OkEtsy Featured Seller: Bloomandbling

Please introduce yourself: Shanna Williams - Stroud, OK - Childrens accessories and outfits

What is/was your inspiration? My children are my inspiration! More specifically my youngest daughter, Rayne. She is 3 and she inspires me on a daily basis. She’s a diva and a tomboy. She loves to dress up like a princess AND climb trees. She loves pageants and playing in the dirt.

I know that it sounds cheesy and silly, but there is no better feeling in the world than when someone compliments my little princess on something she’s wearing…a bow, a dress, whatever and she promptly responds “Momma made it!” With a giant smile on her face and a beautiful twinkle in her baby blue eyes!

What is your favorite media and why? Ribbon! I don't think I can ever get enough ribbon. (my husband thinks otherwise) I love ribbon, you can use it in SO many ways. The possibilities with it are endless!

Where would you like to see yourself 5/10 years from now in this project? I would like to be doing more consignment and wholesale, as well as a brick and mortar store front. My goal is to make my creations available to ALL the little divas and princesses out there.


What has been your biggest challenge with your shop? I guess I'd have to say time is a giant challenge. With a family of four children (ages 12, 11, 3, and 1) I'm not a lady with a lot of time on her hands. Somehow I find the time to enjoy my family, my friends, and still make everything work, though a few more hours in the day wouldn't hurt my feelings.

Do you have any keys of success to share? Promotion! I cannot stress enough the importance of promotion. You can get creative and find new and even FREE ways to promote all over the place. Social networking is a big key to that.
Tell us one thing crazy about yourself. Only one? Well...I'm a karaoke diva. That's right. I said it. Sometimes there's no better way to express how you're feeling than to belt out a tune at the top of your lungs.

What is something you would love to learn how to do? I would LOVE to learn how to crochet. I never really gave it the shot it deserved when I was younger and my mother was trying to teach me. It really is fabulous all of the things you can create when you know how to crochet.

What has been your favorite project so far? My favorite project so far was has been my new Diva Dazzle bows. They're so fun to make and I think they look absolutely adorable! I was really happy about how that particular "experiment" turned out.

What is one thing you love about Oklahoma? It's HOME. I was born and raised in Oklahoma. I love this state for so many reasons that it's hard to chose just one. But the best way to put it is the people are friendly and there's always something going on to do...it's home and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Check out Shanna at the following places:
Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/bloomandbling
FB: www.facebook.com/pages/Bloom-and-Bling-Accessories/142162869153947
Twitter: twitter.com/#!/bloomandbling
Blog: bloomandbling.blogspot.com/

Upcoming Tulsa Show Announcement

Hi, Danielle here! I just wanted to let everyone know about the upcoming Indie Emporium show in Tulsa. They are accepting applications for vendors now, so if you are interested you have until August 14^th to get your application in.

The show will be held at Living Arts of Tulsa, which is located at 307 East Brady, from September 30^th – October 1^st.

To see pictures of past events, you can visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/thecrowes/collections/72157623999018884/, and to learn more about the event, you can check out http://www.indieemporium.com/.

OKEtsy Featured Seller: Luksi Creations

Please introduce yourself and your shop.
Luksi Creations (family owned mainly run by me Kiamichi Goodbear) -Oklahoma City - Traditional Native American and non traditional beadwork, jewelry, illustrations, plush dolls, woodcarving, custom painted clothing, sewing (quilts, pillows, bags). There are 4 of us, and one apprentice, though right now most of everything is mine. I run this craziness with my mom Catherine and my sister Mauli and my husband Frank also make things for us. We are training my daughter in various things so she is also involved.

What is/was your inspiration?
When I was growing up, my grandmother was always making something. She was sewing me doll clothes for my barbies, she made my clothes, she made dolls, her and my mom would quilt, my mom taught me how to bead. It was just always part of my life. I love doing it. Which is why I think my business has such a wide variety of things. I learned to make doll patterns and clothing patterns from my grandma and my mom and I love making dolls. Doing that and the beadwork just make me happy. Plus I love to draw.

What is your favorite media and why?
Beading is mine. It is calming to me, plus it is part of my heritage. I do lots of beadwork for my family for their dance regalia and I also do it for other dancers as well. I have recently started doing more non traditional pieces for other people. It is very time consuming though. I think people don't understand the time that goes into it.

Where would you like to see yourself 5/10 years from now in this project?
I would love to be doing this full time and making a decent living from it. I wouldn't mind having a little storefront, someplace to sell things and maybe teach classes on how to do things. I would really like to teach beading classes.

Do you have any keys of success to share?
Keep working, build up an inventory. Get out there to shows, even if they are small ones. I set up in the Plaza District once a month and it has been a great experience. You meet people and you never know what kind of opportunities you can get out of it. I also market like crazy on twitter and Facebook and Tumblr. Just keep at it and don't get discouraged. Eventually sales pick up, they just started to for me! It's kind of exciting.

