2nd Annual Salem Jazz Soul Festival

The Annual Salem Jazz Soul Festival was founded to bring jazz back to Salem, MA and support music education in the city. Through the efforts of many community members, corporate sponsors and In A Pig's Eye Restaurant - last years event brought over 5,000 people to the festival. The festival will be held again this year at the Salem Willows on August 18th, 2008.

Please visit: http://salemjazzsoul.com/ for more information about the festival, events, and how you can be a sponsor or make a donation.

The 2nd Annual Spring Fundraising Gala will be held April 12, 2008 at The Knights of Columbus - 94 Washington Square - Salem, MA - 8PM to Midnight. The doors will open at 7PM and there will be live and silent auctions held, raffles, prize and lots of great music by Ken Clark Organ Trio, The Mystix, Boston Horns with special guest Barrence Whitefield. If you live in the area - don't miss this event as tickets are going quickly! You can also purchase tickets at In A Pig's Eye or online at http://salemjazzsoul.com/ - Tickets are $15.

I was asked to donate a sea glass jewelry set this year. Look below to view my finished pieces that will be at the fundraising event April 12th. This set is valued at $1800 and consists of 65 total pieces of cobalt blue, seafoam and white North Shore sea glass (hand cultivated by myself and drilled), swavorski crystals, deep blue freshwater potato pearls, and peridot freshwater pearls. The focal points for the set include Karen Hill Tribe Sterling Silver Starfish - purchased directly from the tribe located in Thailand. The necklace features a 53mm starfish that is stunning.

The "North Shore" Collection

Etsy Featured Artists - Week of March 24th: Tulips Treasure Box and Octavine Illustration

Happy Easter! Well - I am a tad late getting these fine folks listed. March 24 - March 28 featured Etsy artists are Tulips Treasure Box by Lily and Octavine Illustration by Cara. Read their story, check out their stores and leave comments!

Tulips Treasure Box by Lily: http://tulipstreasurebox.etsy.com/

Vintage bead work at its finest - Lily, of Tulips Treasure Box, creates outstanding jewelry to "bring you back in time" in this modern world. Intricate, delicate and simply beautiful designs, she uses only the best materials in her creations. True wearable art. Lily also dabbles in needle felting, making purses from recycled material and amature photography... What can't she do! Since joining Etsy in December of 2007, Lily is on her way to making a name for herself to bring Tulips Treasure Box into your wardrobe! In her store you will find handmade handbags, vintage items, DeStasch, and much more! Check out the amazing bead weaving talent, of Lily, in her store and find out more about her below!

Question & Answer with Tulips Treasure Box!

Q: Tell me a little about yourself… your background and how long you have been involved in your art/craft/hobby…
A: I am retired. Empty nester of 2, 1 of each. Married to my best friend/hubby. Until about a year ago, I didn't realize I had a creative bone in my body aside from gourmet cooking. I really like to prepare a gourmet meal for the two of us, or with another couple. Working on the atmosphere is as much a part of a delicious meal as the choice of food and presentation. I am a flavor freak, we call it a mouth orgy.I am a newlywed to the arts after landing in a beginners beading class about a year ago. It seems like a turn-off to say, but I have heard and found a lot of artists including myself who got into their art as therapy. Well, I was in the midst of my own nervous breakdown when...and to this day I cannot remember how...I ended up in that first beading class. It was disappointing, but I was hooked on the store that had the class. Oooooh the beautiful beads!

Collecting rocks as a kid, and later as an adult, and sea glass too...I realized I have always had an affinity with nature and stones. Everything fell into place and now that we are empty nesters I have turned my daughters bedroom and bathroom into my own studio...that is so full of arts materials that I don't usually work in there..LOL. I am trying to make a goes of this full time and have been busting my ...you know what... to become successful, pay off the investment (oh boy!), and to provide an income.

During this time I was found in Joann's fabric's, long story short it lead me to a casual, social group called Knit & Bitch at a local, unique yarn shop that is 1/2 yarn shop and 1/2 antique shop. The counter-parts split the space and it makes for a very wonderful, warm and inviting atmosphere. We have snacks, wine, water, chocolate...whatever the shop owner Debra and the attendees provide that particular afternoon/into evening. I never had an interest in knitting, so I would bring my beading and work on that, however the articles that these talented ladies were turning out were so beyond beautiful that I gave in and have started to learn to knit.

