Handmade For Hope

The Joplin Fundraiser is afoot!! There are 31 baskets to choose from full of amazing and one-of-a-kind handmade items totaling over $4,800!!! Head over to Brittany's blog to read the Rules and enter to win. You can enter for as many baskets as you want, as often as you want until July 2nd.

Here is a sample of the baskets available:

#18 The Pamper Me Basket

#23 The Jewelry Lover's Basket (4)

Each of the two baskets above feature one of my upcycled bags. I used a vintage calico print fabric and gently used denim for durability. The one in the Jewelry basket has a drawstring closure, while the one in the Pamper basket zips closed.

Praise God for what we can accomplish when we come together to help each other like this!

Have a great weekend!

- Kerry -

Update on Joplin Relief Raffle

So here is some news about how the Relief Raffle is going as posted on Brittany's blog:

This "mega giveaway" I mentioned last week has turned into a HUGE fundraiser! It's so exciting (and almost overwhelming at times) to think about the impact that we could potentially make with this one event. So far, we have over 140 contributing crafters and artists who have collectively donated over $4000 in items to be raffled off! How amazing is that?!

For everyone who has been asking for more details and info...here it is:

• The event will begin next Wednesday, June 15, right here on the Display Your He{art} blog
• It will run through Wednesday, June 29
• Anyone and everyone is eligible to enter to win (including donating crafters)
• There will be multiple "baskets," each filled with several amazing items for you to win
• Each entry will be $1 (donated via a Paypal button) and you may enter as often as you like
• You may specify which "basket" you would like your entries to go toward
• I will keep track of each of your entries and winners will be selected at random once the giveaway has ended

You can head over to Brittany's blog to keep up dated on the progress of this fundraiser; or keep an eye on this blog as I will endeavor to post frequently when I hear new information on how YOU can get involved.

Thanks for reading!!
-Kerry

The Featured Seller - Christine's Jewelry

I've found another Etsy treasure! Her name is Christine and I'm so glad she was willing to share with you a glimpse into her work and passion...

 

 

Tell us about yourself and what you offer in your shop? 

How did you get started?

 I have a passion for making jewelry for other people! I have 3 beautiful children and I have been married to my wonderful husband Joel for 20 years. I am so blessed!

I have always loved art. I was always drawing, painting, sewing and making things as a girl. I love collecting pretty stones, beads and shells. I got started making jewelry over 10 years ago for gifts for people. It seemed like a more personal and appreciated gift to give, a wearable, handmade gift. It also cost me less than what I was able to buy. Recently people were asking the recipients where they got the jewelry and started requesting it.  I decided to open my shop on Etsy! I really love to make jewelry for other people. I love how it makes people feel special. Every time I get an idea and complete it and then see someone wearing it is such an awesome feeling!

 

How did you come up with your shop name?

Coming up with a shop name is a hard thing to do. I decided to just use my name so that when people ask others where they got their jewelry they can say, "It's Christine's Jewelry!"    

 

Describe your style in as few words as possible:

My style is romantic, elegant but also fun.  

 

What do you do when you’re not on Etsy or creating?

I am following my kids around on all of their many activities with music, school, sports, and encouraging them to follow their creative passions. We also take time to go on bike rides and walks with other friends and our chocolate lab. 

 

Red Long Glass Necklace

 

What is your favorite feature on Etsy? Why?

My Pink Blossom Rose Quartz Bracelet is one of my favorites because it is so sparkly and the pink is such a soft feminine color.

Pink Blossom Rose Quartz Bracelet

 

Where do you draw your inspiration?

I get my inspirations everywhere. I notice the colors in the sky, in sunsets, in nature, in art, architecture, books and magazines. I notice what kind of colors, clothes and jewelry people are wearing and I look at jewelry everywhere I go. 

 

What is your best/most successful marketing strategy?

  I think the best marketing strategy and way to promote yourself it to promote others because when people all work together, they can each get farther than if they work alone.  

