First Friday Giveaway featuring Peaches Products

UPDATE:  Winner has been announced in the comments section!  Stay tuned next month for another great giveaway!

Welcome to the March First Friday Giveaway featuring Casey from Peaches Products.  During the monthly giveaway you'll get a personal view of the shop, get to know the artist, and get a chance to win something awesome!

Meet the Artist:

RNEST: Tell us a little about yourself.  

Casey: I started felting 6 years ago this May, and I'm entirely self taught.  It's a really enjoyable medium for me, I've always been a hands on creative type so the felting suits me.  Aside from the crafting, I currently also work a full time desk job, volunteer with Braddock Bay Raptor Research, and co-organize Mayday! Underground.

RNEST: What's your favorite part of being an artist?  

Casey: I definitely get the greatest satisfaction when I'm sitting at a show and I get to see the look on someone's face when they see my work for the first time, and I tell it's making them happy.  To know that I created something which brings joy to someone else is so gratifying.  High pitched sounds and arm flails are not uncommon at my table, and bonus cool points go to any shopper who picks up a critter and dances it around, or gives a little voice like "oh look at me I'm a cute little owl!"

RNEST:  Tell us about your creations or techniques. 

Casey: The majority of my work, both felted and stuffed, features a nature theme.  Loads of owls, birds, oddball animals like kiwi, albatross, platypus, bigfoots, ninjas, robots...really anything that catches my fancy.  Sometimes I'm compelled to try to make something more realistic, like the life sized Saw Whet, sometimes I see something cute-I watch a TON of national geographic shows-or interesting, and I wonder, what does that animal look like in Peachville?  Basically, I'm making these little critters that I can visualize in my head, and putting them out in the world.

RNEST: You've been at this for a while.  Any advice for someone just starting out?  

Casey: I think the most important thing I learned, and you can see this if you go back to my earliest pages of sales on etsy (PLEASE don't...it's embarrassing at this point!) is that you need to know and understand your style.  Until I really knew what I wanted my stuff to look like, it was very basic and clunky, compared to what I'm doing now.  It will make you a better artist, because proficiency in art is about repetition and mastering your medium in a way that's true to your vision. Also, take the time to learn basic photography principles, and figure out what works for YOUR product.  I can tell you not just as an artist, but as a curator for Mayday, bad photos and hodgepodge entries ("I do some jewelry, some painting, some cards...etc") make it hard for a jury to understand what you're going for, what your booth will look like, and can give the impression that you don't know what you want to sell.

RNEST: Any coupons or promotions at your Etsy shop? 

Casey: I do! For the entire month of March, if you like Peaches Products on Facebook, you could win one of two $20 gift certificates.

RNEST: How about shows coming up? Where can we find you locally?  

Casey: I'll have a small selection of items at the March First Friday show Bugzilla, at Cat Clay studio in the Hungerford Building.  Then Mayday! Underground is May 3rd.  I have product in three shops locally as well, Soulstice Artisan market on Winton Road, and also Dichotomy and Shop Peppermint, both on Park Ave.

RNEST: So, tell us about your giveaway item.  

Casey: In honor of it being March, I'll be giving away a green owl.  Winner shall have their choice of small felted or 7" stuffed animal owl.

The Giveaway:  Winner's Choice - Small Green Felted Owl

OR

Winner's 2nd Choice - 7" stuffed owl

To enter (US and Canada Only please):

MANDATORY ENTRIES:

1. Follow this blog.

2. Stop by Peaches Products and give it a heart.  If you are already hearted Peaches Products, just say so in the comments.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

1. Like Peaches Products on Facebook.

2. Pick a favorite piece on Peaches Products and:

Like it using the Facebook button on the listing (one entry)

Tweet it using the Twitter button on the listing. (another entry)

Pin it using the Pinterest button on the listing. (yet another entry)

[List each one in the comments below separately for more chances to win]

3. Share or tweet this contest on Facebook or Twitter (do both for two entries!).

4. Like the RNEST Facebook Page.

Please post each of your entries separately in the comments below stating what you did.  The winner will be selected using a random number generator so anyone can win!  Good Luck!

Contest will run until March 17th (***extended deadline!)

Winner will be announced on this blog and on the RNEST Facebook page, so stay tuned!

