International Interview, 3/11/09, Denise Marshall aka Cloudberryskies

I first came across Cloudberryskies looking for cute gifts for my children, and when I saw her adorable little felted ornaments, I just fell in love! Kick back and read to find out why.

What's your real name?
Denise Marshall

Where were you born & raised?
I was born in South London, brought up in Surrey.

Where are you now & what led you there?
I currently reside in Portsmouth. I’ve been here nearly 10 years, I came here to attend University, but when I met my boyfriend I decided to stay on after my course finished.

What types of creations do you sell in your Etsy shop(s)?
I started out on Etsy selling tote bags, but I’ve just discovered how much I love felt! I’ve spent the past few months experimenting with designs so I am branching out, I’ve just added some ornaments and brooches to my etsy shop.

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
I have a degree in Illustration.

What age and How'd you get started creating?
I’ve been interested in art as long as I can remember, I was always drawing or making something as a child. It was originally my ambition to go into children’s book illustration, but during University I realized that I would probably end up having to go in Graphic design to make regular money and that world is too competitive and restrictive for me (also I’m not too keen on computers). I knew I wanted to be creative but didn’t really know what I wanted to do so I became a bookseller, bought myself a sewing machine and started off by making presents for friends and family. After a while, a couple of friends from work suggested that I should open an Etsy shop and I did, I find sewing so relaxing it doesn’t ever feel like work.

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
My inspiration can come from anywhere or anything and at anytime. My biggest problem is that I have so many ideas that I never get round to creating most of them.

Where do you create? Do you have a whole studio, a room, a closet space?
I have a great space for my sewing machine in the corner of my bedroom but I can normally be found on the sofa, sewing in front of the TV.

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why? If not, why not?
I get told off all the time by my fellow Etsians as I don’t belong to any Street Teams (yet) but I’ll get round to it. I’m not very good at promoting myself I just feel that I want to get on with making side of things.

Do you feel there are limitations or barriers when selling Internationally?
The only thing I find a problem is pricing my items in dollars especially with the ever changing conversion rates.

Where else(if any)do you sell your work?
I can also be found on Folksy (a sort of British Etsy)

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
It may seem like a cliché but I love the feeling of community that Etsy has. I am naturally quite a shy person so it gives me the chance to communicate with likeminded people from all over the world.

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.
This is a tough one. My favourites at the moment are –

Ahpeele and BRANDED – I’m a big fan (and repeat customer) of both of these shops. They sell fabulous screenprinted t-shirts.

coldtoes – Absolutely gorgeous illustrations.

bigbluebed - Cute little gifts - including the almost forgotten English craft of Dorset buttons.

Paperandstring – Uber cute felt gifts and supplies.


Show us pictures of your three favorite items from your own shop.

Olive Felt Ornament

Orange Flowers Tote Bag

Big Felt Skully Brooch

Thanks again,

Denise

Thank you Denise for sharing your adorable felt ornaments with us! I think I need the Olive Felt Ornament for my rear-view mirror:)
~Amber aka Blue Scarab

International Interview, Hannelore aka Eleanors

What's your real name?
My real name is Hannelore Tiefenthaler. I use "Eleanor's" for my shop name in remembrance of two women I really admire: my beloved grandma, and Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the wealthiest, extraordinary and most powerful women in Western Europe during the High Middle Ages.

Where were you born & raised?
I was born in the city of Salzburg, Austria, and was raised in a small village nearby, surrounded by high mountains, the perfect place for adventuresome children. At the age of 14 I moved to Salzburg where I studied and lived for 15 years.

Where are you now & what led you there?
After moving around a lot I currently live between Austria's capital Vienna and a small village in Hungary. I have always been attracted to bigger cities but still won't miss nature, old trees and a bunch of rare animals.

What types of creations do you sell in your Etsy shop(s)?
At Etsy I sell my photographs, shot on film as well as digital. One of my favourite subjects are landscapes, especially trees. I also love to capture and experiment with seemingly unimportant sides of everyday life.

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
I mainly have been learning by doing and was lucky enough to work with experienced people I could learn a lot from. That´s one of the best educations you can get.

What age and how'd you get started creating?
Sometimes things come out very funny. In childhood I was addicted to photography. I compiled photo albums and wrote comments on every single picture I shot. School knocked my passion on the head. But towards the end of study (German Literature and History) it suddenly raised again. Finally I decided to become a photographer. To make a long story short, I started to cover a lot of concerts and theatre productions, worked for magazines and newspapers, did book covers and posters as well as exhibitions. After a couple of years I started filmmaking which turned out my main profession until right now. In my experimental and short documentary films I often had been my own director of photography.

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
It´s everyday life, nature, and last but not least validation from people who love what I am doing. Whatever I hear or look at, pictures arise and inspire my imagination. Visual art is the way to express myself best.

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why?
I am a proud member of European Street Team and Poe Team. Both of them are very active, doing challenges, treasuries and support each other. I do wish to have more time to take part of it, since I am still moving around a lot and I am always struggling to keep my shop running, photographing and filmmaking. Whenever possible I try to catch a treasury to promote my teammembers. I really appreciate being part of such an amazing community.

If you are on a Street Team, have you noticed any benefit to you and your shop?
I am very thankful my work gets featured in a lot of treasuries made by teammembers, and that helps to get seen more.

Do you feel there are limitations or barriers when selling Internationally?
I didn't meet with any obstacle yet when selling internationally apart from high shipping fees which might eventually distract some folks from purchasing abroad.

Where else(if any)do you sell your work? Please list any other places you sell, whether online or at a store by you.
Apart from selling offline Etsy is the only place until now I sell my photographs.

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
The site is extremely well done, it is user-friendly, has a well-defined outline, and attractive ways of searching. Not to be overlooked the large international community.

