Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Vote for your Favorite handjstarcreations & PipiPhotography treasury!

Sorry for the break in the treasury action this week - we'll be back on schedule starting next Monday with a new treasury challenge! In the meantime, please use the voting buttons to the right to choose the next winner from the following 4 entries:

cool, calm, and collected

patiently

Twilight

Soulful

Good luck to all the finalists!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Meet the Members! Michele of Lolasjewels

You Are My Sunshine handstamped copper necklace from Lolasjewels

Sarah, of WellCriated, recently interviewed Michele of Lolasjewels to learn more about her handmade jewelry business. Keep reading to learn more about the inspiration behind Michele's beautiful jewelry!

1. Describe yourself in 5 words.
Shy, caring, optimistic, loving and modest.

2. How did you pick your Etsy shop name?
Lola is the nickname that I have for my daughter, Megan. I have called her Lola since she was born. I wanted to name her that but my husband got to pick her name and I got to pick her twin brother's name (Keagan). I like the different names.

3. What made you want to become a crafter/artist?
My grandfather was always good with his hands and he made things all the time. My mother is the same way. She has always made crafts for as long as I can remember. She used to make clothes for my sister and I, and I hated it then because she would dress us alike and we were 7 years apart.......

4. Where do you get your inspiration?
Anything that I see, really. I find myself looking at things and thinking, “what could I do with this?” I love things from nature. I am just learning to work with metals and torches so I play around with that a lot trying to see what I can make. My husband keeps telling everyone that I am going to burn the house down. I do have an extinguisher by, just in case. lol


5. What makes your products unique from other jewelry shops out there?
When I first started on Etsy, it seemed like my products were not much different then the ones out there. I just started getting in my niche with inspirational words and catch phrases and it seems to work well so far. Anything that makes people happy or touches a soft spot in their heart is what I am looking to do. I love thinking of sayings or phrases and I am always looking for more so feel free to convo me with any ideas or sayings!

6. What is your favorite item in your shop right now? Why?
Honestly, my favorite is my wrap bracelets with the recycled scrabble tiles. My Island Sunset wrap bracelet is my absolute favorite! I love sunsets! It is very important to take time to stop and really look at the beauty of the world.

Island Sunset Bracelet


7. What do you do when you're not making jewelry?
I love to read books. Mostly romance and thrillers. What a mixture! I am also running constantly with little league sports for my three kids. I love to watch them play, though. I also work full time as a manager for three Internal Medicine offices.

8. What handmade possession do you cherish the most?
I love anything handmade. I would have to say any metalwork jewelry. I have a necklace that I bought from another Etsian that I absolutely love and wear every day. It is completely one of a kind and I think that is what makes it so special.

9. If you HAD to choose, which one would it be… Eco-friendly and manufactured in a foreign country? Or handmade locally but not eco-friendly?
That is a tough one… Eco-friendly is extremely important in this day and age but so is handmade. I love eco-friendly handmade products!

10. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I am hoping to be doing this full time instead of working in healthcare. That would be my dream and I’m pushing for it! BELIEVE in your dreams!! I also see myself winning the lottery.

This interview was perfect timing because Michele is running a Heartsy deal, available tomorrow! Thank you to both Lolasjewels and WellCriated for putting this interview together.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Monday Treasury Challenge! handjstarcreations & PipiPhotography

Congratulations to handjstarcreations for winning last week's treasury challenge - hooray!

Featured with handjstarcreations for this week's challenge is PipiPhotography -
let's show them a little treasury love!



Please read carefully if you'd like your treasury considered as a finalist.

#1: Your treasury must include this zippered pouch set from handjstarcreations and this fine art photo from PipiPhotography within the first 3 rows

#2: Your treasury must contain at least 8 new or undiscovered shops with less than 50 sales

#3: Fill the remaining spots with Team Discovery members. You're also allowed 2 shops of your choice regardless of sales or team affiliation, but you must include at least 8 undiscovered shops.

#4: Tag your treasury "teamdiscovery" and "TDchallenge" (both all one word, without the quotes). This is very important since this is the only way your treasury will be seen by the people picking the finalists.

#5: Post the URL link to this blog in your treasury - this is how the word gets out. If you're not sure of what to say, use this:


This is a Team Discovery challenge treasury made up of at least half undiscovered shops with less than 50 sales. Anyone can join in the challenge! Learn more by visiting the blog at http://etsyteamdiscovery.blogspot.com

#6: Follow this blog and leave a link with your treasury in the comments (optional)


You can create as many treasuries as you like and enter as many times as you like. This challenge will end Thursday at 8pm Eastern, and voting begins Friday. The winner of this challenge will be able to have one of THEIR OWN items featured for next week's challenge!

