Etsy Tea Party

Kawaii Halloween!

2011-09-18T00:55:00.000-07:00

Some super cute kawaii + halloween items from Etsy Tea Party members!

LIMITED EDITION Candy Corn Cuties Earrings - princesschibi

Halloween 12pk Bottle Caps Only - sassygraceboutique

PRE-ORDER gameboy dress - SewOe

franky stein brooch duo - aselfportrait

Kawaii Halloween Candy Corn - Felt Plush Pin - berrysweettreats

Meet Sabrina of Berry Sweet Treats!

2011-06-14T15:04:00.000-07:00

Name: Sabrina

Birthdate: 24 yr old Capricorn : )
Location: Toronto, Canada
Shop Name: Berry Sweet Treats

When and why did you first join Etsy?
I joined Etsy December 26, 2009 under my other shop name glamazon08, and then I came up with my name Berry Sweet Treats later. I started out on Deviant Art first, and got positive feedback about my work, so I thought Etsy would be a great community to start selling.

Did you open your shop right away?
No, I waited a few months before jumping into it. I did my research and looked up a lot of the awesome Etsy blog articles and tips of how to set up a shop. I still use the tips to this day! A lot of great articles are always posted.

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?
I love that this group of sellers all specialize in kawaii, hime, lolita, etc. of Japanese cultures and trends, and they all put their own spin on things. It’s a great way to showcase our work individually and as a team to show new styles, and to encourage handmade goods at the same time.

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?
I love black! I also like pink, aqua, and teal – a lot of my accessories are these colors. I love earth tones and gold and silver (mostly jewelry). I wear at least earrings and a bangle or ring everyday.

How did you choose your shop's name?
I liked the “sweet” element of these Japanese styles, and a lot of my stuff I make are sweets and cakes, so I figured treats should be in there too. I also love strawberries, so I ended up with Berry Sweet Treats.

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why (add URL)?
My favourite item listed currently in my shop is “The Sweet Life” Macaron Print Postcard. It shows my interpretation of kawaii – the print is of clay macarons I made!

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy?
I do, but not really crafting related! I love learning, and that goes for shop-related stuff too! I finished my degree in Business Management, and certificate in Emergency/Disaster Management last year, and I’m planning on doing my Masters soon. I’m continuing on learning in these fields, as well as languages, and there are about six I’ve had exposure to. I really want to get back into Pilates and I want to get into boxing.

Do you have any pets?
Nope.

What is your most cherished possession and why?
Life :)

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?
Some of my favourite handmade items I bought on Etsy was peanut butter cups from ATouchOfSimplicity (she has the most yummiest chocolate) and chocolate cheese fudge from SakuraCandyBakeShop. I also love all the super kawaii supplies from fabrics to cabochons, and packaging goods!

Tell us about your family members.
All I can say is I have a lot! haha :)

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
I would bring some suntan lotion and a bathing suit to enjoy the island first, but also have a communications device to call back when I wanted to leave!

What things inspire you to craft/create?
A lot of things inspire me from Alice in Wonderland, sweets/cakes, nature, funky cute, and shabby chic!

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?

Be yourself!! Express your own style of what you make, how you take your pictures, and how you promote yourself. It’s all about you. Here’s a blog post I wrote about advice that was given to me, awesome posts I found, and my own experiences along the way.

Lollipop Brooch Tutorial

2011-05-12T00:37:00.000-07:00

Here is another awesome super kawaii tutorial brought to you from Etsy Tea Party Team member Twinkie Chan! This tutorial is how to DIY your own crochet lollipop into a brooch, applique, or whatever you'd like. Check it out here how to make your own from http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/

Etsy Finds Feature - FrostedCrossbones

2011-04-02T15:16:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to our team member FrostedCrossbones for an Etsy Finds feature - Macaroni n' Cheese Soap (April Fool's Day)!

Q: How did you find out you were featured in Etsy Finds?
A: I actually had no idea that I was featured until I entered the Etsy chat room and started receiving congratulations.

Q: Had you heard of Etsy Finds before you were featured?
A: No, frankly I was trying to figure out what people were talking about.

Q: How do you feel about the item Etsy chose to be featured?
A: I thought it was an interesting choice since it's one of my newer, more offbeat items.

Q: How has being featured changed changed your shop traffic?
A: I've gotten quite a bit more traffic. I've actually been featured on the front page a few times and enjoyed a great deal of traffic but I feel that being featured in Etsy Finds has given people a chance to spread the publicity instead of it being a quick burst.

Q: Why do you think Etsy chose your product to be a part of their finds?
A:I think the photography probably helps. I've also come to find that it really doesn't matter if you use your iPhone or a DSLR to take the picture. What matters is the angle and background. The less quality your camera is, the closer you need to be and more simple your background needs to be. This helps focus the photo without leaving it up to the camera itself.

Kawaii Alligator Hair Clip Tutorial

2011-03-11T12:23:00.000-08:00

Hi dolls! This post is one I have on my blog of how to DIY your own hair clips! In the Kawaii Alligator Hair Clip Tutorial, I listed how to find the materials, and if you have any questions you can comment here or where the tutorial is posted! I hope you have fun making them, and feel free to check out what I have online, Berry Sweet Treats, or hair clips from our team members if you're not able to make them or you want to buy them. Stay tuned for more tutorials and new stuff from the Etsy Tea Party members! xoxo

Meet Candice of The Candy Shop!

2011-03-05T08:36:00.000-08:00

Name: Candice Ware
Birthdate: May 14 1987
Location: Toronto Ont. Canada
Shop Name: The Candy Shop

When and why did you first join Etsy? I joined etsy in aug. 2008, I joined becuase I had just started making miniature food jewelry and a friend had told me that it would be a good place for me to sell my work.

Did you open your shop right away? Yes I did.

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?
I have a love of lolita, I really feel at home in the chats with everyone, I feel that my work really fits with team well. I'm just happy to be here.

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)? Blue :D

How did you choose your shop's name? My brother helps me hehe I'm soo bad with names and he thought it works well for me because of my name.

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why?
My Tea and Sugar Bowl Ring, I am in love with tea and anything sweet hehe

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy? Yes I do I love to draw and paint I went to school for animation so I think it all fits together.

Do you have any pets? Yes I do! I have a cat named Snowflake, a bearded dragon Leonides, and 2 guppies I have always loved pets.

What is your most cherished possession and why? My kitty.

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?
This popsicle top from my friends :) and this swing style dress I love all her dresses.

Tell us about your family members.
I have a mom and a dad that are both into art my dad used to draw and my mom used to do pottery art and now helps out with caribana every year. I also have a twin brother that is in to music and can play the guitar bass and keyboard.

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be? My boyfriend, a good book and my stitched book.

What things inspire you to craft/create?
My love of sweets and desserts, also cookbooks.

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers? To never give up and that things take time and that if you love it to just keep with it :)

Meet Annais of FrostedCrossbones!

2011-03-05T07:39:00.000-08:00

Name: Annais
Birthdate: Dec. 28th 1988
Location: North Lake Tahoe, Ca
Shop Name: Frosted Crossbones

When and why did you first join Etsy?
I started in November of 2008 under a different name. I originally heard about it on an episode of Martha Stewart's Weddings.

Did you open your shop right away?
No at first. I started by just poking around and then realized it had to be done.

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?
Because cute and fun is right up my alley, plus many of the people in the group have shops that I stalk.

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?
Rainbow. Pink and black are close runners up. I've always really loved all things rainbow including organizing things into rainbow order.

How did you choose your shop's name?
It took some soul searching to figure it out. My husband calls me a hardcore cupcake and at some point I started saying that Every Hardcore cupcake has a pair of Frosted Crossbones.

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why?
At the moment it is my Piece of my Heart Floap or floating soap. They smell so good and are fun in the tub. Plus I love anything heart shaped!

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy?
I'm actually a stand-up comedian in my spare time. I picked up doing comedy when I was 18 after bumping into a local booking agent and he said that he would try me out. Now I do comedy for random local functions.

Do you have any pets?
I have one super cutie rescue pup named Sox. He is a random mutt mixture of collie, Shepard and Corgi. My husband an I picked him up from a family that had to get rid of him due to his loud bark. When we first got him we were afraid that he wouldn't be able to hold up to the cold and snow. It turns out he loves it. Not to mention he actually let me make him a hoodie and I used him as a doggie mannequin. He is so well behaved.

What is your most cherished possession and why?
Probably my baby blanket (yes, I still sleep with it. It has the cast of Sesame Street on it). I actually stole it from my brother when I was 5 but I never loved anything quite like it.

