Winner, winner Chicken Dinner!

Congratulations to Annie and Jean of Etsybtsy, they are  the new Tristate Area Summer Team Challenge winner. They won by creating  an awesome treasury as well as inviting two new members that joined our team.
The two shops that Etsybtsy recruited are:  


SecondLookMosaics


MyDreamWedding


The challenge was to:

*Make a treasury of shops that are geographically close to you that are NOT members of our team. 
*Only use one item per shop
*Try to include different categories of items 
*Tag TATeam Challenge. 
*Be creative*Invite at least one person from your treasury to join the team, the person with the most referred members joined wins!!

About Etsybtsy:


We are a "crafty" duo, specializing in quilts and quilted goods. We also like to work with yarns and textiles to create truly unique pieces.


We are proud to bring you quality handmade quilts and other fine handcrafted goods from our farm. Are you are interested in a custom quilt or knit item? Please contact us. If you have an idea for a custom item and are afraid to take the plunge, drop us a line and suggest we make it for the shop. If we like it enough to create, we will put it in the shop for purchase with no obligation to you. We appreciate our customers and thank you for your business. It's a pleasure to create for you.


We are active members of www.backyardchickens.com. If you keep chickens or other livestock, please visit the forums there!

This Month's Tristate Area's Team Featured Artist Friday Shop is: Charles and Wendie Colvin's  Shop http://www.etsy.com/people/eraticus

How did you get started with making and designing jewelry?

One day me and my husband Charles, were in a book store. He showed me a magazine featuring a beautiful bracelet that I fell in love with. He said he could make it for me, and he did!!!! That was the beginning of a beautiful jewelry crafting relationship.


How long have you been selling your pieces on Etsy?

We opened our shop in May of 2010 after I was laid off from my day job.

How do you go from inspiration to finished piece?

We normally find inspiration everywhere! Sunny days, nature, bright colors, anything that would be translated into something you can wear.


What is your favorite material to work with? Why?

Because of its malleability, strength, lack of understanding and color, copper is our most favorite media. Untreated natural copper develops a beautiful green-like patina over time that cannot be imitated or forced. A brand new piece of jewelry made out of shiny copper is beautiful and you can keep it that way by simply dipping it in jewelry cleaner, but if you want the piece to evolve over time, letting the patina be can also bring about very satisfying consequences for that very piece!


Are you working on any new projects? 

I have been thinking about a new media that I am experimenting with. Right now I have hope that I can bring it to life for our fall collection. Stay tuned!!!
Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry?

We just sold it - it was a bitter sweet moment - It is a rustic copper cuff bracelet that my husband made, and I am asking him to make another one so that I can wear it!!!


Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I want to continue to craft, evolve into new media and be able to sustain ourselves by farming and crafting. I am certainly hopeful this can happen by then.

What are your 3 favorite Etsy shops?

JuliesGiftbox: http://www.etsy.com/people/JuliesGiftbox
lenapavia: http://www.etsy.com/shop/lenapavia?ref=ss_profile
kittybutt: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kittybutt

Featured Seller Friday: Meet Lindsay Sapp and Betsy Crooks-Cole from PlumTuckeredDesigns!

What was the inspiration for your shop?
Last New Year's Eve, we decided over a glass of wine that we needed an outlet from teaching. We both enjoy searching for vintage treasures, and decided that we would start a new hobby!

How long have you been selling your vintage wares on Etsy?
Since January 2, 2011. We made it our New Year's Resolution!

What do you love about vintage things?
We both love the story behind the item. Where has it been? What did it mean to who it belonged to? It is fun to picture that item in it's prime.

Where do you find your vintage goodies?
Local Antique Stores. We love shopping in the Catonsville and Ellicott City historic districts near Baltimore. These are great places to visit because they have fabulous historic landmarks that can serve as great inspiration.

What is your favorite time period of vintage ?
Betsy - Loves the 50's, early 60's. "I like the Mad Men aesthetic. The clean lines of mid century modern are appealing to me and my design inspiration."
Lindsay - "I love the 30's and 40's. I'm a big romantic, so anything girly is totally me. I'm a big fan of Grace Kelly, Coco Chanel, anything Hollywood Glam is right up my alley."


