Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday Feature: GSpeegle
1. Tell us about you and your shop.
My shop features handmade cards, frames, tags and sticker collages.
2. How did you get started in your craft?
I started by getting into scrapbooking when my son (now 3) was born. Once I caught up on my pages, I found that I couldn't help crafting. Cards seemed to be the next logical choice. So many friends and family members loved my creations and suggested I start selling them. Long story short, here I am!
3. What tool can you not live without?
A paper cutter! I can't hand cut a straight line to save my life!!
4. What inspires you?
Patterned paper inspires me actually. When I go to the scrapbook store and see the new lines come out, I get inspired by the colors and themes available. I'm also inspired by everything retro and Vintage.
5. Name one favorite item from your store.
This is my new favorite card. I listed it this week and just love the feeling of Wonderland. It's so different from my other cards, too!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday Treasury
Created By:mrscmvinke
Holla in sign language By:notmoira
Sunshine Card Happy Yellow By:curiousgravy
Yellow Wildflowers hand stamped bridal shower invitation sample By:CarlinCardCreations
Handmade Thank You in Yellow and White By:Two Happy Stampers
Wild and Crazy By:twiddlestix
All the Buzz Sweet as Honey-single A2 folded card By:fivedot
The Papillon Wedding Invitation Sample Set By:inkylivie
Handmade All Occasion Card - Smile Free Shipping By:littlebbunny
Monday, April 26, 2010
Etsy Greetings Featured Sale: Cara's Scrap 'N Stamp Art
The Sale: With the purchase of 2 or more shop items shipping is FREE from Saturday, April 24 through Monday, April 26 at 11:59 PM EST. All shipping fees will be refunded via PayPal or you can wait for a revised invoice.
Use coupon code: FREESHIP2 at checkout!!
Sale Dates: starts Saturday 12 AM EST and ends Monday 11:59 PM EST.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Friday Feature: StelieDesigns
1. Tell us about you and your shop
I am Stephanie Giesen-Kath, owner & designer of Stelie Designs. I am a work at home mom to two sets of boy/ girl twins (5 years & 9 months) and married to a wonderful guy. There is never a dull moment in our home and it’s only quiet when the kids are sleeping or gone.
2. How did you get started in your craft?
Design is in my blood.
3. What tool can you not live without?
My blackberry: it allows me to answer quick emails, list/renew items, etc. without heading down to my office.
4. What inspires you?
Nature, color, trends, clothing, my kids, architecture, fabric, words. Pretty much anything can spark an idea.
5. Name one favorite item from your store
My zoo print – I designed an owl 2 years ago at the beginning of the craze and have slowly added new animal drawings.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tuesday Treasury
Created By: TheArtOfJoy
Olive You - Recycled Linocut Greeting Card by melissakate
Umbrella, umbrella by chelleline
Pack of cheerful cards using recycled scraps of handmade papers by PulpArt
Handmade Plantable Flower Seed Paper Greeting Card - The Earth Laughs in Flowers by gracegraphics
For a Great Friend, Original Illustration Squid Card, 7x5inch ECO FRIENDLY by papersquid
set of custom MOVING ANNOUNCEMENTS by greencard
Seahorse Flat Note Card Set - 12 by lavendergreetings
Personalized Stationery Set - The Kate Series in Chartreuse and Purple by upup
This treasury has also been created in Treasury East too!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Friday Feature: Spring Blossom Design
1. Tell us about you and your shop.
www.springblossomdesign.etsy.com
I'm from Brisbane, Australia and I have a full time job that has nothing to do with being creative so when I get home I love to create up a storm of cards!!!
2. How did you get started in your craft?
I started card making just over one year ago when I was introduced to 'Stampin Up!' products by my best friend. We would have craft evenings that quickly turned into afternoons that turned into full days of card making. Now I craft when ever I get a free second!
3. What tool can you not live without?
Probably my paper cutter, with out that I wouldn't be able to get the basics of the card right so nothing else would fall into place.
