Audrey Country Crafts is our featured artist today

Who are you?
Audrey Friesen

Where are you located?
Manitoba, Canada

What do you create?
I do Decorative/Tole painting on anything that will sit still long enough. Everythng from wood (which I cut out myself), tin, jean blankets, jean tote bags, sleighs, stools, you name it. I've also started making raggedy tote bags.

Where do you sell your creations?
On Etsy mostly, I do have one other shoppe, and for Oct - Christmas my friends and I have a "Christmas Craft Store" in the local mall. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6272600

Where do you create?
I have a wood shop attached to my hubby's shop, and also have a room in the house where I can paint and sew. It's nice being able to close the door on the mess sometimes.

What inspires you?
Oh my - well, I would have to say nature, other crafters, things I see at the store, on T.V. or anywhere really.

What are your goals?
Well, it would be nice to make enough money selling crafts to make my hubby happy (LOL). I would like to be able to support my crafting addiction with what I sell.

Are you able to support yourself with your creations?
Not even close! It would be nice though.

What do you friends and family think of your creations?
They are quite impressed. Most of my friends also are crafters/artists but we all create different product. It's still great to get together and compare experiences and ideas.

What do you do when you are not creating?
Laundry, dishes, cooking, cleaning - the everyday duties of a mom/wife. I drive a school bus to help support the family and my crafting.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
I've been crafting for about 15 years now. Started when the youngest was 2 years old. I saw an ad in the local paper for a beginner folkart painting class and hubby suggested that I go as a way to get out of the house for awhile. At the time I was a stay-at-home mom. Obviously he didn't realize it would become an addiction and take over a room in the house and part of his shop!! He might be sorry now. (LOL)

Please list your blog, twitter, Facebook or other address you would like to promote.
Three blogs: http://audreyscountrycrafts.blogspot.com
http://audreyscountrycraftsgiveaway.blogspot.com
http://audreysrecipes.blogspot.com

Thank you for answering my questions and sharing with us.

Thank you for entering my contest

We have a winner! Congratulations daisycakesoap!

I inputed the 5 commenters names into random.org. I listed the results below.

There were 5 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
daisycakessoap
Digital Misfit
Liz
LizardQueen
bijouxdesignsforyou
Timestamp: 2009-02-16 14:00:53 UTC

Thank you everyone for giving me some insight to what you want to see in my Etsy and Artfire shops.

Featured Artist CaffeinatedFrenzy

Who are you?

Kelsey, also known as CaffeinatedFrenzy

Where are you located?

I live in a suburb just outside of Cleveland.

What do you create?

I create hand knit accessories, gloves, scarves, hats, pillows, coffee sleeves, steering wheel covers, and more. I like to create knits that people wouldn't have thought of before.

Where do you sell your creations?

I started by selling at a local boutique, then moved on to Etsy. Now I sell on Etsy, Artfire and 1000Markets.

Where do you create?

My bedroom is my studio. More than often it has more yarn than anything else. :)

What inspires you?

The yarn itself inspires me. The color, the texture, I think the yarn sort of figures out what it wants to become itself.

What are your goals?

I would like to continue CaffeinatedFrenzy as a side job. I think keeping the business small will keep the personal, handmade charm of my shop.

Are you able to support yourself with your creations?

It certainly helps! But right now I have two part time jobs as well. What do you friends and family think of your creations? They're very supportive. One of my friends just bought a scarf from me!

What do you do when you are not creating?

I cook, I dance, and I drink too much coffee.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

My favorite orders are custom ones. I encourage buyers to not shy away from special requests! I love to create one of a kind things that reflect the people my customers are.

Please list your blog, twitter, Facebook or other address you would like to promote.

Here is my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Cleveland-OH/CaffeinatedFrenzy/124801195234 My blog: http://caffeinatedfrenzy.blogspot.com/

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

Giving my contest a bump

What do you want to see more of in my shops? Wallets, purses. money clips, or what? Any designs you wish I would make? Like what I do now? Tell me. =)

My contest:Leave me a comment of what you want to see in my shop and any designs you want to see. I will randomly pick one winner (using random.org) who leaves me a comment between today and Feb 15 at 11:59pm EST.

