Winners of TeamCAC Christmas contest!

Congratulations to the winners...

Bailey's Basics and Phil of Philz Corner!

Thanks for playing and I hope you 2 enjoy your prizes!

A fellow Etsian needs a liver transplant

You know how people in our Etsy community can be, very giving and generous. This time they are showing their kindess again. Carole needs a liver transplant because of a rare form of cancer. Check out this blog: http://liver4carole.blogspot.com/ and find out how to help. If we all come together, we can make a difference!

Here is the thread on Etsy also: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5955649

There are several giving, and more would be even better! Come help Carole get a new liver and a new chance at life!

Contest on Etsy by TeamCAC

Go to the team blog and follow the instructions for how to enter. If you read the blog you'll see the fabulous prizes you can win!
http://teamchristianartistandcrafters.blogspot.com/

Christmas Season

Christmas is approaching quickly, are you ready? Thankfully I'm finished shopping for my kids and almost done with hubby's. What is keeping me the busiest, is Etsy! Trying to come up with Christmas ideas and keeping up with the Christmas stocking ornament orders is challenging! Here's the link to them: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17530978 They are reasonably priced at $3 each. I've sold 8 since they were first featured on the contest on Etsy. Since then, they were added to the Gift Guide! I feel famous. :) I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed holiday season!

Update on Competition!

An update on the Ornament Competition that my stocking ornament was involved in recently on Etsy.... I've found out through my friend http://cardwear.etsy.com/ that my stocking ornament was chosen for the gift guide! Here is the link:
http://www.etsy.com/gift-guides/holiday-parties-and-decorating/78

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17530978 This is the listing.

I'm so happy and excited to find this out! YAY!

The Ornament Competition

http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?room_id=22 Thanks for VOTING for me in the ornament competition! I did really well ~ I came in 5th! I'm really happy with that :D

Which also made it to the storque! Look: http://www.etsy.com/storque/etc/holiday-2008-our-favorite-ornaments-2953/ Maybe I'll get some sales from it? You never know.

TeamCAC First Annual Christmas Contest

TeamCAC (Christian Artists and Crafters) found here: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5886240 is having our First Annual Christmas Contest. The dates will be as follows: December 7, 2008 through December 14, 2008. You'll have chances to win LOTS of cool prizes. Stay tuned for more details!

I'm in an Etsy Competition!

http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?room_id=22 Etsy is having a Holiday Ornaments Competition! I was chosen by Etsy administration to be included with my Victorian Stocking Ornament. I've been asking all my friends to vote for me. I don't think I will WIN but just being included made my day. Go to this room and vote for me too please! Someone told me too that even if I didn't win, if I got a lot of votes they might include me in a gift guide. That would be such wonderful exposure for my shop. I already got an Alchemy request because of it, a very nice lady ordered 3 of the stocking ornaments, one for each of her children. Each stocking will have the child's initial on it. What fun! This is my first time using Alchemy, so it's really a learning experience.

Anyway, please go to the link above and vote for my Victorian Christmas Stocking Ornament!

Custom Order

My latest custom order was for http://julscrafts.etsy.com/. She just had a brand new grandbaby come into the world and wanted a special sweater set for him for a Christmas present. She gave me total freedom in it, and I had such fun picking what color and what style to do. I chose a handsome tan color in a soft and silky acrylic yarn. The edging is a ribbed-look on the bottom of the sweater and the cuff of the arms, then used on the bottom of the hat as well.

Since I am VERY done having babies, I love making things for other people's babies! I'm so honored that she wanted me to make this for her grandson. If you like it, leave me a comment. If you want one of your own for a special baby, contact me on etsy http://mattscraftywife.etsy.com/. and I'll make a custom order listing just for you!

BURGUNDY

The Stocking that started it all!

I started another promo thread and got a good response again. It's such fun for me to get to know other Etsians. I loved some of these gorgeous burgundy items that were shared with me, so I thought I'd show them off. I love the talent on Etsy, You ask for a specific colored item, and you get such a variety of things from crocheted hats, to jewelry to purses. Here is the thread...

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5907844

The above pictures are:

Scarlet earrings by http://VariedTreasures.etsy.com

Pendant by http://TaylorsEclectic.etsy.com

Pocket Mirror by http://lilflower.etsy.com

Bag by http://hmmmbymel.etsy.com

I hope you like these selections as much as I do! Check out their shops and see more from these talented folks!

