Fall Harvest Craft Show @ The Pavilion at John Knox Village

Look for us at the upcoming...

Friday, November 5, 2010 From 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Saturday, November 6. 2010 From 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

 

Over 90 vendors will be presenting their hand-made arts and crafts to enhance your holiday spirit at "The Pavilion at John Knox Village" in Lee's Summit MO.

Some of the items available will be doll furniture, wood crafts, quilts, quilt supplies, scrapbooks, embroider, crochet, floral arrangements, acrylic painting, ceramics, holiday decorations, jewelry, Outdoor and Wildlife Photography and much more...

At The Pavilion @ John Knox Village

520 NW Murray Rd
Lee's Summit, MO 64081

Then on Sunday, November 7th from 12 pm to 6 pm we will be exhibiting at the Independence Center; 2035 Independence Center Drive, Independence, Missouri 64057
 
I have to get to work!  Have a great week!

Jenn

BESTeam Feature: www.ardentreverie.etsy.com

Wow what a fabulous collection I found in this shop.  I would like to introduce you to: Ardent Reverie...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/46930444/bella-moss-feather-clip

Ardentreverie is created by two crazy sisters working like crazy in a tiny room.  They create unique Hair Accessories,  Jewelry, Hats, Scarves and Paintings in San Diego, CA.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45853309/blue-flowers-original-painting?ref=v1_other_2

Support Ardent Reverie and vote for them for the RAW awards. Register and then visit their RAW profile page to vote. You can vote everyday until November 1st.

http://www.rawartists.org/view-artists/userprofile/ardentreverie

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53104229/emilies-garden-flower-clip

You can also visit Ardent Reverie Online at:
ArdentReverie.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/ArdentReverie
Twitter: Twitter.com/ArdentReverie1

BESTeam Weekly Feature: ParadisePurls.etsy.com

An interview with Paradise Purls...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/42988553/yellow-cotton-neck-warmer

How did you get started?
I got started knitting after my MIL and some friends talked to me about it for years. I resisted at first, thinking it was boring. Was I ever wrong...once I finally agreed to give it a try, I didn't tell anyone. I got a How to Knit book and taught myself, and fine tuned my skills with the help of my friends and MIL. I was instantly hooked...it's so calming for me.

Where do you create?
I can create anywhere with knitting! I knit at home, dr.'s ofc, kids activities...on and on. Some things demand more focus so those projects are done at home only. I do have a "studio" (I took over the study) with a craft table and lots of shelving. I mostly do my beading in there. www.paradisejewels.etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com/listing/38189413/chenille-ribbed-scarf-multi-colored

Tell us how you decided on your shop name.
My husband helped me pick a name. We wanted something clever and memorable. "Purls" is not misspelled, it's a knitting term. :D


How did you feel the first time someone actually paid money for something you had made?
The first time someone bought one of my items, I was thrilled. I received such great feeback from my 1st customer! It was wonderful to hear someone so happy with what I had created.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55274189/champagne-pearl-choker-necklace?ref=v1_other_2

Any advice you would like to share with a newbie who may be reading this? 
The best advice I can give the newbies (which I still consider myself in a some respects) is to brand your shop...choose a banner and avatar that reflects what you do and use it everywhere...on Etsy, on a blog, on handmade forums, on business cards and thank you notes, on packaging. You get the idea. Exposure, getting your name out there is key!

Where can you be found online?
Etsy: http://www.paradisepurls.etsy.com
Etsy2: http://www.paradisejewels.etsy.com
Blog: http://www.paradisepurls.etsy.com
FB: http://www.facebook.com/knitsbyparadisepurls
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/paradisepurls

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57837082/knit-bracelet-purple-green-blue

How do you handle your family life while creating from home? 

