Interview Feature: TinfenaStudio

Today's interview feature is with a lovely artist who runs TinfenaStudio on Etsy!

How did you come up with your shop's name?

Well, I am an artist, so it's a little bit different, sooner or later your name has to be out there, it's like branding and your name is your product.

Why did you start your etsy shop?
A friend told me I should be in cyberspace, so here I am.  It's one thing to draw and paint, but if nobody looks at your work, basically it doesn't exist, I'm learning and experimenting and etsy allows me to do that very freely. It's like an online artwork portfolio as well as a shop. It's a creative outlet.

How long have you been an artist?
I think it's always been there, it's just something you choose to assume or not, I don't think it's a choice.

Does your shop reflects your personal style?
Yes, I am obsessed with faces and that's always my main subject. I do them in different styles, but all of them are a reflection of my personal styles... the thumbnails next to each listing are very much my style (the way I display things, the colors, the groupings, the plain frames I use, all of it)

Where do you draw inspiration for your art?
I draw inspiration from my friends, people and models I photographed, fashion magazines, movies. It's all part of a lifestyle, an image...

Care to share idea or item you hope to have in your shop? 

Several pages full of different items but within one consistent and evolving style lots of originals as well, lots of sales would be nice too...

Have any advices for others?
I'm too new to give advices, but I've already learned so much and I think it's important to be part of a team ( I am a member of the VAST team on etsy) and also to put your work out there in as many different venues as possible. I am active on the forum, I do treasuries, I contact blogs like yours and if they like my work, it's an honor and it helps more than you realize, so I want to say thank you.

If you would like to be featured on my blog, please check out my blog on free advertising!

Product Giveaway by HogansHandiwork

HogansHandiwork makes cozy cowls and scarves and would love to share one with my readers!  This festive red scarf would make a terrific gift and if you win, you will receive them in time for Christmas to give away.

BUY IT!

This scarf is one-of-a-kind and can't be bought, but there's a nice selection in HogansHandiwork's shop!

WIN IT!

You can win this unique scarf above by entering the giveaway!
Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Please include your e-mail or Etsy shop name so you can be contacted if you win!
This giveaway is open world wide and will run until midnight December 8th.  Giveaway winner will be announced on December 9th.

MANDATORY ENTRY
Visit HogansHandiwork's shop and tell me what item is your favorite.
EXTRA ENTIRES
Follow my blog, A Dreamer's Destination - 1 entry
Follow HogansHandiwork's blog - 1 entry
Heart HogansHandiwork's shop - 1 entry
Become a fan of HogansHandiwork on Facebook - 1 entry
Follow HogansHandiwork on Twitter - 1 entry
Tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link - 1 entry per day
Buy something from HogansHandiwork's shop - 5 entries

If you would like to be featured on my blog, please check out my blog on free advertising!

Product Giveaway by DecoratedTree

DecoratedTree makes terrific seasonal decorations and ornaments and would love to share one with my readers!  This festive Santa ornament would make a terrific gift and if you win, you will receive them in time for Christmas to give away.

BUY IT!

If you just can't wait, you can buy the Santa ornament in DecoratedTree's shop!

WIN IT!

You can win this Santa ornament above by entering the giveaway!
Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Please include your e-mail or Etsy shop name so you can be contacted if you win!
This giveaway is open world wide and will run until midnight December 8th.  Giveaway winner will be announced on December 9th.

MANDATORY ENTRY
Visit DecoratedTree's shop and tell me what item is your favorite.
EXTRA ENTIRES
Follow my blog, A Dreamer's Destination - 1 entry
Sign up for updates from DecoratedTree's new website - 1 entry
Heart DecoratedTree's shop - 1 entry
Become a fan of DecorateTree on Facebook - 1 entry
Follow DecoratedTree on Twitter - 1 entry
Tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link - 1 entry per day
Buy something from DecoratedTree's shop - 5 entries

If you would like to be featured on my blog, please check out my blog on free advertising!

Interview Feature with BeadEvolution

Today's interview feature is with Helen from BeadEvolution!  Helen makes bold resin jewelry and would like to offer a 10% discount on everything in her store to anyone who reads the blog - only until the end of the year! Readers should just send her a message saying that they saw this feature.  

How did you come up with your shop name?

I can't quite remember how the name Beadevolution came to me but I think it is apt as my business is evolving (as I am sure all businesses do). What started out as an obsession with resin beads has turned into an obsession with creating them from scratch.

Why did you start your Etsy shop?
My Etsy shop is still very new. I started with Etsy as it seemed to be the best way to reach an international audience - I am in Australia. I love the international nature of Etsy.

How long have you been a crafter?

I have always been a maker since I was a little girl. I trained as a chef and have also worked on interiors so I think my passion for 'putting things together' is carried through with my Etsy store. I have been collecting beads for ages and making jewelry for friends for a while as well as occasionally selling a piece. I opened Beadevolution with the encouragement of friends and family and am turning my hobby into a business.

Does your shop reflect your personal style?

I would say that my shop does reflect my personal style. I like the bold use of color! I am also quite obsessed with textures and I think this is reflected in my creations. All my jewelry is very tactile.

Where do you draw inspiration from for your products?

My inspiration comes from all around. I am lucky to live very close to the beach and I am working on some resin pebbles which are made from molds from my beach pebbles. I also have a very beautiful indigenous Australian garden which gives me color combination inspiration. Often a piece of fabric or a great artwork can also inspire.

Is there a piece in your shop that was hard for you to part with?

There is a piece in my shop which hasn't sold yet - my smoky olive resin cuff.  This will be hard for me to part with as I spent hours sanding it and I am really pleased with the way it turned out - pretty close to perfection!

