Tuesday, August 31, 2010

BESTeam Weekly Feature: youaremysunshine.etsy.com

You Are My Sunshine is our special feature this week.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/31178796/necklace-like-a-monet-painting-in-blue

How did you get started?
I started making jewelry about 7 years ago as a way to relax from a very stressful job.

Where do you create?
I live in sunny Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and my "studio" consists of 4 stacked vintage suitcases full of fabric, beads and supplies. I create my items on the kitchen table and I take pictures on the window sill of our bedroom!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/31178274/necklace-emerald-shabby-roses-with?ref=v1_other_1

Family?
I have a husband and 2 sons, 13 and 10 years old. They take up much of my personal time. My in-laws and extended family live close and we get together at least once a week for a big dinner or coffee.

What inspires you to create your products?
I am inspired by the thought of recycling! I always try to find a second life, a different way to use something that no one wants anymore. I am the gal who is ecstatic to find a pairless rhinestone earring at a yard sale or a broken necklace at the flea market.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/25150382/recycled-ballgown-fabric-flowers-garland?ref=v1_other_1

Where do you see yourself and your products in 10 years?
I hope to have enough time and resources to create items that make someone else smile.

Any advice you would like to share with a newbie who may be reading this?
I would say start with a great product, take great pictures. Learn about SEO and social media marketing. Enjoy what you do. Join teams!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/38438329/shabby-fabric-roses-necklace-romance-in

Where can you be found online?
Bloghttp://ninas-day.blogspot.com
Handmadehttp://youaremysunshine.etsy.com
http://youaremysunshine.artfire.com
http://youaremysunshine.1000Markets.com
Vintagehttp://mysunshinevintage.etsy.com
http://vintagecharming.artfire.com
http://youaremysunshine.zibbet.com
Flickr: http://youaremysunshine-etsy.flickr.com (I post my handmade and vintage items!)
Facebook: http://youaremysunshine.facebook.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mysunshine4etsy

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Fall Craft Show Season

Our Fall Craft Show Season is About to Start!!!

The first show is:

Santa Cali Gon festival

Labor Day Weekend 2010!

On the Historic Independence Square Independence, MO

Festival Dates and Times:

Sept. 3 - Noon - 11 p.m.

Sept. 4 - 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Sept. 5 - 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Sept. 6 - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Our booth will be across the street from Dave's Deli; here is a map: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=Dave's+Deli;+Independence,+MO&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Dave's+Deli;&hnear=Independence,+MO&view=map&f=d&daddr=214+West+Maple+Avenue,+Independence,+MO+64050-2816&geocode=CfFH43fanb0QFUaCVAIdbk5f-iHIL4SrNliecA&ved=0CHoQ_wY&sa=X&ei=s3J2TNf3CKO0yAS779ixBQ

We will not be in a big tent, but just outside the big tents in our own space.

For more information about the festival, visit: http://www.santacaligon.com/

The rest of our fall show schedule can be found at: http://www.alexandersdesigns.com/wheretobuy.htm

We will send out reminders a few days before each show. Some will contain fabulous coupons-so keep your eyes open for those!

Have a great day!

Jenny

www.alexandersdesigns.com

Monday, August 23, 2010

BESTeam Weekly Feature: UniqueDesignsbyMsP.etsy.com

We are happy to feature and introduce to you Unique Designs By Ms P.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/43537328/a-taste-of-berry?ref=v1_other_2

How did you get started?

I have loved color, fabric, texture, and bling for as long as I can remember. These passions have taken me into may forms of crafting; designing and sewing clothing and assessories, creating assessories with the crochet hook, and assembling jewelry to compliment my designs. I turned to Etsy as a way to finance my addiction and found that I enjoyed providing designs for unique self expression even more.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51505419/reservered-clevercrafter-giveaway-my?ref=v1_other_1

Where do you create?

I work from a small home office in Northern California.

Family?

At this stage of life, the children are grown and starting families of their own. This allowes me the opportunity to spend time creating.

What inspires you to create your products?

Everything and nothing; looking through a seed catalog, walking along the ocean or in the woods, the colors in a particular fabric or yarn, a specific bead or beads, or the quiet stillness of an early morning. There are times when I create daily, and times when I get nothing.

Where do you see yourself and your products in 10 years?

