New Team Challenge Soon!

The Etsy Beagles Team will be starting our summer team challenge very soon! The theme is "Lazy Days of Summer," and anything with a summertime design is eligible to enter! This is a team challenge, so only team members can post their entries. Remember, Beagles Team members, we ask that you participate in at least ONE team challenge per year to maintain your "pack member" status! Details about the challenge can be found in the Etsy Teams and Events forum, in the Beagles team chat thread. We plan on posting our challenge entries in the Etsy forums July 14 - 17. We will be holding our blog giveaway the week after that. I hope we can have a lot of entries this time, and see the creativity of our team members shine like the summer sun! MsA

New Hounds in the Header!

Who are those two adorable hounds in the header? They are a basset named Francisco and his beagle brother Buckley! Francisco and Buckley belong to team member Fatbasset. Fatbasset is expecting her first child on April 22nd, so Francisco and Buckley have been given our blog's place of honor to welcome their new baby sister as well as spring! They are too (two?) cute!

MsAnomaly note: Be sure to check this blog on Wednesday, March 24th - Saturday, March 27th for our "Dog Tired of Winter" team challenge blog giveaway! Thank-Arrrooooo!

Team Members: Keep Current/New Rules

As you can see from our list of Etsy shops, the beagles team has grown quite a lot in the past 2 years! Because sending multiple convos through Etsy is very time-consuming, and with the threat of being muted by the spambot, I'd like to post some news (or, as we call it, "beagle business") on the blog.

We just finished our first team challenge for 2010, and had great results, with more entries than ever before! I know many team members don't frequent the Etsy forums, and may be missing out on the team challenges. We have decided to send a link to this blog post so everyone knows about the next team challenge, and a few changes to team membership.

First, the next team challenge is scheduled for March 17th-20th. We will have a thread in the Etsy Teams and Events forum running at this time, to post your challenge entry in. Directions will be in the OP post of the thread. The blog giveaway will be running after we all post our entries, from March 24th-27th. The theme for the upcoming challenge is "Dog Tired of Winter." Think spring colors, and about anything goes -Easter, flowers, bunnies, whatever. Main focus is on color after the long winter we've had! We want this challenge to be full of cheery "promise of spring" entries! :D

Second, We have an official team tag that will help your items show up on the Etsy search. It is EtsyBeagles (one word).

Third, We are a large team, and really need more active participation from our members! Remember, beagles follow the rule of the pack! We request that all team members take part in at least one team challenge per year. We ususally have 4-5 challenges every year, so taking part in one is all we ask! Besides, it's a great way to promote your shop, and help the animal charity/org. of your choice. We ask that a percentage of the sale of your challenge entry item be donated to your favorite animal group/charity/organization. The amount is entirely up to you, as is the group to receive the donation. This is a very laid-back team; no dues, no demands. Asking each team member to participate in one challenge per year seems fair to all team members.

Fourth, If for any reason, you are unable to continue being part of the team, please contact me/Linda/MsAnomaly through an Etsy convo and ask to be removed from the team member's list. It takes a great deal of time to keep the lists updated, and I've found many members have closed their Etsy shop (this does not include those on vacation mode). Since I am in charge of updating both the blog list, and the team profile list on Etsy, it really would be helpful to know if anyone is not interested in staying on the team, or no longer has an active Etsy shop.

Finally, The best way to keep up-to-date on the team is to check the Etsy Teams and Events forum. We have a chat thread running there constantly, and even if you pop in once a month to say "Hi" we would love hearing from you! Here is the link to the current chat thread in the Etsy Teams and Events forum: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6424010&page=22

The last post on this page of the thread will explain how the team challenge works. We also welcome our members to post in the thread. We are also running a team roster list in the thread, and would appreciate if your name could be added. Thank-you, and

PAWS UP to the Beagles Team! :)

Canine Cuties (Who's on our header?)

The beagles team would like to introduce...Miss Lulu Belle! Lulu shares her home with Beagles team member Kookyhandbags. Lulu is quite the fashion diva, and this beagle girl knows how to shop! She also realizes how exhausting that can be, and makes sure to get her beauty rest! Lulu Belle will be gracing our blog header through the month of February! Arrrooooo!

Look for a featured canine member of our Beagles team on our blog header every month. Flash is quite happy to share the blog with his teammates! Don't be surprised if a dog of another breed appears on the Beagles blog header, because our team welcomes all pups to the pack! We have nothing but absolutely adorable pooches on this team, and would like to be sure each one has his/her moment in the spotlight!