KNITBLITZ feature!

Kathleen of http://KNITBLITZ.etsy.com is a wonderful Christian lady that I've had the joy to get to know on CASTTEAM and TeamCAC (both Christian teams). She has wonderful hand knitted items that she makes with love and care. There are also paintings in her shop that are really cute. She has the sweetest spirit and personality! I hope you'll go to her shop and give it a heart, or a sale. Here's part of her bio on Etsy.

"Hi! Welcome to my shop! I've been doing art of one kind or another since I was little. It's evolved slowly to include 3-D work. Knitting is ideal for me because I love color and texture so much. I LOVE yarn and love turning it into things that people can wear. This process is so special to me that I've vowed to never make any two creations the same! I DO have pets, however, I knit in a room where they don't go, when I am home, but mostly I knit at work, where there are no pets. :) Hence, knitted in a pet-hair free environment."

Please also check out her YUMMY shop where she sells blondies, brownies, cookies, breads, muffins... all the delicious baked goods you could ever dream of. They are well.. yummy!

http://www.MmmMmmYummy.etsy.com/

Green Scarf, Thread I started on Etsy

The Scarf that started it all!

I started a thread on Etsy yesterday asking for everyone to show me what they had in their shop in shades of green. I can't believe the response I got. I have started threads before but never had this much success! http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5898860 This is the thread, and it has 228 posts in it now! I saw all kinds of cool green things, from more scarves, to jewelry to art. Such wonderful talent is on Etsy, I love to see what people are creating.

Seen above are apple soap by http://smokeymountainscents.etsy.com

Mint green blanket by http://sewmelody.etsy.com

Cross with green by http://totallycrosses.etsy.com

Leather satchel by http://easilysuede.etsy.com

Green necklace by http://bijouxdesignsforyou.etsy.com

I just wanted to share a few of my favorites with all of you! I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did. Check out the thread for more gorgeous greens.

Abbasgirl Feature

Catherine of http://abbasgirl.etsy.com/ is such a sweet person and a talented artist as well. She does everything from pendants to coasters to wall art and paperweights. Everything in her shop is so beautiful! Take a peek and I think you'll agree! We are on CAST team together on Etsy (Christian Artists Street Team) and she is such fun to chat with. Give her some love, hearts or sales!

Here is her profile on Etsy:

Hi, my name is Catherine. I am a Christain decorative artist living in the Pacific NW.Even though my page says I "joined" Etsy in july of 2007, I only began listing my work for sale here in June 2008.I live with my hard working husband who indulges my artistic needs, a spoiled cat, and a big scruffy dog (also spoiled).I also have two gorgeous grown sons living nearby.

I specialize in affordable handmade gift items,and quite often (but not always) incorporate scripture into my work. My images are vintage reproductions many of which are rarely seen elsewhere. In fact I have nearly 5000 images in my collection so chances are I have just what you are looking for! I also offer custom work such as favorite scripture, saying, photos, colors etc...talk to me and let's see what we can do to make you smile.My work has been sold at various venues locally and in the Portland area for several years. Thanks for visiting, come back soon, and I will be adding more items as I am able.God bless you!

Featuring MaticStudio

Featuring MaticStudio today!

My friend Leah is the owner of http://MaticStudio.etsy.com and hand crochets every piece with love and care. I love meeting fellow crocheters, and sharing ideas together. We recently had a nice long chat and realized we have so much in common. Etsy is a great place to make new friends, I've found out! Leah and I are members of 2 Christian teams on Etsy (CAST and TeamCAC) and share a love for God and family.

Here's some of her profile:

"I am an oil painter turned crocheter. I have painted for over 20 years as a passion, sewn and quilted creations of every shape and size for 5 years, and recently picked up the art of crochet....and haven't put my hook and yarn down SINCE!It helps (well, not my bank account) that I am an absolute yarn junkie and own at least one skein of every yarn known to man! I can't possibly pick up something soft and unique without taking it home to create with...it is an addiction, I know.I love to be comfortable, and I love all things soft and snuggly. A good yarn with beautiful tones and lines can create that perfect gift for everyone I know!I hope you love what I have made just as much as I have loved creating it for you! I am trade and convo- friendly.... just try me!"

Please check out her shop and see how talented she is, and give her some love.

SewMelody Feature!

