May I introduce...EarthAria

Sealight
EarthAria is brand new to Zibbet but has been making jewelry for a long time - hopefully this feature will be a jump-start to another beautiful new Zibbet shop! EarthAria's owner and designer Sarah's favorite piece is Sealight, and this is how she described it to me:

"It's larimar, chalcedony, apatite, rock crystal and sterling silver. It's a special piece to me because my husband is from a southern Caribbean country and we spent a fair amount of our time together wading in the beautiful water there. Larimar always reminds me of sunlight shining through water, so I always think about that lovely time together when our relationship was still new. "

Sealight

"Even in its inception this piece was really special to me and I very carefully planned the color variations and texture of each bead in the necklace."

(Back to Nifty)Isn't that a lovely story? Many of Sarah's titles and descriptions tell a story. I'm rather taken by "La Vie En Ros"



Edo Tokyo is another very atmospheric piece - but don't take my word for it, go check out EarthAria


Don't miss NiftyKnits giveaway!

Undiscovered on Zibbet: Abracadebra!

Debbie, from Abracadebra, creates beaded jewelry. This is how she describes her earrings: "They are special, because although a simple design, they are my first brick stitch design. They are unique to me and are different than your usual brick stitch earring design. Though little, they took quite a few hours to make seeing as each bead was woven in one at a time."



Something I noticed too late for Halloween is this magnificent pendant:


Isn't it great?

I also really like Debra's Autumn inspired choker



Good luck Debra! Check out Abacadebra for high quality, yet affordable beaded jewelry that you can enjoy for a lifetime.

Read about more undiscovered Zibbeters: Boutiqueaholic, PinkDaisy, SugarPlumDreams, AdornMeJewelry,

And if you'd like to be featured yourself, please get in touch.

This is Amanda Robins

of GimmeThatThing, another new friend from Zibbet.

If you'd like to join us and open your own shop, please use my referral link: click here.

Favourite colour?

Dark olive, with burnt orange a close second. I'm definitely an earth tones person.

Ocean foam

Favourite smell?

Sandalwood. I'm a bit of a hippy and the smell reminds me of my teenage years, youth clubs and hanging out in the park. It still smells fresh to me and is included in so many expensive perfumes. I have a tiny bottle of sandalwood that I bought in Santorini in Greece a couple of years ago and when I make body lotion I use it with ylang ylang or orange to add an amazing fragrance.

Favourite place?

Under the duvet in the winter when it's lashing with rain outside. So cosy with my knitting, a cat or two and a good book!

Favourite sound?

The pair of blackbirds that sit in my pear tree and sing their socks off early in the morning.


Dotty Heart Earrings

Favourite way to spend your time?

Experimenting with new beads to create a design I've never tried before. There is nothing so exciting as getting a bead order delivered just when you've forgotten what is inside the package. I'm just filled with ideas when I see new beads. My biggest pleasure though is starting a new knitting project. It's always more exciting to start a garment than to finish one and because knitting is so portable, I've usually got it with me wherever I go.

nifty: sounds as if you're like me - hate the sewing up at the end? My top tip is to knit in the round whenever possible!

Favourite item in your shop of all time?

Hot Dog Yellowstone Handknitted Sweater For Dogs



Why?

The colours are so vibrant and suit the energy that small dogs have. I want the buyer of this item to send me a photo of the little fella that gets to wear this one. I have 2 cats and doubt very much if they'd let me dress them in fluffy yellow garments!

Favourite shop that isn’t yours?

Well that's a tough one. There are so many fab shops, but for originality I'd have to say Annabella Designs.

Why?

I've never done the wedding thing, but love all the paraphernalia that goes with the bridal outfit and this shop has it all.


The Pink Custom Made Vintage 50s 60s Style Stiff Net Petticoat is so not me but I love it. The satin ring cushion – I never knew such things existed until I saw them in her shop.

What has been the most useful lesson you’ve learnt so far that you’d like to pass on to our readers?

Never assume that when you've had a good run on sales you can stop promoting. Keep telling the world that you are making the most wonderful things that they are ever likely to see, and keep making and listing new items. Also, don't be afraid to try something new.


midnight clouds brooch

Oh so true! Thanks Amanda!

Find Amanda's blog and her shop, GimmeThatThing...

and my referral link to sign up for your own Zibbet shop: click here.

This is Michele

from www.Misha.folksy.com and www.MishaBride.folksy.com



Favourite colour?
Turquoise

Favourite smell?
The sea

Favourite place?
Barcelona

Favourite way to spend your time?
Apart from spending time with my two lovely sons, I can’t single out any one of these….creating new jewellery designs, visiting my local vintage clothes shop, scouring charity and junk shops, pottering about in my garden and allotment and coming up with new decorating schemes for the house.

Favourite item in your shop of all time?

