simplyraevyn.com

I have always been a fan of photography, both aspects of it. I love to take pictures and then develop them in a way to show my perspective, and I love looking at other people’s pictures. I love to see how other people view things. And it is always amazed me how beauty can be found in the most simple things. I have admired a lot of photographers on Etsy, but by far one of my favorites is Mary at MagicIsland. Her shop is full of gorgeous photos, and she is really able to convey her love for her surroundings in her work. I have so many favorites in her shop, and I am proud to say that I have quite a few of her pieces displayed in my house.

Although I am a fan of all of her work, I do have a favorite in her shop. And I am really hoping that some day it will be mine!!!

I talk to Mary often, and recently I asked her if she wouldn’t mind answering a few questions for this article. Here is what we came up with!

Name: Mary Haggerty
Age (if you don’t mind): Rather not thanks, but older than you!
Where do you live?: Ocracoke Island NC

How did you get started with photography?
I was always the kid carrying a camera I don’t ever remember a time when I was not fascinated with capturing images.

What inspires you most?
Nature, people, and places I’ve never seen before.

What do you do in your spare time?
I like to sew and I make quilts. I also love to travel when I can. And I spend some time at the beach.

Tell us a little known fact about you.
I have been a photojournalist for many years, I was a freelancer for the NY Times and I have exhibited my photographs in museums and galleries. I published a book, “American Journal: a collection of off beat small town road trips”

Do you have a favorite subject to photograph?
I love to photograph people. If find they are the most interesting subject. I love photojournalism and making editorial portraits.

Do you sell anywhere besides Etsy? Where?
I have a shop, Ocracoke Photo on Ocracoke Island, NC come visit! I photograph a lot of family portraits at the beach and weddings on the Island.

What advice do you have for anyone that would like to start selling their own photography?
It’s not easy. I’ve done a lot of different things over the years, portraits, weddings, photojournalism, fine art. Find what interests you the most.

Do you twitter, flickr, facebook..or anything else where people can follow you? Please feel free to list all of your “social networking” addresses.
http://www.OcracokePhoto.com
http://www.MagicIsland.etsy.com
http://www.PhotoAmerica.etsy.com
http://www.Ocracokeweb.com
http://www.OcracokeIsland.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ocracoke-Island/53887363599

thats most of my sites lol.

******

To put it in plain English, Mary’s work is beautiful! It is professional and her aspect on things really shines through. She is also very easy to communicate with. So if you need a gift, something for your own wall, or you just want to admire some amazing photography, take a look into her shop!

Etsy Buy Handmade MagicIsland

Tags: black and white, etsy, featured artist, handmade, Mary Haggerty, north carolina, ocracoke, photo jewelry, photography, portraits, quilts, wedding

Holly is the owner of both of two amazing shops. I actually first met her when she bought from me on Ebay. She then ventured over to Etsy to take a peek at my shops, and decided to set up her own shops as well. And I am so glad she does. She has two beautiful shops, both with very different items.

Her first shop is Painted Pets. This shop immediately caught my eye. I am an animal lover, and I have always had pets that I love to death, and tend to spoil. This shop is filled with Holly’s beautiful paintings of animals. She paints them on rocks, accessories, jewelry, and any other place she can think of! She has told me that she also loves doing custom work. As soon as I saw her shop, I ordered from her! This is what I got:

Her second shop is A Treasure Forever. In this shop she has beautiful handmade jewelry! Her chandelier earrings are gorgeous! You should really take a look.

Although Holly keeps herself very busy with two shops, she did take the time to answer a few of my questions.

Name: Holly Cicchirillo

Age (if you don’t mind): The Last Age of the Baby Boomers
Where do you live?: The High Desert Plateau of Arizona, a mile high and up!

I know you have two very different etsy shops with very different products in them. Which is your favorite to work with?
I can’t decide, really. When I’m beading, I want to paint. When I’m painting, I want to be creating jewelry. I’m beginning to see some up sides to this cloning thing, or anything that would satisfy the old adage about the need to be in two places at the same time.

