Sunday, August 28, 2011

Giveway: $20 Gift Certificate


Win $20 Gift Certificate from Kyandkin. Get to know Heather, our Saturday Artisan this week.

There are many ways to enter. Please make sure you leave a separate comment for every entry.
How to enter to win:

Mandatory entry:

Extra entries (only qualify once mandatory entry is fulfilled):
  • Earn 2 entries - Go to yesterday's post to know her more. Leave a comment there (yesterday's post) on at least one the following: what you learn from the interview, what you want to see more on her shop and why, or any constructive feedback are always appreciated. Come back here and leave 2 comments that you did, to ensure your entries are counted.
  • Heart Kyandkin (1 entry). Simply let us know your Etsy username.
  • Follow my adorebynat blog (1 entry). If you're already a follower, you still get an entry, just says you're following already.
  • Like Kyandkin Facebook page and tell Heather, Nat of adorebynat send you there.
  • Like my Adorebynat Facebook Page. You must drop by and let me know that you enter this giveaway (1 entry).
  • Follow adorebynat on twitter (1 entry).
  • Tweet about this giveaway, add "@adorebynat" in your tweet. (1 entry).
  • Blog about this giveaway to earn 2 entries. Leave two separate comments here please providing me with the link to your post.
  • Be creative and share the love! Refer your friends and family to enter this giveaway. Use your social media (other than twitter and blog) to shout out this giveaway. As long as you provide me a link or a way to confirm it, you'll earn 2 entries (two separate comments).
  • Purchase an item from Kyandkin and earn 10 entries for each purchase. Don't forget letting us know by leaving comments.
Contest starts now and ends on September 10, 2011. Contest opens worldwide.
Don't forget to leave me a way to contact you. Entries without contact information will be disqualified. Entries that do not follow the rules will be disqualified. Contest winner will be drawn on Sunday, September 11 by a random number generator, by the artist herself. Winner must respond within 48 hours after being contacted otherwise another winner will be randomly selected.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Saturday Artisan: Kyandkin

Meet Heather of Kyandkin, our Saturday Artisan. Heather offers a variety of beautiful, stylish and comfy children's clothing. I love the soft colors of the clothes and how comfortable they seem. In addition, they're affordable. Let's get to know Heather a bit more, shall we? 

Tell us a bit about yourself and what arts/ crafts that you make? 
Kyandkin is a small business that creates handmade children’s clothes and necessities. I have always loved the soft colors of baby & children’s clothes and the free flowing comfortable feeling of clothes, and have put the two together to create kyandkin. 

I live with the idea of quality over quantity, and take time with each item as if my own children would wear them. The pieces are sewn completely with a machine and have zig zag stitching for secure seams in place of a serger for that extra durability and handmade touch. I wanted to make clothes for my girls and other children that were something a little different from the norm, something that they are comfortable in and something that they can run and play freely while still being able to look stylish. 

I always fall in love with particular styles that are way over priced and can never afford them, and due to the fact that children grow so fast, I always thought it would be a waste of money…so with that in mind, I started to make clothes that I would’ve loved to wear as a child and be good on the pockets as well. 

Most of my supplies are either from local shops in town, online fabric stores or, my favorite, other etsy shops, to help other etsy owners build their businesses as well. I love the diverse options, overwhelming creativity and friendly people that I have talked to through etsy, just over the last few months. It means so much to me to give back to others, and watch sales grow for shops trying to make it as well.


 
I had sewn for years, and had started with selling handbags to friends and family a few years ago…but I knew that there was something else that I was even more interested in but just couldn’t put my finger on it…until I had my second little girl. I had finally found something that I LOVE to put my time and effort into, something that I just can’t get enough of. The time I put into my shop is time that I love to put aside, something that’s freeing, a little “outlet” of mine where I can relax and take in my day piece by piece. I use every opportunity to get a little work done, whether it’s early in the morning before my girls wake up, during a nap or after they’re fast asleep. My business is a dream that I can’t stop thinking about, which is what I always wanted for myself.


Which part of creation process that you like to do the most? 
I love seeing the finished product come to life, there’s something so rewarding coming from something you made by hand. 



Could you share on how your organize your products, we all can use a little tips here and there in this department?
Currently I’m organized on shelves with each one designated to particular items (like ribbons and scrap in baskets), all my fabric is organized by type of fabric and then by color for me to find what I need quickly…but would give anything to have awesome rustic cubbies and a LARGE work area. 



