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!

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

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.

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:

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

Made By Melissa Featured by the EtsyBlogger Street Team

Made by Melissa is the featured artist of the week at the EtsyBloggers street team blog! Check it out: http://etsybloggers.blogspot.com/2008/06/mini-monday-made-by-melissa.html

AntiGenre Arts Featured at ZAJA Natural Blog

AntiGenre Arts is featured at ZAJA Natural Blog! Check it out!

Two Members Featured on Indieshopping.com

Two EtsyNJ members are currently featured on Indieshopping.com!

Collective Elements is featured here.

Happiknits is featured here.

Congrats Ladies!

ECOKate is featured on The Organic Mechanic!!

The Organic Mechanic: Artist Spotlight Kate Campbell of ECOKate -- Fiber Artist

Featured Artist - Urrbody

Who are you? Cate Blanchard, bath and body product maker on Etsy, herbalist, techie, mom and Princeton, NJ resident.

What is your Etsy Shop Name/link? Urbbody - Urban + Herbal + Body care products = urbbody - urbbody.etsy.com

What tag categories do you specialize in? Bath and body products...right now I have solid perfume, sugar scrubs, alcohol-free sprays and talc-free powders and cuticle balms, herbal bath teas.

Do you create for children or adults, women or men? Women and men, though I just have the men's shower scrub gel in shop right now; more to come for the guys, I promise! And I am working on a kids and babies' line of products, too, that I hope to have up this summer.



What do you like about Etsy? Etsy is wonderful because it's very egalitarian and affordable for an online shopping venue. You get what you put into it. I think there is a great deal of opportunity and a chance to connect with a burgeoning DIY culture. Plus, it's just fun and full of items you could never find anywhere else.

Where do you find inspiration for your products? I studied herbalism and natural body care product making, and try to put what I've learned to use in my choice of ingredients. Of course, the first products I ever listed on Etsy, the solid perfumes, came from a different inspiration...the scents came from a study I read on the internet (where else?) about fragrances that are most arousing to (straight) men and the top scents were Pumpkin Pie & lavender and black licorice & donut. I couldn't believe it but I decided to make these scents, for....let's call it "research." I like them both though I don't know that they have any particular effect on my husband, or anyone else, though one customer told me that she was complimented quite a bit on it by a guy.



What do you love about your business? The fact that I am making things that people are using and enjoying while I enjoy making them!

What is your favorite product right now? Lemon cuticle balm...I need it! I love the lemony scent for summer.


What makes you unique at Etsy? I think the fact that I have a few unique items and really want to give a different spin on handcrafted bodycare products...hip without being "hippie" if you will.

What other street teams are you a member of? Etsy Green and Clean Guild

What are some other sites to find out more about you and what you love to create?
I get a lot of supplies from FromNature With Love and they have a great blog, http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com. Also, I received my herbalist education from Australasian College of Health Sciences and they are a great place to learn if you are serious about herbalism, aromatherapy or natural health in general.

Urrbody has lots of great looking items in her shop. This one really caught my eye, herbal bath teas, they sound fabulous!


Perhaps you know someone who needs this gift set?

Featured Artist - Dragon's Den

Who are you? We're Amanda and Sarah, roommates and business partners living in Burlington, NJ.

What is your Etsy Shop Name/link? Dragon's Den - Natural Products for Body and Soul - http://dragon06.etsy.com

What tag categories do you specialize in? Bath and Beauty, Candles

Do you create for children or adults, women or men? Our products are for all ages and sexes. Our soaps and lotions are gentle enough for children. Though the majority of our regular customers are women, we've heard lots of feedback about the popularity of our soaps with husbands!

What do you like about Etsy? We love being part of a community where we have access to fantastic handmade products. It's so important to support independent artists and crafters, and Etsy provides a very convenient way to do that. It's so much easier than hunting through markets and craft fairs. That kind of convenience means we can have handmade products as part of our everyday lives.

Where do you find inspiration for your products? The biggest inspiration would probably be nature. We try to use natural ingredients and look to nature to find healing and nourishing qualities to add to our products. Also, we'll depict scenes from nature (or nature based spiritual symbols) on our painted candles.

What do you love about your business? We love hearing back from customers, friends and family about how our products have helped them in some way. We take a lot of pride in our products, and it's so great to hear the feedback and say to each other, "Hey, we did that!"

What is your favorite product right now? Right now that would have to be the Summer Kisses scented solid lotion bars. The scent is light and sweet and the lotion is doing wonders for our dry skin.



What makes you unique at Etsy? There are many wonderful B&B and candle sellers on Etsy. We have formulated our B&B products for our own and our family's needs. We took simple recipes and expanded on them until we found what worked for us. That means you'll never find exactly the same recipes with any other seller. That doesn't make ours better or worse, but it provides important options and variety for customers. Try out products from different sellers and find what works best for you. Also, our painted candles are completely unique - the designs are created and painted by us. And there is even the option of having custom painted candles made as unique and thoughtful gifts.


What other street teams are you a member of? We're part of the Etsy Green and Clean Guild (EGCG) and the EarthPath Artisans Street Team (EAST).

What are some other sites to find out more about you and what you love to create? You can find out more about us through our Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/craftydragon

The Dragon's Den has a wide variety of items including massage/bath oils, soaps, pure beeswax candles and even treats for your pets! These chocolate mint votives are so pretty and I'll bet anything they smell divine!

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!