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 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

Team Spotlight! Interview with Supermomma45

MsAnomaly's interview with supermomma45

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I opened my shop on October 9, 2007

2. How did you select your shop’s name?
At first, I was going to call it my stained glass arcadia. A couple of friends did over my shop look and gave me the name Supermomma45.

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
All of my items are stained glass that I design and make myself. It could be night lights to kitchen cabinet door panels. I love to design and make them. Anything is possible in the world of stained glass. I tell people if you can imagine it, I can make it. One time when I was only doing cabinet doors, a person wanted a Garfield Clock. Well, I made a 3D image of Garfield with the clock in his belly. Really neat!

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
Becoming involved with stained glass was a pure accident, literally. On Sept 2, 1982 I was involved in a car accident. My face was put through the windshield. My left shoulder was shoved between the driver seat and the side of the door. My steering wheel was shoved into the column with my chest in which I broke four ribs and punctured my left lung. I was messed up badly. I looked like Rocky in the movie. From there, I went into sleeping 23 hours out of the day. One day, my brothers had a hard time getting me awake. They rushed me to the doctor. My left side of my face was swollen four times it size. Had a fractured cheek bone. I was not pretty by the least. Anyways, the doctor put me on Tylenol 3, which at that time was very new. I was doing the opposite now of being up 23 hours out of the day. That is when I started to take stained glass classes. Everyone thought I was out partying it up, but in truth I was learning a new trade. So, out of this terrible accident came the love of stained glass.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
The whole process is the best experience. The greatest is seeing the project start as an idea and then seeing it complete.

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
Etsy is my only store I have right now. Starting next month, I will be selling my art at the Fairfield Art Walk the first Friday of each month.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
The one project that I love so much is the one of our Lord. I drew the picture from a small 1 x 1 picture free handed. http://www.flickr.com/photos/supermomma45/3189156043/

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
My advice to someone new is that you have to love what you do. If you dream, think, and eat of it, then this is what you should do. Let your imagination flow. Pour it into the wonderful colours of glass. Take your time. You will love the outcome.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
When I found out they had a street team for beagles, I was thrilled. I have a little mix breed. She is half Lab and half beagle. Her breed is Labbe. Her name is Oreo. http://www.flickr.com/photos/supermomma45/3285253478/
She is all black except a little white on her paws and throat. She is named after the Wizard of Oz when the guards are marching back into the witch's castle and they say, "Oorreeoo." As soon as she heard her name, she barked. So, Oreo was chosen.

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I'm on facebook and the blog.

Team Spotlight! Interview with Cthings

Cthings interview with MsAnomaly

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I opened up my store June 30, 2007 but didn’t start selling until July.

2. How did you select your shop’s name?
I was trying to think of something that I could use for more than one purpose in case I decided to sell other things. Since my name is Cindy I decided to go with Cthings so this could cover about any item I decided to make.

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
Right now I’m selling jewelry. I have a variety of styles.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
My mom use to sell jewelry when I was little, so I did play a little then. She use to dye macaroni and I would make necklaces out of them. Macaroni was quite the art back when I was little. As I got older I did different hobbies and then quit for quite awhile. Just starting doing jewelry a couple of years recently since being overstressed and decided not to play with my sons DS, so I decided to make jewelry and this has helped me relax.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I think I have three of them. First one is the hardest; to look at all the different kinds of beads or stones. It’s like being in a candy store; you just can’t have one item. The second is wire. I just love to play with the wire and enjoy the hammering part. Third, I enjoy taking apart chains and making something with them. I guess this must be my destructive side of me.

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I don’t have another Etsy store, but I do sell on Artfire and started on Artistry Arts.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
I would probably say my Capri Flower Necklace. This just came off the top of my head when I was playing with the wire. It is unique and probably will not be able to make another exactly like it.http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18817717

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
Just start out with simple projects and go from there. There is a lot you can find books, tutorials and even DVD’s about jewelry making. Check your local library it might have information there as well as the internet or book stores. I’m still learning, so don’t be hard on yourself. What matters most is to enjoy what you are doing.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
I joined because I have a beagle dog and his name is Dexter. So I’m very partial to beagles. We did get him from someone who breeds Beagles. His dad is a champion on obstacle courses, but my husband and I wanted him for our son. Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cthings1/3483428133/

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I’m on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cthings1
My Blog: http://cthings-cthings.blogspot.com/

Special thanks to MsAnomaly for doing this interview and keeping the Beagle team going!

Team Spotlight! Interview with StuStuStudio

MsAnomaly's interview with Cher of StuStuStudio

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
September 25, 2007. I opened my first store in 2006, but had to close it because of a family emergency and they didn't have a vacation mode in those days. So, some of my replies will apply to both. Stick with me, you'll see why in the next answer!

2. How did you select your shop’s name?
Aha! The first shop, and one of my alter egos is CheyenneGlass. I borrowed the name of my little "pocket beagle" Shy~Anne. She was named that because she was shy. Well, terrified was more like it. We got her from the shelter and she was sooooo sweet, but timid and scared of men. I hadn't had her very long before I had open heart by-pass surgery and mainly due to my inability to take anti-allergy meds, she was adopted by my son, DIL & GS. Grandson was just as shy, but they became buds and neither of them are anything remotely resembly shy anymore. But the name stuck. I still have me website under the name http://www.cheyenneglass.com/.

