Etsy Treats: Releaf Handmade

I bought an adorable felt brooch at a local craft fair this summer, and I had promised I would photograph it and post about it. But alas, before I got around to it, I lost the little fella... I was so sad, so I decided to scour Etsy for a suitable replacement. To my delight, I found this wonderful flower brooch from a cute new shop, Releaf Handmade. And I think I like this one even better than the former!Along with cute felt flower brooches, Releaf Handmade also features wallets, zippered pouches, and more. My brooch was packaged very sweetly too. I love this boxy pencil pouch she has!

Sale!

I've been running a Labor Day sale in both etsy shops this weekend, and I now realized that I didn't even post about it here... oops, sorry!

The sale runs through the end of today, Monday September 7th (midnight EDT). I am offering a 15% discount in both shops, and in addition, in honor of my birthday which was also this weekend, you will get free gifts with each purchase!

I am including two free cards when you make a purchase from Cutiepie Company, and two free magnets with a purchase from Hunter's Hideaway. If you have had your eye on something from the shops, don't delay!

Vote: Etsy Community Poll

Hello friends, I am in another Community vote on Etsy this week. If you don't already know about these, the way to get selected is simply to nominate yourself! On Mondays, Etsy usually publishes an article about the previous week's winner, and asks for nominations for the next poll. Each week there is a different theme, so when you see one that suits your shop, nominate yourself by posting a link to your item in the comments section! I do believe that items are chosen for the Voter in the order they are received, so don't delay. You can also nominate others of course, and I try to do that as well as nominate myself (I'm not selfish all the time...) That said, if you haven't already voted in this week's round, head on over and please feel free to cast your vote for me! My mixed media print is included. I have been a bit absent again lately, but trying to catch up! I hope to share with you later this week what I have been working on. In addition to starting on some holiday designs, I have been doing a very special custom/wholesale order, which is almost complete. Look for a post or two on that soon. I gocco screenprinted some custom silhouettes for this order, and I may try to write a more detailed post on that!

Cute Baby Stuff

I've been meaning to share this for a while now! I went to the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn in June, and I picked up some adorable onesies for my sister, who is expecting in November. All of these wonderful printed onesies are available on Etsy of course!

This awesome screenprinted Mr. T one piece is by Mattiemecko. I got this in red, but they are also available in baby blue and black. Looks like Mattiemecko recently stocked the shop, because it was empty just a few weeks ago--hurray!This super sweet onesie is block printed by Jewelweeds. It is an organic cotton one-piece in a soft cream color. Mine is actually printed in a lovely aqua shade, but this grassy green is darling too.

I'll be sharing more cute baby finds in the upcoming weeks!

A Little Sprucing Up

I got a few new fonts the other day, about which I am sooo dorkily excited. I was thinking about a project I could use them in for some instant gratification, and I realized that my second etsy shop, Hunter's Hideaway, was in a bit of a state of neglect. I never made a banner for the shop, and I got so used to there not being one, that it slipped my mind... for the past year! So, perfect little project: I whipped up a new banner and avatar in Photoshop, and I am as pleased as punch! Perhaps I will spruce up the ole' Cutiepie banner as well...

Pirate Lincoln

Arrrgh Matey, what's that you say? A Pirate Lincoln? What the heck is that?

This is Pirate Lincoln. Cleverly designed by Paste Shirts, this screenprinted tee is the perfect gift for my friends Chris and Jaime. I almost can't put into words just how perfect this is for them... I'll simply say that they have a fondness for all things Lincoln and for all things pirates. I think maybe this shirt was made especially for them. So I got them matching shirts as a wedding gift. Luckily they are just the kind of couple who would rather receive this kind of thing than a blender!

The shirts I ordered arrived today, and they are awesome! They don't stock these in Women's sizes, but the Men's Small looks like it fits a women's size Med, so I got that for the lady along with a Medium for the gentleman. Jason of Paste was so helpful and accomodating of my shipping request, and also shipped out super fast. Check out his etsy shop, as well as his website, for more quirky and unique screenprinted tshirts!

