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!

GETTING TO KNOW...Angie of Cute and Sweet

We have such talent on EtsyFAME - it's a pleasure to feature another talented Etsian every week.

This week we are getting to know Angie of Cute and Sweet

What region do you live in?

Midwest, WI
What kind of items do you create?

Hair accessories for the young and young at heart!

How long have you been creating?

Forever. I don't remember a time when I wasn't. Specifically creating hair accessories, I've been doing that for almost a year.

What are your creative influences?

My two little princesses who have a ton of curly hair

Do you work outside of the home/studio?

Not currently
If you could be in someone else's studio or kitchen, whose would that be?

I would love to be in ANYONE's kitchen who can cook. I'm an awful cook.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your goals with your business?

In five years my youngest will be entering Kindergarten (eek!) so I will most likely be working outside the home. But maybe if sales continue and more opportunities arise I won't have to!

Do you sell wholesale?

Sure!
Where else can your products be found (name B&M stores or internet urls, including your own)?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cuteandsweetx2/

http://www.myspace.com/cuteandsweetx2

http://www.myspace.com/cuteandsweetx2
Are you a member of any organizations or have any affiliations?

Just on Etsy. Wist (WI street team), Etsymom, etsykids, FAM

What is your education as it pertains to your craft?

Self-taught
Pick one product and describe it briefly and how long it takes to make a certain item in your store.

I'll pick my woven headband….any one of them. These are the most fun to make and take at the most 15 minutes—if all goes well. I have so much fun coming up with color combinations. Just when I think I have all the color combinations I could possibly have, colors sort of jump out at me!

Getting to Know...Corinne of Daydream Art Studios

Another feature of another great FAMEr...
What region do you live in?
Grand Rivers, Kentucky- A small resort town in western Kentucky bordered by two lakes. We were even named one of the most romantic places by Cosmo a couple of years ago! Very pretty and lovely, especially in the summer time!

What kind of items do you create?
I make jewelry, both fun and kitschy types and also modern, one of a kind gemstone jewelry. I also paint and create mixed media art.

How long have you been creating?
As long as I can remember! Even as a child, I would spend hours in the yard with a sketchbook! I sold my crafts when other kids sold lemonade, and even had a business selling handmade personalized leather key chains when I was in the 6th grade.

What are your creative influences?
Some of my favorite painters are Salvador Dali and Frida Kahlo, but I try to stay current and am always finding new painters that I am inspired by. I have tons of artist friends and like to think we all inspire each other to try new things. A lot of my art is inspired by music I listen to while I work and the beautiful area I live in.

Do you work outside of the home/studio?
I have a part time job out of my house placing exchange students in host families in the area. Its very rewarding and interesting. My main job is my art, and I am saving up to remodel the outbuilding on our property into a respectable studio where I can have children's art classes and affordable workshops.
If you could be in someone else's studio or kitchen, whose would that be?
My mother always said "we're Irish, and the Irish aren't known for their cooking." Our family joke is that if its frozen, that's our "old family recipe." So in some kind of rebellion, I learned how to cook. I love it, and would probably stay in my own kitchen. But, if Paula Deen wants to come over and show me a thing or two, she's always welcome here! I love butter!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your goals with your business?
I hope that in five years, my studio is complete and I am teaching again! There are no after school programs here and want to fill that need. I also home school my daughter and would love to have art classes for other home schooled kids in the area.

Do you sell wholesale?
Not currently, most of my work is one of a kind and I just haven't ventured into this yet. I'm considering looking into it, though.

Where else can your products be found (name B&M stores or internet urls, including your own)?
I have my own website, http://daydreamartstudios.com/ as well as a daily blog, www.daydreamartstudios.blogspot.com I also show and sell my paintings at the PAPA Gallery in Paducah, Kentucky.

Are you a member of any organizations or have any affiliations?
Paducah AreaPainter's Association (PAPA), and Bluegrass Etsy.

What is your education as it pertains to your craft?
I have a degree in Art Education, and am always learning and educating myself. I have an addiction to art dvds and books.

Pick one product and describe it briefly and how long it takes to make a certain item in your store.
My newest favorite is the Shell and Freshwater Pearl bracelet. (Picture attached) I made this with shell slices, so the shape is modern on the outside, very geometric, but also very organic. I'm super interested in taking geometric shapes and contrasting them with something very natural. I also added freshwater pearls that I work together so they move and dance as the wearer moves. I also threw in some faceted cut Czech glass beads for some subtle sparkle. It took me a few hours to get this bracelet just the way I wanted it, but was very happy with the results.