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.
There are a lot, here are some of them:

Artsy
beadedweeds
annarubyking
ExoticFlavour
krize

Three favorite items from my shop:
Daydream: A picture that seems to ask: real or not? I captured a detail of the extraordinary landscape in Hungary´s Hansag National Park at one of the last days in 2008. I love the pastel colors and the delicate flowing structure which makes the image look like a painting full of mystery.

Carved In Stone: One of my newly created collages working on several portraits of woman.

Open End: I took the picture with a Lomo at the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in Galicia, a province in the north west of Spain. The light and color which come out from a special developing process and the open landscape give me the feeling like being in the middle of nowhere. In fact this place features the end of a continent, Europe.
Anything else to add?
Many thanks, Amber, for inviting me to the interview!

Your quite welcome Hannelore! I thoroughly enjoyed viewing your unique and wonderful art, thanks for sharing a piece of your world with us!

~Amber aka Blue Scarab

International Interview, Åse, aka Aasesart

What's your real name?
My name is Åse (pronounced as ‘awesome’ without the ‘me’) Stödberg. In Swedish we have these circles and dots over some a’s and e’s which I don’t know if your computers will manage…

Where were you born & raised?
I was born in Stockholm, Sweden.

Where are you now & what led you there?
I live in Bromma, a suburb to Stockholm, in a small house with husband and two children still home. One moved out. We moved here when our first child was borne.

What types of creations do you sell in your Etsy shop(s)?
I sell prints of my original watercolor paintings. I will also sell paperwork (small notebooks,
scrapbooks, accordionbooks, etc.) by and by.

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
I went to an art school I Stockholm and have worked as a freelance illustrator ever since.

What age and how'd you get started creating?
I have been sketching and painting as long as I can remember. My father is an illustrator and he always worked from home, so it was quite natural to follow in his footsteps.

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
Rather banal: nature is my major inspiration. I also work with gardening and I get a lot of inspiration from everything growing. I love looking closely into a plant’s details. I discover something new every day, even in my own well-known garden.

Where do you create? Do you have a whole studio, a room, a closet space?
I work at home in a room of my own.

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why? If not, why not?
Since I’m a newbie, I haven’t yet investigated all the things you can do on ETSY. Street teams sound like a good idea. I will try to find one that would suit me. Perhaps it’s time for a Swedish Team?

Where else (if any) do you sell your work? Please list any other places you sell, whether online or at a store by you.
Until now I have only made illustrations to order, for magazines, newspapers and books. This is the first time I’ve tried selling my own work on a larger scale. I’m a member of an association of Swedish illustrators and on their homepage I show examples of my work: http://illustratorcentrum.se/asestodberg

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
I think it’s fantastic to be part of a community of all sorts of creative people from all over the world. So far I haven’t sold anything, but now there’s a tiny chance that someone outside Sweden will see my things. Just look: you found me and gave me this opportunity to feature on your blog. Thank you so much!

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.
It’s almost impossible to choose, but here goes:

1) Corpseknit – beautiful knitted items
2) Clevergirl – pretty jewelry
3) BourneDesigns – imaginative stone items
4) aCatsNest – a newbie like me, from Sweden
5) Yoola - fantastic frail-looking jewelry and other items

Show us pictures of your three favorite items from your own shop.

Alberta

Butterfly Book

Tulipa

Thank you for sharing with us Åse, and good luck with your shop!

~Amber aka Blue Scarab

International Interview, 2/07/09- Xin Wei aka xinxinemin

Being a Jewelry Artist and big lover & supporter of handcrafted jewelry myself, I can't help but drool over all the fabulous baubles on Etsy. Among them, Xinxinemin is definitely on my list of "Gorgeous jewelry I would love to have in my jewelry box". Colorful, bold, and a dash of whimsical, Xins' jewelry stands out in design with her choice of stones to the unique shape each piece takes on. Check her out:)

What's your real name?
My name is Xin Wei, from the Mongolian words of “New era”. I use “Emin” for my shop because this is my husband’s family name. We still haven’t decided to change my family name or not.

Where were you born & raised?
I was born in Inner Mongolia, China.

Where are you now & what led you there?
I currently live in Japan. I came here 4 years ago and just completed my PhD course in Saitama University.

What types of creations do you sell in for your Etsy shop(s)?
I sell handcrafted intricate jewelry. Most of my pieces are made of sterling silver, gold filled, and semi-precious gemstone.

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
I majored in computer graphics in PhD course. The research I did doesn’t involve creating beautiful pictures. It is tedious mathematic algorithm. But I learnt some basics of many graphical softwares; this might be the benefit I’ve got from my educational background. I didn’t have any troubles when I made banners, avatars, and I was able to construct my own website with the knowledge I learnt in the University.

How'd you get started creating?
My mother taught me how to crochet when I was 7. After that I practiced a lot in different kind of handcraft things. For me, Japan is heaven for handcraft. I can find materials and books for almost every kind of handcraft. Beading is the most popular one these years in Japan. I started beading with crystals and seed beads at 2006. And at the beginning of 2007, I started to create jewelry with semi-precious gemstone and wires. The passion of creating jewelry finally became a disaster. It overwhelms all of my life. It didn’t only eat up my spare time, but also my time for doing research. I postponed half year for graduation because I couldn’t prepare myself enough for graduation presentation and thesis. But luckily I managed to graduate last year.

I think my mother taught me crochet is the most important thing led me finally into making jewelry. I still crochet now. Crocheted silver lace flower is one of my signature designs in my shop.

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
I think many different culture backgrounds gave me great inspiration. I get inspiration from Mongolian, Chinese, Japanese, and Western Art works. The nature inspires me a lot too. I created many pieces representing the plants, flowers and insects.

