Added a Follow This Blog Link

Hi Everyone,

Thanks to Lyndel of BearHollowCreations wonderful instructions I was able to add a follow this blog button on the right hand side of this blog and hope that you will do so. If you follow my blog, I'll link to yours.

Fall has officially arrived and with it many activies on my various street teams. The Trashion Street Team has a couple of biggies planned. Watch this space for updates on the Trashion Monster Mash, a Virtual Trunk Show and Save the World Sale.

The VAST (Visual Artists Street Team) has a fall colors challenge so many new items will be posted and I'm sure a lot of lovely treasuries will feature these items.

My OCEAN (Oregon Coast Etsy Artists Network) just finished a local art festival very successfully and now are working on various local events and a rack card to promote our items.

EcoEtsy rocks as a street team and many treasuries are created weekly as well as updates to our web page and the Etsy Mini photos that display our work.

Last but not least, Acetsy and Aceo Bounty Challenge keep creating wonderful ACEO's for all of us to collect and give as gifts.

If you haven't already done so, attend one of the Virtual Trunk Shows in the Etsy Virtual Labs. They are a lot of fun and you get to see wonderful items and learn more about the artists who create these items.

Just added some pics

Since the Sale is over, I've changed the picture display to show items in my own shop. Thanks for viewing and for your visits to the shops participating in the sale and for your purchases.

Kae

My VAST street team is having a Labor Day Weekend Sale and so I've added some visuals of the wonderful artwork that is specially priced this weekend. Just click on the picture you like and it will take you directly to the artist's store on Etsy. Happy shopping.

VAST Labor Day Weekend Sale Treasuries

The VAST Labor Day Weekend Sale is in full swing with lots of wonderful art and some of it is showcased in these treasuries. I hope you will check them out and give them some clicks as well as visiting the various stores featured and pick up some wonderful art at affordable prices.

VAST LaborDay Sale!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=4449

More VAST LaborDay SALE!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=4619

VAST Visions
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=4646

VAST Labor Day Weekend Sales Event

The Visual Artists Street Team had such a successful Christmas in July event that we have decided to hold a Labor Day Weekend Sale. At this moment there are 16 shops participating with a variety of discounts available from 25% off everything in my stores to buy two prints and get the third free and a variety of other discounts and programs. I hope you will all take a moment and check it out. This handcrafted carousel book is one of the items in the Kae1Crafts store that will be discounted 25%.

Here is the link to the forum thread with all the latest on the VAST Labor Day Weekend Sale.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5780437

And here is the latest list of participating stores:

Here's a list of the VAST shops that are participating in our LABOR DAY SALE:
http://www.hwinfield.etsy.com/
http://www.coquinaarts.etsy.com/
http://www.hammelmanart.etsy.com/
http://www.norablansett.etsy.com/
http://www.jeanhood.etsy.com/
http://www.kauaiartist.etsy.com/
http://www.studiovirgo.etsy.com/
http://www.jamieribisi.etsy.com/
http://www.glasscatjewels.etsy.com/
http://www.kae1crafts.etsy.com/
http://www.dianeclancy.etsy.com/
http://www.susanelkin.etsy.com/
http://www.lilypang.etsy.com/
http://www.heronkate.etsy.com/
http://www.scharart.etsy.com/
http://www.siiso.etsy.com/

Whew! That's SIXTEEN Wonderful Art Shops that are participating! Awesome!

and if you count my http://www.kae1supplies.etsy.com/ then there are 17 great places to save a lot of money.

Happy shopping.

VAST SALE Update

Hi again,

The VAST Christmas in July sale is still going but there is a new forum link with the lastest info.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5731996

Don't miss out on this great sale.

VAST Christmas in July Sale Continues

Some of the participating stores are continuing to offer bargains through the end of July. Now is a great time to stock up for Christmas and beat the long lines, save on gas and get a jump on that busy time of year.

Here is the link to the forum thread where anyone joining this list will be adding their name and items so check there for the latest offerings.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5730649

Here is the current list of Visual Artists Street Team bringing their art to you at reduced prices!