Treasury Tuesday: Red Sky

Red Sky curated by SunshineOnWater, featuring FrancescaDeCaire

Created by RNEST members:

Valentine’s Day Love from Rochester NY Artisans curated by HarmonyGirlsClothing, featuring many RNEST members.

Gotta Get Some Love curated by PeachesProducts, featuring TheKnottyOwlShop

Featuring RNEST members:

Geek Love featuring CircuitBreakerLabs

Blue Heart featuring GoldhawkPotteryEtc

Creating Winter featuring JackBear

Tangerines at Night featuring HeatherBehrendtGlass

So Cool featuring KiraArts

For the Love of Yarn featuring MFcrafts

Green & Silver featuring SunshineOnWater

Share the Love featuring KarenSwimmer

Blue Hotel featuring PoetCharms

Dreaming of Spring featuring HarmonyGirlsClothing

Shaking off the Winter Chill featuring MaarvelousCreations

Shades of Blue featuring amcWax

*If you make or find a treasury featuring an RNEST member, please post the link on the wall of RNEST's Facebook Page. Check back each Tuesday for tremendous treasuries.

Make-It Mondays: Grant Update

As we posted a couple months ago, our local Etsy team received a grant from Etsy to rent space in Rochester for a month to sell handmade items from our team members and host community art events. Much hard work, grant crafting, and meeting attending was done by Jackbear Stamps and Goldhawk Pottery (you guys rock) and despite a couple road blocks we are on our way to an awesome December for our team.

Here's a look at our upcoming events. Thank you to KiraArts for designing our flyers :)

Hope you can join us! :)

Make-it Mondays: Pets (or seriously just cats) of Etsy

Hello Team! I'm back again with more feline studio assistants. These two hooligans belong to Carisa of Love and Whiskers (how apt!), along with a slew of other camera shy creatures, including two Shih-tzus, two tortoises and three lizards. Carisa, if you can get the tortoises involved somehow, next time I would love to do an expose called Teenage Mutant Crafting Turtles. Enjoy!

Critiques are best given while sitting on the product.

Pausing to choose the best words of advice...

All Etsy work needs an overnight bodygaurd...even if he sleeps on the job.

Thanks you for sending in your kit-tay shots Carisa. Keep sending me your pets as well team, to buenahelena@hotmail.com. In the coming weeks I will be back with some tutorials so stay tuned! :)

Make-It Mondays: We Made-it on Etsy!!!

The Rochester NY Etsy Street Team, has been making small waves in the community over the past two years, from newspaper articles, to TV spots and proud representation at many festivals and art markets. In recent months our team has been working on a bigger idea. We wanted to build a sense of creative community in Rochester beyond our group while making our presence known. This led to some grant writing (thanks VERY much to Sarah Goldhawk) and a plan to join forces with the Hungerford for one month.

And.....(drumroll)..... we made it happen! Here is the article on Etsy announcing August's Etsy Team Grant winners.

We are planning lots of fun including: a First Friday market, swap meet, after market, workshops and even a Halloween shindig.

GO TEAM!!!!!!

Make-it Mondays: Garbage Plate Update

The plate has been passed around yet again! For those who are thinking "Whaaaaa?": Our team has been building a handcrafted Garbage Plate for the ultimate local giveaway in the unforeseen future. It's been a year or so, but this plate's still fresh. Here's what we've got so far:

The whole shebang


The plate itself by The Quilted House


A (veggie) burger by Duncan Creative


Nasty meat sauce with beaded fat gobules by Buenahelena


Mac salad by Jack Bear Stamps


Hash browns by Peaches Products


A ferocious Red Hot by Kira Arts

Dill Pickles by Goldhawk Pottery (not pictured)

We are still in need of other items, handcrafted by you teamies! Check out the official garbage plate ingredients list and see what you might be able to make in your medium or skill area! Don't forget that we might also want some utensils to go with this and an ice cold Genny to wash it all down...(hint, hint).

Make-It Mondays: It's Baaaa-aaaack!

Yes after many months, it's back....the RNEST garbage plate. Our hope is to use our team members talents to create the ultimate handmade garbage plate, for the ultimate RNEST giveaway sometime in the future.


So far our plate includes: a plate (by the Quilted House) a veggie burger ( by Duncan Creative) onion-y, oily meat sauce (by me, Buenahelena) mac salad (by Jackbear Stamps) and hash browns (by Peaches Products).


