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/

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

OKEtsy Featured Seller: Chocolate Dog Studio

The featured seller of the week is Karen from Chocolate Dog Studio. Karen lives in Tulsa and loves sewing and paper crafts.

Karen, where does your inspiration come from?

My main inspiration comes from the colors and textures in the paper or fabrics. I love putting different colors and textures together in the fabrics and then also the paper crafts. It gives me great joy to see a fabric or paper, envision a completed item, create it and then see the finished item. It is exciting to me to see things appear out of raw materials, recycled materials, or gifted materials that were useless to someone else. It is a little addicting to take a piece paper that someone was going to throw away and make something to sell.

What is your favorite media to work with?

My favorite media is (at this time) working with the paper and then also fabric. In the past I have crocheted, knitted, dabbled in different drawing mediums.

Where would you like to see yourself 5/10 years from now in this project?

In about 5/10 years I hope that I am still following this path laid out before me. I just have no idea where it is heading. I am much happier when I am creating than when I am not creating. It is just something I have to do, whether it is appreciated by buyers or not. :0) Though like everyone, buyers are confirmation that I am doing the right thing!

What is one of your keys to success?

Be nice and kind to everyone that comes across your path, regardless of how they treat you. You are leaving a lasting impression with suppliers, customers and other sellers.

What is one crazy thing about you?

20 kindergartners with paint and paintbrushes doesn't scare me. A regular class full of kids with an academic subject is terrifying! (I used to teach art.)

What is something you would love to learn how to do?

I would love to weave with a giant room sized loom. It just sounds like so much fun.

What is your favorite color?

Green, some pinks, and red are my favorite colors. I wear green most often.

What do you love about Oklahoma?

I love Oklahoma people, they are friendly, concerned and most of all Real. We are used to wide open spaces, fairly large cities, small towns, backwoods.

Be sure to check out this week's featured seller and all of her fabulous sites:

Blog:http: http://www.chocolatedogstudio.com/

Twitter: chocodogstudio

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Chocolatedogstudio

etsy shop http://www.chocolatedogstudio.etsy.com/

Etsy Shop Tips

Hi! My name is Danielle Furstenberg. I live in Oklahoma City, and just started doing Etsy as a full-time job when I finished school in May. It looks right now like I’ll be writing for the OKEtsy Team Blog on the second and fourth weeks of the month.

I just officially started my business in January of this year, so I thought it might be a good idea to share two of the most helpful things I did when getting started. First, I super duper duper recommend signing up for and taking a free New Business Workshop. The Oklahoma Tax Commission offers one every few days all over the state. I was able to take one just a few blocks from my house. The one I went to was about three hours long, but the time flew by because it was SO informative and helpful.

I knew very little about the legal side of starting a business, so this workshop helped me a lot. I learned how to register for a FEIN number, open a business checking account, officially register my business, report sales tax, register my trade name – and I learned about things I can purchase for my business that are tax exempt.

Secondly, Etsy offers so many helpful articles for getting started. In the months prior to opening my shops, I tried to read a few articles from the Etsy Seller Handbook every night before going to bed. By the time I was ready to officially open my shop, I had learned a little about everything from photography and writing item descriptions to shipping internationally and pricing items.

Having that base of knowledge was incredibly beneficial to me starting out. I try to still read a few new articles from Etsy each week, so I’m always learning, but in reality it’s been several weeks since I’ve made time for that.

I hope my suggestions can help any of you that are just starting out! Also, if you’re new to Etsy and have questions or are confused, please head over to the OKEtsy Team Discussion Board! There are a ton of really nice people there that would be more than happy to help! Thanks!

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!

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?

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?

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.

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.

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!

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.