Hot Glass

I thought it might be fun to share some pics I snapped while at my boyfriend's studio the other week. I've mentioned his work from time to time, but haven't really posted much about it. James is a glassblower, and also has a few of his pieces on Etsy. I don't mention it much though, I guess because I'm so used to it! But I know glassblowing is actually kind of a fascinating thing. I took these photos with my phone, so I apologize for their lower-than-usual quality.

Aren't these tools below really scary-looking? I always think they belong in a horror movie!

Etsy Trade!

A few weeks ago the lovely Vantiani contacted me via Etsy about doing a little trade. I happily agreed, and I am now the owner of this wonderful print called "Please Don't Cry," from her shop! I am also digging this new original collage, "Pretty Boy," that I just spotted in her shop. Thanks Vantiani, cheers!

Vote: Etsy Community Poll

oh, happy day! I made it into the Etsy Community Poll this week! Please vote for my Lady in Red moleskine by following this link, http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=61

This week's theme is Back to School Supplies... something close to my heart, because school supplies send my heart all aflutter! I have not been a student in just over ten years (finished college in 1999, boy do i feel old!) but I just go gaga for notebooks, pens, pencils, paper, labels, staples, paper clips, and so forth... I would be happy winning a shopping spree for Office Depot or Staples! My favorite of course, are old-school stationery shops and the like, but I can do some monetary damage anyplace that sells post-its and notepads! Hee hee.

Weekend Etsy Sale!

I am participating in the Weekend Deals promotion on Etsy this weekend, from 7/24-7/26. I am offering BOGO 1/2 Off, so just thought I'd give a little heads up! Please see my shop announcement for full details! Happy Weekend everyone!

FP Treasury

I was of course, sound asleep when my treasury made it to the FP, but it is exciting nevertheless! My School Rules treasury was on the Etsy front page at 7 am today!





Row 1 ErinDollar, Madebyanna, Foundpaperco
Row 2 QuietDoing, Zoetropa, MyLittleBooks
Row 3 Meander, Mozellemetana, JesseHoraDotCom
Row 4 PaisleyDogPress, Jimbot, CarolynJoan

Congrats Everyone!

Etsy Treats: More Diane Reafsnyder

I treated myself to another summery top by the lovely and talented Diane Reafsnyder! There are always so many incredible things on Etsy that I want, so much so that I hardly ever allow myself to purchase stuff. Which sounds strange, but for one thing, I just can't decide, and for another, I am limited in space and could never afford all the wonderful things in my Favorites! Every once in a while though I will treat myself to something, namely clothing. I can easily justify this to myself because I do need new clothes every so often, particularly with each change of seasons :-) And it makes me happy to support other Etsy folk when I can!

So this is the wonderful linen top I purchased, I am looking forward to receiving it! I think you will agree it is so pretty and affordable, too. She has another one in brown linen, equally as lovely. Thanks, Diane!

Again, Really?

Okay, after many many weeks of intermittent DSL service, and having 5-minute windows of opportunity to get online before losing my connection--it looks like the phone co. technician finally fixed it! He was at our house 5 or 6 days since last week! Hooray. Time to give him a call and thank him and buy him a bottle of wine.

So..... first stop--Etsy. What do I see on the FP, picked by Admin? A Reseller. I swear, no joke. Just like last time. I emailed abuse. I'm giving it two days to see if they do something about it.... too scared to call out again so soon! Sorry if I am complaining so much, it was just heartbreaking. If you want links to the shop, feel free to email or convo me so we can flag together.

On another note, I will be back later today with some goodies as part of a Pay-It-Forward campaign!

Breaking Up is Hard To Do

It is with a heavy heart that I must say that my love affair with Etsy is somewhat over. I'm not closing up shop (well, not yet anyway), but I am going to give it a go on my own. I'm going to open my own shopfront with Big Cartel! I will keep everyone posted that's for sure.

