Kansas Etsy Team

Upcoming Craft Fairs

2012-02-10T09:52:00.000-06:00

Some Craft Fairs for you to participate, spend, or just plain enjoy. :)

Wamego Tulip Festival April 14th and 15th

Spring Arts & Crafts Festival in Lawrence March 10th

Midsummer's Festival in Lindsborg, KS June

Handmade in the Heartland in Wichita in June

Fall Arts & Crafts Festival in Lawrence Sept. 9th

A major craft fair: Renegade Craft Fair Chicago 2012, Sept. 10th and 11th (apply early)

Valentine's Day!

2012-02-06T16:23:00.000-06:00

Have you bought your Valentine a gift yet? Check out some of our Kansas Etsy Team items.

Springtime in Kansas

2012-02-05T19:02:00.003-06:00

Check out these treasury items from our Kansas Etsy Team.

Do you have a Kansas Etsy Treasury you would like to share? Please let us know.

So Much Kansas Talent!

2011-11-05T22:15:00.000-05:00

100% made in Kansas!' by delendeart

Smudge Fan- Large- ... MoonMotions $42.42	Red Fox Pendant on ... TracyTeeter $49.95	pumpkin and agate d... zarily $22.50	Handwoven Handpaint... PurpleDesignSt... $25.00
Red Jasper Donut an... kitandcaboodle... $45.00	Ladybug - Wire Wrap... CuriouslySappy $12.00	Bonjour Birdie moun... TheSunPorch $18.50	Bridal Bouquet w/ R... ShayesBridalBo... $130.00
Mini Album Brag Boo... ecochiquebouti... $3.50	Leaf Necklace, Bead... beadsandblooms $285.00	Portland all cotton... KCThreads $35.00	Orange Mum Corsage kisforkitty $20.00
Chet Atkins Hand-St... iamthemandy $18.00	Red and Gold Plus S... glitterfrogdes... $16.50	two peaches - 8x10 ... bleuherron $20.00	Wrist Cuff Wrist W... MaryZoom $7.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Handmade Market Featuring Kansas Etsy Artists

2011-10-12T19:19:00.000-05:00

If you are in the Lawrence, Kansas, area on Saturday, Oct. 22, make sure to visit Pachamama's Restaurant, 800 New Hampshire St., downtown! It is here that you will meet fellow Kansas Etsy artists at the first ever Handmade Market. There will be drawings hourly for free stuff donated by the artists but even better than that, there will be a great selection of handmade accessories for adults and kids as well as for the home and office.

Our very own Kansas Etsy Team member, Eden Detrixhe of Woolflower Boutique has put this together, so if you have any questions at all, make sure to convo her. Hope to see you there! P.S. Make sure to tell everyone you know!

Crafting for a Cause

2011-09-08T21:11:00.000-05:00

The August/September Kansas Etsy Team challenge theme was chosen by Amber of CuriouslySappy. Amber won the June/July challenge and the privilege of choosing the theme for the next challenge. Her choice was "Crafting for a Cause". Team members were challenged to create a new listing for their Etsy shop speaking to a cause about which they felt strongly.

Two members took up the challenge and here are their entries. Please check them out, read about the cause they represent by clicking on the link below the picture, then vote for your favorite on the voting poll in the right hand column of this blog.

Let There Be Peace Hand-Stamped Copper Bracelet by CuriouslySappy

Cephalopod Enigma - by Pink Elephant Embellishments

Featured Team Member - Pink Elephant Embellishments

2011-09-05T20:39:00.000-05:00

Meet Kansas Etsy Team member and history buff, Jennifer Blundon, of Wichita, a jeweler who is the proprietor of Pink Elephant Embellishments (www.pinkelembellishments.etsy.com).

Baroque Influence

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself: By day I am a mad scientist..by night I am a mad crafter – a lot like a mad scientist but without the lab coat. I have a supportive husband Matthew and a co-dependent dog named Fozzie bear.

2. Tell us about what you were doing before you started your Etsy shop. Before starting my Etsy shop, I was selling to family & friends and a growing customer base fueled by word-of-mouth recommendations. I would participate in one or two craft shows per year but I love the opportunity that Etsy provides to reach a much larger group of great customers who are looking for handmade items.

Intricate Earrings

3. When did you first discover your creative potential? Although I’ve been involved in theatre, singing & dancing in years past, I never knew I had artistic inclinations. I could never draw, paint or sculpt and envied these talents in my mother and others. After an injury & multiple surgeries, I was unable to walk for a year and needed to find a new hobby to stay sane. I would see high-priced items online and think “Surely I can do that. I can figure that out.” With some practice, I slowly began to create my own jewelry designs.

4. Where do you find your inspiration? Science, nature, history, museums, old books & illustrations..you can find inspiration in the most unlikely places if you let your imagination loose.

Soaring

5. How did you get started in your chosen craft? I’ve always been in the research field so when I wanted to start designing jewelry and had no idea what I was doing, I started researching components & suppliers. By trial and error, I found the materials that worked for me and developed my own personal style.

I made some pretty heinous designs that first year which my sister wore for reasons that can only be attributed to sisterly love. To make myself feel better, I thought something cliché like “you learn more from your mistakes than from your successes” but I secretly cringed when something didn’t turn out the way I intended.

So stick with it (and this is something I have to tell myself every time I try a new technique). You can’t be an instant savant in everything you try – sometimes you have to put in some time and practice but your craft will be all the better for it!

6. Which piece in your shop is your current favorite, and why? My current favorite is my “Engines of the Waking Giant” necklace. I created a similar design for a museum fundraising silent auction here in Wichita recently. The design was based on a newly opened exhibit at the museum dedicated to World War II. The design proved to be popular so I’m making a limited quantity of similar designs for sale in my Etsy shop or through the stores here in Wichita that carry my designs.

As for why it’s my favorite – I’ve always been fascinated by history, particularly the WWI and WWII era. A now-familiar quote found in the diary of the Admiral who ordered the attack on Pearl Harbor has always stuck with me. In the quote, he wrote (and I paraphrase here) that he feared they had only awakened a sleeping giant in the provocation of the U.S.

While creating this piece, the quote kept coming back to me. It held such portent of things to come. It was a very visual statement that was chilling but also eloquent. As I created the piece, I thought of the gears of a great giant, churning into life as the engine wakes and the United States rises to take its place in the war. Whatever your views on the war or the actions of each country, there are lessons to be learned from our collective history and if my pieces can give someone pause to think about it, then I feel I’ve made a valuable contribution.

Engines of the Waking Giant

7. What are you currently working on? I’m stubborn and went the unnecessary & difficult route of figuring everything out on my own. As my interests expand and become more advanced, I have had less & less time to teach myself new techniques and keep up with my orders and my career. I’ll be taking a class in Precious Metal Clay firing next month and I’m very excited to get in there and get my hands dirty!

I’m also working on my steampunk line. This line has proved to be very popular in local stores and consequently, most pieces never make it to my website. I would like to offer more of these pieces to my web-based customers so I’m working to crank out more of these fun designs for my Etsy store.

9. Is there anything you would like to share with those who are looking to build their Etsy business? Well I think ultimately it really depends on what types of items you are selling but here’s what has worked for me: I try to list an item every day…I can never keep it up but I shoot for as close to every day as I can get. I’ve found that listing several items at a time, although more convenient for the shop owner, does not draw the visibility you need to make consistent sales. If you list items regularly, at different times and on different days, more people will see those items crawling across the bottom of the front page and click through to your shop. Oh..and get a Facebook fan page - I’ve been shocked and pleased with how fun & rewarding it is to interact with my customers this way!

Blue-Green Series

10. If you could only give one piece of advice or information, what would that be? Don’t take yourself too seriously. Life is short and entirely too serious.

