Etsy Seller of the Week: LilMouse

Please welcome LilMouse as featured seller this week! Chainmaille is a fascinating art form - be sure to check out this great chainmaille artist!

LilMouse says, "Thank you so much for including me in your blog as a featured artist, I feel very honored. As a thank you to you, and to all of the wonderful people who will be reading your blog, I would like to extend an offer of 20% off all items in my shop! Please mention this blog in the notes to seller, and I will send over a revised Paypal invoice."

How did you find Etsy?
I was working at a bead store about 2 years ago, and one of the regular customers came in talking about how she had started selling her items on Etsy, she gave me the website, and I looked into it. It took me a few weeks to get up the courage to actually list my first item, but I am very glad that I did!


What do you love about Etsy?
The thing that I love most about Etsy is the support and encouragement that I have received from the friends and contacts that I have met here. I have defiantly made some great friends that I will keep for the rest of my life. The camaraderie and support that I have received is wonderful! (Hehehe the money isn’t too bad either...lol)

What is your favorite dinner?
Well, there are so many things that I love to eat, but I would have to say that a really good steak and baked potatoes has got to be my favorite. mmmmmmmmmm, YUM-O!


What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
Everything is very different and unique. This allows me to express my creativity. I have never been formally trained, so no one has told ‘you can’t do that’ so I just do what the heck I want to! Also, all of the rings are opened and closed individually by my own little hands. This is a serious time killer that a lot of people don’t appreciate, but it’s very therapeutic for me after a long hard day at the office.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
That would be a toss up... I would either got to Ireland or Scotland. I absoulty would love to go on a horseback riding treck thru the lands of either country. They are both so beautiful, and so steeped in history and lore.

What do you love about what you make/sell?
I love the fact that chainmaille is so different and unique. You don’t see a lot of chainmaille out there, and it is very satisfying to me to make something so different. There are over 300 different weaves that you can make, and many more that you can design yourself. Just by changing the size of the rings, you can change the look of the entire piece. Not to mention all of the different metals and colors that the rings come in. Niobium, Sterling Silver, Gold, Gold Filled, Aluminum, Anodized Aluminum, Brass, Bronze, Copper.... and the list goes on...lol

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
Believe it or not, one of my favorite ways to relax is to sit in front of the TV with a new batch of rings, and just sit there and open and close the rings. Then I get the fun job of piecing all of those individual little rings into some new creation! Deciding which colors go best with each other, and what weave would work best for the picture in my head... Very fun and very relaxing for me!

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
hehehehe, I am a handmade soap addict! I never tried handmade soap until I started shopping on Etsy, and I have to say I will never buy another bar of store bought soap! I love to look thru and see what great concoctions the wonderful soap sellers on Etsy have come up! Also, I have a serious addiction to anything with a hedgehog on it! LOL

What is your most unique pet?
Wow, I have had several…. The most recent ones have been a lil mouse that I named Fwed. She was a sweetie, loved running on her wheel. She would get out in her cage and tease the cats! Just running around and playing, knowing that the cats couldn’t get to her!
Then there was the hedgie that I had. His name was Acheron. He was born here in my house, and when he was old enough he went to a good home in Texas. While he was there, some bad stuff happened to his human family, and we ended up making an emergency run down to Texas to bring him back home. That was one heck of a trip! Driving 20 hours straight to get there, picking him up, and then turning around and driving another 20 hours to get home. But Acheron was defiantly worth the trip!

Etsy Seller of the Week: Greenbelts

Thrift shops and landfills applaud this week's featured seller! Greenbelts uses reclaimed belts to make all kinds of unique pieces - from dog collars to wrist cuffs (even dog collars and matching wrist cuffs!) AND until next Monday, July 28, she is giving blog readers 10% off any purchase over $10! Just put "Rainy's Blog" in the notes to seller. Now read on!

How did you find Etsy?
My neighbor (who has since moved) used to have a shop on Etsy. He saw some of my dog collars at a neighborhood party and suggested that I give it a try.

What do you love about Etsy?
I am a graphic designer by trade. I mainly specialize in printed pieces (ink on paper). I am not really excited about the idea of designing, producing, and upkeeping web sites - especially my own. Etsy is a perfect fit for me and my Greenbelts. They do it all for me and all I have to do is find time to list and create. I adore Etsy.