What inspires you most?
The beauty of God’s creation - animals, the plant world, colors, textures, aromas, sounds. A trail ride on a mountain path. Watching baby animals discover the newness of life. Leaves falling. The dogs swimming in a pond. Taking a nap with the horses (which is NOT the same thing as sleeping with the fishes).

What do you do in your spare time?
Paint and bead, of course! And spend time with the husband and animals - dogs (all black chows or chow mixes - we’re addicted), cats, chickens, and a seriously deranged Siamese Fighting Fish named Bruce.

Tell us a little known fact about you.
I’m a licensed pilot, with a college degree in Aviation Science. I usually don’t share this, as it leads people to have false expectations of me, like, I’m smart or something. Flying is fun, but much too stressful. I’d much rather be painting or planning my next piece of jewelry.

What are you working on now?
Painting Memorial stones for dog friends who have gone on. Trying to organize my beads. (Is that even possible? Even if you get the current stash organized, what about the beads who haven’t come home yet? My stack of organizers is getting higher, and there’s no end in sight.)

What is your favorite all time piece? If you have a link to the picture for it, please include it.
So far, my favorite painted piece is a memorial stone I painted for my best friend Liz, of her Siamese cat Sapphire. Not just the technical aspects of the painting, but the cat’s personality really came through. It helps to know one’s subject when painting, I can attest to that.(Bethany, this will be one of the pics in the banner, so you can word this how you like) As far as jewelry pieces, I love wire spirals, whether they’re one dimensional, or 3-D spirals. As long as it coils, I’ll like it.

Do you twitter, flickr, facebook..or anything else where people can follow you? Please feel free to list all of your “social networking” addresses.
Huh? Yeah yeah, I have heard of those things, but really - if you do those things, doesn’t it take time away from the real fun of creating?
Sorry, I’m something of a hermit, cyberspace-wise and in real-life.

All I can say is Holly’s shop are what Etsy is all about! Talented artists offering their handmade, amazing goods for sale! Take the time to look at her two shops, you won’t be disappointed.

Etsy Buy Handmade PaintedPets

Etsy Buy Handmade atreasureforever

Tags: animal, chandelier, ebay, etsy, handmade, jewelry, necklace, painted, paintings, pets

Today’s featured artist is another amazing Etsyian that I have met while socializing on the threads. Wimsy and I are often following each other posting new items. She is the only person I know that seems to post new items as often as I do. And her items are simply beautiful! She has two shops: wimsy and wimsywillow

Wimsy recently took the time to answer some questions for me.

How long have you been creating jewelry?
I have been creating jewelry for about 4 years.
What is your favorite material to create with?
I have lots of favorite materials. Gemstones,lampwork beads,polymer clay,swarovski crystals, pearls. It seems like my favorites change and kind of go in a circle
How long have you been on Etsy? Is Etsy a hobby for you, or a business you are trying to a business?
I have been on etsy since March 2007 but didn’t start selling until March 2008.
Etsy is a hobby for me. I work full time and would like to devote more time to etsy but it is the fun and the great people that keep me on etsy.
What is your favorite word?
My favorite word is “Jamie” (my daughter)
Do you shop on Etsy? If you do, what sort of things do you look at?
I shop on etsy all the time. Probably more than I should but I just love the bead sellers, the card makers, the bead makers, the artists and the jewelry makers. My purchases aren’t limited to those catagories because I love almost everything on etsy.
Cats or dogs?
I love cats and dogs equally.
Do you have any advise for a jeweler looking to start selling on Etsy?
My advice to a new jewelry seller on etsy to to keep your prices and shipping costs reasonable and promote in threads, treasuries and outside of etsy with business cards. I have a custom made etsy sticker in the back window of my car.
What are you working on now?
Right now I am in love with copper and lampwork and polymer clay beads so have been making a lot of bracelets and earrings.
What inspires you most?
The beauty of beads inspires me. I can look at gemstones, lampwork, polymer clay and see such beauty that it inspires me to combine them with stones that compliment them and end in a pretty creation.
What is your favorite all time piece? If you have a link to the picture for it, please include it.
This is my favorite item. I have it listed in my sister shop wimsywillow. Kyanite is my favorite stone.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14216833

Stop in and see wimsy. She has really beautiful pieces, are her prices are so reasonable! She also happens to be very personable and easy to talk to.

