Tuesday, February 24, 2009

My Best Friends

I have three best friends...

One is my little sister, Callie. She lives only 30 minutes away from me so we hang out a lot. We recently signed up for a Photography class at a community college, so that will be lots of fun!! I can pretty much tell her anything and we are always planning new businesses. Not to say we've tried them all, but maybe one day! This is an old photo, but it's way cute and shows our sisterly silliness. Haha.


Jen and I met because Callie is friends with Jen's step sister. lol. Jen and I hung out because our families knew each other and we ended up getting along. Jen tried to corrupt me and I resisted it. lol. Most the time. Jen is pretty much the funniest person I've ever met. I can't help but almost pee my pants when we hang out. She should be a comedian. No matter what we've been through together we love each other to death :) She recently married Brett Hill, who is completely the perfect match for her. They are so cute!! Here is a photo from her wedding, She's the one in the white dress, obviously, and I am to the left of her :)

And here is Brianna Hill!! Funny how both my best friends have the same last name now. Anyway, Brie and I have been friends since 9th grade. She's a really happy person, always the life of the party. But not in a party girl way, if that makes any sense. In a fun way! She's got the loudest, most contagious laugh ever. Go to a movie with her and you will be laughing the entire time. I promise. Brie and I used to cut class in 12th grade and go to the mall. We are such rebels, but really she didnt have class after lunch, and my last class was teacher aide and the teacher let me leave early. lol. So maybe we aren't such rebels after all. My favorite memories with her is all our road trips to Monterey and San Francisco! Here's a photo from her goodbye party when she moved away :(

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Featured Artist: KVELL CREATIONS


Visit her shop at KvellCreations.etsy.com


How did you get started with your craft?

Started with a beaded headband I made for a holiday party. I wanted to buy one but it looked like something I would like to do. Wrong!! Not liked..LOVED doing!

What's your favorite material to work with?
Swarovski Crystals

Tell me a random fact about you?
I have a you-tube video on the net of me snoring. (loudly)

Any advice for new Etsy members?
Remember to have fun...Great ideas sometimes are born from mistakes.. There is never a dumb question...

Lets hear the condensed version of your life...
Born in Virginia, have lived in Cuba and Argentina, Navy mom, married just over 2 years (found love again at almost 50)... work full time as a nurse.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Featured Artist: CSPaper and Beads


Check out her store at CSpaperandbeads.etsy.com
See her blog at cscraftstudio.blogspot.com

How did you get started with your craft?

I saw an article in a newspaper about making paper and decided to buy a kit. The first set I made was the night before my daughter was born. I was "nesting" (didn't know it at the time! LOL) and had completely cleaned my house and still had so much energy that I pulled out that kit and made my first batch of paper. I was hooked.

What's your favorite material to work with?
Right now I am having a great time with crayons.

Tell me a random fact about you?
I love office supplies!

Any advice for new Etsy members?
Stay true to yourself.

Lets hear the condensed version of your life...
I have moved on average every three years. Mostly around West Texas while growing up and from coast to coast as an adult (My Hubby is a Marine).

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Featured Artist: Ellemar Designs


Visit her shop at ellemardesigns.etsy.com


How did you get started with your craft?
I've always enjoyed creating with my hands - drawing, painting, clay, cross-stitch, and various other crafts - since I first discovered crayons as a little kid. I began working on ceramics a little over a year ago, at a local studio, and was hooked instantly. Right now the ceramics share equally with my interest in drawing/painting.

What's your favorite material to work with?
My favorite materials are extra fine point Micron markers for the drawings, and Mayco glazes in a fine-tip squeeze bottle for the ceramics. I've used craft acrylics for the few paintings I've done, and I can see that I'll have to learn a lot more about using different kinds of acrylics as I experiment as an artist.

Tell me a random fact about you.
I'm an avid gardener and I love to read about gardening (especially now, in the white of winter in the northeast).

Any advice for new Etsy users?
Take the best photos you can, and write the best descriptions you can. Love what you do, and do it to the best of your ability. Quality and presentation MATTER. And have fun!

Let's hear the condensed version of your life. . .
I'm a married lady with a great husband and two kids, a former special ed teacher who now home schools her own kids, and a nature nerd and history geek with a menagerie of pets. I'm just starting to discover myself as an artist, and really enjoying the process. Etsy is allowing me to learn and grow more than I would have ever guessed a year ago.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Featured Artist: Linda B's Jewelry Designs


Visit her store at lindab142.etsy.com
See her blog at linorstorecom.blogspot.com

How did you get started with your craft?
I beaded as a kid, then the passion starting while working on a bracelet project with some friends.

What's your favorite material to work with?
Stretchy wire bracelets, and jasper, carnelian, rhodonite and a mixture of gemstones and glass for earrings and pendant necklaces.

Tell me a random fact about you?
I've been crafting for a long time. I also stamp cards.

Any advice for new Etsy members?
Your photographs are very important. Read everything about making them the best and work on improving. Love what you do.

Lets hear the condensed version of your life...
I've been married for 100 years to my high-school sweetheart, am an only child and form very long friendships. I possess an odd sense of humour and can take things too seriously sometimes, especially my self and my work. I work full time for a professional association and the rest of my waking moments are for Etsy, it seems. LOL

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Featured Artist: MILES OF TEXTILES

Visit her shop at milesoftextiles.etsy.com


How Did You Get Started w/Your Craft?
I have sewn since I was in grade school, made my own clothes, etc. My ideas for what I currently make really took off when I lived in the Middle East while on assignment with the State Department. More detail of this can be found on my "bio" page of my shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6764744

Favorite fabrics:
Every time I go through all my textiles each one of them is my favorite, it seems. But I'd have to narrow it down to saying an Indian sari is my favorite fabric to work with. The silks are so beautiful, pure in color and the contrasting borders can be used in so many different ways. Doing the type of piecework that I do one sari can last me literally years! Each is apprx 6-8 meters in length.

Random fact about me:
I'm now retired but in my former career I have lived and traveled around the world. Very happy to be finally settled and secure in the fact I do not have to move again. Just want a quiet life to focus on my creations - full time.

Advice for New Members:
I've only been on Etsy for one week however...my advice is to read everything possible about the site regarding setting up your shop, take criticism well from those who have been on Etsy for a period of time. Read, read, read is my advice. Get to be an expert on anything to do with Etsy if you want to be serious in selling your crafts on this site.

Condensed version of your life:
I think I've covered that in #3 (Random Fact).