What is your best seller? At the moment the bubble dress is the best seller…customers are buying for their weddings, for flower girl dresses.
How does your day go in general? I’m a very organized person, so I try to wake up check my shop and answer emails and update my facebook page. Then take care of my amazing girls and feed them breakfast, play for awhile and go outside if the weather is good! When it’s nap time I tend to creating and sewing orders and new items for my shop to keep it fresh, this all lasts for a couple of hours then it’s back to my kids for a while and cooking dinner and bath time, after they’re asleep its back to creating until late in the night to get my “to do” list completed. 


How do you balance your personal and work life?
It all comes together somehow, I’m lucky to have an amazing husband as well so helps with the balance. 


Do you have a favourite Etsy seller? There are so many etsy sellers out there that are awesome at what they’re creating. I couldn’t put my finger on one, just yet….so to narrow it down slightly I’m in love with my fellow crafters in the children’s world.


What inspires you? I started kyandkin with the inspiration from my 2 beautiful daughters, Kylie Rainn and Kinley River. I am a military wife of an amazing husband who serves as a Riverine in the Navy. My family is absolutely everything to me and they have inspired me to start something that would last forever, something small...growing into something big...


 
What is your goal for 2011? And are you on the right track?
My goal is to have 50 sales, I think it’s going good so far (knock on wood) I’m so thankful for the customers thus far who have believed in me and my items. 


How do you promote your shop?
I promote through my facebook, through my etsy teams and through blogs, all have worked wonders for the promotion of my shop! 


Any advice for others running their on-line shop?
Focus, focus, focus. Don’t give up, the sales will eventually come just keep doing what you love and promote those items as much as you can! 

See you tomorrow! A new giveaway that you don't want to miss.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Backpack Tag

Happy Monday! I made this cute backpack tag a week ago. It's for my little Ethan. With the school starting around the corner, this will be a great touch to kid's backpack. A quick tutorial that I thought I'll share with you. It's super easy! And fun, may I add!! First, get the cute backpack digital stamp from JW Illustrations. Color it as you wish in photoshop. Add your children name. Then get recycled cardboard and a piece of double-sided patterned paper.



Print the image.

Cut the cardboard into the size you'd like the tag to be, and then adhere the patterned paper on each side.

I like to use double-sided tape as it gives a clean cut finishing than glue. Adhere the image and pretty the tag up with ribbons and baker's twine.

The back of the tag has helicopters which was a sweet surprise for my little one.Oh how he adores it.

Thanks for dropping by.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Giveaway: Vintage Bracelet Pink and Gold

Win this beautiful vintage bracelet from Marelle of Hopscotch Couture. Get to know Marelle, our Saturday Artisan this week.

There are many ways to enter. Please make sure you leave a separate comment for every entry.
How to enter to win:

Mandatory entry:

Extra entries (only qualify once mandatory entry is fulfilled):
  • Earn 2 entries - Go to yesterday's post to know her more. Leave a comment there (yesterday's post) on at least one the following: what you learn from the interview, what you want to see more on her shop and why, or any constructive feedback are always appreciated. Come back here and leave 2 comments that you did, to ensure your entries are counted.
  • Heart Hopscotch Couture. (1 entry). Simply let us know your Etsy username.
  • Follow my adorebynat blog (1 entry). If you're already a follower, you still get an entry, just says you're following already.
  • Like my Adorebynat Facebook Page. You must drop by and let me know that you enter this giveaway (1 entry).
  • Follow Hopscotch Couture on twitter (1 entry).
  • Follow adorebynat on twitter (1 entry).
  • Tweet about this giveaway, add "@adorebynat" in your tweet. (1 entry).
  • Blog about this giveaway to earn 2 entries. Leave two separate comments here please providing me with the link to your post.
  • Be creative and share the love! Refer your friends and family to enter this giveaway. Use your social media (other than twitter and blog) to shout out this giveaway. As long as you provide me a link or a way to confirm it, you'll earn 2 entries (two separate comments).
  • Purchase an item from Hopscotch Couture and earn 10 entries for each purchase. Don't forget letting us know by leaving comments.
Contest starts now and ends on September 3, 2011. Contest opens worldwide.
Don't forget to leave me a way to contact you. Entries without contact information will be disqualified. Entries that do not follow the rules will be disqualified. Contest winner will be drawn on Sunday, September 4 by a random number generator, by the artist herself. Winner must respond within 48 hours after being contacted otherwise another winner will be randomly selected.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Saturday Artisan: Hopscotch Couture

Meet this week Saturday Artisan: Marelle of Hopscotch Couture.
What unique about Marelle's works? Over 95 percent of all items in our accessory line are made from previously loved, vintage treasures Vintage goes modern - La Marelle Couture as she says.
You will love her works! Read our interview below to find out how she contributes to the society. I truly admire her. 


