Shop Etsy on Small Business Saturday

The second annual Small Business Saturday is November 26, 2011. It is about supporting the small business person, your family mom and pop business rather than the chain stores or Fortune 500 corporations. It’s about entrepreneurs and families selling things that the chains aren't. Think about what is available in your local community and give them some support even if you need to spend a bit more.  When I think about my local community, the small mom and pop business is almost a thing of the past.  Sadly, the ones that are left are struggling to compete with large conglomerates who can offer volume discounts that they can't. For example, the large grocery stores now offer all sorts of services, like floral which makes it difficult for the local florist shop to compete.  I think I will find one of the few florist shops left in my area to support on Saturday.  Another idea is to support a home based Etsy business this year with your holiday shopping.  Etsy business owners are home based, mom and pop businesses doing what they can to make ends meet in this tough economy.  Etsy businesses offer truly unique gifts that will wow your family and friends.  You can find that something special that can't be found in any brick and mortar store.  You can feel good about getting that special gift and also about helping a small business owner.  You can even shop by location and find Etsy sellers in you general area. Click here to shop local on Etsy:

So if you are unfamiliar with Etsy, I recommend you check out what the small business owners and handcrafted artist have to offer, but be warned, the creative unique offerings are endless and it can be very addicting.  Here are a few examples of what can be found on Etsy:

 

Who wouldn't love to receive a handcrafted leather journal like this one?  Shirley Lynne of The Orange Windmill makes all her journals from scratch. She hand-cuts the leather for the covers and tears each sheet of paper individually.  Take a look at her other journals here.  Here are her other links:   

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theorangewindmill Twitter: twitter.com/#!/shirleyljmartin
Pinterest: pinterest.com/shirleymartin/

Leather Journal - Mahogany Brown by The Orange Windmill on Esty 

How about this unique piece of jewelry for that someone special? 

Jayne started making jewelry when her daughters were small and found out that she really enjoyed designing and making jewelry.  She started making jewelry for herself and received many compliments and questions about her jewelry and  because of that she decided to design and make jewelry for sale. She only uses the highest quality gemstones and pearls.  Check out her other unique designs here.  Other links for Jaynemarie:
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/JewelryByJaynemarie Twitter account: twitter.com/#!/JewlryJaynmarie
Blog page: jewelrybyjaynemarie.blogspot.com/

Freshwater White Pearls and faceted Rose Quartz Rondells by Jaynemarie on Etsy

There are an endless supply of jewelry sellers on Etsy.  You could spend days, just looking through all the unique and beautiful one of a kind handcrafted choices.  Here is another unique piece of jewelry if you are looking for something in the $30.00 price range.  Handcrafted by Agnes of BeaderBubbe on Etsy with fancy jasper semi-precious stones and stone bead chips on memory wire.  It is one size fits all.  If you have a few minutes -- visit her shop - you'll be glad you did.  

Chips away bracelet by BeaderBubbe on Etsy

Lastly, Etsy is great for getting the right gift for that hard to buy for person on your list.  If you have someone to buy for who is a collector, take a look through the vintage shops on Etsy. You might just find that perfect, unique, gift. Here is a listing from Redemption Art on Etsy.  Connie works hard at providing a range of vintage goods that would please the start up collector as well as the professional. Her business is based in Hawaii so if you are looking for something special that you think might be specific or found in Hawaii contact her and she will try to help you find it.  Check out her shop here.  Other links: facebook:www.facebook.com/redemption.art

twitter: twitter.com/#!/islandbuzzy blog: islandbuzzy.com

Vintage rose colored depression glass

BESTeam finds

Annie Oliverio of Empty on the Inside has been creating art since she was a kid.  She opened her Etsy shop in March of 2011.  If you like greeting cards - check out her shop. She is busy stocking her shop with Christmas and holiday cards. 

Daffodils blank greeting card

 Annie started making the cards for her own use because she was having difficulty finding cards that she liked.  Incredibly, there are no mass produced or printed cards in her shop. Each card is a hand painted original

Hand painted greeting card - blank inside

  Every one is unique and special and anyone you give one to would feel special.  They are "empty on the inside" and therefore you can fill them with your own words. 

Handpainted sunflower greeting card

Faith of Stitchprincess sells one of a kind homemade clothing, aprons and photography.  Here is a sampling from her shop but it's worth a trip to visit her shop and see her other creations. 
Her specialties are dresses (casual and evening), skirts, aprons, purses, and small quilts. All of her products are hand or machine-sewn, with materials purchased from local fabric stores or vintage fabrics from her mother and grandmother. 
Faith's formal dresses are beautiful.  They are custom made in any fabric or size to your particular specifications. 

Royal blue apron

Formal gown with gathered bodice

Looking for some unique hair accessories?  Check out Danielle's shop called ChickyDs. Danielle always loved arts and crafting. She knew from middle school that she would pursue a career involving art. She went to school, studied Graphic Design and now works doing just that at a local newspaper.  Here are just two of her creations,  take a few moments and check out her other creations. 

Primary color dots loopy bow

Teal poly-satin flower ruffle headband

Tree of life necklace

Here are a couple of creations from Bluewhitewhere on Etsy. 
CC of Bluewhitewhre is an American (born & raised in upstate NY) expat who has lived in Bangkok, Thailand for 9 years.  She recently moved to Santiago, Chile with her husband.  She creates jewelry with an oriental flair.  Take a moment to visit her shop - you will be glad you did.


Here is a antiqued silver toned tree of life pendant with two round malachite stones and five little faceted golden crystal beads.

