1.30.2009

1.27.2009

Looking for that perfect Valentine's Day Gift?

OUR BRAT-TY VALENTINES


anhoki:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19843701

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19817603

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19710945

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19709850

BeccasBeadCreations

Pink hand painted heart pendant:

1. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15191053

Pearls and Peridot:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19930969

Hearty bookmark

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18932017

Rose Quartz Pendant:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17309763

butteredparsnips:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19571263

The buttons can be made into adorable magnets for only $1 more!! Simply email me here and I will set you up with your own listing! These would be great for anyone who enjoys getting a little valentine love - mom, dad, sweetie pie, son, daughter, best friend....

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19286489

I think of sweet pink and red treats when I think of Valentine's Day! These little buttons fit that perfectly. Have me turn them into thumbtacks or magnets for only $1 more and they make the perfect gift for mom, wife, sister, auntie, best friend...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18030803

I love the art of CMB and the rose fairy is no exception! Sweet heart of a necklace with a little poly rose attached - so delicate and girly! Perfect for any girlfriend, daughter, niece, best friend, sister...

CreationsAnew

Hearted Leaf Mini Desk Set

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19719608

DesignsbyMarieJulie

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11192179

GoodScents:Sc soap

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18794768

solid perfume

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15177100

rollon perfume

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16061723

travel candle

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8892357

LizEdgar

My Brat-ty Valentine gift for my best friend would be an Amethyst and Swarovski Crystal Bracelet because her personality just sparkels.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13410082

My Valentine's gift for one of the sweetest people in my life would be this Sweet Pendant Necklace. Sweets for a sweetie.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7071533

A Valentine's gift for a cherry of a friend:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13409584

A Valentine's gift for a reader in your life:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9283798

LocoBead

A whole wardrobe of earrings:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20005288

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17702010

oceankisses:

My Brat-ty Valentine Gift to my SWEETIE http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19211813

My Brat-ty Valentine Gift to my TEACHER

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6370451

My Brat-ty Valentine Gift to DAD

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10289556

My Brat-ty Valentine Gift to MOM

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10140078

Rhradcliffedesigns

The first two items would make great gifts for a lover of hearts, and anyone you'd like to send a valentine to....from sweetie to friends to family.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9428822

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8919398

For a special someone this heart is unique and beautiful....it can be hung anywhere and says "I love you" in so many special ways.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14568091

terryann

My gift suggestion for her a crazy slouch tote bag she will go crazy for!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=154182

TimelessInspirations

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18347507

1.26.2009

Brat Pack of Etsy - Feature Artist - Liz Edgar ♥

Liz Featured Brat Jan 09 ♥♥♥

here is the forum thread....



Her Blog;
http://lizedgar.blogspot.com/
To view a photo gallery of other jewelry she has made, please visit:
http://myspace.com/lizedgarsshop

1-Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, and personal stuff).
My name is Elizabeth, but I go by Liz. I was born in Salt Lake City, UT, but pretty much grew up in San Diego, CA. My dad was in the Navy. During my first year of life he was sent to Vietnam. Mom says he was different when he came home. He was stationed to San Diego when I was a toddler. I wasn’t’ a brat who moved every few years, but a lot of my friends were. We had a common thread that drew us together. Dad went to the Philippines on his last cruise when I was five. We stayed behind in San Diego. He finished out his career and retried a chief.
I have one sister. She is career Navy. She is a chief and will be in the Navy 14 years this February. We are fortunate that she has been able to stay stationed in San Diego the last few years. There was a time when she was in Oklahoma. We are very close. She has a son whom I have helped take care of when either she or her ex-husband was sent out to sea. I am married to a Military Brat. His father was Army and Navy. He is not in any branch of the service. I have three children. My sons are 19 and 14 years old and my daughter is 10. My oldest completed Marine boot camp last summer. For now he is stationed at Camp Pendleton.
2-What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?
I totally loved creating as a child. Making mud pies with dandelions were a specialty. I had the standard finger paints and play dough as a kid. One year I got a Spin Art set for my birthday. I made a bazillion pictures with it. I remember the cardboard macaroni tree spray painted in gold I made in kindergarten for Christmas. My mother cherishes that tree. I think my favorite was the bean mosaic I made in elementary school. My mother still had it hanging up when I was a senior in high school. I have an Associate’s Degree in Child Development. I like to say I majored in cutting and painting. I have crocheted, cross stitched and latch hooked. I have worked with pellon and felt making finger puppets and props for teaching. I got into the craze of puffy paints and made decorative sweat shirts and t-shirts for family members.