Wow, that’s a really tough one! Almost every bridal commission that I finish is my favourite item at the time……. If I were to look back, I could probably pick out a few of my bridal favourites…



www.micheledawn.co.uk

If I had to pick favorites from my current items for sale, it would probably be these:

Silver & diamante hair vine – converts to choker

www.folsky.com/shops/misha


One of my latest statement necklaces

www.folksy.com/shops/misha

Blue Spring Cuff – one of a new collection of seasonal themed pieces



www.micheledawn.co.uk

Favourite shop that isn’t yours?

Another really tough question as there are so many…. I absolutely love Amanda Mercer’s shop! I have bought a couple of her ceramic buttons! If I had to fault her shop at all, I’d say that the photos don’t do her work justice!



I love the shop because she has a real identity; I love the way she effortlessly blends textile with ceramic. Her work is gorgeous, unmistakably hers… so pretty, fragile and feminine!









What has been the most useful lesson you’ve learnt so far that you’d like to pass on to our readers?

Promotion …. which I am gradually getting better at! (I’m a bit of a tecchie dinosaur really).

I never go anywhere without wearing a piece of my jewellery or carrying my business cards so that I don’t miss an opportunity of a direct sale.



I try to be listed with as many free online directories as I can.

I always have plenty of cards/flyers to give away at exhibitions and craft fairs.

I have been selling online for the past 10 years, starting off with my own website and an ebay shop. I joined etsy about 3 years ago, but I have to say that I haven’t really paid enough attention to it, which is reflected in poor sales!

I joined Folksy at the beginning of this year and am now totally addicted! I haven’t notched up many sales yet….. but I’m optimistic! I have a new range of vintage inspired statement pieces in the pipeline, so watch this space!

Thanks Michelle! Find more of Misha's lovely work here:
www.Misha.folksy.com
www.MishaBride.folksy.com
www.micheledawn.co.uk
http://www.nestandnettle.co.uk
Nest and Nettle facebook
twitter
Misha.etsy.com

this is ... Kat

from www.madewithlove.folksy.com



Favourite colour?

Duck egg – when I bought my house I had to be prevented from painting everything one colour. It’s gorgeous.

Favourite sound?

Any moment in a film when Tom Waits comes on the soundtrack and I wasn’t expecting it.

Confession time - Niftyknits had never heard of Mr Waits, and wants to send him some throat sweets ;-)





Favourite way to spend your time?

Messing about with my horse, Meg. She’s so funny, she makes the most pecualir noises, it’s like she’s desperately trying to talk to you.

Favourite item in your shop of all time?

Aargh – too difficult! I’m very fickle and it changes all the time, but I think at the moment it’s the Antoinette necklace



It was such a challenge – I had the brooch it’s made from for ages but couldn’t work out what to do with it, and then all of a sudden one evening inspiration hit. It came out even better than I iimagined.

Favourite shop that isn’t yours?

Bookity – www.bookity.folksy.com

Why?

The things she makes are so quirky and beautiful. I’m a real bookworm anyway (when I was little I would fall down the stairs because I had my nose in a book all the time) and I love her literary quote badges and her Shakespeare garlands.



book clock by bookity

What has been the most useful lesson you’ve learned that you’d like to pass on to our readers?



Don’t think it’s going to come easily – you need people to be able to find your shop and that means getting your head around social networking, business cards and shameless self promotion. Being shy and retiring won’t get you anywhere!

Oh so very true! Here are Kat's all-important links:

Folksy shop: www.madewithlove.folksy.com

blog: http://www.madewithlovebykat.blogspot.com

Kat's website: http://www.madewithlovebykat.com

twitter: @made_with_love

This is ... Kim

from KimsCraftyApple

Favourite colour?

Seems like a simple question but this is quite loaded for an artist. I would say my favorite colors to work with are the deep, rich jewel tones. But used in the right context every color can be absolutely exquisite. My 2.5 year old daughter would answer for me, Purple.



Favourite smell?

Right now, apple cider donuts...ask me again in a few months after I've made hundreds of them!



Favourite place?

Anywhere by water.

Favourite sound?

my babies laughing

Favourite way to spend your time?

Creating

Favourite item in your shop of all time?

Hmmm....another difficult one. I really like my Spring Flowers Quilt.



Why? I like it because I used such bright and beautiful colors on a design I created myself. I was influenced by others items but took the influences and made it into my own. I rarely make anything twice but I was inspired to make my Spring Flower's Quilts into a series...I have four total...so far.

Favourite shop that isn’t yours? (Apart from Niftyknits, obviously!)
Why?

I'm going to have to pick a few here:
www.allthenumbers.etsy.com has some amazing dresses for baby girls. I would buy them all if I could!

I bought the coziest, fun shirt from www.revivalink.etsy.com and hope to buy more in the future.