Tell us a bit about yourself and what arts/ crafts that you make?
I turn vintage finds such as jewelry, fabrics, hardware and trimmings into modern wearable art. With the proceeds from my shop I fund the Hopscotch Hands on Exhibit for the Blind, a three dimensional art exhibit of celebrities for the blind to view by touch.



Which part of creation process that you like to do the most? 
My favorite part really is making purses with pieces that are unexpected. Some of my purses have working clocks in them and quite a few of them have brass legs. It is always fun to place an unusual item on a purse and see that it really does work. Naming each purse is quite enjoyable also.


What inspires you? 
The vintage pieces I find really do inspire me, At times I will find a vintage purse or piece of hardware that I just can't wait to use. Other times an idea for an entirely new item will come from a vintage find. With vintage materials comes a history, an unknown past. Giving them new life is all the inspiration I need. 



What is your favorite tool that you cannot live without? My needle nose pliers without a doubt. They are used in just about every single project. 



What is your goal for 2011? And are you on the right track? My goal for this year was to get the word out about what I do for the blind and to be able to schedule more exhibits for them. I have to say, being on Etsy has helped me exceed my goal and made it possible to do what I love. My next exhibit will be in October at the Pennsylvania Blind Association's yearly convention.


Saving money is important; tell us one thing that you do to save money? One way to cut down on cost is in the packaging. I use boxes from craft stores, cover the old writing with pretty papers and ship out with them. The boxes are beautiful and I am able to keep my shop at 95% recycled materials. 


Any advice for others running their on-line shop? For me, it is all about customer service. Make the process an experience for your client not an ordeal. Respond immediately with their questions or orders. Let them know how much you appreciate them and pack their items up as if you were sending a loved one a gift. I always include a thank you card and many times a free gift. More information on what I do and my exhibit for the blind can be found in this newspaper article done on me recently.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Giveaway Winner of My Hobby Shop

Congratulations J Dee for winning My Hobby Shop's giveaway: Cerise Crocheted Earrings. I believe she has been contacted and the beautiful earrings are on their way.

Thanks Lily for your generosity!

Enter current giveaway here.



Monday, August 15, 2011

One Saturday Afternoon

Hey all! Hope you had a great weekend! We surely did. The weather has been great: sunny with a little breeze. I can't handle too much heat, so this is meeting my expectation. 



Above is the view from our deck, lovely isn't it? 

It's salmon with potatoes and onions for Saturday dinner.

Yummy, as Ethan said.

And there he is enjoying playing. He grows so fast, doesn't he?

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

First Day of School Banner

Hello everyone,
Popping in to share one of the projects that I had last weekend: First Day of School Banner.

Primary colors are chosen. By the way, I've been working with primary colors lately, colors that are not usually in my pallettes. Buy hey, I came to love them! Bright and cheerful!





Perfect for boys and girls.


Actually, this is a banner requested by one of my sweet clients. She is going to use it as a prop as she take pictures of her children on the 1st day of school in September. Brilliant!



You can also make this banner yourself. Get these pretty images from JW Illustrations.


Such cute cliparts that you can do so many things with them. When I took the above picture, I imagined that I could make a journal/ notebook with this as the book cover. It'll SO cute!


And there you have it, my friends, the whole banner in 4 strands. Wish I could put them up for a better picture. I guess the best picture will be when they are held by the 2 children these were made for.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Giveway: $25 Gift Certificate


Win $25 Gift Certificate from Cloud Nine Designz. Get to know Mandee, our Saturday Artisan this week.