HAPPY ARRROOOOO YEAR!

To all our team members and friends, Wishing you a Happy Arrrooooo (that's beagle for New) Year! May 2010 be a healthy, happy, prosperous year for all of us!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

The Etsy Beagle Street Team sends a big tail-waggin' HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all our friends. We are getting ready for our next team challenge in February, and there should be many great entries! May the New Year bless all our human and furry friends with good health, happiness, and prosperity! Thank-Arrrooooo for a wonderful year! MsAnomaly and the Beagles Team

Winner for the Happy Howl-i-days Giveaway!

Congratulations to laughingfridge, the winner of our "Happy Howl-i-days" team challenge/blog giveaway contest! Click the link to see the judging. We do use the "nose-diving for a snausage treat" method of judging. Technically, Flash is supposed to knock one name out of the bowl. He was a bit too eager the first time, so we put all the names back and had him nose-dive again. Not a very high-tech way of choosing a winner, but we always enjoy Flash's antics! Hope you enjoy it too!



laughingfridge, please contact Amanda at her Etsy shop, BeagleBeads, so she can get your address and mail your bracelet. Paws Up to all who entered the contest! MsA and the Etsy Beagles

The Etsy Beagle Street Team's
"Happy Howl-i-days"
blog giveaway contest!


Welcome to the "Happy Howl-i-days" challenge giveaway contest!
The entries for the Beagles Team's winter challenge are:

kookyhandbags: Beagle walking in a winter wonderland

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35428233

dogsrule: Origami 'Beagle D0g' Ornaments or Package Decorations

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35455966

2RavenChicks: Good Dog, Bad Dog Charm Necklace
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35014700

MsAnomaly: Beagle Snow Queen ornament/pendant
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=21613787

Billierosen: Three little tropical frogs on amethyst necklace

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34717361

Codyscreations: Gingy and Friends collar

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34980398

BeagleBeads: First Snowfall Bracelets
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35135742

FrumsGlassMenagerie: Frosty's Friend
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35547951


Here's how to enter:
First, visit the entries from the shops linked above for a close-up view of our challenge entries. Then, come back here and post to tell us your favorite challenge item and/or shop (the item doesn't have to be from your favorite shop and vice versa). And that's it! You're entered.

Contest begins Wed., 12/02, and ends on Sat., 12/05 at 11:59 PM, EST. Winner will be chosen randomly from all entries on Sunday, 12/06. We'll announce the winner here on our blog, so make sure you check back to claim your prize! The lucky winner will receive one beautiful handmade beaded bracelet of his/her choice from Beaglebeads.

Click Here to see a bigger photo of the bracelets!

If you're the winner, contact Amanda at Beaglebeads via her Etsy shop. Winner will have until Wed., Dec. 9th to contact Amanda to claim their prize. If winner doesn't claim prize before that date, we'll select an alternate winner, who will then have until Sun., Dec. 13th to claim their prize.

*One entry per person. Only those in the U.S. are eligible to win. Sorry, Beagles Team members, you aren't eligible to enter this contest. Thanks for checking out our latest team challenge!

MsAnomaly and the Etsy Beagle Street Team

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Etsy Beagle Street Team wishes everyone a very

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We will be starting our next blog giveaway for our
"Happy Howl-i-days" team challenge on Dec. 2nd! There is another great prize, and wonderful challenge entries, so check this blog on that date! Blessings to all, and thank-you for following the Beagles blog!

We Have A Winner!

The Etsy Beagle Street team would like to thank all 18 people who voted in our Bark to School team challenge blog giveaway! The following link shows how we choose the winner in our giveaways. It's not a high-tech method, but it is so very beagle! The "judge" is Flash, who owns MsAnomaly, and is sort of our team mascot. I'm sorry I had to use photos and video together, but controlling the hound made a continuous video a little difficult! Here is my flickr set with the photos and video. They are in order in the set, and I hope you enjoy seeing Flash in action! Congratulations to QuirkynBerkeley! Please contact Kerrie at Cody's Creations to claim your prize. Remember, you get to choose the collar of your choice from Kerrie's shop. You lucky dog! :0)

EBST's Bark To School Team Challenge Giveaway!

