Featured Artist - Andrea Maiolano

Who are you? Andrea Maiolano, designer behind amarie by andrea maiolano

What is your Etsy Shop Name/link? http://loveamarie.etsy.com

What tag categories do you specialize in? Bags and Purses


Do you create for children or adults, women or men? Mostly women and also a few can be used by children

What do you like about Etsy? I love buying handmade items. Everything is so unique and it's great to see the talented artists from all over the world showcase their special craft. It's awesome to purchase things that are so uniquely different than what you see in regular stores.

Where do you find inspiration for your products? My inspiration really comes from my love for color and graphic prints. Being a graphic designer helped me in choosing prints and color combinations. I only choose fabrics that really stand out to me and that I really believe are beautiful and eye catching.

What do you love about your business? I love making my own schedule and working at home in my little "studio." I also love the satisfaction I get out of being creative in my own way and seeing my design ideas come to life. Something else that I love is getting out and meeting all different customers at parties and craft shows.

What is your favorite product right now? My favorite is the *angie* tote. It's so fun and roomy enough for your everyday needs and then some.


What makes you unique at Etsy? What makes me unique at etsy is my choice in fabrics and color combinations. Also small little details such as bows, braided handles, or beaded zipper pulls.

What other street teams are you a member of? none... just NJ all the way!

What are some other sites to find out more about you and what you love to create?
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/amarie-by-andrea-maiolano-handmade-handbags-accessories/7416517810?ref=ts

Andrea has some really pretty bags in her shop. Right now I am really loving her wristlets and small clutches:

You can even design your own wristlet, small clutch and key fob!

Men like Handmade Too!

Its getting to be that time where we all start thinking about shopping for dads and grandfathers. EtsyNJ is here to tell you that you can continue buying handmade even for dad! Check out all the great manly items for sale by EtsyNJ team members!

This fabulous chain link key fob by ShutterKate is a great accessory for dad:


Does your special man like gold? Then these vintage cuff links from CreationsByDanielle are the perfect gift!


Help Dad go green with this camoflauge tote bag from BellaMental:


Does dad or grandpa work outdoors? Do his hands get cold? Well, here's some manly fingerless gloves from Lindercella:


Does your man drink beer? Does he have a refrigerator or filing cabinet? Well, then he'll love a set of bottle cap magnets from MadeByMelissa!


Perhaps Dad likes to snack on spicy treats? Well, this curry popcorn kit from WhatsEatingYin is sure to please him!


And what gift is complete without a card? Thepapercrown1 has this stylish card just for dad!


Support Dad and handmade artists! Shop EtsyNJ for Father's Day! Search EtsyNJ to see all the great gifts the Garden State artists have to offer!

Featured Artist - L M T Creative Designs

Who are you? Lynne Taylor

What is your Etsy Shop Name/link? L M T Creative Designs - http://lmtcreativedesigns.etsy.com

What tag categories do you specialize in? Needlework, embroidery

Do you create for children or adults, women or men? I create for mostly women

What do you like about Etsy? I like that all the poeple that I have come in contact are so nice and helpful when I have questions.

What do you love about your business? I like to work at home and have my own schedule. I also like to do local craft show

What is your favorite product right now? I like to make the handbags. I can be creative with the material, style and size of bag



What are some other sites to find out more about you and what you love to create?
Ebay Store: www.lmtcreativedesigns.com
Photos: www.flickr.com/photos/lmtcreativedesigns/
Blog: www.lmtcreativedesigns.blogspot.com

Lynne also has coasters, check book covers and lots more. I love these cute monogramed finger towels:

Two More Donations!

I know I said the last post was my last one on the FOJ basket, but I forgot to include two of the many donations.

From AntiGenre.etsy.com came a lovely set of earrings...beautiful teal beads dangling from black hoops. They're fabulous in their simplicity!



And from LizArti.etsy.com came an awesome pale green and silvery glass beaded jewelry set:



That brings the total number of participating team members to 22! Wow! EtsyNJ is a generous group of people!

Final FOJ Update! And the winner is......

This past Saturday night was the Friends of Joey Benefit Dinner and Chinese Auction! The house was packed, and there were a ton of generous people who wanted to win some great prizes. Among those prizes was the Handmade Gift Basket made by the Etsy NJ Street Team!


Here are the last 4 donations that I received for the gift basket...

Beachchik.Etsy.com generously donated a cute tote bag and a beautiful ocean-themed note card and envelope set!


byABPryor.Etsy.com dropped off this awesome reclaimed bracelet with her own added flowery flare, and it's just DAZZLING!



From CreationsbyDanielle.Etsy.com came this adorable crocheted shoulder bag!



And lastly, from CreationsbyRobin.Etsy.com is this fun and funky sea glass bracelet!