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?
In no particular order: My custom stamp By sjane. Isn't it cute? I got it to use on receipts - I'm a bit of a stamp freak. My Neapolitan Rocket Pop Scarf BY TwinkieChan. I've always been a bit obsessed with Twinkie and the stuff she makes, it's food themed so why not? And last but not least This great underbust corset BY SugarKittyCorsets. She custom fitted it with pink fabric - LOVE IT!

Tell us about your family members.
I'm actually not super close with my family. However, I do have a great group of friends that I consider my family. I am married to a great man who is a recording engineer. My best friend Lisa is like a sister to me, she makes feather earrings and is a fantastic cartoonist. I wish I could talk her into joining etsy. We'll see! And then there is Van. He's a chainsaw carver who specializes in carving bears. He also paints abstract paintings. He's kind of like the group father, prankster and wise ass.

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
Sox for scaring off the oogy boogies. My leatherman for hunting and carving and whatnot. And a magnesium flint bar to start fires.

What things inspire you to craft/create?
FOOD! I'm so utterly obsessed with food that it consumes my life. I can never get enough. Some times I'll just cook so that I can have something to replicate out of soap!

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?
Create! Create! Create! - The more items you have in your shop the more views you can get and the more feedback you can receive. It's hard to keep going when you first start because you may not have any sales but you've got to stick with it. Join the chat rooms for inspiration if you need it. People in the etsy community are a wealth of help and knowledge.

Clay Rainbow Cake Tutorial

2011-02-27T11:09:00.000-08:00

I hope you enjoy this tutorial :) and like always let me know if there is something that you would like me to make a tutorial on. The Candy Shoppe

youtube DIY

2011-02-02T10:14:00.000-08:00

so I came across this awesome video on a homemade acne mask & toner. I was super curious how it would work so I figured why not, I already own all this stuff, I might as well try it!

so basically the recipe calls for:

1 teaspoon apple cidar vinegar

2 teaspoons cooled green tea

5 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon honey

It actually doesn't smell as bad as she says. I don't mind it at all, the honey pretty much masks any smell. The first time I made it a few days ago, I didn't like how runny it was, so today I added more sugar.. I haven't tried the toner because honestly it scares me a bit. but who knows what the future will bring!

I've also been having this crazy weird dry spot above my elbow in the back... never had it before, but I think its pregnancy hormones. so I decided to scrub my elbows with it in the shower and HOLY COW! my arms are soooo soft. I'm in love. I totally recommend this to any chick. Let me know if you give this a shot! its super yummy :)

xoxo Amber

Meet Krista of JiltedCoquette!

2011-01-26T15:14:00.000-08:00

Name: Krista
Birthdate: January 23
Location: Anderson Island, Washington State
Shop Name: Jilted Coquette

When and why did you first join Etsy?
I began creating hair adornments before I even had anywhere to sell them! My friends and family recommended checking out Etsy and it seemed like a good venue to get my small business started. I joined Etsy on May 25, 2010 with the sole purpose of setting up my own shop.

Did you open your shop right away?
Yes, I began listing items the same day I joined.

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?
I'm always searching for new Lolita communities to make connections in and Etsy Tea Party caught my eye as a welcoming team of like minded individuals.

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?
At the moment I'm stuck on deep rich hues of red and purple accented with gold.

How did you choose your shop's name?
Choosing my shop name was an agonizing process that took the better half of a week to finalize! I wanted a name that would establish a relation to Lolita fashion without using the term 'Lolita' in the title. The name also had to be broad enough to encompass a variety of Lolita styles. A college professor once described a performance art piece of mine as 'coquettish' and that term always stuck with me so I combined it with 'jilted' to create what I find to be an amusing name that tells a little story =) I like to think it conveys a sense of edgy elegance!

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why?

Ruby

I really love this Gothic cameo fascinator and I plan on making a replica of it for myself with some reject lace that is too damaged to use on another piece. I love the delicacy of the embroidery, the textured softness of the faux fur and the intricate detail in the resin cameo.

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy?
I don't consider my Etsy shop to be a hobby, but rather a full time job. I've dedicated the last 8 months entirely to the establishment, promotion and growth of my business, which leaves little time for much else! But if I had an Etsy hobby, it would be creating treasuries. I love making collections of beautiful handmade Lolita items and there's nothing more satisfying than seeing them on the treasury front page!

Emeril

Do you have any pets?
I have two rabbits, Ruby and Emeril, who are both rescues. Ruby is a one and a half year old female English spot mix with an attitude problem and Emeril is a grey lop mix of unknown age with a liver problem. I love them both dearly.

What is your most cherished possession and why?
I would say my rabbits, but it seems a bit degrading to think of them as possessions because they are unique individuals with distinct personalities. So instead I'll say my iPhone, because I feel completely lost, out of touch and crazy without it!

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?
Because I found out about Etsy as a seller, I haven't made many purchases, but I have found some great shops for findings and cameos that I use in my creations.

Tell us about your family members.
My family is a bit scattered, so at home it's just me and my rabbits!

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
I live on a remote island and have to catch a ferry to reach civilization, so between 8pm and 6:30am I AM stranded! No supermarkets, no pizza delivery and no hospitals, which, combined with frequent and prolonged power outages, means I'm in a constant state of emergency preparedness. I always have to make sure I have stockpiles of firewood, matches, flashlights, candles, canned food and rabbit supplies. I know thats more than three, but survival's rough!! When it comes to luxury items I treasure my transistor radio; it keeps me in touch with humanity and I can use the 9 volt battery in conjunction with steel wool to start a fire if I need to!

What things inspire you to craft/create?
More than anything I'm inspired by materials. It's rare that I sit down with a preconceived idea of what I'm about to create. I like to look at what I have in front of me and then become inspired by all the different potential combinations of the materials. It's a very free form process and I never know what I'm going to end up with.

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?
Using all of your photo and tag slots is always important. Try to find as many ways to promote yourself as possible. The more items you have listed are more opportunities that people will find your shop! If you don't have new items to add everyday, renew old ones. Try building up local recognition in your own community by leaving business cards at coffee shops and approaching local small business' (shops where you can see your items being sold) about wholesale or consignment work. Get a business license! This will make you more official and allow you access to tax free supplies, and maybe even some discounts. But remember to keep good track of your sales and expenses so when tax time comes around you are prepared!

Meet Luna of Dellamore!

2011-01-26T14:57:00.000-08:00

Name: Emily Luna Meza
Birthdate: July 28th :D (Leo)
Location: 818 California Valley Girl
Shop Name: Dellamore

When and why did you first join Etsy?
Late 2009, I signed up to buy supplies and fell in love!

Did you open your shop right away?
As soon as my supplies arrived, YES! :D

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?
It's like asking why a unicorn is so magical. I am a huge fan of the teams sellers, and thought it was so neat that they all supported one another. Networking, new friendships and the sisterhood of it all made me want to be a part of the team. It's truly amazing to be apart of a group of lovely talented people with the same interests as myself. :)

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?
ooh any and every shade of blushing pink, soft lilac and barely-there peach. I love pastel colors!

How did you choose your shop's name?
My favorite movie (Dellamorte Dellamore). My nickname/sn almost everywhere is Luna Dellamore. Luna... of Love, how sweet is that! ;) lol.

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why?
I would have to say my St. Francis of Assisi prayer necklace. I take pride in my faith, It is a big part of who I am and have become. St. Francis is the patron saint of animals. As a child I took in every stray animal I found and fed every critter who followed me home. I have donated my time and love to a few animal shelters, non-profit animal organizations and opened my home to many homeless animals. I believe it's one of those things in life that I was meant to do.

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy?
Yes, I love to ride my bike, read, cook/bake, draw cute stuff for my boyfriend, spend time with my family & friends and shop on etsy. :D

Do you have any pets?
A tank full of cute little fish and he doesn't really count as a pet but I have a sidekick named Otis. He's a very rare intelligent breed of applehead chihuahua and human.

What is your most cherished possession and why?
I really couldn't choose anything materialistic, so I would have to say my life. :) Because it has everything and everyone I love in it! (bonus points for cheesy-ness, lol)

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?
I buy a ton of organic and natural facial cleaners/toners, lotions, lip balms from Herbolution. I really couldn't decide but I will say all their stuff is AWESOME! :D

Tell us about your family members.
I have a rather small immediate family. My older sister Rosie aka Cookie is the hip sassy one of the bunch, then there's me I'm the free-spirit artsy one (Yes, I am the middle child) and lastly Little Chella-nella-wella-bella my very eclectic and fashionable little sister Danielle (whom will be helping me design some new clothes in our new shop opening soon!).

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
My boyfriend for sure! He's a natural woodsman (very outdoorsy) so I wouldn't really have to worry about food or shelter, Otis and my bike. :D

What things inspire you to craft/create?
I think most anything pink and fluffy inspires me. Like so many things/people/styles can inspire me to create certain items but ultimately it's just in my heart, the need to assemble jewelry or pull out my sewing machine... it's a very natural feeling.