Tell us one thing crazy about yourself.
I can't sit still. I have to be constantly doing something. I get really fidgety if I am not making something, reading something, anything. It drives people crazy lol.

What is something you would love to learn how to do?
I would love to learn how to make stained glass. It's something I have always wanted to do.

What is your favorite color?
Mine is red, my mom's is yellow, my husband's is green, my sister's is purple, and my daughter's changes between purple and pink.

What is one thing you love about Oklahoma?
The people really are very helpful in a crisis. It always astounds me how the community comes together here when it is needed. I think it's amazing.

Check out this great local seller at the following:
Blog: luksicreations.blogspot.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/#!/LuksiCreations
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Luksi-Creations/245385691533
Tumblr: luksicreations.tumblr.com/
Deviant Art Page: luksicreations.deviantart.com/
Etsy Store: www.etsy.com/shop/luksicreations
Zazzle Store: www.zazzle.com/luksicreations
My Portfolio: kiamichigoodbear.carbonmade.com/

Put a Face to Your Name

Or at least an avatar. :)

Networking can be tricky business. I'm sure we also love to share our thoughts, ideas, comments, suggestions, kudos, etc. to other artistic personalities via blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc. And by leaving these "comments" we are networking. And did you know that this is a PERFECT opportunity to get someone to notice you?

But, no one will notice a name without a face. You need an avatar. However, it's a pain to load an avatar up on every single type of networking site. Enter Gravatar! (en.gravatar.com) Gravatar is a Globally Recognized Avatar system. You simply enter your e-mail, add an image to it, select your personal main sources of reaching out to people and boom...no more blank avatars when you leave comments on people's blogs. No more cutesy Graphic images on Wordpress instead of your shop logo (which is what I'm using) or a picture of yourself. Put a face to that name. You'll hear back from people more often. It makes that connection more personal, more meaningful. And it will encourage people to take a look at your store, blog, etc.

Gravatar has some other great features as well. There's a video that explains it all on their main page. I encourage you to head on over to their site (en.gravatar.com) and put a face to that name! You'll certainly be glad you did!

Happy networking!
-Amanda-

OKEtsy Featured Seller: The Cozy Pumpkin

Please introduce yourself.
Amanda Lipscomb - Edmond, OK - Children's Decor (Sewing and Art)

What is/was your inspiration? My kids. I never got into sewing until I had my son. Once I had him I wanted to make everything he had in his room unique to him. I had already been painting just for fun but I got into mixing medias for my children's rooms and more fun art sprung from my little imagination.

What is your favorite media and why? Sewing. I love that I can mentally shut off everything else and just focus on creating, and creating something useful at that! :) I get such pleasure out of using the things I've made.
Where would you like to see yourself 5/10 years from now in this project? I honestly don't know. I'm just kind of riding the wave as it were. We shall see where it takes me. I'd love to say just creating creating creating. Whether it be for my shop or just for myself and my family. That's all that matters to me in the end. Well...as far as my crafting is concerned. ;)

Do you have any keys of success to share? Ha! I wish. I guess it's to make connections and surround yourself with family and friends who believe in you. (Maybe enough to be your first customers!) Because until you have a support system to help you get going it's going to be a slow start!
Tell us one thing crazy about yourself. Oh my! Hmmm...I can often be caught listening to The Imagination Movers (a kid's music group/show) in my minivan, cranked up loud, singing my heart out...and my kids aren't even in the car with me! (I should hang my head in shame at that!)

What is something you would love to learn how to do? Sew my own clothes. It scares the begeezes out of me. I don't know why.

Favorite color? Robin's Egg Blue. And yet, I don't think I have that color anywhere in my house. Weird.

What is one thing you love about Oklahoma? That it's not as humid as South East Texas! :)

Check out Amanda at the following places:

Blog: www.thecozypumpkin.com
Shop: thecozypumpkin.etsy.com
E-mail: thecozypumpkin@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cozy-Pumpkin/198905650140667

An Oklahoma Treasure

Hi, Danielle here! For my blog update this week, I thought I would write about a little Antique Thrift Shop I found near my hometown of Sapulpa. I live in OKC now, but I’m from the Tulsa area, and have seen this strange building many times on my way back and forth down Route 66.

Finally, the last time I was home, I had the opportunity to stop with my parents to check it out. As you drive through Kellyville on Route 66, you can see a boat that looks like it has crashed into a building – or a building that looks like it has crashed into a boat. The Treasure Boat Antique Thrift Shop has a large boat sticking out of its side and another, smaller boat sitting on its porch.