Tags: beading, beads, bracelet, crystal, earring, earrings, etsy, glass, handmade, necklace, sets, wimsy, wimsywillow

Although there are two different names, debralinker and ditto is just one person, but one fantastic Etsyian! I started to get to know Debra on a few threads that we both frequent in the forums. While looking for Etsyian made Christmas cards, I took a look in her shop and absolutely fell in love with these:

I bought a few orders of them, and the response was fantastic! My family members positively “ooo’ed and ahh’ed” over them. They made me smile to send them, and I know where I will be getting my cards next year!

Debra’s art is amazing. She uses so many different subjects and her use of color is so deep and beautiful. Here are a few examples:

Those are just a few examples. Her shops are filled with fabulous work. I could literally fill my house with her paintings.

She has two shops.
Debralinker : her original paintings and cards
Ditto : reproduction prints, greeting cards, and collaborative works from her original paintings

Debra was nice enough to answer some questions for me recently.

How did you get started painting?
For question 1, it might be easier for you to see “Everyday Angels” on my blog http://debralinker.blogspot.com

Do you have a favorite subject to paint?
This is such a difficult question to answer! My favorite subject is actually whatever I happen to be painting at the time. For instance, I painted a pair of ballet point shoes yesterday and thought I might do more(it was SO FUN!) but today I started a painting of an Egret on a Pier and am thinking, “An entire SERIES of silhouetted birds!!”. See what I mean?

Who have been your inspirations?
I get inspired by the visual more than by specific people or artists. I have a LOT of favorite artists … from John Singer Sargent to Etsy’s own Amber Alexander. But what really inspires me are things I see; whether it be photographs or in “real” life. When I paint from those inspirations, my paintings do not necessarily look like the thing I’ve seen; but whatever IMPRESSED me about the thing I saw is what gets captured in the painting. For instance, I have a painting called “Snow Baby” - sleeping mother and cub polar bears. What caught my attention was the tenderness between the two - and that is what I captured in the painting.

Spring or fall?
YES! (Both!) Spring for the visceral sense of new beginnings and the MUCH better day light by which to paint. Fall for the vibrancy of color found in nature that time of year - which I tend to impose on the organic things I paint, like apples and pears.

How did you find Etsy? How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I found Etsy through an acquaintance who suggested it as a venue for selling my paintings. I signed up in Sept 07; but did not open my shop until March 08. In Nov. 08, I opened ditto.etsy.com as a shop to sell reproduction prints and cards, and products that are collaborations between myself and other Etsyians.

What are you working on now?
Today I started a painting inspired by a photograph by SharonKayDesigns.etsy.com. It is an Egret on a Pier. I should have it finished in about an hour. I am also putting the finishing touches on the pair of ballet point shoes I referenced earlier. What is next? I never know. Whatever the next thing that catches my eye and makes my heart skip a beat.

What is your favorite all time piece? If you have a link to the picture for it, please include it.

My all time favorite piece is “Snow Baby” in color (I painted a similar in blacks and whites). This link is to a greeting card of “Snow Baby” as I do not have the original listed on Etsy (it’s price would be $3,500).
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_6&listing_id=15425898

Apples or oranges? Apples!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_1&listing_id=14873248
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_2&listing_id=10227771
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_6&listing_id=10213169

Do you have any advice for painters that would like to start selling their work online?
A few things I wish I had known earlier:
Know what your shipping processes and costs up front. Shipping artwork can be tricky. Know your packaging sources and cost. Know your postage cost. Shipping smaller is easier and less expensive. Make yourself a spreadsheet or list of how much it cost to ship per size of canvas and have that list handy when you make your listings.