Is there anything that you have for sale now that you are particularly attached to?
Betsy loves Jadeite, so she will hate to get rid of the Jadeite Teacup and Saucer we've got up for sale. I am in love with our Vintage 3 Strand Freshwater Pearls, it was a piece out of my Grandmother's jewelry box! If it doesn't sell by the time the listing expires, I think I will just keep it :-)

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
We would both love to go into the Wedding planning business. For both of our weddings, we have incorporated vintage items into our decor. We love planning, crafting, and searching for just the right pieces to fit into the puzzle!

Please Visit Some Of Our Favorite Etsy Shops~!

LoBoheme

TimelessVixenVintage

concarta

isabelleabramson

Our Facebook Link: www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100002369570950&sk=wall

Next Challenge featuring Gewgaws & Gimcracks Shop!

tatchallenge10

The next tatchallenge will begin (late start my apologies!)May 26, 2011 and go until June 1, 2011 and will be Judged on June 2, 2011, tatchallenge10 is based on the inspiration of Gewgaws & Gimcracks Shop.

Gewgaws& Gimcracks Shop Link

The secret phrase is “ First Day of Summer”

Official Rules 

An example of some appropriate tags to get noticed might include: Summer, Gemini, Cancer,June, outdoor activities, Parties, barbecue's, pool, vintage, Weddings, Pearls, June's Birthstone, vacation, handmade, June trends, beach, outdoors, outdoor entertaining, hostess gifts, bath and beauty

*Of course be sure the tags you use are appropriate to your treasury theme:)

tatchallenge9 Winning Treasury by Gewgaws & Gimcracks!

The inspiration shop was  PlumTuckeredDesigns shop for this weeks team challenge. It was a close race, PlumTuckered couldn't decide between PatMcWhorter's Shop and GewGaws Shop so they put it to the team to vote.

Gewgaws & Gimcracks

took the challenge in the end doing a plumazing job winning with her fascinating treasury finds and theme! :)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/gewgaws

The winning treasury:

Quotes About Art For Inspiration

Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.
::: Oscar Wilde:::

There's no retirement for an artist, it's your way of living so there's no end to it.
 ::: Henry Moore ::: 

 A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.

::: Paul Cezanne ::: 
I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say 'he feels deeply, he feels tenderly.
::: Vincent van Gogh ::: 
The modern artist is working with space and time and expressing his feelings rather than illustrating.
::: Jackson Pollock ::: 
Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.

::: Pablo Picasso :::

Next Team Challenge featuring PlumTuckeredDesigns shop!

tatchallenge9

Beginning May 18, 2011 until Monday May 23, 2011 and will be Judged on Tuesday May 24, 2011, tatchallenge9 is based on the inspiration of

PlumTuckeredDesigns

shop.

The secret phrase is “Secret Garden”

Official Rules 

An example of some appropriate tags to get noticed might include: Summer, Gardening, June, outdoor activities, open air soirees, gardening tools, birds, vintage, squirrels, hedgehogs, secrets, hiding places, vintage...

*Of course be sure the tags you use are appropriate to your treasury theme:)

tatchallenge8 Winning Treasury by PlumTuckeredDesign!

This weeks inspiration shop was  PatMcWhorter shop, PlumTuckeredDesign did a BEACHTASTIC job and wooed Pat with her charming treasury theme and picks! :)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PlumTuckeredDesigns

The winning treasury:

Featured Artist Friday: Meet Jhone from PersephonePlus

How did you get started with making and designing jewelry?

In all honesty..I always considered myself a painter first, and a clothing designer second! Jewelry for me was a way to express myself creatively without having to worry about fit, as well as a chance to create usable, wearable art. I love art with a usability factor....a practical factor. I fell into it almost accidentally.

How long have you been selling your pieces on Etsy?

