Colorado Moon Giveaway Winner!

Good morning, I am please to announce the winner of Colorado Moon's beautiful handmade card featuring original art from Emily Yamazawa.   Our winner is...
Caitlin Audrey Tieu !

Thank you so much for participating Caitlin and I hope you enjoy your card from Colorado Moon.  She will be in touch with you shortly via email.

Here is what Caitlin has won!

And remember if you didn't get a chance to win this lovely piece of art you can go to Colorado Moon to pick out your own treasure

Introducing Colorado Moon; Postcard Giveaway

 

Colorado Moon

I am happy to introduce Emily Yamazawa, an artist that has set up shop on Etsy.  Her lovely shop, Colorado Mono, was established in April this year and is off to a wonderful start.  Her unique art is refreshing and fun.  Best of all they are postcards!  Just imagine receiving one her beautiful pieces in the mail.  

https://www.etsy.com/listing/97670529/persimmon-etegami?ref=shop_home_active

Emily has provide us with a great interview and a chance to win one of her wonderful cards! (Located after the interview)
 

1.  Tell me a bit about yourself...

Live in Denver Colorado with my husband. I do a lot of running and hiking and love learning new languages (currently learning Arabic!)

Started painting etegami about 5 years ago with my grandmother.
 

2.Apart from creating, what do you do?

English as a Second Language Teacher in Denver Colorado.I work with refugees from all over the world who have escaped persecution in their home countries (Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Burma, Bhutan to name a few)

I teach literacy skills (how to identify letters, spatial recognition, study skills)
 

3.What first made you want to create?

I have always loved writing people letters and postcards since I was a kid. Even now, I write about 2-5 letters a week to friends and family, and also to random people who want to receive letters! So the art of etegami really spoke to me. It is a nice way to let someone know you are thinking of them, without the time commitment & sometimes heaviness of a letter .
 

A spin off of    “go big or go home” this postcard shows a bit of

tongue and cheek poking to encourage a friend to really challenge

an obstacle in their life and keep persevering.

4.Describe you creative process?

I want it to be natural so I spend a lot of time in nature and outside to get motivated and inspired. Also, I like to paint about what is going on in the world so I read a lot of books and newspapers to gain insight.
 

5.What handmade possession do you cherish most?

A leather brooch that my great grandmother made.
 

6.What one piece of information would you like to know from experienced etsy sellers?

How do you set yourself apart? It seems like there are a gazillion sites on etsy!
 

7.What is your favorite feature or tool on Etsy so far?

The forums are pretty awesome!
 

8.How are you promoting your work?

I am trying to gain courage to enter myself in a small local craft fair, but it hasn't happened yet. This interview is probably my first step in a while! I should work on my facebook page but I keep getting tied up with my work!
 

9.Where do you want to be in ten years?

I'd love to get postcard painting be a bigger part of my life. I really love it!

As far as teaching, I want to help volunteers with tools to teach ESL learners.

 Giveaway Open to US residents only

Win this wonderful postcard

Genki kana in Japanese literally means “How you doin’?” It’s a nice way to surprise someone’s mailbox and their day!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Checked in Today! Guild Artfire.com: Traveling Life’s Highways is Documented in Butterfly in the Attic’s Artfire Studio

While I am still working on putting together some of my photos from my honeymoon I would like to share a great link.  It is a wonderful interview that Julie and Blu from BlueMorningExpressions wrote for me.  It is one of the most complimentary and lovely posts anyone has done for me.  Thank you Julie and Blue.   Please check it out at:

Checked in Today! Guild Artfire.com: Traveling Life’s Highways is Documented in Butterfly in the Attic’s Artfire Studio

WOW! - Handmade Fabric Postcards ~ Introducing ~ Sew Upscale

What a wonderful Christmas Eve!  Pine scent is in the air, I am off work and I just met a great artist; who could ask for more?

