Much of the northern hemisphere has been melting this summer. I won’t get into the “Global Warming” debate but here in the USA it has been darn hot. Zibbet is headquartered in Australia where it’s winter and where I wish to be!
In an attempt to cool off mentally, here are some Zibbet sellers and their wonderful summer treats.

Aren’t these a feast for your feet from RealMcCoy?

And if you want be more airy, try this from RaigeCreations.

Your neck will be cool with a lovely necklace made from these found at FireSpirit Beads and Supplies?

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And on your wrist a stunner from Olive and Gold.

Let’s not forget having our home feel cool as well. Hang this wonderful piece from Art Prints. Sure to bring a smile to your face!

Need a gift for a special lady? The sun from 3FineDesign.

And at the end of a long day, these will be a relaxing style from MimiandCollette.

During the dog days of August about to descend upon us, stay cool and think Zibbet!

Slide Photo courtesy of Portable Graffiti

Part II by Contributing columnist Rebecca aka Raige Creations

Slide photo courtesy of All About The Buttons

Normally I am the type who embraces summer with no thoughts of the winter, cold, snow, or holiday shopping. Christmas is the last thing on my mind. I usually don’t even think of buying Christmas gifts until after Thanksgiving. Even then it is just a ’something I should think about doing soon’ sort of thought. Before I know it, Christmas is 2 weeks away and I NEED to start shopping. Those days are full of grasping, arguing about what to get, and quick! Needless to say, stress and desperation are the feelings that prevail until December 26th. Inevitably, I end up with generic, meaningless gifts that are relegated to the ‘donate’ bag by Easter. Year after year, I make a vow not to repeat these actions again. Yet while soaking up the sun and wasting away the lazy days of summer, I came to the realization that I was on the path to make the same mistake again this year. The rays of the sun and the sounds of nature reassured me there was still plenty of time. But then there was talk of Christmas in July by retailers. “Christmas? Now?” I thought. “Too soon!”, the sun tried to convince me. But after some contemplation, maybe this wasn’t a bad idea. Perhaps, just perhaps, the seasonal spell which had seemingly been cast, had falsely assured this weather would last. Logic crept in and started eating away at my summer fantasies. Not willing to completely surrender to reality, I managed to make my way to the house for the laptop to casually surf the web as I returned to worship the sun.

I found that Christmas in July celebrations can be traced back to 1933 in North Carolina. It didn’t take long after for the retail world to take advantage of this marketing opportunity in a time of generally slow sales. The first mention of Christmas in July in advertising was back in 1950, specifically “It’s Christmas in July at Browning King” (advertisement), The New York Times, July 20, 1950, p. 16. (Thank you Wikipedia) Since then, various retailers have used this campaign to stimulate sales, and the community of Handmade sellers are no different.

Sellers of Handmade and vintage items through most venues have completely embraced this tool, and you will be happy to find wonderful deals on all kinds of treasures. Off one wave, onto another as I surf some of my favorite sites and found a few unexpected discoveries.

To get in the Christmas spirit, perhaps some Nostalgic Victorian Childrens Christmas Gift Tags, by Southern Ladys Vintage. Gift tags are one of the things which we all need but never remember to buy until the last minute – or is that just me?

Let’s not forget the necessities for entertaining family and friends that is usually ’slim pickings’ in the weeks before Christmas. Green plastic plates usually adorn my table by default as festive serving dishes are always a last minute thought. But not this year. Resetar Glass Art Studio has a great solution, a White Christmas Tree Fused Glass Plate. Perfect for the hors d’oeuvres to go with the wine or the pastries and eggnog.
Speaking of wine, it would be nice to have an accessory to go with that too. These Wine Sock Bags by Catfluff, are also on sale for Christmas in July. The beauty of these is they can be used all fall, winter, or whenever, or even make great gifts for someone on your list.
Gift giving is a part of Christmas that we should look forward to, but for some, the mass produced commercial bombardment of options have left us dreading the shopping experience. For me, it has been particularly discouraging as I normally scramble to find something at the last minute at the nearest Super Center that the recipient would even want. I have discovered the Christmas in July sales provide the means to shop without the normal stressors of shopping in December. I can casually browse online and buy beautiful, handmade items made with care and full of meaning, without the crowded lines, the inevitble panic and grasping – and get a great deal!
I like to give gifts with significance to an individual that can be used year round. This Herb Gardening Planter, by AndrewsReclaimed on Etsy, is perfect for those people that love fresh herbs. Just pick up this set (BOGO sale!), either plant their favorite herbs or include a few packs of seeds, and it’s a gift that gives well past Christmas. That’s 2 gifts done in a single purchase.

