Welcome to my Workroom

Welcome to our new team feature, showing our individual workspaces and how we organise them.

 

Some of us are lucky enough to have a dedicated space, whilst others manage to fit in where they can. Our featured artist this time is Kate, of KatesCottageShop and Larkspurandlinen. She's recently re-worked her space and this is the very pretty result! Lets have a look at how she organised it.

 

 

Here are the photos of my Etsy supplies workspace re-do. :) I have such a small space, I still craft at my kitchen table, but here are the photos of before, building the shelving, filling it all up, and moving the computer desk over in the same space {this is where I do all my Etsy computer work, as well as it being our home computer}.

 

  

 

 

 

If you are a member of the Positivity Team on Etsy and would like to have your workspace featured, please let us know. Convo Bluebell Glen via Etsy for more information.

Monday thought

Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.

                                                Marcus Aurelius


Monday again. Where has the weekend gone? 

Well, my weekend has been busy and yet peaceful. I did some baking and crafting and had some quiet time alone to recharge my batteries. Today I'm changing the way I think and therefore feel about Monday. Instead of regretting that the weekend is over, I'm looking forward to the next few days. The sun is shining, there's an autumnal snap in the air and I'm working on a number of interesting projects this week. Why mourn the ending of the weekend (which is pretty much the same as any other days really, when you're self employed) when the week ahead is brimful of possibilities and opportunities?

I can't change the day, but I CAN change my attitude to it.

Have a good one

x

'Tis Autumn

Season of mists and mellow fruitfullness.....

Golden brown bowl from TwinMountainPottery

Bracelet from ElectricPenguin

Oatmeal soap from DomesticLove

Silk butterfly hairclips from katesCottageShop

Patchwork bag by SeeAnnaSew

Glass candle holder by valnorthwoods

Meet the Member - Ulli of Leocardia

Welcome to our Meet the Member feature. This time we're off to Germany to meet Ulli of Leocardia.


Please introduce yourself.

I'm living in Munich, Germany, as a graphic-designer with my husband Christoph (same profession and creator of innumerable funny little drawings) and my 13 years old daughter, who loves to draw and make little things of her own. I was born in Munich and I really like to live here. The city is beautiful and there are plenty of lakes around and the mountains are not so far away. Frankly, it's only the sea, that I'm missing… But you can't have it all.

Please describe your craftwork / shop and your inspirations for it.

As so many sellers on Etsy, I've been making things my whole life. My father was a graphic designer and my mother a skilled seamstress, so there was always enough material at home to carry out any whimsical project when I was a child. Pencils, paper, glue, brushes, watercolor, scraps of fabric, yarns, leather, pearls, buttons and feathers in any shade of color…

 

At school, I had a fantastic art teacher (father of the famous artist Thomas Demand), who encouraged me as well to become an art student.

I get many inspirations out of sheer chaos. Our flat is crammed with books, photos and all kinds of materials, waiting to be transformed into something new. As I grow older I learn to appreciate an empty desk to start a new project, but for years I liked to work in the middle of a burst of colors and remnants on my desk…

Could you describe to us what a regular day is like for you?

Because I have a part time job, there are two kinds of "regular" days. Some days I'm working as graphic designer in an eight-hour day (but much later than from 9-5). Some  other days I can spend on my own projects.

How long have you sold your items on Etsy?

I "opened" my Etsy-shop in spring 2009, but I waited til "Oktoberfest"-time in september to offer my first items: my pretzel monotypes. In March 2010, our very small group of etsians in Munich was honored by a visit of Matt Stinchcomb, who had just founded the European headquarter of Etsy in Berlin. He and his wife Benedikta explained the Etsy idea to all of us. By the way, she is from Munich!

 

Soon afterwards Matt bought one of my crocodile pencil holders for the Etsy lab in Berlin.

I've seen it there, when I went to Berlin in Aril 2012!

 

Years before I got to know Etsy I had the idea of selling handmade goods on the internet myself, but I had no clue about how to do this, so I was really happy, when I found out about Etsy.

What’s your favourite part of the Etsy experience?

I love to see that somebody has just bought one of my handmade items.

I like the wonderful themes and topics the Etsy crew is offering on and on.

I'm thrilled by likeminded people, who share my taste. As I refrain from joining the Facebook community, I enjoy the social sharing I can find on Etsy.

Are there any other skills you’d love to have?

I'd like to be a musical person, but unfortunately I'm not. I can't even repeat a simple tune, when singing…

 

What is your favourite item in your own shop?

My crocodile pencil holders. I had the idea for it, before a friend turned 50. He's got the prototype. I liked the little animal very much, so I decided to make more of them in different colors. Because I can't make up my mind which color I like best, I still haven't made one for myself. But for my daughter I made a light blue one.

