Featured Etsy Seller

Our very own KeysAndMemories was the Featured Seller on Etsy on November 27. Check out her interview here. Elizabeth is one of the team's most successful sellers and an all-around sweetheart. Congratulations on being featured!

Black Friday, handmade-style

Known affectionately as Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving is one of the biggest shopping events of the season. Most big box stores will be offering special savings that shoppers will have the joy of earning by snatching, grabbing, running each other over with carts, and other things our mothers certainly taught us not to do. There is another option, though: get your handmade shopping on!

On Black Friday, lots of Etsy sellers will be offering discounts throughout their shops. The biggest bonus? You don't even have to leave the house. Remember to search OKEtsy Team to find great items made by our friends right here in the Sooner State.

If you don't mind the crowds, you can shop handmade in person throughout the state.

• Head up to The Felt Bird in Enid for savings on tons of amazing goodies, many made right here in Oklahoma.
• Tulsa folks can hit up the Fresh Blend Handmade Gift Boutique at Fresh Roast Coffee House for items made by the Tulsa Craft Mafia and friends while leisurely sipping a cup of locally roasted coffee (mayhaps the Tulsa Craft Mafia blend?).
• If you're in Oklahoma City, Collected Thread will be offering deals and steals on art and gifts.

Do you know of any other handmade stores to hit up this Black Friday? If so, leave a comment. Remember: buying handmade, locally produced goods supports independent crafters, boosts the local economy, and keeps your hard-earned money out of the pockets of corporations whose values may not line up with yours.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Learn to embroider

Have you always wanted to learn hand embroidery but weren't sure where to start? Then this class is for you! Team member EarlyBirdSpecial and friend CraftyMinx are holding a beginners' class in Oklahoma City on November 15. Cost is just $32.50 and includes a goody bag full of supplies. You can then use your new skills to join in on the Okie Stitch Along!

Space is limited to 10 students, so visit this blog post to sign up and learn more.

Deluxe Deadline Extended

Hey there, procrastinators! Our friends behind Deluxe have extended the deadline for late applicants. You can still apply to sell at Deluxe between now and November 1 by filling out the information here.

The first round of acceptance letters have already gone out. Late applicants will hear by November 15. Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar is coming your way December 12, and you don't want to miss it!

Indie Emporium TONIGHT!

It's finally time for Indie Emporium! Head to Tulsa tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. or tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to get your shop on. It all goes down at the VFW Post No. 577, 1109 E. 6th St. (two blocks west of Peoria). You don't want to miss this!

Tune into OklaTravelNews today around 12:40 to see me promoting the show.

We hope to see you all at Indie Emporium tonight!

Deluxe Craft Weekend -- final call

Time is almost out to sign up for this weekend's Deluxe Craft Weekend. We're talking three full days of crafting, food and tons o' fun. You don't want to miss it. Hurry over to http://www.deluxeok.net/ for details and to register!

Craft show bonanza!

I'm excited to use our 100th blog post to discuss some truly exciting team news.

Tulsa's most rockin' craft show, Indie Emporium, has accepted a whole slew of Disciples of Etsy team members to its line-up. Check out the Vendor page over the next couple of weeks for the full list. Remember: Indie Emporium is October 9 and 10 in T-Town. Check out the web site for times, ticket information, and more.

On November 6 and 7, the BUST-approved Girlie Show will again showcase some of the finest independent female crafters in Oklahoma City. This year, an impressive crowd of team members will be representing, many for the first time. The 2009 vendor list is not yet available, but keeping checking back. You don't want to miss this great event!

Go ahead and dig out your pens (or your smart phones) and mark your calendars for both of these phenomenal shows. Holiday shopping has never been so much fun! Congrats again to all the team members who wowed the show directors with their unique, high-quality, handmade goods.

Home Crafts Get Wired

The New York Times ran an interesting article today about a crafty woman named Alison Lewis whose passion is making art with electronic elements. Her designs are fascinating and inspiring, so I wanted to share.

