FRIDAYS FEATURED SELLERS

Hi everyone! I am actually doing my featured sellers on Friday, on time and everything :-D Sorry I haven't been consistent, but I am working on it. I posted in the Etsy forums about the opportunity of being featured, and I got so many wonderful responses!!! The choice was very hard, but I know that I picked wonderful Etsy sellers that I would personally love to purchase from. I asked all of them a few questions so that you could get to know their shops better. Please take a few minutes and visit the Etsy pages of each of these these wonderful artists!

Featured Artist Number One: Lee Beads

I picked this shop because I have a love of lampwork beads and want to learn the craft...of the many talented lampwork artists on Etsy, Lee Beads is one of my favorites. I will definitely be purchasing in the future! Here are my favorite items:
Eye Candy Lampwork Glass Beads (The colors are gorgeous, and it is so fun!)
On the Go Lampwork Glass Bracelet (Definitely my style.)
Black and White Lampwork Glass Beads (I absolutely love the detail and time put into these.)

In the artist's own words...
1. What is the address of your Etsy shop: http://leebeads.etsy.com
2. Description of what you make: Handmade lampwork glass beads.
3. What is your favorite creation: I love the beads in the series called The Chicken or the Egg. I love the precision, and the color shift that happens with these glasses.
4. How you learnedcc your craft: I started melting glass in 2002, after reading a book about it by Cindy Jenkins. I started in my garage and made my husband light the torch for me the first time, because I was afraid I would blow something up! I am self-taught with a lot of help from the internet, and friends online. Happily, I have never blown anything up ;).
5. Years you have been doing your craft: Since 2002

Featured Artist Number Two: Amore Bride

I picked this shop because when I looked at it, I was sad that I didn't know about it when I got married! I would have loved to use some of the beautiful work. I love all of the different color and style variations in the pieces. Here are my favorite items:

Watermelon and Lime Bridesmaids Bouquet (Definitely my favorite. I love the colors, flower choices, everything!)
Wedding Cake Underlay (I wish I would have had this!)
Bouquet of Gorgeous Green Orchids (I love orchids!)

In the artist's own words...
1. What is the address of your Etsy shop: http://amorevivo.etsy.com
2. Description of what you make: Weddiing Flowers, including: Bridal & Brides Maids Bouquets, Corsages, Boutonnierres, Centerpieces, Wedding Decor and Favors, Accessories such as Ring Bearer Pillows, flower Girl Baskets, Cake Underlays and of course, different and new requests by new clients!
3. What is your favorite creation: Well, I love color and edgy designs, so I have to say my Tropical Bridal Bouquet that came from a request and photo of a fresh bouquet!
4. How you learned your craft: When I was a stay at home mom, a friend of mine managed a floral shop and taught me the basics, bow making, tape and wire, and elements of floral design. I loved it so much that I starting disassembling any fresh arrangements I could get my hands on and became self taught. As it grew into a business, I attended various seminars and classes offered by the floral industry.
5. Years have been doing your craft: Over 20 years :-).

Featured Artist Number Three: Glad Raggz

I picked this shop simply because the jewelry and bags are beautiful! I love the colors of all of the items, and would love to own several of these pieces! Here are my favorite items:
Handmade Blue Pearl Necklace (I can't say enough about this...EVERYTHING about it is lovely. I love the color, the beads, the pearls, and the toggle is gorgeous.)
Silk Fabric and Ribbon Embroidery Handbag (The colors are lovely together!)
Handmade Red Glass Heart Pendant (This is so lovely and Feminine!)

In the artist's own words...
1. What is the address of your Etsy shop: http://gladraggz.etsy.com
2. Description of what you make: Handmade, one-of-a-kind designer-inspired handbags, jewelry and accessories for women. I will also be adding one home-dec holiday item in near future.
3. What is your favorite creation: I keep coming back to this fun Red party handbag crochet purse as my favorite. It's so happy yet elegant, and actually looks like a party all by itself, complete with it's own confetti! It would be great for all fun and party occasions! I also see it at a posh mardi gras party. I think it sums up my attitude for creating and my shop in general.
4. How you learned your craft: My grandmother taught me how to crochet at an early age and my mother and aunts filled in the blanks with knitting and sewing machine skills. My mother sewed many of my clothes, (I was always told I was the best dressed in school!) My father is a mechanical genius, and was always very good problem solving. I think having that as an example "rounded me out" because I learned from that how to find new ways to approach a project, find new techniques and new looks, etc.
5. Years have been doing your craft: What's in my Etsy shop reflects a relatively new phase in my creative journey (within the last 3 years or so). But, I've been making and experimenting "forever". I have a broad range of interests, from gardening, cooking, home dec, needle arts, and many phases of crafting. So, my creative path is ever evolving and builds upon itself. I can't wait to discover and perfect something new!!!

Featured Artist Number Four: Tiny Rhino Metals

I picked this shop because I love the beauty and simplicity of the pieces. They all have something to convey. Here are my favorite items:
Karma Goes Around Necklace (I believe in Karma so this is a great reminder :-))
All You Need Is Necklace (I love the style of this!)
Bee You Necklace (So cute, and I love the message!)

In the artist's own words...
1. What is the address of your Etsy shop: http://tinyrhinometals.etsy.com
2. Description of what you make: All handcrafted sterling silver jewelry.
3. What is your favorite creation: Personal Favorite is the Karma Goes Around charm. (I am a huge Karma believer.)
4. How you learned your craft: Lol...I started doing sterling research over the past 9 months and just started...(before that I sewed/quilted.)
5. Years have been doing your craft: Sterling only about 9 months but creating things...well I am 35 so when I was about 4 I started being an artist.

Featured Artist Number Five: Fairy Dust Crochet

I picked this shop because I think the pieces of jewelry are unique and vibrant. I also love the varying colors and textures that are incorporated into many of the pieces. Here are my favorite items:
Fantasy Feathers (This necklace features the color orange, which I think is highly underused, and agate, which I love! I love the feathers and Howlite as well.)
Whimsical Orange (Again with the orange...can I tell you how much I love orange? I love the knotting!)
Spring Green Emerald Necklace (Love the color.)

In the artist's own words...
1. What is the address of your Etsy shop: http://fairydc2008.etsy.com
2. Description of what you make:I try to appeal to different people with different designs using crochet and metalwork as my main ingredients. I have to say that so far my favourite part is working with crochet, knotting and incorporating different materials, styles and colors.
3. What is your favorite creation: Fairy La Fashionista
4. How you learned your craft: I started crafting when I was young since I had a sister that I learned a lot from.
Now crafting is a big part of my life and the bonus is all the great people I've met on Etsy.
5. Years have been doing your craft: I started crafting when I was young since I had a sister that I learned a lot from.