I opened up my Etsy shop UpcycleFever last March and to celebrate, it's CONTEST time! My shop has definitely grown and I've learned SO many things this past year. I'm having so much fun creating things and figuring out ways to upcycle items into awesome wearables.
So, here's what you have to do! Very simple really! Comment below with EITHER your favorite upcycling DIY project idea (link or quick explanation) OR the best advice you would give to a new Etsy shop owner!
The winner will receive a pair of studs and a bottle cap key chain (of their choice), and I will make new blog posts with all the coolest replies!
Our March feature, PearlReef has tons of handmade upcycled bike tube& pearl jewelry. Check out some of her simple & sweet insights. You can also check out their Facebook fan page.
When did
you know you wanted to create and sell handmade items?
I always
enjoy creating handmade items, they make my family and friends smile. I've been
making and teaching jewelry classes for 7 years and I just opened my Etsy shop
last year.
Where
does your inspiration come from?
In 2009
I spent 9 months and made a trip around the world. I got a lot of inspiration
in my trip and I'm sure it's influencing my jewelry designs.
What’s
the most memorable custom item you’ve created?
I made a
wedding necklace for a woman 5 years ago. She designed her own dress and
couldn't find any necklace that could match it. I made a unique pearl necklace
for her that not only fits the dress, but also framed her face very well so she
looked stunning. She cried when she put it on, and I was SO happy for her!
Besides
creating things, what do you do?
I
travel, I cook, and I write software programs!
What is
the most important advice anyone has given you?
Be
careful with super glue, your fingers can be glued together.
What is
the most important advice you'd like to give to other etsy sellers?
Be
creative and be patient!
There are some uber cool events going on in March! Catch me at Big Bang Bazaar in Maitland & Night Owl Market in Fort Lauderdale! Check back every once in awhile for updates & additions.
3/1 - Food in Motion
Time: 5-12am Address: 800 NE 8th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Details - FREE Beer & Admission, Food Trucks, Food Market, Vintage Vendors,
3/2-3 - City Wide Market Fort Lauderdale
Time: 9-5pm Address: 800 NE 8th St Fort Lauderdale, FL
Details - Vintage, locally made, edibles & more. FREE admission & parking
Details - $10 admission, Bring your drawing materials to sketch live models
3/8 - Girls Vs. Boys Art Show Opening at Bear and Bird Gallery
Time: 7-10pm Address: 4566 N. University Drive, Lauderhill, Florida 33351
Details - 4 boys vs 4 girls in an art faceoff, beer & cupcake tasting, and more
Time: 10p-5am Address: 109 SW 2nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Details - Music, videos, & art. Submissions due 3/7
3/10 - An Evening With The Onion
Time: 7:30pm Address: The Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale
Details - The Onion, will bring its parody-news broadcasts for a live performance
Time: 6:30-11:00pm Address: 36 Street to 20 Street, NE 2 Ave to NW 6th Ave
Details - Free admission to all galleries, local craft vendors, & food trucks!
Time: 7-11pm Address: 308 S Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, Fl
Details - Local artists, crafters, specialty food, & other businesses
Time: 5-10:30pm Address: Mary Brickell Village Area
Details - Contemporary artists, avant garde curators, etc
3/29 - Cos Play Friday *Every Last Friday
Time: 10pm-4am Address: 109 SW 2nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Details - Cos players welcome! Music & drink specials all night
3/30 - F.A.T. Village Art Walk *Every Last Saturday
Time: 10-4:00pm Address: NW 1st Ave & NW 5th St., Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301
Details - Free admission to exhibitions, galleries, community theaters, & more!
3/30 - Night Owl Market***
Time: 5-11pm Address: 541 NW 1st Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Details - FREE admission & drinks. Indie Local Vendors. Music. Food. Art
Thanks to friendly & wise Etsyians, I am chock full of photography advice. I just bought a new camera, and plan on learning how to use it to makes my photos more professional. Until then, I shall share some of the quick tips I've gotten!
- The more basic your camera, the more reliant you are on perfect lighting conditions
- Complicated cameras give you more control, but take the time to practice!
- "Bridge" cameras could be better for new learners, with a lot of features and lower prices
- Don't ever use built in camera flash!