Today's post is about my friend Melody of http://sewmelody.etsy.com/ She makes beautiful blankets and minky's for babies. Also she can make throws for adults and teens. Here is part of her shop announcement and profile:

I sew because it brings me joy to make beautiful things. It is my deepest desire to bring that joy to others through the work I do. Womanhood is a journey of hope. I strive to live a life that is full of the feminine virtues of youth and maturity, of spontaneity and order, of suffering and joy. Capturing the loveliness of these apparent contradictions in a creative work is a great joy to me. It lends hope to a day of laundry and dishes. It reveals the mysterious beauty in the tears and diapers.

I personally love her satin blankets, and the Jesus Loves Me one too. There is such a nice variety and she takes care in everything she makes.

Melody is a sweet Christian lady who I enjoy chatting with on Etsy's CAST team thread on the forums of Etsy. She is so sweet and joyful, and I hope you will check out this great shop and give her a heart (or a sale!)

Totally Crosses Feature

TOTALLY CROSSES

Today, I'd like to talk about my friend TC : http://totallycrosses.etsy.com/ . She is a wonderful person to chat with and so very talented. I'm honored to even know her! She makes all kinds of beautiful crosses from metal, and even felted ones. There are wall hangings, Christmas ornaments, keychains, and magnets. Sometimes she uses gemstones and rusty nails. She even has some for baby boys and girls' walls! They are so gorgeous! I hope that you'll check her shop out and heart it if you like it.

Angela's Heartworks is having a contest!

Angela's Heartworks

You can win one of her 5x7 photos! Some have poetry, some have scripture. they are really beautiful! Go to http://angelasheartwork.etsy.com/ and find your favorite photo. Then go to http://angelasheartwork.blogspot.com/ and leave a comment stating which one is your favorite. It's so easy and fun too! Contest goes from now until Nov. 9th. Be sure to enter!

WINNER!

Congratulations to http://cardwear.etsy.com for winning the giveaway! I'm so thankful to everyone who entered!

I'm featured on another blog, FREE GIVEAWAY!

http://shopwithamy.blogspot.com/

My friend Amy has featured me on her blog! We're having a giveaway there, where you can *win* a pumpkin candy dish like the one in my shop. Go to http://shopwithamy.blogspot.com/
and leave a comment under my feature, and you will be entered to win. Check out Amy's shop while you're at it, she is great! http://amybugsoriginalstyle.etsy.com.

cardwear's etsyversary!

Today is http://cardwear.etsy.com/ 's Etsy-versary! She is celebrating by having a huge giveaway. Go to this thread to enter: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5837874 .

Here are her details:
Today is my first “Etsyversary” and I thought it would be fun to have a giveaway! I don't have a blog, so I will be running the contest here in this thread. The contest will run for the month of October, ending at 11:59 PM EST on October 31, 2008. The prizes: The Grand Prize Winner will receive a $25.00 shopping spree in my shop! He/she may choose $25.00 worth of products and I will ship them for free!I will also select FIVE Runner-Ups, who will each receive a $5.00 gift certificate for my shop. Only one prize per person!How to enter:There are two ways to enter!1. Post a comment in this thread: Every comment receives one entry in the contest. Only TWO entries per week per person. That's a total of eight entries. Contest ends on October 31st, 2008 at 11:59PM EST. (The “weeks” end on the Fridays: 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, and 10/31)2. Buy something from my shop:Every greeting/note card purchased from my shop in the month of October gets you one entry. Therefore, if you purchase a six pack of cards, you will get six entries! Two Mini Cards = One Greeting/Note Card = One entry. This also applies to purchases made from my shop for Mission Soldier Support. Names will be put into an Excel spread sheet and Random.org will be used to pick the winners. The winners will be notified through Etsy. If there is no response from any winner after five days, another winner will be chosen, again using Random.org. The contest ends October 31, 2008 at 11:59 PM EST. Winners will be drawn and notified by November 4th. After the winners have confirmed and accepted, they will be announced here and in my shop annoucement. There is no cash equivalent for the prizes. Thank you for helping me celebrate my first Etsyversary and GOOD LUCK!!!(Thank you to madelaine for a great contest idea!)

What a wonderful Contest! Go to the thread and play.

CELEBRATING MY 100TH SALE!

Today I'm having a celebration, I made my 100th sale! I only started selling on Etsy in February this year! I'm just so thankful that I've made some money to help out with bills for our family, and that I've made such wonderful friends. If you look to the right, you'll see a list of my favorite shops on Etsy. They are all wonderful people that I consider friends. The pictures above are custom orders that were my last 2 to get me to 100!