Know that you will have to promote outside of Etsy to drive your own traffic to Etsy. Just listing your works and waiting for sales will most likely discourage you.

Read (and do the suggestions in) the Artist Way by Julia Cameron.

Create what you love. The rest will come.

Do you twitter, flickr, facebook…or anything else where people can follow you? Please feel free to list all of you “social networking” addresses.
I am on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Art Fire, Blogspot, Stumble Upon, and I’m sure there are others I’m not thinking about right now.  In ALL of them, I am “Debra Linker”.

debralinker.etsy.com
debralinker.artfire.com
debralinker.blogspot.com
twitter.com/debralinker
facebook.com/people/debra-linker
flickr.com/people/debralinker
flickr.com/photos/debralinker
debralinker.stumbleupon.com

Do yourself a favor and take some time to swing by both of her shops, you will not be disappointed!

Tags: apples, cards, Christmas, clown, coasters, debralinker, ditto, egret, etsy, flowers, handmade, heart, lighthouse, paintings, pear, prints

Recently I was lucky enough to stumble upon MichelesEssentials. I have seriously sensitive skin and a few months ago I started testing handmade Bath and Body products from Etsy, to find the ones that work best for me. So I ordered a few things from Michele to test them and see how my skin reacts. And I can say, her products are amazing! Her body butters are heavenly, and her soaps are amazing. Michele recently took a few minutes to answer some of my questions. Here they are.

1. When did you get your start making bath & body products?

Well, I got started about 8 years ago, after getting my degree in Science of Naturology. I found myself stuck between a rock and a hard place after i got my degree, I couldn’t technically treat people with what I had learned, because I found out the AMA (American Medical Association) actually owns words to my shock.
So, I had to figure out another means of using my knowledge of what I had learned with herbs, essential oils, and herbal mixtures. I took a year off and sat back thinking what is a common ground to be able to help people with their health and skin while keeping it natural, then it hit me, SOAP! I can help people by creating an all natural soap that they can depend on that helps with their different skin types and conditions, while still being able to keep their costs down. Because natural does not have to mean expensive!

2. What influenced you to start making bath & body products?

My education and passion to keep life as natural as it should be, #1.
#2) To limit my environmental footprint on this planet while I am here.
#3) To leave my children with a respect for Nature and all things natural, while leaving them with a world that is a little bit more livable.

3. What is your favorite thing to make and why?

Honestly, it is my bar soaps and my liquid soaps, to me they are the most remarkable items (although, I have not yet hit the market with my liquid soaps, but this year they will be, keep an eye out for them!). I love the science behind it all, it is so neat to watch oils and water turn into a wonderful sudsy bar or bottle of bubbly joy. Then scent it to perfection, and be able to use it on my own body and it work! It is simply amazing to be able to create something from scratch completely and be able to use it, put MY business name on it and sell it. It’s remarkable and SO worth all the years of trail and errors! I can honestly say two things about what I do, “Soap making is the cleanest job I have ever had, and I LOVE MY JOB!”

4. How did you find Etsy, and when did you start selling there?

A few years ago I had a friend tell me about Etsy so I opened up my first shop ‘Earth’s Essence LLC’ learned the in’s and out’s of the whole thing and this year I opened my second shop ‘Michele’s Essentials’ and have been working hard at it ever since, never looking back!

5. If someone that is reading this wants to start making and selling their own b&b products, do you have any advice to offer them?

