Sunday, December 5, 2010

Etsy Mom Holly Day Blog Hop - Huge Giveaway

Check out all of the fabulous holiday-themed projects, gift ideas, and more from our wonderful EtsyMom Blog Hop Contributors from around the world!!
Here's how it works:
1. Hop through each of the blogs listed above to get fabulous holiday inspiration and leave a comment. If you are starting at a blog in the middle of the Hop, start back at the EtsyMom Blog. You may have to scroll down a bit on the blogs to find the Blog Hop posts as the week progresses.
2. Leave a comment on the EtsyMom Blog post between now and December 11, 2010.
3. Enter to win our giveaway by doing any of the following. For each thing you do, you will be entered into the drawing one more time:

~Leave a comment on the EtsyMom Blog post between now and December 11, 2010.
~Leave a comment on the Holly Day Blog Hop posts for any of the blogs listed above between Dec 5 and Dec 11, 2010.
~Join the EtsyMom Blog email list (fill out the form in the right hand column).
~Become a follower of the EtsyMom Blog! Just click the "Follow" button in the lower right column.
~"Like" the EtsyMom Facebook Page.

Share about this Blog Hop on your own blog, posting a link to this page.
Share about this Blog Hop on Facebook, posting a link to this page.
Share about this Blog Hop on a message board or forum, posting a link to this page.
To let us know you've done these things, please come back to the EtsyMom Blog post and leave a comment for each thing you did.
Sorry - you cannot enter the giveaway here on my blog.

On December 11, 2010 we'll choose a winner using the Random Integer Generator from random.org. The winner will receive this super sweet gift basket full of handmade holiday goodies, including:
a pair of Turquoise Earrings from
http://www.stoneymistdesign.etsy.com/
a lampwork bead bracelet by
http://handmadewhimzy.etsy.com/
sterling silver and Swarovski pearl/crystal holiday earrings by
a cream colored cotton scarf given by
http://www.zoegirldesigns.etsy.com/
a raincloud ornament from
http://www.etsy.com/shop/babyjives
a matching splat mat and baby bib from
http://www.babysindulgence.etsy.com/
two pair of earrings from
http://quirefly.etsy.com/
a gift pack of over 30 pages of vintage paper ephemera by
http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrychiccottage
a lovely sustainable stocking from
http://www.rikrak.etsy.com/
a set of holly jolly gift tags from
http://cinnamonspice.etsy.com/
a set of toddler pajamas in a style of the winner's choice from
http://heatheregley.etsy.com/
a $15 gift certificate from
http://camelotstreasures.etsy.com/
A gift certificate from
http://babyswank.etsy.com/
A Custom copper heart necklace from
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ct2designs

Candy Cane Candle

So today I'm gonna be showing you a cute little holiday craft that's super simple to make and will add a festive touch wherever you put it! It's a Candy Cane Candle!

All you need are some candy canes...any color or flavor, a candle that matches your candy canes, and a hot glue gun.

Next...take all the plastic off your candy canes, and start gluing the candy canes to your candle with the hook part facing out!

 Voila! Like I said, super simple and totally festive! Plus, when you burn your candle it will smell a tad like peppermint...if you got an unscented candle and peppermint candy canes, of course.


Okay, be sure to visit the next blog in the hop...Baby's Indulgence
And if you want to start from the beginning, click here!
Posted by Meagan at 6:00 AM 15 comments
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Friday, December 3, 2010

Etsy Mom Holly Day Blog Hop - Huge Giveaway

Just a couple of days away from our Holly Day Blog Hop!

Beginning Sunday, you'll have a chance to visit several EtsyMom blogs to find out what they are cooking up for the holidays, from yummy recipes to fun tutorials and how-to's, you won't want to miss this! And we know you all love some handmade goodness, so one lucky winner will receive a gift basket stuffed with everything from hand crafted jewelry, paper goods, vintage ephemera, baby gear, holiday decor and more! See you here on Sunday!
Posted by Meagan at 10:48 PM 0 comments

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Baby Swank is EtsyMom's Marvelous Mom!

Find it here on the Etsy Mom Blog!


Our Marvelous Mom is Meagan of Baby Swank. She is also the winner of our Etsy Mom Curator Award, with a whopping 23 treasuries made in just 30 days. Read on to learn more about this creative and fabulous team member!

Tell us about yourself!


I'm a 26 year old stay-at-home-mom with two children at the moment (boys - ages 2 1/2 and 8 months), hopefully more as time goes on. I love my husband and my family. They are my best friends, and they're very encouraging in all I do! I live in a small town in Northeast Tennessee in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains! 

I love anything creative and crafty. I have all sorts of "crafting" projects going on all the time. I really enjoy taking nothing and making something. There's something so fulfilling in that for me. I started my artistic journey with scrapbooking, from there sewing, then to painting, pottery, soapmaking, jewelry making, card making, cake decorating, etc. Like I said, I like to do a little bit of everything, but there are so many more things I'd like to learn as well. I love to make things that are fun, pretty, and different.

What makes you unique?

