Handmade Knits!!

It's winter in Manitoba! Well - I guess it's winter all over the northern hemisphere. While searching Etsy for scarves for our cold climate, I found this wonderful shop that just had to be featured :) Nevita has beautiful hand knit items!! Take a look . . .


Where are you from?
I live in Bulgaria, it's a small country in south-eastern Europe where only a small number of people know that there is such amazing place like Etsy.com. In my BLOG I have a post about Bulgaria- short videos, showing her beauty, nature, and adorable music.

What made you decide to sell on Etsy?
I always wanted to open a store and sell my hand knitted scarves and baby clothing. However, my full-time job, and pregnancy didn't bring enough confidence in this picture.
When my beautiful baby daughter came to the world, she brought new hope and faith in myself. I found knitting section and crochet section and I was happily surprised that someone is selling so many handmade creations. At that time the idea that Etsy.com is an easy way to create and maintain shop came into play. With etsy, I figured, I wouldn't have to care about renting and maintaining a physical shop, and at the same time I'd have flexible working hours. Now I stay at home as mother, enjoy spending time with my baby daughter, my knitting, and promoting my shop via interesting online tools. My online store is Boutique-a-holic.

How did you originally get into Hand knit and Goblin making business?
I learned to knit and make goblin tapestry, when I was a child. I went to my grandparent's home, during school offs. My grandmother thought me different handmade techniques, such as knit, crochet, sewing and others. During the years, I was paying more attention to knitting and goblin tapestry, and found I enjoyed it a lot. It became my hobby, and after my daughter's birth I decided I was determined to share the products of my passion with people around the world.

What motivates and inspires you to create?
Winter scarves (http://www.etsy.com/shop/nevita?section_id=6555819)... When I was young girl, my mother kept telling me to wear scarves so I wouldn't get cold. I hated scarves! That is, until the day I knitted myself a very colorful, soft, and pleasant to touch and look at piece of happiness (yes, a scarf!). My classmates loved it. That motivated me to make more scarves, because I found scarves could be joy, emotions, and good looking fun - yes staying warm became not so bad experience after all :)

Inspiration sources have been changing during my path in life. At some point in time, I enjoyed to come back home, and to get calm and be all by myself while making my needlepoint tapestries (http://www.etsy.com/shop/nevita?section_id=6593034).
At other times, inspiration was there, but I couldn't tell where it came from, so I'd like to think of it as coming from deep within the human soul.
Now I am motivated from the smile of my baby daughter and the look of her eyes. In addition, when I look and reflect on the results of my hand made creations I've made during the years, I get a good feeling of accomplishment, and I want to do more. I'm proud of my winter scarves, my gobelins, and last but not least my baby clothing.

What do you like most about being a seller?
Being a seller is something new for me. I like to learn new things, find information too. I learn how to sell by reading a lot of articles from experienced Etsy sellers. It is not easy work, I love to create, but honestly, I don't know how to sell my creations. It is something I want to learn to do. Being a seller is a new opportunity to bring joy to people.

What are your interests outside Etsy?
I like the Human Resourses area and I am finishing my masters degree in Human Resources management. I enjoy interacting with people.
I love to travel and regularly organize small trips through my country.

Wanna be friends? :)
Here's where else to find me:
www.boutiqueaholic.blogspot.com
www.flickr.com/photos/handknitbynevita
www.twitter.com/handknitbynev
www.youtube.com/handknitbynevita

Shop Swap & Blog Part 2

Package #2 in the Shop Swap & Blog also came on Monday! Told you if felt like Christmas then!! This package comes from Canada! Let's learn all about Dawn and her wonderful shop!


A bit about yourself :
I am a wife and mother of one very busy 4 year old boy. I am an Office Administrator by day and fiber addict by night! I love to crochet, take pictures and basically keep my hands busy with all kinds of crafts! More personally, I recently finished chemotherapy to treat a pregnancy related cancer called GTD and have been cancer free since June (yaaay). I am currently training to participate in my first half marathon in Toronto in May 2010. I enjoy being active and love mountain biking with my hubby!