What are your favourite materials to work with?

I have to work a lot with a computer.In contrast to this "modern" occupation I seek the soft touch of felt and I like to pick the tiniest beads and buttons out of little boxes, or choosing matching threads from an old wooden drawer.

Please nominate another team member who you'd like to know more about. 

 

I like the objects and the profile of Camillelarson of gardengnomearts.

 

Lets now take a look at some of Ulli's handcrafted items.

 

 

Herbal Tea Cup Print

 

Jars full of Wonders print

 

Crocodile pencil holder 

 

Please click on the link below to go and visit Ulli's shop on Etsy.

Leocardia

 

 

 

Thank you Ulli for giving us a glimpse into your world. 

Happiness

 

"Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us."

JimmyJohn N. Mitchell

Team Challenge

Alas, this month we've had no entries to the challenge. Those who are members of the team will realise that it's been a month of bereavements and losses, so it's no wonder we're all a bit sad at present.

Instead of featuring challenge entries, I'm showing off some items that fit the Emerald challenge, made by team members. 

Emerald butterfly hairclips by katesCottageShop

Coin purse by thenosweatshop

Photographic print by AuntieDawn

Hand knitted scarf by zerrindusunceli

Team Challenge for May 2012

Welcome to the latest Positivity Team Challenge!

All Positivity Team members can enter, as many times as you want to. The main aim is to have fun with our creativity, and just "LET RIP". Your kids can enter if they want to. You can make it a family entry or each child can enter as an individual. The only real aim os for everyone to have fun with it!

Once all entries have been submitted and displayed, Positivity Team members will be asked to vote on their choice for the winning entry. I'm afraid that only ONE vote per member will count. If you have more than one shop, you still only get to vote once.

The entry with the most votes wins. Simple!

There will be a SMALL prize for the winning entry. This prize will be of low value and selected to suit the age and location of the winner (I'm trying to keep postage costs down!). 

May Challenge - PHOTOGRAPHY

Theme - May's birthstone is the emerald which means love or success.

Your challenge is to take a photograph that symbolises May's birthstone and the symbolism of it to YOU personally.

Perhaps you want to concentrate on the meaning so you could take a photo of someone or someplace you love (please explain why the place is so special). Maybe you'd rather take a photo of grass blowing in the wind, concentrating on green, the colour of emeralds. It's all about your own personal interpretation and pretty much anything goes. Just have fun!

Photos are to be emailed to me no later than May 25th. I'll then put them on the blog and we can start voting. The winner will be announced at the end of May.

Email all entries, including your shop name, the name of each entry's photographer (if your kids have entered, I need their ages as well, to ensure the prize is suitable) and any other information you want to add, to:

positivityteam@hotmail.co.uk

Lois

xxx

We have a new team leader!

Welcome to Sheshanna, from Piece Unique, who's joined us as a leader.

 Let's take a quick peek at some of the items in her shop.

 

Meet the Member - BeaG

This time we're off to beautiful Belgium to meet BeaG of WilliamsGiftShop.


Please introduce yourself.

My name is BeaG. I was born in the Netherlands in 1964 and now live in a lovely village near Gent, Belgium, with my partner Marc.

Please describe your craftwork / shop and your inspirations for it.

I have been creative for as long as I can remember. My head is always filled with hundreds of ideas, so I never have to ‘find’ inspiration. I guess you could say that my life itself is my inspiration and that my head is constantly creating fun, practical and challenging ideas. When I look at something, anything, I always imagine what I could make with it or out of it. Growing up I was surprised to find that other people do not think like that.

 

I do a large number of crafts and probably make up some new ones while I’m at it. But not everything I design/create ends up in my Etsy shop. Considering international shipping costs I mainly focus on items that can be send by letter mail.

Could you describe to us what a regular day is like for you?

I have serious chronic health issues and can only be active for a few hours a day. Most of those hours I spend designing, creating, photographing my creations, Photoshopping, finding craft materials, working on my shop, promoting, and maintaining online contact with other creative souls.

How long have you sold your items on Etsy?

I opened my Etsy shop in the summer of 2006, so I am officially an Etsy oldtimer.

Because of my health issues, online selling is a perfect option for me. I first heard about Etsy from my friends at Craftster.org.

What’s your favourite part of the Etsy experience?

Although I have sold a lot of things so far, each and every single sale still makes me happy. The best part about Etsy for me is that I get to show my creations to the world and that people all over the planet like them so much that they actually want to own them.

Are there any other skills you’d love to have?

I had to give up a lot of skills as a result of severe chronic pain and other health issues, so the only answer to this question would be negative..

What is your favourite item in your own shop?

My favourite products are the ones that are pretty, fun and functional at the same time, which pretty much covers my entire shop. You might notice that I am sort of a perfectionist..., so an item that I think isn't good enough will not make it into my shop.

