Featured Artist - Raspberry Crochet

Who are you? Christine Lowe

What is your Etsy Shop Name/link? RaspberryCrochet - http://raspberrycrochet.etsy.com



How did you come up with your shop name? After going through and discarding many names, I heard the song “Raspberry Beret” by Prince on the radio and that made the decision for me.

What do you create? Do you create for children or adults, women or men? I create scarves and hats for now for men, women and children. Soon, I plan on creating afghans.



Where do you find inspiration for your products? My inspiration is color and texture. I love the bulky and super bulky yarns for their “heft” and their feel. The medium weight yarns also offer lots of variety in color and patterns that encourage me to create. I see colors that I like and want to put together and eventually it becomes a scarf or a hat!

What do you love about your business? I love the fact that I can take a project anywhere.




What are some other sites to find out more about you and what you love to create?
Twitter: http://twitter.com/christine_lw
Personal Website: http://black-domestic-goddess.com
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/neosoulmama/sets/72157622863146352/
Facebook Fan Page: http://facebook.com/raspberrycrochet

Black & White

Great black and white finds from the EtsyNJ street team. It was really hard to choose just 12 of the 136 great items, please click here to see all of them!


1. 4x6 Black and White Piano Print by CrimsonRoses 2. Knotted Black and White Necklace by sincerelybeaded 3. Trees 3 Black and White by la97



4. Joelle Earrings with White Lace and Black Roses by PoshAdornments 5. lou-lou evening clutch in black with white flowers by loveamarie 6. Black and white birth announcement by Bellezaeluce



7. Note Cards - Custom Personalized - Black and White by happyhoundcreative 8. Vegan Black and White Cookies by asacco9642 9. Antique moon old fashioned black and white burlesque art 5 x 7 matte print repro by sarada



10. Hawaiian Paradise Necklace by Azaiez 11. The Night Sky knit scarf by Happiknits 12. Pebbles and Bamm Bamm's Home Collection, Set of 3, 4x6 Fine Art Photographs by briefmoments

Fashion Week Nominees for the Etsy Voter

Esty.com hosts weekly voter polls and ask the Etsy Community to nominate items based on a particular theme. Etsy Admin MaryMary is asking for nominees that fit into the Fashion Week theme. Here's her post in the forums:

In honor of NY Fashion Week, we'd especially love to see fashion oriented items from clothing to accessories, shoes, bags, and more keeping in mind both men and women (sellers are allowed to nominate one of their own items.)

The nomination thread will be closed today February 9, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. ET. The vote will start Friday February 12, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. ET and close Thursday February 18, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Top picks will be featured on the homepage Friday February 19, 2010.

There are quite a few items from EtsyNJ shops that have been nominated, here are a few:


1. Chain of Love Scarf by TraceyKnits 2. Pop of Color Dress by TheMayFlower 3. Flashback Sweater by TheSpinningHand



4. Rich Brown Shell and Gold Earrings by JewelsofSaraswati 5. Summer Fun Boy’s T-shirt by beachchik 6. Recycled Silk Breezy Scarf by madebymelissa

Thanks to HappyHoundCreative for letting us know about the nomination thread and for nominating some of her fellow EtsyNJ teammates. Visit the thread before it closes tonight and nominate an item you think would be great for Fashion Week, then come back here and share it with us!!

Wooly Warmth

Its no secret that its FREEZING in the Garden State! Warm up with some wool creations!


1) Rosewood Wool Knit Scarf by susanstreasures 2) Mocha Knitted Cowl Neckwarmer with Vintage Glass Dragonfly Button Closure by seahorsedesigns 3) MASALA - Handspun and Handpainted Pure Merino by Pancake and Lulu


4) red felted bowl by nancyknitsandstuff 5) TRI-COLORED HAND KNITTED SCARF IN BURNT ORANGE, RED AND YELLOW by MarjoriesNook 6) Jewel Box Handpainted Merino Wool Top by chimera


7) Knitted Felted Handbag or Knitting Project Bag...Storm Clouds by katylua 8) THE ONE WAY SCARF by woolmountain 9) Winter White - Warm Knit Alpaca Cowl with Flower Brooch by whynot


10) Half Circle Cinch Purse / Bag / Clutch - Custom Order by artsiekat 11) Trina The Tropical Fish Stuffed Toy by CreationsByDanielle 12) Wool Felted Bead Necklace and Chain by CapriciousAdornments

After Christmas Sales!

Didn't get what you wanted this holiday season? Santa put you on the naughty list? Simply need more handmade goodies in your home? Have no fear! These rockin' EtsyNJ shops are having sales to help you get what you need to start the new year off right.

Happy Hound Creative: Custom Invitations and Stationary
http://www.etsy.com/shop/happyhoundcreative
Free Shipping on all items until January 1, 2010

Dragon's Den: Candles, Soaps, Lip Balms and more
http://www.etsy.com/shop/dragon06?section_id=5961415
Up to 40% off selected items. See sale section

Made By Melissa: Jewelry, Crochet scarves, toys, blankets and more!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/madebymelissa
FREE GIFT with every purchase, 10% off orders over $10 or more, FREE US SHIPPING on orders over $30 or more! Simply put Happy New Year in the notes to seller to receive your free gift and your discounts!

Jewels of Saraswati: Handmade jewelry and japa malas
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JewelsofSaraswati?section_id=6320308
See sale section for marked down items

New Hope Beading: Handcrafted Jewelry
http://www.etsy.com/shop/newhopebeading
FREE US SHIPPING until December 31, 2009

Jaydemia: Elegant & Timeless Handcrafted Costume Jewelry
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jaydemia
20% Off all items until January 5, 2010!

