ANNOUNCING the 1st MONTHLY EtsyBloggers TREASURE HUNT-JAN. 19th

**♥** ANNOUNCING the 1st MONTHLY EtsyBloggers TREASURE HUNT-JAN. 19th!!!! **♥**

**♥**JOIN IN THE FUN!!! **♥****♥** WIN YOUR Choice of prizes!!! **♥**

HOW TO PLAY:
At the end of this post is a list of participating EtsyBloggers Street Team shops. Each shop will have our team logo as one of their item's images in their shop:


The team logo won't be the 1st image for the item, it will be the 5th OR the last image for that item, so you'll need to click on each item to see all the pictures in at least 10 different participating shops to find the logos. Go from shop to shop until you find 10 of the team logos, write down the shop name and also all of the item names which contained the logos. While you're doing this, decide which ONE of those items you would like as your prize. THEN convo StormyDesigns immediately with your finds AND which ONE of those items you would like to choose as YOUR PRIZE!!

WHEN IS THE TREASURE HUNT:

The EtsyBloggers Treasure Hunt BEGINS at 12:00 AM EST Saturday Jan. 19 and ENDS at 12 AM EST Sunday Jan. 20 OR UNTIL ALL prizes have been found, whichever comes first, so be sure to start playing as soon as you can after the hunt begins. It will be announced here in this thread when the Treasure Hunt has ended so check this thread for updates.

WHO CAN PLAY:

Limit one prize per person.

You must be an Etsy member to win, buyers and sellers are welcome!

Members of the Etsybloggers Street Team are not eligible to win.

HOW MANY PRIZES CAN I WIN:
Limit 1 Prize per person. Prize availability depends on how many participating shops there are.

HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE:

You must convo StormyDesigns with all the info needed and you must have the verification number that StormyDesigns gives in order to claim your prize. To claim your prize just purchase the prize you are claiming without paying and leave it in your shopping cart. The shop owner will be notified of your win and your verification number shortly after you are so they will be expecting your order. You must enter that verification number or convo it to the shop owner so they can verify it with the number that they were given by StormyDesigns. The numbers must match so make sure you get them right.

GOOD LUCK & Have fun playing!!!

The following is the official list of shop links for participating shops:

http://JoeyAndAleethea.etsy.com

http://StormyDesigns.etsy.com

http://VanillaLotus.etsy.com

http://NahiaCreations.etsy.com

http://NaptimeCrafts.etsy.com

http://GroovyVinyl.etsy.com

http://DeabusAmor.etsy.com

http://aprettyrock.etsy.com

http://aliciamaeprints.etsy.com

http://BeckyKayDesigns.etsy.com

http://msbelle.etsy.com

http://SignatureSterling.etsy.com

http://debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com

http://Kae1Crafts.etsy.com

http://cserpent.etsy.com

http://LazyTcrochet.etsy.com

http://ShannonSaylor.etsy.com

http://BonnyJewelry.etsy.com

http://Alteredevents.etsy.com

http://pensiverabbit.etsy.com

http://perpetualplum.etsy.com

http://TulipsTreasureBox.etsy.com

Polymer Clay Artist Featured - ArtsyClay

Recently I was previleged to have a chance to interview a talented artist who sells on Etsy as ArtsyClay and also blogs. Her colorful creations will brighten anyone's day as will her interview. Happy reading as you get to know ArtsyClay (Judy in real life) and after you've read the interview do visit her blog - link under favorite blogs and then her Etsy shop for wonderful art.

Kae

INTERVIEW WITH ARTSYCLAY


Judy, how did you get started with your art or craft?

I grew up with a very artistic mom and cousins, and we were always making something. As a child, I loved knitting, drawing, painting, decorating my doll house and making my own paper dolls. As an adult, I've taken many classes and tried everything from needle arts to stained glass to macramé to handmade paper. My step-son and I made candles this year for Christmas gifts and coated the kitchen from one end to the other with wax and had a blast.

As far as polymer clay specifically, in 1997 my friend's daughter was wearing the most beautiful necklace with big, bold-patterned, colorful beads. I asked her where she got it and I was amazed when she said she'd made it in school. Her mom told me it was polymer clay and where to buy some. I was hooked immediately! I'm still just as intrigued with it as that first day. There are always new techniques and new ways to combine it with other media, so I never get bored.

What do you find the most satisfying about your creations?

Both being able to control the outcome and not being able to control the outcome. Sometimes I am very intentional about whatever color or shape or specific thing I wish to make. Other times I just put my brain aside, let my inner child play, and whatever happens is a delightful surprise. I also find it very satisfying that I have improved enormously over time. I have kept some of the first pieces I made, and in comparison my work today is thinner, more lightweight, more intricate and more attractive.

What do you find the most difficult about selling your items?

I get very attached to most of them and consider them my babies. It's like sending my child away when I package them up and mail them off. I kiss them and talk to them and love them while I am packing them. My husband laughs at me and thinks I'm totally nuts but it's just the way I am.

How about sharing one time-saving or eco-friendly tip with the readers?

An artist friend taught me this time-saver. If I need to complete a large order or need to make several similar items, the "assembly line" method works well. At Christmas time I usually make a lot of angels which always sell well at my craft shows, so I will cut out 10 or 15 bodies, then make all their faces, then all their hair, etc.