Please leave comments on http://copperspringsleather.blogspot.com/2009/02/little-contest.html Thanks. Right now you have great odds of winning. I only have 2 comments.

Little acts of kindsness

Support your troops,
originally uploaded by copperspringsleather.

Little Acts of Kindness can go a long way to cheering up someone's day. I have permision to post about a event that recently happened to me, but asked to not names or states.

I recently was comissioned to make a leather item for a young miltary family. Before I was finished, he received orders for a tour a duty. His wife emailed me and asked if I could ship directly to him instead of their home. Of course was my responce. I then noticed the wife's signature line. She stated she was a proud miltary wife and a sahm to a young baby.

I decided I would send her a little token of appreciation of being so supportive of our miltary. I sent her a key fob just like this one. I never expected to hear back from her.

A few days after I mailed both packages I receive an angry email from the wife. She was upset that I sent the custom order to her , not her husband. I emailed back to her her husband's delivery confirmation number and told her this package was for her.

The next morning I had an email waiting for me from her. She told me she had tears in her eyes as she was writting. She never expected someone to be so kind to her. It really brightened a bad day. She was really having a hard time with the baby and missing her husband. She told me she rushed to her keys and added the fob right away.

Sometimes a little kindness goes a long way.

Craft show season will be soon upon us again

I have been thinking about what sales to send applications to and what to change to be successful. As I sit here looking at my past sale receipts, I have noticed a trend. I wonder if other crafters do to.

I have noticed when I am actively crafting, I sell more. Days I either set up my marble block and tools and actively tooled leather or started hand lacing or sewing my sales increase. It makes me wonder if people attending craft shows expecting handmade items have been burned by factory made items that had stickers on them just momments before they were placed on the table, shelf or display.

Don't forget to leave your comment for my contest. Right now two people have great odds for winning the drawing. Don't be afraid of telling me to continue making what I'm making.
http://copperspringsleather.blogspot.com/2009/02/little-contest.html

Happy Birthday Son

eagle,
originally uploaded by copperspringsleather.

I am sitting here in my office taking a break. I gaze at your pictures and see you grow right before my eyes. I am proud to see how far you grown, not just in height and weight, but as a person.

You remind me of a soaring eagle so free. You have a great presence. The world is yours to explore.

Happy Birthday, my dear son.

Come follow CSLeather on Twitter

I'm trying a new marketing venue, for me, called Twitter. If you wish to follow my Tweets about new products, blog posts, sales, ect please sign up and follow me. You can find me at http://twitter.com/CSLeather .

I tried to sign up under my store and blogging name of Copper Springs Leather, but it was too many characters. I thought of signing up under just Copper Springs, but that just reminds me of the spring by the house where I grew up and first learned the art of leathercraft. I didn't think it would remind anyone else though.

Google Alerts

I wanted to introduce my fellow handcrafters to a great tool call Google Alerts. http://www.google.com/alerts I'm sure most of my fellow handcrafters that have been around for awhile already use this helpful tool, but it's a great reminder.

You use google tools to search for certain terms. It can be your business name, products you make, blog addresses, website address, or anything. Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your choice of query or topic.

Using Google Alerts is a great way to see who is praising you or giving you hints to improve. Who knows you may even see someone who gives you the most sincerest form of flattery.

A little contest

Sundance Suede Leather Handbag,
originally uploaded by copperspringsleather.

My Art Fire shop is now officially open. Well there is not much there now, just this beautiful suede handbag. I do have plans of filling my store to the rafters. I am working on finishing up some custom orders, right now.

What do you want to see more of in my shops? Wallets, purses. money clips, or what? Any designs you wish I would make?

My contest:

Leave me a comment of what you want to see in my shop and any designs you want to see. I will randomly pick one winner (using random.org) who leaves me a comment between today and Feb 15 at 11:59pm EST.

What will the winner receive? I'm glad you asked. The winner, anywhere in the world, will receive a beautiful horse shaped leather coin key chain similar to this one, although color may vary.