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?
Be yourself. Have your own style and just go with it! :) Have fun.

xo: Luna / Dellamore.etsy.com

Team Birthdays!!!

2011-01-14T14:04:00.000-08:00

January
Jan 8 princesschibi.etsy.com
Jan 13 coleydinosaur.etsy.com & Melodydoll.etsy.com
Jan 23 jiltedcoquette.etsy.com
Jan 28 DestinationDesign.etsy.com

February
Feb 15 emandsprout.etsy.com
Feb 17 TangerineDog.etsy.com

March
Mar 2 dollhouseonline.etsy.com
Mar 4 SophieToffeeCo.etsy.com
Mar 6 SugarpopClothing.etsy.com
Mar 15 zebracakes.etsy.com
Mar 27 aselfportrait.etsy.com

April
Apr 3 SewOeno.etsy.com
Apr 26 KelseyGenna.etsy.com
Apr 30 candyparadeshop.etsy.com

May
May 7 sassygraceboutique.etsy.com
May 14 CandyChick.etsy.com

June
Jun 6 Cuddlebugeeshi.etsy.com
Jun 9 gwyllion.etsy.com
Jun 14 CrimsonEtClover.etsy.com
Jun 21 samandrodger.etsy.com
Jun 25 folksylove.etsy.com

July
Jul 11 RusticRainbow.etsy.com
Jul 13 aPeacockPicnic.etsy.com
Jul 28 dellamore.etsy.com

August
Aug 6 TwinkieChan.etsy.com
Aug 19 Ladykonnyaku.etsy.com
Aug 21 mousseauchocolat.etsy.com

September
Sept 12 KittyDearest.etsy.com
Sept 20 stardustsupply.etsy.com
Sept 21 3LittleBowsBoutique.etsy.com

October
Oct 12 kumacrafts.etsy.com
Oct 27 exousia.etsy.com

November
Nov 7 sugarfreecreazioni.etsy.com
Nov 22 SilverLeica.etsy.com
Nov 24 ToxicLove.etsy.com
Nov 30 Laceybabydoll.etsy.com

December
Dec 4 carrotcake.etsy.com
Dec 28 FrostedCrossbones.etsy.com
Dec 30 berrysweettreats.etsy.com

Meet Liz of KittyDearest!

2011-01-11T15:02:00.000-08:00

Liz

Name: Liz Sindler
Birthdate: Sept 12 (a girl never tells her age *blushes*)
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Shop Name: Kitty Dearest

When and why did you first join Etsy?
i can't remember exactly when i joined because i deactivated my first account. but i joined spring 2008. i joined to buy my boyfriend a hand crocheted pillow shaped like boobs as a funny gift *blushes*.

Liz & Kent, Halloween

Did you open your shop right away?
not right away. for a long time i just looked at things and admired other sellers. i kept talking about how i wanted to open a shop, and my boyfriend kept encouraging me to. he kept saying he would be so proud and excited if i opened a shop! so a great deal of the credit goes to him. (he is the sweetest and most thoughtful boy, i love him dearly!)

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?
the biggest reason is how sweet and supportive every member is. no one is stuck up, and everyone really just enjoys being part of etsy and part of a wonderful, great team! really, i am so impressed by how wonderful everyone is! it's just so much fun! i love all our sweet girls!

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?
actually... that's not really an easy one. it changes constantly and depends on what it is in regards to! but i think a failsafe is pale green - it is calming and comforting. i'm obsessed with mustard right now, but unfortunately it looks terrible on me.

Azlan

How did you choose your shop's name?
i wanted a sweet name, and i wanted it to have to do with my life which my kitty azlan was a big part of. he passed away, but i have two new wonderful kitties!

Saffron Mesh & Lace Tunic

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why?
my saffron mesh and lace tunic. i love the color and i'm obsessed with ultra fine mesh right now. the inset is the shape of a bustier. i thought it would be an interesting visual to have the representation of a tight fitting, structured item of clothing floating on the outside of a diaphanous, free fitting piece of clothing. it's really sexy in a different sort of way, and i'm really happy with how it turned out. it's great for layering, and has so many possibilities! belts, leggings, contrasting tanks underneath, slouchy sweaters.... and the list goes on! i'm going to make one for myself!

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy?
i love indie, foreign, and offbeat comedy films, and music - although i couldn't tell you what they're playing on the radio these days. also i am part of a bike coop where you build your own bicycle, and then help others and volunteer time! i loooove horseback riding, but rarely get to. i learned english style as a kid.

Sebastian, Liz, & Max

Do you have any pets?
yessss! my two wonderful kitties max and violet, and my puppy sebastian!!!! i got violet first, from a shelter. she is a cross-eyed siamese who is very clumsy. then i have max who is still a bit of a kitten who i recently rescued from a bad home. he is a flame point siamese, and really really rambunctious, but very slowly recovering from a bad illness! (their alter egos are violent and mad max). two weeks after i got max i found sebastian (a little chocolate brown mix terrier) as a stray wandering around downtown through traffic! i followed him all around town for about 45 min. trying to coax him over. finally i had a friend meet me with some food and a blanket, and we carried him home. it was love at first sight! i also found a baby squirrel about a year ago and nursed him to health until he was better to go back out into the wild! her name was equinox b/c i found her the day of the fall equinox.

Baby Equinox

What is your most cherished possession and why?
my pets of course. and then probably my pink blanky that i've had since i was a baby which is now just in shreds from being loved so much. although, if there was a fire i'd probably also grab this gorgeous vintage wire and wood birdcage that a dear friend from college found in a dumpster. i also love my hand-built bike from vintage parts!

Violet

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy? that is realllllly tough. there are things that my boyfriend and family have bought me that are awesome! and tons of vintage and handmade i've bought myself. ok, actually that question is impossible! so, here are two things among many many wonderful things! these earrings were a trade with lovely seller windup girl. they are perfect statement earrings! and these handlebar wraps b/c i love my bike (it's my only mode of transportation and handbuilt by me) and they were part handmade by me too because you get to sew them on!

Tell us about your family members. they are so great!
we are really close, have a great time hanging out, and have a goofy sense of humor. we like to get together and have great food and wine, and watch good movies. i don't know what i'd do without them.

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
my boyfriend Kent. laphroaig scotch. first aid kit because i am accident prone.

What things inspire you to craft/create?
nature, and the love of beautiful things. also work from countless other artists!

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?
plug away and don't get discouraged. enjoying what you are doing and staying true to your own inspiration is the most important! the presentation and titles of your items are really crucial too. photography is a challenge, but i think the best thing you can do is use tons of natural light if you don't have professional lighting. light bulbs just don't cut it. also, i'm really bad at social networking, but i think that is majorly important in today's environment, so joining a team can be a big huge help! also, use your etsy resources! there are tons of awesome tutorials and advice from admin and other sellers! organization is key. keep inspiration handy. i like to take magazine clippings, fabric swatches, photos and more on a design board with a theme to keep me inspired and my collection cohesive.

Meet Felicia of SilverLeica!

2011-01-09T17:23:00.000-08:00

Name: Felicia
Birthdate: 22 November
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia 
Shop Name: SilverLeica

 When and why did you first join Etsy?
I joined on April 2010. It's in my dream plan for joining Etsy since I've found out about Etsy in some magazine while they interviewed some "fashion-queen" blogger.. she used to shop in Etsy, so I browsed it & I found it very interesting. But at that time, I've not yet have any plan to do handmade business. Then after SilverLeica was born, I joined right away.

Did you open your shop right away?
Not yet..I planned on opening the Etsy store after my official web-store has completely launched. That's why my store open on August but not yet have any listings until last December, because my site got a bit delayed in the progress.

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?
I'm very excited when I first discovered this team. I want to share my creations to Etsians all over the world & to a community which also have the same style & taste in some sweet things for life. I also know that EtsyTeaParty also can accommodate & promoted us to other Etsians that are not yet familiar with this cute, lovely style. So, it will be a great start to me as a newbie!

 Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?
Red, gold & brown

 How did you choose your shop's name?
It's one of my all-time-favorite composer's song. It's a children lullaby song in Japanese language, sounds cute & suitable to my concept & creations.

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why?
I loooveee all macaroons stuffs! Their shapes are too cute to be missed & always inspired me to do many things! And how lucky I was to accidentally found the Princess ribbon! They’re cute & suit to each other well! I love how this jewelry turns out as I expected from my sketch.

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy?
Drawing, photography, graphic & fashion design have always been my other passions :) I’m not good at sewing, but I love to design clothes.