StuStuStudio came about because my first studio was so tiny that when I took a picture of it, the term 'studio' was bigger then IT was, so I shortened it to 'Stu'. Well, obviously the next 2 words off of my pen was Stu Studio. Phil Collins rules!

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
Hot Stuff! Kiln formed glass for jewelry, clocks, 'spa vessels' (aka sink) etc.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
For 20 years I really didn't do well at traditional leaded glass, so when mosaics became popular, I jumped on it. I made everything from the stepping stones to garden benches. Heavy!! My DH got smart and bought me a kiln for Christmas, against my better judgement. I spent months trying to learn, and finaly drove to Corning NY for classes. I now own 3 kilns.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
Having something come out of the kiln the way you hoped it would, or even beter.

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I've got a destash store, StuStuStudio2.etsy.com and I've started the bare bones of a shop on Artfire. My website could eventually become a shop. Right now it's a brochure.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of? http://www.flickr.com/photos/1cher/2793999284/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1cher/379873164/

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
Have a passion for glass, then lots of time, money and effort! It's been as much of a science as an art.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
Here is ShyAnne (top) visiting me, and Brando looking pathetic. http://www.flickr.com/photos/1cher/2446072136/

Here is Brando & Stella, and Brandos' personals ad. http://www.flickr.com/photos/1cher/2408293607/

You'll notice the the little Stella gets the big bed, while Brando prefers to tighten up into a little-big ball of fur. My first encounter with a beagle was years ago, when a stray old beagle informed us that he'd be living with us. He was ultimately named Trouble, which he never was. Trouble and Stella are aarrrrooooing on the other side now, best buds, I'd be pretty sure. In short, I am a beagle rescue group.

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I'm here, I'm there, I'm everywhere!

blog:http://www.tomcher.blogspot.com/

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1cher/


1Cher on twitter

ARTFIRE: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=15386

http://www.cheyenneglass.com/

I don't have time to keep up Myspace, and have skipped facebook. I'm not putting my face anywhere. Just funny that way. Cheers! Cher

Team Spotlight! Interview with Cutiepie Company

MsAnomaly's interview with cutiepiecompany/Hunter'sHideaway:

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?

I opened my main shop in Jan of 2008 and began selling a month later. My second shop was opened in March of 2008.

2. How did you select your shop’s name?

Cutiepie Company--It was actually a domain name I purchase several years ago with the intention of starting my own website to sell paper goods. This was before Etsy was even around. I never did start that website, but I still own the domain name, and I thought it would be a good place to start.

Hunter's Hideaway--For my second shop name I was at a bit of a loss, so I named it after my little beagle, Hunter. Since I love alliteration, I came up with Hunter's Hideaway.

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?

I sell handmade paper goods such as notecards, journals and gift tags. In my second shop I sell magnets and pinback buttons (and also a bit of vintage and destash).

4. How did you become involved in your craft?

Good question with a long answer! I have been involved in arts and crafts since I was a kid, in one form or another. I have also had a lifelong obsession with paper goods, and harbored a secret wish to make and sell them. Actually I have been making paper goods for friends and family for a long time. I discovered Etsy one day in Dec. of 2007. Browsing paper goods here I discovered the Gocco machine, which is a portable screen printing device. I knew instantly I had to have it and that I could print my designs on notecards and fulfill my secret wish! The rest is history, as they say.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.

Definitely the hands-on: The drawing, cutting, glueing, sewing, printing, painting or what-have-you. Whatever makes the biggest mess.

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

In addition to the two Etsy shops I also have a shop on Dawanda.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?

I would say it is my mixed media pieces, which are not currently for sale in my shop. I do hope to be able to sell prints of these soon. (as soon as I can afford to purchase a high-end printer that I have my eye on!)

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?

I'm not sure I'm qualified to be giving advice! But I will say that for anyone interested in gocco-printing, to give it a try. It is very easy and fun as well. The only downside is the scarcity of supplies. If someone is considering purchasing a unit, make sure to google around and do a little research on it. The scarcity of supplies (bulbs and screens) has driven the cost up, so that is something to be aware of.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?

My love of beagles of course! I adopted my beagle about 4 1/2 years ago. Her name is Hunter and she is a sweet and lazy little lady. That's Hunter in the photo at the top of this interview post!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cutiepiecompany/3256073263/in/set-72157601933003778/

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?

on Flickr:http://www.flickr.com/people/cutiepiecompany/

my blog:http://cutiepiecompany.blogspot.com/

and on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=766519425&ref=name

Team Spotlight! Interview with BeagleBeads

MsAnomaly's interview with BeagleBeads

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?

I opened my store on December 17, 2007.

2. How did you select your shop’s name?

The shop name was inspired by my beagle, Wilson. I don't remember the exact specifics, but my husband and I were just playing around, throwing out ideas, and BeagleBeads stuck. Wilson tends to inspire a lot of our ideas.