3 Column Display It's easy!

I am often asked how to set up a three column display like I have here at my blog. It's easy, but you do need to change some code. I hope this is helpful to my fellow handcrafters.


I followed these directions for making a
Three column display. http://bguide.blogspot.com/2008/02/three-column-templates-explained.html The article says in part, Three column templates are in high demand among most of the bloggers. This is evident from the frequency in which that question gets asked in the blogger forums. I have written up a series of articles that explains the under the hood details of converting a 2 column template in to a 3 column one.

Good luck!

We are all watching our pennies

coin holder ,
originally uploaded by copperspringsleather.

Now you can have a place to hold them!

We all are trying to hold onto every penny we can in this economy. I make a great item that can help you with that.

Coin Holder

24 oz tooling leather has been hand dyed black and sealed then hand stitched into this beautiful coin holder.

To use simply place coins into the bowl of the coin holder and pucker the holder and allow coins to slide into the pocket. Close the bowl over the pocket to hold your coins securely. To retrieve your coins open the bowl and pucker the pocket to allow the coins into the bowl and choose what coins you need.

Approximate Measurements Folded:3" X 3" (7.6 cm x 7.6 cm) Unfolded: 6"X 3" (15.2cm x 7.6cm).

Contact me at Etsy or Artfire and we can discuss making a custom one for you for less than $10

Love is in the Air

love bookmark,
originally uploaded by copperspringsleather.

What a great idea for the the love of your life who enjoys reading. Let them see your love for them each time they use this leather bookmark.

Come visit me at my Etsy store to purchase, this bookmark or other leather items. Copper Springs Leather

Art Fire

I have made the leap and opened a studio at Art Fire. You can see my new studio at http://CopperSpringsLeather.artfire.com .

I've been featured on another blog!

Monday, January 12, 2009
Monday Madness Etsy Features
" I love Butterflies"

Etsy featured Butterfly Sellers

*snipped*
CopperSpringsLeather offers leather items that are hand carved, tooled, stitched, and dyed/painted. This shop has a variety of items from wallets, money clips, cuffs, bracelets, to check book covers. You will be sure to find something in this shop to tickle your fancy...and to boot...this artist has a great variety of butterfly items!!!

My favorite butterfly item is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7962757.


Please visit prettybamboo to read more.

Susan from Susans Scrapbook Shack is our featured seller today

Who are you?
Susan

Where are you located?
Orlando, FL

What do you create?
I offer scrapbook supplies, both traditional favorites as well as new and unique products.

Where do you sell your creations?
I have an etsy shop at http://susanscrapbookshack.etsy.com/.
I also have an online store at SusansScrapbookShack.com where I offer a store, message boards, and a gallery. In addition I have been selling on eBay since 2001 under the ID Suziqz101, however over the past year or so I have become more and more disenchanted with eBay policies and am trying to move a majority of my items away from that venue.

Where do you create?
In addition to selling scrapbook supplies, I am also an avid scrapper. I have a combination office and scrapbook studio where I work and create.

What inspires you?
I get inspiration from everyday things and experiences...the wallpaper in my bathroom, a cloud with a certain shape, a magazine ad, or something I hear in conversation. I am also greatly inspired by other scrappers!

What do you do when you are not creating?
Genealogy research, watching my daughter play soccer and water polo, hanging out in the hot tub with hubbie, working out at the YMCA.

Happy Earth Day!

rose zipper pull,
originally uploaded by copperspringsleather.

Today I am featuring my Zipper Pulls/Key Chains.

My zipper pulls may seem like an odd choice for a blog about earth day, but please give me a chance to explain. One day I was sitting in my studio looking at my bin of leather scraps. Most of these scraps were too small to make a wallet front or a change purse, but it seemed wasteful to add these pieces of leather to the landfill. I realized that they could become something beautiful.

I took out my leather punches and started making circles of different sizes. I tooled a small design on the circle. I carefully painted them with leather dye. Once they were dry I used a very small punch to make a hole for the beaded key chain. I added the beaded key chain and a beautiful zipper pull/ key chain was born.

