SOTW - Aquariann

Our Etsy Twitter Team Shop of the Week is Aquariann which features the vibrant art of Kristin Cornell who goes by the name, you guessed it, Aquariann! I knew I was in for a treat when I found out she'd named her computer "Nightcrawler"! I chuckled so much at her responses to my interview questions, I am going to present them verbatim. Enjoy!

Who are your products targeted to? Whimsical souls like mine! I draw what I wish and hold tight to the glimmering hope that others will enjoy twirling around my fantasy world as much as I do.

What sets your products apart from the competition? I made an absolute mess with paint and charcoals while taking the obligatory art classes in school. Discovering Prismacolor colored pencils years later was like being handed my very own magic wand. I rarely see other artists using the medium in nearly the same vibrant way.

What advice would you give a new Twitter user? Have fun! Don't just tweet about your own products or you'll only attract spammers. Find other Etsyians with like interests (easiest way is to join a rocking street team like Etsy Twitter) and get to know them. The more you support others, the more likely it is that they'll RT your promotions in return.

If you had $1M and HAD to give away every penny, to whom would you give it and why? I'd donate it to Women Supporting Women, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to provide awareness, education and support to all those who are affected by breast cancer. My mom and my fiance's aunt are both survivors, so the cause is very important to me. Read more about breast cancer awareness on my blog.

Who is your favorite artist and why? Alphonse Mucha. His art nouveau illustrations are ever so pretty. *stare*

Who was the most influential person in teaching you your craft and why. I'm self-taught, so it's hard to pinpoint just one person. There are an incredible amount of artists behind my favorite comic books, animes and cartoons that motivated me to pick up that first pencil to draw fan art.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? Quiet ole me was a cheerleader in middle and high school. :-X

How does your environment or locale influence your work, creativity, or inventory? I live near the ocean so a handful of sea creatures have swam into my works.