Featured Team Member - Just Jenny

2011-08-30T16:10:00.000-05:00

Meet Jenny Stumpff of Just Jenny who lives in Spring Hill, Kansas, where she makes the most ADORABLE, beyond cute, baby accessories.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself - Part time stay at home mommy to one cute little boy age 5 and part time coordinator at local Adoption Agency. Both equally rewarding and challenging!

Upcycled Men's Shirt Apron

2. Tell us about what you were doing before you started your Etsy shop. – working full time and missing the joys of mommyhood. Crafty on the side as usual.

3. When did you first discover your creative potential? Age 5 – enjoyed watching my dad in his woodshop and jealous my mother and Grandmother would make these awesome clothes and doll clothes for my sister and me. So the first chance I got I jumped on the sewing machine and started sewing. My mom was upset for a little bit – then noticed I was actually sewing!! so the madness began…

Hot Pink RuFFle Onsie

4. Where do you find your inspiration? The internet, magazines, books, fabric, and babies!

5. How did you get started in your chosen craft? As I mentioned before sewing when I was 5, but sewing for others started after I got married. Looking for one-of-a-kind gifts for friends just starting their families. Friends started requesting specific items and I tried to mix it up a little with each friend. Other friends wanted to buy from me so they could give them as gifts and one of those friends suggested Etsy to spread the love around the world! Thanks D. for the encouragement!!

6. Which piece in your shop is your current favorite, and why? My onesie with the cross. I have gotten so much feedback from it and already requests for next Easter! Glad I finally incorporated the cross to show my faith.

Navy Blue and White Stripe with White Cross Onesie

7. What are you currently working on? I always have some sewing project half finished! But for the shop I am working on new onesie themes – crosses, cars and elephants. Also thinking of adding napkins to the shop as I get great response from my friends who have been gifted to them. And thinking about showing the world my knitting skills…still learning and not sure if I can compete with the talent out there but still having fun trying!

8. What do you do when you're not crafting? Spend time with my family, my church, and women’s group at church, reading, housework, sometimes blogging and also editing a friend’s new book. I’ve even recently started to get back into shape with my hubby so I guess I can put exercising on here! Yikes! Busy!

Appliqued Blue Paisley Whale Onesie

9. Is there anything you would like to share with those who are looking to build their Etsy business? I’m still looking to build my Etsy shop…so I need advice! I do enjoy networking with others and getting to see other products and styles thru our team. I have gotten more exposure thru the team and thru other’s blogs. Every little bit helps! If you have more time to spend crafting and into your shop I believe it would do very well. One day I will have all the time in the world to do and I can’t wait.

Fishy Onesie and Burp Cloth Gift Set

10. If you could only give one piece of advice or information, what would that be? Be yourself…don’t try to be anything else but what God made and then you will succeed.

Kansas Favorites

2011-08-29T07:02:00.000-05:00

Vintage Justin lace...
honeyblossomst...
$49.99
Garden Fairies Wall...
WoolflowerBout...
$185.00
Coffee Cup Metal Ki...
just4theartofi...
$7.50

Firelight Bead Embr...
beadsandblooms
$145.00
Soap Stack Tied Wit...
amathia
$5.50
Hole Cutting Pliers...
FreshRetroGall...
$29.00

BFL Sock Yarn in Pe...
tinydinostudio...
$21.00
Bird's Nest - C...
ruralpearl
$14.00
Tangerine and Lemon...
butternutsquas...
$22.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Featured Team Member - You Bow Girl

2011-08-22T07:44:00.000-05:00

Meet Caroline Horton, bowmaker extraordinaire, from Overland Park, Kansas.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself - I am a stay-home mom of 7! My kids range in age from 6 weeks old to 16 years old. I love watching my kids play sports and I am an avid Chiefs fan! I am also addicted to cookies and to Starbucks.

2. Tell us about what you were doing before you started your Etsy shop. - Before selling my bows full-time I was just hanging out with my peeps and before becoming a professional Mom :) I was a paralegal at a Kansas City litigation law firm.

Rolled Fabric Rose Bobby Pin Set

3. When did you first discover your creative potential? - I was 8 years old when I first started making hair accessories and earrings. Any craft supplies I could get my hands on were quickly turned into headbands or hair bows. As I got older I would use money earned by babysitting for more supplies. I slowed down in high school and college, focusing on other things but I quickly began to miss crafting.

4. Where do you find your inspiration? - from everywhere really but magazines, my children and fashion. I love using standard components in new and exciting ways. I love walking through craft stores, even hardware stores, finding new ways to style hair with quality products.

Hand-knitted Hat With Bow

5. How did you get started in your chosen craft? - The birth of my oldest daughter re-ignited my love of hair accessories. I was driven to start my own business when I was unable to find quality, affordable and stylish hair bows!

6. Which piece in your shop is your current favorite, and why? - the Turqouise and peacock hair fascinator. I love the combination of textures and colors.

Turquoise and Peacock Feather Hair Fascinator

7. What are you currently working on? - more bows! I love creating new things and using new ribbons, feathers, buttons and embellishments!

8. What do you do when you're not crafting? - Other than taking care of my kids, running them around or doing laundry...writing. I have been published in regional parenting magazines and online publications. I write about various kids, parenting and relationship topics.

Pink Corker Hair Bow

9. Is there anything you would like to share with those who are looking to build their Etsy business? - Ask questions. Take advice from those who are established and do not be afraid to experiement. Try different styles, change the look of your shop, renew items that you think should have sold already. My biggest piece of advice is take good photos. You can easily do them yourself, a digital camera and PhotoShop are your best friends! Zoom in, take photos from different angles and try new lighting. Be sure that the photo is a true representation of your product but build some excitement by shooting it a little differently!

10. If you could only give one piece of advice or information, what would that be? - do what you love! If you don't love what you are doing you will never be successful (no matter what your measure of success is).

Topeka Trunk Show

2011-08-14T11:13:00.000-05:00

After much planning, preparation and anticipation, August 5th finally rolled around. Eleven Kansas Etsy Team members and three non-members presented themselves and their wares at the Blue Planet Cafe in Topeka, Kansas for the first team trunk show. The event had been planned to coincide with Topeka's First Friday Art Walk so members were set up and ready to sell from 4:00 till 8:00 on Friday evening. We were back again on Saturday from 10:00 until 3:00. Friday afternoon setting up and Friday evening were especially enjoyable as it was also a chance to get acquainted with fellow team members. We were also treated to Celtic music performed by the band Glenfinnan which just happens to boast as its vocalists KET member Karla of ThymetoDream and her husband, Ian. Saturday was quieter as far as traffic goes but on the plus side provided an opportunity to brainstorm for possible future events and share business tips. This was also when we did our photo shoots.


Karla, ThymetoDream, works on ear wraps. Karla was the lady behind making the trunk show happen.

Britta, Bltobias, with her beautiful metal jewelry.


Eden, WoolFlowerBoutique, and her gorgeous textile art.


Gayle, KitandCaboodleShop, with her daughter Christine and their wonderful selection of jewelry.

Larissa, ButternutSquash, and her delightful recycled and vintage art.

Sarah, JewelrybySalla, with unique beadwoven and steampunk jewelry.

Tiffany, LadywithaBaby, who makes adorable bibs, aprons and other fabric creations.

Deb, BeadsandBlooms, with her display of beadwoven and bead embroidered jewelry.

We weren't able to get photos of three of the members who attended, Toni, TheSunPorch, Stacia, BraceletPizazz, and Jessica, FeatherBunny. These three were not able to participate on Saturday but we enjoyed their company Friday evening.

The team is currently discussing attempting to stage another trunk show either yet this year or next spring so keep a watch out for us. You won't want to miss the variety and talent Kansas Etsy Team brings to the arts and crafts world.

Featured Team Member - FreshRetroGallery

2011-08-04T17:30:00.000-05:00

Meet Elizabeth Ann Knaus, graphic designer and collector, who lives in Solomon, Kansas, and stocks her lovely shop with an eye for the unique and beautiful.

www.FreshRetroGallery.etsy.com

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself: I'm a wife, mother, sister and professional graphic designer. I utilize and decorate with art, antiques and "found objects" in my home on a palette of primarily porcelain colored walls and African slate tile flooring.

