♥ Love is (Still) in the Air! ♥

With Valentine's Day on the 14th and the entire month being National Wedding Month, love is definitely in the air this month.

The ETC team was challenged to focus on all this love around them and create gifts and expressions of love.

We have a total of 25 entries this month submitted by 18 of our members, and the top 6 entries will be receiving prizes based on YOUR votes! So, please click HERE to see the amazing entries and vote for your favorite creation. And click HERE to join our Etsy forum thread supporting this project.

Voting will be open at 12:01am Monday, 2/22, and will close at midnight Wednesday, 2/24, with winners and their prizes being announced on Thursday. You may only select one entry, and only one vote may be cast per IP Address.

Thanks for supporting this project and all our team members who are participating by either entering or donating prizes for the winners!!!

Hot Shop of the Week!

Congratulations to Liz from LavenderLizard -- she has been selected as our Hot Shop of the Week! So sit back, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of iced tea, and enjoy Liz's interview and a few of her lovely creations.

Who is LavenderLizard?
Hi, I’m Liz, wife to a yarn-tolerant husband, mother of four handsome sons, and as the only female in our house, I am hopelessly outnumbered (even our two cats are boys)! I live in San Antonio, but I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the Dallas area and Austin/Round Rock as well. The Lavender Lizard is my primary Etsy shop for eco-friendly crocheted items like market bags and kitchen and bath scrubbies. I opened it in the summer of 2007.


Do you have any other shops on Etsy? If so, please tell us a bit about them as well.
My second Etsy shop is the Lavender Ladybug. I opened it in order to “clean up” my primary shop by moving my handmade embellishments there. Also I often list commercial craft items as well. A third shop is in the works (TaxiDermia), but as of yet, it remains empty. Stay tuned though…


Where else can you be found around the internet (blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc)?
I blog when I can manage to find some time. I usually blog about projects in the works and what’s going on with my boys. I’m also on Twitter and Facebook.


What do you create and how long have you been doing it?
Right now I primarily crochet, although I also cross-stitch and embroider and have dabbled in other craft mediums as well. I learned how to crochet when I was about 7 or 8, so I have tons of experience! My favorite things to create are beautiful and useful items – scarves, market bags, scrubbies and towels. My head is full of design possibilities. The hardest thing is finding the time to make everything that I would like to.


Where do you find your inspiration?
Usually my inspiration comes from either a particular color or fiber or a need. For instance, I needed a quick gift about a month ago so within a couple of days, I made a soft and lightweight scarf in this person’s favorite color. It was a simple pattern and worked up quickly, and now it’s being enjoyed by the recipient who lives in Germany. Also, one of my goals this year is to have a pattern published, so in that regard, I’m now being inspired by the submission guidelines and design themes for one of my favorite crochet magazines.


What is your favorite medium?
My favorite medium?? Yarn, of course! I especially love natural fibers like cotton and bamboo.


Is selling on Etsy your full time job, or just a side project?
Etsy feels like a full-time job that pays like an internship, which is to say, not much. I have slowed down quite a bit on Etsy, because the time commitment is huge. I sure wish Etsy had been around before I had children (lol), but I am happy to have the access of an international marketplace! I have sold items to buyers around the world, and there’s nothing cooler than that!


What is your favorite thing to do with the Etsy Texas Crafters team?
I love the monthly Design Challenges. I usually think and think about what to create for the themes; sometimes I think too much and run out of time. I also must say that I like to create the team treasuries (55 and counting). I love the challenge of creating a cohesive look or theme from 12 shops, and it’s also a challenge to grab a treasury spot as well!.


Any tips for other Artists / Crafters?
Create what you love! If you’re not enjoying the process, then there’s something wrong.


Tell me a Secret about yourself.
I’m going to be in a crafting book! (More details on that to come!) Oh, and I had typhoid fever. Twice.


Thank you, Liz, for such a wonderful interview! We love getting to know our team members better (especially members of our Leadership Team) and checking out their amazing creations!

If you would like to be considered for next week's Hot Shop of the Week, simply go to LavenderLizard or LavenderLadybug and pick out your favorite item. Post back here with the link to the item & why it was your favorite -- and don't forget to post your shop name as well! And if you have more than one favorite item, it is perfectly fine to post multiple times, as long as you post all the requested information each time. Then, I'll use a random number generator to pick a new Hot Shop for next week from everyone who has commented on this post by midnight on Thursday, Feb 25th, and will post the next interview on Sunday, Feb 28th.

