }, both street teams on Etsy.

Andrea : What is your education as it pertains to your craft?
Kelly : I have a B.S. in business management. I'm not sure if it's helping out all that much at the moment, but I am trying to educate myself on all the marketing tools we have at our disposal on Etsy.

Andrea : What is your favorite part of creating handmade items?
Kelly : I love the whole process from coming up with an idea to gathering the materials to putting it all together. But my favorite part of all, by far, is when it's all done, and I can show off what I've done!

Etsy FAME for Valentine's Day

Etsy FAME is full of wonderful Moms who craft. Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Below is just a small example of what you can expect from our Etsy FAME members.

So come on over and look for something special for your Valentine this year.


1. The Pretty Peacock - Gorgeous Guitar Pics Personalized and Eco Friendly
2. Mad Hatters Pottery - Soy Candle - Handcrafted Ceramic - Cabernet Scented
3. Macaroni & Glue - The Definition of Feminine - Simple & Sassy Blank Notecards
4. Annie Howes - Heirloom Sterling Silver Photo Pendant
5. Merkaba Jewelry - Peppermint Red, White, & Pink Soft Scarflette with Button & Fringe
6. Valeries Gallery - Felted Bangle - Holiday Red- Large
7. Sweet and Tranquil - Sensual Woman Soap
8. A Sugar Affair - Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers
9. Chamberry Cherry - Fairy Princess, A Tutu, T-shirt and Crown, Costume for baby or toddler
10. Francisbel - Valentine Pink and Red Heart Purse
And we have many more Etsy FAME members who make a vast variety of goods!

Getting to Know Carissa Black

I sat down for an interview with Carissa Black. Here is what we talked about. Be sure to visit Carissa at all her links and if your ever in Connecticut, visit the shops who sell Carissa's items.

Andrea: What region do you live in?
Carissa : I live in Connecticut, so the East Coast.

Andrea: What kind of items do you create?
Carissa: I create handbags and all of the accessories to go with them.

Andrea: How long have you been creating?
Carissa: I have been creating "officially" for about 5 years now. I have always loved designing and sewing.

Andrea: What or Who are your creative influences?

Carissa: I find that the artists on etsy really inspire me. There is so much creativity. It really makes me push myself. I also really love fabric. It is fun to look at a design or color and imagine all of the wonderful things it could become.

Andrea: Do you work outside of the home/studio?
Carissa: I work out of my home. I would love to have my own studio some day.

Andrea: If you could be in someone else's studio or kitchen, whose would that be?
Carissa: There was an etsy artist on the Martha Show a year or two back who had a one room studio in the cutest little house. It looked like a playhouse, but was big enough for all of her things. It was whimsical, fun, inspiring, functional, and right in her own backyard.

Andrea: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your goals with your business?
Carissa: In 5 years I want Carissa Black to be a household name. We can all dream can't we? No really I just hope that I still love creating and doing what I do.

Andrea: Do you sell wholesale?
Carissa: Yes, I do wholesale and consignment.

Andrea: Where else can your products be found (name B&M stores or internet urls, including your own)?
Carissa: Here are a list of shops where you can find me at.
My online shop at www.gardencris27.etsy.com
I also sell at the following boutiques:
Yummy Goods in Cape Cod, Massachusetts http://www.yummygoods.com/
Bella Boutique in Alaska http://www.shop-bella.com/
Indigo Lily Co. in Cochester CT http://www.indigolilycompany.com/
Piper Maypop in Farmington CT http://pipermaypop.blogspot.com/
A Whole Lotta Bags in Bangor Maine http://www.awholelottabags.com/

Andrea: Are you a member of any organizations or have any affiliations?
Carissa: Of course I belong to Fabulous Artistic Moms. I also belong to the Connecticut Etsy Street Team.

Andrea: What is your education as it pertains to your craft?
Carissa: I haven't had any formal training, except for high school home economics. All of my sewing has been self taught.

Andrea: What is your favorite part of creating handmade items?
Carissa: I love to have an outlet to express myself. It is just plain fun!