4. What inspires you?
The most inspiring part of my craft is the thought of the person who is going to receive a beautiful hand made card and treasure it for a long time.
5. Name one favorite item from your store.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
April Showers - Diamonds
As I look around in a room of great artistry I found myself inspired by my fellow Etsy Greetings family to share my views of their remarkable work.. and so the story begins with..
Humble Beginnings
A diamond (to many) is an object of splendor, an object of affection, a sign of power and protection, a symbol of innocence and so much more. It is a precious gemstone that comes in beautiful array of colors and sizes and one of the most valued. They are wonderful pieces of coal. Coal ??! Yes, coal.In fact diamonds truly originate from coal. Coals convert into a diamond quite remarkably. A lump of coal must process into its purest form called graphite. Graphite in turn transforms into diamonds, Simple enough? Well the process is anything but simple yet extraordinary. It is a process that takes years with processes of temperatures over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and pressures that are almost 50 times higher than that of the earth’s surface. How unbelievable to know that something as ugly as coal can be transformed into something as beautiful as diamonds. Now that you know this, Do you value diamonds differently? We can’t help to be mesmerized at how extraordinary this precious art form really is.
Lump of Coal
“Diamonds” are a rare commodity and are found in the most unexpected places. ttp://www.forthetiny.etsy.com/ therefore artisans see with their imaginations and “process” the film reels of their creativity into extraordinary works of art.
http://www.forthetiny.etsy.com/
Although artist works differ from a diamond they too begin just as another lump of coal. For a greeting card artist this lump of coal is a blank, usually, card stock canvas. Therefore, upon a http://www.forthetiny.etsy.com/ blank canvas the process begins. Before an artist starts to work they need the basic tools for their craft. The most important besides the basic card stocks and adhesives is inspiration. Ask any artist and they will agree that there’s no art without inspiration. For artist, Sharon @ www.cardmaven.etsy.com her inspiration lies in;” the paper I choose, OR the card which I’m requested to do. My mode of operation is to make a lot of blanks with scrapbook paper and then let inspiration take over"
The inspiration question has always been a difficult one for any artisan to answer. We thank you for the attempt Sharon. Inspiration is difficult to be put in words therefore we share it through our art.For beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder and inspiration is the emotion that gleams from the appreciation we feel for what we see.
www.ahlacarte.etsy.com
Anything but simple
The process to create great greeting cards is similar to the process of a diamond, anything but simple.
“With me, it is a building process. I just keep trying and adding and when I think enough is enough, I add inside words, glitter, if needed, and call it done. (As I sell $2 cards, I do not feel I need to over-embellish them. Simple and basic is where I'm at”, Sharon @ www.cardmaven.etsy.com
Well Sharon makes it sounds simple. Ha Ha Ha. Let me rephrase. The creation process is a special process. A greeting card consists of technique, color, great wording, great paper mediums and the perfect font amongst other important details.
“When creating a card, I take several things into consideration.First, What inspires me at the time? Sometimes it's the season, sometimes it's architecture, sometimes it's a mood I'm feeling. Then I really try to make something that will not only let MY personality shine through as the designer, but that will help the sender's personality shine through as well. Sometimes that means incorporating a bit of humor, sometimes love, sometimes just a little generosity. ‘In these fast passed high-tech times’ taking the time to even send a handwritten card is very generous.” Amanda www.etsy.com/shop/DawnCorrespondence
"I love to take photos of nature.I then take my time and it a card comes into my mind to match the photo.Other times I have a thought about a card I want to send myself.I then look for a scene to photograph that will fit the thought.I guess there is not just one inspiration." www.shopforthetiny.etsy.com
http://www.bellacardscreations.etsy.com/
http://www.carascrapnstamp.etsy.com/
The Diamond touch
After drawing blanks, a couple drafts, card stock, embellishments, and loads of adhesives (glue) inspiration strikes again. Inspiration comes over and every element works together just like Mickey in Fantasia, then in the words of famous chef, Elm (from Elm’s kitchen) BAM, Diamonds!