YES! I don’t want to discourage anyone, but there is a lot of studying you should do, start off slow, read EVERY B&B and SOAPMAKING book you can get your hands on, keep informed about the FDA guidelines. I’d honestly say, maybe buy a couple of kits first off to test your patience level, then move on from there.
I wanted more control over my ingredients so I went into creating my own bar soaps myself, and my own liquid soaps too, but there is a lot of math, a lot of chemical understanding, you also need to get comfortable with the idea of working with caustic materials such as lye, the basis for all soaps.
then you need to TEST TEST TEST, it took me years of making creating and using my own products before I felt okay to take what I was making to the public… I had to learn patience also, because one batch of soap takes anywhere from 4 weeks up to 15 weeks to cure, depending on your formula you want to use. Pure Castile Soap takes months (yep that is with an S at the end of it) to cure, but they are so well worth the patience. I am always willing to answer any questions anyone might have who is looking to go into the whole B&B making business, however I will warn you I do not sugar coat it, there is lots of work and a huge investment to be made to really make B&B to sell.

I am right now writing a book with recipes in it for the novice B&B maker, or just anyone who loves B&B products but really doesn’t want to invest in huge amounts, or would like to purchase small items to make just for them or for gifts. Please look for that also in my shop early Spring in my shop at MichelesEssentials.

Thank you so much for asking me to participate in this interview I hope I have not discouraged too many people from the soap making business, I just want to be as honest as possible with everyone.

******

I wanted to thank Michele for taking the time and giving such informative answers! I am a guaranteed repeat customer and I can honestly say I highly recommend him. Go ahead and browse her shop a little. Her prices are great, she is so friendly and as I said, her products are fantastic!

Etsy Buy Handmade MichelesEssentials

Tags: bath and body, bath bombs, body butter, candle, etsy, gift basket, handmade, lip balm, lotion, MichelesEssentials, palm wax candle, soap, specialty soap, vegan

In the world of Etsy, there is no shortage of jewelry. As a seller of jewelry myself, I am very aware of the huge selection. But some people stand out above the others, and today’s featured seller is one of these people. Gallagj’s shop is beautiful. The shop owner, Jo, is someone that I have come to know, respect and love. She is very talented. Her shop holds her gorgeous creations. She also has a great selection of destash, which I love to get my hands on Jo has quickly become an expert on keeping her customers happy. Recently, she took the time to answer a few questions for me.

1. When did you start creating jewelry?
I started creating jewelry at the beginning of this year. I love being creative. I tried out a jewelry kit and I was hooked. Of all the crafts I’ve ever done, this has been my passion.
2. How did you find Etsy, and when did you start selling there?
I found Etsy during a search on the Internet for supplies. I signed up immediately and was a buyer here for a couple of months and decided to set up shop in July of this year.
3. What influences you to make a certain piece?
Hard question. I think I just find a certain bead or slide that I really like and create around it.
4. What are your favorite materials to work with?
I love working with slides, crystals, and gemstones. They are so pretty that they get my creative juices flowing.
5. Do you have one “all time” favorite piece?
Yes, but it was sold last month. My favorite piece was the Golden Sunset Necklace. It just seemed to scream this is ME!

6. Any advice for someone that wants to start selling the jewelry that they make?
One thing I guess is to not always follow the guidelines of what you yourself would wear. You have to target all ages and kinds of people.

Etsy Buy Handmade gallagj

Tags: beading, bracelets, earrings, etsy, gallagj, gemstones, glass beads, handmade, jewelry, necklaces, sets, slides

At first glance it may look like I have chosen two different artists for this weeks feature, but that is not entirely true. It is two different Etsy shops. But they are both run and stocked by one fabulous Etsyian. Her name is Chris, and she is one of the first people on Etsy that I developed a friendship with. As far as being a member of the Etsy community, she is very active and in my opinion very important! She reaches out to new users, and somehow pulls them out of that shell that they may be hiding in She is very visible on the forums. Participating in all sorts of threads - from BnRs (Buy and Replace) to Games to just plane talking threads. She is very approachable, and answers whatever questions that she is able to. I can’t count the amount of conversations I have sent to her asking about a certain technique or where to find certain supplies.

