By contributing columnist Elle aka: EllesDesigns

It’s Not Art…

As I browsed the newest items on Folksy this week, I came across a really beautiful necklace that caught my eye. The ‘scimitar’ shaped pendant featured gorgeous shades of purple, with just enough silver to reflect the light, and eye catching layers, too. I was mesmerised, and the shop just gets better! Not only does it feature really beautiful, contemporary jewellery, they are all made with recycled materials too!

I decided to talk to the shop owner about their new business, and how it was going! Annie started making jewellery to wear herself, and eventually began giving it to friends and family. They were really impressed with her talents, and suggested she start selling online…it’s a big first step, though! I really struggled with gaining the confidence to list my items, but Annie didn’t have the same problem. Within a week she has created a shop on both Folksy and Misi, and started making sales!
Her inspiration for pieces often comes from what she has in the house to craft with. As well as unwanted CDs, which created the gorgeous necklace that attracted my attention, she has made pieces with dominoes, chess pieces, mah jong tiles, draughts pieces, and bottle tops. Things that would usually be thrown away are transformed into really gorgeous, unique pieces.

And the name? It‘s Not Art  was inspired by a stamp, she recalls. “Lots of people get really precious about ‘art’ and so on, and I liked the self-deprecating tone of the stamp and adopted it as my name”. It’s certainly a name I think you’ll be seeing a lot of, the whole collection is utterly gorgeous!

I’m off to look for more new talent on Folksy, but let me know what you think of Annie’s work…I’m in love with it! It’s definitely on my wish list.

Photo courtesy of Gypsy Pottery

My name is Lauren and I’m a Professional flutist by night, Etsy seller by day, I love to create jewelry and meditation malas inspired by yoga, the earth and my dreams.

I am a conservatory trained musician with a love for performing both classical and experimental chamber music. Only last summer I was inspired to create my own malas for my meditation practice, which then led to also creating jewelry and eventually opening an Etsy shop. It is a wonderful outlet for me, as I have always loved art and receive great satisfaction from creating with my hands.

I am also an avid blogger, free spirit, aspiring yogini and lover of the indie lifestyle! Presently, I live in New Jersey with my husband and my dog

Visit Jewels of Saraswati

Articles by Gimme that thing:
DIY for Charity 02/14/2010
The Name Game2/17/2010

By Contributing Columnist Pam aka ElectricPenquin
Starting out as a new jewelry seller on Etsy last August was not the experience I thought it would be! I expected simple, easy, no work at all. Ha ha, I know, you’re all laughing at my innocence!! But I managed to get up and running and have sold over 60 pieces so far so I must be doing something right! Here’s the full confessions of what I did as I got started.

- Compared other shop’s similar products to mine
This was really useful – you can see what they charge for an equivalent item and its quality. It definitely helps with setting up your pricing and item descriptions. I discovered what I liked and didn’t like about their descriptions and tags. For example, I realized I wouldn’t buy an item if it didn’t mention the size or materials, so I made sure that info was in my descriptions. This is also useful for researching what’s out in Etsyland. I found in looking that there was one type of item that had many fewer postings than others. I created a line of them and that’s what I’ve sold the most of!

- Was totally disorganized
When I started, all my inventory was in snack sized plastic bags, and stored in a drawer in my china cabinet. I couldn’t find anything! New things would get thrown in on top, and I had no idea if I was out of a certain component or finding. Next came labeled one cup plastic containers. Better but still messy, and I didn’t have enough storage space for as many as I needed. I finally invested in some inexpensive flat divided plastic storage boxes. The items are boxed in groups (seed beads in one box with each color in a separate compartment, ceramic beads in another). Each compartment is labeled if needed, and the boxes are labeled with painters tape on both the top and side. That helped a lot! I now know what I have and don’t have, and can find it easily. There was a lot I had forgotten was in the drawer! Definitely plan out your organization, but be flexible when you realize that just isn’t cutting it.

- Borrowed policies from other shops
I browsed through probably hundreds, and reused ideas I liked from their policies. Then I combined all those thoughts into my own. See, it wasn’t stealing, more like idea sharing!

- Lurked on the Forums
Read, read, read, read and read some more. I started with the Etsy FAQ’s and all the info on opening a store. I tried to search for the answers to my questions before asking – almost everything has been asked previously. Read the Storques. I’ve found the Etsyian “GoTo” to be a wealth of information you can’t find elsewhere, especially technical things like getting Google Analytics set up. I read up on what tagging is and how to do it correctly so it’s picked up in searches (and you don’t have to redo them later). But once you have your shop set up, posting on the forums is really important to do if you want to be noticed. I read in silence for a long time before I caught on to that!

- Surfed other shop’s sold items
This is the best way to see if there’s actually a market for what you want to sell. See how many of that type/style of item have sold.

