My businesses are all about sewing and expressing my creativity
3. How did you start selling on etsy?
I had been doing some craft fairs, a friend told me about etsy and I've been selling here ever since.
4. Where do your inspirations come from?
My inspirations come from everyone, a suggestion from a friend, something I see out and about....I also have lots of crayon sketches on the beer advertisements from restaurants....we will all be having dinner, I get an idea, grab a crayon from the kids and draw it out (beer advertisements work much better than napkins)
5. Is your family supportive of your etsy business?
My husband is supportive of everything I do..including etsy.
6. What was the strangest experience you've ever had when being inspired with a new design?
I got busted at the grocery store, trying to discreetly check out the handle design of another woman's handbag. She gave me the dirtiest look, I said, oh, just checking out your grommets and walked away. She was not impressed.
7. What is the most rewarding aspect of the etsy community for you and your business?
I have met some pretty incredible, very supportive people here. Even though I've never met them, I can honestly say they are very dear friends. As far as my business goes, I've been able to let my creative side flourish. I have a BS in Animal Science and an MBA...not exactly the best choices for creativity. I'm not making money hand over fist, but I'm supporting my fabric habit and trying new things, so I find it very rewarding.
Would you like an invitation to the Party? Consider yourself officially invited! It has been one year since the birth of the Fabulous Artistic Moms of Etsy! To celebrate our 388 moms membership, we are having a Fabulous Birthday Bash Giveaway! Over 40 Artists have donated prizes!! There will be 1 Grand prize winner who will receive over 30 handmade items from these Fabulous Artistic Moms and 10 Honorable Mentions who will each receive one prize! So, here is how to enter ...
Rules of the Game 1) Visit one or more of the shops below and look for the cupcake hidden (like the one above) or the text "FAM Birthday" in their listings.
2) Post a comment below with the listing URL (http://...) for the item where you found the cupcake, your name, and your e-mail address. Entry Posts will not be made public. (Make sure the URL is for a single listing and not the shop's main page.) The game runs from February 15-21, 2009. A list of winners will be posted on the blog.
Would you like an extra entry? 1)Visit a different shop and find another cupcake! Post an additional comment below with the listing URL (http://...) where you found the cupcake, your name, and your e-mail address. You may leave up to 5 entry comments for finding cupcakes!
2)For every item purchased from one of the shops listed below, from February 15-21, you will get an extra entry. Simply post an additional comment with the transaction URL link with your name and e-mail address.
You hunting for cupcakes for entries into FAM's First Birthday Bash and you keep finding some wonderful items that you just love. Then you realize you one of the ways to get and extra entry is to purchase an item(s) from a participating shop, each purchase counts, from February 15-21. Simply post an additional comment with the transaction URL link with your name and e-mail address on the official First Birthday Bash Post.
And what is even more Fabulous are these sale, so that what you just fell in love with cost a little less!
KeepYourBabyclose http://www.keepyourbabyclose.etsy.com 20% off plus FREE SHIPPING (international included!) on all purchases over $25. I will send a revised invoice or promptly refund via Paypal. Sale ends February 28 at midnight. No need for a code, this is valid on all purchases that qualify!
LJDesignPhoto http://ljdesignphoto.etsy.com 20% off all non sale items! Free shipping on any purchase over $30 after discount. Wait for a revised invoice, or I will send a refund via Paypal. This sale is good though February 21st at midnight PST. Free shipping sale can be combined with items from both stores.
LJDesignCards http://ljdesigncards.etsy.com 20% off all non sale items! Free shipping on any purchase over $30 after discount. Wait for a revised invoice, or I will send a refund via Paypal. This sale is good though February 21st at midnight PST. Free shipping sale can be combined with items from both stores.
Nicole's Homemade Treats http://nikid.etsy.com Buy one (1) pound of any of my products, get a 1/2 pound free! (max: 1 pound free)
Shannon's Design Shop http://shannonlewallen.etsy.com Buy one get one free on select cards & invitations. Sale is good now until the end of February.
Pumpkin Pea http://pumpkinpea.etsy.com all items on pages 3 and 4 in my shop are all on sale (yes, whatever fall on those 2 pages. Also free shipping both domestic and international if they purchase any of Pumpkin Pea's collection.
gingerkittydesigns http://gingerkittydesigns.etsy.com 20% off all items in store (except the knitted bracelet sets)! Free shipping on any purchase over $30 after discount. Put FAMBASH in notes to seller and wait for a revised invoice or i will refund via Paypal. This sale is good through February 21st at midnight EST.
GLASS HOUSE JEWELRY http://glasshousejewelry.etsy.com 20% off all items in my glasshousejewelry shop. Please put FAMBASH in the notes to seller when checking out. I will either send a revised invoice of refund via paypal. Sale ends February 21st at midnight EST.