2. Tell us about what you were doing before you started your Etsy shop. As I am now, working as a graphic designer at a printing company. At home, I was working on my family tree design, my main reason for joining Etsy. Since Etsy focuses on handmade, vintage and art/craft supplies, I decided it was a good time to rotate items in my surroundings and utilize each of these three categories my shop.

Beautiful Vintage Cast Iron Wall Hooks

3. When did you first discover your creative potential? I grew up near a lake on a farm in Minnesota where I discovered a love for nature and the desire to explore/draw/create. Being a daughter of creative and ambitious parents sparked the self-esteem to explore with confidence. I watched my father build things such as a tall and complex seed cleaning business, a big snow blower and mechanical Purple Martin houses that could be raised and lowered with the flip of a switch. He could juggle things figuratively and literally, apples and oranges! My mother managed the books and our family of eight. They enjoyed social activities such as horseshoe tournaments and bridge club.

Mom, not wanting to waste anything, gave me the blank white cover stock from her pantyhose packages and the backs of empty check books to draw on. Always supplied with paper, crayons, colored pencils, watercolors and markers. I was encouraged to doodle and "make" birthday cards for my siblings and friends. I once drew a horse from memory when I was very young.

Vintage Children's Book

My grandma lovingly taught me that the back end of the body where it connected to the hind legs is actually a smooth, curved transition rather than a big circular lump as I had sketched. It was then that I realized that to illustrate realistically, I must pay close attention to shapes. As soon as I was old enough to read and understand them, my mother encouraged me to sew by following the illustrations and directions on guide sheets.

I loved playing "fashion designer" choosing fabrics, notions and styles; altering and tailoring things to fit perfectly. 4-H was a great organization which fostered and rewarded these creative skills as well as educated me to keep track of time and expenses. I took every art class possible in high school and studied at Alexandria Technical College which lead me to a career in graphic design where I keep learning new things all the time. I've done a couple architectural design projects. Creative potential is an exciting, open-ended subject.

4. Where do you find your inspiration? Experiences, life, environment, spirituality and music. Nature is one form of influence for subject, color and texture. Ceramics, jewelry design and woodworking are art education classes I've enjoyed as an adult. Visits to museums, galleries, theatres and concerts are motivational forms of entertainment. My children inspire me. My husband has a great eye for vintage items. A perfect date to him would be to go on a wild goose chase; treasure hunting, finding antique stores, auctions, flea markets and garage sales. He "gets" my appreciation for art and is my main inspiration in connecting antiques to art. The popular combination of art and antiques in print media has influenced my decorating style.

1930s Pedal Car

5. How did you get started in your chosen craft? Upon my mother-in-law's suggestion, I'd created my first family tree in the 80s. It was printed in Brookings, South Dakota, where I'd found my first job in the graphic arts field (prior to finding my husband there). After a 500 mile move, I wholesaled the family tree posters to a person who went to craft fairs and through a local antique shop. I illustrated my Christmas Inspiration Series of five postcards using the stipple technique I'd learned in college.

Eventually, I saw an article in a magazine that mentioned Etsy. I looked it up at Wikipedia and let the idea simmer on my back burner for a while. I no longer cared for the look of my first family tree well enough to reprint it when I ran out, so I began a new design, using more modern professional illustration and design techniques. I did a few variations before settling on the look of my current family tree chart.

6. Which piece in your shop is your current favorite, and why? Although art works, vintage and art supply items offer variety, are fun to promote and possibly draw some traffic; the family tree is my favorite because of the creative/technical aspect and love that went into developing it. It makes my day when I get positive feedback, comments of excitement and repeat orders.

Family Tree Poster

7. What are you currently working on? Occasionally, I host creative parties where women from church and I create greeting cards to send members for congratulations, hospitalized and sympathy; using rubber stamps, paper scraps, ribbons, etc. I also make stamped postcards for our evangelism committee for our pastor to send out to some church members. I still love to send handmade greetings for birthdays, etc. I have collections of "found objects" patiently waiting to become mixed media assemblage art.

8. What do you do when you're not crafting? I consider the creativity involved with Etsy photography/research/writing/listing as a form of "crafting". Church and Bible study class at Faith Lutheran (LCMS) in Abilene are an excellent start and boost to my week. I enjoy time with family and friends. I belong to a book club and a womens group which each meet once a month. I try to read a devotion daily. I feel best when I push myself to go for walk/runs, use my Nordic stepper or swim laps. I serve on vocational department advisory committees at Solomon High School and Salina Area Technical College.

9. Is there anything you would like to share with those who are looking to build their Etsy business? If you haven't jumped in yet, do it - the water's fine! It's user-friendly and offers community support to help you learn. One friend, whom I could see had a little Etsy-blood in him, took my advice to start up his shop titled PreciousSelections. To get started and maintain: set goals, push yourself to improve what you love to do and be willing to learn something new. Spend some time nearly every day with it and strive for balance in life. Listen to music often, and occasionally listen towww.livestream.com/etsy Seller Education videos to multi-task learning as you work on your art, research and list items. Rely on "Help" searches and when you can't find the answer, use Etsy email support. Explore and participate in the Etsy Forums and Blog pages which are beneficial to become more biz savvy, inspired and possibly provide you with a little exposure. Be careful when you multi-task... one time while I was working on Etsy, I boiled eggs so hard that the water disappeared and the eggs exploded all over the kitchen. At that moment I was busted when a friend, who had just driven up, witnessed me running out of the house with the smoking pan! Okay, I can laugh about it now, but I'm warning you, cooking skills may suffer while multi-tasking!

Vintage Twin Bell Clock

10. If you could only give one piece of advice or information, what would that be? Info regarding an Etsy biz: Words are Google-friendly, they "sell" and complement good photos. General advice: Value time, count blessings and give God the glory for the inspiration, talent and opportunities He provides you.

Kansas Etsy Team Topeka Trunk Show

2011-08-03T08:29:00.000-05:00

If you are within driving distance of Topeka, make sure to visit our first ever Kansas Etsy Team Trunk Show!

When: Friday Aug 5th 4-8pm and Saturday Aug 6th 10am-3:30pm
Where: Blue Planet Cafe

110 SE 8th Ave

Topeka, KS

Etsy Artists from around Kansas will gather at the Blue Planet Cafe to show and sell their work. Put this on your First Friday schedule~ we will be there from 4-8pm, OR join us Saturday 10am-3:30pm

Live music with Glenfinnan Celtic Band on Friday

Would you like to learn how to sell on Etsy? We will have information and be happy to answer your questions at the show!
A very big THANK YOU! goes to Karla of Thyme2Dream for putting this together.

KET at Strawberry Swing

2011-08-02T18:36:00.000-05:00

The 10th of July found me, team captain Deb of BeadsandBlooms, and team leader, Steve of CountryWindows, traveling east on the turnpike toward Kansas City in search of 8201 State Line Road. For a couple of weeks prior, the team discussion thread and Facebook page had been abuzz with talk of the Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair taking place on the 10th at the Alexander Majors property on Stateline Road in K.C., MO. So we decided to go see what all the excitement was about and hopefully meet some more of our team members at the same time.

Strawberry Swing is the undertaking of former Kansas resident, Heather Baker, who now lives in Colorado. Heather is also an Etsy vendor with three shops as well as her own website. With her passion for promoting handmade and the support of her Kansas connections, she organized the fair for approximately 40 artists. You can learn more about Heather and background of Strawberry Swing at http://strawberryswingcraftfair.blogspot.com/.

That Sunday promised to be a hot one so Steve and I arrived early to enjoy as much of the day as possible. Vendors were set up both inside an air-conditioned old restored barn and outside under massive shade trees. We got to meet Heather Baker as well as several KET members and had a fun time visiting, browsing and buying. Well, at least I was browsing and buying. I think Steve was busier visiting and recruiting. Here are the members we met at the show:

BazilEssentials/NurtureBody

Talk about aroma therapy!