 

Royal Purple Smokey and Black and Silver

 

What handmade possession do you cherish?

The handmade possession that I cherish the most is one of the many quilts that my mom so lovingly sewed for me.  She is always making things for us. 

 

Do you have any advice for those thinking of becoming Etsy sellers?

My advice to others who have their own business I found from http://studio11charms.blogspot.com/
1. Don't just talk about it, do it.
2. Be patient.
3. Have perseverance.
4. Be determined.
5. Be passionate about what you do.
6. Practice, practice, practice.
7. Put in the hours. Work hard.
8. Don't be lazy.
9. Market yourself like crazy.
10. NEVER GIVE UP.

 

What are the greatest challenges and greatest rewards to running your own business?

One of the greatest challenges to running the business is all of the many hours it takes to learn more about running a business. Another challenge is  trying to find the best ways to reach people that would be interested in my jewelry.  The greatest rewards are meeting all kinds of wonderful people who are creative and learning from them. Another reward is getting such wonderful comments from people who own some of my jewelry!

 

What does handmade mean to you?

To me handmade means a person is using one's own hands to create.

 

Double Clear Glass Crystal Drop Earrings

 

Any last words?

If a person can make money doing what they love, then they have found heaven on earth.  

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Don't forget to drop by and check out all of Christine's amazing hand-crafted pieces at her shop, ChristinesJewelry,  and go 'LIKE' her FB page.

 

I hope you have an amazing week!

 

Blessings - Kerry

 

 

Tornado Relief Opportunity

We've all seen the devastating damage left in the wake of the Mid-West tornadoes. The enormous mess - what was once homes - that the people have to sift through is unimaginable. These people have lost everything; including family.

Through the heartbreak, we can pray that God will grant peace through the storm. We can also put our heartfelt wishes into far reaching actions.

Brittany, Etsy shop owner at Display Your He{ART} has followed the Lord's prompting and opened a door of opportunity for crafters and singer/songwriters. If you are creative and would like to help ease the suffering of the people effected by these storms, check out Brittany's blog post to get more info on how you can get involved.

 Help Toward Hope - blog post - Display Your He{ART}

Keep checking back; I will be updating in a week or so with how you will be able to enter to win a prize package from donations by Etsy crafters! [all proceeds go to benefit Tornado Victims] 

Happy Tuesday!

Kerry

Etsy Marketing Tips - Quit Your Day Job

Here is an article from Etsy that I found extremely helpful about a husband and wife who became business partners and created a thriving business to support themselves and their two young boys.

Check out the whole post with steps on how to set goals for yourself and tips to 'stay calm, and carry on'.

Quit Your Day Job: Blue Hour Designs

Enjoy...
-Kerry

The Featured Seller

Tell us about yourself and what you offer in your shop?

 My name is Rachel and I run Project31 Fiber Arts.  I live in Cape Girardeau , Missouri with my husband and our cute little cat, Lo.  I work at a photography studio during the day, and spend all of my nights either with my husband or weaving in front of the tv.  I watch more movies in a week than most people watch in a month!  And in my shop, I offer hand-woven scarves, and I have just begun to make hand-spun yarns.  My recent obsession has been infinity scarves, so just about everything that comes off of my loom becomes an infinity scarf!

How did you come up with your shop name?

 My shop name comes from Proverbs 31, the chapter about the wife of noble character.  The chapter mentions that the wife makes thread and clothes for her family, so I think it is a cool connection.  I also wanted a name that I could be happy with for a long time in hopes that this turns into a life-long business.  And Project31 will always be a little reminder of all the qualities that make a godly woman and wife.

How did you get started?

  I have wanted to learn how to weave ever since I read East by Edith Pattou when I was younger.  The main character in the book loves to weave, and Pattou described it so beautifully that I knew it was something I just had to try.  So, after years of wishing, I was finally given a loom for Christmas by my husband and in-laws.  And I am hooked!  So now I’ve started Project31 as an outlet, because I have way more scarves than I could ever possibly need.