Kae: http://Kae1Crafts.etsy.com/
http://Kae1Supplies.etsy.com/
Melanie: http://TheCreatorsPalette.etsy.com
Susan http://susanelkin.etsy.com
Diane http://DianeClancy.etsy.com
Jen: http://www.IrresistableImages4u.etsy.com
Ellen http://www.girlworkstudios.etsy.com
Kate www.heronkate.etsy.com
Jess http://blackeyepea.etsy.com
Jean http://www.jeanhood.etsy.com

Treasury experiment

Hi,

I'm trying an experiment with a treasury I created last night. I selected 12 items to start with and then put out a request to all Etsy Visual Artists to click through the treasury and then comment. I then select an item from their shop (or they do) and put it in the treasury for a while - usually 2 to 3 hours. I will convo them and let them know when the item is in the treasury if they request I do so. (I can't just convo them without permission as Etsy considers that spam and I can have my convo privileges revoked if I do so.)

The main purpose of creating a treasury this way is to give lots of artists some exposure plus introduce people to the VAST and Acetsy Street Teams on Etsy. Many wonderful artists don't appear to be on a street team and are missing out on great group marketing opportunities.

Hope I see you posting in the promo thread:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5641413
And clicking and commenting in the treasury:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=47716

Hope you enjoy this treasury. Let's all make it wonderful by showing us your work.

Hearts to all of you.

Kae

Capturing Screen Shots

Hi Everyone,

I've been creating treasuries on Etsy to promote the ACEO Bounty Challenge (link to this challenge under favorite blogs on the right side of this page) and was lead to this handy site for capturing screen shots: http://www.thumbalizr.com/ You just enter the URL you want to copy and it creates a screen shot for you. I use a PC with XP and it works fine for me.

Here is a screen shot I just took with it.

Bounty Challenge Treasury Screen Capture - And Prize is well over $1,000.00

Hi,

First of all - the prize for the ACEO Bounty Challenge is now well over $1,000.00. Everyone really, really needs to check it out. There is a link to the details in the upper right corner at the top of my favorite blog links.

I'm determined to find a way to create good screen shots of treasuries to post. Here is my latest attempt of a treasury that I created and really, really like the way it looks. These ACEOs are super hot as far as I'm concerned.

I appreciate any comments you wish to leave.

Kae

My ACEO Bounty Card Made Etsy's Front Page!!!

This morning I logged on to my computer and had a flood of emails telling me that my ACEO Bounty Challenge Abstract Spring card was on the Etsy Front Page and some very nice people took screen shots for me. Then another VERY NICE person BOUGHT the card. Now all of this was even better than that first cup of coffee in the morning.

My card is the center image in the top row. :)))

Also, the last word that I had on the ACEO Bounty Challenge was the grand prize is well over $1,000.00 - YES, One thousand dollars and climbing. The amount will fluctuate as cards are added and as some sell. But this in an awesome prize and well worth telling all your friends about.

Here is the link to the ACEO Bounty thread so you can see what all the excitement is about.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5566696

ACEO Bounty Challenge - Prize now over $400.00

Hi Everyone,
This is a busy week. I've been participating in both the Storque Earth Day Articles (I wrote one that was published and will talk about it later) and the ACEO Bounty Challenge - I've created some ACEOs and some treasuries.
First, the ACEO Bounty Challenge:
I snagged a Treasury West titled ACEO BOUNTY CHALLENGE
Here is the link
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=7330
I've focused on the animals for the moment and will switch it around after a while so keep checking. Also, here is the link to the ACEO Bounty Challenge thread in case you missed what this is all about.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5566696&page=1
One of the challenges was create a colorful bird and here is my entry into that one:
There are numerous challenges and I can hardly wait to create some more. Some lucky person is going to win the ACEOs in this challenge that haven't sold by the time the challenge ends. The prize was valued at over $400.00 earlier today and more entries keep pouring in. Now this is certainly a challenge to follow if you like art at all.

ACEO BOUNTY CHALLENGE TREASURY - CELEBRATE LIFE

I've created a treasury featuring the talented artists that are participating in the ACEO Bounty Challenge which started today. Anyone can challenge this group of artists to create ACEOs in a theme, style, subject and then the individual members can decide whether or not to create and post their creations for sale. The complete details can be found on the thread and a collection can be seen in the treasury.

Here is the thread link:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5566696&page=1

And here is the Treasury link:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=39221

This challenge has a special reward at the end and often mini-prizes along the way so be sure and check it out. You may just find some awesome mini-art or win a prize.

2 Treasuries on Etsy - Check them out

I snagged a regular treasury and a treasury west last night and both feature VAST, Trashion and EcoEtsy items and how well all these concepts fit together. I hope you will look at each item in the treasuries to help them move to the hot list at the front of the treasury list so happy looking.
Here is a link to the main treasury:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=28815
And the link to treasury west.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=1544
Kae of Kae1Crafts and Kae1Supplies

Eye-Popping Art Featured

Interview with Christine of EyePopArt

How did you get started with your art or craft?

