Handcrafted Holidays - Reusable Shopping Bags

Looking for something to craft and give for gifts this holiday season? Why not try to knit, crochet, or sew some reusable shopping bags. Curbly has 35 free patterns listed on their blog. They have featured 18 options for sewers, 9 for knitters, and 8 for crocheters.

Now that you know what to make, you'll need to know where to buy your supplies. There are many yarn and fabric sellers that are part of the Etsy Supply Street team, all willing to answer any questions and assist you in any way they can.

To get started, just find the pattern you'd like to try and get shopping!

Team ESST Fabric sellers:
beesquarefabrics.etsy.com
EllaHound.etsy.com
FabricSamples.etsy.com
fabricstash.etsy.com
fabricstash2.etsy.com
kimonomomo.etsy.com
tliss.etsy.com
samplescrap.etsy.com

Team ESST Yarn sellers:
BPyarns.etsy.com
ButtonsBanglesandWee.etsy.com



Written by Diane of Bee Square Fabrics

Tutorial: Guaridan Angel

IMG_1663
Originally uploaded by dsgndbyrj

Want to make your own guardian angels? RJ of RJ Beads shows you how...

Tools:
1 pair flat nose jewelry pliers
1 pair round nose jewelry pliers
1 pair wire cutters

Materials:
1 4mm frosted white glass bead (for head)
1 pewter angel wing bead
1 12mm glass flower bead (for skirt)
1 head pin
1 jump ring

Directions:
Step 1 - assemble components on your head pin from bottom to top, ie. skirt, wings, head (see fig.1). Fit tightly together at bottom of head pin.

Step 2 - Using flat nose pliers, bend head just above the angel-head bead.

Step 3 - Using round nose pliers, loop headpin around pliers creating a small loop, then wrap the head pin around itself, between the loop and the angel-head bead to secure (see fig.2).

Step 4 - Using wire cutter, trim head pin. Using flat nose pliers flatten any excess wire to prevent snagging.

Step 5 - Using both pliers, gently open jump ring - pulling one side towards you and one side away from you. Slide headpin loop onto jump ring. Close jump ring.

Voila! Your own guardian angel! You can now strong your angel onto a chain, ribbon or cord! Make it into a bookmark, or even a cell phone or purse charm!

Visit RJ Beads to buy individual components and ready-to-assemble Guardian Angel Kits!

The Seasonal Cottage SALE SALE SALE on paper die-cut scraps!

The Seasonal Cottage says:
*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~ OCTOBER SPECIAL ~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
BUY FOUR IMPORTED PAPER DIE CUT / SCRAPS / PRINTS AND I WILL INCLUDE ONE SHEET FOR FREE

check out my imported paper die cuts/scraps-over 140 to choose from. I even have holiday ones for creating Christmas items:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5235385&section_id=5509066

This week I will also include in this sale my special paper prints-buy 4 get one free:

http://www.etsy.com/search_results_shop.php?search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5235385&search_query=prints

How to Find the ESST Promo Thread on ETSY's Forum

Tutorial: Finding the Team Esst Weekly Promotion Thread

I. For People Who Need To Find The New Thread / Find the Thread For The First Time.

1) Navigate to the forum main page, the one with the five most recent posts under each category. http://www.etsy.com/forums_main.php or Etsy--->community ----> forums.

2) In the main ETSY header there is a search bar. It has two sections--a drop down box to the left telling you what category of item you are searching, and a blank bar to the right for you to enter your search terms. The default option on the drop down box will be "Forum titles" (if you are on the main forum page), so you don't have to make any changes there.

3) Type "ESST" into the search window and press the "Search" button, which is directly to the right of the search bar.

4) You will see a new screen that has all the forum posts that have "ESST" in the titles. Generally the most recent promo thread will be at the top (or near to the top), and will read something like, "@--}--Team ESST-Etsy Supply Street Team Weekly PROMO *Oct 19 to 26".