Use coupon code "ETSYTWITTER10" to get
10% off in my shop, Aquariann
Expires February 28, 2011
~~~~~~~~~
Etsy Shop: http://www.aquariann.etsy.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/aquariann
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aquariannArt
Blog: http://www.aquariannArt.blogspot.com

Aquariann ships internationally.

Written by Judy of WellspringCreations

"Goin' on VACATION" Team Treasury

Created by WellspringCreations.etsy.com

Handmade For the Holidays- Gifts and Goodies For One of a Kind Celebrations

Ah, the holiday season...chestnuts roasting on an open fire, cocoa frothy with melted marshmallows, the deep woodsy smell of fresh pine, bumper to bumper traffic, crowded shopping malls, endless gift lists...

If the last three things on that list didn't exactly make you think "winter wonderland", the team may have a solution for you this year! We want to help you get a jumpstart on your holidays this week, with some great gift ideas, awesome recipes, and creative ways to wrap gifts that will leave you with more time to sit by the fire (and more money in your pocket!)

While the holidays are now celebrated with both religious and secular traditions, in the early Middle Ages, the calendar was dominated by Christmas-related dates, including the forty days prior to December 25th, known as The Days of St Martin (now Advent).

St Martin's Punch

1 bottle each of cranberry juice, orange juice and mixed berries juice. (Adjust depending on number to serve)
6 Tablespoons of brown sugar.
1/2- 1 teaspoon each of mixed spices, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. ( to taste )
6 - 12 cloves,
1 - 2 lemons,
2-3 oranges sliced thin

Mix the ingredients together, layer thnly sliced fruits on top, heat gently in a pan or crockpot and serve.

Feasts, too, were a part of the celebration, featuring roasted ducks and meats, vegetables, and dressings, such as this tasty chestnut stuffing, from Jusshar:

CHESTNUT DRESSING

4 c. coarse bread crumbs
3 c. boiled chestnuts (broken up)
3 tbsp. butter
1/2 lb. sausage meat
2 med. diced onions
1 c. celery, cut fine
Salt and pepper to taste
Poultry seasoning
Hot water

Melt butter and cook onions 5 minutes. Add sausage meat and cook 5 minutes more. Mix bread, celery, chestnut pieces. Combine and moisten. Stuff turkey or chicken with dressing or cook in baking dish.

NOTE: I always find that I have to buy more chestnuts than I need because I always have a problem with moldy chestnuts. However, if you can get them frozen, you won't have this problem.

and breads such as this one, from pinswithfury

Banana Bread

1 3/4 cup flour

2 t baking powder

1/4 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

1/3 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

3 eggs

1 cup mashed bananas (usually 3 - 4)

Mix butter and sugar together, add eggs, then bananas. Mix all dry ingredients together, then add gradually to banana mixture. Usually makes more than one loaf. Bake at 375 degree for 30 minutes, or until it springs back on top and is light brown.

For a slightly carmelized effect, sprinkle top of loaf with brown sugar halfway thru the baking process. Try serving with honey butter, or make mini loaves to give as gifts!

The Puritans of later times disapproved so much of the revelry and lavish dinners of Christmas celebrations in England that when they arrived in the New World, they went so far as to outlaw Christmas in Boston from 1659 to 1681!

Fortunately for all of us, the disapproval of holiday celebrations gradually disappeared, although the season as we now know it came into being in the later 1800s. In 1850, Godey's Lady's Book, republished an engraving of the British Royal family gathered around a decorated evergreen, (after Americanizing the scene by removing Queen Victoria's Crown, and Princh Albert's mustache!), introducing the idea to women all across America. By 1870, the tradition had taken root, with gifts packaged beneath tree.

So here are some unique, handmade items you can put under the tree just for Her, whether she loves a touch of luxury, or a little casual fun!

You can really give her your heart with this glowing felted bowl from HandmadebySandi :










http://handmadebysandi.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/sandists
http://www.facebook.com/craftysandi
All of my crocheted items can be made in other colors - just convo me with your request!

Wrap HER up, instead of presents, with knits both festive and fun, like this royal purple beauty from FoxyGKnits :











http://foxygknits.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/foxygknits
http://facebook.com/foxygknits

Or Jusshar's custom made, handknit Shrug:











http://jusshar.etsy.com/

Once you're got it all wrapped up, give her a gift she can carry it all in, with a great tote like this one, from pinswithfury :











http://pinswithfury.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/pinswithfury
http://facebook.com/pinswithfury
20% off store purchases with mention of the Etsy Twitter Team Trunk Show!

And finally, whether you're shopping for a woman who loves glitter and sparkle, going "green" or whimsical, you can give her an ornament she'll cherish all year long:









http://smutopia.etsy.com/
Blog: http://smutopia.blogspot.com/
http://facebook.com/smutopia
Free Shipping during the Trunk Show Event on Nov 12- Enter code ETTTRUNKSHOW at checkout.

http://threepeats.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/threepeats

http://acageybee.etsy.com/
All orders during the Trunk Show on 11/12 will receive a free surprise gift tucked into their package. Custom requests are always welcome!

http://mysassyglass.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/Mysassyglass
http://www.facebook.com/MySassyGlass
Free shipping on any order purchased between 11/10 and 11/15 over $20.00. Refunds will be made through pay pal.

http://joslinjewels.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/JoslinJewels
http://facebook.com/JoslinJewels
Free worldwide shipping, 11/12 - 11/15/09. Shipping refunded via paypal.

http://reneesuich.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/1953rcs
“Free Shipping in the U.S.” on this one-of-a-kind handcrafted piece.
