Meet DesignsbyKari

1. What is your craft of choice, and how long have you been doing that?

My passion is jewelry. From vintage plastic, or Lucite, to genuine gemstones I have tried it all and love it. All together I’ve been making jewelry for about 20 years. I’ve dappled in all sorts of crafts…I tend to think, “I can do that”. Sometimes it works out; sometimes I destash my goods and leave it to the pros. I always come back to jewelry.

2. How did you get started?

Growing up Mom had a spot in a consignment shop, she made cross stitched pillows and jar lids and such. A few years after the shop closed down we were driving by and it was a bead shop, we looked at each other and said, “lets have a look”. That was it for both of us, since that day we’ve both had our hand in beads of one kind or another. I was 10!

3. What is your inspiration?

I love color! I love to express feeling and emotion through color. You could be wearing the simplest of black dresses, but a bright red necklace, or stunning orange floral ring and it speaks a little to who you are. I’m fond of shiny things that sparkle, hence the new line of gemstone goodies in my shop.

4. How long have you been on Etsy?

I officially celebrated my 1 year Anniversary on Etsy back on January 25th.

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I would love to say that I see my self having quit my day job and focusing solely on my shop, but my realistic nature won’t allow me to go that far.

So, Balanced! I see that I’ll be able to find a happy balance between family, career and passion. The right mix to allow me to o what I love.

6. What is the most challenging thing about having an online business?

Being seen. The online business community is constantly growing. Every day someone else with an idea and the courage to put it out there for us to see is jumping in the pool. I’m fortunate to have friends with blogs to help put me out there!

7. What is the most rewarding thing about having an online business?

The feedback. I have had some amazing buyers leave me feedback that warms my heart. One woman said she felt like Cinderella wearing a ring I made and another said she hasn’t taken her ring off since she received it. I can imagine the smiles on the faces and that makes every struggle worth it.

8. How does your internet business fit into your life? Is it your job or do you have another job as well?

It fits; right now it’s a bit cramped though. I am lucky to have a job that’s flexible and I can be online listing or promoting when it’s slow. At home, my hubby is amazingly supportive; he will do bath time with the kids or take care of dishes so I can pack orders. He’s in the U.S.Navy and deploys for anywhere from 6 months to 11 months at a time. During that time it’s much more of a juggling act.


9. When you are not crafting, how do you spend your time?

Playing with my kids, ages 3 and 10, gardening and enjoying my friends.

10. Are there any links you’d like to share?

Steel blue topaz ring
Tangerine Chrysanthemum ring
Peruvian Opal Hoops

I'd like to tell you that I own many of Kari's designs and they are all amazing! She takes a lot of pride in both the quality of her work and the presentation of it!

Now... see the ring in the top of this post?? Kari is offering that as a giveaway item to one lucky reader! You will receive 1 entry for telling me your favorite item at www.designsbykari.etsy.com, 1 entry for following Kari on twitter www.twitter.com/designsbykari, 1 entry for following this blog, and 3 entries for purchasing from Kari. Please leave a message for each qualification!

A winner will be picked by a random number generator on Wednesday, April 21. Please make sure there is a way for me to contact you when you win!

Meet michiganhemp

1. What is your craft of choice, and how long have you been doing that?

Everything hemp is my passion and I've been making hemp items for almost 7 years. I really try to make hemp items that are 'out of the box', so to speak. I want to take hemp to the next level...where hippie and beauty meet.

2. How did you get started?

My husband and I were at a small craft show in Mackinaw City, Michigan. While checking everything out, I found the cutest little hemp necklace that just screamed BUY ME. It was simple in design and made with all wooden beads, but it was adorable. When I reached for the price tag, I almost choked! It was wayyy over priced. Don't get me wrong, I completely understand the value of handmade, but this one was almost ridiculous. It was then and there that I decided that I could make better items from better supplies and sell them at better prices. The hubby and I stopped at the craft store on the way home, and I've been making hemp items ever since. :)

3. What is your inspiration?

My inspiration comes to me from many different angles. Some days, it is the color of the hemp, other days it is the pendant, and still other times it is simply random mixing of beads and colors that finally turn into something amazing.

4. How long have you been on Etsy?

I joined Etsy in February of this year, and I have absolutely loved every day since!

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Wow. This is a tough one for me. I have so many different interests that my life could literally take many different paths. At this point in time, I would have to say that I will be working from home, have my Bachelor's degree in either Graphic Arts or Visual Communications, and be a very successful Etsy shop owner. :)

6. What is the most challenging thing about having an online business?

This would have to be the marketing. It is extremely hard to get seen, and then to get a sale after being seen is even harder.

7. What is the most rewarding thing about having an online business?

Knowing that someone likes my handmade items as much as I do is the best feeling in the world. Usually, I tend to devalue myself, so knowing that someone is willing to buy one of my items is a big deal to me.