Turquoise and tiger eye necklace

Turquoise nuggets and shiny, faceted tigers eye create a feeling of the old Southwest in this updated, modern necklace. An asymmetrical necklace has little gold-tones balls to add a little sunlight sparkle. The necklace is about 17 inches long (43 cm). Fastens with a gold-tone lobster clasp

BESTeam Feature

It's time for my weekly BESTeam feature.  Once a week on our blogs we feature 3 or 4 of the members of the BESTeam.  If you have a blog and are looking for a team that will push you to keep up with your blog posting - The BESTeam is a good choice.  

The first shop that I would like to feature is knitfuldezigns.  Veronica Grace of Knitfuldezigns has some basic knit hats for adults or children.  She also has some creative knit accessories like bows and headbands along with knit scrubbies and baby booties.  Stop by and take a look.  If you see something you like -or if you want a different color - she is willing to do custom orders. 

Here is a darling toddler hat from Knitfuldezigns on Etsy:

Toddler's Hat by KnitfulDezigns on Etsy
Here are the other links for Knitfuldezigns:
Facebook   Blog     Twitter

The next shop to feature is GMaEllenCrochetGifts.  

Ellen Mackler of GMaEllenCrochetGifts has some unique crochet items in her shop.  She calls it "Not your everyday, ordinary crochet".  Check out this heirloom lace edging. It is handmade using a double strand of bedspread weight cotton thread.

Here is what Ellen says about her heirloom crochet lace border edging:

"I am particularly fond of this one. It is a little bold because of the double strand of thread. Use your imagination and it can be used in so many ways.

As shown it has dressed up my secretary very nicely. Use it on a shelf to really dress up your home decor. Use on shelving in your kitchen . . . wow! Really makes a statement!

Get brave, use it as a fashion neck scarf. Dress up that satin blouse. It drapes around your shoulders and will fold over once, to hang nicely on a button up blouse." 

Here are her other links:               Facebook             Twitter

Heirloom Crochet Lace Border Edging by GMaEllenCrochetGifts

         

Infinity Scarf Crochet in Creamy Beige

Our Home to Yours is the next shop to feature.   Our Home to Yours is a creative mother daughter team.  The shop has a great mix of jewelry, crochet and home decor.  Debbie is the mom and creates the jewelry and floral decor.  Here is a crochet scarf created by daughter Amanda.   And here is a beautiful unique African beaded necklace by Debbie.  Here are their links - take a few minutes and check them out. 
Blog    Facebook   Twitter

African beaded necklace by ourhometoyours on Etsy


The last shop to feature this week is Absolutely Kismet on Etsy.    Check out this unique pendant.  This shop has
wine glass charms, stitch markers, and hemp and beaded jewelry.  If you are looking for unique stocking stuffers or gifts check out this shop.  



Tiger striped heart pendant

He calls me friend!

John 15 vs 12 by Angelasheartworks on Etsy

I am a friend of God - lyrics by Israel Houghton

VERSE:
Who am I that you are mindful of me
That you hear me, when I call
Is it true that you are thinking of me
How you love me, it's amazing (Who am I Lord)

CHORUS:
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

God Almighty
Lord of Glory
You have called me friend

We sang this song at church on Sunday and every time we sing this song I am so moved.  Here on the internet and also in life, we spend much time trying to make the right connections.  We think, if only I knew someone who would help me.  If I could get the right people to follow my Facebook page or my twitter I could be successful.  There is much concern about who we have as a friend and how many friends we have.  If we are looking for a job we think, if only I knew someone who would help, the mayor or someone in some big company who would show favor to me.   

Well, we do have a friend to help in our times of need.  His name is Jesus and we can call upon Him and He hears our cry.   He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.  He is our advocate. He is God and He calls me friend!

Here is an uplifting version by Israel Houghton and New Breed.  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXFi6lUUz5s

Etsy shops from the BESTeam

This is my very first BESTeam feature.  I just joined the BESTeam this week and have spent some time familiarizing myself with the many shops on the team.  If you are looking for a team which encourages marketing via blog posting this team would be a good choice.  There are some very talented members on the team and I have some shops that I would like to share with you.  One great thing about having an Etsy shop is that via your computer you meet shop owners from all over the world.

The first shop I would like to share is Riorita.  Irith of Riorita is a gold and silversmith from Tel Aviv, Israel.  How cool is that?  I would love to buy something made by hand in Israel.  Check out her shop to find unique handmade jewelry designs.  She likes to combine her jewelry with semi-precious stones, ancient glass and beach glass or pebbles from the Sea of Galilee.  Here is a beautiful sterling silver ring from Riorita with a gorgeous oval blue kyanite stone. 

Riorita's blog   /Facebook   /twitter

Sterling silver oval kyanite ring by Riorita on Etsy

My second shop to share is Las Flores Del Sur. Marisa of Las Flores Del Sur is from Montevideo, Uruguay.
This shop has an assortment of necklaces, bracelets and earrings with glass or acrylic beads.  Her seed and glass bead bracelets are beautiful.  Marisa has a second shop Flores Del Sur which carries handmade hair pins, hair clips, pins and brooches.  Check out this owl necklace from Las Flores Del Sur.

An owl in a starry night by Las Flores Del Sur

The final shop that I would like to share is Poison Garden on Etsy.  This shop carries neovictorian, gothic, steampunk jewelry and accessories.  The location for this shop is Lafayette, Indiana.  Every piece in the shop is unique.  Take a look at this unique necklace made with icy cracked glass beads, accented by glowing blue crystals.  Just beautiful!

Neo Victorian cracked glass necklace by Poison Garden

So here are just three of the many talented shops that belong to the BESTeam -- check them out!