Listing spotlight: Monsters And Whatnot

[image by Monsters And Whatnot]

Handmade Plush Monster - Twinkles (yellow) by Monsters And Whatnot.

Introducing The Green Violet

[photos by Megan of The Green Violet]

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


Living the Etsy Life:

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
Since January 2009... but I've been buying for much longer!

What types of items do you sell in your shop?
Currently, all my items are crocheted, but I will probably branch out into other mediums! I'm just so excited about being able to create and sell things that I love. Right now, my favorite items to make are laptop cozies, wrist warmers, bookmarks, hats, and new surprise item that I'll be posting this week! I'm always looking for more things to crochet.

How long have you been making items that you sell on Etsy?
I have been knitting and crocheting since high school, so for about 10 years. I only recently joined Etsy, I posted my first items the second week of January and am still waiting for my first sale (that isn't to a friend or family member).

Describe your Etsy experience:
As a buyer, I have never been disappointed with my purchases from Etsy. They are always lovely and unique, and I really enjoy knowing that I am supporting artists rather than mass producers of crappy items. I just recently opened my shop on Etsy, and it has been a great experience so far (even though I haven't sold anything)! Everyone in the forums has offered great advice and critiques for my shop and I'm very excited about the Asheville Esty Team, it seems like a great opportunity to meet other crafters in the area. All in all, Etsy seems like a wonderful community that I am very excited to be a part of.

Are there other places outside of Etsy where you sell your work?
I don't currently sell items outside of Etsy, but am very interested in pursuing other possibilities.

Do you have any advice to someone who is new to Etsy?
I am new to Etsy, I welcome your advice! So I guess my advice is to listen to all the veteran sellers and be open to any suggestions.


Creative Endeavors:

What are your favorite materials to use in your crafts?
Yarn and lots of buttons!

How did you learn your craft?
My mother taught me how to knit in high school, my roommate taught me how to crochet in grad school, and I never follow patterns! I love to make things up as I go along, that way the final product is always a pleasant (or unpleasant and needs to be remade) surprise.

Do you work another job in addition to Etsy?
In my real (surreal?) life, I am a geologist and my specific research interest is groundwater. I know, crazy, right? I was lucky enough to complete my master's degree in beautiful northern Arizona, and then moved to Asheville this past summer where I am currently completing a year of service with Americorps. I work for the NCSU Water Quality group, our goal is to improve water quality throughout western North Carolina by installing small scale, natural stormwater treatment systems. You can see our rain gardens, stormwater wetlands, and green roofs at Carrier Park, the Richmond Hill frisbee golf course, UNCA, the Reed Creek Greenway, and lots of other locations throughout the region! I love to talk about the importance of groundwater and water quality, so let me know if you are interested!


Of Local Interest:

What's the best thing about living in the Asheville area?
I LOVE Asheville. I moved here from Flagstaff, Arizona, and I think many people have a romanticized view of the western U.S.. Let me tell you, Asheville is much more fun! There is so much culture, music, and art, and the people are much friendlier! I suppose that you can take the girl out of the south, but you can't take the south of the girl. I've been trying to get to Asheville for a while now, and I am very glad that I finally made it here. I'm hoping to stick around!

What's your vote for best place to eat in Asheville?
I know it may be a bit cliche, but my most favorite restaurant (maybe in the world) is Salsa's.


Random & Fun Questions:

What quote do you find yourself saying most often?
One of my favorite quotes is "love many, trust few, and always paddle your own canoe".

What are your non-crafting hobbies?
My new dog, Petey, attempting to play the banjo, wine, porch sitting, long back country river trips, not cleaning my house, rocks, and water.

What was the last book you read? Did you like it?
Ok, I'll admit it, I just read the Twilight series and I loved it! Well, except for the last book, I thought it was a little lame after about the first two chapters. Currently, I'm reading The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani and am really enjoying it.

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.

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.

The newest Members of Asheville Etsy!

Check them out:

Holland Street Design

honeybee

In The Light Glassworks

Me and Matilda and The Upcycle Shop

Pixie Plum


Viva Ashevegas!

Etsy + LAAFF = Asheville Etsy Street Team

Check out the latest article, Etsy in Action: Upcoming Events September 6 - 12, 2008 in THE STORQUE, featuring Asheville Etsy Street Team + LAAFF.

Many hugs and kisses to Etsy Teams Administration for funding the Asheville Street Team demo postcards!