NOTES:

>> EVERYONE is welcome to comment on this article, but only ETC members will be eligible for selection as a Hot Shop. Thanks for understanding!

>> Comments by ETC members that do not include the requested information (link to favorite item, why it's your favorite, and your shop name), will not be eligible for selection.

>> Shops that have already been featured as Hot Shops will not be featured again unless the only members who post comments have all already been featured.

Team Spotlight Treasury

Liz, of LavenderLizard, is our team Spotlight Treasury curator, and creates Treasuries on Etsy featuring members of the ETC team. She works through our membership list, choosing members alphabetically . . . eventually, everyone gets featured!

Members featured in this Treasury pictured above are: HandPaintedPetals, HappyBuddha, HaveArt, HeavenlySentiments, HelloPrints, HilaryD4790, HilJohn, hmd231975, hondamom, HopScotchAustin, HossLass, and HotDogCrafts.

Thanks, Liz, for creating such a wonderful Treasury for us (again!). Folks have until 1:29pm Wednesday, 2/17, (Eastern / Etsy time) to stop by this Treasury, click on each item and leave a comment, if possible. You need to be signed in for your clicks to count and to be able to leave a comment. If there is no more room for comments, please check back, because Liz will delete some comments in order to allow for more.

Hot Shop of the Week!

Congratulations to Cathy from EDCCollective -- she has been selected as our Hot Shop of the Week! So sit back, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of iced tea, and enjoy Cathy's interview and a few of her lovely creations.


Who is EDCCollective?
I’m Cathy of EDCCollective. This shop started out as a collaboration between my Mom and me. Sadly, she passed away last November, so it is just me right now. My brother has expressed some interest in joining in, so stay tuned. At EDCCollective, you will find my original photographic art as prints, note cards and bookmarks. In addition, I handcraft jewelry (necklaces, earrings and gathering pins), feather pendants and hair accessories (many with a Native American feel) and wood home décor items (using recycled tree parts).


Do you have any other shops on Etsy? If so, please tell us a bit about them as well.
My second shop, EclecticSkeptic, is home to my whimsical flying pig items. You will find earrings, necklaces, pins, keychains, zipper pulls, bookmarks and note cards.


Where else can you be found around the internet (blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc)?
I have a blog, Eclectic Design Choices - Designs for Your Life, that I try to post an article on weekly. I include features about custom projects, gardening tips, new products and more. I post photos to my Flickr page and have had a few accepted by CraftGawker. I have fleshed out my page on ETC’s ning site, and I have the beginnings of a web site.


What do you create and how long have you been doing it?
I’m tempted to say that I create anything I put my mind to. (Did you get a hint of that when you read the variety of things that I have for sale at EDCCollective?) There are many more things that I would love to find the time to learn and do as well. My dad was a designer and my mom was artistic and crafty as well. I can’t remember ever not drawing, painting or crafting. (I still have a pile of artwork that my parents kept from when I was really young as well as a couple of my paintings from high school hanging in my house.)


Where do you find your inspiration?
I find that I am inspired by a challenge. I consider myself a problem solver. So if someone asks if I can make such and such, if it sounds interesting, I’m off to figure out how to do it. It is so rewarding to produce something for someone that fills their need and that they love. I am also inspired by the beauty found in nature.


What is your favorite medium?
I think right now, my favorite is my photographic art. I enjoy taking a good photo as well as taking an original photograph to the next level by manipulating it digitally. I really enjoyed drawing and painting in high school and this seems very similar to me. Of course, my favorite medium is subject to change, I also love pretty woods and turning out custom pieces of jewelry.


Is selling on Etsy your full time job, or just a side project?
Selling on Etsy is the most time consuming part time work I have ever had. In addition to crafting and selling on Etsy, I tutor math and science, and I’m a Garden Coach.

What is your favorite thing to do with the Etsy Texas Crafters team?
I enjoy the challenges the best. I don’t always come up with something to submit for some of the themes, but I always enjoy seeing what everyone comes up with. And, it was so exciting, I placed for the first time in the January challenge.