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why? If not, why not?
Yes I am proud to be a member of Wire Artisan Guild of Etsy. In the guild we learn skills from each other, discuss the problems we met and encourage each other all the time. We also have theme challenge every month. Everyone creates a piece for the theme that month. I created a lot amazing pieces in theme challenge. My jewelry would not have such big variety if I haven’t challenged myself with those theme challenges.

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
The best thing is that I always see many talented works here and that keeps me improving myself.

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.
Naftali In this shop there are so many amazing clay beads. Haven’t bought anything there but I am sure one day I will.
gorjuss There are very cute cartoon cards and paintings. I love cartoons and this is my favorite shop. I wish I could have one shop like that in the future.
triz Before I make wire wrapped jewelry, I did a lot of beading. And this shop is full with fantastic beaded staff.
SuzyQJewelry One Swedish jewelry artist in our guild. Her work inspired me a lot.
julidadesigns Another guild member who’s work had great influence on me. I enjoyed a lot reading her tutorials. There are so many talented artist in our guild. Here I just listed two of them whom I admired before I had my own shop on Etsy.

Three pieces I chose from my shop are:
1. Earth Garden Pendant Necklace
This is created for the earth day (one theme from the wire artisan guild)


2. 3 Dimensional Pink Cage Earrings
My original three dimensional design with a beautiful deep pink color.



3. Crocheted Silver Lace Flower Ring
This ring looks amazing when you wear it. Very attractive, from my signature crocheted design.



Thanks so much Xin, and keep rockin' out the gorgeous jewelry!

~Amber

International Interview, 1/21/09 - Anna Greaves aka thehouseofmouse

Where were you born & raised?
I was born in Oxford, England but my family moved around a lot when I was a kid. We didn't really settle anywhere for more than a couple of years so it is hard to say exactly where I am from. We moved around the south of England during that time and eventually stayed put for 8 years in a village south of London called Haslemere.

Where are you now & what led you there?
Now I live in a village just outside Amsterdam in Holland. I followed my boyfriend (now husband) over here 5 years ago when he was offered a great job he couldn't refuse. I imagine I will be following him to other countries too, he speaks 6 languages so there is often new opportunities popping up - and I can sell my craft no matter where I am in the world.

What types of creations do you sell in your Etsy shop?
I make little felt mouse ornaments for adults and collectors over 14 years. I make my mice in many different characters based on movies, tv, job and hobbies, culture and much more. Each one is unique and has it's own little personality, I love that they have little stories they tell me as I am making them.

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
I studied Fine Art at university before becoming a professional oil painter for 4 years (you can see my paintings at www.annagreaves.com). During that time I learned how to run a business - they don't teach you useful stuff like that at uni, you have to figure that out on your own. The mice kind of happened by accident just at a time when I was becoming disillusioned with the Fine Art world - it is all so very serious! - I made the mice as Christmas gifts for my family and my Etsy shop took off from there.

How'd you get started creating?
I have been crafty and creative my whole life. There are artists, musicians and actors on both sides of my family so I was always encouraged to try out my ideas. I can't imagine not having a head full of ideas!

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
When I first started making my mice the inspiration for each one came from my friends and family, since I made each mouse with a certain person in mind. After Christmas I was inundated with other suggestions from the people that received them! I regularly think of other mice to make while doing my everyday things, I’ll be watching a movie and think “Oh, a Supermouse would be cool!” sometimes it is from finding an object and trying to see it from a mouse-size point of view. For example the Gladiator Mouse's shield is actually a particularly ugly earring I picked up at a car boot sale. Suffice it to say the ideas hit me all the time. I also regularly get suggestions from people visiting my shop or MySpace page. And there is continued stream of suggestions from my friends. I have a little book I always carry with me to keep my ideas in. As for switching the light on: I feel crafty and creative all the time - I think that little light switch is stuck in the "on" position!

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why? If not, why not?
Yes I belong to 3 street teams. The European Street Team, http://team.etsy.com/profilest/euro.shtml this team was the first one I joined after getting encouraged to do so by a seller I bought from. The team is very active, making team treasuries, running weekly challenges and chatting in our team thread all the time . I get a real sense of community and support from this team. I doubt I would be so happy on Etsy if it wasn't for them.

I also belong to the EFA (Etsy for Animals) team. I donate 10% of my profits to the animal sanctuary that I got my cat Nicki from. I believe in the ethos of the team to support animal charities and well, we all love animals too! I don't have as much daily contact with this team because most of them are on a different time zone to me, makes chatting a bit difficult!
Finally I founded the Sellers Assisting Sellers team about 6 months ago.

Team SASsy is made up of members who volunteer their time and energy and help new and struggling sellers on etsy. The team list is organized by areas of expertise, shop type, location and languages our mentors speak so sellers in need can find the perfect mentor to help them out. I am very proud of this team I put together, which is made up of some very talented and knowledgeable people.

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.
Only 5? Oh this is going to be tough...
Kreativlink
PamelaAngus
fray
ioulia
Blubies

What are your three favorite creations from your own shop?
Oh that’s a tricky question, that’s bit like asking someone which of their children is their favorite. I love them all! If I HAD to pick right now I would say it’s Nona the Cellist Mouse because I made her to represent my mom who is a great Cellist and Cello teacher. Naomi and Milo Junior - Mother and Baby Mouse because that little baby just makes my head explode with all the cuteness. And finally I love Axel the Executioner Mouse with the little severed mouse head - there is something so funny about the macabre with the cute, it makes me giggle every time :)

For more The House of Mouse news, and your chance to vote for the next new mouse in my store please check out my blog http://lifecraftinessandeverythingelse.blogspot.com

Thanks so much Anna!!

