Sunday, November 30, 2008

Team ESST Christmas Supplies


For anyone looking for some crafting supplies that are specifically Christmas related, we've got a way for you to search for them on Etsy. Just do a search for "ESST Christmas" and you'll find over 375 items to choose from. There are Christmas Tree cupcake toppers from Layer Cake Shop, Victorian Christmas Tags that you download and print yourself, Snowman Stamp, and more. So while you're working on giving handcrafted cards and gifts this holiday season, don't forget to support the Etsy Supply Street Team.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Social Networking



Team ESST is everywhere. You can find us on My Space, We Love Etsy, Indiepublic, Flickr and Facebook to name just a few Social Networks. What are the benefits of having a presence on all these sites though? Why are we everywhere?

Social networking benefits both parties in a shopping relationshiop. It helps us get to know our customers better through their comments on our blogs and networks. We get to see who our customers are, what they respond to, and a bit more about why they've chosen to shop with us. It also allows our customers to get to know us a little bit through the personal information we post about ourselves. When shopping online it can be difficult to establish that wonderful in-person relationship you might find in your neighborhood store, but Social Networking helps to recapture that feeling by providing an easy way to communicate with each other.

Please take the time to get to know us a little bit better though our many outlets, and please continue to give us feedback. We love hearing what you have to say!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Wists: Create your own Wish List


My family always asks what I'd like for gifts for the holidays. Sometimes, there is a crafting supply or some hard-to-explain item I want on Etsy. Unfortunately I find it pretty difficult to show the gift giver exactly what I want.

That is until I discovered Wists. It is a wish list & social shopping website that allows you to collect images and links to all the things you'd like to buy on the web. This is a particularly good idea for shopping on Etsy. I know you can use your favorites on Etsy to do this as well, but with Wists you can write up a little note giving details about each item. For example: If I added a fabric swatch I can say "I'd like 2 yards of this fabric please."

It is pretty easy to use. Just sign up and follow the directions to install their button on your browser's toolbar. Any time you see something you like you can click the button in your browser and it will add the item to your wish list. Whenever someone asks what you'd like as a gift, just send them a link to your list. Hopefully it will help you get everything you want this holiday season.

Here is one I started to try it out to see what it is all about: http://wists.com/beesquarefabrics Take a look and let us know what you think.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Thedestash Interview

Jessica Sharrah is a talented Ceramic Artist who makes beautiful beads of clay and gorgeous ceramic rings. Her Thedestash shop is one that jewelry artists flock to for unique design opportunities. Here is a short interview with Jessica. Enjoy.

1. Why clay?
I began just using gemstone and glass to make beads...then thought it would be great to be able to make the colors and shapes that I wanted - when I wanted....and then things sort of fell into place.

2. What's your favorite tool?
My kiln - magic happens in there (I know - it's more equipment - but it's my favorite!)

3. How long have you been claying?
Almost 2 1/2 years.


4. What is your favorite item in your shop right now?
The L-O-V-E links


5. What are you currently creating?
Unfortunately right now I am working on things for my other shop, but very soon will have beads and pendants of all shapes and sizes filling this shop!

6. What do you want your customers to know most about your work?
That I love it - and hope that it shows!

Yes, it does, Jessica. Thanks for a great interview.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Sewing Supplies - Patterns: Destasing Diva


In the world of Etsy you'll find an array of supply sellers. Some sell new items, some handmade, some vintage and some specializing in destashing. Destash is a term used when a crafter tries to free up their supplies, or stash, by selling or trading them for newer items. Destashing Diva a member of Team ESST is one of these shops. The idea is brilliant, it is great for the environment, allows for more affordable prices, and puts some fantastic patterns back into circulation.

Destashing Diva has a nice range of vintage to contemporary children's and adult patterns available in her shop. She gives a nice description of what types of fabric work for each pattern as well as sewing level and condition of the pattern.

Please visit Destashing Diva on Etsy for new and destashed sewing patterns.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Sewing Supplies: Patterns - Pattern Shop


I've talked a little bit about all the great fabrics that the Etsy Supply Street Team has to offer, but what to do with all that fabric? Why not try out a vintage sewing pattern? A series of Sewing Supplies posts will highlight the members of Team ESST who offer amazing sewing patterns.

This week we will focus on Pattern Shop

What I love about Pattern Shop is her wide range of pattern offerings. There are clothing pattens for children, women and men - patterns for bags & purses, doll crafts, and home decor. Many of these patterns are vintage and of retro style but others are contemporary. I think there has something for everyone in this shop.

Another great feature you'll find at Pattern Shop is a nice clear image of the front of the pattern, and best of all, a scan of the back too! This way you'll be able to figure out all your fabric needs before you purchase the pattern.