The winner of our basket was just absolutely thrilled with it. I got to run it over to her and talk to her about it a bit. I think per personal favorite from the basket was those floral hair clips by Katylua.etsy.com, as you might be able to deduce from the photo. ;-)


While I can't tell how much the basket raised by itself because it was a silent auction, I CAN tell you that the foundation made more than it ever has in the past...a whopping $10,000 in cash alone! This money is going to benefit a lot of families who are truly in need of it, along with cancer research, and it's touching that our team could come together and help benefit these people in our own special way.

Once again I'd like to thank everyone who found it in their heart to donate to this basket. What follows is a list of all the shops who have donated to the basket. Please visit them, as they are all talented crafters and artisans!

AntiGenre.etsy.com
BeachChik.etsy.com
byAbpryor.etsy.com
CatRocks.etsy.com
CreationsbyDanielle.etsy.com
CreationsbyRobin.etsy.com
DonnaDidIt.etsy.com
DribsnDrabs.etsy.com
EcoKate.etsy.com
Fisheye.etsy.com
HappiKnits.etsy.com
Jtatmusic.etsy.com
Katylua.etsy.com
Krisamels.etsy.com
LDdesigns.etsy.com
Lindercella.etsy.com
LizArti.etsy.com
MadebyMelissa.etsy.com
NiceRakc.etsy.com
Purplelicious.etsy.com
Time4Coffee.etsy.com
WhatsEatingYin.etsy.com

More Fabulous FOJ Donations

The Friends of Joey benefit dinner and auction is tonight, and the
remainder of the donations are in! I've got quite a few donations left to
share with you, but I don't want to undermine their awesomeness, so I am
splitting up the remainder of the donations into two posts.

Where to start...

Well, from Purplelicious.etsy.com is this adorable matching headband and key fob set, made from a wonderfully rich and and exuberant fabric:


Yin of WhatsEatingYin.etsy.com donated this eco-friendly tag set in every color of the basket theme! Go Yin!


And from DonnaDidIt.etsy.com is this adorable hand-painted trinket box. I love the intricate work that went into its design!


And finally, LDDesigns.etsy.com donates her uber cute and useful magnetic notepad in a fun and flowery tin...



Written by Kate

12 Donations and Counting!

Here’s the latest update on the fabulous prizes I’ve received for the Friends of Joey gift basket to date…

From MadebyMelissa.etsy.com is this adorable crocheted stuffed dolly:


From my own shop, EcoKate.etsy.com, I crocheted a set of 4 eco-friendly dish cloths that can be used time and again to wash dishes or anything else in your house, for that matter!


From nicerakc.etsy.com I received this beautifully crafted set of earrings in every theme color we picked for the basket! They’re too chic!


The benefit is quickly approaching, and I’m getting so excited to put all of these awesome prizes together into an eye catching arrangement! I can’t thank the EtsyNJ team enough for all of your generosity and help in putting this together!
-------------------------------

Kate
--
Shops:
www.ShutterKate.com
EcoKate.etsy.com

Blogs:
www.KnitStorm.com
www.NJGreenWedding.com

Featured Artist - Jewelry by Jaime

Who are you? I am a wife, college student, crafter, and aspiring teacher

What is your Etsy Shop Name/link? http://jewelrybyjaime.etsy.com

What tag categories do you specialize in? Jewelry, Wedding, Pearl,
Necklace, Earrings, Bridal, Swarovski crystal

Do you create for children or adults, women or men? Women and girls, even babies. I'd like to expand into mens and boys jewelry eventually.

What do you like about Etsy? I love that it's all handmade, there are so many talented artisans on the site, it inspires me to constantly try to grow in my craft

Where do you find inspiration for your products? I love classic
looks, so I look at a string of freshwater pearls and I am inspired to knot them in a necklace, I also am inspired by clothing. I had an interview a couple weeks ago and made a necklace and earrings to match!

What do you love about your business? I love that it allows me to
create and at the same time gives me the opportunity to share my creativity.

What is your favorite product right now?
Classic Pearl Necklace


What makes you unique at Etsy? I hand knot my pearl necklaces and
bracelets. By hand knotting the necklace, if it somehow breaks the wearer is spared the embarrassment of having the pearls scatter everywhere! Also, the knots prevent the pearls from scratching against each other during wear.

What other street teams are you a member of? EtsyBead

What are some other sites to find out more about you and what you love
to create? http://jewelrybyjaime77.blogspot.com & http://www.myspace.com/beadbrain

I really like Jaime's earrings, check out a few of them:

Tres Fabulous Donations!

It's been a while since our last installment, but that doesn't mean the donations have stopped coming in!

This week I have 3 new generously awesome donations to the Friends of Joey gift basket to share with you...