Want to win a fabulous prize from Cody'sCreations? Then enter to win the Etsy Beagles Team challenge giveaway contest!

Check out our awesome entries:





Here are the links to the entries above (as shown in picture left to right; top to bottom):

Codyscreations: The Pocket
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30824843

2RavenChicks: Hey Diddle, Diddle Charm Necklace
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30266003

creativecomforts07: Bark to School Pooch Poncho
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30237181

CodysCloset : Bark to School Dog Coat with Pockets
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30822290

MsAnomaly: Beaded Linked Necklace with Dog Brooch Pendant
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30111382

BeagleBeads: Rainbow Bracelet
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29559051

FrumsGlassMenagerie: Waiting Beagle Hand
Painted Fused Glass Pendant/Necklace
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30404258


Here's how to enter:

First, visit the entries from the shops linked above for a close-up view of our Bark to School challenge entries. Then, come back here and post to tell us your favorite challenge item and/or shop (the item doesn't have to be from your favorite shop and vice versa). And that's it! You're entered.

*One entry per person. Sorry, only those in the U.S. are eligible to win. Contest begins Wed., 9/16, and ends on Sat., 9/19 at 11:59 PM, EST. Winner will be chosen randomly from all entries on Sunday, 9/20.

*We'll announce the winner here on our blog, so make sure you check back to claim your prize! The winner will receive a dog collar of his/her choice from Cody's Creations. If you're the winner, contact Kerrie at Cody's Creations via her Etsy shop.

*Winner will have until Wed., Sept. 23rd to contact Kerrie to claim their prize. If winner doesn't claim prize before that date, we'll select an alternate winner, who will then have until Sun., Sept. 27th to claim their prize.

*Sorry, Beagles Team members, you aren't eligible to enter this contest.

Thanks for checking out our latest team challenge! MsAnomaly and the Etsy Beagle Street Team

Team Spotlight! interview with The Ginger Card Company

MsAnomaly's interview with gingercardco:

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
December 07, I think.

2. How did you select your shop's name?
Ginger is my first dog's name. I've been making cards for my parents with the GingerCardCo "copyright" on them since I got Ginger from the Humane Society 8 years ago.

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
A 'zine called Peace to All Creatures that I designed and edited with a friend I met through the Etsy for Animals Team. I make necklaces, notecards and notebooks with dog illustrations. I also have some felt (spun from reycled plastic bottles) accessories, and jewelry with city maps.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
I've made handmade cards for my parents since I was a kid.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
When the glaze is dry and I don't have to worry about ruining it! Also, I'm on the computer all day for work, so it's nice to sit at the craft table and NOT look at the computer!

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I also sell at a local art co-op in Orlando.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
The zine, for sure. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26606237

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
hummm... making jewelry takes patience - I always ruin it by checking to see if the glaze is dry - and it's not!

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
I have a beagle, Buddy, that I adopted from Orange County Animal Control when he was 5 - he's 9 now. I volunteer at the local dogpark, and I bring my other dog Kyanne, (who is not a beagle) to Beagle MeetUps there - Buddy can't handle a bunch of big strange dogs at one time, so he can't go to the dogpark. My friend who runs the MeetUp group has adopted 4 beagles and has 2 foster beagles, so Buddy goes to her house for playdates. I volunteer on Sundays at Pet Rescue by Judy's shelter. I'm on the Handmade4Hounds management team, and I'm about to join the Vegan Etsy Team, since I have recently become vegan. Teams are GREAT places to meet like-minded people. I recently met in person for the first time the friend I do the 'zine with - we went to an animal rights conference in L.A.

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I don't keep up my blog very well, but I'd like to... www.loveginger.blogspot.com/
Flickr, where there are some really cute pictures of Buddy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24627761@N02/

Team Spotlight! Interview with Studio Lara

MsAnomaly's interview with Studiolara316

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
Although I had set up my store awhile back, I didn't actually begin selling until May of this year.

2. How did you select your shop's name?
I actually came up with my store and website name 'Studio Lara' after coming across the work of another artist, Chris Stott...his store and site name is Studio Stott and I thought it had a nice ring to it!

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
I paint pet portraits, still life paintings, and I thoroughly enjoy doing Master portrait studies!