Do you have any pets?
Goldfishes in our living room! hee-hee

What is your most cherished possession and why?
All my body parts & of course, health. I love to hear good music, seeing beautiful & pretty things that catch my eyes, creating things from my hands, & I love to travel to new places. And all of them will not be good if not supported by a good health, too!

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?
Honestly, I've not yet shopped much in Etsy. Up until now, most of my purchased goods were combination of supplies for my hobby & my crafts that are hardly found in my country, so I can't tell much about it LOL sorry..

 Tell us about your family members.
Mom, Dad, 2 lil' bros & Grandma

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
My BF, my Blackberry & a luxurious medium boat! So if we're already bored, we can get out of the island :P It's like an escape getaway, hee hee!

What things inspire you to craft/create?
Pretty, shabby things (Zakka-things) & other Japanese sweet-artists & their creations do inspired me a lot as well.

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?

I'm still a newbie myself hee-hee! But here's some tips from my past experience before joining Etsy. A good photography will always do the magic. Also, be a responsive & nice seller even if the buyer don't act nice while answering the conversation. Personalized your items with business cards, or your logo stamp in each packaging, so buyers can remember you easily & not impossible if the buyers promote your stuffs to people they know. Hope it helps & nice to meet you all !

Meet Joyce of Zebracakes!

2011-01-03T17:05:00.000-08:00

Vanilla Cherry Cupcake Necklace

Name: Joyce

Birthdate: March 15th

Location: Washington, DC

Shop Name: zebracakes.etsy.com

When and why did you first join Etsy?

I joined in November of 2007. I was looking for a site to buy handmade goods and boy did I ever find a goldmine!

Did you open your shop right away?

No, not right away. I didn't think I could make it work, to be honest.

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?

I started the team with Amber of Laceybabydoll.etsy.com because I wanted to be a part of a group where we could share our love for all things girly, sweet, kawaii, hime, lolita, dolly, and fun. It was my hope that we could come together to support each other, especially since Etsy is very popular and can be overwhelming at times.

Medium Vanilla Frosting Barrette

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?

I love black, gray, pink, and sometimes brown.

How did you choose your shop's name?

My shop is named after my cat.

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why?

I love my frosting barrettes (in sizes small, medium, and large) because you can dress them up or dress them down. Since they are not too over the top, I think they can be worn by females of all ages. I wear my medium frosting barrette pretty much every other day.

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy?

I don't really have any other hobbies, per se, but am currently working on my Ph.D. That's a little bit more than a hobby though. It's a whole other life. I like to keep it fresh by moving back and forth between my two lifestyles.

Do you have any pets?

Yep. One cat and one husband.

Marie Antoinette Palace Party Kitten Heels

What is your most cherished possession and why?

Health. If you don't have your health, all the beauty, youth, or money in the world is absolutely worthless.

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?

I have purchased so many things on Etsy that it would be impossible for me to name just one, but I'm going to anyway: it's this awesome shabby chic kitty bed. The seller, lovenostalgicwhimsy.etsy.com, was kind enough to swap out the pillow case for a girly floral pink one.

Tell us about your family members.

I live with my husband, my cat Zebracakes, and our Roomba, Geno (named after Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins--the Roomba looks like a hockey puck).

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?

My husband, my cat, and a case of Islay Scotch. Hopefully my husband would choose to bring useful tools so we could feed ourselves. The cat would probably bring cat nip, cat nip, and cat nip.

Lolita Purse-Sold

What things inspire you to craft/create?
Fancy clothes, furnishings, jewelry, and people.

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?

I struggle with photography and I think that others have difficulty with it as well. Always aim to take good quality pictures with ample lighting. Make sure your listings are easy to read and double-checked for spelling and grammar errors. Be on top of your customer service and don't leave your customers hanging for convo or email responses. How well you treat your customers will greatly impact your business.

Meet Meghan of TangerineDog!

2011-01-03T15:06:00.000-08:00

Name: Meghan
Birthdate: 2-17-1985
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Shop Name: TangerineDog

When and why did you first join Etsy?

I first started listing items in June of 2008. My boyfriend at the time was a tattoo artist, and I would accompany him when he went to work at conventions. Watching people get tattooed is interesting for about 5 minutes...after that, the buzzing of the tattoo gun is enough to drive you crazy! I noticed that other girlfriends of artists brought along crafty things to sell to keep them busy, so I figured I would too. I wanted to be able to have my stuff for sale 24/7 as well, so I joined Etsy.

Did you open your shop right away?

Yeah, pretty much :) I got a sale the very first day I started listing things. I was so excited I could barely focus on the paper I was supposed to be writing! After that it was just a lot of trial and error, of course.

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?

I've admired and even purchased from some of the members, and it's great to have a place to network with people who make and sell things similar to your own. I've vended at craft markets before, and it gets discouraging sometimes when people walk by and go, "Oh! Jewelry for little kids!" It's nice to have a group that understands you don't have to be a little kid to love cute things!

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?

I like bright, dark magentas and fuchsias. I love color combos too: turquoise/red, pink/gray, orange/purple...the list goes on.

How did you choose your shop's name?

I wanted to name the shop after my dog, as so many of us do, and she's a little orange Pomeranian. I played around with variations of "orange dog," and settled on TangerineDog. It's cute and catchy, and suits my shop well, I think. When I adopted my second dog, he has the same sort of coloring, so it's worked out so far :)

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why?

Right now, it's this deer necklace. I love things with a deer motif, and I like the way the colors came together on this one. After I purchased those blue beads, I was worried they wouldn't really go with anything -- glad I proved myself wrong! Plus, my camera was nice enough to get a decent photo of it ;) I had to put it away out of my sight so I wouldn't get attached and want to keep it! I wish there was a way to get a whole bunch of those deer so I could make tons of them with all kinds of colors! I also really like the HK apple earrings in my avatar. I'm not sure if I'm as in love with the actual earrings, but for some reason I just love the way the photo turned out.

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy?

I wouldn't say I have many other *hobbies*, but there are lots of things I enjoy doing, of course! I love decorating, cleaning, and relaxing in my apartment (hey, it's my biggest monthly expense, gotta enjoy it!), going to happy hour, spending time with my dogs, and when I can swing it -- seeing shows at the LA Opera or going out to a nice dinner. I also love tattoos, and while I'm not sure I'll be getting any more, I love showing off the ones I've got!

Do you have any pets?

Yup, my two dogs -- Mimi the Pomeranian, Leo, a rescue Pekingese, and two black/white/gray long-haired Guinea Pigs named Snoop and Dre who eat like horses!

What is your most cherished possession and why?

I've had two "blankies" since I was born. They are identical, except one is yellow and one is white. I am not embarrassed to admit that I still sleep with them every night, and I know I always will. Besides my dogs, the blankies are it!

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?

I bought these tiny flat silver stud earrings for my second earlobe piercings. I never really had anything to wear in them before, and now I wear these almost every day. I also got these tiny silver charms -- a Pom and a Peke, that put on some ball chains and wear often. I also have a great lightswitch plate cover that looks awesome in my bathroom, fun colored Pekingese magnets for my fridge...I could go on and on...

Tell us about your family members.

In a nutshell -- they're all really great, and I really miss them (I'm in California, they're in Michigan).

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?

Assuming pets don't count...I'd bring one of my blankies, a bottle of Frank's red hot, and a big oversized sweater (it probably gets cold at night).

What things inspire you to craft/create?

The HK charms I get...the figurines I turn into pendants...color schemes...at first I was very inspired by Tarina Tarantino designs. It's a great feeling to come into your own as a designer, and to be able to put your own twist on things that inspire you.

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?

I guess just stick with it, and eventually you will figure out what works and who your customers are. Everyone always says to have great pictures. My advice on that: make friends with a photographer (or at least someone with a really great camera) and buy them lunch or a case of beer or something in exchange for nice photos. I've done that three different times so far and it's worked out!

Meet Chibi of PrincessChibi/Imperfect Kawaii!

2011-01-03T10:07:00.000-08:00

Name: Chibi
Birthdate: Classified ;3
Location: Sunny California
Shop Name: Princess Chibi/ Imperfect Kawaii

When and why did you first join Etsy?
I joined Etsy around Feb 2009 to buy something ^_^

Did you open your shop right away?
Noperz, I just wanted to buy a lil plushie that I saw on DeviantArt. I didn't think I'd actually one day become a seller till later O_O

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?
Why not! I find it awesomely awesome that there are teams on Etsy to be a part of! I just love what we all have in common, our love to make and wear unique fashion with that cute girlie touch! I also love tea parties =^_^=

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?
Baby blue...and then baby pink :]

How did you choose your shop's name?
Well since it was meant to just buy stuff before, I just went with the nickname my boyfriend gave me, Princess Chibi :] He treats me like a princess and thinks I'm chibi(mini) sized. My original shop name is Imperfect Kawaii, but I felt like keeping all my positive feedbacks, so I just went with my nickname ^_^

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why?

