The INCrowdteam - Indiana's Etsy Street Team: INCrowdteam

Showing posts with label INCrowdteam. Show all posts

Monday, November 8, 2010

The INCrowdteam's New Home on Etsy!

The INCrowdteam is proud to announce that we now have a brand-spanking-new home on Etsy!!

The INCrowdteam on Etsy

If you're a current member we hope you like our new digs.

If you're a prospective member, please take a chance on us - we think you'll be glad you did!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

INCrowdteam INterview with Brenna @ Raven Haired

Looks like it will be another glorious sunny day in NW Indiana! I hope the weather is pleasant for you, dear readers. I am pleased to introduce you to one of our newer members, Brenna of Raven Haired! Settle in and enjoy another INCrowdteam INterview!

Name: Brenna

City of residence: Fort Wayne, IN

Shop name: Raven Haired

INCrowdteam: Is there any meaning to your shop name? What made you choose it?
Raven Haired: When I first signed up on Etsy I was only thinking about buying and the idea of a shop hadn't occurred to me yet. So the name of my shop is actually a translation of my name, Brenna, from Gaelic. It's always been an ironic family joke that my parents gave me a name that means "raven haired" and I have bright red hair!

INCrowdteam: Tell me about items for sale in your Etsy shop.
Raven Haired: I mainly have knitted laptop sleeves in my shop as well as sleeves for Ipods and Ipads. Many of the sleeves have fabric designs on them; flowers and animals, ect. I make each sleeve to order. How did I decide on making laptop sleeves for my shop? When I was working I had to buy myself a new laptop. Within 24 hours of taking it out of it's box I had gotten two scratches on it from just shoving it in my purse. I wanted to keep this investment in good shape so I knitted up a simple sleeve for it that wouldn't be bulky and would fit in any bag I had. As soon as I started using it I had friends, family, and co-workers asking where it came from. Flashforward and here is the the answer, "Raven Haired on Etsy"!

INCrowdteam: What’s your real-world job?
Raven Haired: I've spent my time out of college working on political campaigns. It's long hours and hard work, but it's worth it. I started Etsy now that I'm taking a break from that and am hoping that if I keep working hard my shop will be a success and it can be my sole focus.

INCrowdteam: How did you learn your Etsy craft?
Raven Haired: Completely on my own and with a lot of trial and error! I'd known how to crochet since I was 11 or so but in high school I wanted to make my own cool knitted designs. I got a few books and just experimented with a lot of things. All through high school I knitted scarves and gloves for my family and friends. I never really learned to read patterns, so I just make it up as I go.

INCrowdteam: What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
Raven Haired: I have an almost constant desire to create. If it's not knitting or crocheting, it's usually cooking! I would never really consider myself an artist (that's my sister) but I do have this urge to create these wonderful functional creations.

INCrowdteam: What are your five favorite shops on Etsy?
Raven Haired:
Involution - She makes this amazing jewelry with felted wool. It's beautiful, check it out!

Pottery by Barbara - The best are her baking dishes

Felted Friends - Felted stuffed animals

Knitting Mette - My favorite are her monkeys!

Clear Mountain Craft - Just some really beautiful and colorful pottery.

INCrowdteam: Which three of your own items for sale are your favorite? Why do you like them so much?
Raven Haired: That's a tough call but I like these three just because they are my favorite shapes and color combinations.

13" Laptop Sleeve - Whale on Blue

13" Laptop Sleeve - Bird on Goldenrod Yellow

15" Laptop Sleeve - Diving Eagle on Emeral Green

INCrowdteam: What's the best compliment you've received from a buyer?
Raven Haired: I've only had one buyer so far but her feedback was enough to keep me going for a while:"This laptop sleeve is so cute and it fits perfect! Beautiful work! And shipped fast too!"

INCrowdteam: Where else can we find you on the Internet?
Raven Haired: I also have a Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ravenhaired

That's all for today, folks! Stop by Brenna's shop and have a look around - some really cute stuff in there - I'm thinking those laptop sleeves would make GREAT graduation gifts!!