I'll tell you what started me thinking on all this. I have loved Etsy for a long time, almost to a level of an unhealthy obsession. And I suppose, like many bad relationships, this one ends in betrayal. Ha ha, very dramatic, I know. I'm just trying to illustrate my point. A few days ago, an Etsy Admin inadvertently (or irresponsibly) picked a Reseller for the Front Page. Those of you unfamiliar with "Reseller," in Etsy-speak it means: one who sells mass-produced products (not supplies), which are not allowed on Etsy. And I just could not believe my eyes: I mean talk about feeling betrayed, outraged and hurt. It was extremely obvious to me that the item posted on the FP (as the rest of the items in this shop) were mass-manufactured. How anyone could not see that, I don't know.

Anyway, I started a well-meaning thread, trying not to call out. Apparently no one else could see what I was talking about and someone suggested I was sending people on a wild goose chase. So I called out. Another seller even posted a link to a website selling these mass manufactured goods.

But boy oh boy! I named the Reseller (directly identifying another party in a negative way is "calling out" and is against Etsy TOU.) And I really didn't mean to start a shitstorm, but basically the majority of people didn't care there was a Reseller jeopardizing the integrity of the site--Etsy, Your Place for All Things Handmade. They cared that I broke a rule, and boy did they let me have it!

I mean really, people? You're admonishing me for calling out a Reseller. Aren't you all more concerened that mass-produced goods are not only prevalent on Etsy, but now being promoted to the FP by its own staff?

Apparently, that doesn't matter. All that matters is that I "called out." I thought this was a community of independent artists, crafters, and artisans supporting and promoting one another. I was very seriously mistaken. I started the thread because I believe the integrity of the site is at stake when mass produced goods are carelessly promoted to the spotlight. Are mass produced goods allowed now, but only if they are cute?

So this was two days ago. Today it seems Etsy has taken action on the offending shop--it's empty. But of course that could also be because it's sales shot up after being on the FP. They also eliminated another Reseller I included in my email that was selling Chinese Lanterns, also known as China Balls. I had previously flagged and emailed abuse at Etsy about this shop (and many others in violation!) to absolutely NO avail. Seems once I had called enough attention to myself and the "called out" seller, they actually took notice of my email about other abusers. Or so it seems to me at least.

I started a new thread today (big mistake, I must be a glutton for punishment). I thought very long and hard about what I was going to write, and I thought I explained myself well. I stated that a Reseller had been shut down due to calling out, and that perhaps in the future, before jumping down one another's throat, we should be more concerned with the fact that Resellers are running rampant.

The gist of my statement was this:

"I'm just sorry I had to call out to bring your attention to it. But since someone in ADMIN put it on the FP in the first place, it was necessary. Now I realize everyone is human and makes mistakes. BUT, Admin has a responsibility to keep the integrity of this site in place. Putting an item on the FP, then tweeting about it without first verifying its authenticity as handmade shows a lack of responsibilty. Or maybe just a disregard for the integrity of etsy?"

Well, some more mean spirited and narrow minded Etsians sure let me have it. I didn't realize that adults could behave in such petty and nasty ways. Really a bunch of Etsy do-gooders afraid to question authority and vilifying me for doing so. I guess not only did I call out a Reseller, but I also "called out" Etsy in a sense, as they are the ones who posted this item to the FP (as well as 'tweeted' or 'twittered' about it!), in blatant disregard to their own rules! And it seems many people are pissed off that I called Etsy out on their shit. Is this a community I really want to be a part of?

I'm sorry to have rambled, and for perhaps coming off a bit crass. I just think this is still an important issue. People may throw eggs at me, or blacklist me, or hate me for it. But you know what, it won't be the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last. At least I know I have good intentions, and that I'm right, dammit! It's not about my shop, or ten shops, or a hundred. But it's about all the shops, and buyers and sellers on Etsy who are there to support handmade. Or was that handmade, and also mass produced if it's cute?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic!