Liza, MacKomics Studio, with her signature Boston Terrier art.

Larissa of Butternut Squash with her eclectic recycled art.

Kathi of The Beaded Lizard, who really didn't want her picture taken but graciously agreed anyway. She has wonderfully unique silverware bracelets!

It was so enjoyable, in spite of the heat, meeting team members and seeing first hand the fantastic creative talent that makes up Kansas Etsy Team. Hopefully, there will be many more opportunities for doing just that!

Featured Team Member - The Crafty Nut Hut

2011-07-25T07:33:00.000-05:00

Meet Mary Beth Rose of thecraftynuthut from Bogue, Kansas, where she makes wonderful creations from tin cans.

Tin Man Wind Chimes

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. I "retired" at the age of 40 when I came out here to Kansas from Colorado in 2005. Crafting and making my home based business go is a large part of who I am. I am a Mom to two Dachschund's ~ George and Sammy and they keep a watchful eye on me especially when I'm designing!

2. Tell us about what you were doing before you started your Etsy shop.
I was selling on eBay and then one of my customers told me about Etsy. I went to the site and had a look to see what was on there and decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did!

3. When did you first discover your creative potential? I have been crafting since I was 18 when my mom gave me all the materials that I needed to make one project and the instructions. I don't use a pattern for the majority of my items. The idea is in my head and just make it from there.

Midsummer Night Tart in a Jar

4. Where do you find your inspiration? My Mom is the one that inspired me to make things. Since then, my ideas and inspiration come to me in my sleep.

5. How did you get started in your chosen craft? The Tin Man is from my favorite movie The Wizard of Oz. I decided in 2005 that I was going to get out of Colorado and move to a different state. I happened to move to Kansas and the Tin Man goes well with the people here in this wonderful place.

Downy April Fresh Tart in a Jar

6. What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on Cowboys and Cowgirls made from cans. The hats took me a long time to figure out how I wanted them to look. Now the problem I'm having is trying to figure out what colors I want to make them. The new products should be coming out in the next month or so. I would like to make other ones on down the road like Farmers, Bikers, Gardeners, etc.

7. What do you do when you're not crafting?
I play with my dogs and sometimes we watch movies together at home. They like the chick flicks and of course, something with an animal in it.

Tin Man Birdhouse

8. Is there anything you would like to share with those who are looking to build their Etsy business?
Don't be discouraged. Flip business cards at shows and send them along with your orders. Sometimes it takes longer to get things going the way you want.

Tin Man Bird Feeder

9. If you could only give one piece of advice or information, what would that be? Enjoy what you do.

August/September Challenge Theme Announced

2011-07-17T20:25:00.000-05:00

The votes were cast and the victor decided. Amber of CuriouslySappy is the winner of the June/July Kansas Etsy Team challenge. Her entry was "Amber Waves of Grain Sterling Silver Wrap Necklace". It's a beautiful interpretation of the challenge theme which was Amber Waves of Grain.

Amber's reward for winning the current challenge is the privilege of choosing the theme for the next one. She has selected "Crafting for a Cause". She asks that each member wishing to participate in the challenge chooses a cause he or she feels deeply about and creates an item that speaks to that cause. If desired, the member may donate all or a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the item to the cause it promotes. There is no restriction on which cause or charity a member may choose. Suggestions are the recent tornado victims, one's local animal shelter, cancer awareness, domestic abuse, homelessness, environmental awareness, just to name a few possibilities.

Members may start working on this challenge now and have until midnight Etsy time on September 5 to list their entries. Good luck and good creating!

Amber Waves of Grain

2011-07-09T20:56:00.000-05:00

Countrywindows was the winner of the last Kansas Etsy Team challenge, and therefore, won the privilege of naming the theme for our June/July challenge. His theme is "Amber Waves of Grain". Members were challenged to create a new listing for their Etsy shops using this theme as inspiration. Seven members answered and here are their entries.

1. ShayesBridalBouquets

2. Annebvinyl

3. Kitandcaboodleshop

4. CuriouslySappy

5. BeadsandBlooms

6. Glitterfrogdesigns

7. Just4theartofit

Clicking on the name of the shop below the photo will take you to the Etsy listing for more information on each challenge entry. After you have chosen your favorite, please take a second to vote on the poll in the right hand column of the blog.

Featured Team Member - Butternut Squash

2011-06-27T07:42:00.000-05:00

Meet the artist behind Butternut Squash, Larissa Wilson of Lawrence. She creates wonderful jewelry and accessories, all from recycled stuff and "full of Midwestern love."

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. I am a native Kansan. I have lived all over the state, but I currently reside in lovely Lawrence. There is really supportive network of artists and creative people living here. It's a great town! I have three cats. I like my eggs over-easy. I am afraid of bees.

Textured Recycled Cardboard Bracelets

2. Tell us about what you were doing before you started your Etsy shop. I graduated from college with a BFA in painting and afterwards felt burnt out creatively. So I took an art hiatus. I worked all sorts of jobs and eventually went back to school to become a pastry chef. It took that break for me to realized how much I missed making art. I started Butternutsquash in 2007 and joined Etsy in 2008.

3. When did you first discover your creative potential? I think my mom discovered that for me. She was always encouraging me to paint, draw, write stories, or make costumes. I don't think my imagination would be what it is today without her giving me the freedom to flex my creative muscles as a kid.

4. Where do you find your inspiration? My inspiration comes from my materials. I like to take all the random things I collect and see how they fit together. Recycling is a big part of what I do. Every piece I make is 50-100% recycled or repurposed materials, including packaging. Most of the recycled content comes directly from the community where I live. Self-sufficiency and resourcefulness are important to me.

Recycled Radiohead - Album Art Earrings

5. How did you get started in your chosen craft? It was when I was an art student at Fort Hays State University that I became interested in found object art. I fell in love with collage and assemblage making. From there it was a short leap to recycled jewelry.

6. Which piece in your shop is your current favorite, and why? I'm especially happy with the collage block series I've been working on recently. The "For Science!" blocks are some of my favorites. Made on recycled wood, they feature images from a 1960's children's book. It's everything I love. Recycling paired with vintage... and just of touch of odd.

For Science (exclamation point) Recycled Collage Block

7. What are you currently working on? I am gearing up for a show in Kansas City in July. Strawberry Swing (It's an Indie Craft Thing) will highlight a lot of great Etsy shops from Kansas and all around the Midwest. Consider yourself officially invited. I hope to see you there! You can find out more about the show at strawberryswingcraftfair.blogspot.com

8. What do you do when you're not crafting? I still work a day job at a restaurant in Lawrence. I love going to junk stores, antique malls, farmer's markets, and exploring all the small towns and tucked away places in Kansas. I garden. I bake pie. I procrastinate cleaning my house.

The Big, Big Button Necklace - Recycled Vintage Fabric

9. Is there anything you would like to share with those who are looking to build their Etsy business? My advice would be to sell your wares at local craft shows. Nothing is better than getting instant feedback from customers on your work. Is it priced well? Would it sell better if it was green instead of purple? How do you effectually explain what it is, how it's made, what it does, why it's better than the one across the street? Road-testing your work at a local show is a great way to not only improve your actual items, but improve how you present those items in tags, descriptions, and photos on Etsy.

10. If you could only give one piece of advice or information, what would that be? To quote Tom Waits, "You got to get behind the mule." Work hard. Work every day. Even when it’s difficult, you have to find a way to keep showing up. You got to get behind the mule in the morning and plow.