What made you start your business:
I have been crocheting since I can remember. I find it very therapeutic and has been a great source of joy during some difficult times. I began by making baby blankets, and had set up shop with the name of Auntie Dawn’s Afghans. I was surprised that my hobby could provide me with some fun money (that I normally use to buy more yarn!!). As I began to add new items to my shop, I decided it was time for my shop to evolve into doe Studio. The name comes from my husband’s nickname for me.

What you plan to accomplish with your business:
My ultimate dream would to appear in the Storque’s “Quit Your Day Job” Feature! I would love to make this a full time endeavor.

What you get most out of having your own business:
I love meeting new people, some of whom are customers, others are mentors and even more are fellow artisans. It’s such a wonderful community to be a part of. I love when a customer receives my items and is genuinely impressed and loves it! I really get a kick out of it!

Your favorite independently owned online shop:
Southern Alchemy Soaps, Candles and Perfumes. Beautiful stuff, I love everything.

Any upcoming shop promotions:
I am currently planning a Christmas Open House in early December, which would be great for getting your holiday shopping done!!

Other places to find Dawn:
Online Shop Address: http://www.AuntieDawn.Etsy.com
Blog Address: http://www.doestudio.blogspot.com
Facebook Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/doestudio


Now for the package I received from Dawn! It was packed in a brown bubble wrap envelope, this is what I pulled out!

Lovely tissue paper with a raffia bow! On the top was a Postcard with 4 pictures of items in her shop - a really good idea! Another postcard size card with instructions for the care of the item in the package. (thanks so much for that!) And a beautiful picture with a Thank-you on the back.

There were also business cards, and a fridge magnet in the envelope - you can never have to many fridge magnets :)


Wrapped in the white tissue paper was this amazing scarf!! Dawn had emailed before hand to ask what color my winter jacket is. This will be perfect!! Thank-you so much, it's so nice and soft & cozy! Can hardly wait for the snow to fly so I can use it!


Thank-you so much to Dawn for the amazing swap! It was a lot of fun learning about you and your shop. And a huge thank-you to Ladi at Structured Chaos for putting on the Shop Swap & Blog! She did an amazing job of coordinating everyone and I would strongly recommend that everyone join the next one if they can!

Handmade Knits for Everyone

HalPal has wonderful hand knit items for everyone! Hallie is from Chicago and has had her shop on Etsy since December 2008. She carries hats (adult and kids), scarflettes, head bands and more. Hallie uses the most wonderful colors for her items. She let me pick my favorites to add to the feature. I love these colors! Please check out the rest of Hallie's shop.


How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
Halpal has always been a nickname of mine, and I used it to create my account as a buyer on etsy, long ago. I didn’t know I would someday become a seller, so it wasn’t really intentional that my shop would go by that name! I started my business because I was having such a hard time finding a full-time job after I graduated from college. I had all this free time, and no money, so I put two and two together and started selling what I was making in my free time.

When did you start knitting? Who taught you?
I started knitting in college—some girls in my sorority taught me how. I’m the only one who still knits, though!

Where do you knit? What would you love to add to your space?
I knit at home, usually on my couch. I would love some big baskets with lots of compartments to get more organized.

What does your crafting space look like?
My crafting space is in my living room, and everything is tucked away in chests and benches that open up, so when it’s clean, you can’t see anything at all!

Do you have a day job?
I have too many day jobs. I work at a non-profit film organization, I do marketing at a consulting firm, I help my sister run a gift bag business, and I write about film, occasionally. I have no idea how I get anything done!

What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
I go through taupe yarn like crazy! It is the base color in a lot of my work, so if taupe is on sale, I am stocking up. I also can't pass up great buttons at a thrift store.