Carolynn

INCrowd International Interview, 11/7/08 - Lindy-Lu Victor, aka Shroompiloop

It was time to stroll the international internet shops, and I found the most amazing place in Israel: shroompiloop. This shop is about balancing energy using natural materials, and the workmanship is wonderfully raw and yet refined. An awesome balance. Enjoy!!

Where were you born & raised?
I was born on the 5th of August 1983 in South Africa. I grew up in Johannesburg & moved down to Stellenbosch - Cape Town where I studied & lived for 4 years. That's where I really discovered the meaning of true life. Stellenbosch is situated in between mountains and nature reserves & is surrounded by wine farms...the winery area of South Africa.

Where are you now & what led you there?
I am currently situated in Rishon LeZion, ISRAEL. I've been traveling between South Africa, England and Israel for the last 2 years, doing a little bit of this here, a little bit of that there :) My boyfriend, Shlomy, is Israeli & we decided to stay here for a few months and to create more art. I've always loved moving around and to travel. I've been quite blessed as I have traveled to quite a lot of countries and got to explore some amazing cultures throughout the world.

What types of creations do you sell in for your Etsy shop(s)?
I opened up my first leather & energy stone art shop on Etsy called SHROOMPILOOP. The name comes from both myself & my boyfriends nicknames which is Shlomy (Shroompi) + Lindy-Lu (LoopyLu), and Shlomy is my inspiration. He taught me the ins & outs. He is the leather King of Kings. He has worked with leather & energy stones for most of his life.

At SHROOMPILOOP I work with Leather & Energy Stones. My leather varies from cow, goat, sheep & buffalo leather. The leather I use I collected from India, South Africa, Botswana, Israel and all my leather is of utmost highest quality. Some of the leather I use is also matured & infused toned leathers. The stones I use is the best you can find (that's why my bags are a little bit more pricier than other bags). All my stones are handpicked by myself & Shlomy. We collected a variety of stones from all corners of the world as we traveled the plains of earth. We collected our stones from India, Nepal, Japan, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mexico, England, Australia & Israel.

At SHROOMPILOOP I create Handbags, Travelbags, Pouches, Purses all 100% handmade!!
My bags are not of the average sort & scream energy, passion & power...

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
I studied a degree in BA Communication Science, but there's no connection!!
I have always been exceptionally creative & always loved to create with my hands. I have always created things throughout my life but I have only discovered my love for leather 2 years ago when I met the love of my life. I always looked at how he worked with leather & that inspired me to try too. Shlomy is my inspiration and everything started with him.

How'd you get started creating?
I started making things for myself, my friends, never thinking of selling any of my things. And then, out of the blue I said why not try to sell it?!? Why not make money through continuing your passion?!? I am quite a hyper active person & have way to much energy, so when I start creating I find a way to calm myself down and to have MY time :) More importantly I have learned to become patient & shanti :)

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
The thing that I love the most about creating something amazing is that you value your talent so much more! Every time I create a bag, new ideas for another bag comes up & in some way I get really excited about it and gives me a lot of drive. To say "WOW" after making a piece and everybody around you is amazed at what you've done is the best feeling...I love to explore & to create new things and that is most definitely my muse!!

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why? If not, why not?
I don't belong to any Street Teams as I just started to go public :) My most favorite thing about selling on Etsy is that all the people selling on this site are all artist. All the sellers have a passion for handmade art & value what they have created. If I have to sell a bag on ebay (for example) people would not appreciate the item because they would not understand the hard work and value of my item, whereas on Etsy it is a different story :)

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.
I have just yet joined Etsy so have no gone through all the shops but would say that one of my favorite ones are TheLeatherStore as she creates amazing leather handbags. Something different to my style of bag but gorgeous.

What are your three favorite creations from your own shop?

Chocolate Brown Leather Coin Pouch Bag enriched with Turquoise

Red and Infused Red Choc Brown Leather Purse Bag

12 in. Cream and Brown Leather Turquoise Tone Laptop Case

Anything else to add? Go for it!
That's it. Happy Days :)

Thanks, Lindy-Lu!!

Carolynn

INCrowd International Interview, 10/21/08 - Jessica Simanowski, JSartist

Where were you born & raised?
I was born and raised in Germany where I lived for 20 years.

Where are you now & what led you there?
I decided 12 years ago to moved to Portugal where I still live now. I have been in Portugal on vacations 18 years ago for the first time and fell in love with the country. I felt really impressed by the colours of Portugal also. So after finishing grammar school and having some spare time before going to university, I decided to go for half a year to Portugal to gain some experiences in a foreign country. And, as we all know, sometimes unexpectedly things can happen and I never went back to Germany again and made Portugal my home country.

What types of creations do you sell in for your Etsy shop(s)?
I focus mainly on two sections. My main focus has always been on my paintings and original artwork. So I am having one Etsy Shop for my paintings only. In my other Etsy Shop I sell everything around textile design, mainly stuffed animals and felt and fabric jewelry.

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
My background does not much relate to what I do because I have always been an autodidact somehow. That happened already when I was a child. If I saw something that I really liked I locked myself into my room for a couple of days and figured out how to do it myself.
I finished the grammar school in Germany and actually wanted to visit the art academy in Germany to study art but soon enough found out that my role in this lifetime is not about being a student anymore but rather a teacher. I felt that I would have to hold back once I would join the rules and system of a typical art academy.

How'd you get started creating?
It just happens. It's here all the time. I truly am a full-time artist, meaning that I wake up in the morning doing art and going to sleep with my art. And then at night I use my dreamstate for new ideas or inspiration.

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
Well, as funny as this might sound but my creative light is myself. It comes from within, it is always there. Art is a very natural process for me. That's why my slogan is "Art is the science of the heart." We are all artists, but it makes a difference how much you are willing to go within to find it in within you, or not. Art is who we are and just a question of how we like to express ourselves best.