I opened my shop in 2007, but it took me about 4 months to get serious about listing and focusing on design. I made a pair of Edgar Allen and Virginia Poe earrings for Halloween, and people literally bought them off my ears. I recognized that I was (at the time...alas, it has changed!) doing something sort of original...and realized that with these tiny images under glass, I could tell a story with jewelry. Once I woke up to that idea..I knew there were a LOT of stories I could tell!

How do you go from inspiration to finished piece?

I have certain symbols, images and themes that I have adored all my life. Periods other than the modern era, fairy tales, crowns, moons, stars, Catholic Imagery, pagan imagery, hearts. Gothic themes. Literary themes. I'm all over the place, but it's all pretty romantic in one way or another.

What is your favorite material to work with? Why?

I don't have one, actually. I am always looking for new materials. I just want it to feel substantial, old, rich.

Are you working on any new projects?

I am....Many a cowgirl is coming!

Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry?

That would be VERY hard to choose. Of my own collection, I think I love my "Boudoir" set the best..

www.etsy.com/listing/69452779/le-boudoir-hyperfeminine-pendant

In my personal collection, I am rather obsessed with a tiny handmade flaming heart miniature altar/nicho necklace I got during my last visit to Austin..a second home for me.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I have so MANY creative interests, and I often work myself into a frenzy, burn out, and then do something else for a while..I need to change things up or I get grumpy. Regardless, I hope to never have a straight job again. I'm a terrible boss, but working for someone else again would be worse!

Etsy Shop Link:   PersephonePlus

Etsy's front page by IrihanaArts

Our very own Newlywed, Michaela owner and artist of IrihanaArts made a dreamy treasury that made it to the FRONT PAGE today!

Next Team Challenge featuring PatMcWhorter's shop!

Beginning May 11, 2011 until Monday May 16th, 2011 and will be Judged on Tuesday May 17th, 2011, tatchallenge8 is based on the inspiration of PatMcWhorter shop.


The secret word is “beach”

An example of some appropriate tags to get noticed might include: outdoors, travel, day trip, vacation, beach, boating, water sports...

*Of course be sure the tags you use are appropriate to your treasury theme:)

This Weeks "tatchallenge7" Winning Treasury by Pat McWhorter

This weeks inspiration shop was IrhanaArts, PatMcwhorter “broke hearts” when she did such an creative job and won the challenge! :)

Here is the winning treasury:

Featured Artist Friday: Meet Teri from TideTogether

 This is an interview with Teri Bildstein owner and creator of

Tide Together Jewelry and Gifts

How did you get started with making and designing jewelry?

We started beach combing a lot as a family when my son was about two. Before long I had SUCH a stash of "things". My boyfriend is an artist (Ryan Jacobson Art) and he suggested I start making things with the items we found.

Not long after - Ryan's father had a stroke. We had a benefit fundraiser and I put a few pieces into the auction. I was pretty excited when a local boutique offered to carry my pieces. Tammy's Cool Things in Easton, MD (see link below)

I also design home decor items with pieces that are too big or small for jewelry design.

How long have you been selling your pieces on Etsy?

Since February 5, 2011 - I'm still a newbie! :)

How do you go from inspiration to finished piece?

Chaos!! I work in total chaos!~ha~I spread a bunch of materials around me on the floor and dive right in.

What is your favorite material to work with? Why?

Definitely the pieces we find. They hold so many memories for me of our family time collecting at the beach.

Are you working on any new projects?

Always! I've only been designing since August 2010 so as I'm always branching out as I learn new techniques.

Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry?

Piece I can't sell - One of the first pendants I made that turned out "right". It's just a simple piece of white glass suspended from a sterling silver drop. www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.118543928207445.15893.106303166098188#!...

Piece currently for sale - I'm a sucker for yellow!!! Butter Flutterfly is my current favorite www.etsy.com/listing/73244667/butter-flutterfly-sea-glass-and-yellow?ref=pr_shop

My favorite line is my Journey collection because the cause is so close to my heart www.etsy.com/shop/TideTogether?section_id=7991397

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully catching up on all the sleep I'm missing now! I work in a medical office by day, make pieces by night, and I'm a Mamma 24/7. Along with the work I do with the crew at Creating With Compassion.I have precious little time to sleep. 