Tell us a little about your personal life - "married, children, pets, hobbies other than your art, favorite food, place, activities" - whatever you want to share.

I am blessed with a large, wonderful family: 3 grown sons from my first marriage, 3 daughters-in-law, 6 grandchildren, my husband Mike, a 17-year-old step son and a lovable mutt named Snooky. I work four days a week in communications for a large health services company and am the church choir director of a teen-adult group. I've been a vegetarian since 1985 and love Chinese buffets.

Share a favorite quote or thought with us.

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." - from "The Little Prince" by Antione de St. Exupery

Any final thoughts you want to share.

I always feel very honored that other people enjoy my creations enough to want to purchase them and wear them or give them as gifts. I never dreamed I would become an artist and it is a very fulfilling part of my life!

FEATURED ETSY SELLER MT Designs 4 u

This is the first (of I hope many) interviews featuring other Etsy Bloggers in my blog. I plan to ask the same interview questions of each person featured so there will be some continuity in the features. I learned of Mary Lou because of her article on her closet workroom she wrote for her blog. After you've read this interview, be sure to go to her blog and see the awesome workroom she has created out of a closet.

How did you get started with your art or craft?

I have my "nana" to thank as I spent a lot of time in her care as a young child. Being from Portugal, it was instilled in her that girls were to learn from early childhood how to create beautiful items, heirlooms one might say.
Whether it be tatting lace, crocheting doilies or sewing clothing. I was blessed she took the time to teach me and share her talents throughout my growing years.

This picture shows how I feel about my art "As it has taken layers and layers (years and years) into evolving who I am today."

What do you find the most satisfying about your creations?

I find what is most satisfying is the joy I feel when I have decided to let my art come naturally: To create using my own visions, my own ideas and with my own two hands. Of course what we see, read and learn from others all make up what our own visions become, and to be able to express that in some form of art is most satisfying to say the least.

What do you find the most difficult about selling your items?

I get a little melancholy about some of my pieces. The process of going from stage one to final completion has enveloped many ideas, thoughts and memories. After all, that is how my art takes shape. I begin with an idea of what I'd like to create... the thought process starts.... and often pieces have a tucked in memory I might have thought about when creating the piece. So.....sometimes selling my artwork gives me a little tug at my heart strings.

How about sharing one time-saving or eco-friendly tip with the readers?


OK, this tip consists of both time-saving as well as being eco-friendly.
I like to keep 2 baskets close to my work space to catch my discarded fibers, papers and threads.
One basket consists of the small pieces that really can't lend themselves to another project due to their miniscule size. Once this basket is filled, I have a great assortment to make hand-made paper. With all the beautiful threads and fibers in there who needs to add more inclusions?

The second basket is for pieces that are being cut from the main project. These pieces are usually several inches or better. Since I create all the backgrounds I use these pieces lend themselves for future projects like ATC's, collage and even greeting cards.

Tell us a little about your personal life - married, children, pets, hobbies other than your art, favorite food, place, activities - whatever you want to share.

I've been married to the most loving, caring and tolerant man for the last 26 years. We have 2 beautiful daughters.... one of which is profoundly deaf. We use American Sign Language to communicate. I am proudly owned by a 15 year old, blind, toothless and selectively deaf 3 lb. Yorkshire terrier named Chaz.

When I'm not creating art you can find me at my full time job as a medical secretary. I enjoy cooking and my favorite foods are lobster, lobster, and did I mention lobster? I enjoy pretending to be watching a movie. (OK, you caught me.... it's really my way of taking a nap).

Share a favorite quote or thought with us.

My thought for you today is just this: ASPIRE TO BE

Any final thoughts you want to share.

Be who you want to be, create what you want to create. In the process of both, do it to the best of your ability!
Enjoy the process, have fun with it......

Thank you for taking the time to participate in this Etsy Bloggers interview.

Thank you, I am honored that you asked me...... I am worthy!

Mary Lou - mtdesigns4u

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HANDMADE ART FOR SALE: http://www.mtdesigns4u.etsy.com/

WHY HANDMADE? You are purchasing higher quality products, made with love and care by the artisan.

BLOG: http://www.mtdesigns4u.wordpress.com

"Art is neither a profession nor a hobby. Art is a way of being."
Frederick Franck

Taming Etsy Paperwork

I was recently asked how I handled the paperwork for my Etsy shops. Here is my answer. Maybe it will help others.

I've found that I can print the Etsy invoice on one side of a paper and the PayPal info on the other side as my record (and it includes a picture of the item) and the PayPal stuff includes their charges so most of my bookkeeping info in on one piece of paper.

For my customer, I print the PayPal packing slip on one side and the Etsy invoice on the other side and use that as a packing slip. I also copy their mailing address and paste it into a word processing page, enlarge the font and print it on the bottom of the page - now I have a clean, clear and accurate mailing label to tape to the package.

Happy selling.

Kae

Etsy Bloggers - Inspiration for All

One of our members has compiled the following list of Etsy Bloggers. Now it is so long that I am just posting the link to it. Take a look.

http://sixthandelm.com/resources/the-etsy-sellers-blog-list/

A clickable link is in the list of links.