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
I actually taught 3rd grade for over 6 years, but in 2006 I married an Aussie, moved to Australia, and was finally able to follow my other passion in life, being art! (We have since moved back to my home state of Michigan)

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
There are so many parts I enjoy, but I suppose with pet portraits, I love when I complete the eyes...I spend the most time painting the eyes, after I do an initial sketch of the entire composition...to me the eyes are the most important part of any portrait. I know it is so cliche, but the eyes truly are the windows to the soul!

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I have sold on eBay for the past 3 years, then closed my store, and only recently re-opened it to list an occasional item here or there, but I would eventually like etsy to be my permanent home! I also have sold commissions through my personal website and blog which is always a plus!

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
I would have to say the project I am most proud of is my Painting a Pup a Day project, although it has turned into more of a Painting a Pup every few days or so...I find it difficult to paint an entire painting each and everyday, unless the painting is very small. I don't know how some artists are able to paint so fast. I guess with my portraits, I know how special people's pets are to them, so I feel I owe it to each and every customer to take my time making a piece they can cherish for years to come! I donate 10% of each portrait I do to one of the many dog rescue groups I work with and I have been involved in a number of charity auctions to support rescue as well. I am also a member of Art for Critters, a group of artists who donate a portion of the proceeds of our work to various animal charities. I am currently offering a special in my store on pet portraits: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27811746

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
Well, I would tell them what Chris Stott, an incredible still life artist from Canada, told me awhile back...he said to look at many different artists' work, to really look at it and study their work...obviously do not copy it, but look at how they handle certain subject matter, what sort of brush strokes and colors they use...and ask questions. Many artists are very willing to share ideas and techniques that have worked for them.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
I do not own a Beagle, but I own 2 pups who were both rescued off the streets of Cairns in Australia by my husband. You can check them out on their blog: http://www.aussiedogsupandover.blogspot.com/
Dogs have always held a special place in my heart as I was quite a shy child growing up and always felt a deep connection to the dogs we had. With my Painting a Pup a Day project and Art for Critters, I am able to help support dog rescue, which is the best feeling in the world. Every little bit does really help them out, and there are so many dogs in need of forever homes!

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I am on Flickr, Twitter, Facebook, and I have a number of blogs that I try to update on a daily or weekly basis.
http://www.paintingapupaday.blogspot.com/
http://www.avintagetouch.blogspot.com/
http://www.aussiedogsupandover.blogspot.com/

Team Spotlight! Interview with DesignedByLucinda

MsAnomaly's interview with DesignedByLucinda:

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I shut my brick and mortar shop in May 2007 and sulked for a few months. I sell on Etsy because I had a store full of inventory and more made daily and I needed a place to sell them so I didn't drown my cats and dogs in bead boxes :) I then stocked my Etsy shop in October 2007.

2. How did you select your shop’s name?
Cindy is a nickname of Lucinda, which is my real name. DesignedByLucinda sounded a bit better to my ear than Cindy's Silver (and DBL was the name I used for the brick and mortar spot so I hoped old clients could find me online that way).

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
I create Jewelry and Fashion Accessories out of stones and Sterling silver, mostly with Swarovski crystals as highlights. Stones and crystals can marry up nicely in a lot of ways and not too many people seem to mix those mediums, so I like to find ways to bring out the best of the stone and the glass through the other material.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
In 7th grade (all those decades ago) I was kicked out of Art Drawing class and moved into Jewelry Design and it was love at first buffer. Also, I liked saws and torches although I do very little with those today. Later, in High School, I worked after school in a Jewelry shop and learned the rest of the trade there. I dabbled over the years but ended up deciding I wanted to own a jewelry shop and I saved up to start DBL in the brick and mortar space. Then the shop landlords didn't pay the bills with the rent and I ended up a bit broker and here on Etsy :)

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I create because I am, just like I breathe because I am. I couldn't stop creating if I tried. My favorite part is when I receive a box of new supplies and I have endless opportunities and avenues to explore. It sounds hokey, but I love looking through the box and looking over each bead until I know which pack I want to start with, what glimmer of an idea I have to start using it for, and then tweaking the whole process until I end with a piece that makes me smile and sit down for a cup of coffee; I can take weeks trying to find just the right combination.

