Saturday, July 26, 2008

Dragon's Den Featured on Tamara's Herbes

Dragon's Den has been featuring lots of EtsyNJ members on her blog, and now she's been featured on Tamara's Herbes website! Check her out: http://www.tamarasherbes.com/DragonsDen.html!

Monday, July 21, 2008

EtsyNJ Gets Team Grant From Etsy!!

EtsyNJ is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a team grant from Etsy!! Etsy even featured us in a Storque article. Here's the highlights:

In the October Issue of Weird NJ magazine, look for an advertisement for the Etsy NJ Team! This location based Team from the Garden State decided to pool together to place an ad in this state-wide publication.


For the rest of the article, click here.

And extra kudos to team members CatRocks, CarolineGrace and TheSpinningHand for having their items featured on the Storque article!

Special thanks to all of the EtsyNJ team members that made this happen espescially AbbieRoad, Hoolyghans and CreationsByDanielle.

Also check out AJK Artistry's blog on the topic: http://ajk-artistry.blogspot.com/2008/07/our-team-is-weird.html

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Featured Artist - Nifty Pear

Who are you? Well, I'm Megan. graphic designer, artist, business owner, working stiff, wife and friend.

What is your Etsy Shop Name/link? Nifty Pear http://niftypear.etsy.com

What tag categories do you specialize in? My two main tags are paper goods and weddings. I design stationery, cards, invitations and fun stuff for showers.


Do you create for children or adults, women or men? I've got something for everyone. My stationery items are for men or women of all varieties, but my bridal stuff is all women. I make personalized invitations, scratch off games and advice cards for showers.



What do you like about Etsy? Oh goodness, what's not to like? It's connected me with some amazing people, is a great way to make an amazing web presence with minimal cost and there's a built-in customer base. It's perfect for starting out a business and learning the ropes. And it grows with your business too.

Where do you find inspiration for your products? For my note cards, I'm inspired by nature. Colors and shapes that I see everywhere around me when I'm outdoors. Nature is the ultimate artist. But for my invitations, it's about relationships. Parties are about people, so I choose imagery that signifies something, or is a common element to the theme of the party.

What do you love about your business? Working on my own terms is my most favorite part of owning a business. Unlike my day job, I'm not at the whim of a struggling corporation. Nifty Pear is all mine and I am responsible for its success or it's failure. I guess that means I like being in control... but I'm not a control freak or anything.

What is your favorite product right now? I love creating things that make someone's event extra special. Custom orders are my favorite and the invites are particularly fun. Also, my Victorian bridal scratch off game is really popular right now.



What makes you unique at Etsy? I offer fully customizable stationery and invitations at an affordable price. All of my papers are 100% recycled and high quality so I'm supporting an eco-friendly economy while being stylish. Customer service is a big deal too. I communicate with my customers, answer
questions quickly and let them know where their order is every step of the way.

What other street teams are you a member of? Etsy Weddings

What are some other sites to find out more about you and what you love to create? I'm on trunkt, indiepublic, mintd, myspace and facebook

I simply love Nify Pear's birth announcement cards and I wish I had seen them a year ago when my son was born!



Her bridal rose pens are a great idea and would find many uses at a bridal shower or wedding.




Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Featured Artist - Copabananas

Who are you? Claire Baker

What is your Etsy Shop Name/link? Copabananas http://www.copabananas.etsy.com

What tag categories do you specialize in? toys, repurposed, bags

Do you create for children or adults, women or men? I'd say kids and adults, women are my main customers.

What do you like about Etsy? I'm a Treasury addict right now, it appeals to the merchandiser in me and I believe it's a fun way to market. I also appreciate the easy listing capability of Etsy.

Where do you find inspiration for your products? I find inspiration in things around me. For example, the gLove Story Dolls are made from gloves that I find while I'm walking around town, my repurposed books are made from file folders and papers from my daughter's notebooks, and the sock monkeys are inspired by the monkey theme of my shop.


What do you love about your business? I've owned my brick and mortar shop in Montclair for 10 years. When I graduated from college as a textiles major back in the 80's, I did craft shows. I eventually burned out on traveling all over the east coast, and always wanted a shop. Finally I realized my dream when I opened Copabananas. In the past year I've rediscovered my love of textiles and my creativity has returned. I love the fact that I can produce my handmade goods while I'm in my shop!

What is your favorite product right now? The Market Bags are my favorite product. I love using the vintage fabric to make them. They have so much character and are really practical!


What makes you unique at Etsy? I think the fact that I have a brick and mortar makes me unique since Etsy is web-based.

What are some other sites to find out more about you and what you love to create?
blog: http://copabananas.typepad.com/copabananas/
website: http://www.copabananas.com/
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/copabananas/

Copabananas has well over 150 items in her shop! Way too many to share all of my favorites, but here are two that I really like.

Pink and red Sock Monkey:


Ice Cream Pillow:



Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Dragon's Den Featured Capital City Crafts!

Etsy NJ member Dragon's Den featured fellow EtsyNJ member Capital City Crafts on her blog! Check out these two great EtsyNJ'ers: http://craftydragon06.blogspot.com/2008/07/capital-city-crafts-review.html