Featured Team Member - Insect Art

2011-06-20T05:30:00.002-05:00

Meet Kathryn VanBlaricum from Topeka where she makes the very coolest jewelry and framed art from insects, yes - REAL insects! As Katie so aptly puts it, you can find her shop under her Etsy name, aquakej (I'm stuck with the awful username aquakej until etsy lets us change those!) Also, make sure to check her website at www.insectartonline.com to find out more about the process of creating insect art.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself: I'm 28 years old, and I live in Topeka with my husband. We are expecting our first baby in two months, so that is getting exciting for us!! I was born and raised in Lawrence, KS. I went to KU and graduated with degrees in Anthropology and Classics.

2. Tell us about what you were doing before you started your Etsy shop. I worked as a full time Office Manager for a construction company. I also worked for 10 years as the manager of an aquarium specialty store.

Emerald Jewel Beetle Necklace

3. When did you first discover your creative potential? I think I was encouraged creatively from a young age. I went to a Montessori preschool where we made all kinds of art, and then I went to another preschool at the Lawrence Arts Center, where we did even more art. I always enjoyed art classes in school, and I still enjoy taking them when I can! I most recently took a metalsmithing class.

4. Where do you find your inspiration? I've been fascinated with insects ever since I can remember. My mom read lots of science books to me as a child, and I was out collecting cocoons and caterpillars as soon as I was able. I had several "bug boxes" full of captives, and I spent many hours reading bug field-guides. I used many of the insects I found to make my own "closet museum", which included everything from bird eggs to fossils. When I "grew up", I took an entomology class in college that rejuvenated my scientific inclinations. It taught me how to professionally collect and display insects, and I became very interested in making my own "grown-up" version of the closet museum I had as a kid. Thus, I began work on my very own cicada collection, and the first piece of "Insect Art" was made.

Insects on their way to becoming art

5. How did you get started in your chosen craft? Like it says above, working with insects was a natural for me from a young age, but I really began my current venture into Insect Art about six or seven years ago, when I wanted to decorate my apartment. I had always wanted some of those nice butterfly displays that you see at expensive nature shops, but could never afford to go out and buy one. I'm the kind of person who figured one day "Hey, I could make that myself and save money!". So, after successfully locating some dried insects to play around with, I eventually came up with a few pieces that I was pleased with. I started giving them as gifts after that, and one of my friends suggested I try to sell my things on etsy. The rest is history, as they say!

Cecropia Moth

6. Which piece in your shop is your current favorite, and why? I think the piece called "Beetle Spectrum" is my favorite, because I put a lot of time into it, and I love seeing the rainbow of natural colors juxtaposed together. I don't treat my insects with any color enhancers, so it is always amazing to see and appreciate what Nature comes up with!

Beetle Spectrum

7. What are you currently working on? I am currently working on stocking my inventory for a show I have coming up in August. It will be at BA Designs here in Topeka. I'm also having a baby in August. Is that crazy, or what?

8. What do you do when you're not crafting? I work about half-time with my etsy business, and the rest of my time I spend tending to the house, garden, and my pets. I also enjoy cooking, and spend lots of time in the kitchen.

Real Beetles on leaves jewelry

9. Is there anything you would like to share with those who are looking to build their Etsy business? Everyone should know that having an online store is a lot of work; you can't just list a few things and wait for the world to find you. You really have to sharpen your photography and marketing skills, as well as make a great product and tend to customer service. You definitely get out what you put into your shop.

10. If you could only give one piece of advice or information, what would that be? I assume this is business-related advice or information, so I'll say "Sharpen your photography skills.". That is probably the most important thing you can do to make your etsy shop look its best. If your photos look great, you will get lots of free help in the marketing department because people will choose your items for treasuries, and you might even get onto the front page!

Featured Team Member - Curiously Sappy

2011-06-13T07:28:00.000-05:00

Meet Amber Sexton of Curiously Sappy. She makes simply wonderful jewelry in Prairie Village, Kansas.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. You can learn a lot about me just by the title of my shop, Curiously Sappy. Curiously, because my journey in jewelry making and crafting started out of curiousity, I sort of dabble in this-and-that, and I am always wanting to learn more. Sappy is a play on my name, Amber. Amber is fossilized tree resin, or sap. Sap was also my screen name on IRC, an early chat platform, where I met my incredible husband, Kyle, whom I have been married to for 7 wonderful years, as of today, June 13!

I am very fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom to 2 wonderful little girls, Lana and Ada. Born and raised in the Kansas City metro area, I can't really see myself ever living anywhere else, I love it here! I'm a jeans, tank top and hoodie type of girl. I love sunflowers, the smell of Kansas fields in the summer, listening to birds chirp first thing in the morning, and star gazing at night. I like to keep things simple. Simple is beautiful, and I think that is reflected in the style of jewelry in my shop.

Making jewelry and crafting is like a form of meditation for me, it helps to keep me centered. There's something so satisfying about swinging a hammer and banging out all my stress; watching metal transform into something beautiful, something that I love and hope others will love too. I love working with metal, my favorite is copper. I love the warm color of copper, and how it takes on a life of its own with the lovely patina it acquires over time.

Imagine Hope Believe Necklace

2. Tell us about what you were doing before you started your Etsy shop. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I worked in an office, in a little cubicle, lost in a sea of corporate servitude. After having our first baby, I decided to stay at home. It's been 4 years now, and I still love it. Every day is an adventure. Being home with my girls is the best, yet most challenging job I've ever had. It has also allowed my creative potential to awaken and given me the opportunity to pursue my various artistic quests.

3. When did you first discover your creative potential? I was raised in a pretty creative house. Art, in one way or another, has always been present in my life. My dad is really in to music; growing up there was constantly something playing on the stereo. My mom is also very crafty. I remember being jealous of my mom's artistic ability at a very young age. I played the viola and then the flute starting in elementary school. I took lots of art classes, including my first photography and jewelry classes in high school when I was 15. Unfortunately, I decided that I should leave my art behind and concentrate more on something with which I could make a living - business. Blah! Anyway, fast forward to last year. Just before I turned 30 I decided to take a beginner metal stamping class at a local bead shop, and that was it! I knew then that I had finally found something that I really wanted to do, something that I was passionate about. So, I've only been doing this since last August, less than a year. It has changed my life and I am so glad it did! I can't wait to see what the future brings.

4. Where do you find your inspiration? I find my inspiration in everything, my family, friends, and every day life. I like to find random rocks, buttons, skeleton keys, or whatever else catches my eye. Then I just hold on to it until inspiration hits me and I decide what to do with it. Sometimes I pick something up and I immediately know what I want to do with it, other times it may take a few days, a few weeks or months.

Water and Fire Wire Wrapped Ring

5. How did you get started in your chosen craft? I had really been wanting one of those mommy bracelets with my kids' names and maybe their birthstones. I couldn't find anything off the rack that I liked, nothing really looked like "me." So, I decided to learn to make my own jewelry. I took metal stamping, basic beading, and a chain maille classes. They helped to form a good foundation, and I have been building off it, teaching myself the rest as I go.

6. Which piece in your shop is your current favorite, and why?

That's a tough one! I have 2. I really love the Stardust Sterling Silver Wire Wrapped Ring. Making wire wrapped rings is something I taught myself, and this piece evolved as I was playing with the wire. I'm pretty proud of it, I think it's beautiful. I also love the Copper Mommy Necklace, it's the piece that started it all. I wear it almost every day. It is simple in its beauty, holding the names of my 2 favorite little girls close to my heart.

Mommy Necklace

7. What are you currently working on? I have recently become obsessed with Metal Clay. It's fantastic stuff! Just like clay, only it contains metal. Once the clay burns away in the firing process you're left with just the metal. I'm working with silver metal clay right now. I am still playing with it, and I need more practice, but I hope to have new items made with metal clay in my shop soon.

8. What do you do when you're not crafting? When I'm not making jewelry and other stuff, I do mommy stuff. Spend time with my girls and my husband. Lots of playdates, play at the park, and discover fun things to do around the city.