I really enjoy finishing a creation and feeling like it is something really different from the other cards available - as far as design, occasion, and text. It’s refreshing when I have a viewer or customer say, "Wow, I would have never thought of that!" That really makes me feel good about what I am doing.www.etsy.com/shop/DawnCorrespondence
http://www.freshfunkycards.etsy.com/
http://www.cardmaven.etsy.com/
http://www.ahlacarte.etsy.com/
The true value is the emotional exchange and the twinkle in our customer’s eyes as they see their cards. Artist “simply” capture the moments and share them through the pupils of our creativity. It is in many ways rewarding to any artist.
Ultimately as artists we can all agree with the statement
“My diamonds are {our} happy customers!”
Sharon @ www.cardmaven.etsy.com
The ideas and information expressed on this article are simply my personal views and expressions and of those who happily shared their views. Thank you to all for your wonderful art works and for letting me pick your brains.
Signing off on yet another Cubie Corner day
Cisne Expressions
http://www.cisnexpressions.etsy.com/
Author: cisnexpressions
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Tuesday Treasury
Created By:Cardwear
Happy Mother's Day - Explosion Card - Gift Card By:PaperFairy
Mother Cross-stitched Card By:FarAwayDesigns
Flower Trio- Happy Mother's Day Card- the luxe collection By:BeanSproutStudio
All I Am or Hope to be I Owe to My Mother Card By:adorebynat
Mum's the Queen Mother's Day Card By:twohanddesign
Mother's Day Greeting Card, Mothers hold their children's hands By:PetScribbles
Mother's Day Spring Flowers greeting card By:lavendergreetings
Friday, April 9, 2010
Friday Feature: Bonfires
1. Tell us about you and your shop.
My name is Niki Lee Carlson and I have bonfires!
I’ve lived a lot for 31, yet I have this sneaking suspicion that some pretty amazing things are on the horizon. I explored the globe through my twenties, finished two degrees, settled down in the Red River Valley, and along the way learned that I am at most content and inspired when I am drawing from where I am to make something meaningful.
2. How did you get started in your craft?
I make a lot of things and my shop is beginning to express what I envision.
3. What tool can you not live without?
A nice flat surface.
4. What inspires you?
Birds, funny things people say, the sky, seeds, plants, the smell of humus, my quirky family, bones
5. Name one favorite item from your store.
Probably my ‘Listening as Lilypads Do’ card. I love the serenity and colors in this card; if I had to pick one to blow up and hang on the wall this would be it. Plus I remember clearly the days both photographs were taken and they were marvelous days.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Tuesday Treasury
Created by: Orange Cat Art
Fly Colorful Bird Everyday Handmade Blank Cardby SimplyInvitingCards
Modern Penguin - Eco Stationery (Set of 6)by turnarounddesign
Set of 3 Red Bird Note Cards by AJKArtistry
Hi Little Birdie by CarasScrapNStampArt
Sending You - Tweets Greeting Card by Honizukle
Backyard Bird Notecards - Set of 4 by orangecatart
Friday, April 2, 2010
Friday Feature: PnkGeeni
1. Tell us about you and your shop.
I opened my shop in August 2008 and after a few stalls I have a shop I am proud of and am trying to grow.
2. How did you get started in your craft?
I got into scrapbooking after a holiday to Walt Disney World in 2006. But I started making cards when I realized that there were birthdays coming up and I didn't have cards!
3. What tool can you not live without?
My coffee cup. Is that a tool?
4. What inspires you?
Crafting magazines. I have tons! Other crafty blogs. Online 'shopping' or just buying new stash. New papers always inspire me to create something great.
5. Name one favorite item from your store
This is a difficult question because every new card is my favorite. Right now I have to pick... this elegant Thank you card. Those butterflies were originally flowers. And I love the way the card opens.