Are you an INCrowdteam member who'd like to be featured in this Q&A? Or maybe you know a member who'd be perfect for it? If so, contact me at ThePeachMartini

Thursday, March 11, 2010

FOR KIDS ONLY! 15 UNDER

Friday, February 5, 2010

Go, Colts

Jaci of bythewayside has created a gorgeous treasury filled with Colts blue! The treasury will be available for viewing through Monday, February 8 at 8:19 a.m. Go, Colts! includes the following INCrowdteam shops:

www.TwoSeasideBabes.etsy.com
www.Clairebabydesigns.etsy.com
www.GlassAddictions.etsy.com
www.KBShimmer.etsy.com
www.FeltSewGood.etsy.com
www.pkfairaday.etsy.com
www.lochristine.etsy.com
www.katidids.etsy.com
www.TriplicateArts.etsy.com
www.mountainmamachic.etsy.com
www.TheBrassHussy.etsy.com
www.johnniebelinda.etsy.com

Enjoy!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Meet Stoic

This week, meet Tia, an Evansville INCrowdteam'er who currently focuses on Scrabble tile pendants and hopes to move to other forms of jewelry soon. She's such a fun interview, and her Etsy love is pretty obvious through her answers. Thanks for helping, Tia!

Name: Tia

City of residence: Evansville

Shop name: Stoic

Is there any meaning behind the name of your shop? I've always liked the idea of being stoic, which I describe as having a poker face. Its living your life strictly by reason and not letting your emotions determine things for you. I could NEVER be this way, as I'm a Pisces and destined to be an emotional wreck! I'm the type of person whose whole day can be ruined because someone died in a movie. Seriously. So I guess for me "stoic" is just an interesting, far-fetched concept and a word that I like the sound of!

Tell me about the types of items for sale at your Etsy shop. I sell various forms of jewelry, the main one being Scrabble tile pendants. The scrabble tiles are fun because you can put almost any image on them, whether it be a photo of your baby or the album cover of your favorite band. I have recently decided to stop making new Scrabble tiles, though. It's pretty tedious work, and I want to focus my attention on other creative outlets, such as my other one-of-a-kind jewelry. Also, my husband, our good friend and I are starting a clothing site where we will focus on screen-printing and one-of-a-kind clothing and purses. We are in the process of getting everything ready, so be sure to check out DirtyStreet for some cool new items soon!

What’s your real-world job? Well, I went to school to get a degree in advertising and public relations, as well as a degree in art, only to realize that I live in southern Indiana -- which basically means that creative jobs are far and few between. So I spend a miserable eight hours a day being an office manager -- i.e. glorified secretary -- at a countertop manufacturing company in Newburgh, IN. I am the only girl, and I work in the office alone, so needless to say I spend a LOT of time on the Internet!

How did you learn your Etsy craft? I learned the Scrabble tile process from a tutorial online, and I used it to put my own spin on it. When I first started doing the Scrabble tiles, it was new, and there were only a few people selling them on Etsy. Now it seems literally everyone is doing it!! That sort of drained the fun from it. With my other jewelry and my sewing, I learned from my mom. She was always crafty and would make unique jewelry and clothing for herself to wear.

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on? I take inspiration from everything I see. I am constantly tearing pages out of magazines, which drives my husband crazy since I leave them all over the house! I watch a lot of movies and get ideas from there. I have started making a lot of things for my son, who is the best inspiration.

You've certainly seen some success with your Etsy sales! What's your secret? I'm a firm believer in listing and relisting often. Esty is so flooded with items; you have to keep things new to stay on the front pages. If someone is searching for something, or even just browsing, chances are they are only going to look through a few pages of listings. Also, use other resources to reach out to people. I thing blogging is a neat way to keep people interested in what you do. I have also done a few sales, as well as giveaways through other people's Web sites. You just have to focus on ways to draw as much attention as possible to your shop.

What are your five favorite shops on Etsy?

Disco Belly, because its shirts made me feel like a rock star when I was pregnant
The Voyagers
Pling
Cite Fuzz -- I have one of its monkey hats for my son, and it makes me die laughing every time he wears it.
The Machine Stops

Which three of your own items for sale are your favorite? Why do you like them so much?