In the meantime, I have learned to needle felt, felt recycled wool sweaters and turn them into purses, and recycled t-shirts into green-wise totes. In other words, I am getting spread too thin! Any of this sound familiar?

My entire mindset on art, color, fabric, fiber, jewelry, and so much more has grown. At my age (heading toward 50) that has been a great inspirational emotion.

Q: Where do you get your inspiration?
A: Right now, most of my inspiration comes from other artists, my final work comes as I am working on a project. It can change many times along the way...as I am creating...when viola' I have a finished piece. I have so many projects in my head that it hurts!!!

Q: What mediums are involved in your work?
A: Gemstones, silver, gold, seed beads, crystals, glass, lampwork made by other artisans, natural materials, fibers, old clothing (I use it to recycle into something else), beads, etc.

Q: What would set you apart from your competition?
A: I think most of my finished jewelry pieces are high-end, where so far I either have yet to be discovered, or high-end jewelry on Etsy doesn't sell.

Q: What piece are you most proud of?
A: Probably the bead woven pieces. And more recently, I am involved in my first beading on a special silk. As an amateur photographer, one of my photographs has been transferred onto a special silk and I am beading the picture. If you go to my blogspot, you can read my story on this subject. http://tulipstalking.blogspot.com/

I have been invited to be in a gallery book with this piece, but need to finish it before the 15th...anxiety! Excitement too if it is chosen from the entries gathered.

Q: How do you market your products in and out of Etsy?
A: Marketing...oh boy! Every which way that I can think of and that I hear of! I belong to our local Bead Society, Fiber Arts Guild, participate in art shows that the societies sponsor, business cards, family, friends, I write a weekly column for Everything Skwiggle, as well as host a weekly photo of the week contest, have my own blog, add others to my blog page as well as take everyone up on adding me to their blog...like now! Let's see, what else?

Since becoming a member of the Etsy BeadWeavers Street Team, I have entered their monthly challenges...one of the challenges is going on right now, the first I was in the top 10 for votes our of I think 36 entries. Votes are accepted from anyone and everyone so I send an email with the link to everyone I know and ask them to vote and to forward it to their email contacts.

You have to be unashamed to promote, promote, promote yourself. Oh, I am in the process of developing my own website www.TulipsTreasureBox.com, I am currently adding products.There are the blogs, teams, treasuries, websites, shows, consignment, and so much more I can't think of everything just now.

Q: If I were to ask you – “Where do you see yourself in five years.” – What would you say?
A: 5 years from now, I hope to be honoring all those rungs in the ladder that helped me make my love of what I do into a viable business venture. I feel positive, I have to, and I am scared too that if this takes off I will really need to write to mother nature for a 48 hour day instead of a 24 hour one! LOL

Q: Lastly, tell me something I should know about you – funny, quirky, profound etc. anything you would share with the Etsy community?
A: I asked my husband and daughter to help me with this one, and hubby and our daughter who got here today from out of town where she lives both started laughing...what's up with that?

Let's see, hubby says I spoil our 2 year old dog who sleeps under the covers by my feet, and wears a t-shirt that says "Stalker". She follows me where ever I go and actually sleeps on a pillow, on my desk chair, behind me the 12+ hours I am in front of this computer every day! She also has a bed under the desk where she shares the space with my feet, and a heating blanket on the couch. Italian Greyhounds have little fur. Daughter says if I could bring home a mountain I would because I love rocks so much.

One year we went on vacation to Tennessee. Coming home to Florida taking the short cut through the N. Carolina mountains a freak snow storm hit (when we got home there was a story in our local newspaper about the freak storm). We were driving with a load of very large rocks I'd coveted during our vacation, traveling about 3 miles an hour w/o snow tires, me white knuckled and begging DH to slow down...LOL...watching most everyone swerve off of the roads, when we stopped and hubby made me leave behind about 1/2 of the rocks to take some weight off of the car for safety. I still don't think I am over that!

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The next featured artist of the week.....