Pattern Shop currently has a BUY 1 GET 1 HALF OFF SALE! Buy any sewing pattern and get the second pattern half of equal or lesser value - enjoy this sale while it lasts. Also, if you buy 3 patterns at once you'll enjoy free shipping.

Please visit http://patternshop.etsy.com for all your sewing patten needs.

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posted by Diane of Bee Square Fabrics

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Introducing the ETSY Supplies Street Team: Flying Circus

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

You never knew what you would find with Monty Python's Flying Circus, but you knew that it would be hip, cool, and different. Flying Circus absolutely lives up to her namesake. she has retro buttons and bottle caps, as well as cork, regular bottle caps, beads, and fabric for making your fun and funky designs.
Flying Circus is also ESST seller Cocomo. As Flying Circus, she has only 120 sales, so go lavish some love on her shop!

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

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Introducing the ETSY Supplies Street Team: Fabric Stash2

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

Fabric Stash 2 is just recreating her shop (formerly "Fabric Stash"), but it promises to be a super shop!

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

Friday, November 14, 2008

Introducing the ETSY Supplies Street Team: Fabricsamples

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

Fabricsamples has wonderful, elegant fabrics that you simply will not find anywhere else unless you have contacts in the fabric trade or are a wholesale purchaser. She has toile, velvet and chenille, florals, designer samples, wholesale packs, and vintage fabrics. This is a wonderful resource for the bag maker, the decorator, or anyone else who wants excellent, unusual fabric in small lots.

FabricSamples is currently having sales, as she says here:
**FRESH NEW IDEA: PERFECT GIFT FOR THE FABRIC LOVER: WRAP IN FABRIC AND RIBBON WITH TRIM this HOLIDAY SEASON!**

***10% OFF my any NON SALE ITEMS, when you Buy 4 or more Designer Fabric Samples. 15% OFF when you Buy 10 or more Designer Fabric Samples. I will send you a refund through Paypal after you pay! This is a limited time offer.*****

I have Reduced the Price of numerous items in this Etsy Store.
**PLEASE use the word SALE or REDUCED to find my Sale and Reduced Items in this store. I simply don't have enough sections!***
Fabric has nineteen sales, so go lavish some love on her shop!

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

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Fabric Blog



There are many fabric sellers on Etsy, and some particularly wonderful ones that are part of the Etsy Supply Street Team. But where to read about all fabric all the time? Try True Up!

Kim of True Up keeps all of us crafty sewers up to date on the latest fabrics - what is coming out, when it will be in stores and what the latest trends are too. She throws some vintage goodness in to drool over too! Enjoy her Swatch of the Week, and Sale Alert Sunday features, as well as interviews with designers and retailers (like me!)

Did you see something on her blog and just have to have it? Try searching for it in one of our Etsy shops!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Handcrafted Holidays - Supplies on Sale


The last time I looked, members of Team ESST had 680 items on sale. I see that there are items such as sewing supplies, jewelry making supplies such as beads, wire and fittings, scrapbooking supplies and a few unique items as well. To find these fabulous finds just search
Team ESST + Sale.

And if you have any great ideas for what to make as gifts, please, post them in the comments.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Gift wrap idea - Fabric!

I just love this idea from Sheila at Fabric Samples...

Use fabric to wrap your Holiday gifts, then reuse to make your fabric crafts!!
Search Etsy with terms Team ESST + fabric. Or visit to one of our fabric shops directly:

http://beesquarefabrics.etsy.com
http://fabricstash.etsy.com
http://fabricstash2.etsy.com
http://kimonomomo.etsy.com
http://EllaHound.etsy.com
http://FabricSamples.etsy.com
http://samplescrap.etsy.com

THEN use this fantastic ribbon to tie up your fabric wrapped packages!!
Search Etsy with terms Team ESST + ribbon


posted by Diane of Bee Square Fabrics

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Etsy Plug on Apartment Therapy

Amber B on the blog Apartment Therapy has written a post entitled: Simple Green: Gearing Up for Holiday Shopping. It's about saving money whilst being eco-friendly, and among the techniques she suggests is to shop at Etsy.

• Better yet, buy everything handmade. You can delve into the world of online shopping, turning to Etsy to find the perfect hand-knit scarf for your best friend, or just the right wallet for your younger brother. Supporting handmade goods is a great way to impact local communities. Plus, without mass production, the carbon footprint is itty-bitty. And, of course, you can look for upcycled or recycled items that will have an even better green imprint. You need to shop soon, though; Etsy items need to be shipped, and many sellers already have holiday instructions up on their site. So plan ahead!

It's nice to hear a public reference to Etsy that does not seem to think that ETSY is only a "flea market." So get thee over to her blog, teammates, and comment positively on her post! (That gets your name out there for her readers to look for when shopping at ETSY.)