8. How does your internet business fit into your life? Is it your job or do you have another job as well?

Etsy is my top priority...until class starts next week. As far an another job, raising 5 boys, tending to the man of my dreams, running an online Etsy shop, and earning my bachelor's is about all I can handle right now! lol

9. When you are not crafting, how do you spend your time?

I spend a ton of time getting to know other Etsians, and attending my boys' sporting events. I would have to say that is how I spend the majority of my time when I'm not doing homework, or creating something new.

10. Are there any links you’d like to share?

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cheboygan-MI/Michigan-Hemp/85051183096

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/michiganhemp

Bonus: How do you push yourself to stay ahead of the game with your shop?

I don't believe that I am ever ahead of the game, but if I can keep myself above water and still swimming...I feel I'm doing great! :0)

Meet creativedesignz

1 . What is your craft of choice, and how long have you been doing that?

I have two passions. My jewellery and my photography. I have been doing both for about 5 yrs.

2. How did you get started?

My jewellery designing started back when my oldest daughter was 2. she found some pretty beads and immediately wanted to make herself a bracelet. so i bought some findings and after playing around with the beads, i decided i could get hooked on this. My photography started about 5 yrs ago when the oldest daughter was 1. we used to live near the beach so would take her for walks there and play in the caves nearby. when i wanted to capture special moments of her i found myself taking my camera along everyday after that.

3. What is your inspiration?

I guess seeing as my daughter helped me find my create side and it all started with her, i have her to thank. Since then my youngest whos now 3 has a flair for spotting good photo opportunities too.

4. How long have you been on Etsy?

Since September 2006 - nearly 3 years ago

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully opening my own shop or at least have some of my peices on display in a great high end shop somewhere being admired but hundreds of people.

6. What is the most challenging thing about having an online business?

That i spend alot of time in my shop. However that also means spending money on supplies which isnt a bad thing either. So i guess thats a positive.

7. What is the most rewarding thing about having an online business?

The money helps but knowing that my lovely items are being sent all over the world and its a fantastic feeling that its been appreciated somewhere else too.

8. How does your internet business fit into your life? Is it your job or do you have another job as well?

I am a full time mother so yes i have a job besides Etsy and can be challenging at times trying to juggle both, but i try to make a little time each day to construct something that reflects a bit of me that i end up loving.

9. When you are not crafting, how do you spend your time?

With my gorgeous children 6 &3 down at the park or zoo where i can take photos of them enjoying themselves. so i do take my work with me :)

10. Are there any links you’d like to share?

www.creativedesignz.etsy.com

Meet 42 Purple Elephants!

1. What is your craft of choice, and how long have you been doing that?

I'd say it's a toss-up between making jewelry and stamping/scrapbooking. I've been making jewelry for around 3 years now and I started stamping and scrapbooking over 7 years ago.

2. How did you get started?

I started scrapbooking when I was pregnant with my older daughter. Both my mother and mother-in-law were just starting around the same time. Shortly after my first daughter was born, I went to my first stamping party and had a lot of fun and have been stamping ever since. Around 3 years ago, my husband decided to make something for me and made a beaded watch. It was beautiful and he started making some other pieces for friends and family. At first I thought it'd be too hard to make jewelry, but the more I watched him, the more I decided I wanted to give it a try. These days, I make more than he does.

3. What is your inspiration?

It depends. Sometimes I pick a color and try to do something with that. Sometimes I pick specific items and see what I can make out of those (with jewelry, I'll sometimes just grab a random set of beads and then see what I can come up with to go with them). 4. How long have you been on Etsy? Since May 20095. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Hopefully in a bigger house where I can have my own craft room! ;)

6. What is the most challenging thing about having an online business?

Taking pictures that look decent. It's harder to sell jewelry online especially because it's definitely something you need to be able to touch and feel. Trying to get pictures that even halfway make up for that is difficult.

7. What is the most rewarding thing about having an online business?

Finding people who like what I make and hearing how much they like what they've ordered after it arrives.

8. How does your internet business fit into your life? Is it your job or do you have another job as well?

I'm a stay-at-home mom, so it fits in well to be able to do it when I have a moment away from the kids or after their bedtime. I do it very part-time right now, and that's how I like it for now.

9. When you are not crafting, how do you spend your time?

If I'm not doing housework, errands, entertaining the kids or any of the other typical "mom" stuff, I read, watch movies and sometimes even manage to go on a date with my husband!

10. Are there any links you’d like to share?

My Twitter account: http://twitter.com/42PurpleEleFans

My Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/42PurpleElephants

My Blog: http://42purpleelephants.blogspot.com/

How do you push yourself to stay ahead of the game with your shop?

I try to spend several nights a week making lots of different things so I have something to list just about everyday. I also market as much as possible outside of Etsy even though just posting things on the promotions forums is much easier.