Octavine Illustration: http://octavineillustration.etsy.com/

All I can say is "WOW" Cara is an amazing artist! She is versed in creating retro images inspired form Art Deco and Art Nouveau movements. She paints/sketches everything by hand, uses old screen printing methods, and prints on archival french paper so you know these will last. In her Esty store - check out the history behind the Moleskine Journal Notebooks she is creating - pretty darn impressive... to think for the past two centuries these have been around... Oh - and if you are a wine lover - she was commissioned by a winery to make a wine label. You will find prints, tee shirts, journals, note cards and aprons in her store. Read more about Cara's impressive talents below - visit her store - you will be sure to learn something new from this Etsy artist!

Question & Answer with Octavine Illustration!

Q: Tell me a little about yourself… your background and how long you have been involved in your art/craft/hobby…
A: I am a calligrapher and illustrator, a font designer and mural painter. I hail from beautiful Portland, Oregon but was born and raised in New Mexico.I began by creating a marriage contract in Hebrew calligraphy for a friend about 10 years ago. As word spread, I began to receive commissions for calligraphy and then illustration work.

Over the years the business has grown and I have calligraphed and illustrated numerous marriage contracts, invitations, public murals, logos, tattoos, concert posters and even a wine label.

Q: Where do you get your inspiration?
A: My inspiration derives from the commercial art produced from the Art Deco and Art Nouveau movements. The need for commercial design was in high demand as industry grew at an exponential rate. Advertisements were executed by hand as the was prior to the advent of computers.

The art produced during this time, although for market purposes, demanded attention. Using organic lines and forms, as well as hand-wrought fonts, art could be found in the everyday; for the masses rather than simply an affectation of the rich.

Q: What mediums are involved in your work?
A: Before I begin a project I look through my design library. Garning inspiration from photographers, illustrators, advertisements and magazines infuses me with creativity and barrages me with ideas. I order boxes upon boxes of ephemera from estate sales on Ebay and simply pour through them when in need of new images, fonts or layout ideas. I have a rather methodical (some may say anal) process in which I must first conceive of the painting or alphabet completely in my head. I then make a loose sketch. Using tracing paper I resketch and resketch and resketch the idea.

Tracing paper is my savior as it allows me to make multiple erasures and even do-overs and then make a direct transfer of my final product. I hate mussing up my fancy French paper with erasure marks and my paint does not take as well once it has been erased upon. After I complete the image and perfect it completely on the tracing paper, I transfer it to the fancy French paper. Then I do a painting. This is a poster size original painting done in gouache (similar to watercolor but heavier pigments give it a matte look). I do all my work by hand, including font-design and calligraphy.

Q: What would set you apart from your competition?
A: I do all my work my hand. I do not use Adobe Illustrator or any other computer program to generate my work. All my prints are screen printed by hand using the old methods. Nothing I do is printed out on a computer printer or such.

Q: What piece are you most proud of?
A: The illustration I did for the wine label. Commissioned by a winery in Walla Walla, Washington to design their label, I recreated the owner’s grandmother as I imagined her in the 1920s

Q: How do you market your products in and out of Etsy?
A: My blog and my flickr:http://www.octavineillustration.blogspot.com/
http://flickr.com/photos/octavineillustration

Q: If I were to ask you – “Where do you see yourself in five years.” – What would you say?
A: Hopefully with a thriving illustration business with many clients. And to be happy. And healthy.

Q: Lastly, tell me something I should know about you – funny, quirky, profound etc. anything you would share with the Etsy community?
A: With the exception of the computer, I essentially live in the 19th century. I do not drive or have a cell phone. I am very easily distracted and need to keep my life simple to maintain sanity. However, I do love relaxing to old lady BBC television productions and reruns of Law and Order.

Thank you to the artists for taking the time to answer the questions and much continued success in the future!

Adopt A Soldier....

I saw a bulletin post on MySpace to "Adopt a US Soldier" from Frannie in my network and thought this was a great cause to help someone out that is out there protecting our freedom and putting his/her life on the line every day. Frannie's son-in-law is awaiting his 3rd tour in Iraq right now and her daughter decided to take this whole project upon herself - later realizing that she was spending so much money mailing packages... on a soldiers salary it was tough. So her mom, Frannie, decided to post for help on MySpace. I decided to email her back and I signed up! I got my soldier and will be sitting down to write him in the upcoming days. These are men and women who have no families, or anyone, to write them letters, send them simple things they may miss and help them connect with the home they have been away from for so long.