Blog Thanks

I owe a big shoutout to these gals for including me in their blog posts last month! Funny enough, all three of these ladies' names begin with the letter A. Just an interesting coincidence

that I noticed.

Ashley from NYCrochet included me in her paper goods roundup, Never Buy Hallmark Again. Ashley has a sweet etsy shop where she sells even sweeter baby bonnets, flower corsages, and the ultimate in cuteness, bear and bunny ear crocheted beanies for little ones! Almost makes me wish I had my very own little one to dress up in these... almost.

image by NYCrochet

Andrea of Small Muse wrote an awesome post about some of my work in her Cre8ive Juice blog. Including my silhouette screenprints, she wrote a really interesting post about the history of silhouettes! In her etsy shop, she creates stunning one of a kind collages , aceo's and cards. Andrea is also a jewellery designer, and you can view her website, Luxe Design, here.

image by Small Muse

Abbey of How Now Design included my squares and scallops notecard in her blog, Aesthetic Outburst. Her Etsy shop will be reopening in just a few days, so make sure you take a peek. Browsing her shop and sold items, I realize that I had hearted her shop a while back, including this owl print, which is still one of my favorites! This owl's sentiment is one of my favorite and oft-used expressions!

image by How Now Design

Thank you ladies!

Mary's Granddaughter Giveaway

image by Mary's Granddaughter

Check out this cute giveaway from Mary's Granddaughter! You have until May 26th to enter for a chance to win a sweet brooch or adorable Greta doll. You can enter up to 5 times, so pop on over to her blog now!

Vote (Again!): A New Etsy Community Poll

Okay, I hope you guys are not sick of my posts about this... Lately I haven't found much time for blogging, and I feel kind of bad about it. I have a few posts I am working on, but my work hours have been a little crazy recently. Yet somehow I still manage to find the time to ask you all to vote for me!

Thank you for those of you that voted for me in last week's Etsy Community Poll Vote! Sadly, I placed 5th or 6th from the LAST place! Hopefully I will do better this week, as this time the theme is "May Blooms." Since I did pretty poorly last time, I think they might have felt bad for me and placed me in this week's poll too, hee hee. Or I just got lucky. Here is the link where you can vote. Top vote getters get placed in the Gift Guides. Poll closes May 25th!

Vote: Etsy Community Poll

One of my gift bundles is included in this week's etsy community poll! The theme this week is gifts for your teacher. One of my pick-a-pack bundles is up for voting, and at the moment, I am trailing far behind! So please, if you wish, vote for me! Top vote-getters get placement in the etsy gift guide. Thanks, and cheers! (p.s. voting ends may 18th)

Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone that entered my little giveaway! Your comments are very helpful to me and very much appreciated! I have picked the winner using the random number generator at random.org. And that number is 5--the winner is Mallory! I will be contacting you for your address soon. Thank you again to all!

Giveaway!

I've been participating in giveaways on other blogs every now and then, and I thought perhaps I should host one right here, on my own blog! I always enjoy doing them and reading people's comments, so why not?
I will be giving away a little tennis-screenprinted gift set! It includes 1 pocket size moleskine cahiers journal, 3 notecards with envelopes, and 4 matching round stickers. To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment for me here! Please visit my shops, links which can be found over on the left (or here and here), and let me know your favorite item from each of my two shops. This is a really good way for me to get feedback regarding what people like, and what isn't really working. If you wish to leave a comment with more than one favorite, like your top 3 for example, please be my guest! Or if you even want to let me know what you dislike, don't be shy (just please don't be mean either)! This really helps me a lot! I know what I like, but it can be hard to judge what items will be popular and which won't. And frankly, I could really use some feedback!

Feel free to blog about this or spread the word if you wish, but only one entry per person, please. This is open to anyone in any part of the world--I will ship anywhere! Also make sure you leave a way for me to contact you, an email or link back to your own blog. Giveaway will be open until midnight EDT, on Sunday, May 10th. I will pick the winner via a random number generator thereafter.

Thanks so much!!