- Expected selling to be a breeze
Not!! It has been much more work than I ever anticipated, even with doing all the preparation I thought I had done. Promoting, relisting, renewing, updating the inventory spreadsheet, posting in the forums, and on and on. Don’t even get me started on the picture taking – that’s a full time job in itself!! But it all needs to be done if you’re going to get your name out there. You’ll be invisible otherwise.

And after all that? The biggest one of all…

- Was not anywhere near as prepared as I thought (or should be!)
No matter how much research I did, my products were not as good when I opened as they are now. Nor were my pictures bright enough. They’re still not front page quality yet! Worse was the great idea I had that was totally unique (and still is great and unique!!!), which I expected to be a huge hit with buyers. Not the case – I’ve only sold a few through the shop. I’ve sold several to friends and family, so they appear to be pieces that you really need to see to appreciate. But I forged ahead with new ideas and have done fairly well. And it’s fun!!

If you go into opening an Etsy shop with your eyes open and as prepared as you can be, you should have no problem succeeding!

Pic Courtesy of Eluna Jewelry of the Lonely Jewelers Team (Eluna is one of my team members!)

By Contributing Columnist Ashley Pahl aka AshleyPahl

Every day, countless new shops full of beautiful art and handmade items open on Etsy.com. Among those shops are artists who think outside the box and fill their online store with amazingly creative and unique ideas. Shops to Watch, a monthly article, highlights these artists and the works that fill their shops.

This month features the art of Melissa Wagner-Lawler, shop owner of Red Thread Letter. Wagner-Lawler, a printmaker, sculptor, and book artist, has trained at both the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where she earned her Master of Fine Arts in Visual Studies. Her portfolio of prints, sculpture, and books are available for viewing at her website, www.RedThreadLetterPress.com. Currently located in Milwaukee, Melissa Wagner-Lawler exhibits locally, nationally, and internationally.

Melissa’s Etsy shop, however, focuses on handcrafted jewelry inspired by natural and organic forms. In particular, her series of cellular-inspired necklaces stands out. The necklaces are inspired by irregular and organic patterns found in nature. They come in many different colors and no two are alike. Wagner-Lawler shared with me her thoughts on running a shop an Etsy shop and creating a focused collection, receiving an education in art, and her biggest inspirations.

What led you to your decision to get an education in art?

For me, there was never any decision that had to be made; it was really the only thing
that I ever wanted to do. It was the natural progression. The real decision was what
did I want to do after receiving my master’s. I debated about whether or not I wanted
to teach, and in the end, I just kind of fell into it. Currently, I’m teaching art at two
institutions and I couldn’t be happier.

Where did your love for organic forms come from?

It’s hard to pinpoint. Overall, I’d have to say that I like mimicking or attempting to
mimic natural forms. I’m more attracted to other people’s representation of organic
forms than the actual forms themselves.

What else inspires you?

Most of my inspiration comes from subtleties in texture and pattern and slight shifts in
color; this is why the majority of the pieces in my shop are somewhat monochromatic.
Keeping the colors very similar or the same allows for the focus to be put on the design,
pattern, or texture and maintains simplicity, in that respect.

Also, contrasts in materials and forms, such as organic versus industrial, continually
interest me as well.

What is your favorite piece, current or sold, in your Etsy shop?

The larger asymmetrical pieces with the chain are definitely my favorite. They embody
the contrast of the materials – the beauty of the beaded form versus the industrial, rock
‘n roll side of the chain.

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=21955640

This piece was definitely hard to part with as well:

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=22341273

What work of art from your portfolio means the most to you?

On some level, I am attached to all of them. It would be difficult for me to pinpoint one
over another, but typically my sculpture items I can never part with simply for the
amount of time that it takes to create them.

Is there an art technique you not yet tried, but would like to?

I’ve always wanted to try blown glass, but have not yet found the resources to do so.
I’ve tried nearly everything that is art and crafty, especially when it comes to my
professional artwork.

What piece of advice would you give to another artist wanting to open an Etsy
shop?

Producing high quality items that you can stand behind is of the utmost importance. It
can be a daunting task to decide what you want to focus on in your shop, but having
one type of item that you excel at producing will get you further than trying to dabble in
multiple areas. Overall, I believe that buyers want to see an Etsy seller that is
committed to their product(s) and have taken the time to refine them. The old adage
practice makes perfect definitely applies!

What are your long term plans for your artwork?

Well, one can never show their work in too many exhibitions! Being a cross‐disciplinary
artist (printmaking and sculpture), I find myself often being pulled in one direction over
the other and then a few months later that direction flips back again. Currently, I am
focusing on printmaking and making some small‐scale etchings and larger collagraph
pieces. However, in a few months, I’ll be interested in sculpture again and then I’ll be
working on expanding a piece from my MFA Thesis that I’ve been continuously putting
on hold.