I'd have to say these paopus. They're the first thing I have created to sell. First it was for my best firends as gifts for Valentine's Day, but I had left overs and decided to sell them. I just love it when customers tell me how happy they are with their paopus and that they can share it with their love one or friend :] Makes me awe. I wouldn't have started selling if it weren't for my friends and boyfriend who encouraged me to make more of these fruits and to also try new things.

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy?
Well, for several months now, I've been getting into the lolita fashion much more to the point where I'm dressing up! I have several offbrand jsks, and aim to buy an Angelic Pretty dress soon this year<333 Asides from that, I enjoy having random adventures with my boyfriend, hanging out with my friends, and...eat. I love to eat a lot sweets x____x

Do you have any pets?

I have my amazing crazy bleu Pomeranian GiZ! He's such a fluff ball and I love him ^.^!

What is your most cherished possession and why?
My jade necklace :] My mommy bought it for me when I was young on our trip in China. It's been on me for a long time ^_^ And of course GiZ is second. My boyfriend gave him to me and he's like a kid to us, except I have full custody ^_^

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?
Oh please don't make me piiiiick! I love them all! ^_^;

Tell us about your family members:
I have a loving mommy and a kinda protective daddy. I also have my grandma on my mom's side with us :] I'm the only child and no, I'm not heavily spoiled :P

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
Cookies, milk, and a boat to get off that island >_

What things inspire you to craft/create?

My friends, boyfriend, customers that requests stuff. ALSO fellow Etsians and crafters! I learned a lot from other polymer clay artists<333

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?
Keep doing what you love to do! People that appreciate and love your work will buy and spread the word :] It may be a tough world out there, but never be discouraged by the numbers on your Etsy.

Meet Ann of DestinationDesign!

2010-12-30T09:56:00.000-08:00

Name: Ann
Birthdate: January 28, 1990
Location: Arlington, TX
Shop Name: DestinationDesign

When and why did you first join Etsy?
I joined Etsy around March of 2009, curious on what the hype is on Etsy. To be honest, I saw the ads on Facebook, saying I could find kawaii things on Etsy. One peek, and I was already sucked in!

Did you open your shop right away?
Not right away, because I haven't thought much of selling. After some trial and error, I figured out what I wanted to make and opened a couple of months later.

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?
Because the team offers a great variety of sellers, and I just want to be a part of it! I want to connect with other sellers that are in my 'genre' of items, and maybe become good friends.

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?
Hands down, green! But ever since my daughter was born, I'm beginning to like pink a lot...

How did you choose your shop's name?
I guess it's an alliteration type of thing, I was always a sucker for those. The name, really, was just something I came up on top of my head, and the tag line soon followed, and I wouldn't change it for the world.

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why?
I love Peppermint the deer necklace (yes, I named her for now)!! The bead work for the necklace was something I didn't know how to do at first, and when I first learned it, I made that necklace. It holds a lot of meaning, and I could only wish that someone could give Peppermint a good home.

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy?
I'm also a mom, stay at home mom at that. I sacrificed a lot to become a mom, and crafting is something to escape my stressful mother life (or vice versa!). I'm also an avid Korean pop lover, and I'm slowly incorporating K-pop and crafting together. I also enjoy playing video games on the Wii and Xbox360 (Call of Duty ftw!) and watching movies with my friends on the weekend.

Do you have any pets?
None! I don't think I could handle a pet and a child!
What is your most cherished possession and why?: Is it possible to say my daughter? I believe she's pretty important!

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?
Aside from the endless supplies, I bought these cute stuffed pandas from y0omii. They are very soft and I ended up keeping one for myself!

Tell us about your family members.
My family came from Taiwan to America with a dream, just like any other immigrant. My dad is currently a sushi chef in the DFW area with my mom as a waitress. My grandmother knows Japanese along with the usual Mandarin-Chinese, so she helps me a lot when it comes to the Japanese culture and keeping up with the trend. I have a little sister, who can be useful when it comes to telling me what I should and should not do when it comes to making jewelry (even though she is not a jewelry wearer herself). Last, but not least, my cute daughter who knows how to get me going!

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
My daughter, iPhone, and tape. Tape will definitely entertain both of us for a while.

What things inspire you to craft/create?
Aside from the Japanese culture, looking at re-ment sets gets me going on what I should make. I also flip through Japanese craft books, specifically clay ones, to get ideas especially ones that I could deco-den with!

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?
Be patient! It doesn't matter if you have 10 or 100 sales. As long as you are enjoying what you are doing, and you are having fun, you are truly happy.

Meet Twinkie Chan!

2010-12-29T16:26:00.000-08:00

Name: Twinkie Chan!
Birthdate: August 7, '76
Location: San Francisco, CA
Shop Name: twinkiechan

When and why did you first join Etsy?

It appears I joined in 2006 (hehe I can't remember myself!). I remember a lot of the other crafters I knew were leaving eBay and joining Etsy, so I was curious! I didn't necessarily feel like I was being treated badly as a seller on eBay, as many people did feel, but there was something very clean and streamlined and delightful about Etsy.

Did you open your shop right away?

I mostly just shopped on Etsy to begin with, and did not start selling on it until 2008. It was hard for me to leave eBay and have to name my own prices for my items, but I loved the idea that it wouldn't necessarily just be the highest bidders who could purchase my goodies.

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?

Cuz the coolest sellers in the universe were part of it, and I wanted to pretend to be as cool as them! I love the beautiful, uber-girlie aesthetic that most of us seem to incorporate into our work!

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?

I don't want to say pink, but it's the truth.

How did you choose your shop's name?

My shop is my name! Okay, it's obviously not my real name, but I chose my superhero craft name by adopting my mother's maiden name, Chan, and a word that is obviously a food, but "Twinkie" is also a term for an Americanized Asian person, yellow on the outside, white on the inside! I just thought it was a funny twist, as I feel I am quite Americanized in many ways, but my work would seem very inspired by trends and imagery in Asia/Japan.

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why (add URL)?

I have huuuuuge soft spot for the pepperoni pizza scarf! I always swear I will make myself one day, but I never do cuz I have so much other stuff to make!

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeoushandmade things for Etsy?

Oh man, right now I don't have time for anything else. I used to work in publishing, so I used to read A LOT. I thought that I would read more after leaving the industry, but that hasn't happened yet! Does playing with my dogs count as a hobby? My boyfriend and I also love to watch bad horror movies!

Do you have any pets?

Yes! I have too adorable dogs, Bibi (Shar Pei/Basset mix), and Bunny (Min Pin/demon mix).

What is your most cherished possession and why?

At the moment, I would have to say BIBI. I feel like she is my little, odd, human baby. I'm weird.

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?

I am a huge fangirl for fellow Tea Party member imyourpresent. It's embarrassing how many items I have purchased from her. She is genius.

Tell us about your family members.

I have an awesome family. My mom is very handy with powertools, and my dad is like a math and physics wizard. I have a brother who is 6 years younger than I am, and we are so different but still get along. He's married and a grown up, and he is also my web-master!

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?

My dog. My laptop (there's wifi there, right?). A machine that churns out an endless number of brownies!

What things inspire you to craft/create?

Just living and being!! I love making things in my head come to reality. It's the most gratifying feeling ever!

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?

Stay true to yourself. The most unique thing about your business is you, so don't mind what others are doing or what's trendy. Make what you love.

better late than never!

2010-12-02T12:29:00.000-08:00

One of our own, our beloved team member & friend has a book published! Its full of crafty foody scarves and delicious goodies to crochet. Go Check it out! twinkiechanbooks.com, twinkiechan.com, twinkie on etsy!!

Meet Lindsay From Em & Sprout!

2010-06-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

Name: Lindsay

Birthdate: February 15th
Location: Southern California, right outside Los Angeles.
Shop Name: Em & Sprout

When and why did you first join Etsy?

I wanted to start selling my shoes. I looked around Etsy to see if anyone else was doing the same thing and no one was so I was super super excited to open shop.

Did you open your shop right away?

Yes!

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?

Because it's the cutest Etsy Team and I like all the girls and shops involved!! Plus, being associated with cute things can't be bad for business, right? :)

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?

This is not an easy one!! I love lime green, red, deep pink, black, white, grey. I wear a lot of black but I guess I'll sayyyyyy LIME GREEN.

How did you choose your shop's name?

Em & Sprout are the names of my cats. I call them Em & Sprout but their full names are Emily Pussyfoot and Beansprout Sassypants.

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why (add URL)?