I love stitchery and you all know I   L  O  V  E   postcards! so what could be better than handmade fabric postcards.   Linda Johnson, owner of Sew Upscale, creates these unique quilted postcards.  I must confess that this is the first time I have seen a combination of the two arts and I think they are simply wonderful.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewUpscale?&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=App_Seller&utm_content=shops&utm_campaign=fb_seller_shop

Tell me a bit about yourself……
Making quilted fabric postcards has been an obsession for about three years. I thought I would get over it, get bored and want to move to something new but I haven’t. I think it is because each one is so different. Soon after I joined Etsy in 2007 as a buyer, I started selling a variety of sewn items. I saw a quilted fabric postcard and taught myself how to make one. After that, I started selling the postcards on Etsy. I have developed a style I feel is unique. I’m very lucky to have a wonderful family that encourages my passion.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88764234/fabric-postcard-art-quilt-fiber-art

Apart from creating, what do you do? 
 I am retired from my job as a social worker so my schedule is flexible. I try to exercise regularly. I walk and hike. Also love to spend time with my grandchildren. I recently got a bread machine so I have been experimenting with making bread. Traveling is also a passion of mine.


What first made you want to create?
Sewing was the first crafting I can remember doing. My mother and grandmother both sewed so I learned from them. I’ve just always loved to create things.


Describe your creative process? 
My creativity is driven by my surroundings. I love nature and outdoor stuff so these are my inspiration. I don’t use a pattern. I start with a 4” by 6” piece of fabric and build from there. I draw with scissors and paint with thread.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86316659/cat-and-moon-fabric-postcard-art-quilt

What handmade possession do you cherish most? 
A doll quilt made by my grandmother.


How are you promoting your work? 
I promote my work online by using Facebook and Twitter. My Facebook is http://facebook.com/SewUpscaleQuilts and twitter is http://twitter.com/sewupscale. My postcards are also sold at Mountain Made in downtown Asheville, NC.

Thank you Linda for taking the time to do this interview. 

Please stop by Linda Johnson's cute little shop Sew Upscale to see more of her amazing art.  Remember to add her shop to your favorites and circle too! 

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!!!

Live Adorned ~ Wedding Hair Accessories with Hawaiian a Flare

Don't Forget ~ Today is the last day for a chance to WIN 2 personalized ornaments ($20 value +  free shipping) from FlutterbyConnections.  Go to  post http://butterflyintheattic.blogspot.com/2011/08/flutterby-connections-give-away.html and look for how you can win at the end of the interview.  Thank you

Great News! For my readers:  use AUGUST20  for 20% off 1 item at ETSY shop Live Adorned http://www.etsy.com/people/LiveAdorned?ref=ls_profile

Beautiful handcrafted hair accessories created by Chun Hui Chen, owner of ETSY shop LiveAdorned, are an absolute necessity for any bride to be.  Chun's work can also be found at her new shop

www.liveadorned.com  Chun incorporates her Hawaii style into her designs making each piece a very feminine work of art.  Browsing through her store one thought comes to mind...Gorgeous!  I am proud to able to feature Chun and her shop in the following interview.

http://www.etsy.com/people/LiveAdorned?ref=ls_profile

Tell me a bit about yourself....
My name is Chun Hui Chen and I live in Honolulu, Hawaii.  I just got married on May 5th in Sonoma to my husband Marc.  I love to sing karaoke, skiing, swimming, and looking at wedding blogs - even though its been 3 months since my wedding!  I'm a proud Chinese-American, a product of hard working immigrant parents from Taiwan.

Apart from creating, what do you do?
I work in project development for a green energy consulting company.

What first made you want to create?
Getting engaged last year unearthed a passion for making handmade hair accessories. Believe me, prior to starting Live Adorned, I was hardly the “crafty” type – I could barely wrap a present! Maybe it started with the desire to save money, but it evolved into a vision to incorporate handmade details to make our wedding as authentic as possible. Aside from my hair accessories, I also made our favors, photobooth props, signage, and accessories for my MOH and flower girl. It was a wonderful creative experience and fueled my love for all things handmade.

 Describe your creative process?
 Inspiration is the foundation of the creative process. Once I have an idea, I’ll play around with materials, layering, shapes, and textures to design the final product. For me, filtering through the ideas is the most challenging part - I’m inspired by anything feminine, organic, and whimsical. A few recent standouts -  a French inspired photoshoot, an unusual flower, Vera Wang’s latest bridal gown collection. Inspiration truly comes from anywhere. I think that’s why I’m addicted to wedding blogs, even long after my wedding – the creative brilliance you find on these blogs on a daily basis is staggering. How can one not be inspired?

