Have a cool yule y'all!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Holiday Happiness - Team ESST

Make a Smilebox slideshow

CYBER MONDAY Shopping Extravaganza

Beginning on 12:00 AM EST on November 30th,

Etsy Supply Street Team (ESST) will host a

CYBER MONDAY SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA.

All Etsy shops are invited to participate in this

CYBER MONDAY SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA!

We welcome everyone who has an Etsy shop-

handmade, supply and vintage sellers to join us!

Announce that you are participating in your shop announcement

and you're ready to get started!

Be creative and enjoy a fun

CYBER MONDAY SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA!

Those of you who blog, twitter, facebook and myspace can post about it and promote to people that are off Etsy to visit us.

*****

Visit our Team ESST Promo Blog for shop specials

http://esstpromo.blogspot.com/

Or click on the link to the left:)

*****

Come and join us.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6363425

Thanksgiving

Make a Smilebox greeting

Get to know.... Woolenmore

What is your shops name? Woolenmore
How did you come up with that name? I feature Pendleton woolens, and more! And have used the name for over 10 years. What sort of crafting supplies do you sell? Wool fabric for rug hooking, crafting and the home seamstress.
Favorite website(s) aside from Etsy? Primitive websites, and just about any sewing site. One of the top ones is folk and fiber! http://www.amherst-antiques-folkart.com/index.htm
Do you craft yourself? If so, what do you like to make? Always! Primitives, garment construction and favorite is to make what my DD and I call re-do's. Taking unwanted discarded items and recycling into "needful" things.

Please tell us one thing that nobody would know about you. When I'm gone leave my socks on!
What is your favorite thing to make for dinner? Really, cooking is the last thing I enjoy. But my favorite dinner is sauerkraut with hotdogs and fried potatoes. Family won't eat it so it's all mine.
What goals do you have for your shop over the next year? Focusing on increased sales, and adding some of my own creations under my primitive catagory.
If you sell on other venues, where else can we find your items?
Etsy is my only venue at this time, I would like to have another etsy shop featuring clothing for the younger equestrian set. Handmade of course!

Autumn Leaves ...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Get to Know SpiceBerry Cottage

What is your Etsy shop name?

Spice Berry Cottage

How did you come up with that name?

We'll it's a little of this and a little of that. "Spice Berry" we saw somewhere else in an article and loved it and "Cottage"....well if you go to my website -www.spiceberrycottage.com you will see our little cottage on the beach!

What sort of crafting supplies do you sell?

We sell designer cotton fabric, flannel, fleece, knit, patterns and on our other site we sell some items seasonally, such as cookbooks, calendars, gifts, etc. We are planning on expanding to notions and books.

Favorite website(s) aside from Etsy?

I have many, but here are a few on the top - I love Amy Butler's site http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/mainmenu.php. It's quite amazing and she is super talented and the other I really enjoy is Heather Bailey's site http://www.heatherbaileystore.com/?Click=25 - very colorful and happy!

Do you craft yourself?

Yes, when I find the time!

If so, what do you like to make?

Love to sew - surrounded by all this wonderful fabric and no time to sew! What's a girl to do?

Please tell us one thing that nobody would know about you.

Most of my family doesn't know that I am a huge country music fan.

What is your favorite thing to make for dinner?

Hmmmm, just made fettuccine alfredo tonight.....love it, but I think a family favorite is cheesy enchilada's, Spanish rice, beans and fresh salsa.

What goals do you have for your shop over the next year?

We've actually been working on it and we're almost ready for the grand opening of our e-commerce site at www.spiceberrycottage.com. We'd also like to expand into patterns, notions, etc.

If you sell on other venues, where else can we find your items?

Our website is www.spiceberrycottage.com and you can find us on our Ebay site at: http://stores.ebay.com/Spice-Berry-Cottage

Team ESST Halloween Goodies

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Made by Karen - RunswithScissors4

Fall Colours...