We still need:sliced french bread, red (or white) hots, and beans. Let us know if you're down!

Make-It Mondays: New Team Page on Etsy

As many of you know, Etsy has devised a new system for representing teams on their site. Teams were searchable on generic state by state pages, but all interaction had to take place in the Etsy Forums or outside blogs and social networking sites. There are now, new and improved team pages, including one for our Rochester NY Etsy Street Team.

On these new pages Etsians can request membership or be invited directly. Team leaders can be officially nominated by team creators to moderate the page. Members are represented by their shop avatar, so folks outside of the team can immediately click their way to your shop. Members can also create discussion threads. Overall it is cleaner, prettier and easier.

For the past year our team has existed very well on our Ning site and we plan to keep the majority of discussion and updates there. Basically the Etsy page is another route for people to find out about our shops, our blog, Facebook fanpage and our Ning site. So if you were thinking "Ugh, one more site to check everyday!" have no worries. It's mostly just an official Etsy face for us. A figurehead of sorts.

Right now we also have discrepancies between established members on the Ning site and the Etsy Team page. If you're a member in one place we'd like to have you in both. So new applicants, head on over to Ning to officially apply and oldies but goodies, stop by the new team page and sign up. No crazy application required of you again though! ;)

Make-it Mondays: Studio Visit #8 Beadwork By Amanda

This week's studio visit is with a veteran seller and long time RNESTer, Amanda Preske, of Beadwork By Amanda. Amanda opened her Etsy shop in 2006 and and is an art market pro. Since then she has gone on to have her work published in a book and co-founded Mayday Underground Crafts and Art here in Rochester, NY. All while working towards a Phd!!! So how does she do it?


Buenahelena: Where do you work/where is your studio?

Beadwork By Amanda: My primary work space is the lime craft room. I also have amassed equipment that is considerably messy that is used in the basement. It is so awesome to have my own space. Previously, I lived in a one bedroom apartment so the living room and dining room became my studio. It was a terrible arrangement and bits of circuit board and beads wound up everywhere.

B: What is your medium or product?

BBA: On Etsy, my product is jewelry and accessories made with recycled circuit boards and resin. I make bracelets, necklaces, rings, cuff links and tie tacks, key chains, and dabble in other product types. I also have a second shop that focuses on resin kits and tutorials. Off Etsy, I make beaded and beadwoven jewelry, felt key chains, and magnets that I sell at shows and festivals. My studio space is also used for the random scrapbook or art projects.

B: What is the biggest challenge about your space and how have you worked through it?

BBA: The biggest challenge has been organizing the space. It’s the largest bedroom in my house, but I still struggle to find space for everything. I have divided my room into zones that are all used for specific tasks. The green counter is where I make non-resin jewelry, and the pine desk is for resin work. The small desk and black counter are for order processing and packaging, administrative stuff, and a space for anything else that doesn’t have a spot. When we were transitioning from living in the apartment to moving in, we remodeled the kitchen, so I commandeered the cabinets which offer a lot of storage for my zillions of beads and tools. The basement is where I keep the messy circuit board cutting supplies.

B: Describe a typical day at the studio.

BBA: Since I am a PhD student, there is, unfortunately, no typical day. Sometimes I’ll be in there in the early morning packing an order, or up really late doing resin. I usually spend all day Sunday cutting circuit board, photographing stuff made on Saturday, and making new beaded jewelry. I usually reserve updating my shop to weekdays when I have downtime (like when I’m waiting for a reaction to run).


B: What do you love the most about being a crafter/artist/etsy seller?

BBA: I love the fact that I have complete control over everything I do. My success is directly proportional to the amount of effort I put in. Creating comes naturally so I don’t feel like I’m being forced to do or understand something. Etsy is wonderful because I can reach customers all over the world and the cost is very low. Etsy doesn’t require an 8 hour day at a $300 booth that might result in a terrible sunburn! I also love that my space is totally mine. I’ve avoided making the whole house lime green, so my craft room is my place to go wild and put up whatever I want.

Thanks for sharing you space and process with us Amanda! You can visit Amanda's Etsy shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadworkbyamanda .Be sure to come out to the third installment of Mayday Underground on May 7, 2011 at the Main Street Armory or apply to be in the show online, here: http://maydayunderground.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/mayday-2011-here-we-come/

Make-it Mondays: Goodies For Your Blog

As Esty sellers we are aesthetically sensitive people. We've made a visual, online space to market our goods, and many of us have also created blogs, Flickr and Twitter accounts and Facebook fan pages to reflect our style and story. Here are some fun things you can add to your blog that will let readers know a little more about you, your interests and enhance the visual space of your blog.

