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

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.)

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.