I just did some searching out there on the good ole "Internet" and found a slew of programs in which offer the same thing - helping others - humanity, touching a person's life, connecting, sharing, filling a void... not matter how big or how small - it matters. Here are a couple sites to check out: http://www.soldiersangels.org/ - http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/ - http://www.operationusocarepackage.org/ - www.adoptaussoldier.org/ - http://www.adoptaplatoon.org/ - www.adoptasoldierplatoon.org/ - http://www.anysoldier.com/
Adopt a Service Member: http://www.operationac.com/

Contact Frannie (I would assume you would have to be a MySpace member) & there is a link on the right of her MySpace page as well: http://www.myspace.com/frannidoeshair

Check the sites out... see what it is all about... put feelings and views aside - even if you don't believe in the war... or in war in general... they truly believe in what they are doing... they believe they are making a difference.

Etsy Featured Artists - Week of March 17th: Kute Klipboards by Amy and Two Bees In A Pod

Happy St. Patrick's Day! March 17 - March 21 featured Etsy artists are Kute Klipboards by Amy and Two Bees In A Pod. Read their story, check out their stores and leave comments!

Kute Klipboards by Amy: http://kuteklipboardsbyamy.etsy.com/

Who would have ever thought you could be so creative with clipboards - Amy from Kute Klipboards by Amy did! These "klipboards" can be used in the car, given for gifts, used for your business, shopping - you name it - there is a use for a clipboard and just about any theme you can think of as well. Amy comes from long line of artists and crafters. She brings her love of all things unique and handmade to Etsy. Amy has a fairly new shop, however, she is paving her way one Etsy... Find out some great things about this store below!













Question & Answer with Kute Klipboards by Amy!

Q: Tell me a little about yourself… your background and how long you have been involved in your art/craft/hobby…
A: I have been crafting all of my life - I will see something and go home and try to make it. I can remember going to craft shows with my mom and sister ( they had booths) all the time. I have been making the clipboards for a couple of years now, starting out making them as gifts, then in craft shows and now on Etsy. I don't try to make any the same so all are unique.

Q: Where do you get your inspiration?
A: I got the idea from a friend of mine who is very crafty and creative. I love putting papers together and creating different combinations. I am a little "paper-obsessed"!

Q: What mediums are involved in your work?
A: I use standard clipboards in 3 different sizes as well as ribbons and scrapbook papers.

Q: What would set you apart from your competition?
A: I have had several people compliment my clipboards over others because I do seal mine pretty well. The whole clipboard, even the edges, is sealed with 2 coats of mod podge as well as 2 coats of acrylic sealer on each side. They are pretty durable. Also, I do not put any 3-D embellishments on the front so they can be used as a lapboard; no bumpy things to hinder writing on them.

Q: What piece are you most proud of?
A: I love them all!! This one is one of my favorites - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9880472

Q: How do you market your products in and out of Etsy?
A: I have business cards (which I hand out every chance I get!) and have made quite a few for friends, too. Three shops in the area also sell them in their stores and I have been doing craft shows in the local area, also.

Q: If I were to ask you – “Where do you see yourself in five years.” – What would you say?
A: hope in five years that I feel just as blessed as I do now. I do hope my business picks up a bit and is steady. I do have fun making my clipboards and enjoy creating new ones as well as custom ones. I would love to be able to make some real money from doing this to help contribute to my household but really don't want to be overwhelmed. I hope my Etsy shop flourishes and I continue to meet lots of new and talented people. My family comes first and hopefully we are all just as happy and healthy as we are today.

Q: Lastly, tell me something I should know about you – funny, quirky, profound etc. anything you would share with the Etsy community?
A: I love making people smile and also love creating new clipboards. I always welcome any new ideas and also love to meet new people! I am pretty much a homebody, just content to sit back and let life go by. I enjoy etsy and have met some wonderful new friends through it. I am your typical PTA mom, on the boards at two schools and loving every minute of it! I taught Pre-K for 14 years before staying home. I love to read and scrapbook. Other than that, I lead a pretty boring life. LOL

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The next featured artist of the week.....

