Talented Tuesday - This N That by Nikki

I would like you to meet Nikki and her Etsy shop:  ThisNThatbyNikki.

If you are looking for cute earrings and other lovely handmade items. Then you will love the items at ThisNThatbyNikki.
 

Let's get to know ThisNThatbyNikki and Nikki :

What would you like us to know about you?

I've been a crafter as long as I can remember. In fact some of my earliest memories are of my grandmother teaching me to sew, crochet and do needlepoint. I love seeing a finished project, dissecting it and putting it together with my own flourishes.

What prompted you to open an Etsy Shop?

I love crafting, generally making gifts for family and friends. But after a conversation with my cousin, who recently opened CaribouClassics (shameless plug), I thought if she can do it so can I. I then made a couple things and posted them, and promptly ignored the site for about a month, naively thinking that someone would magically see my items, think they were brilliant, and snap them right up. Once I realized this wasn't how it worked, I got serious.

How did you come up with your shop name?

My shop name is based on my blog name, of course I've only posted on my blog twice since I created it last year, but I have been working on creating small featurettes on things that interest me. But essentially I was searching for something that wouldn't tie me down to any one product. I wanted room to experiment and an excuse to have an eclectic shop.

How would you describe your shop?

Eclectic. I started out with some crocheted items, which is something I truly enjoy doing. Then I added some jewelry because it looked like it would be easier to make and less time consuming. Unfortunately, as we know, the jewelry market is fairly swamped on Etsy. Probably for the very reason I thought I would give it a try. I am currently exploring new avenues that would allow me to blend my shop together, but I am always willing to try something new.

 What inspires you?

Other peoples ideas, nature, and a driving need to know how something is done. I love color, so the more I can bring in the better.

Which item in your shop is your favorite to make/find?

Berry beads are my favorite. They are so bright and colorful. This is my favorite of all of my creations that I have made from them.: Upcycled Vintage Berry Bead Silver Necklace
  

If you were shipwrecked on a desert island, what are the 3 crafty must haves?

Crochet hook, yarn, scissors.

Where else can we find you?

www.etsy.com/shop/ThisNThatByNikki
www.facebook.com/pages/This-n-That-Creations/286432114746551
this-n-that-n-the-other.blogspot.com/
pinterest.com/goldienp/

Is there anything else you would like to share? 

I like to make a lot of different things. Sometimes I think that is a detriment because it will ensure that I never have a cohesive shop, but fortunate because I can't complain of getting bored.

Coupon: BLOGFEATURE15 for 15% off Etsy purchase. 


Thanks so much Nikki .  It has been great getting to know you and discovering your shop and your lovely items.

Now please show Nikki some support and let us know which of her pieces are your favorite from her shop! Oh...and go ahead and heart a few of her items along with her shop :)

Have a great week!

knitting yarns

Talented Tuesday - AnneLondezGlass

I would like you to meet Anne Londez and her Etsy shop:  AnneLondezGlass.

If you enjoy one-of-a-kind (OOAK) handmade lamp-work art glass beads, sculpture and interchangeable sterling silver jewelry, rings and pendants., Then you will love the items at AnneLondezGlass. 

Let's get to know AnneLondezGlass and Anne :

What would you like us to know about you?

I am a French flame-worker who lives and work in beautiful Switzerland. I started teaching bead-making and sculptural techniques almost 10 years ago. I have my own teaching studio in Lausanne, in the French speaking part of Switzerland.

I work exclusively with soft glass because I love the way it flows. My work has been widely published and I am very happy to be able to present it to you here.
 

What prompted you to open an Etsy Shop?

I used to sell my glass beads on Ebay a long time ago but had to stop when prices went down and shipping costs up. Then Etsy came around and interest for handmade revived and I thought I could find a way to make it work. I am a self-representing artist and I believe Etsy to be an interesting alternative to the global economy crisis. Buying handmade directly from the maker is the best way to make your voice heard in the modern high finance-driven market !

How did you come up with your shop name?

My shop name is actually my business name, since this is my day job too. I use my own name for branding.

How would you describe your shop?