Dear Asheville,

From the desk of Katie (aka: scrumdidlyump)

The Asheville Etsy Street Team is making an appearance at LAAFF, bringing you hands on demonstrations on upcycled no-sew grocery bags, a community art project resulting in a creature from the briny deep, and an on site display of our team members handmade arts and crafts. Etsy is an online venue for buying and selling all things handmade. Come join us and learn about Etsy, squids, and upcycled DIY projects!

Introducing Lauren (Pliable Trade)

A new team member is more than past due and I'm very happy to be introducing an enthusiastic and fun member of the team, Lauren. With more than two years Etsy experience under her belt, Lauren has two shops of her own, Pliable Trade and Wrens Nest Photography, and is co-owner of a third shop, Luddistines. You never know what you'll find at Pliable Trade, but it's sure to be colorful and fun.


About Her Craft:

How did you learn your craft or art?
Most everything I do is self-taught. Sometimes nice people will show me something new or give me pointers though.

Other than the work you post to Etsy, what other creative endeavors are you involved in?
I take a LOT of photos. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pliabletrade/


Etsy/Business Related Questions:

How did you find Etsy?
I found Etsy when I was searching the web for something with the word "witch" in it. I don't remember what it was, but I stumbled across someone's Etsy shop (I think they sold art dolls). At the time I wasn't making much of anything, but my friend had just learned to crochet. So after browsing the site for a while, I convinced her to join so she could sell her stuff. Then she convinced me to start making crafty things too. I was immediately impressed by the design of the site, even in beta version. I guess you could call it 'love at first sight'!

Is there a story behind your store name?
When I first started making things for Etsy, it was primarily in polymer clay. I also liked the idea of recycling things to make new things that could be functional- like jewelry. I'm usually pretty good at thinking of names for things, but my boyfriend at the time made the final suggestion. Right now I wish I had gone with something else, but overall it's a decent name.

Do you work another job in addition to Etsy? If so, what is it?
I work for a catering company and restaurant called Laurey's, which is downtown on Biltmore Ave. across from the Co-Op. I work in the shop handling food (not cooking), and tending to customers and retail. Sometimes I cater events (that's how I started) but mostly I'm in the shop. Stop by sometime and say hello! (And get some yummy food!!)


Of Local Interest:

What is your favorite off-the-beaten path place or activity in Asheville?
I love stopping in at Animal Haven. It's tucked away in a quiet neighborhood near Riceville Rd. and is the most peaceful and pastoral little place around here. They take in abused and neglected farm animals and you can walk through the entire farm. It's a wonderful place to take your camera and also to hang out with cool animals. It's also free, and the proceeds from the on-site thrift store benefit the animals there.

What's your vote for best place to eat in Asheville?
Laurey's! (Like I had a choice!)

If you had to move away from the area, what would you miss the most about it?
The biodiversity and the scenic views. It still takes my breath away to drive anywhere and see the ridgeline suddenly appear in the distance.


Random & Fun Questions:

Who are your heroes and heroines? Why?
My biggest real hero is probably Richard Preston. He is an author that wrote "The Hot Zone". I read it over and over again when I was younger and that book is essentially why I went to college. I don't want to be a virologist anymore, but I'll always have an interest in pathology because of him.

What was the last book you read? Did you like it?
This isn't the last book I read (I'm a reading machine), but I think it's my favorite for the year: "The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman. It was really eye-opening and informative, not to mention really well-written and interesting. I recommend it to everyone. (Basically, the premise is- what would happen to the planet if all humans vanished tomorrow?)


For more of Lauren's work, click on the Etsy Mini below.


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Introducing Ginnie & Jen (Shabee Stitches)

This week, we're introducing two team members, Ginnie & Jen, who are the duo behind Shabee Stitches. This mother and daughter team joined Etsy in June 2007 and feature amazing wedding accessories in their shop. Here they are in their own words...


Two Crafty Gals:

What are your favorite materials to use in your crafts?
We use all sorts of textiles, trims, and beads. Our favorites are reusing and reclaiming vintage and antique textiles, trims and beads that would otherwise be thrown out or overlooked. We also use new fabrics, but the vintage and antiques have a life and a history. It was common in Victorian times and earlier to reuse bits of lace or fabric from those huge skirts the ladies wore and so we feel we are continuing a time honored tradition. We love to try and imagine the women that made these lovely things:what were their lives like? their families? was this made for a friend or for home use? how many hours did it take to create the item? I sometimes find myself creating a whole story for the item as I'm remaking it into something else.