9. Is there anything you would like to share with those who are looking to build their Etsy business? I'm relatively new to Etsy, so I'm still learning, but I would have to tell others to just go for it. Don't be passive about it. Join teams to help promote your store and others. Network, go to craft shows, get business cards with your information, share your work with others. I think networking is really important on Etsy, you can't be shy.

Emily Dickinson Poem Magnet

10. If you could only give one piece of advice or information, what would that be? Like I said earlier, go for it! If something is really important to you, and you are passionate about it, you have to jump in with both feet, grab the bull by the horns, just go for it! Follow your passion, let it encompass you, and don't be afraid to share it with the world.

Featured Team Member - CAW's Stuff

2011-06-06T07:11:00.000-05:00

Meet imaginative Dawn Watts of CAW's Stuff. She lives in Manhattan, Kansas, where she creates wonderful items out of things most of us would throw away.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. My name is Dawn Watts and I have a lovely husband and 2 wonderful kids. My kids are my life. They are everything to me and nothing comes first except them. I was born and raised in Mankato, MN. Since my husband is in the military, he got stationed in Ft Riley Kansas. I am lucky enough to be an at home mom/wife and I get to do my favorite hobby of all time – finding old and worn out things then coming up with new and improved ways to use them instead of throwing them away.

4 X 6 Denim Picture Frame

2. Tell us about what you were doing before you started your Etsy shop.
Before I was 18 I always had a dream to find a man who loves me for me and who would always be by my side. Who didn’t have this dream to find the perfect man, right? I decided that if I am to find “the one” I had to have money to help support the family I wanted with him. So I decided to get a degree in accounting. Once finished with college I had problems finding the man I had dreamt of. I decided to help support our troops overseas by signing up for “Soldiers Angels” which is a program for people like me to send care packages to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. That’s how I met this guy and when he came home from Iraq he flew to me and we got married. He always had a dream to open up his own store so with his entrepreneur passion and my accounting skills we opened an Etsy shop.

3. When did you first discover your creative potential? I had been creative since birth. I am certain I obtained this ability from my mother, her mother, and so on. It is customary in my family for the mother of a child and the grandmother of that child to make him/her a baby blanket and a quilt. Not only is it customary to make a quilt and baby blanket for the new comer, my family wasn’t the richest ones out there. So instead of going out and buying things like decorations, we would make them ourselves out of things around the house. There is a wealth of creativity and passion in my blood from many generations and I am already passing this along to my 2 children.

4. Where do you find your inspiration? Every Christmas my grandma would make a new decoration for our Christmas tree and she would do it out of things around the house which would commonly be a light bulb. Every time a light bulb blows out I take it out, look at it, and think “what would grandma turn this into?” Now I do it for her.

Snowman Ornament

5. How did you get started in your chosen craft? My husband was deployed to Iraq and I was bored out of my mind with my 3yr old daughter. So I decided I would start finding things to do with my daughter that my mother and grandmother used to do. My daughter and I make crafts all the time now for home use. My husband runs the vintage section on our shop. His grandfather was a farmer in Florida who would collect everything he got his hands on. When he passed away my husband had a break down and I told him what my grandmother did with the ornaments every year. He loved that idea and now he collects things in his grandfather’s name.

6. Which piece in your shop is your current favorite, and why?
The motto of my shop is:
Repurposed
Reinvented
Reused
I am big on recycling and I thought “what if I can recycle myself without taking the items to a center or what can I do with items you can’t recycle”. I did several days of brain storming and finally came up with the idea of making things out of jeans. My hot pads, coasters, and purses are all my favorite items. It is repurposing, reinventing, and reusing. I use the items myself every day and love the feedback I get about them.

Denim Hot Pads

7. What are you currently working on? Right now I am working on a baby blanket that is made from jeans. I am working on one with a boys theme, girls theme, and a neutral one too. Next is one that involves the alphabet to help children learn but it is still in the brainstorming phase right now.

8. What do you do when you're not crafting? When I am not crafting I am spending time with my family, cleaning the house, cooking, go garage selling to look for new ideas and inspirations. A lot of my time is also spent taking care of my newborn daughter who was born on May 17th. (Congratulations!!!!)

9. Is there anything you would like to share with those who are looking to build their Etsy business? You can ask any Etsy seller and they will tell you the key to success on Etsy is pictures. Plain and simple, it is the key. The last thing I can share is to make sure your descriptions of your items are error free. This means from spelling issues to grammar.

Vintage 7UP bottles

10. If you could only give one piece of advice or information, what would that be? My one piece of advice is never give up. Always try and try again. You did it when you learned to start waking for the first time, ride a bike, and when that person dumped you and said “it wasn’t you it’s me”. So why give up now? Keep trying and have fun with it.

Team Treasury Thursday - By Amathia

2011-05-26T05:30:00.000-05:00

'Dreary Days' by amathia

Today has been terribly rainy and dreary, I hope it's more bright and cheery elsewhere. Just a bit of a showcase of fellow KET Team members and their beautiful Kansan wares (with a couple stand-ins from elsewhere for good measure!)

Changing Pad Cover in B... LittleOwlsNest $18.00	French Blue Button Mosa... catspawpottery $5.50
Free US Shipping - Simp... MaryZoom $9.50	Spring Hair Accessories MacKomicsStudi... $6.00
Coneflower Print redeftstudio $5.00	100% Superwash Merino i... tinydinostudio... $20.00
Map Wallet atlas paper ... MyPaperGarden $	Handmade Pearl, Crinkle... anastassiadesi... $26.00
Silo in Fog countrywindows $12.00	Dreary ORIGINAL 16X20 arteest $120.00
Recycled Hubcap Clock t... just4theartofi... $75.00	Handspun Merino Wool &q... blushingewe $40.00
Wrist Cuff Wallet - Gyr... MaryZoom $7.00	Night Bird Rests - 8 X ... ruralpearl $20.00
Dragonfly Keepsake Box GrapeVineCeram... $18.00	FAMILY FARM, a nostalgi... ORphotography $25.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Featured Team Member - Green Dreem Jewelry

2011-05-24T21:32:00.000-05:00

Meet Team Member Artist Jessica Roush of Greendreemjewelry. She lives in Lawrence where she creates wonderful jewelry.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself  . I’ve been doing beading and macramé since high school, but I’m trying to teach myself metalsmithing (particularly with silver) and lapidary at the moment (My metal jewelry isn’t up for sale quite yet, but soon!). Besides jewelry I make felt flowers and woodburned/stained plaques, and the occasional painting. I do a lot of gardening as well, and I’ve collected a few dozen tropical fruit trees (which stay in my living room during these freezing Kansas winters). I’m a big fan of water plants too, I’ve got a few stock tanks full of waterlillys and lotus, not to mention a bog full of bullfrogs and giant pennywort. I’m also getting married this summer.

Berries Wire Knit Bracelet

2. Tell us about what you were doing before you started your Etsy shop.   I spent 5 years at KU changing my major repeatedly before I figured out I really just wanted to make and grow things. I went from English, to film production, to behavioral sciences; always doing pyrography and jewelry on the side. When I met my fiancée my passion for gardening really blossomed (pun intended). He also encouraged me to make the things I really enjoyed the main focus in my life.

3. When did you first discover your creative potential?   My mom and I were always doing crafts when I was kid. She’s a big fan of cement yard art, so I spent a lot of time covering birds, rabbits, dragons, frogs and faeries with improbable metallic paints. When I was old enough to notice I was painting inside the lines, I realized that most of these things looked pretty darn good.

4. Where do you find your inspiration?   Definitely my garden and nature in general, there are so many crazy and unusual shapes in even the tiniest and most mundane parts of plants. I come from a long line of rockhounds, and am myself an avid gemstone collector; I lay them all out on a big table and just stare at them for an hour or so, thinking about colors and combinations I haven’t seen before.