**Ships in a Gift Box**










http://imwithsully.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/imwithsully
http://www.imwithsully.com/blog

http://firebirdhouse.etsy.com/
http://twitter.com/firebirdhouse
http://www.facebook.com/firebirdhousedesigns
11/10 - 11/15 Take 15% off all hair accessories. Enter Code TRUNK at checkout and refund will be issued via Paypal.

Our awesome graphic was created by Susan Brown of SalonDArte.etsy.com

Team Treasuries

Created by PunkyJane.etsy.com
Expires August 17th

Created by KaedanKrafts.etsy.com
Expires August 17th

Team Treasuries

Leave comments and then click on each item so we move up in the Hot rankings! Thank you!

Created by VerreDesign.etsy.com
Expires June 30th

Created by BeadsofGlass.etsy.com
Expires June 29th

Created by BeadsofGlass.etsy.com
Expires June 29th

Team Treasuries

Created by PunkyJane.etsy.com
Expires June 27th

Created by InMyHeadStudios.etsy.com
Expires June 28th

Created by JoslinJewels.etsy.com
Expires June 28th

Created by Jusshar.etsy.com
Expires June 28th
Features Eco-Friendly items to promote our upcoming "Go Green with the Etsy Twitter Team" event on July 21-27

Team Treasuries

This Treasury was created by Jenco13.etsy.com and features shops from our team who have had less than 15 sales.
Go give it some clickety click love and check out these great shops!
(Treasury expires May 30th.)

Created by InMyHeadStudios.etsy.com!
Expires May 30th.

Sidewalk Sale Treasury

Jenco13 created this wonderful Treasury to promote our upcoming Sidewalk Sale. Go take a look at the shops in the Treasury to get a sneak peek of what you will find during the Sidewalk Sale! Keep checking back to the Treasury as she intends to switch out spots so all the participating shops can be featured.

Shop of the Week: Tamara Garvey

A sense of humor is something we all could use more of these days and this week’s Shop of the Week delivers! Tamara Garvey, of TamaraGarvey.etsy.com, has some really cute and beautiful illustrations. Her style is quirky and fun! For example, the drawing pictured above, "Burglars and Russian Nesting Dolls", actually made me laugh out loud.

“I draw fun, whimsical, pen-and-ink scenes, usually involving at least one animal and/or tree, as these are my favorite things to study and draw! I sell them as prints in different sizes, including ACEOs, as well as note card sets.

I'm really inspired by the classic pen-and-ink artists Edward Gorey and Aubrey Beardsley. My drawings are made with care in my cute home studio, usually with my dog snoozing on the floor nearby. I'm saving up for a large-format printer of my own so that I can have complete control over my prints (that sounds diabolical! mua ha ha), but in the meantime I have them done at a print shop nearby that does an awesome job. My prints have great color and are printed on nice quality card stock.

My drawings are inspired by my walk to work through Savannah, Georgia's squares, magazines, other artists/crafters on Etsy, color combinations of a stranger's outfit, tattoos, particularly cute dogs at the dog park...anything really!”

Tamara has a degree in Illustration from Savannah College of Art and Design and a B.S. in Biology from Mary Washington College. Her biology background comes through in her piece titled “Enchantment under the Sea” – it’s like looking into a microscope and seeing all sorts of neat little creatures swimming around in the pond water.

When asked about her Twittering: “It took me a while to get used to Twitter, but now I am really into it! I try hard to maintain a mix of promotional (whether self- or other-) tweets with replies or random thoughts, to keep a personal touch to things. I love keeping in touch with my Etsy team members, seeing what they're creating, and what's new with them. I have made some great connections with other artists and crafters especially. One girl in particular, a freelance illustrator, has pretty much become my mentor as I develop my own illustration career! I think it is amazing that a new site can have such an effect.”

She ships everywhere and all her illustrations are shipped wrapped in a waterproof cellophane sleeve, sandwiched between pieces of thick, non-bending cardboard.

Follow her on her blog and on Twitter!

Special for the Week: Put “EtsyTwitter” into the “Messages for the Seller” box and await a revised invoice with a 15% discount off any of her items! (If you forget, just send her a convo.)

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade tamaragarvey.etsy.com

Team Treasuries

Click and comment on this lovely Team Treasury by HuayruroPeru.etsy.com before it expires on April 10th!!

These expire on April 11th!!

by Threepeats.etsy.com

by YarnCoture.etsy.com

Shop of the Week: Curious Mess

I, for one, would not call Starla Petersen’s Etsy shop, CuriousMess.etsy.com, a mess at all. It’s a shop filled with curiously wonderful items! And the item photography is delicious to boot.

“When I first opened my shop, I was only making the wood paintings. But as things have progressed, I've begun to work my love of fabric into it as well, with the newest items being fabric bowls and fabric brooches/pendants. I love fun and whimsical.”

And it shows in her work. Her fabric bowls are stunning in their design and detail. You can really see the fine craftsmanship in her new line of embroidered brooches, too.

“Everything you see in my shop, I truly enjoyed making. It makes me so happy to be able to express myself creatively, and I hope that comes through in my artwork. I want my work to make people smile.”

What inspires her to create? “The whole entire process inspires me. From start to finish... sketching out ideas... playing around with fabric... picking colors. My absolute favorite part of it all is that first spark of a new idea or design. I get giddy. Unfortunately, my ideas usually come to me as I'm lying in bed about to doze off. It's very hard to get to sleep once I've got a new idea bouncing around in my head.”

When asked about her Twitter habits: “I like to make sure I keep my Twittering fresh. I want people to see not only the shop updates and the things I create, but get a good glimpse of my personality as well. You want to be memorable in a good way. Reply to what others are saying. Make connections. Yes, I just added a new bowl to the shop. But I also LOVE 80's movies!”