What is your favorite dinner?
My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I love a hot loaf of French bread with butter, a sliced crisp red apple, and a hunk of yummy cheese. With a glass of freezing cold milk. Mmmm, yum.

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
I worked out of my neighbors basement for my first year. They were nice enough to loan me a workbench on a temporary basis. After a year of their kindness I decided that I needed to give them some space. I begged my husband, Chris, to build me a tiny shed out in the corner of our back porch. So now, my 4yo son and I go out to the shed whenever we want to work. He has a little workbench too. He's learning how to hammer and use a electric screwdriver. He's been making some fun sculptures out of the scrap wood we have left over from building the shed.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I'm not picky. I have only been to 3 countries (Canada, USA, and Mexico) in my lifetime. I feel like I have so much more to discover. I would love to go ANYWHERE. Especially Europe, Australia, Africa and anywhere that is warm. :)

What do you love about what you make/sell?
Because I base my pieces on recycled items, I love the thrill of the hunt. When I find a really cool belt that makes me want to run home and start cutting it up immediately, or a super-cool button that is just begging to be sewn onto a piece of leather, that is FUN! There are more and more of us belt recyclers out here on Etsy now. It's important to me that I find really unique pieces to start with so I can keep my items fresh and interesting. Searching and reclaiming the findings is half the fun.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
I pound, cut, punch, and sew all my pieces by hand. I get my aggression out on my poor belts while I sip a glass of wine and listen to my favorite music. That's pretty darn relaxing. Even when we go camping or sit in front of the television, I'm cutting out leather flowers or sewing on buttons. That's still 10x more relaxing to me than sitting in an office all day (which I used to do). I have no complaints.

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I'm obsessed with earrings right now. And necklaces. I can't seem to get enough of them. And, of course, buttons and buckles.

What is your favorite sound?
The sound a dry, puffy pine cone makes when you step on it. That crunchy, crackly, smooshy sound. Love it.




Thanks for stopping by!

Etsy Seller of the Week: MerkabaJewelry

Feast your eyes on this week's Etsy Seller of the Week, MerkabaJewelry! Her beautiful designs and great eye for color combine to create gift-worthy pieces - even if the gift is for yourself! :)

Plus, she is offering 10% off to all blog readers! Just put "Rainy's Blog" in the notes to seller at checkout and she'll send you an adjusted invoice.


How did you find Etsy?
I found Etsy through other online crafters who were fed up with eBay and looking for another venue to sell their handcrafted goods.

What do you love about Etsy?
I love the community and all the people I've met through forums, groups, and treasuries. I attended two local craft shows this past weekend in Asheville where the majority of vendors were Etsy sellers. It was great meeting the folks behind the shop name :)

What is your favorite dinner?
I love pineapple pizza and wish my metabolism allowed me to eat it every day!

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
I am getting ready to introduce a line of gourd jewelry. Gourds grown in my garden, dried and cured, then cut up into large beads and pendants. I enjoy expanding my craft and trying new things.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Italy. I've always dreamed of going there to experience the culture, art, food, etc.

What do you love about what you make/sell?
I love that each piece is unique and my customers enjoy knowing that they are the only person that has it.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
Actually making jewelry is my zen time. With an active toddler, I am always on the go. I like being able to spend time totally focused on each piece. It also allows me to be uninterrupted and spend time with just me! Seems a lot of my personality comes out in each design.

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I love all things handmade. Soaps, handbags, cards, jewelry, etc.

What is the best thing about your business?
The greatest thing about my business is how it allows me to stay at home with my son, Camden. I thoroughly enjoy spending my days with him. As much as I teach him things, I constantly feel like I'm the one who is learning. It's an amazing journey. The icing on the cake is the freedom to be with him and also work on my craft.

Etsy Seller of the Week: flauntitmaternity

Having just had my third (and most likely last) baby, I really wish I'd discovered this shop earlier!! Flauntitmaternity has the coolest maternity shirts at a very reasonable price!

Now YOU can get it at an even better price because for the week of this feature, you can save 10% off any one item (except sale items) or buy two maternity tees and get free US Shipping (or just $5 everywhere else). Simply mention "Rainy's blog" in notes to seller at checkout and wait for an adjusted invoice!

Learn more about this great shop and seller!

How did you find Etsy?
A friend of mine told me about Etsy.

What do you love about Etsy?
I like that thousands of people from all over the world have access to see your product.

What is your favorite dinner?
I love grilled salmon.