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?

Right now, the shop is devoted to one of my newest hobbies, beadweaving. Specifically, my husband and I enjoy making beaded cabochon necklaces (a cabochon is a smooth, dome-shaped stone, or piece of glass, porcelain, button etc). Lately I have been having fun making seed bead bracelets. The agate cabochons are beautiful, but they tend to limit my color palette to earth tones, so I've enjoyed getting to play with color in the bracelets. There are also a few miscellaneous beaded items in my shop, based on randomly discovered materials and ideas. I'm always on the lookout for cool beading components in thrift stores, flea markets, etc. I get almost ridiculously excited about recycling and reusing.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?

Upon meeting my husband (about 4 years ago), my first thought was "What a cool necklace he's wearing!" Turns out, he made the necklace himself and has worn it continuously to this day. (It is permanently sewn on.) While we were dating, we spent a few months "crewing" on a sailboat and had lots of leisure time on our hands, so he taught me how to bead. I have always had a multitude of hobbies, and I was happy to learn another. We have really enjoyed beading together. Many of the pieces in my shop are joint creations. The cabochons entered into our designs because my boss has always been a gem and mineral fancier, and he has a huge collection of agate cabochons. I always thought they were so beautiful, and one day I found a book at the library called "Beading with Cabochons". It was meant to be.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.

Beading is my down time, usually done while watching a movie, so I pretty much enjoy every part of it. I love selecting a yummy cabochon and trying to find the best bead colors to bring out the natural beauty of the stone. The stones have such depth and detail to them. I also love looking through all of my seed bead supply and coming up with fun new bracelet combinations. And of course, a trip to the bead store to add even MORE colors to my palette is always exciting.

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?Currently, BeagleBeads is my only venue.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?

I just finished a necklace that I think is one of my new favorites. The colors just all worked together so well. Maybe it's just because I've got spring fever. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23325942

I've also been really happy with the Red, White and Blue bracelets. They just look yummy enough to eat. My husband says he thinks they are some of my best work yet. :) I figure any piece of jewelry that gets the male approval must be alright.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21264169

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?

I love crafts, especially ones that are easily portable and accessible to learn. I live in a very small space on limited resources, so beading is a perfect, low-tech, small scale craft. I am very much a book learner, and there are many good books on beading. My advice to someone wanting to learn beading would be to get a few beads, a few books, and have fun! You can build up your supplies as you go and as you find out what types of beading you're interested in. Learn a few basic techniques, and then strike out on your own.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?

I had been on Etsy for about a year before I realized there was such a vibrant community right under my nose! I was searching through the list of team names, and as soon as I saw the Beagles Team, I knew I had to be a member. Three years ago my husband and I went to the pound to find a dog, and my husband was immediately drawn to this little beagle (currently known as Wilson) sitting morosely in his cage. All the other dogs were barking and jumping and saying "Pick me! Pick me!", but Wilson looked like he had lost all hope. He had reason to be despondent as this was his second time in jail. He was originally picked up as a stray, adopted, and then returned to the pound a month later by his new family because "he was too depressed". Well, their loss is our gain. Wilson has been the perfect dog from day one, and we couldn't imagine life without him. Shortly after adopting him, we found out he suffers from periodic seizures, which is probably why he was taken back to the pound. That is certainly not reason for us to want to get rid of him. We are happy to be able to provide a safe haven for him, and I'm doubly happy to report that he is going on 2 months seizure free! About a month ago we adopted a second hound dog (what were we thinking!) named Lily, and she is proving to be a real sweetheart. I don't have a photo of Lily and Wilson together yet, but this interview has a photo of Wilson.

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?

My husband and I are "homesteading" on a small farm in rural Virginia. We chronicle our goofy adventures on our website:

http://www.anotherdayinparadise.me/

Team Spotlight! Interview with joonbeam

MsAnomaly’s interview with joonbeam

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?

I opened my first shop, joonbeam, on November 17, 2007. I opened two more shops, flyinghousewife, on April 24, 2008 and joonwalk, February 14, 2009.

http://www.joonbeam.etsy.com/

http://www.flyinghousewife.etsy.com/

http://www.joonwalk.etsy.com/

2. How did you select your shop’s name?

When our daughter, Scout, was a baby I gave her a journal nickname, moonbeam. When she was 9 she started drawing these adorable monkeys and we wanted to market t-shirts with the designs. We chose the trademark joonbeam because moonbeam was too common on google and my middle name is Juniper. I stuck with it because, searches always brought us up, exclusively. My flying housewife name derives from my items, handwritten letters from a housewife. My joonwalk shop is an extension of joonbeam, both feature eco friendly handcrafted art. And now, interestingly, I have adopted the etsy nickname joon and use it. We love it.

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?

I opened joonwalk so that joonbeam can be exclusively my recycled papers pinbacks, magnets & thumbtacks. joonwalk has my new designs; recycled/upcycled items made from vintage and/or salvaged consumer waste paper and fabric finds. Originally, my joonbeam shop had a mix of Scout's t shirts, my various recycled creations and vintage finds. I plan to open a fourth shop for the vintage items soon. It will be called joonE, a take off on Wall*E, since it involves saving treasures from the trash heap.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?