Free shipping worldwide April 6th - 12th. Just mention “EtsyTwitter” in your message to seller and shipping will be refunded.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade curiousmess.etsy.com

All photos © Curious Mess/Starla Peterson

Shop of the Week: Jewel Craft Designs

Sharlyn Lauby, of Jewel Craft Designs, creates jewelry – necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. She particularly enjoys working with crystals. Her designs are very unique and incorporate different mediums in each piece.

From Sharlyn’s profile on Etsy: “Sharlyn Lauby has been involved in the art world for over 20 years. She began her craft as a commercial artist, producing limited-edition serigraphs, etchings, and paper sculptures. The work was a lot of fun but incredibly messy (‘I always smelled like paint thinner!’)

Already recognized as a human resources expert, Sharlyn started Jewel Craft Designs to combine her love of art with her entrepreneurial spirit.

Sharlyn is a self-taught jewelry maker. Working out of her home studio, Sharlyn’s jewelry making is all about having fun and making other people happy with her works. Her jewelry and gifts are designed for everyday wear and enjoyment.”

I am into using many different media in my own work so Jewel Craft Designs’ work speaks to me. It’s not easy to pull the varied elements together all the time and Sharlyn does it quite well.

Check out her shop! What speaks to you?

She writes about Human Resources on her blog: The HR Bartender.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade jewelcraftdesigns.etsy.com

Shop of the Week: Impawsible To Resist

Impawsible To Resist is a collective comprised of Maureen Blakeley, her sister and her daughter, all three crafting together. Sound like fun! They make and sell arm warmers (fingerless mittens), socks, socks for diabetics, doll clothes for 11 1/2 inch fashion dolls, and ACEOs. I like the variety they have in their shop.

“My sister does the knitting and she designs all her doll clothes. Each set is unique. She makes knickers for the ladies and I've just talked her into doing boxers for the guys. I love painting, drawing, and especially doing pet portraits as my eyes permit. I've put up ACEO prints from many of my art pieces. We're adding greeting cards and gift sets this spring.”
When asked about her products, Maureen says, “The three of us, my daughter, sister and I enjoy what we do. Every item we sell is imbued with positive Reiki energy. If we didn't love what we do, we wouldn't do it. Each item is the very best we can make it and we are continuously striving to learn ways to do it better. We actually sit and dress the dolls up to see how the costumes fit and look on the 'live' model.”

Impawsible To Resist is based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. They ship internationally.

SPECIAL for this week only: All ACEOs are $1.00 off for the week. Buyers should send a message to Impawsible To Resist to have the coupon applied.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade ImpawsibleToResist.etsy.com

Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Part 3

Welcome to Part 3 of our Valentine's Day Gift Guide from the Etsy Twitter Team!

And Then
This kit contains materials to create 3 beautiful Valentine hearts! When the sun shines through, they look just like stained glass!


Wayside Violet
This lovely pink coffee cup cozy is hand knit with a gorgeous cable stitch. An eco-friendly alternative to disposable paper sleeves.


Firebird House
Glass gems are paired with vintage images to create a one of a kind link bracelet sure to let anyone know how much you love them!


Aquarian Bath
This is a beautiful and lovely soap scented with Rose Geranium, Camphor and Menthol. The lather is light and fluffy and it will leave you feeling clean and cool after using it.


Emmakat
Simple Valentine's Day card in Red, Gold and White. Eight groups of Gold hearts have been printed onto the card using a Gocco printer.


SafiyaBeauty
A delicious combination of chocolate therapy and aromatherapy. Creamy cocoa butter mixed with vanilla extracts form a rich and ultra moisturizing butter.


Applied With Love
Stunning pink papers overlapping one another, with hints of sparkle surrounding the heart makes this frame a true beauty! Genuine Swarovski crystal rhinestones are carefully placed atop the finest papers; all consisting of different textures and prints, yet all pink and sweet~


Jessica Doyle
This is a set of 8 handmade mini heart themed greeting cards made by me. They are so cute and are perfect for Valentine's Day!


Tanya Nichols
This is for those of you who have locked your heart safely away.


Free Forged
These earrings are the romantic side of my Molecular series. I carefully form delicate sterling silver wire into hearts and then solder them each to two smaller circles - forming a molecule of love.


Lorem & Ipsum
The cyclops is made with yarn, felt, and stuffed with polyfil. The "M" can be replaced by any letter of your choice.


Falling Leaf Designs
A 17 inch red silk choker, that can be adjusted to 19 inches, from which a glitzy 1.75 inch wide by 1.5 inch tall 3 dimensional heart woven from dozens of 6mm Swarovski crystals.


Misses Kwitty's
What a sweet old-fashioned gift for your sweety this Valentine's Day, or any day you just want to say "I Cherish You".

Natalie Callwood's Ceramics

Rustic design travel mugs - they all come with lids and are made to order with in a week . The mugs are all hand painted by me with a low fire glaze.
They're great for on the go coffee, tea , or soup.


Sumiko Shop
This candid necklace features a gold heart pendant with rose cabochon made of polymer clay, gold chain, glass pearl, rose beads made of polymer clay, and red bow.


Ela Steel
"The Lovers" is a pair of pendants created from the unusual artwork of Ela Steel.


By Light Of Moon
Each Special Hat has a magnet back and is embellished with ribbons and flowers and/or beads as the photo shows, and comes with a Special Gift Card with a nice Saying and the words ~ "SO ...... HATS OFF TO TO YOU!"


Part One of the Gift Guide
Part Two of the Gift Guide