What are your favourite materials to work with?

 

My favourite materials to work with are cotton yarn, buttons, vintage fabrics, etc. And everything that is old, or about to be thrown away, that can be turned itno something new and pretty. I love recycling!

 

Please nominate another team member who you'd like to know more about. 

 

I'd like to nominate Ulli from Leocardia, because she is from a neighbouring country!

 

Thank you BeaG, for finding the time and energy to share your creative story with us. Now lets take a quick look at some more of your amazing creations.

 

Below, we show two lip balm holders and an inhaler cover, all crocheted by Bea.

  

 

 

Some springtime items

Time to visit a few of our members shops.

Artisans selected for this beautiful springlike collection:

LarkspurAndLinen

(no longer a member)

Pieceunique

waterlilyandvine

Show 'em some lurve, folks...

Pay it Forward Friday

Time to catch up on some of our talented team members!

In order to qualify for this feature, you must conform to the following criteria:

1 - be a member of the Positivity Team on Etsy

2 - contribute to the current monthly team discussion at least once

3 - comply with the team philisophy of supporting and promoting
each other, not just ourselves, through the various forum
posts set up for this purpose. 

Items for this feature will be chosen from those who comply
with these requirements. If you don't contribute, you don't
get featured. Simple!

For some reason, today I'm in a purple mood, so lets take a look at what 

I can find.

TheEarthAndStars

 LynnLarae

 

susanwilliamsdesigns 

TwinMountainPottery 

Meet the Member feature - Jenna

This time we're off to the UK to meet Jenna of JennaMichellePinkArt

Please introduce yourself.

Hello, I am Jenna and I am a Uk based Fine Artist and Illustrator. I have a very happy family with my boyfriend and my 2 cats Isabella and Beatnik. (They are currently outside in the snow which is making me smile). Unfortunately I live in the city which has its advantages but I wish to be closer to the sea, for me the sea is massively healing. I hope one day in the future I will move there. My favorite film is The Dark Crystal and I do not have a favorite genre of music, I like most genres. My favorite musicians however I can name as Bjork, Ani Difranco and Janis Joplin. I have a love of all things creative and love expressing myself with colour either through my artwork or through my self-image. I love performance arts especially object manipulation and when I feel motivated spinning fire. I like Penguins, I also like parsnips :-)

Please describe your craftwork / shop and your inspirations for it.

My work is highly emotive and is inspired by my life experiences and the organic world around me. My art is a form of therapy and a journey of self-discovery. I paint and draw automatically allowing whatever is inside of me to get out. I find that my art to me is more about the process that creates it instead of the final product. 

I have always had a passion for art and I relate to the world in a very visual way. I am inspired by honesty. I couldn’t not be an artist. 

Could you describe to us what a regular day is like for you?

A day in the life of me would probably be fairly boring. I tend to wake up normally later then I want to (I am awful at mornings) I am motivated by Midday when I will start getting on with the day, how I spend my time changes from day to day, sometime I will spend the day working on my website or other computer based things. I try to squeeze in seeing a friend for a coffee a few times a week. I tend to create quite sporadically, I struggle to have a 9-5 routine when it comes to creating so some weeks I won’t stop painting and others I do little this is ok though I have learnt to go with the flow. I currently volunteer at a drugs and alcohol inpatient unit running art based workshops and supporting occupational therapists at the hospital, I love this and this is something I am hoping to develop a career in in the long term.

How long have you sold your items on Etsy?

I have been selling items on Etsy for probably about 10 months now. Well I say selling, my items have been listed for that long, I found Etsy and decided it might a good way to begin selling my work online, it has encouraged me to try selling at craft fairs.

What’s your favourite part of the Etsy experience?

Shopping? Haha, I love to scroll through other peoples shops. There are some very talented people selling through etsy.

Are there any other skills you’d love to have?

I would love to be able to crochet, yet I do not have the patience. I have been taught several times and have crocheted a few items but I lose interest quickly. I guess I was meant to paint and draw. I intend to teach myself to felt soon or ceramics…..ahh there are so many skills I would love to have.

What is your favourite item in your own shop?

This is currently my favorite painting to date. It was painted at a time that I needed to fill an emptiness inside of me. When I began painting the paint seemed to just create its own shapes and the figure emerged from it. I spent hours and hours working and re-working this painting applying layer upon layer of paint.

What are your favourite materials to work with?

I am currently completely in love with Dewant Inktense pencils. I love them. I love the effects you can make with them and how vibrant they are. I love how washed away and tired you can make them look. I wouldn’t be able to get buy without a box of Inktense pencils a Biro and a tip-ex pen.

Please nominate another team member who you'd like to know more about.