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
I have stylish maternity tees of all varieties that are affordable, comfy and cool. Personally being pregnant twice, you have so many days that you don't feel beautiful. With my first pregnancy, I was frustrated finding something to wear on an every day basis and didn't want to spend big bucks for maternity clothes or wear "tent like" maternity that makes you look larger than life, so I started this line! Women shouldn't hide their miracle, but Flaunt It!

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would go to Switzerland, always wanted to go there since I did a report on it 3rd grade, plus I love chocolate and know they have awesome chocolate there!

What do you love about what you make/sell?
I love that women can feel good in it and enjoy it.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
I love to work out-run, swim, lift weights etc.. gives me more energy and I feel good after I do it.

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I love shopping for skin care, lotions and scrubs, but ones made with all natural ingredients, not chemicals!(funny I put this, I just looked at your shop and the scrubs look delicious!)

Why, thank you, flauntitmaternity! :) Now everyone run off to her shop. She has gift certificates as well, so think about all those mothers-to-be who want something different and fun to wear!

Etsy Seller of the Week: WarpedandWonderful

This week brings us to the world of WarpedandWonderful! I have one of her handwoven baby blankets and all I can say is WOW! I drooled over it every time I saw the listing online, but holding it in person was immensely better. The quality and workmanship is superb. My daughter is snuggled in her blanket right now as a matter of fact!

Now is a great time to give WarpedandWonderful a try, because she is offering 10% off all orders during the week of her feature! Convo her with "Rain's Blog" and she'll adjust the price or mention "Rain's blog" in the notes at checkout so she can send an adjusted invoice. Offer ends July 6th.

Now for her interview....

How did you find Etsy?
I first stumbled upon Etsy soon after it started but I was not ready to set up a shop at the time. A little over a year ago it was mentioned in a forum and I decided to join.


What do you love about Etsy?
I love the community. There are not many places that everyone answers questions and gives so much of themselves to help others. The variety of crafts represented is staggering. Where else can you find so many wonderful things in one place?


What is your favorite dinner?
Wine and lobster ~or~ steak and salad ~or~ roast beef and potatoes ~or~ roasted chicken um - I can’t make up my mind....


What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
Weaving is not a lost art. There are handweavers around the world exploring and rediscovering what masters of our craft knew centuries ago. Many of the designs I use come from old manuscripts written by weavers in the 1600's and 1700's. They were struggling to compete with the factories of the industrial revolution. Some master weavers decided to break with tradition and share the information they had been keeping secret in the guilds. They hoped to help weavers in outlying areas be able to continue to earn a living with their craft.


If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Anywhere in Europe. I am fascinated by old buildings. Here in Idaho the oldest buildings are the old cabins of early settlers and they are just over 100 years old. I dream of wandering through old castles and ancient ruins.


What do you love about what you make/sell?
The fact that I am able to do it! Weaving fascinates me. I love the process and am mesmerized as I watch the patterns grow on the loom in front of me.


What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
A good book, once I start one, I can’t put it down till I’m done. I’m looking for new authors all the time and would love suggestions!



What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I love to look for several things on Etsy. One of my “fetishes” is fountain pens. I am searching for just the right one when I have money to spare. The turned wood pens are so beautiful. I also discovered a love for lampwork beads. The ones I have found on Etsy are amazing.


What are you working on right now?
Right now I am working on my Certificate of Excellence in Handweaving. I completed Level 1 two years ago and am finishing up a specialized study for Level 2. It has been an all consuming task the last few months. I will be able to call myself a “Master Weaver” if the judges approve of the work I have done. I will be so relieved when it is finished and I can focus on adding new things to my shop in the fall.

Etsy Seller of the Week: WhimsybyMari

This week's featured seller is WhimsybyMari! Check out her shop for fresh, fun jewelry. I especially love her earrings! From now till next Monday (June 30th) she is offering 10% off if you mention "Rain's Blog" in notes to seller at checkout! :)

How did you find Etsy?
A very good friend “Angelinabeadalina” thought it would be a great outlet for my jewelry. She already had a shop and was having success. I registered and shopped for awhile to get comfortable then slowly started stocking my shop.

What do you love about Etsy?
There are so many things I love about ETSY. Number one are the people I have met, everyone is so helpful and supportive. I love it that people from all over the world has a chance to purchase my jewelry. I love being able to look at everyone else’s shops.