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I sell in my local area at shows and parties. I also have unstocked shops on Artfire, Craft.Ca, Handmade Fuzion and I go back and forth on HyenaCart.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
I am proud of them all, but my favorite would be this 3 piece custom order that I had 4 days to find the stones, create the piece, and ship it out. It was a bit of a pressure cooker! http://www.flickr.com/photos/designedbylucinda/2215198812/

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
Have patience. You won't have tiny knots in one month. You'll break some stones and lose others, so make your pricing formula cover a bit for loss like that. A killer deal on pearls isn't really worth buying 80 strands unless you are SURE you can move those pearls quicker than in 3 years. Yes, they keep - - but that tied up $$ could have gone for more variety over those 3 years and 80 strands of pearls is quite a bit if you aren't catering to the wedding market. Just follow your Muse and you'll be happy :)

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
Most of my dawgs are mixed. Technically, they are mixed with a Harrier but that is a kissing cousin to a Beagle and they do the arrr-wooooooooooooooo just as loudly. I also took in a stray last year who looks like she is part Beagle (NOT Harrier). Meet Ginger - - Her adoptive home fell through so she is still with me (and I LOVE her silly being!). http://www.flickr.com/photos/designedbylucinda/2342462496/ I make her work for her kibble: this picture is the one I use for Custom Order Listings. Exploiting the pooch...

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I am also on Flickr, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and a super sorry blog with 4 posts but I am most consistently on Etsy. Feel free to email me anytime at http://us.mc810.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cboard4488@aol.com and talk dawgs or beads or stones or just comment on the weather :)

Team Spotlight! Interview with Gertie Gear Store

MsAnomaly's interview with GertieGearStore
Gertie Gear: http://www.gertiegearstore.etsy.com/

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
The Etsy store was opened in April 2008, but I had been making product, and working on design and marketing materials since January. I had sold to friends before that. My first six months on Etsy, sales were sporadic, but orders are increasing as time goes on and more people find out about the pet air beds.

2. How did you select your shop's name?
Several years ago I adopted a beagle named "Gertie" from the local shelter. They told us she was about 5 or 6, but when she started having health problems (almost immediately), our family vet informed us that she was closer to 10 or 11 years old. Gertie has back problems & incontinence among other things. After trying several types of pet beds and replacing them regularly, I developed the unique air bed system. Inspired by Gertie's needs for a comfortable, supportive bed and my need to avoid excessive laundry and continued replacement and disposal of foam/stuffing filled beds, it only seemed fitting to call if "Gertie Gear." After all, "Gertie's Nose Knows Great Gear."

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
While the pet air beds and snazzy replacement slipcovers are my main focus, I'm an avid supporter of "green living" ... Re-Cycle, Re-Purpose, Re-Use, so I've created a line of simple, durable dog/cat toys and custom refillable notebooks made from re-purposed fabric scraps and recycled paper goods.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
"Necessity, who is the mother of invention." -- Plato. If I can't find (buy) it -- I'll make it." -- Me. Fortunately, this time, I found that others had the same needs as I did and appreciated the values that the Gertie Gear air bed brings to the health and comfort of their pets, as well as the easy of care and designers touch to their life and home.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I fully appreciate art for art's sake (I'm a designer/art director by trade), but like many, I don't have a lot of space in my home for items that don't have a needed purpose. The challenge of melding function with design has always been my personal measure of "Creative Success."

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
Gertie Gear pet air beds currently sell online exclusively via Etsy, but this may be changing soon. I've also dove head first into dog shows, farmers/artisans markets, arts and crafts, and general pet related events this year. Newly scheduled events are regularly listed on the "Gertie Gear" Facebook page.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
When I first started making the pet air beds, the largest size was only 36", for medium size dogs. Unfortunately, large breeds tend to carry excess weight are more susceptible to hip dysplasia and arthritis, and therefore can benefit most from the orthopedic qualities of the air bed. A good friend kept asking, "Where's the love for the big dogs?" When I finally found a source for the 46" bed inflatable, her 80 lb Shepherd-American Bulldog mix with advanced arthritis and a severe skin infection was the first to try it. The next morning I received an email ... "thank you thank you thank you! ...when I got home ... she was totally curled up and sleeping like a baby!! Â She snored so loud last night I had to wear earplugs." Stories like this (I'm proud to say I hear frequently) make me smile and help keep me motivated to push forward. "VENUS" was gracious enough to be one of my models for the large size beds: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21224582