I nominate Melanie Stevens of waterlilyandvine

Her jewellery is inspirational and I would love to hear about its creative process.

Thank you Jenna, for this inspiring peek into your creative life! Now lets take a quick look at some more of your amazing creations.

To see more of Jenna's work, please click on the link to her shop 

JennaMichellePinkArt

Pay it Forward

Welcome to Monday, and items from some of our very talented team members.

In order to qualify for this feature, you must conform to the following criteria:

1 - be a member of the Positivity Team on Etsy

2 - contribute to the current monthly team discussion at least once

3 - comply with the team ethos of supporting and promoting each other.

Items for this feature will be chosen from those who comply with these requirements.

 Butterfly mosaic from valnorthwoods

Butterfly hair clips in silk, from katesCottage2 

  

Lilou coat from Pieceunique

Fabric bunting by simplewhimsey

 Photographic print by TheEarthAndStars

and finally, a little love from newly engaged Claire, of MissWrightDesigns

Meet the Member feature - Anna

It's been a long long time since we did this, so we're delighted to announce that we've resurrected our much loved Meet the Member Feature. To be featured you must be a member of the Positivity Team on Etsy (www.etsy.com). Our focus as a team is support, friendship and making friends, and to join you must have a shop on Etsy.

Now it's time to meet our FIRST interviewee of 2012 - Anna from Anticipation Cards.

Please introduce yourself

Hello Positivity Team! 
My name is Anna and I live in southern Maryland, about a hour or so south of Washington D.C. right on the Chesapeake Bay.  
I am a stay at home mom of 4, 3 boys ages 11 years, 6 years, and 4 months and a girl who is 9 years.  They keep me busy {to say the least}.  
I love vintage {mainly mid-century} and interior decorating. I'm always in need of a good book--I'm just a 'little bit' of a Jane Austen fanatic...I've  read Pride & Prejudice more times than I can count....and all the others a few times too.  
We are a musical family...or starting to be...I've played the piano since I was 5, my oldest son plays the piano and percussion, and my daughter is starting the Violin, my 6 year old declares he is going to play the tuba (we'll see about that).  
The kids all love to do art & craft projects together - which makes me happy--there is rarely a day where we don't have a new drawing or project to display. Oh, and I LOVE to cook & bake :)

Please describe your craftwork / shop and your inspirations for it.

I have two shops - anticipationcards and  seeannasew

 

Anticipation was my first shop, with all paper crafts.  I started it simply because I needed a project...I thrive on projects & with a little prompting from my mom and a few friends I decided to try and sell.  See Anna Sew was started because, well, I love projects and I love to sew too :).  I've been crafting since I was very small.  My mom is very creative and she had us sewing quilt squares and embroidering from the time I was around 7 years old or so. One of my favorite memories was of our 'make and do box' full of crafty goodness to make whatever we pleased. Art has always been a part of my life.

Could you describe to us what a regular day is like for you?

My days tend to change from day to day...the only constant is when the older kids get on and off the school bus.  My time is split between caring for the baby, cleaning up my house {a never ending battle with 4 kids}, and crafting whenever I can fit it in.  I also try to fit in a blog post in there once in a while...

I write two - anticipationcards blog and faithandairdumplings blog

   

How long have you sold your items on Etsy?

I opened Anticipation in August 2008 with a little, unsuccessful attempt {I really didn't know what I was doing} and then ended up taking a break for a little over a year when I suddenly became a 'recession widow' for 7 months while my husband moved ahead of us to Maryland; the kids and I were still in Michigan.  I re-opened Anticipation in November 2009 after a successful craft show and had my first sale in December.  I opened See Anna Sew in May 2010 - sales quickly followed.  My shops have always been on again-off again...due to long vacations to visit family in Wyoming; babies coming...and things like that :) 

What’s your favourite part of the Etsy experience?

I love everything about etsy.  There is nothing better than a sale, or even a heart letting me know someone likes what I'm creating (not just me).  And I love creating treasuries--window shopping through all the beautiful handmade items--it doesn't get better than that!

Are there any other skills you’d love to have?

I would love to learn how to knit.  I started learning in elementary school, then forgot how. That may be my new project this winter :)

What is your favourite item in your own shop?

Hmm...this is a hard one. This one: 

 

   just because it is very 'me'.

What are your favourite materials to work with?

Easily paper and fabric...patterned paper and fabric.  I am very inspired by patterns...I LOVE patterns and prints.

Please nominate another team member who you'd like to know more about.

I would like to know more about galleryoncentral  The photography in her shop is so great!

Thank you Anna, for a wonderful peek into your creative life! Now lets take a quick look at some more of your amazing creations.

note card set - polka dots and ribbons

crayon wallet in calico and denim

 embroidered personalized card set in yellow and green