Made by Karen - RunsWithScissors4

***OCTOBER 3RD & 4TH WEEKEND SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA***

Beginning on Saturday October 3rd at 12:00 AM EST, the Etsy Supply Street Team is hosting another "Weekend Shopping Extravaganza." This months event will run Saturday, October 3rd & Sunday October 4th, 2009. ALL ETSY SHOPS - HANDMADE, SUPPLIES AND VINTAGE - are invited to participate by placing an announcement in your shop and joining in with promoting on the "Official" Promotional thread in the Etsy Forums.

This will be a “Shopping Event” similar to a Public Marketplace. There will not be a "overall theme" since Etsy is a Global Marketplace hence, the seasons, cultures, holidays, etc. can vary quite a bit. Although not required, we do strongly encourage shops to have a feature, theme or sale as this can pique interest and help you to draw people to your shop.

You do not have to participate for the whole weekend simply join in when you can on the Promo thread in the Etsy Forums. You can search for the official thread - “OCTOBER WEEKEND SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA OCTOBER 3RD & 4TH”. Here is the Promo thread in the Etsy Forums:
WEEKEND SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA OCTOBER 3RD & 4TH

The only requirement is that you have a shop on Etsy and help promote by joining in and bumping the thread throughout the weekend. Talk about your shop and what you have to offer our shoppers.

Those of you who blog, twitter , facebook, myspace etc. can post about it and promote to people that are off Etsy to visit us. It will provide the Etsy community with publicity, making our shops more visible, and hopefully creating a monthly event shoppers will look forward to. If you have any questions please convo the Etsy Supply Street Team.

OCTOBER EXTRAVAGANZA

With September nearly at an end and October knocking on the door it will soon be time for another awesome Team ESST Extravaganza! This months event will run Saturday, October 3rd & Sunday October 4th, 2009.

If your looking for interesting and quirky handmade items then this sale will act as a fun one stop shop! Look forward to seeing heavenly halloween items, terrific thanksgiving ideas and early inspirations for creative Christmas gifts.

Get to Know...ArtfulMosaicSupplies!

~~
What is the name of your shop? ~Artful Mosaic Supplies

http://www.artfulmosaicsupplies.etsy.com/

What do you sell? ~All types of supplies for mosaics! I sell handcut china tiles, handcut stained glass tiles, handmade 3D ceramic embellishments for mosaic and other art, images under glass, glass gems/cabochons, MDF bases for mosaic projects and anything that would look great in a mosaic.


What's your favorite item/line that you sell? ~I enjoy them all.


Give us an idea on how to use your products. Do you have a picture of YOUR OWN project? ~That's difficult to answer because my products can be used in so many ways. For example, people use my MDF bases not only for mosaic work but for collage and other types of mixed media. My supplies are pretty versatile and my buyers have great ideas!Here is an example of my most labor-intensive project to date which shows how to use stained glass and my handmade ceramic embellishments:http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20544131

How did you choose your user name? ~I just like the word "artful." Artfully done, an artful way of presenting something, artful blogging, etc. A nice, classy word.

Street clothes or Pajamas? ~Anything goes!

Biggest indulgence or guilty pleasure? ~No guilt...rock concerts!

Favorite food?~Avocados

Favorite non-craft website? ~No particular favorite. I have many interests.

Favorite craft website (not Etsy)? ~I think 1000Markets is a cool site.

What is one thing that nobody would know about you. ~I wanted to be a marine biologist.

What are your plans/goals for 2009? ~To continue building my customer base in my shop and create cool art. Create a website and a blog. Travel. Get organized in general...wishful thinking on that one!

Where else do you sell? Other IDs, sites, local shops, etc ~My other Etsy shop:http://www.calicoskies.etsy.com/~

In it's infancy:http://www.boundless.com/

Tools of the Trade

Team ESST SlideShow by RunswithScissors4

Meet Our Team ESST Contest Winner!!

***

Virago Creations

I'm a multi-media artist who enjoys making jewelry, handmade paper using recycled and organic elements and all types of altered art including handpainted glass, altered books and collage on paper, wood and canvas. Many of the supply items I sell in my shop have been hand-altered by me - I like to start the altering process and make my transformed treasures available for your creative use.

I enjoy spending time at thrift stores and consignment boutiques looking for vintage jewelry. Some of the found jewelry is 'deconstructed' to make my own creations, while other finds are sold to like-minded jewelry artisans!