The Felt Bird Grand Opening

Tomorrow is the grand opening of The Felt Bird, a new store in Enid featuring many locally made items. The store owners, StelaBird and musician Riley Jantzen, have created a haven for handmade, original and sustainable items. The shop will be selling many items created by team members. If you're able to reach Enid tomorrow evening, then go! The fun begins at 6 p.m. and will feature the music of Ali Harter. The Felt Bird is located at 124 E. Broadway Ave. in downtown Enid.

Craft fair tips

The fall craft fair season is about to come into full swing, so now is the time to prepare. We did a post in February about how to prepare for a craft show. A little later, we posted some booth inspiration for your perusal. Last week, our own AudreyEclectic, who will soon round out her first year on the circuit, wrote a nice post on her blog about her experiences with craft shows and some tips for beginners. It's a great read for brand-new booth dwellers as well as those of us you've been around the block at least a little while. Another team member, ChristieCottage, has run a feature the past two Mondays about craft shows. Check out today's and last week's all about upping the ante at shows.

While we're on the subject, what's your favorite thing about fall shows?

Dustbowl Arts Market

Don't forget to head to Norman tomorrow (Saturday) for the Dustbowl Arts Market. The fun starts at 10 a.m. with crafts and kids' activities. The live music begins at 2 p.m. and continues until 11 p.m. Make sure to arrive before 6 p.m., though, to do some shopping. Lots of team members will be selling or buying, so go say hello!

South Tulsa Music Fest

If you're looking for a fun way to spend the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, then head to the Jenks Riverwalk for the South Tulsa Music Fest. Starting at 2 p.m., enjoy great music and the handmade goodies of some great local crafters, including Audrey Eclectic, Sweetheartville, and members of the Tulsa Craft Mafia. Admission is totally free, so come out and enjoy the local arts and the first inklings of fall.

Friday Finds: Back to School

Hordes of Oklahoma kids are hitting the books once again. Luckily, Sooner State Etsy sellers have tons of fun, handmade supplies for the return to the classroom.

What was your favorite subject in school?

Register for Deluxe Craft Weekend!

Registration is now open for Deluxe Craft Weekend and each of the special educational sessions. There are some great classes for launching an art business, increasing your creativity and learning new skills. Several team members will be teaching, so it's sure to be a fun, informational experience. Space is limited in each class, so register soon! Also, if you want to register for the whole weekend -- which includes food, interaction with other crafters, and plenty of space to get your creativity on -- click here. You only have until September 1 to get the early-bird discount.

Creating for a Cause: Craft Hope

I know some of our members have participated in this in the past, but I wanted to spread the word to all our blog readers. If you've ever wanted to make something for a child in need, Craft Hope is here. The fourth project -- sock monkeys for preschoolers at a burn camp -- is underway, and you don't have to be an amazing seamstress to get in on the action. Now through September 18, you can send handmade sock critters to the folks at Craft Hope to distribute to the campers in California. If you're well-versed in the world of socks-into-stuffies like FriedOkra or a newbie like the rest of us, your contributions are still welcomed. See the site for details.

If anyone decides to contribute, please send us pictures, and we'll show them off here. If you're participating in any other causes by donating handmade goods, tell us about that, too! Contact us through the team page or the group email address.

Happy Birthday, Craftzine.com!

Today every creative soul's friend Craftzine.com celebrates its third birthday. That's right -- it's been three lovely years since the invaluable web site began putting amazing projects, innovative tutorials, events, recipes and more on these here interwebs. Check out their celebratory post here. I look forward to many more!

Friday Finds: All Felt Up

Oh the puns I came up to title this week's Finds. Just consider yourselves lucky. :)

Anyway, this week we celebrate the wonderful material that is felt. Check out these great, creative pieces using our favorite craft-stash staple.


So go on. Hit me with your favorite "felt" pun.

Disciples on your newstand

Two more of our illustrious members are making a foray into the published world.

Pick up the most recent issue of Woodcarving Illustrated for some great work by BuckBoardWoodWorks.



His little bearded man is on the bottom right of page 10.