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
My learning to sew was a direct result of my desire to produce and sell the pet air beds to the public. The ladies at the Husqvarna Viking store inside my local JoAnn Ect (fabric/crafts) were an invaluable resource -- when you purchase a machine from them, you get free lessons to familiarize you with operation and maintenance, even if its not a Viking brand machine.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
Gertie, my best model, is a pure-breed, perfect 13" beagle. She has no papers, being a stray, but the vets can tell she was bred often ... likely TOO often. She was pregnant when she entered the shelter and had to be fostered for two months by a volunteer, while she recovered from surgery before we could adopt her. She's retired from puppy making now, but she remembers her life "on the streets" and still has a motherly heart. In support of other forgotten animals, Gertie Gear proudly partners with ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans), an ALL volunteer organization, in its continued mission to help Katrina area animals still in crisis. $1 from each bed set and/or sale of replacement covers $25 or more is donated to ARNO. We are also in the midst of launching a "Give-an-airbed to ARNO" campaign.When a person donates ($50, $75, $100) to ARNO through their website and mentions it's for an air bed, the donor gets the full tax deduction and ARNO gets a Gertie Gear air bed at a special price, leaving extra for food, medical and other needs. Since the covers are machine wash/dry and the beds NEVER compress, shelters can use them over and over without worry of spreading disease and they last for years!For more info about ARNO, to donate and/or volunteer, please visit:www.animalrescueneworleans.org or call (504) 522-0222.

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
More places to find info about Gertie Gear: OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://gertiegear.com/
BLOG: http://gertiegear.blogspot.com/
FACEBOOK, including events calendar: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gertie-Gear/89680899658?ref=mf
PET LIFE RADIO (just the Gertie Gear interview): http://greenworldcreative.com/gginfo/PmpPochE4_GGint_full.mp3
PRESS RELEASES:Gertie's Nose Knows ... Glitz & Glamour!http://www.prlog.org/10299970-gerties-nose-knows-glitz-glamour.html
Gertie Gear Pet Air Beds Go (Green) HOLLYWOODhttp://www.prlog.org/10220182-gertie-gear-pet-air-beds-go-green-hollywood.html
PLEASE VOTE "Gertie Gear" in StartUp Nation's Best Home Business Contest: http://www.startupnation.com/homebased100/contestant/6771/index.php

Team Spotlight! Interview with Indulge Your Shelf

MsAnomaly's interview with Indulge Your Shelf

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I opened my Etsy shop in August 2008 and began filling it up immediately. I originally sold all of my handmade items along with vintage finds in one shop called Indulge Your Shelf, but recently moved my hand made items into a second shop, Twice Shy Restored.

2. How did you select your shop’s name?
I selected my shop name Indulge Your Shelf in 2005; I'm a writer, so words are important to me and I always love a play on words. I wanted a name that would describe the fact that my items are primarily decor, and fun.
I chose the name Twice Shy Restored as another play on words for my hand made shop; the idea is that almost everything I make began life as something else, thus, "twice shy"; and then, "re-stored" is a play on words since the materials I use are prettied up and then sold in a shop again (re-stored.)

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
In my hand made store, Twice Shy Restored, I create pillows and wall hangings from antique and vintage materials, lace, trims, charms, jewels, and buttons. They have a kind of collage look to them. The other decor I make is made from paper ephemera, and then sometimes I throw in "new" paper crafts, too -- but everything has a distinctly vintage look to it.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
My grandmother taught me too treasure hunt in thrift stores when I was just old enough to walk, and I have just always been in love with color, texture, and patina. I have been rescuing beautiful bits and pieces of textiles and papers from antique, thift, and garage sales all of my life and making them into something new; I first started selling the things I made in 1992.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I really enjoy hunting out and rescuing my materials and when it comes time to create, I love surrounding myself with all of my found materials and choosing which ones want to go together!

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?

I used to have a booth in an artist's co op, and I have sold my vintage items on eBay for years, but have recently phased out. I'm strictly selling my handmade items on Etsy, but would welcome wholesale orders if I could get them!

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
So far, I'm most proud of my small pillows that are stuffed with lavender, uniquely long and skinny, and made from lovely vintage floral fabric and vintage trims and a button http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23437296

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
My craft isn't hard to learn -- it's a matter of putting your hands on the things that you love and rearranging them to their best advantage. It takes a little time and a lot of passion.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
I joined the Etsy Beagle Street Team because of my wonderful beagle, Snoopy. He belongs to my son, and if I'd been the one to name him I would have named him Maxwell Smart, Max for short. He always has a slightly worried, intense expression on his face, and a kind of sly energy to him. We also have a yellow Labrador Retriever named Maggie, and a long haired kitty named Kyra.