Upon walking inside, we found out that the boat is actually a part of the building now, and from the inside of the store, you can walk into the boat and check out the antiques that line its shelves. Almost all of the items there were surprisingly really reasonably priced. I’ve already sold a vintage Mickey Mouse paint set that I got there – and made a profit. If you have money to invest in items for resale right now, it would be worth checking out.

A large tree in the center of the store supports the roof, and the shop has beautiful, glossy, hardwood floors. And they have air conditioning that felt really good after a long day of garage sale-ing. Another interesting thing about the store is that if you’re a veteran, you get to sign the boat! And they have a fake wheel and levers that you can pull to pretend to drive the store (which is what I’m doing in the picture)

Overall it’s a neat little shop and a fun experience. The store is located at 18975 Old West 66, Kellyville, OK 74039; and is open Tuesday – Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. You can check out their Facebook Page at http://tinyurl.com/3buc3g6 or reach them by phone at (918) 629-1078. Thanks!

OKEtsy Featured Seller: DonnasArtisanDesigns

Please introduce yourself!

Hi! My name is Donna and I live in Yukon,OK... that's just a little west of OKC. I am a handcrafted jewelry maker.

Donna, where does your inspiration come from?
I live in a world of inspiration!! Sometimes it's a particular semi-precious stone and it's colorations,or maybe it's the supreme sparkle of a Swarovski crystal. I will also take from what mother nature gives us in the beautiful colors of a fall afternoon or a spring morning.I will also look at GOD's creatures a songbird, a butterfly, or maybe a dragonfly or a hummingbird. My inspiration is all around me and I try to find the beauty from nature.

What is your favorite media to work with?

Hmmm...my favorite media...it would be so tough to pick just one, there is so much beauty in jewelry components. I'd have to say artisan glass. I have seen the most incredible creations from hand blown glass,also Dichroic glass.

Where would you like to see yourself 5/10 years from now in this project?
I am hopeful that in 5-10 years that I would be a successful seller, with a large customer base,much more knowledge in selling online and using social media to have a large following on Facebook, Twitter and my blog. I also may be teaching my craft to newcomers to jewelry making.As far as "Keys to Success"...
I think I would be developing a large customer or fan base by always putting the customer first,having a good relationship and friendly communications. I try to treat each customer as if they were the only customer I have. I also think you should be open to new ideas and trends.

What is one of your keys to success?
I think you should develop a good repoire with all fellow Artisans, especially in your own craft, LEARN FROM OTHERS.LEARN from your mistakes and SHARE with others.I also feel very strongly that you should have a good balance between your craft and your family and others important in your life. Don't forget the reason you were put here.

What is one crazy thing about you?
Hmmm...only ONE crazy thing?LOL...Wow...that's a real tough one...O.K....first a disclaimer:This act took place when I was MUCH younger and quite impetuous (or as I call it...stupid)..LOL. I hitch hiked all the way from Jacksonville, Florida to Denver CO because we had moved and I wanted to be with my friends again.Upon not finding anyone I knew and seeing THAT was a crazy idea(I was going to live there)!! I then set out to California where I was born, because we moved from there when I was only 2 years old.and I think I was just "trying to find myself"!!Well I don't know what I was esxpecting but it wasn't as magical as I thought it would be...so I proceeded to hitchhike all the way up US1(the scenic route along the coast),sleeping on the beaches at night and having fun in the daytime!! I got tired and homesick so I called my Mom and asked if I could come home...and then I did...that was the CRAZIEST THING I ever did!!

What is something you would love to learn how to do?
I would LOVE to learn to make handcrafted glass, take some classes even.

What is your favorite color?
My favorite color is PURPLE...

What do you love about Oklahoma?
The ONE thing I love about Oklahoma is the PEOPLE. I traveled all over the country and overseas as my Dad was in the Air Force. I've met so many people from so many regions and locations. Oklahoma people are by far THE most friendly people I have EVER met.

Be sure to check out Donna's links and show support to this great local artist!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Donnas-Artisan-Designs/109229715835238
Blog: donnasartisandesigns.blogspot.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/Donna_Arena
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/DonnasArtisanDesigns

OkEtsy Giveaway

Hi there! I am Amanda Lipscomb, owner and creator behind The Cozy Pumpkin (www.thecozypumpkin.com), and new writer for The Disciples of Etsy blog team. :)

This week I wanted to let you know about a fabulous (and her very first!) giveaway from Kimberly Danielle. She is giving away is a blank journal that is bound in a vintage cover from the 1930's, and the winner will be chosen next Saturday (July 9th)! Perfect for all of those little sketches you want to make on the run, or for jotting down thoughts, plans, gift ideas...who knows. The sky is hte limit! There are multiple ways to enter her giveaway so head on over to her blog and win that journal! ;)

You can enter the drawing at kimberlydanielle.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-first-giveaway.html

Happy crafting! :) (And good luck!)
-Amanda-