I'm a former New Yorker, who relocated to New Mexico after living in South Florida for 10 years. I live amongst the winery vineyards and horse ranches in the North Valley area of Albuquerque. When I'm not channeling my creative energy, I channel healing energy as a licensed massage therapist and energy healer (Reiki Master/Teacher, Quantum Touch, EFT, crystal and chakra therapy).

***SEPTEMBER 5TH & 6TH WEEKEND SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA***

Beginning on Saturday September 5th at 12:00 AM EST, the Etsy Supply Street Team is hosting another "Weekend Shopping Extravaganza." This months event will be held Saturday, September 5th & Sunday September 6th, 2009. ALL ETSY SHOPS - HANDMADE, SUPPLIES AND VINTAGE - are invited to participate by placing an announcement in your shop and joining in with promoting on the "Official" Promotional thread in the Etsy Forums.

This will be a “Shopping Event” similar to a Public Marketplace. There will not be a "Overall theme" since Etsy is a Global Marketplace hence, the seasons, cultures, holidays, etc. can vary quite a bit. Although not required, we do strongly encourage shops to have a feature, theme or sale as this can pique interest and help you to draw people to your shop.

You do not have to participate for the whole weekend simply join in when you can on the Promo thread in the Etsy Forums. You can search for the official thread - “SEPTEMBER WEEKEND SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA SEPTEMBER 5TH & 6TH”. Here is the Promo thread in the Etsy Forums:
WEEKEND SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA SEPTEMBER 5TH & 6TH

The only requirement is that you have a shop on Etsy and help promote by joining in and bumping the thread throughout the weekend. Talk about your shop and what you have to offer our shoppers
.
Those of you who blog or twitter can post and/or tweet about it and promote to people that are off Etsy to visit us. It will provide the Etsy community with publicity, making our shops more visible, and hopefully creating a monthly event shoppers will look forward to.

If you have any questions please convo the Etsy Supply Street Team.

BEADS!!

div>

Another Fabulous Slideshow by RunsWithScissors4

September Weekend Shopping Extravagnza

Get ready, Get set.....GO!!!!

Yes, Team ESST is sponsoring a Weekend Shopping Extravaganza - September 5th & 6th.

Come and Join us. Post a comment and link your shop.

ALL ETSY SHOPS - HANDMADE, SUPPLIES AND VINTAGE - are invited to participate by placing an announcement in your shop and joining in with promoting on the "Official" Promotional thread in the Etsy Forums. This will be a “Shopping Event” similar to a Public Marketplace. There will not be a "Overall theme" since Etsy is a Global Marketplace hence, the seasons, cultures, holidays, etc. can vary quite a bit. Although not required, we do strongly encourage shops to have a feature, theme or sale as this can pique interest and help you to draw people to your shop. You do not have to participate for the whole weekend simply join in when you can on the Promo thread in the Etsy Forums. Here is the Promo thread in the Etsy Forums: (will be posted when WSE starts) The only requirement is that you have a shop on Etsy and help promote by joining in and bumping the thread throughout the weekend. Talk about your shop and what you have to offer our shoppers. Those of you who blog or twitter can post and/or tweet about it and promote to people that are off Etsy to visit us. It will provide the Etsy community with publicity, making our shops more visible, and hopefully creating a monthly event shoppers will look forward to. If you have any questions please convo http://www.etsysupplystreetteam.etsy.com/.

Participating?

Post your shop name and any promotion you may be having in the comments!!

Black and White

Get to know......32NorthSupplies

What is your Etsy shop name? How did you come up with that name?

The name of my etsy shop is 32NorthSupplies and is a simple variation of the name of my business: 32 Degrees North. Since 1881 my family has lived in Encinitas, CA, a sleepy beach town in San Diego County, and "32 Degrees North" is the latitude of our county. It was only natural to choose a name that reflected where we come from.

What sort of crafting supplies do you sell?