Care to share an idea or item you hope to have in your shop in the future?
As I mentioned I am working on some resin pebbles which will feature in necklaces and earrings. I am also enjoying using felt with resin so will be doing some more of that.

What’s the most important piece of advice you can give to other shop owners?

As my business is very new still I am not really in a position to give too much advice! I do think that with online selling it is absolutely crucial to have good photographs though and great product descriptions - and of course to give fantastic customer service.


If you would like to be featured on my blog, please check out my blog on free advertising!

Product Giveaway by MyPaperPretties

MyPaperPretties makes awesome paper and crochet creations and would love to share one with my readers!  These festive candy canes would make a terrific gift and if you win, you will receive them in time for Christmas to give away.

BUY IT!

If you just can't wait, you can buy the candy canes in MyPaperPretties's shop!

WIN IT!

You can win these 3 crochet festive candy canes above by entering the giveaway!
Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Please include your e-mail or Etsy shop name so you can be contacted if you win!
This giveaway is open world wide and will run until midnight December 7th.  Giveaway winner will be announced on December 8th.

MANDATORY ENTRY
Visit MyPaperPretties' shop and tell me what item is your favorite.
EXTRA ENTIRES
Follow my blog, A Dreamer's Destination - 1 entry
Follow MyPaperPretties' blog - 1 entry
Heart MyPaperPretties's shop - 1 entry
Follow MyPaperPretties on Twitter - 1 entry
Tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link - 1 entry per day
Buy something from MyPaperPretties's shop - 5 entries

If you would like to be featured on my blog, please check out my blog on free advertising!

Product Giveaway by Rockarooz!

This giveaway has ended and the winner is...

Trina Gueck

 Congratulations! Rockarooz will contact you shortly!

Rockarooz makes cute crochet baby hats and accessories and would love to share one with my readers!  These hats would make a terrific gift and if you win, you will receive it in time for Christmas to give away.

BUY IT!

If you just can't wait, you can buy from a wonderful selection in Rockarooz' shop!

WIN IT!

You can win your choice of size of either of the 2 crochet hats above here by entering the giveaway!
Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Please include your e-mail or Etsy shop name so you can be contacted if you win!
This giveaway is open to residents in Canada and the U.S. and will run until midnight December 6th.  Giveaway winner will be announced on December 7th.

MANDATORY ENTRY
Visit Rockarooz' shop and tell me which hat is your favorite.
EXTRA ENTIRES
Follow my blog, A Dreamer's Destination - 1 entry
Heart Rockarooz' Etsy shop - 1 entry
Become a fan of Rockarooz on Facebook - 1 entry
Follow Rockarooz on Twitter - 1 entry
Tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link - 1 entry per day
Buy something from Rockarooz' shop- 5 entries

If you would like to be featured on my blog, please check out my blog on free advertising!

10 Gift Ideas for Friends

Just in case you didn't get any ideas from my previous gift guide blogs, here's 10 great gift ideas that would be perfect for anyone!  Fantastic secret Santa ideas, too!

My own shop, Karilan Designs, has a variety of designer journals.  Each journal comes with 3 hand-twisted paper clips and 2 self-sticking name tags for you to customize the journal.  Mention my blog in the message to seller for a free gift!

Every present needs a tag, and SweetAndSassyCards can help with that!  You can also find full size cards and mini cards in the shop, and Sweet also accepts custom orders.

SoonerDesigner has more cards to meet your needs!  Sooner also accepts custom orders and is offering an exclusive 20% off one item in the month of December for mentioning "feature" in the message to seller at checkout!

KDemARTe makes very natural looking jewelry that is fairly asexual, so you can easily find a design for anyone on your list.  KD accepts custom orders but may not be able to do one depending on how complicated your request is.

WhatAboutPhotos sells beautiful and inspirational photography prints, greeting cards, bookmarks, and calendars.  WhatAboutPhotos accepts custom orders and can turn any image from their shop into a bookmark, card, or postcard.  WhatAboutPhotos also offers custom sizes from 2.5x3.5 to 13x19.  Postcards and Greeting Cards can be ordered in bulk (6+ for Greeting Cards and 10+ for Postcards) and will receive free shipping and a discount price, contact seller before buying so discount can be applied to the listing.  Free Shipping on orders over $15 world wide!! Sale #50 will receive 15% off their purchase and free shipping to anywhere.

SubtleHarmony has some wonderfully calming products, ranging from the Kanji magnets you see above, to chakra jewelry.  In today's busy pace, a little gift of peace would surely be welcomed by anyone!

RitzyWreaths has some gorgeous Christmas decorations which would make the perfect gift for someone who is lacking decorations or has moved recently.  It's a wonderful gift that they will remember and cherish every year.  Ritzy accepts custom orders and is offering free shipping!

PernillasSS' shop sells perhaps one of the signature items for the holidays...sweets!  You'll find plenty of very creative as well as common chocolates and sweets, so there will definitely be something you'll want to taste.  Pernillas accepts custom orders as well.  Buy any gourmet chocolate or candy and get free gourmet gift, put “CODE” in message to seller at checkout.

Teaman is something of a celebrity on Etsy.  If you frequent the forums at all, you've probably run into him more than once!  Teaman offers a huge variety of flavors of tea at great prices.  Purchase $7.50 or more before shipping and receive 25 hand blended Cherry, orange and almond Christmas teabags FREE......lesser purchases will receive ten of them! Plus there are some teas reduced to only $2 for 25 teabags.

Dpholkdesigns makes fantastic glass art and trays.  I ordered 2 of these flattened wine bottle serving trays recently and they're absolutely wonderful!  Well packaged and they'll get to you very quickly.  Dpholkdesigns accepts custom requests and was kind enough to swap out the cheese spreaders for ones I liked.  

I hope you can find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list this year!  Please also check out my gift guide blogs for her, for him, for kids, and stocking stuffers!