There are many ways to enter. Please make sure you leave a separate comment for every entry.
How to enter to win:

Mandatory entry:

Extra entries (only qualify once mandatory entry is fulfilled):
  • Earn 2 entries - Go to yesterday's post to know her more. Leave a comment there (yesterday's post) on at least one the following: what you learn from the interview, what you want to see more on her shop and why, or any constructive feedback are always appreciated. Come back here and leave 2 comments that you did, to ensure your entries are counted.
  • Heart Cloud Nine Designz (1 entry). Simply let us know your Etsy username.
  • Follow Cloud Nine Designz blog (1 entry).
  • Follow my adorebynat blog (1 entry). If you're already a follower, you still get an entry, just says you're following already.
  • Like Cloud Nine Designz Facebook page and tell Mandee, Nat of adorebynat send you there.
  • Like my Adorebynat Facebook Page. You must drop by and let me know that you enter this giveaway (1 entry).
  • Follow Cloud Nine Designz on twitter (1 entry).
  • Follow adorebynat on twitter (1 entry).
  • Tweet about this giveaway, add "@adorebynat" in your tweet. (1 entry).
  • Blog about this giveaway to earn 2 entries. Leave two separate comments here please providing me with the link to your post.
  • Be creative and share the love! Refer your friends and family to enter this giveaway. Use your social media (other than twitter and blog) to shout out this giveaway. As long as you provide me a link or a way to confirm it, you'll earn 2 entries (two separate comments).
  • Purchase an item from Cloud Nine Designz and earn 10 entries for each purchase. Don't forget letting us know by leaving comments.
Contest starts now and ends on August 20, 2011. Contest opens worldwide.
Don't forget to leave me a way to contact you. Entries without contact information will be disqualified. Entries that do not follow the rules will be disqualified. Contest winner will be drawn on Sunday, August 21 by a random number generator, by the artist herself. Winner must respond within 48 hours after being contacted otherwise another winner will be randomly selected.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Saturday Artisan: Cloud Nine Designz


Happy Saturday Morning! Meet Mandee, artist and owner of Cloud Nine Designz. Beautiful jewelries, and a variety of them that you can find. Love it!

Tell us a bit about yourself and what arts/ crafts that you make?

My name is Mandee and I am 30. I love the art world. I started writing short stories and poems when I was younger. I had a poem published. I now paint and make jewelry.

Which part of creation process that you like to do the most?
I like looking at beads and having ideas pop up in my head. The light bulb going off is amazing. But really I just want to make things that people love. I feel that people should be told everyday they are loved. I want you to be able to wear my items and feel special. I want someone to be able to give a gift to someone to make someone's day.

Could you share on how your organize your products, we all can use a little tips here and there in this department?
Most of my supplies are kept in bins. All separated by color/type.

What is your best seller?
My best seller is button bracelets for kids sports teams/sorority's. Also the dandelion wish earrings and my angel items.

How does your day go in general?
I wake up and go to the gym. Work on items, making them. Relisting, working on custom orders. Go to work 1 to midnight. Come home and work on orders a little more. Write to clear my head and sleep.

What is your goal for 2011? And are you on the right track?
I want to learn how to organize all the legal and banking items. Anyone willing to teach me?

Any advice for others running their on-line shop?
Don't let anyone tell you you cannot succeed.

Saving money is important; tell us one thing that you do to save money?
I don't spend money on myself.

Anything else you'd like to share?
A profit of my items goes to charity. I love giving back.

Stay-tuned for tomorrow's giveaway!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Creative Space: Dino Birthday Card

Happy Friday!! Weekend is just hours away. Whoo Hoo! I'd like to share with you another card I made last weekend. I LOVE JW Illustrations cliparts and stamps, where I get this cute dinosaur from. Can't get enough of them!Isn't this a cute card for a little one's birthday! I know MY boy loves it! I made a pair but surely I can make more :-) One of them will be available shortly in my shop.








See what others make in our creative spaces. Lots of fun, I tell ya!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Giveaway Winner of Bella Gifts

Happy Thursday everyone! One more day and the weekend is here! I can't wait!
For those of us who work full-time job outside of home, you know what I'm saying right?? :-) I have TONS things to do over the weekend.

Without further adue, I'd like to annouce the winner of Bella Gifts' Giveaway.

As Miranda said: "There were so many entries, and after assigning numbers and then using www.random.org, I found myself a winner for the $25 gift certificate! It is...drum roll please......Jasmine1485! "

Congratulations Kate!! I believe Miranda has been in touch with you. Have fun shopping, my dear! *jealous* :-)

Thank you Patti and Miranda from Bella Gifts for your generosity. Wish you success with your shop! Thanks everyone who entered and made this a fun giveaway. For those that entered and did not win, Bella Gifts offer 20% off of your purchase, simply use the special coupon code of ADOREBYNAT.

Stay-tuned for the next giveaway!