How did you learn your craft or art?
I learned the basics of sewing at a very young age first from my grandmother and then in schools I attended. At the time I went, Home Economics was still being taught and I learned a great deal there. The rest was practice and self taught until I went back to college and took a part-time job in the theatre department making costumes. There I learned to craft many types of theatrical costumes and to rework existing costumes into new ones. Jen caught the bug after she finished college and began beading for fun and to relax. She's still perfecting her craft but has gotten quite good at beading and loves to work out complex color schemes for

Where do you find your inspiration?
Our inspirations come from a lot of places, but mostly the fabrics or trims themselves. We first decided to do this because when Jen got married nearly 2 years ago she wanted a wedding that was Lord of The Rings inspired and it was impossible to find very much that was pre-made. So I (Ginnie) decided that in order to make her wedding what she truly wanted, I would need to make everything-from clothing to tablecloths to gifts from scratch. It took a bit over a year but it was worth all the time it took. It was then that we learned how little is available for brides who have a unique or unusual and very personal vision of their special day.


About the Etsy Experience:

How did you find Etsy?
Finding Etsy was a complete accident. I was looking for a place to sell our wedding creations and happened on a blog about crafting and selling on Etsy and decided to check it out. We had a couple of sales on Ebay but I never thought that was quite the venue we wanted. Etsy provided us with a place to sell our handmade items along side other handmade items and that was just perfect for us.

Describe your Etsy experience.
Our experience over the last year with Etsy as a seller has been a very positive one. We feel fortunate to have found such a great group of artisans and we are very proud to be a part of the best crafting venue on the net!


All About AVL:

What’s the best thing about living in the Asheville area?
For us, first thing would have to be the weather. Coming from extreme Northern New York, 30 miles from the Canadian border, we experienced 200+ inches of snow every winter and temperatures in January and February as low as -34 including wind chill. Winters were very long-from October to April and snow has fallen as late as May. Asheville feels like endless summer to us. Summer here is a bit warmer than we experienced in New York but we love it. Second would be all the wonderful people we've met here. Warm, friendly and helpful.

What’s your impression of the local arts & crafts scene here?
We've found the arts and crafts scene here to be unlike anything we've experienced thus far. The eclectic mix, the incredible community support for arts and crafts, the encouragement of and for the creative process is just unbelievable. The opportunities to share both the finished product and the creative processes has made our experience of Asheville one that we hope to continue for a very long time.


Fun with Ginnie & Jen!

What’s your favorite movie? Actor/actress?
For Ginnie: I'm a born romantic so my favorites reflect that. Currently it's The Lake House, an old one from the 1970's-Harold and Maude and one non-romantic film-Mindwalk-a terrific film about a politician, a poet and a scientist who take a walk around the ruins of an old monastery and discuss the past and the future of science and humanity.
For Jen: Elizabethtown because it talks about being yourself and letting go of the past and having the courage to take chances.

What was the last book you read? Did you like it?
For Ginnie: I'm currently reading Vincient Bugliosi's new book The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder. So far, I find it very interesting and I think many of his conclusions are spot on.
For Jen: Courage by Osho. I liked it because it showed me many things about myself that I was unaware of and it opened my eyes to the possibility of other choices.


If you'd like to see more of Jen & Ginnie's work, check out their Etsy shop by clicking on the Etsy mini below. Their work can also be found at: HubCityJazz, New Orleans, LA at http://www.hubcityjazz.shabeestitches.com/ and Legendary Stitches of Time at http://www.legendarystitchesoftime.ecrater.com/.

Introducing Rachel (Debty Beautiful Beads)

Now that everyone's recovered from what was hopefully a safe and fun holiday weekend, it's time to introduce you to another team member. Rachel of Debty Beautiful Beads began her Etsy adventure early in 2007. Her shop features not only beaded jewelry, but decorative items as well, proving that her talents extend far beyond jewelry making.

About Her Crafts:

How long have you been making the items you sell on Etsy?
I have been doing some sort of arts and crafts that have been intended for gifts/selling for about 3-4 years now.

Where do you find your inspiration? How did you learn your craft or art?
I am a self-taught artist and I can get inspiration from just about anywhere. Family, God's everyday beautiful creations (like a sunset) or just flipping through magazines and books sometimes things will just hit me to combine things to make something completely unique.