Green Sleeves Designs: Handcrafted Soaps and Knits
http://www.etsy.com/shop/greensleevesdesigns
GRAND OPENING! January 1, 2010!


NOTE: Each sale is hosted by individual shop, all details are shop specific and cannot be used on any other shop. See each shop for details, contact shop owners with any questions or concerns. You must pay each shop individually

Happy Shopping!

Member's Choice GIft Guide Part 3

The EtsyNJ street team is like a big happy family! We support each other, share both happy events and frustrating events and most of all, we like to shop from each other!! From now until Christmas, EtsyNJ members will be sharing their gift guides! A member will share an item from another member's shop and tell us who on their gift list its absolutely perfect for!

Happy Hound Creative would love to buy this Purple Denim Scarf by The Spinning Hand for her sister:

Visit Happy Hound Creative for one of a kind personalized greeting cards and invitations!

The Tote Trove's boyfriend is a huge AC/DC fan and would adore this print by Brief Moments!

It's sold out! I wonder if Tracy did some shopping after sending in her picks!!
Be sure to check out The Tote Trove for Handpainted Totes and Colorful Accessories!


Made By Melissa thinks her sister would love this angie hobo tote by loveamarie!

Visit Made By Melissa for hand crafted jewelry and crochet scarves, blankets and amigurumi plush toys!

Check back later this week for another EtsyNJ Member's Choice Gift Guide!

Dear Santa (Week 1)

Why should kids only get to write letters to Santa? Here at EtsyNJ, we realize that the elves are backed up, so we'd like to suggest that Santa visit Etsy.com and pick up a few things for the grown-ups!

Tracy from The Tote Trove found the perfect scarf for herself in Seahorse Design's Shop - "This scarf is just my style: different and girly!"


Check out The Tote Trove for one of a kind hand painted bags!


Katylua's letter to Santa includes this little wish: "I love everything in CatRocks shop, a gift certificate would be a great way to go"


Need some handknit goodies this season? Check out Katylua's shop!

Made By Melissa's letter to Santa includes this custom necklace from LoriCitsay's shop. Melissa describes the necklace as "a simple, elegant and truly one of a kind necklace that I would wear every day."


Visit Made By Melissa's for beaded jewelry and crochet blankets, scarves and amigurimi.

Check back here again next week for more Dear Santa letters from EtsyNJ members. If your loved one is an EtsyNJ member, keep your eyes peeled!

Do you have an EtsyNJ item on your wishlist this year? If so, send a convo to Made By Melissa and including a link to your most wanted item, you could see it featured here!

Did Someone Say FREE Gift???

Who doesn't want a free gift? Buy a handmade gift for your loved ones and get something special just for you absolutely FREE! There are over a dozen EtsyNJ shops offering a free gift with every purchase during this year's Thanksgiving sale. Keep reading to see a few highlights.


1) Mocha Tea Light Candles (12) by dragon06 2) Notecards - Gingerbread Men Set of 5 by HappyHoundCreative 3) Pumpkin Vine Scarf by littlebitcrafts


4) Clyde the Christmas Octopus by MadeByMelissa 5) Maggie - All Fabric Doll by Alonia Creations 6) Christmas gift tags in BLUE (set of 5) by AlatheaPapergoods


Sale and ends at Midnight on Monday, November 30. With over 50 shops participating, you are sure to find something you absolutely love. Search "EtsyNJ Thanksgiving Sale" at Etsy.com Be sure to put "EtsyNJ Thanksgiving" in the notes to seller at checkout.

Reminder: Check each shop description for more details. Sale ends Monday 11/30 at midnight, unless otherwise specified by the individual shop owner. You must pay each shop individually, contact shop owner with any questions.

To browse participating shops by sales promotion, click on the following links:

Free Shipping

10% - 20 % off entire purchase (not including shipping)

Free gift with every purchase

BOGO - Buy One Get One Half Off

Or, see http://etsynj.com for the entire list of participating shops!

Get up to 20% off!

The biggest EtsyNJ teamwide sale in history is in full swing right now! Check out some of the awesome items you can get at a 10% - 20% discount!


1) Handpainted Palm Tree Christmas Ornaments with Blue Skies by beachchik 2) Emergency Desk / Travel Sewing Kit - SUNNY DAISIES by DribsNDrabs 3) Red Lampwork Snowflake and Sterling Silver Earrings by newhopebeading



4) Bracelet - Chain Maille and Circles by demdesigns 5) Blue and Khaki Striped Scarf by CatsCrochetCorner 6) Hand Painted Dalmation Dog Hanging Wood Welcome Sign Plaque by BedOfRosesBoutique


With over 50 shops participating, you are sure to find something you absolutely love. Search "EtsyNJ Thanksgiving Sale" at Etsy.com Be sure to put "EtsyNJ Thanksgiving" in the notes to seller at checkout. Sale ends at midnight on Monday, November 30.

Reminder: Check each shop description for more details. Sale ends Monday 11/30 at midnight, unless otherwise specified by the individual shop owner. You must pay each shop individually, contact shop owner with any questions.

To browse participating shops by sales promotion, click on the following links:

Free Shipping

10% - 20 % off entire purchase (not including shipping)

Free gift with every purchase

BOGO - Buy One Get One Half Off

Or, click here for the entire list of participating shops!