I sell a wide variety of supplies: lots of scraps and die-cuts, a large selection of Dresden foils from Germany, fancy papers (metallic, doilies, paper lace), pretty millinery flowers, a handful of fancy metallic and fabric trims, blank tins in various sizes and a random mix of miscellaneous things (like molds, wooden blocks, cosmetic testers and more) that I've parted with from my own supply collection.

Favorite website(s) aside from Etsy?

Aside from etsy I like http://www.ebay.com for searching out unique vintage finds, http://www.surfline.com for checking local beach and weather reports (some great ideas come during time spent at the beach), and http://ninacamic.blogspot.com for gorgeous photography, inspiring travel tales and great writing.



Do you craft yourself? If so, what do you like to make?

Crafting and creating has always been a big part of my life. My grandmother taught me to embroider, sew and knit when I was really young and I took to it right away. In high school I found a vintage chair by the side of the road, re-upholstered it in a funky blue and white floral fabric, then made myself a matching summer dress. Nowadays, though, I'm consumed with creating vintage-inspired holiday ornaments with many of the supplies I sell, dabbling in photography and occasionally doing an oil painting.

Please tell us one thing that nobody would know about you.

I've been an avid surfer since I was a teenager. I hit the water several times a week to unwind, stay fit, collect my thoughts and just plain have fun.

What is your favorite thing to make for dinner?

My favorite dinner to prepare is fresh guacamole with spicy black beans and corn tortillas -- those California avocados are hard to refuse!

What goals do you have for your shop over the next year?

I'd like to reach a wider audience, draw in new customers who don't already know about etsy, and, of course, increase sales.

If you sell on other venues, where else can we find your items?

I also have a website dedicated to supplies: http://www.32DegreesN.com
And at my blog visitors can learn more about the supplies I offer: http://32DegreesN.blogspot.com

Get to know... NKPbeads

What is your Etsy shop name? How did you come up with that name?

NKPbeads is my Etsy Shop Name ... I initially started at Etsy with my
pottery and beads combined in one storefront (nkpdesigns), but I
quickly found that my beads were overtaking the pottery. They clearly
needed their own venue.

I kept the "nkp" which are my three initials for "Natalie Kay Pappas".
I have worked in so many mediums over the years that I wanted a
generic business name that would work with any type of product I ended
creating, so I used "Designs", then "beads". If I had to do it over, I
think I would use something with the word Pottery Bead" or "Ceramic
Bead" in it. However, this name (NKPbeads) does make it possible to
destash some of my gemstone beads and I do hope to find the time to do
some of that eventually.

What sort of crafting supplies do you sell?

I sell homemade pottery (ceramic) beads, in earthenware, stoneware,
and porcelain. These have unique textures, others are stamped, some
are made from vintage buttons that I have molded, some I sculpt into
animals like elephants or dogs. I also make small clay 'bead'
whistles and pendants.

I enjoy taking commercial (and homemade) glazes and combining them to
get an entirely new look. I also love to layer glazes on a bead to see
what will shimmer from underneath. I like to apply a certain glaze
combination on a bead and then take idea and use it on a bigger piece
of pottery, like a mug, bowl, or a vase. It's a way to experiment
small and yet have something unique, fun, and hopefully beautiful in
the end.

Favorite website(s) aside from Etsy?

My favorite website is Ceramic Arts Daily
(http://ceramicartsdaily.org/) ... so many great (and free) pottery
video tutorials on there!


Do you craft yourself? If so, what do you like to make?

I enjoy making jewelry from my beads. I paint (watercolors), as well
as sew. Oh, and I love to crochet, too.

Please tell us one thing that nobody would know about you.

I got interested in learning Koine (common) Greek when my kids were
little. I homeschooled them and needed something quiet to do. If I
crafted, then I would get so involved in that I would forget about
schooling them. I didn't want to do that, so I took non-accredited "at
home" classses from a local seminary and ended up taking 36 hours in
that particular language alone. It was so interesting and I enjoyed
learning to read the Bible in the original Greek. Does reading the
orginal Greek Bible make it theologically different than reading an
English Bible? No. However, it has been interesting to see how the
sentence structure differs and how certain things are emphasized ...
but theologically everything is the same (that's the question I'm most
asked about that, anyway).