WidgetBox: a site that offers great pre-made and custom widgets for your blog. Updates often. I added their Music Monday player widget to my personal blog, since I blog specifically on Mondays. (BTW, great music choices as well)

LinkWithin: With this application you can add a list of posts readers may also enjoy if they liked the post they are currently reading. The list will go at the end of a post with thumbnails. It's a good way to keep people reading, when they don't want to search hard.

RNEST buttons: Members did you know we have a variety of colorful buttons/badges for your sites, designed by our very own Kira of KiraArts? Grab them on our Ning Team page and spread our street team love.

The Cutest Blog On The Block: Don't know much about designing your own blog layout? This site has TONS of free ones perfect for an Etsy seller. Other great blog template sites are: shabbyblogs and hotbliggetyblog.

Make-it Mondays: Studio #6 Goldhawk Pottery Etc

I am excited to profile a very new member of RNEST this week, who is working from a newly set up studio as well. Sarah Goldhawk, of Goldhawk Pottery Etc is our first ceramicist to be interviewed here on the blog. I have a soft spot for clay work and can tell you there is nothing like drinking coffee from a nice, heavy, hand thrown mug. Make sure to visit Sarah's shop and show some love. So without further ado....

Buenahelena: Where do you work/where is your studio?

Goldhawk: My studio is primarily in the basement of my house in Hilton, NY. The kiln is now in the garage which is attached to the house. It has taken a few months to set up the studio as I received equipment in September and then the kiln was blowing fuses so I had to have some electrical work done.

B: What is your medium or product?
G: I sell functional pottery for daily home use – primarily bowls, plates, mugs, serving dishes, bonsai pots, and more. All pottery is wheel thrown and made of stoneware clay which is fired to a high temperature making it food safe, and safe for use in the microwave, oven and dishwasher.

B: What is the biggest challenge about your space and how have you worked through it?
G: My biggest challenge recently was the electricity. I was not set up in the house properly to fire the kiln so I kept blowing fuses. I had an electrician completely reconfigure the electricity panel and then he created a special outlet in the garage for my kiln. My next challenge may be that the kiln is in the garage and the studio and glazes are in the basement, so I will have to go up and down stairs to transport the pots that need to be fired.


B: Describe a typical day at the studio.

G: I have not had a typical day yet, but here’s how it should go. I would definitely start my day checking email and Facebook (and I hope to start a blog soon), and then throw pots on the wheel. I’d then clean the wheel and trim pots made yesterday or the day before. If I have pots that are bisque-fired already, I might glaze them in the afternoon. If I am firing the kiln, I would likely set up the kiln in the evening and then turn it on first thing the next morning as it will take anywhere from 8-12 hours to fire and it needs to be monitored frequently.

B: What do you love the most about being a crafter/artist/etsy seller?

G: I love the continuous change and surprise of pottery – opening the kiln after each firing is always fun! I love being independent and making my own decisions. I have been laid off twice over the past two years from working in the non-profit education world in Washington, DC. I had wanted to start my own business a long time ago and this triggered it. I am so grateful to Etsy for making it easy for me to launch my shop and the wonderful tools they offer to keep me on the cutting edge for online selling. I sold primarily to friends and family in my early Etsy days but now I’m reaching a wider audience. I could not have done that without Etsy.


Thank you for sharing you studio and process Sarah! If you would like to have your RNEST studio profiled on the blog check out the details here.

Make-it Mondays: Studio #5 Turtlefly

Here is another sneak peak into the creative habits our street team members. This week's studio visit is with a member I just met at this month's meeting, Jennie Fox of Turtlefly. Be sure to visit her shop and check out the super cute turkey bibs she has designed for Thanksgiving :) Thanks, Jennie!

Buenahelena: Where do you work/where is your studio?

Turtlefly: My studio is in the attic of my home in West Irondequoit.


B: What is your medium or product?

T: Mostly I create clothing and accessories for women and children as well as
home accessories such as pillows, quilts and table runners. All items are
created using new, repurposed and scrap fabrics.

B: What is the biggest challenge about your space and how have you worked
through it?