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why? If not, why not?
Yes, I am a proud member of the Etsy PlushTeam and the Etsy DesignStyleGuide Team. It is fun to interact with other Etsians and to support each other. Through the Street Teams you get the chance to have more people connect to your art and you can support each other.

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
What I like most about Etsy is that it is a very clear and well organized page. It is so simple to add new items to the shop even though if you do not understand much about the computer or internet. I also like that it is such a big community that functions worldwide. To find artist from every corner of the world on Etsy really rocks. I do not know any other page that presents such a huge pool of art. Although I have to say that me, as a European seller, have difficulties sometimes to keep up with the USD prices versus the Euro.

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.
danamarieart
AnthonyButkovich
pirilamporiscado
spencershook
cocoondesigns

Show us some of your favorites of your own creation.
Here are 4 links to my items. Two items from my fabric shop and two items from my paintings shop.

Felt Cord Fabric Necklace Tie


















Giovanni from TheWeirdoBug Collection
















A Zoo within (Original Painting) 60x100cm



















Balanced Babysteps (Original Painting) 60x60x4cm



















Anything else to add? Go for it!
Yes, indeed. Be nice with each other, appreciate every expression of somebody else and don't forget to play with each other : ) Don't forget that you are worthy and don't try to compare yourself with others on Etsy, even though if it seems sometimes that nobody wants or likes your work. To be authentic is the biggest gift you can give to the world.

Thank you so much!

A big hug,
Jessie : )

Love you, Jessie!! - Carolynn

INCrowd International Interview, 10/7/08 - Jesse Breytenbach, jezze

Yet another trip to Shop Local made me curious about South Africa. I have no idea why; I just...was. I found Jesse and I'm glad I did. I love her fabric. I can only imagine how fantastic a garment with her fabric would be!!

Where were you born & raised?
Grahamstown, a tiny university town in the eastern part of South Africa. I went to school and university there; it's the kind of place everyone wants to leave as soon as possible, except I found it endlessly fascinating that my perceptions of a place, and my life in it, could change so much from year to year. I'd probably still be there if I thought that I could find work.

Where are you now & what led you there?
Now I live in Cape Town. I'm a free-lance illustrator, and need to be near publishers and magazines for work.

What types of creations do you sell in for your Etsy shop(s)?
In the one I sell block-printed cloth and ribbon, and soon I'll be listing ceramics decorated with transfers there too. In the other (jezzeprints.etsy.com), prints. At the moment all my prints are digital prints of drawings and pages from my graphic novel (called "I Don't Like Chocolate") but I'll be adding linocut prints once the exhibition they're on comes down.

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
I have a BFA in printmaking and my MFA was on drawing and comics, so it's a pretty direct relationship!

How'd you get started creating?
Everyone in my family has always made things. I'm busy frogging a cardigan that my grandmother knitted over 40 years ago, if that's any indication. All the women in my family own trunks and boxes and suitcases stuffed with cloth and buttons and braids and spare zips, and the family philosophy seems to be that you only buy things you can't make yourself. I didn't know until recently that it was possible to buy ready-made curtains, or even that anyone did... so creating has always just been part of how you live.

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
Spare time! Actually, it's hard to say; making things also seems to make ideas, in a sort of vicious cycle. I'm always making the next thing in my head already, before I've finished the one I'm working on.

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why? If not, why not?
I don't, and it's something I really should look into. For quite a while Skinny laMinx and I were the only two South African sellers on Etsy, and I think there was a sense of being 'outside' Etsy.

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
Knowing so many of the sellers through their blogs, and the huge variety of things available. And not having to factor in that 100% markup that shops add on, when I figure out my prices. And being able to stock my shop as and when I have time, between other work.

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.
amandasainsbury
magicjelly
birdsandswings
skinnylaminx
12fifteen

Give us three images of your favorite work:

1. 'Coffee', a page from my comic that I really enjoyed drawing



















2. 'Proteas' blockprinted cloth














3. 'Red Stars' blockprinted cloth















Thanks so much! - Jesse

No thank you because your fabric is stunning.

Carolynn

INCrowd International Interview, 9/21/08 - Jessica Doyle of JessicaDoyle

So, who's Jessica Doyle? I just happen to have a full interview with her below, so you can read for yourself.

Where were you born & raised?
••• Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
I came into being on November 8th, 1973. I'm a Scorpio (Western) and an Ox (Eastern).

Where are you now & what led you there?
••• I currently reside in my birth city after having lived in Fredericton, New Brunswick for eight years, back to Saint John then onwards to Vancouver, British Columbia for 4 years. I returned to Saint John in 2007. I am 34 years old.

What types of creations do you sell in for your Etsy shop(s)?
••• I focus on small to medium sized illustrations offering both prints and originals for sale. I have painted large 4 by 4 foot artworks and sometimes miss the freedom of doing so as right now my studio space is limited. ACEO's stuck a chord with me when i first began selling on Etsy. they are among my best sellers. I draw using black ink and digitally colour many of those drawings in Photoshop. The Sassy Sea Urchin seems to be liked by many :) I also create one of a kind hand painted boxes and beads available as singles or in sets.

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
Having graduated from the New Brunswick College of Craft & Design with a major in creative graphics and a minor in both illustration and surface design in 1996 I began working as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator soon afterward. While living in Vancouver I went back to college for advanced training in colour theory and typography and then art directed a large magazine publication (working 60-70 plus hours per week) and became seriously ill for the third time in my life. I no longer practice graphic design and focus on art creation from my imagination. Being creative on demand and having strict deadlines is both inhibiting and deadly. As I get older I meet more and more ex-graphic designers. Haha!

I did learn to be diligent through those years. I ran a fabric painting business for two years with another artist where we sold hand painted by the yard fabric and household good sewn from the fabric. We did a lot of shibori, indigo dying, batik and lino block printing. I still have a great love for pattern and may someday return to creating patterned items for sale in my shop.