In 10 years, I know that I will still be creating and my plan is to have established enough of a following to have gained financial serenity.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45864041/family-bracelet-ruby-july?ref=v1_other_2

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

First of all, get comfortable with self promotion. If your product is wearable, always wear it in some form; if you make jewelry, wear your own jewelry. Second, whatever means you choose, be consistant. Whether it is Facebook, Twitter or blogging, set a schedule and stick to it. Always remember to "pay it forward"; if you have a facebook page, connect with those who have "fanned" you, set aside time to read their comments and respond on a regular basis. If you have a blog with followers, make sure you check out their blogs and leave comments.

Where can you be found online?

http://www.uniquedesignsbymsp.etsy.com
http://www.uniquedisingsbymsp.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/myuniquedesigns

Discount for my blog followers:

Specially for any of your readers, I will offer free shipping from now through December 15, 2010. When ordering, leave a message in the special instruction box stating that they discovered me from Alexander's Designs Blog.

Have a great week!

Jenn

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

BESTeam Weekly Feature: Mysticwynd.etsy.com

Meet Mysticwynd, our BESTeam weekly feature for this week. We are trying out a new interview format for our features, let us know if you like it or any questions you would like us to ask the artists.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/25467234/orange-hibiscus-necklace-and-earrings

How did you get started? I've been crafting for as long as I can remember, and jewelry design was something that I got involved watching a local designer on a morning tv show a few years ago... and I thought, I'd like to try that! I had made some jewelry as a teenager, but back then the materials available to the general public were much more limited and styles were less imaginative. Now, the sky's the limit!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/19786753/blue-green-foiled-glass-bead-bracelet?ref=v1_other_2

Where do you create? My "studio" is in my home in Scottsdale, AZ. My husband and I share an office, although my business takes up about 75% of the room, so it's not exactly equitable, but it's fun!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/29563637/pink-faux-pearls-roses-on-brass-necklace?ref=v1_other_2

Family? Al, my husband, and I are empty nesters. Between us we have 6 adult children (2 boys and a girl each) and 6 1/2 grandchildren as of this writing! I'm originally from the midwest, where the rest of my extended family still lives. With in-laws on the east coast and a stepson in California, we have lots of places to visit and enjoy time with family!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/23071578/shell-and-crystal-necklace-in-tawny-pink

What inspires you to create your products? Life is my inspiration... pretty much anything I see, or hear, or experience can spark a creative moment!

Where do you see yourself and your products in 10 years? Well, since jewelry designs are forever evolving and fashion trends change almost as often as the weather here in Arizona, so I guess we'll have to see! I am opening up a new Etsy shop in the very near future that will be specializing in bridal and special occasion jewelry and accessories, but since I love working with the natural beauty of stones, and a wide variety of themes, I'm sure MysticWynd will continue to provide something for everyone's tastes!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/40903687/amazonite-mop-green-curly-shell-necklace

Any advice you would like to share with a newbie who may be reading this? I actually posted an A-Z list of things that I think are essential to having a successful business which you can read here,http://mysticwynd.blogspot.com/2010/08/abcs-of-successfully-selling-crafts.html, but if I had to pick just a couple of the most important things, the first would be to create a business plan - it makes you think through all of the aspects of your business, gives you a sense of direction, and encourages you to take your business seriously. The second would be - don’t undervalue the worth of your products, your time, and your skill – and especially don’t underestimate the worth of a happy customer. Lastly, network. Networking basically gives everyone in the network an expanded “Sales Team” which is working on their behalf to promote them! Have no doubt about the viral aspects of social media – your work will be seen by audiences everywhere with comparatively minimal effort on your part.

Find Mystic Wynd Online At:
http://etsy.com/shop/mysticwynd
http://mysticwynd.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/mysticwynd
http://twitter.com/mysticwynd

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

BESTeam Weekly Feature: claycass.etsy.com

Claycass.etsy.com is a collection whimsical, unique handmade items. She belongs to several Esty Teams; CREST, BESTeam, and PCAGOE.

Claycass has been creating since she was very small and dabbles in many different forms of arts and crafts. But spends most of her time perfecting her Polymer Clay techniques.

Polymer Clay Heart Pendant

http://www.etsy.com/listing/17786749/floating-wired-heart-free-shipping

Malachite-Look Alike

http://www.etsy.com/listing/18019566/faux-malachite-necklace

Find Claycass online at:
Blog: www.poly-clay.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claycass/116741562652
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/claycass