On Her Etsy Experiences:

How did you find Etsy?
A friend of mine, her mother's best friend is a crafter and sells (or used to, not sure about now) on etsy and she told her about me trying to get started and just raved about etsy and demanded (lol) she tell me all about it.


Describe your Etsy experience (as a buyer and/or seller).

As a buyer its been fantastic. I've gotten some beautiful pieces and made some great friends. So far, knock on wood, I've not had a bad buying experience. On the selling side, it's been slower than I'd hoped. I knew I wouldn't get rich but most of my sells have all been BNR's instead of straight sells. So I've not really sold as much as I had wanted/expected. [Editor's note: If you're not familiar with Etsy, a BNR is a "Buy and Replace", a system by which you choose an item from a list, purchase it, and then get to add one of your items to that list.]

Do you have any advice to someone who is new to Etsy?
Don't expect to make 100 sales right off the bat. And join in groups and forums. The more active you are the more exposure you incur and the more awesome people you will meet.


On Asheville:

What's the best thing about living in the Asheville area?
I am actually in Franklin, Asheville is about 1 1/2 hours from me but I love going for the bookstores (I am such a bookworm!) and the food!

If someone is visiting the area, what is the one thing that they must see or do before they leave?
Well Barnes & Nobles is a must and then I love shopping the craft stores. It's limited in Franklin so it's a treat for me when in Asheville. And they HAVE to eat at Yoshida's.

What is your favorite off-the-beaten path place or activity in Asheville?
I'm really just now getting to know the "deeper" part of Asheville instead of just the mainstream areas I usually frequent. So I am looking forward to finding some of these places.


Random Fun:

In high school, you were voted (or should have been) mostly likely to… what?
Be a lawyer. I loved the law from my first field trip to the courthouse. And wanted to help people. I never made it to be a lawyer but was a paralegal for several years, which was much more suited to me than being a lawyer anyway.

What are your non-crafting hobbies?
Books, movies, computer and playing all sorts of dvd and board games with my family

What was the last book you read? Did you like it?
I just finished the 2nd Odd Thomas book and am starting on the 3rd, by Dean Koontz, and they are absolutely FANTASTIC books.

To see more of Rachel's work, click on the images below to view her shop.

Introducing Jennifer (Merkaba Jewelry)

It's that time again - time to meet another fabulous member of the Asheville Etsy Street Team, Jennifer from Merkaba Jewelry. She began on her Etsy career in 2007, creating handcrafted jewelry using combinations of beads and metals.

On Her Craft:

What are your favorite materials to use in your crafts?
Sterling silver, copper, gemstones, lampwork glass beads, all beads really. And now I'm starting to make my own beads out of gourds.

How long have you been making the items you sell on Etsy?
I've been creating jewelry since college where I began a love affair with hemp and glass beads.

Where do you find your inspiration?
I'm inspired by many things...nature, friends, stories, my son.

Etsy/Business Related Questions:

How did you find Etsy?
I started off selling on eBay and got tired of competing with mass-produced items and the ever-increasing fees. Stumbled upon Etsy from recommendations from other crafty friends.

Is there a story behind your store name?
Merkaba has many meanings. It is a form of meditation and creating jewelry keeps me focused and keeps me very relaxed. I have a great husband who gives me the time I need to take off my *mom* hat for a little while and play with my wire and beads. I find it to be just what I need to keep me refreshed and ready to keep up with all my other roles in life.

Do you work another job in addition to Etsy?
If so, what is it? I am a stay-at-home mom to a fabulous little boy named Camden. It's a all-time job :)

Of Local Interest:

What's the best thing about living in the Asheville area?
The mountains, the climate, the people. I moved here over 6 years ago from Massachusetts and have loved every minute of it. I can't imagine living anywhere else.

What is your vote for best place to eat in Asheville?
Two Guys Hoagies. Mmmmm.


Random & Fun Questions:

What are your non-crafting hobbies?
Gardening, reading, and spending time with my husband, son, and two dogs.

What was the last book you read? Did you like it?
I recently finished The Kite Runner, which is a must-read in my opinion.

What is your favorite movie?
Another vote for the Red Violin! Although I really like Songcatcher as well, which is about the origins of music from this area.

Want to see more of Jennifer's work? In addition to her Etsy shop, she also sells earrings at Greenlife and has pieces at Merrimon Galleries, both on Merrimon Avenue in Asheville. The NC Arboretum also has her work available for sale.