  

Describe your style in as few words as possible:

 Simple, classic, fun.

What do you do when you’re not on Etsy or creating?

 When I’m not weaving, I am hanging out with my wonderful husband.  We spend most of our time at the movies, on long drives in the country, or just hanging out at home with our adorable cat, Lo.  I also spend a lot of time dreaming about living on the beach.

What is your favorite feature on Etsy? Why?

 Etsy is a great site with so many great features.  But I think my favorite part is the featured seller interviews they post regularly.  I’m on the front page everyday, checking to see if they’ve posted a new interview.  I just love to read other people’s stories, and it’s refreshing to hear about their success in the handmade world.

Ocean Blue Handwoven Scarf

Where do you draw your inspiration?

 Well, if you’ve ever visited my shop, you can probably tell that almost all of my inspiration comes from summer.  I love everything about summer, so I automatically migrate towards colors that remind me of it.  I also knew as soon as I started weaving that I wanted to work with lightweight fibers that can be worn year round.  Because who wants to make something that they can’t enjoy during their favorite time of year?

What is your best/most successful marketing strategy?

 My shop has only been open about a month or so, so I don’t have any great strategies yet, but I am always busy marketing through Etsy teams, Facebook, my blog, and just word of mouth.  My family has also been great about telling people about my shop, so that’s a wonderful tool to have.

What handmade possession do you cherish?

 Well, my most cherished possession isn’t technically handmade, but to me, it counts.  For our first anniversary, my husband bought me a beautiful bookcase.  And it is kind of handmade because it took him hours to put together.  This is significant because our anniversary is in July, I came home from work sick that day, so I was taking up the living room, and the air conditioner in our apartment is also in the living room.  So, he spent hours in the back room with the door closed in July with no air conditioning.  And it is one of my most prized possessions because it houses all of my other cherished possessions: my books.

Do you have any advice for newbie sellers?

 Never give up!  Never surrender!  I am only about a month into this, but already, it can be tough to find the time to get your name out there and do all of the marketing and business-type stuff.  So my advice is to just get it done; it will be worth it in the end.  But also, never forget your love for your craft.

Merino Handspun Yarn

What are the greatest challenges and greatest rewards to running your own business?

 I’m not really sure yet, since I’m so new to this.  But I feel like everything I do towards my shop gives me such a great sense of accomplishment.  It’s also really nice to know that I’m on my own time.  If I need to take a break, I take a break.  If I want to work on something else, I do.  I like working by myself.  But, at the same time, I am working on my own time, of which I never seem to have enough; my day job and my life tend to interfere quite a bit.

What does handmade mean to you?

 Blood, sweat, and tears.  (Hopefully not on the item you’re making though…)  To me, handmade is something that a real, live person put work, time, and care into.  So, I guess handmade doesn’t specifically have to be an item that doesn’t stem from commercial beginnings, but its something that someone has to invest in to create the finished product.  So, even though my bookcase was bought in a store that came with all the pieces needed and a decent instruction manual, it is still handmade to me because of all the work my husband had to put into it to make it what it is.  Handmade is personal.

Any last words?

 Love what you do.  If you don’t love it, just do something else, because you can’t stand behind something you don’t love.

Striped Bamboo and Silk Blend Scarf

______________________________________________________

I've been pretty excited about this feature and I'm so glad Rachel could share about her shop and love for her craft! Isn't it inspring to hear stories like this? Leave a comment below, check out the shop, and look her up on FB!

Have a great week! -Kerry

Think Big - A Little Bit at a Time

I just read this article, sent to me via Etsy Success team.

The Small-Scale Approach to Achieving Great Things
 http://zenhabits.net/small-scale/

It really seems to make a lot of sense and I believe it can be applied to many spheres of life.

What do you think?

-Kerry