My shop sells my art glass, mostly beads and also some sculptural pieces too. And I sell tutorials for people who have lamp-working experience and want to learn more about my techniques and inspiration.

What inspires you?

These days my focus is on nature, particularly organic marine things. I am not interesting in just reproducing natural elements but rather to create my own ideal view. Glass is a perfect medium to freeze a movement or a moment in time.

Which item in your shop is your favorite to make/find?

My current favorite must be my latest sculptural bead series "Coral". (see photo to right)
These beads are very time consuming to make as the process requires several days to complete.

If you were shipwrecked on a desert island, what are the 3 crafty must haves?

I would definitely love to have glass making equipment. For the rest, I guess I'd be able to work with and around what I would find there !

Where else can we find you?

I have my own website www.annelondez.com
Facebook fan page www.facebook.com/pages/Anne-Londez-Glass/142995879489
blog annelondez.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much Anne.  It has been great getting to know you and discovering your shop and your lovely items.

Now please show Anne some support and let us know which of her pieces are your favorite from her shop! Oh...and go ahead and heart a few of her items along with her shop :)

Have a great week!

knitting yarns

Talented Tuesday - Toppytoppy

I would like you to meet Coral and her Etsy shop:  Toppytoppy.

If you are looking for wonderful and unique handmade accessories, high quality knit and crochet designs like Fingerless Gloves, Hats, Scarfs, Headbands, Baby Sweaters, Children Sweaters, Boleros and Poncho Shawls.. Then you will love the items at Toppytoppy.
 

Let's get to know Toppytoppy and Coral:

What would you like us to know about you?

My name is Coral, I'm from Mexico, have been living in Chicago for many years and have 4 wonderful (grown up) children and are blessed with a precious grandson. My mother taught me to knit when I was 9 years old but at that time I didn't liked it. I began crocheting in 1969. At the same time, I begin to use a knitting machine to make most of my clothes. Later, in 1985 I went back to hand knitting.

What prompted you to open an Etsy Shop?

I found out from one of my sons that you could sell handmade on Etsy. All my sales were trough word of mouth of family and friends and some local fairs in my area.I got excited with the idea of starting my own web site. Etsy was the ideal place.

How did you come up with your shop name?

I was talking about it with my children, my grandson overheard and he gave me the name TOPPYTOPPY.

How would you describe your shop?

If it can be crocheted or knit, you can probably find it at Toppytoppy! I make Knitwear for everyone.
My Children items are beautiful, cute, fun, and comfy. For grown ups, I offer great quality, style and business elegance. I love designing new accessories like Cartoon Character Hats and I make Headbands, Scarves, Fingerless Gloves, Poncho Shawls, Sweaters, iPhone covers, Card Holders.

 
What inspires you?

My Mom was my greatest inspiration, she was an avid knitter and made the most awesome sweaters and scarves for all our family and friends. Now, I get inspired by my grandson. He is my fashion adviser and business promoter, as he often chooses and models my designs and wears them out in public. I try to make everything he likes. I love to do things based on his favorite toys, movies, comics, animals, heroes, anything that he'll love.

Which item in your shop is your favorite to make/find?

I definitely love to make Baby sweaters.
 

If you were shipwrecked on a desert island, what are the 3 crafty must haves?

Knitting Needles, Hook and Yarn!

Where else can we find you?

Twitter: twitter.com/#!/CoralToppyKnits
Pinterest: pinterest.com/toppytoppy/
www.wanelo.com/ToppyToppy
weheartit.com/toppytoppy
Facebook: www.facebook.com/toppytoppy
toppytoppyknits.blogspot.com/
Google+ plus.google.com/104767424778572904659

Is there anything else you would like to share? 

I have 4 Active coupons:
buy 1 use code SPR1NG12 get 10% off
buy 2 use code JXF2X15 get 15% off
buy 3 use code BUYME3 get 25% off
use code SAVEWME for Free shipping Domestic only


Thanks so much Coral.  It has been great getting to know you and discovering your shop and your lovely items.

Now please show Coral some support and let us know which of her pieces are your favorite from her shop! Oh...and go ahead and heart a few of her items along with her shop :)

Have a great week!

knitting yarns