But aside from that, she is also an amazing Etsy artist. As I mentioned, she runs two Etsy shops. The first one that I came across is called CCSynopticvisions . At first I just looked at this as a supply shop, with some great things that I had not yet tried using! So…I ordered! I ordered a lot, and I ordered often. Her packages always arrived quickly, well packed, and usually with a few extra goodies thrown in! Then I started looking around more at the store, and was blown away by the talent! Gorgeous bracelets, earrings, rings and more! And her photography of her items is beautiful.

After sharing so many forum threads with Chris, I soon found out that she had a second shop. This one is called Studio Seven . In this shop she has her beautiful metal creations. A lot of sterling silver work. Lots of pendants and rings, as well as all sorts of body jewelry. Really brilliant work!

Although having two stores to run and filling them both with such quality work must take a huge amount of time, Chris still takes the time to reach out to the Etsy community. She is a great person to know, and probably the person that has given me the most inspiration on Etsy. I highly recommend both of her shops, as well as talking to her on the forums if you ever get the chance. I have a mini for each of her shops posted at the end of this entry. Take a minute to browse, she has so many treasures for you to discover.

Etsy Buy Handmade CCSynopticvisions

Etsy Buy Handmade StudioSeven

Tags: beading, CCSynopticvisions, etsy, featured seller, jewelry, sterling silver, StudioSeven, supplies

Early on in my Etsy travelers I came across this seller. To be honest I believe it was in a trading forum. That is actually how I have come across a lot of my favorite shops! GemsandDolls has a great shop. I would call her items, ecelectic. She has a large variety, and they are all great! She does sell beads, which is of course what first caught my attention. But her beads aren’t your standard, run of the mill beads. She always has beads that I do not see on other sites. Fun beads, that I have enjoyed using in many different projects.

Recently I got to try out her candles. And wowza, I love them!! It was a Peanut Butter Cookie candle. It smells and burns great! I am really looking forward to ordering more of her candles.

GemsandDolls’ shop is filled with all sorts of goodies. So if you are looking for some great Christmas gifts, or you want to spoil your self a little, make sure and stop in at her shop. Browse a little. Every experience I have had with her as been a positive one. She always ships quickly and packages her items well. She is also very easy to talk to !!! If you have any questions about her items just convo her.

Etsy Buy Handmade GemsandDolls

Tags: air fresheners, beading, beads, candles, dolls, etsy, GemsandDolls, soaps, vintage

Featured Etsy Artist - RKGJewelry

In this blog I want to talk about etsy artist RKGJewelry. I ran across her in a chat room on one of the first days I entered etsy chat. I started browsing her store because her avatar caught my attention. I was instantly blow away by her shop. Not only was her jewelry beautiful, but her photographs showing off her jewelry were stunning. Unfortunately, I have not yet bought anything from her. But she is on the very top of my wish list, even my fiance knows her work by now! I encourage everyone to take a look at her shop. Here is just one example of her work:

Take a few minutes and check out her shop

Etsy Buy Handmade RKGJewelry

Featured Etsy Artist - CraftySteph

In my short time on Etsy, I have come across some great artists! With that in mind, I have decided to start featuring some of my favorites in my blog. For the first one, I want to introduce you all to Craftysteph! I met her in the Etsy chat rooms. After about a week of looking at her scrunchies, I decided to order them. Although it may seem silly, I am always on the
lookout for scrunchies that can handle my hair. It is very long (almost to my butt), the strands are baby fine, and I have a ton of it. So it tends to be frizzy, tangled easy, and can destroy any scrunchie in a very short amount of time. So once craftysteph reassured me that she used high quality elastics in her scrunchies I decided to go for it. I ordered these:

And boy am I glad I did! I absolutely love them. They are very strong, and of course beautiful. She has great prices too! Of course Craftysteph sells more than just scrunchies. She has some candles that I am really eager to try out, incense, jewelry, crochet, custom graphic art, and more!

I highly recommend her shop. She is very friendly and extremely talented. Her prices are fantastic and she ships fast. Don’t see the color of scrunchies you want? Convo her!

Etsy Buy Handmade Craftysteph