What is your favorite thing to make for dinner?

Grilled chicken and stir fried vegetables.

What goals do you have for your shop over the next year?

My goal is to be consistently active in my shop and to offer new bead
designs weekly.

If you sell on other venues, where else can we find your items?

I currently am only selling on Etsy.

Visit NKPbeads wonderful shop here

ESST Vintage - Oldies but Goodies :)

Thanks RunsWithScissors4

August Shopping Extravaganza

The Etsy Supply Street Team - ESST - is proud to announce the "August - Weekend Shopping Extravaganza".

The August event will be Saturday, August 1st and Sunday 2nd, 2009.

Come and Join us. Post a comment and link your shop.

ALL ETSY SHOPS - HANDMADE, SUPPLIES AND VINTAGE - are invited to participate by placing an announcement in your shop and joining in with promoting on the "Official" Promotional thread in the Etsy Forums. This will be a “Shopping Event” similar to a Public Marketplace. There will not be a "Overall theme" since Etsy is a Global Marketplace hence, the seasons, cultures, holidays, etc. can vary quite a bit. Although not required, we do strongly encourage shops to have a feature, theme or sale as this can pique interest and help you to draw people to your shop. You do not have to participate for the whole weekend simply join in when you can on the Promo thread in the Etsy Forums.

Here is the Promo thread in the Etsy Forums: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6236075 The only requirement is that you have a shop on Etsy and help promote by joining in and bumping the thread throughout the weekend. Talk about your shop and what you have to offer our shoppers. Those of you who blog or twitter can post and/or tweet about it and promote to people that are off Etsy to visit us. It will provide the Etsy community with publicity, making our shops more visible, and hopefully creating a monthly event shoppers will look forward to. If you have any questions please convo http://www.etsysupplystreetteam.etsy.com/.

Activities For a Rainy Day with Small Children

by Deirdre Ryan - BlackbirdsCloset

i love rainy days. add thunder and lightening and some wind and i'm ecstatic! of course this does add some challenges when you have a 2 year active little girl/boy. having my mom being a retired para professional with kindergartners helps. here are some activities that we do:

go to michael's or ac moore and find the super marked down pre-cut wooden flat shapes. we found some that were .29 cents and .15 cents each. then small bottles of tempura paints in different colours. we found a 6 pack that was perfect and cost $4.99. the paint we then squirt out in little cups or this little crayola fingerpaint thing that we have been re-using. the great thing about tempura paint is that its washable!

we also use my paper shape punchers that i have for my business and use construction paper to cut out shapes with. then using non-toxic glue sticks with you can get super cheap at the dollar store, she can glue the shapes onto each other and larger pieces of paper. we also use the colourful circulars from the sunday papers for her to glue with too. then talk about the colour, sizes of shapes and what the cut out items are as you glue them.

make sure though that you use a newspaper on the table surface to protect things with ;) and although tempura paint is non-toxic and washable, make sure to have the little ones wear a painting smock or apron :)

reading books from the library, playing "put things away" by shape and colour and dress up. that works with boys too. i have items from my "before years" that we can play with.

then as a treat for good behavior, i let her watch some noggin :D

for the seasoned moms out there, i'm sure this is all nothing new. but perhaps someone else can use some new ideas ;)

please share and post a comment on what you do with the little ones during rainy days!

Flowers...

Let's Meet Plurfection!

Get to know Plurfection!

*What do you sell? Beads, Pendants and Findings

*What's your favorite item/line that you sell? The faceted amethyst briolettes. I wish I could keep them all.

*Give us an idea on how to use your products. They should be used to make wonderful handcrafted items.

*How did you choose your user name? from the phrase PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity and Respect)

*Street clothes or Pajamas? Street Clothes

*Biggest indulgence or guilty pleasure? Chocolate!