What about those that are difficult to buy for? Yes, I know we all have them on our list, and it is particularly difficult because you have to get something for each one. This solution may be just the thing. A Catchall for all the little things they bring home and throw on the nearest table, or placed somewhere and forget where it was. Now they can can have a dedicated spot for such necessities or eccentricities. One can hope to achieve organization. A few family members of the male gender come to mind and would certainly benefit from more than one of these. Feltplanet is offering these great organizers in many colors and sizes of for any style and taste.

Rounding out the list are those teens who want everything new and trendy and cool. Those that fall into that category on our lists by far cause the most stress at Christmastime, not to mention the rest of the year. But a small token to let them know we ‘get it’ is usually appreciated. This Goth Rock Chic Skellington Cell Phone Charm, by itsmythingdesigns on Zibbet, might do the trick.
So now that I fully embrace Christmas in July and buying Handmade and Vintage, I encourage you to do the same. These are just a few examples of the variety and abundance of unique items that I stumbled upon browsing the Christmas in July Sales. Imagine what you you will be able to find. Rest assured, it will be a holiday season without the stress of frantic shopping! This year I am actually looking forward to wrapping meaningful, one of a kind gifts for those special people on my list. I never thought summer would include such pleasant thoughts of Christmas. This is definitely going to become part of my summer routine. And remember the sunscreen!

Don’t forget to check out Nikkie’s Part I on Christmas In July specials, artfire studios,Zibbet and Etsy spotlights for more great shops that may be having special summer promotions.

Edited by Barbra aka: All About The Buttons

By Contributing Columnist Jay aka HaffinaCreations

I am a Polymer Clay artist, and one of the best things for me about being involved with Polymer Clay are all the other ‘Smooshers’. One of my absolute favourites happens to be the Guildmaster of the Polymer Clay Smooshers on ArtFire, and one of my best friends. It gives me much pleasure to introduce you to Coltpixy aka Star.

What will people find when they drop into your studio/store? What types of items do you sell?
Small sculptures, scale miniatures and some jewelry and accessories.

How did you come up with your studio/ shop’s name?
I love and collect fairies. I have 100’s of them ranging from sculptures to paintings to just about anything. Magnets, a zippo lighter, pretty much anything. Many are handmade, some are not. A ColtPixy is a mischievous fairy.

How long have you been selling online?
I’ve been on ArtFire since 2008.

What lead you to join ArtFire?
I learned about ArtFire from an ad they had on a blog I read. I did not join it immediately. It was very new and I didn’t like the way it looked but I thought it had promise so kept an eye on it. I saw them make changes based on the sellers input. The staff were friendly and approachable. I joined and have been very
happy there.

What is your favourite feature on the site?
I like how buyers do not have to register on ArtFire to buy. I love that the studios are customizable so that they reflect the individual sellers. There are lots of great tools.

What tips/advice would you give to others considering joining the site?
Read the Help guides. There are many available giving step by step advice along with screen shots to help you learn not only how to use ArtFire but how to use SEO and even payment processors, various networking sites, etc. ArtFire wants you to be successful and not just on their site but everywhere.

How do you want people who visit your studio/shop to feel, what mood are you attempting to create?
A sense of playfulness. I really hope that my shop and the things that I create make people smile.

What types of things do you do to try and create that feel/mood?
Everything from my colorful banner and avatar to the items that I make.

What is your favourite tool or material to use at the moment?
I have worked in many different mediums over the years. Right now my favorite is polymer clay. The possibilities of what can be done with it are endless.

Are there any skills or techniques that you would like to learn, or materials that you would like to work with, aside from what you already do?
I would very much like to play with precious metal clay.