5) Click on that thread title to go to the thread. When the thread is closed the last post will give the link to the new thread.

II. For People Who Have Posted In the ESST Thread.

1) Navigate to the forum main page, the one with the five most recent posts under each category. http://www.etsy.com/forums_main.php or Etsy--->community ----> forums.

2) BENEATH the main ETSY / search bar there is, on the right, a bright blue link: "View Topics You've Posted In."

3) Click that link. The page will refresh to show you all the threads in which you've posted; the most recent will be at the top. You should be able to find the ESST thread in the first few entries.

4) If not, see above :)

A fond farewell...

It's with sad hearts, but multitudes of best wishes that Team ESST says farewell to one of our fearless team moms, Faro.

Faro has been an amazing driving force behind Team ESST - she's kept us organized, on our toes and banded together, and we'll miss her dearly!

One of the main reasons Faro is saying good-bye is that her passions have changed and she'll be moving on from mosaic supplies to focus on her fabulous vintage jewelry, found at Oh Faro 2. So for all you mosaic makers - be sure to keep your eyes on Oh Faro! to take advantage of Faro's bulk tile sale - coming soon!

On behalf of the team, a big fond farewell and best of luck with your new vintage-ventures! And don't forget to come back and visit - we'll miss you!

Introducing the ESST Street Team: Destashing Diva

This is the next in my series about the wonderful peeps of Team ESST. Today's topic is:

Destashing Diva has a funky shop, focused around sewing patterns and supplies. She's got 1980s and earlier patterns, a hefty chunk of sewing supplies, and cool fabric fat quarters and bundles, like this piece:
Her patterns are great for kids and adults. She even has some scrapbooking supplies -- fiber is fiber, after all, and many scrapbook embellishments use sewing notions.

With 175 items for sale, and 100% satisfaction, you're sure to find something good in this shop!

If you'd like to find older posts in this series, search for the tag ESST members.

Cross posted from A Torching Good Story (Four Tails Lampwork), 10/23/2008 9:00 am.

Introducing the ETSY Supplies Street Team: Doodles Mosaic Tiles

This is the next in my series about the wonderful peeps of Team ESST. Today's topic is:

Doodles Mosaic Tiles has a broad array of mosaic tiles for mosaic artists. Many of her tiles are clear, in a variety of patterns and sizes. However, she has lovely broken china tiles, glass globs, and holiday items. Fhe also carries neodymium magnets, and a wonderful clearance section (titled, amusingly, "Oops!") that almost seduced me into trying my hand at mosaics.

By far the most interesting part of her shop, though, are her custom made hand painted tiles. Whimsical, bright, and cheerful, these tiles would turn any mosaic art from humdrum to spectacular.

With 597 sales, Doodles is going great guns! Check her shop out. If you'd like to find older posts in this series, search for the tag ESST members.

Cross posted from A Torching Good Story (Four Tails Lampwork), 10/24/2008 9:00 am.

Sale Alert!

TheSeasonalCottage.etsy.com specials:
*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~ OCTOBER SPECIAL ~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
BUY FOUR IMPORTED PAPER DIE CUT / SCRAPS AND I WILL INCLUDE ONE SHEET FOR FREE
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5235385

TheArtistsCloset.etsy.com
*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~ OCTOBER SPECIAL ~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
BUY FOUR 7GYPSIES RUBBINGS AND I WILL INCLUDE ONE SHEET FOR FREE
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5559588

Introducing the ETSY Supplies Street Team: Crinoline Stash

Cross-posted from A Torching Good Story by Four Tails Lampwork, 10/17/2008, 9:00 AM.

This is the next in my series about the wonderful peeps of Team ESST! I'm back on a roll, and the next ON the roll is the lovely Crinoline Stash.