Handmade By Andrea Baker http://andreabaker.etsy.com 10 % off your order with me - Please put FAMBASH in the notes to seller when checking out. I will either send a revised invoice of refund via paypal. Sale ends February 21st at midnight EST. Can not be combined with any other offer from my shop.
Valerie's Gallery http://valeriesgallery.etsy.com 10% off + free US shipping through 2/21 Please note FAM Birthday Bash in note to seller and $ will be refunded through paypal
Stones of Healing http://stonesofhealing.etsy.com 20% off all non sale itmes! 15% off of all sale items! Buy 3 items get 4th one free!! Free shipping on any purchase over $45 after discount! Put FAM1st in notes to seller and pay and you will receive a refund via Paypal. This sale is good through February 28th at midnight PST.
Double Dipped Sweets http://doubledippedsweets.etsy.com 20% off through 2/21 Please note FAM Birthday Bash in notes to seller and I will refund your money through Paypal!
FREE SHIPPING on any order through February 21st! (no cupcakes hidden in this shop)
Skinner Studio http://www.skinnerstudio.etsy.com 20% off your purchase. Free shipping on orders over $30 after discount. Please enter "FAMBASH" in notes to seller at checkout and wait for revised invoice, or a refund via PayPal. Offer good thru Feb 21st at midnight PST.
Berrysweetstuff.com http://berrysweetstuff.etsy.com 15% off any body butters and perfume oils (sale items excluded.) This sale is valid through February 21st at midnight PST. A revised invoice will be sent or a paypal refund will be given. Be sure to put FAM BASH in the notes to seller area so that I know to apply the discount.
Huggabears http://www.huggabears.etsy.com All t-shirts are 20% off Buy 1 tote bag, get the 2nd 1/2 off credit will be given through paypal after purchase.
The Fabulous Artistic Mom's are turning one and to celebrate we thought why not give you guys the chance to get all the presents!
Some of you may remember the FAM Spring Fling or maybe the FAM Back to School Fling... these were so much fun that we couldn't help but host another - the FAM 1st Birthday Bash!!
Just as before there will be hidden secret images and/or text in many of the teams etsy shops for you to find which once found will give you and instant entry into the competition or you can earn an entry just by purchasing an item from participating stores - Easy!!
Now for the even more exciting bit - the PRIZES! Some of the Fabulous Artistic Mom's have put together some great and fun items especially for the FAM 1st Birthday Bash. There will be several winners, One grand prize winner and a few consolation prize winners too!!! Take a look below at the awesome items on offer from the FAM team....
Never fear there are more in depth details to come very soon of how, where and when to start hunting and who to tell when you find what is hidden....... so stay tuned!!
Here is my interview with Koryn, and be sure to check out some of her beautiful work below!!!
Let's start with the basic intro - what is your name?
Koryn.
Tell us about yourself. Are you married, have children?
I am married 22 years to Tim who is active duty in the US Air Force and stationed at The Pentagon. We have 4 children, two in college and two in high school. The older three are boys and the youngest is our girl. All of our kids are in music and theater. Both our sons are in singing groups at college which have recorded CD's and perform at state high schools and colleges in Virginia. I taught preschool up until last summer when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am currently half way through my chemo therapy and I wake up every day to another blessing from God. Having Etsy and my craft has been a great way to cope, a distraction in the storm, a light in the dark, a way for me to "run away". It has kept me focused. I also opened a charity Etsy site called Bosom Buddies where I feature other etsy artist's breast cancer awareness items and all I sell in my shop supports the Susan G. Komen Foundation. www.BosomBuddies.etsy.com.
What sort of items do you have in your shop?
Mostly hand stamped jewelry and silver, copper, and some Swarovski. I also do a lot of hand stamped pet tags.
How long have you been doing your craft?
I began making mother's bracelets 15 years ago (the sterling block letter type, bead, etc.) and opened my other etsy shop motherspreciousgems.etsy.com in 2007. The Taffy Box began after that when I just couldn't stop beading, but when I didn't have any custom orders pending! Last year I learned the art of hand stamping.
Where do you find your inspiration for your work?
I love nature, birds, children, serenity, the ocean, and inspiration itself.
How long have you had your Etsy shop and what made you decide to take that step to open it?
I have been on Etsy about 2 years. I stumbled upon Etsy quite by accident but it has been a wonderful catalyst in selling my jewelry and meeting other artists who have given me great inspiration and advice. I feature other etsy artist's on my blog No Strings Attached, and I enjoy networking with other mothers on everything from parenting to how-to's of working from home.
Do you have any upcoming projects that you want to share with us?
I am looking forward to offering a stylish font in my hand stamping line, something more delicate looking. I have also been invited to do some wholesale work and am interested but would like advice from other FAM members who have jumped into that arena.
Thank you so much for being today's featured FAM shop and your fellow FAMMIES wish you well in your courageous battle!!
Follow these links to see Koryn's work for yourself:
