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!

flaurena™ - Metamorphosis / Wire Lace necklace

By contributing columnist Lauren Cross aka flaurena™

Hello! I’m Lauren, the person behind flaurena™, and this is my first post in Indie Smiles. By way of introducing myself to the Indie Smiles community at large, I thought I would talk a little bit about wire art.

I discovered the joys of twisting wire in a wire-wrapped rings class I took a couple of years ago. The only ring I wear is my wedding ring, so I applied some of the techniques I learned in that class to create a necklace, my usual jewelry choice. Fast forward a couple of months and flaurena™ was born.

I made my first Wire Lace necklace from brass artists’ wire (although these days I almost exclusively use either gold fill or sterling silver) which I adorned with colorful beads and crystals:

To be able to use my hands to transform something as seemingly masculine and industrial as wire into a feminine and organic piece of wearable sculpture is a process that I am always thrilled by! It is this very characteristic of wire that gives it its strength and delicate beauty.

But the thing I love most about wire is its versatility: it can be bent, twisted, cut, crocheted, adorned with beads, and otherwise coaxed into any shape you can imagine. I also like that it’s hard to exactly replicate every little twist and turn because that makes each piece absolutely unique.

Here are some of my picks for wire artists around the world who take wire-wrapping techniques to a new level:

Kathleen Cavalaro / U.S.A.

The first wire jewelry I remember seeing was by Kathleen Cavalaro, who, at that time, owned a bead shop in Brooklyn, NY. I found her free-form jewelry inspiring and it is partly because of her that I do what I do today. Kathleen crochets with wire, threading beads as she goes, and even hammers it to form ear wires, as shown in her beautiful In Theory French Hoop Earrings:

Kathleen Cavalaro - In Theory French Hoop Earrings

• Kathleen Cavalaro – Official Site
• Kathleen Cavalaro on Etsy

Coralia Tasman / Australia

Simone Russell of Coralia Tasman is an all round creative type, but I especially love her wire jewelry and household objects – or what she calls Sculpting with Line. I think her Rock Anemone Table Sculpture is a spectacular example of how wire can be transformed into a beautiful object:

Coralia Tasman - Rock Anemone Table Sculpture

• Coralia Tasman – Official Site
• Coralia Tasman on Etsy

Grin Grimace & Squeak / U.K.

Run by goth duo, Karen and Rich, Grin, Grimace and Squeak offers a fabulous variety of Venetian masks. Karen and Rich live in Cornwall, which is located in the ‘toe’ of England. I’m originally from the U.K. and was in beautiful Cornwall a couple of months ago – so when I was on Zibbet recently I was happy to see wire art forms being made on the other side of the Atlantic! I love how the green wire used in their May Queen Mask has been curled to look like tendrils – it really makes the piece come alive!

Grin Grimace and Squeak - May Queen Mask

• Grin Grimace & Squeak on Zibbet

inaBAG / U.S.A.

And now for the absurd! I think the wire figure sculptures from inaBAG are fantastic. They remind me of Tim Burton in some way. Each creation is created with a sense of humor and an eye for detail – where on earth do you find such tiny roller-skates anyway?

inaBAG - Blade Runner figure

• inaBAG on Etsy

I’m feeling inspired, so I’m off to do a little wire-bending of my own now…

~ Lauren

Edited by Bette Miles-Holleman aka BadMsM

By contributing columnist Mellisa aka Tiedyebathworks

With new shops opening everyday on Etsy and other online venues, how do you keep up with all the new shopping opportunities?

Etsy has come up with a method to check out the newbie shops using a very cool script that allows us to view the new shops as they open on Etsy, they call it Pounce!When you go to Pounce you’ll be shown two options. The option to show you the newbies is the “undiscovered” button. Click on it and find some goodies just waiting to be discovered. Have fun!

Here is the scoop on 2 new shops, you’ll adore them because shops that are newly opened deserved to be noticed!

LovebyCC is one of the new shops that just joined Etsy on December 29, 2009 and opened her shop soon after the new year.

Candice is the person behind the products, she is a 23 year old student who also holds a full time job on top of making her amazing crocheted creations! She lives in California with her boyfriend.

When asked what her biggest inspirations are, she said, “I have a few inspirations. My boyfriend’s mom inspired me to start crocheting. She crochets everyday and I thought it was amazing how she could turn a ball of yarn into things! She taught me the basics of crocheting and I took off.

My mom is my other inspiration. She has always been a great sales person and very creative. When I was young she was a single mother and worked full-time. While doing that she would make these cute handmade dolls and sell them to people that she knew to make extra money so we could survive.”

My personal favorite are the hats, but Candice makes really cute baby items, purses, hats, gloves, and more. This shop is a definite muse see (especially if you have a baby in your life). LovebyCC is only available on Etsy!

PeaPodBowtique is another brand new shop on Etsy.

Her shop announcements says it all, “Peapod Bowtique is the perfect place to shop for quality handmade flower headbands, hair bows, hair bow headbands, hair bow holders and clippies. Only quality materials are used.”

Anabel is the woman behind this shop. Anabel is a stay at home mom to her 14 month old son and college student who lives in San Antonio, TX. She started making headbands and hair bows to put money away so her and her husband can someday buy a house.

When asked what her inspiration is, Anabel says, “My inspiration is that I imagine how a little girl would look in my headbands in pictures, their birthdays, or any other event. That’s very special because a picture is something they’ll have for a long time.”

I love the handmade flower headbands available in the shop. PeaPodBowtique is a another must see only available on Etsy!

Pic courtesy of Moxierings.