Are you still selling the same kind of items as when you started selling, or has it changed with time?
It has changed quite a bit over time. My first job was as a teenager designing and painting murals and huge signs for a big real estate company in Texas. The man who owned the company saw some of my pieces
that my high school art teacher had entered in a gallery show and liked my work.

Which part of being an online seller do you find the most challenging, and what do you do to deal with that?
Time management. I live in a rural area where the only internet option is dial-up. For me the most challenging thing is having time to do everything I need to do online and still have time to create, take care of family and other offline responsibilities. No matter where you sell online or offline people cannot buy from you if they do not know who you are so I have to schedule time to network and promote at various sites online.

How do you balance your online and offline life?
I can’t stand to sit for very long so I go back and forth from online to offline. I am blessed to have wonderful people in my life both online and offline. They are all very important to me.

What kind of supplies do you always seem to buy, even if you do not really need them?
I don’t think I understand the question. I really need all of them from every medium.

Drop into ColtPixy on ArtFire and see her fantastic Polymer Clay creations, you will not regret it.



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Written by columnist Linda aka LindaGJ
Photo courtesy of Texas Eagle

I’m sure most of you remember making sand castles at the beach when you were young. I sure do, yet my favorite was dripping the wet sand over and over again until it made a huge lumpy mound.

A couple of weeks ago, a couple of friends and I drove to Galveston,TX to see a sand castle contest event taking place. With the crowd, and the long line to the shuttle buses, I admit, I did not see these sand castles, until the very end of the day, but it was well worth the effort. I was able to capture some delightful photos to share with yall!

“You really don’t know what the teams are going to do. I kinda have an inside track because I get to see the spreadsheet of all the categories the the teams are signing in at – most hilarious, most lifelike, or something like that – but when you go out there and see what they’ve sculpted out on the beach, it’s amazing how tall they can sculpt the sand” Rudy Del Bosque (Sand Castle Committee Chairman)

For over 20 years in the first part of June, Houston area architects, designers, engineers, and contractors take their tools to the East Beach in Galveston for what is considered one of the world’s largest sandcastle competitions. AIA is the American Institute of Architects who sponsor this annual contest where 60 teams, along with their shovels, buckets, and a beach load of sand and water, aim to win the prestigious “Golden Bucket” award! There is even a kid zone where children can try their hand at building their very own sand castle.

In this 24th contest, teams begin months in advance generating ideas, developing designs, and assigning duties. On the very date of the event, the teams stretch along the beach sculpting their sand piles and working non stop for ONLY 5 hours!

The judging of the sand castles is rated on originality of concept, artistic execution of the concept, technical difficulty, carving technique, and utilization of the site. In addition to the Golden Bucket award, awards are also given 8 different themed categories, as well as for the best team T-shirt design, best signage, best costume, and public favorite, but I was strictly looking for a good aim for a photo of a castle and rushed through the less than 60 sand castles.

In addition to fun in the sun, the competition also has a “green” side to it, requiring teams to recycle plastic and aluminum at their sites at the end of the of the event, and also they were not allowed to use generators to pump water to the sand castle construction site. Instead, the rules encourage teams to be creative and find alternate methods of carrying water between the surf and their sites, including-but not limited to-wind power, solar power, the tides and good old fashioned human power.

In the slideshow, you are about to see some of the sand castles. Of course I’ve seen more amazing ones, but I think these amateurs did fairly well, in only 5 hours and all of them are at least a lot of fun to look at!

Enjoy!!! And remember creativity comes in all forms, sometimes for sale, sometimes not. If you do sell your work don’t forget to prepare your shop when you go on vacation. Helpful hints may be found here.

Edited by Barbra aka: All About The Buttons

Photos and article by Columnist Deanne of DeannePace

Our family (me, my husband and five dogs) took to the road this spring for a really long camping trip. Although my husband had wanted to take this trip for several years, his job and other things had gotten in the way. But this spring, the sun and moon and stars aligned in such a way that we were finally able to take his longed-for trek Out West. Now, I love a road trip as much as anyone, maybe more, but I was hesitant to be separated from my work and tools for an extended period of time. If you are like me, you can get a tiny bit crabby if don’t create every few days. But, my super sweet husband bought me a Stanley Fat Max rolling tool chest that held just about everything I needed – so off we went!