My Cat on a Bike Striped Dress. I like it because it's a new print and it's a CAT and it's a dress!

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy?
I love to draw, play video games, crafts of all sorts like applique and sewing, take pictures, cook and bake! I recently started to teach myself how to knit. :)

Do you have any pets?

Yes! Two gorgeous tabby cats: Em & Sprout.

What is your most cherished possession and why?

A unicorn beanie babie my mom bought for me when I was little, back when beanie babies were all the rage. HA!

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?

I've scored some awesome deals on Etsy! A while back I got a big wooden cat shaped spool holder for only 5 bucks!!

Tell us about your family members.

I have a dad and two younger brothers who all live in Southern California. My little brothers are both musically inclined and my Dad makes fake teeth for a living!

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things,what would they be?

Since people and animals don't count as things I'm going to assume my husband and cats are already with me :) SO I'll say:a neverending supply of diorshow mascara, the internet, and a digital camera. I would totally blog my whole stranded island experience. HA!

What things inspire you to craft/create?

Animals, cute things, other crafters/artists, naps, cloudwatching, all the little things in life!

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?

Have a unique vision, work hard, and be authentic. Oh and take good photos! :)

Hoppy Easter!

2010-03-28T04:49:00.000-07:00

Here are some sweet Easter goodies to fill up your Easter baskets this Spring! Whatever lucky doll that gets these little treats in her basket will be sure to love the Easter Bunny that brought them to her! Happy Easter!!

Click the pics to buy 'em!

Bunny Loves Cupcake Necklace (Brown Bunny) by PinkHelloKitty $23

Pom Pom Baby Bunny Ring by missmercy $5.99

Vintage Chick Ring by HelloKewpie $5.99

Pink Bunny Mary Janes by Em&Sprout $28

Meet Kelly of Imyourpresent!

2010-02-14T06:31:00.000-08:00

Name: Kelly Eident

Birthdate: June 28th, 1984

Location: Providence, Rhode Island

Shop Name: Imyourpresent

When and why did you first join Etsy?

I first joined etsy in November of 2006. It was a few months after I graduated from college and I was half heartedly looking for a job. I wanted to find somewhere online where I could start selling the things I made and even though I didn't know that much about etsy yet it seemed like the best place.

Did you open your shop right away?
Yes, I signed up to be a seller, I had no idea that I'd also start shopping so much on etsy too, or that it would soon become my whole life!

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?

I love Etsy and the community of designers. I really cherish all the friendships I have made because of Etsy! All the girls on etsyteaparty are awesome and an inspiration to me.

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?
Purple, pink, black, white, gold and silver!

How did you choose your shop's name?

The name fits really well with the style of clothing that I make, very cute and girly and everything is wrapped up with a bow!

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why (add URL)?

I love these dresses I've been making from vintage tshirts- http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39805098I think they are really fun and unique. Plus I get to go shopping all the time to find more!

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy? I love thrift and antique shopping and spend a lot of time on weekends going on shopping adventures with my boyfriend. I also love to cook and bake. On the weekends I love going out with my friends and having people over my apartment. I also just started playing keyboard in the band Triangle Forest.

Do you have any pets?

I have an awesome cat name Meatball!

What is your most cherished possession and why?

My apartment is covered with things that my friends have made me, and those pieces are the most special to me! My boyfriend also made me a beautiful necklace for christmas because my favorite necklace that I wore all the time before recently broke while i was out and I lost a piece to it. The necklace he made me is a gold kaleidoscope that you can look into. He covered it with rhinestones and hung it with little charms.

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?

Everything I have bought from Etsy is so awesome I wouldn't be able to pick one!

Tell us about your family members.

I have a sister Jenny who is a year older than me & goes to Stanford business school and a younger brother Drew who is a senior in high school. My mom is a math teacher in Connecticut and my dad is an economic developer, he lives in the Middle East in Abu Dhabi.

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things,what would they be?

My boyfriend, a handle of whiskey, and a boat to get back!

What things inspire you to craft/create?

Seeing the amazing things other people make on etsy is a huge inspiration. I am inspired by different things all the time, tacky 80s prom dresses, elaborately decorated cakes, porcelain figurines. Most of my outfits and accessories come from what I would want to wear next and its fun being able to make so many clothes, my closest is the fullest its ever been!

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?

Make things that are true to yourself rather than what you think would sell, people are most attracted to innovative and unique ideas that only you can come up with. Also, try and list as often as possible, make sure you are constantly working and coming up with new ideas! Everything in your shop should be cohesive and look nice, pictures are so important. And always be kind, humble and appreciative to every customer you have whether is your first or 5,000th. If you make the whole buying experience as good as possible they will surely come back!

Happy Heart Day!

2010-02-08T06:37:00.000-08:00

With Valentine's Day just around the corner love is in the air! Grab some conversation hearts to nibble on while you look at these handmade goodies that will make you look sweet for your sweets.

Remember to click the pics if you're interested in buying any of these items!

Lotsa Love!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Pink Lolita Bow Ring $15 by Candychick

Strawberry Hime Petite Bow Scarf $20 by mousseauchocolat

Sweet Girly Princess Panda Ballerina Necklace $18.99 by missmercy

Big Pink Bunny Ring $5 by melodydoll

Sweet Valentine Leggings $40 by kelseygenna

White Kitten Muff $72 by ImYourPresent

The Cutest Mouse Necklace $21 by HelloKewpie

Cute Light Pink Bearwarmers $14 by CrimsonEtClover

Blast From The Past

2010-01-24T08:57:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love the '80s? The fun bright colors, cropped tops, the spandex, and even the cute characters from television make the '80s unforgetable and loved by many! Here are some awesome retro inspired finds that will bring you back in time!

If you're interested in purchasing any of these goodies, just click the pics!

Iridescent Sweet Pink Sparkle Mermaid Hair Bow $6 by SugarPopClothing

This bow by SugarPopClothing totally reminds me of the cute bow that Cherry Merry Muffin wore! What do you think? Any resemblance? Either way, I love it!

TMNT $20 by RainbowSweetStitch

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! Heroes in a half shell! Turtle power!

Cowabunga dudes!

Vintage Animal Wall Decorations $19 by PinkHelloKitty

Retro Reebok Hi-Tops Chain Earrings $7 by Melodydoll

Barbie would be mega jealous of these!

Pink Popsicle Panic Hair Clips $5 by Cuddlebugeeshi

Rainbow Heart Perler Necklace $6 by Coleydinosaur

So Rad!

Party Girl Pin $8 by Laceybabydoll

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!

Smurfette Tshirt $24 by SewOeno

Yay for Smurfs! Amber even made a Papa Smurf one! Go check it out!

80's Retro Giraffe Tights $25 by 123lalalovely

Meet Carla of Carrotcake

2010-01-13T14:15:00.000-08:00

Name: Carla Morales

Birthdate: December 5, 1983

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

Shop Name: Carrotcake
When and why did you first join Etsy? January 2007. I had recently graduated from art school and for the first time in my life, I didn't have homework. It was a really weird feeling, so I started assigning myself projects. Many of which were ideas I had had for years, and finally hadthe time to make.
Did you open your shop right away? Yup. Ever since i was little, I've loved playing store. Beauty parlor, candy store, pet shop, you name it. I love being a shopkeeper.

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?

It's really fun to be in a cute club. I love our little network. It's like having a ton of BFFs.

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?

I love pastel Easter colors,particularly seafoam green. I hate being around ugly colors. If I buy anappliance that only comes in beige, I paint it. Or glue trim to it.

How did you choose your shop's name?

Carrots are a big part of my life. I have a rabbit, red hair, and I'm vegetarian. My first name also starts with the same three letters. I love food coloring and frosting. And want to decorate you like a cake.

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why (addURL)?

The garments I have sewn using my own screenprinted fabric. These pieces combine my love for graphic design and fashion and are totally one-of-a-kind and unique.Pretzel Print - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30571224French Things -http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=19231452

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmadethings for Etsy?

I'm in a highly-acclaimed rap group with Sam of forever2012.etsy.com andKelly of imyourpresent.etsy.com. We've been performing off-and-on for six years.

Do you have any pets?

I have an amazing 6 year old rabbit named Paris.I've had him since he was a baby and have taught him many tricks andwords. He's litterbox trained, and is always hopping around the house and hanging out on furniture.

What is your most cherished possession and why?

Everything made by SamGerlach. Particularly the iron pooper scooper she made for my bunny Parisin a blacksmithing class. I will keep every hilariously thoughtful thingshe's ever made for me forever.

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?

A pastel sheep dress by ImYourPresent. I love Easter, so of course I had to buy it.It's fleece so it makes me feel like a big baby.

Tell us about your family members.

