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!
When I was in the process of planning my own wedding, we were on a very strict budget as most are. It was then my fiance and myself chose to do the invitations, favors and many other "wedding" items ourselves. This was a huge money saver... but not a time savor. Hand creations take time - but there is more love put into something you make than something you buy. People notice and appreciate this. I was searching and searching for ides for favors... coming up with the same "done-to-death" idea after another. That is when I went rummaging around my storage room... and since we were having an "Ocean" themed wedding... this was perfect. I had collected so much sea glass over the years (because of my jewelry biz) that I decided it would be great to use the glass in favors. I purchased glass bottles of different shapes and sizes and filled them with the shards I had collected. I had to return to the shores many times to collect smaller pieces as well... I had many bottles to fill - about 80 - so that meant many hours of beach combing. I enlisted my family in the hunt... and before I knew it, I had more than enough glass. My guests loved them and they were something they could keep - put on a window, counter, piece of furniture - whatever they chose it was the perfect seaside decoration! Listed below are the materials and simple instructions on creating "Sea Glass in a Bottle" favors for your special day!
You have just created your very own beautiful "Sea Glass in a Bottle" favors that will be timeless keepsakes for all of your wedding guests!