- You want soft white light for product photos; go outdoors on an overcast day, indoors when the sun isn't to harsh, or invest in special daylight bulbs
- It takes more time to clean up a mess and not make one, a photo program can only do so much! Get your photos done right the first time, before trying to edit away
- Good lighting and learning your camera settings should amount to minimal tweaking in a photo imaging program
- For product photos, use a plain background that doesn't distract!
Amazing Links
Kouture Crochet's Photography Tips with Links
DigitalRev YouTube Channel
Digital Photography Review
CNET Digital Camera Reviews
Welcome! Welcome to Lena Chinners from the unique shop All That is Counted. The fellow Floridian stopped by for a chat, and peek at her items. Don't forget to show her love with some comments!
When did you know you wanted to create and sell handmade items?
I have been doing counted cross stitch for over 40 years and have given the stitched items to family and friends for years so my daughter suggested that I try and sell some on Etsy... she has a shop also called Luckiiarts.
Where does your inspiration come from?
I only stitch what I would enjoy having in my own home. What’s the most memorable custom item you’ve created? I did a small town street for myself . It is approx. 60" long and only 12" high. It has small houses, shops, a doctors office, trees, fountain and park, paved sidewalk and a small road running the entire length. I also made the frame in a woodworking class I was taking out of oak floor boards. It hangs above the large opening between my dining room and Florida room.
Besides creating things, what do you do?
I am fortunate in that I am retired. I was a bookkeeper in a High School for many years.
What is the most important advice anyone has given you?
Only make things you would use yourself or would be proud to give as gifts.
What is the most important advice you'd like to give to other etsy sellers?
Be patient, go to other shops, see what is out there, follow people who's items you like, and appreciate. You also need to promote yourself to a certain degree, you need to let people see your items and not just wait for them to find you. Additionally, it is really important to tag your items with the right descriptions....and most important have fun!
My latest tv show obsession deserves some Etsy love.
My items are being featured in giveaway from Rachybop on YouTube! There's a (worldwide) contest for four of my different awesomely upcycled bottle cap earrings & necklaces!
Here's the link! You have until next Sunday (1/27)!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9RFlZUhOA0
Okay, so maybe this isn't exactly a DIY craft post, but hey, we're in the spirit of upcycling! Airbnb picks made an awesome list of 29 repurposed rentals! Here are a few. Commence the droolfest of beautiful homes! Maybe you'll get an idea or two.
Welcome the family owned shop ConversationGlass from Dallas, TX. They've got some insights to share and of course link for you to check out (Facebook Pinterest& Twitter). Yay Etsy! Buy local & handmade! Better yet, upcycled! ;D
When did
you know you wanted to create and sell handmade items? We're a
family business - my wife, my daughter and myself. We found a way to teach our
daughter that business can have a conscience through our bottle crafting! We
take bottles destined for landfills and make awesome glassware and housewares
from them. The process from start to finish is quite fun. From finding just the
right bottles, to cutting them into something reusable and fun.
Where
does your inspiration come from? My
inspiration comes primarily from having a family that likes to eat
regularly! All kidding aside, we are passionate about living responsibly. We
know that there are many things on this planet that are renewable. As a family
that's felt the effects of industrial outsourcing and labor expendability, we
sought a way to find our own way. And this way had to harm none - a business
with a conscience.
What’s
the most memorable custom item you’ve created? Our most
memorable item so far has been a bottle hand-etched by my 14 year old daughter.
Getting and keeping our daughter involved and excited about the process can be
a challenge. With typical teenage reluctance, she dragged a bit at first, but
now she gets excited, too when we complete glassware sets and make sales.
Recently, she designed (by hand) a Dr Who Tardis from a Bombay Sapphire bottle.
Impressive work that brought her mucho satisfaction!
Besides
creating things, what do you do? Aside
from our shop, I am a stay at home Dad that works part time in software sales.
My partner and wife is a veterinary technician full time. We spend most of our
free time catering to our 3 dogs - Arwen, Nyxie, and Fenway.
What is
the most important advice anyone has given you? The best
advice I've received in two-fold. First, provide the best customer service you
possibly can. When looking for handmade items, people want to feel special.
They can get poor customer service at Wal-Mart. Second, don't be discouraged by
hard work. You determine where your shop goes. I think
sharing this advice with other sellers is my best advice. Pay it forward, so to
speak.