Two Bees In A Pod: http://amsx05.etsy.com/

It is true that Etsy is saturated with card makers - however, that didn't stop Ally, of Two Bees In A Pod, from carving out her own niche and leaping into the waters herself. Ally's card designs are fresh, modern, creative and funky... and that is what is setting her apart from the rest. In only a few short months of joining Etsy she has racked in just over 50 sales.... I don't think she with be a "newbie" much longer!









Question & Answer with Two Bees In A Pod!

Q: Tell me a little about yourself… your background and how long you have been involved in your art/craft/hobby…
A: Well my name is Ally,I have not been involved in my craft for too long and I just recently gained the confidence to broadcast it to the world. Once i received some positive feedback, It really boosted my self-esteem and now you cant stop me! lol!

Q: Where do you get your inspiration?
A: I usually get it from magazines, i look at all the different colors and their layout, i can immediately go home and know what i want to create just by looking at a simple magazine in a dentist office!

Q: What mediums are involved in your work?
A: Way too many to list!!! Paper,ribbon,pens,pencils,cutting board,xacto knife the list goes on FOREVER.

Q: What would set you apart from your competition?
A: My prices are AFFORDABLE. I can't tell you how many times i go onto another card makers website and see cards for like 5 dollars, not including shipping. I just know i would never pay 5 dollars for a card. You get high quality items, for a cheap and affordable price.

Q: What piece are you most proud of?
A: Good question, i would have to say i am most proud of my "thank you for your business cards" I came up with each design myself and designed each one until I was completely satisfied. I have relisted them 7 times already in less than a month. I am thrilled.

Q: How do you market your products in and out of Etsy?
A: Since i have only been on Etsy less than two months, its hard to really say. I spent a lot of times in the fourms chatting away with interested customers. Also I participate in the SNS on Saturday nights, which i don't think has helped so far..but we'll see. Outside of etsy, I attend craft shows a lot, I am really trying to get a table set up for a couple coming up.

Q: If I were to ask you – “Where do you see yourself in five years.” – What would you say?
A: Graduated from college, steady teaching job, while still selling and making great cards here on Etsy for my wonderful new friends ;]

Q: Lastly, tell me something I should know about you – funny, quirky, profound etc. anything you would share with the Etsy community?
A: I am highly claustrophobic, but my work space is a cluttered mess! Go figure!

Thank you to the artists for taking the time to answer the questions and much continued success in the future!

Etsy Featured Artists - Week of March 10th: PromosInASnap and railyuh

I have decided to help promote fellow Etsy artisans by doing a "Feature of the week". This week, March 10 - March 14, the featured artists are PromosInASnap and railyuh. By posting to the forums to feature artists in my blog, I got a slew of responses from many wonderful artists.

PromosInASnap: http://promosinasnap.etsy.com/

If you need promos for your Etsy store or online biz - Check out this shop! They will customized to your store: bags, buttons, product tags, scratch off tickets, address labels, biz cards, bag toppers, stickers, magnets... you name - they got it! Prices you can't beat, fantastic customer service and quick turn-around (not to mention professional products) are all the reasons to get your stores promotional items at Promos In A Snap! They have sold a whopping 91 items - and they have only been open since January 2007! Find out some great things about this store below!

Question & Answer with Promos In A Snap!

Q: Tell me a little about yourself… your background and how long you have been involved in your art/craft/hobby…
A: My name is Crystal I am 24 and I live in Miami with my husband. I have always been craft-oriented; I think I got it from my mother. I used to sew ferret bedding and during this time I purchased my first button-making machine. I made buttons for my promo packs for every order I received. When I did the ferret show everyone flocked to my booth and loved the free buttons I was handing out. That’s when it hit me; I wanted to help Etsy sellers promote their shop too. So on Jan 4, 2008 I opened up my second shop.

Q: Where do you get your inspiration?

A: My customers inspire me. Each item I make is custom made to fit the customer’s needs. I love seeing all the different items come to life when I make them. The best part is to see how your customers use their items; I just love getting feedback with a picture.

Q: What mediums are involved in your work?

A: I have two button presses, one is 1” and the other is 2.25 “. I use 110 lb cardstock for most of the heavier items and glossier papers for stickers. One of my favorite items would be my Xyron sticker maker. I also have various paper punches and a wonderful industrial cutter.