How'd you get started creating?
Wow... at age four. Seriously, my Dad worked for a paper mill and would bring home large rolls of paper. Mom would roll them out on the kitchen floor hand me watercolor and paint brush and I'd go to town painting seasonal designs. They would then be hung in the front windows at Halloween, Christmas etc.

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
Life inspires me. After three near death experiences I am happy to be amongst the breathing. Alone time is when I recharge.

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why?
I belong the Atlantic Provinces Etsy Street Team. Why? They are my neighbors in Canada. New Brunswick is one of four Atlantic Canadian Provinces.

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
Independence...to be able to focus on creating what I love. When you do what you love that is contagious. I get to do the things I couldn't do while working in the backbreaking graphic design industry. Being on Etsy has its challenges but they are your own. You can do as much or as little as you want and your sales will reflect this. I began working selling on Etsy full-time mid-June when one of my part time gigs ended. I haven't looked back since. I hope to be earning a livable wage in the fall.

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.
••• carambatack
••• FANSHEFOLDS
••• scarlettcat
••• stoopidgerl
••• sushipot

Show us your three favorite works from your own shop.
1. Amelia (Sunshine Edition 8x8 print)
2. Milton the Fish (ACEO mini print, 7x5 and 8.5x11 print)
3. Sassy Sea Urchin (5x5 and 8x8 print)

Anything else to add? Go for it!
••• My blog address is http://jessicadoyle.ca
••• My flickr address is http://flickr.com/photos/eastvanesica
••• My Etsy Art shop - http://JessicaDoyle.etsy.com
••• My Vintage shop - http://OLDisNEW.etsy.com
••• My Wholesale shop - http://trunkt.org/JessicaDoyle

Thank you for asking me to be featured on your blog.

You're welcome!!

INCrowd International Interview, 9/7/08- Mandy Budan, budanart

I buy prints from a lot of people on Etsy, but I think I buy more from Mandy than anyone. I am fractured by her fractured yet flowing views of nature.

Where were you born & raised?
I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada.

Where are you now & what led you there?
I now live just east of Toronto after living in a few other Ontario cities. Proximity to Toronto is important at the moment (it's where my day job is). I hope to move further out into the country in the next few years. I would love to live where my inspiration is :)

What types of creations do you sell in for your Etsy shop(s)?
I sell my original paintings and all the things I make from them - prints, mounted prints, magnets and notecards. I'm working on a couple of new items that I hope to list in the fall.

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
I went to a fine art high school (we had nude figure drawing up in the attic with the windows covered so none of the other students would get their retinas burned out :) After high school I couldn't decide between fine art and commercial art - I ended up taking commercial art. I wanted a good foundation that I could leap from - although I wonder sometimes what would be different if I took fine art instead.

How'd you get started creating?
I've always loved colour and I think I've always been working with it. So I think it started with crayons and construction paper. I didn't start to paint seriously until 2000 though - I had been painting in a much more realistic style until then and very sporadically. I'm not sure what happened but the first time I deconstructed an image (i think it was a single flower) I opened up a whole new world that I'm just dying to explore!

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
For me it's always about the colour. I drive around Ontario and I'm just entranced by the golden fields fading to the blue trees. Or the way the sunlight hits a tree just so and sets the leaves on fire. I drive by Lake Ontario every day and I'm just amazed at the thousands of different blues, greens and grays I see. It's never the same twice!

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why? If not, why not?
I did belong to the Trans Canada Team, but I have been very inactive with it lately. My etsy shop is doing very well but between it and my day job I'm pretty overwhelmed.

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
I love the diversity. And I love the global village aspect. I've sold my artwork to people all over the world - Indonesia, Norway, Spain, Australia and it just blows me away that etsy has brought all these people together.

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.
Only 5?!! :)
BrokenTeepeeDesigns.etsy.com - gorgeous jewelry
RunAliceRun.etsy.com - beautiful magnets
sagittariusgallery.etsy.com - fabulous nudes and landscapes
fiveforty.etsy.com - wonderful hand woven rugs
mitsel8.etsy.com - whimsical treasure boxes

What are your three fave items from your own shops?

Chunky Print - Last Rose of Summer

13 x 19 Large Print - Spring Light

13 x 19 Large Print - Summer Tree

What can I say? I want one of everything in your entire shop!!! Thanks so much, Mandy.

Carolynn aka nilochlainn

INCrowd International Interview, 8/21/08 - Fernanda Ibarrola, Dikua

So there I was, wandering through Mexico on Etsy, and I saw the most amazing rectangular resin rings! With their bright colors and dull finish, they looked like Gummi bears. I had to know more, so I asked Fernanda to tell me all about herself. Here it is: she said to me that she hoped her English would be clear enough, and I think she did fine!

Where were you born & raised?
I born and raised in Mexico City, never live out of here.

Where are you now & what led you there?
Same city and same neighborhood!!! love my area...love the city...but will also love to move to some other city in the world...always cities.

What types of creations do you sell in for your Etsy shop(s)?
I work as jeweller and at Etsy I mainly sell my resin work, even if I work on metals and other materials too. I sell exactly the same jewellery I like to use, simple and comfortable.

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
I'm an architect...and you think my background is related to my work? Well...all [of my work is] simple, plain, squared, round, solid, translucent...very geometrical...yes I know, I'm an architect!!! Kind of hard to let the hand [flow] freely.

How'd you get started creating?
I create since I remember...always doing big cities and houses on drawings and assembl[ing] toys...In jewellery it started after my kid was born. I found myself unemployed and start a small jewellery business with a friend, selling and importing [un]common jewellery at the same time I was doing my best to fit [in] motherhood and [being an] architect...finally I quit architecture and start studying jewellery. I love to experiment and started with alternative materials such textile and resin...now I have 3 years studying and working as a jeweller.