T: The biggest challenge for me is that I have allowed some space for my
children to play up there too. If this was not the case it would be great to
have an area dedicated to displaying some of the work. I love being in the
attic because it is like working in a tree house and very bright no matter
what the weather is. I used to have a basement studio and that was not a
very enjoyable space! The only perk to a basement studio is the ability to
bring people in for open house or fittings without having to go through my
whole house to get there.


B: Describe a typical day at the studio.

T: A typical day in my studio is usually made up of a few shifts whenever the
kids allow me to work. If I can engage my daughter in an activity or if the
baby takes a nap, I get more done. It is very hard to spend any length of
time in there. Usually I will set up all the parts of a project and work in
an assembly line manner. I like to get things all cut and ready to sew
during the day. The sewing gets done on the weekends or in the evening when
my husband is home. There is always music playing in the studio, the type of
music is usually influenced by the project at hand.

B: What do you love the most about being a crafter/artist/etsy seller?

T: The thing I love most about being an artist/crafter/etsy seller is that I am
doing what I enjoy first and foremost, but I am also doing what I went to
school for which isn't always possible. I think that I love being at shows
the most because I think that the work I do is appreciated so much more when
people can touch it and see it up close. Etsy is great though because you
can reach so many more people and your work can go all over the world!

Make-it Mondays: Studio #4 Kelley's Beading

This particular blog has been enjoyed so much, let's just keep em' coming! This week's studio visit and interview is with Kelley Allen, the creative force behind Kelley's Beading. Kelley makes beautiful lampwork beads. For those of you who don't know, "Lampworking is a type of glasswork that uses a gas fueled torch to melt rods and tubes of clear and colored glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements. It is also known as flameworking or torchworking, as the modern practice no longer uses oil-fueled lamps."(thank you wikipedia!)

Enjoy!

Buenahelena: Where do you work/where is your studio?

Kelley: My lampworking happens under a hood in the shed. I've been experimenting with silver-laden glass that releases fumes when it's reduced and inhaling that would be dangerous. Jewelry design and beading happens in the living room. I like to be surrounded by activity when I create, so a lot of my work is done in the evening when my family is around.

B: What is your medium or product?

K: I make lampworked glass beads and jewelry.

B: What is the biggest challenge about your space and how have you worked through it?

K: Honestly, my biggest challenge has been a lack of good lighting. New York is surprisingly gloomy-- especially in the fall--and working in the evenings, well, forget it. I have a sun lamp I use when choosing glass and bead colors (Blue Max; highly recommend them!) and I just got a tiny portable light I use when working in the evening with seed beads.

B: Describe a typical day at the studio.

K: On the days I get to lampwork (which still don't come often enough), I get coffee, then turn the kiln on to ramp up while I choose which colors/what type of glass I want to work with. I clean each glass rod with rubbing alcohol and pull whatever stringers I think I'll be using. By then the kiln is up to temperature, so I start winding beads and let the day carry me where it will.

B: What do you love the most about being a crafter/artist/etsy seller?

K: I love the independence. Being a crafter/artist/Etsy seller allows me to access many different talents and skills: I can be alone creating art; I can spend a weekend out with the public at a show; I can meet fellow jewelry lovers in a class; I can be a part of a wonderful community of artists/crafts people/business owners on-line and in person; and I can push the necessary paperwork in my pajamas, What more could I want?

Not much! Thank you Kelley for sharing your process with us. You can see more of Kelley's work at her Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kelleysbeading

Make-it Mondays: Make Waves

Our team members are out there making waves again in Rochester!

Amanda of Beadwork by Amanda was profiled by the Rochester Examiner here.

MAYDAY Underground Crafts + Art Luau (created by Amanda and Casey of Peaches Products) will take place this Saturday May 6th and feature several RNEST team members. Check out the fun things they have planned!

Kristen of Gock's Frocks showcased her designs at Rochester Fashion Week at Four Walls Gallery, here.

Beth of Moonblossom Signworks has founded a new Art Co-op with three friends in the old E.P. Reed Shoe Factory. Their premiere show, Boots and Shoes: Variations on a Theme Opens this Friday, November 5th. See the article here.



Team members Michelle of Beauty in the Eye and myself, Buenahelena will have work featured in that show as well.