Any tips for other Artists / Crafters?
Have a good time with what you do. Pace yourself so that you don’t get burned out like so many skaters, swimmers, etc, that don’t have a life outside of their sport. Take time for your family and to stop and smell the roses, too.


Tell me a Secret about yourself.
I graduated from college many years ago with a Bachelor of Science in Physics.


Thank you, Cathy, for such a wonderful interview! We love getting to know our team members better and checking out their amazing creations!

If you would like to be considered for next week's Hot Shop of the Week, simply go to EDCCollective or EclecticSkeptic and pick out your favorite item. Post back here with the link to the item & why it was your favorite -- and don't forget to post your shop name as well! And if you have more than one favorite item, it is perfectly fine to post multiple times, as long as you post all the requested information each time. Then, I'll use a random number generator to pick a new Hot Shop for next week from everyone who has commented on this post by midnight on Wednesday, Feb 10th, and will post the next interview on Sunday, Feb 14th.

NOTES:

>> EVERYONE is welcome to comment on this article, but only ETC members will be eligible for selection as a Hot Shop. Thanks for understanding!

>> Comments by ETC members that do not include the requested information (link to favorite item, why it's your favorite, and your shop name), will not be eligible for selection.

Hot Shop of the Week!

Congratulations to Lindsey from Mint2Sew -- she has been selected as our Hot Shop of the Week! So sit back, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of iced tea, and enjoy Lindsey's interview and a few of her lovely creations.


Who is Mint2Sew?
Hi! I am Lindsey. I am 27 years old (this week!) and have been married for 3 years, no kids yet but hopefully soon. We have one puppy (80lb terror) who is plenty of trouble. I love to create pretty much anything, and crafting gets me giddy. :) When I am not crafting, I work part time, serve at my church, read, explore, and hang out with my husband and friends. My favorite colors are blue and green, but purple and turquoise are starting to creep up there. My favorite food is grilled cheese!


Do you have any other shops on Etsy? If so, please tell us a bit about them as well.
I don't have any other shops on Etsy. I am relatively new to Etsy as of 2 months, but maybe one day.

Where else can you be found around the internet (blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc)?
Mint2Sew is on Twitter and Facebook. I also have a blog.


What do you create and how long have you been doing it?
Growing up, I watched my mom sew for many years, but just in the last year and a half have I started sewing myself. I started by creating purses and bags and have expanded to baby items and accessories. I am starting to try my hand at clothes sewing and am actually working on a dress this week, so we'll see how that turns out!


Where do you find your inspiration?
I really like to make things that people can use everyday, that can make life simpler, but still be stylish, cute, and fun. I take from the everyday item and see how I can give it color or pattern. I really like funky prints.


What is your favorite medium?
Lately I have really been enjoying finding ways to use rick rack. I seem to recall it was a big thing back in the day (even before my day) and is now making a comeback in the crafting world. I have also just recently discovered elastic thread and am trying to find fun ways to use it!

Is selling on Etsy your full time job, or just a side project?
As of right now, Mint2Sew is just a side project, but one day I would like for crafting to be my full time job.


What is your favorite thing to do with the Etsy Texas Crafters team?
Right now, I love browsing the blog and getting to know more about everyone else in Etsy Texas Crafters. But I am also looking ahead at the Gift Swaps and excited to participate in one!

Any tips for other Artists / Crafters?
Gosh.... Well I wish someone had told me, "Don't let the excitement take over because once you start, you can't undo!" Sometimes I am excited to get moving on something before I have completely gathered everything I need, or I have already made a cutting mistake! :D I keep learning though!


Tell me a Secret about yourself.
I secretly read PostSecret :)


Thank you, Lindsey, for such a great interview! We love getting to know our team members better, especially our newer ones, and checking out their wonderful creations!

If you would like to be considered for next week's Hot Shop of the Week, simply go to Mint2Sew and pick out your favorite item. Post back here with the link to the item & why it was your favorite -- and don't forget to post your shop name as well! And if you have more than one favorite item, it is perfectly fine to post multiple times, as long as you post all the requested information each time. Then, I'll use a random number generator to pick a new Hot Shop for next week from everyone who has commented on this post by midnight on Wednesday, Feb 3rd, and will post the next interview on Sunday, Feb 7th.

NOTES:

>> EVERYONE is welcome to comment on this article, but only ETC members will be eligible for selection as a Hot Shop. Thanks for understanding!