I know several of you undoubtedly peruse the wonderful Somerset Studio magazine. This month, you'll find the original art of our own AudreyEclectic!



Flip through the pages to find this lovely piece of Halloween art looking back at you.

Congratulations to our wonderful team members!

Friday Finds: The Sweet Stuff

This week's Friday Finds comes straight to you from the bakery. These goodies are all inspired by desserts and the sweet teeth (tooths?) that crave them.



What's your favorite decadent dessert?

Deluxe Craft Weekend

The masterminds behind Deluxe are now providing us all with another chance to craft up a storm. Sara and JD bring you the Deluxe Craft Weekend! Coming to Oklahoma City this September 25-27, the event will offer classes, creativity and conversation with fellow artsy folks. So sign up for the whole weekend for a chance to make great stuff, learn something new and maybe even gain a new friend. Both your co-leaders are teaching classes, so look out for those.

To register for the fantabulous weekend, click here. There is a limit of 30 campers, so sign up soon. We hope to see you there!

Meet Our Members: Funkybella!

I want to formally present to you the team's new co-leader: Katie, AKA Funkybella! Katie has already come with great ideas and enthusiasm for the team, so I'm very excited to introduce you to her.

1. Introduce yourself.

Hi! I’m Katie Winters and my shop name is Funkybella. I live in Norman with my husband, Jason. We have a cat (Saturn), a Quaker parrot (Sunny), and a chinchilla (Ella Bella. I named Funkybella after her).

2. Tell us about what you make. When did you start making it and why?

What I make is always growing and evolving. I knit, crochet, embroider, needle felt, wet felt, use resin, and wrap accessories. I also sell vintage clothes and household items. My favorite and best-selling craft is making jewelry using vintage parts. I started making my vintage jewelry after discovering some beautiful supplies from Etsy sellers. I enjoy finding different parts that compliment each other, such as a vintage harlequin stone and an antiqued gold ring band. The pieces I make have a distinctive look.

3. How long have you been crafting? When did you decide to start selling your handmade goods?

I’ve always made things. I was homeschooled for some time, and I often completed crafts as part of it. In the fall of 2008, I encouraged my sister, a fine art painter, to open an Etsy shop. I had learned about Etsy from an ad in Craft magazine. Kelly opened her shop (murphystudios.etsy.com), and wanted to know why I didn’t have one of my own. At first I didn’t think I had anything to offer, but at the end of February 2009 I opened Funkybella, and I’ve been encouraged by its success so far.

4. Other than what you sell, what's your favorite thing to craft?

I use to be a professional photographer (I belonged to a gallery co-op and was the Chief photographer for a newspaper). I like to photograph and then edit pictures. I also bake and garden.

5. What do you love best about Etsy?

I can find almost anything on Etsy! I recently traded some of my jewelry for all the seeds I needed for this planting season! I love when one of my customers leaves me feedback telling me how much they adore their new item. I also enjoy knowing my jewelry is being purchased from women in other countries (France, Canada and Australia, so far).

6. What's your favorite thing about Oklahoma?

I’ve only lived here for two years, so I’m still exploring. I would really like to go camping and visit some state parks. I feel very safe in Oklahoma; the crime rate is very low.

7. Do you sell anywhere else or have a blog: Twitter, MySpace, etc.?

I have a blog: http://shopfunkybella.blogspot.com/, MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/shopfunkybella and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Funkybella/65000277844.

Yay! We're all so glad to have Katie on board. Look for her at this month's Dust Bowl Arts Festival in Norman!

Friday Finds: Peace, Love and Happiness

Today's Friday Finds celebrate the carefree spirit inside us all. Enjoy these great items celebrating peace, love and happiness.



Tell us about your inner hippie!

Consignment Opportunity

Are you interested in selling your handmade goods in a real brick-and-mortar store?
Here is a great opportunity to do just that!

Estela Romanos (Stelabird) and Riley Jantzen are about to open The Felt Bird, a retail shop carrying local, handmade items, in downtown Enid, Oklahoma. They are looking for products made by local crafters to sell in their store.