Check out Corinne's Etsy site: daydreamartstudios.etsy.com
Make sure you take a look at her "kitsch and rock and roll" section - it's so fun!!

Getting to Know...Sweetpickles Pottery

It is always so wonderful to learn about the artist behind the art. Today's Featured FAMEr is Melanie of Sweetpickles Pottery!

What region do you live in?
I'm a Southern girl! (born and bred LOL!)

I'm in Louisiana and LOVE it! :)

What kind of items do you create?
Hand painted pottery and ceramics. (sometimes other things if I get in the mood. I like paper and stickers and glue and canvas and paint. well, you get the picture. )

How long have you been creating?
I think the first thing I painted I was probably about 12. But steadily the last 4 or 5. What are your creative influences? I daydream about things that might be fun to draw or paint all day long.. My children sometimes are veyr influential in what I paint as well. I am always sketching or writing things down so I don't forget an idea I have. Although I might not use it right away. I have tons of them tucked away.

Do you work outside of the home/studio?
No, and I am so grateful to be able to stay at home and raise my children and be able to work on my craft at the same time.

If you could be in someone else’s studio or kitchen, whose would that be?
If it were a kitchen I would say Paula Deens its so homey and yummy too..

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
What are your goals with your business? Provided hubby doesn't decide to transfer somewhere else by then) I hope to have grown my business and possibly open a little studio of my very own with a paint your own pottery studio. I go back and forth with this ALL the time. I've been there and done that so I know the hard work involved.

Do you sell wholesale?
Yes, YES and Yes..

Where else can your products be found (name B&M stores or internet urls, including your own)?
Right now they are currently in my etsy store, and a little shop called "The Cat's Meow", and also on the website teapartytreasures.com

Are you a member of any organizations or have any affiliations?
The wonderful FAM Team, of course.

What is your education as it pertains to your craft?
Absolutley NOTHING! I went to school to be a kindergarten teacher. Although now that I think about it maybe that is why I liked that age group so much. All the fun arts and crafts!

Pick one product and describe it briefly and how long it takes to make a certain item in your store.
I would have to pick my tea set for little girls probably. I love it. Its one of my favorite things to paint. I can spend hours on it.. I must confess. I ponder what I want different about each little set I paint. I have sold so many of these I have lost count. Its something I can't seem to keep enough of in stock!

You have to check out Melanie's shop: sweetpicklespottery.etsy.com
She has gorgeous products that would make excellent gifts for yourself - or, if you have to, someone else!! My favorite product (besides the tea set, of course, is this Personalized Wedding Monogram Platter. This would make such a fabulous housewarming gift, too!! Thanks, Melanie!!

Is this a healthy obsession? You can make it so.

Ana Talukder Simpson

theprettypeacock.etsy.com

How shamelessly obsessed are you with your Etsy life? I am pretty new to Etsy. I really knew very little about it coming into it. I was never even a buyer (I know, booooo on me, but I have bought a load of stuff since then!). In April of this year, I decided to list a few of my creative endeavors and, lo-and-behold, people liked them. My first listing was just over two months ago and I am now shamelessly obsessed with my Etsy life. I know you have all been there and still live here.

I am a stay at home parent with two small children (5 and 2) and I consider the work I do for my shop on Etsy as my ‘work’: My real-life, tangible, get-paid-for-it-in-real-money, work. My children are my joy and butterflies and all those other happy, lovely images one gives when they talk about being a mother. All true –most days.

Being an obsessive Etsy shop owner takes its toll on our little ones, loved ones, friends, relationships, etc. I make no apologies for wanting my shop to succeed or being in love with my work, but I do not want it to negatively affect my life, because, then, what would be the point? So, I invested in an inexpensive little timer with a loud buzzer to keep my obsession in check , and what it ended up doing was help me manage my time and invest it where it needed to go – so EVERYONE is happy! Don’t get me wrong, there totally needs to be more hours in the day, but at least now, I have more definite direction of where my time is going.

I typically set up my email/convo time for fifteen minute segments a few times a day. I make sure that after every thirty minutes of Etsy work, I take a break and hang out with the kids – even if that means just getting out the Play-doh or having ‘tickle-monster-time’. For those more involved projects, I wait until my littlest is napping or they are both in bed for the night. Twenty minutes is devoted to setting up shipments for the next day, another thirty to plan new designs, etc. You get the idea. It is all pretty magical. Oh! And if you get real fancy – you can get a timer with multiple features like counting up, so you can hit “start” right as you begin a new piece so you know exactly how long it takes you to create it for pricing. Shamelessly working the double-duty. Gotta love that.