The Friends of Joey Benefit Challenge!

The Etsy NJ street team is proud to announce that we will be making and donating prizes to a great cause this April: The Friends of Joey Foundation’s annual benefit.

The Friends of Joey Foundation was created in 1999 in memory of Joey Reiser. On October 13, 1998, Joey lost a yearlong battle with cancer. He died just ten days before his twelfth birthday.

The Friends of Joey Foundation proudly supports families of children with cancer, cancer research, a college scholarship & the Joey Reiser Playground.

Our team decided that participating members would each make a little something special that we would then combine into an extraordinary handmade gifts basket which we'd donate to the foundation's yearly benefit: a beef and beer which includes a Chinese auction, held at the end of April in Southern New Jersey.

The goal is to create prizes for donation that are of a particular color scheme so that the basket looks UBER appealing, and how couldn’t it, with so many talented handmade goodies inside? The color scheme decided on by the team is called “Spring Now!”


Team members will try to create items that resemble color(s) from this scheme in order to create an aesthetic harmony in the finished gift basket.

About 18 EtsyNJ members have said they'd like to contribute to this cause. A list of official contributing members will be up shortly.

Please check back to see how donations are coming along, and of course, to view the finished project!

-- NJ Street Team members who would like to volunteer should email Kate for information on where to send your donations, the donation deadline, and other important information: kate {at} kateseyeview.com. Please include “FOJ Challenge” in the subject line of your email. --

Featured Artist - *Sparkletree*

Who are you? Christina

What is your Etsy Shop Name/link?
My shop is called Sparkletree and the URL is http://mySparkletree.etsy.com

What tag categories do you specialize in?
I started out making jewelry, but have been on a major crocheting kick
for several months now. I literally cannot go a single day without
crocheting. It's my zen.


Do you create for children or adults, women or men?
Most of my stuff is for females - adults or children. I just started
making some pillows which will make great baby gifts! I'm hoping to do
some boys/ mens items in the future... I just haven't thought that far
ahead yet ;)


What do you like about Etsy?
Etsy is EASY! I like anything that makes my life simpler. It's also a
great way to connect with like-minded people!

Where do you find inspiration for your products?
I'm sort of a compulsive shopper. I'm always out in the stores
scouring for looks that I like and dislike. Then, I go home and do my
own take on colors and shapes that had an impact on me creatively.

What do you love about your business?
It saves me lots of money on therapy.

What is your favorite product right now?
I'm really digging my pocketbook line. I'm so happy with how they came
out... especially since most of them aren't really planned. I just
start crocheting and see where they take me. It's exciting to be a
part of creativity unfolding.



What makes you unique at Etsy?
Since I usually do not work from a pattern, my items are generally
one-of-a-kind. Also, I often use inspiration or actual items from my
own life to embellish my work. For instance, the fabric on the
"Beverly" pocketbook is from my favorite shirt, which I shrunk in the
wash. (I've since bought a replacement!)

Featured Artist - MeliGiselle's Fine Arts

Who are you? Melissa of High Bridge, NJ

What is your Etsy Shop Name/link?MeliGiselle at http://FineArts827.etsy.com

What tag categories do you specialize in? My main specialty is portrait painting of people, pets, and people and pets together

Do you create for children or adults, women or men? I try to create something for everyone of all ages

What do you like about Etsy? What I like about Etsy is the fact that there is interaction with the other sellers and even the buyers. We can communicate and learn from each other and best of all shop from each other. The listing rates are great and for the most part the site is easy to navigate through. The hard work is done for you, you just fill in the blanks.

Where do you find inspiration for your products? My inspiration comes from anything and everything honestly. I try to think of things that I like to wear or use and then try to make them different. My ideas also come from ways to utilize materials I already have so they don't go to waste or collect dust.

What do you love about your business? What I love about my business is the fact that I can do it anytime, anywhere, when ever I want. I also love the fact that I can interact with my customers on a one on one level to ensure then are satisfy and enjoy their purchase.

What is your favorite product right now? I think my favorite product would have to be my portraits, bc they have such life to them and individuality.




What makes you unique at Etsy? I think what makes me unique to Etsy is that I really want to be more of a custom order business. I like my focus to be making a personal moment of yours become a work of art.

I love Melissa's Puppy face painting:


Melissa also makes jewelry and accessories. If you are interested in a custom portrait visit Melissa's shop for details!