3-What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from?
I first got into jewelry making when my daughter’s friends brought their beads to a sleepover a few summers ago. I worked with hemp and knotting. I dabbled with elastic string. I prefer bead stringing wire. I started out making bracelets for myself to match the colors of the clothing I had. I received many compliments. My confidence in jewelry making increased and I began making jewelry for friends and my children’s teachers as gifts. One of my friends and co-worker suggested I start selling the pieces I have made. In March of 2005 I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. I made inspirational bracelets to keep my spirits up. Thank goodness it was stage 1 and operable, but at the time I had no idea what I was getting into. While waiting for results between biopsies I kept myself busy making jewelry. It was a great stress reliever.
4-What are your favorite materials?
I really like using glass beads of all shapes and sizes. I like fiber optic because its cat’s eye resemblance. My most recent favorite is glass pearls. I just love their shininess and the array of colors they come in. I prefer bead stringing wire, but have worked with nymo thread.
I also enjoy making ribbon bookmarks and cell phone charms. I love the search for colors that complement each other. I also like adding charms to personalize the bookmarks and cell phone dangles. I have a few favorite bookmarks I have made for myself to use in the books I am reading.
5-What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists on Etsy?
I learned about Etsy from my sister. She had heard about in on a morning radio show. The show was flagging online sites that don’t get much recognition. I did a lot of searching on Etsy to see what others were doing in their shops. I opened my shop in June of 2007, but didn’t list anything until August of 2007. I liked what I saw and through the forums and I found that I wasn’t the only one who was new to the whole thing of selling my handmade items. I have really been blessed with joining the Military Brats team. I have found so much love, support and belonging. I really appreciate the kudos I receive from other members. It is very encouraging. I am also a member of the San Diego East County team. SDEC started out as a really small group, but we are increasing as the weeks go by. A few of our members are also members of the Military Brat team. It is really neat to have local folks to meet and share with.
6-Why should people buy handmade?
I feel handmade items are made from the heart. I know with the items I make I put a lot of thought and time into each piece I create. Handmade in my opinion represents the person who makes it. Handmade is more original than assembly line products. I love unique items and feel handmade is the best way to achieve that uniqueness.
7-Where do you do your creating?
Initially my work area was either the living room floor or on my bed. I kept my materials and supplies in storage containers stacked in my bedroom. As my collection increased I moved my work area to the kitchen. I took over the kitchen table, but still left a little room for meals. Now my work area is in the living room. I have rearranged the living room and my work area a few times. At Christmas time I took down my work table to have room for our tree.
8-Apart from creating things, what do you do?
When I am not creating, I take care of my best friend’s baby boy. I have been taking care of him since September 2008. He is 7 months old. Before that I was working at my daughter’s elementary school as a noon duty. I would supervise the children during lunch time and their lunch recess. I did that for three years. I did teach preschool for approximately six years. I left teaching when my daughter was born.
9-Read any good books lately?
I love to read. I was hooked on the Twilight series. My girlfriend and I read the books together last November and December. I have read the Harry Potter series. I dabbled a little with Stephen King’s books. I really like Susan Wiggs. She writes romance novels, but they are not raunchy. I have a Nicholas Sparks book in the waiting. I have read most of his books. I am currently reading “The Shack.”

10-In ten years I'd like to be…Hmm, I haven’t given much thought to where I would be in my life in ten years. I will be celebrating my 40th birthday next month so I would be 50 then. I am happy with who I am. Of course, I would like to be healthy and have my kids near. I would like to be a grandma and spend lots of time with my grandchildren. As for crafting, I am sure I will be doing it in some shape or form. I don’t foresee feeling the need to own a boutique or shop to sell my wares.

11-How did you pick your business name and your etsy avatar?
My Etsy shop name is my name. A friend of mine whom I had given many of my handmade bracelets to totally encouraged me to sell my jewelry. She would rave and flaunt the bracelets I gave her. She called the bracelets she had from me the “Liz Edgar Collection.” Bingo! My shop’s name is LizEdgar. As for my avatar, I wish it was a picture of one of my cats. I have always had cats in my life. I love frogs, too. As a kid I remember going to the frog pond and stepping in the mushy mud to find frogs. So, my avatar is a kitty with a frog hat.
12- What has being a brat at Etsy meant to you?
Being a brat at Etsy is totally awesome. We have a common thread that ties us together. At first I didn’t think I qualified as a brat since my family didn’t move around like other brats. Being a brat at Etsy has given me an extended family. Thank you so much.

1.12.2009

Black and White Brat Treasury by Lavenderladybug


Classic black and white! Thank you Lavenderladybug! You can view the treasury for a short time here: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=32952

Dandelion Challenge for April 2009

The Dandelion is the official flower
of the military brat.

All Brats are hereby challenged to create something with a "Dandelion"
theme by April 17th and post a picture of it over at the team discussion
site in PAGES. There is a prize involved here, so don't be slackers!

The link to each challenge entry will be posted in the Teams & Events
Forum on Etsy on April 18th and voting on our entries will be open to
all team members, Etsy shop owners, and Etsy buyers through April
19th.

1.07.2009

Happy Birthday January Brats


I've returned from my holiday trip to the panhandle just in time to wish those celebrating birthdays this month a happy one. Visit their shops and wish them well for this new year.

JANUARY 7th...
Cheap Boutique.etsy.com
Journey In Jewellery.etsy.com
Moda Designs.etsy.com
Strictly Wholesale.etsy.com

JANUARY 27th...
Yoda Moon.etsy.com

If I missed someone or you're a new member that wants to be added, please contact me and I'll include you too.

Blessings to all...
Angee .•~*•*~•.

1.06.2009

A Bratty Treasury by GrumpyTomsAttic


Great set! Sure brightened up my day. You can view it here http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=31749 for a short time.

1.03.2009

BlockheadRadio/BlogTalkRadio Interview....AFTER THE INTERVIEW

It warmed my heart to see such a great turn out for our interview with Artisans Teams and Groups, with host Lily (http://www.tulipstreasurebox.etsy.com). You were all great both on the air and in chat. Lily's show is on every Saturday at 1:00 Eastern Standard Time. I understand that our sister team HOMEFRONT will be interviewed on Valentine's day, so I hope you will make time to visit Lily's show (Artisan Teams and Groups) again. I've asked Lily to be an "honorary brat" in our group and I hope she will accept the invitation. Also, I know many of you are members of other teams, so I hope you will alert your team leader to this wonderful way to promote!

If you were not able to join us while the show was live on the air, you can still hear the interview at your leisure by clicking on the BlogTalkRadio picture on the right-hand side of this blog page. You won't be able to know what was going on in "chat" at the time, but you can hear the interview, some of your fellow brats, and some pretty great music!

Thanks again Brats! You all are awesome!

Patti