I am always searching Etsy for new and unique sellers. I ran across this amazing shop with awesome mosaic art.



Tell us a little about yourself?
I'm 38 years old. I've been making mosaics for 15 years. I'm obsessed with art, science fiction and motorcycles. In fact, I just purchased a motorcycle with funds primarily acquired on Etsy.


Where does your inspiration come from?
Where does anyone's inspiration come from? It's a total mystery to me.


Who or what has been most influential in your craft?
The biggest influence in my craft has been my mother, who supported us as a stained glass artist as a kid, and has always supported my art (and given me access to her scrap glass!)


What does handmade mean to you?
Handmade means designed and executed by the artist, what else?

Life-size Dia de los Muertos Skull

When did you know you were an artist/maker?
I started approaching visual art with seriousness when I was about 17. I'd always been creative, but that's when I decided to pursue art to the exclusion of everything else. That's also when I discovered (not coincidentally, in retrospect) that girls dig artists...


How would you describe your creative process?
My process is two-fold. In the long run, I'm always pursuing virtuosity. With each individual piece, I'm pursuing that "zone" where time slows down and new ideas and techniques manifest themselves seemingly out of thin air. That's a strangely detached and powerful feeling.



Mosaic Skull made with tumbled stained glass tiles

When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?
I was raised hardcore Jehovah's Witness, so I was prohibited from dressing up for Halloween. As a result of that upbringing, I've spent my entire adult life jaded and faithless, and obsessed with faith, religion and spirituality; but always as a perpetual outsider looking in.


What was the first concert you ever attended?
AC/DC's "Razor's Edge" tour, 1991. It was deafeningly loud and my ears were ringing the whole next day, but it was so worth it!


Visit Jiveworks:
Etsy Shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/Jiveworks
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Art-of-Matthew-Alexander-Mosaics-Drawings-and-Paintings/257380511780

I read on the forums (yesterday) that Etsybot is no longer going to be on Twitter retweeting Etsy shops. Its a good thing that there are other tweet peeps who are willing to step in and fill the need to help Etsy shop owners network on Twitter. Here are a few: #etsyguy #handmadebot & #madebyhandbot. If you know of any others please share it with us.

One of the things that Etsybot did was tweet useful tips. I managed to collect a few of these tips so I can list them here for you to have. Since Etsybot deleted all their tweets I am missing a few. So if you have any of the ones I'm missing let me know and I will update the list.


Tip #1: Try not to place your links at end of tweets. When people RT you, your links may get cut off!

Tip #5: Try to create an attractive business card or unique item tag to place in orders. You will get repeat business!
Tip #6: Yes being in a ReTweeting team can be good! Just DON'T alienate yourself by only socializing with your team!

Tip #7: Create or have someone create a nice, unique avatar for your Twitter! These avatars help catch people's eye & makes them STOP 2 see!

Tip #8: Your Etsy banner reflects, in the mind of the customer, the quality of your merchandise! Find an Etsian 2 help U create 1 of u cant!

Tip #11: Stick to one specialty in your shop. Don't sell crochet with woodwork with digital graphics. Open up another shop or two!

Tip #12: Blogging is a great way to spread the word about your shop(s)! Create an informational blog with pictures and tweet about it!

Tip #13: You can use the "Share" button to create Twitter promos of your own shop and others! Select "Share" click on "Twitter" and modify!

Tip #14: Try to comment when you ReTweet other Etsian's promo tweets. Let's people know you actually viewed the item in the link!

Tip #15: Pick a Twitter username that is the name of your Etsy shop OR that reflects the name of your Etsy Shop!

Tip #16: In your twitter bio, don't just tell about yourself, tell people about your shop! You can even place a short link to your blog!

Tip #17: Create a unique Twitter background! If you can't, ask around or search Etsy for services related to Twitter, banners, avatars, etc!

Tip #18: wRiTiNg LiKe ThIs Is HaRd tO rEaD aNd CoNfUsInG... Keep it clean when you promote your shop!

Tip #19: Place the word "Etsy" in your Twitter bio/profile. This helps people, who search for other Etsians, find you more easily!

Tip #21: Make sure your Etsy shop's Title contains a few keywords that relate to your shop!
Tip #22: If you create a blog, do write-ups showing how to use/wear the items you are selling. People like to see the items in "action"!