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, Facebook, etc.)?
You can find me on my blog: http://www.indulgeyourshelf.blogspot.com/
and on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Indulge-Your-Shelf-on-Etsy/58065005791 and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Indulge-Your-Shelf-on-Etsy/58065005791#/pages/Twice-Shy-Restored-On-Etsy/80094737774?ref=ts

Team Spotlight! Interview with 2RavenChicks

MsAnomaly's interview with 2RavenChicks

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
We posted items to our shop the middle of May 2009. We did not get our first sale for about a month. We had just joined the Beagle Team and had our sale a couple of days later (the Beagle Team is good luck!) We were SO excited – we could hardly believe that someone would want to buy our jewelry over the internet! Our most exciting sales to date have been to Forks, Washington (you Twilight fans know what I’m talking about) and Australia! I panicked a bit about how to mail the International package, but the lady at our Post Office helped me right through it.

2. How did you select your shop’s name?
I LOVE ravens. I think they are the most amazing, clever birds. They are such survivors and are so funny to watch. My DH refers to our teenage daughters and myself as his hungry chicks in the nest that he has to go out and provide for. Two of us making jewelry +Raven+chicks = 2RavenChicks.

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
Costume jewelry – a lot of it with vintage bits and pieces. We want to add birdhouses, but our summers are so busy we haven’t found time. In the winter when minus 40F temperatures and colder coop us up indoors, we will be a lot more productive. I have so many ideas rolling around in my head of what I’d like to do and what I’d like our shop to look like. With working full time and all the summer projects and activities – I don’t think our shop will be what I want for a few months. A photo redo is definitely in order!

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
Both my 17-year-old Nicole and I make items for the shop. About two years ago, she needed to do a fundraiser for a wonderful youth service organization she is in – the Rainbow Girls (link posted on our blog). I had made a couple of pairs of earrings at a crafty friend’s house and she said we should try to make some earrings. We headed off to Joann’s and loaded up. We made earrings and bracelets for the sale and my DH made some birdhouses. We got to our first craft fair with high hopes on top of the world. Our hearts sunk as we saw all the jewelry there. We looked at each other and said we won’t sell any of our jewelry. We were wrong – people actually were buying our earrings and bracelets! Her fundraiser was a roaring success and we fell in love with a new craft.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
The time Nicole and I share together. She is one of the best people I know and I love spending time with her. We give each other feedback, drink tea and often watch Jane Austen movies and chick flicks when we make jewelry. It’s our girl time. Just looking at all the beads, charms and stones is so therapeutic and relaxing for us. Sometimes we act so goofy – coming up with atrocious bead combos, asking the other what they think, and things like that.

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
Nicole and I have only done one craft fair and a harvest festival, but plan on doing more before year’s end. We would like to get some of our items into local shops, but have not mustered up enough courage to do that yet

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
Nicole likes the Bollywood inspired bracelet she made: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26261888I like my octopus necklace:http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25040237

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
Even if you are not making fine high-end jewelry, you should make sure jump rings and loops are tightly closed! Stones, beads and charms should be secured in a way that they will stay put! Wear your own jewelry to make sure it will stand up to everyday wear and tear. I cringe to think that the people who bought our first attempts might have had them fall apart – some of our first loops were atrocious! If you plan to sell your jewelry, keep in mind competition in the jewelry market is fierce! Make what you love – because if it doesn’t sell – you can keep it yourself! Develop a tough skin; people can be incredibly rude and insensitive at times. Not everyone will like what you make and sometimes you will have to hear hurtful comments – especially when you put yourself out there to sell to the public. On the flip side - it is so satisfying and rewarding when someone gets excited about your jewelry and buys it letting you know it will make a perfect gift or it’s just what they’ve been looking for.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
Getting two beagle puppies! We bought them from a Breeder in Missouri but could not get them shipped to Fairbanks for some reason. My DH and I were going to an NFL Seahawks game last December and arranged for them to ship to the Seattle airport the day we would be flying back to Fairbanks. We carried them into the cabin. They were like magnets to everyone who saw them. Kids, seniors, Men. Puppy therapy is REAL (LOL).We donate all proceeds from the “Going to the Dogs” section of our Etsy shop to the Loving Companions Animal Rescue in North Pole, Alaska: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=2504023 We just had our first sale in our Going to the Dogs section! Our Lab/Newfie mix Lucky (aka Luckydog) appreciates that he was welcomed with open paws too!