Need help finding undiscovered shops?
The Etsy Pounce function is good for discovering brand new shops, or check out undiscovered shops featured in other Team Discovery treasuries.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Congrats SpareBedroomStudio on a Weekend-Ready Front Page!

We're kicking off the weekend right with a Team Discovery Front Page! Congrats (and thank you!) to SpareBedroomStudio, whose shop is full of handmade origami mobiles, confetti, and other awesome paper creations like this:

Peppy Polka Dots Crane Mobile

'The Weekender' by SpareBedroomStudio

This Team Discovery treasury is made up of mostly undiscovered shops (under 50 sales)! Let's show them some Etsy love! ;)


Little Straw Boater...
$59.00

Trois Poires Sur Fo...
$25.00

Surreal Cyclist Mug...
$

Bike Basket - Wood
$

Cartoon Movie Film ...
$9.00

12 Perfect Parisian...
$16.00

Lavender Sachets in...
$22.00

Vintage Thermos Lit...
$29.00

Natural...original ...
$8.50

Raspberry Basket Fl...
$10.00

DAPHNE Ring with Vi...
$12.00

tie HAND BAG, or ho...
$14.00

Vintage Camping Lan...
$3.00

vintage 1980s Lakes...
$22.00

SAVE 10% - Mounted ...
$67.50

Vintage 1964 Edith ...
$30.00

Vote For Your Favorite!

The results are in! OohLookItsARabbit & bridechilla picked the same treasury, so only 3 choices this week.

In no particular order, the top 3 treasuries are:

Be obscure clearly

For the Little One

Soft and Sweet

The poll is in the right sidebar - voting ends Sunday and a new treasury challenge starts on Monday. Congrats to the finalists!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Monday Treasury Challenge! OohLookItsARabbit & bridechilla


Congratulations to OohLookItsARabbit for winning last week's treasury challenge - woohoo!

Featured with OohLookItsARabbit for this week's challenge is bridechilla  -
Think we can beat last week's record of 2 treasury challenge front pages?




#1: Your treasury must include this Amigurumi crocheted cat from OohLookItsARabbit and this girl's headband from bridechilla. These items must be placed somewhere in the first three rows. The theme can be anything you like as long as these items are included.

#2: Your treasury must contain at least 8 new or undiscovered shops. Undiscovered shops have 50 sales or less. The Etsy Pounce function is good for discovering brand new shops, or check out undiscovered shops featured in other Team Discovery treasuries.  There is also an Etsy forum thread here that is chock full of new and undiscovered shops.

#3: Fill the remaining spots with Team Discovery members. The team members are listed here. You're also allowed 2 shops of your choice regardless of sales or team affiliation, if necessary, as long as you include at least 8 undiscovered shops.

#4: Your treasury MUST be tagged "teamdiscovery" (all one word, without the quotes) and "TDchallenge" (all one word, without the quotes). Also, we recommend you fill every tag space that is appropriate for your treasury and also use the tags "fresh shops" and "undiscovered"

#5: You must follow this blog.

#6: You MUST post the URL link to this blog in your treasury. This is important and is how the word gets out. If you're not sure of what to say, feel free to use this: 



This is a Team Discovery challenge treasury made up of at least half undiscovered shops with less than 50 sales. Anyone can join in the challenge! Learn more by visiting the blog at http://etsyteamdiscovery.blogspot.com

#7: When you have completed your challenge treasury, come back and add the URL to that treasury here in the comments. You can create as many treasuries as you like and enter as many times as you like. This challenge will end Friday at 12 noon Eastern, and voting begins Saturday.

The winner of this challenge will be able to have one of THEIR OWN items featured for next week's challenge!

Congrats cherryandviolet on a Fabulous Etsy Front Page & Handmadeology Feature!

Big congrats to cherryandviolet for creating a gorgeous Etsy treasury that made it to the front page of Etsy and was featured on Handmadeology! Stop by cherryandviolet's shop for handmade artisan jewelry and accessories with elegant vintage style.

Handmade Aegean Earrings from cherryandviolet


'Come On. Take My Picture.' by cherryandviolet

This is a Team Discovery challenge treasury made up of undiscovered shops (less than 50 sales) and team members. Anyone can join! Learn more by visiting the blog at http://etsyteamdiscovery.blogspot.com


Summer In The Air- ...
$45.00

Argus - Mounted P...
$35.00

Chocolate Attractio...
$

Handmade mahogany w...
$50.00

Vintage Oval Framed...
$17.00

Bellanca - Blush Pi...
$675.00

5x7 - independence
$8.00

SALE-Project Bag, G...
$

Eco Felt and Upcycl...
$3.50

Serpentine dresser/...
$625.00

Giraffe on a Two-Hi...
$55.00

Journal - yellow
$35.00

I love my Spring Mu...
$15.00

Creme fraiche Organ...
$18.95

Vintage Mens Cuff L...
$15.00

Black and White Bla...
$5.00