What handmade possession do you cherish most?
My handmade hair flower that I wore on my wedding day. It represents the culmination of almost a year of evolution from my very first piece. It’s a practical, yet equally sentimental way to commemorate my wedding day (without having to find a place to store my enormous dress!).  

How are you promoting your work?
I did a couple craft fairs at home, but found that my target audience is wedding blog readers, etsy shoppers, and newly engaged brides. I don’t have a lot of working capital to advertise, so I’ve been trolling the blog world to try to expose my work through interviews. Etsy is my main source of traffic so I’ve been working on sharpening up my store and focus on their updates for best search results. I also plan on contacting local bridal boutiques to generate wholesale business.

Where do you want to be in ten years?
I plan on opening up a brick and mortar store in Honolulu – there’s definitely a lack of selection in the wedding accessory segment. My store will feature not only my own products, but also other handmade products in other wedding categories – bride’s attire, grooms accessories, paper, décor. I’d also love to add bridal gown consignment - many people in Hawaii live in under 1,000 sqft, so storage space is very limited.

Interview with Fresh Retro Gallery ~ Simply Beautiful

A wonderful interview with Liz Knaus, a talented artist with a great eye for antiques and vintage decor.  I fell in love with her shop and would love to decorate my home with her lovely pieces.  I am especially in love with the train pictured below, but that is not my only favorite.  These two items were childhood favorites of mine; it is so fun to find these treasured memories in her shop.


http://www.etsy.com/listing/65957569/250-miniature-playing-cards-great-for



http://www.etsy.com/listing/76909170/fisher-price-pull-toy-bob-along-bear-no




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


Tell me a bit about yourself……
I'm a wife, mother, sister and professional graphic designer. I utilize and decorate with art, antiques and "found objects" in my home. I have a shop at http://www.FreshRetroGallery.etsy.com where I sell vintage finds (with descriptive gift ideas), original family tree charts, religious postcards, paintings, illustrations and ceramic art.

Apart from creating, what do you do?
Church and Bible study class at Faith Lutheran (LCMS) in Abilene, KS are an excellent start and boost to my week. I enjoy time with family and friends. I belong to a book club and a womens group which each meet once a month. I try to read a devotion daily. I feel best when I push myself to go for walk/runs, use my Nordic stepper or swim laps. I serve on vocational department advisory committees at Solomon High School and Salina Area Technical College.
What first made you want to create?
I grew up near a lake on a farm in Minnesota where I discovered a love for nature and the desire to explore/draw/create. Being a daughter of creative and ambitious parents sparked the fascination. I watched my father build things such as a tall and complex seed cleaning business, a big snow blower and mechanical Purple Martin houses that could be raised and lowered with the flip of a switch. He could juggle things figuratively and literally, apples and oranges!

Mom, not wanting to waste anything, gave me the blank white cover stock from her pantyhose packages and the backs of empty check books to draw on. Always supplied with paper, crayons, colored pencils, watercolors and markers, I was encouraged to doodle and "make" birthday cards for my siblings and friends. I once drew a horse from memory when I was very young. My grandma lovingly taught me that the back end of the body where it connected to the hind legs is actually a smooth, curved transition rather than a big circular lump as I had sketched. It was then that I realized that to illustrate realistically, I must pay close attention to shapes and found joy in making something new on something blank.

As soon as I was old enough to read and understand them, my mother encouraged me to sew by following the illustrations and directions on guide sheets. I loved playing "fashion designer" choosing fabrics, notions and styles; altering and tailoring things to fit perfectly. 4-H was a great organization which fostered and rewarded these creative skills as well as educated me to keep track of time and expenses. I took every art class possible in high school and studied at Alexandria Technical College which lead me to a career in graphic design where I keep learning new things all the time. I've taken on the challenge of a couple architectural design projects.

Describe your creative process...
Experiences, life, environment, spirituality and music all offer inspiration. The details of nature influence thoughts about subject, color and texture. Ceramics, jewelry design and woodworking are art education classes I've enjoyed as an adult. Visits to museums, galleries, theatres and concerts are motivational forms of entertainment. My children inspire me. My husband has a great eye for vintage items which enhances my connecting antiques to art. The popular combination of art and antiques in print media has influenced my style. Creativity allows me to fulfill space that otherwise would remain void in my mind and in reality when I push myself to carry out ideas.