I've always loved yard sales and finding items with a history as opposed to spending money on new, bland, cookie cutter products with poor craftsmanship and no soul, but it wasn't until I moved to Eugene, OR that I found thrift stores because it was my first home city large enough to sustain those shops. I fell in love with them instantly and by serendipity, became intrigued with the old picture frames when I needed one for a photo I took. I saw a magazine article on decopauge and that was it. I started decoupaging frames, light switchplates and other discards. I don't do that now, but it was the beginning of my re-use art.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.

I absolutely love the transformation and discovery. I have no clue what I will use and never use a pattern. Everything I make is different. I never make the same thing twice. So, it's always a surprise and delight for me. All I have is an idea and sometimes, I don't even have that. I'll see something out of the corner of my eye and suddenly, I'm piecing together something I never imagined. I take photos of everything I make because I would never remember all of my creations ~ and I love photography and memoirs/history.

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

Aside from my Etsy shops, no. I did the Craft Magazine Sponsored Austin Maker Faire, which was fun. I just sold my pinbacks that day. They were amazingly popular, I wish I would have counted passers by. My guess, though, is that at least 80% of the people who stopped and glanced at my basket of pins, bought at least one. This tells me that visibility is the all important selling factor and a huge challenge on Etsy. You can't sell things nobody is seeing.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?

Well, my proudest project is my children, but they are not for sale! So.... This is a tough question. I am a true nerd in the sense that I get pretty excited over every little thing. I love the first frame I ever made, shown in the photo on this interview. This is one of my prized possessions and the art project that started my eco art. Dateline: 1996 It still looks as beautiful to me now as the day I completed it. I took this photo in Yachats, Oregon. Also, making pinbacks is totally addicting. I adore them. But, I think, if I have to narrow it down, I'll choose these two: my paintings and my letter packets. My paintings because these are my first acrylic paintings. I've never had any instruction so, for me, this was a risky endeavor and I painted them on recycled book covers/papers, so I incorporated my love of earth friendly art into the project. And I love the results. Here is one:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10838353

My letter packets because they are definitely an emotional challenge for me. I put my heart and soul into every one and I have no idea if the recipient will appreciate any of it. Or if they might get lost or ruined in the mail. I spend days thinking and hours and hours on each one - it's at least one whole day of hands on work - before each one is ready to mail. Many times the buyer doesn't leave me one word in the message to seller space. I know nothing about them. Before I start on the letter, I make (or gather) their extras. Each letter paper and envelope is hand designed & unique. Just writing the letters, which are not pre-written in any way, takes at least 2 hours. As I type this, I have written over 75 letters. Whenever I open a transaction email and see it is a letter order, I am filled with a mixture of delight, anxiety and dread. I have considered closing the shop more times than I can count. Most of my feedback makes it all worthwhile. The few who don't leave any or leave something generic... it really breaks my heart. But I force myself to keep going. I am not a fan of cynicism so I don't want to give in to it myself. And it does fuel my creativity and helps me grow as a person. My perspective is this: We've all experienced unwarranted acts of unkindness, large and small. I want to tip the balance. I have written to young people who have never received a handwritten letter in their life. I have met some fantastic people - many of whom continue to write back and forth with me - you can see what kind of a business person I am, right? HA! But, this particular venture is not a fiscal one. There's no way I can put a price on this experience. It's all about spreading a little sunshine in a world that can always use it, making a connection. I call it the small world effect; faith in humanity that enough people will be touched and I've made a difference. Here is a listing with three photos of letter packets:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18955643

I regularly post these in my flickr pool.

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?Eliminate frustrations & think of yourself for once. It's impossible to truly be immersed in your creativity if everywhere you turn you have a setback. As a housewife and mother, I rarely put creating first, or even in the line up. My days are filled with endless responsibilities and setbacks. I know we all face this, stay at home or not. There's only so much you can control, so control that much. I'm slowly improving. I have a sewing machine that works beautifully. I keep my massive amounts of bits & pieces well organized. We move constantly ; a huge frustration. This house is terribly unsuited to a craft space. I'm literally in the storage room with no good light and no more than 3 feet of open space. It's crazy making. If I am using the dining room table, well, dinner is Cowboy Style, folks. I know if I have to pick it all up, I'll never get it out again. End of art. Last but not least: Rubbermaid is your friend. I couldn't live without these keepers. Especially with pets!

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?