If you would like to find out more about Teri and TideTogether and other projects:

TideTogether Facebook Fan Page

Etsy Shop

Creating with Compassion

Tammy's Cool Things 

Team Member Profile: Hello Again Vintage

This is the second profile in our new series to get to know our Tristate Area Team Members.

Tell us about yourself:

I’m Grace, owner of Hello Again Vintage. I was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ and still live there. I fell in love with thrifting after finding my first treasure, a Vintage 1960’s Orphan Annie Doll, at my neighbor’s garage sale.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?

My cousin and I opened the Hello Again Vintage Etsy Shop in 2008, but it’s been active since 2010 after we decided to close our brick & mortar store in Jersey City Heights, NJ to explore other dreams. It’s been an amazing journey and I’m happy that to share all our vintage finds with everyone.

What do you love about vintage things?

I love knowing that vintage clothing & accessories carry history with them. I like the fact that someone else who’s used them might have laughed, cried, danced, or even fallen in love while wearing them.

Where do you shop for your vintage goodies?

I don’t have a ‘single’ favorite shopping spot, but I find most of my unique treasures during road trips to flea markets and yard sales in the our Tri-state area.

Do you wear vintage clothing?

Not everything in my closet is vintage. I love mixing new and old pieces to create my own unique style.

What is your favorite time period of vintage clothing?

I adore the high wasted skirts, hot pants, bow blouses, and platform shoes of the 1970s. And, nothing is more easy than throwing on a funky printed maxi dress, floppy hat, and sandals. I always found them sexy, glamorous, and chic.

Is there anything that you have for sale now that you are particularly attached to?

I have a difficult time posting all the items in my shop because I know once a piece is sold I may never come across another unique item like it again.

What are your long term goal(s)?

My current goal for Hello Again Vintage is to develop an official online shop.

What are your some of your favorite shops on Etsy?

Sew Lola

Lucky Vintage Seattle

Gather Jewelry

Thrush Vintage

Pluto Star 

You can find Grace here:  

♥ http://www.facebook.com/helloagainvintage
♥ http://www.twitter.com/helloagainvtg

http://www.etsy.com/people/helloagainvintage

Next Challenge featuring IrihanaArts!

Beginning April 27, 2011 until Monday May 9th, 2011 and will be Judged on Tuesday May 10th, 2011, tatchallenge7 is based on the inspiration of IrhanaArts shop. The challenge is extended to allow for a vacation that IrhanaArts will be on:

IrhanaArts Shop

The secret phrase is “woodland forest”

This Weeks "tatchallenge6" Winning Treasury by IrihanaArts

This weeks inspiration shop was PlumTuckeredDesign, IrhanaArts did an outstanding job and won the challenge! :)

Here is the winning treasury:

Next Challenge featuring PlumTuckered Designs!

 

Beginning April 20, 2011 until April 25, 2011, tatchallenge6 is based on the inspiration of PlumTuckeredDesigns shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PlumTuckeredDesigns

The secret word is “carnival”

(UPDATE)Official Team Challenge Rules

This list of rules will serve as the official team challenge rules the only things that will change will be the inspiration shop and the “twist” muhahaha*wicked laugh* The changes will be posted in a new weekly post at the start of the challenge.

Team challenge rules, read carefully, challenge __(insert new challenge number) is based on the inspiration of the winning shop:

1.Create a treasury inspired by the winning shop and use any of the words from the title of the shop in some way in the title of your treasury.

2.The treasury should contain one of the inspiration shops items in every treasury in the first position.

3.Tag your treasury with tatchallenge___(insert the number challenge we are on) If you win the challenge the following weeks challenge will by inspired by your shop! If you tag incorrectly or do not put the tag your entry will be disqualified.

4.Please put Tristate Area Team Weekly Challenge and our Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/EtsyTATPage in your comment (little advertising for our team) or you entry will be disqualified.