I do have to be careful because I create at home. It's a constant balancing act. I try my best to do most of my creating, photography, listing, packaging, etc. while hubby is at work and kids are at school so they have my full attention when they all get home. I'll still jump online to do a little marketing later in the evenings, and I knit while hanging with the hubby at times. I'm lucky to have the house to myself during the day, but I still find it hard to shut all creating off when everyone is home. Sometimes, when inspirations strikes, I have to act. I'll at least sketch out an idea so I don't lose it. :D

SALE!!!
I have a sale running right now on select Knit Baby & Toddler Hats, on sale for $12 ($5 off original price). In addition, I will happily offer your readers, 10% off anything in either of my shops. Please have them use the discount code "BD1010" in the notes to seller during checkout and I'll reimburse them. 

Maple Leaf Festival - Baldwin City, Kansas

Come see our newest pieces at the fabulous Maple Leaf Festival in Baldwin City, KS.


Saturday October 16th from 9 am to 6 pm
Sunday October 17th from 9 am to 5 pm


Our booth will be located outside on High Street. A map and schedule of events can be found at: http://mapleleaffestival.com/about.htm.

Next Saturday, Ocotber 23rd, we will be back indoors at the Shawnee Civic Center; 13817 Johnson Dr; Shawnee Mission, KS 66216-3802 from 10 am to 4 pm.

A full list of shows can be found at: http://www.alexandersdesigns.com/wheretobuy.htm

Have a great weekend!

Jenny

http://www.alexandersdesigns.etsy.com/

http://www.classicallysimple.etsy.com/

http://www.alexandersdesigns.blogspot.com/

BESTeam Weekly Feature: From Shirlee

An Interview with fellow BESTeam member www.fromshirlee.etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57619372/christmas-countdown-magnet-board

How did you get started?

I lost my job in June. Since it was the summer time I had a lot of time with my two teenagers. We started crafting together (crocheting etc.) while watching some good movies.


After I made my first Amigurumi octopus several family members said I should put it on Etsy. I didn’t even know what Etsy was!!


It is my hope that during the time I have unemployment available to me I can make a go of this to the point that I don’t have to go out and get another job. How awesome would that be to get to stay home and do what I love; and have people pay me to do it!!

Tell us how you decided on your shop name.


Since this was something my girls and I were doing together we wanted to come up with something that reflected this. Somehow we got talking about how I learned from my mom and it all came “from Shirlee”. Ta da!

From Shirlee's Shop Bio goes like this: Once upon a time, there was a woman named Shirlee. She was very beautiful and talented.


Shirlee was the mother of a girl named Linda. She taught Linda all the secrets of being talented and crafty, and Linda came to excel at them.

Linda grew up and became the mother of two girls named Brittany and Ashley. She raised them in the grand tradition of arts and crafts.

Together, they decided to create an Etsy shop. Between the three of them they had all the fantastic talent of crafting stacked to the nines.

It all came FROM SHIRLEE.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57578036/round-magnet-board-pink-and-brown-with?ref=v1_other_2

Where do you create?



I create all over the place. It just depends on what I am doing. Most of my stuff I do in my craft room. It is an office turned craft room. I do my paper type crafts here. Scrapbook pages, cards, magnet boards etc.

I crochet and embroider in my family room. That way I can watch a movie or two. I am a queen of multi tasking you see!

What inspires you to create your products?

The fact that I LOVE to do crafty things is what inspires me. I like to make things that I would enjoy having or using. I make things that I feel are cute for décor and that I enjoy making.
 I just hope there are people out there who like the same kind of stuff I do and are clamoring to buy it from me.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57842700/amigurumi-octopus

How did you feel the first time someone actually paid money for something you had made?



It was actually kind of funny because it was my sister in law that bought my first item, and the second, and the fourth. I don’t think she can support me so I hope there are more of her out there. It felt wonderful though.
 Where do you see yourself and your products in 10 years?

I haven’t even thought that far. I am just hoping that I can find the “right” products to make this work for me within a year to replace having to go get a “real” job.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52709422/snowman-throw-pillow

Any advice you would like to share with a newbie who may be reading this?

I AM a newbie. I would say join BESTeam. I have learned a lot in the short time I have been a member.

Family?Where can you be found online?