I was 19 years old and living in a studio apartment in Great Falls, Montana with Chuck (who is now my husband, we have been together for 17 years). Chuck had bought some acrylic paints from the hobby store and painted a cool canvas. Then one day I just started painting on this old hardshell suitcase that I had, and found that it was really fun. It got a great reaction from our friends and from then on I was painting mad psychedelic patterns all over everything in sight, seriously, guitars, tabletops, a pop machine, the interior of our car. There are some pictures on my website at http://www.eyepopart.com.

Anyway one day, after we had moved back home to our native town (Portland - we were just in Montana long enough to live in the mountains for a while and then have a baby!), someone gave us some records and that's when the mandala thing really took off. I painted lots of mandalas when my kids were babies, then I went to work in the corporate world for about five years and tried my hand as a vendor at Portland Saturday Market in 1998.
That didn't last, there was just too much going on. We bought a house and I spent my free time painting murals on walls and ceilings. We've been in our house for ten years now. My house was recently featured on "Look What I Did" on HGTV.

So one day I found myself laid off from my big career as a commercial salesperson in the printing industry, and I decided to turn to Trillium Artisans, a local nonprofit, for help in starting up a business and selling my artwork.
Trillium works with low income artisans who use recycled and reclaimed materials in their work. Amazingly enough, I am now employed part time as the Program Coordinator for the organization. I sell my Mandala Record products through Trillium and also help to run the program, which serves a very cool group of about 26 (and growing!) artisans here in Portland, Oregon. Check us out at http://www.trilliumartisans.org.

What do you find the most satisfying about your creations?

I really enjoy the beauty of the finished product, and I am always eager to finish up a piece so I can simply look at it and love it. Mandalas are just so beautiful, no matter who makes them. I have done some wonderful projects with elementary and middle school kids, and I get the same excited feeling of just loving the design and wanting to see the finished product.

Of course, the process itself is very satisfying too, especially with mandalas because they are so powerful and are used throughout the world for centering, healing, and meditating. I enjoy the process equally when I am the one designing and painting a mandala and when the work is being done by kids under my advice. It's just fun to watch it all come together. There's something about the circle that truly satisfies the soul!

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

At shows, it can get really tedious to receive a lot of compliments from people who do not buy. It gets hard to keep smiling and thanking people for their kind words after several hours of no sales. This used to happen to me a lot and was one of the main reasons why I quit doing Saturday Market (both in the '98 season and when I went for it the second time around, between 2004-06). That was before I started making my record cuffs! Since I came up with a wearable product, I've done much better.

The hardest thing about selling on Etsy is just keeping up - with everything. There's so much going on and it's really hard to stay on top of it without feeling like I am getting sucked into my computer and never have time to make stuff!

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

Time saving tip: use a planner. Set aside time once a week or even once a day for planning. It helps me stay organized.

Eco-friendly tip: use recycled boxes and packaging materials!

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

I'm married to my soul mate and best friend, Charles Claringbold aka Chuck Thrust. He's that tall, weird guy with pink socks and dangly earrings and a tribal tattoo (an original Eye Pop design!) around his neck. I am also a doo-wop singer in his band, Dartgun, a loud, rocking indie punk group that performs at Portland rock clubs once or twice a month. Check us out at http://www.myspace.com/dartgun.

Two kids, Tangereen Velveteen, age 13, and Julius Elvis Chaos, age 11. Tangereen is a mad scientist and math whiz, and a beautiful, creative sweetheart. Julius is a flute player, squirrel lover, and comic book artist. Check out his shop at http://www.cafepress.com/juliuschaos.

My other big loves are READING, camping, and playing chess (I'm not very good, but I love it). I also enjoy blogging and you can check out my blog at http://eyepopart.blogspot.com.

Share a favorite quote or thought with us.

Kurt Vonnegut said, "A plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit."

Thanks!
Christine

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

VAST AUTUMN EVENT LAUNCHED

The Visual Artist Street Team of Etsy is launching their Autumn Event today, September 15, 2007 and it is well worth your while to check it out. It is a visual feast for the eyes as well as a great way to get started on holiday shopping.

Just follow this link to Etsy.com http://www.etsy.com/buy.php and enter the following phrase into the search box: vastautumnevent

Yes, I know that there isn't any spaces in it - the search tag was designed that way so you would find the items you are seeking.

Happy searching and shopping.

Here is a great weekly post on Etsy featuring new art. Check it out.

http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=tag_title&search_query=WeeklyArtOfferings