Thanks so much to Melissa for taking the time to talk to us at Indie Smiles, and may your success continue!

Tracy Smith of Cinnamon Jewellery

What inspires you to create and how did you choose the medium you work in? Every artist/designer has a story to tell ~ I compared notes with four Jewellery Designers on Folksy to find out what stories lie behind their creations.

A love of jewellery, going to a beading class, a horse~riding accident and beads themselves are what started these Folksy sellers making their own jewellery.

Becky of Folksy shop Red Bird Jewellery tried every craft from mosaics to knitting but it was after taking a beading class that she started making jewellery. “It’s like a bit of an obsession. I find myself talking to people’s necklaces instead of them, as I try to figure out how it was put together. I just can’t get enough of it. I’ve got lots and lots to learn, and I’ve just bought a soldering kit, so I’m going to try a bit more metalwork. I’m very excited!” I asked Becky what inspires her designs ~ “It’s a bit of an old cliche, but I do love nature, the colours and shapes of leaves and flowers, rivers flowing – there’s so much to inspire. I also look to other craft types to figure out what colours would go together, and would love to try to incorporate more fabric into my jewellery – look out for some pieces later in the spring”

Lorraine of Folksy shop FairlyGirly also took a jewellery making course at a local Arts Centre. “I have always loved wearing jewellery and this was my chance to make some for myself. After making items for myself and friends, they were so delighted with them that they persuaded me to start selling them and that was how FairlyGirly was created”. Lorraine’s inspiration comes from the beads themselves. “I love the shapes and colours of them and the ability to design something that is unique. I offer a custom made service to my customers and it is lovely to be able to make something to go perfectly with an outfit or bag. It is very pleasing to see others wearing your creations.”

A crafting weekend in 2001 where she learned to bead using seed beads, a needle and thread is how Jean of Folksy shop Talking Beads first started making jewellery. “I taught my friend and together we increased our range of stitches and eventually started to teach bead weaving and took our work to craft fairs and opened up a web site. We no longer teach but still sell online and supply a local shop with our jewellery.”

Jean’s inspiration comes from colour. “Having a box of beads in front of me, peace and quiet and a few hours to spend…… bliss. I spread out my beading mats and do a ‘pick and mix’ of my beads and they seem to come together of their own accord. When I buy beads I just top up colours and shapes with no particular project in mind. I then have the beads when I am ready and feeling arty! I enjoy commissions, being asked to create a special piece can be daunting but I love to take the finished item to my customer. In fact, my customers inspire me to do better and better designs.”

Amanda of Folksy shop Gimme That Thing wanted to make jewellery from the age of 14 but it was only after an accident that she actually started. “It was only last August, when I had a riding accident and broke a vertebra, that I was unable to pick up heavy bags of clay to work on my ceramic designs, and started making glass beaded jewellery, as it was something that I could do sitting down. I have now discovered the versatility of precious metal clay and am moving forward with more adventurous and creative designs”.
Amanda is inspired by “Nature’s amazing and sometimes surprising colour combinations, fireworks and the sea. I like to put colours together that shouldn’t really work, such as pink and red.”

Finding your inspiration to create a piece of beautiful jewellery is only part of the process. Finding the right beads and findings is also important. The internet has opened up a huge world of beads and jewellery making supplies at our fingertips. I asked Becky, Lorraine, Amanda and Jean where they source their materials…………………

Becky: “I would love to buy locally as it would be nice to see what I’m actually buying when it comes to gems, etc, but I usually end up buying online. I can also spend a fortune at bead shows. I wish there was somewhere around here that I could pop along to, but I’m figuring out now which are the best online suppliers”.

Lorraine buys all her supplies from UK online stores. “A lot of my purchases have to be online as I only have local access to one shop, and I like to use a wide variety of beads and findings. I also purchase handmade lampwork beads from other UK artists, as I like the opportunity to support them and use their wonderful beads in my designs. The disadvantage of buying online, is that sometimes the quality and size of the beads when they arrive aren’t as expected. When this happens I don’t use them, as I have set myself quality standards which I keep to! Once a year I do get the chance to visit a bead fair, there is nothing quite the same as handpicking the beads yourself. It usually ends up being an expensive day!!”

Amanda also buys her jewellery making goodies online. “I have worked my way through most of the good bead and findings suppliers and now have 4 favourites that always stock what I need at good prices.”

Jeans buys everywhere. “I am afraid that I do not buy everything from any particular shop. My first stop for toggles and clasps as well as crystals and swarovski pearls would be “Noseks Just Gems” and for pearls my first stop is “Sandstones“. Both online shops are very good and respond quickly to a request. In the beading world we always want the beads NOW PLEASE and we cannot wait for 3-5 days delivery. The shop I visit is Bijoux Beads in Bath. Dangerous, as there is no such thing as popping in to look.”