Personally - I'm comfortable in my own skin, with who I am. I don't feel like I have be the same as everyone else. I have my own likes and interests, ideas, and ways of doing things and I'm comfortable with myself!
Business-wise - I try to make items that are different from other sellers or that I've not found in other places on the web. I put my own likes and style into them which is always changing, and I'm in the process of really branding my items to help set me apart from all the other great sellers out there in my niche.



What do you love about kids?

I love that they are so innocent and impressionable. That they're trusting and loving. They are empty books, and everything we (and others) do, say, and teach is filling those books. That's a huge responsibility! I love watching them grow and learn about life. I love the funny and insightful things they say! I love watching them interact with other kids their age. 

What are you currently doing besides your shop crafts?

Well like I said earlier, I'm into all sorts of artistic things, so at the moment I've been working on some sewing projects that I've been wanting to get to for a while. I made myself a dress, and I recovered my little guys carseat form a PDF tutorial from an Etsy seller. I'm recovering a glider rocker to go in my nursery. I'm starting to get busy making Christmas gifts for family members. My SIL's and I are working on a quilted family tree wall hanging for our inlaws! I also love to make cakes, and so I do that locally. You can see some of the cakes I've made on my blog. Like anything else though, thank goodness for progress!
 
What is the link to your etsy shop?

http://www.etsy.com/shop/babyswank

 

What do you offer in your etsy shop? 


Currently I offer handmade baby bibs and toddler bibs called Washcloth Bibs, reusable flannel baby wipes, personalized cloth diaper covers, satin bound flannel blankets, and my plush animal "chickie". I'm currently working on a new product line that will come out in 2011 - All Natural Baby Products! I'm really into natural, healthy living so I'm really excited about this new line!

Where do you create?

Right now my craft room is my dinning room! It's a mess! I'm in the process of moving all my crafting stuff to a specific area. I just have to figure out where that will be and get it organized and ready. I love seeing other sellers crafting spaces. I always wonder if they're that neat and organized all the time or just for pictures! LOL!

Where do you find your inspiration? 


Well, since I create baby items, I get most of my inspiration from my kids and other little ones around me.  I like eco-friendly, natural type products so I also try to get ideas on how to make those types of things cute and fashionable as well. Like I said earlier, I live in the Appalachian Mountains, and there are so many artistic, creative people here. I love to meet artists and watch what they do. The story's behind their lives and their crafts are priceless.



How did you get started in your current line of business? 

I had a friend who's a seller here on Etsy tell me about it, and suggested that I get into selling the things I made. So I started up a shop not really knowing much about how to make it successful. I put all kinds of things on there that I made, and I didn't really work at promoting it so it didn't do much for me. About a year later I decided that I'd give it another go on Etsy, but get specific in what I was selling and really work at making it successful. So here I am! It's a journey.

How do you promote your business? 

Right now I use Facebook, Twitter, and my blog. I try to get to know other Etsy sellers and bloggers, and I post in the forums when I can. I also try to be involved in Labs when they're going on too. I'm a member of two Etsy teams, Etsy Moms and SAHMs of Etsy!
 
What is one of the most important lessons you've learned since starting your business?
Perseverance and patience. That's two, but they go hand in hand! It's gonna start out slow, but you have to continue to work. Eventually it will pay off!

What advice would you give someone just starting out?

First I'd say set aside time or times everyday to do business work. Don't let it consume your entire life. Prioritize and make the most of your family time and work time. Second would be - make connections and friends. Invest in others, and they'll invest in you. It's not just about selling and making money here. Making friendships with others is such a blessing!

What are some of your favorite online shops, both etsy and non-etsy?

Etsy :
Romancing Juliet 
Hipchic Designs 
Malibu Quilts 
 
Non-Etsy:
Bulk Herb Store 

Posted by Meagan at 8:40 AM 0 comments
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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Do-it-Yourself Advent Calender

     So I was running around on Twitter today, tweeting away, when I came across this really neat idea on another blog about a DIY Advent Calender. How cool that I've been thinking about wanting to get one of these lately, and then I just run across an awesome blog post on how to make one. My oldest son is 2 1/2 and I think he would really enjoy doing it, and what a great, fun tradition to start!

     Now there are tons of Advent calenders out there that you can buy or have made for you...eemmm Etsy anyone, but there are also plenty of how-to's on making one yourself. So if you're anything like me, and you see something and say to yourself, "I can so make that!", then this how-to is for you. It's so easy and very cute!


     This one was designed by Rebecca from The Ardent Sparrow who's a wife, mother, blogger, and jewelry designer among other things. The thing I really like about this Advent calender, is that it's not your typical calender. Plus you can get everything you need at Michael's craft store, which for me is a big deal because I'm from a SMALL town and there's a Michael's about an hour down the road...and for those of us here in smallville isn't far! Last but not least, it's a festive decoration that will look great in your house! So take a look at her post, and leave her a comment telling her what you think.

     Now, as far as gifts for each day go, what type of things would you put in it? Candy, stocking stuffers, what? I want to hear your ideas and suggestions, so leave a comment below and give me some good ideas!
Posted by Meagan at 11:15 AM 4 comments
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