What is your favorite dinner?
This is the hardest question yet. I love BLT with my heirloom tomatoes straight from the garden, fresh picked corn and a cucumber salad. Homemade ice cream would finish off the meal.

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
That I craft each piece as if I was to keep it myself. I use the highest quality supplies and best Lampwork beads I can find. Each piece is a small work of art in itself.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
It is several places, I would like to visit all our National Parks. There is so much beauty in this country I have yet to see. I have had the opportunity to see a grizzly bear in Glacier National Park, a condor flying over the Grand Canyon and shooting stars over Crater Lake. I don’t want to camp, I would like to stay in the nicest rooms at the lodges.

What do you love about what you make/sell?
I love the glass, the small little treasures each piece contains, the way the glass reflects differently with the sun. I love the look in someone’s eye when the try on that perfect piece and know they have to have it. I love putting different components together to make a piece of jewelry. Sometimes I play with them forever until I get it just right.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
I like to read, and garden and of course playing with the dogs. We have a 14 year old Golden, a Brit and a ShihTzu, three cats round out the family. I love to take my coffee out on the deck early in the morning and watch the world come alive. I like to walk and canoe too.

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I love to pounce, just to see what comes up. I don’t have a organized pattern to shopping on Etsy! I have bought beautiful bangles with scripture written on them, lampwork beads ( a girl can never have too many lampwork beads!), purses, the list goes on and on. If I like it I usually buy it. All the gifts I have purchased this year have been from Etsy, that is a good feeling.

Where so you see yourself after a year on Etsy?
I hope that I will have many repeat customers, that is when I will feel like I have accomplished my goal. Success in my book does not always mean monetary, sometimes it is knowing I have done a great job.

Etsy Seller of the Week: JazziesJunque

Welcome to this week's featured seller: JazziesJunque! She sells all sorts of great supplies, plus a selection of her own hand-crafted goodies. And through Sunday, June 15, she is offering 30% off one item if you put "Rain's Blog" in the notes to seller at checkout (she'll send a revised invoice). What a great time to try her out! :)

How did you find Etsy? I found out about Etsy from my good friend Kate from KrazyKateDesigns. She has been wonderful in helping me to get started and answering my many questions, such as "Does this look good and do you think it will sell on Etsy?". She has been great.

What do you love about Etsy? The best thing about Etsy is the people. I have met so many wonderful people here and consider them as good friends. And I love being able to provide that item that someone has been searchng for but not able to find.

What is your favorite dinner? This one is a toughy - Favorite dinner would be chicken enchiladas with green chile, spanish rice, and a sprite. For dessert white chocolate Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. Notice the plural?

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop? I try to provide unique items that can be used to make really cool altered art, mixed media or assemblage. And also I like to make things that has (as far as I know) never been made by anyone else.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would love to go to Australia or to Africa on a safari.

What do you love about what you make/sell? I like the originality of what I make and the ability to find something that would have been thrown away and sold to someone that can bring new life to it through Art.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind? Sitting on the sofa with my dogs is the best way to relax.

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I buy way too many beads, just ask Kate. I don't know what it is but I have the hardest time finding a bead I don't like.

Anything else you'd like to add?
Why didn't I think of the Etsy concept first?

Etsy Seller of the Week: ancientgamecupboard

This week I am featuring the shop ancientgamecupboard. The business is a family effort, with Mom running the Etsy shop! See her interview below and check out the amazing games from history! For the week of this feature, ancientgamecupboard is offering 10% off the item price if you put "rainy" in the notes to seller at checkout.

How did you find Etsy?
My Mom kept bringing it up. She saw Etsy featured on a TV show and then saw it in our local paper, too. This was just at the time that we were thinking about making our games for more than just gifts for our own kids. So, Providentially, I made our username something to do with the games and even though we eventually registered our business under a different name, our Etsy name still makes sense.

What do you love about Etsy?
I love the community, as quirky as it may be sometimes. Generally speaking, people are very willing to help you learn new skills for your craft even if it means adding competition for themselves. Etsy is such a diverse community that every individual can find an audience - there may be a lot of jewelry, for example, but it's diverse enough in style and price that you can reach your own target market despite all the 'competition'.

What is your favorite dinner?
Arabic food - specifically, anything involving hummus and filafel.