What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
I loved making the sachets in my shop! I had an image in my mind before I made them, and they turned out just like I planned! (top picture)

Fantastic Finds!

Can you believe it's April?!! Were did March go? Today I have another amazing selection of finds on the net!! All these shops are in Etsy. The pictures link to each shop. Please take a look - maybe you'll be awed and amazed!!  And please also check out the "Bag Swap" announcement one post down.


Glad Raggz
This shop carries wonderful jewelry made with beautiful beads. Also has really cute hats, scarves and hand bags.

Polka Dot Pixie
Love bags!!! What a wonderful shop with the most amazing selection of fabrics to purchase. Also bags, bibs and dresses.

Twilight Treasures
You will find a selection of Twilight inspired items. Beautiful earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

Country Cottage Bath
This is a wonderful Bath & Body shop with a selection of lotions, soaps, salts, and candles. They also have gift certificates.

Split Rock Ranch
Hand raised Llama's produce this amazing fibre. Many colors to choose from, even some finished pieces.

Living Glass Art
An amazing stained glass shop! Wonderful selection of pieces from flowers, to animals, round and geometric shapes.

Don't forget to check out the give away link on the right. And enter the Bag Swap below!

Have a great weekend!!

Fantastic Finds!!

When I first decided to do these "treasuries" every Friday I didn't know how hard it would be to pick only 12 shops each week! WOW! There are so many wonderful items on Etsy to choose from. Then I managed to get one "real" Treasury West on Wed. , and used the items I had picked for today. So I had to start all over. But I managed to "find" other awesome items it a very short time. Here are this weeks picks. Please click on the pics & go see these wonderful shops!!

Marin Knits

This is a special feature I'm doing for a friend. Marin is from Kirkland WA. Her sister, Lara, is going on a mission trip to Mozamique and Marin is helping her raise money. With every purchase from her shop - Marin's Knits - she is donating 15% towards her sister's trip. This promotion will run through to March 10th.

#1. How did you decide on your shop name?
My shop name is my name, and what I do best, knit!


#2. When did you start crafting?
I taught myself to knit when I was 19, and you will never see me without yarn, needles or a hook. I've always loved creating things, but didn't have a focused energy until after freshman year of college. I started baking like crazy. Then, a few months later, I picked up some knitting needles and taught myself how to knit. Since then, it's a rare day you find me not working on a project.


#3. What or who inspires you?
I'm inspired by color. I love seeing something beautiful, like a flower, and I immediately think of how gorgeous it would be to have yarn like that.


#4. Do you have a day job?
For my day job I'm an accounting product support rep.


#5. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
I really enjoy everything. My favorite item right now are the kendall and lindsay scarves. They are super chunky and gorgeous colors.


Audrey's Accolades:
Wow - can Marin knit! The scarves are wonderful as are the hats. I'm not a hat person but these are tempting - I love the brim! The scarves looks so warm and the neckwarmers look cozy. One of the neckwarmers is named "Audrey" so it must be wonderful!! (LOL) Please check out Marin's amazing shop and if possible make a purchase and help send her sister to Mozambique.
Okay - my favorite item in Marin's shop was hard to pick. But I've developed a "thing" for bags so I'm going to pick the Humbug Bag. In fact - you won't find this one in her shop - because I bought it!!



Quilted blue and green fabric sewn into this handy Humbug Bag. This bag has a fold in the bottom
to lay flat, but, unzip the bag and fill
with goodies, and it expands to a pyramid shape. The bag has a handy hook at the top to clip to
you belt, purse, or anywhere else!

Mad About Colour

Joanne is a Prince Edward Islander presently living in New Brunswick, Canada. She has a shop on Etsy called Mad About Colour and when you go to her shop you will understand why!

#1. How did you decide on your shop name?