To celebrate, I'm having a 30% off everything in my shop sale. This doesn't include shipping. It could save someone a lot of money, if they purchased a sweater set for a baby, it would normally be $30, but with this sale it will be $21, that's a $9 savings! I hope someone will scoop up these good deals while they last.

Thank you to all the Etsy customers who have purchased from me to get me to this wonderful Milestone!

Featuring GraciesGifts

Today I would like to tell you about my good friend Julie. She has 2 shops on Etsy, http://graciesgifts.etsy.com and http://julscrafts.etsy.com. Both of her shops are just wonderful. Graciesgifts has floral arrangements that are just gorgeous along with vintage items and some destash. Julscrafts has destash items for scrapbooking and buttons for any craft and much more. She is a really sweet person, I chat with her in the forums and I buy from her constantly! Check out her shops, I am sure you'll find something you love.

Some of her profile on Etsy:

"Hi my name is Julie. I'm a stay at home mom who enjoys working on crafts of all sorts...

Love making gifts and seeing smiles on others faces. Hope to accomplish that here with my unique items.I'm very convo friendly so please feel free to send me a line or two with any questions anytime or just to say hi!"

Charsbeads4U

My good friend http://charsbeads4u.etsy.com/ deserves some more recognition! I just keep buying from her and can't get enough. And she loves my shop and keeps buying from me as well. Her jewelry and accessories are outstanding. She has great lanyards, to hold your scissors on or your badge for work. I have a couple of her bookmarks, a couple pairs of earrings, a bracelet and a necklace. I have given her items as gifts to others, and they've loved them too!

Not only is she a great seller and buyer on Etsy, she is a great friend. We met on Etsy a few months ago, and we chat every day now. I can ask her to pray for me and she does. She asks me to pray for her, and I do. I'm so thankful for our friendship and feel that I've known her for years. God brought us together as friends and even though she lives across the country, it's like we are right next door to each other in our hearts.

Featuring MySpringPeaAndMe

Today I'd like to tell you about myspringpeaandme on Etsy. I've been chatting with her on the forums and she's a really sweet lady with awesome things in her shop. She has a nice variety of things and she really enjoys making them. From a ceramic altered letter A to cards and altered notepads, there is something for everyone in her shop. At 78 sales and 100% positive feedback, you can't go wrong shopping with her. Check her out at: http://myspringpeaandme.etsy.com/ .

Here is a bit from her profile on Etsy:

I am a long time paper crafter and truly love anything crafty. I do everything from stamping, and card making to layouts and altered items. I am also a paper crafting instructor locally and teach weekly classes. If you have any questions feel free to let me know!

PUMPKINS!

These little stuffed pumpkins are getting some attention with fall coming soon. I sold one set of 2 the other day and today I had a custom order for a set of 4! They are cute for a table decoration or home decoration for fall, (or can be toys, with no small parts to harm children.) I'll be listing more soon because of the comments I've gotten on them. ~~UPDATE: I did list more and sold another set of 2! After that I made 2 more and they are listed again in my shop!~~

I just love fall, and every time it approaches I start to feel excited for it to come. The leaves may not change much here, but they do a little and I look forward to it. My husband and I met in the fall, so that holds special memories for us as well. We both love Christmas, so once fall comes, we're getting excited for the joy of Christmas.

Enjoy the rest of summer and prepare for fall!

My new Cross Bookmarks on Etsy

My latest creative craze is Cross Bookmarks. I made these 2 yesterday, and listed the darker shades of blue one (the first picture) and it sold within MINUTES! Talk about excited, I am thinking I need to make more of those! The second one in lighter blues is not for sale yet, I will list it eventually though. I've been working on some custom orders so I've been busy. Plus we finally just came out of Tropical Storm Fay, so I couldn't get pictures for a few days. I hope these new items will sell well in my shop on Etsy. Check out my shop at www.mattscraftywife.etsy.com.

Today's Feature ~ Full House Crafts

Today I'm featuring http://Fullhousecrafts.etsy.com. She is a great lady to chat with and has awesome items in her shop from original paintings to crochet to quilts. Her feedback is 100% because she takes great care in making her items. Her wall hanging quilts are my favorites, they are just gorgeous! I hope you'll check out her shop on Etsy.

Here is some of her bio on Etsy:

"Crafts made by members of our full house. Mom, dad and kids will all eventually be participating. Mostly Mom.