"The Felt Bird is an accessory, home decor & gifts boutique that specializes in handmade and original items!! Our goal is to support the independent craft scene by bringing attention to the work of exciting, emerging craft artists and designers around Oklahoma and the United States."

Interested?

This is the information they need from you:

• Your name & company name

• Your email or a way to contact you

• The items you would like to consign and their retail prices

• A link to your website

You can contact them at www.thefeltbird.com or e-mail them at thefeltbird@gmail.com.

Friday Finds: Raving About Red

This week's Friday Finds celebrate the deepest, sultriest of primary colors: red. Be it crimson, scarlet or vermillion, we're just wild about it. Red is the color of lipstick, roses, wine, sunburns, and fire. It's happy, passionate and devilish all at once. Check out these wonderful items that help you embrace the multifaceted enigma that is the color red.



What is your favorite red thing?

Downtown DIY This Saturday

Crafty ladies and gentlemen! You are all invited to attend this month's Downtown DIY event at the Oklahoma City Coworking Collaborative, 723 N. Hudson Ave. in OKC, this Saturday, July 25. Between 7 and 11 p.m., we'll be making stuff and chitchatting, so don't miss out on the fun. This month, we will also be swapping supplies, so if you have some rickrack, beads or ephemera to unload, put it into the car. Both of your team leaders are planning to be there, so if you have ideas for the group, bring those as well.

We hope to see some of you there!

OvernightPrints Coupon Codes

Do you need new business cards or postcards to promote your Etsy shop? Our very own Jemellia found a link with several different discount codes to OvernightPrints, one of my personal favorite online printers. You can access the codes here. Act fast, though. Some are only good through July 31.

Friday Finds: Va-Va-Vintage

This week's Friday Finds invite you to step back in time and celebrate pieces of the past. Each item in this Etsy mini is vintage or created with vintage materials. There are tons more great old-is-new-again items from Oklahoma Etsy sellers, so make sure to check them all out.




What do you love about shopping vintage?

Presenting your new co-leader

Friends, Okies and country(wo)men: I am so pleased to announce that we have a new co-leader. Everyone help me welcome Katie of Funkybella to the position! Hurray! I am so excited to have Katie around to do some great things with the team. Her first contribution to the Disciples was creating an OKEtsy account on Etsy. You can now contact us using the team account, the email address or by convoing us directly.

Look for more updates soon in your inbox as we get to work on team stuff. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, send them to us!

Friday Finds: A Day At The Beach

Ah, summer! As the temperature keeps climbing, I find myself longing for the ocean; blue-green water, the salty fresh air, feeling the grains of sand under my feet. Sadly, we live in a landlocked state. I'm counting on this week's Friday Finds to sustain me until I'm able visit the sea again.

Audrey Eclectic Opening

Last Friday night, Heather of Audrey Eclectic opened her month-long show at Shades of Brown Coffee and Art, a delightful coffee shop in Tulsa's Brookside area. Her paintings looked amazing on the walls, so I wanted to share a couple of photos:

For more pictures and details, go read Heather's post.

If you're in the Tulsa area, drop by to check out the exhibition. Get there soon before everything sells!

Martha Stewart Weddings

One of our very own is featured in the summer issue of Martha Stewart Weddings. Wow-ee! Head to your local magazine stand and pick up a copy to see Fat Daddy Sweets, maker of divinely delicious treats, alongside other great Etsy sellers. The goods are in the section called "Buy It Yourself," and the article starts on page 134. Check our teammate out on page 139. If you're planning a wedding or just want to support the handmade movement, go buy your copy today!

Congratulations, Alicia! Speaking from personal experience, your product totally deserves the exposure.

Friday Finds: Thank Goodness for Little Girls

This week's Friday Finds are in honor of all the sweet little girls in our lives, be they our daughters, granddaughters, sisters, nieces, cousins, or dear friends.