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
I love geometry and colors...also simplicity...could [find] it in a kid drawing, lentils bowl, the stones, flowers...or a puddle. Love to watch all next to me and imagine what would I do.

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why? If not, why not?
Not really, that's not common in Mexico. I do private house sells with some other designer friends.

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
Love the kind of relationship you can establish with the client and seller...love to have the opportunity to meet creative people all around the world and love the opportunity to spread my work far away from my own frontiers. Love to [find] people who value design itself without considering luxury or commercial establishments.

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.
Hard to choose just few...love many sellers!

Abigail Percy. Love her jewellery.
Yael Fran. Beautiful designs.
Kjoo. Beautiful work!!
Caracarmina. Beautiful collages
Eloise ghioni. Love simplicity.

And thanks a lot to you Carolynn for invite me!

Dikua.

Thank you! Your story and your shop are wonderful.

INCrowd International Interview, 8/7/08 - Zoe Gemma Stewart, The Curious Rabbit

This bi-weekly International Interview is with Zoe Gemma Stewart. I love that name! But her shop name is cool too...The Curious Rabbit. Read on and you'll see why I like her so much. Not only is her work lovely, but she is a lovely person inside.

Where were you born & raised?
I was born in a little town in Newcastle, England. I moved to Edinburgh, Scotland where I was raised with my younger brother and my mum.

Where are you now & what led you there?
I lived in Hawick, in the Scottish borders for 3 years whilst at University, studying fashion design. In August 2007, I married my adorable husband, who is in the army, and I moved to York to live with him for a year. I work in the Army nursery on camp, I look after 2 seriously disabled children full time, 4 children before and after work, and I etsy at weekend and whenever I can squeeze in a little time... I feel so lucky working with the people I do and making a difference in their lives.

What types of creations do you sell in for your Etsy shop(s)?
I mainly list photographs that I take on my time off. I love taking photographs and my trusty camera comes everywhere with me. We also travel home to Scotland a lot, so I embroider when I am in the car and some of those get listed too, although I would like them all to go on my walls

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
I went to a not-so-great High School in Edinburgh and I couldn't wait to get out and get to college. I studied Art, Design and Photography for a year at the local college which led me to University. I loved my 3 years there. I volunteered my only day off with the local high school for 2 years and with an art group for adults with disabilities for one year. One day I would love to teach my own art class for adults and children with disabilities. It was an amazing experience for me and it's something I would love to do forever.

How'd you get started creating?
The first thing I ever remember making was a card for my mum. I was only 4, I cellotaped a tea bag to the inside of a card, so she could have a cup on Mother's Day...I've always loved sewing, and painting and general mess making, and to be able to continue doing that as a job as an adult is perfect.

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
Everything...There is not a moment when I don't have an idea bobbing around my head, or my camera attached to my face, I am constantly scribbling in my little book to stitch, books...Where the Wild Things Are is my favourite; the beautiful illustration gets me every time.

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why? If not, why not?
I think I belong to the UK Street Team, to keep up with things, but I need a tutorial because I'm not really sure how to use half of Etsy. I learn something new everyday.

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
I have only sold a few items, and the fact that someone has found my shop after my hard work of trying to get it noticed and then loving something so much they have bought it gives me that warm little glow in my tummy, it's a lovely feeling to have.

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.
Wow, only 5? OK... here goes...

1. One of my best friends (in real life)- #1 has to be mollymoovintage. Her shop is adorable and one of a kind, full of vintage housewares
2. milkrun. Her handmade dolls are adorable and I intend to get one, one day
3. ndeurshoes. Which girl doesn't love shoes? I have a very big collection and I think these are great,
4. keysandmemories. I love vintage and I love typewriters, and here they're put together, awesome!
5. AshleyG. Her illustrations are wonderful. I have one on my wall I got for my birthday, gorgeous!

What are your three favorite items of your own work?
My 3 items would have to be...

Sending love from afar.....









Quiet Country Home print









beach on the farm









Anything else to add? Go for it!
Thank you, for the opportunity to have my little voice heard from my little corner of Etsy. It's hard trying to promote yourself in blogs and forums, so when people visit your store and you get chance for an interview it's rather lovely, so a simple little thank you.

Go create! :)

INCrowd International Interview, 7/21/08 - Beverly Wong-Kleinjan, lapaperie

I was tumbling through Shop Local and decided to see what Canada had to offer. I found the most amazing shop. I think you'll agree.

Where were you born & raised?
A little town by the ocean in Nova Scotia, Canada

Where are you now & what led you there?
After living in western Canada and also in Europe (The Netherlands), I returned to my hometown with my husband, here in beautiful Nova Scotia. It’s still the nicest place I’ve ever been!

What types of creations do you sell in for your Etsy shop(s)?
La Paperie & Cozy's presence on Etsy began in November 2007, and offers quality handbound leather journals, sketchbooks, guestbooks and customized blank books. I also offer prints of my original drawings and paintings on another Etsy shop called Salt Water Shed and in the future will be branching out into photography as well.

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
In school I learned to read, and reading (a LOT of it!) taught me how to bind books. *grin* I’m self-taught in book arts and have no formal training in this craft. I'm also a freelance writer, volunteer, and I write commissioned book reviews for various large publishing companies. I also make handmade soap, but do not sell that online (only locally). Add to that website & graphic/logo design, being a housewife, and singing harmony/backup for a recording studio, and you've got one insane schedule!