5.The treasury will go from Wednesday 8pm until Monday at 9pm

6.The challenge will be judged by the shop inspiring the treasury challenge

7.The winner will be announced on Tuesday, new challenge begins Wednesday.

8.Add the "______" (twist to be announced) somewhere in your treasury. (Twist)

Remember: BE CREATIVE and HAVE FUN!!

Good luck! :)

This Weeks "tatchallenge5" Winning Treasury by Plum Tuckered Designs

This weeks inspiration shop was Pieces of Amber, PlumTuckeredDesign did an outstanding job and won Amber's heart! :)

Team Member Profile: Intuitive Goddess

 This is the first in a series of Tristate Area Member Profiles, Intuitive Goddess is an active member of our team and here is a chance to get to know her a little better.

Intuitive Goddess, also known as Helene, is a Psychic and Intuitive Reader living in New Jersey.  She uses Tarot and Runes for her readings and is also Clairaudient, often times she "hears" the message.

She is a practicing witch and wise woman, she has studied Natural Medicine, aromatherapy and crystal healing.  

Helene is a devotee of Goddess centered spirituality. 

She believes readings serve as guidance for each of us allowing us to create the future we choose to manifest.

Helene has been a professional reader for more years than she cares to admit.
She has a large private clientele in NY and NJ, and reads in a local shop. 

Helene felt that it was time to reach out beyond these venues to have a greater reach in helping others. This is why she can now be found on Etsy here: IntuitiveGoddess
She has been on Etsy for a year now. 

Her message to you: "I am here, listening. Ask me your questions."

IntuitiveGoddess's can be found on her blog here: 

http://goddessintuitions.blogspot.com

On Facebook here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/IntuitiveGoddess/114426278584674

New challenge, New Twist

New challenge with a new twist, read carefully, beginning April 13, 2011 until April 19, 2011, challenge 5 is based on the inspiration of PiecesofAmber's shop:

1.Create a treasury inspired by the winning shop and use any of the words from the title of the shop in some way in the title of your treasury.

2.The treasury should contain one of the inspiration shops items in every treasury in the first position.

3.Tag your treasury with tatchallenge5(Or whatever number challenge we are on) If you win the challenge the following weeks challenge will by inspired by your shop! If you tag incorrectly or do not put the tag your entry will be disqualified.

4.Please put Tristate Area Team Weekly Challenge in your comment (little advertising for our team) or you entry will be disqualified.

5.The treasury will go from Wednesday 8pm until Monday at 9pm

6.The challenge will be judged by the shop inspiring the treasury challenge

7.The winner will be announced on Tuesday, new challenge begins Wednesday.

8.Add the word "Spring" somewhere in your treasury. (Twist)

Remember: BE CREATIVE and HAVE FUN!!

Good luck! :)

Congrats Amber, Tristate Area Team Challenge 4 Winner!

Amber won the weekly team challenge with her creative treasury "Intuitive Goddess Sees The Beauty in Nature"

'Intuitive Goddess Sees The Beauty in Nature' by PiecesofAmber

It's not hard to find inspiration from Intuitive Goddess' shop. Here is my entry; enjoy!

Solar Abundance Can... IntuitiveGodde... $25.00	Love Birds Luminary... OneClayBead $45.00	Framed clear Butter... PatMcWhorter $30.00
Abalone Art Pendant TideTogether $20.00	Sunset on the Sea -... HawthorneMoon $14.00	Nature Network now... catherine47 $19.00
Majestic Being CpellPhotograp... $11.00	Waterscape earrings DiwaDesigns $32.00	Set of 2-Petite Orc... sandnsurfcreat... $4.25
SPECIAL THIS WEEK O... LoriMarie $84.00	Dragon Fly Jar Set bluemistpotter... $35.00	Spring Flowers Earr... symbioticsiste... $17.00
COW in Green waterc... rachelleleving... $16.00	Dragon Necklace, Vi... ElvesGarden $25.00	GEMSTONE Bracelet -... fifthelementde... $32.00
Original Tree Abstr... ArtFlutters $135.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.