Really Now...Another Front Page?

It seems that I can't open Etsy without seeing an item from one of the team staring me in the face.... and that's a very wonderful thing. The Runny Bunny has made the front page again this weekend. Wow, just wow!

Do My Eyes Deceive Me....

... or are our teammates getting lots of Etsy love this weekend?

As I visited Etsy this evening, I saw that yet another Asheville Street Team member has an item on the front page. Amazing!

Here's a quick screen print of the front page treasury that featured foundling (that's her in the lower right). Congrats to another fabulous Ashevillian on her time in the spotlight!

On the Front Page

Well, what do you know? A couple members of the Asheville Etsy Street Team have had items appear on the front page this weekend.

First was a pottery treasury that included scrumdidlyump yesterday (a hundred thousand thanks to my friend James for calling my attention to this and emailing me a screenshot when I had no internet access!).

On the front page today was the runny bunny.

Congrats to you both!

Introducting Krys (dreadedkreations)

Most of us know Krys' shop as dreadedkreations, but the full store name is much more intriguing: Dreaded Kreations Shop Of Mischief. New both to Etsy and the Asheville area, Krys specializes in dreadfalls and hairpieces, but you never know just what you might find in her shop.

On Her Awesome Crafts:

What are your favorite materials to use in your crafts?

Wool, synthetic hair, embroidery, SHARPIES!

How did you learn your craft or art?

The dreads were a trial and error. Everyone online has their own method, but I played around and wore my own creations!!

Other than the work you post to Etsy, what other creative endeavors are you involved in?

I am creating a zine for needle/thread hand embroidery featuring patterns, reviews and techniques.

Etsy/Business Related Questions:

How did you find Etsy?

BUST magazine!

Is there a story behind your store name?

Well I have lotsa handles for different things, geekchic is my hairstylist dig, cherry hammer is my roller girl name, so I needed something that would stick, and more importantly I would remember! I like fake dreads 'dreaded' also being a lapsed gothette; dreaded works for the OTHER stuff I am working on. ;) Kreations is what I do with my first initial thrown in there!

Do you work another job in addition to Etsy?

Right now I am unemployed :( just moving to ashevegas broke me so I am selling like MAD on ebay getting rid of stuff. But by trade, I am a hairstylist that loves the funky!

Asheville Rocks!

What’s the best thing about living in the Asheville area?

Everything! natural beauty and a art scene that rocks!

What is your favorite off-the-beaten path place or activity in Asheville?
I haven't been here long enough to discover that one yet! Anyone want to give a newcomer some pointers?

What’s your impression of the local arts & crafts scene here?

I came from Wilmington, where they *say* there is an art scene, but asheville got it all! And everyone is really laid back!

Random Krys Facts:

What’s your favorite movie? Actor/actress?

LABYRINTH!!!!!!! as far as actors, i love love LOVE the Monty Python Boys!!!!

What quote do you find yourself saying most often?

NO ONE EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION! ::bong::

What are your non-crafting hobbies?

B/W photography of random things. I love hiking and cooking!

To see her "dreaded kreations", check out Krys' etsy shop. Fingers crossed that her fabulous dreadfalls will find a home in a salon near you!

Introducting Katie (scrumdidlyump)

Many of the team know Katie as the creative genius behind the first ever Asheville Etsy Home Show. Her shop, scrumdidlyump, now features fantastic organic-shaped ceramic pieces, but early in her Etsy career, Katie also sold lovely vintage sewing machines. Without further ado, let Katie tell you about herself and her craft in her own words...

Crafty Goodness:

Where do you find your inspiration?

Robots, microorganisms, Dr. Who, Samuel Mockbee, toddlers, Jugenstil and Cowboy Bebop, among more mundane things. I am very spontaneous. I think my best work come from playing around in the studio and following an unplanned progression of designs. Sort of like a really dirty version of automatic writing.

What are your favorite materials to use in your crafts?
I like using found objects to make stamps, which I then use to texturize my pieces. Screws, bolts, weird medallions, leaves, plastic army men, foreign currency, and beer bottles have all been my minion of texturey goodness. I also like clay of varying textures. Really gritty clay is fun to throw with and so is porcelain. I find that I go for totally different textures depending on the clay I am using.