Green Resin and Faceted Pearl Necklace

5. How did you get started in your chosen craft?   I’d been knotting hemp into necklaces for my friends and friends of friends since high school, and when I noticed a beginning jewelry class at the university I jumped on it. It was a great introduction to metalsmithing and the art of jewelry making. I immediately saw all of the beautiful things one could do with it, and I knew I’d found something I wanted to explore and learn about for the rest of my life.

6. Which piece in your shop is your current favorite, and why?  Probably my Sea Urchin Spines with Turquoise and Amethyst Necklace and Earrings, I’m a sucker for anything unusual, and turquoise. They just remind me so much of summer!

Sea Urchin Spines with Turquoise and Amethyst

7. What are you currently working on?   Wedding Jewelry for my bridesmaids and I. I’m making everyone a silver and moonstone pendant, and I’m experimenting with some prong settings I haven’t done before, so fingers crossed!

8. What do you do when you're not crafting?   Taking care of all my plants. Now that it’s spring, its wonderful to go outside and see giant heads of lettuce, pick handfuls of peas and watch as the little lemons and kumquats and blood oranges get bigger everyday.

Crystal Disc Necklace

9. Is there anything you would like to share with those who are looking to build their Etsy business?   Don’t hesitate to put up a piece, you can always take it down or edit it. And if the right person comes along, you’ll make a sale. When I first opened my shop I found myself not putting up pieces because I was self conscious about the quality of my pictures, or just worried if anyone would like it. Don’t get me wrong, picture quality will make a big difference in sales, but you definitely won’t sell it if no one knows it exists.

African Waterfall Statement Gemstone Necklace

10. If you could only give one piece of advice or information, what would that be? Not to rip off Nike, but, just do it. It's easy to get caught up in your head worrying about whether or not you’ll do something right, and then end up not doing it at all. But you won’t know until you try, and if you do screw it up, just learn from your mistakes and try it again and again and again, however long it takes until you’ve proven to yourself that you know what your doing.

Abilene Meet and Greet

2011-05-22T09:07:00.000-05:00

A cool, windy May afternoon found us pulling in to a parking space in front of the Old Abilene Town General Store and Hitchin' Post Restaurant in Abilene, Kansas. It certainly brought back memories of school field trips and family vacation outings from childhood. The place has changed a bit from what I remember, but the pioneering spirit definitely remains. Old Abilene Town is now owned and operated by a board of volunteers dedicated to restoring and improving the property. One improvement they are actively working on is the gift shop, which is housed in the same building as the Hitchin' Post Restaurant. The restaurant keeps traffic flowing in and out of the gift shop all year long, not just in tourist season. And the gift shop itself is currently a work in progress, slowly but surely divesting itself of the normal tourist shop trinkets and replacing them with a wonderful mix of Kansas handmade products. Soft, hand knit alpaca sweaters, hand loomed rugs, Kansas imagery and jewelry of all descriptions, "Oh, my!", just to name a few of the treasures to be found.

The gift shop was the main reason for pulling together members of our team for an informal meet and greet, show and tell gathering. That, and the opportunity to get to know each other a little better brought members from Hays, Wichita, Manhattan, Clay Center and Abilene. We enjoyed coffee, tea and homemade cookies (of course!) furnished by the gift shop while we learned of the selling opportunity it offers. We each took turns telling a bit about ourselves and showing off our products. When one can see in person and touch or hold the object, one gets a better perspective on just how talented are the members of Kansas Etsy Team.

From left to right, around the table, meet George of Precious Selections, Deb of Beads and Blooms, Steve of Country Windows, Gayle of Kit and Kaboodle, Connie, fused glass artist and friend of Gayle, Kayla, Gayle's daughter, Art and Michelle of Grapevine Ceramics and Gifts and Jennifer of Pink Elephant Embellishments. Jennifer's husband attended too, but was a bit camera shy.

Thank you's go to George for organizing this event and to Jennifer Dobbs, Manager of the gift shop, for being such a gracious hostess. The shop is comtemplating hosting a juried arts and crafts fair sometime yet this year and would love to have Kansas Etsy Team members as vendors. I believe George will assist in keeping us posted with details. If any team member is interested in consigning with Old Abilene Town General Store, you may contact Jennifer Dobbs, 100 SE 5th, Abilene, KS 67410, 785-263-1868 or at generalstoreoat@yahoo.com.

When I think of Kansas I think of Sunflowers!

2011-05-19T07:22:00.000-05:00

'Sunny Sweet Sunflowers' by sunnypatchcottage

Yellow Sunflower Pa... missymadeit $2.15	wild sunflower - 8x... bleuherron $20.00	Sensitive Sunflower... jtj1227 $119.00
Cinnamon Sunflower ... TexasCeramics $8.00	Country floral wrea... slkbaxt64 $125.00	Green hat with sunf... recycledlovesa $10.00
6 Handmade Large Cr... Qspring $5.45	Chickadee Bird Sunf... PinkAlley $79.99	Sunflower Burst - P... Kristen4 $3.50
Sunflower Hair Clip... itsbeadedbliss $6.00	Ribbon Sunflowers -... MyRibbonFlower... $12.99	headband, sunflower... truedestinydes... $6.00
Sunflower 11x14 Pri... PhotoKelly $45.00	Smydsign 85 - Mimi&... HenwithaHammer $9.00	White Sunflower Flo... PinupPosies $8.00
Joy 23 x 30 Origina... decorpro $175.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Challenge Winner No. 2

2011-05-17T06:26:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Steve of CountryWindows for winning our second team challenge! The theme this time was "April Showers Bring May Flowers". Steve captured the essence of the theme perfectly with his photograph of a beautiful pink iris taken right after a gentle spring rain. Here's what Steve had to say about his inspiration for the challenge: "I had been waiting for a spring rain so I could go out and photograph a flower of some type while it was raining. On the last day that I could enter the challenge we had a rain shower,so I jumped in my truck with my camera and headed to the college's plant and flower section on campus. So thats how I came up with a challenge entry."

Steve's prize for winning the challenge is getting to choose the theme for the next team challenge for the months of June and July. Since these are the months of wheat harvest all over the state of Kansas, Steve chose the theme "Amber Waves of Grain". Members are challenged to create a new item for their shop using this theme as inspiration. It could be something involving a wheat motif or simply using the color amber. Members may start now to create their item and have until midnight Etsy time on June 5, to finish and list it in their shop. Have fun and good creating!

Monday Morning Inspiration - Persevere

2011-05-16T05:30:00.005-05:00

PER·SE·VERE

verb \ˌpər-sə-ˈvir\

intransitive verb

: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement

Heavy Things - 8 X 10 Paper cut by Rural Pearl

"Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense." Winston Churchill

Great Plains Pioneer Family late 1800s

April/May Kansas Etsy Team Challenge

2011-05-08T08:59:00.007-05:00

Pretty In Pink - CountryWindows

OOAK Scented Butterfly Wind Chimes - LeighsWiccanBoutique

Spring Fling Earrings - GreenDreemJewelry

Rain Flower Bead Woven Necklace - BeadsandBlooms

5 x 7 Batik Iris Original Art Print - BleuHerron

These are the entries for the April/May Kansas Etsy Team bi-monthly challenge. The theme for this challenge was chosen by Michelle of Grapevine Ceramic Gifts, who won our previous challenge. Members were invited to create a new item for their Etsy shops using the theme of "April Showers Bring May Flowers".

A voting poll can be found in the right hand column of the blog. Please check out the entries and the stories behind them by clicking on the link below the photo, then vote for your favorite between May 10 and May 15.

Featured Team Member - My Paper Garden

2011-04-11T05:30:00.002-05:00

Meet Team Leader Lisa Presley - "and yes my middle name IS Marie" - of My Paper Garden. She is an artisan and massage therapist, from Spring Hill, KS, which is about 40 minutes south of Kansas City.

Xenon Comic Pages E-reader/Kindle Cover

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Like so many other women, my first and favorite job is being a Mom. I have 2 children, 9 and 14 and this summer will have been married 25 years.