I grew up without a dog or a cat. How sad is that? I now have Chip, our beagle who just turned 9 yesterday! (Mar 31) and three kitties. But, I never knew anyone with a beagle. I knew nothing about beagles. We went to buy a .69 fish. There was Chip, all alone in the cage. He was $400! ACK. But he put his little chin on my hand and I could never leave him there. We couldn't afford him then and that's been true every step of the way since. Yet, we wouldn't trade him for anything. Now, this was a small town pet shop and Chip came from a retired military officer's Vermont country home. He was raising beagles as a hobby. So, no puppy mill. I sent them a photo of Chip and a note about how much we loved him that first Christmas. His wife sent me a beautiful reply. I still have it. We aren't involved in rescue or foster because we rent. We search months and pay irrationally exorbitant rents and fees just to find housing for ourselves because of our pets. We did rescue our second kitty. Maybe we're rescuing all four. But it goes both ways. I started seeing all of these beagle avatars in the forums and shops and I was amazed. I had no idea beagles were so prevalent, despite the fact that I knew they have always been in the top favored pet lists. So, naturally, I was intrigued by the Etsy beagle kingdom. As I recall, I came across Linda, via her avatar, and she was so friendly and invited me to join the team. I love stopping by and am working on being more active. My co-administrating of another large, active etsy team is quite consuming.

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?

I have a blog and two flickrs, which I love. I find both of these to be a lot of fun, creative, interesting, inspiring and a great way to meet and stay in touch with people. I love comments. I leave comments.

http://joonbeam.blogspot.com/

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

http://www.flickr.com/photos/captain.gorgonzola/

I am on twitter and facebook. I like twitter. The jury is still out on facebook, which I joined at the request of two of our sons . I keep both small. I'm not into adding 'friends' just to add numbers. I am truly interested in relationships: not promoting, not strangers. I don't grasp that concept.

http://twitter.com/joonbeam

I do welcome twitter followers if anyone is interested in my little blurbs. They are usually about small pieces of our day, nifty finds and updates to my shop, blog and Scout's shop. I am always available and welcome convos. I love genuine communication and friendship.

Team Spotlight! Interview with Pineapple Sugar

MsAnomaly's interview with Pineapple Sugar:

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I opened my store in June 2008. I had been selling randomly to friends and acquaintances for a few years, but decided to take the Etsy (and online selling) plunge last summer.

2. How did you select your shop’s name?
I knew I wanted to convey a tropical, beachy feel with my shop name since my products are largely inspired by the sites and sounds of the beach. One day, Pineapple Sugar just hit me as the perfect name.

It’s also pretty cool because pineapples are traditionally a symbol of hospitality and were used in Colonial times as symbol to let guests know they were welcome. And we all know that sugar just makes everything a little sweeter. So, it just really sums up how I want buyers to feel in my shop and how I want them to view my products- as that little something extra that makes their outfit (and their day) a little brighter.

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
Primarily jewelry. I focus on high-quality materials like gemstones, Czech glass, shells, wood, crystals and artisan lampwork. I love lampwork beads. I just can’t get enough of them! There are so many fabulous lampwork artists out there and I love showcasing their work in my designs. Someday, I’d like to learn how to lampwork myself, but for now I happily support these talented artisans.

Lately, I’ve been honing my photography and digital art skills and would really like to add more of those items to my shop. Of course, everything- jewelry, photography and art- must have some kind of beachy and/or tropical inspiration.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
It seems like I always have been. As a kid, I was always doing something creative or artistic. I don’t even remember how old I was when I started peddling seed-beaded flower necklaces and bracelets, then I moved on to polymer clay jewelry. I sold that as well. I couldn’t have been older than 12, but my mom took a big display board that I had designed into her office and my jewelry sold like hotcakes to her co-workers. I was an entrepreneurial junior higher. I got out of the jewelry making habit for a while and found it again right after college. I stumbled across some beads and voila! I was hooked again.

I’ve always been into drawing and painting as well. Even as a child, I enjoyed fashion sketching and illustration, so it’s no surprise that I’m working toward a creative career in the fashion industry as well as designing jewelry.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
The concepting phase. I’m inspired by so many different things and I really enjoy concepting storyboards and sketching out my newest design ideas. I get struck by ideas constantly so I keep a notebook or sketchbook with me all the time so I can write down or sketch out an idea.

Right now, I’m in grad school for fashion merchandising and I’m really fine-tuning my collection creation and concepting skills. I’m having a blast creating my summer/resort ’09 jewelry collection.

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
Yes, I do. I have an ArtFire shop for Pineapple Sugar and I also recently launched a second jewelry line called Jocelyn Grace. I sell that line on 1000 Markets. I am working on building websites for both of these lines so I can set up my own e-commerce.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
My Tropical Garden necklace- it combines gorgeous artisan lampwork beads with shells, Czech glass and Swarovski crystals with sterling silver chain and findings. It’s very big and bold, and perfect for spring. It was hard not to keep it for myself!

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
Never stop learning – both about business and marketing as well as new techniques for your craft. Keep up with current trends but stay true to your own style and interpret the trends for your unique line. You want people to be able to recognize your style immediately when they see a piece.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
I have an adorable beagle named Lucy and a lab-mix named Stella. They are my furry children and definitely make my day brighter. Both of them were rescues- Stella from the humane league and Lucy from a family who could no longer care for her.

I am a big fan of Castaway Critters no-kill animal rescue in central PA. I recently launched my Puppy Love collection and twenty percent of the proceeds from each item that sells in that collection goes to Castaway Critters.