Reminder: Downtown DIY

Don't forget! The team's monthly crafting night usually held at the home of Miss JDStar has transformed. Attend the first Downtown DIY this Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m. The fun will take place at the Oklahoma City Coworking Collaborative. Come one and all! If you take any pictures, send them to me, and I'll post some on the blog.

Applying to Craft Shows

Tomorrow in the Etsy Virtual Labs, there will be a special session on applying to craft shows. Etsy's own HelloCraft, the planning team behind Crafty Bastards, will be taking questions on submitting a winning application. If you have any questions, contact Crafty Bastards on Twitter. Then swing by the Virtual Labs on Thursday, June 25 at 4 p.m. (5 p.m. Eastern) to learn all about the process. This will be a great learning experience for newbies and team members with lots of experience. Check it out!

Meet Our Members: FriedOkra

It's time to meet Adrian, the brains behind the delightful operation that is Fried Okra.

1. Introduce yourself
I'm Adrian and my shop is Fried Okra! After many years I'm back in my hometown of Ponca City, or as I like to say... two hours from everything! I spend my days running my kids to and fro, squeezing in some sewing time when I can. Lots of late nights and coffee around here!

2. Tell us about what you make. When did you start making it and why?
I make two sorts of things, Sock Monkeys and patchwork/embroidered bags and pouches. I made my first Sock Monkey on a whim out of a pair of angora socks I knew I would never wear. For a girl who buys many MANY socks I'm super picky about what sort of socks I'll wear! He turned out absolutely horrible but nonetheless I was hooked :) So many cute socks out there, such a shame to put them in shoes and under pant legs! I've been a sewer and quilter for much longer than I was making Sock Monkeys and with my ever growing "Crafter's ADD" I had to find a way to keep sewing and quilting but on a much smaller level. So many cute fabrics out there!

3. How long have you been crafting? When did you decide to start selling your handmade goods?
I've been sewing since I was a kid, my mom has always been an avid crafter... a jack of all trades for sure! I started making Sock Monkeys a few years ago and when I ran out of family and friends to give them away to I decided to give selling a shot. I've been floored by the response, to say the least! Then when I added bags and pouches to the inventory I felt like I filled my missing piece :) Fabric has always been a weakness and when I figured out a way to use all my favorite fabrics, buttons, embroideries, and wit in one little compact project I was a happy girl! Now when I get sick and tired of sewing on arms I can do a little piecing. Then when I get sore hands from embroidering I can give a pair of socks some LIFE :)


4. Other than what you sell, what's your favorite thing to craft?
I'm totally hooked on old books. I hit up our library's book sale all the time, you wouldn't believe what people just give away! I use them (especially the sad water damaged or missing pages ones) to make envelopes, tags, stickers, buttons, etc. I also just plain ole hoard them! My most recent find is a *huge* book of Etiquette, the title and size alone had me. When I opened it up I was even more excited, the whole book was backwards and upside down. Sold!

5. What do you love best about Etsy?
I'm going to be very general on this! I love how easy Etsy is to use. Now a stay-at-home momma like myself can do what she loves and make a little money on a very do-able level.

6. What's your favorite thing about Oklahoma?
Where else in the country do you get the chance to do a mock Land Run in elementary school?? I'm going to have to say I love storm season around here too. Hours of Rick Mitchell, beautifully colored radar maps, standing out on the porch watching the storm blow in, and the eventual run to the basement. It's exhilarating!

7. Do you sell anywhere else or have a blog, Twitter, MySpace, etc.?
I have my Etsy shop (http://friedokra.etsy.com) and am slowly branching out to craft shows and the like. I do have a blog that needs updating, http://invisiblespray.blogspot.com/.

Thanks, Adrian! You can also check out her goodies on Flickr.

Friday Finds: Happy Father's Day

Sunday is Father's Day, and what better way to show Dad you love him than with a handmade gift? So what if it's the last minute -- Dad'll understand, right?

Downtown DIY

Our monthly Church Night at the home of Miss JDStar has become Downtown DIY! Everyone who is interested in an evening of crafting in the company of others is welcome to attend the events. They will be held the last Saturday of the month from 7 to 11 p.m. at Oklahoma City Coworking Collaborative. Come one and all for crafty fun with great guys and gals. Contact JD for more information.