My day job is as a Licensed Massage Therapist. I am grateful to have been able to do this for 17 years now with many of the same clients for the entire time. I love reading the Etsy “how to quit your day job” pieces but could never do it myself. I love my job! I will still be giving massages for as long as my hands will let me. The flexibility of being able to schedule my own appointments has been a blessing with raising kids and now also with running my Etsy shop.

2. Tell us about what you were doing before you started your Etsy shop. I had reached an age where many women start to really embrace their creative side. Only most women of this age don’t also have children in elementary school! With my ME time usually only coming late at night I wanted to find an outlet to create and sell but not have it cut into my family time. When I found Etsy it was a dream come true. I took off running and have never regretted it.

Checkbook Cover/Cash Wallet

3. When did you first discover your creative potential? I am a typical right brained person, so I have always had some type of creative project going. You name the craft and most likely I have tried it or learned about it at some time.

4. How did you get started in your chosen craft? In 2006 I started an Etsy shop Daisy and Jane for traditional sewing, selling accessories like totes, purses, wallets, headbands, journal covers etc. I quickly saw that Etsy was loaded with other shops just like mine and there was nothing about my items that made them stand out from the others. I stuck with it with some success for a while but realized I needed to do something different. I then started My Paper Garden and started by selling original collage art and cards using vintage papers. It has since evolved into a combination of the two shops with my current line of vintage paper and vinyl accessories

5. Which piece in your shop is your current favorite, and why? Anything made with a map, which is most every item! I love to travel but have never made it out of the US, yet. I totally romanticize the item I am working on by studying the particular atlas page as if I was a tourist and thinking about the buyer and where they might be from or traveling to. This daydreaming is very bad for production but I am now a smarty pants with geography!

Passport Travel Wallet

6. What are you currently working on? Just trying to keep some listings in my shop. I am grateful for a couple of fabulous features lately which have been great for sales but left me with very few items in my shop. My New Year’s resolution of building a strong inventory has yet to be realized.

7. What do you do when you're not crafting? I love flea markets, antique stores, reading, family nite, and unfortunately the time drain of computer surfing.

8. Is there anything you would like to share with those who are looking to build their Etsy business? Great customer service can never be over rated. My day job of being a massage therapist is all about my client and making sure they have the best experience possible. This comes easy to me. I try to put that same effort into my Etsy shop and hope it comes across to the shopper.

Butterfly Note Cards

9. If you could only give one piece of advice or information, what would that be? Find what you love to do and then put a spin on it to make it truly your own. To survive selling on the internet you need to either sell the hottest trends that everyone wants or something unique and different that people might not even know they want until they see it. And I think it is it is way more fun to be unique and different!

Eastery Goodness

2011-04-07T08:02:00.000-05:00

Spring is here and Easter is on the way in Kansas!

Vintage Paper and Vinyl Posi... MyPaperGarden $14.00	Blue, Mossy Green and Lavend... youbowgirlshop $18.00
4 oz BFL/Tussah Silk Top in ... tinydinostudio... $20.00	Happy Easter MacKomicsStudi... $6.00
Vintage Fredericksburg Art P... UneBelleVie $9.50	Set of 12 Mini Clothpins in ... CMonetCrafts $5.00
Delicate Rice Paper Butterfl... aquakej $45.00	Natural Carrot Seed and Tea ... leighswiccanbo... $3.00
Changing Pad Cover in Bubble... LittleOwlsNest $18.00	County Fair 3 Little Pigs Gi... TracyTeeter $32.00
Set of 3 Starburst Lotus Bow... catspawpottery $21.00	Painted Floral - Small Snap ... hmmmbymel $9.00
Springtime Trio SugarPlumCroch... $8.00	Simple Bookplates midwestmoderng... $2.50
Home on the side of the Hill countrywindows $12.00	Lavendar Garden Pendant Neck... beadsandblooms $48.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Featured Team Member - Precious Selections

2011-04-04T07:19:00.000-05:00

Drip-O-Lator Coffee Pot

Meet fellow team member, weaver and collector, George Taplin, of Precious Selections from south of Abilene, Kansas.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself I am retired now after three different careers, US Air Force, Real Estate and High School Science Teacher. I have traveled a lot and lived in Germany three years and Thailand one year thanks to the Air Force. We are back in Kansas now for 13 years after living in Wyoming for 24.

2. Tell us about what you were doing before you started Preciousselections. A friend has a shop FreshRetroGallery in Etsy and she encouraged and tutored me in getting mine started. I have an eclectic collection of things with many of them vintage as at my age nearly everything I have is vintage. I have been a collector all my life and now need to start parting with things. My children tell me they dont want to inherit my collections. I have been a recycler and repurposer before it became popular.

3. When did you first discover your creative potential? As a youth I was not well coordinated and did not seem to have artistic talent, but wanted to be creative in some way. Crafts seemed to work for me. The first things that I remember creating well were braided lanyards and bracelets I made at Boy Scout Camp, I now make some of the same for my grandchildren.

4. Where do you find your inspiration? I am often inspired to use something in a different way than it was made, or visualize a different material to make a common item.

5. How did you get started in your chosen craft? My wife took a weaving class when in college and I was intriqued by the process. When we lived in Germany we bought a large floor loom and have periodically woven rag rugs. Now that we are retired I have more time to do this and love to see the pattern of the rags emerge in the rugs. Several years ago I was taught to crochet rag rugs and enjoy that also. I have been reading about a different technique I want to try that uses a toothbrush handle as a needle.

6. Which piece in your shop is your current favorite, and why? I really don't have a lasting favorite as I enjoy all the patterns and seem to like the latest one I have done.

7. What are you currently working on? I need to get the loom rewarped and be weaving as I have run out of woven rugs to sell.

8. What do you do when you're not crafting? I am a tournament table tennis player and that takes up much of my time. This year I just returned from a tournament in Springfield Mo and will be playing in the Kansas Sunflower Games, the Rocky Mt Senior Games, Salina Senior Games, Kansas Senior Games, Nevada Senior Games, the US Senior Olympics in Houston Tx and The Huntsman World Senior Games in St George, Utah.

9. Is there anything you would like to share with those who are looking to build their Etsy business? I am new but have found it really easy to do and user friendly. I feel that good communication with your buyers makes them happy and repeat shoppers.

10. If you could only give one piece of advice or information, what would that be? Just do it! Don't look back and regret the things you did not try.

How Do You Do?

2011-03-31T07:04:00.000-05:00

The weather could have been better, but the company was great! A merry band of seven Kansas Etsy Team members (and one guest) gathered at the Mirth Cafe in Lawrence, Ks on March 27th for an opportunity to meet and get to know each other. Clockwise from left to right are pictured Sofia, sister of Raven, Raven of Only One Hook, Steve of Country Windows, Lisa of My Paper Garden, Deb of Beads and Blooms, Liza of MacKomics Studio, Elizabeth of Great Plains Bazaar and Eden of Woolflower Boutique. We started by exchanging business cards and then exchanged thoughts and ideas on topics ranging from how to best promote our shops online to the merits of accepting credit cards at craft fairs and which shows to do. A couple members shared Etsy success stories and one member shared her product for critique. Two hours and lots of conversation later, the snow started falling heavier and urged everyone to head for their respective homes in Northeast Kansas, but everyone seemed to leave with a feeling of having made new friends and learned new information. General consensus of the group was "Let's do it again!".

Vintage Justin lace... honeyblossomst... $49.99	Garden Fairies Wall... WoolflowerBout... $185.00	Coffee Cup Metal Ki... just4theartofi... $7.50
Firelight Bead Embr... beadsandblooms $145.00	Soap Stack Tied Wit... amathia $5.50	Hole Cutting Pliers... FreshRetroGall... $29.00
BFL Sock Yarn in Pe... tinydinostudio... $21.00	Bird's Nest - C... ruralpearl $14.00	Tangerine and Lemon... butternutsquas... $22.00