*Favorite food? Definitely Sushi

*Favorite craft website (not Etsy)? Pandora.com, Mycraft.com

*What is one thing that nobody would know about you.that I like having breakfast for dinner

*What are your plans/goals for 2009? To sell all of my supplies

*Where else do you sell? Other IDs, sites, local shops, etc. I have two other Etsy shops: My gemstone jewelry shop http://www.jewelicide.etsy.com/ and my bright, funky and sometimes kawaii jewelry http://allysin.etsy.com/

Greening Up Your Art/Supply Business – A Checklist

Mary Beth Beuke - WestCoastSeaGlass

You’re like many conscientious, artsy people. You care about the planet and you have a growing desire to run an ecologically responsible company. You’ve probably made a few changes but are ready to do more.

The handy checklist below was recently put together by the U.S. government to help business owners get started and I’ve included examples of how these steps can move your art supply business continuing toward your “greener” pursuit. Whether you’re managing a multi staff company or a one-person craft room, most steps can be used by all of us. If you can’t tackle all 10, consider focusing on 3 or 4 for starters. Even the baby steps make a difference.

First, let’s consider the advantages. Greening up your small business can:
• Reduce costs
• Attract customers
• Keep the environment healthier.
• Enhance productivity.
• Build a positive image.

1. Comply with environmental regulations: Each and every industry has its own set of environmental regulations. Before you start exploring ways to go green, start with the basics. Make sure your company is working in compliance with your particular industry’s regulations.

2. Develop an environmental management plan: Is your workplace and craft area energy efficient? If not, jot down an action plan, share it and model it with those around you. Post your mission (but only if you’re really doing it) on your blogs, your websites and at your art shows.

3. Buy green supplies: Your company or craft business consistently uses a few, same products on a very regular basis. Begin the process of “greening up” your supply purchases. Be patient, and spend a couple extra minutes searching for more ecological supplies. Going green is on the increase across the globe, so products are getting easier to find all the time. When shopping for everything from packaging supplies to jewelry metals to light bulbs we always seek out the most ecological products we can find first.

4. Conserve energy: My coworkers and I are coffee heads. But after 9:30am once everyone’s arrived and coffee’d up, we shut the coffee maker off – otherwise it would stay on until noon. When you leave your workroom(s), turn off printers, lights, computers, monitors (and don’t forget the speakers if they have a separate switch) whenever they aren’t being used.

5. Prevent pollution: Every person produces waste and so does every business. For example, limit postal runs to cut down on gasoline emissions. We used to make a special trip into the post office daily. Now we’ve consolidated that to just three times a week when one of our employees (who has a less polluting vehicle than mine) takes the packages to town on her way home from the studio. I did the math. With that one change, we are conserving almost 9 gallons of gasoline a month. That’s a significantly less amount of pollution!

6. Create a green marketing strategy: Use the internet and email invites more and printed flyers and mailers less. When you do print, use soy ink and recycled paper stock. Market your events and shows with others who are vending also. I belong to a group of thirteen local artists and instead of each of us putting out our own individual flyer about the same event we put out one page which features each of us.

7. Recycle wastes: Most companies already do this. Put your recycle receptacles in an easily accessible locale. I sit with a simple 9x11” sized box between my desk and the other designer’s in my studio. Anything paper that’s recycle-able goes in. And remember, nothing is too small to recycle. We cut a lot of our own jewelry display cards and even the ½” scrap margin strips are dumped into the recycle bin. Recycle packaging materials. Recycle metal scraps. Now there are companies that you can ship your scrap metals to at no charge.

8. Conserve water: Use the new gadgets that are out there like low-flow faucets in your work spaces or other hardware that can save your company money in the long run.

9. Join industry partnership and stewardship programs. Do some research on affiliating your company with organizations that donate funds or time to ecological causes. Find an organization that’s congruent with the industry or supplies you’re involved with. My ocean-related business belongs to a non-profit organization that donates thousands of dollars annually to shoreline restoration groups. This is something that your customer public would want to know about and makes for a positive marketing point for you.

10. Build green: Any time you start a new larger project from scratch, including buying equipment, furniture and storage space etc., make sure you start with greener products; lighting, printers, appliances, even shelving.

Mary Beth Beuke is collector, artist and owner of West Coast Sea Glass, a full time seaglass jewelry company in the Pacific Northwest. Her Etsy supply store is: westcoastseaglass. She works out of two studios and with a small, part-time staff of 4.