Coming to a newstand near you

Our very own BuckBoardWoodWorks shared some exciting news today: one of his carvings will be in the next issue of Woodcarving Illustrated! Check out his handiwork in issue #48 or http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/ when the fall issue is released.

Way to go, Frank!

Friday Finds: Newbies

This week's Friday Finds will introduce you to the newest members of the street team! Click on each item to find more by our great new sellers.




Have a great weekend, folks!

The TSAs of Crafty Air Travel

Things have been a bit quiet over hear in blogland, and for that I apologize. Hopefully I'll have some good news for everyone soon.

In the meantime, check out this great piece in Craft: all about carrying supplies onto airplanes. This is valuable information for everyone's summer travel plans. :)

Friday Finds: Bird Watching

The sun is shining, the breeze is gentle (by Oklahoma standards), and the mornings are perfectly warm. Now is the perfect time of year to spot your favorite feathered friends building nests, hopping across your porch and feasting on whatever creepy crawlers they can snap their beaks around. If you're not an early riser, then you can at least enjoy these wonderful avian-inspired items from Oklahoma sellers. Check them out:



What's your favorite kind of bird?

Friday Finds: Happy Memorial Day

Because of the long weekend, this week's Friday Finds honor the many members of the armed forces who gave their lives in service to the United States.




Do you have any plans to celebrate Memorial Day? How are you spending the three-day weekend?

High-Rollin' Okies

After stumbling across GemsByEm on Etsy's front page Monday and marvelling at the number of sales she's made in the two years since she joined (434 as of the moment), I got to wondering who the team's top sellers were. So, I started looking through everyone's shop and taking notes. I was amazed at how many Disciples of Etsy members have made more than 100 sales. In fact, five of our wonderful crafters have more than 1,000 sales under their belts! That's pretty amazing, if you ask me -- so amazing, in fact, that they deserve their own post. How about this one? Sounds perfect! Here they are in ascending order.

5. Jennifer's Bows n More, who sells dog tag necklaces, Scrabble tile images, and other goodies has sold 1,401 items since opening shop two years ago. Her stuff is perfectly adorable and fun.

4. the vintage pearl, maker of custom jewelry treasures, has found homes for 1,737 of her unique items. Her delicate, beautiful pieces are enchanting and delightful.

3. Mattiecakes has sold 3,054 handmade goods and sewing supplies in a little under two years. She has some great deals on gorgeous Amy Butler fabric, too.

2. Keys and Memories, no stranger to Etsy's front page herself, is a true power seller, boasting 3,649 sales. Her completely one-of-a-kind jewelry from old typewriter keys is innovative and timeless.

1. Rainbow Swirlz is the team's top seller! With 4,810 sales in 3.5 years on Etsy, this happening mama does gorgeous screenprinting on a variety of surfaces -- shirts, bags and more. Check out the shop to pick up any of the great designs, from colorful robot armies to serene bird silhouettes.

Blue Dome Arts Festival

Those looking for great handmade items and fun, friendly artists should look no further than the Blue Dome Arts Festival in Tulsa this weekend. Around 200 vendors in 123 booths will be set up to delight you with their unique goods all made by hand. While you're there, make sure to say hello to JDStar and saralynnmo in Booth #55 and the Tulsa Craft Mafia gals in Booths #104 and 105. Here are the details, folks:

Where: Blue Dome district downtown, 2nd and Elgin area

When: Friday noon to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: Free free free!

Why: I just told you!

Blue Dome runs at the same time as Mayfest (i.e. that other festival), just a few blocks away. I highly recommend going there for a giant cinnamon roll and the student art exhibit, then come by Blue Dome for 100% awesome, local art for sale. Make sure not to miss the Art Car Parade at 2 p.m. Saturday starting at 2nd and Elgin!