I'm the youngest of three sisters. My sister Jennie is an attorney, my sister Bonnie an architect. For mybirthday Jennie bought me a Trademark for my Fancypacks. Bonnie has a 4 year old boy named Nico, my nephew. I hang out with him almost everydayand teach him words like "glitter, leopard print, hot pink, lavender." Heloves maps and Katy Perry. For Halloween, my dad was a pizza. My mom isreally tiny, hyper and fun.

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, whatwould they be?

A Fancypack, obviously. Paris and chocolate milk.

What things inspire you to craft/create?

I'm inspired by all my friends and the amazing things they make.

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?

Make what you love,not what you think may sell. Create items with a clever, peculiar twist. Write entertaining descriptions.

Meet Amber From SewOeno

2009-12-28T06:01:00.000-08:00

Name: Amber Martinez
Birthdate: 04/03/1987
Location: cleveland ohio at the moment.
Shop Name: SewOeno

When and why did you first join Etsy?
I originally joined in march of 2006 with a different name but decided to not keep that around, so i made a new shop in the end of 07! i joined etsy because i hated ebay!!!
never been back since.

Did you open your shop right away?
yes i did. i already had a few fans from ebay that traveled over to etsy!

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?
because its full of cuteness! really though, i was on another team once, i hate to diss it, okay no i don't. it sucked!

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?
totally not an easy one. normally i say purple but i'm more into pink & red as of late!

How did you choose your shop's name?
well sew is easy, oeno, well read this! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oeno and this!http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/oenophile

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why (add URL)?
my strawberry rompers! well any of my strawberry clothing really. i've been obsessed for years!!!! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37165397 (pictured above)

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy? honestly i don't!! i work in a sewing shop selling machines and i sew when i get home. if i'm not sewing, i hate to admit i have a thing for strongbow, sparks red & md2020! couldn't survive without those pals ;)

Do you have any pets?
at my current house, my roommates have two cats. my parents have a giant english mastiff! her name is lilly and shes a fattie!

What is your most cherished possession and why?
i think it'd be my car and sewing machines. i don't think i need to explain that!

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?

from http://www.etsy.com/shop/BareTree

i'm also excited to receive this!! from http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleElk [i think i have the crudest sense of humor ever]

Tell us about your family members.
well i have my parents who have been married for almost 30 years i think? they are the best and most supportive people i could ever have in my life. then i have my brother who is 4 years older, he plays in a band, plus he also has his own recording studio that hes had since he was 11.

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things,
what would they be?
matches, a pot for cooking and a knife! i can find the rest :) [bear grilles style! that man is so hot, even if he does drink his own pee!!]

What things inspire you to craft/create?
music for the most part, food, friends and colors. i'm pretty basic in my thinking.

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?
fledgling is a silly word. i think i would tell them to tough it out! keep on goin!

Absinthe Green

2009-12-22T12:32:00.000-08:00

I thought it might be nice to have an Absinthe Green inspired post, since I totally love Absinthe and am sure that there are other Green Fairy lovers out there! Check out these AMAZING items from our lovely Etsy Tea Party Members! <3

Lime Ruffles Party Dress by Priscilladawn.etsy.com.

Frankenstein Hair Clip by Emandsprout.etsy.com

Green Measuring Tape Ribbon Rossette Pin by Exousia.etsy.com

Small Round Green Rhinestones by ToffeeHouse.etsy.com

Giant Neon Green Polka Dot Bow by SugarpopClothing.etsy.com

Green Heart Bib Shirt by SewOeno.etsy.com

Poison Green Hair Comb Fascinator by Cuddlebugeeshi.etsy.com

XOXO

Joyce

(zebracakes)

10 Christmas Gift Ideas

2009-12-14T14:39:00.000-08:00

It's time to spread some holiday cheer! With only eleven days left until Christmas, here are some gift ideas that will get you into the holiday spirit! If you're interested in purchasing any of these lovely handmade creations, just click the pictures!

Cranberry Velvet Christmas Pinwheel Hair Bow $4 by 3LittleBowsBoutique
Santa Earrings $10 by ImYourPresent

Christmas Gingerbread Man Cabochons $3.30 from ToffeeHouse

Christmas Tree Dress $58 by SewOeno

Cherry And Pearl Petite Bow Scarf $20 by Mousseauchocolat

Christmas Nighty Set $60 by KittyDearest

Kawaii Mitten Earrings $9 by HelloKewpie

Bow And Buttons Puff Sleeve Top $12 by EmandSprout

Holiday Kittens Mini Skirt $28 by 123lalalovely

Holiday Fancypack $38 by CarrotCake

XOXO
Happy Holidays!

Meet Kelsey of Kelsey Genna!!

2009-11-15T06:34:00.000-08:00

The following is an interview with the gorgeous Kelsey of kelseygenna.etsy.com. She is a member of EtsyTeaParty and also a guest blogger of ours!

Name: Kelsey Genna (Genna is actually my middle name, but I choose to use Genna rather than Thompson which is my last name.. as it sounds so much prettier!)

Birthdate: 26 April 1991

Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand

Shop Name: Kelsey Genna
When and why did you first join Etsy? Oohh it must have been sometime in 2005. I discovered it through a google search and fell madly in love!

Did you open your shop right away?

No! It took me a good year to do it! But I am so happy I finally did.

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?

Because I love meeting lots of other talented people who adore pretty girly things!

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?

PINK! But I actually adore most colours, esp. pastels!

How did you choose your shop's name?

Easy.. I was completely unoriginal and used my own name!

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why (add URL)?

Ooohh this is to hard! I really liked these floral towel leggings, and wish I could have kept them for myself http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=13907549. But really, I kind of love everything!!!

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy?

Of course! Although juggling school and all my kelsey genna stuff… leaves me hardly anytime! I love to hang out with my friends, travel, watch movies

Do you have any pets?

Yes! I have the most adorable most cutest cat in the whole world. Her name is Mity, she is black and white and looks like shes around 2 years old, but is actually 15 years old!

What is your most cherished possession and why?

I don’t think I have one!

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?

Too hard to choose!Vintage Boots from NEONKATSDollbaby Necklace from I’MYOURPRESENTHead piece by FLORALBOND (I haven’t received this yet but I am certain it will be amazing)Also… World Wide Labels make THE best clothing labels

Tell us about your family members.

Well I live at home with my Mum, Dad and my 16 year old brother Ryan. I am lucky I have a verry supportive family, who have allowed me to take over half our house with sewing machines and endless piles of fabric! We live on a life style block just own of town, its really pretty and full of nature- greeat for photoshoots!!

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?

I always, always think about this question but can never come up with an answer! Probably a bag of pick and mix lollies, my laptop(!) and my cat!!

What things inspire you to craft/create?

I am a total fashion history junkie! For a school assignment we had to create a source book on the past ten decades of fashion history, I made ten magazines (one for each decade!) and they have become my fashion bible!! Right now the eighties is my favourite! All the big floral prints and pastels, ahh I love it! But I definitely get a lot of inspiration from films, music, art, photography…

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?

Treat your customers like royalty! They are the ones paying your bills!Also for new sellers, don’t give up on your Etsy shop after just a month or two… it takes awhile for people to notice fabulous new shops!

Outfit Of The Week ♥ Barbie Girl

2009-10-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

What girl doesn't love Barbie? She always looks so pretty and ready for a night out on the town! She is picture perfect from her stylish hair, to her glamorous outfits and her pretty heels. Her blinged out accessories are like the icing on the cake. Why not feel pretty and dress up just like her for a day--or maybe two or three days?! Here's an outfit I threw together using some goodies from the shops of some members of the Etsy Tea Party Team!

Rock and Roll Barbie tshirt From Imyourpresent $28

Baby Pink Vinyl Fancypack from carrotcake $44

Silver and Black Trashy Polka Dot Tutu Skirt From SugarpopClothing $40

Massive White Bow Necklace From Gingerbread Jewelry $16

Barbie Gem Heart Earrings From Zebracakes $6

If you would like to share any cute items that you think Barbie would wear, feel free to leave a comment with the link! If you would like to purchase any of these items, just click the pictures and they'll take you directly to the shop!

Lotsa Love,

Amber AKA Laceybabydoll

http://www.laceybabydoll.etsy.com/

Happy Halloween!!

2009-10-14T21:31:00.000-07:00

Hello! this is Kelsey from Kelsey Genna, I am lucky enough to be guest blogging on here once a month or so, sharing some pretty collections of Etsy Tea Party goodies!

KELSEY GENNA, Halloween Prom Dress $74.00

Halloween is just around the corner, and I have got to say... nobody does Halloween as good as Etsy Tea Partiers! Here are some of my favourite picks (all of which i wish i could buy) for this year!