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I am all over the web. Here are a few places you can find me:
Flickr
Pineapple Sugar on MySpace
Pineapple Sugar on Facebook
Blooming Wildflowers Blog
Twitter

Team Spotlight! Interview with CiaoHound

This week I am happy to introduce CiaoHound, Flash's favorite Etsy shop! He loves these dog treats! :0)

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I opened my Etsy store in July of last year and set up shop by the end of August.

2. How did you select your shop’s name?
For over a week, I thought about every possible word to describe food and dogs, then one day, I was sitting there, absentmindedly, watching Velvet inhale her dinner and thought "you are such a chow hound!" A lightbulb went off. I told my daughters and they groaned. So, I thought a little while longer and came up with a little twist on words: ciao instead of chow; they didn't hate it, so I took that as a good sign and went with that.

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
My main items are dog treats and kibble toppers. I also try to elaborate on allergen-free treats for dogs with special dietary needs.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
My oldest daughter was an avid Etsy shopper and she told my youngest daughter, who then opened a shop on Etsy. During the summer break, she wanted everyone in the family to make a craft for her to add to her store, so I started researching hobbies. One book lead to another until I stumbled on a book for dog items. I was very excited about trying to bake treats and Velvet just loved them! She sat in front of the refrigerator for hours; it really just warmed my heart. Then, I got to thinking that Velvet wasn't the best judge of food because she'll eat anything, organic or not, so I baked some for my boss' dog and for my dad's. Neither dog cared anything for food. They barely eat their meals. After adding some of my kibble toppers (Crumbrulee), both dogs picked out my food and ate that first, then proceeded to eat their regular food. I felt that was a true testiment and went "public" with my treats. I love doing this and I love the stories I receive from my customers.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I just love when a food idea comes to me out of the blue. One customer was saying that her dog can only eat carbs and meats - no grains. That night we had turkey and mashed potatoes and I was playing with my food and mushed the two together and thought of the potato cakes. Things like that - coming up with unique items keeps it fun.

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I help run PetsJubilee on Etsy and have a blast with that, as well. We all work very hard to get our shop names out there and our customers love the sample boxes! We're coming together as a team which is very rewarding.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
I think these are my favorite:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18574916
They're 'cute' and I like the "Carob Cake" instead of 'carrot cake' play on words.

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?Research, research, research! For every food item that you find that dogs can or cannot have, verify it with multiple sources! I see many shops selling treats with "inappropriate" ingredients. The shop owners clearly do not do the background research necessary before starting something like this.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
When I signed up with Etsy, I looked for teams centered around animals, and when I saw this team, I just knew it was perfect because, I have a beagle! Velvet is the most unusual dog I have ever had. She doesn't like to be petted, hugged, kissed on; we can only play with her when its her idea. She thinks, lives, breathes food 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is the only thing she cares about, but I love her to pieces, and once in a great while, she decides to snuggle up to me while I watch tv, and it is perfect. As much as I joke around about her, she really is a good dog.

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I try to be everywhere:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ciaohound/
http://www.ciao-hound.blogspot.com (I'm going to try to devote more attention to this in the future)
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1530937381&ref=profile
http://twitter.com/ciaohoundhttp://home.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user&Mytoken=1237513361312http://www.craftjuice.com/ciaohound

Team Spotlight! Interview with fatbasset

MsAnomaly's interview with fatbasset

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?

I opened my shop on December 27, 2008.

2. How did you select your shop’s name?

I picked the shop name because of my big-boned basset hound, Francisco.

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?

I sell a wide variety of items. Right now, I focus on drawing ACEOs (art cards), making paper bead jewelry, and decorative envelopes for Weight Watcher Pocket Guides. My interests are varied, while I figure out what makes me happy as an artist.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?

I have always enjoyed creating art. Unfortunately, I spent many years struggling to be perfect or create in ways that I thought other people expected me to. (especially when I let my soul get kicked around in art school). This past winter, though, I had a moment when I was teaching children's art classes after school. I was making all kinds of mistakes when drawing in front of the kids, and we were still having a blast. And I thought, BLEEP it! I'm going to create how I want to create. And I have been much happier and more prolific as an artist since.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.

I love dreaming of ideas. I carry a tiny sketchbook in my purse at all times, and I jot down anything interesting when it occurs to me.

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

I also sell on eBay. When I am on eBay, though, I miss the community and feedback of Etsy.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?

Right now, I am most proud of my penguin art card set:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21461509.

I like the colors, and how each ACEO can also stand alone on its own merits. I also love how my penguins look; realistic, but drawn from my own point of view.

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?

Don't be afraid to make mistakes! If you have an idea, sketch it 20 times, 20 different ways. I have an enormous sketchbook for this purpose, where I lay something out all over the page, then compare which direction I like best.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
When I joined Etsy, I looked at teams to join. When I saw a group devoted to beagles and other dogs, I had to join! I have a 5 year old beagle mix named Buckley from the APL. I also have Francisco, a 4 1/2 year old basset hound who was rescued from a family who didn't want him anymore. My husband and I can't imagine our lives without them. I was never allowed to have dogs growing up, and I am grateful everyday for the enormous happiness we give each other (even when Francisco eats a hole out of the bathroom rug or Buckley runs off with one of my socks). There is a image of my dogs at the top of this interview.