I have been married to my hubby for about 23 years. We like to tell people we have been happily married for 5 years. A day here, a day there, you know.

We have two daughters. Brittany is 19 and going to the local University. Ashley is 16 and a Jr. in High school.

We have a naughty pug named Sophie and two guinea pigs; Jerry and Daisy.

I am also mom to umpteen various and sundry teenagers who are randomly in and out of thehouse filling the family room and eating our food. Good times!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52973169/blue-ribbon-flower-hair-clip?ref=v1_other_2

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/FromShirlee
Bloghttp://musings-of-a-domestic-goddess.blogspot.com/
Etsy
http://www.etsy.com/shop/FromShirleeFlickr

http://www.flickr.com/people/fromshirlee/

Twitter

https://twitter.com/FromShirleeI would love it if people would come by and heart my shop, like me on Facebook, and follow my blog. My blog is about other stuff that I do as a resident Domestic Goddess, not just my etsy shop.

Linda's shop has some really nice things in it.  I was very happy to get to explore them and get to know the crafter behind them.  I hope you take them time to visit her fabulous shop.

Have a great week everyone

Jenn

http://www.alexandersdesigns.com/

BESTeam Weekly Feature: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ourhometoyours

A BESTeam interview with: Our Home To Yours


How did you get started?
Debbi-My mother was an artist, so I've always been involved in art and craft stuff.
Mandy-same with me. Nana was a very big influence. I have always been involved with fine art, but picked up crafting the past year or so.

Where do you create?
Mandy just moved back home from out of state, so we can create together. Debbi's husband built her a studio on our property in Stony Point, NC.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/43640925/amigurumi-purple-bunny

Tell us how you decided on your shop name.
Debbi-I decided on the shop name, but I don't know why. lol
Mandy-I heard about Etsy on the Martha Stewart show, and we agreed to try it. So far, so good,haha.

Family? 
Debbi-happily married to my best friend, we are therapeutic foster parents. We adopted Hannah (my model) in 2008, which made her the youngest of 9 kids.
Mandy-happily married to my best friend and we have 1 little boy (for now). But I come from a long line of New York polacks.
Debbi-yea, from my side!!! hahaha

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55260698/updated-vintage-blue-hat-with-flower?ref=v1_other_1

What inspires you to create your products?
Debbi-pretty much anything and everything. Something I'll see in a magazine, the season of the year, a holiday, an urge.
Mandy-other etsy sellers and the Lion Brand newsletters.

How did you feel the first time someone actually paid money for something you had made?
Debbi-pleasantly surprised, lol.
Mandy-flattered and validated. I've always worried about my items, and it feels good that other people like them also.
Debbi-we artists are sometimes our own worst critics. But Mandy has great talent, especially in the fine arts. I'm hoping that now she's back and the studio is open, you'll see more artwork in the shop. I have trouble drawing a straight line, with a ruler, ;p

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52608111/handmade-yellow-purple-zippered-pouch

Where do you see yourself and your products in 10 years?
Debbi-I'm not trying to be the next Martha Stewart. I just like to express myself and I'm a strong believer in handmade gifts. I just want to be healthy, happy, and a witness of God's blessing to His children.
Mandy-yeah, me too. 

Any advice you would like to share with a newbie who may be reading this?
Debbi-do something in and for your shop everyday if possible, but don't spend all your time just promoting. Everything needs to be in balance, if you're too busy promoting your shop, there's no time to craft items to sell on the shop. Have good customer service, and a quality product.
Mandy-you have to be deligent with your shop, don't give up too easy.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53855054/crayon-roll

Where can you be found online?
http://www.ourhometoyours.etsy.com
http://www.ourhometoyourscrafts.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/ourhometoyours
http://www.facebook.com/ourhometoyours
and we have a shop for our vintage records.
http://www.vintagevinyls.etsy.com

Special Offer for blog readers!
Our summer flip flops are 50% off right now, and we will offer 20% exclusivly to your readers. Just mention they read about us in your blog.