Featured Artist: Sister Shop Grand Opening!

Apparently, I am quite the influence (for better or worse) because my little sister has just opened her very own Etsy shop called A Gaslite Romance selling handmade Steampunk jewelry. Of course, I am super proud of her creativity, dedication, and willingness to try something new. I also happen to really like her pieces and covet the necklace above. I guess it's not much of a stretch to imagine that a woodland creature-loving, tree-hugging crafter like me might really love Neo-Victorian inspired jewelry, so I figured you might too.

However, I didn't just want to shamelessly promote my little sister (even though she deserves it), but give you more of a "Featured Artist" experience. You will have to bare with me as this is my first interview and I wanted to be as informative as possible. Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Interview with A Gaslite Romance:

Q: What is the most important fact a buyer should know about you?
A: The most important thing buyers should know is that I pour my heart and soul into all of my pieces and I truly hope that comes across in the finished product.

Q: Why did you choose jewelry as your craft of choice? Or did it choose you?
A: I would say it was a little of both. I fell in love with Steampunk jewelry and got the crazy idea that I could try my hand at it.

Q: What is your favorite thing about creating jewelry?
A: My favorite thing about creating jewelry is the process. It starts with an idea and sometimes it turns out exactly how I envisioned it. Other times it takes a completely different route and the end result is even better than I envisioned.

Q: What movies/books/media/artists have inspired your style?

A: I am mostly inspired by all things Victorian and the Steampunk culture. That particular era is just timeless. While technology is a necessary evil, I am just fascinated by the beauty and complexity of the mechanical workings of technology of the past. I am also inspired by my sister who has a much keener sense of creativity. 

  (this is me blushing)

Q: What are your Top Three favorite Etsy shops and why?
A: Steampunkjunksupply - They offer great quality and variety of supplies necessary for my craft.
Nouveaumotley - Is the very first shop that got me interested in Steampunk jewelry.
Edmdesigns - Has amazingly beautiful and intricate Steampunk designs that I can only wish I was capable of.

Q: Where do you see you, your craft and your shop in twelve months?

A: I hope that in twelve months I will continue to grow as an artist. I hope that I will gain experience necessary to hone my craft. I hope that I will still be able to enjoy my hobby while sharing it with others.

Note: If you or others are interested in being a "Featured Artist", then let me know and I would be happy to spread the love.

Etsy Trade Success!

I have been offered many trades at my shop on Etsy, but none of them have intrigued me enough to participate (unfortunately, money is a necessity to continue my hobby) until Annie Carvalho, a fiber artist, came along. Immediately her work stood out and I saw an opportunity to get my dog, Jersey immortalized in soft, lifelike felt and grabbed at the chance!

I was nervous at first to put myself out there and risk all the hours/dollars, but we swapped many emails and pictures, which helped to ease my fears. I finally sent off the infamous Hobbit Hole with the same trepidation I always feel when I send one of my creations out into the world, but I was enthusiastic to receive my sculpture and felt it was truly worth it.

I know I am not alone when I say that I love to receive mail (sans bills), so when I saw the little postage box waiting for me today after work I was so giddy I couldn't get in the door fast enough. After ripping through the packing tape, I gently lifted out my very own, miniature sculpture of my favorite furry buddy. It was so much more than I could have imagined and well worth the wait! It will serve as a precious memorial long after she is gone.

Check out the Hobbit Hole at its new home as a photo prop for Annie Carvalho's whimsical fiber sculptures!

Welcome to the New Year!

I realize that we are now a month into the new year, but it has been a crazy month to say the least. I have already taught an entire novel, rearranged my craft space, broken the zipper on my favorite winter coat, gotten over a horrible flu and survived two snow days! However, through this all I have continued to be grateful for one of the holiday gifts I received as it has continued to inspire me. I was lucky enough to receive Craft Magazine issues one through ten!

I have always enjoyed their website, but the tangible copies are priceless. They reserve a very special spot on my crafty shelves. Not only are the projects listed easy to follow, but give me a chance to branch out with everything from cooking recipes to new sewing projects. I am able to practice old skills and learn new ones with this awesome collection. It was one of my favorite gifts this year and I hope to make it a favorite of someone else's soon.

Holiday Promotion Winners!