>> Comments by ETC members that do not include the requested information (link to favorite item, why it's your favorite, and your shop name), will not be eligible for selection.

Another Team Treasury!

More Pink & Red, as well as a Monkey and Some Cookies!

Liz, of LavenderLizard, is our team Spotlight Treasury curator, and creates Treasuries on Etsy featuring members of the ETC team. She works through our membership list, choosing members alphabetically . . . eventually, everyone gets featured!

Members featured in the Treasury pictured above are: GotchaCoveredQuilts, GrandmaMarilyns, GrandmaMarilynsToo, GreenEyezDesignz, GreerDesign, GrievousAngelDesigns, GrumblebeeDesigns, GypsyHarte, HalfStitched, HandmadeWhimzy, HardierLime, and HBeliveaux.

Thanks, Liz, for creating such a wonderful Treasury for us (again!). Folks have until 7:18am Sunday, 1/31, (Eastern / Etsy time) to stop by this Treasury, click on each item and leave a comment, if possible. You need to be signed in for your clicks to count and to be able to leave a comment. If there is no more room for comments, please check back, because Liz will delete some comments in order to allow for more.

Winners, Prizes, & Gifts!!!

What a great day this is turning out to be!!!

Winter's Wonders 1st Place Winner
A Winter Wonderland FavorCake

First, the winners have been announced and ribbons awarded for our Winter's Wonders Design Challenge! To see the list of winners and their prizes, just click HERE.

Second, it's time to start signing up for February's Gift Swaps! This month's themes are Orange You Glad It's Almost Spring (all gifts must use orange as their primary color) and Baby Presents. Sign-ups must be posted no later than Monday, Feb 8th! (Gift Swaps are only open to ETC team members.)

Finally, after a month off, we are holding our First Monday Sales Event again in February! Look for more information on this event to be posted to our blog on Sunday night, Jan 31st.

New Team Spotlight Treasury

Pink & Red, Hearts & Flowers....all from the Lone Star State!

Click on photo to go to Treasury

Liz, of LavenderLizard, is our team Spotlight Treasury curator, and creates Treasuries on Etsy featuring members of the ETC team. She works through our membership list, choosing members alphabetically....eventually, everyone gets featured!

Members featured in the Treasury pictured above are: Gabeadz, GabsBags, GailsCrafts, GemmaJoy, GinaPina, GingerBabies, GlassMouse13, GlassNWood, GlimmeringGems, GlitzGlitter, GoAgainstTheGrain, and GoatGoatSheep.

Thanks, Liz, for creating such a wonderful Treasury for us (again!), and I'm sorry for not getting this posted to our blog sooner. Folks have until 7:49pm tonight (Eastern / Etsy time) to check out this Treasury -- be sure to sign in and then click on each of the items and leave a comment!

Tuesday Tutorial - T-Shirt Scarves

This week's tutorial comes to us from ThreadBanger.com, in which special guest Megan Nicolay, from Generation-T, demonstrates three ways to turn an old T-shirt into a stylish winter scarf with minimal or no sewing required.

Have a favorite online tutorial you'd like to share? Post the link in a comment and it could appear in a future ETC Tuesday Tutorial!

Winter's Wonders

Time for another Design Challenge! Our members have been working on their entries for this Challenge for the past two months, and they were given the following questions to inspire their creations for this Challenge:

What makes Winter wondrous to you? Is it the holidays that occur during this time of year? Or perhaps the miracle of snow in Texas? How about it finally getting cold enough to wear those scarves, gloves, & hats you love so much? Maybe long hot baths with your favorite handmade soap or bubblebath, or slathering on your favorite handmade lotion or body butter to fight off Winter's drying effects on your skin? There are so many possibilities!!!

We have a total of 40 entries this month (woohoo!!!), and will be giving away at least 6 prizes! So, please click HERE to see the amazing entries and vote for your favorite creation. And click HERE to join our Etsy forum thread supporting this project.

Voting will be open at 12:01am Monday, 1/25, and will close at midnight Wednesday, 1/27, with winners and their prizes being announced on Thursday. You may only select one entry, and only one vote may be cast per IP Address.

Thanks for supporting this project and all our team members who are participating by either entering or donating prizes for the winners!!!