Everyday new shops open up on Etsy. It amazes me all the talent that is out there. Below are just a few of my favorites I found using Pounce. They are still waiting for their first sales. So show them some love ♥



Middlegray

GiddyHippo

FairytaleJubilee

SnowStitched

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Caitlin. I am 27 years old and exactly where I'd like to be at this point in my life. I share my small apartment with an absolute sweetheart of a husband (my honey and best friend), a fluffy bunny named Truffles and a little blue Japanese fighting fish. I've worked MANY jobs in the past (usually 2 or 3 part-time jobs at once) and consider myself to be all the better for it. I've done everything from working in theater as a stagehand to some big shots, trying my hand at theatrical design (lighting, sound, etc.), done a little acting, worked in public libraries for 8 years, spent 3 years as a special ed paraprofessional in a middle school, did a painful 6 month run as an administrative assistant to the treasurer of a major bank, spent a year and half prancing around Disney World in a big, furry costume as a character and the list goes on and on. Now I am proud to say that I have the privilege of working from home in my spare bedroom studio (hence the shop name) creating to my heart's content and selling those creations online and in local boutiques.


When did you first discover your creative talents?

I can't actually think back that far. As long as I can remember I've been creating, drawing, painting, sculpting, knitting, crocheting, embroidering, etc. I've always loved ALL of it! My mother certainly helped by buying me endless craft books and kits when I was a kid and always helped me set up crafty things to do. She always says that when I was little I was constantly nagging her to do projects with me. I even started a Craft Club when I was about 10 and had my friends over once a month to have snacks and do a designated project. They paid dues of about 50 cents and my mother and I would take that to the store to buy supplies for the next month's craft. It was a lot of fun and lasted about 2 years until I moved to a different town.




What made you decide to open your very own etsy business?

I had actually never heard of Etsy until I met my friend Heather of MySelvagedLife. We were co-workers at a public library and when we weren't wasting time being silly or actually doing our job, she spent EVERY spare moment (when the boss wasn't watching) on Etsy. Over time I became enthralled with what she was doing and couldn't take it anymore... I had to open my own shop!! I love crafty things and creating in general and always have, so I figured… why not?

Describe your style in 5 or 6 words?

Airy, whimsical, fun, unique, funky, sweet


Describe what you struggle with most.


No question about it! I struggle with photos the most for sure! I can create new items until the cows come home and be happy, but when it comes time to take pictures...I want to run away screaming. One day I'll come up with that perfect photo trick and all will be well and good... a girl can dream can't she?


Do youhave any advice for those who are just starting out?

Join teams and make Etsy friends!!! It is SO helpful to have a positive support group of people who know what you're going through and can help you through it in a loving way. Teams are definitely worth the time and effort put in! Plus they are loads of fun!



What are you links? Shop, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, etc

Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpareBedroomStudio
Blog: http://sparebedroomstudio.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/SpareBedStudio

Did you know that yesterday, November 15th was America Recycles Day? I will be completely honest, I didn’t know until I saw random people at work walking around with big green pins! So what exactly is this day all about? According to their website: “America Recycles Day is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to the promotion of recycling programs in the United States. One day to inform and educate.”

So now my question to you is do you recycle? I don’t. Sure I have my reasons but they sound more like excuses. There really isn’t a good enough reason for us not to do our part.

While I don’t recycle - I do reuse. I love using everyday items that would normally end up in the trash for my art projects. I am not the only one. If you do a search for recycle or upcycle on etsy.com you will find over 50,000 search results! You will find some extremely cool items.

Like this laptop sleeve by NottyPooch made from recycled billboard banner.


This lovely art collage by cindycolumbia1958, she used corrugated paper and buttons among other things.


What about these unique postage stamp earrings by withaflourish?


I bet if you take a look around your house you can find quite a few items you can use for that next art project. Here are a few of the ones I came up with.

Coasters/Trivets using old unwanted CDs. These are easy to do and everyone had CDs lying around the house that you don’t want or need.


Fabric Covered Bracelets. For these I used cardboard tubing and scrap pieces of fabric.


How about plarn coasters?


What is plarn? Well its yarn made out of plastic grocery bags. Its time consuming to work with but if you have the patience you can make just about anything. This blog has great examples: http://www.myrecycledbags.com/ .

Whether you recycle or reuse we all need to play a part in ensuring that we keep this earth beautiful and vibrant for the upcoming generations.

So what do you do? Do you recycle? Do you reuse? Do you upcycle? Please share so we can all learn from each other!



Thanks
Lily
http://www.myhobbyshop.etsy.com/