Foundling makes "Featured Seller"

You can read the entire interview here.

Way to go Betsy!

CPSIA on the local front

"New lead-testing rules concern local crafters, children’s retailers, bookstores"

You can read the Mountain Xpress article by Anne Fitten Glenn in its entirety here.

Introducing Oakmother's Papers of Intent

[photos by Stefanie of Oakmother's Papers of Intent]

Another Tuesday has rolled around which means it's time for another member profile! This week we're delighted to meet Stefanie of Oakmother's Papers of Intent.


Living the Etsy Life:

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
Since December 2008.

What types of items do you sell in your shop?
Handmade paper art, and Papers of Intent - special papers made for prayers, rituals, wishes, and affirmations.

How long have you been making items that you sell on Etsy?
I've been a papermaker for about 10 years now. I love the versatility of the medium - pulp paintings, books, lampshades, stationery, castings - my list of ideas is endless!

Are there other places outside of Etsy where you sell your work?
Pura Vida, Crystal Visions, and local classes and workshops.


Creative Endeavors:

What are your favorite materials to use in your crafts?
I like to use recycled paper, cotton, abaca, and herbs. Recycling paper gives the added satisfaction of taking something old and making something new from it - it feels like truly crafting from scratch.

Where do you find your inspiration?
Over the years I have been inspired by my love and concern for our natural environment. Lately, papermaking is part of my spiritual practice. The items you see on my Etsy site are a direct result of my recent meditations. Papermaking is a very cleansing act - taking "trash" and changing it into a useful item, washing away worries and starting with a clean slate, putting my energy into the intention that the paper represents.

How do you balance Etsy with other commitments?
I spend about 5-6 hours per week on Etsy and my products. Most weeks I have 1-2 hours to make paper, and then spend the rest of the time reading about improving my products and my shop, creating packaging, filling orders, etc. I have a family and work a full time job in addition to my craft, so mostly my "paper" work is done after the family is in bed.


Of Local Interest:

What's the best thing about living in the Asheville area?
The creative energy and support of the community, the progressive attitude of the region, and the mountains.

What's your vote for best place(s) to eat in Asheville?
The Chocolate Lounge (dessert first!), The Green Sage, Lorettas....

If you had to move away from the area, what would you miss the most about it?
Been there and done that. Thrift stores, Amazing Savings, the rich music scene, and WNCW.


Random & Fun:

What quote do you find yourself saying most often?
"It is what it is."

What are your non-crafting hobbies?
Camping, learning about edible and medicinal wild plants, gardening, mothering, catching up with old friends.

Introducing SewUpscale

[photos by Linda of SewUpscale]

Another Tuesday has rolled around which means it's time for another member profile! This week we're delighted to meet Linda of SewUpscale.


Living the Etsy Life:

How did you find Etsy?
My daughter-in-law told my about Etsy.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
Since June 2007.

What types of items do you sell in your shop?
I specialize in landscape quilted fabric post cards. The mountains are my favorite subject. I also sell quilted wall hangings and children’s clothing.

Are there other places outside of Etsy where you sell your work?
At the present time, I only sell through Etsy. I would like to expand soon.


Creative Endeavors:

What are your favorite materials to use in your crafts?
Fabric and thread.

Where do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration from my surroundings. I take my camera everywhere and when I see a scene that looks interesting, I take a picture. If I don’t have my camera, I make crude drawings on scraps of paper. How did you learn your craft or art? I am mostly self taught. I have taken some quilting classes.

Do you work another job in addition to Etsy?
I work full time as a Social Worker at the Department of Social Services.

Aside from your creations on Etsy, what other creative endeavors are you involved in?


Of Local Interest:

What's the best thing about living in the Asheville area?
The diversity.

If someone is visiting the area, what is the one thing that they
must see or do before they leave?
The NC Arboretum.

What's your vote for best place to eat in Asheville?
Pastabilities in west Asheville.

If you had to move away from the area, what would you miss the most about it?
The mountains and hiking, all the different trails.


Random & Fun:

What are your non-crafting hobbies?
I love to read and hike.

What was the last book you read?
I like to listen to books on CD while I’m sewing. I like any mystery books. I like the books by Janet Evanovich.

CPSIA: The Storque

Recognize the wool felt crown in the lower right corner featured in The Storque's CPSIA article? That's Asheville Etsy's cozyblue!

You can read the entire article here at Etsy.com.

Save Handmade!

got fiber love?

[Possibly the first exhibit opportunity for early 2009?]

Cloth Fiber Workshop is putting on a Valentine's Day exhibit/auction. This exhibit has a two-fold purpose.

1) To show your work to a very interested and present audience.
2) To help raise money to benefit Cloth Fiber Workshop during these very challenging economic times.

The details:

What: A one-of-a-kind valentine, or valentine themed piece of art. All that is required is that it involves some sort of fiber: fabric, felt, paper, mixed-media, knitted, crocheted, stitched, beaded, 2-D and 3-D are all welcome!

When: Entries will be on display January 30th - February 14th 2009. Opening and auction will be Friday, February 6th from 6:30 - 8:30pm.

Where:
Biltmore Station
51 Thompson Street - Suite D
Asheville, NC 28803
828.505.2958

Please note that valentines need to be delivered/sent to Cloth Fiber Workshop by January 24th.

Furthermore, artists may enter their valentines on consignment and split the proceeds 50/50, or artists may donate their Valentines, and Cloth will receive the total proceeds.

Keep in mind that this exhibit is not exclusive to Asheville Etsy Street Team members; it's open to ALL fiber artists in our community! So if you think that you or someone you know might be interested in participating, please do.