Now I make these zipper pull / key chains when I have a bin full of scraps. I get requests for them all the time. They always sell out at the craft shows I attend.

Kari J of Lily W Designs is our featured artist today

Who are you?

Kari J. Lily W is a figment of my imagination.

Where are you located?

Iowa

What do you create?

Glass objects. I love making beads, but also enjoy fusing and slumping with different mold or found objects.

Are you able to support yourself with your creations?

Not yet!

Where do you sell your creations?

http://lilywdesigns.etsy.com/ . I also sell to friends and family through word of mouth. I'm looking to get into my first art show this summer.

Where do you create?

In my cave! My studio is in my basement.

What inspires you?

Anything and everything. I love looking at others' work and deconstructing it to see if I can replicate techniques. My ten year-old son gives me lots of suggestions and we experiment together.

What are your goals?

To sell enough to buy another, bigger kiln!

What do you friends and family think of your creations?

My husband was frightened at first. I'm not a graceful person by nature, so he panicked when I lit the torch in the house for the first time. Then when I told him I wanted a really hot oven, he cringed. He's since become my second biggest supporter (my 10 year-old being the first!). He was the one who offered to give up half of his basement for my studio and patiently looks at everything I show him. I have friends who are glass artists and they have been incredibly supportive. There's nothing like being able to call a glass artist friend in the middle of a glass crisis for advice.

What do you do when you are not creating?

I'm an Information Technology manager for a major insurance company. Quite a different world than my glass work.


Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I got into glass because I needed a hobby and it was something that wasn't a complete and utter disaster. What I've found is that it is an amazing stress relief. When I have a bad day at work or life just becomes too much, firing the torch and melting glass or cutting and cracking it takes so much concentration you can't worry about the other things going on. If anyone is scared to try it, don't! It's not nearly as frightening as it seems.

Jessica of Bruiserbeans is our featured artist

Who are you?

A stay at home mother of two named Jessica


Where are you located?

Boise Idaho


What do you create?

I create beadwoving purses and beaded jewelry, some magnets, and collage sheets. My passion is my beadwoving purses.


Are you able to support yourself with your creations?

Not yet, Haven't sold any of my big ticket items. I have sold locally though.


Where do you sell your creations?

http://bruizerbeans.etsy.com Locally it is only word of mouth. No store locally


Where do you create?

My living room


What inspires you?

Nostalgic costume jewelry and purses, my kids too


What are your goals?

To finally sell one of my beaded purses. And to have my jewelry and purses worn on the red carpet. Finish college.


What do you friends and family think of your creations?

My friends and family are my biggest supporters.



What do you do when you are not creating?


Thinking about creating. My mind is always buzzing with new ideas.


Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I would love to do custom work. custom work is my favorite creative outlet.

Jennifer from Knit1Paper2 is our featured artist of the day

Who are you?

My name is Jennifer.

Where are you located?

I am located in the North part of Georgia.

What do you create?

I create hand knit items (Washcloths,hats and scarfs right now. Other items coming soon.) and paper goods (mini envelopes and A1 envelopes.More paper items coming soon also.) I will also have some destash here and there.

Are you able to support yourself with your creations?

I do hope to be-able to do this.

Where do you sell your creations?

http://Knit1Paper2@etsy.com

Where do you create?

I create most of my paper items at my coffee table in my livingroom. But for my knitted items I tend to make those while sitting on my front porch while watching the birds.

What inspires you?

Colors and crazy patterns. They catch my eye and wont let go till I do something with them.

What are your goals?

My goal is to bring top quality items to the every day person like myself.

What do you friends and family think of your creations?

My grandmother and my 12 year old cousin is always asking for nice envelopes and my mother-in-law cant get enough of my washcloths! If it wasnt for them I might not of discovered Etsy!

What do you do when you are not creating?

I chill on my couch and watch crafting shows and Food Network.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

My goal is to donate 25% off my earnings every month to The Humane Society of The United States. They do a great cause! https://secure.hsus.org/01/membership?qp_source=gabacj&gclid=CPWEyvWT%5fpECFQHhPAodqGh7%2dA