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Tracy Smith of Cinnamon Jewellery

If you’re anything like me – inquisitive, curious or just plain nosy(!) you’d like to know a bit more about who lies behind those online shops………..

Although smaller than Etsy, Folksy has a thriving and ever~growing community of talented designers and crafters. I’d like you to meet two of them…………

Introducing Christine Begg, owner of Folksy shop Planet Events Direct Trimmings and Accessories

How long have you been selling on Folksy?

I started selling on Folksy in April 2009.

What type of items do you make and sell?
I would describe myself as an all around crafter who loves to make and create….from jewellery items created with ornate beads and crocheted pieces right through to patchwork quilts: it’s one big creative melting pot.
Whilst being a crafter myself I recognise that many individuals also have or indeed want to improve their crafting skills and like to purchase quality components to do so which is why I like to stock a number of craft items in my shop such as mother of pearl buttons, fabric pieces, loose beads, furnishing trimmings, jewellery making findings plus lots of hints and tips !

What inspires you to create ?
My background is in Soft Furnishings so the sewing machine plays a large part in my creative world and I am one of those individuals who finds inspiration all around me. I love to use colour in a controlled way so for example if I see beige or magnolia walls I automatically start thinking “Which colours can I introduce to these surroundings to compliment it” rather than “Right I am going to change that completely”…… for me it’s a lot to do with complimentary touches, especially as a lot of my work does involve making items for other people who much of the time know exactly what they want.

When the items are for personal usage and to sell on to potential customers Ii tend to look to the current seasons to inspire me, so for instance in autumn I lean towards chocolate/deep reds/mulberry shades to add warmth to the colder air and in summer it’s all about shades of blue, soft & vibrant pinks alongside big splashes of cool glacier colours.

Is it a full~time job or hobby?
Full time. For me being creative is really a way of life and I do believe that you really do need to put in the hours to reap the best from any business. It’s hard going working for yourself, especially in the current economic climate but like many other self employed individuals you just push on…..working with colours & textures always helps to lift my mood when necessary so you could also say that there are many therapeuatic aspects to being creative which helps to make the day seem easier.

What are your best sellers?
Mother of pearl buttons & Furnishing Trimmings. As I mentioned before I have customers who like to get stuck in creatively themselves and as such I try to accommodate their needs as best I can by supplying ready-to-go items which can be easily incorporated into creative projects.
Knitters & Crocheters keep me on my toes button-wise as they are always looking for nice buttons to add the finishing touches to their lovely hand knitted items !
I must also add that in addition to my Folksy shop I also operate a very robust Mail Order service and keep customers in touch with what I’m up to and items which are currently available through a bi-monthly newsletter which is normally sent by post. I then get to engage with my customers on a more personal level, who in turn will let me know the types of products and items they are searching for, which then gives me a better idea of what to stock in my shop and through mail order.

What are your plans for your Folksy shop in 2010?
Sew-your-own couture inspired cushions and other Soft Furnishing items.
Many people want to create a signature theme around their homes and soft furnishing items are the easiest and most cost effective way to do that.
In this modern day people are short on time and want to “get creative” with the minimum of fuss and I hope that the pre-cut ready-to-go items which I will be offering will offer them the chance to revamp their surroundings without being a drain on their time and resources.

To see more of Christine’s products & to follow her crafting adventures & creative ramblings go to –
Christine’s flickr group

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My NEXT Folksy shop owner is Danni Clarke of nelliD2, home of quirky resin jewellery & handbags

How long have you been selling on Folksy?
I have been selling on Folksy for about 1 year.

What type of items do you make and sell?
When I started nelli D I made handbags and various homeware items…I used to have another shop nelli D homeware, but I didn’t have the time to spend on both so I decided that I would concentrate on the girly items..much more me anyway!
In my shop you will find one of a kind handbags, this includes totes and clutch bags and purses, I love applique so they all get an applique treatment.
On the jewellery front, people will know me for my massive collection of junk jewellery…I LOVE IT…so about a year or so ago I took myself off to a resin course…. it was brill, loved every minute and it has taken me a while to hone my craft but it’s only recently that I have started selling it properly…… I am finally happy with how it looks.
So to conclude in my shop you will find fun,fresh handbags and resin jewellery and sometimes the two are combined!

What inspires you to create?
I love design (I have a degree in printed textile design from Saint Martin’s), past and present and love looking at new trends and designs. This could be from old photos or flicking through magazines, but what I truly love is colour and texture…….this mixed with fairytales and sequins = my shop!
I also have a slight obsession with all things British (which I think shows ever so slightly in my shop) I used to live in London and I love the quirkyness of the people there and the smells and sights of the City, so this all inspires my work. I also love culture and I think that this is evident in the sequined bags I make, they remind me of Morroco and India with all the amazing patterns and foods available…….sumptuous!

Is it a full~time job or hobby?
At the moment I am spending all of my time crafting but due to a pending mortgage I have just secured a place in the police as a pcso (Police Community Support Officer), this does not mean I will give up…….its in my blood!

What are your best sellers?
Key To My Heart pendants, the Teapot brooch and the Union Jack bags…..which I can’t make fast enough!

What are your plans for your Folksy shop in 2010?
As I have said before I have combined my jewellery with my bags and I want to continue this trend, but I will have to plan this one, I am also working on chunky necklaces.
If I can make it happen (ie win the lottery) I would love to get a screen printing system up and running (this is what I did my degree in ) but I think this one will take a bit of time to sort out !

Check out danni’s blog and Danni’s website (in progress!)

Thanks to both Christine & Danni for this article, enjoy their slideshow!

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Pic courtesy of Muchinalittle