First up is CatRocks' beautifully hand crafted set of earrings:


Next I have this lovely green floral brooch by
HappiKnits. The colors she selected for this piece are stunning!



And third this week is a vibrantly cute stationary gift set by Dribs N Drabs!:


Man, I envy the winner of this gift basket, and I don't even know who that will be yet!

There are still a few weeks left to get your donations to this fabulous gift basket in if you're an EtsyNJ street team member! Don't hesitate to contact ShutterKate if you'd like details on how to donate!

Featured Artist - MarthaHaskins

Who are you? Alexandra Martha Haskins Pilarczyk Whatton, a 22 year-old creative soul stuck in a body holding an Animal Behavior degree from the University of Connecticut and trying to get out!

What is your Etsy Shop Name/link? “MarthaHaskins” - http://MarthaHaskins.etsy.com

What tag categories do you specialize in? Fine Art, Originals, Paper Goods, and some random new attempts!

Do you create for children or adults, women or men? Everyone!

What do you like about Etsy? That it is easy to understand, easy to search and find unique stuff, and nearly EVERYTHING is HANDMADE!

Where do you find inspiration for your products? Everywhere (I have lots of “every’s!”) – inspiration is in the people you know and places you go.

What do you love about your business? It is just completely ME…I put all of myself in to every piece.

What is your favorite product right now? In my shop? “Frank the Snowboarder.”


In someone else’s Etsy store? I am coveting the “Human Walker Biped Steampunk Vehicle and Machine All Wood Replica Statue” by buildersstudio. I’ve never seen anything like it!


What makes you unique at Etsy? I do not make prints of anything. Everything in my store is ONE-OF-A-KIND (OOAK)! Also, I think my silhouettes and produce paintings are pretty unique (my produce paintings sell right when I put them up!).



What other street teams are you a member of? Etsy Bloggers and We Love Etsy.

What are some other sites to find out more about you and what you love to create? http://MarthaHaskins.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexwhatton/
http://www.zazzle.com/marthahaskins*
http://www.facebook.com – search for Alex Whatton
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/4/38/a52
http://etsybloggers.ning.com/profile/AlexandraWhatton
http://etsylove.ning.com/profile/AlexandraWhatton

Alex also has photos like this one, which I love:


And greeting cards, like this one:

The Latest FOJ Donations are In!

The Latest FOJ Donations are In!

I've received 3 more fabulous donations that will be added to the FOJ gift
basket that's to be auctioned off this April! Check out details on what
the FOJ gift basket is all about if you are not already aware.

First this week is this beautiful crocheted scarf by Cyndie of
lindercella.etsy.com in an eye popping pink!



Second is this adorable frame by Jenna of
http://jtatmusic.etsy.com:



And finally, I received 3 beautiful floral hair clips created by Caty of katylua.etsy.com:


A huge thanks to these EtsyNJ members for their wonderful contributions!

If you're interested in checking out previously featured donations, click
here.

More to come in the next few weeks, so check back!

EtsyNJ Invades Hoboken's Panera!

Etsy NJ is having a meetup in Hoboken! This is a perfect location for all you North Jersey Etsians, but everyone is invited! So come on out!

Everyone is Invited!

1:00pm Saturday, March 15th
Panera's
310 Washington St,
Hoboken, NJ 07030
Tel: (201) 876-3233
http://www.panera- nj.com

Google Maps Directions
Check out the Forum Thread talking about the Meetup!
Parking is at a premium in Hoboken, but there is public transportation, or parking garages to fall back on!


*Tag-a-long' s are welcome, many of us are bringing hubby's, kids, or crafty friends*

If you're too far from Hoboken to make this meetup, we'll be having others soon! Keep an eye on the group for the next meetup vote on location!

FOJ Challenge Update - The First 3 Donations Have Arrived!

Just wanted to give a shout out to those whose donations have already
arrived.

Susan of time4coffee.etsy.com sent over an adorable votive decorated in great detail with a polymer clay dragon, leaves, etc. Words don’t do it justice, so here’s a picture of the piece:

It’s truly wonderful crafts(wo)manship!

Kris of krisamels.etsy.com has sent over a beautiful handmade corsage with so much flare! It’s sure to be an eye catcher in the basket:


Last, but not least, Lori of fisheye.etsy.com donated an awesome eco-friendly bag! The silk front with its vibrant design is from a vintage kimono dress, the yellow velvet is from a vintage dress and the orange zipper is from shorts! This is truly adorable and I’ll be jealous of whoever wins it, FOR SURE!


At this rate I am certain that this basket is going to get a lot of ticket
bids in the Chinese auction. It's sure to be a HOT item!

You can view other shots of these items by visiting the EtsyNJ
flickr group.

Check back for more donated pieces in the upcoming weeks!

Written by Kate

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. --