What handmade possession do you cherish most?
My father carved a plaque out of wood. It is an intricate 3D antique nautical ship on a graphic striped background within a scalloped circular shape over a rectangular shaped base.

What one piece of information would you like to know from experienced etsy sellers?
The secret of Google's PageRank algorithm.

How are you promoting your work?
I write detailed descriptions to aid shoppers searching. I offer my family tree charts in a local antique shop and through a dealer who supplies a gift shop and sets up at flea markets. I include a FreshRetroGallery.etsy.com gift tag when shipping orders. When a treasury I'm featured in strikes me as extra unique and wonderful, I post the link on facebook. When I first started up, I emailed friends to let them know. I bring it up in casual conversation and mention my web address when I send out Christmas cards.

Where do you want to be in ten years?
Creating more art (especially mixed media) and taking inspiration breaks by traveling.

Beautiful Button Bouquets An Interview With Angela's Artistic Designs

Today's lovely shop is Angela's Artistic Designs or known on ETSY as Angel9.  Angela's shop is full of her whimsical creations and beautiful bouquets made of buttons.  As many of you already know I simply love buttons and I absolutely love bouquets so imagine the fun I had interviewing this very creative artist. 

She also has many delightful antiques and vintage collectibles featured in her shop.  So, please check out her shop and networks that are listed below, like, re post, tweet, etc. you will not be sorry that you did. 

Angela's Artistic Design

Tell me a bit about yourself……
I’ve had many careers, most of them creative including hair stylist, window decorator and preschool teacher. I have 3 grown children. I enjoyed being a mother so much! When my children were grown, I thought, “What can I do to replace all the energy that I put into mothering ? What do I love to do as much? Well, create! Children are creations and works in progress, just like art!

Apart from creating, what do you do? 

I write, dance, spend time with my children, husband and my grandson.

What first made you want to create? 
I’ve been creative since I was a child. I would get so excited looking at the craft books in the library. I remember taking one home and creating a beautiful doll from paper cone cups, construction paper and glitter. I made several and gave them to friends!

Describe your creative process? 
Mmmmm. I get an idea, like an itch. I’m so excited; I run out to get the supplies I need for this particular project. And then I’m impatient to get started, impatient with the process and I don’t feel settled until the product is complete!.

What handmade possession do you cherish most? 
I love my button bouquets! Sometimes it’s difficult to part with them!

What one piece of information would you like to know from experienced etsy sellers? 
How to be patient!

How are you promoting your work? 
Twitter, FB, my blog, handing out business cards, making cold calls to businesses, linkedin.

Where do you want to be in ten years? 
Retired and rich! Maybe on some island somewhere!

http://www.facebook.com/Angelasartistic
http://angelasartistic.blogspot.com/
http://beingaconsciousparent.wordpress.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/angelasartistic/status/9192056614303334

Don't forget to also check out my post ~ Flutterby Connection's interview and a chance to WIN 2 personalized ornaments! Go to http://butterflyintheattic.blogspot.com/2011/08/flutterby-connections-give-away.html

Interview With A Quiet Mind ~ Fine Art ~ Jewelry

Nothing feels better than the weight of jewelry made with real gems and minerals; I have an obsession with handcrafted jewelry.  It has an energy about it that can not found in manufactured pieces.   Often I find people admiring my jewelry and wondering where I was able to find such a piece beauty.  I love being original and setting the trends; especial when I know that my jewelry has been handcrafted by a true artist. 

I have had the pleasure to interview Brian Harrison, owner of Quiet Mind, who creates such beautiful pieces of art.  He has graciously offered a 20% off coupon code: BUTTERFLY.  Please stop by Brian's shop and take a look at his exquisit inventory.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/QuietMind?ref=ss_profile

Tell me a bit about yourself……
I am a self-representing artist living in Phoenix, AZ. I have been driven to create all my life working with different material and techniques over the years. These days I am making a lot of jewelry. From prayer beads in the Buddhist tradition, a line of Day of the Dead skull and skeleton jewelry and other jewelry from precious and semi precious stones and minerals. I do all my artwork with intention for the benefit of all living beings.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/QuietMind?section_id=7446771&page=2

Apart from creating, what do you do?
I love to garden and pond, I have a few 100 gallon pond with koi and goldfish and a jungle like garden on my patio. I have 3 pet birds 2 conures and a lovebird. I love to take road trips into the deserts of AZ finding remote peaceful places to contemplate.

