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.

EcoEtsy Treasury on Front Page

Silver of the Valley's treasury just made the front page of Etsy. Here is a screen capture of the treasury for those who missed it.

Here is a link to Silver of the Valley's shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5526983

Eco Etsy Street Team Scavenger Hunt

The Eco Etsy Street Team is holding it's first scavenger hunt on Etsy this Sunday, March 16th. You have a chance to win prizes donated by the Eco Etsy members. Join in on the fun! The hunt starts at 12pm EST and ends at 12am EST or until all the prizes are spoken for.
You can visit the team blog at http://ecoetsy.blogspot.com/for more detailed instructions on how to participate.
So come out and celebrate the lucky holiday with us!
*please note
The details of the hunt will not be posted on the blog until tomorrow evening, March 15.

TRASHION ECOETSY AND OUR EARTH TREASURY on Front Page

I was lucky enough to get a treasury the other day titled Trashion EcoEtsy and our Earth - this one was so popular that it rose to number two before it expired. I captured a screen shot (sort-of) so that you could see it for a little longer.

The items are all constructed either of discarded materials or are earth friendly items. It is so awesome that you can buy recycled or upcycled and it looks so awesome. Thanks to all of you who checked this treasury out and for creating such wonderful items.

There is a picture of the front treasury page showing that this treasury was in second place but I can't seem to insert the picture into this post so here is the link to view it. http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/ecoetsy/photos/view/d6fc?b=1

Kae

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

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

Announcing "Save the World Sunday" Sale

!!! SALE !!! SALE !!! SALE !!! SALE !!! SALE !!! SALE !!!
TAKE 20% OFF ALL ITEMS IN MY STORES ON SUNDAY, NOV 25, 2007
http://kae1crafts.etsy.com/
http://kae1supplies.etsy.com/

*********** TRASHION TEAM - SAVE THE WORLD SUNDAY SALE *********
To encourage customers to buy recycled, and to buy handmade, the Trashion street team is hosting Save the World Sunday, a major sales event and celebration of all things recycled & handmade.
• Participating shops are offering 20% off or free shipping on two special sales days, Sunday Nov. 25 and Sunday Dec. 2. For a list of participating shops, visit http://www.etsytrashion.com/ or http://www.etsytrashion.blogspot.com/

Here is a list of participating stores and what they are offering in the way of discounts:

A list of all participating shops:http://SweetWolf.etsy.com 25% off anything. Free shipping over $25.00
http://LindaErzinger.etsy.com 20% off. Free shipping
http://etsytrashion.etsy.com 20% off
http://fairytalefibers.etsy.com 20% off
http://anniessweatshop.etsy.com 20% off
http://samann1121.etsy.com 20% off
http://SweetyPrize.etsy.com 20% off
http://JunktoJewels.etsy.com 20% off
http://bayousalvage.etsy.com 20% off
http://foundthings.etsy.com 20% off
http://reduxdesigns.etsy.com 20% off
http://jen1kanobi.etsy.com 20% off
http://JunktoJewels.etsy.com 20% off
http://tomatedepingles.etsy.com 20% off
http://trashionmode.etsy.com 20% off
http://sojourncuriosities.etsy.com 20% off
http://RunzwithScissors.etsy.com 20% off
http://kae1crafts.etsy.com 20% off
http://www.kae1supplies.etsy.com 20% off
http://reneedesigns.etsy.com 20% off all Trashion Items
http://LilliputianDesigns.etsy.com Prices reflect 15% off
http://www.siragwatkins.etsy.com 20% off on three or more
http://bayousalvage.etsy.com Free shipping anywhere
http://sweetpepita.etsy.com Free Priority shipping
http://tamdoll.etsy.com Free domestic shipping
http://PaganoDesignWorks.etsy.com Free shipping
http://TwistThis22501.etsy.com Free shipping 'til noon

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.

Introducing my New Supply Store on Etsy

Hi Everyone,

I have opened a store on Etsy just for supplies since I was overwhelming my crafts with all the books, patterns and supplies that I needed to list. I hope you will take a moment and check it at at Kae1Supplies.etsy.com

I am also trying to post my Etsy Mini in this message so I hope it works.

Great Site to promote your store

Hi,

If you are over the age of 50 then this site is for you. It is called eons.com and concentrates its marketing and site to the baby boomers and those that are older. It is free to join and they have a specific blog that focuses on home businesses that welcomes Etsy stores participation. Here is the link so look it over, then join and promote, promote, promote. The more we have our name out there the more people we will drive to our stores. http://community.eons.com/groups/group/the-home-business-network