We are a crafty family. Drawing, painting, creative writing, song writing, knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting...even some chainmail and jewelry making. Look for a large selection of different types of items in the days to come!"We" refers to a husband, wife, and two kids. The husband does some wonderful chain mail pieces when he has the time. The wife does most of the items for sale on this site. She does knitting, crochet, sewing, photography, quilting, drawing and painting.The female kid does drawing, poetry and short stories. The male kid has an outstanding imagination, and is an inspiration fountain for everyone else. While an item for sale is physically made by just one of us (almost always the wife), it truely is a family thing, with information, ideas and styles being bantered about before anything is created."

Check out Full House Crafts on Etsy!

Today Featuring ~ Amybugsoriginalstyle

Featuring Amy Bugs Original Style

Another sweetie I've met on Etsy is Amy, of http://amybugsoriginalstyle.etsy.com. She sews the absolutely CUTEST things I've ever seen, including little girl dresses and little boy outfits, along with soft block toys and purses too. Her feedback is outstanding, 100% with 49 sales. She just opened another shop geared towards babies called http://LayetteOnMeBaby.etsy.com Check that out too! Sweet baby items for boys and girls, from crochet to sewn bibs and outfits too.

Here is her bio on Etsy:

I am a married stay at home mom of 2 beautiful daughters. I have been sewing dresses, pillows, curtains, bibs, hairbows, pajammas and anything else I can possibly come up with for my daughters and getting great compliments and encouragement to sell my "goods" on the internet. I have been selling with an auction based site for a while now, and now I've heard about Etsy. I am so thrilled to test the waters here. It is so exciting to put my creations up where a Handmade Item is truly appreciated:)

Featuring ~ KuteKlipboardsbyAmy

Today my Feature Artist is KuteKlipboardsbyAmy!

http://kuteklipboardsbyamy.etsy.com

I've "met" Amy on Etsy and we chat on a really fun thread called "Who Cares" She is a wonderful lady who makes the cutest clipboards I've ever seen! Her feedback in impeccable with 118 sales and 100% positive! Please take a look at this great shop and comment.

Here is what she says about her products:

"Every one is unique and handcrafted - ONE OF A KIND!! I have never made any two alike. Once they are gone, they're GONE!!! I've been making these for years and have sold hundreds of them, having many happy customers. I decorate both sides, sealing the front and back as well as the edges with several coats of sealers to make sure the paper doesn't peel - they are extremely durable!!! There are many uses for these clipboards:*display on an iron stand for decoration, a family message center or use one in the kitchen to hold recipes*use to hold your shopping list/coupons when you go shopping*use as a writing lapboard in the car (my daughter loves this!)*hang on your wall for decoration or to hold lists, notes, etc.*lapboard for doing homework*as a unique picture frame/holder*as a .......clipboard!!!These make a great gift for a co-worker, teacher, friend or family member (or even yourself!!)At this time, I am shipping to the U.S. ONLY.Proud member of:EtsyTexasCraftersDallasEtsyTeamEtsyMomsCASTteam"

And part of her profile on Etsy:

"I am a stay-at-home mom of three who comes from a family of crafters and artists. I remember as a little girl going with my mom and sister as they sold their goodies at various craft shows. Those are some of my favorite memories and I still love going to shows just as much today. I have a B.A. in studio art and really don't use it much but you never know!!! I love creating different items and especially my clipboards, as each one is unique and one-of-a-kind. I don't ever try to make any alike and love the different looks I can create."

Today's Spotlight, COFYGIRL

http://cofygirl.etsy.com/

I've met such a nice, sweet and talented woman on Etsy, I just had to feature her! She makes beautiful hand knitted things such has handwarmers, scarves and purses - and MUCH more! She's very creative in her patterns and takes so much time and care in making them just for you. The colors she uses are vibrant and well-contrasted. If you're looking for someone with excellent feedback, she has it! 100% with 778 sales. I hope next time you need or want some hand knitted goodies, you'll look in her shop, http://cofygirl.etsy.com/.

A bit from her personal profile on Etsy:
I was a full time Barista (hence the name) but I cut back to only Sundays so I can be a full time stay at home momma!

I'm Selling Crocheted Magnets

Here are my newest creations, cross magnets crocheted with cotton yarn. They are great for the fridge, filing cabinet or any metal surface! Haven't sold one yet, but the first one here in blue, green and white has been in a couple of treasuries already! God bless!