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?

I am on Flickr. I am also on Facebook, under Cathy Secaur. No blog yet; if only there were more hours in the day!

Team Spotlight! Interview with FrumsGlassMenagerie

MsAnomaly's interview with FrumsGlassMenagerie

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?

January 2006

2. How did you select your shop’s name?
Frums is a nickname, given to me by my husband about 20 + years ago. It is derived from my maiden name. Glass Menagerie is what I have tried to make available in my shop. It is a collection of glass animals.

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
Primarily, fused glass pendants.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
I had a pretty shaped olive oil bottle given to me. I used craft store etching crème to decorate it. I donated that first bottle to my favorite dog rescue group. I upgraded to sandblasting my designs, I took a stained glass course, I bought a kiln, and have been experimenting ever since. I like to point out that the first 35 years I dabbled in fiber arts. I have enjoyed weaving, sewing, quilting, silk painting, anything that allowed me to enjoy the porous, rich texture and color of fibers. The glossy, non porous medium of glass is probably going to keep me creating for the next 35 years. At least, that’s my plan.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I love the moment I open the kiln and see how what happened inside there. Unexpected things can happen, both good and bad. I find that part of fusing the most exciting part. In painting on glass, I love the way the chalky looking, powdered glass I apply, once inside the kiln, melts to be a glossy part of the glass.

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I have sold in local brick and mortar shops, artisan consignment and pet supply and bakery type of shops. I have a studio on Artfire.com, plus, Frums Glass is my user name on Ebay. I try to maintain a blog that speaks to what’s new in the kiln, in my shops, my own pets, and my current animal rescue fundraising projects. http://frumsglassmenagerie.blogspot.com/

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
I think one of my favorite pieces was a nightlight I painted for an Etsy team challenge. It was my first larger glass painting. I was proud that it sold very quickly after listing, with 100% donation to my dog’s rescue organization. The theme of the challenge was “imperfect dogs.” I painted my own dog, who had recently been adopted. She was in a neglected situation, with 9 other dogs. Her tongue hangs out as she has no teeth, her tongue is missing edges, her front leg joints are enlarged likely from an injury, her fur badly stained from her terrible living conditions. She is perfect to us.


8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
Learn the basics of working with glass and the safety concerns. After that, jump in and experiment. Have fun!

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team? At that time, I would check the forums often. I was especially interested in posts about cats and dogs. I clicked on a post about beagles and found a very nice group of people. I’ve been hanging around the beagle team ever since. My first dog was a beagle. Today I own 4 Italian greyhounds. I adopted most of them as middle aged dogs through rescue. I financially support local pet rescue organizations, all Italian greyhound and greyhound rescue groups.

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?

http://FrumsGlassMenagerie.artfire.com

http://frumsglassmenagerie.blogspot.com/

Team Spotlight! Interview with AnnieKDesigns

MsAnomaly's interview with AnnieKDesigns

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I opened my store on September 11, 2007 but did not list anything until November.

2. How did you select your shop’s name?
My real name is Ann and my dad always called me Annie. I thought it would be a good way to honor him.

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
I create with fabric. I love to do crafts of all kinds and have tried to limit my creations to fabric otherwise I would be all over the place. Not that I am not already.

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
My father was ill when I was a child and I needed to do something quiet so I learned how to sew. My mother is a great seamstress and now a master quilter.

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
When it clicks. I have tons and tons of fabric. I love it when it all comes together with fabric, trims and the design. Sometimes sleeping on it is the best way to make it click!

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I have two other Etsy stores, Cody’s Closet (dog collars and other dog related items) and AnnieKClothing, accessories mostly but hopefully clothing at some point.

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
Growing up in North Dakota, there are not a lot of shopping opportunities and this was long before the internet. I would see gorgeous clothes in magazines and I would copy the design and make them for myself. A lot of trial-and-error but I always made it work.

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I still make them. It’s how you learn and sometimes it works out for the best.

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
I LOVE dogs. I saw the thread and popped in to say hello wish the team all the best. I learned you didn’t have to have a beagle to be a member. I have a Lab/Weimarainer, Cody, and a Springer Spaniel, Copper.

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I have a blog that is mostly neglected at http://codyscloset.blogspot.com/

Team Spotlight! Interview with dogsrule

MsAnomaly's interview with team member dogsrule

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I opened my Etsy store May 30th, 2006. I was actually selling/purchasing on Ebay at the time...and came to Etsy to make a 'purchase' from a fave seller of mine who decided to leave Ebay and come to sell at Etsy. So, I decided after a few purchases to give Etsy a try and open a shop! My first sale was 3 months later, August 2006, and the sale was for 2 of my crocheted doilies! My next order came a few days later for 30 origami butterflies for a wedding! I was hooked on Etsy!

2. How did you select your shop's name?
Well, I must admit, when I came to Etsy, it was just to make a purchase, so I didn't give much thought to a name! I have dogs and they are my world since my kids have grown up and have lives of their own...so, I signed on with “dogsrule!” Kind of silly when I look back now! I just didn't put any thought into it at the moment, not realizing that I might open a shop, and “dogsrule” popped into my head, and I ran with it. I can think of a million other cool names that would have been good now!