What first made you want to create?
I’ve made stuff all my life, it is an innate desire for me. I don’t know where it first began.

Describe your creative process?
Much of my work is spontaneous and intuitive. Painting, working in mixed media and making jewelry most ideas are spontaneous with a little conscious thought here and there. When I am making a piece I try to flow with the energy.

What handmade possession do you cherish most?
I have some very old hand hammered Tibetan singing bowls, I’d have to say those.

What one piece of information would you like to know from experienced etsy sellers?
How to generate more sales!

How are you promoting your work?
I list some of my work to Etsy and use a lot of social media. I post to Facebook, use Twitter and Flickr, write a blog and have just started using Tumblr. Locally I am a member of a new art cooperative - Indie ArtHouse, and have my Day of the Dead jewelry represented by Galeria de los Muertos in downtown Phoenix.

Where do you want to be in ten years?
Doing what I am doing now. If I can still be making a living off my art work in 10 years I will be very happy!

Meeting Dolly Madison An Amazing Young Artist

I found Dolly Madison while surfing ETSY and fell in love with her sweet little buttons and characters.  She is a very talented young lady and has been very kind to do an interview for us. 
Her lovely little shop is also featuring a special discount, 5% off with coupon code BIRRCASTLE.  Please check out the interview and Dolly's wonderful creations.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DollyMadison?ref=ss_profile

Tell me a bit about yourself……
I'm sixteen years old, and I love to work with my hands, writing, reading, and crafting. My main focus of crafting is my Etsy shop, where I sell polymer clay items, mostly buttons, but also little decorative bears (mostly custom orders for those). :) I began working with polymer clay when I was eleven, and I opened my Etsy shop in May of 2010.

Apart from creating, what do you do?
Dear me, it depends on the day! I love to read, and I have several subjects that I pay most attention to, one of which is history. I'm a genealogist, and I love to find out about my ancestors! I found lots of Irish way back there, and so I now have what you could almost call a 'hobby', finding old Irish songs and artists. I love to buy books (that's mainly what I spend my Etsy profit on) that I can feel satisfied handing down to my children and grandchildren. I desire to glorify God, and as my motto says "To enlarge the glory of the gospel!" (quote from Richard Hakluyt, puritan).

What first made you want to create?
I'm just a creative person, I suppose. :) I've been crafting as long as I can remember, and when my grandparents gave me some polymer clay one time, I immediately latched on to it and began making rather crude figures. It wasn't till April that I found my Etsy niche, which is specialty buttons. I had one set that had been custom ordered, and didn't sell, so I listed them anyway. Then I began attending BNRs and BNSs on Etsy (a selling spree system, Buy and Replace and Buy and Stay, where someone buys your item in a treasury and then they in turn get featured in your spot), and my buttons sold, and re-sold, and sold again........ Ever since then, my button making has taken off, which is really nice. But it's funny that the thing that sells best for me is the thing that I never meant to make in the first place.

Describe your creative process?
It depends on the situation. Sometimes I just sit down with my clay and start making buttons without a goal in mind or even a conceived notion as to how I want them to be---I just pick out a few colors that all the sudden stand out to me and run with it. That is always a fun process. Other times I know exactly what I want, and I fall to making them......or they turn out completely different from what I wanted. It's an adventure, and it's a very fun one. :)

How are you promoting your work?
I don't have many ways of promoting yet. Mostly I attend BNRs and that really gets the word out because it's always a great crowd and great publicity. Otherwise just getting to know folks on Etsy is a great way to get business. :) Hearting other folks' items and shops have brought me several sales, not to mention hearts and circles (Now I have switched to Etsy lingo, haven't I? ;)

Where do you want to be in ten years?
The problem to me is getting too busy. Etsy is the only source of income I have right now, and I'm not really able to devote all of my time to it. So to answer your question, I don't know if I shall be around on Etsy in ten years. :) Since I am just beginning to get sales, I will have to see if it turns out to be something I want to pursue in earnest, and if the profit is worth the effort. But I intend to have a steady income by then from some sort of home business. :)