Friday Finds: Deluxe Edition

Deluxe will be opening its doors tomorrow at noon! As you enter the Centennial Building, your senses will be enchanted by the offerings of lots of Okie artists, including some of our fabulous team members. This week's Friday Finds are just a few of the great things you'll be able to purchase in OKC on Saturday.




What are you most looking forward to seeing at Deluxe?

Deluxe is almost upon us!

Hear ye, hear ye! Deluxe is only days away from delighting Oklahoma shoppers with amazing vendors and their unique, handmade goodies! Have you marked your calendars yet for this indie crafting extravaganza? If not, here are the details once again for you sweetie pies:

Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar

Saturday, May 9, 2009

noon to 6 p.m.

Centennial Building, State Fairgrounds

Oklahoma City

FREE admission!

www.deluxeok.net for more info

There will be a ton of amazing Okie sellers (and some friends from neighboring states, too) trading cash for their goods, goodies and greaties. If you miss it, you'll regret it. It's possible some really cute babies will cry, too. And kittens -- kittens the world over will be sad. You don't want to be responsible for that.

When you're there, make sure to say hello to all the wonder Disciples of Etsy members who will be both shoppers and vendors!

Friday Finds: Hold Me Closer Tiny Dancer...

Edgy finds for your prom experience! Create your unique look in our Oklahoma Etsy Shops.



Is your style SWEET or SASSY ~ perhaps a little of BOTH??

OklaTravelNews today!

Hey there friends! I'll be on OklaTravelNews today around noon (CDT) to promote Deluxe. I'm so excited to help spread the word about this awesome event. If you can, watch it live by tuning into the Web site right at 12:00 p.m. If you can't, head to the site any time between 1:00 p.m. today and 11:59 a.m. tomorrow to watch the magic happen. Just click the "Last Show Archive" button on the viewer. I'll be wearing my Deluxe T-shirt and a few pieces made by awesome Deluxe vendors, including a team member or two, so look out for them.

Thanks to Sara and JD for trusting silly little me to help out. :)

Welcome to the world!

The Disciples of Etsy has a new little friend as of yesterday. Samann1121 -- aka Jessie -- had her long-awaited first daughter on April 26. Hip hip hurray! Though she's still less than a day old, the whole team is excited about her arrival. We know she'll be as creative and crafty as her mom in no time. Understandably, Jessie's taking some time off from her store to acclimate to life as a mother. We look forward to her triumphant return when she's ready.

Congrats to new Mommy and Daddy on a job well done! :)

Funky Finds Spring Fling

We all know craft fair season has descended upon us, so why fight it? Instead, I urge everyone who can get away this weekend to head down to DFW for Funky Finds Spring Fling. The show boasts some of the finest indie crafters in the area, including members of the Dallas Craft Mafia, the Etsy Dallas Street Team, and -- yep! -- some of our very own fine folks. Funky Oklahoma vendors include Claudia's Burning Ink, QUiD, Stelabird, and Weather and Noise.

The show will be this Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth. It's free to get into, and pets are welcome. What better way to spend a gorgeous Saturday than shopping for great, handmade items in that big state south of us?

Love your planet today!

No matter what planet you call home, today is the day to love on it a little extra. There are a million ways to do that: start recycling, carry a reusable bag to the store, choose your bike over your car, or bring your own mug to the coffee shop.

Luckily, your favorite Oklahoma Etsians have some great products available to help you "green" (or pink or purple) your lifestyle. Grab a few to stimulate the local economy while also improving the world around you.

Everyone has to go to the grocery store sometime. Why not take your goodies home in a great bag from Weather and Noise?


Would you rather pedal than put it to the metal? Saralynnmo makes lovely liners to keep your goodies inside your bike's basket.


Are you a journaler? Then grab one of BurgundyDistrict's great recycled books. Bonus: a portion of proceeds go to offset carbon emissions through the Clif Bar & Company.

What are you doing today (and every day!) to make the world a better, healthier place?

Meet our Members: nparekh

It's another bright, shiny Monday here in the Sooner State. Weather like this makes me want to grab my camera and head outside for a few hours. In that vein, I want to introduce everyone to nparekh, one of our newer members and a great photographer to boot. Let's learn more about him!