I love to buy fabric from fabricalacarte and karolsvintageart destash section.

I love the jewelry from crowsnestmountain.

I love so many etsy shops...I'm leaving out a ton but I do A LOT of my shopping on here!



What has been the most useful lesson you’ve learnt so far that you’d like to pass on to our readers?

You can't expect to set up a store on etsy and have them do all the work for you to get customers to your shop. In my personal opinion and experienbce you have to start out by:
One, having great pictures (I'm forever working on this)
Two , JOIN TEAMS...once I joined teams it made a HUGE diference.
Three, Take some time and promote on etsy...meet some people in forums and chat rooms



Four, Take A LOT of time and promote off of etsy...twitter does a world of good, a blog (super easy to do on blogger), facebook, handmade.me, project wonderful. So many sources taht are an inexpensive way to get people to look at your site
FIVE, tell your friends and family! Have them spread the word. Give you stuff as gifts whenever possible and don't forget to wear it yourself!




So...that's my five tips to you:) I'm still learning but it seems to be getting better and better and I'm getting closer and closer to my dream...simply being able to support my habit (Crafting).

KimsCraftyApple.etsy.com

www.theapple.etsy.com

www.kimscraftyapple.blogspot.com

kimscraftyapple on twitter

This is ... Shay!

from
simplydoodles.etsy.com and simplyshay.etsy.com

Favorite color?

Pink



Favorite smell?

Freshly baked brownies

Favorite place?

Morro Bay, Ca.



Favorite sound?

Quietness

Favorite way to spend your time?

Creating graphics, Etsy, and reading.



Favorite item in your shop of all time?

None

Why?

Because, I love them all.




Favorite shop that isn't yours? Designingit

Why?

Because, she has some beautiful jewelry.

What has been the most useful lesson you've learnt so far that you'd like to pass on to our readers?

Promote is the key to success and good communication!


simplydoodles.etsy.com
simplyshay.etsy.com
http://twitter.com/simplyshay

Mint Julep

As my regular readers will know I do love entering giveaways - and I like winning even more! Talking Beads was quite a challenge, as I had to name a piece of jewellery and I don't usually go in for "arty" names. The beads were so pretty, such a lovely minty shade mixed with lilacy pink so I had to have a go - and Jean picked "mint julep" as the winning entry!



If you're tempted, you can find more of Jean's jewellery on her website http://www.talkingbeads.co.uk/ or on Etsy talkingbeads.etsy.com or Misi or www.talkingbeads.folksy.com

and of course - don't forget to check out her blog in case she does more giveaways!

We have a winner!

Thank you to all who entered my giveaway! I asked everyone to choose their favourite item from my folksy shop, and also say which piece of knitted jewellery they'd like to win. Some of you only chose the jewellery - but then if that *is* your favourite piece, it's still valid.

I counted up 30 entries, and set rndom.org to work:






Entry number 2 is **jolicious**
She said...




My favourite non-meerkat item in your Folksy shop is this pin cushion



I like the colours and the little pot!

I would like to win the pink corsage featured in your blog entry. It's really pretty and I have just the jacket for it!



Send me your address Jolicious, and confirm this is the corsage you have chosen, and it will be on its way. Anyone who entered and was disappointed is welcome to convo me for a reduced rate on any Folksy knitted jewellery item in my shop.

Knitted Jewellery Giveaway!

Well - actually some is crocheted, but I think you'll forgive me.

Stop waffling Nifty - what do you win?



Your prize will be whichever jewellery item you choose from my Folksy shop, www.niftyknits.folksy.com



HOW do you win?

Seemples! Leave a comment telling me (1) your favourite not-a-meerkat item from my Folksy shop and (2) the jewellery item you would like if you win. Don't forget to leave a way for me to contact you.



***Please note there is way more jewellery in my shop than is shown here!***

Good luck - I'll draw the prize on Wednesday. Open to all - Folksy is now open to buyers from outside the UK, but not yet for overseas sellers. I *love* overseas buyers!

***COMPETITION NOW CLOSED, I'M BUSY CHECKING ENTRIES***

Let's meet ... Veryan from Beady Pool!

I know Veryan from Twitter and Folksy, and it's my pleasure to introduce her to you!

Cats or dogs?

Oh, definitely cats every time. If there is such a thing as reincarnation I would love to be a cat.

Star Wars or Star Trek?

Red Dwarf please for me, takes me back a few years. I missed the new one on Dave the other evening and forgot to record it, sure it will be repeated though.

Fruit or chocolate?

I love both LOTS

Favourite colour?

Blue, blue and ……blue.



Favourite meal?

Roast lamb or salad.

City break or weekend in the country?

Weekend in the country preferable near the sea so I can blow away the cobwebs.

Soaps or documentaries?

Not really into either, but I loved Hustle and am quite enjoying The Mentalist.