Other than the work you post to Etsy, what other creative endeavors are you involved in?
I have a son. I endeavor to help him survive into adulthood and be an open minded creative individual. I also sew, paint, make books, knit, garden and generally love anything and everything that involves making something interesting with my hands. I hate being bored.


It's All About Etsy & the Kids:

How did you find Etsy?
I googled "handmade keychain" sometime last spring. I got the coolest little crocheted pocket keychain thing, and then I forgot about it for about a year, when I was starting to look into galleries and venues to sell my work (I got my very first kiln in October!)

Describe your Etsy experience:
I have fallen in love with Etsy, head over heels. In my experience it is a very intuitive site, with a wonderful, if somewhat overwhelmingly large, community of crazy creative people who for the most part seem very devoted to a subversive way of looking at the world, which I find very appealing.

Do you work another job in addition to Etsy?
I have an in home daycare. I care for five preschooler from 8 am till 5:30 pm. I also have my previously mentioned five year old son. So I have two non-Etsy jobs.


On the Asheville Scene:

What's the best thing about living in the Asheville area?
When I go to other towns to visit and come back here, I feel very comfortable and remarkably tidy. When I visit Birmingham I feel messy and unkempt. I guess Asheville just suits my style, and my hairy armpits.

If someone is visiting the area, what is the one thing that they must see or do before they leave?
Go to Malaprops.
[Editor's note for out of towners... Malaprop's is a fantastic indie bookstore in downtown Asheville. It's a great place to grab a coffee and see what the locals are doing.]

What is your favorite off-the-beaten path place or activity in Asheville?
The Ashram on Ravenscroft. That's where my yoga class is. I love it.


Random Katie-ness:

What's your favorite movie? Actor/actress?
My favorite movie is Ikiru. My favorite actor is Gene Wilder. He can make me shoot liquids out of my nose.

Who are your heroes and heroines? Why?
I like the Tick because his battlecry is "SPOON!" Wait, did you mean the other kind of hero?

What quote do you find yourself saying most often?
"You can't always get what you want... but if you try sometimes you just might find you get what you need!" I do watch toddlers all day. They are big into "want," and they also seemed stunned to the point of distraction by advice in the form of a song.


To see more of Katie's work, check out her Etsy shop or catch her once a month vending outside Earth Fare in West Asheville. Katie does live shows as well, including the Asheville Home Show and LAAFF. She's everywhere!!!

Welcome to Asheville Etsy Street Team!

About Us:
Asheville Etsy Street Team is an eclectic group of independent crafters, artists, and DIYers from the Asheville area, working cooperatively to support each other and the handmade movement.

Mission:
To create and preserve an Etsy Street Team that promotes the Asheville area, each other, and our individual shops.

Our communities on the web:

Flickr:
[www.flickr.com/groups/avletsy]
Please join our flickr.com group. Sign-up is free!
Our flickr group will serve as a place to share pictures of our past/present etsy listings, and to discuss anything pertaining to the group in general. This includes inquiries, shop updates, questions, event ideas, collaboration opportunities, promos, etc.

Blog:
[www.avletsy.blogspot.com]
We also have a community blog (here!) A meeting place for team updates, membership updates, shop updates, event ideas, local craft opportunities, promos, news, etc.

Please note that shops are listed and linked alphabetically. Blog contributors are listed and linked by shop name/name. If you wish to link a personal weblog instead of your shop under "contributor," or would like access to posting to our Team Etsy blog, please contact Shannon.

We encourage you to post and comment freely on the blog & flickr discussion boards. The Team is a cooperative effort, so please get involved and participate as much as you can! The level of activity we generate is all up to us, so please feel free to discuss or coordinate events, promos, etc.

If you have any ideas, questions, concerns, tips - anything! Post it for everyone to see and respond to. We have a great group of crafters in Asheville; let's connect, pool our resources, and help each other flourish!

As a member of the Asheville Etsy team, you can use the tag 'AVLetsyteam' when listing items in your shop, and when posting pictures in our team flickr photo pool. Promote the group by mentioning Asheville Etsy in your shop announcement or profile page, and posting a link on your own personal blogs - the more exposure, the better!

For inquiries about the team, contact Shannon or Liz:

Shannon
stuff4shannon@charter.net
www.earlygirl.etsy.com

Liz
lizstiglets@charter.net
www.cozyblue.etsy.com

AVL Etsy + Flickr

We now have an Asheville Etsy Street Team group on flickr!

If you're a Street Team member, or wish to be a member - please join