How did you get started creating?
As a child I was always the 'strong silent type' preferring to be alone in my room, and always preoccupied with making things on my own - usually little books with drawings and story boards. So this love of creativity has always been with me, and I've nurtured it over the years. My love of books started at an early age. After reading The Diary Ann Frank at the age of 10, I started keeping journals, which I've done every year of my life since. I've always believed that "journal writing is a voyage to the interior." I remember collecting and obsessing over journals. And guess what? I still do! In my quest for the 'perfect' journal over the years, I decided to create my own, and share my love of the blank-book with others. That was a little over a year ago. Leather journals have always been my diary of choice, and so I engaged in a self-study of the craft. I spent about 2 months with my nose between the pages before I mustered up the courage to even try making something. As nervous as I was at the prospect of failure, I knew it was something that I would definitely love to do. Et voila! As soon as I had begun, I was hooked! After a few custom orders from family and friends, and at the suggestion of many, I decided to give my handbound books a wider wing-span, and offer them on my Etsy shop.

What's your muse, or what turns that little creative light inside you on?
I'd have to say it's my favourite classic authors and poets, as well as my great ardor for books in general. I can almost imagine literary greats of centuries past writing in handmade journals like these...Jane Austen writing notes as she walks in the pretty wilderness behind her house, annotating her next great work, Pride & Prejudice. Or a young Charles Dickens reminds himself in his journal to incorporate the comic villainy of Mr. Jingle in his first novel, The Pickwick Papers. Inspired by these literary masterminds, my journals' first pages pay homage to these outstanding writers and some of their best quotes! When it comes to my art, I'm inspired by the simplistic beauty that is in everyday objects and situations.

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why? If not, why not?
Yes, a few. (1) Bookbinding Etsy Street Team; (2) Etsy Atlantic Provinces Street Team; and (3) Trans-Canada Etsy Team. It’s a real pleasure being a part of a community with such talented friendly folk!

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
Definitely the ‘community’ atmosphere. I also love the fact that my work can be available to just about anyone in the world with internet access – that’s pretty exciting. It also is wonderful to have the opportunity to meet talented craftspeople from all over the world offering unique one-of-a-kind handcrafted items. You can’t beat that!

Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy:
1. ES Designs - the most beautiful jewelry I’ve ever seen, inspired by nature
2. Sleeping Forest Studios – gorgeous works in wood
3. AriaImages – a dear friend who takes amazing photos
4. Starryeyedstudios - fellow Nova Scotian who offers original watercolors in magnets, pendants
5. Alina Hayes Ceramics – lovely pottery (want!)

Show us three photos of your favorite items, from your shop:

1. Jane Austen Handbound Leather Journal with quote from Pride & Prejudice - tan cowhide with silvertone toggle clasp closure, 320 pages











2. Ernest Hemingway Handbound Leather Journal - old-world brown cowhide with belted tab closure, 320 pages (sold.)









3. Charlotte Bronte Handbound Leather Journal with quote from Jane Eyre - distressed/marbled charcoal cowhide, 320 pages (sold.)










Thank you so much, Bev. Your work is truly astonishing.

Carolynn aka niochlainn

A New Feature - Interviewing International Etsy!

We periodically post an interview with a member of the INCrowd (and we will be doing more of that), but I saw the most recent thread for the European Etsy Street Team (see here) and got a load of how many countries they represent, I figured it was time to do a little reaching out across the sea. How do Etsyers from other parts of the world see their art, online shopping, and so forth? I asked darerca, an Irish lass (don't blame me for a wee bias in favor of my ancestral home) to give us her perspective on her own work and on Etsy:

Where were you born & raised?
Born and raised in what used to be a sleepy little village on the Dublin, north Wicklow border but is now part of the urban sprawl that is modern Ireland.

Where are you now & what led you there?
I live in a beautiful rural area near Greystones in Co. Wicklow not all that far from where I grew up! I love the mountains and the sea and couldn't imagine living anywhere else!

What types of creations do you sell in your Etsy shop(s)?
Mainly necklaces or bracelets of silver, gemstones or Swarovski crystal but I also use other material like copper and vermeil. My current obsession is wire crochet with various gemstones or freshwater pearls.

What's your educational background, as it relates to your work?
I completed a year of an IT degree course but quit that to specialise in web design as I found it more creatively satisfying.

How'd you get started creating?
Jewellery has always been a passion - one of my first memories was at the age of four or maybe five trying to make earrings from the long red petals I picked off a fuchsia bush in the garden. It took me quite a while after that to get serious about it though! My next attempt was not very successful either - this was before the internet and the limited material that was available had to be bought by mail order from the U.K. which made it very expensive. Third attempt was about 18 months ago just before Christmas 2006 when I decided it was now or never. I bought some beads on Ebay and beginners tools and got to work. It was slow going though as some techniques are best learned from another person so I signed up for a night class in jewellery making. I joined Etsy in April 2007 but did not in fact start selling until September 2007. I needed that time to perfect my craft before I considered it good enough to sell.

Do you belong to any Street Teams? If so, which ones and why?
I'm a member of the European Street Team! I do wish I had more time to join others but I never seem to have enough free time that I'm not working, jewellery making, cooking, sleeping....

What's your favorite thing about selling on Etsy?
The community feeling! The forums!

What are your three fave pieces, of your own work?

Blue Lace Agate Crocheted Wire Necklace














Beautiful Lampwork and Freshwater Pearl bracelet with adjustable clasp
















Ceramic, Freshwater Pearls and Copper


Recommend your five favorite shops on Etsy.

boonepottery - gorgeous pottery pendants
opheliax - fabulous creations with Swarovski crystal
tanyabond - love her prints, especially the kitties
humblebeads - very inspiring creations
simonewalsh - beautiful silver etched pendants

Anything else to add? Go for it!
Thank you for choosing me as your first International interview! I am so flattered! I was in the middle of packing as I'm heading to the airport early tomorrow and I could not believe it when I read your mail!