1. Introduce yourself.
Hello everyone, my name is Nimish, I live in Tulsa and I'm the artist behind Nimish Parekh Photography. I'm actually a third year medical student at OU-Tulsa in the midst of my clinical training, so it's been really fun/challenging keeping a balance between photography and school. I grew up in Oklahoma City, went to college in Los Angeles, took a year off during college and lived in Mumbai, India, and now I'm back in Oklahoma for medical school and have no idea where I'll be for residency next year. Life is fun...

2. Tell us about what you make. When did you start making it and why?
Right now my main craft is cards/stationary, photographic prints and I hope to expand to postcards. I started learning photography in 2005 while I was in college. I literally bought an old manual SLR camera off Ebay, loaded it with film and just taught myself through trial and error. I was lucky enough to be living in Los Angeles at the time, so I had a great city to explore and train my eye on. In terms of what makes my work unique, I'm told by friends/fans is that I have an eye for ordinary everyday things, and I capture them in a way that makes them more beautiful or interesting. I'm drawn to odd things like doors, power lines, garden hoses, street markings and buildings, and apparently I find a way to capture them and make them photo-worthy.

3. How long have you been crafting? When did you decide to start selling your handmade goods?
I started making these card series in 2008 because I wanted to start a small business and promote my work. I feel there is much to be gained in learning to manage a small business, but the main reason I started is that I get to meet great people and have really unique experiences when I sell my work. It's really been about the ride, the people, and everything I've learned along the way.

Flower Burst Limited Series

4. Other than what you sell, what's your favorite thing to craft?
I can't say I have any other crafting skills...but I do love gardening!

5. What do you love best about Etsy?
I have been impressed by how supportive the Etsy community is from the top down. You can tell that this really is a community and everyone wants each other to succeed in their creative/business ventures. That seems so rare sometimes, so I really love that part of Etsy.

6. What's your favorite thing about Oklahoma?
My favorite thing to do in Oklahoma is explore local shops and meet people. People in Oklahoma are generally very kind and nice, and this state is full of so many characters that you can't help but have a good time meeting random strangers.

Doors Limited Series

7. Do you sell anywhere else or have a blog, Twitter, MySpace, etc.?
Right now I sell through Etsy and my online Shutterfly store which are linked off my blog: http://nimish.blogspot.com/. Locally in Tulsa I sell cards at Cafe Topeca, Shades of Brown and Inner Peace Yoga studio. Some of my work is being featured at Cafe Topeca in downtown Tulsa, please check it out! I just started a new photo blog here: http://alphabetographee.blogspot.com/.

Thanks for the interview, Nimish, and welcome to the team!

Friday Finds -- Travel

It's a bit of a dull-skied Friday in my corner of the state. Despite the weather, this time of year always gets me excited for vacations, especially road trips. This week's Friday Finds are inspired by wanderlust and all the adventures associated with it.






Where are you spending your next vacation?

Booth inspiration

It's spring, friends, and all us crafty Okies know Deluxe and a whole slew of other great shows are just around the corner. Following on a past post about craft show preparation, I thought now would be the perfect time for some inspiration on setting up your own booth. These photos are all from Flickr and properly credited.

There's about a billion ways to display jewelry, but I'm really digging the shutters-as-earring-holders such as this one by artworkbyandrea:




I love how simply and cleanly everything is laid out in UnapologeticMe's booth:



Do you sell an item that calls for a "theme-y" display, such as cute food or plush birds? Take a cue from glue&glitter, who used a baking sheet to show off her felt cupcake pins:



You can do a really great display using things you have around the house. Check out monda loves' stroke of genius using a dresser:



Looking for a creative, cheap way to make your own banner? Team member claudiasburningink has a great one to show off:


Lastly, don't forget to show off your business cards to make sure every passer-by grabs one. shopmimigreen has an eye-catching solution:



I hope this helps inspire you! If you have any creative display ideas, tell us about them or -- better yet -- include photo links in the comments.