Bath or shower?

Shower, every morning it wakes me up.



Now we’ve got you warmed up…

What brought you to Folksy? Tell us about your shop (or shops) Do you sell anywhere else?

Beady Pool sells handmade unique jewellery made using artisan beads, gemstones and quality glass beads with Sterling Silver and fairtrade Karen Hilltribe silver. I like using lampwork beads as each one is different and each lampworker has their own style. It also makes my items even more unique as mainly, the artisans only ever make one set of each design. I make bracelets, earrings, necklaces and pendants.



I came to Folksy as a way to get my unique jewellery viewed by a wider audience. I liked the fact that it was UK based for a predominently UK audience.
My Folksy shop can be found at http://www.folksy.com/shops/Veryan.
I also sell from my own website www.beadypool.co.uk.

What’s the favourite item you’ve made so far?

Oh tough choice I have so many favourites. The old cliché it is usually the last thing I made but I do like the Ebb and Flow bracelet featuring lampwork by Rachel Dawes and also the Summer Days charm bracelet with Angie Finns eatable strawberries – yum yum.




If you could start again, is there anything you’d do differently?

Set up my website sooner, even if it was just a shop front with how to contact me and some information about what I do and sell. I think these days the first place we look for information is on the web so it important to have a web presence.



How do you see your store developing?

I am currently trying out a more affordable range on my website called the Beady Pool Treasure Chest. All the items will still be handmade, but I will be using more readily available beads. So more Czech glass beads and swarovski crystals. I still plan on making only one of an item, but if there is a market I may do limited edition runs of say five items of each design.
I would also like to incorporate more silver into my work and have been having some silver jewellery making lessons and maybe one day even make more of my own lampwork beads…watch this space.(these are pics of my first attempts at lampworking)




What have you been doing today that I’ve interrupted?

Keeping an eye on my 3yr old son and trying to cross things off my ever increasing to do list.

What’s your top marketing tip for today?

Tell everyone and anyone about you and what you do. Always carry business cards with you and if it is jewellery you are selling make sure you wear what you sell, it’s free advertising. Plus, you don’t have to part with your favourite pieces.

Great advice Veryan, thanks! Could you remind us of your links again please?

My Folksy shop can be found at http://www.folksy.com/shops/Veryan. I also sell from my own website www.beadypool.co.uk.

You can follow me on twitter or become a beadypool fan on facebook . I also have a blog http://veryanparker.blogspot.com

Let's meet... Lindesigns!

Lindi is a fellow Etteam member, and makes beautiful jewellery (although she no doubt spells it "jewelry"!) I know I've used these earrings with the honey bee in at least one treasury!



Quickies for starters:

Cats or dogs?

Dogs, of course! Unfortunately I'm currently dogless as I lost my sweet dalmatian a few months ago. But hope to adopt 1 or 2 dogs soon!

Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Wars!!!!

Fruit or chocolate?

Chocolate - dark!

Favourite colour?

Green

Favourite meal?

Hmm, I have to pick just one?
So far my favorite would be when we bought a roast chicken and potatoes at a French market added some fresh bread and cheese, fruits and pastries and made our own picnic in a nearby park - doesn't get any better than that! :)



City break or weekend in the country?

Since I live in the suburbs, I'd have to say a city break, preferably in Europe! :)

Soaps or documentaries?

Documentaries - although, I'll confess I occasionally watch a soap every so often.



Bath or shower?

Shower, but if I had a jacuzzi tub I would be in that everyday!


Now we’ve got you warmed up…

What brought you to Etsy? Tell us about your shop (or shops) Do you sell anywhere else?

I starting buying off Etsy in 2007 and decided it might be a good place to try my hand at selling some of my pieces. I spent months reading all the articles I could find on Etsy about opening/running a store/marketing and decided to go for it.

I started out with mainly jewelry and some photos, but have added some accessories lately.
I have not sold anywhere else yet, but plan to get my website up and running soon!


What’s the favourite item you’ve made so far?

Any of the items in my Simply Silver Collection, but I like the hammered flower best!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23778723


What has been the most useful lesson you’ve learnt (about Etsy) so far?

Finding and joining a group with supportive participants

*Nifty nods in agreement* We love ETTEAM!



If you could start again, is there anything you’d do differently?

Maybe a different shop name...List and renew more often than I did in the beginning - I had no idea how important that was until recently!

How do you see your store developing?

Adding some accessories for men and women
Paring items down to what sells best and not doing too many 'one off' pieces


What have you been doing today that I’ve interrupted?

Making some fabric brooches and jewelry!

What’s your top marketing tip for today?

Go to Timothy Adam Design blogspot for a wealth of information on selling and driving traffic to your shop.

Thanks for that Lindi.

lindesigns.etsy.com

http://www.twitter.com/lindesigns