Friday, January 30, 2009

Treasury

Team member AScrappyDesign is featured in this great, owl-themed treasury. Go check it out!

Happy Friday!

(If anyone else on the team is in a treasury, let me know, and I'll add them to this post.)

Thursday, January 29, 2009

CPSIA in the news

I was excited to see a story in the Tulsa World today on the effect the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act will have on local crafters and small-business owners. You can read the article here.

As much publicity as we can get out of this issue is something to applaud. Once again, I think my biggest contention with CPSIA was missed: that the manufacturers of the lead-laden products, not the consumers of them, should be held responsible. As it is, the changes will punish those of us who buy and use products containing lead instead of the companies who recklessly created them. I'm all for holding manufacturers responsible for poisoning children, but CPSIA doesn't do that. Instead, it insinuates that I should buy a product and pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to test it for lead and phthalates myself. That's just nonsensical.

All the same, any coverage is helpful. Let's keep hoping those in power hear what we're saying.

Down for the count

Many of us across the Internet can't connect to Etsy right now. Etsy says it isn't on their end. I don't know whose fault it is, but I know I miss my handmade goods and my group chatting!

So, to try to pass a little bit of time, I thought I'd write a blog in hopes that everything will be restored once I push "post".

You may have noticed things gettin' kinda fancy around here. One of the delightful Heathers (no film reference, I promise) on the team worked to spruce up our layout. She made the lovely banner, too. Doesn't it look nice? She's done such a great job with her personal blog that I was thrilled when she volunteered to help. I've been trying to change the information up as well to streamline everything. Does anyone have comments or suggestions?

Another lovely Heather on the team also suggested doing Project Wonderful ads on the blog, with revenue benefitting the team. I think this would be a really great idea, but I'm curious what comments team members have. If we do this, I'll add a third column to the blog and put the ads on the left. Thoughts? Ideas? Experience? If everyone likes the idea, I'll try to implement it soon.

The ice is starting to melt up here in the Tulsa area. Hopefully it won't refreeze too much tonight. I hope conditions are getting nicer in your corner of the state!

Edit: I can't believe it worked! Etsy was back up after I posted this. Oh the magic of the blog. :)

Monday, January 26, 2009

Our first group meeting

So the first (monthly? quarterly? and only?) meeting of the Disciples of Etsy group was this past Saturday. Speaking on behalf only of myself, it was a lot of fun. We had a decent number in attendance, managed to talk about all the pressing stuff, showered Jessie with gifts, and consumed copious amounts of sugar courtesy of Cuppies and Joe. Saturday was an insane day for me (ballet class until 11:00 and then on the road to OKC by 11:30 just to barely make it on time), so I left Tulsa without my camera. Oh so sad. However, the lovely Jessie, in whose honor we held the shower, put some good shots on her blog here.

I sent out a group email with all the important details, but I did want to note that Claudia has decided it's time to relinquish her leadership role in the group. Like JD, she will still be an important member of the team, but all group communications should now come to me, Brigid. Thank you, Claudia, for a year of excellent guidance!

So, now who's ready to take on a co-leader position? Please contact me to volunteer!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Meet Our Members: FawnAndFinch

One of the best things about buying handmade items on Etsy is knowing that each transaction is with a real person. Every purchase you make supports independent crafters and artists who put love and care into each item. To highlight this, we will start posting interviews with our wonderful sellers. First up is FawnAndFinch. ::applause::

1. Introduce yourself.
My name is Beth and I run Fawn and Finch. Or does it run me? I live right on the border of Arkansas and Oklahoma and i've been a member of DOE since September of last year.

2. Tell us about what you make.
I make pacifier clips for babies, and more recently have added a line of mitten clips since the weather has gotten so cold. I used to be a professional nanny for a newborn girl and keeping pacifiers off the ground was a job in itself. I made my own because, at the time, the only ones I could find in stores were not very cute and had plastic clips that didn't hold up well to everyday use. They're unique because I use only imported Japanese ribbon made of linen instead of grosgrain. It keeps them from fraying and it's eco-friendly. I just love making them and seeing all the adorable babies who've put them to good use.

3. How long have you been crafting and selling?
With the pacifier clips I started selling them online about six months ago. Before that I sold them in local boutiques, and I have a large wholesale account with Giggle.com. But I've been crafting since birth. When I was thirteen I would go garage-selling with my Mom, and find old furniture. I'd paint it, decoupage it, decorate it, and sell it the next weekend at my own garage sale. It's great to make money doing what you love, but it's fantastic to know people genuinely like what you've created with your own two hands.



4. What are your reactions to CPSIA? How will it effect you?
Of course it will effect me tremendously since I specialize in infant and children's accessories. I've already sent several samples to be tested at a third party lab and i'm waiting to hear the results and (shudder) the final bill. I think the CPSIA was well-intentioned, but ultimately it will result in there being FEWER safe items for our children as small handmade businesses go under. Like everyone, i'm keeping my fingers crossed that exemptions will be made and handmade items will be saved.

5. Other than what you sell, what's your favorite thing to make?
I love to make jewelry and stationery. I'm always dabbling in those when I have the time. And I love making little felt mustaches as well. :)

6. What do you love best about Etsy?
I love Etsy to death. Sure, it has its problems like anything else, but it's given me and so many others a place to share our passions with the world. The things i've been exposed to, the people I've met, the things I've learned about business, crafting, and life in general, I can't thank Etsy enough for that.

7. What's your favorite thing about -- or to do in -- Oklahoma?
My absolute favorite thing to do is go kayaking down a river on a lazy Saturday afternoon. The Illinois River in Eastern Oklahoma is my favorite spot right now and if the weather's warm and the water's not too high, you'll find me there at least 5 or 6 times a year.

Thanks so much for chatting with us, Beth! Now go check out her shop. :)

Friday, January 16, 2009

Tangled up in blue

It's cold and windy in Oklahoma today. Embrace the winter blues with items from some absolutely wonderful Disciples of Etsy team members!





Have a wonderful Friday!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Celebrations

Happy birthday to the one and only saralynnmo!
We hope it's grand.
What could be nearly as exciting as a birthday? A coupon for 20% off at Michael's, of course! Claim it by clicking here. It's good through January 17 (this Saturday). Let's all wish a big thank-you to Twitter friend mestiere.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Deluxe 2009!

The spring edition of the Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar is coming to the State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City on May 9! Disciples of Etsy team members saralynnmo and JDStar are the brains behind the operation, and there will be many team members there peddling their homemade goodies.



Applications are now available on the event Web site. If you're an indie crafter with items to sell, get in your application by March 1.

Deluxe will be twice as big this spring as it was in December, so it's an event not to miss! It will be free and family-friendly. Look for the vendor list in the spring. I hope to see you all at Deluxe!

Friday, January 9, 2009

First group meeting

The Disciples of Etsy is ringing in the New Year by hitting the ground running. We will have our first group meeting on Saturday, January 24 in Oklahoma City. If you are a member of the street team or would like to be, convo Claudia (ClaudiasBurningInk) or Brigid (greyeyedesigns) for meeting time and location. In addition to discussing some housekeeping details, we will also be holding a baby shower for samann1121, who is having a girl in the spring. Bring something to welcome little Lucy into the world! (I bet Mamma would appreciate a handmade gift . . . just a hunch.)

We are looking forward to a wonderful year on the street team. Please attend the meeting with your ideas at the ready. We will be asking what you want from the team and what you can contribute.

If you're not yet a member and would like to be, please contact Claudia or Brigid to join. The requirements are living and/or selling in the state of Oklahoma, having an Etsy shop, filling out the questionnaire (found here), and being awesome. We would love you to join us!