Here are the winning results of my Holiday Promotion:

First Prize Winner:

www.Alexissage.etsy.com

Second Prize Winner:

www.Imani247.esty.com

Check your Etsy conversations or the email attached to your Etsy account to collect your prize.

Thank you to all the participants and enjoy this holiday season!

1.  

Holiday Promotion 2010

Enter your name in a drawing to win a coupon for The Market in the Glen to use this holiday season. Entries will be taken from now until Dec. 11^th, 2010. There is a 1^st prize and a 2^nd prize winner for this drawing. The 1^st prize winner will receive a holiday coupon for 15% off any item in my shop and the 2^nd prize winner will receive a coupon for 10% off any item. You can have up to two entries for the 2^nd prize and an almost unlimited amount of entries for the 1^st prize. The winners will be chosen randomly using the random number generator and announced Dec. 12^th, 2010. 

To Enter for a Chance to Win the 2^nd prize (a 10% off ANY item coupon):

-Become a Follower of this blog 

-Favorite my shop at www.themarketintheglen.etsy.com

To Enter for a Chance to Win the 1^st prize (a 15% off ANY item coupon):

-Refer a friend to my shop OR blog and have them Follow or Favorite me

-Mention my shop on your blog OR link to this promotion on your website

-Buy an item from my shop during the run of this promotion and receive an automatic entry to this drawing
-Feature one of my items in your Treasury during this promotion

Note:

-If you were referred by a friend, be sure to include the friend’s blogger or Etsy name to ensure they get a chance at the 15% off coupon code.

-If you are unsure whether your correct email is linked to your Etsy name or blog name, then leave one I can email you with the coupon code in the event that you win OR check this blog on Dec. 12th, 2010.

-Coupons will expire Jan. 6^th, 2011

Celebrate First Blog Mention!

  As a devoted tracker of my Etsy lovers on Craftopolis, I noticed a sudden spike on Monday in my pageviews and lovers, but could not figure out why. They took the Treasure Tracks feature off, so I could not instantly see if it was due to being featured in a popular Treasury or not. I turned next to Socialmention, but was still left dumbfounded. I tracked myself down in the Etsy Treasury search, but that didn't initially explain 236 new visitors with 827 pageviews and 9 new lovers. I waited for my Web Analysis to close at the end of the night to find out my traffic sources, but it still didn't give me a clear enough picture as most of the links were expired by the time I looked at them.
  Thankfully, Beckykazana sent me a message with the link to her Treasury's frontpage appearance on Craftcult, which you can view here and her blog. I was so excited I was gushing like a little girl- my first blog mention! She was kind enough to feature my Hobbit Hole Miniature Dollhouse, which is one of the most peeked at, searched for and favorited items I sell. It went along well with her other Scandinavian/gnome finds. She is certainly one of those people with a knack for putting together awesome Treasuries!
  I thought I would share this exciting milestone I have reached as I am hoping it is an indicator in the general trend my shop is taking this holiday season. I am already enjoying record sales, renewed interest and beaming confidence. I also think it is important to have a web presence and to be aware of what is available, which is why I link to my resources as much as I can. Hope you find some of this information helpful and/or inspiring.

Yummies- Pumpkin Cookies

I look forward to autumn every year! From its festivals, costumes, decorations, changing leaves, and bonfires, but especially the food. I really enjoy the warm, hearty foods like roasts, mashed potatoes, soups, green beans, squash and tart cranberry sauce, but I absolutely love all things pumpkin!

My favorite among favorites are the pumpkin cookies from our local gourmet food store Art Mart. The smell alone of pumpkin spices baking have me dreaming of the cookies alongside a tall, ice-cold class of milk. I have found recipes that are similar, but nothing beats Art Mart's homemade goodness and the tradition of a once-a-year treat. I consume an unhealthy amount to satisfy my year-long lust and they are worth every single calorie.

My family's other must-have every autumn is a trip to Curtis Orchard where we stock up on apple butter, homemade doughnuts, cider, mulling spices and every variety of fancy pumpkin we can find. This is truly our favorite time of year and we pull out all the stops from creepy decor to true pumpkin carving art. We do out best to savor the cinnamon and cider while the weather stills permits because cold November rain is just around the corner!

Keep watching for more photos of our pumpkin creations.