Did I forget something awesome that you did RNESTer?
Let me know and it will be added :)

Make-it Mondays: Studio #3 Jackbear Stamps

Here again is another sneak peek into the creative world of street team members. This week's studio visit and interview is with John Ballou, writer of our Friday Jack's Pick blog, stamp maker extraordinaire and the caretaker of our Facebook fan page and Ning site. (If you missed the first 2 studio visits, check them out here and here. Enjoy!


Buenahelena: Where do you work/where is your studio?

Jackbear: My “craft room” is in the basement of my house. I live in the city limits of Rochester in a home built in the late 1930’s. Luckily half of the basement was finished when we purchased it, and has carpeting, drywall, and drop ceiling. It stays cool in the summer, and there is electric baseboard heat I can control in the basement in the winter. It's mostly furnished from old household cabinets, desks, chairs, and other organizer cast offs from other parts of the home. It’s not fancy, but it serves its purpose.

B: What is your medium or product?

J: I hand carve rubber stamps. I carve them from a vinyl type rubber.

B: What is the biggest challenge about your space and how have you worked through it?

J: I think being a little cold until the heat gets up to temperature is challenging in the winter. It’s fairly quiet down there most of the time though, so distractions are minimal. Probably just keeping it tidy is my hardest job. I’m not the best at putting away items right away. I obviously cleaned it before these pictures were taken! The light is dim also, but a desk lamp helps that.

B: Describe a typical day at the studio?

J: Well, no day is really typical since this isn’t my full time profession. Mostly I work evenings and weekends in the “studio.” I usually sit down and transfer work onto the carving medium, and I try to do a lot of that all at once since it is kind of smelly, and applications take a few minutes to dry, so it is easier to do a bunch all at once. Then I let that dry overnight. Then I carve, and again I try to get a few done in one sitting. Then I have to do test prints, then packaging. If I’m making something else, like ATCs/ACEOs, then I try to clear out some room to lay prints out to dry. My cat usually interrupts at various points in the process.

B: What do you love the most about being a crafter/artist/etsy seller?

J:CREATIVITY! I can take nothing, and make it something. Isn’t that what we all love? Then, if you can take that creation, and get someone else to like it enough to buy it off you… well that is icing on the cake! When I carve a stamp, I am looking at it all backwards when I’m carving. When I ink up a stamp, turn it over, and press it on paper, that moment when you reveal this image that you created, it is like magic every time.

Thank you for sharing your space with us John!! Visit his blog and Etsy store below:

Jackbear Stamps - http://www.etsy.com/shop/jackbear

John's blog - http://jackbearstamps.blogspot.com/

Make-it Mondays: Studio #2 The Quilted House

I am always curious to see where and how our team members are making their lovely creations. So let's find out! This week's studio visit and interview is with the fabulous Michelle Wescott, creator of The Quilted House and the weekly author of RNEST's Wednesday Wellspring blog. If you missed the first studio visit, check it out here.


Buenahelena: Where do you work/where is your studio?

The Quilted House: I work in a wonderful room that I designed and decorated myself. It is the largest room in the house (because I have the most stuff!). The room proper serves as my studio. The smaller closet houses my fabric stash and some other supplies. The second, walk-in closet I've converted into an office. My studio is truly my favorite room in the house!

B:What is your medium or product?

TQH: I quilt.

B: What is the biggest challenge about your space and how have you worked through it?

TQH: I really don't have any challenges in this space. I've had several studios since beginning my life as a crafter and stuggled with basement spaces that had too little light and too much mildew, attic spaces that were too cold, bedroom spaces that shared space with other activities, and living room corners where I couldn't leave my work out. So, when we were house shopping, I looked at every house with an eye for where I could have a really awesome studio. I love the amount of light I get in this room. I painted the walls lemon and lime as a backdrop for the fun art I've hung to inspire me - and I painted my desk (which I've had since I was 10) a beautiful orange - my three favorite colors and the "trademark" colors of The Quilted House: yellow, orange, and green. I guess if I had to pick one challenge it would be that I'm running out of wall space to hang fun things.


B: Describe a typical day at the studio.