Q: What would set you apart from your competition?

A: I provide top notch customer service; I try to respond to convos and questions as often as possible. I make sure that every product that leaves my studio is perfect and there are no flaws. I make sure my customer is 100% satisfied with their purchase and if they aren’t then I try everything I can to make it right. I use high quality papers, button parts, and sticker accessories to provide the best promotional items for my customers.

Q: What piece are you most proud of?
A: I am proud of my new bag toppers. I haven’t seen this offered yet on Etsy and yet it such a great way to look professional in your packaging. One thing I recommend all Etsy sellers is to look professional. You are a business and you are providing a product, if you are serious about being successful make your product memorable. It’s basic marketing, and can really bring a customer back to your shop for more items.

Q: How do you market your products in and out of Etsy?
A: I have tried a few blogs who have offered some advertising space for a small fee. I also have tried a monthly ad on craftster.com. I can’t really tell yet if it has made an impact on sales. On Etsy I have tried the main showcase and was pretty disappointed with the results. If I had to recommend a new seller I would tell them to promote in the promotions forum. The promotions forum has brought me many sales. It’s a little more work but the results are well worth it!

Q: If I were to ask you – “Where do you see yourself in five years.” – What would you say?
A: In 5 years I hope to be doing Promos in a Snap full time and to be no longer working in a corporate environment. I also hope to have our condo sold and be moved to a single family home up north or out of Florida. Lastly I hope to be a mother by then.

Q: Lastly, tell me something I should know about you – funny, quirky, profound etc. anything you would share with the Etsy community?
A: I love ferrets, I have 5 ferrets right now and they are such a blessing to have. Last year I opened a ferret forum that now has over 1100 members. It’s such a wonderful community to be a part of, especially when you have concerns for your beloved pet. I feel blessed that the forum has been so successful.

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The next featured artist of the week.....

railyuh: http://railyuh.etsy.com

In a sea of photographers, railyuh stands out. The detail of imagery, depth and diversity of subject matter make her photographs amazing works of art. Not only does this seasoned photographer offer offer original standard sized prints... you can also find note cards, recycled notebooks and magnets! This Alaskan native is not an Etsy newbie and continues to create a steady client base on Etsy and beyond. You will be sure to find something to adorn your wall or refrigerator in this store... and custom orders are welcome!

Question & Answer with railyuh!

Q: Tell me a little about yourself… your background and how long you have been involved in your art/craft/hobby…
A: I first became interested in photography in high school. My father has a love for photography as well, so when I had the opportunity to borrow his camera I started taking pictures for my yearbook. That was almost ten years ago and my love for the craft of photography has grown since then. I especially love film photography and working in the darkroom, so the switch to digital has been a bit sad for me.

Q: Where do you get your inspiration?
A: My inspiration comes partially from the natural world around me. I am inspired by the beauty of nature and love capturing beautiful landscapes on my camera. I am also inspired by lines, angles, and different perspectives on ordinary objects, which is most clearly seen in my black and white photography.

Q: What mediums are involved in your work?
A: My shop is for my photography, but on a personal level I enjoy a few other mediums as well. I love to sew and have recently taken up felting (wet felting and needlefelting).

Q: What would set you apart from your competition?
A: I think every photographer sees the world a bit differently. We could get a group together and all photograph the same subject, but still come up with different final images. I think my landscapes often capture unusual places, and my black and white photographer captures a unique perspective on objects we tend to overlook (like my park bench photograph).

Q: What piece are you most proud of?

A: My caterpillar image from my playground series is one of my favorites. It is one of my earliest photos from college when I first became serious about photographer and fell in love with the darkroom. It was one of those shots that I took one frame on a whim and thought nothing of it. When I went to develop it, I just fell in love with the odd structure. Seeing it in black and white completely transformed the subject.

Q: How do you market your products in and out of Etsy?

A: I am still learning how to do this. I have tried to network through a variety of sites like my blog (I was a blogger long before I had an etsy shop), myspace, flickr (also a long time user of flickr), and through my other online connections on messageboards. I have also begun to advertise locally since a lot of my photos feature local Oregon landscapes.

Q: If I were to ask you – “Where do you see yourself in five years.” – What would you say?