Roy Lichtenstein Scrabble tile pendant -- Lichtenstein is one of my favorite artists, and this piece fits so perfectly on the Scrabble tile. (Check out the photo at the top of this post.)
Measure 3 Times, Cut Once -- I love the unique charm of this necklace, and think it would be perfect for a crafter or someone who cuts hair! (Photo is second in this post.)
Spring is Near... -- I think this is a beautiful necklace, and I love the length and how it hangs so prettily (at right).

What's the best compliment you've received from a buyer? This is actual feedback that I got recently: "OMG (and I don't use that phrase...ever) My 12 year old cousin was in a talent show and sang "Hit me with your best shot" I saw this and knew I had to get it for her. I bought her a white gold chain to put it on and she loves it. It is so unique no one at her school has anything like it. And every time I see her, she has it on. Great purchase for sure! Not to mention I am definitely her favorite cousin now. (I think I may have always been though....secretly)" That just made my day!!!

Where else can we find you on the Internet? Check out my blog Stoic and our new Dirty Street blog. I'm also on Facebook.

Would you like to be featured on the INCrowdteam blog? Just convo me at Jaclyn1423, and I'll send you some questions.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Celebrate the Season Hoosierstyle

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Meet: Johnnie Belinda

This week, we meet Johnnie Belinda, a painter of bright and beautiful works from Indianapolis. Due to what my computer is calling an "internal error," I'm unable to upload the photos to show you, so be sure to follow those links and take a gander at her works.

Where were you born and raised? I was born in Indianapolis.

What's the origin of your shop's name? My shop name (Johnnie Belinda) is my given name.

What types of creations do you sell in for your Etsy shop? I sell a varity of fine art created by me, from two-dimensional abstract, encaustic, acrylic and watercolor to three-dimensional lifecasts, paper pulp and plaster.

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work? I'm a self-taught visionary/outsider.

Does creating stuff run in the family? Were you taught things on purpose or by osmosis from prior generations? My mother made hand-crafted items, and I helped with the creations as a child.

How'd you get started creating? I got started creating in grade school and started selling my at age 19 in yard sales and craft shows.

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on? My creativity is inspired by life and my many moods.

Do you belong to any Street Teams? I belong to vastteam, which stands for Visual Artists Street Team. Here's its blog.

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy? I love Esty for its community of friendly gifted talented arts and crafters. I love Etsy for ease of use.

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.
SpiceOfLifeDesigns
inalather
tmStudioDesigns
fortymeg
Lanter

Show us three of your own favorite pieces, from your shop and work.

The Gift of Love, because I see any pet as a gift to be tresured and cared for as we would any human. They give unconditional love. My inspiration for The Gift of Love came from my daughter's best friend visiting with her little puppy, Jersey. He was so adorable in her hands; I just knew I had to paint the moment.
Token of Love 1, because I love the vibrant colors and the yellow background. It reminds me of my grandmother's cheery kitchen. Inspiration is creating a happy painting that reflects the colors of a warm, sunny day.
Coyote Moon 2, because it reminds me of the southwest and the mystery of nature. My inspiration is mountains and the reflection of the moon on the cool waters at the base of them.

Anything else to brag on? I have recently been featured in Feiro Magazine, a literary and arts magazine out of Bloomington, Ind.

Are you a Etsian from Indiana? Would you like to be featured here on the INCrowdteam blog? If so, send me a convo over at Jaclyn1423, and I'll send you a list of questions. Thanks!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Meet AnnCrochets

This week, we meet Ann, a Brownsburg woman who's a crochet'ing queen over at AnnCrochets. Many of her designs are originals, and below, she tells about winning at some Indiana State Fairs and the importance of using acrylic yarn.

What’s your REAL name? Ann Kelley – honestly ;-)

Where were you born and raised? Where are you now, and what led you there? I was born and raised in the Pittsboro/Brownsburg area of central Indiana. We live on the farm that has been in my family since 1910. The banner on my shop is a picture of the homestead where my mother was born and raised. The barn is gone now, and the house has been remodeled, but luckily this sunrise will always be with me.

What's the origin of your shop's name? Well, AnnCrochets sort of seemed like a no-brainer.