TQH: A typical weekday after work or weekend in the studio consists of me working on new designs, creating patterns and instructions for something new, sifting through my fabric stash for just the right combination of fabrics, and sewing, sewing, sewing. I listen to audio books while I work - usually romantic suspense or mysteries - and am occasionally visited by my three cats - one of whom likes to stand on the presser foot of my machine and help me sew (especially when I'm not ready to sew!) Sometimes I just sit in the studio and flip through quilting books and magazines for inspiration. And I spend more time than I'd like on the computer managing The Quilted House. Pretty much every second that I spend in my studio I count my blessings because I am truly living my dream!

B: What do you love the most about being a crafter/artist/etsy seller?

TQH: There's really nothing that I love more than making something amazing that I thought of, designed, picked the fabrics and threads for, and then created with my own two hands and my beloved sewing machine. I also love packaging my treasures up to send them to their new homes. It's so fun to wrap them up in tissue paper and ribbons and write a little note for the buyer. I like to think about the joy the recipient will get when they open their mail that day.


Thank you for sharing your space with us Michelle!! Visit her blog and Etsy store below:

The Quilted House - www.thequiltedhouse.etsy.com

While the Cat's Away - www.wescott531.blogspot.com

Make-it Mondays: Studio #1 KiraArts

For awhile Make-it Mondays has included tutorials, business tips and creativity starters. Starting today that list will also include a peek into the creative process and studios of our rochester ny etsy street team members. Up first is the lovely Kira Sinclair of KiraArts.


Buenahelena: Where do you work or where is your studio?

Kira: My "studio" is in the smallest bedroom of my 100 year old, 4 bedroom house in the itty bitty country town of Lyndonville NY (an hour northwest of Rochester). The space has been ever-changing and evolving ever since my husband and I moved into the house last August. I knew the day we first looked at the house that the small, pink-wallpapered room would be my craft space.

B: What is your medium or product of choice?

K: I make plush monsters and other creatures out of recycled socks, sweaters, store bought fleece remnants, and pretty much any fabric I can get my hands on. I also make other little doodads like crochet flower and butterfly pins, dog and cat toys, and bottlecap magnets.


B: What is the biggest challenge about your space and how have you worked through it?

K: I have TOO MUCH STUFF and not enough room for it all! But isn't that everyone's problem? A major problem with working with recycled materials is that you never want to throw ANYTHING away! A way I've worked through it is that I had my husband put up shelves made from old bi-fold closet doors. I also use Rubbermaid totes to store some of my fabric. Some of my monsters awaiting their new homes get to hang on clotheslines I've nailed to the walls, while others wait in totes. But even with the extra shelving, it's still a challenge to keep everything neat and organized, since I'm a bit of a "Renaissance Crafter", and I have a lot more craft supplies other than the ones I use for plush-making (I enjoy scrapbooking and painting as well).

B: Describe a typical day at the studio.

K: There really is no "typical" day, but I'm finding lately that I'll design a few creatures at night, cut the fabric, then go to bed. Then the next day, after I've tackled the housework, fiddled around on the computer, and had some lunch, I'll spend the afternoon sewing, stuffing, and bringing the creatures to life. When I'm sewing I'll usually watch a movie or TV series on DVD or my iPod. Some of my favorites are "Coraline", "Fraggle Rock", "The Muppet Show" and "Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends". Most of the time, I'll save finishing touches that need to be hand-sewn for in the evening after dinner, when my husband and I are sitting watching TV together. When I finish a monster, I'll lob it at my hubby so he can see it and give his seal of approval. Other times I'll bring a bag of monsters that need hand sewing to church and sew there while I listen (it helps me pay attention better when my hands are busy).


B: What do you love the most about being a crafter/artist/etsy seller?

K: I love creating. And I love creating colorful, quirky, cuddly things that make children AND adults smile. I originally started making plush monsters out of socks for fun. The fact that people are willing to buy them from me is a bonus!

Thank you for sharing your space with us Kira!! Visit her blog and Etsy store below:
http://kirascraftylife.blogspot.com
http://kiraarts.etsy.com

If you are interested in having you studio profiled visit our team site and get more info at this forum.

Make-it Mondays: What RNEST is Making for Fall

It's fall again. Well not technically, but as soon the leaves start turning and the sky turns gun powder gray it may as well be. Even if you don't like the coming chill, be happy that fall kicks off the highest selling season on Etsy. Start thinking fall colors, warm scarves, spiced scents and holiday themed items. Here are some great fall finds from our street team:

PeachesProducts


TheQuiltedHouse


InkyStarShop


GocksFrocks


MFCrafts

DuncanCreative