I didn’t really expect to have the time or opportunity to make many pieces – and I was right. But I felt better just having my tools and supplies with me. As it turned out, the time and opportunity to create something fun presented itself within our first week on the road and in a way I hadn’t expected.

As we traveled through the Ozarks in Arkansas, we happened upon the most idyllic place to camp, called Byrd’s Adventure Center. It was early in May and we were weeks ahead of tourist season, so we had the place pretty much to ourselves. Now, that is the way to camp! And we were so grateful that they would allow our five furry kids. After my husband checked us in, he came back regaling me with stories about the resident dogs: Skip, the dog in charge, and Blackie, who had apparently been abandoned there. (Don’t feel too sorry for Blackie – this is a place any dog, heck, any person, would be glad to be abandoned.)

Skip is the owner’s little dog and is obviously the apple of his mother’s eye, in addition to being top dog in charge. After meeting them, I just felt inspired to create something to honor their special bond. So, I rolled out the Fat Max, took out my tools and got to work at a nearby picnic table. The piece I created was a little sterling bone-shaped pendant, stamped with Skip’s name, accented with a tiny cream pearl and hung on a dog-tag type chain. I wrapped the necklace in my signature box and ribbon and waited for the right time to present it; I’m always uncomfortable watching someone open my gift, especially something I made!

When Mrs. Byrd came by our campsite, I gave her the gift, told her it was something for her and Skip and insisted she open it a later time. I didn’t see her again before we headed out, but my husband stopped by the office and told me she was wearing the necklace and said she really liked it! I was so pleased.

It was fun and gratifying to make something with no strings or expectations attached. I didn’t have to price it, photograph it, describe it, or post it anywhere. I also got reacquainted with some little-used tools and experimented with some new techniques, like fusing.

I had to leave behind my beloved and much-used bench grinder (too big), which gave me the opportunity to brush up on hand filing (yikes!). Soldering was not feasible since I also had to leave my pickle pot behind (too dangerous). This gave me the opportunity to experiment with fusing fine silver. I think I need to take a class! But, I finally produced a fused heart pendant that stayed together! I was also able to use my favorite cold connection technique – riveting!

It was just so liberating to realize that I could complete a project on the road, outside the conveniences of my studio. Kind of like artists who paint en plein air – I was metalsmithing en plein air – and it felt good!

edited by Barbra aka: AllAboutTheButtons

By contributing columnist Konnie aka Konnie Kappow
Although they have taken me a bit longer to get through than I had anticipated I’m really enjoying my interviews with male sellers on UK Craft marketplace Folksy!

Following my interview with Tree Gems, it was a pleasure indeed to interview Dan Stanley of Fluffy Thoughts.
Dan is a graphic designer/ illustrator and has been selling illustrated products for the last year. His company is called ‘Fluffy Thoughts’ and so far he has made greeting cards, badges, t-shirts and pendants as well as some prints.

I had definitely noticed Dan’s designs on Folksy before because they’re really cute and quirky and I liked his sense of humour!

Name: Dan Stanley
Age: 25
From: London
Favourite colour: Green
Favourite animal: Manatee
Favourite band: AFI
Favourite movie: Princess Mononoke
Favourite book: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

How did you learn your craft?
I studied Graphic Design, but I have just been doodling random things since I was a kid.

Your eureka moment – tell us about your favourite thing you have ever made?
My favourite thing is probably my ‘crazy head t-shirt’ it’s full of bright coloured creatures pouring out of someone’s head.

Is crafting what you do full time or do you have a Clark Kent style alter-ego?
One day I hopefully will own a shop and be selling all my illustrated products, but for now I work in an office as a designer as well as freelancing too.

Where do you do your crafting?
Just at home, in the evenings and on weekends with a big mug of tea and a variety of biscuits.

What/ Who are your inspirations?
I have a big fascination with Japanese art and culture, I also love all the art toys that are popular at the moment and their illustrators, especially Tado, Bubi Au Yeung, Tara Mcpherson and Amanda Visell.

Tell us why you think there are far more female than male crafters?
Perhaps it goes back to when we were children, while the girls were making things inside, the boys were breaking things outside…

Tell us something suprising about yourself (non craft related)?
I have very bendy thumbs.

What’s the manliest thing you make?
My Muffinator character, grr.