What types of creations do you sell in your Etsy shop? My things are all crocheted by me. Some are varying degrees of originals, and some are from patterns. Materials vary also, but most of the things are made with threads and yarns that can be washed – I like to see my things being used!

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work? I guess my education for crochet came in an apprenticeship under my grandmother’s guidance. Crochet has been both something to keep my hands busy and a wonderful relaxation tool for many years now.

What’s your real-world job? I no longer have a "real" job. I had a stroke more than three years ago, and can’t do the work I was trained for. I was a medical transcriptionist and even my neurologist admitted he wouldn’t want me transcribing for him any more. So now I guess I’m a professional volunteer. My main focus is Indiana Sheltie Rescue, where I do what I can to help raise money to pay for the needs of the dogs in our program. I also drive a route for Meals on Wheels one day a week and volunteer one morning a week at our church’s daycare.

Does creating stuff run in the family? Were you taught things on purpose or by osmosis from prior generations? My genes seem to have skipped around a lot. Some things skipped a generation and re-emerged. Other things were just a part of the way of life we had way back when and everybody did it – mostly because they had to. And then there are things I have no idea where they came from!

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on? Almost anything can trigger that response. It might be a picture of something I think I could make better or different – a jumping-off point, if you will. Or a yarn or thread that I can visualize as a particular finished piece. I have several bundles of thread or yarn, hooks and patterns all gathered together and just waiting for me.

What’s your favorite fiber to crochet with? I do most of my work with acrylics because I want things to be used and the bottom line is – if you can’t wash it, it won’t be used nearly as much.

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy? Ask me this one after I’ve had more than two sales!!

Show us three of your own favorite pieces.

This bedspread (at right) won the sweepstakes for a crochet item at the Indiana State Fair in 1991 I worked on it off and on for about seven years. It is an old pattern called Mosaic Rose, and I have one my grandmother made for me in the same pattern! It fits a double bed.
This second image shows a pattern I have always liked. I have made it many times and in different threads and colors.
The table cloth (pictured at the top of this post) is a one that I always liked. It is about 78 inches in diameter and took an honorable mention at the Indiana State Fair in about 1999. My photography skills are minimal, so I'm very happy with the way this photographed, in spite of me!

Where else can we find you on the Internet?
I have a Blogspot blog.
On Facebook
On Twitter
On Photobucket
I read in your shop announcement that you donate part of the money from each purchase to a Sheltie rescue. Do you have Shelties? And what kind of dog is that in your Etsy user pic? We now have a sheltie again. We had been without one for six years but recently adopted a rescuee. Because most shelties need a fenced yard and we no longer have a fence, we weren’t even able to foster for quite a while. Shelties are a herding dog and therefore need a job to keep their minds occupied and bodies exercised. They are wonderful, smart dogs with a huge desire to please but are not a dog for everyone.

The dog that is my logo is Lady. She’s a mix from the local Animal Control. I was volunteering for the Hendricks County Humane Society when she was brought in. She was a cute black puppy (don’t know what happened there!) who needed a home, so she came to live with us. At 11, she has outlived her other sheltie brothers but now is happy to have a new playmate.

Anything else to brag on? I have had original designs published in national crochet magazines. A lot of my work is original in that I didn’t follow the pattern exactly. I do a lot of tweaking and revising in my work, but most never get anything written down beyond a notation on the pattern. I won the sweepstakes for a crocheted item at the 1991 Indiana State Fair with a bedspread. The pattern is called mosaic rose. It was an old pattern that I liked. Beginning in the 1960s, my grandmother crocheted a tablecloth and a bedspread for each of the females in the family (my mother, her brother’s wife and the three granddaughters). My gifts were put away to be used "someday." Well, when I finally had a bed big enough to use my grandmother’s bedspread on, I pulled it out of storage and discovered that it was done in the mosaic rose – same pattern as my bedspread!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Green Tea - Warm and Soothing

Spice of Life Designs has created a magnificent treasury of colors and textures entitled Green Tea - Warm and Soothing. The treasury will be available for viewing through Monday, November 9 at 1:04 a.m. and includes members of the Indiana Etsy Street Team - INCrowdteam as well as other Etsy artisans. An asterisk denotes INCrowdteam members.