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
2RavenChicks on Twitter, RavenChicks on Facebook and our blog: http://2ravenchicks.blogspot.com/ - we have some photos of Lucky, Lucy and Sly on there.

Thank you for interviewing us Linda! You are our E6000! We love being part of the Beagle Team and welcome any comments or questions that any of you have!

Team Spotlight! Interview with Cody's Creations

After taking a little time off to get the yard, house, and family ;) ready for summer, I am going to start posting our Team spotlight interviews again! Today's interview is with team member Cody's Creations.

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I first started listing items/selling in November 2008, I had reserved the name months prior while I was shopping.

2. How did you select your shop’s name?
Cody’s Creations is named for my eldest dog, Cody. I knew when I was trying to name the shop that I wanted something with Cody’s name in it, and I just went through different words till I paired her name with Creations.

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
Pet accessories – collars, leashes, treat pockets, bandanas, doggie day bags, I frequently add new items.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
When we adopted our two younger pups, Kona and Pepe, I was searching for a camo crate mat and a crate mat with skulls. I could not find what I was looking for, so I went shopping for some fabric and my mom showed me how to make what I was looking for. Since then, I have taken sewing classes and developed an obsession for fabric and ribbon. I love making bags and purses as well – they have been all local custom orders. Maybe one day I will open a second shop

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I often will come up with a new idea as I am drifting off to sleep – it usually is enough to catapult me out of bed to draw out a quick sketch so that in the morning I can work on it. I love being able to come up with a concept in my head and be able to make the concept a reality.

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
For now, just Etsy. I have been approached by many shops who would like to carry my items, I am just not ready to wholesale yet, but soon you will be able to find our items in some pet boutiques.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
The Treat Pocket! I admit I wore a “fanny pack” type treat pouch for training class and I hated every minute of it. I refused to wear it on walks so I would keep treats in my pockets. I got tired of having treats go through the washing machine, so I made the pocket. I love color, so you often see lots of bright color and patterns. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5393437&section_id=6066499

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
Learn from everyone that you can. Take classes, but also make sure that you sit and learn from an experienced sewer – they have all the great tips and tricks that once you learn you don’t know how you survived not knowing them.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
Honestly, the name! I have three rescued beagle mixes, and when I saw there was a Beagle Team I knew that I had to join. I worked for many years in veterinary hospitals and for animal shelters. Cody was supposed to be a foster, but I just couldn’t adopt her to anyone else. I have fostered since then, and have not had another foster failure.

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, Facebook, etc.)?
Cody’s Creations has a fan page on Facebook, we often post new items, look for testers and announce our sales. Our page can be found: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=38614&id=1742340739&ref=nf#/pages/Codys-Creations/51786178461

Beagles Team Members in the Etsy Gift Guides

Arrrooooo! Some of our Beagles Team members have items featured in the Etsy Gift Guides!

Wedding Attire GG
Bayousalvage

Pets GG
Gertiegearstore
Mygreydog
CiaoHound

Travel GG
Anandi

Luxury GG
Bluedogrose

Dad GG
MadrinPhotography

Teens GG
MsAnomaly

Free Shipping Sale GG
Anandi

Entertaining, Vintage Style GG
IndulgeYourShelf

Americana Folk GG
Anniekdesigns

Steampunk and Noir GG
Bayousalvage

Woodland and Feathers GG
Talkofthetown
Bluedogrose

Geek Chic GG
Anandi

The Etsy Beagles Blog gets a Makeover!

Yep, it's time for a fresh look! A group of beagles team members is trying to give the Etsy Beagles blog a makeover. Love the new background, and Flash, the smiling beagle, will hopefully be joined by all his teammates in our new header! :D We are going to be tweaking and adjusting (or is it nipping and tucking?) the blog for a while, but it should look "showdog perfect" soon! I also plan on re-starting the interviews with our Beagles Team members. Hopefully, the next Team Spotlight interview will be posted on Friday, July 10th. You will have to check the blog to see who our next interviewed team member will be! ;) We are also planning our next team challenge for August. Can't wait to see the great entries! Welcome to our newest team members, 2 Raven Chicks and La Bella Vita 198! Their shops are on the list here, so please take a peek! Flash sends sloppy beagle kisses to all! MsAnomaly