Our Team loves Cloth Fiber Workshop, so let's reach out and show some love to keep their doors open!

Introducing Touch of Ross Pottery

[photos by Kim Ross]

Another Tuesday has rolled around which means it's time for another member profile! This week we're delighted to meet Kim of Touch of Ross Pottery.


Living the Etsy Life:

How did you find Etsy?
I found it through the internet one day while googling craft sites.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
Since November 16, 2008

How long have you been making the items you sell on Etsy?
Approximately two years.

What types of items do you sell in your shop?
We sell Functional and Nonfunctional handbuilt and wheelthrown pottery using our own homemade glazes and incorporating glass into many pieces.

My boys carve several items out including faces.

Is there a story behind your shop name?
Touch Of Ross Pottery is a name my sons and I came up with since we love using our hands to create our pottery. We feel each piece is unique and we have put a "Touch of Love" into every one we create and want the buyer to know that and feel that in the pieces they buy.

Are there other places outside of Etsy where you sell your work?
Yes, we have our pieces in Waynesville at DejaView, Bryson City at Sleepy Hollow Farms, Balsam Mountain Inn, and in two galleries in Virginia.


Creative Endeavors:

What are your favorite materials to use in your crafts?
We love using recycled clay, glazes which we make that are nontoxic, and glass.

Where do you find your inspiration?
I have always wanted to do pottery since I was 9 years old. I was born and in raised in a place called Snowflake, Va, maybe 40 to 50 people in our little town. When I was 9 I scooped up some dark clay mud from our driveway and made two small cup looking pieces with my hands. My Mom then baked those in our oven and I painted it with regular paint. I still have those two pieces sitting in my living room to this day and I cannot believe that after all these years they're still together!

I moved to Waynesville, NC 18 years ago and then met my wonderful husband. After I both of my boys, who are now ages 13 and 14, I started homeschooling. Approximately two years ago I went to a studio to learn pottery and my boys also went. We are now a team making pottery and have been very blessed with the success we have had and working together as a unit.

Do you work another job in addition to Etsy?
I am a part-time medical transcriptionist and I work out of my home doing that.

Aside from your creations on Etsy, what other creative endeavors are you involved in?
I am a homeschool mom and I think this is a pretty creative endeavor of its own and I also make Wilton cakes.

Of Local Interest:

What's the best thing about living in the Asheville area?
I live in Waynesville and am only maybe 30 minutes away from Asheville. Where I live we have a 180-acre farm with cattle, chickens, etc., and I get some of my inspirations from just looking around at the beauty and landscape.

What’s your impression of the local arts & crafts scene here?
I think it's amazing and I want to eventually go into Asheville with my pottery and get into some galleries. I have focused mainly on the Waynesville/Dillsboro/Sylva areas here. I do want to branch out more and become familiar with the galleries and people out that way!

If someone is visiting the area, what is the one thing that they
must see or do before they leave?
They need to walk Main Street here in Waynesville and see the diverse type of crafts that are offered in the stores. In Asheville of course, they need to see all the galleries there too.

What's your vote for best place to eat in Asheville?
The Olive Garden!


Random & Fun:

What's your favorite movie?
"Tombstone," and "The King And I."

What quote do you find yourself saying most often?
"Boys it is school time!"

Who are your heroes and heroines?
Jesus is my hero and my mother. Jesus to me is a hero who went through so much the short time he was on this earth and he has given me hope! My mother has been an awesome mom who raised us to strive to go after whatever it was we wanted to be and
not say "I cannot do it." She told me I could do whatever I wanted and not to limit myself. She is a very crafty person herself and taught herself how to quilt, paint, make sock monkeys, etc.

Introducing Heather Cotton Jewelry Design

[photo by Heather Cotton Jewerly Design]

Another Tuesday has rolled around which means it's time for another member profile. I know it's been awhile, but we're back in full swing with the Asheville Etsy Street Team Member profile of the week!

This week we're delighted to meet Heather, of Heather Cotton Jewelry Design.

Living the Etsy Life:

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
Since August 2007

How did you find Etsy?
A friend told me.

What types of items do you sell in your shop?
Jewelry.

Describe your Etsy experience:
I'm a big Etsy fan! As a seller, it's easy to use, efficient, and makes
marketing so easy. As a buyer, I can always find just the right gift
for that special someone including me!

Do you have any advice to someone who is new to Etsy?
Get connected with others! The benefits are endless!

Are there other places outside of Etsy where you sell your work?
I'm just breaking out, so I am not in any galleries or
stores at the moment. I did my first show in 2008, which was LAAFF. My New Year's resolution is to participate in at least six shows in 2009.

Creative Endeavors:

How did you learn your craft or art?
I took courses at Earthspeak Studio in the Asheville River Arts District, and at Penland School of Crafts.

Aside from your creations on Etsy, what other creative endeavors are you involved in?
I'm a creative junkie...I see something I like, I go buy all the materials, and I try to make it- 9 times out of 10 it turns out pretty awful, but the silver lining is that I gain a greater appreciation for the work that inspired me.

Of Local Interest:

What's the best thing about living in the Asheville area?
My friends and the rich arts and culture community.

If someone is visiting the area, what is the one thing that they
must see or do before they leave?
Get out and explore! Make their experience here unique and tailored just for them. I think visitors often stick to town and the familiar attractions, but there is so much more to see and do in our region. I would recommend picking up a
Handmade in America travel guide or selecting an itinerary on their website, and follow a driving trail to see some of our mountain treasures.

What's your vote for best place to eat in Asheville?
Mela

Random & Fun:

What's your favorite movie - actor/actress?
Goonies. I am a Goonie! There are just too many amazing and talented actors and actresses to name just one.