EM AND SPROUT too cute bat masks and fancy hair clips!! both $10.00

BUNNY MASSACRE gorgeous black bubble dress! $46.00

CARROT CAKE adorbable custom halloween fanny packs!! $38.00

123 LA LA LOVELY fun bow ring $8.99

KELSEY GENNA pretty bat tutu $54.00

ZEBRA CAKES adorable lace purse $45.00

IM YOUR PRESENT Pumpkin Playsuit $85.00

Lots of love Kelsey! xxx (http://www.kelseygenna.blogspot.com/)

Meet Julie Of Rairen!!!

2009-10-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

The following is an interview with the lovely Julie of rairen.etsy.com. She is a wonderful member of EtsyTeaParty

Name: Julie (or Rairen, my art/pen name -- I respond to this irl haha)
Birthdate: 06.05.88
Location: Vancouver, BC (Canada)
Shop Name: Rairen
When and why did you first join Etsy?
Feb. 2 ,2007 - I don't really remember why besides it was a new place to shop. But I left Etsy and didn't go back to it for a year. Then it became a serious addiction haha.
Did you open your shop right away?
No. I was a buyer first :) I opened November 2008.

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?
Love love love Lolita lovelies, making and buying. I'm not a true Lolita yet but I will be someday! :D(still a closet Lolita somewhat, until I get my hands on a REAL dress mm)

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?
White, cream, gold, silver, (anything metallic) brown, red.

How did you choose your shop's name?
It was already my art / pen name so I decided to stick with it for Etsy too.

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why (add URL)?
Oh my that's a hard one.. because I like everything I've listed (or else I wouldn't even bother making it!)
But my favorite favorite would probably be http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31341340 because I was able to take something made by another artist, be inspired, and create something new. To me this is what art is about these days, to borrow elements from what you see out there already, and create anew. So this item was a challenge for me, and I'm happy with how it turned out :D

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy? Drawing, animating (hobby and for school), reading good fantasy books, and playing video games! OH and yes, browsing other sellers on Etsy.

Do you have any pets?
Not here in Vancouver but two loveable kitties back home in Maryland at my parent's house :D One's a dummy but he's super cute and snores, the other's a fatty but super smart! (So smart that she can be in a room farthest away from the kitchen, with the tv on loud, and she'll STILL know when you've opened a can of friskies lol no food escapes her!) I miss them lots!

What is your most cherished possession and why?
I have a couple. A blanket I've had since I was a kid, I'm a miserable insomiac without it :(
My external hard drive, it stores EVERYTHING in my life. Images, music, artwork, I'd die if it died. (Because I have a terrible memory, I need it!)
Three rabbit plushies that my mom sadly threw away without asking me while I've been away at uni. :( Luckily I have photos of them! They were super beat up and raggedy, but all those memories!

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=18646260
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=14283034
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=14048958
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=13560613
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=13383741

1. Even though there was a bit of a problem with the transaction because she was sick, it's still one of my favorites because it looks like a tattoo design I came up with that I've yet to get. (Needle fear that I need to get over aha)
2. I use this on.. almost everything. Sketchbooks, packages, etc. So awesome that it was invented.
3. Sadly I can't wear this everyday or some homeless person might follow me while walking to school D:
4. This little guy makes me go "awwww D:"
5. Keeps my hands super warm, whether outside or inside. My hands get cold very easily ):
But there's a ton of items I would buy if I could! (Oh the woes of being in university)

Tell us about your family members.
I have a mum, dad, and older brother. They're frustrating to live with (partly why I went so far for uni) but otherwise they're great! Always there for me when I need help, and great for letting me live my life the way I want and not forcing me to study something I don't care for. My brother is my tech support haha.

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
Even though they wouldn't be very practical / help me, the blanket and external hard drive mentioned before and a flashlight. (I hate the dark, especially water at night... funnily enough, my dad does too.)
I think I'd be able to survive as long as there was edible things and trees & rocks on the island :O I'm fairly resourceful!

What things inspire you to craft/create?
Supplies usually, if I see a supply I like, I try to find a way to use it to make something. Other times it's what I want to wear that I think other people would like as well.

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?
Stick to it no matter what, but don't be blind. If your items aren't up to a level of selling quality, of course no one will want to buy! Be honest and true to your customers, they'll want to come back that way :D Even when days are slow and you haven't had a sale (ever or for a while) keep at it and make new items!

Meet Amber of Laceybabydoll!!!

2009-10-06T17:53:00.000-07:00

The following is an interview with the lovely Amber of laceybabydoll.etsy.com. She is co-leader of EtsyTeaParty and is a super Doll all around!

Name: Amber
Birthdate: 11.30.87

Location: Clearfield, PA
Shop Name: Laceybabydoll
When and why did you first join Etsy?
January 13th, 2008. I was searching Google for jewelry supplies and came upon Etsy. It

was love at first sight.

Did you open your shop right away?
I opened up my shop around a month or two later.

Why are you a member of EtsyTeaParty?
Because I wanted to meet other people who share the same interests as me! Also, because Etsy

Tea Party is the best!

Easy one, what is your favorite color(s)?
Pink, Lavender, Baby Yellow, Mint Green and

Baby Blue in that order... pretty much all pastel colors have my heart!

How did you choose your shop's name?
I combined two of my favorite things: Lace & Dolls and came up with Laceybabydoll. I imagined that the girls that would wear my goodies would be very girly and doll like and wear lace and pretty jewels and accessories to get all dolled up so I felt the name fit.

What is your favorite item that you have listed in your shop and why (add URL)?
Probably my Pretty Pink Dollhouse Pin http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23932299 because I had the idea in my head for a month or so and really wanted to create the pin! When I finally gathered up all of the supplies I needed to make the dollhouse, the pin turned out just as I had imagined. I always think it's so much fun and it's so neat to be able to create something exactly as you had imagined it to be in your dreams. Not to mention, I have a slight obsession with dolls and dollhouses. It also has most of my favorite things including pink, bows, lace, charms, etc. However, all of the items I list in my shop are something that I would wear myself!

Do you have any other hobbies besides crafting/creating gorgeous handmade things for Etsy?
While my mind is always thinking of pretty things to create, I do count shopping as a hobby of mine. I'm a shopoholic and I take it very seriously! I also like to collect vintage things, like charms and vintage Strawberry Shortcake Dolls. I'm also into decorating, going for walks in the woods and being with friends and family!

Do you have any pets?
Yes! My family has two dogs, Emma and Cookie. Three cats, Tevy, Cinnamon and Adia. We also have a fish named Coral which actually belongs to one of my best friends and I. In my room, I have what I like to call a mini zoo. I have the cutest guinea pig named Pandy ( Her middle name is Bear). Since I can't have an actual Panda Bear, she is my replacement. I have a mouse too named Lovey, but I always end up calling her mousey. I wish I could have a bunny except my mom is allergic *sniffle sniffle*

What is your most cherished possession and why?
I have lots! A bible that my Grandma gave me that was her wedding bible. It's covered in pearls--faux pearls of course-- and has her pretty white lace wedding gloves inside as well. I felt very honored that she picked me to give these special items to. Also, I have a pretty crocheted blanket with adoreable teddy bears that have pastel bows on that I found at Goodwill that I love to pieces. It always keeps me warm on cold days and when I'm sick and it's just so cute! I also am very attached to a stuffed dog named Roscoe that my very special best friend gave to me. This list could go on and on, but I'll stop now in case I bore anyone.

What is/are your favorite item(s) that you bought from Etsy?
Panda Party Dress from Kelly of ImYourPresent http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=16171502
Black Lace Leggings from Kelly of ImYourPresent http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=10478705
I Like Your... Series from Belleandboo http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=8771477
Pink Mermaid Kitty Earrings from Joyce of Zebracakes http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=9949428
Gold Teddy Bear Pendants from Fancyfeast http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=9330968

Tell us about your family members.
I have a very sweet mother who I love very much. Also, my dad lives with us. I have one older sister and she has a daughter named Lily who I love dearly. Lily means so much to me and she's such a sweet little girl! I spend as much time with my family as I can. I also have wonderful grandparents that I think the world of! They are always there for me no matter what.

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring three things, what would they be?
I would bring my canopy bed because I have a hard time sleeping anywhere else. I'd also bring a mall that had a never ending supply of food/goodies. The last thing I would bring would be a friend so I wouldn't get lonely!

What things inspire you to craft/create?
I'm very inspired by fairytales and things that I loved--and still love--from my childhood. I guess you could say that I'm still pretty much a kid at heart. I'm also inspired by Sweet Lolita fashions. Pretty much anything that can make me smile inspires me!

What advice do you have for fledgling Etsy sellers?
To always follow your heart and to never give up on your dreams!