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
That we put our heart and soul into it. We love what we do, we love to see a game turn out perfectly and we obsessively re-do them until we are satisfied with them. Also, most of our wood is reclaimed from sources such as discarded furniture, hardwood pallets, and any other high quality wood that still has life and beauty in it. We love to discover some really great pieces of hardwood in a heap of discarded materials.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I think I'd go back to Jordan. We used to live there, and I just love the people and the culture there. I'd also love to take a year off from life and backpack across either Africa or Asia with our little tribe.

What do you love about what you make/sell?
Everything! I love that we've found a business making something that combines our love for board games, history, woodworking, and art, and which has aspects that every member of the family can take a part in. The older kids are learning woodworking from their Dad, they all do some sanding and have aspirations of moving on to staining and painting someday, they're all learning about customer service, quality control, sales, time management. It's been the perfect family business for us.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
Reading. We're book-aholics in this family~

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I love to look for other woodworkers shops and for shops selling Renaissance Fair or other historical reenactment wares.

What game is your current best-seller?
Our best-selling item is our Viking Game, Hnefetafl.

Etsy Seller of the Week - LadybugsDesigns!

This week's featured Etsy seller is LadybugsDesigns. Check out her shop for fun baby items, and more! Plus, if you put "Rain" in the notes to seller, or contact her before ordering, she will give you 10% off your order this week!

How did you find Etsy?
A former coworker suggested it instead of Ebay.

What do you love about Etsy?
Since it isn't an auction, I don't have to constantly check to see if someone won. And you can always find someone to answer your questions and give you advice.

What is your favorite dinner?
Macaroni and cheese casserole. It makes me feel good when I'm down.

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
My emphasis is on great baby things, many of them embroidered, but I also have bookcovers and cool ties, and I'm always thinking of new things to try. They might never happen, but I am thinking about them. I also carry some lovely jewelry made by one of my sisters.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
If it was just one place, I'd like to go to England and tour London and Bath and some of the great houses, and stop by Edinburgh too. If I could go more places, I'd take a month and visit the museums in Washington, D.C. and tour some of the Revolution and Civil War houses and battlefields.

What do you love about what you make/sell?
I think my favorite items are my bookcovers. I take a book wherever I go, and they make it so easy to keep track of your reading material (and avoid any comments on my choices). My second favorite would be my toddler aprons, which keep little ones clean from neck to knees.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
I love to read, watch movies/tv series from Netflix, play computer games, and hang out in the Etsy forums.

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I like to look for soap and hair products --- one of these days I'm actually going to buy some! :o)

What's your favorite part of Etsy?
All the friends I've made in the forums. Most of us have never met or even talked to each other, but we're there for each other in good times and bad.

Etsy Seller of the Week: oneeyeopen

I am re-dedicating myself to this blog, and to keep me on task, I will be featuring an Etsy seller every week. This is a great way to find new shops and get to know the owners behind them!


My first Etsy seller is oneeyeopen, who has generously offered 10% off any item in her shop if you mention "Rain" in the notes to seller at checkout!

How did you find Etsy?
I found it while I was blog hopping. It kept popping up on blogs I was visiting.
What do you love about Etsy?
I love the format, the easy navigating of the site, the fact that there are millions of goodies that you look for to buy in one place, plus the ease in selling on Etsy.

What is your favorite dinner?
Some kind of pasta with lots of red sauce.

What would you like us to know about your craft/shop?
Although my photography is completely digital, I still love to focus on alternative methods, i.e., I’m not using a Holga camera, but instead using digital processes to make that digital print look like it was taken with a Holga.

If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Tuscany. It’s my dream vacation.
What do you love about what you make/sell?
I have a penchant for aesthetics and was taught by my mother at an early age to love beautiful things, but not necessarily expensive things. I love the fact that my work is priced so that just about everyone can afford it.

What is your favorite way to relax or unwind?
S-L-E-E-P.

What do you like to shop for on Etsy, even if it is just browsing, not buying?
I love looking at the artwork: photography manipulations, digital collage, clothing for my Blythe doll, and really anything that catches my eye on the front page or the Time Machine2.

What is your personal goal with regard to your photography in the coming years?
First of all, I would love to get motivated again. I have many pictures that I have not even edited yet. I would also like to get more involved with submitting my work to stock sites and sending my work to publishers. One of my dreams is to be published on a book jacket. (Okay, maybe that’s not a big deal to some photographers, but it would be to me.)


Frankie Kins
oneeyeopen.etsy.com
Blog: www.bluemoonstudio.typepad.com