What’s the least manly thing you make?
Everything else..

What would you say to encourage more men to craft?
It’s fun and let’s you unleash your creativity.

To find out more about Dan and Fluffy thoughts click on these links:
Folksy Shop
Website
Twitter
Facebook

Photograph courtesy of both the show participant and the banner maker who is www.promopixie.artfire.com. The craft show participant is: www.callunacreationsllc.artfire.com

By contributing columnist Donna Knox of GlassandWireGems

It’s that time of year where summer craft shows are popping up all over. Some are attached to special area events and others are stand alone events. When you are thinking about participating in one there is a lot to consider. Participating in a craft show involves a lot of hard work. So where do you begin? This is a tale of two craft shows run on two consecutive weekends about two hours drive from each other. Both of these shows were stand-alone events not connected to any holiday activities. I’ll be telling this tale as though I was the vendor. In reality, this is the tale of several friends who have participated in recent craft shows.

Upon arriving at the site for the first show, I started setting up my tables. I don’t have a tent but in this instance my spot was under several trees and the weather wasn’t too hot. My tables are set in a U-shape so that people can walk in and look at everything on all of the tables and ask questions if they have any. Holly from Royal Designs (ArtFire and Etsy) said, “I think once people are into your ‘shop’ they are more apt to stay and look. And buy.” As we all know, getting people into your shop is always the first step.

The foot traffic at this show wasn’t as good as I had expected. It was a beautiful day so weather wasn’t a factor. I was wondering why things were so slow when a lady stopped to look at my jewelry and mentioned that she didn’t even know that there was a show. She lives across from the park and noticed the tents and people and came over to see what was going on. After hearing that, I knew why things weren’t going as well as I had hoped.

The second show was a week later. The weather was hot and my spot didn’t have any shade. What a difference. I will certainly have a tent for future shows. One crafter I talked with not only had a tent but also had fans that she would turn on to encourage people to come in, shop and cool off. What a great idea! My morning sales were great. The afternoon sales during the hottest period were slow because there was little foot traffic. I sold a lot more at this show because there was more traffic even though there were slow hours during the heat of the day.

I learned a lot from these back-to-back experiences. Here are some things to consider when you’re thinking about signing up for a craft show.

The first show was the more expensive of the two and cost over $200 for registration alone. The show had been ongoing for several years and because of that the crafters assumed it would be well attended and they would do well or even better than they had in prior years. They also felt that people would return because of its history. This turned out to be not true. The show’s promoter did not do a good job of getting the word out about the show. There were even people in the immediate neighborhood that didn’t know about the show and only showed up because they saw the tents that day.

Promotion for the second show was much, much better. It had been ongoing for several years as well so that wasn’t an issue. Having flyers available, ads in various papers, etc. all helped to get the word out that this show was occurring. One of the things that you need to do is to check out the show’s promoter before you sign up to make sure that you’re getting what has been advertised. You might also want to check around the area to make sure that it is happening.

Another consideration is that registration fee. When you spend $200 for registration, you want to have, at minimum, twice that amount in sales to break even and triple the amount to make a profit. I didn’t at the first one. Getting ready for a show is a lot of work. There’s time spent in creating items for the show. There’s time spent setting up and tearing down for the show. Then you spend a lot of time at the show itself. Try to find others who have participated in previous years and see how they did. In my case, the registration fee for the second show was much lower and I did quite well at it.

Another consideration is the number of crafters with similar items. If you’re a jewelry vendor at a show where there are 50 vendors and ten or more of them are jewelry vendors, you’re not going to do well unless you have something really, really unique. If there’s a way to check this aspect out, do it. It will help you decide if this is a show that you should participate in. The vendor ratio was about the same in both of these shows and it was higher than I would have liked but was more evident in the show that had less foot traffic. Here too promotion plays a factor because it brings in more foot traffic and, if more people are going through the show, the number of competitive vendors isn’t as big of an issue.

For me it was like night and day between the two shows as far as the business part goes. My sales were so much better at the second show. For the most part, the vendors I met and the people that came to shop were great at both shows. I’m sure that I’ll see several of them at other shows and next year. A number of people took my business cards and I’m hoping that they’ll shop on line as well. I know that I’ll be more aware of who is promoting the show and checking out how they’re doing it.