3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
I love origami, crocheting, card making and sewing! I love my papillons, the “butterfly dogs,” so, I practiced for a year perfecting the intricate origami folding of a Michael La Fosse Butterfly. Crocheting I have done since I was youngster. I love to use hand dyed, size 10 threads to create pieces! And sewing was always a passion of mine. Card making just gives me a very unique way to create. I have incorporated both origami and crocheting into many of my cards! What fun I am having doing the things I love to do! My next challenge is to learn how to dry needle felt !

4. How did you become involved in your craft?
I learned to crochet and sew from my Mom! Origami was self taught; I used to do simple pieces with the children in my pre school classes. Once I retired from teaching, I involved myself with more complex origami diagrams. When I am really stressed, I usually always run to fold!

5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process.
I like to create things that are different and simple, with a clean, neat look, and most times one of a kind. I am a perfectionist, so that sometimes gets in my way! Most times with my doilies I make them one time and not again. I like to try new patterns/things. I don't know if that is good or bad!

6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I started out on Ebay and did well; got my feet wet so to speak. Once I came to Etsy, I haven't gone back to Ebay! Etsy has grown tremendously since I joined back in 2006. There weren't too many origami artists on Etsy then, but now there is a huge number of sellers! Lots of competition!

7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
I am proud of many things I have made. I guess if I had to pick one, it might be the 1st doily I sold on Etsy, for sentimental reasons:http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=112771

8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
I think practice and perfection are key with me. Pride in your work is the most important thing!

9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
Well, again, the love of my dogs. My breeds are beagles and papillons! I have 2 of the greatest BEAGLES in the world! I was thrilled to see a BEAGLE TEAM! I thought belonging to a team with fellow Etsians that I had something in common with would be a lot of fun! And, I would love to show off my pack in my Flicker Pics:http://www.flickr.com/photos/28909979@N03/

10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I have a Flicker Photo Page, and I am “ papnbeagle “ on Ebay. I am working my way up to starting a blog!

Team Spotlight! Interview with creativecomforts07

This week's team interview is with creativecomforts07. MsAnomaly or kookyhandbags will be posting interviews of Beagles team members every Friday. The interviews are a great way to meet our team members and learn about them, their dog(s), and their Etsy shops!

1. When did you open your Etsy store and begin selling?
I joined Etsy on June 18, 2008 and started selling around the 23rd of that month.I did not have that much in my shop when I started and learned as I went along. I am always changing and tweaking things in my shop.
2. How did you select your shop’s name?
http://www.creativecomforts07.etsy.com/ I used the name from my craft fair business, Creative Comforts LLC. I think it is because I love to create things that are creative and comfortable. It only took me 3 months to find a name for my shows and I stayed with it since. I think it is a nice name that you can remember.
3. What do you create and sell in your Etsy shop?
I make crocheted and loom knitted items for everyone, even our four legged friends. My favorites to make are blankets and slippers. I make h2o & earth friendly bags, slippers for all seasons and different styles of blankets. I want to add more pet friendly and crocheted socks eventually.
4. How did you become involved in your craft?
I started to crochet when I was about 5 and started to loom knit about 10 years ago. I started selling when my daughter was 3 and my oldest son was18 months old. I am just addicted to yarn and everything that goes with it. My favorite yarn has to be cashmere for its softness.
5. Explain your favorite part of the creative process?
My favorite part of the creative process is the shopping. I get to go and feel the materials that I am going to be working with and look at the colors. I get to mix and match the colors, then I get to buy my favorites. I usually start making my creations as soon as I get home unless the family needs me.
6. Do you sell in another Etsy store or anywhere outside of Etsy? If so, where?
I only have my one store but I may be adding another since my daughter wants to sell on Etsy now.
7. So far, what project are you most proud of?
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19836879This is my favorite creation. Who knew that a Beagle would sit still long enough to get the picture taken. I think that’s why I used all 3 of them. I love making things for my dogs. I have made the coats and paw warmers. I made this to keep Teli’s ears warm when he was busy digging and playing in the snow.
8. What advice can you give to someone who would like to learn your craft?
The best advice I was given by my Great Aunt JoJo is to have patience, read the pattern books and try out a few classes, then if I still don’t get it ask for help.
9. What motivated you to join the Etsy Beagle Street Team?
I was motivated by how we all love beagles (& our other breeds to). We are a relaxed and fun group. I have a 12 year old puppy and my parents have his sister (Sid) and a 5yr old wild beagle (Barron). I have shown them in AKC shows and Teli was, believe it or not, an obedience and therapy dog. http://www.flickr.com/photos/creativecomforts07/3208583388/ This is the picture of all 3 of the hounds at my parents with my daughter Kayla.
10. Any other places we might find you (Flickr, blog, MySpace, etc.)?
I am on MySpace (creativecomforts07), flickr (creativecomfortso7), My blog is http://www.creativecomfortsllc.blogspot.com/ , cafemom (KrissyK) and some times you can find me on yahoo (creative_comforts07)