I dreamed up hundreds of name ideas ( I do most things in quantities/collections) Finally, I decided this might cover all the bases. I wanted "Colour" in there, I needed something catchy and whimsical but simple to understand, self-explanatory and versatile that could cover any product I chose to do, but didn't want any name associated with anyone else. I'm crazy about colour, so "Mad About Colour" pretty well summed it up for me!! I googled far and wide to make sure no one had that name for anything and was lucky enough to not find it anywhere!

#2. When did you start crafting?

When I was born:) My folks are very artistic business folk- I am fourth generation craftsmen/graphic artist. My Dad added craft, framing, hobby, and art shops to his graphics/signs and plastics business before I was born, so I literally grew up in the business. My Mom taught me to sew, knit etc very early on. For many years I owned and operated a Weaving/FiberArts business, I taught, I exhibited and I toured.

#3. What or who inspires you?

Everything - movement, music, moods, food, nature, colour, light, shadow, taste, fairytales, movies, junk etc etc...I see possibilities everywhere and one sense always sets off all the others....It takes some self control to focus on one project at a time. Everything seems to lead immediately to many other things, rippling out endlessly...I see things exactly how they can/will be, so producing is actually just a means to an end. I can visualize anything. I am very mathematical in my approach to design and agonize mentally over the smallest detail. Once I have it all worked out in my mind, and it's "just right" I have to "get it done" to move onto the next idea.

#4. Do you have a day job?

This is now my day job. And my night job. This site now occupies my every waking hour and some of my sleeping ones as well!

#5. What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?

My tapestry "Beach Party". I drown in my tapestry when I am working on it. That one was created from memories of wonderful gatherings on the beaches at home in PEI with friends and family- toes sinking into sand, wet jean bottoms dragging thru foaming surf, screaching seagulls, wet woody smells from the bonfires, sea salt taste from the ocean air, fiddle music, waving beach grass, wonderful colours, etc etc. To weave that was a trip back in time, like I was there again. I love choosing the right wools, colors...Tapestry weaving is a lenghty process but time flies by very quickly when you emerse yourself in the process. For reasons I can't explain, I am drawn to the process, the wool, the colors, the feel when finished.....I think it is generations of weavers in my family before me drawing me back...

Audrey's Accolades:

I found Joanne's shop while searching for Canadians on Esty hoping to do an all Canadian treasury. Those hats almost make me wish I had grandchildren! (almost) They are just too cute for words. I asked Joanne what made her decide to do the baby hats and this was her answer:

The baby hats...gee I really had to think about that...I think it was a natural progression from the bright scarves I was knitting for fun for farmers markets I was attending - someone asked about a hat..I made all my kids clothes when they were younger and had designed funky hats, sweaters, socks and stuff then....someone saw the first hat, it snowballed, my daughter needed one for a friend's baby..etc I figured if I was going to knit hats for wee babies again they really had to be fun, funky and different. My sister kept at me to getting moving with Etsy and when I decided to seriously list items, I put some of my funky hats on. Photographers started snapping up the baby hats, I coninued to tweek them there and at market, and it got to the point where I was really enjoying the opportunity to work again with so much color, but in small projects. I love the thought that my wee hats are warming/adorning a wee baby's head somewhere...such an honour to be a small part of a baby's magical beginnings, especially wonderful to be a part of a baby's photo- a special moment in time captured forever for family and friends.....I knit each and every hat with love and care and feel like it is really appreciated - makes me warm an fuzzy inside!

Now Joanne also has Swaddler Wrap Blankets that look so cozy, and the pictures are amazing!! How will I ever choose a favorite? Oh look!!! She has sets! And one is in some of my favorite colours!! I'm saved!

This precious baby "Angel Swaddle Wrap", "Caribbean Baby", will be lovingly custom knit for you in the beautiful, slubby, nubbly, soft, blues combo yarn as shown. Yarn is thick and then, acrylic/wool blendThis wrap was designed for photographic use. It drapes well, wraps nicely, as stretches to fit while allowing give and take in the knit."Resting" measurement is approximately 22" x 22".