A: I see myself as a mother of a few more children (hopefully), and an artist who has grown in her craft and expanded her artistic repertoire. I would like to become a more skilled seamstress and extend my photographic skills in portrait photography. I also would like to be more skilled in the digital darkroom since the days of the black and white darkroom are largely a thing of the past. Although I still hope to someday set up an old school darkroom in my home again.

Q: Lastly, tell me something I should know about you – funny, quirky, profound etc. anything you would share with the Etsy community?

A: I'm a short Alaskan islander! I'm only 5 feet tall and I grew up in a small town on an island in Alaska. It was a pretty isolated place to grow up, but I was surrounded by beautiful mountains and the Pacific Ocean every day. It was the perfect place to fall in love with landscape photography.

Thank you to the artists for taking the time to answer the questions and much continued success in the future!

Handbook to Handmade Volume III ~ Etsy Artisans

Since discovering Etsy in November of 2007 - I have been immersed... setting up my shop, getting my name/product recognized in the Etsy community and learning the ins & outs of the site. One fanatic thing about Etsy is the forums. This is where you can promote, gain knowledge, join Etsy teams and meet other Etisans. I just happened to stumble on a "Call for Artists" post from an established Etsian - Timothy Adam, of TimothyAdamDesigns, who was looking for artists to feature in his 3rd edition of Handbook to Handmade.... a coffee table book and tribute to Etsy Artisans. In this book you will find 36 people with amazing talents and I am happy to be included as one of them! I am thinking I

may even sign up for another volume.

It is an investment and good resource to take to shows. This book has gone all over the US and to the UK.

Sadly, after only having the book a matter of days, my 3yr old spilled water on it. It took me an hour to blow dry the pages and the back page is ruined... half the book has wavy pages - but no content has been lost... and my pages still look great. At some point I would like to replace it with a fresh copy.

Check out some of the fantastic artists: http://timothyadamdesigns.etsy.com/ ... http://lilleypad.etsy.com/ ... http://janedeaux.etsy.com/ ... http://art2theextreme.etsy.com/ ... http://mjpartetc.etsy.com/ ... http://chocolateandsteel.etsy.com/ and many, many more!! Check out Tim's blog http://etsypromobook.blogspot.com/ to view more of the artists featured and all the nitty gritty on the book! This is only the beginning....

Sea Glass Donations for Fundraisers

Wow - it has been a couple of years since my last post. My poor forgotten blog. So here I am full of new ideas and events of the past two years.

So much has happened and so much time has passed. Well - I wanted to start my blog off on some great fundraisers that I am taking part in and past ones as well.

I have just finished my limited edition and original design - "St. Barth's Collection. " This line reminds me of Caribbean waters and funky, sophisticated and posh flavor of the Island.

I created a funky cluster necklace with freshwater pearls, vintage glass bell beads, swavorski crystals and sea glass in shades of aqua and white. This stunning necklace features a "cluster" asymmetrical design in sterling silver. Matching cluster earrings with handmade ear wires complete this set.

This set will be donated to Underdog ResQ to raise money to place good dogs into homes before they are euthanized. They are having a fundraiser even in June - Urban BBQ Benefit to raise money for their cause. This fundraising event will take place June 22, 2008 - 6PM-9PM- 33 Restaurant & Lounge - 33 Stanhope St. - Boston, MA - 617-572-3311 - Visit http://www.underdogresq.org/ for more information.

This April I will be submitting a donation to The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival that will be holding an event April 12 at the Knights of Colombus in Salem on the Salem Common featuring Ken Clark Trio, The Mystics featuring Bobby Keyes and Los Sugar Kings, live auction, raffles etc. I will (as I did last summer) be a vendor at this years Salem Jazz and Soul Festival held in August at the Salem Willows - Salem, MA. Visit http://www.salemjazzsoul.com/ for more information.

Lastly, I donated a necklace from my "Mermaid Tears of Africa" collection that blends the natural element of African turquoise and recycled element of sea glass. This piece was donated to the South Shore Buddy Walk to raise awareness for down syndrome and inclusion in the classroom. I have a beautiful 2 yr old niece that has down syndrome so I was more than happy to donate to this event - which was a huge success in October of 2007.