http://bythewayside.etsy.com/*

http://sweetgumhandbags.etsy.com/

http://amysfunkyfibers.etsy.com/*

http://beautifulbridget.etsy.com/

http://orglamix.etsy.com/

http://accessoire.etsy.com/*

http://patesdefruits.etsy.com/

http://twoseasidebabes.etsy.co/ *

http://glassaddictionsetsy.com/*

http://squirellywhirls.etsy.com/*

http://inalather.etsy.com/*

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

"Tis Time!

By the Wayside has created a gorgeous treasury that includes INCrowdteam members along with others. 'Tis Time! will be viewable through Thursday, November 6 at 7:20 p.m. You will certainly want to see the selections from the following Etsy shops:
www.jcjools.etsy.com
www.waterrose.etsy.com
www.auntcindysattic.etsy.com
www.midnightcoiler.etsy.com
www.feltsewgood.etsy.com
www.efiwarsh.etsy.com
www.inalather.etsy.com
www.lucidjewelry.etsy.com
www.waybettercards.etsy.com

Sunday, October 18, 2009

You Can't Live Without It!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Going in Rainbow Circles

By the By has created a delightfully colorful treasury for the INCrowdteam! Going in Rainbow Circles will be available for viewing through Saturday, October 17 at 3:33 p.m. Shops featured in the treasury are:
http://www.auntcindysattic.etsy.com
http://www.beadstylin.etsy.com
http://gallagj.etsy.com
http://KimsCraftyApple.etsy.com
http://www.LindenAvenueDesigns.etsy.com
http://www.SeedtoBead.etsy.com
http://www.Fractalgirl.etsy.com
http://www.Zoesdare.etsy.com
http://www.HautTotes.etsy.com
http://imaginationkids.etsy.com
http://feltsewcrafty.etsy.com

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Dear Santa

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Next Saturday, October 17th...

The INCrowdteam's Hoosier Artisan Holiday Boutique

Saturday, 10/17/09: 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

The Mansion at Oak Hill: 5801 E. 116th Street, Carmel, Indiana 46033

Raffle proceeds to benefit the March of Dimes, Indiana Chapter.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Team Chat and Listings Thread for October 2009

Be sure to check out our team listings and chat thread.....great gift ideas or for yourself as well! Go there now!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Autumn's Brilliance

Jaci from By the Way has created a gorgeous treasury for this autumn season! Entitled Autumn's Brilliance. you can view this fabulous collection through Monday, September 28 at 4 a.m. The treasury features the following artisans:

http://www.passionandpatience.etsy.com/

http://www.leapinggazelles.etsy.com/

http://www.lilpadcreations.etsy.com/

http://www.chuckebyrdwallart.com/

http://www.gallagj.etsy.com/

http://www.inalather.etsy.com/

http://www.noahandlilah.etsy.com/

http://www.artecological.etsy.com/

http://www.aroshatwists.etsy.com/

http://http://www.knitzyblonde.etsy.com/

http://http://www.acreativeeye.etsy.com/

http://http://www.kimscraftyapple.etsy.com/

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Cloud Lining Possibilities

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Few Folk Have Seen a Fairy

Kelly, of SewEndless, has created a treasury entitled Few Folk Have Seen a Fairy that features a couple of INCrowdteam members, along with other Etsy shops. Be sure to check out these fairy creations!

It features these INCrowdteam members:

http://www.jenniferatchison.etsy.com/ and http://www.kibbles.etsy.com/

The treasury also includes MyMagicMe.etsy.com, MorningStarHall.etsy.com, judemcconkey.etsy.com, PetitPoulailler.etsy.com, Centaur1201.etsy.com, faeryspellcreations.etsy.com, SantAngeloDesigns.etsy.com, Thyme2dream.etsy.com, Aunali.etsy.com and EmilyBalivet.etsy.com

The treasury will be viewable through Saturday, August 29 at 4:45 a.m.

Monday, August 24, 2009

There's More Than Corn...

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Summer's Last Breath

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