I’d like to say a big “Thank You” to Becky, Lorraine, Amanda and Jean from Folksy for taking the time to answer my questions and making this such an interesting article. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it!
Now enjoy their slideshow!

Donut bracelet pic courtsy of Art and Candies

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By Contributing columnist LindaGJ aka LindaGJ

“Keep inspired never stop seeing (as opposed to looking), be open to experience, change & the fear of falling on your face. It’s important to give oneself the permission to fail, because, it’s not always the end product, in fact more often the end product should not be the issue, it’s the joy you get from “doing”. I suppose that’s a bit trite, but true for me at least, (Anytime anyone is brave enough to enter my “kingdom” they will see many of those wonderful failures, ones that I never really gave up on)”.
by Ruth of Elephant Dreams

Ruth is an incredibly interesting person, so yall must read all about her! “To get to know her is to get to know her art”. A wonderful inspiration for all artists & non-artists as well! This explains how she became the artist she is today!

Ruth was born in Artesia, CA, & since her father was in the Air Force, she’s been a Nomad ever since. Travels taking her to alot of places… Caracus, Venezuela (where she 1st fell in love with art), to San Antonio, Laredo, & Houston, where she lives now. The travels influenced her art & her life choices! Her husband, also being in the Air Force, continued her traveling & moves to England, New Mexico, Las Vegas, Southeast Asia (especially Thailand & Malaysia) & now to Texas again!

Ruth had part of her eduction in San Antonio, Colorado, Denver (where she graduated from Colorado Women’s School majoring in education with a very large art minor). In her art classes, she loved every minute of it! After her marriage she continued to study art whereever they lived, including New Mexico, Texas, and Malaysia where she studied arts with a Chinese Teacher.

As a young mother, that is when Ruth became interested in photography, a love that stoked her by traveling in Asia, England, & later in Texas!

The camera became a part of her, & she took photos of everything! She was lucky to have a darkroom & access to one at a local college & then she eventually worked as a lab room tech.

With each new camera, each new experience, her love & skill in photography grew. And she was lucky enough to keep traveling & kept taking photos!

Ruth also grew as a mixed media artist, with a love for drawing, painting, & printmaking!

There was not a medium that she didn’t want to learn about. She can safely say that her love for & skill as a photographer greatly influenced how she saw & interpreted the world. She saw things in definate patterns and colors, and the camera & the brush played off of one another. Ruth loves color, the patterns of everyday things & mostly she just just loves the excitement of discovery! That time when there is a tickle in the brain & she knows what she is looking for, something she can play with visually.

She also works in series. It’s like finding an idea & then seeing how far she can take it. One photo, one print, one piece of jewelry is never enough. The idea can always be expanded or focused more on detail. She has always felt so fortunate for this ability to see more because she is never bored with an idea, Most series come to an end, but even then the thread might be taken up years later with a new slant & usually this can be the start if an even larger series!

Ruth does have some set backs but it does not keep her from her passions in life at all. She was diagnosed in 1993 with a bipolar disease. While it is controlled by medications, there are times when ups & downs define her life. She finds it very extremely important to try to help people understand mental illness & hopefully give new perspectives. She knows so many people with mental issues, & they are not “crazy” in the way the media & our society depict them. Modern science has done wonders with medication, she tries to support local charities for mental health, women’s issues, & animal protection. But mostly she tries to be an advocate for children.

Surprisingly, I had the opportunity to meet Ruth, and I call her “My Hero Artist!”

It was by mere coincidence that when I first joined Etsy, I was browsing around & discovered a wonderful artist,photographer, & jewelry artist, this was Ruth!

I eventually realized she was on my Texas Etsy Team. And I had fallen in love with one of her watercolors, although there were many I fell in love with, but especially the watercolors because I majored in art in college & watercolor was my specialty. This one watercolor print was a watercolor of actual watercolors and I kept going back to it to stare at it over & over again.

Well, it just so happens that Ruth lived in Katy, Texas, which is basically Houston where I live & lo & behold one of my mini team friends that I had joined, called The Artisans of Texas, knew her!
Wow, I was a step closer to meeting my “Hero Artist”!

I was in Heaven when I finally met her and eventually I gathered enough money to buy my watercolor print & we met for lunch & exchanged packages as she had bought some cat cards from me! We had a wonderful lunch & I keep in touch with her up to this day!
I love her work so much that I’m so glad that I’m able to share her with yall!

This is a sneak peek slide video of her work taken from all three shops! Yall should definately go visit her shops to see more of this fabulous artist’s work, to purchase or at the very least, yall are in for a Very Big Eye Candy Treat!

Visit Ruth’s other online shops!
Rhradcliffedesigns - Paintings and prints
Earwingsandthings - Captivating Jewelry

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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

————————————-

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