I’d like to encourage you to try a couple of craft shows. They can be enriching and fun even with all of the hard work. Many towns offer Chamber of Commerce juried shows which are less costly. These can be very good. My experience has lead me to believe that the less expensive shows are better for me because I don’t have to sell as much to break even and come away feeling better about the process. Check them out and see what works for you. After all, once the summer shows are over, there are always the holiday shows to look forward to and, for the most part, you don’t need a tent for those!

By contributing columnist Konnie aka Konnie Kappow

Part three of my Crafty Men series is an interview with the man behind Folksy shop Tree Gems. A true craftsman and thoroughly nice chap; I loved reading his answers to my questions and I hope you will too!

Name: Stewart Would (Tree Gems on Folksy)
Age: Mature
From: near Hornsea in Holderness, East Riding of Yorkshire
Favourite movie: Probably West Side Story
Favourite book: I have a massive collection of books but most are non-fiction.

…..Honestly, nothing springs immediately to mind for [favourite colour, animal or band]. The fact that I had to rack my brains for five minutes suggests that any answer here would have been artificial. Am I unusual? My music collection centres around the blues, but ranges through almost all genres but I don’t know much about Acid House or Grunge!!

How did you learn your craft?

I’m sure I took an interest as a child, when my dad was working with wood around the house doing what was later called DIY. I enjoyed woodwork at senior school and did well at GCE level (No ‘S’ in those days), winning the year prize for the subject. It was when I retired from a mainly desk-bound job that I set up my wood workshop. Books, magazines and websites have been my main source of learning; those, plus actually having a go and trying new techniques.

Your eureka moment – tell us about your favourite thing you have ever made?

A few years ago I made a very large kitchen dresser, for my step-daughter, in English Oak; in fact the biggest piece I have ever done. Over the weeks I worked on it, all I ever saw were little details, problems and challenges. It was only when I finally assembled the piece of furniture on site, that I had the room and time to step back to look, and see it in its entirety. I was honestly amazed that I had made such a thing. ‘Eureka moment’ is a good description.

Your “D’oh!” moment – tell us about you biggest crafting disaster.

Woodturning a bowl on my lathe one day, I was being experimental and aiming to retain a square surround whilst hollowing out a circular centre. At a few hundred revolutions per minute, the corners of the square tend to ‘disappear’. After quite some time of intense concentration, Radio Four piped up with a reference to Blues singer Blind Willie McTell (see answer about musical taste) which, for a split second distracted me. Without going into too much detail, I had to have a dozen stitches in two fingers. Ouch!

Is crafting what you do full time or do you have a Clark Kent style alter-ego?

I’m extremely lucky in that there is no pressure on me to do my craft work. It’s an extension of the hobby that I love. I go to my workshop when I feel like it. I’m fully supported by my wife in what I do, and I support her in her passion for knitting. She has no issue over my growing stash of wood, and I have none over her wool stash. My other interests include family history research, trying to play the guitar, motor cycling and reading motor cycle travel books; my lovely grandchildren and doing voluntary work at the local museum.

Where do you do your crafting?

My workshop is in the garage, with a buzzer from the kitchen to call me in for regular refreshments!

Tell us a bit about your crafting philosophy (e.g. environmental, heritage, family, therapy!)

I do enjoy using wood that a traditional cabinetmaker wouldn’t even look at; wood with what is often seen as faults – knots, twisted grain, fungal staining and so on. I do prefer home grown timbers; yew and figured elm or oak especially. If it’s ‘found’ or recycled, so much the better.

As for style, the range of things I have made is so wide, from tiny wooden earrings to a bedroom suite, that it’s difficult to categorise, but I have a tendency towards what might be called rustic, retaining the bark edging on some of my work, especially boxes.

Tell us why you think there are far more female than male crafters?

Mmmm. Difficult. Folksy certainly suggests that’s the case. Could it be that there are more young mothers trying to supplement their income from home?
The woodworking community www.lumberjocks.com of which I am a member, has 20,000 members, most of whom are male. However, that’s not a craft selling site.

Tell us something surprising about yourself (non craft related)?

We’ve lived without a television for fifteen years, and have no yearning for one whatsoever.