Crinoline Stash has a brightly colored stash of supplies. She says in her announcement, "I've got acrylic felt, shrinky dinks, fun beads, findings, and an eclectic mix of supplies!" And she's not lying. Looking through her shop is like looking at the most cheerful rainbow you can imagine. She has a lot of wonderful findings, including colorful jump rings for your chain maille needs. There's ribbons and cords and overall a riot of rainbow colors!

Crinoline also has a store for her own crafts, and uses many of her own supplies to make her goods--so check that out, too, if you want even more inspiration.

If you'd like to find older posts in this series, search for the tag ESST members.

Introducing the ETSY Supplies Street Team: Cocomo

(Cross Posted from "A Torching Good Story" by Four Tails Lampwork, 10/16/2008)

This is the next in my series about the wonderful peeps of Team ESST! It's been over a month, and my poor teammates have been very patient. Here's introducing a team member with a fantastically funny sense of humor, Cocomo Mosaics.

Cocomo has mosaic art in several different styles, ranging from the lovely to the quirky. She has a wide assortment of finished tiles, from glass blob tiles, retro tiles, and flower tiles. My favorite section are the coolio tiles. These are just ...fun!

Cocomo has 728 sales ... and lots of happy customers! So go check her out if you're looking for mosaic art supplies.

If you'd like to find older posts in this series, search for the tag ESST members.

Supply Your Holidays with Team ESST-Etsy Supply Street Team!

Here's just a short list of some of the fabulous deals and steals Team ESST is offering during our "Supply Your Holidays Sale!" Click on a supply section below to view the sales!

Beads and Charms
Buttons
Fabric and Patterns
Mixed Media and Paper
Mosaic
Specialty

Beads and Charms
http://www.justjaynes.etsy.com/
Free shipping on any size order, large or small!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5113198
CarDon Creative Design will have a special "Team ESST Holiday Sale" Section - Check it out!

http://rjbeads.etsy.com/
Buy More – Save More! See my shop announcement for details!
Go To Top

Buttons
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5705479
Grams Vintage Buttons is offering a great "Team ESST Holiday Sale" section, click and see the wonderful sales.


Fabric and Patterns
http://beesquarefabrics.etsy.com/
Scandinavian folk inspired prints from Japan "My Folklore" are on sale for $9.00/ yard.

http://patternsandsuch.etsy.com/
BOGO: Buy One Get One Half Price (lower priced item is half price item)

http://www.tliss.etsy.com/
Buy one item and get 20% off second item of equal or lesser value.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5013811
Sale: Free items of your choice from fat quarters to strands of beads
Go To Top

Mixed Media and Paper
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5559588
BUY FOUR 7GYPSIES RUBBINGS AND I WILL INCLUDE ONE SHEET FOR FREE - check my shop announcement for details!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5562789
Sale offer: Free washi scrap pack with every order!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5080815
20% off everything

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5166044
Sale: Numerous prices have already been lowered throughout shop, so go ahead and proceed thru paypal checkout. No need to wait on a revised invoice.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5235385
BUY FOUR IMPORTED PAPER DIE CUT / SCRAPS AND I WILL INCLUDE ONE SHEET FOR FREE - check my shop announcement for details!
Go To Top

Mosaic
http://www.judysnow.etsy.com/
I am having a Buy Two Mosaic Tile Sets and Get a Seller's Choice Set Free

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5542010
Buy any 2 items get third free (equal or lesser value)


Specialty
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5968077
Free Cupcake Supplies with every purchase, and an entry to win a Layer Cake Shop Sampler worth over $25.00 with each item purchased. See shop for details. Oct 8-12th.
Go To Top

And be sure to search "team esst" at Etsy to see the full range of ESST team shops! The sale runs from Oct. 8 thru 12th - but ESST is always best for your supply needs!

The ESST Holiday Sale is Coming!

It's just around the corner! Come back tomorrow to see the big list of ESST team member's sales - we've got everything from mosiac supplies to fabric, to paper goods to jewelry supplies, and so much more!

Here's a little taste - of course you don't have to celebrate the holidays to celebrate our sale!