What’s the manliest thing you make?

Some of my wooden finger rings are considered to be quite manly, as is this more unusual spark plug computer memory stick.

And here’s a manly jewellery / keepsake box I made for me.

What’s the least manly thing you make?

Since ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friend’, it’s got to be my pendant memory stick set with a diamond, now on Folksy.

What would you say to encourage more men to craft?

Turn off your television and make something. Have a go. You might be surprised at what you can achieve!

You can check out more of Stewart’s work at his folksy shop.

Next in the Crafty Men Series is an interview with Jamie Brind aka prototyper of Glowbiles!

Don’t forget to check out the previous interviews with Nosuch Disco and Steam Punk Glass too!

By Contributing Columnist Donna aka Glass and wire gems

Jennifer is a 29 year old Idaho native who has been creating for most of her life. Her mother taught her to crochet when she was nine and she has loved it ever since. She’s also a stay-at-home mom who loves creating beautiful things. Jennifer has been on ArtFire for only a couple of months. Her shop listings include a variety of items including piggy banks, jewelry, neck warmers, soda can cozies, scarves, magnets, and purses. It is Jennifer’s desire to keep learning new crafts so her store will most definitely expand with new handcrafted items.
Here’s a bit more about Jennifer and her shop.

How did you come up with your shop’s name? My shop name is not very creative, I’m afraid. My name is Jennifer White and I design things.

Why are you selling on ArtFire? What makes it a special place for you? The people at ArtFire are fantastic. There are lots of friendly faces over there. I love the listing process as well. It’s very quick and easy.

What do you like most about your handcrafted items? I like the unique quality to most of them. I also like the wide variety that I offer. Each piece is an extension of me and nothing I make is made without heart.

Do you have a favorite item? My favorite is a fridge magnet made from an upcycled can lid. I painted a landscape on it. It’s my favorite, because I’m new at painting and was really happy with how it turned out. I’m very proud of that piece.

How do you create your items? Explain a little bit your creative process. I often find myself in the “what should I make now?” slump. I’ve taken to list writing and make lists of items I’d like to make or learn how to make. Then, when I need some creative inspiration, I turn to the list. I also look to the seasons and try to only make items that are appropriate for the current season or the one to come. The “how” in this question is difficult because I make a lot of different items, so the process is much different for a scarf than it is a fridge magnet or piece of jewelry.

Do you have a favorite material that you like to use, i.e. beads, clay, fabric, wire, etc.? I have LOTS of favorites! It just depends on my mood. At the moment, yarn and beads are my absolute favorites.

What is it about this material that makes it your favorite? It’s not really the material itself that I love, mostly what I can create with them. I do love shopping for new yarn, feeling every skein of softness, dreaming of possibilities.

When someone looks at what you’ve created, what would you like to hear them say? I’m not picky, I’d settle for a “Hey that’s cool!” or “Wow, look at this!” but I think the ultimate would be “This is amazing! How much?”

In a similar vein, if someone came into your shop (pretending it’s a bricks and mortar business), how would you like them to react? What do you do for your on-line shop to get that type of reaction? I guess I’ve never thought about it before, having never even set up a booth at a craft fair, but I would want them to look at least mildly amused, not look disgusted, maybe ask some questions about the items, buy if they were able to, and not leave without a business card. In my online craft store, I try to sell the best items possible, I’m very quick with responses to questions and I ship very quickly after a sale. Sometimes the same day!

If there was one thing that you could hope for both for you personally and then for your business, what would it be? For me, I would wish for more time in the day for crafting! For my business, I would want sales to pick up a little, but mostly that this endeavor would remain fun and exciting like it has been thus far.

Is there anything special that you’d like to let people know about you or your business? I’m just a small town girl who loves three things: creating, my family and Jesus, but not necessarily in that order. My store, hopefully, is a reflection of that.

Jennifer has a unique approach. Her studio combines a number of hand-craft techniques and mediums. Her hand-painted refrigerator magnets are just one indication of her talented artistry. Her crocheted pieces reflect her love of that craft as well. She’s a multi-talented lady with many gifts to share. Check out her ArtFire shop at www.jenniferwhitedesigns.artfire.com. She can also be found on Facebook and her blog. Enjoy!